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.
Crop_630

"I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier"

One of my favorite songs ever. Great video too.


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