The Baron Boombox

Kate Nash - Foundations

2011-06-14T22:28:00.000-07:00

Not everyone kicks off their career by breaking their foot. However, this seems to be the case with 23 year old Kate Nash, who started writing original music after falling down a flight of stairs. With the infinite amount of time a housebound recovery will allow and a brand new “get well soon” electric guitar, Nash was able to focus solely on her music.

The result was the album Made of Bricks (2008), from which the single “Foundations” is taken. Whether it’s Nash’s Cockney accent, relatable lyrics, or catchy chorus, there’s something about this song that gets stuck inside your head.

Sway - The Perishers

2011-05-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

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I’m not going to lie – I found this gem while watching Veronica Mars reruns. But Veronica and Logan aren’t the only television couple who have not so secretly expressed their feelings to each other while this song played in the background. Swedish indie rock band The Perishers have been featured on One Tree Hill, Grey’s Anatomy, Greek, and Kyle XY, and have toured with notable performers like Sarah McLachlan.

According to the band’s Myspace page, they’ve “taken a bit of a break,” since they’ve stopped touring for their last album, Victorious (2007). However, lead singer Ola Kluft has been working on a solo project under the name A Lanky Swede. If you like this, I recommend listening to “Come Out of the Shade”.

Snails - The Format

2011-04-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

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Formed in Peoria, Arizona in 2001 by Sam Means and Nate Ruess, this Indie band survived until February 4th, 2008. 'The Format' was a name chosen as a jab at the music, accompanied by the idea that their is a cookie-cutter 'format' for musicians. Their first single followed this example and took the title 'The First Single.' Never becoming mainstream, they kept with small record labels during their career after a bad experience with Elektra. This particular song and it's album can only be bought online. The reason for the band's dissolution is unclear, but they have made it clear there were no hard feelings upon parting. Nate Ruess has started a new band called Fun and Sam Means has continued on by selling merchandise.
'Snails' is a departure from my usual listening. A friend unwittingly gave it me when she listed it among her top ten. The vocals are calm and upbeat, with whimsical, slightly silly lyrics. The acoustic sound is fits very well and gives the song a unique character. Their other songs are a tad faster than 'Snails,' but are just as clever. If you want something interesting, I urge you to watch the music video for The Compromise.

Is It Necessary to Lose? - Blaxy Girls

2011-04-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

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First of all, please ignore the video itself, and notice the song is in Romanian this time. Hailing from Romania, the Blaxy Girls are pop band formed in 2007 by their lead vocalist, who was 16 years old at the time.
You may recognize the strong, lilting voices and delicate instrumentals behind an electric guitar and drums. Only after research did I realize I'd heard them before. Their claim to fame is a song called 'If You Feel My Love,' which was an immediate hit in their home country. Like many European pop bands, they have operated off single songs, rather than albums. Their next most popular piece was the one I recognized- 'Dear Mama.' It was released for Mother's Day 2009 and met success internationally. The song was accompanied by a music video from MTV that shows a story of a rocky relationship between a mother and daughter that ends in tragedy.
If you liked this song, I highly recommend 'Dear Mama' next. Make sure you have a box of tissues near by!

Fated Person- Fujita Maiko

2011-04-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

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As you may have noticed, the lyrics you are listening to are not in English, but rather Japanese. Both languages are in the video above. 'Unmei no Hito' translated to'Fated Person' above, is by Fujita Maiko. She is about 25 years of age, having made her debut in 2004 with 'Koi ni Ochite' or 'Fall in Love.' To date, she has three albums out.
This song was delivered to me via the clever algorithms of Youtube, yet again. It was set as background music to a slideshow of pictures for a couple from a fictional series. Bored, and with nothing better to do, I clicked it, not expecting much. The slideshow was typical and unimpressive, however, the song caught me like the net I use against my fish when I have to clean their tank. I proceeded to minimize that horrid slideshow and play the song again and again, until I couldn't stand hearing it anymore.
The instrumentals are soft and merely compliment Fujita Maiko's pure voice. Using her vocals as a driving force, she manages to create a very compelling sound and draw the listener in. Upon examining the lyrics, especially for those who have a basic knowledge of the Japanese language, we find the lines cleverly and concisely put together. However, upon reading translation lyrics, this does not come across as strongly. The second most prominent instrument is the piano behind her voice. Simple and steady, it allows her vocal freedom and keeps a delicate emotional balance for the ears.
If this song was as appealing to you as it was to me, I recommend a follow up with Fujita's 'Kimi ga Yobu no Nara,' 'Tomadoi,' and 'Futari no Kare.'

If It Means a Lot to You- A Day To Remember

2011-02-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

This is another piece of youtube gold. I found this song by sifting once more through my recommended videos.
A Day to Remember was formed in Ocala, Florida in 2003 by Tom Denny and Bobby Scruggs. Both had been in several bands before, but sensed unusual potential in their new partnership. Today, Scruggs has been replaced on drums by Alex Shellnut, and Denny has left the spotlight to be with family and his solo work. Although Denny still aids in song writing, ADTR (as they are known to acronym-loving fans) consists of Jeremy McKinnon (singer), Neil Westfall (guitar), Joshua Woodard (bass), and Scruggs. To Date, they have released five albums: And Their Name was Treason (2005), For Those Who Have Heart (2007), Old Record (2008), Homesick (2009), and What Seperates Me from You (2010). Their music is categorized as rock, but best known for it's songs mixing punk-pop and metalcore.
If you would like to sample some of these favorites, I recommend 'You Should Have Killed Me When You Had The Chance,' and 'Have Faith In Me.'

Louder Than Thunder - The Devil Wears Prada

2011-02-17T18:43:00.000-08:00

The Devil Wears Prada was formed in 2005 in Dayton, Ohio. They are a metal-core Christian band.The band still is not part of MTV media we all know so well. As one band member posted on their official website, "To any one thing we might be going "mainstream", you're sadly mistaken!" The Devil Wears Prada has several albums out: Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord (2006), Plagues (2007), and With Roots Above and Branches Below (2009).
A lot of people will see the band's name and think back to movie/book by the same title. When asked about it, the band replied that they had taken the name indeed from the book. They believed a theme central to the storyline was the evils of materialism. As it turns out, the book had none of this theme in it. However, after acknowledgement of the initial misunderstanding, they kept the name with the justification that "It's the same concept as our lyrics 'emeralds hold no hope' and many others. What we believe it to mean is that possessions don't matter at all and someday everyone will realize that this is true. When standing before God, he won't care about your sweet Prada scarf or Gucci shoes or whatever. It's a Christian reasoning for the name, we didn't name it to attempt at being fashionable or whatever, " given by Micheal Hranica.
'Louder Than Thunder' is a departure from their typical metal sound in order to highlight their more melodic talents. Anyone who says that scream vocalists only do so because they can't sing, has just been proven wrong. If you liked this song, and are looking for something heavier, I suggest 'Hey John, What's Your Name Again?'

Stereophonics - Dakota

2011-02-04T20:45:00.000-08:00

The Welsh rock band Stereophonics is relatively well known in the UK. The band was formed in 1992 in Cwmaman, Wales and has since then released seven studio albums. Five of those have topped the UK Album Charts. Their first album, Word Gets Around, charted in at number six almost overnight. Over the years, the band has earned ten top-ten singles. The song “Dakota” made it to number one in 2005.

