Ciscomelt

BOTW: Fanfarlo

An indie pop band formed in 2006 in London, I first heard about them through BIRP (Blalock’s Indie Rock Playlist). Comprised of Simon Balthazar (vocals, guitar, clarinet), Cathy Lucas (vocals, mandolin, violin, keyboards), Leon Beckenham (keyboards, trumpet), Justin Finch (bass, vocals) and Amos Memon (drums). Their first few singles and first album, Reservoir, are horn-heavy and have just the right amount of humanity to really pull you in with tracks like Fire Escape, Harold T. Wilkins (featured in the movie Going The Distance), and I’m A Pilot. Their newest album, Rooms Filled With Light, takes a slight departure from the earthier feel. These new tracks are much more oriented towards the keyboards so there’s more violin, marimba, bells, than there are horns (which you can find in the track Lenslife) The songs are beautifully constructed, tight, and although more synthetic still catchy as hell. Every track could stand on it’s own but some of the ones that shine brightest include the pairing of Everything Turns (starts around 0:42) and Tightrope. Other great songs on the album (not to be left out) include: Replicate, Shiny Things, and Feathers. If you like their previous stuff I might recommend you listen to maybe Youth Lagoon or Freelance Whales or something but I definitely feel other bands vibes in their new stuff; Arcade Fire (especially off of Neon Bible), Jukebox The Ghost, Band of Horses, Geographer, and even Beirut. I hope you enjoy.

BOTW: Geographer

To be honest, I don’t know much about these guys. BUT I’ve learned, through a little poking around, that this band (like so many others) started because someone was trying to work through a depression. Michael Deni had a series of deaths in his family, and decided to take his guitar & synthesizer and turn his pain into music. It’s him plus Nathan Blaz (cello) and Brian Ostreicher (drums). Their music is extremely dance-y, with just the right amount crooning and catchy riffs. Some of their songs include: Original Sin, Can’t You Wait, Kites (basically their most popular single) and Verona.
If you like their sound, similar bands include Discovery, Ra Ra Riot, and Starfucker.

Enjoy.

BOTW: Her Space Holiday

This ONE guy, Marc Bianchi, has some of the deepest lyrics I’ve ever had the privilege of memorizing. Seriously listen to this and try to tell me he is not a lyricist through and through. Listening to any of these songs takes me straight back to middle school, when I tried desperately to understand how so much sadness, wisdom, and talent could come from one man. Warning, basically none songs are happy, but they are all worth listening to. His other songs include: Japanese Gum which is about self respect and being a slut; Something to do With my Hands which is a hopeful song about waiting in vain; Weight of the World a song about questioning one’s faith, and for good reason; and The Young Machines which is entirely instrumental. Similar bands include Say Hi to your Mother, and Bright Eyes.

BOTW: Number One Gun
(specifically the North Pole Project)

Okay, don’t judge, these guys are kind of amazing. I normally dislike pop/punk but these guys have incredible talent. This album is the only one I have by them but it truly is a masterpiece. The intensity that carries throughout and is only broken up by moments of gorgeous clarity is inspiring. I encourage you to listen to this album in it’s entirety but for now I’ll leave you with a few of the better songs. One in a million, I’ll Find You which is one of the more relaxed tracks (that shows how vocally talented they are) and The Massacre. A similar band is Run Kid Run.

If you want recordings of my radio show (The Blue Light Special on WPRK 91.5) just head to this link for a collection of them http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150502008315345