Loving: Minipop - A New Hope
I first wrote about Minipop over a year and a half ago after discovering their excellent EP, Precious. Now the band has officially released their first full-length album, A New Hope (Star Wars reference?). The album was actually self-released months ago, but has now found a new life via label Take Root. A few re-recorded Precious songs join a cache of new, buttery-smooth dream pop songs. “Like I Do” is pretty much pop perfection. There’s a real innocence and purity that comes out of this band. A total lack of pretense. Music for all ages. I’ve been spinning this CD for months, and it’s easily one of the best albums I own. Totally recommended.
Listen: Minipop – Like I Do
Buy A New Hope on iTunes
Extras:
“Like I Do” on YouTube:
Loving: Tegan and Sara - The Con
It’s no secret that I’m nuts about Tegan & Sara. The sisters’ 2004 release, So Jealous, was one of my favorite albums of the year. The record’s retro-tinged pop stylings were so sticky that I literally left the CD in my car stereo for months.
So it was not without a certain set of expectations that I patiently awaited the release of The Con. Much like Veruca Salt’s Louise Post and Nina Gordon, Tegan and Sara each penned their own songs and then came together to record them. On the boards this time around was Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie fame and though I am neither a dedicated DCFC fan or Walla neophyte, there is clearly a different coloring to The Con than previous Tegan & Sara recordings. Walla also plays on many of the songs, joining an impressive lineup of musical friends including Kaki King and Matt Sharp (The Rentals, Weezer).
The Con does not disappoint. Oh boy, does it ever not disappoint. There is a masterful mix of sugary pop and tense, left-of-center songs all the way through the tracklist. The poppy title track leads into the edgier, fractured “Knife Going In” and “Are You Ten Years Ago,” then bouncing back into the completely infectious “Back In Your Head” and “Hop a Plane.” “Nineteen” and the soothing album-closer “Call It Off” are personal faves of mine.
There is really only one thing wrong with this album. Okay, it’s not really about the music but it must still be mentioned — girls, I beg you: lose the weird mullets. ;)
Listen: Tegan and Sara – Back In Your Head
Buy The Con on iTunes or from Maple Music.
Extras:
- Video for “Back In Your Head”:
- Watch video diaries on YouTube.
Loving: 11:11 - Maria Taylor
First, big ups to the dudes at Virb for introducing me to the music of Maria Taylor. Formerly of the duo Azure Ray, Taylor has now struck out on her own, making music on her own and contributing to music by Bright Eyes and The Faint (among others). In fact, if you’ve seen Bright Eyes’ latest video for the song “Four Winds”, you’ve already met Maria (she’d be the one playing the drums).
While Lynn Teeter Flower is actually Maria’s new release, it was her debut solo album, 11:11, that hit my mailbox first and made the larger impression on me. 11:11 is a record full of lush melodies and warm vocals stitched with threads of string arrangements and electronic flourishes. The songs are warm and intimate wth just a hint of alt-country twang — perfect for a lazy weekend. It has a wonderful personality that keeps me spinning it over and over again. Hey, maybe you’ll like it too!
Listen: Maria Taylor – Song Beneath The Song
Buy 11:11 on iTunes or from Saddle Creek.
Extras:
- Watch a live performance of Xanax. Beautiful song.
- Listen to more songs from 11:11 and Lynn Teeter Flower on Maria’s official site.