Far From Noise

Still playing catch up but a few more recent tracks snuck into this mix. At least they’re not all from England this time. And thanks to mixwidget.org I got my mixtapes with style back! Sorry Opentape but these look so much better.
I’ll be taking a break next week to go visit my hometown and see how I deal with a 400 mile motorcycle ride. I might be walking a little funny for awhile.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Telekinesis – Coast of Carolina
   From: Seattle, WA
   Album: Telekinesis!    [Preorder on Merge Records]
   I posted a song by Telekinesis back when their name was a bit more enthusiastic (they dropped the exclamation point!) on Mixtape Vol. 6. Apparently that song didn’t make the cut for the upcoming debut release, but I’m not bitter. I really like this song and you can listening to the whole LP (due out 4/7) at the preorder link above.
   
2. Surf City – Dickshakers Union
   From: New Zealand
   Album: Surf City EP   
   When I first saw the song title and the album cover, I was prepared to blow off Surf City. What a travesty that would have been. Fun song with just the right amount of pop and distortion mixed together. And bonus points for being from New Zealand where I once spent 3 incredible weeks.
   
3. VF_DOS_ – Space Terror
   From: Staten Island, NY
   Album: Raw Sugar EP  [Download the EP for FREE]
   Short, driving song that just appeals to me with it’s dance beat and electronically tinged voice. Apparently there is some secrecy to the person behind this production and since I know nothing about the New York scene, I can’t help.
   
4. Dream Bitches – Spoke On a Wheel
   From: New York, NY
   Album: Coke-and-spiriters   
   “If no one tells me so, I’ll be fine.” I can’t help but think about the Matrix when I hear this song and knowing that these girls are a little geeky, I might be right. I like when harmonies can be pulled off in this slightly nonchalant way where the voices don’t quite line up. Is that called something? I don’t see anyone offering this song for download, but Bad Luck Bill is also a good song. I just preferred this one.
   
5. Mount Eerie, Julie Doiron, Fred Squire – Voice In Headphones
   From: Anacortes, WA
   Album: Lost Wisdom   
   Beautiful haunting track. It was listed on a lot of “best of” lists. I couldn’t find something to draw me in on Mount Eerie’s previous release, but this collaboration with Julie Doiron and Fred Squire seems to have paid off.
   
6. Belle and Sebastian – Judy And The Dream Of Horses
   From: Glasgow, Scotland
   Album: The BBC Sessions   
   I know this doesn’t qualify as new so much, but this particular LP just came out. I wasn’t familiar with Belle & Sebastian when I should have been but I’m glad to have discovered them later in life.
   
7. Ane Brun – The Treehouse Song
   From: Norway
   Album: Changing of the Seasons   
   Great folk/country sound from a Norwegian that first appeared on street corners in Barcelona. Another one of those voices that just wraps you up and can keep you warm.
   
8. Eulogies – Two Can Play
   From: Los Angeles, CA
   Album: Tempted To Do Nothing EP   
   Not much to say here. Melodic and pretty. Look for their sophomore release in early April which will include this track I found on their EP.
   
9. These United States – Honor Amongst Thieves
   From: Lexington, KY & Washington DC
   Album: Crimes   
   Another sophomore release due out next month. Can’t find much information on these guys but I feel you can hear the Kentucky influence on an indie DC sound.
   
10. Project Jenny, Project Jan – Pins and Needles (w/ Fujiya & Miyagi)
    From: Brooklyn, NY
    Album: The Colors EP    [Preorder on Insound]
    Saw these guys open up for Fujiya & Miyagi and was pleasantly surprised. Their lyrics were shallow but fun, great beats, and really good use of video incorporated with the performance. Fujiya & Miyagi were less impressive. Liz and I both thought they were a bit…repetitive.
    
11. Midnight Juggernauts – Into The Galaxy
    From: Melbourne, Australia
    Album: Dystopia   
    I’m way behind on this band but I found it in someone’s Best of 2008. I recall listening to this record and not really finding anything to love. But on a second pass I was bummed I didn’t give this track some attention. This is what I call a good use of that disco sound.
    
