The Vancouverite's Playlist

The Vancouverite Playlist #7 - Best Of June

2006-06-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while, but I'm going to make it up to you with the new playlist. I'm coming at you a day early with the newest edition of the Vancouverites Playlist. I thought this might be the perfect ending to one of the nicest weeks of the year. I've got this months playlist set up to play out like a summer day. Opening up with Lilly Allen's unforgettable single "Smile" and ending with the absolutely sublime "A Star Is Born" by Amusement Parks On Fire. Enjoy!

The Vancouverite Playlist #7 - Best Of June

01) Smile - Lily Allen
02) Bright Idea - Orson
03) I Blame The Sun - The Horror The Horror
04) O Yeah - End Of Fashion
05) Wrong Choice The Lovely Feathers
06) You Needed More - The Sleepy Jackson
07) Walk Away - Bears
08) Isabel And Leonard - Envelopes
09) Running With Your Eyes Closed - Mojave 3
10) Bandits - Midlake
11) You And I Are A Gang Of Losers - The Dears
12) A Star Is Born - Amusement Parks On Fire

Return To Cookie Mountain

2006-06-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of having TV On The Radio's new album "Return To Cookie Mountain" in my little paws for a couple of weeks, and it is blowing my mind. After multiple listens the record just continues to get better and better, they've just continued to step it up with every release. So in anticipation of it's July 6th release, I've posted the first three tracks from the album. Enjoy

Listen to "Playhouses"
Listen to "I Was A Lover"
Listen to "Province"

Your Eyes Are Liars

2006-06-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

The video for the Sound Teams upcoming single "Your Eyes Are Liars" is all wrapped up and available for viewing! I can't wait for the release of "Movie Monster" next week, and their show at the Red Room on the 19th!

Check Out The Video Here

Vancouverite Playlist: May 2006

2006-05-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

Well hello there! It's the first of the month and it's time for a little something we like the call... The Vancouverite's Playlist. It starts out fast and furious and gently flows into some more mellow tracks. It's been a great month in music, and it's my pleasure to present you with my favorite tracks of the last month.

The Vancouverite Playlist #6 - Best Of May

01) Enemies Like This - Radio 4
02) Consolation Prizes - Phoenix
03) Dance In My Blood - Men, Women & Children
04) Late - The Spinto Band
05) Whe Should Never Have Children - Absentee
06) All In Good Time - Ron Sexsmith
07) Episodes - Pela
08) The Mountain - The Stills
09) "Intrumental's" Volume 01 - Arthur Russell
10) Stop Me - Sophie Barker
11) The Avalanche - Sufjan Stevens
12) The Silence Show - Snailhouse

Envelopes - Demon

2006-05-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

Time to check out Envelopes album "Demons". Beware this record is highly addictive, I actually spent an entire day listening to it over and over and over..... 16 times to be exact. Enough talk.... time to listen

It Is The Law
Isabel And Leonard.

More Summer Music: The Spinto Band

2006-05-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

I'm in love! The new album "Nice And Nicely Done" by The Spinto Band is the perfect summer soundtrack. Ten tracks of pure pop bliss, these guys are definitly one's to watch out for. You heard it here first. (If you didn't then you heard it somewhere else first)

Here are some tracks to jam out to:

Crack The Whip
Oh Mandy

Check out their website

Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That

2006-05-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

I was a huge fan of Phoenix's first album, but their last album "Alphabetical" was a little hit and miss. So needless to say I was skeptical about their newest record "It's Never Been Like That". I love being surprised by an album and this one definitly caught me a little off guard. "It's Never Been Like That" kicks ass and is a great addition to the summer soundtrack!

Here's a couple of tracks to whet your palatte!

Napolean Says
Consolation Prizes

Sound Team In Vancouver!

2006-05-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Vancouverite fav's The SOUND Team will be taking Vancouver by storm on June 19th at the Red Room. This is going to be a show that you should not miss, especially if you want to say you say you saw these guys before all the scenesters at their next sold out show at richards.

