Bandcloud #2- June 2014

So what we've got today is Dreamy Folk Pop from Los Angeles by RainyDaySpecial; Fabulous Tennis with a new release; Indie Rock from Athens, Georgia by Fake Flowers; A wonderful Folk from Philadelphia by Psalmships; Some Jazz tunes by Ambient Jazz Ensemble from London; Great Indie song by Little Barrie from Brooklyn; 80's Flavoured The Phoenix Foundation from Wellington, New Zealand; An Indie Folk tale by James M Carson from Manchester and Caribou's new track.

1. RainyDaySpecial - Don't Ruin the Ending (Lately and Forever)
2. Tennis - Never Work for Free
3. Fake Flowers - Angel, You're Gonna Fall (Opaque Pop)
4. Psalmships - Every Day is a Widow (I Sleep Alone)
5. Ambient Jazz Ensemble - The Journey (Suite Shop)
6. Little Barrie - Eyes Were Young (Shadow)
7. The Phoenix Foundation - Dalston Junction (Compilation for Becks)
8. James M Carson - Once A Mighty Oak (Sold as Scene)
9. Caribou - Can't Do Without You (Our Love)

The Jezabels

The Jezabels are an Australian Indie Rock band from Sydney. They are pretty popular in Australia, winning some prizes along the way, especially thanks to their debut LP, Prisoner (2011). Now, this four piece band which includes Nik Kaloper, Sam Lockwood, Hayley Mary and Heather Shannon, are releasing their sophomore album, The Brink. There are high hopes about this record, hoping it would be as good as the earlier.

1. Disco Biscuit Love taken from The Man Is Dead EP, 2009
2. Look Of Love taken from The Brink, 2014
3. Dark Storm taken from Dark Storm EP, 2010
4. The End taken from The Brink, 2014
5. Endless Summer taken from Prisoner, 2011

 

Dum Dum Girls

After gaining positive reviews on their debut album I Will Be (2010) and its' follower Only In Dreams (2011), the Los Angeles based Indie/Dream Pop quartet, Dum Dum Girls, are planing to release their third one, which will be named Too True. Consists of Dee Dee (Founding member), Sandy, Jules and Malia, it might be pretty interesting to hear one of the albums that was listed as one you should hear on 2014. Meanwhile, here are five songs, including one great cover version to The Smiths.

1. Coming Down taken from Only In Dreams, 2011
2. Rimbaud Eyes taken from Too True, 2014
3. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths cover version), 2011
4. Lost Boys And Girls Club taken from Too True, 2014
5. Bedroom Eyes taken from Only In Dreams, 2011

Damien Jurado

Damien Jurado, an Indie-Folk singer from Seattle, will release tomorrow his eleventh album called Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son. His earlier releases, especially Maraqopa (2012) and Where Shall You Take Me (2003), are my favourites and it seems that the new release is taking one step forward in his career. I can listen to him for few hours, here are five of his giant repertoire

1. Museum Of Flight taken from Maraqopa, 2012
2. Silver Timothy taken from Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son, 2014
3. Paper Kite taken from Caught In The Trees, 2008
4. Metallic Cloud taken from Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son, 2014
5. Omaha taken from Where Shall You Take Me?, 2003

Emiliana Torrini

I fell in love with Emiliana Torrini's music, an Icelandic singer-songwriter, when I listened to her debut English album Love In The Times Of Science (1999). Her voice was perfectly fitting to the Trip-Hop rhythm of that album. Since then she became more close to Indie-Folk but still leaving her soft, partly-broken voice marks on some wonderful songs and covers. I was pretty excited to discover that she released a new album, her Sixth so far, which continues in some way the musical direction of her earlier 2008's release, Me And Armini. Those of you who love beautiful ballads and Acoustic Folk songs would love this new release. And for those of you who missed her so far, here are five reasons to go back and listen to her discography.

Gollum's Song (The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers OST, 2002)

Speed Of Dark (Tookah, 2013)

Birds (Me And Armini, 2008)

Animal Games (Tookah, 2013)

To Be Free (Love In The Times Of Science, 1999)

Bandcamp Hunting #2 - 5 Things You Should Hear

Only lately I started to discover the magic of Bandcamp. Since it's so wonderful and contains endless creators and music styles, I decided to "dig" for some new tunes, hoping it may give you an opportunity to listen to stuff which could have escaped from your ear... so let's go...

