No real theme this week so I’ll just say, here is a mix from me to you. Hope you like it.
Dog Days Are Over by Florence And The Machine
From: United Kingdom
Album: Lungs
This record came out last year but I just now got around to listening to it. I posted her other single, “Kiss With A Fist”, over a year ago but didn’t know what else to expect from her. Her bluesy neo-soul sound is great without sounding too retro.
Crazy by The Pack A.D.
From: Vancouver, Canada
Album: We Kill Computers
Heavy White Stripes influences, this female duo knows how to mix blues and rock. This will be their 3rd studio release and it’s coming out at the end of April. Until then, bang your head to this track and watch for them touring some where near you.
Able To by Eternal Summers
From: Roanoke, VA
Album: Eternal Summers [EP]
Another duo, this time a co-ed version. This EP is coming out March 13th. This song simply has all the elements I love in music lately. Gritty guitars, pop sensibilities, and beautiful vocals.
Ain’t No Grave by Johnny Cash
From: Badass, America
Album: American VI: Ain’t No Grave
Do I really need to say anything about Johnny Cash? The man is an icon. I can tell you that he worked on several recordings with Rick Rubin during his last days. Rick Rubin has been putting the final touches on these songs and slowly releasing them as a series. This is the sixth and last one. This particular song sends a chill up my spine and I just can’t get enough of it. As soon as those chains kick in…oh man. Just really well done.
The Dark Lord (of love) by Patrick Bower & The World Without Magic
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: The Dark Lord (of love) EP
It’s pretty tough to follow Johnny but I think these guys do a good job of moving us slowly back into the pop world. The voice and lyrics evoke this rather somber image but the music and clapping hands will get you bopping in your seat. I’d love to see how this translates on stage and hopefully will get the opportunity when they tour the states later this year. This EP will be released at the end of the month.
Western hospitality by Club 8
From: Sweden
Album: The People’s Record
This seventh release from Club 8 is coming out in May and is a slight change from their previous slightly morose sound. “Western Hospitality” is a melting pot of different global sounds with a bossa nova beat and surf guitars and many other elements that I can’t even explain. Good stuff.
Fresh by Devo
From: Akron, OH
src=”http://www.farfromnoise.com/img/icons/amazon.ico” alt=”" />
You all know who Devo is! They haven’t release a studio album in 20 years and you can find this song on the as yet titled album coming out in May. “Fresh” gives me the impression that Devo has just picked up where it left off which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I look forward to hearing more.
Colors by April Smith and the Great Picture Show
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Songs for a Sinking Ship
I feel bad putting this track and that Florence and the Machine one on the same mix since there are some serious similarities between these bands. But where Florence is dark and bluesy, April has a upbeat, bright, and bit more of a country or rock-a-billy sound. This also happens to be a success story for Kickstarter where people can ask for funds to do whatever project they want. April Smith was able to get $13,000 and as of last month, Songs for a Sink Ship is a reality.
My Baby Left Me by Rox
From: South London, UK
Album: Memoirs
Rox is short for Roxanne Tataei, a half Jamaican and half Iranian neo-soul and R&B singer from London. This is the debut single coming out March 15th which is off the debut album coming out later this Spring. Beautiful song and this girl is going to be big.
Sleepyhead (Starsmith Remix feat. Ellie Goulding) by Starsmith
From: London, UK
Album: Sleepyhead
So this should probably be called a cover instead of a remix since Starsmith is pretty much recreating all the music and Ellie Goulding is singing all the lyrics. Starsmith is a well known DJ and producer and Ellie Goulding is an up and coming pop singer. This indie song from Passion Pit has been turned into a disco, contemporary, pretty song but still has the original edge. I really like it.
And I have to bring attention to OK Go’s latest video. It’s a GIANT Rube Goldberg machine and it truly is a work of art.
I felt my title was a bit boring so I’m trying to think of something else I should call my mixes. ‘MYSBLT mixes’ doesn’t quite roll of the tongue. I’m open to suggestions if you’re willing to share some ideas in the comments section.
This week has probably the most repeats for me since I started this. Three of the bands below I have had on previous mixes. If you didn’t like them the first time around, maybe you’ll hear something different this time. Enjoy.
The Big Guns Of Highsmith by Lightspeed Champion
From: New York, NY
Album: Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You
Devonté Hynes is Lightspeed Champion. He was born in Houston, TX, grew up in England, and now calls New York home. He has an experimental style comfortable with classical as well as electronic sounds. I know this song is a little repetitive but I just love the choir style chorus. Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You just came out this past January.
