Latest Alternative/Rock Posts

I Pronounce We & Lisa's "Independence" one of the most cheerful summer songs of 2009

Posted by Blas Yaselli - August 8, 2009

we-and-lisa-discover-new-music

I am dead serious! There is something about this electro/disco/sunshine pop song that blows me away every time I listen to it. Music always has the ability to influence an emotion but We & Lisa’s new song Independence completely takes over me. This upcoming band from Sweden We & Lisa released their album Dreams Within A Dream on March 31 2009 on the Nebraska label Series Two Records. The album consists of the Ana E.P. and edited 2009 versions of tracks from previous E.P.’s.

We & Lisa – Independence.

’We _ Lisa – Independence.mp3′

We & Lisa – Independence Doc Ron Remix

’We _ Lisa – Independence _Doc Ron Remix_.mp3′

We & Lisa – I Am You.mp3

’We _ Lisa – I Am You.mp3′

https://www.myspace.com/weandlisa

Alternative/Rock

Random Music Friday

Posted by Blas Yaselli - July 31, 2009

randommusicfriday

I made it! Its 11:45pm! Still Friday! Here is yet another Random music Goodness all new all fresh songs from independent artists (or from independent labels)

Metric is a Canadian indie rock band. Originally formed in Toronto, the band has also at various times been based in Montreal, London, New York City and Los Angeles. They are signed with Last Gang Records (responsible for releasing recordings by MSTRKRFT, Chromeo, Boys Noize)

https://www.myspace.com/metric
Metric – Gold Guns Girls

’Metric – Gold Guns Girls’

Looking for the best “Walking on a dream” Remix? Look no further! Kids at the bar just released their take on this beautiful song from Empire of the Sun.
https://www.myspace.com/kidsatthebar
Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream (Kids At The Bar Remix)

’Walkign on a Dream’

Not sure what genres you can clasify “Good Enough” by Polychromatic …Experimental Electro pop?.. In the end what only matters is that aside from its monotomous/robotic vocals that eventually grew on me, this is a great example of a glitch pop song that is full of harmonies and a wide range of satisfying melodies.
www.myspace.com/musicsoundsbetterincolor
Polychromatic – “Good Enough”

’Polychromatic – Good Enough’

Fanfarlo is a London-based indie pop band formed in 2006 by the Swedish musician Simon Balthazar. They make extensive use of instruments such as the trumpet, violin and mandolin as well as more commonplace instruments such as guitars and drums. Their debut album Reservoir was released this year.
https://www.myspace.com/fanfarlo
https://www.fanfarlo.com/
Fanfarlo – The Walls Are Coming Down

’resources
06TheWallsAreComingDown.mp3′

A native of Melbourne, Australia, singer/songwritter Daniel Merriweather just debuted his album Love and War June 2009. With a very jazzy R&B voice, Daniel single “Change” has already made it to the top 100 UK single charts.
https://www.danielmerriweather.com/us/home
https://www.myspace.com/danielmerriweather
Daniel Merriweather “Change” (feat. Wale)

’Daniel Merriweather – Change’

Seeexxx on a spooonn… is the new singe of Artist You(genious) from his fourth-coming solo album Lust, Love & time. DAVESTEP (Dave Wrangler) got a chance to remix it and although I usually enjoy a little more upbeat electronic beats, this one hit the spot.
https://www.davewrangler.com/
You(genious) Sex on a spoon (Dave Wrangler Remix)

’You(genious) Sex on a spoon (Dave Wrangler Remix)’

[Interview] & [Album Review]: Adam and Darcie "California Trail"

Posted by Blas Yaselli - July 28, 2009

adam-and-darcie-california-trail
Poetic Version Review:
From the first time you are able to ride the bicycle without any help, to almost falling in love with someone that you just met, sometimes in life things just click and although you may not understand the why or the how, all questions become mute as the moment takes over and puts you in a different place and time. Equally, on a musical scale, this is how I felt when I listened to Adam and Darcie’s latest album “California Trail”. As I was checking my Inbox for new music, I was provided a link to listen to their new single “Hands/Mind”. A very simple task I thought to myself, I opened the link and started playing the song. About twenty minutes in I came to the realization that I was not just listening to one song but the entire album available for streaming on their website. It was purely magical, their album and my ears had just clicked, love at first listen one can say. Before I was able to answer the how or the why, their carefully crafted melodies, delicate to the ear but strong with emotions, had taken me to another place that although unfamiliar to me, had never felt closer to home, I was walking on the California Trail.

Regular Version Review:
I am a little embarrassed to admit that the above is 100% the truth. I enjoyed their album so much; it inspired me in many ways. The best answer is always the simplest one and when you add instrumental melodies, intertwined vocals between wife and husband and the passion to create, you get Adam and Darcie definition to what music means to them. California Trail is a story telling venture about longing for a peaceful, family life and a place to call a home.

Adam And Darcie – I Need To Let Go Of What I Wont Miss

’Adam And Darcie – I Need To Let Go Of What I Wont Miss.mp3′

Adam And Darcie – The Fox, Hare, And Doe

’Adam And Darcie – The Fox Hare And Doe.mp3′

Free Download: Adam And Darcie – Hands-Mind

’Adam And Darcie – Hands
Mind.mp3′

I got a chance to bounce a couple of questions with Adam and Darcie, and here is what they had to say. Continue reading →

Quickies: Muse New Song United States of Eurasia and Some Jay-Z

Posted by Blas Yaselli - July 27, 2009

muse21
Yes I know I try to focus on Independent music, but as a big fan of Muse, I just cant control myself, here is United States of Eurasia from their fifth studio album “The Resistance” due to be released on 14 September 2009
Muse – United States Of Eurasia

’Muse – United States Of Eurasia.mp3′

And continuing this Non-indie theme on this post. Here is Jay-Z Ft. Kanye West & Rihanna – “Run This Town”
Jay-Z Ft. Kanye West & Rihanna – Run This Town

’Run This Town.mp3′

Alternative/Rock

Random Music Friday [Fresh New Music Edition]

Posted by Blas Yaselli - July 24, 2009

randommusicfriday

Happy Friday everyone! The weekend is here and as for most of my weekends, random things always end up happing. Whenever I do a Random Music Friday I like to keep it as random as possible with music from all genres and from all eras. However, today will not be the case as I will only post new music. I have been fortunate enough to have artists send me their music to post on the site and it would just be unfair to post old songs with such great talent coming in. Enjoy!

We start off with a colorful experimental/instrumental song. “In Knowing” is a playful synthetic pop tune graced with the sweet and cheerful vocals of lead vocalist Meadow Eliz that along with multi-instrumentalist Chris Clarke, Jo Sorrell in the cello and Justin Grizzof working the guitar and percussions, make up Swimming in Speakers. If you enjoy this song make sure you listen to “Near my Ear” and “Serve Them Well”

Swimming in Speakers- In Knowing

’In Knowing’

iTunes – Amazon
https://www.thesixtyone.com/swimminginspeakers/
https://www.myspace.com/swimminginspeakers

We move into a more psychedelic band called Psychedelic Disco Angels from Jersey City. Row Bong is probably the chillest psychedelic song from their their debut album “Credito O No Credito“, its mellowness is contagious reminding me of the slower songs of Mars Volta. Make sure you check out their single “Evil House” that is part of their upcoming album “Digital Power” releasing this fall,

Bow Bong – Psychedelic Disco Angels

’Bow Bong’

Amazon
https://www.myspace.com/psychedelicdiscoangels

A funky, electronic and sprinkles of pop song gracefully made its way to my inbox titled “Hollywood Sound” from Binary artist LexiconDom. What is particular unique about this track is how well the vocals and lyrics come in to play. The electronic beat is great by itself but once you add the vocals the song become a beautiful electronic masterpiece.

LexiconDon – Hollywood Sound

’LexiconDon – Hollywood Sound’

https://www.myspace.com/lexicondon
https://www.myspace.com/wearebinary

Collider is a new Indie Rock band from San Francisco. They just released their debut album “Down in Saturines”.
Collider – Drop Out And Off

’Collider – Drop Out And Off’

https://collider.bandcamp.com
https://www.myspace.com/collidersf

How do you make a good hip/hop song sound TEN TIMES BETTER… make sure Ambience, a production team from Sweden, gets to remix it. Seriously, I had not really heard Bobby Valentinos new “Hand On Me” before I heard the remixed version and the comparison is just off the charts. They were able add their own remix without taking away the feel and emotion of the original beat. I hope to hear from these guys a lot more in the future.
Bobby Valentino – Hand On Me (Ambiance Remix)

’Bobby Valentino – Hand On Me (Ambiance Remix)’

https://www.myspace.com/ambienceprod

Good Running Music: The Ultimate, Random and Incomplete Playlist To Get Off Your Ass

Posted by Blas Yaselli - July 22, 2009

the-music-ninja-running-muisic-2009

Trying to catch up to your new years resolution? Tired of always listening to the same tunes every time you work out? Here is an unfinished selection (more posts like these will follow) of songs that will get you off your butt and on the mood for working out. I try to run a couple of miles every other day as I catch up with all the recommendation I receive at blas at themusicninja dot com and I have found that Fort Minor’s The Raising Tied is pretty much the best motivational album to listen to when I work out. If you enjoy the first 2 songs I urge you to buy the entire CD, you will not be disappointed! This list is obviously biased as I enjoy Fast-rock, hip/hop and trance when I go out running. I tried to keep it balanced and non-gendered specific. Some is very old, some is very new. I read a couple of forums and websites that runners recommended songs and I believe I created a pretty awesome list. But like always, I leave it to you to be the judge.

fat-cat-by-yukari
Fort Minor – Remember The Name

’Fort Minor – Remember The Name.mp3′

iTunes – Amazon

Fort Minor – 100 Degrees

’Fort Minor – 100 Degrees’

iTunes – Amazon

The Hush Sound – Medicine Man.mp3

’The Hush Sound – Medicine Man.mp3′

iTunes – Amazon

Scarf – Odysee (Rock Thiz remix

’Scarf – Odysee (Rock Thiz remix’

Amazon – iTunes
running-music-2009-stewie

running-music-2009-stewie

Tokyo Police Club – Tessellate

’Tokyo Police Club – Tessellate’

iTunes – Amazon

Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench

’Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench’

iTunes – Amazon

Ting Tings – Thats Not My Name

’Ting Tings – Thats Not My Name’

iTunes – Amazon

sonic-best-songs-for-running-2009 Annie – Antonio (Designer Drugs Remix).mp3

’Annie – Antonio (Designer Drugs Remix).mp3′

The Mars Volta – Metatron

’ The Mars Volta – Metatron’

iTunes – Amazon

Scooter – Maria [I like it loud]

’ Scooter – Maria I like this’

iTunes – Amazon

Bruce Springsteen – O Mary Don’t You Weep

’Bruce Springsteen – O Mary Don’t You Weep’

iTunes – Amazon

Satisfaction (DiscoTech Remix)

’07 Satisfaction (DiscoTech Remix)’

What Artist/Song, Type of music do you enjoy while running? Leave a comment!

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros singlehandedly opened the Folk Category

Posted by Blas Yaselli - July 21, 2009

edward-sharpe-and-the-magnetic-zeros

I still consider myself relatively new to writing and having a music blog and The Music Ninja keeps evolving and changing according to the incredible people that keep emailing me with their recommendations and promotions. Unfortunately, due to the little exposure I have had in Metal music, I deleted the metal category on this website and in its place I am opening the “Folk” Category that is partly inspired by listening to the “Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros” new album.

The very first song from their album “Up From Below” titled “40 Day Dream” completely left me speechless. To describe it first you have to understand their unique style as this is a 11is-12 member band. Songs are rock influenced with distingushible folk styles and full of big open-hearted anthems and incredible back up choruses. The lead singer Alex Ebert, who apart from looking like Jesus Himself, is able to glide through each song with his warm and soothing predominantly folky voice that even reminds me of Bob Shane from the Kingston Trio. Their single “40 Day Dream” is very uplifting, just perfect for waking up every morning with its clapping and thumping crescendos, long and sustained violin notes and a playful piano that will definitely get you out of bed in a good mood.

There is definitely something magical and inspiring when listening to ES&MZ because of how cheerful the songs become when you have a relatively large number of band members singing, clapping and even whistling along. “Home” another favorite of mine, is a witty, sharp, and sweet song where Jade joins Alex in a short battle of interchangeble verses that ultimately leads them to join forces with the rest of the band as they sing away the choruses. Seeing them live must be insanely awesome!

Folk-rock is definitely a genre I have not explored too well over the years but thanks to Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros I can definitely add folk-rock to my favorite genres.

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream

’40 day dream’

Amazon – iTunes

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros – Home

’Home’

Amazon – iTunes

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