Deer and the Headlights

Natives of Phoenix, Arizona, Deer and the Headlights have been compared to the Bright Eyes. Give a listen to the new album and judge for yourself.

P.S. I like track 2: Bad News :)

Feist -- The First Album circa 1999

I was surprised when I came across this little gem. I though that I had all of her albums. Boy was I wrong!

Click here for your fix.

Beck -- MODERN GUILT

I heard that this album is pretty darn good.

Have a listen and let me know.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

For those of you that went the see The Faint, but were more impressed by their opening act. Get the full album here.

Ra Ra Riot For You!

Download album here.

The Faint at CSUS

Is anyone really planning to go this show? Rosemary and I saw the Faint in SF a couple years ago (with TV on the Radio) and they put on a decent show. They played a cover of "Psycho Killer" that I really enjoyed. This time they're playing with some band called Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (shoot me now). Anyway, tickets are $20 and the show starts at 7:30pm. The price is a little steep for me, but if peeps are going I might be persuaded.

Prior to becoming our president elect, Barack Obama was polled by Blender magazine for his top 10 songs (they also polled McCain, but who cares?). Here's what our new president listens to:

1. "Ready or Not" by Fugees
2. "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye
3. "I'm On Fire" by Bruce Springsteen
4. "Gimme Shelter" by Rolling Stones
5. "Sinnerman" by Nina Simone
6. "Touch the Sky" by Kanye West
7. "You'd Be So Easy to Love" by Frank Sinatra
8. "Think" by Aretha Franklin
9. "City of Blinding Lights" by U2
10. "Yes We Can" by will.i.am

2 Cool 4 School

NME announced this year's "NME Cool List," a list of the coolest people of 2008. The British music publication is asking voters to rate those peeps who made it on the list, effectively shortening the list to the top 10 readers' favs. According to NME, "[the list is] also an attempt to take the pulse of Britain in 2008." Here's just a few who made it onto the list:

Karen O., Little Boots, Rivers Cuomo (of Weezer), Scarlett Johansson, Andrew VanWyngarden (of MGMT), Florence Welch, Santogold, Jay-Z, Alice Glass (of Crystal Castles) & Ladyhawke.

Rubies

The California-based duo, Rubies, have recently peaked my interest. Signed by Hybris, the same label that is home to El Perro Del Mar, the Rubies released Explode from the Center earlier this year. They have mellow songs like "The Truth and the Lies" and tracks that have already been remixed into dance-inducing tunes like "Stand in Line." One thing is for sure, Simone Rubi (lead vocals, keyboards) and Terri Loewenthal (bass) make the sweet pop music that makes my world tick!

11/24/08 :: The Rosebuds :: The Independent

One of my favorite bands is playing in SF later this month. Tickets are $12adv/$14door -- Anyone want to join me? Visit Merge Records to stream tracks from their earlier releases. If you're looking to buy, I suggest picking up 2007's Night of the Furies, which features synth-heavy dance pop. Good stuff.

The Weepies

I'm a sucker for boy-girl vocals, especially when it's indie pop perfection. First there was Butterglory, an American indie-rock band from Lawrence, Kansas; then there was Mates of State, a indie-pop duo who met in Lawrence, Kansas; and there's my newest discovery the Weepies, who are a folk-pop duo who have nothing to do with Lawrence, Kansas.

I haven't heard anything off their latest release, Hideaway, but "Gotta Have You" is a sweet little ditty from 2006's Say I Am You.

Plus, their album art is very cute!

"Who'd Have Known" she could be so sweet?

Lily Allen's newest track "Who'd Have Known" is a sweet little love song about spending the day cuddling with your honey.

Download the track here.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Wilco and the Fleet Foxes have teamed up to cover Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released." Promise that you'll vote, and you can download the track for free!

On a side note, Starbuck's will be giving away free coffee to those who vote this election day.

Tongue Tied

I'm curious what you guys think of Jenny Lewis' latest album. I've only heard three tracks (Acid Tongue, The Next Messiah, and Carpetbaggers) and I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed. Still, I need to hear the rest of the tracks before I make a decision. Anyone have any thoughts?

RC is back!

That's right, kids. RC is back! It's been awhile since I've been inspired by any new music, and I want to hear what new songs/bands you guys have been listening to. I've searched my favorite sites (hypemachine, cmj, etc.) looking for new tunes and I haven't discovered much that I like.

November's RC meeting will be at my house on Monday, November 10th - 7:30pm. Since it's been so long since our last meeting, let's just bring two songs that you've been listening to on repeat lately. Also, please bring a little info to share about your selections! Oh, and bring a food or beverage to share!

Design and Life Issue

I have Viva la Vida!!

Lemme know if ya want it. I send you the link.

The April RC Cover

Sorry guys about the delay! Thanks to Vero, the April Mix is available for download. The long awaited cover is here for you too! Hooray!

Soundtrack of our lives :: April RC mix

Download here.

Yahoo!

Pork & Beans!

This Weezer video kills me!

Sub Pop scores again :: Fleet Foxes

I discovered this Shins-esque (albeit more mellow) band this morning, and really enjoy the tune that Sub Pop released as a free download. I'll definitely be checking them out. The Seattle-based band is slated to play the Bottom of the Hill later this month.

Here's the link to the download:
"White Winter Hymnal"

Morton Valence

I don't know much about this British band, but what I've heard (and seen) so far I really like. The band is also offering fans a chance to invest in their next album. It's really quite interesting. Here's what they have to say about it on their MySpace page:

"We are financing our album by selling shares of it to individual investors. In return, not only will an investor own a percentage of our album and reap the financial rewards of any success, but significantly too, they will be a part of a pioneering new spirit in a revitalised music industry.

For the first time since the inception of recorded music the pendulum of power has swung away from faceless corporations and towards the people who matter the most in the industry, the fans and artists.

This is not only something we fully intend to celebrate, but something we also intend to fully exploit.

We are offering anyone who likes our music a chance to celebrate with us by giving you the opportunity of owning a percentage of our next album."

Here's the video for their song "Chandelier." Enjoy!

On a side note, they have a song called "Veronica's Blades" and one called "Bob and Veronica Crickets."

He says, she says

I recently picked up a promotional copy of husband-and-wife duo Mates of State's latest album, Re-Arrange Us, and was pleasantly surprised by it. I haven't listened to any of their stuff in years, but their cover of "California" that Rosemary brought to RC peaked my interest in them again. I highly recommend giving the new album a listen.

THE Jam of Summer 2008

In case you are wondering, I predict this will be THE jam of the summer, and you heard it here first:



Apparently, this is very popular in New Zealand right now, and I'm guessing it will make it's way here next. If it doesn't, it SHOULD. This is hysterical and a great dance tune.
"Gay Bar" by Electric Six

Remaining cover songs from last time!

OK, folks, here's what was missing off of Erin's list:

Coldplay - "Lips Like Sugar" by Echo and the Bunnymen
Unknown - "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper
Beachwood Sparks - "By Your Side" by Sade
Squarepusher - "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division
Yes - "America" by Paul Simon
Cat Power - "I Can't Get No (Satisfaction)" by the Rolling Stones
The Flaming Lips - "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
Death Cab for Cutie - "All is Full of Love" by Bjork
Luna - "Bonnie & Clyde" by ?
Cibo Matto - "Aguas de Marco" by Astrid Gilberto
Orchestra Baobab - "El Sol Te Llama" by ?

P.S. I have a GOOD one I'm bringing this time.