REVISITED: Damien Rice -- "Cannonball"

I tend to not really dig overly "sentimental" music, but I must say Damien Rice's O has always been a personal favorite of mine. There is something about many of the songs on the album that just make you breakdown. Since being released in 2002, there are still very few records that hit me harder than O. While I admit that some songs are really over the top, such as the end of "Eskimo," other songs, such as "Cannonball," are just so breathtaking gorgeous that you can't just say that Rice's music is over the top. "Cannonball" has just such a genuine and passionate quality to it. You don't just hear this song, you feel this song.

-- Greg

15 Cannonball by denube

Song of MY Day: Conspiracy of Owls--"The New Me"

This very well may be the most repeated song I've listened for the last two weeks. I'm not kidding; it's just getting worse and worse. I get up in the morning and what do I have playing while I'm putting on a brisk, new pair of Champion briefs? Conspiracy of Owls. Who do I play while I have two hours of Latin homework that holds no hope for me in the future unless I want to shave my head and become a friar? Conspiracy of Owls. What do I play from my dorm room at full blast while I'm taking a number 2 in the bathroom across the hall? Conspiracy of Owls (the guys know what I'm talking about).

Detroit, Michigan's Conspiracy of Owls is one of the most nostalgic, but fresh bands I've heard in awhile (ironic, I know). As I've said before, the ability to write consistent, catchy pop songs is not an easy talent to possess, but these guys blow it out of the water. They have everything: Beach Boy harmonies, danelectro guitars (shout out to buddy and bandmate James Maniscalco), and awesome song titles (Ancient Robots, Tower of Diamonds).

Their song, "The New Me," has been that song on repeat almost everyday. Vocalist and guitarist John Krautner sounds like, and I'm not overstating this by no means, if Brian Wilson was 24 years old again and played beach bingo parties until the sun came up. The reverb on the guitars is delightful, the harmonies sweet and succulent, and the lyrics wishful and at ease. The part that gets me every time is the small trill in Krautner's voice when he harmonizes in the chorus.

Big shout out to friend of mine and great music taster Frank Campbell for introducing these guys to me.

Conspiracy of Owls :: The New Me by Beachtapes
--Mike

Papercuts -- "Do What You Will"

Papercuts is a San Fransisco based project with one sole principal songwriter, Jason Quever. Quever's forthcoming album, Fading Parade, which will be released on the first of March, is something I very much so look forward to. Papercuts often get thrown into the genre of freak folk and dream pop, which are some of my favorites and not just because of the ridiculous names... well at least for freak folk that applies, but mainy because of artists like Devendra Banhart and Beach House, who I adore greatly. However, I think it's a lot easier to just say Papercuts' sound is "indie pop," as vague as that is. The first song I heard from the album, "Do What You Will," has been stuck in my head for days now and I must share it with you. It's just beautifully understated and subtle. It's a song that brings a certain tranquility to my often hectic days here at school. Hope you enjoy!

-- Greg

 Papercuts - Do What You Will by subpop

Radiohead -- "Codex"

By this point I just assume that everybody has heard The King Of Limbs. I would write a review of the whole album, but I think it is more fascinating to discuss how the indie community reacted to the record as a whole. When speaking of the media and the release of 2007's In Rainbows, Colin Greenwood discussed the idea of sharing in the online community. In Rainbows allowed for a shared and very unique moment in music's history. The case with The King Of Limbs is no different, if anything, it amplified the notion Greenwood discussed in regards to In Rainbows. Radiohead's music, more so than any other band in the blog/indie world, brings a certain joy to our somewhat little bubble; a special moment where we all silence our opinions and instead just listen to the music. The release of The King Of Limbs was not a moment of innate critique, but rather it warranted a celebration of the music of these five brilliant men.

Most of what I have read from bloggers and major music publications makes it seem like most people found this album to be a grower and I would agree. It took me about four full listens before I finally got to the point where I said "wow, this is truly something special." In particular, "Codex," which originally was the one of tracks that I thought was overly wearisome, is now one of my favorite cuts on the album. When I listened to this album in complete isolation for the first time "Codex" gave me the chills, which is pretty rare for me. If you might have just skipped over this song or not loved it as much as the others or perhaps haven't heard this song at all, please get out some quality headphones and go to a quiet place... you will not be disappointed.

