indie rock cafe


The good music that we want to share with you all piles up like snow during a blizzard; so, it becomes necessary to put together these random mixes to clear off the decks. But these songs are no less worthy than anything else we publish; otherwise we wouldn't feature them. :)

Kicking off this playlist is the hauntingly beautiful melancholy, and as a contrast, the fuzzy guitar hooks, of Brooklyn's Hurricane Bells, evidenced on the tracks, "This Year" and "Monsters" (the latter is featured on the New Moon: The Twilight Saga soundtrack - more songs from that film soon, plus a review of the thrilling, rip-roaring flick, Private Radio).

Following their brilliant pop harmonies-60s style debut LP, Fighting Trees, Philly's The Swimmers are back with their sophomore release, People Are Soft. The opening track, "Shelter," sounds more like Joy Division mixed with Echo and the Bunnymen than anything else the band has recorded.

Next up, we present one of the most popular tracks from one of 2009's best indie debuts from Brooklyn's Here We Go Magic; plus, the edgy, hip-shaking electro-punk rocker, "My Car is Haunted" by Knoxville's Royal Bangs; a new pop track from Sweden's extremely popular El Perro Del Mar; the foreboding harmonies of London alternative pop band, Scanners; New Jersey punk-influenced teenage quintet The Static Jacks ("like The Strokes with a whole lot more twang and soul" - Relix) offer up "My Parents Lied" from their new Laces EP; California's Furcast present the spooky and theatrical "Grey is Old," a Concrete Blonde-like track that would have been fitting for the New Moon soundtrack. To close out this random mix is a lesser-known single from the Raveonettes' impressive In and Out of Control LP.

"This Year" - Hurricane Bells from Tonight Is the Ghost (2009)
Bonus: "Monsters" - Hurricane Bells from New Moon: The Twilight Saga (2009)

"Shelter" - The Swimmers from People Are Soft (2009)

"Tunnelvision" - Here We Go Magic from s/t debut (2009)

"My Car is Haunted" - Royal Bangs from Let It Beep (2009)

"Change of Heart" - El Perro Del Mar from Love is Not Pop (2009)

"Salvation" - Scanners from Submarine (2009)

"My Parents Lied" - Static Jacks from Laces EP (2009)

"Grey Is Old" - Furcast from Together EP (2009)

"The Chosen One" - Raveonettes from In and Out of Control (2009)

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   November 27, 2009    0 Comments     Vote Songs on Hypem   MP3 Policy 
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The following playlist mix features a number of songs from recent releases that are music to our ears. There is no time to do a review here in order to concentrate on some really amazing new music from artists and bands that we are prepping to share with all of you. Therefore, we'll let the music speak for itself.

If you like what you hear, check out the artists' websites and MySpace pages for more and help do your part to keep independent and alternative music alive and well; without all of us doing our part to support the music we like the most, it will be even harder than it is now for relatively unknown musicians and bands to keep doing what they do.

"Genesis 3:23" - Mountain Goats from Life of the World to Come (2009)

"Pass Out" - Chll Pll from Aggressively Humble (2009)

"Allison and the Ancient Eyes" - The Shaky Hands from Let It Die (2009)

"1, 2, 3, Partyy!" - Mission of Burma from The Sound The Light The Speed (2009)

"You May Never" - Land of Talk from Fun and Laughter (2009)

"Autumn" - The Very Most from Autumn (2009)

"And Suddenly" - The School from Searching For The Now 6 (2009)

"Another Noon" - Jon & Roy from Another Noon (2009)

"Fantasy Pictures" - T.H. White from The Private Spotlight (2009)

"Lullaby" - Dark Mean from Dark Mean EP (free) (2009)

"Living This Life" - The Dutchess & the Duke from Sunset/Sunrise (2009)

"The Hero is a Graduate" - Mumblin' Deaf Ro from Senor, My Friend (2009)

"Down to the Wire" - Son Volt from American Central Dust (2009)

"Kerouac" - Chris Hickey from Razzmatazz (2009)

"Nothern Lights" - Bowerbirds from Upper Air (2009)

"Dreamer" - Tiny Vipers from Life on Earth (2009)

