Album Of The Week

Deer Tick, Dawes, and Delta Spirit fans rejoice!  Middle Brother has arrived.  The super group no one knows about.  These guys (John, Taylor, and Matt) have each their own talented bands, but are the clear brains of their individual operations. They have left their respective bands to form Middle Brother. A folk rock band with some serious power. I have been excited for this album for some time.  When I finally got to hear it, it was exactly what I was hoping for.  Each of their bands have their flaws, but Middle Brother shows each at their best. I am not saying the album is flawless, but it is the best Deer Tick, Dawes, or Delta Spirit album yet.  Enjoy Middle Brother Middle Brother. If you want the hit, jump to "Million Dollar Bill."
Middle Brother by TILLS

Dostoyevsky Would Be Proud

Well, maybe not.  But he may have enjoyed Fathers Be Kind, the new EP from Seattle's Ivan & Alyosha. These guys have one album to their name from 2009 and have gotten a lot of cred from playing at SXSW.  Their new EP shows their great potential, and now's the time to get on board. Their style is some good, easy going, alternative, folk, acoustic rock.  Take a few, sit, and listen to Fathers Be Kind.  If nothing else, it will provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing 20 minutes.

It'sThe Return

Well that wasn't so bad.  About a year or two ago, TV on the Radio stated they were going their separate ways.  I was discouraged, as they make some great music and I was definitely going to miss it.  But, they are back already.  About the same wait time for normal album.  There were some highlights from their hiatus as Rain Machine and Maximum Balloon both came out (albums from Kyp Malone and Dave Sitek, respectively). I am psyched for the new album, Nine Types of Light.  While we wait, enjoy the album's first release "Will Do."
TV On The Radio - Will Do by Interscope Records

Home Sweet Home

"Hometown Hero" was one of my favorite songs of last year.  I loved it when it was Adele's "Hometown Glory."  Big K.R.I.T. just did his thing to it, and it worked out to be just as good.  Came across this video on yourtru.ly the other day.  Love live video, so it deserved a post.  Here is Big K.R.I.T.'s "Hometown Hero," and Adele's "Hometown Glory," for the heck of it.

Yourstru.ly Presents: BIG K.R.I.T. & Grillade "Hometown Hero" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

ADELE - Hometown Glory by user7023811

Family Affair

Akron/Family is an inconsistent band in my book.  Their previous album, Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free, was one of my favorite albums when it came out.  I dig their loud to soft, hard hitting, sometimes electronic, rock. If you have ever heard an Akron/Family album they tend to go back and forth between styles and sounds.  Their new album does not differ too much from that recipe.  The difference here is that some of it jsut doesn't amount to their previous work.  That being said, some tracks do stand out.  Here is what I gathered from S/T II: The Cosmic Birth And Journey Of Shinju TNT (yes, that is the album title). My go to song at this point is "So It Goes." Also enjoy "Another Sky."

Akron/Family - So It Goes

Akron/Family - Another Sky by FBi Radio

Album of the Week

Radiohead returns, with a usual success.  This year's album is The King of Limbs. This time around, they delved into the electronic side of the band.  Well, more than usual I would say.  Most of the album is almost Beck-ian.  A lot of chaos turned into a enjoyable beats.  Sometimes it may be overwhelming, but Thom's voice, as usual, carries you through.  Also, The King of Limbs is being called the first ever Newspaper Album... whatever that means.  Typical Radiohead, breaking new ground.  Here is their album streaming from soundcloud.  If you want to purchase the album, visit the albums home: TheKingOfLimbs.com


Radiohead - The King of Limbs by ThePEAK

Advantage, Blake

This English musician is getting some mixed reviews. Not sure if it's because of his style of music or some other personal reasons.  He rocks the dubstep, which is a silent type electronic rock sound.  It's different, but becoming more and more popular.  People like Burial have made it sound really good; others have made it sound really bad.  James Blake is right in the middle. He is adding great vocals to an other wise vocal-less style of music. His new self-titled album is out and has some great tracks.  My personal favorite is his cover of "Limit To Your Love," a Feist original. Although, "Wilhelm Scream" may be a better song.  I was going to post the tracks, but the videos add a little something to the music.  So enjoy the videos.  If you dig it, check out his album.

Bizness Rocks

tUnE-yArDs comes back with a new album this year. This side project of Merril Garbus is a unique sound.  Does take an open mind, but "Bizness" allows for easy access to her band.  The new album entitled WHOKILL  won't be out until April, so enjoy "Bizness" until then.

