Far From Noise

A day late, but hopefully still good. This is probably my most “alternative” mix with only one song that sounds electronic/techno and that could be argued.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Johnny Flynn – Tickle Me Pink
   Album: A Larum   
   Singer/songwriter from Britain, he is the frontman for Sussex Wit which recorded this record with him but he is the one credited. Fun upbeat song with cute lyrics, “pray for the people inside your head, for they won’t be there when you’re dead.” I really enjoyed the whole LP, A Larum.
   
   
2. Conor Oberst – I Don’t Want To Die (In The Hospital)
   Album: Conor Oberst   
   Another LP that is good all the way through. Conor Oberst is better known as Bright Eyes and hails from Omaha, NE. He is an amazing songwriter known for lyrics that have entire stories weaved into them. Another fun tune.
   
   
3. She And Him – Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
   Album: Volume One   
   Duo consisting of folk artist M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel. Her voice is absolutely beautiful and quite distinctive.
   
   
4. Bon Iver – Skinny Love
   Album: For Emma, Forever Ago   
   An intentional misspelling of the French for “good winter”, Bon Iver is Justin Vernon, alternative singer/songwriter. His voice has an earnest feel to it that goes well with his folk sound.
   
   
5. The Gaslight Anthem – Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
   Album: Señor And The Queen [EP]   
   This band from New Jersey reminds me of a slightly alternative Bruce Springsteen. In fact, I think if someone didn’t know any better they could mistake this song for something from The Boss.
   
   
6. Dr. Dog – The Old Days
   Album: Fate   
   Philadelphia indie pop band. People like to compare them to Pavement but with a folk grounding.
   
   
7. Brendan Canning – Hit The Wall
   Album: Something For All Of Us   
   Singer/songwriter out of Canada, Brendan is a founding member of Broken Social Scene and has recorded in several other bands as well. This song shows his smooth vocals over a rocking dance beat.
   
   
8. Davey La – Rotten In Denmark
   Album: Rotten In Denmark (EP)   
   Another British singer/songwriter (I can’t seem to get away from them). Just released his first solo EP after leaving the Ambershades. Pretty straight forward alternative rock sound.
   
   
9. The XYZ Affair – Evening Life
   Album: Trials   
   First time I saw this label, Pop Underground. Always looking for new ways to describe “alternative.” This Brooklyn based band became famous due to a video featuring cameos from several former Nickelodeon actors.
   
   
10. Black Kids – Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)
    Album: Partie Traumatic   
    Another band that broke through thanks to the internet, people were talking about this band from their myspace page before much else was known about them. Obviously 80s revival, but good 80s revival. This band calls Jacksonville, FL home.
    
    
11. Icy Demons – Crittin’ Down To Baba’s
    Album: Miami Ice   
    Hypno-rhythmic, experimental rock. The band members come from Chicago and Philadelphia.
    
    
12. Wakey!Wakey! – Crazy (Gnarls Barkley Cover)
    Album: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3: Live At Bowery Ballroom
    I’m a sucker for covers. Wakey!Wakey! is from NY and this is actually a live recording. The band is known for pianos, violins, and heartfelt ballads. You can download their entire live EP for free here.
    
    

This week starts off with some indie-pop, moves into some folk/old-school sound, and then finishes off with techno and electronica. A little something for everyone.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. The Dresden Dolls – Dear Jenny
   Album: No, Virginia…   
   Alternative duo out of Boston that has a heavy cabaret influence. Known more for solemn songs they have opened for Nine Inch Nails and Panic at the Disco. Their latest record, No, Virginia, consists of all the tracks that have been cut from previous LPs. Hence the pop sound of this one.
   
2. Sick of Sarah – Breakdown
   Album: Sick of Sarah   
   All girl indie pop band from Minnesota. They won MTV’s virtual battle of the bands (I don’t even know what that is). I want to say they sound like Joan Jett with a little bit of Sleater-Kinney. I get to announce this as my first download (and it’s totally legit!)
   
3. The Dutchess & The Duke – Reservoir Park
   Album: She’s the Dutchess, He’s the Duke   
   Great indie folk sound from this duo out of Seattle. If these guys don’t make you want to turn up your car stereo and head to the beach, The Whitsundays coming up will. You can download this song too.
   
