Author Archives: the OCMD

Department of Eagles – In Ear Park

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Artist: Department of Eagles
Album: In Ear Park
File Under: Psychedelic Folk, Folktronica
Recommended if You Like: Grizzly Bear, Elliott Smith, Fleet Foxes
Featured Track: Phantom Other; No One Does It Like You

‘Phantom Other‘:

‘No One Does it Like You’:

Department of Eagles is essentially a side-project of Grizzly Bear singer-songwriter Daniel Rossen, who developed its dreamy, autobiographical songs with college friend and cohort, Fred Nicolaus. Their latest album, In Ear Park, was developed over the years between the two, stealing time on weekends and between tours. Other Grizzly Bear band members were also involved in the endeavor.  Chris Taylor acted as producer/engineer and played electric bass and horns and Chris Bear, Grizzly Bear’s drummer, also contributed heavily to the album. 

Most people, like me, are immediately struck by the track, ‘No One Does It Like You‘.  I obsessed over that track initially too.  The rest of the album is on the mellow, quieter side. But dig deeper and you’ll start to appreciate the complexities and amazing orchestral arrangements that continue to unfold listen after listen. Which for me makes it one of the better albums I’ve heard so far this year.  

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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Ticket Giveaway: Wintersleep @ Slims – November 24

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I have two tickets to giveaway to see one of my favorite newcomers, Nova Scotia-based Wintersleep, at Slim’s in San Francisco on November 24.  Send an email to theOCMD@gmail.com by this Wednesday, November 19th to win.  I’ll pick a winner randomly.

Reportedly, they put on an excellent live show.  As one fan put it, ‘Wintersleep turned me from a casual listener to a fan in one show.’

Listen to ‘Drunk on Aluminum’: 

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Deerhunter – Microcastle

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Artist: Deerhunter
Album: Microcastle
File Under: Ambient Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like: Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Grizzly Bear, Atlas Sound
Featured Track: Agoraphobia

I’ve long been intrigued with the work of Bradford Cox and follow all of his projects – from his solo venture, Atlas Sound, to his five piece group, Deerhunter.  I love his haunted, dreamy vocals and ambient, atmospheric sound.  It’s right up my alley.  And while I enjoyed Deerhunter’s last release, Cryptograms,  I must say I’m liking their latest release, Microcastle, even more.  It’s beautiful and I can’t stop listening to it. It’s hard for me to even pick out a single song to highlight as it’s truly one of those album experiences that should be listened to and enjoyed in it’s entirety.  The music builds upon itself, ebbing and flowing from moments of quiet, hypnotic bliss into smashing, reverb drenched crescendos. 

Much more song oriented than their last release, Microcastle is sure to convert more than a few skeptics. If you were once one, you should definitely give them another listen.  This one’s a classic.

Catch Deerhunter at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall November 24 with Times New Viking.

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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NowPlayIt – Learn to Play Your Favorite Songs Online!

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One of the coolest websites I’ve seen in a while, NowPlayIt, teaches you how to play your favorite songs in an online video tutorial.  There are lessons for guitar, drums, bass and piano/keyboard.  Many of the tutorials are taught by the artists themselves. Even the greats like Paul McCartney.  How fun is that?  They have a wide array of popular and indie artists too. But it is UK based so there seems to be a bit of bias toward the Brit Rock set.  Which is okay by me.  There’s enough Radiohead there to keep anyone happy. As a beginning drummer, I’ll definitely be checking it out.

Enjoy!

Women @ Bottom of the Hill

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Thanks to Ken and Jon, I was able to squeeze into the sold out show Monday night at Bottom of the Hill to catch one of my favorite bands this year, Women. I hadn’t seen Bottom of the Hill quite that packed before and there were clearly two distinct crowds – those who came to see Women and those who came to see Swedish psyche rockers, Dungen.  It was clearly a case of the hipsters vs. the hippies.  In in my opinion, hipster band Women clearly won.  Their lo-fi sound did not disappoint.  My only complaint is that they weren’t opening for label mate, Chad VanGaalen. Now that would have been a stellar line up.  

While I’ve never been able to wrap my head around Dungen, I did stick around to see if they could change my mind.   They didn’t.  Every time I hear their music I think I’m listening to Thai karaoke and immediately want to turn it off.  It’s not fair, I know. I’ve just spent too much time in seedy Bangkok bars and San Francisco’s Thai karaoke hot spot, Ozone, I suppose.  Musically, Dungen is talented.  There’s just something about Swedish in song that doesn’t translate for me.  At all.

Listen to Women’s ‘Black Rice‘:

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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San Francisco Bands You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – Part 7 and Last

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The Botticellis

These guys have a great 60s surfer, AM radio sound.  Soaked in reverb and sunny California pop harmonies, their debut album Old Home Movies sounds (and looks) like a classic from the past.

Listen to ‘Home Movies’:

 

The Dodos

The Dodos

Okay, you’ve probably heard of this band.  Their debut album, Visiter, was a darling of many a music critic.  And for good reason; it’s exceptional.  To see them perform live is spellbinding. They are one of those artists whose energy and passion translates better in a live forum. Their world tour is already underway, so all of you international readers have no excuse!

Listen to ‘Fools‘:

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The Morning Benders

Another Bay Area indie pop group on the verge, their new album, Talking Through Tin Cans, was my go to album of the summer.  Fresh and irresistible. That and my little boy loved it.  He’s got a good ear, that kid.  It was his first concert too.  If you’re local, be sure to catch their last show of the year, December 5 at The Rickshaw Stop with The Muslims and Miniature Tigers.

Listen to ‘Boarded Doors’:

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Ty Segall

I caught this guy opening for another local favorite, Girls, recently and was smitten.  Admittedly, when I first saw this virtual one man band take the stage with his jerry-rigged drum kit and guitar, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Oh Christ.’ Which was quickly followed by ‘holy shit!’  He’s touched with that way back sound I love so much. Just take a listen and you’ll see what I mean.

Listen to ‘The Drag’:

Listen to ‘So Alone’:

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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KCRW’s Nic Harcourt Steps Down

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The LA Times reported today that KCRW’s Nic Harcourt will be stepping down as the music director for the Santa Monica-based public radio station.  He will continue to host his 3 hour music program on Sundays, but his role as host of the famed, ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ program will end November 30.  Will it ever be the same?

For the full story, click here.

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San Francisco Bands You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – Part 6

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Raised by Robots

San Francisco/Oakland-based Raised by Robots pays homage to a multitude of musical influences – among them early 90s indie, soul, post punk, country, and hip hop.  Sort of a multiple personality disorder perhaps, but I really like this track.

Listen to ‘I Love U/U Love Me 2′

 

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Scrabbel

Bay Area indie pop rockers, Scrabbel, are highly influenced by all things ’65-’75 and you can hear it in their music. Sunny, sweet songs that have a bit of that Belle and Sebastian feel.  On the dark side, they also do a nice cover of My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Sometimes‘.

Listen to ‘Emily and I‘:

 

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The Blacks

Described as ‘the love child of Karen O and Jesus and Mary Chain,’ The Blacks flat out rock. I completely fell in love with them this year at SXSW.  It was tambourine player JDK Blacker that did it for me.  He plays the tambourine like he’s exorcizing demons. It’s spellbinding.  The SF/NY based trio are known for their short, blistering stage shows and laser-beam intensity. Their debut full-length “Nom de Guerre” was released in 2007 on Tricycle Records. “Tiger Songs” is their latest EP.

Listen to ‘Raincoat‘:

Listen to ‘Ammunition‘:  

 

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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Local Band Audrye Sessions Cover Elliott Smith’s Waltz #2

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One of my favorite music blogs, Puddlegum, turned me on to a great free download this week from Oakland-based Audrye Sessions covering Elliott Smith’s Waltz #2. Audrye Sessions is an up and coming indie pop band whose debut album set to release in February next year.  It’s not particularly my style of music, but this cover is fantastic.  I couldn’t resist passing it along.  I’m definitely adding this one to my Best Covers playlist. Enjoy!

Waltz #2 Cover from Audrye Sessions:

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