Monthly Mix: April 2015

Blur cracks The Magic Whip

     Spring is in full swing and the birds can be heard singing in the trees. Not only were the birds singing, lots of music lovers were as well as an influx of new tunes came pouring in.
     English alt-rockers Blur are creating some hype with their latest album The Magic Whip [April 27, via Parlophone]. Featuring twelve tracks, their newest effort touches on rock, pop, and psychedelia. The cut "Lonesome Street" is a delightful romp that contains post-punk guitars and a bouncy beat. The rest of the album plays out in similar fashion without a dull moment. Check them out as their tour swings through Europe, Australia, and Mexico.
     As the weather continues to get more enjoyable and the golf courses open up, it's a good feeling to know the mp3 players are stocked up again and are ready to go as we try for that hole in one.


April 2015 Playlist

1.  Tame Impala  -  "Cause I'm A Man"

2.  Wolf Alice  -  "Moaning Lisa Smile"

3.  Blur  -  "Lonesome Street"

4.  Twenty One Pilots  -  "Fairly Local"

5.  Built To Spill  -  "Never Be The Same"

6.  Zac Brown Band  -  "Heavy Is The Head" ft. Chris Cornell

7.  Umphrey's McGee  -  "Bad Friday"

8.  Toro Y Moi  -  "Buffalo"

9.  Meg Myers  -  "Sorry"

10.  Turbo Fruits  -  "Don't Let Me Break Your Heart Again"

11.  James Bay  -  "Let It Go"

12.  Tove Lo  -  "Talking Body"

Check in every month for the hottest 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: March 2015

Modest Mouse become Strangers To Ourselves

     

     While the majority of the country was caught up in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, otherwise known as March Madness, there was another madness going around in the form of exciting fresh music.

     Washington indie-rockers Modest Mouse are topping the charts with their first album in eight years entitled Strangers To Ourselves [March 17th, via Epic].  Consisting of fifteen songs that are reminiscent of the band's vintage sound, it bobs and weaves through emotional highs and lows. On "Pups To Dust" frontman Isaac Brock wonders how we got here and if there's a bigger purpose or if maybe we should just wander. Check out the band as their tour swings through the U.S. & the U.K. and includes festival gigs at Sasquatch, Firefly, and Forecastle.

     As the snow melts away and the gardens begin to bloom, it's an added bonus that the mp3 players are also rejuvenated with fresh new cuts.

March 2015 Playlist

1.  My Morning Jacket  -  "Big Decisions"

2.  Absofacto  -  "Dissolve"

3.  Modest Mouse  -  "Pups To Dust"

4.  In The Valley Below  -  "Peaches"

5.  Lord Huron  -  "Fool For Love"

6.  Mumford & Sons  -  "Believe"

7.  The Mowgli's  -  "I'm Good"

8.  of Montreal  -  "Bassem Sabry"

9.  Muse  -  "Dead Inside"

10.  Penguin Prison  -  "Never Gets Old"

11.  Madeon  -  "Pay No Mind" ft. Passion Pit

12.  Snoop Dogg  -  "Peaches N Cream" ft. Charlie Wilson

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 2015

 

Imagine Dragons use Smoke + Mirrors

 

     In the aftermath of a bitter cold February comes a heat wave of piping hot new mp3s. The long winter is winding down and the excitement of spring is just around the corner.  

     Las Vegas alt-rockers Imagine Dragons are creating a buzz after releasing their latest record Smoke + Mirrors [February 17, via Interscope]. While not containing the stadium anthems of its predecessor, the album is still a colorful display of rock. On the single "Gold", the band uses a haunting beat and blends it into alternative pop song. Check them out as their massive tour makes stops through the U.S. this summer and features a festival spot at BottleRock.

     As the snow begins to melt, the iPod is reloaded with fresh tunes which makes the warmth of the spring seem that much closer.

 

 

February 2015 Playlist

 

1.  The Offspring  -  "Coming For You"

 

2.  Incubus  -  "Absolution Calling"

 

3.  Imagine Dragons  -  "Gold"

 

 

4.  Passion Pit  -  "Lifted Up (1985)"

 

5.  Saint Motel  -  "My Type"

 

6.  Awolnation  -  "Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)"

 

 

7.  The Wombats  -  "Greek Tragedy"

 

8.  Fort Lean  -  "I Don't Mind"

 

9.  Alabama Shakes  -  "Don't Wanna Fight"

 

 

10.  Mew  -  "Satellites"

 

11.  Walla  -  "101"

 

12.  Florence + The Machine  -  "What Kind Of Man"

 

 

 

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 2015

Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper

     Although the sun hasn't seen much action lately, the year is off to a hot start thanks to a healthy portion of fresh tunes.
     Baltimore's Noah Lennox, better known as Panda Bear is back making experimental electronic music, and his latest record Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper is his most complete effort to date. Lennox states he's "psyched to be an old guy", and it shows throughout the album. He also shows off a more youthful vibe as can be heard on the track "Boys Latin."  A large tour will support the album with stops in Europe and coming back home with a big slot at Coachella.
     The January playlist is a good way to stay warm while shoveling the snow, skiing down a black diamond, or drinking an Irish coffee in the lodge.


January 2015 Playlist

1.  Torche  -  "Minions"

2.  Broken Social Scene  -  "Golden Facelift"

3.  Fall Out Boy  -  "Irresistible"

4.  St. Vincent  -  "Bad Believer"

5.  Toro Y Moi  -  "Empty Nesters"

6.  Panda Bear  -  "Boys Latin"

7.  Catfish and the Bottlemen  -  "Kathleen"

8.  Death Cab For Cutie  -  "Black Sun"

9.  Sleater-Kinney  -  "A New Wave"

10.  The Decemberists  -  "A Beginning Song"

11.  Clones of Clones  -  "I Don't Need Your Love"

12.  Matt and Kim  -  "Get It"

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 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

Best Albums Of 2014

Bear Hands made a Distraction in 2014

     As the year comes to an end, it's nice to look back at all the albums that made for another banner year in the music world. Here are Orbit Sound's favorite albums of 2014.


Best Albums Of 2014

40.  Warpaint  -  Warpaint

39.  Umphrey's McGee  -  Similar Skin

38.  FKA Twigs  -  LP1

37.  The Gaslight Anthem  -  Get Hurt

36.  Sun Kil Moon  -  Benji

35.  Lana Del Rey  -  Ultraviolence

34.  Real Estate  -  Atlas

33.  Shabazz Palaces  -  Lese Majesty

32.  Charli XCX  -  Sucker

31.  Rise Against  -  The Black Market

30.  The Pretty Reckless  -  Going To Hell

29.  The Smashing Pumpkins  -  Monument To An Elegy

28.  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -  Hypnotic Eye

27.  Flying Lotus  -  You're Dead!

26.  Royal Blood  -  Royal Blood

25.  Thom Yorke  -  Tomorrow's Modern Boxes

24.  Interpol  -  El Pintor

23.  Future Islands  -  Singles

22.  Death From Above 1979  -  The Physical World

21.  Swans  -  To Be Kind

20.  Tokyo Police Club  -  Forcefield

19.  Caribou  -  Our Love

18.  Run The Jewels  -  Run The Jewels 2

17.  Broken Bells  -  After The Disco

16.  Weezer  -  Everything Will Be Alright In The End

15.  Chromeo  -  White Women

14.  TV On The Radio  -  Seeds

13.  Beck  -  Morning Phase

12.  Cloud Nothings  -  Here And Nowhere Else

11.  alt-J  -  This Is All Yours

10.  Phish  -  Fuego

9.  St. Vincent  -  St. Vincent

8.  Foo Fighters  -  Sonic Highways

7.  The Black Keys  -  Fever

6.  moe.  -  No Guts, No Glory

5.  Spoon  -  They Want My Soul

4.  The War On Drugs  -  Lost In The Dream

3.  Jack White  -  Lazaretto

2.  Foster The People  -  Supermodel

1.  Bear Hands  -  Distraction

 

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

Stay tuned for the December Playlist!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: November 2014

TV On The Radio plants new Seeds

      November gave out lots to be thankful for including friends, family, and football. Not to mention a feast of new music.
     Brooklyn New York's indie rockers TV On The Radio are back with their latest album Seeds [November 18, via Harvest]. Heavy on synth and fuzzed out guitars, this record is smooth front to back. On the first single "Happy Idiot", frontman Tunde Adebimpe sings a tale of trying to stay sane while not trying to think about a love that got away. The band's tour kicks off in Miami then heads overseas with a big gig at Sonar Festival in Iceland.
     As the cold begins to settle in, it's good to know the iPod is heated up with fresh tunes. Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror, now it's time to put the headphones on and string up the Christmas lights.


 November 2014 Playlist

1.  Cold War Kids  -  "All This Could Be Yours"

2.  Hospital  -  "Right On"

3.  TV On The Radio  -  "Happy Idiot"

4.  Bully  -  "Milkman"

5.  Foo Fighters  -  "In The Clear"

6.  Imagine Dragons  -  "I Bet My Life"

7.  George Ezra  -  "Budapest"

8.  Milky Chance  -  "Flashed Junk Mind"

9.  Robert DeLong  -  "Long Way Down"

10.  Yelawolf  -  "Till It's Gone"

11.  Brave Shores  -  "Never Come Down"

12.  Walk The Moon  -  "Shut Up And Dance"

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