Among Savages - Cold Wind

Do you remember approximately one year ago when I featured some work by one-man-band Among Savages?  I hope you do, because "Start at the Beginning" is still a favourite of mine, and the EP of the same name is just as good.  However, all things slip through the cracks sooner or later, and the rest of those songs kind of got away from me.  Fast forward to about two weeks ago when "Cold Wind" came up on shuffle one day, and you can probably figure out the story from there.

I actually sent "Cold Wind" to one of my roommates to see what she'd say about it, and though it sounded "like a Christmas song," she liked it.  And with that seal of approval, I knew we had something here.  "Cold Wind" is accessible, and yes, a little winterized, but it's easy on the ears and easy on the mind.  I'm not sure of who the female vocalist is, however, but her and Among Savages work well together on this track.  So it's time for me to plug this in while the snow blows outside.  Fitting.

You're the only thing I want on a snowy night.

Protest the Hero - Palms Read

Good on the boys of Protest the Hero for taking their music into their own hands.  Their next album is going to be made exclusively by them with help from fan donations, and even though there's still a long time until it makes it into my hands, I have never been this excited for a release.  Well, you could make an argument for Chevelle's Sci Fi Crimes and Dead and Divine's Antimacy, but let's live in this moment.  In honor of their upcoming work, I've taken a look back at their music and hand-picked "Palms Read," off of Fortress, to come your way this afternoon.

Fortress is an epic album, and "Palms Read" is definitely nothing short of epic itself.  It's genuine PTH, with guitar artistry you can only dream of and Mr. Walker's voice from heaven.  This is the soundtrack to a dark castle in some forgotten land, and I wouldn't mind swinging by for a visit if that's the case.  The lyrics are conceptual and a little abstract, but still wondrous.  As often as always, evolution comes crawling form the sea and sneaking through the lecture hall, the crawl across the island.  It's put best nearly halfway through the song: we will never answer where we came from, only how we got here.  Guys, I don't need to know where you came from, but you're here and making beautiful music for us, and I'm more than content.

Widowspeak - Ballad of the Golden Hour

I'm going to keep recommending sweet indie songs until the world is a better place.  If you're a sometimes-pessimist like me, you'll know that the world will never be perfect, which means that sweet indie is here to stay.  The sweetest of the day comes courtesy of Widowspeak, the duo of Molly Hamilton and Robert Earl Thomas who have recently released Almanac.  Off the album comes "Ballad of the Golden Hour," a song that's easy on the ears and soothing on those migraine-laden days.  The guitar work is breezy, the vocals are darling, and even better, it reminds me of summer.  With this track on, there's no worry over the sloppy sidewalks outside.  So be laid-back today.  You deserve it.

MaG - Hello, Goodnight

MaG is a rapper that's hard to find on Facebook, so I can't give you any good background info on him.  Though really, all you need to know is that he's good.  Really good.  He's got the understated rap bit down and his album Freedom was even free to download (and still is, as far as I know).  While he gives us some great work on that effort, I'm going to feature a very minimal piece.  "Hello, Goodnight" features MaG's rhymes over the yawn of a horn that's literally just audible, and that's all it needs to be (it does rise a touch in volume, but still).  "Hello, Goodnight" is nowhere near being overpowering.  You could play this in front of your parents and they probably wouldn't care.  And the rap?  MaG delivers it from the heart.  So go ahead, get your hands on the album, and do me a favor and listen to this track first.

Panic! at the Disco - Hurricane

I remember back when Panic! at the Disco's third album, Vices & Virtues came out, I was worried.  The main reason was because Ryan Ross and Jon Walker had left the band, leaving Brandon Urie and the drummer (Spencer Smith...sorry!) with full control.  Also, after looking at the distinct differences between A Fever You Can't Sweat Out and Pretty. Odd. I worried that they would be doing another drastic change.  Well, it actually didn't turn out to be too bad.  Think of this sound being a happy medium of their Beatles-esque musical and electronic alt-rock.  There are a handful of gems in this treasure chest, and "Hurricane" is the diamond.

"Hurricane" is about sex.  Now we're all in understanding, especially with lyrics like hey stranger, I want you to catch me like a cold and I led the revolution in my bedroom and I set all the zippers free.  But Urie and Smith make it about more than that.  They fuse a peppy chorus with borderline-baroque sounds and make "Hurricane" hella catchy to boot.  Though the album as a whole isn't spectacular, shining moments like this make it worth the listen.

