We Are Augustines - Chapel Song

The group formally called Pela... a song from their new album, Rise Ye Sunken Ships. I sent it to you via Spotify, but not sure how that really works. Anyway, love love love this song, but not sure how I feel about the album, each song feels different like it's kind of all over the place. I need to give it a few more listens before I decide but thought you might enjoy this song...

M83

Ok, I'm sure you have heard this song, Midnight City, but have you listened to the rest of the album?! If not, I strongly encourage you do. I've been listening to it non-stop on spotify and it's starting to become one of my favorite albums of 2011.. seriously, do yourself a favor and listen to it.

It reminds me of what we've talked about before, how we seem to care more about albums and not just songs. I really love Midnight City, but I love it even more when it's tangled in with this album.

This is why...

...I love Annie Clark.  With all the delicacy and richness of her studio albums, she can still whip something like this out and completely pull it off.  Be still my beating heart...

Can we agree...

...that this is one of the most beautiful songs off of Bon Iver's new album.  And this video, though apparently only tangentially related to the lyrics, manages to perfectly capture the meaning and spirit of the song.  Quietness, humility, enlightenment, and unparalleled beauty.

Strange Mercy

The future Mrs. Pulsipher's new album comes out Sept 13!  You can listen to it at npr and it's a goodie:

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/04/139946514/first-listen-st-vincent-strange-mercy

and here's a video of the first single "Cruel."

Woke Up in Beijing

Hey!  So remember how I told you I might go to China?  Well, I just got back.  It all happened kinda fast, so in a matter of a few weeks I found out I was going, then I was there, and now I'm back.  I was lucky enough to be able to extend my trip there by a couple days and do some sight seeing in and around Beijing.  The whole time I was there I had the song "Beijing" by Patrick Watson running through my head, so when I got back I put together a little video of footage I had taken from cabs and added that song as the soundtrack.  And now I am sharing it with you.

Enjoy!

Blood Bank

Here is a post from my friend's blog. She uploaded an audio clip from the concert. Maybe you can get a taste of what Blood Bank was like..

http://www.theinfamousdance.com/1/post/2011/08/the-sunday-sound-bon-iver-via-cell-phone.html

Space Oddity vs. Rocket Man

Okay, which is the best 70's space anthem? Ready... set... go!





Of course, you can't talk about Rocket Man without bringing up William Shatner's legendary interpretation.

I Keep Having Dreams..

Favorite new artist: Frank Turner. The video collage is cheesy, but the song is great. Also check out, "I Still Believe" and "The Road"

Washed Out

My new favorite album: Washed Out, Within and Without.

Underneath The Covers

Ryan Adams covering Alice n' Chains

Bon Iver, "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time"

tUnE-yArDs

I stole this from Paul's blog. I listened to the album yesterday. It's awesome. And, I really heart this video.

The Antlers

The new album, Burst Apart, from The Antlers came out recently. They initially premiered their entire album at a live SXSW show. And, the album, yeah it's amazing, it's The freaking Antlers. His voice is haunting, but yet so moving. Here is a track from their new album, Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out.

Here are few favorites from their recent album, Hospice. It's quite a downer album, but fantastic nonetheless.. Two, by the Antlers:

Kettering also from their album Hospice

2 + 2 = 6

So, if you're lucky (or maybe it's more about me being lucky), I will be introducing you to not one, not two, but three great musical experiences today.  Two semi-obscure, but excellent, musicians have recently paired up to form a super duo.  And if you aren't yet familiar with either of them, then a whole world of music is about to be opened unto you.

The first musician is a woman named Thao Nguyen.  She's been around for a while and she is awesome, so you probably already know her.  But if not, here's a song of her's:



The second musician is Mirah.  A little more mellow than Thao, and also a little less well known, she is still great.  I love her voice, which, while essentially sounding similar to pretty much every other female singer/songwriter out there, somehow it's still incredibly unique.  Here's one of her songs:



And finally, a couple weeks ago they joined forced to become Thao + Mirah, and released a joint album that is, frankly, amazing.  I love the combination, which somehow seems to exceed the sum of its parts.  Here are a couple songs for your enjoyment:

Beautiful One, I Want To Go Where You Are

Jack Tatum records under the name Wild Nothing. Last year he released his first album, Gemini, to rave reviews. And, then a couple months later he released an EP, Golden Haze. He touts Morrissey as an influence which is kind of spot-on since Wild Nothing's songs sound akin to The Smiths - or any UK indie band from the 80's. In fact, when I first heard Golden Haze I thought it was a secret Cure song I had never heard before.

Unfortunately, there is not an official music video, so this one will have to do until I can figure out how to upload MP3's.. so just close your eyes and listen.

In the Beginning...

I feel like the inaugural post for a blog like this needs to be epic, almost biblical in proportion.  Fortunately I recently came across this little offering from an artist named Woodkid which suites that need quite well (or at least attempts to).  The rest of his music is pretty low key and mellow compared to this number and he only has an EP out with a few songs and a couple remixes, so who really knows what he is truly like as a musician.  Regardless, I like this song, if only for the shear ballsiness of it as an artist's first volley into an overcrowded music market.  And the drums are pretty infectious too.  I feel like at some point I'm going to hear this on an episode of Breaking Bad.

p.s. while there is an obvious negative commentary on religion in the video (mostly toward the end), I can't help but wonder if it is maybe directed specifically at Mormons.  The clean cut, youthful minister; the giant pipe organ, and I swear that is the Los Angeles temple at the end (oddly situated in the mountains, however).  Am I just being paranoid?  Yes, I think I am.