Radar Bros. - Auditorium

So, before about 3 days ago I had never heard of Radar Bros. I wouldn't had really taken a second look but I noticed that they were signed Merge Records. As we all know Merge Records is home to some pretty fantastic bands including Spoon and Arcade Fire. So, with this in mind, I threw 12 emusic downloads in their general direction. I must say, I'm pretty impressed. Apparently these guys have made 5 albums and have been around for a decade. Of course, we all have those bands that we've just never happened to notice before. So anyway, this is a chill little very enjoyable record. It's not mind blowing. I would probably compare it to Wilco's Sky Blue Sky with a little Pink Floyd vibe thrown in there. This is the only video I could find for them and it's kinda odd but the song is good. It's called "When Cold Air Goes To Sleep" and it pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the album. So if you want mellow album that doesn't rock out but doesn't lull you to sleep either then I would definitely recommend Radar Bros. new album Auditorium.

Why?

So I'm a subscriber to emusic and have been for quite some time. I like it, I've found a lot of great music on there and love that most indie labels are on there. As a matter of fact, if Subpop Records and Barsuk were on there life may be complete. I do have issues with it though. I logged on there today and find that Rambo: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the top download for the day. Why is this? These must be the same people who've made Taylor Swift and an obscure, well past his prime, James Taylor the top downloads for the past few months. I guess these people don't care about the fact that the entire catalogues for Spoon, Sufjan Stevens, Explosions In The Sky, pre-Crane Wife Decemberists, Stars, The New Pornographers, etc. are all on there. If you're looking for something new I recommend Black Mountain or the highly unnoticed Besnard Lakes. Maybe I'm just weird. I think of emusic subscribers as being indie hipster kids or wannabe indie hipster kids like me that don't listen to Taylor Swift or post early 80's James Taylor or T. Pain... What do I know anyways? I just used 8 to get the new Do Make Say Think. Who are they? Obviously not Taylor Swift or The Rambo Soundtrack... I can't miss those...

The Spinto Band at Johnny Brendas

Delaware's finest, The Spinto Band will be making a local stop on Saturday night. The band has finished recording their 2nd album, which is currently in production and set to be released in the Spring.

The intimate Johnny Brendas in Philly plays host to Spinto, and openers The Whigs and Plants & Animals. I rung in the New Year with The Spinto Band at Johnny Brendas in 2007. It was a fantastic show. The band hardly fits on the tiny stage, but it doesnt seem to bother them one bit. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. With a huge local following, I would most certainly predict a sell-out.

Up until now I have seen The Spinto Band twice. The first time being at The Black Cat in DC. Both times they played every song from their stunning first album Nice and Nicely Done. I expect to hear the majority of the songs on that record, blended "nicely" with a batch of new songs that im sure they are road testing.

See you there!