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When Cults Are A Good Thing.

Happy summer folks, thanks for stopping by.  I just heard this new band (the) Cults.  No album out yet, just some singles, but you can download them all free (and legally) from HERE.  They definitely have a unique sound and I'm looking forward to their first full length record.  Check out their video below for the song Oh My God.  It's part of the Adult Swim Singles Project (8 singles in 8 weeks), and you can download their track (among others) HERE.

I'm going to the Association for Baha'i Studies Conference in Vancouver next month, hope to see some you there.  Let me know if you're going so I know who to look for.  In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the return of those of you taking summer session two.  Come over to the house when you get back, we'll have a bbq in your honor.

Festivus For The Rest of Us

It's that time of year again; the line-up for this year's Outside Lands Festival has been released and you can see it here. As usual, the list is a mashup of a lot of different artists across several genres, but conspicuously absent this year are the headliners that garner appeal across the braod musical tastes of the masses, such as Radiohead, Pearl Jam and the Dave Matthews Band from previous years. Kings of Leon are popular, but arguable lack the established fanbase you'd get with the aforementioned acts. Furthur on the other hand, have some committed fans (tied to the presence former Grateful Dead players) but the jam band formate is not radio, i.e. average person, friendly. In all, this year lacks that "must-see" you might normally get, but some of my favorites are still there. Will I buy a ticket? No, but by volunteering with Rock Medicine, I can see the few artists I really like, without paying for the majority I wouldn't mind missing. Here are some favorites of mine, and soon they'll be yours too.

The Soft Pack just came out with their first album, and it was pretty good. Not much variety to their take on surf rock, but there were some gems, and they maintain the same energy throughout, which I think will make for an excellent live show.

Langhorne Slim was unknown to me until I took a trip to Washington, D.C. two years ago, and took my friend Heidi to see the Heartless Bastards at the Black Cat Lounge. He's a great artist, with a very unique voice.

One of my all-time favorite songs, Cat Power's last two albums, Jukebox and Dark Side of the Street feature her soulful, sultry voice backed by perfectly sleepy instrumentals. I recommend both of these selections to anyone.

Surf over to hypem.com to download some tracks by these and many more artists.

Stormy Weather

When I found out about a new album by The Black Keys, it was like seeing dark grey clouds on the horizon after a long spell of dry, hot summer days; the gust of chilled air filled with that distinct ionic smell of rain, the darkening sky, and the distant rumble of thunder. After months without a decent complete album compelling me to replay it countless times, the rain arrived in the form of Brothers. It's a solid work, and a much appreciated return to their driving, lo-fi blues rock beginnings, after the distant departure they took with their previous album, Attack and Release. Here are two songs from the new album. Unfortunately one of my favorite tracks, Everlasting Light, does not have a video, but you can download it, and the songs featured here, at The Hype Machine.

Spring again

Another great song for spring, and a really "interesting" video to go with it. This song reminds me of all my great friends that I'm really lucky to have.

On June 1st, Hooray for Earth will be releasing their EP, entitled MOMO, on the Dovecoat Records label, then they're going on an east coast tour with Surfer Blood and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Check them out if you're a native of the Atlantic coastal states.

Spring

Spring is here, and with it comes moderate temperatures cool breezes, and sunshine; the perfect prescription for everyone's seasonal affective disorders. Here's are two doses of music that I find exemplify the uplifting spirit of spring, i.e. rock your socks. If you like what you hear, find and download the mp3s through The Hype Machine.

The Walkmen

Released around this time last year, this has come up repeatedly as one of the best albums of 2008; an opinion shared by many indie rock aficionados. Instrumentals drenched in echo and expressive vocals come together to give this album a very unique sound.

The Walkmen - In The New Year @ Pop Librarian