Quirky, Catchy Tunes

Everybody knows about OK Go, at the very least they know them as "those guys that did the video on the treadmills." But what many people don't know about OK Go is that there is more to them than just quirky music videos. OK Go is actually a group of very talented musicians and capable of writing very catchy tunes. Also they are actually capable of making a somewhat normal music video that actually features them playing instruments (although there are a lot of explosions in the video):



Another thing about OK Go that makes them so great is that they know how to put on one heck of a live show. We're talking monochromatic suits (similar to these but more formal), confetti cannons, jackets with LEDs, furry guitars, lasers, and even handbells.

As far as OK Go's sound goes, they started out as a pretty much straight up rock band. But with their latest album they have added a more electronicy sound to many of their songs while still remaining a alternative/indie rock band.

Favorite tracks:
-Needing/Getting
-Invincible
-Get Over It

A Lyrical Mastermind

Well this post certainly has been a long time coming. So much for a post every week... Anyway, I've been wanting to feature this particular artist for a long time. He is one of the few song writers that I consider to truly be a lyrical mastermind. Sure there are a lot of people out there that can write good songs with good lyrics, but I my opinion there are only a handful that can write great lyrics. 


What make Chris Merritt one such person is his ability to write catchy songs with witty, intelligent, funny, and downright entertaining lyrics. It seems like every time that I listen to Chris' songs I hear a line that I never really caught before, and more often than not it makes me chuckle. For example, some of my favorite lines from a Chris Merritt song called Madison go like this "You've got a beautiful face / You look a lot like Wes / But I'm not saying I think Wes is beautiful / Or maybe I am? I don't know"

Here is another little taste of his lyrical genius:




Aside from being an amazing songwriter, Chris Merritt is an amazing entertainer/performer. If you ever get the chance to see him live, don't miss it. There is an amazing level of energy that Chris brings whenever he preforms. I'm taking about glasses flying off, chairs being knocked over, the works. Chris is one of the people I can't wait to see live again.

Here is a small taste of the excitement that happens at a Chris Merritt show:



And trust me it's a lot more fun to be there in person.

Chris has written a ton of songs, and he is always coming out with new stuff. According to his Facebook page he has written around 1,400 songs. You can check out Chris' blog where he posts new (and sometimes old) stuff on most Tuesdays. You can also sign up for his e-mail list here and get a free album (or you can just follow the link on the page if you don't want to sign up for the e-mail list). So go ahead and give Chris Merritt a listen, you won't regret it.

Favorite Tracks:
-Madison
-Sugar
-Tarmac

One Man Band

I don't know if you can't really call one man a band, but when you are as talented as Chris Walla you can get pretty close. Best know as the guitarist for Death Cab for Cutie, Chris Walla is a man of many tricks. In addition to being a talented musician, Walla is also a noteworthy producer, having produced for such bands as The Decemberists, Hot Hot Heat, Nada Surf, and other similarly independent minded bands (including his current band Death Cab for Cutie). While Walla has written and released many songs under the name Martin Youth Auxiliary, none of them were given the studio treatment that Field Manual, Walla's first album released under his own name, was given.On Field Manual Walla really flexes his musical muscles, he wrote, played (except for the drums on most of the tracks), sang, and even recorded and mixed several of the songs.



Field Manual has a good mix of upbeat and laid back songs. It is definitely a good album to listen to when you want to relax, but it is a great album anytime. Walla's unique voice can be very soothing and almost haunting at times, which definitely makes for an interesting listen. You can check out more of the album by checking out the Field Manual e-card. There you can listen to some of the tracks from the album, see some of the art work (photos taken by Walla), and even download "Sing Again."

Favorite Tracks:
-Geometry &c
-Sing Again
-Archer v. Light

All American Rock

I think NPR got it right when they said that The Gaslight Anthem shouldn't be enjoyed while sitting in front of a computer screen, but should be heard while on the open road. That was exactly what I thought when I first heard The '59 Sound, The Gaslight Anthem's second full length album.

If you looked for The Gaslight Anthem in your local record store you most likely find them in the Punk section, but if you look on their MySpace page The Gaslight Anthem classify themselves as Soul/Punk/Alternative. The Gaslight Anthem are definitely more than just your average noisy punk band, they definitely have different sound than many other punk bands. To me their sound is just plain, straight up, no nonsense rock and roll. There isn't really a better way to explain it. Its their moderate to heavy guitars, diving rhythms, and Brian Fallon's passionate vocals that The Gaslight Anthem really create their own sound.

