Month: August 2009

A small tribute to Elliott Smith on his 40th birthday

OK, it’s time for me to take off my Humor Hat and put on my Morose Mittens. Today would have been the 40th birthday of one Elliott Smith, who, as you probably know, died about six years ago under rather hazy circumstances. I don’t have terribly much to say, of course, but I just thought… Continue reading A small tribute to Elliott Smith on his 40th birthday

[MP3/Video] Candy Claws: “Catamaran”

Colorado duo Candy Claws just released their debut album, In The Dream of the Sea Life, and the lead single, “Catamaran” is super impressive. What’s maybe even more impressive baffling is the incredible island-infused dream pop sound that comes out of these kids from the mountains. I never knew what kind of music the ocean… Continue reading [MP3/Video] Candy Claws: “Catamaran”

[MP3] New Top Sound: “A Matter of Precision” (finished version)

Stockholm, Sweden’s Top Sound have just released new single “A Matter of Precision” as a free download on Friendly Noise, along with a gorgeous French-sung B-Side, “Francophilie”.  Both tracks are sugary indie pop in its truest form – “A Matter of Precision” has a catchy, piano-filled, electronic percussion/synth beat (with vocals that are, at times,… Continue reading [MP3] New Top Sound: “A Matter of Precision” (finished version)

Charm and Trevor Giuliani are one and the same

Often times I’m admittedly late to the game on musicians I should have been on top of way back when. Way back when in this case is only June, but regardless, I gotta step it up. I received Trevor Giuliani’s Subcontrario (In Stereo) (released July 21 on Dovecote Records) in the actual mail and didn’t… Continue reading Charm and Trevor Giuliani are one and the same

Throw Me The Statue delivers an “almost” effort on Creaturesque

After hearing “Waving at the Shore”, the first track off Throw Me The Statue‘s sophomore album, Creaturesque (which, by the way, is really killing me to type every time), I was expecting nothing short of pure brilliance from Scott Reitherman and his Seattle crew. I’ll concede that I fell madly in love with Moonbeams so… Continue reading Throw Me The Statue delivers an “almost” effort on Creaturesque

[MP3] New Greg Laswell – “Your Ghost”

Courtesy of KCRW’s “Today’s Top Tune”: Greg Laswell is an LA-based producer and songwriter with a few full-length original albums under his belt. For his upcoming EP, however, he’s decided to re-interpret some of his favorites songs. Here’s a preview with Today’s Top Tune, a haunting version of Kristin Hersh’s ” Your Ghost.“ I couldn’t… Continue reading [MP3] New Greg Laswell – “Your Ghost”

The Octopus Project keep it artsy in “Wet Gold” video

It’s all singing rafts and light-up hermit crab shells for Texas’ The Octopus Project. But come on, did you really doubt they would make a cute indie video for their cute indie song? Let’s be real. This is an Austin band. The city’s slogan is “Keep Austin Weird” but it should be changed to “Keep… Continue reading The Octopus Project keep it artsy in “Wet Gold” video

Modest Mouse is still awesome on EP of rejects

Now is as good a time as any to mention this isn’t “new” Modest Mouse music. Of course it’s non-album material, but it’s not like the band just recently sat down and wrote the thing. In fact, No One’s First and You’re Next is comprised of songs written during the Good News For People Who… Continue reading Modest Mouse is still awesome on EP of rejects

The Decemberists debut two new songs live

Rejoice, English majors! At the Newport Folk Festival, The Decemberists played two new songs live, and they sound less like that totally out of date prog rock and more like The Decemberists. The Decemberists with a harmonica, I guess, which is cool even though “Down by the Water” (estimated title) sounds kind of like Colin… Continue reading The Decemberists debut two new songs live