5 Acts: January 2007

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Foma

Canasta

Deer Tick

Berry

The Duke Spirit

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

The Lovely Sparrows

Howling Bells

Australia / United Kingdom

John Ralston

Lost Summer Kitten

Kite Flying Society

Monday, January 29, 2007

Sandy Mouche

The Playwrights

Lucky Misu

The Theater Fire

The Twilight Showdown

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Thursday, January 25, 2007

The Charles Shaw Project

Los Angeles, CA
Here's The Charles Shaw Project doing a great cover of "Needle In The Hay."

Riding Paper Airplanes

Seattle, WA
There are many inviting tracks on the self-titled disc from Riding Paper Airplanes... if you don't mind the abundance of Jesus love.

Arthur & Yu

Seattle, WA
How could you not want to listen to Arthur & Yu after seeing that adorable photo? Cute, cute.

Marnie Stern

New York, NY
I highly recommend Marnie Stern if you like bands like Deerhoof.

The Key Party

New York, NY
Darren Gaines of The Key Party describes his sound: John Prine meets Billy Bragg after a few drinks with Tom Waits; a whole lotta cheating going on.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

The Faintest Ideas

Gothenburg, Sweden
I like The Faintest Ideas more and more every day. Check these guys out if you love Guided By Voices or The Buzzcocks.

David Ford

Eastbourne, UK
I figured this song by David Ford was appropriate after watching a bit of George W last night on TV.

This Car Up

Boston, MA
This Car Up recently recorded an entirely acoustic set of songs. Download them all here.

Jed And Lucia

Chatsworth, CA
If electronic folk tickles your fancy, then Jed And Lucia will be right up your alley. Candles In Daylight is available now.

Of Montreal

Athens, GA
Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? is the new disc from Of Montreal, and it's probably my favorite of theirs. I've never really been a huge fan, but I keep listening to this one a lot. They're just one of the many great bands on the Champaign-based label Polyvinyl Records.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Menomena

Portland, OR
Today has been a huge day for new releases. Included in the list is the much-anticipated sophomore effort from Menomena. Although Friend And Foe hasn't gotten the critical praise that I Am the Fun Blame Monster did, I still think it's just as good.

Martian Memo To God

Seattle, WA
Martian Memo To God is recommended for all of you who are looking for a modern band with the moody musical styles of classic bands like Psychedelic Furs.

The Sofa Club

London, UK

I just may have overlooked this song from The Sofa Club for my 100 favorites tunes of 2006. Sappy, yes. But it's still good. Seems like this one should show up on Grey's Anatomy soon.

"Silence Summons You"

The Sofa Club on MySpace

Ideal Free Distribution

Lexington, KY
I couldn't remember if I ever blogged about Ideal Free Distribution or not. They're from Lexington and I'm constantly surprised with all the wonderful musicians that come from that area. Their self-titled debut is diverse in sound and loaded with hypnotic melodies. The track I'm featuring today is perfect for... well, a Saturday drive.

Deerhoof

San Francisco, CA
Deerhoof's Friend Opportunity is out today and whaddayaknow... Everyone loves it! I never really got the obsession with this band, but I really do enjoy this new one.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Apostle Of Hustle

Busdriver

Pit Er Pat

Cosmic Starfish

Flying Canyon

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Right clicky, save target as...

Friday, January 19, 2007

Michael Zapruder's Rain Of Frogs

San Francisco, CA
Michael Zapruder's Rain Of Frogs definitely wins the award for the most interesting band name this week. It's great that such a crew makes music equally as interesting as their name.

Goes Cube

Brooklyn, NY
We're all aware, but I feel the need to state it. The internet is an amazing place. It reminds me time after time what a small world we live in. After discovering the energized sounds of Goes Cube, I learned that one of the band members is old friends with my good friend Fred from Chicago. Craziness!

The Pigeon Detectives

Leeds, UK
Why are there so many sucky UK bands? Actually there are a lot of sucky bands everywhere I guess, but the UK bands really want to befriend EVERYONE on MySpace. The Pigeon Detectives is a band out of Leeds that I'm happy to be friends with.
"Wait For Me" (File removed)

The Meeting Places

Los Angeles, CA
I am really digging this CD from The Meeting Places. Apparently this song was even on One Tree Hill last month. I don't watch the show, but I'll take their word for it.

Tomihira

San Francisco, CA
Tomhira made a video for this track last year - click here to watch it on YouTube.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Hotpipes

Nashville, TN
Hotpipes has shows coming up with other great bands like De Novo Dahl, The Features, The Turnbull AC's, and The High Strung. Most of these dates aren't too far away from their hometown of Nashville - take a looky at their website.

Paul Michel

Washington, DC
If you're in the DC area, make sure to go see Paul Michel play Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center on January 25. You won't be disappointed.

Story Of The Sea

Minneapolis, MN
Story Of The Sea is definitely for those of you who still like to rock out. These guys are highly recommended if you miss bands like Hum.

Bonobo

Brighton, UK
This title track from Bonobo, along with a few others on the new record, features the sultry vocals of Bajka.

Midnight Movies

Los Angeles, CA
Apparently James Iha is a photographer too - I had no idea. He took the above photo of Midnight Movies.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Brothers And Sisters

Austin, TX
Here's yet another great band that has been featured on The OC. This track from Brothers And Sisters was on an episode earlier this season. Also, the band was part of an impressive tour last year that featured ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and Celebration. Amazing Amazing!
"Without You"
Brothers And Sisters on MySpace

Bracken

Leeds, UK
Bracken is primarily the solo work of Christopher Adams, one of the founding members of the most excellent UK outfit known as Hood. I've loved Hood for years and I'm now I'm in love with Bracken as well. We Know About The Need will be available January 29. I highly recommend checking this one out!

The Photo Atlas

Denver, CO
The Photo Atlas is suggested for those of you who like upbeat rock bands like ¡Forward Russia! or Thunderbirds Are Now! ...or any other band that has an exclamation at the end of its name!

David Vandervelde

Chicago, IL
If you're in Chicago, please hit up the record release show for David Vandervelde on February 3 at Schuba's. It's a pleasing record on a superb label, Secretly Canadian.
"Jacket"
David Vandervelde on MySpace

Arizona

Brooklyn, NY
If you haven't been fortunate to see Arizona play live, you can get a little sampling of "Thru The Soot" on YouTube.