I've Moved!

To celebrate my landing in Toronto, I've switched the blog to www.prudentmusic.com -- please join me!!!

Matt Mays + El Torpedo - Terminal Romance

With Dartmouth's Matt Mays' third (well sort of fourth) record we see yet another band change-up and most certainly his most rocking and consistent record to date. Nabbing the lead guitarist of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia's "Rock Ranger" and losing Amherst native (and a brother of one of my former high school teachers) Jarret Murphy, this record really set the bar (in my mind at least). Some amazingly catchy tracks keep this record rolling. Unlike his first album which was very mellow, and then his second record was a bit more upbeat, "Terminal Romance" blows the others out of the water and will have you rockin' along the whole time. Yes, "Cocaine Cowgirl" was a memorable song, but I think this record may have some serious contenders.

If you don't believe me, simply check out the 4th track, "Rock Ranger Record" -- damn that's a catchy track! Well done boys. Hell, Matt and the guys even landed a spot on Late Night with Conan O'Brien last year! Not too many Nova Scotian bands can say they've done that...

Some useful links:

• Matt Mays + El Torpedo @ AMG
• Matt Mays + El Torpedo on CBC Radio 3
• Matt Mays + El Torpedo JAM! Concert Review
  
• BitTorrent file of "Matt Mays + El Torpedo - Terminal Romance"

Koushik - Out My Window

My second release tonight is from a Canadian, simply named "Koushik" (which is this DJ/producers first name... last name Gosh). I stumbled across this album and was greatly impressed. In the same vein as fellow Canadian Caribou (FKA: Manitoba) and Four Tet, Koushik has made his mark with this album. Falling under what I would consider to be the electronica/funk/ambient genres, this album is perfect for those chill evenings in doing some work (well it seems all I ever do is mark these days)... or if you're entertaining for a dinner or drinks, this could be a great soundtrack to impress.

Check out some of these reviews to help whet your appetite:

• Filter: In brief, it's one of the grooviest albums you'll hear--Saudi Arabia, here, or anywhere else.
• Mojo: A hypnotic and original treat, an utterly timeless futurist retro symphony.
  

  Pitchfork: The end result is a delectable pop record, with Koushik's heavy ambiance and amorphous production combining to nudge his songs to their tingling crescendos.

So, with this... I encourage you to check Koushik out!

• Koushik @ MetaCritic
• Koushik @ AMG
• BitTorrent Download: "Koushik - Out My Window"

Mongrel - Better Than Heavy

Well my first post is coming from a very interesting, genre spanning super-group from the UK known as "Mongrel". This band consists of: Reverend and The Makers' Jon McClure, featuring Joe Moskow; Arctic Monkeys' Matt Helders and Andy Nicholson; Babyshambles' Drew McConnell; and UK hip-hop artist Lowkey. This album cuts across UK Garage, Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronica, Reggae and more... somehow keeping it very accessible to the average listener and very enjoyable.

Immediately, there should be a few key groups in that mix that have perked your interest. This album flows and rolls in a way which will make you want to listen to it time and time again; or roll down your windows in this nice spring air and just crank it. So to tie it altogether, the former bassist of the Arctic Monkeys (the original one, look in the YouTube videos from the first album) and their current drummer (who has got to be one of the most talented drummers around)... and from Babyshambles (which is Pete Doherty of Libertines fame) current project on lead guitars. Anyhow, enough is enough, preview some of the audio gold below and get on the Mongrel train.

And now the links:

• Mongrel @ MetaCritic
• Mongrel @ AllMusicGuide
• Mongrel @ MySpace
• uTorrent download of "Mongrel - Better Than Heavy"

I'm Bacccccck!!!

Well, after getting the bug to do this, and a little kind encouragement from friends, I am going to try and get prudentMUSIC up and running again. So you can expect, hopefully, a flurry of posts in the coming few weeks to make up the hiatus and bring you the freshest, most succulent indie-rock tunes you may have overlooked (or better, the TV and Radio lacked delivering to you on a silver platter; fear not I'm here!)

