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1. prattle on, rick. – Lift Up
prattle on, rick. is the moniker of Nashville singer-songwriter Patrick Rickelton. “Lift Up” is one of those songs I can easily see in a Jason Reitman movie – it’s lovely, cinematic and earthy. There is something incredibly calming in the evenness of Patrick’s voice. Patrick says that his music career began with his experiences listening to Van Morrison’s “Moondance” album. You can hear that influence in the very way Patrick balances his vocals against the music. You can buy his EP “Communion Bread” HERE now.
prattle on, rick. – Lift Up

2. Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks
Enormous Kudos to the blog Absolutely Horrorshow for posting this track after the writer heard it in the background of Nylon’s coverage of Anna Sui’s Fall/Winter Collection. Hype Machine posted it and it immediately shot up on the the list of popular songs “hearted” by listeners. Rightly so, it’s beyond catchy…even addicting. Not much info available on the band other than the fact that they are unsigned, don’t have an EP out yet, are from Los Angeles and are affiliated with Mark Foster. Let’s just hope they keep turning out songs like this. You can download this song for free after you submit your email on their website HERE.
Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks

3. Phantogram – As Far As I Can See
Phantogram (one of the best band names ever, in my opinion) comes to us from Saratoga Springs, NY. Vocalist/keyboardist/visual artist Sarah Barthel and guitarist Josh Carter met in junior high and, after taking various separate paths, they reunited to form Phantogram in 2007. Self described as “street beat, psych pop” they represent one of my very favorite musical pairings. Their live shows are supposed to be phenomenal and, if you are in LA, you can catch them on 3/4 when they play at Bordello. You can get tickets to that HERE. Their album Eyelid Movies was out as of 2/9 and you can buy it HERE.
Phantogram – As Far As I Can See

4. Gamble House – Central Park
It’s worth noting that Gamble House’s Ben Becker named his band after the historic Gamble House in Pasadena (where Ben is originally from), a house that perhaps most famously served as the exterior for Doc Brown’s mansion in “Back to the Future.” The opening of this song is stunning and it catches me every time I hear it. Gamble House / Ben just finished up a month-long residency at Spaceland and will next be performing as part of Aquarium Drunkard’s WAVED OUT music festival with other great bands Surfer Blood and Best Coast. Information for that available HERE. He started this album while in NY attending NYU and finished it up in LA – you can hear both influences behind his work. It’s mastered by the great Paul Gold who has worked with artists such as LCD Soundsystem, Grizzly Bear and Dirty Projectors. You can buy the album now HERE.
Gamble House-Central Park

5. Portugal. The Man – The Dead Dog
In reference to their forthcoming album “American Ghetto”, Portugal. The Man’s John Gourley states, “Lyrically, this was the first album where I really went out and referenced the streets and places around where I grew up. “The Dead Dog” was a bar out towards Big Lake off Pittman Road where, no offense Pittman ralliers, some pretty shady folks spent their time. I don’t know what it was about that area that drew me in but it did, for whatever reason. As with all the songs on American Ghetto there is a focus on our teenage lives and the things we did and the paths we chose. Some of the moments are sadder than others but “The Dead Dog” was written more about the setting than with a specific person in mind.” I like that this band infuses the indie scene with their own rock flavor, they aren’t just another sleepy sounding outfit. From everything I have read thus far, we can expect great things from this new album. “American Ghetto” comes out on 3/2 and you can download this song for free from their website HERE.
Portugal. The Man – The Dead Dog

6. The Shimmer – Lovers Void
The Shimmer = Brother and sister duo David & Jade Hanks from the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, England. There is a definite 80s feel to this track and the Joy Division / Gary Numan influences are steep. But that is precisely what I like about it – it’s just the kind of dark pop I liked best from that period. Their upcoming album is being produced by ex-Clor band member Luke Smith who has worked with both Depeche Mode and The Foals. Not to shabby. You can get this single free HERE. Album expected some time this year.
The Shimmer – Lovers Void

7. You Say Party! We Say Die! – Laura Palmer’s Prom
Laura Palmer’s Prom comes off the third & just released album “XXXX” from the Canadian band You Say Party! We Say Die! The title gives away the David Lynch / Angelo Badalamenti reference and it’s definitely reflective of music I can imagine coming from the Twin Peaks series. It’s pop – but there is an undercurrent of darkness just below the surface. They recorded this album after a much needed break. Inter-band fighting while on tour and a near breakdown from singer Becky Ninkovics led them to take some time off to reinvent themselves as a band. They came back with new motivation and, per their MySpace page, “Having reinvented themselves with their spirited style of New-Wave, and a new depth of material.” Becky spent time working on her voice with a vocal coach for a year and her voice has never sounded stronger. You can buy the album now HERE.
You Say Partyl! We Say Die! – Laura Palmer’s Prom

8. Club 8 – Western Hospitality
This song is fun, energetic and pretty much all around amazing. The Swedish duo, made up of Karolina Komstedt & Johan Angergård, have actually been around since 1995, debuting as a live act at CMJ in New York in 1999. They went to Brazil for inspiration and that clearly served them well; they manage to escape pop monotony by infusing their music with a fresh breath of South American energy. I am beyond excited to hear their new record “The People’s Record” out on 5/12.
Club 8 – Western Hospitality

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. The Beatles – Don’t Let Me Down
Live. 1969.

2.) Gorillaz – Demon Days
With their new album “Plastic Beach” almost here, I felt it was a good time to revisit how good their last album “Demon Days” was. This song gets me every time.
Gorillaz – Demon Days

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