We said no more war
No more clothes, give me peace
Oh, kiss me.

Deerhunter - Helicopter + Diplo & Lunice Remix

Snowy Friday afternoons call for one (of many) things: dreamy indie.  And who has that dreamy concept down?  Well, Atlanta's Deerhunter has the laid-back indie genre down pat, but they get into the land of nod with an oldie called "Helicopter."  The track leans on a succession of bells and other percussion instruments, as well as some nice guitar work that doesn't overpower the song.  This is what I like to listen to when I'm walking home from an evening class, it makes the city streets a little more fantastical. 

And of course, all good songs come with remixes that are just as spectacular.  This one, courtesy of my forever favourite Diplo and unknown-to-me Lunice, is how I first heard of Deerhunter back in 2010.  This remix is less dreamy indie than the original, and a little more electro.  The spattering drums are a nice touch, the vocals are sped up just a touch, and the original melancholy feel isn't lost. 

We know he loves you the best.

Rococode - Empire

I think every day calls for some relaxed indie pop, especially Thursdays.  Why?  Because I said so, that's why.  Rococode is even a home-grown group, so my fellow Canadians are kind of obliged to take a listen to "Empire."  Think of them as being in the vein of Metric, but a little less stadium rock, a little more sweet (not that Emily Haines isn't, just so you know).  Laura Smith's female lead vocals are a touch demure, but I wouldn't out anything else with the laid-back guitar work and easy-on-the-ears drums.  The point I'm trying to make here is simple: listen to me, and get good music in return.  Simple enough, right?

Doldrums - I'm Homesick Sittin' Up Here In My Satellite

Doldrums: the best electronic collective you haven't heard of.  That's right, I'm going there.  Now, this isn't some thumper track devoid of lyrics.  "I'm Homesick Sittin' Up Here In My Satellite" is a cacophony, perhaps the marching band that parades through paradise once you leave this world for another.  It's a little jazzy with a tinge of pop thrown in, and as intimidating as this combination may sound with the addition of electro snare drums, it's approachable.  Don't be scared off by the long title and marching band aesthetic.  "I'm Homesick..." shows a side of the electronic genre that's rare, but it exists.  Time to take the plunge, people.

Rise Against - Help Is On The Way

Few songs out there can get me in a blubbering emotional state.  "Lover of the Light" is up there, but "Help Is On The Way" coupled with a stellar music video puts Rise Against over the top.  This track isn't from the amazing collection known as The Sufferer & The Witness, but I'll allow Endgame to have this one.  It's too good to pass up.

You may be able to guess where this one will go.  "Help Is On The Way" assures us that no matter how bad it gets, help will be on the way.  This is classic Rise Against; you'll be able to tell just by the guitars.  What they've got is power and emotion in their work, and relating songs to real life.  The weep-worthy video follows a family living on their roof to escape hurricane flood waters.  Watch at your own risk, it's the most hauntingly beautiful thing I've ever seen.  Just get into the whole thing, people.  Better yet: miss this at your own risk.

We were told just to sit tight
'Cause somebody will soon arrive

Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War

I know I featured a Stars song maybe two weeks ago at the very least, but this time it's worth the repetition.  I was actually going to have this come before the post about "A Song Is A Weapon," but good things come to those who wait.  "In Our Bedroom After The War" and the album of the same name came my way in the twelfth grade (pushing three years now).  I'd ordered it on a whim from Amazon, not knowing much about the band or even how they sounded.  Risks are worth the reward nine times out of ten, people.  I was instantly smitten by their brand of indie rock, and drooled for hours over the title track.

Few songs can be called perfect.  It takes a lot of questioning my ability to critique music, and questioning my own taste, but "In Our Bedroom..." is indeed perfect.  It's a story on a hill, rising in power and emotion as we follow a couple waking up to find that the war is finally over.  Lift your head and look out the window.  Even with the approaching climax, "In Our Bedroom..." is still very soft and delicate, never overpowering.  And when the chorus breaks out...get ready to soil your pants in amazement. Feel free to tell me if this isn't perfect, because I'll tell you why you're wrong.

Avenged Sevefold - Lips of Deceit

So here's the whole story: my brother likes to borrow things from his best friend.  CDs, movies, video games, you name it.  He was on his way to her house one day and asked if he should steal anything.  I replied with, "Oh, a good collection of CDs."  He returned home later that day with a bag containing her entire collection of music.  Thus, that is the story of how I got so much Megadeth and Marilyn Manson on my laptop.  She also had Avenged Sevenfold's debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet.  I'm a sometimes-fan of theirs, mostly from their self-titled days, but I've still got the bulk of their recordings in my possession.  I figured there was no harm in seeing what they'd been up to back then, and was surprised when I found metalcore.  Huh.  Seems like that's what they were up to before they got into their brand of alternative metal.

