The U & U's 117 Best Songs of 2017 | Set 4 of 5: 50-26

50 : Washer : Your Guess Is As Bad As Mine : All Aboard (2017)



49 : The I.L.Y’s : I Love You Man : Bodyguard (2017)

The U & U Show 491 | Protest Songs & Perth Psych

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Gold Connections : Popular Fiction

Gold Connections EP (2017)  |  BandCamp

 

Future Islands : Aladdin

The Far Field (2017)  |  Official Site

The U & U Show 490 | Post-Sx Catch Up

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Future Islands : Cave

The Far Field (2017)  |  Official Site

 

Fleet Foxes : Third of May / Ōdaigahara

Crack-Up (2017)  |  Official Site

The U & U Show 488 | SXSW 2017 Preview 6 of 6

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Benjamin Booker : Witness (feat. Mavis Staples)

Witness (2017)  |  Facebook  |  SXSW 2017

 

Durand Jones & The Indications : Power To The People (Demo)

Our First 100 Days (2017)  |  Official Site  |  SXSW 2017

The U & U Show 482 | New Favs & New From Old Favs

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Middle Children : True

Earth Angel (2017)  |  Soundcloud

 

Tim Darcy : Still Waking Up

Saturday Night (2017)  |  Official Site

The Unknown & Unheard Show 133!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 133 Right Here, Right Now! White Denim – I Start To Run – Fits (2009) - 2nd full length - Check out the video for ‘I Start To Run’ on the U & U Blog - Their music follows no pattern and never gets boring… enjoyably schytzophrenic. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ha Ha Tonka – Close Every Valve of Your Bleeding Heart - Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South (2009) - 2nd album - great building folk track. I may have been sold simply by the Dostoevsky reference. - RIYL Kings of Leon and AA Bondy Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Avett Brothers – I and Love and You – I and Love and You (2009) - forthcoming album - follow-up to their break out ‘Emotionalism’ - this is the exact type of track that makes me love this band. - Easy americana Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Eels – All The Beautiful Things – Hombre Lobo (2009) - Newest album - Translates to ‘Werewolf’ - There is a really interesting look into Mark Everett’s past on a NOVA on PBS, ‘Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives’ - This is the next album on my must have list. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Deer Tick – Straight Into A Storm – Born On Flag Day (2009) - 2nd album - this track makes me think of Beach Boys and some early rock and roll songs. - Playing locals only July 14th Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Dinosaur Jr. – I Want You To Know – Farm (2009) - 2nd album since their ‘comeback’ - Massive cult following - The vocals are what really stand out to me. They are always right upfront and clear. It’s a nice contrast to fuzzy guitars. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Lonely H – Diggin’ A Hole – Concrete Class (2009) - 3rd album - Big Juicy AOR style guitars here. - Familiar classic rock feel. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine King Khan & The BBQ Show – Animal Party – Animal Party 7” (2009) - King Khan’s other outfit… this is with BBQ Show (Marc Sultan) - Rougher blues soul sounds as opposed to his work with the shrines which has a bigger backing band. - King Khan has yet to release an unenjoyable piece of music Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Black Lips – Take My Heart – 200 Million Thousand (2009) - 5th album - This is an album that may sound like some other bands but the sum of the parts results in something truly unique to the Black Lips. - One of the best albums of the year - Playing the Pitchfork Music Fest Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Spoiled – Outer South (2009) - 2rd album under his given name. Out May 5th - Best known for his work as ‘Bright Eyes’ - Headlined the Omaha music scene’s rise to respectability - Some big juicy bluesy riffs on this track. - Monsters of Folk! Conor Oberst, M. Ward & Jim James Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine M, Ward – Epistemology – Hold Time (2009) - latest album. - makes me think of when I heard the fleet foxes in early 2008… this will end up being one of the year’s best albums. - I’m not sure why but the album makes me think of chugging along in a boxcar of a train enjoying the view of the country side from the open sliding door. The songs just bounce along in such a pleasant way. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine My Morning Jacket – One Big Holiday – It Still Moves (2003) - 3rd album - Last before they broke through with ‘Z’ - Latest was 2008’s Evil Urges. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Sunset Rubdown – Dragon’s Lair – Dragonslayer (2009) - 4th album… out June 23rd - Eagerly awaiting this album - One of Spencer Krug’s many bands - Playing Jake’s in Bloomington July 8th - This album has some epic sounding tracks. - Longest song on the show by 56 seconds! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

