An Indie Christmas pt. 1

For the next couple of days I'll be sharing some holiday/winter music.  Today's selection is Beach House's "I Do Not Care For The Winter Sun."  I hope everyone has A great Holiday!

They Play With Rackets

Tennis is the band that will save you from your winter melancholy.  Their breezy rock will take you to the beach and back a few decades.  All of this coastal sound from a group from Colorado... Denver and Sunshine do have a lot of history together I suppose. Tennis is very comparable to Girls, maybe West Coast, or bands of that nature.  Easy going, sunny rock. These two tracks, "Marathon," and "Take Me Somewhere," are the obvious faves.  Enjoy!
Tennis by TILLS

S Dot

I am a fan of S. Carey by default, due to his membership in Bon Iver.  The Justin Vernon backer has been touring for some time and has produced a decent solo album.  He recently has recorded some great videos of which I feel the need to share.  The first two videos are songs from his album All We Grow ("Acton," "Mothers," and "In The Dirt"). The third video is one of my all time favorite blogotheque videos.  It is an a capella version of "For Emma, Forever Ago" (sorry for the ad at the beginning). This is when I first became a fan of Sean Carey.  You will see what I mean at the 3 minute mark.  Enjoy!

City of Music: S. Carey from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.

In My Room: S Carey "In the Dirt" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

#93.3 - BON IVER - For Emma, Forever Ago
Uploaded by lablogotheque. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Mighty Little Album Of The Week

Lord Huron was sent to me from a good friend about a month ago (good looks DJ Cakes).  I have been waiting to review his EP, Mighty, for some time.  Well, today is the day.  This album is serious. Lord Huron is serious.  For someone to only have two EP's to their name (both great by the way) to make such great music is astounding.  Lord Huron will either be largely successful with an entire LP or will fall amazingly short.  The sound created is of a Yeasayer edgy-world blended with a Grizzly Bear soft-echo. It is fantastic combination.  The Middle Eastern, African, island, folk will make your mind drift to its most relaxed state.  I urge you to listen.  Thanks to bandcamp, the first track "Mighty," is free for download (as is "Into the Sun" which is off his first EP Into The Sun.  You'll have to go to the website to get that one).  My personal favorite comes at the end; "When Will I See You Again."  Enjoy Lord Huron.

From Toronto, With Love

The Russian Futurists win the most recent Song of the Moment.  Granted, "Hoeing Weeds Sowing Seeds" has been out for a month of two, every time I hear it, it puts me in a good mood.  Their newest album, where this song comes from is called The Weight's On The Wheels.  I supplied you with a link to purchase as it's hard one to find.  Overall, the album is decent, with a couple tracks that are on par with "Hoeing Weeds Sowing Seeds," but not much better.  I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!
The Russian Futurists - Hoeing Weeds Sowing Seeds by TILLS

Gimmie Some McMorrow

Ireland can produce some big name artists. For example, Van Morrison, U2, and Damien Rice to name a few (maybe you've heard of them?).  Unfortunately, James Vincent McMorrow may not reach those artist's large status, but I think he deserves some recognition.  He is up and coming and has a talent that maybe could reach the level of Damien.  Their styles are similar, in that they are mainly acoustic guitar/folk type singers.  JVM is making his way to the states and currently has a self-titled EP out.  Below is the EP, which includes the solid track that drew me to JVM, "If I Had a Boat." If you enjoy James Vincent McMorrow, JVM's full length album, Early In The Morning, is due out in January (you can currently buy it in Ireland). Enjoy! James Vincent McMorrow EP by partisanpr

I'll Have Another Iron & Wine

Kiss Each Other Clean is Iron and Wine's new album, which is due out in January.  It is the first album with Warner Brothers and hopes to be the best.  Sam is back with the full band that he performed with on the his last album, The Shepherd's Dog. A few songs have been released, but "Walking Far From Home," may be the best (in my opinion).  The start of 2011 is proving to be a great time for music.  Enjoy the new track!
Iron & Wine - Walking Far From Home by TILLS

Triple D

As we await the release of the new album by super group, Middle Brother, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at some of their best. Also, TILLS hasn't posted a great video in a while, and all of these fit that bill. Enjoy Deer Tick, Dawes, and Delta Spirit... as well as Middle Brother.




Delta Spirit "Bushwick Blues" (Waits Room Version) from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Album Of The Week

Jonsi's solo album Go is one of my favorite albums of the year.  I was lucky enough to have seen his live show for this album, which was incredible.  Now, everyone can see it.  Jonsi has just released a live version of Go and also a dvd of his show.  The show is one of the most visually stunning concerts I have every seen.  The back drop and stage were designed specifically for this show and display various scenes that seem so real.  I am not doing it justice in my description.  It is something you have to see for yourself.  I am sharing the album with you, but if you want the dvd there is a link at the bottom to order it or you can get it from Jonsi's website.  Also, watch the trailer for the album/dvd to get a taste of Go Live.  Enjoy!

