25 Favourite Songs of 2009

Here is a list of 25 songs (arranged in alphabetical order) that I was infatuated with in 2009. The rule was that I could not pick songs from the same artist or album twice, and it was a really tough call at times. Nonetheless, making this list was a rewarding process.

Anyway it's Christmas Day today, so happy holidays to all of you! I will be back soon with my list of favourite albums.



1. A Fine Frenzy - "Elements"



"Elements" picks up where One Cell in the Sea left off. In my opinion, this introspective number is the clear standout on Alison Sudol's sophomore effort. A booming bass first sets the tone, and Sudol comes on and weaves her tale of melancholy and heartbreak. The song builds into a crescendo, slowly but surely, and around the 1:50 mark when you are awash with emotion, the floodgates finally give way.


2. Alela Diane - "White As Diamonds"

There is beauty in the sparseness.

Download:
Alela Diane - White As Diamonds [Removed]


3. Animal Collective - "What Would I Want? Sky"



Previously I couldn't comprehend the immense appeal of Animal Collective's "My Girls". And then the unthinkable happened. One fine day, I finally got the song, and it sounded pretty mesmerising indeed! That said, while I will probably never understand the allure of Merriweather Post Pavilion, or the rest of AC's material for that matter, "What Would I Want? Sky" stole my heart. Perhaps it is one of their more accessible songs -- less confounding, more comprehensible, just genuinely delicious indie-pop.


4. Arctic Monkeys - "Crying Lightning"



Alex Turner is as much of a wordsmith as he is a purveyor of relationships, and he displays his mettle on "Crying Lightning", one of the Humbug's most bold tracks with rocking guitars and a wickedly dark theme.


5. Bat for Lashes - "Daniel"



"Daniel" is, at once, both melodic and atmospheric. Coupled with Natasha Khan's lyrical prowess, the song literally engulfs you in its sheer beauty.


6. Bon Iver - "Blood Bank"

Never have I heard anyone sing about the blood bank in such a fascinating manner.

Download:
Bon Iver - Blood Bank


7. Camera Obscura - "French Navy"



Tracyanne Campbell and her brethren have crafted an undeniably catchy pop number.


8. Dirty Projectors - "Stillness Is The Move"

While the rest of Bitte Orca was just meh for me, "Stillness Is The Move" was a real grower. Combining elements of R&B and African music, the song sounded oddly familiar yet refreshing and unique at the same time.

Download:
Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move [MP3]


9. El Perro Del Mar - "Change of Heart"

Sarah Assbring brings understated chic to "Change of Heart".

Download:
El Perro Del Mar - Change of Heart


10. Ellie Goulding - "Under The Sheets"

"Under The Sheets" is a perfectly fun number to groove to. A great single from one of the most hyped artists of 2009.

Download:
Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets


11. Florence and The Machine - "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)"

Florence Welch shows us why her album is aptly titled Lungs -- this lass has the chops to carry this amazing folk pop song with finesse. When the chorus rolls in, you let loose and do a little shindig.

Watch:
Florence and the Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) [Video]


12. Fol Chen - "Cable TV"

"Cable TV" is delivered in a lo-fi, straightforward manner layered over with handclaps and beats. Interestingly, the end result tantalizes your palate.

Download:
Fol Chen - Cable TV [Removed]


13. Jenny Owen Youngs - "Led to the Sea"

"Led to the Sea" combines melodic guitar-driven pop with a dollop of radio-friendliness.

Download:
Jenny Owen Youngs - Led to the Sea [MP3]


14. Lady Gaga - "Paparazzi"



Lady Gaga exploded into mainstream consciousness this year with her peculiar outfits and some irresistibly addictive songs. "Paparazzi" was one of those tasty and cheeky morsels she dished out. I thought the music video looked like a scene out of some super sleuth movie. If Gaga wanted to announce her arrival with this, well, no doubt the superstar of the new decade has arrived.


15. Little Boots - "Remedy"



In "Remedy", Little Boots aka Victoria Hesketh chirps: "Dancin' is my remedy, remedy, oh", making it hard to resist the urge to get up and boogie. Hesketh is a talented electropop musician in her own right and can give Lady Gaga a run for her money.


16. Metric - "Gimme Sympathy"



Metric has always straddled the fine line between indie and mainstream. "Gimme Sympathy" continues in the same vein, appealing to listeners between both ends of the spectrum. It's intriguing to hear Emily Haines namedrop the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in this song.


17. Miike Snow - "Silvia"



"Animal" seeped into cyberspace earlier this year, but "Silvia" was the one that grabbed my attention. Perhaps I have a thing for tales of love and lost, and "Silvia" pretty much encapsulates these feelings. The song starts off slow and gears up with synths into a full-blown electropop number.


