March [07] Podcast
Well, it’s been a while since we’ve actually supplied you all with some new music via our monthly podcast, so here goes nothing. This month we have nothing but new music (all released, or soon-to-be released) songs from the fine, young year that is 2007. It seriously is not even funny how much great stuff continues to fly at us each week and we hope the following 15 tracks help keep you up to speed with what we’ve been digging around the respective offices lately. Dig right on in.
(This is the tricked out feed with chapters and album art and all that good stuff. iTunes only though, but seriously who doesn’t use itunes. I want to hear from you!)
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01. Windmill – “Tokyo Moon” Puddle City Racing Lights [Melodic]
Windmill’s brand of pop is so unbelievably loveable that we couldn’t afford to pass up “Tokyo Moon” as our opener to our March Podcast. One listen is all it takes to be hooked beyond any type of comprehension to all that is going on within this track. Brilliant production, gorgeous melodies, and a voice that holds it all together. “The results are in…” …and Windmill is art.
02. The Apples in Stereo – “Energy” New Magnetic Wonder [Yep Roc]
You know, the world really is made of energy. We just never realized it until The Apples in Stereo told us so. This is AiS at the top of their post-E6 pop game. Gosh, spring really is closer than we may think. Crank this bastard up!
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03. Andrew Bird – “Heretics” Armchair Apocrypha [Fat Possum]
Andrew Bird makes me look up words in the dictionary. Thank you, Andrew. I now know what a heretic is and I’d like to think I’m a better person because of this. Anyways, this song, “Heretics,” is just about as good as you’re going to hear from Andrew Bird. It is strikingly similar to his work on much of …And the Mysterious Production of Eggs, yet it tends to top it, somehow. It probably has a little bit to do with Dosh creating the desirable drumbeat. Something like that.
04. Low – “Breaker” Drums and Guns [Sub Pop]
Low are always storming up new ways to dispense their soothing blend of slowcore and captivatingly familiar male/female vocals. “Breaker” sees the trio utilizing a hand-clap base over muddled electronics, organ, and an intermittent squealing electric guitar. This new direction certainly is definitely pleasing; Low fans should feel right at home here.
05. Apostle of Hustle – “My Sword Hand’s Anger” National Anthem of Nowhere [Arts & Crafts]
If you’ve never heard Andrew Whiteman’s (Broken Social Scene) Apostle of Hustle, there is no better to place to start than with this very track. This is just some sort of luminous pop craft, complete with an almost scat-like rhythm and vividly catchy chorus. Get excited about Apostle of Hustle.
06. Panda Bear – “Comfy in Nautica” Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
Um…speechless.
07. Frog Eyes – “Bushels” Tears of the Valedictorian [Absolutely Kosher]
“Bushels” is exactly what Frog Eyes needs to sound like in order to stay at the top of all things Yelp Rock. This song has consists of so many twists and turns that, ostensibly, it could have been one huge mess. But, it isn’t. Frog Eyes know better. This is one seasoned act and “Bushels” is enough to keep anyone interested for at least another album of their energetically weird music. Do not skip this one.
08. Page France – “Hat and Rabbit” …and the Family Telephone [Suicide Squeeze]
Alright, let’s air things out a bit. Oh, perfect! Page France! So cute and cuddly, this band will lighten your mood in no time. Sometimes it’s simply necessary to forget about everything and let Page France guide you around their world. Especially with their excellent tune, “Hat and Rabbit” from the forthcoming Suicide Squeeze debut, …and the Family Telephone. Now go hug your neighbor.
09. Locksley – “All of the Time” Don’t Make Me Wait [Feature]
The Beatles don’t even sound this much like The Beatles. Oh well. While it may be a blatant throwback to the early era of the so-called greatest band to ever grace the Earth, Locksley do work it out in their special way. Dance, dance, dance.
10. Ted Leo/Pharmacists – “The Sons of Cain” Living With the Living [Touch & Go]
“The Sons of Cain” is exactly what you expect from Ted Leo and his Pharmacists: punchy, strong, and smart rock and roll – an instant classic. And while this isn’t completely indicative of what the new disc sounds like, it surely is a welcome addition to his repertoire. Good Lord, can he strum that acoustic.
11. Great Lake Swimmers – “Your Rocky Spine” Ongiara [Nettwerk]
Great Lake Swimmers remind me of a mellower Band of Horses although that’s an unfair comparison. GLS were making music first, but as it stands, I feel more people have heard of BOH; therefore the comparison. Whatever the lineage or popularity may be, GLS deserve your attention. “Your Rocky Spine” both calms and agitates my heart. The slow-picked guitar and Tony Dekker’s angelic vocals force you to an ease, but the lyrics make you ache, daring you to get up and love. It’s this juxaposition between the musical mood and lyrical depth that makes GLS a band to adore. So give them some of your time.
12. Timber Timbre – “Oh Messiah” When You Burn [self-released]
A rather unknown Canadian band, Timber Timbre play the standard indie-folk rhythms, but with a rather darkish tint that gives them a step on most of their contemporaries attempting the same style. The song “Oh Messiah” is heavy with religious tones, but never gets weighed down, rather dances above it with it’s ‘Twists and Shouts’. If this song holds you, in any way, do yourself a favor; subscribe to the beauty that is Timber Timbre’s music.
13. Rosie Thomas – “Say Hello” These Friends of Mine [Nettwerk]
While her new album, These Friends of Mine, falls short as a whole, a few standout tracks will at least keep you coming back. “Say Hello” being the best example, showcasing Rosie Thomas’ superb vocals against the soft and well-known voice of Sujan Stevens. Duet’s usually aren’t my thing, but this song is gorgeous and further reinforces my belief that anything Sufjan touches becomes gold.
14. Do Make Say Think – “A With Living” You, You’re a History in Rust [Constellation]
This song is huuuuuuuuuuuge. Complete with a swarm of vocals, this track sees Do Make Say Think rethinking their post-rock morals and adding elements not found before within their scope. The best thing about it is that it works so very well, essentially seamless.
15. Of Montreal – “Heimdalsgate Like a Promethan Curse” Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? [Polyvinyl]
On a beautiful Saturday in North Carolina, sometime after 3, I sat outside, ruminating on the state I was in on the steps outside a gym. It was at that point 99% certain that my college athletic career was ending that day – the one percent finally vanished later that night. In any case, of all the many songs I’ve heard, or have been thinking about recently, or that are suitable to melancholy or nostalgic (mind you, I was alternatively an emo and a classic rock kid in high school), the only one that popped in my head was this one. The rest of the day, the recurring refrain in my head was “C’mon chemica-a-a-a-a-a-a-als” in various forms, from the live bootleg I heard to the live acoustic bootleg I heard to this version, the album one. I don’t know what this anecdote says about anything, really, except that it’s a damn good song from a damn good band. Enjoy it again.
