- Band: Black Lips
- Album: Arabia Mountain
- From: Atlanta Georgia, United Satates
- Sound: Is there such a thing as "mod punk?" ; lo-fi garage punk
- Website: black-lips.com/
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Mad Dog
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Bad Intentions
- Artist: Shona Foster
- Album: The Moon and You
- From: Brighton, England
- Sound: Like the Tori Amos of 1992 took a time machine to 1942 to do a number at a nightclub ; piano pop
- Website: shonafoster.com
- Bandcamp: shonafoster.bandcamp.com
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: The Great Fire
- Band: Future Islands
- Album: On the Water
- From: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Sound: I don't believe I've ever used the word 'breathtaking' in a sentence before ; new wave, synthpop.
- Website: future-islands
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Fire!
- Band: Baby Baby
- Album: Money
- From: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Sound: Like they put on a Hell of a live show. And like Violent Femmes might have a case against that opening riff... ; They brand themselves "Fun Rock," and I'm gonna ahead and brand an "indie" into that ass, too.
- Social: facebook twitter
- Download free: here
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Dreamer
- Artist: Elizaveta
- Album: (EP) Elizaveta (full album due Jan 2012)
- From: Born NYC, Raised in Russia. The exact reverse of...
- Sound: I'm just gonna say it--Regina Spektor. Just a lot like that, but a bit synthier; pop opera (has anyone coined "popera" yet? Let's not talk to them, if they do.)
- Website: www.elizaveta.com
- Video: youtube.com/elizavetamusic
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Baby Missiles
- Band: The War On Drugs
- Album: Slave Ambient
- From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Sound: The best Bruce Springsteen song not written by Bruce Springsteen. Or Win Butler. ; indie rock.
- Website: thewarondrugs.net/
- Social: twitter
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Act on Impulse
- Band: We Were Promised Jetpacks
- Album: In the Pit of the Stomach
- From: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Sound: Sometimes a song just seems to be about you...your thoughts...how and what you've been living... ...Screw you guys--it's my blog; indie rock, post punk
- Website: wewerepromisedjetpacks.co.uk
- Social: facebook, myspace
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Boss Stuff on the Interwebs: Wednesday Links 29/06/11
- I've yet to meet anyone with good taste who dislikes Buddy Holly. Hell, I've yet to meet anyone with hearing who dislikes Buddy Holly. Bearly Rambling looks at the new cover album that features Florence + The Machine, The Black Keys, Paul McCartney, Julian Caseblancas, Modest Mouse, Fiona Apple, Lou Reed, and on and on...
- Guerolitomusic has the teaser for the second album from The Drums' portmento. It is all synth, no surf, and that's probably good since the old schtick feels tired, no?
- Music for Ants has put together their second summer mix! Find The Naked and the Famous, Cage the Elephant, Foster the People, TV on the Radio, Generationals, and more stuff like that.
- Little Reviews has nothing bad to say about Centro-Matic's Candidate Waltz. Nobody does, it seems. (francais)
- According to Lindsey at What's Protocol, Dallas Green "has a voice that resonates inside... like a shot of Jameson whiskey".
- And since eye-rolling is my cardio: James Franco (yes, the actor) is going to be releasing a dance EP and is now in a music video with Kalup Linzy. Because being a pretentious hipster twit isn't a personality; it's a lifestyle. See Stereogum for more.
Today's Swell Tune: Up Past the Nursery
- Band: SUUNS
- Album: Zeroes QC
- From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Sound: A barely contained nervous breakdown; experimental indie rock
- Social: facebook, myspace, tumblr, twitter
- Download Free: from Bandcamp
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
I'm Sorry I Was Gone; Allow Me to Give You a Boner
There are a multitude of reasons that someone might take a break from writing their amateur, low-to-medium traffic music blog. Some are good, some less so, but none of them are laziness.
Initially, mine was a few of life's shittiest scenarios occurring in very rapid succession. Sort of a one-two(-three) combination that k.o.'d me, if only temporarily. For at least a little while it left me utterly uninspired to pay attention to anything as simple and pleasant as an amateur, low-to-medium-traffic music blog. These things do happen.
