I have always heard of the French Kicks but have never lent them an ear for some reason... Anyways, I found this song that I'm diggin by them and thought I'd share it with ya guys. Lemme know what ya think!
Check back later......review for The Thermals' "Now I Can See" coming up!
Owen Pallett aka "Final Fantasy" – “Heartland” (01/12/10) Domino Surfer Blood – Astro Coast (01/19/10) Kanine Lindstrøm & Christabelle – “Real Life Is No Cool” (01/19/10) Vampire Weekend – “Contra” (01/12/09) XL Spoon – “Transference” (01/19/10) Merge Eels – “End Times” (01/19/10) Vagrant RJD2 – “The Colossus” (01/19/10) Electrical Connections Beck & Charlotte Gainsbourg – “IRM” (01/26/10) Because Los Campesinos! – “Romance Is Boring” (01/26/10) Arts & Crafts Magnetic Fields – “Realism” (01/26/10) Nonesuch Beach House – “Teen Dream” (01/26/10) Sub Pop Four Tet – “There Is Love In You” (01/26/10) Domino Fucked Up – “Couple Tracks” (01/26/10) Matador Midlake – “The Courage of Others” (02/02/10) Bella Union Hot Chip – “One Life Stand” (02/09/10) DFA/EMI Yeasayer – “Odd Blood” (02/09/10) Secretly Canadian Field Music – “(Measure)” (02/16/10) Memphis Industries Shout Out Louds – “Work” (02/23/10) Merge Shearwater – “The Golden Archipelago” (02/23/10) Matador Xiu Xiu – “Dear God, I Hate Myself” (02/23/10) Kill Rock Stars Frightened Rabbit – “The Winter of Our Mixed Drinks” (03/01/10) FatCat Rogue Wave – “Permalight” (03/02/10) Brushfire The Ruby Suns – “Fight Softly” (03/02/10) Sub Pop Ted Leo – “The Brutalist Bricks” (03/09/10) Matador jj – “nº 3″ (03/09/10) Secretly Canadian Josh Rouse – “El Turista” (03/09/10) Yep Roc # Liars – “Sisterworld” (03/09/10) MuteShe & Him – “Volume 2″ (03/23/10) Merge The Apples in Stereo – “Travelers in Space and Time” (04/06/10) Yep Roc
Here we have a song from up-and-coming Brooklyn quintet Acrylics who have recently signed and put out an EP on Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor's record label, "Terrible Records".
"All Of The Fire" Free MP3 (just right click the link and click "save as")
Just want to wish each and everyone of you a happy new years! Really lookin' forward to this year and some of the music thats supposed to drop (new Yeasayer album)! What are YOU looking forward to this year? What albums/bands/music are you stoked for? Drop a comment ant lemme know!
To celebrate the introduction of a new year/decade here are two songs by two very good bands (one being probably my favorite band ever *Walkmen*) about, well, the new year! ENJOY!
I heard so much buzz about this album that I finally just had to snag it. From several good reviews/rating and lead vocalist Christopher Owens back story, which is an article on its own, I gave it a shot. I'll be honest, my first listen deemed this album that of another overrated indie album. Not to mention its lethargic and beachy feel amongst this current "beach sound" craze (which I have taken quite an interest in as of late, I will say) that gives births to new bands frequently. I just wasn't feeling it, I guess.... But as I gave it one more shot, I found myself enjoying it much more. Of course "Lust for Life", being their golden "hit", springs into action with a pingy guitar and Owens' whiny but oddly enjoyable voice begins the song with, "Oh, I wish I had a boyfriend, I wish I had a loving man in my life". Then the whole band jumps to life with far off drums and shakers. Once "Lust for Life" ends it jumps straight into "Laura", a catchy up-beat yet apologetic song with one of my favorite bass-lines in a song ever. But "Laura" doesn't just offer a dismal story about a girl and a gnarly bassline in the chorus, it finishes off with a, what I'd like to call, "jam", which I am a sucker for (eg: M.Ward).
Despite, "Big Bad Mean Mother Fucker" a straight up beach-rock song that reminisces the Beach Boys, the rest of the album retains roughly the same sound, but in a good way. However, the highlight (for me that is) of "Album" is "Curl's"/"Darling", a kind of two part song at the very end of the album that holds on to the same melody throughout. "Curls" starts of with a gnarly and very lazy but catchy guitar riff (that I always think of seeing in a western where the camera introduces the "hero" of the movie walking in.....I digress)then fades into a relaxing summer day tune. As "Curls" finishes it transitions into the rockin' "Darling" and continues on to become a suitable and delivering album finisher.
My only beef with this album is the similarity of songs "Ghost Mouth" and "Hellhole Ratrace". Both are very good and enjoyable songs but sound quite the same. Despite that tiny problem, this is a very good album that definitely deserves the ratings it has achieved. I highly recommend this album to everyone and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
That's right! 2 contest winners instead of just one. Why? Well, simply because they were the only 2 who participated. They both will receive a $10 iTunes giftcard courtesy of Too Roads and will be featured with their responses. So, Too Roads would like to thank the two who participated and congratulate you on your win! Keep your eyes open, readers, because there will be many more of these contests and opportunities to win iTunes cards.
The first to respond is Jesse, who has respectfully asked not to display his full name or e-mail, and here is his entry:
Stumbled on your blog via Last.FM and figured I should try for the gift card, and if nothing else, share some good music.
Like you, "Hold Time" by M. Ward is my favorite from 2009. At it's heart, "Hold Time" is still just a singer-songwriter album, but the thing that puts it over the top for me is the way its produced. I love the lead acoustic guitar played over the top and that big drum sound really adds a lot to the otherwise mellow songs. And M. Ward has the way of sounding like his softly screaming. It's hard to explain it. He puts lots of emotion in his voice but it seems as if it rarely goes above a whisper.
Top 5 songs of 09 (I'm limiting this to one per artist):
1) "The Ills" by Mayer Hawthorne 2) "Bricks" by American War 3) "For Beginners" by M. Ward 4) "Nightowl" by Communication Redlight 5) "Two Weeks" by Grizzly Bear (although I really couldn't get into this album but love this song)
I couldn't have agreed with him more. A big thanks to you Jesse and an ever BIGGER thanks for suggesting the incredibly uplifting and catchy song by Mayer Hawthorne, "The Ills".
The second entry comes from Jeremy Stevens, who put in his entry right at the last moment:
Hey, first off - nice blog! It's refreshing to see an Albums Of The Year list without Animal Collective at number 1. I liked your Hospice review too, that's how I found your blog. But anyway:
My favorite album of 2009 is Sound Awake by Karnivool. It's an experimental step forward for them from their debut, and even though it took a while to get used to their new style, it was just amazing once it began to grow on me. It's one of those growing albums that somehow sounds better with each listen.
My top 5 songs of 2009 were (geez this is tough): Hilltop Hoods - Chase That Feeling Karnivool - Set Fire To The Hive Manchester Orchestra - I've Got Friends Middle East, The - Blood Phoenix - 1901
And a big thanks to you Jeremy! Really enjoyed the song "Blood" by The Middle East!
I am very pleased and pretty excited to bring you, Edward Sharpe ad the Magnetic Zeros. Pretty sweet name, huh? Well, check this out.....The name actually derives from a story created by lead vocalist Alex Ebert, the recent frontman of Ima Robot, about a figure who, according to Ebert, Sharpe "was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind...but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love". Ebert eventually met Jade Castrinos, who backs Ebert in vocals as well as shaker and keyboard. Ed and the Zeros are a 10-piece band consisting of many different instruments, and they definitely make it evident in their music. They bring to the table a solid gypsy-folk sound with plenty to indulge in. They recently released their debut LP entitled, "Up From Below", off of Vagrant Records and have gained very positive reviews and exposure since. The album is great and is easily accessible. However, their live performances are, more than likely, what have popularized them. Their shows are care-free and sporadic, with dancing, jumping and just plain ol' fun. So check them out and if you can go see them live. Let me know what you think of them and drop a comment!
Want a $10 iTunes gift card?? huh? HUH? Heres what you gotta do to win it!
As a comment or direct email to me...
-State your favorite album of 2009 and tell WHY it was your favorite.
-State your top 5 favorite songs of 2009
-State your email address (this is not to barrage you with emails all of the time, just to send you the iTunes card code if you win)
Just comment on this post and input all of your information OR send me an email with it all at Its_calvin@hotmail.com
The music does not have to be of any genre just of your taste or interest. So ANY ALBUMS will work, and ANY SONGS will work. Whoever gives the best and most heartfelt reasons why, will win and be featured on TooRoads.
I'm only giving one away.
And its only going for 3 days.
So get ready.....get set..................GO!
In celebration for their upcoming 2nd LP, we have the single "Ambling Alp" from Brooklyn band Yeasayer.
Just wanted to wish all of you a very merry CHRISTmas and, ya of course, a happy new year. I cant leave you guys hanging though......I do have a Christmas present for all of you, although I'm not sure how many of you will like it. Like Sufjan Stevens??? Like hip-hop, Aesop Rock or Outkast? Well, if you answered yes to one of those, today is your lucky day. If you answered yes to more than one then your in for quite a surprise!!
A mixer/dj by the name of Tor has mixed songs from some of Sufjans' albums with songs from prominent hip-hop artists like the ones mentioned above. Want to know the best part?? Tor is giving the EP, "Come On Feel the Illinoize", away for free! GET IT HERE! Merry CHRISTmas!!
