Click image to download track Sounds like: The Helio Sequence, Sigur Ros, Grizzly Bear "Lost Lander - Cold Feet" What's so good? So this guy, Matt Sheehy, moves from Alaska to Portland to pursue his musical endeavors and this is what he's birthed: Lost Lander. He's already got quite the roster of previous participation in successful bands such as Menomena, Gravity & Henry, the Menders, [...]
Arguably one of the greatest compilations of music ever created, (I will argue this) ‘Somebody’s Porridge’ is the first instalment of what hopes to be a long-running series of curated playlists. Seventy-seven tracks (numerical symmetry really does it for me) smeared far and wide across the aural spectrum; you’d be hard-pressed to find a more eclectic selection. Several of the tracks have never had a formal release, a few are made by friends of mine, some are classics and a bunch are just plain old fashioned face-melters. All of them are outstanding tracks that I’ve spent [...]
I like to post mixes comprised of the songs that keep me company whenever I travel, however, the last few trips have gone mixless, sadly. So, this is a bit of a combination of a few different excursions, which I think flows nicely for an August day. Hope you like it and be sure to support the artists if you discover a new track you like. Beirut - “Santa Fe” Feist - “How Come You Never Go There” Cass Combs - “The Same Thing” [...]
Check out these unsigned bands! Beyond the State Filligar Awake! Awake! The Windupdeads Stories: New Bon Iver video Chris Taylor releasing album Drew Barrymore directing Best Coast video Wild Flag releasing debut album Belle & Sebastian video [...]

Click image to download full album Sounds like: Iron and Wine, CSNY, Bon Iver, Local Natives "Fleet Foxes - Lorelai" What's so good? Fleet Foxes have been giving us tastes of greatness these past few months. Single releases, album artwork, interviews describing the lengthy progress of creating their second album (recording one in full only to find that it wasn't working, scratching it, and starting [...]

A first impression is a lasting impression. At least that is the conventional wisdom. And I'd argue that whatever wisdom lay in that theory with regard to social interactions applies equally to a listener's interaction with music. If you have a negative reaction (i.e. boredom, indifference, or outright dislike) to the first song you hear by a band, it can be very difficult to overcome that first impression. And although people are listening to music as "albums" less and less frequently, an album's opening track is nonetheless often a band's first opportunity to connect with a listener. Additionally, opening tracks [...]
by Jay Mattson Unless you’ve been listening strictly to Top-40 radio for the past five years, you’ve probably heard of Sufjan Stevens. Though he hasn’t garnered any true mainstream success, he has been a staple of hipster-kid mentality for nigh a decade. His last release, 2005’s Illinois (sometimes called Come on Feel the Illinois) was [...]

Yeah... So I am not a Twilight fan, I haven't read any of the books nor will I ever see any of the movies. Just not my thing... However, the Soundtrack is quite brilliant, like finding gold. It was not on my year end list as I have never really considered any past years Soundtracks to make the cut (although it might be a nice extension to next years year end lists). Anyways this album is jam packed with some indie heavy hitters (I sound like a sports caster). Lykke Li, Anya Marina, The Killers, Grizzly Bear, Thom Yorke, Bon [...]

I realize I am putting this out really late. I always put this off until winter break, thinking I'll have tons of time to listen to the albums, but always underestimate how much I actually need to listen to. But honestly, that isn't a bad thing. I think we are living in a time where there is a lot more new and interesting stuff coming out than ever before. Last year, I probably listened to about 75 albums for my top albums article. Some of them only half way through (because I could tell they wouldn't make the cut) and [...]

It's time. 20. Lovers' Carvings - Bibio 19. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs 18. West Coast - Junk Culture 17. Make Her Say [ft. Kanye West And Common] - KiD CuDi 16. Daylight [...]

While googling to find our readers the mp3 links for the Sirius XMU Top 41 of 2099 playlist, it struck me that all these songs have one thing in common. Almost all of these tracks are available via free + legal mp3 sites such as rcrdlbl , Pitchfork , The Fader , Prefix Mag , I Guess I'm Floating , etc. Record labels and upstart bands take note! If you want your new music to make a mark, make an mp3 easy to find and download. [...]
Today is officially the last last day of 2009 so we thought it would be fitting to release our top songs of the year list. Maybe you can even use them to put a little NYE playlist together. As for me I'll be watching the Flaming Lips cover Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon . Everyone have fun and be safe tonight. See you next year. Goodbye year. Goodbye decade. 50. Silversun Pickups | "Growing Old [...]

Check out our Top 20 Songs of the year!
Nick of Elvis Perkins in Dearland ::: photo by Abbey Simmons I have to say, with such a vibrant year of local music, I spent the vast majority of my 2009 exploring things made in the Pacific Northwest; rather than venturing out in to the vastness of the internets and the rest of America. So most of these are [...]
The Ironclads CD Release Show ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth As a person who goes to grippa shows, it's a hopeless task to put properly put into any meaningful order the favorite shows they've been two beyond saying a few were the very best or stand out as special moments and deserve recognition as such for [...]

IT'S HERE! My top ten songs of the year and a wonderful chance for you all to tell me what I excluded. HA. Keep in mind, lists are never objective. They tend to very personal and eventually take on a life of their own. I've been sweating over these choices ever since June and now here they are: Super Secret Surprise #11! Because it's (quite literally) one louder. Yes this is a Top Ten list but who can resist the urge to toss in a This is Spinal Tap joke when there is a chance? Not [...]
A countdown of the top songs from the past decade.

This Christmas week we are counting down our top 50 albums of 2009 taken from the personal lists of 35 of the State writers and photographers. No doubt, there will be tears, spilled milk, outcry, acceptance and surprises along the way. We hope you find something you overlooked in the course of the year. Our 40 to 31 list sees the first and last appearance of a compilation, a revered indie rapper, an experimental English shape-shifting popster, Africa's best Western-influenced band, an R&B legend, a "bored" US scuzzy-rocker and a forward-looking retro dance album. Albums of 2009: [...]

Around this time of year, it's usually... listomania (ah, a double pun... should I have put the z in?), and so I essentially have to come up with my own list if I want to call myself a music blogger. Here are my 20 favorite albums of '09! Don't grumble if you feel my top 10 is a little too... typical of 09; I think it's just because it really was clear which albums were the best this year, whether it's because 09 produced a couple of incredible, stand-out albums, or because a lot of the music in [...]