![[Abby's Road] Crisis Devices](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3773894_lg.jpg)
You know how life creeps up and slaps us around once in a while? Just when we think all is going along swimmingly; nothing monumental happening, nothing precariously bad or particularly good, everything just humming along status quo? Whether it's good or bad, I am at my most comfortable at these moments. Then, like an anvil born in the wing of a roadrunner, shit flies and hits us square in the head: drama. As adults: job loss, the death of a loved one, long time confidant has to move to the opposite side of the country, bad diagnosis from the [...]
![[MP3] Inspired and the Sleep: "While We're Young"](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3773755_lg.jpg)
Inspired and the Sleep is the musical project of Max Greenhalgh. The San Diego kid recorded a solo album under this moniker over the summer, titled Teenager (does anyone sense a theme??). His songs are made up of live loops and melodies, akin to Yellow Ostrich. The first single off the album is "While We're Young," showcasing Greenhalgh's penchant for melodic lo-fi pop with varied instrumentation, samples and vocals. "While We're Young" induces head-bopping at its finest. Inspired and the Sleep - "While We're Young" [MP3] Inspired [...]
Video directed by Neil O'Driscoll. When sights and sounds collide. Deaf Joe: "The Softest Touch" [MP3] Download Deaf Joe's free The Softest Touch compilation on Bandcamp . From Dublin's Delphi Records . Also check out Deaf Joe on Facebook and Twitter . Share:
I don't know where bands get their names from these days. I mean, seriously. Rems Floating Chandelier? I guess the less sense the name makes, the more authentic the band is. ...Kidding. I hope. Luckily, this very new trio (started in March, 2011), from Northern Virginia, deserves to call themselves whatever they want, because their dream pop is exquisite. Electronic samples make up the meat of the sound, but RFC adds in stringed instruments in irregular places. Most songs have a fairly substantial transition in the middle of the track, leading to spectacular unpredictability. [...]
As I'm sure is the case for many of you, the music I listen to is dictated by my mood. So if you've been finding more subdued music here lately, you can equate that with how I'm feeling. Knox Road is here to show you everything we enjoy, as music fans and listeners, but the site is also a reflection of where each of us are in our respective lives. You may just come here looking for a good tune here and there, which is totally fine. But do know that the songs and artists we pick are by no [...]
![[MP3] Oh Ye Denver Birds: "I Believe In Love, Kid"](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3766054_lg.jpg)
Why did it take me so long to find this song?? Despite parts of the track sounding like Pogo's "Upular" Pixar remix , Oh Ye Denver Birds' "I Believe In Love, Kid," is a shimmering, frenetic pop gem. Male and female vocals play off each other, the rhythm winds in and out, and falsetto harmonies fly. The song transfixes from the start. Oh Ye Denver Birds - "I Believe In Love, Kid" [MP3] Oh Ye Denver Birds is set to drop a new album in early 2012. They will have a pre-order [...]
Weird grammar notwithstanding, the kids behind Pittsburgh experimental quartet, IKE., (including RIVKA 's Reggie Wilkins) know what they're doing. Oftentimes it's difficult to tell when a band is actually having fun making music, but with IKE. it's apparent from the very start; I can see them smiling through my speakers. IKE.'s sound is sincere to the core and and their choruses of cheery harmonies will brighten your day. I expect this sound to appeal to many - a mix of contemporary lo-fi pop with old school pyschedelic shoegaze will make IKE. a permanent fixture in the indie scene [...]
It's time to break the bad news to Best Coast. Ok, here goes. Best Coast, there is a band in Chicago that does your sound better than you. Don't get me wrong, you guys are great. You've got an excellent vocalist, great songs, the whole package. The fact is, Chicago duo Magic City is better. A lot better. The vocals are similar, but cleaner and a bit sweeter. The big difference is in the music. Magic City takes Best Coast's pop sound and simmers it down to a sweet syrup that is slower, dreamier, [...]
![[Hype Hype Hooray] How The Dark Return of the '90s Can Create a REVOLUTION](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3760581_lg.jpg)
Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us. I was in the Gap last weekend when it happened. I don't know that anything could have prepared me for it. As I came out of the sales rack empty-handed (the Gap really sucks sometimes), I looked around and noticed something odd. Gone were the brightly-colored polos and glove-tight jeans. [...]
I listened to this late last night and wasn't sure if I'd like it again in the morning. I thought it was one of those times where everything I open up I enjoy (happens, like, every night...bad news for blogging), but, in this case, I'm still in like. Thankfully. "Hi" is not quite like any song I've ever heard before, and it's astounding to me that Korea in the Space is three college students. Experimental; atmospheric; weaving in and out of a dream with pretty female vocals vs. brash male vocals for reality. Give them a whirl, but [...]
