urgency to bleed

So here's an interesting story: I saw a promo ad for this band's new album in a magazine a couple weeks ago and based solely on the adorableness of the above photograph, I decided that I would give them a listen. I was expecting to be let down, honestly, because of the totally random non-music-related reason for checking them out, but I was surprised - very pleasantly surprised. It turns out they are actually extremely good and their album, Build It Up, is very steadily making its way closer to the top of my ongoing list of favorite '08 releases.

Now It's Overhead is essentially Andy LeMaster. He is the band's frontman in every way imaginable - aside from singing, he also happens to be a talented songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and visual artist (all of NIO's album covers are created by him; I adore this one though I'm not really sure why). He has worked with everyone from fellow Saddle Creek artists like Bright Eyes, Azure Ray, and Art in Manila to bands like Drive-By Truckers, R.E.M., and more. Is there anything he can't do? It doesn't seem like it.

Anyway, I first listened to NIO about a year ago (and even posted a couple of songs) but never really went deeper than a handful of listens to their newest album before completely forgetting about them for awhile. After listening to Maria Taylor's new EP a lot over the past week, I've realized that I kind of really love Andy's voice and needed to go back to his band again. So I've been listening to them quite a bit lately and have come to the conclusion that I like them a lot more than I originally thought I did. I'm terrible at describing music half the time, but I'll try anyway. There are a lot of shoegaze-esque layered, slightly distorted vocals and a good amount of electronic elements, but their music doesn't really fall completely into either of those categories - it has more of an indie rock feel overall and is often very catchy, especially their more recent material. And then there's Andy's voice, which is unique without being annoying and impressive in a very simple, subtle way. Basically, it's just really good music, though it might take a few listens to actually sink in and worm its way into your brain. And I'm still extremely in awe (and jealous) of how much talent Andy possesses.

As for the picture I used, I don't think Maria and Orenda are really in the band anymore or at least aren't as big a part of it, but come on, they're so much prettier to look at than any of the guys. Except for Andy... he's pretty, too.

* = most highly recommended

• Estranged *
• Fall Back Open
• Let the Sirens Rest
• Let Up ****!
• Reverse *
• Wait in a Line

The Grates are a highly energetic, insanely catchy trio hailing from Brisbane, Australia. Back in 2006, when their very good debut album - Gravity Won't Get You High - came out, I was extremely obsessed with this band for awhile, but by the time I started posting here, the obsession had waned and I haven't shared much of their music. But I still think they are awesome. I guess if comparisons have to be drawn, the easiest (and possibly laziest) ones to make are to bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Be Your Own Pet, though the Grates are more poppy than both of them, more fun than YYYs, and less harsh than BYOP. Overall, their music is nothing terribly deep or life-altering, but it is tons of fun and sticks in your head for ages. Plus, frontwoman Patience Hodgson is perhaps the cutest, most adorable girl in the entire world - or at least in Australia. She has quite a voice on her as well and when it's called for, can belt it out with the best of them. And of course, there's that equally adorable Australian accent that just makes everything sound better.

Anyway, what propelled me to post about them now in the first place is that they have a brand new album due out in August called Teeth Lost Hearts Won and I just heard the single, "Burn Bridges", for the first time yesterday and as expected, it is terribly catchy and addicting. Patience's vocals are as charming as ever and as if that chorus isn't already perfection, there is also the added bonus of handclaps! Which everyone knows I love so this song is a complete winner in my book. Here is the video, which is quite odd and I'm not sure if I actually like it or not, but it sure is interesting, at least.


And, finally, here are a few of my favorite songs from Gravity Won't Get You High. They all come highly recommended, of course.

• Lies Are Much More Fun
• 19-20-20
• Howl
• Feels Like Pain

I've posted about the other albums coming out in the next couple of months that I'm extremely excited about, but not this one yet, so let's fix that right now! Mates of State consists of husband and wife duo Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner and their sound is pretty expansive and full for it being just the two of them, usually with organ/keyboards and drums as the only instrumentation. Their last release, Bring It Back, saw them maturing and varying their sound a bit more - without sacrificing any of the charming harmonies or infectious energy of their back catalogue. Re-Arrange Us, out May 20th on Barsuk records, seems to take this concept even further. The first single, "Get Better", is as catchy as ever but in a more subtle way; the lyrics are more mature and less abstract and - gasp! - piano and strings have even replaced their signature organ sounds. But it all works. I have to admit, I was a bit iffy about the song on first listen because it wasn't what I was expecting, but now that I've heard it a few times, I've grown to love it and I can't wait to hear what else is in store. Check out the song and its strangely adorable video below, along with a track from each of their previous albums - if you haven't listened to Mates of State before, now is the time to do so! Recommended for fans of Tilly and the Wall and similar energetic indie pop bands, but really, everyone should love them if they know what's good for them. ;)
 

You can pre-order Re-Arrange Us now at Mates of States' official webstore, with or without a special edition t-shirt.

And so that this post isn't completely devoid of downloads, here are some of my favorite Mates songs, one from each of their four albums and one EP. Enjoy!

• La'hov (from My Solo Project)
• Hoarding It for Home (from Our Constant Concern)
• Ha Ha (from Team Boo)
• Drop and Anchor (from All Day EP)
• Like U Crazy (from Bring It Back)