The Sweet Serenades – “On My Way”
Those Swedes have done it again with more infectious powerpop to get your booty moving. They’ve got the formula for catchy indie pop down cold. And this Stockholm-based duo, The Sweet Serenades, are no exception. Their new album, Balcony Cigarettes, is out now on iTunes. I’d tell ya more about the band, if I could read Swedish. So for now we’ll let their music do the talking.
Thom Yorke – “Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses”
Thom Yorke has just released a new 12″ this week featuring two tracks, “Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses” and “The Hollow Earth”. I was particularly drawn to this track and it’s back story of apparently being the predecessor to one of my favorite Radiohead tracks, “Reckoner”. You can definitely hear it. Enjoy.
Anyone with a penchant for that UK brand of paisley psychedelic rock will dig this unsigned Seattle-based band. It’s the kind of sound I never get tired of. And The Purrs fourth full length album, Amused, Confused & More Bad News, is full of those iconic UK influences – from Jesus & Mary Chain, Echo & The Bunnymen, Oasis, and The Verve. It’s a well-worn and familiar path, but it feels really good. Slip it on and see for yourself.
Electric Tickle Machine –“Gimme Money”
Yeah, your totally going to buy this album just for the cover. Electric Tickle Machine is an unsigned NY-based garage rock group (sounding very San Francisco, I might add) whose debut, “Blew It Again”, is due out October 7. Vinyl copies of their album will be sold at their shows followed by a digital release to be made available on the band’s website. Check their site for tour dates near you.
Brooklyn’s Amazing Baby debut, “Rewild“, is an intriguing and solid release. Part psych rock and part pop, their sound channels Pink Floyd and Brian Jonestown Massacre at times, Jarvis Cocker and MGMT at others. Weird, huh? But it works. Listen to one of my favorite tracks here,” The Narwhal”, and you’ll see what I mean.
San Francisco: Amazing Baby plays Bottom of the Hill this Saturday, September 19.
Alberta Cross – “Broken Side of Time”
The band has released their debut album on their website for streaming and digital download today – a full week early. (And using Topspin, I might add.) One of my favorites for 2009, go get it!
‘Tis the year of side projects and my man, Dan Auerbach, is on fuego. Filter Magazine has just announced that The Black Keys and some of the biggest names in hip hop will release an album under the name BlakRoc on November 27. The band has teamed up with rapper-producer Jim Jones to create an eclectic new rock-infused hip-hop project and will feature a star-studded roster of guest artists, including the RZA, Raekwon, Q-Tip, Mos Def, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Right now anything Dan touches turns to gold. I’m keeping my eye on this one.
Alberta Cross – “Steel and Glass” (John Lennon Cover)
If you read this blog at all on a regular basis, you already know how much I love this band – Alberta Cross. They’re gearing up to release their debut album, “The Broken Side of Time”, on September 21. It’s a spectacular album and one of my favorites for 2009. Be sure to get it.
In the meantime, they’re keeping the momentum going with the a free MP3 download of the band covering John Lennon’s “Steel and Glass”. Enjoy.
File Washed Out under ambient electro pop extraordinaire. The latest release (Life of Leisure) from the Columbia, SC-based group, loops nicely with the easy listening pleasures of The XX this week. Couple that with my latest obsession XKCD (thanks Too Much Happiness) and you’ve got yourself a another full-fledged addiction. Sigh.
the OCMD 