WYEP Music Blog

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh’s finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite news songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Josh Walkos of the music blog Owl & Bear

In case you missed it here’s what he played with commentary by Josh (plus some bonus songs):

Villagers, “Becoming A Jackal” - The title track to a brilliant and richly orchestrated debut album complete with soaring string arrangements, piano runs and horns. Yet, singer/songwriter and Ireland native Conor O’Brien makes it sound as warm and intimate as a lo-fi bedroom recording. Villagers were recently nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize which is a short list of the best releases of the year in the UK and Ireland. This track  immediately caught my ear with the very deliberate sounding delivery O’Brien employs, its very brooding and elusive and kind of leave you with a sense of nostalgia.

Cut Copy, “Where I’m Going” – An Australian band known for their hypnotic electronic dance tunes, but not so much for their Beach Boy-esque psychedelic rock. Which is precisely what we have with their sneak peak single “Where I’m Going” from the as-of-yet-untitled forthcoming LP. The record was mixed by hot commodity producer Ben Allen, the man behind the mind bending mixing on Animal Collective’s widely acclaimed 2009 release, Merriweather Post Pavillion. If this single is just a warm up then their new album is undoubtedly one of my most anticipated of 2011.

Toro Y Moi, “Leave Everywhere” – Usually known for his hazy synth driven tunes , Toro Y Moi sheds the synths in favor of instruments. The results are a great summer song that keeps conjures the endless summer romantic in all of us. And with summer just about behind us, this song may help you to hang on for just 3 minutes longer.

Tennis, “Marathon” - Husband-and-wife duo Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore make up much buzzed about band Tennis. A band that burst onto the national scene with their single “Marathon”. Its a Brian Wilson meets Daniel Johnston lo-fi gem of a song. They just released a 3-song 7-inch on Underwater Peoples that will only serve to wet the appetite of the indie masses until they release their first full length in 2011. They are definitely a band to watch in the coming months.

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh’s finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Justin Jacobs, contributing writer to Paste Magazine, AOL’s Spinner.com and Pittsburgh’s City Paper

In case you missed it here’s what he played with commentary by Justin (plus some bonus songs):

Lissie, “When I’m Alone” – She started off a folkie, but her debut album Catching a Tiger is pretty rocking. Doesn’t matter her genre, though – Lissie’s got one of the strongest, most beautiful voices I’ve heard in a long time. Bonus trivia: director David Lynch is a huge fan and Tweeted Lissie his phone number. And now they’re friends.

The Thermals, “I Don’t Believe You” – Unshakable proof that all rock’n'roll needs is a few chords, a lot of energy and some lyrics about how much love sucks. Plus, Thermals jams always have lots of ‘Whoa’s and ‘Yeah’s, so singing along is fun and easy. Their new album, Personal Life, is more fun than a winning Pirates game.

Perfume Genius, “Mr. Petersen” – Just one man and a piano, but the whole thing seems haunted by ghosts. This is a song seemingly about an older man introducing our young narrator to Joy Division and smoking pot, as well as some far, far less appropriate things. Beautiful, but scary.

The Love Language, “Brittany’s Back” – This band is all about swooning romantics and the sweeping dramatics. But if you love love, you’ll love The Love Language.

Lost in the Trees, “Love on my Side” – This band is half folk rock, half classical music; several of their songs are simply instrumental movements played by a mini-orchestra. This tune falls way more in the former genre, though, and is a catchy, touching little ditty.

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh’s finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Andy Mulkerin of Pittsburgh’s City Paper

In case you missed it here’s what he played with commentary by Andy (plus some bonus songs):

Jaill, “Everyone’s Hip” – This band’s first Sub Pop release just came out, and while on the whole it’s pretty solid, this is the real stand-out track. Hooky, poppy, and with an entire verse in Spanish (Does it actually mean something? Not sure.), it’s been on repeat on my MP3 player and in my head.

Sambassadeur, “Days” – My friend Brian won’t stop talking about this band. And rightly so – simple pop constructions draped with lush string orchestration and a vocalist who sounds like a Scandanavian Chrissie Hynde? Yes, please!

Satin Gum, “Flea Markets & Libraries” – This local band is a fun one to catch live, and writes catchy pop-oriented rock with a lot of stop-start action and time changes. I tend to think they’re going somewhere – either rising to fame or going back to the bar for another few drinks, or, most likely, both.

Modern Mothers, “Allison” – There’s not much information around on this Philly-based garage-glam band, which released Berserker with the help of the venerable Bada Bing label. Their imagery and aesthetic are weird to say the least, but this song is a pop gem – starting out with a poppy Ramones/Screaching Weasel feel then progressing into a Diamond Dogs-era Bowie-style bridge.

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh’s finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Scott Tady of The Beaver County Times

In case you missed it here’s what he played with commentary by Scott (plus some bonus songs):

Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sound of Sunshine – Blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. Outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues. Scott says: “The hip-hop-reggae-funk-rocker delivers the most upbeat and lyrically positive album you’ll hear all year. Interestingly, he began recording these songs after suffering what he describes as a near-death experience that included a ruptured appendix and eight days in the hospital. Judging by the songs on this album, Franti has his priorities straight, appreciating how love, friends and family are our most valuable commodities. I chose to play “Shake It,” a buoyant song that emphasizes the importance of attitude and inner beauty. (“It’s not the way you looked, it’s the way you shook.”) Another song on the album was inspired by Franti’s time spent touring with U2. It’s got Edge-y guitar!”

Arcade Fire, The Suburbs – Indie rock band in from Canada. This is their highly anticipated third album. Scott says: “If you’re a child of the cul-de-sacs like me, or simply someone who likes intelligent but accessible indie-rock, then you’ll love this Montreal band’s highly touted album released on Aug. 3. It’s a concept album that doesn’t get bogged down by a narrative (erm… you listening Green Day?). Songs are from the point of view of an adult wistfully revisiting the suburbs where he was raised. I chose to play “Month of May,” which is more revved up, and less keyboard-ish than most of the other songs, though it captures the album’s lyrical essence in the verse about teenagers standing in the street with their arms defiantly folded tight. Being young and bored and unfulfilled is a heavy burden to carry, notes singer Win Butler, “But how you gonna lift it with your arms folded tight?” Good one!”

Also been spinning this week:

Justin Nozuka, You I Wind Land and Sea - Second release from the 21 year old singer. Scott says: “Canadian singer, with Japanese and American parents, has an emotionally gripping voice reminiscent of Paolo Nutini. His bloodlines are traced to Kyra Sedgwick and Edie Sedgwick, while his brother, Phillip, appears on TV’s “Degrassi: Next Generation.” Justin’s lyrics, at times, are frustrating; sometimes too oblique; sometimes too basic. But put him on your radar, as this 21-year-old has a bright future.”

Dick Dale, Guitar Legend: The Very Best Of – King of Surf Guitar who was brought to prominence in the Quentin Tarantino film, “Pulp Fiction”. Scott says: “If you loved Dick’s “Miserlou” in “Pulp Fiction” — and c’mon, who didn’t — then you should already be tempted to buy this first-ever, career-spanning release from the surf-rock pioneer. Due out Sept. 7 on the retro-minded Shout! Factory label — the 21st century Rhino Records — this album includes signature surf songs, rare B-sides, a fantastic cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone from the Sun” and a 1987 collaboration with Stevie Ray Vaughan on the Chantays’ “Pipeline.” You could play worse at your next party or picnic.”