Need to Hear Recent Releases

Kings of Leon - Only By The Night

Many people may have not yet heard of Kings of Leon; now's the time to change that. "After three records and touring for five years straight, we knew what we were capable of," says the band's drummer Nathan Followill, "we just had to put our money where our mouths were. We had to take it to the next level"<www.kingsofleon.com/pages/bio>. Youth and Young Manhood (2003) and Aha Shake Heartbreak (2005) began the rockin' saga. Upon the release of their third album Because Of The Times in April 2007, Entertainment Weekly dubbed it their "crowning achievement," while Rolling Stone pondered: "How good can the Kings of Leon get? They've already gone further than anybody could have guessed"<www.kingsofleon.com/pages/bio>.

This album, not unlike the past compilations the band has released, has music made to listen to live. Only By The Night, released September 23rd, has an aesthetic appeal best experienced in person. Having said that, listening to the new stuff from KOL in you car or room with the speakers blasting and you wailing away on the air guitar will only advance the likability of the sounds you hear. "Sex on Fire", the first single off the new album, stresses the importance of safety when dealing with a partner in an sexual relationship . . . or it could just capture the relentlessness of rock the Followill boys produce; I may be reading too much into the title. The official bio for the band emphasizes the "stunning melodies, ringing guitars, and razor-sharp grooves" Only By The Night creates. Kings of Leon have shown they could generate this kind of force throughout their career, and those who have experienced their live shows will attest to that fact.

The trippy, ethereal feel of the opening track "Closer", apparently about a lovesick vampire according to lead singer Caleb Followill, sets the tone for what's to come. "Revelry" builds from a self-reflective, trip-hoppy head-bobber into an outpouring of nostalgically shared love and good times, all backed by a groovy little bass and drum line. Finishing the album is "Cold Desert", an emotionally intense ballad "about a man at the end of his rope who picks himself back up", showing that heart lies throughout Only By The Night. One of my favorite tunes off the album is "17" because it takes turns making you listen to the lyrics ("Oh, it's the rolling of her Spanish tongue that makes me want to stay") and feeling the musicality of the back and forth of the tempo; I'm also a sucker for great drum playing when accompanied by unique instrumentation, here represented by bells mimicking the guitar riffs.

The entirety of Only By The Night will grab you and drag you to see them live. Check their tour dates out here and plan on leaving thoroughly satisfied down to your soul.

Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

The second solo release from Rilo Kiley lead singer Jenny Lewis churns out the folksy, soulful music she is known for; in a word Acid Tongue is raw. The style is captured ever so definitively by All Music Guide: "early-'70s West Coast rock, rooted in country-rock but touching on gospelfied blues and R&B, pitched somewhere between Laura Nyro and Bonnie Raitt, colored by spooky ballads and sweeping strings swiped from early Elton John" (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide).

Jenny seems to have a knack for "pour my heart out" song writing, and the title track, "Acid Tongue", acoustically delivers her signature singer/songwriter style (the track link features a mini-skit with Death Cab For Cutie front man, Ben Gibbard, leading up to the song). The lyrics speak on behalf of Lewis as she tries to find her way through a relationship in which she has done something to find herself now alone. She admits, "you know I am a liar . . . And you don’t know what I’ve done", but would rather "build a fire" than put the effort into figuring it out.

"Carpetbaggers" stands out as a clear connection to and continuation of the alt-country feel of Lewis' first solo release, Rabbit Fur Coat, on which she collaborated with The Watson Twins in January 2006. This track features a duet with Jenny's idol and fellow accomplished singer/songwriter, Elvis Costello, as she teases, "It's a bad man's world, and I'm a bad, bad girl".

