Kisses - The Heart of the Nightlife

Let's talk about this for a second. When I first saw this album blogged, it said it sounds like the beats are by Alan Palomo (Neon Indian) with vocals that sound like Jens Lekman. Weirdly enough...that is exactly what it sounds like.
So listen.
If you're into this whole chillwave craze that has been getting so popular lately, you'll probably like this album, it's got some perfect summertime jams for while you're drinking beers, playing can jam, and slip 'n' sliding in the park.
Summer is coming, you'll need some sweet tunes like this to keep you going!

listen if you like: Neon Indian, Jens Lekman, the XX, Cut Copy

try it.
buy it. (This is actually a link to the Bermuda 7" pre-order, but it's the only thing you can buy from them right now.)

Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be

Dum Dum Girls continue the lo-fi, pill comedown fuzz sound that everyone seems to be doing these days with style.
There is something about these gals who play fuzzed out pop that makes me want to get up and sing along.
So let's talk about Dum Dum Girls in specific. This is actually one woman named Dee Dee who brought in some other gals to fill out the sound and tour with her. She's signed to Sub-Pop, and based out of Los Angeles, CA.
There are definitely the little surf influence audible in the music, there's also the garage-y rock and roll sound in there. I'm not sure exactly what makes Dum Dum Girls stand out above any of the other lo-fi buzzy, fuzzy music that is coming out lately, but somehow I enjoy this album more than most. I think maybe Dee Dee's voice is just better than most, and though you can hear some reverb on it, it isn't drowned out in fuzz.
This is out March 30, get it before you can buy it...then buy it on vinyl!

Check it.
Buy it.

The Art Museums - Rough Frame

So, keep your eye on Woodsist Records! (Woods' label)
These guys are out of control, putting out awesome records left and right.
If you dig very slightly fuzzy pop music, verging on twee at some points but not quite making its way over into that genre, you'll be swimming in love with these dudes.
Sweet jams, not too sappy or saccharine. Get on it.

Try it.
Buy it.

Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me

Did you like Joanna Newsom's last couple albums? Do you wish a few of her songs were a little rockier and/or jazzier? Well, guess what; you're going to love this album. Some of the songs on here are a little on the rockier/jazzier side compared to earlier albums, but as a whole you can say this album is still classic Joanna Newsom.
I'm not done listening to this yet, considering it is a two hour(!) album, but so far it's pretty incredible. In fact, to be completely honest, I've been enjoying this album much more than I did Y's, which I couldn't really get into for some reason.

For those of you still somehow unfamiliar with Newsom, you'll probably like her music if you enjoy CocoRosie, Cat Power, etc. Slower, mostly harp heavy pop songs.

Try it.
Buy it.

PS: Definitely pre-order this on vinyl, it's a triple slab, and it is only $25 over at the Drag City website. This thing is going to go OOP in no time flat and you're going to wish you'd gotten it if you don't.

Aloha - Home Acres

Let's be honest, Aloha's new album sounds almost exactly like everything else they've put out. I'm not saying this as a bad thing, I love Aloha's music, and even like Cale Parks's solo stuff. All I'm saying is, if you like somewhat melancholy sounding, straightforward pop songs, or Aloha, or both, you'll like this album. Check out the track "White Wind." It has kind of a Daniel Johnston feel to it and I'm really digging it right now.

Try it.
Buy it.

Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Sounds like the last Frightened Rabbit album, pretty great so far. I was afraid it might sound too sentimental and get sappy; luckily, this album avoids that. Pretty awesome!

Try it.
Buy it.

EDIT

Surfer Blood link is now fixed.

Drew Danburry

A quick note about an awesome dude and amazing musician!

Drew Danburry has a new album out now that you can listen to from start to finish on his website. You can also download plenty of free songs there too:

http://www.drewdanburry.com

Not only is this guy a really great musician, he is just an all around stellar dude, so make sure you purchase the album here:

http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Gary/dp/B00345F9M2

Also, you can hear the whole album on his Facebook Fan Page's Music Player, as well as become a fan!

http://www.facebook.com/drewdanburry

Do it!

Jeans Wilder - Antiques

So, my copy of the split 7" this guy did recently with Best Coast came in the mail today, and that got me thinking. I thought to myself, I should post his full length!
Jeans Wilder is Andrew Caddick, and he plays awesome down-tempo pop songs. Sometimes he plays electronic sounding post-rock type stuff, sometimes guitar driven songs that sound like they were recorded into a Dictaphone and then played back and recorded again.
This is really nice album that I would most like to listen to on a nice spring night in a hammock by a roaring fire, while I fall asleep or roast hot dogs with some friends and some beers.
Anyway. Check it out!

Try it.
Buy it.
(I think this is actually all sold out in physical form because it was a limited tape release, but maybe you can find someplace online to pay for it. Otherwise maybe fry the independent distros they have on the right side of the page.)

The Knife - Tomorrow, in a Year

The Knife's new opera about the life and time of Charles Darwin. Collaboration with Mt. Sims and Plannningtorock. I haven't even listened to this yet, just wanted to get it up to share with everyone.
Considering that this is a new album by The Knife, I expect it to be pure gold...
Anyway, enjoy, leave comments if it pleases you.

Try it.
Buy it.

Dum Dum Girls - Dum Dum Girls EP

So, Dum Dum Girls, eh? More of the same lo-fi stuff that has been coming out lately. I like this album almost as much as I'm in love with the Best Coast 7"s that have been coming out lately which is saying a lot.
Dum Dum Girls don't have that awesome 50's rock sound that Best Coast dips into, but they have kind of a twee influence. This is a welcome respite from the lo-fi surf stuff that has been floating around these past months (which I also love..I'm just overloaded on it a little bit. Except Surfer Blood. Best band ever.)
Anyway. This EP makes me think a little bit of some old Camera Obscura with some fuzz on top for good measure. Other times it makes me think of a slightly better Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Either way, get this album, it's amazing.

Currently unavailable on cd because it sold out, but try iTunes, maybe.
Try it here.

Jacob and I - Shadout Mapes

Jacob and I are a band I was into a while ago and I haven't seen anything new out of them recently, which is a total bummer. The way I see it, If a band references Dune in the title their first EP, everyone should get interested. Anyway, they're post-rock that, if it had vocals could definitely fit into that whole Midwest 90's emo genre that is such a guilty pleasure of mine... Check them out, see what you think. Maybe if their album gets tons of downloads they'll put out some new material.

Try it.

Xiu Xiu - D.G.I.H.M.

I'm listening to the new Xiu Xiu album, "Dear God I Hate Myself" as I write this. So far it's pretty good, more similar to "The Airforce" in its accessibility than it is to earlier stuff like "A Promise" or "Fag Patrol."
These songs are pretty solid, the vocals and instrumentation are similar to the old Xiu Xiu that I love, but the first couple songs on the record seem too clean and a little lacking in emotional delivery. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the lyrics aren't introspective or emotional, I just miss Jamie's voice cracking with emotion and I'm not in love with how digital some of the tracks feel.
I remember going to see Xiu Xiu's live show and being enveloped by the noise, like I was being gently cradled by a giant who wanted nothing more than to crush me and I feel like that came though on earlier albums more than it does on this one. Still I'm enjoying this listen and the record just keeps picking up speed.
I'm about halfway through the album now and I have to say that the title track is pretty great. This song seems more genuine than anything else I've heard on this record so far and that is what I was looking for all along. Some emotion! I also enjoyed the previous track "Hyunhye's Theme" pretty well.
I have a feeling the second half of this record is going to pick up speed and really kick me in the ass for what I said about the first few tracks, so I'll let you listen to the record for yourself and form your own opinion.
xiu xiu
Try it
Buy it (pre-order)
p.s. In editing this post, messing around on the computer I'm most of the way through "Dear God I Hate Myself" and I have to say, the second half of this record is AWESOME. Definitely worth a look.

These Arms Are Snakes - Oxeneers

Since this post is "late" I'm actually going to do two posts today. I know, you're so lucky, right?
Well, this first post is an older album, in honor of the fact that this band just broke up and I've loved them since I was 18 years old.
"Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home" is the first album from These Arms Are Snakes, and was released on Jade Tree Records. These guys are in the post-hardcore/prog genre I guess and I think they're just great. I'm putting this album up because it has a bunch of really solid tracks, and probably one of my all-time favorite songs, "Your Pearly Whites." I'm not even sure what it is that makes me love this song the way I do. I think maybe it reminds me of "Castlevania" for some reason?
I'm super bummed that these guys broke up, and if they get back together eventually with this lineup, I highly suggest you try to get out and see them play. Their live show was incredibly energetic. Probably the most fun I've had at a show in a while
When I saw them at The Bugjar, the vocalist, Chris Common, writhed around the stage tearing off his clothes, spitting, dancing, and just really giving you your money's worth. You can tell when a band really loves what they're doing just by the looks on their faces and these guys had it. Not only that, but they were all just genuinely really stellar, nice guys.
If you like these guys check out - dd/mm/yyyy or some of the guys from These Arms Are Snakes' other bands, Narrows and Russian Circles.
(When I saw them play, they played with dd/mm/yyyy and those dudes are incredible too.)

So you can still pick up this album on cd...it is harder to find on vinyl because it's been out of print for a while. You might try ebay.
Try it
>Buy it

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

So I guess I'll start this blog out by posting what is one of my current favorite albums. Surfer Blood's "Astro Coast" has made this last month seem like June. I could definitely tell these guys were from someplace warm, it has a definite surf influence to it.Clocking in at about thirty-four and a half minutes it's a quick listen for sure, but every track on this album is solid. No, you know what? every track is more than solid, they're downright awesome. I can't stop listening to this album and you all need to check them out and make a ton of money for them.
You can pre-order their album here and be blown away January 19th. (Also, for those of you in Western New York, Surfer Blood will be playing March 7th in Geneseo with The Turbo Fruits which should be awesome.
First post done! Thanks for reading.
try album
p.s. I snagged that link off of We Fucking Love Music, one of my favorite blogs. If it goes down just let me know and I'll make my own.