I’ve admitted in the past and I’ll admit it right now… If you have album artwork that catches my attention like A Shoreline Dreams did, I will listen to your music and I will b extremely happy when I end up liking it like I do now. I apologize for the run on sentences, it’s just what I do. I first heard of A Shoreline Dream around the time they released their first album voiding The Consequences which had some good tracks on it. Their COASTAL EP that came out in the end of July is a sea gem. Mine as well stick with the sea/landscape imagery that the music begs of you. Every track is a methodical and melodic journey if you let yourself have one. I’ve been reading melodipsych is what people are calling these tracks. I didn’t actually know that was a style but it works, just listen and you’ll see. You must buy this album in stores because the album artwork is amazing and the music is right there along with it.

A Shoreline Dream: Myspace | Website | Buy on iTunes

MP3
A Shoreline Dream - Love Is A Ghost In America
A Shoreline Dream - New York

My poor glob has been neglected recently. Like an old friend I lost touch with. The glob is coming back, lots of things in the works. In between now and then, LETS DANCE!!!

Junior Senior just released their latest album the other week titled Hey Hey My My Yo Yo. It’s off the hook. Full of dope beats and tracks that make you have fun even when you think you can’t. It’s got the disco vibe to it at times and for whatever reason that makes me think of Boogie Nights. Remember the part in the car with Mark Wahlberg aka DIRK… you know the part right? Well this album isn’t like that. HA sorry to stick that visual in your head. That had nothing to do with anything. Really though this album is awesome, awesome to the max. If you want more info on these guys, you know where to look.

Watch the video for “Can I Get Get Get”

Junior Senior: Myspace | Website | Buy on iTunes

MP3
Junior Senior - Can I Get Get Get
Junior Senior - Itch U Can’t Skratch
Junior Senior - Can I Get Low

I saw Lightbreak way back in July upstairs at the Roxy before this show was getting started and I was floored. These four guys from Oregon make perfect indie pop songs. Lead vocalist Chris Bevan performed with such sincerity and control that I knew this was a band I needed to remember. After hearing just a couple songs you’ll see that they have potential to do whatever they want. I am really into this band because I really like any rock band that incorporates a piano well. It adds a new level of sound to make their popish love songs what they are, beautiful, inspiring, and heartfelt… but still rocks. I thought I should add that last part to make sure you know.

They have a 4-song EP out titled Andalucia and I’ve been streaming it from their myspace page frequently. It’s way good and all kinds of catchy.

Lightbreak: Myspace | Website

MP3
Lightbreak - Canyon

Well crafted, beautiful, and simply perfect pop album is just one sentence I could write about Cary Brothers. new album Who You Are. I caught wind of the album just recently (like last month - album was out 05/29/07) and it’s been one of those albums I just want to listen to. You may remember his song “Blue Eyes” in the film Garden State way back in 2005 directed/written/starring college friend Zach Braff. Brothers wrote the song years previous to Garden State yet it is now back in the spotlight - but only on the album with bonus tracks. This album’s single, “Who You Are” is a treasure. He said it took him about a year and half to get this album done and we should all be happy he took his time. Every track beautifully written and sung by him laced with piano and melodies that make you want to sing along. I’ll leave you on a quote from Brothers,

“The songs are pop, but not built-for-radio pop songs,” Brothers explains. “I like melodies that grow, songs that have more than one meaning. Radio songs have the big hook at the beginning, then they hammer that into your head for the next three minutes, instead of letting the song grow slowly, organically.”

Video: Who You Are

Turns out most of the cast is made of his friends and volunteers via his myspace. A truly indie production.

Cary Brothers: Myspace | Website | Buy on iTunes

MP3
Cary Brothers - Who You Are

These days bands are sprouting up in the rock electronica style pumping out track after track then gets you dancing. Go! Motion deserves it’s piece of the pie. Go! Motion is four guys from Nebraska who just released their debut album (i think debut) Kill The Love. I’ve listened to it many a time and always all the way through. I can’t skip any of the tracks because they are all just that good. Reminds me heavily of The Cure both vocally and instrumentals which is cool by me… I mean who doesn’t like The Cure?