18. Neko Case - "People Got A Lotta Nerve"

Indie songstress Neko Case wowed everybody with "People Got A Lotta Nerve". This immensely likable number mixes melodic pop with alt-country, and its rousing chorus makes for the perfect sing-along song.

Download:
Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve


19. Phoenix - "1901"

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix was arguably the breakout album for Parisian rockers Phoenix in 2009. Lead single "1901" was an exuberant, poppy number that impressed common listeners and music critics alike.

Download:
Phoenix - 1901


20. St. Vincent - "The Strangers"

Annie Clark has a charming voice, and she puts it to good use in this gorgeous track.

Download:
St. Vincent - The Strangers [Removed]


21. Taylor Swift - "You Belong With Me"

Even though Kanye West rained on her parade, there was no stopping Taylor Swift and her runaway hit "You Belong With Me". This infectious pop song is tightly produced without being overly cheesy or childish like some baloney you hear on mainstream radio today.

Watch:
Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me [Video]


22. The Decemberists - "The Rake's Song"



"The Rake's Song" tells of a macabre and twisted story, but in the hands of The Decemberists it becomes a curiously engaging song.


23. The Golden Filter - "Solid Gold"

I must say, "Solid Gold" is pretty solid stuff from New York based electronic duo The Golden Filter.

Download:
The Golden Filter - Solid Gold


24. The xx - "Crystalised"



Minimalist, deceptively simple, yet thoroughly addictive, "Crystalised" is one of the gems off the London quartet's (now three-piece) debut album.


25. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll"



"Heads Will Roll" is a stellar electrorock track brimming with raw, unbridled emotion.

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Honourable Mentions:
Fanfarlo - I’m A Pilot
God Help The Girl - God Help The Girl
Lily Allen - The Fear
Passion Pit - Moth’s Wings [MP3]

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Daily Randomness

A look at who's coming to town:



Word's out: St Jerome's Laneway Festival will not be coming to Singapore next year. However, thanks to Chugg Entertainment, you can still catch headliners Florence and The Machine and Echo & the Bunnymen in action.

Along with The xx, Flo performs February 7 at the Esplanade. The Bunnymen's show is on February 9. Additional details will be released soon.

Download:
Florence and The Machine - You've Got the Love (The xx Remix)

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Imogen Heap will be in town on March 29 for a one night only show at the Esplanade. Tickets are at $68, $88, $108, $128 and $148. Limited student tickets at $48 are also available.

Download:
Imogen Heap - Can't Take It In

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Tickets have already gone on sale for next year's installment of the Mosaic Music Festival. The Kings of Convenience are back, and the likes of 65daysofstatic, The Go! Team and St. Vincent are coming [link].

Download:
Kings of Convenience - Mrs. Cold [buy Declaration of Dependence]

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Get your fix of chinese indie music at the Huayi Festival 2010 [link].

BBC Sound of 2010 longlist

While everyone's busy doling out their best-of 2009 lists, BBC has just revealed a teaser for the forthcoming year -- the longlist for BBC's Sound of 2010. The annual poll showcases 15 of the supposedly hottest musical acts each year. Cherry-picked by 165 UK-based tastemakers, these 15 acts are set to make waves in 2010. And by that I mean they are going to sell more records than their counterparts.

It is great to see Ellie Goulding and Marina and the Diamonds make the cut since I've heard so much from them this year. As expected, Owl City is on it but I'm not a fan of his (read: cheesy lyrics). There's Gold Panda and Two Door Cinema Club though I'm not really acquainted with their music as of yet. Guess I will be hearing a lot more from them in '10.

BBC Sound of 2010 longlist [link]
Daisy Dares You
Delphic
Devlin
The Drums
Everything Everything
Giggs
Gold Panda
Ellie Goulding
Hurts
Joy Orbison
Marina and the Diamonds
Owl City
Rox
Stornoway
Two Door Cinema Club

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Some Gold Panda for you:

Florence and the Machine: "Drumming Song" Video

Florence + The Machine - Drumming Song

Florence and The Machine | MySpace Music Videos

I know I am a little late to the game since "Drumming Song" was released as the fourth single to Florence and the Machine's critically lauded Lungs earlier in September. But for the benefit of those who have been living under a rock somewhere (and have no idea what they are missing out), please, do yourself a favour and watch this video. "Drumming Song" is gorgeous and intense, and I am obscenely jealous of Ms. Welch's legs that seem to go on for miles.

Download:
Florence and the Machine - Drumming Song [MOV video]

Daily Randomness

A look at who's coming to town:



English pop-punk heroes Buzzcocks, who have influenced latter day bands such as Green Day, Nirvana, The Libertines, The Strokes and The Offspring, will be making a stopover in Singapore this Friday [link]. For a chance to see them in the flesh, head down to Zirca on November 27.

