Collecting

New Music Tuesday 8.21.12

by soandyway

This weeks albums are a bunch of Heavy Yeasayer’s having a Bloc Party, and you’re invited!

"The Glorious Dead" by The Heavy
“The Glorious Dead” by The Heavy

I fell in love with this record. The Glorious Dead is a powerful, exciting force of an album. The Heavy have taken all the best elements of rock, blues, and early Motown R&B and created a truly epic sound. Heavy, fuzzy riffs and thundering percussion are met with exhilarating String, Horn, and Choral arrangements that augment each track without feeling forced. This is a record that was meant to spin on a turntable in between your Otis Redding/Sam Cooke records as well as your Black Keys and Band Of Skulls. Big tracks like ‘What Makes A Good Man’ (below) and ‘Don’t Say Nothing’ pop and wail, while the haunting ‘The Lonesome Road’ simmers along at a slower, more measured pace. This album doesn’t have a dull moment. Every tune is worth getting lost in, so I recommend grabbing your best set of headphones and letting The Glorious Dead take you away. Easily my favorite album out this week, this is also a strong contender for my top albums of the year. Pick it up at Amazon now for just $6.99!

"Four" by Bloc Party
“Four” by Bloc Party

Bloc Party roar back onto the scene with their new album Four, but longtime fans might have a problem with which specific scene they chose. At its core, Four is more ‘Rock’ than any album the band has done before, almost comepletely forsaking the hipster-iffic dance parties that took place on earlier records. What takes its place is a sound that has more in common with dirty blues and harder edged 1990’s style rock than the groups earlier Franz Ferdinand or early Killers albums leanings. The result will be jarring for some, but if you can get past any pre-conception, what you will find is quite rewarding. Tracks like ‘Octopus’ (below) and ‘V.A.L.I.S’ have the band’s trademark lightning fast precision riffs and beats overlaying fun, hypnotic grooves, but tracks like So He Begins To Lie’ and ‘Kettling’ will make you reminisce about every Cobain influenced band most of us worshiped in high school. When it comes down to it, Bloc Party have shown their versatility with Four. No matter the wrapping, their brand of rock and roll will always be the gift that keeps on giving. Grab it now over at Amazon MP3

"Fragrant World" by Yeasayer
“Fragrant World” by Yeasayer

As a fan of picking out bands influences, I loved listening to Yeasayer‘s Fragrant World. Yeasayer is rightfully lumped into the Electronic genre, but their songs owe a debt to the worlds of pop, funk, folk, and psychedelia as well as more worldly African beats and Middle Eastern arrangements. Much of Fragrant World doesn’t stray from a mid-tempo bounce, but rather than get caught in a straight forward lulling monotony, the group chooses to create unique and engrossing soundscapes on each of the album’s eleven tracks. The fantastic vocal effects on ‘Longevity’ (below) give the tune a robotic Prince effect before giving way to swirling synths and strings. Other tracks like ‘Devil And The Deed’ and ‘No Bones’ echo paths forged by the likes of Depeche Mode, but their fresh production and looped backing tracks keep the tunes from feeling stale or rehashed. The inclusion of the Dub influenced ‘Henrietta’ gives the record that multi-genre balance that Yeasayer’s contemporaries fail to accomplish when culling together a full length. Fragrant World finds the group in a class all their own, high above what you may perceive as today’s Electronica. Join the fun by grabbing the album over at Amazon.

New Music Tuesday 8.14.12

by soandyway

This week’s Story of Light will have your Neurons firing in the Southern Air! Let’s jump in!

