Adele/21

When Adele's sophmore album became available for pre-order on iTunes, I, without hesitation, hit that pre-order button and counted down the days until I could call it my own. When the day came, I sat and listened to the album song by song, straight through, and thought only one thing: genius.

I hesitantly say that 21 is perhaps, my favorite album of 2011 (So far. I mean, who's to say The Killers and the Velvet Underground won't make a whole album together, and feature The Vaccines on it? That'll be the day.) The album has a R&B, jazz, pop, straight blues, vibe that compliments her voice brilliantly. It's obvious that in the two years between her albums, she's gone through and awful lot. From love, in "I Found a Boy" to hopefulness, in "I'll Be Waiting" to terrible heartbreak, in "Someone Like You", Adele is sharing those experiences with you. Check out her album, 21. I promise you won't regret it.

Have a listen to this version of "Someone Like You" by Adele, with a small interview.

Someone Like You - Adele (Live in her home)

LCD Soundsystem Goes Out With a Bang

Electro-gods LCD Soundsystem has announced their farwell concert to take place Saturday, April 2nd. The show is expected to be epic and massive, jam packed with guests, and will be at Madison Square Garden. Those who attend have been asked by the band to wear black, white, or black and white, as it is the 'funeral' of the band. The band states on their site: "We are retiring from the game. Gettin’ out. Movin’on. But for just one more night, we will be playing with friends and family for nearly 3 hours–playing stuff we’ve never played before and going out with a bang. And we’d like you to be there."

Tickets are expected to go on sale February 11, with a fan pre-sale on the band's site, and pitchfork. More information is expected to be posted tommorow.

Thank you, LCD Soundsystem, for the invitation, and what's more, thanks for the top-notch eight years of comical babbling to electronic beats that you have provided us. May you live posthumously. (Expect a full eulogy April 2-4!)

For more information check out:

LCD Soundsystem Official Site

Pitchfork: LCD Soundsystem Announce Farwell NYC Show

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.