Monthly Archives: May 2012
31/05/12 WATERS – Mickey Mantle (Video)
I know, I know. Everyone is sick of all the sad agnsty songs out there and the videos to match. But this one really stuck with me. This music video was made as part of a Music Video Race and was completed within 48 hours, though it may not look it. The video is simple but powerful and the song reminds me a bit of Elliott Smith (and perhaps and Alphaville homage in the chorus?). Check it out above and be sure to look at some of WATERS other videos here; they’ve got some good ones. Also, check out their debut which is currently in stores.
-M. Kauf
Tags: indie rock, video, WATERS
- Leave a comment
- Posted under WATERS
29/05/12 The Zombies – Odessey and Oracle
Many know The Zombies for their hit single “Time of The Season” along with a few other gems like “She’s Not There,” but The Zombies were anything other than a one-hit wonder band. In 1967, The Zombies recorded their masterpiece Odessey and Oracle, which I finally managed to get my hands on after many years of putting off the purchase. The album features Beach Boys-esque harmonies and insightful lyrics reminiscent of late 1960s Kinks. But The Zombies were no copy cat band. Songs such as the opening track, “Care of Cell 44″ discuses the unusual topic of a man anticipating his girlfriend’s release from prison. ”Friends of Mine” is the only song I’ve ever heard where the lyrics discuss friends’ relationships in a positive way, praising the couples for finding bliss in each other (although ironically only one of the couples mentioned in the song actually remained together after the album was released). Most of the album is catchy and upbeat, as if each song was made to personally brighten your summer day’s stroll. And singer Colin Blunstone has one of the smoothest voices of the 60s. Sadly, this album never received the praise it truly deserved upon it’s release; the album was a flop and The Zombies broke up. Their biggest hit “Time of The Season” (the album closer) didn’t even become popular until it was too late and was never preformed live by the original band (until they reunited for a few gigs in the 90s). Luckily, the album has become somewhat of a cult classic and, after my frist full listen this sunny Memorial Day Weekend, I can easily see why.
-M. Kauf
The Zombies – This Will Be Our Year
- Leave a comment
- Posted under The Zombies
28/05/12 Ben Nichols – Shelter
Take Shelter is a 2011 drama-thriller film where a troubled father envisions the apocalypse and juggles between the safety of his family or his possible insanity. Jeff Nichols, a young award-winning director, directed the film and is also the brother of the band Lucero’s frontman, Ben Nichols. With such a musical brother, he included him on the soundtracks both of own movies. For Take Shelter, Ben Nichols wrote and recorded the song, “Shelter”, which plays at the end credits of the film. With a folky-guitar sweet-piano feel and deep rich vocals resembling that of Eddie Vedder’s, the song is perfect for the end of the movie. Listen to the song below and check out the trailer here. – D. Gold
Tags: Ben Nicholos, Jeff Nichols, movie soundtrack, Shelter, Take Shelter
- Leave a comment
- Posted under Folk, Soundtrack
24/05/12 Bravestation – Signs of the Civilized (Video)
We’ve got some new goodies from Bravestation, this time in the form of their first music video. This fan-funded endeavor features the band playing and participating in a party of well dressed men and women, popping pills and drinking colorful drinks in a ritualistic quest for youth and tribal togetherness. It’s incredibly well done and you can check it out above.
-M. Kauf
Tags: Bravestation, Indie, tribal pop, video
- Leave a comment
- Posted under Bravestation
23/05/12 How to Dress Well – Ocean Floor For Everything
“You were hopin’ for the days when you could say safely I have my place, I have my home, I have my future/But we never really plan for the worst of things do we?”
It’s hard to make a touching and emotional song with constant use of reversed tracks, but if there’s one person who can pull it off, it’s Tom Krell. On his latest single, “Ocean Floor For Everything” Krell, stage name How to Dress Well, takes his heartbreaking R&B to the next level. Using just his voice accompanied by some well placed pianos and drums, Krell creates an environment of depth and despair; a relationship that that can’t move forward. It’s a song of sinking down to the bottom of the ocean and looking up, looking back to where he started sinking as the light reflects off the ocean waters. It’s a beautiful and ghostly track. Total Loss, his second full length is due this fall. If you’re looking for the best moody falsetto R&B around, look no further, you’ll be listening to this one on repeat for a while.
