Sin Fang, Sóley and Örvar Smárason - Citrus Light

Won't you come by the yellow glow tonight
Just to witness my love by the citrus light

There've been a few interesting songs coming out of this Icelandic collaboration, the most recent being "Citrus Light", an ethereal, melodic number that seems perfect to fall asleep, or wake up to. It's got "Sunday morning, really early" baked right in. I've spent a bit of time lurking around Sóley's back catalog recently and if you like this, check that out, it's more of the same.

RIYL: Sin Fang, Seabear, Caribu, Spiritualized, Bon Iver

Upcoming Shows

Heaven 17 - Sunset Now

Blade flew into town
In time to watch the sun go down
He said the new prince must be found
The message shattered our windows
We know it was over, saying
"Tell the boys that we're not handing
Over any part
Of Action Town"

Kerri and I are in Miami, the ultimate Action Town, and when I tried to think of songs that reminded me of Miami, Heaven 17's "Sunset Now" came to mind instantly. It's an old, old favorite and I think it's perfect. It's one of the singles off their 1984 album How Men Are and showcases some of the best of their work. It's got a mysterious storyline, some cheery pop synths, and funky 80's beats. It's one of my favs.

RIYL: Spandau Ballet, The Human League, Blancmange, Ultravox, ABC

Coldplay - ALIENS

Tell your leader
Sir or ma'am
We come in peace
We mean no harm
Somewhere out there
In the unknown
All the E.T.'s are phoning home
Watching my life
On the skyline
Crossing your eyes
For a lifetime

Just an alien
Moving target
Target movement
A patch, a corner
Of the spacetime
Just an alien
Turning toward it
Turning pages
Over Asia
Crossing ages
Just an alien
Oh, we just want to get home again

I'm not a HUGE Coldplay fan, though they have some songs that I will probably listen to forever and ever - "Viva la Vida" is one of my favorite storytelling songs, and "Sky Full of Stars" hits my heart right in the sweet spot - but I figured to go with the fresh new release for today's Most Important song. Chris Martin & Co. have always been experimenters and in recent years have found their greatest success in remixes and collaborations that can be played on the dance floor ("Hymn for the Weekend" w/Beyonce remixed by SEEB, the current "Something Just Like This" w/The Chainsmokers) so it doesn't surprise me that their latest single leans so electronic straight from the gate. Kinda weird, kinda pretty, kinda fun, though also sad. Bonus: animated lyric video.

RIYL: Snow Patrol, Oasis, One Republic, Band of Horses

Upcoming Shows

I Am Kloot - Over MY Shoulder

Shut your mouth, and watch my lips
Can't you feel the healing finger tips
Coming down, on you like rain
So tell me now where do we remain?

What can I say about the legendary I Am Kloot? They've been around forever. They've made all sorts of different types of music, from melodic, elaborate and orchestrated to raw, gleeful rock and many things in-between. Most of it has been great, but my favorite is a throwback: 2003's Gods and Monsters, the first I Am Kloot album I ever heard and the one with "Over My Shoulder" on it. I could listen to that song over and over.

RIYL: Elbow, Badly Drawn Boy, Gene, Eels

Upcoming Shows

Vinyl Theatre - 30 Seconds

There's a fear in my head
It'll all be forgotten
And what's the point of a memory
Now if I'm only gonna lose it

I don't mind
30 seconds or a lifetime
I don't mind
30 seconds or a lifetime

Today's Most Important song is from a band based in a town we don't get a lot of music from lately (I mean, I can't think of anybody besides the Violent Femmes): Milwaukee. I have heard the Summerfest there is off the charts, though. Anyhow, Vinyl Theater are doing their best to make a name for themselves while straddling a currently popular but hard to pin down sub-genre. Something like post-punk-pop-dancey-rock, I'd say. There's a lot more guitar on their sophomore album (and less synth), and that's neither good nor bad to me, but does say they haven't settled on a particular niche. Thus I'm providing you an odd combination of recommended-if-you-like's.

RIYL: Walk the Moon, Blink 182, COIN, The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie

Upcoming Shows