Swim Until You Can’t See Land by Frightened Rabbit
From: Scotland
Album: The Winter of Mixed Drinks
I love this band. There is something so endearing about the lead singer’s voice and Scottish bands just know how to rock. This would be Frightened Rabbit’s third studio release (coming out this month) and it definitely sounds like them. I know people like bands because they sound a certain way, but somehow I always want bands to be evolving. Don’t get me wrong, The Winter of Mixed Drinks is a good LP, but it sounds like a continuation of the last one.
Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons
From: London, England
Album: Sigh No More
I’m so bummed that I missed these guys coming through town. Another example of why I should have been listening to music last year. Mumford & Sons is just a GOOD folk rock band with beautiful harmonies, the right amount of banjo, and thought provoking lyrics. This song in particular speaks to me about way too many times in my life. Sigh No More came out last October but this band has been getting a lot of attention ever since early Summer of 2009. I highly recommend picking up this CD.
As Long As We’re Together by Andrew Morgan
From: Lawrence, KS
Album: Please Kid, Remember
I was really torn on this song because it does make me bop in my seat and Andrew Morgan’s voice is relatively unique…but there is also something cloying about it. And his voice kinda reminds me of John Mayer, which isn’t a good thing if you were wondering. After everything is said and done, it’s a pretty song and it does make me smile when I hear it. This LP was released early last year so you might have already heard it.
Up by Man/Miracle
From: Oakland, CA
Album: Shape of Things
Oakland love, baby!!! I feel like there aren’t that many bands out of the Bay Area that I ever get excited about, but these guys are changing that. This is their sophomore release and it just came out this February. This is another full LP that I can wholeheartedly recommend. Buy it now! You can catch them at SXSW and they’ll be on tour with Rogue Wave starting in April.
Jail La La by Dum Dum Girls
From: Los Angeles, CA
Album: I Will Be
Lo-fi, garage-rock, pop band. Nothing more, nothing less. Just good music. Signed by Sub Pop last year, you can get their debut LP on March 30th. The lead singer is Kristin Gundred (now using the stage name “Dee Dee”) from Grand Ole Party but this is definitely a divergent path for her.
Falling Asleep by FEATHERS
From: San Francisco, CA / New Orleans, LA
Album:
There is very little information about this “band?”. Big Stereo turned me on to them and their MySpace page says they are from San Francisco/New Orleans. I equate this song to a spacey, electronic, beach sound. I’m hoping we get to hear some more from this mystery group in the future.
Icarus by White Hinterland
From: Portland, OR
Album: Kairos
Ethereal and beautiful. I feel transported when I hear this song. Transported to some calm, gorgeous place. White Hinterland is 25 year old Casey Dienel who just recently moved from Massachusetts to Oregon and from what I understand, changed her sound along the way. Kairos will be out on March 9th.
Cold War by Janelle Monáe
From: Atlanta, GA
Album: The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe will be at Café du Nord on March 21st (and 22nd) and I’ll be there in the front row if possible. I’m not usually an R&B fan but her voice and those great beats just get me. Her previous release, Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase, got her a Grammy nomination and was a themed album about some futuristic city with androids. The ArchAndroid continues the story line and will be out May 18th. You can also hear another track featuring Big Boi from Outkast on her website.
Apparently I should dedicate this mix to Brooklyn. Eight out of ten songs has something to do with this petri dish for indie music. My apologies for a couple of harsh transitions this week. I just had to put these three songs in the front because I think they are all really good and then I ended up with some things tacked on the end because I wasn’t sure where to put them. That doesn’t make them any less great. Enjoy.
None’s Listenin by Japanther
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Rock N’ Roll Ice Cream
This is FUN punk! aka pop-punk. Just a great lo-fi garage band with catchy hooks. Japanther is a two man rock group that has been around since 2001. Rock N’ Roll Ice Cream will be released March 2nd and the entire LP is infectious. Definitely worth picking up.
Bodies by Savoir Adore
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: In The Wooded Forest
This track makes me feel bad that I was so out of the music loop last year. In The Wooded Forest is the debut LP from Savoir Adore released last September. It’s distinctly pop with some indie sensibilities that I don’t know how to explain, but I can hear it. Something about how they mix the simple drum and guitar with synth-style keyboards. I can’t help but dance to this.
