ARTIST: We Need Help + Monsters of Folk!

So it's looking like our server problem might not get resolved. Subsequently, we're looking for an online server so we can keep sharing the music we love... which brings me to a question: do any of you out there in blog-land have any recommendations? Let us know in the comments or by email and we'll be getting this thing back up and in full-swing again soon!

In other news, here's something I'm pretty excited about - M. Ward, Conor Oberst, and Yim Yames (Jim James of My Morning Jacket) are rearing to release their first record together as 'Monsters of Folk', and so far the first single is everything I'd hope it would be. You can get the track for FREE at monstersoffolk.com, and then go see them bring the folk when they roll through your town this fall.

ARTIST: Fanfarlo

I feel a duty to inform you of one of the greatest and most one-sided deals in music right now.
For $1, you can be the proud owner of the latest from the beautiful British band Fanfarlo.
Worth every penny. (Which is only 100! I can scrounge that out of the couch cushions right now.)
Seriously, no excuses.
Fanfarlo has recently been seeing some well-deserved buzz around the blogs. Although they are being touted as the "British Arcade Fire" (and yes, you can hear it) at times their swirling and swooning melodies and instrumentation feels more akin to Beirut (or the soundtrack of my most recent daydream).

mp3: Fanfarlo - I'm A Pilot
from the album Reservior (download for $1)

ARTIST: Japandroids

Speaking of Sasquatch.
With the Gorge really only a few hours away from our neighbors to the north there was quite the Canadian population (judging purely on how many times I heard 'out' pronounced 'oot')
And a common complaint from the Canadians next to us during the festival (besides having to drive home in the scary dark) was the disappearance of Vancouver rockers Japandroids from the festival lineup.
And having checked them out, they're something else. Something else entirely.

I've always thought I had a pretty wide taste in music, but I've come to realize that there is a lot of music out in this wide world of ours and there's a lot I don't like.
And when I first heard Japandroids' chaotic garage rock/punk style I said, "Ya, I like it, but its not really my stlye." So I immediately dismissed them. But I kept coming back and had to finally admit...I really like them. They're not my usual fare, but that doesn't stop them from being really really great.
And now having heard their whole album Post-Nothing, its pretty great. So even if "chaotic garage rock/punk" doesn't sound like you...give a go anyway. You never know.

mp3: Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire
from the album Post-Nothing (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Cymbals Eat Guitars

Cymbals Eat Guitars are making some waves right now, and rightly so. This threesome is making some considerable wave-making music.

I used a song of theirs yesterday in our Indiana post, and it's just one of several great tracks off their independently released debut, Why There Are Mountains. In the album's first few minutes, their propensity for making noise might remind you of some early Modest Mouse, and their sheer intensity might call to mind At The Drive In (remember them?!). But this group is all about surprises, and they won't stay cornered for long. As the record's nine tracks unfold, elements of shoegaze, jazz, and even pop color the jagged sound-scape, with lots and lots of sonic surprises (think YHF and A Ghost is Born-era Wilco, but with more muscle). It would be easy for these guys to come off as a bit esoteric if it weren't for the un-adulterated hooks and melodies that weave in and out of all their songs. Every single one has what I call a "perk-up" moment, the kind that makes me stop what I'm doing and just listen. This is good stuff.

And by the way, their sound is just half of Cymbal Eats Guitars' talent. I was actually the most impressed with them after reading some of their lyrics. Basically, there's a lot to love here, above and below the surface. Enjoy.

mp3: Cymbals Eat Guitars - Wind Phoenix (Proper Name)
from the album Why There Are Mountains (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Booker T.

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend, we definitely did. Logan spent the bulk of his on the road to go see some amazing acts at the Sasquatch Music Festival in Washington (I'm sure he'll be filling you in later), while I spent my last weekend in Utah camping in Arches National Park. Although it started off a bit rocky, it ended up a pretty amazing weekend. We didn't get in until around 1 on Saturday morning, so we spent a rainy night four-deep in the bed of my friend's pick-up and wondered what we'd gotten ourselves into. Fortunately, Saturday was perfect, and we spent the day hiking several of Utah's famed arches and off-roading in Moab's sand flats (we even did the "surprising" Fins & Things). To finish the day we camped on the edge of a beautiful cliff beyond the flats, just across from an impromptu waterfall (due to the sudden rains) - it couldn't have been more perfect.

