Today: Something New

My favorite part of this song is the choral ahhs throughout. They make "One Day Soon" very special.



The vocals from Glass Pear on their self-titled album sound so delicate. I love it. The song is so simple but really creates a wonderful little world to live in for about three minutes.

Today: Something New

Imogen Heap is so weird. But she is fabulous. I've never heard a pop song that uses Chinese.



Off her upcoming album, "Xizi She Knows" stays pretty true to her sound. I get flashes to a Grey's Anatomy soundtrack with her vocals, but I really like the background track.

Today: Something New

Another mellow song for today. I love the vibe Beach House has, and I can't wait for their new record, "Bloom."



Their lead-off single, "Myth," is strong. I love how the vocals layer over the piano, which in turn layers over the drums. And the guitar mirroring the melody during the last minute is beautiful. This song feels like a countdown.

Today: Something New

Starting a song with clapping is always going to make me want to listen. I can't decide if I like the melody and the vocals or the fun keyboard in the background more.



Eli Murdock has such a cool, sleepy song with his single, "Everything Happens For the First Time." I love how he sounds when he opens up on the title line of the chorus.

Today: Something New

I loved Best Coast's album, "Crazy For You," so I'm so happy they have released a new single.



Best Coast is the kind of quintessential summery pop-rock that I love. It has such a California vibe. "The Only Place" does not disappoint. I love the guitar and Bethany Cosentino's vocals.

Today: Something New

Is it summer yet?



This is old school and very refreshingly new. I love it. "Better Off Without You" from Summer Camp's record, "Welcome to Condale" is so fun.



I don't know why this kind of music makes me so happy, but I like almost anything that I can dance to, including "Down."

Today: Something Old

I'm not really the biggest Bob Dylan fan. I think he's an amazing song-writer, but I don't have the same affinity towards him like I do many of his generation. That being said, I really love this song.



I couldn't find a video of the original version "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," so if you haven't heard it, PLEASE try to listen to that. Instead here is a recent live version that is very different, but it has an added bonus of Eric Clapton. Two amazing guitarists for the price of one! The reason I love the original is how simple and contemplative it is. This video lacks that, but if you listen to the lyrics you may be able to tell what I mean.

Today: Something New

This is kind of a different sound than I'm usually into. A new band, Imagine Dragons, reminds me a lot of The Script or OneRepublic. I really like the big sound they have.



The epic sound of "Demons" off their EP, "Continued Silence," is really beautiful. I love the contrast between the verses and the choruses.

Today: Something New

The Chevin is a British band who has released a self-titled EP in the UK. It is not available in the US yet but they just played at SXSW, so hopefully it will be soon. I really like their alt-rock vibe.



You can hear influences of U2 and Coldplay in the long sustained notes of "Champion" but it doesn't quite have the same epic feel of many of U2's standards. I do really love the way the song fades out at the end though.

Today: Something New

Matt Corby was on Australian Idol. I wish American Idol would find talent like this. I really love his voice, especially when he has lets it get growlly.



"Brothers" from his record, "Into the Flame," showcases Corby's wide vocal range and I love piano and drums together during the chorus. I'm really loving Australian artists recently.

Today: Something New

I'm really loving the vibe of the new record, "A Sleep & a Forgetting," from Islands. They remind me of The Black Keys, especially the gravelly voice of Nick Thorburn.



"Can't Feel My Face" is both fun and fast but with dark undertones. I absolutely love the guitar. It's almost like demented beach music. Love it.

Today: Something New

Here is a song that is a little more electronic than I usually like. But since the weather has turned, I've been enjoying really upbeat, almost-dancy music.



The band, Tanlines, has a really catchy melody here with, "All of Me" off their record, "Mixed Emotions." I'm definitely going to give the rest of the album a listen.

Today: Something New

Amber Papini from the band, Hospitality, has a really interesting unique voice. Their self-titled album has been a fun upbeat one for winter.



