Mum's The Word

Carl has something very special to share with you today, friends. Every once in awhile, a band comes along with talent so rare, it takes your breath away. On a recommendation a few months back, I began listening to a few of this bands' tracks and was absolutely floored by their beauty, complexity and brilliance. After peeling back the many layers, i quickly decided that musically, these guys were a few levels above anything I've heard lately. The band is Mumford & Sons, a newly-formed folk/rock/bluegrass hybrid Quartet from London. Members are Marcus Mumford (vocals, guitar, drums), Winston Marshall (vocals, banjo, dobro), Ben Lovett (vocals, keyboards, organ), Ted Dwane (vocals, double bass). While admittedly, it's a bit early to proclaim them as music gods, the appeal of their passion, energy and retro-yet-innovative sound is simply undeniable.

Their sound varies throughout their debut album, Sigh No More - you'll hear barn-burning, sweeping banjo-infused bluegrass romps, gorgeously fragile folk ballads and everything in between, but you won't hear a note void of meaning or urgency.

Yes, I realize it's preemptive to lay all these superlatives on a band in existence for less than 2 years, forgive me, for I am enamored - as I hope you will be after giving them a listen. Unfortunately, you won't be able to purchase the album in the US before March 2nd, however, I've posted some songs below on Lala. Because the album isn't released in the US, you cannot listen to the songs in full, only "Little Lion Man" which has been released as a single. Clearly 30-second clips don't do the album justice, but find it, order the UK import, steal it, do whatever you have to do to get the album. I defy you not to love it.

As an added bonus, they are "touring" the US/Canada soon, if you can call four shows a tour. Regardless, if you're anywhere near these cities at these times, I order you to go see them:

2/9: Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
2/11: San Francisco, CA - Popscene @ 330 Ritch
2/15: Toronto, ONT - El Mocambo
2/18: New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

Sigh No More - Mumford & Sons

Carl Approved: The Temper Trap

Hello Friends, it's been awhile, I apologize. Carl's been out of the office for a spell, while he gets his shit together, please have a listen to this incredible debut album by The Temper Trap, Conditions. The album has been out for awhile in Australia and the UK, but was released today in the US. These guys feature tight arrangements, upbeat rhythms, catchy melodies and although he sounds a bit like a leprechaun at times, if you can get past that, the lead's falsetto is simply magical. Their "Sweet Disposition" single was featured as the backbone of the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack (great movie, btw) but other than that, they haven't made a whole lot of noise here in the States. I'm guessing that will change soon. They begin a short US tour tomorrow in LA, moving on to San Fran, Seattle, Chicago, NYC, Philly and finishing in Boston on October 29th. If you're in any of these cities, check them out, it will be your first and last opportunity to see them at such small venues.

In the meantime, enjoy. Some highlights: Love Lost (potential Carl's Song of the Year candidate), Sweet Disposition, Rest, Down River, Fools, Science of Fear.

Conditions - The Temper Trap

Carl Approved Albums

Good day friends. Today I wanted to share a couple nominations for "Best albums of the second half of 2009" . . .

The first is Hospice by The Antlers, a heartbreaking, delicate and altogether beautiful concept album about a woman named Sylvia on her death bed with the narrator by her side. Sure, the themes of desperation and impending death are a bit gloomy but they are the heart and soul of the album. The songs and melodies themselves are intriguing, but without the despair in Peter Silbman's voice and the sorrowful lyrics, it's a good album. With them, it's a great album.

Hospice - The Antlers

The other is XXby The XX. Who would've thought music this simple could be so beautiful and captivating? The album's elegance lies in it's understatement. In the current environment of noise pop and overproduction, this album is an oasis of simplicity. An amazing debut.

xx - The xx

Discovering Discovery

Discovery is a potentially-Carl-Approved side project of Vampire Weekend's keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot's lead singer Wes Miles. They are scheduled to release their debut LP, named "LP" on July 7 and currently streaming these 4 songs on their website. It's an interesting synthy/glittery sound but I need to hear the final product before I pass too much judgment. I'm currently on the fence because I'm so damn sick of Vampire Weekend, but trying to get past that - maybe 'ol Rostam is sick of his own band too, hence the side project. I am cautiously optimistic.

Testing, Testing. . .

Carl told me he is fed up with IMEEM and you know what? I am too. I'm testing out a different method - Lala (which, by the way, is a Carl-approved site for buying, listening, finding new music, etc). With Lala, the first listen is full length, then 30 seconds for every play after that. Not ideal, but better than IMEEM. If you set up a Lala account (recommended), you can buy "web" songs for 10 cents, this means you can't actually download it but can stream it anytime, anywhere you have an internet connection. Since I've been hyping up the Junior Boys new album Begone Dull Care so much, I'll start with that. Some highlights from the album: Bits & Pieces, Hazel, Parallel Lines, The Animator. . . they're all kick-ass. Happy listening.

Artist Spotlight: Friendly Fires

I had the opportunity to see Friendly Fires, a percussive dance-pop trio from the UK, here in Boston last weekend at the Paradise. Having only released one full-length LP, Friendly Fires, I wasn't sure if these dudes were the real deal - I love their album, but seeing a band in action is the true test for me. Turns out they passed with flying colours (see what i did there?). They weren't just good, they were great. They came on after White Lies (also a great band from across the pond) with immediate and intense energy that showed no signs of slowing throughout the entire set. They had a giddy, yet clean, tight sound and made everyone in the place dance their asses off. Even their sappy songs felt kinetic, with disco bass lines, hand-clapping, hi-hats, shimmering synths and the constant clip of cowbells.

I posted some of their best songs and remixes below as a warmup but do yourself a favor and go see them tear it up on stage. And I strongly urge you to bring your dancing shoes.




And a "Skeleton Boy" video for good measure. . .

Artist Spotlight: Ghostland Observatory

This is how Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner describe themselves: “Ghostland Observatory is not a band, but an agreement between two friends to create something that not only heals their beat-driven hearts, but pleases their rock ‘n roll souls.”

I first heard this Austin, TX-based duo about 3 years ago and their sound grabbed me instantly, threw me on the floor and kicked me repeatedly in the groin – and I mean that in the best way possible. On the surface, I suppose you could describe their sound as electro-funk-dance-rock or some derivative thereof, but digging deeper you’ll find that placing a label on their genre is an exercise in futility. Really, it’s whatever you want it to be, and I think Aaron and Thomas would agree. Their music is all about having fun and dancing your balls off. Simple as that. It’s not complex music; at its root, Ghostland’s music is created with a beat-synthesizer, keyboard, occasional guitar and Aaron’s loud pipes. Simple. Basic. But I’ll be damned if they didn’t put those instruments together in a pot, stir them up and create magical dancefloor wizardry.

They have released 3 studio albums to date: Delete.Delete.I.Eat.Meat, Paparazzi Lightning, and their most recent, Robotique Majestique. Each album comes highly recommended and each is filled with its share of floor-shaking beats and dance party classics. Recognizing that this music isn’t for everyone, if you appreciate a unique sound and like to dance, chances are you’ll dig these guys.

Even more impressive than their studio albums are Ghostland’s live shows. I had the privilege of seeing them for the first time about 2 years ago at a small venue in Boston. The energy they managed to create at this 50-person show was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The show was nowhere close to being sold out, but instead of putting it on cruise control, they went ape-shit and blew the roof off the place. Aaron’s ridiculous dance moves and energy are as infectious as I’ve ever seen in a frontman. I also had the opportunity to talk to both Aaron and Thomas after the show since it was so small – they were extremely down to earth, very friendly and unassuming. I got the feeling that they simply love making music and while they are destined for stardom, it seems they are more interested in having fun and sharing their art than making it big. That’s the way it should be. Since that show, they have built up a large following outside of Austin, and their shows have continued to get even better as they refine their act.

Below are some songs I threw together off of each album. If you like what you hear, support these guys – go to their shows and buy their albums. Enjoy.

Artist Spotlight: Tigercity

As promised, I wanted to do a spotlight on Tigercity - a four man outfit from Brooklyn. I had the pleasure of seeing these guys rip it up on multiple occasions in Boston. Having only released a 6-song EP titled "Pretend not to Love", they are currently jamming in relative obscurity, but they have the type of tunes and stage presence that have me convinced they will be big one day. Catch them while you can at a small venue. I dare you not to dance. As I mentioned in another post, their sound is hard to pin down - but this is a good thing - a unique sound is hard to come by these days. Their influences range from Prince to David Bowie to Daft Punk to Earth, Wind and Fire. They manage to sound like all of them and none of them at the same time. On top of these influences, throw in some infectious disco/dance beats, Bill Gillim's falsetto crooning and you have pure magic. Again, I can't say it enough, what you'll here below is great, but their live shows are incredible. In addition to their EP, they also have a currently untitled LP ready to roll out soon as well. Check it fools. . .

Artist Spotlight: Emancipator

Last week I posted one of this guy's songs, because quite honestly, it was one of the best remixes I've ever heard (see "Shook"). What I didn't know was that the guy behind this remix was actually a 19 year-old college student from Virginia who also creates original tunes and has ridiculous talent. On his first album "Soon it Will be Cold Enough," he uses elements of jazz, hip-hop and down-tempo combined with violins, piano and samples. The result is beautiful. Listen for yourself below, I posted a few songs. The album is currently only available in Japan and can be purchased as an import, so if you like what you hear, buy his album so he has money to buy ramen noodles and booze, when he turns 21, of course.

Artist Spotlight: Passion Pit

Good day friends, I wanted to kick off the Artist Spotlight segment with a badass band from Cambrige, MA called Passion Pit. I've been listening to these guys for the past month or so and just can't stop. These guys are talented, unique and their music/beats are - literally and figuratively - tight. They have a self-described "euphoric and blissfully melancholic sound," which I'm going to go ahead and agree with. Even though there are only 6 songs released on their recent "Chunck of Change" EP, you can just tell there's something special about these guys, they just "get it"

There's also an interesting factoid about their recent EP. It was originally recorded and produced by Michael Angelakos (the lead/brains behind the group) as a Valentine’s Day present to his girlfriend which then prompted him to give it out to friends and fellow students at Emerson College. Angelakos wrote and recorded the entire record by himself.

Have a listen. . .



Here is the recently-released video for Sleepyhead. . . pretty sweet.

Passion Pit - "Sleepy Head"