Best Indie 2008 – INDIE ROCK CAFE

New Indie Rock from The Cave Singers, The Duke Spirit, Starlight Mints, The Fiery Furnaces, Miike Snow & More!

Posted on 09/29/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

So many great new songs; such little time. This playlist features some of the best 2009 songs from current, recent and upcoming albums from The Cave Singers (double-shot), The Duke Spirit, Starlight Mints, The Fiery Furnaces, Miike Snow, Altas Sound, Broken Records, Portugal The Man, Diamond Rings and many more. Enjoy.

“At The Cut” – The Cave Singers from Welcome Joy (2009)
“Beach House” – The Cave Singers from Welcome Joy (2009)

“Baby Doll” – The Duke Spirit from Cut Across The Land (2009)

“Paralyzed” – Starlight Mints from Change Remains (2009)

“The End Is Near” – The Fiery Furnaces from I’m Going Away (2009)

“Silvia” – Miike Snow from s/t debut (2009)

“Walkabout” – Atlas Sound (with Noah Lennox) from Logos (2009)

“Cigarette Burns” – Flunk from This Is What You Get (2009)

“Ghost on the Canvas” – Paul Westenberg from PW & the Ghost Gloves Cat Wing Joy Boys EP (2009)

“If Eilert Loevborg Wrote A Song, It Would Sound Like This” – Broken Records from Until The Year Begins to Part (2009)

“People Say” – Portugal. The Man from The Satanic Satanist (2009)

“All Yr Songs” – Diamond Rings from 7′ single (2009)

“Berlin, Without Return” – Voxtrot from single release (2009)

“Big Wave Rider” – Rainbow Bridge, single (2009)

“It’s Gonna Happen Fast” – Choo Choo La Rouge from Black Clouds (2009)

“Alfred” – Gordie Tentrees from Mercy Or Sin (2009)

“Russia” – Ramona Falls from Intuit (2009)

“Tammie” – The Dø from single (2009)

“L. Mansion” – Sic Alps from s/t 7′ single (2009)

“Anchor Lane Parade” – Opsvik & Jennings from A Dream I Used To Remember (2009)

“All the King’s Men” – Wild Beast from Two Dancers (2009)

“Two Sides” – Youth Group from The Night Is Ours (2009)

“H.O.T.T.” – Wheat from White Ink, Black Ink (2009)

Coming Up: In Dee Mail October edition; More New Indie Songs; Best of Recent Indie Cover Songs; Best Indie Videos of 2009; Halloween Bonanza MP3 Playlist (in the meantime, check out great Halloween Indie Songs from last year).

Ears To The Music, Vol. IV: The Spinto Band, The Dodos, Public Radio, Elvis Perkins, A Sunny Day in Glasgow & More!

The Format’s Sam Means and Nate Nuess Release New Music Since The Duo’s Official Break-Up

New Indie Releases This Week: Why?, The Pains, The XX, Jack of Heart, Fool’s Gold, The Mary Onettes & More

More Great Indie Albums of 2008: The Hush Now’s Free Debut Album

Posted on 03/30/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Because so many of you demand it, I am resuming the on-going playlist/profile series, More Great Indie Albums of 2008. You can get a good sense of a band’s popularity by searching its name on Google, checking their plays on music sites like MySpace and LastFM and so on. But this is no measure of so many talented artists that have yet to be discovered by the mass of indie and alternative rock music lovers.

So here’s a nod to another promising band I didn’t know about until they sent me a link to download their debut released last October.

Boston indie-pop quintet The Hush Now have made an indelible impression on music critics and fans with their “lush sugar-spun melodies of shoegaze’s dreamy heyday”.

The band’s self-titled debut quickly climbed the independent radio charts and drew comparisons to My Bloody Valentine, Poole and The Ocean Blue, among others.

The Hush Now’s magical debut record is a boost for any band. After listening to the album more than a few times, it’s hard not to appreciate its rich, layered pop songs opulent with waves of melodies and harmonies accented by memorable keyboard riffs and catchy beats.

Can’t wait to hear their next release. The following songs are from their self-titled debut in October 2008. The first track, “Vancouver”, is my personal favorite. If you like the band, add them on MySpace.

“Vancouver” – The Hush Now
“Traditions” – The Hush Now
“Subtle Like Bombs” – The Hush Now

Get The Hush Now’s debut album for free

More Best Indie of 2008 – Born Ruffians, Annuals, Travel By Sea and More

Posted on 02/07/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Woahhh. Page traffic shows a good chunk of people are still very interested in hearing more great indie music from 2008. Okie dokie.

The following is a playlist of 08 indie songs featuring Born Ruffians, Annuals, Travel by Sea, Annuals, Pete and the Pirates and The Sound of Arrows.

“Badonkadonkey” – Born Ruffians from Red, Yellow and Blue (EP)

“Around Your Neck” – Annuals from Wet Zoo (EP)

“Truth Was” – Travel by Sea from Days of My Escape

“Eyes Like Tar” – Pete And The Pirates from Little Death

“A Very Sad Song” – The Sound of Arrows from Danger! (EP)

More ’08 Indie Songs: The Very Most, Xylos, Netherfriends and more

Posted on 01/27/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Seems like a lot of people are still interested in collecting great songs from 2008. Therefore, here’s a quick playlist featuring some of my favorite songs from 2008. Enjoy.

“Good Fight Fighting” – The Very Most from Congratulations Forever

“In The Bedroom” – Xylos from Bedrooms

“Stop Smoking Asshole Cigarettes” – Netherfriends from Feathers & Dots E.P

“Bag of Hammers” – Thao from We Brave Bee Stings and All

“Ordinary Song” – The Little Ones from Morning Tide

Check out more great indie songs from 2008

Better Late Than Never: Cut Off Your Hand’s 08 Release You and I

Posted on 01/25/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Alright, so I always hated the name of this band.

That said, Cut Off Your Hands makes some great music and they’ve really gained a following of loyal fans. Like many others, I completely missed their 2008 release, You and I, which is strangely similar to one of the most acclaimed albums, You and Me by The Walkmen.

So if you missed it to, it’s definitely worth checking out. A late recommendation yes, but if you like their previous releases, you’re almost sure to like You and I.

“Happy As Can Be” has a driving new wave type of beat rounded out with soaring choruses and shimmering keyboards. The band’s sound is definitely pop rock that is somewhat reminiscent of Kaiser Chiefs, especially on the song “Expectations”, which also has a mean electronica riff and definitely a song to get the girls dancing. Yet it also has a predominant rock feel to it. Check out the music video.

One of the album’s best tracks “Oh Girl” has a catchy, jangle pop sound around a story about a guy obviously in love with a girl. I must be getting in the Valentine’s spirit.

“Oh Girl” – Cut Off Your Hands from You and I

“Happy As Can Be” – Cut Off Your Hands from You and I

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Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008, Vol. XV

Posted on 12/18/200812/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Wow, we made it to volume No. 15 in the Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008. No matter what, it’ll never be a full sampling of what’s out there. A few months ago we said that we were a bit disappointed by the indie releases of 2008 compared to 2007.

In a way that’s still true, but the point is 2008 is turning out to be another stellar year for new indie rock albums and artists (or at least artists that somehow got under our radar in previous years).

Albums of 2008 that rise in the top echelon of our playlists include The Walkmen’s You & Me (absolutely freaking amazing), The Little Ones’ Morning Tide, White Denim’s Workout Holiday, TV on the Radio’s Dear Science and Plants and Animals Parc Avenue.

“In The New Year” by The Walkmen from You & Me

“Morning Tide” by The Little Ones from Morning Tide

“Golden Age” by TV on the Radio from Dear Science

“Sitting” by White Denim from Workout Holiday

“New Kind of Love” by Plants and Animals from Parc Avenue

Well, the holidays are upon us and folks at the cafe are busy with festivities and family and everything else that clobbers us during this time of year. This, Vol. 15, of the Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008 playlist series, may just be the last for this topic.

But check back in case we decide to belt out a couple more of these lists. If you’ve missed any of the previous playlists, check out the series while all the songs are still available for sampling. And if you really like something buy it as a gift for someone special or just for yourself (you’re special too!).

Peace on earth (better chance once the Bush regime finally leaves) and happy holidays everyone.
Cannot resist: “Hey Bush, we’ve got shoes for you.”

Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008, Vol XIV

Posted on 12/14/200812/01/2016 by Max Hammer

One of our favorite indie duos that we don’t write enough about is San Francisco’s Mates of State. The husband and wife team of Kori Gardner (keyboard/vocals) and Jason Hammel (drums/vocals) have put out some awesome music in during the past decade and were presented to a much larger audience in recent years, especially following a 2007 feature in an AT & T commercial (ugh, we know) for their song “For The Actor”.

But reaching that level of commercialism hasn’t put a damper on their musical creativity as evidenced by their latest release, Re-Arrange Us, which officially came out earlier this year on Barsuk Records. The album is making many best of 2008 album lists on the web and in print. It’s a great record, perhaps one of their best, which is saying a lot.

“My Only Offer” by Mates of State from Re-Arrange Us

“Our Darkest Days and Nights” by Love is Chemicals from Song of the Summer Youth Brigade

“Half Japaneez Girl” by Wild Years from Wild Yearz

“I Never Want To Go Home” by The Whigs from Mission Control

“Prickly Pear” by Woven from Designer Codes

Bonus: “No Hiding Place” by Elvis Costello from Momfuku

Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008, Vol XIII

Posted on 12/09/200812/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Yesterday we double posted some of the ‘best indie songs’ of 2008 that came from the first installment of this series. Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing that out. Today we promise there are no duplicates in this list, but there are more songs featured from some of our favorite indie albums of 2008.

Take British Sea Power for example. The band’s album, Do You Like Rock Music?, is on the shortlist of many blogs for one of the best albums of 2008. And, it’s no wonder – it’s fantastic!

In an early installment of the best indie songs of 2008, we posted a song from The Ruby Suns. The album, Sea Lion, we likes so much that we’re featuring another track here – “Oh, Mojave.”

