Duck & Cover :: Indie rock music writing from Arcade Fire to the Zygotic Minci

Ólafur Arnalds - Ljósið (Official Music Video) from Erased Tapes on Vimeo . Sometimes it serves us well to do no more than be still and listen.

Buy Fanfarlo's Reservoir from Amazon. Sounds Like : You're either in love, or your heart has been cut into a dozen pieces, shoved into a potato gun, and blasted from your lover's window; but really, is there a difference? RIYL : Okkervil River, The Arcade Fire, The Decemberists A Few Words : Reservoir , the debut album from Fanfarlo , as been on repeat for three days. While I'm prone to hyperbole, this time it's true. There exists a torrent of furious emotion bounded by an artistic keenness to craft a balanced album. Vocals swoon and bounce between anxiety and ecstasy. Instrumentally, it's difficult to not compare Fanfarlo to The Arcade Fire: the thick bass beat, melodies dancing through violins to ukulele to blasts of horn, the overriding feeling that you're breaking free from the dusty walls that separate life from living. A few weeks ago I posted a beautiful video of "The Walls Are Coming Down" off Reservoir , so today I'll leave you with ...

Of course it's not typical. For one thing, it's Ash. For another, it's 1980--a time when the world was bathed in faded orange and all our t-shirts were either monochrome or E.T. iron-ons. We forgot about this ambient cusp of existence between disco and Don Johnson as soon as we hit 1985 and discovered the magic of neon and asymmetry. But don't let the contemporary hipster culture fool you--nobody wore porkpie hats on the backs of their heads. Well, nobody outside of Tears for Fears.

How about a little rockabilly for Friday? Or "insurgent country"? Or "alt country"? Whatever the hell the kids are calling it these days, Miss Derringer isn't paying attention because they're busy promoting their second album of vintage sounds, Winter Hill , which, set in 1960s New England, tells the tale of a mob war between the Irish and (who else?) the Irish. With influences ranging from Merle Haggard to The Misfits, Miss Derringer add more layers to the already-multifaceted genre. Garageabilly anyone? Download "Click Click, Bang Bang" off Miss Derringer's new album, Winter Hill

Buy The Pattern Prism from Amazon. Sounds Like: "forget the defibrillator, spark 'em up with Vowels." RIYL: Battles, Stereolab, Gang Gang Dance, Holy Fuck A Few Words: I dropped the press release for Vowels a few weeks ago. At the time I'd only listened to one track, but it was enough for me note something interesting going on. Since then, the 8-song album by UK producer James Rutledge has become a regular part of my daily listening. Although my audio routine may differ slightly from yours. After 9am and my fourth cup of coffee, Vowels grabs me by the ears and, with a gnarly grin, greets me with a fierce head butt. There is calculated madness behind it; from the tremolo syth on "Appendix" to the beats on "Two Wires" that roll and turn like tumbling boulders. Between this and the joe, I'm wired by 10am. Vowels invades again in the evening when there is talk of the pub. "On Up" has become a flat favorite with it's see-saw time s...

Check out the stunning, animated sci-fi music video for "Flashing Red Light Means Go" from the UK indie-rock squad The Boxer Rebellion. Directed by Grant Berry & Nick Tarte, the video was created digitally, frame-by-frame, over an incredibly intense period of four weeks and is a fantastical moving image of futuristic travel we can only conceive in our most dizzying of dreams.

Download "Chivalry's Dead" of The Paper Cranes' debut album of the same name Sounds Like: the soundtrack for Autumn Sundays in the park. RIYL: Modern Skirts, The Clash, Portugal. The Man A Few Words: The press release that came with The Paper Cranes has a great line in it. Right off the bat, they moan "Welcome to 2k9, where it’s all about hazy bro-fi detachment, cocktail-soaked dancefloor music, and Hipster Runoff. Stifling . . . ". They continue on to introduce the antidote to all this detachment: Victoria, BC band The Paper Cranes. Artists who, I agree, are kicking out some excellent indie pop hooks. Good enough to open in the past 12 months for The Walkmen as well as Wolf Parade. Also included in that little press release is a great quote from Pitchfork (but I'd read this one before): If you're not afraid to admit your favorite Cure song was "Love Cats"; if you think Paul Weller hasn't written a classic song since "A Town Cal...

Sounds Like: what happens when shoegazers harden up. RIYL: My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Ride, Red Stars Theory, Amateur Radio Operator A Few Words: In high school chemistry, we learned about reactions. More specifically, the reactions that can occur from combining individual and often disparate components. Most of the classes were focused on common syntheses: salts, acids, reducing agents, covalent bonds--you get the idea. Most of it bored me to tears, until one day when our teacher closed all the windows, shut the classroom door, and told us today's lesson was heating ammonium nitrate: we were making nitrous oxide . It was one of the most memorable days in school--mostly because we got high with our teacher and Chrissy H. touched my hand. I may have failed chemistry, but I took away the knowledge that some reactions have an effect greater then the combination of their parts. Take Your Cannons , for example: the individual members hail from Colorado, Sweden, England, and Th...

