Archive for August 2012

Oh Canada


It has been almost ten years since I was last north of the border. I've enjoyed visiting British Columbia a handful of times and lately I have really wanted to go on a road trip to Canada. In light of this I would like to do a little shout out to a few Canadian bands that broke up in the last year or so (because there have been a number!) Wolf Parade, Women, according to this interview http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/8923-divine-fits/ Sunset Rubdown and Broken Social Scene (hiatus?)!

So here is a little Spotify playlist with some songs from the aforementioned bands as well as a song from the new band Divine Fits, featuring former Wolf parade member Dan Boeckner. A few other great Canadian bands round out the playlist. Hopefully I will make it to Canada soon…

Who is your favorite Canadian band? Besides Rush of course. Comment below.

ps this is not an all encompassing list, just some really good songs.

'The Carpenter'



NPR is streaming the new Avett Brother's album, 'The Carpenter', in it's entirety. I'm six songs in and I'm amazed. I can't wait to have a copy of it for myself. Good thing payday is Sept. 20 :)
You can listen to it by clicking HERE.
The Avett Brothers' new album, The Carpenter, will be released on Sept. 11.

September Can't Come Soon Enough


There are lots of reasons I'm excited for September to come: we get paid, the temperature should finally start to decrease, we're going for a weekend trip to Lawrence, KS etc. etc.
But that's not why I'm so happy (okay, getting paid is going to be great, but beside that). September 2012 is possibly the best month for music in years. There are so many albums coming out by many of my favorite bands. I seriously have no idea how I'm going to buy them all (thank goodness for Spotify).
See for yourself. Here's a list of all the albums coming out next month.

September 4
-Animal Collective: Centipede Hz
-Azure Ray: So Above, So Below
-Cat Power: Sun
-Jens Lekman: I Know What Love Isn't
-Stars: North

September 11
-The Avett Brothers: The Carpenter
-Bob Dylan: Tempest
-Sea Wolf: Old World Romance
-The XX: Coexist

September 18
-Band of Horses: Mirage Rock
-Ben Folds Five: Sound of the Life of the Mind
-Grizzly Bear: Shields
-The Killers: Battle Born

September 25
-Mumford and Sons: Babel

(Album Review) Circa Survive- Violent Waves


Let me just say that the drumming on this album is phenomenal. I know; I took drum lessons for six months when I was 13. But seriously, it really takes the stage on a lot of the songs, adding to the intensity or mood of the song. You can hear it right from the album’s beginning, leading us into the rest of the album.

Of course, I have to talk about Geoff Rickly. He sings in “The Lottery,” which is a perfect song. Geoff Rickly was the singer of Thursday, one of my all-time favorites. I have always been a fan of his voice, but this song really brings out certain aspects of it that you don’t necessarily hear with his band. I love how sweet and haunting his voice sounds compared to the raucous music and Green’s high and slightly scratchy vocals.

Another thing I love about this album is how melodic it is. It isn’t that the other Circa albums aren’t melodic, but this one feels especially so. “Brother Song” is really bluesy, which isn’t something we haven't heard on other Circa albums. Also, I am in love with Green’s “Who” on this song.

This whole album makes me want to sway and push like you’re at a Circa show. The songs lift me up from the ground, and I want to move my arms from side to side, swaying. If I could describe one of the places that I feel most at peace, it would be how I feel at a Circa show. This album makes me feel like I am at a Circa show, and that’s how I want to feel all of the time.

There have been a few times when I was listening to the album these past few days when I thought, “This is Circa Survive.” I just feel like they really captured their essence and made it even better. In truth, I get a little nervous every time they put out a new album. I fall so hard for every one that I find it hard to believe that they could make something new that would make me feel that same way. They did it again, though. They will probably continue to do it.

*Please buy their album off of www.circasurvive.com if you can spare the $5. They did everything completely by themselves, and I really want them to do well and to be able to do this again.

Zach's Albums of the Week

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Youth Lagoon



Trevor Powers is Youth Lagoon. His debut album "Year of Hibernation" came out last year to great reviews. I was especially interested because he was from Idaho, where I was living at the time. Not too many good independent musicians call Idaho home (Built To Spill is the only other band I can think of). From what I can remember I liked the album at first listen, but I never came  back to it until now.
Youth Lagoon played at Pitchfork Festival earlier this summer, and last month they posted a video of his performance on their website. It sent shivers down my spine. The very next day Daytrotter re-posted his session from last year. I listened to it. I loved it.
I went back and listened to "Year of Hibernation" and this time it made an impression. Most of the album sounds like it was recorded in his basement (I think I read that it was, but I'm too tired and lazy too look it up), which I love. Tracks that I love on the album are: Cannons, Afternoon, Montana, & Ghost To Me.
If you haven't  listened to this album, I highly suggest it.
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"I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier"

One of my favorite songs ever. Great video too.


on being alone.


Once, two friends and I started a “band.” We were in 7th grade, and none of us really knew how to play any instruments. We called ourselves Anti*Social, and no, I am not joking. I thought about that today as I was thinking about how much I like to be alone/with Zach at home. We have had to go to so many events (parties/church functions/POW WOWS*), and it seems like it will never end. I just want to sit in my bed and listen to St. Vincent, guys.
I hate socializing. Today, I thought, “Who invented parties?” I am going to find that guy/girl and wring his or her neck. Come on, party guy. Not cool. Anyway, these are some songs that I like to listen to when I am alone or songs that remind me of being alone.





*I liked going to most of these things, but they never end!!!!!

Today's Supernatural

This song and video are really good, but the video might give you nightmares for months. Animal Collective gets my weird as hell nod this week. Their new album Centipede Hz comes out September 3. I'm looking forward to it.

Zach's Top 10 of the week

I listened to St. Vincent . . . a lot.

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The Jack White Show

So, as most of you know, I went and saw Jack White last night. It was unreal. Hands down the best show I've ever seen. Duh, it was Jack White. It was a treasure that can only be experienced and understood in person. Words can't even describe it so I won't even bother. So, I'm not here to talk about that. I'm here to talk about the opening band, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three.
They're a band from St. Louis. And they are the most perfect little band from St. Louis. They were a southern country band with a lot of fantastic bluesy harmonica and some Django-esque style guitar picking and of course, a washboard. They were so adorable. I wish I had a pocket size version of them I could carry around with me. They just had so much character and boy, could they play! They ended their set with the harmonica and lead guitar going back and forth trying to stump each other. Needless to say, neither were stumped and it ended in a draw.
I love when opening bands are unexpectedly great. I had looked them up before the show but didn't give them much of a listen and I knew they would be good 'cause, duh, they're opening for Jack Freaking White, but I didn't realized they would be great. They only drawback was the size of the venue. They're the kind of band that needs to be seen in a smaller venue to be fully appreciated. Lucky for me, they're coming back to play such a venue in Seattle in September and you better believe I'll be there.

Zach's Top Ten

Here are my top artists this week. I've been watching an extreme amount of Olympic wrestling over the past few days, which explains my lack of listens.

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