April 29, 2010

The Pretty Reckless

I hate admitting this...really I do...but Taylor Momsen, you know that chick from Gossip Girl? Has actual talent, no lie, April Fool's day has passed. And no, she isn't a "cutesy pop rock chick" she's gritty and dark...and errm actually rocks? You have no idea how much I wanna take back this blog post. But honesty is my policy and you know what? I'm listening to her now...so shoot me. (plus you got to give her props for referencing Garbage's "I would die for you" on "You make me wanna die")



Roxy Cottontail...

Spin Magazine actually endorsed this...all I can ask is why. With all the new "DJs" being "connected" to "Diplo" (cough cough Amanda Blank) of course they must have talent! right? Um no...check out this disaster, coming to a hipster dance party near you? Possibly...

April 28, 2010

J Cole has Released "Who Dat"

J Cole is my Anti-Drake. Why? because unlike Drake who is over-hyped and under-talented, J Cole's voice deserves to be heard. I have covered him before, and and his older stuff is sick, but "Who Dat" (in my opinion) takes him a step up, and maybe one spot closer to knocking Drake off his pedestal (please dear god...I am so tired of seeing people quote Drake in my friends feed on facebook statuses!).

Erland and the Carnival

I posted the hauntingly beautiful "love is a killing thing" on my February Playlist, and their stuff just keeps getting progressively better.



For those who haven't heard it yet:

Sleepy Sun

So, I have been noticing a "trend" recently among a bunch of "up and coming" rock groups. Instead of drawing inspiration from the "80s" like last year's break out artists (La Roux for example) many have been taking their sounds from the mid-70s metal predecessors. Your Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and the like...and you know what? I like it better.

Detroit Social Club

Pretty awesome combination of tribal/ choir/ and folk rock. Obviously it's too early to make my "Best of the Year 2010 List" However, I wouldn't be too surprised if they end up as one of the 50 Artists I pick for my uber prestigious list...maybe I should start giving out awards, like gift certificates to McDonald's or something.



More "new" Darker My Love? Yes Please!

So I posted one of their songs a while ago on a playlist only to see it "blocked" by new UMG rules (wheatever that means). Anyway I managed to find some more...and believe me I have been fiending for a fix. Just like most awesome indie rock from the UK it's going to take at least a year for American music publications to start catching on (I mean people in the States are only STARTING to talk about Mumford and Sons now...ohh boy). I really dig how close their sound is to the Stone Roses.

At Sea

I don't usually come across too many Buffalo independent musical groups I like, however At Sea produces pretty decent indie folk/ lofi....(essentially whatever indie snob lexicon/ jargon you want to call it) that I can listen to, and not cringe at. Sometimes the lead singer sounds like he is trying too hard, but overall the musical compositions are quite strong and show lots of promise for further development. I think sometimes the tracks just scream "I am trying to be really different and experimental by trying to sound like I'm singing into a fan!" however, "Georgia" and "on Shore" are definitely worth listening to and can (in my humble opinion) carry over past the "local music scene" which if you been following this blog, know I don't cover that often. If you're curious about shows, they recently opened for Toronto Ontario's (my second home) Timber Timbre -- whose single "Demon Host" I did post on here a few months ago.

Check em out:

http://www.myspace.com/theworrywort

April 23, 2010

Amanda Blank...mehhhhh

So she's going to be in town today and I was thinking of going, however I have decided that she isn't worth 12 dollars to see...do I sound like an ass or what? She has been grouped into the same categories as Diplo and Santigold, but I'm not sure she's really deserving of that label. I think my friend Evan put it best: "Hipster guys will like her because she sings about having sex first and the awkward relationship that follows it preceded by more sex." If she looks familiar she was also featured on Yuksek's song "Extraball" (which I will post below) I wasn't a big fan of that song either, it annoyed me all summer.



Yuksek - Extraball (dumbest song name ever)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tufnQitNUnE&feature=related

April 22, 2010

Mother Mother - Hayloft

Digging this song!! And so you know what the best part is? It sounds just as awesome acoutically as it does with electric guitars, check it out!



Ocelot - Beating Hearts

I have a very unhealthy obsession with this song. Sure, it screams lame mid 90s dance tune...but it's just to damn catchy! And plus the video is uber cool....

Flood The Shoreline

Another local Buffalo band that is making waves. They only have one song on their Myspace page at the moment called "Out Here" however it's pretty kickass. The perfect combination of lofi vocal distortion and classic rock instrumentals. I really like how they play with echoes, yay for the Doppler Effect!

Anyways check out their Myspace Page HERE

Bryan Johnson and Family Release New Song, With Free Download!

As you may recall, I interviewed Bryan Johnson and Family over the summer as part of my "Buffalo Band Project" and you can read that interview HERE.

Anyways I really liked the new direction the band is taking on this track "Body and Skin." The single still maintains Bryan Johnson and Family's folk roots, but adds a slightly harder to edge. There is something radio head-esque about the new sound (even more so on my favorite song on the Myspace page "Greed Fishing" it could of been an extra track on the Bends!). I would advise all of you to check out the new track for yourselves, and request downloads!

check out their Myspace HERE

April 5, 2010

Two Door Cinema

Something that I could see playing in an episode of Gossip Girl...but would still listen to it anyways.

April 4, 2010

The Neat

New band signed to very new label "Chewing Gum Records" run by some old players from the Kaiser Chiefs.

Sleigh Bells

Are coming to Buffalo on April 9th!!!! And I am determined to go.

April 3, 2010

April Playlist

Long time no see! School has consumed my life for the past two weeks...but guess who's on spring break? Oh yeah! I'm back, and with a new playlist! Oh boy!

Minus the Bear
- My Time
The perfect mix of electro beats and with the vibe of a garage jam band.



Neon Indian - Terminally Chill
Remember this gut from my "Acid Trip" playlist a few months ago? Like September to be semi exact? Hate to say I told you so! But just like Ellie Goulding (who is later on this list) this guy is definitely being sold as the next best thing to sliced bread by music mags everywhere...ha!




Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed
Remember when I said that this woman needed more media coverage back in november....well...not any more!



Rogue Wave - Good Morning
Favorite song on the playlist.



Oh No Ono - Helplessly Young
They are sooooo Scandinavian, but it's not a bad thing.



Titus Andronicus - A More Perfect Union
Punk's new calling.



Olof Arnalds - Klara
More sweet sounds out of the tiny island nation of Iceland!



The Hood Internet - Two Weeks of Hip Hop
Think of Girl Talk...version 2.0.



Codeine Velvet Club - Hollywood
Kitchy, catchy and nostalgic...pretty epic stuff.



E-40 - Tell Me When to Go
Not the deepest rap anthem in the game, but definitely the most fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GZbaXdK8Js

Keepaway - Yellow Wings
They have been hailed "the next Animal Collective" but I hate Animal Collective...but dig whatever this is...