5.22.07

The National – Boxer

The National is an indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, founded in 1999 by friends (including two pairs of brothers) from Cincinnati, Ohio. The newly released “Boxer” is the fourth studio album by The National. The album features guest performances by Sufjan Stevens and backing vocals by Marla Hansen. “Boxer” doesn’t stray too far from the overall sound of their previous release “Alligator” but that’s not a problem at all, “Alligator” is amazing. With “Boxer” The National have continued to refine their style and seem to have it down to a complete science now, slow instrumentally-layered melodies that are strong enough to deeply penetrate anyone’s mind.

The National - Fake Empire
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Handsome Furs – Plague Park

Handsome Furs is an indie rock band from Montreal, Canada. The duo of Handsome Furs began as an idea in the winter of 2006, comprised of Vancouver residents Dan Boeckner from Wolf Parade and his fiancée, Alexei Perry. Since Wolf Parade is one of the raddest bands in music it just makes sense that any band associated with them is going to be rad also. With Handsome Fur’s debut release “Plague Park” Boeckner definitely shows that he has no problem creating more of the electronic-rock Wolf Parade is known for while going solo. “Plague Park” definitely highlights Boeckner’s incredibly original songwriting and multi-instrumental talent which makes up such a large park of Wolf Parade’s excellence.

Handsome Furs - What We Had
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Frog Eyes - Tears Of The Valedictorian

Frog Eyes is an indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The quartet is led by singer/guitarist Carey Mercer and is known for their highly idiosyncratic songs, which pit Mercer's unhinged, melodic vocals against a swirling mass of guitar, keyboards, and drums. The band also features Spencer Krug, a singer, songwriter and keyboardist for the indie rock band Wolf Parade, as well as Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, Frog Eyes, and Fifths of Seven. Since Wolf Parade is one of the raddest bands in music it just makes sense that any band associated with them is going to be rad also. Frog Eyes is a prominent band in the indie music scene and their newest release “Tears Of The Valedictorian” perfectly captures the musical innovation that has gained them so much popularity. Their music style is provocative and personal and most of all extremely hard to describe in words, you’ll just have to listen to this stuff for yourself.

Frog Eyes - "Stockades"
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