WAKEUPANDSMELLTHEMUSIC.COM

We Were Promised Jetpacks "Quiet Little Voices"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

We Were Promised Jetpacks - Quiet Little Voices

"For every good band, there is a signature element to the music that the listener finds themself immediately drawn to and can’t help but catch in every song thereafter. It can easily be found within a catchy hook or a stirring voice, but it’s when the instruments themselves induce a toe-tapping frenzy of anticipation that you know you’ve found something special. This is the signature element that runs throughout the work of Edinburgh four-piece We Were Promised Jetpacks — one of the latest to emerge from the ever-growing sea of musical ingenuity that Scotland has cranked out over the years.

Between their close relationship with bands such as The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, and a build-up of influences from a life immersed within the Scottish music scene, WWPJ have created a sound reflecting that of their predecessors, but veering to include darker, emotionally tinged moments and crescendoing instrumentals. With lyrics that read like fragmented thought, focus is laid mainly on the instrumentation, which jumps between post-punk guitar riffs, distorted synths, pop-infused chimes, and straight acoustics, often building upon one another to drive songs from a steady starting place to an explosive end." (via Quiet Color)

Bonus Download: We Were Promised Jetpacks - It's Thunder And It's Lightning

We Were Promised Jetpacks

These Four Walls

Release Date: July 7, 2009

Label: FatCat Records

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show: Today 11:00 PM Details

Fang Island "Daisy"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:50:00 GMT

Fang Island - Daisy

"I've been looking for something new to become completely, utterly, intoxicatedly obsessed with this month and I've found it in about thirty-two different shades of awesome with Fang Island's self-titled sophomore LP. I've done a phenomenal job losing every ounce of my former musical tastes (punk, hardcore, grindcore, ska) over the last five years but there's something about Fang Island that unanimously bridges the gap between my past and my present. It combines pop-punk's uplifting energy and grindcore's chaotic swells with the progressive noodling of math rock and anthemic chants of Animal Collective. I've never really heard anything like Fang Island before... needless to say it's absurdly exciting." (via I Guess I'm Floating)

Bonus: Fang Island - Life Coach

Fang Island

Release Date: February 23, 2010

Label: Sargent Records

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show: Friday 12:00 AM Details

Plants and Animals "Tom Cruz"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Plants and Animals - Tom Cruz

"The thing I've always loved about Plants & Animals is how they constantly push the limits of both fanatical and critical assumption. The band not only acknowledges, but willingly accepts the challenge of forcing people look past their varied mix of influences and think about their records as single entities that can only be digested after multiple listens. On Parc Avenue they not only got people to disregard their jam-heavy tendencies and quirky folk explorations, they had people regaling the sonic collages they built. Basically, the Montreal trio earned carte blanche to deliver another flavorful bouillabaisse of jazz, rock, and folk.

Instead, Warren, Matthew and Nicholas explode out of the gate with one of the heaviest, most muscular riffs they've ever recorded to tape. "Tom Cruz" still showcases the band's love of beauty in fleeting moments (the breakdown and harmonies that put the brakes on nicely at 2:51), but the core of the almost five minute adventure are the chugging bass lines, the stabs of guitar, drums and invigorating vocals. As far as excitement levels and expectations, "Tom Cruz" certainly puts critics and fans on notice. It's pretty obvious that La La Land - out April 20th on Secret City Records - isn't going to just be a subtle evolution of the same sounds we all loved two years ago." (via Hero Hill)

Bonus: Plants and Animals - The Mama Papa (via Ground Control)

Plants and Animals

La La Land

Release Date: April 20, 2010

Label: Secret City Records

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show: Friday 9:00 PM Details

The Indie Music Grinder Vol. 3

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

The week's indie music highlights in condensed form, so you can spend more time surfing for porn.

Albums That Make Us Wish The Format Wasn't Dead

Pavement

Quarantine The Past

Release Date: March 9, 2010

Label: Matador

Sure it's aimed at making new fans for Pavement's reunion tour, but this remastered collection was hand picked by the band that argueable invented indie rock in the 90's. Older fans might quibble with a few selections, but it's a fabulous starter set for newbies. Buy On Amazon

Cut Your Hair

Shady Lane

Two Door Cinema Club

Tourist History

Release Date (Import): March 9, 2010

Label: Kitsune

This debut album by three young Irish lads is chalked full of accessible and danceable hit potential songs. It's shiny electropop earworms trace influences to the likes of Vampire Weekend, Franz Ferdinand, and Block Party, which aren't bad reference points at all. Buy On Amazon

Something Good Can Work

This Is The Life

Videos That Don't Suck

Yeasayer's has a habit of putting out oddly compelling videos. Their new video for "O.N.E" has a morphing alien going to a hip party, where the band plays light-up instruments and the patrons play a weird game of chess. But the strangest thing about this video is they gave exclusive posting rights to a website who admittedly has never written a thing about the band. Also, they didn't make it so we could embed it, so you'll have to follow the link below. Guys, next time remember we recommended your album Odd Blood, so...call us.

