La Roux

I am a sucker for catchy beats and a hook like "I'm going in for the kill." Damn you La Roux. As much as I don't want to like artists like this they attach to my brain and won't let go. This girl is in the same field as The Ting Tings and Ladyhawke. So far all the tracks are solid. The single, track one, "In For The Kill" is definately the strongest though. Be on the lookout for this girl to blowup in the very near future. And you're welcome for this song being stuck in your head later.

La Roux

RAR Expander

Some of the links I post for downloading albums are in .rar form. This is the program that I use to extract these files. Just open the program, click File, Expand, then whatever file it is that you are trying to convert. It is pretty easy but I figured I would just make it easier for everyone by putting this up.

RAR Expander

Bearpark

I am a closet Taylor Swift fan. It is now out into the open. So I can tell you about Daniel White's (Bearpark) newest song. He did an electronic cover of Love Story and it is indie in the best way. Even if you hate Taylor Swift you may like this version.

Please check out his Facebook.

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone

With Lyrics similar to Conor Oberst and a set up that resembles Dan Deacon, Owen Ashworth writes beautiful stories in simple piano melodies. This is the newest release from Casiotone For The Painfully Alone and it is the first time I have ever listened to him. I know that I've heard of him before but never really took the time to listen. I wish that I would have checked him out one of the times he was an opener at Bottletree because I know there have been a few. Tracks 2, 3, & 4 sound the strongest to me but you be the judge. I have a feeling that this is along the same lines as his previous releases so please feel free to check them out as well.

This is a live version of track 4.

This song is off of another album but it is a great performance from SXSW 2008.

Vs. Children

The Temper Trap

So I was reading Rolling Stone's artists to watch from 2007 and so far they have gotten 8 out of 10 right. Meaning that from my perspective 8 artists have had commercial success and one more may be close. I am not saying that I am Rolling Stone but I have thrown some names out there that I am saying are going to be big and this band is one of them. The Temper Trap is a band out of Australia with some pretty good new indie music. It is danceable like Phoenix but not over the top like Passion Pit. Their debut full length was just released in Australia and should be in the states soon. They are going to be growing fast. I know they are on the soundtrack to Zooey Deschanel's new film 500 Days of Summer. I have a feeling it is going to propel them just as Garden State skyrocketed The Shins. Be on the lookout for this band in things like ipod commercials or adds for Crest toothpaste.

The album is only available if you are in Australia right now, so in the mean time check out their myspace.

and this catchy single

I found the link for the new cd

Conditions

Signal Hill

It is about time for some new post-rock in my life. One of my favorites Signal Hill just released their new full length entitled "more after we're gone." I have been waiting for this for almost a year now so I am pumped. The album is downloading now but you can hear some new songs on their myspace. Everything I've heard so far is great. 

Signal Hill's Myspace

Taylor Swift

Thank you Taylor for this video of Taylor Swift and T-Pain. I sure hope an album drops soon.

Grizzly Bear

The new Grizzly Bear is fantastic. This single "two weeks," is extremely catchy. I mean that in the best way. Not electronic like MGMT catchy but the harmonizing vocals are the best to me. They stepped away from the more acoustic homey sound of Yellow House. I can't pronounce the album name but Veckatimest is an A+ in my book. 

Veckatimest

Roman Candle

This band is another one going under the Next Big Thing category. Roman Candle have been a band for the past 10 years and have released 2 full lengths and a handfuls of eps. 3 members of the band are brothers so they have a tight band makeup which I believe shows in their live performances. The lead singers lyrics are very visual in my opinion which is another great element to their rock n' roll sound. They have a very Nashville sound right now which is why I think they are about to hit it big. I know they are on tour sponsored by Paste Magazine if that tells you anything.

Roman Candle "Why Modern Radio Is A-OK" from Lake Fever Sessions on Vimeo.

Oh Tall Tree In The Air

Bon Iver

I saw Bon Iver last week and it was just as amazing as I was hoping for. Here is a cover of a Feist song "The Park" that Justin did while he was in Australia. After hearing more of his covers and his new songs off of the Dark Was The Night mix I am really confident that his new stuff will kick ass. 

"The Park"

Bat For Lashes

She was named one of the top artists to watch this year by Under The Radar magazine. I am really digging her style. The first song has a great tribal drum beat that gets you pumped then she starts singing with an opera voice. This album features lost of comparisons and new age fables. RIFL : Bjork.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=7bc419682ac0c652d1014a7a667fa2b4e04e75f6e8ebb871

Ladyhawke

This album has been out a while but I'm just getting into it. It is the self-titled debut from New Zealander Ladyhawke. It is completely 80's influenced, but perfect for this time of year. Just roll your windows down and listen to "Back of the Van."

http://rapidshare.com/files/199268601/Ladyhawke_-_Ladyhawke__2008_.rar

Phoenix

By now I am sure everyone is aware of Pheonix. So I am not going to post their new album up here. If you have not heard it yet, let me know and I can hook you up. The main point of this post is just to show their video for Lisztomania. Sure the band's version is good but I think I like the 80's one better.