One thing I learned this weekend is that Booker T.'s new album with the Drive By Truckers makes the PERFECT off-roading soundtrack. If you're not familiar, Booker T. and the MG's were an instrumental outfit in the 60's and 70's that fused rock and soul into one big awesome sound. On this record, called Potato Hole, Booker T. brings his trademark organ to the mix, and the DBT's bring their trademark dirty Southern rock. And the result? Like I said, it's great off-roading music. Here's a little Outkast-inspired taste to see if it's up your alley.

mp3: Booker T. & the DBT's - Hey Ya
from the album Potato Hole (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: The Sound Of Arrows

About a week ago I got an email from my friend James filling me in on a bunch of scandinavien artists he's been listening to lately. There were a bunch of names on the list I'd never heard of, so needless to say, I was pretty excited to dive in. Well, I've been thrilled with most all of them, so you can expect to see them popping up here soon.

Anyways, this is one of my favorites from my new "JAMES SUGGESTS" playlist. The Sound of Arrows hooked me right from the first few seconds of their song "M.A.G.I.C." and have had me smiling wide ever since. I mean, how could you not? This is just a "smile wide" kind of song. The kind that has me shamelessly car-dancing with the windows down, and not even caring! Seriously. Not even caring. This is fantastic.

mp3: The Sound of Arrows - M.A.G.I.C.
from the M.A.G.I.C. EP (iTunes)

ARTIST: Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele

So I've put Dent May on a couple of playlists now and I feel like I might owe you all an explanation. I'm kind of loving this guy. His debut album was recently released on Paw Tracks, and it's essentially lounge music with a ukulele, sung with a Jens Lekman-like croon and a whole bunch of tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Some of the humor doesn't quite break out of the ironic hipster realm, but most of the music sure does, with arrangements that are both comical and legitimately entertaining. That's about it. You should check him out (especially if you're in the Salt Lake area tomorrow night - he's playing at Kilby Court).

mp3: Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - Girls On The Square
from the album The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele (Amazon/iTunes)


mp3: Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - You Can't Force A Dance Party
from the album The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Solid Gold

Welcome to the first installment of our new Sing the Elements project!

Ok, not really. Chris just has so much fun with his States project that I'm a little jealous. Although there are a lot of artists and songs with elements in their names and titles - so who knows what the future holds? (Answer: The future does not hold a Sing the Elements project.) The most notable artist in my life right now that also appears on the periodic table is the smooth and synthy Solid Gold.

This trio from Minneapolis will get you moving. (If you can dance. I can't so it just makes me wish I could move it.) This album is like your own little self-contained dance party. But what I love and what makes it stand out above the rest is so beautifully summed up in the opening lines of their song Synchronize, "Give me something real." Ya, there's a lot of synth but its got some real meat to it. It feels like real music instead of a shallow reconstruction of blips and beeps.

mp3: Solid Gold - Get Over It
from the album Bodies of Water (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Tinted Windows

Ok, so you might have heard of the supposed-supergroup Tinted Windows, made up of Taylor Hanson (of MMMBop fame), guitarist James Iha (from The Smashing Pumpkins), bassist Adam Schlesinger (from Fountains of Wayne), and drummer Bun E. Carlos (from Cheap Trick). I'll be honest, after laughing at the absurd-sounding collaboration, I didn't even bother listening to them - I mean, there's really no chance I'd like anything they're making. C'mon.

Well, I just happened to stumble on these videos of them performing on some show I've never heard of (with a ridiculously awkward host), and I must have been bored or something, because I watched them. And you know what? I don't hate them.






Ok, so what do you think? I mean the songs are pretty much fluff, but I was expecting that. They're obviously not gunning for anything too weighty - but the songs are hooky and pretty rockin', and the music sounds pretty close to the 90's power-pop I loved in junior high. Basically, I thought they're pretty fun despite myself, and that was worth writing about. The funny thing to me is that with Taylor Hanson heading the group you'd think there might be some heart-throb potential there, but I just don't see that happening with Carlos (who's close to 60) jamming right behind him. But who knows.

Also, happy Cinco De Mayo you guys.

ARTIST: Winter Gloves

A quick search through Wikipedia and you'll discover that gloves have a rich and varied history. (Who knew gloves even had a history? Gotta use that history degree somehow I guess, might as well study gloves.)
Baseball, boxing, work, driving, and falconry. What do these all have in common. Gloves...and gloves make the world great.

Why the glove talk? Just a way to lead into my favorite gloves as of late - Winter Gloves. Not the seasonal variety of hand-coverings, but rather the addictive Montreal-based band.
Just a great combination of synthy-pop beats, driving bass, and catchy lyrics that one minute have you dancing ("Let Me Drive") and the next minute have you relaxing to beautiful harmonies in what can be described as easy listening. ("Piano 4 Hands")
And the Winter Gloves pull it off. Their debut album, About a Girl isn't a bunch of strong dance songs with some mediocre slow material interspersed, but a solid album through and through. If you missed their fantastic video for the album's lead single, check it out HERE.

Oh and Chris failed to mention in his New York post that Gloversville, NY is a world center for glove manufacturing. (An unfortunate oversight that is being corrected here.)

Winter Gloves - Let Me Drive
from the album About a Girl (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Goodtimes Goodtimes

Last week I included a song by the talented Goodtimes Goodtimes in our "Snow Is Gone" playlist, and was excited to get an email afterwords announcing their plans to release an EP in the near future.

We originally wrote about Goodtimes Goodtimes (which is essentially Franc Cinelli) about a year ago after his debut album Glue was released (read that post HERE). While his music could be lumped in with the likes of several Bob Dylan aspirers, his knack for writing cheerful ditties like the ones below set him apart a bit. The music keeps a buoyancy worthy of Franc's moniker, and assuming the EP sees daylight soon, it'll make a perfect summer soundtrack.

Here are two tracks from the upcoming release, first the title track "Let It Begin", and second a finished version of one of my favorite Goodtimes Goodtimes tracks to date, "For All My Kingdom". You can also check out a video for "Let It Begin" below. Enjoy!

Goodtimes Goodtimes - Let It Begin
from the upcoming Let It Begin EP


Goodtimes Goodtimes - For All My Kingdom
from the upcoming Let It Begin EP

ARTIST: A.A. Bondy

So I've kind of mentioned it before, but I'll be moving to Indianapolis at the end of June to start dental school in July - so these are my last few months here in Utah. Any of our readers from Indiana? I hear the music scene is pretty great, so assuming I have any time in between my dental classes, I'm excited to be a part of it.

I'm sad to be leaving Utah, not least because of all the amazing concerts coming here this summer. The other day I noticed that A.A. Bondy will be coming to the Urban Lounge on June 23rd, which just smarts (we'll be missing him by days). If you have the chance, please see this guy play. He released one of the best albums I missed in 2007 - but I've been making up for it in spades over the last several months. It's called American Hearts and it's one of the best gritty folk records I've heard in awhile - with plenty of harmonica and electric guitar over some exceptionally pretty acoustic ballads. Listen and love below.

Also, his Daytrotter session is one of the very best I've ever heard. Listen to it HERE.

A.A. Bondy - Black Rain, Black Rain
from the album American Hearts (Amazon/iTunes)


A.A. Bondy - Killed Myself When I Was Young
from the album American Hearts (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Animal Collective

If you already know about Animal Collective: Don't bother, nothing new here.

If you haven't heard of Animal Collective: Please listen and try to make sense of their self-proclaimed genre - "freeform, electronic, horror, gospel, hip-hop, soul, pop madness."

