The U & U Show 344 | The 20 Best Albums of 2013

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Magnolia Electric Co. : It’s Made Me Cry : It’s Made Me Cry EP (2009)

-          From his Record Store Day Release

-          Josephine was his latest full-length

-          Jason Molina’s current moniker he’s releasing music under.

-          Also released music in his name and Songs: Ohia

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

20 : Volcano Choir : Dancepack : Repave (2013)

-          debut album was 2009's Unmap.

-          Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) project with Collections of Colonies of Bees.

-          Bon Iver’s owned the 2008 music world

Label's Site : Myspace : HypeMachine

The U & U Show 330 | Death Wish Mind. Brown Dog Eyes

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Willis Earl Beal : Wavering Lines : Nobody Knows (2013)

-          This is a live a cappella version of a track off the forthcoming 2^nd album.

-          Debut was lo-fi, unflattering and didn't show off his insanely powerful voice.

-          Big time comparisons to Tom Waits.

Official Site

King Khan and The Shrines : Darkness : Idle No More (2013)

-          Forthcoming 5th album, out in Sept.

-          First Shrines album since 2008

-          Long time collaborator with Marc Sultan (AKA the BBQ Show)

-          One of my all-time favorite artists. The Supreme Genius of King Khan and His Shrines is one of the greatest albums.

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Les Savy Fav : Scout’s Honor : 3/5 (1997)

-          Debut album.

-          Led by comedian, artist, author and crazy person Tim Harrington.

-          Art, punk rock that is reminiscent of the Pixies at times.

Official Site

Desaparecidos : Te Amo Camila Vallejo : Te Amo Camila Vallejo b/w Underground Man (2013)

-          Latest single from Conor Oberst’s recently reunited punk rock band.

-          Conor Oberst is best known for his band Bright Eyes.

Official Site

AroarA : #7 : In the Pines (2013)

-          Debut full length. Also an EP of the same name.

-          Side project of Broken Social Scene

Official Site

Ought : Habit : More Than Any Other Day EP (2013)

-          2^nd EP

-          Montreal post-punk rock band.

-          Cool spoken word track.

-          Name your own price for all their music on their bandcamp.

BandCamp

Los Porcos : Sunshine : Sunshine b/w Classical Feminine Woman (2013)

-          The latest single from some of the former members of WU LYF.

-          Former lead singer, Ellery James Roberts, is doing his own solo effort as well.

Official Site

Cloud Control : Scar : Dream Cave (2013)

-          2^nd album

-          Australian band that reminds me a lot of Youth Lagoon with less synth and more of a traditional indie rock sound.

Official Site

Marnie Stern : This Was It : Adult Swim Singles (2013)

-          New single for Adult Swim's music project.

-          4th album, Chronicles of Marnia was out in early 2013.

-          Her previous album was a 2010 Best of the U & U.

-          A wild mix of the joyous unpredictability of Ponytail and the harder Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks.

-          The band I'm most excited to see play SXSW 2013 of the announced acts so far.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Pond : O Dharma : Hobo Rocket (2013)

-          5th full length album. First of 2 announced 2013 albums.

-          Features members of Tame Impala.

-          By far the greatest lead singer I saw at SXSW. Young, tiny, wild aussie.

Amazon : HypeMachine

White Denim : Pretty Green : Corsicana Lemonade (2013)

-          6^th album.

-          Wild, impulsive, energetic, sometimes jammy rock.

-          They’ve released some absolutely amazing albums.

-          This album is partially recorded with Jeff Tweedy.

-          They’re boasting that this album is their best album representations of their live shows.

Official Site

The Cairo Gang : Father of the Man : Tiny Rebels EP (2013)

-          Latest release.

-          Previously collaborated with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy.

Facebook

John McCauley & Jonny Fritz : Willow Garden : Oxyana OST (2013)

-          Song contributed to the soundtrack of the documentary about a rural West Virgina town’s struggles with drugs.

-          John McCauley is best known as the front man of Deer Tick. Also in Middle Brother and Diamond Rugs.

Deer Tick Official Site

The U & U Show 325! Two of the 13's Best Songs

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Ellery James Roberts : Kerou's Lament (single) (2013)

-          Solo debut single from the former lead sing of the now defunct Wu Lyf.

-          Wu Lyf's lone album, Go Tell Fire to the Mountain, was one of 2011's best albums.

-          This is might be my favorite song of the year so far.

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Volcano Choir : Byegone : Repave (2013)

-          debut album was 2009's Unmap.

-          Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) project with Collections of Colonies of Bees.

-          Bon Iver’s owned the 2008 music world

Label's Site : Myspace : HypeMachine

The U & U Show 314! New Album of the Year Leader...

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Kurt Vile : Shame Chamber : Wakin On A Pretty Daze (2013)

-          5^th album.

-          Former guitarist for the War On Drugs.

-          The opening track on this album, 'Wakin on a Pretty Day,' might be the year's best so far.

