Curiously Tasty

Ms Mr

2011-12-18T10:36:00.005-05:00

Now that I am working full time the posting will be much more sparse and I apologize. But every once in a while I remember something that is amazing and needs to be shared.

Today that is Ms Mr. I originally became aware of them because my girl Marina (a la Marina and the Diamonds) recommended a song by them on her blog. The lady has amazing taste. Ms Mr's song "Bones" may be my favorite song of the year. I thought it only fitting that I make the effort to get a post about them in here before the year ended.

There's not much information out there about the band, but they seem to be a male-female duo from New York and they make haunting electro-rock. Their debut EP "Ghost City USA" is available for free download on Bandcamp.

Download it!

The Good Natured

2011-07-16T15:19:00.006-04:00

I've been in an electropop craze for a while now, a few months...and with good reason. There's a ton of new electronic acts out there these days, it's the "it" genre, if that's possible. If you had told me I'd have been into electronic 10, even 5, years ago I'd have shuddered, but things are different now. When I thought "electronic" years ago it was the bleep bloop stuff, either dark and with haunting vocals, or none at all, or it was angry and urgent German dance floor music...either way, no thanks!

These days there's a lot more rock and dance type electronic leanings, and a definite revival of the 80's New Wave synth appreciation. I'm all for that, at least in general. One such artist is Britain's The Good Natured. This lady, Sarah McIntosh is basically the whole band, though she has people who play with her. She looks like a pixie Robert Smith (a la The Cure) but makes music that I can only describe as La Roux remixed by New Order. I think she's brilliant, and one of the few acts I've came across of late that I feel like most people in the indie community can look at and say "yeah, she's got something". Really talented.

A taste of The Good Natured:

Lotte Kestner "Halo"

2011-06-23T12:48:00.004-04:00

I'm a sucker for sappy girl versions of pop and rock songs. I am also a sucker for Anna-lynne Williams and her projects Trespassers Williams and Lotte Kestner, Lotte Kestner being the name she gave her solo acoustic project. So you can imagine how happy I was to find out Lotte Kestner's new album would be entirely covers! For some this would be a let down, but for me, who loves covers, this is thrilling. She has done some amazing covers before, a few are included again on this new release, like her amazing version of Interpol's "Leif Erikson".

This is from her addition EP that she put out at the same time, but has some amazing covers on it. I've heard a bunch of covers of "Halo" before this, but this one blows them out of the water. Check out the link to her Bandcamp site below and listen to the rest of the covers as well.

halo by lotte kestner

Eisley "Smarter"

2011-05-08T19:49:00.003-04:00

Firstly, I apologize for the larger than usual gap between posts, but now that I am working full time I have less time for finding new music, let alone posting about it.

Secondly, I should apologize because this record isn't that new anymore. Eisley released their latest album, "The Valley" back at the beginning of March. That said, the album is quite good and deserves some attention, even if it's two months later.

I've written about the band previously, but for a quick recap, Eisley is a Texas-based band made up of members of the Dupree family: Three sisters, a brother and one cousin, to be exact. When the band began they were teenagers, now the youngest of them is about 20 and they're all married, one has even been married twice by now.

As you can imagine, when you start making music as a young teen the music you're making is going to be more mature by the time you get to your twenties, and The Valley definitely shows that maturity, while still keeping all the charm of their past albums. The single, "Smarter" is a beautiful example of this and it's available for free via the Epitonic site.

You can download it HERE.

Dark Dark Dark

2011-02-21T01:08:00.004-05:00

One of my newer discoveries is the Minneapolis band Dark Dark Dark. They're a richly instrumented indie-folk, which seems to be described often as chamber-folk, but that's not a term I feel comfortable throwing around myself. They use a lot of piano and accordion and are very melodic.

They trade off vocal duties between male and female, but it's mostly Nona Marie Invie that does the singing, and she's certainly the one which makes them interesting to me. In that regard they remind me of early Rilo Kiley, whereas it feels like they're letting the guy sing the occasional song to be polite, but really Nona makes the band what it is.

If you sign up for their mailing list on their site you will get a free track from their latest album, which is lovely. In the meantime, check out this track from their previous one.

Bright Bright Bright

Free Music Alert: The Civil Wars

2011-02-01T18:51:00.002-05:00

Previously mentioned band The Civil Wars debut album "Barton Hollow" was released today. You can download the title track from the album for free this week on iTunes. Check them out!

Free on iTunes

Quick Update: Free on iTunes!

2011-01-13T01:16:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note that anyone who uses iTunes should definitely check out the free single this week by Young The Giant. They're a band I hadn't heard of until this past September when I looked to see who was opening for Marina and the Diamonds when I was going to see her. They played and they were really great. They remind me a lot of The Killers, if anyone. I see big things for them, and the free song they're giving out is "My Body", which is a particularly good track.

Also available on iTunes this week as a "Discovery Download" is "Marathon" by the band Tennis. This is another great tune definitely worth a click to download.

Florrie

2011-01-10T01:11:00.004-05:00

As I've mentioned before, in the past few years one of my biggest discoveries, at least in so much as bands I can't seem to stop listening to repeatedly and have become a bit of an ear worm for me, is Dragonette. On numerous occasions I've gone in search of similar bands so I can share the love. Alas, I've not found anything that's gotten to me quite like they have, but that doesn't mean I haven't made some worthwhile discoveries along the way.

One such discovery is the British pop artist Florrie. She's completely pop, bubble gum dancefloor-ready, but she's enjoyable, and more importantly, offering her introductory EP for free. She's currently unsigned by choice and trying to spread the word on her music as virally as possible, so this is me doing my part for her cause.

You can download her entire EP, as well as a boatload of remixes, and in March, her next EP, on her website HERE.

Songs "Summer Nights" and "Call of the Wild" are my favorites.

Civil Wars Holiday Songs

2010-12-16T03:25:00.007-05:00

I admit, the last few years have left my interest in holiday music at an all time low. I think this year I will listen to it on Christmas Eve and Day only and that will be it, if that perhaps. Working retail has ruined me.

But I am always excited for new songs from The Civil Wars. They are one of my favorite new bands over the last year, having offered up a stellar EP and an even more impressive live album that is a free download. Now they offer us 2 holiday tracks for signing up with their mailing list, a new track, and a version of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".

The Civil Wars are singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. Together they make melancholy and beautiful acoustic folk music that makes my jaw drop at times. Gorgeous.

Get the holiday songs, as well as their free Live At Eddie's Attic album on their site, and look for their much anticipated (by me) debut LP "Barton Hollow" on February 1st.

But for now, enjoy the video for their beautiful single "Poison & Wine".

Free Music Alert: Margot and The Nuclear So and So's

2010-09-27T00:39:00.003-04:00

Amazon is featuring a free download of the single "New York City Hotel Blues" from Margot and the Nuclear So and So's new album "Buzzard". The Indiana-based band's album was released September 21st, check it out.

You can find the download link HERE.

The Suzan may save 2010

2010-08-06T15:22:00.005-04:00

I must say that 2010 so far has been a lot less exciting for me as far as music discoveries go. A lot of the things I've "discovered" actually came out last year, just adding a few more notches for the awesome year in music that was 2009.

That said, I heard the music of The Suzan last night and I immediately fell in love and felt the need to declare them my new favorites, though I know such titles are short lived.

The Suzan are an all-female rock group from Japan that make fun surf rock pop that's modern, catchy and unique. I've only heard three songs so far and I am already thrilled to the gills by them. Their album comes out this fall, until then we can get a taste of what's to come from their recently released first single "Home", which you can download at THIS site.

You can also download a b-side for the same single from iTunes.

Free Music Alert: Rasputina!

2010-07-17T01:09:00.004-04:00

I just happened upon a great find on Amazon.com tonight. I was checking prices for Rasputina's latest album and noticed that there was a download that's price was listed as $0.00. I clicked to see if this was correct, and lo and behold it was!

The song is a single from their latest album "Sister Kinderhook" entitled "Holocaust of Giants" and if this song says anything about the rest of the album, I am pretty stoked to hear it!

Rasputina, in case you're unfamiliar with them, is the brainchild of Melora Creager, a Brooklyn-based cellist that wears corsets and Victorian garb and makes rock music with cellos and drums alone. The lyrics are often historical and/or tongue-in-cheek and always enjoyable. Getting a preview of the album for free (and legal!) is quite the treat.

You can find the free download HERE.

Dragonette

2010-06-29T20:29:00.003-04:00

Just a quick heads up to let people know that the single available for free on iTunes this week is by Dragonette, who are one of my favorite new discoveries of the last year.

They're 80's influenced electro-pop and they're so fun to listen to. The song available this week on iTunes is "Pick Up The Phone" from their '09 album "Fixin to Thrill". Check it out, and I highly recommend their earlier album "Galore", it's really great.

No, Really

2010-04-04T13:33:00.006-04:00

One great feature of the site Last.fm is that many free tracks are available there. One discovery I made there a few months back was Tennessee musician Hannah Sheehan who goes by the moniker "No Really" (no, really!). Fun times abound with a name like that.

No Really has a bunch of free songs on Last.fm, all of which are also available on her website, along with a link to donate, which is totally worth it if only for the smirk-worthiness of getting your credit card bill and seeing the words "no really" on it.
She is listed as rock, so these tracks are just acoustic demos, and so they sound more like folk as is. I can see how the stand-out track "Rust" would be fantastic with full band, but at the same time, they are all remarkable just as they are. Here are some of my favorites, and again, you can find the rest on her site

The Year of the Bell

2010-02-05T14:21:00.005-05:00

A few years ago I wrote here that I noticed a band name trend involving using the word "Wolf" or wolves. I am starting to notice some new trends over the past few months, the biggest of which is the growing popularity of bells.

Over the last few months alone I have come across music by a myriad of bands that use the word bell or bells in their names. Now, obviously some of these bands may only be new to me, but the fact remains, all of the sudden they're making their presence known in the blogosphere where I had never noticed them before.

The Bells of the Blogs:

School of Seven Bells - "Connjur" (left click)
Bell Horses - "Still Life"
Broken Bells - "The High Road"
Chimes & Bells - "Into Pieces of Wood"
Sleigh Bells - "Infinity Guitars"
Howling Bells - "Into the Chaos"

And an honorable mention goes out to the element gold, whose popularity seems to be skyrocketing as well lately.
Examples: Golden Bloom, Gold Motel, Golden Filter and My Gold Mask.

The Return of Lilith!

2009-12-10T22:22:00.003-05:00

The great Lilith Fair has returned!
As announced in the media a few months ago, Lilith Fair will be making a return for the summer of 2010, once again fronted by performances by Sarah McLachlan. But until today we didn't know who else would be performing. Today they announced the artists that are confirmed for the tour as of yet. Still no word on who will be playing which dates, but at least we can get excited over the fact that some of our favorite acts will be on the tour and might be at the events we hope to attend.

Some of the names I am looking forward to:
Tegan and Sara
Metric
Chantal Kreviazuk
Brandi Carlile
Butterfly Boucher
Tara MacLean
The Weepies
The Submarines
Vedera
and I am surprised how excited I was to see Katzenjammer on the list. It must be the fact that they're Norwegian. Now the event will be populated with both of my favorite musical niches, ladies and Scandinavians!

Fan Death

2009-11-21T13:08:00.004-05:00

Two and a half months it's taken me to update...wow. Frankly, there's been music I've loved, but without appropriate links and enough time and motivation, I won't go out of my way, and that's been the problem.

