Oceans Never Listen

M. Ward and other snippets

Exciting News - M. Ward is returning to Australia in January. Already pegged to play at the Falls Festival, the Portland, Oregon based singer will play at the Metro early in the New Year. I regard "Post-War" as one of the finer records released in 2006, so i am definitely looking forward to the husky voiced singer gracing our shores again. You can read all about it here.

Animal Collective are playing @newtown this upcoming saturday night. Don't miss this genre breaking Brooklyn outfit.
I received Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's re-release of their formerly self released debut Broom in the mail this morning from Polyvinyl Records. I will review it soon.
I was excited to hear a new Dappled Cities Fly track from their eagerly awaited upcoming release Granddance. You can find out more at A-Reminder.

My Morning Jacket

Okonokos is a testament to the greatness of My Morning Jacket as a live band. I truly love this band and this record only cements the relationship. A 2 disc set it covers a lot of last year's wonderful release Z, but still manages to delve into their back catalogue especially It Still Moves. Played with great ferocity and skill, the band has made releasing a live album worth the exercise, with Jim James remarkable vocal talents soaring on every track, particularly my favourite the closer "Mahgeetah". I had the pleasure of seeing them live at Bonnaroo in Tennessee in 2004 and it was a performance i will never forget, especially after being drenched in a fierce thunderstorm as the band played on.
You can go here for a collection of wonderful stuff.
Also here are some photos from my Bonnaroo Experience.

Neko Case

I recently purchased Neko Case livefromaustintx and i can highly recommend it as a must have for any fans of the great singer. Recorded for Austin City Limits in 2003 it is now only receiving a commercial release. Neko is in fine form, with her amazing soulful voice resonating through the Austin studios. Backed by a trio playing only bass, steel and banjo she includes a Dylan cover, Buckets of Rain and Maybe Sparrow which would appear on this year's excellent Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.
I bought it from Fish Records but you can also purchase it here at Amazon. Also i heard today that she could be taking her part in The New Pornographers when they tour in December.
MP3: Favorite.

Swan Lake

I would have to say that my most anticipated album this year will be Swan Lake's Beast Moans. As mentioned before i am a huge fan of the genius that is Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown), then combine him with Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes) and Dan Bejar (Destroyer,NewPornographers) and hopefully this is a potent mix. All Fires has been doing the rounds of many blogs and i definitely approve of that moving song.
Here is a another track to try out. I'm digging this one too. I look forward to reviewing the full record in November.
Mp3: Are You Swimming in Her Pools?

Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry

A quickie, i love this video and song, it just makes me feel like
dancing.

Ohbijou

I recently received the very first cd by Toronto six piece Ohbijou. Swift Feet For Troubling Times is a very fine debut. The songs were written by lead vocalist Casey Mecija who sings with her sister Jennifer. Their vocals provide an ethereal mix with the mainly orchestral music created with a variety of instruments including ukulele, banjo, glockenspiel, cello and mandolin. The music, self released, is at times melancholy but still leaves you with a nice fuzzy feeling. Another fine product from the burgeoning Ontario scene, the Mecija sisters also sung on the latest Final Fantasy record "He Poos Clouds."
Here is a track to try. Misty Eyes.

Broken Social Scene Live

The best show i think i have ever seen was Broken Social Scene back in march at the Metro. Lasting nearly 3 hours, it ran the full gamut of emotions and left me with a smile on my face that took a long time to leave. Reportedly their show at Lollapalooza this year was one of their best ever. Now thanks to Bradley's Almanac you can listen to their recent show at Brandeis University in Boston, plus a heap more stuff.

Band Of Horses - The Funeral

Although this song came out earlier this year, i think its worth another viewing, one of the best this year.

CMJ Music Marathon

This caught my eye recently, i have been to the big apple 3 times, but boy would i love to be there next week for the CMJ Music Marathon Oct 31-Nov 4. This event was a coming out party for The Arcade Fire in 2004 and these are just a few of the bands that would be great to see next week.
Aloha, Annuals, Birdmonster, The Black Angels, Bound Stems, Califone, Chin Chin Up, Cold War Kids, The Decemberists, French Kicks, Magnolia Electric Co., Plus/Minus, The Shins, Silversun Pickups, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Tapes 'n Tapes, The Thermals, Tokyo Police Club.
Here is a track i like from Bound Stems: Western Biographic.

Annuals

Annuals are currently receiving a lot of attention with the release of their first record "Be He Me". After hearing a few tracks on various blogs i ordered the cd last week from Ace Fu Records.
Not only was i very happy to receive it in a very prompt 3 days but i was pleased with what i heard. Annuals have been compared to quite a few bands but the one i hear the most is Animal Collective. Not that they are derivative of that great Brooklyn band but they share a free flowing and joyous style.
The stand out track for me is "The Bull and the Goat". A very fine and promising debut, its hard to believe that no one in the band is over the age of 22, given the skillful playing and intense emotions on display.
MP3: Brother.

The Dears - 22 The Death Of All The Romance

For those that quite rightly love Gang of Losers, here is a great video from their previous record. Great song, so sad, it still shivers up my spine everytime i hear it.

Modest Mouse

This is my Modest Mouse story. You know how there are bands that you have heard about in and out for several years but never got round to investigating them. Well Modest Mouse fit that bill for me. Then early 2004 i saw someone wearing their t-shirt at a My Morning Jacket show at the Gaelic Club and i thought, thats it, i need to buy some of their stuff. I bought "This is a long drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About" and "The Lonesome Crowded West" and loved both, then eventually bought everything else in their catalogue and kept wondering why i hadnt done this earlier. Then i read how a young Isaac Brock growing up in Washington had been a huge Built to Spill fan and that sealed the deal as the Boise legends are my all time favourite.
Now the exciting news, as has been reported everywhere today, they are coming to Australia. Read full details here.
A great song from "Building Nothing Out of Something"- Interstate 8.
By the way another only recently discovered band Aloha, i will write about soon.

The New Pornographers

Those purveyors of immaculately crafted pop The New Pornographers are coming to Sydney. Already booked to play at the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria they now have plans to play 2 shows in Sydney. Thanks to Onehundredscenes for the tip.
Twin Cinema was one of my favourite records of 2005, but i love everything have they done.
Go here for a list of dates.
Here is a classic from Electric Version. The Laws Have Changed.

Explosions in the Sky

This news has me quite excited. One of Texas' finest bands Explosions in the Sky has finished their new album. It's been too long since their latest, the epic The Earth is Not a Dead Cold Place. You can read about it here.
MP3: Your Hand in Mine.

The Mountain Goats

Make sure you buy a ticket when The Mountain Goats return to Sydney in January.

Who		The Mountain Goats (USA)
With		John Vanderslice (USA)
When		Saturday Jan 6
Where		Metro Theatre 624 George St City Sydney NSW
Price		$36 + bf
Tickets		www.moshtix.com.au, ph: 9209 4614 & all moshtix retail outlets

Okkervil River - Kansas City (Live in Madison)

The audio is a little scratchy, but i think its still worthy for this great song.

Sunset Rubdown

Its finally here, "Shut Up I Am Dreaming", is now available in Australia on Spunk Records. I bought this record via import back in May and it has been a constant favourite since then. It became an inspiration for the name of my blog, which takes its name from a line on the last song "Shut I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings", an epic song which will leave you gobsmacked. As you might know by now Sunset Rubdown started as a side project for Wolf Parade member Spencer Krug, but is now a full band in its own right. Krug really puts his stamp on this record, his unique voice makes this a memorable listen. It will take a great record to top this in 2006.
MP3: Stadiums and Shrines II

Sketches of Frank Gehry

Sydney's Pollack first documentary about world renowned architect Frank Gehry is a fascinating insight into the mind and life of an artistic giant.
The film is more like a conversation between two old friends. Pollack admits he knows little about architecture, but he obviously knows alot about the creative process, so we see how Gehry goes from an idea germinating in his mind to the end product. When he creates something as dazzling as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao you can see that journey is worthwhile.

The Decemberists

The Decemberists new album is a stunning tour de force. Following on from their 2005 release Picaresque, this new one represents their debut for Capitol Records. It opens with "The Crane Wife 3", which is a great introduction to the band's unique blend of baroque pop, folk and rock. The second track, "The Island" is a highlight, an amazing song which is divided into 3 parts and takes you on a journey through prog rock and folk. The other highlight is "The Crane Wife 1 & 2" which is a touching and superb song adapted from a japanese folk tale. Co-produced by Chris Walla, this record is a major triumph that reveals itself more after each listen. You will not be disappointed if you buy this unique and eclectic record.

Okkervil River

In early september i headed to @newtown to see austin, texas band okkervil river.
i had seen them last december at the hopetoun hotel and enjoyed them immensely. They were just as good this time around. Will Sheff is a magnetic presence on stage, he gives himself fully to every song and was in fine form this night. They opened with a new song, "The President's Dead", before going onto "No Key, No Plan"and "Lady Liberty". Another new song which made an impact was "Love to a Monster", a dark and sad song which is right up there with any of their back catalogue. I was also pleased to hear "Blanket and Crib", one of my favourites.
One of the highlights was a stunning version of "So Come Back, I'm Waiting" and then the show was topped off by playing their classic "Westfall" in the encore, which sent the audience home deeply satisfied. We now await a new record, hopefully sometime in 2007.

MP3:Westfall