Friday, November 30, 2012

Beth Orton - Magpie

Over the years I've had the good fortune of seeing Beth Orton perform three times. The first time she was opening for Beck on his insane Midnight Vultures tour (if you saw it, you know what I mean). Almost 10 years later I got to see her play on a side stage at Lilith. Cool to experience, but it was just a short 30 minute set. A couple months later though I finally got to see her headline a show. Even better, it was at my town's under 300 seat venue and I had a front row table. It was an awesome concert experience (that of course included meeting her after the show).

Needless to say, I was pretty stoked earlier this year when I heard that she was working on some new material. Sugaring Season came out in October and I'm pleased to say it's some of her finest work to date. Here's the first video off it.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Dinosaur Jr. - Watch the Corners

It's kind of nice writing about Dinosaur Jr. without mentioning...well, you know what (and if you don't, look it up). Since the original line-up reunited in 2005 they've released three Dino rockin' records that makes this old fan one happy dude. Here's the video for the first single off of their latest, I Bet On Sky.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Lumineers - Ho Hey

As we edge closer to the end of 2012 I think I'll dedicate a couple posts a week to my favorite songs of the year. Think of it as a preview to the big Top 30 of 2012 list coming on New Year's Eve.

I've always fallen for sad songs that sound so joyous. So let's get the best of party started with this wonderful song/video by The Lumineers. Check it out.



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Avett Brothers - Live and Die

I finally picked up The Carpenter last week. The record doesn't stray too far from The Avett's previous albums and I for one am MORE than fine with that. Why mess with success? Right?

Anyway, this video's been out since the summer which makes it just new enough for Your New Favorite Song. Check it out.



If you dug that tune and haven't picked up The Carpenter, I strongly suggest heading over to the AmazonMP3 store...it's cheaper than a microbrew in a bar.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Ellie Goulding - Figure 8

I was talking to a friend this weekend over some drinks (OK, I was drinking, he was serving them up). As usual, the topic of music came up. At one point he said to me (and I'm paraphrasing), "You know who I've been actually getting into lately? Ellie Goulding. She's like Bjork, but you can understand what she's singing." I have to say I liked that observation. While her first record, 2010's Lights was electropop at its finest, her latest Halcyon definitely has a darker, more mysterious sound. Kind of like Bjork. But you can understand what she's singing (Thanks K).

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Bob Mould - The Descent

A wise dude once said "Bob Mould is good for what ails ya." After all of these years that statement still holds true. Bob's latest album Silver Age ranks among my favorites of 2012 (actually, it also ranks among my favorite Bob/Husker/Sugar records).

Anyway, I think I may need to do some more healing today and listen to Silver Age on my afternoon walk. Oh yeah, just in case you were wondering, I was the wise dude. Hey, there's a first for everything, right?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Kelleigh Bannen - Sorry on the Rocks

Kelleigh Bannen's Sorry on the Rocks has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it on the radio a few months ago. I had the good fortune of seeing her and Dustin Lynch play in a mall parking lot on a sunny afternoon this summer. It was great getting a chance to hear more of her songs and of course meeting her afterwards. Word on the street (OK a simple Google search) is that she'll have a new record out early next year and I for one can't wait to pick it up.



Monday, November 19, 2012

Menomena - Plumage

I went on a bit of an Amazon MP3 bender this weekend. Among my many pre-Black Friday purchases was the latest Menomena record -- Moms. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet but I'm sure I'll like it despite Pitchfork giving it 8 stars. The video for the album's lead track is certainly interesting. Oh those wacky indie rockers.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Propagandhi - Lotus Gait

I think the only special theme day I'm going to adhere to at Your New Favorite Song is Live Fridays. So let's kick of this first Live Friday with a band I've actually never seen perform live (go figure). Here's progressive thrashers Propagandhi with a track off of their recently released Failed States record (which I have regrettably not picked up yet...but will at some point...soon....I promise).

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Cat Power - Cherokee

Cat Power (Chan Marshall) released her 9th full-length record in late August. Having been a fan of hers since 98's Moon Pix, I was looking forward to hearing Sun. I finally picked it up yesterday (yeah, I'm a little behind this year). WOW! From start to finish this is an extraordinary release. She moved into a bold new direction with this one. Lots of big beats and synths, while still retaining her spooky songs and haunting vocals. Here's Sun's first video. It's got a certain hipster Mad Max vibe going on. If you like this song, you'll definitely dig Sun.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Kacey Musgraves - Merry Go 'Round

I can't remember the last time I was so head over heels for a tune. At this point it's pretty safe for me to say that Merry Go 'Round will top my Best of 2012 Singles list. Interesting side-note for those who watch Nashville: Kacey co-wrote Undermine, the song "written" by Deacon and Juliette in the second episode.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Soundgarden - Been Away Too Long

The first song on the brand new Soundgarden record says it all: Been Away Too Long. Soundgarden's last record - Down on the Upside - came out 16 years ago. In the meantime, Chris Cornell put out two decent solo albums and one embarrassingly bad one (Scream), as well as a couple OK records with most of the guys from Rage Against The Machine (Audioslave). But none of that can compare to Soundgarden. While I haven't heard King Animal yet, I did pick it up today for $3.99 at the Amazon MP3 store. I'm not naive enough to think that this album will be a return to 1995 when Soundgarden ruled the rock world. But I have to say that after hearing today's tune, I think it's possible that King Animal will be one of the finer rock records of 2012.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Tristan Prettyman - My Oh My & I Was Gonna Marry You



Your Forgotten Favorite is no more. Say hello to Your New Favorite Song where we celebrate and hopefully discover great new music. Some days we'll focus on bands that are very well known, other days the bands/artists will be known by hundreds of people. Fans and artists alike, keep me in the loop. If it's good I want to hear it. So feel free to tweet me @sneezeguard or drop me a line in the comments area with any cool new suggestions. If I dig it, I'll post it.

Today we start the Your New Favorite Song era with a couple of videos from one of my favorite records of 2012. I had the pleasure to see Tristan Prettyman yesterday afternoon (see photo on the left). It was my second time seeing her this year and first since the release of her hauntingly beautiful and occasionally playful break-up/rebirth album -- Cedar + Gold. First up is the video for the playful My Oh My.



And now here's a song to rip your heart out.