Radiohead on the Colbert Report

Apparently, Radiohead is scheduled for a one-hour special on the Colbert Report. Seems odd, but I like Radiohead and I like the Colbert Report, so I'll probably have to tune in Monday night. See the announcement on the Colbert Report website here.

WATERS: "For the One" video

I already posted about WATERS very recently, but because the album comes out today (and what I've heard of it so far is great), I thought I would treat you all to this little music video I found.



I dig this video. I hope you do, too.

mp3: WATERS--For the One

Buy the album now! <

Speaking of Luke Rathborne... Luke Rathborne: "Dog Years"

In the previous post I did some of my own horn-tooting by identifying the actor in the Washed Out video as being Luke Rathborne. However, for those of you who think that ol' Luke is just a pretty face, check out his song, "Dog Years," below (or buy it here).

Luke Rathborne--Dog Years

Speaking of Iceland...Washed Out: "Amor Fati" (video)

I recently wrote a post concerning the great music that seems to be streaming disproportionately out of Iceland. Now I'm writing a post about the music video for Washed Out's "Amor Fati," which was filmed (guess where)...

DRUM ROLL.........






ICELAND!

A coincidence? Well...maybe, but I don't want to go jumping to conclusions.

Anyway, here's the video:


(Check out the Icelandic flag at 3:21)

Also, I kind of have to boast a little bit. I officially do not have prosopagnosia ! I happen to recognize the cutie starring in the video as being Luke Rathborne.

Canon Blue: "Indian Summer (Des Moines)"

Canon Blue is Daniel James of Copenhagen/Nashville. He will be starting a tour in mid-October with The Boxer Rebellion. Below are two tracks off the album Rumspringa (Released Aug 16th).

Canon Blue--Indian Summer (Des Moines)

Canon Blue--A Native (Madison)

WATERS: "O Holy Break of Day"

 
WATERS is a new solo project started by Van Pierszalowski of Port O'Brien. His debut album, Out in the Light, will come out on Tuesday via TBD Records.

Buy the album from Amazon here. Featured below is a track off that album, "O Holy Break of Day."

WATERS--O Holy Break of Day

Iceland

 
I've noticed recently that, for a country of only 320,000 people, Iceland has a lot of excellent music. To illustrate this point I have included tracks below from 6.5 Icelandic bands.

1. Sigur Rós

Sigur Ros--Gobbledigook

2. Seabear

Seabear--Cat Piano

3. Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men--Little Talks

4. Ólafur Arnalds

Ólafur Arnalds--Þú ert sólin (You Are the Sun)

5. Emiliana Torrini

Emiliana Torrini--Sunny Road

6. GusGus

GusGus--Over

7. Jónsi (the half, because he's a part of Sigur Rós, too)

Jonsi--Boy Lilikoi

Some Song Links

In this post I deliver to you a special triple-whammy surprise.

Whammy #1: "I Am the Lion King" audio (because I didn't have it before).

Whammy #2: A new Widowspeak track (because I only posted before about older Widowspeak songs).

Whammy #3: "Badlands" (because I woke up to this song every morning for six months and loved it--also Bruce Springsteen looks awesome jumping in front of an American flag and I wasn't sure if I needed another reason to put that picture on here (but just in case I did, I have one now)).

Enjoy.

PAPA: "I Am the Lion King"

PAPA--I Am the Lion King

Widowspeak: "Puritan"

Widowspeak--Puritan

Bruce Springsteen: "Badlands"

Bruce Springsteen--Badlands

Guards: "Swimming After Dark"

The Vampire Weekend post reminded me of another band--Guards. Guards did a cover of "Taxi Cab," which is what brought them to mind. Their cover can be found below: However, "Taxi Cab" is just a spinning off point. The real subject of this post is their song, "Swimming After Dark." After all, it's in the title, right?

In actuality, I don't have much to say about it, other than a brief, "It's good. Check it out." So, here it is:

It's good. Check it out:

Guards--Swimming After Dark

Vampire Weekend: Contra

Vampire Weekend released their new album, Contra, almost a year ago. I've only been writing this blog for a few days. Needless to say, I did not have the opportunity to announce Contra and praise its distinct sound and musical merits prior to its release. Damn.

I guess I'll write this blog post to anyone who has not yet listened to the new album. I'm writing this as a plea to give it a listen, because I think it's worth it.

