Stars -The Five Ghosts

This week i picked up the Stars latest album The Five Ghosts. I have loved this band for a long time. In Our Bedroom After the War is a favorite of mines and the indie mix-tape classic “Your Ex lover is Dead” put them on the map.
So even before I unraveled it I couldn’t help but notice a theme; the cover is something to look at, a grainy double exposed picture, clearly visible a little girl in an old fashioned dress holding a ribbon bouquet of long flowers and the not so visible a shot of two ladies sitting and each holding a child on their laps. I also noticed the titles of the songs “I Died So I Could Haunt You” and “He Dreams He’s Awake” and there’s a interesting semi-morbid concept/story of ghosts.
Don’t be fooled by this fact of ghosts and think they have to make songs that remind you of death. The album is easy to listen to and easy to love immediately; Stars invented the formula to craft perfect dream pop songs. I had favorites immediately, this album is very upbeat and danceable the tracks “Fixed” and ” We Don’t Want Your Body ” really prove that. You’ll find yourself grooving and singing along fairly quickly. The Five Ghosts isn’t short of the bands notorious boy/girl melodies either (how can you not love a good duet). The album also slows it down, in a very good way, “Changes” and “Winter Bones” drops the tempo and makes Amy Millan’s voice glow. “Changes” reminds me why i loved the band how it made me melt and coo at every lyrics. Reminiscent of Metrics newer album and some Morrissey songs this hasn’t been there most popular work; look at any review its been bashed and trashed. But i must say i strongly disagree with them (HATERS!) blame it on the fanism of many many years and the they-can-do-no-wrong way i see them i enjoy this album very much and it gets better and better with every listen. They have a extensive tour lined up and i can’t wait to see them.

Tracks:
1 Dead Hearts 3:30
2 Wasted Daylight 3:43
3 I Died So I Could Haunt You 3:05
4 Fixed 3:27
5 We Don’t Want Your Body 3:26
6 He Dreams He’s Awake 4:05
7 Changes 4:14
8 The Passenger 4:17
9 The Last Song Ever Written 3:17
10 How Much More 2:57
11 Winter Bones 2:59

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Citay’s 3rd Studio Album: Dream Get Together

It’s so awesome when you can throw on an album and listen to it completely and entirely. Whats even awesom’er is when the album makes you want to listen to it on repeat and it hooks you and has you hypnotized, and you can’t stop listening to it, you’re getting your fill, and when it ends you want more. For the last week or so, Dream Get Together by Citay has filled my ears with its full band sound, melodic tunes, and long instrumental pieces doing just that, making me want more, making my ears smile. I’ve been listening to the lo-fi/acoustic/trio at max bands as of lately so i forgot what it was like to listen to a full band. I forgot the jamming, the rocking out, the emotions entwined, the layers it has to go through to come together. In Dream Get Together they do this all as if effortlessly. Awesome guitar patterns, riffs, and solo’s, along with steady drumming, and soft basses, they throw in synths and mandolins, maracas from time to time. It’s nice to note  that this band can start from a folk-rock intro and transition beautifully into an almost showgaze ending and that they are meticulous about it. So I’ve forgotten to mention anything about the vocals but they are also magnificent and appropriate. I’m looking forward to a live show.

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buy it

peace.
rome.

Spoon at Waterloo Records

I am almost a decade old and I have been to over a hundred shows in my life.  Each show makes such an impact in my life.  It’s hard to believe, but even if I see the same band for the tenth time, I gain a different experience that is just so powerful.  This past Monday, January 25, I made a point to skip all my classes and head over to Austin, Texas.  Why?  Waterloo Records was hosting Spoon first-ever in-store performance.  The show was going to be held in the parking lot area.  It was noted that this lot held a capacity to 1400 people.  As you should already know, Spoon released their latest album Transference January 19th.

As I gathered my three best friends and drove off to Austin, we listened to Spoon albums the entire ride.  Words cannot express how excited I was to see them live.  I have seen them live a few times, but I also have been in love with Spoon for the past 12 years of my life.  ALSO, ever since Rob Pope (bassist) joined the band, it made me all the more so excited to see them live.

My friends and I settled into Austin at around 1:30 in the afternoon.  Spoon set was to start at 4 pm.  Fortunately, I found this perfect parking spot behind Waterloo Records.  We made our way to the entrance and already noticed that there were about a dozen people waiting.  Of course, they had all taken the spots in the front row.  We got ourselves comfortable right in the middle, behind a boy (who was in the front row) reading a book.  As we waited for the clock to turn 4, more and more people started coming in.  Before I even realized the time, the entire lot was full of people.

I saw Rob Pope tune up his bass.  My heart melted.  About half an hour later, Spoon finally entered the stage.  Lord, I was so excited.  I had a perfect view.  Despite the sun being a little too bright, the weather was perfect.  As Britt Daniel touched grabbed his mic, I knew I was ready to dance.  They played 2 songs off Transference and then would switch with two songs from their older albums.  It was perfect.  Everybody would sing along.  The crowd loved every minute of it.  As soon as they started playing, “Don’t You Evah,”  and “Black Like Me” I am pretty sure I died.  I don’t know why, but whenever I hear those two songs live, my entire life flashes before me and I just die.  Does that make much sense?  Probably not.  That’s just to show you how amazing Spoon is.  They pretty much bring me back to life.

Their hour set + encore was delightful.  Of course, we all wished for them to perform more songs, but we, as a crowd, can only persuade so much.  I wasn’t too bummed that their set ended, though.  ONLY because I had a special wristband that allowed me to meet them afterwards and get their record signed.  Nonetheless, I was beyond pumped.  My best friend and I waited in this forever long line to head back into the store and meet them.  As soon as I set foot in Waterloo, I started shaking.  I have never met Spoon before.  I mean, I’m not that cool.  So, meeting them and getting their album signed was a pretty big deal for me.  Half an hour past by and my best friend and I are feet away from them.  They were sitting down in chairs, signing album after album.  I don’t know how they do it, I get tired after writing my name once.  I was shaking to the point where I couldn’t even grab my camera to take a picture of them.  Britt Daniel was the first person to sign.  I tell him the story about how the last show of theirs I went to (this past summer), a little kid threw up on my shoe during their encore.  We talked about the kid and he laughed.  He signed my album, “Thanks, no vomit – Britt Daniel”.  Then it landed to Rob Pope.  (I really don’t know how many times I have to type this, but I am seriously in love with Rob Pope).  Veronica and I tell Pope how we saw him a few months ago when he was on tour with Get Up Kids.  Then I admitted how I loved him and stared at him throughout the entire set.  Yes, I really did this.  We talked about that for awhile and how he was flattered.  We then talked about Jon Harter (that’s a whole other story).  Somewhere within conversation, Rob Pope, Jim Eno (drummer), and Eric Harvey talked about being in a polygamist relationship.  It was beyond awesome.  My words and statements cannot even begin to serve justice for what went on.

Nonetheless, Spoon remains a favorite band of mine.  If you haven’t already purchased their album, be sure to do so here.

Check out the pictures I took during the Spoon set here.

Beach House ♫ “Zebra”

After watching Beach House perform “Zebra” on Jimmy Fallon, I realized how much I really admire musicians like Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally.

Be sure to purchase Teen Dream January 26th.

Download “Zebra” Here

Tune into: Norway by Beach House

The lead single of Beach House‘s heavily leaked but yet to be released (January 26) album Teen Dream. A dream pop, electric, fully atmospheric, upbeat, chorus-ey song just for a little description. I know I can’t drive to Norway but if I had to choose a song this would definitely be it, actually to drive anywhere this would be it.

Pink Floyd covers Flaming Lips’ new album Dark Side of the Moon. Too Soon?

I think its fantastic to cover songs as a way to show tribute to great bands but should you really cover an entire album when its just been released? I don’t know much about these Pink Floyd characters nor have I heard much of their stuff. I bet they have to be good if they are big fans of the Flaming Lips.
Why didn’t Pink Floyd cover a different Flaming Lips album though? I mean the Lips’ have been in business for years. Pink Floyd had plenty of options. For example, they could have covered the one that has that “Vaseline” song on it. They could have done the album with “Do You Realize?” Now that’s a classic! It’s the official rock song of Oklahoma for fuck’s sake. But nooooo! “We’re going to cover Dark Side of the Moon!” says the Floyd.
The fans wont even have a chance to enjoy the Flaming Lips new album without having to compare the two musical works. Y’know, come to think of it, I don’t think Pink Floyd really likes the Flaming Lips at all. That’s a real dick move. Way to ride coat tails you copy catting rat bastards!
As far as I can tell, Pink Floyd is a band full of one-uppers. It wasn’t enough to release their cover album in CD and MP3 format so they also released it on vinyl. If you think that isn’t pretentious enough, they have also made Dark Side of the Moon available to you on cassette. Who does that anymore? Way to be so “artistic,” Pink Floyd. Psh, what’s next, 8track? YES! You can fucking buy their music on 8track!
I don’t know whatever happened to just being happy with an mp3 that I could play anywhere at MY convenience. Now I’m expected to sit at home with my 8track player? Ugh, at this rate we’ll all be at Grandma’s house gathered around her victrola so we can hear the latest Conor Oberst album.
Mark my words, I refuse to turn a crank to hear you record no matter what rating Pitchfork gives it. If the ‘indie scene’ becomes anymore complicated to be a part of I’m going back to mindless Top40 radio. You got that, Pink Floyd and all you other Holier-Than-Thou bands out there? Stick to what we know, not what our parents knew.
To be honest, I haven’t really had time to compare the two versions of Dark Side of the Moon yet. I hear watching Wizard of Oz is the best way to do it but my Betamax is in the pawn shop.

Take a Listen: Vampire Weekend’s Contra

If you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing Vampire Weekend’s upcoming album Contra, today is your lucky day!  Even though the album’s release date is set to be January 12th,  Vampire Weekend’s website has the entire album available for listening. How awesome is that!?  Don’t worry, you can thank me later.  If you don’t have time to listen to the entire album, make time! But honestly, if you don’t, I’d recommend listening to California English, Diplomat’s Son, & I Think UR A Contra.

One more surprise!  Vampire Weekend is giving everyone a free download of their album’s opening song, Horchata.  They give you the option of downloading without even having to sign up for anything.  How nice is that? Thank you Vampire Weekend.  With the download, you don’t just get the song, you get a PDF version of a short lyric booklet with the lyrics to Horchata.  It gives you a little taste of what to expect in Contra‘s lyric booklet if you intend on buying a hard copy.

Warning: Contra is very addictive.

Upcoming Album Releases in 2010 Part I

The new year of 2010 has finally embraced us all.  I’m not one to celebrate a new year in a giddy fashion like many others.  I cannot stand those mass texts of, “Happy New Years!! ” from people I only talk to during holidays.  So, as I hosted a little first-day-of-the-new-year and watched as everyone got heavily drunk, I realized, holy fuck, it’s 2010.  Do you know what this means?  Do you?  2010 is going to be a great, great year of releases.  I only say that based on the fact that some of my most admirable artists are releasing their upcoming albums within the next few months of 2010.  I’ll segment this into pieces.  Each piece will contain 6 artists and their upcoming album(s) for the year 2010.

She & Him: Volume 2

Now, my obsession with She & Him is stronger than my obsession with Robert Downey Jr.  It could be for two reasons: I am head over heels with M. Ward.  As awkward as a character he may be, he has swooned me over many times.  I’ve seen him live many times and I’ve only fallen more in love with his salty black hair, deep brown eyes, and facial structure.  Now, of course, the other reason sums of 150% to why I love She & Him so much: My love for Zooey Deschanel is stronger than any other.  I have never fallen in love with an actress/singer as much as I have with her.  You don’t understand.  I really cannot stress how much I am in love with her.  So, when you put the two together, holy God, how can one NOT be completely in love with their sound?

She & Him: Volume 2 is set tobe released March 23 on Merge.

Volume Two track list:

01 Thieves
02 In the Sun [ft. Tilly and the Wall]
03 Don’t Look Back
04 Ridin’ in My Car (NRBQ cover)
05 Lingering Still
06 Me and You
07 Gonna Get Along Without You Now (Skeeter Davis cover)
08 Home
09 I’m Gonna Make It Better
10 Sing
11 Over It Over Again
12 Brand New Shoes
13 If You Can’t Sleep

By just reading their track list, butterflies fluttered around my stomach.  I already know this album is going to be the soundtrack to my year and life.  I mean, COME ON, track numbers 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13 are already the soundtrack to my life just by reading the title of their songs.  Zooey and M. Ward never cease to amaze me.  Lord, I cannot wait till this album comes out.  (By the way, their album cover comes out later this Spring.  I think I have pictured almost every possible album cover they may have for Volume 2.)

Vampire Weekend: Contra

Vampire Weekend.  Vampire Weekend. Ezra Koenig,Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, Chris Baio.  Have you ever seen Ezra and Chris (Tomson)?  Ever?  I have never even seen them in the flesh, yet just watching videos/pictures of Vampire Weekend makes my heart melt into puddles.

The day they released Horchata, I became the happiest girl in this little world.  I mean, that song was on repeat for weeks.  I literally listened to nothing BUT Horchata.  That’s how awesome it was.  And when they recently released Cousins.  Holy shit.  Their video just amazed me.  Like, it left me in awe with how awesome it all was.  This song makes me dance.  I DON’T DANCE.  (Well, okay, I’ve been dancing in a studio since I was 5, but I have no passion for it at all.  So, don’t ever remind me that I admitted to the fact that I was a dancer).  Regardless, this song makes you dance.  And only a song like that is a song worth listening to over and over again.  Plus, Ezra and Tomson look SO good in this video.

Vampire Weekend: Contra is set to be released January 11 on XL Recordings.

Contra track list:

01 Horchata
02 White Sky
03 Holiday
04 California English
05 Taxi Cab
06 Run
07 Cousins
08 Giving Up the Gun
09 Diplomat’s Son
10 I Think Ur a Contra

Beach House – Teen Dream

Now, I would like to get a round of applause from every Beach House listener in the world.  Why?  Because when Teen Dream album leaked in November, I did not indulge in the peer Beach House pressure.  Yes, this is all true.  I am waiting 24 more days to personally purchase and own a copy of this album.  24 more fucking days.

Beach House was produced and engineered by Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, Grizzly Bear).  These past few days, I have been thinking about how awesome it would be to be Coady.  Then I scribbled on a piece of paper; “Goal: To be another Chris Coady”.  I am going to take over this music world.  Really.  Maybe.  Maybe really.

Beach House: Teen Dream is set to be released January 26 on Sub Pop Records.

Teen Dream track list:

01 Zebra
02 Silver Soul
03 Norway
04 Walk in the Park
05 Used to Be
06 Lover of Mine
07 Better Times
08 10 Mile Stereo
09 Real Love
10 Take Care

Eels: End Times

If you don’t love the Eels, you don’t love life.  If you don’t love this depressing, bearded-beauty album cover, you don’t love humanity.  There is just something so extra magical about the Eels that keep my heart beating.

Eels: End Times is set to be released January 19 on Vagrant Records.

End Times track list:

01 The Beginning
02 Gone Man
03 In My Younger Days
04 Mansions of Los Feliz
05 A Line in the Dirt
06 End Times
07 Apple Trees
08 Paradise Blues
09 Nowadays
10 Unhinged
11 High and Lonesome
12 I Need a Mother
13 Little Bird
14 On My Feet

Spoon – Transference

Now, now, now, I love Spoon very much.  Even though it’s been 5 months since I have last seen them live, my love for their music continues to grow.  So, when I found out about their newest album, my heart dropped.  But then, BUT THEN, they released their recent single, “Got Nuffin”.  Oh My God.  That song, THAT SONG, had to be the greatest thing my ears have ever tuned in to.  Also, let me not forget to add that my obsession with Rob Pope (bassist of Spoon/Get Up Kids) skyrockets beyond all others.  Charming men playing absolutely mind blowing music is the key to my heart.  Spoon has it all.

Spoon: Transference is set to be released January 26 (January 25 in Europe) on Merge.

Transference track list:

01 Before Destruction
02 Is Love Forever?
03 The Mystery Zone
04 Who Makes Your Money
05 Written in Reverse
06 I Saw the Light
07 Trouble Comes Running
08 Goodnight Laura
09 Out Go the Lights
10 Got Nuffin
11 Nobody Gets Me But You

Shout Out Louds: Walk

Okay, Phil Ek produced this album.  PHIL EK.  If you are not familiar with this man, just know that he also produced The Shins, Fleet Foxes, and Band of Horses albums.  So, you know without a doubt that this album will be nothing but glorious sounds.  Shout Out Louds have always been a favorite of mine.  Even when all The O.C. fans became obsessed with them after hearing one of their songs during an episode (I’m not hating, I am a complete O.C. fan), I still was a devoted fangirl to Shout Out Louds.  Words cannot express how excited I am that they are no longer on a “break” and are releasing a new album.

Shout Out Louds: Walk is set to be released February 23 on Merge.

Walk track list:

01 1999
02 Fall Hard
03 Play the Game
04 Walls
05 Candle Burned Out
06 Throwing Stones
07 Four by Four
08 Moon
09 Some Me Something New
10 Too Late, Too Slow