"The Story of Light" by Steve Vai
“The Story of Light” by Steve Vai

If you Google Steve Vai, the one word you will see over and over in the articles and blog results is the word Virtuoso. Vai is considered by many to be one of the greatest living guitarists, and during his long career he has managed to always stay relevant while continuing to challenge himself. He has fans in the worlds of Metal, Prog, and just about any sub-classification of Hard Rock you can imagine. With The Story Of Light, Vai combines his unparalleled skills in those worlds with a softer, more spiritual side. Look to his renditions of the traditional “John The Revelator” and “Mullach A’tSi” for proof. The latter of the two is a gentle, acoustic tinged delight, and the former is full on gospel/blues explosion that features samples of Blind Willie Johnson’s version from the 1930’s. If that pairing sounds like a stretch, how about “No More Amsterdam”, Vai’s duet with singer/songwriter Aimee Mann. The result is a very effecting reflective tune, one that fits perfectly on this record. Other tracks of note are the hard edged funk of “Velorum”, the metal pulse of “Gravity Storm” (below), and the prog-rock perfection of “The Moon And I”. The Story Of Light is a fantastic, compelling epic that is a must add to any rock fans collection. Pick it up at Amazon today.

"Southern Air" by Yellowcard
“Southern Air” by Yellowcard

Yellowcard have put out album after album of well produced, thoughtful pop-punk influenced rock with larger than life choruses and big hooks. After taking a short hiatus, the band emerged last year with a refocused energy that slightly altered and matured their sound. That trend continues on Southern Air, a ten tracked tightly packed record filled with sharp guitars, pounding rhythms, and fantastic use of their softer side (strings, piano, etc). Vocalist/Guitarist Ryan Key shines on this record with some of his best vocal performances to date on opener “Awakening” (below) and the dynamic “Telescope” which contains the lines “Let’s just keep driving on/All the stars jumping in through the windows/Let’s go where we belong/Headed fast as we can for the unknown“. By the time you reach the title track album closer, you’ll be rocked, rolled, and refreshed by the Southern Air. Pick it up at Amazon MP3.

"Neuron" by Duo (Julia Egan & Kirk Pearson)
“Neuron” by Duo (Julia Egan & Kirk Pearson)

This album was released a few weeks ago, but I only just discovered it when looking for this weeks releases. I’m including it here because I was struck by this record, and I think it needs to be shared. Duo is comprised of musicians Julia Egan and Kirk Pearson. Their partnership and album is best described on the album’s Bandcamp page as follows: “They met in their junior year at New York’s LaGuardia School for Music and Art. Over the course of 400 days, Egan and Pearson wrote and recorded an album about insomnia, affection and neuroscience. This is said album.” Duo incorporates electronic, indie folk, and classical influences into Neuron, and the result is an eclectic record that surprises with each listen. I’ve embedded the record so you can give it a spin. I recommend the tracks “Travel On”, “Kai Sen Manuscripts”, and “Julia’s Brains”. If you like it, click over to Bandcamp where you can name your price to download it!

New Music Tuesday 7.31.12

by soandyway

Soulful Jazz, R&B, and dreamy pop make up this week’s new releases. Let’s jump in!

"Christian aTunde Adjuah" by Christian Scott
“Christian aTunde Adjuah” by Christian Scott

There needs to be more musicians in the world like Christian Scott. Scott’s new album, Christian aTunde ADJuah, is a powerful, enthralling double disc set that employs elements of Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, and just about anything else you can think of. Quiet and pensive at times, joyous and exuberant at others, this is an album for every “on the fence” Jazz fan out there. He pays homage to Miles Davis with his trumpet and composition on tracks like “New New Orleans (King Adjuah Stomp)”, and also manages to extrapolate on that vibe to create his own modern take on the themes and techniques Davis’ pioneered. Take the dark, bassy rumble of “Jihad Joe” (embedded below) on the album’s second disc. Scott’s trumpet wails and soars across the track, enhanced by the guitar work of Matthew Stevens and the piano interplay of Lawrence Fields. The track is certainly a jazz piece, but it also has a Progressive Metal undertone to it that creates something all together new and exciting. This type of intricate and dynamic composition makes Christian aTunde ADJuah a must add to your collection, and my favorite release this week. Pick it up all twenty three tracks right now over at Amazon MP3

"The Soul Sessions Volume 2" by Joss Stone
“The Soul Sessions Volume 2” by Joss Stone

