weather the weather

I haven't read much about this lovely new band around the web, so i thought i'll mention them here. Everyone, meet The Postmarks. The threesome hails from Florida and will soon have an album out on Unfiltered Records (01/07). From the three songs i have heard, i will tell you that i am a big fan of their lush sound, vastly inspired by the pop harmonies of the 60's. But this is no throwback album, the tunes feel modern, fresh and very well crafted. Perhaps most noticeable are Tim's soft and pretty vocals, perfectly fitted for the music. I have a feeling this record will be a great soundtrack to a sunny sunday afternoon. Listen to the loveliness here:

The Postmarks :: Goodbye [mp3]
The Postmarks :: Weather The Weather [Stream]
The Postmarks :: Know Which Way The Wind Blows [Stream]

You may recognize singer Tim from the Brookville video for Nothing's meant to last. She is "filling in" for Sabina of The Brazilian Girls (who sings on the track). Not a coincidence, Andy Chase (of Ivy and Brookville) mixed The Postmarks album.

Watch the Brookville video here. [QT]

Nothing's meant to last.

pieces of the people we love

Tonight, eamon and i are expecting you new yorkers at CALLING ALL KIDS. Lots of great music, dancing and cheap cocktails all night, and no cover.

And now for a proper update, here are three new albums well worth your money...

Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5:55 (Listen to songs on myspace)
I'm not sure when this is coming out in the US, but it came out in Europe last week, and it is just wonderdul. A friend, who recently wrote to me about the album, said "this is a great Air album". And it's very true in part, but not completely. Air wrote all the music, while Jarvis Cocker and Neil Hannon wrote the lyrics and Nigel Godrich produced. Talk about dream team. You can definitely discern each contributer's influence, but what makes the album so good is Charlotte's fragile vocals and moody delivery - which can't help but remind me of Jarvis at times (ironically, a lot of people think Jarvis sounds like Serge). Her personality somewhat subdued, sexy and shy comes through on each song. The album is all in english except for one track, so i'm hoping it will put her on the music map over here. Everyone in the US will also take note of Charlotte (the actress) when the new Michel Gondry movie, The Science of Sleep, comes out. I bet her father would be very proud.

Tropicália: A Brazilian Revolution in Sound
This is an essential compilation featuring all the heavyweights of the Brazilian 60's psychadelic pop movement, "Tropicalia", including Os Mutantes, Caetono Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Tom Zé and more. Back when i was a world music radio DJ in my college days, i used to play these artists all the time, and always enjoyed it. If you love the genre or just want to get exposure to it, this is a great way to start. Soul Jazz Records (who keeps releasing great compilations) did a nice job at combining the 20 songs, with some more trippier than others. You'll probably recognize the more famous ones, and you'll hear lots of funky samba and bossa nova undertones all throughout. Awesome album. Download one of the more popular track:
Os Mutantes :: A minha menina [mp3]

The Rapture - Pieces of the people we love (Listen to songs on myspace)
The Rapture have their formula down, and they're back to prove that it still works for those of us who have loved most everything they've released so far. This new record is similar to Echoes in that it has some outstanding tracks (Don't Go Do it, Get myself into it, Pieces of the people we love) that will make a lot of people move this year, but it also contains edgier and less danceable songs that are nonethless classic Rapture jams. A strong second album for our dance generation.