Monthly Archives: May 2012

song of the day

coke weed – nice dreams – magpie

this maine bunch will be supporting the walkmen on their north american tour this fall. they released a new album last month and its jangly 60′s throwback sound has me smitten. “magpie” will remind you of the velvet underground and urge your old school americana spirit to rise. www.cokeweed.com

song of the day

stagnant pools – temporary room – consistency

this indiana pair of brothers are releasing their debut album this august and they are offering a couple of tracks from temporary room for download. both tracks are the perfect marriage of the best of post-punk and shoegaze sounds. “consistency” is drenched in reverb and dripping with all kinds of wonderful. www.facebook.com/stagnantpools

song of the day

summer camp – always

the uk duo are readying a new ep for a july release on moshi moshi and the ep’s title track is mega 80′s-influenced fun. it features seriously danceable synths and catchy-as-hell melodies that evoke new order greatness. tain’t no party like a middle of the week dance party. www.facebook.com/summercampmusic

song of the day

taffy – caramel sunset – tune in a jar

this four-piece hails from tokyo and they’ve just released their debut album overseas and the brits are singing their praises. they decidedly have a britpop sound and elastica comes to mind on this particular track. it’s fuzzy galore and rocks like a short-haired bloke listening to echobelly . www.taffy8.com

song of the day

just friends – avalanche

nicholas jaar has teamed up with another famous offspring of hollywood royalty for his new tune, a cover of leonard cohen’s “avalanche”. this time his partner is sasha spielberg. spielberg, yes, daughter of steven spielberg and kate capshaw. their version of cohen’s 1971 tune is sparse and gorgeous, cloaked in moodiness, and sasha’s breathiness serves the song extremely well. listen to the radio rip below. www.nicolasjaar.net

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song of the day

the mynabirds – generals – body of work

laura burhenn’s sophomore album is out in just under a couple of weeks and another track from generals has surfaced. “body of work” is buoyant and is just as soulful and catchy as anything she’s ever done. if generals doesn’t knock our socks off, i’ll be one flabbergasted fan. www.themynabirds.com

song of the day

yung life – isn’t this

these knoxville boys are back with a new self-titled album next month and the album’s lead track is youthful indeed, and all sorts of catchy lo-fi, synthy fun. the song bounces and if you are in want of adolescent enthusiasm this weekend, cue this baby up. www.facebook.com/yunglifeband

song of the day

port st. willow – holiday – amawalk

brooklyn’s nick principe just released a new album last week and it’s a stunner. it’s track after track of gorgeous dreamscapes that will pull at any and all of your heartstrings. his elastic falsetto is honey for the soul. grab the album over at his bandcamp. do it. www.facebook.com/portstwillow

song of the day

the dig – midnight flowers – i already forgot everything you said

these brooklyn boys are releasing their sophomore album next week and their latest single should wet your appetite in anticipation of may 29th. this tune is drenched in reverb and perfect easy, dreamy listening for the hippest of the hip. www.thedigmusic.com

song of the day

perfume genius – rusty chains

seattle’s mike hadreas has been playing this tune in his lives sets for a couple of years and is a bonus track on his newest album, put your back n 2 it. lucky for us all, this gorgeous beaut of a song has been made available as a free download, so thank mr. hadreas for doing us all a solid. www.facebook.com/perfumegeniusofficial

song of the day

ms mr – hurricane

this is the debut single from this new york duo who have recently joined marina & the diamonds on tour. heads and ears are turning. there’s a decidedly 90′s feel to the song, but it’s fresh still and features powerhouse vocals. it’s an instant favorite you should put on your rotation immediately. www.msmrsounds.com

flashback of the week

neko case – fox confessor brings the flood – hold on, hold on

it’s 2006. the virginia native, who also rendezvouses with the new pornographers, releases her fourth album. it had been four years since blacklisted, her previous solo effort. she is all-time classic americana music and about as country as i get. crazy good is crazy good, no matter the genre kids.

video of the week

feist – metals – cicadas and gulls

one of the world’s favorite canadians took a break from her tour to film this street performance video for one of metals‘ prettier tracks, “cicadas and gulls”. she sings and strings her guitar in an alleyway whilst street dancers interpret her lyrics. the video is simple, yet the juxtaposition is pretty darn effective. it’s hard not to love the lady feist.

song of the day

best coast – the only place – dreaming my life away

the l.a. duo released their sophomore album last week and for those of you who gave the whole shebang a solid listen, you might agree the album’s real gem is “dreaming my life away”. it’s simple and straight forward without fancy tricks. it’s an easy diddy that’s sincere and ripe for sunday brunches. www.bestcoast.us

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song of the day

cheers elephant – like wind blows fire – leaves

this philadelphia quartet just released a new album and like wind blows fire‘s best track is summer ready with excellent pop flare that’s refreshing and all kinds of feel-good. you may hear some peter, bjorn, and john influence, but in this case, it’s a good thing. open a window and enjoy a sweet beverage with this one. www.cheerselephant.com