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13 Bands You Should See At Sasquatch 2010

sasquatch-festival-2010

The 2010 Sasquatch Festival line-up was announced last week and after perusing the list a few times, I started to hone in on who the hot bands will (or, better yet, should) be. Now, festivals for me are all about camping out at a stage for several bands before moving on to another, but I figured I’d throw that trend to the wind for this post. My second disclaimer; before you point out that I’m recommending the small folk, understand that I also tend to shun the big guns — those artists it seems like EVERYONE will be seeing. Read More »13 Bands You Should See At Sasquatch 2010

Pepper Rabbit [Feature]

pepper-rabbit

LA’s Pepper Rabbit has two EPs under their belt, both released in 2009. The more recent of the two, Shakes, is more a single with three songs, and it includes the mysterious “Red Wine”. With an emphasis on piano and a snare drum, Pepper Rabbit mixes in sleepy, ethereal vocals. Add an atmospheric, spacey warble behind the vocals and minimal instrumentation and the effect is something of which you’d be familiar, had you imbibed two or three glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a pleasant drowsy feeling, not quite to the point of slurring but definitely a little fuzzy in the head. Read More »Pepper Rabbit [Feature]

North Highlands [Feature]

north highlands

Brenda Malvini has this classic, smokey side that make her vocals mystic and mysterious; not entirely unlike those of Jeremy Faulkner, whose similarly unique styling made Ah Holly Fam’ly one of last year’s best releases. North Highlands hail from Brooklyn, rather than a progressive rural Idaho town bordering Washington. Yet listening to songs off their debut EP, Sugar Lips, one gets the impression that their sound wouldn’t be out of place amidst wheat fields and century-old farmhouses. Read More »North Highlands [Feature]

Sambassadeur: Stranded [mp3]

sambassadeur

My first impression of the first track off Sambassadeur‘s new LP, European, is that the song is easily their finest yet. With an emotive piano intro and outro, orchestral pop sensibilities, and schizophrenic percussion, “Stranded” seems to be a turning point for the band. Sambassadeur has always been a group to flaunt instrumentation, but here it’s never been as clear and forward, from the strings that enter as the introductory piano fades, to the deep clarinet solo just past the midpoint. Read More »Sambassadeur: Stranded [mp3]

Silence Is Sexy & The Royal Republican Orchestra: This Is Hollywood EP [Album Review]

silence-is-sexy

To celebrate Silence Is Sexy’s full year of success after 2009’s Euronet sensation This Ain’t Hollywood, the Netherlands’ finest group has developed quite a treat for the listeners they picked up over the last 365 days or so. Teaming up with the fantastic Cuban Royal Republican Orchestra, these electro-rockers have developed the very cleverly titled EP, This Is Hollywood. Their high paced energy and strong verbal stamina can now be heard in an all new fashion — one which prefers tears way over fears. Read More »Silence Is Sexy & The Royal Republican Orchestra: This Is Hollywood EP [Album Review]

Psalmships: Sweetheart Parade [mp3]

psalmships

I’ve long thought that Joshua Britton of the band Psalmships and the band Sweetheart Parade sounded on par with an artist like Jason Molina (Songs:Ohia, The Magnolia Electric Co.). Hearing that Britton occasionally covers Molina live, then, was no surprise. In his latest release, now seemingly consistent under the moniker Psalmships, Britton completes one of his most masterful accomplishments yet — a nod to his earlier moniker and a song full and plush with a chorus of vocals in the bridge and a barrage of heavily strummed guitars. Read More »Psalmships: Sweetheart Parade [mp3]

The Lost Levels: Training [Video]

the-lost-levels

Contrary to the few other songs I’ve experienced from The Lost Levels, “Robot” is entirely mellow. Backed by minimal synth notes and electronic vocals, “Robot” is mysterious and borderline eerie. Fitting; the band calls it an Eno-esque android lullaby, and the description fits perfectly. Switching to “Training”, it’s clear The Lost Levels have a penchant for the classic electronic. They’re not above adding in the quirky nature of a group like Devo, while holding close the kraut electro sensibilities of Kraftwerk. And of course, there’s plenty of Eno references as well. Read More »The Lost Levels: Training [Video]

Cleemann: 45 Minutes Mostly About Caring [Album Review]

cleemann

The great land of Copenhagen has a real DIY prodigy under its city lights. Gunnar Cleemann is one of the most well rounded musicians you will ever come across. He writes, plays, directs, breathes music. His lyrics are philosophical, but simple enough to refrain from being too pretentious (suck on that Oberst!) And we can’t forget his wonderful vocals, reminiscent of early solo Clapton. 45 Minutes Mostly About Caring is so much more than the title would insist. It is a triumphant display of one man conquering all aspects of the art of musicianship. Read More »Cleemann: 45 Minutes Mostly About Caring [Album Review]

The Ruby Suns: Cranberry [mp3]

  • Cyndi 

the-ruby-suns

Sometimes a song exudes sunshine. “Cranberry” by The Ruby Suns is one such a song. A frivolously feathered song of big band regality, singing sirens and all-together chaos, this new tune captures the noises our parents asked us to keep quiet when we were young. The antithetical mixing of simple synthesized backbeats and dripping vocals make for a somehow breezy explosion of rhythms. One could not help but feel better while and after listening to this song. Read More »The Ruby Suns: Cranberry [mp3]

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