7.31.2006
[Ebony & Ivory Keys - Press On, Press On]
Does This Frame Even Look Like Piano Keys To You?Various Songs That Somehow Work With A Piano (Artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
Bishop Allen - Queen of the Rummage Sale
Harvey Danger - Wine Women and Song
Headlights - Lullabies
Midlake - Bandits
Robbers on High Street - Spanish Teeth
Scissors for Lefty - Softly The Sea Swallows The Sun
Spoon - The Way We Get By
Tacks, The Boy Disaster - Paris
Otherwheres - Matt and Matt showcase their picks for
7.29.2006
[Archie Bronson Outfit]
Ya know, lately, many of my favorite finds are coming out of the From Derdang Derdang (All Songs Are Right Click - Save As):
Dead Funny
Kink
Cuckoo
Learn about their European (and later American) tour dates at the Archie Bronson Outfit site.
Be their friend!
7.28.2006
Good Morning!
Good morning! This is actually going to be my last post for a while. I'm departing for Jackson, Mississippi early tomorrow morning and coming back next Sunday, and I won't have any access to the internet while I'm there. Brad, the other side of the mouth, will be the only side of the mouth that you'll be hearing from for that alotted time, so be nice and leave him a bunch of sweet and encouraging comments.On to today's mix.
I'm leaving you with a bunch of good morning songs that I deem very fitting to wake up to. So, while I'm gone, you can blast one of these every morning in memory of me. I'll be back soon!
mp3 Brighten- Friends for Lovers
mp3 The Shins- Know Your Onion!
mp3 Phanton Planet- Lonely Day
m4a Queen & David Bowie- Under Pressure
mp3 My Morning Jacket- Heartbreakin' Man
mp3 Natural History- Morning Rain
mp3 Kings of Leon- The Bucket
mp3 Anathallo- Hanasakajijii (One: The Angry Neighbor)
7.27.2006
Sorry About Dresden
Omaha strikes again with yet another great indie rock band. Sorry About Dresden consists of Matt Oberst (yes, Conor's brother), Matt Tomich, Eric Roehrig, and James Hepler, all Omaha, Nebraskans. Their music is two-sided. Some songs are anthems, powerful and loud with catchy chorus lines and upbeat rhythms, while others are sophisticated compositions, with thoughtfully placed instrumental breaks and layer upon layer of guitar, snare, organ, glockenspiel, etc. This overwhelming versatility in style may seem like plain confusion, and that might very well be true. But if confusion can create such postworthy music, then I wish we were all a little more confused.mp3 Sick and Sore
mp3 The Approaching Dawn
mp3 On Contradiction
mp3 One Version of Events
Sorry About Dresden's Official site
7.26.2006
[Troubled Hubble]
Did you know that when they first sent out the Hubble Telescope, our best-of-the-best scientists forgot to put in a lens? Well, they did, but the Troubled Hubble I speak of is a quartet from Illinois. Now my hat's off to any vocalist that can sing wordage sequentially at a fast-pace. You know what I'm talking about, the songs you yourself try to sing along to and end up turning blue and out of breath about halfway - or is that just me? Point is, Ear, Nose, and Throat is a great song, and lucky for us that do sing along, Ear, Nose, and Throat likes to lessen the pace after its word debauchery. Troubled Hubble plays tunes of a clean and poppy demeanor, and sadly played their final show together last fall. Though the members have gone their separate paths, residual activity for the band includes a DVD and the release of some previously unreleased material.Various Songs from Troubled Hubble (all songs are right click - save as):
You can get more at the Troubled Hubble site.
Be their friend!
7.25.2006
Rainy Mix
Above is a painting by my favorite artist, René Magritte. It's raining stuffy business men!Certain environments always have an effect as to what music I'm in the mood for. I love life most when it rains, and I think that may give some insight into my musical taste. Maybe? Give me some feedback.
Anyway, here's a mix I came up with that seems like a good compilation of rain songs. No, not Norah Jones or James Blunt, but just some hardcore rain music. Yea?
By the way, I don't hate you Norah and James. I heart you all.
mp3 Fiona Apple- Never is a Promise
mp3 Nada Surf- Blonde on Blonde
mp3 Snow Patrol- Run
mp3 Sufjan Stevens- To Be Alone With You
mp3 Kings of Convenience- Gold in the Air of Summer
mp3 Iron & Wine- Bird Stealing Bread
mp3 Radiohead- Fake Plastic Trees
m4a Ret Hot Chili Peppers- Porcelain
m4p Coldplay- Fix You
mp3 Bloc Party- Blue Light
mp3 Oasis- Champagne Supernova
m4p Modest Mouse- Blame it on the Tetons
[Telephono/Soft Effects Rerelease Today]
So anyone that knows me knows that above all Spoon is my bar-none favorite and has been since their notes first commuted into my ears however many years ago. Quite in fact it was Alina Lloyd Pak that clued me in, and if she never did so, I probably would't be writing this blog with her nowadays. So to commemorate the rerelease of the holy grail record of the Spoon discography that is Telephono, I'm going to share Spoon with you just as Lloyd did long ago. For over a decade, Spoon has been playing out tracks that pricked up the ears of many. It's just good stuff, because the likes of Spoon needs no occasion. You can belt out Dr. Seuss, and I can tell you that I can listen to Spoon - I can listen in a box; I can listen with a fox; I can listen in a train, and gosh damn I can listen in a plane for Brad I am. So for this mix, I'm gonna bring strangers up to pace with some of my favorite tracks, but for those of you that have all that, I'll put up my share of some rarities from teh appropriately titled Devil's Dishes Rarities - enjoy and pick up a record, you won't regret it.Various Tracks from Spoon (all songs are right click - save as):
From the Devil's Dishes Rarities:
He Was Soon to Undergo an Experience
Let the Distance Keep Us Together
Mary Roachford
Bonus Track - Target (unreleased, live at Pok-e-jo's SXSW '06) I always feel guilty for this one...
Check out their tour dates and such at the Spoon site.
Be their friend!
7.24.2006
[Land of Ill Earthquakes]
Land of Ill Earthquakes is, appropriately enough, a San Andreas fault-hugging septet from California that produce delightful rock tunes of an innocent nature. I truly think field trips for this bunch are just desinations to various kinder classes. At one point a kiddie xylophone is even used, and with skill I might add. Those things usually only have like what 8 keys? The way I see it, Land of Ill Earthquakes is what you get if Architecture in Helsinki grew up on American shores in the golden state of California - or, at least, I can especially muster that idea from listening to the song Judy. Everything about that song is just so playful and frolicky; I don't even know who the hell Judy is, but let it be known that I want to be her best friend now.Various Songs from Land of Ill Earthquakes (all songs are right click - save as):
Learn more about the kiddos at the Land of Ill Earthquakes site.
Be their friend!
Swirlies
Their name sounds like a gel pen or a taffy from the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory, I am aware. Their sound, though, is not as friendly. Offbeat and offkey and, in all other senses, just plain off, Swirlies is a group of four (the female not pictured) from Boston who started up in 1990 and died in 1992. The band has reincarnated in various forms since then, with fresh lineups and various offshoots. Male vocals sounds like that of Death Cab if he had a cold, female vocals like an eight-year old Charlotte Church. It may sound like everything I've said about the band thus far is negative, but please don't get me wrong; I really like them. Amidst the musical oddities and "sneakyflute" sound, there lies in Swirlies a lo-fi gem.mp3 House of Pancake
mp3 Pony
mp3 Park the Car by the Side of the Road
mp3 Bell
Hey Mercedes
I love Hey Mercedes to pieces, and you must know this fact right away. Bob Nanna, the head vocalist for the group, has a voice that simply strikes me as round. I don't know why that word always comes to mind when I hear him sing... Round and trebly and powerful, yet contained. That is the voice of Bob Nanna. The energy of the band is amazing. Whether their songs are fast and furious, ex: Eleven to Your Seven, or sweetly slow and melodic, like Unorchestrated, a vivid and bright force seems to be constantly driving their sound. Plus everything about their music is beautifully catchy. Just try and listen to Bells, my favorite track from them by the way, without at least some minor head bobbage. All in all, Hey Mercedes is good good fun and great great music.mp3 Bells
mp3 Eleven to Your Seven
m4p Unorchestrated
mp3 Every Turn
7.23.2006
Waltz
1, 2, 3... 1, 2, 3... Take my hand and waltz with me to these wondrous songs of 3/4 time and melodic quality. I really do think 3/4 time is my favorite. Not completely unoriginal like 4/4, not as cooky and confusing as 3/8. Just smooth and gliding, and 1, 2, 3... 1, 2, 3...
mp3 Elliott Smith- Waltz No. 1
m4a Cary Brothers- Blue Eyes
mp3 Okkervil River- Kansas City
mp3 Damien Rice- Delicate
m4a Bright Eyes- Poison Oak
mp3 Fiona Apple- Waltz
mp3 Death Cab for Cutie- Song for Kelly Huckaby
mp3 Elysian Fields- Black Acres
[PAS/CAL]
PAS/CAL, as far as I know, aren't up to anything, but that won't keep me from posting about thiem. Summer is the season for Locksley, well it's also the season for PAS/CAL. Offset from song titles like Summer Is Almost Here and The Bronzed Beach Boys (Come On Let's Go), there they stand in they Candyland frame (by the way, the 'pimp' with the cane is supposed to be Lord Licorice) licking away at lollipops and laughing - of course they're for summer. Like Locksley, PAS/CAL managed to bottle up a season, however, they carry a different summer sound. Their essence of the seasom carries the usual airy choruses, but the there's something else...tambourining? I really can't say, but something's there. Here's your (late) dose of PAS/CAL's summery season. Various Songs from PAS/CAL (All songs are right click - save as):
PAS/CAL site
Be their friend!
7.22.2006
Now It's Overhead
Yes, you're quite right. Those two ladies are indeed Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink, and yes they are involved in yet another band. This time, it's Now It's Overhead, a fun mixture of classic electric/acoustic guitar with drums and keyboard eccentricities. Lead vocals are done by neither Maria nor Orenda, but by Andy LeMaster whose songwriting and musicality prove superb in both their albums Now It's Overhead and Fall Back Open. His voice is crisp and penetrating, bending around melodies and harmonies with ease. Andy LeMaster produces anthems, all backed by a solid band, especially drummer Clay Leverett. His beats make the songs. Hear what I mean:mp3 Wait in a Line
mp3 The Decision Made Itself
mp3 Wonderful Scar
mp3 Hold Your Spin
Now It's Overhead's Official site
No Myspace! =O
Red & White Swirl, Candy-Pop Twirl
So last night, yours truly as well as the other mouth of this blog found ourselves surrounded by the red-bricked walls of Emo's to watch, primarily, the Starlight Mints. The night started and ended later than expected, but it was definitely one for the books...brace yourselves - there's quite a bit to share.
Ryan Lindsey
I had only heard of Ryan Lindsey the day before the show, and the only thing I took with me was the fact that he also just happens to work the keys for the Starlight Mints. He began his set and our night twiddling his fingers upon the piano remarking how he'd start us off with some snazzy tunes, and that he did. Amongst the hustle of the crowd and endless chatter, I could only make out so much of his tunage at first, but as he continued his set the crowd slowly hushed to a murmur. Once the dust settled we saw and heard who/what Ryan Lindsey was, and that is a modern-day one-man band. Guitar still round his neck, he pressed the ivory keys of his keyboard; strictly acoustic, he would expertly manage his pedal to create a chorusing vocal. One-man band indeed, and it was a good working towards Midlake with mellow-upon-mellow songs.
(All songs are right click - save as)
Future Employment
My Place in the Hills
Ryan Lindsey Site
Midlake
Ah, now ever since the release of The Trials of Van Occupanther, I think Midlake has been on just about everyone's blogging plate, and yet despite this, I never really listened to them. Other than their song Roscoe, I was Midlake-deprived, and I use the strong wordage of "deprived" because it truly is sad that I was at a loss with them before that night. On stage, Midlake has got to be one of the most harmoniously coordinated bands I've ever seen. Every song, with all it's complexities, just blurbed into one giant, airy entity, and it had such a transporting feel - my mind was going places, and I had no care as to where Midlake's sound, with its haunting vocals and 70s-ish vibe, would take me. They're planning on touring later this month with Sound Team as well as Cold War Kids - sounds like great fun to me, and that goes highly suggested.
Roscoe
Young Bride
Some of Them Were Superstitious
Midlake Site
The Starlight Mints
Now surprisingly, a large amount of the concert-goers the other night I learned were primarily for Midlake, but anyone that's listened to the Mints, knows their music isn't something you can just walk away from - quite in fact I remember a few people turning back from the exit as the Mints began. Now why would that be? Presence? The second the Starlights Mints started, a wave of energy exploded in the room...or it coulda been just a high amount of bass in the system, but eh, it was a wave of energy that rustled our shirts and gusted the air - trust me. Note for note, The Starlight Mints are one of the most fun bands I've ever watched - their music just makes bubbles and the screen behind them playing images perfectly coordinated with their set was eye candy. I captured video, yes, but if you can see them live, then even better.
Inside of Me
Sugar Blaster
Seventeen Devils Live at Emo's 7-20-06 (avi)
Check out the rest of their tour at the Starlight Mints site.
Ryan Lindsey
I had only heard of Ryan Lindsey the day before the show, and the only thing I took with me was the fact that he also just happens to work the keys for the Starlight Mints. He began his set and our night twiddling his fingers upon the piano remarking how he'd start us off with some snazzy tunes, and that he did. Amongst the hustle of the crowd and endless chatter, I could only make out so much of his tunage at first, but as he continued his set the crowd slowly hushed to a murmur. Once the dust settled we saw and heard who/what Ryan Lindsey was, and that is a modern-day one-man band. Guitar still round his neck, he pressed the ivory keys of his keyboard; strictly acoustic, he would expertly manage his pedal to create a chorusing vocal. One-man band indeed, and it was a good working towards Midlake with mellow-upon-mellow songs.(All songs are right click - save as)
Ryan Lindsey Site
Midlake
Ah, now ever since the release of The Trials of Van Occupanther, I think Midlake has been on just about everyone's blogging plate, and yet despite this, I never really listened to them. Other than their song Roscoe, I was Midlake-deprived, and I use the strong wordage of "deprived" because it truly is sad that I was at a loss with them before that night. On stage, Midlake has got to be one of the most harmoniously coordinated bands I've ever seen. Every song, with all it's complexities, just blurbed into one giant, airy entity, and it had such a transporting feel - my mind was going places, and I had no care as to where Midlake's sound, with its haunting vocals and 70s-ish vibe, would take me. They're planning on touring later this month with Sound Team as well as Cold War Kids - sounds like great fun to me, and that goes highly suggested.Midlake Site
The Starlight Mints
Now surprisingly, a large amount of the concert-goers the other night I learned were primarily for Midlake, but anyone that's listened to the Mints, knows their music isn't something you can just walk away from - quite in fact I remember a few people turning back from the exit as the Mints began. Now why would that be? Presence? The second the Starlights Mints started, a wave of energy exploded in the room...or it coulda been just a high amount of bass in the system, but eh, it was a wave of energy that rustled our shirts and gusted the air - trust me. Note for note, The Starlight Mints are one of the most fun bands I've ever watched - their music just makes bubbles and the screen behind them playing images perfectly coordinated with their set was eye candy. I captured video, yes, but if you can see them live, then even better.Check out the rest of their tour at the Starlight Mints site.
7.20.2006
Air
Combine Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, and Vangelis, throw in a smudge of jazz and dance, and you will get the wonder that is Air, or Nicolas Goedin and JB Dunckel. These Frenchmen first formed their band in 1995, with their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Moon Safari, releasing in 1998. Two years later, they composed and recorded the soundtrack to Sofia Coppola's masterpiece, The Virgin Suicides, unarguably putting them on the music map. Three albums, eighteen singles, and countless remixes and compilations later (including a second soundtrack gig for Lost in Translation, also by Sofia Coppola), Air is still alive and breathing, with a DJ mix album, Late Night Tales: Air, scheduled to release on September 11 (questionable release date I know), 2006.To be perfectly honest, Air would not ordinarily be a band on my Frequently Played list. But their versatility, jumping from echo-y acoustic to pure synthesizer, keeps me interested and engaged in their unique sound. Air sits atop a mountain of music that they have created, and I am sure that you will be able to find at least a handful of favorites amongst their many many projects. Here are some of mine:
mp3 People in the City
mp3 Sexy Boy
mp3 Cherry Blossom Girl
mp3 Ce Matin La
Air's Official site
Air's Myspace
7.19.2006
[The Starlight Mints]
A pinwheel of red and white - mmm starlight mints. Alina and I both agree that they have a yummy name, and just as the candy is sweet, the Starlight Mints too carry a delicious sound. I'd compare them to someone, but the fact is they're simply incomparable. The Starlight Mints are a quintet from Norman, Oklahoma headed by vocal Allan Vest. I'm rather hard-pressed to believe that something like the Mints popped out of Oklahoma, but I'm afraid that if they were to source out of a music mecca, they just wouldn't carry as unique a sound. Now I can't tell you where Norman, Oklahoma is, let alone the state of Oklahoma itself, but with the imagery the Starlight Mints provide, I can only conjure a melting clocks Dali-esque landscape. Their untainted music doesn't take instruments for granted, and they implement quite a few. Yet for all the instrumental implementation, the end product, ironically enough, tunes a simplistic nature. Seventeen Devils, part of their latest, highly-praised release Drowaton, for instance, with its sweeping strings and discreet tambourining, holds to be a simple, surreal song. Once again, if you're in my area of Austin, TX and the immediate beyond, I highly suggest you pop by Emo's this Thursday to see the Starlight Mints live (word is they're phenomenal live). Now if they're passing by my fair city, that means they're on tour, so check the dates and hopefully check them out.From Drowaton (all songs are right click - save as):
Various songs from The Starlight Mints:
Sugar Blaster
Brass Digger
Visit the Mints and check out their tour at the Starlight Mints site.
Be their Friend!
Otherwheres - Matt piqued me to this, but if you literally have 3 seconds, go here and vote for Oh No! Oh My! por favor. Last time I checked, God or Julie was up ahead in the race, and thats just sad. If Oh No! Oh My! win, they get like a 1000 cds pressed for free or something like that - good stuff, and the world could use more happy music.
Son, Ambulance
Yes, Son, Ambulance is signed to Saddle-Creek Records, and yes, frontman Joe Knapp was a former roommate of Conor Oberst, but don't let these facts mislead you. Son, Ambulance is anything but moody and emo. In fact, I listen to Brown Park whenever I'm wallowing to get me into a chipper mood. Anyway, Joe Knapp had a band, simply titled Ambulance, which was featured on Oberst's Oh Holy Fools. Later, Joe changed the name to Son, Ambulance in order to more clearly define his priorities in life: first and foremost is his son, Neal, pictured above in the Superman shirt and beanie; second is his band, Ambulance. Joe's lyrics are eccentric and wide-ranging, with inspiration coming from his son, his high school sweetheart (not Neal's mom by the way), and random occurrences which he sees throughout his daily life. His songwriting skills and trebly vocals combined with a motley crew of a band including his brother, Daniel Knapp, creates music that is raw, diverse, and strangely fresh and striking. So give a jolt to your day, and check out Son, Ambulance.mp3 Brown Park
mp3 Maria in Motion
mp3 Sex in C Minor
mp3 A Book Laid On its Binding
mp3 Paper Snowflakes
Son, Ambulance's Official site
Son, Ambulance's Myspace
7.18.2006
Pinehurst Kids
Who are the Pinehurst Kids? Hell if I know. Their lineup is in a constant state of change, with the only real nucleus being the singer and guitarist Joe Davis. That being said, I would have to say that I liked the band best when it was a quartet, with Caleb Gates on bass, Devin Morrow on guitar, and Tony Howard on drums. With this doomed yet fabulous four, Pinehurst Kids came out with the highly acclaimed album, Bleed it Dry. Morrow and Davis put together some crazy guitar duos, with harmonies and riffs intertwining and colliding, only to collapse into driving power chords, then back again. Listen to The Onceler and you'll see what I mean - maybe it's just because I'm a guitar player, but I fell in love with the band entirely because of the great guitars in this song. I'm a firm believer that a great deal of musical quality left with Devin Morrow, only to leave a shell of what once was... *Tear*... Listen to the songs I have posted, then check up on their Myspace for their new stuff, and get back to me and tell me if you agree.mp3 The Onceler
mp3 Spinning Out
Pinehurst Kids' Official site
Pinehurst Kids' Myspace
[The Wombats]
Long ago, thanks to a quartet of bugs, at least one place in England has become synonymous for good music - that's right, Liverpool, and The Wombats are a trio of Liverpudlians(?) that help to keep that reputation alive. They're punky where they need to be; they're poppy where they need to be. Really it's just happy rock, and that label practically can't be denied to a band that: A) incorporates somersaults in one of their promo pics, B) are signed under a label named KIDS, and C) aren't afraid to "OoO" in their songs (I know, where were these kids when I composed my Fourth Vowel From the Left mix?). Now these kids are bigger elsewhere than their motherland. No it's not Canada, it's not even here in the US. No, these kids are apparently huge stuff in China. As students of Sir Paul McCartney's musical institute, they managed to fund a trip to China under a partnership with organizers of Beijing's Midi Festival - the biggest musical festival in China. All this comes to explain why their site can be mandarin-ified. Now if just about a kajillion people love them, chances are you'll love them too.Various Songs from The Wombats (all songs are right click - save as):
Derail & Crash
Little Miss Pipedream
Lost in the Post
Patricia the Stripper
You can get s'more tunes from The Wombats site.
Be their friend!
Augustana
This band will be quite big soon, I am sure. I can say this with confidence because they've become semi-big already. Being featured on MTV, touring with big names like Goo Goo Dolls and The Fray, and playing huge venues like House of Blues, Augustana can be expected to be playing on the radio in the next year or so.But is that so bad? Does a band automatically suck once they collide with the mainstream?
Maybe...
Jimmy Eat World, my favorite band of all time, decided to suck it with shitty songs like "The Middle" after being thrown into the limelight. Likewise, The Get Up Kids, although now deceased, blatantly sold out on their last, saccharine album. Will Augustana soon follow in their footsteps?
