NEVER LET A WOMAN GO

King Charles is a unique musician. Armed with the adorableness of Noah & the Whale, the playfulness of Mystery Jets, and the raspiness of Mumford & Sons, the regally titled London singer/outfit have been the talk of many tastemakers ever since they started their tour with the aforementioned M&S. I’m not completely familiar with his repertoire, but goddamn if I don’t absolutely love what I’ve heard so far, in particular the catchy-as-all-hell “Love Lust.” The quickened pace, seemingly effortless harmonies, and bouncy piano line come together like Voltron to form a doozy of a folk-pop single. It’s a bit early to crown the band, but if “Love Lust” is a harbinger of things to come, the title may not be too far off.

MP3: King Charles – “Love Lust”

I neeevvverrrrr speak in hyperbole.

Love,
Zack

HEARTS THAT BREAK THE NIGHT IN TWO

Here’s a dark little collaboration of Bedouin Soundclash and our favorite French-Canadian songstress Coeur de Pirate, entitled “Brutal Hearts.” The song has a very Lykke Li or The xx feel to it, which is just perfect for a rainy morning here in the Nation’s Capital. It also features Beatrice Martin singing in English, which helps me understand what’s going on in the song (unlike other Coeur de Pirate tracks)

MP3: Bedouin Soundclash – “Brutal Hearts (ft. Coeur de Pirate)”

Love,
Zack

PRAY TO GOD I SEE HEADLIGHTS

I know that it is diametrically opposed to the typical ATG theme, but I can’t help but love the country classic “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show. Call me a douchey UVa kid or what have you, but when I was first introduced to the song by my study abroad friends Chris, Katie, and Emma in Florence, I couldn’t help but love it. Something about the harmonies teamed with the banjo did it for me. Given the circumstances, “Wagon Wheel” now brings me back to a nostalgic part of my life, and I feel as though the song was created to strike that same nostalgic chord with most listeners. But I digress…

Imagine my excitement when I discover that ATG favorite Mumford & Sons had recorded a cover of “Wagon Wheel” on BBC’s Radio 2 Sessions. Imagine my anger when I realize that it was released back in late March. BUT…Imagine my happiness when I finally listen.

MP3: Mumford & Sons – “Wagon Wheel (OCMS Cover)”

Love,
Zack

THIS WILL HURT MORE THAN ANYTHING HAS BEFORE

William Fitzsimmons has become quite popular on the blog circuit for the fantastic remixes of his somber, introspective acoustic tracks. I posted the Pink Ganter remix of his absolutely gorgeous “So This Is Goodbye” about a month ago, and the song has literally dominated my car stereo on late-night drives. There’s some competition now, however, in the form of the George Raquet remix of “I Don’t Feel it Anymore.” The pulsating bass line, simple drums, and atmospheric melody play the perfect backdrop to Fitzsimmons lament of a relationship gone sour due to cheating. The lovely female vocals contributed from Priscilla Ahn afford the song a give-and-take feel, and the repetition of each line before the choruses strikes a delicate balance between heartbreaking and simply beautiful. Listen for yourself.

MP3: William Fitzsimmons – “I Don’t Feel It Anymore (George Raquet Remix)”

Love,
Zack

PLEASE DON’T TELL ME YOU KNOW THE RULES TO GO BY

I wrote about Cults here way back in March when they released “Go Outside,” the first single on their debut 7″ which was released on Gorilla vs. Bear’s Forest Family Records. The band just recently released “Oh My God,” a new track that’s part of Adult Swim’s 8 singles 8 weeks feature (read more at GvB). The new song is just as dreamy as “Go Outside,” with an even catchier chorus and charming chimes. If you liked Tennis, who we posted about a few weeks back, you’d adore Cults.

MP3: Cults – “Oh My God”

Love,
Zack

I Spilled the Ink Across the Page Trying to Spell Your Name

Australian brother and sister duo Angus & Julia Stone have crafted some of the most endearing and heartwarming folk music this side of 200. The simplistic melodies and groaning vocals create an intense feeling of nostalgia inside of me that is reminiscent of bands like Iron & Wine and Jose Gonzalez, but even more minimalistic and somehow more charming. Check out “Paper Aeroplane,” my favorite A&JS track off their first effort, 2006’s Chocolates and Cigarettes EP, as well as “Big Jet Plane” off their newest full-length Down the Way. Also, expect more of this style of music in the coming weeks, because I’m in that sort of mood.