 "All Day Today" is really fun and happy. I love the horns and the different percussion sounds and the semi-electronic sounds all combined for a sunny pop song.

Today: Something New

The soundtrack for The Hunger Games is definitely taking the indie route. The second single released was "Abraham's Daughter" from The Arcade Fire. They have built up a lot of cred since their Grammy win last year and this song is really cool.

 

It's creepy in a really ominous and foreboding way. But I like it. There is a lot of sound especially at the 2:40 mark that seems to be building to something and then it just ends. Perfect.

Today: Something New

I really liked Yellow Ostrich's first record, "The Mistress," that was out last August. So I was pleasantly surprised when they released a new album at the beginning of this month, "Strange Land.

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Yellow Ostrich continues with their off-kilter alt-rock tracks with "Marathon Runner," their lead-off single. The beginning of the song is interesting but I really love when this song hits the chorus around 1:40. Quite possibly a good song to run to.

Today: Something Old

Even though this Old Crow Medicine Show song came out in 2004, it will always remind me of college. While most of the student body prided itself on NOT being southern, pretty much everybody was able to sing along any time "Wagon Wheel" was played.



Maybe it's that hipsters like to think of themselves as ironically trashy or that the strings and harmonies are exceptional. It's really just a good song.

Today: Something New

Since I previously posted a cover from Memoryhouse, I thought I'd include an original song, "Walk With Me," off "The Slideshow Effect." Again, I love the female vocals of Denise Nouvion. Supposedly, this genre is dream pop, which is fitting.

 

I really like this fun, summery, dreamy sound of "dream pop." Wonderful.

Today: Something Told

SXSW post. This week I've posted some songs by bands performing at South By Southwest this week. Over the past few years, Austin has become a major hotspot for art and culture. The Austin music scene is best showcased by the annual SXSW Music and Film Festival. Over six days, over 2,000 bands perform at various venues around the city. What makes SXSW special is that it doesn't limit itself to one or two genres of music. There is such a wide variety, highlighted by this year's big names: Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, and Fiona Apple. There is hip-hop, rock, pop, metal, country, and all sorts of variations and blends of everything in between. Anyone who likes music can find something they will fall in love with. Other favorites include Neon Trees, Sleigh Bells, Ed Sheeran, Of Monsters and Men, The Mynabirds, Chairlift, and The Drums. As much as I would love to attend SXSW, that was not a possibility this year, so like most people, we will have to make do with reviews and youtube videos of varying quality. Oh the wonders of the internet... Some cool youtube finds:

 

Bruce Springsteen on March 15, the sound quality is good on his new song "Wrecking Ball," even though there are some annoying people talking toward the end.



Dead Sara performing an acoustic set. I'm not really familiar with this band, but I'm really impressed with this girl's voice and I like the song, "Weatherman."



Fiona Apple singing a new song, "Anything We Want." The sound is kind of quiet but I couldn't find a better version. I love when she plays the triangle thing at the end.



fun. performing their hit, "We Are Young." This is very stripped down version of the song. It even includes that awesome staple of all live performances: extremely off-key crowd singing interludes.



Jay-Z headlines the first night of the festival performing, "99 Problems." This will probably be one of the only rap songs I ever post here.

Today: Something New

Another SXSW rec! "Stay With Me" by No off of "Don't Worry, You'll Be Here Forever."



I absolutely love when this song hits the chorus. Its haunting and driving and rock. After the more upbeat lead up, the simple vocals and kick drum have such a cool effect. This is one I would definitely want to see live.

Today: Something New

Here is more from Good Old War. The record, "Come Back As Rain," blends a lot of sounds from folk-country and sunny indie-rock.

 

"Better Weather" is more on the country end of their sound, which is probably attributable to the banjo. It reminds me a bit of Zac Brown Band, but with an indie twist. I really love the harmonies and the instrumental break around 1:30 (which definitely adds to the country sound). The lyrics are also really cute and positive.



