Far From Noise

As usual, several songs that move me. Hope you enjoy dancing to them as much as I do.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Parts & Labor – Nowheres Nigh
   From: Brooklyn, NY
   Album: Receivers   
   Great noise rock sound with a high energy all the way to the end. This is their third release and I like most of the songs on it.
   
2. Cold War Kids – Something Is Not Right With Me
   From: Fullerton, CA
   Album: Loyalty to Loyalty   
   I was fortunate enough to see these guys open for Tapes ‘n Tapes a few years back. I was way more impressed with Cold War Kids. I’m not loving this latest release over the previous EP, but still some good songs.
   
3. Glasvegas – Go Square Go
   From: Glasgow
   Album: Glasvegas   
   Another band from Scotland!! I love that they sing in their Scottish brogue too. I looked up the lyrics and they were written in that style too.
   
4. The Shaky Hands – We Are Young
   From: Portland, OR
   Album: Lunglight   
   Sophomore release from these guys and I think it shows a lot of potential. I would call it jangle pop/indie rock.
   
5. I’m From Barcelona – Paper Planes
   From: Jonkoping, Sweden
   Album: Who killed Harry Houdini?   
   This Swedish collective recorded it’s debut album (not this one) with 28 members. The name, I’m From Barcelona, is a reference to a character from the British sitcom “Fawlty Towers.” I highly recommend listening to this new LP. This isn’t the only good track.
   
6. Deerhunter – Never Stops
   From: Atlanta, GA
   Album: Microcastle   
   A nice mix of shoegazer and post-punk which is good since I normally don’t like that shoegazer sound. The lead singer has Marfan syndrome (connective tissue disorder that gives a long spindly frame) just like Joey Ramone.
   
7. The Antlers – Two
   From: Brooklyn, NY
   Album: Hospice
   What a pretty and haunting sound. This is off their soon to be released record, Hospice. I can’t wait to hear the rest of it. They have a blog for the record where I assume they will eventually tell us all where we can buy it.
   
8. Juana Molina – El Vestido
   From: Buenos Aires
   Album: Un Dia   
   An etheral atmospheric sound. Juana Molina gained fame as a comedian before starting her singing career. I picked an Argentinian artist for my friends who are visiting the country right now.
   
9. +/- {Plus/Minus} – Snowblind
   From: New York, NY
   Album: Xs on Your Eyes   
   Reminds me a little of Postal Service although I think +/- has been around longer. The fast pace percussion keeps me moving and the dream pop vocals makes me feel all warm.
   
10. Raphael Saadiq – 100 Yard Dash
    From: Oakland, CA
    Album: The Way I See It   
    Local band!!! I always think this neo-soul thing has run it’s course, but then another song comes along that I can’t seem to get enough of. Raphael Saadiq is one of the founding members of Tony! Toni! Tone!
    
11. The Knux – Bang! Bang!
    From: New Orleans, LA
    Album: Remind Me In 3 Days…   
    Two brothers that play their own instruments, rap, and produce. These guys have been on tour for awhile opening for Common. This is their debut release.
    
12. Friendly Fires – Jump In The Pool
    From: St. Albans, England
    Album: Friendly Fires   
    Another first full length LP, Friendly Fires have already proved themselves with an EP that sold out in 2006.
    

I had over 40 songs last week but for some reason, on a second listen through I didn’t like most of them. Oh well. Just means the ones that make it to the final mix are that much better. A relatively high energy mix without many slow downs. Enjoy.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Mason Proper – Lock and Key
   From: Alpena, MI
   Album: Olly Oxen Free   
   This band is on tour right now with one of my other favorites, Cloud Cult. I recommend checking out this album. I liked several tracks off of it. A fun crisp sound that weaves in some unusual elements.
   
2. The Banshee – People Around
   From: Genova
   Album: Your Nice Habits   
   The bass line in this song draws me in and then I’m just shocked that you can use a siren over the lyrics and it can still sound good.
   
3. Stars – 14 Forever
   From: Montreal
   Album: Sad Robots EP     
   Stars have really grown on me. The first time I heard them was just recently at the Outside Lands Festival and I wasn’t all that impressed. Knowing that Liz <hearts> them I figured I needed to give them another shot. I’m glad I did because this EP is really good.
   
4. Bound Stems – Happens to Us All Otherwise
   From: Chicago, IL
   Album: The Family Afloat   
   Just a fun indie track. Some harmonies, a snare drum, and some clapping. What more could you want?
   
5. Ruby Isle – Hey Hey Hey (That Kid’s Okay)
   From: Minneapolis, MN
   Album: Night Shot   
   I probably should be embarrassed to say I like this song, or in fact that I like the ENTIRE album. It is such bubblegum teen pop, but it’s a ton of fun.
   
6. Okkervil River – Pop Lie
   From: Austin, TX
   Album: The Stand Ins   
   I’ll try to get some street cred back with Okkervil. I posted a song from these guys back on my Treasure Island mix, but it wasn’t one off their new (awesome) CD. They put on such a great live show, I just had to include them once more. Of course the song kinda makes fun of me for liking it. I guess I am a power pop fan.
   
7. Death Vessel – Jitterakadie
   From: Providence, RI
   Album: Nothing Is Precious Enough for Us   
   Not a death metal band as you might suspect from their name. In fact, this track has a folk/country sound to it. Can anyone tell me what the song title means?
   
