Author Archives: Timothy Hudson

[Indie] The Gift – Made for You

Posted by Timothy Hudson - March 23, 2011

The Gift has led a rather charming lifespan. Starting in 1994, the Portuguese indie-pop band has never been the subject of much attention outside of Europe, despite touring the United States with The Flaming Lips in 2003. With their new album Explode, it looks like the band is trying to expand their audience, and from leading single “Made for You” I have no doubt that they will be successful.

The track starts out with some lo-fi vocals and a simple piano melody, but it quickly develops into a theatric arrangement not dissimilar from fellow indie-pop artist Stars. The brass section jumps in magnificently and signals such a radical change in the arrangement that I was downright shocked the first time I listened to it. If you’re looking for some beautiful, eloquent indie-pop, look no further.

Explode, The Gift’s upcoming sixth album, will be self-released later this year in June.

The Gift – Made for You

’Made for You’

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Alternative/Rock

[Electro] Raleigh Moncrief – Lament For Morning

Posted by Timothy Hudson - March 23, 2011

If you’re anything like me, you probably love a fair dose of electro. Being the purveyors of fine and fresh music, it brings me a lot of delight to introduce this little gem by the Sacramento based Raleigh Moncrief. The synths on “Lament For Morning” sound like they came straight out of a classic video game, but they have all the depth and kick you could possibly want out of them. The beat comes about 30 seconds in, and adds a nice punch to the trip down memory lane that doesn’t overwhelm the sense of nostalgia that sweeps over you as you listen.

It’s a nostalgic, fine piece of electro, and while it may not carry the sheer rush and power of dance that you’d find in Deadmau5 or even LCD Soundsystem, it’s a fantastically beautiful piece of synthesized greatness.

Raleigh Moncrief – Lament For Morning

’Lament For Morning’

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[via dailybeatz]

Electronic

[Indie] Lanu – Beautiful Trash (feat. Megan Washington)

Posted by Timothy Hudson - March 22, 2011

I have a weak spot for good indie-pop. If I can find something infectious and relaxing, it will likely score the rest of my week. Such is the case for the Australia based indie-pop producer Lanu’s latest collaboration with his fellow Aussie, Megan Washington. Going by the title of “Beautiful Trash” you sort of expect it to be a bit macabre in its tone, but it’s purely mercurial. Amazingly, both Megan Washington and Lanu can both stand rather strongly on their own, but together they form some sort of supreme duo that I never thought was capable of happening in indie-pop, and they are at their best form on “Beautiful Trash.”

Her 12 Faces, Lanu’s sophomore album which contains this track and many other lovely tracks featuring Megan Washington, will be released April 19^th by Tru Thoughts.

[Fresh] The National – Think You Can Wait

Posted by Timothy Hudson - March 15, 2011

If you’re reading The Music Ninja, you should probably be no stranger to the sounds of the Ohio based indie-rock band known as The National. I don’t think I’m in the minority when I say that they are one of the finest indie-rock bands we currently have. And while a few of us are still avidly listening to their latest album, High Violet, the band recently collaborated with indie-film director Thomas McCarthy on his latest film “Win Win.” The result is yet another masterful, powerful, and elegant track from The National by the title of “Think You Can Wait.”

Between Berninger’s classic baritone, the ghostly backing vocals, and the strong arrangement, “Think You Can Wait” is purely The National. It packs a punch comparable to the band’s previous track “Sorrow,” and the band’s sound is as moving as ever.

The National – Think You Can Wait

’Think You Can Wait’

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Alternative/Rock

[Folktronica] Conner Youngblood – A Summer Song

Posted by Timothy Hudson - March 14, 2011

It’s been a little while since the last time I came across a track as aptly named as “A Summer Song.” It is increasingly rare these days to find a track that lives up to such an impossibly broad namesake, but the Dallas based Conner Youngblood somehow did, and with flying colours.

In an odd mixture of acoustic guitar work and light electronica, the song comes to form that ethereal and light sound you need to make a good summer song. The song feels like a long sunset, the kind you want to last forever, and that brings back some fond summer memories. It may be a little early to the punch for summer, but it feels right at home in my library already.

Conner Youngblood – A Summer Song

’A Summer Song’

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[Indie] Guillemots – Walk The River

Posted by Timothy Hudson - March 10, 2011

The Mercury Prize-nominated Guillemots have been known for their concise sound and the soaring, fantastic, and sincere vocals of Fyfe Dangerfield. While their album Red was a bit of a sophomore slump, it seems from “Walk the River”—the Birmingham based indie-rocker’s title track off their new album—that they are going to make amends, and follow it up with a fantastic album.

The drumbeat and ethereal vocals that start the song out develop into a layered and relaxed track that is reminiscent of some of Band of Horses’ earlier work. It’s a fantastic track, and a welcome return for a band that I’ve missed for quite a while.

Walk the River, the band’s third album, will be released on April 18^th.

Guillemots – Walk The River

’Walk The River’

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Via Dailybeatz

Alternative/Rock

[House] Bruno Mars – Grenade (Michael Meds Mix)

Posted by Timothy Hudson - March 9, 2011

Whether by choice or not, you’ve probably heard and are familiar with Los Angeles based (and Hawaiian born) Bruno Mars—along with his enormously popular single “Grenade.” While nothing will ever make me truly enjoy “Grenade,” this remix comes awfully close to persuading me to dance to the beat of Michael Meds’ euphoric synthesizers and heavy kick-drum beat as he builds upon the song’s various crescendos.

The source material—while not fantastic—serves as an adequate framework for Michael Meds to work his remixing magic. Mixing a song that I consider to be an exhausting test of my patience into something listenable—and even enjoyable—takes a considerable amount of effort, and for that; I am grateful to people to like Michael Meds and their ability to make practically anything enjoyable.

Bruno Mars – Grenade (Michael Meds Mix)

’Bruno Mars – Grenade (Michael Meds Mix)’

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