Monthly Mix: April 2016

Bear Hands proclaim You'll Pay For This

     The April showers have come and gone, and they left behind a bucket full of fresh new music. Spring is here and festival season is right around the corner.
     New York's Bear Hands are riding high on the waves of their latest release You'll Pay For This [April 15, via Spensive Sounds]. Frontman Dylan Rau says "the record varies, there's some folky stuff and some electro stuff." There's also a heavy dose of guitar-driven rock. On the track "Marathon Man" the band showcases their rock side and features some dance-worthy grooves. The whole album delivers without a disappointment. Check them out as their tour spins through the U.S. with fun stops at the KROQ Weenie Roast and Hangout Music Festival.
     As we roll into the spring, it's refreshing to know the iPod is restocked. The April Playlist mixes in a nice blend of indie and alternative rock. It makes the perfect soundtrack for the first bike ride of the season.


April 2016 Playlist

1.  Fitz And The Tantrums  -  "HandClap"

2.  The Last Shadow Puppets  -  "Aviation"

3.  Bear Hands  -  "Marathon Man"

4.  Holy White Hounds  -  "Switchblade"

5.  Finish Ticket  -  "Color"

6.  Deftones  -  "Prayers/Triangles"

7.  Tokyo Police Club  -  "PCH"

8.  Bishop Briggs  -  "River"

9.  M83  -  "Road Blaster"

10.  Tegan and Sara  -  "U-turn"

11.  Mudcrutch  -  "Beautiful World"

12.  Kurt Vile  -  "Pretty Pimpin"

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7 

Purchase the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon!

Fitz and the Tantrums - "HandClap"
The Last Shadow Puppets - "Aviation"
Bear Hands - "Marathon Man"
Holy White Hounds - "Switchblade"
Finish Ticket - "Color"
Deftones - "Prayers/Triangles"
Tokyo Police Club - "PCH"
Bishop Briggs - "River"
M83 - "Road Blaster"
Tegan and Sara - "U-turn"
Mudcrutch - "Beautiful World"
Kurt Vile - "Pretty Pimpin"

Monthly Mix: March 2016

White Denim hardens up with Stiff

     March came in like a lion, and went out like a lamb. Or something like that. The snowy season is finally over and the spring is upon us. The clouds may be bringing rain, but the music world is bringing some sunny new gems.

     Texas psych-rockers White Denim are generating a buzz with their latest album Stiff [March 25, via Downtown Records]. The record is 9 tracks and bounces around from one playful beat to another. Frontman James Petralli said the band wanted to "go back to basics" and it rings true on the album. On the track "Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)", the band shows off more of a soulful side and it could pass as a funky R&B song. The whole album is a pleasant listen. Check them out on tour as they weave through the United States with big festival gigs at Forecastle and LOCKN'.

     It's good to know the winter is finally behind us and the spring is here. The March Playlist is filled with fresh tunes and makes the perfect soundtrack for tuning up the bike, cleaning off the golf clubs, or strolling through the park.

March 2016 Playlist

1.  Catfish and the Bottlemen  -  "Soundcheck"

2.  Jake Bugg  -  "Gimme The Love"

3.  White Denim  -  "Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)"

4.  Death Cab For Cutie  -  "Good Help (Is So Hard To Find)"

5.  EL VY  -  "I'm The Man To Be"

6.  Weezer  -  "King Of The World"

 

7.  Day Wave  -  "Stuck"

8.  Yeasayer  -  "Silly Me"

9.  Brian Fallon  -  "A Wonderful Life"

10.  DMA'S  -  "Too Soon"

11.  Strangers You Know  -  "Used"

12.  Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals  -  "Shine"

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the March 2016 Playlist on Amazon!

Catfish and the Bottlemen - "Soundcheck"

Jake Bugg - "Gimme The Love"

White Denim - "Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)"

Death Cab For Cutie - "Good Help (Is So Hard To Find)"

EL VY - "I'm The Man To Be"

Weezer - "King Of The World"

Day Wave - "Stuck"

Yeasayer - "Silly Me"

Brian Fallon - "A Wonderful Life"

DMA'S - "Too Soon"

Strangers You Know - "Used"

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals - "Shine"

  

Monthly Mix: February 2016

The 1975 wake from their Sleep

     The music world has been off to a fast start so far this year. The trend continues into February with a blizzard-sized heap of fresh new tunes.

     British alt-rockers The 1975 are generating some noise with their latest album i like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it [February 26, via Dirty Hit]. The quirky title is fitting for the record, which bops around in different directions such as pop, funk, and even chillwave. They somehow manage to pull off all those sounds and the result is a surprisingly good listen. On the single "The Sound", frontman Matt Healy summons the help of a gospel-like choir to take part in the singing duties. Look for them as their tour rolls through the UK and the United States, and includes a big slot at Coachella.

     As the last remaining snow banks begin to melt away, it's refreshing to know that the iPod is reloaded and spring is just around the corner.

February 2016 Playlist

1.  Joywave  -  "Destruction"

2.  The Strumbellas  -  "Spirits"

3.  The 1975  -  "The Sound"

4.  The Struts  -  "Kiss This"

5.  The Lumineers  -  "Ophelia"

6.  Animal Collective  -  "Golden Gal"

7.  Yuck  -  "Hold Me Closer"

8.  The Record Company  -  "Off The Ground"

9.  Bear Hands  -  "2AM"

10.  Problems  -  "Pretending"

11.  Frightened Rabbit  -  "Death Dream"

12.  The Arcs  -  "Fools Gold"

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon!

Joywave - "Destruction"
The Strumbellas - "Spirits"
The 1975 - "The Sound"
The Struts - "Kiss This"
The Lumineers - "Ophelia"
Animal Collective - "Golden Gal"
Yuck - "Hold Me Closer"
The Record Company - "Off The Ground"
Bear Hands - "2AM"
Problems - "Pretending"
Frightened Rabbit - "Death Dream"
The Arcs - "Fools Gold"

Monthly Mix: January 2016

David Bowie says farewell with Blackstar

     The new year is here and it's good to have some fresh cuts in the iPod as we enjoy the winter wonderland.

     The music world lost a great one in David Bowie. His last album Blackstar [January 8th, via ISO] is one that resonates with fans of all ages. The track "Lazarus" is a swan song of sorts, and has traces of his career layered in the sounds. He will be missed.

     January's Playlist kicks the year off with a bang, and provides a burst of energy while racing down the ski slopes.

January 2016 Playlist

1.  Miike Snow  -  "Genghis Khan" 

2.  Yeasayer  -  "I Am Chemistry"

3.  St. Lucia  -  "Dancing On Glass"

4.  Chairlift  -  "Moth To The Flame"

5.  The 1975  -  "UGH!"

6.  MuteMath  -  "Light Up"

  

7.  The Rubens  -  "Hoops"

8.  POP  ETC  -  "What Am I Becoming?"  

 

9.  Ra Ra Riot  -  "Absolutely"

10.  Bloc Party  -  "Virtue"

11.  Marian Hill  -  "One Time"

12.  David Bowie  -  "Lazarus"

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon!

Miike Snow - "Genghis Khan" 

Yeasayer - "I Am Chemistry"

St. Lucia "Dancing On Glass"

Chairlift - "Moth To The Flame"

The 1975 - "UGH!"

MuteMath - "Light Up"

The Rubens - "Hoops"

POP ETC - "What Am I Becoming?"

Ra Ra Riot - "Absolutely"

Bloc Party - "Virtue"

Marian Hill - "One Time"

David Bowie - "Lazarus"

Best Albums Of 2015

Modest Mouse were no Strangers in 2015

    
      As the year comes to an end, it's always refreshing to look back at all the great albums that found their way into our headphones, iPods, and car stereos.


