What's On The Hi-Fi...BANDS 2008
Goodnight Monsters
Summer Challenge
Bone Voyage Recording Company - 2008
Turku, Finland’s export of summery and uncomplicated low-fi pop.
Download: “Hanging on to a Bad Dream”
Links:
http://www.goodnightmonsters.com
http://www.myspace.com/goodnightmonsters
Parts and Labor
Receivers
Jagjaguwar- 2008
This burgeoning electro-pop outfit keep Brooklyn buzzing into 2009 with a decidedly Joy Division vibe.
Download: “Nowhere’s Nigh”
Links:
http://www.partsandlabor.net
http://www.myspace.com/partsandlabor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KUGJaVMwno&feature=related
The Very Sexuals
Post-Apocalyptic Love
Subroutine Records - 2008
Netherlands newest hit makers produce moody, infectious pop with a dash of Susie and Sinead on top.
Download: ‘Carla’
Links:
http://www.theverysexuals.com
http://www.myspace.com/theverysexuals
Passion Pit
Chunk of Change
Frenchkiss - 2008
Hailing from Cambridge, MA, this soul-pop electro outfit rise above the bleeps and falling tinker toys to make a batch of smooth satisfying quotients!
Download: “Sleepyhead”
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/passionpitjams
All The Saints
Fire On Corridor X
Killer Pimp Records/Revolver - 2008
The sounds of 2009 , All the Saints roll alternately between early power-punk and Love and Rockets with equal enthusiasm.
Download: “Sheffield”
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/allthesaints
Marnie Stern
This Is It...
Kill Rock Stars - 2008
BGotta give love to a girl who can hit hammer-ons like Van Halen, sing somewhere between Robert Plant and the Chipmunks and like Mars Volta...oh and those cute dogs of hers!
Download: ‘Transformer”
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/marniestern1
Alaska in Winter
Holiday
Milan Records - 2008
Alaska in Winter is melodic enough to keep you interest with your headphones and don't disappoint when you want to shamelessly move your feet. And were a sucker for a key-tar at HutchNYC.
Download: “Beirut”
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/alaskainwinter
Jenn Grant
Orchestra for the Moon
Paris 1919 Records - 2007
Bright unfolding and intimate orchestral pop-folk released last year from this Halifax-based singer / songwriter (expect a new album in early 2009).
Download: “Dreamer”
Links:
http://www.jenngrant.com
http://www.paris1919records.com/
Jeremy Jay
A Place Where We Could Go
K Records - 2008
Reverb heavy indie-pop from this LA-based American Francophile inspired by Françoise Hardy and the French New Wave (fans of Jens Lekman take note).
Download: “Love Everlasting”, “Airwalker”
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/jeremyjay
http://www.kpunk.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_wqxn9kDmc (‘Airwalker’ video)
Dark Captain Light Captain
Miracle Kicker
LOAF / La Baleine – October 2008
East London’s Dark Captain Light Captain’s latest offering of subtly nuanced experimental-folk harmonies.
Download: “Jealous Enemies”
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/darkcaptain
http://www.darkcaptain.com/
http://www.l-o-a-f.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NTByM1-MS0&feature=related (‘Jealous Enemies’ video)
WOMEN
Women
Flemish Eye / Jagjaguwar - 2008
This Calgary lo-fi quartet’s first release which swings between incandescent, tambourine-banging summer-inflected melodies to a close and dissonant guitar / percussion – driven din.
Download: “Black Rice”, “Shaking Hand”
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/womenmusic
Gang Gang Dance
Saint Dymphna
Warp / The Social Registry / P-Vine - October 2008
Latest offering from Brooklyn’s noise / “art” quartet, melding dispirit global sounds with the sound of frantic improvisation.
Download: House Jam”
Links:
http://www.ganggangdance.com/
http://www.myspace.com/ganggangdance
Extrawelt
Schöne Neue Extrawelt
Cocoon Recordings – October 2008
Debut full length release of intriguing minimal and moody tech-house from Hamburg duo Arne Schaffhausen and Wayan Rabe on Sven Väth’s Cocoon recordings.
“It’s all about hooking up our music to the emotional world of electronic music at the beginning of the Nineties, however, without falling for nostalgic references. We don’t want to do cowardly Zeitgeist Techno, we want to have the heart to dare big sounds and more melodies. . . .” (Extrawelt 2008)
Download: ‘One Tree Hill’, ‘Margot Torch (Extrawelt Remix)’
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/extrawelt
http://www.midimiliz.de
http://www.myspace.com/cocoonrecordings
http://www.beatport.com
The Broken West
Now or Heaven
Merge Records - 2008
Merge records scores another solid acquisition with this L.A. band who yield one of the songs of the year.
Download: ‘Auctioneer’
Links:
www.thebrokenwest.com/
www.myspace.com/thebrokenwest
Vivian Girls
The Vivian Girls
In the Red Records - 2008
These super lo-fi girls from NYC by way of Australia are making a lot of noise on both sides of the pond and the hype is well worth the dance around the flat.
Download: ‘Where Do You Run To?’
Links:
www.myspace.com/viviangirlsnyc
Department of Eagles
In Ear Park
4ad Records - 2008
Born in a dorm is the MO of this band who are DJ Shadow with that extra crate.
Download: ‘No One Does It Like You’
Links:
www.departmentofeagles.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=69036797
The Rosebuds
Life Like
Merge Records - 2008
This infectious duo out of North Carolina have crafted a skillful and fun pop album rife with Johnny Mar licks and big dancy beats.
Download: ‘Bow To The Middle’
Links:
www.mergerecords.com/band.php?band_id=2
www.myspace.com/therosebuds
Sympathy State
(Not Available Yet)
Merge Records - 2008
Featuring an electric rhythm section, this young Northamptonshire bunch get you back to the tiny club days of U2 and should keep you for a while to come.
Download: ‘Call Me’
Links:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=19
Friendly Fires
Friendly Fires
XL 2008
Although the Fires' music has been tilled through the American TV commercial machine so soon, don't deny them that the music is tight and these British lads can take it farther.
Download: ‘On Board'
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/friendlyfires
Herman Dune
Next Year in Zion
Source Etc / Everloving Records / Cityslang- 2008
The latest charming offering of sunny pop songs from the Paris-based duo David-Ivar and Neman (Herman Dune), drawing inspiration from American music and landscapes.
Download: ‘My Home is Nowhere Without You’
Links:
http://www.hermandune.com
http://www.myspace.com/therealhermandu
Pivot
O Soundtrack My Heart
Warp / Discograph- 2008
Evocative synth and guitar art-rock experimentation from this Sydney / Perth / London 3-piece.
Download: ‘O Soundtrack My Heart’, ‘In the Blood’
Links:
http://www.pivotpivot.net
http://www.myspace.com/pivotpivot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DbM9FGTk-E (‘In the Blood’ video)
Goodnight Monsters
Summer Challenge
Bone Voyage Recording Company - 2008
Turku, Finland’s export of summery and uncomplicated low-fi pop.
Download: ‘Hanging on to a Bad Dream’
Links:
http://www.goodnightmonsters.com
http://www.myspace.com/goodnightmonsters
Menomena
Friend or Foe
Barsuk 2007
Rascals in a tub and in go carts on their various web pics, Menomena fill the sound source with a bevy of hipster fragrances and smart multi-instrumentalist electronica.
Download: ‘Wet and Rustling
Links:
http://www.barsuk.com/bands/menomenahttp://www.myspace.com/menomena
Japanese Motors
Japenese Motors
Vice Music 2008 2008
Strokes comparisons aside, the boys from JM can't help but ooze cool and throw a hook like 'Candyman' so watch the mirrors and don't be afraid of the beach,
Download: ‘Single Fins and Safety Pins’
Links:
http://www.thejapanesemotors.com/
Ladyhawke
Ladyhawke
Modular - 2008
Hailing from New Zealand via London, Pip Brown references (without aping) Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benetar, crafting excellent, and refreshingly irony free, synth and guitar packed pop tunes.
Download: ‘Back of the Van’
Links:
http://www.ladyhawkemusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/ladyhawkerock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gTZNZ4pLIQ (‘Paris is Burning’ -- Peaches remix)
Chad VanGaalen
Soft Airplane
Sub Pop / Pias / Flemish Eye - 2008
Often melancholy songs from this Calgary native, whose bedroom recorded bric-a-brac album mixes folk, pop with quirky percussion and electronics.
Download: ‘Willow Tree’
Links:
http://www.flemisheye.com/chad.php
http://www.myspace.com/chadvangaalen
High Places
High Places
Thrill Jockey / Pias - 2008
Itchy and bright electronic and organic miniatures are elegantly stitched by Brooklynites Mary Pearson and Rob Barber.
Download: 'From Stardust to Sentience'
http://www.myspace.com/hellohighplaces
Rodriguez
Cold Facts
Light In The Attic / IODA
The odd road that Sixto Rodriguez took from forgotten sixties Detroit Bob Dylan to New Zealand star to U.S. re-release in 2008 is worth his hippy-tinged but ironically modern take on the world.
Download: 'Sugarman'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9b0ed_TT9g&feature=related (Paolo Nutini cover)
The Eye Jab
Salvia / XL - 2008
Catchy, unpolished piano-driven alternative pop from this young Newcastle quintet (by the way, Sir David Attenborough is a fan).
Download: 'Who Still Believe in Love'
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theeyejab
http://theeyejab.co.uk/
Deastro
The Keepers
eMusic Label-2008
An addictive electronic joint from up and comer 22 yr old Randolph Chabot Jr. whose been making lighter than air, New Order tinged ditties since he was 12.
Download: 'Michael the Lone Archer'
http://www.myspace.com/deastro
Jeremy Messersmith
The Silver City
Princess Records 2008
Messersmith heady folk infuses Silver City with enough sanguine and saturnine to evoke both Simon and Garfunkel and the Fleet Foxes.
Download: 'Light Rail'
http://www.myspace.com/jeremymessersmith
Ponytail
Ice Cream Spiritual
We Are Free / SC Distribution
Baltimore’s Ponytail are pure, stream of consciousness art-punk that grabs a hold of you from note one and drags you from a party at the Sugarcubes to a bender at Frank Black’s.
Download: 'Beg Waves'
http://www.myspace.com/jreamteam
Alias
Resurgam
Anticon
Portland, Maine's Alias brings a mature early Blockhead vibe and really let's the emotions hang out there like DM's Black Celebration without the noose.
Download: 'Death Watch'
http://www.myspace.com/alias
Get Well Soon
Rest Now, Weary Head! You will Get Well Soon!
Nude / Pinnacle (UK) / Cooperate Music / V2 Universal / Pias (France) - 2008
Berlin-based Konstantin Gropper adeptly dips into everything from Balkan-folk, orchestration and electro to create dynamic, pace changing arrangements (includes a curious cover of Underworld’s ‘Born Slippy’).
Download: ‘Witches! Witches! Rest Now in the Fire’
Links:
http://www.youwillgetwellsoon.com/