OneRepublic's "Native"

Native was released Tuesday, March 26. I have always loved OneRepublic's music, but this may be their best album yet. As a whole it seems to have more pop tracks than their past albums, but that also seems to be a trend seen today in most groups on the line between pop and rock (think of the changes with Maroon 5, Coldplay, etc). OneRepublic had released two tracks as singles before today, "Feel Again" and "If I Lose Myself."  Both were quickly hits, and and chart toppers. I really love "Counting Stars" as well as the singles they had already released. "Au Revoir" illustrates OneRepublic's more quiet and sad side that they were first known for with "Stop and Stare" and "Apologize."

These guys are also well known for using strings in their music. This album doesn't stray from that, with the strings found in the majority of their tracks, but especially "Au Revoir," "Burning Bridges," "Preacher" and most obviously in the acoustic version of "If I Lose Myself." They also feature some tracks with strong percussive and bass sounds, which was noticeable more on their last album, Waking Up, than this one. Overall, this album is great. It obviously has the OneRepublic sound that many of us have loved, but each track in the album has it's own part reason for being there, rather than just a bunch of similar songs.

OneRepublic's Native

My favorite tracks on this album are "Counting Sleep," "What You Wanted" and "Life In Color" as well as the two tracks that were released as singles. The acoustic versions for some tracks at the end of their deluxe album really illustrate Ryan Tedder's great voice as well.

Ryan is so much more than just the frontman of OneRepublic. Some fun facts about him include that he also has an independent career as a songwriter and producer for other artists including Adele, Beyoncé, B.o.B, Kelly Clarkson, Far East Movement, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Leona Lewis, Gavin DeGraw, David Cook, Demi Lovato, Maroon 5, Sebastian Ingrosso, Gym Class Heroes, T-Pain, The Wanted, and numerous others. This guy is just really interesting, and if you ever have some free time on your hands go look up more info on him. Ryan Tedder was ripped off by a program on MTV which he won and should have given him a record deal for, he then created his own record label and publishing group, and was stuck in a scandal when he was a co-writer for Beyoncé's "Halo" and Kelly Clarkson's "Already Gone" which have maybe a few too many similarities, but at least in my opinion they're still very different songs and it was an overreaction on everyone else's part. He's also gorgeous, which always helps.

You can listen to samples of each song on Native at OneRepublic's website: http://onerepublic.com/releases/native_deluxe_version

John Mayer is Back!

John Mayer is back! He just announced his Born & Raised Tour, the first tour he's having in three years. He will be at Jiffy Lube Live August 31, 2013! He's had issues with a granuloma on his vocal cords that wouldn't go away, and grew worse over time because of issues with acid-reflux.  He had to take time off between Battle Studies in 2009 and the release of Born and Raised in May 2012. After his newest release he was he was unable to sing or even speak for 10 months. But he's back now! The first thing you can find on his website is "John Mayer Born & Raised Tour #MAYERISBACK." Take a look at www.johnmayer.com to find more info.

Will Evans of Barefoot Truth

Barefoot Truth was an unsigned band that played three times at Jammin' Java since 2009, released their first album in 2006, and released 3 more full length albums and multiple EPs since, but last year they announced their Farewell Tour.  The band broke up, but Will Evans, their lead singer and acoustic guitarist, has been working on his own solo project since.  He's currently unsigned and released his first full-length album Wishin' Well in February 2013.  The album is very well put together, and sounds similar to the style Barefoot Truth had, but Evans definitely adds his own spin.  The album is more rock with some hints of country, noticed in some songs more than others, but in my opinion seems to fit less in the pop genre than Barefoot Truth's older releases.  I find his style reminds me of a mix between John Mayer's more acoustic albums such as Room for Squares and Inside Wants Out, Jason Mraz, and Luke Bryan.

Wishin' Well by Will Evans

"Life is a Photograph" and "How Do We Say Goodbye" are my my favorites off the album. "How Do We Say Goodbye" has an electric guitar, which isn't as prevalent in most of his other tracks so it appears to be the hardest rock track on the album, but still nothing like the hard rock genre. "Life is a Photograph is definitely an up-beat feel-good kind of song, but in all his tracks the lyrics are very relatable. Check him out!