The Unknown & Unheard Show 127!!!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 127 Right Here, Right Now! White Rabbits – Rudie Fails – It’s Frightening (2009) - debut album, huge hype and acclaim surrounded this album - I like this song better than anything I heard on their debut… promising start for what’s to come on the rest of the album. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session Royal City – A Belly Was Made For Wine – Royal City (2009) - Forthcoming 3rd album, debut out in 2001 - Toronto band - This one is a Compilation of B-Sides ot June 23rd on Asthmatic Kitty (Sufjan’s Label) Official Site (Download this song right now!) Comet Gain – Asleep on the Snow – Broken Record Prayers (2009) - 5th album… together since 1993 - Lou Reed vibes found here Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Big Black Nothing – Outer South (2009) - 2rd album under his given name. Out May 5th - Best known for his work as ‘Bright Eyes’ - Headlined the Omaha music scene’s rise to respectability - Some big juicy bluesy riffs on this track. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine XTC – Dear God – Skylarking (1986) - 7th album, or so… debut out in 1978 - Catchy quality British pop - A side project of theirs that I have really enjoyed thanks to a re-release was Dukes of Stratosphear. Official Site : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Modest Mouse – Satellite Skin – No One’s First & You’re Next (2009) - forthcoming 7” EP - was supposed to come out on Record Store Day Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Clues – Perfect Fit – Clues (2009) - debut album - Alden Penner (The Unicorns) and Bredan Reed (Arcade Fire Alum) - doesn’t really sound like a combination of those two bands which is pretty cool, I think. Official Site : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Prabir and the Substitutes – Who’s Gonna Love Ya? – Hello EP (2009) - debut album out in 2008 - 2nd album is just out - bright familiar sounding rolling rock with harmonies and clapping. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Wilco – Heavy Metal Drummer – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002) - 4th album - one of their most critical and popular successes - new album on the way ‘Wilco (The Album)’ which features ‘Wilco (The Song)’ - stream that on their site right now! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine My Jerusalem – Sweet Chariot – Without Feathers EP (2009) - debut EP - members of Gutter Twins, Great Northern and Polyphonic Spree - made a big impression at SXSW Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Quest For Fire – Bison Eyes – Quest For Fire (2009) - Debut, out June 9th - opening for the Pink Mountaintops - Download this song right now! Official Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Dark Night of the Soul – Angel’s Harp (Feat. Frank Black) – Dark Night of the Soul (2009) - David Lynch, Dangermouse & Sparklehorse collaboration - David Lynch is one of the weird movie makers you’ll ever find. Eraserhead, Lost Highway, Twin Peaks. - Stream it right now! Official Site : Stream on HypeMachine : NPR Stream Pink Mountaintops – Outside Love – Outside Love (2009) - 3rd album - project from Black Mountain’s leader, Stephen McBean - started in 2004 - If you enjoy this, but want some bigger more aggressive sounds search out some Black Mountain, Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

Dr. Dog – Alaska – We All Belong (2007) - 3rd album and their best if you ask me - This is a great track and gets me pumped for my trip! Ha! - This album really put them on a national scene and on tour with The Black Keys, among others. - Check out their myspace for info on how to buy their latest ‘Fate’ for only $1.99! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

HOORAY PARENTING!!!

The Unknown & Unheard Show 126!!!

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Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Slowly (Oh So Slowly) – Outer South (2009) - 2rd album under his given name. Out May 5th - Best known for his work as ‘Bright Eyes’ - Headlined the Omaha music scene’s rise to respectability - Some big juicy bluesy riffs on this track. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Black Lips – Starting Over – 200 Million Thousand (2009) - 5th album… out February 24th - This is an album that may sound like some other bands but the sum of the parts results in something truly unique to the Black Lips. - One of the best albums of the year - Playing the Pitchfork Music Fest Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Portugal The Man – Church Mouth – Church Mouth (2007) - 2nd full length of 3… 3 EP’s as well - Intense sounds… falsetto vocals - Big White Stripes influence and that’s a very good thing! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Strange Boys – To Turn a Tune Or Two – The Strange Boys & Girls Club (2009) - debut full length - in the same vein as the Black Lips… lo-fi mash-up of 60’s/70’s rock, old r&b and punk. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Fleet Foxes – Mykonos – Sun Giant EP (2008) - debut EP - Brand new single?!? Not really. - Broke out early last year with their debut. - Lead singer, Robin Pecknold, is also pushing a solo project called White Antelope. - Go to Amazon and get this song for FREE! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ape School – Be An Encore – Ape School (2009) - Debut album - Distorted druggy vintage sound - musical name for Michael Johnson Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Boston Spaceships – Big O Gets an Earful – Planets are Blasted (2009) - a new album from Robert Pollard??? Imagine that - Guess what… it’s another quality effort. This one has a nice glam rock riff to it - Robert Pollard = Former Guided By Voices frontman and Indie Rock Idol Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Pixies – Dig For Fire – Bossanova (1990) - 4th full length - 2nd on a major label - sound was significantly more mainstream, but considering where they started from its effect on their sound wasn’t too big of a deal. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Double Dagger – The Lie/The Truth – More (2009) - 3rd album, debut out in 2003 - Odd style of late 80s early 90s punk - Makes me think of the pixies a lot. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Japandroids – Young Hearts Spark Fire – Post-Nothing (2009) - Debut, critical praise is pouring down on this album. - raucous post punk rock - huge energy and distortion. You’ll want to see this song live and as loud as possible Official Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Pink Mountaintops – Vampire – Outside Love (2009) - 3rd album - project from Black Mountain’s leader, Stephen McBean - started in 2004 - If you enjoy this, but want some bigger more aggressive sounds search out some Black Mountain, Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Magik Markers – Don’t Talk in Your Sleep - Balf Quarry (2009) - 4th album - Formed in 2001 - Very ominous psych rock - Creepy eerie Black Sabbath or Black Mountain Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Iron & Wine – The Trapeze Swinger – In Good Company (OST)/Around The Well (2009) - compilation of seldom seen and previously unreleased material - genuinely restrained singing style - Use to be criticized for a lack of variety, but now has almost too much. - Alt Rock to spare singer/songwriter to layered jammy compositions. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session

The Unknown & Unheard Show 125!!!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 125 Right Here, Right Now! Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Roosevelt Room – Outer South (2009) - 2rd album under his given name. Out May 5th - Best known for his work as ‘Bright Eyes’ - Headlined the Omaha music scene’s rise to respectability - Some big juicy bluesy riffs on this track. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine OK Go – Get Over It – OK Go (2002) - debut album - far better album than their 2nd which blew up thanks to their treadmill video. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Baby Teeth – Looking For A Road – The Simp (2006) - Debut full length… 2nd is on its way. - The Hold Steady Light? - Great big anthem with a touch more pop feels than The Hold Steady. - If you like this track, go dig up some Mark Kozelek/Sun Kil Moon - Listen to their DayTrotter Session! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session The Theater Fire – It’s All The Same – Matter and Light (2008) - debut album and another I kick myself for missing - There’s something that makes me really enjoy this album’s cover art. - This track is more upbeat and sounds like it could come from Neil Young. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Comet Gain – Brothers off the Block – Broken Record Players (2009) - 5th album… together since 1993 - Lou Reed vibes found here Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Mumford & Sons – The Cave– Debut EP (2009) - my favorite new band I’ve found this go around at SXSW - such a big, building sound for an acoustic song - nice use of banjo. Really compliments and adds to the song. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine

Akron/Family – Last Year – Set ‘em Wild. Set ‘em Free (2009) - 4th full length - range from simple spare folk to massive psychadelic rock jams. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Suckers – Beach Queen – Suckers EP (2009) - debut EP - big pounding, distorted anthem with a couple huge builds - loads of hype around this short 4 song release… deservedly so! - Spacey arrangement here. - RIYL: Modest Mouse, Bowie Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Modest Mouse – Tiny Cities Made of Ashes – The Lonesome Crowded West (1997) - 2nd album - one of the best Modest Mouse albums - a touch less pop than they got into with their most recent albums Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ape School – Wail to God – Ape School (2009) - Debut album - Distorted vintage sound - musical name for Michael Johnson Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Viva Voce – Die A Little – Rose City (2009) - forthcoming album - Portland, OR band - some of the members just released an album as Blue Giant Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Okkervil River – Pop Lie (One Man Band Version) – Pop Lie (Single) (2009) - rougher, more distorted rock version of this track taken from their latest album ‘ The Stand Ins.’ Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Decemberists – The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid – The Hazards of Love (2009) - Brand new album - Colin Meloy, leader, said he had initially envisioned this album as a musical. - distinct folk band that at times brings in some Jethro Tull sounds - Headlined the NPR music stage at SXSW - This track (and album) has some of the biggest, fattest riffs that they’ve ever put out. - Playing the Murat on August 8th!!! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine My Brightest Diamond – Something of an End – Bring Me the Workhorse (2006) - Shana Worden’s debut album - Previously with Awry and Sufjan Stevens Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine