July Talk

At the danger of angering many of you who have similar musical tastes as me, I have to admit it;  I've never been a huge fan of Tom Waits. I initially can handle the angry raspiness, but it wears on me and I quickly grow tired. So you might be asking yourself: "How can he like July Talk if he doesn't like Waits?" Well, I have an answer for you. If TW had a talented, indie female vocalist accompanying him on every song, I think think I'd change my feelings. Hopefully this helps explain this crazy band out of Toronto July Talk.

Paper Girl


Guns & Ammunition


Let Her Know

Typhoon - White Lighter

I've been hearing the name of the band Typhoon for a little while (SXSW, NPR, KEXP, etc.) but I've never really given them a chance. 

Over the last 2 days, I've listened to their new album White Lighter 4 or 5 times and I've become pretty enthralled. Once again, a band that initially comes off a little rough on the ears, but slowly becomes an obsession the more you listen (The National, Alt-j, etc.). Kind of like IPAs on the pallet.

Young Fathers


Artificial Light


Morton's Fork/Possible Deaths


Dreams of Cannibalism

Broadripple in Burning

Heard this song for the first time in a while tonight and then ended up listening to it 4 more times. 

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's - Broadripple is Burning

Houndmouth

For my first post back on Blogger, Houndmouth. A modern day The Band signing about unions, coal miners, and excessive drug use. 

Their new album The Hills Below the City doesn't have a bad song, but here are 3 of my favorites. 

This Heart Was Made For You - Valentine's Day Pizza

After finishing a lovely pasta and vino Valentine's evening dinner with my wonderful wife, I'm once again a temporary widower to science as my wife heads off to a BSL-3 lab to work on some deadly pathogen for a couple hours. While I wait for her return, I thought I'd post a small playlist love songs (and not so much love) playlist to take you through the evening.      

Josh Ritter - The Curse Josh Ritter – The Curse

Old 97's  - Question Old 97's – Question

Mason Jennings - Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor Mason Jennings – Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor

The Avett Brothers - The Ballad of Love and Hate The Avett Brothers – The Ballad Of Love And Hate

The Beatles - Here, There, and Everywhere

Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You Band of Horses – No One's Gonna Love You (possibly a break-up song, but we'll go with it).

The Mitguards – Ridin' With The One I Love

And a couple of Anti-Valentine's Day Songs for those who aren't as into the holiday as others are.

The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight The Airborne Toxic Event – Sometime Around Midnight

Kathleen Edwards - House Full of Empty Rooms Kathleen Edwards – House Full Of Empty Rooms

Room 125 Productions

Room 125 Productions is the pseudonym of the film/media department of Lawrence High School in Lawrence, KS. Although Mr. Kuhr and students of Room 125 seem to do an immense amount of really cool film and music projects, I'm totally enthralled by their Classroom Sessions. Mr. Kuhr brings in independent musicians to be interviewed an filmed by the students of Room 125 Productions. The teacher and the music fan in me are both overwhelmed by the opportunity provided to both the students and to the artists themselves. Great work Mr Kuhr, keep it up! I'll be sure to post my student interviews and music footage once I get my own version of this going at my school. 


I've selected some of my favorite sessions below, but here's a link to the entire set of the Classroom Sessions.
The Head and The Heart - Rivers and Roads

Damien Jurado - Rachel & Cali

The Civil Wars - I've Got This Friend

Bryan John Appleby - The Words of the Revelator

Kimbra, a Soulful Kiwi

When I first heard the soulful/indie voice of Hamilton, New Zealand's Kimbra, it was where most people (at least here in the States) were introduced to her, amazingly complementing Gotye's magical (and possibly catchiest song ever) Somebody That I Used To Know. 




If you haven't heard this one yet, take a listen: Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know

Although I'm really digging what Gotye is doing, I was more intrigued by the young woman singing next to him (and no it wasn't because she was nakedin the video, that was just part of it).

Kimbra is hard to classify, Spotify calls he a "soulful vocalist with a bend towards jazzy R&B and indie-rock influenced dance music."Phew! Biut I agree. I couldn't decide if she reminded me of Robyn, Feist, Lily Allen, or Duffy. However you classify her, she's good. And I think she has the potential to get huge, especially as the aforementioned Gotye song blows up.

Here's a selection of Kimbra songs to get you started.

Kimbra – Settle Down

Cameo Lover

Good Intent

and finally, Two Way Street (Live)'

From Reykjavik with Love - Of Monsters and Men

The first time I heard Of Monsters and Men, I was walking our dogs through a local park and the song Little Talks (see below) came on and hit me like a shot of Brennivín. What ensued was not necessarily a jig, a line dance, or a grapevine, but something in between the three. I received a cold look from my dogs a warm feeling in my heart, like that of a friendly Reykjavik fire in February. This Icelandic indie folk band is about to blow up here in the states and you better jump on this bandwagon before they Mumford on you. I wanted to feature Of Monsters and Men as a Tastiest of 2011 band, but their album doesn't drop here for another month or so. In the mean time, here some of my favorites from the band thus far. I Cannot wait for the full LP.


All of these songs were recorded in a hostel in Reykjavik, which makes them way cooler.  
First off, here's the song that made me dance in the first place, Little Talks Of Monsters And Men – Little Talks
Download this song for free from the band...     
"I don't like walking around this old and empty house.
So hold my hand, I'll walk with you my dear"

Six Weeks Of Monsters And Men – Six Weeks

and Love, Love, Love Of Monsters And Men – Love Love Love