No Man’s Blog

Here are the albums/bands I can’t get enough of these days… It’s all pretty lo-fi downtempo indie melodic loveliness that makes the heart melt and the ears bleed for more – just what you need for a gray, rainy day like today

Royal City: Alone at the microphone / Little heart’s ease
My most recent discovery (cheers mt.) and it’s the most excitingly underplayed band I’ve heard in a while. Coming from Toronto, Canada, these guys play hauntingly beautiful pieces of alt-country charm. Simply good

The Album Leaf: In a safe place / one day I’ll be on time
These San Diego folks’ music is so heartwarming and laid back you don’t need more than a cuppa to immerse yourself in their lovely tunes. Their music has this texture to it that’s thoroughly relaxing as well as thought-provoking. Oh so beautiful

Department of Eagles: In ear park / The cold nose
New York University roommates Daniel Rossen (of Grizzly Bear) and Fred Nicolaus have been making music together since 2001. After the minor success of The Cold Nose the band—with a couple of other Grizzly Bears—set out to make their new album – In Ear Park. While these two albums are fairly different, both are totally engrossing and downright impeccable.
Read pitchfork review here

The Microphones: Glow Pt. 2
9.2 says pitchfork. I’d go for 9.7 with this hypnotic, dreary, reflective, and epic album. The Glow pt.2 demands patience and time, but if you give enough time and patience, I promise you – you will be rewarded.

School of Seven Bells – Alpinisms
Closing the list today are the new NY-hype-kids on the block. A sweet-sounding debut album that jumping freely from dreamy shoegaze pop to a more tribal, dance-oriented tunes. Not as remarkable as the previous four selections today but still worth keeping an ear for these guys.