Yeasayer Video Link Via Popjustice

Kid Cudi has a second and much better video for one of our Best Songs of 2009 "Pursuit of Happiness" featuring Ratatat and MGMT. It's a trippy video where things aren't always what they seem, including gravity, which might make you a little woozy watching this.

Kid Cudi Video Link Via On Smash

She & Him single "In the Sun" off Zooey Deschanel's second LP with producer and arranger M. Ward is called Volume Two and it's out March 23, via Merge. The lovely Mrs. Ben Gibbard not only dances and sings, but hula hoops, too. Meanwhile, M. Ward is Mr. Cool in school and bangs out a nice guitar solo in the hall at the end.

She & Him Video Link Via YouTube

The National performed a new track "Terrible Love" Wednesday night on Jimmy Fallon, who has been on a roll the past few weeks with some great musical guests. This is the first new material we've heard off their upcoming album High Violet we told you about last week. This song has a darker edge recalling Alligator more than their previous work, Boxer. Anyway, it's a rousing performance as the band appears in top form.

The National Video Link Via Popjustice

Videos That Suck Harder Than Your Mom('s Oreck XL)

Joanna Newsom has got a voice that's not very appealing to us to say the least. Granted we already dissed her recently released triple album, but, in an effort to be fair minded and perhaps see something in her live performance we don't hear at the studio, we watched her performance on this week's Jimmy Fallon. Oh well, scratch that idea. She sings out of the side of her mouth and grimaces in such a weird way it's sadly amusing. See if you can watch it with a straight face.

Joanna NewsomVideo Link Via YouTube

The Sweet Serenades have been featured here in the past and we're digging their debut album Balcony Cigarettes, but this video is like Tylenol PM to us. The official music video for "Die Young" (download the track for free here) is a duet with the lovely Karolina Komstedt from Club 8, except it's pretty boring with them sitting on a bed singing. You are getting ver-r-r-ry sleepy now.

The Sweet Serenades Video Link Via YouTube

We had the announce of The Strokes
confirmed as a headliner for Lollapooza earlier this week. We also saw a report yesterday from Loud Loop Press that Phoenix
may be another headliner soon to be made official. It's shaping up to an interesting mix with the likes of Lady GaGa
, Arcade Fire
, Green Day
, and a reunited Soundgarden. The full line-up is scheduled to be released on April 6th, so stay tuned. Tickets will go on sale the week before on March 30th.

Just a reminder, SXSW music begins Wednesday and so this is our last week of showcasing performing artists in our Java Jukebox. Check the bottom of those posts next to this logo for a link to a scheduled show(s). We could have done this for a long time with something like 1,900 bands now scheduled, but as they say, it's showtime!

More album release news to report this week along with some noteworthy new tunes.

"One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels is the name of a collaborative EP originally released by Bright Eyes and Neva Dinova back in 2004. And on March 23, Saddle Creek will reissue the six-track EP with four brand new songs recently recorded by members of the two groups, including two sung by Conor Oberst. "Happy Accident" is one of those two." (via Pitchfork)

Bright Eyes and Neva Dinova - Happy Accident

"Luke Temple and his band Here We Go Magic...only a year after their debut release, are planning to release their sophomore effort, Pigeons, on June 8th via their new label Secretly Canadian. Below you can find the first sneak peak from the album, “Collector”, which some of you may recognize as a staple of their live sets." (via Austin Town Hall)

Here We Go Magic - Collector

"The new song by psych-rock duo MGMT features flutes, horns, and about seven different sections that reference doo-wop, old school rock'n'roll, electro balladry, Ariel Pink-style lo-fi, wall-of-Spector pop, and the Beatles at their most high. All in four minutes and sixteen seconds! The track is from their new album, Congratulations, out April 13 on Columbia." (via Pitchfork)

