In Rotation 2 : Bright Eyes - The People's Key

The ever-intellectual lyricism of Conor Oberst remains at the forefront of Bright Eyes' newly released album, The People's Key. Although I can't question the knowledge displayed within Conor's songs, I do question whether it holds the same weight and resonance that is present in previous work.  Whether its the interjection of sermonlike rants or the album's upbeat rock melodies that teeter on pop, the personal connection that has made Bright Eyes so brilliant in the past is lost.  Exception to this is "The Ladder Song," with its honest vocals and a few piano notes playing in the background, it easily is the purest and most powerful song of The People's Key.

Notable Tracks:
2. "Shell Games"
9. "The Ladder Song"
10. "One for You, One for Me"


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Song of the Week 2/13

Rotation 1
PJ Harvey, Let England Shake - "Bitter Branches"

PJ Harvey's eighth album is a in-the-moment poignant album bringing to light much of the conflict around the world. "Bitter Branches" is a fist pumping anthem pointing out the infectious destruction and what is sacrificed in the end.











Rotation 2

Hugo, Old Time Religion - "99 Problems"

Who doesn't like a good cover? Especially when the original song is one of Jay-Z's infamous raps and its getting a bluesy, southern rock makeover.











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In Rotation 1 & 2 : Foals - Total Life Forever

Gearing up for a spring tour of the U.S., Foals are ready to take over the live stage with their latest album, Total Life Forever. In juxtaposition to their early work, they have found a way to pare back the upfront British trip hop beats into a record which takes a more mindful approach in lyrics and instrumentation. The result is a sophomore album that connects on a more personal level with the audience.

Notable Tracks:
1. "Blue Blood"
2. "Miami"
3. "Total Life Forever"
5. "Spanish Sahara"
11. "What Remains"


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Song of the Week 2/6

Rotation 1

Real Estate, Real Estate - "Beach Comber"

Real Estate provides laid back easy tempo beats that seem to waif along a warm breeze.  Off their self-titled debut album, "Beach Comber" one of the more up beat tracks.  The metallic vocals timbre paired with the raw metallic guitar offers a stripped back sound that is refreshing.








Rotation 2

Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals - "Colors"

With a strong southern rock, bluesy vibe, you would never suspect Grace Potter & The Nocturnals originates out of Vermont. While most of the album is full of loud, guitar driven, soul powered songs, "Colors" reflects a slower, stripped down aspect.








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In Rotation 2 : The Kills - "Satellite"

Pure, raw, and unpolished with guitars and a beat that just grinds deep into your veins. The Kills' new single "Satellite" is just what I needed to awaken from my music coma I've been in the past month.  Can't wait for their forthcoming album Blood Pressures to be released April 5th.


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In Rotation 2 : Benjamin Francis Leftwich - "Pictures"

"Pictures" is a sweet and simple, almost hauntingly beautiful single from British musician Benjamin Francis Leftwich's new EP.  Perfect for a subdued, reflective state.


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Artist Retrospective : The Decemberists

With the release of "The King is Dead," The Decemberists dally deep into the sound of classic American Folk.  From their early beginnings of Pacific Northwest Indie Rock to their stream-of-conscience concept album approach, The Decemberists are always experimenting and looking for new avenues of expression.  Although the band's style is ever-evolving, their music always remains rich in storytelling, giving life to archetypal human experiences of struggle and strife, love and longing, grief and sorrow. 


Notable Tracks:
4. "Rox in the Box"
5. "January Hymn"
6. "Down by the Water"
8. "June Hymn"
9. "This is Why We Fight"


Along with enjoying the new album, here are some old favorites to revisit.

Rotation 1

"Eli, The Barrow Boy" - Picaresque, 2005
"O Valencia!" - The Crane Wife, 2006
"The Perfect Crime #2" - The Crane Wife, 2006
"Shankill Butchers" - The Crane Wife, 2006
"Won't Want For Love (Margaret in the Taiga)" - The Hazards of Love, 2009


Rotation 2

"Eli, The Barrow Boy" - Picaresque, 2005
"On the Bus Mall" - Picaresque, 2005
"The Island: Come & See/The Landlord's Daughter/You'll Not Feel the Drowning" - The Crane Wife, 2006
"O Valencia!" - The Crane Wife, 2006
"The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid" - The Hazards of Love, 2009
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