"Deja" - Helado Negro from Awe Owe (2009)

"John & Yoko (featuring Yelle)" - Kennedy from Life Is a Party (2009)

"Peach Cobbler" - Marmoset from Tea Tornado (2009)

"Caterpillar Playground" - Nurses from Apples Acre (2009)

"The Diz" - The Love X Nowhere from High Score Blackout (2009)
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Music Related Shorties

PC Magazine reviews Google Music

Wired.com lists the Best 8 Ways to Share Mix Tapes

Writer and filmmaker Antonino D'Ambrosio tells the astonishing and dramatic story behind Johnny Cash's virtually unknown folk protest record Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian.

Free download from Blind Man's Colour member Kyle West's musical project Chromatic Flights

The Pablove Foundation and Dreamworks Studios will hold an acoustic night of performances at LA's The Avalon Nov. 21st with sets from Tom Morello (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), Tom Gabel (Against Me!), Butch Walker and others to raise money for children with cancer.

Largehearted Boy has been compiling listings of the top songs and albums of the 2000s as determined by other blogs, websites and online press.

Erlend Oye of Kings of Convenience talks to PopMatters about the band's new album, Declaration of Dependence.

Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair will return in 2010 and partner with the green i4c Campaign to raise awareness of social issues.

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The delicious pop harmonies and choruses of Brooklyn's DIY outfit Monogold are hard to ignore. The band's sophomore release, We Animals, has generated a buzz with publications like Spin, and we can certainly see (hear) why.

"Feel Animal" - Monogold from We Animals (2009)

"Dead Sea Minerals" - Monogold from We Animals (2009)

Next, Old Canes is the solo project of Lawrence, Kansas folk artist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Crisci (Appleseed Cast). Old Canes' sophomore LP, Feral Harmonies, was released in October by Saddle Creek, and featured on Stereogum's Gum Drop playlist.

"Little Bird Courage" - Old Canes from Feral Harmonies (2009)

The emotionally-charged, neo-glam rock of UK-born, Florida resident one-man band Slideshow Freak is apparent on the song, "Something More," just one of the tracks on the free EP, We Should Swing.

"Something More" - Slideshow Freak from We Should Swing (2009)

Hailing from the southern California city of Costa Mesa, the rock band Japanese Motors like writing songs about surfing, drinking and partying, and that formula has caught on; in fact, their MySpace page alone has never half of a million page views.

"Whatever" - Japanese Motors from Luxury Wafers EP (2009)

Sean Scolnick, more popularly known as Langhorne Slim, is a Pennsylvania born folk singer and songwriter who has built a following opening for bands like the Avett Brothers, Cake and The Low Anthem, and performing at big festival like Newport Folk Festival and Bonnaroo. The following is a cut from his latest LP.

"Say Yes" - Langhorne Slim from Be Set Free (2009)

Laura Veirs recently cut ties with Nonesuch Records, started her own label and released a new LP July Flame. Here's the first single from the LP.

"Wide Eyed, Legless" - Laura Veirs from July Flame (2009)

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   November 2, 2009    0 Comments     Vote Songs on Hypem   MP3 Policy 
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Indie rock legends Built to Spill are back in a big way with their new LP, There Is No Enemy, which dropped last week. More than three years in the making, the album is a surprisingly impressive release; not to say they couldn't do it, but just that they have been seemingly drifting for years without a solid new record.

Doug Martsch
lyrics have never been more personal: Like anyone assuming they know what makes us tick/I was just as wrong as I could be - from "Tomorrow"; occasionally bitter: Stay out of my nightmares, stay out of my dreams/ You're not even welcome in my memories - from "Things Fall Apart"; and, provocatively soul-searching: And if God does exist/I am sure He will forgive/Me for doubting Him/For He'd see/How unlikely He/Made Himself seem - from "Oh Yeah."

Additionally, the brilliant layering of spacious and tangled guitar jams (most evident on "Tomorrow" and "Good Ole' Boredom") and a propensity for fractured song formats - cornerstones of BTS's music since their beginning - sound better than ever. There are many memorable, enthralling and enjoyable moments on this LP, including crowd pleasers like "Aisle 13" and "Hindsight," as well as the remarkably beautiful ballads, "Life's A Dream" and "Nowhere Lullabye." Every track on this album is a keeper. Seriously.