MGMT - Flash Delirium

"‘Sleep Paralysist’ sees Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear working on production with Neon Indian's Alan Palomo for the first slice of new material since Neon Indian’s Psychic Chasms. Although not much of a progression the track follows the same formula of chilled beats and electro highlights which is pretty much Palomo’s trademark." (via Indiescreet)

Neon Indian - Sleep Paralysist

Royal Bangs "War Bells"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Royal Bangs - War Bells

"The Knoxville, Tennessee boys have been favorites of ours since their debut disc and Let It Beep takes things to the next level. The raw, energy fueled sound you get when you see the guys live was somehow transfered seamlessly to this album and if you have seen them do their thing for a live audience, you will appreciate Let It Beep even more.

The guys once again combine the midwestern garage rock thing with elements of soul, electronica and straight up weirdness to manufacture this new album, which I feel like is criminally overlooked so far. So do yourself a favor and pick up Let It Beep today, I’m betting you won’t regret it." (via Each Note Secure)

Bonus: Royal Bangs - My Car Is Haunted

Royal Bangs

Let It Beep

Release Date: September 15, 2009

Label: Audio EagleRecords

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

The So So Glos "Isn't It A Shame"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

The So So Glos - Isn't It A Shame

"The So So Glos play raucous, guitar-driven revolt rock in a sort of post-punk pastiche of almost every trendy trope in rock music since 1977. They wear their influences proudly on their sleeves, making it easy to group them with other gritty New York guitar-based bands like Television, the Dead Boys, and more recently, the Strokes...

They do it well, however, and they are indeed great performers. Watching them fling their bodies around the stage, whip the crowd into an ecstatic frenzy, and swing quite literally from the rafters, it was clear that these three brothers and one long time friend honestly believe in the power of rock and roll to exorcise demons, express inner turmoil and to allow people to have a fucking good time." (via Quiet Color)

Bonus: The So So Glos - Throw Your Hands Up (via New York Rock Market)

The So So Glos

Tourism/Terrorism

Release Date: October 21, 2008

Label: Green Owl Records

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

Jukebox The Ghost "Hold It In"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Jukebox The Ghost - Hold It In

"They have a youthful energy, a popping and bouncing in their sound that's like a barely contained chaos at times, but it's got piano and guitars and fun and excitement. I could have written about any number of the tracks on here, but I've decided on "Hold It In" for no real reason in particular. It's a great song among great songs, and let me tell you why.

I read somewhere when I first started listening to Jukebox the Ghost, that they do piano rock right. And I absolutely agree with that. With the handclaps and the pounding piano, it's pop music to the max, without that saccharine Jonas Brothers bullshit. There's a breathless line that has a great syncopation, not breathless in the airy, "ohmygosh" voice, but rather, breathless like the end of a long trombone solo. The sound is youthful, fun, and fresh. It sounds true without being emo or overbearing. There's a sincerity in the vibe of the song, in the vocals and the piano and even in the handclaps." (via The Bomb Shelter)

Bonus: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day (via My Old Kentucky Blog)

Jukebox The Ghost

Let Live and Let Ghosts

Release Date: April 22, 2008

Label: Rebel Group

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

Twin Sister "I Want A House"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Twin Sister - I Want A House

"‘I Want A House’ is characterised by empty spaces, floating wispiness fills the air and nothing of consequence can be deciphered. Why then do I adore this little tune so much? It’s one of those imponderables that only music can throw up, a most simple of shakedowns closes the piece down from about half way through and it’s altogether hypnotic to these ears. Twin Sister are a New York 5-piece who dished out their first release for free but are going all vinyl on us for the soon to be unleashed follow up. For fans of Stereolab 45’s spun at 33 1/3." (via mp3hugger)

Bonus: Twin Sister - Nectarine

Twin Sister

Vampires With Dreaming Kids

Self Release: 2008

Label: Infinite Best Recordings

Download Free EP

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

Banjo or Freakout "Upside Down"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:19:00 GMT

Banjo or Freakout - Upside Down

"Banjo or Freakout is the moniker to Alessio Natalizia, a London-based bedroom-pop artist who’s made a name for himself on the internet by covering artists from Burial to LCD Soundsystem to Vampire Weekend. It’s his own mesmerizing dream-pop songs though that caught my attention and makes him a likely candidate to be the next breakout indie star (he’s already being hit up by gorilla vs bear, stereogum, and pitchfork).

Although Banjo or Freakout have yet to release a full length album, Alessio has a few singles and EPs under his belt including the Upside Down EP, from which the aforementioned track gets it’s title. “Upside Down” is a great introduction to the artist, with its lush instrumentation and radiant melody. The song layers summery acoustic guitars, ocean wave effects, and tinkering piano into a warm blanket of hazy noise with Allesio’s warbly vocals serenading the listener. The result is absolutely sublime, one of the most absorbing and hypnotic tracks I’ve heard all year."(via Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good)

Bonus: Banjo or Freakout - Left It Alone (courtesy MBV Music)

Banjo or Freakout

Upside Down

Release Date (Import): May 12, 2009

Label: Turn Up

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

Blair "Hello Halo"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Blair - Hello Halo

"Back in 2007, New Orleans native Blair was gracing my ears with soft and melodic tracks. A lot has changed for the singer/songwriter since then, she's left the Big Easy for L.A. livin' and currently resides where the indie music pulse thump the loudest: Brooklyn. She also has a new record that released in January on Aquarium Drunkard's endorsed label Autumn Tone. Her debut LP is much deeper than the Pluto EP of 2007, with expanded instrumentation and songs far more dynamic than before.

"Paris France" is an extension on the type of soulful pop tunes from her earlier releases, complete with strong percussion that would fit perfectly in a jam from swingin' eras gone-by. Meanwhile "Hello Halo" is a great guitar driven track as catchy as it is cleverly constructed, definitely watch the outdoor live rendition below. Die Young oozes with upside and showcases Blair's artistic strengths while maintaining the free-spirited edge so crucial to her success." (via I Guess I'm Floating)

Bonus: Blair - Paris, France

Blair

Die Young

Release Date: January 26, 2010

Label: Autumn ToneRecords

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

Freelance Whales "Hannah"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Freelance Whales - Hannah

"Tambourines, banjo, glockenspiel, cello and harmonium line their music, along with more traditional instruments like guitar, bass, keyboard and drums. And while it’s not entirely original (what is nowadays); they blend the sharp electronic stabs of The Postal Service; the urban country twang of Noah and the Whale and Bishop Allen’s slightly awkward hipster melodies, they come across as a band following their hearts, working on a sound that will satisfy fans of the indie pop genre without slipping into a naff delirium. Anyone vaguely familiar with the bands mentioned will eagerly engage Freelance Whales’ soft, inoffensive swoon pop.

For a band that only formed in late 2008, Freelance Whales have an instant chemistry. Their recently self-released debut LP Weathervanes paints them as a much older band, one that has been writing music together for several years and has grown while learning in New York’s musical playground. Displaying such maturity is a credit to all five members’ ability to not only channel their influences but to evolve and find a unique cross-over that defines themselves without falling victim to the usual clichés. Debut records displaying this much class normally lead to greatness."(via Einstein Music Journal)

Bonus: Freelance Whales - Generator 2nd Floor (courtesy There Goes The Fear)

Freelance Whales

Weathervanes

Release Date: April 13, 2010

Label: Frenchkiss Records

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Shows Here

The Indie Music Grinder Vol. 2

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:04:00 GMT

Ed. Note - We had to change the title of this feature from The Indie Music Filter in order to avoid confusion with another web site. Actually, this title works with our graphic and conveys our irreverent view of the indie music scene just fine. Cool beans!

Albums That Make Us Wish The Format Wasn't Dead

Broken Bells

Release Date: March 9, 2010

Label: Sony

Broken Bells combines the intelligence of The Shins frontman James Mercer with the tight production of Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. Much like Burton's collaboration with Beck a couple years ago on Modern Guilt, it's a dreamscape of pop goodness. Buy On Amazon

The High Road

Vaporize

Videos That Don't Suck

Gorillaz new video debuted Tuesday as we mentioned last week and it lived up to all expectations. It's a wild car chase between the cartoon monkeys and guest star Bruce Willis who's playing his typical bad ass character. Check it out below.

Gorillaz Video Link Via YouTube

OK Go succeed in making better videos than music. We all remember their You Tube sensation "Here We Go Again" a few years ago. This one probably took longer to set up, but damn if it isn't worth it.

OK Go Video Link Via YouTube

Joy Formidable have a great new single. This is a band we're just catching up with and it looks like this is the first new material for a follow-up to their debut. Right now, this lo-fi animation is the only place you can hear the song on-line. Now will somebody please download the single and post it somewhere?

