Archive for the Video Category
 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.
Visit our friends over at stereogum to see a video of Rilo Kiley’s “Silver Lining”.
 1 Comment »
 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.
If you like The Appleseed Cast, try: Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, and Cold War Kids.
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!
No Comments »
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.”
If you like CYHSY, try: Cold War Kids, Architecture In Helsinki, Takka Takka, and Wolf Parade.
(more…)
No Comments »
 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.
(more…)
No Comments »
 Modest Mouse has been around for quite some time (since 1993) with several impressive records under their belt. Modest Mouse has revovled around Isaac Brock (vocals, guitar), Eric Judy (bass), and Jeremiah Green (drums) with other members added to the most recent album. These guys make up one of the most mainstream and widely popular Indie bands around. Sure they have a record deal with industry mogul Epic Records, but their sound is what Indie is, even after all these years.
What sets Modest Mouse apart from other bands in my mind is their seeming lack of disinterest with their own sound. Much of their music has a sort of laid back and lazy feel to it, they use dissonance to their advantage and many of the lyrics are slightly colorful with some humor mixed in for good measure. It really doesn’t seem like these guys have to try very hard to produce their unique sound, but the very fact that people love them so much proves that they have done their homework.
Their newest album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, shows the maturity of sound that Brock, Green, and Judy have painstakingly developed. The first single “Dashboard” released from We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank is representative of the unconventional and at times irreverent Indie rock style that is Modest Mouse.
You’ve heard “Float On”, and “Ocean Breathes Salty” but seriously, I have too many favorite songs to list, so I’ll do it by album. Good News For People Who Love Bad News is an essential album for any Indie music collection. I also really like This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About.
If you like Modest Mouse, try: Wolf Parade, Califone, Spoon, and Bright Eyes.
(more…)
1 Comment »
 I am anxiously awaiting the release of Iron & Wine’s new album, Shepherd’s Dog. The band’s website says that the album is due out 9.25.2007 and I just can’t wait. My experiences with Our Endless Numbered Days and Woman King have been good ones and I’m sure that Shepherd’s Dog will be just as cool.
Iron & Wine is Sam Beam with a little bit of female vocal help from his sister Sarah Beam. In the true Indie spirit, Beam single-handedly wrote, recorded, and produced his debut album The Creek Drank The Cradle and is totally committed to his music. Since his debut, Beam has added other band members and instruments to his studio recordings as he explores his folk sound.
Be prepared to slow things down a little with Iron & Wine, sit back and enjoy the floating acoustic guitars delicately wrapped with soothing vocals. On a personal note, I got married two weeks ago and Iron & Wine is just sappy enough to get me thinking about love and relationships but not enough to cause nausea. The feeling that pervades much of the music produced by this band is kind of dreamy and whimsical. The album cover for Our Endless Numbered Days is a depiction of Sam Beam laying in the grass resting/dreaming/relaxing and that is exactly the mood that his music will put you in.
Favorite songs are “Jezebel,” “Love and Some Verses,” “Promise What You Will,” and their cover of The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights.”
If you like Iron & Wine, try: Sufjan Stevens, Jose Gonzalez, Andrew Bird.
(more…)
1 Comment »
 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.
(more…)
No Comments »
 Bloc Party. is a four-man British Indie Rock band that has really exploded onto the scene with a powerful and innovative sound. Based in London, the band played under several monickers before settling on their current name. The band has toured extensively and has two full-length studio albums, Silent Alarm and A Weekend In The City under their belt.
Be prepared for beats that move you into spasms and bass lines that make you want to shake what your mother gave you. Bloc Party. kind of has a techno feel but most of their sounds are produced by instruments. On a few of the studio tracks you will find looped in electronic sounds and if you’re really in to that sort of thing, you’ll love Silent Alarm Remixed and you’ll love some of the techno mixes that are floating around out there.
No matter what kind of mood you’re in, Bloc Party. has something to intensify that mood. If you’re feeling sappy and lovey-dovey try “I Still Remember” or “So Here We Are”. If you want something to get your blood pumping try “Banquet”, “Hunting For Witches”, or “Helicopter” and you won’t be disappointed. If you’re one of those music lovers that likes to listen out on the fringes, try “The Prayer” (it’s got a nice TVOTR feel to it).
This probably isn’t the first place that you have heard about Bloc Party. but if it is, do yourself a favor and pick up one of their albums.
If you like Bloc Party. try: TV On The Radio.
(more…)
1 Comment »
|
Entries (RSS)