Shepizzle

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.

• postalservicemusic.net

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One of the new and upcoming underground bands in the Utah and Northern California area’s (and expanding) is a group called Victim Effect. This Rock, Electronica, Metal, Melt Your Face Off, Progressive fusion band has an extremely unique writing style which is perfectly combined with a strong and commanding stage presence. As a well practiced band which cares more about the fans and the music than they do fame and riches, be prepared to become a hardcore fan as you get addicted to their self titled CD, Victim Effect, which is almost exclusively sold only at their concerts and their website. With three guitarists (who compliment each other very well in their musical composition), a bassist, an amazing drummer (which all super amazing bands should have), keytarist (for electronica awesomeness and sample playback), male vocal lead, and female back-up vocals.

Started in Sacramento, CA and relocated to Provo, UT this is definitely a band that wants you as a fan and will prove it. Send them a myspace message, talk to them after a show, bump into them somewhere random, and this is a band who wants to get to know every single one of their fans. They have gone on a few mini-tours up and down the west coast and hit most of the western US states. Where many Indie bands in this genre fail, Victim Effect successfully makes you want to move to the music.

When it comes to making a list or searching for a new less-known band to listen to, going to a concert is the best exposure you can get to Victim Effect. They have a song called “Alice Alice” for free download on their website, or you can listen to a few of their songs as well as see their “Go Fight” music video on their Myspace page. I would recommend “You Bet” and “Backwoods Gunsmen” as initial songs to listen to in addition to the “Go Fight” music video.

Label type: Indie

• VictimEffect.com

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Imogen Heap, the talented and dynamic ex-Frou Frou front woman takes the lead as a soloist continuing with her strong independent sounds and emotion evoking lyrics. Regardless of what style of music you come from, you are sure to enjoy listening to “Hide and Seek” as well as the rest of the tracks on her recent album Speak for Yourself. It’s a well-rounded, powerful album that you not only need to hear but are sure to love after you do.

On stage there really isn’t an explanation that will do her justice. Mixing and looping her own sounds and creations live, she provides a unique expression of multiple instruments controlled over a MIDI keyboard and laptop while singing at the same time. She is self-taught in sequencing, music engineering, and sampling. On musical instruments, she is proficient in playing piano (her first instrument), as well as the cello, clarinet, guitar, drums, and the unique Array Mbira.

Imogen is an accomplished singer/songwriter and producer who has worked with people from Josh Groban (ah hem, no comment), Britney Spears (we might just forgive her this one time for that), Jeff Beck, Sean Lennon, Blue October, and even Acacia. She has been burned a few times and doesn’t trust big music labels, rightly so, but has recently sided with BMG after working explicitly with Almo and Megaphone.

As far as genres are concerned, good luck really hitting the nail on the head, but as far as an attempt we could put her in the following: Electronic, Alternative, Indie Rock, and Ambient.

Label Type: Indie

• ImogenHeap.com

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