Time for a change...

So the few of you who ever read my blog probably realized a while ago that I stopped posting. Life gets busy, things come up, you know how it goes. Anyway, I am giving it another go on a new site designed by my wonderful fiancée, where she will also have a delicious cooking blog with mind-blowing culinary creations and recipes. The site is bcitw.com, and the Beats & Treats section is where you will find the goodies, both audible and edible. I am going for a more streamlined approach to music blogging with only one song per post (since very few albums are entirely awesome), and less information about the band so I can focus on pumping out new posts at a more rapid rate. Less talk, more music; what's not to like? Thanks for sticking with me here at Sound Thinking, and let the awesome music continue. Go check it out now!

A place that's built on noise and needs

Bombay Bicycle Club played their first show in Chicago last week at the Subterranean, in front of a very enthusiastic packed house. Let's hope they come back again really soon.

I don't know how I forgot to post about these guys earlier, but in case you completely missed the boat last May, Friendly Fires dropped their sophomore album Pala, and it is so excellent that I decided to blog it late just in case. This trio of English boys from St. Albans sure knows how to jam, and their powerful brand of indie dance defies you not to tap your toe. If you're into Cut Copy or M83, you will go nutty over the driving synthpop of this album, and you will definitely want to catch them the next time they do a U.S. tour. Unfortunately, their record label is notoriously meticulous in keeping their tracks off the web, so I had to resort to these user uploads. They are definitely worth your time all the same:

I hear you screaming out to the light

Young the Giant brought down a sold out house at the Riviera Theater on Thursday (with opener Walk the Moon), courtesy of MTVU.

Today's progressive indie rock outfit is a 4-piece from D.C. with an attitude and an especially attuned sense of musical style. U.S. Royalty carefully crafts each song as a purely unique and original inspiration, and their renowned production team headed by Gus Oberg (The Strokes, Albert Hammond Jr., Bloc Party) made sure the final product of their debut LP released last January, MIRRORS, fully conveys that passion and dedication. Sliding up and down the scale from Blues-y psychedelia to perfectly harmonized indie folk, these boys pour enough heart and energy into these tracks to fuel any mood throughout your day. Check these smooth ones:

Equestrian by usroyalty

Monte Carlo by usroyalty

A voice is speaking from the marrow of our bones

Take the deep, rhythmic electro-pop indie that is so trendy right now and throw in some soaring 80's glam rock to imagine something almost as magical and moving as Brooklyn's duo Warm Ghost. Their multi-instrumentality and mastery of sound design shines through every track on their debut album, Narrows, released in September. While often grouped with the chillwave movement (think Washed Out, Toro y Moi) or the broader dream pop revival (e.g. Beach House, The xx), these guys are really pioneering their own genre and defying any solid classification.The slow songs are profound and inspired, the fast songs catchy and danceable; it was so hard to choose which songs to give you, I had to pick my top two for listening:

Warm Ghost - Inside and Out by Sound Thinking


Warm Ghost - GTWS by Craze

AND this video, because it was too good to not share. If you are sensitive to artsy nudity, you might want to skip this one.



If you dig what you hear, they are offering a few tracks for FREE right on Amazon. I gotcha hook up HERE.

It's a bloody hill and a broken wall

Australia has been pumping out a steady stream of incredibly talented new groups lately, and this is another one that epitomizes the movement. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Fleet Foxes, Local Natives, and Mumford & Sons, but with their own completely unique and brilliant twist, Sydney-based Boy & Bear are definitely the next big thing in indie folk. When one of my closest friends introduced me to a song of theirs on youtube last year, I was impressed but unconvinced that they would find their own niche in the scene. With a wonderful knack for catchy harmonies, driving rhythms, and impressive instrumental combinations, they have done exactly that. Throw in some beautifully crafted lyrics, and this 5-piece's debut LP Moonfire (released in August) is bound to take off in no time. The whole album honestly deserves your undivided attention, but start off with these two tracks:

Boy & Bear- Feeding Line by MMMusic

(This second one has an excellent longer intro that was shortened for your listening convenience, not by my choice.)

