The Album Leaf

A Chorus of Storytellers is the latest release from the band The Album Leaf. The band has been a solo project for the past 10 years of multi-instumentalist Jimmy LaValle. This album is the first time that he has recorded with an entire band giving the album a much fuller sound. Another difference about this album is that Jimmy mixed the vocals first so they stand out much more than any other album. The Album Leaf has previously been known for being an ambient band, but is slowly transitioning into music that the average listener can handle.

RIYL: Hammock, The American Dollar, Sigur Rós

Dead Man's Bones

Dead Man's Bones is the moniker for the collaboration between actor, Ryan Gosling, and Zach Shields. They have written an album creepy enough to be played at any kids halloween party just after "The Monster Mash". The duo recorded the entire album with a children's choir from Los Angeles giving the music a strange parallel in vocals that I didn't expect. The self titled album is very dark and cryptic but it is played in such a way that makes me want to keep listening. Dead Man's Bones instrumentation is surprisingly good, including Ryan's piano playing that has the vaudeville style similar to artists like "The Arcade Fire." Who would have thought Noah from The Notebook would come out with an album that sounds pretty damn good. Upon further reading I discovered that Ryan was on The Mickey Mouse club along with Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and other early 00's popstars. I hope his former mouseketeers have found this album and can take a little inspiration from it.

RIYL: Tom Waits, The Arcade Fire, "The Monster Mash"

Signs of Life

New video from a Signs of Life practice. The song is called "The Dronkship."

The Swell Season

From my first viewing of the film Once my world was changed. I immediately watched the movie again and fell in love with this small Irish band who I didn't even know actually existed. Once I owned the soundtrack and realized this was one band, The Swell Season, I quickly gathered everything they had released. Now two years later the band has made a follow up to their Oscar winning album called "Strict Joy." This album is very emotional and quickly became one of my favorite albums of 2009. Most of the album refers to the romantic relationship between the two songwriters Glen and Markéta. Strict Joy picks up where the first album left off but goes in a different direction just as the two ended their relationship. Despite the internal trouble, I have no doubt that this band has many albums still to come.

RIYL: Bon Iver, Damien Rice, The Frames

Hammock

While Nashville, Tennessee is known for many styles of music, Ambient, Post-Rock has not been a very large style. Hammock is a two man collaboration that creates ethereal swells out of only 2 guitars. The band's latest album "Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow" was recommended to me by a friend. I had a hard time understanding the band at first because I was only listening to songs as if they were songs. Once I allowed myself to listen to the entire album I realized the beauty that lied beneath the tracks. This album has been my companion through several books and finals in school. It has allowed me the peace that my mind needs to focus on other things. If you are someone who needs sound to clear your mind I recommend this band.

RIYL: Riceboy Sleeps, This Will Destroy You, Sigur Rós

Carissa's Wierd

Carissa's Weird is and always will be an underground band. They truly represent what it meant to be "indie". The band was formed in Seattle and developed a cult-like following from the end of the 90's to the start of the 00's. Although they never received commercial success several members have in their other music endeavors. One of these is Band of Horses, which was founded by Mat Brooke and Ben Birdwell. The songs from Carissa's Weird are slowly crafted love songs that feature piano and violin heavily on most of the tracks. The emotions in the songs ring throughout all the despair and longing in Mat Brooke's voice. This album is one of my personal favorite's to put on for a long drive alone. I wish that I was in Seattle when this band was together because I know I would have been at every show.

RIYL: Band of Horses, Elliott Smith, Straylight Run

Wild Beasts

While many emerging bands such as Passion Pit and Bon Iver have become known for their overpowering falsettos. The haunting vocals of Wild Beast's lead singer, Hayden Thorpe, have been compared to more classically trained opera performers than these indie artists. Their latest album "Two Dancers" is a beautifully assembled album with many layers of his vocal howls. This quartet of friends from London have created an album comparable to Grizzly Bear's "Veckatimest". With this sophomore release the band has grown in a way that surely will keep them around for some time to come.

RIYL: Grizzly Bear, Andrew Bird, Bjork

Local Natives

Los Angeles is known for sunshine, surfing, and good times. Well at least as far as Saved By The Bell was concerned. This Los Angeles band, Local Natives, makes me wish I had more sunny days spent out with friends. I have only listened to this album a few times but I can already tell it will be on my favorites list for this new year. It is one of the first releases of 2010 that I have fallen in love with from the start of track 1. The band is full of rich harmonies, that you would expect from a more upbeat version of the Fleet Foxes. Along with the harmonies comes a drum beat that is driving the song to wherever it is the listener is going. This album makes me long for brighter days ahead. It is made for anyone who is tired of being cold and has cabin fever. Put this album on and let your mind take you away.