"Over and Over" is a lot more upbeat than most of the record. This song starts off so strong. I love the guitar and the rhythm section. It sounds almost like a blend of Mexican and Caribbean sounds. I really like it.

Today: Something New

Continuing with awesome SXSW bands, here is something new from Dry the River. I love, love, love the harmonies on the title track of their new "Weights and Measures" EP. The beginning of the song is simple and haunting until the full sound kicks in.



If you ignore the creepy eyes in the video on focus on Pete Liddle's beautiful voice, you'll really enjoy this. I love how his voice soars during the chorus. I really love the violin here too.

Today: Something Borrowed

I am huge Fleetwood Mac fan and I love the Rumours album completely. The sound and songs of Fleetwood Mac are so iconic that it is really hard to find a good cover. But I really like this cover of "Go Your Own Way" by Lissie.



She really adds something new and different to Lindsey Buckingham's song, especially what she does with the melody in the second verse. But she also stays true to the sound of the original, which I really like.

Today: Something New

This song, also on All Songs Considered, could not be more different than the previous post. The best word to describe this sound is lively.



I love all the horns and all the different noises used by Bright Moments in this song, "Travelers." There is a big African influence in the beats of the song. I bet their set at SXSW will be really fun and boisterous. I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the record, "Natives."

Today: Something New

Since SXSW starts tomorrow I figured I would talk about some artists that are going to playing there. The first is Daughter, who was featured on the All Song's Considered podcast. "Landfill" off her EP, "His Young Heart," sits so perfectly in the blend of sad and angry female singer-songwriter music.



 I'm really enjoying the plethora or really great female singer-songwriters lately. The songs are usually so simple and the lyrics on "Landfill" are poignant and painful. Elena Tonra's voice is beautiful and haunting. I would love to see Daughter in live, but at a small venue for sure.

Today: Something Old

This is one of my favorite songs. I wish it was longer than two and a half minutes.



This is M. Ward at this best with his guitar and Zooey sounds great featured on the song. From the lead-in kick drum to the awesome harmonies and echoes of the chorus. "Never Had Nobody Like You" off "Hold Time" (2009) has the same old-school rock feel that was the magic of the first She & Him record.

Today: Something New

More female pop, but is that really a bad thing? I love the clapping keeping the beat under the chorus.



"Gimme a Kiss" from Madi Diaz, off her record, "Plastic Moon." The harmonies between the two singers are great, especially over the guitar line. And I love the choral "Ohhs" mixed with the chimes towards the end. The song builds to an incredibly full sound at the end of the song.

Today: Something New

"You, Me and the Boatman" from Quiet Company is another happy, big indie pop-rock song. There are many different parts of their sound.



I really like the parts of the song where the sound drops out behind the vocals and it's just basic guitar and drums and then the rest of the sound comes back in with full force. The slight echo on the vocals sometimes is pretty cool too.

Today: Something Told

I have always been a self-professed music lover and enjoy sharing music I like with my friends, which is the main reason I started this blog. Writing about music almost everyday has caused me to think more deeply about why I like certain types of music and why I dislike others.

I have always been partial to lyrics. I like songs I can sing along with. I like songs that tell stories and have interesting harmonies. Because I grew up singing but never excelled at playing instruments I think I connect with lyrics more than the instrumentation of a song.

I also think that music taste is largely environmental. There are many songs I like because of where I first heard them and who I was with. Listening to those songs again evoke the same feelings as when I originally like them.

Today: Something New

I think I like Chuck Prophet because his voice isn't that good. His harmonies on this song are awesome because he almost sing-speaks everything.



"Play That Song Again" is the lead-off song from "Temple Beautiful." And of course, his guitar is really good indie rock.

Today: Something New

Ok, so this music video is really strange. But this song is awesome. You could put this on while doing work or just to dance.



"Animal Love I" is the lead-off single for Charlene Kaye's new album. The sound is an awesome mix of dance-pop and electronic indie.