Why not listen to some tracks to get you in the mood:

Movie Monster
Your Eyes Are Liars
Don't Turn Away
Fastest Man Alive

We're Back Baby!

2006-05-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

I know, it's been a while... but good news is here, I'M POSTING AGAIN! I've got a tonne of new stuff to tell you about, some exciting shows coming up and a special edition playlist. So sit back, turn up your speakers and enjoy!

Worst. Blogger. Ever

2006-05-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I suck ass, haven't posted a thing in over a week..... Things have been really busy, and I have so much to share it's nuts... LOTS OF GOOD STUFF!

So hopefully over the next few days I'll get my shit together and we'll be up and running like the old days.....

The Vancouverite Playlist - Best Of April 2006

2006-04-30T22:17:00.000-07:00

So, it's the beginning of another month and with that comes the newest playlist from the Vancouverite. I think we've got a good mix here and a few trackst that will get you ready for the summer. So enjoy, and look forward to regular posting resuming this week!

Here's the tracklist

01) Alive With The Glory Of Love - Say Anything
02) Tearing Up The Oxygen - Maritime
03) The Fences - Paper Airplanes
04) Smiley Faces - Gnarls Barkley
05) The Fastest Man Alive - Sound Team
06) Girl In The War - Josh Ritter
07) Lovers Who Uncover - The Little Ones
08) Kick - White Rose Movement
09) Works Cited - The Candy Bars
10) Lit Me Up - Saturday Sounds Good To Me
11) Drink To Sher - Tanakh

Listen to the playlist here

From The Back Of The Catalogue... Ours

2006-04-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

This weeks installment features an album that I have never really stopped listening to. I find my self going back to it month after month, and to top that they put on one of the best shows that I've ever seen.

Jimmy Gnecco has a beautiful and powerful voice, the parallels to Jeff Buckley are there... no argument. Distorted Lullabies is full of massive songs and gorgeous melodies, and is a joy to listen to from start to finish. The word on the street is that Jimmy has just finised up their latest album and are currently looking for bassist and drummer to fill out the band for a tour.

I chose to post "Fallen Souls" because it captures one of the most powerful moments on the album. I'll give you a hint... it happens at about 2 minutes and 50 seconds into the track.

Listen to "Fallen Souls"

Visit their website, there's a cool little video on the homepage

Sound Team: Movie Monster

2006-04-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

So what better way to celebrate the soon to be released album for my new fav's The Sound Team than posting a couple of tracks off of "Movie Monster". From what I've heard this album is going to be amazing. You can read an early review of the record here

Listen to "Movie Monster"

Listen to "Your Eyes Are Liars"

Visit their website

Thursday Morning Treat: The Little Ones

2006-04-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

Found out about these guys this morning. This is a great track, which makes me happy. If you like The Shins, these guys will tide you over until their new album comes out.

Listen the "Lovers Who Uncover"

You can buy their EP Sing Song here

The Paper Airplanes

2006-04-19T22:03:00.000-07:00

If you buy two albums this year let it be the magnificent debut by The Candy Bars, and Boyhood by The Paper Airplanes. These guys got me reallly excitied and have released a single that I literally played on repeat for the entire day today. Cokemachineglow nailed it rght on the head:

"This is the way indie-rock is supposed to sound: a jumbled-up rollercoaster of sonic arguments that manage to agree just long enough to remember the chorus. The beginning of “The Fences” evokes a more fantastical Built To Spill before the rough edge of singer Marcus Stoesz’s voice begins to reveal itself; while not quite rough enough to compete with any wolf bands, the music of Paper Airplanes is not lacking in weight or heft. What it is, is the work of a band with too many good ideas to let them go to waste."