Sure, "Vampire Weekend" is a dumb name. And, while "no one gives a fuck about an Oxford comma," I think one might also discover that no one gives a fuck about no one not giving a fuck about an Oxford comma. In other words, their old album was good, but this one is great.

I listened to it constantly this spring and summer as a I drove around (just like I always do), and it really rooted itself in my memory of what this year has been like. When I listen to the album it paints a mood, a picture, and a certain aesthetic. There's something to be said for music that can do that.

There are two tracks I want to bring to mind:

The first is called "Taxi Cab." It's a good song. Not my favorite off the album or any of its bonus tracks, but a solid song and good representation of what the rest of the album sounds like.

Vampire Weekend--Taxi Cab

The second is called "California English." I mention this track, not because it's good (which it is), but because it's interesting and cool. The first time I listened to it I thought that the beginning was being sung in another language. Upon a slightly more careful listening--it's in English. I can't put my finger on what exactly it is that makes the beginning both comprehensible and incomprehensible at the same time. IF YOU CAN, PLEASE, COMMENT.

There's something about language and the rhythm of speaking that is off in this song. In a good, interesting way.

Anyway...

I'm likely the only one who cares this much about one song off a year-old Vampire Weekend album. So I'll stop rambling. You should listen to it though. Seriously.

Vampire Weekend--California English

Wise Blood: "Loud Mouths"

Wise Blood has an interesting sound. That sound is now available on a full-length album that can be streamed below through SoundCloud. "Loud Mouths," a track from this album, is characteristic of Wise Blood's sound.

Wise Blood--Loud Mouths

To buy the album, called These Wings, use the following URL:

http://www.dovecoterecords.com/media/preorders/thesewings/

ALSO: Check out the Wise Blood Bandcamp for more tracks in the vein of "Loud Mouths."

The High Highs: "Live in Dreams" (cover of the Wild Nothing)

The Wild Nothing came out with an album last year called Gemini. It contains some excellent songs, among which is the track titled, "Live in Dreams." It's a good song, but the delivery, in this case, leaves something to be desired.

But, alas, do not despair, for the High Highs came to our rescue. Their cover of this song hits the nail on the head and pounds it clear through several inches of sturdy plywood. Their delivery is beautiful, heart-wrenching, and nostalgia-inspiring. I can't rightly say how much or why I like it, so I'll cut my losses here and let you take a listen below:

The Kooks: Junk of the Heart

The Kooks (hope you've heard of them) have a new album. It came out a couple days ago. I'm not going to say much about it, other than that it's good. Forming your own impressions is also good, so listen to it on iTunes or something. It's called Junk of the Heart.

Widowspeak: "Gun Shy"

I somehow managed to forget to post about Widowspeak. My bad.

Anyway, Widowspeak is great. There's definitely something Roy Orbison-esque to their music. But, with more melancholic, hushed vocals.

The Gun Shy 7" is great. "Gun Shy" is my favorite track thus far by Widowspeak. Their cover of "Wicked Game" is also awesome. Much more haunting than the original, I think.



Oh, and some breaking great news: Widowspeak has recently released a self-titled, full-length album! You can find it at the link below for $10.

http://capturedtracks.com/releases.php

I Am Oak: On Claws

I Am Oak is Netherlands-based musician and songwriter Thijs Kuijken. I first heard his stuff a little more than a year ago and thought it was great. However, to my dismay, I Am Oak remains largely unknown. It's soothing-yet-interesting acoustic folky music. You'll have to listen to it for yourself, as I can't really, and don't particularly like to, assign genres to artists. But, you have my word: Good stuff. I especially like the track "On Trees and Birds and Fire," so check that out for sure.

TV Girl: "Benny and the Jetts"

TV Girl has appeared on many blogs recently. I've listened to their stuff. It's good. Below is a link to their Bandcamp. There are only 4 tracks, so you might as well listen to them all. I'm partial to Tracks 1 and 2, though. Just FYI.

PAPA: "I am the Lion King"

Good, catchy song. Unfortunately, only a Myspace page to which I can direct you.

You Won't: "Television"

Excellent.

Bandcamp:




http://youwont.bandcamp.com/track/television

The Weeks: "Buttons"

41st and Home: "Wilderness Eyes"

I'll be brief:

Good stuff. Bandcamp link to listen/buy here.