-- Greg

Nobody Does It Better... Than Radiohead

Hello world! Today is a good day. Why? I am sure most of you have read already this, but Radiohead will be releasing their new album, The King of Limbs, at midnight! Radiohead is easily, without a doubt, my favorite band still playing today so I am ecstatic to say the least. I have been preparing myself the last few days by relistening (yeah, that's not a real word, but whatever) to all of their great albums, singles, etc. While doing this, I stumbled upon a song that truly sums up their career: a cover of "Nobody Does It Better," which Yorke once described live as, "the sexiest song ever written." Here's to praying our internet doesn't break tonight. LONG LIVE RADIOHEAD!

-- Greg

Radiohead -- "Nobody Does It Better" (Carly Simon Cover)

Reviews for James Blake, Akron/Family, and Bright Eyes...Only at Fordham Observer

In the recent issue of Fordham University--Lincoln Center's newspaper, The Observer, I wrote a piece entitled "February Release Party" with album reviews of James Blake, Akron/Family, and Bright Eyes. I'll be doing these every other week so watch out for them. Support your college newspaper!









Here is a link to the reviews:

http://www.fordhamobserver.com/february-release-party-1.2470981

--Mike

Yuck -- "Operation"

FIRST OFF... Congrats to Arcade Fire. Great musicians, even better people. So happy for them. However, work is to be done and I am going to stick to my game... bands that will never be nominated for a Grammy.


Yuck, a young indie rock band out of London, might have one the best band names I have heard in the past few years. More importantly however is the fact that they are fantastic. Their self titled debut will be released on Tuesday (Feb. 15th) and has been getting some serious hype. Their sound is often a grab bag of late 80s/early 90s indie rock. You can certainly hear the likes of Sonic Youth, Dinasour Jr, some post-rock stuff as well as some shoegaze. Their sound is often nostalgic, but I do not want to give the impression that they aren't original because they certainly write some really good original songs. They, unlike many bands who try to sound like a period/sound in music, find the happy medium between nostalgia and originality... now to contradict myself... The song that I think you must hear from Yuck is "Operation," which is a very obvious Sonic Youth rip, or at least pays some serious homage to it. If you have heard Sonic Youth's "Teenage Riot," the first cut from their masterpiece, Daydream Nation, you will immediatly hear what I am talking about. If Yuck is going to pay homage to any band though, Sonic Youth should be that band. Whether or not it bothers you that this song sounds like Sonic Youth really shouldn't matter. The song is still cathchy, energetic, ballsy... just rockin'. Give it a listen.


-- Greg

The Strokes Have Landed

It's been a long time coming, but The Strokes have finally done it. The NYC playboys have dropped their latest single, "Under Cover of Darkness," from their upcoming album, Angles, which is one of, if not the most anticipated album of the year. From scrapped studio sessions to rehab and everything in between, The Strokes have once again re-emerged from their various corners to come together and dedicate time to something that has the potential to be great. Many critics are saying that Angles is venturing back to the old Strokes sound of early albums like Is This It? and Room on Fire. "Under Cover of Darkness" satisfies these criticisms well, with, yes you guessed it--angular, geometric guitar work, steady bass lines, and shared vocal work by guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. It makes you want to get drunk, buy a bunch of 40s, chain smoke, and crash that loft party everyone was talking about on the Upper East Side...and then do it all again tomorrow.

--Mike

Because Sometimes I'm Late: The Steets -- "Trust Me"

I honestly had no clue who The Streets was before this morning. I guess I am just not "cool" enough to like it, but HA! I found him! Take that British rap fans... Yeah.. I am not funny sometimes. Anyway, Mike Skinner, a.k.a. The Streets, is a British rapper who I just got to hear for the first time this morning and I can say that I am already in love. His flow along with his fantastic, fun, but never cheesy production makes for some serious eargasms. I have been listening to his new album, Computers and Blues, all day and I can't get enough of it. The first single from the album, which dropped in late 2010 (hence the title of this post), "Trust Me," is a clear highlight for me. It's the perfect combination of jovial production and super sprightly rapping. Just great. Seriously, if you don't like this song you don't know anything... or you just don't like Brits rapping. The latter makes much more sense to me.

