Port St. Willow - Tourist

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“Tourist” by Port St. Willow // Holiday (2012)

Port St. Willow is the pseudonym of artist, Nick Principe, who also happens to be a lifelong friend of Peter Silberman, of the The Antlers. I only bring up the connection to Silberman’s band because often times on Port St. Willow’s excellent new album, he gives The Antlers a run for their money on crafting dark, atmospheric dream pop. In fact, on album standout, “Tourist”, Port St. Willow layers on the atmospherics and stormy production in a way that sounds like it could be a b-side to The Antler’s excellent, Burst Apart. Principe’s vocals are clear and beautifully mixed with the surrounding sounds in a way that actually brings to mind some of Jeff Buckley’s later work. “Holiday” is available now at Bandcamp and I highly recommend it to fans of The Antlers, Jeff Buckley, and Department of Eagles. 

(stream & purchase) “Holiday” by Port St. Willow (via Bandcamp)

#port st. willow  #dream pop  #ambient  #indie rock  #RIYL:  #jeff buckley  #the antlers  #department of eagles  
4 days ago on May 24, 2012 at 01:03am with 18 notes

Exitmusic - "Passage"

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“Passage” by Exitmusic // Passage (2012)

Danceyrselfclean said she knew this was just my kind of jam when she heard it and she’s absolutely right. Exitmusic is back with a taster of their forthcoming album (Passage, out May 22) and it’s a slow burning, goth pop beauty that explodes into something absolutely stunning and gigantic. Holy shit, I mean, Aleska Palladino and Devon Church’s Exitmusic might be on the verge of a monster breakout after this release. It’s kind of like what I would imagine Florence Welch fronting The Antlers to sound like, only bigger somehow. It’s a fucking doozy. Highest recommendation. 

(via danceyrselfclean)

#exitmusic  #secretly canadian  #devon church  #aleksa palladino  #goth pop  #ethereal  #dream pop  #RIYL:  #the antlers  #austra  #school of seven bells  #florence and the machine  
3 months ago on February 22, 2012 at 03:02pm with 33 notes
Via SoundCloud / Secretly Canadian
zoom
P|M|W’s FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2011 This took me a lot longer to finalize than I had planned. Truth be told, last year’s came easier because as a whole, I felt last year had a stronger collection of albums - so much so that I just picked a favorite and had everything else tie for second. This year, I felt that I had some room between some of them that I could play with and in the resulting list, actually pick a top ten favorites.  I use the word “Favorite” because this list was made by me, and I wouldn’t want to pretend that I am capable of knowing what’s “best” for anyone, so what you’re looking at is a list that’s my favorites. Not intended to spark an argument, but mostly hoping to maybe shine a light on an artist or album that perhaps you didn’t catch earlier in the year and when lined up next to some of these others, you might take the time to check them out as well.  So, without further ado, I’m going to list my top ten with short explanations, and then the back ten are the ten most played, most favorite, most-most that didn’t crack the ten (in alphabetical order). Hope you enjoy. The Favorite Songs lists will be up in the next couple of days with accompanying podcast and I promise they’ll be much more thorough and interesting, as they’ll be audible.  THE LIST///TOP TEN FAVORITE ALBUMS (2011) “The King of Limbs” by Radiohead :: If you are familiar with my previous top five lists of years past, you know that I have a fondness for Radiohead. More often than not, they make my top spot. So this shouldn’t be as much of a surprise, but to me it really is. When I first heard “TKOL” I was underwhelmed. I enjoyed what I heard but it didn’t stick like previous material. I sat the album aside and moved on. Then, somewhere around the time that Radiohead performed the “From the Basement” sessions, I pulled the album back out and where previously I had felt that I was being challenged, I suddenly felt that familiar warmth. The songs were growing on me and where previously, I had all but dismissed this album as the one where Radiohead got away from me, I was embracing the textures and the layers and melodies and rhythms. I came back to this album more than any other this year and with each listen I discovered more to love. It wasn’t the mindblowing, earth shattering release that I was expecting to top my list, but that album never came. What came was a surprise album by my favorite band that i was not ready for, but luckily was still around when i found my reasons to be ready. I love the album. It’s not their best, but this year it was my favorite.  “Bon Iver, Bon Iver” by Bon Iver :: You could almost hear the backlash growing before the final notes of the final song played. Yes, it will appear on as many “best of” lists as it will on “most overrated” lists, but that’s just fine. For me, the album works. It’s a reminder of music that I hadn’t thought of in ages, by an artist who’s had hands in dozens of my favorite songs of the past few years. I trusted Justin Vernon to not rely on his simple charms and he didn’t disappoint. The album can be challenging to those expecting twelve more variations on “Skinny Love”, but anyone paying attention could see that this is a direction that he was likely to head from the moment he started touring in support of “For Emma”. I happened to really love the direction. I might not love the next, but that’s just fine. When you love something an artist has done, you’re not signing on for life. You can exit the bus at any stop. I’m happy to stick around and hear some more electric piano and abstract lyrics for the time being. It’s produced some really beautiful, haunting, and in the end welcoming music. No complaints.  “Burst Apart” by The Antlers :: Talk about low expectations. I had nothing going in to my first listen of “Burst Apart”. “Hospice” was a fine album, but a little dreary and easily forgotten for me at that time. “Burst Apart” felt like a band awakened and challenged to write big, expansive, artistically engaging pop songs and they lived up to the task without fail. Also, the 1-2-3 hit of “Hounds”, “Corsicana”, and “Putting the Dog to Sleep” are the best sequential album run all year.  “Days” by Real Estate :: At first listen I was afraid everything blended and sounded overly similar, but a couple of more listens and the details started flooding forth. It’s a deceptively simple album loaded with wonderful writing, beautiful melodies and incredible craftsmanship. “Days” just hit on all cylinders for me and reminded me of why I love bands who don’t shy from a well written pop hook.  “Charade is Gold” by Pulseprogramming :: Sort of what I’d hoped a grown-up version of Postal Service to sound like - only better. It’s a gorgeous, haunting, synth pop masterpiece.  “Our Blood” by Richard Buckner :: A criminally underrated singer-songwriter turned in his best album in years and again, no one seemed to notice. Some of the best writing I heard all year and Buckner’s vocals is still one of my favorite lived-in, weary instruments in all of music.  “Yuck” by Yuck :: Smart, nostalgic, indie pop that holds up with some of the greats. “Stutter” is one of the best songs of the year.  “The Ocean” by Two Bicycles :: While everyone was waiting for the new Teen Daze album to drop, many seemed to fail to notice that he’s already dropped an album one million times better just a couple of months before and it explored more interesting soundscapes by far.  “Moon Killer” by Small Black :: Had this been a full fleshed out album, it would have been higher. Small Black turned in one of the biggest surprises of the year with a free mixtape that makes me hope and wish that their next studio outing has this kind of sound, and this sort of confidence. Fucking killer songs.  “Romantic Comedy” by Big Troubles :: Maybe the catchiest, most infectious album that I heard all year. Loaded with dreamy, lo-fi, shoegazer sounds, but as good as they all are, none of them touch the brilliant album closer, “Never Mine”.  There you have my top ten. I could surely go on and on, but I’m sure more of you stopped reading back at Radiohead. For that, I will rush through and just list the back ten. In alphabetical order as I could not choose one over the other. These are simply the albums that I lived in and carried with me the most throughout the year (save for the first ten). Any of these ten would be a great listen. I can’t recommend them enough.  “You Are All I See” by Active Child “The Rip Tide” by Beirut “On the Water” by Future Islands “Gardens and Villa” by Gardens and Villa “Hearts” by I Break Horses “Smoke Ring for my Halo” by Kurt Vile “Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped” by Moonface ‘“Rare” by Tearjerker “House of Balloons” by The Weeknd “The Year of Hibernation” by Youth Lagoon There you have it. The list of Favorite Album of 2011, as decided by me. The Favorite Songs of 2011 list should provide more fun, as there will be accompanying sounds to go with, and the entire collection spreads far and wide. That should be up in the next couple of days. In the meantime, how about them albums? Did i drop the ball or forget anything? Surely, I did. At any rate, thanks for reading, take care, hope you enjoyed any or all of these as much as i have. 

