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What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:30:14 -0700

It's one of my favorite days of the week: Tuesday! Which means I get to add DVDs to my Netflix queue, along with some brand new tunes for my iPod. So check out today's music releases for what you should download. (And if you like to review albums, don't forget to take a peek at the Music Review Group in the community.)

A smooth ride: Sufjan Stevens takes a breather from his states project with BQE, an ode to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. He originally performed the work to accompany a film about the road, but the music stands on its own as a beautiful orchestral arrangement. Warning if you like Stevens's mellow voice: BQE is all instrumental. Still, it proves that he has what it takes as a composer, and I'd like to see him lend his talents to more of this sort of work. My picks: Movement II: Sleeping Invader, which sounds like a ballet dream sequence, and Traffic Shock, which mixes in clashing electronic sounds like a busy gridlock.

Pretty packs a punch: If you haven't heard of Florence and the Machine, get ready. Florence Welch is the latest spunky Brit singer on the scene, and her debut Lungs already went platinum in the UK. Today, it's available to buy stateside. She's the singer I'd want to be if I had my own band - a woman who wails while banging the tambourine - and her album veers between tough-chick anthems and haunting ballads a la Sarah McLachlan. Make sure you try the hand-clapping, feel-good Dog Days Are Over or the romantic Cosmic Love.

See two more releases when you read more.

Freaky fun: If you're a Flight of the Conchords fan - or even if you're not - you'll want to check out I Told You I Was Freaky, a compilation of music from season two (including three previously unreleased tracks). Sure, half the fun is watching the boys act out each song on the show (and Jemaine's wicked dance moves), but when you listen to the music on its own, you realize just how talented they really are. Each selection could qualify for radio-play - or just a ridiculously fun karaoke night. The album includes favorites like Sugarlumps, Hurt Feelings, and the Emmy-nominated Carol Brown.

Lyrical wanderlust: Jay Farrar of Son Volt and Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie team up on One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Music From Kerouac's Big Sur, an ode to the famous author's work. The two musicians met while working on a documentary about Kerouac and decided to collaborate on this album using words from his novel. It's fitting then that the result feels like a cross-country trip - lazy and laid-back with some twangy country, Americana sound. I'll be adding the title track and California Zephyr to my car playlist.

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:30:32 -0700

Still rockin': I was surprised when I heard that Pearl Jam was releasing an album exclusively through Target this past Sunday - huh?! - but Backspacer is a solid, mature showing from the heralded band. The songs are full of introspective lyrics, like an older and wiser Eddie Vedder reflecting back on his life, but most of the tracks are fast-paced with a tinge of punk sound. While a bit of head-banging is fun, I've always preferred Pearl Jam's ballads like "Black" over their heavier stuff, so I'll be downloading "Just Breathe" and "The End."

Still waters run deep: Yesterday, we got word that indie artists Sea Wolf made it onto the New Moon soundtrack; now comes their sophomore full-length effort White Water, White Bloom, a mellow album of romanticism. (Perfect for Edward and Bella, no?) Every track has gorgeous storytelling imagery, as singer-songwriter Alex Brown Church constantly weaves in water themes (as his album title and band name hint). The result is something dreamy and lush to listen to on a lazy, sunny day. My favorite tracks: "Wicked Blood," "Dew in the Grass," and "The Orchard."

One more up next, so read more.

Child's play: Those neon outfits, those tight pants, that Freddie Mercury falsetto - everyone knows Mika is a bit outrageous, and his latest album is just as super-charged as his debut. Reportedly inspired by his own adolescence, The Boy Who Knew Too Much is full of that rebellious teenage attitude with the standard Mika dance fever. From the island music of "Blue Eyes" to the nursery rhyme-ish ditty "Toy Boy," it feels light and fizzy, like pop music on Red Bull - and it's just as addictive. You'll either love it or hate it, but as for me, I'll be downloading "We Are Golden" and "By the Time," where he collaborates with Imogen Heap.

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:30:24 -0700

An amicable breakup: I thought Scarlett Johansson's album of Tom Waits covers was just OK, but her second effort really showcases her vocal talent. Paired with alt-country artist Pete Yorn, the two created Break Up, an album inspired by the '60s-era recordings of Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot. Despite its title, the record is surprisingly upbeat. Many of you enjoyed the first single, the retro-twangy "Relator," when it debuted in May, and ultimately, it's still my favorite track. The rest of the album sounds more run-of-the-mill, but Johansson's sultry voice adds a lot of flavor to Yorn's music. Also worth hearing: "Clean" and "Wear and Tear."

