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#