Collegiate Music Blog

Happy new year everyone. Wait. Happy new year? Happy new year’s? … Potato/potahto.

I hope you’re having an awesome break. I certainly have been. There’s currently a lull in my “have as much fun as you can over winter break” schedule, so I thought I’d update the old CT music blog.

Here’s something you might enjoy: the Pitchfork Guide to Upcoming Releases: Winter 2009

I was thinking about a song that would fit my current mood–and maybe yours too–and I came up with Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal.” What a beautiful song!

Make the most of the next few weeks! See you back at school!

Hello. I haven’t written in weeks.

Also, I can’t really write right now. I’m currently importing some video footage that I took over thanksgiving break, and after that it’s off to essay-writing for me. Sorry.

I probably won’t be back until finals (and the semester!) are finally, finally over. Good luck on your exams!

In the meantime, here are a few pieces of news in music off the top of my head:

1. If you haven’t heard, Beirut/Zach Condon is back. He is coming out with not one but TWO albums in early 2009 (March or May, I think). ***EDIT — February 17th is the US release date, actually.

2. No Doubt announced that they’re going on tour. I don’t know about you guys but…yay!
3. The guys from Blink-182 are talking to each other again. … Reunion tour? Haha!
4. Alaska in Winter came out with a new CD last month. It’s good.

I think I’m about to be kicked out of the “InnovationSpace” (what a name) now. Good night.

I know that many of you sensible readers must be Vampire Weekend fans, and that many others of you are from the Northern Virginia/DC area (holler…) so I thought I’d just let you know:

12-01 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
12-02 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

Yup. Unfortunately, I’m not going because we’re supposed to be back in school by December 1, but hey, all of you who are cooler than me, a lowly freshman without a car who is a afraid of parental castigation and academic failure, go go go!

Wow. Election Day has come and gone, and we have ourselves a new president elect. Of course, you already know that. And regardless of your opinion of the outcome, I hope you are all able to reflect on this insane, history-making election with pride and self-satisfaction. The voter turnout this year was ridiculous.

Anyway, I know this isn’t a political blog or whatever, but how can I NOT comment on one of the most important elections in all of history?

So here’s a playlist of songs that I feel represents my thoughts and emotions throughout the election…season….and tonight’s final showdown. There are a wide range of songs, but they are meant to show a wide range of feelings: optimism, pride, enthusiasm, hope, excitement, happiness, amazement, loyalty… Hopefully, music can breach party boundaries, and you will be able to find something to relate to.

“Children, wake up. Hold your mistakes up, before they turn the summer into dust.” “Like classics, play aces. Stay with me, go places.” “Give me an angle that I haven’t tried before.” “It was for freedom.” “Leave it to us, we are the challengers of the unknown.” “Like sisters and brothers, we lean on each other.” “What will you do when the curtain falls?” “All in all, I’m loving every rise and fall.” “There’s nothing to do but believe. Just believe.” “The youth is starting to change. Are you starting to change? Are you? Together, together, together, together.”

I’ve heard The Dears’ newest album, Missiles, criticized as “flat” and “hesitant.” I’ve also heard it praised as “diverse” and “soulful.” I myself have only listened to the album once, and haven’t quite formed a solid opinion about it yet. But I think I like it a lot.

Here’s the recently released music video for “Money Babies,” the third track off the album.

Not the video game.

Final Fantasy is Owen Pallett, the wonderfully talented violinist/singer from Canada. You might know him as the former violinist of Arcade Fire. Or you might just know him because he’s put out two brilliant full length albums since 2005:Has a Good home and He Poos Clouds, in addition to an EP, Young Canadian Mothers.

Last month, Final Fantasy came out with Spectrum, 14th Century, which is the first of two EPs to be released before the band’s next full album, Heartland. (The second EP, Plays to Please, comes out at the end of the month).

If you’ve never heard them before, here’s your chance:

Also, they band just released their music video for “The Butcher,” their single from Spectrum. Here it is:

It’s been a while. My bad.

I went to see a concert a few nights ago at the Lantern. The opening band was Cougar Magnum, a 3-piece rock band. Unfortunately, there was some kind of misunderstanding between the band and the venue that resulted in not enough stage space…and the drummer having to sit the performance out. He didn’t look too happy about that. But they were all good sports, and gave me a nice little interview that you can watch in my full video review, here

Then there was BoomBox, a DJ and guitarist/singer duo from Alabama. I’d checked these guys out on their Myspace before I went to the show and was mildly impressed. It sounded catchy, but pretty much like your average electronic/techno. However, I must say that these guys rocked live. The atmosphere was amazing. Colorful, flashing lights, dancing people and very loud music. I think the thing that really made BoomBox so much more exciting when heard live than on CD was the clarity of the live, electric guitar and the vocals. The simple and clean guitar sounded so much more riveting when it was loud enough to cut through the bass and the beats. The same goes for the vocals, which are actually very unique. The singer has this strange, ethereal voice that sounds 10 times cooler live than on a recording.

I’ll stop rambling now and let you listen to a sample:

Don’t you just love when you hear great music on TV ads? That has got to be one of the best feelings ever. I think this little thrill comes from the very pleasant surprise of hearing good music on TV, and many times even good music you’ve never heard before!

So, I thought it’d be kind of fun to post up some youtube videos of commercials with good music. They’re all from 2008, and I tried to keep them fairly new.

Tim Myers and Lindsay Ray - Brand New Day. Target.

The Decemberists - Summersong. Toyota.

Chairlift - Bruises. iPod Nano 4G.

Justice - Genesis (Remix). Levi’s.

Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky. Jetblue.

Band of Horses - Funeral. Ford Edge.

Hope you enjoyed that!

I just got wind of this band (actually, it’s one guy doing a side project from the band Hail Social) called Weird Tapes. He released a free EP this past August called Get Religion. It features 5 songs:

1. The Heavens
2. Glorious
3. Home
4. Nikki
5. Party Trash

I have no idea how I stumbled upon Weird Tapes, but I have to say it was one lucky find. Get Religion is extremely fun and funky. I can’t stop listening to it and dancing like an idiot. You should, too!

Here are a few samples off the EP:

Remember, this was released as a FREE EP, so you can go ahead and download it offline, free of charge. Yes, it’s legal.

Download Get Religion

This weekend is Fall Break. How many of you are going home? I know I am. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been dreaming about homemade food (and Chipotle), staring at pictures of my dog Huck and putting off laundry for as long as hygenically possible.

I guess you could say that I’m a wee bit…homesick? I’m sure you guys know what I’m talking about. But don’t despair, it’s nothing that a nice weekend at home spent stuffing our faces, calling up our best friends and chillin with our families won’t fix.

In the meantime, here are some sweet little tunes that’ll remind you of home. (Except Subterranean Homesick Alien, that one’s kind of weird. But it has the word “homesick” in the title and it’s a good song).