Mix of the Month – February 2011

Another month bites the dust.  I hope you came out the victor if you did battle with the #icepocalypse or #snowpocalypse.  If you live in the one state that didn’t get any snow, hush your mouth.
Now it’s nearly Valentine’s Day, also known as Singles Awareness Day, depending on your relationship status.  Consider this mix my gift to you in lieu of a dozen roses or a box of chocolates.  I don’t know if I’ve ever explained this before, but I hope you guys are digging these mixes and finding some new artists to like.  That’s my goal — to share the stuff I’ve found with you in the hopes that you’ll find a new favorite song, band, or album to soundtrack your days.
Let’s get to it.  And don’t knock the album cover.  It has historical significance this month.

Download it here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/746432/MotM%202_11.zip

1.  ”Round The Bend” — Connor B. Fitz
I wrote about Connor’s album, The R-Complex, recently.  He’s a multi-talented session musician who finally let his creative flag fly with his first self-release.  The R-Complex is available as a name-your-own-price download on Connor’s website.
http://connorbfitz.com/album.cfm

2. “Shake Me Down” — Cage The Elephant
“Shake Me Down” is the lead single from Cage The Elephant’s sophomore album, Thank You, Happy Birthday.  This song is an alt-rock earworm like their previous hit “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked”.
http://www.cagetheelephant.com

3.  ”Rumour Has It” — Adele
If you listen to the radio at all, you may have already heard “Rolling In The Deep” — the first single from Brit songstress Adele’s new album,21.  I am of the opinion that Adele is one of the best living female vocalists, so I’m partial to this song, because it’s wholly comprised of some percussion and Adele’s voice.  It’s creative and it’s kickass.
http://www.adele.tv/

4.  ”Ohio” — The Black Keys
I live in Ohio and I think it’s pretty cool, regardless of the bad rap it may get.  Come hang with me in Cincinnati for a day and you’ll get it.  Anyway, the reason I picked this song should be obvious.  And if you don’t get the chorus stuck in your head, I’ll be shocked.  O-H!  I-O!
http://www.theblackkeys.com/

5.  ”My Body” — Young The Giant
I saw Young The Giant live a couple of weeks ago.  They were so polished I almost couldn’t believe they’re not a manufactured band.  Their lead singer has an amazing voice and his stage presence is huge.  If you’re not already into Young The Giant when you go to the show, you will be when you leave.
http://www.youngthegiant.com/

6.  ”Helena Beat” — Foster The People
Foster The People are everything that made you first fall in love with MGMT.  Remember “Kids” and “Electric Feel”?  Yup, that’s the fun you can expect with Foster The People.
http://www.fosterthepeople.com/

7.  ”I Say Fever” — Ramona Falls
Ramona falls is the new project from Brent Knopf, formerly of Menomena.  If you like extremely creative, unclassifiable music, Brent Knopf is the dude for you.  This song is anchored by legit piano melodies and a nearly hip-hop beat.  Don’t miss the video for it.  Your mind will be blown.
http://www.ramonafalls.com/

8.  ”Strange Height” — Lovedrug
Lovedrug are my favorite little independent rock band that could.  They just successfully completed a PledgeMusic campaign to fund their next full-length album and are partnering with MochaClub to fund projects for the care of orphaned and vulnerable children.  This song is from the third and final installment in the +/- EP series.
http://www.lovedrugmusic.com/

9.  ”Satori” — Arrow To The Sun
Arrow To The Sun is a post-hardcore band from Boston we’ll be featuring on the Record Rebellion shortly.  They’re excellent at everything I love about the genre — soaring vocals, melodic guitar riffs, and fist-pumping beats.
http://arrowtothesun.bandcamp.com/

10.  ”April Aftermath” — Boxer And Clover
If you like powerpop or pop-punk, you’ll like unsigned Florida band Boxer & Clover.  This song is an acoustic track off their recently released EP, Fate Has Favorites.  I’m a fan of the lyrics.  Get Fate Has Favorites for free here.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boxer-Clover/

11.  ”In Your Arms” — Fifteen Fleeting
Fifteen Fleeting is an alt/pop rock band in the style of bands such as Lifehouse that has opened for the likes of My Chemical Romance and Gaslight Anthem.  Their self-produced, self-recorded album  resents: is available for $1 here.
http://www.facebook.com/FifteenFleeting

12.  ”A Vague Ambition” — Gates
New Jersey-based Gates’ The Sun Will Rise and Lead Me Home is another one of my recent reviews.  They play great atmospheric, melodic rock music.  If you like this song, the whole EP is available free at Gates’ Bandcamp.
http://gatesnj.com/

13.  ”Hundreds of Knives” — Love Axe
Love Axe is a band I randomly came across while surfing Bandcamp (which, by the way, I think should replace MySpace as the go-to website for bands).  ”Hundreds of Knives” is one of those songs that starts off with a lullaby quality but explodes into energy halfway through.  You can check out and download the whole album, Phenomenons, for free here.
http://www.loveaxe.com/

14.  ”Pearl” — Maritime
How I’m only just now hearing about Maritime is beyond my comprehension.  They play fantastic melodic rock with great guitar work.  If you like this song, they have several others available for free download at their website.
http://www.maritimesongs.com/

15.  ”Lumberer” — Myles Pereira
There seems to be a lot of American blues/folk-influenced music coming out of England lately.  Myles Pereira is one of those Brits putting it out.  He’s got a very unique voice.  This song sounds a bit like a cross between Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Gavin DeGraw, and Corey Crowder.
http://www.myspace.com/mylespereira

16.  ”I Get What You Give” — Teenage Kicks
Teenage Kicks are a rock ‘n roll band from Toronto, Canada with a southern-influenced sound.  I’m a big fan of the lyrics here.  ”Good things come to those who wait.  Good things come to those who wait on tables.  The band hasn’t yet released a full-length album, so get in on this before you’re bandwagonning.
http://www.myspace.com/teenagekicksteenagekicks

17.  ”Hamilton Anxiety Scale” — Thomas Giles
Pulse is the first full-length release from Thomas Giles aka Tommy Rogers of Between The Buried and Me.  His solo material is not what you’d expect from a metal rocker with its element of calm and its fill of melodies, but it is what you’d expect from a man who lives and breathes music.
http://www.myspace.com/thomasgilesmusic

18.  ”i want! i want!” — Walk The Moon
Walk The Moon is an up-and-coming indie dance/rock group from Cincinnati.  I caught them as the opener for Tokyo Police Club last week, and if the crowd they drew was any indication, you’ll be hearing a lot more from these guys soon.
http://www.myspace.com/walkthemoonband

19.  ”For Your Sake” — Courrier
If you’re looking for some rock music with depth, look no further than Austin, TX’s Courrier.  With influences ranging from U2 and Radiohead to Switchfoot and Deathcab for Cutie, this band has a sound that’s almost impossible not to appreciate.  A 4-song sampler from their Feb. 1 full-length release, A Violent Flame, is available free at NoiseTrade.com.
http://www.courriermusic.com