Initially the central focus of Rabbit Fur Coat, Lewis' struggles with her Christian upbringing and spirituality continually prove to be a recurring theme throughout Acid Tongue. The closing gem, "Sing A Song For Them", encourages you to include “weekend tweakers”, “fairies on Main Street”, and “deadbeat daddies and boulevard freaks”, amongst others in your Sunday prayers. Another personal stand out for me is "Jack Killed Mom", which begins with an upbeat, jazzy piano riff which leads you to believe this is just another light-hearted, wellspun diddy. A careful listen to the lyrics reveal that this is a revenge song in defense of the narrator's mother who has been wronged in some way. The tune rolls out in the end with the "kick your seat out from under ya" style Gospel and early rock-n-roll greats used to do. Lewis' voice sweetly captures the message of "Trying My Best to Love You" as well, making this another standout on the album, especially if you dig her journey through love's ups and downs.

Check Acid Tongue out in its entirety and you'll find that the album carries a sense of wholeness to it. It also will please some to know that Chris Robinson (The Black Crows), M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel (She & Him), as well as Lewis' boyfriend Jonathan Rice, all accompany Costello in their own way to the instrumentation and vocal backing arenas throughout the album.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Jenny Lewis Gives Conan Her "Acid Tongue"
• Kings Of Leon Might End Up Real Kings (Of England) At This Rate [The Last Word]

It's Deer Hunting Season!

Image by Jalapeño via Flickr

Sound Breakdown and Analysis

Go on a journey of sound with Deerhunter, an experimental, post-rock, indie band from Atlanta. Formed in 2001, these guys produce a sound they term "ghost rock" on their MySpace page. The early albums from Deerhunter nurture the dreamy, lightweight feel of the gloom rock they exude. Songs like "Strange Lights" and "Cryptograms" contribute to this conception.

What's more engaging is the presence of the band on stage during live performances. Lead singer Bradford Cox suffers from Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder which among other health aggravators is characterized by abnormally long limbs. The late Joey Ramone endured the same condition. The look seems to compliment the sound. All Music Guide put it best: "Cox often exaggerates his otherworldly look by performing in Victorian-style party frocks and engaging in Iggy Pop-style acts of ritual self-abasement while his band mates churn out an aggressive mix of industrial-grind guitars and fractured dance rhythms that often recalls earlier Georgia art punks like the Method Actors and Pylon."

Why You Should Be Listening

The word on the streets (my streets are narrow and breezy) is that the new disc, Microcastle, the third full length album due out in late October, is more appealing to those indie rock fans who may not have loved previous incarnations Turn It Up Fa**ot [explicit title] or Deerhunter [censored title] (2005) and Cryptograms (2007). What does this mean for those who may be new to the Deerhunter sound? Take advantage of the opportunity and buckle up for a noisy, infectious good time.

Disjointed guitar riffed song "Operation" showcases the band's post-rock sound they've become popular over. "Nothing Ever Happened" is spinning on satellite radio right now; it features a groovy drum beat laid behind a more pop rock sounding flow, although the experimental elements of guitar and bass are still present just enough to recognize the band as Deerhunter of yesteryear. The "Little Kids" demo heard on the band's MySpace page features the space rock, dreamy-like feel of the band.

Bottom line is you should invest some time to get to know, or reknow, this unique on all accounts indie rock band.

Release Date: October 28, 2008

Overall Artist Rating: 8 out of 10 for when you feel in a drifting off into space kinda mood.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Name Fight! Deerhunter vs. The Dear Hunter! [Two Bands Enter, One Band Leaves]
• Bradford Cox of Deerhunter: The gift and the curse

The Great Eight - September 22nd

Yes, I know. It's been quite a while since I've graced your ears with something indieface-like to indulge in. That's what happens when the day job takes precedent over the job you do for fun and music love. Oh well, fear not my independently-minded friends! I have a new great eight with eight great mellow-minded tunes . . . Please to enjoy.

Midlake - Roscoe (from July 2006 release, The Trials of Van Occupanther, via Bella Union)
~ These Denton, Texas down home boys produce a 70's soft rock flashback complete with mellow instrumentation and a lyrical flow worthy of rockin' out with the longhairs.



Rouge Wave - Chicago X 12 (off September 2007 release, Asleep at Heaven's Gate, from Brushfire Records)
~ Acoustic lead, classic-sounding indie tune from this versatile group who compile "all their heartbreak, love, hurt, pain, elation and insight into a most affecting and beguiling record", according to an editorial review @ Amazon.com.



The Notwist - Good Lies (from June 2008 release, The Devil, You + Me, via Domino)
~ Described by some as "dream pop", this German quartet sends out the good feeling vibes and invites us into their sweetness to chill.



Wye Oak - Please Concrete (from April 2008 release, If Children, off Merge Records)

~ Pinned as shoegaze, noise, and folk sounding, the debut release from this Baltimore duo features a folksy hip, sweet sounding diddy starts off mellow and displays lead singer Jenn Wasner's enticing vocals; the song mixes up the bridge with a rockin' showing of talent from Wasner and drummer Andy Stack.



Hot Little Hands - Scene of The Crime (from Summer 2008 release, Dynamite In Black and White, off Rubber Records)
~ Australian group hands you your ears as they rock them off (other tunes on album set a cooler tone); these guys should be more well known and possibly blow up as the months go on, but we'll enjoy them now while we knew them when



Oxford Collapse - Young Love Delivers (off August 2008 release, Bits, via Sub Pop Records)
~ Via their fourth album, this quirky Brooklyn indie pop rock group lets you know they're "doing fine, thanks to [their] slow decline".



The Zincs - Hamstrung and Juvenile (from March 2008 release, Black Pompadour, via Thrill Jockey Records)
~ These Chicago-based mates are fronted by London-displaced lead singer James Elkington; this tune is described by a marsneedsguitars.com feature as "classic bit of droning organ and foreboding Sax with Elkington's brooding baritone leading the charge" which equals a chilled out rendition of indie jazz rock.



Morning State - Spectacular (off May 2008 release, You Know People I Know People, via the Indie Outlaw / The Orchard label)
~ This track eases into its rockin' capability and shows off the Atlanta-based band's full-length debut skills; take in the indie rockness!

The Great Eight - August 31st

This edition of the Great Eight features songs of the indie dance persuasion. Since it's been a bit since I've been able to post on here, I figured we all could use a release of sorts so we can hop around and dance to the beat . . . indie style! you may or may have not heard of these acts before, but that's the point of the Indieface: to promote and feature music you should be aware of and listening to. Again and as always, I welcome comments and feedback of all kinds, so let me know what you think and share the indie dance love! - Piece



Black Ghosts - It's Your Touch (off July 2008 release The Black Ghosts via the Southern Fried label)
~ Bossanova, bongo groovefest track with a retro and modern feel at the same time.


The Go! Team - Ladyflash (off October 2005 release Thunder, Lightening, Strike via Sony Records)
~ Hip-hop inspired indie dance diddy that features prerecorded vocal infusions.


Midnight Juggernaut - Road to Recovery (off May 2008 release Dystopia via Astralwerks)
~ Austrailian trio produce club sounding, smoke-inducing indie dance song; video features trippy aspects one may experience while listening to song!


Digitalism - Pogo (from June 2007 release Idealism via Astralwerks)
~ "Digital" sounding, drum and high hat tapping, bouncy track from the Germany-based music makers.


Uh Huh Her - Not A Love Song (off May 2008 release Common Reaction via Nettwerk Records)
~ Synth heavy, bass happy dance groove from musician/actress Leisha Hailey and her singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist partner Camila Grey.


The Faint - The Geeks Were Right (off August 2008 release Fascination via BLANK.WA Records)
~ Omaha, NE disco rockers come back to drop some flava on their first album in four years.


Sam Sparro - Black and Gold (off June 2008 release Sam Sparro via the Universal Republic label)
~ Another bass heavy, synth-laden dance happy track that featrues some actually lovely vocal backings and lyrical matureness from the Sparro man himself.