Joss Stone‘s career has seen her sample and transcend many different genres. Ms. Stone is always at her best when she is given the chance to explore the bluesy side of whatever genre she chooses, and that’s where we find her on The Soul Sessions Volume 2, Stone’s second foray into the world of older Blues and R&B covers. The gentle funky soul of “I Got The…” provides the perfect introduction to the record, before the 60’s R&B protest jam “(For God’s Sake) Give More Power To The People”, where we hear what may be the records most spirited vocal performance. Other record highlights include the poppy bouncer “While You’re Out Looking For Sugar” and the down tempo, sultry gospel infused cover of Broken Bells’ “The High Road” (below). The wail of the lead guitar throughout the latter provides the perfect tone and counter melodies to Stone’s lead vocal, and the result makes for the albums finest overall track. Equal parts Janis Joplin and Adele, Ms. Stone’s voice never fails to move you. Head to Amazon MP3 for your copy.

Best known as the lead singer for the hard rocking Anberlin, Stephen Christian is also the creative force behind the gentler Anchor & Braille. Christian has knack for creating emotional soundscapes that perfectly compliment his unique and commanding vocals. On The Quiet Life, Christian gets things started with the drum looped electro dream pop bounce of tracks like “Goes Without Saying” before transitioning to the darker, more somber vibe of tracks like the indie/alt-pop crunch of “Kodacrome”. The beautiful piano ballad “Hymn For Her” is an album highlight, and one that sets the more relaxed yet ambitious tone of the records latter third. Swelling synths and big beats make the subtly R&B influenced crescendo of “Everybody Here Wants You” a thrilling success. Album closer “Before I Start Dreaming” wraps the record up wonderfully, drawing from all of the albums different directions to sum up what is sure to be a instant classic album among fans and new listeners alike. Take a listen to “In With The New” below, then pick up The Quiet Life today.

New Music Tuesday 7.17.12

by soandyway

This is a week for truly excellent new music!!!

"Songs of Patience" by Alberta Cross
“Songs of Patience” by Alberta Cross

This a week for records to get lost in, and I’m certainly lost in Songs Of Patience. I’m happy that it was the last record I listened to for this post, because I have a feeling its one of those “Stuck In My CD Player For A Week” records. Right from the start of opener ‘Magnolia’ (embedded below) I was sucked into an alt-rock world of lush guitars and brit-rock influenced charm that never misses. Think Oasis meets Coldplay circa Viva La Vida meets The Secret Migration era Mercury Rev. The lyrics are effective, the music is beautiful, and the tracks just fit together as a whole. You can’t ask much more from a record, so go pick it up now.

"Hypnotic Nights" by Jeff The Brotherhood
“Hypnotic Nights” by Jeff The Brotherhood

Fuzzed out guitars and sugary sweet melodies make Hypnotic Nights one of my favorite records out this week. Once you hit play the record just takes you over, thanks in part to the stellar production work of Dan Auerbach. The steady stream of crunchy guitars envelop your ears so tightly, its almost jarring when they’re absent for a bit on album highlight ‘Wood Ox’, but jarring in a good way. Jeff The Brotherhood have found a way to stay true to their sound and craft a stellar record filled with power-pop jams that will have you humming and nodding along almost instantly. This is a truly fantastic record, one that should be added to your collection.

"Is Anybody Home" by Noah T
“Is Anybody Home” by Noah T

I came across this record on Bandcamp, and I fell in love instantly. This largely instrumental and acoustic record takes the listener through several moods during its thirteen track run. Multi-Instrumentalist Noah T lays a bed of acoustic guitar and bass on every tune, and his melodies and percussion are conveyed by various sources. Anything but conventional would be a good way to describe what happens from tune to tune, like the looped handclaps and percussive “dings” of the title track, or the rhythmically diverse ‘Phases’. Just give a listen to leadoff track ‘For You’ and try not to smile. Click one of the tracks below and see for yourself, then go pick the record up at Bandcamp!