Boy & Bear - Milk 'N' Sticks by Music As Usual

You know it's all in your head

In case you haven't been on turntable.fm much lately, Generationals released a new LP last March, Actor-Caster, that has gradually become a huge indie favorite. Slightly less lo-fi than their debut of 2009, the album demonstrates that these New Orleans kids have developed their style while maintaining their unique sound. The old school beach rock vibe is definitely still prevalent, but the hooks are more sophisticated and the instrumentation is more... well, it's just more. Each new track has its own flavor, and they experimented with different rhythms and production styles to create something truly interesting and remarkable. The entire songlist warrants a listen from beginning to end (except maybe "Yours Forever"; that track is really annoying and out of place with the rest of the album), and I had a very difficult time choosing which two to give you, but start with these and then promise me you will check out the rest.

Generationals - I Promise by Sound Thinking

Generationals - Black and White by Sound Thinking

It's such a miracle how life comes back around again

Today's emerging act, Kisses, falls into the "music you probably missed" category, since their LP Heart of the Nightlife came out back in Autumn 2010, but this charming L.A.-based duo definitely deserves your attention. Their dreamy, sun-drenched lo-fi rock is slightly reminiscent of the style pioneered by the Whitest Boy Alive, but with a very unique pop tinge to it. Despite the album title, I would recommend enjoying these Kisses while relaxing poolside with a mojito on a warm summer day. Hopefully this will distract you from the impending snowstorm around the corner this weekend:

Midnight Lover by Kisses

(By the way, if you dig that track you can download it for free courtesy of the band by clicking the little arrow on the right side of the bar there.)

What is it that you've done to make the grade?

The Belgian-via-Australia artist Wally De Backer (Alias: Gotye) has already made quite a splash in his home countries, but he has really only now started attracting attention in the U.S. with his incredible video for "Somebody That I Used To Know," featuring the lovely New Zealander Kimbra. How his previous two albums slid by unnoticed is a mystery to me, but his newest LP release Making Mirrors is perhaps one of the most interesting and refreshing albums of 2011, despite its late U.S. release date of December 6. Defying generic classifications, Gotye blends sounds of alternative rock, experimental indie, and even a little bit of soul for his new album, and each individual track deserves a listen. Here are two to get you started:



Save Me by Gotye

He will be playing at Park West in Chicago on April 3, so get your tickets NOW before they sell out.

Are you still afraid to drown?

Local Natives came to Chicago a few weeks ago, and did not disappoint (as ever). But the best part was that they were merely the opening band...

The National brought down the house, with pretty much unanimous crowd participation. Of course all this is to be expected from two of the most notable and accesible bands to represent the indie genre.

Today I want to introduce you to Motopony, an unassuming but quickly rising act from Seattle. Balancing neatly between hard-driven progressive rock and enchanting acoustic indie, this five-piece group does their Pacific Northwestern roots proud on their debut eponymous album released last May.
Hear for yourself:

Motopony - Seer by Song of the Day

Put your hands into the flame

If you were into the 80s soft rock/R&B style of last year's indie super-project Gayngs like I was, then you will go crazy for Active Child's new LP You Are All I See, released in August. LA-based singer/harpist/producer Patrick Grossi is clearly a man of many talents, and the way he layers his sultry choir-boy falsetto over enchanting harp strings, smooth electronic waves, and dark cavernous beats is truly tantalizing. Since the release of Curtis Lane last July, a remarkable but experimental EP with various styles on different tracks, Grossi has finally chosen his musical identity and very eloquently presents it on this new full-length album. These two tracks are a nice little sample, and he is actually providing a basically free download (for the cost of a tweet!) of "Hanging On," so if you like it head over to his website and download it.

Active Child: 'Hanging On' by Ragged Words

Active Child - "High Priestess" by Creeping Wave

He has been receiving quite a bit of attention in the blogosphere, aided by his association with the recently explosively popular M83 (also worth a listen), with whom he is currently on tour. I just discovered that they are actually playing at Lincoln Hall tonight, but it is sold out get over there and scalp some tickets!

Can you feel the leeches bite?

