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
Friendos, Carl's back with some new tunes and vids for your listening and viewing pleasure. Be excited. Be very excited.
If you haven't by now, join Lala. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Hands down the best music listening/sharing/purchasing community around. JOIN LALA
1. Paper Route - "Last Time": Admittedly, I hadn't heard of these dudes until a couple months ago. Upon first listen to their Absence album, this song stuck. And it stuck hard. Roaring guitar riffs, punchy basslines and a catchy melodies aplenty.
2. Pela - "Waiting on the Stairs": Indie rock magnificence is what these guys produce. If you're opposed to magnificence, don't listen. I've posted a song from them before - they aren't a new band, but I am just fully discovering them for the first time, and oh boy are they good. Their Anytown Graffiti album is Carl-Approved. That's how you do it. . . That's how you make indie rock.
3. Great Lake Swimmers - "Moving, Shaking": The Great Lake Swimmers churn out some tuneful, laid-back folk music. This one in particular, is beautiful. Tugs at the 'ol heartstrings a bit. If you dig, check out their Bodies and Minds album.
4. Julian Casablancas - "11th Dimension": This track has been all over the place lately but fuck it, I'm jumping on the wagon. It's too damn catchy. There's been a lot of hype surrounding the Strokes frontman's debut solo album Phrazes For The Young. Some of the hype is deserved, but it's a mixed bag in my opinion, there are some gems (when he sticks to the Strokes-type sound) and some duds (when he delves into other sounds). I applaud the effort as a whole, however.
5. Mumford & Sons - "The Cave": A folk rock group from London currently flying under the radar in the US. These guys are incredible. Banjos, piano, horns, lyrics and lead vocals all come together for a uniquely enjoyable sound. Their album Sigh No More is only available as a UK import right now, not sure when the US release date is, but be on the lookout if you know what's good for you. Carl Approved. A word to the wise: if you do search for the album, try not to get it confused with Sigh No More by Gamma Ray, which is a complete dumpster fire. A video for another Mumford & Sons song, "Little Lion Man" is posted below. 6. Pony Pony Run Run - "Hey You": These Frenchies lay down some catchy dance-friendly pop hooks as evidenced here.
7. Washed Out - "New Theory": Another warm and fuzzy dream-pop gem off Carl-Approved Life Of Leisure. I thoroughly dig.
8. Lake - "Madagascar": As is customary here on Carl, we're gonna switch gears once again. Lake has a lazy, easy-going throwback sound and they do it well. Simple, yet calculated arrangements make them easy on the ears. I think you'll agree. As an added bonus, they have that echo-y 60's Mamas & Papas effect goin on in some of the songs. Their album Let's Build A Roof is Carl-Approved.
9. Why? - "This Blackest Purse": I've seen Why? described as a "Hip-Hop" Indie Rock band. Doesn't make any goddamn sense. Just because the lead singer has a terrible voice and sings in near monotone doesn't make it "hip-hop". I digress. Whatever it is, it's good and it's unique. Their recently released Eskimo Snow is a great listen.
10. Pretty Lights - "Finally Moving": I'm a sucker for sample-infused DJ grooves. This one fits the bill. It feels like it would fit the end credits of a movie where a gang leader just took revenge on the rival gang for killing his brother. Screen fades out as we see him walking out of a dark alley littered with freshly-dropped bodies, gun still smoking in the crisp winter night air. 11. Chromeo - "Night by Night": Chromeo's new single. Hotness. Break out your skinny jeans and weird neon hightops and DANCE, hipsters!
12. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - "Get Yo Shit": a blues band from Austin, TX influenced by James Brown. After you listen to this you'll make the JB connection immediately. More where this came from on Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!.
13. Jackson 5 - "I Wanna be Where you are (Dallas Austin Remix)": The only decent song off the new Michael Jackson Remix albums. Catchy as shit.
14. Monsters of Folk - "Temezcal": Monsters of Folk is a self-described folk "super"group, consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and M. Ward. I'd ease up on the self-promotion a bit - their album cover shows their faces enshrined as a Mt. Rushmore of sorts, for fuck's sake. That said, their product isn't half bad. This song is one of the highlights off their (not-surprisingly) self-titled Monsters Of Folk.
15. Starfucker - "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second": Feels like a care-free jaunt through candyland. This duo has some great tracks on their most recent album, Starfucker.
16. Volcano Choir - "Island, IS": A beautiful song by a newly-formed band consisting of Bon Iver and Collections of Colonies of Bees. Video below.
aaaaand some videos for your viewing pleasure. . . Volcano Choir - "Island, IS" I've become fascinated with the beauty and simplicity of this song and video.
Mumford & Sons - "Little Lion Man" These guys are something special.
Air - "Sing Sang Sung" New single from Air. And their trippy take on the 'ol bouncing ball effect.
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.
Hope everyone had a great 4th full of fireworks, bbq and booze. All in the name of celebrating our wonderful country's birthday, of course. Apologies for the slight absence, but never fear, Carl is back. Enjoy. 1. Holy Ghost! - "I Will Come Back": More known for their remixes, Holy Ghost! is a new-ish band under the DFA (James Murphy aka LCD Soundsystem) umbrella. I like their sound - there's a pinch of Italo-disco, a dash of 80s dance, and a shitload of awesome. Their debut album is scheduled for early next year. Check out the video below too. 2. Temper Trap - "Love Lost": Ever since I heard, and subsequently became obsessed with their first single, "Sweet Disposition" I've been eagerly waiting to hear the entire album Conditions. It's still not out in the U.S. (only in Australia), but I must say, it's damn good and is hereby Carl-Approved. Light falsetto melodies and swirling guitars aplenty throughout the album. This is one of the highlights. 3. Temper Trap - "Fools": Another beautiful tune off Conditions. This one really showcases Dougy's unique vocals.
4. The Golden Filter - "Peter Bjorn & John - Lay it Down (remix)": The Golden Filter has some funky remixes, this is one of their better attempts. 5. Mogwai - "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong": The best song off their incredible Rock Action. Not a new song by any means, but it's one of the best epic instrumentals ever created. Plain and simple. Close your eyes and let it take you to Awesometown.
6. Metric - "Collect Call": Metric's new album Fantasies is a sneaky gem. Led by the baby-voiced Emily Haines, her voice weaves perfectly in and out of shimmering guitars and bouncy synths. The results are catchy as hell.
7. Metric - "Gimme Sympathy": See above.
8. Drake - "Best I Ever Had": A brief history of Drake via Pitchfork: "Relative unknown creates mixtape with a few friends and uploads it to the internet, and then, within a few months, he's maybe/possibly dating Rihanna and fielding seven-figure offers from broke major labels. Except in this case, the relative unknown in question was a star on the Canadian teeny-drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation", and the friends in question are Lil Wayne and Trey Songz and Chris Paul. Even weirder, the main overarching theme of Drake's So Far Gone seems to be the stresses and travails of fame, even if he recorded the damn thing when he wasn't famous in any meaningful way. And now the tape has made him good and famous for real." So Far Gone is the name of the mixtape and is worth checking out.
9. Drake - "Let's Call it Off (remix)": Another remix of a Peter Bjorn & John song. PB&J can't be happy that most of their songs are better as remixes than originals.
10. Miike Snow - "A Song for No One": Swedish producers step out from behind the curtain with their critically underappreciated album. . . Miike Snow.
11. Moby - "Study War": Moby's new release Wait For Me is a throwback to his Play and 18 heyday. This is good news. Save a couple songs, Hotel and Last Night were pure garbage. Though not executed as well as Play, Wait for me goes back to that "Moby Sound" - samples, minimalist beats and strings. I know the poor guy likes to think of himself as a singer, artist, performer, philosopher, techno genius, as well as a producer but unfortunately, he's really only good at producing. Let's hope he's finally realized this, because the sooner he does, the better off we'll all be.
I wrote about Passion Pit last year (here) after I heard their 6-song EP Chunk Of Change which was a stellar debut. And after listening to their first full-length LP, Manners, I can officially say they are the real deal. That said, they are a polarizing band, you may love em, you may hate em, but they are unapologetically unique and refreshingly exuberant. And for that, Manners is Carl Approved. It's not a perfect album, but perfection is boring. Give a listen. Some highlights: Little Secrets, Moth's Wings, The Reeling, Eyes as Candles, Folds in Your Hands, To Kingdom Come, Sleepyhead (also on Chunk of Change).
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.
I saw this today and had to post. It's an original fan-made video (i.e. not commisioned by Kanye) by a guy named Mykola Dosenko, a graphic artist and lover the song as well as 80's video games. The influences from Mega Man, Double Dragon, etc. are obvious. When I first saw it, I thought it was an edit of an existing video game, but it is 100% original and 100% Awesome.
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.
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.
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. . .
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.
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.
Fellow music lovers, we've come a long way from mixtapes but I still look back on those days with fond memories. In this age of information overload, Carl Winslow vs. Science is an attempt to cut through the crap and recapture that simplicity and magic of hitting the record button and handing the tape off to your friend at recess.
Every week(ish), I'll share songs, albums and videos across multiple genres -- sans fluff -- Carl believes music speaks loudest when it speaks for itself. And please, if you like what you hear, support the artists by purchasing their music, attending their shows and most importantly, sharing it with others.
Thoughts, comments, suggestions? Are you listening to something cool that I don't even know about? Drop me an email.
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. 
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