MP3: Angus & Julia Stone – “Paper Aeroplane”
MP3: Angus & Julia Stone – “Big Jet Plane”

Love,
Zack

Through the Jungle through the Dark

Way back in December, my second cousin/butt bro/ILikeMyJamesChrisRowe wrote a guest post here featuring a few songs that wouldn’t necessarily find their way onto an ATG playlist. The one that stuck out like a sore thumb was “Home,” a five minute sing-a-long by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros that could have found its way into the setlist of The Folksmen from A Mighty Wind. I listened to it over and over again, shouting “Alabama, Arkansas” at the top of my lungs and whistling (poorly) along to the catchy melody.

Imagine my excitement, then, when I recently stumbled upon an RAC remix of “Home.” Initially, I was cautious, since remixes of folk songs tend to do one of three things: 1) They strip the song down too much, making it unrecognizable; 2) They don’t change anything save for adding a few swirling synths, or; 3) They remove the good parts of the song and make a whole new beat that, honestly, sucks. Well the Remix Artist Collective has done it again, breaking the mold of the traditional remix by not stripping down the song too much, adding more than just a bass line, and still keeping the mood of the song intact. Dare I say, they made it….better?

Step 1: Download “Home”
Step 2:
Step 3: Profit

MP3: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – “Home (RAC Mix)”

Love,
Zack

Guest Post: Chris Rowe Music Time!!!!?!!11!

Hi from Maine!

Having been an avid ATG follower, I thought maybe I should throw my hat into the guest-post ring.  I’m a 6’1” white kid, attend college in New England, wear vans from time to time, rant about politics, and enjoy listening to music.  Oh, and Zack’s my cousin; people are pretty, pretty jealous.  Oh, so ere’s some tunage:

MP3: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – “Home”

The entire self-titled album is complete joy, but “Home” jumps out from the rest of the songs.  It is as if Andrew Bird wrote a Fleetwood Mac song.  From the catchy whistling, the stomping rhythm, to the endearing vocal back and forth – you’ll be screaming Alabama, Arkansas ‘til you find a home of your own.  Trust me!

MP3: The Milkman’s Union – “Emerald Flares”

I couldn’t do a post without giving props to Bowdoin’s very own The Milkman’s Union.  This tune is my personal favorite off of their first album, Roads In, but it only scratches the surface of the depth to this band.  Folksy, country-twanged riffs, with rhythmic surprises layered amongst a driving beat.

MP3: Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele – “Meet Me In The Garden”

Mississippi keeps on giving.  This tune is almost a capella, almost barbershop, but then the guitar and violin jump out.  I’d love to know what those jungle noises are in the beginning of this sing-along, and I’d also love to meet this beautiful blonde in the garden.

Wasted on Fixing All the Problems that You Made in Your Own Head

There’s something not quite normal about Mumford & Sons, a sound that I cannot quite pinpoint. It drives me crazy to listen to the London-based quartet’s rhythm guitar-based sound and almost whiny vocals. My mind runs in circles trying to categorize the sound. I came to the conclusion that lead singer Marcus Mumford sounds like a British Josh Ritter, and that I cannot get enough of the band’s debut, Sigh No More. Check out “Little Lion Man”, which embodies perfectly the sound of the up-and-comers riding the wave of British folk (see: Laura Marling, The Maccabees).

MP3: Mumford & Sons – “Little Lion Man” (removed at label’s request)

You Can Wear Your Fur Like a River on Fire

Blitzen Trapper is a band that, for one reason or another, I had never actually gotten around to listening to until I came across their 2008 album, Furr. The album, and the title track, grabbed and shook me instantly, as if the music were slapping me in the face for sleeping on the beautifully sweet Portland-based Sub Pop sextet. The band joined the influential Northwest label for Furr, only achieving modest success on their first three albums before the switch. While I confess that I am not fully educated in their older material, I made myself a promise to, because “Furr”, and the rest of their most recent release is so quaint and soothing. Much like Fleet Foxes, Sparrow House, and Josh Ritter, the band balances influences of folk, country, and indie rock on “Furr”, with lead vocalist Eric Earley’s effortless lyricism providing the perfect complement to the ambient nature noises and hushed acoustic guitar. The video is a nice little supplement to the track, featuring cute stop-motion paper cut-outs of the band singing along while plants, gramophones, and assorted animals (I think I saw Pegasus?) dance all around the brown backdrop. “Furr” is so effective and accessible because its so damn simple, with uncomplicated instrumentation layered just right (much like The Strokes), giving the song an airy, relaxing feel. Blitzen Trapper, if you’re reading this: my apologies. I’m on the bandwagon now.

MP3: Blitzen Trapper – “Furr”

Love,
Zack