But then, last night I got in one of my "need to discover new music ASAP" moods and started going around to some sites I frequent, but forgetting the URL to one, I did a googling and instead found another site which led me to spend a good 2 hours on it and find a full desktop worth of new free discoveries and it felt like Christmas.

Among the best of last nights discoveries was a band consisting of two gorgeous ladies, which, of course got me interested right away since I'm a sucker for female vocalists. But as I read the description I knew I had to hear them. They were described as "Abba gone goth" and being a long time, and only somewhat ashamed Abba fan, I had to hear them. To my only mild surprise, I really enjoyed them. I looked for more by them, along with more information to find that they're quite new on the music scene and have not released a full album yet. But there's still music out there to be had by them, and I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more from them in the indie music scene within the next year.

The band is called Fan Death, after a Korean superstition that electric fans, if left on overnight, cause death. To me, they remind me of a female-fronted New Order, and have the dark synth aesthetic of 80s bands like Depeche Mode, The Cure and Love & Rockets, but at the same time, the Abba disco feel is not at all lost.

To top off this new found love for this band, I watched the official video they had made for one of their songs and it sealed the deal. The video for their song "Reunited" features the lead in the band, Miss Dandilion Opaine, in a Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz-esque outfit, lost in the country and finding her favorite musical icons in the process. It is fun to see how they portray each one and who she has chosen as the people to be featured in the video. Some are obvious to me, others I had to read the comments to figure out, but either way, very fun, and glad to see a dark synthy disco band that's obviously not taking themselves too serious. Fantastic!

You can get a free download of their song "Reunited" by signing up for their mailing list HERE.

Wye Oak

2009-09-09T16:02:00.003-04:00

I'm guilty of discovering a lot of great acts because of things like interesting album covers, and strange song titles. In the case of the Baltimore, MD band Wye Oak, I was pulled in by the attached picture accompanying a review of their new album on a blog. It made me want to hear what they sounded like, and I am always interested in male-female duo bands as it is, so even better.

As it is, they are one of the bands I've been most impressed with over the last few months. Wye Oak, named after Maryland's state tree, are both noisy and intimate at the same time. They're everything good indie rock should be. Frankly, I'm surprised there's not more of a awe over the indie world over them than there is because everything I've heard by them has really impressed me.

They recently released their second album, entitled "The Knot".

Take It In (Left click link)

The who and the what now?

2009-07-22T13:35:00.004-04:00

For a while the band name trend was anything that had "The" in front of it, but the new trend I am seeing is for bands, specifically ladies, to have their name followed by an object. The who, and then the what.

I've been surprised by just how many fantastic artists I've discovered lately with this name set. I'm currently working on a mix featuring only acts with these sorts of names, and so far it's coming together brilliantly. But I thought I'd share a sampling of a few of those fantastic artists with you here.

Marina and the Diamonds: Marina is a British singer who makes indie pop with an electronic touch. As much as I adore her music, I also sort of adore her personality. I encourage you to check out her blog and website and read her interesting and humorous posts. She interacts with her fans too, which is always a pleasant surprise. I adore the below track.

I Am Not a Robot (via Planeta Pop Radio)

Florence and the Machine: Florence is perhaps the next big thing. She is also British, and raved about by the above artist. Her debut album "Lungs" recently was released in the UK (and digitally elsewhere) and arrives in the US in October. Everything I've heard from her so far is fantastic. My favorite track so far is the fiesty rock number below.

Kiss With a Fist (via The Look Back)

Elizabeth and the Catapult: A New York-based band that makes great folk-pop. Their recent release "Taller Children" has been impressing the critics and fans alike. I'm impressed. The title track from the album is lovely.

Taller Children (via Done Waiting)

Gregory and the Hawk: Don't be confused, whereas the other bands I have listed were a lady's name and then a band name, Gregory and the Hawk are still fronted by a lady, but her name isn't Gregory, it's Meredith Godreau and a cast of her friends. She makes delicate, innocent sounding folk music that I find delicious.

Grey Weather (via Consequence of Sound)

Of course, these are just some favorites, there are so many more, but you get the idea. Enjoy!

Those Darlins

2009-07-02T14:39:00.005-04:00

When I was younger, and right up through college, I was sure I hated country music. Of course, when the only stuff you've heard is glossy wannabe rock mainstream country music, you get the wrong impression of what country music is, or at least, was and can be.

Old-time country, even as recent as the 1970s, wasn't so glossy and was much more of a down-home, back porch feel and not a "listen to this in the shiny new pick-up on the way back from the Wal-Mart" feel. It didn't take itself so seriously, it had nothing to prove, and it felt more organic. Knowing that now, I can embrace those qualities when I find them again in country music. Most recently, I've really enjoyed the music of the young, all-female band Those Darlins.

Those Darlins are a Tennessee trio of girls from a college town that are embracing their roots and bringing all the bar-room grit and fun of older country back to a younger crowd. With songs like "Whole Damn Thing" (a personal favorite) where they sing about getting drunk and eating a whole chicken, you can hardly say they take themselves too seriously, and the 3 voices seems to just invite people to join in and make it a sing-along, as if the whole bar might just break out into some country classic.

Those Darlins' debut self-titled album is set for release next week. In the meantime, there are two places on the web where you can get a free mp3 download of their music. If you go to their website and sign up for their mailing list you will receive a free download of their song "Wild One", and if you go to the Paste Magazine site they offer a download of their song "Red Light Love". They are certainly one of the new discoveries I am most excited about.

Singing in Motion

2009-06-17T02:00:00.005-04:00

I recently came across a few different YouTube videos that seems slightly odd to me. Apparently, there are a number of different musical shows/sites that feature musicians singing their songs while in various modes of transportation. There's a "Black Cab Sessions" where artists sing in a cab, there's the Swedish "Tram Sessions" where they sing on a trolley, and then there's "(Behind) Closed Doors" a Dutch venture, where artists sing in a moving elevator. I really don't get it. But I thought I'd share.

The first is Jens Lekman singing his single (and personal favorite) "Black Cab" while riding IN a black cab. Alas, I think it gets a bit awkward towards the end when he gets to the part of the song where he's singing about the cab driver not knowing anything and how he should keep his mouth shut...but all remains quiet from the cabby as he sings.

Swedish band "New Found Land" sings in a tram, I have only recently discovered them:

And last but not least, Ane Brun and her friend (and my favorite) Nina Kinert, sing together in an elevator:

American Idol, say what?

2009-05-29T01:59:00.006-04:00

I should preface this entry by saying that I do not watch American Idol. I watched one full season to see what the big deal was (season 3) and then stopped again. So I didn't see even a single episode of this last season, BUT I heard plenty of feedback from friends about it and all of it was very pro-Adam.

Tonight, a friend of mine said someone had sent him Adam Lambert's version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and that he liked it a lot. I looked it up on YouTube and the most surprising thing I found in it was that he stated quite plainly that he had heard a middle-eastern version of the song and that is what inspired him. It definitely sounded like a version I already knew, and really, how many middle-eastern inspired versions can there be? I went to a few Idol forums to read comments, a few fans said he got the idea for it from another reality TV show (Dilana sang it on Rockstar: Supernova in '06). Though I agree it is similar, I think Dilana's version definitely kept it a bit more countrified, especially towards the end of it, whereas Adam's was not one bit country.

The version I believe inspired him is by Universal Hall Pass, (and later a commenter did mention it, though it seems to have gone unnoticed). The song was recorded by Melissa Kaplan (aka Universal Hall Pass) for the 2003 short film "Ring of Fire". So, not only does it come before the Dilana version, it also sounds a lot more like Adam's version, and is specifically middle-eastern, as that is what Melissa's specialty is, and what they specifically asked for for the movie. Maybe it's just my loyalty to UHP and my disloyalty for AI, but I think her version is worlds better. That said, I went ahead and listened to some of his other performances and thought they were much better, people just thought this was very different and original, which it is, but the originality was not his.

Universal Hall Pass - "Ring of Fire"

Lacrosse Video

2009-05-14T01:24:00.003-04:00

Swedish pop band Lacrosse wins at most smile-worthy videos that involve what must be very low production costs. The single from their last album featured hand puppets traveling the Unites States, and this new single from their album "Bandages for the Heart" features people wearing blue, singing while looking un-expressive, singular move dancing and balloons. And somehow I find it brilliant.

This is one of those songs that I wouldn't think was overly special if heard alone, but after the video I had to hear it again and again because I think of all the funny dances I want to do along to it.

Notch up another point for Sweden.

Nina Kinert

2009-04-21T14:30:00.005-04:00

My latest discovery and minor obsession is the music of Swedish singer-songwriter Nina Kinert. Her latest album "Pets & Friends" came out in her native Scandanavia last year, but I only discovered it last week. Within a day of hearing her initially, I was ordering the album as import because I couldn't be without it.

She is modern folk and reminds me a bit of Laura Marling. She has an absolutely breathtaking voice and has been touring in support of friend Ane Brun, whose backing vocals (as well as Britta Persson's) are featured on "Pets & Friends". "Pets & Friends" is a very solid album and I am very impressed. The single from the album "Combat Lover" is fantastic. No links for the music, but check out the video below.

I am not sure how I feel about the video, actually. I don't particularly feel like it matches the song other than the sinister qualities they both share, but at least it gives you an idea of what to expect as far as her music is concerned.

St. Vincent

2009-04-05T16:45:00.005-04:00

St. Vincent, singer/songwriter Annie Clark, is set to release her sophomore LP entitled "Actor" on May 5th.

Her first album, "Marry Me" was one of the most impressive debuts of 2007. She has a raw talent of having a beautifully classic and elegant voice paired with both artistic, avant-garde sound, yet also more listenable and sing-along worthy than her contemporaries Bat For Lashes or My Brightest Diamond.

Her elegant voice and exterior (she's like a rock and roll Audrey Hepburn) are only an added bonus for this amazingly creative and skilled musician. I was lucky enough to see her live when she opened for John Vanderslice shortly before her debut LP came out and I was very impressed. I look forward to her new record

She has released the first single from the new record to her website, it promises great things.

The Strangers

Ida Maria

2009-03-01T00:14:00.005-05:00

This is old news. Ida Maria came out with her debut album sometime in 2008, but man, it took me until now to really appreciate her. I can't stop listening to her first single "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked". Her other songs are fantastic too, and although she's not gotten a lot of press here in the U.S., obviously her home country of Norway thinks she's pretty swell too because they gave her the Best New Artist award this year. Congrats, Ida Maria! You deserve it.

You can get a free song by signing up for her mailing list on her website.

Until then, check out a video for her song "Oh My God" here.

A Camp, New Album due in April.

2009-02-06T15:27:00.006-05:00

Side project of Cardigans singer Nina Persson, A Camp has announced the release of the second album "Colonia". It has already been released throughout Scandanavia, and now Europe, but Americans can expect to see it on April 28th from Nettwerk Records.

A Camp is a collaboration of Nina Perrson and her husband Nathan Larson (a music producer who often works on films), and fellow musician Niclas Frisk. What makes A Camp stand out from The Cardigans (whom I love, by the way) is their interest in Americana. The bluegrass and Americana revival is going strong not only in our own country, but abroad. The band has been nominated for many Swedish Grammys already, and performed their newest single on this year's show.

Their first single from the album "Stronger Than Jesus" is available as a "free gift" if you sign up for their e-mail mailing list (you can do that by following the link above to their website). In the meantime, you can listen to more at their MySpace page and download some tracks at A Plague of Angels.

"Stronger Than Jesus" from The Grammis:

New Maria Taylor this Spring

2009-01-27T16:54:00.005-05:00

Maria Taylor, half of the amazing duo that was Azure Ray, has announced the release of her third solo album for this Spring. She has recently parted ways with her record label, Saddle Creek, and teamed up with Canadian record label Nettwerk. The album is entitled "LadyLuck" and should hit stores on April 7th.

According to her MySpace page, the new album is diverse, inspired by the end of a relationship, and finds a good balance between the melancholy and the inspiring. Nettwerk has pre-released two songs from the forthcoming album, "Time Lapse Lifetime" and "Orchids", and made them available on iTunes. From what I've heard, it has a lot of promise and sounds very much like some of her best solo work to date.

Time Lapse Lifetime

Laura Marling - Night Terrors

2008-12-28T00:41:00.004-05:00

I've liked British singer-songwriter Laura Marling since I first heard her months ago, but finally got her album for Christmas. I must say I cannot get enough of her song "Night Terrors". It's haunting without being overly melancholy and absolutely beautiful. This album has already become one I would consider the best of the year and I've only had it a few days.

Admittedly, I am slightly bitter that she's only 18 and making an album this amazing, mostly because I can't believe I am a fan of someone who was born in 1990, and less because she's 18, just because 1990 feels like it was just yesterday. Even so, it's amazing that such outstanding folk music is being made by one so young. I hope this level of work continues.

That being said, I saw the video for "Night Terrors" for the first time tonight and I adore it. Check it out:

My favorite album of 2008

2008-12-06T12:00:00.006-05:00

This time of year begins everyone's chiming in to say what their favorite album of the year is. Unfortunately, generally I am pretty slow on the draw as far as getting albums and will wait to find them used and therefore I rarely feel I can hold an opinion on the subject. HOWEVER...that's also usually because there wasn't a clear winner for me, and this year is different.

This year Lisa Hannigan, best known as the female vocalist on Damien Rice's albums, released her first solo album. I had been waiting for it for years. Most people who like Rice's work wondered why such a talent as Hannigan was simply a backing vocalist for someone else. Her album, Sea Sew, was released only in the UK though. This drove me nuts, despite knowing it would eventually be released in the U.S. (the release date for the US is scheduled for January 20th), but knowing it was out there, and having heard some of the tracks on her MySpace made me a bit desperate. I had to order the over-priced import. The album is everything I hoped it would be. It's sweet and quiet, and there's a touch of the Lisa Hannigan silliness at times too.

You can hear the beautiful closing ballad of the album in this YouTube video that has footage of Lisa and her crew in the studio making the album:

Jenny Lewis song in Bolt

2008-11-23T20:39:00.003-05:00

There's nothing like going to a movie to be pleasantly surprised to hear a voice of an artist you love half way through, not having expected it.

That happened to me tonight when I went to see Disney's latest offering, Bolt. It's a darling of a movie, by the way, and very entertaining. I even laughed out loud once or twice...that's something I rarely do at movies.

The song in question is called "Barking at the Moon" and is featured fairly prominently in the movie. Jenny managed to sing this song and make it kid-friendly but also really beautiful and not too cheesy for all of us who think she's the cat's pajamas in the indie rock world.

Miwa Gemini

2008-10-26T17:53:00.004-04:00

Recently I've really been enjoying the music of Miwa Gemini. She is New York-based singer-songwriter that is classically-trained in piano, but her new found loves are the guitar, banjo and mandolin.

I was sitting here trying to think of who to compare her to or how to explain her style, and the first thing that came to mind was to say that she's the sinister side of bluegrass. Is that even possible? Saying she is sinister is probably misleading, as there's nothing menacing about her music, but there is definitely a quality that feels a bit darker, richer and edgier than the typical finger-pickin', toe-tappin' of other bluegrass and folk music. But perhaps even saying she is bluegrass is misleading considering some songs, like "Crazy Over You", sound strictly indie folk-rock. Either way, she's good and there's a quality about her music that feels smooth, seductive, and playful at the same time.

Margot & The Nuclear So-and-So's - Not Animal!

2008-10-09T15:55:00.006-04:00

I would say that Indianapolis-based Margot and the Nuclear So-and-So's are one of my favorite discoveries of the last few years. I had only heard a few songs of theirs when they played a free concert at the university I was attending and I went to see them, and they blew me away. So many different instruments, all played so well together, and beautiful and unique songs. Lovely.

This week they released 2 new albums, yes, 2. Apparently, their new record label, Epic, did not like the tracklisting they had chosen for their new album "Animal!" and would not release it, so instead Margot et al, released the album with tracks Epic suggested under the title "Not Animal!" and then released "Animal!" on vinyl only. Unfortunately, I don't have regular access to a turntable, so getting Animal! won't do me much good, but what I have heard from Not Animal! has been quite good and I look forward to hearing the tracks from Animal! that don't appear on the Epic version in the future.

Oh well, until then, enjoy this great track from Not Animal!

Broadripple Is Burning

Jenny Lewis

2008-09-14T16:03:00.005-04:00

Jenny Lewis, beloved 80's star of The Wizard and Troop Beverly Hills, and ultra cool leading lady for indie favorite Rilo Kiley, will be releasing her new solo record, minus the Watson Twins (since they've released their own now) on September 23rd.

The album is entitled "Acid Tongue" and from all reviews I've read and what I have heard from it, it will prove to be just as good, if not better, than her first solo album "Rabbit Fur Coat". Like "Rabbit Fur Coat", her new album gets its name from a track off the record. You can hear that title track here on the XPN blog...hotlinked below.

Acid Tongue

Sera Cahoone

2008-09-03T20:37:00.004-04:00

This past week I found a used copy of Sera Cahoone's latest album "Only As The Day Is Long" and decided to get it since I had liked what I had heard so far.

The album is solid and pleasant, but not something you're going to hear many people getting fanatic over. All the same, if you're into her type of music, it's definitely worth a listen. Sera was the drummer of the now defunt band Carissa's Wierd, and now is making indie folk/country reminiscent of Kathleen Edwards.

Only As The Day Is Long

New Juliana Hatfield

2008-08-13T20:17:00.006-04:00

One of my favorite musicians, Juliana Hatfield, will be releasing her latest album "How To Walk Away" on August 17th. Her last two albums left me a bit cold, but from what I have heard from the newest album, this one bodes well and should be a lot better and more like the bittersweet goodness of past Juliana efforts like "Beautiful Creature".

The new album is already available via iTunes. But you can check out a few tracks from it over at Punkreas.org, and check out the video for the single "This Lonely Love" below.

Marte Wulff

2008-07-29T15:48:00.004-04:00

My latest discovery has come from Last.fm. If you click enough "similar artist" or genre tags you will find something good, and this time I really did. I was listening to Norwegian singer-songwriter Ane Brun and decided to look for other Norwegian singer-songwriters since I have such a love affair with the music of it's neighboring country, Sweden. I found many interesting artists, but my favorite was Marte Wulff.

In her home country, Marte has received plenty of airplay as well as gotten a nomination for the Norwegian version of a Grammy. Here, I think she will appeal very much to fans of Ingrid Michaelson.

Check out the video for her song "Accident" below, and listen to more of her music on her website or her MySpace page.

Lotte Kestner

2008-07-17T17:36:00.004-04:00

Lotte Kestner is the moniker Anna-lynne Williams of Trespassers William has taken for her solo project, named after the heroine of Goethe's "Sorrow of Young Werther". She released her first album "China Mountain" under this alias a few months ago and I have been impressed every since.

If you're a fan of Trespassers William I think you will love Lotte as well. It's Anna-lynne's stunning poetry set to music, as Trespassers William is, except with less of the ambient qualities that the full band and elements of electronic sounds sometimes add. This is full on folk/shoegaze goodness with no fillers.

The album is available through CDBaby.com.

Fleet Foxes

2008-06-27T14:25:00.006-04:00

The new music blog darling, Fleet Foxes, are making music they themselves are referring to as "baroque harmonic pop jams". I am not sure I quite agree with that description, but at the very least it gives you a sense that this is not quite easily classified under normal categories. They're a mellower, less jam-band-ish My Morning Jacket, or a more folk version of Band of Horses, or a modern take on a cross between Simon & Garfunkel and the Beach Boys or a myriad of other comparisons I could make. But what I keep coming back to is that they're taking the best parts of other things and making something truly extraordinary.

They are five (mostly) bearded guys (and hey, why are beards the new rock 'n' roll thing? I'm still trying to figure that one out) making music that makes me pause and say "wow", there's something about it that makes it feel almost spiritual. I see great things for these guys, because there's definitely something there.

White Winter Hymnal

The Postmarks

2008-06-19T02:01:00.004-04:00

I am really digging The Postmarks right now. They are a trio from Miami making music that is what I can only refer to as "chill" and that you'd expect to be made almost anywhere but the Sunshine State. It's music for goloshes and puddle splashing in it's more upbeat songs and the quiet calm of a snowy day on it's more down key tracks.

Their music is very much like that of Ivy with their French 1960's feeling, but at the same time seems to be channeling a bit more of the twee sound of The Softies which I think is why I like them even better than Ivy.

If you like these songs I encourage you to check out The Postmarks' MySpace page page for more downloadable tracks.

The Old Believers

2008-06-03T15:01:00.005-04:00

The Old Believers are far from old, but they do have an old style at times. I'd say they manage to get to the core of folk music by making this old timey sounding Americana that feels both nostalgic and timeless but yet have given it a distinctive modern twist too by means of some interesting drums and electronic sounding beats thrown in for good measure on some tracks. Beautiful lyrics blended with beautiful male and female vocals make for intimate and heartwarming music.

They are Nelson Kempf and Keeley Boyle, natives of Alaska who now call Portland, OR home. Their debut album "Eight Golden Greats" hits the shelves on July 10th, and I must say I think they are going to be one of my favorite discoveries of the year.

Here are a few of my favorites off of their new record, and there are a few more from a previous EP available for download on their MySpace page.

The Chapin Sisters

2008-05-18T16:52:00.005-04:00

The Chapin Sisters are sisters Abigail, Jessica and Lily. They are a Los Angeles-based folk trio that sing beautiful melancholy music that reminds me very much of the many folk-country classics.

I first discovered them when on one of my many recent searches for great cover songs. It seems that Britney Spears' "Toxic" has become the new "it" song to cover. Admittedly, it is one of the few songs by her I think deserves to be covered though, and the covers I have heard have all been so great that you almost wish Britney hadn't gotten her hands on it first! Perhaps my favorite version is The Chapin Sisters version, which you can download on their MySpace page. You can also hear a cover of Madonna's "Borderline" which is equally beautiful.

Their website offered a few tracks of their own and I must say they are just as beautiful. Their new album is entitled the "Lake Bottom LP" and was released this year.

Bird Song

New CSS album

2008-05-01T16:12:00.004-04:00

Brazilian imports, Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS) will be releasing a new album entitled "Donkey" in July. They have released a song from the upcoming album to their website so I thought I would share it here.

I like the song. It's a bit less edgy/spastic than some of their stuff from their self-titled album, but it's got all the fun beats and rhythm I would expect from CSS. Hopefully the whole album is as good.

Rat is Dead (Rage)

Lykke Li

2008-04-21T02:33:00.007-04:00

Once again I find myself scratching my head and wondering how so much amazing pop music can come out of one country. Perhaps the American pop contingent has become so infiltrated by corporations and/or bad hip-hop that we forget what decent pop music sounds like and have forgotten how to make it. Well, thank goodness the Swedes are keeping the ancient knowledge of pop music making flowing and are creating dance-worthy happy-making music for the masses...even if those of us in America who will get to hear it are in the minority.

The latest addiction for me is 22 year old Swede, and professional dancer turned musician, Lykke Li. Her music seems to lie somewhere between the music of Americans like My Brightest Diamond on the indie side, and her fellow European import Annie on the pop side.

I urge you to check her out if you're feeling withdrawl symptoms from decent pop music, and check out the video for her new single "I'm Good, I'm Gone" below. I am digging the video as much as the song. It's like a high school Cirque de Soleil!

KaiserCartel

2008-04-05T15:07:00.005-04:00

Paste Magazine is a great resource for new music like the sort I post here, in case you hadn't heard of it before. It's by far my favorite magazine and it has once again proven to me why, by bringing the band KaiserCartel to my attention.

KaiserCartel is a Brooklyn-based folk-rock duo consisting of Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel, thus the name. I know very little about them other than that since I only just today heard of them on the most recent Paste sampler. What I can tell you is that they make beautiful male/female dual vocal folk music that makes me smile and want to hear more.

The magazine shows the track "Okay" being from their new album entitled "March Forth", but it does not appear to be released as of yet. So until then we can enjoy tracks from their EPs "Okay (And Other Things We Feel)" available on iTunes and at Amazon, and the tracks they've made available from their "Double Standard" EP via their website.

I dig Hailey Wojcik

2008-03-21T02:25:00.005-04:00

I love music that doesn't take itself too seriously. There's plenty of folks out there that simply can't take a song that's a little silly or tongue-in-cheek and it really is a shame because no one ever said that good songs can't also be a bit funny. I say this because Hailey Wojcik's song "Dinosaur Bone" came up during random play on iTunes tonight and it made me remember how charming it is.

Hailey is a quirky singer-songwriter based out of New York (but originally from Michigan), that got some recognition via YouTube when their music editor featured her video for the aforementioned song "Dinosaur Bone", in which she roams the New York streets wearing what looks like a child's dinosaur Halloween costume while singing about her crush on a geologist and how she wishes she were a dinosaur bone because then, as she says "one day you'd really dig me".

Her album is available on iTunes as well as at CDBaby and you can listen to clips of all songs from her album "Jealous Sees" on her website and hear a few whole songs on her MySpace page. But until then, watch her video for "Dinosaur Bone".

Mike Doughty - Golden Delicious

2008-03-06T15:21:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago Mike Doughty released his newest album "Golden Delicious". I've been a fan of Mike Doughty for years. I didn't know any of his music when I saw him live back around 2000 when he opened for They Might Be Giants, but he was good. A few years later friends started recommending songs of his to me and I loved them and started to get his albums, and that's the whole story in a nutshell.

His last two LPs (if you count Skittish/Rockity Roll as one since it is now usually sold as a set) were home-spun pop music that could make almost anyone bop their head and want to sing along. He's always had the talent of being very catchy and infectious, anyone who's heard "Circles" from his Soul Coughing days will agree, but the lyrics and their honest down-to-earth quality along with the very genuine feeling of the way he sings leads itself to really great pop music that is also singer-songwriter rock/folk music. This is what I have come to expect and love from Mike Doughty.

Golden Delicious has some of that. There are plenty of great earnest lyrics, but there also is a bit more production and repetitiveness that puts me off. His last two efforts (Skittish/Rockity Roll and Haunty Melodic) had less production, at points even sounded like they were recorded in haste, and focused more on the lyrics and guitar and didn't worry about much else. This is easily felt with the addition of one of my favorite (and no doubt, many others as well) songs of his "27 Jennifers" which he re-recorded and included on this record as well. Whereas it was always a favorite of mine, it has lost a lot of its character in the the more produced way he has done it for Golden Delicious. On Skittish/Rockity Roll it felt like a ballad to a girl he once loved and was cute and sweet, but on Golden Delicious it loses sincerity and feels more like a bouncy little ditty and the girl feels less significant...all because of the way it's performed and produced.

All in all, it's a good album, but doesn't stand up against his last albums excellence in my opinion. Regardless of that, I am excited to have a ticket to see him in April when he comes to town and I think seeing those songs performed live will bring back a lot of their character.

27 Jennifers (from Golden Delicious) (left click)
Looking At the World From the Bottom of a Well (from Haughty Melodic)
Thank You Lord, For Sending Me the F Train (from Smofe + Smang: Live in Minneapolis)

Hello Saferide

2008-02-13T14:37:00.006-05:00

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, so what better time to talk about artist Hello Saferide since she/they has a wonderful song dedicated to the holiday of hearts.

Hello Saferide is a Swedish band fronted by singer-songwriter Annika Norlin. She works as a music journalist in her home country, as well as having won awards for her music there. I would describe Hello Saferide's music as light-hearted pop-folk, if there is such a thing. But the lyrics are sweet and matter-of-fact but at the same time smile or even chuckle-worthy. Definitely music that is fun to listen to and sing along with.

Their music is not available on the American version of iTunes, but their albums can be purchased on American (Amazon) or international sites if you're willing to pay the import price. It's definitely music worth the price, or at least a listen.

Nerina Pallot

2008-01-30T21:28:00.003-05:00

I want to thank my friend Tara for recently introducing me to the music of Nerina Pallot. She's not new, she's been around for a few years now, but I've not heard much of her state-side as she's a British commodity. Her music isn't available on the U.S. version of iTunes yet, but you are able to order her album via Amazon.com, and I think I will be doing that in the future.

In the meantime, all you need to know about her is that she is a pop artist that plays piano and guitar, has a beautiful voice (as well as face) and reminds me of a more upbeat and interesting version of Charlotte Martin, someone I wanted to love but found a bit boring, so sue me.

I came across the video for her song "Everybody's Gone to War" on YouTube a few days ago and absolutely loved it, so I thought I'd share and give you guys a taste of her music at the same time. Enjoy.

Sarah Slean

2008-01-17T23:20:00.001-05:00

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Slean is releasing a new studio album, that as far as I know is yet to be titled, in March. The first single from this album is "Get Home" and she has made it available via her website until the album's release. She asks that you sign up for her mailing list in order to download it, but it isn't necessary (but please visit her website and follow the link to join the list if you are interested, she's worth it).

Sarah combines the styles of her fellow Canadian songstresses named Sarah (McLachlan and Harmer). She has the ambient and beautiful vocals of McLachlan and the strong folk lyrics of Harmer. Many of her songs would suit a smokey piano bar, but she can also crank out a poppy little number as well, like her amazing "Sweet Ones". Her new song "Get Home" is a beautiful ballad that hints at great things for the new album.

Get Home (demo version)

Sally Anthony - "Turn the Page"

2008-01-10T15:24:00.001-05:00

One thing I adore is a good cover song, especially when the style is switched up and creates a whole new aesthetic for the song. My favorites are pop songs covered by indie artists and hard rock songs covered by women and made soft and sappy.

My friend Robert sent me a suggestion for one of the latter, and I had to share it. Of course, "Turn the Page" was originally a Bob Seger song, but I would venture to say that the majority of us will best know this song as a well-known Metallica single.

Sally Anthony is a pop-rock artist that used the internet to grow a following. She has recently released her latest album called "Goodbye" and has made two tracks from the album available for free on her website, linked above. All the tracks are definitely worth a listen, but as a girl who loves a good cover song, I gotta say her version of "Turn the Page" is my favorite.

Turn the Page

Christmas Music!

2007-12-17T18:00:00.002-05:00

A few of my favorite bands often offer free Christmas songs this time of year, so once again I am going to put up some links to them, even though some are the same as were available last year.

Innocence Mission "Away In a Manger" and "O' Little Town of Bethlehem" (on their MySpace)
Hem "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Wild Colonials "Christmas is Quiet" (on their Myspace)

And as with every year, Fisher is offering their whole Christmas EP "December" for free on their website.
Enjoy, and happy holidays!

Classin' Up the 80's

2007-12-06T17:14:00.001-05:00

This past weekend I started working on a mix. I was trying to combine two of my favorite types of music...lo-fi indie, folk and/or bluegrass, with cheesy 80's pop music. My mission was to find some great covers of 80's pop music and compile them into a mix that sounded more like any respectable indie/folk mix you might share with a friend. I accomplished this task, and have been listening to the result ever since.

Since I was so content with the result I thought I would share the tracklisting with you and include a few links for the songs with you guys. Enjoy!

Classin' Up The 80's

The Pickin' On Series - "Unskinny Bop (Poison)"
The Be Good Tanyas - "When Doves Cry (Prince)" (via My Old Kentucky Blog)
Gilli Moon - "Need You Tonight (INXS)"
Nina Gordon - "18 and Life (Skid Row)"
Emm Gryner - "Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard)"
The Puppini Sisters - "Heart of Glass (Blondie)" (via Adzuki Bean Stash)
The Boy Least Likely To - "Faith (George Michael)" (This can be streamed on his site)
Rasputina - "Fire & Ice (Pat Benatar)"
Jerree Small (w/ Scott "Starfire" Lunt) - "You Spin Me Round (Dead or Alive)"
Adrianne - "Blister In The Sun (Violent Femmes)"
The Harvey Girls - "White Wedding (Billy Idol)"
The Softies - "Together Forever (Rick Astley)"
Petra Haden - "Don't Stop Believin'(Journey)" (left click)
Greg Laswell - "Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)" (via Line of Best Fit)
Christy Jefferson - "Come On Eileen (Dexy's Midnight Runners)"
Jonatha Brooke - "Eye In The Sky (Alan Parsons Project)"

Bird and the Bee - Christmas

2007-11-30T18:52:00.001-05:00

Well, it appears that the holidays are creeping up on us already. They have started playing Christmas music non-stop on some radio stations and in most shopping centers. I don't really mind, I love Christmas music, but it does feel a bit premature sometimes, but at least Thanksgiving is past.

But regardless of the fact that it is not quite December yet, iTunes is celebrating by having the free single of the week be The Bird and the Bee (whom I featured here a number of months ago) doing one of my favorite Christmas carols "Carol of the Bells".

Considering it is free, it is most certainly worth checking out.
Look for it here.

Jesca Hoop

2007-11-02T16:38:00.001-04:00

Jesca Hoop is a breath of fresh air for me. I love women singer-songwriters, and I love indie rock, and I love anything that makes me say "this is original", and I really feel she has found a bit of it all. She is eclectic and different, yet all her music has a very accessible melodic nature that makes it easy to bop along to at the same time. Her work is dreamy, artistic and beautiful.

This is what I would expect from a woman as interesting as Jesca though. Brought up in a Mormon family and singing in her high school choir, then fell into the theatre community and was surrounded by the community's eccentrics. Later, after rebelling against her religious upbringing and staying out late at clubs and smoking pot, she found work as a wilderness rehabilitation counselor and living in the mountains for years learning to live as a survivalist. She finally missed the theatre and making music and moved back to California to start a band. It was during this period she met Tom Waits and became a nanny to his children, and it was Tom Waits who became her mentor and told her she was ready to do shows and make a record after hearing her song "Seed of Wonder". That song has since been a most requested track on stations in California and has landed her a deal with Sony music.

Jesca will be a special guest for Matt Pond PA at a free show hosted by the wonderful radio station WXPN, at the Chameleon Club tomorrow night here in Lancaster, PA.

Seed of Wonder (via Fabulist)
Summertime (via Puddlegum)

Pelle Carlberg

2007-10-20T20:34:00.001-04:00

I'm really not sure what's in the water up there in Sweden, but they continue to produce some of the most original indie pop lately. I'm not complaining though, I'm loving every minute of it.

One of the recent Swedish discoveries is Pelle Carlberg. His music is slightly off-kilter with clever and amusing songs like "I love you, you imbecile!" and "Showercream and Onions". The music really is clever and well-crafted, which many people are quick to discount about artists that mostly do tongue-in-cheek music. The music is incredibly catchy and his image as well as the music, has a very classic retro feeling that has you bopping along to the often bittersweet lyrics. I've read a number of reviews likening him to Morrissey in his combination of slightly dark lyrics with more upbeat music and I do see what they mean.

If you enjoy other recent Swedish favorites like Peter, Bjorn & John, Jens Lekman or Sondre Lerche, or if you enjoy the bittersweet sounds of Morrissey but want something less dark, you should definitely check out Pelle Carlberg.

And watch the video from "I Love You, You Imbecile!" here.

William Fitzsimmons

2007-10-14T02:01:00.000-04:00

Note to self and to readers: check out more William Fitzsimmons.

Paste is a fantastic magazine for a myriad of reasons, but of course the #1 reason would have to be the new music you can discover inside its pages. One of the issues over the summer had a sampler that included a song by William Fitzsimmons and I had to pause and replay it because I thought it was so beautiful. He reminds me a bit if Iron & Wine. Now I want the album.

Until then, we can listen to the tracks on his MySpace page, and visit The Perm & The Skullet to download his song "Everything Has Changed".

What I know about him so far: He has written and recorded with Ingrid Michaelson (aka the girl best known for singing the song about sweaters in the Old Navy commercial) was born and raised in Pittsburgh by two blind parents, has had songs featured on numerous television shows, and yet somehow...is still unsigned!

Rogue Wave

2007-10-03T16:29:00.001-04:00

The Oakland, CA band Rogue Wave was featured on a sampler a number of years ago, and that was where I first heard their song "Kicking The Heart Out" (highly recommended) and discovered the band. They are one of those bands that I like everything I hear by, but somehow still only seems like a blip on my music radar. I'm ready to change that, because they really do make some great music.

If I wanted to compare them, at least their tempo and feel, I'd say they're The Shins meet Simon & Garfunkel. Why is it, then, that the band doesn't get as much coverage as The Shins? I don't know. Perhaps the inclusion of a live version of their song "Every Moment" on the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack (but it didn't make it into the actual movie) just isn't as good publicity as having Natalie Portman describing one of their songs as one that would "change your life", as she did for The Shins in Garden State. But they have become favorites of primetime television, so listen for them during your favorite shows.

Regardless of why they've been only a blip, they are definitely talented guys and worth checking out. Lucky for us, if you do some looking, there's plenty of legally downloadable tracks by them available out there on the net. Here's a start...

New PJ Harvey this week!

2007-09-22T15:26:00.001-04:00

Just a friendly reminder that P.J. Harvey's new album "White Chalk" is being released this week. From the few songs that I have heard from the album so far, it will be understated, quieter PJ, but just as spooky and wonderful as always.

I am thrilled that we're getting a new album, and the album art (inspired by Whistler's "The White Girl") is mesmerizing and it all promises not to disappoint.

EDIT: Apparently the US release of the album has been moved back to October 2nd. My apologies for the misinformation.

You can find some songs and a review of the new album at 17 Seconds.

Petra Haden's guilty pleasures

2007-09-12T13:44:00.001-04:00

My love for indie rockers covering pop songs is no secret. I especially get a thrill out of women covering songs originally sung by men. So, how could I not be excited to see that Petra Haden has covered Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" for a compilation called "Guilt By Association" that includes many indie artists covering some of their favorite "guilty pleasure" songs.

I originally heard of Petra when she was a member of the 90's alt-rock band That Dog. She and her sister Rachel (both the daughters of jazz bassist, Charlie Haden), made up half of the band, Petra contributing violin. After That Dog disbanded, Petra went on to record with other bands, including The Rentals and The Decemberists, before setting off to do solo work.

Petra's cover of Journey doesn't surprise me, though, as she obviously has a love for 80's pop as much as I do since she did a remarkable cover of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" a while back. Definitely worth checking out (you can hear a streaming version on her website). Until then, listen to her covering Journey, as well as a beautiful cover of The Beach Boys "God Only Knows".

Don't Stop Believin' (left click)
God Only Knows

Once (and again, and again)

2007-09-04T11:56:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I have gotten so obsessed with a song, or set of songs, that I would listen to them over and over and have to buy the album, or more songs from iTunes right away. But it happened last night.

It actually all started about a month or two ago when I went to see a movie, I can't even recall which one anymore, and there was a preview for a movie called Once. I was intrigued by it mostly because the music in the preview seemed to be sung by the stars themselves and that the music was so phenomenal. It finally came to my town and I meant to go see it, but missed it by a few days. Then earlier this week I was reminded of it again when someone sent me a song from the movie and I couldn't stop listening to it. That pretty much sold me. I went to iTunes and downloaded a number of other songs from the movie album last night, loved them all.

The music reminds me very much of Damien Rice in its melancholy folk nature as well as its dual male and female vocals, not to mention the Irish singer. The singer is Glen Hansard, former leader of the Irish band The Frames, and the girl is a young Czech singer-songwriter named Marketa Irglova. If you enjoy Damien Rice, or any beautiful but sad folk music, you definitely need to hear some of their songs....and see the movie.

I haven't seen it yet, but I found it playing in town now that I have moved and will be seeing it tonight. I can't wait.

You can listen to some of the music on the movie's MySpace page.

Or download the song "Falling Slowly" from The Look Back.

Ohio.

2007-08-29T20:19:00.002-04:00

I have recently had to leave Ohio for my native Pennsylvania, and though I love Pennsylvania, I miss Ohio terribly. In honor of the 3 splendid years I got to spend there, I make this entry here, filled with great bands all with something to say about the Buckeye State.

Here's to you, Ohio. I miss you.

The National Lights "O, Ohio"
Sun Kil Moon "Carry Me, Ohio" (left click)
Over the Rhine "Ohio" (YouSendit link)

Dawn Landes' cover of "Young Folks"

2007-08-22T12:46:00.001-04:00

Last night my friend Joe W. was kind enough to send me a link to a beautiful bluegrass rendition of Peter, Bjorn & John's great song "Young Folks" done by Dawn Landes.

Dawn is a Kentuckian living in New York City who is a recording engineer by day, but moonlights as a singer-songwriter, supporting such acts as Hem, Feist and Andrew Bird.

Her rendition of "Young Folks" feels perfect, as if the song was designed to be played as such. If you haven't heard the original, you really should check it out, but this bluegrass cover of it, complete with accordion and older gentleman chiming in on the chorus, is brilliant.

And if you've not heard the original, you can watch the video for it here.

A Fine Frenzy on iTunes

2007-08-17T12:37:00.001-04:00

If you are interested in some calm, pleasant music for a breezy day, check out iTunes sometime between now and Tuesday for a free track from A Fine Frenzy.

A Fine Frenzy is the 22-year-old Californian Alison Sudol. Her debut album "One Cell In the Sea" was released earlier this year. Check out her song "You Picked Me", from the album at iTunes, for free!

It's available HERE.

Fiona w/ Nickel Creek

2007-08-14T20:38:00.001-04:00

A week ago tonight I had the opportunity to see Fiona Apple appear with Nickel Creek in Columbus.

The day was dreadful as far as heat and humidity, and the concert being outside didn't make that any easier, but the concert was fantastic. We (I attended with my friend and occasional writer here, Jenny) knew that they had worked together numerous times in the past, having supported each other at club Largo in Los Angeles on many occasions, sometimes as a surprise, but we weren't sure how, or who, would be supporting who during these shows. Being fans of both acts, we were pleasantly surprised to see almost the entire show intertwined with their performances.

The show began as standard, as if Nickel Creek was opening for Fiona, which, sadly I think most of the crowd had bought their tickets expecting. Nickel Creek came on stage first and proceeded to play four or five songs. Then they introduced Fiona and she came out with no delay and they started to play covers and her own songs together. Then they took a break, or "intermission" if you will, for 15 minutes and returned to play more of the same. Then just Fiona took a break and Nickel Creek played a few more of their songs until Fiona returned for 2 more songs and said goodnight. For the encore Nickel Creek came out alone and then Fiona returned for the final song before officially saying goodnight.

What made the show so great was that Fiona's songs were being interpreted by a fiddle, acoustic guitar and a mandolin, making each one sound much different, but just as good, as the normal version. Hearing "Criminal" as a bluegrass song seemed to fit perfectly somehow. Secondly, they did a cover of my favorite Patsy Cline song "Walking After Midnight", and thirdly, Fiona is a bit of a hermit as far as touring and when she does tour she seems awkward and uncomfortable on stage and although there was still a bit of that last week, she seemed more jovial and talkative between songs, even theatrical at times, because she was sharing the spotlight, which you could tell made her feel more comfortable.

At the end of the show Fiona scampered ahead to grab Sara Watkins' (of Nickel Creek) hand and kissed it as to show how dear she was to her, as they skipped off stage together, and that was the feeling of the whole show. Fiona was so glad to have them there, and I am sure she wouldn't have been touring had it not been from their invitation, Sara was glad to have another girl on tour with her, and they all were glad for the experience of working together. And I was glad for one of the best concerts I've seen in years. What a grand send off for Nickel Creek!

Jens Lekman

2007-08-04T19:41:00.001-04:00

I'm a little slow on the draw for it, I admit, but I am really starting to love the music of Jens Lekman.

The handsome Swede makes melancholic, yet light-hearted music, usually of the folk variety. He's somewhere between Elliott Smith and The Magnetic Fields in spirit, but a talent that is uniquely his own.

His next record, "Night Falls Over Kortedala" is due out this fall, but the first single, "Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo" came out last week on iTunes and promises for another great set of work from Mr. Lekman.

His song "How Much You Mean to Me" is what got me hooked. It is a very sincere, intimate and vulnerable love letter which is mostly spoken with minimal piano backing. It's lovely and haunting.

Super Sonic Chica

2007-07-25T22:33:00.002-04:00

I recently saw the cult classic movie Tromeo & Juliet for the first time, and so I feel it's appropriate to mention Jane Jensen, who starred as Juliet in the film, and who I knew long before seeing the movie, as a musician.

In high school, I subscribed to numerous magazines and I remember being stopped in my tracks by an image of a glittery mohawk-sporting Jane Jensen and looking into who she was. Soon after I spotted her first solo record at a used CD store and was quite taken by the glammed up punk she was making. It's rockin', fun, seductive, yet light-hearted, and gets much less attention than it deserves. Her song "Luv Song" is so fun and original that I can't help but smile and sing along with it. It's definitely worth a listen.

She has tracks, including "Luv Song", available for download on her MySpace page.

Rilo Kiley - Moneymaker

2007-07-18T17:20:00.001-04:00

Rilo Kiley will be releasing their next album "Under the Blacklight" on August 21st.

The first single for the album is called "Moneymaker" and the song and video have already found their way to the web, leading all us adoring fans to drool in anticipation of the upcoming release. In the past, Rilo Kiley's music has been country-tinged indie pop at its finest, but if the new single says anything about what the new album will be like, it will be edgier rock 'n' roll this time around, and I couldn't be more excited. I loved the country-tinged sound of Rilo Kiley in the past, but they have always had a music sensibility that would lend itself well to the grittier rock 'n' roll goodness. Needless to say, I am ecstatic about the prospect of what this new album could be like.

The Moneymaker video starts with several minutes worth of entry interviews with porn stars and their history and why they got into the adult film industry, and the video includes the ones they chose looking like they're ready to "go to work", so to speak. This is not something you'd particularly think of when you think Rilo Kiley, but at the same time, it's not shocking. The former child stars (guitarist Blake Sennett, formerly on Salute Your Shorts, and singer Jenny Lewis was in such classics as Troop Beverly Hills and The Wizard) are showing a darker side of Hollywood, something many child stars seem to have been exposed to.

Check out the video for "The Moneymaker" on YouTube here
And here is a song from their last album to give you a taste...

It's a Hit ( left click )

Eisley - Combinations

2007-07-12T13:26:00.001-04:00

Tyler, TX band Eisley will be releasing its much anticipated (by me, at least) follow-up to their 2005 album "Room Noises" on August 14th. The new album will be entitled "Combinations", and the first single has already been released on iTunes and is quite good. I encourage everyone to go and download "Invasion".

Eisley, named after the location of the cantina scene in Star Wars, Mos Eisley (shortened for fear of legal repercussions), are really the DuPrees. Siblings Stacy, Chauntelle, Sherri and Weston and cousin Garron. As is the case with most siblings, the voices blend perfectly, and the young, high, idealistic sounding voices of Sherri and youngest Dupree Stacy on lead vocals makes for a very uplifting musical experience. There is a wonder in their music, a wonder of the world around them that falls from joy to melancholy easily, but always feels natural and never forced.

From the sound of their new single, there is more of that to come on "Combinations", despite growing a bit older (though, the youngest is still merely 18) and Sherri getting married (to New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert). Needless to say, I am very excited for this new album's release.

Check out Goodnight and Go for some tracks from their last album, and download the new single from iTunes or hear it on their website, linked above.

John Cusack <3 Regina Spektor

2007-07-05T11:18:00.001-04:00

John Cusack mentions Regina Spektor, not once, but TWICE in his iTunes celebrity playlist, which is being featured this week. Speaking of her song "Ghost of Corporate Future", he says...

"In my humble opinion, Regina should be played on loud speakers everywhere in a major city..."

Then in a description of Neil Diamond's "Cracklin' Rose" he name drops her song "Chemo Limo". Very nice indeed, John. Like we needed any more reason to love you.

This isn't either of those songs, but it's from the same album (Soviet Kitsch) and it got me to love her, visit her website linked above to hear clips from John's favorites...

Us ( left click )

July!

2007-07-02T00:45:00.001-04:00

Goodness, is it July already?

Luckily for me July happens to be one of the most prevalent months to have songs about it in my collection...so I thought I'd share a few (via SendSpace) with you.

(remember to follow link and not direct download for these)

Emm Gryner - July
The Decemberists - July, July!
The Innocence Mission - July

Clare Burson - Idaho

2007-06-20T20:51:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow morning, at an ungodly hour, my family and I will head for the airport to fly out to Idaho, a place I've never been, for a wedding of a childhood friend of mine. I have heard from various sources that Sun Valley, Idaho is one of the most beautiful places in the country, so this should not be any sort of hardship for us, to say the least. I am just excited to have an excuse to go to Idaho, as I am not sure when else I will ever get one.

What better time, than the night before I depart for Idaho, to talk about Clare Burson, since her latest release is an EP called "Idaho". Though there's no track of the same title on the release, the five tracks are lovely, simple, country-tinged songs complimented by Clare's rich and clear voice. She's definitely worth a listen, and if you like what you hear, she offers plenty more on her site, and her next release, a full-length entitled "Thieves" is due out in August.

Tegan and Sara: The Con

2007-06-11T02:54:00.002-04:00

Canada's most talented (I'm assuming) twin lesbians, Tegan and Sara, will be releasing their latest album, "The Con", on July 24th. But their website says that the digital version will be available on iTunes later this month (they seem unsure whether it will be June 19th or the 26th). Of what I have heard of the new album I would say it is definitely quality material but I am not sure it is quite as uncommonly catchy and worthy of the "DAMN this is good!" comments as their last two albums were. But it's definitely on my list to get this summer, and if almost all the American dates weren't already sold out, so would be seeing them in concert again.

For now, you can listen to tracks from the new album at their MySpace page and check out a few tracks of some of their previous work below.

Hem- New EP

2007-05-30T14:05:00.001-04:00

Hem has garnered some recent exposure from some of their music being used in Liberty Mutual commercials, you know the ones where they show people doing "the right thing" for other people, and then that person does the right thing for someone else and so on and so on? They're beautiful commercials, and Hem is a great fit considering it's beautiful, calming and has an amazing human quality since it often sounds like a mixture of folk, Americana and lullabies.

Since they've gotten more attention lately, especially for their track "Half Acre", which appeared in one of the commercials, they have decided to release an EP of some new material between full-length albums. The new EP "Home Again, Home Again" contains 5 new tracks as well as a re-recorded version of "Half Acre" and will be available on iTunes on June 5th and a limited number of print copies will become available after that.

Samples from "Home Again, Home Again" can be heard here. And here is a listen to another of their songs to get a feel for them.

The Golden Day Is Dying

Nina Gordon - Even the Sunbeams

2007-05-24T13:51:00.001-04:00

Nina Gordon has released a free downloadable EP of a few songs from her unreleased album "Even the Sunbeams" that was the predecessor of her latest album "Bleeding Heart Graffiti". This EP features a few of the songs from Even the Sunbeams as well as a few demo versions of songs from Bleeding Heart Graffiti and some that are drastically changed from that album.

All in all it is a more acoustic, stripped-down album. Considering her more recent work has been been more gentle than her rock 'n' roll backround (she was in the 90's band Veruca Salt, in case you forgot), I actually think the acoustic qualities lend themselves well to the quality of the music instead of the light FM sound that Bleeding Heart Graffiti sometimes slipped into. It's definitely worth checking it...especially since it's free!

Demos

Holly McNarland "Every Single Time"

2007-05-14T01:53:00.001-04:00

Holly McNarland's next full length album "Chin Up, Buttercup" has been in the works for a while now, but they finally set a date for it's release....June, 5th, 2007. Praise be! In the meantime, she has posted the video for the single "Every Single Time", a catchy little upbeat love song, on YouTube and I thought I would share.

From this one song it seems as though the album will be more produced, perhaps less angsty than some of her others. She has some great more-produced albums though, so even though I am crazy about just a woman and her instrument, this being more heavily produced doesn't mean it won't be excellent. But, I do love her acoustic stuff, it really is amazing. In fact, I have had her song "Bye Bye Boy" (from her acoustic EP "The Komrade Sessions) in my head for over a week now, I recommend it to everyone. It is available on iTunes.

But now, enjoy her new video featuring a new short hairdo and a lack of clothing!

Andrew Bird

2007-05-10T03:08:00.001-04:00

It had been a few years since I had sat down and really listened to Andrew Bird, so I had forgotten just how wonderful he is. His most recent album "Armchair Apocrypha" came out in March of this year, but I didn't run out and pick it up because I was always just a casual listener. Fate stepped in to kick my butt though, as Magnet Magazine sent me a notice that my subscription was about to run out and if I renewed I had a choice of one of 8 albums they were making available that month. One of those was Armchair Apocrypha...this made my decision to renew all the easier for me.

I didn't get to actually listen to the album until last night though, but wow. I am thoroughly impressed and have remembered all the pleasures of listening to his music. It's rock music, but soft and unobtrusive, and most importantly...has amazing lyrics. His lyrics are beautiful because of their creativity and literary qualities. There is definitely something philosophical yet everyday about them. He makes keen perceptions about life that make you say "wow, he's right", or he makes you smile by word usage or his outlook on life. It's like your favorite passage from one of your favorite author's, except it's a song. His voice isn't half bad either.

Heretics ( from Armchair Apocrypha )
Lull ( from Weather Systems ) - (left click)

Sheila Swift

2007-04-30T02:59:00.001-04:00

Sheila Swift is a singer-songwriter from Texas. There's plenty of those around, for certain, but what there aren't plenty of are strong voices that sing optimistically. This is partly due to her religious background I am sure, but also because she lives with a benign brain tumor that has allowed her to focus on the good things in life, like love, family and simply being alive.

On her new album "The Shape of Things" I found many songs that were well written and even better sung. She has a very strong voice, as those Texan ladies seem to so often, and I definitely think she's worth checking out.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear one of her songs (specifically her opening track "Feel Like I Do" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy or the Gilmore Girls or whatever your favorite drama is these days. It has a sense of familiarity to it, like you hear it for the first time and already feel like you can sing along and that it's an old favorite.

There's Still Love

Aimee Allen

2007-04-25T03:04:00.001-04:00

Year's ago on The WB they premiered a new show called Birds of Prey, which was the story of Batman and Catwoman's long lost daughter and her female super-hero companions. The show was interesting, but not a hit. What was outstanding and caught my notice about the show was the title music. So much so that it got me on Google trying to figure out who it was.

The answer was Aimee Allen. At the time she was in the studio finishing up her first album on a major label and was set to become a major star (if you ask me), but alas, as many major talents go in the major label arena, her project was sidelined and eventually shelved and she became yet another musical footnote. Of course, like myself this made all the other people who had googled the title music (her song "I'd Start a Revolution" was the music in question) were very disappointed that they'd never own her album "Revolution". But, the miracle of the internet was upon us and the album was near done and had already been sent out in promo copies, so all the songs were out there to be had. These songs were unabashedly good. She was the new Joan Jett, and had the haircut for it. She was punk rock, but pop, hot as hell, and I think she'd have made a huge splash.

Since then Aimee met up with (and has since fallen madly in love with) fellow musician Scott Russo. They have produced an album together under the (un)creative moniker Scott and Aimee called "Sitting in a Tree" which, if you ask me, is way too lovey dovey for a girl whose selling point was her punk rock attitude. The music I have heard from their work has been unimpressive to me other than a few songs she wrote during the Revolution era. Nonetheless, Aimee Allen has a very unique powerful punk rock voice and her music has just the right combination of punk rock and pop music to make me wanna jam to it all day long.

ACRN's Popfest: Margot and Vanderslice

2007-04-16T19:09:00.001-04:00

Every Spring the college radio station here at Ohio University hosts a myriad of free and almost free concerts. Despite ACRN being a web-only radio station, they are able to bring in some great artists. Last year at Lobsterfest (the radio station's mascot is the "Rock Lobster" a la B52's) I was lucky enough to see Saturday Looks Good to Me, Owen and Matt Pond PA all for free one afternoon. This weekend here at OU I got to see a stellar set by Margot and the Nuclear So and So's for free on Saturday night and then paid a mere $5 to catch St. Vincent and John Vanderslice.