RIYL: Fleet Foxes, Annuals, Margot & The Nuclear So and So's







Update: You can check out the Local Natives Daytrotter Session here. It has 3 free downloads.

Mumford & Sons

The London based Mumford & Sons have a signature sound that you might expect to hear creeping out of a hometown pub. Armed with acoustic instruments and a kick drum, the guys manage to bring an upbeat and rowdy sound to anywhere that they are able to play. The way that Marcus Mumford is able to sing, play guitar, and keep a beat on a kick drum/tambourine combination is mind boggling. There is so much talent in this band that they are surely going places. Some of those places will be this Summer's festivals including Bonnaroo & Sasquatch. Mumford & Sons are a band not to be missed. I was unfamiliar with their music but their live performance made a believer out of me. Their full length debut, Sigh No More, was only released in the states in the past month but has already been well received in other parts of the world. Many European "Best of 2009" lists featured this band, as did Australia's "Triple J Hottest 100 Countdown" where their song "Little Lion Man" came in at number 1. If you have yet to listen to this rising band you will not be disappointed.

RIYL: The Avett Brothers, Flogging Molly, Fleet Foxes







Mumford & Sons - Download

The XX

The XX is another band that I overlooked in 2009. I remember hearing a lot about them up at CMJ because their shows were selling out fast in Brooklyn. When I started reading about them many reviews said that they were a R&B meets The Cure group. This description really turned me off to even wanting to listen to them. However after seeing the AT&T commercial for the Olympics (see below), I really liked the song and did some research to look up the band. The XX is now made up of only 3 members, there was a 4th but she quit the band due to exhaustion. The XX are even still teenagers but they have been selling out venues for over a year now. I really enjoy how easy their album "XX" is to listen to. My only complaint would be that it is not long enough. This is the perfect album to just put on in the background of your life and relax.

RIYL: Interpol, My Bloody Valentine, Silversun Pickups





The AT&T Olympics Commercial


The XX - Download

The Antlers

Peter, Darby, and Michael who make up the Brooklyn based band The Antlers, have released their latest video. Their song "Bear" continues the theme of the entire Hospice album. This song has the story of helping someone who has too much of a burden to handle on their own. The video has symbolism of this by using a large black orb as the woman's tumor and Peter is there to help. From everything I can gather he experienced this sort of thing in real life. So please help me out in supporting this band and check out their new video.

Two Door Cinema Club

Remember back in June of last year when I said this little known Australian band called The Temper Trap was gonna make it? Well I'm making another prediction now. While The Temper Trap may not be a household name yet, I am willing to bet most people are now familiar with their song "Sweet Disposition." Just as before I am going to make an outlandish judgement that is most likely entirely too early and say that the band Two Door Cinema Club is going to be one of the bands of the year. Their album Tourist History does not officially come out until February 22 but I have already had a listen and it is magnificent. The band has enough hooks to make any passer-by take a second listen. Two Door Cinema Club is made up of 3 young Irish guys who have crafted together some moving chamber pop/rock. Every chorus on the album is just begging to be screamed out while dancing around your room. Be on the lookout for more from this band.

RIYL: Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, Ra Ra Riot





Here is the acoustic version:


Two Door Cinema Club - Download

Miike Snow

I cannot stop playing this album. It is constantly in my head so I figured I would share it with the world. Miike Snow is the combination between an American songwriter, Andrew Wyatt, and Swedish producers Bloodshy & Avant. If you haven't heard of Bloodshy & Avant then check out some of the songs that they've worked on and I'm sure you will recognize one or two pop hits. The three members of Miike Snow have finally released their debut s/t release and have out done themselves. The year 2010 is sure to be a big one for this band. They have already been featured on MTV's The Buried Life and will be playing this year's Bonnaroo: Music & Arts Festival. Be on the lookout for more from this diverse band. Their tracks range from simple indie pop hooks like those on "Song For No One" but they move into a trance style techno on "In Search Of". This album is sure to please any fan of the way pop music is traveling.

RIYL: Phoenix, David Grey







Miike Snow - Download

Update: You can download a live ep from Miike Snow on the Myspace Transmissions. You can also see clips with the band talking about where the name came from.


Miike Snow "Animal" live from MySpace Transmissions

MySpace Transmissions | MySpace Video