“Dakota” is different from the band’s usual sound. This eighties influenced track is meant to bring you back to carefree summer days of just “laying back, head in the grass”. It’s about remembering first love and basking in the memories of it – five minutes of pure nostalgia.

EELS - P.S. You Rock My World

2011-01-26T22:40:00.000-08:00

EELS was formed by singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, otherwise known as E. Other members of this American rock band rotate frequently, whether it be in the studio or on the stage.

The song “P.S. You Rock My World” is from Electro Shock Blues, EELS’ second studio album. As opposed to their first album, Electro Shock Blues focused mainly on E’s personal life. It was a sort of tribute to his family: his sister, who committed suicide after EELS’ first album was released, his mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer, and his father, who E had found dead of a heart attack when he was nineteen. The album is definitely heartbreaking, cynical, mournful, creative. But more importantly, it’s one man’s way of learning to deal with disease and death. “P.S.” is the last song on the album - the realization that, in spite of everything, life goes on.

Tegan and Sara - The Con

2011-01-25T21:57:00.000-08:00

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Tegan and Sara is an indie Canadian rock band formed by twin sisters Tegan Quin and Sara Quin. The two are known for their interchanging vocals and guitar playing, resulting in a completely unique folk-rock sound. The duo grew up playing music together, learning to play piano at age eight and eventually switching to acoustic guitars at age fifteen. From there, they began to write their own songs. At age seventeen, they won Calgary’s Garage Warz and recorded Yellow Demo, using the studio time they had been given as a prize from the competition. Since then, Tegan and Sara have produced six albums. Their latest album, Sainthood, was released in October of 2009.

The track “The Con” was one of the singles taken from their fifth studio album under the same name. It’s catchy and upbeat, exactly what a single should be. It’s the kind of gem meant to draw fans old and new into an album that’s full of them.

Within Temptation (feat. Keith Caputo): What Have You Done

2011-01-24T07:40:00.000-08:00

Within Temptation was founded in 1996 by Sharon den Adel (vocals) and Robert Westerholt (guitar). The two are now married and have just had their second child. As a band, they have been categorized as gothic rock, gothic metal, and symphonic rock. Despite this, Within Temptation resents the idea of their music being considered anything other than hard rock.
The Dutch band remained underground until 2001 when 'Ice Queen' hit the charts from their 2000 album, Mother Earth. Their next two albums, The Silent Force (2004) and The Heart of Everything (2008), debuted as number 1 on the Dutch charts. In America, 'All I Need' (The Heart of Everything) was featured on the Vampire Diaries, and Truth Beneath the Rose was used in the preview for The Tudors. The song I featured here is available on Guitar Hero: World Tour. Within Temptation plans to release their next album in March of 2011, titled The Unforgiving, in which all songs are based on a comic series authored by Steven O’Connell and drawn by Romano Molenaar.
This particular song also has vocals by Keith Caputo. He is known for shocking lyrics dealing with hard truths. Raised by two parents addicted to heroine, he had a painful childhood and draws on it in his music. Despite this, many of his songs are also seen as hopeful.In one of his most referenced quotes, Caputo says, “From my own feelings of displacement, dissatisfaction and yearning comes a vast sea of compassion." As 'What Have You Done' plays through, the dialogue and instruments clearly display this internal struggle for balance between two opposite feelings. The song comes from their album The Heart of Everything.

The Temper Trap:Fader

2011-01-20T17:56:00.000-08:00

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Fader is the third single from The Temper Trap's first album, Conditions. The Temper Trap is a band from Melbourne, Australia. You might know their smash-hit first single, Sweet Disposition. Here in the U.S. the band is signed to Glassnote Records, a record label who's current roster also consists of bands such as Mumford & Sons and Phoenix. The Temper Trap first attracted attention after playing sold out shows in London in 2008, and then at South by Southwest in 2009. Their debut album, Conditions, was released June 19, 2009 to rave reviews. In July of 2010, the band estimated that they would release their second album sometime late this year.

1000 ft Krutch- Phenomenon

2011-01-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

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Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian Christian rock band formed in 1997 and was an evolution of Oddball. They have been quite prolific, putting out seven albums. Their band name was chosen when they decided to base their music on their religious beliefs. Thousand Foot Krutch's newest album was released in 2009 and titled Welcome to the Masquerade. The idea for the album came from a public domain poem written in 1966, particularly the lines "Don't be fooled by the face I wear, for I wear a mask." The album was meant to reach beneath their listener's surfaces and into their hearts with strong, echoing chords and soft acoustic pieces as well.
'Phenomenon' was another YouTube discovery of mine as I surfed countless poorly made AMVs. The song was the title of their 2003-2004 album. Phenomenon was one of the all-time best selling albums of Tooth and Nail Records. Gavin Brown, who has also worked with Three Days Grace, helped produce 'Everyone Like Me,' which was also on Phenomenon. 'Phenomenon' in particular, was incredibly catchy and lifted my spirits. The lyrics cover topics that couldn't be farther from my own experience, but that was exactly what drew me into the song. It was a place I wanted to be; I could easily go their by popping in my headphones. If you like this song, I would highly recommend 'Fire it Up' as the next song on your playlist.

The Rasmus-In the Shadows

2011-01-18T20:35:00.000-08:00

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The Rasmus is a Finnish rock band formed in 1994. Prior to the release of their 4th album, Into (2001), they added 'the' in front of their band name to distinguish themselves from a DJ by the same name. The band consists of four high school friends. They have since returned to their school to put on a performance and released their latest album in 2008, Black Roses. However, it was their 2003 release that gained them international notoriety, Dead Letters, which contained this song, 'In the Shadows.'
Whoever said that the YouTube cpu didn't have taste lied to you. Most of the time I brush off the inconceivably annoying module of recommended videos. This was a moment of exception. The song was attached to an AMV (anime music video) that took forever to load, and wasn't all too well done. And at risk of being cliche, I will say it was worth it. This was the not entirely downbeat rock song I've been craving. It's catchy, something I can sing with or just listen to, and survives the test of listening-to-it-three-times-in a-row. I only hope you can get as much enjoyment out of this song as I have.

Motion City Soundtrack: Fell In Love Without You

2011-01-13T20:10:00.000-08:00

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A leading band in the punk-pop genre, Motion City Soundtrack includes guitarist Joshua Cain, drummer Tony Thaxton, lead singer & guitarist Justin Pierre, Jesse Johnson on the moog (moog synthesizers are electronic musical instruments that throw together a guitar, keyboard, and a drum set all in one...still confused...look it up), and bassist Matthew Taylor. After their Minneapolis high school graduation in 1999, Pierre and Cain formed their band. While touring through Pennsylvania, Motion City Soundtrack met Thaxton and Taylor from their own band, Submerge. The two decided to leave their hometown, Richmond, Virginia, to join Motion City Soundtrack and the group later grabbed Jesse Johnson. The band's punk-splattered debut, I Am The Movie, was released in the summer of 2003. They joined blink-182 on a tour in Europe and Japan and blink's bassist, Mark Hoppus, loved the band and produced a more pop influenced album, Commit This to Memory, in 2005. Motion City Soundtrack spent that summer on Warped Tour. Two years later, the completed product, Even If It Kills Me, was released and cracked the Top 20 on its first week. "Fell in Love Without You" was featured on Gossip Girl that same year. Their latest album was released last June.

