Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Moats & boats & waterfalls,
Alleyways and pay phone calls,
I’ve been everywhere with you.

We laugh until we think we’ll die,
barefoot on a summer night,
Nothin’ new is sweeter than with you.

Stop staring out the window at the wind and rain and turn on some music and remember that it's summer. Or at least it's supposed to be. Maybe Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros can help with that.

This cheery summertime track is off Up From Below, the band's first full length album released last summer. Below is their new video for Home.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Home" from Edward Sharpe on Vimeo.

Home - LCD Soundsystem

If you're afraid of what you need
Look around you,
You're surrounded,
It won't get any better.

This Is Happening picks up right where Sound of Silver left off in 2007. James Murphy has given us nine new fresh tracks that blend fuzzy synths, drum rolls and his reflective lyrics all into one fantastic album. This Is Happening is set for release next week.

This particular track is eight minutes of happiness that remind me of one of my LCD favourites, All My Friends.

Listen to the new album here:http://www.lcdsoundsystem.com/thisishappening

The National - Hannah Georgas

What about love,
What about you,
What about me,
Say hello,
Say good-bye,
To what we used to be.

Newmarket-raised, Vancouver-based Hannah Georgas released her debut album, This Is Good, last week. As winner of the 2009 CBC Radio 3 Bucky Award for "Best New Artist", everyone seems to agree Georgas has talent. With confident, quirky pop her songs have been heard on everything from a Wal-Mart commercial to shows like Heroes, Degrassi–The Next Generation, Flashpoint and Peak Season. Her album has something for everyone and this fearless artist is worth checking out before everyone knows her name.

Listen to more at her MySpace page:http://www.myspace.com/hannahgeorgas

Much music also seems to like her and is currently streaming her album:
http://watch.muchmusic.com/first-spins/first-spin-hanna-georgas---this-is-good/

Afraid of Everyone - The National

With my kid on my shoulders I try,
Not to hurt anybody I like,
But I don't have the drugs to sort,
I don't have the drugs to sort it out.

Your voice has stolen my soul...

After writing and rewriting, recording and rerecording, The National have their newest album, High Violet, ready for release on May 11th. High Violet encompasses everything we've heard from The National plus more. This time around there has been a few changes, with slightly less intense vocals and an overall lighter tone to the album. Despite these adjustments, there's still a emotional momentum throughout the record and Matt Berninger's odd fragmented lyrical phrases that help us develop a personal connection with every song.

The National is composed of the identical-twin guitar-playing brothers Bryce and Aaron Dessner; a second pair of brothers, Bryan Devendorf, the drummer, and Scott Devendorf, who usually plays bass; and Matt Berninger, the band’s vocalist.

The band has a unique layered rock sound, paired with emotional intensity and distinguished by Matt’s voice. His classic baritone lacks range and variation which causes him to often half-talk his vocals. Textured instrumental sound beneath the vocals makes up for this limitation and gives The National a sound of their own. The National are also a band worth seeing live. If you've ever been to one of their concerts you would understand when Dawidoff writes in the NY Times article, "They are a riveting live act, both because their pent-up songs explode, and because Matt drinks a bottle of wine onstage and then starts climbing things."

The National shine on this particular track with a build up to a powerful finale of repeated cries, "Your voice has stolen my soul". It also features Sufjan Stevens on background vocals. Download the track for yourself here: http://stereogum.com/339721/the-national-afraid-of-everyone/mp3s/

High Violet is now streaming now through April 27th on the New York Times website: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.htm

mp3: Afraid of Everyone - The National

Down In Your Valley - Dead Letter Chorus

You fold in the edges of projects unfinished,
That once were a source of your egos replenishment.
Down in your valley,
Flowers are blooming,
It's clear that in their millions,
Your heart's deluding them.

Australia’s Dead Letter Chorus is touring Canada in support of their debut album The August Magnificent which was released in Canada March 16, 2010. I saw them open for Two Hours Traffic in Kingston a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed their set. Cameron Potts and Gabrielle Huber share lead vocals for the group, creating a wonderful dynamic and making them unique addition to the indie alt-folk scene.

On stage, DLC held smiles through most of the set, a sign of an easy going group that likes to have fun with their performances. A combination of excellent stage presence and amazing harmonies made for a great show. So good that I went home and listened to their debut album, which I highly recommend.

More info and a free download can be found here.

mp3: Down In Your Valley - Dead Letter Chorus

This Thing About You - Miracle Fortress

Everyone we pass by
is stealing looks at you and I.
We're not dressed right for the season,
and we are smiling for no reason.

Five Roses is the debut album from Miracle Fortress, a Montreal based project from Graham Van Pelt, co-founder of Think About Life.

Through dreamy textured pop, Miracle Fortress gives us an album infused with euphoria and romance perfect for a beautiful spring day.

Check out MySpace for more.

Sure Can Start - Two Hours Traffic

Can't keep your head on straight,
the way the other's do.
You spend your nights in the city,
sleep away the afternoons.
And I'm alright when you need it,
take your time till you're ready for something new.

Two Hours Traffic played at Clark Hall Pub last week in Kingston. The bar was full and the crowd enthusiastic. They have played in Kingston before and many were looking forward to seeing the band perform again. They delivered an energetic, fun show covering all the favorites including an encore with Stuck For the Summer.

Two Hours Traffic is an indie pop band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and have toured with East Coast artists such as Joel Plaskett, In-Flight Safety, and Wintersleep.

This particular track comes off their second full-length album, Little Jabs, produced by Joel Plaskett and released in July 2007. This album has been their most successful to date with nominations for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize and various East Coast Music Awards. The album consists of catchy crystal-clear melodies written into basic three minute pop songs.

You can also check out their most recent album Territory and there's a free download of the new single on their website.

You can also check out MySpace for more.

Santa Monica Dream - Angus and Julia Stone

Rob's in the kitchen making pizza,
Somewhere down in Battery Park,
I'm singing songs about the future,
Wondering where you are.
I could call you on the telephone,
But do I really want to know?

The second full-length album by Australian brother and sister duo Angus and Julia Stone is set for release tomorrow across North America. Down the Way features delicate acoustic melodies and vocals by both Angus and Julia. This particular track showcases their combined voices against a background of faraway guitar and strings.

Stream the new album here: http://www.watch.muchmusic/first-spins

You can also check out MySpace for more.

Willow Tree - Chad VanGaalen

Take my body,
Put it in a boat,
Light it on fire,
Send it out to sea.

Chad VanGaalen is a Canadian musician and artist from Calgary, Alberta. His beautifully written album Soft Airplane gives us tales of death, murder and rage. After listening to this album a few times I came to appreciate Chad's blend of intimate folky ballads and drum machine electro driven beats.

When Soft Airplane was released in 2008, it received great reviews and was nominated for a Canadian Juno Award, as well as shortlisted for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize.

You can download the Soft Airplane B-Sides for free here: http://www.softairplane.com/

Down By the River - Giant Hand

Oh I swam too far,
I can't turn back,
If I stop I'll drown
And I'll never get to go back.

In 2008, Kirk Ramsay decided he wanted to pick up a guitar and write folk music. Today he has a full length album titled Coming Home and has opened for acts such as Handsome Furs, Ohbijou, Human Highway, Bruce Peninsula, Timber Timbre and Azeda Booth.

I saw Giant Hand last week when he opened for The Acorn at the Grad Club in Kingston. On stage he is enjoyable to watch and his songs show vulnerability and honesty. His unique voice shines on the new album, making it a great choice for mellowing down to.

Listen to more at his MySpace.