Concrete Opinions...: future islands

Showing posts with label future islands. Show all posts

Monday, December 6, 2010

(31) Days of Good: Day 6

Today i'm pleased to bring you two favorites of mine that both happen to be from Baltimore, MD. First, the synthpop/post-wave band, Future Islands.

Future Islands have been hard at work since 2006, but 2010 saw the release of their debut full-length, In Evening Air. Known for their rapturous live shows, lead singer Sam Herring's burly voice, their stripped-down sound, and with definite influences from the likes of Devo and New Order, Future Islands are a force to reckoned with.

In Evening Air (to me at least) is an album that grows on you the more and more you listen and should really be played as a whole. But if you only have time for one track, here's my personal favorite, Tin Man.

Future Islands - Tin Man

Purchase In Evening Air via Amazon or iTunes

More Future Islands @ Future-Islands.com

This next pick is courtesy of the dream pop duo Beach House. The duo had a huge 2010. After releasing two critically acclaimed albums, they signed with Sub Pop records and released their latest, Teen Dream.

Teen Dream is a dynamic and intense album and definitely a top 10 favorite of the year. My favorite track from the album is Walk in the Park—a track with slow, atmospheric rhythms and haunting lyrics, coupled with an explosive chorus. If you like what you hear below, I highly recommend checking out the rest of Teen Dream, as well as the band's earlier releases (Beach House and Devotion)

Beach House - Walk in the Park

Purchase Teen Dream via Amazon or iTunes

More Beach House @ Myspace Music

More (31) Days of Good @ 35mmBeats

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Indie Hop

I'm not really sure who started the recent indie/hip hop fad, or if it's even that new, but I know one thing...I enjoy it immensely.

Not that I dislike the genre, but I'm much more picky when it comes to the hip hop I like, and let's be honest, mainstream hip hop is nothing to brag about these days. But as of late, there is an influx of hip hop artists embracing their indie music love. I've included a few of my favorite artists and tracks below, plus links to their websites. Definitely check out the websites, all of these artists have their mixtapes/albums/experiments available for free download.

Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino is the hip hop alter ego of Community's, Donald Glover. Mr. Gambino has released three albums, one being a pair of mixtapes, from which the track below hails from. The I Am Just A Rapper mixtapes consist of popular indie tracks by Sleigh Bells, Animal Collective, The Knife, and more, with Gambino's flow and lyrical skills slapped right on top...simple, yet effective. These mixtapes, and more, are available for free download here.

[mp3] childish gambino - my girls

Hoodie Allen

Hoodie Allen is a NY based rapper and songwriter, who's been gathering quite a buzz on the blogosphere as of late. Hoodie's most recent work samples a diverse array of artists from UK pop singers (Marina & the Diamonds) and indie rock staples (Death Cab for Cutie). The new mixtape, Pep Rally, is available for free download here.

[mp3] hoodie allen - you are not a robot

Rapdragons

I did post of Rapdragons not too long ago (here), but in case you missed it, Rapdragons is the hip hop duo of Nick Often and Greg Ward. Hailing from Baltimore, MD, the duo recently dropped the mixtape, Featuring Baltimore, which is a collection of hip hop tracks each sampling a different band from Baltimore, including Beach House and Future Islands. Featuring Baltimore is available for free download here.

[mp3] rapdragons - i went to her feat. seven (samples you came to me by beach house)

Want more indie hop? Check out Chiddy Bang and The White Panda

Monday, August 23, 2010

got RAPDRAGONS?

While I shuffling through hype machine for the latest blogosphere offerings last week, I stumbled upon this hip hop duo.

Rapdragons is Nick Often and Greg Ward. Hailing from Baltimore, the duo released their debut record, Ten Stories High, in 2009 to local, regional, and bloggable acclaim. The duo just followed up that release with the much-anticipated mixtape album, Featuring Baltimore — a collection of hip hop tracks each sampling a different band from baltimore, including Beach House and Future Islands.

Jump on over to their site, RAPDRAGONS, where you can download all three records (the third is a Ten Stories High remix album). If you'd rather taste test before taking the jump, check out the track below.

mp3: Rapdragons - Dragon's Heart (samples A Dog's Dick by Lower Dens)

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

DSCVRY #5

future islands is a synthpop band based out of baltimore. experimenting with sound since 2006, the band has recently signed with indie record company, thrill jockey, and will be releasing the first full-length release, in evening air, on may 4th.

future islands will be hitting the road throughout north america this spring and summer:

5/20 san diego, ca @ tin can alehouse

5/21 los angeles, ca @ sync space (w/ foot village & robedoor)

5/22 los angeles, ca @ the smell

5/24 san francisco, ca @ el rio

5/25 eureka, ca @ lil red lion

for complete tour dates, visit the band's myspace page

mp3: future islands - tin man

mp3: future islands - the happiness of being twice

mp3: future islands - in the fall (ft. katrina ford)