Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros-Here (Album Review)

Hard to believe that the first time Ed Sharpe and his merry band graced these pages was two and a half years ago. Ever since then they released their debut Up From Below, toured every nook and cranny in the States as well as at least one European tour, and today are releasing their sophomore album Here. Been a busy couple of years for the multitudinous crew, two years which has taken them from indie obscurity to national recognition.

Here, however, is by no means Up From Below 2. Folktales have been traded in for folklore, mysticism for a tad more down home cooking. Rather than trying to explore the other, the group seems to be firmly entrenching themselves into explaining where they are. A current of simplicity runs through the tracks, and while it perhaps has fewer awe inspiring moments than their debut, Here is probably a more complete and sustained album. Alex Ebert and Jade do their best "Home" impression on "That's What's Up" while on "I Don't Wanna Pray" is about as honkytonk as a song can get and the album in general is full of sounds that would sound just as good around as a campfire as your neighborhood venue. Make sure you see them when they're around. Here clocks in at only 38 minutes. Far from a full meal, it instead is the equivalent of eating some Basque pintxos-whetting the appetite yet fulfilling the soul. Check out the ethereal "Mayla" below and buy the album Here (only $5!)

Click here to download "Mayla"


Download Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Mayla

Coeur de Pirate-Blonde (Album Review)

The past few months in the music world have been defined by mega releases (think Carter IV, Watch The Throne, Mylo Xyloto, Take Care, etc). Released after months of speculation and hype, these albums will dominate the charts leading up to Xmas, though their actual qualities vary from "Ehh" to "Not Bad." A very quiet release from a diminutive French-Canadian artist, in my opinion, tops them all. Big personal favorite Coeur de Pirate (real name Beatrice Martin) recently released her second full album entitled Blonde. Martin pulls off something that lots of bands are trying to do these days-capture a sound from a bygone decade. With influences ranging from 1960's French Pop to western ballads, Beatrice seems to distance herself from the mainly mellow piano backed jams of her first, self-titled, album. Though nothing has the instant catchiness of "Comme Des Enfants," Blonde is a more mature, more nuanced album. Playing it the past few days reminded me somehow of a great, focused, soundtrack, much like the ones behind Drive and Amelie. In this case, Blonde sounds like the soundtrack to a simpler era. Though not flashy, bereft of big name producers, and probably not the springboard to a nationwide arena tour, Coeur has stealthily released what I consider to be one of the best album of 2011, so far.

Buy Blonde here

Click here to download "Cap Diamant"


Coeur de pirate Cap Diamant

Click here to download "Adieu"


Coeur de pirate Adieu

Justice-Audio, Video, Disco (Now with .mp3)

The new single for Justice's new album just leaked. Still don't know quite what to think. I think Justice will get a lot of new fans with this new sound, and it's not like the biggest names in electro haven't completely switched their sound up from time to time (see: Daft Punk). Not as rambunctious as Cross, but maybe that's not a bad thing. Anyway, listen and let me know what you think.

Click here to download


Justice Audio, Video, Disco