Either way, its a lot of fun and quite the experience.

Oh and yes, the picture is moving. Weird huh?

Animal Collective - My Girls
from the album Merriweather Post Pavillion (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: MT 2MB

MT 2MB (pronounced 'empty tomb') was originally conceived only as a side project for renowned Glockenspiel-ist Logan Holtman (of ‘Guitarmageddon’ fame) however, it quickly evolved into something much much more when Logan was joined by pianist Niels “Kneels” Yensen (most recently associated with O.W.G.). The world has been praising their purely average and predictable style of Christian-Rock since.

After the release of their first album a little less than six months ago, Christian-Rock pioneers MT 2MB have announced the release of their second studio album, By Faith Alone.

Logan Holtman, lead singer and accomplished jazz flutist, said in a recent interview concerning their new release, "Our first album was really for the fans, this album is a departure from the usual. Kneels and I took some time off of the touring circuit, cleared our heads, got on our knees, and recorded our most experimental album to date. That was actually all done within an afternoon, mixing and all, and I think the results speak for themselves."

The 2-disc deluxe version includes a bonus DVD that chronicles Holtman and Yensen's spiritual journey on the road to By Faith Alone. As Yensen described it, "It was an epic journey, a hard row to hoe, filled with more than one "arrow from the Adversary", and sometimes, when you were ready to give up and go back to making generic radio alt-rock and you felt like you couldn't possibly lay down another track, you felt someone else's hand strumming that guitar or hitting those keys. The mixing was all us though."

The country has never needed MT 2MB's spiritual stylings as much as it needs them now. Tackling such issues as evolution ('That's Not My Daddy') and the failing economy ('Filthy Lucre') it speaks to this generation of Americans and offers direction that can only be found through Christian rock.

MT 2MB - The Wise Man Built His House Upon this ROCK!
from the album By Faith Alone (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Gregor Samsa

Gregor Samsa is a group you might have a hard time pinning a label on. People have used terms like post-rock or slowcore to describe them, but neither of those really do it for me. While fans of Sigur Ros or Explosions in the Sky will find a lot to enjoy here, I'm hesitant to draw too close a comparison. Their music is too symphonic to be slapped with a post-rock label - I think there's more Nico Muhly or Philip Glass here than Mogwai, if you know what I mean. Fronted vocally by both Champ Bennett and Nikki King, their male/female interplay heightens the composed nature of these songs, lifting them out of the typical rock&roll outgrowth. All that aside though, this is just really pretty music.

Their new record, Over Air, just came out last Tuesday. It includes a recording of their live radio performance on Amsterdam's VPRO radio station in May 2008. It's pretty amazing - and if the music itself doesn't initially wow you, hopefully the fact that it was recorded live will. The sound of the micro-orchestra they've assembled behind Bennett and King's vocals is breath-taking, and the sound is pristine. There are a few remixes on here as well, but the real gold is in the live tracks - if you like what you hear, check out these songs in their original forms on their previous records, Rest, 55:12, and 27:36.

Gregor Samsa - Three / VPRO
from the album Over Air (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Relentless7

I don't know what version of Ben Harper I love most:
Ben Harper (solo)
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals
Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama

or his newest incarnation

Relentless7 (or is it Ben Harper and Relentless7?)

I have deep feelings for all of the above and each has some pretty compelling arguments, but right now.......the wail of a distorted slide guitar is just about the sweetest sound in the world.

Relentless7's album, White Lies for Dark Times, isn't due until May 5th, but we've been given a great little taste of what to expect with 'Shimmer and Shine' (the new single out March 9th), a pounding rock song with the aforementioned distorted slide guitar.

UPDATE: The song was taken down by blogger yet again. Sorry.

The Relentless7 - Shimmer and Shine
from the album White Lies for Dark Times (pre-order Amazon)

ARTIST: White Lies

I'm currently enamored by a plucky little British band called White Lies.

