September [07] Podcast
Well, here we are. Fall is damn near here. The kids are back in school. Ah, you know what? Forget the usual rhetorical bullshit. Just press play and listen to this latest mix of tunes we have combed the high seas of independent music for. It’s all for you. Ain’t that sweet? Did you press play yet? Bastard.
(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!)
XML file: Use this address to grab (as one big mp3) or subscribe to the podcast with your favorite RSS reader or music player.
Animal Collective – “Peacebone” Strawberry Jam [Domino]
Dear everybody,
Put down your instruments and pens, if just for a second. You cannot compete with Animal Collective, as they again prove. And if you still don’t listen to AC, stop resisting. It’s too good to ignore.
Sincerely, Boneface.
Rogue Wave – “Lake Michigan” Asleep at Heaven’s Gate [Brushfire]
“Lake Michigan” is the epitome of the Rogue Wave sound. Upbeat, catchy pop, anchored by the delightfully soft and purposeful voice of singer Zach Rogue. This track reminds me of why I fell in love with Out of the Shadows and gives hope to the thought of Asleep at Heaven’s Gate not being a dud. Fingers crossed.
Saturday Looks Good to Me – “Make a Plan” Fill Up the Room [K]
SLGTM’s plan is to kick Fred Thomas’s lovely songs into the 21st century. No longer stuck in the “60’s revivalist” genre, the band shows on this song that the point isn’t so much the production or the genre, but the song behind it. As always with Thomas and SLGTM, that’s a good thing.
Sunset Rubdown – “Up On Your Leopard, Upon the End of You Feral Days” Random Spirit Lover [Jagjaguwar]
Hopefully at some point Spencer Krug will stop making glorious music through his various side projects so we can finally get our grubby little hands on a new Wolf Parade disc. Sadly though, it’s not happening here and once again, Krug makes a musically emotional stab at our heart of hearts with an aim that is truthful and captivating. Do not miss this.
Band of Horses – “Is There a Ghost” Cease to Begin [Sub Pop]
BoH make it easy to sing along after just a half listen to this track from their forthcoming sophomore release. Everybody now!: “When I lived alone / Is there a ghost in my house / My houuuuuse.” Keep the reverb coming and don’t forget the lyrics.
The Little Lebowski Urban Achievers – “It is a Fine Line You Walk in the Wife Swapping Business” Is This a Party or an Intervention? [Evil Owl]
Dillinger Four finally has some competition in the Twin Cities when it comes to titling songs. But, what about the music? Oh, it’s epic and grandiose, dirty and raw, and ultimately perfect to accompany your High Life-drinking, back alley bar dart-throwing, 110 pin game-bowling ass as you sing along and cheers just about everyone around you. Except…that guy.
Maritime – “For Science Fiction” Heresy and the Hotel Choir [Flameshovel]
Maritime picks up right where they left off on We, the Vehicles, as Davey Von Bohlen pushes his voice through acrobatics about freaks and God, while a chunky guitar and knobs tweak underneath him. It’s not Philip K. Dick, but it’s pretty good.
The New Pornographers – “My Rights Versus Yours” Challengers [Mint]
It’s another delicate, catchy New Pornographers song! While we’re not sure if the climax is controlled or just thin, that call-and-response will stick in your head for awhile all the same. It’s what these Canucks do best.
Zookeeper – “Snow in Berlin” Become All Things [Belle City Pop]
This sounds a lot like Zookeeper’s EP gem, “I Live in the Mess You Are”, only better. Chris Simpson writing and singing cheery New Orleans-tinged rock songs is proving to be a beautiful thing.
Nathan Lawr and the Minotaurs – “Footsteps” A Sea of Tiny Lights [Saved by Radio]
Nathan Lawr is a well rounded musician who leaps from folkish acoustic romps to piano and horn pop (as we find on this track). The track is from his new soon-to-be-released album A Sea of Tiny Lights which will be available Oct 2 through the usual channels. Don’t sleep on Nathan, he’s looking to impress this time around so be wary.
Akron/Family – “Don’t Be Afraid, You’re Already Dead” Love is Simple [Young God]
This track sees the fellas working out their front-porch rusticism and anthemic lyricism. A simple treat.
AA Bondy – “Rapture (Sweet Rapture)” American Hearts [Superphonic]
The chorus drives this song to a level not many songs reach anymore (whatever you consider that level to be). And the ever-so composed vocal from AA Bondy is just icing on this very tall cake. Modern folk does not get much better than this.
Luke Temple – “People Do” Snowbeast [Mill Pond]
No matter how beautiful Temple’s voice is on this song, beware playing this for a significant other. S/he just might actually listen to the lyrics too closely, and get the wrong message. Which would be a shame, because it’s such a beautiful song. Maybe enough that you’ll ignore the message. Yeah, that’s it.
Beirut – “A Sunday Smile” The Flying Club Cup [Ba Da Bing]
Put on your most melancholic expression and waltz away to the latest sounds from everyone’s favourite prolific art mongers, Beirut. Nothing has changed song structure wise, but the morose attitude seems to have been upped a tad making this a fine track to reintroduce you to Beirut all over again.
Picastro – “Hortur” Whore Luck [Polyvinyl]
If you Google Hortur, you’ll find out that it’s either a Tourist Association or Swedish slang for “Whore’s Luck,” which means “that a prostitute was bought and fucked by an attractive customer.” (source: Urban Dictionary). How that applies to the lead track to Picastro’s new album, titled Whore Luck? We’re not sure, but Liz Hysen and crew continue to make dark sludge attractive and spooky.
