Menomena has been around for a few years and have a couple of solid albums under their belt. I have been a fan for a long time and I know that I say this a lot, but if you haven’t given these guys a chance you really need to. They are pure gold!
Menomena has a style all their own. You can see it in their album art, hear it in their music, see it on their website and in their music videos. They have a great mix of sound that is aided by some pretty cool looping software. Most of their music is kind of out there on the fringes but has just enough pop in it to be catchy and memorable. I love to listen to Menomena while I’m doing something that occupies the majority of my attention… there’s just something about the music that stimulates my brain.
Favorite songs include the entire Friend and Foe album and “E. Is Stable” from I AM the FUN BLAME MONSTER!
Portugal. The Man is absolutely worthy of mention on this or any other Indie music blog.
These guys are from Alaska and I was curious to know whether or not any other bands I know of are from Alaska. A quick query on Google for list of bands from Alaska took me to www.alaskasbestbands.com and sadly, Portugal. The Man did not make the list, (Jack Johnson’s Quartet did make the list and no, it’s not that Jack Johnson.)
These guys have been able to reinvent their sound over and over again. Waiter: You Vultures! (2006) was a conglomerate of electronic and rock elements with a progressive twist. The bands frequent use of drum machines and other synthesized sounds were a trademark of that album. Church Mouth, Portugal’s latest release is much more traditional rock, with an almost Black Crowes-esque southern rock feel to it. The band cites Dirty Sweet and The Butchers and the Builders as influences.
I haven’t seen these guys live but I hear that their shows are pretty mind-blowing. Now how about some music?
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).
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.
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.
No they aren’t really scary, though they are an acquired taste. Being upfront about it, Scary Kids Scaring Kids aren’t for anyone. Duo guitars and electronic infused keyboard, Scary Kids seem like they are still finding a sound that is both pleasing with out compromising their unique sound. Though the topics of many of their songs still seem generic, they add a new perspective on the old themes. One thumb up, and one thumb down for them.
“What’s Up Now, My Darkest Hour” and “Faces” are some of their most popular songs. With only a 6 song EP and a recently released full album, The City Sleeps in Flames, they are just barely getting the ball rolling on their musical careers. Many of the people I have talked to about Scary Kids Scaring Kids only like a small portion of their songs, but with the improvement from their first EP to the recent album, it will be enjoyable to watch them move forward.
They are signed with the small Immortal Records, but still aren’t entirely pleasing and somewhat unstructured. I put the few of my favorite songs of theirs on my iPod, where they have a solid place for when I am in the right mood. They sound somewhat like Saosin, though I am hesitant to compare Scary Kids to such a sweet band. I just wish they had a more solid album, or were given more constructive criticism when they were recording. Though, the raw unaffected sounds they chose to have are what really makes them Indie isn’t it?
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.
One of the great things about 
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.
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.
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