4. Shearwater – Leviathan, Bound
   Album: Rook   
   I was fortunate enough to see these guys open for Clinic a month (or more) ago with my friend Liz. The lead singer, Jonathan Meiburg, loves to sing softly and then build up to a rather rambunctious style scream. You get a hint of it with this song, but not the full experience. I happen to love artists that can scream-sing and sound good (David Grohl comes to mind).
   
5. Jakob Dylan – Evil Is Alive And Well
   Album: Seeing Things   
   Son of Bob Dylan and lead singer of The Wallflowers (are they still together?) this is the opening track off of his first solo album. I like the plaintive sound of it and the lyrics make me think that it should have been the main song for the movie No Country For Old Men.
   
6. Pelle Carlberg – 1983 (Pelle & Sebastian)
   Album: The Lilac Time   
   This gentleman from Sweden just has a nice voice and this is a catchy song to go with his voice.
   
7. The Whitsundays – It Must Be Me
   Album: The Whitsundays   
   Out of Edmonton, this band embraces the warm sounds of the 60′s. I like the harmonizing voices and the lyrics are reminiscent of my mix last week. I can’t seem to get away from the sad love songs.
   
8. Sebastien Tellier – Divine
   Album: Sexuality   
   Labeled as “chamber pop,” this young multi-instrumentalist is from Paris. Rather melodic and it just puts a smile on my face.
   
9. M83 – Kim & Jessie (Montag Remix)
   Album: Kim & Jessie   
   I have listened to the latest LP from this French band so many times, I’ve lost count. The dreamy/shoe-gazing sound just isn’t my cup of tea, but this remix of Kim & Jessie I actually enjoy. They just need to add a dance beat to all their songs and I’ll like them. Is that too much to ask?
   
10. Daedelus – My Beau
    Album: Love To Make Music To   
    If you can, listen to this song with headphones. Adds a new element to the “wah-wah” that is constant through the song. Daedelus is Alfred Weisberg-Roberts from Santa Monica, CA. I would call this experimental-techno and I didn’t like most of the album, but this song keeps the experimentation to tolerable levels.
    
11. Lismore – More
    Album: Give Me More
    NYC techno pop duo. I understand that the female lead singer, Penelope, brings intense energy to the live performances and can often be found out in the audience. Another song for download.
    
12. Stereo Image – Pack Moves
    Album: S/T   
    All about the duos this week. Electro-pop duo from Ontario. The 80s revival might be getting old, but sometimes I think some bands are just doing it right. And last download.
    

A slightly eclectic mix this week. Lots of singer/songwriters but also found some rap, dreamy-indie, power-pop, and a ridiculously produced female artist.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Emiliana Torrini – Me and Armini
   Album: Me and Armini   
   Singer/songwriter of Italian and Icelandic decent, resides in England. You might recognize her voice from the finale music for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. She has a beautiful soft voice and this track has a slight reggae feel to it.
   
2. Greg Laswell – Comes and Goes (In Waves)
   Album: Three Flights From Alto Nido   
   Originally from Long Beach, CA, this singer/songwriter got involved with the music scene in San Diego. I like his entire new album. Just a great voice and he does a good job on the production side too. I love the lyrics to this song; very uplifting for those of us who often need it.
   
3. Albert Hammond, Jr. – GfC
   Album: Como Te Llama?   
   Best known as the Strokes’ rhythm (and occasional lead) guitarist, he is also the son of singer/songwriter Albert Hammond, who wrote “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.” I had a hard time picking a song from the album as several caught my ear. You can listen to the whole LP over on his myspace page. This song is the power pop song (and the single) but I really liked “Victory At Monterey” and “G Up” too.
   
4. Paper Route – You Kill Me
   Album: Are We All Forgotten (EP)   
   Indie electronic band out of Nashville, TN. Another song with lyrics that spoke to me. I’m reminded of Postal Service but with some industrial, electronic, and ambient mixed in.
   
5. Earlimart – Cigarettes and Kerosene
   Album: Hymn and Her   
   Named after a town near Fresno, CA, they are actually from LA. Spaced-out/Dreamy indie pop. Just a pretty song with a good mixture of different elements.
   
6. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Buriedfed
   Album: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson   
   This song is a daydream of Robinson’s own death and funeral. I like the plain nature of his voice almost as if he’s just talking. This singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, OR, is backed by Grizzly Bear minus one member.
   
