Pitstop: Matt Pond PA

I had heard of Matt Pond PA mentioned numerous times throughout 2010. And for some reason never checked it out. What actually prompted me to give it a listen was seeing the name on the calender for a local concert venue. The venue normally caters to hardcore, screamo, and the various varieties of punk music so I was surprised when I saw Matt Pond PA on the calender. On every instance I had seen or heard his name, a genre was never attached. One Google search landed me on his MySpace page. Turns out Matt Pond PA is the name of the NY-based Philadelphia-born full band that accompanies singer/songwriter Matt Pond. His music evokes sunny warm Spring days regardless of what time of year it actually is. Unlike most full band's centered around a songwriter, every part is given its chance to soar and make its presence known. Sure, the instrumentals mostly compliment Matt Pond's vocals but they're not so out of focus that you can't recognize the talent there.


Get a taste of Matt Pond PA with the video for "Starting" from last year's release The Dark Leaves. And if you like the band's sound make sure you catch them on their tour beginning February 25. You can view the dates here.

Now Streaming: Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines

Telekinesis has undergone some considerably changes over the year(s) like line-up changes but what hasn't changed is leader Michael Benjamin Lerner's brilliantly shiny powerpop. His sophomore album 12 Desperate Straight Lines was inspired by heartbreak, a van crash, and a restless spirit. It's both charmingly familiar and subtly different.

You can stream the new album in full before its February 15th release date at NPR here.

Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines

Michael Benjamin Lerner aka the man behind Telekinesis won me over long ago with debut album Telekinesis! back in 2009. Add to the fact that he's worked with underrated singer/songwriter Anya Marina and well, the man can pretty much do no wrong. "Dirty Thing" is by far one of the catchiest songs I've encountered over the past year but for all the right reasons. It's light and poppy but not too much and is one of those examples of happy songs that are actually kinda sad.

Considering the album's inspired by feelings of desperation, depression, anger, and hopelessness, you might be surprised by the album's upbeat high-energy pop sound and yet that's what attracts you to Telekinesis. The duality between the catchiness of the songs themselves and the actual meaning of the lyrics. On 12 Desperate Straight Lines you get vestiges of Learner's established sound while he also throws in more experimentation. It's noisier than the debut but no less accessible. Proving you never know what to except from him: Learner redoes previously released "Dirty Thing" and makes it sound more nostalgia a feat I didn't even know was possible.

12 Desperate Straight Lines proves that even life's low points have good in them. Learner's tracks dance where others would weep, smile when others would frown, and practically shine with optimism. It's the more positive break-up album you bound to ever hear.

You can preorder the album (whose release date is February 15) here.

Watch: Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers"

When she's not selling out shows worldwide, Swedish siren Lykke Li is creating art. After an untitled video where Lykke Li gets in touch with her primal side and savagely attacking the sand on a beach. The video for her second single from upcoming sophomore album Wounded Rhymes "I Follow Rivers", finds Lykke Li traversing the snowy plains of Gotland with Swedish Lebanese actor Fares Fares. Well more like chasing after him. Even going barefoot in the freezing snow to catch up to him. And when she catches up with him there's like a minute of kissing. After the super fem-powered "Get Some", it shows a softer side to the take no prisoners persona established in her past couple videos. And yet, even when she's comforting a man, barefoot in the snow, a steely glance at the camera reminds you that she's still no pushover. Enjoy the video for "I Follow Rivers":

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (Director: Tarik Saleh) from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

Pitstop: Oryx and Crake

I found out about Oryx and Crake by accident on Paste Magazine's site after seeing their name is an ad-like side banner for Paste's Artist of the Day while reading about notable albums out today. Something about their name compelled me to check into them. Also the recommended if you like: The Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, and Lost in the Trees. Color me intrigued. Self-described on their MySpace page as Electroacoustic indiepop, what struck me was there use of instruments like cellos and violins with beats created on an electronic drum. Like Broken Bells collided with a string orchestra or something to that effect. The 9 piece from Atlanta, Georgia is centered around a husband and wife duo Ryan Peoples and Rebekah Goode-Peoples' guitar, keyboard, and vocals with instruments like banjo, midi, cello, and singing saw thrown in to flush out the sound. I've talked about folktronica bands on this blog before and yet, this was unlike anything I've heard in the genre. For such a large ensemble, the sound is subdued and subtle, charmingly intimate, and yet the beats infuse it with a vaguely dance-pop character.

Give Oryx and Crake a listen and if you like their music turns out they have a record out. So if you like it, grab it! Latest tracks by oryxandcrake

The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger - Acoustic Sessions

I was first introduced to The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, the brain child of Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl, this past summer when they performed at one of Joseph Gordon Levitt's Summer in the City for his collective HitRECord. Their songs were as eerie as they were captivating, as quirky as they were genius. However, as quickly as they took to the stage, they were gone like stealthy musical ninjas. So imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon their "debut" album Acoustic Sessions at my local music store. From the second their voices enter in lead track "Lavender Road", you understand exactly why the two are in a musical project together. Their voices weave effortless together and their multi-instrumentalism compliments each other perfectly.

With songs like "Shroedinger's Cat", "Candy Necklace", and "Robot Boy" among others, GOASTT create brilliantly off-kilter fairy tales sometimes sunny, sometimes dark, always creatively original, and tinged with bits of psychedelica. You probably haven't heard anything like The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger's Acoustic Sessions which is a gift in itself. The other is the raw talent you'll get to experience if you buy the album. So do yourself and grab it! You won't regret it.

Get a taste of The GOASTT with their Tiny Desk Concert at NPR:

Wildlife - Strike Hard, Young Diamond (2010)

I have no idea why it's taken me so long to review this album. Truthfully, this album was among my most anticipated albums of 2010. Especially after getting a peek with the Strike Hard, Young Diamond EP. But with Strike Hard, Young Diamond, Wildlife proves that the songwriting prowess revealed in "Sea Dreamer" and "Stand in the Water" was no fluke. Occasionally the Ontario natives will trade in ragged jangly powerpop for some stripped down goodness to remarkable effect.

I spoke rather highly of Wildlife when they released their EP, calling them capable storytellers and talented musicians and I'm proud that with their full-length debut they've maintained these skills. The new songs fit perfectly alongside their pre-released tracks and continue to show their wide range of influences like post-rock on "Drunken Heart" and "Synesthesia". Strike Hard, Young Diamond is catchy, accessible, versatile, and worthy of many repeat listens. Here's hoping there's much more to come from these young rockers to the North because I certainly intend to listen!


You can give the album a listen as well as pick up digital copy of the album up at their bandcamp here.