Remember that skit Conan O'brien used to do, If They Mated? Classic.
Well if we took the Killers and the Kaiser Chiefs and had them mate, I feel their baby would sound something like White Lies.
A combination of the Killers and the Kaiser Chiefs.......ya, there is nothing about that sentence that I don't like.

Except where they depart from these artists is that it's pretty dark (scary dark), the best way to describe White Lies' music would be 'brooding synth pop rock.'
The whole album seems to deal with the concepts of death, dying, and saying farewell to times, places, and people you have come to love. (through songs about murderous kidnappings, electro-shock therapy, and zombie romance)
Freaky right?!

It scares me, but I like it.

I don't know what that says about me right now.

UPDATE: It happened again. Our post got taken down by Blogger. Nevermind that we have permission and whatnot to post these mp3s.

White Lies - To Lose My Life
from the album To Lose My Life (iTunes)

ARTIST: Doves

Just a note about the new album from Doves (is it hard for anyone else to not put a "The" in front of their name?). It's called Kingdom of Rust, and it's due out April 7th (US). I don't love the cover artwork, but the few cuts I've heard from it are pretty great - more sweeping widescreen rock songs from these guys that do sweeping widescreen rock songs right. Their first single, 'Jetstream' has been consistently rocking several of my playlists since January, and I'm excited to see what these guys churn out on this, their first record since 2004's Some Cities.

Check it out below, along with one of my very favorite Doves tracks, 'Pounding', off 2002's The Last Broadcast. Also! If you're one of our readers in the UK, click here for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see these guys at one of their March gigs. Enjoy!

Doves - Jetstream
from the album Jetstream (Pre-order at Amazon)


Doves - Pounding
from the album The Last Broadcast (Amazon/iTunes)

ARTIST: Pree

The first thing that caught my attention about DC's Pree was their rich instrumentation. The lush acoustic sounds they've put together on their debut EP are pretty breathtaking, although never especially overstated. Drawing on traditonal folk influences, the acoustic guitar and ingenuous percussion are accented by subtle other elements perfectly, bringing together a small woodland symphony of flutes and strings and horns - it's really quite beautiful, and it all kind of evokes a hazy Appalachian landscape.

Left there, Pree would just be making some pretty music - but then they go and add May Tabol's voice, which washes over the top of this serene musical backdrop with her Isaac Brock-like cadence and a striking lyrical charm. Admittedly, her delivery might have to grow on some, but for me she was the perfect touch to push this little EP from good to brilliant. It's out at the end of March, so be a peach and pick it up, and be looking for a full-length from them by the end of the year.

Pree - In The Parlor
from the EP A Chopping Block (pre-order at kora records)

ARTIST: Sondre Lerche

My friend Jon called me up a while ago and told me to check out Sondre Lerche, "Look him up, listen to him, and put him on your blog" he said. I have to admit that I initially forgot his name, but I finally did look him up and took a listen. Well, I was pleasantly surprised, and here I am putting him on my blog. You might already be familiar with Sondre's stuff from the Dan In Real Life soundtrack - but if you haven't seen it (I haven't) then be prepared to be pleasantly surprised as well.

Why surprised? Well, you might pre-judge the guy for doing the soundtrack for a pseudo-sappy Hollywood comedy (I did). Then after you see a few of his press photos you might think, "oh no" (I did again). Thankfully, neither of these things are good predictors for the kind of music he's making. In fact, Sondre's got a sound that's both poppy and mature, and I've been thoroughly enjoying what I've heard so far.

Growing up on the West Coast (of Norway), he began taking an interest in various musical styles as a young guy - varying from Elvis Costello, to The Beach Boys, to Brazillian pop music. You can hear a bit of all three in this particular track, off the Dan In Real Life soundtrack. It's bouncy pop music for sure, but with a lot of grounded guitar work and some beautiful arranging. If you like that, then check out his most recent record, 2007's Phantom Punch.

Sondre Lerche - To Be Surprised
from the Dan In Real Life Soundtrack (Amazon/iTunes)