The past few weeks I’ve been listening to co-founding member of Rilo Kiley, Pierre de Reeder’s, solo album, The Way That It Was. It’s got some really solid songs on it, and if you are looking for new easy listening summer/fall music, it’s definitely worth your time to check out.

“Not How I Believe,” is by far my favorite song on the album.  I’ve got a soft spot for choirs in songs like this, and it’s the exact same reason I love the Rilo Kiley song “With Arms Outstretched” so much. “Not How I Believe” also has a flute–it’s awesome!

It’s clear that The Way That It Was is a very personal album for de Reeder, and it ranges from songs about growing up, to a song for his daughter, “Sophia’s song,” which brought to mind Ben Folds’ song “Gracie.”

I’m a really big fan of solo albums like this, not only because of the music, but what it represents. Pierre de Reeder is very talented, and does a great job performing his role in Rilo Kiley. However,  it’s impossible for a collaboration to be as personal as a solo album. Pierre decided to release an album because he has something to say that’s meaningful to him, and though the lyrics can be a bit soft at times and some of the songs fall a little flat, there is no questioning that it is extremely honest.

Pierre de Reeder lives in Los Angeles and is the bassist for Rilo Kiley. He’s been working on and off on The Way That It Was for the past five years, and plays most of the instruments, although Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett and Jason Boese did offer a hand.

The Way That It Was (2008):

Pierre de Reeder -  Not How I Believe

Pierre de Reeder- I’ll Be Around

Bonus:

Rilo Kiley - With Arms Outstretched

Read de Reeder’s essay on why Obama should be President.

Site |  Amazon |  iTunes | Myspace

Throw Me The Statue is the brainchild of Seattle resident Scott Reitherman and with the help of a few friends, Reitherman recorded Throw Me The Statue’s debut LP Moonbeams in 2007. The album was re-released this year on Secretly Canadian and fans of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Pedro The Lion, Sunset Rubdown or even LCD Soundsystem will fall in love with Reitherman’s clean mixs of pounding guitars, bouncy electronics and his distinct catchy whines. Moonbeams is one of the year’s catchiest albums and not one to be missed so check out the mp3s I posted. Enjoy!

mp3: “Lolita”

mp3: “About To Walk”

Just wanted to let you guys know that Chris and I will be starting our radio show up again today at WVAU.org. We’ll be on at 2-4 EST. Click the picture above to stream. If you are ready for some great music and awkward air breaks, please tune in. Thanks!

As a special treat, here’s the first song we’ll be playing.

Passion Pit -  Sleepy Head

The past few weeks, I’ve been frequenting “Folio,” the first track on The New Year’s self-titled album which releases September 9th. I love the instrumentals in this song. The band reminds me a lot of John Vanderslice,  Midlake, and Beulah.

Prior to forming in 1999, The New Year were the Bedhead. The band is comprised of Matt and Bubba Kadane, Peter Schmidt, Mike Donofio, and Chris Brokaw. They are located in various areas across the US and make music by sending each other tapes, and by meeting up for recordings and tours. Matt and Bubba Kadane (who live in Ithaca, NY and Dallas, TX respectfully) intended to be a duo, but asked their longtime friends to help support them on tour, and they gradually became part of The New Year. This album is going to be The New Year’s first release in four years, and they will be supporting the album on a US and Europe tour.

Self-Titled (September 9, 2008)

The New Year - Folios

Site | Myspace

Michael Ian Black (Stella, Best Week Ever, Sierra Mist spokesman) is one of the funniest comedians. Ever. I read a post about music on his blog yesterday and I thought I’d share it with you.

People ask me all the time “what kind of music I’m into.” I hate this question because what they’re really asking is, “Are you as cool as me?” I can answer right now. No. No I’m not. No, I’m not into that twee British act you read about it in Gravesitter or Thunderfuck or Quiznuts or whatever obscure music magazine you read. No, I didn’t go to the Bohemian Shithead concert the other night in Williamsburg. No, I’ve never heard of them, and no I don’t want you to burn me a CD of their “amazing new album.”

What’s on my iPod? Your dick.

Asking somebody what kind of music they’re into is exactly the same as asking them what their sign is, an attempt to discern something meaningful from the meaningless. What possible difference does it make? What are you going to learn from me if I tell you I like U2? That I’m into debt relief?

And there’s just no good answer. Turning the situation around, if I ask somebody the same question, here’s what I’m thinking based on their answer:

Jazz – douchebag
Classical – douchebag
Metal – douchebag
Country – douchebag
Rap – douchebag
Pop – douchebag
Classic Rock – douchebag
Christian Rock – douchebag
Alternative Rock – JUST LIKE ME!!!

Continue Reading »

Over the past few weeks I’ve been listening to Death Vessel’s newly released sophomore album, Nothing Is Precious Enough For Us. It’s been growing a lot on me, and I see myself listening to this when in need of a chill folk album. If you like Iron and Wine, Anthony and the Johnsons, or the Fruit Bats, you might like Death Vessel.

Several of my favorite tracks on the album include the opening track “Block My Eye,” “Bruno’s Torso,”  “Circa,” and “Obadiah in Oblivion.” Believe it or not, those vocals you hear are those of a guy, specifically Joel Thibodeau. I’m confident that I’m not the only one who originally thought the high falsetto had to be a female singer.

Death Vessel is based in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2006, they signed to Sub Pop, after releasing their debut album in 2005, Stay Close. While Thibodeau is pretty much the brains behind Death Vessel, he has plenty of support. Starting in last August, Death Vessel will be going on a lengthy US tour, check the dates below.

Nothing Is Precious Enough For Us (2008):

Death Vessel - Block My Eye

Death Vessel - Circa

Stay Close (2005):

Death Vessel - Deep In The Horchata

Death Vessel - Mandan Dink

 Site| Amazon | iTunes | Myspace

Being in a band is not the easiest thing in the world, especially when you’re young. It can seem stupid and foolish to pursue something with such vigor and intensity knowing well and good that you could fail at any moment. Regardless, one must accept that their innate connection to the art will keep them satisfied and must remember where it comes from. With years of practice, you can finally come out of your cave and share your work with the world–and hope that that child-like energy isn’t gone. But how can you be certain? Thus a band is born in tension, irony, anxiousness and excitement.

Today I listened to an album by New York’s Ravens & Chimes. A group of wonderful musicians who fight against the all-too-common outcome of a band losing track of what’s really important. These are people truly singing of what they know and are well aware of what they tend to project. I’m a sucker for layering, and these guys layer themselves musically as well as poetically. The results could not be a finer debut album–one full of peaks and valleys but is all tied together by a sense of proud urgency. I haven’t taken a lot of time to get into the album, Reichenbach Falls, but I will tell you, after my first listen I’ve had numerous hooks and imagery stuck in my head.

It’s a grunge at times–at others it’s a folk explosion. In an attempt to disassociate with the tendency to simply describe an artist in terms of others, I suggest you take these beautiful pop songs as they are. If you are interested in these emotion behind these tracks, you will love their album. Buy it. Now.

Today’s SotD were two chosen at random. Almost every song on this album has some truly fine quality and to decide on a definitive description would be unfortunate for the creative and talented members of this band. Please, let me know what you think. It’s been a little while since I had the time to listen to music, so I’m excited to get back to it.

MP3: Ravens and Chimes - “Far Away Sound of Cars”

MP3: Ravens and Chimes - “Saint Jude in the Village Voice”

MP3: Ravens and Chimes - “…and I Came Upon It in the Clearing”

Home | MySpace | Hype Machine | Better Looking Records

Support this band: Amazon | iTunes | InSound | Better Looking Records

Check out this beautiful intimate performance on Brightest Young Things: 

Awesome.

January started off the year nicely with New Zealand’s The Ruby Suns release of Sea Lion, their second LP, on Sub Pop. The album is a dreamy mix of acoustic driven indie pop anthems and intimate folksy pieces. “Tane Mahuta” is undeniably catchy with its choir vocals and upbeat rhythms while “Kenya Dig It?” sounds like a glossy mix between Grizzly Bear, Beach House and Caribou track with its atmospheric dancing flutes, floating keys and punching bassline. The impossible-to-not-like “Oh, Mojave” is a thumping folksy romp reminiscent of something from Animal Collective’s Sung Tongs. Sea Lion is a delightful trip that creates an amazing atmosphere and is surely not an album to be missed in 2008.

mp3: “Oh, Mojave”
mp3: “Kenya Dig It?”

Over the past few weeks I’ve been listening on and off to Roommate’s 2008 release, We Were Enchanted.  The album is a little on the darker side, and reminds me somewhat of John Vanderslice’s albums, such as Time Travel is Lonely and Emerald City. Both artists give off a paranoid feeling at times, but Roommate is even more eerie.

Truthfully, I’m a bigger fan of their lighter toned songs like “Day After” (half way through)  and “Night (Rhombus Cover).” Some of the songs that are more rigid are less appealing to me, similar to how I feel about some of Vanderslice’s work, but overall I would still recommend you check out the album.

Kent Lambert originally started Roommate as a solo-project in 2000, and after moving from Iowa City to New York, recorded an EP, Celebs. Soon after 9/11 he relocated to Chicago, and has been there ever since. In 2004, Lambert formed a live band with a variety of members–you can see the list on their Myspace. Members of the live band change based on availability, playing instruments such as musical saw, banjo, violin, theremin, Buchla Music Box, and bassoon, as well as hand percussion and traditional rock instruments.

For more on the band and recording check out Chicago Reader.

We Were Enchanted (2008):

Roommate - Night (Rhombus Cover) - This doesn’t represent rest of band’s music.
Roommate - Day After (wait through intro)

Songs The Animals Taught Us (2005; re-released 2006):

Roommate - Tuesday

 Site | Amazon | iTunes | Myspace

Bonus:

Emerald City (2007):

John Vanderslice - Kookaburra 

Brooklyn post punk phenomenons TV On The Radio have announced that they will release a new album entitled Dear Science on September 23rd via Interscope Records. The album is the highly anticipated follow up to 2006’s Return To Cookie Mountain, an album that was named one of the best albums of the year by SPIN Magazine and Pitchfork Media to name a few. Following the release of Dear Science, the band will embark on a national tour with openers The Dirtybombs. I got a chance to see TV On The Radio this summer on the Outernational Music Tour and they put on one of the greatest shows I have ever witnessed. They didn’t play any new material which surprised me but given the band’s repertoire, I think Dear Science will be a contender for the album of the year. So pick up Dear Science on September 23rd and catch the band if they come near your area, you won’t be disappointed.

Fri/Oct-10 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Sat/Oct-11 Providence, RI Lupos
Mon/Oct-13 Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre
Tue/Oct-14 New York, NY Brooklyn Masonic Temple
Wed/Oct-15 New York, NY Brooklyn Masonic Temple
Sat/Oct-18 Cincinnati, OH Bogarts
Sun/Oct-19 Indianapolis, IN Vogue Theatre
Mon/Oct-20 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue (2 Show Offer)
Tue/Oct-21 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Wed/Oct-22 Chicago, IL Riv
Fri/Oct-24 New Orleans, LA Voodoo Festival
Sat/Oct-25 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
Sun/Oct-26 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
Tue/Oct-28 Dallas, TX Lakewood Theater
Thu/Oct-30 Austin, TX Stubbs
Fri/Oct-31 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom
Sun/Nov-02 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
Thu/Nov-06 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern

mp3: “Dirtywhirl”

mp3: “Bomb Yourself”