New Track Rundown

It's been awhile but that doesn't mean I haven't been keeping up with the best tracks hitting the internet. The new track rundown has been getting better with each article this year and this one is absolutely carrying on that tradition. I believe this is my biggest one yet and it stuffed with great tunes deserving of your attention. It is released just in time to enjoy for the weekend, but its primary function is to serve as the soundtrack to my workday next week.

Many of my favorite bands are finally teasing their fans with tracks from their highly anticipated upcoming releases such as The National and Blitzen Trapper. I am happy to report that these have more than lived up to any expectations I had. I also stumbled upon some new bands that I had no prior knowledge of yet I've been spinning their latest release quite a bit which is the case with Cults. The image above is from the upcoming album from The National entitled High Violet due out on May 11, 2010. Check out everything below and, as always, let me know whether you found something good or you are highly disappointed with a new track. Sorry for the rambling intro, now get to listening!

I Remember Yeasayer at Northeastern

Odd Blood by Yeasayer has been steadily gaining more spins in my playlist as each week of 2010 passes by. The album initially gave me a feeling of disappointment but as all the best albums do, it grew on me. With songs as strong as "Ambling Alp" and "I Remember", I figured that I had to catch their live show. However, when I went to purchase tickets, I discovered that the show at the Paradise on May 3, 2010 in Boston, MA had already sold out. As fate would have it, I was granted another chance to see the band when my friend informed me that there were performing a free outdoor show at Northeastern University on Saturday, March 27, 2010.

Making Excuses

This post could easily be a list of reasons why I have been slacking on posting new material. Fortunately, I just want to post some incredible videos for The Morning Benders' song "Excuses" which is being hailed as an instant classic. The first is a truly impressive cover by two friends, Andy Fitch and Brian Russo, who perform the song with a ukulele, a trumpet, an acoustic guitar, wooden chairs, and empty bottles of Tylenol, all while singing their hearts out in an attic. There are some seriously unnecessary covers of recent songs on YouTube but this is one that puts a smile on my face and makes me glad that people do these kinds of things.

Local Spotlight On: Bearstronaut

While perusing the Stereo Typing inbox, I came upon a synth-pop band from Massachusetts called Bearstronaut and I have to say that they peaked my interest. After sampling a few songs, I found myself bobbing my head in enjoyment to the propulsive, thumbing beats. The band could easily fit the bill among other Massachusetts up-and-comers such as Passion Pit and Yes Giantess. "Pink Ladies and & Sassy Babies" was an immediate attention grabber that could find a place on your next dance party mix. "Wire", however, was the track that sold me on the group. With a pulsing beat and a grandiose wall of sound, it positions the band to standout among the rest of the synth-shredders. You can hear these tracks on their ReverbNation page.

New Track Rundown

I liked last week's New Track Rundown quite a bit. I listened to the playlist a few times at work (despite some seriously workplace-unfriendly songs) and it helped the day go by much quicker. This week's playlist, however, is miles above it. This is where some of my most anticipated albums start poking their heads out. The most significant of these is a new album by Broken Social Scene. I have been waiting for this since 2005 and I figured I would be disappointed. Thankfully, "World Sick" absolutely blew me out of the water. The song will be featured on their new album Forgiveness Rock Record which will drop on May 4, 2010 with the cover you see above. This is one record that just shot to the top of my most anticipated albums list. Additionally, I had the pleasure of hearing new songs from Fang Island, Joanna Newsom, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and Portugal. The Man. All of these were able to meet or exceed my expectations. Let's see if they are able to do the same for you…

Dirty Southern Ribs

Unwinding after a hard day's work with a concert of mellow music is something I always appreciate so on Friday, February 26, 2010 I jumped at the opportunity to see a few great Boston bands for free. The Dirty Dishes, Southern Belle, and RIBS played together as part of Berklee College of Music's Unplugged Series. I previously spotlighted The Dirty Dishes and RIBS as two of my favorite up-and-coming bands so I was obviously excited to see both of them on this bill in an acoustic setting. The only problem was that it was at 6:00pm so I had to rush right from work to get there but I'm glad I put the effort in.

Some Actual Stereotyping

Flavorwire posted an interesting article which stereotyped people by their music tastes. We are all guilty of doing this at some point or another but it can be a fun little exercise in perception. It was impossible not to contribute some of my own for obvious reasons. If you don't get it, refer to the title banner on this blog and the tag below it. The original article can be found here and I encourage you to leave a few of your own in the comments. Here are a few that I came up with:

Review: Harvey Milk - Harvey Milk (The Bob Weston Sessions)

My take on the new album Harvey Milk by Harvey Milk from Decoy Music:

Review: Spoon - Transference

My take on the new album Transference by Spoon from Decoy Music:

We Were Promised Valentine’s Day

There's no sappy Valentine's Day drivel here. Instead of spending money on some girl by purchasing questionable gifts that most likely give no indication as to how I feel, I bought a ticket to see We Were Promised Jetpacks at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. While everyone wanted me to sulk in the vast vortex of loneliness that is my life (damn you media/Hallmark holiday/co-workers/friends!), I spent my February 14, 2010 seeing some great bands and having fun. Take that corporations who don't want me to be single because I only spend money on beer and concerts!