When we got a preview of some of the new BTS material at this year's Outside Lands Festival, we were really impressed, but had no idea that There Is No Enemy would be this amazing. This album is yet another masterpiece from one of indie rock's truly iconic bands.

"Hindsight" - Built to Spill from There Is No Enemy (2009)
"Aisle 13" - Built to Spill from There Is No Enemy (2009)
"Life's A Dream" - Built to Spill from There Is No Enemy (2009)

Available since August, indie rock pioneers Modest Mouse's newest release, No One's First, And You're Next, is a collection of eight songs that date back to 2004, and therefore can't really be called the follow up LP to the successful, and widely praised, We Were Dead Even Before the Ship Sank, released in 2007.

Many of the songs from No One's First have been released over the years, including the darkly bizarre, "King Rat," which the late Heath Ledger directed the video for. And yet the EP holds up as the newest offering from the band, proving Modest Mouse haven't abandoned their quirky, yet strangely cool, song crafting, like on the fuzzy guitar jam, "History Sticks to Your Feet"; the blistering riffs of "The Whale Song"; and, the mostly spoken and shouted lyrics of "Guilty Cocker Spaniels." The band also present the respectable alt-country melodies of "Autumn Beds"; catchy songs meant to be singles - "Satellite Skin"; and even mix it up Dixie-style with the return of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on "Perpetual Motion Machine."


"The Whale Song" - Modest Mouse from No One's First, And You're Next (2009)
"Autumn Beds" - Modest Mouse from No One's First, And You're Next (2009)
"History Sticks to Your Feet" - Modest Mouse from No One's First, And You're Next (2009)

Despite their iconic stature in the world of hard rock, Pearl Jam's latest album, Backspacer, has received mostly lukewarm to poor reviews for one of the biggest rock bands of the past two decades. The common criticism, and one that is easy to latch on to, is that Backspacer is driven by, and dependent on, blazing formulated guitar riffs and Eddie Vedder's less than impressive vocal delivery (not sure who's to blame for that).

The major problem with Backspacer is that it's unimaginative; there's really nothing new here that makes us sit up and say, 'Wow, this is great.' PJ fans, of any age, will likely cherry pick their own keeper songs from the LP, like "Gonna See My Friend," the ballad-like cut "Just Breathe," or the acceptable "Amongst The Waves." But, for now, we'll relish in the classic PJ albums of the past (i.e., Ten) and hope that PJ can come up with something better next time. Backspacer proves the band can still rock; it just appears they've run out of ideas.

"The Fixer" - Pearl Jam from Backspacer (2009)

Next, what happens when former members of Arcade Fire, Unicorns, and Think About Life start a band? Well, you get the Clues, the latest Montreal buzz band that creates a big sound that mixes grinding guitar rock jams, melodic pop sound scapes and the falsetto-like vocals of frontman Alden Penner.

Also, check out new songs from Staten Island's experimental pop band Cymbals Eat Guitars; the phenomenally popular band, Paramore; Jersey City's retro-pop rock group The Black Hollies; Edinburgh's eclectic Meursault; London's hugely successful indie rock band, The Horrors; Brooklyn's electro-acoustic musician Argyle Johansen; the self-described Seattle 'ghettotech' blues band Black Whales; Mexico's grunge meets Britpop group Rubik; Canada's pop soul band The Rest; Minneapolis' psychedelic pop band Velvet Davenport; the gorgeous pop of Detroit's The Silent Years, and the UK's folk rock band Low La Love (abbreviated for practical reasons).

