Monthly Mix: April 2014

The Black Keys decide to Turn Blue

     April has always been a transition month. As mother nature begins the transition into spring, the music world transitions itself into party-mode and festival season. April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring a whole bucket full of fresh tunes.
     Ohio rockers The Black Keys are back and poised to regain the throne of rock and roll with their new album Turn Blue [May 13, via Nonesuch]. Band members Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney summoned the production mastermind Danger Mouse for this one. The result is a funky, sexy, guitar-laden, rock album. The title-track "Turn Blue" is a midtempo, psychedelic breeze of a song that is a change of pace from the band's earlier repertoire. An enormous US/Europe tour will kick off in May, with major stops at SNL, Hangout Music Festival, and Glastonbury.
     Although a rainy gloomy day can dampen the mood, it's good to know that a nice pair of headphones and an umbrella can help bring out the sunshine for a little bit. The April mix takes a journey through alternative rock, chillwave, and features some dynamite collaborations. It makes a good companion for stomping through the puddles and dancing in the rain.


April 2014 Playlist

1.  Bleachers  -  "I Wanna Get Better"

2.  Cage The Elephant  -  "Take It Or Leave It"

3.  The Black Keys  -  "Turn Blue"

4.  Capital Cities  -  "One Minute More"

5.  St. Vincent  -  "Digital Witness"

6.  Jack White  -  "Lazaretto"

7.  Lykke Li  -  "No Rest For The Wicked" ft. A$AP Rocky

8.  Royal Blood  -  "Little Monster"

9.  Chromeo  -  "Come Alive"  ft. Toro Y Moi

10.  Fight Like Apes  -  "Crouching Bees"

11.  Snowmine  -  "Columbus"

12.  Big Data  -  "Dangerous" ft. Joywave

13.  Wye Oak  -  "Glory"

14.  Little Dragon  -  "Paris"

15.  SomeKindaWonderful  -  "Reverse"

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: March 2014

Foster The People date a Supermodel

   
      Although the calendar indicates it should be spring, it feels like the never-ending winter is still upon us.  The music world did its best job to provide some hot tracks to curb the frost. While the leprechauns were out searching for shamrocks, they also found a heap of brand new music.
     Los Angeles indie-pop outfit Foster The People are making some noise with their brand new release Supermodel [March 14, via Columbia]. Trying to follow up the success and energy of 2011's Torches, the band's latest effort does not disappoint. Flashes of MGMT, Radiohead, and Muse can be heard as influences throughout. On the trippy "Pseudologia Fantastica", frontman Mark Foster coos back and forth about an egomaniac over a loose synthy backdrop. A massive album-supporting tour will hit Europe and the United States, and features big gigs at Coachella, Sasquatch, Governors Ball, and Reading & Leeds.
     This month's mix is jam-packed with a pot of gold's worth of great new music. As we wait for the sun to come around, the March Playlist does its best to bring forth the warmth of the spring.


March 2014 Playlist

1.  Hollow & Akimbo  -  "The One Who Has To Carry You Home"

2.  Dan Croll  -  "From Nowhere"

3.  Foster The People  -  "Pseudologia Fantastica"

4.  We Are Scientists  -  "Dumb Luck"

5.  Manchester Orchestra  -  "Top Notch"

6.  Sleeper Agent  -  "Waves"

7.  Future Islands  -  "Seasons (Waiting On You)"

8.  moe.  -  "Blond Hair And Blue Eyes"

9.  Fuel  -  "Soul To Preach To"

10.  Kaiser Chiefs  -  "Coming Home"

11.  Taking Back Sunday  -  "Stood A Chance"

12.  The Orwells  -  "Who Needs You"

13.  tUnE-yArDs  -  "Water Fountain"

14.  Chevelle  -  "Take Out The Gunman"

15.  The Black Keys  -  "Fever"

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: February 2014

Bear Hands create a Distraction

     Love was in the air as February's cupid warriors shot arrows and mp3s all over the icy landscape. Valentine's Day may have come and gone, but the fresh music cuts still resonate strong.
     Brooklyn's indie-rock band Bear Hands have entered the college radio stratosphere on the heels of their new album Distraction [February 18, via Cantora]. Packed with post-punk flavor, frontman Dylan Rau explores a variety of lyrical themes over dance-club worthy rock beats. On the bouncy "Agora", Rau contemplates leaving the comforts of his house and venturing out into the world. The rest of the album is a delight of catchy indie hooks and sleek guitar riffs. The tour weaves through the United States with hot stops at SXSW, Coachella, and Big Guava Music Festival.
     The arctic chill was not enough to spoil the surplus of spanking new tracks coming in to the iPods. February's Playlist has enough alternative, garage, and indie rock to keep the temperatures up while enjoying the last chocolate in the box.

