Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Guess the Graph
Today's guess the music graph is something that just popped in my mind. What does this graph (and possibly who) represent? Scroll down for the answer...
Answer : Nat Cole and Bing Crosby, immortalized now and forever associated with Christmas music. I was considering adding John Lennon to this grouping. However, John Lennon was murdered on December 6th, forever associating a tragic event in December rather than the classic "Happy Xmas (the War is Over)". Just some thoughts for you.
The Decay of Fischerspooner
Sometimes, bands storm onto the scene and maintain there visibility. Others, like Fischerspooner, burst on and slightly fade in the collective conscious. Either way, they are enjoyable to listen to.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Columbus - Hubble
The 1980s resurgence in music continues. Check out Columbus's "Hubble" as a prime example.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
iTunes Killed the CD Star
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Today, I would like to share an interesting concept I have stumbled on. First of all, I am going to give a statiscians warning, correlation does not equal causation. However, let's pretend it does! Take a look at the graph above. Notice anything? Well, simply put, the rise of search for iTunes is anti-correlated with CDs. In essence, more searches for iTunes equal less searches for CDs.
Now, don't go burning down iTunes for the destruction of our plastic relics. Instead, this graph just indicates that the Google users could be described as slowly replacing CD searches with iTunes.
What's really worrisome about this graph is that CD can also mean certificate of deposit. So, either this is indicative of the decline of physical music sales, or else everyone is fleeing interest bearing accounts (which is plausible in today's economy). Just some food for thought.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Steady Decline of Trance
The nineties were filled with throbbing beats and out of control clubs. Ecstasy was the drug of choice and groups like the Crystal Method, DJ Tiesto, and 1200 Micrograms were pretty big. However, that time passed. Unlike disco, it didn't die overnight, it faded away in America. Spending time in Europe, you still can here the elements of trance in most of the pop music here. However, as Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" has shown, America's music scene is slowly looking backwards on the heydays of pop in the 1980s, glossing over the Haddaways and Dirty Vegas of the 1990s. Music, like fashion, is cyclical. With the infusion of electronica and psych music in the Indie scene (see Yeasayer and Hooray for the Earth), perhaps trance is due for a resurgence in about a decade or so. We shall see.
Team Ghost - High Hopes
I originally heard this song without knowing who actually was performing. Turns out, this is the new endeavor (formed in 2009) by Nicolas Fromageau. He was one of the original founding members of M83, a band that I really enjoyed suring their early albums, especially Lost Ghosts. Now he´s back, with Christophe Guerin and producer Jean-Philippe Talaga in Team Ghost. The group picks up where M83 left off in the early albums, combining electronic sounds with shoegaze feel.
"High Hopes" is a track from their 2010 album Celebrate What You Can't See. The video was directed by Romain Glé and Thomas Séon and matches the music perfectly. Nothing like shoegaye and water drops. Enjoy!
Also, look out this October for a possible collaboration between Team Ghost, Zola Jesus, and Beck. Should be interesting.
Sidenote:
In case you are wondering, M83 has experienced a pulse/decay career. See graphic below. However, they maintain a good internet search presence.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Fourth of July! Bruce Springsteen Style
Being abroad for a bit has made me appreciate the United States of America that much more. Conversing with Europeans, there still is this notion that America is a great and intriguing place. The vast scale, the large population, and the overall dream that is America still impresses people. That is probably one of the reasons why most people in Europe know all of the major hits of artists like Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, and of course, Bruce Springsteen.
And since I am out of the country, I will be celebrating the independence and foundation of the United States of America by listening to the BOS in Germany.
And the BOS is still the boss.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What Correlates with Hipster?
Google Correlate is a new and useful tool. If you are curious about what correlates with hipster, you are in luck, I already ran that search for you.
Apparently, girlfriends are most related to hipster. Go figure. I also enjoy the mac charger.
Correlated with hipster
- 0.9897gf
- 0.9856bring a trailer
- 0.9855snipping tool download
- 0.9854lulus
- 0.9848vimeo
- 0.9846how to take a screenshot
- 0.9845mac charger
- 0.9845take a screenshot
- 0.9843hard reset samsung
- 0.9841c-program files x86
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Why Coldplay Should Never Be Considered Indie...
Too mainstream. Compared to other major Indie influences using Google Trends, Coldplay still dominates in search volume index.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Duffy - Mercy versus the Doobie Brothers - Train Running
Mahup by DJ Alias JY. Additionally, this ends a two year mental block on remembering Duffy's "Mercy". One mental thing to check off the list. Enjoy a pretty cool song and video mashup!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Nobody Beats the Drum - Poisson Vert
Well, well, well. Nobody Beats the Drum returns with a new outing and a crazy video for "Poisson Vert". These are the same guys who brought you the crazy video below. So enjoy! And remember, Nobody Beats the Drum...
P.S. I am starting to get into an electronica/dance kick these days, so bear with me.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Alexander - A Million Years
To tell the truth, I heard his other song "Truth" on a French station in Germany and was reminded of this song, "A Million Years." Sometimes the world works in funny ways. Enjoy!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Noah and the Whale - Life is Life
Much like this video, I am exhausted from a long run. Enjoy Noah and the Whale's "Life is Life"!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Bon Iver - Calgary
Heads up, Bon Iver released a new album, Bon Iver. Really worth a listen, here's one of the album's staples "Calgary". Enjoy!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tidelands - Holy Grail
A great animated video for Tideland's "Holy Grail". The duo is out of San Francisco and have developed a very unique sound, very American. It almost reminds me of a folk version of Interpol. Their debut album If... will be released on July 26th. Enjoy!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Weeknd - House Of Balloons / Glass Table Girls
The resurgence and transformation of hip-hop is truly amazing at the moment. An equivalent Indie-like movement is sweeping through the Hip-Hop record industry allowing for artists like the Weeknd to gain attention. Great stuff.
Performing Artist's Passing
With the sad note that Clarence Clemons, an anchor of the E-Street band and close friend of the BOS, died today due to complications related to a stroke, it made me realize that I hadn't thought about the BOS, E-Street band, or the 1980s in depth for a long time. Being in my mid-twenties, I still have this glow about the 1980s in my memory. From waiting in long-lines with my mom to receive dot-print out reports, sitting in the backseat with my dad listening to the Minnesota Twins, rummaging through industrial and consumer good surplus stores, typing on typewriters in the sun, and to just being a kid, there is a certain aura about the 80s. The music, and the invention of MTV definitely played a role. Some early memories are associated with the likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen.
When one of these icons dies, when a pivotal singer or performer passes who songs we know by heart, whose songs actually greeted me in foreign lands, it jogs the memory. Collectively, we are reminded of what we stopped hearing in the music long ago, the performer. The song. And with it, you hear the anthem of everything this performer unknowingly shared with you. For me, I shared my first-summer job, long road-trips though the East Coast of the United States, and my first day living in Germany with the BOS and the E-Street Band.
I think that is why when an artist dies our attention is turned to them once more. For example, here are the Google Trends for Michael Jackson:
To Clarence.
When one of these icons dies, when a pivotal singer or performer passes who songs we know by heart, whose songs actually greeted me in foreign lands, it jogs the memory. Collectively, we are reminded of what we stopped hearing in the music long ago, the performer. The song. And with it, you hear the anthem of everything this performer unknowingly shared with you. For me, I shared my first-summer job, long road-trips though the East Coast of the United States, and my first day living in Germany with the BOS and the E-Street Band.
I think that is why when an artist dies our attention is turned to them once more. For example, here are the Google Trends for Michael Jackson:
To Clarence.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
I had this song stuck in my head all the time I was walking through Berlin. I'm spreading the neuro-harmony disease now. Enjoy!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Cults - Go Outside
A little older entry from the Cults, but when I found this homemade video set on Maui for the song "Go Outside", had to post it. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Gnarl's Barkley
Who's Gonna Save My Soul Now
Gone Daddy, Gone
Crazy
Just a Gnarls Barkley kind of day.
Gone Daddy, Gone
Crazy
Just a Gnarls Barkley kind of day.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Timmy Curran - Nordic Monster
Timmy Curran is a stellar indie artist. Whatsevenmore is that he provides the majority of his music for free. So, if you enjoy "Nordic Monster" of of his 2011 album Options, head over to his website and download it for free. Heck, download the entire album.
P.S. Iceland surfing sounds masochistic.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Rone - "So So So"
Rone's "So So So" is elegantly done. The video only enhances the awesomeness. Enjoy!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Memory Tapes - Yes I Know
Great song by the Memory Tapes off of the 2011 album Player Piano. The video is kinda creepy though.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Vitalic - "See the Sea (Red)"
I'm into running music these days and Vitalic definitely fits the bill. Check out the video for "See the Sea (Red)" off of the album Flashmob.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Jon Hopkins and King Creosote - "Bubble"
If you get a chance, you should check out John Hopkin's "Second Sense" as well. There just isn't a good video of it online at the moment.
