Culture Shock (NMM)

Lovely Monday troopers, we have reached yet another beginning of a work week but as summer lurks closer and closer, our name has even more and more meaning! With that said, why not keep the spring feeling going with a new song from a well-loved band that goes by the name of Arcade Fire.



This little number is called "Culture War" and was literally released today on BBC's Radio 1. The song is expected to be on Arcade Fire's next record, which would be a follow up to the 2010 release of The Suburbs, a Grammy-award winning album. Whatever is next for this extremely talented 8 piece band, I am certain it will be extraordinary.

-Whitni

Welcome To Throwback Tuesdays!

So, every once in a while I'll be mixing it up by doing Throwback Tuesdays instead of New Music Mondays. Now, don't panic, you'll still get your NMM most of the time, but what's life without a little change? With that said, what's up Tuesday people? Let's go back 39 years ago to 1972, when David Bowie released his fifth studio album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars.



One of the singles from this album, called "Stardust" was released April 9th, 1972 and did well on the charts, even getting Bowie a place on the hit show of the time, "Top of The Pops." Listening to the song, it's one of those classics that has just as much meaning now as it did then!

-Whitni

Wake From Your Slumber

Despite my hopes for better weather in this not-so-small town, the rain continues to fall and we continue to solider on, holding on to music for dear life. But as hard as I try, rain makes me lazy and sleepy, as it does many of my comrades. Who knows, maybe this Okkervil River song (or just the song title) will actually inspire me to combat the rainy day blues.



Or maybe I'll just lie in bed and listen to this song :) Either way, this is "Wake and Be Fine" by Okkervil River, off their sixth studio album I Am Very Far. There are still a somewhat small band (less than 50,000 fans on Facebook) but they've been around since 1998 and are seasoned professionals. Let the indie magic roll.

-Whitni

We All Sing The Blues [NMM]

Sup Monday people! I'm trying to send good vibes your vibe but, with all this Midwest rain, it's not the easiest thing to do. Usually I love rain, but it's been raining for about a week and a half without stop, and that can make a girl crazy. Hopefully it's nothing a little Frank Turner won't cure!



"Peggy Sang The Blues" is the name of this song, a future single for the album England Keep My Bones. Turner is an Englishman making his living as a folk singer, and this new album is his fourth, so he's not doing to bad. Who knows, maybe hearing this song one more time will send my blues away. See if it works on yours.

-Whitni

Springtime In The City - - NMM

I hope wherever you guys are, it's nice and warm! We are officially in spring and moving our way towards summer, and you know what that means? Summer music!! Here is a song that could definitely get some constant play on anyone's summer playlist. Upbeat, but not annoyingly pop-py, all with a nice jazz influence.



The song is "The City" by Patrick Wolf, an English singer-songwriter who has been recording since 2003. He's releasing an album called Lupercalia in June and calls the record, "really romantic and extremely honest." Just what we need for the summertime :)

-Whitni

Feel That Celtic Swing (NMM)

Two words Mondayers - Celtic punk. Now, I know I'm about a month too late for St. Patrick's Day, but that doesn't mean I should forego posting about this unique not-so-little band who hail from Los Angeles. Flogging Molling is a seven-piece band Irish-American band that started making music in 1997, and haven't stopped since.



Flogging Molly has released five studio albums to date. This song, "Don't Shut Em' Down" is from their latest album, Speed of Darkness., which will be out May 31st. Fun fact? The band's name comes from their early experience playing in the bar, Molly Malone's, so much that they felt like they were flogging it to death. Hmmmm..., you know, there's a Molly Malone's in Cincinnati....

-Whitni

The Winner Is... New Music Monday!

Lovely beings, welcome to another Monday! Last week I featured a song so new, I couldn't even find it on Grooveshark. Well, this week belongs to an artist a bit more known that Noah and The Whale, but in an completely different genre. Wiz Khalifa's single, "Black and Yellow", gave him a solid start in the rap industry, though I should note that I can't stand that song. This one, however, is right on the money.



"The Race" by Wiz Khalifa is the latest single off his new album Rolling Papers. I'm not of fan of rappers, or anyone for that matter, saying the n-word, but Khalifa is an artist and artists don't always color within the lines. This song speaks for itself and Khalifa is clearly telling the world he's doing his own thing.

-Whitni

The Odd Couple (New Music Monday)

Mondayers- I'm a back! It's once again Monday and that, of course, means new music for my lovely followers. This spring week brings Broken Bells to our to our windows (look up their new EP, you'll get this little pun). BB (who is James Mercer of The Shins and known music producer Danger Mouse) was nominated for a Grammy this year (Best Alternative Album) but lost to The Black Keys. But who's counting?



This is a song off their new EP "Merilyn Fields." The song shares the same name and the fans are cruisin' on a rush of excitement that can only come when your favorite band releases new music. This song is exactly that, a rush of excitement, coupled with electronic bursts and indie poetry called lyrics. This band can only get better.

-Whitni

The Moment You've Been Waiting For... New Music Monday

Okay Mondayers, I'll admit it, I haven't been posting NMM. Not only did I miss one week, I missed two! Super sorry awesome readers, but I have lots of good excuses that I won't name here! Either way, I'm back, and have an amazing song for you this week from an upcoming and coming band with a name that sounds like a children's book and a sound that reminds one why they love indie music. Because who doesn't love indie? Right? Right????



The song is "Tonight's the Kind of Night" by Noah and the Whale. I love the fun vibe of this song mixed with what can only be described as youthful energy. Noah and the Whale, overall, is definitely a great band to cheer you up on a rainy spring day! Their new album, Last Night on Earth, will be released March 7th and this song won't be released as a single until May, so you almost definitely heard it first here! Cheers mates!

-Whitni

Help Is Here! New Music Monday

This week's new music comes after an explosive weekend. I know a lot of people don't watch the Superbowl, but we here at The SMP do, and were happy to watch the Green Bay Packers celebrate their victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I (Whitni) am sad for the Steelers, but Raivynn says f**k 'em. So much love.

Onto the music, today's song comes from a well known punk rock band I happen to love called Rise Against. Their new album, Endgame, is due in March and this is a single off that album.



The song is "Help Is On The Way" by Rise Against. I really like this song, despite the screaming that seemed to throw off some Youtube listeners. But Rise Against seems to find a balance between singing, screaming and awesome guitar riffs. I wouldn't be surprised if I heard this on the local hard rock radio any day now.

-Whitni

Love and Talent: New Music Monday

There are very few music lovers in this world who have not heard of Mr. Robert Nesta Marley, known by the world as reggae legend, Bob Marley. This man changed music as we know it and believed the world could be cured of hate through music, so to cover his songs is no small feat. Yet, that's exactly what Corrine Bailey Rae has done. Her new EP, The Love EP, covers Prince, Doris Day and Paul McCartney and The Wings. One of the notable covers is of Bob Marley's "Is This Love."



This version is different than Marley's, but Rae gets the message across the same way. She takes the song and will preserving it's beauty, makes it her own. I can't say I've heard a better cover of Bob Marley. This NMM is a definite have-to-listen.

-Whitni

Games For Kids - New Music Monday

Monday kids, welcome to a new week! Today's lovely new tune may sound familiar, not because you've heard the song, but because you've probably heard the artist, especially if you've taken a peek through our archives. We're going back (back back back) all the way to June 2010, when we reviewed Bright Eyes We Are Nowhere And It's Now. We gave the album a fairly good review and I am proud to say Conor Oberst (lead singer) is my homeboy.

So, with that being said, the SMP is happy to introduce you to some excellent new listening this incredible band has just put out.



The song is called "Shell Games" by Bright Eyes and their new album, The People's Key, is being released on Febuaray 15th, Conor's birthday. But until then not only can you hear the song here, but you can download it for free! This isn't a scam or anything, I promise, it's legit. Click here kids (and grown-ups)!

-Whitni

PS- Want to read that review about Bright Eyes? You can click here! Or would you prefer to hear more of their music? Check out our "Listen While You Read" box on the right!

New Music Monday... Sunday... Monday...

What's up Mondayers? Well, Sundayers I guess. I bet you (whoever you is!) are wonder exactly why I'm posting New Music Monday on a Sunday. Well, right now, computer time is a little hard to come by and I wanted to make sure that you guys had something to read come Monday morning/afternoon/evening.

This song isn't really new, and neither is the band. The Black Keys have been around since 2001 and their latest album, Brothers, is the one that really got them off the ground. This single, "Tighten Up", was released in May 2010, but is just starting to get mainstream radio play.



The video is great ("But he smells like ranch dressing!") and I love Patrick and Dan's look and sound (the whole hobo and geek making indie music thing really works for them). We here at the SMP rated them as the best new artist of 2010, and I see them only getting bigger in '11!

-Whitni

Have A Good Laugh, Kids

Found this video while doing some stuff online- it features Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, the guys who make up The Black Keys, and Ezra Koenig, lead singer of Vampire Weekend, on the Colbert Show having a sell-out off. It's hilarious and, hey, who couldn't use a good laugh?