-M. Kauf
P.S. If you want more, I highly recommend his Just Once EP
How to Dress Well – Ocean Floor For Everything
Tour Dates:
6/5 New York, NY – TBD
6/7 Toronto, ONT – The Drake
6/8 Montreal, QC – Il Motore
6/9 Brooklyn, NY – Public Assembly
6/13 Vancouver, BC – Waldorf Hotel
6/14 Portland, OR – Holocene
6/15 San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
6/16 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
6/23 Calgary, AB – Sled Island Festival
Tags: How to Dress Well, Indie, R&B
- Leave a comment
- Posted under How to Dress Well
21/05/12 Sigur Rós-Ég Anda (Video)
This is probably the most educational music video I’ve ever watched, not to mention the solid song behind it…
Tags: Ambient, experimental, Sigur Rós
- Leave a comment
- Posted under Sigur Rós
19/05/12 ZZ Ward – Put the Gun Down
It’s always a struggle to get my parents to listen to a lot of the new artists I hear these days. If it’s not classic rock, they’re probably not gonna listen. So I was really surprised when my dad said, “Hey, have you heard of ZZ Ward?” I was both shocked and pleasantly surprised. Not only was this a new artist (she just released her first EP ten days ago) but she’s really really good. Her music is described as a blend of hip-hop and blues-rock, but mostly it’s just good old-fashioned fun. The single my dad showed me, “Put the Gun Down,” sounds a bit like a bluesey Adele and listening to it, I can’t help by move and groove with the music. Check it out below and pick up her debut EP Criminal now.
-M. Kauf
ZZ Ward – Put the Gun Down
- Leave a comment
- Posted under ZZ Ward
19/05/12 Bravestation – Tides of the Summit
“You don’t have to worry now, The tides rolled in”
A few months ago, we heard the first single from Bravestation and now they’ve brought us a new one called, “Tides of the Summit.” Another dreamy new-wave tune, “Tides of the Summit” seems to twist and turn, back and forth with ethereal guitars and booming drums; like a boat rocking back and forth on the gentle crest of a wave. Bravestation seem to have a knack for creating catchy otherworldly tribal pop. And this song is just a small taste of what’s to come. July 10th, Bravestation will release their debut Giants & Dreamers. In the meantime, I guess we’ll keep rocking on this one, waiting to drift off to new songs.
-M. Kauf
Bravestation – Tides of the Summit
Tags: Bravestation, new wave, tribal pop
- Leave a comment
- Posted under Bravestation
18/05/12 XXYYXX – XXYYXX
XXYYXX caught my attention first with his video for “About You”; aslowed down HD video of chicks blowing smoke and the occasional trippy animal mask. The music came second, but thats what really got me interested. After a trip to the mysteriously titled artist’s soundcloud and facebook page, I found out the man behind the music is no other than a 16 year old kid in his bedroom just chopping up beats and doing it damn well. With a debut album released on bandcamp a month ago, XXYYXX, or Marcel Everett, is the talented witty newcomer to the vast internet producer subculture. Making his own minimalist electonic, or post-garage, or post-dubstep, or whatever you want to call it nowadays, inspired by hiphop drum beats and R&B vocals, XXYYXX’s music resembles that of a more soulful yet simplistic Gold Panda to me, although many comparisons can be made in today’s electronic scene. I am vibing this kids music right now and if you like it, make sure to check out his soundcloud for some new chill tunes he decides to throw up or check out his self titled album on Bandcamp. – D. Gold
Tags: Electronic, XXYYXX
- Leave a comment
- Posted under Electronic, XXYYXX
16/05/12 Gold Panda – Mountain
One of the reasons Gold Panda is such a great instrumental artist is that his songs can truly paint a picture. The new single “Mountain,” (to be released w/ b-side “Financial District” in June) transcends time and space. The warm, yet ambient song sounds like an ancient land of misty green mountains and lush forests in the Orient. Eerie strings blend perfectly with chimes, synths and a steady beat, leading up to a great climax at 2:30. Check it out below and look for Gold Panda on tour this summer.
-M. Kauf
Gold Panda – Mountain:
Tour Dates:
June
2nd London – Field Day Festival UK
10th Manchester – Parklife Festival UK
23rd Ballinlough, Castle Body & Soul Festival, IRE
30th Evreau, Rock Dans Tous Ses Etats festival, FRA
July
7th Amsterdam – Pitch Festival, NED
29th Portland, Oregon, WTF Festival, US
August
4th Salzburg, Stuck! Festival AU
19th Leicester, Summer Sundae Festival, UK
30th Pula, Outlook Festival, CRO
September
2nd Los Angeles, California, FYFest, US
6th Pula, Outlook Festival, CRO
9th Isle of Wight, Bestival, UK
October
5th Vienna, Waves festival, AU
12th Bologna, Robot Festival, ITA
Tags: Electronic, Gold Panda, The
- 2 comments
- Posted under Gold Panda
