BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Junip - Fields -2010-
(Folk, Indie, Rock)

From: Sweden
Website: http://www.junip.net/

Junip is a project featuring Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez and some his closest friends (Elias Araya is on drums, Tobias Winterkorn plays keyboards). The band began 10 years ago, but was sidetracked by the success Gonzalez found with his solo projects, particularly his awesome album Veneer. Veneer slowly built in popularity, ultimately selling more than 700,000 copies worldwide. Some of that hushed sound found on Veneer and again on In Our Nature can be heard in Junip's Fields. But the band has a rougher sound than Gonzalez's solo work with organs, synths, and drums just on the brink of distortion. The songs are often dynamic, melodic and shadowy, with a remarkable sonic approach that is simultaneously intimate and atmospheric. Really cool album and the first 3 tracks are brilliant.


Junip - In Every Direction


Junip - Always


Junip - Rope & Summit

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Gogol Bordello - Trans-Continental Hustle -2010-
(Gypsy-Punk)

From: New York
Website: http://www.gogolbordello.com/us/home

Here is the eagerly-awaited fifth studio album from the very intriguing band who has created a genre all their own, Gypsy-Punk, and the first to be released since 2007's awesome Super Taranta!. Produced by Grammy award-winning producer Rick Rubin, Trans-Continental Hustle combines the band's radical invocations of positive primal energy and planetary consciousness with music infused with Ska, Metal, Punk, Rap, Dub and intimations of indigenous Brazilian sounds to produce a party maelstrom of electrifying proportions. Led by revolutionary agent of change and provocateur Eugene Hutz, Gogol Bordello, a nine-piece juggernaut of gypsy rebel soul, has become an international force to be reckoned with. Click the cover art above to download the album for only $3.99.


Gogol Bordello - My Companjera


Gogol Bordello - Sun on My Side


Gogol Bordello - Pala Tute

Monday, September 20, 2010

Michael Franti & Spearhead - The Sound Of Sunshine -2010-
(Rock, Reggae, Soul, Pop)

From: San Francisco
Website: http://michaelfranti.com/

The Sound Of Sunshine, the inspired and inspiring new album by Michael Franti & Spearhead is a kind of musical sun shower, a bright, beautiful and often buoyant song cycle created to bring all kinds of listeners a sense of hope during rough and rainy times for so many in our world. “Music is sunshine,” says Michael Franti, one of the most positive and conscious artists in music today. “Like sunshine, music is a powerful force that can instantly and almost chemically change your entire mood. Music gives us new energy and a stronger sense of purpose.” The Sound Of Sunshine is full of feel good and uplifting tracks which happen to be the perfect soundtrack to summer. Michael Franti has the ability to bring peace to your heart and joy into your soul. Enjoy!


Michael Franti & Spearhead - Hey Hey Hey


Michael Franti & Spearhead - The Only Thing Missing Was You


Michael Franti & Spearhead - The Sound Of Sunshine

Saturday, September 18, 2010

I Am Oak - On Claws -2010-
(Acoustic, Folk)

From: Utrecht, Netherlands
Website: http://www.myspace.com/iamoak

I am Oak is the creative output of Dutch singer-songwriter Thijs Kuijken. Warm and soothing songs with an acoustic guitar and vocal backbone, complimented with strategically placed layers of colorful vocal harmonies, banjo, bass, organ and minimalistic beats and samples, all carefully constructed in his room. Debut album On Claws is dark but melancholy resembling the sound that Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens have made huge over the past couple years. Favorite tracks so far are 'On Trees and Birds and Fire' and 'Don't I Know Enough'. You can check out all these beautiful tunes once again courtesy of the awesome BandCamp site. Click album art to purchase.

<a href="http://snowstar.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-oak-on-claws">I Am Oak - On Claws by Snowstar Records</a>

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Mason Jennings - Live At First Ave. -2010-
(Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Rock)

From: Minneapolis, MN
Website: http://www.masonjennings.com/

Mason Jennings has finally released his first live album, Live At First Avenue. The live album was recorded during the last night of his fall 2009 Blood Of Man tour from the prestigious First Avenue venue in his hometown of Minneapolis, MN. The album features three unreleased songs: “Born”, “Grow Old With Me,” and “Lonely Computer Screen” as well as many other favorites. Have never gotten the chance to see him live so Live At First Ave. is an awesome experience and it does not disappoint. Mason Jennings is a fantastic singer-songwriter and this collection is a must for any fan. In addition to the live record, Jennings will release a new album this month. The Flood is a 15-song record featuring once lost and unrecorded songs that he has written over the past 18 years. Listen to Live At First Ave. in it's entirety courtesy of Mason's BandCamp page.

