Suns - Three Songs

Suns are three guys from Connecticut who make honest punk flavoured indie jams. With a six track EP on the way, Three Songs is a taster of what's to come. And it's yummy too. The music is a bit more technical than it sounds, the sound is sparse and spacey but dynamic with it. My favourite track is Fuck Me While I'm Down, but all three are excellent pieces of indie rock joy. This will easily tide you over until the EP hits, so get it.

I still think the singer's voice is similar to Say Anything, even if Jesse disagrees!

Download!

Suns - Three Songs

Lohio

Pittsburgh, PA, for all intents and purposes, is my hometown. I grew up 30 miles outside the city on the backwater side of the tracks, can't figure out which bridge takes me where, and use "y'all" instead of "yinz" (also: Go Pens!). That said, I must concede I ain't really as in touch with the local scene as I should be, which I now sorely regret due to my heretofore lack of even cursory knowledge of a band called Lohio (pronounced "Low-High-Oh").

I first heard the song "Modern Days" from their 2008 album History, the Destroyer on an internet radio station called soma.fm (great stuff, scope it out if you're at all into musical discovery). I really dug it. Airy, sunny, and catchy, with loping basslines that spread like hot butter. The lead singer, Greg Dutton, comes on with a light, earnest croon and heartfelt lyrics that garner a lot of Shins comparisons but remind me more of Mark Mulcahy at his most poignant.

As things are wont to go with a burned-out college student, the song totally slipped my mind for a month until I read an article in Penn State's newspaper regarding their upcoming performance on campus. I got psyched, because not only did I learn they're from Pittsburgh, but also that, holy shits, free performance by a band that isn't immediately terrible!

So the set was today and, on a gorgeous day like this was in central PA, with the sun shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows, a band like Lohio was the perfect complement. Despite the small and somewhat unenthusiastic audience of maybe 30 or 40 at peak, the band was having a good time (especially the bassist, Liz, who laughed through the last couple songs) and it beamed through in their music. Everything meshed; Greg's guitar shone, Liz's bass danced and rolled, Sven's skins coiled and struck at all the appropriate moments, and Alex's keys impressed, seemingly holding the rest of the band by marionette wires.

They played all their songs with a sure-footed sound you'd expect in a band that's been on the road and developing in a steady iteration for way longer; the mix of influences they bring to the table (90s alt-rock, folk, alt-country, everything good and decent about the American indie rock scene, and on and on) can get muddled and undercut by bands with a lesser grip on form; Lohio never lets songs like Old Orchard Beach or Grandfather's Chaise, the former a nifty heartfelt pop-rocker with a slick rhythm bounce and hooky chorus that reminded me instantly of Wilco's "Heavy Metal Drummer" and the latter a stroll through the (alt-)country with a creamy psych-rock center, slip into a monotonous wreck of noise both familiar and unwelcome. Everything is uniquely their own, but recalls all the best emotions of everything that came before.

I should also mention that "Waiting for the End of the Summertime" might be my new summer anthem.

They rock, they're nice people, and they craft music as effortlessly refreshing as the spring breeze that it makes me long for on a day like this. Why did I move away from Pittsburgh? I'm missing the indie scene already.

Listen and smile.
Read and buy!

Lohio

Velocity Girl - Copacetic

This album wants to be your friend. The dual female/male harmonics cozy up to your ears and the shoegaze-y early-90s indie pop-rock whispers your name, soothes your soul, and offers just the right amount of attitude to keep you interested. When it came out the critics called it "bubblegrunge", which, not gonna lie, gives me a raging boner.

This came out on Sub Pop is '93, and I guess releasing an album in the shadow of the flannel rock scene, at least one like this, was poor strategy. But it WAS excellent form and superb execution. I suggest the download link for temporary listening pleasure, and the Amazon link if you can afford $1.48 for a used copy (or the .99 per song mp3 dealio, but physical copies of old albums is the way to go imo).

Enjoy!

DAOLNWOD

BITE THE BULLET

Velocity Girl - Copacetic

Teenage Cool Kids - Queer Salutations

Well, I'm sure you've heard of the famous Denton, Texas music scene (home to the always wonderful Fishboy), it just so happens to be a hotbed of indie magicalness as evidenced by Teenage Cool Kids. Recently this has been my music of choice for just chilling out and not doing anything because it doesn't beat down your eardrums it slowly taps at them with the beat of the ever so jammy drums. In the end who doesn't like laid back indie rock with a little fuzz in there for good measure? Oh yeah, and its supposedly supposed to sync up with an episode of "My So Called Life", I don't know what that means to you, but to me thats pretty snazzy.

Try It!
And here is where you can purchase it, my friend.

Teenage Cool Kids - Queer Salutations

Spraynard - Copy Paste

Alright, this album is titled Copy & Paste and its by Spraynard.They are a small band from Pennsylvania that sings pop-punk. Their music is catchy as all get out, and the way the guitars and drums work together is wow. Seriously, just listen to the album and you'll understand. It kinda reminds me of Latterman's "No Matter Where We Go..!".Anyway,this is an awesome band and thanks go to Andy for suggesting it.

As an added bonus you can Legally download it from ifyoumakeit.com by clicking here. You can also buy the LP at runner up records.

Spraynard - Copy Paste

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Vampire Weekend is a much esteemed band that gave us one of the best summer albums in 2008 going on extensive touring, leaving fans wondering when a new album would come out. Well, here it is, coming out January 12th, be sure to pick it up. It's definitely weird to hear a new album after 2 years, but it's a refreshment that Vampire Weekend never fails to bring.

Buy it!
Stream it!

I got a DMCA notice about this post, yet I didn't post a download link. I am promoting your band without posting any sort of illegal content. I would appreciate it if you did not remove my legal posts. Thanks.

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Cage The Elephant - Cage The Elephant

Don't know much about this band except they play some serious rock and roll. I saw them on Letterman and watched some videos of them playing recently at All Points West(regrettably I missed out...) and they've caught my eye. This is one band I can't wait to hear more about. They recently had breakthough success with their single "Aint No Rest For The Wicked" which feels like a 90's revival jam. I like the entire album a lot to be honest.

http://www.mediafire.com/?jzqywmtnt0w

Cage The Elephant - Cage The Elephant

The Wombats - The Wombats Proudly Present..A Guide To Love, Loss and Desperation

The Wombats are a three piece band from Liverpool, England. I am a sucker for British accents and indie bands from the country, so it was no surprise that when one of my friends was listening to them in their car I clung onto it instantly. I had heard of them before, but I just started jamming out to them recently.

http://www.mediafire.com/?miwmqngo2n2

The Wombats - The Wombats Proudly Present..A Guide To Love, Loss and Desperation

Vivian Girls - Vivian Girls

Although only a band for a little more than a year, the Vivian Girls charms have already worked their magic on their short road to “out of nowhere” status. With their irresistable mix of 60’s girl-group sounds, punk, post-punk and shoegaze.

http://www.mediafire.com/?om14i0xgkmz

Vivian Girls - Vivian Girls

The Jazz June - Breakdance Suburbia

Hey, did I promise to not post any more emo? Yeah, well too bad. These guys attended Kutztown University and I'm so happy that I finally found some good music that came out of my school. They kind of sound like everything combined indie, punk, emo, post hardcore and mix together quite well. I'm slacking in posting, this is a crisis.

http://www.mediafire.com/?m2gxjnmjuni

The Jazz June - Breakdance Suburbia

The Black Keys - Magic Potion

The Black Keys are a two-man blues-rock group from Akron, Ohio, United States which formed in 2001, consisting of singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. The band name was inspired by a schizophrenic artist and friend in Akron, who used the term “black keys” to describe things he disliked or people he did not trust. The Black Keys have roots in traditional blues and psychedelic rock stylings.

http://www.mediafire.com/?2z1m1cydm12

The Black Keys - Magic Potion

Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming

Sunset Rubdown is an indie rock band based in Montreal, Canada.

It began as a solo project of Spencer Krug, of Wolf Parade fame in 2005. He released the debut album Snake’s Got A Leg in July 2005.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zzuethtizbo

Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming

Interpol - Our Love To Admire

This is a request post.

Interpol’s sound is characterized by a dark mix of bass throb and choppy, sparse guitar. They have been compared to Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Chameleons for their similarly stark, sombre sound and obtuse, abstract lyrics.

http://www.mediafire.com/?kiz1ommiimj

Interpol - Our Love To Admire

Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope

Not a new artist to the scene, but always a longtime favorite. I've always been a fan of Regina Spektor and entirely fell away from listening to her a while ago and sadly did not come back. Today I vow to listen to more Regina Spektor and in doing so I downloaded 3 more of her albums. This is probably her best album and it was the one that started me liking her. Regina likes to play enthusiastically on her piano and sing amazingly to pretty much facinate any eager music listener. She also likes to use unorthadox noises with her mouth and hit things with sticks making simple but interesting beats citing influences from a wide assortment of genres. If you haven't listened to this album, get it immedietly. If you have listened to Regina, get this album if you don't have it. If you have this album, you get a gold star for the day.

http://www.mediafire.com/?2j2wdny0ny4

Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope

Slingshot Dakota - Their Dreams are Dead, But Ours is the Golden Ghost!

This is another band I've been holding out because I saw live. Slingshot Dakota is probably the cutest band you will ever see. Jeff Cunningham of Bridge and Tunnel was part of the band for the first album, but now the band only consists of a two-piece act of Carly Comando on keyboard and Tom Patterson on drums. Carly manages to play several parts of the band at once with her keyboard filling in with bass lines, banging on her keyboard, and putting out some of the most heart-filled vocals ever. Tom Patterson practically slams his drums into the floor with enough energy to make your pants rattle. When I saw them it reminded me of Lightning Bolt with vocals, only less aggressive. They even played on the floor. Mike Vee(link to his blog on right on right) saw them at the Two-Piece Fest in Philadelphia and he says they were one of the best acts and Japanther was there. Get this album now and go see them live.

http://www.mediafire.com/?od5zchulfmr

Slingshot Dakota - Their Dreams are Dead, But Ours is the Golden Ghost!

Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine

What do you get when you cross Northern soul music with southern influenced rock? Delta Spirit, thats who. As with many of the these bands, I found these guys by mistake on my late night internet travels into the underground world. If you enjoyed my Morning Benders post, you'll most likely enjoy this band right there with them. A simple but powerful framework backs the raspy but emotional singer. It's bands like these that keep me looking for and posting new music. All in all, enjoy the Delta Spirit, and all that surrounds you.

Songs worth a Listen: People C'mon, Parade, and Trashcan.

http://www.mediafire.com/?hgm5zzyf3im

Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine

Colour Revolt - Colour Revolt EP

Colour Revolt is an indie rock band from Oxford, Mississippi named after Edwin Abbott’s mathematical novel, Flatland. They were named the Best New Band From Mississippi by the Boston paper The Phoenix. There aren't that many good bands out of Mississippi, but these guys are still a good listen. The group has performed at SXSW and toured with Dinosaur Jr., Black Lips, Okkervil River, Menomena, Explosions in the Sky, Malajube, Anathallo, and Manchester Orchestra. I'd say they are most similar to Manchester Orchestra.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mlilzzlgg2t

Favorite track: Circus

Colour Revolt - Colour Revolt EP

Ben Kweller - Changing Horses

Well, I've been a wimp up to this point about leaked albums, but I figure one day in advance isn't going to kill anybody... Eh? I guess I shouldn't have not posted the new Bruce Springsteen Album. Anyways, this is Ben Kweller's album being released tomorrow. Enjoy being able to purchase it tomorrow for a physical copy especially if it's vinyl. I think you'll find this to be more of a country feeling album than his previous.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ccnzyzlmynz

Ben Kweller - Changing Horses

This Town Needs Guns - This Town Needs Guns

I know, what's with the double self titled albums, right? This Town Needs Guns are a math/indie rock band originating from Oxford, United Kingdom. They were formed in 2006. Over the years the band’s musical style has progressed and changed, although the focal point of their style has been the impressive guitar work of Tim Collis interspersed with solid, and at points highly complex, drumming and sparse, melodic bass.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5Y0XQ11J

This Town Needs Guns - This Town Needs Guns

Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams

Throw Me The Statue is an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington which has caught my fancy after a friend of mine sent the track "Lolita" to me. I decided to get the entire Moonbeams album and it was a great idea. Not only does the nude female diving into water attract my attention, but upon listening I was thrilled. Amazon rates this the 16th best album of 2008 even though it was released in 2007. Probably re-released because it didn't make the cut for 2007. Whatever.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mbwituhmzyy

Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams