Are we shifting to numbers now?

131 is the new genre in town. History showed us that bands that invented new music genres and pioneered in it, reached eternal footing. Ray Charles was the first to mix gospel music into mainstream. Pink Floyd created psychedelic music genre. Nirvana started the punk and alternative revolution. 

So is 131 the new dimension of Indie? Is it a way of promoting new bands? Who knows. I thought it was a fault with my player, until i realized this actually is a genre. A number. 


Many bands seems to be falling into this category now. Such as Fiest, The Black keys, Ingrid Michaelson and the likes. Earlier, genres weren't left as an open field, as they could be of any length. So a list of genres was created that could be referenced with a number. 

This is pretty interesting:

http://www.multimediasoft.com/amp3dj/help/index.html?amp3dj_00003e.htm

The Boxer Rebellion

Some bands just don’t get the air time they should. So they end up financing themselves and performing in movies as start up bands. I first heard of them in the movie “Going the distance”. They are an indie rock band, since 2001, and are currently not signed with a record label. Which is just sad, because these guys are talented! They have featured in various tv shows, commercials and movies. Yet, they aren’t out there.

At times, they sound a lot like Coldplay. But we already know Coldplay is irreplaceable. None the less, this band has defined a unique tune for themselves, which you can condition yourself to.

For starters: Spitting Fire

‘If You Run’ : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FAa7NaGJ8U&feature=related

‘Both Sides Are Even’, ‘Flight’, ’ No harm’, ‘The Runner’ and ‘Semi-Automatic’ are the next songs to check out if you liked what you heard.

Editors

I would listen to this band just for his voice. Tom smith as mentioned before is what sets this indie rock band apart from the others. His soulful voice reminds me of Aaron Lewis from ‘Staind’, but heavier. It just shuts you up. I would imagine him to be the background music for some dramatic real life moment. “No sound but the wind” is one of their slower ones. Just dear Tom with his words. Beautiful.

Papillon is my personal favourite from their fast track sounds.

They're quite a recent band, formed in 2002. Were previously known as 'Pilot', 'The Pride' and 'Snowfield'  Some other picks are : An end has a start, All sparks, Smokers outside the hospital doors, Blood, Bullets, and Munich.

The Japanese Popstars

“Shells of silver” was the first song I heard of this band. Listening to the track, I thought I knew what to expect. But I was mistaken. What impressed me instantly is their style of music. After listening to something like Shells of silver, came along “Joshua”, which sounds like a different genre altogether. That’s one reason to check them out. They come out with some interesting stuff. They also seem to have the most random videos for most of their songs.

Second being, they’re catchy. If you want something upbeat, their music grows on you.

I would’ve posted the first song I heard, but Tom Smith’s voice in this one is just brilliant. Ignore the monkey.

Just let it play: “Shells of silver” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v9SD4IzYzw&ob=av2n

“Let go” – Mad video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ_LUoLTKLo&feature=relmfu

“Song for lisa” , “Fight the night”, “So Shock’in” and the rest of the songs explain why this three DJ’s band is an appreciated electronic act.

Spoon

This American rock band, goes all the way back to 1993. Although it took quite a while for them to come out with a successful album, their single "The Way We Get By", finally placed them on the map, after featuring in the teen drama 'The O.C.".

Post this were more singles that found their way to Tv shows, such as "I Saw The Light", "I Summon You", "Don't You Evah", "The Infinite Pet" and few others. But "The underdog" is the most popular track yet :

The Kills

Call it indie rock, post punk or garage rock, The Kills are something different altogether.

They say subliminal messages convey "Sex". This is it

Their popular tracks are:

1. Tape song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdeWQIM1FgY&ob=av2e

2. Sour cherry - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h-hvebnsZU

3. Cheap and cheerful - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6wUPCqwWI8

...all from the same album 'Midnight Boom'.

