The Four Mints

i just heard this song on the radio and wanted to share it.  it sounds like any generic rip off of a temptations song, but i think the modification of the folk/kids song is what does it for me.  "life with you would be a dream..."

The Cribs

men's needs women's needs whatever (2007)

sometimes, there's nothing like some good punk rock.  granted, the cribs are a little commercial to call straight punk, but their rough-edged pop songs just feel good to listen to.  it makes sense, though, because the three bothers from england have been playing together since they were just nine and five years old.  the album was produced by alex kapranos of franz ferdinand, and there is definitely a strong strokes influence, and once in a while some weezer-esque things pop up, and the shouting background vocals remind me of cursive, but the cribs are definitely doing something of their own in this album.  it's a progression in the genre that i welcome warmly.  here's "men's needs."

Beirut

"nantes" from the flying club cup (2007)

i first heard about this band/project from a cousin of the lead singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist zach condon, and then from an accordion-enthusiast i know, and i admit, i initially wrote it off as a little too "out there" for my tastes.  it just sounded too gimmicky.  take ordinary indie rock and then throw in some accordion and brass instruments and the hipsters will eat it up, right?  well, after actually giving them an honest listen, i have to say that i am really enjoying it.  the songs are very literary and romantic, but there seems to be something real and honest to them.  condon's voice has a swelling, quick vibrato to it that both fits with the current indie music trends and what i would imagine is part of the eastern european folk music influence.  the instrumentation is very refreshing (no guitars or drum sets to be heard!) and ranges from intimate to raucous.  listen to how this song builds, condon adds overdub after overdub and it works beautifully.  

Nick Drake

"the thoughts of mary jane" from five leaves left (1969)

it's songs like this that make me wonder why i've never tried marijuana.  

David Bazan

here's a video of david bazan playing the famous leonard cohen song "hallelujah."  it's definitely in his more laid-back, straightforward style as opposed to jeff buckley's or rufus wainwright's versions, but still emotionally powerful in its own right.  if you want to hear more of his live solo stuff, there's a full concert from november on his website.  

Esperanza Spalding

so i read about esperanza spalding in an article in downbeat a little while ago and forgot to check her out, but she was on letterman tonight, and after listening to some of her other music online, i was BLOWN AWAY.  she is a killin' jazz bassist and singer, but she also has a neo-soul sound in her voice and some of her songs that promise commercial success.  and if all this wasn't good enough, she's a real looker, too!  and only 23 years old!  i think i may be in love. 

check out her myspace or her website.

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?

about a month or so ago i looked on youtube for every version of this song i could find.  oddly enough it looks like my two favorites were taken from the same tv show that i've never heard of before.  the first is from jimmy ruffin, who originally made it famous, and the second is colin blunstone (of the zombies) with dave stewart (some british keyboardist who i'd never heard of).  i know both of these singers are showmen to some extent, but it really looks like they're honestly drawing from some sort of heartbreak in their lives, doesn't it?  i also really dig the synth breakdown in the latter.

 

Okkervil River

i'm a sucker for sparse arrangements that feature the vocalist, and okkervil river throws plenty of moments into their songs that do just that.  i hear some similarities to the arcade fire as well as chicago artists andrew bird and devin davis in their eclectic instrumentation and vocal style.  here's "savannah smiles" off of their 2007 album the stage names.