Yeasayer – Ambling Alp (Alan Wilkis Remix) –
Lots of remixes coming out for the new Yeasayer album and I like this one from Alan Wilkis. “Ambling Alp” is the first single from their forthcoming album Odd Blood due out this week on Secretly Canadian. The band starts an international tour this month and will land at San Francisco’s The Fillmore on April 17. Get tickets.
Details of Yeasayer’s second LP have finally surfaced. Their new album, called Odd Blood, will be released on February 8 2010. Seems like a ways away, I know. So until then you can satiate your craving with this free track from the upcoming album. The tracklisting for the album is as follows:
The official videos for Yeasayer’s “Tight Rope”, Dirty Projectors – “Knotty Pine” and The National – “So Far Around The Bend”, off of the Dark Was the Night, a charity compilation for AIDS released by 4AD Records and Red Hot. The Red Hot Organization is the leading international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.
Artist: Animal Collective
Album: Merriweather Post Pavillion
File Under: Experimental
Recommended if You Like: Grizzly Bear, Beach Boys, Yeasayer
Featured Track: ‘My Girls’
Listen up boys and girls, this is important. Animal Collective is releasing their much anticipated, acclaimed and uber-hyped Merriweather Post Pavillion next week on January 20th. (Well, technically it’s already out – make that sold out – on vinyl. But if you’re like me, you’re not hip enough to own a turntable.) So mark your calendars and get ready. Because if you want to be anyone in the music world, with any sort of indie music cred, you need to own this album and worship it like the second coming of Christ. Animal Collective, deliver us from indie rock evil!
Okay, all kidding aside, this is a damn good album. And you should own it. It’s just a little hard to swallow all of this hype. Pitchfork gave the album a 9.6 for christ sakes! I didn’t know that was even possible. Are they really reinventing rock? Is their sound truly that innovative and unlike anything out there in the rock landscape? I don’t think so. My best summary of their sound is classic prog rock syncopation mixed with a little techno and sprinkled with a heap of Beach Boys Pet Sounds all over it.
Perhaps what’s most innovative and unique about them is that they don’t conform to one particular genre, which is refreshing and inspiring. And their music has a joyful, playful and ecstatic quality that makes you want to grab your friends, drop some E, tune in and trip out. (Is that album art moving or is it just my imagination? Whoa.)
You’ve been given the kool-aid, now drink it. Then join the rest of the disciples for an exclusive stream of Merriweather Post Pavillion on Rhapsody. See you on the other side.
Artist: The Dodos
Album: Visiter
File Under: Primitivist Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like: Elliott Smith, Fleet Foxes, M.Ward, Iron & Wine, High Places, Yeasayer
Featured Track: Fools
This is a fantastic up-and-coming San Francisco-based band that I ironically stumbled upon at SXSW this year. It was one of those chance discoveries that left me mesmerized and wanting more. I quickly made note in my iPhone and have had this album on heavy rotation ever since.
The stripped down, two-man band consists of Meric Long on guitar and vocals and Logan Kroeber on percussion. Both are feature performers – on the recording and live. Their simplicity has drawn comparisons to a crop of new-primitivist bands like Yeasayer and High Places. Whatever the case, you should listen to this album and make a point to see them live. For all you SF locals, that would be June 19 at The Independent.
Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo
buy it at insound!
Here’s a new video from Yeasayer I stumbled upon today. This album – All Hour Cymbals – was one of my favorites for 2007. If you haven’t checked them out, do so. They have a West African rhythmic vibe infused with harmonies and chants that’s both primitive and modern all at the same time.
Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo
the OCMD 