![[MP3s] Vanish Valley: "Races" & "The Bottom"](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3750366_lg.jpg)
Vanish Valley, a four man squad from LA, today released their second album, Get Good . Led by Andrew McAllister and his raspy vocals, Vanish Valley produces catchy indie rock with bits of folk and ol' country livin'. Check out two tracks below, and give Get Good a whirl. It'll make you feel nice. Vanish Valley - "Races" [MP3] Vanish Valley - "The Bottom" [MP3] Vanish Valley on the web | Facebook | Twitter [...]
The Moth & The Mirror is a Scottish supergroup of musicians from bands such as Frightened Rabbit, The Reindeer Section (a supergroup in its own right) and Arab Strap, among others. They are set to release their debut album, Honestly, This World , on October 10 via Olive Grove Records . Honestly , This World 's sound is full of raw heartache and undying hope. Check out two of the new record's promo tracks below. The Moth & The Mirror - "Fire" [MP3] The Moth & [...]
![[Abby's Road] Extra Track (and a tacky badge)](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3741786_lg.jpg)
Reissues and boxed sets. If you've been paying any attention to industry news, the world is being completely inundated with them as of late. With the recent 20th birthdays of two of my all-time favorite records by * Primal Scream and Ride it is hard to avoid them. There is one stand out this autumn, however, that blows all others out of the water. With all the bells, whistles and sleeves-a-plenty, one might say that life is imitating art . Sort of…I mean, no dead stars, literally. You guessed it - The Smiths. The [...]
![[MP3] Daughter: "Love"](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3736898_lg.jpg)
Music makes your heart bleed. Daughter - "Love" [MP3] Daughter is 21 year old Elena Tonra from North London, UK. "Love" is the closing track off her The Wild Youth EP, which drops November 21 via Communion Records . Daughter on Facebook | Twitter Share:
Belle Adair, out of Muscle Shoals, Alabama deliver some finely crafted acoustic folk pop. With simple, luscious harmonies and tones reminiscent of Mojave 3, Belle Adair is ready to be your band for the colder Autumn evenings that are fast approaching. Their new, self-titled EP , which will be released October 1 on Speak/Sing Records (the EP was previously self-released), will surely comfort you in times of need. Belle Adair - "No Reply" [MP3] Belle Adair - "Happy To Pretend" [MP3] Belle Adair on the [...]
How happy was I when this record popped up in our inbox a little while ago?? Hint: very! Talkdemonic have been one of my favorites since I began my writing-about-indie phase and they've always remained on my radar. So, it's tremendous news that on October 4 the duo out of Portland, Oregon are dropping their new album, Ruins . Ruins is Kevin O'Connor and Lisa Molinaro's fourth full-length and it stretches the depths of our imagination through invigorating instrumentation. Talkdemonic - "Revival" [MP3] Preorder Ruins via [...]
Annie Williams is a dark and sultry songstress who picked up and moved from St. Louis to the wild west of Wyoming and New Mexico (while taking a short break in Nashville - what a mover!). The constant shift in locales must have contributed to the unique approach to the "singer/songwriter" genre. Her songs are flush with resonant backings and vibrant soundscapes. Williams is set to release two EPs, This Mountain and Midnight Window , and you can get a first taste in "Roll On Hills" and "Midnight Window" below. Annie Williams [...]
![[MP3] Built Like Alaska: "Antique Love"](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3725973_lg.jpg)
Oakdale, CA's Built Like Alaska is ready to unleash their newest album, In Troubled Times , November 8 on the Future Farmer label. The first taste of that record is the track "Antique Love." There's a sort of after-hours indie-rock feel here that has a Pacific Northwest folk vein running through it. I'm also struck by the subtle nods to 90's indie-pop - the song shows a nice blend of influences without overtly copying anything. This is my first taste of Built Like Alaska, but based on "Antique Love" I think their record could be [...]
![[Hype Hype Hooray] The Knotty Pine: A Wild Mountain Venue From Another Dimension](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3725903_lg.jpg)
Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us. I stepped into the Knotty Pine on a crisp Tuesday night. The venue, located in Victor, Idaho (population 840), looks like an old mountain cabin on the outside and is decorated as such on the interior. Adorning the walls were photos of bands that have come through next to several [...]
San Francisco has a long history with psychedelic music, but no band epitomizes the new psychedelic sound of San Francisco like Wooden Shjips. After releasing some great records on Holy Mountain, Wooden Shjips unleash West , their first record for Thrill Jockey. West finds the band in a proper studio for the first time and the new environment suits them well, as West is undoubtedly Wooden Shjips' best record to date. In the past, when introducing someone to Wooden Shjips, I would describe the band's sound as a heavy-psych record played by the [...]
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