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’:

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the OCMD Mixtape: Best Songs of 2008…So Far

It’s the last day of July and half the year has gone and passed.  To celebrate, I’ve compiled a mixtape of my favorite songs (not albums) of the year…so far.  You can listen here, but if you want the file, you’ll have to subscribe to the OCMD Mixtape.  Enjoy!  

  1. The Raconteurs – These Stones Will Shout
  2. The Duke Spirit – This Ship Was Built to Last
  3. Elbow – Grounds for Divorce
  4. Black Angels – You on the Run
  5. The Black Keys – Psychotic Girl
  6. Beck – Soul of a Man
  7. Women – Black Rice
  8. The Raveonettes – Aly, Walk with Me
  9. The Ruby Suns – There are Birds
  10. Handsome Furs – Handsome Furs Hate this City
  11. Girls – Hellhole Ratrace
  12. Atlas Sound – Recent Bedroom
  13. High Places – Head Spins
  14. Beach House – Gila
  15. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
  16. Bon Iver – Skinny Love
  17. Citay – Little Kingdom
  18. The Helio Sequence – Lately
  19. Art in Manila – The Sweat Descends
  20. The Dodos – Paint the Rust
  21. Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today
  22. Tilly and the Wall – Pot Kettle Black
  23. Rafter – zzzpenchant
  24. School of Language – Extended Holiday
  25. Jason Collett – Charlyn, Angel of Kensington
  26. The Morning Benders – Boarded Doors
  27. Jim Noir – Don’t You Worry
  28. Cut Copy – Lights & Music

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The Morning Benders – Talking Through Tin Cans

ArtistThe Morning Benders
Album: Talking Through Tin Cans
File Under: Indie Pop
Recommended if You Like: The Shins, The Kooks, Brian Wilson
Featured Track: Boarded Doors

The Bay Area’s very own indie pop rockers have released their debut album, ‘Talking Through Tin Cans’, and…I’m liking it!  I had to sit with it for a while because…nah, I couldn’t like a pop band, could I? But there’s something about the groups’ sunny California sound – catchy hooks and melodies, jangly guitars – along with their collegiate youthfulness that makes this an irresistible summer album.  That and I may be a bit nostalgic to the fact that they happen to be my little boy’s first official concert.

To add to my momentary love affair, they’ve just compiled an album of covers called, ‘The Bedroom Covers’, that they are releasing for free download.  The EP features 11 tracks from artists such as Velvet Underground, The Smiths, Fleetwood Mac and more.  Here’s a good sample from the Talking Heads:

Pull Up The Roots (Talking Heads)

Maybe I’ll look back on this as a summer fling or passing trend.  But until then, I plan on working this album for the summer, like my white jeans.

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

buy it at insound!

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