Sea Lion, we thinks, is one of the most overlooked best indie albums of 2008. Also featured are songs from Air France, Beach House, British Sea Power and Headlights. Enjoy and visit the bands’ websites and MySpace pages for more.

“Waving Flags” by British Sea Power from Do You Like Rock Music? (sign up on BSP website for two free MP3s)

“Get Your Head Around It” by Headlights from Some Racing, Some Stopping

“Gila” by Beach House from Devotion

“Oh, Mojave” by The Ruby Suns from Sea Lion

“Collapsing At Your Doorstep” by Air France from No Way Down

Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008, Vol. XII

Posted on 12/07/200812/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Toronto’s indie rockers Tokyo Police Club have hacked their way into the indie rock arena with stylistic chord chunks that emulate the edginess of The Strokes and the story-telling appeal of bands like The Decemberists. While their 2006 EP Lesson in Crime put Tokyo Police Club on the indie rock map, it was their 2008 album Elephant Shell that caught the attention of many fans, bloggers and the established rock media.

Apart from being featured in an Apple commercial, The Submarines released a wonderfully ambitious and enjoyable album this year, as did fellow indie artists like San Francisco’s The Botticellis, Swedish indie pop sensation Lykke Li and Syracuse, New York’s exuberant pop masters Ra Ra Riot.

“In A Cave” by The Tokyo Police Club from Elephant Shell

“I’m Good, I’m Gone” by Lykke Li from Youth Novel

“Old Home Movies” by The Botticellis from Old Home Movies

“You, Me & The Bourgeoisie” by The Submarines from You Me & The Bourgeoisie

“Dying Is Fine” by Ra Ra Riot from The Rhumb Line

Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008, Vol. XI

Posted on 12/04/200812/18/2019 by Max Hammer

illustration by Sam Harang

As you read this post, IRC is putting together a playlist of some of the greatest songs of 2008 from albums that were just recently released, and a few that took some time to “come around” to. We are also starting to feature artist web links (by default to MySpace) so you can get more from your favorites.

In this installment, Volume XI of the Best Indie Songs of 2008 playlist series, we bring you stellar songs from recent releases by better known indie and alternative bands like San Francisco’s The Dodos, Germany’s The Notwist and Minneapolis’ Cloud Cult. Also featured in this mix are songs from 2008 releases by lesser known artists such as Sweden’s Moto Boy and LA’s You Me & Iowa.

“Tommy Hall” by You Me & Iowa from The Adventures of You Me & Iowa – You Me & Iowa – MySpace. Another fabulous song by the band, “Dress The Stage” was featured in Vol. 5 of The Best Indie Songs of 2008 (so you know we like this band a lot!)

“Everybody Here Is A Cloud” by Cloud Cult from Feel Good Ghosts – Cloud Cult – MySpace

“Young Love” by Moto Boy from Young Love – Moto Boy – MySpace

“Good Lies” by The Notwist from The Devil, You and Me – The Notwist – MySpace

“Walking” by The Dodos (photo, right) from Visiter – The Dodos – MySpace

Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008, Vol. X

Posted on 11/29/200812/18/2019 by Max Hammer

There are so many great songs that we keep discovering from 2008 that we could do this almost continuously until the end of the year. In playlists to come we will feature Portishead, Cut Copy, M83, Secret Machines, Sigur Ros, Vampire Weekend, Girl Talk, Travis, Tilly and the Wall, Headlights, Okkervil River, British Sea Power, Lykke Li and many others.

Today’s playlist of the best indie songs (in our humble opinion, of course) of 2008 features indie and alternative artists like Throw Me The Statue, The M’s, Why?, Weezer, Sprengjuhollin and The Week That Was.

“The Airport Line”– The Week That Was from The Week That Was
“Lolita”– Throw Me The Statue from Moonbeams
“Big Sound” – The M’s from Real Close Ones
“The Vowels, Pt. 2” – Why? from Alopecia
“The Greatest Man That Ever Lived”– Weezer from The Red Album
“Sumar i Mula”– Sprengjuhollin (photo, right) from Sprengjuhollin

Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008, Vol. IX

Posted on 11/24/200812/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Some people have asked if this series of best songs is also a representation of the best indie albums as well. The answer is yes. The songs are in no particular order, but they are favorite songs selected from each of this year’s best albums. At the end of the series, we’ll publish the entire list of IRC’s favorite album releases of 2008.

For those of you wondering why we present only six songs at a time, it’s just a format we contribute to six-packs; yup, corny, but hey, it’s the music that counts.

Today’s best of 2008 indie includes artists The Hush Now, Unicycle Loves You, No Age, Santogold, The Magnetic Fields and Rainbow Arabia.

“Traditions”– The Hush Now from The Hush Now
“Dangerous Decade”– Unicycle Loves You from Unicycle Loves You
“Eraser”– No Age (photo, right) from Nouns
“Starstruck”– Santogold from Santogold
“Till the Bittend”– The Magnetic Fields from Distortion
“Watchout”– Rainbow Arabia from KVRX 3×5 2008

Bonus Track: “All of My Love” American Music Club from The Golden Age