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LA based Australian singer-songwriter Lenka will also perform at Zirca on December 17. Fans can expect a 60-minute set which promises to be both a visual and aural feast. Tickets at $45 each are available via Sistic.

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



As mentioned earlier, both Cat Power and Andrew Bird are coming to Singapore in January 2010. Tickets to both events will be available on the 12th of November.

Cat Power
13 Jan 2010, Wed, 9pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
$40, $60, $80

Andrew Bird
26 Jan 2010, Tue, 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
$40, $60

There are limited concessions for students and NSFs. Mosaic Friend Specials also apply. Refer to the Esplanade website for additional details.

Download:
Cat Power - Troubled Waters

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Tickets for the Yeah Yeah Yeah's upcoming Singapore gig will also go on sale on the 12th of November. Check out Greenhorn Productions' Facebook page for an early bird special.

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Ellie Goulding is heating up the airwaves with "Under The Sheets", a spiffy pop tune that's gotten everybody into a tizzy. Want this track? Get it, get it, get it.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Live! In Singapore

Oh my fucking god! Greenhorn Productions have done it again. They are bringing in the YYYs! That's on 12 January 2010 to be exact, at the Esplanade. Tickets are at $68, $88, $108, $128 and $148.

Cat Power and Andrew Bird have a date with Singapore

© Steve Gullick

© Cameron Wittig

Hallelujah! American singer-songwriters Cat Power (née Chan Marshall) and Andrew Bird will be performing next year in Singapore on January 13 and 26 respectively as part of the Esplanade's Mosaic Series.

Download:
Cat Power - Metal Heart [buy Jukebox]
Andrew Bird - Oh No [buy Noble Beast]

Death Cab for Cutie: "Meet Me On The Equinox" Video + New Moon Soundtrack

Meet Me on the Equinox

Death Cab for Cutie | MySpace Video

I said it once before, but i'll say it again: I'm not really into the Twilight series (though I must admit RPattz makes me feel weak at the knees sometimes), but I'm keenly anticipating the release of the New Moon Soundtrack. Yes, the latest, shiniest, second film in the Twilight saga continues to make tweens go gaga (hey, it rhymes)! And this time the soundtrack is packed with a fair share of indie names, so let's not be surprised if you see 13-year-olds screaming their love for Bon Iver in future.

In addition, resident favourite Death Cab's video for "Meet Me On The Equinox" has premiered on MTV. You can watch the video above.

New Moon Soundtrack Tracklist
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 - "Roslyn"
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 - "Slow Life"
14. Editors - "No Sound But the Wind"
15. Alexandre Desplat - "New Moon (The Meadow)"

The New Moon Soundtrack will be available on October 20.

Death Cab for Cutie: "Meet Me On The Equinox"

Death Cab for Cutie has recorded a song, "Meet Me On The Equinox", for the upcoming New Moon Soundtrack. The track is the first single off the album. Though I don't really care much for the movie or the Twilight series, the proposed soundtrack absolutely intrigues me. Alexandra Patsavas, the music supervisor for the film, lets on that Thom Yorke, Bon Iver and Band of Skulls will most likely appear on the soundtrack. The track list will be released soon, so keep yer fingers crossed!

Download:
Death Cab for Cutie - Meet Me On The Equinox [Removed]

Kings of Convenience: "Boat Behind" Video

Watch more AOL Music videos on AOL Video

October marks the return of Norway's feted indie folk pop duo Kings of Convenience. Yes, the boys are back with their third official album, Declaration of Dependence, and they are calling it their most mature album yet. I love the stripped down beauty of their music and can't wait for the new album to be released. In the meantime, enjoy the video for "Boat Behind".

Stream:
Stream the entire Riot on an Empty Street album [buy Riot on an Empty Street]

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



Singapore's alternative music festival Baybeats is back in town this weekend! From the 28th to 30th of August, come down to the Esplanade to see international names like Chris Collingwood (of Fountains of Wayne fame), Anberlin, Ally Kerr, and regional artists like Malaysia's Love Me Butch and Hong Kong's Velvette Vendetta in action. For the full lineup, check out the Baybeats website.

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Performing here tonight for the first time in Singapore is singer-songwriter Aimee Mann. Tickets are at $118, $98 and $68.

Download:
Aimee Mann - 31 Today [buy @#%&*! Smilers]

NDP 2009 Theme Song

Some Singaporeans have derided this year's National Day theme song for being unoriginal and hard to sing along to. Sure, it may be a little Coldplay-esque but I think that Electrico and the NDP organisers deserve a pat on the back for daring to be different. Fresh concept, I must say!