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
MeTunes - Grammy Vote - Dan Auerbach, Patrick Carney & Ezra Koenig
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

- The SMP Mgmt

New (Crystal) Music (Sounds) Monday

Monday grinders, welcome to the new year! What 2011 will bring, I have no idea. Just know, the SMP is going to be here to turn you onto new music and love on the old. This is the first NMM of the year, so I looked deep and wide, trying to find some good stuff. If you don't like what I pick this week, remember, come back next week and see what's new- you might like that!

So... you can probably tell we here at the SMP like The Beatles. A lot. And The Beatles (as well as other guitar wielding 60s and 70s bands) influenced a genre called britpop, which is right where today's chosen band fits in.



The song is "The Loneliest Star" and the band is Thirteen Senses. Their album, Crystal Sounds, is coming out in February and I will be looking for it. The song is traditional indie pop of sorts, but leaks with a little something I just can't give words to. I got to say, I love Britpop. In fact, I love most anything British. Now take that and run with it!

-Whitni

Auld Lang Syne! Happy New Music Monday!

Hey my Monday people, how was your Christmas? Get a lot of good stuff? Eat some yummy food? See all your relatives (hope it wasn't too awkward)? If you celebrate Kwanzaa, like my family, joyous Kwanzaa! Today is Kujichagulia, which means self-determination. So, I am determined to tie up some loose ends in my life!

You, however, should be determined to listen to this NMM. And I have to confess, this song isn't very new at all. In fact, it was actually covered in 2004 by the Barenaked Ladies. But this is the best version of the song I found, and seeing as I promised holiday music only in December, here you go!



Isn't the video cool? It's synchronized to someone's Christmas decorations, and they did really well! Anyway, the song is called "Auld Lang Syne" originally by Robert Burns. It was written as a poem in 1788, but was later made into a kind of folk song. It's pretty well known as a New Year's song here in the US, but it's sung pretty regularly in Europe and Asia. Happy New Year music lovers! May 2011 bring some incredible music!

-Whitni

New Music Monday: Old, Cool And Hot

My Monday people, what's up?! Christmas is getting closer and closer and chances are while you're out in the stores shopping for all those presents, you're hearing Christmas music. Well, if you're not tired of it yet, here's some more for you to listen to!



This song is from a movie called The Year Without A Santa Clause from the year 1974, and featured this song 'Snow Miser/Heat Miser'. It was based on two quarreling brothers who controlled the weather, and whether or not it would snow on Christmas or not. Snow Miser is voiced by Michael McKean, while Heat Miser is played by Mr. George S. Irving. I don't think it was played on radio, but it's a favorite in my house, and I hope you guys like it too!

Have a very Happy Christmas!

-Whitni

In 1647, English Puritans banned Christmas. It was widely disapproved of and it wasn't until 1681 that the ban was revoked. By 1820s, the holiday was dying out and writers set out to bring it back. In 1843 Charles Dickens wrote the classic novel, A Christmas Carol. Christmas trees gained popularity in Britain in early 19th century and in America in the 1820s. In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem called A Visit From St. Nicholas (also known by it's first line- Twas The Night Before Christmas). The poem popularized the idea of gift giving and therefore the controversy behind it. In 1875, Louis Prang introduced Christmas cards and, well, you know the rest. Happy holidays readers!

PS- Yes, I realize Blogger says this was published on Tuesday, but it wasn't. Blogger's acting all funny, so ignore that and enjoy your NMM for the week.

Love,
The SMP Mgmt

The Sky Is Not The Limit

In 2000, shortly before the release of their album All That You Can't Leave Behind, Bono proudly declared that, " [We're] reapplying for the job. What job? The best band in the world job." Bono and his boys held the top spot for most of the eighties and nineties, striving to get their name and message out there, and it worked. Start talking to any one (literally, anyone) about U2, and they'll know exactly who you're talking about. More than likely, they'll probably start singing one of U2's multiple hits from the past thirty years, like "Beautiful Day", "Mysterious Ways", or "With Or Without You."

In 2009, U2 released their twelfth studio album, No Line On The Horizon, the album I am reviewing here. It was their first studio album in five years and the longest gap between any two albums.

The band began working with producer Rick Rubin in 2006, trying to get work started on a follow-up to their 2004 album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. Rubin wanted them to go for a 'back-to-the-basics' feel, but the band wanted to continue onward with their experimental, free form style. The band and Rubin went their separate ways and U2 teamed up with Daniel Lanois (who produced albums like Oh Mercy by Bob Dylan and So by Peter Gabriel) and Brian Eno (who produced albums like Laid by James and Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends by Coldplay).


^ U2 in the 1980, when they were just beginning. They are, from the left, Larry Mullen, Jr, Bono (real name- Paul Hewson), The Edge (real name- David Evans), and Adam Clayton.

