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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Holland by Cold Specks



Cold Specks is a Canadian-born, London based, singer-songwriter, who calls her sound "doom soul." After listening to this album, that seems like an apt description. Dramatic instrumentation complements a strong, soulful voice which is the real standout feature of this track, and this whole album. Think Alycia Keys on a really rainy, depressing day. Maybe, I haven't actually listened to enough Alycia Keys to really make that statement. But I think it works.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

I Wish You'd Look by Sea Hero

This is an outstanding instrumental track from the Louisville band "Sea Hero." I've been hearing nonstop that Louisville has an outstanding music scene, and this might just be the song that convinces me to finally check out some of their local bands. Also, this band was only together for a month before they recorded this album, so we can only expect them to improve from here.


Sunday, December 16, 2012

Gold by Wake Owl



There's not really much to say about this song. It's Wake Owl's first and only song (their debut album "Wild Country" is out January 29th). Where it shines is in its musical variety. It starts slow, just a guitar and a voice. When the kickdrum comes in, and they throw in some clapping sound effects, shit gets real. You'll be nodding your head, tapping your feet, whatever the case may be. I've always been a sucker for a string section in the background, and it's got that too. This album has immediately jumped up my list of most anticipated albums of the new year. Enjoy.

3030 by Deltron 3030



Found this song upon googling "music to smoke blunts to."Ya know what? Sue me. That's actually how I found it. It's straying a bit from the type of sound we've been showcasing here, but it's good enough to grab some cross-genre love from all of you. Enjoy.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Salt & Cloves by Fionn Regan



To the one person who reads this blog, sorry about not posting in a while, we've been busy with final exams, unfortunately. This is the kind of song you'd want to wake up to on a day with  no obligations. Today is not one of those days for me, but I am imagining what it would be like, and its sick. Also, the music video is strangely soothing, but don't think too much about it, because then you start to realize how weird it is.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Take Me Out by The Wooden Sky



I'd like to recommend this entire album to you. It's an outstanding listen, that only gets better as it goes on. It is one of those albums that is absolutely worth listening to the lyrics; this is not simply good music. Since I know it's going to be hard to convince you to spend an hour of your day on something, no matter how good, here's a sample song, and if you like it, give the whole thing a listen. This is the most popular single off their new album, and is the only one available on Youtube. If you like it, give the whole thing a listen here.

Friday, November 16, 2012

If I Didn't Comb My Hair by Statues Made of Matchsticks

A nice banjo-infused folk song from Statues Made of Matchsticks, a band out of Finland. I can't say I'm a huge fan of a female voice in a folk song (except Joan Baez of course), but it is pulled off very nicely here. This song, like the previous post, comes from MAP, which is a pretty cool thing if you want to check it out.

Here's the Soundcloud link: If I Didn't Comb My Hair

El pequeño Folk by Niño van



Just when you thought we had become a boring, run of the mill blog; here's a little Mexican folk music for you. The band is from the Baja region south of California, which is apparently a really good place for writing good folk music. This song is from a submission in the "Music Alliance Pact," which is basically a world music summit. 40 music blogs were selected from around the world to represent their country (Moist Melodies was not contacted, in the snub of the fucking century) with a single song choice. If you like this, or really if you like any type of music, check it out here.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Field Report - I Am Not Waiting Anymore + Fergus Falls



Its not often you can post the two biggest hits from a band on an indie music blog and still feel very confident that you are posting something that the readers will not have heard before.  Field report is one of those bands.  Their melancholy melodies and plucky strings mixed with some ambient synths and well placed strings and horns are largely unknown.  However they should be.  This album is excellent.  The two of us will be attending their concert this evening and a concert review will follow.  Until then enjoy these two songs and show your friends how cool and hip you are. because after all, isn't that what music blogs are all about anyway? lets be honest.

Well I Say by Trevor Hall



Honestly, there are a couple better examples of Trevor Hall songs out there. I wanted to post this particular one because, the cover on this album is outstanding. That said, this reggae-influenced, mellow guitar melody is very good with or without the album cover. It may be mid-November, but this song will transport you to the islands for a couple of minutes, and that simply cannot be a bad thing.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Oh Catherine, my Catherine by WIDOWER



This is the first song from WIDOWER, a folk band out of Seattle, since 2008, and this was my first introduction to them. Catchy, but not so catchy as to turn off any of you purists out there, this song will draw you in. It gets a little repetitive after about 20 listens, but how often do you really listen to a song 20 times in a row?

You and Jake by Evening Hymns



This song, off the album Spectral Dust (released August 2012) hasn't garnered much attention, but I think we may be hearing more from them in the future. This album was recorded almost exclusively in a log cabin in the woods outside a tiny town in Ontario. Does that give their music more validity? Let me answer that question with another question: do you think The Jonas Brothers would record an album in a log cabin in a town of 5,000 people?

The album is for sale at Evening Hymns' Bandcamp page, which includes a free download of this song.

Gimme Some Lovin' by G Love & Special Sauce



A G. Love classic, this is just a catchy, "listen to while having a good day"-type of song. And yes, bonus points for the entire song being about how he likes to have sex in the morning. Hard to disagree with him there.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Tears on Tape by Bro. Stephen



It's hard to pick just one song from this album, but this spacey, slow, folk song is an outstanding example of what gems can be found on it. Pay no regard to the fact that Bro. Stephen sorta looks like Vince Vaughn. And the fact that its spelled Bro. Stephen, but he wants it to be pronounced "Brother Stephen." Not artsy, just annoying. Sorry. But its a great song, so I guess we can look past that.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

By My Side by Ben Harper



Just a nice folky jam for your Saturday evening. A slow, chill song, it's a great song for the end of your night. Watch out for the sweet keyboard solo about halfway through that is completely unexpected (even though I just told you about it), but very cool.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Your weekly dose of screaming shirtless black guys



Every Friday afternoon, there is that one moment where you know the weekend has started. Obligations are over, and you are way too amped up to listen to normal person music. Sometimes, slow, meandering folk music just doesn't cut it. We are going to start a weekly feature, where we suggest songs to listen to at this glorious moment.
This week, DMX is here for you, to fill that void in your life. We're not in the business of telling you what to do, but here's what you should do tonight. When you're pouring that first shot, packing that first bowl, pulling out of the parking lot at work, whatever the case may be, play this song as LOUD AS YOU CAN. Speakers up as loud as you can. Pay no regard to the long term health of your eardrums. If your neighbors aren't knocking on your door by the end of the song, it wasn't loud enough.

Donavon Frankenreiter - It Don't Matter



It's a beautiful day out here in the midwestern United States, and it's got me in a nice beach mood. I hear Lake Michigan sucks this time of year (and honestly, all the time), so listening to this song will have to do. This California-bred, former professional surfer learned to play the guitar with his teenage friend, Jack Johnson. If you can get past the fact that his last name is basically Frankenstein, you might like this song

Your new least favorite song of all time



   Please don't get me wrong. This song is bad. I'm only posting it here because in a couple of days, there's a good chance this thing goes viral, and when it does, I want the 3 people who read this to be well informed and ahead of the trend.
    Made by the same people as Rebecca Blacks "Friday," I would say this song is just as bad, but not nearly as catchy. My personal favorite lyric was: "April was Easter and July 4th, but now it's Thanksgiving." Besides implying that July 4th happened in April, they also completely skipped every holiday between July 4th and Thanksgiving. And frankly, if you're writing a song about all the holidays, and you don't include Halloween, you're not a real musician.

Feels Like We Only Go Backwards by Tame Impala, VIDEO



One of our favorite tracks of the year here at Moist Melodies. The whole album has gotten almost universal praise from critics, and by now I'm sure most of you have heard it. If you liked the song, the video will give a new chance to enjoy it. If you haven't heard it yet, throw in some headphones and go on a fucking trip man. Enjoy

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Sad Clown by Kerry Leigh

This song is just a nice little guitar track to get your morning started. With no words and lasting only about 2 minutes, it's not exactly mind blowing, but its worth a listen. Also, it's not even on Youtube yet, so you can impress your friends with how dark and mysterious you are.

Here's a spotify link, for your listening pleasure: Sad Clown by Kerry Leigh

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Kendrick Lamar - Poetic Justice (Feat. Drake)



Guys, this one's a panty dropper, no two ways about it.





A Girl, a Boy, and a Graveyard - Jeremy Messersmith- The Reluctant Grave...


A sweetly written, only slightly morbid song from an album full of sweetly written but slightly morbid songs.  That said it's folky and simple and features some cool violin harmonies. He needs a better name though, I can never spell Messersmith. It's like Missisippi.

Piers Faccini: Tribe


Very cool song by a very cool artist.  My personal favorite by him is called No Reply, but I could not find a reliable link that was the album version.  His acoustic live versions are good, but in the studio he uses string instruments to great effect, especially in No Reply. Spotify it or something.

Ben Folds - Bitches Aint Shit


The guy above is doing a cover of Bitches 'aint shit by Dr. Dre.  Its strangely beautiful and despite the novelty of the lyrics, Ben Folds is a damn fine musician.

Apart by Balam Acab



While this isn't exactly a song you'd want to show your mother, it IS a song you will want to show your friends after you're a couple of bowls deep. Herbal stimulation recommended.

BIG WILLIE WEDNESDAY


This weeks entry in the weekly serial that I just started is the classic "Gettin Jiggy with it" this was the segment of Big Willie's career where his lyrics were so squeaky clean that he just bites the cigar, its for the look he dont light it.  Drugs: not even once.

Blind Melon - No Rain


You know this song.  Trust me, you know it.  If you don't recognize the name, you will recognize the melody.  If you don't recognize the melody you do.  Or you were not born in the 90's.  But you still know it regardless.  Trust me, you know it.

Israel IZ Kamakawiwo'ole - Ulili E


My personal favorite by the rotund legendary Hawaiian singer.  This song was made all the more special by listening to it shirtless on acid while watching planet earth's "Shallow Seas".  Very recommendable combination if you feel so inclined.

Mumford & Sons - The Boxer

While I'm sure many of you already know and love this new Mumford and Sons album, not many seem to be talking about this bonus track, which is a cover of the original Simon and Garfunkel version. For a little bonus, Paul Simon is actually featured on the track. If you haven't heard it yet, you're definitely missing out. If you have, the second, or twentieth times just as good.


Kid Koala - Basin Street Blues


If you're into Jazz, blues and R&B mixed by an asian american turntable DJ, well then do I have the song for you.  Even if you've never heard this genre (and who hasn't) you'll still enjoy it, or maybe you wont.  To quote my friend upon first listening to this, "This song makes me feel weird."

Hilltop Hoods - The Nosebleed Section


A damn cool song from an Aussie hip hop group which, although it sounds like the plot to Kangaroo Jack the sequel, it isn't.  Its a good song.  Still, aussie rap will get you some street cred as long as your friends are less cool then you and preferably white.  Not so much in compton.

Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan


When I first heard this song, I loved it.  I went and downloaded it and then listened to it multiple times everyday.  I was so excited I sent it to my girlfriend to get her opinion.  She replied; "I hate it."

Been There Before by Ghost Beach

If you like Passion Pit, I think that at the very minimum, you should give this song a listen. If you like this song, you might as well give the whole EP a listen here. Either way, this song came out October 29th, and its pretty good, listen to it:


The Head and the Heart - Lost In My Mind


One of the "cooler" folk songs in my library, at least in my opinion.  Somethin about the vocals is a little bit different in a very good way.  Also if you're a fan of this band already look for their NPR live session. Its what turned me on to this excellent band in the first place.  Its a shame they only have one album out...

Washed Out - Feel It All Around


One of my alltime favorites.  you may recegnise this song if you are a portlandia or Childish Gambino fan as the former uses it as its theme song and the latter as a sample in the song "Different".  But on its own its still awesome.  I looked at my phone the other day and this was my most played song.  I am completely ok with this.  Also the rest of Washed Out's library is trippy, cool and groovy.

Flatbush Zombies - Thug Waffle (Official Video)


This video is as awesome as the song is.  I reccomend checking out Flatbush Zombies entire catalogue.  While most rappers are criticized for rapping, more or less, about weed money and pussy, this is quite literally all they rap about.  Seriously, the amount of different metaphors they have created for smoking weed and slaying pussy throughout their discography puts shakespeare to shame in terms of creativity and ingenuity.

Mayla by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero's

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero's are an 11-member band, whose work ranges from songs that have shades of country, gospel, blues, and even aboriginal influences, while maintaining their bread and butter: vocal harmony driven acoustic folk music. And the results are, in my humble opinion, outstanding. It was hard to pick just one song, but here's one of my favorites:

Black River Killer by Blitzen Trapper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7zyfArxibk This song was found in a Fly Fishing documentary called Eastern Rises (Actually a very cool film if you get the chance, and I don't even like fishing) that 7 people the two of us included probably saw.  That said it is a very cool, very weird dark dylan sounding folk song. Also that electric ooooweeeeoooooo sound in the background is awesome.

Lana del Rey's "Radio" as covered by Jukebox the ghost

http://www.avclub.com/articles/jukebox-ghost-blue-jeans-lana-del-rey,70718/ Awesome cover of a cool song to begin with.  This is an awesome series that will be posted im sure another time. Believe it or not two men passionately singing Lana Del Rey actually works and is not creepy.

A Nice Xavier Rudd tune

Xavier Rudd is pretty much an Australian version of Jack Johnson, except that he also plays the didgeridoo. So obviously Xavier Rudd is worth a listen. This track is short, but it is just a great, catchy little song that will provide a nice gateway to more of his fantastic catalogue of music. 
White Moth

California Daze by PEACE

California Daze by PEACE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUQEoL2Cn4s
This music is awesome if you're feeling good, and if not, itll make you feel good.  PRO TIP: if you try to download this song somewhere, be careful to find a version without an annoying BBC broadcaster in the last 10 seconds.  That guys a huge fuckin buzz kill.

MOIST MELODIES MISSION STATEMENT

Internet: We'll put this simply: we won't pretend to be anything more than we are.  We are two college students who enjoy writing and listening to music.  Like anyone who listens to music, we like to share it.  Hence the blog. But we also would love to hear all the music you like, internet.  We'll post shit we like, you guys post shit you think we'd like, we'll listen, and if we like it post that shit (with all due credit of course).  Even if we don't we'd be happy to talk to you about it (unless its just actually shit music).  so pull up a chair or something and give a listen.  You like what you hear? Tell other people who would also like what you heard.  Or don't, its cool.  Either way, hopefully someone finds this and someone likes it, and if not, well its something to do anyway.