Rebel yell: I wasn't that familiar with UK band Muse, but their performance at Sunday's VMAs was foot-thumping fun. (Some of you even said they were your favorite act.) Now comes their fifth studio release, The Resistance. My favorite track, "United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage," is reminiscent of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and the entire album has a similar rock opera feeling. The guys are reportedly contributing to the New Moon soundtrack, but until then, check out "Eurasia," "Unnatural Selection," and "Uprising."

One more up next, so read more.

One giant leap: Kid Cudi was another VMA performer, and even though I've been hearing his name for a while - he contributed to Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak album last year and is on Kanye's label - Cudi's promising debut, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, hit stores today. Like his mentor, Cudi tries his hand at "conceptual" music, using this album to tell personal stories in the context of nightmares, and he mixes in every genre from hip-hop to rap to electronic. Fans of 808s and Heartbreak should check this one out, but I think Cudi is at his strongest when he collaborates. "Pursuit of Happiness" is a track featuring MGMT and Ratatat, and "Make Her Say," which samples Lady GaGa's "Poker Face," gets help from Common and Kanye.

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:30:39 -0700

Wilco reintroduction: I've already checked out Wilco: The Album (check out my track-by-track review here), and now it's officially out and ready for you to download! It's more spunky rock than it is country-ish, and overall it's a well-rounded and satisfying album. Check out the tracks "Wilco" and "You and I" to get started.

A little EP is better than nuffin: It feels like it's been forever since Austin indie band Spoon released its stunning 2007 album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I have no idea when this group will release another full album, but at least we get a fun EP today! The first track, "Got Nuffin," is hard-driving with an interesting guitar solo. The other two tracks, "Tweakers" and "Stroke Their Brains," are more experimental but well worth the download.

One more up next, so just read more.

Kind of a flashback: First of all, doesn't that look like Michael Cera on the cover? I never would have expected a resemblance between Cera and Rob Thomas, but there you have it. Anyway - when I listen to Thomas's music, it takes me back to the '90s, when artists like Goo Goo Dolls ruled the radio and The Real World was in San Francisco. Get a load of "Real World '09" and "Her Diamonds" for a journey back in time.

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:30:22 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. In addition to my picks below, you can also download Michael Johns's new album and the Transformers 2 soundtrack.

Magical music: Hooray! The new Regina Spektor album is finally out, and I've already downloaded the whole thing. It's every bit as cute and quirky as her previous albums, but with a little bit of darkness in the lyrics, as we first heard on "Laughing With." Check out the wonderful tracks "Eet," "Blue Lips," and "The Calculation" to get started.

Mellowed out: I'm a fan of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, aka The Mars Volta, and was excited to see a new album of theirs out today. The fifth Mars Volta album seems mellower than a lot of these guys' previous work, but that doesn't mean the intensity is gone. One reviewer articulated this idea well, saying that the album "employs stillness as a setup for all manner of disruption." Check out the psychedelic "With Twilight as My Guide" for a taste of this album's sound.

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:20:48 -0700

Singing and songwriting: Technically, Pete Yorn's new album doesn't drop until June 23, but today you can download it on iTunes. I'm always open to a new Yorn album and I find his style of alt-country totally appealing. This is the kind of music that's well-suited for these long Summer days. Oh, and I should note this is not the album Yorn's working on with Scarlett Johansson. Check out "Don't Wanna Cry" and "Thinking You" to start.

The greatest hits: I can't get enough of Beatles music, and today we have a whole new compilation of George Harrison's greatest hits. His widow, Olivia, recently said of the album: "It's a collection that spans his career, and we put them together in a way we thought they would just kind of flow, you know, musically, into one another." I really love "My Sweet Lord," and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

One more up next, so read more.

A little bit country: Holly Williams is Hank Williams Jr.'s daughter and today she follows up her excellent debut album with the release of Here With Me. It's heartfelt country that I'm really digging. Check out "Alone" and her cover of Neil Young’s "Birds."

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:30:00 -0700

Channeling the soul: Diane Birch's new album, Bible Belt, is so cute and catchy, I'm going to download the whole thing. I have a huge soft spot for the folk and soul singers of the '60s and '70s like Aretha Franklin and Carole King, and Birch flawlessly channels those greats on this aptly named album (she's a preacher's daughter). Check out "Valentino," "Fools," and "Nothing But a Miracle" for a taste of the goodness.

Bittersweet: I still get sad thinking about Dave Matthews Band working on this new album, Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King, in the wake of saxophonist LeRoi Moore's death. I can definitely detect sadness in some of these songs, but there is also a hint of triumph and renewal. I've already recommended you sample "Funny the Way It Is," and make sure to listen to "You and Me," a very touching, very simple love song.

One more up next, so read more.

Wanting something: I made the new Eels album one of my Must Haves for this month, and now - poof! - it's here. The album's tracks are all about longing and desire, and singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett's lyrics are heartfelt and potent. The down-tempo ballads are among the strongest songs on the album. Check out the heart-wrenching "That Look You Give That Guy" and "Ordinary Man."

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:30:56 -0700

Something sweet: Mandy Moore's new album is titled Amanda Leigh, which is also Moore's given name. It's a title that seems to signal that perhaps these new songs are, compared to the rest of her repertoire, the most representative of who she is. Her voice remains sugar-sweet and easy on the ears, but it lacks some emotional depth, which hurts the album as a whole. But there are some strong, stand-out tracks, including "Merrimack River," "Everblue," and "Bug."

Brooklyn's calling: I'm pretty pumped for the new album from Brooklyn-based Grizzly Bear. Veckatimest is getting pretty stellar reviews, and from what I've listened to so far, it's the perfect laid-back indie-rock album for sunny Summer days and road trips (although, for what it's worth, this video literally gave me nightmares). Check out "Two Weeks," "While You Wait for the Others," and "Cheerleader."

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:30:52 -0700

Green Day, Hurray!: Green Day's new album is being praised by music critics across the board, which is exciting. Rolling Stone compares this new album to the band's previous release, American Idiot, saying the album is "so masterful and confident it makes Idiot seem like a warm-up." Standout tracks include "East Jesus Nowhere," "21 Guns," and the title track, "21st Century Breakdown."

Pretty and depressing: I think people either love Tori Amos or hate her, but either way the woman knows how to get people thinking with her lyrics. Her newest album is a little on the new-agey side for my taste, but there are some beautiful, if dark, tracks here that I'm definitely adding to circulation. The slow and heartbreaking "Maybe California" is lovely and "Welcome to England" is catchy and feisty.

One more up next, so read more.

Too good to be true: Almost a year ago White Rabbits put out Fort Nightly, an amazing album I've been listening to a lot. Now, here they are with another one, and so far I think it sounds great. If you like Spoon (their lead singer and guitarist produced this album) or even TV on the Radio, you will probably dig these guys. I can't say enough good things. I've downloaded the whole thing but check out "They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong," "Percussion Gun," and "Midnight and I."

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:30:23 -0700

First, a heads-up that Amazon.com editors have picked out 50 albums that you can download for $5 each! The list includes many of my recent download selections, including new albums from Ida Maria and Metric! Now, onto today's picks:

Remember these guys? I was just talking about how I used to listen to Meat Puppets back in high school along with other favorites like Pearl Jam. This group's 12th studio album is out today, and I think this reviewer sums up its sound nicely: "Across 12 rambling, charming, gently psychedelic tracks of alt-country, the Puppets reassert themselves as an act whose work is rarely grandiose or revelatory but a low-key treat best enjoyed casually on the porch with a beer in hand." I'm digging "I'm Not Into You" and "Rotten Shame."

Global star: If you haven't heard of Utada, get ready for that to change. She is a megasuperstar in Japan who has broken almost all of the country's album sales records. Even more impressive? She's talented as a songwriter and producer, too, not just a performer. Her new album is packed with ear-pleasing pop tunes that are sometimes reminiscent of Mariah Carey. Check out "Come Back to Me," "Poppin'," and "This One (Crying Like a Child)."

One more up next, so read more.

Chicago indie: Office is a Chicago-based indie band that formed in 2000. Sometimes the group sounds like Modest Mouse, while other times Office's poppy and danceable melodies remind me more of Franz Ferdinand. What I've heard of this new album (which the band is giving away for free) is terrific, and I'll definitely be adding it to my iPod. Check out "Trainwreck DJs" and "Nobody Knows You."