Monthly Mix: July 2014

Rise Against enters The Black Market

     As the dog days of summer settle in, it's good to know there's a fresh assortment of tunes to keep the pool parties going strong into the night.
     Chicago rockers Rise Against are soaring near the top of the charts with their latest record The Black Market [July 15, via Interscope]. Frontman Tim McIlrath says this album is more personal than the last few, and the lyrics certainly reflect the message. On the hard-hitting "I Don't Want To Be Here Anymore", McIlrath expresses the feeling of getting tired of a situation but not knowing where to go. The rest of the songs on the record are similar in fashion and feature lightning fast drumming and laser sharp punk-rock guitar riffs. Their tour swings through Canada and the United States with major gigs at Made In America Festival and Riot Fest.
     The heat of the summer is starting to kick in so it's a good thing to know our iPods are reloaded with cool beats. The July Playlist is filled with new music and does its best job to make the sunsets seem a little bit longer.


July 2014 Playlist

1.  Joywave  -  "Tongues"

2.  Semi Precious Weapons  -  "Aviation High"

3.  Rise Against  -  "I Don't Want To Be Here Anymore"

4.  alt-J  -  "Left Hand Free"

5.  Interpol  -  "All The Rage Back Home"

6.  Weezer  -  "Back To The Shack"

7.  Circa Waves  -  "Young Chasers"

8.  Grimes  -  "Go"  ft. Blood Diamonds

9.  Seether  -  "Words As Weapons"

10.  TV Girl  -  "Birds Don't Sing"

11.  Zella Day  -  "East Of Eden"

12.  Death From Above 1979  -  "Trainwreck 1979"

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: June 2014

Phish heats up with Fuego

     The summer is officially here and the pools are open and ready to be splashed upon. While most people were caught up in the World Cup, the music world was filling its own cup to the brim with a special blend of ice cold sounds.

     Vermont rockers Phish are feeling rejuvenated with the release of their brand new album Fuego [June 24, via JEMP]. This ten track journey is filled with prog rock, funk, pop, and even a few horns. For the tune "555", the band shows off its groovy slow-funk side and features the soft quirky vocal delivery of bassist Mike Gordon. The whole album flows together without any need to skip a song. Check Phish out on tour as they will be selling out big sheds around the country with a final 3-night stop at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado.

     It's nice to be able to spend the afternoons in the park, at the pool, in the garden, or at the beach. The June Playlist has a variety of sizzling summer beats to help keep the temperatures rising. It fits nicely alongside a patio and a vodka lemonade.

 

 

June 2014 Playlist

 

1.  Jack White  -  "That Black Bat Licorice"

 

2.  Magic!  -  "Rude"

 

3.  Iggy Azalea  -  "Fancy" ft. Charli XCX

 

 

4.  The Kooks  -  "Bad Habit"

 

5.  Umphrey's McGee  -  "Cut The Cable"

 

6.  Phish  -  "555"

 

 

7.  Caribou  -  "Can't Do Without You"

 

8.  Lana Del Rey  -  "West Coast"

 

9.  Spoon  -  "Rent I Pay"

 

 

10.  Milky Chance  -  "Stolen Dance"

 

11.  Arkells  -  "Come To Light"

 

12.  Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers  -  "American Dream Plan B"

 

 

13.  Decorations  -  "Girls"

 

14.  Say Hi  -  "Hurt In The Morning"

 

15.  Porter Robinson  -  "Sad Machine"

 

 

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: May 2014

moe. goes all out with No Guts, No Glory

    
     May is often considered the unofficial start of the summer. The sunshine is finally out, birds are chirping, festivals are underway, and signs of new life keep us excited for what lies ahead. An added bonus to all this, is the garden-sized allotment of fresh tunes.
     New York jam-rockers moe. are making some headlines with their latest album No Guts, No Glory [May 27, via Sugar Hill]. The album, which according to guitarist Chuck Garvey started out as an acoustic record, turned out to be a hard-hitting rock album, even including a few jams. On the Garvey-penned opening track "Annihilation Blues", the band shows off it's alt-country thrasher muscles and kicks off the album with a bang. The rest of the record is a beautiful journey of guitar-rock mixed in with textured tones of xylophone.  moe.'s summer tour takes them through the U.S., Japan, and Germany, with big gigs at LOHI Music Festival, Fuji Rock, and Gathering of the Vibes.
     Along with all the great weather comes the ability to get outside and enjoy it, whether it be on the beach, on the boat, or on the golf course. The May mix features some phenomenal music and sounds great while bouncing along the vibrant nature trails.


May 2014 Playlist

1.  Dirty Heads  -  "My Sweet Summer"

2.  Tove Lo  -  "Habits (Stay High)"

3.  moe.  -  "Annihilation Blues"

4.  Hooray For Earth  -  "Keys"

5.  Phish  -  "Waiting All Night"

6.  J. Roddy Walston & The Business  -  "Take It As It Comes"

7.  Vacationer  -  "The Wild Life"

8.  The Pretty Reckless  -  "Heaven Knows"

9.  Last Lynx  -  "Curtains"

  
10.  The Pains of Being Pure at Heart  -  "Eurydice"

11.  Y. O. U  -  "Heavy Crown"

12.  Jamie xx  -  "Girl"

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: 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