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