Acclaimed actress, Zooey Deschanel and her partner, M.Ward deliver in their second studio album proving that 2008's debut, "Volume One" was not a fluke. Critics of Deschanel will find that there is so much more to her than meets the eye. She has written nearly every song on this album. Her vocals are ethereal against the exaggerated and heavy ambience established by the ominous instrumental tone and haunting back-up vocals. The record's themes are those of strength, perseverance and hope, but from a perspective of someone who is mature, realistic, and honest. A lot of the songs sound like they could've been made in the mid to late 60's; they're just drenched in a west coast, retro, sepia tone. There is an undeniable personality and charm present on this and their past work. The duo present a unique, but favorable contrast in the production and vocals that you have to hear to recognize its profound depth. There are covers of "Ridin' in my Car" by NRBQ and also "Gonna Get Along Without You Now" by Patience and Prudence. Complexly beautiful, this album carries water with most indie music fans.

RedletterDaydream


Past Work:
Volume One

Track:
Thieves

The fourth studio album from Seattle indie stars, Minus The Bear, stays true to form for the most part. Maybe the most noticeable thing about this album, and something that fans will likely pick up on right away, is the greater attention to production. This work is probably the most electronically driven to date. It's not exactly auto-tuned, but the layered and synthesized guitar riffs are prevalent and there is periodic use of electronic, polyrhythmic backbeats, but nothing too dramatic. Jake Snider's voice is still sort of lacking any great range, but is incredibly smooth and easy to listen to. Lyrically, this album is more intimate with some sexual innuendo. Minus The Bear is one of the more progressive indie rock bands out there, and even though a lot of other bands have either caught up or begun to copy them, they exhibit an indelible charm that makes their work that much more intelligent and provocative. "Omni" is a playful and ornate work with more definitive lyrics, and is less tounge-in-cheek than past works.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Highly Refined Pirates
Menos el Oso
Planet of Ice

Track:
Summer Angel

The sixth studio album from Indie favorites, The Decemberists, is perhaps their most promising to date. This is the third release since signing with Capitol Records and the last two albums lacked a certain elementary charm, as if they'd been trying too hard. "The King Is Dead" is simple and acoustic for the most part. It's a 'back-to-basics' record that will remind dedicated fans of why they fell in love with The Decemberists in the first place. The acoustic guitar and harmonica driven instrumentals along with Colin Meloy's whimsical vocals create a sort of sepia-toned experience that leaves a profound impression. There's still a beautiful underlying narrative but it's lighter and easier than on the past two works (fewer big words, for the sake of using big words). Peter Buck of R.E.M. makes a contribution on this album by playing guitar on several tracks including the first single, "Down By The Water", and there is an R.E.M. influenced sound throughout the work. This album has been well received for its confidence and consistent delivery.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Castaways and Cutouts
Her Majesty The Decemberists
Picaresque
The Crane Wife
The Hazards of Love

Track:
Don't Carry It All

2010 was an eventful year for Circa Survive, with the release of their third studio album and second EP. "Blue Sky Noise" is probably the most complete album yet by this Philadelphia band. It sustains through all 16 tracks, which can't necessarily be said for the last two albums. As far as progressive indie rock goes, Circa Survive has set a pretty high standard for 2011. Listening to the latest releases, seasoned fans will admire the maturity and chemistry. The rest of the band has finally caught up with frontman, Anthony Green and his enormous vocal presence.The lyrics on these works are highly conceptual, in the sense that you're sort of transported to another place. Most remarkable about these two works is the massive improvement shown overall. The music is much tighter, more energetic and calculated, particularly with percussion. The aptly titled "Appendage" EP is just that, an appendage to accompany the studio album released months prior. It contains b-sides and a demo that hardcore fans will definitely appreciate. When we look back on Circa Survive years from now, we'll recall "Blue Sky Noise" as when they turned that corner and found the sound for which they'd strived, and left indie fans saying, "Saosin who...?". The "Appendage" EP is the cherry on top.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Juturna
On Letting Go

Track:
Imaginary Enemy

I'll be up front, I'm not a huge Iron & Wine fan by any means, I really wouldn't call myself a fan at all. This EP that he has released recently is completely different from his other work in the past. To me Iron & Wine's albums have always had poor production value but this one (being on Warner Bros.) is actually very clear and shows his real talent. The older albums always sounded like he was being confined in a cardboard box and was only allowed to sing at a minimal decimal. This EP is only three songs but Beam really shows off his talents with multiple instruments and a different sound but still captivating that Indie Rock sound that he has always had. For hardcore followers and fans of Iron & Wine this album might be a shock or a little different but you will enjoy it. I've always had respect for Beam in the past but if Iron & Wine's new album (1/25/11) is anything like this EP I will consider myself a fan.

LoopedEyeless

Around The Well
The Shepard's Dog
In The Reins (EP)
Woman King (EP)
Our Endless Numbered Days
Iron & Wine iTunes Exclusive (EP)
The Sea & Rhythm (EP)
Tour (EP)
The Creek Drank The Cradle

Track:
Walking Far From Home

The debut release from Atlanta-based band, The Constellations, has a little bit of everything. There are clear rock/indie rock roots, but as the album progresses there is a distinct hip hop flavor that becomes more prevalent. With guest appearances by Cee-Lo and Asher Roth, the album holds water with hip hop fans and indie rock fans alike. There are smooth bass lines throughout, at times coupled with pronounced synth beats, there's sort of a low and heavy sound on some tracks. There is a certain ominous quality that has been compared to Massive Attack. The lyrics are dark and laced with references to drugs and sex. It's definitely an album one would listen to on a track by track basis. There isn't a clear theme that unifies the songs and it is kind of all over the place. For a band having formed in 2002, they haven't advanced themselves very far musically. The album shows potential, but sounds like a debut in a juvenile sense.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
N/A

Track:
Perfect Day

Wolf Parade is a band that has one of the most haunting sounds that I've ever heard. Between Boeckner's vocals and the bands beautiful and eerily melodic sound, they construct a musical phenom. From their opening track,  "Cloud Shadow On The Mountain", you are instantly captivated, but after you hear the last track on the album you will be allured with the rest of the bands work and future material as well. That is how hard this album will hit not only indie fans but fans of other genres as well. The music itself is very admirable and  very impressive; not just the sound but how its played and assembled. Their music has a certain complexity that others (experimental bands) have tried to attain but have failed because it turns out to be a clusterfuck of "music".  After listening to their music you will find yourself singing and dancing without the music even playing because Wolf Parade will haunt you after you enter their genius.

*Note: Best. Album. Cover. Ever.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
At Mount Zoomer
Apologies To The Queen Mary
Wolf Parade (EP) 2005
Wolf Parade (EP) 2004
Wolf Parade (EP) 2003

Track:
Cloud Shadow On The Mountain

Track:
In The Direction Of The Moon

The fifth studio album from the now Brooklyn-based band is the artsy indie decadence we've come to expect from The National. Vocalist, Matt Berninger has a voice unlike anyone else you may have heard, especially on the indie scene. It's deep and haunting; perfect for the profound, poetic, and at times dark lyrics featured on this and most of their past work. It's heavy in a lot of ways; the kind of music that you want to listen to on your headphones, close your eyes, and try to absorb all of it, There's something about this work that stays with you after you've really listened to it. This album is incredibly aristically driven. The National has drawn inspiration from paintings and sculptures. You really could listen to any of their five albums and kind of gather that it was heavily inlfuenced by abstract art and whiskey, but it's a little more prevalent on this record. It's self produced and uncompromised. I greatly respect and admire it.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
The National (self-titled)
Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
Alligator
Boxer

Track:
Bloodbuzz Ohio

Broken Social Scene is every Indie music lover's dream...well it should be anyway. With over 20 members they've managed to avoid experimental disaster and keep it simple, and bring us yet another beautiful album. Most of the members from Broken Social Scene are veterans of the indie genre, all being from different indie groups they put their musical genius together and bring us their best work on this hour long story. Between banjos, whistling, and synthesizers you might think this is your ordinary indie group, but they utilize each of the band members talents and combine them together to make an unusual and inconceivable sound. Each song on this album is unique in its own way using a different formula and delightful creativeness. Forgiveness Rock Record almost sounds like an indie compilation album but it is just the work of many artist (working together)  making an outstanding album.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Broken Social Scene
Bee Hives (EP)
You Forgot It In People
Feel Good Lost

Track:
World Sick

Best. EP. Ever. EP's are usually overlooked by most but I'm a big of them particularly. An EP usually consists of music that wasn't finished or just didn't fit on a band's previous album or they didn't have enough material to put out a full studio album. I don't know the case for Girls but this EP is kind of a landmark for Indie Pop in my opinion. Only having 6 songs and having a running time of 30 minutes this EP doesn't lack content in any shape or form. It's cute, sad, and perfectly pieced together. Their music is stylized with a pinch of Elvis Costello, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys background ...I know I know...how? Just Listen. With the guitar, trumpets, synthesizers, and the many other instruments on this EP it makes a wonderful combination and creates a musical bliss. Girls have one other album (titled Album) and it is just as good, but this EP is a good stepping stone before you take the excursion into their life.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Album

Track:
Thee Oh So Protective One