[Album Preview] You Won’t- Skeptic Goodbye LP

Skeptic Goodbye is the first recording project from Massachusetts band You Won’t.

The band’s clever songs touch on universal themes like time, movement, and pop culture- making references to Back To The Future, 80′s fashion, and the idea of the “American Dream” to tie their listeners to the songs and give them replay value. More than that, though, the songs are statements about  today’s ideals; set to music through melody, drumline percussion, clapping, and acoustic guitar. “It’s just an illusion babe” sings vocalist Josh Arndouse (who’s voice draws references to both Bob Dylan and The Tallest Man On Earth) on the single “Three Car Garage”. The sentiment sets the mood for the rest of the album, allowing retrospective tracks like “Who Knew” and “Television” to shine in ways they couldn’t achieve on their own.

Musically there isn’t a lot of flashy instrumentation going on. When you do hear synth/guitar leads they’re more to illustrate feeling than show off talent. It’s more likely that the songs exist to compliment the lyrical content rather than dazzle fans- but the ideas are concise and never fall short of real entertainment. Overall the album flows really well, and seems to get better with each listen.

Skeptic Goodbye will be released through Old FLame Records on February 14th 2012.

Stream only: You Won’t- Three Car Garage

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Stream only: You Won’t- Who Knew

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo January Part #5

Being the human beings that we are, we sometimes think we know it all i.e. hearing the first 2 seconds of a song and immediately turning it off without even giving it a chance. But one thing we all come to realize at one point or another (sometimes days, weeks, and yes, years later) is that we just missed out on something completely bad ass. The first step is admitting we were wrong. Yup, lessons are usually learned the hard way. But enough with the philosophical insight on human behavior. This is a freakin’ music blog. So all we are really saying is give songs a chance. ‘Cause seriously, you don’t know nothing till you try…

Download Zip: Indie Dojo January Part 5 [Mediafire]

Keaton Henson – You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are

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Town Hall – Just Watching My Breath

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The Wooden Sky – Child of the Valley

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Blake Mills – Wintersong

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Dave Dixon – Candles Burning Time

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Bahamas – I Got You Babe

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The Record Company – Don’t Let Me Get Lonely

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Lady Danville – Operating

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[Folk] The Careful Ones- Moths, Flames, Etc.

The Careful Ones are a relatively new indie/folk band from Lakeland Florida that has been attracting attention with their soulful melodies and ambient tones. The music is driven by acoustic guitars, heavy vocal harmonies, and light percussion (guitar slapping, stomping, heavy strumming, occasional bass hits).

The lyrics are introspective and presented in a voice that’s somewhere between Bahamas and Sleeping At Last. Their debut Moths, Flames, Etc. is a lonesome collection of well written songs, with each instrument focusing on what’s best for the music rather than how they can show off. Vocal parts fall to a hum during intimate guitar melodies, sitting atop pulsing bass hits that beat inside your chest and tug at your heart strings. The careful ones are a force to be reckoned with because they have learned how to capture mood, and feeling, through their music. From their down tempos and repetitive chorus lines to their employ of orchestral strings they just seem like they really get it.

The album is not for car rides or exciting beach vacations though, it’s really relaxed and mellow. It’s a much better soundtrack for a quiet evening than a sword fight.

Watch for the bands new release, due out in Spring of 2012, HERE.

[Indie] Cyra Morgan – If We Stay

Rhode Island indie-folk songwriter Cyra Morgan has had a lust for performing live ever since she was a kid. Having moved to New York as a teenager, she waited tables and wrote extensively. ‘If We Stay’ is a fantastic example of what Cyra’s all about. Featuring her breathy angelic vocals over delicate instrumentals, this track is a soft slice of mellow pop to drift along to. Watch this space for more from this incredibly talented new artist.

Alice Michel – The Weather In You Head

We first heard of French Singer/Songwriter Alice Michel as we combed through the web looking for new songs to add to our Indie Dojo playlist and stumbled upon her cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”. As we all know, covering the classics is definitely not an easy feat to conquer, so, not gonna lie, but there was a tiiiiiny bit of hesitation to take a moment to listen. So glad we did though, cause Michel threw us as far from disappointment as she possibly could. And although her rendition was beautifully unique, her latest release, “The Weather In Your Head” is something she can call her own. Using the same hauntingly simplistic style, she somehow finds a way to completely fill a song with nothing more than strings, a little piano, some simple harmonies, and the “never gets old” hand-clap. It’s sweet yet captivatingly ominous perfection.

And for our french readers, make sure you guys check out Alice Michel play at Le Sunset, March 13. More info here.

Californication Season 5 Episode 4 Soundtrack [TV Show Songs]

Season 5 Episode 4. WOW. What I love about Californication? Hilarity right from the start. Without giving too much away, Hank gets a surprise visit form a lovely (and equally mentally crazy) friend from New York. Lets get right to the soundtracks featured on “Waiting For The Miracle”. (more…)

Goodbye Chuck, Season 5 Episode 13 Soundtrack Series Finale Songs

We knew this day would come, we just didnt expected so soon. CHUCK IS OVER. And while the final episode (vs The Goodbye), series finale was a mouthful, we wont spill any spoilers yet. This post will be all about the Soundtrack in Episode 13. Lets get right to it!

The very song at the beginning of the episode:
Beirut – Goshen

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Chuck gets out of bed to ready to get Sarah back; Sarah parachutes to the beach.
The Black Keys – Gold On the Ceiling

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Obviously before we get to some of the best songs we have heard on the TV show, Jeffster performs the one and only “Take On Me” by a-ha during their performance in the concert hall.

Cruel and Beautiful World by GROUPLOVE played in the background as Casey gives the apartment to Morgan & Alex; Ellie & Awesome pack; Morgan helps Chuck use his heart to figure out where Sarah is at the end.
GROUPLOVE – Cruel and Beautiful World

Breaks my heart that this is essentially the last soundtrack post about the tv show Chuck. I was a lot of fun to do these post as much as it was to watch Chuck mature, to watch his relationship with Sarah and to finally get closure.

The final (ending) song while we watched the montage of Sarah and Chuck’s relationship was “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and the Heart.

The Head And The Heart – Rivers and Roads

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For more Chuck music from Season 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 make sure you check our soundtrack section.

[New] Bahamas – I Got You Babe

Alfie Jurvanen of Bahamas has long been known for his soulful style of folk music. The second single off of his forthcoming release, Barchords, is an example of him living up to his reputation. The drums are light and airy, the guitars are melodic and catchy, and the vocals are breathy, intimate, and complimentary to the guitars. Though the song is about losing someone it’s still really light hearted and easy to listen to; you’ll probably find yourself humming it throughout the day without even realizing it.

Barchords Tracklist:
01. Lost in the Light
02. Caught Me Thinkin
03. Montreal
04. OK Alright I’m Alive
05. Never Again
06. Overjoyed
07. I Got You Babe
08. Any Other Way
09. Snow Plow
10. Your Sweet Touch
11. Time and Time Again
12. Be My Witness

Bahamas new LP Barchords is set to release on February 7th 2012 through Brushfire records.

Bahamas- I Got You Babe 

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