Eldur og Ís

Berlin, November 9, 1989: Wir sind ein Volk

2009-11-08T13:35:00.006-05:00

It would be practically impossible for me not to post about the events that took place 20 years ago on the night of November 9th. It literally changed the world, even if the events that led up and added to it had started some months beforehand within Germany, and in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. Yes, I'm old enough to remember exactly where I was when I first heard the news. I was just finishing my first of three years in Iceland and was sound asleep that night, so I didn't hear about it till first thing the next morning. Living on a US military base, there were some of us young'ins who naive enough to think that this meant we might get to go home early. Silly of us to think, I know.

I'd originally thought of posting U2's "One" for this post, but after hearing about the sick, insensitive, and utterly stupid stunt used at a recent free concert in Berlin, I had to rethink things.

Surf City Eastern Bloc by Arcade Fire from No Cars Go [single]

New music on a Devils' Night

2009-10-30T18:08:00.009-04:00

"Valencia" is the first single from the forthcoming album, El Turista, from singer-songwriter Josh Rouse, set for a February 16th release date. Just makes you want to shake your hips now, doesn't it?
Valencia by Josh Rouse from El Turista

EOI favorite, Eric Sarmiento has been working hard in the studio and will be releasing a series of singles in pairs on the Alchemist Records label, eventually amounting to a full-length album starting November 17th.
So She Says by Eric Sarmiento from Strange Power single

Another EOI favorite, Finnish singer-songwriter, Antti Reikko aka Koria Kitten Riot, released his self-titled first solo album on October 28th on Solmu Records. Can I just say that this album is amazing, it's beautiful, the song writing is outstanding, and I love it? It actually makes me look forward to those freezing cold nights so I can curl up with the blanket and iPod to just enjoy and appreciate such great music.
4AM Cars by Koria Kitten Riot from Koria Kitten Riot
At the End of the World by Koria Kitten Riot from Koria Kitten Riot

Electronic pop artist, Digits, released his first album, Hold It Close, back in September. Very...well, poppy and catchy.
Nonstop by Digits from Hold It Close

For a few quickies:
German group, plus49, have released a new single, "Schneeweiß Berlin," combining rock, dance, and opera, featuring Icelandic soprano, Sigrún Pálmadóttir.
Schneeweiß Berlin by plus49 from Integrity and Injury

SF rock band, Collider, have released a new single from their upcoming album being released December 31st.
Time Concerns by Collider from Big Bang Machine

Ontario band, The Rest, will be releasing a new EP titled The Cried Wolf Book, which will be accompanied by an illustrated novel. You can check the first section out here along with a free download for the band's cover of Robyn's "With Every Heartbeat."

There's plenty more to come. To be continued...

The view from here: Ireland

2009-10-26T19:58:00.005-04:00

As you may have noticed, my blogging duties have seriously fallen by the wayside lately. My apologies. I have an overflowing inbox with a ton of new music to share, as soon as I can get beyond Halloween. Lucky me has to dress up in costume for a wedding. Fun stuff, I'm tellin' ya.
Bad by U2 from The Unforgettable Fire
Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore by Young Dubliners from With All Due Respect - The Irish Sessions
Linger by The Cranberries from Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
A Rainy Night In Soho by The Pogues from Rum, Sodomy & The Lash
Come In Alone by My Bloody Valentine from Loveless
Blackboots & Blackhearts by Sweet Jane from Blackboots & Blackhearts
Trinkets by The Dying Seconds from The Dying Seconds
Rootless Tree by Damien Rice from 9

image from JKönig @ Flickr

Catching up: Notable releases

2009-10-12T12:08:00.005-04:00

cover of Love You Down by Meshell Ndegeocello from Devil's Halo

FeelingPulledApartByHorses by Thom Yorke from FeelingPulledApartByHorses

I And Love And You by The Avett Brothers from I And Love And You

Here To Fall by Yo La Tengo from Popular Songs

My Will Is Good by Port O'Brien from Threadbare

Bless This Mess by David Bazan from Curse Your Branches

Genesis 3:23 by The Mountain Goats from The Life Of The World To Come

Aisle 13 by Built To Spill from There Is No Enemy

Happy 60th, Bruce!

