Animal Collective: "My Girls"

Ever since Pitchfork posted a phenomenal review of their latest album Merriweather Post Pavilion, almost 90% of the music bloggers out there have been raving non-stop about Baltimore's Animal Collective and their 'electro' pop songs. Some critics have even gone as far as to say that this is 2009's best album. Is that too premature to say? Admittedly, I have neither heard the quartet's music before, nor have I had a chance to review the entire album yet. But based on the strength of the album's lead single "My Girls", I have to say they aren't really my cup of tea. It's an acquired taste, I suppose -- either you love it or you don't. If a mishmash of synths, keyboards, spacey sounds and vocals is right up your alley, you should enjoy this. In the meantime, I guess I will have more fun watching the psychedelic video for this song.

Download:
Animal Collective - My Girls

Huayi Festival 2009: Chinese indie pop, anyone?

The Huayi Festival 2009 kicks off today! This is an annual arts festival staged by The Esplanade in celebration of the Chinese New Year and to promote the work of Chinese performing artists. Currently in its seventh edition, the festival will run from January 30 to Feburary 8, with a wide range of both ticketed and free programmes to cater to both the young and old.

I am particularly interested in the in::music series, which showcases indie singer-songwriters and bands. This year, the geeky-looking Crowd Lu Guang Zhong will be performing, as well as Taiwanese band Mrs. This (MySpace). The former is a relative newcomer with a penchant for cheerful folk-pop tunes whereas the latter has a female lead vocalist which reminds me of Faye Wong. Female singer-songwriter Cao Fang, retro band Wonfu and rock group 1976 make up the rest of the pack.

Get your tickets through Sistic.

Download:
Mrs. This - But My / 这位太太 - 而我 (耳已閉鎖) [buy Shi Shui / 是谁] [Removed]
Crowd Lu - Good Morning / 卢广仲 - 早安，晨之美! [buy 100 Ways For Living / 100 种生活]

William Elliott Whitmore: "There's Hope For You"

Today I present to you William Elliott Whitmore, a talented folk-blues musician with a thick, gravelly voice and whose songs I fell in love with in 2005, when he released Ashes to Dust on Southern Records. He has since jumped ship to Anti, and his new album Animals In The Dark drops February 17. "There's Hope For You" is the 6th track off the album, and you can get the MP3 for free courtesy of Spinner.com. File him alongside Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen.

Download:
William Elliott Whitmore - There's Hope For You
William Elliott Whitmore - The Chariot [buy Song of the Blackbird] [Removed]

Happy Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is just round the corner, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers a very happy Lunar New Year. The economic recession has caused many people to scale back on festivities this year, and I guess my Ang Pow money will be similarly halved as well. Hmm. But hey, I'm not going to let that stop me from celebrating the Year of the Ox!

I Am David Sparkle: To Texas And Back

I Am David Sparkle has been selected to play a showcase set at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival this year. And that's fascinating news, because they will be the third Singaporean band after Electrico and The Great Spy Experiment to play at this prestigious music event.

However, it will cost a bomb to get the entire band to the U.S.A., so they are holding a party to raise funds for the plane tickets. To Texas And Back is the name of the show, and a couple of bands such as Plainsunset and Amateur Takes Control will be performing for this worthy cause. So remember to mark January 31 on your calendars and head down to the Home Club to support our very own local artists.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs reveal new album title

Hell yeah! The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' forthcoming new album will be titled It's Blitz, and is slated to be released Spring 2009. I'm so excited I can barely breathe (or type, for that matter).

A post on their MySpace reads: "Hey Everybody! Just so everyone's on the same page we want you all to know that we are releasing a BRAND NEW record this spring and drum roll please...we'll let Geronimo the raccoon and the baby chicks take it away from here...love YYYs."

Download:
Epitonic.com has some YYYs songs like "Maps" and "Machine". [Removed]

The Decemberists: "The Rake's Song"

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 (in exchange for your email address -- the link is 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 [Removed]

Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

Can't get enough of Bon Iver? Well, Justin Vernon and his band released a four track EP today titled Blood Bank, and you can stream the entire record via MySpace.

Download:
Bon Iver - Blood Bank

Mogwai Live in Singapore 2009

The good folks at KittyWu Records are bringing in Scottish post-rock outfit Mogwai for a one-night only gig at the Esplanade. Its only a week away from January 23, so grab your tickets while you can.

Download:
Mogwai - The Sun Smells Too Loud [buy The Hawk Is Howling]

Favourite Albums of 2008

I only have a grand total of 6 albums on my favourites list. Yeah, you read that right. 6 records from 6 different musicians. Why not 10 or even 20, you ask? Well, that's because I missed out on a lot of good stuff in 2008. And the rest didn't make my list because they weren't really my cup of tea.

Anyway, without further ado, I present to you my best-of 2008 list:


6. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver is the recording name of Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. After splitting up with his old band DeYarmond Edison in 2006, he went away to live in his dad's remote log cabin for 4 wintry months, and ended up purging his inner demons into songs. The result is Vernon's critically acclaimed debut album, comprising 9 emotionally charged songs. From start to finish, he sings in falsetto, backed by acoustic guitars and sparse melodies. Granted, not everybody likes a slow-burner like this, but if you enjoy gorgeous low-fi tunes (and Iron & Wine), For Emma, Forever Ago is worth a spin.

