Amy Cook - Saltwater

Official | Myspace | Buy on iTunes
Here is one that got lost in the shuffle sometime in April. It is incredibly simple and sometimes that is just what you need from a song. I also suggest the song "Hotel Lights". Her new album is looking pretty good as well and you can watch a little sample video of it on her official website.

MP3: Amy Cook - Saltwater

Three seriously good songs

Here are three seriously good songs and I promise none of them are chill-wave, dream pop, electronic whatever you want to call it. I am trying to ween myself off of that electro-obsession. So today it is just guitars, banjos, harpsichords, and drums. You absolutely must listen to all three of these songs because they are just that good.

MP3: The Mountains & The Trees - More & More & More
If you like the banjo, you will love this song. Then there are the lyrics "Sold my only guitar, put all my money to a broken car/ and I drove halfway across the country to get away/ from the very thing that follows me to this day/ and our love will endure more and more and more / Our love will find a way to haunt me every day." This song beautifully articulates an everlasting heart ache that I can identify with all too well. The first time I heard it, I put it on repeat and listened to it at least eight times. I wish it could be longer than 2:30 minutes. You can pre-order this Canadian's album and listen to his other songs on his myspace.

MP3: Karen Elson - The Ghost Who Walks
Here is an interesting murder/ghost story played to a haunting tune that draws you in. I love the way this one sounds. Check out her myspace.

MP3: Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday
This one has a quite a bit of reverb that masks the vocals but is still a good one to listen to on a hot and muggy day like this one. Listen to more on Wild Nothing's Myspace.

A Handful of Summer - Day Three

      Did you know there are an overwhelming amount of concerts to go to this weekend for Boston people? Starting tonight there is the Americana Festival at hard rock or Yacht Club at Harper's Ferry or Theophilus London with The Cool Kids at the Middle East Downstairs. Who knew Thursdays were filled with so many choices? On Friday, Modest Mouse is playing at the House of Blues. If you were lucky to get free tickets for Passion Pit's show on Saturday, that is happing at Royale and should be awesome. Then in the smallest concert venue ever (one of my least favorite) the Middle East upstairs will have Yukon Blonde and some other bands playing Sunday night. Then Delta Spirit with Romany Rye at the Middle East downstairs on Monday, and there are still tickets available which just blows my mind, but is also good because I still haven't trekked over to Cambridge to buy them.
      I am horribly anti-ticketmaster who recently merged with LiveNation just so they can extra screw all us concert goers over. I only buy tickets at the door or box office. You should do the same you save something absurd like $10 for a pair of tickets. Concerts are one of the best ways to support bands you like and are quite often a cheap form of entertainment. If you like any of the bands I list here, check out their websites and see if they have any concerts in your area. These up and coming bands are some of the best concerts you will ever see.
      Here is an example: My $8 ticket for a Hey Marseille concert was easily my top purchase of 2010. I also bought their cd at the show for $6. But I felt guilty that they were only asking for $6 so I also bought Matt a $2 beer. And it was still the best $16 I ever spent. The band was really fun to drink a beer with while watching the other bands, and I also got their set list.

That was my rant for the day, to reward you for reading that, here are some tunes.

MP3: Frontier Ruckus - Nerves of the Nightmind
If you don't want to listen to all the songs I posted today and can only pick one, pick this one!!! I love the  banjo, the male/female vocals, the SAW, the awesome piano, the trumpet. It basically has half of my favorite instruments, which is amazing. Songs like this are my favorites. I hope you like it.

MP3: We Are Scientist - Rules Don't Stop Me
I would have liked this song more in high school when I was all "rules are for communist" and going through my rebellious stage. I also liked this pop-rock stuff more then too. But it is still a decent upbeat song, good to put on your running mix.

MP3: Jenny And Johnny - Scissor Runner
I posted about Johnathan Rice last week because I was looking forward to this new C.D. Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice the talented girlfriend/boyfriend duo. I love male/female duos and they do a great job together. Make sure to check out their new album!

MP3: The Coral - In The Morning
When I found out The Coral was still in existence I definitely fist pumped out of unbridled excitement. It was kind of embarrassing since I was at my office, also known as the silent room at the Boston Public Library. Which means everyone in the massive room saw my absurd looking fist pump. I loved this band to pieces in high school with "Pass it On" and that Captain Kangaroo song. They are a really fantastic British band.

MP3: Stars - We Don't Want Your Body
Another band I have been obsessed with in the past has a new album coming out in a few weeks. Their new stuff follows in the direction of their last album with computery/synthy glitz suitable for the dance floor. I will like it no matter what.

MP3: Hot Spa - Kiola Beach
A summery indie tune from an Australian band. There are limited amounts of info on this band, but I do enjoy this song when I am zoning out in my car with the windows down.

What do y'all think about this new type of post? Good/Bad? Too much music at once? Should I keep doing this? Let me know.

Hi to my Australian visitors, especially Melbourne and Perth. There has recently been an onslaught of readers from Australia, I don't know who to thank for that but I am grateful for it. Come back soon.

A Handful of Summer - Day Two

Sorry for yesterday here are a bunch of fresh tunes, actually some might be old, but I am not concerned with recently CD releases except for Sarah Harmers.

MP3: Sarah Harmer - Captive
Captive is from her album that came out yesterday, Oh Little Fire. I have always liked her folky chick with a guitar thing. Good stuff.

MP3: Club 8 - Western Hospitality 
While they sound nothing like super cheesy brit-pop/tv show band S Club 7, that is all I can think about when I see their band name. This is a fun one.

MP3: Catherine Feeny - Junk Queen
This is a duet with some guy that I don't feel like looking up. This is a folky song is about junkies being in love. Catherine Feeny also happens to sing one of my all time favorite songs "Mr. Blue"

MP3: Castledoor - Fifth Tambourine 
I know nothing about this band, this is the only song of theirs that I have but I love it because I would totally travel with a band just to play the fifth tambourine. And if you like Hey Marseille, this is sort of that type of band.

MP3: Tender Forever - Only The Sounds You Made
A pretty song about moving on.

Not the most summery grouping of songs but they are fairly new and fun. Hope you all like it! Soon I will be all caught up sorting through my new additions to my itunes library. Yay!

Sally Seltmann - Harmony To My Heartbeat

MYSPACE | BUY


This Australian singer/songwriter (formerly known as New Buffalo) has recently debuted a fantastic album, Heart That's Pounding. She writes pop songs with a certain charm and likability that lures you in.  In the past Sally Seltmann has collaborated and written for many artists, one being Fiest, and on her own album she gets a helping hand from an impressive group of friends; Cameron Bird and Gus Franklin (Architecture In Helsinki), Jens Lekman, Darren Seltmann (The Avalanches) and Ned Collette play choir in Dark Blue Angel ; The Middle East & Dragging Pianos lend their voices to 5 Stars; Lara Meyerratken (El May) adds back-up vocals to On The Borderline; Mark Monnone (The Lucksmiths) plays bass on many tracks and offers some unconventional percussion on Dream About Changing. Jessica Venables (Jessica Says), who also performs live with Sally, contributes back-up vocals and strings. Below is the video for Harmony to my heartbeat which perfectly conveys the sugary sweet happiness of this song. It is a good little ditty to make you smile. 

MP3: Sally Seltmann - Harmony to my Heartbeat

Johnathan Rice - Middle of the Road

OFFICIAL | MYSPACE | BUY ON AMAZON

This is an older song from 2007, but I was in the mood for some simple music and good lyrics. Those of you who have been missing the folkier side of things, this is for you. Johnathan Rice is a fantastic singer/songwriter and hopefully there is something new coming up in the future. Click below to download or play.


MP3: Johnathan Rice - Middle of the Road

The World Cup Goes Indie

Official Website

In case you haven't heard of this tremendous mixtape of 32 songs representing each country playing in 2010's World Cup, here it is:
"Fast Forward is our most ambitious project to date and it has taken over a year to come to fruition. The premise was simple; we asked some of our favourite bands to write about one of the 32 countries participating in South Africa 2010, the only stipulation being that the song be themed on their chosen country and if possible be football related. As you can imagine this definition was interpreted in about 32 different ways but the results are as colourful, imaginative and exciting as the event they will be used to showcase."
The mixtape is broken up by each group making it easy to find any of the countries you are looking for. Please use the link above to learn more about this impressive project. Below are two free mp3s (available for downloading) found on the mixtape, both are fun songs. 


MP3: Grand Pocket Orchestra - Nigeria
MP3: Le Man Avec Les Lunettes - Don't get fooled by the football players' summery outfit

Phoenix - 1901 (acoustic on KEXP)

This is the ever popular French band, Phoenix, doing an in studio recording of their song 1901 stripped down. It's just vocals and guitar and it still remains a fun catchy tune. Click the link to download/play or watch the video below. Enjoy.

MP3: Phoenix -1901 (acoustic on KEXP)

Breakbot - Baby, I'm Yours

Let me just tell you, this video the day after surgery is AMAZING. Every time I close my eyes I already get a kaleidoscope effect, this video just kept the effect going when my eyes were opened. I must have watched it 15 times straight. If I could two step around like a fool right now, that is exactly what I would be doing. The song is by the popular French DJ, Breakbot and is surely going to be a summer hit. I like the song and all of its retroness but this video is a real work of art, one that is very rare to see in music videos today. It took four months to watercolor each individual image one after another. I found it on http://yourstru.ly/ where they said: "Baby, I’m Yours", by Breakbot is beautifully composed of approximately 2,000 individual images, each painstakingly painted with watercolors one right after another by Irina Dakava." You just have to watch it and appreciate the detail and creativity that went into this. Full screen viewing and good speakers are highly recommended for your best viewing pleasure. 

"Something tells me that i'm dreaming

i can see us there

waving unaware

of problems that have a tendency to keep

keep the truth confined

far from our minds

you need someone you can believe in

this i do declare

trust me i'll be there

the road that leads to heaven can be so steep

i will help you climb

change your state of mind

listen baby

your wish is my command

baby won't you understand" 

Sahara Smith - All I Need

Myspace | Paste Magazine Interview |

Click to play: All I Need by Sahara Smith

This is an artists I saw on Paste Magazine this morning and absolutely loved her. You can use the link above to read more about this 21 year old Texan. She is cultivating her style which could be described as anything from americana, country, singer/songwriter, to pop. I can't stop playing this song. I just wish I could find a place to buy her music. "All I Need" is certainly my favorite of hers, but below is a good video of her twangier song, "The Real Thing". Enjoy. 

Shugo Tokumaru makes the happiest music you've never heard

OFFICAL | MYSPACE | BUY ON ITUNES

I like lyrics a lot, but when every detail of each and every song is surging with optimism, lyrics don't really matter. If you want to sing along to these songs you can just make up your own words or babble right along, at least thats what I do. "Rum Hee" sounds like Jonsi got stranded on a tropical island, left a few instruments in Iceland, and is having the happiest day of his life. Shugo Tokumaru also reminds me a bit of Rusted Root for some reason.  His newest album, Port Entropy, is currently only available in Japan but luckily a few singles found its way through the world wide web. His tour in Japan is also all sold out, I know because that was the only english on his official website. Click away.

MP3: Shugo Tokumaru - Rum Hee

MP3: Shugo Tokumaru - Lahaha

Overwhelmed by New Music Tuesday (New Releases)

After a few semi-slow weeks of album releases, this tuesday is about to make up for it all. I wanted to share what a tuesday full of music for me looks like. This list took a long time because, yes, I did personally zing through ALL most of these releases. Some I spent more time with than others.

To make things easier for you, dear reader, I wanted to loosely throw out some genres in case you were searching for something in particular. I apologize in advance for incorrectly labeling anything, I hate using genres so I had to take some shots in the dark, hence all the "?". All of the links are from LargeHeartedBoy's super large list that gets published every week. The titles of the releases include a link to amazon where you can listen to/buy the album or songs (usually cheaper than on itunes). Good luck sorting through it all, I hope my narrowed down list helps you out on your musical adventures.

* denotes the fact that you absolutely should check out these bands and their kick-ass new tunes only because Jessica is really enjoying them at the moment.

Important Note: I got distracted halfway through the list. There really was too much good music yesterday. Yes, there really is such a thing. I am more than slightly embarrassed to post a partially completed list, but if I wait one more day it will be irrelevant. Maybe you can try doing your own research.

AM Taxi: We Don't Stand a Chance (vinyl) (hard rock)

Listen: Fed Up, The Mistake

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: Before Today (indie)

Listen: Bright Lit Blue Skies, Revolution's a lie
*Blitzen Trapper: Destroyer of the Void (vinyl) (indie rock at its finest)

Listen: all the songs are great!!!!

BLK JKS: Zol! (?)

Listen: Zol! 

*Cadillac Sky: Letters in the Deep (bluegrassy-ish singer/songwriter)

Listen: Ballad of Restored confidence, Hangman, trapped under the ice

*Christina Aguilera: Bionic (CD with bonus tracks) (vinyl) (dirty pop)
ummm its the return of xtina...just check it out before the radio kills it

"sex for breakfast" is a yummy tune.

Cold Cave: Life Magazine Remixes EP (remixes)

Listen: Delorean Remix (so good!!!)

The Cure: Disintegration (3-CD remastered edition with bonus tracks)
awesomeness!

Deer Tick: The Black Dirt Sessions (vinyl) (alt. folk)

Listen: When she comes home, twenty miles, the sad sun

*Delta Spirit: History From Below (vinyl) (alt)
fantastic full album!

*The Dig: Electric Toys (alt rock?)

Listen: two sisters in love, look inside, carry me home 

Pleasantly surprised with this debut album

The Drums: The Drums (indie rock/ garage rock?)

Listen: Forever and Ever Amen, let's go surfing

*Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (pop rock)
Really fantastic summer album...check it out.

Hanson: Shout It Out
yes, this is who you think it is. Kind of an awesome comeback with trumpets. 

The Henry Clay People: Somewhere on the Golden Coast (vinyl) (rock)
Listen: Slow Burn, Saturday night, your famous friends

Here We Go Magic: Pigeons (vinyl) (indie)

Listen: Collector, Old World United,

Hot Hot Heat: Future Breeds (vinyl) (don't even know)

Interesting album as a whole, I need more time with this one

*Jewel: Sweet and Wild (2-CD edition) (country/pop)

Listen: Summer home in your arms (my new fav)

Pretty good album from her.

Kaiser Cartel: Secret Transit (pop)

Listen: Around you, Carroll street station, ready to go

Their last album, March Forth, was better 

(Here is where I got lazy. I still starred the good ones though)

Konono No 1: Assume Crash Position


Kristin Hersh: Cats & Mice


Light Pollution: Apparitions


Linfinity: Martian's Bloom (vinyl)


Manowar: Thunder In The Sky


Nada Surf: If I Had a Hi-Fi (vinyl)


Nevermore: The Obsidian Conspiracy


Olafur Arnalds: & They Have Escaped the Weight of Darkness (vinyl)


Orianthi: Believe (II)


The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: Say No To Love b/w Lost Saint


Plies: Goon Affiliated


Pretty Maids: Pandemonium

Listen to: Pandemonium


*Ratatat: LP4 (vinyl)



*Rooney: Eureka (vinyl)
Listen: I Can't Get Enough
Same old Rooney, just poppier.


*Suckers: Wild Smile
So hot right now. 
Tender Trap: Do You Want a Boyfriend? (vinyl)

*Tokyo Police Club: Champ
Good release, interesting band full of new experiments.
*Various Artists: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Soundtrack (deluxe edition with bonus tracks and poster)
Weird fad. Will never see or read this series but the music is consistently good. Don't judge.


*Various Artists: Twistable Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to Shel Silverstein
So awesome if you grew up with his poems. Andrew Bird is my favorite.


Viernes: Sinister Devices

*Villagers: Becoming a Jackal (2-LP vinyl)



A Weather: Everyday Balloons (vinyl)


What Laura Says: Bloom Cheek


Wild Moccasins: Skin Collision Past


Wye Oak: My Neighbor / My Creator
Not as good as I had hoped.


*Yo La Tengo: Here To Fall Remixes EP (vinyl)

Allo, Darlin' - Dear Stephen Hawking

OFFICIAL | MYSPACE | ITUNES

This band quickly became my new favorite, just yesterday, despite all the amazing new releases. Their songs are cheerful, goofy, and easy going. They sound similar to Camera Obscura both lyrically and musically, which explains why I like them so much. Their debut album was released in the UK this spring but is not yet available in the US. They also played at SXSW this year. Hopefully they will be coming back to the U.S. soon. I have enjoyed all of their songs with their honest lyrics and fun catchy melodies. I was especially intrigued by "Dear Stephen Hawking".

Let me tell you, Stephen Hawking's love life has never been so interesting. I really hope he has heard this song because that would just make my day. I can't even begin to imagine what listening to this song would be like for him without laughing out loud. Seriously, just take a second to imagine that. Below are some songs for your sampling pleasure, click to play. Enjoy.

MP3: Allo Darlin' - Dear Stephen Hawking

MP3: Allo Darlin' - My Heart is a Drummer

(Side note: I have finally put an end to my hot linking songs. yay me. This is the best format I have for right now. Eventually I will incorporate a real media player so I ask that you just bear with this format for now instead. Thanks. Links will only be available for one week.)

Ramona Falls - Russia

Official | myspace | Buy on itunes 

This is my favorite song from the Portland band,  Ramona Falls. I downloaded it awhile ago without really listening to it and then it played on itunes shuffle and was one of those songs where I actually made the effort to stop what I was doing to check what the song was. Now that I have finally remembered this band I have been loving this song and I enjoyed watching the video as well. I know from far too many experiences how infuriating saying "too little too late" can be, but I am happy to finally have a song for it.

Whitton - I Fell in Love

Official | Myspace | Buy on itunes

Here is an artist headed straight for pop-stardom with her catchy "I Fell in Love" tune and judging by the way she is being marketed.  It is kind of a shame because I think her song could do well in the indie singer/songwriter world but whoever is managing her seems to have different visions of fame. (I could be way off, but this is just what I am assuming based on my minimal research). Anyways, listen to this song if you are in the mood for a sweet poppy tune that has a (tiny) bit of ingrid michaelson/regina spektor edge to it. The videos out there are not that great so use one of the links above to hear the good stuff.

Romany Rye - All the Boys

I just learned that The Romany Rye is touring with Delta Spirit this summer and it made me even more excited about going to this concert. I didn't know that was possible. This band is really good, they fit right in with Kings of Leon, Delta Spirit, Plants and Animals, Mason Jennings type music. They also have potential and lots of it. This is a great song to kick off my June playlist. 

Click to play: The Romany Rye - All the Boys

Daytrotter session here

The Romany Rye Blog

The Romany Rye @ MySpace

Make sure to check out this video of The Romany Rye performing their song, "Untitled (love song)" at SXSW 2010. 

Jamie Cullum - Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna Cover)

I like to think that enough time has passed since this song was a radio hit that you almost have to stop and think for a second before you realize where this song came from. Jamie Cullum does a great interpretation of this song, with some great jazz piano. Good stuff.

Jamie Cullum - Don't Stop The Music (Rihanna cover) [mp3]

This came from a cool blog, Music Induced Euphoria, check it out. 

This blog is going down the shitter so I stole you this little nugget of gold...

Check this out from another Boston blogger, Music Savage. It's a good representation of last month's hits. Find your new favorite songs here. I have been playing Sleigh Bells' "Rill Rill" (formerly "Ring Ring") for way too many days now, and my new favorite is the Michael Trent song. In fact, I downloaded this mix just for that song, and it was very much worth it. Enjoy the tunes! Be sure to check out his site at http://musicsavage.com/
musicsavage:

Well, it’s finally here, June has begun, meaning I owe a mixtape for may.
Tracklisting:
Side I

1. Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill
2. The Black Keys - Everlasting Light
3. Delta Spirit - Bushwick Blues
4. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Sink / Let it Sway
5. The Black Rabbits - Hypno Switch
6. Suckers -  A Mind I Knew
7. Dinosaur Feathers - History Lessons
8. Wolf Parade - What Did My Lover Say
9. Michael Trent - Kitchen - Hallway
10. The Swell Season - Young Hearts Run Free

Side II

1. The Dead Weather - Die by the Drop
2. I Love Brand X - 99 Problems Remix (Jay Z RHCP Queen)
3. Menomena - FIVE LITTLE ROOMS
4. Arcade Fire - Suburbs
5. The New Pornographers - A Bite Out of My Bed
6. Sky Ferreira - Animal (Miike Snow Cover)
7. Minus the Bear - My Time
8. Tallest Man on Earth - King of Spain
9. The Man Suits - Spirit, Oh Spirit
10. Junip - Rope and Summit

[dl]

Josh Ritter - The Curse

Hey all, I am back on the bandwagon (lame pun intended)....I am very sorry for my absence but I am back for good. Its just too bad my other collaborators were also busy and couldn't pick up the slack. Let's start off with one of my favorite songs from the new Josh Ritter album. The video was just released a few days ago. It is a story about a mummy and his archeologist falling in love in waltz time. It is beautiful and I have spent a lot of time listening to this one since the album came out a few weeks ago. The video was created by Ritter's drummer, Liam Hurley.