So as a refresher: My goal here is to make you aware of some of my favorite music. I feel like I have a good ear for catchy, new music which often gets overlooked. I provide some quick/easy listening for the music (via YouTube, Imeem, etc) but I also provide you with the BitTorrent link for the album. Now, getting into the economics of piracy and the law, if you look back to some earlier posts you will read about how the internet has helped countless indie bands and really the only ones hurt are the hugely successful commerical ones. Check out this awesome article about reforming copyright law. What I see this blog is as a marketing platform for bands and their fans; an organic and viral way for their music to spread, which in my head (and heart), will lead to these bands indeed making real dollars and cents from it all. I am not advocating to not buy albums or merch, DO those things and most importantly go to shows, bring friends and show off this great music!

If you don't have any sweet clue what BitTorrent is... read this. Now that you get it, download the uTorrent BT client here and install it. Once you have this you can download albums (and so much more).

And now... MUSIC!

The Zutons - You Can Do Anything

And to round off this installment of new music, we have The Zuton's dropping their sophomore album, "You Can Do Anything". Now, some of you may not have caught the Zuton's first album, "Who Killed... The Zutons" but I would likely bet you've heard their highly contagious single "Pressure Point" (http://youtube.com/watch?v=BmwG8WWmR8A), it was featured on MLB 07 for sure and its way around radio and internet. Anyhow, this fun, British band certainly has a certain sound, you either love or hate the singers thick accent, so give it a try and you may just have found a new favorite band.

Download "You Can Do Anything"

Download "Who Killed... The Zutons"

AllMusic bio.

The Fratellis - Here We Stand

The Fratelli's brothers (yes, the 3 of them make up the band) 2006 album, "Costello Music" was one of the best, most energized, catchy albums I've heard in some time. So needless to say I've been eagerly awaiting a follow-up album. Well it has come in the form of "Here We Stand" and well, it just seems to be missing the pizazz the first album had! Stripped of horns and the hyped up, big, bouncy, fun sound that made me love "Costello Music" so much. However, it still deserves a few more listens until I fully pass judgment.



Download "Here We Stand"

Download "Costello Music"

AllMusic bio.

Sam Roberts - Love at the End of the World

Sam Robert's returns with his follow-up to 2006's "Chemical City" with "Love at the End of the World". Although I still think that Sam's EP "The Inhuman Condition" is by far his best record, this new album definitely has promise and some really catchy tunes, including "Lions of the Kalahari" and a rebuttal (?) ha, to "Brother Down", entitled "Sister Up". Anyhow, for all of you Sam fans, or rock n' roll fans, the album is worth a shot.

Download "Love at the End of the World"


AllMusic bio.

The Whigs - Mission Control

Well I can say I was honestly extremely happy to come across Georgia's "The Whigs" sophomore album last week while surfing the net. Their first album, "Give 'Em All A Big Fat Lip" was an album which stood out in my music collection from the past couple years. A straight-forward, honest, rock and roll record which I could listen to start to finish whenever I was getting bored of my current selection. These 3 fella's are a hard working, touring band and hopefully this album will bring much do respect and popularity. So please treat yourself and nab "Mission Control" now and prepare for a full on rock and roll session.

BitTorrent Users: Download here
Non-BitTorrent Users: Download here.
Stream the album: Click here.

Check out their reviews at MetaCritic here.
And check out their bio at AMG here.

The Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?

Ohh, thank goodness I came across Montreal's "The Unicorns" while working at CHMA Radio at Mount Allison. After discovering their whacky, extremely fun and jovial album I was in love. Although the boys only released a demo and this album they have since reformed as "The Islands" with yet another helluva album. Critics love them and how can't you? Using bizarre and random kids instruments/toys to create a rich sounding album is one of their keys; the other is to make songs with no chorus. Give this album a try, if you're as much a fun of fun pop/rock music as I am, you'll totally dig it.

Check them out at AllMusicGuide here.

And on MetaCritic here.

Here's the album streaming on imeem.com:


And the video for "I Was Born a Unicorn" here:

The Vasco Era - Oh We Do Like To Be By The Seaside

Hello all! Here's some rock and roll for the New Year, The Vasco Era. How can't you like a band with a drummer that goes by the name Fitzy?

Here's a taste of Sid O'Neil's vocals:



And here's a live performance of the second track, "When We All Lost It."