It's quite possible, being that their music is so appealing to pop listeners in the first place. Their music is undeniably catchy, with edgy-but-still-accessible vocals. Actually, they are strongly reminiscent of Switchfoot... Anyway, the popstar in me still enjoys Augustana immensely. I posted their song "Boston" before on my "Cities" post, and if you liked that, you'll for sure like the others songs I have listed below. So hurry up and listen so you can tell everyone you listened to Augustana before they sold out on the mainstream.
mp3 Bullets
mp3 Not Alone
mp3 Stars and Boulevards
mp3 Mayfield
Augustana's Official site
Augustana's Myspace
7.17.2006
One Puzzled Dwarf Said to an Unsuspecting Fairy With Her Head in the Clouds, "Wow, That's a Really Long Title!"
(Caption: I didn't really have a picture for this entry, so I decided to commemorate this long lost sign that no longer hangs above the stage at Stubb's. I took this a year ago, completely ignorant of the fact that it would one day disappear forever and ever and ever...)Some fabulous songs from certain fabulous artists have extremely longwinded and complicated titles that really are completely unnecessary, but prove as a nice touch anyway. I have a few nifty examples of such christened tunes posted below in this nice little white space of text and picture and link and wonder. Why don't we all hold hands and stare lovingly in each other's eyes and proclaim to the world that we pull some things out of our butt sometimes and pretend that those said things were stewing in our minds all the while?
mp3 Jets to Brazil- Your X-Rays Have Just Come Back From the Lab and We Think We Know What Your Problem Is
mp3 Of Montreal- Dustin Hoffman Thinks About Eating The Soap
mp3 Bright Eyes- You Will. You?Will. You? Will. You?Will. (Live)
mp3 Mark Mothersbaugh- Zissou Society Blue Star Cadet/Ned's Theme (Take 1)
mp3 Arctic Monkeys- You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights But You Were Staring Straight at Me (Live)
mp3 Brand New- Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't
The End but Not Really the End Because We Aren't Really Going Anywhere and Please Feel Free to Comment Because We are Really Nice People Even Though Brad May be a Tad Bit Nicer
[Matt & Kim]
Now I can't say for sure that Matt and Kim are together, but they sure do compose tunes like (not so) star-crossed lovers. This duo hails from Brooklyn, and unlike other two-some Mates of State, the gal heeds the drums, while the guy keys the board and vocalizes. When I first found out about these guys, it was said that it looked like they held concerts in random houses, so I checked it out. I saw Matt and Kim...in living rooms. Personally, I wouldn't mind hearing Yea Yeah pump out of my house. With a commanding drum beat and dazeful keys, I really wouldn't mind hearing Yea Yeah pumping out of anywhere.Yea Yeah
Silver Tiles
Verbs Before Nouns
Matt & Kim site
Be their friend!
7.16.2006
Built to Spill
So Built to Spill is one of my favorites. I sent some of their songs to Bradley a few weeks ago, and I'm pretty sure he liked them. If both of us like it, you should like it, too.
Anyway, I'm super excited about them not only 'cause they have a new album out, You in Reverse, and not only 'cause they're on tour right now (dates and times on their myspace), but also because I just learned that they're from Boise, Idaho! And I'm moving to Boise, Idaho next year! And I was so scared that Boise would be hell! But if Built to Spill is from Boise, it can't be all that bad! Yessuh! If any of you readers are from Boise, tell me so, so I can find you when I get there and hang out with you and discuss music and potatoes and such.
Well, to be completely honest, You in Reverse is not my favorite album from them. Ancient Melodies of the Future is. But it's still alright. Below I have posted a few songs from a few of their albums. I kind of am deeply in love with them all except the new one, although Conventional Wisdom is quite good. Maybe it will grow on me with time. Like Bradley's music.
Listen and enjoy!
mp3 In Your Mind- from Ancient Melodies of the Future =)
mp3 Still Flat- from The Normal Years
mp3 Conventional Wisdom- from You in Reverse
Built to Spill's Official site
Built to Spill's Myspace if you didn't already see the previous link
Orenda & Maria
Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor are Azure Ray. Their music is delicate, deeply emotional, and hauntingly personal. November and Sea of Doubts, in particular, are sung in almost a whisper, delivered directly to the ear of the listener. It is this soft quality of Azure Ray that makes their sound so touching and pure.mp3 If You Fall
mp3 November
mp3 Sea of Doubts
Orenda Fink's solo project differs greatly from both Azure Ray and Maria Taylor. Driving guitars with striking minor chords and melodies are present in her independent sound, especially present in Bloodline. Still, her haunting vocals remain unchanged, although the supporting voices prove exceedingly eery.mp3 Bloodline
mp3 No Evolution
Maria Taylor's music is so happy and clean, it's a wonder the collaboration that is Azure Ray ever took place. Slightly folksy with pleasant banjos and violins, Maria Taylor just paints a glossy glow over all the world. Both Song Beneath the Song (featured on the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack) and Speak Easy perfectly demonstrate her feel-good sound.mp3 Song Beneath the Song
mp3 Speak Easy
[Darren Hanlon]
Oh Australia what a fun countr-inent you are. Next to the Baltics, I can always count on you for some happy music. So what more do you have to offer this time? Darren Hanlon. Mister Hanlon comes from Gympie, a city in Northeast Australia, and following the tradition of other bands that name themselves after, well, themselves, Darren Hanlon strums tunes of simplicity. He'll sing about squash, because he just feels there aren't enough songs about it. He'll sing about a girl that cuts hair, because he just fancies her. Pretty much, he'll sing because he damn well wants to, and the fact that he can follow that up with good instrumentation and a tune is just an added bonus. So listen up and give an ear to to Darren Hanlon.Various Songs from Darren Hanlon (all songs are right click - save as):
Darren Hanlon site
Be his friend!
7.15.2006
Cities
I was born in San Jose, California. I moved to Pleasanton, California. Then I moved to Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, none of my cities have been written about, at least to my knowledge. Not so for these cities!
Brad and I should write a song about Austin and how much we love it... Because we really do...
Isn't Austin wondrous?
mp3 Sufjan Stevens- Chicago
I love this song to pieces. Seamless and crisp and bubbly and perfect.
mp3 Augustana- Boston
I can actually play this song with my limited skills on the piano! But don't get me wrong, the song is catchy and beautiful.
mp3 Arctic Monkeys- Fake Tales of San Francisco
Wondrous pump-up music, no matter what you're pumping up for.
mp3 Sunday's Best- The Salt Mines of Santa Monica
The song is crunchy. Yea. Listen and tell me if you agree.
mp3 Hot Hot Heat- In Cairo
Piano is almost 7th Heaven-ish. Good thing it stops before it really is.
mp3 Of Montreal- Oslo in the Summertime
Starts out sounding like a video game. Then to an action film. Then to a techno dance club. Then if you were in the techno dance club on acid. Then it kind of stays there. Heh.
Brad and I should write a song about Austin and how much we love it... Because we really do...
Isn't Austin wondrous?mp3 Sufjan Stevens- Chicago
I love this song to pieces. Seamless and crisp and bubbly and perfect.
mp3 Augustana- Boston
I can actually play this song with my limited skills on the piano! But don't get me wrong, the song is catchy and beautiful.
mp3 Arctic Monkeys- Fake Tales of San Francisco
Wondrous pump-up music, no matter what you're pumping up for.
mp3 Sunday's Best- The Salt Mines of Santa Monica
The song is crunchy. Yea. Listen and tell me if you agree.
mp3 Hot Hot Heat- In Cairo
Piano is almost 7th Heaven-ish. Good thing it stops before it really is.
mp3 Of Montreal- Oslo in the Summertime
Starts out sounding like a video game. Then to an action film. Then to a techno dance club. Then if you were in the techno dance club on acid. Then it kind of stays there. Heh.
7.14.2006
[Camera Obscura]
Is there even really a need to introduce this simple sextet from Scotland? If I must - Camera Obscura started up in the musical womb that numerous other bands seem to start in, that's right a basement, specifically bassist Gavin Dunbar's basement in 1996. There were only three of them then, but the band had doubled by the time of their debut album Biggest Bluest Hi Fi in 2000. 2003 saw the release of much praised Underachievers Please Try Harder, and it was a year later that Camera Obscura pricked up ears and gained more attention on the other side of the Atlantic by signing with much ado label Merge Records. Their last album Let's Get Out of This Country was released under the label last month and has already been hitting some of the "Best of Mid-year" lists, and it's no surprise. Let's Get Out of This Country carries a very young and fresh sound for a band that's been around for a decade. Once again, if you're in my area of Austin, TX and the immediate beyond, the band are back to play a gig at Emo's on the 15th , and you can even enter for a chance to get in gratis here thanks to the kind folks at the Austinist. If you can't attend that, be sure to check the other dates at their site, and if you still can't see them well...listen on.From Let's Get Out of This Country (All songs are right click - save as):
From Underachievers Please Try Harder:
Be sure to check if they're comin' round near you at their site.
Be their friend!
Lovers, Lead the Way!
Although their name might not be all too familiar, chances are, you've heard Kevin and Anita Robinson, or Viva Voce, before; teen dramas like One Tree Hill and The O.C. feature their music regularly. That being said, yes Viva Voce is on the pop side. But pop doesn't always have to be attached to a boy band or a platinum blonde diva with fake boobs. Some pop can be friendly and sugar-free, with keen musical sense and feel-good quality. Viva Voce is a perfect example of that region of the music genre. So listen to the songs and try and catch them on tour. They're traveling around RIGHT NOW!mp3 Alive With Pleasure
mp3 Wrecking Ball
Viva Voce's Official site
Viva Voce's Myspace
I think I like it.
7.13.2006
[Acid House Kings]
Now I have to be honest, the first time I read the band name "Acid House Kings," I instinctually stayed away. In fact, if it wasnt for another post that showcased the above picture (minus the tweaking), I probably never would have listening to this sweet quartet from the abnormally happy region of IKEA-land. It took just a few listens to throw out all the scary connotations that laced the name, and I now carry acidic items, modest homes, and male monarchy in high esteem. Acid House Kings' sound carries the euphonic aura that typically attaches itself to a lot of the music from the same area and so much more. For one, the vocals carry an undeniable airy feel to it, and then come the snaps, claps, tambourining, bell-shaking - it's simply poppy perfection. Acid House Kings embarked on their "huge" American tour earlier this month and wrapped up their week-long trip yesterday in Philadelphia.From Sing Along with Acid House Kings (all songs are right click - save as):
Various songs from Acid House Kings:
Visit the Acid House Kings at their site.
Be their friend!
Rojo
Now, who might this striking gentleman be? Why, it's Red from "That '70's Show!" Hello Red!Red is a wonderful name and a wonderful color and a wonderful basis for the following wonderful songs.
m4a Okkervil River- Red
mp3 The Promise Ring- Red Paint
mp3 The Promise Ring- Red and Blue Jeans
mp3 The Get Up Kids- Red Letter Day
mp3 Arctic Monkeys- Red Light Indicates Doors are Secured
mp3 The White Stripes- Red Rain
mp3 Fiona Apple- Red Red Red
(If the "m4a" or "mp3" in front of one of these songs is highlighted red, that means I really really like that song. I hope you do, too!)
