You can also listen to that track right here:

Nada Surf - Lucky
See These Bones
[See post to listen to audio]

You may also recognize the track “Beautiful Beat” off this new album. Has anyone purchased this one? I’m debating buying it. Their most recent disc was pretty solid; but I aside from a few tracks I didn’t love it. I no longer feel like writing…enjoy the listen.

The Album Leaf first broke into the public eye with the album “In a Safe Place.” Tracks from that disc hit The OC, amongst a few other TV shows. That album also consisted of guest appearances by Sigur Ros and Amiina (if you haven’t heard them, check out Sigur Ros here and Amiina here). The most recent disc, “Into the Blue Again” is what inspired this blog post. It’s gorgeous.

After my friend told me about these guys, I listened to a few tracks and then purchased “Into the Blue Again.” I recommend buying this disc as it has quickly become my go to album when I need to think, work, be alone, seek depression or just be happy about life (I know those two seem contradictory; but they’re not). I also just realized the both albums are at the Amazon mp3 store for $7.90 a piece!

Check out “The Light” (this takes awhile to get going–it’s a quiet intro) and “Red Eye” off “Into the Blue Again.”

[See post to listen to audio]

[See post to listen to audio]

Sigur Ros is one of my favorite bands in the world.

Three rows back, this was the best show I have ever seen in my life. It was probably the only show I would ever label as an “experience.” It visually amazing, and their gorgeous music was even better live. For those of you who don’t know much about Sigur Ros, read on. For those of you who just want to listen to their new album — the whole thing — it’s at the bottom of this post.

Sigur Ros is from Iceland. I first got turned on to them when living and working Mexico. I say that, because it was one of the most physically exhausting jobs I’ve ever had, and every night I would fall asleep to Sigur Ros’ “( )” album. That album enabled more rest — both physically and mentally — than anything else during that time. Track #3 is one of my favorite songs ever.

The “( )” album was written in Hoplandic–a variation of Icelandic that Sigur Ros decided to make up. Most every song that they play, their guitarist plays with a bow rather than a pick. Their drummer has the biggest cymbal’s I’ve ever seen in my life. And I’ve never heard a band more patient than these guys.

They recently created their first film entitled “Heima” which I’m dying to see.

‘heima’ is sigur rós’s first ever film, filmed over two weeks last summer when the band undertook a series of free, unannounced concerts in iceland. they hauled 40-plus people round 15 locations to the furthest flung corners of their homeland for their debut venture into live film, to create something, well, inspirational.

If you have never heard them, start with the ( ) album. Takk is also absolutely amazing, so that’s a good place to start as well. The new album, “Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust,” arrives in the US on June 24.

Have a listen to the whole album below. It’s really, really different than their old stuff. Including a few songs in English! It’s quite a bit more upbeat.

Last.FM hasn’t quite figured out their Widget yet, so you’ll have to click on each song individually rather than just click the big “Play” button. I recommend popping it out in a separate window for an un-interrupted playing experience.

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My lady wife, my friend Cole and I went to see these guys at 9:30 awhile ago. That made the second time I’ve seen them live, and they were still amazing. While it wasn’t the “best” show I’ve ever seen in my life, they are certainly one of the most talented bands I’ve ever seen.

They’re from England, and have that piano driven flare to them. Their lead singer/writer/producer, Matt Hales, wrote a symphony when he was 16 years old…I wonder if it’s as good as the one I wrote when I was 14. His brother Ben rocks out on the guitar.

When I first saw Aqualung, Matt grabbed a guitar and said he wanted to play live so he could feel like a rockstar. He then proceeded to slide across the stage on his knees–and he was just playing chords and laughing, making fun of himself. He may be the funniest guy I’ve ever seen live. You should check out his blog, which is also clever and funny.

Also, another cool little tidbit is that he’s also producing other people’s music. All in all, he’s a pretty rad musician. The newest Aqualung disc “Memory Man” is a pretty solid album.

Here’s a track entitled “Something to Believe In” for your listening pleasure. I particularly like this song because of how rad the ending was live. They just rocked out.

[See post to listen to audio]

Find them:
Myspace Profile
Facebook Profile
YouTube Profile

My friend told me about these guys the other day, and I’m on board. I can’t speak for the whole album; but I can speak for what I’ve heard so far–particularly the song “Bloodstream.” And the album art is sick.

I’m always searching for good tunes that have an electronic flare. Often when pursuing this perfect blend I end up hearing music that makes me feel like I should be wearing a lego necklace and stoned, or at a greasy club with one too many shirt buttons undone and far too much product. So far, Stateless hasn’t done either of those–although there have been a few moments where I wonder, “Would Moby listen to this? Because if so, I’m out.”

Anyhow, these dudes are from the UK–which of course in todays music industry automatically means they’re profound and edgy. They fall into the wonderful genre of “trip-hop” and do a good job within it. Most of their songs have a minor key feel, and often times they can stress you out a bit–or at least make you kind of paranoid.

I would consider listening to this song when you’re interested in staring a hole through something. Or, when you’ve got a pen in hand, and are ready to write something reflective. This type of music always inspires me into reflection.

Have a listen young ones:

[See post to listen to audio]

I just saw the movie Once and fell in love with it. Once is a modern day musical and I found it a beautifully inspirational film.

The music is incredible, but it’s the story-line and watching it take place on screen that makes it what it is. The music has a romantic and hopeless feel to it, and yet it remains uplifting–which is large in part due to the film’s screenplay.

It sounds a bit like Damien Rice–without the depressing, melo-dramatic, and dare I even say toolish, tone (although, Rice is given a special thanks in the credits).

This album will stand alone without the movie, but I highly recommend watching the movie first as it really does add so much to each song.