"Life is a Photograph"

He also has a really cool cover of "Lego House" by Ed Sheeran. I want to point out that the point of covers usually isn't to play the song exactly the same way as the original artist, so of course this isn't exactly how Ed Sheeran plays it. That's not the point. The way Will Evans uses loops to record short sections and then repeatedly play them back is really cool, since he is playing this entire thing himself.  All of it, the percussive part, main acoustic guitar, and second acoustic guitar parts. That shows pure musical talent. He apparently also sometimes played the drums for Barefoot Truth. Clearly he's just a really musical guy. He's definitely won my heart.

Brendan Maclean's "Stupid"

My current roommate and next year's roommate just performed their own rendition of this song. It involved a bit of singing and some outrageous dance moves that somehow managed to knock the mattress off my bed. This song is catchy though! You can find it for free at Maclean's website here. Click "buy now" and when prompted to enter a price just type 0. You'll then be prompted to sign up for his newsletter.

"If you made me coffee I could have loved you" - Brendan's words to live by.

Local Natives vs. Calvin Harris

The Georgetown Program Board announced today that Calvin Harris is performing at the Georgetown Spring Kickoff Concept which is absolutely amazing, but it's the same night as the Local Natives concert at the 9:30 Club. I've already bought tickets for Local Natives and I really want to see them live, but it's impossible to pass up on an opportunity to see Calvin Harris. Although I'll see Calvin Harris at the Firefly Music Festival this June so I could wait until then. WHICH DO I CHOOSE?

Local Natives

Calvin Harris

LOCAL NATIVES VS. CALVIN HARRIS

Depeche Mode's Delta Machine

Stream the entire Delta Machine, by Depeche Mode, a full week before it comes out in the iTunes Music Store! iTunes writes that it's "full of shady, slow-drip synthesizer, buzzing guitar, and David Grahan's primal vocal treatment." This is their 13th studio album, so clearly they've been doing something right over the years. "Heaven" is the fourth track on the album and was released as a single earlier, so you may have already heard it.

This link should take you to the page in iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewFeature?cc=us&id=616872064&enlh=2.8321.832.83.8&mt=1&ls=1

Tara Novick Performs TOMORROW in DC

I wrote about Tara Novick for my first post at an in depth look at an unsigned artist. I just heard that he's performing at Hill Country TOMORROW night. Doors open at 10 pm, the show starts at 10:30. I've never been, but the website makes it look like a fun, small barbecue restaurant with live entertainment.

Get tickets here:

http://music.hillcountrywdc.com/event/205693-john-corbett-sex-city-washington/

Youngblood Hawke (Already Labeled - Republic Records)

Youngblood Hawke is a group that has recently been on the rise. I discovered them last September when they opened for Passion Pit at the 9:30 Club.  They walked out on the stage with a bunch of tambourines, the lead singer was in a Hawaiian floral button down shirt, and overall they just didn't look very put together. I have to say my first impression was a little iffy, but obviously I had the wrong impression! I should have known they were good if they were opening for someone as big as Passion Pit. I had never heard of them, but they put on such an amazing show that I had to go listen to their other stuff. I've never seen anyone so alive and full of energy while performing at a small venue. I've been really impressed, and I'll get to see them again at the Firefly Music Festival this June! They were even better live than they are on their recorded tracks, which really illustrates their true talent. Not many bands can play live shows as well as their recorded albums, and even fewer are better live.  Everybody should take a look at their tracks.

"We Come Running"

"Stars"

"Forever"

iTunes calls them an Alternative group, but I find it more of a rock-pop type thing. I distinctly remember a day I was driving over spring break when "Stars" came onto the SiriusXM Alt Nation radio station. I have honestly never coming so close to crashing. My jaw dropped and I couldn't believe that this small group that I had just seen a couple months ago when nobody knew who they were was being played on a big radio station. (This is the same station that first played Atlas Genius! I'll probably have more on that later) They don't have a full-length album out yet, but they do have a self-titled EP, and another EP with some remixes. They also performed at SXSW 2013 last week!

Youngblood Hawke at the 9:30 Club

Kingsley Flood

Kingsley Flood is a Boston and Washington, DC based six-piece band.  They have two full-length albums out, Dust Windows, and Battles along with an EP.  Battles was released fairly recently, on February 5, 2013, but I just discovered these guys when looking at the 9:30 Club schedule.  They're currently touring with the David Wax Museum.  As is the usual case when I go in depth on a group, this band is unsigned.