Soon afterward, it became a more typical case of everything that is adult in life consuming my waking hours and using up the best of my mental faculties. For at least a little while it left me utterly unable to donate any attention to something as recreational and unpaid as an amateur, low-to-medium-traffic music blog. These things happen, too.
Finally, I found myself caught up in some folly with no function beyond its bizarre culmination in a lost weekend in Montreal. But, for at least a little while, it did lure my attention from anything as personal and enjoyable as an amateur low-to-medium-traffic music blog. For the record, it's only this last one I'm sorry for.
All the e-mails and messages regarding my absence were greatly appreciated. Thanks for sticking around. I owe you one.
And in that vein, I think you should watch Slow from Twin Shadow. It's not new in the slightest, but I saw him live a couple weeks ago and he had so much raw charisma that pretty much everyone in the joint had a hard on. At least musically speaking. So this should make things up, a bit:
*alcohol and other ingestible substances of questionable moral integrity.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: WTF (Or How I Learned I'd Wasted My Life
- Band: The Loves (defunct as of this year)
- Album: ...Love You
- From: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
- Sound: Hunky Dory era Bowie. with a splash of Abbey Road. But cut with Sprite; 60's style pop-rock
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Crystal Sounds
- Band: Thirteen Senses
- Album: Crystal Sounds
- From: Penzance, Cornwall, England
- Sound: This should motivate you to do that epic moment you've been putting off; instrumental pop-rock,
- Website: thirteensenses.com
- Social: facebook, myspace, twitter
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Creep Me Out
- Band: Ruby Coast
- Album: Whatever This Is (download it free from their website)
- From: Aurora, Ontario, Canada
- Sound: Like Vampire Weekend has been listening to a lot of The Jam; rock
- Website: rubycoast.bandcamp.com
- Social: facebook, twitter
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday's Forgotten Song: Evidently Chickentown
Artist: John Cooper Clarke
Album: Snap, Crackle, and Bop
1980
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Benediction
- Artist: Thurston Moore (producer: Beck)
- Album: Demolished Thoughts (out May 24)
- From: Coral Gables, Florida, United States; really though, Sonic Youth
- Sound: Lovely, poignant, and a little like Lou Reed with a violin; rock, chamber pop
- Website: ecstaticpeace.com/thurston
- Social: facebook
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Boss Stuff on the Interwebs: Wednesday Links 23/03/11
- A "lost" album from David Bowie--who, along with champagne and jelly beans, is the closest thing I have to religion--is now available thanks to the twin miracles of the internet and theft. Electric Comic Book let me know.
- Stereogum has a "Recipe for Radiohead", including the correct proportions of "refrigerator magnet poetry" and "empty spaces where guitar used to be." Actually, it's originally from The Daily but I'm not buying into that wannabe-hipster malarkey. Even if I do miss those guitars.
- Neon Filler is at 50-41 on their super-duper list of the top indie/alternative albums of all time. This week includes, The Kinks, The Pretenders, and Calexico.
- After the two recent earthquakes in Christchurch, local label City Kids Records sneaked into one of the condemned buildings to record four local bands. The Devil Has the Best Tuna reports on Gigglepop, Sleeping with Students, and more.
- Aquarium Drunkard calls Smoke Ring for my Halo Kurt Vile's "best record yet". You should at least check that out.
- Edwyn Collins, he of the eternally awesome Girl Like You, is back and has teamed up--however unlikely it may seem--with The Drums (among others). Andrew Evans Talks at You digs it.
- GROUPLOVE's Don't Say Oh Well was Song of the Day over at You Can't Hear It on the Radio, where they describe it as "an adrenaline shot in music form". They also describe the band's sound as "loose (and) barely keeping it together", which means I need to find a new title for my autobiography.