Download:
Bon Iver - Skinny Love


5. Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim

Laura Marling is certainly wise beyond her years. Only 18, she sings about love, pain and regret like an old soul. Her debut album Alas I Cannot Swim is a folk gem, drawing comparisons to established names such as Joni Mitchell. In fact, this record was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2008. Marling's vocals are so heartfelt and emotive, and the lyrics are astonishingly mature for someone her age. In "Night Terror", one of my personal favourites off the album, she sings like a tortured woman about a lover having a nightmare. Simply put, it is hauntingly beautiful. Alas I Cannot Swim also incorporates elements of country, pop and rock.




4. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Death Cab for Cutie probably needs no introduction. The indie rock quartet released their breakthrough album Transatlanticism in 2003, and subsequently catapulted to fame with 2005's Plans. With their sixth studio album Narrow Stairs, they took on a different sound, crafting a wonderful assortment of songs ranging from the 8½ minute epic "I Will Possess Your Heart" (about a crazy stalker) to the usual, more upbeat fare like "No Sunlight" (paired with depressing lyrics). Though in my opinion Narrow Stairs can never match the brilliant record that is Transatlanticism, it comes in a close second.





3. Rachael Yamagata - Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart

Rachael Yamagata is a perennial favourite of mine. After 2004's Happenstance, it took her 4 long years to release her sophomore record Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart. Nonetheless, the album is truly well worth the wait. It is split into 2 CDs -- Elephants showcases the heartwrenching tunes the smoky songstress is famous for (in the vein of Happenstance) while Teeth Sinking Into Heart is Yamagata's tribute to garage rock. It is refreshing to see her channeling PJ Harvey for a change! This underrated singer-songwriter deserves greater recognition for her effort, and Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart looks set to change all that.



2. Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

Acid Tongue isn't just Jenny Lewis' record. It is the work of the talented Rilo Kiley frontwoman, plus luminaries such as her boyfriend Johnathan Rice, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward (both of the She & Him fame), Elvis Costello -- and boy, have they created something so delightfully fun. Combining elements of gospel, country, pop and rock, it is a nod towards its folk-tinged predecessor Rabbit Fur Coat, with a bit more rock sensibilities thrown in. Don't get what I mean? Listen to this record to have a taste of Lewis' genius.

Download:
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue




1. Emiliana Torrini - Me and Armini

Icelandic singer-songwriter Emiliana Torrini's third international release tops the list as my most loved album of 2008. Listening to Me and Armini is like going on a musical journey, as Torrini explores a wide spectrum of sounds ranging from reggae (on the title track) to trip-hop (midway through the acoustic "Birds") to pop ("Big Jumps") to electro-rock ("Jungle Drums", "Gun"). In the final verse of "Gun", the pixie-like Torrini sings: "Hey look me in the barrel and tell me that you love me/Yes this is a kiss that I swear will blow your mind," displaying a much darker side of her that wasn't evident on previous releases. I really love "Dead Duck", an electro-popish number which clocks in at 5½ minutes.

Download:
Emiliana Torrini - Me And Armini (edit)

Jason Mraz Live in Singapore 2009

Everybody's favourite surfer dude Jason Mraz is making a stopover here in March. To be exact, it's March 5 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Mr. A-Z will be here to plug his third and latest studio album We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. As usual, you can purchase your tickets through Sistic.

BIG Night Out! @ Fort Canning Park

Hailed as one of BBC's Top 10 New Acts To Watch In 2008, UK duo The Ting Tings will be performing in Singapore on January 13 as part of a music event called BIG NIGHT OUT! @ Fort Canning Park. I'm pretty sure they will bring the house down with their oh-so-infectious ditties.

Tickets available via Sistic.

Download:
The Ting Tings Daytrotter Session (13 May 2008) [Removed]

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, dear readers. I hope you had a great time celebrating with your loved ones.


Speaking of loved ones, did you know that singer-actress Zooey Deschanel is in a relationship with Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard? According to People Magazine, they recently got engaged before the holidays. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Download:
Death Cab for Cutie - The New Year [buy Transatlanticism]

Welcome

Hi, and welcome to I Know That I'm Right!

I Know That I'm Right is a Singapore-based music blog. Michelle is a student an office worker and the main writer of this online journal. She is a self-professed music whore who is always on the lookout for new music. When she chances upon a sweet tune or band, she will wax lyrical about it.

She will pen her thoughts on songs, musicians, albums, reviews, interviews, gigs, news, events, and the latest gossip in town.

Got questions or submissions? You can email Michelle for additional details. You can send her promotional material, suggest new bands and musicians, or simply drop her a note to say hi. Don't worry, she doesn't bite.

Also, if you represent an artist that is featured on this blog, and you find material posted here that potentially infringes on the artist's copyright, please contact her as well. The infringing material will be removed as soon as possible.

If you need to know, the name of this blog was taken from a song by Bo Pepper, a female-fronted four-piece UK band which is sadly now defunct. Besides playing at SXSW 2008, they have won an unsigned band competition with Q Magazine and been featured 3 times on Perez Hilton's website.

Last but not least, thanks for visiting!