Far From Noise

No real theme this week so I’ll just say, here is a mix from me to you. Hope you like it.
 

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. Fresh by Devo
   From: Akron, OH
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   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.
   
   
8. 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.
   
   
9. 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.
   
   
10. 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.

Top image borrowed from Whale and Bee

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).