Today's Swell Tune: Eat People
- Artist: Two Tears (Kerry Davis from Red Aunts)
- Album Eat People 7"
- From: Long Beach, California
- Sound: Girl rock that's anything but feminine; guitar rock
- Website: twotears.com
- Social: myspace
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Winter on the Weekend
Julia Stone - Winter On The Weekend
- Artist: Julia Stone
- Album: The Memory Machine
- From: Sydney, Australia
- Sound: Joanna Newsom on Quaaludes. Also, the track's artwork warns: “This film contains scenes which are shocking. No one should be afraid though as most things in life are shocking and strange, and it is a good way to grow.” There's that; folk, piano pop
- Website: angusandjuliastone.com
- Social: facebook, myspace, twitter
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Rhythm Doesn't Make You a Dancer
- Artist: Jon Fratelli
- Album: The Magic Hour (EP)
- From: Glasgow, Scotland
- Sound: If you drink whisky with a beer back, this is your soundtrack; guitar rock
- Website: jonfratelli.co.uk
- Social: facebook, myspace, twitter
Friday, March 18, 2011
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Thursday, March 17, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Come Closer
- Artist: Miles Kane
- Album: Colour of the Trap (out May 9)
- From: Liverpool, England/ The Rascals
- Sound: Boozy, sleazy guitar riffs over throbbing baselines. And I give it two months before the chorus is in an electronics commercial; guitar rock
- Website: mileskane.com
- Social: facebook, twitter
- Video: here
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Boss Stuff on the Interwebs: Wednesday Links 16/03/11
- Your musical education continues with Neon Filler's list of the top 100 indie/alternative albums of all time. This week: 60-51 (including Bon Iver and my favourite Modest Mouse album).
- Fellow Canucks be proud: Spinner looks at the invasion of Canadian music at SXSW including Broken Social Scene, Feist, and The New Pornographers. But it's "aboat" not "aboot", Stuart.
- The National has a new song Think You Can Wait, and it confirms my long-held belief that Matt Berninger just wants everyone to cry and moodily drink whisky all the time. Hear it at Stereogum.
- My former flatmate's favourite musician was Joanna Newsom, and--swear to God-- she once casually uttered the phrase "I find dirt really interesting." So the suggestion that she may have once "considered befriending a squirrel" seems pretty dead on. Flavorwire will hilariously stereotype you, too, by your favourite indie band.
- Dance-punk/ noise rock duo Death From Above 1979 has reunited, is rehearsing for Coachella, and is testing out a badass bass-cam video. As cool as that sounds, Dominic at This Moving Picture manages to make it sound even cooler.
- On the opposite end of the spectrum is Sunnybrook a band who describes their sound as "your running through a field of dandelions laughing uncontrollably". Sunnybrook you need to come to my parties. And bring whatever it is that made you write that. (Universal Yellow Keys)
- I've had a complicated, shitty week, so I genuinely appreciate Young Minds' Change of Pace (no pun intended). It's a catchy lo-fi track that will make the world feel simple and upbeat for two and a half minutes. Thanks to guerolitomusic for the tranquilizer.
Today's Swell Tune: Baby You
- Band: A B & The Sea
- Album: Run Run Run
- From: San Francisco, California, United States
- Sound: If the Wilson brothers were hipsters. Brian and Dennis, I mean. Not Luke and Owen.; indie surf pop
- Website: abandthesea.net
- Social: facebook, myspace, tumblr, twitter
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Today's Swell Tune: Cement Slippers
- Band: Dengue Fever
- Album: Cannibal Courtship (out March 29)
- From: Los Angeles, California
- Sound: Figured I had to come back with something really cool to make up for my disappearance. This should do it; psychedelic pop rock
- Website: denguefevermusic.com
- Social: facebook, myspace
- Download Free: ↓↓↓
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Your Life Will Feel Empty Without Me. For Another Couple Days, Anyway.
I apologize for the lack of posts around here, but things have gone a bit pear-shaped and I haven't been able to work on the blog.
Sooo...here's a picture of a kitten to make up for it*:
Awww...loookit him! All tuckered out!
Hopefully, all will be well by the beginning of next week. Thanks for checking back.
--Larissa
--Larissa
*Sorry Big Bird, it had to be done.
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