Summer 2021 New Music Playlist

 Listen on Spotify, enjoy!

1. "Night Light" – Cold Cave
2. "Long Last" – Lord Huron

3. "Hold You Back" – Quivers

4."What's Life" – De Lux

5. "Vibe Check" – Gilligan Moss

6. "We are Between" – Modest Mouse

7. "In a Light" – Okkervil River

8. "In the Stone" – The Goon Sax

9. "Amtrak" – Los Retros

10. "From the Back of Cab" – Rostam

11. "Powder Blue" – Elbow

12. "Ohio" – Lea Porcelain

13. "The Darkness that you Fear" – The Chemical Brothers

14. "Back of my Hand" – Bachelor, Jay Som, Palehound

15. "High Season" – Poolside, Buscabulla

16. "sl248" – Michiru Aoyama

Top Ten Releases of the Decade 2010-2019 – Plus Others Worthy of a Listen

Here's my list of the Top 10 Albums of the past decade plus a few Honorable Mentions – music loved from front to back and listened to in full many times. Check them out on Spotify at the link here if you missed any! And yes I do love my veteran indie bands, no excuses needed.

In no particular order...

1. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs
2. Arcade Fire, Reflektor
3. Arcade Fire, Everything Now
4. Spoon, Transference
5. Spoon, They Want My Soul
6. Spoon, Hot Thoughts
7. LCD Soundsystem, This is Happening
8. LCD Soundsystem, american dream
9. The National, High Violet
10. MGMT, Congratulations

Honorable Mention:
Gorillaz, Plastic Beach
Okkervil River, The Silver Gymnasium
The Walkmen, Heaven
Moby, Innocents

Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2019

Filled completely with songs from the past year! Give a  listen to my Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2019 on Spotify here.  

For further inspiration, visit my posts from past years: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

1. "Ordinary Pleasure" – Toro y Moi
2. "Hunnybee" – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
3. "The Only Thing We Know" – Bob Moses
4. "Magnetism" – Vacationer
5. "I Dreamt We Spoke Again" – Death Cab for Cutie
6. "Lifer" – Wye Oak
7. "Heart Killer" – Dr. Dog
8. "Feel the Love Go" – Franz Ferdinand
9. "Human Being Song" – Okkervil River
10. "Falling Rain and Light" – Moby
11. "Lady and Man" – Khruangbin
12. "Trouble Letting Go" – Avett Brothers
13. "Echo" – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
14. "Taste" – Rhye
15. "Love Letters" – DeVotchKa
16. "The One To Wait" – CCFX
17. "Maryam" – The Album Leaf

Top 20+ Songs of 2018 with Spotify Playlist

Another round up with my fave songs of 2018 listed not by preference but how best to order them for the optimal listening experience – although I have to admit that David Byrne's "Everybody's Coming To My House" has to be my #1(along with the euphoric concert experience of seeing him in non-stop motion with band members at Forest Hills in September during his American Utopia tour.) Here's to the year that was and the one that will be!  Listen as a Spotify playlist here.

1. "Everybody's Coming To My House" – David Byrne
2. "Humility (featuring George Benson)" – Gorillaz
3. "Magnetism" – Vacationer
4. "Wide Awake" – Parquet Courts
5. "Once In My Life" – The Decemberists
6. "It's Late" – A Beacon School
7. "Buzzing In the Light" – Dr. Dog
8. "A Perfect Miracle" – Spiritualized
9. "The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs" – Wye Oak
10. "Don't Move Back To LA" – Okkervil River
11. "Wait By the River" – Lord Huron
12. "The Ceremony of Innocence" – Moby
13. "Forgive" – Roosevelt, Washed Out
14. "Gotta Run" – Lea Porcelain
15. "Hand It Over" – MGMT
16. "Music Snob" – De Lux
17. "Echo" – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
18. "Where Your Mind Wants to Go (featuring Ludovico Einaudi)" – Blonde Redhead
19. "Lemon Glow" – Beach House
20. "The One To Wait" – CCFX
21. "The Deconstruction" – Eels
22. "More" – Jamison Isaak

Top Ten Releases of 2018 – Plus Others Worthy of a Listen

Here's my list of the Top 10 Albums of 2018 – check them out on Spotify at the link here if you missed any, it'll be well worth your ears.

Also, I have a playlist of releases that came along during the year that I needed to revisit again and again. It's 27+ hours long (yes I still spend most of my day listening to new music) but fun to review! Fave Albums of 2018

In no particular order beyond providing the best segue for the playlist...

