MNDR

MNDR, aka Amanda Warner and Peter Wade, hasn't been around for long. Early 2010, they were the elusive "best kept secret" artist on your playlist. You didn't know much about them, except those circular, spacey, trademark glasses of Warner's. Now, nearly a year later, they're hitting Terminal 5 this coming Friday (February 4th) and has dropped an angelic, choir-backed, synth packed single, Cut Me Out. Have a listen. You can find the free download of the single here.

Iron & Wine/ Kiss Eachother Clean

(At last! A timely review!) A few days ago, Iron & Wine's new album hit iTunes early. Eagerly, I downloaded the whole album with out a second thought. Surely I knew what it would sound like: whispered vocals, soft acoustic guitar, and a female harmonizing the lengthened words of the chorus. I have never been more wrong in my life. Sam Beam has taken a new approach to his music. For starters, it's louder, which isn't saying much, yet it still is not the quiet, strain-your-ears-to-hear Naked As We Came sound. Although it still keeps the harmonic chorus and soft guitar, Beam has incorperated new sound: saxaphone. In his wonderful, seven minute masterpiece, "Your Fake Name is Good Enough For Me" the first forty-two seconds consist of jolly, swing-era, big band music...and did I hear an electric guitar in there, or was that my imagination? Despite what some of his stubborn fans say, Beam has sucessfully tackeled this new sound triumphantly. Five stars! Have a listen. Iron & Wine - Your Fake Name is Good Enough For Me

The Decemberist/The King is Dead

It seems as though the Decemberists have traded medival storytelling and long numbers rather than songs, for songs rather than numbers, and a ton harmonicas and accordians. If that makes sense. The King is Dead is loaded with country vibes, blaring harmionies and woeful ballads. I do love it, but part of me still years for the eccentric tales of Picaresque.

Anyway, my favorite is probably either their single, "Down By The Water", or January Hymn". I also suggest listening to "Don't Carry it All".

Have a listen. The song names are all linked.

Twin Shadow

Usually when I listen to electro, or anything remotley electro, I thoughtfully begin to plan my death. But then I met Twin Shadow. I was sent a copy of their song Castles in the Snow, and as it was playing, I think I said something along the lines of: "Hello, Twin Shadow. Where the hell have you been all my electro-hating-electro-hating life?"

Basically, if you like Crystal Castles, you'll like Twin Shadow. If you like Yesayer, you'll like Twin Shadow. If you like music you'll like Twin Shadow.

Have a listen.
Castles in the Snow - Twin Shadow

The Vaccines

The other day, I stood up in front of all my friends and confessed my love for punk. It was Shakespeare worthy, but took my friends by suprise since I'm sort of notorious for my love of indie-folk classics. You know, the usual. Mumford & Sons, Bombay Bicycle Club, Stornaway, ect. Then I found Thee Oh Sees, a classic mix of punk and garage band rock. I feel in love.
Now, I'm falling head over heels for the British band The Vaccines. The lead singers intoxicating voice, the loud guitar nearly over powering his, I repeat, intoxicating voice. It's like a dream. My favorite of their songs happens to be "Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)", and it seems I'm not the only one. Apparently, the band is becoming quite the catch in the U.K.
Anyway, the band seems to keep cool throughout the songs, unlike many punk bands who quickly turn into loud, ear plug worthy disasters. Nylon said it perfectly (how predictable...a Nylon reference!) "...the mannered posturing of the Strokes and the raw urgency of the Ramones." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Take a listen, and tell me what you think: Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)- The Vaccines
Er...mind the picture.

Beach House Teen Dream Final Shows!

I don't know if you can tell, but above this text is the album cover of Teen Dream, by Beach House. If I do say so myself, it is one excellent masterpiece. The once duo, now full band is preforming their final shows in support of Teen Dream. As sad as this is, I do believe this means there is more to come.

What's intresting is that with these final 5 showings (in the US) comes a sweatshirt. An organic one. If you buy the ticket, you can also get the shirt! Not for free of course. That would be downright crazy. The shirt is grey with white designs. The link is below, because I suck at explaining things.

Alas, it isn't cheap (for me, anyway) but I do intend on seeing the concert if I don't procrastinate for a porposterous amount of time, and get there before it's sold out.

The shows are:

Thursday 2/17 -- The Music Box -- LA, CA

Friday 2/18 -- The Fillmore -- San Francisco, CA

Wednsday 2/23 -- Webster Hall -- New York, NY

Thursday 2/24 -- Trocadero Theatre -- Philadelphia, PA

Saturday 2/26 -- 9: 30 Club -- Washington, D.C.

Will you be going?

Anyway, the sweatshirts are awesome. I'm thinking I'll get it for a future birthday present...some day...

Check it out:

http://tickets.beachhousebaltimore.com/

American Crisis? Nope.

I love Nylon magazine. I've always loved Nylon, but for some reason, this issue (November 2010), really hit home for me. Maybe it's the fact that Nylon hit up my home? Of course, they did so just as I was getting bored. Leave it to them to show me all the wonders of the nation that I've simply looked over. This issue was the America Issue. Anyway, like a true groupie, I read and devoured the issue like it was the Bible, and then, oh yes I did, I: highlighted and folded! I re-read the mag for all the lovely bands I could find. Some of them I know, and have for a while, but some of them, I've just discovered, and have fallen in love with. If you haven't read this issue, or Nylon in general, do it! You'll never go back. Anyway, back to these new found bands...Let the "honeymoon stage" commence:

The Black Angels - a slowed down version of Thee Oh Sees (who were also featured in the issue!) the music they make is hypnotic and alluring.

Blind Pilot - oh God, don't even get me started on them. I'm in love. Part of me says that they're reminiscent of bands like Seabear, Death Cab for Cutie, Cheif and Fleet Foxes, but they have such a beautiful sound, that I forget what the hell I'm thinking about when I listen to them, and can't finish the connection...like now...

Pet Lions - this band reminds me of Neon Trees meets Japanese Motors meets Starfucker (that's quite possibly the most random mix of bands...). This is indie-pop, and with a techno flair, they show that indie music can be fun to listen to.

Elizabeth and the Catapult - never in my life have a been happier listening to a band. Elizabeth's peppy voice is addictive, I swear. At first listen, I was hating the happy, trippy, Dora the Explorer vibe of "Race You", then it caught on.

Turbo Fruits - raw, raw, raw, raw...Volcanoe. And I love it...Volcanoe.

Stone Darling- don't we all love girl power? When you can't take and more Florence and the Machine, and Beach House gets repetitive, check them out. This all-girl folky band is awesome.

There were a ton of other bands feature that I adored, but some of them I couldn't find proper videos to link, others I missed, and others, well, they just didn't make the cut. So check it out. Do YOU think I missed some essential bands from the issue? What do you think of this stuff?

Have a listen.

Happy Halloween!