Happy 44th Birthday, Singapore!

Download:
Electrico - What Do You See [Removed]

I'm back! ...Well, hopefully

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In case you have been wondering why I haven't updated this space in such a long time -- ah well, I kind of lost my focus. I was busy with school, projects, exams, and an internship. You know, all manner of things that you would normally associate with a poor, overworked student.

But here I am, back again, and I am raring to go!

Concert Review: Rachael Yamagata – Live! in Singapore 2009

(Pardon the lousy photo)

If Rachael Yamagata weren’t a singer, she’d probably make a very good PR representative.

The affable New Yorker was in town last Wednesday, playing to a sizable crowd at the Esplanade Concert Hall, and in between songs she bantered with the concertgoers. With an innate ability to engage and connect with people, she treated the audience like a bunch of old friends, sharing anecdotes and silly tales about her life.

"It’s totally worth the 25 hours getting here," she told the adoring crowd. She was nursing a bout of flu, caught during her long journey here, but tried her best not to let it bog her down.

Show openers Jack & Rai put up a pleasant performance and played 4 songs before the intermission, after which Rachael took to the stage with her four-piece band, and launched into the title track off her latest two-part record, Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart. There was a cellist in the line-up this time, adding a different dynamic to the sound. It was a nice touch since the cello features more prominently on the new record, and the mournful yearning of the instrument truly conveyed the heartrending content of her songs.

The audience was pretty attentive, eagerly lapping up all the songs that followed. Rachael alternated between the piano and the guitar while she did a selection of fast and slow songs, focusing mainly on material from Elephants.

She was almost apologetic for churning out songs revolving round the themes of love and heartbreak. So "Little Life", she chuckled, "is actually about death".

The pace picked up with "Faster", the second single of the new record, followed by crowd pleasers "Worn Me Down" and "Letter Read", before winding down with the instrumental version of "Elephants".

The flu started to get to her, so she told the crowd that she would do a few more ballads instead. She did. "Meet Me by the Water" was particularly memorable as she recounted its origin. Back then, she was attached but had the hots for another guy who was similarly in a relationship. She initiated a date with the dude, but was thankful he didn’t turn up eventually. "So I didn’t get too evil. I just had evil thoughts, but I didn’t commit any evil activities," she quipped.

And she went on to stress these lyrics (in bold), which made the audience crack up:

Would you please meet me by the water, baby? / We'll have a really good time / Would you please meet me by the water, baby? / 'Cause I can't get you off of my mind

She was amazing on the slower numbers. The soulful delivery, the poignant lyrics, and the way she tinkled those ivories gave me tingles.

Before playing "The Only Fault" (the hidden track off Elephants), she recalled a drunken fan who approached her backstage after a show and told her:

"I love your music! I have sex to your music!"

"And the best thing about the hidden tracks 'cause you are lying in bed after you have sex to your music and the hidden track comes on and I wake up and I’m like, 'I gotta go! I have work tomorrow!'"

Rachael also spoke about the process of making the record in Woodstock, NY. While holed up in the mountains, she saw bears – feeding on turkey carcasses, she remarked – and feared for her life. Equally hilarious was her account of meeting a trumpet-playing ghost and how she tried to communicate with it. She attempted to record the beautiful sounds that the other-worldly being made and that gave her the inspiration for the opening portion of "Over and Over".

"I plagiarised a ghost," she declared.

"Accident", a gritty rock track that was one of my favourites off the second CD, came on eventually, but fell short of my expectations as I strained to hear her voice. The main set wrapped up with "Sunday Afternoon", a gorgeous song that she wrote at the tail-end of the first record. Guitarist Michael Chaves was sublime as he worked his magic in the initial part of the lengthy number, leading the way to a crescendo, before the rest of the band built on it and the songstress kicked in with her smoky vocals, sending the audience into aural heaven.

As soon as the final song ended, she left the stage, and some fans started streaming out of the door to join the autograph queue.

But the show was not over yet, as Rachael reappeared for the encore soon after. She played "Duet", and in an attempt to imitate Ray LaMontagne’s humming (she sang the song with him), she improvised with some harmonising, switching pitches to comedic effect. Eventually she bowed out with "Reason Why", one of her most recognisable songs made popular by movies and television shows.

My friend Q and I exited the hall to join the post-concert autograph queue, but we were greeted by a line that snaked on forever. I complained about the short ½ hour allocated for the autograph session (as I always do, but it was warranted because we narrowly missed out on getting her autograph at her previous concert) and the slow-moving queue.

Fortunately, the session was extended.

