What's On The Hi-Fi would like to thank you for all of your interest and support in 2009 and for making this a mighty fine inaugural year for us!

Special thanks to the artists who supported us this year with tracks, interviews and top lists, including (to name a few) White Denim, The Antlers, Valerie Collective, Thieves Like Us, Frànçois and the Atlas Mountains, Original Folks, Cocoon, Team Waterpolo, Stuck in the Sound, Sara Lov, Panther, Matt Pond, Jenn Grant, Horse Feathers, Goodnight Monsters, This Is The Kit, Fujiya & Miyagi, Lacrosse, Sébastien Schuller, Liam Frost, Spanish Prisoners, Sr. Chinarro, The Embassy, and Loney, Dear....

And a big thank you to all those great independent labels and record shops (Rough Trade Shops) out there!

Wishing you all the very best in 2010!

Ramona Falls
"Bellyfulla"
From Intuit
Barsuk Records (2009)

Listen to "Bellyfulla" MP3


Ramona Falls is the solo project of Brent Knopf, also of the Portland trio Menomena. In creating the project, Knopf looked to the inspiration of one of his favorite Oregon hiking trails, a place which is at once a refuge and a space to come together. In this vein, Knopf explored working with over 30 guest artists over the span of the 11 diverse tracks which make up his debut Intuit.

Knopf's songs are at their most powerful when they are at their most simple, allowing the melodies and the lyrics to ease into being. In this way, the penultimate track "Bellyfulla" builds with a reserved and plucky urgency, clearing the way for Knopf's lyrics, eventually leaving the author blissfully overwhelmed by "more happiness than a body can hold".

MySpace | Barsuk Records

Fear of Tigers
"Sirkka"
From Cossus Snufsigalonica
Self-released (2009)

Listen to "Sirkka" MP3


Fear of Tigers is the moniker of Ben Berry who has a knack for crafting layered compositions from a wonderful mishmash of retro inspired electronica. Mr. Berry (born and raised in Kobe, Japan and now living in Greenwich, England) seems to approach songs like multi-pronged arrangements, with attention given to the minutiae of the overall soundscape. The track "Sirkka" sums up the Fear of Tigers' sound nicely. On this track, the sounds of rain and thunderclaps lead us in over hooky synths and a dipping beat, cue the waka waka guitars, side step to early anthem rave, and then the staccato strings, and back again…. Hats off to Fear of Tigers for these 10 blissfully upbeat and cynicism-free tracks.

…and Happy Holidays! Fear of Tigers is making the debut release Cossus Snufsigalonica downloadable for free at here.

And, thanks to the Valerie Collective for putting us on to this!

MySpace

Warpaint
"Krimson"
From Exquisite Corpse
Manimal Vinyl Records (2009)

Listen to "Krimson" MP3


Warpaint is a quartet formed 5 years ago (on Valentines Day no less) by LA (Echo Park) transplants and childhood friends Emily Kokal (vocals, guitar), Theresa Wayman (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass, vocals). M Quinn (from the group Corridor) was recently added as the group's latest drummer and multi-instrumentalist. Earlier this year, the group self-released their debut Exquisite Corpse, an EP which proudly made its way to the top of Amoeba Records' local artist's chart. Lucky for us, Exquisite Corpse has been re-released on Manimal Vinyl Records.

This re-release includes the excellent tracks "Billie Holiday", "Elephants" and "Stars" from the original release, as well as a new track called "Krimson". On this track, a post-punk beat emerges from a blurry guitar loop, sliced by distantly raw vocals, all building to a wonderful trailing psychedelic blur.

Catch Warpaint touring the US with Akron / Family this coming February and March. Also, look for the band's new release and appearance at SXSW, both in 2010.

MySpace | Manimal Vinyl

Click here or on the image below for our staff picks for the letdowns of 2009.

Listen to “What's On The Hi-Fi Ep. #6” MP3

"Blessa" - Toro y Moi
Toro y Moi is the solo project of The Heist and The Accomplice lead singer Chaz Bundick. “Blessa”, off his album Causers of This, is a unique sound that has elements of TV On The Radio, MGMT and crate robbers like Blockhead and R2DJ, but takes its own path. There is a psychedelic vibe behind the track like the best of Animal Collective and doesn’t run off the rails like many of his psych-pop contemporaries. What sets the track apart is the sexy yet maudlin station it orbits above.
Toro y Moi (Official) | MySpace

"Everybody Knows It's Gonna Happen Only Not Tonight" - The Go Find
Morr Music artist and Belgian native The Go Find aka Dieter Sermeus provides a smooth, sweet and upbeat track that will make you kick your feet up and love life.
The Go Find | MySpace

