Brock

Okay, so this probably isn't an official "New Feature," (most of our posts could fall under the "Hey Dudes Check Out This Awesome Song" category) but I would still appreciate it if you dudes would check out this song that is awesome.

It's by the Matches, and it's called "Untitled."  It honestly took me several listens before I even realized that it's acoustic.  That alone should be a testament to the song's intensity.  The vocals are fantastic: jarring and impassioned, and I have no idea what that production technique is called where the vocals kind of overlap the previous line, but it creates a kind of... claustrophobia?  I don't know if that's necessarily the right word, but please listen and enjoy.

[mp3] Untitled

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Scars are for healing and blood is for bleeding

When I purchased this little cd from my local Target, I'm pretty sure the lady at the checkout counter thought it was like olde-tyme-y (which is much older than old-time-y) peasant music or something.  Which briefly got me concerned that I was buying plague-inspired lute music or something.

Good news: It's not!

What it is is truly inspired folk pop with vocal harmonies straight out of Liverpool or possibly Minnesota.  The instrumentation is beautiful and sparse, with subdued guitars and percussion in arrangements meant to let the vocals shine.

Overall the album feels very consistent and like a cohesive whole.  It's an extremely solid album from front to back - a refreshing surprise in a day of one-song albums.  It was difficult to pick just a couple songs to post, because of the strength of the whole record.

So here a couple that were chosen for no particular reason, other than the fact that they are part of an excellent album.  Enjoy these tracks, and then buy the album!

[mp3] Sun It Rises
[mp3] Ragged Wood

Buy some Fleet Foxes: iTunes | Amazon
Visit them online: Label | Myspace

Agony and Irony is the latest from Alkaline Trio, a band that I seriously have such a crush on.  There's just something about how the mix of super-duper catchy (see "Mercy Me," and "Time to Waste", just to name a couple from their album Crimson) and super morbid tongue-in-cheek humor.  It's a world where feelings dismember and love causes car accidents.  I'm talking about albums with regular references to maggots and blood, with song titles like "Take Lots With Alcohol."

"Calling All Skeletons" starts the record off with a serious bang.  It's all raw vocals and handclaps, then driving power chords.  It's one of a couple songs that are sure to spend a lot of time in my ears and brain.  "Help Me," the next song and the album's first single, is another.  It's a great choice as a single; it rocks right along in true Trio fashion and has the added bonus of containing the line "It's giving me the creeps/ A farewell to arms and legs and heads and hearts."

I didn't realize it until I had finished listening to the whole record, but I guess I was hoping there would be an acoustic song on this album, a la "Radio," "Blue in the Face," or "Enjoy Your Day."  "Over and Out" is the closest thing to it, and it almost hits the spot.
But, alas, not quite.

The handclaps on "Calling All Skeletons" were completely unexpected, and "Do You Wanna Know?" features some sweet falsetto vocals in the chorus.  It's another element that I don't think I've heard from the Trio before.

"Do You Wanna Know?" is followed by "Live Young, Die Fast," a nice rocking anthem that leads right into the cynical "Love Love, Kiss Kiss."  The chorus ("Love love, kiss kiss/ Blah blah blah") is just one example of Matt Skiba's biting humor and profound gift for melody.

There are a few songs on the album that don't really do it for me, but it's mostly winners, including a few that are going to stay in steady rotation on my iPod.

[mp3] Calling All Skeletons
[mp3] Over and Out

Buy some music: iTunes | Amazon
Visit them: Official | Myspace

Sometimes you kids today get too caught up in your Game Gears and your Hot Pockets, and you miss some pretty good music.  But don't despair, we're going to help you right your past wrongs and rock out to some killer tunes.  And perhaps you'll clue us in on some that we might have missed!

This time around we'll be talking about a singer-songwriter named Ronnie Day.  I first thought about posting something about Ronnie when I heard that Secondhand Serenade song (and subsequently began to hate it...) and thought "This guy's voice sounds just like Ronnie Day.  I wonder if he got hisself a band and got hisself some radio time?"  This was a weird thought because Ronnie Day used to be in a band with that guy from Secondhand Serenade.  I know, right?!

So it turns out, weird coincidence aside, it was not a Ronnie Day song I was hearing.  But the song structure and overall sound are strikingly similar.  Ronnie writes rock songs about heartache and travel, in a voice that is wise beyond his years.  His story is an interesting one, and worth a read to begin to understand where he's coming from.  These are a couple of my favorite songs from his poignant story-album The Album.

[mp3] My Only Friend

[mp3] Falling For You

he plays the message twice and then the dial tone/ reminds him that she's not around; it's a lonely sound.

If you're like me, you love some free music!  Let's face it, folks, you're not here for the witty dialogue.  You come to Sell the Lie for the handouts!  It's okay, we're like the kid in your elementary school who had a Sega; we know why you want to be our friends, but really we're just happy for the company.

Being drawn to receiving music for nothing, I recently discovered the "Free Music" link on my eMusic account, and behind that link I found a 7-song sampler from a label called White Whale Records.  It's a nice little taste of what White Whale has to offer.  It's a pretty wide variety of genres, but here are my favorites:

[mp3] Culture Reject - Inside the Cinema

This song has some interesting components; horns, handclaps, a very interesting singing voice, and what I'm pretty sure is a xylophone.  it's a unique sound, check it out!

[mp3] Castle Project - The Airways

This song is like extra-poppy shoegaze.  It's like wall of sound, but the wall isn't solid and overpowering, it's open and expansive.  It's a big sound, but it's light and fluffy.  Like audio meringue.  It's also sweet, so the meringue thing fits!

The Cab were discovered in Las Vegas by the guys from Panic at the Disco (just so you're firmily in the loop, Panic recently dropped the ! from their name.  Try to keep up).

On Whisper War, The Cab sounds like a boy band.  I mean that in the same way that Fall Out Boy's "Thnks fr th Mmrs" sounds like a boy band; great vocal harmonies, freaking catchy, and super polished production.

Essentially what I'm saying is that if you cringe when saying the "pop" part of "pop-punk," perhaps The Cab is not for you.  If you scoffed when Jusin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds received rave reviews across the board and spent months eye-rolling at every mention of bringing sexy back, this might be one to avoid.

But I would be remiss if I did not urge you to listen to "One of Those Nights."  it rocks and rolls and is sure to get you moving.

Also, I hear you on that "sexy back" thing, man.  Ugh.

[mp3] One of Those Nights

The sites: Official | Myspace
the sounds: iTunes | Amazon

The soundtrack is quite possibly the most underrated part of a movie. Really though, what truly great movies have not had a similarly brilliant companion soundtrack? It's not just about picking the right music, it's about getting the right feeling to move the story along. Directors that can pair the sites with the sounds deliver a product that is truly moving. This week's six pack focuses on the often-overlooked soundtrack. Kraig goes first this week.

Sure, that little intro sounds a little mushy and you certainly need a mushy song for a mushy movie. But what about if you've an ass-kicking movie? Well, then you need your self an ass-kicking song.

The Departed was a brilliant film, absolutely fantastic. The film deserved all the critical acclaim it received and more. Truth is, I probably wouldn't find myself re-watching it again and again if it wasn't for this monstrous tune by The Dropkick Murphys. It sets the tone early on for the entire movie. I can't stress how important that "tone" was, especially given the length of the movie. Is this song solely responsible for the success of the film? Hell no. Did it a play a part? Surely did.

[mp3] I'm Shipping Up to Boston

Get the soundtrack: Amazon | iTunes
Buy some Dropkick Murphys: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace

Now we'll get back to that touchy-feely crap. Once was an ambitious film that was more of a soundtrack turning into a film rather than a set of songs setting up a film. When a film focuses so much on music it's absolutely critical that the music is able to stand up on it's own. The soundtrack for Once is certainly able to do so.

Falling Slowly is the standout track in my mind. The duet version is very sweet and subtle. I've also posted the full band version from Glen's band, The Frames. I prefer the full band version just because it has a little more depth - there's more drama, more of a build...but both are fantastic.

[mp3] Falling Slowly (Glen & Marketa)
[mp3] Falling Slowly (The Frames)

Get the soundtrack: Amazon | iTunes
Buy some Glen Hansard: Amazon | iTunes
Visit him online: Official | Myspace

Flexibility is the middle name I have just now given to Stereophonics' wonderful track, "Maybe Tomorrow." Not only does it serve as a great opening credits song (a la Wicker Park) but it also functions as an excellent closeout number (in Crash). How many songs could ever hope to accomplish that? That's right, not many, thus my new nickname: Maybe 'Flexibility' Tomorrow. Think of it like the middle name 'Danger,' it actually makes sense that way. Anyway, it's an all around great track, and if you've never heard it you're probably missing out on 3 great things (2 movies, 1 song). Start with the listening and finish up with the viewing, that's my advice.

[mp3] Maybe Tomorrow

Get the soundtrack: [Crash] Amazon | iTunes [Wicker Park] Amazon | iTunes
Buy some Stereophonics: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace
 

Not appearing in the film (at least not to my knowledge) but appearing on the soundtrack is this funky number from Maroon 5 entitled "Woman." And it is funky, don't let the appearance of the name "Maroon 5" sway your downloading judgment. Interesting sidenote: I wouldn't listen to Maroon 5 for a long time because I didn't think they were my "thing." I finally jumped on the bandwagon after hearing this number, and was pleasantly surprised with most of their stuff from Songs About Jane. I have since jumped off the bandwagon (as is the tendency with all bandwagons), but this remains my favorite Maroon 5 song.

[mp3] Woman

Get the soundtrack: Amazon | iTunes
Buy some Maroon 5: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace

Another song used on a Spider-man movie, this little ditty appeared on the soundtrack for the first one. The lyric in the chorus is "walk me to a car-park," a weird phrase Pete got from a woman he dated. She was from New Zealand, and referred to parking lots as car-parks. Okay story, great song.