I stood in line for 1½ hours before I got to meet her, but it was worth the wait. Since Q had to leave early, I got a girl behind me to help me take a photo with Rachael. She signed my copy of Elephants, as well as an old photo that we took with her previously.

"Oh god, I looked so young then!" she gushed. We laughed and I reassured her that she looked as beautiful as ever.

I didn’t get the name of the nice lady who helped me, but overhearing her conversation with Rachael, I realised she was the one who requested for "1963" during the encore. Incidentally, after she made that song request, someone else immediately called out "Quiet". I didn’t know if it was a request (Rachael has a lovely song by that name) or if it was just asking Ms. 1963 to, you know, zip it. It was rather amusing though.

We left around midnight, but I read much later that the autograph session stretched on for 3½ hours. Rachael Yamagata made a special effort to stay on and speak to every single fan this time, and it obviously made everyone’s night an unforgettable one.

Rachael Yamagata - Live!
Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Setlist:
1. Elephants
2. Be Be Your Love
3. What If I Leave?
4. Little Life
5. Faster
6. Worn Me Down
7. Letter Read
8. Elephants (Instrumental)
9. Even So
10. Meet Me by the Water
11. The Only Fault
12. Over and Over
13. Sidedish Friend
14. Accident
15. Sunday Afternoon

Encore:
16. Duet
17. Reason Why

(Videos courtesy of YouTube users defglo and jazzicallytuned. Thanks!)

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Ryan Smith - I Just Want To Feel That Way

Ohio singer-songwriter Ryan Smith has a boatload of songs available on his website. His latest album, I Just Want To Feel That Way, is up for grabs as well. Though labeled as indie-pop (and I would normally associate this genre with cheerful songs), the lyrics have a decidedly morose feel, showing it's not all bright and sunshiny after all.

I Just Want To Feel That Way:
1. Good Intentions
2. This Is Not A Tragedy
3. Santa Cruz
4. A Few Hundred Miles
5. I Just Want To Feel That Way
6. Following The Ambulance Home

or Tracks + Art [ZIP file]

Interview with Casey Hanner of Donora

Last year, Frank Warren posted a Valentine's Day video on his immensely popular website, PostSecret. It was a trailer for his new book, and the song featured in the clip caught the attention of many. The video soon racked up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube and MySpace. Everyone was curious to find out more about the band behind the song.

They soon discovered that it was a Pittsburgh-based trio called Donora, and their song "Shhh" was picked to be in the video. Up till then, they were largely unknown outside their hometown.

Today, Donora have released their self-titled debut album, and their star is rising. I asked the group a couple of questions, and vocalist Casey Hanner was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer them for me.

I Know That I'm Right: Who were your biggest influences when you were growing up?

Casey Hanner: Well my dad is a musician, so he was probably the biggest musical influence on my brother (the drummer) and me growing up.

The song "Shhh" was featured in the PostSecret Valentine's Day video. How did you guys get featured?

A guy from Pittsburgh actually put together that video -- Jim DiSpirito. We've known Jim for a long time, and he's been really supportive of our music. We played him "Shhh" after we finished recording it, and he thought it would be perfect for the video he was putting together. That video really exposed us to a lot of people outside of the Pittsburgh area.

What was it like receiving all that hype?

It was definitely unexpected! We weren't really prepared for it, and we didn't even have anything to sell. People kept asking us for our CD, and we were like: Sorry....it's not finished yet! But it gave us motivation to get it done.

Who is the main songwriter in the band? Or is it more of a collaborative effort?

My brother (the drummer) and I (guitar and main vocals) do a lot of the writing together. It usually starts with my brother and I, then Jake C (the bass player) adds the bass "hooks". A lot of the bass parts are kind of like lead guitar parts.

How have music critics responded to your debut record?

So far everyone's been very supportive!

Are you all working on a new album? What can fans look forward to?

We're definitely writing new stuff....and working towards the next album. I'm not sure what's it's going to sound like just yet. I don't think we ever know what's going to come out until it's finished!

(Thanks Arthur and the rest of the kind folks at Rostrum Records for making this email interview possible)

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



Dark Days/Light Years is the latest album from Welsh band Super Furry Animals. You can purchase it digitally via Superfurry.com, or hold out till April 13 for the physical release.

Download:
Super Furry Animals - Inaugural Trams

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Kasabian is giving away its new single "Vlad The Impaler". This free offer only lasts till midnight (GMT), April 3. Download it fast if you haven't.

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Nowhere to go this weekend? Head down to Zouk on Saturday for the New Young Pony Club DJ set by Tahita Bulmer & Andy Spence. Zouk admission on April 4 for non-members (inclusive of 2 drinks) is $18 before 10pm and $25/$30 after.

