So if you have been paying attention to my Last.fm profile, you would have seen this post coming. Every once in a while, I get on a Sigur Rós kick and I just let myself get lost in their music for a few days.
Hailing from the nordic northlands of Iceland, Sigur Ros is no stranger to international success. The band has released several solid albums including ( ), Takk…, and most recently, Hvarf-Heim. Their music contains elments of ambient sound, shoegaze, and rock. Many of the songs are very epic both in feel and in length. The vocals are sung in a made up language loosely based on Icelandic that leaves the lyrics to the listener’s imagination, though the music does enough to convey the intended emotion. Also worthy of note is that guitarist Jón Þór Birgisson is one of only a select few who often plays his guitar with a cello bow in true Jimmy Page fashion!
If you like Sigur Ros, try: Mogwai, Radiohead, The Album Leaf, Broken Social Scene, Efterklang
Sigur Ros’ music videos are truly works of art. I chose this one because of how well the video complements the feel of the music. This is “Glosoli” from Takk…
Golden Opportunities is a collection of 9 songs (mostly covers) recorded while on tour from 2006-2007. The album is currently offered in mp3 form @ 192 kbps. I’m not sure how long this album will be available, so get it while you can. Enjoy!
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.
"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’ve been meaning to get a review on Rilo Kiley up for a long time, it just took acutally seeing them live with Modest Mouse and Matt Costa to push me over the edge and make sure that I do all that I can to let you know about these guys.
Whether or not you have ever heard of Rilo Kiley as a band, you are probably familiar with some of the band members from other places, especially if you were born in the 80’s and grew up in the U.S. Lead singer Jenny Lewis was in The Wizard, a classic film for any kid who anxiously awaited the release of Super Mario Bros. 3. Lewis also contributed backup vocals to The Postal Service. Guitarist Blake Sennett (the guy with the red boutonniere in the photo) was on Nickelodeon’s Salute Your Shorts and Boy meets World. That’s right, you knew you recognized him from somewhere. Also, maybe you have heard of The Elected? That’s Rilo Kiley without Jenny Lewis.
Rilo Kiley is currently touring to support their most recent album Under The Blacklight. Their sound has changed a little throughout the years but they still deliver that relaxed Indie rock feel that has been their trademark. They’re a little more rock than folk and definitely worth a listen!
If you like Rilo Kiley, try: The Decemberists, Death Cab For Cutie, The Elected, Bright Eyes.
My wife tipped me off on these guys about a year ago. Since that time they have grown into steady rotation on my iTunes playlist.
The Appleseed Cast has been around for 10 years now and have released 7 full-length albums, their latest album is called Peregrine. They are true Indie rock that borders on ambient rock (try View of a Burning City from Low Level Owl, Vol. 1) at times. Many of their songs have long intros that build throughout and are very anthemic in their tone and progression.
I’m too lazy to do the actual math but based on the tracks that I have in my iTunes library, I would say that the average song length for an Appleseed Cast song is well over 5 minutes and that means there’s plenty of good music to listen to from these guys. One thing is for sure, these guys are among the dying breed of bands that still know what it means to jam.
The thing that I love the most about The Appleseed Cast is that they are good solid Indie rock but they never really get too hard. I can satisfy my need for rock even if I’m in a mellow mood. Favorite songs include ‘Fight Song”, “Fishing the Sky”, “Forever Longing the Golden Sunsets” and “Hello Dearest Love”. My favorite overall album of theirs is Two Conversations.
Here’s a special treat for you with this review, it’s a link to stream an entire Appleseed Cast concert. I haven’t actually seen these guys perform live, but this video is the next best thing. Post a comment or two to show your love!
I can’t help but smile as I listen to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, I try not to take them too seriously and I think that is how I have been able to enjoy their music. I mean with a name as bizarre as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, you don’t really expect these guys to take themselves seriously, right? Wrong.
CYHSY has a sound that is as cool as… well, you know, something that is cool, like a surfer rock band that has been washed up on the shore and is maybe just a little bit on the waterlogged side. Frontman/singer Alec Ounsworth’s voice is very distinguishable and too be quite honest, I find it humorous and fun, others might just find it annoying. It really seems like he makes very little attempt to stay on pitch or to pronounce his words clearly. The music isn’t anything super special, mostly repetitive and simple, but it makes a good soundtrack for a day of wakeboarding at the lake. Just kind of laid back and fun, you know? I haven’t seen these guys live yet but the guys at You Ain’t No Picasso didn’t seem too impressed.
CYHSY’s first album (self-titled) was released in 2005 and has since been followed by Some Loud Thunder in 2007. Favorite songs include the first single from Some Loud Thunder, “The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth”, and from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, try “Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood,” “Heavy Metal,” and “Gimme Some Salt.”
One of the great things about 
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.
"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’ve been meaning to get a review on Rilo Kiley up for a long time, it just took acutally seeing them live with 
My wife tipped me off on these guys about a year ago. Since that time they have grown into steady rotation on my iTunes playlist.
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