"Yellow and Green" By Baroness
“Yellow and Green” By Baroness

I’m a sucker for bands that defy being labeled by bucking genre convention, and Baroness is certainly one of those bands. On Yellow and Green they employ influences of Metal, Misfits style broad Punk, and Prog-Rock sensibilities to craft a sound all their own. This is a record that could fit on your Warped Tour playlist or your Metallica megamix without feeling out of place. The story on this record is certainly the triumphant guitar work of Peter Adams and John Baizley, but I find myself just as captivated by Baizley’s hard edged yet warm and inviting vocals. check out the embedded track below to see what I mean. This is a double album, and though each disc has its own theme and sound, the two certainly fit together seamlessly, without ever feeling bloated or over the top. This is a rock lovers dream record, one you should grab today!

"Winds Will Change EP" by William Beckett
“Winds Will Change EP” by William Beckett

Fans of the band The Academy Is… already know how strong of a songwriter/vocalist William Beckett is, but he should be getting some new attention with the release of Winds Will Change, his second EP this year. The strong lead single “Great Night” (below) has an anthemic chorus much in the same vein of Fun.’s “We Are Young”. The pop-punk-funk of “Warriors” is another of the EP’s highlights, and its hooks are the kind of danceable fun that will please longtime fans. At a quick four tracks, “Winds Will Change” is a delightful listen that demands to be heard.

An Indie State Of Mind…

by soandyway

Here are some indie bands that I’m absolutely loving right now! Give them a look:

GOLD MOTEL

Fronted by the golden voiced Greta Morgan (The Hush Sound), Gold Motel is the kind of band you can fall in love with instantly. Their brand of iPod friendly head boppers make for perfect summer playlists. They just released a new self-titled record that you can read more about here, but the music in the video above should speak for itself. Older tunes are available on the groups Bandcamp page, and their new record is over at Amazon MP3,.

STRAWBERRY GIRLS

I was introduced to these guys by a friend of mine, and from the first listen to their EP Italian Ghosts I was hooked. Their music gives me that exciting spark of “Where has this band been all my life?” that keeps us new music seekers forever on the hunt. Elements of progressive rock, funk, jazz, and hard rock are fused together so effortlessly, you’ll forget just how improbable these riffs and tempo changes are to pull off. The best example of their stylistic brilliance can be found in the video below, where the band covers Carly Rae Jepsen‘s omnipresent “Call Me Maybe” and turns it into a Prog-Rock powerhouse. Even if you’re so sick of that song that the last sentence made you queasy, trust me on this one and give it a listen. Also embedded above is the Italian Ghosts EP from the bands’ Bandcamp page.

THE SINISTER TURNS

This is a band that knows how to craft smart, effective, piano driven power pop that hits every time. Their records are packed full of intelligent and thought provoking lyrics, hypnotic rhythms, and tremendous guitar riffs that remind the listener that The Sinister Turns can rock you as well as move you. My personal favorite tracks are embedded above, but you can’t go wrong with any of the bands work. Pick up their stuff at Bandcamp, and if you live in Massachusetts check them out live. For tour dates and other info, hit up their Facebook.

CLARE & THE REASONS

I missed this group’s new record in my last New Music Tuesday post, so I’m making up for it here. Kr-51 is packed end to end with left of center “indie” pop that will keep you guessing as well as entertained. There is more happening in each cut then a first listen would have you believe. Their songs may sound straight forward at first, but each tune includes intriguing twists or unpredictable layers that will have you hearing something new with each listen. True “indie” music is all about the freedom to explore and execute an artistic vision to its fullest, and that exactly what you get with Kr-51. You can pick up the record at Amazon or with the rest of the bands fine work at their site’s record store.

CHAIRLIFT

Chairlift’s Something is a fantastically varied and well produced record. The above track “I Belong In Your Arms” just makes me happy. The bands sound goes back and forth between electro and more baroque styled tunes, a shift that may sound jarring on paper, but is expertly displayed on tracks like “Frigid Spring” and “Wrong Opinion”. I really love this record, and you should pick it up if you haven’t already. The bands website has links to digital and physical retailers, so whatever your preference is, Something should be added to your collection immediately.

“Synthetica” by Metric For $2.99!

by soandyway
"Synthetica" by Metric
“Synthetica” by Metric

Right now over at Amazon MP3, you can pick up the awesome new album Synthetica by Metric for only $2.99! If you’re a fan of Metric and haven’t picked this up yet, now is your chance!

For those who haven’t heard this band before, Metric is a solid indie rock band that has a lot of electronic influences, but still knows how to rock hard. Synthetica is a stellar record, offering up gems like the tremendous opening “Artificial Nocturne”. The track begins gently, with lead singer Emily Haines’ delivering lines like “I’m just as fucked up as they say/ I can’t fake the daytime/ Found an entrance to escape into the dark” over a bed of ethereal synths, before taking off and launching the album in dramatic fashion. Check out the track here:

Other album highlights include the punk infused stomper “Youth Without Youth”, the smooth and breathy “Breathing Underwater”, the uniquely charming “Dreams So Real”, and the theatrical album closer “Nothing But Time”. This album is one of Metric‘s best, and one of my favorites so far this year.

Hurry and grab your copy, because the $2.99 price tag only lasts until midnight PST tonight!

New Music Tuesday 7.10.12

by soandyway

What a week for new tunes! Some of my most anticipated releases of the summer came out today, so lets get started!

"Swing Lo Magellan" by Dirty Projectors
“Swing Lo Magellan” by Dirty Projectors

My favorite thing about each new Dirty Projectors album is that first listen. Songs jump and twist in ways you didn’t see coming, and you never know what to expect next. Frontman Dave Longstreth and company take you on an aural roller coaster ride with each new release, and Swing Lo Magellan delivers on all fronts. Elements of folk, “indie”, glam, electronica, and pop are all married together track after track in a beautiful dissonance. Animated drum loops propel playful rhythms that enhance a gentle bed of largely acoustic guitars from track to track. While never brash in tone, a casual listen may prove challenging because album tracks such as “Offspring Are Blank” and “About To Die” take unpredictable turns through varied genre conventions. The songs never feel forced or different for the sake of being different, which can happen in the hands of lesser composers. Instead, what you will get for your dollar is an extremely well arranged record that rewards with each listen. Right now, Amazon has “Swing Lo Magellan” for $3.99, as well as great discounts on the rest of the bands albums.

"In Currents" by The Early November
“In Currents” by The Early November

I have to admit, I have a huge soft spot for The Early November. They are one of my favorite bands to come out of the emo/pop-punk explosion of early to mid 2000s. While a lot of those bands focused on playing harder and louder with each release, TEN always let their melodies stand for themselves, even if that meant leaving a track acoustic or taking care to create a record as a whole rather than just a collection of 3 minute songs. After a period of hiatus, In Currents finds the band at a creative height. “Frayed In Doubt”, “Tell Me Why”, and “Guilt & Swell” are as hard edged as any of the bands previous shout-laced rockers, and “A Stain On The Carpet” and “Digital Age” showcase the band’s softer side. Though filled with individual gems, the album’s biggest strength is how all the parts come together and create a truly effective full length record, one that you should definitely hear for yourself.

"Skelethon" by Aesop Rock
“Skelethon” by Aesop Rock

Music fans who turn their noses up at hip hop have obviously never heard of Aesop Rock. Not only can he rap better than most, his production skills rank him among the top producers across all genres. While every track on Skelethon boasts his trademark rhyming, each presents its own individual world of influences. Echoes of funk, electronica, “indie” and hard rock punctuate Aesop’s beats so effectively, the record is just as strong without vocals, even taking on a slightly different personality. That being said, Aesop’s poetry over tracks like “Ruby ’81” “Crows 1” and “Zero Dark Thirty” makes Skelethon an intricately layered, genre bending gem. The album is available through Amazon MP3 here, as well as the instrumental version.

"Confess" by Twin Shadow
“Confess” by Twin Shadow

I’m not quite sure when synthesizers and drum machines became cool again in the world of indie rock, but if we keep getting records like Confess, I won’t ask anymore questions. Equally influenced by Howie Day style breathy pop, Sting influenced story telling rock, and the darkness laced bright tone of Depeche Mode, Twin Shadow presents a record full of tunes that have a smile buried deep behind the sadness. This constant juxtaposition is all over the record, especially tracks “Beg For The Night” and closer “Be Mine Tonight”. Danceable beats back calm, dark synths so effectively that the listener won’t know whether to dance or relax the night away. That may sound like a criticism, but after listening to Confess, you’ll know I mean it as a compliment to this warm and well structured album.

