Virgin Islands: No Doctor [Video]
For fans of The Thermals’ early stuff and Unnatural Helpers, fellow Pacific Northwesters Virgin Islands are sure to appease. The… Read More »Virgin Islands: No Doctor [Video]
Fredrik: Chrome Cavities [Video]
In a video from Fredrik, you know you’re always going to get something a bit different, just like their music. And just like their music, you know it will be a little strange but very good. “Chrome Cavities” continues this pattern, using a play on shadows and color. It features “a vintage British overhead projector, an off-white canvas, scissors, paper, 8 hands and a fishtank full of flammable liquids.” The result is your standard Fredrik genius. Read More »Fredrik: Chrome Cavities [Video]
Bravestation: White Wolves [Video]
Bravestation, from Toronto, creates somewhat sonic, spacial music that’s very accessible to the everyman. Their new video for “White Wolves” is a little perplexing, at least initially. You get the impression there’s an impending doom ahead, and an unforeseen terror behind. You can see the panic in the woman’s eyes. Read More »Bravestation: White Wolves [Video]
Sugarplum Fairies: The Images We Get [Video]
It’s been a few years since we’ve heard anything from Los Angeles circa Vienna band Sugarplum Fairies. The duo of Silvia Ryder and Ben Bohm are back with a new album called The Images We Get, featuring the signature airy vocals of Ryder and light southern-tinged Americana folk pop. As found on the band’s prior releases, this one is dreamy and filled with accompanying stringed orchestration. Read More »Sugarplum Fairies: The Images We Get [Video]
Lake: Within/Without [Video]
Olympia band Lake returns this year with a new album called Giving And Receiving. If you like what you heard from their past few releases, including the phenomenal Let’s Build A Roof from 2009, you’ll dig this one. It has a pleasant mix of upbeat pop songs and chill mellow ones. “Within/Without” finds somewhat of a middle ground, with a slightly funky beat and their nice signature male/female harmony vocals. Read More »Lake: Within/Without [Video]
Fredrik: Flora [Video]
36.1 minutes. That is the length of the new Fredrik album, Flora. Not bad, especially since the band has put together a video that spans that amount of time and covers the album in its entirety. Brilliant, I say! Flora continues what Fredrik has created on their past two releases – eerie experimental pop music that is other-worldly. Read More »Fredrik: Flora [Video]
Benoît Pioulard: Shouting Distance [Video]
Benoît Pioulard is the project of Thomas Meluch, whose latest release, Lasted, mixes a dark, dreamy side of pop with one more experimental. “Shouting Distance” sides on the former, with more playful vocal and instrumental melodies. This is where Meluch shines, and it shows in the video for the song. “Shouting Distance” may just be footage of young kids skateboarding, but the film that’s used and the lighting give it a very cool retro feel. You can’t place it in time, but nor can you do the same with Benoît Pioulard. Meluch is mysterious like that; it’s a trait that makes his music really quite good. Read More »Benoît Pioulard: Shouting Distance [Video]
Tennis: Take Me Somewhere [Video]
Tennis may have given us “Take Me Somewhere” last fall, but they’re just now putting out a video for the song. Filmed by Ian Perlman, the video takes place aboard a sailboat and it all took place Chesapeake Bay in VA. The music fits the video well; as well it would as the husband and wife duo behind Tennis lived on one for some time. “Take Me Somewhere” is a light indie pop tune in the vein of the 1960s. The song can be found on Tennis’ debut LP, Cape Dory, out now on Fat Possum. Read More »Tennis: Take Me Somewhere [Video]
Det Vackra Livet: Viljan [Video]
I have absolutely no clue what Det Vackra Livet means, but I do know that they create some pretty amazing and dark pop music influenced by the early 80s. This is the new project from the folks behind The Mary Onettes, and it’s pretty obvious. The sounds are vastly similar, with exception to the lyrics. Det Vackra Livet comes to us in the band’s native tongue whereas The Mary Onettes dole out their songs in English. Either way, it’s really, really good. Read More »Det Vackra Livet: Viljan [Video]
Fleet Foxes: Grown Ocean [Video]
Fleet Foxes new one is a bit different from their debut. The production is vastly different. Robin Pecknold’s vocals sound extremely different (not to mention the lyrics, which a friend equated to being similar to those found in his high school journal), having been honed and crafted whereas before they sounded a bit raw at times. But what remains the same is Fleet Foxes ability to create a great sounding song. Read More »Fleet Foxes: Grown Ocean [Video]
