Volume 26: La Roux

La Roux has that 80s sound but does a great job turning it into something modern. It's kind of weird to listen to her and think that this isn't 25 years old. Probably her most popular, In For The Kill is already a pretty good song, but when you hear this remix (if you haven't already) then you will realize the songs full potential.

That's not to say that the original isn't good, it's just that this remix is on a completely different level. If you watch Entourage you'll notice this song from the ending of one of this season's episodes.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Hip Hop Wednesday: Volume 6: John Legend & The Roots

So in case you didn't know, John Legend & The Roots came out with a collaboration album last week entitled "Wake Up". They then performed live on YouTube last Thursday and put on one hell of a show, which was also directed by a personal favorite in Spike Lee. The cd is very solid from opening track to the closing track, but at this show last Thursday they decided to add in a cover or two.

One of those covers being Arcade Fire's Wake Up. I consider it to be the greatest song of the 2000s and it has one of my favorite lyrics of all time, but I won't tell which lyric that is. All personal love aside, I hope you enjoy their rendition of the great song.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 25: Fanfarlo

Continuing with that acoustic/folk indie sound I figured now is a good time to talk about Fanfarlo. With Finish Line, they really bring the goods and allow their talents to shine through. Although Simon Balthazar's voice is quite unique, once you get used to it you realize it is quite timeless. They are quite eclectic when mixing different eras of rock so it's hard to find an era of music that Fanfarlo fits into.

This verison of Finish Line is a live acoustic one. If you couldn't tell by now, I prefer those rare live performances that are a little more intimate and personal. I will put the studio version in the comments section below.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 24: Freelance Whales

It's time to get back to that acoustic/folk type of indie. I've been on a more electronic run lately, especially this past weekend, and just feel like zoning out to some softer music. Freelance Whales is perfect for just that and Broken Horse really allows one to do that.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 23: The XX

The XX is one of those groups that you don't really know what to say about them, it's just that their music works. I don't really like the fact that they use a drum pad instead of a set but when watching them work the pad live, I give them more credit since they aren't just looping the beats of a Mac or something.

After saying that, I feel I need to show a live video of them doing so in action so I found the start of one of their shows with them playing the Intro and it leading into Crystalised. I'll also put album versions in the comments section in case the audio hurts your ears (since it's a live recording).

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 22: Tired Pony

Tired Pony is one of those side project super groups that come around once in awhile. It consists of Gary Lightbody (front man from Snow Patrol), Richard Colburn (drummer from Belle & Sebastian), Iain Archer (lyricist from Snow Patrol), Miriam Kaufmann (Archer's wife), Jacknife Lee (big time producer), Peter Buck (guitarist from REM), and Scott McCaughey (guitarist/bassit from REM).

With that much talent, how could it not be good? So I figured I'd post one of my favorite songs of their debut album The Place We Ran From.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Hip Hop Wednesday: Volume 5: Rakim

I don't even know if there is anything worth writing except for: hit play and enjoy. It's really that simple with Rakim. Holy Are You is just another one of those songs that grabs you in the initial hook and when the beat drops to it, you can't help but nod along to it. So as I said before: sit back, hit play, and enjoy.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 21: Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog are just one of those bands that know how to make good music and I have heard that put on an even better live performance. Unfortunately, I have yet to see that first hand. Should it be anything close to their album sound, I can imagine they are one of the better bands to see live.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 20: Florence + The Machine

I'm not one who listens to the radio, all I ever use is my ipod and frequent other blogs and message boards for new music. I say this because I feel like Florence + The Machine are blowing up. I watched maybe five total minutes of the VMAs and noticed Florence got to perform, so I don't know if they are blowing up or not but that's probably a good sign.

Since I saw that, I figured I'd post a live version of Dog Days Are Over, this one being from Coachella. It will truly let you appreciate Florence's voice, which I happen to like a lot. Her voice is in the same mold of Kate Nash and Regina Spektor which are two great fellow female singers.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 19: Bon Iver

Justin Vernon is one of the better indie folk singer/songwriters. He has been in various projects and the one that is most known is Bon Iver. Flume is probably my second favorite track by them, with Skinny Love being number one but this version takes Flume to another level.

The actual song doesn't start til the 2:48 mark, but watching the journey to the venue is pretty cool. I would also recommend going through other videos on that playlist, as La Blogotheque has some awesome sessions with some great artists.