"Golden Chain" - Lake Heartbeat
Trust in Numbers is the debut release from Swedes Lake Heartbeat. The Gothenburg-based duo is made up of Janne Kask (formerly of Brainpool) on vocals and Kalla Kåks on guitar / bass. Put out by Service (home of bands such as The Embassy, The Tough Alliance and Jens Lekman), Trust in Numbers glows with hooks and bright, romantic pop. The album is produced by Dan Lissivik of other projects such as Studio and Fontän (listen to "Early Morning" from Fontän). "Golden Chain" is our favorite track from the album, with its modern and sun bleached take on 60's guitar-pop, providing a welcome escape from a shortening of days and the nearing stretch of winter.
Lake Heartbeat (Official) | MySpace | Service

"I Felt Stupid" - The Drums
With "I Felt Stupid" from The Drums you can hold onto the increasingly fading memory of the dog days of summer. The Brooklyn duo (and Florida natives) delve into their New Wave influences and create a track which bops along on synths, Cure guitars and unabashedly shiny melodies. Lyrics of lost love mingle with talk of treks to the Eden that is the beach, where life seems slightly less complicated and "where we can finally be free". Grab the towels and lets go.
The Drums (Official) | MySpace | TwentySeven Records (MySpace)

"May You Never" - Land of Talk
Montreal's Land of Talk is back with a follow-up to the excellent 2008 release Some Are Lakes (produced by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon). The group, led by frontwoman Lizzie Powell (also part of the Broken Social Scene caravan) who is rebounding from vocal chord ailments earlier this year, has released the excellent EP entitled Fun and Laughter on the Omaha, Nebraska-based Saddle Creek Records. The EP includes 4 new tracks like the guitar driven change-up "May You Never", as well as videos for earlier releases, including the woozy standout "The Man Who Breaks Things (Dark Shuffle)". Look for a new full-length from the band in 2010.
Land of Talk (Official) | MySpace | Saddle Creek


"Queen Kong" - Last Man Standing
Part glam era Bowie and part classic Pretenders, this track is all cool, tough jungle strut. Learn what festival goers all over the UK have known for several years: Last Man Standing is a force!
Last Man Standing | MySpace

“Scissor” - Liars
After traveling on a musical odyssey through the realms of a Jesus and Mary Chain and Pere Ubu post-punk revivalism, a Nitzer Ebb, industrial pit-stop and a formless, cinematic sound collage period, Liars - Angus Andrew, Aaron Hemphill and Julian Gross – seemed to have found their sound. “Scissor” is the first track from their upcoming album Sisterworld. The song retains an ominous and bleak residue from their earlier work but takes that previously scattered, confusing group of sounds and reveals a rich, evocative and succinct cry that is filled with wraithlike harmonies and vocals. When the “Scissor” bursts with brutal intensity you know the members of Liars have arrived. And they are going to be welcome on our hi-fi for a while to come.
Liars (Official) | MySpace

“Rollerskate” - Matias Aguayo
Dust ‘em off, lace ‘em up and hit the rink. It’s time for couples skate at the roller disco. With Ay Ay Ay, Matias Aguayo (formelly of Closer Music) departs from his more established electronic style and explores a full-on world of left-of-center songcraft riddled with layers of wild vocal effect buckshot. Matias is at his most playful on tracks such as “Rollerskate”, one of the release’s most light hearted and unapologetically fun highlights.
Facebook | MySpace | Kompact

"War Bells" - Royal Bangs
Royal Bangs hail from Knoxville, Tennessee and with their sophomore release Let It Beep, deliver a gunning mix of 70's guitar rock tinged with just enough vintage electro wonkiness. To help put this sound in perspective (or not as the case may be), the band cite such far ranging influences from Bruce Springsteen to the soundtrack of Blade Runner. Let It Beep kicks off with the excellent track "War Bells", and the joyride continues for another 11 refreshing tracks.
Royal Bangs (Official) | MySpace | Twitter: royalbangs | Audio Eagle Records

"Darlin Dear" - Little Fish
Singer songwriter JuJu Sophie creates a heartfelt, strong and passionate song that reminds you of the best of PJ Harvey or Patti Smith. This Oxford lady is fierce and one to watch.
Little Fish | MySpace

Podcast

Shelley Short
"Time Machine / Submarine"
From A Cave, A Canoo
Hush Records (2009)


Listen to "Time Machine / Submarine" MP3


Shelley Short's excellent third release A Cave, A Canoo came to life over the span of a year, recorded over the winter months and slowly evolving in its own time as each track began to take on its own form, whether over a matter of weeks or recorded on the first take in the wee hours. The Portland native draws upon her upbringing, growing up around music. "It was like growing up in a time machine; in some ways we lived like in 1876, chopping wood, growing our own food, wearing old clothes in a Victorian home and singing our own songs. Other times it seemed like we were living in 1955, driving around Cadillacs and Studebakers and listening to Jonny Ray and The Flamingos. And yet it all felt like growing up in a blurring movie made in 1963."

