Music, Musings & Meanderings

Bring It On by Gaslight Anthem. A fitting song to welcome in 2011. 

Throw Your Arms Around Me by Summer Fiction. A pleading, heartbreaking love song featuring a melodic piano line, gorgeous warm strings and Bill Ricchini’s yearning vocals. Released in early December, Summer Fiction’s eponymous debut album is a treasure trove of indie-folk and baroque-pop gems.  

Put The Days Away by Sun Airway. Swirling, throbbing drone-pop that builds to a melodic crescendo that calls to mind the anthemic sounds of Radiohead, The National and even U2. From Philadelphia-based Jon Barthmus’ (aka Sun Airway) debut album, “Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier.”

Repo Man by Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs. The opening track from his latest album, “God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise” is a deep grooving, bluesy number that features swampy guitar licks, tambourines and Ray’s signature bourbon soaked voice. 

Ghost Woman Blues by The Low Anthem. A haunting, hymnal song that features ghostly piano chords, a lonesome clarinet and soul baring harmonies. From the band’s forthcoming album, “Smart Flesh.”

Shell Games by Bright Eyes. The first single from Bright Eyes’ forthcoming album, “The People’s Key.” You can get it for the price of an email here. 

Knives by Lucinda Black Bear. A sonic folk-rock song filled with intricate melodies and orchestration. From their recently released album, “Knives.” I’ve been waiting years for the follow up album to their 2007 masterpiece, “Capo My Heart.” 

In Love, Not Limbo by Of Oceans. A soothing and quietly mesmerizing song that features a steady dry beat, soft synths and airy female vocals. From this Detroit duo’s debut two song EP.  

Tree By The River by Iron & Wine. The second single released from the forthcoming album, “Kiss Each Other Clean.” A wistful, upbeat song featuring Sam Beam’s lyrical lullaby vocals and some beautiful harmonies. 

Movin’ On by Josh Rouse. A new song released as a “holiday gift” yesterday. Recorded this past summer with Xema Furentes, the song may or may not make the final record Rouse is working on right now. All I can say is that Josh Rouse’s songs are like comfortable sweaters that you can’t wait to put on and can’t imagine taking off. A perfect gift for a cold winter day.

Stamp by Rural Alberta Advantage. This new song from RAA’s forthcoming March release is big, frenetic and anthemic. Sounds like they’ve been listening to a lot of Arcade Fire this past year. And that’s a good thing!

Discoverer by REM. Fresh off the Interwebs comes the first single from REM’s forthcoming album, “Collapse Into Now.” A noisy, tangled song with no immediate hooks but lots of intensity. Definitely needs a few more listens. 

Gaze by I Was a Fountain. Electronic samples and experimental sounds meet folk/pop melodies and gorgeous vocal harmonies. You can download this St. Louis group’s three song EP at their bandcamp page.  

You Can by Body Language. This Brooklyn duo’s new single has a slow sexy groove that will get your B Side swinging and swaying. Add to your late night mix tape collection. 

Civilian by Wye Oak. This song, from the Baltimore duo’s forthcoming album, marks an exciting musical progression for Wye Oak. The song starts out by featuring Jenn Wasner’s warm melodic folk vocals and a thumping bass then accelerates and explodes in a frenzy of blistering guitars, organ swells and percussion. 

Wild Thing by Noah and the Whale. A mellow hypnotic song from the band’s forthcoming album, “Last Night on Earth”. Featuring an undertone of swirling synths, mournful guitar riffs and Charlie Fink’s disaffected baritone recalling Lou Reed’s classic “Walk on the Wild Side”.  

Little Girl by Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse. Surf beats, trippy guitars, a Santana-like rock solo and featuring The Strokes’ frontman Julian Casablancas on vocals. One of the best songs from Sparklehorse’s last album, “Dark Night of the Soul”. 

600 Days by Pretty Good Dance Moves (feat. Heather Christian). The debut album from this Brooklyn via Chicago electro-pop duo is scheduled to release in March. This down-tempo song features Heather Christian’s smoky, slinky voice and a haunting seductive dance beat. 

On Top of Your Love by Royal Wood. I’ve been meaning to post this song for a while now. I love the the hi-hat and splash cymbals on this song and Wood’s pleading vocals and troubadour sound.