Owen Pallett provides an expected followup with Heartland

When Owen Pallett announced he would change his recording moniker from Final Fantasy back to his original name, the primary reason was because “the laws of trademark infringement exist for good reason.” That may be so, but fans could have understandably seen that as something of a distancing from the violinist’s past work. But his… Continue reading Owen Pallett provides an expected followup with Heartland

Laura Veirs pulls out all the stops on the enchanting July Flame

The name Laura Veirs conjures up unrivaled, winsome imagery and an inexpressible feeling of being under an entrancing spell. Yes, it’s abstract; but suitable to the music she makes. Wistful, longing searches through waves of hope and desire, attempts to create lasting relationships, all in the setting of the different worlds Veirs manages to portray… Continue reading Laura Veirs pulls out all the stops on the enchanting July Flame

Vampire Weekend’s Contra is a perfect sophomore effort

I like to laugh at the weirdo middle school girls swept up in the “Team Jacob” vs. “Team Whoever” thing from Twilight. Stupid petty book rivalries! But then I look to the reception of Vampire Weekend’s 2008 self-titled album and the two contentious camps that developed there: “Team Vampire Weekend Is Awesome” and “Team Vampire… Continue reading Vampire Weekend’s Contra is a perfect sophomore effort

MP3s from the now defunct Europe in Colour

Our friend Alt Altman (aka Digits, the electronic indie pop artist) sent over a few tunes last week of a band he was previously in, titled Europe in Colour, from 2005-2009. They were based in Toronto and released one self-titled EP in 2007. Unfortunately they recently broke up, so we won’t get a chance to… Continue reading MP3s from the now defunct Europe in Colour

Phenomenal Video Saturday: Cursive!

How have I not ever posted this video before? I am outraged with myself! Outraged! So in early 2009 Cursive made their network television debut on Letterman with “From the Hips,” from their latest album, Mama, I’m Swollen (tee hee). Now I’m going to go on record and say that I, like, totes wuv Cursive,… Continue reading Phenomenal Video Saturday: Cursive!

[MP3] Color of Clouds: “Burn It Down”

Not sure how I missed this one. KR favorites, Color of Clouds, released a “free EP” of sorts last month because fans were digging their song “Burn It Down”, which CoC had planned on editing a bit for their forthcoming album. The EP has the original version of the song, along with an acoustic version… Continue reading [MP3] Color of Clouds: “Burn It Down”

[Abby’s Road] Transcendent Culture

The quiet of the Bavarian countryside. Post-Washington DC’s 2009 Snowpocalypse, it ended up being the perfect place to spend my holiday season. As my German boyfriend Albert and I nestled in the kitchen of his childhood, his mother, a lovely, traditional mama called Marlene, tuned the television to Bayerischer Rundfunk – the Bavarian equivalent of… Continue reading [Abby’s Road] Transcendent Culture

[Odd Track Out] Murder by Death’s “Those Who Left”

[Ed. Note: Every once in a while we all (might) come across a song or two that are pretty much great, but are completely out of whack with the rest of the album they appear on. The band has its signature sound, and the song in question may have a similar mood, true, but still,… Continue reading [Odd Track Out] Murder by Death’s “Those Who Left”

Animal Collective makes epic video for Brother Sport (what’s new?)

It’s been about a year since Animal Collective unleashed the now legendary Merriweather Post Pavilion on the world, and yet they’re STILL stealing headlines with material from the album. This time, it’s a really cool video for “Brother Sport,” that is equal parts beautiful, terrifying, inspiring, psychedelic, and comforting. Confusing? Wait ’til the eggs and… Continue reading Animal Collective makes epic video for Brother Sport (what’s new?)