7. Amber Rubarth – You Will Love This Song
   Album: New Green Lines   
   Another singer/songwriter but from Brooklyn, NY, this time. She trained to be a wood sculpture apprentice before she moved on to the guitar. This song has such true lyrics and I actually teared up and laughed while listening to it.
   
8. Kerli – Walking On Air
   Album: Love Is Dead   
   Estonian singer who competed in two televised singing competitions in Europe (and lost) before getting signed by Island Def Jam. She is obviously a highly produced product and it’s embarrassing that I like this song…but I do. Industrial-lite pop with an eerie sound to it. Basically a gothic version of Avril Lavigne.
   
9. Sloan – Living The Dream
   Album: Parallel Play   
   Masters of power pop, this band comes from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I really liked several songs on their new CD. I recommend you check it out.
   
10. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
    Album: Fleet Foxes   
    Seattle baroque-pop band. Beautiful harmonies that I’m just a sucker for. I could see this being used in a movie with its picture-painting sound.
    
11. Wale – Roof
    Album: Scion A/V Remix Project: 45 King (Part 1) (EP)   
    DC native who was born to two Nigerian immigrants, he is the self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Rap for the Capital.” It isn’t often I find rap that I like, but this is just a good mellow beat with some solid rapping.
    
12. The Heavenly States – Lost in the Light
    Album: Delayer   
    Go Oakland!!! This album is over six months old now, but I had to put some local band love in my posting. On top of that, the whole album is REALLY good and these guys are opening for Spoon at the Fillmore for three nights in September. Can’t wait for that show!
    

You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Ratatat – Falcon Jab
   Album: LP3   
   This rock-meets-electronica duo is from New York. I’m super excited to see them on Thursday at Slims. This song shows the atmospheric nature of their music.
   
2. Beck – Gamma Ray
   Album: Modern Guilt   
   I’ve been a big fan of Beck for a long time and I like the sound of his new record, Modern Guilt. He collaborated with Danger Mouse and I think the relationship has proven to be a good one.
   
3. Birdmonster – Born to Be Your Man
   Album: From the Mountain to the Sea   
   I’m always excited to post new music from local bands and I have two this week. Birdmonster is from San Francisco and they are releasing their sophomore record next month. If this track is any indication, it should be a good record. Just a fun jangly song.
   
4. Love is All – Wishing Well
   Album: A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night   
   Here comes the Swedes again. This trio has a great indie pop sound and just released their latest EP exclusively on eMusic. Catchy upbeat song.
   
5. Alkaline Trio – In Vein
   Album: Agony & Irony   
   I like this song from the punk-pop trio out of Chicago, but I have to say it doesn’t sound like the same band I heard a couple years ago. Way more polished, so don’t expect the Alkaline Trio that you might remember.
   
6. Love as Laughter – Baby Shambles
   Album: Holy   
   This Brooklyn band is usually compared to a more commercial version of Pavement. However the latest CD is all over the place. Folk, garage rock, and even indie-pop. This particular song is almost bluesy.
   
7. The BPA – Toe Jam
   Album: I Think We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat   
   The Brighton Port Authority is Fatboy Slim’s new project and this particular track includes vocals from David Byrne (of Talking Heads) and Dizzee Rascal. The song is super fun and the video is even more fun.
   
8. Chromeo – Fancy Footwork
   Album: Fancy Footwork   
   Synth pop revisionist duo from Montreal, Canada. This actually came out last year, but they just did a new deluxe release of the CD. They are like a modern Hall and Oates. Don’t ask me how I know that.
   
9. The Rapture – No Sex for Ben
   Album: The Music of Grand Theft Auto IV   
   Post-punk band hailing from NY. This song is featured in Grand Theft Auto IV. Apparently it’s a slight against some DJ named Ben.
   
10. The Downfalls – Trogg Out
    Album: Last Night   
    My second San Francisco rock band this week. They just released their first CD. I found most of it to sound like every other indie/rock band but I’m told I need to give it multiple listens. This particular song caught my ear on my first listen.
    
11. The Shivers – People Who Take Drugs
    Album: Beaks to the Moon   
    Indie band from New York. They mix a lot of unique sounds into this relatively simple song.
    
12. Say Hi – Bluetime
    Album: The Wishes and the Glitch   
    Formerly this band from Seattle was Say Hi To Your Mom. I would say they are indie with some elctronic mixed in.