Happy New Year

Andy Stewart on The White Heather Club, circa 1960.

Grouplove Redux

I've mentioned this band before, here, but this is such a cool acoustic perfromance that I couldn't resist posting it.

Frightened Rabbit: Swim Until You Can't See Land

This is a great Scottish indie-rock band, hailing from Selkirk. The single below is off their 2010 album The Winter of Mixed Drinks, which was moderately successful in the UK and US.

Local Natives: Gorilla Manor

Here's a song off one of the better rock albums of 2010.

Marnie Stern

Whether you like her or not, one can't deny that she's an incredible guitarist.

Pavarotti: Adeste Fideles

Except for this classic 1978 performance.

Pueri Concinite

Merry Christmas! No more posts until next week.

Christ Was Born In Bethlehem

Sans Day Carol

Club Des Belugas

You're going to love this smooth sounding German band.

Holly Miranda: Sweet Dreams

Cheers to Walter J. for this song, off her 2010 album The Magician's
Private Library.

Bombay Bicycle Club

Isn't this an absolutely addictive song?

Concha Buika

Spanish flamenco-infused-jazz. Her album, El Ultimo Trago was one of the best albums of the year.

Blue Boy: Remember Me

Remember this song from way back in 1997?

Broadcast 2000: Run

I wish I had more time to talk about his band today but for now, please just enjoy the following song:

Zee Avi

Overall, she's too cutesy for me, but this song has endured the commercials and oversaturation as one of the best of last year.

Duffy: Endlessly

While it can be said (and has been said, over and over again) that the Welsh artist Duffy is riding the coattails of other artists, i.e. Amy Winehouse, it is difficult not to enjoy some of her music. I admit that she lacks the depth and credibility of other soulful artists because one gets the impression that she not living what she's singing about, but her voice is just right for the song below, even if she's faking it.

Home Video: Automatic Process

Doesn't this electronic rock band from Brooklyn remind you of Radiohead? Their website is here.

Otto: Crua

Here's a captivating song off this Brazillian artist's 2009 album Certa Manhã Acordei De Sonhos Intranqüilos.

Tristen: Matchstick Murder

Here's a catchy song off this Nashville artist's 2009 album Charlatans at the Garden Gate. She also has a 7" vinyl available called Eager for Your Love.

Onda Vaga

This Buenos Aires-based group is loads of fun. If you enjoying sitting around a campfire on the beach (or anywhere else, for that matter)and singing with friends you're going to enjoy the gregarious quality of the performance below. Check out their website here.

Deerhunter

Off this Atlanta-based band's 2010 album, Halcyon Digest:

Radio Citizen: Berlin Serengeti

I recently rediscovered this German group and think this album, released in 2006, sounds as fresh today as it did four years ago. Let me know if you agree.

The Greenhornes: I've Been Down

The Greenhornes are from Cincinnati, Ohio. This song is off a compilation album they released in 2005 called Sewed Soles.

Cotton Jones: Nicotine Canary

This is is a chilled-out and catchy song off this Maryland-based artist's 2009 Rio Ranger EP.

Julian Plenti: Skyscraper

Paul Banks is the lead singer / guitarist of the band Interpol. Julian Plenti is the pseudonym he uses for his solo work. Check out his website here.

Jane Birken: L'Aquoiboniste

A lovely, albeit off-beat song off the 1978 album Ex Fan Des Sixties, one of the many Jane Birken-Serge Gainsbourg collaborations.

Joe Gordon Folk Four

Now here's a priceless performance circa 1960. The Joe Gordon Folk Four often played on the great Andy Stewart's Scottish TV program The White Heather Club, and in the video below they perform one of my favorite songs, The Bonnie Lass O`Fyvie.

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks: Gardenia

This is Steven Malkmus' other band, as he is better known as a member of the band Pavement. The song below is off the 2008 album Real Emotional Trash.

Eric Whitacre: I Thank You God For This Most Amazing Day

Brilliant! Putting E. E. Cummings'(1894 -1962) poetry to music. Off Whitacre's 2010 album Light and Gold, performed by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Chamber Choir.

