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Jon Hardy & The Public: Sugar EP [Album Review]

Jon Hardy And The Public

In the modern world, to truly be a “timeless” artist you have to dig deep and have recognizable influences dating back to the elusive doo-wop era. Often, artists like these are said to “stand the test of time.” For some folks, that test might be a 5th grade level true or false, because they’re just not going to make it. It’s the cold heard reality. But, it’s a reality that Jon Hardy will not have to worry about. This St. Louis singer/songwriter and his band, The Public, make beautiful songs that obviously gather wide influence from The Four Tops to Randy Newman to The Boss himself. Their sound is beyond the regular or measurable comparisons you may hear on a daily basis. And their latest EP, Sugar, is unlike anything you have heard, or were probably even looking for, in the last few years. Read More »Jon Hardy & The Public: Sugar EP [Album Review]

Efterklang: Modern Drift [mp3 + Twitter Giveaway]

efterklang

“Modern Drift” is a lot moodier than a lot of what you’ll hear on earlier Efterklang, but the orchestral and pop sensibilities found on those earlier releases, Parades and Tripper, remain steadfast. Efterklang is still very much in the business of creating some of the best experimental pop around. A consistent piano backing sets the stage, accompanied by monumental percussion and deep horns. Perhaps most surprising is the lack of multiple vocalists, which was instrumental in the greatness of songs like “Caravan” and “Cutting Ice To Snow”. Still, “Modern Drift” is a very worthy and viable first single off Efterklang’s new LP, Magic Chairs. Read More »Efterklang: Modern Drift [mp3 + Twitter Giveaway]

The Fenbi International Superstars: Two Miles From Home [Video]

The Fenbi International Superstars

Portland’s favorite and most outlandish band of gypsies has teamed up with the amazingly gifted animation artist Temris Ridge to bring you their terrific new track “Two Miles From Home”. The worldly boys of The Fenbi International Superstars have strayed from their classic mild mannered Irish stamina to bring their every growing fan base a tale of the demons that you will never be able to avoid. They have chosen a nice catchy indie pop sound to bring out the message rather than their signature ‘happier than Gogol-Bordello’ sound, proving once again that they have neither the fear, nor the lack of ability to touch any ground in the world of music they please. Read More »The Fenbi International Superstars: Two Miles From Home [Video]

Virgin Of The Birds: Banquet Years [Album Review]

Virgin Of The Birds

Banquet Years is the third EP in a digital-only series of releases by Seattle-by-way-of-Austin’s Jon Rooney, the Virgin Of The Birds mastermind and proprietor of Abandoned Love Records. The album, containing five songs, finds Rooney further expanding his capabilities and musicianship. Opening track “Let Me Be Your Bride” demonstrates his folk-versatility, from the 60s-era bass guitar bop to the borderline experimental tinkering on the keys. Not to mention, the wicked guitar-work radiating in emotive psychedelic hypnosis. Read More »Virgin Of The Birds: Banquet Years [Album Review]

The Rest announce “Cried Wolf” Book/EP Release & “Everyone All At Once” International Release

rest

The Rest had a wonderful 2009. They self released their sophomore album Everyone All At Once to much critical acclaim and thus ended up on numerous “Best Of” list for the year. They sold out shows in their hometown of Toronto, Canada. They dropped another E.P., WOW, to even greater critical ass kissing awesomeness. All the while, they built a massive fan base not only in the Ontario underworld, but across the globe. And with only three and half months into the current year, the gang is already showing promise for an even more eventful 2010. Read More »The Rest announce “Cried Wolf” Book/EP Release & “Everyone All At Once” International Release

Rooftops [Feature]

rooftops

I’ve lived in the land of tulips for damn near two years now, tucked away comfortably in the Skagit Valley, hidden in the northern and western most part of the continental United States. Aside from the more known K Records artists that reside in the nearby Anacortes, I know very little truly local music, which is quite a shame. Enter Marc, a resident of this region and an old roommate from my Pullman grad school days. He recommended checking out Rooftops, a math-y rock band from the Bellingham. And that leads us to today. Read More »Rooftops [Feature]

Seamonster: Two Birds [Album Review]

seamonster

From the beach to the mountains, Seamonster‘s Two Birds echoes utmost pleasantries through the audible channel of lo-fi psychedelic folk-pop. Its pop charm is masked by the static white noise of immense distortion, mixed down to a satisfactory non-overpowering level, and warped with the sounds of summertime. “Oh Appalachia” is a beachgoers ode to the mountains. “The Philosophy Of Andy Warhol” will paint a pop-culture picture on the back of your eyelids while you lay, back on grass, facing a clear blue sky. Read More »Seamonster: Two Birds [Album Review]

The Sweet Serenades: Die Young [Video]

sweet-serenades

The Sweet Serenades are, well, just that; a sweet compilation of all things happy or sad, in mourning or bliss. This Swedish duo look as though they could be pounding lagers amongst muscly, flanneled woodsmen, but damned if they wouldn’t hesitate to break into a beautiful ballad at any moment. “Die Young”, from their amazing album Balcony Cigarettes, is a beautiful track serenading (pun, intended) one of the greatest yet most heartbreaking mistakes human beings can make: the one night stand. With guest vocals from Club 8’s Karolina Komstedt, this tremendous little ditty, recently featured on the for some reason still hit show Grey’s Anatomy, is sure to steal your heart. Or, as these guys portray it, wish it were worn as a giant suit for all to see. Read More »The Sweet Serenades: Die Young [Video]

Mill Kids: A Zoo Full Of Zebras [Album Review]

Mill Kids

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Jordan Michelman, who was a primary songwriter and the superb bassist in the now (and sadly) defunct Patience Please. A few years rest and he’s back with The Mill Kids. Michelman recently released the band’s debut album on Subtle Slope Records. The Mill Kids are uniquely original in that they possess the ingenuity of Elliott Smith, blend in the mopey vocal styling of artists like Conor Oberst and Owen, and top it off with the simple lo-fi genius of Daniel Johnston. Read More »Mill Kids: A Zoo Full Of Zebras [Album Review]

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