The Presets - My People (off April 2008 release Apocalypso via Modular Interscope Records)
~ Heavy trance-like dance track from Sydney-based duo.


EXTRA BONUS TRACK: Ladytron - Ghosts (off June 2008 release Velocifero via Nettwerk Records)
~ Liverpool's dance export experts deliver a gothic synth glam indie pop masterpiece with this tune.

Can't Miss Artist of the Week - Week Eight

By Tim Barber

Love as Laughter
MySpace, Official Website, Blog

Sound Breakdown and Analysis
Love as Laughter hail from the BK. They have been around since the mid 1990's and have built a reputation for energetic live performances. Their sixth full length album, Holy, turns another page in the evolution of this band. As put by Spin Magazine in their album review found here, singer-songwriter Sam Jayne "attempts to capture two disparate vibes on Holy: Pixies' loose-limbed chatter and Neil Young's big-sky heartache". What this means is Love as Laughter has come into their sound today after dabbling in 70's style garage rock and incorporating new millennium indie rockness.

Released on the Red Int/Red Ink label, "All Parts of Me", the bongo-happy, group vocalization tune, and "Coconut Flakes", the acoustic mellowness, "cheer up a friend" diddy, demonstrate the range and "variety of contrasts" used "to create a complex and thought provoking musical experience" on their new album, according to their MySpace. "Crosseyed Beautiful Youngunz" begins with a ratatat-tat on the drum and leads into lyrical creativeness. This lengthy indie rock groove sounds great live, as demonstrated here. Singer-songwriter Sam Jayne shows he has wit and sass in his lyrics to go with the band's almost 15 years of musical experience.

Why You Should Be Listening
Love as Laughter is currently on tour with fellow Brooklyn based group Oxford Collapse. Having built up a bit of a reputation from their previous album, Laughter's Fifth, which was released in April 2005 and received much acclaim, even being called "clever", "genius", and "hilarious" by several critics, LAL has plenty to live up to. Their new direction in the indie rock circuit should garner interest from new and seasoned fans alike. And again, they seem to have a great reputation for live performances. Much of their current album is available on their MySpace.

Release Date: Their latest album, Holy, was released in June 2008

Overall Artist Rating: 7 out of 10, but it may grow a bit on you!

Spotlight On Austin Area Music Scene

Photo Courtesy of The University of Texas at Austin

The South Texas music scene has given us many an act to boast about over the last decade or so. Some of these bands are more well known than others, but the group is a diverse, multifaceted sounding orb of energy festering deep in the loins of South Tejas. This would have been another "Great Eight" posting, but I only felt like representing seven, so what? The following are either based out of the ATX or make and produce their music in the area. Enjoy!

Voxtrot - Kid Gloves (off first full length album, Voxtrot, released May 2007 on Playlouderecordings)
~ Popish indie rock with xylophone backing witty lyrics; their release of preference is the EP, but this self-titled LP release advances Voxtrot's ability to jam out

Aliens - Guinea Pig (off Head First, released November 2007 on MISC. MUSIC)
~ Punkish, noise rock-like awesomeness; a drum machine often has to be used to lay down the back beats for the incessant guitar riffs ranges lead singer/guitarist Blake Sandberg puts on his songs (extra info: "band" formed after moving from NYC in wake of September 11th attacks, created "alien" persona)

Bob Schneider - Changing Your Mind (off 2008 release, When The Sun Breaks Down On The Moon, from Shockorama)
~ Singer/Songwriter folk musician who infuses a lot of fun into song writing and making; he draws BIG local and fan-loyal flocks to his performances

Oh No! Oh My! - Farewell to All My Friends (from self-released self-titled album released July 2006)
~ Labeled "post-pop" by some, these melodic indie hipsters utilize many instruments while producing music comparable to similar acts The Magnetic Fields and Belle and Sebastian

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines (off upcoming September 9th release, The Stand-Ins, from Jagjaguwar)
~ Folksy, acoustic tale of sailing that rises in tempo, and volume, to reveal why it's good to leave from home sometimes

The Come Latelys - Chicago (off June 2008 release Essential EP from Phono Records)
~ Bluesy jam from these self-described "soul, melodramatic popular song" cats; shows range of flavor Austin acts can showcase

Iron and Wine - Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car (off September 2007 release, The Shepherd's Dog, from Sub Pop Records)
~ Slightly more upbeat indie folk from Mr. Sam Beam; see here for further info on this great live act

Can't Miss Artist of the Week - Week Seven

photo by Judson Baker

The Hold Steady

MySpace, Official Website


Sound Breakdown and Analysis
August's Find of the Month is also this week's CMAW. Many people have unfortunately never heard of this band; it's a shame to think it, since all the reviews I've ever read about this band rave about their live performances. Maybe it's time you give them a listen for yourself!

The Hold Steady, as it stands now, has been around since about 2003, and released their debut album, Almost Killed Me, in 2004 on French Kiss Records. Lead vocalist/guitarist Craig Finn (formally of Lifter Puller) formed the band after moving from Minneapolis in 2000 and wanted to make sure to not give in to the multitude of New York sounds and influences around him. He had a specific direction he wanted to take and invited guitarist Tad Kubler (also from Lifter Puller), bassist Galen Polivka, and drummer Judd Counsell to join him in the process. Franz Nicolay has since joined the band on keyboards providing accordion and harmonica melodies as well. Heavily influenced by the Twin Cities own, Hüsker Dü, as well as classic rock mainstays, The Band, The Hold Steady wanted to produce music they could play live as well as they recorded it. As a result, much of their first albums were recorded with that live appeal-approach. Their sound forms from those classic rock standards but adds the energy of indie mentality that people live for the music they are hearing.

Brooklyn-based The Hold Steady released their fourth full length album, Stay Positive, last month, which was recorded while performing at several New York-based venues over several months last fall and winter. They have transitioned their sound into a more radio friendly version of their previous outings, but Stay Positive still touts the rockin' musicality of previous releases Boys and Girls in America (2006) the religious themed-laden Separation Sunday (2005), which was the last album to be released via French Kiss Records. Seasoning and experience has done the band well. They have been signed with Vagrant Records since 2006 and their reputation for solid performances has led the band to be deemed America's Bar Band by National Public Radio. New tracks like "Both Crosses" really provide that classic, acoustic throwback feel while infusing new instrumentation and, as Pitch Fork Media put it, "opening up the sonic palette". The lead single "Sequestered In Memphis" rocks along in "The Boss" style with organ keys and horns backing the gruffy lyrical style of Craig Finn. The mix of arrangements on Stay Positive prove that The Hold Steady are as good, if not better in person as they sound.

Why You Should Be Listening
Live performances can and do make or break a band. If you haven't seen The Hold Steady perform live, then all you can hope for is to catch them on tour soon, which they seem to do a lot according to many a back story. Since I fall into that group, we all have to settle with this and a little of that until they come our way. Do yourself a favor and look here to see when they are on tour near YOU so you see for yourself what all the fuss is about.


Release Date: July 15, 2008



Overall Artist Rating: 7 out of 10

Need to Hear Recent Release

The Grates

Sometimes songs come along and actually make you pause, wonder to yourself, "Why haven't I heard this before!?", and cause you to scramble to write down the name of the band so you can look into the music afterwards. Then you're caught between trying to act like you are one of the first ones to hear this music and feeing like you should have known about the band before they released the sounds entering your brain. The Grates have made me do all of this, and I'm not ashamed to admit it because they need to have more fans enjoying their mix of post punk and indie rock greatness.

Hailing from "the land down under", The Grates received much praise from American music landmarks, Rolling Stone and Spin (amongst others), for their debut full length album, Gravity Won't Get You High, released in 2006. Songs like "Silence is Golden" portray the sound they were going for during that period, a clap-happy, indie power pop taste of female lead singer-music. The fun and excitement in their music is evident through the videos for the songs on that album. Even "19-20-20" is evidence of their head-bobbing, silly performance style. Despite this previous focus the band had, they returned to Brisbane, AU only to realize the hype had passed and they now were forced to write again. Bandmates Patience Hodgson, lead singer, John Patterson, guitarist, and Alana Skyring, drummer, found their renewed direction. Here's how it went down: New songs ‘Two Kinds of Right’ and ‘Milk Eyes’ became "the new yardsticks, and suggested a major evolution. 'We wrote a bunch of songs that week,' John says. 'And right there was the direction of the new album.' Patience interjects sweetly: 'We blew our creative load during that period.'”(thegrates.com/bio)

You can also hear this new direction on "Burn Bridges", the first single off The Grates new album, Teeth Lost, Hearts Won. What makes this new batch of songs stand apart from The Grates previous releases is the post punky edge Patience sings with and the rhythm energy John and Alana possess when performing the tunes. Patience still wants to have fun with the performances, which is one of the reasons why they garner great admiration from their fans, but now she can be rightfully be compared to Karen O, of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame, instead of the lady who used to handpuppet Lambchop.

Their recent release came out August 2nd in Austrailia and last week, August 5th, in the states. Currently, it is backstocked as an import buy on Amazon, which has to mean something if you "buy" your music, which you should be doing! (I'm not gonna rant about illegal downloading, but you should support your artists!) Either way, get The Grates Teeth Lost, Hearts Won when you can and bounce dance to the new sound of the new music. Feel free to investigate for yourselves on their MySpace and official website here.

The Great Eight - August 8

Some people hold special significance for today's 8-8-08 date. Many think it's because the planets align and the environment takes on greater importance on this day. Others want to shine a large light on the Olympics officially beginning today. I believe people garner respect for today because I have released my latest "Great Eight" list on the eighth day of the eighth month in the eighth year of this decade . . . but I could be wrong! Enjoy these newer indie tunes anyway.

Tilly and the Wall - Pot Kettle Black (from June 2008 release o off Team Love)
~ Omaha, NE five piece redefine their sound but still literally stomp out the drum beat in this rockin' single as they have been accustomed to do

Koufax - Any Moment Now (from Strugglers out September 23rd on Doghouse Records)
~ Sax-laden, hip-flowing track from forthcoming album featuring Czech Republic-living lead singer and his take on American life and culture

Japanther - See Evil (from May 2007 release Skuffed Up My Huffy on Menlo Park label)
~ Brooklyn duo on the experimental side of indie punk pop; a bit older but since they usually play basements and hole in the wall-type places in the BK, you might not have heard about them

Johnny Foreigner - Eyes Wide Terrified (from June 2008 release Waited Up Til It Was Light on Best Before Records)
~ Fresh on the scene UK indie rock threesome described by label as "inventive, exciting, angular art-pop"; features a unique sounding version of indie dance rock music

Ratatat - Mirando (off July 2008 release LP3 from Beggars Xl Recording)
~ Another BK duo who have opened for Daft Punk, Franz Ferdinand, and Interpol who have been described by Rolling Stone as "appropriate for indie dance clubs and late-night chillouts"

The Breakups - Day In The Sun (from February 2008 Eat Your Heart Out EP on Records)
~ Calling themselves "powerless pop", the flow and focus of this track from this "Hollywoodland" band is described well here

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Dead Right (from April 2008 release Pershing on Polyvinyl Records)
~ The addictive melodies of this Springfield, MO band continue with this acoustic, head bobbing track

These Modern Socks - Picking a Lock at The Speed of Light (from May 2008 release Picking a Lock at the Speed of Light on deadelectricrecords)
~ Eclectic mix from Minnesota band mates produce an indie electro pop groove worthy of hoppity dance moves; also check out their cover of the 80's classic Tears For Fears tune, Head Over Heels, here!