"Perfect Fit" - Clues from s/t debut (2009)
Double-shot: "Cave Mouth" - Clues from s/t debut (2009)

"What Dogs See" - Cymbals Eat Guitars from Why There Are Mountains (2009)

"Brick By Boring Brick" - Paramore from Brand New Eyes (2009)

"Gloomy Monday Morning" - The Black Hollies from Softly Towards The Light (2009)

"Nothing Broke" - Meursault from Nothing Broke EP (2009)

"Sea Within A Sea" - The Horrors from Primary Colours (2009)

"A Sunny Day in Hell" - Argyle Johansen from s/t debut (2009)

"Books on Tape" - Black Whales from Origins (2009)

"Wasteland" - Rubik from Dada Bandits (2009)

"With Every Heartbeat" (Robyn cover) - The Rest from The Cried Wolf Book (2009)

"Lemon Drop Square Box" - Velvet Davenport from Lemon Drop Square Box (2009)

"Taking Drugs at the Amusement Park" - The Silent Years from Let Go (2009)

"Blackbird 3" - Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love from from Feels, Feathers, Bog and Bees (2009)

Check out all of the ETM playlists, featuring the best in new indie and alternative rock.

Popular Posts This Week:

Ears To The Music, VI: The Dead Weather, Nirvana, Hopewell, Langhorne Slim, Bamboo Shoots, Fol Chen & More

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol. IV: Evangelicals, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Beck, Islands, Ramones, REM & More

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol. III: Deastro, Pavement, Band of Horses, Tegan & Sara, Fratellis, Nirvana & More

In Dee Mail: New Music from Beautiful Small Machines, Looking Glass, Inkwell, Lemonwilde, Cool Devices & More

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol. II: Dead Weather, Flaming Lips, Sufjan Stevens, The Kinks, Radiohead, Cut Copy & More

Ears To The Music, Vol. V: New Songs from Local Natives, Daniel Johnston, Freelance Whales, Rubik, Annuals & More

In Dee Mail: One Man Band Series with Washed Out, Stuart Newman and Labrador Labratories

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   October 15, 2009    2 Comments     Vote Songs on Hypem   MP3 Policy 
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deadweatherhorehoundThe Dead Weather is a new alternative rock super group with a killer line-up: Jack White (The Raconteurs and The White Stripes), Alison Mosshart (The Kills and Discount), Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) and Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs and The Greenhornes). The Dead Weather released their debut album, Horehound, last month - and it's a stunning LP, a must-have for any rock lover's music collection.

Thanks to Subpop Records for sending us a previously unreleased Nirvana cut, titled "Scoff," from the Bleach double-LP reissue, available now, with a limited pressing on white vinyl (white doesn't really fit Nirvana, but OK). Yesterday, Teepee Records sent over a new smoking track, "Strangers," from New York's praised psychedelic-rock band Hopewell, featuring Jason Russo, who was briefly a member of alternative rock icons Mercury Rev. Also, check out new songs, and MySpace pages, from recent and new releases by Langhorne Slim, David Mead, Bamboo Shoots, Reverie Sound Revue, Saintseneca, Fol Chen, Sun Bears, The Real Ones, and The Bygones.

"Treat Me Like Your Mother" - The Dead Weather from Horehound (2009)

"Scoff" (Live) - Nirvana from Bleach re-issue (2009)

"Island" - Hopewell from Good Good Desperation (2009)
Double-shot: "Stranger" - Hopewell from Good Good Desperation (2009)

"I Love You But Goodbye" - Langhorne Slim from Be Set Free (2009)

"Hey Girl" - Bamboo Shoots from Armour (2009)

"Rainy Weather Friend" - David Mead from Almost and Always (2009)

"Arrows" - Reverie Sound Revue from s/t debut (2009)

"God Bones" - Saintseneca from Saintseneca EP (2009)

"The Longer U Wait (ft. Simone White)" - Fol Chen from Part I: John Shade, Your Fortune's Made (2009)

"I'm Alive" - Sun Bears from Dream Happy Dreams (2009)

"Every Dog Has Its Day" - The Real Ones from All For The Neighbourhood (2009)

"Click On That (Smash The Plastic Death)" - The Bygones from By - (2009)

Bonus Material: Download the track "Frost" from the new album by Bell Orchestra, Arcade Fire's musical side project. By the way, AF announced last week a new LP is in the works.


More Ears To The Music playlists:

Ears To The Music, Vol. V: New Songs from Local Natives, Daniel Johnston, Freelance Whales, Rubik, Annuals & More

Ears To The Music, Vol. IV: The Spinto Band, The Dodos, Public Radio, Elvis Perkins, A Sunny Day in Glasgow & More!

Ears To The Music, Vol. III: New Indie Songs from Air Waves, Kings of Convenience, Yo La Tengo, The Clientele, Twilight Sad & More

Ears To The Music, Vol. II: New Songs from The Flaming Lips, White Lies, Good Night States, Sea Wolf, A.A. Bondy & More

Ears To The Music, Vol. I - New Songs from Choir Of Young Believers, The Very Most, Firs, The Love Language & More

Other Posts and Playlists You Might Enjoy:

FYI: IRC's feature published Monday on indie bands that get little-to-no notice was a big hit, as has been the on-going Halloween playlists series (13 volumes in all; 13 tracks each) - our attempt to build the definitive collection of Halloweenish indie rock songs not found anywhere else on the web (and we've looked!).

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol. II: Dead Weather, Flaming Lips, Sufjan Stevens, The Kinks, Radiohead, Cut Copy & More

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol I: Arctic Monkeys, Spoon, The Kissaway Trail, Flaming Lips, Beach House, Cat Power & More

New Indie Releases From Vampire Weekend, No Age, Devendra Banhart, Neon Indian, Spiral Beach & More

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   October 14, 2009    1 Comments     Vote Songs on Hypem   MP3 Policy 
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Local Natives is a Los Angeles indie rock band that we first heard via the legendary British mag New Music Express' website, and immediately dug their self-described "jungle rock" sound. Their debut album, Gorilla Manor, comes out on November 2, and will be backed up with a November-December U.S. tour together with bands like White Rabbits, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool’s Gold. Below are two awesome songs from Gorilla Manor via NME.com.

The iconic indie musician Daniel Johnston's new album, Is And Always Was, dropped on Tuesday, and we're loving it; looking forward to seeing him later this month when Johnston stops in San Francisco as part of his current concert tour. Below is feature a free, legal MP3 from the new record titled "Freedom." You can purchase the album directly from Johnston's colorful website Hi, How Are You?, named after his 1993 album that was regularly 'advertised' by Kurt Cobain.

Straight outta of Brooklyn is a band we heard over at Stereogum called the Freelance Whales. Plus, check out these awesome new songs from The Bright Light Social Hour, Annuals, Rubik, Two Hours Traffic, Baaba Maal, Black Whales, The Honey Brothers, Mew, Avett Brothers, Simon Joyner and Julie Peel. There's a general feeling around here that many of the tracks in this playlist will end up on our 'best of 2009' lists.

"Sun Hands" - Local Natives from Gorilla Manor (2009)
Bonus: "Stranger Things" - Local Natives from Gorilla Manor (2009)

"Freedom" - Daniel Johnston from Is And Always Was (2009)

"Generator First Floor" - Freelance Whales, single (2009)

"Back and Forth" - The Bright Light Social Hour from s/t EP (2009)

"The Giving Tree" - Annuals, single release via IGIF (2009)

"Wasteland" - Rubik from Dada Bandits (2009)

"Territory" - Two Hours Traffic from Territory (2009)

"Television" - Baaba Maal from Television (2009)

"Young Blood" - Black Whales from Origins EP (2009)

"Demonstration" - The Honey Brothers from Demonstration EP (2009)

"Repeaterbeater" - Mew from No More Stories Are Told Today... (2009)

"Kick Drum Heart" - The Avett Brothers from I and Love and You (2009)

"Out Into The Snow" - Simon Joyner from Out Into The Snow (2009)

"Unfold" - Julie Peel from Near The Sun (2009)

For more like these, check out the 2009 Indie Songs page featuring dozens and dozens of free, legal MP3s. One of the great things about this relationship between labels, bands, unsigned artists and all of you is that many of you end up supporting, in some way, the artists whose music you dig, and that which you may have otherwise never known about if this 'new music model' did not exist.

Previous Ears to the Music Playlists:

Ears To The Music, Vol. IV: The Spinto Band, The Dodos, Public Radio, Elvis Perkins, A Sunny Day in Glasgow & More!

