With the epic battle between the Blackhawks and the Canucks transpiring, it is important now more than ever that Americans come together for the common good. To root for the Canucks, I’m certain, is a form of light treason. But in the wake of this hefty competition with our neighbors to the North, I still have a soft spot for good music. And if The New Pornographers just happen to be Canadian, then so be it. I still hate the Canucks though. So there.
The New Pornographers have been making music since 1997 (the same year as “Semi-Charmed Kinda Life”, “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Mmm Bop” so yeah, it was a good year.) Their sound is very Indie pop rock (if that is even a thing) and has a generally up-beat sound and a really good mix of vocals. The band line-up is extensive with eight full-time members and a slew of help from other musicians for a total mix of guitars, keyboards, banjo, violin, cello, saxophone, flute, trumpet, drums, vibrophone and a ton of other things including a Kaossilator (whatever that is.)
Their newest release Together comes at the perfect time to support their European and soon-to-be American tour dates this summer. Try out “Up In the Dark”, “Moves” or “Your Hands (Together)” for some of that Indie pop rock I keep talking about a paragraph ago, or give “Daughters of Sorrow” or “Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk” a whirl if you’re looking for some milder Indie pop rock. Either way you get pop rock. So everyone wins.
Check out the video with The New Pornographers and Adam Goldberg:
Buy the album:
Sometimes life isn’t fair. Like when a vending machine eats your money or when the Comcast guy doesn’t show up on time. Or even when the UK gets an album released months before the US gets a chance to get their hands on it. Because that’s what happened with Athlete. The album part I mean. Not the vending machine or Comcast stuff. That wouldn’t make sense.
Athlete is an indie rock band from London so you know their good right off the bat. I mean, The Beatles came from the UK so, you know, it’s kind of the same thing. Their new release Black Swan is a melodic rock album that creates a mellower sound focused on each individual aspect of the music. With some songs incorporating hints of electronic and some songs keeping it simple with just vocals and guitar, the album’s unique variety will keep you coming back for more.
Black Swan, to me, is one of those albums you listen to the first couple of times not fully appreciating the full extent of the music. A few more times around and you start to catch things that are completely appealing. This is definitely not an epic soundscape of massive proportions, but if you’re looking for something to chill with and a decent album to appreciate, check out Black Swan.
Here’s the video for the single “Superhuman Touch”:
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Spoon – “Got Nuffin”
We recently featured Spoon on our New Music Tuesday with their new album Transference, but what we didn’t feature was this rousing track that’s getting heavy radio play on the alternative circuit. Lucky for me (and you) I’m in an alternative mood, so it works out. Plus, you’ve got nuffin to lose…
Buy the song:
Amazon Music
iTunes
Hot Hot Heat – “Talk To Me, Dance With Me”
This song spicy. A little rock, a little salsa, a little hot sauce and a little south of the border (even though these guys are originally from north of the border in British Columbia.) Who would have thought Canadians could rock out this much? Sorry Canadians.
Buy the song:
Amazon Music
iTunes
Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is the Move”
With a sweet name like Dirty Projectors, how could you go wrong? With electronic drum beats and instrumental melodies that are far from the norm, these guys definitely bring something new to the table. The band consists of a multitude of sounds and vocals that all intertwine in perfect sync like N’Sync. Ok, maybe not like N’Sync, but that’s the first thing that came to mind. But seriously, they aren’t like N’Sync. Seriously.
Buy the song:
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iTunes
Music can be one of the most powerful agents of change. It is a way to connect with people without being intrusive and allows a person to connect with an artist or a song they can relate to on a personal level. On some occasions the cooperation is so massive it makes an impact on an international scale with artists across all genres. With music festivals like Live Aid in 1985 to Live 8 in 2005, artists recognize the importance of music to reach the masses.
However, more and more people are changing the way they communicate using any and all means possible to show the struggles many face every day. The issues that we know about, but might not think about all the time are realities for some people every day. Awareness is the first step towards change and that’s exactly what the documentary The People Speak is trying to do. With big name actors like Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Marisa Tomei, Danny Glover, Sean Penn, Don Cheadle and a slew of other celebrities, the movie puts a voice to some of the most pressing issues we face today spanning war, class, race and women’s rights.
But the cool thing about the documentary that really adds to the impact are the big-name musicians that decided to add their voices to the message. Releasing today, the soundtrack for the documentary The People Speak offers up music from such epic artists as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne. You’ll hear stripped down tracks that showcase the message over the artist. The feeling you get listening to this album is hard to explain as it’s not often you’re able to hear the message in the music on such a level where it doesn’t matter if it’s John Legend, Randy Newman or Eddie Vedder singing; all you hear is the message.
A few notable songs on the album include “American Terrorist” by Lupe Fiasco which brings you an unplugged version of Lupe fans will appreciate and “Dear Mr. President” by Pink who’s better known for her poppy songs about being a female badass rather than singing her heart out about major political issues. Of course the songs by Dylan, Springsteen and Browne are solid coming from artists that are no strangers to voicing political issues. Admittedly, it’s a weird mix of artists in one place. But that’s what it takes to get messages like this out. A little something for everyone.
Check out the trailer for The People Speak:
And check out the album below:
Amazon Music
lala Music
