Eastern Conference Champions

Tonight we are going to take another dive into the "great stuff that Neil has found at the radio station" pool. Eastern Conference Champions are a three piece rock band who currrenlty are residing in LA trying to get things going. They have a great start with their latest EP. Sure vocalist Josh Ostrander wails just like Thom Yorke, but since when is that a bad thing? Swells of grand piano and upbeat drums will keep your head bobbing all day to this one.

MP3: Eastern Conference Champions- Hollywood

Eastern Conference Champions Myspace

Haley Bonar

I have to admit, sometimes I have a tendancy to get TOO attached to music. For example, take local singer songwriter Haley Bonar. Her songs are amazing, folk-driven, slow burners. Great. 'Enjoy the music Neil, go to the show Neil.' Nope, my mind has to start running when I learn that she was raised in Rapid City, SD. A town 30 min from where my grandparents live. A town I have driven through many, many times in my life. Are Haley and I soulmates? Obviously. Should you download "Ransom," the soulful, rhodes-drenched tune featuring drums from none other than Dave King (Bad Plus, Halloween Alaska, Love Cars, way too many others...)? Absolutely.

MP3: Haley Bonar- Ransom

Haley 'cute as a button' Bonar Myspace

Of Montreal

True consistancy is something that far too many musical acts lack. The ability to come back year after year and not have a drop in quality is something to behold. Of Montreal is a perfect example of this kind of consistancy. Their last three records, in as many years, have all been dead on. Frontman and mastermind, Kevin Barnes truly has something great going, his style of electro-disco-pop hits full stride on their new record, "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?" Packed with melodies, seemingly ripped straight from Barry Gibb, you will find yourself coming back for more. Oh yeah....get your dancing shoes on, you wont be able to hold back.


MP3: Of Montreal- Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse

Of Montreal Myspace

Also, check out Of Montreal live at First Ave on March 16th

Menomena

There are record labels who I know I can count on to consistanly put out great stuff every year. Barsuk records is one of those labels. Known for breaking Death Cab for Cutie, Barsuk has a storied history that plows forward with great bands like Menomena. The experiemental rock trio's first record for Barsuk is a strange and head-turning journey. Their last record consisted of three instrumental tracks which is the soundtrack to a modern dance choreography, Menomena isnt a normal band.


MP3: Menomena-Wet & Rusted


Menomena Myspace

Harbor

One of the obvious perks of working at a college radio station are the armfuls of records that come through our doors daily. This is going to be a great semester. My first gem doubles as great local music as well! If you have been around the blog for awhile you know that I always try to post as much local stuff as possible. Harbor is indeed from Minneapolis and their indie-pop rock is like waking up on the right side of the bed. If you like Stars, the Hopefuls, The Get up Kids or a great mix of those bands, you are sure to enjoy this.


MP3: Harbor- Always Burning

Harbor Myspace

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

Yes this mofo is all over the internet this week but there just arent enough people in this world listening to Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. Not much changes inbetween Ted Leo records, but thats just fine with me. You can always count on the man to deliver. Really, dont mess around, just download this mp3 off the new album, which drops on March 20th.

MP3: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists- Sons of Cain

Ted Leo Myspace

ps. sorry about the delay. I am all settled back at school and have ample server space to post multiple times a week without removing things. So keep checking back! I promise ill be here.

St. Vincent

While in London/Europe I was introduced to a satisfying amount of new music. I hope to bring as much of it as possible here in the near future. We will start with miss Annie Clark, a.k.a. "St. Vincent." The 23 year old already has quite the resume, she is a member of The Polyphonic Spree, has toured Europe with Sufjan (while playing in his band AND opening the shows), and has a solo record due out stateside this spring. For your downloading pleasure today we have the sinister waltz, "Paris Is Burning" in which Annie sings, "come sit right here and sleep while I slip poison in your ear." Her lovely voice is vintage and refreshing. When her record hits, its poised to explode. Get ready.

St. Vincent is playing a few midwestern dates with Jolie Holland. Catch her January 20th at the Fine Line.

MP3: St. Vincent-Paris Is Burning

St. Vincent on Myspace (listen to 'Marry Me')

Basia Bulat

Welcome to 2007. I woke up today and clicked over to one of my favorite blogs to discover a beautiful song by canadian Basia Bulat. Her voice is as lovely as the sunny orchestration in her songs. Its strange that she can have an amazing record deal in Europe (Rough Trade) and still be looking for someone to take her here in the states. Im sure she will be swept up VERY soon. Until then, we can all just download a few tracks online and keep our ears on her myspace.

