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Tussie-Mussie: From Rough to Calm Seas - feel good indie surfer rock

Valerie — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:01:25 +0000

Claiming to write songs about girls, this indie pop group only lists "Jon" (Jon Torres) as its member. I guess good music doesn't really require much names as the band seems to have a knack for creating catchy indie folk pop cuts.

From Rough to Calm Seas is the artists' latest effort. It's a short 4-track EP that's filled with pop music with a hint of surfer sound.

Weezer, Pavement and The Beach Boys are some of the bands that have influenced their sound. Indeed, you'll hear this feel-good, sometimes quirky sound that most of the bands mentioned above are known for.

The EP was released last December 2011 over at BandCamp. This short compilation opens up with a 4 minute single titled, Buggin' You. Combining a nice Pavement-like surfer sound, the song sandwiches dirty guitars with a catchy melody. Perfect for a morning trip down the beach in sunny California weather.

It's followed by Think Happy Thoughts, which resounds with handclaps and some harmonic Beach-Boys singing. Meanwhile, third track, Love is Patient, Love is Kind, continues with the melodic number. It's simple but relatively easy to adore. You can put it on and have it serenade you to sleep. On the other hand, Old Photographs, easily caps the album.

Tussie-Mussie is a Jacksonville, Florida band that records their sound using Garageband. You can grab a copy of this EP for free over at BandCamp and while you're at it, also check out their other releases and enjoy.

Literature: Arab Spring - edgy power pop tunes

Mona — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:01:36 +0000

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Slowly but surely, Literature blooms a garden full of good music in their new release entitled Arab Spring.

Kevin Adickes, Nathaniel Gardaci, Seth Whaland and Mike Yaklin, better known as Literature have crafted ten power pop tracks that appeals to the senses. It was recorded during the summer of 2011 and was released on new year's day of this year.

14 Seconds opens up with an uplifting vibe. It mixes the right amount of guitar strings and melodies making this the perfect companion for a long trip to work or school.
With a pure pop sensibility, Lily follows up with upbeat drum beats. This track sheds off a 90's vibe, the only difference is its faster rhythm.

The title track Arab Spring pops in the middle of the album. A personal favorite, I loved how the instrumentation transports you to earlier days of cassette tapes and headbangs.

With a similar vibe like that of the previous tracks, O.J. starts with thick bass guitars slowly building into a panoramic soundscape.

I Am Right Here closes the album with a healthy dose of happiness. This track seals the whole set, establishing the band's own brand of music. What I like about Literature is the tremendous amount of energy and free-spirit which are reflected into their songs.

Arab Spring is perfect for those seeking the right amount of fresh beat to start the day.

Grand Child: My Head Is In The Clouds

Valerie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:01:08 +0000

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My Head Is In The Clouds is the second release from Texas native, Grand Child. Composed of one man behind the scenes, namely Andy Lane; the album is a gorgeous mix of folk, psychedelia and acoustic indie pop.

Lane originally played for punk/ska band, Driver F. This is his solo project and it's nowhere near the music he plays with his band. His sound instead focuses on acoustic folk while incorporating psychedelia, and some catchy pop tunes here and there. It's a nice little record worth exploring if you want an album that's laid-back yet a little different to keep you company.

Sharing his penchant for folky melodic cuts, My Head in the Clouds begins with the uptempo number, I Know. It's a simple track that seems to float and dance around in the wind. There are a lot of things happening in the song, it combines a gypsy folkish vibe one minute while smoothly welcoming violins and heavier drums the next.

Sidekick, on the other hand, contains great vocal work and progresses from a slow folky track to a more alternative indie rock song near the middle. Lane has the capacity to easily switch up genres and mold them together seamlessly. Meanwhile, he finishes the short record with A Song To Die To. This one is a bit more cinematic with guitars and swelling violins occupying much of the track.

In the end, you get to take a sneak peek of what goes on in the mind of the artist. His love for different genres creates a stamp on the record. This also helps to mold the EP's voice; giving it that distinct identity in a sea of easily-forgotten-musicians.

Go ahead and grab the download. You can get it at a name-your-price option at BandCamp.

The Please & Thank Yous: Mind Yr P's & Q's - energetic power pop from four Chicago boys

Valerie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:01:27 +0000

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These Chicago natives describe their journey on their Facebook as "a bunch of wimps started practicing in a basement. Some left, others joined, and a couple managed to remain constant. They are playing shows, touring, and recording their sophomore slump."

Well, those basement practices sure did pay off. The Please & Thank Yous sound is jolly punk pop, reminiscent of Goldfinger from the 90s and the many punk bands that never took themselves too seriously. It's this carefree and honesty that makes them interesting to listen to.

Mind Yr P's & Q's is the band's full length debut. It's a mix of both old and new songs; narrating the bands personal take on the various happenings of life.

This energetic band definitely have a penchant for creating soaring pop rock songs accompanied by chanting vocals, rolling drums and fast paced guitars. The group is currently based on Chicago; they were originally from Mundelein, IL and occasionally (according to their site) teethers between being a trio and a quartet.

Opening their little power pop trip with, Be A Tree, Che?; the song cheerfully opens Mind Yr P's & Q's. With a rolling intro and chorus singing, it's hard not to get into a happy mood when you hear this blaring. It's jet like pace induces serious head bobbing or toe tapping without much prompt.

Other tracks like Dear Allie and Speaking of the Devil, are typical songs that feature a mainstream sound. It sounds like something you would hear on some alternative pop rock radio station. Meanwhile, title track Mind Yr P's & Q's is surprisingly a subdued cut that gives listeners a quieter version of the boys.

Overall, the album isn't as polished as I want it to be and there are songs which I'd rather skip. However, there are some really fun tracks on here that are worth the listen. Check it out for yourself and grab the download if you dig it.

Night Reports: You're All Out - moody and somber indie rock

Valerie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:01:26 +0000

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Another band that you wouldn't think is composed of only two people at the helm; Night Reports create beautiful indie rock music with a touch of soul.

Long time friends, Derrick Brown and Beau Jennings, have both collaborated in various projects before. However, they've never tackled anything similar to Night Reports. Although the collaboration started out slowly, with both of them passing MP3s and recorded files via email and voice message; they eventually compiled what has become You're All Out.

The record is a concept album of sorts, as it revolves around an athlete who is down in the dumps and living (and reliving) his life in his glory days.

You're All Out is one of those records you can pop into your player if you're feeling a little moody and want the perfect music to keep you company. It's somber and a bit melancholic yet filled with beautiful stories that can serve as your lullaby.

Opener, Are You On My Team? is a solemn little cut that comes with sad vocals and wonderful piano work. It's one of the most likable tracks on the record and after hearing it once, you'd be looking forward to hearing it again once you finish the entire album. French Kicks (World Music is the Real Criminal) changes pace and adds a slightly upbeat tempo to the mix. The song is filled with a catchy chorus, occasional handclaps and an overall happier atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Hang On Me Darlin' features a collaboration with songstress Samantha Crain and her hypnotic, quirky vocals. The song is a 3 minute stunner that gently weaves between a piano ballad to an indie melancholic love song. You Were My Pete Rose is a haunting love song that features Derrick's expressive vocals cooing and silently urging his "sweetness" to return to him.

Overall, if you love the likes of Damien Rice, then you'll have plenty of lovin' for this record. It's an album that masterfully combines hauntingly melodic folk music with that of slightly uptempo indie rock. Definitely makes a great balance. Check it out!

She Makes War: Disarm

Valerie — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:01:34 +0000

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One of the most interesting indie female pop rock compilations I've heard in a long time, Disarm from She Makes War both enchants and captivates upon first listen.

The lady behind this musical project is multi-instrumentalist Laura Kidd. Apart from music, she's dabbled in other interests like film making and photography among others. She also does session work for various musicians including Alex Parks, I Blame Coco and Tricky.

This is her debut compilation and it comes with 13 tracks that hover between indie rock, slight grunge and pop.

Initially recorded and released last 2010, the album released two singles, four DIY videos and a handful of personalized album covers. Currently, the record is available on a pay-what-you-want basis over at BandCamp.

Most of the tracks on Disarm are energetic; filled with upbeat tempos and heartfelt singing. Opening single, Scared to Capsize, is somewhere in between. It showcases a nice blend of instruments which add to the depth of the songs. Laura's vocals are beautiful and lends itself perfectly to the sonic landscape. Other tracks worth noting include Olympian, which places the artists vocals front and center as well as, I Am, with its catchy poppy beat and beautiful lyrics.

The nice thing with the record is that you occasionally get surprising songs like NIMN, which seems to be NIN inspired. There's a slight industrial sound accompanying the cut making it dark and moody. Laura's chameleon vocals also take the song a whole other level compared to the others.

Overall, the album grows on you. Even if you don't fall for all of them, there's bound to be a track on here that you'll appreciate. Plus, the quality of the songs is enough to really check this out. Grab the download. This'll be worth your time.

Moongardening Inc.: A Sky Full Of Killer Whales

Valerie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:01:14 +0000

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Moongardening Inc. might have an unusual band name as well as an album title, but their music manages to stand out and impress. Creating a solid fusion of pop, jazz, blues and a whole lot in between; A Sky Full of Killer Whales exudes a certain charm.

Only downside is that there's hardly anything about the band online except what's written on their BandCamp page and sparse reviews here and there.

Nevertheless, their music can easily take front and center without much background info about them.

Made up of Sarah van der Meer (voice), Munuera Rodrigo Martin (guitar), Fernando Revuelta (Low), Pablo Oliva (keyboards) and Nano Cañamares (drums); the album mixes folk, indie pop as well as jazz and blues in certain areas. There are even times when progressive rock is introduced courtesy of prolonged guitar riffs and trippy vocals.

Speaking of prog influences, the first cut, The Sky, is a short but chaotic mix of guitars, drums, and distortion. Although you'll hear this trait in some of the songs, majority of the cuts are more folkish pop than anything else. Take for instance the third track, To Have or Have Not; the song is a laid back cut that features Sarah's feminine vocals. With a jaunty tune, it's easy to relax to and perfect for perking up your day.

One of my personal favorites from the album is Big G. It opens with heavy guitars which gorgeously complements the female vocals. Towards the middle part, the boys perform some melodic backup singing and it just brings back so much nostalgia of good old 70s rock. They cap off the entire record with a 10 minute opus titled, The Killer Whale. There's a huge blank sound in the middle with only the first and last parts containing songs. They couldn't have capped the record much better since the song evokes an ethereal feel.

A Sky Full of Killer Whales is one record to watch out for. The fact that the band doesn't really stick to one genre makes it even more interesting. You get one enjoyable track after another; something that's a bit rare to see these days. Go ahead and grab the download. It's available at a pay-what-you-want option.

Everybody Left - self titled reggae funk record

Valerie — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:01:15 +0000

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If you miss the good old days of the 90s when you put on the radio and hear 311 or the Red Hot Chili Peppers creating some funky tracks; you'll probably enjoy listening to Everybody Left.

Describing their sound as post ska, reluctant reggae and Funk-Hop; the band sure knows how to throw down catchy beats that don't require much thought.

This British Columbia group is composed of Stephen Chatterton, Eric "The Red" Wickman, Steve "Shaggy" Fissel, "Ad-Mac" Adam McIntyre, Steve "Saxman" Cowie and Martin Milbo Schoeps.

Released back in June 2010, this self titled debut serves as a band introduction of sorts. They were formed out of frustration from the various members with their respective groups at that time. According to the group, they were "4 guys joined forces to create the music that they wanted to make. Not wanting to conform to any set genre or sound, they just wanted to play music and record a CD. Before the CD dies off completly (sic)."

The entire album is self-produced and was recorded in Off The Goose Studio, the band's own. What resulted from this is a fusion of reggae pop and funk with hints of hip hop. Even though they shun the comparison, their sound does echo off Sublime quite a bit. Tracks like Rock Slow and Treble in Paradise are upbeat and the type of tracks you can imagine playing in those 90s videos of guys driving around the neighborhood in their top down cars.

Pretty much, the entire 7-track compilation echoes with this sentiment. It's made to be played in the background to a laid-back, lazy day. If you are looking to trigger some 90s reggae funk nostalgia, you should take a listen to this one. It's available as a free download over at BandCamp.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

The Bonny Situation: Robot Says I Love You - infectious electro dance rock

Valerie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:01:27 +0000

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Taking their name from the iconic movie Pulp Fiction, The Bonny Situation has definitely got one of the coolest names any indie film geek will recognize.

The band itself is from Germany and have been around since 2007 with a slightly different lineup back then. Although the band admits that their sound is mostly consists of pop music, they do like to mix it up a bit; adding a little alternative and even new wave in there.

Robot Says I Love You is a 2010 release from the group. Most of the tracks on the record were inspired by the contents of a 1978 diary from someone with the initials R.B.T.

Creating music that is quite danceable, the band's sound is a fusion of electronica and pop. Kicking things off from the record is the track, You Build Me Up. It's a love song of sorts, pledging affection and devotion to a special someone. Meanwhile, The Way You Are, is a punchier track that calls to mind Aussie band, INXS.

Some of the other tracks like Human Says I Love You and Holding Back, are a bit more mellow. The latter track particularly seems perfect for that prom dance capper where all the couples slow dance and just be in love for the remainder of the song.

Apart from these last two songs, the rest of the album is one big pop dance rock affair. There are plenty of cuts on here that serves as the perfect party music; they're upbeat, with melodramatic lyrics as well as great mix of instruments.

The Bonny Situation is made up of Benjamin Francis Santiago (vocals), Andreas Hollywood Bacon (guitar), Hendry Halo Meautaux (Bass), Patrick Spencer White (Syntheziser/Samples) und B-Ray (drums.)

Yetis: Lightmares EP - sweet and uplifting folk indie pop

Valerie — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:01:50 +0000

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Armed with guitars, sweet vocals and melodic r-acoustic vibes, Lightmares EP by the Yetis makes for good company on a quiet afternoon.

The band is made up of Cameron Smith - guitars & vocals, Curtis Smith - bass & vocals, David Muratore - guitars & vocals, Jenna Smith - violin, glockenspiel & vocals andThomas Brett - drums, percussion & vocals.

This EP first came out in March 2011 and is available at a pay-what-you-want/free download option over at their BandCamp page.

Harnessing and channeling a folk pop sound, the band creates catchy melodic ensembles that cry out for some fun afternoon with friends or some quiet time by yourself. This set of tracks can easily put you in a good mood without much trouble even if it's only 5 songs short.

It begins with the sunshine-y single, Creating Sight. Equipped with narrative lyrics and a nice acoustic sound, the song is the longest one in the EP running at more than 5 minutes. It circles between slow and upbeat throughout the entire song. For the second track, Don't Fear, Old Friend, the band showcases their Christian faith as they sing about their personal convictions.

On the other hand, Johnny Sleep Well takes on a slower pace while final cut, Oak Tree, puts on a dancy vibe that seems perfect as a praise and worship track.

Simple and heartwarming, Lightmares EP is a great record to put on if you need some encouraging company. The band is currently writing up more material so for the meantime take a listen to this by downloading it.