Jon Hopkins' "Vessel"
Monday, June 6, 2011
Pink Floyd - "The Great Gig in the Sky"
Pink Floyd got me through my senior year of college, and no, I am not in my forties. I really started to get into music while I was finishing up my degree at the University of Minnesota. Almost daily I would make a journey to the used CD and record store. There, I happened across a $3 Dark Side of the Moon CD. I would blast it in my 1999 Lipstick Red Pontiac Grand Am as I drove to and from my research lab. Even though it was 33 years after it was released, I really enjoyed discovering the music, especially the "Great Gig in the Sky".
Someone asked me once why I don't really post negative reviews, it has to do with part of my name. The DIY part. We are all our own DJs deciding what music to listen to and what to reject. I've come to enjoy a wide variety from Ini Kamoze to Daft Punk to Godspeed You Black Emperor! to AC/DC to Lady Gaga. The important thing is to know what you like. So I present what I like.
Enjoy Pink Floyd!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Cults - Abducted
A great showing by the Manhattan based Cults with their 2011 self titled Cults. Score another success for Lily Allen's new label.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Radiohead's Amnesiac Turned 10 Years Old
I feel old. Here is the entire album in neat videos.
"Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box" - Dan Provost's interpretation
"Pyramid Song" - Phillip Bloom.
"Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors" - Levi Winter
"You and Whose Army?" - Brodie Gwilliam
"I Might Be Wrong" – Rik Cotterill
"Knives Out"
"Morning Bell/Amnesiac" – Tyler McGill
"Dollars and Cents"
"Hunting Bears" – Oscar Mar
"Like Spinning Plates" – Christopher Warnow
"Life in a Glasshouse" – FeltPelt
This is making me feel old...
"Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box" - Dan Provost's interpretation
"Pyramid Song" - Phillip Bloom.
"Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors" - Levi Winter
"You and Whose Army?" - Brodie Gwilliam
"I Might Be Wrong" – Rik Cotterill
"Knives Out"
"Morning Bell/Amnesiac" – Tyler McGill
"Dollars and Cents"
"Hunting Bears" – Oscar Mar
"Like Spinning Plates" – Christopher Warnow
"Life in a Glasshouse" – FeltPelt
This is making me feel old...
JUSTICE - Civilization
Due to travels, I nearly missed this video. I've mentioned Justivce before with the song "D.A.N.C.E." off of the 2007 album Cross. However, I realized I neglected the equally impressive "Stress" presented below. However, the video matches the sound of Justice's recent 2011 outing in Civilization (also, they already sold out to Adidas...). It pits a herd of buffalo against the falling symbolic statues of mankind. Symbolism? Anyways, enjoy. I know I will when I am running.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Cold Mailman - "Time is of the Essence"
Okay, time is all off at the moment. Enjoy Cold Mailman's "Time is of the Essence" whilst I get my barrings. Seriously. Like serious.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Battles - Ice Cream
Ouch. Massive travel. Much like an Ice Cream headache inducted nightmare. Enjoy Battles "Ice Cream". I'm going to go to sleep. For a couple of days.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Yesayer is saving me in lab.
Turn it up all the way, drives away any tiredness. Will resume normal positing tomorrow, whatever tomorrow means.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Goldfish - "We Come Together"
Long day in the lab. Time to get cheered up by Goldfish's unique sound and a video dedicated to the history of video games. Plus, Katamari Damacy makes a guest appearence. Enjoy!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Inside Indie - Little Scream - "Red Hunting Jacket"
So, this song is pretty awesome on its own. Now consider that this is the sole work of Laurel Sprengelmeye, a one woman band (she does have help from R.R. Parry and others, especially during live performances). That makes it all the more impressive. The amount and complexity of the sound she is able to produce is incredible. Enjoy the video (I really enjoyed the stop-motion myself) and song!
P.S. Canada still is producing great Independent talent.
Daily Dubstep : Scistitch - "Event Horizon" -EDIT- Scistitch and Swallace - "Focus"
Those interested in Dubstep should check out Scistich's work. Jumping off of what I mentioned in yesterday's post about Proximas, this track displays the other-side of the Dubstep world. The balls out, bass blasting, take-no-prisoners world. And they do it wonderfully
-EDIT-
The SoundCloud link was giving me troubles, so instead, enjoy a Youtube clip.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Proximas - "One Wish"
In the Dubstep frame of mind, Proximus' "One Wish" presents the versatility of the genre. Instead of the typical over-the-top bass and fast transitions (which, I'm not complaining about, especially they are great to run to), you get a stripped down almost fragile techno sound. The combination of using Anime loops as one of the driving forces make this a pretty stellar track.
Now, compare the almost score like (you could see this as the soundtrack for a Jason Bourne or James Bond movie) to Skrillex...
The Rise of Dubstep
My friends often give me a hard time about liking dubstep. I just wanted to post this, it is the future. The search term above was for dubstep. If you don't really know what dubstep is, the definition is pretty simple. "Tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals."
Some examples:
You gotta love bass.
Kitten - "Chinatown"
Get your Yeah Yeah Yeahs' buzz on with Kitten's "Chinatown". The song is off of there 2011 EP Sunday School. They recently played SXSW to a positive response. Overall, they produce a pretty polished and solid indie rock sound. However, due to the similarity to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I am interested to see how they differentiate their sound in the future to carve out a fan base. This Los Angeles based group is currently on tour overseas in jolly ol' London but return stateside July 23rd for a performance in Chicago. They're worth a listen and potentially patronage. Enjoy!
As a bonus, another Yeah Yeah Yeah's video for your comparison.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
I Break Horses - "Hearts"
In the tradition of other dream pop bands such as Air and School of Seven Bells, there appears I Break Horses. It actually took a little more effort than usual to find out about this Swedish shoegaze band. In reality, it is a duo, Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck. You should check out there website, it gives a sense of the overall personality of the band, in their own words, diminutive transformed into "a shit kicker in high-fidelity."
The song "Hearts" (off of their debut 2011 album Hearts) is a stellar outing into the shoegaze genre. At times it feels like a hybrid between an updated "Girls" by Death in Vegas (famous for being on Lost in Translation, see below) and a sped-up/unporcessed "Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis. However, I Break Horses is able to put their own flavor of sound onto the shoegaze genre. From the brilliantly captured video and well designed website, I believe that they will be a good group to follow in the future.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Horray for Earth - "True Loves"
Horray for Earth, a Boston based indie electro band, released their first full length album True Loves May 3rd after their successful EP Momo was received well. Their sound is a combination of Yeasayer and Passion Pit with lyrics that are packed with optimistic anxiety. Overall, Horray for Earth serves as a good symbol for our generation. Great power but overwrought with personal demons.
Plus, the video is kind of how I dream.
Manchester Orchestra - "Simple Math"
I sometimes feel like a broken record. Anyone who enjoys the Black Keys will be interested in Manchester Orchestra. Personally, I could not stop watching this clip on repeat. It not only accompanies the music, but enhances the story being conveyed. "Simple Math" is off of there 2011 album Simple Math (kind of makes sense, huh?). Don't be thrown by their name though, they are originally from Athens, Georgia.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Woodkid vs. Cut Copy
Woodkid's most recent release "Iron" versus Cut Copy's "Need You Now". Again, guess the theme.
Alex Clare - "Relaxed My Beloved"
Anyone who is a fan of the Black Keys will enjoy Alex Clare. The emotion conveyed in his voice effortless falls into harmony with classic elements of blues and soul. Look for his debut album, The Lateness of the Hour to be available July 11th of this year. Additionally, the video effectively displays the passion and emotions associated with a young, dysfunctional relationship. Enjoy both (but not a dysfunctional relationship)!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Dan Deacon vs. Etienne de Crecy
Above is Dan Deacon. Below is Etienne de Crecy. Guess the similarity from these two disparate artists.
Lykke Li - "Sadness is a Blessing"
Lykke Li released her sophomore album this year (Wounded Rhymes) to mixed reviews. However, her vocal talent and unique sound still sets her apart from many other artists. Additionally, stellar casting (Stellan Skarsgård) and directing (Tarik Saleh) develops a music video that not only captures the music, but also presents a complete story about a couple's relationship. I highly recommend checking out the video.
Monday, May 16, 2011
WIM - "See You Hurry"
WIM is another Aussie band poised to dominate Indie folk. Enjoy the song and simplistic yet haunting video.
Moby - "The Day"
Well, I always enjoy Moby. Add on a well shot music video with Heather Graham playing an avenging angel and you get a memorable song. Overall, "The Day" from Moby's 2011 album Destroyed returns Moby to familiar and catchy territory. Enjoy!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Adele - "Rolling in the Deep"
To kick things off, I am going to select Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" from her 2010's album 21. Some cool notes is that Adele's full name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins. And she is only 23. Crazy. Enjoy the song though, it is soulful rock.
Note, this song also is making the rounds appearing on Glee! and the Voice. Basically, she is kicking butt.
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