The other day Christian and Tomas from Blindside came into the studio to hang for a bit while they were playing in Dallas. It had been about 4 years since the band had played in Dallas and this is the first major tour back to the states since 2004. In the interview we talked about their new album With Shivering Hearts We Wait, why they were gone for so long, working with Howard Benson and the back story behind two songs.
Overall the guys were really great to chat with. It may be another 5 years before they make it back to Dallas so it was nice to visit with them while they were here. Also below is an acoustic version of the song “Our Love Saves Us”
I have been getting a ton of new music lately a lot of it has been really good. If I could, I’d honestly make everyone who reads this a cd with the songs I am about to mention but I can’t. It’d be hard, so I decided why not give you a taste of what I have been listening to. Maybe you could check out some of the songs and in turn discover some great new music. So let’s begin… Add this to your playlist.. pt.1
1. Death Cab For Cutie: You Are A Tourist
The guys just came out with a cd this past Tuesday (Codes and Keys) and it’s good. Great. This is the first single off the album and you will probably hear a lot of it on radio and on the net and other places. The song is also a good introduction to the album.
2. Manchester Orchestra: April Fool
Off the new album Simple Math that also recently came out. Simple Math is good the video for the song is really great. I had tickets to go see them in Dallas but due to other commitments ie. family I wasn’t able to attend. Either way if these two songs are indication as to the direction of Alternative music I will be super freakin pumped. It’s been awhile and I am glad the bro-rock period is over with.
3. Blindside: Monster On The Radio
This is the band’s first album in 6 years. The dudes from Sweeden teamed up again with Howard Benson to create With Shivering Hearts We Wait. The song Monster On The Radio was released during an interview and immediately after the song was on YouTube. A Few days later the song had over 20k hits on YouTube not bad for a bootlegged version of the song. The song has since been released on the site withshiveringheartswewait.com and the new album is well worth the wait.
4. Eisley: Smarter
This is also the first single off the new Eisley record The Valley. The video is incredibly beautiful much like the song. The band isn’t getting much radio air play YET but I wouldn’t be surprised if 3-4 months from now they were all over the place. If there was one band I would say check out at a show now, this will be it. Often times I hear of bands playing smaller club venues and I think oh I will catch them next time they come to Dallas, then they do and its at House of Blues or some place else. The whole album is what I would describe as mystically beautiful with haunting vocals. If you have no idea what that means than listen to this song and maybe you will see what I am talking about.
5. Abandon: Help
Unless you listen to Christian radio or follow Christian bands there is a good chance you have no idea who these guys are. They have flown a little low on the radar but that doesn’t mean they haven’t produced good quality music. If you are a stickler when it comes to music and are like “ah! They are Christian, I can’t listen to that.” Uh. Do me a favor and let this song change your mind and what you think about “Christian” music. The lyrics are hopeful and the band is experimental and creative. I talked to the lead singer and he mentioned that they did everything that wanted to when recording this album, including using a Fisher Price microphone that created a natural reverb when sang through. The result is an album called Control and this is just one single from it.
6. Emery: Daddy’s Little Peach
The new album came out earlier this year “We Do What We Want” and I’ll be honest I’m not a huge fan of hard-core, post-hardcore, pre-hardcore, semi-hardcore..haha I don’t even know if those last two are categories. The point is regardless of genre a good song is a good song. This is the first Emery album with out Devin. Can you tell? If you are a big fan of Emery I am sure you could but I couldn’t. The thing that I do like about this song is the transitions and layers. That makes this song stand out above the rest on the record.
7.Danger Mouse & Daniele Lupe feat. Jack White: Two Against One
I am a fan of Jack White and usually anything he does musically is pretty freakin amazing but who would know that him with Danger Mouse and Daniele Lupe would put together something like this? The thing I like about this song is lyrically its poetic. It flows and is appealing like a good wine with an awesome steak. The whole album Rome has some pretty impressive features from vocalists including Norah Jones and Jack White among others. This is worth checking out based on the fact that Danger Mouse has gotten his hands into another project by another name but it is still quality music. Also this song sounds like it belongs on a Quentin Tarantino film.
8. Foo Fighters: Arlandria
The new album Wasting Light is easily one of the best albums to come out this year. For the first time in a long time Alternative Rock had the #1 spot on the charts and that is thanks to Dave Grohl and this record. When I heard that they were going to record this album in Dave’s garage I was pretty pumped, but then I also realized that his garage was probably on par with most peoples homes. Regardless, Foo Fighters teamed up with Nirvana Nevermind producer Butch Vig. The album itself is also pretty personal in that regard. Dave has said in interviews that some of the songs are about Kurt and even after 17 years he is still healing and dealing with his death. The other thing I love about this record is that Foo Fighters for as big of a band as they are, they did garage shows all over the country for the biggest die hard fans. Amazing.
9. Derek Webb: Feeback
The whole album is incredible and is a eletronic interpretation/retelling of the Lord’s Prayer. What is great about this is the concept and the fact that the music itself is perfect for meditating, praying, yoga, or just tuning out from the chaotic world that surrounds us. The music itself resembles something Tycho put out. It’s really downtempo ambient music and beautiful.
10. Mike Mains and The Branches: Stereo
I first heard about this band after I saw this video show up on my Facebook feed about 10 times. After watching it the catchy hooks of Stereo and the well produced video had me intrigued. I dug a little deeper and found out that a mutual contact is their booking agent and he sent me a copy of the cd. From there I was hooked. The songs are lyrical honest and transparent and I have a feeling you will hear from them very soon. Last I heard they had a few offers from different labels.
There you go 10 songs from 10 bands you probably have heard of and even maybe a couple you haven’t. Check out the songs let me know what you think and when I get more music from bands I think are worthy of your time, I will post another edition of “Add This To Your Playlist.”
Thanks for reading and if you think there is something I missed or need to add let me know.
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