So you put together The Shins lead singer and principal songwriter James Mercer with Danger Mouse, perhaps most knows for being one half of Gnarls Barkley and for his surprisingly pleasant Grey Album, where he put together The Beatles White Album and Jay-Z's Black Album into his own little dreamy world. So yes, you put together these two, and what you get is Broken Bells who release their debut album in March. This is the first single from the album, a vintage sounding pop gem that works perfectly as a cure against the grey Amsterdam clouds this Friday.
How many albums by 13 (The Shins) do you own? All of them. Back in May I listened to Chutes Too Narrow (where this songs i taken from) again in a car going from Spreewald to Berlin while watching the clouds of a thunder storm in the distance. A wonderful pop album and James Mercer's lyrics never ceases to amaze me, rightfully seen as one of the best lyricists in modern pop music. The Shins are one of the most important band in the transition of indie music from something only The Smiths t-shirt wearing nerds with a hate for team sports listened to into everyone’s favorite music genre. The movie Garden State of course also had a major role to play in their coming to fame. I haven't listened a lot of this band during the past year but they sure know how to craft their pop numbers.
Between the 24th of February and 1st of March The Noise Pop festival is hosting shows in San Francisco. The Airport Line has picked out some bands which you might want to see in case you happen to be in the city during these days.
Ra Ra Riot - Made one of the best cds of last year, popmusic in the same vain as The Shins, Cut Copy and New Pornographers, very nice indeed. http://www.myspace.com/rarariot For a free download of the remix of their song Ghost Under Rocks made by Passion Pit, go here: http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-ra-ra-riot-ghost-under-rocks-passion-pit-remix_048181.html
St. Vincent - Arty singer with a very unique style, a bit similar to Regina Spektor with a mean guitarr, her song Marry Me is really sweet, an artist for people looking for creative female role models. Some of her stuff is a bit too much out there for my taste, but I am but a conservative Swede. http://www.myspace.com/stvincent
French Kicks - Their album Swimming is a bit weirdly produced, but the song Love In The Ruins is fantastic with it's Jens Lekman banjo and melancolic dreamy feeling. http://www.myspace.com/frenchkicks
Antony And The Johnsons - Seems a bit expensive, but given that he has maybe the most unique and powerful voices in modern pop history, it might be a concert to look into. A truly unique artist that some people hate, some call pretentious, but most people love, and probably cry to when they are alone. http://www.myspace.com/antonyandthejohnsons Here he plays his most famous song Hope There's Someone:
