The name of Pill Wonder’s debut album, Jungle/Surf, is entirely appropriate. The band seems as influenced by hectic tribal rhythms and jungle noises as they are by chilled out beach music. It reminds me of some old school big game hunter who displays his shotgun and lion head at his California beach house. Boots on,… Continue reading Pill Wonder takes tribal music to the beach on Jungle/Surf
Category: New Albums
New Gorillaz album streaming at NPR because of excitement, I guess
The music world is in a flurry this morning because the new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach is streaming in full over at NPR. Coolio! I haven’t listened to it yet because it’s 8:30 in the morning and I’m not some sort of SUPERHUMAN who gets this news at ALL HOURS OF THE DAY/NIGHT. So excuse… Continue reading New Gorillaz album streaming at NPR because of excitement, I guess
Joanna Newsom puts a lot of herself into Have One On Me
Boy, does Joanna Newsom put herself into Have One On Me. The thing clocks in at over two full hours of music spread over three six-song albums, which is, like many things, a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that it’s over two hours of Joanna Newsom (my wife). The curse is that it’s… Continue reading Joanna Newsom puts a lot of herself into Have One On Me
Cedarwell
Cedarwell is a Wisconsin folk band sent my way by Sebastian over at the lovely Common Folk Meadow blog after I commented on his glowing review of their latest, forthcoming March album, A Stone, A Leaf, A Door. The ever-evolving Cedarwell crew, fronted by Erik G. Neave, sent me a promo copy of the record,… Continue reading Cedarwell
Efterklang sounds great, but shallow on Magic Chairs
Danish band Efterklang is known for their ever-evolving, hook-free music, and their third album is no deviation. While the band’s first album, Tripper, earned comparisons to the likes of Sigur Rós, and their second, Parades, moved them closer to bands like Arcade Fire, Magic Chairs might be a step toward the string and horn-heavy Sufjan Stevens.… Continue reading Efterklang sounds great, but shallow on Magic Chairs
Electric President’s The Violent Blue strikes at our core
We’re in a dark cellar. The only light we see is rays from the tiny window in the corner that show the floating dust. I can barely catch your image through squinted eyes. I take one step closer, you take one step back. Progress? Maybe. My strides are longer than yours. I take another step… Continue reading Electric President’s The Violent Blue strikes at our core
[MP3] Broken Social Scene: “World Sick”
Um…is this really happening? I think so. Broken Social Scene just made a free track available from their forthcoming album, Forgiveness Rock Record, which drops May 4 on Arts & Crafts. And wow, it’s a freaking awesome song. As if I couldn’t be any more excited for the new album. The choruses have so much… Continue reading [MP3] Broken Social Scene: “World Sick”
[MP3] No Second Troy: “This is the End of Me”
D.C. ghosts (nice ones!) of a long (but not forgotten!) past, No Second Troy, have finally returned with a new single, “This is the End of Me” off their new album, Colors due out April 27. They’re releasing it in conjunction with their upcoming show at the 9:30 Club next Friday, February 18, so I… Continue reading [MP3] No Second Troy: “This is the End of Me”
On Field Music’s Measure, disc two exceeds disc one by leaps and bounds
Naturally, when there are two “sides” to an album, I listen to it in the order it’s given to me. Like an album is supposed to be listened to. I was plenty excited to hear Field Music’s newest (larger than) full-length as Tones of Town and Field Music were past favorites and I thought when… Continue reading On Field Music’s Measure, disc two exceeds disc one by leaps and bounds
Jim Kroft
Jim Kroft is a Scottish singer/songwriter, now based out of Berlin, who is releasing a new album, Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, on May 5, 2010, via Sidewalk 7 Records. His sound hearkens back to older britpop (not of the arena variety) with a happy, upbeat tone accompanying introspective, hopeful lyrics. Kroft… Continue reading Jim Kroft