May [07] Podcast
Just fucking listen to it!
(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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Sea Wolf – “You’re a Wolf” Get to the River Before it Runs too Low [Dangerbird]
Sea Wolf could very likely end up being your new favourite indie rock act from 2007. This tune has it all: pleasant vocals, a nice melody, and interesting enough lyrics. This dude used to play with the indie pop wonder band Irving, so it is no wonder his new EP sounds so fantastic.
Minus Story – “Stitch Me Up” My Ion Truss [Jagjaguwar]
Here is some brand spanking new Minus Story from their soon-to-be released album, My Ion Truss. It sounds pretty damn good production-wise; very clean and polished. It is also a little heavier than what we are often used to from this band – solid through and through.
Goldrush – “The Heart is the Place” The Heart is the Place [Better Looking]
The Heart is the Place. Who knew? Sure, there’s no irony to soften the honest intentions, there’s only harmonic subtlety, and the lyric is not the most focused. But Goldrush does a good enough selling us on the idea that the heart is indeed the place. Guaranteed for a pensive, knowing smile or four.
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Of Montreal – “Voltaic Crusher / Undrum to Muted Da” Icons, Abstract Thee [Polyvinyl]
A few things should be clear about Kevin Barnes at this junction of his career: he’s not afraid to go meta in his lyrics; he’s really on edge it seems, even when he maintains his melodic chops; he’s not going to hide anything. So, keeping up with his recent habit of putting the more “traditional” Of Montreal sound on EPs accompanying the new albums, here’s a short song that lives up to each of those traits. And, the last thing, of course, is that he’s still good.
Frog Eyes – “Idle Songs” Tears of the Valedictorian [Absolutely Kosher]
“Idle Songs” anything but…idle. Seriously, you almost run out of breath just listening to this track. The incessant drum beat along with lead Frog Carey Mercer’s inconceivable whale persist on and on throughout the short two-and-a-half minute tune. And this is just the beginning. Remember to breathe
Future Clouds & Radar – “Dr. No” Future Clouds & Radar [Star Apple Kingdom]
Who is this Dr. No? Calling this character unsavory would undersell him; sinisterly splendid strikes nearer to the source. He’s killed, recorded tapes, claimed to be a killer driver, and inspired this ode. At least the last part is one we can salute, while we keep our eyes peeled for this cretin. Holy Gravity!
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Jana Hunter – “Babies” There’s No Home [Gnomonsong]
Jana Hunter, cohort of Devendra Banhart, released her second album (There’s No Home), last month. We include her this month, mostly because her album is full of soft, somber, and lovely, dreamy pop gems — and also because we just plain forgot/didn’t know she was around. Thankfully we woke up in time.
Dog Day – “Oh Dead Life” Night Group [Black Mountain Music/Tomlab]
Dog Day’s sound is not the easiest to pin down, but it sure it easy to digest. There seems to be a plethora of influences here, from mid-‘90s alt-rock to early ‘00s indie pop to late ‘70s punk. The band’s new disc is about to drop Stateside via Tomlab and it is well worth the investment. Check it.
Handsome Furs – “What We Had” Plague Park [Sub Pop]
Handsome Furs is the other guy’s band from Wolf Parade. Teaming up with his fiancée, Dan Boeckner has pushed the Wolf Parade side-project-band-count up to four. While not quite the release that Shut Up I am Dreaming was, this album still impresses and if you liked “This Heart’s on Fire” from Apologies to the Queen Mary, then you will love all of Plague Park. It’s as simple as that. What makes me worry though, is that with the successes of all these side projects, will Wolf Parade ever have time or the ambition to release their Brockless sophomore followup?
Hallelujah the Hills – “Hallelujah the Hills” Collective Psychosis Begone [Misra]
We still are not sure where the hell this came from, but someone in the recruiting department at Misra is doing their job. While this sounds oddly familiar (Billy Joel, perhaps?), this is some insanely unique indie rock, complete with horns and what definitely sounds like a moog. Hallelujah the Hills is right!
Papercuts – “John Brown” Can’t Go Back/i] [Gnomonsong]
Devendra’s label Gnomonsong, hits a double this month; taking ownership not only for Jana Hunter up above, but also for this beautiful band, the Papercuts. Can’t Go Back was released in February, making it only three months old, but we still feel it’s worth bringing to your attention. Full of delicious folk/pop sounds reminiscent of the ‘60s & ‘70s, wrapped up with a modern studio hand, and sung beautifully by Jason Quever — a singer/songwriter extraordinaire from San Fransicso — this album and song, are all things enjoyable.
The Go Find – “Dictionary” Stars on the Wall [Morr Music]
Ooooooooooo this is nice…very…nice. If you are into the whole electro-pop movement sparked by The Postal Service a few years back, dig right into this. The off-timed handclaps are dead on and the track is vocally sound. Not a half-bad introduction to The Go Find; that is if you have never heard ‘em before.
Au Revoir Simone – “Dark Halls” The Bird of Music [Our Secret Record Company / Moshi Moshi]
A peppy song with drums, smooth female voices, a catchy melody, lyrics about Boston, and synths galore: what more could you ask for from a little pop tune? Au Revoir Simone are delivering with their characteristic cool, but hopped up on a little excitement.