Christina Perri: Jar of Hearts

2011-01-04T19:52:00.000-08:00

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Christina Perri, no relation to Katy Perry, was born and raised in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. She moved to Los Angeles at age 21 and was married within that year, but divorced 18 months later. She then returned home to Pennsylvania by the end of 2009. During her time home she wrote "Jar of Hearts", then moved back to L.A. She recorded the song and it was featured on So You Think You Can Dance on June 30, 2010. Following the show, "Jar of Hearts" sold 48,000 digital copies, hitting #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs. In a month it sold over 100,000 copies. Her music video for the song was displayed on the VH1 top 20 music video countdown. Christina signed a record deal with Atlantic Records on July 21, 2010. Her 5 single EP, The Ocean Way Sessions, was released on November 9, 2010.

Beirut:Nantes

2011-01-04T18:26:00.000-08:00

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Beirut was founded by Zachary Francis Condon, a Santa Fe, New Mexico native. It was first created as a solo act, and then expanded into a full fledged band in 2006. The Flying Club Cup, released in October of 2007, is Beirut’s second album. It’s heavily influence by French music and culture because of Condon’s interest in French chanson during its recording. He was inspired by Jacques Brel, a French-speaking Belgian singer. Parts of The Flying Club Cup were recorded by Condon in his bedroom, but others were recorded with the full band, resulting in a more live sound.

Britt Nicole- Headphones

2011-01-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

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I first heard this song around Christmas. I was sitting in the middle of a bunch of freezing people at Anahiem Ice. My sister had already done her routine, and I can't remember the name of the girl who was twirling on the ice. Most of the music was mediocre and Christmas themed, as I expected. And then this song came on. In short, I liked it.
Britt Nicole is yet another Christian artist disguising her references to her beliefs in lyrics of music that is slowly climbing out the stubborn box labeled 'gospel.' Her voice is dainty and deliberate, her lyrics resound with people, and her sounds are catchy. Her music career started in her church at age three. By the time Nicole finished high school, she was appearing regularly on TV with her church and had sang with her school's advanced choir in Carnegie Hall. In 2006, turning down a scholarship from Belmont University, she signed with Sparrow Records and released her first album, 'Say It.' Her second album was released in 2009 and titled 'The Lost get Found.' Britt Nicole is from Kannapolis, North Carolina.

Born Ruffians:Hummingbird

2011-01-03T07:24:00.000-08:00

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Born Ruffians, formerly known as Mornington Drive, are an indie rock band from the small town of Midland. It's in Ontario, Canada, located near Georgian Bay. Lead vocalist Luke Lalonde formed the band with bassist Mitch Derosier and drummer Steven Hamelin in 2004. The single "Hummingbird" was released in 2007 on their first album Red, Yellow, & Blue, which was nominated in the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards for Pop/Rock Album of the year. The band is currently signed to Warp Records.

Evil Genius - Eleventyseven

2010-12-16T15:42:00.000-08:00

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Eleventyseven is Christian rock band formed in Laurens, South in 2002. Their musical style follows what is known as "third-wave emo," but with a twist. Rather than focusing on the self-inflicted pain of life, they take a more hopeful point of view with their lyrics.
I heard this song at a convention and fell in love. It's the kind of song you dance and lipsynch in your room. The lyrics stand out with their creativity, along with the singer's peppy voice. I hope this song brightened your day.

Hero - Skillet

2010-12-15T14:41:00.000-08:00

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Skillet, a Christian industrial/rock band, was ironically formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. They remained on the underground for 10 years, until they had a break through with 'Comatose' in 2006. Their music began as very gospel oriented in sound, but with 'Collide' (2003) they fully embraced the sound of rock, leaving their lyrics to spread their beliefs. Since then they have won several prestigious awards for their newest album 'Awake and Alive' (2009).
Skillet is one of the few Christian bands to break into and become popular on the secular scene. That alone should be a testament to their talent. They have toured with Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Seether, and various Christian bands, like Flyleaf and Thousand Foot Crutch. Last August 'Awake and Alive' was released at the Harvest Crusades at Angel Stadium and sold at discount price. I would know, I was there when they performed this song as a preview.
If you enjoyed this song, I would recommend 'Whispers in the Dark,' 'Comatose,' 'Collide,' and their currently most popular song 'Monster'.

The Path to Abandonment - The Luna Sequence

2010-12-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

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"The Luna Sequence" is actually Kaia Young. Not much is out there on her, but I can tell that she began as a DJ and remixer. 'They Follow you Home' is her first album.
Her music is different that most electronica and techno, in that, rather than making you want to dance, it wows you with full, energetic sounds. This song, along with a good portion of her other works incorporate a lot of guitar and drums, which add a rock a feel to her music. 'The Path to Abandonment' is a darker spin on electronic music, and very melodic. If you enjoyed this song, I encourage you to look up 'Lure the Vultures' as well.

Passion Pit: Little Secrets

2010-12-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

Passion Pit is an electronic/pop band that was formed in 2007 by frontman Michael Angelakos. They're known best for their upbeat, catchy songs and Angelakos' hard to miss falsetto. The band's first full-length studio album, Manners, was released May of last year to great reviews. Little Secrets is the second single from the album. This undeniably catchy and fun song also features the PS22 Chorus, a chorus from an elementary school in Staten Island. With it's almost inaudable top end vocals and assorted beeps and bops, the single is certainly eccentric.

Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin

2010-12-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

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Breaking Benjamin has been a long time favorite of mine, and I've only met 2 other people who had even heard their name! They are a great rock band, high energy, and cynical, yet hopeful. The band has been together 8 years and was formed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They got their name after lead singer, Benjamin Burnley broke a micrphone on stage after covering a Nirvana song. They have toured with bands like Flyleaf and Three Days Grace.
When I discovered Breaking Benjamin, 'Diary of Jane' was my first taste of their music. Even now, it stills remains a favorite. They have released four albums, Saturate (2002), We are not Alone (2004), Phobia (2006), and Dear Agony (2009). Other songs you might want to check out are 'So Cold,' 'Breathe,' 'Evil Angel,' and 'Unkniwn Solider.'

Scratch - Beach Girl5

2010-12-10T07:23:00.000-08:00

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This song was appeared on the first episode of Disney Channel's new show- Shake it Up. I was upstairs trying to sleep while my sister was watching TV. Rather than falling head over heels for the TV show, as she did, I found a few good songs.
I suspect the band, who is very new to the music scene, got featured so quickly because one of the members was a former back up dancer and friend of Miley Cyrus. There is a lot information about the musicians themselves, but still little being reported on their music.
Scratch is a very peppy song, definitely dance-in-your-room music. The song is featured on Shake it Up right after the opening of the first episode, and with good reason. It's very catchy as well, and appears to be quite popular. Beach Girl5 has done 5 remixes of the song. Unfortunately, I believe this doesn't bode well for the band. Although I haven't listened to the rest of their album, remixing songs into the ground is a typical move of desperate one hit wonders.

