Journal

I almost feel just as silly featuring My Morning Jacket as I did for Nine Inch Nails (back in May 08), but honestly most people that I've talked to--once I told them I was seeing MMJ (for short) for New Year's Eve--they responded with, "Who are they?"

But the reason I feel silly is because they're obviously beyond the realm of being independent or underrated. In fact, their most recent effort, Evil Urges, has been placed on many blogs' top 10 albums of the year for 2008.

So, who is MMJ? They are a band based out of Louisville, KY, and if your assumption is that they are considered southern/alt rock, then you'd be right. But with songs like Highly Suspicious and Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt. 2 and, of course, their covers of Kool and the Gang's Celebration and Get Down On It, they let out a healthy helping of soul- and R&B-infused rock, as well.

Jim James, the singer/songwriter and guitarist of the band, is up there for my contender of one of the best modern lyricists and singers. His vocals range anywhere from a smooth tenor/baritone to even a soprano in some songs, especially in "Wordless Chorus." It really is a sight to see, as was proven to me last night at their special New Year's Eve show at Madison Square Garden.

I've always kind of known that they were talented bunch, based from their studio albums and the random live clips that my boyfriend would show me online.

But seeing them live... wow... wow... they play their frickin' hearts out and and are just so passionate and talented live. If they wanted to play two more hours, I guarantee that the audience would've stayed that entire set as well. Three hours felt like just the beginning.

I wish I could articulate quite how impressionable this experience was on me, but let's just say that I haven't done anything of importance except listening to their music, browse their clips on YouTube, and then found that you, too, can download some of their live shows here. How awesome is that?!

I really shouldn't have to convince you more than this:

MMJ - Celebration/Get Down on It

What a way to ring in 2009!

Friend MMJ on MySpace!

Images courtesy of RYM.

10. My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges



When MMJ started playing their new stuff live and Jay showed me the clips, I was became intrigued. I know a lot of MMJ fans like their earlier efforts more, but this album is the one that totally won me over. I can't wait to see them for New Year's Eve at MSG!

9. Beck: Modern Guilt



It seems I always put Beck in my top 10, but honestly this album, while a short one, is the tightest and most-focused release he's put out in a good five years.

8. Olivia Broadfield: Eyes Wide Open



For those of you paying attention, she made it as one of my featured artists this year. She's got sweet vocals surrounded by poppy, electronic melodies. She hasn't left the iPod since I bought the download.

7. The Weepies: Hideaway



This is a nice, cohesive album, but it's not as affective as their previous Say I Am You, still... it's a good one, and I love the crap out of the track "Wish I Could Forget."

6. The Kills: Midnight Boom



First I was recommended this album by my last.fm friend, Jenn, and then when I saw The Kills live, I was hooked. After I returned from ACL, I got this from Emusic. Great fun rock music, especially if you like bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

5. Snow Patrol: A Hundred Million Suns



I was surprised to like this album as instantly as I did, especially without hearing previously. I almost wonder if Gary Lightbody can write a bad song.

4. Madonna: Hard Candy



I really didn't want to like this album, especially with the seemingly sell-out approach/collaboration with Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Kayne West. But, dammit, I do like it! It's hip-hop pop sweetness, as the title suggests.

3. The Duhks: Fast Paced World



First heard this indie, bluegrass/soul-infused band from Paste. Checked 'em out on Emusic and just fell in love with Sarah Dugas' vocals. Their style is nearly impossible to place into one genre. In some songs they sound like Toshi Reagon and her band, and in other songs they sound like Feist, and all while still being a totally original band.

2. Hot Chip: Made In The Dark



This should be no surprise. Jay and I found out they were playing ACL, and next thing you know, for my birthday, I have this and their previous album, The Warning, and I just can't stop listening to them. As if the studio stuff wasn't enough, experiencing them live--standing/dancing in nearly the second row with the just as energetic crowd--is one of the highlights of this year. Quite possibly the best dance-driven rock music I've ever heard.

1. Casey Stratton: Signs of Life



Casey's music and vocals are always like a gift from god, really... even if you don't believe in god or a god. His previous efforts are spectacular in their own ways, but this album and I have instantly bonded and never want to stop talking to each other. Consistently excellent vocals and inspiring lyrics throughout, but I have to say that "Hidden Place" is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard this year.

Honorable Mentions:
Ben Folds: Way to Normal
of Montreal: Skeletal Lamping
Okkervil River: The Stand Ins

I'm doing a double feature right now because December might be too crazy to post then.

When I first started to listening to indie music, all I wanted to listen to was female singer-songwriters. Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, Imogen Heap, Bjork--all these great female artists have reached a sort of mainstream level of success while maintaining indie/cult appeal to them.

In the years since my discovery of them, I've branched out to different genres and male musicians.

Lately, it takes quite a bit for a female to grab my attention, because the bar is set to high from these front-running females.

With that in mind, I have two great women singer-songwriters to promote--

I discovered Olivia Broadfield from the greatest Internet radio station playing all-female artists, KGRL.fm. Her song "Crashing Down" reminded me of what I love about Jennifer Paige's Crush. I previewed her other songs and was immediately hooked. She's a great female to listen to if you enjoy the electronic, poppy sounds of Imogen Heap and the smooth-like-honey voice of Feist. This would stand to reason as she's influenced and listens to these female artists as well.

Don't let me be the only one to convince you--she's got a great referral from Guy Sigsworth: "Some singers strike a pose. Some make attention-seeking songs out of gossip column inanities...Olivia takes you inside her head. And what a wonderful place it is..."

I couldn't agree more! Olivia Broadfield on MySpace--friend her now! Download her album from Emusic!

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The other female that deserves the other half of the limelight is Galia Arad. On 11/11/08, I went to see previously featured artist Marina V at Caffe Vivaldi in the city. After Marina was finished, I decided to stay for the next act. The next act was Galia Arad. She was funny, cute, a big Obama supporter (mentioning that they were the "Yes We Band!"), and best of all--talented female singer-songwriter. Her voice is reminiscent of Katie Melua, but much more articulated and deliberate. Galia's lyrics take you to fun, witty, and sometimes romantic places. Her vocals are jazzy, but her style is folk-based. I loved it! I immediately downloaded her album, Sand In Your Bed, from Amazon.

Below are a few pics I took at her show:







I just can't stop listening to her! Galia Arad on MySpace--friend her now! Download her album from Amazon.

When the Austin City Limits Music Festival lineup was announced, there were many acts that I hadn't heard of. I checked out some of them, and one of them that immediately stuck out in my mind is Hot Chip.

I gotta say--I had high expectations for this band's performance at ACL.

The music is best defined as electro-pop/rock, but there's much more going on than that. These five guys (Alexis Taylor, Joe Goddard, Owen Clarke, Al Doyle, and Felix Martin) make, if possible, the best electronic music with harmonious vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and danceable rhythms and beats since I discovered Venus Hum (2006).

Live, they don't just play the music... but they all have chemistry and look to have a great time playing. It helps that audience was just as into it as they are. It's true what Tori Amos said some 10+ years ago, the audience and performer relationship is all about give and take and is in constant cyclical motion (that's a paraphrase, btw). If it's not that motion, then there's something missing.

Those factors aside, I have to admit that I like that they play up the the "geek/nerd" image and make it beyond cool. Their music videos, especially, seem to say that it's just fine and actually preferred if you celebrate the geekiness within. Songs that you can tell that echo this sentiment are: "Over And Over," "Ready For The Floor," "Arrest Yourself," and "Bendable Poseable."

Picture that I took at ACL that I absolutely love:



Hot Chip on MySpace--Friend them now!

In July 2008, I went to the NYC show of the Ten out of Tenn tour. I, of course, went to support Butterfly Boucher (already an avid, and she's already been highlighted as August 2007's Featured Artist), but I left the venue with the intent of friending everyone on MySpace who performed.

One pianist, singer-songwriter's songs stood out from the rest of the others. Those two songs were "Beautiful Day for Bad News" and "Brown Eyes" by Andy Davis. Loving songs instantly and live like that is a pretty incredible experience. What was the icing on the cake is that when I was waiting to talk to Butterfly, Andy shook my hand and thanked me for coming out.

After all that, I downloaded his Let The Woman album from Amazon, and it's already become one of my most played albums since the beginning of the year, some songs already up to being played over a dozen times. This 10-song album is filled with piano- and guitar-pop melodies over smart lyrics and smooth vocals.

Some songs are Billy Joel-esque (but, god, so much better), but then there's "Their Love is Not Their Business," which has a subtle reminders of Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place."

I can't recommend Andy Davis enough, and recently USA Today confirms that he's worth the download, stating that "Beautiful Day for Bad News" is the Pick of the Week.

Go ahead, friend Andy Davis on MySpace now and buy his album. I promise you won't regret it!

I finally have a new one for you! Aren't you all excited?

Like most indie artists that I end up going crazy over, I was introduced to !!! by my bf. He told me that he tried to get me into them last year, but he said that I brushed him off. Since then, !!!'s Myth Takes has been added to my iTunes when I least expected it (some time earlier this year).

I've been walking and commuting with my iPod, with !!! on there. I'd be minding my own business and suddenly get into some real groove and lyrics it's got to be true love baby / it's such a precious things. And EVERY TIME I looked at my iPod to see who was doing such cool songs, it was always !!!

I found out that they were going to be playing NYC (July 27) around my b-day (July 29), and I directly hinted that I wanted to see them live. Needless to say, last night we went to see them at Music Hall in Williamsburg/Brooklyn, NY. They didn't go on until 11:00ish pm and only played for an hour, but that hour was fun- and energy-filled! There wasn't a person in the whole house who wasn't moving or dancing in some way. Very impressive!

The band is obviously full of passion and loves doing what they do; I definitely am glad to have experienced them live, and you should too if they come to your neck of the woods.

Friend Them on MySpace!

Nine Inch Nails just might be my first featured artist who's already well-established as an artist.

As you could probably assume, the reason I've opted to feature NIN is because they've offered up their latest effort, The Slip, for a completely free download on their website: http://www.nin.com

Of course, NIN is a band who can afford to do this, just like Radiohead, but that's after "continued and loyal support over the years," which means to keep supporting your indie faves, keep buying music whenever possible, keep spreading the word.

In listening to these new songs, I'm reminded of how I first got into NIN. Truth be told, it wasn't until I started listening to Tori Amos and all her allusions to NIN and then Trent Reznor singing with her on "Past the Mission" from Under the Pink. Of course, I didn't really know any NIN music until "Closer" came out, like most mainstream America. But The Downward Spiral wasn't my first purchase; I actually bought Pretty Hate Machine. This was my first exposure to the genre "industrial," and well... kinda I liked it.

I'll be the first one to admit that I don't love NIN hardcore or anything, but I've always admired Reznor's talents. To see him and the rest of the band live is one of the experiences I wish I could have. /rant WHY COULDN'T THEY PLAY ACL INSTEAD OF FOO FIGHTERS?!?!?! /end rant

The new album seems like they really just wanted to have fun making music, and my featured song my MySpace profile --"Discipline"--I think echoes that sentiment perfectly.

A little earlier this time, but oh well. This gal and her band (Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings) deserve the extra time in the limelight.

If you're looking for the sexy-funkiness that James Brown brought to you back in the day and Amy Winehouse just pisses you off/annoys you, look no further. In fact, this IS the band who played for Amy Winehouse's music.

But Sharon Jones has been dripped in teh sexy and now oozes teh funky that you know you've been craving.

There are no other words. You just have to experience this for yourself... all three of their albums are available for download on Emusic. Get 'em while they're hot :) (My order of preference is: Naturally, Dap-Dippin' With..., and 100 Days, 100 Nights.)

Friend them on MySpace!