Bon Iver- Blood Bank EP

Seriously, who created this man and when can the cloning begin? Actually, I lied. I don't think anyone can be thee Bon Iver. That being said, a talented musician, gifted vocalist, excellent lyricist- what more could one ask for? I must see this man perform live before the end of 2009.

His most recent release, the Blood Bank EP:

Track Listings:
1. Blood Bank*** I couldn't get passed this track for about 5 listens - the rest... im not sure on yet
2. Beach Baby
3. Babys
4. Woods
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4635791/Bon_Iver_-_Blood_Bank_[2009]

Happy Birthday Liz!!!

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish a very Happy Birthday to my friend and fellow blogger, Liz. Hope you have a great day/night/weekend of being 21!!!

-&Him

Fever Ray

When I first heard that Karin Dreijer Andersson of The Knife was releasing a solo album, I was very excited, since I love The Knife, and was desperate for more music from them since I heard they were on a long hiatus. The excitment grew when I heard the first single, "If I Had A Heart." In retrospect I should have seen that my excitment would make for unrealistic expectations, but I didn't see it at the time. After all, by the time the album came out, on March 24, the excitment would have subsided. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by what I heard when the album was realeased early on iTunes Tuesday. While The Knife's trademark dark, sinister sound is still present in Fever Ray's album, I still feel like its lacking something I can't put my finger on. Most of the songs just don't jump out at me, and I found most of the album forgettable. I'm not saying that it is a bad album, and maybe it will grow on me, but for now, it will remain a disappointment. Again, it's not terrible, and if you like The Knife, it's worth a listen. In addtion to the single, tracks that did stand out and I did enjoy were "Dry and Dusty" and "Now's The Only Time I Know"

-&Him

White Lies

Bam!
Got another one. This was a quick love for me, literally after a first listen. It's quite wonderful. Go Listen to these cool cats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DLF-yypNH4

White Lies
www.myspace.com/whitelies

Album comes out in stores January 19th... thanks to the internet, it leaked.
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4634079/White_Lies_-_To_Lose_My_Life_[mp3-224-2009]

enjoy
-She

NEW HANDSOME FURS!!!

Well, it's here, the album I was most looking forward to of 2009. Because I love this band so much, I sorta felt bad having a leaked copy of Face Control, the new album from Dan Boeckner/Alexei Perry duo Handsome Furs almost two months before it officially comes out, on March 10. That guilt was quickly forgotten when I started listening and realized how kick-ass the music is. While I'm not sure they can ever do better than Plague Park, one of, if not, my favourite all-time album, Face Control is pretty damn good. I was afraid that it would be more upbeat than Plague Park, and it is. But it doesnt really bother me that much. While Plague was so dark and gave a kind of helpless feeling of longing, Face Control is a little more upbeat, rocky, and has a faster tempo, but it still has great hooks to make you love the songs. Plus, I basically love anything that Dan Boeckner sings (his songs were by far the ones that saved Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer for me), since his voice has such a raw, unique sound that I can't get enough of. All of this is a recipe for a great album. Handsome Furs are definitely going to be a contender for my album of the year again. Maybe I'm biased, but I just love this album, and you should definitely check it out. So far (I haven't listened to the last bit of the album much yet), my favourite songs are definitely the first 3 - Legal Tender, Evangeline, and Talking Hotel Arbat Blues.

ENJOY!

-&Him

Some More Goodies

Friendly Fires are yet another reason why the UK is home to great talent. They do an interesting version of Lykke Li's- I'm Good, I'm Gone (who I just got tickets to see, very excited to see that one live) but song to check out--> Paris.
www.myspace.com/friendlyfires

Passion Pit
I will be seeing these boys in 2 weeks (toronto at the horseshoe tavern) and to be honest I am really curious how they will transfer their sound from the album to the stage. We will see and I will report back. Though they do not have many songs released, I still dig what I hear
www.myspace.com/passionpitjams
ps. yes, I realize the new psp commercial used their goods for the video sound. Isn't the corporate world so hip?
Kings of Leon- B-sides and Rares
Yes, we all know that KOL have hit it big in the mainstream this year but I refuse to hate their talent because they are now "hip" to listen to, I truly 

have followed them since Youth & Young Manhood. As much as they adore their sex, drugs and rock n roll, these boys make good tunes (and perform well on stage re: November 08- detroit @ the fillmore)Mixes, covers, rares... pretty good find in this bad bo

y. Personal faves/ Ones for immediate digs?
Lykke Li feat KOL- Knocked up,
California Waiting (alternative version),
Milk (stretch & vern mix),
The Bucket (Wellington Internation).

Choose your own fav's but I think this was a nice little post christmas present, so here I am, sharing:
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4582897/Kings_of_Leon_-_B-Sides_and_Rarities_Vol._1-4

Plushgun
Check them out. They have that whole Electric President vibe (give them a listen if you have yet to) and maybe a little Postal Service in there too. Currently they have only released 5 songs but apparently (thank you to my partner in crime, Matt, for informing me) they will be releasing a full LP on March 17th, 2009 entitled Pins and Panzers . Look forward to that one.

http://www.myspace.com/plushgun

-She

Jupiter One

Jupiter One... Check em' out.

Listen:
www.myspace.com/jupiterone

Download:
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4386451/Jupiter_One_-_Jupiter_One[2008][MP3_320kbps]-antecho

-She

Architecture In Helsinki

I would like to take this opportunity to discuss one of my favourite bands, the unique group from Australia, Architecture in Helsinki. I first heard them in highschool when i got what I consider their masterpiece, 2005's In Case We Die . While I didn't immediately take to their very strange style, - in fact, I hated it at first - I quickly warmed up to the album and it is now one of my favourites. Solid, catchy, quirky, fun, poppy, songs from beginning to end, In Case We Die is a great listen, and if you havent heard it already, do it now. Like right now. They are about the only band I know of that uses power and hand tools as instruments. Initially consisting of 8 members, Architecture now has 5 people making their music, and these 5 are set to release a new album this year. The song from the album out now is called That Beep and has renewed my love for the band, even making me re-listen to their third album, 2007's Places Like This, which I initially passed off as dissapointing, but have newfound respect and liking for. I eagerly await the release of the new album tentatively titled Vision Revision and will speak more about it when i have heard the whole album. If you already love Architecture, definitely check out That Beep, and if you haven't heard them, check out songs like Wishbone, Maybe You Can Owe Me, or Heart It Races. 'Till next time,

-&Him