12. Common – Universal Mind Control (UMC) (With Intro)
    From: Chicago, IL
    Album: Universal Mind Control (Explicit)   
    Something tells me people are either going to hate or love this song. It makes me bop in my seat so I had to share.
    

That’s right, I’m back. As you may notice, I took some time to change the look. Widen out the display and give it a bit of a professional feel. Hope you like.
I’m trying to catch up on the past 5 months of music so we’re going to start with the tail end of 2008 that I missed out on. I apologize for the lack of writing prowess. For some reason I just can’t think of anything interesting to say about each and every song (they’re all good) but I’m sure I’ll get back into the blogging groove after a couple more of these. Hope you enjoy!
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Noah and the Whale – 5 Years Time
   From: London, England
   Album: Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down   
   I’m starting out this mix with some seriously happy music. I can’t help but smile every time I hear it. This single came out a LONG time ago but they just released their first LP. Definitely worth a full listen.
   
2. Florence and the Machine – Kiss With A Fist
   From: London, England
   Album: Kiss With A Fist   
   Staying with the Brits and this time the lyrics aren’t quite as happy but the beat is still boppy.
   
3. Los Campesinos! – It’s Never That Easy Though, Is It? (Song for the Other Hurt)
   From: Cardiff, Wales
   Album: We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed   
   I guess that Facebook quiz was right when it told me to move to England, especially if you scan down and see the rest of the songs I picked. I just post what I like and I swear I don’t plan it. I posted a song from Los Campesinos! awhile back from their EP but this is off their debut full length album. The voice on this song is borderline Dan Bejar of Destroyer (who’s voice I HATE) but it manages to stay quirky without getting annoying.
   
4. The Boat People – Born In The 80s
   From: Australia
   Album: Chandeliers   
   Not only does the song title flat out tell you, but you can clearly hear the 80s sound. The whole record is similarly simple with catchy hooks, but sometimes that’s all you want.
   
5. The Bicycles – Won’t She Be Surprised
   From: Toronto
   Album: Oh No, It’s Love   
   Another happy song but this one has some indie cred with that crazy twangy organ sound. Even the title track “Oh No, It’s Love” is fun and bright.
   
6. Sara Lov – Timebomb
   From: Hawaii
   Album: The Young Eyes (EP)   
   Originally from Hawaii, she got her break in LA. This Beck cover is off her EP from last year, but her full length album is actually due out this week. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t even recognize it as a cover and I love Beck.
   
7. The Postmarks – One Note Samba
   From: Miami, FL
   Album: By-the-Numbers   
   Another cover that I didn’t recognize (who’s Jobim?). This was an interesting project where the band released one song a month with each track featuring the number of the month in the title. This one was released a full year ago. I find her voice quite enchanting
   
8. Leona Naess – Shiny On The Inside
   From: London, England
   Album: Thirteens   
   Speaking of enchanting, another great voice. The entire record has a mellow warmth to it and I would suggest giving it a full run through.
   
9. Bloc Party – Signs
   From: London, England
   Album: Intimacy   
   I fell in love with Bloc Party’s Silent Alarm but was not quite as smitten with this latest release. Never the less there are a couple of gems in there like this one.
   
10. The Black Ghosts – Repetition Kills You
    From: London, England
    Album: The Black Ghosts   
    I always have to bring some dance/electronica in towards the end. You might recognize the vocals if you ever listened to the Gorillaz (that’s the voice of Damon Albarn).
    
11. Thunderheist – Jerk It (Original Mix)
    From: Montreal/Toronto
    Album: Jerk It (EP)   
    Thunderheist is defined as stealing someone’s thunder. The powers of the internet, this duo came together as Myspace friends, one in Montreal and the other in Toronto. Graham would make beats that Isis would sing over. If you’re looking for a party, be sure to hit one their live shows. I hear they can be quite primal.
    
12. Shinichi Osawa – Star Guitar
    From: Tokyo, Japan
    Album: The One   
    Apparently I’m all about the covers or people only do covers at the end of the year. This was originally a Chemical Brothers song and it’s been redone by Shinichi Osawa with Au Revoir Simone singing on it. Reminds me a little of Ratatat. Check out the video below if you can handle women’s crotches flying towards you (seriously).