Circa Survive Session on Daytrotter

CLICK HERE

http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/circa-survive-concert/20031352-51526.html

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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Wednesday Artist: M. Ward

Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward

| myspace | last.fm | site | facebook |

This singer-songwriter and guitarist has been blowing my mind since 1999. Having released 7 studio albums and 2 EPs was just not enough for this lovely fellow. He started a collaboration with American actress, Zooey Deschanel. As she wrote the lyrics, he’d come up the guitar rhythms. With that, She & Him had officially released an album that reached charts and melted hearts. In 2010, She  & Him released Volume 2 for the world to hear. That isn’t the last you’ll hear from M. Ward.

One of my favorite projects he has been part of is Monsters of Folk. Now, if you aren’t familiar with Monsters of Folk than you must have been hiding in a closet for the past few years. Monsters of Folk consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and yours truly, M. Ward. They all joined together around 2004, but didn’t release their first album until 2009. For my 19th birthday, I got to see Monsters of Folk live at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Texas. It was pretty magical. I mean, come on, the NIGHT of my birthday I got to see all these guys play some of MoF tracks PLUS some MMJ, Bright Eyes, and M Ward stuff. Nothing can describe how magical that night was.

Last summer, I got the chance to see M. Ward live. Last summer, I got to fall deeply in love with this 36 year old singer-songwriter. He has talent, yes, we all know that. But, his charm is just on an entirely different level. His dark hair that sometimes has that grey spice in it, his dark brown eyes that you can literally get lost into, the way he always postures himself, his body language, the way he closes his eyes while he sings, everything this man does just makes me weak in the knees.

His 2009 album Hold Time made it to my Top 10 of 2009 chart. However, my favorite album of his HAS to be Transfiguration Of Vincent (2003). I will never be able to express how emotional that album makes me feel. It gives me feeling. It gives me feelings beyond belief. It’s as if I am just sitting on top of the world, listening to his music and watching life happen. It’s such a beautiful state of mind this album puts me in. I’m telling you, there’s just something special about Matther Stephen Ward.

Merge Records never lets me down. This is why I dream of working with these guys one day. My admiration and appreciation towards this record label is endless.

Pack your bags and walk your way to the top of the world with M. Ward.

Download Transfiguration Of Vincent here.

Saturday Artist: Mumford & Sons

photo courtesy of Birmingham Live

John Bentley of Mumford & Sons

| myspace | last.fm | site | facebook |

This English indie folk band produces some of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard.  They add a whole other sound to folk- making it even more mind blowing than usual.  ”Little Lion Man” has to be my most listened (and favorite) track from Mumford & Sons.

“As the album moves on, this fervour never dies. Little Lion Man – a track that Zane Lowe named the “Hottest Record In The World Today” on a recent Radio 1 show – is a rampage about regret and unresolved heartbreak: “Tremble, little lion man / You’ll never settle any of your scores / Your grace is wasted in your face / Your boldness stands alone among the wreck”. And finally, after a wild lashing out in the murderous fable of Dust Bowl Dance, After The Storm arrives, the only track Mumford and Sons wrote in the studio, away from the live stage they knew so well. It stands an incredibly moving final track to an incredibly moving album – the story of a man scared of what’s behind and what’s before, and creates a considered conclusion to the band’s epic debut album.” (via biography)

download “Little Lion Man”

A World Full of Jonsi & Alex

There is just something so beautiful about the works of Jonsi and Alex that, at times, I can’t even begin to put into words the way their sound makes me feel.  The rush of emotions explode everywhere even after the last track finishes playing.  I am a woman of music.  My body is composed of sounds.  My life is composed of records.  Jonsi and Alex bring my life into another dimension when I listen to Riceboy Sleeps.

This isn’t going to be a review.  This isn’t going to be me praising the works of Jonsi and Alex.  This is going to be the chance to explore this 9 track record and enter another world.  It’s time to leave your body and greet another side of the world.  A world full of everything you want it to be.  A word full of Jonsi and Alex.

01. Happiness || download here ||

This, right here, is the opening track.  This is the song that will slowly take you away from everything you are doing.  You will feel this pressure around your body as if it is trying to be released.  Your thoughts will start circulating around your mind in such a fast motion, you won’t even be able to have control.  Your pulse will begin slowing down.  Your eyelids might even start to get heavier. The sounds are just swirling around you.  It feels almost as if you’re in a black and white film and everything around you is happening so fast as you sit on a bench and look around.  Everything gets slower as the music progresses.  The sounds are everywhere.  Every emotion is sinking through your mind right now.  Sadness is tugging on one arm as happiness tugs on the other.  This is life.  This is another life full of no words, just sounds.  People begin disappearing.  No one else is around.  It is just you.  You are your feelings.  You and your thoughts.  This will be the loneliest you’ve ever been.  It’s just the beginning.

02. Atlas Song || download here ||

Walking around a dead street.  As you begin walking, things start turning into color.  Things start coming to live.  This dead street turns into a beautiful road.  Flowers bloom.  The sun shines.  This cold breeze greets your face.  People start appearing.  Everywhere.  People are everywhere.  You’re not alone.  Do you hear those voices?  You are never alone.  You know already that people don’t stay in your life forever, though.  You’ve gone through the pain.  You’ve suffered.  These people know what it’s like.  They are scared too.  They are scared of being left alone.  Yet, they still leave you.  Once again, you’re alone.

03. Indian Summer || download here ||

The street turned into this water creek.  The creeks rush with water and the sound of it is so peaceful.  You’re so alone, yet you feel so good.  The sound is there.  You remain wandering around the creek.  You want to touch the water, but you hesitate.  You try to think of the worst scenarios that could happen.  You try scaring yourself away from doing something so simple as touching the water.  You listen to the sound longer.  ”Why am I so afraid?” you ask yourself.  You don’t want to restrain yourself from living.  Nobody is around to tell you what to do and what not to.  Yet, you sulk in this fear of doing wrong.  What is wrong?  You keep on listening to the sound.  You become almost depressed with yourself for not having enough power to control what you want to do.  The sound quietly fades.  A few seconds go by and there is no sound.  Never have you felt more scared, more alone.  The sound comes back.  You can finally breathe again.  This one prolonging sound surrounds your state of mind.  You look up at the sky and the clouds are moving by in a fast pace above your head.  You look at the water and back at the clouds.  You close your eyes. You finally hear Jonsi voice.  You race towards the water and jump in it.  The cold water hugs your entire body.  You laugh and scream and throw the water up in the air.  Nothing has ever felt better.  Nothing can ever beat being alive.

04. Stokkseyri || download here ||

Being alive gives so much hope to you.  It opens this world that you’ve always been to scared to peek at.  But, no longer do you live in fear.  You live to be alive.  You live to explore this world.  You run around the creek and enter the woods.  You’re running and running, you’re not out of breathe.  You’re eyes wander around the entire forest as you try to beat the wind.  You finally come to a stop.  You look in front of your feet and notice how you are on top of a cliff.  From this cliff, you can see almost everything.  Everything.  This is the cliff that leads to the world you’re about to set foot in.  Everything, everything looks so beautiful.  Colors emerge from everywhere.  Happiness races through your veins.  Your face begins hurting from your smile. You look around making sure no one is following you.  You remain alone.  Never has it felt so great to be alone.  Never has it felt so great to start over.  Before falling off this cliff and entering this new world, you look back at your old life.  You look back at all the stupid decisions you’ve made.  You look back upon you’re unhappiness with not only the world, but yourself.  You look back at how fear controlled every aspect of your life.  You’re done looking back.  You’re ready to enter this new world.

05. Boy 1904 || download here ||

As you jump off the cliff, the fall is taken in slow motion. This whole track, this whole sound, is the process of you falling into this new world.

06. All The Big Trees || download here ||

You finally land in this new world.  You hear no sound.  You place your head down and walk in sadness.  ”This was too good to be true,” you think to yourself.  But, then, you hear this sound.  Your head slightly raises.  You look around and follow the sound.  You hear more noises.  You look around, aimlessly.  Everything starts coming together.  The colors start flowing around.  Butterflies and birds surround you.  People are coming out of the houses and are waving towards you.  You feel like a celebrity.  You feel noticed.  You feel loved.  The sound doesn’t leave you.  The butterflies and birds don’t leave you.  You are not alone.

07. Danell In The Sea || download here ||

As you continue walking around, you encounter this one person that takes your breathe away.  You stop walking and just stare at this person.  The person stares back.  You exchange smiles with this person.  The sound you are hearing is unfamiliar.  ”Is this the sound of love?” you ponder.  You don’t know what else to do, so you walk away from this person.  You become scared.  As you pass the person, you realize that your old self would have done that.  You fight with your mind, “I’m not the same person. I do not live in fear.  Leave me alone, fear.”  You turn around and walk back towards the person.  The person shines a smile of relief.  You reach for this persons hand and squeeze it.  You look at this person and then you look at the world.  You give this person a kiss.  You think of how your old self would have never done that.  You feel pride.  You feel strength.  You feel a connection that cannot be torn. You feel love.

08. Howl || download here ||

Exploring life has never felt so fascinating.  With this person in hand, the world has never looked brighter.  Even at night, the stars shine so brightly.  This is all about the night.  The night becomes your favorite.  Everything around you becomes your favorite.  You don’t want to close your eyes because there is still so much to see.  You don’t want this to ever end.

09. Sleeping Giant || download here ||

What happens when the sound comes to an end?  What is a life lived if there is no sound to explain it?  Sound will never leave you.  Sound will forever be playing.  This life you discovered, this life will never end.  This person you fell in love with, this person will always remain loving you.  Whatever you want will never leave you.  Whatever you need will always be there.  You will never be alone.  You will always hear the sound of Jonsi and Alex.

Calm Your Monday

Folks, it is Monday.  Meaning, it is the beginning of the week.  If you’re a college student, Monday’s are your worst enemy.  If you’re employed, Monday’s make you hate your life even more.  If you’re a living human being, then I am sure you dread Monday’s.  They hold so much worth to the rest of the week.  So, there is nothing better than listening to Be Calm by Fun.  There is just something so powerful about this song that literally makes you the fuck calm.  Now, that’s just magic.

Download “Be Calm” here

As I walk through the streets of my new city
my back feeling much better, I suppose
I’ve reclaimed the use of my imagination
for better or for worse, I’ve yet to know
but I always knew you’d be the one to understand me,
I guess that’s why it took so long to get things right.
Suddenly I’m lost
On my street
On my block

Oh why, Oh why
Oh why haven’t you been there for me?
Can’t you see, I’m losing my mind this time?
This time I think it’s for real, I can see

All the tree tops turning red
The beggars near bodegas grin at me
I think they want something
I close my eyes, I tell myself to breathe

and be calm.
Be calm.
I know you feel like you are breaking down.
Oh I know that it gets so hard sometimes.
Be calm.

I’m scared that everyone is out to get me.
“These days before you speak to me you pause.”
“I always see you looking out your window.”
“After all, you lost your band, you left your mom.”
Now every single crack, every penny that I pass,
says I should either leave or pick it up
But with every single buck I’ve made
I’m saddled with bad luck that came

the moment I was baptized
or when I found out one day I’m gonna die
if only I could find my people or my place in life
a when they come a’carolin’
so loud, so bright, the theremin
will lead us to a chorus
where we’ll all rejoice and sing a song that goes:

Oh be calm.
Be calm.
I know you feel like you are breaking down.
I know that it gets so hard sometimes,
Be calm.
Take it from me, I’ve been there a thousand times.
You hate your pulse because it thinks you’re still alive
and everything’s wrong
It just gets so hard sometimes
Be calm.

I don’t remember much that night,
Just walking, thinking fondly of you
Thinking how the worst is yet to come
When from that street corner came a song
And I can’t remember the man,
The panhandler or his melody.
The words exchanged had far exceeded any change I’d given thee.

Oh be calm.
Be calm.
I know you feel like you are breaking down.
Oh I know that it gets so hard sometimes,
Be calm.
Take it from me, I’ve been there a thousand times.
You hate your pulse because it still thinks you’re alive
and everything’s wrong
It just gets so hard sometimes
Be calm.
Be calm.

Embrace your week and be calm.  I’ll be searching the streets of Austin, Texas, as I hunt for apartments and look for Bryson.

Caribou – Odessa

Back in october when I read the Caribou Progress Report from
Stereogum, Dan Snaith said the new album would be a departure from 2007′s “Andorra.”
The 60′s chamber pop charm of “Andorra” was perfection and I was devastated that I couldn’t have more of that sound. It didn’t seem plausible to leave a sound that worked to well and still have equal or greater success with a follow up.
Jump to three weeks ago when I downloaded first song from the now titled “Swim.” I have never been so happy about being so wrong. “Odessa” sounds like the early 90′s, Cathy Dennis, and my love for the Fly Girls. There’s also a futuristic element to it as well that is sleek and polished while keeping the magic of DIY production.
Enough of my attempt to explain the triumphant return of Caribou. Download and listen for yrself.

Caribou – Odessa

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.

try it.
buy it

peace.
rome.

On Thursdays, My Thalamus Says HAI

I honestly have no idea. JUST ROLL WITH IT.

So in case you’re not a bio major, a high school kid with a good biology teacher, a biology teacher, or just a knowledge freak, your thalamus, by simplest terms, is the part of your brain that all senses (but olfactory) check in at before heading onto the cortex. So I like to think when I hear a song that just makes me feel SO MUCH, that’s my thalamus speaking. Or maybe I personify too much. I did name my stomach Glenn, after all.