Get it here.

Also, make sure you check out Steal this Film II, which is about the evolving way we share information from the times of the printing press to bit torrent. You can download it here.

Fishboy - How We Failed To Save The Lone Star State With The Power Of Rock And Roll

In the same vein as experimental rockers The Unicorns (aka Islands) comes this clever Texan band, "Fishboy". The songs are poppy as they come, but at the same time totally rock. Their lyrics are hilarious with many references to using cut up credit cards as guitar picks and the taco stand they run. The sounds is fresh, the lyrics are clever and the music is fun. Throw this album on in the shower or on your walk to work and you'll have a whole lot more jump in your step.

Listen to the album hurr:

The Golden Dogs - Big Eye, Little Eye

Check it!

Chromeo - Fancy Footwork

Oh how I love thee Chromeo. I vividly recall stumbling across Chromeo during my final exams in 2005... I was sitting studying away, rocking out to DFA1979 and figured I would check out their label-mates on Vice Records. Lo and behold Chromeo's entire album was streaming on the Vice site. I was immediately hooked (yes, even though it was a low-quality flash-based stream), I let that album play straight for 3-4 hours I am sure. There insanely retro and hilarious beats were so retro and cool it was refreshing. I've always had a love for that 80s analogue sound, and Chromeo delivered directly to my aural pleasure. These Montreal boys, nicked Dave One and Pee Thug, create hilariously catchy tracks which will keep any party bumping. This, their latest album (Fancy Footwork) has seen mainstream success -- but definitely do not overlook 2005's "She's in Control", perhaps an even better album. Here's the main mantra of Chromeo: "From the beginning, Chromeo made it clear that artful detachment, cheesy electro-funk breakdowns, and gleaming plastic beats -- not serious intent or aggressive musical regime change -- were the name of their well-dressed game." So do yourself a favor and download BOTH of these albums now, and you'll be guaranteed to have a fun weekend soundtrack.

Download 2007's "Fancy Footwork" here and 2005's "She's in Control" here.

Here's the review for "She's in Control" on MetaCritic.
And here's there bio on AMG.

Check out the awesome track "Bonafide Lovin'" from "Fancy Footwork" here:

LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

Three of the best reviewed albums in the past 2 years have been from James Murphy, the DFA label owner's project "LCD Soundsystem". The first self-titled debut album dropped in 2005 with amazing reviews. Murhpy's infectious, catchy beats are smooth and mature, I would say eletronica for sophisticated, hipsters who enjoy indie rock. Now, for me 2007's "Sound of Silver" is the better album (although MetaCritic has them both clocking with an astounding score of 86). Sound of Silver has shown a little more maturity and growth from the debut album... the whole thing melds together so well and is an ideal album to toss on while trying to get some office/desk work done. Now, in addition to this LCD also dropped an album this fall called 45:33. Commissioned by Nike (sell-out? Meh, the debate goes on.... if bands still have street cred after Apple uses their tunes, then why not other companies?). The idea of this album (which a seamless mix of LCD's tracks) is to serve as the perfect soundtrack to your workout - building up, plateauing and then coming down. A clever idea, which, surprisingly, seems to work. The reviews for this album were even better!

Download Sound of Silver, here! Read the MetaCritic reviews here.
Download LCD's self-titled 2005 debut here. And the very cool 45:33 mix here.
Check out their biography here at AMG.

Check out the "All of my Friends" video here:

The Blakes - The Blakes

Today I bring you Seattle's, "The Blakes". I had not come across these fellas at all on my musical journy until I happened to download a random "Indie Playlist torrent" which one of their tracks was featured on it. Well let me tell you, that song "Pistol Grip" definitely gripped me and I was thirsty for more. All I can say is check out the track on the video below! Completely rocking and fun, this album will most definitely make it into your high rotation in no time. On the track "Commit", The Blakes sound a whole lot like Sam Roberts, see if you feel the same.

Here's a good little abstract about the band: "The Blakes recall the stinging catchiness of the early Who, Kinks, and other 60s spitfire rock bands. Brothers Garnet and Snow Keim (both on vocals) busked around the country, writing songs, 'till they ended up settling in Seattle. There they met drummer Bob Husak and have been playing clubs and festivals (from Sasquatch to SXSW) ever since. The Blakes have received critical adoration and massive airplay for their bone-rattling anthems "Don't Bother Me," "Two Times" and "Streets."

Download their Self-Title debut album here!

Check out a live video of "Pistol Grip" here:

Calvin Harris - I Created Disco

Well I am not too sure how I missed this release, but I am sure glad I stumbled on to it this weekend. 22 year old Calvin Harris hails from Scotland and unleashed on the scene in a very modern, web-sort of way. Utilizing MySpace and other online tools Harris and his DIY method landed him a major record deal with EMI and he even ended up helping Kylie Minogue produce her last album. The disco/house/electronica beats on this album are fantastic and will keep you grooving. The sound is retro but modern at the same time. Lovers of Mylo and LCD Soundsystem will totally dig this album. I reckon anyone who gave this album a spin would like it to some degree -- if anything it's a great disc to toss on before going out!

Oh and here's a little tidbit for us Canadians who may be scared about downloading copyrighted content on the internet: "The Canadian police announced that it will stop targeting people who download copyrighted material for personal use. Their priority will be to focus on organized crime and copyright theft that affects the health and safety of consumers instead of the cash flow of large corporations." Read the rest of the article at TorrentFreak.

Download "I Created Disco" here!!!
Here are the Metacritic reviews of "I Created Disco"
Check out Mr. Harris' bio at AMG here.

Here's the video for "The Girls" from "I Created Disco":

The Cribs - The New Fellas

Well, well, well... Another indie rock band from the UK, and hmmm 3 brothers too! The Cribs have been a bit longer than The Fratellis and have just released their third album (their first major label debut which has garnered some attention in North America). These guys actually toured with The Strokes, opening for them on their last North American tour. Now, out of the three albums I would say the sophmore one, "The New Fellas" is the best, but do yourself a favor and nab both. Trust me, you will be singing along with these guys during your first listen, so darn catchy and fun... So go ahead, give their video a whirl and then you'll want to download these albums!

• Download "The New Fellas (2005)" here.
• Download "Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever (2007)" here.
• Read reviews for "Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever" here.
  
• And of course check out their AMG biography here.

Here's the video for "Mirror Kissers" off of 2005's "The New Fellas":

The Fratellis - Costello Music

The brothers Fratellis', hailing from Glasgow, Scotland dropped one of 2006's catchiest albums, "Costello Music". Their major break came when their single, "Flathead" was featured in an iPod commercial. These fella's in-your-face, head bobbing catchy indie pop/rock will be sure to please almost every listener, extremely accessible and fun music, it's a must-have in your musical collection! This will be the start of a little focus on British music, there are a slew of bands which are in the same vein as the Fratellis and if you like these guys (which I am 99% sure you will), well then I've got lots more in store for you!

• Download "Costello Music" right hurr!
• You can read their AMG biography here.
• And check out their album reviews at MetaCritic here.

Here is their video for their single "Flathead":

Breakestra - Hit The Floor

Today I want to welcome you to the wonderful world of funk and one of my personal favorite genres in music. Funk has been around since the early 1960s and is a fusion of jazz and blues. Although they heyday of Funk may have been rooted more-so in the 70s, funk is still very much so alive and churning out the funky, feel-good licks which have made it such a distinct genre. It is true that actual bands producing funk records is now a lot smaller than it used to be, they still put out some of the best and catchiest records going. And enter, Breakestra. I discovered these fellas a few years ago and they still make their way onto my playlist all the time. Breakestra was formed in the late 1990s and if you didn't know any better (other than the superior recording quality versus those of funk records produced in the 70s) you'd think this band was part of the James Brown era. If you like your funkier hip-hop/rap (e.g.: Jurassic 5 and Del the Funkee Homosapien), then you'll definitely love Breakestra. Just toss this album on and be carried away on the most fun you've had listening to a record in a LONG time. Oh and if you love this, then be sure to check out the Keb Darge compilations!

So go to it now, and nab Breakestra's 2005 disc, "Hit the Floor" here!

You can read their AMG biography here.

And check out their video for "Getcho Soul Together":