February 2014 Playlist

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

2.  The Hold Steady  -  "Spinners"

3.  Bear Hands  -  "Agora"

4.  Neon Trees  -  "Sleeping With A Friend"

5.  Blitzen Trapper  -  "Thirsty Man"

6.  311  -  "Five Of Everything"

7.  Bad Suns  -  "Cardiac Arrest"

8.  U2  -  "Invisible"

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

10.  Silversun Pickups  -  "Cannibal"

11.  Last Lynx  -  "Lacuna"

12.  Saint Pepsi  -  "Mr. Wonderful"

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: 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

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: December 2013

American Authors plan to write their own script

     December once again offered up a mountain of snow to keep all the skiers and snowboarders busy. There was also a stocking-load of fresh mp3s that made for the perfect companion alongside a fire and some eggnog.
     Brooklyn indie-rockers American Authors are ending the year with a bang. Although their self-titled EP was released back in the summer, the band is riding the waves of their songs into the winter. The folk-pop sound comes out on the track "Best Day Of My Life" and features some good banjo work by James Adam Shellby. Only one show in Huntington, NY, is scheduled for the tour so far.
     It's a melancholy feeling as one chapter ends and one chapter begins. This year has brought some exciting, unique, new music, and it appears the future will be just as bright in 2014.


December 2013 Playlist

1. Bipolar Sunshine - Drowning Butterflies

2. Miami Horror - Colours In The Sky

3. American Authors - Best Day Of My Life

4. Saint Motel - Ace In The Hole

5. Cut Copy - We Are Explorers

6. The Suits - Stars

7. I Know The Chief - Stay Coloured

8. The Strokes - Slow Animals

9. Black Lips - Boys In The Wood

10. 7 Days Of Funk - Faden Away

IN THE BONUS:

What would the last installment of the year be without a final rundown of the year's top tracks? Here is a look at 10 of Orbit Sound's favorite tunes of the year.

Favorite Tracks of 2013

10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs -  Sacrilege

9. Toro Y Moi - Say That

8. Arcade Fire - Normal Person

7. Ducktails - Jazz

6. Bear Hands - Giants

5. Max Frost - White Lies

4. Fitz And The Tantrums - Out Of My League

3. Queens Of The Stone Age - I Sat By The Ocean

2. Phoenix - Trying To Be Cool

1. Portugal. The Man - Creep In A T-Shirt

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

Best Albums of 2013



Phoenix went Bankrupt! in 2013

It’s hard to believe another year is almost in the books. This time of year is always fun
to look back on all the great albums that came in and were absorbed into the eardrums.
Once again, the music world treated us to a diverse platter of exciting sounds. There
was a surge in indie rock, and we saw the return of some alt-rock giants from the past.
As the smoke cleared, there were a few gems that stood out above the rest.

With that being said, here is a look at Orbit Sound’s list of Best Albums of 2013:

30. Deerhunter - Monomania

29. Yo La Tengo - Fade

28. David Bowie - The Next Day

27. Cut Copy - Free Your Mind

26. Vampire Weekend -  Modern Vampires Of The City

25. Dawes - Stories Don't End

24. My Bloody Valentine - m b v

23. HAIM - Days Are Gone

22. White Denim - Corsicana Lemonade

21. Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt

20. M.I.A. - Matangi

19. The Avett Brothers - Magpie And The Dandelion

18. The Flaming Lips - The Terror

17. Wale - The Gifted

16. The Strokes - Comedown Machine

15. Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull

14. Foals - Holy Fire

13. Atoms For Peace - Amok

12. The 1975 - The 1975

11. Arctic Monkeys - AM

10. Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks

9. Franz Ferdinand - Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action

8. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

7. Atlas Genius - When It Was Now

6. Toro Y Moi - Anything In Return

5. Queens of the Stone Age - Like Clockwork

4. The National - Trouble Will Find Me

3. Arcade Fire - Reflektor

2. Portugal. The Man - Evil Friends

1. Phoenix - Bankrupt!


Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

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

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: November 2013

M.I.A. brings the noise with Matangi

     November brought with it the first glimpse of snow and also a heap of new music with plenty of variety. As Thanksgiving draws near, the music world gave us one more thing to be thankful for.
       English hip-hop artist Maya Arulpragasam, better known as M.I.A. is back making headlines with her new release Matangi [November 1, via Interscope]. Drawing from elements of punk and pop, she manages to balance both of her inspirations. On "Sexodus", she gets the help of her friend The Weeknd as they freestyle over one of the better beats on the record. Although there are no tour dates in the works, look for her to hit the festival circuit in the spring.
     The trees may be bare this time of year, but the reservoir on the iPod is most certainly not. The November Playlist aims to keep the heat up with cuts from the hip-hop world and the indie realm, making it the perfect companion alongside the last drumstick.


November 2013 Playlist

1. Bastille - Pompeii

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Run

3. Arctic Monkeys - One For The Road

4. Broken Bells - Holding On For Life

5. Young The Giant - It's About Time

6. M.I.A. - Sexodus

7. Tycho - Awake

8. Nonono - Scared

9. Bear Hands - Giants

10. Tennis - Mean Streets

11. Wooden Shjips - Back To The Land

12. Eminem - The Monster ft. Rihanna

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