True Loves

Hooray for Earth: "True Loves"
 I'd be inclined to call these guys 'the poor man's Cut Copy'...except that they can definitely hold their own without succumbing to the irritating tendencies that plague other indie-electro/synthpop bands (namely, the desire to emulate instead of innovate--Owl City, I'm looking at you).  Yes, they sound kinda like MGMT circa "Oracular Spectacular," with a dash of Depeche Mode thrown in--and I have to admit it took me two listens before I got past this--but in the end it's like following a line of influence rather than watching a crap attempt at identity-theft implode.  They can be a little over-blown at times, but over-all I like it.  But can someone please tell me what the hell is on the cover?  It is keeps looking at me, and I'm starting to get a little creeped out.

Something Old, Something New

Secret Cities: "Pink Graffiti"

Like a darker cousin to Grizzly Bear's "Veckatimest," this 2010 album rolls along on vocal harmonies and guitar jangle, bringing to mind the first reaches of Autumn--all gray and green and a little disquieting, even in all of its sunny splendor. 

(Secret Cities released their second album last month--also worthy of purchase.)

Brian Olive: "Two of Everything"

Brian Olive, formerly of the Greenhornes, releases his second album--produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys--tomorrow.  He brings to the table everything from Dr. John to T. Rex, and it somehow all comes together in an insane mix of synth, guitar, and horns.  It's a vaguely prog-y mash of garage rock and anything else he could think of--and somehow it works.  (I can't even begin to explain it.)

Ear Candy

Things You Should Be Listening To:

The Wooden Birds: "Two Matchsticks"

Andrew Kenny of the American Analog Set's second release under the Wooden Birds moniker is a lot like anything else he's done: quiet and dreamy with that peculiar picking-style he's obsessed with--but oh how I love it.  

Givers: "In Light"

'Weird' is about the only thing I can think of.

(It's a good weird!)

Fleet Foxes: "Helplessness Blues"

 There is absolutely nothing I can say that hasn't already been said before.

But this is beautiful.

Happy Birthday, Zimmerman

Dylan at The Factory, 1965
Screen Test

Follow this link for a selection of old Dylan clips from the Pacifica Radio Archives at Democracy Now!

How Did This Get in Here?

...What the bloody hell? I cannot look away from this

Lakeville Folk & Blues Fest

Lakeville Folk & Blues Festival

Get your tickets here!

You Must Never Tell It

I'd actually heard of Kites Overhead last fall when I'd downloaded an MP3 sample via I(heart)Music.  I wish I'd sought out the rest of his music sooner than this.
I've needed this.  I've had my Maps CDs on repeat for weeks now, hoping for something similar to get me through.  Kites Overhead is Gene Kondusky (of Canada!) layering his way through fuzzed-out, textured loops and a spacey blend of electro-pop and post-rock.  
As other people have pointed out, his vocals aren't necessarily strong--but I can't imagine them any other way.  They channel the intensity of an emotionally bruised Say Hi and the distance of Mazzy Star (if Hope Sandoval was on a manic up-swing and obsessively listening to James Figurine). This is brilliant.  
I only wish he were touring--Gene, if you're reading this, that's a big fat hint.