Hammock

Nashville based post-rock band Hammock just released the first video off of their upcoming album called "Chasing after shadows... Living with the Ghosts" The song is titled "Breathtum" and it really blew me away. I will definately have more on this album as it gets closer to its May 18, 2010 release date.

Owl City

This is the latest Owl City music video for "Vanilla Twilight". The video is just a bunch of people looking at the sky that looks similar to the sky in Donnie Darko. The strange part about this video is that Shaquille O'neal, Mr. Kazaam himself, is one of the onlookers. I cannot read lips but Shaq mouths something near the end of the video and I am pretty sure it's "take me with you". You be the judge and see if I am right.

The Dig

A few months ago I saw a tip from The Antler's keyboard player, Darby, to check out The Dig. These guys were on tour with The Editors, The Antlers, and currently Portugal, The Man. Every video and post I have read about these guys tells the story of how captivating The Dig are live. Their nationwide tour with Portugal will hopefully propel the guys into some recognition for the release of their new album "Electric Toys". The album is set to release on April 27 and it needs to build some hype for these guys to have a successful release. Their sound is very indie rock, with an emphasis on the rock. The Dig's style and vocals are similar to Thom York from Radiohead. Many bands have been compared to Radiohead in the past, but I believe that The Dig may be one that actually lives up to the hype.

RIYL: Radiohead, Ra Ra Riot, Band of Skulls







If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

Jay-Z

Here is the Jay-Z mini documentary I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. I really enjoyed this film because it humanized Jay and didn't portray him as the the mogul that we all know he is.

Jónsi

This very well may one of the most impressive albums that I have ever listened to. Jónsi Birgisson has completely out done himself, and I am saying this from the perspective of an avid Sigur Rós listener. "Go" is Jónsi's first solo album and it is completely different from any of his other music projects including Sigur Rós and Riceboy Sleeps. One noticeable difference in the songs are that you can understand what he is saying. Jónsi has decided to ditch his personally created Hopelandic' language for his secondary language of English. The other noticeable difference in the album is its high energy. This is Jónsi's pop album, and it is a masterpiece. Suitcases and hands on knees provided the percussion to drive his melodic voice. He has used this form of percussion before in Riceboy Sleeps with his boyfriend Alex. Every track on this album is beautifully orchestrated and from the behind the scenes footage of his tour the sound will be remade live perfectly. I am only disappointed in the fact that the closest to Alabama Jónsi comes is Chicago.

RIYL: Sigur Rós, Bjork, Annuals

If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

A Classic Education

A Classic Education is a recent addition to the indie market all the way from Italy. I was immediately captured from the first song I heard from them, "Stay, Son". This song is the first track off of their "First Ep" and the lyrics "Never mistake the tears the falling down your cheek..." really stuck with me. This song made me listen further into the ep which was just a collaboration of songs they wrote their first year as a band. Since this "First ep" a 7" and a free download have been released on their website. This band has a lot of raw power and emotion that all ties back to the lead singer's vocals and their chamber pop sound. They are currently playing at SXSW 2010, and I believe from these performances they will gain some needed recognition. Hopefully they will put a full length out in the near future.

RIYL: Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire, Bishop Allen







If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

Kings of Convenience

This is another case where I have had an album for a while but never actually listened to it. This time around Kings of Convenience's "Declaration of Dependance" was overlooked in my library and I am disappointed in myself. This band is about as simple as you can get with only acoustic guitars and classic vocal harmonies. I will admit that I was a little turned off at first because I thought that they were Flight of The Conchords, and I've had to hear that band too many times. However, once I got past that similarity I realized how great this band truly is. King's of Convenience are a Norway band who have just released their third studio album. This album is super mellow with whispery voices and gentle guitar picking. "Declaration of Dependance" is the perfect companion for an afternoon nap or a Sunday drive. It makes me want to drive along a costal highway with my windows down and just relax. If you are in the mood for a little bit of culture try playing this band and opening a bottle of red wine. That's my plan.

RIYL: Andrew Bird, Simon and Garfunkel, Flight of The Conchords

If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

All The Day Holiday

A tag line I read a while back about All The Day Holiday read, "what happens when a post-rock band gets an emo lead singer." That quote really intrigued me because honestly emo and post-rock are my favorite music genres. I had a chance to see this band at CMJ in New York and they were super impressive live. The lead guitar player and drummer really define the band by giving them high energy and a signature guitar sound that you would find from The Edge of U2. Their debut album, entitled "All The Things We've Grown To Love", is packed full of emotion and songs reminiscent of Copeland's "Beneath Medicine Tree". I highly recommend this album for anyone who has ever connected to that album. Being a big fan of post-rock I was really hoping for a sound a bit more epic, but I found myself let down in this department. All The Day's sound seems to be closer to the Alternative Rock movement of bands on Tooth & Nail Records than bands in the post-rock music scene. Despite this minor letdown the band still has redeeming qualities in their lyrics and delivery. I believe that this band is one case where the album does not do the live performance justice.