For U2, this album is a game-changer. Listening to it, I can hear a mix of generations in every song. The first song, "No Line On The Horizon", didn't really match up well with me. I thought it was a bad choice for a starting song and that it was a little flat. But the follow-up, song number two- "Magnificent", was picture perfect. U2 is the type of band that pulls on your heart strings and Bono's voice can take you from wherever you are and put you right where he wants you to be.

Bono, who writes many of the songs, decided that for this album, he would write from different perspectives. He was tired of songwriting first person, and leapt out of his comfort zone and into the minds of a traffic cop, a drug addict and a solider serving in Afghanistan. The next two songs, "Moment of Surrender" and "Unknown Caller" both derive from the addicts' perspective.

The next two songs could be called the singles of the album. "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" was created by a collaboration with Will.i.am, a member of the widely popular group, The Black Eyed Peas. The video for the song was U2's first animated video since 1995, and depicted a group of people all trying to make change in their lives, though they are all interconnected.



My favorite song on this album is "Get On Your Boots" (originally named "Sexy Boots"), a fast-paced (at 150 beats per minute, it is one of the fastest songs the band has ever recorded) rocking pop song. Rolling Stone Magazine called it a, "blazing, fuzzed-out rocker", and I have to agree.

Bono later commented on the album, saying it was split into thirds, the first part as, "a whole world unto itself, and you get to a very ecstatic place." The second was described as "a load of singles" and the last third is songs that are, quote, "unusual territory" for the band.

Unusual territory definitely describes most of the second half of the No Line On The Horizon. Every song after six, for me, was just like the last and faded into the background. Maybe I wasn't listening hard enough, maybe it just wasn't all that good.



Either way, U2 has still it! I doubt any other album U2 will record in the future will be as good as their early works, like The Joshua Tree, which is probably they're most acclaimed album. Still, this is a good album. U2 is not afraid to experiment, to try things that may throw their fans off a little and maybe even question their sanity. U2 is the kind of band that stands as a foundation in the music world. If we looked upon music as a table they would be one of many legs (there would be a lot of legs on that table). Yet, at the same time, they are constantly changing and growing themselves, if that makes any sense. Sure, it's not the eighties anymore, but U2 can still bring it.

-Whitni

PS- Bono really knows how to spin his lyrics, and one line that stood out for me is from "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight." The line is- "How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?" Think on that world.

Coldplay Does Christmas... New Music Monday!

Hey my Monday peoples! Well, the title says it all, this week's new song is a little dilly by an experienced British by the name of Coldplay. They just so happen to be my all-time favorite band and when I found out they'd made a Christmas song, I couldn't resist the opportunity to feature them right here on the SMP.



The song is "Christmas Lights" by Coldplay, and I have to say, I love the video. I hope my bias isn't affecting how good/bad the song is! I'm usually a little skeptical of new Christmas music, since the old stuff is often not as good as the holiday music from the 40s to 90s. Coldplay has created an original that really does give you that fuzzy warm feeling inside. Feel the love!

-Whitni

As is customary, an explanation of Christmas. Or, at least, part one of an explanation, since I'm devoting two NMMs to this particular holiday (only because it has the most music!). Christmas began as Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, which means "the birthday of the unconquered sun". It was more of a winter festival celebrated because of the winter solstice. During the winter solstice the sun reversed it's southward retreat and seemed to be unconquered and experiencing a rebirth. Some early Christian writers connected the rebirth of the sun with the birth of Jesus Christ. It wasn't until the year 354 that Christmas was even documented as being celebrated on December 25th. You'll have to check back next week for the rest of the story!

New Music Monday: Eight Bright Nights and Candlelight

Hey-o Mondayers! It's that time of week again and now that it's winter, and all dark, cold and gloomy, we need some extra good new music to lift our spirits. That's why NMM will be featuring new holiday music all through December. This Monday we're taking a trip to Yeshiva University, in New York City, where a young group of men created an all-male a-capella group in the fall of 2007.



This song is called "Candlelight" by The Maccabeats. If it sounds familiar, it is! The song is a spin on Taio Cruz's "Dynamite", but this is no cover. These young men are finding a nice cozy spot in the a-capella world, as well as the world of Jewish music. I adore this song and I sincerely hope it will become a Hanukkah favorite!

-Whitni

In case you don't know, Hanukkah is the Jewish celebration of a Jewish victory over Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C. The Syrian-Greeks took control of a holy temple and tried to force the Jews to bow down to false idols and eat pork- two things forbidden in Judaism. The Jews took back control of the temple and tried to purify the temple by burning oil on a menorah for eight days, but they found they only had enough oil for one day. They lit the menorah anyway and, miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days.