musicforants.com has been twitter-fied!

I’ve finally given in to the pressure and created a musicforants.com twitter account.  Social media is now dominating every part of my life.  Not like I was ever against twittering, but since I discovered that I can both feed my blog to my twitter and update it from my iPhone with picture-taking + GPS location tracking (I’m using this app), it’s made it much more appealing. Plus it’s 2009, people, anything can happen.

I’ll probably be making some more song recommendations on here, quoting 30 rock, and taking pictures of random stuff and posting it.  So those of you twitter folk out there, make sure to follow me.

MP3 The Light Footwork  – The Art of Everyday Communication

Newsflashes (Phoenix, Hold Steady, and more)

News, notes, tidbits, that I have on my mind this week.

Phoenix

In addition a ridicuously cool album title, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, and some Royal Tenebaums looking promo art, French art-rockers Phoenix now have a release date (March 25) and a new single called “1901”.  From the looks of things, this will be no doubt be one of the albums of the year. The new song absolutely slays.  The band is still catchy as hell, and “1901” is refreshingly new wave and danceable. Loving those buzzy synths. This song has been repeating for a while and I don’t see it stopping in the near future.  Classic stuff.

MP3 1901

Pitchfork 500

I’ve been slowly going through Pitchfork 500 reading and listening, thanks to a friend burning the entire 500 on a dvd for me (Thanks Blake!).  So far, like most of Pitchfork, there’s some really great reviews and music on here and a few choices that lead to a giant “huh?”. It’s been awesome for digging up some undiscovered (by me) classics and generally expanding my music knowledge.  Here’s a couple songs I found through the book that I now can not live without.

MP3 Billy Bragg – A New England
MP3 The Records – Starry Eyes

The Hold Steady

Here’s the trailer for The Hold Steady’s new live DVD / rock doc, “A Positive Rage”.  It was filmed in Chicago a couple years back at the Metro, which I am still regretting missing.  I am happy, though, that I’ll now be able to experience the show vicariously.

MP3 Chips Ahoy!

Also, talking about live DVDs, I just got Jeff Tweedy’s “Sunken Treasure” and it’s so freakin’ good.

TV Update

-That little cornballer, Michael Cera has agreed to do the Arrested Development movie.  George Michael fans rejoice! What a fun, sexy time for all of us.

-I just finished the third season of The Wire, which is easily one of the best season closings I’ve ever seen on a show. The conclusion of the Avon Barksdale / Stringer Bell storyline absolutely killed.

-I’ve started on Mad Men, Season 1. Great show so far.

The Joy Formidable

If you’ve followed this site for a while, you might know I have a severe weakness for female-fronted indie pop bands, so it’s no surprise that I was immediately taken by Welsh noise-pop trio, The Joy Formidable. They fit their name perfectly, their music is punchy, melodic, and uproariously joyful. The band’s blend of dream-pop and alt-fuzz and Ritzy Bryan’s gleeful, belted-out vocals, have garnered them comparisons to Asobi Seksu and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

“Cradle” is an in-your-face pop explosion. The layered hooks grab you immediately and don’t let up for the entire song.  The track is pure enthusiastic, noisy pop with a stomping drum beat and anthemic vocals. It’s been stuck in my head for days, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.  “Austere” is a bit more shoegazy with some great vocal interplay going on (the backing vocals feel like they’ve been snapped out of the disco era). Again it’s the infectious melody that really makes the song stick. The band is giving away a mini-LP, A Balloon Called Moaning, that includes these two tracks (which you can also download below) and a few more. You can get it on the band’s website.  Awesome!  

MP3 Cradle
MP3 Austere

***

For the second year in a row my favorite film of the year won Best Picture. Jai Hooooooo!

T.A.I.S.T.M. (The Acronym In Song Titles Mix)

Occasionally I like to make mixes that highlight eccentricities in song titles, and one of these that I come upon ever so often is songs with acronyms in or as their song title. I found nine songs, all of which I very much enjoy, that uses this unique titling method. I only counted ones that actually have a meaning (unfortunately that excludes D.A.N.C.E.). You can download the songs and see what the acronym means below.

Fun fact: The term “acronym” has only been around for a little over 50 years but acronyms are at least as old as the Romans, who would abbreviate the ancient Roman government (Senatus Populusque Romanus in Latin) as SPQR.

of Montreal  – Requiem For O.M.M.2

“of Montreal Mark 2” is a term used by of Montreal purists to describe the second line-up of the band which began after Aldhil’s Arboretum.

MP3 The Flaming Lips – The W.A.N.D.

