Monthly Mix: December 2014

The Smashing Pumpkins visit a Monument To An Elegy


     The presents were plentiful this December and the music world also handed out a few gifts of its own just before the clock struck midnight.
     Chicago Illinois alt-rockers The Smashing Pumpkins have been riding high on the waves of their new album Monument To An Elegy [December 5, via BMG]. The nine tracks are laced with synths, hard hitting guitars, and feature Tommy Lee on the drums. Pumpkins' frontman Billy Corgan says he's surprised by the muddled reviews his new effort is getting, but understands the critics said the same thing about his earlier releases. On the cut "Drum + Fife", an acoustic guitar and a scintillating synth-line lead to the album's best work. The band will play big slots at the Lollapalooza 2015 South America festivals in support.
     As the year winds down, its nice to reflect on all the great memories, experiences, and awesome tunes of course! The December Playlist may be the last one of the year, but it is still jam-packed with enough fresh tracks to keep the elves busy for next year.


December 2014 Playlist

1.  Soft Pyramids  -  "Around This Town"

2.  Modest Mouse  -  "Lampshades On Fire"

3.  The Smashing Pumpkins  -  "Drum + Fife"

4.  Rise Against  -  "Tragedy + Time"

5.  Max Frost  -  "Let Me Down Easy"

6.  Joywave  -  "Somebody New"

7.  The Kickdrums  -  "Breathe Again"

8.  Crescendo  -  "Call Cards"

9.  alt-J  -  "Every Other Freckle"

10.  Misun  -  "Penny"

11.  The Airborne Toxic Event  -  "Wrong"

12.  Vance Joy  -  "Mess Is Mine"

IN THE BONUS:

Here are Orbit Sound's Favorite Songs of 2014.


Favorite Songs Of 2014

15.  Tove Lo  -  "Habits (Stay High)"

14.  The Black Keys  -  "Gotta Get Away"

13.  Big Data  -  "Dangerous" ft. Joywave

12.  The War On Drugs  -  "Red Eyes"

11.  Mike Doughty  -  "Light Will Keep Your Heart Beating In The Future"

10.  Bleachers  -  "I Wanna Get Better"

9.  Weezer  -  "Back To The Shack"

8.  Jack White  -  "Lazaretto"

7.  Foo Fighters  -  "Outside"

6.  Bear Hands  -  "Agora"

5.  Cloud Nothings  -  "I'm Not Part Of Me" 

4.  Spoon  -  "Inside Out"

3.  Foster The People  -  "Coming Of Age"

2.  moe.  -  "Same Old Story"

1.  Tokyo Police Club  -  "Argentina (Parts I, II, III)"

There you have it folks, 2014 is in the books. Have a fun and safe New Year's Eve!

Visit iTunes if interested in purchasing any songs featured in Orbit Sound.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: October 2014

Foo Fighters cruise with Sonic Highways

     As the final leaves fall off the trees and Halloween comes to an end, another October is in the books. Just like the witch's brew, the pot of brand new music still burns strong.
     Seattle mega-rockers Foo Fighters are back in full effect with their new album Sonic Highways [November 10, via RCA].  The band recorded the eight songs in eight different cities, with a plethora of A-list guests contributing on the tracks. Frontman Dave Grohl describes it as being much bigger and including more jams, but still sounding like the Foo Fighters. A perfect example of this is the first single "Something From Nothing" which features sharp guitar riffs, vintage Grohl lyrics, and even a funk jam. The band's tour will hit Voodoo Festival and then off to Africa and South America.
     The October playlist is packed with new music and goes great with the last Kit-Kat bar.

October 2014 Playlist

1.  Striving Vines  -  "Sound Of Tomorrow"

2.  Minus The Bear  -  "Invented Memory"

3.  Foo Fighters  -  "Something From Nothing"

 

4.  Echosmith  -  "Cool Kids"

5.  Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness  -  "Cecilia And The Satellite"

6.  Smashing Pumpkins  -  "Being Beige"

7.  Glass Animals  -  "Gooey"

8.  Soundgarden  -  "Storm"

9.  moe.  -  "Same Old Story"

10.  LISBON  -  "Native"

11.  Peaking Lights  -  "Everyone And Us"

12.  Flo Rida  -  "GDFR"  ft. Sage the Gemini

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

Visit iTunes if interested in purchasing any songs featured in Orbit Sound!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: The Playlist, June 2012

     According to Stephen Hawking, time travel is something of a possibility. If someone were to take a glance at the top of this month's Playlist, they might think they were in a time portal back to 1995. June treated us with mysterious happenings and Venus making a transit across the sun, which begs the question "was there something in the stars?"
     Two alternative rock heavyweights grace the top 2 spots on June's Playlist, much to our approval. The Offspring kick things off with their radio friendly "Days Go By", the first single off their new album of the same name. Not to be outdone by fellow 90's rock superstars, Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins are back in the mainstream with an impressive new record of their own Oceania. As Corgan sings on "Inkless", 'the stars are out tonight.' 
     Perhaps there isn't a more gorgeous and energetic frontwoman in music today than Grace Potter. Her rock outfit Grace Potter & The Nocturnals are fresh off the release of The Lion The Beast The Beat, a pop heavy collection of radio candy. They will be making festival stops this summer at RBC Bluesfest, Summerfest, and moe.down, so be sure to try and check them out.
    Brooklyn's Yeasayer could almost be described as "music from the future." The indie trio unveiled the first track off their upcoming album Fragrant World (August 20) called "Henreitta" earlier this month. With a jumpy beat and a synth friendly backbone, this one is sure to get multiple plays all summer long.
    It's always nice to get a healthy mix of old and new artists for the Playlist. Safe to say June lived up to our standards. With plenty of alternative rock and chillwave this mix weaves in and out of the eardrums perfectly on the warm summer nights, which would leave time-traveling hero Marty McFly saying "Whoa, this is heavy."


June 2012 Playlist

1. The Offspring - Days Go By

2. The Smashing Pumpkins - Inkless

3. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Never Go Back

4. Peace - Follow Baby

5. Ty Segall Band - I Bought My Eyes

6. Yeasayer - Henrietta

7. Beat Connection - The Palace Garden, 4am

8. Goldroom - Fifteen (ft. Chela)

9. Grizzly Bear - Sleeping Ute

10. Brothertiger - Like Water

11. Fiona Apple - Werewolf

12. The Temper Trap - Rabbit Hole

Check in every month for the latest in alternative/indie music.

Please support all the great artists on the FW monthly Playlists, whether it is buying a song/album or checking them out live!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @s_ferris