Although these guys hardly need any press in their native UK or even in Europe for that matter, Bombay Bicycle Club has hardly received the attention they deserve Stateside. After their catchy and promising debut album I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose in 2009, their popularity erupted from London outwards, and they followed it up with 2010's soothing Flaws, a collection of acoustic tracks including a couple of lovely cover songs. But neither of these two notable albums foretold the release of their newest LP A Different Kind Of Fix this August, a truly brilliant masterpiece of indie rock. While tightening up some of the more raucous elements of their first album, they adeptly blended the best aspects of all their previous work, and there is not a single track that I would not STRONGLY recommend. The heavier rock songs are still beautifully coordinated, and the more melodic slow pieces are every bit as inspired and  charming. I have not enjoyed a full album this much since Foals' marvelous Total Life Forever last year (still one of my favorites), so chalk another one up for the post-Britpop indie team. I honestly could not decide which tracks to share, but since these two were selected by the band themselves as their singles, I figured they are a good place to start (but afterwards you really must listen to the whole album, no joke):

Bombay Bicycle Club "Shuffle" (radio edit) by GrillMarketing

Bombay Bicycle Club - Lights Out, Words Gone by The Sifting Pan

I'm not your fortune teller

Phantogram made a much-anticipated appearance at Metro last week, and besides knocking out the crowd with an intensely powerful show, they included in the show set the entirety of their new EP...

...which dropped today! These guys have accumulated quite a following in the past year or so with their debut LP Eyelid Movies, released in 2009 but only recently receiving the attention it deserves. Hailing from rural Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, the duo of Joshua Carter and Sarah Barthel have been collaborating on songwriting and composing for a number of years and have really hammered out a beautifully smooth operation. Their blend of electric guitar, keyboard, and heavy beats is reminiscent of the indie "psych pop" of the xx or Beach House, but with a more prominent hit-you-in-the-face style that alludes to Sleigh Bells but with much more creativity and tact. They trade off on lead vocals regularly and harmonize on different tracks, which keeps the sound interesting and showcases both of their talents as singers and musicians. These guys will continue to build popularity for the danceability and accessibility of their sound, as evidenced in the presence of their new single "Don't Move" all over the internet lately. In case you haven't heard it yet, check it out along with "Turning into Stone," one of my other favorites on the new EP:

Phantogram - Don't Move by vibetothis

Phantogram - Turning into Stone by austin-zuffi

The red glow of a star on fire

Hooray for Earth rocked Lincoln Hall last weekend, despite some serious sound check issues and what seemed an awful lot like a blown amp. Regrettably, the Zambri sisters were not along for the tour, but the boys still pulled off a bit of their signature harmonization with the expected infectiously catchy beats.

When adrift in a sea of mediocre indie rock bands, it is always refreshing to find one that can truly be identified as unique. Brooklyn-based Milagres have confidently taken up this flag of uniqueness on last month's LP Glowing Mouth, with a sound that coveys much more confidence and awareness than would be expected of such a constantly developing act. When asked about their sound, they merely replied, "Milagres is Milagres." With pleasantly lucid vocals in a time of trendy lo-fidelity, this interesting sophomore album truly defines "Milagres" within the emerging music scene. After a moderately notable first LP, they have capitalized upon the best aspects of their music, namely the pop-inspired tempos and captivating synth/instrumental arrangements, and created a collection of tracks that present something identifiably new in the genre. Check it out:

Here To Stay by Milagres by rippleent

Glowing Mouth ( Radio Edit) by Milagres

They happen to be playing in town this Thursday, November 3 at Beat Kitchen, so get your tickets NOW.

We’re quite not a raging winter

Gardens & Villa rocked the Empty Bottle last Friday, exceeding my expectations for such a young band. Known for always playing live (even in studio), these guys have a natural talent for getting the crowd moving and they will definitely continue to gain notoriety, so catch them while they are still playing small venues.

As a Los Angeles expatriate, I generally don't have much taste for the glitzy glam rock that seems to emanate from Southern California, but occasionally there is a unique group that breaks that mold and deserves some attention. Fool's Gold is one such band, and their sound is definitely unique enough to qualify. The blend of Caribbean/Afrobeats and indie dance riffs provides a solid rhythmic framework for Luke Top's crooning vocals, and the combination is simultaneously catchy and deep enough to fill a stadium (or your best circumaural headphones). After their self-titled debut LP release in 2009, which employed mainly Hebrew lyrics, they tightened up their sound and moved on to a more accessible style and primarily English vocalization (with just an occasional verse or two in a Hebrew) for this August's release of their stellar sophomore album, Leave No Trace. I dare you not to tap your toes and nod your head to these:

Fool's Gold - Street Clothes by iamsoundrecords

Fool's Gold - Wild Window by iamsoundrecords

Wearing masks and beating war drums won't equip us for these jungles

Fleet Foxes played two sold out shows at the Chicago Theater this weekend, and naturally they didn't disappoint. It was hands down one of the best performances I have ever seen; everyone should experience their incredible talent at some point in their lives. Why not catch them on this tour?

Today's emerging act is based in Grand Rapids, although they originally began working together in (surprise, surprise!) Chicago. Stepdad is a creative and energetic synthpop outfit that seems to have a strange obsession with wild animal themes, in both lyrics and attire. Characterized by catchy electronic beats and bouncing falsettos, Stepdad's sound is more than enough evidence that these guys just want to have fun--and make some infectious indie pop while doing it. They first released their Ordinaire EP on their bandcamp site last April, but it received so much attention that they were signed by Quite Scientific records and rereleased the EP last month with two additional (and excellent) bonus tracks. While some of the songs on the EP are just a little too pleasant and poppy, there are enough standouts to make it worth following these guys. Give these two highlights a listen:

Jungles by stepdadmusic

My Leather, My Fur, My Nails by stepdadmusic

They happen to be playing in Chicago on October 14, opening for Rubblebucket at the Double Door, so get your tickets NOW and start bouncing.

One way or the other, we all fight something

Hipster artists NewVillager performed here in Chicago on Friday, and put on an interesting show to say the least. They only brought a small portion of the visual artwork to adorn the stage and backdrop, but the decorations included a costumed roadie rising up in the middle of the set and dancing around the room, to the audience's delight (and confusion). Their harmonization and instrumentation were not quite as smooth and polished as on the album, but the young band shows signs of promising production in the future.

Typhoon, the emerging band of the day, hails from Portland, Oregon and has been performing together since 2005. Known for their complicated instrumental arrangements and experimental combinations of styles, they have received some attention from the indie community but not as much as their carefully and adeptly constructed sound warrants. With thirteen individual members, it is incredible that so many instruments and influences can produce such harmonious indie-folk, and frontman Kyle Morton's sincere and beguiling vocals and introspective lyrics tie it all together in a way that demonstrates the abilities of this upbeat ensemble. After a quiet and gradual rise to notability, their second LP Hunger and Thirst shows the quality of work of which this band is capable, and the release of their EP A New Kind of House this past March anticipates the continuation of their unique and powerful style. Give these tracks a listen, and pay particular attention to the lyrics.

Typhoon - White Liars by Sound Thinking

Typhoon - CPR/Claws Pt. 2 by inhouseradio

See eye to eye with the same face

As expected, Washed Out was excellent at the Riviera Theater last night. Even without a proper sound check, Ernest Greene's ensemble adeptly played a selection of their more upbeat songs, drawn from both of his albums and some unrecorded material, and the dance-ability of their pioneering glo-fi style became even more apparent with a real drum set and guitars.

And naturally, the Aussie dance-rockers Cut Copy brought down the packed house, sounding every bit as catchy and brilliant as we have come to expect. They played an excellent balance of new and old songs, effectively promoting their wonderful summer release but not leaving out anyone's favorites from their previous albums. They will be on the road a while longer, so catch them coming through your town while they are still stateside.