'Blood Pressures' is their fourth and new album that was released in April this year. They just keep getting better and better. As a compilation, this album has a better sound, compared to the previous ones. 'Satellite' and 'Heart is a beating drum' are the one's to check out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0td9a-0cMv0

Blue Foundation

Blue Foundation is one the best Trip-Hop bands you will ever come across. They got noticed by the song "Eyes on fire" from the first Twilight movie, although Miami Vice had already discovered them by "Sweep".

End of the day is by far their best track from all the albums combined. It just takes you away. When i first heard it, i was obsessed! 

They're a Danish band, founded in 2000 and have come out with some fantastic music ever since. They should definitely be more popularized. How i wish i could be their manager. Ah, dreams.

Here are a few other tracks to check out. 

1. As i moved on  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryKz22yMslw

2. Hero across the sky  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnCrhXSqkLE

3. Enemy  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MwbNDB9dKM

4. Save this town  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCHZ3ziV8cI&ob=av2n

5. Embers  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAcvVOrPTfg

6. Bonfires  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HORpOWzmFWc

Zero 7

My first official blog about has to be about one of my favourite bands - Zero 7. The British duo, Sam Hardekar and Henry Binns started it off in 1997. Their first album "Simple Things" gave some amazing tracks, such as "Destiny" and "In the waiting line". Some of you'll may have heard Destiny in the movies Blue Crush or Raising Helen. But if you haven't, that's a song to begin with. 

If you liked this, you should definitely check out their third album "The Garden"

My personal picks:

1. Futures - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhhi36zMHQA

2. Pageant of the bizarre - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOQUEvUku3A

3. This fine social scene - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSG2rpPvsGE

4. Crosses

5. Throw it all away
I could go on. It's the 2nd and 3rd song i've listed, that i could always relate to.

From their earlier trip-hop vibes, they've tried to get a very electro-pop feel to their music in their latest album "Yeah Ghost" (2009). You can check out the track "Ghost Symbol" for starters. If you're a fan of the British TV show "Misfits", you must have heard it there.

Preface

So many times i have across music that hasn't been commercialized. Thank god for that. I guess that's what makes it special. There are various bands that are somewhat known, but not entirely discovered. 

In these times of hip-hop, trance, house and electronica, music died somewhere around the year 2000. If you don't agree with this, you've probably spent too much time dancing away in clubs like it's the time of your life. The good old days of The Doors, Led Zepp, Floyd, ACDC and the likes, was what created history. 50 years from now, you will still see people singing "Comfortably Numb" and "Roadhouse Blues". I wonder how much a chance songs like "On the floor" and "Temperature" have. Hip-hop has always been about keeping up with the times, whereas Rock was always about being remembered. 

But i'll contradict myself right here by saying that artists like Deadmau5, Armin and Morgan Page are some of my favourites. They created trance-house, a niche by itself. I guess in a way, a little music exclusivity is always more appreciated. To the masses, music consists of Timbaland and Rihanna's of the world. When i say this, i mean the city i live in. Can't speak for everywhere else, but there's a trend. No offense to either of the two artists. But we can probably go beyond "What's my name?".You will definitely find a select bunch of people who listen to different genres. But a majority are the ass shaking, body grinding, 'woo' shouting, dramatic dance moves kind of people. Yes, most of us have been there. I don't even want to get started on the 'dhinchak' Bollywood tracks. That'll need a blog of it's own. Go out any Saturday night and drink up every time you see a guy in a black shirt and blue jeans. Guaranteed to get drunk. Maybe that's a code everywhere, but we'll move past that.

I don't mean to insult any genre. All require their own skill of composition and style. Without variety, music would cease to exist. I have to admit, i enjoy all of it. So i shall give a thumbs up to the Friday and Saturday night beats. You sure do entertain!

Other genres like Indie Rock, Trip-Hop, Electronic Rock, etc always seem to be getting picked as musical scores for various TV shows and movies. Well, at least in some way they're out there for you'll to hear. My blog will talk about these artists and the music they create. Different and interesting tunes, tracks i keep coming across, whatever. Think of it as a playlist.