[Tender Trap]
Nothing new out there still excited me as much, so I'm going to post a song that's just good (plus I had already made the frame for Tender Trap and I can't just let that scuba and sub go to waste). I really have to go out and steal what Fluxblog said about Tender Trap's 6 Billion People in saying that the song would just be absolutely perfect for one on those dating commercials. Personally I love the song for the "Duh-doo-doo" chorus that weaves in and out throughout the song - really the entire thing is just so interactive in the fact that you can always partake in singing along just by knowing a few lines. Tender Trap is composed of an ecclectic, experienced few that have been in too many other bands to mention, and never even had the intention to play live at first. They ixnayed the idea of not playing live when they were invited to join the Magnetic Fields, and now they've played gigs everywhere in the UK, France, Spain, Sweden and even the US. 6 Billion People is part of Tender Trap's second album release of the same name.From 6 Billion People (all songs are right click - save as):
Tender Trap site
Be their friend!
7.12.2006
[Andrew Bird]
So, Andrew Bird (nothing new I know). Hailing from Chicago, this fellow only plays through my speakers instinctually. You see, there are times when my hand just moves to iTunes and I pick something out subconsciously - 7o% of the time I pick Andrew Bird everytime. Is it the mesmerizing twinge of his violin? How his songs actually capture the essence of hip? His haunting, sing-as-if-I'm-only-just-talking vocals, or perhaps his damn good whistling? Whatever it is, his last album The Mysterious Production of Eggs came to be a favorite last year and continues to funnel out my speakers. Mr. Bird is planning on an Americanada tour in Fall, including a stop at his hometown for Lollapalooza. Though he touches nothing here in the South, I suggest you check him out if you yourself can.From The Mysterious Production of Eggs (All songs right click - save as):
Learn more about Andrew Bird including his tour dates at his site.
Be his friend!
NUMB3RS
Numbers! The Count would be so proud of me.
7 songs.
3 pertaining to times.
2 pertaining to dates.
1 pertaining to a highway.
1 pertaining to a measurement.
3 are m4a (sorry).
4 are mp3.
I <3 href="http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/6/113439/15%2010_20%20AM.m4a">10:20 A.M.- Spoon
m4a 11 A.M.- Incubus
mp3 12:51- The Strokes
mp3 405- Death Cab For Cutie
mp3 1979- Smashing Pumpkins
m4a 12-23-95- Jimmy Eat World
mp3 40' (acoustic)- Franz Ferdinand
7.11.2006
Happy Happy (Joy Joy) Birthday To You!
Yet another birthday on this blog, and this time it's my turn. So what am I gonna do? Well I thought I'd just post whatever and whoever the hell I wanted to, because it's my birthday hazaa. So while I choke on cake, you can enjoy this rather incoherent mix... Various Songs (Artist name leads to site & all songs right click - save as):
Architecture in Helsinki - Cemetary
Bishop Allen - Vain
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Heavy Metal
The Grates - 19-20-20
Los Campesinos! -
The Lovely Feathers - Frantic
Of Montreal - Requeim for O.M.M.2
Spoon - The Way We Get By
Voxtrot - The Start of Something
We Are Scientists - Selective Memory
Yeah, I'd say that's a random mix, but all of it is good stuff to me so I hope you enjoy it...
Elsewhere - As an added bonus, Matt over at Skatterbrain has a great interview with John of The Grates; go learn about the origin of the elusive combination of 19-20-20!
Elsewhere - And on a more serious note, the sad news about the death of Pink Floyd legend Syd Barrett can be read here.
A WEB OF INTERINVOLVED MADNESS
Just because you front one band, doesn't mean you can't front others. From Mike Kinsella's insane membership in five bands to Imogen Heap indistinguishable two projects, the following musical artists divide their creative time.
Mike Kinsella (Owen, Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Owls, American Football)
mp3 Owen- Places to Go
mp3 Cap'n Jazz- Little League
mp3 Joan of Arc- White Out
mp3 Owls- Everyone
mp3 American Football- Honestly?
In this hefty list of bands, Owen serves as the core where from which the other musical projects expand, as well as Mike Kinsella's solo outlet. Sometimes, it can prove difficult to distinguish between the different bands, but generally, Owen leans more toward the acoustic genre, Joan of Arc and American Football toward emo, and Cap'n Jazz and Owls toward general indie rock.
Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes, Desaparecidos)
mp3 Bright Eyes- From a Balance Beam
mp3 Desaparecidos- The Happiest Place on Earth
Conor Oberst (my secret crush, recently revealed) fronts two bands with completely different directions. Bright Eyes, with the exception of Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, remains wholly in simple acoustic and orchestral music, while Desaparecidos delves into electic experimental songs. I strongly recommend both.
Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service)
mp3 Death Cab for Cutie- The New Year
mp3 The Postal Service- Such Great Heights
The colossal Death Cab for Cutie is known for its instrumental skill and value along with its emotional lyrical sense. The Postal Service, a lesser known band, is more along electronica lines. Personally, I think Death Cab is undoubtedly the better band, but I must say, Ben Gibbard's voice proves perfect for both styles.
Imogen Heap (Frou Frou, Imogen Heap)
mp3 Frou Frou- Psychobabble
mp3 Imogen Heap- Hide and Seek
Yea, a lot of times I mix Imogen's solo project and Frou Frou up. Most of the vocals in Frou Frou are done by Imogen and the musical direction of both seems to be following an extremely similar path. But whatever, her voice amazes me. If you download any song from this page, make sure it's Hide and Seek. Vocals will astound you. If you get astounded by vocals.
Mike Kinsella (Owen, Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Owls, American Football)
mp3 Owen- Places to Go
mp3 Cap'n Jazz- Little League
mp3 Joan of Arc- White Out
mp3 Owls- Everyone
mp3 American Football- Honestly?
In this hefty list of bands, Owen serves as the core where from which the other musical projects expand, as well as Mike Kinsella's solo outlet. Sometimes, it can prove difficult to distinguish between the different bands, but generally, Owen leans more toward the acoustic genre, Joan of Arc and American Football toward emo, and Cap'n Jazz and Owls toward general indie rock.
Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes, Desaparecidos)
mp3 Bright Eyes- From a Balance Beam
mp3 Desaparecidos- The Happiest Place on Earth
Conor Oberst (my secret crush, recently revealed) fronts two bands with completely different directions. Bright Eyes, with the exception of Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, remains wholly in simple acoustic and orchestral music, while Desaparecidos delves into electic experimental songs. I strongly recommend both.
Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service)
mp3 Death Cab for Cutie- The New Year
mp3 The Postal Service- Such Great Heights
The colossal Death Cab for Cutie is known for its instrumental skill and value along with its emotional lyrical sense. The Postal Service, a lesser known band, is more along electronica lines. Personally, I think Death Cab is undoubtedly the better band, but I must say, Ben Gibbard's voice proves perfect for both styles.
Imogen Heap (Frou Frou, Imogen Heap)
mp3 Frou Frou- Psychobabble
mp3 Imogen Heap- Hide and Seek
Yea, a lot of times I mix Imogen's solo project and Frou Frou up. Most of the vocals in Frou Frou are done by Imogen and the musical direction of both seems to be following an extremely similar path. But whatever, her voice amazes me. If you download any song from this page, make sure it's Hide and Seek. Vocals will astound you. If you get astounded by vocals.
7.10.2006
You're Safe If You Dance In Your Head...
Now let's flashback to when I said in my Octopus Project post, "Around these days, it seems like people are just slapping their music with the label of 'instrumental' in an effort to justify their wordless noise or songs with failed lyrics..." Well, nothing's changed about my view on that, but it's still a hell of a great way to start up a post about the instrumental music that doesn't fill the above criteria. By being either entirely devoid of lyrics or restrained in wording, the song becomes an open book; a blank book, filled in by what you yourself can muster from the music's instruments, beats, and pace. This mix is gonna delve into a mix of some of the good instrumental acts out there, and broaden the genre to include the various outfits of techtronica and dance that really form a genre of their own. Oh, and I'm not sure if it's just me or I just have a poor collection of such songs to judge this by, but for some odd reason, it's usually not that difficult to distinguish European instrumental from American-based acts - for the sake of this, I'm going to separate the songs according to source, because I'm curious if you can notice it too...(Artist name leads to site & all songs are right click - save as):
Europe
RJD2 - Ghostwriter
Vitalic - Trahison
Ellen Allien & Apparat - Do Not Break
Husky Rescue - Summertime Cowboy
Psapp - Hi
America
The Octopus Project - The Way Things Go
Four Tet - As Serious As Your Life
Explosions in the Sky - The Long Spring
Peachcake - Hundreds and Hundreds of Thousands
Be sure to check the artist's site if you're interested in learning more about them!
[Little Man Tate]
This group of delinquents took their name from the Jodie Foster-directed movie about a child prodigy, and though they're well past the child prodigy stage, prodigy they may still be. Little Man Tate is a four-man group based out of Sheffield, home of the ever-explosive Arctic Monkeys. They definitely, however, do not carry the same sound. Little Man Tate composes of a sound that echoes a bit of Interpol or the Faint and a slight of Franz; now I'm not saying they're composed solely of those parts, but they do make up some of their demeanor. I don't know how else to dissect them, but for me it just has to be said that their sound dictates a certain "I'm British, and I want you to know it" sound.Various Demos from Little Man Tate (All songs are right click - save as):
Court Report
Down on Marie
Sexy in Latin
Man, I Hate Your Band
Visit the group at their site.
Be their friend!
Movie Music
Good movie music has the potential to save an otherwise floundering film. And if it doesn't, at least the lack of ticket and DVD sales will be countered by the wild success of its soundtrack.
mp3 Radiohead- Talk Show Host
From the Leonardo version of Romeo and Juliet. That one prevailing guitar riff is just fucking striking for some reason. While Leo and Claire were spitting out Shakespeare out of context, I was listening to Radiohead.
mp3 Damien Rice- The Blower's Daughter
Closer was actually quite good. Damien Rice only made it better.
mp3Mark Mothersbaugh- Ping Island/Lightning Strike Rescue Op
This song is witty and hilarious, much like the movie. Simple electronic beeps to full on orchestra... GENIUS!
mp3 Frou Frou- Let Go
One of the best closing songs. One of the best recent movies. One of the best movie soundtracks. One of the best blah blah blah.
mp3 Pixies- Where is My Mind
"AAaahhh... AAaahhh.. With your feet in the air and your head on the ground..." A whole skyline falling with this tune playing in the background... Simply perfect.
Watch the movies and listen to the music. You'll be happy you did! Maybe!
mp3 Radiohead- Talk Show Host
From the Leonardo version of Romeo and Juliet. That one prevailing guitar riff is just fucking striking for some reason. While Leo and Claire were spitting out Shakespeare out of context, I was listening to Radiohead.
mp3 Damien Rice- The Blower's Daughter
Closer was actually quite good. Damien Rice only made it better.
mp3Mark Mothersbaugh- Ping Island/Lightning Strike Rescue Op
This song is witty and hilarious, much like the movie. Simple electronic beeps to full on orchestra... GENIUS!
mp3 Frou Frou- Let Go
One of the best closing songs. One of the best recent movies. One of the best movie soundtracks. One of the best blah blah blah.
mp3 Pixies- Where is My Mind
"AAaahhh... AAaahhh.. With your feet in the air and your head on the ground..." A whole skyline falling with this tune playing in the background... Simply perfect.
Watch the movies and listen to the music. You'll be happy you did! Maybe!
Both Sides of the Mouth is a dual-authored mp3 blog based in Austin, Texas. All audio posted on this site is meant for sampling purposes only. If you really like what you hear, show it and support the artist - buy an album, buy some merch. If you represent or own any media on this site and would like something taken down please email us, and we will take the neccessary action of removing the file(s).
Notable Mixes - Brad