RIYL: Copeland, Mae, Anberlin







If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

Lady of the Sunshine

Lady and the Sunshine is an Australian band that leads a triumphant return to what it is to write music. The lead vocals and guitar and brought to you by a man named Angus Stone, which could be the most epic musician name I have ever heard. He teamed up with a friend to record this album in an old water tank rigged as a recording studio. Angus has already been pretty well established as a folk duo with his sister in a band called Angus & Julia Stone. This album "Smoking Gun" is his first solo work and it has songs reminiscent of Coldplay's "Parachutes" album. In fact Stone's voice even seems to hit Chris Martin's falsetto a few times. "Smoking Gun" has many songwriter's songs but then it also has gritty rock like you would find in blues based band. "White Rose Parade" and "Jack Nimble" are a few of these tracks that seem to be out of place for this artist but they are still fantastic songs nonetheless. Look for more from this artist in the near future.

RIYL: Coldplay, Matt Costa, The White Stripes









If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

Fyfe Dangerfield

Fyfe Dangerfield, yes that is his real name, just released his first solo album "Fly Yellow Moon". The album was released back in January of this year in the United Kingdom. "Fly Yellow Moon" is Fyfe's first pop record after he was part of an Avant-garde band known as the Guillemots. Although he is not very well known this new album speaks for itself. Some songs are downtempo ballads like you would expect from Augustana or Aqualung, while other songs such as "She Needs Me" are more full band sounding. I found this song very similar to Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity". My guess in Fyfe's songwriting leads me to believe that once this album is released in the states it will be featured on VH1's You Oughta Know. I'll keep this post updated if this prediction comes true.

RIYL: Augustana, Aqualung, Jamie Cullum







If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

Freelance Whales

Freelance Whales are about to be one of the hottest new indie bands on the music scene. Once their album "Weathervanes" drops April 13th this band will explode. They have been growing through a grassroots campaign in New York by playing subways and booking shows with other NYC natives such as Cymbals Eat Guitars. Their songs are folky and poppy in a way that will attract any listener. This is another band that I believe will have heavy commercial appeal this year. Start with the two videos below, I promise you will not be let down.

RIYL: Annuals, Fanfarlo, Ben Cooper (Radical Face & Electric President)

If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

Jay-Z

I have never been a rap fan but I am really excited to see this in a few weeks.

Rogue Wave

Rogue Wave is one of those bands that I have seen their name thrown around for a while but never paid attention. Their latest release "Permalight" is the first time I have taken the chance to really check out their music. This album is very catchy and more of a pop album than their previous indie rock style. The song "Good Morning" is an obviously catchy song to hook people into the album but you should definately stick through it until you get to really meaningful songs like "Fear Itself". The lead singer, Zach Rogue, has a voice similar to Nate Ruess from the band The Format. This album is easy for anyone to jump right into and I will assume that it will be featured on Grey's Anatomy any day now. Rogue Wave was even featured in the new Jennifer Anniston movie "Love Happens". The movie was a let down but their addition was pretty cool.

RIYL: Right Away Great Captain!, The Format, Snow Patrol







It has been a couple of weeks since my last music post but I needed the time to build up some new artists. I will be posting one band a day for as long as I can keep it up. If you would like information about where to get this album email BloginHood@Gmail.com

Band of Horses

Pardon my language but "Oh, Shit!" Band of Horses have kept any word of this album under wraps for its entire 16 month recording process. The album is due out on May 18, but not on Sub Pop. Instead "Infinite Arms" will be released on the lead singer's, Ben Birdwell, Brown Records, which is as far as I can tell is a combination of Fat Possum and Columbia Records. This is my most anticipated album of the year. Unless Bon Iver decides to come out of hibernation and release a follow up to The Blood Bank ep. For updates on the album and its release check out BandofHorses.com

I received this last week from Blogger

Because of this I am going to have to stop posting links to the albums that I review. However if you would like more information on where to get any of the albums that I review, please email me at BloginHood@Gmail.com

MGMT

Just because of this cover, the MGMT "Congratulations" album already has my biggest disappointment of the year award. Despite the fact that I haven't even heard 1 song off of it yet.

The Morning Benders

The year of 2010 may be young but it's releases are starting to be fantastic. I haven't enjoyed a years music this much since 2007. Big Echo is the latest release from the California band, The Morning Benders. The lead singer Chris Chu has an amazing voice that truly shines on their latest single "Excuses". The song has a 1950's Du Wop feel to it that I haven't heard in modern music. The vocal harmonies are impeccable and I cannot wait to see this band live in a few weeks. The album Big Echo continues on the bands same path as previous records but this will definately be the one that puts them on the map for mainstream indie music. Be on the lookout for this band to be playing festivals this summer, starting with SXSW in the middle of March.

RIYL: Ra Ra Riot, Grizzly Bear, Neutral Milk Hotel