This is a list of their band members and instruments taken directly from their website:

• Naseem Khuri: vocals, rhythm guitar
• Jenée Morgan: violin, saxophone, vocals
• Chris Barrett: trumpet, keys, percussion, vocals
• George Hall: lead guitar, vocals
• Nick Balkin: bass, vocals
• Travis Richter: drums, percussion

As you can see, they include a violin, saxophone, and trumpet.  These add a depth to their music not found in most indie rock groups.  I've been very impressed with all of their music so far.
"I Don't Wanna Go Home" from Dust Windows gives an idea of what the saxophone adds to their music, but "Waiting On the River to Rise" is one of my favorites along with "Sun Gonna Lemme Shine." I'm having a hard time putting Kingsley Flood into a specific genre, it seems to be mainly an indie rock with some folk and even some hints of country. ITunes puts them simply in the genre of rock, but come on now that's not very descriptive!

Their website is pretty cool, and you can join the Fan List here! There's a link under "The Great & Unsigned" on the right that takes you directly to their official website.

"Suns Gonna Let Me Shine": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUZABM84XFU
"I Don't Wanna Go Home": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY6D26chpG0
"Waiting on the River to Rise": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRFJFHJsxgo

The Strokes New Album - Comedown Machine

The Strokes are releasing their new album Comedown Machine in a week next Monday, 3/25, but it's currently available at this link to stream for free! So listen to it an entire week early and see how you like it. So far I've liked what I've heard.
Comedown Machine Link

If you're a fan of The Strokes you should definitely get on their email list. They've sent out links to free mp3s in the past, and they sent out this link to hear their upcoming album.

For Your Entertainment

INTERIOR CROCODILE ALLIGATOR
I DRIVE A CHEVROLET MOVIE THEATA

It takes true talent to rhyme alligator and theater. But apparently Chip tha Ripper can do it, because nothing can stop the Chip that can rip.

The infamous interior crocodile alligator:

And the original song:

The fact that I actually find this song catchy concerns me a bit. But hey now, we can all have our secret music tastes. Props to Nicole for showing me this catchy little thing.

Aunt Martha

I've been a huge fan of these guys for a while now. Tim Noyes is the songwriter and vocalist for the group, and formed it back in 2008. They used to have a website at auntmarthaband.com, but for some reason it doesn't seem to be working right now. I've included a link to their Facebook page instead in a column to the right.  They have a folk rock feel to their music, but I really love all of their stuff.  Sometimes it's sentimental and quiet, with just an acoustic guitar, and other times their music is filled with other instruments, layered vocal loops, electric guitars, and synthesizers.  The lyrics are always raw and heartfelt, and they often include some unusual instruments besides the typical guitar and drums, which can give them a cool sound.  I love the entire Norway, ME album, but I also really like "Neighbor Song" from Candymaker and "Bloodshot" from Bloodshot - EP. Actually everything on Bloodshot - EP is wonderful. All of their stuff is amazing so go listen!

Aunt Martha's Norway, ME album

The album cover for Norway, ME can probably describe the music better than I ever could. Sometimes the saying a picture is worth a thousand words is accurate...maybe it's a stretch for an album cover.  Whatever. The album is filled with quiet acoustic guitar riffs, but includes a variety of other sounds. They've also played at SXSW and Bonnaroo in the past, so other people have obviously discovered how fabulous they are as well.

Tara Novick

Tara Novick was hanging at a bar in the Chicago airport a few months ago waiting to fly out to another gig. He's a true indie artist, completely unlabeled, and is currently touring with the John Corbett Band. He gave me a copy of his new album Six Pack & Smokes.  I can say I'm a fan of the album, even though I don't love every song. Although can you think of many albums where you love every track? I'm a fan of his faster hard rock, not so much for his slower quiet stuff, but that's just my own musical preference.  Overall the album has a rock n' roll feels some hints of other genres. It reminds me a bit of The Black Keys (who had an AMAZING concert at the Verizon Center last February - see them if you can!) mixed with Bruce Springsteen. You won't find this guy on Pandora or Spotify (yet!), but he's on iTunes. He also has a great website which plays the entire album and has info about his current tour, so you should all go check it out! You can find the link to the right of this page under the "The Great & Unsigned" section. My favorite track has to be "Six Pack & Smokes" but there are great guitar riffs and lyrics throughout most of the album.  He was also at the South by Southwest Music Festival last week. Seriously go check him out!

All Aboard the Frazee Train!

This is my first attempt at any sort of blog, but I've always wanted to share my love for music. I'll be experimenting with blog templates in the coming days, but I hope you can get as excited as I am for this!