Monthly Mix: January 2014

Broken Bells stay After The Disco

    
    
     The new year is off to a fresh start with a pile of awesome mp3s that will most certainly keep the iPod going strong throughout these frigid winter nights.
     The duo of James Mercer and Danger Mouse, better known as indie-rock outfit Broken Bells are back in action with their new album After The Disco [February 4, via Columbia].  Mercer explains the new offering, "If you were to play the songs on a piano, they would sound pretty sad. But you add the beat and hooks, and then it becomes a party record." The title track "After The Disco" shows off Mercer's story-telling lyrical ability and Danger Mouse's trademark synths. An extensive tour kicks off late February in Minnesota and includes stops at Coachella and Governors Ball.
     January's Playlist kicks off the year strong with a fine blend of alternative rock and breezy dance numbers. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come as the music world continues to spin forward.


January 2014 Playlist

1.  Beck  -  "Blue Moon"

2.  J. Roddy Walston & The Business  -  "Heavy Bells"

3.  The Airborne Toxic Event  -  "Hell And Back"

4.  The War On Drugs  -  "Red Eyes"

5.  Crosses  -  "The Epilogue"

6.  Broken Bells  -  "After The Disco"

7.  Phantogram  -  "Fall In Love"

8.  Cymbals  -  "Erosion"

9.  Foster The People  -  "Coming Of Age"

10.  Chromeo  -  "Over Your Shoulder"

11.  Francis Lung  -  "A Selfish Man"

12.  Germany Germany  -  "Run"  ft. Brothertiger

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For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: February 2013

Jim James explores Regions of Light and Sound of God

     As the snow and the slush continue to pile up, lucky for us so does the reloaded reservoir on our iPods.  February produced a healthy amount of solid tracks, ranging from folk to indie rock and all points in between.  Plenty of variety to help spice up the last few weeks of winter.
     My Morning Jacket band leader Jim James is back in the mix of things with his debut solo album Regions of Light and Sound of God.  This record has a stripped-down feel, giving way to a haunting collection of songs.  The first single "A New Life" finds James at his bare-bones core, while managing to slowly morph a folk song into a showtune.  Look for him in the months to come as his tour makes stops at some bigtime festivals including Bonnaroo, Hangout, and Firefly.
     The rest of February's playlist produces a better than average mix, enough to keep the heat going a bit longer as the winter winds down.


February '13 Playlist

1. Fall Out Boy - My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)

2. Jim James - A New Life

3. 90 Pounds Of Pete - Arms

4. My Bloody Valentine - New You

5. Cymbals - The Natural World

6. Atoms For Peace - Judge Jury and Executioner

7. !!! - Slyd

8. The Strokes - One Way Trigger

9. Youth Lagoon - Dropla

10. Cold War Kids - Miracle Mile

11. Goldroom - Sweetness Alive ft. Saint Lou Lou

12. The Away Days - Galaxies

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For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7