"Harakiri" by Serj Tankian
“Harakiri” by Serj Tankian

Even if you weren’t a big fan of System Of A Down, I’m willing to bet the solo work of lead singer Serj Tankian has something for you. Harakiri opens strong with the punishing crunch of “Cornucopia” and “Figure It Out” kick things off with a bang. Tankian has proven himself to be a strong lyricist as well as tremendous vocalist, as evidenced on the track “Uneducated Democracy” where he writes: ‘Without an education there is no real democracy/ Without an education there is only hypocrisy”. Not everything is as political in nature, but each track burns with the clear passion Tankian has for his craft. This is the first of four solo albums we will see from him this year, and her certainly whets the appetite for more with this record. Along with most of this weeks new releases, Amazon MP3 is selling Harakiri for $3.99 right now.

Other releases to check out this week:

"I Can See The Future" by Eleni Mandell
“I Can See The Future” by Eleni Mandell is full of acoustic guitar, string laden, breathy tunes that are sure to please

:

"A Diamond In The Mind" by Duran Duran
“A Diamond In The Mind” by Duran Duran: A live album by the 80’s electronic masters
"Cold Hard Want" by House Of Heroes
“Cold Hard Want” by House Of Heroes is a hard rocking pop punk force to be reckoned with
"Unsound" by Mission Of Burma
“Unsound” by Mission Of Burma: The post-punk powerhouse returns with another exciting disc

Top Albums Of 2012 For $0.99!!

by soandyway

Right now at AmazonMP3 you can get 20 records from this year for Ninety-Nine cents each!! There are some great albums in this deal! The deal lasts until Midnight tonight Pacific Time (3am Eastern) so go grab ’em now!!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=tsm_1_tw_s_dm_m6kl7u?docId=1000811501

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New Music Tuesday 7.3.12

by soandyway

Another week, another eclectic week of new music!

"XXX" by Asia
“XXX” by Asia

One of very few bands to boast the accomplishment of having songs on both hits of the 80’s compilation infomercials and prog-rock mixtapes, supergroup Asia packs many influences into their stellar new disc. Powered by all the pomp and grandeur of their individual members 70’s prog beginnings, tunes like the introductory “Tomorrow The World” and the triumphant “No Religion” spring to life with the kind of sharp melodic perfection you’d expect from a group of men who have spent a lifetime defining their musical chops. Asia has not grown soft with age in the least. Instead, they attacked XXX like all of their previous efforts have led to this. This is not a record by aged veterans who were just looking for an excuse to tour. Just take a listen to the spirited vocals of John Wetton and see for yourself. XXX is a carefully crafted Progressive Rock masterwork, created by some of the genre’s highest level musicians.

"Fortune" by Chris Brown
“Fortune” by Chris Brown

People who have read this blog in the past may be shocked to see this disc among my picks for this week. The reason I chose this record is simple: Despite the headlines, the hashtags, his personal life, and whatever your friend heard about him that one time, Chris Brown is making some of the most exciting and enjoyable Top 40/Hip-Hop/R&B out there today. Yes, he has all the best songwriters and all the best producers to help him, and yes he has all the major label money to broadcast his mug throughout the stratosphere, but he also has one of the strongest male voices in pop today. Before the “YIKES!”, he was poised to take over the mantle of “King Of Pop” and on Fortune, he reminds us why. Forget your preconceptions. Do as he says on the album’s dance hall anthem and just “Turn Up The Music“.