The Gaslight Anthem's songs are often reminiscent of days gone by and missed opportunities with some deep and poignant lyrics (sometimes it seems like Brian Fallon is singing to his memories). On their second album, The '59 Sound, The Gaslight Anthem drop plenty of names of famous people from the past, such as Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Miles Davis to name a few.  It sometimes seems like the band would rather be living in the past rather than the present.

Here's a video that about sums up what The Gaslight Anthem is all about:


So now go out an pick up some Gaslight Anthem get your friends together and go for  a nice long drive so you can really enjoy the music.

Favorite Tracks:
-The '59 Sound
-The Patient Ferris Wheel
-The Backseat

Dynamic Duos

It's been a while since I've posted so this week we will have two Bands of the Week to make up for it. I chose these two bands because both are similar concepts but with different resulting sounds. So here's the formula: take one singer from a successful indie rock band and one music producer/DJ and see what happens. The two bands I am referring to are the Postal Service, made up of Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Tamborello (aka Dntel), and Broken Bells, made up of James Mercer of The Shins and Danger Mouse (who's real name is Brian Burton).The Postal Service was started mostly because of this song (which was recorded for the Dntel album Life is Full of Possibilities):

which, according to the Postal Service web site, was recorded in about one hour. Because "(This is) The Dream of Evan and Chan" was so easy to record Jimmy and Ben decided to record a full length album together. The way they recorded the album is Tamborello would lay down some electronic beats and sounds and then send a CD-R to Gibbard who would tweak it a little, maybe add some guitar, drums, and keybord, then lay down vocals and send the finished product back to Tamborello for his approval. Broken Bells came about because Mercer and Danger Mouse met at a Danish music festival and found that they were fans of each other's work, so they decided to work together.

As far as sound goes Postal Service and Broken Bells are pretty different. Postal Service has a very electronic feel. This is evident from "Such Great Heights" which starts with a series of electronic (for lack of a better word) beeps (which you probably have heard from the UPS commercials). Broken Bells has more of a synth-driven sound such as on "The High Road," the first single from Broken Bells.

Both of these dynamic duos only have one album out to date. The Postal Service also has 3 EPs out, which are basically just singles for songs off their full length. Interestingly enough the Such Great Heights EP has a cover of "We Will Become Silhouettes" done by the Shins on it. It will be interesting to see if either of these groups release another album. I have my doubts about seeing another album from Postal Service just because of the time that has passed since their last album (although Sub Pop lists them as an active artist, so we'll see). It's possible that Mercer and Danger Mouse might get together for another one, but that might depend on the success of this album. Who knows what might happen, so keep an eye out for them.

Favorite Tracks (Postal Service):
-Such Great Heights
-Clark Gable
-Brand New Colony

(Broken Bells):
-The High Road
-The Ghost Inside
-October

What DID make Milwaukee famous?

Wow, so I totally forgot to write a post for last Friday, so this post is a little late. But better late then never, right? So here goes.

This week's band is What Made Milwaukee Famous, a band that takes it's name from a Jerry Lee Lewis song. These guys are one of the reasons I love indie music; What Made Milwaukee Famous is not a very well known band, but they play some awesome music. And on top of that they have some crazy music videos. Like this one with a "special guest":



On top of that these guys are so cool they even played a song on a bus.

What Made Milwaukee Famous has lots of guitar and keyboard, but Michael Kingcaid's vocals (with harmonies from the rest of the band members) are what complete their sound. So far What Made Milwaukee Famous have only released two full lengths and an EP of acoustic versions of a few songs, all played in one take, off of their two albums. Hopefully we will see a new album from them soon.

Currently, What Made Milwaukee Famous is signed with Barsuk Records, one of my favorite indie recording labels and also the former label of Death Cab for Cutie.

Favorite Tracks:
 -Trying To Never Catch Up
-idecide
-Sultan

Yar matey!

First of all, local bands are a heck of a lot of fun. They play lots of shows and tickets to see them won't cost you an arm and a leg. So to review good music + not a lot of money = awesome. Which brings us to this week's BotW, Empirates. Empirates are a local band from Provo, UT. The first time I heard Empirates play was at the BYU Battle of the Bands. While the other bands that played where good, when Empirates took the stage I said to myself, "These guys are going somewhere." With influences like Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand, Empirates bring a definite Brit-rock feel to the Provo music scene. Their rockin' guitar riffs, groovin' bass lines, and driving drum beats make the Empirates fun to listen too and a great band to see live.

Here's a little taste of what Empirates is capable of:


You can check them out on Facebook and MySpace. Also, if you ever get a chance to see these guys live, take it. You won't regret it. And make sure you watch out for Empirates because they are going to be huge.

Favorite Tracks:
-Red Light Town
-Chelsea United
-Something Close to Beautiful