The Future Is Fervent, To Say The Least

This past Thursday, I went to Amoeba for a free show to see Future Islands, a new-wave/ electronic trio from Baltimore that emerged sometime around 2006 and whose latest album, In Evening Air, was released in early May. I am not hard to convince to attend a free concert, at Amoeba nonetheless, but the experience seeing this group live was quite unexpected. To quote one of my friends that came along, the guys in the group look more like accountants than musicians; however, upon taking the stage, the lead singer pretty much stunned every onlooker with the amount of passion and vein-popping intensity he put into his performance. In some ways he reminded me of a broadway musical antagonist, in others he seemed to be an 80's punk rocker trapped in the body of a man going through some sort of mid-life crisis. I was left pretty unsure about how I felt about this group, but nevertheless anyone who puts that much passion and energy into putting on a show has my respect. The music itself, in my opinion, is much better recorded than it is live; I quite enjoy listening to songs like "Walking Through That Door" and "In The Fall" on my iPod, and I fear the lead singer's over-exuberance detracted from the quality of the songs. Their music is worth giving a try, it definitely caters to a very specific demographic but I will let you all decide for yourselves.

Listen to their music @ myspace.com/futureislands

I would never have thought I'd be caught dead saying this but...

The Eclipse soundtrack....is fucking good. I don't watch/ have never seen any of the Twilight movies but it really took me by surprise how many of my favorite artists and artists I have a lot of respect for (Florence + The Machine, The Dead Weather, Vampire Weekend, Bat for Lashes, Fanfarlo, Band of Horses, etc.) have all contributed to the album. The album as a whole, as expected, is seductively dark but really quite beautifully strung together. I'm really impressed! If you get a chance to listen to the album I (well, quite predictably) recommend "Rolling In on a Burning Tire", "Heavy In Your Arms", "Jonathan Low", and "Let's Get Lost". Listen to Flo's song HERE.

Flo's "Cosmic Love" Music Video: The Most Aesthetically Pleasing Thing I've Ever Seen

This video is so gorgeous and perfect in every way, I think it's impossible not to be moved by it. Watch.

Mumford and Sons at The Fonda- 6/4/10

Now I know I am one to be deeply affected by seeing live music, but very few shows have the ability to give me the heart-wrenchingly overexcited feeling that I may actually pass out because of how incredibly elated I am..... Mumford and Sons was one of these shows. Hearing songs like "Timshel", "The Cave", "Roll Away Your Stone", with their beautiful harmonies and cleverly strung together musical compositions, would've been enough; however, I was really blown away by the group's incredible dynamic and Marcus Mumford's effortlessly unique and powerful vocals and, who would've known, closet drum skills?? To top it all off, they decided after much heckling by the crowd to play an all acoustic version of "Winter Winds", using no electronics and only a mandolin, banjo, accordian, and bass. Maybe it was something about standing right underneath them that made it so moving, but I actually burst into tears. All I have to say is, if you EVER get the chance to see this incredible band play live, do not pass it by.

The opening act, The Middle East, was also incredibly talented... and played a song which my friend Eliza and I have been trying to find about the Vietnam War that was sort of spoken word but had all-instrumental segments that were just so epic the entire audience couldn't help but shriek with joy and jump recklessly around the floor of general admission. All in all, this show was phenominal and probably one of the best from 2010 thus far (which is saying a lot, let me just tell you). Here are some of my photos from the show and a video of Mumford and Sons playing "Winter Winds":

How Good Is Sleigh Bells? Tell 'Em.

If you've read/heard anything recently about the Brooklyn- based duo Sleigh Bells and their debut album, Treats, you've undoubtedly read good things. M.I.A. is raving about them (well, they're on her label but still), Rolling Stone Magazine loves them, Pitchfork can't get enough, and of equal importance (obviously), neither can I. Shit, this album is literally incredible from start to finish. Tracks like "Tell 'Em", "Run The Heart" and "Riot Rhythm" are brilliantly mixed, have really catchy beats and do really experimental and interesting things with the guitar and vocals, but that really goes for just about every song. If you do one thing over this beautiful holiday weekend, it shouldn't be attending barbeques or going out with your friends. No. It really needs to be buying this album if you don't already have it and joining the rest of us in praising one of the best new bands out there. You won't regret the purchase, trust me.

LAZERPROOF- The Electronic Music Fan's Wet Dream

This is insane. La Roux and Major Lazer, the fabulous collaboration of DJs Switch and Diplo, have come together to make a mixtape album called Lazerproof, and I am absolutely speechless. They are two of the most influential names in the electronic music scene right now, and I think it was a completely genius move to work together. The tracklist for the album is:

1. Bulletproof (Nacey Remix ft. Matt Hemerlein)
2. Colourless Artibella
3. I'm Not Your Lemonade + Heroes 'N' Villains Remix ft. Gucci Mane
4. Independent Kill ft. Candi Redd
5. Keep It Fascinating
6. Magic (Falling Soldiers Dub)
7. In 4 The Kill Pon De Skream ft. Drake
8. Houstatlantavegas Pains
9. Tigerlily (DYWHAP Blend) ft. Rusko
10. Can't Stop Now (Armor Love Remix)
11. Quicksand (Mad Decent 2010 Rerub) ft. Amanda Blank
12. Cover My Eyes (Costra Nostra Edit)
13. I Said It (Major Lazer Dubplate) ft. Opal
14. Hold Yuh (Double Dubplate) ft. Gyptian

Click here to download it for yourself!!!

"Just Be Good To Green" Music Video!!

Ahh!!! As promised, here's the new music video to Professor Green and Lily Allen's new music video for "Just Be Good To Green". Its amazing, she looks beautiful, the song is wonderful. I can't get enough.

"Just Be Good To Green" - New Single by Professor Green feat. Lily Allen

I have been so excited for the release of this track for a long time now, Professor Green did a bunch of guest performances with Lily Allen on her last UK tour and they performed it together. And, so I've been told, the music video for it is set to be released THIS FRIDAY and the single on July 5th! It is such a good song and I think really utilizes Lily's full singing potential, her voice sounds absolutely incredible in it. It's also quite innovative and blends a lot of different genres; its an interesting take off of the original R&B track "Just Be Good To Me" by Deborah Cox, and I think it shows a lot of potential for Professor Green's future career, Lily Allen obsession aside. Listen to the preview here, and stay posted for the new music video!

Professor Green feat. Lily Allen- "Just Be Good To Green"

Sea of Cowards by a Coalition of Musical Juggernauts

I will be the first to admit that I didn’t expect to like The Dead Weather, which is a lot to say considering how much I idolize Alison Mosshart and admire Jack White as a musician. However, within the past year I have been COMPLETELY converted since Horehound was released and have had nothing but high hopes for Sea of Cowards…and let me just tell you, I was not let down in the least. Horehound established The Dead Weather as not just a compilation of talented musicians, but as an unbelievably dynamic supergroup with a lot to say and a lot to emotion to provoke within their fans. It’s dark, it’s loud, and it makes you want to let go of every inhibition you have inside you and allow yourself to go a bit insane. However, Sea of Cowards took this same forcefulness and energy and just 2.0’d the respect I have for this group. Not only does it show off their ability to write songs and compose musically complex songs with both a punk and blues feeling, but they have really shown off their ability to be performers and not just musicians. “Blue Blood Blues” takes you by the ears and demands your full, undivided attention, and songs like “Die By The Drop” and “Old Mary” are songs that I can both picture myself listening to in the car and experiencing live… something I look forward to doing when I see them again this summer at The Palladium. If you haven’t listened to Sea of Cowards yet, I highly recommend doing so. It may take a bit of an open mind at first, but if you let yourself feel their raw energy and embrace your inner badass, it shouldn’t be a problem.

"Love Lost": The Temper Trap's New Music Video

The Temper Trap, a group I have really come to love within the past 2 years, has just released the music video for one of my favorite tracks off of their debut album, Conditions, entitled "Love Lost". The song itself is beautiful and I think the music video is quite precious; the dance moves of the endearingly uncoordinated young boys and dark-yet-serene cinematography makes it hard not to at least watch it all the way through. The concept itself is simple, but I think it's simplicity makes for a more effective, well-made accompanier to an already wonderful song. Watch it here!

The Temper Trap: "Love Lost" (Official Music Video)