A mixtape for July

Due to the fact that I am in the 3rd and final year of my degree, I have had little time to think about anything much other than nursing and I have severely neglected this music blog. I have a whole HEAP of new music that I want to write about so I will endeavour to catch up on some musical amazingness very soon. In the mean time, here is a collection of tunes for July.

1. Born Ruffians - So Slow

2. Local Natives - Heavy Feet

3. Volcano Choir - Byegone

4. Paul Dempsey - Ramona Was a Waitress

5. Clubfeet - Everything You Wanted

6. Poolside -  Harvest Moon

7. The Honey Month - Foliage

8. Husky - History's Door

9. Born Ruffians - Permanent Hesitation

10. Cold War Kids - Lost That Easy

11. The Rubens - My Gun

12. Craftspells - After The Moment

13. Washed Out - It All Feels Right

14. Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla

15. Beach House - Used to Be

16. Frightened Rabbit - The Woodpile

17. Big Scary - Luck Now

18. Vance Joy - Riptide

19. Vydamo - Hurricane

20. Buchanan - Act Natural 

ENJOY!

A Mixtape for March

Georgetown (December 2012)

1. Local Natives - You & I

2. Bat for Lashes - Daniel 

3. Major Lazer - Get Free

4. Bubble Club - The Goddess

5. Gypsy & the Cat - Time to Wander

6. Mitzi - Modern Life

7. Yeasayer - Longevity

8. Wild Nothing - This Chain Won't Break

9. Local Natives - Mt. Washington

10. Grimes - Oblivion

11. Thieves Like Us - Shyness

12. Craft Spells - Party Talk

13. Miami Horror ft. Alan Palomo - Holidays

14. Tennis - Robin

15. Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill

16. The Rubens - Never Be the Same

17. Delphic - Baiya

18. Flume (Ft. Moon Holiday) - Insane

19. Grizzly Bear - Speak in Rounds

20. Ducktails - Hamilton Road

All songs available on iTunes, click 8 trackto listen to this mix on 8 track!

A mixtape for February

I have been a bit slack with the mixtapes... Here's one for February.

Photo taken in Chicago in January 2013. 

1. The Apples In Stereo - Dream About the Future

2. M83 - We Own The Sky

3. Flume - Sleepless (Ft. Jezzabell Doran) 

4. Chairlift - I Belong In Your Arms

5. Bear in Heaven - You Do You

6. SURES - Stars

7. Alpine - Heartlove

8. Kisses - People Can Do The Most Amazing Things

9. Washed Out - You and I

10. Passion Pit - Love is Greed

11. Neon Indian - Mind, Drips

12. Alt-J (∆) - Breezeblocks

13. Kimbra - Warrior

14. Air - Venus

15. Yeasayer - Fingers Never Bleed

16. San Cisco - Wild Things

17. Frightened Rabbit - Swim Until You Can't See Land

18. Ms Mr - Hurricane

19. Yeasayer - Henrietta

20. The Presets - Promises

my top 8 albums of 2012

Unfortunately 2012 was not the GREATEST year for music however there were some splendid album releases, only 7 8 of which were worthy enough for a mention here. These are my top 8:



8. The Lumineers - The Lumineers


A newcomer to my iTunes playlist, the hit single, "Ho Hey" quickly made its way to the top 10 songs of 2012 for me.

The Lumineers' debut album is full of mostly lively folksy tunes with a few more downbeat but still lovely songs, my favourites are: "Ho Hey", "Big Parade", and "Stubborn Love".

7.  The Shins - Port of Morrow

A long awaited follow-up to Wincing The Night Away, Port of Morrow is he 4th studio album from James Mercer-led, The Shins.

Mercer attributes the new sound to his newfound domestic life; a certain departure from past releases by the band and further influenced by the departure of founding members since 2007 and also by nostalgia.

Lyrically rich, the album is a certain pleaser for the band's fan base, 

"Remember walking a mile to your house a glow in the dark, I made a fumbling play for your heart and the act struck a spark" 

(Simple Song)

My favourite songs include, "Simple Song",  "Fall of '82" and "No Way Down"

Port of Morrow reached #4 on the Australian Aria charts.

6. Yeasayer - Fragrant World

A new inclusion to my top 8, I neglected to get this album when it first came out but have since seen Yeasayer in concert twice this year and they were wonderful.

This is their 3rd release, Fragrant World. I loved Odd Blood and All Hour Cymbals but on first listen I wasn't convinced that they had pulled their 3rd release off. I have since listened to the album quite a few times and have decided that I was an idiot and it's pretty damn good, especially if you love classic Yeasayer tunes.

My favourites are, "Henrietta", "Longevity", and "Reagan's Skeleton"

5. Flume - Flume

Ahh, Flume. A late comer to the bandwagon, I'm so very glad I jumped on. Rarely do I like this type of music but Flume surprised me!

Flume is the brainchild of 20 year old Sydneysider, Harley Stretton.

An Impressive line-up of collaborations lead to this wonderful album.

Tunes to listen to include, "Sleepless" (Ft. Jezzabell Doran) and "Insane" (Ft. Moon Holiday)


4. Passion Pit - Gossamer

The long awaited follow-up to 2009's "Manners" is one that is tinged with bittersweetness. Michael Angelakos' newest brainchild, "Gossamer"  is one that is fraught with manic undertones and is indeed attributed to one great big manic episode. This album, thankfully,  is brilliant regardless of the undertones. I was always wary of any follow-ups to Manners and the Chunk Of Change EP but this was another pleasant surprise for me.

From the get go, the album delivers a juicy, poppy and wonderful album laced with those famous Angelakos falsetto-prone vocals and surprising lyrics,

"It's not right, it's not right

am I the only one who sees us fight? 

What are we? Who are they?

Who says those bastards don't deserve to pay?"

&

"Sylvia, right back where you came from, 

you're a pendulum, heartbroken and numb but 

Sylvia, no one's gonna tell you when enough's enough... 

Enough is enough." 

The band puts on an equally impressive stage show, the energy that one man evokes of a room full of people is magnificent; the whole 9:30 club in Washington D.C. was jumping!

A spectacular second record, I wish I had 3 number 1 spots!

Tunes I adore are "Carried Away", "Love is Greed" and "It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy"

3. Freelance Whales - Diluvia

Another second release for a band in my list, Diluvia is a delightful album - the band formed after an ad was placed on Craigslist! . Picking up from where the first release, Weathervanes left off, Diluvia is a sweet and enjoyable addition to my iTunes folder.

When I was in Washington DC on exchange, I was lucky enough to see Freelance Whales at the 9:30 Club. They were dressed up for Halloween and there were two freelance whales in the audience. I dressed as a normal person. They played the majority of songs from their 2nd release which due to its limited releases, I hadn't listened to yet but it was great, the whole audience was dancing and having a great time. They also played old favourites from Weathervanes which definitely did not disappoint.

Diluvia has a wide range of sounds, the harmonium is a pretty cool and rare inclusion in bands these days and they use a glockenspiel as well...

My absolute favourite track from the album is "Follow Through", 

"Two words
I never thought they'd be the ones I'd choose
and I'll always follow through"

I also love "Dig Into Waves".

2. Grizzly Bear - Shields

The latest offering from Grizzly Bear, Shields is full of surprising elements. 

Their 4th album, the boys have their style down pat. I have yet to see them in concert due to missing them in both the USA and Australia but I have been told they are great live (no surprises there). 

The album was mostly recorded in Cape Cod, at lead singer Ed Droste's grandmother's home. 

Droste notes the album is not as dreamy as past releases; with a heavier emphasis on drums and raw vocals.

The album debuted at number 7 in the Billboard charts and sold 39,000 copies in its release week!

The band definitely struck gold with this release, my favourite tracks are "Yet Again" and "Speak In Rounds".

1. Beach House - Bloom

I adore Beach House.The duo consisting of Victoria LeGrand and Alex Scally have featured in my list of favourite bands for a long time. It should be no surprise to people who follow either of my blogs that Beach House's latest offering, Bloom came in as my number 1 choice for 2012.

Bloom is a diverse album but it also sticks to the formula the band has used for previous albums (Teen Dream, Beach House, and Devotion),  LeGrand's singing voice is as beautiful and as deceiving as usual - her range is wonderful. 

The album is dreamy and lovely, exactly what you expect and would want from a Beach House release.

The album starts with the slower "Myth" and ends with "Irene". My favourite tunes are "Wild", "Other People" and "Troublemaker.

Triple J Hottest 100, 2012

It was hard to choose my ultimate favourite songs of 2012 but I managed to compile it down to a list of 10...

1. Freelance Whales - Follow Through
2. The Shins - Simple Song
3. Flume - Sleepless (Ft. Jezzabell Doran)
4. Beach House - Wild
5. Grizzly Bear - Yet Again
6. Passion Pit - Carried Away
7. The Lumineers - Ho Hey
8. Grizzly Bear - Speak In Rounds
9. Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks  
10. Chairlift - I Belong In Your Arms 

Honourable mentions go to:

• Freelance Whales - Splitting
• Cub Scouts - Do You Hear + Told You So
• Last Dinosaurs - Andy 
• Passion Pit - It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy + Take a Walk 
• Beach House - Troublemaker + Other People 
• Jonathan Boulet - This Is A Song Called Ragged
• Flume - Insane (Ft. Moon Holiday) 

a little mixtape for October...

1. Mmoths - <3
2. Noah Lennox - Last Night at the Jetty
3. Surfer Blood - Take it Easy
4. Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
5. Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill
6. Beach House - Darling
7. Craft Spells - Scandinavian Crush
8. Cut Off Your Hands - Oh Girl
9. The Drums - Forever and Ever Amen
10. Passion Pit - Better Things
11. Grizzly Bear - Speak in Rounds
12. New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
13. Freelance Whales - Follow Through
14. Born Ruffians - Badonkadonkey
15. Chairlift - I Belong in Your Arms
16. Florence + the Machine - Only if for a Night
17. Grizzly Bear - Yet Again
18. Cub Scouts - Told You So

All songs are available for purchase on iTunes. 

Alternatively, you can listen to the mix on my 8 Tracks here 

A mixtape for September

Hello folks,

This mixtape has been a long time in the making. To start off, I'm not in Australia anymore! I'm in the USA! Woo hoo!

Here are some tunes for September. I also have a link to my 8tracks so you can listen to the full mixtape there!

1. The Lumineers - Ho Hey
2. Beach House - Troublemaker
3. Tennis - Petition
4. Thieves Like Us - Shyness
5. Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks
6. Canyons - When I See You Again
7. Wye Oak - Civilian
8. Family of the Year - St. Croix
9. Jens Lekman - The End Of The World Is Bigger Than Love
10. Passion Pit - Cry Like A Ghost
11. The Lumineers - Big Parade
12. Oh Mercy - Lay Everything On Me
13. The Panics - This Day Last Year
14. Phoenix - Too Young
15. Portugal. The Man - So American
16. The Turtles - Elenore
17. Wild Beasts - All The King's Men
18. Yeasayer - Ambling Alp
19. Grouplove - Tongue Tied
20. Jonathan Boulet - You're A Animal


All songs are available to listen to on iTunes or you can listen here

a mixtape for August

A little mixtape for August

1. The Shins - New Slang
2. Feldberg - Dreamin'
3. Passion Pit - It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy
4. The Shins - Caring is Creepy
5. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
6. The Decemberists - O Valencia!
7. Lovin' Spoonful - Do You Believe in Magic?
8. Team Me - Me And The Mountain
9. M83 - We Own The Sky
10. The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
11. The Presets - Girl And The Sea
12. Memory Tapes - Today Is Our Life
13. The Strokes - 12:51
14. Ernest Ellis - Want For Anything
15. TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me
16. Passion Pit - Carried Away
17. Architecture in Helsinki - Contact High
18. Cloud Control - There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight
19. Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
20. Boy & Bear - Blood to Gold

Passion Pit - Gossamer

Ahhhhh, new Passion Pit - what a delight!

The first I ever heard of Passion Pit was when my friend Caity was djing at Purple Sneakers (for those of you too young to know about it or those of you who aren't from Sydney, Purple Sneakers was an indie rock nightspot that was held at the Abercrombie hotel on Broadway and closed its doors in 2010).

They were so new back then (2008) and had only just released their Chunk of Change EP (a late valentines gift to Michael Angelakos' girlfriend and a record that wasn't supposed to go anywhere) and I instantly fell in love with "Sleepyhead", "Better Things" and the fun and lively melodies that the record unabashedly shared with us, not to mention the lyrics, for example:

you were one inch from the edge of this bed

I dragged you back

a sleepyhead... 

After a wait of what seemed to be an eternity, the band released their debut LP, Manners (2010). Manners did not disappoint - 11 tracks long, Angelakos' falsetto-prone voice and juicy experimental melodies, tracks like "The Reeling" and "Little Secrets" helped propel the band into stardom and of course a huge following.

This brings us to the brand spanking new 2012 release, Gossamer. Gossamer has had a lot to live up to after such a crisp and exciting offer that was Manners but I can safely say that, upon multiple listens, they have again struck gold!

Track listing:

1. Take A Walk

2. I'll Be Alright

3. Carried Away

4. Constant Conversations

5. Mirrored Sea

6. Cry Like A Ghost

7. On My Way

8. Hideaway

9. Two Veils To Hide My Face

10. Love Is Greed

11. It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy

12. Where We Belong 

I can definitely see similarities between the Chunk of Change EP and Gossamer, especially between my favourite track, "Carried Away" and "Better Things" from the EP, but it takes off where Manners left off. Gossamer is a fresh and aurally pleasing offering from Passion Pit, one that should definitely feature in your record collection. 


Listen to "Carried Away", "On My Way", and "Cry Like a Ghost" 

I get carried away

carried away from you

and I'm hoping and I'm praying

'cause I'm sorry/sorry about that

sorry about the things that I said

always let it get to my head

Gossamer is available from all good record stores and on iTunes now!

Enjoy! 

A mixtape for July!

It's been a while, what with uni exams (I did really well, yay!) and preparation for the USA I have barely had time to get anything onto this blog... Here is a mixtape for July!

Image source: MWM Graphics

1. The Decemberists - July, July!
2. The Radio Dept. - The Worst Taste In Music
3. Devendra Banhart - Lover
4. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (after all, it is freezing in Sydney)
5. Freelance Whales - Generator ^ First Floor (because I am OBSESSED with this song)
6. The Radio Dept. - Never Follow Suit
7. Bubble Club - The Goddess
8. Grizzly Bear - Southern Point
9. Husky - History's Door
10. Jezabels - Hurt Me
11. Jonathan Boulet - This Song Is Called Ragged
12. Late of the Pier - Random Firl
13. Wild at Heart - Get Related
14. Local Natives - Airplanes
15. Beach House - Troublemaker
16. Mmoths - <3 (hearts)
17. Neon Indian - Fallout
18. Washed Out - New Theory
19. The Thrills - Big Sur
20. The Isley Brothers - This Old Heart of Mine