These guys have been touring the past couple months and just finished out yesterday here in LA. They have the potential and people are really into this style of music right now so we’ll see what happens next.

Go! Motion: Myspace | Website | Buy on iTunes

MP3
Go! Motion - Kill The Love
Go! Motion - Charm is Harmless

I’ve heard that these guys have quite the buzz surrounding them. This is probably due to the fantastic indie pop this trio makes. It’s quick and makes you feel good. The Lodger first started making music in 2004 and in 2006 set themselves up with a permanent lineup. Since then they just released their first full length Grown Ups in June and have been touring around the UK. Their path to bringing their pop music to the U.S has already begun as bloggers and everybody seems to love them. There just isn’t a reason not to.

The Lodger: Myspace | Website

MP3
The Lodger - Kicking Sand
The Lodger - Many Thanks For Your Honest Opinion

Well after only hearing a little bit of People Noise from Louisville KY I had to mention these two guys. People Noise is Zeke Buck, ex-guitarist from VHS or Beta on vocals, guitars, etc and Matt Johnson on the drums formerly from the band Boom Pip. Both of these guys have toured the world and extensive backgrounds in electronic music. It’s rock but what caught my attention was the melodic shoegaze pieces of the tracks that set me off into a mood I can only describe as floating. It’s the heavy guitar, I’m sure of it. Anyways, doesn’t really matter how I describe it, they need to be listened too. Checkout their myspace for a huge upcoming tour starting today and catch them live.

People Noise: Myspace

MP3
People Noise - The Killing Fields
People Noise - A Million Lives

I caught The Good Listeners live back in February before I knew anything about them. I was in luck to find another great band. Over the course of the last 5 months I was able to get a hold of the album and love it. Its a simply beautiful album. Complete with ambient forest sounds of birds and wind… hence Crane Point Lodge. The amazing thing is, Nathan Khyber and Clark Stiles started The Good Listeners in spring of 2006. They are a bit of a young band yet already have two albums under their belt. Their first LP, Ojai was a track a day in 10 days. If that doesn’t scream talent I don’t know what does. Their full length Crane Point Lodge is just too good not to listen. If I was to describe it in a couple words I would say organic, smooth, pop with the twang of blues and country. I’m never good at describing music and albums as music journalists do because I’m not one. The album just has a great feel to it… makes me want to listen to it on repeat on a road trip. Great summer music.

The Good Listeners: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
The Good Listeners - Isolation Booth
The Good Listeners - Weathertop

I know a good portion of you readers may already know about Great Northern yet I thought I would throw my two cents in. They are beautifully awesome. It’s orchestral indie pop as I’ve heard it dubbed. The Los Angeles half male half female indie rock group has been making huge waves as of late. Selling out their record release show over at The Echo with a line around the block is a pretty big deal. That kind of thing happens when every single song on the album is as good as the last. Every time I go to listen to just a song, I’ll listen to the whole album because it’s just that good. Some of the beautiful lyrics remind me a bit of the amazing Imogen Heap and instrumentals/arrangements like The Arcade Fire. Don’t get me wrong here though… they are their own band all together. I’m just trying to piece together my thoughts of what they sound like. The only real way is to listen for yourself. Buying the album is MORE than worth it. Eenie Meenie has done an excellent job with the Great Northern. They are currently on tour through June, catch them before they start selling out tickets all the time.

Great Northern: Myspace | Website | Buy on iTunes

MP3
Great Northern - Home
Great Northern - The Middle

Another good U.K band hoping over the pond to the U.S, The Electric Soft Parade. The band is brother combo Alex and Tom White plus a slew of other folks, Matthew Twaites, Math Priest, Jake Rousham, Tom McKay, Matt Eaton, Phil Sumner, Joe Bennett and Ben Elliott. Their first US release, No Need to Be Down-Hearted is great. I gave a good listen (finally) and liked it all. It’s fresh and something new for us over here. I’ll try and take a stab and describing what I think it is… indie rock for sure - yet a bit of pop to get your foot tapping.