The Joy Formidable Video Link Via YouTube

Videos That Suck Harder Than Your Mom('s Oreck XL)

Goldfrapp seems to have gone for a retro 80's sound which is one thing we're not terribly excited about, but this video really dissapointed. Is it just us or does wrapping up your ex like a mummy and shooting them off in a rocket seem a bit over the top. Dull dance numbers also ensue along the way. Be warned!

GoldfrappVideo Link Via YouTube

Class Actress's Elizabeth Harper has the looks no doubt. We like her latest album and featured some songs off it this week in our Java Jukebox while she gets set to play SXSW in a couple of weeks. So, why should we mind a video of her squirming around in a sexy outfit. Well, because it's badly lit, out of focus, and winds up being a long boring tease. Good idea, bad execution.

Class Actress Video Link Via YouTube

This week, Pitchfork announced more additions to their Music Festival at Chicago's Union Park. The artists joining this year's bill are Broken Social Scene, Panda Bear, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, El-P, Girls, Titus Andronicus, Bear in Heaven, Freddie Gibbs, the Smith Westerns, Dâm-Funk, Cave, and Allá.

They say they still have plenty of artists left to announce, so stay tuned.
The current daily line-up is below with some selected tracks and links to more music. By the way, three-day passes are already sold out, so you're going to want to get your single-day passes quick here.

Friday, July 16:
-- Modest Mouse - Satellite Skin

-- Broken Social Scene - World Sick
-- El-P

Saturday, July 17:
-- LCD Soundsystem - Daft Punk Is Playing At My House

-- Panda Bear
-- The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
-- Raekwon
-- Titus Andronicus
-- Bear in Heaven - Lovesick Teenager
-- Freddie Gibbs
-- The Smith Westerns
-- Dâm-Funk

Sunday, July 18:
-- Pavement - Gold Soundz

-- St. Vincent - Marrow
-- Lightning Bolt
-- Girls - Laura
-- Cass McCombs
-- Here We Go Magic - Fangela
-- Sleigh Bells - Ring Ring
-- Cave
-- Allá

If you've seen this logo at the bottom of our Java Jukebox posts this week, you've noticed we've been focusing on artists performing at the upcoming SXSW fest. Next to the logo we have a link to the performer's scheduled show(s). We'll be covering as many artists as we can the next couple of weeks until it's over.

May is gearing up to be quite a big album release month. We already reported new albums from indie music giants The New Pornographers and Broken Social Scene
. This week we had some news on more new albums
releasing that month.

Minus The Bear is releasing it's new album Omni first on May 4th on Dangerbird Records. Head over to OmniTheAlbum.com to check out their game OMNI SAYS (an homage to one of their favorite 80's games, Simon Says). They have a new track "My Time" to download there. "Hearing this electronic Minus The Bear may be rather off setting at first. But as the song progresses you realize (we) still have the same band here, they are just trying out some new things." (via We All Want Someone To Shout For)

Minus The Bear - My Time

Band of Horses return with their much anticipated third album, Infinite Arms, on May 18. Touring members Tyler Ramsey and Bill Reynolds were added the band. All five members contributed to the recording process, causing frontman Ben Bridwell to state, "in many ways, this is the first Band of Horses record." (via Pitchfork). We're still waiting for a cover or track list.

Band of Horses - Funeral (from their debut Everything All The Time)

After their hip-hop collaboration with Damon Dash, BlakRoc, Dan Auerbach's solo album, The Almighty Defenders, and Patrick Carney's Drummer project, it seems like the Black Keys were putting their main band on hold. Well, they will be back on May 18 with Brothers, the sixth Black Keys album. Mostly recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama and produced by Auerbach and Carney themselves, Brothers features one song ("Tighten Up") produced by Danger Mouse, who helmed the last Black Keys album, Attack and Release.

Dan Auerbach - Brokenhearted, In Disrepair (from his solo album Keep It Hid)

LCD Soundsystem's new album is due in the UK May 17 courtesy of DFA/Parlophone and May 18 in the U.S. on DFA/Virgin. The nine-track album runs 65 minutes, according to band mastermind James Murphy. He told Pitchfork his label is currently deciding between "Drunk Girls" and "Change" for the first single. Apparently, last year's single (below) will not be on it.

LCD Soundsystem - Bye Bye Bayou

Saving the best for last, The National's fifth LP, High Violet, is due out May 11 on 4AD. We don't have any cover art or a track yet, but they do have a website where you can see them recording it here. Here's a track they contributed last year to the Red Hot Organization's charity compilation.