All the performances were great. I was a bit saddened at the turn out for these shows because it's a campus of 25,000 people and you'd think college kids would be the target market for such great indie rock, but alas I forget that I am in my own little indie world sometimes and that people don't know about such bands as much as I might think. I also don't think it was advertised as well as it should have been, plus the weather was absurdly rainy and windy Saturday night. Regardless, great music, small crowds, along with Ohio's new public smoking ban made for enjoyable concert going for me.

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's had 8 musicians on stage, including 3 guitars, drummer, percussionist, keyboardist, trumpet player and violinist. They really impressed me and I definitely feel like more of a fan now than I had before. St Vincent I had only heard a totally of 2 or 3 songs by before I saw her. She is amazingly talented though and I see big things ahead for her. Her guitar skills were definitely impressive. She's like a rock 'n' roll Audrey Hepburn. And of course John Vanderslice I had seen before a number of years ago, but I had not remembered him as quite as personable and as infectiously smiley-faced as he was last night. His songs were great and he played all my favorites, including a great rendition of "Nikki, Oh Nikki" with the help of St. Vincent. I couldn't have asked for more.

Some John Vanderslice tracks for your enjoyment:

Playin' real good for free...

2007-04-10T20:05:00.001-04:00

My boyfriend sent me a link to this story today and my first thought was "Wow, whose ever idea this was is probably a Joni Mitchell fan"...why? If you've ever heard her 1970 album Ladies of the Canyon, featuring her famous song "Big Yellow Taxi" then you know that track 2 is about street musicians and how we pass them by so easily. She sings...

Nobody stopped to hear him
Though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never
Been on their T.V.
So they passed his music by
Of course, she is speaking of a clarinet player, and is also referring to someone who has probably never had fame or ever will, but the above article is about a "stunt" performed in a subway station by one of the world's most talented classical violinist's, Joshua Bell, playing the world's most expensive violin. He is a musician that sells out concert halls of $100+ tickets, and yet when he played in a subway station no one gave him the time of day. The same music, the same person, the same great talent, but without the price and the place, no one made notice. Of course, I probably would have done the same since they did it at the morning commute time. You gotta pay the bills, beautiful music or not, unfortunately.

Still, I appreciate the article for its sentiments and for being an intelligent and interesting read, and I appreciate it for making me give this wonderful song another listen.

Joni Mitchell - "For Free" ( YouSendit link )

Edie - Realities

2007-04-04T02:15:00.001-04:00

Edie (Edith Pjipers) is a Dutch musician now living in the U.S. that I came across randomly on the internet a few years ago. The first song I heard by her was "Crave" and I was instantly enthralled. Her voice was very powerful and sensual and quite unique to a lot of singer-wongwriter types. Perhaps this is a Dutch thing, as the strength of her vocals does remind me of popular Dutch singer Anouk (also highly recommended). But unlike Anouk, Edie can tone herself down and show a softer side in some really beautiful ballads. Her talents are best when she rocks out, and it does seem that she has broken away from that style since her first album, unfortunately. But she's still quite a talent.

Edie has recently released her 3rd album entitled "Realities" and it is now available on iTunes and CDBaby. If you dig singer-songwriters and the power of Anouk, I would definitely check her out.

Glide (from Shades)
Where The Wind Blows (from Nu)
Nothing's Changed (from Realities)

And here is the video for the song Crave.
Her image has changed quite a lot since her first album, and the video leaves something to be desired, but the song is so good if you can get over the video.

I <3 the 80's

2007-03-28T00:12:00.000-04:00

For anyone who is like me, and loves 80's music (like having a playlist containing 12 and a half hours of it on your iTunes), and also really loves hearing your favorite artists doing covers of songs you know in other contexts...iTunes has a great feature this week. Their list of the week is "80's Pop Covers". It's definitely worth a checking out.

Check it out
HERE.

And for instant gratification for my fellow 80's music lovers, the below site is a must-visit, as it is a list of all (or most of) the music from John Hughes films (Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, etc.) and it's downloadable. Enjoy!
Visit it here.

It must be Spring...

2007-03-21T16:19:00.001-04:00

Here in Southern Ohio it's a lovely 73 degrees today. I spent an hour sitting on the balcony of my 3rd floor apartment reading the Paste magazine that arrived in the mail for me today, listening to ye ol' iPod and watching a resident groundhog scamper around on the ground below. I also saw the first bees of the season, it indeed must be Spring.

To celebrate here are a few nice calm and enjoyable songs about bees...

The Softies - "Me and the Bees" ( left click )
Laura Cantrell - "Bees"

And a few more by bands with "Bee" in the names...

Bee and Flower - "Don't Say Don't Worry"
Bird and the Bee - "Again and Again ( from Bring Me Up )

Brandi Carlile on iTunes

2007-03-13T22:09:00.001-04:00

Brandi Carlile is set to release a new album on April 3rd entitled The Story.

iTunes' free download of the week is the title song from this new album. I highly recommend the track, it's as high quality as everything from her last album.

Download it HERE.
( must have iTunes installed )

Jonatha Brooke

2007-03-11T18:05:00.001-04:00

Jonatha Brooke has updated her website for the release of her latest album "Careful What You Wish For" on April 3rd. The first single, the title song, has been available for download on iTunes for a while now and I encourage any fan to go check it out.

If you are new to Jonatha's music I must admit that I am not sure her new song would be what I would recommend to get someone hooked on her. Myself, and at least one or two friends of mine have had the same experience with her music. We become interested in hearing her music some how or another and then once we get the album or a few songs in our possession we aren't immediately sure we care for it. On the surface, her music seems unimpressive, a fine but average voice, nothing overly impressive about the tunes...but then something happens. You listen harder and something clicks. I have heard Jonatha described as "the songwriter's songwriter". Indeed, her lyrics and themes are what finally sealed it for me. On first listen you may only get a glimpse of an interesting lyric or think "yeah, that explains how I feel better than I could ever explain it" but then you go back and listen and before you know it you are singing along and listening to the albums non-stop. Go figure!

Jonatha's last studio album "Back In the Circus" was good, but not her best. My hopes aren't overly high that this will be one of her best to date, having heard her first single from the new album, but I still plan on getting it because there are always gems and she is a consistently good songwriter.

Until then, enjoy this recently remixed version of her song "War" and go listen to clips from her other albums on her website...

Cansei De Ser Sexy

2007-03-01T17:21:00.001-05:00

Lately I've really been digging Cansei De Ser Sexy (CSS). They aren't new, people have been singing their praises in the blog world for a while now, but it took me a while to catch on to how awesome they are.

Imagine a Brazilian Le Tigre. But more rolling around and dressing crazy like Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs...plus an affinity for pop references and 80's fashion, and you will have an approximation of CSS. They're upbeat, pseudo-electronic/synth rock with themes that play off whatever makes them jam. Take some of their song titles like "Meeting Paris Hilton" and "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above", referencing the indie band Death From Above 1979, as well as a take off of the Sleater-Kinney classic "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" called "I Wanna Be Your J-Lo". I love that they're just having fun and don't take themselves too seriously...you don't get more rock 'n' roll than that if you ask me.

American Doll Posse

2007-02-20T14:24:00.001-05:00

According to Rolling Stone, among other sources, Tori Amos has announced the release of her upcoming 9th studio album, entitled American Doll Posse, on May 1st of this year, with a tour to follow.

Now for some commentary:
As soon as news like this is announced Tori fans go nuts. In fact, I wouldn't doubt it "American Doll" and "Doll Posse" were already registered IM names and journal names and e-mail names...you get the idea. The title usually means a lot. Unfortunately, when I hear the name the first thing I think of is American Girl dolls. I had one when I was growing up, and Tori has a young daughter now and I wouldn't doubt that she is interested in the book series and the dolls to go along with them as well. So, did Tori take the name from one of her daughter's toys? Perhaps a play on words...we can imagine the American doll...the girls talked about in David Lee Roth's "California Girls", perhaps. Perhaps this is a bit of a flash back to Tori's "Cornflake Girl" era and talking of women's cruelty to one another. Collagen enhanced bottle blondes fighting over the richest man on the block? I am sure once she starts doing interviews we'll get at least some insight into the title and its purpose.

Another thing...as you can see by the promotional photo being released with the news (the one shown here), she has a bit of a new look. She's sporting bangs now. I sort of dig it, actually, though it makes her look very sprite-ish. But I have to wonder if that photo shoot was her idea as it seems very over the top for me. It is taking too much symbolism, too much of Tori's dogma and throwing it into one image. The glittery dress of the drama/fashion queen she loves, the Bible in her right hand and "shame" written on her left hand....and most disturbingly, but in Tori fashion, the blood running down the inside of her leg, the left leg, the same side shame is written on. All this while standing in front of a pristine, if not sterile, looking suburban house. There is something that is a mix of "preacher's wife" and Desperate Housewives in this picture, and perhaps this is also where the American Doll Posse comes in. So much going on, I think even one or two of those things together could have made the photo, but it's a bit much.

All in all, I am very excited for the new album and after her last studio album (The Beekeeper) disappointed most of her fans, I think she's ready for a comeback. If the photo does anything, it shows that she's got her edge back and is ready to lay down some smack, and I can't wait.

Valentine's Day from Nettwerk

2007-02-14T03:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

I know it's a bittersweet holiday for many, but fear no longer...there is love in Canada! Yes, wonderful Canadian record label Nettwerk has shown their love for all of us by making an excellent Valentine's Day mix for us and it's free!

It features some amazing artists (singer-songwriter types, but they do the best love songs if you ask me). Go HERE to download "Sweet Nothings: Love Is a Mixtape". Until then, I've marked my personal favorites with a *, here's the tracklisting:

Sweet Nothings: Love Is a Mixtape
1) Barenaked Ladies "Sound of Your Voice"
2) Matt Wertz "Heartbreaker"
3) Chantal Kreviazuk "Wonderful"
4) The Submarines "Peace and Hate" *
5) Great Lake Swimmers "Your Rocky Spine"
6) Hem "He Came to Meet Me" *
7) The Weepies "Gotta Have You" **
8) The Be Good Tanyas "Human Thing"
9) Nathan "Ordinary Day"
10) Rosie Thomas "Say Hello" *
11) Griffin House "The Guys Who Says Goodbye to You Is Out of His Mind"

Maria Taylor

2007-02-09T15:44:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite bands is Azure Ray. It is composed of two women, Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor. Both ladies have recently set off on their own to work on solo records, but I will admit that Maria has always been my favorite half of the Azure Ray team and my preference held true for me for their solo efforts as well.

Maria's first solo record "11:11" was beautiful and was very much in the same vein as Azure Ray but with a perhaps less somber air about it. Maria has recently announced a new solo album is to be released in March, on my birthday no less! Her new record is to be called "Lynn Teeter Flower" after a childhood friend of hers. They are offering that all pre-orders of the new album made through the record label, Saddle Creek, will be shipped out a full two weeks before the actual release date. I am eagerly awaiting it as the available tracks from the album are all classic Maria quality. I am excited.

For anyone unfamiliar with Azure Ray and Maria and what to expect, they are somber, what some might call "slow-core" music. A very soothing voice over moody and ethereal music. The lyrics are the selling point for me, though. They have some beautiful crafted stories and feelings within their songs that seem to get at something deeper than just the same ol' love songs, even if the song IS a love song. They often leave me feeling haunted and connected to something bigger than this world. I can't say enough about them really.

