First Listen: Haale
Haale (pronounced similar to Hallelujah) successfully manages to blend the traditional rhythm and passion of Persian and Sufi Trance music and fuse it with a beautiful take on the post modern rock most readily associated with the likes of Radiohead. Dark and beautifully orchestrated spaces allow for the true breadth of her voice to shine throughout the title track of her debut release No Ceiling (available now on MP3 and on CD March 18th). I’ll post a full review in the coming week but to tide you over until then check out “No Ceiling”.
Haale – No Ceiling (MP3)
Buy No Ceiling: Amazon (MP3) | Direct (CD Pre-Order)
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
Derek White & the Monophobics
Some time last year, I got a random MySpace message asking me to check out Derek White’s music page. Since then, I’ve been anticipating this album’s release, and I’m not disappointed. They’ve also employed a great distribution model: starting on March 1st, you can download the album via their website for $9.99; purchase of the mp3 automatically gets you a hard copy of the disc when it’s ready next month. So you get the immediacy of digital music, with the promise of a little something to wiggle into your music shelf between Barry White and the White Stripes. The download also has a handful of tracks that didn’t make the cut for the disc. Score!
Derek White and the Monophobics are a four piece hailing from my hometown of Pittsburgh, and present a very polished, pop-oriented approach to their songwriting (I’m thinking Beach Boys). They’re concise, catchy, well-produced and exquisitely executed. Echoes of Brian Wilson are all over the place here. This song is a little edgier than the others, but is also my favorite from the album (and the first track that I heard on their myspace page all those months ago. Check it out:
Derek White & the Monophobics – “Mean Tambourine”
Derek White and the Monophobics (MySpace)
Purchase the self-titled albumLiam Finn’s Second Chance
Full of sunny melodies, Beatles-esque harmonies, and of course more than a hint of his old man Neil, Liam Finn’s debut solo album has been getting some frequent plays over at El Casa de Ickmusic. I’ll Be Lightning was recorded in early 2007 at his dad’s studio in Auckland, New Zealand. It was released overseas last summer, but it took until last month for the U.S. release on Yep Roc.
Liam is clearly not just the son of a famous musician capitalizing on his situation, but is a huge talent in his own right. Check out one of my favorites…
Liam Finn – Second Chance
Links: Liam Finn’s Official Site
First Listen: Last Kiss…
It’s been 12 years since Seven Mary Three released their debut record, American Standard. In that time they’ve gone from indie to major and have now landed back in the indie world with their new record Day&Nightdriving. I’ll have a full review soon, but had to share this tune now as it’s too good to keep to myself. Check it out!
Seven Mary Three – Last Kiss (Streaming MP3)
Buy Day&Nightdriving: Amazon
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
No One’s Gonna Love You
Band of Horses paid a visit to Conan O’Brien last night and performed one of my favorite tracks from their brilliant Cease to Begin. I swear there is magic in Ben Bridwell’s voice.
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Band of Horses – No One’s Gonna Love You (Last.fm)
Buy Cease to Begin: Amazon | iTunes
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
Into the Dark
I realize that I’m about a week or two behind the curve of the blogosphere in gushing over the new Hot Chip record. Much like their last record I needed to listen to it a couple of times before forming my opinion. It’s not a bad thing, but I find that with many of these ‘hyped’ acts there is not much to sustain the hysteria past the initial listen. That aside, Made in the Dark merits more than the casual listen and is clearly deserving of every bit of hype. Running the gamut from full-on electronica to the soul bearing solo piano ballad, the record delivers on many levels. And I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that the track “Wrestlers” will end up on more than a few Valentine’s Day mix tapes. Check it out and let us know what quirky tune you’ll be singing to your Valentine.
Hot Chip – Wrestlers (MP3)
You can also check out the entire album at Last.fm.
Buy Made in the Dark: Amazon | iTunes
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
The Bird and the Bee
Hello, Ickies. I know I’ve been pretty quiet, sorry about that. Last semester was a doozy, and things have been hectic over the holidays. But I’ve returned!
Today, I give you The Bird and the Bee out of L.A. I first came across this group in late 2006 when I heard their EP again and again and again and again. The EP contained 4 tracks, three of which were slated for their upcoming full length, the fourth a Peaches remix of “Fucking Boyfriend.” I was drawn into the band’s unique sound. Laid back, yet poppy. Indie-ish, yet polished. And a hint of jazz (they are, after all, on Blue Note).
The male component of the duo is Greg Kurstin, formerly of Geggy Tah. Yes, *that* Geggy Tah. But don’t let that turn you off. I promise, The Bird and the Bee are much more sophisticated than their 1996 hit, “Whoever You Are.” The female lead is Inara George, an aspiring actress turned musician.
The group’s 2007 self-titled full length is simply splendid. I’m generally horrible at description, so let’s let the band speak for themselves, eh?
The Bird and the Bee – “Again and Again” from their self-titled full length
Later in 2007, the band released an EP, Please Clap Your Hands. The EP carries 5 brand-spankin’ new tracks, all of which are in much the same vein as the self titled album. A particular highlight for me however, is their take on the Bee Gees’ “How Deep is Your Love.” I’ve always liked the song, but this version made me melt.
The Bird and the Bee – “How Deep Is Your Love” from Please Clap Your Hands EP
And it looks like they’re planning another release for 2008. Do these folks sleep?
Buy The Bird and the Bee music at the Amazon mp3 store
Jumping on the Band (of Horses) Wagon
I’m late to the Band of Horses bandwagon. I guess my inclination is to shy away from the darlings of the indie critics and hipsters. Well, I made a mistake for not checking these guys out earlier. Since the beginning of the year, Cease to Begin has been on regular rotation over here in the House of Ickmusic. Lead singer Ben Bridwell’s voice is the key for me – gentle and soothing.
The album is top notch from start to finish, but it’s this track – the finale – that I could literally put on repeat for a day straight and never tire of it.
Band of Horses – Window Blues
Buy: Cease to Begin
Links: Official Site
Home for The Holloways
If you haven’t heard them yet, here’s your introduction to England’s The Holloways. The first group on my “new to me” list for ’08, the group is bratty brit-pop at it’s best. They’ve been kicking around in their native UK since 2006 and their debut So This Is Great Britain? was released in the US last October. Up for the offering is the groups first, fourth and sixth single “Generator”. If this is your first time hearing this tune, I’m sure it will not be your last!
The Holloways – Generator (MP3)
Buy: So This Is Great Britain?
| Amazon
Links: Official Site | MySpaceSecret Agent Man
While I was planning on stockpiling as much scripted television as possible in anticipation of the glut of reality television set to descend on us the snow and ice delivered to my front doorstep today had other plans. The wife and I decided to enjoy a marathon of my new personal favorite Chuck. At the conclusion of the episode Chuck vs. the Nemesis I could not have been more psyched to hear one of my favorite tracks from Band of Horses new release Cease to Begin. I won’t give the plot away, but I’ll say that the inclusion of the track “No One’s Gonna Love You” was a perfect emotional point.
I don’t think that I need to sell many of you on this, but you should all own this record. For those who need a reason, here are live performances of two of my favorite tracks from the record: “No One’s Gonna Love You” and “Marry Song”.
No One’s Gonna Love You
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D04LD_UsaU 336 278]Marry Song
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhrT1OlnEDk 336 278]
Buy: Cease to Begin (Amazon)(iTunes)
Links: Official Site | MySpace
