Check Out: The Black Angels "Young Men Dead"

"War" and all of its constituents is a topic regularly regarded by Austin based rockers, The Black Angels. Much like their song "Young Men Dead", their sound is dark and psychedelic and their lyrics pertain to memoirs of war and eery situations. The band has resurrected that beloved sector of 70's hippy, anti-war, protagonist rock music. However, it isn't to be a hippy or anything of the sort to enjoy their angry music. Check em out and get pumped! lemmeknowwhatyouthinkkaybye

"Young Men Dead" Free MP3

Check Out: MiniBoone

First of all, take a look at the picture......monopoly money, goofy faces and it appears that they are enjoying themselves. So what impression does that give you? Serious, melodramatic and sincere? I hope not, because if that's what you were hoping for, this band will probably let you down. Now, does that mean the band is completely incompetent of creating serious and sincere music? Absolutely not. Take "Devil In Your Eyes", the third song off of there recently released EP "Big Changes", for example. The song begins with a solemn organ setting the mood for a "to-be-taken-seriously" arrangement. As the organ continues, guitar pings and a quick drum beat are layered on, the song progressively grows larger with accompanying hand claps and the guitar pings become clear chords. But juuuuuuusst as you deem the song according to its introduction, the band switches lanes and sings, "You laugh, you cry, everybody has to die" while harmonizing "aahhhs" are heard in the background. And just as you get comfortable with your had boppin to the kick drum, they change time and sing together, "Picking it up, breaking it in, knocking it down, taking your time". Though your sitting there in approval of the time change your going "that was unexpected".....

That is what is so great about this band. They are willing to mix things up and change direction. Very few of their songs follow a direct path throughout the whole song. Yes, there are moments on the EP that stick to a straight-forward and more linear path, "Summer Jams" for example, the first song on the EP, steers pretty straight. But there are many surprises and unforeseen areas that stick out, creating a unique listening experience.  There are also many areas where the band harmonizes sections of lyrics ("Funny Money" and other songs) or just simple "oohs", which is...............(I just realized why there is monopoly money flying around in there picture...)  incredibly enjoyable. I almost want to relate these guys to Pavement. You know, that hidden, underlying humor feel while not completely giving in and getting too silly.

This is a very tight, and creative band that deserves your ears. I highly suggest and recommend you check em' out and give some love. Snag a free MP3 of their insanely good song "Devil In Your Eyes" and give em a shout on myspace.

Oh, by the way, you are required to buy their new EP "Big Changes" if you read this review......sorry, forgot to mention that...............just kidding. BUT you should definitely snag their EP for the pocket-change price of $5 dollars.

"Devil In Your Eyes" Free MP3!
SNAG THE EP!~~~HERE~~~
Myspace!

Check Out: Grandaddy "A.M 180"

My interest and love for obscure music can only be given credit to one person: my cousin Kirk. If it weren't for his music suggestions and two simple mix cds, this music blog would probably not exist and I would still be listening to bands that I'm honestly too embarrassed to admit I listened to. So what does that have to do with Grandaddy, dude? Well, the first mix cd from my cousin contained this ridiculously catchy but at the same time ridiculously childish song that eventually transitions into an intriguing rock song. At first I just thought it was funny, now, nearly seven years later, I still listen to it and enjoy it immensely. 

--Time to digress--

Do you remember the first time you considered or gave "indie music" a try? I remember the first band I checked out was Deathcab for Cutie and it was a song called "President Of What". I remember sitting there listening to the song with a WTF? face on, thinking, "What in the world am I listening to?". But for some reason I kept playing the song over and over and it is still one of my favorite DCFC songs ever. Anyways.....if you DO remember your first experience, I am very interested in hearing about. So lend the comment section your experience and let me know!

 

Check Out: The Morning Benders "Excuses"

The Morning Benders decided to grab a bunch of their San Francisco friends, plop them all in a studio and record a massive, heart-throbbing song called "Excuses", the first song on their upcoming album "Big Echo". There are violins, multiple guitars, drums and a slew of friends just singing. You will probably recognize some notable faces among the group like Chris Owens of Girls and John Vanderslice. Nearly every time I watch this video I get chills. Hearing Christopher Chu's vocals backed by swaying friends singing along instills a sense of good time and peace. Check it out. Hope you guys like it.
Lemmeknowhatyathinkloveyoubye.

"Excuses" Free MP3

Check Out: Explosions In The Sky

Explosions In The Sky...... First of all, even if I considered this band completely repulsive, they still have one of the best names ever. Explosions In The Sky. Awesome. However, I do not find this band repulsive in any way shape or form. In fact if I had to be stuck on an island of some sort with only 5 bands to listen to, EITS would definitely be on that list. Why? Because there would be those moments where the sun was setting under the clear blue sky and nostalgia would kick in, and what better way to feel nostalgic than with some EITS.

Explosions In The Sky have the talent to bring out and into the open, almost every human emotion known to man: fear, love, anger and revenge (with the exception of lust). In nearly any song of theirs, they display one of these emotions if not all. There are periods of distant warming guitars that could put the most ADD prone to sleep. And there are periods of pure rock with crashing cymbals and guitars sneering angst. Like waves, EITS produces plateaus of comfort before preparing you for a wall of rock.

It's amazing the spectrum of ideas or memories you can fit into their music. Times of hardship, times of joy or times of peace. Their music instills realism into memories and adds increased attributes to imagination.

Definitely a band to check out: oh ya!? Did I mention they are an instrumental band?
I hope you guys enjoy!

Download "The Rescue" LP for FREE

"With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept" (The absolute BEST EITS song)

Check Out: Emily Haines and the Soft Skeletons "Doctor Blind"

You might know Emily Haines as the lead singer of Metric. Her voice is soothing and gripping. Take the eery song "Doctor Blind" for instance, amongst the dark piano, her voice is about the only relief in this song. The video creeped me the hell out the first time I watched it but definitely caught my attention. Beautiful song, but spine tingling.

"Doctor Blind" Free MP3

Check Out: Sean Bones "Dancehall"

Tired of all that downer music? Do ya need some uplifting? Lend an ear to Sean Bones' "Dancehall"! The title of the track does justice to the song. With a ska guitar melody and reggae feel, it's hard to not bump your head or tap your feet when listening. GET HAPPY!

"Dancehall" Free MP3

Check Out: The Radio Dept. "Heavens On Fire"

The Radio Dept. is a Swedish band that have been creating glazy, dream-pop music for over 10 years. They have a new album, Clinging to a Scheme, coming out on April 21. Here is a very promising song for their upcoming release. "Heaven's On Fire" begins with an audio clip from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore on large record companies and capitalism. Near the end of this clip, Radio Dept. seep in with some jangly happy keys and continue until the rest of the band joins.
Awesome song!

"Heaven's On Fire" Free MP3

An Arsenal of New Music!

I have discovered quite a lot of interesting things over these last couple of days. Some new songs, bands and videos. But now I get the privilege to share them with you! But where to begin? hmmmm.
I guess I'll start with what I'm most stoked on.

The Antlers have created a beautiful, forlorn video for their (my favorite) song, "Bear"! The band is shown sitting in a wintry, silver forest, clad in all black. Meanwhile, there is a women shown struggling with a carriage with a large black ball. She falls and spills the ball, discouraged until the band members come to her aid. Quite a lovely video.

 The Antlers - "Bear"



Secondly, I came upon a band by the name of Warpaint. They are an all-girl band from Los Angeles who create lethargic, mellow music that reveals similarities to Cat Power and Beach House. I was introduced to them on a song called "Billie Holiday", a gorgeous but sad sounding encounter. The vocals are harmonized and soothing as they spell out "Billie Holiday" in a cleverly-made melody. But the intriguing part of this song is the "half-cover" of Smokey Robinson's "My Guy" they incorporate into the middle of the song.

"Billie Holiday" Free MP3

Now for a bit of comic relief from both of those lovely but downtrodden songs, here is a band by the name of The Cobbs with a folky, honky tonk song called "Say You Never Knew Me".

"Say You Never Knew Me" - The Cobbs


Stream their latest full length album "Sing The Deathcapades"

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