The National - So Far Around The Bend (from Dark Was The Night)

The Sandwitches "Kiss Your Feet"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

The Sandwitches - Kiss Your Feet

"Imbuing new indie music with a heavy dose of early 60's doo-wop isn't exactly new (see The Raveonettes, Jens Lekman, etc.), but it has been primarily concentrated in Scandinavia for reasons unknown (or too lengthy to wax on at this moment). Until now.

Enter San Francisco's The Sandwitches, a band who brings a sock-hop-meets-monster-mash indie vibe to their music that makes me want to dress up like Rizzo from Grease and tie a cute scarf around my neck. And not in a bad way. Their sound has just the right amount of scratchiness to keep it from falling into a retro cliche...and many of the songs add in a completely different vibe making for a thoroughly A plus album experience (bouncier Cat Power on "Kiss Your Feet" anyone?)."(via The Music File)

Bonus: The Sandwitches - Back To The Sea (courtesy Gorilla vs. Bear)

The Sandwitches

How To Make Ambient Sad Cake

Release Date (unofficial): March 6, 2010

Label: Turn Up

Buy On Insound

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

Wakey!Wakey! "Twenty Two"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Wakey!Wakey! - Twenty Two

"Mike Grubbs, the creative tour-de force known as Wakey! Wakey!, possesses two rarities in modern indie-pop: a commanding, scale-ascending voice of vibrant clarity and a classically-trained background that gives his songs a dazzling piano virtuoso musicality. After a slew of NY club dates, two live albums, last spring's War Sweater EP and a growing Big Apple buzzfactor, Grubbs recently unleashed his studio debut full length with the verbosely monikered Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You (Family). Like everything else we've heard from the Brooklyn-based troubadour, we're expecting Almost Everything to be an almost perfect amalgam of intelligent, emotionally centered lyricism, sweeping melodies and wide-screen, theatrical flourishes. This is "big idea" music -- but fortunately for us Grubbs and crew have the chops and the chutzpah to pull it off."(via Direct Current Music)

Wakey!Wakey!

Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You

Release Date: February 2, 2010

Label: Family Records

Buy On Amazon

Class Actress "Careful What You Say"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:50:00 GMT

Class Actress - Careful What You Say

"Brooklyn: cesspool of indie creativity and the stomping grounds of a seriously potent pipeline o' talent. Most cities have their day in the musical spotlight and then it moves elsewhere around America, yet Brooklyn could be the focal point of an entire book based on their fixation with remaining in the spotlight. Another outfit jumping from the beloved borough onto my computer and into my ears, Class Actress has my head bobbing.

Formerly the solo project of theatre graduate Elizabeth Harper, Class Actress expanded to a trio and further developed their sound into a twist of dark pop infused with electro-beats. Harper's smooth vocals and penchant for melody fit perfectly with synthesizers, urging your body to twist and squirm rhythmically with the music. "Careful What You Say" had me hooked from the in-your-face synth at the beginning, almost lifting my spirits all-together in addition to putting a smile on my face." (via I Guess I'm Floating)

Bonus: Class Actress - Journal of Ardency

Class Actress

Journal Of Ardency

Release Date: February 9, 2010

Label: Terrible Records

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

Slow Club "Giving Up On Love"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Slow Club - Giving Up On Love

"Well, these two sound awfully cheerful for a couple of people singing about abandoning their hopes and dreams! Still, as much as they’re expressing frustration with unrequited love and loneliness, it’s very apparent that they’re having a lot of fun with the drama of it all. Why else would this song sound like such an unironic thrill? On the face of it, Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor are shouting “That does it, I quit!”, but it’s obvious to anyone that they’re actually sweetly proclaiming “I’m ready! Love me! Love me!” The best moment in the song comes when Rebecca sings “I’ve been tired and hopeful for far too long now” on the bridge to the chorus, and despite the negativity in her words, she couldn’t sound more forthright and optimistic. This isn’t really about being sad and desperate, it’s about having a lot of love to give and getting impatient waiting for someone who deserves it all."(via Fluxblog)

Bonus: Slow Club - It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful (courtesy The Culture Of Me)

Slow Club

Yeah, So

Release Date: March 30, 2010

Label: Moshi Moshi Records

Buy On Amazon

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

The Delta Mirror "He Was Worse Than The Needle He Gave You"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

The Delta Mirror - He Was Worse Than The Needle He Gave You

"The trio of Craig Gordon (vox, guitar), David Bolt (vox, gadgets) and Karrie K (vox, bass) uses the descriptor “electro shoe-goth” to capture their sound. It’s pretty dead-on. As with former Portlander Bolt’s solo gig Letdown, The Delta Mirror puts together ambient indie rock with purpose—chirps, whooshes and beeps all find their place over hushed vocals and gentle beats—and, more importantly, melodies. It’s not just an exercise in self-indulgence (i.e. wankery)—these songs are good.