Download:
New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream [buy Fantastic Playroom]

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Rachael Yamagata recently gave an interview to The Power of Pop.

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Swedish hip-hop/IDM duo Prime Ape Got The Blues originally wrote a song called "Soul of a Man" for a mixtape in Sweden. However the mixtape failed to materialise, so they've decided to release the MP3 for free. Get it here.

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R.I.P: Music magazine Blender closes after more than a decade in the business. It will move its music publication online.

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



Together Through Life, Bob Dylan's upcoming studio album, will be released on April 28. Dylan fans can download the new song "Beyond Here Lies Nothin' " via his official website. Get it quick because it will only be available for 24 hours.

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Norwegian singer Hanne Hukkelberg has a new album called Blood From A Stone. According to her official website, the new record sounds more 'rock' than her previous releases. Mark May 12 on your calendars. Meanwhile, you can listen to the title track on Pastemagazine.com.

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Daytrotter Sessions from:

• Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (Mar 30, 2009)
• Lisa Hannigan (Mar 27, 2009)

Cheer Chen Singapore Concert 2009

Taiwanese singer-songwriter Cheer Chen is truly the queen of Chinese indie pop. She has plied her trade for about 12 years now, and is still going strong despite the fierce competition from other up-and-coming musicians. This talented lady is well known for her clear and clean voice, wholesome image, and passion for her craft. She will be making a stopover in Singapore on April 4 to plug her latest studio outing, Immortal.

Check out the interview that she did with RazorPop when she was here recently to promote her concert.

Her music has veered towards rock and is a lot more market-friendly these days, but it's still fun to revisit some of her old tunes. The 2 tracks below were taken off one of her early demo recordings.

Download:
Cheer Chen - Envy / 陈绮贞 - 其實我很羨慕你
Cheer Chen - Take Train / 陈绮贞 - 坐火車到傳說中的湘南海岸

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



Singer-songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs will be back on May 26 with her new album, Transmitter Failure. "Led to the Sea" is the lead single off the album, and you can download it for free via Pastemagazine.com.

The Led to the Sea EP (due April 7) precedes the release of the LP.

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Maria Taylor's (previously one half of Azure Ray) new record "LadyLuck" drops March 31. Check out the song "Time Lapse Lifeline" below.

Download:
Maria Taylor - Time Lapse Lifeline

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In exchange for your email address, you can download the free NIN|JA EP, which features exclusive tracks from Jane's Addiction, Nine Inch Nails and Street Sweeper.

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Join Swedish hip-hop/IDM group Prime Ape Got the Blues' mailing list and you can download the song book for their album, It's Not Easy Being A Digital Being, for free.

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



The official music video for Metric's "Gimme Sympathy" is out. Stream it in its HQ glory.

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This week on Spinner's Full CD Listening Party:

• The Hazards of Love by The Decemberists (to be released March 24)
• A New Tide by Gomez (March 31)

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Listen to Peter Bjorn and John's upcoming new album, Living Thing, via MySpace.

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



Donora release their official video for "Shout".

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Voxtrot premier their new song, "Trepanation Party", which was produced, recorded and mixed by Jim Eno (Spoon) at his studio in Austin.

Download:
Voxtrot - Trepanation Party

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Grizzly Bear's new album, Veckatimest, drops May 26. They are offering "Cheerleader" as a free download.

Download:
Grizzly Bear - Cheerleader

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Placebo fans can download the free song "Battle For The Sun" from their website. Their new album, Battle For The Sun, will be released on June 8.

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Check out the video for Yeah Yeah Yeahs' single, "Zero".

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SXSW may be over, but you can still listen to the MP3s and relive your memories. Paul Ford listened to all 1,302 MP3s this year and he gives you a six-word review of each [link].

Album Review: Donora - Donora

Donora is a diamond in the rough: they are a relatively young indie-pop/rock band with a considerable following in their hometown, but have yet to break on the international scene; they are a little unpolished at the edges, but certainly chock-full of potential.

The band's self-titled debut album, released under Rostum Records, is an impressive effort from an upstart. Gratifying and delightful, their songs appeal to casual listeners who want something more than just your ordinary radio fare.

Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the trio -- comprising siblings Jake and Casey Hanner, and their friend Jake Churton -- grew up in a music-playing environment. The Hanners learnt a lot from their musician father David Hanner, one half of the American country music duo Corbin/Hanner. Incidentally, Dave is the maestro behind Donora's album.

As with many debuts, the LP sounds spotty in certain areas. Of course, it boasts many notable cuts, such as the album opener "Shout", where female vocalist Casey adds spunk to the addictive rock number, and "Shhh", where she does an about-turn, lowering her voice to a purr during the chorus and lets you in on her child-like secret.

