One of the great things about Indie music is that it constantly redefines itself and makes you stretch.
I’m just going to throw TV On The Radio out there and you can do what you’d like with them. TVOTR is pretty hard to stuff into just one category; they are a fusion of Indie rock, hip-hop/electronica, and a cappella. I couldn’t even really compare them to anyone, you’ll just have to take a listen for yourself and you’ll see what I mean when I say that it makes you stretch.
TVOTR is a Brooklyn-based quintet that has released two full length albums. I lived in NYC for a few years and their music kind of reminds me of walking down Grand Concourse on a summer day listening to the buzz of the Bronx. The first song I ever heard by these guys was "Staring at the Sun" from Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004). It’s my favorite TVOTR song to date. Also, try "Wolf Like Me," the first single from Return to Cookie Mountain (2006).
Band of Horses has an uncanny ability of getting their songs stuck in my head. I’ve never been one to remember lyrics and more than half the time I don’t pay enough attention to pick out the words anyway, but these guys are catchy. These South Carolina-based Indie rockers have released two albums in the last two years, Cease to Begin (2007) and Everything All The Time (2006), and they are doing a lot of things right.
Band of Horses has a simplified Indie rock sound with a simple setup: guitar, bass, and drums. The thing that really sets them apart in my mind is the very recognizable voice of Ben Bridwell (think Built To Spill). They build a sort of anthemic hollowness around Bridwell’s vocals that is never too elaborate nor too loud but intensifies just enough to make the music interesting.
I usually don’t like to admit it when the songs that I like from a particular band are the same songs that have been released as singles, makes me feel as if I’m only listening on the surface or something. Anyway, my favorite songs by Band of Horses are “Is There A Ghost?” and “Lamb Of The Lamb (In The City)” from Cease To Begin and “The Funeral” and “Our Swords” from Everything All The Time.
I have been thinking for months now how I could get away with a review on Radiohead, one of my all-time favorite bands, on an Indie music review website. I figured that I would get hammered by all of the critics and lose a lot of credibility with my readers– all 4 of you!
So how am I getting away with posting about Radiohead on Shepizzle? Radiohead has done something truly groundbreaking with their new album, In Rainbows. They have completely bypassed any sort of record company and have produced and will distribute the enitre album on their own. In Rainbows, will be available in a few short hours via Radiohead’s website in electronic form. Can you get more Indie than producing and distributing your own album to the entire world? I submit that you cannot!
You might ask, how much is this much anticipated album going to set me back? Well, that may be the coolest part of this album release, since Radiohead is the sole beneficiary of all of the album sales, they have allowed you to choose how much you will pay for the album. No joke, you get the album for free but why wouldn’t you show some support to one of the greatest bands out there? Why wouldn’t you support this idea? It’s a friggin’ Radiohead revolution!
I made my donation about a week ago and got an email today saying that I should be able to download soon, I’m stoked.
The Shepherd’s Dog by Iron & Wine has been released. The sound is a little less mellow than some of Sam Beam’s past work.
This album follows more along the lines of "Woman King" than it does "Love And Some Verses". A little bit more rock than folk, but never too far from it.
"Wolf Parade is like a retarded dog with four heads. At any given time, three of the heads are sleeping." -Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner in the Montreal Mirror.
I saw this quote up on Wolf Parade’s Myspace page and couldn’t help but pass it along.
Wolf Parade is one of many Canadian Indie rock bands, but they do a lot of things right. For some reason, there is a humorous element in Wolf Parade’s music. Don’t get me wrong, their music rocks, but the combination of Spencer Krug’s (Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, Frog Eyes) voice and the synthed out guitar rock make for a goofy sound.
It’s been too long since these guys have released an album, Apologies to the Queen Mary was released in 2005 and Wolf Parade was before that. Here’s one fan who’s hoping that Krug will spend some more time on this project!
I can’t quite remember how I first stumbled upon Fujiya & Miyagi, but I do remember that I once I did hear them, they were the only band I listened to for at least two weeks.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t like techno. I do, however, really like electronic music. I’m not really sure that I could properly draw the distinction between the two but my general rule of thumb is that if it sounds like it could be on Dance Dance Revolution, it’s techno and I don’t care to much for it. Fujiya & Miyagi DO NOT sound like they could be on DDR.
A band that references one of the single most important influences of my childhood in it’s very title has quite a bit to live up to in my book. Thankfully, F&M get the job done. Transparent Things, the first full length album from F&M, is full of very fun electronic pop that really makes you want to dance. The lyrics are funny and playful; it’s happy music and I love it and I think you will too!
First of all, do yourself a favor and instead of wasting time reading this review, just listen to these guys and let them blow your mind. Know right up front that I give them a 10.5 out of 10. For those of you that insist upon knowing a little bit about what you will be experiencing before listening, read on…
On Friday night, I was on a hot date with my wife and after a nice meal at Romano’s Macaroni Grill, we ducked into black chandelier and as the beats from “Wildcat” pulsed in my ears, my head started bobbing and I couldn’t help but bust a move right then and there.
The kid working at the store told me he was listening to Ratatat and let me hear a couple of his favorite tracks. As a result of this discovery, I got me some Ratatat of my own and I haven’t stopped grooving to it yet.
Ratatat is a duo consisting of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud. They produce an electronic blend of beats, synth, and electric guitar that is audibly delicious. I have a really hard time deciding whether it is rock or hip hop, the beats will surely get you moving and the guitar reminds me of Joe Satriani or Trans-Siberian Orchestra or something like that. I can’t believe it took me so long to hear these guys, I don’t know how I lived without this music.
Ratatat has released four albums to date, two remix albums that are definitely “off the hizzy” but they are a little strong on the lyrical side for my current liking. They have also released two albums, Ratatat (2004) and Classics (2006) with strictly original content. Classics has some truly magically moments when all of the elements of sound combine to truly transport me to some sort of funkadelic plane of existence.
I really wanted to post a video but as far as I know, they don’t have any official music videos released. Seems as though these guys are a little bit low-key with that kind of stuff.
Sept. 25th just can’t get here soon enough! In Our Nature, the newest album from Jose Gonzalez will be released to the masses just in time for… Columbus Day? Well, maybe just in time to satisfy our cravings for smooth vocals, gently finger-picked classical guitar, and heartfelt lyrics.
The first single released from the album, "Down The Line", is featured on a compilation album that is currently available on iTunes. I can’t wait for the music video!
BTW, have you heard his collaboration with Zero 7 on their album The Garden? If not, grab these while you can (Right click and "Save Link As…")
One of the great things about Indie music is that it constantly redefines itself and makes you stretch.
Band of Horses has an uncanny ability of getting their songs stuck in my head. I’ve never been one to remember lyrics and more than half the time I don’t pay enough attention to pick out the words anyway, but these guys are catchy. These South Carolina-based Indie rockers have released two albums in the last two years, Cease to Begin (2007) and Everything All The Time (2006), and they are doing a lot of things right.
The Shepherd’s Dog by Iron & Wine has been released. The sound is a little less mellow than some of Sam Beam’s past work. 
"Wolf Parade is like a retarded dog with four heads. At any given time, three of the heads are sleeping." -Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner in the Montreal Mirror.
I can’t quite remember how I first stumbled upon Fujiya & Miyagi, but I do remember that I once I did hear them, they were the only band I listened to for at least two weeks.
Sept. 25th just can’t get here soon enough! In Our Nature, the newest album from Jose Gonzalez will be released to the masses just in time for… Columbus Day? Well, maybe just in time to satisfy our cravings for smooth vocals, gently finger-picked classical guitar, and heartfelt lyrics.
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