Thursday, February 28, 2013

"Entertainment" by Phoenix



SONG OF THE MOMENT

It's been less than 10 days since this single was released by Phoenix.  It's a song from their upcoming album, which will be released on my birthday.  Huzzah!  I had to give it a few days to really sink in to see how I felt about it.  Initially I wasn't so sure, mostly because the first 7 seconds or so of the beginning instrumentals made me feel like I was watching some really stereotypical part of "Mulan" or something.  Don't judge me.  But just to be clear, I could not have been more wrong.  The drums kick in and the rest of the song is fantastic.  So, if you're one of the few people who fell in love with Phoenix about 4 years ago (despite them making music since 2000...who knew?!) that has not listened to this song...time's up.  Listen now.  Join the masses that love Phoenix and love this song.


Song of the Moment


Wednesday, February 27, 2013

"Into the Wild" by LP



SONG OF THE MOMENT

This singer's name could not be more confusing when trying to hunt down their music.  Other than that I really like her and her style.  So today's Song of the Moment is a tune of hers from her latest EP.   See what I mean?  An EP by LP?  Why would you do that?!  Anyways...just go listen.


Song of the Moment


Friday, February 22, 2013

Free Music: Atlas Genius


Want some free tunes?  Yeah, me too.  Somehow iTunes has actually done a pretty decent job the last few weeks with their Single of the Week free downloads.  Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, whoever that Matt Hires kid is, and this week they've got Atlas Genius.  If they sound familiar it's because their song "Trojans" has been gaining popularity pretty quickly.  While that isn't the free song offered here, it's still a really good track that they've got. Though, since it's Friday, it won't be free for much longer, so grab it before it's gone!



Tuesday, February 19, 2013

"1957" by Milo Greene



SONG OF THE MOMENT

A few of months ago, Alexis shared this band's song with me on Spotify and I absolutely loved it.  Then just a couple weeks ago Colleen mentioned it and that reminded me that I really should share this tune.  If you've already heard it...too bad...go listen to this instead if you want to complain.


Song of the Moment


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Free Music: The Steel Wheels


Early in 2012, the Americana band, The Steel Wheels, put out a new studio album titled "Lay Down, Lay Low."  I went ahead and purchased it on vinyl (with a digital download too of course) and I'm so incredibly glad that I did.  It was one of my favorite albums of the year, by far.  Actually, come to think of it, I'm quite upset with myself for not including it on my previous post about my favorite albums of 2012.  I only hope the band will forgive me.  

Anyways, barely more than a year after the amazing "Lay Down, Lay Low" was released, The Steel Wheels will be releasing yet another studio album.  As an age-old fan, I can tell that 2012 was a good year for the band, having listened to their critically acclaimed album (especially the hauntingly beautiful title track) on repeat, they toured all over the country and I saw them play in Ashland with Alexis, I found out they were going to be creating and headlining in a music festival (which Becky, Jessie, some other friends, and I have been discussing attending), and apparently they've been writing and recording enough to have another studio album ready for release in April 2013.  "No More Rain" will be released in a few short months, but to hold you over until then you can check out their live album from a late January 2013 show.  "Live at Ignition Garage" features 19 songs, new and old, fast and slow, instrumental and vocal, all for free.  Yet, there is a section where you can donate to the band if you would like.  
My only problems with this album are: 1) For some reason iTunes placed the first and last song in a different album so I had to manually edit the artist and album names just to make it possible to listen to all the songs in one stretch, and 2) "Miller's Hill" isn't on the album...but I'm just being selfish now.  I LOVE when they play "Miller's Hill/Tamlin" live.  It's amazing.  If you want to check out "Miller's Hill/Tamlin" then click the link to hear them play it live, with a different fiddler, and explain the track's history at the end.  If you want to check out the new Steel Wheels live album for free then click below.  Give it a listen, you'll thank me for it.





Monday, February 11, 2013

"Blue Eyes Blind" by ZZ Ward


SONG OF THE MOMENT

I've been holding onto this song for a little while and felt that it needed to be shared.  It's an amazingly soulful track with tons of attitude over a great beat that has some snapping, stomping, and humming.  The vocals have a sort of Adele feel with a dash of Brittany O'Neill, while still being really unique.  Enjoy!


Song of the Moment

Friday, February 8, 2013

Cardinal Compass 1.1 // Big Meadow Sessions



Cardinal Compass recently got to sit down and shoot several videos with Big Meadow Sessions.  A few weeks ago the teaser video was released for their upcoming episodes, and today the first episode is live.  Check it out.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

I Feel Like I'm Taking Crazy Pills

Somebody make me feel better here on these 2 issues.  I feel as though this is so obvious, I've seen this for a while, yet I've never heard anybody mention it before.  

I FEEL LIKE I'M TAKING CRAZY PILLS.

1)  Ke$ha is the Nickelback of the Top 40 Radio world.
Some of her songs sound eerily similar to each other.  
Example:  C'Mon and Tik Tok

2)  Taylor Swift's "Trouble" is dubstep.  
Well, it's pretty much dubstep.  I like dubstep, I don't love it.  I don't dislike many genres of music.  Yet, I noticed this song was dubstep the first time I heard it and because of that I instantly disliked it.  Stay true to yourself...keep being country.   Oh wait...

Friday, February 1, 2013

Free Music: Thao...and Splendid Suns

Want some free tunes?  Yeah, me too.  I first heard this song a couple weeks ago on the radio and now iTunes is offering it up for free this week.  Awesome!  They've got it as the Single of the Week, so I assume it won't be free for much longer.  




In addition to this, a fantastic Richmond band is having an album release show on Saturday night.  Splendid Suns will be giving out a free download card to the first 100 people that show up for the release party.  Opening acts are the incredibly talented The Dirty Picture Show, and Toxic Moxie, which might be my favorite local band at the moment.  They are new as a band but their ranks are filled with experienced musicians, and they absolutely blew me away at their first performance.  No lie, I was so impressed my jaw dropped while I was dancing in my chair, then I turned to my friend Shaun and said "They're phenomenal."  Then of course the main course, Splendid Suns, will be there to make you realize what it's like to party.  They're an amazing group that always puts on a great show that I personally always hate to miss.