Ten By Ten by Bluebrain
From: Washington DC
Album: Soft Power
“But Roger,” you say, “this band is from DC. Not Brooklyn.” What you don’t know is that this brother duo moved from Brooklyn one year before working on these songs. Unfortunately, the move was quickly followed with one of the brothers dealing with temporary paralysis, misdiagnosis, and eventually spinal surgery. Fortunately, he completely recovered and they released their debut album earlier this month. Another song that makes me dance around. I hear heavy New Order influences.
Ambling Alp by Yeasayer
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Odd Blood
Another wonderful electronic sound. I first heard Yeasayer two years ago at Live 105’s annual BFD concert with Liz and I was very impressed. Odd Blood just came out last month and has been popular with both fans of indie and electronic.
Leave Me Alone (ft. Bjorn Yttling & Angelina Lucero) by Pretty Good Dance Moves
From: Brooklyn, NY/Chicago, IL
Album: PGDM
How many different ways can I define fun, upbeat electronic. Let’s call it electro-pop this time. I know there have been plenty of bands making this sound for awhile now but it reminds me of Passion Pit even though they haven’t been around for very long. An EP PGDM released last year garnered lots of attention and their full length LP is coming out in early March. This is another duo and that Bjorn Yttling featured on this song is from Peter Bjorn & John.
My Eyes To See by Alcoholic Faith Mission
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
Album: Let This Be The Last Night We Care
Alright, finally slowing things down a little bit and we are almost out of Brooklyn. Alcoholic Faith Mission is out of Denmark but they recorded this latest LP in Brooklyn which will be released in early March. Still electronic but more of an ambient sound. I’m reminded of Cloud Cult.
Do You Have a Strategy? by Uninhabitable Mansions
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Nature Is A Taker
According to their website, Uninhabitable Mansions is a band AND an art collective. When I heard the vocals on this song I knew they sounded familiar and sure enough this band includes Robbie Guertin and Tyler Sargent from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Annie Hart of Au Revoir Simone. I worry that they sound too similar to Los Campesinos but I’m a sucker for upbeat indie pop.
Paris France by Blair
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Die Young
Oh, clapping-hands-happy-music, how I love thee. Blair maybe living in Brooklyn now but she grew up in New Orleans and started playing publicly in Los Angeles. Die Young is this singer/songwriter’s debut full length release and it came out late last month.
Change of Time by Josh Ritter
From: Moscow, ID
Album: So Runs The World Away
From folk-pop to just folk. Another singer/songwriter, Josh Ritter discovered while touring that his music sold better in Ireland that it did stateside. This new CD will come out in Ireland first on April 23rd and the rest of the world will get it on May 4th. I don’t think I need to say much about this song. It’s just beautiful.
New York Is Killing Me by Gil Scott-Heron
From: New York, NY
Album: I’m New Here
Gil Scott-Heron is a poet, activist, and musician known primarily for his influential work in the late 70s and early 80s. In and out of jail on drug charges for the past decade, this is his first release in 13 years. The lyrics are almost unnecessary as his low, gravelly voice tells a story all on its own. Hence the stripped down simplicity of guitar and clapping hands.
I just had to share this even if it is a year old. PostSecret is one of my favorite online projects. The song you hear is “Shhh” from a band called Donora out of Pittsburgh. You can download the song below as well as “I Think I Like You” from the same band.
Happy Singles Awareness Day or SAD. My friend Arlie just informed me of this rather appropriate name for the fake holiday made-up by greeting card companies. It seems like people celebrate it either on or one day near the 14th. Not all of the songs in this week’s mix fit the theme, but a few do. Hope you enjoy.
Don’t Do It by Salvador Santana
From: Los Angeles, CA
Album: Keyboard City (Dig)
Can you say “funky”? There’s also a dash of techno and the singing style is spoken word/rap. Salvador Santana is originally from San Francisco but started his band in the southern part of the state. I’m sure you can guess by his last name that he’s the son of Carlos Santana. This is his second LP and it dropped earlier this month.
I’m An Animal by Shark?
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Noise Maker
This is the second EP from this up and coming band out of NY. I love the voice on the lead singer. To me it sounds like a raspy Jim Morrison. Noise Maker is an appropriate title for the sound of this garage (almost lo-fi) band. You can download the whole thing for free over here. So what’s stopping you?!?!
The Book of Love by The Magnetic Fields
From: New York, NY
Album: 69 Love Songs Vol. 1 (Vinyl Remaster)
I included The Magnetic Fields last week for their more recent release Realism but this is an older song. They are re-releasing their 1999 box-set on vinyl in April and this song seemed appropriate with the upcoming pink-heart day. Again, his voice and lyrics draw me in. Beyond that this song is rather naked with very little accompaniment. I can’t resist.
