-
Jeremy Messersmith finds inspiration by the Twin Cities. So he put together a visual playlist all about the city, or songs that kinda deal with the city!

1. “Dixon’s Girl” by Dessa
Literate, thoughtful, and philosophically precise, Dessa sounds unlike anyone else I know and that’s about the best compliment I could give anyone.

2. “Drumroll” by POS
I love seeing Minneapolis as a post-apocalyptic winter war zone; the video matches the explosive quality in POS’ rhyming perfectly.

3. “Guarantees” by Atmosphere
I had the hardest time picking what Atmosphere song should be on here. They’re all fantastic.  Seriously, leave some good songs for the rest of us.
Funny story- Slug and I were backstage at a show awhile back, seated directly across from each other, and I couldn’t think of any way to introduce myself without sounding like a total schmoozing fanboy, so we just sat there awkwardly for 5 minutes until finally I just left. I’ll think of something someday!

4. “Over and Over” by Lookbook
I love the combination of 80′s synth pop and powerful female vocals. Also, the way the song all comes crashing together is extremely exciting.

5. “Bible Thumper” by Solid Gold
I was walking around Austin at SXSW this year and saw a billboard with these dudes on it. I immediately called them and they admitted that yes, they had seen it, and then proceeded to invite me to paint mustaches on all of them later in the evening. I politely RSVP’d that I could not attend, but informed them to please continue without me.

Great hooks and entrancing production make this entire record work for me.

6. “On the Gaudy Side of Town” by Gayngs
Okay, this isn’t technically a video, but it’s such a great tune I need to put it on here. Gayngs is a Minneapolis area supergroup that has members like Dessa, Bon Iver, Solid Gold, Mike Lewis (and a whole lot more) all working together to make fantastic baby-making music.

7.  “Urban Lull (At Once Charmed) by Umbrella Sequence
The super compressed drums, tasteful electronic blips and some relentless acoustic guitar make this song work for me. Also, the video shows how much you can do with a little cardboard, construction paper and tape.

8. “Everybody Here is a Cloud” by Cloud Cult
Cloud Cult is an actual cult. They have white robes and shave their heads and everything. They have a compound somewhere in northern Minnesota. They are the best live show in the Twin Cities hands down. Only one of the above statements is true.

9. “Red River of the North” by Rogue Valley
Rogue Valley (spearheaded by songwriter Chris Koza) is releasing 4 full length records with 1 arching narrative this year. Pretty ambitious if you ask me! Epic in scope, this tune is about the Red River in Fargo, ND that seems to flood frequently.
http://roguevalley.bandcamp.com/album/crater-lake

10. “Sunlight” by Mason Jennings
Okay, this isn’t really a video either, but it is a really good song. Mason is sort of a reclusive Yoda-like figure in Minneapolis. He’s rarely seen, but when he appears he dispenses profound wisdom and bestows the gift of amazing songs like this one.

Visit Jeremy Messersmith

-
Emily Jane White released a great new album, Victorian America, her beautiful songwriting had us wondering what some of her favorite music was, so we asked her to make a band playlist. Happily for us, and for you she obliged us. Her theme for the playlist: Songs featuring the Piano/Keys as the main instrument

1. Diamanda Gallas: “I Put A Spell on You” (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins)
I just discovered her album The Singer which came out in 1992, the album is mostly covers. Her amazing dramatic and gothic style really adds unique depth and charm.

-

2. PJ Harvey: “The River”
This is one of my all time favorite PJ Harvey songs off the record Is This Desire?. The piano arpeggios clearly resemble the flowing of water.

-

3. Hope Sandoval and The Warm Inventions: “Bluebird”
This is my favorite song off her new record Through The Devil Softly.

-

4. Taken By Trees: “Julia”
I discovered Victoria Bergsman through her guest vocal on “Young Folks” by Peter, Bjorn, and John. Her part in “Young Folks” is so short but adds a lot of character. It wouldn’t be the same without her. The piano on “Julia” is basically used as a simple rhymthmic bass line. Simple piano is good for that.

-

5. Francoise Hardy: “Il Est des Choses”
I really enjoyed finding this video on youtube which is how I discovered the song:

-

6. Nina Simone: “Sinner Man”
“Sinner Man” was originally an American Traditional and Spiritual song. Nina Simone took it to new levels. Her version is earth shattering and ground breaking. One of the most moving songs of all time.

-

7. Joanna Newsom: “Baby Birch”
I am always impressed with her ability to incorporate and use instruments other than the harp. This song displays her versatility and impeccable strength as a musician and vocalist.

-

8. Rickie Lee Jones: “Magazine”
I just found this album in the dollar bin at my local record store. I don’t know very much about her but I’m happy to have picked up this record.

-

9. Marissa Nadler: “Heart Paper Lover”
This is the first track off her last record Little Hells. An incredible record full of fantastic songwriting and space echo!

-

10. Kate Bush: “This Woman’s Work”
This is one of my favorite Kate Bush songs off the album The Sensual World originally written for the film “She’s Having a Baby.” Supposedly Bush wrote this for a sequence in the film, from a man’s point of view, where he’s waiting helplessly in a hospital while his wife is giving birth in the next room. I haven’t seen the film in years. I’ve always felt like it was more of a breakup song.

Visit Emily Jane White
Buy her new album Victorian America

-
OK GO, creators of such visually stimulating hits as “This To Shall Pass” and “Here We Go Again”,  invite you to take a listen to their favorite songs while you read their personal notes about each one.

1. “Hide And Seek” 2:58 Imogen Heap
Pretty darn compelling the whole way through. I just loved how inventive she is with her voice and this effect. Totally stunning.

2. “Life Is Good” 4:08 Los Lobos - Colossal Head
This song always sounds like summer to me. I once saw Los Lobos at Rivinia (a beautiful outdoor venue in the northern suburbs of Chicago) one summer, and this song takes me right back there.

3. “I Will Always Love You” 2:56 Dolly Parton
This is the original version. In my opinion, way better than Whitney’s… Dolly Parton wrote this song. So good.

4. “Silent Shout” (Edit) 4:00 The Knife – Silent Shout
Tim Nordwind turned me on to this song during one of his dj sets while on tour. If you give Tim a Serato and a dance floor, he can people moving.

5. “Still Tippin’” 4:33 Mike Jones - Who Is Mike Jones?
I like this song a lot because Paul Wall says “he’s got the internet going nuts.” At times I feel we have that same effect.

6. “It’s Only Wednesday” 3:04 Crash Kings
The Crash Kings are good friends of mine. OK Go was going to tour with them this spring but the tour fell through. If you see them, check out Jason the barefoot drummer. Amazingly powerful player.

7. “Disappear” 3:13 Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur Life (Deluxe Version)
Another group of really good friends. This song really shows off how strong of a band they can be. Tony and Matt are one of the best rhythm sections in the game.

8. “Out of the Blue” 4:41 Julian Casablancas – Phrazes for the Young (Deluxe Version)
Andy Ross showed me this song on tour once…. Not much else to say about it – it’s got a really great vocal melody.

9. “Home” 5:06 Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Up from Below (Bonus Track Version)
I remember this singers earlier group Ima Robot. That was nothing at all like this. I like this.

10. “Take It To The Limit” 4:47 The Eagles – One Of These Nights
During the making of our latest record, I read a biography about Eagles called “To The Limit” by Marc Elliot. I was so entranced by their history and folk lore. These guys were real rock stars of LA. In my opinion some of the greatest song writers of our time.
-

Visit OK GO

-
If you’ve ever wanted to know what songs Owl City’s brain trust Adam Young calls his favorites, then wonder no more. Adam even gives us some great inside notes about each song, and what’s more is that this is a great list!
-

01 – Firecracker by Unwed Sailor
How in the world can someone define their favorite song? Firecracker is probably the one song I’ve liked for the longest period of time. I remember hearing it for the first time 10 years ago and I still listen to it constantly. It’s absolutely brilliant.

-

02 – Call To Arms by Angels & Airwaves
There’s something so powerful and magical about Tom’s voice. The chorus in this song almost bring tears to my eyes.

-

03 – Halving The Compass by Helios
A delicate piece of music drenched in molasses-sweet melody and soft shimmery atmosphere. Probably the most beautiful song I’ve ever laid ears on.

-

04 – Dayvan Cowboy by Boards of Canada
I love how I can listen, close my eyes and be completely swept away into the most vivid brilliant daydreams imaginable. I could put my feet up on the coffee table and listen to this song on repeat all day.

05 – Fahrenheit Fair Enough by Telefon Tel Aviv
This song makes me want to explore cities and stars and islands and oceans. It sparks my imagination and the wheels start turning.
(song not available to play)
-

06 – Saints and Sailors by Dashboard Confessional
An old favorite that brings back an endless amount of happy memories. I can’t listen to it without a smile on my face.

-

07 – Field Trip by Thomas Newman
Something about the way the chords work together and the melodies overlap gives this song such a majestic mood. It feels so innocent and pure and perfect. I’m crazy about it.

08 – Another Ballad For Heavy Lids by Stars of the Lid
Perfect for long nighttime drives.

09 – Chicago by Sufjan Stevens
I vow to never tour the midwest again without this song playing as the bus rolls into Chicago. So appropriate.

10 – Water From The Same Source by Rachel’s
I attended a Rachel’s show and was absolutely blown away. It was breathtaking. The band performed this song flawlessly and I left the venue totally speechless. It was the best show I’ve ever seen. Hands down.
(song not available to play)

-

Visit Owl City

-
Look Mexico make great songs, and it looks like they listen to some great songs as well. If only they had added some inside notes for their playlist. Maybe next time. Right guys? However, as soon as I saw that Hey Mercedes was on the favorites list I sat down and listened to the whole thing.

Hey Mercedes “A-list Actress” - Everynight Fire Works

-

Little Wings “Sing Wide” - (Magic Wand)

-

The Shins “Gone For Good” - (Chutes Too Narrow)

-

Frank Turner “Try This At Home” – (Poetry of The Deed)

-

My Morning Jacket “Wordless Chorus” – (Z)

-

Dark Pulse “Power Plant” – (Provides)
(song not available)
-

Wilco - “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” – (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)

-

Bob Dylan “Visions of Johanna” – (Blonde on Blonde)

Hop Along “Wretches” – (Bride and Groom)
(song not available)
-

Neutral Milk Hotel “Ghost” – (In The Aeroplane Over The Sea)

-

Pedro the Lion “Rapture” – (Control)

-

R.E.M. “Nightswimming” – (Automatic For The People)

-

Neil Young “Cinnamon Girl” – (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere)

-

Phoenix “Fences” (Wolfgang Amadeus Pheonix)

-

My Morning Jacket “Smokin’ From Shootin” – (Evil Urges)

-

Look Mexico was our Must Know Band
Watch LM’s You Stay. I Go. No Following. Music Video
Bionic Ear Recording Session with Look Mexico

-
The Willowz took time from laying around, recording their fancy new album, and playing games and guitars to create a Band Playlist. April 1st will see the band heading out on a month-long U.S. tour in support of their latest album, Everyone (Dim Mak/Downtown Records). Grab your headphones and have a listen to the songs while you read notes by the band.
-

1. The Hives – Diabolic Scheme
The Hives are a class act and the best live band playing today.
When we toured with the Hives Richie got to do the solo on “Diabolic Scheme” and it brought tears to our eyes.

-

2. Captain Beefheart – Her Eyes are a Blue Million Miles
Beautifully, effortlessly arranged perfect song.

-

3.Talking Heads – Born Under Punches
A 25 year old song that is responsible for much of the modern music being made today.

-

4. Nina Simone -  Backlash Blues
Unbelievably cool basic blues song. Everything about this song is cool.

-

5. David Alexrod – Holy Thursday
Earl Palmer is the greatest drummer of all time. He proves it on this track from Songs of Innocence.

-

6. Leadbelly – When The Boys Were Out On The Western Plains
I listen to this song every morning while I think about maybe exercising.

-

7. Sir Douglas Quintet – Son of Bill Baety
Love the part when Doug Sahm breaks into Leadbelly’s “When The Boys Were Out On The Westen Plains” mid song.
-

8. MGMT – Someones Missing
I like the B52s, I like Syd Barret, and I like the new MGMT album.
(this album isn’t out yet)
-

9. The Soft Pack – Answer to yourself
San Diego boys did it right on Letterman.

-

10. Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi’s Dead
Bauhaus’s first and best!

-

11. Delta Spirit -  Trashcan
We love these guys so much. We also love their new album.  The crowd response is crazy when The Delta Spirit play “Trash Can”.

-

12. Toadies – Backslider
The first show I ever saw was the Toadies and the best show I ever saw was the Toadies. “Backslider” was my childhood anthem.

-

13. Roy Orbison – In Dreams
“In Dreams” reminds me of PBR being poured into fancy glasses like in Blue Velvet.

-

14. Rocky Ericson and the Aliens – Don’t Shake Me Lucifer
I like “Don’t Shake Me Lucifer” because any song about the devil played with 12 bar blues, and involving Rocky Erickson is rock n roll purity.

-

15. ABBA – Lay All Your Love On Me
The best dance song to sing to in the kitchen at 6am when all my friends couldn’t hang except for the friend in the corner who is just like me.

-

Visit  The Willowz

Taylor Hollingsworth of Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band gives us his favorite songs, made for you and your reading and listening pleasure. Besides being a player with Mr. Oberst, Taylor also has a robust solo career, in fact he released his latest album Life With A Slow Ear only last Fall.

1. X - Dancing with tears in my eyes
This is an awesome cover of an oldie. I’ve always loved the harmony they have and the guitar part is super sweet!

2. Graham Nash - Simple Man
Been loving this one lately. Whole album actually. Such a sweet /sad/uplifting song to me.

3. Simon and Garfunkel - Baby Driver
Can’t get enough of this catchy gem!

4. Robert Steven Moore – Andy Griffith Theme Song
Very weird record. I chose this one because every ones familiar with the tune. This guy is awesome.

5. Syl Johnson - Come Together
Again chose this because everyone knows this Beatles cover but this funky version is fantastic!

6. Junior Kimbrough – Meet me in the city
This guy plays hypnotic blues. Always loved this guitar playing.

7. Lee Hazelwood and Ann Margaret – You can’t Imagine
One of my favorite love songs of all time!

8. John Prine – Hello in There
One of the saddest songs ever.

9. McCarthy Trenching – Wedding Song
This is a very beautiful song. Simple and sad.

10. Dexateens – Neil Armstrong
Catchy southern pop gem about a lost space man. Hopefully will be considered classic one day.

11. Wire – Mr. Suit
I just love this classic punk record Pink Flag. Hard to even choose one song from because it really flows as a whole album, but this is one defining punk song in my mind.

12. Royal Truck – I’m Ready
This song gets me ready to party. Two words say a lot here.

13. Paul Simon – Hearts and Bones
Truly a beautiful story with a beautiful voice. Takes me back to my childhood.

14. Jimmie Rodgers - Way Out on the Mountain
The grandfather of story songwriters I think. I’m obsessed with mountains and this singer!

15. Chuck Berry – Come On
Duet pop gem.

16. Zz Top – Party on the patio
This is just such a fun song.

17. Monsters of Folk – Say Please
Obviously fresh to the scene. Love this one because it’s got a little from all the monsters wrapped into one super hook song. Plus the sickest guitar solo ever!

Taylor Hollingsworth – Trail Of Tears

Visit Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Hang with Taylor Hollingsworth

-

Kurt from The Depreciation Guild brings us his current favorites along with notes on each. Get to know The Depreciation Guild by listening to what they love. Don’t miss out on their new album Spirit Youth when it comes out May 18th.

Chaka Khan - Love Of A Lifetime
I love how carefree and ecstatic the whole song sounds, which is a signature of David Gamson’s programming. I also think Green Gartside’s voice really compliments Chaka Khan’s when they trade off phrases.

Fleetwood Mac – You and I, Part II
This song is really tropical and bouncy. The “you-you-you-you-you-and-i” part reminds me of “Holiday Road” in Vacation, which is another really great Lindsay Buckingham song. Actually those two songs are almost the same, which rules.

Eurythmics - Jennifer
This song builds up really well from beginning to end. I love how deep Annie’s voice goes when she sings “your dress of deepest purple.” I almost can’t sing that low. Also the fuzzy slide guitar solo at the end totally shreds.

The System – Heart Beat Of The City
There’s this awesome keyboard thing that happens in this song where they pitch bend a chord down a full step and it sounds like a car rushing by. I love that.

Tatsuro Yamashita – Kanashimi No Jody (She Was Crying)
This whole record (“Melodies”) is gorgeous but recently i watched a clip of this song which was used for the 1980′s surfing movie “The Big Wave” set to slow motion shots of windsurfers flying over waves. i was filled with such epic joy that it almost made me cry, true story.

The Depreciation Guild – My Chariot

Thomas Dolby - Air Waves
This song has one of those labyrinthine chord progressions that just seems to wrap around itself, not to mention there are some really mind-blowingly futuristic sounds on this record as a whole.

