Tag Archives: Indie

Yeasayer, Liars cover Fleetwood Mac

Posted on November 26, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Mojo - Rumours RevisitedThe latest issue of Mojo magazine comes with a free CD: Rumours Revisited – a track-by-track tribute to Fleetwood Mac‘s 1977 classic Rumours. Artists like Yeasayer, Liars, Besnard Lakes and others covered the album’s 11 tracks.

Yeasayer offers a quirky take on the opening track, “Second Hand News.” The rhythm bops along with sprightly electronics, and the band adds slight psychedelic twists with textures and warbly harmonies.

Liars’ cover is quite the opposite. The ominous bowed-bass opening, low vocals and minimal tones make “The Chain” incredibly creepy.

Check out both tracks below, courtesy of Mad Mackerel, and pick up a copy of Mojo to hear the rest.

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Free Energy – “Hangin”

Posted on November 26, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Free Energy - Love SignAs 2012 winds down, we’re starting to look ahead at 2013′s anticipated releases. After hearing two strong singles, “Electric Fever” and “Dance All Night,” and a fantastic CMJ performance, Free Energy‘s sophomore album, Love Sign, is definitely near the top of the list.

The band just released another song from it: “Hangin.” It sticks closely to the Free Energy forumla — catchy power-pop hooks, head-bopping rhythm and big guitar solos — and works perfectly. They keep their style without falling into repetition.

Stream “Hangin” below. Love Sign is out January 15 on the band’s own Free People label.

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Jim James – “Know Til Now”

Posted on November 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Jim James - Regions of Light and Sound of GodMy Morning Jacket frontman Jim James has done a bit of solo work in the past — a George Harrison covers EP under the name Yim Yames and a few songs here and there — but today he announced his first solo full-length will be released in February.

Regions of Light and Sound of God is a solo album in the most literal sense. With songs primarily inspired by Lynd Ward’s 1929 graphic novel God’s Man, James played every instrument on the record and engineered it himself.

The album’s first single “Know Til Now” dives headfirst into the R&B that MMJ has been hinting at for years. The funky bassline and keys sound like a space-themed blaxploitation soundtrack, and James even busts out a saxophone solo at the end of the six-and-a-half-minute track.

Check out “Know Til Now” below. Regions of Light and Sound of God comes out February 5 via ATO.

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The Denzels – Easy Tiger

Posted on October 22, 2012 by | 1 Comment

The Denzels - Easy TigerThe Denzels’ Easy Tiger EP is the end-of-summer blues. The last few rays of sun-drenched treble guitars collide with the chill of singer Tommy Hinga’s low vocals. But don’t expect some quiet lament. The band’s high-energy indie rock captures the thrill of something exciting and fresh.

The opening guitar riff and hi-hat of “Black Girls” give the EP a running start. The surfy licks come with a layer of grit and reverb, more city than beach. The next two songs also pack a punch in the rhythm. The crunchy guitars of “Shaking” give way to a killer chorus, and the Denzels do it with a swagger that’s all but lost in most rock music.

The last two tracks wind down Easy Tiger a bit. The eerie ”Waterfront” recalls Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger,” especially Hinga’s somber vocals. The closer, “Cure,” features a desolate soundscape of reverb paired with a sugary vocal hook.

In just 18 minutes, The Denzels capture the fleeting change of seasons. It’s a quick glance to the past and a hopeful sense of what’s ahead.

Easy Tiger is out now on Admirable Traits Records. Stream is below.

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Andrew Bird – “If I Needed You” (Townes Van Zandt cover)

Posted on October 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Andrew Bird - Hands of GloryAndrew Bird‘s Hands of Glory is coming out later this fall. The eight-track companion to this year’s Break It Yourself features original tracks, like “Three White Horses,” a reworking of the BIY track “Orpheo Looks Back,” and covers of songs by the Carter Family, the Handsome Family and more.

Check out Bird’s cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You.” Hands of Glory is out October 30 via Mom + Pop.

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Ducktails – “The Flower Lane”

Posted on October 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Ducktails - The Flower LaneDucktails just released a new song from their forthcoming album, The Flower Lane.

Originally the solo project of Real Estate guitarist Matt Mondanile, Ducktails’ new album features more collaborations. Mondanile is backed by Big Troubles, and The Flower Lane also features guest spots from Madeline Follin of Cults, Oneohtrix Point Never’s Daniel Lopatin, Sam Mehran of Outer Limitz, and more.

Stream the title track below. The Flower Lane comes out January 29 on Domino.

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Free Energy – “Dance All Night”

Posted on October 10, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Free Energy - Dance All NightFree Energy‘s sophomore album, Love Sign, is coming out early next year on their own label Free People. The group released “Electric Fever” this summer, and now they’ve got another new one: “Dance All Night.”

The new single is slower, but still a great Free Energy jam.

Stream “Dance All Night” and check out the official album teaser below. Love Sign is out January 15 via Free People.

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Sufjan Stevens – “Christmas Unicorn”

Posted on October 2, 2012 by | 2 Comments

Sufjan Stevens - Silver & GoldSufjan Stevens is continuing his Songs for Christmas series with a new box set this fall. Starting in 2001, Sufjan has been recording Christmas songs almost every year. The first five EPs were collected on 2006′s Songs for Christmas, and though the EPs comprising Silver & Gold were recorded between 2006 and 2010, none of it has yet been released.

Silver & Gold‘s five EPs – Gloria, I Am Santa’s Helper, Christmas Infinity Voyage, Let It Snow and Christmas Unicorn – feature collaborations with Bryce and Aaron Dessner of the National, Richard Reed Perry of Arcade Fire, Sebastian Krueger of Inlets, and members of Danielson, among others.

The title track from the fifth EP, “Christmas Unicorn,” is a 12-minute epic. The whimsical song starts with soft harp plucks and harmonies before morphing into Age of Adz-style digital euphoria.

Stream “Christmas Unicorn” below. Silver & Gold is available digitally and on CD on November 13 via Asthmatic Kitty. A limited-edition vinyl box set will be released on December 31.

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The Mountain Goats – “Night Light” (Demo)

Posted on October 2, 2012 by | 1 Comment

The Mountain Goats - Transcendental YouthThe Mountain Goats‘ fourteenth album, Transcendental Youth, is out today. To celebrate its release, Merge released an early demo of “Night Light,” from the new album.

The demo is just frontman John Darnielle on guitar and vocals, with a bit of added piano, but the most stripped-down Mountain Goats tracks always capture the brilliance of his writing.

Check out the demo for “Night Light” below, which is also available for free download from Merge’s SoundCloud. Transcendental Youth is out today.

 

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Black Moth Super Rainbow – “Gangs in the Garden”

Posted on October 1, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Cobra JuicyBlack Moth Super Rainbow just released another new track from their upcoming album, Cobra Juicy.

“Gangs in the Garden” is a fantastic upbeat psych-dance track. If “Windshield Smasher” and “Spraypaint” didn’t already have you excited for Cobra Juicy, this one will.

Check out the new track below. Cobra Juicy, which was funded via Kickstarter, is out October 23 on the band’s own Rad Cult.

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