Hit play.

Now then. These guys have three albums prior to “Keep Your Eyes Ahead,” none of which I’ve heard. However, thanks to Rob, I am now in love with “Keep your Eyes Ahead.” It’s got a Bob Dylan inspired style, but maybe not as folky.

I would describe it as accessible Interpol. And the crazy thing, it’s just two of them.

They blend minor with major, bring melodies out of nowhere, and his voice is just rad. Check out this NPR article as well. The minute I steal $7.90 I’m buying the whole thing.

Hailing from the lovely town of Manchester England (I’ve never been…so I have no proof. But isn’t England lovely?), they’re a band that I wish I would’ve known about years ago. It’s the type of thing where you come along late, and they’ve already got multiple well established albums, so you’re not sure where to start. Anyhow, I decided to buy their most recent album, “Some Cities,” and wait for their newest disc that is slated to arrive at the end of this summer.

I’m really enjoying it. I’m not far enough into the disc to say what my favorite is…

Check out a chill track “Almost Forgot Myself”
[See post to listen to audio]
…and an upbeat track “Black and White Town”
[See post to listen to audio]

Anyhow, this song has such a good groove, I thought I’d share it even if you can’t understand the lyrics. I love it when an acoustic guitar can drive a song with a solid beat — not many people can do that.

I remember sitting at a bar in Costa Rica after a day of getting my ass kicked while attempting to surf, watching the sunset over the ocean, drinking a cold beer, and listening to a guy and his buddy cover Carlos Vives. Perfect. Even though this isn’t a Carlos Vives song, the two always remind me of each other.

This song has always been a solid chill song for me…Hopefully this song will inspire you to daydream, relax, and do nothing for awhile.

[See post to listen to audio]

In case you were wondering, here’s what the chorus says:

Mientras siga viendo tu cara en la cara de la luna
Mientras siga escuchando tu voz
Entre las olas, entre la espuma
Mientras tenga que cambiar la radio de estacion
Porque cada cancion me hable de ti
De ti
De ti
(me hable de ti)

As long as I see your face in the face of the moon
As long as I hear your voice
Between the waves, and the surf
As long as I have to change the radio station
Because every song reminds me of you
Of you
Of you
(It tells me of you)

It’s kind of cooler when you don’t understand it…

There now, I’ve just cultured your ass.

In Google’s words…

In this new video, there were no cameras on set. Instead, two scanning technologies were used to capture 3D images. Geometric Informatics scanning systems produced structured light to capture 3D images at close proximity, while a Velodyne LIDAR system that uses multiple lasers was used to capture large environments such as landscapes. In the video, 64 lasers rotating and shooting in a 360 degree radius 900 times per minute produced all the exterior scenes.

I love this song! And I love this album! This video is yet another way in which Radiohead is shaping the music industry.

Amiina - Sexfaldur from the album Kurr:

[See post to listen to audio]

I’ve said before that Sigur Ros was the best show I’ve ever seen. When I saw them a few years ago, Amiina was their opening act and they were gorgeous. Four girls, also from Iceland, who make such pretty music. When I saw them, they only had their EP out, so I’ve been waiting anxiously for a few years for their first full length, and I finally picked it up the other day. You should download it for $7.99.

At their live show, they added layer upon layer as they each walked from one instrument to another and built music in front of my eyes. It’s absolutely captivating to watch them work together. They play everything from the xylophone, to violins and cellos, to glasses, to the saw.

I had seen a band play the saw before I saw Amiina, but not like this. Amiina actually made it add something to the music, rather than playing the saw just to play the saw.

One of my favorite parts of their show, was when they came on stage with Sigur Ros and played a quartet of strings through one song after another. It was just amazing!

I you like the sounds of the song above, and you’re not sure what it means to “play the saw,” check out this video of their song “Seoul.”

Anyone know the song Chinese Translation by M. Ward? These guys are a bit like that. They describe themselves as…

baroque harmonic pop jams.

I listened to some of their other stuff as well, and some if it’s a bit too indie for my taste. But not all of it. Check out the track “Ragged Wood” on their MySpace page. These guys remind me a lot of Simon and Garfunkel. A lot. Especially the beginning of the track “Sun it Rises” on their MySpace page. I think it’s more their vocals that remind of me S&G, not their music as much.

Thanks Sam!

Viva La Vida:

[See post to listen to audio]

So, the aforementioned iTunes commercial inspired me to buy the new Coldplay single Viva La Vida.

It’s a bit new for Coldplay…I mean when have we heard a string’s based song from them? And church bells? But, it’s not pretentious, it’s not annoying, it’s just really pretty. And daddy like…

The lyrics suggest some humility as well. It sounds a bit like they’re wrestling with their new found fame. I remember an interview with Coldplay right when X&Y came out. They said that for the first time in their life, they were experiencing Coldplay-Hate. Before then, they were just a small band that had a loyal following. Then, they exploded and all the haters showed up. This song seems to be a continuation of that struggle.

Additionally, I just heard another track off Coldplay’s disc. It’s call “Lost!”

It’s kind of the their major key, piano driven ballad that they’re so good at. The big difference, however, is that the song never really picks up. It just stays the piano, and Martin. Martin and Piano. Mano y Mano.

You can listen to Lost! on this tiny little Hype Machine player:

[See post to listen to audio]

Big, hard thanks to Nick for exposing me to this band. Man, they are just really, really good! It’s just so sad when you come across a band that makes your life better, and then you find out they broke up and played their last show in 2005. Balls!

They started in 1991, and I loved 90’s rock. Sorry; but I do. Collective Soul was at their peak, Better than Ezra, Tonic, Gin Blossom’s, Weezer…what wasn’t to love? They certainly have that 90’s feel in some of their sound. Just check out their album art. That is pure late 90’s early 2000’s.

But honestly, this music is worth purchasing. His voice is really, really smooth. And I dig how much of it is acoustically driven; but it has such a driving rhythm, you wouldn’t quite notice it. You know, there’s something about it that reminds me of Burlap to Cashmere. Remember them?

Does anyone have anyone similar that still exists? I’m interested in picking up their earlier stuff as well.

I saw these guys awhile ago on TV and didn’t know who they were, and then my friend Chris passed along their info. Destiny.

So, I will say that these guys are probably way too far above my head for me to really enjoy. Their talent is just bleeding out of their music, but as a not-hardcore jazz buff, it’s a bit inaccessible. For me, if I said I loved these guys, it would be more for lame indie-cred than it would be the truth. I like them, but they wouldn’t be on repeat. But, I guess that’s jazz in general for me. There’s a time and a place for it.

Check it out. And let me know of any good jazz artists below, or just email me.

She’s been around for awhile; but it seems not many of my friends have heard Madeline Peyroux. Her 2004 disc (which is my favorite) entitled Careless Love is what got me hooked on her. Her newer disc, entitled Half the Perfect World, is also a really solid option.

She’s not the type of music you listen to everyday; but every time I listen to her I wonder why I don’t.

Check out the track Blue Alert off Half the Perfect World:

[See post to listen to audio]