A good friend said, "It'll probably sound like all the rest, but I'll still love it." I'm happy to report that she's right on both counts. Listen to "Smoke" off the new album, 1372 Overton Park Sounds Like: Lying drunk on the bar floor with whiskey in one hand, and the other balled into a fist and raised high in some kind of inebriated salute. RIYL: Old 97s, Whiskeytown, Drag the River, Drive by Truckers From the Press Release: Lucero’s sixth studio album and major label debut, 1372 Overton Park , is due October 6 on Universal Republic Records. Produced by Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem) and featuring horn arrangements by legendary Memphis session player Jim Spake (Al Green, John Hiatt, Solomon Burke, Cat Power), the record marks a decided turn toward the Memphis soul sound that has long informed the band’s records from afar. 1372 Overton Park follows the band’s 2006 release, Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers, hailed by Pitchfork as “the best sho...

Download "Fast Forward Regrets" It's difficult to categorize this one because I have as yet only heard the single they've released--the same single I'm giving to you now. On this one, minimalist but highly dance-able track, there is enough eclectic energy to rank them with the likes of Man Man or Matt & Kim. With nothing more than hand-claps, an accordion, and their throaty growls, The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt create a sound I would drive for miles to witness. Which is good since their debut album isn't slated for release until Spring 2010, and their only live shows are on the east coast for now. Tour Dates below: Wed 10/14*Soundlab*Buffalo,NY Thu 10/15*Sneaky Dees*Toronto, ON Fri 10/16*Foufounes Electriques*Montreal, QC Thu 10/22*Pianos*New York,NY*CMJ Showcase Sat 10/24*Santos Partyhouse*New York, NY*CMJ Showcase Tue 10/27*Firehouse 13*Providence, RI Wed 10/28*Distant Castle*Worcester, MA Thu 10/29*Danger Danger House*Philadelphia, PA Fri 10/30*Sonar*B...

And it all begins here in Vancouver. . . Social networks are an interesting way to meet people. In fact, I don't really recommend them unless you're better in digitrons than you are in person. And music-oriented social networks are even worse than the Facebooks and Bebos of the world because sites like iMeem and Last.FM are full of folks who either want to hock their DJ set or get you to read their blog--btw, read my blog. However, sometimes you encounter some genuinely cool people. And SOMETIMES those cool people will even write to you. When that happens, you're usually in for a good read, like when I got a shout on Last.FM to go see Portugal.The Man because--lo and behold--they were playing in my city in just a few days. That shout came early last week, and I've been thrashing P.TM's album The Satanic Satanist ever since. If you don't catch Portugal.The Man, who is playing dates with Drug Rug, Hockey, and Robert Francis (!!), on this tour, I bet you that in a...

If you liked Springsteen's Nebraska , then Robert Francis is going to butter your bread; and I'm talking real butter, none of that margarine crap. There's no shortage of folky singer-songwriters making great music these days. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's one of the most competitive--if only because it's the most saturated--genre on the scene. So while it can be a bit difficult at times to separate the wheat from the chaff, one's efforts pay off when engaged with artists like Robert Francis. It's not solely I who believes this, though. The Huffington Post recently raved that "...Robert's writing style emulates Ry Cooder's and, occasionally, Bruce Springsteen's... Performance-wise, Robert's sound takes a young, 21st century run at The Band". Francis also got a pat on the back from Washington Times: During a recent performance...Mr. Francis howled his way through a 45-minute set of heartland rock 'n' roll... he str...

Buy Lay It On Me from Amazon.com Sounds Like: Gospel bespectacled blues rock seeking damnation over salvation. RIYL: Cold War Kids, Rolling Stones, BRMC A Few Words: There was a time when rock 'n roll was the norm. And I don't mean Smooth Rock, Heavy Metal, or (::shudder::) Country Pop Rock; I mean Rock and Fucking Roll. I mean three-sheets-to-the-wind, kick-a-hole-in-the-wall Rrrrrock. Yet in today's contemporary music scene with its myriad of genres, good rock is as difficult to come by as a Family Values Republican who isn't getting some on the side . But have faith, there is hope; Vancouver-based Minto is one more band keeping good 'ol rock 'n roll alive. While it's more accurately defined as blues rock, Minto's sound will make you toss your pint down your throat and pump your fist in the air--heck, you might even give a rebel yell. The enormity of the band is well-captured on their latest, Albini-produced album, Lay it On Me , but you really nee...

