What We're Listening To - Other Lives self-titled album

Rainy days need soundtracks.

I'm sure somewhere it's sunny right now, but it's drizzly and miserable in Shimmy Shake world HQs. For sure, I wish it wasn't.

I jacked in my iPod and hit shuffle. And came across Other Lives, and album I downloaded a few months ago but had totally forgotten about.

And maybe it's the rain, and just a sad set of circumstances, but this is one of the best albums of the year.

The best way to describe this music is to listen to the post-Bends acoustic musings of Radiohead. It's haunting but scary, all the times melodic, very precise and richly textured.

The album starts off on kind of a downer, which is probably why is sat on my iPod for so many weeks unloved and unlistened to.

(Listen bands, choose your track order wisely. You need to hook listeners in.)

But then the album hits that Radiohead comparison I was talking about. Don't Let Them is like Thom Yorke and Jeff Buckley got together, got drunk, and laid down some tracks.

Speed Tape reminds me of some of the prettier moments of Boys For Pele, but the claustrophobia and loneliness of OK Computer. The tinkling on the piano, the cello, the the jangly guitar. Hell, the shakers that make their way in after the bridge seem to build this acoustic wall that just falls in on top of you.

Sounds like a lot? It is. But it's a gorgeous ride.

The album closer, Epic, is just as preciously constructed as the other tracks. It builds and builds, until it finally closes up.

Perfect for rainy days.

To our friend Shelby on his birthday

We wanted to take a moment and wish Shelby Miller, the host of Shifted Sound, a warm and happy birthday.

Normally we don't do stuff like this (isn't that what Facebook walls are reserved for) but Shelby has been an inspiration and driving force behind The Shimmy Shake. He has turned me on to some wonderful music over the past two years, and the least I could do for the man is thank him on my blog, and wish him a happy birthday.

Shelby, you're one of a kind good sir. Thanks for all the recs (even the bad ones).

What We're Listening To - Telekinesis self titled album

Driving my oldest kid to a playdate the other day, I put on the Telekinesis! album and thought I like a lot of music that's Posies-esque.

Not anything against this album. It's good. Bright, happy pop songs, with the breakout wonder song every once in awhile. I can't stop whistling Tokyo. Look to the East also brings the energy. It's short (31 minutes), but near the end, I find myself looking to make sure.

The songs are hummers. They stick with you long after the album is done.

Also impressive? This is the work of one man.

This is the perfect spring album, made for cookouts and Sunday morning house cleaning frenzies.

Zak, the sometimes blogger here, derisively said he liked it better when they were called Death Cab For Cutie (I'm guessing cos of the Chris Walla connection, who produced the album).

First, I don't think Ben Gibbard has written a song anywhere near this happy in his life.

But second, it's not all that on point. For sure, it's closer to The Posies, but the first band that came to mind was Versus.

Nevertheless, this album is good. I think I'm going to go put this on blast and roll down my windows and drive the speed limit.

Get Telekinesis's eponymous debut album

Buy from Merge Records

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Yaaaawwwwnnn

I took the month of May off for paternity leave, and had the high minded intentions of doting on my newborn son, learning French, listening to more music, and writing more on this blog thing.

The first was accomplished.

Je suis faim is the best of my French abilities.

And I've been sitting on a ton of eMusic credits. I dunno if May wasn't a good month for music or what, but eh.

It takes hard work to find good stuff. I had gotten fat and lazy because for awhile, I was tripping over good music.

But I found some time this Sunday morning to do a little writing, a little reading, and a lot of listening. I should have two new reviews up soon. And I should have an interview with A Camp sometime this week as well.

I'm all give over here.

Merci beau coup for reading.

A Camp Drops Today!

Is there a more hotly anticipated album out so far this year than A Camp's Colonia?

I heard my grandma talking about it the other day.

Well wait no longer. It drops today.

And because I bring you the new ish first, you can check out our review from a few weeks ago.

Get A Camp's Colonia

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Download from eMusic

What We're Listening To - Death Cab For Cutie's The Open Door EP

I was so disappointed with DCFC last full length effort. Mostly because they launched that amazing single "I Will Possess Your Heart." and the rest of the album was such shit.

I felt ripped off a bit. Because I thought they were headed in this sort of new edgier than Coldplay, not quite as adventurous as Radiohead direction.

That was not the case. It was this kind of milquetoast interpretation of a formally very good band.

But I guess one starts dating Zooey Deschanel, and all of a sudden you're making some of the best music ever.

The Open Door EP is nothing short of brilliant. Five songs, each packing a pop wallop that makes you stand up and take notice. The first song, Little Bribes, is some sort of bizzare love story set in Las Vegas. It sets the tone because Diamond and A Tether might be some of the finest writing Gibbard has done. It just sort of hits you across the face.

It kicks up again with My Mirror Speaks, and I Was Once a Loyal Lover, that if not all together there lyrically, move sonically. And Talking Bird shows that Ben holds his own all by himself (and better than on Narrow Stairs).

The EP is worth it for the first song alone. The other four make it a necessary purchase.

Get DCFC's The Open Door EP

Buy from Amazon

What We're Listening To - The Veils "Sun Gangs"

I have been loving this album for all of April.

It came across as a suggestions from Amie Street, and geez it's good.

I'm told the lead singer is the son of someone famous who I don't know.

I don't care.

The album starts off with what might be my second favorite single of the year so far. "Sit Down By The Fire" is this U2-esque arena rock song, big and grand but lacking Bono's bullshit.

From there the album stays poppy and dark, channeling the best of Morrissey, The Cure, and Jeff Buckley.

Yeah, you're fucking intrigued now aren't you?

It's a bit heavy on the Jeff Buckley, so if you like that, you'll like this (I mean, who doesn't like Jeff Buckley?)

The album is scattershot sonically, but that sort of randomness is good. it makes you work a little bit more to really like this album. You need to give it repeated listens. "Three Sisters" is a fantastic song, but it's not going to grab you out the gate first. "The Letter" is another beauty, a pretty ballad. And ending the album with "Begin Again" is a good move.

New Zealand is really coming strong this year.

This is my third must buy of the 2009 so far. Get it now.

Download The Veils "Sit Down By The Fire"

Buy The Veils "Sun Gangs"

Amazon

Rough Trade

eMusic