The group’s new release Machines That Listen is out March 16 on Lefse Records (including vinyl!)—nine songs that take place in a different room of a hospital. The concept began with a couple autobiographical songs written by Gordon, who then decided to build the story from there. Each song stands on its own, too. “He Was Worse Than the Needle He Gave You” and album closer “A Song About the End” are the standouts (the latter reminds of Zooropa-era U2)." (via The Days of Lore)

Bonus Download: The Delta Mirror - A Song About The End (via Ear, Eye, Nose Candy)

The Delta Mirror

Machines That Listen

Release Date: March 16, 2010

Label: Lefse Records

Dr. Dog "Shadow People"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Dr. Dog - Shadow People

"Dr. Dog has been around, as a band, for over a decade now. Their impending release – Shame, Shame – will be their sixth, and it’s undoubtedly their most anticipated. The lead single was released this past week, entitled “Shadow People,” and it shows off an upbeat, polished Americana sound.

“Shadow People” is an I-95 South track, warming as it forges down the coast, the temperature increasing with each state line that passes. It drops you off somewhere around Columbia, SC, in a bar off of the well-worn strip, where there’s no cover and the band is playing for $50 and some beers. In a nutshell, you should enjoy it."(via Tympanogram)

Dr. Dog

Shame, Shame

Release Date: April 6, 2010

Label: ANTI- Records

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

Holly Miranda "Waves"

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:42:00 GMT

Holly Miranda - Waves

"Holly Miranda, lead singer of one of my favorite bands The Jealous Girlfriends, has gone solo for the moment with her new debut LP The Magician’s Private Library. One thing I knew about Miranda from the few Jealous Girlfriend shows I’d attended – she can sing, and she can rock. Buuut…I had no idea she’d be capable of making such a diverse and spectacular album such as this. Seriously she touches on that Bat For Lashes realm here. Miranda sets down the guitar, picks up EVERYTHING else and layers it behind her ethereal voice. The Magician’s Private Library was recorded with Dave Sitek (of TV on the Radio fame). Apparently they slept all day and recorded all night for three weeks. Miranda says “if my prior recording sessions were school, this was like getting a master’s." (via Pasta Primavera)

Bonus Download: Holly Miranda - Forest Green Oh Forest Green (via 20 Watts)

Holly Miranda

Magician's Private Library

Release Date: February 23, 2010

Label: XL Recordings

SXSW Performer

Scheduled Show(s) Here

The Indie Music Grinder Vol. 1

Wake Up and Smell The Music — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT

If you've landed here recently, you're probably noticed some changes happening. Most obvious is the new look. We think it's a cleaner, brighter, more streamlined format. We hope you like it. Less visible, but more significant is the fundamental shift in our content you'll see going forward. Sure, we're still covering the best of indie music, but we're going back to basics to how we envisioned this site when we started a couple of years ago.

There's a lot of indie music and news each week and it's really impossible for one source to cover it all. Believe me, we have tried. Thankfully, there are plenty of devoted blogs and publications which collectively do a fine job. So why cover what has already been reported somewhere else? I know most blogs do it, but it seems redundant to us. Instead, why not just search out the best music from the resources available already. Couple that with with new music submitted to us by the good folks at the record labels and PR firms and we can spotlight the best content out there. We'll condense it into a daily sort of a Reader's Digest dose and deliver it in the morning early enough for you to have with your first cup of coffee. Wow, that not only fits our name, but fulfills the original mission we had in mind when we began this blog. So, that's what we'll be doing most days.

This weekend feature you are now reading, we call ~~The Indie Music Filter~~ (change that, we were notified we inadvertently infringed on another web site) The Indie Music Grinder, is the one exception to the new format. This will be our forum to share the odds and ends: music, news, videos and a chance to express some opinions. Although we're becoming very track oriented, this will be a place we can still discuss and recommend new album releases without getting bogged down in the process of assigning a score as we have in the past. Take this as a semi-serious, somewhat irreverent look at the state of Indie Music. That's where we we want to go with this feature. Now that you have an idea of what is happening here, let's kick off this first issue.

