Does anyone remember an album called Funeral, released by a then-unknown band called Arcade Fire? I know you’re racking your brain to remember. Do you remember how you felt when you first heard it? The sheer jubilation you enjoyed when the anthemic chorus erupted and subsided, sending chills down your spine? Some might say this is a stretch, but I experienced that once again listening to the album Reservoir, by yet another unknown band named Fanfarlo. Continue reading
Canadian rockers Metric are bringing their densely textured mix of psychedelia and electro to a city near you. They are currently on a nationwide tour in support of their critically acclaimed release Fantasies. Since I am located in the O&B Pittsburgh office, I’ll have the good fortune of witnessing the spectacle this Tuesday at Mr Small’s Theatre in what promises to be a nice mid-week kick in the pants. So get out of your cubicle, grab a cold one, and let the rock ‘n roll commence. The show starts at 8pm with Band of Skulls opening. Tickets are still available but going fast.
What’s that, you want more? Well, they’ve also just released an EP entitled Plug In, Plug Out, which features acoustic versions of five Fantasies tracks. Have a listen: Continue reading
Ólafur Arnalds is a Neo-Classical multi-instrumentalist from Iceland who creates orchestral compositions with electronic undertones. Neo-classical isn’t exactly a fan fave these days, but Arnalds cannot be ignored. Last April, he created an album entitled Found Songs, a one week project during which he created a new track every day and made it available on a special page on the Erased Tapes website. Arnalds then asked fans to post photos that they felt best matched the music.
The resulting songs are full of delicate layers that bleed emotion and reach heights usually reserved for his friends Sigur Rós, with whom he’s toured extensively. Poetic, cinematic and downright gorgeous, the music stays with you and raises the hair on the back of your neck. Check out the graceful video (above) for the Found Songs track “Ljósið”, and keep an eye out for his currently untitled new album in the near future.
The Mumlers are a multi instrumentalist indie/folk/soul band who come to us from San Jose, CA. Their second album “Don’t Throw Me Away” was released on September 8th and is filled with musical nostalgia. They are just finishing up a tour with The Black Heart Procession and we look forward to more soul-soaked, blues-inspired tunes from these guys in the future. Meanwhile check out their zombie laden video for “Coffin Factory”.
When people think of folk music, Cumberland, Maryland doesn’t exactly spring to mind. However, Cotton Jones might just change all that. Their debut release Paranoid Cocoon strums its way into your heart and makes a cozy little bed for you to lie down in. This is great music for a lazy fall afternoon with friends: leaves falling through the wind to their final resting place, the sun dripping through the clouds, the breeze bringing smiles to your faces.
Here’s the video for “Blood Red Sentimental Blues”, which combines acoustic guitar, delicate harmonies, and a really big Rolling Stone logo to create something altogether irresistible. Stretch out on an old blanket and enjoy.