Ears To The Music, Vol. III: New Indie Songs from Air Waves, Kings of Convenience, Yo La Tengo, The Clientele, Twilight Sad & More

Ears To The Music, Vol. II: New Songs from The Flaming Lips, White Lies, Good Night States, Sea Wolf, A.A. Bondy & More

Ears To The Music, Vol. I - New Songs from Choir Of Young Believers, The Very Most, Firs, The Love Language & More

Popular Posts This Week:

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol I: Arctic Monkeys, Spoon, The Kissaway Trail, Flaming Lips, Beach House, Cat Power...

New Indie Releases From Vampire Weekend, No Age, Devendra Banhart, Neon Indian, Spiral Beach & More

In Dee Mail: One Man Band Series with Washed Out, Stuart Newman and Labrador Labratories

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   October 8, 2009    0 Comments     Vote Songs on Hypem   MP3 Policy 
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spintobandnewKicking off this playlist of great new songs is one of the best under-rated indie bands of the past few years, The Spinto Band, from Wilmington, Delaware. Their second album, Moonwink, was one of the top LPs of 2008, featuring catchy, melodic music and potent lyrics. The band's new EP, Slim & Slender, will be released next month, just in time for the launch of their Park The Van tour with label-mates Pepi Ginsberg and Generationals.

The Dodos
return with one of the most addictive indie songs of this half of 2009 - "Fables" (see the new video), from their impressive album Time to Die. The band is currently on an extensive tour in the States until the end of next month, and then, after a two-week break, The Dodos set out on a two month European tour.

Public Radio is an indie rock-pop band from Charlotte, NC who cite among their influences The Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse and Wilco. Their new track, "Forget Love," off their latest LP Sweet Child, is one of the most memorable songs of 2009. Public Radio's MySpace page includes a mission statement to make songs "that are both energetic and inspiring for social and personal change." Band member Mark Mathis is also offering a free download of his solo EP.

This playlist also includes sweet singles from new and upcoming releases by the awesome Elvis Perkins in Dearland; Philadelphia's psyche pop A Sunny Day in Glasgow; Athens, Georgia's electro-pop band Circulatory System; Cincinnati's hot indie rockers Why?; New York's garage pop band Darlings; Illinois' Lake Country indie pop band Headlights, and Philadelphia's folk pop artist Kurt Vile.

"Jackhammer" - The Spinto Band from Slim & Slender EP (2009)

"Fables" - The Dodos from Time To Die (2009)

"Forgot Love" - Public Radio from Sweet Child (2009)

"Slow Doomsday" - Elvis Perkins in Dearland from The Doomsday EP (2009)

"Passionate Introverts" - A Sunny Day In Glasgow from Ashes Grammar (2009)

"Round Again" - Circulatory System from from Signal Morning (2009)

"Into The Shadows of Embrace" - Why? from Eskimo Snow (2009)

"If This Is Love" - Darlings from Yeah I Know (2009)

"Get Going" - Headlights from Wildlife (2009)

"Overnite Religion" - Kurt Vile from Childish Prodigy (2009)

In case you missed new singles from other long-waited 2009 releases, check out the entire Ears To The Music playlists series below:

Ears To The Music, Vol. III: New Indie Songs from Air Waves, Kings of Convenience, Yo La Tengo, The Clientele, Twilight Sad & More

Ears To The Music, Vol. II: New Songs from The Flaming Lips, White Lies, Good Night States, Sea Wolf, A.A. Bondy & More

Ears To The Music, Vol I - New Songs from Choir Of Young Believers, The Very Most, Firs, The Love Language & More

Help spread the word about IRC! Use the ShareThis button to send, share and favorite this playlist! :)

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   September 25, 2009    0 Comments     Vote Songs on Hypem   MP3 Policy 
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seawavesbandUnderground electronic pop hipster and mixer Dan Deacon recently called Nicole Schneit's Brooklyn indie band Air Waves his favorite new band. "The music she writes is like a favorite blanket wrapped around you. Drummer Dave Ferraro complements her songs well," Deacon told Pitchfork, "'Shine On' is my current favorite song by them."

Weaving unforgettable melodic songs with styles that range from pop to folk and rock to country, Air Waves possess a sound that cannot be pinned down - which is a good thing. The result is a unique signature that is identifiable by heady lyrics, catchy choruses and the fragile vocals of Schneit's mesmerizing voice. The song "Shine On" reminds me of Daniel Johnston more than any other single I've heard in a long time. The band's self-titled EP is out now on Catbird Records.

Kings of Convenience experienced a huge swell of love from the press, blogs and fans worldwide following the 2001 release of their indie folk-pop classic debut, Quiet Is The New Loud, and the follow-up, and equally compelling, album, Riot On An Empty Street, released in 2004. But since that time Eirik Glambek Bøe and Erlend Øye went on hiatus, leaving many of their fans wondering when, or if, they were going to make another record.

The wait is over; since the duo reunited in Mexico in 2007 to play a show, they have been working on their third studio LP, Declaration of Dependence, due to drop on October 20th. Øye called the upcoming release, "the most rhythmical pop record ever that features no percussion or drums." To sum up Declaration in three words or less - it is delicious.

Other great songs from new and upcoming releases in this playlist include fresh tracks from popular indie bands Yo La Tengo, The Clientele, Twilight Sad, Chet, Music Go Music, The Swell Season, Casiokids and Grand Hallway. Enjoy and please support your favorite musicians and bands.

"Shine On" - Air Waves from Air Waves EP (2009)
Bonus: "Knock Out" - Air Waves

"Mrs. Cold" - Kings of Convenience from Declaration of Dependence (2009)

"Periodically Double or Triple" - Yo La Tengo from Popular Songs (2009)

"Wonder Who We Are" - The Clientele from Bonfires on the Heath (2009)

"Reflection of the Television" - Twilight Sad from Forget The Night Ahead (2009)

"The Night, The Night" - Chet from Chester Silver, Please Come Home (2009)

"Warm in the Shadows" - Music Go Music from Expressions (2009)

"In These Arms" - The Swell Season from Strict Joy (2009)

"Gront Lys I Alle Ledd" - Casiokids from Gront Lys I Alle Ledd/Togens Hule (2009)

"Blessed Be, Honey Bee" - Grand Hallway from Promenade (2009)

Most Popular Recent Posts/Playlists:

- New Indie Releases This Week: Why?, The Pains, The XX, Jack of Heart, Fool's Gold, The Mary Onettes & More

- Pavement Reunion News Spurs Sell Out of Three 2010 NYC Shows in Hours; Fourth Show Added

- Best Rarely Heard Songs of 2009, Vol. I - Sun Airway, The Ambience Affair, Brian Olive, The Bats, Land of Talk & More

- Vampire Weekend Reveal New Song and Album Cover from Upcoming Sophomore Album 'Contra'

Previous Ears to the Music Playlists:

Ears To The Music, Vol. II: New Songs from The Flaming Lips, White Lies, Good Night States, Sea Wolf, A.A. Bondy & More

Ears To The Music, Vol I - New Songs from Choir Of Young Believers, The Very Most, Firs, The Love Language & More

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   September 22, 2009    0 Comments     Vote Songs on Hypem   MP3 Policy 
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The Flaming Lips are back with three new songs from their upcoming album release, Embryonic (see album cover).

Of the three new songs on the band's digital EP, Songs from the Future Album 'Embryonic' (EP cover art above), "Silver Trembling Hands," is the most Lips-ish, if you will; it's a weird and twisted song about the strange antics of a woman - a theme that has been at the core of some of the band's best known hits. The lyrics, "She puts diamonds on her forehead/ They remind her how the animals and trees and insects call," are likely to be interpreted in who knows how many different ways by fans.

The other two tracks on the EP, "Convinced of the Hex" and "The Impulse" are available for streaming on The Flaming Lips MySpace page. The EP is available for purchase on iTunes, and the album will be available on October 13th. Pitchfork is also offering a stream of an even newer track, "See The Leaves," which it says has a "queasy krautrock beat, squirmy noise solos" and an "extended organ-vamp coda."

