Shepizzle

Tobias Fröberg is awesome. Honestly, I don’t know much about this guy other than that he is an Indie folk singer/songwriter from Sweden who has toured with Jose Gonzalez and that his music is a really worthwhile.

As I sit here listening to him, I really can’t figure out why Tobias Froberg isn’t more of a household name among Indie music lovers the world over. His melodies are fun (the kind that usually get you to sing along before you even know the words) and his vocals are moody. His songs are mostly, if not all, based on his acoustic guitar. If you think folk and you just won’t be disappointed.

I think the thing that I like most about Mr. Froberg’s music is his versatility. When he wants to be happy and upbeat, as in “When The Night Turns Cold” he does it convincingly and when he wants to be all sappy and lovey dovey, he does it with the best of them.

Froberg has released two albums, For Elisabeth Wherever You Are and Somewhere in the City. Somewhere in the City is an impressive release, one of those very complete and well-constructed albums that you can listen to all the way through over and over. Have a listen and see for yourself.

• TobiasFroberg.com

Favorite songs include “When The Night Turns Cold“, “Love And Misery”, “God’s Highway”, “So I”, and “Oh My Love”.

If you like Tobias Froberg, try: Jose Gonzalez, Iron and Wine, Brett Dennen and Sufjan Stevens.

Here is a video my favorite of favorites by Tobias Froberg, it’s “When The Night Turns Cold” in video form.

If by the slight chance you were looking for Tobias Funke, don’t worry, I’m sure it happens all the time but you got the wrong guy.

I sit here listening to a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Antony and the Johnsons and I feel calmed by the hauntingly beautiful voice of Antony Hegarty. I’ve been a fan of these guys for a while and I must say that they are one of the few bands to cover this song that actually do it justice (in my humble opinion anyway).

Hegarty was born in the U.K. and moved to the U.S. as a teen. His voice is truly one-of-a-kind and I like it a lot. There aren’t many singers out there that can pack as much emotion into their voice as Antony can. Have a listen and see for yourself!

The band has released 2 albums, Antony and the Johnsons and I Am A Bird Now with a release entitled The Crying Light due out autumn 2008.

• AntonyandtheJohnsons.com

Favorite songs include “Fistful of Love“, “Hope There’s Someone“, and “Cripple and the Starfish”. If you like Antony and the Johnsons, try: Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Bjork, and Rufus Wainwright.

Here’s a live video of Antony and the Johnsons playing “Fistful of Love”. I like the studio version of this song better because the horns give it that big band type of feel, but this is pretty rad too. Enjoy!

So if you haven’t already picked up your free download of Golden Opportunities, you need to mozey on over to Okkervil River and download it.

It’s not often that a band offers an entire album for free, but I think it’s the greatest Christmas present a band can give!

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!

Also check out the original Okkervil River post.

I know that some folks are just dying to hear what Mariah Carey wants for Christmas this year, but that’s not you, right? It’s not me either!

Last year I ordered Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas for my wife and now Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Songs for Christmas is a 5-disc box set representing 5 years of home recordings from Soof with some of your Christmas favorites and several original tracks. This year the set is priced under $20, talk about a perfect gift for your Indie-loving friends. My favorite song is Mr. Stevens’ version of “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing”.

Here are a couple of free mp3’s from Sufjan’s Stevens: Songs for Christmas to tide you over until your get it for yourself:

• “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever”
• “Sister Winter”
• “Come On! Let’s Boogey To The Elf Dance!”
• “Get Behind Me, Santa!”
• Stream the entire box set here

And here’s “Put The Lights On The Tree”. Merry Christmas!

Check out the original Sufjan Stevens post too.

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).

UPDATE: Head on over to anyone’s guess to hear an acoustic version of “Young Liars”.

Learn more about TV On The Radio:

• TV On The Radio
• TVOTR on Myspace

If you like TVOTR, try: Bloc Party, Califone, Broken Social Scene, Interpol.

Here’s "Staring at the Sun" from Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, it’s an oldie but goodie!

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.

If you like Band of Horses, try: Cold War Kids, Okkervil River, Wolf Parade, The Arcade Fire.

• BandofHorses.com
• Band of Horses on Myspace

This is “Is There A Ghost?” from Cease To Begin.

UPDATE: Check out this article about Band of Horses not selling out @ PitchforkMedia.com. These guys are true Indie.

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.

Have a listen to "Boy With A Coin" and see what you think.

Also, check out the original Iron & Wine post.