-- Greg

Local Natives -- "Who Knows Who Cares" (Take Away Show)

Local Natives was easily one of, if not the, best new band of 2010. So, what better to do with your career than play a Take Away Show? This is easily going up there with one of my all time favorite Take Away Shows. This is a gorgeous rendition of a fantastic song. Enjoy!


Local Natives | Who Knows Who Cares | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

-- Greg

VIDEO: Cloud Nothings -- "Forget You All The Time"

Cloud Nothings, a young power-pop outfit out of Cleveland, OH, have been my musical crush as of recent. Their self-titled debut immediatly had me asking for more. Without a doubt a record that is one of the most memorable and innocent of the year. Furthermore, the quintessential gem of this record for me is, "Forget You All The Time." There is an absolute timeless angst to this song. It reminds me a great deal of The Replacements, Let It Be era; another album that I love dearly. Anyway, this song has totally dominated my iTunes as of recent and I hope it does for you as well. Enjoy!


Cloud Nothings - Forget You All the Time (Live) from Nick Dierl on Vimeo.

-- Greg

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO: The Mummers

Remember the carousels you used to ride as a little kid? I do. Every summer, Long Beach Island, New Jersey was my playground, and Fantasy Island amusement park my jungle gym. At six years old, the only ride you were big enough to go on was the carousel in the center of the park. Being at only 4'', the carousel made you feel like the shit. Your imagination ran wild when riding that thing; the sights of gold laurel trim, the celebratory music playing in the background, the feeling of being above everyone else on top of your plastic horse, bear, or dragon (everyone raced for the dragon seat)...it was all there and it was enough to make you feel like a God for a mere three minutes.

England's The Mummers creates music that instantly takes you back to those childhood memories, where it actually felt good to be a kid and you didn't have to worry about last minute papers, deadlines, or the one potato you have left at the bottom of your dormitory fridge (my current situation  ah thank you). The Mummers are blissfully romantic, orchestral, composite, and charming. Blending the big band, Baroque orchestration with contemporary pop arrangements, The Mummers breathe new life into a form of music that should be heard and appreciated more. Singer Raissa Khan-Panni sounds like a more competent, understandable Bjork, soaring high and below some of the nicest singing I've heard in awhile. String and horn arrangements remind you of another not-so-distant band, Beirut. In fact, they could be cousins. The Mummers follow a strong lineage of Old World European arrangements (their name refers to the medieval traveling musicians and actors that traveled from house to house), with boisterous, humorous horns and strings that lure you into a Wonderland of sorts with the Mad Hatter as the conductor.

Recently, The Mummers covered the Black Keys' "Everlasting Light" off of Brothers. I've had consistent eargasms ever since.

The Black Keys -- "Everlasting Night" (The Mummers Remix)

They also sound pretty damn good live.




--Mike

Woodsman -- "Insects"

While on my morning (1:00 PM) adventure around the blogosphere I stumbled on a band that really smacked my inner ear with a sound and timbre that I haven't heard in a quite some time. As many of you could assume by the musical selections on the blog, Mike and I are massive My Morning Jacket fans. Unfortunately, it has been too long since their last record and I am starting to get antsy without any new material coming out. However, Woodsman's Rare Forms and the lead track, "Insects," has really stepped up in the last week in terms of filling the hole in my iTunes library for MMJ loveliness. Woodsman, a Colorado-based band, could be MMJ's more rootsy and more experimental younger step brother. I say step because I don't want people listening to the album and saying, "well, that was weird... that didn't sound like MMJ." Rare Forms is certainly an "experimental" record, but the MMJ similarities are without a doubt there. Woodsman's Rare Forms is, to me at least, a record I could have heard MMJ putting out 7 to 8 years ago had they taken a slightly different direction with their music. I don't even know why I defending this comparison. Me comparing a band to MMJ is like saying they shit gold. Also, big ups to I Guess I'm Floating for the mp3 and band suggestion. Good stuff!

Woodsman -- "Insects"

-- Greg