The Besnard Lakes record, The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse, is probably the best album I've bought all year. It's eight tracks of warm-toned, mindblowing, space rock with '60s left coast harmonies. The song "For Agent 13" continues to kick my ass severely everytime I listen to it; especially the ending.
I find most of the new music I listen by watching Subterranean on MTV2. For some reason, it's the only hour that network plays any music. Luckily, they seem to be pretty on top of what's new and what's making a buzz in the world of indie/alternative music. It's not like when 120 Minutes used to show Korn videos (uhg). Subterranean usually plays some really good stuff. As a result, I end up making my own radio playlist for my iPod out of songs that catch my attention on said show. Here's what I've been listening to lately:
The Shins: Phantom Limb
At first listen, I was thinking New Slang, Part II, but there's more going on here. Less haunting than the older track, but not lacking in emotional depth or cryptic storytelling. Mercer's voice is still as mesmerizing as ever. Give me the new album... now!
Arctic Monkeys: Leave Before the Lights Come On
I tried so hard to fight the hype. Honestly, I really tried. But, after listening to the music, I had to give in. These lads are definitely the result of almost every major music style to influence Great Britain in the last thirty years: Buzzcocks, reggae/ska, the Smiths, 90s BritPop (Blur, Oasis), it's all there. Oh, and the video is fun and creepy and it has Paddy Considine in it. He's super cool.
Lily Allen: Smile
An odd choice, but this one got stuck in my head after two listens. Also, you've got to love a good revenge video.
Silversun Pickups: Lazy Eye
Silversun Pickups do Smashing Pumpkins music better than whatever Billy Corgan has been making for the last five years. Pumpkins and shoegazing bands from the late 80s/early 90s are obvious influences here, but the Pickups do it well. If "Well Thought Out Twinkles" was their "Siva", then "Lazy Eye" is their "1979". I noticed that the singer decided to grow some facial hair for this video, thus ending the gender debate generated by the last one.
The Thermals: Pillar of Salt
Not anti-religion, but anti-abuse of religion. From what I've heard, the rest of the album continues this theme. Fun, punchy little number. Also, for some reason, the bass player reminds me of my youngest sister-in-law.
Band of Horses: The Great Salt Lake
Another Sub Pop band. My Morning Jacket meets Sonic Youth's "Madonna, Sean & Me". Sweeping and dreamy. Boring video, though. Indie rock softball... in slo-mo... yawn. Betcha they all drink PBR.