So please go buy this album, you won't be disappointed

Listen to "Fences"

Vist their mySpace

From The Back Of The Catalogue... Bitter Bitter Weeks

2006-04-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

This weeks installment features one of my favorite albums of 2003.. Bitter Bitter Weeks self titled debut album. The majority of these songs are stunning.. the production is awesome, it sounds like he's sitting next to you singing. There are no drums or bass or triangle's on this album.. just Brian McTear and his acoustic guitar.

His second album "Revenge" dials it up a little with more instruments, but doesn't hit the same emotional notes that he did on this album.

Listen to "TN"

Download Bitter Bitter Weeks on eMusic

Tanakh

2006-04-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

Note that I didn't write this... I am not a writer, I'll leave that stuff to The Vancouverite... I just love music and wan't you people to hear all the good stuff that I'm hearing, so here's a quote from a website which sums up how awesome these guys are:

"Listening to “Ardent Fevers” one is treated to a beautiful array of lush compositions that capture the listener with memorable choruses and well thought-out orchestration. Tanakh is a layering of sound and structure that combines songwriting sensibilty and improvisational abstractions that are as thick and rich as they are minimalist"

I have to recommend this album... it's beautful.

Listen to "Drink To Sher"

Download the album on eMusic

Sorry For The Lack Of Updates

2006-04-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been posting too much.. hey, things get busy. I was all excited to post a bunch of stuff tonight when I got the email from ticketmaster that the South show at the Red Room was cancelled.... Major Bummer!

So I bring you some exciting new tracks a little less excited than I was earlier this afternoon... I'll survive.

Adicolor Pink = Really Awesome!

2006-04-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen the new adicolor "Pink" spot directed by artist Charlie White you best go check it out right now! This is perhaps one of the coolest things that I have ever seen! All the visuls and the music blend together to create something that while very bizzarre, strikes a chord with me... I think I've watched it like 50 times already.

I think the main reason I keep watching it, is to listen to the track "Made" by Greg Weeks. If the name sounds familiar it's probably because you've heard of his band "The Espers" before, who made one of the most haunting albums of the last few years.

Along with the Espers, Greg Weeks has a handful of albums released ranging from "Awake Like Sleep" which the track "Made" appears on, to his newly release "Blood Is Trouble", which far and beyond trumps any of his previous works. I'm going to post "Made" and another track "Dusted" off of his new album.

Listen to "Made"

Listen to "Dusted"

Download Greg Weeks on eMusic

From the Back of the Catalogue: Pete Yorn

2006-04-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

I''m going to try and start this new little feature "From The Back Of The Catalogue". Every week I'm going to pull out an artist or a song that I used to love, and when I fire it up on the old iTunes I still love, and can't remember why I stopped listening to it.

My first honor goes to Pete Yorn. When I tried to remember why I stopped listening to this I couldn't come up with any good reason other than I maybe wore out the CD. Pete has an unusual talent for songwriting and everything is just buttery smooth. He is due for a new album this year which I'm really excited about, and even more excited about the prospect of him coming back to concert. (He puts on a great show)

So without further ado... I present "On Your Side" from Pete's "Live From New Jersey" Album

Listen to "On Your Side"

About To Blow Up: Gnarls Barkley

2006-04-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

So you wanna know who's going to hit it in a massive way this summer? None other than Gnarls Barkley... the new collaboration from uber producer Danger Mouse and Goodie Mob founder Cee Lo.

So what do these guys sound like? Here is what they have to say on their MySpace:

"So who is Gnarls Barkley? Diligent pen pal to Bangs, soul giant Isaac Hayes, and Violent Femmes ringleader Gordon Gano? Well-kept romantic consort to pop stars Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson? English teacher to synth-rock legends Kraftwerk? Croupier at a mysterious annual gathering in the Bay Area that allegedly draws members of the Wu-Tang Clan and Britian's Stuckist art collective? It seems that, in the music world, Gnarls Barkley is always nearby yet impossible to find. The membership rolls of both the Atlanta hip hop collective Dungeon Family and Athens, Georgia’s psychedelic enclave Elephant Six list Barkley as an affiliate, but mention him to either group and they’ll shoot each other frightened looks and start talking basketball. The rumors fly hard in every direction and remain defiantly unverifiable."

All I have to say is that I have heard their upcoming album "St. Elsewhere" and that you should believe the hype this is some good shit. Their fist single "Crazy" is already burning up the charts in the U.K., and I can guarantee the same thing will happen in North America when their album drops on May 9. Check out a couple of tracks and brag to your friends that you knew about these guys first.

Listen to "Crazy"

Listen to "Smiley Faces"

Visit their website

Division Day - Beartrap Island

2006-04-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

So I heard about this new band called Division Day and that their new LP "Beartrap Island" just about to come out, so I thought I'd do you all a favour and dig up a couple of tracks for you to enjoy. This is a great little chill out album full of shimmery, melodic and dreamy pop songs. And you know what is really awesome? They are going to playing a show here in Vancouver with one of my other new favorite finds Birdmonster on April 26th ath The Railway Club (8:00 start) I assume that you can get your tickets at the door (which I'll be doing)

So enjoy these two tracks and I'll see you at the Railway Club in a couple of weeks!

Listen to "Hurricane"

Listen to "Tigers"

I Keep Promises...

2006-04-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

So the new Snow Patrol album "Eyes Open" is really good, and I said that I would post some tracks from it, as well as one of my favorite tracks from The Duke Spirits "Cuts Across The Land". So enjoy these little beauties and I hope you got your tickets to the show.. I know I did.

Listen to "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol

Listen to "Open Your Eyes" by Snow Patrol

Listen to "So Good To Hear" by The Duke Spirit

Sufjan's Avalanche

2006-04-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

So it's Saturday and time for some good news. Asthmatic Kitty Records has announced that they are releasing a new collection of songs from Sufjan Steven, titled The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album, which is set to hit the shelves on July 25, 2006.

If you haven't got any of Sufjan's albums I suggest you go and pick them up because they are kind of amazing. Anyways here's a track from the upcoming album.

Listen to "The Avalanche"

Visit his website

Maritime: We, The Vehicles

2006-04-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

You know when you hear a song and it gets really exciting, and then you get the album and the whole thing rules? Well that's what happend with me and the new album "We, The Vehicles" by Maritime. This album is full of eleven pop gems. And if it sounds familiar to you these guys are comprised of members of The Promise Ring and The Dismemberment Plan.

I'm posting two tracks from the album, so enjoy and then go do yourself a favour and pick a copy of it up.

Listen to "Tearing Up The Oxygen">

Listen to "People, The Vehicles"

Visit them on their MySpace

Snow Patrol @ The Commodore

2006-04-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

The Vancouverite favorites Snow Patrol will be making an appearance at the Commodore Ballroom on Wednesday June 14th. Presale tickets go on sale today here. They go on sale to the public on Friday. This is definitly a show worth checking out, if their last visit to Vancouver was any indication. And to top that off the amazing Duke Spirit have taken on the task of opening up the show.

I'll post a couple of new tracks off of "Eyes Open" as well as a track from The Duke Spirit's album "Cuts Across The Land" later today.

The Vancouverite Playlist - Best Of March 2006

2006-04-02T16:12:00.001-07:00

It's the beginning of the month, and you know what that means? The new playlist is here outlining all of my favorite tracks from March. I have to say, that last month's podcast was pretty awesome, but this one is right up there with it. My personal favorites have to be the new one from South (who are coincidentally here in concert on April 20th, and the track from the Candy Bars (definitely ones to watch in the future).
Catch the entire tracklist below:

1) All The Bells - Adam Arcuragi
2) A Place In Displacement - South
3) Weed Party - Band Of Horses
4) The Flood In Your Old Town - Candy Bars
5) Where There's A Will There's A Whalebone - Islands
6) Notice - Gomez
7) Giving It Up - Josh Rouse
8) Turn Out The Light - The New Amsterdams
9) If You Talk To Much My Head Will Explode - People In Planes
10) A Way Of Life - The Concretes
11) Think Long - Mates Of State
12) The Hope Edition - My Latest Novel

Listen to this months playlist

New Snow Patrol: Eyes Open

2006-03-31T16:49:00.001-08:00

Take a listen to the new Snow Patrol song "Hands Open" from the hotly tipped "Eyes Open" coming out on May 9th.

