Born Ruffians

Hands down, my pick for most anticipated album of 2010 is Say It by Born Ruffians. There's no set release date yet, but if their last album Red, Yellow, & Blue is any indication at all, then it will be worth the wait.

Born Ruffians is definitely the Little Indie Band that Could. They formed in a small Canadian town in the early 2000s and began to gain popularity locally and on the internet. Since moving to Toronto in 2004 they have released an EP and a full-length album, and toured with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Tokyo Police Club, and Hot Chip.

Some may find their sound annoying, but once you get past the sharp vocals there are catchy basslines, shout-along lyrics, and upbeat, addicting guitar riffs to be discovered. I can vouch for the replayability of this band. I've been listening to their tracks on a semi-regular basis for the past two years. Just wait until Say It comes out...

Los Campesinos! (Romance is Boring)

With Los Campesinos!'s new album, Romance Is Boring, I've developed an unhealthy obsession with these seven. I sat down at midnight on the 26th, plugged in my bass headphones, and listened to all 16 songs (including the bonus track) straight. I can't say that it was love at first listen, but it's definitely love now. The romance I have with this album is anything but boring.

Romance is Boring is the epitome of LC! at their best, lot's of anger. It's definitely their most moody album as of yet. It's a nice contrast to all the pleasant, soft, folk music I've been listening to lately. Sometimes you just need to listen to Gareth whining. Of course, there's also all the layers of catchy sound LC! manages to fit together without making the song noisy. It's brilliant.

I have to say, though, my favorite part of the whole album is the beginning of "This Is a Flag. There Is No Wind." Yes, the highlight of the album is three seconds long, the highlight being the yelling of "CAN WE ALL PLEASE JUST CALM THE FUCK DOWN?!" I don't think a Los Campesinos! album would be complete without group yelling.

I also feel the need to mention the song "The Sea Is a Good Place to Think of the Future." Something about it sets it apart from the rest of the album. I don't mean to sound cliche, but it's a beautiful track. The lyrics and the strings in the background, something about it makes so special. And they've got a video to go along with it.



I managed to see them on their North American tour this past August, and they were simply wonderful. Since then, Aleks has left the band to go back to school. Kim, Gareth's sister, has since taken her place on keyboard and vocals. Can't wait to see them again in May.

Wave Machines

As odd as they are, I can't help but love the quartet of masked Liverpudlians that make up Wave Machines. A few months back they released their debut album, Wave if You're Really There, brimming with electro-pop greatness. Falsetto vocals, disco bass, and no shortage of synth give them a straight-up 8o's feel at times that will grow on you with every play.


After just recently releasing their new single, Punk Spirit, Wave Machines is currently on tour in Europe.

Fanfarlo

This past September I was lucky enough to catch the band Fanfarlo at the Troubadour. If I had to pick just one band with a mandolin to listen to for the rest of my life (which would be horrid, as I adore mandolins) I would have to pick Fanfarlo. Sorry, Spinto Band.

With a violin, glock, mandolin, clarinet, trumpet, accordion, "fanfarlophone," and some contraption with a giant saw, their sound never gets old. I'm not going to lie though, they sound a little like Beirut, but a bit less serious and a bit more heavy on percussion. Still, they had fabulous energy live, very jumpy and catchy. And they had an amazing clarinet bit.

And I managed to score this gem.

Mix: Alright to Hold Tight

We all have those songs. Those painfully romantic songs that never fail to stop you in your tracks. Well, here they are. Call it a a brooding indie break-up mix or a sweet mellow lovers mix, the songs have one thing in common.

1. "First Sight" - These United States
2. "Summer Came When We Were" - Shady Bard
3. "Beauty" - The Shivers
4. "Skinny Love" - Bon Iver
5. "The Catalyst" - Abandoned Pools
6. "As Tall As Cliffs" - Margot and the Nuclear So & So's
7. "Wedding Ring" - The Hard Lessons
8. "Friends" - Luke Top
9. "Where the Road Meets the Sun" - Katie Herzig & Matthew Perryman Jones
10. "Don't Stop Loving Me Now" - Floating Action

The playlist is done through a nifty little sight called 8tracks, which is just what it sounds like. Create an eight-track (or more) playlist and share it with the world. Then, follow other people, like me:
http://8tracks.com/mustbeyou