However, it falls flat with "Weekend Tongue", a frazzled track which doesn't quite fit in. The plot is lost with the yelping and stuttering, and the tune doesn't really stick in my mind.

"The Chorus" is my favourite track off the album: take a rollicking pop melody and pair it with layers of guitars, rapid-fire drumbeats and a catchy refrain. "I Think I Like You" is an upbeat pop number that was originally written for a film licensing deal, but unfortunately did not materialise in the end.

The album closes with "London", a simple, moving ballad that captures the sweet essence of the band and brings the album to a complete full stop.

Not bad for a young band, but Donora needs to continue working on what it is brilliant at -- that is, crafting lovely, effervescent pop ditties -- to ensure its longevity in the field. These guys are already making major inroads, and are likely to catapult to stardom when their songs get featured in future TV shows and movie soundtracks. I think that day will come pretty soon.

Download:
Donora - The Chorus [Removed]

Daily Randomness

A look at some recent and upcoming releases:



French band Phoenix's new studio album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, hits stores May 25. For a taste of the new record, download "1901" for free via their official website.

Download:
Phoenix - 1901

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St. Vincent (Annie Clark) will release her new album Actors on May 5. "The Strangers" is the first track off the album.

Download:
St. Vincent - The Strangers [Removed]

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Jill Sobule records new album with fan money [link].

California Years, which is completely financed by fan donations, drops April 14 via Pinko Records.

Download:
Jill Sobule - A Good Life [buy California Years]

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Neko Case’s Middle Cyclone debuts at #3 in US Charts [link].

Download:
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone [buy Middle Cyclone]
Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve

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Marissa Nadler released Little Hells on March 3. The album has received rave reviews.

Download:
Marissa Nadler - River of Dirt [buy Little Hells]

Disappearing Posts

I've been writing here for close to 3 months now. It's not a long time. This blog is still in its infancy, and I'm still a newbie in the music blogging field. But, you know, even newbies are not immune to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other copyright laws.

I was surprised to receive a Blogger DMCA takedown notification this afternoon, telling me they had deleted one of my Decemberists' posts. For your reference, I've copied and pasted the contents of my 'offending' post below:

The Decemberists will be releasing a new LP named The Hazards of Love on March 24, and they have kindly offered a track called "The Rake's Song" for download via their official site (or you can get it below). Note that the word 'rake' here does not refer to the ubiquitous agricultural tool, but rather 'an immoral or dissolute person'. The song's titular character is a young widowed father who kills his three children using various means because he wants to be a carefree single again. It's mad stuff, but Colin Meloy & Co. sure know how to make it work.

Download:
The Decemberists - The Rake's Song

Earlier, I received a takedown notification for one of my Yeah Yeah Yeahs' posts (that makes it two). In hindsight, I shouldn't have posted that new YYYs song. I thought it was alright to do so because all the bigger, more established blogs were doing it. Heck, even Kanye West was doing it.

But this? The Decemberists one? I don't understand. This song was previously available as a free song via their official website. I just uploaded it to an MP3 hosting site to facilitate my blog readers. It wasn't explicitly stated that I couldn't share the free track. Now that the album has been released (and the free MP3 supposedly removed), they've deleted my post. Huh? Then why do I see so many tracks floating around on blog aggregators like The Hype Machine? In fact, if you look hard enough, you can piece together the entire album.

Most people who maintain music blogs do so because they have a passion for the music they are sharing. If you tell them nicely to remove content that may be copyrighted, they will usually oblige. However, I've read of a few posts being removed even though the artists gave them permission to post their material. Thankfully I haven't had that yet.

How then does Google and the RIAA decide what to delete? Do they work hand-in-hand with record labels and the artists that they represent?

I agree that the way the authorities are enforcing this is too haphazard. It's too heavy-handed, and the rules and regulations are hazy. It is a grey area waiting to be addressed. In the meantime, it's no wonder many music bloggers are switching to platforms like WordPress instead.

Read:

• Los Angeles Music: Google's New Killer App? Why Are Music Bloggers' Posts Disappearing, and Who Is Deleting Them?
• Modern Acoustic: Are music blogs under fire?
  

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



American rock band Vertical Horizon will be playing at Beerfest Asia 2009. They will perform at the Singapore Flyer on Saturday, 2 May 2009.

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Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O speaks to Pitchfork about their new album.

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Rachael Yamagata offers up her playlist to ARTISTdirect.

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Jack and Rai will open for Rachael Yamagata on April 15 [concert details].

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Death Cab for Cutie announce their new EP, The Open Door.

SXSW 2009: Music Festival, Part 4

Selection for Day 4 (March 21). This is the last part in the SXSW 2009 series.