"Lips of Deceit" stood out to me because it has elements of their newer songs that I like, and the accompanying metalcore vocals really ice the cake.  The guitar work is strong, and that clean-rough mix of vocals shows some good contrast.  This is my kind of metalcore.  The rest of the album is so-so, which is to say it's good they've moved on from this stage of their career, but "Lips of Deceit" shows that there's a reason we experiment.  Good things happen sometimes.  I'll still take "Almost Easy" over everything, but I give props to the band for this.  It is possible for them to pull off metalcore.  Bring back harsh vocals, A7X!

Electrolightz - The Future

Who's down for some electro hip-hop today?  Who's also down for music that sounds like it's from a child's video game (in a good way)?  If you said I am! to both questions, this is the group and song for you.  Electrolightz is a quartet from Los Angeles that seamlessly brings futuristic electro with some ear-pleasing hip-hop.  Neither element overpowers the other, and the drums?  Gah!  "The Future" came to me some time ago in the throes in 2010, but a casual peruse of my library brought it back to me.  And what a good thing!  In this ditty we have subdued electro, nothing too loud or thumpy, and its beauty is what really makes it stand out in the sea of 7000 songs I call my itunes library.  Now, to download all of their mixtapes from their website!

O'Death - Pushing Out

My brother's been riding some weird indie-folk kick lately, which is good, because he's sending me stuff I've never heard of before.  He didn't send me O'Death.  No, no...that find was all me, people.  Think of them as a modern Violent Femmes with a good twist thrown in for good measure.  They've got the gospel-folk-indie thing down pat, but it's this acoustic-charged ditty that reeled me in for good.

"Pushing Out" is startlingly different from the first handful of O'Death tracks I came across some time ago (something like "Spitfire," if you're interested).  It's understated beauty in three and a half minutes, with a melancholy feel to the repetition of I rescind the end.  If they've got more of this up their sleeves, I'm going song-hunting.  Good day!

Fiona Apple - Dull Tool

Have you heard of that new-ish movie This is 40?  It's okay if you haven't, because I myself don't plan on seeing it.  Still, my forever fave Fiona Apple is contributing to the soundtrack!  Fangirling moment aside, listening to "Dull Tool" kind of makes me want to see the movie after all, if it's anything like this.  Judd Apatow and alternative-piano-acoustic loveliness?  Why not?

"Dull Tool" kind of has the same mechanical sound that Tori Amos's "Caught a Lite Sneeze" has, if that's still fresh in your mind.  I can't tell if there's a harpsichord strumming here, but this cacophony is still good in my books.  It's classic Fiona, and there's nothing bad to say about that.  You're more likely to get cut with a dull tool, and you're also more likely to love what's worked for her before.  Get on this one.

Marilyn Manson - You're So Vain + We Came As Romans - Glad You Came

You may notice I've finally gotten around to formatting my posts right.  Now in the titles, artist name will come before the song.  One New Year's resolution down, countless more to go.

Anyways, I've always been a fan of cover songs.  It doesn't matter who's doing them and what genre it is (except maybe country or bubblegum pop), because putting a new spin on a classic never gets old.  It's always interesting to see how one artist interprets another's work, and makes it their own in the process.  I'll share two covers today, one from the Punk Goes Pop 5 album and one that's just plain awesome.

First, but definitely not the worst, comes Marilyn Manson's cover of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain."  I've recently been riding a Marilyn Manson kick, if you can believe it or not, as his band's entire discography recently came my way via my brother's best friend.  I've never really been into that brand of alternative metal, but I took a risk, and it paid off.  Some songs are still a little harsh for me, but I kept a good chunk of his music on my computer.  His version of "You're So Vain" is a raw and industrial track that still pulses with some life and melody.  Hell, the chorus is catchy enough to get stuck in your head.  Take the plunge like I did.  Oh, and Johnny Depp is apparently singing somewhere in this track, but ignore that when you listen.