Bossasaurus

This Oakland, California-based DJ/Production crew is consistently coming up with some tremendous remixes. To me, a good remix is musical innovation that stays true to the spirit of the original work (or works). Here, Bossasaurus takes what many would call a classic hip hop song and does exactly that. It's off their 2009 album, STFUYMCA.

Learn more about them here. They have a new EP on the way called Lacerta, due to be released in a week or so.

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Maybe it's because where I live we're expecting ten inches of snow this weekend, but The Sound of Sunshine, title track of Franti's 2010 album, seemed like the perfect song to post today. I hope you agree.

LCD Sound System: This is Happening

This time of the year is fun for the music enthusiast because the media starts to produce their "best of" lists. Paste Magazine just came out with their 50 best albums of 2010 with LCD Sound System's album This is Happening at number one.

Now, I'm too indecisive to come up with this kind of list, but this is a pretty good choice, don't you think?

James Vincent McMorrow: This Old Dark Machine

Off his 2010 album Early in the Morning, the song below really didn't grab me until I heard the chorus a few times. It's such a great pop chorus, isn't it?! Overall, McMorrow's music is probably too moody for me, but it's hard not to enjoy this tune.

McMorrow had nothing to do with the video.

Chet Singh: Paper Money

This Canadian artist's 2010 album Recessionary Revolutionary is full of lo-fi, chilled-out dub / reggae songs. The one below is a tad depressing, but what else would you expect from a Recessionary Revolutionary? This album is for sale, but beware: Singh might only accept gold bars as payment!

El Guincho: Bombay

Two years ago El Guincho blew everyone's mind with his album Alegranza, and his 2010 album Pop Negro should do the same. At a time when there are so many interesting artists blending sounds and pushing the boundaries of musical genres El Guincho still manages to stand out. You're unlikely to get lost in the album, but it needs to be on the playlist the next time you throw a party.

Check out his website here.

The Sheepdogs

Hailing from Saskatoon, Canada, this band has a sound that will remind you of the golden age of rock, if that's what you'd call the 70's.

Guem: Le Serpent

Guem is an Algerian percussionist with almost twenty albums to his name. Check out his website here, and in the meantime, tap your toes to this:

Buju Banton

Here's a reggae tune from a Rastafarian artist currently facing drugs charges in U.S. Federal Court. Let's hope that gets ironed out so he can get back to writing great music.

Franco Califano: Tutto il Resto è Noia

Franco Califano is an Italian artist who has been recording since the 1970's. Romanzo Criminale is a 2005 Italian film about the rise and fall of a Roman gang. Put these two together and you have an intriguing presentation.

Below are two videos. The first is Califano's famous song Tutto il Resto e Noia, as it was first recorded. It's a wonderful song: Airy with a little bit of grit, a great representation of 70's Italian pop. The second is a scene from Romanzo Criminale with the same song as the soundtrack and the film takes the music to another level. And because this is a music blog, I'll also say that the scene wouldn't be as captivating without that particular song.

Tussle vs Konono N°1: Soft Crush

Alternative takes on Congotronics is an off-the-wall compilation released this month including acts like Andrew Bird and the Kasai Allstars. Learn more here.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: A Flower is not a Flower

Below is a tremendous live performance by Sakamoto, who won an Academy Award for the music he composed for the 1987 film The Last Emperor. He is a prolific artist. If you like the piece below, you'll find much more out there to explore.

Boris Vian: J'suis Snob

Writer, actor, poet, musician. Boris Vian (1920 - 1959) could do it all. While his anti-war song Le Deserteur is probably his most famous musical effort, I like the cutting humor of the song below.

French Horn Rebellion: This Moment EP

Two brothers from Milwaukee make up French Horn Rebellion, and yes, one of them actually plays the french horn. Below is the title track of their soon-to-be released (literally Monday) EP. Learn more about them here.

The Dig: Sick Sad Morning

The Dig is a band with California-Canada-Brooklyn roots, but a thoroughly NYC rock sound. Their debut album, Electric Toys (2010), is going to please you if you even remotely appreciate that sub-genre. Here's a live version of the album's lead single. Believe it or not, I don't think this band is signed yet.

Jenny and Johnny: Animal

Off their 2010 album I'm Having Fun Now, the song below, Animal, has everything one could want from a pop song including catchy guitar riffs and a chorus that's impossible not to sing along with. Jenny is Jenny Lewis from the band Rilo Kelly, Jonathan Rice is her boyfriend who also played Roy Orbison in the 2005 film about another Johnny, Walk the Line.

People Under the Stairs: Trippin' at the Disco

Underground Los Angeles hip hop, off this duo's 2009 album Carried Away.  These guys are so much more credible than the made-to-order hip hop we hear everywhere else, and the video is awesome.

Soema Montenegro

Soema Montenegro's music might seem a bridge too far for many, but do give her a healthy listen.  Her music is fresh, primordial, and thoroughly captivating.  I could go on, but I think this description of Montenegro's music, by Pablo Bobadilla, sums it up nicely, "her music is like the sunrise: ancient and new every time."

Listen to the bit below and tell me if you agree.

The Generationals: When They Fight, They Fight

Off this New Orleans-based band's 2009 album Con Law, the song below rocks with all the soulful vigor of the Muscle Shoals sound it evokes. Also check out their recent EP, Trust.

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

This Los Angeles-based group has been receiving some well-deserved attention due to a commercial or two and also as the background of that Guy Walks Across America video that went viral a while back. If you haven't heard them, you're going to love their avant-garde style. Their website is here.

Arcade Fire: The Suburbs

I was going to let this one pass because they have been so successful that most people who follow what's going on in music know about this band and their 2010 album The Suburbs, released in August. However, it really is a great effort, and why not post it, right?

Thanks to JR for reminding me of the album and this particular song.

Olenka and the Autumn Lovers

Even though the video isn't the best quality, I think it still captures this group's sound well enough to get you to check out their website to learn more. Olenka Krakus is a Polish singer / songwriter, although she sings in English most of the time and is now based in Canada.

Jose James: Blackmagic

American born London-based musician Jose James has a smooth voice and is creating some smooth sounding jazz. The song below is off his 2010 album Blackmagic.

Henri Salvador

Henri Salvador (1917 - 2008) was known for much of his long career as more of a comedian than a musician, but then he discovered bossa nova, and the result was lots of fabulous music and numerous accolades. Here's one of my Salvador favorites:

Lucienne Delyle: Mon Amant de Saint Jean

Here's a classic:

Jovanotti: Mi Fido Di Te

I was just reminded of this song, which was a big hit in Italy in 2005 and on the album Buon Sangue. Most of his music has a wonderful smoothness to it, and his voice, while clearly limited, does exactly what it needs to within his chosen genre.

KT Tunstall

Off her recent album Tiger Suit, here's a catchy song from this Scottish singer/songwriter. CHeck out her website here.

Rokia Traore: Zen

Here's a wonderful Afro-pop song from Mali, Zen, off the 2008 album Tchamantche.

The Constellations: Felicia

This Atlanta band delivers some solidly danceable tunes. Also check out their tune Setback, here.

Villagers: Becoming a Jackal

You'll love this quirky pop song by the Villagers, an Irish band whose debut album was released earlier this year.

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Lead by Englishman Sam Duckworth, this band's self-titled 2010 album has some very addictive songs on it, like the one below, Collapsing Cities.

Pete & the Pirates: Jennifer

Released in February of this year, the single below, Jennifer, is indicative of this English band's solid grasp of carefree, pop-infused-rock. Toe-tapping rhythms, catchy guitar riffs, and great pop harmonies are their modus operandi, and it's great. Their second album is due to be released sometime soon.

Omar LinX

Toronto-based hip hop artist Omar LinX seems to like walking the line between rock and rap, reminiscent of Eminem, Kid Rock, or other similar artists. However, don't immediately write him off if you're not into those folks, he might surprise you.

The Secret Sisters

Hailing from the music mecca Muscle Shoals, Alabama, this duo is creating music filled with beautiful harmonies that sound like something on the radio 60 years ago. They are currently on tour with Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs. Check out their website here.

Black Mountain: Wilderness Heart

Below is the title track off this Canadian band's September 2010 album Wilderness Heart. These guys write heavy hitting psychedelic rock tunes that somehow retain an air of sophistication--this isn't mindless head-banging music. Yes, they remind one of any number of bands from the 60's and 70's, but as this blog has stated here and here when discussing other bands, we don't have to consider that a bad thing, right?

Election Day

It's election day in America, which means that at best, around 54% of eligible American citizens will exercise that most cherished of rights, the right to vote. Now, I know that the song below has nothing to do with American politics, but it kept coming to mind when I was trying to think of a song to post today. I hope you enjoy it.

Hauschka

This German pianist is pushing the limits of what the piano can do by trying things like attaching table tennis balls to the strings and other ideas that can affect the way the instrument produces sound. The result is some beautiful music, like the piece below, off his 2009 album Small Pieces:

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Heaven Can Wait is an unbelievably catchy song by this French artist and off of her 2009 album IRM, which was produced by Beck.

TV on the Radio

The song below is off this Brooklyn band's 2008 album, Dear Science.

K2R Riddim: Dub En Do Mineur

And here's another smashing song for the reggae fans out there, Dub En Do Mineur, from this French group's 2001 album Appel D'R.

Laurel Aitken (1927 -2005)

I've received a few e-mails requesting ska and reggae acts.  And because I don't want to disappoint anyone, here's a great track from the "Godfather of Ska."  I've found that most people either like Ska or they don't. The rest of us like a bit now and then, but all that brass can get old quickly.

Quadron: Slippin'

Hailing from Hovedstaden, Denmark, the duo Quadron melds electronica and soul beautifully.  It is easy to appreciate the depth to their songs; every time you listen you can pick up something that didn't hit you before--and that isn't common in pop. Learn more about them here.

of Montreal

Named after a band member's failed romance with a girl from Montreal, this is another fabulous band from Athens, Georgia (what's in the water down there?). They combine a plethora of musical elements and do other off beat things like putting upbeat music to depressing lyrics. The song below is off their 2010 album False Priest. I dare you to listen to it just once.

Beck: Loser

Everyone knows this song, but have you watched the video lately?

Ra Ra Riot: Boy

Chamber pop and Baroque pop are two of the terms used to describe the music this Syracuse, New York band writes.  Now, I have always thought these types of sub-categories are just silly, although I suppose they are helpful to some people.  By the way, the reason Ra Ra Riot is described that way is because they have a cello and a violin in their permanent lineup, and therefore conjure up images like this.

However you describe their genre, they're creating some very cool music, like the song below, off of the 2010 album The Orchard.

Jayme Stone: Room of Wonders

Jayme Stone is a banjo player who will likely expand your appreciation of that instrument.  For example, I had no idea that its origins were African until I heard him discussing his 2008 album Africa to Appalachia.  He recently released an album entitled Room of Wonders, and it is sublime.  His website his here.

Stone is an artist with an academic interest in his craft, and that depth is apparent when he performs.

Phoenix Foundation Redux

This song, Pot, is off the 2010 album Buffalo. It is more indicative of the band's style musically and also artistically, as I don't think they had anything to do with that intense electric car video.

Phoenix Foundation

Hailing from New Zealand, the Phoenix Foundation has a sound that melds electronica and rock in some very interesting ways. The song below, Hitchcock, off their 2005 album Pegasus, is a spooky sounding instrumental that I'm posting because the video is fabulous.  I'll post another song by this band in a separate post, now just sit back and watch those Russian cars go.

Renata Tebaldi, 1959

Here's a priceless performance:

Dinner Belles: Til the Dawn

Here's a band from Ontario, Canada that has a great roots rock meets country sound. There is a folksy warmth to the song / video below that most bands can't produce. Apparently they are working on their first album, and as far as I'm concerned that project can't get wrapped up soon enough so I can order it. Also check out the song Runnin' to Ravenna, among other information, here.

Irina Florin: Koprinena Jena

Breezy Bulgarian pop.  While there isn't much going on in this song, something about it keeps your attention.  Her website is here.

The Felice Brothers

I recently heard of this band and was blown away that they've got 7 albums out there.  I've now listened to most of those albums and heartily recommend this tremendously talented band from upstate New York.  I love the tongue-in-cheek lyrics of the song below, Love Me Tenderly, and it sounds like these guys are having a great time performing.

Dizzy Gillespie (1917 -1993)

The jazz legend would have turned 93 today.

Frikstailers

This Argentine duo is all about danceable rhythms and energy.  They plug-in a lot of South American musical styles that are more commonly heard on acoustic instruments, and if the results aren't exactly groundbreaking, they're sure fun to listen to. Their website is here.

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci

I promised another Welsh band, and here they are, notwithstanding the fact that they broke up in 2006.  What's also interesting is that the lyrics of the song below are actually in Welsh, which isn't a language that you hear every day (at least on the Billboard Charts). It's off their 1994 album Tatay. Now, can someone tell me what they're singing about!?

Steve Earle: Guitar Town

And here's another for the country music fans out there. Steve Earle's 1986 album Guitar Town topped the country charts when it was released, and the title track below was a top ten single. Rolling Stone magazine also listed Guitar Town as one of the top 500 albums of all time, a sentiment with which I heartily agree.

Marty Robbins: El Paso

I've received a few e-mails from followers of this blog asking why country music has been more or less ignored.  I couldn't come up with a good reason why, so if you're a fan of Country, Western, or Country Western you might enjoy this American original.

Marty Robbins (1925-1982) was a great writer and performer of ballads, which is something of a lost art these days.  He was also clearly a badass, hence the mustache, shirt, and diamond cross combination in the performance below.

Lucy Schwartz: Gravity

This is another artist that got her start by having the producers of a TV show feature one of her songs on an episode.  I think Gravity was on ER, but I could be mistaken.  This L.A.-based singer/songwriter is only 20 years old, but she writes pop with gravitas, if you'll go along with such a thing.  Check out her website here.

Douglas

Si je Buvais Moins off the 1967 album Les Anges Noirs. I know virtually nothing about this artist, Douglas. Can any of you tell me something about him?  In the meantime, let's enjoy this 60's gem.

Do You Mariachi?

This is a genre of music that gets too little respect, even though a crooner in a sombrero matched up with a large man playing a tiny guitar, and a small man playing an enormous guitar is a hilarious image.  In reality, mariachi music is full of the drama and raw emotion of life. If you've never given it a chance, you must. And you can begin here:

Cee Lo Green

You've all heard this viral hit by Cee Lo, former member of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley. The full album will be released next month, and I can't wait.

Hocus Pocus

Off the 2006 album 73 Touches, the song below, Faits Divers, is as smooth as you can get.  This French group is led by MC / DJ 20Syl, and not only is he a good rapper, but he does a great job combining acoustic instruments with standard hip hop elements, e.g. samples & loops. Hear it for yourself:

Mississippi John Hurt

Those of you interested in the roots of modern rock music will enjoy this song by Mississippi John Hurt (1892-1966), whose compositions have influenced a number of musicians.

Grouplove

There is something compelling about this band's single below, Colours, notwithstanding the fact that Christian Zucconi's vocals grate a little (right?). Actually, for me the guitar at around 3:40 is what really brings the song together.

The founding members of the band, Zucconi and Hannah Hooper, claim to have had a love at first sight experience in NYC and ran off to Greece together while Hooper completed an art residency on the island of Crete, which is probably the most romantic way I have ever heard of a band forming.  Learn more about them here.

Marina and the Diamonds

I think Marina is the first Welsh artist this blog has covered, and if Wales has more artists like her, she will not be the last.  Her debut album, The Family Jewels, was released this past February and has been fairly successful in the UK. I don't know if understand the overall message of the album, which she described as "a body of work inspired by the seduction of commercialism, modern social values, family and female sexuality," but she has a great voice for pop music and the songs are catchy as well.

Santigold

This gritty Philadelphia-based artist is writing music that reflects a myriad of influences, from the Pixies to Aretha Franklin.  It is a unique and upbeat sound that's going to make you want to dance. Don't believe me? Play the song below, title track off the 2009 album, Say Aha.

Beach House: Norway

This song, off of the very successful 2010 album Teen Dream, has a spooky quality to it that keeps me listening over and over again despite the fact that the vocals sound a little stretched at times.  Let me know what you think. I think this Baltimore duo is producing some great music, check out their website here.

Caravan Palace

There are a lot of bands reinventing older musical genres these days, and so many of them sound more or less the same, but there is something about this Paris-based band that seems more interesting (although I can't really put my finger on it).  The song below, Jolie Coquine, is off the 2008 album with the same name.

John Lennon

You don't need me to tell you that today is John Lennon's birthday, even Google has saluted him on their homepage, but since this is a music blog I have to mention it. He would have been 70 today.

Below is one of my favorite Beatles covers, Anna, by Arthur Alexander.  What's your favorite Beatles / John Lennon tune?

Maria Callas, 1962

Here is a lovely performance by this great soprano.  Others sing Rossini better, but it is hard not to enjoy this charming rendition.

Two Hours Traffic

This Canadian band writes incredibly catchy pop music and have done so consistently on three albums since 2003.  I wish I could hear more music like this on the top forty stations, don't you? The song below is off their well-received 2007 album, Little Jabs.

Dan Mangan: Robots

Great folk-rock from this Vancouver-based musician's 2009 album Nice, Nice, Very Nice.  Also check out the song Sold, which is on the same album.  This is another very funny music video.

Brandi Carlile

Last year's album Giving Up the Ghost received considerable media attention and peaked at #26 on the Billboard 200, so many of you will be familiar with this folk-rock artist, but if you haven't recently listened to her, maybe you should.  The song below, I Will, is one of her under-the-radar tracks and the performance below, on Boise's KRVB is a good one.

Owen Pallett: Heartland

Off Owen Pallett's 2010 album Heartland, the song below, Lewis Takes Off His Shirt, is a good example of why this violinist / keyboardist / singer has been described as a "one man orchestra."
 

Chloe Charles

I have a feeling that some of you might find this a bit too moody, but I think that if you give this Canadian artist a listen you'll like her. There is something about her music that pulls you in, and while I haven't had the chance to hear her live, I have no doubt that it must be a captivating show.

Hold Your Horses

This French band plays energetic, folksy pop with an interesting combination of sounds.  The song below, 70 Million, is not only a pleasure to hear, but the fabulous video gives music connoisseurs a three minute introduction to art history.  Check out the band's website here.

Maximum Balloon

This artist's self-titled album was released last month and is full tremendously addictive grooves. Check out his website here.

Anna Maria Jopek

Polish Jazz? Yes, indeed.

This is off this heavenly artist's 2003 album Jonasz Kofta na bis.

King Khan & the Shrines

This song, Welfare Bread, is off the 2008 album The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines.  This Berlin-based band has a unique presentation, King Khan, the lead singer / guitarist, is usually scantily clad on stage and accompanied by a cheerleader during live performances.  I'm not sure how you'll react to that, but I'm willing to bet that a lot of you will like this song:

The Hundred in the Hands

Released this month, Dressed in Dresden is a single off this Brooklyn based duo's self-titled debut album.  It is hip, it is danceable, and it is very NYC.  Eleanore Everdell's voice brings Debbie Harry of Blondie to mind, which is no slight, as her voice has a wonderful pop-meets-punk quality.

Learn more about the band here.

Lila Downs

Certainly well-known after her involvement in the 2002 film Frida, but admired by many before as well, the Mexican-American performer Lila Downs is a fantastic artist.  Her voice has a unique tone and good range, a skill that is increasingly rare in popular music.

In addition to writing her own pieces, she also makes an effort to promote Mesoamerican music and culture, and has done so with great success.  The song below, Agua de Rosas, is off the 2006 album, La Cantina.   

Black Lips: Bad Kids

The Black Lips are a band with a great sense of juvenile humor, and if you have the patience, you'll find this song and video to be hilarious.  It is off the 2007 album Good Bad Not Evil.

Menomena

This Portland, Oregon based band has the indie rock sound down to a science, and it is intense.  The song below is off their 2010 album Mines, but do check out their earlier albums as well, especially Friend and Foe, released in 2007.

Lullatone

This Japanese duo has produced a number of albums and EPs since 2003 and describes their music as "pajama-pop."  I don't know what that means, but I do enjoy the laid-back, lullaby-esque quality to their sound. Certainly not for everyone, and not for every occasion, but there is something irresistible to me about their minimalist pop style. Check out their website here.

Clare & the Reasons

This Brooklyn based band released their second album, Arrow, last year on the Frog Stand Records label. The band's original material is ethereal and well-constructed,  and utilizes many different sounds, from cellos to kazoos.  Additionally, they have done some ingenious covers, from Tears for Fears songs to show tunes.  My only caveat is that some of you might find Clare's voice a little too cutesy to become full-fledged fans, but give them a chance.

Blonde Redhead: Penny Sparkle

This might be my favorite song off of Blond Redhead's recently released album, Penny Sparkle, which debuted at #79 in the U.S.  It is called My Plants Are Dead and it is hauntingly good.  The rest of the album is pretty good as well.

Luisa Maita: Lero Lero

Here is the title track off of this Brazilian artist's 2010 release.  A wonderful samba rhythm dominates this song, and a she has a voice one cannot get enough of.  Check out her website here.

  

The Weepies: Be My Thrill

If you haven't heard The Weepies on the radio you've likely heard a song or two on your favorite TV show, as they've had songs featured on a number of programs including my personal favorite, Gossip Girl (just kidding). Their music is pop with small amounts of rock and folk mixed in for fun.

Their album, Be My Thrill, debuted at number 34 on the Billboard 200 chart after it was released in August 2010.

Cosmo Jarvis

Here's a single off of this English-American artist's 2009 album Humasyouhitch/Sonofabitch.  There are so many fabulous elements in this song: the ukelele, the whistles, the rhythm change-ups, the chorus of voices--well, just listen for yourself.

Jonathan Richman

The last day of summer for my hemisphere was just a couple of days ago, and I thought that was a great excuse to post one of my favorite Jonathan Richman songs, That Summer Feeling.  Much can be said about Richman, but I'll leave the analyses to others; I'm a fan simply because I enjoy his melding of goofiness and rock.

Gaetan Roussel: Help Myself

This is an unbelievably catchy song from the lead singer of the French band Louise Attaque, released early this year.  To me, it gets better each time you hear it.  Cheers to Walter J. for bringing it to my attention.

Daby Balde

There is a hypnotic quality to this Senegalese artist's music.  Those not attracted to the "world" genre might not care for this, as he does not incorporate much pop as we know it.  However, many of his melodies are catchy and the rhythms smooth.  Below is the song Halaname.

Flowers and Sea Creatures

Flowers and Sea Creatures is a two-man electronica band from Montreal that has an ethereal, gripping sound.  The vocals remind me of Thom Yorke, although the singer cites jazz trumpeter Chet Baker as an influence.  The song below, At Night, is off an EP that was just released, learn more about that here.

The Sea and Cake: Weekend

Here's a Chicago based band that I have liked ever since I heard the song Jacking the Ball, off of their first album, released back in 1994.  The song below, Weekend, is off a 2008 effort entitled Car Alarm.  

Avi Buffalo

Everyone says this Californian band sounds like The Shins, and I agree, especially on this song, entitled What's In It For, off of their self-titled debut album released in April. (Luckily for them, The Shins are a good band).  Check out their website, here.

Dead Confederate

Straightforward rock is what Athens, Georgia band Dead Confederate seems all about to me. The song below, Giving it All Away, is off their 2010 album Sugar.  I can't help but wondering if this is another band that is at their best during live performances.

Silver Starling: Closer

A follower of this blog recently e-mailed me asking why there are so many Canadian bands on this blog, and whether it was intentional, etc.  I answer that while I have nothing against Canadian patriotism, the primary reason there have been so many Canadian bands lately is because so much great music is being produced in Canada, by bands like Silver Starling, who hail from Montreal.

The song below, Closer, is off their 2009 self-titled release, which was their first album.

Jimi Hendrix

I learned from NPR today that this is the anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's death in 1970.  Here's my favorite Hendrix song, Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window, a cover of a Bob Dylan song. I don't know what's going on in the video, perhaps someone can explain it to me.  What's your favorite Jimi Hendrix tune?

Wanda Jackson

After mentioning her in The Young Veins post yesterday, I thought she deserved a post of her own.  Known as the "Queen of Rockabilly" to many, this Oklahoma-born performer is in her seventies and still performing. Last year she even recorded some things with Jack White.  Most of you will know some version of the song below.

Frazey Ford: Blue Streak Mama

This song is off Frazey Ford's debut album, Obadiah (2010).  She has a wonderful voice with just enough raspy soul to take her songs from your run-of-the-mill good folk-rock to something that is very special at times. Her soulful rendition of Bob Dylan's One More Cup of Coffee, is an interesting interpretation that I recommend as well.

 

The Young Veins: Change; Funnel of Love

Off their 2010 album Take a Vacation, this California-based rock band does a good job recreating the early days of rock music in the song and video below. A lot of people are going to complain that this has all been done before, and they're right, but who cares? They're still solid rock songs.





And here is Funnel of Love, a bonus track off of the same album. If you like it, check out Wanda Jackson's 1961 version as well.

Lyndon John X: Brighter Days

LJX gives you straightforward, classic reggae, and it is great, if you like reggae as much as I do.  Brighter Days is this Canadian artist's second album and was released last month.  

Belleruche: Clockwatching

I dare you to listen to the Belleruche song below just once!  Clockwatching is off their forthcoming album 270 Stories, available in October.  Learn more about the band on their website, here.

Carina Round: Backseat

Carina Round is an entertaining British artist who is all over the musical map, although she is generally described as a singer/songwriter (such a broad label).  When she chooses to perform songs like Backseat, below, she has a wonderful sweetness to her voice, although she often sings edgier tunes.  Backseat is off her EP Things You Should Know, released last year.

Giuseppe Di Stefano

Just sit back and enjoy as this great Sicilian tenor nails that famous High C note.

The Black Keys: Tighten Up

It's hard to believe, because they create so much sound, but The Black Keys are a two man group from Akron, Ohio.  Their music is heavily influenced by the blues-based and psychedelic rock traditions.  The song below, Tighten Up, is a single off their 2010 album Brothers, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200.

Moonshine Hooligans

This folksy rock group out of Charlottesville, Virginia has a debut album entitled Subterranean Secrets scheduled to be released on October 26th.  Their music is straightforward rock with some twists; think Elliot Smith meets Wilco with a little Tom Petty thrown in for good measure. My guess is that this is a band that really shines when playing live, as their songs seem written to jam out.  The tune below is called Intro.

Rae Spoon: Love is a Hunter

Love is a Hunter is the title track off this Canadian artist's seventh album, released last month.  His website is here.    

Big Mama Thornton: Hound Dog

Here is a 1965 recording of the song that was a number one hit for her on the R&B charts back in 1952. This version has Buddy Guy on guitar.  A guy named Elvis also recorded this at some point.

Florence + The Machine: Cosmic Love

Florence Welch and her band have a layered and dramatic pop sound with an irresistible presentation.  Welch's edgy voice drives the music and has a tremendous range, from breathy whispers to out-of-control (but in tune) screams.  The single below, Cosmic Love, was released in July and is off their album, Lungs.