Check it out at Bloc Party’s site.

Thanks to Steph for this suggestion.

Hailing from Mexico, here they are playing “Diablo Rojo” (Red Devil).

This is a really old side project of Jim Atkins from Jimmy Eat World. It’s interesting to note that the first track of “Chase this Light” is actually “Big Casino.” OOOoooo

Go Big Casino - Richmond Again

[See post to listen to audio]

Last year they put out “Up In Our Bedroom After The War” which represented a slightly different sound for them. A sound, that I love. Well, one of my favorite songs off that disc, “Bitches in Tokyo” has just been turned into a music video. I already wrote about this track, so if you haven’t heard it check it out here.

This video gives further evidence to my wife’s observation spoken after we saw them at the 9:30 Club: “they’re still in high-school” (in a good way–if that’s possible). I found this video a bit funny, but maybe I’m biased by they’re amazing music. Go buy this album!

Bitches In Tokyo

Hailing from London, England, U.K., Europe (3,668 miles east of Washington, DC); Bloc Party first exploded on the scene in 2005 with their album “Silent Alarm” which went platinum in the U.K. after being named the NME Album of the Year. The band got their big break when they saw Franz Ferdinand live and passed off a copy of their single to the band. Good for Franz. The band was obviously around before 2005, and any die hard fan is probably scorning me for not knowing them before the hit the big-time; but the big break was 2005 nonetheless.

So, I guess I would describe their style as heavy indie. It’s not indie in the southern or folky sense, but nor is it it crazy weird “we play 78 different instruments on every track and wear pants that are too short with velcro shoes” indie. They have certainly identified a sound — most of which is driven by their dirty guitar sound.

Here’s a smattering of flavor off of the 2007 disc “A Weekend In the City.”

“Song for Clay” - minor key, heavy and a bit darker - what I would consider standard Bloc Party.
[See post to listen to audio]

“I Still Remember” - more poppy and melodic
[See post to listen to audio]

“Flux” - electronic driven. Pretty different, and they actually chose this as one of their singles
[See post to listen to audio]

First, the Blue Album–which half changed my life.
Then, Pinkerton–which definitely changed my life.
Then, years later…the Green Album–which I liked…but no life changing.
Then, came Maladroit. Which kind of sucked.
Then, came Make Believe–which I’m pretty sure sucked bad.
Now, they bring you the Red Album–which, from the reviews so far, sucks pretty bad.
In case you haven’t figured this out yet, it’s Weezer (if you didn’t actually know that, deep shame upon you).

Can you believe it though? The Red Album! I have such a deep love for what these guys did for me in my younger years that I must listen. The new single, Troublemaker, is out now…and I’ve heard it, and I think it kinda blows. I mean, I love their fun & fancy-free style; but I can’t imagine listening to this over and over.

I don’t have it for you to listen to…you’ll have to check it out at HypeMachine.

In the meanwhile, please enjoy one of their best efforts ever: Across The Sea

[See post to listen to audio]

So, awhile ago I blogged about the upcoming Coldplay disc, which I am excited about. They’ve just given us a sneak peak into their new album with the single, Violet Hill.

It starts out with some calm intro space keyboard & and then just starts driving. The beat and the driving base reminds me a bit of “Politik.” Martin’s voice sounds a bit different, and the whole song is a bit more ‘raw’ than a lot of their other stuff. If ‘raw’ isn’t the right word, it’s certainly dirtier.

I’m always intrigued when bands release a single pre-album. It says so much about what they think of the album. “This is what we want you to think” is what they’re saying. This is their statement. When we think of the new disc, this song will influence what we expect. In my opinion, they’re hoping we’ll think “less pretty, dirtier, edgier, less produced, a bit more careless, louder” etc.

All in all, I like the song. I’m actually pretty excited if this is the tone of the whole album–which arrives June 18.

Have a listen: [See post to listen to audio]

Whaddya think?

But, I’m thinking this song rules. Anyone ever heard these guys? It’s a really cool mix between some indie, some rock, and some electronic. There’s one point where I feel like I’m listening to Ratatat.

I haven’t checked out much else of their stuff; but check out Radio 4’s Quit Hiding

[See post to listen to audio]

My coworker Steph just told me about a band that I’m absolutely stoked about: Mew. These guys are from Denmark and rock it. So, there music wasn’t released in the US until much later; but the CD I just purchased (not on iTunes) is officially from 2003 and they have put out one album since–with another one showing up later this month. The name of the disc I bought is Frengers.

The video below is so, so good. I can’t believe how clear and beautiful lead singer Jonas Bjerre’s voice is live.

I love this song because it just keeps driving the beat through the whole track. I love the drumming, it is persistent and during the heavy fills, the music keeps going as normal. A lot of times during fills like the one you’ll hear during the chorus, the entire music changes to match the rhythm of the drummer (kind of a dun-dun-dun mute of the guitar); but in this song the bassist and guitarist just keep going. They all just keep going.

The name of the song is Snow Brigade. They won the 2003 Danish Music Band and Album of the Year awards, and this is them performing live at the award ceremony. Check out what happens at about 2.5 minutes into it. I want so much to be at that show. I’m looking forward to checking out more of their new stuff.

These guys are amazing. My friend Phil accurately described Ratatat when he said they have a way that “makes you feel like you’re in your own secret world, and you know something no one else knows.” Phil also introduced them to me, so thanks to Phil.

I’ve been looking for some solid instrumental music lately as I’ve worn Sigur Ros and Explosions in the Sky into the ground. Ratatat’s music is played by two guys, and they utilize layering so well. They’re beats are simple, and that’s what makes them catchy. Overtop their bits, they’ll bring in one guitar, and loop it, then bring in another guitar playing the same melody, only it will be the high part harmony. Next time around, they’ll bring in a low part harmony, and it’s so full, and it’s so good you have to smile.

Check out the track “El Pico” from their self-titled album. I can’t tell you how many times I will get off a bus, turn this on, walk, and smile. This music truly does invite you to your own world. You’ll nod your head, you’ll tap your foot, you’ll love these guys.

Make sure you give the whole song a chance as it’s about 3/4 of the way through the song I always, always smile. It changes up a bit and is just rad.

Don’t forget to check out their MySpace page and listen to “17 Years.”