posted by Alex on December 1, 2011
Since I started writing for Indieball, there have been two artists I have always dreamed about reviewing: Modest Mouse and Andrew Bird. I’ve waited tirelessly for either artist to release a new album, but both have been complete slackers. However, after much anticipation, my dream has finally come true. Boredom and serious Internet stalking led me to a review of a recently released film called Norman. The film looked cheesy and cliche, but I was an instant fan of the film’s soundtrack, orchestrated entirely by Andrew Bird himself. It appears Bird has finally taken his musical talents to the big screen. The 17-track album is mostly instrumental and features Andrew Bird’s classic mix of traditional folk instruments and violin. “Night Sky” is the only vocal track on the album, which is a shame; Bird’s vocals are absolutely beautiful, and he even throws in his famous whistling.
So, for all you Andrew Bird fans out there, let this single tide you over until the release of his new album sometime in 2012. Expect a review when that glorious day comes.
Andrew Bird – Night Sky (Downloaded 444 times)
» To download, right-click title & “save as”
» Love/Like/Hate it? Please rate it.
» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Beautiful Lyrics • Film • Folky • Male vocal
(12 votes)
Loading ...posted by Jessica on November 20, 2011
Ceremonials is a fitting name for the sophomore effort by Florence + The Machine, because listening to the album is a rite in itself. If their debut, Lungs, was tinged with whimsy and mysticism, Ceremonials plunges us under the water, into the realm of ghouls, ghosts, demons and devils, and to the heights of ecclesiastical exuberance. It’s alluring, rich, and complicated like the gorgeous excess of a baroque work of art.
This is the kind of record that needs to be enjoyed in small doses, allowing each track to marinate. Florence Welch’s dazzling vocals are a controlled power surge, the way a cannon or firecracker is carefully aimed before exploding into a beautiful din. Accompanying her is an array of thundering organs, singing harps, pounding drums, and passionate choruses.
The first single, “Shake It Out,” is the album’s most accessible track. Introspective and oh-so-catchy, it’s a luminous standout. Midway through the album, “Lover to Lover” leaves behind the otherworldly ballads for soulful R&B evocative of the 60’s, allowing Welch’s voice to shine without bombast. Intricate and impressive, if at times overpowering, Ceremonials elevates Florence + The Machine’s dynamic pop ritual.
Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out (Downloaded 733 times)
Florence + The Machine – Lover to Lover (Downloaded 781 times)
» To download, right-click title & “save as”
» Love/Like/Hate it? Please rate it.
» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Baroque • Big Sound • Catchy • Female vocal • Orchestral • Soulful
(16 votes) Loading ...[...] the rest of my review and get MP3s at Indieball. GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); [...]
posted by Leigh on October 17, 2011
CMJ Preview Series: Get Ready
I often hear the question “What does CMJ stand for?” Why, it’s the College Music Journal, no doubt, and the festival is at it again. More than 1000 bands confirmed, playing over the span of 5 days, October 18th – 22nd, in my very own New York. See what Indieball was talking about during last year’s festival at the following links: CMJ 2010, CMJ 2010 Highlights and CMJ 2010 Highlights Part 2.
Check out our recent post on Alamo Race Track, and get familiar with the other Indieball-featured bands who will be playing this year’s festival, including Alberta Cross, Dinosaur Feathers, Dry the River, Geographer and An Horse. See what we had to say about them at the links above, and enjoy the tracks below. See the official CMJ site for the full schedule; if you are in New York this week, be there.
Alberta Cross – Wait (Downloaded 663 times)
Dinosaur Feathers – I Ni Sogoma (Downloaded 305 times)
Dry the River – Weights and Measures (Downloaded 344 times)
Geographer – Heaven Waits (Downloaded 420 times)
An Horse – Not Mine (Downloaded 270 times)
» To download, right-click title & “save as”
» Love/Like/Hate it? Please rate it.
» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Best Of • CMJ 2011 • Female vocal • Fuzzy • Male vocal • Poppy • Synth
(5 votes) Loading ...I love seeing Dry the River on this list. And Geographer! Check out Dry the River’s interactive sampler on YouTube. http://bit.ly/ypD2lD
posted by Ariana on October 13, 2011
Finally! Leslie Feist has released a new album, entitled Metals (released just last week in the US and Canada). It’s definitely been a while, or at least it feels that way to me. Feist is one of the few female voices that I can tolerate, let alone enjoy and actively seek out. Check out the series of impromptu videos on Feist’s Youtube. Offered below are two songs that aren’t the single (“How Come You Never Go There”). The new album is cohesive and lovely, and it does just what it really should, which is to delicately wrap itself around your heart.
I listen to “Cicadas and Gulls” and look out my window at the burgeoning fall in the courtyard, and yes, trite as it sounds, I watch the play of light through the leaves and on the river beyond and approach what feels like happiness.
Feist – The Bad in Each Other (Downloaded 888 times)
Feist – Cicadas and Gulls (Downloaded 846 times)
» To download, right-click title & “save as”
» Love/Like/Hate it? Please rate it.
» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Broken Social Scene • Female vocal • Singer-Songwriter • Soulful
(12 votes) Loading ...
December 2nd, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Wow thank you for finding this!! So excited for a new album.
February 20th, 2012 at 10:12 am
“night sky” is not the only vocal track by bird on this album. “arcs and coulombs” is with vocals too.