music is for lovers » Depressed

Dead Child Star – Stars Side Project

Josh — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:28:19 +0000

Stars continues to be on my favorite bands. One of their frontmen, Torq, will be completing his own side project this year entitled “Dead Child Star.” Amy Millan (who has such a rad voice) did her own thing recently, and she’s also slated for a new album in late 2009.

In Torq’s words,

It’s dreamy and creamy and quite good, like if David Crosby joined Saint Etienne

You can listen to a number of tracks on the Dead Child Star MySpace Page. And might I recommend starting with “No One is Born To Be Lonely.”

In other Stars news, I recently picked up their EP “Sad Robots” which I highly recommend and you can listen to Sad Robots here.

And, lastly check out this awesome little video (gotta love the random stoner fan halfway through):

Neko Case – Middle Cyclone – Making of Video

Josh — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Neko Case of The New Pornographers has a new album coming out this spring entitled “Middle Cyclone.” It’s slated to arrive on March 3, 2009. I’ve been meaning to write about the New Porno’s “Challengers” for awhile. Even though that album is old news for many of us, I know quite a few people who don’t know that disc. If you don’t know it, let me know and I’ll blog it. If you don’t own it, buy it from Amazon for $6.99 or but it here from my Amazon powered music store.
I first heard about Neko via NPR’s top 10 album of 2007. They selected “Challengers” to be the 2nd best disc of 2007. I wasn’t convinced, but it was Chris and Emily’s deep love of all things New Porno’s that have gotten me into these guys (I think Emily has a very, serious, unhealthy love for Neko).

Long story short, the front-woman, Neko Case, has her own album coming out. Here’s a video I found of her discussing that new disc.

I’ve got to say, the crap she says sort of weirds me out…what is she talking about with that Eiffel Tower thing? Or serial killers? Huh? HuuuuuHH?

Buuuuut…it’s cool to hear new tracks from the album. Enjoy:

Do you know: Rosie Thomas

Josh — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:27:52 +0000

Do you know Rosie Thomas?

Good friends with Sufjan Stevens and Denison Witmer; Rosie Thomas has one of the most beautiful female voices I’ve heard. Very chill — sometimes depressed — and filled with raw lyrics, Rosie Thomas is one of the most underestimated artists I’ve heard.

This song is taken from her “these friends of mine” album, featuring Rosie, Denison, and Sufjan. See if you can figure out who everyone is in this video.

Listen to Copleand – You are My Sunshine Album

Josh — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:55:10 +0000

If you don’t like Copeland, you’re probably sick of reading about them. However, if you do like them; read on. After purchasing the album, I think it lacks a bit of punch. I still like it, and it’s growing on me; but it’s not as good as the last few albums. I’ve included a few tracks, so decide for yourself.

They’ve chilled it out a bit–and while I like chill, this feels a bit more disheartened to me than it does chill. Perhaps disheartened is the wrong word, because it’s certainly dripping with everything from dark lyrics to contented tone. Perhaps it’s just, overall, a rather dark album that rarely does see the sunlight.

“Good Morning Fire Eater” and “Grey Man” are my favorite. They’re my favorites because they actually break. They move into some rockin’ guitars, strong layers, and the full sound I love.

Check out “The Album Projects” review for a good read.

All that being said, I would most certainly buy it again.

Check out a few tracks:

Grey Man:
[See post to listen to audio]

Good Morning Fire Eater:
[See post to listen to audio]

What Do I Know? (the Copeland I know and love):
[See post to listen to audio]

Go buy it from my Amazon store:

New Aqualung – Words and Music – Listen

Josh — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:39:24 +0000

UPDATE: Listen to a few of the tracks yourself.

Overall, the album is pretty chill. Way more chill than Memory Man. It’s good; but it’s not great. If you’re in the mood for some intricate chill music, this is the album for you.

The Paul Simon cover “Slip-Sliding Away” is amazing! As is Good Goodnight — it’s Aqualung at it’s best.

Rather than writing it all up, have a listen.

Slip-Sliding Away
[See post to listen to audio]

Good Goodnight
[See post to listen to audio]

Check them out on the mixtape.

Original Post:

It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long since Aqualung’s latest album, “Memory Man” which you can hear a track from in my latest Aqualung post, or on the mixtape.

Aqualung’s new disc arrives on October 7, and is a compilation of new songs, old songs, and a Paul Simon cover. Music Remedy has a good summary for you to check out.

In the meantime, prepare thyselves for more piano, amazing mixes, and some crazy offbeats with “Cinderella” off “Memory Man”

[See post to listen to audio]

UPDATE: Listen to Copeland. Copeland News: New Album – You Are My Sunshine

Josh — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:00:28 +0000

UPDATE (10.18.08) – Listen:

So after purchasing the album, I think it lacks a bit of punch. I still like it, and it’s growing on me; but it’s not as good as the last few albums. They’ve chilled it out a bit–and while I like chill, this feels a bit more disheartened to me than it does chill. That being said, I would most certainly buy it again.

Check out a few tracks:

Grey Man:
[See post to listen to audio]

Good Morning Fire Eater:
[See post to listen to audio]

What Do I Know? (the Copeland I know and love):
[See post to listen to audio]

Go buy it!

Original Post (09.06.08):
Copeland news! Finally! Copeland has a new album arriving October 14th. Copeland is one of my favorite bands of all time–I love these guys. If you’re not familiar, you should be. Now on the label Tooth and Nail, their first and second albums “Beneath the Medicine Tree” and “In Motion” were released on The Militia Group. Their next disc, “Eat, Sleep, Repeat” was released on Columbia Records. Each album has gotten consecutively better, and I have loved them all.

Rather than tell you all the details, I’ve got quite a few links for you to check out:

A mysterious video of frontman Aaron Marsh playing a song in reverse.

A loyal fan who reversed the reverse song and is streaming it on his MySpace page — turns out it’s “You are My Sunshine.”

The official press release for their new album.

An “online maze” built by the band that contains song titles and (I’m guessing) lyric snippets — a bit over the top.

An announcement that they will be going on tour with Lovedrug. Yes please.

In case you’re not familiar with the band – a few other times I’ve blogged about Copeland.

I just added this track to the music is for lovers mixtape and you can also hear “Careful Now” on the mixtape as well.

“Eat, Sleep, Repeat” off “Eat, Sleep, Repeat”

[See post to listen to audio]

Deas Vail – Think Mew + Mae

Josh — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:24:35 +0000

I’m sure bands hate it when the first thing you comment on is how amazing the lead vocalist’s voice is; but this is one damn good voice. Amazing falsetto. Anyhow, what’s a good voice without good music? Deas Vail have a great thing going for such a young band. They have only made one full-length album so far, entitled “All the Houses Look the Same” and just recently released an EP entitled “White Lights” — both of which are on the label “A Brave New World.”

Hailing from Arkansas, they themselves say they’ve been influenced by Death Cab and Mew, and it certainly shows. They sound like a cross between Mae and Mew with a splash of Copeland every now and again–but, they’re certainly not copycats and are carving out their out sound.

After a brief opener, the album begins with a piano driven track entitled “Light as Air” that has a tight baseline driving the beat. I think this song really sets the stage for the rest of the disc. The whole album has walks the line between upbeat and slightly depressed. I love it.

Something else kind of cool (I’m a sucker for this…): keys are played by, Laura Baylock, who is married to Wes Baylock (lead vocalist).

My only complaint against this record is that I want Wes to switch out of falsetto once in awhile and hit the top of his range. That being said, I love the falsetto. And, I can’t get enough of the clean tone of those guitars–so good. Deas Vail just released a new EP, and Wes is really belting it on the few tracks I’ve heard–just verging on a scream, so maybe that’s the direction they’re moving. You can check out a few tracks from the new EP, White Lights, at PureVolume.

Their new album is slated to arrive in 2009. In the meantime, enjoy one of my favorite tracks off “All the Houses Look the Same” entitled, “Rewind” (and don’t forget it will be on the mixtape!)

[See post to listen to audio]

Buy both the “All the houses Look the Same” and “White Lights” at Amazon.

Nada Surf’s New Album – Lucky

Josh — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:11:41 +0000

Nada Surf has a new album called “Lucky” out–and from the sounds of it it’s pretty rad. You can download a free track entitled “See These Bones” from their label Barsuk’s (Death Cab’s old label) site. Just right click the above link, and choose “Save As.”

You can also listen to that track right here:

Nada Surf – Lucky
See These Bones
[See post to listen to audio]

You may also recognize the track “Beautiful Beat” off this new album. Has anyone purchased this one? I’m debating buying it. Their most recent disc was pretty solid; but I aside from a few tracks I didn’t love it. I no longer feel like writing…enjoy the listen.

The Album Leaf – Beautiful Instrumental

Josh — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:31:23 +0000

“Rough warmth, that’s a good description” says Sigur RÃ³s’ Sundlaugin studio (used to be a pool) Enginer, Jon Birgisson. A San Diego band, The Album Leaf got it’s name based on a Chopin piece–which makes sense as The Album Leaf consists mostly of James LaValle, a classically trained musician. LaValle has also been part of punk, metal, and progressive rock bands.

The Album Leaf first broke into the public eye with the album “In a Safe Place.” Tracks from that disc hit The OC, amongst a few other TV shows. That album also consisted of guest appearances by Sigur Ros and Amiina (if you haven’t heard them, check out Sigur Ros here and Amiina here). The most recent disc, “Into the Blue Again” is what inspired this blog post. It’s gorgeous.

After my friend told me about these guys, I listened to a few tracks and then purchased “Into the Blue Again.” I recommend buying this disc as it has quickly become my go to album when I need to think, work, be alone, seek depression or just be happy about life (I know those two seem contradictory; but they’re not). I also just realized the both albums are at the Amazon mp3 store for $7.90 a piece!

Check out “The Light” (this takes awhile to get going–it’s a quiet intro) and “Red Eye” off “Into the Blue Again.”

[See post to listen to audio]

Listen to Sigur Ros’ New Album – English Songs?!

Josh — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:26:11 +0000

UPDATE: Now that the album is available for purchase, they have shutoff their full streaming. You can buy the mp3 album directly from their site at 320 kps for $8.00, or you can buy the CD for $12.00 including shipping and handling. Go buy it!

Sigur Ros is one of my favorite bands in the world.

Three rows back, this was the best show I have ever seen in my life. It was probably the only show I would ever label as an “experience.” It visually amazing, and their gorgeous music was even better live. For those of you who don’t know much about Sigur Ros, read on. For those of you who just want to listen to their new album — the whole thing — it’s at the bottom of this post.

Sigur Ros is from Iceland. I first got turned on to them when living and working Mexico. I say that, because it was one of the most physically exhausting jobs I’ve ever had, and every night I would fall asleep to Sigur Ros’ “( )” album. That album enabled more rest — both physically and mentally — than anything else during that time. Track #3 is one of my favorite songs ever.

The “( )” album was written in Hoplandic–a variation of Icelandic that Sigur Ros decided to make up. Most every song that they play, their guitarist plays with a bow rather than a pick. Their drummer has the biggest cymbal’s I’ve ever seen in my life. And I’ve never heard a band more patient than these guys.

They recently created their first film entitled “Heima” which I’m dying to see.

‘heima’ is sigur rÃ³s’s first ever film, filmed over two weeks last summer when the band undertook a series of free, unannounced concerts in iceland. they hauled 40-plus people round 15 locations to the furthest flung corners of their homeland for their debut venture into live film, to create something, well, inspirational.

If you have never heard them, start with the ( ) album. Takk is also absolutely amazing, so that’s a good place to start as well. The new album, “MeÃ° suÃ° Ã eyrum viÃ° spilum endalaust,” arrives in the US on June 24.

Have a listen to the whole album below. It’s really, really different than their old stuff. Including a few songs in English! It’s quite a bit more upbeat.

Last.FM hasn’t quite figured out their Widget yet, so you’ll have to click on each song individually rather than just click the big “Play” button. I recommend popping it out in a separate window for an un-interrupted playing experience.

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