Songs That are Younger Than They Sound.

Hope all of you are enjoying the new Beach House album Bloom. Despite what other critics say, I do recognize slight similarities...but this is THE STYLE OF BEACH HOUSE. Cryptic, Classic, and overall it's JUST WHO THEY ARE. Respect this powerhouse duo who convey some of the most mind-boggling lyrics through a voice that literally gives a grown man the chills (who will remain nameless for now) and to this day their setup of instruments is just as simple as it was when they first started. I read an interview on Pitchfork with the members of Beach House (Victoria Legrand & Alex Scally) recently that needs to be read by everyone, words can't explain their intelligence. 

 http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/8831-beach-house/

So if beach house isn't your style, here are some jams that go great with sunshine, or possibly make you stir-crazy if you're somewhere in the world where the sun doesn't shine. 

ENJOY FOLKS! :)

TENNIS

"ORIGINS"

After releasing the crafty & extra retro Cape Dory , Tennis (a husband & wife duo from Denver consisting of Alaina Moore & Patrick Riley) joined forces with Patrick Carney of the Black Keys to create their 2nd LP titled Young & Old. Tennis has a way of literally taking you back in time with their sound, and their chemistry when performing live is absolutely something to love. The sound in Young & Old definitely has a more mature sound to it overall, yet maintains the same quality of passion that you find in Alaina's voice. Catch them in August at this years Outside Lands Music Festival, you won't be disappointed. 

Other tracks to check out: Petition, Deep in the Woods, Marathon, My Better Self (newly released video for this track on YouTube now!). 

"IT ALL FEELS THE SAME" on the Dave Letterman show (4/9). 

Never underestimate the power of a voice that comes from a body so petite. 

SURFER BLOOD

(if you go to UCSB, here's some time for you to complete a little bit of your Extravaganza homework, because they will be performing live).

"FLOATING VIBES"

One of their most popular songs from their 2010 album Astro Coast, and overall it's a pretty decent album. The award for my favorite song is actually from their 2011 EP Tarot Classics, and you can access their Halfway House Sessions performance of "I'm Not Ready" HERE!

& feel free to call me crazy, but towards the end of the "I'm Not Ready" track that John Paul Pitts starts to sound like Glenn Danzig? You know, "MOTHERRRRRRRRR, can you keep them in the dark for life?"

REAL ESTATE 

"EASY"

Mmmm. mellow, fresh, and totally something to read the newspaper to. Or put together your new fixie bike? Close your eyes and imagine drinking a forty on Venice Beach in the early 1960's, does that do the trick for you? Phew. If you are diggin' Real Estate, I recommend going back to their first self-titled album and starting from there. Your ears will be so chilled you won't know what to do with yourself. 

"IT'S REAL" (Live on KEXP)

These indie sweethearts have only been around for a few years, but here's a live version of "It's Real" to let you know...... well, they're real. 

SUMMER CAMP 

"BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU" a track found on the first track on their 2011 full-length Welcome to Condale. With a name like Summer Camp, what were your expecting? It's flirty. It's borderline dramatic. It's hopeful. These are just a few of the emotions exposed at Summer Camp. Elizabeth Sankey nails it as a lo-fi version of Alison Mosshart in the track "Nobody Knows You". I suggest your ears have a listen & let me know.

CAMERA OBSCURA

"FRENCH NAVY" off their 2009 full-length album My Maudlin Career. They have a sweet sound, and I literally mean sweet. After listening to their 2006 LP Let's Get Out of This Country, I literally wanted to go layout at the beach with my cassette tape player. 

Except, it was nearly 2AM on a Tuesday night, 

and I don't own a cassette tape player. 

"THE SWEETEST THING"

Other tracks to check out from Camera Obscura: Tears For Affair, Comeback Margaret, Honey In The Sun.

Feel free to let me know what you & your ears think! Tweet about it. Share with everyone and your mother... Please & Thank You! :)

freshvibesmonday #3

There's several reasons to love today. If you find yourself struggling to agree, here's some tunes to change your mind. :) 
P.S. Had an amazing time at the Washed Out show on Saturday. It was my first time attending a show at the Music Box in Hollywood, and definitely will not be the last. Unfortunately I missed out on Memoryhouse, the openers but Ernest Greene put on one hell of a set with his band (including his wife Blair Sexton, who's on the cover of the Life of Leisure EP). The crowd was great, and Ernest couldn't stop smiling throughout the whole set. It truly makes all of the money spent on the ticket(s), gas, beer(s), etc WORTH IT when you experience an artist giving off such positive energy as he did while performing. Time flew by as they performed tracks from both Life of Leisure (EP) & their first full-length album Within & Without. 

Guess i'll shut up now. ENJOY THE MUSIC! :)

PASSION PIT - TAKE A WALK

The wait is over. On July 24th, Passion Pit will release their second full-length LP Gossamer. In addition to releasing the single, today Michael Angelakos tweeted, 

"Hi. Hope everyone is enjoying the single. FYI it's not political-commentary. It's just a few characters from my family and their gripes. Thx"

"Take a Walk" is an addictive track if you're familiar with previous work from PP (Manners, Chunk of Change). It's a bit of a new sound with the same melancholic vibe that the lyrics produce. Passion Pit will be touring later this year, and luckily they will be playing at this year's Outside Lands Music Festival held at Golden Gate Park!

CHARLI XCX - I'LL NEVER KNOW

Charli XCX is addicting. If this face is new to you, be sure to check out Nuclear Season & Stay Away: two tracks that you'll be obsessing over shortly.

THE MACCABEES - CHILD

Even though this was recorded at the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge in December of last year, The Maccabees' third studio album Given to the Wild wasn't released in America until recently (April 25th)! Definitely give the album a listen if you have time. Just found out they'll be opening for Florence + the Machine on tour this year (& if you live in the Los Angeles area, they're coming to the Hollywood Bowl on October 7th with an additional opener: The Weeknd). Yeah, i almost fell out of my seat when I read that too.

TWIN SHADOW - FIVE SECONDS

Released last week as a single, expect Twin Shadow will always be a favorite of mine, as I first heard when I started working at Urban Outfitters almost two years ago. His music always gives off an 80's vibe that will keep your foot tapping yet suck you in with the lyrics. It's a little romantic. It's a little dark. It's something to turn on first thing in the morning, trust me. 

THE RAPTURE - ECHOES

I'm finding it hard to shut up about these guys after their amazing performance at Coachella this year. The Rapture literally brought Dance & Rock together perfectly, and unfortunately the crowd in this video isn't as crazy as what I experienced recently. It's funky, yet freakishly awesome how it much it sounds just like it did on their 2003 album also titled Echoes. 9 years later, still knocking shoes off. 

LYKKE LI - COME NEAR
It will surprise you. I had the urge to turn on Fever Ray immediately following the first time I heard this track......and buy face paint. 

FYI:

upcoming & recent album release dates:

Bloom - Beach House - May 15th 

Neck of the Woods - Silversun Pickups - May 8th 

Electra Heart - Marina and the Diamonds - OUT NOW!

Given to the Wild - The Maccabees - OUT NOW!

Body Faucet - Reptar - OUT NOW!

Master of My Make Believe - Santigold - OUT NOW!

Anxiety - Ladyhawke - May 29th

There's No Leaving Now - The Tallest Man on Earth - June 12th

Synthetica - Metric - June 12th

In Our Heads - Hot Chip - June 12th

Gossamer - Passion Pit  - July 24th

Confess - Twin Shadow - July 9/10th

Shrines - Purity Ring - July 24th