The National - Song of the week

What do Frightened Rabbit, Nico Muhly, Mercury Rev, Tokyo Police Club and The National all have in common? They are all appearing on The Philistines jr compilation album,  If a Lot of Bands Play in the Woods... The record is is full of covers and remixes of their 2010 album, If a Band Plays in the Woods...? Who are Philistines Jr you say and how did they get all these artists to appear on the album? Well Peter katis, the bands frontman, has produced various albums of the above mentioned- including the last 3 critically acclaimed albums by The National. The bands cover of the song, 'Twenty miles to NH, Part 2' has been getting some attention however I find it amazing that no one has mentioned how fresh and new this sounds for The National. The music is full of textures, progressing up until the throbbing, bombastic drums via Bryan Devendorf and then Matt Berninger opens his mouth and sings. All the uncertainty about whether this really was The National with the frilly, shiny guitar parts and piano is put to rest when Matt berninger sings that first line, "My cats fight and play all night it drives me crazy". Be prepared to listen to the greatest song ever about cats!

The Decemberists- Song of the week

The Decemberists are following up their album, The King Is Dead, released earlier this year to a number 1 spot on the Billboard 100, with their EP Long Live the King due out next week. The indie-folk group are streaming a track, Foregone, from the record on Vulture. You can catch it here:
http://bcove.me/mg1p4z3o

Beirut on Jimmy Fallon

Last night Beirut took time out of their touring schedule to play on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'. The band played 'Santa Fe' from their latest release The Rip tide which they are currently touring across the States. Watch the performance by clicking the link below:
http://bit.ly/upuQG1

Noah and the Whale at Nottingham Rock City

After a very successful year since the release of their critically acclaimed album Last Night On Earth, back in March, Noah and the Whale have been touring and playing the Summer festivals throughout Europe and America. They returned to the UK on Thursday at Nottingham Rock City for the first gig of their 17 date tour.

It will come as no surprise then that the indie folk-pop group's show was sold-out due to the popularity of singles: L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N, Tonight's The Kinda Night and Life Is Life. Charlie Fink, lead singer, has matured as a lyricist since the band’s last album, First Days of Spring. His stories of letting go and making changes in your life, would have been greeted with caution by other bands but are themes that Noah and the Whale treat with enthusiasm.
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/68538023@N03/)

This enthusiasm can be seen in their live performances by the bucket load. The band sound more accomplished musically than ever before and the beautifully crafted melodies of Wild Thing and Old Joy are a treat not to be missed. However it is very clear that the crowd pleasers are L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N and Tonight's the Kinda Night along with 5 Years Time, which included a full audience sing-a-long. Noah and the Whale are at the peak of popularity in their career so far and I suspect that in the next few years to come we can just expect more of the same.

Song of the week- Quilt

Quilt are a psych-folk group from Massachussetts whose self-titled debut will be released later in November and who have in the mean time been getting a lot of buzz from the likes of Pitchfork and other online zines and blogs. Their song "Penobska Oakwalk" shines with smoldering, haunting harmonies similar to those of Fleet Foxes. Below is a taster to keep you keen until the release date.