'go live' preview from Jónsi on Vimeo.
Jonsi - Go Live by TILLS

Tell Me She's Back

Jessica Lea is back and officially on a big record label.  Her new album Tell Me is due out in February, but its first single is floating around out there and is worth a listen.  If you were a fan of With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, by the sound of "Our Hearts Are Wrong," Tell Me will be right up your musical alley. "Our Hearts Are Wrong" has that same melancholy, passion that her other tracks feature and make so addicting. This news should give you something to look forward to in that dreary month of February.  Enjoy Jessica's new track.
Jessica Lea Mayfield - Our Hearts Are Wrong by TILLS

Gold Is At An All Time High

Well, Dirty Gold that is.  This young band from San Diego doesn't have much to show aside from two great tracks.  It's definitely a band with potential.  You really can't help but enjoy the chilled out nature of their music.  Here are a couple tracks and their video for "California Sunshine."
Dirty Gold by Dirty Gold
Dirty Gold - California Sunrise from Panaframe ▲ on Vimeo.

Need Moral Advice?

Free Moral Agents are here to help with Control This.  This group of individuals from LA/Long Beach is led by Mars Volta Keyboardist, Isaiah Owens.  They are a rock, blues-ish, psychedelic, electronic band. Mendee Ichakawa truly leads the way with her amazing vocals.  Her sound rivals some of the best, strong lead females like Karen O and Alison Mosshart.  Not really comparing these ladies' voices, more so their involvement in their bands.  They tend to be the face.  Mendee should and could be that.  The difference for Free Moral Agents, is that Mendee is more of an instrument than the star. In any case, I am posting three of their better tracks.  "Sound At Sea" is a solid example of what's on the album, and "Ageless" is a near 8 minute epic track you can just get lost in.  The third track, "Little Trouble Girl," is a Sonic Youth cover.  I dig the use of a choir of children.
Check out Free Moral Agents!
Free Moral Agents by TILLS

So-Cal Royalty

The Peach Kings are somewhat of a new band.  The duo is originally from San Fran, but call LA their home these days.  They won best unsigned band from Alternative Apparel over the summer and have been making music and touring since.  Both Paige and Steve sing, but Paige is the highlight.  Her earthy, soulful voice, similar to Lauren Hill, almost echoes an Etta James/Billie Holiday type.  I am not saying shes the next soul queen, but she's got a great sound.  Their music is more of an alternative, acoustic rock.  Not all of their stuff is fantastic.  It's their slower songs, where Paige can wail a bit, that are successful.  These are the ones I have posted below.  Take a listen to "Wooden Heart" and "By Your Side." Also watch their video for "Back In The Day."  You'll really get the whole range of Paige Wood
The Peach Kings by TILLS

1/2 Album of the Week

I am foregoing Album of the Week yet again (sort of), but for a good reason.  The reason is Conner Youngblood and the release of his new EP, Colored Ghost.  He released his first full length album about a year ago now, and recently has been releasing new material. Conner has a smooth way about him.  He describes his music as bluegrass/club/indie.  I love that. It is definitely a unique sound.  You'll find that the bluegrass resides more in his earlier work and transforms into the club-ish, dubstep sound on his more recent music. I am sharing with you some of the EP and his newest singles "Monsters" and "Girl Hair."  If you enjoy, I posted a link to buy his first album and the new EP.
Monsters by Conner Youngblood
Colored Ghost by Conner Youngblood
Like an Iceberg by Conner Youngblood
Girl Hair by Conner Youngblood

Hip-Hop Friday Returns

Of course, this song is Kanye influenced.  (I can't help it, his hand is in everything).  Kanye produced this B.o.B. track almost a year ago on B.o.B's first mix tape.  Well, "Fuck The Money" is back, only this time featuring Wiz Khalifa, who is blowing up in internet land. The beat clearly makes this song, which is why I give credit to Kanye.  The lyrics are also pretty enjoyable, giving all of us some great advice. Enjoy "Fuck The Money."
B.o.B. - Fuck The Money (feat. Wiz Khalifa) by TILLS

Song Of The Moment

Of Oceans is more of an ambient style band.  Great relaxing sound.  Definitely Song of the Moment material.  In "In Love, Not Limbo," there is some semi-clear sampling of Karen O's voice from "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Jonathan Boulet's "A Community Service Announcement." I mean, I'm not absolutely sure, but as I was listening, I was expecting to hear, "Wait, they don't love you like I love you." Not that it matters, the song is awesome.  I hope you enjoy Of Oceans, "In Love, Not Limbo."
Of Oceans - In Love, Not Limbo by TILLS

I'm Awake!

Not sure you would have ever put money on The Roots and John Legend covering an Arcade Fire track.  I mean, I wouldn't have.  Well, we would have lost.  If there were Cover Song Awards (The CSA's), this would have to be cover song of the year.  The Arcade Fire song, "Wake Up," is a future classic in my book.  It is an intense, emotional, sing-a-long.  Having one of my favorite groups cover one of my favorite songs, by another favorite group, is pretty mind blowing for me.  John Legend kills the emotion needed to sing this song and The Roots do what they do.  I don't have much more to say about it, except, you will like this.
John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up (Arcade Fire Cover) by TILLS