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The Buzz Box #1


This week we will be starting a series of posts called "The Buzz Box" that will be a mix of the most current hyped music that we here at the Box consider worthy of your listening.

This week saw the continued rise of young acts Sleigh Bells and Memoryhouse as well as some great new tracks from some veterans like The Books and The New Pornographers. Also included is the only track worth listening to on the new Band of Horses album...

The Books :: Beautiful People
Memoryhouse :: Bonfire
The New Pornographers :: Crash Years
Band of Horses :: Factory
The Tallest Man on Earth :: King of Spain
Sleigh Bells :: Tell 'Em
Horse Feathers :: Belly of June

[Note: With the new media player you can only download a song (right click, save as) when it is not being played]
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Cuddle Up With: Tame Impala


Wikipedia says that Tame Impala is "a three piece psychedelic rock band from Perth, Western Australia" and thats about all you need to know. In 2008 they released a short, rough self-titled EP that lifts heavily from late Beatles and jam-band psychedelia. Lead singer Kevin Parker sounds eerily like John "I Am A Walrus" Lennon on the EP, and the songs boasts solid melodies and a vintage production style.

From the two tracks that have been released from the band's debut full-length Innerspeaker, it seems Tame Impala is continuing with the psychedelic sound, albeit via much fuller production. I still haven't got my hands on a copy of the whole album, but it sounds promising.

Standout single, Runway, Houses, City, Clouds slowly fades in (don't turn up the volume...) with a rather significant riff. The train-wreck rhythm is backed by a soaring vocal melody that breaks open at about the 2:40 min mark into a Beatles-esque four-part harmony. The song floats for about thirty seconds before launching back into the driving rhythm and eventually fizzling out with what seems to be stylistic homage to the Beatles' "Sun King".

Stay tuned for more Tame Impala, who will be releasing their debut Innerspeaker in the U.S. on June 8.
Until then, grab their single below and be sure to listen to another gem from Innerspeaker, Solitude is Bliss at the band's myspace (Or you can purchase the song from Itunes).
Pre-order the album here.

Tame Impala :: Runway, Houses, City, Clouds (from Innerspeaker [2010])
Tame Impala :: Desire Be Desire Go (From Tame Impala EP [2008]) (...John Lennon...am I right?)
[mp3 removed by request]
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The Radio Dept.

Yesterday saw the release of The Radio Dept's new LP Clinging to a Scheme, a fantastic album from a band that has apparently (much to my ignorance) been around for fifteen years.
Not sure about their older stuff, but Clinging to a Scheme is a concise and lively album that clocks in around 35 minutes. The homogeneity of sounds coming out of Sweden right now is startling. Are they all in this together like some sort of socialist music collective? Is it all one band parading as a whole genre? We may never know the answers to these penetrating questions, but one can't be faulted for finding traces of other Swedish acts in this music.
I'd give The Radio Dept. a chance to stand out of the crowd (and don't mind the soldier on the cover smoking pot through the end of a rifle...)


mp3: The Radio Dept. :: Heaven's on Fire
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B-Sides from Fleet Foxes

According to my sources, Fleet Foxes should have a new album coming our way in September of this year. If you are like me, the turn towards Spring has led to an increased desire for Pecknold's golden voice. Well thirst no more, my friends! Here are a few rare tracks that I dug up the past few weeks.
(June 27, 2009 - Photo by Fergus McDonald/Getty Images Europe)


"Isles" is a beautiful track from an earlier single release. "Silver dagger" is a an old folk ballad. I have no idea where "Icicle Tusk" comes from (somewhere cold?).

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Gayngs

The concept of an indie "supergroup" is tantalizing, but more often than not falls short of expectations. I can think of a few exceptions (like early New Pornographers), but for whatever reason the music world is littered with these abandoned super bands.
New Jagjaguwar artist Gayngs has been labeled a supergroup, and indeed the band is comprised of some diverse personalities, including the likes of Bon Iver (who is everywhere??) and members of Solid Ground, Megafaun, The Rosebuds, and Lookbook.

So what sort of sound comes from this concoction?

I like to think of it as Bon Iver killing time at your neighborhood diner, or buddying up with Kenny G. Yes, its weird. Yes, it sat in my iTunes for weeks. No, I'm still not sure what to do with it. But its different, and its good.

I figured it was only a matter of time before the always-ironic indie music scene tackled the adult-contemporary soft rock/R&B that is so persistently played at Denny's and your local dentist. I'm not usually a fan of music that conjures up images of tired-eyed waitresses and ivory-toothed "dental hygienists" ... but Gayngs has just enough soul (and courage) to craft some songs with depth and creativity. I suppose the album works best because they take it so seriously. Sure, there are sections that will make you chuckle (or cringe) but as the album progresses, this impulse toward mockery will fade—leaving you (hopefully) with an appreciation for some great songwriting. Highly recommended.

Gayngs' debut Relayted is out May 11 on Jagjagwar

mp3: Gayngs -- The Gaudy Side Of Town
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The Morning Benders are Killing It


"Promises"

the morning benders | MySpace Music Videos
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Conan Covers Creep

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Beach House

In honor of Beach House's performance tonight at Neumo's, here is a video of the PS22 Chorus covering the song "Zebra" from Teen Dream. All in good fun, but I gotta say hearing the song this way highlights the amazing songwriting at play here. Have a listen:


[via stereogum]
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Twin Sister

Dear Cuddlers, 
If you haven't yet turned on to the no-nonsense tin can pop of Twin Sister, now is your chance. The Brooklyn band has their new EP Color Your Life up for download on their website as well as their fantastic (and highly recommended) Vampires with Dreaming Kids EP from last year. These kids are going places but if you act now you may, in a few months, proudly inform your oversized-beanied-friend that yes, "I have heard of Twin Sister."


Seriously. Download this music,

Scott

http://twinsistermusic.com/music/releases/