Songs to Study To

I know I'm late on this one, because (I hope) everyone is done with finals by now, but I couldn't pass this post up. As I spent endless hours in the library this past finals period, I found my favorite study album in a very unlikely place: Radiohead.

Who knew Radiohead was good study music?! Kid A found its way onto my final exams playlist, and I couldn't have been more pleased. This album is incredible any day of the week, but fits the study music formula. When midterms and finals roll around this semester, Kid A will no doubt be my go-to.

[MP3] Everything In Its Right Place - Radiohead
[MP3] Idioteque - Radiohead
[MP3] Optimistic - Radiohead

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Edit: My good friend Joony sent me this cover, and we all know how much I love covers. John Mayer tackles "Kid A", and does a pretty good job:

Video: Tallest Man on Earth

I hate finals, but I love this song.

Love Is All by The Tallest Man On Earth from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

Stay tuned!

It is the most wonderful time of the year at Lehigh University: final exams time. Because I'm having so much in the library all week, I won't be able to update with new music. But in the near future, here are some artists you can expect to hear about!
Good Old War
She & Him
Robyn

Yellow Ostrich/La Blogotheque

A few weeks ago Muzzle of Bees introduced me to Yellow Ostrich, and I fell in love. Now one of my new favorite music blogs, La Blogotheque, has posted A Take Away Show with Yellow Ostrich. Enjoy.

Yellow Ostrich, Traffique, High Life | A Take Away Show | Live @ CMJ 2010 from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

The Antlers

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.

[MP3] Kettering - The Antlers
[MP3] Bear - The Antlers

The Antlers covered Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" for The AV Club's Undercover Episodes:

The Antlers cover Pink Floyd
Official Website
Myspace

Fleet Foxes/La Blogotheque

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.

[MP3] White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
[MP3] Mykonos - Fleet Foxes

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.

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Official Website
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Matt Duke

Another artist from Rykodisc, Matt Duke is a talented singer-songwriter who puts on a killer show. My fellow intern and I had the opportunity to see Matt Duke perform an acoustic show at the Rockwood this summer, and it was incredible. Not only is he an amazing guitarist, but he has a phenomenal voice - one that you only understand the magnitude of when you see him perform. His album Kingdom Underground came on while I was in the car last night, and I'm so happy to have rediscovered it.

[MP3] The Father, The Son And The Harlots Ghost (Acoustic Version) - Matt Duke
[MP3] I've Got Atrophy On The Brain - Matt Duke

And for a sneak peak from his new album One Day Die, here's Needle and Thread.

Official Website
Myspace