Drumming For Pistols by Puerto Muerto
From: Chicago, IL
Album: Drumming for Pistols
Puerto Muerto is a husband and wife duo that have been releasing LPs since 2001. One of their more interesting endeavors was a supplemental soundtrack to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre which they then took on tour and had the movie showing while they played. Drumming for Pistols was released just a couple weeks ago and the title track gives you a pretty good taste of what to expect.
Beg You To Stay by Smile Smile
From: Dallas, TX
Album: Truth on Tape
Another duo, however this couple used to be an item and broke up after their debut CD. They decided to keep working together and made this latest LP all about breaking up. Reminds me of local Oakland band The Lovemakers. Even if it’s a depressing topic, you can guess that with a name like Smile Smile that it’s still going to have an upbeat sound. Folk-pop to be specific. Do you think they planned to release a CD about breaking up around Valentine’s Day? You can listen to the whole CD over here.
Gotta Have You by The Weepies
From: Topanga, CA
Album: Say I Am You
Nothing new about this song released in 2006, but I just stumbled across it and fell in love with it. It kinda goes with my semi-attempt at a theme. The Weepies are another married couple/singing duo and you’ve probably heard several of their songs on various TV shows.
Anna by Taken by Trees
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Album: East of Eden
A beautiful, dreamy song off of Taken by Trees second LP that came out last September. This is the solo project of Victoria Bergman, lead singer of The Concretes. You can stream the whole CD here. She recorded this in Pakistan and you can definitely hear the eastern influences.
Real Life (Memory Tapes Remix) by Tanlines
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Settings
Tanlines debut EP comes out in early March I prefer this remixed version of their first single but it’s not so over done that you can’t hear the original sound. It’s a sound I would call either tropical or beach-rock. And I don’t say that in a mean way.
Dear Boy by Bodies Of Water
From: Highland Park, CA
Album: RAM On L.A. RAM On L.A. is a fascinating project that came out almost a year ago (yeah I’m behind the times, sorry). The idea was to exhibit some of the great L.A. talent and to make it a cohesive endeavor, they each did a song off of Paul McCartney’s 1971 solo album, RAM. And it was all in the name of charity. The music was given away free and people were asked to donate to the non-profit No More Landmines. You can read all about it, and download the entire CD, here. This song is my favorite from the compilation and Bodies of Water was a band I heard about two years ago but I wasn’t really into their music. It’s another damn married couple that forms the core of this group with other band members making different appearances.
North by North by Faded Paper Figures
From: Los Angeles, CA/New Haven, CT
Album: Dynamo
This song gives me flashbacks of The Postal Service. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I wish The Postal Service would release another CD so I’m glad to hear someone continuing the sound but adding to it as well. Their debut LP came out in late 2008 and some how I completely missed it.
Lying Around (Sharam Jey Remix) by Cassette Kids
From: Sydney, Australia
Album: Lying Around
Yeah I know this won’t be liked by everyone, but it’s not everyday that I find a house song that I really enjoy. I don’t really like the Cassette Kids. I find them to be a diluted, emo version of Blondie. But this remix kicks ass! Sharam Jey is from Germany and you can hear more of his remixes here.
I may not be consistent but I’m not giving up! The whole daily/single song post thing just didn’t work for me. There are plenty of people already doing that and doingitwaybetter than me. The mixtape format just suits me better. In an effort to make it a little less time consuming I’m just using the Yahoo media player. You can play the songs individually but it will also just play through all the songs if you let it continue. Enjoy.
Sunday by Field
From: Los Angles, CA
Album: Be Brave
I have to thank Angela for this song since I probably would have missed it otherwise. It’s a hopeful and upbeat song which I really appreciate these days. There is something about the voice that feels angelic to me which I find interesting since the song is named after a day of worship (well, at least the way I was taught). Field is Spencer Berger and I guess I should have heard of this guy. Apparently he wrote and starred in this movie that won quite a few awards last year, Skills Like This. Look for his debut record, Be Brave, to drop later this year. Look at the bottom of this post for the video to his other song, “I’m the Enforcer”. It’s not half bad.
The Darkest Side by The Middle East
From: Australia
Album: The Recordings of the Middle East
These guys have proven themselves in Australia for the past couple years and finally released this record state side last October. It’s a little long, but beautiful guitar picking and harmonies. I find the style unusual and I hope to hear more from them.
Let Go by jj
From: Sweden
Album: n° 3
jj released their debut album early last year and was just signed to an American label in December. This song follows “The Darkest Side” really well with it’s ethereal sound. Their sophomore release, n° 3, drops on March 9th.
Only Pieces by Here We Go Magic
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Here We Go Magic
This folk and electronic sound swirling around each other comes from Luke Temple under the band name Here We Go Magic. I feel like he was heavily influenced by Paul Simon for this song. This LP was released February of 2009 and we should see another one later this spring.
You Must Be Out Of Your Mind by The Magnetic Fields
From: New York, NY
Album: Realism
The vocals on this track makes me immediately think of the Crash Test Dummies. Remember that song “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm”? The Magnetic Fields is the musical project of Stephin Merritt with different incarnations of band members and sound. Mostly recognized for a synthpop sound, Realism is the band’s third (and supposedly last) folk-pop LP and was just released this past January. Stephin Merritt is also known for his lyrics about love and loss and this song is especially humorous in that regard.
Bring It On Home To Me by Britt Daniel
From: Portland, OR
Album: Bridging The Distance
This is by no means a new song. Not only is it a remake of a Sam Cooke song from the 50’s, but Britt Daniel recorded this back in 2007. That doesn’t make it any less of an awesome song. If you don’t know, Britt is the lead singer of Spoon which is currently on tour for their latest release, Transference. Apparently Britt Daniel likes to take a break from the large stage and plays solo gigs once in awhile. I’m hoping he might be so inclined when they come to the Bay Area in April.
Teenage Girl by Darlings
From: New York, NY
Album: Yeah I Know
Jangle-rock…pop-rock…surf-rock…I don’t know but I like it. And they tear it up just for kicks once in awhile. If someone can tell me what they are saying in the chorus I’ll be your best friend. I want to know why this guy has the heart of a teenage girl. This came out August last year and expect to hear more from these guys.
Titus Andronicus Forever by Titus Andronicus
Glen Rock, NJ
Album: The Monitor
Titus Andronicus released their debut album, The Airing of Grievances, back in 2008 and was well received. The Monitor comes out March 9th and is ambitious to say the least. It’s a double LP entirely about the Civil War and almost every song is over 5 minutes long. There is an obvious post-punk sound but these guys are definitely doing something most bands aren’t willing to try.
IRM by Charlotte Gainsbourg
From: Paris, Francs
Album: IRM
Something about this song just drew me in and then when I heard that Beck wrote and produced it, well no wonder I like it. It’s like dark-pop. I’m bopping my head to it but it also has a hard industrial edge to it. Charlotte Gainsbourg is the daughter of Serge Gainsbourg and is apparently really famous in France…sorry but I don’t know him.
One Life Stand by Hot Chip
From: London, England
Album: One Life Stand
I always like to end with a driving beat if I can. Hot Chip is an electropop band that’s been around for awhile now. You can pick up their latest release digitally right now or pick up a physical copy after February 9th. They’re coming to the Fox in April with The xx and I read that jj is touring with The xx so I hope they will be there too.
I already broke the chain and missed a post yesterday. Doh! In an effort to make up, maybe I’ll post an extra one this weekend…or maybe I’ll change my plan and only post on weekdays so last weekend’s posts were extras. if you always move the bar, you are always right.
I first heard of The xx thanks to my usual source of new music over the past year. I didn’t really listen to them much until they started showing up on all of the “best of” lists this past month. Like any interesting artist, they spark debate amongst listeners. Some people think they are too sparse while others think they are just perfect. I happen to agree with the later. The sound is sparse and you might feel at first like it’s missing something, but as you listen you realize that every note is just right. Their debut album xx is a very strong first release.
This London based band is currently on tour with Hot Chip and will also be performing at the Fox in April. This particular song has been on repeat in my headphones for a few weeks now and something about the simplicity of it means that I never get tired of it. I think the open space just makes it feel relaxing and beautiful.
Music files, artwork and photographs displayed on this site are the property of the artists who created them. Mp3 files are made available for exposure purposes. All material is offered for a limited time, but works can be removed sooner by Artist request.
Dog Days Are Over by Florence And The Machine
Crazy by The Pack A.D.
Able To by Eternal Summers
Ain’t No Grave by Johnny Cash
The Dark Lord (of love) by Patrick Bower & The World Without Magic
Western hospitality by Club 8
Fresh by Devo
Colors by April Smith and the Great Picture Show
My Baby Left Me by Rox
Sleepyhead (Starsmith Remix feat. Ellie Goulding) by Starsmith