Download Langhorne Slim's "I Love You, But Goodbye" In a few weeks, that folk songer-songwriter with the tear-jerking voice will release his new album, Be Set Free on Kemado Records. In anticipation of what's sure to be a beautiful album and most definitely an autumn favorite, please treat yourselves to an mp3 prepared specially for you. I'd serve it up with coffee, but hot beverages don't compress very well. Slim will also begin his North American tour in October. In the past he's toured with Murder By Death, The Violent Femmes, and Lucero, but this one's all his. Check out Langhorne Slim on the following dates. I'll be at the Media Club in Vancouver if anyone wants to buy me a beer--er, I mean, say 'hello.' 10/15 - Bell House - Brooklyn, NY 10/17 - TT The Bears - Cambridge, MA 10/21 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH 10/22 - Blind Pig - Ann Arbor, MI 10/24 - High Noon Saloon - Madison, WI 10/25 - 400 Bar - Minneapolis, MN 10/26 - Waiting Roo...

Often music videos are overly complicated. Either the director is trying cram too many metaphors into a three-minute box, or the cut-scenes and special effects detract from the song itself. Thankfully, directors Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard employed simplicity alongside Fanfarlo in the video for "The Walls Are Coming Down." Featuring Roslyn Walker, one of the few living professional escape artists, the video's only other props are a couple of well-placed spotlights. Enjoy, and check out Fanfarlo if you're in the area: Sep 14*Chop Suey*Seattle Sep 15*Troubadour*West Hollywood Sep 16*The Echo*Los Angeles Sep 17*Popscene*San Francisco Sep 20*Kungfu Necktie*Philadelphia Sep 21*Bowery Ballroom*New York Sep 22*The Bell House*New York

I didn't know what to make of this when I first received it. Yet whether it's an honest, low-budget sci-fi or a spoof now seems irrelevant because Stingray Sam is going to be my new hero. He's genuine, dynamic, and best of all his outfit will be easy to put together for Halloween. In Stingray Sam, Cory McAbee's second sci-fi musical featuring music by McAbee's band The Billy Nayer Show, David Hyde Pierce narrates the story that begins with a dangerous mission that reunites Stingray Sam with his long lost accomplice, The Quasar Kid. The story follows these two space convicts as they earn their freedom in exchange for the rescue of a young girl who is being held captive by the genetically designed figurehead of a very wealthy planet. Now go grab a bowl of olives and enjoy the clip!

1001 NIGHTS is a comprehensive anthology of the ethereal Damon and Naomi, including videos and live performances by the duo from 2001 through 2009, being released via Factory 25 , a new Brooklyn-based independent film and music label. This decade-long road trip includes live footage of the musicians and friends including Michio Kurihara, The Clientele, Ghost, Richard Youngs, Rheinallt H. Rowlands, Thom Revolver, Bhob Rainey, Masaki Batoh and Helena Espvall. Damon and Naomi curated 1001 Nights and included a rare live version of "Blue Thunder," a song originally performed by their legendary first band Galaxie 500. A special, limited edition LP/DVD bundle includes the DVD, Live in San Sebastian on vinyl and a three-dimensional 1001 Nights calendar (seriously, D&N--a calendar?). You can also check out their page on the Factory 25 website to view more video clips from the DVD and to pre-order the LP/DVD.

I was recently in Denver visiting my muso-anthropologist friends, and The Phenomenal Handclap Band was a recurring mention. So when I came across this remix for "You'll Disappear," I couldn't help think it would make the doldrums of Wednesday seem a little less droll. This one's for you, Jaguars. Download the remix of "You'll Disappear" from The Phenomenal Handclap Band.

Download "On Up!" by Vowels Sounds Like: Quantum entanglement dance party RIYL: Four Tet, Neu!, Can From the Press Release: UK producer James Rutledge has taken on many personas over the years, and is now moving his efforts and exploration into the Krautrock realm. Rutledge will release this new music under the name Vowels, teaming up with LOAF records (The Chap, Johan Agebjorn/Sally Shapiro, Pete Fowler), for the US release of Pattern Prism on September 22nd. Previously only available on import, Pattern Prism is an extension of Rutledge's continuing interest in Krautrock, and he cites influences ranging from Silver Apples and SunnO))) to John Carpenter and Black Dice among others. Previously, Rutledge has released music on Domino, Melodic, Moshi Moshi, Warp and Wichita and has worked with artists like Dangermouse, Four Tet, Kevin Shields, The Pastels and Prefuse 73. This past year, he released an album with Mush Records under the name Pedro, and has been doing remi...