I don’t know if y’all have heard of this band called Barcelona. JUST Barcelona. Not ‘I am From Barcelona’ (though I hear they’re quite good, as well.) But this band right here is…I don’t know how to describe it, really? They remind me a LOT of The Fray, but there’s something special about Barcelona. Maybe I’m biased because I’ve seen them live, and I was so amazed by them. Rhett’s (right in photo) intensity and fun while playing the drums had the entire crowd chuckling. Brian (middle) has an AMAZING voice. And he is able to play the piano with an almost rival intensity to Rhett’s & yet maintain his impressive vocals. Chris (left) switched from guitar to glockenspiel (I squeed a little. I cannot deny. I have a weakness for xylos/glocks.) and he just looked so HAPPY to be on stage, and to me, that is such a big deal. And I think that’s part of the reason my love for this band grew so much the night I saw them last October in Charlotte, NC. It’s so nice to see a band enjoying themselves on stage. It makes it more enjoyable for all involved.

Also, later on when I met them, they were signing the album I’d just bought, and Brian DROPPED the cd, and it popped apart & the cd kerplunked onto the floor, and I actually laughed. His face was priceless. He felt so bad, but there weren’t any scratches, so I could care less. Plus, it’s a great little tidbit to tell…LIKE NOW.

But the one song they didn’t play that night was my favorite. I don’t think it’s been released officially, but when they were over at daytrotter, they recorded a song entitled “Time to Mend.” Folks, few songs have made me feel so many things at once. I’m not even sure if it’s really the lyrics. It’s the MUSIC. Before I became anything else, I was a dancer. I entertained my family until my mom put me in classes at age 2. I can envision myself, or actually someone far more talented than I, performing a BEAUTIFUL, beautiful piece to this song. It’s the simplicity of the guitar and Brian’s voice that really sells this song for me, I think. It sounds so raw, so peaceful and yet haunted.

I actually told Brian I was a little upset that they didn’t play “Time to Mend” as it was my favorite. He told me that it was his favorite, too, but due to time, they weren’t able to play it. Hopefully, next time I see them, I’ll get to hear this live. And I just may burst into some lyrical choreography right in the crowd.

Go download this amazing song for free over at the wonderful Daytrotter.

P.S. Also, I realize I left out Absolutes from my Best of 2009 list, but that’s only due to ignorance of dates. Otherwise, their re-release this past April would definitely have made no less than an honorable mention.

Mixtape #02: Oh, This Could Be Trouble After All

Let these lyrics do the talking for me.
Download- Side A: Pro &  Side B: Con

Side A:  Pro

1. After All- Sondre Lerche:  I like you too much after too little time
2. Paperweight- Joshua Radin:  I’ve been this way with so many before, but this feels like the first time
3. Happy Together- The Turtles:  Imagine me and you; I do.  I think about you day and night, it’s only right
4. L-L-Love (Acoustic)- Blondfire:  There’s a magic in you, and I’ll be under your spell, l-l-love
5. Brighter Than Sunshine- Aqualung:  Love will remain a mystery, but give me your hand and you will see, your heart is keeping time with me
6. Cocoon- Dan Black:  Wrap me ’round your finger
7. You Told A Lie- Camera Obscura: If you were a season you would be in bloom
8. Hug Me- Meg & Dia: Hug me ’til you drug me, honey, hug me. Drug me ’til you love me, honey, love me
9. Brightly Wound- Eisley:  We were walking there and I had tangles in my hair, but you make me feel so pretty
10. Rave On- M. Ward: Well, the little things you say and do, make me wanna be with you. Rave on this crazy feeling, I know it’s got me reeling

Side B:  Con

1. She Doesn’t Get It (Acoustic)- The Format: Because I feel much older, look at me as if I got a reason to stare
2. Fall Apart Today- Schuyler Fisk: I wish I wasn’t so fragile, ’cause I know that I’m not easy to handle
3. Act Appalled (Acoustic)- Circa Survive: Maybe you’re mistaken for someone who cares
4. True Affection- The Blow: You were out of my league at a distance that I didn’t wanna see
5. New American Classic- Taking Back Sunday:  See the months they don’t matter. It’s the days I can’t take, when the hours move to minutes and I’m seconds away
6. Breathe Me- Sia: Help, I have done it again.  I have been here many times before.  Hurt myself again today, and the worst part is there’s no one else to blame
7. Lost- Coldplay: Just because I’m hurting, doesn’t mean I’m hurt
8. Nineteen- Tegan and Sara: I felt you in my life before I ever thought to.  Feel the need to lay down beside you and tell you, I feel you in my heart and I don’t even know you
9. My Love- Mariachi El Bronx: You made me weak; you made me pale. You made me nervous; you made me shake
10. Annie Waits- Ben Folds: You see this is why I’d rather be alone

-V-