The Kings of Leon Vs. Modest Mouse

In attempt to make people like my blog better I installed a gadget. It is a poll. Impressed?

So who wins? Modest Mouses' new album, 'No ones first and your next,' is getting positive attention due to the fact that the band is reaching back to its roots a bit. Songs are awesome and as usual it sounds unlike other stuff out there. The Kings of Leon new album, 'Only By the Night' is also really sweet, with an album packed with good listens. I'm not going to tell you which one I like better...you have to decide for yourself. Download those mofo's here:

Modest Mouse: http://drop.io/przpnny#
Kings of Leon: http://drop.io/e1m9i6n#

Local Native's Daytrotter

For all you kids getting high and listening to Grizzly Bear or jamming out to Citizen Cope at work, be sure to use LA's Local Natives to unwind after the day ends. Sure the EP will make you feel like a 16 year old girl screaming into a hairbrush after breaking up with your boyfriend, but a little EMO here and there never hurt anyone.

Local Natives opened for Blind Pilot a few months ago at the Black Cat in DC and their poppy appeal is immediately catchy. With two guitar players, a bassist, drummer, and lead singer who also plays keyboard, the sound is rich and melodic with lots of depth.



For their 5 song Daytrotter EP: http://drop.io/tfev39m

To see more worthwhile pics and poster art check out their MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/localnatives

Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest

Sorry for not posting anything lately but I am going to get back on track now! Also, if any of you guys have good music and want to make a blog post, it's really easy and I can give you access to write.

This week we are going to examine my friend Grizzly Bear. MMMm, Grizzly Bear. I have been loving their music since they came out with Yellow House in 2006. Unfortunately I only had those tracks on my ipod that I left in the rain. BUT, I did DL their new album called Veckatimest and it happens to be the fracking bees knees.

For all of you who having been rooting for more entries on acoustic type stuff (Ray LaMontagne and Andrew Bird) this is sort of for you. It is soft and catchy and all that...it is also a bit more experimental however. If you are interested in some crazy song structure and some mad cool harmonies, get after this one. For a good first taste, check out 'Two Weeks' which is track two.

Link to music: http://drop.io/xxoqgiu#

Citizen Cope is perfect to listen to while you work

I'm sure you all have your playlists you jive to while you're 'gettin it done' 9-5 everyday. I myself prefer either classical stuff or a bit of acoustic rock, and will most definitely crank up a little Rage Against the Machine for important deadlines. When in doubt though, I often find myself going back to the always fresh sounds of Citizen Cope. Although he boasts quite a collection of successful albums, the one that really got my musical rocks off was 'The Clarence Greenwood Recordings." The grooves are very hip-hop oriented but other influences of reggae and blues can certainly be detected.

So what makes an album good to listen to at work? I have thought about this quite a bit because for some reason I can't focus while listening to certain artists. My personal conclusions are that the music has to be:

-chill/relaxing enough so as not to increase your stress
-not the softest of soft because you don't want to fall asleep
-have a good beat/groove to contribute to the rhythm of the workCitizen Cope seems to do all of these things for me, and so I recommend getting into your workflow with a few tracks from this shiiiiiit: http://drop.io/hn3k8iz#

Ray Lamontagne = Trouble

If I were uber-rich, I would pay Ray Lamontagne (pronounced Lay-mon-tane) to follow me through a golden wheat field at dawn while singing and playing his guitar. This folk-rock artist produces melodies that can be compared to Van Morrison’s more mellow songs. You know, the ones that make you want to nap under a willow tree.

Ray’s raspy but soft vocals go hand-in-hand with his lyrics, which are often romantic and about a woman. He has released three albums: Trouble, Till The Sun Turns Black and Gossip in the Grain. I personally enjoy all three, but it’s best to start with Trouble.

Some of his appeal comes from the fact that he is a very ordinary guy with a private life. Everyone can find something about Ray that they can relate to. For me, it’s reading Fantasy books in the forest. For you, it’s probably working in a shoe factory and having a violent, dead-beat father.

Enjoy!

http://drop.io/ailn7ff

Air's Talkie Walkie

Talkie Walkie is Air's second to newest album, and is classified as ambient electronica. I am by no means an electronica fan but nobody can deny Air. They are in my top favorite bands of all time, one of those that have stuck around on my playlists for the past 5 or so years.

How is Air different from other bands you listen to? Well, the most obvious difference is that the genius of the songs is displayed through a unique composition and song structure as opposed to a formulaic verse chorus structure that other artists often take advantage of. This band makes up their own patterns and follows the rules of pop music only when they want to. Some of my favorite air songs don't have any vocals. In fact when the band does use vocals, it is more as an instrument in the layering, and less as a spotlighted melody. That is why each song can be taken as an audio adventure that most times proves to be unpredicatable and shocking.

Is Air's music stoner music? It is certainly stereotyped as so. However no matter what state of mind you are in, this band will change your mood to fit there's. Check out the track 'Run' and you will get a taste of how Air dictates the listener's feelings, falling back in forth from eerie minors to heavenly majors. Download one of my all-time favorite albums right here:

http://drop.io/adznra4#

The Dodos' 'Visitor'

Who likes psychedelic folk rock? I do I do I do!

Visiter by the Dodos was one of my favorite albums this past year; truly a very worthwhile band to get into.

Highlights include: crazy rim shot drum parts, obscure vocal harmonies, and eerie lyrical themes. The album is unique in that it is strung together in a folky way by acoustic guitars, ukelele, and soft horns.

Check them out in Brooklyn at the NorthSide Festival, June 14.

Forget that hogwash on the radio. CHECK OUT THE DODOS INSTEAD. THE SWEET SWEET DODOS! Sorry, I am kind of tired and the brain isn't functioning properly. But seriously download the cd here:

http://drop.io/thedodoscd1523#
(first 13 tracks)

http://drop.io/thedodoslasttrack#
(last track)

Jose Gonzalez and Veneer

Yoooooooooo. Whatup?

Jose Gonzalez is one of my favorite acoustic artists of all time. I saw him in Charlottesville for the first time a couple years ago at Star Hill. Just him and a guitar...was amazing. His music, unlike his name, is not very Latin sounding. In fact, he grew up in Sweden and has more of a folk feel.

Imagine a classical guitar with soft vocals. Sound boring? Fuck that. After a few listens you will be hooked. I uploaded my favorite album by him called Veneer. I also uploaded his latest album called In Our Nature. Check out 'Heartbeats,' which is a cover he did originally written by a band called the Knife. If you are looking for something to chill out to, something to do deep thinking to, or to help you fall asleep, all of this music will tickle your motherfucking fancy. Enjoy.

Go to this link and download the files safely for free: http://drop.io/s8hupgx#

-Apollo

Califone's Roots & Crowns

You will listen to this album and think it is weird and not for you.

You will listen to it again to make sure, because why would someone post about a shitty cd on such an amazing blog. You will again think it is weird.

You will listen to it a third time because you hate your life. You will think one or two of the songs are pretty catchy despite the weirdness.

You will listen to it a fourth time to hear those songs. The cd will then become your favorite cd for the next three months. Who says so? Jeff Goldblum. That's who.

Roots and Crowns sounds like if Nick Drake took a bunch of illegal substances and but instead of dying, wrote another album...this one with sweet instruments like the bass clarinet.

Try listening to my favorite track first, called Spider's House.


Enjoy bitches: http://drop.io/iqgj6d7#

A Classier Version of Poppy Hip Hop...

...does exist and is embodied by the unique style of Kheaven Brereton, aka K-OS (pronounced chaos). This album is catchy enough to rock out to, yet sophisticated to the point where you don't feel covered in MTV's splooge after taking your headphones off.

K-OS features musical styling as diverse as his own upbringing. Raised by Jehovah's Witnesses and growing up between Toronto and Trinidad (in Africa?), his songs have an old-school feel which include reggae and electronic beats. His first album Exit went on to win the 2003 International Album of the Year at the Source Awards. Atlantis - Hymns for Disco is K-OS's third album and while it may not be new (2006), its probably new to you.

Either way, this album makes me think of drinking on the beach. Always a good way to get through Easter weekend. Enjoy!





http://drop.io/AtlantisHymnsForDisco

http://drop.io/AtlantisHymnsForDisco2

Ra Ra Riot: The Rhumb Line

A Special fav of mine: Ra Ra Riot. From Syracuse, these dudes and dudettes produce bittersweet sounds and liberating beats.

The strings and percussion matched with echoing male and female vocals make for a great soundtrack while riding your bike in the rain. Yeah, I've done it. Inspirational.

I recommend their debut album The Rhumb Line. "Ghost Under Rocks" is an excellent opener. Keep in mind drummer John Pike cowrote half the tracks on this album - and now he's dead.

So pay your respects and download that shite here (if I did it right): http://drop.io/cptethw

Pinback's Summer in Abaddon

Most people I talk to in NY don't know much about the San Diego music scene and neither do I. I do however know of one band that is a huge part of that scene right now and is getting bigger. The band Pinback, made up of two musicians (although they tour with more) is how shall I say....the truth. Their last two albums are below and are both very good all the way through. Check out 'Summer in Abaddon' first. This is the one that got me into them. Released in 2004, it is packed with catchy riffs and a vocal feel that reminds me of Elliott Smith's days back in Heatmiser. The latest album from 2007 is 'Autumn of the Seraphs.' Nearly as complete as its predecessor, the band has captured their unique sound once again through a very clean and up close production style; sounds great on good speakers.

Summer in Abaddon: http://drop.io/pinbacksummer#
(my favorites are tracks 1 and 5)

Autumn of the Seraphs: http://drop.io/pinbackautumn#
(my favorite is track 3)

Camera Obscura's 'Let's Get Out of this Country'

Camera Obscura has been around for awhile now, but I just recently got into their 2006 LP entitled Let's Get Out of this Country. Their sound is crazy; the production has an old-time feel achieved by retro-sounding reverbs. The songs are pop songs but it is nothing like I have ever heard on el radio. They are coming out with a new album, called the Maudlin Career, in the next few months.

Here is the link to Let's Get Out of this Country:

http://drop.io/downloadapollos4#

Here is a link to their website where you can listen to a track from their new cd:

http://www.camera-obscura.net/



XOXO
Gossip Apollo

Blind Pilot's 3 Rounds and a Sound

O M F G this band is tite. Blind pilot is mostly acoustic guitars and harmonizing vocals, but also has xylophone, violins, and soft drums. Their latest album, titled 3 rounds and a sound, was good from the first listen and still hasn't gotten old. This band embarked on a West Coast bike tour to promote their stuff in small towns. This wasn’t a tour where they road bikes, and had a van hauling the equipment. They hauled everything on their bikes. No gas. 100% leg powered. For you D.C. scrubs, they are playing at IOTA on march 27. For New York peeps, Mercury lounge on March 31, I'll see ya there. If you want to listen to one song and see if you like, I recommend track 5, "One Red Thread." Download that shit right herrrrrrr:

http://drop.io/downloadapollos3#

Past Blast: Pet Sounds

As fun it is to discover new bands, it can be just as rewarding to rediscover old ones. I do this about once a month with the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds.

There are influential albums, and then there is Pet Sounds. A project that was set forth when Brian Wilson heard Rubber Soul fell in love, it in turn inspired Sgt. Pepper. Paul McCartney and George Martin have publicly admitted its enormous influence on their seminal album, and in the Beatles' musical development in general - going so far as to state that without Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper would not exist. If there is an inkling of truth to that statement, I am forever grateful to Brian Wilson.

Enough of the history bullshit. On with the music itself.


Orchestral arrangements in rock have been done before (e.g. A Day in the Life), but this is different. When you listen to the orchestra, you don't notice individual instruments so much as collective colors in a constantly changing palette. Technically speaking, Brian achieves this by combining instruments and doubling the same instrument. Have the harpsichord and the accordian play the same part, and you get a whole new instrument. Record two basses playing the same line, and it no longer sounds like a traditional bass. But let's not focus so much on the cause as the effect. The result of this instrumental mashing-up is a musical texture that is richer than rock had ever seen before, or have since.

The vocals are less technically tricky. Simply put, the Beach Boys just know how to harmonize. Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson grew up harmonizing before going to bed every night, and along with their childhood friend Mike Love, they make some truly beautiful sounds. Notice the vocal swells at the end of "You Still Believe in Me" or the backing vocals on "I'm Still Waiting for the Day."

As complete as the album is, it is ultimately a collection of songs, and any one of them can stand on its own. I hate how pop culture treats "Wouldn't It Be Nice." It is more than a simple pop song, and it's a crime that only the first 20 seconds is known by most of the world. In it Brian accomplishes what is insanely difficult - changing tempo and key constantly, all the while keeping the flow going and not confusing the listener.

And this can be applied to most songs on the album. One does not immediately notice their complexity because of the fluidity of the melodies and soundscapes, but delve a little deeper and the songwriting becomes almost impossible to fully decipher (I defy you to figure out the chords in "God Only Knows," one of the easiest songs to sing but hardest ones to play).

"Don't Talk" is an incredibly beautiful love song, unique on the album for its slow pace but no less complex or moving. "Let's Go Away for a While" might be the most satisfying non-vocal piece not written by Beethoven. And I can't listen to "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" at work because I'm afraid I'll burst into tears. (Especially on the line "Where can I turn/ When my fair-weather friends cop out." Oh God. Excuse me...)

I can go on for pages and pages, but just listen for yourself. When you're feeling a little blue, or find yourself with a free half hour, lie down in bed, put the album on, and crank the volume to 10. Don't put it on in the background while you email; this album demands your full attention, in the same way as OK Computer or Abbey Road (at least for the first couple times).

Download here:

http://drop.io/apollopetsounds/media

Andrew Bird's Noble Beast

Andrew Bird just came out with his fourth solo album on January 20 of this year. All of his cd's are incredible but this one, titled Noble Beast, is spinning in my itunes non-stop.

For those who are not familiar with this guy, he is a sick musician that plays guitar, violin, banjo, and about 20 other instruments. He is known for whistling melodies and intense harmonies that happen to be a damn good soundtrack for walking around the city.

Download the album from my drop io site:

First 11 songs---http://drop.io/downloadapollos#
Last 3 songs---http://drop.io/downloadapollos2#