Bat For Lashes

I've had the album Two Suns by Bat For Lashes for some time now, but it is only recently (and partly due to a Pitchfork review) that I have started to explore and like the whole thing. The single, "Daniel" I had listened to and loved earlier, but had kind of forgot about the rest of it. It is only now that I have listened to more that I realize how good of an album it is. This is mostly due to the opener, "Glass" a swirling, atmospheric song that tells a story of being in a fantastical place and a search for love. Other standout songs include "Moon and Moon" as well as "Pearl's Dream". My discovery of this album comes just in time for my end of the year list of my favourite albums of the year. Stay tuned in the next few days for that!

-&Him

Liz Trinnear: MuchMusic VJ!!!

There were over 4000. Now there is only one. Liz Trinnear, our very own "She" has won the MuchMusic VJ Search 2.0. Of anyone I know, I can't think of anyone that deserves this more. Liz is a kind, funny, intelligent person who has a great taste in music and great personal skills. I know MuchMusic made the right choice and Liz will be a great VJ and fan favourite for many years to come. Congrats Liz, I hope this is everything you dreamed of and more.

-&Him

New Final Fantasy!

I have been eagerly awaiting new material from Owen Pallett aka Final Fantasy for a long time now, ever since his last album He Poos Clouds, one of my all time favourite albums. It was announced awhile back that his next album, called Heartland, would be released January 12 of next year. The first single, "Lewis Takes Action" was released this week, and I can't stop listening to it. If you don't have it yet, and are a fan of Final Fantasy, you must get it, I can promise you will love it. It is available for free here http://www.dominorecordco.com/freelewis/. Now I just have a painful wait of a month (maybe less if it leaks) to hear the rest of what I'm sure will be a fantastic album. I will let you know more when I have the whole thing, but for now, enjoy this song by one of my favourite artists.

-&Him

P.S. Be sure to watch MOD this Friday and cheer on Liz!!!

Au Revoir Simone

I discovered this group after seeing their music video for the song "Another Likely Story", which I love, and have listened to many times since downloading it. The group consists of three women who all play keyboards and sing, which is definitely a unique setup, but it works. As you can guess, the sound is therefore based on electronic and synth sounds. The whole album, called Still Night, Still Light is alright, there are a few standout songs, but I find most of the songs blend into each other. This is fine if you just want to chill out (which this band is perfect to do to), but not too many songs are going to stick in your head or garner multiple plays. The songs worth checking out are the afore mentioned "Another Likely Story" as well as "All Or Nothing" and "Only You Can Make You Happy"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q5V4OKEgx4

-&Him

Final 4!

And then there were four. Liz Trinnear has done it again, moving one step closer to winning MuchMusic VJ Search 2.0! If anyone can do it, she can. She joins Alli Walker, Marlon Palmer and Laith Hakeem as the last standing of thousands of applicants. Up next is a MuchNews Assignment, in which Liz will partner up with Laith to produce a pop culture story - which will air on Friday's MOD. Be sure to tune in, and to vote for Liz in every way possible! Keep up the support everyone, every little bit counts. Lets bring She&Him music to Much!

-&Him

The xx

Wow. That is all I can say after finally listening to this band. I had heard alot of good things about them, including a 8.7 rating by the usually stingy Pitchfork review staff. Now that I have listened to their debut album xx I can see what all the hype is about. A four piece British band of 20-year-olds (yes, they have accomplished much more than me who is older than that), The xx is successful at having songs that draw you in melodically and lyrically. With songs about love, sex and emotion, they really make you think and more importantly, feel something, which is something that I have found is rare with most music. Because of this, and how much I just intuitively like this album, It is definitely a candidate for my pick of top album of 2009. I think it goes without saying that you should check them out. Favourite tracks are "VCR", "Islands" and "Heart Skipped A Beat" but almost every song is awesome.

-&Him

New Twilight Soundtrack...OWNS

This is a movie I have not taken an interest in. I won't lie, I gave it a chance but you can't call me a "twi-hard" that's for sure.

That being said, the second film New Moon has by far one of my favourite soundtracks of 2009. Check out the line up:

1. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – MEET ME ON THE EQUINOX
2. BAND OF SKULLS – FRIENDS
3. THOM YORKE – HEARING DAMAGE
4. LYKKE LI – POSSIBILITY
5. THE KILLERS – A WHITE DEMON LOVE SONG
6. ANYA MARINA – SATELLITE HEART
7. MUSE – I BELONG TO YOU (NEW MOON REMIX)
8. BON IVER & ST. VINCENT – ROSYLN
9. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB – DONE ALL WRONG
10. HURRICANE BELLS – MONSTERS
11. SEA WOLF – THE VIOLET HOUR
12. OK GO – SHOOTING THE MOON
13. GRIZZLY BEAR WITH VICTORIA LEGRAND – SLOW LIFE
14. EDITORS – NO SOUND BUT THE WIND
15. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT – NEW MOON (THE MEADOW)

Did I forget to mention the fact that they pushed the release date of the soundtrack up because of the popular demand? Crazy I know.

Personal Favourites: Thom Yorke, Sea Wolf, Lykke Li, Grizzly Bear, Muse, Bon Iver, Killers, Band of Skulls and here is Anya Marina's music video for the track on the album:

Great Tune. Solid Album. Must Buy.

Website http://www.newmoonthesoundtrack.com/

Enjoy
-She

Timber Timbre

I am proud to say that this artist is a Canadian. Recently signed to the glorious Arts&Crafts record label, there is no doubt that he blends in with the family well. If you are a fan of artists like: Bon Iver, Patrick Watson, Blind Pilot, Wintersleep, Sufjan Stevens check this track out...

Demon Host-Timber Timbre


Oh Messiah


I need to see this fella live.

-She

Deadmau5

I am hooked. I have known of this DJ for a while but never paid much attention to him until I was laughing that Walmart had an advertisement for his album on their commercial. Thank you to the wonderful Luisa for introducing me to this talented little lad. It will be a must see DJ set next time he's around.
If you listen to the track Strobe all the way through (10 mins long) and don't like it, well then that sucks. This is one of those songs that you can imagine yourself at a bar on a beach, late at night on an island somewhere or driving, or pretty much just a motivating tune. Okay this is just rambling: Listen and enjoy.

-She

Metric Concert

This is a little bit late, but last Friday, I attended the Metric concert at Centennial Hall, here in London. I probably wouldn't have gone to the show on my own, but a friend was going and asked, so I went along. I have always liked Metric in the past, even though their songs have been kind of hit or miss for me. The last album, Fantasies (which they were on tour promoting) was disappointing in my opinion, with only a couple songs I really liked.
I'm not sure If it was the fact that Metric was touring that album, the fact that I was on the balcony, the performance itself, or some combination of the three, but I just wasn't too impressed. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad, and they did play some favourites like Poster of a Girl and Dead Disco, which was nice to see, but I really wasn't feeling it overall. I just wasn't drawn in, and there was nothing particularly special about the performance.
One positive was the performance of The Stills, who I love (probably more than Metric themselves) and have seen before when they came to Call the Office, also in London. While their albums have also been disappointing since their killer debut, Logic Will Break Your Heart, I think I just like their music better, and thought their performance was solid.
Additionally, I do like Emily Haines' solo work more than Metric, and was hoping she would maybe perform one of those songs, but no such luck. Haines actually also is featured in a Stills song, but that was not performed either.
Again, I'm not saying there was much BAD about it, but it certainly wasn't the best concert I have ever been to.
Note to self: If I see Metric again, get floor tickets.

-&Him