I will put the album version in the comments section.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Bon Iver - Flume - Une soiree de Poche from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Volume 18: Mumford and Sons

When I stumbled upon Mumford & Sons, I thought that I discovered one of the best new artists out there. So I went to add them on my Facebook profile and found out they had about 300,000 fans. Apparently they were a little more popular than I knew.

This song, White Blank Page, is one that is really perfect. Every single line of dialogue seems like something I've felt at some point in my life. It's not very often you get a song that can do that lyrically and on top of that, match them with great music.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Hip Hop Wednesday: Volume 4: Mos Def

One of the truly less talked about hip hop artists in the game, Mos Def seems to never get his credit. Sure hip hop heads love him and talk about him but from a popularity stand point (even though that is a terrible way to judge musical artists) he just doesn't seem to be mentioned with the Jay Z's or Kanye's.

He is equally as talented as them and it's a shame you dont hear his name talked about with the aforementioned rappers. But all bias aside, here is one of my favorite tracks by him. Also love the old school hook of Aquarius (Let The Sunshine In). Enjoy.


Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 17: The Antlers

One of the most depressing albums I've ever listened to is The Antlers' Hospice. It shouldn't come as a surprise given what the album is about:

From the wiki:

"Hospice tells the story of an emotionally abusive relationship, explained through the analogy of a hospice worker and terminally-ill patient."

So given that, one would think that it is quite a somber album. Although, sometimes that kind of music can be good given the right mood so here is my favorite track off of that album.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 16: Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire's latest album The Suburbs will definitely hold its weight when it comes to Best Album of 2010. My only problem with it, is that I haven't found that one track that really stands out above the rest. With Funeral it was Wake Up (obviously) and with Neon Bible it was Keep The Car Running.

Finally, after a lot of listens, I have settled on Ready To Start to be that track. It has that great Arcade Fire sound and it also brings that build up element that many of their other songs have. There are several points where you think the song could come to a crashing halt but it continues. When it finally does come to that crashing halt, you want it to go on for five more minutes. In which case, I suggest just putting the song on repeat.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Hip Hop Wednesday: Volume 3: Lupe Fiasco

My favorite rapper/hip hop artist. Lupe is just on a different level for me. Maybe it's because he usually raps about something worth talking about and not wasting time talking about patron, drugs, or women. It's pretty hard to pick one track by him to try and sum his talents up.

Since I tried to talk about his lyricism being better than the normal rapper, I have to go with Streets On Fire. I'd look up the lyrics while you listen to it, because it may take you by surprise.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 15: Doves

This song, There Goes The Fear, first got my attention in the movie (500) Days of Summer. Since then, I've downloaded their entire catalog and have come away impressed. Kingdom of Rust is probably my favorite of their albums, but that doesnt mean the rest are disappointing.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Volume 14: MGMT

I know, I know. Who doesn't know this song? Fact is, it's Friday night and some bars/clubs will be bumping this tonight and if they aren't, well then you better go request it.

Go out and enjoy yourselves and dont forget the MGMT!

Volume 13: Kate Earl

Ms. Earl brings a fresh sounding female voice to the indie world. Maybe she doesn't want to be classified as indie but I guess I use that term a little loosely because she isn't a well known pop star. That doesn't mean that she shouldn't be though because on this track, Melody, she really brings it.

Melody has this awesome hip hop/indie feel to it and yet it sounds like a Regina Spektor or Kate Nash song. I really dig the crossing of the two styles.


Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.

Hip Hop Wednesday: Volume 2: Jay Electronica

Jay Elect has been blowing up and for a good reason too. He is one of the best lyricist in the hip hope game today and with a beat like Exhibit C, he has made one of the best hip hop songs I've heard in quite some time.

"They call me Jay Electronica.
F*** that. Call me Jay ElecHannukah, Jay ElecYarmulke,
Jay ElecRamadaan Muhammad Asalaamica RasoulAllah Supana Watallah through your monitor.
My uzi still weighs a ton check the barometer
I'm hotter than the muthafuckin sun check the thermometer."

And that is just a small sample of his lyricism. This guy is one to watch in the future of hip hop.

Make sure to comment on whether or not you've A) heard of it or not B) liked it or not and C) whether you would listen to more of the artist.