Explosions in the Sky

Post-rock outfit Explosions in the Sky hails from Austin, Texas -- The Live Music Capital of the World and the birthplace of SXSW. These guys have been around for about 10 years now, and I heard their live shows are fantastic.

Download:
Explosions in the Sky - Welcome, Ghosts



Voxtrot

Voxtrot is another relatively well-known Austin indie-rock band. Their song "Kid Gloves" has a tight melody and pretty interesting lyrics (is frontman Ramesh telling someone to f-off or something)?

Download:
Voxtrot - Kid Gloves




Say Hi

Say Hi, formerly Say Hi to Your Mom, is Eric Elbogen's project. He plays lo-fi pop music, and tours with a roster of friends.

Download:
Say Hi - Northwestern Girls





Other acts to watch:
Terra Naomi - You For Me
The Whispertown 2000 - Done With Love
Beach House - Gila
Les Handclaps - Cacti Are Delicious Fruit
Zaki Ibrahim - Love-Like
Dirty Heads - Stand Tall
Jill Barber - Oh My My
Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine
Sugar & Gold - WorkOut
The Spinto Band - Summer Grof
Wintersleep - Weighty Ghost
Sage Francis - Conspiracy to Riot
White Lies - Death
Drew Andrews - I Could Write A Book
Ezra Furman and the Harpoons - Take Off Your Sunglasses [All MP3s Removed]

Previously: Part 1 | 2 | 3

SXSW 2009: Music Festival, Part 3

Selection for Day 3 (March 20):


Alela Diane

I realised I've been going through a folk phase lately, constantly listening to music by talented acts such as Laura Marling, Laura Gibson and William Elliott Whitmore. Now, there's Alela Diane to add to the list. Her second album has received plenty of accolades in the music circles, and for obvious reasons so. "White As Diamonds" conjures an image of snowy, pristine white lands; you picture yourself wandering, lost in the vast expanse of her mystical world. Gosh, I'm looking forward to more material from this lovely young lady already.

Download:
Alela Diane - White As Diamonds


I Am David Sparkle

I'm pretty excited about our boys, you know! If you ask me, this underrated Singapore post-rock/experimental quartet reminds me of Explosions in the Sky. Let's hope that by playing on a global stage, they'll open up more doors and gain new fans.

Download:
I Am David Sparkle - Dance of Death




Au Revoir Simone

Au Revoir Simone is a reputable electronic indie-pop band from Brooklyn, NY. The trio have toured extensively with bands like Peter Bjorn and John, We Are Scientists, and Voxtrot.

Download:
Au Revoir Simone - A Violent Yet Flammable World



O + S

O + S is an unlikely new collaboration between Orenda Fink (Azure Ray/Art in Manila) and Scalpelist (Cedric LeMoyne of Remy Zero). Their debut album will be released March 24 on Saddle Creek Records. This is one interesting new act to look out for.

Download:
O + S - Permanent Scar









Other acts to watch:
Bedouin Soundclash - Walls Fall Down
Melissa Auf der Maur - Followed the Waves
Ben Jelen - Ex-sensitive
Minipop - yoshimi
MAGIC WANDS - Black Magic
Adam Stephens (of Two Gallants) - Lead in our Lungs
Grand Analog - Touch Your Toes Part.2
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Lights
Shiny Toy Guns - Ghost Town
Third Eye Blind - Non Dairy Creamer [All MP3s Removed]

Previously: Part 1 | 2

SXSW 2009: Music Festival, Part 2

Selection for Day 2 (March 19):


The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Straight up noise pop. If you liked early My Bloody Valentine, you should love The Pains of Being Pure at Heart too. Or at least that's what I've heard.

Download:
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Come Saturday





Thao With The Get Down Stay Down

Truth be told, I don't really care about the lyrics on the song "Bag of Hammers". It's such a delightful pop tune, I find myself paying scant attention to the words and focusing on the vocals of singer Thao Nguyen instead.

Download:
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Bag Of Hammers








Laura Gibson

I spoke about folk singer Laura Gibson recently, so I won't bore you with the details. You can read about her over here.

Download:
Laura Gibson - Spirited











Other acts to watch:
Futurecop! - NASA
Emily Wells - Symphony 6: Fair Thee Well and the Requiem Mix
Black Lips - O Katrina!
Amanda Palmer - Leeds United
Nico Vega - Beast
Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
Alina Simone - From Great Knowledge
Kyle Andrews - Sushi
Peggy Sue - Spare Parts
Lisa Hannigan - Lille
Cary Brothers - Ride
Horse Feathers - Curs in the Weeds
Nellie McKay - The Cavendish
Gomez - Airstream Driver
Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - Meet Me In The Garden [All MP3s Removed]

Previously: Part 1