When She & Him was first announced, the duo of singer-songwriter M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel faced almost immediately positive buzz. The adorably indie actress and the well-respected indie musician seemed an exciting and almost unbeatable team. But their debut release, Volume One, failed to meet expectations and, with the exception of the single… Continue reading She & Him make a cheery, solid sophomore album with Volume Two
Author: Jamie
[MP3] Sarah Kirkland Snider: “This Is What You’re Like (ft. My Brightest Diamond)”
Composer Sarah Kirkland Snider teamed up with Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond) for “This Is What You’re Like,” a track from Snider’s upcoming album Penelope. Now I’m not 100 percent clear on this, so I think a block quote from the press release will suffice: Derived from a multimedia-theater piece co-created by Snider and… Continue reading [MP3] Sarah Kirkland Snider: “This Is What You’re Like (ft. My Brightest Diamond)”
[MP3] Family of the Year: “Chugjug”
California-based sextet Family of the Year has friends in high places, including the likes of Ben Folds, The Boston Pops and indie act extraordinaire Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. And it’s not hard to see why. Family of the Year is a band bursting with folk talent that’s more than evident on their latest… Continue reading [MP3] Family of the Year: “Chugjug”
[MP3] Harlem: “Gay Human Bones”
It’s appropriate that Austin boys Harlem should release another new single the week before SXSW. The song is “Gay Human Bones” (I just won’t ask, I guess) and it’s the second single from their upcoming full-length, Hippies. Like their previous single, “Friendly Ghost,” “Gay Human Bones” isn’t quite living up to my expectations after their… Continue reading [MP3] Harlem: “Gay Human Bones”
[MP3] Dr. Dog: “Stranger”
Dr. Dog has officially released the first single off their upcoming album, Shame, Shame and anyone could have guessed that it’s great! I mean it’s not like the best song they’ve ever done or anything, but it’s definitely good! I enjoy it! It’s got all that wonderful build up and folk-influenced group-think rock that Dr.… Continue reading [MP3] Dr. Dog: “Stranger”
[MP3] Pure Ecstasy: “Voices”
Pure Ecstasy previously chilled us out with “Easy” the wonderful track from the band’s 7″ with the same name. Now the band is sharing “Voices” from the also appropriately-named Voices 7″. While it’s not an instant hook like “Easy,” it shows that the band is CLEARLY ready to just up and release a full-length already.… Continue reading [MP3] Pure Ecstasy: “Voices”
White Hinterland’s Kairos is soothing tranquility with soul power
When Casey Dienel and Shawn Creeden picked the name White Hinterland, maybe they had their reasons, maybe it just sounded cool but it’s definitely appropriate. A hinterland is often an area of rural land separated from urban areas that is often also tied very closely to the city. In other words, a place of solitude… Continue reading White Hinterland’s Kairos is soothing tranquility with soul power
Liars cordially invite you on a wondrous journey to Sisterworld
I can’t think of a band that revels in changing genre and tearing apart expectations quite like Liars. Since their 2001 debut, They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top, the band has seen changes that have taken them from the dance floor to German witch trials to “Mt. Heart… Continue reading Liars cordially invite you on a wondrous journey to Sisterworld
[MP3] Washed Out: “Untitled Track #7”
Every day is a good day to be a Washed Out day! So why not make it today? Ernest Greene’s super amazing project Washed Out has Oood and Ahhhd me at every turn so far, and the simple, untitled track from his tour-only CD-R is no different. Granted, there’s a lot less here to be… Continue reading [MP3] Washed Out: “Untitled Track #7”
A bunch of little kids cover Phoenix’s “Lisztomania”
The kids in the chorus at PS22 are used to covering popular songs for popular people. But now they’ve taken on Phoenix’s “Lisztomania” and BOY do they ever take it on. “Breathtaking” is the word that comes to mind. These kids sound great! And the song sounds great! And just everything comes together into a… Continue reading A bunch of little kids cover Phoenix’s “Lisztomania”