My New Favorite Band I Just Heard Of (Again?!)

Okay, yes, I may have said this before (The National, Screaming Females, Titus Andronicus, Smith Westerns Animal Collective, Mumford and Sons, Local Natives, Buke & Gass, etc.) Of course, I haven't forgotten any of them--I listen to my recent favorites frequently, and keep a sharp eye on their tour itineraries. But, when I discover a new artist, I just feel I have to mention them--and give my readers an opportunity to have a listen. And this weekend, it's a folksy quartet out of Rhode Island: The Low Anthem.

While at work the other day, as I was just about to put on an NPR First Listen album, I read the blurb for another: "Hear the Rhode Island band's melancholy new album of blues, folk and country music in its entirety." Holy shit. If there's something that's totally up my alley right now, it would be that exact combination. (Actually, looking at the development of my musical taste over the past few years, I'd say my "alley" is more of an interstate in breadth.) Plus, the band recorded the majority of the album in an abandoned pasta-sauce factory (how cool is that!); a fact that most critics have cited as a redeeming factor for the album, which would otherwise be spare and simple without the eerie and somber effects of the vast recording space's reverberations.

{Side note: considering that all the mega-indie bands are into unique recording spaces--Arcade Fire did Neon Bible in a church, and The Decemberists' recorded The King is Dead in a barn--where will this trend go next? Which band will take it too far, and push it into the realm of the tacky? And what is the most extreme space for recording? (The answer to that question is outer space, obviously. And if you don't think there's sound out there, just listen to the Voyager recordings and you'll find out how wrong you are.)}

You may have seen The Low Anthem on Letterman the other night, but for those who did not, you can listen to their new album, Smart Flesh on NPR Music website.

For those of you with more time, you can also listen to the live recording of their concert in a DC synagogue from just last week.

And for those of you without time for either, you should watch this video for both the song and to see their "studio":

And if you like any of that, then you should get out there and support the band if they play at your local venue--I know I will.



PS. So, actually, my new favorite band might just be the New York Philharmonic. I've heard them deliver some amazing performances over the last few years, and listening to their rendition of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 last Saturday pretty much locked it up. And ... Fun fact! The Philharmonic played that piece at their first concert, way back in 1842. (Hold on to that one for the trivia night at your local bar. Just remember to thank me when you're drinking your winning's from an old trophy bought at Goodwill.)  

What I've been listening to ...

Essentially, I've spent the last month or so of the new year catching up on everything I missed from 2010--whether it be an album I've been meaning to get since the summer (High Violet by The National), or some band I'd only recently heard about while skimming end-of-the-year lists (Buke & Gass ... who I finally saw in concert in January--for free!).  Also, there's been a bit of catching up with old favorites (Modest Mouse's Good News For People Who Love Bad News, for example), or obsessing over others (Animal Collective's Merriwether Post Pavilion, an obsession you'd understand if you've ever listened to it--as you should.) However, it is my intention here to give you a taste of the latest music. So, here are some recommended albums, with a featured song; and if you enjoy that, I encourage you to seek out the entire album.


High Violet, The National

“Bloodbuzz Ohio”

Riposte, Buke & Gass
            “Medulla Oblangata”

The Lady Killer, Cee-Lo (whom I saw sing “Crazy” with Prince the other night. Yeah, that Prince.)
            “No One’s Gonna Love You” (a Band of Horses cover)

This Is Happening, LCD Soundsystem
            “Dance Yrself Clean”

The ArchAndroid, Janelle Monae
            “Tightrope” (featuring Big Boi)

So Runs the World Away, Josh Ritter (I’ve been meaning to this album get since the concert in May)
            “The Curse”

Gorilla Manor, Local Natives (my new favorite band)
            “Shape Shifter”

 History From Below, Delta Spirit
            “Bushwick Blues”

Personal Life, The Thermals (who I saw at dinner at The Breslin!)
            “Never Listen to Me”

Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, My Chemical Romance
            “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)”

The King Is Dead, The Decemberists
            “Down by the Water”

Because I Was in Love, Sharon Van Etten
            “For You”

 Dye It Blonde, Smith Westerns
            “Weekend”

Everything Under the Sun, Jukebox the Ghost
            “Empire”

Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle
            “Workin’ for the MTA”

Mines, Menomena
            “TAOS”

Congratulations, MGMT
            “Flash Delirium”

All Day, Girl Talk
            “Oh No” (with this perfectly complimentary visual mash-up)

 Halcyon Digest, Deerhunter
            “Helicopter”

 

Wow … I’ve had quite an earful since Christmas, although this really is mostly 2010 music. But with the new Decemberists and Smith Westerns albums—and more to come from Rise Against and TV on the Radio—I’m  looking forward to the new year’s new music.

Also, ‘cause it’s good:
“My Girls,” Merriwether Post Pavilion, Animal Collective