1) Lana Del Rey – “Video Games”
The Brooklyn “gangster Nancy Sinatra”, who once went by Lizzy Grant, is getting as much flack on the internet (http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/altreport/2011/09/lana-del-rey-exposed-b4-she-was-alt-she-was-failed-mnstrm-artist-without-fake-lips.html} for her retro-sexy makeover as she is hits on YouTube. You can spend all day judging whether or not she’s manufactured by her label but I hope you don’t. What’s wrong with someone dying their hair and changing their name? Remember when Kings of Leon cut their hair and traded bellbottoms for skinny jeans? Not that many people threw their hands in the air. The main focus should be her haunting voice on, lamenting lost love and faded dreams.
2) Deer Tick – “Miss K.”
The first single off the indie folk band’s fourth album is a real winner. Due out October 25th on Partisan Records, the twelve songs features on Divine Providence are sure to have us all singing along in front of a campfire. The album’s the first to be recorded in the band’s hometown of Rhode Island. Now, I don’t like to jump the gun too often but I can already tell it’s gonna be one of my favorites this year. If David Leterman can call this band “beautiful” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Tl6aipiJI}, you can too.
3) The Zolas – “Cultured Man”
The debut release, Tic Toc Tic, garnered the Vancouver prog-piano band a lot of buzz. To keep the momentum going, they’ve been sweating it out in the studio coming up with a sophomore success. They’re giving a taste of what’s to come in the near future with a 7-inch split single release with friends and tourmates The Liptonians. You can download the track for free. “So good” just doesn’t come close to justifying this peppy, well-produced track. Spinner (http://www.spinner.ca/2011/10/11/zolas-cultured-man-song-premiere/} is giving fans a free download. Sign me up!
- Death Cab For Cutie — “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (Simple Minds Cover)
- Death Cab For Cutie — “Meet Me On The Equinox (Live)”
- Death Cab For Cutie — “Meet Me On The Equinox” (From “New Moon” Soundtrack)
- Death Cab For Cutie — “Little Bribes”
- Death Cab For Cutie — The Open Door EP