MP3: Basia Bulat-The Pilgriming Vine

Basia Bulat's Myspace

the return....

After a busy semester abroad in London, Fort Cosmo is back. 2007 is going to be huge. But before we go forward, lets look back at the year we just stuck a fork in...

I always look forward to creating my annual top ten albums of the year list. Its just fun to look back and think about the records that played such an important role in my life over the last 365 days. Ready? Good, me too.

NEIL'S TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2006!


10- Pants Yell: Recent Drama



Playful indie-pop is in full swing here with the Boston trio’s sophomore release. While the record is sometimes frightfully simple, the breezy, light melodies are a wonderful treat. Andrew Churchman’s lyrics are concise, yet thoroughly satisfying, “There's dust collecting on your notebook pile / I'm sure it's my fault / We haven't talked in a while” he sings on “We’ve Got History.” There is just something about the playful humor of the record that makes me smile each time I give it a listen.

Favorite Track: Our Weather


9- Final Fantasy: He Poos Clouds



No, it has nothing to do with the video game, and for the record, I know nothing about dungeons and dragons (what allegedly most of the songs are inspired by.) He Poos Clouds is an extravagant adventure into the mind of Owen Pallet, also known for his work in the Arcade Fire and Hidden Cameras. The Innovative and elegant record is mostly made up of string, piano and voice arrangements that range from strange and morose (If I Were A Carp) to lighthearted pop (He Poos Clouds). Look past the ridiculous title of this record and give it a chance. The wonderful string arrangements and Pallet’s unique songwriting makes for some of the most rewarding music 2006 had to offer.

Favorite Track: Song Song Song


8- P.O.S.: Audition



Audition: Stef Alexander, aka P.O.S. wants you to know that its OK to make hip hop music that rocks. His punk rock roots are obvious on the record, in high school Alexander used to play bass, and you can still catch him onstage locally with ‘Building Better Bombs’, his hardcore band. Spitting over brilliant beats, of crunchy guitars and violent drums, most come compliments of Minneapolis producer Lazerbeak who’s day job includes playing in The Plastic Constelations. P.O.S.’s hard-hitting lyrics ooze urgency and passion. The first words we hear out of Stef’s mouth are “First of all fuck bush/that’s all/that’s the end of it.” The fireworks start early and last the entirety of the 45 minute record. While Audition features many different collaborations, the highlight comes on “Safety in Speed (Heavy Metal)”, a track that includes Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn. The track is a slow burner that leaves your head spinning. The diversity that P.O.S. brings to this album is something that is unseen in hip hop today. It’s the best local release this year, and its music like this that makes me truly proud to be able to call Minneapolis home.

Favorite Track: Safety in Speed (Heavy Metal)


7- Beirut: Gulag Orkestar



Zach Condon, the mastermind behind Gulag Orkestar is 20 years old. Last year Zach decided to write an eastern European folk record. He ‘borrowed’ equiptment to record the album from a local university and what resulted is something truly remarkable. Condon’s voice sounds at least a decade older than it actually is. He is an old soul. There is something to be said about his ability to use his voice truly as an instrument, not just to get across lyrics, but to croon an even more important melody. Beirut’s debut record is stuffed with accordion, ukuleles, and huge sounding brass. While listening to this record you get the feeling that you are sitting in a dusty street in Romania listening to local gypsy-folk. Internet-hype aside, this record is truly something special and Zach Condon is somebody I look forward to paying close attention to for years to come.

Favorite Track (of the year): Postcards from Italy


6- Silversun Pickups: Carnavas



The first time you listen to Carnavas your first impression might be to automatically make the obvious comparison to a little band called the Smashing Pumpkins, but the Silversun Pickups’ do quite a bit to separate themselves from the 90’s grunge outfit. Brian Aubert’s raspy voice bounces over tame, groovy verses and loud, intense choruses. The record is also covered in interesting synth patterns and keyboard noise to match. The fuzz is dark, the melody is bright, and it comes together to create a very special indie-rock record. Do me a favor, get in your car, put in Carnavas, and tack on 30 mph to the speed limit, you’ll see what I mean.