On the track "Time Machine / Submarine", Shelley welcomes you in from the cold, stoking a warm closeness with her delicate vocals and the sounds of an organ and guitars, all as if sung to a hushed beat coming from somewhere across the frozen fields.

Watch

Shelley Short (Official) | MySpace | Hush Records

Click here or on the image below for our staff picks for the best songs of 2010.

Liars
“Scissor”
From upcoming album Sisterworld
Mute (2010)

Listen to “Scissor” MP3


After traveling on a musical odyssey through the realms of a Jesus and Mary Chain and Pere Ubu post-punk revivalism, a Nitzer Ebb, industrial pit-stop and a formless, cinematic sound collage period, Liars - Angus Andrew, Aaron Hemphill and Julian Gross – seemed to have found their sound.

“Scissor” is the first track from their upcoming album Sisterworld. The song retains an ominous and bleak residue from their earlier work but takes that previously scattered, confusing group of sounds and reveals a rich, evocative and succinct cry that is filled with wraithlike harmonies and vocals. When the “Scissor” bursts with brutal intensity you know the members of Liars have arrived. And they are going to be welcome on our hi-fi for a while to come.

Liars (Official) | MySpace

Matias Aguayo
“Rollerskate”
From Ay Ay Ay
Kompakt (2009)

Listen to “Rollerskate” MP3


Dust ‘em off, lace ‘em up and hit the rink. It’s time for couples skate at the roller disco.

With Ay Ay Ay, Matias Aguayo (formelly of Closer Music) departs from his more established electronic style and explores a full-on world of left-of-center songcraft riddled with layers of wild vocal effect buckshot.

Ay Ay Ay is a truly intriguing mix from this Chilean born musician who currently splits his time between Buenos Aires and Paris making music and djing. Matias is at his most playful on tracks such as “Rollerskate”, one of the release’s most light hearted and unapologetically fun highlights.

Facebook | MySpace | Kompact

Click here or on the image below for our staff picks for the best songs of 2009.

Royal Bangs
"War Bells"
From Let It Beep (2009)
Audio Eagle Records (US) / City Slang (Europe)

Listen to "War Bells" MP3


Royal Bangs hail from Knoxville, Tennessee and with their sophomore release Let It Beep, deliver a gunning mix of 70's guitar rock tinged with just enough vintage electro wonkiness. To help put this sound in perspective (or not as the case may be), the band cite such far ranging influences from Bruce Springsteen to the soundtrack of Blade Runner. Let It Beep kicks off with the excellent track "War Bells", and the joyride continues for another 11 refreshing tracks.

Check out a live session (from January 2009) from Royal Bangs on Daytrotter here.

Royal Bangs (Official) | MySpace | Twitter: royalbangs | Audio Eagle Records

Click here or on the image below for our staff picks for the best albums of 2009.

The Drums
"I Felt Stupid"
From Summertime!
TwentySeven Records (2009)

Listen to "I Felt Stupid" MP3


With "I Felt Stupid" from The Drums you can hold onto the increasingly fading memory of the dog days of summer. The Brooklyn duo (and Florida natives) delve into their New Wave influences and create a track which bops along on synths, Cure guitars and unabashedly shiny melodies. Lyrics of lost love mingle with talk of treks to the Eden that is the beach, where life seems slightly less complicated and "where we can finally be free". Grab the towels and lets go.

Check out the EP Summertime! From The Drums, out now on TwentySeven Records. Various UK dates for The Drums are scheduled throughout the UK in February 2010.

The Drums (Official) | MySpace | TwentySeven Records (MySpace)

Monica Rush
"100 doLLa biLL"
From (To Be Released Album)
Self-Released 2009


Listen to "100 doLLa biLL" MP3


A young veteran of the New York music scene, Indian-American Monica Rush is a prolific songwriter including the demo of “Bad Girl” for Brittany Spears. Her single, "100 doLLa biLL", takes a tongue in cheek spin on the playgirl being played for her cash.

The single provides a colorful mix of electronic, glam, funk, pop, and hipster-hop. Look for more from Monica Rush on her on her new album slated to drop soon.

Her video for “100 doLLa biLL”, directed by Chadd Harbold, is a cool, colorful, graphic art and lyrics driven piece that will get you moving and grinning. Video

Monica Rush (Official) | MySpace