Royal Teeth - Act Naturally EP

This six piece Indie Dance Pop from Louisiana are about to release their debut LP called Glow on the 13th of August. Meanwhile you can enjoy this EP and the wonderful voice of Nora Patterson and the other guys there



Tape Waves - Tape Waves EP

Coming from Charleston, South Carolina, Tape Waves are an Indie Dream Pop duo consists of Jarod Weldin and Kim Hart. Their EP is beautifully produced and might give you some minutes of relaxation



Natasha Kmeto - Crisis

Natasha Kmeto's new LP called Crisis is an interesting mixture of influences ranging from Minimal Ambient to Elctro-Dance and R n' B. It was released last June and can help you chill out some hot days


True Widow - Circumambulation

True Widow are maybe familier to some of you because they are working around for a few years, but I discovered this Indie Shoegaze Trio from Dallas, Texas while I was wandering between Bandcamp's pages. Solid music and rythem


Landfork - Nights At The Kashmir Burlesk 

Landfork's album is one of the most surprising things you can only find on Bandcamp. An intimate Dream Indie Pop album which was made by an unknown (yet...) artist. Those of you who are experimental enough to get into the Kashmir Burlesk will spend some joyful nights with it.

Sudden Elevation - Olof Arnalds [Review]

After writing about Olafur Arnalds' latest release named For Now I Am Winter, it's time to move on to his cousin, Olof Arnalds. This young Icelandic singer/songwriter has three LP's so far, the last one of them called Sudden Elevation, which was made available for purchasing in February 2013. While Olafur Arnalds is focusing at Neo-Classical elements together with Electronic and Ambient music, Olof Arnalds is an Indie-Folk kind of girl, playing charango and violins for a few Scandinavian acts such as wonderful Mum. Her last release is a mature one, based on her fragile voice and strings playing without any special studio productions. As such, it's as pure as her voice. The only problem I can see in that record is that after three songs it seems it's all the same... She should have tried different tunes in order not to bore her audience. So here you've got the opportunity to listen three songs from her last release and two from earlier ones. Hope you'll enjoy this five songs set

Album Rating: 6/10

German Fields (Taken From Sudden Elevation, 2013)

Surrender (Featuring Bjork, Taken From Innundir Skinni, 2010)

Treat Her Kindly (Taken From Sudden Elevation, 2013)

I Nyju Husi (Taken From Við Og Við, 2007)

Onwards And Upwards (Taken From Sudden Elevation, 2013)

Widowspeak

Widowspeak is an Indie duo from Brooklyn, New York which is made by the collaboration between Molly Hamilton (Vocals and Guitar) and Robert Earl Thomas (Guitar). Last month they released their sophomore album called Almanac. I think it's a good album which grows through every listening of their mixture of Indie, Dream-Pop and Shoegaze. Although they started their way as a four piece band, you can't feel that there's something missing, especially when you hear Molly Hamilton's magnificent voice. So for the ones that don't kno this band yet, here're five songs, three of them from the new album

Sore Eyes (Taken From Almanac, 2013)

Wicked Game (Taken From Gun Shy, 2011, Chris Isaak Cover)

Locusts (Taken From Almanac, 2013)

Hard Times (Taken From Widowspeak, 2011)

 

Dyed In The Wool (Taken From Almanac, 2013)

The Joy Formidable

Last month, The Joy Formidable, an Indie group from Wales, released their sophomore album called Wolf's Law. Led by Ritzy Bryan (Vocals, Guitar) with Rhydian Dafydd (Bass) and Matt Thomas (Drums), they produce stuff between Indie and Alternative Rock. Wolf's Law is a great album for a Rocky mood and it seems that we'll hear from this band for a long time. You can listen to five of their favorite songs down here, three of them from the last release.