Albums That Make Us Wish The Format Wasn't Dead

Rogue Wave

Permalight

Release Date: March 2, 2010

Label: Brushfire Records

Considering what the band has been through since their last record (one member died, another had kidney failure), this is a terrific upbeat, joyous slice of indie pop that's surprisingly even danceable. We've featured a couple tracks here already. Here those tracks again:

Good Morning

Solitary Gun

Albums That Make Us Wish We Were Dead

Joanna Newsom

Have One On Me

Release Date: February 23, 2010

Label: Drag City

Good god, this is awful! Awfully long too, like 3 albums of her warbling, off key wailing about something or other, while our brains rot into mush. One reviewer from a respected publication apparently lost so many brain cells listening to this, they actually compared her voice to Joni Mitchell. Joni Mitchell! WTF! Don't be swayed by the gushing reviews, you will be lucky to listen to the whole thing before taking your own life.

Shearwater
Golden Archipelago
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Label: Matado
r Records
Maybe, I've just never really found Jonathan Meiburg's work after he left Okkervil River to be very interesting. Sure, he's a fine musician, but it always seems like he's holding back on me. There's a hint at times it might swell into something grand, but I keep drifting off in thought. When you start thinking about a better album you'd rather be listening right then, that is the calling card of boredom, my friend.

Videos That Didn't Suck

Oh, and they are all live performances. One was from a new band we spotlighted yesterday. San Franciso's The Morning Benders got together to do their hit "Excuses" with a group of Bay Area friends, including John Vaderslice and Christopher Owens of Girls.

Morning Benders Video Link on Vimeo

Secondly, we meant to post this video awhile back and...well, we forgot. Before we let the month end, we gonna revisit this February 11th performance from Neon Indian on Jimmy Fallon doing a medley of two Psychic Chasms tracks, "Terminally Chill" and "Ephemeral Artery".

Neon Indian Video Link (Via Stereogum)

Next Tuesday, Broken Bells, the duo of The Shins' Jim Mercer and Danger Mouse, will release their self titled collaberation. Last Friday, they performed together for the first time on stage at LA's Bootleg Theatre. There was a video set of the entire live performance, but it's been taken down, but we found another one for their single "The High Road". Although it's not quite as good in quality, you can see they had quite a light show going that night. Better watch it quick before it's taken down, too.

Video Link Via YouTube

Videos That Suck Harder Than An Oreck XL

Whoever keeps sending me these stupid mysterious videos going by the ridiculous moniker iamamiwhoiam needs to knock it off. Please! I was turned off enough by the first couple of them. Here the latest one if you want to see what I'm talking about.

Video Link (via YouTube)

The current #1 video on elbo.ws is jj's "Let Go". Nice song, but boring video. Don't believe me? Go ahead and watch it below. Hey, it's your time to waste anyway you want.

Video Link (via YouTube)

We've admitted it. We do well to keep up with all the new indie music releases, but we noticed out of the current top 15 tracks on elbo.ws, we've posted 6 of them this week ourselves. (Yes, we just took our own hand and patted ourselves on the back.) Here's a few more tracks on their list we've been trying to find a spot to post. Mmm...looks like right below is as good a place as any.

Club 8 - Western Hospitality

Nada Surf - Electrocution (Bill Fox Cover)

The Radio Dept. - Heaven's On Fire

Rafter - Paper

On Tuesday, we'll see some highly anticipated albums from Frightened Rabbit, Portugal. The Man, The Ruby Suns and of course our recommended pick Rogue Wave. We've posted a track off all those in the archives. Also on Tuesday, watch for Gorillaz video premiere for "Stylo" on YouTube a week prior the release of Plastic Beach. We've already posted that particular track, but here's another cut that surfaced this week.

Gorillaz - Superfast Jellyfish (Via The Music Ninja)

Lastly, we have some just announced info on a new album in the works for Born Ruffians. The album Say It will be released June 1st on Paper Bag Records. We'll leave you with the cover art, tracklist and a new song below.

Tracklist

1. Oh Man

2. Retard Canard
3. Sole Brother (via So Much Silence)
4. What To Say
5. The Ballad Of Moose Bruce
6. Higher And Higher
7. Come Back
8. Nova-Leigh
9. Blood, The Sun & Water
10. At Home Now