I got my brother the Punk Goes Pop 5 compilation for Christmas this year, and naturally copied it onto my laptop shortly after he opened it.  A track I hadn't gotten to sample before quickly caught my eyes and ear; We Came As Romans taking on "Glad You Came" by The Wanted.  I feel the same way about this cover as I do about the other goodies from the album; it's raw and catchy, and metalcore vocals against some cleaner ones send some chills down my spine.  The chorus of this knocks all others out of the park and into the next city.  I have a new appreciation for We Came As Romans now.  If they can do this, maybe I can give them another chance...

That's what music is about, after all.  Taking a chance.

Natalie Prass & Among Savages - When I Am Alone

Quiet Sunday mornings require delicate music (unless your taste calls for a dose of metal, which I have no qualms about).  I may not be alone this time around with the roommates hanging around, but I can still appreciate the thought and artistry put into "When I Am Alone" by Virginia indie darling Natalie Prass.  This is how delicate music should be done, people.  Forget everything I've told you before about this.

"When I Am Alone" isn't so much about being alone as it's about being apart from someone.  Example: when I am alone I can feel you watching me.  Listen, you'll get it.  Miss Prass also gets a helping hand from Among Savages, the one-man-band favourite of mine.  Hell, I'm still recovering from his Start at the Beginning EP.  He's quiet in this, but you'll hear him.  Also, as much as you might not expect it for a song like this, there is rising power.  The golden rule is that all delicate songs should be powerful in one way or another; it's the way you choose that sets you apart from the others.

Megadeth - A Tout Le Monde

A lot of Megadeth recently fell into my possession in the past month, and I figured that it was time to take another leap of faith.  I'd been leery of the band for about as long as I've been aware of their existence, afraid that they might just be the predecessor to Metallica.  Well, that might not be that far off, but I still found some songs that I could enjoy without getting bored.  Judge me if you want, but that's my opinion!  "A Tout Le Monde" caught my eye with clear vocals and a nice guitar arrangement that didn't overwhelm the entire thing.  David Mustaine may like that old school thrash sound, but he gives "A Tout Le Monde" a little modern flavor that allows me to enjoy it.  It's accessible to more people too; I wouldn't mind hearing this on the radio.

Okay, now you are free to judge.

Sylver Tongue - Hook You Up

It's Thursday (if you weren't aware), and I don't know about you, but this is the day that I like to soak up some rather mellow music before the weekend.  Mellow pop is a good subgenre for those leery of what pop is doing now; I know I am, and don't get me started on the mainstream scene.  So let's look at something unknown today, maybe from London's Sylver Tongue, if you don't mind.  She's got a real gauzy feel to her music, and "Hook You Up" is an aquatic dream that last nearly four minutes if you choose to only listen once, and I promise it'll be more.  Plug it in, walk somewhere, and revel in the beauty.

Tori Amos - Caught A Lite Sneeze + Evans Blue - Caught A Lite Sneeze

My recent large haul form Value Village got me Tori Amos's Boys For Pele, and that was when I knew this post needed to happen.  You see, on Evans Blue's first two albums, they covered a song by a contemporary female artist.  First it was Sarah McLachlan's "Possession," and then it was "Caught A Lite Sneeze."  Now that I have both songs, it's time to take a good look.

Tori Amos is a little haunting and a bit spooky in the original track.  Bells ring throughout, and the instruments actually sound a bit like the wheels of  machine turning and churning for four and a half minutes.  And then you have to get me started on Tori.  The vocals aren't scream-it-from-the-rooftops powerful, but have that subdued quality I quite like.  She's retaining the good part of the late-nineties sound too.  "Caught A Lite Sneeze" belongs to her.

Well, we can't say that Evans Blue doesn't do a good job of trying, because their cover is just as strong.  It comes off of The Pursuit Begins When This Portrayal of Life Ends, which means that Matisyn is the one on vocals instead of the new guy.  It's essentially the rock cover of Tori's, rife with the sound that first drew me to Evans Blue nearly seven years ago, and is also a bit darker than the original.  Think less haunting, and more melodic.  Nonetheless, I get chills when Matisyn sings I'm hiding it well, Sister Earnestine.

Stars - A Song Is A Weapon

I'm not done with my Christmas haul just yet.  I'd been lusting after The North for some time in 2011, and the holidays was time for it to finally fall into my possession.  You see, I've been a fan of Stars since In Our Bedroom After The War and also have The Five Ghosts in my library as well.  These indie sweethearts are the definition of Canadian treasures.  At first it was a bit difficult to pick out one track to feature, but the best ideas come to me when I'm not trying to find them. 

