Talkdemonic - Ending the Orange Glow (World radio premier? i was told i was the first to get this cd in the US) Amiina - Sexfaldur A Northern Chorus - This open heart Why? - Fatalist Palminstry Helio Sequence - Hallelujah Son lux - Break Cursive - Into the fold Red lions - Bay of naples Cortney tidwell - la la Falcon - Listen In Conor Oberst - Sausalito Horse Feathers - Rude to rite Azeda Booth - Lobster Quadrille Faint - Fulcrum and Lever Apollo Sunshine - Singing to the earth Silent Years - On our way home Curse of company - parade divine Samantha Crain - Traipsing through the aisles Cut Copy - Feel the love Decemberists - The crane wife 3 Denali - Do something Dandy Warhols - Sleep Alias and Ehren - Lillian Mercury program - Slightly Drifting
css - left behind jovian - grendine girl the presets - my people daedelus - make it so bitter:sweet - get what I want mates of state - help help the chap - the health of nations minus the bear - lets play clowns the notwist - good lies the bridal shop - from seas modest mouse - you're the good things my brightest diamond - inside a boy antenne - gloves on lali puna - small things brazilian girls - lazy lover radiohead - high and dry death cab for cutie - long division airborne toxic event - sometime around midnight beck - orphans brazilian girls - good times the honorary title - stay away hercules and love affair - blind the ting tings - that's not my name the bravery - unconditional the egg - walk on the snow walter meego - wanna be a star yelle - je veux te voir the faint - get seduced moby - crookers mass in here
Remember that ex-upcoming album I mentioned earlier today? Well here it is. Can Blogger even handle that long of a post title? The (almost released) new album from Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong (here on referenced as "the band" because goodness I just can't type it anymore) was canceled at the end of July, just five days before it was due for release. The band said, "we can create a record that is much better, more exciting, more representative of our sound and generally more delightful to listen to."
I don't know about all that. This record is definitely a good listen. From a band that's played SXSW AND Glastonbury in one year, it's apparent that there is plenty of potential from this pop-indie group. The album opens with "Lucio Starts Fires," a single that was released back in October 2007. Upon listening, the Strokes might come to mind given all the clashing guitars and such. However, listen a little more closely. There is a stronger, more full sound to the track.
On "Where Do You Go," the band introduces the first of two great singles from this album. This track really highlights the bands energy which must translate to something fierce in the live performance. Check out the last portion of the song for an intense guitar riff.
My personal favorite on this album is "Brooklyn." It has a real doowop sound which seems to appear throughout the album but is at it's strongest here. Complete with background singers and a bass line, this one is a winner. Hopefully it will be re-recorded for the actual release of this album.
The album comes out sometime in 2009 when I'll most likely re-write this review. However, I won't leave you hanging! Here's one track to whet your appetite.
Have I got a treat or two for you folks! Got more music to review from some upcoming (and ex-upcoming) albums. What do I mean by "ex-upcoming?" Come back tomorrow (or late tonight) and find out! There's really good music out there and I intend to share it with you.
One group is an indie rock band from England and has toured with CSS and Kaiser Chiefs. They also played this year's SXSW and Glastonbury Festival. The other band is named after a Gastr del Sol song and is known as a Chicago-based indie super group.
It's been a while since anyone has posted an album review here so I thought it was high time to get some new music out to the masses.
After releasing the promising Ra Ra Riot EP last summer, dealing with the death of drummer John Pike, and going on two tours, Ra Ra Riot is ready to formally break onto the scene with The Rhumb Line. What is a rhumb line, you ask? Why, it's the path taken by a vessel that maintains a constant compass direction. What a fitting title it is, then, when no less than half of the tracks on this record are written by John Pike. His death definitely influences the tone of the album. But it's not all funeral songs. It is also a celebration.
The marriage of strings and indie rock is a good one. With Alexandra Lawn on cello and Rebecca Zeller on violin, Ra Ra Riot reminds me (and a number of other listeners, apparently) of Arcade Fire. The opening track, "Ghost Under Rocks," give the listener a sense of the profound loss endured by the band. Songs such as "St. Peter's Day Festival" and "Winter '05" only add to this tone.
However, they are able to provide enough variation that the mood doesn't get old. I don't think I've ever wanted to keep listening to an album about loss and death. Yet the celebratory notes in the tunes keep me drawn in. This is especially true for the album's single, "Dying Is Fine." Make sure to pay attention to the interlude from just before 2:00 to 2:40. The guitar/violin/cello dynamic here is intense and probably the height of the album for me.
Does the album get you down? Then check out "Too Too Too Fast," a upbeat synth track that provides a break from the chamber music sound. Listening to it reminds me of some modernized version of "Take On Me" but a little more mellow. And no, I'm not talking the Reel Big Fish or A1 versions.
I had a chance to see the sextet live at the SirenMusicFestival and did they ever provide an energetic show! Too bad you'll have to drive the 2.5 hours to Syracuse if you want to see them for yourself (Syracuse University, 9/7).
In any case, The Rhumb Line comes out August 19 but you can pre-order it now from the Ra Ra Riot website.
4/5
Tracklist: 1] Ghost Under Rocks 2] Each Year 3] St. Peter's Day Festival 4] Winter '05 5] Dying Is Fine 6] Can You Tell 7] Too Too Too Fast 8] Oh, La 9] Suspended in Gaffa 10] Run My Mouth