P|M|W’s FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2011

This took me a lot longer to finalize than I had planned. Truth be told, last year’s came easier because as a whole, I felt last year had a stronger collection of albums - so much so that I just picked a favorite and had everything else tie for second. This year, I felt that I had some room between some of them that I could play with and in the resulting list, actually pick a top ten favorites. 

I use the word “Favorite” because this list was made by me, and I wouldn’t want to pretend that I am capable of knowing what’s “best” for anyone, so what you’re looking at is a list that’s my favorites. Not intended to spark an argument, but mostly hoping to maybe shine a light on an artist or album that perhaps you didn’t catch earlier in the year and when lined up next to some of these others, you might take the time to check them out as well. 

So, without further ado, I’m going to list my top ten with short explanations, and then the back ten are the ten most played, most favorite, most-most that didn’t crack the ten (in alphabetical order). Hope you enjoy. The Favorite Songs lists will be up in the next couple of days with accompanying podcast and I promise they’ll be much more thorough and interesting, as they’ll be audible. 

THE LIST///TOP TEN FAVORITE ALBUMS (2011)

  1. “The King of Limbs” by Radiohead :: If you are familiar with my previous top five lists of years past, you know that I have a fondness for Radiohead. More often than not, they make my top spot. So this shouldn’t be as much of a surprise, but to me it really is. When I first heard “TKOL” I was underwhelmed. I enjoyed what I heard but it didn’t stick like previous material. I sat the album aside and moved on. Then, somewhere around the time that Radiohead performed the “From the Basement” sessions, I pulled the album back out and where previously I had felt that I was being challenged, I suddenly felt that familiar warmth. The songs were growing on me and where previously, I had all but dismissed this album as the one where Radiohead got away from me, I was embracing the textures and the layers and melodies and rhythms. I came back to this album more than any other this year and with each listen I discovered more to love. It wasn’t the mindblowing, earth shattering release that I was expecting to top my list, but that album never came. What came was a surprise album by my favorite band that i was not ready for, but luckily was still around when i found my reasons to be ready. I love the album. It’s not their best, but this year it was my favorite. 
  2. “Bon Iver, Bon Iver” by Bon Iver :: You could almost hear the backlash growing before the final notes of the final song played. Yes, it will appear on as many “best of” lists as it will on “most overrated” lists, but that’s just fine. For me, the album works. It’s a reminder of music that I hadn’t thought of in ages, by an artist who’s had hands in dozens of my favorite songs of the past few years. I trusted Justin Vernon to not rely on his simple charms and he didn’t disappoint. The album can be challenging to those expecting twelve more variations on “Skinny Love”, but anyone paying attention could see that this is a direction that he was likely to head from the moment he started touring in support of “For Emma”. I happened to really love the direction. I might not love the next, but that’s just fine. When you love something an artist has done, you’re not signing on for life. You can exit the bus at any stop. I’m happy to stick around and hear some more electric piano and abstract lyrics for the time being. It’s produced some really beautiful, haunting, and in the end welcoming music. No complaints. 
  3. “Burst Apart” by The Antlers :: Talk about low expectations. I had nothing going in to my first listen of “Burst Apart”. “Hospice” was a fine album, but a little dreary and easily forgotten for me at that time. “Burst Apart” felt like a band awakened and challenged to write big, expansive, artistically engaging pop songs and they lived up to the task without fail. Also, the 1-2-3 hit of “Hounds”, “Corsicana”, and “Putting the Dog to Sleep” are the best sequential album run all year. 
  4. “Days” by Real Estate :: At first listen I was afraid everything blended and sounded overly similar, but a couple of more listens and the details started flooding forth. It’s a deceptively simple album loaded with wonderful writing, beautiful melodies and incredible craftsmanship. “Days” just hit on all cylinders for me and reminded me of why I love bands who don’t shy from a well written pop hook. 
  5. “Charade is Gold” by Pulseprogramming :: Sort of what I’d hoped a grown-up version of Postal Service to sound like - only better. It’s a gorgeous, haunting, synth pop masterpiece. 
  6. “Our Blood” by Richard Buckner :: A criminally underrated singer-songwriter turned in his best album in years and again, no one seemed to notice. Some of the best writing I heard all year and Buckner’s vocals is still one of my favorite lived-in, weary instruments in all of music. 
  7. “Yuck” by Yuck :: Smart, nostalgic, indie pop that holds up with some of the greats. “Stutter” is one of the best songs of the year. 
  8. “The Ocean” by Two Bicycles :: While everyone was waiting for the new Teen Daze album to drop, many seemed to fail to notice that he’s already dropped an album one million times better just a couple of months before and it explored more interesting soundscapes by far. 
  9. “Moon Killer” by Small Black :: Had this been a full fleshed out album, it would have been higher. Small Black turned in one of the biggest surprises of the year with a free mixtape that makes me hope and wish that their next studio outing has this kind of sound, and this sort of confidence. Fucking killer songs. 
  10. “Romantic Comedy” by Big Troubles :: Maybe the catchiest, most infectious album that I heard all year. Loaded with dreamy, lo-fi, shoegazer sounds, but as good as they all are, none of them touch the brilliant album closer, “Never Mine”. 

There you have my top ten. I could surely go on and on, but I’m sure more of you stopped reading back at Radiohead. For that, I will rush through and just list the back ten. In alphabetical order as I could not choose one over the other. These are simply the albums that I lived in and carried with me the most throughout the year (save for the first ten). Any of these ten would be a great listen. I can’t recommend them enough. 

  • “You Are All I See” by Active Child
  • “The Rip Tide” by Beirut
  • “On the Water” by Future Islands
  • “Gardens and Villa” by Gardens and Villa
  • “Hearts” by I Break Horses
  • “Smoke Ring for my Halo” by Kurt Vile
  • “Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped” by Moonface
  • ‘“Rare” by Tearjerker
  • “House of Balloons” by The Weeknd
  • “The Year of Hibernation” by Youth Lagoon

There you have it. The list of Favorite Album of 2011, as decided by me. The Favorite Songs of 2011 list should provide more fun, as there will be accompanying sounds to go with, and the entire collection spreads far and wide. That should be up in the next couple of days. In the meantime, how about them albums? Did i drop the ball or forget anything? Surely, I did. At any rate, thanks for reading, take care, hope you enjoyed any or all of these as much as i have. 

    #top 5  #2011  #favorite albums  #top 5 albums  #radiohead  #bon iver  #justin vernon  #thom yorke  #the antlers  #real estate  #pulseprogramming  #richard buckner  #yuck  #two bicycles  #small black  #big troubles  #active child  #beirut  #future islands  #gardens and villa  #i break horses  #kurt vile  #moonface  #spencer krug  #tearjerker  #the weeknd  #youth lagoon  
    5 months ago on December 11, 2011 at 07:20pm with 41 notes

    Freakish atlantic - Siren Song

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    “Siren Song” by Freakish Atlantic // Siren Songs EP (2011)

    Sometimes it’s nice to hear something that doesn’t try to push boundaries and be the sexiest sound on the scene. I know that sounds a bit ridiculous. Like asking a band to be middle of the road, but that’s not at all what I’m saying. What I’m saying is that in the constant influx of new music consistently going for the one upmanship of who can cram the sexiest digitized sax solo or warped, glitch beats or whatever the fuck is hot today that will be hated on tomorrow, it’s just nice to hear a solid, earnest pop song that’s not trying to trick you with anything but good song craft. “Siren Song” by Freakish Atlantic is a sweet, twinkling dream pop/folk track that calls to mind The Antlers, Descended Like Vultures-era Rogue Wave, and Transatlanliticism-era Death Cab for Cutie. Highly recommended. 

    Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go try to find the hottest new bro-wave, shit-glitch, surf-gaze, post-post-dubstep band (with Paul Simon influences). I hear there’s one in Northern Alaska going by the name Digital Teardrop and they literally make you shit your pants. 

    (download for free) Siren Song EP by Freakish Atlantic (via Bandcamp)

    #freakish atlantic  #folk  #dream pop  #folkwave  #RIYL:  #the antlers  #rogue wave  #death cab for cutie  
    6 months ago on November 30, 2011 at 11:34am with 11 notes
    Via SoundCloud / lazyacrerecords

    The Antlers - Hounds (Daytrotter Session)

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    “Hounds” by The Antlers // Daytrotter Big Orange Studios (11.23.11)

    The Antlers’ recent visit to Daytrotter produced a gorgeous batch of in-studio cuts from their breathtaking album, Burst Apart. The stripped back production didn’t effect the outcome in the slightest, as evidenced by the damn near perfect take on album standout, “Hounds”. It’s one of my favorite songs of the year done for the great site, Daytrotter. Definitely worth a couple of dozens listens. 

    (stream & purchase) The Antlers’ @ Big Orange Studios (via Daytrotter)

    #the antlers  #daytrotter  #big orange studios  #dream pop  #in studio  #indie rock  #ethereal  
    6 months ago on November 24, 2011 at 08:50pm with 19 notes
    Via SoundCloud / languidsounds1

    The Antlers - VCR (The XX cover)

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    “VCR” by The Antlers // Originally by The XX // (together) (2011)

    The Antlers already have one of the best albums of the year, but not content to just rest on that simple fact, they’re back with a new EP of collaborations, b-sides, and this cover of The XX’s “VCR”. It’s pretty much exactly the kind of layered beauty that you’d expect from the Antlers covering The XX, so press play and vibe out to this dreamy goodness. 

    (download) “VCR” by The Antlers (via Pitchfork)

    #the antlers  #the xx  #indie  #dream pop  #cover  
    6 months ago on November 09, 2011 at 11:09am with 323 notes
    zoom
    THE MAGNETIC FIELDS // COVERED Here you will find a collection of covers from the catalog of The Magnetic Fields, as performed by indie bands over the past decade. I have actually had this sitting around for a few months and had forgotten that it was never posted, but lo and behold, I found it and figured it was time. This is a bit smaller than the previous Covered Mixtapes, but that’s all right because there is not a sore recording in the bunch.  So, without further ado, here’s a collection of songs originally performed by The Magnetic Fields as re-interpreted by artists over the years.  PLAYLIST: (click on the band name for more info on the artists) The Shins - Strange Powers Superchunk - 100,000 Fireflies Arcade Fire - Born on a Train Ben Gibbard - I Don’t Want To Get Over You Tracey Thorn & Jens Lekman - Yeah! Oh Yeah! Portastatic - Josephine Bright Eyes - Papa Was a Rodeo Bodies of Water - I Don’t Believe in the Sun The Divine Comedy - Love is Lighter than Air The Antlers - Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing Woodpigeon - Asleep and Dreaming Kings of Convenience - The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side Lush - I Have the Moon Now it’s Overhead - The Book of Love !!! - Take Ecstacy With Me (download)  THE MAGNETIC FIELDS // COVERED   (mediafire) or STREAM OVER AT 8TRACKS PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTISTS THAT YOU FIND AND ENJOY. BUY THEIR MUSIC, MERCHANDISE AND TICKETS TO SEE THEIR SHOWS. SUPPORTING THEM IS THE ONLY PURPOSE IN DOING THIS BLOG. CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS OF SOME, MUSIC BLOGS ARE A GREAT WAY TO DISCOVER NEW MUSIC, BUT THERE WILL ONLY BE SO MUCH NEW MUSIC TO GO AROUND IF THESE ARTISTS CAN’T AFFORD TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES THROUGH THEIR ART AND COMMERCE. ONLY USE THESE MIXTAPES AS A GUIDE TO FIND SOMETHING TO THROW YOUR (FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL) SUPPORT BEHIND.

    THE MAGNETIC FIELDS // COVERED

    Here you will find a collection of covers from the catalog of The Magnetic Fields, as performed by indie bands over the past decade. I have actually had this sitting around for a few months and had forgotten that it was never posted, but lo and behold, I found it and figured it was time. This is a bit smaller than the previous Covered Mixtapes, but that’s all right because there is not a sore recording in the bunch. 

    So, without further ado, here’s a collection of songs originally performed by The Magnetic Fields as re-interpreted by artists over the years. 

    PLAYLIST: (click on the band name for more info on the artists)

    1. The Shins - Strange Powers
    2. Superchunk - 100,000 Fireflies
    3. Arcade Fire - Born on a Train
    4. Ben Gibbard - I Don’t Want To Get Over You
    5. Tracey Thorn & Jens Lekman - Yeah! Oh Yeah!
    6. Portastatic - Josephine
    7. Bright Eyes - Papa Was a Rodeo
    8. Bodies of Water - I Don’t Believe in the Sun
    9. The Divine Comedy - Love is Lighter than Air
    10. The Antlers - Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing
    11. Woodpigeon - Asleep and Dreaming
    12. Kings of Convenience - The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side
    13. Lush - I Have the Moon
    14. Now it’s Overhead - The Book of Love
    15. !!! - Take Ecstacy With Me

    (download)  THE MAGNETIC FIELDS // COVERED   (mediafire)

    or STREAM OVER AT 8TRACKS

    PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTISTS THAT YOU FIND AND ENJOY. BUY THEIR MUSIC, MERCHANDISE AND TICKETS TO SEE THEIR SHOWS. SUPPORTING THEM IS THE ONLY PURPOSE IN DOING THIS BLOG. CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS OF SOME, MUSIC BLOGS ARE A GREAT WAY TO DISCOVER NEW MUSIC, BUT THERE WILL ONLY BE SO MUCH NEW MUSIC TO GO AROUND IF THESE ARTISTS CAN’T AFFORD TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES THROUGH THEIR ART AND COMMERCE. ONLY USE THESE MIXTAPES AS A GUIDE TO FIND SOMETHING TO THROW YOUR (FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL) SUPPORT BEHIND.


    #the magnetic fields  #stephin merritt  #!!!  #the shins  #the antlers  #Arcade Fire  #Death Cab For Cutie  #ben gibbard  #portastatic  #Now It's Overhead  #lush  #kings of convenience  #woodpigeon  #the divine comedy  #bodies of water  #bright eyes  #conor oberst  #tracey thorn  #jens lekman  #superchunk  #indie pop  #indie  #shoegaze  #dream pop  #covers  #covered  
    9 months ago on August 09, 2011 at 11:46pm with 220 notes

    “Parentheses” by The Antlers & Bear In Heaven // In-Studio Session

    Well here goes a full on jam session between two of the most exciting bands out there right now. The Antlers invited Bear in Heaven into the studio to collaborate on a jam session of “Parentheses” and this sonic madness occurred. It’s a long one, but it’s interesting ear candy all the same.

    #bear in heaven  #the antlers  #in studio  #video  #indie  #electro  #synth-gaze  #Experimental  #synth pop  
    11 months ago on June 30, 2011 at 06:09pm with 13 notes
    zoom
    FAVORITE ALBUMS OF THE FIRST HALF OF 2011 I had ten nailed down and then Bon Iver had to go and release an album, so now there are eleven. I didn’t expect to be so taken with that album but, truth be told, I have fallen completely in love with it these past few days, so I’m holding it up in the current top three. I’ve chosen a top three, but the rest are all alphabetical. Moods change day to day and I might go nuts for something tomorrow that’s not even on my list, but the albums selected here are my most played, as well as the ones that just stuck out for me in the first six months of this year. So in the event you give have a shit - Bon Iver - Bon Iver (startlingly great. an album full of warm and familiar influences that I was completely not expecting. The vocals are perfect and the music and lyrics are just challenging enough to keep me replaying tracks to catch all of the wonderful little intricacies hidden inside.) The Antlers - Burst Apart (a dark, beautiful album that is incredible throughout, but offers the best three songs in succession (the last 3 tracks) of any album i’ve heard since LCD Soundsystem’s “This is Happening”. It’s leaps and bounds better than their first disc and I loved that album - so, yeah…) Radiohead - The King of Limbs (it’s my favorite band, and this might be the first time they’ve ever released an album that wasn’t immediately my favorite of the year. That being said, it’s a wonderfully detailed album full of incredible little moments. Plays more like an EP than a full album. No complaints here, but just not as many explosively wonderful moments as I’m used to hearing from a new Radiohead album).  The Rest: Belong - Common Era Chad VanGaalen - Diaper Island Hooray for Earth - True Loves Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for my Halo TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light Two Bicycles - The Ocean Wild Beasts - Smother Yuck - Yuck There you have it. Nothing special for the album list, but the favorite songs list coming tomorrow and will have accompanying sounds to help explain myself. Also, I couldn’t narrow those down, so expect a list 30 tracks deep. Have I missed anything? Am I jumping the gun by giving Bon Iver the best album so far selection after only a few days? Probably, but maybe not. What about you guys? What are your favorites that were released this year? Let’s hear yours for the first six months of 2011. Fingers crossed, the next six months will have an equal amount of wonderful gems to discover. So… what am i missing? Or - do you agree?

    FAVORITE ALBUMS OF THE FIRST HALF OF 2011

    I had ten nailed down and then Bon Iver had to go and release an album, so now there are eleven. I didn’t expect to be so taken with that album but, truth be told, I have fallen completely in love with it these past few days, so I’m holding it up in the current top three. I’ve chosen a top three, but the rest are all alphabetical. Moods change day to day and I might go nuts for something tomorrow that’s not even on my list, but the albums selected here are my most played, as well as the ones that just stuck out for me in the first six months of this year.

    So in the event you give have a shit -

    1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver (startlingly great. an album full of warm and familiar influences that I was completely not expecting. The vocals are perfect and the music and lyrics are just challenging enough to keep me replaying tracks to catch all of the wonderful little intricacies hidden inside.)
    2. The Antlers - Burst Apart (a dark, beautiful album that is incredible throughout, but offers the best three songs in succession (the last 3 tracks) of any album i’ve heard since LCD Soundsystem’s “This is Happening”. It’s leaps and bounds better than their first disc and I loved that album - so, yeah…)
    3. Radiohead - The King of Limbs (it’s my favorite band, and this might be the first time they’ve ever released an album that wasn’t immediately my favorite of the year. That being said, it’s a wonderfully detailed album full of incredible little moments. Plays more like an EP than a full album. No complaints here, but just not as many explosively wonderful moments as I’m used to hearing from a new Radiohead album). 

    The Rest:

    • Belong - Common Era
    • Chad VanGaalen - Diaper Island
    • Hooray for Earth - True Loves
    • Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for my Halo
    • TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
    • Two Bicycles - The Ocean
    • Wild Beasts - Smother
    • Yuck - Yuck

    There you have it. Nothing special for the album list, but the favorite songs list coming tomorrow and will have accompanying sounds to help explain myself. Also, I couldn’t narrow those down, so expect a list 30 tracks deep.

    Have I missed anything? Am I jumping the gun by giving Bon Iver the best album so far selection after only a few days? Probably, but maybe not. What about you guys? What are your favorites that were released this year? Let’s hear yours for the first six months of 2011. Fingers crossed, the next six months will have an equal amount of wonderful gems to discover.

    So… what am i missing? Or - do you agree?

    #albums  #best of 2011 so far  #just bored and fucking around  #nonsense lists  #radiohead  #bon iver  #the antlers  #Kurt vile  #Hooray For Earth  #chad vangaalen  #belong  #TV on the Radio  #two bicycles  #wild beasts  #yuck  #lists  #fun stuff  
    1 year ago on May 20, 2011 at 01:22am with 41 notes
    zoom
    PERFECT MIDNIGHT WORLD : EPISODE THREE // MAY 15TH, 2011 (The Afterglow: Ep. 44) Broke out some old favorites from a decade or so back this week to go with all of the new music. Picked out several favorite new up and coming artists to spotlight. I think you’ll enjoy them if you’ve enjoyed any of these mixtapes in the past. I can’t slather enough praise on Hooray for Earth, so they’re included, but also be sure to check out new Cults, EMA, and Clock Opera - they’re some of my favorites among favorites. Check out the podcast and if you like what you hear, seek out the bands that grab your attention. As usual these P|M|W mixes are best heard at night. Make out, drive, study, sleep, or fuck to it. Do whatever you like, but please enjoy it. Featured Music (click the band name for more info on the band): Guards - Hear You Call Film School - Two Kinds The Antlers - Tongue Tied Dead Gaze - Take Me Home Or I Die Alone Dodos - Companions The Legends - When the Day is Done Epic45 - You Said Nothing Death Cab for Cutie - Blacking Out the Friction (Studio X Version) Austra - Crying (Roy Orbison cover) Bjork - It’s Not Up to You EMA - Breakfast Cults - Make Time Also - Frost Soft Metals - Psychic Driving Notwist - Consequence Clock Opera - Let Go the Lifeboats Teen Daze The Bluest Water I’d Ever Seen Saskatchewan - Beast Coast Jeans Wilder - In My Dreams Robin Guthrie - Emeralds Hooray for Earth - Black Trees The Twilight Singers - Into the Street Cinematic Orchestra - To Build a Home (download podcast) Perfect Midnight World Show : Episode Three (stream podcast) Perfect Midnight World Show : Ep. 3 (download mixtape) Perfect Midnight World//Episode Three ( MF | MU ) Please support the artists that you find and enjoy. Buy their music, merchandise and tickets to see their shows. Supporting them is the only purpose in doing this blog. Contrary to the opinions of some, music blogs are a great way to discover new music, but there will only be so much new music to go around if these artists can’t afford to support themselves through their art and commerce. Only use these mixtapes as a guide to find something to throw your (financial and emotional) support behind. Check out the previous P|M|W // Afterglow Episodes.

    PERFECT MIDNIGHT WORLD : EPISODE THREE // MAY 15TH, 2011 (The Afterglow: Ep. 44)

    Broke out some old favorites from a decade or so back this week to go with all of the new music. Picked out several favorite new up and coming artists to spotlight. I think you’ll enjoy them if you’ve enjoyed any of these mixtapes in the past. I can’t slather enough praise on Hooray for Earth, so they’re included, but also be sure to check out new Cults, EMA, and Clock Opera - they’re some of my favorites among favorites.

    Check out the podcast and if you like what you hear, seek out the bands that grab your attention. As usual these P|M|W mixes are best heard at night. Make out, drive, study, sleep, or fuck to it. Do whatever you like, but please enjoy it.

    Featured Music (click the band name for more info on the band):

    1. Guards - Hear You Call
    2. Film School - Two Kinds
    3. The Antlers - Tongue Tied
    4. Dead Gaze - Take Me Home Or I Die Alone
    5. Dodos - Companions
    6. The Legends - When the Day is Done
    7. Epic45 - You Said Nothing
    8. Death Cab for Cutie - Blacking Out the Friction (Studio X Version)
    9. Austra - Crying (Roy Orbison cover)
    10. Bjork - It’s Not Up to You
    11. EMA - Breakfast
    12. Cults - Make Time
    13. Also - Frost
    14. Soft Metals - Psychic Driving
    15. Notwist - Consequence
    16. Clock Opera - Let Go the Lifeboats
    17. Teen Daze The Bluest Water I’d Ever Seen
    18. Saskatchewan - Beast Coast
    19. Jeans Wilder - In My Dreams
    20. Robin Guthrie - Emeralds
    21. Hooray for Earth - Black Trees
    22. The Twilight Singers - Into the Street
    23. Cinematic Orchestra - To Build a Home

    (download podcast) Perfect Midnight World Show : Episode Three

    (stream podcast) Perfect Midnight World Show : Ep. 3

    (download mixtape) Perfect Midnight World//Episode Three ( MF | MU )

    Please support the artists that you find and enjoy. Buy their music, merchandise and tickets to see their shows. Supporting them is the only purpose in doing this blog. Contrary to the opinions of some, music blogs are a great way to discover new music, but there will only be so much new music to go around if these artists can’t afford to support themselves through their art and commerce. Only use these mixtapes as a guide to find something to throw your (financial and emotional) support behind.

    Check out the previous P|M|W // Afterglow Episodes.

    #Mixtape  #the afterglow  #podcast  #dream pop  #shoegaze  #ambient  #indie  #indie pop  #guards  #film school  #the antlers  #dead gaze  #dodos  #the legends  #Epic45  #Death Cab For Cutie  #austra  #bjork  #ema  #cults  #also  #soft metals  #notwist  #clock opera  #teen daze  #saskatchewan  #jeans wilder  #robin guthrie  #Hooray For Earth  #the twilight singers  
    1 year ago on May 15, 2011 at 06:56pm with 25 notes

    The Antlers - Corsicana

    [Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

    “Corsicana” by The Antlers // from the album, Burst Apart

    I could close my eyes and just live inside this song. It’s like floating through some gorgeous dream. Those ethereal, sighing synths that keep building are absolute perfection.

    The last three songs on this album (“Hounds”, “Corsicana”, and “Putting the Dog to Sleep”) are utterly perfect. It’s the finest closing to an album that I’ve heard in ages.

    #the antlers  #Favorite New Music  #burst apart  #indie  #dream pop  #ethereal  #beautiful music  #mp3  
    1 year ago on April 26, 2011 at 12:55am with 69 notes
    Via danceyrselfclean
    zoom
    THE AFTERGLOW : EPISODE 41 (revived) This week is another solid week of great tracks from the worlds of indie, dream pop, shoegaze, and lo fi. I was a little busy this week with work things so I had to get an assist from Danceyrselfclean (who’s page I plundered for some excellent additions to this week’s episode) and the end result is some excellent fucking music. Please support the bands that strike your fancy (especially the lesser known talent). Thank you for all the support, likes, and reblogs, and as usual these Afterglow mixes are best heard at night. Make out, drive, study, sleep, or fuck to it. Do whatever you like, but please enjoy it. PLAYLIST: (click band name for band site // scroll down for DL links) girls names - I LOSE the heavenly states - BERLIN WALL (Feat. Britt Daniel of Spoon) the black angels - THE BOAT SONG thee oh sees - I NEED SEED the flaming lips - SMOTHERED IN HUGS (Guided by Voices cover) pinback - THEE SCRUM PROGGITT yeasayer - PHOENIX WIND blood orange - DINNER john maus - BELIEVER blackbird blackbird - OVERBOARD jesse ruins - DREAM ANALYSIS how to dress well - READY FOR THE WORLD (STAR SLINGER REFIX) quiet lights - NO MORE CRAYONS 13 & god - ET TU sharon van etten - LIKE A DIAMOND (Glass Ghost cover) julian lynch - DISAPPOINTMENT skeletons - PEOPLE the morning benders - OH ANNIE the national - EXILE VILIFY the antlers - HOUNDS (download links) THE AFTERGLOW : EPISODE 41 ( MU | MF ) Please support the artists that you find and enjoy. Buy their music, merchandise and tickets to see their shows. Supporting them is the only purpose in doing this blog. Contrary to the opinions of some, music blogs are a great way to discover new music, but there will only be so much new music to go around if these artists can’t afford to support themselves through their art and commerce. Only use these mixtapes as a guide to find something to throw your (financial and emotional) support behind.  Check out the previous Afterglow Episodes.

    THE AFTERGLOW : EPISODE 41 (revived)

    This week is another solid week of great tracks from the worlds of indie, dream pop, shoegaze, and lo fi. I was a little busy this week with work things so I had to get an assist from Danceyrselfclean (who’s page I plundered for some excellent additions to this week’s episode) and the end result is some excellent fucking music.

    Please support the bands that strike your fancy (especially the lesser known talent). Thank you for all the support, likes, and reblogs, and as usual these Afterglow mixes are best heard at night. Make out, drive, study, sleep, or fuck to it. Do whatever you like, but please enjoy it.

    PLAYLIST: (click band name for band site // scroll down for DL links)

    1. girls names - I LOSE
    2. the heavenly states - BERLIN WALL (Feat. Britt Daniel of Spoon)
    3. the black angels - THE BOAT SONG
    4. thee oh sees - I NEED SEED
    5. the flaming lips - SMOTHERED IN HUGS (Guided by Voices cover)
    6. pinback - THEE SCRUM PROGGITT
    7. yeasayer - PHOENIX WIND
    8. blood orange - DINNER
    9. john maus - BELIEVER
    10. blackbird blackbird - OVERBOARD
    11. jesse ruins - DREAM ANALYSIS
    12. how to dress well - READY FOR THE WORLD (STAR SLINGER REFIX)
    13. quiet lights - NO MORE CRAYONS
    14. 13 & god - ET TU
    15. sharon van etten - LIKE A DIAMOND (Glass Ghost cover)
    16. julian lynch - DISAPPOINTMENT
    17. skeletons - PEOPLE
    18. the morning benders - OH ANNIE
    19. the national - EXILE VILIFY
    20. the antlers - HOUNDS

    (download links) THE AFTERGLOW : EPISODE 41 ( MU | MF )

    Please support the artists that you find and enjoy. Buy their music, merchandise and tickets to see their shows. Supporting them is the only purpose in doing this blog. Contrary to the opinions of some, music blogs are a great way to discover new music, but there will only be so much new music to go around if these artists can’t afford to support themselves through their art and commerce. Only use these mixtapes as a guide to find something to throw your (financial and emotional) support behind. 

    Check out the previous Afterglow Episodes.

    #the afterglow  #Mixtape  #dream pop  #shoegaze  #glo fi  #lo fi  #indie  #support these bands  #The National  #the antlers  #girls names  #spoon  #Britt Daniel  #Pinback  #Yeasayer  #blood orange  #star slinger  #how to dress well  #the morning benders  #skeletons  #julian lynch  
    1 year ago on April 25, 2011 at 06:27pm with 48 notes

    The Antlers - Putting The Dog To Sleep

    [Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

    “Putting the Dog to Sleep” by The Antlers // from the album, Burst Apart

    I’ve been waiting for this album for a while now and I’m so happy to hear it without having any feeling of being let down. Expectations can be a bastard to wrangle sometimes, but other times things just fall into place. This song has a lot of emotions running throughout - heavy imagery and emotional weight, but at the same time it’s gorgeous and sweet and sexy with this dreamy, bluesy, hymnal quality to it. It’s fucking exquisite late night listening.

    Highly recommended for people with working ears.

    #the antlers  #burst apart  #npr stream  #indie  #bluesy  #dream pop  #baroque  #mp3  #Favorite New Music  
    1 year ago on April 25, 2011 at 02:00am with 81 notes
    zoom
    THE AFTERGLOW : EPISODE 40 (revived) This episode here is a real treat. It’s 90 minutes of excellent new music from bands as big as LCD Soundsystem & Radiohead right down to smaller, lesser known acts like Moonbell, Memoryhouse, and Xylos. It’s been an excellent couple of weeks for new music and I’ve compiled my favorite dreamy (sometimes creepy), late night treats here for your listening pleasure. As usual, these Afterglow mixes are best heard at night. Make out, drive, study, sleep, fuck to it - do whatever you like, but please enjoy it. PLAYLIST: (click band name for band site // scroll down for DL links) santigold (feat. karen o) - GO deerhunter - NOSEBLEED boat - CLASSICALLY TRAINED cults - ABDUCTED handsome furs - BURY ME STANDING dominant legs - CLAWING OUT AT THE WALLS young brother - THE WALL the antlers - EVERY NIGHT MY TEETH ARE FALLING OUT lord huron - THE STRANGER lcd soundsystem - LIVE ALONE (Franz Ferdinand cover) radiohead - SUPERCOLLIDER purity ring - LOFTICRIES california wives - TOKYO xylos - TOO LATE grinderman - EVIL (“Silver Alert” Remix feat. Matt Berninger of The National) guillemots - WALK THE RIVER blouse - SHADOW memoryhouse - SLEEP PATTERNS matthew cooper - WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND grouper - A LIE lykke li - VELVET (The Big Pink cover) moonbell - FIGURINE (download) The Afterglow : Episode 40 ( MU | MF ) Please support the artists that you find and enjoy. Buy their music, merchandise and tickets to see their shows. Supporting them is the only purpose in doing this blog. Contrary to the opinions of some, music blogs are a great way to discover new music, but there will only be so much new music to go around if these artists can’t afford to support themselves through their art and commerce. Only use these mixtapes as a guide to find something to throw your (financial and emotional) support behind. Check out the previous Afterglow Episodes.

    THE AFTERGLOW : EPISODE 40 (revived)

    This episode here is a real treat. It’s 90 minutes of excellent new music from bands as big as LCD Soundsystem & Radiohead right down to smaller, lesser known acts like Moonbell, Memoryhouse, and Xylos. It’s been an excellent couple of weeks for new music and I’ve compiled my favorite dreamy (sometimes creepy), late night treats here for your listening pleasure.

    As usual, these Afterglow mixes are best heard at night. Make out, drive, study, sleep, fuck to it - do whatever you like, but please enjoy it.

    PLAYLIST: (click band name for band site // scroll down for DL links)

    1. santigold (feat. karen o) - GO
    2. deerhunter - NOSEBLEED
    3. boat - CLASSICALLY TRAINED
    4. cults - ABDUCTED
    5. handsome furs - BURY ME STANDING
    6. dominant legs - CLAWING OUT AT THE WALLS
    7. young brother - THE WALL
    8. the antlers - EVERY NIGHT MY TEETH ARE FALLING OUT
    9. lord huron - THE STRANGER
    10. lcd soundsystem - LIVE ALONE (Franz Ferdinand cover)
    11. radiohead - SUPERCOLLIDER
    12. purity ring - LOFTICRIES
    13. california wives - TOKYO
    14. xylos - TOO LATE
    15. grinderman - EVIL (“Silver Alert” Remix feat. Matt Berninger of The National)
    16. guillemots - WALK THE RIVER
    17. blouse - SHADOW
    18. memoryhouse - SLEEP PATTERNS
    19. matthew cooper - WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND
    20. grouper - A LIE
    21. lykke li - VELVET (The Big Pink cover)
    22. moonbell - FIGURINE

    (download) The Afterglow : Episode 40 ( MU | MF )

    Please support the artists that you find and enjoy. Buy their music, merchandise and tickets to see their shows. Supporting them is the only purpose in doing this blog. Contrary to the opinions of some, music blogs are a great way to discover new music, but there will only be so much new music to go around if these artists can’t afford to support themselves through their art and commerce. Only use these mixtapes as a guide to find something to throw your (financial and emotional) support behind.

    Check out the previous Afterglow Episodes.

    #Mixtape  #the afterglow  #dream pop  #shoegaze  #indie  #ambient  #drone  #jangle pop  #radiohead  #deerhunter  #purity ring  #xylos  #lcd soundsystem  #young brother  #the national  #matt berninger  #lykke li  #the antlers  #handsome furs  #cults  #California Wives  #blouse  #Memoryhouse  #grouper  #Karen O  
    1 year ago on April 16, 2011 at 05:56pm with 54 notes
    zoom
    THE AFTERGLOW : EPISODE 39 Before I get back to the “Catching Up With” mixtapes, I felt like compiling a collection of my great tracks that have that late-night feel. It’s been a great couple of weeks for new music and here you will find some of my personal dreamy, chilled favorites. As always - thank you for all the support, likes, and reblogs, and as usual these Afterglow mixes are best heard at night. Make out, drive, study, sleep, or fuck to it. Do whatever you like, but please enjoy it. PLAYLIST: (individual tracks have links, full mixtape link at bottom) all tiny creatures - BREATHING SET seapony - EMMA’S HOUSE (The Field Mice cover) cults - THE CURSE les jupes - THIS PLACE OWES US the antlers - PARENTHESES the weeknd - WICKED GAMES jamie woon - MIDDLE luminary youth - DIAMOND SKIES (Warpaint // Undertow) the morning benders - BETTER IN BLUE beirut - O LEOZINHO bonnie “prince” billy - ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD WILL CLAP THEIR HANDS (Sufjan Stevens cover) the fruhsticks - SIN IN MY HEART (Siouxsie & the Banshees cover) blouse - FIRESTARTER sun glitters - SOFTLY & SLOWLY (Feat. Rob Boak) toro y moi - I WILL TALK TO YOU youngteam - MY ONLY FRIEND the raveonettes - EVIL SEEDS epic45 - THE WEATHER IS NOT YOUR FRIEND tv on the radio - FORGOTTEN chad vangaalen - SARA two bicycles - ALONE AT SEA panda bear - BENFICA (download) The Afterglow : Episode 39 Please support the artists that you like and reblog to share with friends. Check out the previous Afterglow Episodes.

    THE AFTERGLOW : EPISODE 39

    Before I get back to the “Catching Up With” mixtapes, I felt like compiling a collection of my great tracks that have that late-night feel. It’s been a great couple of weeks for new music and here you will find some of my personal dreamy, chilled favorites.

    As always - thank you for all the support, likes, and reblogs, and as usual these Afterglow mixes are best heard at night. Make out, drive, study, sleep, or fuck to it. Do whatever you like, but please enjoy it.

    PLAYLIST: (individual tracks have links, full mixtape link at bottom)

    1. all tiny creatures - BREATHING SET
    2. seapony - EMMA’S HOUSE (The Field Mice cover)
    3. cults - THE CURSE
    4. les jupes - THIS PLACE OWES US
    5. the antlers - PARENTHESES
    6. the weeknd - WICKED GAMES
    7. jamie woon - MIDDLE
    8. luminary youth - DIAMOND SKIES (Warpaint // Undertow)
    9. the morning benders - BETTER IN BLUE
    10. beirut - O LEOZINHO
    11. bonnie “prince” billy - ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD WILL CLAP THEIR HANDS (Sufjan Stevens cover)
    12. the fruhsticks - SIN IN MY HEART (Siouxsie & the Banshees cover)
    13. blouse - FIRESTARTER
    14. sun glitters - SOFTLY & SLOWLY (Feat. Rob Boak)
    15. toro y moi - I WILL TALK TO YOU
    16. youngteam - MY ONLY FRIEND
    17. the raveonettes - EVIL SEEDS
    18. epic45 - THE WEATHER IS NOT YOUR FRIEND
    19. tv on the radio - FORGOTTEN
    20. chad vangaalen - SARA
    21. two bicycles - ALONE AT SEA
    22. panda bear - BENFICA

    (download) The Afterglow : Episode 39

    Please support the artists that you like and reblog to share with friends.

    Check out the previous Afterglow Episodes.

    #Mixtape  #chillwave  #dream pop  #glo fi  #indie  #psych pop  #shoegaze  #the afterglow  #Sufjan Stevens  #Bonnie Prince Billy  #all tiny creatures  #Siouxsie and the Banshees  #the antlers  #Panda Bear  #Toro y Moi  
    1 year ago on April 04, 2011 at 09:08pm with 21 notes