I drive about 2 hours to and from work everyday. The drive is a drag, but it gives me the opportunity to listen to lots of music. I had the thought while driving home today, why not pick my 5 favorite songs from the daily commute, put them in a Spotify playlist, and share the mix with you? Enjoy.
Invisible Hand
There is nothing better than coming across a band that completely takes you by surprise the moment you click (or push) play. Charlottesville, VA’s Invisible Hand did just that. Their album was sent to me in October from one of my new favorite labels, Funny/Not Funny. It took me until November to finally load it up and listen to it. I had no idea what to expect, I had never heard of or read about this band before. Right from the beginning bass line and drumming of “Eating Out”, the first song on their new EP Aja, I was hooked. Aja is full of pop hooks, vocal harmonies, and complicated rhythms- everything that makes a good pop record. Check out the two songs below, I hope you are as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Daphni
Daphni is the new project of Caribou’s Dan Snaith. JIALONG (JOW-long), his debut release as Daphni, is out now on Merge Records.
As Daphni, Dan set out to record a more spontaneous album, without the careful attention to detail that goes into a Caribou release. The results are just as Snaith intended, a loose, spontaneous album perfect for the dance floor. Enjoy.
Daphni – Ye Ye from JIALONG (2012)
Daphni – Pairs from JIALONG (2012)
Mark Lanegan Band
I love Screaming Trees. One of my favorite concerts was seeing them with Poster Children back in 1993. They are one of those bands that I can go back to and never be disappointed.
Mark Lanegan, the former singer of Screaming Trees has always been busy releasing solid solo albums, even during his time with the Trees. Along with his solo work, he has released albums with former Belle & Sebastian member Isobel Campbell, and The Twilight Singers’ Greg Dulli under the name The Gutter Twins. His latest release, Blues Funeral, on 4AD is another notch on the “solid solo release” belt. The music is dark and powerful, and his voice is as smokey and gravely as ever. Have a listen to “The Grave Digger’s Song” below. Whether you were a fan of the Screaming Trees before or just hearing of Mark now, you will enjoy this song.
Mark Lanegan Band – The Grave Diggers Song from Blues Funeral (2012)
Peoples Temple
It’s probably obvious from most of my posts this year that I have been smitten by the resurgence of 60’s style garage and psych rock. Michigan’s own Peoples Temple (or The Peoples Temple) are no exception. Sounding like they traveled through time to the 21st century after wrapping up a summer tour in 1967 with Love. Peoples Temple recently released their second full length album, More For The Masses, with Hozac Records. We have two songs for your listening pleasure below, “Looter’s Game” and “Loose (Fire)”, both from their new album and both killer examples of their psyched out sound. Get comfortable and give these songs a listen. Enjoy.
Peoples Temple – Looters Game from More For The Masses (2012)
Peoples Temple – Loose (Fire) from More For The Masses (2012)
Mac DeMarco
Here is another great find from the Captured Tracks label, Mac DeMarco. Mac is out of Vancouver, British Colombia. He just released his first proper full length album, 2, back in October, and a 12 song EP called Rock and Roll Night Club earlier this spring. 2 is an excellent album, and I highly recommend it. The streaming track below, “My Kind of Woman”, from the album 2, with it’s jangly guitar and almost soft-spoken vocal delivery, is a great example of the entire album’s sound. Enjoy.
The Super Vacations
My introduction to the Super Vacations came by way of a 7″ split that I received in the mail. I hadn’t heard of either band on the split, and had no idea what to expect when I put the needle down. The driving rhythms and psych-tinged guitar instantly grabbed my attention. I was pleasantly surprised, and blown away by The Super Vacations. They released their 3rd full length album, Heater Pt. II, with Funny / Not Funny Records back in September. Check out the two songs below from this release, “Controller”, and “El Ray”, then hurry over to F/NF‘s site and get you a copy before they are all gone.
The Super Vacations – Controller from Heater Pt. II (2012)
The Super Vacations – El Ray from Heater Pt. II (2012)
October Mixtape
Check out October’s mixtape, featuring music from Golden Void, Allah-Las, Thee Oh Sees, Beach House, Gary Valentine, Marco Benevento, Ray Barbee, Fergus & Geronimo, Deerhoof, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Ringo Deathstarr, The Super Vacations, and Ty Segall. Enjoy.
The Mountain Goats
I’m sure to a lot of you The Mountain Goats are not new, in fact we posted a few of their songs back in 2004. To those of you who haven’t heard of, or taken the time to listen to, them there is never a better time than now.
The Mountain Goats recently released their 14th proper album, Transcendental Youth, with Merge Records. I highly recommend the album. Check out “Cry For Judas” below. It’s one of their more upbeat songs, from the new album, and a great starting point if you’re new to the band. Enjoy.
The Mountain Goats – Cry For Judas from Transcendental Youth (2012)
Here is Sam’s original post from 03.12.2004
John Darnielle may not be singing into his trusty Panasonic boom box anymore, but his incisive, tuneful narratives are as raw and compelling as ever.
Golden Void
Golden Void are a 4-piece band out of San Francisco. Their style is a throwback to the heavier rock bands of the 70’s, and they bring everything from that genre to the table, soaring vocals, heavy rhythms, huge riffs, plenty of hooks, and lots of organ. They are set to release their debut self-titled album with Thrill Jockey in November. Check out “The Curve” below, it’s four minutes and forty-six seconds of super heavy riffs, psychedelic swirled organs, and racing guitar solos that slows down for a bit in the middle, to let you catch your breath, before they pummel you into the ground for a solid minute and a half and leave you for dead. Enjoy.
Golden Void – The Curve from S/T (2012)