I am anxiously awaiting the release of Iron & Wine’s new album, Shepherd’s Dog. The band’s website says that the album is due out 9.25.2007 and I just can’t wait. My experiences with Our Endless Numbered Days and Woman King have been good ones and I’m sure that Shepherd’s Dog will be just as cool.
Iron & Wine is Sam Beam with a little bit of female vocal help from his sister Sarah Beam. In the true Indie spirit, Beam single-handedly wrote, recorded, and produced his debut album The Creek Drank The Cradle and is totally committed to his music. Since his debut, Beam has added other band members and instruments to his studio recordings as he explores his folk sound.
Be prepared to slow things down a little with Iron & Wine, sit back and enjoy the floating acoustic guitars delicately wrapped with soothing vocals. On a personal note, I got married two weeks ago and Iron & Wine is just sappy enough to get me thinking about love and relationships but not enough to cause nausea. The feeling that pervades much of the music produced by this band is kind of dreamy and whimsical. The album cover for Our Endless Numbered Days is a depiction of Sam Beam laying in the grass resting/dreaming/relaxing and that is exactly the mood that his music will put you in.
Favorite songs are “Jezebel,” “Love and Some Verses,” “Promise What You Will,” and their cover of The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights.”
If you like Iron & Wine, try: Sufjan Stevens, Jose Gonzalez, Andrew Bird.
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Let me just say that when it comes to Indie music and especially Indie Rock, nobody does it better than the Canadians. Arcade Fire hails from Montreal, Quebec and is comprised of 7 band members including a husband and wife founding duo.
They have released two very successful albums, Funeral (2004) and Neon Bible (2007) and have received awards and nominations in the States and abroad. As far as Indie bands go, they are at the forefront with media coverage and popularity. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Arcade Fire keeps delivering what we all want to hear!
Arcade Fire has a very anthemic and epic sound and I promise that you will be tapping your foot or nodding your head as you listen. Their songs are typically a little bit longer (right around 5 minutes for many of them) and with a 7 member band, they are able to use a wide variety of instruments to really develop a full, rich body to their music.
“Wake Up” and “Rebellion (Lies)” from Funeral are sure to satisfy and I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, an organ INSTANTLY boosts the effective “coolness” of a band, check out “Intervention” from Neon Bible to see what I mean. I personally recommend Funeral for any Indie music lover’s collection, it’s essential.
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Give Up by The Postal Service is one of my all-time favorite albums, it’s one of those albums that you can listen to whenever and it feels good. One of those albums that is hard to list a favorite song because you like so many of them and all for different reasons.
The Postal Service consists of Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) and Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel and Figurine) and features the vocals of the lovely Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley) and Jen Wood. Ben and Jimmy combine to create a refreshing electronic pop sound that is delicately crafted with floating melodies and perfectly placed beats. Ben Gibbard is truly a master lyricist, his words are captivating.
These guys make it seem like it’s not even difficult to make music that can satisfy all across the board. Truly it’s not often that an artist or a band can get so many things dead right the first time they try. Sub Pop records has confirmed that The Postal Service is currently working on a follow up album though no release date has been announced.
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Bloc Party. is a four-man British Indie Rock band that has really exploded onto the scene with a powerful and innovative sound. Based in London, the band played under several monickers before settling on their current name. The band has toured extensively and has two full-length studio albums, Silent Alarm and A Weekend In The City under their belt.
Be prepared for beats that move you into spasms and bass lines that make you want to shake what your mother gave you. Bloc Party. kind of has a techno feel but most of their sounds are produced by instruments. On a few of the studio tracks you will find looped in electronic sounds and if you’re really in to that sort of thing, you’ll love Silent Alarm Remixed and you’ll love some of the techno mixes that are floating around out there.
No matter what kind of mood you’re in, Bloc Party. has something to intensify that mood. If you’re feeling sappy and lovey-dovey try “I Still Remember” or “So Here We Are”. If you want something to get your blood pumping try “Banquet”, “Hunting For Witches”, or “Helicopter” and you won’t be disappointed. If you’re one of those music lovers that likes to listen out on the fringes, try “The Prayer” (it’s got a nice TVOTR feel to it).
This probably isn’t the first place that you have heard about Bloc Party. but if it is, do yourself a favor and pick up one of their albums.
If you like Bloc Party. try: TV On The Radio.
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