"A Song Is A Weapon" can be taken quite literally, if you'd like, with lyrics like I can only hope to kill you with a song.  I like you are the one, you are the bullet in the chamber of the gun.  Perhaps the power of music really is that intense.  An electric guitar takes the subdued route here, and lead Torquil Campbell does his thing...oh, that thing I love so much.  "A Song..." is my favourite kind of sleeper hit; one that crawls into your head and dares to never leave.

Sarah Brightman & Alexa Vega - Chase The Morning

I ride weird music kicks all of the time, and I've recently got into the soundtrack of Repo! A Genetic Opera.  It's no coincidence that I'm also riding a Sarah Brightman kick after picking up her Time To Say Goodbye from Value Village a few weeks ago.  Naturally, this was bound to happen.  Most of the songs from Repo! are fairly short, but "Chase The Morning" and it's dark musical feel is what got me reeled in.

"Chase The Morning" follows a conversation between the characters played by Brightman and Alexa Vega (you've seen Spy Kids, right?).  Sarah plays a friend of Alexa's deceased mother, and that's essentially the context you need to get the song.  Well, Sarah Brightman plays an opera singer, but that's pretty much expected.  Watch the video.  But the song...oh, the song.  It's catchy, it's dark, and it does its job.  As soon as I get another itunes gift card, I'm buying this movie.

Zee Avi - Concrete Wall

You remember Zee Avi, right?  The Malaysian doll responsible for "Swell Window" back in 2011?  No?  Where the hell have you been, then?  Oh, you've been the same place I've been hiding all weekend?  Well, played, my friend.  Well, played.  In that case, you're forgiven for letting Miss Avi slip your mind.  Just promise me you'll change your ways, okay?  "Concrete Wall" is in the vein of "Swell Window," but there's something different about this one.

"Concrete Wall" isn't the sweet folk that first drew me to Zee Avi.  It's still a little folky, but something far from sweet.  Nearly a cappella, Zee sings slowly over the continuing chant of she clack clack boom.  How else do you get through a concrete wall?  Though this is definitely subdued, it's undoubtedly powerful music.  Let is sink in with a few listens, and you'll get it.

Skerrit Bwoy - I See Hell

Skerrit Bwoy comes to us from the company of Major Lazer, and by himself, he's doing his own electronic-dubstep-gospel bit that I'm quite a fan of.  Sure, his aim might be to draw in fans that are more Christian, but as someone who can barely call herself a Mennonite, I dig it.  Don't think of his work as religious music.  It's good, and that's all that should matter.

"I See Hell" is a sampling masterpiece, even taking bits from Jewel's classic "Who Will Save Your Soul?"  It's fitting here, if I do say so.  Skerrit Bwoy intertwines his message with bass that throbs and a monstrous voice insisting only God can save me now.  If I have to call "I See Hell" anything, it's haunting, and it has all of the elements to be so.  It'll be an acquired taste for others, but if you're one of the lucky few, you'll get it with the first listen.  Dig it.

Skeletonwitch - The Infernal Resurrection

Another part of this year's Christmas haul was Skeletonwitch's Forever Abomination from the bustling times of 2011.  One of my roommates, definitely not a metalhead, got it for me as part of our Unit B gift exchange back in December.  I'm fairly in love with the album, I have to say, and am quite the fan of "The Infernal Resurrection."  It's the fast-paced thrash that I've known the band for, and is...dare I say it...catchy.  That was my first impression; I still remember.  Catchy thrash?  I can dig it.

Dragonette - Ghost

New year, new music?  That's how it would seem, but at least for the first few days of the year, I'd rather steep my brain in the brew of albums I got for Christmas, before the hunt for new music begins again.  I was more than happy to get Dragonette's Bodyparts in my stocking this year, and it's definitely a solid album.  Listen to the whole thing straight through, and you've got an electronica playlist that would fit in within the walls of any club.  You might be able to guess the characteristics of my new favourite off of the album (sorry, "Rocket Ship").  Hint: it's subdued, for the genre at least.

"Ghost" is a synth-laden, melting vocal, electronic-harmony-orchestra-other-fancy-musical-words feast.  It's perfect electronica, for those already thinking TL;DR.  Martina Sorbara reminds us here that she hasn't just mastered the club numbers, but is also able to deliver with tracks that rely on slowed beats and rising power to get the job done.  This is electronic beauty, people.  Also, if you're Canadian, I have to apologize because you won't be able to see the embedded video.  Scumbag Youtube has it blocked for my fellow Canucks.  Download it illegally if you have to; I'll forgive you in this case.