Check out some of Maria Taylor's solo tracks:

Song Beneath a Song (from 11:11)
Speak Easy (from 11:11)
A Good Start (from Lynn Teeter Flower)
Lost Time (from Lynn Teeter Flower)

Sarah Shannon

2007-02-06T15:11:00.001-05:00

Today marks the release of Sarah Shannon's new album "City Morning Song". I will openly admit that I am not an avid follower of Sarah's, in fact, the majority of the reason she interests me at all is because I adore her old band, Velocity Girl. Velocity Girl is a great mid-90s band based out of Washington D.C. that made awesome high-spirited rock/pop songs. If you find yourself in a used CD store in front of a copy of their album "Simpatico"...do yourself a favor and buy the thing, okay?

There was a large gap in time between the break-up of Velocity Girl and the release of Sarah's self-titled first solo record in 2001. That album, though decent in its own respects, was a bit of a disappointment for anyone looking for new Velocity Girl material. Sarah's voice is bold and bright, but it reminds me more of the voice of a talented high school musical star than it does a rock star. Her voice worked well over the vibrant beats and fun lyrics of Velocity Girl, but I think they have a lot harder time managing themselves over more mellow songs which populate her solo work. I won't pretend to have heard her new record other than the title track, though, so I am only judging her first solo effort.

Despite my lackluster review above, I still want to promote Sarah and I still think she is definitely worth a listen. There are a few gems on her first record, and I am sure City Morning Song will have some as well.

You can preview her new album and download a zipped copy of the title track 'City Morning Song' at her record label website, Minty Fresh.

Otherwise, here are some tracks from her self-titled album:

Hey Now Now

2007-01-28T16:55:00.001-05:00

This song by The Cloud Room is one of the catchiest songs I have heard in a long time. It is one of those songs you hear the first few notes of while driving in the car or even doing things at home and you have to go turn the volume up a bit.

That said, I felt I needed to share it here for those who might not have had the chance to hear it yet.

The Cloud Room - "Hey Now Now" (left click)

The Innocence Mission - We Walked In Song

2007-01-24T15:25:00.001-05:00

I was reading through a teen fashion magazine when I was, you know, a teen, and there were some music reviews...and I saw something unexpected...the name of my hometown. That was the moment I discovered one of my now favorite bands. The Innocence Mission hails from my hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and it was exciting for me to recognize where some of the pictures from album artwork were taken and to know locations they referred to. I fell for them fast.

The Innocence Mission is basically Don and Karen Peris, high school sweethearts, as well as a friend of theirs playing bass for them, and the occasional help of a drummer friend (turned chef, who opened a restaurant in a nearby town called Lily's On Main, which is quite nice). But regardless of my love for my hometown, this band is amazing. I was skeptical at first having heard they were a Christian band as I don't like preachy music, but soon got over those fears after purchasing their album "Glow". Any reference of religion in most of their music is minor. What is evident in their music from a religious standpoint is their passion for humanity and goodness. The warmth shown in their music (and on-stage chemistry, let me tell you...they are so in love, it's a beautiful sight) is really miraculous in its own right. The heartfelt-ness of their songs and the absolute fragility of Karen's voice leaves me close to tears many times. They've mastered the art of beauty and sadness going together. There can be a hopefulness in vulnerability, the trust of others not to hurt you when you show them your underbelly, this is the feeling I get from their music.

I'm not the only one who thinks they're amazing, as their last album "Befriended" was listed as one of the best albums of the year by NPR and their music is often hailed by such other musicians as Joni Mitchell and Sufjan Stevens, not to mention Denison Witmer who is also from my area and supposedly used to take guitar lessons from Don, pretty cool. And let me tell you, I will be willing to drive home for a chance to see them play my hometown again, those were some of the best concert experiences I've ever had.

Their record company, Badman Recording Co., has posted a song from their upcoming (released March 13th) album "We Walked In Song" and it is true to Innocence Mission style. It's sad, hopeful and lovely.

Into Brooklyn, Early In The Morning (from We Walked In Song)
Tomorrow On The Runway (from Befriended)
Where Does The Time Go? (from Birds of Our Neighborhood)
Lakes of Canada (from Birds of My Neighborhood)

The Bird and the Bee

2007-01-16T12:15:00.002-05:00

The Bird and the Bee are one of the most talked about new bands it seems, having just released their first record (an EP entitled Again and Again and Again) in December. They are a duo consisting of singer/songwriter Inara George and Greg Kurstin. Their self-titled debut album hits stores January 23rd. Fans of Ivy will certainly enjoy their music, as they have a similar 60's-esque breathy style. I think I prefer The Bird and the Bee over Ivy because of the slightly more light-heartedness to the music, though.

They will be appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, the 25th. Tune in and check them out! Until then, visit my favorite music blog, Womenfolk, to hear The Bird and the Bee's track "F*cking Boyfriend".

Children Running Through

2007-01-11T00:30:00.001-05:00

The good folks over at Stereogum have gotten their hands on a promo of Patty Griffin's upcoming album "Children Running Through" and are sharing a track with us, check it out here.

For those of you unfamiliar with Patty, let me just say that she is one of my favorite artists and never disappoints me. She is such a living legend except that people don't seem to know about her as much as they should. Within the right circles she certainly gets her dues though. As the above Stereogum entry says, she is covered by many people...though they left out The Dixie Chicks who covered her song "Let Him Fly" for their album "Fly", probably named after said song. She toured with them as an opener and I remember reading how honored they were just to be working with her, and she was their opener...silly really. One of the times I got to see her live she was opening for Emmylou Harris. It was the only time I had ever seen an opening act get both a standing ovation and an encore call...she's so great. She has a very rich and strong voice and writes songs with such character and heart, they really are of the ilk that will be remembered, or should be, for generations. But, with albums like "Flaming Red" we see that the lady can share her wisdom while rockin' out just as well. I can't get enough of her.

"Children Running Through" comes out on February 6th. Mine's already pre-ordered.

The Arrogants

2007-01-04T23:03:00.001-05:00

Who would have thought one of those bands who sent out a MySpace friend request might actually pull through as a great discovery? I was in my car this afternoon and a song by The Arrogants came on ye ol' iPod and I had to crank up the volume a bit and smile. I knew right then they deserved an entry here.

The Arrogants is what some would call a "dreampop" band based out of California. They are fronted by Jana Heller, who notes The Sundays, Red House Painters, Low and The Innocence Mission among her favorite bands and the influence is undeniable. A sweet and clear voice, well-written, articulate and optimistic lyrics...they're a pleasure to listen to.

Deb Talan

2006-12-29T10:30:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday and is enjoying what is left of 2006. I thought I'd try to write a last little something before the year came to a close, but things are just so busy...but I do have a quick something to mention.

One album I got for Christmas this year was "Say I Am You" by The Weepies. It was being talked up all over the blogopsphere within the last year and I loved what I heard of it. Their song "Gotta Have You" is great, I wanted more. I got a few tracks from eMusic and decided I really wanted to own the album.

Before I had ever heard of The Weepies, I had heard of Deb Talan. It seems that as a group they are much better known that her as a solo artist, but I just happened upon her music one day and was taken by her song "Unravelling", which, I highly recommend if you get the chance. The Weepies and Deb's music is very much in the line of typical folk music. It has a nice melody, a gentle delivery and is lyrics driven. This is definitely my cup of tea and so The Weepies and Deb's music is something that hits home with me.

Deb is originally a New England girl and attended Brown University and then moved on to Portland when she started pursuing her music and teamed up with her Weepies musical partner Steve Tannen. Deb's website offers one free track, enjoy!

Deb Talan - "Tell Your Story Walking"

'Tis the season for free music

2006-12-23T18:42:00.001-05:00

One last post about Christmas music before it's Christmas...
I wanted to share a few more tracks that artists I like have made available for the season. It is the season for giving and here are a few more artists giving us Christmas songs!

Hem is offering up their lovely rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Hem is a great folk/americana band that sounds a bit like country and folk lullabies, they're really great and a band that can definitely pull off a Christmas carol.

Hem - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Sufjan Stevens, one of the latest indie darlings, has released a whole box set including 5 EPs of original Christmas songs, stickers and other various sundries to keep you in the spirit. He is making one of the songs from this set available to all of us, and it's a nice one.

Sufjan Stevens - "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever" ( left click )

Jonatha Brooke makes her rendition of "Emmanuel" available on her website every December. I love Jonatha, she's got some great lyrics and great tunes. This version of Emmanuel is so sad sounding. I never understood why Emmanuel was usually sung so somberly as someone telling me to "rejoice!" when it doesn't sound like they are doing it themselves. Hmm...all the same, it's pretty and worth a listen.

Jonatha Brooke - "Emmanuel"

Wild Colonials have made their Christmas original "Christmas is Quiet" available on their MySpace page. This song doesn't scream Christmas to me, but the Wild Colonials are so good, who cares? Angela McCluskey has such a unique and strong voice and I love their use of violin in most everything they do.

Wild Colonials - "Christmas Is Quiet" ( left click )

Fisher - "December"

2006-12-20T12:04:00.001-05:00

Fisher is named after front-woman Kathy Fisher, but it is a husband and wife duo with her husband Ron Wasserman. They found initial success when the internet first started to get big via the website MP3.com. At the time, the website was a free website where bands could host their music to get more exposure, more like MySpace acts today. Fisher was one of the tops downloads and they earned a record contract because of their internet success and even appeared on the Tonight Show and Kathy was interviewed. Since then, their exposure has fizzled but they still have a supportive fanbase on the internet. They make most of their living doing jingles for commercials now, no doubt you've heard their work before and didn't realize it. There are clips of their commercial songs available on their site as well as tracks from their albums as well. I discovered them on the Great Expectations soundtrack, though. I loved the song but knew nothing of the band. A year later I happened upon their album at a used CD store and knew it was meant to be. I loved that album (One) and ended up contacting the band and got to interview Kathy on my college radio program and did some promotional stuff (call-in's to win merchandise of theirs) before the release of their major label debut "True North".

Fisher's voice is what makes her worth noting, though I cannot discount the songs, as many of them are absolutely stellar. Her voice is deep and interesting and very rich. It may not be for everyone but it has a strength to it I love. My brother just said it sounds like she needs a lozenge. So it goes.

The purpose of this entry, though, is to announce that they have made their Christmas EP "December" available as a free download on their website. The EP is no longer available for sale, therefore they're not losing any money by offering it up to the public. They also have recorded two new Christmas tracks so I thought I would share those links here...enjoy!

(Follow the website link above for the rest of their Christmas tracks)

Music from Fisher's album "One" (left clicks):

Jill Sobule does Christmas

2006-12-16T17:18:00.001-05:00

Jill Sobule is probably best known for being "that chick who sung that "I kissed a girl" song that had the video with Fabio in it"....and indeed, she is that girl. Or some know her as the girl who sang the Supermodel song for the movie "Clueless". For me, it all started when I saw her on the village stage at Lilith Fair in 1997. A few months later I bought one of her albums.

She does lots of light-hearted and somewhat sarcastic songs about strange things, but also has a ton of songs about heavy issues like politics and anorexia, but she sings about them in such a way that you can smirk as you hear about them. Another serious issue to take on? Christmas. Jill does great work doing songs about Christmas and I think they're a hoot. Here are two she is being generous enough to share with the public via her website.