-          He said he was inspired by the album Tusk when making this album.

Official Site

Way Yes : Get Healed : Tog Pebbles (2013)

-          2nd full length.

-          One of the year’s releases I’m most excited for.

-          Debut full length, Walkability, was out in 2012 and featured the amazing track 'Important.'

-          If you like this band look up the Listening Party. Also reminiscent of mellower Yeasayer and Yellow Ostrich.

-          CMJ 2012

Official Site

The U & U Show 313!

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Marnie Stern : The Chronicles Of Marnia : The Chronicles of Marnia (2013)

-          4th album. Out in March 2013

-          Her previous album was a 2010 Best of the U & U.

-          A wild mix of the joyous unpredictability of Ponytail and the harder Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks.

-          The band I'm most excited to see play SXSW 2013 of the announced acts so far.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Pickwick : Window Sill : Can’t Talk Medicine (2013)

-          Debut full length

-          This has catapulted itself to the forefront of the best album of ’13 discussion.

-          Tied for my favorite show at SXSW 2013.

Official Site

The U & U Show 312! The Album Flood of '13 Continues...

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Har Mar Superstar : Lady, You Shot Me : Bye Bye 17 (2013)

-          5th album.

-          This album is supposed to be more soul infused. That is clear on this track.

-          Short chubby Ron Jeremy look-a-like with an incredible voice and stage presence.

-          Contributed to the Gayngs album, with Justin Vernon among others.

Official Site

Pickwick : Letterbox : Can’t Talk Medicine (2013)

-          Debut full length

-          This has catapulted itself to the forefront of the best album of ’13 discussion.

-          Tied for my favorite show at SXSW 2013.

Official Site

Palma Violets : Step Up For The Cool Cats : 180 (2013)

-          Debut album

-          UK band that makes catchy, chuggling anthem rock.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

FIELDED : Eve of a New Moon : Ninety-Thirty-Thirty (2012)

-          2nd album.

-          Lindsay Powell-led project.

-          When the smoky, sultry sax picks up this makes me think of a montage at a serious point in an 80’s crime movie. Beverly Hills Cop came to mind first for some reason.

BandCamp

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper : Mezzanine : Ripely Pine (2013)

-          Debut Studio album

-          5 years of incredible. minor releases on her BandCamp

-          RIYL St. Vincent.

-          One of the rawest, most powerful musicians I've heard in a long time.

-          Aly Spaltro

BandCamp

Waxahatchee : Brother Bryan : Cerulean Salt (2013)

-          2nd full length.

-          Project from Kate Crutchfield.

-          Played an impressive solo set at SXSW.

-          Debut was lo-fi and a rougher DIY style album.

BandCamp : Facebook

Marnie Stern : Proof of Life : The Chronicles of Marnia (2013)

-          4th album. Out in March 2013

-          Her previous album was a 2010 Best of the U & U.

-          A wild mix of the joyous unpredictability of Ponytail and the harder Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks.

-          The band I'm most excited to see play SXSW 2013 of the announced acts so far.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Suuns : Edie's Dream : Images Du Futur (2013)

-          2nd album

-          Just released video for this one, 2020.

-          Tied for my favorite show of SXSW 2013.

-          Pronounced like ‘soons.’

Official Site

Way Yes : Colerain : Tog Pebbles (2013)

-          2nd full length.

-          Debut full length, Walkability, was out in 2012 and featured the amazing track 'Important.'

-          If you like this band look up the Listening Party. Also reminiscent of mellower Yeasayer and Yellow Ostrich.

-          CMJ 2012

Official Site

Kurt Vile : Never Run Away : Wakin On A Pretty Daze (2013)

-          First single from forthcoming 5^th album.

-          This track is a must listen!

-          Former guitarist for the War On Drugs.

-          He said he was inspired by the album Tusk when making this album.

Official Site

Devendra Banhart : Won't You Come Over : Mala (2013)

-          8^th studio album

-          Full Name: Devendra (Hindu god of rain and thunder) Obi (Star Wars inspired) Banhart

-          His solo electric SXSW 2013 set was breathtaking. Charming, funny, delicate, restrained beauty.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Port Isla : Adventurers (single) (2013)

-          One of several singles out and available on their Soundcloud.

-          Vintage folk sound similar to Fleet Foxes, just not quite as layered.

SoundCloud

Frightened Rabbit : Late March, Death March : Pedestrian Verse (2013)

-          4th album and first on a major label.

-          Midnight Organ Fight is their best to date.

-          Scottish accent stands out, but there seems to be something more than that to his vocals and make them truly unique.

-          The construct some of the most beautifully powerful and layered indie rock songs I've ever heard.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

The Black Angels : Indigo Meadow : Indigo Meadow (2013)

-          4th album from the ominous psych rockers.

-          Formed in 2004 in Austin, TX

-          One of the greatest and loudest bands I've seen perform.