“Will Always Negates Defeat”.

MP3 Outkast – B.O.B.

You know this one. “BOMBS OVER BAGHDAD” YEAH!

MP3 Wilco – ELT

“Every Little Thing”. (also Wilco is short for “will comply”, a radio term)

MP3 Justice – DVNO

DVNO is short for “El Divino”, which is the name of any night club where you have to be wearing a white shirt to get in.

MP3 Broken Social Scene – TBTF

As the chorus states this means “to beautiful to f–k”.

MP3 TV on the Radio – DLZ

Although not stated officially, but it’s been speculated it stands for “Designated Launch Zone”, a military aviation term.

MP3 Interpol – PDA

“Public Display of Affection”

MP3 Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.

“Cash Rules Everything Around Me”, dolla dolla bill y’all!

***

If you have any more good acronym song titles, post them in the comments…

The Walls Are Coming Down

I first posted about Fanfarlo early in 2008 when most of their songs were still in demo form saying, “this band is going places, and I suggest you get on board.” It’s been a year in making, but the band is now releasing their debut album and are picking up followers left and right, captivating everyone that listens to them. The buzz is in no way undeserved; their debut album, titled Reservoir, is full of lovingly crafted, ever-endearing orchestral indie pop. Fanfarlo’s sound can be aptly described as a combination of lush, spirited instrumentation of Arcade Fire and and the warm, graceful tones of Beirut. The results are magical.

The band-approved preview track for the album is called “I’m a Pilot”. The song’s slow marching tempo and lovely strings remind me very much of “Crown of Love”. It builds to a wonderful climax that incorporates some cool slide guitar and an uplifting vocal. It’s an awesome track and will definitely get more people interested in Fanfarlo’s music, the real gem of this album though comes six tracks in with “The Walls Are Coming Down”.  This is simply an absolutely gorgeous song.  The band excels at writing beautiful arrangements and they absolutely knocks it out of the park in that department on this one.  The trumpets, ukelele, and violins are weaved together to make a stunning, lush sound.  Reservoir is amazingly consistent, no filler, no dull moments.  It’s already one of my top albums of the year.

MP3 Fanfarlo – I’m A Pilot
MP3 Fanfarlo – The Walls Are Coming Down

The album is available at any of their upcoming shows  including SXSW.

I Have A Newsflash For You, Walter Cronkrite

Here’s some news, notes, tidbits, that I have on my mind:

Just Watch The Sky

Just Watch The Sky is a fantastic new music / design blog.   The layout is beautifully designed and it changes with every post to match the song (there are some wonderful selections on here). The above image is the post for “My Girls”. Easily, one of the most unique music blogs I’ve ever seen. You HAVE to check this site out.

LOST

The last episode, “This Place Is Death” was one of the best ever.  I don’t think the show has ever answered so many questions so quickly.  And we’re only five episodes into the season!  Anyway, loved seeing Rosseau and her team with the smoke monster (The Montand losing his arm payoff was awesome).  First glimpse at the temple. Charlotte’s final scene (so I guess now that when Locke stops the wheel skipping they are in the Dharma days). Desmond and Ben speaking for the first time. The Locke and Christian scene.  This is unbelievably great television.

Cymbals Eat Guitars

Hey, remember when I told you this band was going to be huge.  Well, now Pitchfork has their song “Wind Phoenix” (also the first track I shared with you) on repeat and has a slew of good things to say about the band.  How do you tell someone I told you so? Gently with a rose? In a funny way like it’s a hilarious joke?

MTVU

I’ve been writing a lot for MTVU’s blog lately.  I’m hoping some of you guys jump over and see what I have to say (and maybe even comment too).  I’ve gotten to write about a lot of my favorite artists so far which is really cool. Here’s all of my articles so far:

Animal Collective – My Girls
TV on the Radio – Dancing Choose
of Montreal – An Eluardian Instance
Lily Allen – The Fear
Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
Azeem – Latin’s Revenge
Friendly Fires – Paris

New Songs: Junior Boys, M. Ward, Camera Obscura

We’re nearly a month and a half into 2009 and my music library has been growing steadily with good tunes.  Today, I have first singles from three highly anticipated upcoming albums, starting with one of my favorite songs of the year so far from electro-pop maestros Junior Boys.

MP3 Junior Boys – Hazel

Canadian synth-pop duo, Junior Boys have a new album which is titled Begone Dull Care (named after an animated short film from 1949). “Hazel” is the first single and it’s easily the band’s catchiest song since “In The Morning”. It’s a straight-up 80’s-influenced electro club banger with a killer mid-section breakdown and a total synth explosion at the end. I’m calling it right now, this will be the “Ready For The Floor” of the 2009.

MP3 M. Ward – Never Had Nobody Like You

I wasn’t too impressed with She & Him personally (a little bit too much She and not enough Him), but I’ve been absolutely loving M. Ward‘s new album.  Hold Time is easily my favorite from the artist, and his duet with Zoey (aka future Mrs. Gibbard), “Never Had Nobody Like You”, is one of the album’s clear highlights. Looking past the fact that the drum beat borrows heavily from “Rock and Roll Part 2” (which, to it’s credit, doesn’t sound bad here), when the fuzzy blues guitar and Ward’s wispy vocals come in, the song takes off.  It’s dusty, soulful Americana at it’s finest.

MP3 Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career

Ever since hearing “Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken”, I’ve been entranced by the indie pop stylings of Camera Obscura and the band has been long due for another album. They are set to release My Maudlin Career this Spring and have made the title track available for download.   The track has a baroque-pop feel to match the David Bowie “Ashes to Ashes” era album art.  I’m loving the piano embellishments on this song and Tracyanne’s vocals are lovely as always.

Here We Go Magic

Brooklyn artists continue to dominate 2009 for me, the latest example being Here We Go Magic, the moniker for singer/songwriter Luke Temple.  I’m not sure how I’ve gone this long without hearing about this guy, especially since Sufjan Stevens and Ben Gibbard have both expressed their admiration for his work.  On the debut album for Here We Go Magic, Temple creates a dense world of folk and lo-fi pop experimentation all tied together by his ethereal, otherworldy vocals.

The album highlight is “Tunnelvision” a song which is based on an acoustic progression that repeats throughout the song while layers of vocals build on top and Temple’s falsetto woos the listener.  The vibe I get from this song is something like an airy, transcendent incarnation of The Dodos. The fluttery background vocals give the feeling of weightlessness on this track.  “Fangala” goes a slightly different direction, honing in on tropical / Afropop influences with the percussion and incorporating eerie synths and a lovely acoustic melody.  Listen to both below and get an advance download of the album at emusic (official release date, February 24).

MP3 Tunnelvision
MP3 Fangala

***

Pitchfork has a nice recap of the Grammy’s, although I think the Jonas Brothers were less this and more this. Also, I thought Radiohead killed it.  if you haven’t watched their performance with the USC marching band yet, you should get on that.

Music Video Watch: Metronomy, Fever Ray, Oren Lavie

I watch a lot of music videos and if I find one that’s really really good, I post it here. These are three excellent videos that I have selected for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

Metronomy – A Thing For Me (dir. Megaforce)

This is a bit older video, but it’s new to me and 100% awesome.  Very fun video concept about the bouncing balls that are most often used in sing-a-longs gone rogue. Great editing, lots of LOL moments.  Hooray!

Fever Ray – If I Had a Heart (dir. Andreas Nilsson)

Fantastic art direction and cinematography in this short-film music video. Very ominous tone and visually stunning. The dark, atmospheric tune is by Fever Ray, a side-project from The Knife’s Karin Dreijer.

MP3 Fever Ray  – If I Had A Heart

Oren Lavie – Her Morning Elegance (dir. Oren Lavie)

One of the best stop-motion videos I’ve seen in a while. Very clever idea for a video and shot beautifully. No other explanation needed here, just watch.

Oh No Forest Fires

I admit, I’m naturally pre-disposed to liking Oh No Forest Fires since they combine two of my musical loves: guitar-based indie pop and bands from Canada. It also doesn’t hurt that I first read about the group from one of my favorite music recommenders, Frank at Chromewaves.  Anyway, this a excellent band that mixes a bunch of genres; there’s urgent, driven guitar rock, sunny pop melodies, and jagged math rock.

The band’s first single is “It’s Not Fun and Games Untill Someone Loses An Eye” and, as the title suggests, it’s a spastic, energy filled guitar attack. The hooks come fast and the mathy stop-start playing style the band utilizes really suits the song well.   The tempo constantly changes before settling down midway for an accordian solo (didn’t see that coming, did you?) and then builidng it’s way back to climatic guitar outburst.  “Swing And A Misdemeanor” continues with the complex song structures and features a lively vocal performance that would fit in well with early 90’s indie/emo scene.

MP3 It’s Not Fun and Games Untill Someone Loses An Eye
MP3 Swing And A Misdemeanor

Get their debut, “The War on Geometry” at emusic.