Far From Noise

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).
    
    

Lot of stuff got released this past week, almost too much for one mixtape. Especially since I had to include a few tracks that came from earlier this year. I guess having too much good music isn’t necessarily a bad problem. Must buy for me this week is the new Futureheads CD This is Not the World. Critics think that it is too commercial and not nearly as edgy as their older stuff, but I think the whole CD rocks. But I don’t have a history with the band to compare it with. Los Campesinos! is a close second this week.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Juliana Hatfield – So Alone
   Album: How to Walk Away   
   Melodic indie pop singer from Massachusetts. There is an unusual rhythmic sound in the background. I can’t decide if I like it or not, but the song is good.
   
2. Women – Group Transport Hall
   Album: Women   
   A short preview from the upcoming self titled album from this Canadian band. People compare them to Deerhoof and Velvet Underground.
   
3. Tilly and the Wall – Cacophony
   Album: O   
   This band out of Omaha, NE, is well known for using tap shoes in place of a drum kit. This track is off their soon to be released record O.
   
4. The Virgins – One Week of Danger
   Album: The Virgins   
   I guess this record was released on a small label in 2003 and is now getting a major release. This NY based band sounds like they stepped right of the 80s.
   
5. The Futureheads – Radio Heart
   Album: This Is Not the World   
   Originating from Sunderland, UK, these guys mix post-punk, new-wave, and pop. This track reminds me of high school and I like the lyrics too.
   
6. Subtle – ExitingARM
   Album: Exiting Arm   
   Local SF band came together from Amoeba employees and a couple musicians. They are considered experimental rock/rap. I don’t hear the rap.
   
7. Love Psychedelico – Standing Bird
   Album: This Is Love Psychedelico   
   An alternative folk/pop band out of Tokyo. It’s late and I don’t have much to say.
   
8. Wye Oak – Keeping Company
   Album: If Children   
   Baltimore based indie rock duo.
   
9. Andrew Bird – Plasticities (Remix)
   Album: Soldier On   
   Chicago singer songwriter. This is actually a remix of a song from 2006 and comes off a UK import.
   
10. Los Campesinos! – Death to Los Campesinos!
    Album: Hold on Now, Youngster…   
    Indie pop band from Cardiff, Wales, UK. Fun record overall.
    
11. Dengue Fever – Tiger Phone Card
    Album: Venus on Earth   
    This LA band captures the spirit of the early rock revolution in outpost like Cambodia and Ethiopia which originated from the 60s when American forces broadcasted music for the troops. Most of the record is sung in Khmer, the lead singers native language.
    
12. dj lobsterdust – Beastie Boys vs. Love Psychedelico – RightNowRightNow (dj lobsterdust mash)
    This is actually from January of 2007, but I stumbled across it thanks to researching Love Psychedelico and I loved it. Here is the original post and be sure to check out the rest of DJ Lobsterdust’s site.