Favorite Track: Lazy Eye


5- Math and Physics Club: Math and Physics Club



2006 was a year filled with twee indie-pop, and this record is the best straight up indie-pop I have heard in a LONG time. The Seattle group’s sound is clearly influenced by Belle and Sebastian among many others, but how amazingly well MAPC crafts theses songs is alarming. From the melodies, to the articulate, clear, expression-filled lyrics, the ten song LP is custom made for a summer day. The songs are crafted in such a way that that they are stripped down to the bare essentials of perfect quiet pop. It sounds boring, but its quite the opposite. Trust me.

Favorite Song: La La La Lisa


4- The Decemberists: The Crane Wife



Decemberists frontman Colin Melroy is known as one of the best storytellers in indie-rock today, and The Crane Wife is a prime example why. The Decemberists are no strangers to songs that take you back to the old world, from sailors, to pirates, to warriors, the tales are often epic and stand apart from similar bands. While three of the songs on the record are based around a Japanese folk tale, the band has not departed from what go them here, the album is also home to murder ballads and songs of love, war and adventure. While the songwriting is certainly front and center, what is also interesting about this album is the bands’ surprising advance from the sound of their previous records. ‘The Island’ is a 12 minute prog-rock monster. Something unheard of on past Decemberists works. Also the sound of organs swelling is a welcome addition. Do yourself a favor and get lost in the incredible stories that reside in one of 2006’s most accomplished albums.

Favorite Track: The Crane Wife 1 and 2


3- M. Ward: Post War



M. Ward caught me by surprise this year. When the record first came out in August, I heard nothing but great things about it, but I couldn’t really get into it. I took It with me to London and suddenly it clicked. There is just something so timeless about this album. The musicianship on this record is simply top notch. Matt’s voice is so smooth and the guitar is dusty and soulful. Guest spot from Neko Case and Jim James of My Morning Jacket fit in perfectly on this record. Post War’s first track “Poison Cup” is one of my favorites of the year, Matt sings “If love is a poison cup, then drink it up/’cause a sip or a spoonful wont do/ wont do nothing for you, except mess you up” in such a goosebump inducing tone. M. Ward snuck up on me this year, and Im glad he did, I would have missed one of the most majestic records of the year.

Favorite Track: Poison Cup


2- The Thermals: The Body, The Blood, The Machine



You only have to take one look at the artwork of the Thermals latest record to figure out that “The Body, the Blood, The Machine” full to the brim with scathing criticism on religion and today’s political agenda. The Thermals frontman and guitarist Hutch Harris is angry, he shouts and he cranks his distortion-soaked guitar up. Harris points out ironies and contradictions within politics and religion throughout the course of the record. In “Power Doesn’t Run on Nothing” Hutch sings “They’ll give us what we’re asking for/’cause god is with us and our god’s the richest/our power doesn’t run on nothing/it runs on blood.” The music is just as firery as the lyrics, punk/garage rock that only slows for the sixth track, the simplistic “Test Pattern.” The Thermals latest record is a rip-roaring tantrum of an album that fires on all cylinders and resonates with anybody who has questioned matters of politics and religion.

Favorite Track: An Ear for Baby


1- The Hold Steady: Boys and Girls in America



Jack Kerouac once wrote that, “Boys and Girls in America have such a sad time together.” This line is the basis of my favorite record of the year. Craig Finn, who has found himself recently raised to the peaks of rock’s finest storytellers, masterfully conjures up tales of American suburbia. With an amazing knack for capturing essence of parties, late nights and excess, Finn finds a way to weave stories about it all. The album is written about a generation that isn’t very easily classifiable. The band sounds more melodramatic and larger than ever, piling on guitars, backup vocals and layers upon layers of keyboards and organs. The record sounds huge. Boys and Girls in America is my favorite record of the year because the songs are well written, catchy, and anthemic. There are a lot of fun records out there, but this one takes the cake. Nothing else made me want to break out the air guitar more than Boys and Girls in America. I simply had the most fun the year listening to the Hold Steady.

Favorite Track: Massive Nights


and the rest.....

11- Clipse: Hell Hath No Fury
12- The Lovely Feathers: Hind Hind Legs
13- Junior Boys: So This is Goodbye
14- Midlake: The Trials of Van Occupanther
15- Sunset Rubdown: Shut Up I am Dreaming
16- Destroyer: Rubies
17- Islands: Return to the Sea
18- Voxtrot: Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Wives
19- Johann Johannsson: IBM 1401-A Users Manual
20- Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins: Rabbit Fur Coat