8. Rafter – Juicy
   From: San Diego, CA
   Album: Sweaty Magic   
   With the first bah-bah, I fell in love with this song. And then the overlaid falsetto just sealed it. Obviously a great producer as he blends a simple guitar sample with dance-beat synthesizer action.
   
9. Kanye West – Love Lockdown
   From: Atlanta, GA
   Album: 808s & Heartbreak   
   It’s my understanding that this song and Kanye’s performance at the VMA’s is divisive. Apparently you hate it or love it. I fall in the love category and I don’t even like Kanye. This is the type of song that makes me wish I had a serious hi-fi stereo with a giant subwoofer. Although my upstairs neighbor might not agree.
   
10. Stereolab – Neon Beanbag
    From: London
    Album: Chemical Chords   
    Slightly brighter than the last song, it makes me just want to go skipping down the street and smile at everyone I pass by.
    
11. Chairlift – Bruises
    From: Boulder, CO
    Album: Does You Inspire You   
    Apple found another great hit for their commercials. The simple lyrics have some good imagery and I really like the album title too.
    
12. Thievery Corporation – Sound The Alarm
    From: Washington, D.C.
    Album: Radio Retaliation   
    A nice track to get you moving. Seems like a good driving tune to me. I can feel the cars flying by.
    

I’m a huge fan of this guy and highly recommend seeing him live if you ever can.  Just click the little play button in the seeqpod window below.

So Matt was first on the scene as a heart wrenching singer/songwriter (track 1). But then he became famous for covering Laid on the “American Pie” soundtrack (track 2). You have to see him live because his on stage banter is some of the best and he always incorporates some Journey or other 80′s classics into his sets (tracks 3&4). Finally, he has become more well known lately playing in his band and their most popular single has been “Come on Get Higher” (track 5).

SeeqPod – Playable Search

You may notice that all these songs are live recordings and that’s because Matt is great about allowing people to record and you can find tons of amazing sets over on Archive.org.
Here is a live version of Laid from 2005.

You can find more info about Matt on his website.

Sorry for the long hiatus. First it was a birthday bbq. Then it was a motorcycle accident. I know, excuses, excuses. Moving on.
This first mix back is a little dated. Lots of LPs that came out earlier this year, but at least they are still within 2008. Going to start dancing, then move into rocking, and finally mellow out at the end.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Benji Hughes – Why Do These Parties Always End The Same Way?
   From: Charlotte, NC
   Album: A Love Extreme   
   He reminds me of a mellow version of Beck. He has a very poetic style to lyrics and his voice makes it sound like he doesn’t really care about singing. And you gotta love his beard. I recommend giving his latest double CD release a full listen.
   
2. Ne-Yo – Miss Independent
   From: Camden, AR
   Album: Year of the Gentleman   
   Since I don’t listen to a lot of R&B, I’m not really sure what to say about this song except that I like it. His smooth voice and the staccato style of the drums and keyboard just blends well.
   
3. 3OH!3 – Starstrukk
   From: Boulder, CO
   Album: Want   
   A fun sophomoric song. Sometimes I’m just easily amused. There is also something about two white guys from Colorado that pull off the confrontational rap sound. The name is in reference to the area code they hail from, 303. You can expect more of the same from the entire album.
   
4. Atmosphere – You
   From: Minneapolis, MN
   Album: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold   
   You can tell by the release date that this album has been around for awhile. It’s gotten a lot of rave reviews but I was having trouble finding anything I really liked on it. But the law of repetition finally got this song stuck in my head thanks to all their appearances on late night talk shows.
   
5. Jay Reatard – I Know A Place
   From: Memphis, TN
   Album: Singles 06-07   
   Jay Reatard’s sound is very popular on the music blogs. Apparently he has been strictly making singles for quite awhile now and releasing them as compilations. Heavy Pixies influences in this song which you may know from previous posts is an easy way to suck me in.
   
6. Be Your Own Pet – The Kelly Affair
   From: Nashville, TN
   Album: Get Awkward   
   Great mix of punk and beach party fun. The whole record has the same high energy. Give it a listen if you can.
   
7. The Subways – All Or Nothing
   From: England
   Album: All Or Nothing   
   I’m running out of things to say. It must be late. Just a fun song.
   
8. Oxford Collapse – Children’s Crusade
   From: Brooklyn, NY
   Album: Bits   
   I posted a track from these guys awhile back from their EP out earlier this year. They now have a full CD out and not much has changed. Still the same off-key garage rock sound.
   
9. Franz Ferdinand – Lucid Dreams
   From: Glasgow, Scotland
   Album: Tonight: Franz Ferdinand   
   I love this band due to an amazing live performance and the fact that I love all bands from Scotland, however, this new single is rather banal. Nothing new going on. Let’s hope they get some better material for the new CD,Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, due out early next year.
   
10. Ximena Sariñana – La Tina
    From: Mexico
    Album: Mediocre   
    A lot of unusual sounds used in this song and overall it has a reserved feel to it. The chorus is a little too poppy for me, but I like the track as a whole.
    
11. Meiko – Piano Song
    From: Roberta, GA
    Album: Meiko   
    Came across her on some late night talk show singing her other popular song, “Boys with Girlfriends“, which cracked me up for the ridiculous honesty behind it. This song is a little less campy and has some nice harmonies.
    
12. The M’s – Naked
    From: Chicago, IL
    Album: Real Close Ones   
    This song reminds me of “Coconut” by Harry Nilsson which I only know thanks to Quentin Tarantino putting it on the “Reservoir Dogs” soundtrack. Cute lyrics, especially when they tell you it’s creepy to be naked alone.