Pitchfork is also reporting that for some ticket holders on the band's current tour, they will receive a free copy of the new EP, plus three previously released B-sides, and an "official" digital bootleg of the show they attend. Chalk that up to yet another innovative way that band's are creating new paradigms of music distribution. The Lips are also scheduled to appear on the Colbert Report this Wednesday.

Besides The Flaming Lips, the band White Lies has made a relatively hard-to-find song, "Taxidermy," available for download. The song was originally the B-side of the sold out 7" single To Lose My Life, and has become a favorite at live shows. The band is currently on an extensive European-North American tour that will run through to the first week of December.

Included in this playlist are also great songs from recent and upcoming releases by Good Night States, Sea Wolf (via IGIF blog), A.A Bondy, The Mummers, Rubies, The Clean, Adam Semerdjian, and Glorytellers. You can grab the Indie Rock Cafe feed anytime to get reviews, playlists, releases, band profiles and more any way you want.

Check out the first installment of Ears To The Music, and also view Indie Songs of 2009, New Releases and all kind of indie rock playlists.

“Silver Trembling Hands” - The Flaming Lips from Embryonic (2009)

"Taxidermy" - White Lies from To Lose My Life 7" (2009)

"Arsonist's Blues" - Good Night, States from Impossible Tension EP (2009)

"Wicked Blood" - Sea Wolf from White Water, White Bloom (2009)

"I Can See The Pines Are Dancing" - A.A. Bondy from When The Devil's Loose (2009)

"Wonderland" - The Mummers from Tale To Tell (2009)

"Stand in a Line" - Rubies from Explode from the Center (2009)

"Tensile" - The Clean from Mister Pop (2009)

"Your Love"- Alan Semerdjian from The Big Beauty (2009)

"Concaves" - Glorytellers from Atone (2009)

The next playlist of new 2009 songs from recent and upcoming releases includes free and legal MP3 tracks from The Spinto Band, Darlings, Blackboots and Blackhearts, Yo La Tengo, Princeton, Casiokids, Grand Hallway and Chet.

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bestrockmusic2009If you think you've missed out on some great songs from 2009, you're probably right; but don't worry, we're doing our best to keep you up on the latest best new indie and alternative rock from known, and relatively unknown, musicians and bands.

Starting off this playlist is a new song from the Danish band Choir of Young Believers (above photo) is full of rich melodies, heart-felt lyrics and a catchy rhythm that is not easy to forget. And neither is the next song, the bright, Beach Boys-like pop tune "You're In Love with the Sun," by The Very Most, from their Spring EP released on Indie Cater Records.

Other notable songs in this list include great tunes from Firs, The Love Language, Jar-e, Sea Curtain, Brown Recluse, Plus 49, The Idle Hands, Say Hi, Evan Voytas and Birds of Avalon.

Special thanks to fellow music bloggers and online mags LargeHeartedBoy, FingerTipsMusic and IGuessI'mFloating, Spin, Stereogum, Pitchfork, Muzzle of Bees, and others, who recognize that much of the best new music is not on the radio, television or the Billboard charts. This playlist - and many others featured throughout 2009 on this site - of indie artists and bands proves this point even more so.

"Action Reaction" - Choir of Young Believers from This Is For The White In Your Eyes (2009)

"You're in Love with the Sun" - The Very Most from Spring EP (2009)

"Welcome Home" - Firs from Man In Space (2009)

"Lalita" - The Love Language from s/t debut (2009)

"3 Leaf" - Jar-e from Chicas Malas (2009)

"Viola" - Sea Curtain from Viola Music Club (2009)

"Contour and Context" - Brown Recluse from The Soft Skin (2009)

"Naive Brother" - Plus 49 from Integrity & Injury (2009)

"Loaded" - The Idle Hands from The Hearts We Broke On The Way to the Show (2009)

"Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh" - Say Hi from Oohs & Aahs (2009)

"Getting Higher" - Evan Voytas from The New Dynamic Sound of Evan Voytas (2009)

"Your Down Time Is Up" - Birds of Avalon from Uncanny Valley (2009)

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3/16/10 Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do
3/16/10 The Whigs - In The Dark
3/22/10 Jónsi - Go
3/23/10 She & Him - Volume 2
5/4/10 The New Pornographers - Together

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