Beach House’s 2012 single “Lazuli”
Beach House’s new release is a month away from being released, but I caught this track available in the German version of Amazon. It’s more layered and polished than earlier songs they’ve done in that it’s less of the lo-fi and more atmospheric studio sound with added production. It’s still dreamy, bright, and contemplative- staying...
Best Songs of 2011
One of the best parts of a year ending is the numerous year end countdowns. So without further adieu, here is our countdown of the top 21 songs of 2011. 21. The Joy Formidable- Austere Think of a Tegan & Sara voice and a chunkier guitar and you get this great track from The Joy...
Wu (Hu) Lyf – a Band that Thrives on Being Strange
When I discovered the mysterious group known as Wu LYF, I immediately thought this was the missing bridge for post-rock: adding vocals to driven instrumentals with a contemplative tone. It’s not really post-rock, but the guitar spells echo-orchestration-galore. And its nice and layery that gives it a complete and powerful motion that bands like Saxon...
Ragtime: A Century Ahead
Ragtime and hot jazz is finally making a comeback. The 1910s-1930s has often been an ignored era for American music. Oldies radio skips right past the roaring period of flappers, prohibition, and the dust bowl era- instead playing an 80s song plays on the “good times” station. Recently, shows like Boardwalk Empire have started to...
Madeon – “Pop Culture” (Dance Video)
Madeon’s song “Pop Culture” is a dancy number that reminds me of Ratatat’s “Wildcat” with the roar sample. Plus, its got a mashup vibe with all the sampling of vocals and whatnot. I am pretty picky with my electronic-inspired selections, so this one doesn’t disappoint. Check out the goofy dance moves from a tall and...
Active Child in Female Form?
As we get further away from the 80s, we get more music that draws from it. And it’s usually hit or miss. So I will cut to the chase and let you know that Zola Jesus’ Sea Talk is quite the synthed ballad of pure retro-electro chamber pop. And why does Active Child get mentioned...
Spotify is now American! Get it Free in the US.
After getting a passport to travel internationally into the states by the way of sizable financial backing, Spotify is going public for its hyped music services in the USA. As of the 2nd week of July, 2011, it requires an invitation, a good Klout score, or a purchase of the non-free accounts. Spotify seems quite...
Top 15 Sources for Live Indie Sessions (mp3s + Videos)
It’s a pleasure when artists give new treatments to their compositions, or a new setting reveals surprising twist in a song. That’s the charm of following a band- admiring their writing as well as their performances. Besides concerts, that’s where ephemeral sessions come to play. You’ve come here because you need to download the best...
Marvin Gaye and Pixies Collab.
What happens when Soul fuses with 90s alternative? You get Marvin Gaye supported by the Pixies in this fitting mashup…
Last.fm no longer Free for iPhones & Mobile devices
Curse the day when you must pay and subscribe for last.fm. You now have the unpriviledge to pay $3 a month for streaming, ad-free tunes. I think I am going to be streaming my own mp3s from my iPhone from now on, or resorting to Pandora if I want to hear fresh tunes, although I...
December Dreams: Snow is Listening
Merry Christmas from mox&fodder! For our last monthly playlist this year, we let you dip your feet in the musical snow in all its conditions–from a blizzard to light snowfall. We start off in the hustle-and-bustle tempo of holiday chaos, then wind it down with some cozy finishing tracks that work well with a mug...
Environmental Typography in Motion with Softlightes and Kris Moyes
This great stop-motion music video for the song “Heart Made of Sound” is a delightful pairing of music with the lyrics visually composing the music video visuals. It is a synchronized animation of type and other animated effects, like the drum-beat paper toss introduction. The music is charming. The singer has got a voice similar...
