Flock of Dimes - Everything Is Happening Today

| Keith
So I watch the sun go up
And I watch the sun go down
And the horizon hovering
Like a missing piece
That can never be found
And as the seasons lie in wait
Like a secret you already know
Winter is behind us now
It is ahead of us, also

Flock of Dimes is the side project of Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner and it's producing some really delightful music. I first heard Flock of Dimes on the Crowded House cover collab of "Don't Dream It's Over" with Sylvan Esso, which is an interesting and groovy take on a classic hit. Flock of Dimes' album, If You See Me, Say Yes, out back in September, is whimsical, well constructed, moody and dreamy. It's also infused with the spine-tingling vocals and production that made Wye Oak's Civilian so compelling. 

RIYL: Wye Oak, Lucius, Eisley, First Aid Kit

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REMI - Substance Therapy

| Kerri
If you do it my way
You get faded when life plummets
If you're going south
You're headed for Southern Comfort
Although it can push you to jumping or acting the dummy
Like spending all of your money cause you just got made redundant
But retail therapy's the only one for your budget
So Dr. denim is the only therapist you're funding
Besides
He lets you prescribe
Any drugs that you like
To get high as the rent you need to cover
Even though at home you've got a lady missing your loving
And you've got sons you need to lead like Marcus Mumford
And you've got bills to pay
But you need a real escape
So you hit the town harder as punches from Muhammad
1 bag, 2 pills, 3 shots before leaving yours
By 5 your face is in the gutter
But you'll be back next week
Throwing your hands up in the club
Like woo girls from 'How I Met your Mother' tryna cover the pain

Bounce
All my people feeling down
If you're loving the sound
Then let me see you get around me
You got sorrows you need to drown
Get around me
And lets try and pretend
That Shit is astounding huh

Everybody bounce
All my people feeling down
If you're loving the sound
Then let me see you get rowdy
By another round now
You should get rowdy
And lets try and pretend
That Shit is astounding uh huh

REMI created this song (with producer Sensible J) to reflect the cycle of depression when life's problems cause a dive into alcohol/drugs. Melodic and accessible, I'm enjoying catching up with this Melbourne-based hip-hop artist. This Most Important cut is a single from his recently released second album, Divas and Demons. For another vibe, check out this bonus track from REMI's debut LP with it's old school, upbeat chill (if that makes sense).

RIYL: Mos Def, Nas, Resin Dogs, A$AP Rocky

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American Wrestlers - Give Up

| Keith
If I take my time they’ll bury me alive

"Give Up", the first single off American Wrestler's latest, Goodbye Terrible Youth, is an upbeat, sort of summer-meets-fall ditty where catchy guitars and distorted vocals interrupt, in a good way, an otherwise classic shoegazer. It's sort of indicative of the rest of the album; a nicely-crafted mellow-except-when-your-chair-dancing rock affair that sounds familiar in a way I can't really put my finger on. If you're looking for a chill (except when it's upbeat) backdrop to wind up your week, give it a listen.

RIYL: Library Voices, Nada Surf, The Posies, Vampire Weekend

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OK Go - Upside Down & Inside Out

| Kerri
Upside down and inside out
And you can feel it
Upside down and inside out
And you can feel it, feel it
Don't know where your eyes are
But they're not doin' what you said
Don't know where your mind is baby
But you're better off without it

Inside down and upside out
And you can feel it
Don't stop
Can't stop
It's like an airplane goin' down
I wish I had said the things you thought that I had said
Gravity's just a habit that you're really sure you can't break
So when you met the new you
Were you scared?
Were you cold?
Were you kind?
Yeah when you met the new you
Did someone die inside?

OK Go is a quirky, artsy, nerdy, smart, indie (despite two albums earlier on with a major label, and MANY sponsored videos) rock band. I like their lyrics and sound, but it is their amazing one-take videos that remind me to listen. Thursday they released their latest, for "The One Moment": a fun, colorful, mathematically designed feat of slowing down 4.2 perfectly choreographed seconds to fit a four minute song. We spent a good chunk of time, while our Thanksgiving pie was digesting, watching their YouTube channel and marveling. One I hadn't seen before that especially delighted me was the video for "The Writing's On the Wall". Today's Most Important Song had it's video released last February - filmed in zero gravity. They also seem to be a kind-hearted bunch, frequently diverting proceeds from a single, a performance, or a video to causes such as the homeless, Hurricane Katrina, animal shelters, and political issues (like net neutrality). I'm now, finally, convinced that I should try to see them live sometime. Hopefully they'll have a new album to tour (and create videos) for next year. 

RIYL: They Might Be Giants, Vampire Weekend, We Are Scientists, Spoon, Hot Hot Heat

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Cloud Nothings - Modern Act

| Keith
Do you know what it's like
To be out and alive?
To say you're doing alright
Yeah, you're doing just fine?
When you feel like an ocean
Coming out of a creek
Filling rivers to wait for you
Wherever you are?
When you're out and around
And all you ever see
Are people looking away?
It's nothing new to me

I think we're still a couple months away from Cloud Nothing's Life Without Sound, but tracks are slowly trickling in. My favorite of those, so far, is "Modern Life" a strong and straightforward rock anthem.

RIYL: Yuck, Japandroids, Titus Andronicus, Cymbals Eat Guitars, JEFF The Brotherhood, Beach Slang

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