Today: Something New

I will admit, this song is a little strange or unsettling. But I think it is beautiful. The harmonies are perfect over the extremely simple backing music.



"All Waters" from Perfume Genius is from last month's "Put Your Back N 2 It." The only thing I would change about the song would be to make it longer.

Today: Something Borrowed

I really love music from the 60s. In the same vein as the early Beatles, The Zombies were part of the British invasion and enjoyed success with a similar sound.




I really love this cover of "This Will Be our Year" by Memoryhouse. It retains the rock vibe of the original but also updates the sound with a beachy feel. It could totally be a new song. I love hearing the song with a female vocalist. She sounds so much like Zooey Deschanel!

Today: Something New

Good Old War's new album, "Come Back As Rain," comes out today. They have a folk/singer-songwriter vibe. I love the lead single, "Calling Me Names."



I love the harmonies and this is such an upbeat song, despite the title. Perfect for the beginning of spring. I can just imagine having this playing while driving on a sunny day with the windows down like in the video. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the record.

Today: Something New

Like I said yesterday, I'm a huge fan of Josh Ritter. I love his mellow sound and his literary lyrics. His new EP, "Bringing In Your Darlings," is just another example of his prolific talent.



"Love Is Making Its Way Back Home" is even a little more rock than some of this earlier material. It's a little more intricate than some of his songs, which rely heavily on guitar. I like how his sound is evolving.

Today: Something Old

I was reminded today of my love for Josh Ritter. He's not classic rock like I usually have in my "Something Old" post. I'm not recommending brand new music here but but come back tomorrow to check out his new EP, "Bringing In the Darlings." I've seen Josh twice in concert and he is amazing live. He has so much energy and his lyrics are incredibly descriptive and poetic.



One of Josh Ritter's coolest songs is "The Temptation of Adam" off his 2007 record, "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter." It's not even my favorite of his, which would have to be the beautiful "Bone of Song" off "Hello Starling" (2003), but it is such a cool way to tell a really compelling story through song. I love songs that can surprise me. This video is great, too, because it shows what Josh does best. Simple, so as to not detract from his amazing music.

Today: Something New

I can't really figure out why I like this song so much. Off their new EP, "Those Of Us Still Alive," Tiny Victories has found a really strong sound in "Mr. Bones."



It's a little more electronic than I usually like but I'm definitely adding this to a playlist.

Today: Something New

I'm really looking forward to M. Ward's new album, "A Wasteland Companion," out in April. I really like the song "Primitive Girl" that I heard on All Songs Considered.



This is a positive sounding song. It is different from his previous stuff. I really like the melody here and the lyrics are cute.

Today: Something New

"Thread" is the title track from Now, Now's upcoming record. It's pretty basic pop-rock that is fun to listen to. I really like the female lead vocals and the harmonies on the chorus.



I'm intrigued to hear the rest of the album when it is released. I wonder if any of their other tracks will go somewhere else. There is potential there.

Today: Something New

I really like "Bright Whites" because there is so much going on in the song. It's complicated but the main melody is easy to follow. I think I hear something different every time I listen to it. And I like that.



I really love the almost nonsensical lyrics at the beginning. The song is fun to sing and dance around to. I like that you can tell Kishi Bashi was having so much fun creating and recording this. My favorite part is around the three minute mark where the backing drops out and it is just the vocals for a bit.

Today: Something New

I'm a big Regina Spektor fan because she is an incredibly talented musician and story-teller. I especially like her because she sounds so different from most other music. The aspects of her voice and sound she chooses to focus on are so interesting. So I am very much looking forward to her new record, "What We Saw From the Cheap Seats."



Her lead single, "All the Rowboats" is so different from her usual sound. It is darker and more ominous that most of her previous records, especially her last venture. It's intricate and I think I will like the song more the more I hear it. I can't wait for the rest of the album.