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.