We live in an age of forgetting.
sotw
Featured Song: “I Could Go”
Jul 29th
Oberhofer is a young guy from NYC who makes some very upbeat, catchy songs. I haven’t heard all the songs on his upcoming LP yet, but I will be buying it. I can see him becoming very popular soon. Check the sidebar for a link to “I Could Go”. (hat tip to Pasta Prima)
On another note, I love Miike Snow’s song “The Rabbit”. The video is mesmerizingly strange.
SotW: Mongrel Heart
Apr 29th
One of the best albums I’ve heard this year is Broken Bells’ self-titled CD “I Used To Be a Hamster, Now I Am a Man.”
Wait, that’s not self-titled at all. It’s “Broken Bells” by Broken Bells, a collaboration between James Mercer, the singer/guitarist for the Shins, and Danger Mouse. Every song ha something appealing about it, and I think many of them are very good to great.
There’s a link to the 9th track, Mongrel Heart, in the sidebar. I love how the song turns a bit starting around the 2:30 mark. The horns remind me of the end of a epic Western.
This isn’t related, but I just found out Crystal Castles released a new CD today. I hope Emusic carries it…
SotW: “Frozen Heart”
Apr 8th
If the Smoke Fairies become big, I can say I was at their first U.S. show.
I’m not sure why they traveled all the way from London to play an 80-seat theater with a poor sound system, but they put on a good show. Their sound is a mix of soulful vocals and twangy guitars. “Frozen Heart” (see sidebar for download link) is their most complete song, but they have a few other good tunes on their album.
Other stuff I’m listening to: Jonsi’s “Go“. Jonsi is the vocalist and guitarist for the Icelandic band Sigur Ros. The sound is similar to Sigur Ros’ up-tempo stuff, but it’s clearer and better in a way I’m not sure I can articulate. I’ve listened to the whole album several times and I think it’s super.
SotW: “Vagabond”
Mar 26th
Song of the week is “Vagabond” by Wolfmother. This is the first song I’ve heard by Wolfmother, who I gather has been around for a while but under my radar. Check the sidebar for the download link.
SotW: “Elephant Files”
Mar 2nd
Song of the Week is Montoire’s “Elephant Files.” You can hear the song on their site. My infatuation with the song died out after a dozen listens or so, but it’s entertaining enough to hear at least a few times.
Other stuff I’m listening to: I just downloaded the first half of “Fang Island” on a whim and am liking it tons. It’s electric guitar-heavy music balanced by a peppy, upbeat vibe. I’m listening to it as I type and the album’s exuberance is making me smile.
SotW: “Answer To Yourself”
Feb 22nd
Song of the Week is from The Soft Pack, a punk-ish band that makes simple, catchy songs. Their music has an air of familiarity to it and doesn’t seem to break any new ground, but I enjoy their song “Answer To Yourself” a lot (see the sidebar for the link). “C’Mon” (same album) is also catchy.
SotW: “Odessa”
Feb 11th
* I’m digging “Odessa” from Caribou’s upcoming album Swim. It’s tense and catchy. I just heard about the blog that’s hosting the song, Pasta Primavera, but on first impression it’s a good music blog. The two tracks they feature from Four Tet’s new album are great choices (“Angel Echoes” is also a good track).
* I got Yeasayer’s new album, Odd Blood, a few days ago. The quality is similar to their last album–two great songs, a handful of pretty good songs, and the rest is so-so.
SotW: “SpottieOttieDopaliscious”
Dec 14th
The Song of the Week is an old one, “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” from Outkast’s 1998 album “Aquemini.” I heard it for the first time week, and fell in love with the horns. Check the sidebar for the link.
SotW: “Surrounded By Your Friends”
Dec 8th
SotW: “Surrounded By Your Friends” by Hooray for Earth. The song is from their EP Momo.
“In the end, you’re surrounded by your friends.” What a beautiful sentence. This song is going on my 2009 Music Mix. I also like the 2nd song on their EP. Download link in the sidebar.
New SotW: “Film”
Dec 1st
“Film” is a pleasant instrumental song by “These Are the Vistas.” See the sidebar for the link.
SotW: “Figlude”
Oct 27th
It’s difficult for a song to be both catchy and complex, but I think “Figlude” by Matt Haimovitz (and Socalled) comes close. I listened to it over a dozen times and it still holds my interest. The spoken voice adds an interplay between the music and words that you won’t find in most songs. Check the sidebar for the download link.
Also, “Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros” did a desk concert at NPR that is a joy to listen to. It put a smile of my face. They are playing at the Black Cat in D.C. on November 16.
SotW: “Let’s Go Surfing”
Aug 30th
“Let’s Go Surfing” by The Drums is a fun, catchy surf-pop song. Also, I know he’s not saying “Obama”, but it’s really hard not to hear it that way.
There’s a YouTube video of the song, and a MP# link in the sidebar.
SotW: Cigarette
Aug 24th
Stumbled upon Whitey’s “Wrap It Up” EP. Both songs are catchy and very good. My slight favorite is “Cigarette” (see sidebar for link).
SotW: “Olive Tree”
Aug 11th
I heard this SotW, “Olive Tree” by Zhu Fengbo, from this video of a guy growing a beard in China. It’s much more interesting than I’m making it sound. The guy starts off hot, gets progressively grungy, and then re-hots himself when he gets a haircut. It is an epic plot filled with ups and downs. Anyway, check the sidebar for the song link.
SotW: “Home”
Jul 26th
Song of the Week: “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (see sidebar for link). After hearing their music, I felt like I stumbled upon my Dad’s old record collection. The band has a fun, folky style that sounds transplanted directly from a decade long past.
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