[mp3] Undercover

Buy some Pete Yorn: Amazon | iTunes
Visit him online: Official | Myspace

No, not that "Umbrella."
I have been a fan of Peter Stuart and Dog's Eye View for a long time, in no small part due to this song, and its presence in the silly teen comedy Can't Hardly Wait.

[mp3] Umbrella

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon

The sticker on the front of my copy of A Band In Hope, The Matches' new album, said "The Matches: A Band as Weird as You Are." Oh, gracious, but I do love the Matches. Shawn Harris has such a distinctive voice. It's powerful the way it seems constantly on the brink of collapse, and helps to cement the Matches as one of my favorite bands.

"AM Tilts" starts the new album, and it's a good return to the unique sound of the Matches. The vocals are spot-on, but the guitars feel somewhat reserved, making this a track that gets off the ground but doesn't really soar.

"Their City" feels like a better start to a Matches record; it's simply a great rock song. The guitars and drums are what I would describe as "unrelenting."

There are a couple quiet tracks, which is something we haven't really seen before on a Matches album: "Darkness Rising," an all piano song, and "Clouds Crash," an acoustic one. "Darkness Rising" isn't great; the melody really doesn't come across as well established. "Clouds Crash," on the other hand, is excellent. It's intense and moving.

A Band In Hope features some changes from previous Matches records, including more backing vocals than I'm used to from them, but the changes aren't at all unwelcome. It's a terrific album; and I'd be much obliged if you'd run out and buy it.

[mp3] The Matches - Their City
[mp3] The Matches - Clouds Crash

The sites: Official / Myspace
The sounds: iTunes / Amazon

We had originally intended to do a six pack featuring really good songs from bands that otherwise suck. But as it turns out, those kinds of songs are hard to come by. I guess it makes sense, and, really, why would we want to make you listen to sucky bands? Instead here are some good songs that have been on our minds of late. Brock goes first this time, and let's all welcome him back to the land of the Internet.

First off is a song I've been meaning to post for some time now. It's catchy stuff, and I can't help but sing along. I love the whole stuttering thing throughout the song. Check it out!

[mp3] Ben's Brother - Stuttering

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon

The vocals on this one kind of remind me of Max from Say Anything; intense and urgent. The lyrical content is Say Anything-ish, as well. It's a bizarre mix of romantic and morbid, and it totally works.

[mp3] Ludo - Love Me Dead

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon

I've been stuck on Air Stereo recently. Maybe there's just something about the warm, sunny weather that makes me yearn for the album, or maybe it's just some damn fine music. I think I'll go with the latter, though I do tend to listen to this one whenever I'm adventuring in the great outdoors.

Kung Fu Grip Kiss has a rather silly name but don't be deceived, it's killer (not filler). If you enjoy some damn fine vocals, swelling horns and a catchy-as-hell hook (who DOESN'T??) then I recommend takin' a listen. This song will put a goofy smile on your face right when you hear those shiny horns take you halfway to funky town - guaransheed.

[mp3] The Damnwells - Kung Fu Grip Kiss

Visit them online: Official | Myspace
Buy their music: Amazon | iTunes

Ah, yet another band that finds itself in rather favorable position on my virtual iTunes chart due to the changing of the seasons. I'd imagine that Some Kind of Chill will somehow make it's way onto a summer playlist of mine in my golden years. I'd hope so anyways.

Take a bit of folk and add some sunny back ground vocals with some smart instrumentation and you've got Arizona. I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't done so already.

[mp3] Arizona - Some Kind of Chill

Visit them online: Official | Myspace
Buy their music: Amazon | iTunes

I keep wanting to call this song funky. I think it's because the bass line sets the tone, which usually results in a funky song. And yes, I absolutely loooove the bass. The other thing I enjoy about this song: it sounds nothing like what you'd expect from The Shins. You owe it to yourself to check this out, even if you're biased against these dudes.

[mp3] The Shins - Sea Legs

Visit The Shins online: Official | Myspace
Buy some: Amazon | iTunes

I listened to Anna Begins many, many times before I finally developed an appreciation for it. The first couple listens left me feeling generally...uneasy. Still, I gave it a listen every once in a while until one day it finally clicked. It really is an excellent blend of beat, instruments, and vocals to create a precise mood. I now love the repeating, "I am not worried, I am not overly concerned;" so basic, yet so effective. It's an oldie (from August and Everything After), but always worth a listen.

[mp3] Counting Crows - Anna Begins

Visit Counting Crows online: Official | Myspace
Buy some: Amazon | iTunes

Some things you should know about this song: 1. It's hip-hop. 2. It's actually a few years old, but recently radio has picked it up and it has exploded. 3. You're going to like it.

This song has been picked up by the alternative stations here in Salt Lake, and the response has been huge. It's meaningful hip-hop with horns and violins viola (thanks, ellie :)), and the way it starts out kind of innocent and then builds to a thundering crescendo literally gives me chills.

[mp3] Flobots - Handlebars

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon