I’ve been super busy since school started, and I’ve officially fallen way behind on posting some of the random things I’ve found rather interesting lately, so here’s a little grab bag of things I’ve been meaning to post on.
The Main Drag – Yours as Fast as Mine
I poster earlier on the Main Drag, but now I’ve been lucky enough to hear the full album. It’s a unique blend that might sound something like Annuals, Sparklehorse and the Notwist teaming up with Beulah on horns and Broken Social Scene making some background noise. Like a lot of exciting bands today, the Main Drag knows how to take pop and make it adventurous without losing the enjoyment factor. Keep an eye on these guys. You can buy their album here.
“How We’d Look on Paper” – The Main Drag
“A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” – The Main Drag
Celebration – The Modern Tribe
I didn’t know anything about the band before hearing the latest album from Celebration, but something about the singer’s voice sounded familiar. Turns out that singer Katrina Ford provided backing vocals on TV on the Radio’s “Staring at the Sun.” And, like TV on the Radio, this is noisy rock with soulful vocals. Though the album doesn’t have too much variation, it’s a solid affair. You can pick it up this Tuesday, if you are so inclined.
“Evergreen” – Celebration
“Pressure” – Celebration
Pieces of Peace – Pieces of Peace
Brought to us nearly 40 years later, this pieces of Chicago soul music history comes via DJ Shadow and his Cali-Tex imprint of Quannum Projects. I must admit I know not nearly enough about jazz and soul, but this album, out October 16. The songs are both smooth and energetic, and I really ended up enjoying the album despite my unfamiliarity with the genre. Shadow does the world a service helping to dig this up, and it makes me wonder what other gems he’s come across during his years of crate-digging (I’m sure they beat him doing hyphy).
“I Still Care” – Pieces of Peace
Morning Recordings – The Welcome Kinetic
Some of life’s best little pleasures are only nice once you notice them. Morning Recordings are somewhat like that- if their latest album were playing in the background you wouldn’t notice, but once you pay attention you realize that you’ve found something great. It’s somewhat like what would happen if Yo La Tengo, Savath + Savalas, and a sedated Flaming Lips teamed up. This chunk of mellow sweetness also comes out this week.
“Sugar Waltz” – Morning Recordings
“The Welcome Kinetic” – Morning Recordings
Slave to the Squarewave – Big Change
This track kind of surprised me. I mean, part of me tells me that I shouldn’t like it, but another part is sucked in. One part 80’s new wave, another part mid-90’s alternative pomp, this is song really is overdone yet somehow remains able to listen to repeatedly. The rest of the Canadian band’s new album is much like this, full of synth beats and big guitars. I’d usually avoid this kind of stuff, but these guys do it right.
“Big Change” – Slave to the Squarewave
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