My song of the day is "Farther Reaches" by Fog Lake. It is a sweet and soft song, good for relaxing or driving or sitting inside to avoid the heat while your husband takes a nap. You know. I found this band through Extreme Nonchalance and I am very thankful because I am now in love. I know, I know; I'm always falling in love with music and books all over the place.
This guy kind of reminds me of Youth Lagoon, another band that we have been really into around our house lately. He refers to his music as "downer pop," which I really like. You can buy the Farther Reaches on the band's Bandcamp at your own price....so go buy it.
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Xtina's Song of the Day
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best music 2013 so far,
grownass man,
justin timberlake,
modern vampires of the city,
Night Beds,
Sex,
the shouting matches,
vampire weekend
Zach's Favorite Music of 2013 (so far)
That time has come. It's half way through the year and most everyone is making their best music (so far) lists. This was actually my first ever post on the Wires & Waves blog. I feel like this, like most years, has been a really strong year for music.
Favorite Album
Modern Vampires of The City - Vampire Weekend
This is not only my favorite album of this year so far, but one of the best albums I've heard in a very long time (click HERE to read my review of the album). It's been over a month since this record was released, and it hasn't lost any of its luster. Today I was mowing my grandma's lawn and got really emotional listening to "Hannah Hunt". This album is great. It might be too early to say but I don't think this one will leave my top spot for the entire year.
Favorite Song
"Sex" - The 1975
Aside from every song from the Vampire Weekend album, this has been my go to song of the year (so far). It's a catchy pop rock song. There's not too much to it, but something about it keeps me coming back to it over and over and over again. Whether I'm working out or driving in the car, this song is enjoyable where ever I am.
Favorite New Band
Night Beds
The first time I heard "Even If We Try" I nearly melted to the floor. Winston Yellen, lead singer of Night Beds, swoons with one of the coolest falsettos since Justin Vernon. The album, Country Sleep, is very reminiscent of early Ryan Adams records. There's a heavy country influence infused with dream like melodies. It's an album I keep coming back to.
Best Comeback
Justin Timberlake
I don't think I've been more excited for an album release than I was for The 20/20 Experience and it didn't disappoint at all. It had been six years since J.T. had released an album and following up Future, Sex, Love Sounds was no easy task. The 20/20 Experience, musically, is all over the map. There's the psychedelic "Spaceship Coupe", and the soulful, "That Girl". "Mirrors" is the standout track. It's an ode to his wife and to his grandparents' relationship. It's the most boy bandish song on the album, but don't worry you can listen to it and not feel guilty for liking it. Like it should, this album makes me want to dance and I don't even like to dance. That's saying something.
Biggest Surprise
The Shouting Matches - Grownass Man
Who knew that Justin Vernon was going to release an album this year, besides Justin Vernon himself? I don't think anyone did. One day out of the blue it just appeared. The Shouting Matches are the blues rock side project of Vernon and other Eau Claire, Wisconsin musicians. It's nothing like Bon Iver. There's no cryptic lyrics. It's straight forward and fun to listen to. By far my biggest surprise of the year so far.
Here's a playlist of the bands and songs mentioned above, plus a few others I really like this year (so far).
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adam & binki (an album review by xtina)
He put out an album with Binki Shapiro of Little Joy at the beginning of the year, and I love it. I thought his voice went perfectly with Kimya Dawson because both voices are wonderfully imperfect. As it turns out, Binki Shapiro's voice complements AG's just as well or better. Her voice isn't exactly ugly or imperfect, but she isn't Diana Ross or someone like that. She has a sweet voice, but it isn't saccharine. They remind me of a looser She and Him maybe. I don't know if I have a favorite song off of the record; they are all so good. The lyrics are much more serious than those of the Moldy Peaches, but the playfulness comes in a little more with the vocals. They have fun switching off vocals, and they do it really well. I think maybe they know how they sound together, and they just want to please us all as much as they can. Probably.
The first song, "Here I Am," starts the album off on a soft, sweet note, and it kind of stays that way throughout. It doesn't get boring, though. I sometimes have a hard time with quiet or slower music because I start to get a little bored, but this is not a boring album. I really can't pinpoint one song that I love more than all the rest, so just give it all a listen. You will enjoy it.
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Xtina's Song of the Day/Ode to Jimmy Eat World
I was talking to Zach this morning about another artist that we both love, but I feel like it applies with Jimmy Eat World. I don't feel like they're trying to prove anything to anyone. They make music for themselves, and that's why it resonates with me so much. When Futures came out, I related to every song on the album. It was amazing.
I am still getting through the album, so I will hold off on a review. Just consider this an ode to Jimmy Eat World. The song below is "Appreciation" off of the new album.
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Zach's Song of The Day
Portugal. The Man have just released their eighth studio album. That's right, eighth. Most bands are lucky to put out two or three.
One of us will review the album soon, but until then enjoy one of my favorite songs from their new album, Evil Friends.
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"love, you are my shelter" (Eisley's Currents by Xtina)
However, Currents contains a different type of passion. They aren't angry anymore. Four-fifths of the band had children recently, and the lyrics, rightly so, express worries about change and time and how to keep it all together. Although Eisley could still be described as "dreamy," they have landed on much more solid ground.
Their talent has grown tremendously, and it shows through their experimentation. Eisley isn't comfortable staying where they are, but they don't forget where they came from either. I can't put my finger on it, but every Eisley album has a certain "Eisley-ness" that no one else has. They have been around for over a decade, and they are still original.
Stacy and Sherri share most of the singing duties as usual, and Chauntelle contributed a song. "Millstone" is a little bit calmer than the rest of the songs. It reminds me of a folk (or folk-pop?) song in some ways. She has such a sweet voice, and her song is one of my favorites so far. Others include "Currents," "Drink the Water," "Save My Soul," and "The Night Comes."
Sherri pushes herself vocally more on this album, which I really love. You can hear this in "The Night Comes," a song about her struggles with insomnia.
I do miss the anger of the last album because I feel like it added something more concrete to their lyrics. However, I'm glad they are all happy and settled down.
Overall, I am very impressed. They continue to grow, and it's exciting to watch. The three sisters all have other projects in the works, so I'm excited to see what will be next for them.
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Zach's Song of The Day
He released a new single with Mariah Carey called #Beautiful. I think the hash tag at the beginning is stupid and there is some unnecessary use of the f-bomb, but I really like it and it's my song of the day.
