Hailing from Arkansas, they themselves say they’ve been influenced by Death Cab and Mew, and it certainly shows. They sound like a cross between Mae and Mew with a splash of Copeland every now and again–but, they’re certainly not copycats and are carving out their out sound.

After a brief opener, the album begins with a piano driven track entitled “Light as Air” that has a tight baseline driving the beat. I think this song really sets the stage for the rest of the disc. The whole album has walks the line between upbeat and slightly depressed. I love it.

Something else kind of cool (I’m a sucker for this…): keys are played by, Laura Baylock, who is married to Wes Baylock (lead vocalist).

My only complaint against this record is that I want Wes to switch out of falsetto once in awhile and hit the top of his range. That being said, I love the falsetto. And, I can’t get enough of the clean tone of those guitars–so good. Deas Vail just released a new EP, and Wes is really belting it on the few tracks I’ve heard–just verging on a scream, so maybe that’s the direction they’re moving. You can check out a few tracks from the new EP, White Lights, at PureVolume.

Their new album is slated to arrive in 2009. In the meantime, enjoy one of my favorite tracks off “All the Houses Look the Same” entitled, “Rewind” (and don’t forget it will be on the mixtape!)

[See post to listen to audio]

Buy both the “All the houses Look the Same” and “White Lights” at Amazon.

You may remember Derek giving away his album a few years ago and creating quite a splash. Well, you can now download new music by telling just three friends, then you have access to whatever album you’d like.

You can begin right now with this giant widget:

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]

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]

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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I can prove it…

Just click the play buttons, this is the full album in it’s proper order.

Life in Technicolor
[See post to listen to audio]
Cemeteries of London
[See post to listen to audio]
Lost!
[See post to listen to audio]
42
[See post to listen to audio]
Lovers in Japan
[See post to listen to audio]
Yes
[See post to listen to audio]
Viva La Vida
[See post to listen to audio]
Violet Hill
[See post to listen to audio]
Strawberry Swing
[See post to listen to audio]
Death And All His Friends
[See post to listen to audio]

Now go buy it from Amazon!

Also, check out my mixtape for other great bands and streaming tunes.

Whaddya think of the new disc people? Especially you, oh Coldplay hater.

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:

I love your voice. I love your band. I want to throwup all over your new iTunes video. I address this to you, Chris, because everyone else looks pretty normal. I hate calling your art bad–because you’re a much better musician than me. But whoever convinced you to do that thing with your hands should be shot at close range.

The colors are amazing, the effects are brilliant, but you look like a d-bag. Deep down, I know you’re not a d-bag, so I think it’s more disappointment than anger.

But, the song sounds rad (P.S. readers, you can buy this track on iTunes if you like).

Lovingly,

Josh & everyone else who has ever seen this video.

What do you guys think of the video? Check out the Apple site for a better quality video.

This album is complex. Expect it to last. It’s going to take multiple listens to appreciate how good it really is. It think it could be in the running for best disc of 2008 (big statement…I know).

Tracks range from the classic “Photo Album” feel (No Sunlight, Bixby Canyon Bridge) to a sound similar to the Beatles (You Can Do Better Than Me) to the Transantlanticism “Passenger Seat” sound (Grapevine Fires) to an even slightly southern sound (Your New Twin Size Bed).

It’s just really good. The tracks tell a story. The disc starts dark and maybe even a bit angry. Towards the middle, things seem to relax…as if the disc has gotten over a stressful event. Around track 9, it picks back up–but I feel like it’s a bit more pessimistic and dark lyrically…it reminds me a bit of “A Movie Script Ending” off “Photo Album.”

Lyrically, it’s Gibbard’s same honest, raw style. “Pity and Fear” starts with the line

I have such an envy, of this stranger lying next to me

If you hated Plans, you’ll love this. If you loved Plans, you should still love this. If you loved Photo Album, I think you’ll like this. If you loved Transatlanticism, you’ll definitely love this.

Go buy the mp3 album Narrow Stairs for $9.99, DRM free at 256KPBS at amazon.com.

I’m having a hard time figuring out what song to post here…but I’ve chosen the intro because I think that says so much about an album, “Bixby Canyon” and I’ve chosen “Pity and Fear” because it’s dark, and intricate, and awesome.

And I love how long most of these songs are, that’s one thing they do so well. They have an incredible ability to make long songs that continue to be interesting.

Listen!

Bixby Canyon: [See post to listen to audio]
Pity and Fear: [See post to listen to audio]

Hailing from Nashville, TN (which automatically creates suspicion in my mind), they just put out a six track disc in 2006, and I can’t find anything newer.

To me, all six tracks are just a refreshing take on the Indie genre. They’re not not super weird & they don’t try and incorporate a banjo into every other track for the sake of authenticity. They’re perhaps a bit more poppy than your average Indie band; but they frequently surprise me with their melodies. They’ll start off with what I think will be a predictive chord progression, and then they’ll end up somewhere completely different.

They’re relaxing–but not necessarily chill. They’re smooth.

This track is probably my favorite of theirs. The song is best played loud with your bass turned up, and no interruptions. The end of the song is classic, ’song within a song,’ which I’m not sure if I like. I think I do.

Check out, “I Like You I Do” off “Come Back to Aria” by Brenn:

[See post to listen to audio]