<a href="http://masonjennings.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-first-ave">Live At First Ave. by Mason Jennings</a>

Monday, September 13, 2010

JJ Grey & Mofro - Georgia Warhorse -2010-
(Rock, Blues, Soul)

From: Jacksonville, Florida
Website: http://www.jjgrey.com/home

JJ Grey & Mofro concocts a vivid blend of blues, Southern rock and funk, complete with richly evocative lyrics and an easygoing sense of blue-collar storytelling…lucid, plainspoken American music. On Georgia Warhorse main man JJ Grey brings his intoxicating "swamp soul" back to the amazing form found on earlier records e.g. Lochloosa. Plain and simple JJ Grey & Mofro make some inspired, funky front porch soul delivered by a passionate and soulful singer. Some really nice cuts delivered here with a few guest appearances including Toots Hibbert and Derek Trucks. These boys are on tour now so buy some tix and the album and support this fantastic band. Listen to the whole album on the bands website and then when you become addicted go buy the album for $7.99 by clicking the album art above.


JJ Grey & Mofro - King Hummingbird


JJ Grey & Mofro - Hide and Seek


JJ Grey & Mofro - Lullaby

Kiwi - Mischief Reigns -2010-
(Reggae, Dub, Soul)

From: New Jersey
Website: http://www.myspace.com/kiwirootsmusic

Kiwi is the ongoing musical endeavor of Vera Sousa and Alex Tea, conceived in 1998. Grounded in roots rhythm, Kiwi invokes a variety of influences including the classics of Jamaican reggae, American folk, soul and R&B, traditional Brazilian music, jazz, and classical music. Praised for their intense vocal harmonies and stylings, Vera and Alex, at times accompanied by a diversity of musicians, bring a distinct and original experience to listeners worldwide. The long awaited Mischief Reigns is a warm, summery, skanking and hypnotic roots reggae album.


Kiwi - Lemon


Kiwi - Against The Wall


Kiwi - Return

Friday, September 10, 2010

Five Alarm Funk - Anything is Possible -2010-
(Funk, Rock, Afro-Beat)

From: Vancouver
Website: http://www.myspace.com/fivealarmfunkmusic/

This genre-spanning, groove-straddling third album from the heavy-set funk machine reveals 14 tunes of unbridled energy. Five Alarm Funk is a horn powered, percussion fueled sonic and visual assault. For more than six years the band has brought their relentless and unforgettable live show to clubs and major festivals across Canada and the United States. Anything is Possible is full of that relentless energy and will have you moving along to the sweet tunes before you know it. Really cool mixture of Funk, Prog-Rock and Afro-Beat. Gotta love some good Funk!


Five Alarm Funk - Demons Be Gone


Five Alarm Funk - Brother Egypt


Five Alarm Funk - Soft Six

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Chief - Modern Rituals -2010-
(Rock, Folk)

From: Santa Monica, CA
Website: http://www.myspace.com/chieftheband

This shaggy quartet have fashioned an old fashioned classic debut album full of soaring melodies, shimmering guitars, lovelorn lyrics and idyllic four-part harmonies. Modern Rituals, is as rich and expansive as it is personal and intricate. This is a record so teeming with with the sounds of countless 70's musicians (especially Neil Young) you can start to feel transported to another time. Modern Rituals is a cohesive and effortlessly captivating introduction to a formidable new band. 'Night & Day' is a fantastic song! Fans of Fleet Foxes, Dawes or any good folk will really dig these guys.


Chief - Breaking Walls


Chief - In The Valley


Chief - Night & Day

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Blue King Brown - Worldwize: Part 1 North & South -2010-
(Reggae, Dub, Afro-Beat)

From: Melbourne
Website: http://www.bluekingbrown.com/

Hailed by Santana as “The voice of the street and the band of the future!” The 8 to 11 piece powerhouse band that is Blue King Brown bring their cross generational grooves and socially conscious sound on Worldwize Part 1. The infectious energy and passion from lead singer, guitarist and percussionist Natalie Pa’apa’a is a driving musical force that has led BKB through an impressive touring history playing major festivals and venues in Australia through to USA, Canada, Japan and Europe. BKB deliver their now world renowned power packed live show featuring their home-grown, universally spoken language, delivered as hard hitting Urban Roots music. Worldwize Part 1 is split into 2 discs with the North disc being the bulk of the album with all the original material and the South disc is full of sweet dub-remixes. Some real catchy, high energy, funky and socially conscious/political tunes throughout. Blue King Brown rocks!


Blue King Brown - Say Peace


Blue King Brown - Resist

Friday, September 3, 2010

Pacific Dub - To The Sky EP -2010-
(Reggae, Dub, Rock)

From: Huntington Beach, CA
Website: http://www.myspace.com/pacificdubmusic

Pacific Dub is one of the youngest and newest bands to solidify themselves in the California Reggae Rock scene. With over 100 performances in California and 2 albums released on iTunes within their first year of live shows… Pacific Dub shows no signs of losing momentum. Now 13 months after their introduction into the music industry, Pacific Dub yet again has surprised their fans with another 4 song album,To The Sky EP. Combining catchy alternative lyrics, heavy rock n’ roll melodies, and smooth reggae rhythms. To The Sky EP is an up-to-date representation of who and what Pacific Dub is all about, Reggae-Dub-Rock!


Pacific Dub - Lost In You


Pacific Dub - Waiting