Indie Music Universe

The Winter of Mixed Drinks by Frightened Rabbit

With each release, Frightened Rabbit's music grows by leaps and bounds: they offered humble, moody folk-pop on Sing the Greys, which they expanded into searching rock on Midnight Organ Fight. On Winter of Mixed Drinks, they focus and polish Organ Fight's epics — and add a healthy dose of optimism. Though they've always been concerned with heavy issues like life, death, freedom, devotion, and spirituality, this time the band members don't seem beaten down by their struggles with them. Even when Scott Hutchison sings "Find God just to lose it again" on "The Loneliness and the Scream," there's a warmth in the music that makes him sound liberated instead of isolated. Indeed, liberation is a major theme on Winter of Mixed Drinks, whether it's shedding a "mediocre past" on "Things" or losing one's self in the moment on the joyous "Swim Until You Can't See the Land." This hopeful streak puts Frightened Rabbit's anthems more in line with early U2 than with their friends and fellow Scotsmen the Twilight Sad and We Were Promised Jetpacks — and sweetly direct album closer "Yes I Would" steers refreshingly clear of Coldplay-esque platitudes. Yet not all of Winter of Mixed Drinks is so straightforward: "The Wrestle"'s choral chanting and backwards samples add an ethereal touch to its full-throttle charge, and "Skip the Youth"'s refrain of "Skip the youth, it's aging me too much" shows the band can be playful while making a big statement. Frightened Rabbit deal mostly in grand gestures, but when they're as rousing as "Living in Colour" — which features a gorgeous string arrangement by the band's FatCat labelmate Hauschka — it hardly matters. Winter of Mixed Drinks looks at life's ice and snow from the perspective of a dawning spring. ~ Heather Phares

Popularity: 2% [?]

Githead are Colin Newman (of Wire), Malka Spigel and Max Franken (of Minimal Compact), and Robin Rimbaud (Scanner). But who they are is far less important than what they are: a band, rather than just a collaboration of individuals.

Landing the fourth release (third full-length) by Githead is now streaming in its' entirety at the link below:

http://www.githead.com/mp3/~Landing/radioplayer3.html

The band started in 2004, initially to play as a one-off at the Swim record label's 10th anniversary event at the ICA. It soon became obvious that there was a natural and rare chemistry that could enable real organic development over time.

Progression was swift. A solid base was fashioned with the band's 2004 debut, the ‘self titling' EP Headgit. Written, recorded and mixed in fervent, whirlwind fashion, all in Swim's London studio, the band used Headgit as a platform on which to build. Its signature hypnotic motorik combined with a fresh, almost raw approach resulted in a set of exciting tracks, some of which remain stage favorites.

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Popularity: 25% [?]

Molina & Johnson by Molina & Johnson

Consider the collective catalogs of these two prolific masters of the new American folk songcraft: Magnolia Electric Co., Centro-matic, Songs: Ohia, South San Gabriel. Now, let's just be honest. A little bit of artistic ego and one-upsmanship can serve a greater purpose. In this collaboration between Jason Molina and Will Johnson, each seem to hold the other's talents to the fire and elevate both performance and creativity. In the friendly sharing of ideas, Molina and Johnson become two poets' poets in a workshop to craft a singular, searing elegy.

Extended Vacation by On Fillmore

Once dubbed "the rhythm section's revenge" by Jim O'Rourke, On Fillmore is back with their most elaborate work, Extended Vacation. The duo is formed by bassist Darin Gray and percussionist Glenn Kotche, who were originally hand-picked by O'Rourke as the rhythm section for his album Eurekaand joined him on several tours and his next two albums. It was in 2000 during a gig at Scott Walker's Meltdown Festival in London while touring with O'Rourke that On Fillmore was conceptualized. Nearly a decade later, the band is stretching the very definition of "rhythm section."

Love Comes Close by Cold Cave

"Love Comes Close" is the debut full-length from Philly/New York quartet COLD CAVE. Following on singles on Hospital Productions, Whats Your Rupture?, and Dais, as well as a comp of early material, Matador is now reissuing the instantly sold-out self-released album from August 2009. The warm, rich synth pop sounds are laced with equal measures of romance and nihilism. Somewhere in these realms of negative hiss and out-of-body bliss, there is a peak awaiting all who enter.

Popularity: 20% [?]

III by Espers

2009 release from the Neo-Psychedelic Folk trio. After what seems to be an interminably long gap and born into an inextricably changed world, Espers III walks among us, finally and finely. It’s not as if Espers completely disappeared following their acclaimed first and second albums and tours. They played the odd show here and there but with time and focus given to Meg Baird’s solo album Dear Companion, The Valerie Project project and Helena Espvall’s collaborations with Masaki Batoh and others, not to mention the launching and flight of Greg Weeks’ Language of Stone label, three years passed like a day or two in the life of Espers. Picking up the threads with ease, Espers III was intended to be an aural reversal of the layered sound of II.

The Real Feel by Spiral Stairs

After a five-year absence, Pavement guitarist and Preston School Of Industry mainman SPIRAL STAIRS (Scott Kannberg) returns with a heart-on-sleeve (but occasionally tongue-in-cheek) songcycle about his complicated personal life. Spiral maintains his trademark melodic whoops and Flying Nun guitar licks, but overlays a layer of melancholy and wisdom, as well as a touch of Peter Green blues. Alert listeners will also spot Richard Thompson, Captain Beefheart, and The Died Pretty. The album was recorded in Australia with a diverse crew of talented people, including members of the Posies, Gersey, Ian Moore and others. It was mixed in Seattle with Jon Auer (Posies , Big Star). Spiral is assembling a new touring band including former members of Preston School Of Industry and others, and will be performing the new album worldwide in 2009 and 2010.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Swim (To Reach the End),” off their forthcoming debut, Astro Coast, is pure left coast– from the echoing Brian Wilson harmonies to the Weezer-esque power pop chorus.” - Pitchfork

“You’ll be hearing more from this band for sure.” - Spin

“Surfer Blood make accomplished, hook-filled indie rock with clever arrangements and great harmonies, as performed by four guys who can actually, you know, play.” – BrooklynVegan

On January 19, 2010 Surfer Blood will release Astro Coast, their debut album, on Kanine Records. Surfer Blood will be playing a string of shows in NY during CMJ, and is scheduled to tour with Art Brut and Japandroids in November.

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Popularity: 14% [?]

Dead Man’s Bones by Dead Man’s Bones

Dead Man’s Bones began recording, and quickly decided that the songs needed the special creepiness and longing of massed children s voices to complete the sound L.A. s Silverlake Conservatory Childrens Choir was brought in to the studio, and Dead Man s Bones, the album, was born. Some of their songs reflect the music they listened to a little bit of doo-wop, and artists such as the Shangri-Las, The Shags, Company Flow, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Bobby Vinton, Joy Division, The Andrew Sisters and Daniel Johnston, to name a few. In addition, the artistic aesthetic of old Universal horror films, vaudeville music-hall numbers, and silent-screen melodramas infest the music.

In & Out of Control by Raveonettes

According to the Raveonettes Sune Rose Wagner, it is incredibly hard being in a Danish rock n roll band cause of this damn thing we have called Jante Loven (Jante Law), which basically tells Danes not to feel superior to any other man, woman, child or beast. This translates into everyone being very scared of thinking highly of themselves and in the music world means that you’re no better than this band or that band.

The Raveonettes have always hated repeating themselves, and so they set the bar really high for In And Out Of Control. It’s a strange mixture of modern and old, dark and happy. It’s about rape, violence, lost love, suicide, not caring about what other people think of you and most importantly being mad and angelic! Jante Loven doesn’t mean anything to the Raveonettes cause they know they made a better album than anybody else out there!

Goat (Deluxe Remastered Reissue) [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] by Jesus Lizard

Re-mastered in 2009 by Steve Albini and Bob Weston. Vinyl packaged in deluxe gatefold album jacket with 12" x 24" double sided color insert including never before seen photos & extensive liner notes by the band & by journalists who were there. Vinyl also includes a digital download coupon for the LP, plus 5 bonus tracks not included on the LP itself. HQ-120 virgin vinyl pressing made at RTI. CD in deluxe Digipak with 14" x 20" double sided color folder including never before seen photos & extensive liner notes by the band & by journalists who were there. CD also includes 4 bonus tracks.  Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 13% [?]

Monsters of Folk by Monsters of Folk

Monsters of Folk is a collaboration of Conor Oberst, Jim James, M. Ward- three of this generations most critically acclaimed voices and Mike Mogis , one of the most sought after producers working today.

Wild Young Hearts by Noisettes

2009 sophomore album from the British trio. Wild Young Hearts is a set of sleek Pop songs steeped in Soul, dizzy on Disco and harking back to the days of Blues and Jazz greats. From the galloping Funk grooves of first single ‘Don’t Upset The Rhythm’, to the joyous, jazzy title track, the stomping Electro-Rock of ‘Saturday Night’, the glorious `60s-tinged Soul of ‘Never Forget You’ and the sultry, shimmering pop of ‘24 Hours’, in Wild Young Hearts, Noisettes have made what is set to be one of 2009’s most adventurous albums.

A Brief History Of Love by Big Pink

There’s something ultimate about London’s The Big Pink. It’s as though they’ve compressed everything that’s great about post-war music into their sound. They’re as accessible as a pop group, with almost folkishly warm melodies, the spiritual quality of soul and gospel, the rhythmic propulsion of rave, the white noise of punk, the glitchy textures of electronica, and the heavy drones of your favourite New York rock bands past and present.

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Popularity: 13% [?]

The Visitor by Jim O’Rourke

Jim O’Rourke returns with his first new solo album since 2001. All the classic O’Rourke-isms are here for you musicologist types: percolating banjos smooth electric leads organic kicking drum sounds the flickering of shakers to the left and right mellow but ominous woodwinds sounds that indicate vintage (before turning left and running out the door) sonic jokes sonic tear-jerkers sonic jerkoffs all wrapped in spacious yet subtle left to right placement of everything.

As Good As Gone by Nudge

Nudge returns with a slow burning full-length of sounds perfect for the dying days of the summer’s swelter. The varied stylistic shifts of previous material have garnered their fair share of comments regarding a schizophrenic nature, but here the experimental lean of the group is placed to deliver it’s most cohesive sound to date. Masterfully blurring the music’s entangled live and programmed approaches to the point of imperceptibility, layer upon layer of synth, guitar and vocals are draped over skeletal Pop structures and anchored by Dub basslines born of resin-stained fingers. Covered in an electric blanket of atmosphere that can surely only come from years in outer space memorizing the top of one’s shoes, the gothic trappings reveal themselves as hard-earned circles beneath the eyes as opposed to poorly applied hot topic nail polish. As Good As Gone is a proper album whose arc is intended to be absorbed stem to stern.

Get Color by Health

GET COLOR is the highly-anticipated second album from Los Angeles noise-wonders HEALTH. After two solid years touring with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Of Montreal, Crystal Castles, etc., and releasing their much-loved self-titled debut and bangin’ HEALTH//DISCO remix record, the band convened in in an especially gnarly part of Lincoln Heights, L.A to record GET COLOR. The record is an exuberant proclamation of noise, rock and electronic splendor. It’s a celebration of sound; pretty, harsh, soft and basked in a blanket of ethereal vocals.
 

Popularity: 13% [?]

Assjack by Assjack

Considering his lineage, it’s not surprising that Hank Williams III is a rebel. Even fans of his irreverent country material may be shocked, however, when confronted with ASSJACK. Raw, brutal death/thrash metal is the name of game here and anyone …    Full Descriptionlooking for steel guitars and weepy sentiment should run for the door. Often sounding like a combination of Pantera and G.G. Allin, this is punky music, made punkier by the fact that Williams played all the instruments himself. From the start-stop riffs and machine gun guitar picking of "Choking" to the Butthole Surfers-style aural insanity of "Redneck Ride," this is the sort of aggressive, in-your-face music that only a Hank Williams could make.

Troubled, Shaken Etc. by Sian Alice Group

Sian Alice Group, a collective of UK musicians Sian Ahern, Rupert Clervaux and Ben Crook, amongst other collaborators – are back with their sophomore album, Troubled, Shaken Etc. The band hones in on a genre-busting combination of organic improvisation, process-driven experimentation and the focused strength earned from a year of extensive traveling and touring the world together. You get your minimalist trances, electronic experimentation, techno thump, jazz motifs and Eastern music tropes in a joyous and complete listening experience.

Dark Rift by Pictureplane

Grimy synths, broken beats, and bucolic vocals collide somewhere between early 90s house music and the gnarly soundscapes of Black Dice to forge a sound that’s wholly unique and endlessly exciting. It’s exceedlingly rare to find dance music that transcends the cold and robotic, but on "Dark Rift" Pictureplane does just that: churning out intricate electronic jams out of his Denver bedroom. It feels at once personal and cosmically expansive. In Pictureplane’s own words: "once every 26,000 years our planet crosses through the eliptical plane at the center of our galaxy known as the dark rift.

Evolove by JayBezz

Evolove is an overall eclectic dance/pop/synth concept album that has its beats and vocal delivery style pulled from the fun, MTV-powered 80’s decade.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Riceboy Sleeps by Riceboy Sleeps

Jon Thor Birgisson (Sigur Ros) and Alex Somers (Parachutes) have been exhibiting artwork and staging exhibitions under the name Riceboy Sleeps for a few years now. Their track "Happiness" was featured on the "Dark Was The Night" compilation. This record is more active than its antecedents in the ambient output of Brian Eno and other deliberately low-impact works.

I’m Going Away by The Fiery Furnaces

Their eighth album and first studio record since 2007’s "Widow City". CD presented in a 4-panel mini-LP style jacket. LP limited to 1,500 copies and pressed on HQ 180 gram virgin vinyl at RTI. Presented in an old-style tip-on gatefold jacket with MP3 download coupon.

The Satanic Satanist by Portugal. The Man

Alternative Press (p.110) – 4 stars out of 5 — "[T]he band deliver a powerhouse of pithy Motown and funk-inspired classics, with hints of ’60s anti-war folk, ’70s soul and ’90s alternarock….The songs themselves are rock solid…".

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Popularity: 17% [?]