Best Albums Of 2015

25. Blur  -  The Magic Whip

24.  Kurt Vile  -  b'lieve i'm goin down 

23.  Courtney Barnett  -  Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit

22.  Sufjan Stevens  -  Carrie & Lowell

21.  The Wombats  -  Glitterbug

20.  Muse  -  Drones

19.  Bjork  -  Vulnicura

18.  Jamie xx  -  In Colour

17.  Coheed and Cambria  -  The Color Before The Sun

16.  Grimes  -  Art Angels

15.  Wilco  -  Star Wars

14.  Bully  -  Feels Like

13.  Deerhunter  -  Fading Frontier

12.  Sleater-Kinney  -  No Cities To Love

11.  Alabama Shakes  -  Sound & Color

10.  Death Cab For Cutie  -  Kintsugi

9.  Wolf Alice  -  My Love Is Cool

8.  Toro Y Moi  -  What For?

7.  Kendrick Lamar  -  To Pimp A Butterfly

6.  Foals  -  What Went Down

5.  My Morning Jacket  -  The Waterfall

4.  The Dead Weather  -  Dodge and Burn

3.  Tame Impala  -  Currents

2.  Panda Bear  -  Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper

1.  Modest Mouse  -  Strangers To Ourselves

  

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: November 2015

Ellie Goulding experiences Delirium

     
     
     Another Thanksgiving is in the books and it's time to look forward to the winter. The turkey and mashed potato feast wouldn't be officially complete without a side of piping hot new tunes.
     English pop singer Ellie Goulding is riding high due to her latest album Delirium [Nov 6, via Polydor Records]. The sixteen tracks are more focused on pop lyrics and less on electronics like her previous efforts. On the club banger "On My Mind" she showcases her voice over a dance hall worthy beat. Check out her tour as it dips through the United States, Canada, and the UK.
     As the days grow darker and colder its a good thing to know that the iPod is all warmed up with fresh cuts.

November 2015 Playlist

1.  Foo Fighters  -  "Saint Cecilia"

2.  EL VY  -  "Return To The Moon"

3.  Weezer  -  "Thank God For Girls"

4.  Firekid  -  "Magic Mountain"

5.  Dr. Dog  -  "Badvertise"

6.  Cage The Elephant  -  "Mess Around"

7.  Brick + Mortar  -  "Train"

8.  Grizfolk  -  "Troublemaker"

9.  Coldplay  -  "Adventure Of A Lifetime"

10.  Great Good Fine Ok  -  "Take It Or Leave It"

11.  Panama Wedding  -  "Infinite High"

12.  Ellie Goulding  -  "On My Mind"

Check in every month for the freshest music from around the globe.

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

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: October 2015

Coheed And Cambria see The Color Before The Sun

     The fall is in full swing and Halloween is just around the corner. While the trick-or-treaters will be stuffing their bags full of candy, the music lovers will be stuffing their mp3 players with hot new beats.
     New York prog-rockers Coheed And Cambria are making some waves with their latest record The Color Before The Sun [October 16, via 300 Entertainment]. Frontman Claudio Sanchez focuses on the theme of "time" throughout most of the ten tracks. On the rocking "Eraser", Sanchez wishes things would go back to the way they were before. The rest of the album churns through crunchy guitar riffs and catchy hooks. Check them out on tour as they swing through the U.S. with large stops at Monster Mash and Fun Fun Fun Fest.
     Halloween always brings out the ghosts and ghouls. As we get ready for all the costumes to go roaming into the night, it's reassuring to know that the mp3 player is reloaded with "scary" good tunes.


October 2015 Playlist

1.  Deerhunter  -  "Breaker"

2.  Nothing But Thieves  -  "Trip Switch"

3.  Coheed And Cambria  -  "Eraser"

4.  The Wombats  -  "Give Me A Try"

5.  Moon Taxi  -  "Make Your Mind Up"

6.  The 1975  -  "Love Me"

7.  Declan McKenna  -  "Brazil"

8.  Brothertiger  -  "Out Of Touch"

9.  Run The Jewels  -  "Get It"

10.  Albert Ryan  -  "Memory"

11.  Disclosure -  "Magnets"  ft. Lorde

12.  Adele  -  "Hello"

Check in every month for the freshest music from around the globe.

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

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7