The Indie Thread

[blackwasp]

Yes it is. The whole album is terrific. Every time I listen to Pacific Theme or Cause=Time I always hit repeat. I can't get enough.

I've been listening to it while I've been reading, so I haven't really been paying attention to song titles, but "Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl" really caught my attention.

Have you heard "Moon Pix" by Cat Power? I think Jordan recommended it...I really like that album.

I just listened to "Either/Or" a couple more times and decided that it is really great. I love Smith's vocals and his knack for melody. In a certain sense, he reminds me of a cross between Jeff Tweedy and Sam Beam...laid back with his vocals, yet they are the center of his songs. In an eerie manner, he sounds almost dead up like my friend Chase in some songs, particularly "Pictures of Me". But yeah, I'm really digging the album and I think it's going to become one of my favorites.

 

[philN]

Have you heard "Moon Pix" by Cat Power? I think Jordan recommended it...I really like that album.

I heard Moon Pix in the car on my way to a Bob Dylan concert a little while ago. I liked what I heard, but haven't made an effort to actually buy it yet. The only Cat Power I actually own is You Are Free, which I really enjoy. In a few weeks when I have a little more disposable income, I'll think I'll pick up Moon Pix.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

Moon Pix is good. It's more toned-down than You Are Free, which I found to be too rocky. For even a more stripped-down Chan Marshall, get her Covers album, which is one of my favorite records. Both Moon Pix and the Covers album are great "I hate love" records.

 

[The Theory]

The gal of Cat Power is really cute...
that's all I want to say.

 

[theFijian]

The gal of Cat Power is really cute...
that's all I want to say.

Amen brother.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

She really is very attractive. So is Jenny Lewis and Neko Case.

 

[The Theory]

I'll be seeing Neko Case (with her band The New Pornographers) live at the end of this month. I can not wait!

 

[Arnold_Philips]

As for the other gender, Sufjan Stevens, Colin Meloy from The Decemberists), Sondre Lerche, the drummer/singer from The French Kicks, Travis Morrison (from The Dismemberment Plan), and Britt Daniels (from Spoon) are all lookers. Sufjan Stevens mostly.

 

[DJ B.K.]

Hey, we got to decide if we should revoke Nadroj's indie status since he directed people to MTV.com to check out a preview of Coldplay's new album!

 

[cjedick]

Yeah, Blackwasp, many have said I sound like him. So I finally bought an album "From a Basement on the Hill." It was enjoyable, though lacking a bit I thought. Was that finished? Or did they finish it after his suicide? I think I'm going to order "Either/Or." Are all the vocals on that album double-tracked?

 

[philN]

From A Basement On A Hill wasn't finished. He had intended it to be a two-disc release, but after his suicide his family and friends finished putting the final touches on the songs that he had done. Though his suicide probably adds to the albums allure, I think it is a strong release. It took some getting used to, but it really started to grow on me after a few listens.

If you like his style, then order Either/Or or XO, both are fantastic IMO.

 

[philN]

As for the other gender, Sufjan Stevens, Colin Meloy from The Decemberists), Sondre Lerche, the drummer/singer from The French Kicks, Travis Morrison (from The Dismemberment Plan), and Britt Daniels (from Spoon) are all lookers. Sufjan Stevens mostly.

Yeah, every indie girl I know has a thing for Sufjan. It's a little creepy.

 

[The Theory]

speaking of girls and Sufjan, if you have the re-release of A Sun Came (don't know if the picture is in the original version or not), next to the photo of Sufjan, there is a picture of one of the most beautiful girls I have laid eyes on.

I don't know who she is, even. She was just there.

 

[JaelWasWickedCool]

Yeah, every indie girl I know has a thing for Sufjan. It's a little creepy.

haha, i only just realized a week ago that he's a fairly attractive guy. i guess if i had seen a picture of him before that, i didn't look very hard.

so speaking of sufjan, MAKE MY CD COME ALREADY. haha, i really want his new album. i preordered it, so it should be coming any day now. (it got shipped out june 1.)

if the band colour revolt comes anywhere near any of you guys, you should make the effort to go see them (or if you're going to be at cornerstone, you can see them there). they put on a really good live show and are really just a good band. yeah.

 

[Matisyahu]

Animal Collective

I pushed a page in the middle and saw this. I creeped myself (and everybody else) out when for weeks after hearing the song 'leaf house' I couldn't stop thumping my chest going "ah ah.../ah ah.../...this house is sad..." etc. Don't know if that was their intention.

Any opinions on LCD Soundsystem's 'yr city's a sucker'? The most infectious use of cowbells that i've heard in a while, if ye ask me.

 

[philN]

I pushed a page in the middle and saw this. I creeped myself (and everybody else) out when for weeks after hearing the song 'leaf house' I couldn't stop thumping my chest going "ah ah.../ah ah.../...this house is sad..." etc. Don't know if that was their intention.

Haha. I always get one part of "We Tigers" stuck in my head and I have no idea what they are saying, so I just sort of spout out gibberish to the tune of that melody part. I am certain I have scared a few people doing it too.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

I pushed a page in the middle and saw this. I creeped myself (and everybody else) out when for weeks after hearing the song 'leaf house' I couldn't stop thumping my chest going "ah ah.../ah ah.../...this house is sad..." etc. Don't know if that was their intention.

Any opinions on LCD Soundsystem's 'yr city's a sucker'? The most infectious use of cowbells that i've heard in a while, if ye ask me.

Isn't that on some new EP they released? I haven't heard it yet, but I'm a total sucker for cowbells. I got one last Christmas and bring it to all the dance parties I go to.

 

[antiarte]

So, anyone heard the new Sujfan Stevens album, Illinoise? I think it's his best album yet.

And what do you think are the best albums released this year so far?

 

[Arnold_Philips]

So, anyone heard the new Sujfan Stevens album, Illinoise? I think it's his best album yet.

I think it's just called Illinois, and one of the songs on there is "Come On, Feel the Illinoise!" I remember seeing a graphic that was allegedly the album art and it said "Illinoise" on it, so I'm a little confused about what's going on regarding that.

And yes, I've heard it (it leaked just over a month ago). It's easily in my top 5 albums of the year so far, if not #1 or #2. It's a little frontloaded, but it's overall an excellent work. You can preorder it now from Asthmatic Kitty's website, and it'll be mailed to you before its proper release date on July 5, but I'm waiting for the vinyl, which isn't being sold on their site as far as I know.

And what do you think are the best albums released this year so far?

Illinois, duh. Also, I think The Sunset Tree by The Mountain Goats was good, simply because I'm a really big fan of his. The new Spoon was very consistent too. The Antony and the Johnsons record I am a Bird Now was stunning, I thought.

The year's not over yet, but it's been okay. A lot of disappointing releases and overhyped ones so far.

 

[charmtrap]

Seriously, kids...I saw the Hold Steady on Sunday night. These guys are the real deal. Absolutely stunning show. I got chills. If they aren't playing 2000-seaters in a year's time, there is no justice in this world. Think Mark E. Smith fronting the E Street Band, and you're in the neighborhood, but not really. They manage to use a worn-out musical idiom (bluesy bar-rock riffing) and be totally unique at the same time. Beautiful, tragic, stunningly terrific. Buy their records...go see them...

I'm gushing.

Also, the opener (United State of Electronica) was amazing in a wholly different way. An indie-rock Daft Punk. Not a thought in their pretty heads, but incredibly energetic and fun. Highly recommended.

Sunday was a good night...

Hold Steady: http://www.theholdsteady.com
United State of Electronica: http://www.usemusic.com/