[KR Goes Global] Tokyo Jihen and their new album, Sports

[Ed. Note: In an effort to provide a diverse range of music, not only in genre but also by location and culture, Lin Lizhuang, from Singapore, writes about music from parts of the world that may go unnoticed on this here blog (you can find more of her work on her blog, Rock Loves Romantic.)… Continue reading [KR Goes Global] Tokyo Jihen and their new album, Sports

KR Presents: Two new mp3s from Color of Clouds!

On Monday you may have noticed I posted a little info about Color of Clouds’ record release for Satellite of Love (April 6) and accompanying show at Pianos in NYC (on April 8). Well now we’ve got an extra special treat for ya. We’re providing you with two of the new new tracks (not the remastered… Continue reading KR Presents: Two new mp3s from Color of Clouds!

Broken Bells’ debut album is good, but doesn’t live up to lofty expectations

James Mercer, Shins frontman, agent of delicious indie pop for the masses. Danger Mouse (Brian Burton), the genius behind The Grey Album and half of Gnarls Barkley, i.e. the ambassador of slick, creative production. A match made in heaven. …Or is it? The answer is that I believe it can be, but unfortunately the duo missed… Continue reading Broken Bells’ debut album is good, but doesn’t live up to lofty expectations

Color of Clouds to release debut album, Satellite of Love, on April 6

I’ve written about Color of Clouds aplenty here on Knox Road, so it’s with much excitement to provide you with this information. The Brooklyn trio who specialize in sweet, subdued electronic pop are set to digitally release their debut full-length, Satellite of Love, on April 6 along with a record release show at Pianos in… Continue reading Color of Clouds to release debut album, Satellite of Love, on April 6

jj’s nº 3 is so Swedish (read: lovely)

I love being the resident Swedish reviewer on Knox Road. Because the Swedes know what they’re doing with pop, period. So it comes as no surprise that Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander, the duo behind jj, have delivered a stunningly refreshing work of indie pop on their second full-length album, nº 3. You know how… Continue reading jj’s nº 3 is so Swedish (read: lovely)

Band of Horses announce new album, tour dates

Pitchfork just released the latest awesome news of 2010, coming in the form of a new album announcement from Seattle fellas Band of Horses. The album will be titled Infinite Arms and will drop May 18, rather soon for such an announcement, no? Also, the band hasn’t provided us with any news about the label… Continue reading Band of Horses announce new album, tour dates

Rogue Wave is flimsy and unaffecting on Permalight

Where to start? The first single off Permalight, “Good Morning”, was a startlingly not-very-good-first-single-for-a-much-anticipated-album. And by not very good, I mean I was in some disbelief (alright, slight exaggeration) when I first heard it. It’s come to grow on me a bit, but upon that first listen, all hell broke loose (eh, maybe not as… Continue reading Rogue Wave is flimsy and unaffecting on Permalight

[MP3] Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band with Tim and Sam: “Choices”

Yeah, that’s the name of the band. I almost considered not posting because of the ridiculous title. And it’d really be a shame if I hadn’t, because “Choices” is a gorgeous tune and speaks wonders for the band. Sparkling, shimmering folktronica at its finest. From North Wales, T&S (four members) are set to release Life… Continue reading [MP3] Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band with Tim and Sam: “Choices”

The Damn Choir

The Damn Choir, a folk foursome out of Chicago, recently released their first full-length album Faithful Fools. As if the album name doesn’t already imply some fairly depressing music, the guys describe themselves as “sad-bastard” music (hey, we have a good friend who describes himself like that too ;)). Gordon Robertson heads up the bastards… Continue reading The Damn Choir

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