Whether you’re one of those people who has to have the radio on at work, an audiophile who lives life with a constant soundtrack running through their head or just a casual listener, amidst the sea of MySpace and Facebook bands it can be incredibly difficult to keep up with new bands – nevermind rediscover worthy listens from years past.
Thinking about how we learn about music new and old, we at The Sound realized that there’s nothing quite as helpful or interesting as a personal recommendation. So each Monday we’ll be posting a different playlist from one of our journalists as a suggestion – a “hey, check this out!” to our readers. Along with each playlist we’ll also provide you a little more information about one of the artists featured, because everyone loves a backstory.
Today’s SoundTracks comes straight from the iRiver of The Sound’s editor-in-chief, Kyle Stewart. Enjoy!
NOTE: We’re still taking submissions for our Sept. 27th edition – post yours here!
Artist Spotlight: The National
Formed in 1999, the Ohio-raised, Brooklyn-based band consists of vocalist Matt Berninger fronting two pairs of brothers: Aaron (guitar, bass, piano) and Bryce Dessner (guitar), and Scott (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). Their first full-lengths, The National and Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, and a crucial mini-album, Cherry Tree, preceded their signing to Beggars Banquet in 2004. Alligator (2005), included underground anthem “Mr. November,” and raised their profile as the National grew into an incendiary live band. Boxer (2007), featuring songs like “Fake Empire”, “Mistaken For Strangers” and “Start A War,” sold over three times as many copies as its predecessor and saw them transformed from underground stars into an indie rock institution: they began the album cycle opening for the Arcade Fire and with guest appearance on major television shows such as the Late Show with David Letterman. By the time their busy season in support of Boxer came to a close they had become a headline attraction in their own right — REM picked them as a crucial part of a US arena tour; and the Barack Obama campaign turned “Fake Empire” into an unstated anthem for his presidential run, using it in the soundtrack to the promotional video Signs Of Hope And Change, and as background music during his victory rally in Chicago’s Grant Park.
The band’s influences range from Bruce Springsteen to Joy Division to Wilco. For more on The National, click here.
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I got so caught up in my week last week, that I missed this playlist entirely. Is there any chance you have these archived somewhere, or can at least give me a track listing so I can go find your recommendations myself? Thanks!
Valerie,
The playlists are archived in the Features tab at the top under SoundTracks. Enjoy!
I think the Internetz ate this, so I wrestled it out of its belly. Hope you enjoy.
K
The National is a fantastic band – their music evokes a certain indescribable mood, a blend of melancholy and hopefulness and maybe a touch of the whimsical…whatever it is, it’s great. So good call, my friend.