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).
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…")
Looking for something different? You’ve come to the right place. 13 & God offers one of the most unique musical experiences. This German underground hip-hop group is heavy on complicated, stylized rhythms that start and stop in precise sequencing that begs attention.
Growing verbose? Sorry.
Electronic Underground Indie Hip-hop Rock
13 & God demands interesting labels like this to describe their sound. The unique voice is sometimes rap like while retaining classic sining choruses. Overall their sound lends it self to perfect late night listening. The quirky and sometimes technical lyrics are interesting enough to focus in on or space out to.
Because 13 & God pulls it’s inspiration from different genres (look for the bands Notwist, Oakland and Themselves) and different continents (half the band is German, the other half is American) the music is a melody of styles mixed to create something new and totally different.
Kaddisfly is progressive rock, so be ready for a musical roller coaster when you listen to them. Kaddisfly will take you to many different places and musical levels, all in the same song. True Indie rock musicians, Kaddisfly started off writing and recording their music at home and in a local studio. They tour hard, travel far, and love to play as many concerts as possible while they are out on solo tours. After recently landing a tour with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, they moved on to a spot on the warped tour for a bit and can usually be found touring with other Indie bands trying to share their music with the world.
Their live performances are better than most major label supported bands, and they still maintain full creative control over their music. Their first two albums were recorded and released independently, then they worked with the small Indie label, Hopeless Records for the their album (the best album they have made to date) called “Buy our intention; we’ll buy you a unicorn”. They kept their status with Hopeless Records (and Subcity Records now) for the fourth and most recent album, Set Sail The Prairie.
They wanted you to be affected by music and they live by the standard “Write, Influence, Change, Live”.
It’s extremely hard to put this band in a single genre. Their refreshing music changes between an during songs includes everything from hard metal to electronica, screamo and emo, ambient and more. They are purely entertaining. The lead singer has excellent vocal control on both album and live settings and the rest of the band is also obviously passionate about their responsibilities and the instruments they play. I recommend “Manhattan Loves You”, “Akira”, “Osmosis in C”, “New Moon Over Swift Water”, and “Eres Tremulent”. If you want one particular album to purchase, I would again recommend and endorse Buy Our Intention; We’ll Buy You A Unicorn.
One of the great things about Indie music is that it constantly redefines itself and makes you stretch.
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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