Tune-Yards - Bizness by top10

Mine is Yeasayers

Love when bands I love collaborate.  This may not be an actual collaboration, but I still dig it.  Yeasayer has made a side business out of remixing new indie songs.  Their latest is "Mine is Yours," by Cold War Kids.  I may enjoy the original more than the remix, but anything Yeasayer does, I'm a fan.
Cold War Kids - Mine is Yours (Yeasayer Remix) by paulboom

Look at the Stars

Blogotheque is really pushing it now.  Two great take-away-shows in a month. Their newest video is of the Canadian band Stars.  You probably know them.  If you don't, you should.   I consider them one of the best indie bands out there.  Their best albums may be from a few years ago, but they are still worth listening to. In the video you get to hear "Your Ex-Lover is Dead," their best song in my opinion, as well as an amazing version of "How Much More." Keep it coming Blogotheque.

Album of the Week

One of my favorite bands that I think everyone needs to know about is Cold War Kids.  They hooked from their first album, Robbers & Cowards, and have had me ever since.  Now, if I told you to go back and listen to their two previous albums, you would not be wasting your time.  If your just not that into finding out about these guys, then just listen to their new album Mine Is Yours.  This new release is their best yet.  It strays away from some of their artistic side, but hones in on their pop rock.  I don't want to call this guys pop, but this newest album is the closest thing to a radio ready album.  You actually may have already heard some of these tracks already, like "Louder Than Ever."  If you haven't you are in for something good.  Here is an album sampler from YouTube.  Make sure you get a chance to listen to all of Mine Is Yours!

Enter Sandman

Hip-Hop Friday returns with some news from the more underground hip-hop scene.  Homeboy Sandman is a newer MC from NY.  He is getting a lot of press in regards to his fast pace, yet smooth flow. My boy Ant Feds sent me some of his tracks. Check out Sandman's website for some sampling.    I posted his video for "The Carpenter."  This should get you going.  Enjoy!

Australian Architecture

Architecture in Helsinki usually creates music I can't grasp.  I appreciate that, it's fun, but I feel like there is something about it that's just not me.  Well their new album, Moment Bends,  may be the album that gets me."That Beep" is the first single from the album.  It definitely has the A.I.H. fun vibe, but is also easily accessible. I hope you enjoy "That Beep," as much as I do.
That Beep by Architecture In Helsinki

Iron, Wine and Video

Blogotheque needed something big. Their video music site is one of my favorites and recently they have been in a slump. With their new video of Iron & Wine, or better yet just Sam Beam, breaks them through and then some.  Sam is an incredible solo artist.  I look forward to the time he loses the band and gets back to doing solo gigs.  For now, I will enjoy "Tree By The River," from the wine cellar.

No Queue for You

I'm From Barcelona apparently doesn't wait. Their newest single, "Get In Line." from a forth coming album may actually make some people get in line.  I have never been a huge fan, but this upbeat track does make me a small bit interested as to what their new album will sound like. For now, enjoy "Get In Line."  Look out for their new album in 2011.
I'm From Barcelona - Get In Line by paulboom

Album of the Week

Iron & Wine's newest album , Kiss Each Other Clean, tops this weeks album selections.  I debated whether or not this should be a full on album of the week or just a regular feature.  After the third listen through the album, it made sense to give it its due.  Kiss Each Other Clean gives you what you love about Iron & Wine, specifically Sam Beam's smooth vocals, and mixing in everything good about folk rock.  The band brings forward this bluesy, funk folk.  It's something that I first pulled away from, but like I stated, after a few listens, it really grew on me. I would guess it will grow on you too.  You can find some tracks out there, but I'm diggin what NPR is doing these days, letting bands perform their new albums live.  Click here to listen, watch, and download Iron & Wine play Kiss Each Other Clean.

Is That a Gun?

The Smith Westerns flew onto the stage.  Thanks to a favorable pitchfork nod, these chicagoans' first, big time album, Dye It Blonde, is blowing up. Their biggest single is "The Weekend."  This is a good example of their style.  A whispery, old-school alternative.  I respect the niche their going for. Enjoy their big single, as well as my personal favorite, "All Die Young."


Smith Westerns - Weekend by Vicente P
Smith Westerns - All Die Young by ynra

Album of the Week (Month? Year?)

The Decemberists did it. They did what a fan of theirs wanted them to do.  Too many times, I have wished a band would do what they do best, instead of some experimental, lesser than album.  The King Is Dead may not only be the way I wanted to hear them, but it is by far the best I have ever heard them. I was a fan on the outs, as you may have previously read, but The King Is Dead, is one of my favorite albums in the past few months.  If it fell in 2010, it would have made my top ten.  2011 has yet to unfold, but this early album may have enough to hold strong for the year and make the top of the list. We will wait and see.  For now, listen to the album performed live or watch the live concert here