New Music Exclusive

Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

2011-12-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

There’s something very futuristically cinematic about Youth Lagoon’s songs on The Year of Hibernation. If I’m not listening to ambient music to fall asleep, it’s Youth Lagoon because I really find the songs in sync with my energy.

I don’t fall asleep easily, I lay awake most nights in imagination than sleeping. The Year of Hibernation could be playing in the background and I can fit just about any euphoric moment in my imagination with the songs.

The vocals is an addition, I know my friends aren’t down with the whole “echo” effect in singing. I don’t find it eerie like them. To me, it’s same as the blurriness of a dreams border if you know what I mean. I feel distant from my speakers when I’m really close.

If you suffer from insomnia and have a billion thoughts racing through your mind about life, just play The Year of Hibernation and you’ll find some peace in mind.

My Favorite Track: Montana
Download - iTunes

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Cults, Self Titled - Cults

2011-12-30T13:58:00.000-08:00

I was wrapped with curiosity listening to this album, especially with bits of documentary vocals in the background. I understand where the inspiration came for some of these tracks.

I first heard Cults in the summer and I found them to be similar to a lot of my other favorite groups such as Youth Lagoon, Best Coast, Surfer Blood, and a lot more. They had that sounds I found to be like a fluffy pillow. There’s so much pleasure listening to Cults self titled album because I never found myself disappointed with any tracks. In my ears, 11 tracks sound like hit singles. I was surprised at little attention given to Cults, It should be well known to the world, even if you don’t find Lo-fi, Indie Pop to be your genre, you will still end up getting in the mood to dancing to these tracks.

I still need to get myself a vinyl copy of the album if it’s possible, I want to rock this on my record player when I’m 60 years old.

My Favorite Track: Never Heal Myself

Download - iTunes

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Kelly Clarkson iTunes Session - Download Now, and Personal Review

2011-12-29T18:06:00.000-08:00

I fell In love with Kelly Clarkson when she released “Breakaway” Whenever I walked into a mall I’d always hear it playing, and being just a kid that time, I always found myself wondering of a day I can break free and be what I want to be.

When I hear Kelly’s voice, I’m always nostalgic and I forget where I am in the moment, and I find myself in the summer days of attending elementary school. All thanks to music, and as well Kelly’s music. I had the best times of my life when her earlier music played on the radio.

I just got around listening to her iTunes session album and I found myself smiling. My sister came around asking why I’m smiling and I ask her if she still remembers Kelly Clarkson.

“Who doesn’t know Kelly Clarkson?!” :)

If you haven’t purchased the album, get it now.

Favorite Track: Since U Been Gone (iTunes Session)
Download - iTunes

Online Audio Stream:

Eels - Beautiful Freak

2011-12-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Freak by the Eels reminds me of something Matt Mahaffey from Self would produce. Especially with first track, “Novocaine for the Soul.” It really sounds like a Self influenced track.

I have yet to hear Eels other work, but by suggestion, this was a first told by a friend of mine. Giving it a listen, I really can’t find a track I can dislike. My taste for something original and divine in Pop sound has always been great.

Not mainstream like content you’d hear on television, but a definite hit on television In mid 90’s as it was released in 1996.

I really love “Susan's House” to me it’s myself talking to myself in my head while walking toward a specific destination. The talking really makes it an engaging track.

My Favorite Track: My Beloved Monster
Eels - Beautiful Freak by gurykins on Grooveshark

Quiet Company - We Are All Where We Belong

2011-12-29T16:28:00.000-08:00

Like most of you did, I myself found Quiet Company through Grooveshark, I’d like to say thanks because I would have missed out on a great band.

I like the opening track, “The Confessor” because of the organs and keyboard chimes. It’s a soft opening and it caught my attention right away “We Are All Where We Belong” will be an album I’d have to get my hands on.

For the time being, they haven’t received a great amount of attention, but I really find Quiet Company blowing up coming the new year. It’s been a while since my ears caught onto a catchy Indie Rock band and I’m glad Quiet Company is one of them.

My favourite track: Are You A Mirror?
Download - Bandcamp

“Are You A Mirror?” has to be the all time adorable track. I get a mental movie of a new father with his child and his wisdom that came attached. According to one of their live performances on Youtube, this will be one of their singles.

Veronica Falls - Self-Titled, Veronica Falls

2011-12-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

There’s a distinct surfer sound in Veronica Fall’s self titled album. I like the combination of echoed vocals between the male and female, as well the rhythmic guitar strumming. At first I didn’t hear the best, and I’m on my several spin of this album and It’s growing on me.

The track “Stephen” always reminds me of some tracks from Pixie’s Surfer Rosa release. I wonder if they found inspiration to their music from them, if not, I guess it’s a first for Veronica Falls to be related to Pixies.

My Favorite Track: The Box

Download - iTunes

Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds (Personal Review)

2011-12-29T14:29:00.000-08:00

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds is a great listen. Just having it on play, I always bring myself to an overcast day at a tropical beach, despite the weather not being the best, with Gallagher’s solo music, I find myself smiling.

I was depressed when Oasis came to an end, but that mood abated when I came across “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds” Lyrically, all the songs have been given fair time and has been produced quite nicely.

It’s nothing complex as in sound, Noel just knows how’s to get the simple sound with the right lyrics. The flow is really smooth, and for some odd reason, I want to go to Florida and listen to this album.

My Favorite Track: (Stranded On) The Wrong Beach

(Full Online Album Stream) - [Download - iTunes]

Nana Grizol - Love It! Love It!

2011-12-28T22:54:00.000-08:00

Although the release of this album wasn’t in 2011, I really found “Love It! Love It!” to be spectacular. I have never heard of Nana Grizol before and I’m glad message boards brought them to my attention.
Nana Grizol - Love It! Love It! by gurykins on Grooveshark
Reviews of the tracks that hit my heart.

1. Circles 'Round the Moon

I know I shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but the first track really convinced me the entire album will be amazing. I occasionally find myself making routine trips of lonesome walks in this neighbourhood and the title explains the situation. I really admire Theo’s ability to admire a small disruption in everyday life which we ignore. I always look at the city to being something a town kid dreams about, but I missed out the part of how city lights drown a nights beauty, being a naturalist It does bother me. Who doesn’t contemplate? The line, “Circles around the block, is this how all my times gets wasted” always reminds me of how my life is stationary. The background melody also reminds me a bit of Caesar’s “Jerk It Out”

2. Tambourine -N- Thyme

“So tell me not to fall in love with you, and frankly my friend I think that’s the sweetest thing you do.” That’s a line I wish my high school crush said to me. It would be how a spirit needs to finish a task in order to cross to the afterlife. I make up theories of how she feels and she always sugar coats her sentences not to sound rude. That particular line is something I’d want to hear so I can move on and forget the what ifs. Growing up as a teenager, a relationship becomes whole once the physical part is crossed out on the list. That’s a stereotype around here and when Theo says, “so we ignore those body parts that get so wet and get so hard and focus on our beating hearts” Reveals how one partner defines love from sex and it’s exhausting to the other partner who assumes the relationship is matured and shouldn’t need an organized method of keeping love true. My front porch is my paradise in the summer, and I get chills when Theo sings of how he can be alone and respect the motions of the world to keep his mood lifted.

3. Will We

I had a close friend who became distant when she found a boyfriend. She wanted something more but I was happy to be close friends with her. However, this song speaks about a relationship with a girl. I minus the lines that suggest a relationship existence and events to keep the relation to my life situations alive.