West Palm Beach, Fla. indie-rockers Surfer Blood recently released their excellent debut Astro Coast. No really, it’s good. Blue-era Weezer good. Well, the hook-y fivesome played for Spinner’s Interface show. You can watch the David Lynch-referencing “Twin Peaks” to the left. If those lyrics are right, dude can’t get much makeout time from the ladies. Hit those links below for more jangly three-part guitar riffs and a somewhat awkward interview sesh.
Astro Coast is out now on Kanine and we have a feature with the band in our Winter 2010 issue.
Here’s a curious synth-pop remix of The Antlers’ “Two.” It’s strange to hear the morose and Hospice track get all electronic on us, but Buffetlibre‘s chimes and piano parts give the beautiful track some sure footing. Watch the original song’s excellent animated video here.
In 2006, Boy Genius’ singer-songwriter, Jason Korenkiewicz, began penning the tracks that would morph into his four-part harmonic band.
The Brooklyn indie-poppers’ first two EPs and debut full-length, Anchorage, saw them working with engineer Josh Clark (Beirut, The New Pornographers) and his for its jubilant follow-up, Staggering, they wrangled indie producer/artist heavyweight Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Pavement, Superchunk, Dinosaur Jr.).
Staggering‘s horn-led “Blame Love” (peep it above), continues to develop the young band’s melodic sensibilities and earworm-y vocals. Heartbreaking lyrics are nicely juxtaposed with a bright mix. It also helps that Korenkiewicz (guitar, vox) is aided by three solid back-up vocalists: Marisa Cerio (lead guitar), Lisa Klimkiewicz (drums), and Jeffrey Mensch (bass). Their New Pornos-like tunes will likely catch many ears in 2010. Staggering is out January 26th on Greenpop Recordings.
Fyfe Dangerfield
“When You Walk in the Room” MP3
Jan 21, 2010
Guillemots leader Fyfe Dangerfield‘s solo debut LP, Fly Yellow Moon is out now on iTunes. It was recorded after his main band finished 2008’s Red.Dangerfield’s opening cut, “When You Walk in the Room” (digital single drops January 26th) is one of the more racuous tracks on a very mannerly and sentimental release.Download it above.
Also, the singer-songwriter reports that Guillemots are slowly working on their third LP. His short U.S. trek starts Monday, January 25th at Philadelphia’s World Cafe. Go to his MySpace for those dates.
Oh, the beauty of the internet! Kevin Barnes, the very bearded of Montreal frontman and our Best of the Decade cover subject did a little Tweeting today. Barnes posted, “Working on something new” today, with a link to a home video.
The clip showed the psychedelic musician at the piano, playing 70 seconds of a new tune dubbed “Enemy Gene.” Hey, emotional evolution is a bitch sometimes. Naturally, there’s a beautiful piano figure on this one, but it may mutate further once Barnes has more time with it. Watch the nice view into a popsmith’s creative process below and then head on over here and here for our recent interviews with the bearded man himself.
Spoon
“Written In Reverse” (Live on Conan O’Brien) Video
Last night, Spoon brought Transference‘s “Written In Reverse” to the almost-goneTonight Show with Conan O’Brien. Frontman Britt Daniel had some major vocal issues in the first half, but he pulled through for the furious coda. Seventh LP, Transference, is out now on Merge.
I think The xx‘s “VCR” is my favorite track off their much-hyped 2009 bow. Detroit techno maven Matthew Dear lays down some serious revisions to the sexy cut by adding some cowbell, wispy threads of his own voice, and a backbeat worthy of the dancefloor. Pretty catchy stuff here.
Also, here’s the new music video for “VCR.” Director Marcus Söderlund films a couple sharing a mental breakdown. How sweet. Check it out below. (Via P4k.)
Here’s a curious synth-pop remix of 
In 2006, 
Guillemots