Honestly there is a bunch that could be said, yet I suck and am tired coming off of the three day weekend. While perusing their myspace I noticed they had this quote up.

“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”
Hunter S. Thompson

With that, enjoy the mp3 below… it’s good stuff.

The Electric Soft Parade: Myspace | Website | Buy on iTunes

MP3
The Electric Soft Parade - If That’s The Case, Then I Don’t Know

This will serve as a dual purpose post. Both a live review and some mp3 sharing. Last night I caught the end Elf Power’s set. This troop from Athens, Georgia played a really fun show. Their stage presence was so comfortable it felt like a local band on a Thursday night. It was a pretty full house at Spaceland, everybody looking like they were having a great time. Elf Power’s unique ability to have 6 bodies and different instruments all creating dancable folk indie rock is what makes it all worth listening to and seeing them live. They hung out after the show for a bit and are all so nice and just seem to love what they’re doing. I like it, maybe you will too.

Shortish post today… it’s Friday and I’m mega tired. For more on Elf Power check out the Daytrotter Session.

Elf Power: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
Elf Power - An Old Familiar Scene
Elf Power - Walking With The Beggar Boys

The Hourly Radio is brand new to me but they have been gaining buzz all throughout 2006 sitting on Rolling Stone’s Hot List and Billboard’s Best of 2006. You know why? It’s just good ol indiepop that everybody can love. Even though the tracks are about everything from love to frustration to ex-girlfriends. Yet all too perfect vocals and music to tap your foot too. Currently they are touring with The Shiny Toy Guns which is quite a style difference yet The Stars of Track and Field are also on the bill. These guys have an addictive sound that will blow them up.

Check out the video below for “Deaf Ears.” I was informed it’s an homage to the 1971 cult classic Harold & Maude. Yes it’s creepy but more-so awesome.

The Hourly Radio: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
The Hourly Radio - Deaf Ears

I have been completely addicted to the German duo Digitalism since last week when I heard the track Pogo. I haven’t listened to one song so many times since I don’t even know when… Actually probably since Bloc Party’s Silent Alarm killed me with Banquet and Helicopter. Back to Digitalism. Their new album Idealism drops May 21st and should be quite awesome. It’s gonna be mad dancey. So get ready to hear it when you are out and about.

More words head over to Crackers United

Digitalism: Myspace | Official Website

(I’ll post up the radio edit version of Pogo later tonight)
MP3 (from all across the internet)
Digitalism - Pogo
Digitalism - TVTV
Digitalism - Pogo (Mentalism Remix)
Digitalism - Pogo (On the Road to Paris version)

Raw and dreamy are the first two words that come to my mind when describing Brooklyn’s The Muggabears. They have long been described as “fuzzed-out 90’s indie rock.” You will know what I mean when you take a listen but their latest album, Night Choreography is deep chilling rock. It’s noisy and intense, “off-the-cuff” as the band says and it works all too well. My first impressions were exactly this, “wow it’s nice to hears some noisy indie rock again.” It took me back a few years when I was listening to bands I can’t even remember now, but it was good. Not to say The Muggabears are a thing of the past, yet to put it cornily… a band of the present. Hows that for a sentence? Now go grab some mp3’s.

The Muggabears: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
The Muggabears - Rings
The Muggabears - Dead Kid Kicks
The Muggabears - The Goth Tarts

Welcome back, it’s Monday and time for something upbeat. I actually found Datarock on virb a while ago and thought they were awesome because I couldn’t help the feeling to dance. And they really are all about the dancing, check out this quote:

“We just want to make people do the dirty! The dirty dancing!”
-DATAROCK

Is there any other reason you need to listen to them? If you like anything electronic with a dance flavor then you will like this band. For fans of Moving Units, Klaxons, Van She, and others like that. You can listen to their album on virb.

Datarock: Myspace | Virb | Website

MP3:
Datarock - Sex Me Up
Datarock - Fa Fa Fa