Listen to "Hand Open" (While it's still posted)

Sound Team

2006-03-31T11:58:00.000-08:00

Not too much about these guys on their site, but I'm loving what I hear. Apparently they have a LP coming out soon called "Movie Monster". I'll try and dig up some more info, but for now, enjoy these tracks.

Listen to the track "Your Eyes Are Liars"

Listen to the track "Don't Turn Away"

Listen to the track "The Fastest Man Alive"

Visit their site

Upcoming Shows

2006-03-30T19:20:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post a list of upcoming shows here in this great city of ours.

03/30/06 - Cuff The Duke - Red Room
03/31/06 - Wintersleep - The Media Club
04/01/06 - Mates Of State - Plaza Club
04/02/06 - The Dirtbombs - Richards On Richards
04/05/06 - Pink Mountaintops - Richards On Richards
04/06/06 - John Vanderslice - The Media Club
04/12/06 - Destroyer - Richards On Richards
04/20/06 - South - Red Room
04/22/06 - Books - Richards On Richards
04/22/06 - Josh Rouse - Red Room
04/23/06 - Dungen - Richards On Richards
04/23/06 - Wilderness - The Media Club
04/24/06 - Pinback - Plaza Club
04/24/06 - Yeah Yeah Yeah's - Orpheum
04/26/06 - The Stills - Richards On Richards
05/06/06 - TV On The Radio - Richards On Richards
05/07/06 - Frog Eyes/Sunset Rubdown - Richards On Richards
05/17/06 - The Strokes - Plaza Of Nations
05/17/06 - The Concretes - Richards On Richards
05/19/06 - Islands - Mesa Luna
05/24/06 - Mogwai - Commodore Ballroom
05/25/06 - Constantines - Richards On Richards
06/09/06 - Liars - Richards On Richards
06/10/06 - Walkmen - Richards On Richards

This is by far not a definitive list, but definitly some shows to check out. I want to recommend going to see Josh Rouse, who puts on an absoulety great show, some of the most fun I've had at a gig.

Meet Snowden

2006-03-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

Today has turned out to be a great day for discovering new bands, and thanks to Stereogum's list of 50 free mp3's, I've found a few. And one of my favorite tracks off of the list is by a band called "Snowden".

Falling between the likes of Arcade Fire, Elefant and Ambulance Ltd, Snowden describes their sound as somewhere in the shoegazey / post punk landscape. I can't agree more and I can't wait until their debut album comes out on Jade Tree Records

Visit their site here

Listen to the track "Anti Anti"

Download Snowden albums at eMusic

Birdmonster

2006-03-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

They are called Birdmonster and they fucking rock. A four piece from San Francisco, these guys have slowly been making a name for themselves. Hard hitting drums and great hooks, these guys remind me a bit of bear vs. shark.

And to top all of this apparently they have an amazing live show... let's just hope they come to town soon. And by the way, you can pick up their EP on iTunes here. Too bad it's only three tracks long.

Listen to "Ressurection Song"

Visit their website

Download Birdmonster albums at eMusic

Introducing... Maps

2006-03-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

Oh my god, how awesome is this guy going to be? Maps is a one man band James who writes and records all of his songs on his 16-track. Think a little bit of Mercury Rev here with big sweeping electronic voices, and a little organ action. All that is available currently is a handful of demo tracks, but all are very polished, and equally beautiful. Maps are definitly ones to watch, and you heard it here first.

Listen to "Lost My Soul"

Visit Maps MySpace profile for more tracks (I recommend "To The Sky")

Danielson

2006-03-30T07:21:00.000-08:00

The website for Danielson's upcoming album "Ships" has just launched. Now I don't know too much about these guys but they seem to have a pretty interesting story. Here's a blurb from there website:

Hailing from suburban Clarksboro, New Jersey, it is difficult to separate Danielson from their gooey visuals (costumes and graphics) and the spirited music, regarding which, Daniel says, “One enters your heart through your eyes, one through your ears.” In the past they have sported hand-made, old-fashioned doctors’ and nurses’ uniforms while performing as a “visual reminder of the healing taking place.”

All I know is that their first single "Did I Step On Your Trumpet?" is pretty awesome.

Listen to "Did I Step On Your Trumpet?"

Visit Danielson's Website

Download Danielson albums at eMusic

What was the name of that song?

2006-03-30T07:08:00.000-08:00

I just came across a cool site called TuneFind. This site lists and allows you to search for songs heard on your favorite tv shows and movies. So if you wanted to know the name of that Album Leaf track on CSI:Miami a few weeks ago, this is where you'll find it.

Visit TuneFind Here.

A Little Treat For Everyone

2006-03-29T20:35:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post this track off of Why's new EP "Rubber Traits".

Elephant Eyelash was definitly on my top three favorites list from last year, and if you haven't heard them yet, it is definitly worth picking up or downloading from Emusic.

Listen to "Dumb Hummer"

Download Why albums at eMusic

Return To The Sea

2006-03-29T20:27:00.000-08:00

The Islands record "Return To The Sea" is set to come out next week, and I am going to have to recommend it. Who are they you ask? The Islands are comprised of two-thirds of the Unicorns, and is the byproduct of that band's abrupt demise early last year.

They aren't too far off their previous bands sound, but I'm finding that it is a little more focused. So go pick this up and enjoy the track I'm posting, it's my second favorite off of the album.

Listen to "Swans (Life After Death)"

Download Islands albums at eMusic

Mogwai Are Coming To Town!

2006-03-29T20:21:00.000-08:00

Looking for something to do on Wednesday May 24th? Well, here's your answer: the mighty Mogwai are going to be coming back to the Commodore Ballroom, and you'd be crazy to pass this concert up. One thing to be sure of is to bring a set of ear plugs, because mine were ringing for about a week after the last time they were here.

Mogwai are one of those bands who really shine when on stage, and offer the concert goer an experience that they will not soon forget. Tickets are available at all the usual outlets, and be sure to act fast, cause this one's going to sell out!

Listen to "Burn Girl Prom Queen" from the Mogwai EP

Download Mogwai albums at eMusic

Who Are The Candybars?

2006-03-29T20:09:00.000-08:00

Who are they you ask.. just one of the sweetest bands that I have heard in a while. These guys type of dreamy pop is totally refreshing, and I can't wait til their album shows up in my mailbox.

I have to agree with Stereogum on this one who said and I quote

"Terrible band name and confounding album title. But Stereogum is making a concerted effort to hear all the never-heard-of-'em CDs making an unwiedly pile on our desk, and this ended up on the iPod. While it's not our style to post more than one track per album, Tampa-based Candy Bars are something special"

So enjoy the track "Violets" which I've posted below, and pick up their album and show this find off to your friends.

Buy "On Cutting Tigers in Half and Understanding Narravation"

Listen to "Violets"

The Launch Of The Vancouverite's Playlist Blog

2006-03-29T19:38:00.000-08:00

So, this is the official blog for The Vancouverite's Playlist. Along with our monthly music extravaganza, I'm also going to try and keep you updated on cool bands, good music and upcoming concerts. If you have any tips, information, or recommendations, please don't hesitate to drop us a line.