My friend Vicky has been raving about Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros for quite some time, and I only recently bought one of their albums. A few months ago I wrote about their music video for "Home", which I loved. Now that I have heard the rest of their self-titled album, there is so much more to love. Their folk alt-indie vibe often makes you feel as if you're back in the 60s, and there are so many elements you don't know where they are all coming from. Their music is beautifully complex and unpredictable, and will leave you wanting more.
The Antlers, a trio from Brooklyn, is one of the greater bands I discovered this year, but also one of the most difficult to listen to. Their music is incredibly beautiful, but also incredibly sad - I can't even imagine seeing them play any song off of their album Hospice and not crying. Hospice is hands down one of the most depressing albums I've ever encountered. Peter Silberman spent some time in what he called "social isolation" when he wrote this album, and that doesn't surprise me one bit. The album is all emotion, as it deals with the relationship between Silberman and a terminally ill patient. But please, do not run away; where this album will get you down, it will also lift you up with gorgeous, ambient instrumentals and something to believe in.
Fleet Foxes is another seasonal band that I can't get enough of. A friend introduced me to them a few years back, and before I had the chance to listen, my dad recommended I listen to them as well. The AV Club pegged their genre best by coining the term "Wilderness Rock". With intricate and beautiful harmonies, haunting vocals, and pure talent, Fleet Foxes has found a way to stand on their own. Take a listen, and I challenge you to find a band that compares.
Another one of my favorite music blogs is La Blogotheque. The only problem? It's all in French. If you, like me, can't understand a word on this website, please do not give up. I promise that, if you spend just a few minutes looking, you'll find some absolutely incredible videos, much like this one. If you don't have seven minutes, skip to 2:30 for "Blue Ridge Mountains", a personal Fleet Foxes favorite.
My love for Band of Horses was an accident. I mentioned in my Andrew Bird post that I had waited hours at Bonnaroo to catch his set. Just as I was getting ready to leave to meet up with friends at Snoop Dog's set, Band of Horses came on. I was already front and center, so I figured what the hell. I was familiar with some of their material, so I decided to stay for one song. Then one song became a few songs. Then a few songs became their entire show. I was mesmerized.
Originally just "Horses", Band of Horses is an indie rock band with heavy southern country influences. Their second album, Cease to Begin, has some of my absolute favorite songs. I'm embarrassed to admit that I have yet to purchase Infinite Arms, which was released this past May, but once I stop being so broke, I'm going to get to it, and you should, too.
Laura Veirs, American indie-folk singer-songwriter from Colorado, has been making and recording music for over a decade. She started out in an all-girls punk band in college, which she fortunately left behind to start her career. Veirs released July Flame at the beginning of the year, and it immediately caught my ear - no doubt it will catch yours, too.
A friend introduced me to Lykke Li a few years ago, and sold her as a "Swedish Feist". The more I listen to her, the less I'm sold on her similarities to Feist, but I see where he was coming from. Indie singer, coyish vocals, and interesting songs. But I think Lykke Li pushes the envelope more than most female artists are willing to. With a lot of outwardly sexual lyrics, the occasional electronic beat, and overall bizarre themes, Lykke Li is definitely one of a kind.
The New York-based Vampire Weekend has become a main staple in the indie scene, and it's not hard to see why. With tight, unique, upbeat music, accompanied by Ezra Koenig's inventive lyrics, VW has yet to produce a song I don't like. Their self-titled album, Vampire Weekend, is great, but I can't seem to turn off their sophomore album, Contra.
Thanks to the wide world of social media, I was on Twitter this morning when Muzzle of Bees made an alluring post: "If you listen to one thing this week, make sure it's this." Obviously, I had to listen, and I'm so happy I did. Eric & Magill are clearly in early stages - there is no sign of them on Youtube (or else I'd have provided a video!), and their album is available for free download(!). But from the sounds of it, you definitely want to give these guys a listen.
Andrew Bird is one of my absolute favorite artists, and is without a doubt one of the most unusual. My friend Vicky once name-dropped Bird, although she adamantly denies it, and I did some research. I decided he was pretty cool, but didn't give him a fair listen. It wasn't until Bird quite fortuitously came to Lehigh University my freshman year, that I realized the magnitude of his talent. He played a solo show, but still provided a full band sound. Using a looping technique, Andrew Bird layers his vocals, guitar, violin, etc., and creates his music - all by himself. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I was so blown away. The second I left that show, I called everyone I knew to tell them about this guy. Two years later, I sat through 3 hours worth of sets at Bonnaroo just to get a good spot for Bird's performance. I am proud to report that I weaseled my 4'11" self to the front row - with thousands of people behind me - by the time Andrew went on!
Andrew Bird, professional vocalist, lyricist, violinist, guitarist, and whistler, is an indie-folk performer to be reckoned with. His voice is beautifully haunting, and his lyrics are smart, weird, and crafted to perfection. I almost lost it this summer when I found out that he released three albums on Rykodisc Records, where I interned, back in the 90s. I could go on and on about Andrew Bird, but you really just have to see for yourself. That means two videos, ladies and gentlemen!
Although I appreciate and listen to all kinds of music, you will rarely catch me listening to Hip Hop, in any form. Lucky for Santigold, she breaks out of the typical Hip Hop artist mold and turns it into so much more. Combining hip hop, new wave, indie, and electronica, Santigold is in a category all her own. I can't lie to you - some of her songs are down right weird. Most of her songs feel like a trip, and her robotic backup dancers during shows only magnify the feeling. She uses tracks that any artist could work with, and puts such a unique twist to it that you can't help but be intrigued. I saw her at Bonnaroo two years ago, and this singer-songwriter can put on quite a show. She writes, she sings, she raps, she dances, she produces - what can't Miss Santi White do?
I've had a blogpost about this band on my radar for a while, and, with their Grey's Anatomy background music debut in tonight's season premiere, I have decided it is time! A friend introduced me to Delta Spirit about two years ago after the release of Ode to Sunshine. I definitely dug the album. You hear their influences from decades past immediately. They have a multifaceted sound, with layers of banjos, piano, horns, etc. Ode to Sunshine was a good listen, but I wasn't impressed until I saw them open for Nada Surf at The Trocadero in Philly a few months later. Delta Spirit is not just your run-of-the-mill indie alternative band. They have heart. Matt Vasquez, their lead vocalist, literally THANKS individual members of the audience in between lyrics. I have never seen a band so genuine. I loved the show so much that, at Bonnaroo the following summer, I trekked through a thunder and lightning storm, alone, to catch their set. I got lost for about 45 minutes on the way back, but you know what? I'd do it again to catch another Delta Spirit show.
Delta Spirit released History from Below this summer, and I bought it the day of its release. I still haven't decided which album I prefer, so I'll leave give you tracks from both records and let you decide for yourself.