"Freak Out!" by Teenage Bottlerocket
“Freak Out!” by Teenage Bottlerocket

Remember when you were a kid and all music did was make you happy? There was no pretension, no search for a personal philosophy, no “Scene” influencing your opinion. Tunes just made you wanna dance your ass off. Well, Teenage Bottlerocket has crafted just the record to help you recapture that time of your life. Freak Out! is chock full of slick pop melodies and dirty punk rock riffs that feel exciting and fresh for a genre that has been dissected and twisted a million different ways. If the titles to songs like “Necrocomicon”, “Punk House of Horror”, and “In The Pit” make you smile, then the music that accompanies them will be stuck in your head for weeks. This is the kind of pop-punk that was blaring in your friends ninety degree basement when you had your first adult beverage and never wanted the summer to end. Pure, BS-less, and just plain fun rock and roll.

"Gold Motel" by Gold Motel
“Gold Motel” by Gold Motel

Fans of the currently on-hiatus band The Hush Sound should be ecstatic that Greta Morgan (formerly Salpeter) is still making the kind of ernest, bouncy alt/pop that made that band stand out among the quickly crowded Fueled By Ramen roster of the mid to late 00’s. Morgan’s charm as a singer songwriter is matched evenly by her male counterparts on this self-titled sophomore record. I dare you to listen to the shimmering jangle pop of “Your Own Ghost” or sixties girl group inspired “These Sore Eyes” and not fall in love with this records warm embrace. Hipstery enough for those with ironic facial hair, inviting enough for the general audience, Gold Motel is a melodic gem from any perspective.

New Music Tuesday 6.26.12

by soandyway

This is a great week for major label and indie releases! Here are my picks:

Oshin by DIIV
Oshin by DIIV

Sunny guitars, playful rhythms, and dreamy pop make up this joy of an album. The nostalgic clean riffs echo a simpler time, when music could simply be enjoyed for what it is without all the over-analyzing and deconstruction of today’s jaded listener/reviewer. Oshin glides along each of its thirteen tracks at a relatively even pace, picking up steam as it goes.  The album is a highlight as a whole, but the album’s closing third contains the stand out tracks “Oshin (Subsume)” and “Doused”, a one-two punch that breaks the mood a little and helps bring the record home. DIIV have crafted a fine debut record, and it can be purchased here.

 

The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends by The Flaming Lips

What is there left to say about The Flaming Lips? Titans of psychedelic laced folk influenced genre bending rock, they never seem to disappoint when it comes to a new set, and The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends is no exception. The big story for this former Record Store Day exclusive is its list of likely and somewhat unlikely collaborators. Names like Bon Iver, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, Nick Cave, Jim James (My Morning Jacket) will get fans excited, and rightfully so. Those tracks are fantastic, but for the fans who revel in the Lips’ ability to mix things up and make the abnormal seem normal, check out “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” which features Erykah Badu, and the kickstarting beat thumping opening track “2012 (You Must Be Upgraded)” which boasts spirited performances by Biz Markie and Ke$ha. All in all, The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends is a fantastic sonic journey that will take you all over the map. Check it out here.

Wild Peace by Echo Lake
Wild Peace by Echo Lake

I happened upon this record when looking into today’s new releases, and I’m definitely happy I stumbled upon it. Echo Lake’s brand of breathy, ethereal shoegaze makes for a delightful record. The band combines the usual genre trappings with the reverbed 60’s throwback vocals akin to artists like Best Coast. Wild Peace is an apt title, as most of its tracks have a bright, relaxing tone. Every now and then the vibe is shaken up, as on the brash-in-a-good-way “Young Silence”. If you plan to chill out and tan on the beach or your friend’s backyard this summer, Wild Peace would be a great record to augment that mellow experience. Pick it up from Amazon and check out their other releases on bandcamp.

Living Things by Linkin Park
Living Things by Linkin Park

I have a lot of respect for Linkin Park. Despite constant pigeonholing by reviewers and fans alike, the band continues to push boundaries and reinvent themselves with each new record. Living Things finds the band channeling every influence they’ve picked up along the way and focusing them into one 37 minute powerhouse. Tracks like “Vitctimized” and “Burn It Down” may tread familiar territory, but thanks to the electric co-production of Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin, they never feel forced or stale. People often mistake maturation in songwriting for ‘playing it safe”, and Living Things is anything but a safe record. See for yourself by checking it out on Amazon MP3.