MUSIC: Man/Miracle

I posted on these guys a while back, when Man/Miracle was known as Bear on Bear. While the name has changed, the talent certainly still remains. This Bay Area band crafts some damn fine jams, with the A-side single "Pushing and Shoving" for an upcoming release features some hand-clapping, sng-alonging, and break-neck pacing. I love how it teeters on destruction and desperation, but never seems to slip over the line. While already posted by more reputable sites, I thought I'd pass this along to the loyal Macktronic readers in case you missed it.

::: Man/Miracle - Pushing and Shoving

You can pre-order the single on either vinyl 7" or CD. The covers are hand-screened and pretty nice, if I do say so myself.

[Man/Miracle on myspace.]
[Man/Miracle official website.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to smoochka.]

Tags: mp3, music, bay area, man miracle, vinyl, indie

MUSIC: Delta Spirit

I got a tip from a trusted fan a while back about Delta Spirit he (and I quote) "saw the best live show in a long, long time" out in Boston. With that kind of recommendation, I couldn't pass up on checking into this Southern California (right?) band. After receiving their new album (Ode to Sunshine) in the mail, my initial response was incredibly positive: soaring tempos, achingly good vocals, and more-than-apt songwriting. Further research shows that I'm certainly not the only one enjoying their sounds (see here, here, and here).

They don't have any Bay Area dates lined up, but there's certainly a high probability they'll be in your area soon. Check out tour dates on their myspace page. Here's some tracks that are floating around the internet.

::: Delta Spirit - People, Turn Around (f/ Ode to Sunshine)
::: Delta Spirit - Trashcan (f/ Ode to Sunshine)
::: Delta Spirit - Gimme Some Motivation (f/ I Think I've Found It! EP)
::: Delta Spirit - Streetwalker (f/ I Think I've Found It! EP)

You should definitely order the album. However, I can't recommend ordering the vinyl version of the EP from Monarchy Music; I did that three weeks ago and it hasn't arrived yet.

Also, their new Daytrotter session is excellent. So, head on over there to read the article and download some free tracks. (The older session isn't half bad either!)

[Official Delta Spirit website.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to Sam Newmann.]

Tags: mp3, music, delta spirit, sunshine, indie

MUSIC: American Princes

That sound you hear is my bank account digitally shrinking, most recently the result of my pre-ordering the new American Princes album (titled Other People, out April 15th on Yep Roc Records). For you (few) longtime macktronic readers, you've heard me sing the praises of this Arkansas band a few times (the mp3 links are long dead). Not that you don't like hearing me opine on the virtues of a band, but here's what the venerable Arkansas Times recently had to say:

"...American Princes' new record, “Other People,” doesn't come out until April 14, but it's been done for months, and you've got to think the fellas are ready to start playing it live. Recorded with Chuck Brody, who's worked with the likes of Peter, Bjorn and John and the Wu-Tang Clan, the album has a sparkly '80s sheen to it, full of buoyant guitar work and dozens of sing-a-long hooks. The lyrics are as sharp as ever. Collins Kilgore and David Slade continue to split vocal duties, and relatively new guitarist Will Boyd offers up a way-impressive vocal contribution on one track. It's easily the band's best release."

I'm certainly looking forward to hearing more of the album, as well as hoping to catch them live (once they come westward; they're doing a SE tour with Lucero soon). Here's some sample tracks.

::: American Princes - Real Love (f/ Other People)
::: American Princes - I Want to Be Good (f/ Little Spaces)

You can pre-order the album here and receive some demo MP3's immediately. Or you can stream a few new songs over at their official website.]

[American Princes official website.]
[American Princes on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to call me jonah.]

Tags: mp3, music, american princes, arkansas, yep roc, indie

MUSIC: Caribou

I was fairly obsessed with Caribou's previous album, but only in a secretive kind of way. They somehow come off anxious and jubilant, which ends up mildly confusing. The new (excellent) album continues down this road. I like it (still secretly, but much less so now).

::: Caribou - Sandy

Buy the new album titled Andorra here.

[Official Caribou website.]
[Caribou on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to rudiments.]

Tags: mp3, music, caribou, indie, blossom

MUSIC: The Attachments

Don't know what it is about March, but I keep finding out about excellent local bands. Here we have The Attachments out of Berkeley and their unique brand indie pop. Sounds like Weezer had a love child on the beach with one of The Beatles. Here's a song off their latest release.

::: The Attachments - Karla-la

You can buy their debut EP over on the myspace page.
(What's up with all the girl-titled songs?)

[The Attachments on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to honeycut07; the title of this photo is "your ironic belt is so stupid" which i think is more than awesome.]

Tags: mp3, music, attachments, berkeley, indie, pop, rock

MUSIC: Port O'Brien

Continuing along the Bay Area independent music track we've been on of late, we come to Port O'Brien. I couldn't decide which song to post, since they're both equally impressive, so I went with both. This Oakland band crafts some intense tracks around their unique indie folk stomper sound. On top of the catchy sounds, I'm immediately drawn to the vocals as well; the way they fit with the music is spot on. It's safe to say, I'm excited about this here band.

::: Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today
::: Port O'Brien - Tree Bones

You can buy both of their albums, full-length and new EP, over at their myspace page for only 12 bucks.....

[Port O'Brien on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to fliegender.]

Tags: mp3, music, port o'brien, indie, california, oakland