Heavens to Purgatory - The Most Serene Republic

We're such plants - oxygen, xylem, phloem - in the wrists,
pumps to the greed of your delusion
to a blind knowledge of sight from fall chosen from spring.

This song comes off The Most Serene Republic's third album ...And the Ever Expanding Universe. I love the classic catchy pop sound of this particular track. The album has a sound that's open and free, proving the group isn't afraid to have fun with their words, vocals and performances.

This song also has a cool music video you can watch here.

World Sick - Broken Social Scene

We got a minefield of crippled affection,
All for the borrowed mirror connection,
That's why I'm leaving this spoken protection,
I'm a romance addict so that I can confess that.

Last week, Broken Social Scene released the first song, World Sick, off their forthcoming album. Forgiveness Rock Record is due out May 4th and will be the first album we've seen from BSS in five years. No wonder everyone is so excited. I personally can't wait either.

You can download the new song here: http://www.brokensocialscene.ca/

The High Road - Broken Bells

Cause they know, so do I,
The high road is hard to find,
A detour in your new life,
Tell all of your friends goodbye.

Broken Bells consists of Danger Mouse and James Mercer, a pair many were not expecting to see collaborating. James Mercer is well known as front man of The Shins while Danger Mouse, or Brian Burton, is one half of Gnarls Barkley. They came together in 2008 and almost two years later a self-titled album is set for release March 9th, 2010. The contrast in past musical styles of both artists has created a rich multilayered sound that is hard to categorize.

When Burton was asked to describe the kind of music he produced, he responded with, "Is this rock? Is it soul? Is it something else? I don't know, but I do know we did something great." This perfectly describes my feelings for this album. Look for its much anticipated release next week.

Listen to more at their website: http://www.brokenbells.com

Growing Younger - Michou

We were drunk, and yes those words were said,
I took them too close to heart,
But we've been working backwards,
From the end back to the start.

I hope that we don't grow apart.

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to catch a live performance by Michou, an indie pop/rock band from Windsor, Ontario. They performed in Kingston at our student pub to a laid-back crowd that was mostly unfamiliar with their music. Before their set, Michael Hargreaves went around and passed out samples of their new album, Cardona, which is currently available on iTunes and set for release later this month. I was excited to see these guys live and I thought they put on a fun, energetic show. They also looked and sounded great on stage, as if they have been doing this for years.

The band has come a long way since their debut EP in 2007, and recently have been receiving more of the attention they deserve. Their music video for Growing Younger is currently at number three on the Much More Music countdown and they were asked to open for Dashboard Confessional at the Kool Haus on March 18th. Hopefully we’ll continue to hear good things from these guys in the years to come.

Watch and vote for their video here: Much More Music Countdown

Tightrope - The Coast

Hey, Hey, you,
What are you waiting for?
Hey, hey, you,
What are you waiting for?

The Coast, named after the Paul Simon song, is a Toronto based group looking to release a new album in 2010. In the mean time, their current release, Expatriate, is worth a listen. The album is described perfectly by Soundcheck magazine as "dramatic interlacing of densely composed rock and charmingly earnest pop music."

Leather Jacket - Attack In Black

I heard that you began to grow flowers,
I want to know their names and not their colours,
And for you to tell me how they feel,
There beside each other,
If you kept them warm,
With dirty water.

Every time Attack in Black plays a show in Kingston, I always know people who insist on going to see them regardless if they've seen them live before. Yesterday I downloaded their most recent album, Years (by One Thousand Fingertips), and now I understand why. Sixteen tracks later, I was impressed by their passive-aggressive mix of alt-rock. It's an enjoyable album that can be played all the way through.

Next time I hear Attack In Black is playing down the street I'm going to their show.

Serious Bedtime - The Balconies

If you do it in the dark,
In the dark,
No one sees it,
If you do it in the dark,
In the dark,
It comes easy.

The Balconies' self-titled album has created quite the buzz, and after listening to it I can see why. Originally from Ottawa, this trio has been playing together since 2007 and have recently relocated to Toronto. If you get a chance to see them live, I've heard they put on a great show. Jacquie Neville's beautiful vocals give the band a polished sound and makes their talent apparent on their new album. Known for their good-natured stage energy and catchy pop-rock tunes, The Balconies are a band worth checking out.

More tracks can be heard on their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thebalconies

What You Know About Little Secrets - Passion Pit (White Panda Mash-Up)

Let this be our little secret,
no one needs to know we're feeling,
Higher and higher and higher.

Because life is better with T.I. and Passion Pit.
Two great hits, one great song.

More Mash-Ups from White Panda here.

Do You Want It All - Two Door Cinema Club

Do you want it,
Do you want it,
Do you want it all?

It was difficult choosing something off this album. Most of it was fun, catchy and danceable, making all the tracks enjoyable. However this track was in my head all day, and for some reason I find myself playing it again and again. The good news is, if you like this song, you'll probably like the whole album.

Tourist History is the debut album from the Irish group Two Door Cinema Club and is set to be released March 1st, 2010. Their pop-rock, high energy sound will appeal to many people and gives them a lot of potential for the future. You can catch them live May 17, at Wrongbar in Toronto.

Also, you have to love a band that lists Death Cab For Cutie and early Bloc Party to others such as Holy Fuck, The Bronx and Katy Perry as influences. Amazing.

The Party Punch - Oh No Oh My

You sat down on our leather chair,
Called everyone,
Said stick your toes all up in the air,
Come on it'll be fun!
Some tried, they thought you were a little strange,
They were all right.

This song came up on shuffle today. It's got a happy sound and I thought it deserved to be on this month's playlist. The track is off an EP called Between the Devil and the Sea, released back in February 2005.

Maps (Acoustic) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

This one goes out to my friends.
Happy Valentine's Day.

Moving Clocks Run Slow - We Were Promised Jetpacks

You're winning me over,
Can't take my eyes off you,
There's too many hands,
To keep my eye on.

Another great band out of Glasgow. If you are a fan of Frightened Rabbit, you'll probably enjoy these guys. We Were Promised Jetpacks released their debut album this past summer called These Four Walls. The album is full of energy and it's a promising start for the band. Also, they get extra points for their name.

Check out their MySpace Page.

Black Rainbow - St. Vincent and Andrew Bird

The unkissed boys and girls of paradise,
Are lining up around the block,
Back pockets full of dynamite,
While neighbors talk and talk and talk.

This is a live recording of two wonderful artists who performed for La Blogotheque's Les Soirée de Poche series. Annie Clark's vocals are gorgeous and make for a captivating performance. During Annie's set, Andrew Bird was asked to play with her. This resulted in lovely mix of improvised violin pieces during the song. I especially enjoyed the addition of the violin to the powerful ending of the performance.

This track can also be found on St. Vincent's new album, Actor.

Watch the live recording on video here.

Fall Hard - Shout Out Louds

And if you fall hard,
I'll fall harder.
And if you're gonna break,
Just let it break.
I'll pick up the pieces and mistakes.

Fall Hard is the newest single from Shout Out Loud's upcoming release, Work. It's been four years since we've heard from these guys so I'm looking forward to hearing the new record. I've been following this band ever since 2005 when I fell in love with I Wish I Was Dead Pt. 2 from The O.C. Mix 5. I was then led to Howl Howl Gaff Gaff impressed with the unique sounds of dreamy pop rock. Five years later I'm expecting a new sound but also another enjoyable album.

Download another new track here: Walls - Shout Out Louds