Don't Forget To Dance

“Brand New Start” by Little Joy

Since we’re sort of on the subject of bands we’re just now finally getting around to, I thought this might be the time to throw some Little Joy your way.  Despite heaps of critical praise, I all but ignored release of their first, self-titled album last winter.  Perhaps it’s because it’s such a summery album that it didn’t really fit with my wintry frame of mind.  Perhaps it’s just because I was being lame.  Either way, it’s the perfect soundtrack for this, the last weekend of summer.   Enjoy with sunshine.

“You And I Know ” - Ra Ra Riot (from The Orchard)

Although my initial impressions of Ra Ra Riot’s sophomore album The Orchard (due for release on August 24th) are fairly mixed, there are few stand out tracks that I do like quite a bit.  ”Boy”, the first single, is not only the strongest track, but also the one that lovers of the band’s core chamber pop sound will probably find very familiar and pleasing.  The band has made “Boy” available for free over at their website, so go on and take advantage of that if you don’t have it yet.  

The problem with the first single, however, is that is isn’t really indicative of the rest of the album, which is slower, more introspective, and a bit darker than their debut, The Rhumb Line.  But even if everything doesn’t always work for me I appreciate that the band is trying some new things, and giving their cellist the mic on “You and I Know” is one of the changes that works. It’s a grower - very pretty, a little sad, and builds to a satisfying, lovely end.

“Marathon” by Tennis

Gee, it’s been awhile.  What is it about the summer and unlimited free time that makes me forget to sit around and waste some time?  But speaking of summer, Tennis (a band that’s mad buzzin’ right now on the biggest time waster of all - the Internet) is  a great band for the current season.  Tennis is a married couple who bought a sailboat and spent eight months sailing around the East Coast.  They wrote some songs about their experience, and the result is some terrifically catchy, instantly endearing, 1950s/60s era surf pop. 

Unfortunately, they only printed 300 copies of their first 7” and it’s already sold out, but with all the buzz I’m sure they’ll print more.  In the meantime, enjoy “Marathon”, which would make a great addition to any summer playlist.

“TAOS” by Menomena (from Mines)

Menomena’s third album, titled Mines, is due for release on July 27th.  This should excite you for the following reasons:

1. Experimental (and yet accessible) indie rock is so hot right now.
2. The guys from Menomena are pretty hot, too.
3. Menomena consistently make fantastic music.
4. From what I heard of it, Mines sounds consistently fantastic.
5. Menomena is just plain fun to say. (Or, if you’re feeling like a Muppet, to sing.)

So get excited already.

Wolf Parade’s “Pobody’s Nerfect” (from Expo 86)

I am completely enamored with Wolf Parade’s third album, Expo 86 (set for release on June 29).  Their sophomore effort, At Mount Zoomer, felt so disjointed and rambling that it left me (and most critics) a bit cold, but the band with more side projects than should be possible seems to have found a way to come together and produce another focused, solidly great rock album that’s almost as good as their debut, Apologies to the Queen Mary.

I read somewhere that Spencer Krug’s main concern with writing and choosing songs for Expo 86 was whether or not he could dance to them, and it’s a benchmark that served them well.  For the most part, the songs on Expo 86 are up-tempo toe tappers, and surprisingly sunny for a band that tends to skew dark. (And that album cover?  Awesome.) 

This one’s a keeper, kids.  Get excited for it.

Morrissey’s “Suedehead”

Moz and I share a birthday, which just so happens to be today.  I believe this is both awesome and bears comment.

“She’s Long Gone” from The Black Keys’ Brothers

(In honor of their super literal album cover…)

The Black Keys released a new album today.

Its name is Brothers.

It’s a straight-up blues album.

I think it kicks a whole lot of ass.

Local Natives - “Wide Eyes” (From Gorilla Manor)

It occurred to me today that we have not yet posted on Local Natives, which is a bloody shame because they’re fantastic.  Gorilla Manor is the debut, and if you have not yet procured a copy of it for yourself then you damn well better.  Their sound is a little orchestral pop, a little afro-pop, highly percussive, and drenched in beautiful, three-part harmonies.  My music collection is not exactly small, but this one album has been playing on repeat in my house for weeks.  Get around to it.

“Lemon World” - The National (from High Violet)

Their previous album, Boxer, made me fall head over heels in love with The National, so I’ve been foaming at the mouth a bit at the prospect of their newest release, High Violet.  (It’s not due for release until May 11th, but you can get your hands on it early if you’re scrappy and don’t abide by hard and fast rules of right and wrong.)  And from what I’ve heard, High Violet is probably going to be a firm contender for one of my favorite albums of 2010.  They aren’t necessarily breaking new ground here, but when a band can produce such beautiful, well-crafted songs as these then why mess around with the formula?  Get excited for it, folks.

“Promises” - The Morning Benders (from Big Echo)

I’m on vaca so I’m keeping this uncharacteristically brief (for lo, brevity is not one of my strengths), but I’ve finally gotten around to giving the new The Morning Benders album a proper listen and am finding it to be pretty freaking terrific.  And not just the first two singles either - from front to back Big Echo is full of catchy chamber pop, laid- back chill vibes, and a great many hidden delights that ensure it will grow on you with each subsequent listen.  Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor is a co-producer, a fact that becomes glaringly obvious by the time you hit “Pleasure Sighs”, and yet it’s not at all derivative.  In fact, it’s pretty legit.

In short, I like it.  And if you’re a fan of Grizzly Bear, The Shins, et al, then I’m bettin’ you’ll probably like it too.