2009-09-23T20:38:00.004-04:00

"Lonesome Day" by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band from The Rising

Notable releases for September 22

2009-09-22T19:27:00.005-04:00

David Gray's Draw the Line. The MP3 version can be purchased at Amazon for $3.99 for this week. Full album stream ~~here~~.

The much-anticipated second full-length album from The Twilight Sad. I've only had one full listen to it, but I can say that it lives up to what I was hoping for.
~~Reflection of the Television~~ by The Twilight Sad from Forget the Night Ahead

New track from Basia Bulat

2009-09-20T13:16:00.003-04:00

London, Ontario's Basia Bulat is set to have her sophomore album, Heart Of My Own, released in the US on January 26, 2010.

~~Gold Rush~~ from Basia Bulat from Heart Of My Own

Official website

David Gray - Draw the Line

2009-09-19T23:28:00.004-04:00

David Gray's newest album, Draw the Line, is set to be released in the US this coming Tuesday, Sept. 22nd. If you've liked any of his previous albums, I highly recommend picking this one up. Draw the Line fits in perfectly with the rest of Mr. Gray's discography, especially with 2005's Life in Slow Motion. The title (and my favorite) track, "Draw the Line" with the lyrics of "I ain't saying it's bad, baby/I ain't saying it's good/merely that is ain't so different 'neath this executioner's hood...it's not the flesh we're after/but the howlin' ghost within" and "Nemesis" with lines like "I am the photograph they found in your burned-down house, I am the sound of money washing down the drain" only solidify David Gray as one of the very best songwriters of our time. The beauty of this album is that it flows nicely and highlights Mr. Gray's consistency in putting out great albums, not just great singles. Do I think it's up there with Life in Slow Motion and 2001's Lost Songs? Way too early to tell. But I can say after listening to it through two entire 8-hour work days, the potential is certainly there.
This one definitely gets a 5 out of 5

Tracklisting (disc 1):
1. Fugitive
2. Draw the Line
3. Nemesis
4. Jackdaw
5. Kathleen
6. First Chance
7. Harder
8. Transformation
9. Stella the Artist
10. Breathe
11. Full Steam

If you're like me and not one to shell out the extra money for deluxe editions, this one will not disappoint if you do. The second disc is full of great live renditions of some of his best songs.

Tracklisting (disc 2):
1. World To Me (Live at The Roundhouse)
2. Sail Away (Live at The Roundhouse)
3. Ain't No Love (Live at The Roundhouse)
4. Babylon (Live at The Roundhouse)
5. Slow Motion (Live at The Roundhouse)
6. The One I Love (Live at The Roundhouse)
7. The Other Side (Live at The Roundhouse)
8. Nightblindness (Live at The Roundhouse)
9. Second Halo (iTunes UK only)

David Gray is currently on tour and you can out where he'll be performing here.

Official website

The view from here: Sweden

2009-09-13T15:09:00.006-04:00

~~Seconds Away~~ by The Legends from Over and Over
~~Young Folks~~ by Peter Bjorn and John from Writer's Block
~~Lost~~ by The Mary Onettes from The Mary Onettes
~~Suburban Boredom~~ by The Milestone Corporation from Big Night Out
~~Tonight I Have To Leave It~~ by Shout Out Louds from Our Ill Wills
~~The Loyal~~ by Tiger Lou from The Loyal

image from *Kicki* @ Flickr

Catching up with a block o' new music

2009-09-13T12:44:00.002-04:00

Brooklyn, New York-based Kordan released his debut album, Fantasy Nation, back in July.
Fantasy Nation by Kordan from Fantasy Nation

From Bucks County, Pennsylvania comes singer-songwriter Damien DeRose as Peasant. You can check out his Daytrotter session here.
We're Good by Peasant

Roses Kings Castles aka DJ Adam Ficek released another great EP, Apples and Engines, with an album due out sometime later this year. I love this guy's music!
Where's Your Life Gone by Roses Kings Castles from Apples and Engines
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid by Roses Kings Castles from Apples and Engines

Indie folk band Saintseneca from Columbus, Ohio released their self-titled EP earlier this month on the Paper Brigade label.
God Bones by Saintseneca from Saintseneca EP

If you're in the area, you can check out these guys, Filligar, sharing the stage with likes of The Antlers and Pomegranates as they round off their "Stray Dogs" tour.
Chicago (9/16)
Minneapolis (9/17)
Milwaukee (9/18)
Madison (9/19)
Hamilton College (9/22)
Cornell University (9/24)
Middlebury College (9/25)
Dartmouth College (9/26)
Providence (9/28)
Philadelphia (9/30)
DC (10/5)
St. Louis (10/7)
Memphis (10/9)
University of the South (10/10)
Chattanooga (10/11)
Atlanta (10/12)
Charlotte (10/14)
Wilmington (10/15)
Duke University (10/16)
NYC (10/23)
Hounds by Filligar from Near or Far

Notable releases for 8/25

2009-08-25T18:23:00.004-04:00

Black River Killer is just an EP to hold us over till the next full length from Blitzen Trapper, but it's a good one nonetheless.
~~Black River Killer~~ by Blitzen Trapper from Black River Killer EP

Humbug is a tough one to grab onto. For anyone expecting something of a three-peat, you're going to be initially disappointed. Is it more mature? Eh, maybe. It's not so much the same group of Arctic Monkeys that broke out in 2006. Who knows? This could be a completely new direction for the band. We'll see how it fares with fans in the next few weeks or so once the initially hype (and shock) wears off. Personally, I like it. But I don't love it.

New videos

2009-08-23T20:15:00.005-04:00

I don't normally post new videos, but I thought these were worth noting.

First is "The Walls Are Coming Down" which is the next single to be released from Fanfarlo's Reservoir

Next, we have "Phoenix" which is the first single to be released off the self-titled debut album from Finland's Kaspar, which were featured here back in February.

Last but not least, the video to accompany David Gray's newest single, "Fugitive" from the upcoming album, Draw The Line.

The View From Here: Scotland

2009-08-23T12:58:00.008-04:00

Trying something new. With The View From Here I'll be picking some of my favorite and notable bands outside the U.S.
~~Side~~ by Travis from Singles
~~No You Girls~~ by Franz Ferdinand from Tonight
~~Just Like Honey~~ by The Jesus and Mary Chain from 21 Singles
~~The Twist~~ by Frightened Rabbit from Midnight Organ Fight
~~The Stars of Track and Field~~ by Belle & Sebastian from If You're Feeling Sinister
~~Last Year's Rain Didn't Fall Quite So Hard~~ by The Twilight Sad from Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters
~~Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken~~ by Camera Obscura from Let's Get Out of This Country
~~It's Thunder and It's Lightning~~ by We Were Promised Jetpacks from These Four Walls
~~Slow Parade~~ by Broken Records from Slow Parade/Problem With Remembering

image from Graeme Bird @ Flickr

Day of Rest

2009-08-16T10:01:00.005-04:00

Slowly but surely catching up...
~~My City Was Gone~~ by The Pretenders from Learning To Crawl
~~Sleeping In~~ by The Postal Service from Give Up
~~Double Vision~~ by The Ponys from Turn The Lights Out
~~Where Is My Mind?~~ by Pixies from Surfer Rosa
~~It Beats Me Every Time~~ by Peter Bjorn and John from Falling Out
~~Jennifer~~ by Pete & The Pirates from Jennifer
~~Here~~ by Pavement from Slanted & Enchanted
~~Pen To The Paper~~ by Parlovr from Parlovr
~~My Will Is Good~~ by Port O'Brien from Threadbare
~~The Longer I Lay Here~~ by Pedro The Lion from It's Hard To Find A Friend

image from iri5 @ Flickr

David Gray - Fugitive

2009-08-11T20:24:00.007-04:00

I can case you haven't heard, David Gray will be releasing his newest album, Draw The Line, on September 22nd. The first single [also streaming below], "Fugitive" has been released, and it's definitely up to par with what I hope to hear from Mr. Gray. I've been a big fan of his since first hearing White Ladder which seems like years ago, and then working my way backwards with his albums. One thing I can always count on is his consistency. Life In Slow Motion and Lost Songs, definitely my favorites..so far. He's an amazing songwriter that puts out great albums, not just great singles; something I always appreciate.

David Gray will also be hitting the road this fall. Sadly, no stops in Detroit.

August 15 - Mountain Music Fest - Redmond, Washington (PRE RELEASE)
October 23rd - Boston, MA - Wang Theatre
October 24th - New York, NY - WAMU Theater
October 26th - Toronto, Canada - Massey Hall
October 27th - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre
October 29th - Chicago, IL - Chicago Auditorium Theatre
October 30th - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
November 1st - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
November 2nd - Salt Lake City, UT - Kingsbury Hall
November 4th - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnizer Concert Hall
November 7th - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre
November 9th - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre

And as a little added bonus, if you sign up for David's newsletter, you'll get a free non-album track. C'mon now, who doesn't love free?

"Fugitive" by David Gray from Draw The Line (sorry, folks, this one's not free)

Block o' new music

2009-08-09T17:30:00.003-04:00

Electro/pop band from Deutschland, plus49, will be releasing their album, Integrity and Injury on September 11.

~~Naive Brother~~ by plus49 from Integrity and Injury

Austin, Texas indie rock band, The Rocketboys will be releasing their first full-length album, 20,000 Ghosts, on September 29th.
~~Like Ice In Water~~ by The Rocketboys from 20,000 Ghosts

Introduced here back in April,Your Very Own..., Donald has been kind enough to share some of the tracks from his newest EP, Do I Have Your Attention? Good.
~~Goodnight Sleep Well~~ by Your Very Own...
~~Apartment~~ by Your Very Own...

London pop/rock group Temple Scene released their first full-length album, A Good Day To Disappear, on August 3rd.

Dog days of summer are here

2009-08-09T16:37:00.004-04:00

July in Michigan was a bit weird; not the usual stifling heat and humidity we expect. But it's here now. And I'm not liking it too much.
With that said, I have some catching up to do.
Two albums were released this past Tuesday that I'm really liking, even though the reviews haven't been all that favorable.
Modest Mouse released No One's First, And You're Next. It's more of an EP full of B-sides than an album, but more than enough to hold over this fan till the next new album comes out, whenever that may be.

Interpol frontman Paul Banks aka Julian Plenti released his solo effort, Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper. If you're expecting an album full of Interpol-type songs, this isn't it. There are a few that have the same feel, but Banks has mellowed it down on some tracks as well. It does take some getting used to hearing that signature voice not accompanied with the same post-punk/indie rock sound that Interpol is known for.
~~Fun That We Have~~ by Julian Plenti from Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper

Seattle indie pop band, Throw Me The Statue released Creaturesque on Tuesday. Their debut album, Moonbeams, showed a lot of promise, but the second album, Purpleface, was, to put it bluntly, a disappointment. Creaturesque picks up where the debut left off, with a little more cheer added for good measure.
~~Ancestors~~ by Throw Me The Statue from Creaturesque
~~Hi-Fi Goon~~ by Throw Me The Statue from Creaturesque

Block o' new music

2009-07-26T14:31:00.004-04:00

As promised...
San Francisco's indie rock band, Collider, released their album, Down In Saturines, back in February.
~~Drop Out and Off~~ by Collider from Down In Saturines

Canadian band Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle will be releasing their fifth album, Havana Winter, Tuesday, July 28th. You can also check them out at this year's Lollapalooza.
~~Huntsville.ca~~ by Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle from Havana Winter

Indie-electro band from North Carolina, Polynya, released their second album, Crop Rotation, back in June.
~~People In Pictures~~ by Polynya from Crop Rotation

Brooklyn's indie duo, KaiserCartel, have a few more shows left on the US tour. They released their second album, March Forth, back in June 2008.
~~Oh No~~ by KaiserCartel from March Forth

Seattle-based singer songwriter Shannon Stephens is back with her second album, The Breadwinner, to be released on September 8th.
~~In Summer In The Heat~~ by Shannon Stephens from The Breadwinner

Amanda Zelina - Love Me Till I'm Me Again

2009-07-26T13:21:00.005-04:00

Canadian singer-songwriter Amanda Zelina was featured here on EOI back in March before the completion of her debut album. Now the album, Love Me Till I'm Me Again, is complete and in more ways than one, all with a cover of the Otis Redding classic, "Try A Little Tenderness".
There are, no doubt, possible comparisons to Feist, but there's something much more simple and soulful in Ms. Zelina's songs.
This album was 2 years in the making, and the patience really comes through. As far as this year's debut albums go, this is definitely one of the best and one that is a must-have.
~~My Version Of It~~ by Amanda Zelina from Love Me Till I'm Me Again
~~Obsessed~~ by Amanda Zelina from Love Me Till I'm Me Again

Generationals - Con Law

2009-07-21T19:29:00.005-04:00

While the majority of the blogosphere is praising the release of The Fiery Furnaces' new album, I'm Going Away, I'm choosing to be different and not just for the sake of it. I listened to it; it's not too bad but definitely the type of album that takes some time to grow on a person.
Since hearing the first three singles for the first time, I've been anxiously awaiting today's debut release from New Orleans duo, Generationals. Maybe it's the Detroiter in me, but there's something very refreshing about the distinctly Motown-style drums in "When They Fight, They Fight". Could there be a better indie pop album for summer than Con Law? If there is, I missed the boat on it and I'll stick with this one, thanks.
~~When They Fight, They Fight~~ by Generationals from Con Law
~~Wildlife Sculpture~~ by Generationals from Con Law

On a side note, block o' new music will return later this week. Have a lot of new tuneage to share. Studies must come first, ya know.

[video] The Domino State - Firefly

2009-07-13T21:27:00.003-04:00

I love this song. The single for "Firefly" was released today and the band are putting the finishing touches on their debut album.

end of yet another weekend

2009-07-12T15:27:00.005-04:00

My blogging duties have fallen a little by the wayside lately. It's been a rough few weeks with so much work and the beginning of summer classes, this past week especially.
I was bound and determined for this weekend to be one of rest; watching movies, reading, and relaxing. I accomplished that somewhat.
While I was driving today to get my daily fix of caffeine, I turned the iPod on to Sigur Rós and sort of let myself get lost in the music, and let it take me back to last September when I was in Reykjavík.
Without getting too deep or philosophical, Iceland is a place that I absolutely love, and the music of SR captures that so perfectly. Finally getting back to Iceland after 18 years and then 3 weeks later seeing SR in concert for the first time, it was something like things coming full circle. No doubt, September of 2008 is one that I hold very dear to me.
So, the regular posts with standout new artists to keep an eye and great new tuneage will still be coming, no worries.
Till then, one of my favorite SR songs with a bit from their amazing 2007 documentary-ish film Heima.

image from ForTheRecords @ Flickr

Notable releases for July 7th

2009-07-07T19:55:00.005-04:00

Overall, as a debut for the young Scotsmen of We Were Promised Jetpacks, These Four Walls is a good album. But, alas, not a great one. Maybe my hopes were too high since I absolutely love "Quiet Little Voices" and "Ships With Holes Will Sink". My biggest problem with the album are the repetitive lyrics that too oft seem more like just choruses. It's not quite what we were promised, pun intended, but it's a good start. Don't write these guys off one bit.

Originally released last year, The Rural Alberta Advantage's Hometowns was re-released in lieu of the band signing to the Saddle Creek label. If you don't have this album by now, what are you waiting for? It's a solid album throughout.
~~Don't Haunt This Place~~ by The Rural Alberta Advantage from Hometowns

This is my favorite release from this week. Completely unintentional to pit Scots against Scots, but this is the one that delivered for me. Broken Records' debut album, Until The Earth Begins To Part is exactly the kind of album that gets me excited about Tuesdays.
~~If The News Makes You Sad, Don't Watch It~~ by Broken Records from Until The Earth Begins To Part
~~If Eilert Loevberg Wrote A Song, It Would Sound Like This~~ by Broken Records from Until The Earth Begins To Part

Elephant Stone - The Seven Seas

2009-07-06T18:04:00.001-04:00

Montreal and India natives, Elephant Stone's newest release (and Polaris Prize nominated) The Seven Seas is available now on Indiecater Records. It's a solid indie pop album. Don't believe me? Check out the mp3 below or you can stream the whole album here.

~~I Am Blind~~ by Elephant Stone from The Seven Seas

New album coming from The O'Darling

2009-07-03T21:38:00.007-04:00

The Toronto-based alternative-pop orchestra band, The O'Darling (that were featured here in March) have a tentative July 17th release date for their first full length album. The 9-track album seems almost perfect for summer nights, complete with one track, "Prairie", all in French. If you enjoyed their 2008 release, A Nice E.P., you're going to love this. I have high hopes for these guys and gals.
Enjoy the first single below.

Tracklist:
Venture Song
Prairie
Altostratus
City Part 1
Embroideries
The Type
Good Day
Montreal
Fire Fire