This could be the sound of spring. Or, at least, the sound of a band playing so in the pocket that it leaves you in shambles of joy. Check out the video for Fleet Foxes' "Grown Ocean" from their forthcoming second album, Helplessness Blues. The D Man has been down and out for the past couple weeks. This song has revived my spirits on first listen. More please.
Elbow may be the biggest underrated band in the world. Maybe that is why the last record was called The Seldom Seen Kid. With noteworthy influences like Peter Gabriel, Talk Talk, and Radiohead, the British band's musical trajection has been steep, and despite the artistic difficulties preventing them from doing so, they keep making better and better records. So take notice.
Guy Garvey's lyrics are understated and potent, with a strain of nostalgic whimsy befitting a modern English bard. The band's growing songcraft is rich in volume dynamics, as Garvey admittedly believes "it's incredibly boring and shortsighted if a band sticks with just one sound song for song. An album should take people on a journey." Check out a lovely live track from the band's fifth album, Build A Rocket Boys!
The D Man has risen from the depths of winter, the sunshine restoring my faith in all things. The promise of better days has reinvigorated my commitment. My largesse. The D Man's Music will be energized as a result. Enjoy the fruits. And enjoy some great tracks from the past few weeks.
The Pains of Being Heart drop their sophomore album in the next couple weeks. Produced by Flood and Alan Moulder (think Siamese Dream), the Brooklyn shoegazers take off with fuzzed-out mega pop on the instant anthem "Belong."