Taeko Ohnuki – Natsu Ni Koisuru Onna Tachi
The album that this song is from (“Signifie”) is produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto of YMO, which is why my roommate Patrick was able to convince me to buy this album on a whim in Japan. This song is cool because each successive part gets better as the song progresses, so when the bridge hits, you’re already reeling from the other cool parts. Sensory overload.

The Lotus Eaters - German Girl
I really like the piano in this song, there’s some interesting chord changes and inversions. Also there’s a great thing the guitarist does in the verse where he strums a chord on an off hit which is really unexpected and nice.

Nu Shooz - Driftin’
This is just a good track to listen to now that the weather is getting warmer.

Sophie And Peter Johnston – Torn Open
Probably the most euphoric synth pop song ever written. Tons of percussive details and fragmented synth runs, syncopated and yet somehow propelled by this epic wall of reverb bliss.

Visit The Depreciation Guild

Tour Dates for our friends:

3.22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
3.23 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
3.25 – Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pan
3.26 – Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
3.27 – Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
3.30 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
3.31 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
4.1 – Detroit @ Majestic Theatre
4.2 – Toronto, ON @ The Great Hall
4.3 – Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
4.4 – Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bears
4.5 – Milford, CT @ Daniel Street
4.6 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
4.7 – Washington, DC @ DC94.8 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge

Midnight Masses 18 Questions answers from lead singer Autry Fulbright. And the reason they  may sound familiar is they are comprised entirely of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead lyrics. If you weren’t already aware, the members of Trail Of Dead helped found Midnight Masses with Autry Fulbright! If you can identify which Trail Of Dead song each of these answers belongs to we will ship the first person to do so a new Indie Rock Reviews t shirt printed on a sweet American Apparel shirt that we just got in. See below for the shirt logo.

1. Tell us about the band?

Autry Fulbright: We held a mod-rock jubilee to celebrate our broken hearts. We carved tombs out of rocks and stones and transformed them into art. We gave the plot a twist, we blew the pass a kiss. We turned it upside down to quench fiending lips.

2. Have you ever been fed up with playing music or with band members, why?

Because every inch of hope becomes a world of shame I’ve had to walk through again and again.

3. What was your first concert experience? Do you remember how you felt once the concert was over?

I heard your voice on my stereo lost in the night. Do you believe what I have seen?

4. Did you grow up wanting to play music, or when did the whole making albums thing come about and how?

Autry Fulbright: Freak sons and forgotten ones who disappeared before the Flood. Tell-tale signs of our hearts and minds had been encoded into blood.

5. What qualifies you guys to be in a band?

This is a riot, right? Let’s all riot riot! Tear this place to shit and commit pact suicide.

6. Do you have a favorite song you have ever written? Why?

If I could make a list of my mistakes and regrets I’d put your name on top and every line after it.

7. What is your greatness weakness as a band?

Why is a song the world for me? Is it forgiveness? Is it just a dream?

8. What qualities should a successful label or manager have?

Put your hand to my mouth and a gun to my head. Stop this false pretense- become real friends.

9. What’s the scariest thing that has ever happened to you in your life?

You were fair and fey in the sun that evil day. We were bold and life was great. But as time went on I wondered what went wrong. I wondered what became of you.

10. What’s the first thing you do when the band arrives in a new town while on tour?

Spun the wheels of the Armageddon just to see what it would bring. With blood and rain it’ll spin again let the voice of judgment sing!

11. Have you ever had an audience member give you the willies because they kept looking at you all weird?

Hard to imagine, hard to perceive. Find an expression for what it all means.

12. Have you ever cried while listening to music? If so what were you listening too?

Panic and struggle, death and decay, it comes together in relative ways.

12. If you could re-record, or re-write any song of yours what would that song be?

I swear I know not why those eyes have always left me dry. How near, how far, how lost they are.

13. What’s the worst place you have ever played a show at, and why?

I had a band, had a song. I had a vision, where’s my vision gone?

15. In a perfect world how many albums would you have to sell to be happy?

Looking back at ’91…reflecting on those things we could’ve said and done.

16. What do you guys have planned for the future?

Let’s have a mustard gas war because a fuck’s a fuck. Richter scale madness- let’s join the gun club.

17. What music do you listen to when you are having a bad day?

Guitar Wolf.

18. If you had your life to live over again, what one thing would you change?

I had a dad, had a mom. I had a family – don’t know what went wrong.

-Visit Midnight Masses
-Visit And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead