![[MP3] Andrew Belle: "Static Waves" (feat. Katie Herzig)](http://cache.elbo.ws/posts/2140973_lg.jpg)
Andrew Belle's newest LP, The Ladder , will be (self) released February 23, 2010, and we've got a brilliant little preview track for you in "Static Waves". Perfectly suited for any primetime soap-opera (or, in today's age, any show, really), "Static Waves" mixes in Belle's baritone folk tone with Katie Herzig's delicate and airy harmony. The orchestral mix of strings, bells and keys makes "Static Waves" an immediate go-getter. Bottom line: It's a pop treaure; one that you'll soon be hearing on TV and everyone will be going, "what's that song??" But you, my friends, will know. [...]
A bevy of noteworthy information surfaced in the music world today regarding 2010. None long enough to really write a full post about on their own, but I know I'd regret not providing the information in case you haven't heard it. So, here goes: - Bonnaroo is slated for June 10-13 and ticket holiday pre-sales begin Friday, November 27 at 12 pm (ET). The official lineup will be announced sometime in late January / early February. - Miracle Fortress , whom I briefly discussed here , is releasing a new record in [...]
Vampire Weekend is back, everybody! They're going to be releasing the first big album of the new decade, Contra , on January 12, but for now they're teasing the eager fans with singles. We first heard the softer side with "Horchata," a pretty good little song . And now we have the faster-paced "Cousins." And awww the video is adorable! It's just like, these happy white kids from New England in a colorful back alley being silly! Stuff White People Like for sure (that reference is still hip, right?). While [...]
![[MP3] Efterklang: "Modern Drift"](http://cache.elbo.ws/posts/2138008_lg.jpg)
Copenhagen natives Efterklang are preparing to release their third full-length album, Magic Chairs , and are giving us a taste of it in the form of "Modern Drift." The song is drifting and wonderful and sweet and all that nonsense that makes a good song a good song. Magic Chairs is out February 22 on 4AD . Efterklang - "Modern Drift" [MP3] While You're Here: Mp3s of some SXSW artists Matt Kanelos & The Smooth [...]
![[MP3] Beck: "Harry Partch"](http://cache.elbo.ws/posts/2137900_lg.jpg)
You like feuds, right? Because this new Beck song is the baby of the feud of the year and it's pretty messy. The story goes like this: Radiohead wrote a song back in August about Harry Patch, the UK's oldest surviving WWI veteran (aww!). Well The Fiery Furnaces' Matthew Friedberger heard this and mistook it to be a song about apparently trendy 20th century composer Harry Partch . Because this upset him so, Friedberger lambasted Radiohead for being obnoxious and writing about trendy things. When he realized his mistake, he released a statement that read: "Matt would [...]
Clean Equations could easily be Messy Equations with seven band members. But in the age of the indie-pop collective (at least for me), they pull off a solid and tempered group dynamic. Musical hysteria be damned, you're losing in the big bands battle! Minimalist percussion and layers upon layers of rippled keys and guitars make Clean Equations a captivating listen. At times brooding and foreboding, they seem to have a predilection for mystery. Enchanting backing sounds and carefully plucked strings lead into full, dark crescendos wrapped in distortion. Lead vocalist Michael Nyhan and frequent partner Gretchen Lohse [...]
![[MP3] Harlem: "Sometimes (Flamin' Groovies cover)"](http://cache.elbo.ws/posts/2135858_lg.jpg)
It's a good thing You Ain't No Picasso has been keeping close tabs on Austin band Harlem, because I almost missed this one! The boys like doing covers and their latest attempt is "Sometimes," originally released in 1965 by Paul Revere And The Raiders. Story goes, though, that Harlem never heard the original, just the 1976 Flamin' Groovies cover. Thus, this is technically a Flamin' Groovies cover. Confusion! Their first official full-length should be coming out sometime soon (fingers crossed), but until then we have what we have. And right now, we have this. [...]
It's pretty common knowledge that the only thing better than a new song by The Antlers is a cookies 'n' cream milkshake, and guess which one I'm going to write about today? (Hint: It's not the milkshake.) The Antlers recently went into the studio to record a brand new version of "Sylvia" from their album Hospice , which dropped earlier this year. The record is one of my favorites of 2009, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already. That said, non-fans probably won't get much out of the new [...]
Queen of DIY, tUnE-YaRdS, released her (awesome) debut album, BiRd-BrAiNs , earlier this year , but a deluxe version is now out on 4AD with some bonus remixes of her track, "Hatari." What a gift! The song was remixed by Drunkenmonkey, Karn and The Small Is Beautiful, but I'll give you the Drunkenmonkey version because it's just the best of the bunch (no pun intended??). tUnE-YaRdS - "Hatari (Drunkenmonkey remix)" [MP3] tUnE-YaRdS -"Hatari" [MP3] [via Stereogum ] While You're [...]
![[MP3] Beach House: "Norway"](http://cache.elbo.ws/posts/2133087_lg.jpg)
Beach House likes making dream pop. This is fact. They're getting ready to release their third album, Teen Dream , in late January on Sub Pop . This is also fact. But is it true that they have released a VERY promising first single from said album that gives much more hope than we previously thought to the first month of the new decade in music?? Yes. This is also fact. The song is "Norway" and it is very good. Tell all your friends and you will be cool. Beach House – "Norway" [MP3] [...]
![[MP3] Holly Conlan: Uh Oh](http://cache.elbo.ws/posts/2132971_lg.jpg)
I've been waiting to unleash this one on you guys, and today seemed appropriate. I HEART 's pin-up girl calendar was officially made available online today , and if you're not totally lacking on any sort of short-term memory, you'd remember that Holly Conlan was involved with the singer/songwriter compilation for I HEART and the Bombshell Alliance . Support I HEART, Conlan and crew as they continue to provide us with excellent music and worthy causes. Conlan, known for her bouncy and tender jingles such as "Ok", gives a little more rock and [...]
Man, press release authors can be really excitable sometimes. Look: Toro Y Moi (a.k.a. Columbia, South Carolina's Chaz Bundick) is the sound the world has been waiting for. This multi-cultural juggernaut gathers up the best musical elements from around the globe- R&B, Indie Rock, Electronic Dance and Psychedelica -and creates something-freaking-else! Hyphen explosion, you guys! Anyway, astute readers might notice that I just managed to cloak an artist description in a smarmy joke, and did absolutely no real work. But oh well. I'm a man on the go, you [...]
The Golden Filter released a gem back in September back called "Thunderbird" that is just now getting the video treatment is SO deserved. It's not adventurous or experimental or creepy (like some OTHER recent videos), but it's sweet and intimate and, most importantly, it matches the soft nature of the song. The Thunderbird 123 is out now on Dummy. The b-side is a cover of The White Stripes' "Hardest Button To Button," so it's a must-go-now-get. The Golden Filter – "Thunderbird" [MP3] While You're Here: [...]
Don't get too excited, there isn't a whole tour lined up or anything, but electronic dance heroes Hot Chip are teaming up with indie newcomers The xx for four shows across the U.S. and one in Canada. While not an immediately obvious pair, the two should make for an interesting show. Dark brooding minimalism in one half and upbeat dance tracks in the other. A beautiful dichotomy or a messy publicity move? You be the judge! Hot Chip – "Take It In" [MP3] The XX – "Basic Space" [MP3] [...]
Click here to view the embedded video. Well, the mainstream is picking up on this a bit late, but better late then never, right? Let's Go Sailing's brilliantly sweet The Chaos In Order has been a constant listen since it came out a couple years ago. One of the most memorable tracks is "Icicles" (though it's hard to pick a legit standout track because they're all so good), which Radio Shack realized (...two years late) and have now decided to feature it on their appropriate wintry commercial, "Product Tree Farm". [...]
If you didn't read Knox Road this week because you were too busy camping out to watch New Moon , you missed A LOT of creepy videos. Bet you're feeling the regret now, huh? Well, have no fear, Week In Review is here! Everything you may have missed below. Sunday: Knox Road Radio Playlist for 11.8.09 Monday: In the creepy video series: The Most Serene Republic's "Heavens To Purgatory" I HEART's Second Annual [...]
Today Lee and I learned a lot about ourselves during the radio show, like how Lee's related to the late singer of Morphine, and how I'm just awesome in general. Even though we all knew that already. But anyway, this week will mark the one year birthday of Knox Road, so we made sure to put on a crazy, sexy party during the show. Or did we? I don't know, man, I guess you'll just have to listen and find out. Knox Road Radio 11.13.09 [MP3] (Available until next Sunday's show) 01| WHY? [...]
Today Lee and I learned a lot about ourselves during the radio show, like how Lee's related to the late singer of Morphine, and how I'm just awesome in general. Even though we all knew that already. But anyway, this week will mark the one year birthday of Knox Road, so we made sure to put on a crazy, sexy party during the show. Or did we? I don't know, man, I guess you'll just have to listen and find out. Knox Road Radio 11.15.09 [MP3] (Available until next Sunday's show) 01| WHY? [...]
Wake up, ceiling stare, hurriedly dress and walk with the wind to work. Hear something. Stop. Gate off to the right. Press your ear to the door. Echoes, bouncing sounds. Eyes to the hole. Kids running around, innocence abound. Flowers in full bloom. Weeping trees. Afraid someone will see you watching. Realize you're late to work. Stop, breathe, ready yourself for the day. Think about joining the crowd of kids and what could have been. Wait. Gate opens. Little redhead asks if you want to play their game. You're hesitant, say no thanks, I'm all grown up. She asks why. [...]
Jadiid is an interesting band. If you asked me to give you their overall "sound," I suppose I'd say something about acoustic guitars, folk, soul, and the like, but it wouldn't be a fair description. The band's full-length, It's OK, Be Anxious , definitely has an acoustic bend to it, but it also features electric guitars, drums, bass, trumpets, strings, piano, and one of those world-weary vocal tones that commands your attention. With all these instruments comes the tendency for the songs to meander - none of the 11 songs on the album are shorter than [...]
WKND PLYLST!! This has nothing to do with NEW MOON!
Vampire Weekend - Cousins
‘09 Been Kind
Bobby B's Top 50 Albums Of The Decade (#25-21)
HOT CHIP TAKE another crack at IT and I’m IN