Today's emerging act is another group of young and talented Chicagoans, born and raised. The four-piece YAWN started in high school and has been playing its unique brand of synthrock for the last couple years, first releasing an eponymous EP in July 2010 (which is still available for FREE on their website) in order to get their name out, and building up to the release of their full LP Open Season a couple weeks ago on August 30. At first listen, they could easily be Animal Collective's little brother; but apart from lead singer Adam Gil's synthesized vocals remarkably emulating Avey Tare's, YAWN is entirely their own creation, and the similarities quickly become superficial in light of the varied samples and driving beats that characterize their accessible sound. Psychedelic in the best possible way, the deep layers of each track beckon one to listen more closely every time, and the members combine electronic elements to create a sound much more mature than their years. Pump it:

YAWN - Magician by Sound Thinking

YAWN - Indigo by Sound Thinking

They also happen to be playing here in their hometown on September 30 at Metro, opening for Mates of State along with Suckers. Get your tickets NOW.

Time to light the fires

Brooklyn/San Francisco-based duo NewVillager are truly artists, in every sense of the word. Apart from their beautiful R&B/Afro-inspired synthpop and remarkably profound poetically-inspired lyrics, they are also avid visual artists, as evidenced by their "integrative concert" held in LA leading up the release of their debut eponymous LP last month. You can get a taste for some of their visuals in any of their music videos, but especially in the epic imagery for the song "Lighthouse," which features ten eccentric characters meant to represent each of the ten tracks, creating a self-styled "mythology" with the new album.

The infectious rhythms and seamless vocalization on NewVillager deserve all the attention this band is beginning to receive and more, especially as a completely unique style amongst a crowd of sound-alike hipster pop bands. The experimental combinations of chants and staccatos makes it both interesting and accessible, and this album could very well become one of the best-ranked new releases of the year. Try these tracks first, but you really must listen to the whole album since each has such a distinct story to tell, musically, lyrically, and artistically.

NewVillager - Say the Code by ObscureSound

NewVillager - Lighthouse by iamsoundrecords

They are currently taking their stimulating concerts on the road and will be coming through Chicago NEXT FRIDAY, September 23 at the Empty Bottle with Bachelorette and Tiny Fireflies. You won't want to miss this artistic smorgasbord, so get your tickets NOW.

Let me sink, you're hell to swim

Being a recent California expatriate myself, I generally roll my eyes at bands that sing nostalgic songs about the Golden State and its shores, but I decided to give these guys a chance and I recommend you do the same.

Dirty Gold is a three-piece "beach-wave" group of San Diego boys who just graduated high school this past June. After forming during the fall of their senior year, they signed with indie label Autumn Tone Records (home of Fleet Floxes' J. Tillman) and released the lovely ROAR EP this April. Clearly inspired by 60s beach pop, Dirty Gold takes the warm and sunny sounds of Afro-beats and xylophones and creates an inspired and charming sound that would have Brian Wilson smiling and tapping his toes. Another perfect album to play in these dwindling days of summer, the small offering of laid-back tracks promises great work from these new beach boys. Grab your wayfarers and relax:

California Sunrise - Dirty Gold by mimoore

Dirty Gold - Sea Hare by lamusicafresca

A shock in the arms and a death in the gutters

Chicago-based indie folk group Maps & Atlases first formed while all four members were attending Columbia College downtown, and after a couple years of experimenting with different sounds achieved widespread indie attention at various festivals including SXSW with the release of their first EP Tree, Swallows, Houses in 2006. After touring the U.S. extensively for a couple more years, they finally settled down and released their first full LP Perch Patchwork last June 2010, and the album clearly demonstrates their increased focus on sound and style. Sometimes classified as math rock, the album's catchy hooks and intricate rhythmic patterns defy any definitive genre-branding and lead singer Dave Davison's nasal cooing and illustrative (if not somewhat fantastical) lyrics tie together its uniqueness. Some tracks seem a bit scattered, but the overall sound of the album promises even greater things for this homegrown Midwest act. Try it out:

Maps & Atlases - Living Decorations by Fat Cat Records

Maps & Atlases "Solid Ground" by Barsuk Records

Maps & Atlases happens to be playing in Chicago at the A.V. Fest THIS SUNDAY outside the Hideout, so R.S.V.P. NOW and check out the other up-and-coming acts supporting charity.