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Brooklyn by way of Boston, Bishop Allen is a quartet named after the street in Cambridge MA were the two founding members, Justin Rice and Christian Rudder, started writing songs. And like any hip young band on the East Coast, they relocated to Brooklyn. “Dimmer” is the opening track from the 2009 album Grrr… and is everything indie rock represents: sweat lyrics, soft acoustics, and hipster accessible.
“Dimmer“ (play/download mp3)
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Godspeed is one of Canada’s most famous bands. One of the archetypes of the post-punk sound, a style of instrumental music that builds and descends in epically long tracks. After releasing an EP, Godspeed released a double album (totaling a whopping 9 songs), “Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven.” This title track is a beautiful introduction to their sound. This song builds and builds until it crescendos making you feel like raising your skinny fists to the heavens!
“Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven“ (play/download mp3)
Buy/Listen to all of Godspeed’s music.
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Punchy, catchy post-rock from UK’s now defunct stars, The Rakes. “Retreat” is the title track to The Rakes’ first EP, released in the US on Dim Mak Records. This gem is begging: “slacker’s anthem.”
“Retreat“ (play/download mp3)
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Ah the yummy post-rock guitar-scapes of Mogwai. This should be the soundtrack to hiking up Everest with the complete hardcover Tolkien in your backback. Cascading layers of über-proggy goodness.
“San Pedro“ (play/download mp3)
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Controller Controller‘s “Silent Seven” is an angular punky funky song about paranoia and the dumbing down of society. Sharp, socially conscious and witty, with a Gang Of Four meets early XTC sound, and an odd 80′s pop chorus quote thrown in for spice. Very cool stuff.
“Silent Seven“
(play/download mp3)
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The Shins combine beautifully crafted pop with inspirational hyper-intellectual lyrics. Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, The Shins create music for smart pop connoisseurs. Their witty songwriting is a dream come true for Literature lovers like myself (and you). So put on your thinking cap and enjoy, smarty pants!
“Kissing the Lipless“ (play/download mp3)
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“LA’s Moving Units create a kinetic post-punk sound that pays homage to GANG OF FOUR. “I Am” is a dance-friendly track guaranteed to get even the most timid wallflower on the dancefloor! Turn this up and keep on dancing!
“I Am“ (play/download mp3)
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Brooklyn’s Say Hi will never go camping, so don’t ever ask. He’d rather deal with cracks in pavement in the city then have to deal with imaginary witches who use toads to cast spells on unwelcome visitors.
“The Forest Scares The Hell Out Of Me“ (play/download mp3)
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Low Red Land are no longer a band. The broke up to “pursue other endeavors.” It happens to all bands except U2 and Phish. No matter if LRL are together or not, their sonic output will remain with us, hopefully forever. Start or add to your Low Red land archive with, “Better Angels.” Fans of pop music disguised as indie rock shall rejoice. Fans of great song writing shall too rejoice.
“Better Angels“ (play/download mp3)
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Taking a page from Devo and a chapter from Alice In Wonderland, Berkeley’s Fashion Slaves let the styrofoam cat out of the styrofoam bag with their first mp3 release. It’s short and sweet and crispy and fun I can’t get that riff outta my styrofoam head. NY art rock, gone hella east bay. I love it.
The Fashion Slaves
Click to play, or right click “save as” to download:
The Fashion Slaves – “Styrofoam” (mp3)
(Fun Fun Fun Recordings)