Black Velvet Band - The Dropkick Murphys

2010-12-06T07:49:00.000-08:00

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The Dropkick Murphys are an Irish punk band, formed in Quincy, Massachusetts. They are world famous and gained their reputation through constant touring. In Boston they are known for their St. Patrick's Day weekend concerts. The Dropkick Murphys sing about things like sports and politics, making them very relatable to their fan base. The band identifies themselves as all democrats and are anti-Bush. They appeared on Rock Against Bush vol. 2 with the song We Got the Power. To learn more about the band visit the official website.
Once more, I found this song through a friend. I've only had the chance to listen to four of their songs, so I'm still terribly unfamiliar with their music, but I can't wait to hear more! The Dropkick Murphys are a high energy band and very upbeat in a rather mischievous way. They are quite different from I usually put in my ears, so if you're looking for a change of pace have a peek at their music and enjoy.

Paralyzed - The Used

2010-12-06T07:31:00.000-08:00

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Formed in 2001 and from Orem, Utah, The Used consists of Dan Whitesides, Bert McCracken, Quinn Allman, and Jeph Howard. They have four albums out, a self-titled one from 2002, In Love and Death from 2004, Lies for Liars from 2007, and Artwork from 2009. The have done several world tours and have an official website.
I discovered them through an older friend of mine. I've been playing their first 3 albums incessantly while I bike ride back and forth to school. My favorite album is Lies for Liars. I will admit I've had a few dances sessions with I-pod to it. Initially, I thought they were mostly a rock band (this was the genre of all favorites), but as I explore the albums more, I've found quite a variety, mostly consisting of love songs. And everybody loves a good, angsty love song. If you like this song I recommend Liar Liar, Hospital, and Empty With You.

Poison-Groove Coverage

2010-11-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

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Hailing from Germany, Groove Coverage is a techno/dance duo. Most of their success has been in Europe, with a few songs that made radio play here in the USA. Poison, the song song above, is the most notorious. They have also done many covers and remixes of songs, examples being Alice in Chain's 'Poison' and Bad Religon's '21st Century Digital Boy', which was retitled '21 Century Digital Girl.'
This song never gets old for me. It's a little edgier and more feminine than I usually listen to, but just as amazing. The music is almost theatrical, as best heard in 'Runaway' and varies greatly from one song to the next. The majority of Groove Coverage's songs are remixes and covers. I was floored by the sound of '21st Century Digital Girl' and 'What You See is What You Get,' since I'd always known them as an electronic sounding band. If you like variety and surprises, this is the band for you.

Memory-Sugarcult

2010-11-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

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Although Sugarcult was formed in 1998, they are still largely underground. They have participated in the Warp Tour and TakeAction Tour, among many others. To give you an idea, they toured from 2004-2009 non-stop. In 2009 they took a hiatus for personal reasons.
I would personally catergorize them as a rock band, but Sugarcult refuses to label and limit themselves with one genre. Their refusal to conform or follow trends has kept them out of the mainstream spotlight, but they have still managed to sell nearly 1 million albums. Anyone who recgonizes their name most likely knows them from the song 'Los Angeles.' I discovered them via youtube through the song 'Daddy's Little Defect.' The non-conformist discovers the non-comformist band. Sugarcult has had several hits, their largest selling album is Lights Out, and they have appeared on several movie and game soundtracks(Anyone played Burnout 3?).
Other songs you might want to check by this band would include 'Daddy's Little Defect,' 'Pretty Girl,' 'Majoring in Minors,' and 'Riot.'

2AM Club- Know Better

2010-11-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

2AM Club

2AM Club is a band with great diversity in music genres and style. Each member contributes something special. Their music variety ranges from styles of Katy Perry to Maroon 5 and plenty more. They all came together in L.A. to create this band and have been very successful with their career. Their music definitely keeps you dancing. Their performance in the "Tiny Porno" gave a twist to the way their live music was experienced. They definitely wanted the audience to experience the music with them and their gig at the "Tiny Porno" changed the way they performed. They want to create music that can be enjoyed in the serenity of one's home and energetic parties.

Deadmau5: I Remember

2010-10-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

It's a late Saturday night and it's just dead quiet. While I was doing homework I thought, "Well, I can't let this fine night go to waste." If you get what I mean, listening to this song is the way to go. This song has this fast paced beat but also have that calm, tranquil feeling that makes your ears satisfied.

Joel Zimmerman, also known as deadmau5, has a way of creating and combining electronic/trance/techno music. Now hold on, why does every album he released there's always have that weird looking mouse? It's all from Joel's stage name, "deadmau5". One day a moused crawled to his computer and just died in front of him. He first thought of "Dead Mouse" but he then shortened it to "deadmau5" In 2006, he released his first album called "Get Scraped". In 2008, Joel released another album called "Random Album Title" where the song I Remember became a popular song. His recent album which was released 2009, is "For Lack a Better Name". The song Ghosts N Stuff is recently the number one song right now.

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Colors by The Pass

2010-10-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest, the first time I ever heard this was on a car commercial. But come on, how many of us have never heard a good song while watching a Toyota cruise through a meadow? No one? Yeah, that's what I thought.

So, the story of the Pass goes something like this: Kyle Peters and Will Roberts met and became friends in high school in New Jersey and played in a couple of garage bands together. Will moved to Louisville where he met the rest of the group; Brian Healey and Neil Lucas. Unsatisfied with separate projects Kyle and Will decided to start a band and Kyle moved to Louisville. Strongly influenced by the dance beats of Justice, LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk, and an affinity for 80s synth pop, The Pass was born.

Forver By Red

2010-10-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

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This band is still rather underground, but slowly beginning to gain a solid fan base. This song comes from their most recent album, Innocence and Instinct. I actually own the CD. Yes, the CD. How old school of me. The album is that good.

Red is Christian rock band, ironically started in Nashville Tennessee. They have been touring since the release of their first studio album The End of Silence and performed an astonishing 1000+ live shows. Supposedly they are great on stage. Red has toured with popular Christian bands such as Kutless, Flyleaf, Skillet and Thousand Foot Crutch. They have also toured with secular bands such as Three Days Grace, Papa Roach, Seether, and Breaking Benjamin. Their 3rd album is currently titlled Until We Have Faces and is due for release in Februaury 2011.

Amaranth - Nightwish

2010-10-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

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This is possibly the best song by Nightwish. I absolutely adore this album. The video is a tad cheesy, but I love melodrama.

This band was formed in Kitee, Finland. Although still not completely mainstream in the US, they are the most prominent band to hail from Finland. Formed in 1996, they are categorized as a symphonic metal band. Their music has been used in soundtracks in precious few movies. Nightwish has sold more than 7million copies of their albums world wide. Awards include 1 silver, 23 gold, and 36 platnium.

Nightwish's next album is still untitled and due to be released in March 2011. Studio sessions begin for it on October 15th of 2010.

That's The Way Boys Are: Best Coast

2010-09-19T21:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the California surf-rock sounds of Best Coast. Led by lead singer and guitarist Bethany Consentino, who has had a number of music projects, but so far Best Coast is her longest and most successful. They are known for their low-fi, vintage sound, and reflect their California background through their music. Ali Koehler and Bobb Bruno make up the rest of the band, and keep the music simple and catchy. The band is getting bigger all the time, playing sold-out shows across the country, and performing at festivals like FYF. Some of their more popular songs are "When I'm With You", "That's the Way Boys Are", and "This Is Real."

World News-Local Natives

2010-04-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

Meet local natives- five ridiculously attractive young guys, making some rad folk music in a way that hasn't been done before. The epitome of cute indie rock boys with their mustaches and good style, their voices sound like they were made to be sung together. Their addictive harmonies and strong drums contribute to their one-of-a-kind sound. Their one and only album was released only two months, but these guys have already established a cult following. The lyrics of "World News" aren't typical lyrics of love or heartbreak, but instead talk about relatable experiences like sitting in traffic or getting tired of the music on the radio. Congrats Natives, you've made your music impossible to resist.

I Wasn't Prepared- Eisley

2010-03-26T18:11:00.001-07:00

Surprisingly, Eisley is a band that consists of close family relations. Sherri DuPree, Stacy DuPree, Chauntelle DuPree and Weston DuPree, and their cousin, Garron DuPree all are part of this indie-pop group. "I Wasn't Prepared" is one of Eisley's soft songs from their album Room Noises. The song's celestial melodies combined with gentle vocals set a tranquil mood. It opens with "Oh, when the day is blue. I'll sit here wondering about you." and leads the listener into a dreamy bliss.

You're Not Coming Home Tonight: First Aid Kit

2010-03-02T19:09:00.000-08:00

Two cute swedish girls form an indie folk duo. The only possibility is First Aid Kit. Made up of sister Johanna and Klara Soderberg, the two girls released their first masterpiece, an EP called "Drunken Trees", just last year. Already they've acquired quite a following, and have done duets with the band Good Old War in the song "Stay By My Side." Their sound borders soft country, especially in this song. But it's not the Taylor Swift pop country or deep South country sound that you hear on the radio. It sounds more influenced by 60s folk with some soft country beats mixed in. Their first full-length album will be released in January 2010, and they even go on tour in the US periodically.

Walking on a Dream- Empire of the Sun

2010-02-19T22:50:00.000-08:00

These weird boys may look intimidating due to their apparel, but don’t judge a book by it’s cover! (Well, in this case, an artist by their appearance.) Nick Littlemore and Luke Steele created Empire of the Sun as a collaborative project in 2006. Their debut album, Walking on a Dream was released in 2008 and contains songs such as “Standing On The Shore”, “Half Mast” and “We Are the People” [which you should all give a listen to if you like the song “Walking on a Dream” :)] This duo’s compositions of psychedelic music are filled with dreamy-pop vocals and a wide-range of instruments used in the background. Imaginative, different, and mind-blowing, Empire of the Sun surely has defined their own individual style of music in today’s modern generation.

Pistol Dreams- The Tallest Man On Earth

2010-02-17T23:18:00.000-08:00

Most commonly compared to the indie-folk sounds of Iron & Wine and M. Ward, The Tallest Man On Earth, also known as Kristian Matsson, has only produced one solo album and EP so far, yet his recognition is steadily growing. Beginning as the lead singer for the band The Montezumas, Matsson has launched a solo career and gone on tour with fellow folk musician Bon Iver.

The meaning behind "Pistol Dreams" is clearly up for interpretation; although lines like "And I will pull the curtains to extract the drugs of springtime" don't align with other parts of the song, listeners can find different symbolic meaning behind his poetic descriptions.

With a voice unlike others, Kristian Matsson's unique range and banjo playing is strangely addictive and quite catchy.

Vapours: Islands

2010-02-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

Yet another energetic, up-beat tune you can't help but move your feet to. With its easy to remember lyrics, perfect dance melody, and variety of instruments, "Vapours" is one of those Repeat songs. Islands is a six member band, hailing from Canada. And it's not just this song that has a contagious dance pop melody, but most of their songs, including "Disarming the Car Bomb" and "Tender Torture." With three albums already out in their short-length musical career, more pop tracks are sure to be released soon.

so stay tuned with the peppy, addictive jams, don't deny the song's pleas:

"Hoping you get dancing feet,
Hoping that you like the beat,
And I hope you don't complain."

Bad Kids - Black Lips

2010-01-21T04:50:00.000-08:00

The Black Lips are a garage band that produces flowery punk songs. They formed 10 years ago when they were just teenagers. As they were about to go on their first tour, their guitarist was killed by a drunk driver. The Black Lips decided to go on.
Now they're known for their rowdy shows which can include fireworks, chickens, vomiting and more. In America, the most that can happen is they get kicked out of a venue. During their tour in India however, they got kicked out of the country. Here's their story.

They're playing at the Glasshouse in Pomona on Friday, January 22nd.

My Body's A Zombie For You: Dead Man's Bones

2010-01-20T23:21:00.000-08:00

Two men, one actor, about 25 young kids, one musical group. Not your average band, right? Meet Dead Man's Bones, made up of Zach Shields and acclaimed actor Ryan Gosling. Their one and only album was recorded with the LA Silverlake Conservatory Children's Choir, who even joined them on their recent tour in late 2009. But their bizarreness doesn't end there. Along with impressive solos from some of the older members of the choir, Dead Man's Bones incorporates paper ripping for thunder, crying, and werewolf howling, among other things, into their songs. Some of their best tunes include "In the Room Where You Sleep", "Paper Ships", and "Pa Pa Power". Their eerie sounds and Halloween-ish music reminisces childhood feelings from The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Yet, it's unique sound is appropriate any time of the year.

Kids (MGMT Cover)- The Kooks

2010-01-19T22:58:00.001-08:00

The Kooks are an indie rock band formed in Brighton, England in 2004. They are widely known for their famous songs "Naive" and "She Moves in Her Own Way" and their music has similar sounds ranging from artists like Artic Monkeys, The Killers, and The Fratellis. It's quite surprising that The Kooks did a cover for MGMT's notorious song "Kids" because the two bands differ in tastes. They are both considered indie alternative, but MGMT can be a bit more on the pyschedlic side. Nevertheless, The Kook made a superb, acoustic version of "Kids", so sit back and feel rejenivated through their mellow voices.

When I'm With You - Best Coast

2010-01-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

"So when I'm with you, I have fun. Yeah when I'm with you, I have fun."
Although she's only 22 years old, Bethany Cosentino has already changed her musical style several times throughout the years. As a 16 year old, she recorded bittersweet anti-folk pop songs under the name Bethany Sharayah. A few years later, she was one half of the self described "Mary-Kate and Ashley of Drone" duo, Pocahaunted. After a bad year in college in New York, Bethany returned to California to start her lo-fi beach pop project, Best Coast, with her friend/former babysitter Bobb Bruno.
Best Coast tends to fall under the same shoegaze-but-not-quite category as other girl bands like the Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls, and Grass Widow, but Bethany's confident vocals and harmonies make her stand out from the rest. Every song radiates summertime nostalgia, ocean water, wav(v)es, and dreams of love.
Catch Best Coast and the Vivian Girls at the Smell on February 6th.

Let Go: Frou Frou

2010-01-05T20:18:00.000-08:00

An oldie, but a classic nonetheless. Frou Frou, the two-member band consisting of Imogen Heap and Guy Sigsworth, only had a short lifespan of 2002-2003, but released one album containing this track. But it's real fame came from it's appearance in the film, "Garden State." This mellow, electronic tune accompanied by Imogen Heap's haunting, soothing voice will be stuck in your head all day. It's a tune that can be enjoyed if you're cruising down PCH or getting ready to fall asleep.

Submarine Symphonika- The Submarines

2009-12-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

The Submarines consists of the romantic duo John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard. Some of their songs were used on iPod commercials, such as this one and "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie." The Submarines are known for their saccharine harmonies and melodies the two produce together. They entrance listeners through their mellow tunes using sounds created from the uses of tambourines, guitar, drums and their soft, exquisite voices.

I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you- Black Kids

2009-12-09T23:36:00.000-08:00

Although the lyrics hardly make any sense, this song will surely leave a catchy tune in your head all day long with it's energetic rhythms ringing throughout your ears. Performed by a band called The Black Kids, their hit song "I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you." will definitely leave you in a hyper mood if you enjoy the beats to it. The Black Kids are mainly known for their indie pop style and as a synth-pop indie band. If you enjoyed this song of theirs, I recommend giving your ears a new listen to their other songs "Hit the Heartbrakes" and "Hurricane Jane."

king of carrot flowers pt. 1: Neutral milk hotel

2009-12-07T21:30:00.000-08:00

Only a short two minutes long, Neutral Milk Hotel is able to create a simple yet sweet tune in "King of Carrot Flowers pt. 1," complete with accordion and and upbeat guitar strumming. Like most of their other songs on the band's two full-length albums, this song couldn't be complete without bizarre, poetic lyrics, like, "how you built a tower tumbling through the trees, in holy rattlesnakes that fell all around your feet." These four young guys are able to entrance and beckon a diverse audience through unique instrumentals, descriptive phrasing, and pleasing melodies.

Sunset Blvd.-Pacific!

2009-12-06T02:41:00.000-08:00

With the choices of either soft tunes or upbeat electro notes, Pacific! brings entertainment throughout their diverse sounds. Since the holidays are coming up, their song "Sunset Blvd." is almost like a Christmas song although it wasn't really meant to be one. However, it's a song you can add into your winter playlist to keep that warm holiday feeling.

Jocasta: Noah and the Whale

2009-12-01T21:51:00.000-08:00

No matter what mood you thought you were in, turn on some Noah and the Whale, and you're guaranteed at least some foot-tapping. This feel-good indie folk band from London sings on a variety of topics, including teenage love, dreams vs. reality, or in "Jocasta", even the Greek legend of Oedipus. Regardless of the topic, their upbeat melodies, male/female harmonies, and helpful usage of clapping and whistling create an addictive album, that's nearly impossible to dislike.

The Listening - Lights

2009-11-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Though Owl City fans will doubtlessly label Lights a "female Owl City", her Canadian fans already label Owl City as a "female Lights". With flawless vocals and spacey, aurora like instrumentation, Lights creates her own distinct niche in the musical ecology while still maintaining her electronic and pop references. Check her out!

The Title Track - The Fold

2009-11-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not gonna lie. I've really, really missed listening to super contagious, pop/alt/rock. Hailing from Chicago, The Fold proves that catchy synthesizer melodies and guiltless and clean harmonies still produce an easy listen, singalongable track. This song hooked me with the blatantly optimistic and blindly inspirational lyrics. Have a fun listen!

I Feel It All: Feist

2009-11-15T23:00:00.000-08:00

Known mainly for her song "1, 2, 3, 4" from the iTunes commercial, the 33 year-old canadian singer has three albums, her most recent called The Reminder. A mellow CD with thirteen great songs one after the other, "I Feel It All" is an upbeat tune about taking the risk of experiencing life even though it may hurt. Besides writing her own songs, Feist also takes turns playing piano, banjo, and guitar on each of her albums. Her sweet voice, soft vocals, and optimistic melodies are perfect when you're taking time to relax.

Green Grass of Tunnel- Múm

2009-11-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

A band all the way from Iceland, múm brings us traditional compositions mixed together with experimental sounds to create modern music. Soothing yet entertaining, múm’s colorful Icelandic beats will lead you into tranquility. “Green Grass of Tunnel” starts off with a slow intro then it slowly travels into a gentle melody filled with angelic vocals.

M79- Vampire Weekend

2009-11-03T02:45:00.000-08:00

This indie-rock band will pump you up through their animated songs. Most of their songs are full of life and are really easy to dance to. Your foot will probably be tapping because of their jumpy beats the band creates. Their fun, quirky song “M79” will give a fresh breath of excitement and relaxation if you’re having a bad day.

Crash Into The Sun - Jim White

2009-11-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

I really have no idea how I came across this song, but it's in my library and it sure has got some groove. For this one, try listening to it whilst standing up and dancing. It's always more fun that way.

Heretics- Andrew Bird

2009-10-29T20:08:00.000-07:00

Using remarkable sounds created through the uses of the violin and guitar, Bird slowly opens life for your ears. He is known for producing soft-toned compositions made by his sweet, charming voice that intertwine with his instruments. His songs are influenced by jazz, the blues, folk and swing tunes. The lyrics from “Heretics” are quite catchy and Bird expresses a little bit of enthusiasm and sorrow throughout the song.

Here Comes Your Man: Meaghan Smith

2009-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

With the happy-go-lucky sound of the 50s, Meaghan Smith's bright and cheerful voice create a relaxing, carefree feeling in her listeners. "Here Comes Your Man" is a remake of the classic by the Pixies, and although at first glance it seems to be a song about anticipation, in reality, the hidden meaning is talking about nuclear weapons. Despite it's serious tone, it's disguised by pop guitar and electric keyboard.

Gimme Sympathy: Metric

2009-10-25T23:15:00.000-07:00

One listen to "Gimme Sympathy" 's catchy chorus and easy to learn lyrics, and you'll be hooked. Mixing pop sounds with so upbeat me techno tempos, each song contains its own possessing quality, and on repeat, the album goes by quickly. Vocalist Emily Haynes has a unique mature voice, but pulls off the band's pop rock sound well. With primarily fast, energetic songs, Metric is great for going out with pals and singing along to a blasting stereo.

Electric Bird- Sia

2009-10-20T00:34:00.000-07:00

Is your heart melting? Well it's probably just a side effect created by Sia's voice. Mesmerizing and soulful, Sia's voice carries a soft yet vivid tone that brings your thoughts into a sweet dreamland. Her music is like a cup of tea---it relaxes you after each sip, and in this case, her voice relaxes your mind as the soft melodies flow elegantly through your ears. Her song "Electric Bird" will surely leave you in a serene atmosphere.

For the Girl: the Fratellis

2009-10-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

At a first listen you may think you're taking a step back in time. Nope, that's just the Fratellis- three young Scots that created a garage rock band with some 80s punk thrown in at times. With a few popular songs, an ipod commercial, and a couple of British music awards under their belts, this band has invented an original sound, with a foundation in the style of Elvis Costello (hence the title of their first full length album, Costello Music). No matter what kind of mood you were once in, turn up some Fratelli tunes and you're guaranteed high spirits and a desire to kick off your shoes and dance.

Elephant Gun- Beirut

2009-10-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Beirut (Zack Condon) is an young indie artist that creates sounds through the influence of Balkan music. This folk artist creates a harmony fit for any individual's ears that are dying for a new taste of indie-folk music. Beirut usually creates songs using the ukulele and trumpet like in his EP "Elephant Gun". Click the button, sit back, and relax as Beirut's voice slowly takes you into a trance of sweet melodies.

Eyeless in Holloway: Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit

2009-10-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

Barely past the age of 20, and young singer-songwriter Johnny Flynn has the voice and sound of a musician twice his age. He and his band, the Sussex Wit, have been active for almost 4 years, playing a folk-rock sound with the help of banjo and violin among other instruments. Johnny's mature and unique voice blend with the soft blues tones, with clever and optimistic lyrics to match.

Myspace Girl - The Afters

2009-10-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

I love it when bands don't take themselves too seriously. And this is possibly the epitome of a tongue-in-cheek love song. Myspace Girl is the true story of how their former bass player found love in the drive through. It's a carefree, guiltless, though slightly awkward, love song. Enjoy the prancing piano and the catchy guitar riffs!

Die, Die, Die: the Avett Brothers

2009-10-07T21:56:00.001-07:00

This folk- bluegrass trio from North Carolina specializes in mellow tunes with rad banjo solos and perfectly fitting harmony. With a similar sound to Wilco, mixed with some Buddy Holly, they have a reputation for putting on energetic and passionate shows. DIfferent from some of they're more cheerful tunes, "Die, die, die" tells of the hopelessness of a young girl. You'd never realize how sad it was though after being entranced by their soulful voices.

Coney Island: Good Old War

2009-10-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Good Old War of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a folksy acoustic band that plays upbeat songs that can get stuck in your head all day. Whenever you're blue, give them a listen and they're quick, lively guitar and melodic voices will pick you up. In "Coney Island", the three men croon about the feelings of home and wanting to be back when they're on the road.

Being Your Walls - Armor For Sleep

2009-10-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Being your Walls is a song off of Armor For Sleep's first album, Dream to Make Believe. The song has a nice dreamy feel to it, so much, you could almost fall asleep. But don't! This song is vocal and guitar driven, though not hard rock. Take a listen! See if you like The Walls of sound Armor for Sleep makes!

At the Hop - Devendra Banhart

2009-10-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Devendra Banhart is a freak folk musician who blends different instruments with worldy influences. He puts a lot of emotion into everything he does and it's heard through his quivering voice. Banhart is known for his nature inspired lyrics and anti-war sentiments. "At the Hop" is a sweet song about not wanting to leave someone special behind.

Bourgeois Shangri-La - Miss Li

2009-09-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yeah. It's that song from that iPod Nano commercial. It's a nice quirky tune with fun vocals and whimsical lyrics. However, the instrumentation is my favorite part. Check it out guys!! And buy Apple.

Delicate - Damien Rice

2009-09-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

Time for another vocal driven, heart wrenching, acoustic piece. Delicate is a powerfully raw, painfully desolate, dynamically diverse ballad. Though it seems small and quiet, I'd take care when turning your volume up all the way. Rice doesn't hesitate to shout out his desperate and depressed lyrics as the music comes to its climax. Check it out!

PS. You may need to wait a few seconds before you hear the song. Don't give up!

Dumpster Diving - Castledoor

2009-09-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

Castledoor is a six-piece indie pop ensemble that delivers catchy songs filled with emotion and depth. The band not only looks incredibly stylish, but also puts on a great show. Lead singer, Nate Cole, puts all his energy into singing soulful lyrics and making erratic movements that engage the audience. They use all of the instruments you'd expect to find in a traditional rock band but also include a piano, xylophone, synthesizer, and occasionally the autoharp and glockenspiel as well, making their music sound a little more eclectic.

Again - Flyleaf

2009-09-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

Again is the first single from Flyleaf's upcoming sophomore album Memento Mori, a latin phrase meaning "remember you will die." Again is thick and layered with heavy guitars and crashing drums. Lead singer Lacey Mosley's lyrics nicely compliment her desperate and emotional vocals. Check it out!

When She's Near - Family Fiction

2009-09-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

In all regards, this should be a bad love song. It contains no eloquent lyrics for girls to swoon over. It boasts a modest, not even remotely catchy, melody. The singer's voice is neither smooth nor flattering. Yet, When She's Near is an enjoyable and memorable experience. It's an uncommon ode that describes a strangely routine though incredibly romantic feeling we all seem to take for granted.

Everything'll Be Alright - Joshua Radin

2009-09-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

Time for a feel-good song. Why? I don't know. Just cuz.

Here's a little taste of Joshua Radin and his acoustics. He kinda sounds like Jon Forman (Switchfoot) or Jack Johnson. Check him out.

6 Underground - Sneaker Pimps

2009-09-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm here.

Ahhhhh.

Now back to work.

I go through musical moods. Sometimes I'm into jazz. Sometimes I'm into rock. Sometimes all I'll do is sit in my room and listen to Counting Crows for hours and hours. Over the summer, I got into a Jack Johnson/Pearl Jam/Jimi Henxrix/Nirvana groove. Unfortunately, I never posted over the summer, so you missed that entirely and now I'm back into electronica again. That's right. I went full circle and you missed the good parts. Sorry.

Here I have two versions of the same song. First is 6 Underground by Sneaker Pimps. It's smooth, flowing, and has a nice pleasant beat to bob your head to (that's what I do O_o). The second is it's Perfecto remix. It's got a little more substance to it with added vocals backed by an electric guitar. Try them out and see which one you like better.

Forget And Not Slow Down - Relient K

2009-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you're not familiar with Relient K, get familiar with them. Forget And Not Slow Down is their title track and first single from their new album coming out next month, October 6th. It's an optimistic and positive response to when life gives you a wake up kick in the butt. I'm loving the tight harmonies and the acoustic base. Check it out!

Tane Mahuta - The Ruby Suns

2009-09-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Aloha barons! To get you ready for the dance tonight, here's Tane Mahuta, which means "the father of the forest." This song by New Zealand natives, The Ruby Suns, has a sweet vibe that makes it feel like summer all year long.

Sunshine - Matt Costa

2009-09-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Huntington Beach local Matt Costa brings a laid back, summertime tune to the table with sweet lyrics and an impossible to resist melody in his hit "Sunshine." Expect a cool-guy acoustic jam in the same vein as Jack Johnson, which is appropriate considering Matt Costa is in the acoustic god's own record label. Enjoy the last of the sunshine Barons! Fall is on its way!

Rock 'N' Roll High School - Ramones

2009-09-02T17:16:00.000-07:00

hello everyone, welcome back to school :)

Turning On - The Citizen Vein

2009-06-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

Before he amazed the nation on American Idol, Adam Lambert was the lead singer of a band called The Citizen Vein. He obviously knew how to control his wide vocal range from the start and demonstrated his versatility in the single, "Turning On."

Fun, Fun, Fun - The Beach Boys

2009-06-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer Barons!!

A Melody, The Memory - Mae

2009-06-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've been getting into a little bit of techno lately. This was probably my transition song. A little bit of indie mixed with some nice techno beats. Check it out. I take that back. Check Mae out. They're really good. 3 more days! Good luck on finals!

Sinner (feat. Scott Russo) - Big B

2009-06-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

Dude! I bought a hip-hop/rap song! I heard this on the radio and then had to look up some lyrics to find out what it was. I really like it cuz it makes me think of summer vacation. Er, not that I spend my summer getting thrown in jail for drugs and alcohol. Yeah. That doesn't happen.

Four more days!

Goodbye - Audio Adrenaline

2009-06-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Au revoir. Sayônara. Adios. Farewell.

Dear Seniors, see you later. =]

Sweet Dream - Greg Laswell

2009-06-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

A nice short love song. In fact, much too short. I really want more. Really, really want more. Nice acoustic folk, with sweet lyrics and a catchy melody. Check it out.

Praise You - Fatboy Slim

2009-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

In honor of the graduating seniors, I present to you this upbeat celebration song about "the hard times and the good." Congrats, guys. We'll miss you. But you know what?
GO PARTY YOUR GUTS OUT
Cuz you guys deserve it. Crank up your speakers, cuz it's time to rock. Four years has come and gone, and now you've got the whole world waiting for you to come over and stomp on it. See you later, and be sure to keep in touch.
Enjoy.

We've come a long, long way together

Through the hard times and the good

I have to celebrate you, baby

I have to praise you like I should

Debussie - Daphne Loves Derby

2009-06-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Daphne Loves Derby harken a sweet and beautifully melodic sound. With a minimalist and powerfully soft instrumentation, Daphne Loves Derby showcase their sad and quite contemplative lyrics, supplemented by Kenny Choi's breathy voice. It's a nice, quiet song. Enjoy!

Ain't No Rest For the Wicked (Wicked Devil Remix) - Cage The Elephant

2009-06-01T01:15:00.001-07:00

I wasn't sure if I liked the original version of "Ain't No Rest For the Wicked" by Cage the Elephant or not. I was, y'know, kinda in-between. The lyrics are catchy, but I wasn't sure if I liked the sound. So I turned to Google to see if there were any remixes, and found this version. I have no idea who mixed it or even if it's an official remix, but I do know that I like it better. Try comparing this reggae version (above) with the original (below).

Hell is Around the Corner - Tricky

2009-05-28T23:19:00.000-07:00

I've never really liked rap/hip-hop, so adding this to my library was a bit of an oddity for me. Following in the same trip-hop movement as Portishead and being born straight out of Massive Attack, Tricky is known for his dark, rich, and layered sound.

He's got a pretty interesting past. His father deserted his mother before he was born, and his mother committed suicide when he was four. He named his solo album after her and once said that though he hardly knew her, he feels like she's speaking through him with his words. When he was seventeen, he spent time in prison because he bought forged 50 euro notes from a friend, who later informed the police. In an interview, Tricky said, "Prison was really good. I'm never going back."

Crew Cut - Tijuana Panthers

2009-05-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

Hailing from Long Beach, California, the Tijuana Panthers are a local trio that incorporate surf sounds and punk elements to create just right summer at night kind of music.

Smile On - Anthems

2009-05-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I watch a lot of TV. And every time that San Diego, tourism commercial comes on it drives me mad. It has a catchy, amateurish, happy-go-lucky soundtrack that took me months to find. But lucky for me, and you, I have finally found the song. With summer just around the corner and spirits running high, this song could not have come at a more perfect moment. Enjoy!

Pressing On - Relient K

2009-05-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Barons! With just 20 days of school left, here's an anthem that keeps me going. It's a catchy, upbeat, with friendly and quite sing-a-longable lyrics. Hope it helps you too!

Wake Up - Arcade Fire

2009-05-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure how popular Arcade Fire is. They are for sure an acquired taste. Wake Up, however, may be an exception. With a refreshingly eccentric instrumentation and a forceful and strong vocal section, Wake Up appears to be relatively unedited passion. Win Butler, the band's main song-writer, seems to have too many melodies for his lyrics to contain. Good thing too, I enjoy the short moments of music without words. Not to say the lyrics aren't excellent. In fact, they may be some of the most desperate, let down lyrics I've ever heard. Check it out!

The Night Starts Here - Stars

2009-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Half-trance, half-dance. It has a nice momentum.
Keep trucking with that STAR testing Barons!

Stars - Switchfoot

2009-04-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yes. It's a clever pun. Zack thought of it. Haha.
Have fun at STAR testing Barons!

Everything's Not Lost - Coldplay

2009-04-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

"Everything's Not Lost" is a song that I discovered after my little brother bought "Parachutes". After listening to it a few times, I got addicted to it. Unfortunately, this can sometimes kill a song for me. So now, after listening to it too many times in the past 48 hours, I've had enough of the song and it now requires temporary retirement. My advice to you: if you like a song, don't overplay it.Enjoy some retro Coldplay.

Matt Costa

2009-04-26T00:10:00.000-07:00

Matt Costa is a singer-songwriter who plays warm, summery music along the lines of Donavon Frankenreiter, Jack Johnson, and Jason Mraz. He has been signed by Brushfire Records.

Many know Costa for his hits “Mr. Pitiful,” “Cold December” and “Sunshine,” but few know he is a Huntington Beach resident.

I had the chance to see him perform on Saturday at Fingerprints for Record Store Day.

After the show Costa was gracious enough to let me interview him for the Baron Banner.

Here’s what he had to say about skateboarding, his new album, and how to get to Cypress.

Baron Banner: So, you’re from Huntington Beach?

Matt Costa: Yes, I live over there.

BB: Did you grow up there?

MC: No, I actually grew up in Cypress, which is off the 405, exit on Valley View. And I also grew up in Florida which is off the B-Line in central Florida near Kissimmee. There were lots of lakes around so there was always a lot of water, which I think is a very “natural thing.”

BB: What did you do in Florida?

MC: I was a skateboarder. I wasn’t a pro or anything, but I skateboarded a lot.

BB: Do you think that growing up as a skateboarder influenced your music at all?

MC: Definitely. You get turned on to so much music through skate videos from all walks of life and hear it all the time. You get turned on to so many different things.

BB: How did you start writing music?

MC: I broke my leg in a skateboarding accident and I couldn’t really do anything for 18 months so I picked up the guitar I had gotten earlier and just started playing.

BB: Your most popular songs are “Mr. Pitiful,” “Cold December,” and “Sunshine,” but what are your personal favorites ones?

MC: The ones that I’m writing right now.

BB: You’re working on a new album. How is it going to be compared to your previous ones?

MC: It’s going to be a lot more different. It’s going to be more 60s in a literal sense.

BB: Do you have any advice for future songwriters?

MC: Existentialism.

BB: Thank you for your time.

MC: No problem.

In Love With The 80's (Pink Tux To The Prom) - Relient K

2009-04-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

See you at the Prom Barons!

One Of THOSE Nights - The Cab

2009-04-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yes. These kids are just as young as they look. They were barely out of high school when they released their first album. They deserve it too, with their infectious vocals, melodies, and lyrics. Their references to Maroon 5, Fall Out Boy, and Panic! At The Disco are incredibly obvious in this song. Oh yeah. Patrick Stump and Brendon Urie guest sing in this track. Check it out.