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Of Montreal - Dour Percentage

I've written about them before but Of Montreal proves to have many interesting songs so i'm writing about them once again.  Having a dozen albums in the last decade, the band has many songs in their repertoire.  The last one mentioned on Mthings was Wintered Debts which has several musical shifts and sections amongst the song and is a bit "out there."  They continue to do this in Dour Percentage combining regular verses and choruses with instrumental breakdowns.  They are reminiscent of Queen and Bowie.  Dour Percentage sounds like it almost could have come from the disco era.  They are clearly unique and fun to listen to.  A band that has over 12 albums has to have a certain confidence to them as if they have earned the right to be as creative as they want.  I think this can be heard in Of Montreal's music.  Of Montreal is a Quebec based band.  Dour Percentage and Wintered Debts can both found of their newest album Paralytic Stalks.
-mthings 1/13/12


Paralytic Stalks is not yet for release, but here is their last album you can buy it here:  Thecontrollersphere - EP - of Montreal



of Montreal - "Dour Percentage"

Inspired and the Sleep - Running

Here is a love song to start off your week.  The band is Inspired and the Sleep (already a great name) and the song is called Running.  Mixed with tribal beats and indie-style vocals that are reminiscent of The Shins, this short-but-sweet song is just light, simple and sounds good.  I'm very much into songs that are poetic and straight-forward, in a world where songs seem to often have too much going on.  Inspired and the Sleep are a San Diego based band and classify themselves as "Psychedelic Pop/Indie."
-mthings 1/9/12


(no links to buy their music yet, stay tuned... but as usual you can listen below for now)



  Running by Inspired and the Sleep

M83 - Midnight City

M83 is a band that has been getting a lot of attention both currently and for the last part of 2011. They released a double album in October entitled Hurry Up, Were Dreaming. One songs from this album that has been listened to a lot is Midnight City.  What makes M83 so good is their original arrangements and song structure.  They use interesting instruments both acoustics and electric, and their vocals are ominous and almost sound like just another one of the instruments.  They have a little bit of MGMT's influence in them in my opinion, and say that they are greatly influenced by  the Smashing Pumpkins.  They are definitely in the "indie" category but I can't help to notice they have a pop sound to them.  Midnight City is catchy and easy to listen to.. but nevertheless has a distinct edge to it.
-mthings 12/2/12


Buy M83's music here:  Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. - M83

Midnight City by M83

Sonny Rollins wins life-time Award

Normally Mthings is dedicated to up and coming bands, or current bands that are getting a lot of buzz... but sometimes articles are dedicated to honoring timeless great musicians... from any era.  Sonny Rollins, the legendary jazz saxophonist, was awarded Wednesday as a 2011 Kennedy Center Nominee.t.  Rollins, 81, is one of the most influential saxophonists as well as jazz musicians.  He is knows for his great playing and presence on stage.  Having won already several Grammies and the Kennedy award, he still plays saxophone to this day, really remaining the most important thing in his life.  I have always loved his playing for the sweet, round, melodic and slightly airy tone he gets from his Tenor sax... So here's a tribute to one of the greats, Sony Rollins:
-mthings 12/28/11


You can buy Sonny Rollins' music here: The Definitive Sonny Rollins On Prestige, Riverside and Contemporary - Sonny Rollins
05 - Sonny Rollins - The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Bed of Forty Winks, by Sonicbrat

Here is an interesting song from an interesting musician: Bed of Forty Winks by Sonicbrat.  The man behind Sonicbrat is Darren Ng from Singapore, a music editor and composer who has pieced together this song from various string and instrumental recordings.  The artistry is in the composition itself.  Bed of Forty Winks is a very imaginative piece where you can simply let it take you wherever your mind goes.  In a world where music seems to be shouting at you a lot of the time, it's nice to hear something that leaves room for interpretation from the listener.
-mthings 12/22/11


Click Here to listen to Bed of Forty Winks










If you like that, then also check out this other beautiful song by Sonicbrat called "Hana"


[ totokoko 024 ] sonicbrat - hana

First Rate People - Someone Else Can Make A Work of Art

This post is about "Someone Else Can Make a Work of Art" by First Rate People.  First Rate People is a Canadian indie-pop-folk band.   This song is off their new album that's also called "Someone Else Can Make a Work of Art."  The song is a beautiful poem, with a a wonderfully simple arrangement.  Its a catchy-feel good song.  The chorus that that is the title of the song, has a great melody.  The song explores some different arrangements as it goes on changing the drums, adding instruments and rhythms, which keeps the song interesting throughout.  I love the lyrics.  Have a listen, enjoy!
-mthings 12/18/11



Someone Else Can Make A Work Of Art - First Rate People