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Thee Oh Sees : Toe Cutter - Thumb Buster : Floating Coffin (2013)

-          Forthcoming 12^th-ish album.

-          Their last album, Putrifiers II, was one of 2012’s best.

-          One of the bands leading the west coast’s psych rock movement.

-          This track is a little less manic than most of their material.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

Warm Soda : Busy Lizzy : Someone For You (2013)

-          2^nd full length

-          SXSW 2013

-          Project started by Matthew Melton formerly of Bare Wires

-          Very similar vibe to Bare Wires

-          Slogan on BandCamp: 'JUST SAY NO to SXSW 2013' referencing Bare Wires' break up.

BandCamp

The Feeling of Love : I Could Be Better Than You But I Don't Wanna Change : Ty Segall & The Feeling Of Love Tour Split 7" (2012)

-          6 total albums.

-          Aggressive garage rock band from France.

BandCamp

Burnt Ones : Fountain of Youth : You'll Never Walk Alone (2013)

-          2nd album.

-          Debut album, Black Teeth & Golden Tongues, was out in 2010.

-          San Francisco band.

BandCamp: Amazon : HypeMachine

The U & U SXSW 2013 Recap Show!

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Songs:Ohia : John Henry Split My Heart : The Magnolia Electric Co. (2003)

-          9th and final Songs:Ohia release before he launched his next band Magnolia Electric Co.

-          Leader Jason Molina died at 39 this past Saturday night (3/17/13) in Indianapolis. He was battling alcoholism for years and it finally was too much.

-          It’s an odd feeling to describe, but he was without question one of my all-time favorites and the person I’ve been the biggest fan of to die.

-          I feel fortunate to have seen him perform.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Pickwick : Well, Well : Can’t Talk Medicine (2013)

-          Debut full length

-          This has catapulted itself to the forefront of the best album of ’13 discussion.

-          Tied for my favorite show at SXSW 2013.

Official Site

Suuns : Mirror Mirror : Images Du Futur (2013)

-          2nd album

-          Just released video for this one, 2020.

-          Tied for my favorite show of SXSW 2013.

-          Pronounced like ‘soons.’

Official Site

Devendra Banhart : Golden Girls : Mala (2013)

-       8^th studio album

-       Full Name: Devendra (Hindu god of rain and thunder) Obi (Star Wars inspired) Banhart

-       His solo electric SXSW 2013 set was breathtaking. Charming, funny, delicate, restrained beauty.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Diamond Rings : Mellow Doubt (Teenage Fanclub Cover) : You & Me b/w Mellow Doubt (single) (2011)

-       B-side of a single off his debut album, Special Affections.

-       2^nd album was 2012’s Free Dimensional and much more beat driven and dance.

-       Powerful solo acoustic performance at SXSW 2013.

Hiss Golden Messenger : Red Rose Nantahala (Live) (2012)

-          Unreleased track recorded at a festival in late 2012.

-          Provided a perfect solo acoustic set on the back patio on a sunny afternoon at SXSW 2013

-          His album Poor Moon is a highlight of 2012.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Marnie Stern : Nothing Is Easy : The Chronicles of Marnia (2013)

-          4th album. Out in March 2013

-          Her previous album was a 2010 Best of the U & U.

-          A wild mix of the joyous unpredictability of Ponytail and the harder Yeah Yeah Yeahs tracks.

-          The band I'm most excited to see play SXSW 2013 of the announced acts so far.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Phosphorescent : Ride On, Right On : Muchacho (2013)

-          6th album

-          Singer/songwriter alias for Matthew Houck.

Official Site

Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down : We Don't Call : We The Common (2013)

-       4th album. Also one collab album with Mirah called Thao & Mirah.

-       if you are unfamiliar with Thao you need to correctly that quickly

-       If she ever were to propose to me, I would say yes.

-       SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

You Won’t : Three Car Garage : Skeptic Goodbye (2012)

-          Debut album.

-          Liked them at CMJ. LOVED them at SXSW.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Nick Cave : Wild Lovely Eyes : Push Away the Sky (2013)

-          15th studio album

-          Most recent was 2008’s ‘Dig, Lazarus! Dig!!!’ and then his two Grinderman albums.

-          Like a few artists out there, like Lou Reed and Tom Waits, he has a huge cult following and a unique/distinct sound.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Cloud Cult : You’re the Only Thing In Your Way : Love (2013)

-       10th album

-       Led by environmentalist Craig Minowa

-       'Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus' was their 6th and best album.

-       I reference this band a lot when talking about newer bands taking on this style because these guys are so good at it!

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Youth Lagoon : Pelican Man : Wondrous Bughouse (2013)

-          2^nd full length

-          Lusher, wilder, trippier follow up to their understated debut.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Turf War : Ain’t Living Long Like This (Waylon Jennings cover) : Turf War Plays the Hits (2013)

-          EP of covers

-          Favorite band of SXSW 2012

facebook : HypeMachine