Little Blimp (Taken From Wolf's Law, 2013)

 

I Don't Want To See You Like This (Taken From The Big Roar, 2011)

 

Forest Serenade (Taken From Wolf's Law, 2013)

 

The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade (Taken From The Big Roar, 2011)

 

The Turnaround (Taken From Wolf's Law, 2013)

Anne Frank's Diary Dream: 15 Years To Neutral Milk Hotel Album, "In The Aeroplane, Over The Sea"

Ruston, Louisiana isn't the first place you'd go in search of Indie music but, 15 years ago, on 10th of February, a young Indie band called Neutral Milk Hotel released their second (and last until this writing date...) album, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea (1998). Jeff Mangum, the leader of this band said he was widely inspired by reading Anne Frank's Diary then so it became an integral part of his creation. Working with Jeremy Barnes, Julian Koster, Scott Spillane and Robert Schneider they made a wonderful Lo-Fi album, which became one of the most hear albums for any Indie fan. It's pretty sad that they hadn't released anything since then, but maybe it's better after achieving such a great height. Here are five magnificent songs from that album.

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

Oh Comely

Holland, 1945

 

Communist Daughter

Two-Handed Boy

Eels

Eels is a long time, one man project led by Mark Oliver Everett, who is known as E. Their new album Wonderful, Glorious was recorded with The Chet (Guitar), Knuckles (Drums), Koool G Murder (Bass) and P Boo (Additional guitar) and it is their 10th release since the mid-90's. Eels producing a melodious Indie music, with intelligent lyrics, which changes upon the album issue. As you already know. I won't bother you with too much words, so let's hear five songs, two of them from the new album, which was released today and got more Rock N' Roll sound....

Peach Blossom (Taken From Wonderful, Glorious, 2013)

A Line In The Dirt (Taken From End Times, 2010)

I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart (Taken From Blinking Lights And Other Revelations, 2005)

This Is Where It Gets Good (Taken From Tomorrow Morning, 2010)

New Alphabet (Taken Wonderful, Glorious, 2013)

Foxygen

As I mentioned on January's best albums list, Foxygen's sophomore album, We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic, will probably be one of the best releases at the end of the year. Jonathan Rado and Sam France formed Foxygen in 2005, based on a mixture of 60's music, Psychedelia and Experimental music. Their debut album, Take The Kids Off Broadway, was released in 2012, but it wasn't as mature and sharp as the recent. Now, it's a great time to listen to five picks I collected from both albums, seems we're gonna hear them for a long time...

Oh No 2 (Taken From We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic, 2013)

Abandon My Toys (Taken From Take The Kids Off Broadway, 2012)

San Francisco (Taken From We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic, 2013)

Shuggie (Taken From We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic, 2013)

Teenage Alien Blues (Taken From Take The Kids Off Broadway, 2012)

Strange Angels: 15 Years To Kristin Hersh's Album

Strange Angels is a strange album made by one of the strangest artist in the Indie Scene. Kristin Hersh, an Indie singer-songwriter, formerly known as the leading singer of Throwing Muses with her stepsister Tanya Donelly, was mentally ill for years. Some says that she's the only artist who wasn't invited to sing at John Peel's BBC sessions because he thought she was too strange and schizophrenic. After releasing her debut album, Hips And Makers, on 1994, which included the highly acclaimed duet with REM's leader Michael Stipe called Your Ghost, she went on to release quieter album, based on acoustic sound. The result was Strange Angels, which is celebrating 15 years these days. It gave me a great opportunity to go back and listen to one of her best releases. enjoy....

Stained (Track #6)

Baseball Field (Track #10)

Hope (Track #8)

Home (Track #1)

 

Gazebo Tree (Track #12)

January Playlist 2013 Week # 2

This week's playlist is full with familiar faces in music like the Candian Indie duo, Tegan And Sara; The (Still) unknown The Shades; a new song from Yo La Tengo; Crooked Hands and new one from the legendary band New Order. Enjoy!

January Playlist Week #1

1) Tegan And Sara - I Was A Fool (Taken From Forthcoming Album Heartthrob, 2013)

2) The Shades - Circles 

 

3) Yo La Tengo - Before We Run (Taken From Fade, 2013)

 

4) Crooked Hands - Under (Taken From Forthcoming Single Under, 2013)

5) New Order - I Told You So (Taken From Lost Sirens, 2013)

Kings Of Convenience

Today we'll sail away to Norway for a meeting with an Indie-Folk duo called Kings of Convenience. This Duo was formed Erlend Oye and Eirik Glambek Boe, two guys from Bergen which producing silent Ballads based on strings since 1999. Along the way they released three official albums: Quiet is the new loud (2001), Riot on an empty street (2004) and Declaration of dependence (2009). So here are five songs by this great duo, enjoy

1) Homesick (Taken from Riot on an empty street, 2004)

In 5 Words: Good song for bad sales day
Favourite Line: Homesick. Because I no longer no where home is

2) Toxic Girl (Taken from Quiet is the new loud, 2001)

In 5 Words: Beware of that girl
Favourite Line: Everyday she's seen with someone else. And every night she kisses someone new, never you

3) The Build Up feat. Feist (Taken from Riot on an empty street, 2004)

In 5 Words: Great duet with wonderful Feist
Favourite Line: the build up lasted for days, lasted for weeks, lasted too long

4) 24-25  (Taken from Declaration of dependence, 2009)

In 5 Words: One year makes a great difference
Favourite Line: 24 and blooming like the fields of May. 25 and yearning for a ticket out

5) Riot On An Empty Street (Taken from Declaration of dependence, 2009)

In 5 Words: There are riots also in Norway
Favourite Line: My life, it's a riot. Climbing Barricades in empty streets at night

Bat For Lashes

If you're a real music lover, still you'll barely recognise the name Natasha Khan. Maybe it's because she's using the stage name Bat For Lashes which is more memorable. This talented half-Pakistanian half-English young singer preformes since the release of her Mercury prize winner debut album Fur And Gold (2006). She also released Two Suns (2009) and now you can hear her highly-acclaimed third album called The Haunted man (2012). That's a good reason to hear five tracks of Bat For Lashes, two of them from the new album which might easily get into my 2012 favourite lists. And please. if you don't have enough time just hear fabulous Laura from her recent release. Enjoy...

1) Glass (Taken From Two Suns, 2009)

In 5 words: Fantasy mixed with reality views
Favourite Line: In the street's Broadways I seek him whom my soul loveth

2) Laura (Taken From The Haunted Man, 2012)

In 5 words: Excellent slow ballad for the night
Favourite Line: Keep your arms around me and softly say: Can we dance upon the tables again

3) Sad Eyes (Taken From Fur And Gold, 2006)

In 5 words: Sad eyes never been that sadder
Favourite Line: And when you smile those sad eyes look sadder and sadder still

4) Lilies (Taken From The Haunted Man, 2012)

In 5 words: Can smell their scent from here
Favourite Line: All the lilies on the hill scented tonight

 

5) Horse And I (Taken From Fur And Gold, 2006)

In 5 words: Joyride in a cold night
Favourite Line: Horse and I. We're dancers in the dark

Regina Spektor

What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, the sixth official album of the talented Soviet-origin, New-York based, singer-songwriter, Regina Spektor, was released at the end of May 2012. I think this album is by far good than Far, her previous, although she offers us the cheap seats here. This album contains few great tracks like "All the rowboats", "How" and interesting "Oh Marcello" and it  is very accessible to new audience. I know it's a bit to late, but here I've  got an opportunity to pick five (And it's very hard in this case) songs of this great artist.

1) Samson (Taken from Begin To Hope, 2006)

In 5 words: Beautiful Biblical love song for Samson
Favourite Line: Oh I cut his hair myself one night, A pair of dull scissors in the yellow light"

2) All The Rowboats (Taken from What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, 2012)

In 5 words: Great tempo and electronic elements
Favourite Line: All the rowboats in all the paintings, They keep trying to row away

3) The Ghost Of Corporate Future (Taken from Soviet Kitsch, 2004)

In 5 words: Don't leave your Soviet legacy behind
Favourite Line: And everything is Plastic, And everyone's sarcastic

4) Dance Anthem Of The 80's (Taken from Far, 2009)

In 5 words: Simple start for an intelligent song
Favourite Line: It's been a long time since before I've been touched, Now I'm getting touched all the time

5) Real Love (Taken from Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign To Save Darfur, 2007) - John Lennon's cover version

In 5 words: Lennon lies smiling in his grave
Favourite Line: Seems like all I really was doing, Was waiting for you