1. Wye Oak, The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs
2. Death Cab for Cutie, Thank You for Today
3. Okkervil River, In the Rainbow Rain
4. Dr. Dog, Critical Equation
5. The Decemberists, I'll Be Your Girl
6. Gorillaz, The Now Now
7. Moby, Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt
8. A Beacon School, Cola
9. De Lux, More Disco Songs About Love
10. Phosphorescent, C'est La Vie

Fall 2018 New Music Playlist

Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube Playlist, enjoy!

1. "The Hammer" – Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
2. "Forum"  – The Dodos
3. "When I Look Into Your Eyes" – Baby Dayliner
4. "Wham Bang! Pow! Let's Rock out!" – Art Brut
5. "Forgive (featuring Washed Out)" – Roosevelt
6. "It May Get Bad When You're Lonely and Cold" – Generationals
7. "Good News" – White Denim
8. "Jerry" – Maxband
9. "If You Really Love Nothing" – Interpol
10. "Enough to Believe" – Bob Moses
11. "I Dreamt We Spoke Again" – Death Cab for Cutie
12. "Run the Road" – Santigold
13. "Skiptracer" – Okkervil River
14. "Suspirium" – Thom Yorke
15. "Maryam" – The Album Leaf

Summer 2018 New Music Playlist

Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube Playlist (with glorious live versions by Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Dr. Dog and Washed Out!) 


1. "Magnetism" – Vacationer
2. "SGL" – Now, Now
3. "Back Seat Driver (Spirit Guide)" Bear Hands
4. "Wide Awake" – Parquet Courts
5. "Transhumanity" – JB Dunckel
6. "Once In My Life" – The Decemberists
7. "Quiero Otoño de Nuevo" – Mint Field
8. "Cranberry" – Hovvdy
9. "It Was Not Natural" – Wye Oak
10. "It's Late" – A Beacon School
11. "These Falling Arms" – The Sea and Cake
12. "It You're Going to Break Yourself" – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
13. "Human Being Song" – Okkervil River
14. "Buzzing In the Light" – Dr. Dog
15. "Black Car" – Beach House
16. "Pirates" – Brazilian Girls
17. "Juicy Socks" – Cherry Glazer
18. "Face Up" – Washed Out

Spring 2018 New Music Playlist

Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube Playlist (except "Find a Way to Keep Me" by Field Music and bonus tracks "Shades of Blue," "You Are Here," and "She May She Might" by Yo La Tengo).

1. "Always Ascending" – Franz Ferdinand
2. "The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs" – Wye Oak
3. "Out of the Pool" – Yo La Tengo
4. "Lemon Glow" – Beach House
5. "Don't Move Back to L.A."  – Okkervil River
6. "Under the Wheels" – Calexico
7. "This Is That" – David Byrne
8. "Mr. Tillman" – Father John Misty
9. "Wait By the River" – Lord Huron
10. "Algernon" – A Beacon School
11. "Leave It In My Dreams" – The Voidz
12. "Runnin'" – Wajatta
13. "The Ceremony of Innocence" – Moby
14. "Emerald Rush" – Jon Hopkins
15. "Find a Way to Keep Me" – Field Music
16. " More" – Jamison Isaak

Top 20+ Songs of 2016 With Spotify and YouTube Playlist

It's always a nice exercise to review all the gifts of music encountered over the course of twelve months. This year was especially easy to go over the twenty song allotment for this end of year recap of top tunes. It's such a diverse group of artists but the list contains some of my very favorite voices on the music scene: Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Beck, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, Hamilton Leithauser, Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, Fran Healy of Travis, Will Sheff of Okkervil River, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, The Avett Brothers and Santigold. Plus I was so thankful for plenty of soaring melodies to carry me away from the neverending stress of daily news during this election year, for example The Boxer Rebellion, Wye Oak and Ra Ra Riot + Rostam.

Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube Playlist below.

1. "Can't Get Enough of Myself" – Santigold
2. "Burn the Witch" – Radiohead
3. "The Industry" – Okkervil River
4. "If You Should See" – Wye Oak
5. "Wow" – Beck
6. "2AM" – Bear Hands
7. "They Want More" – Ages and Ages
8. "Casual Party" – Band of Horses 
9. "Selectallcopy" – Autolux
10. "Magnificent Time" – Travis
11. "In These Fine Times" (featuring De Lux) – Classixx
12. "Hey Lion" – Sofi Tukker
13. "Trouble" – Cage the Elephant
14. "Never Ever" – STRFKR
15. "Summer Was a Day"  – Pete Yorn
16. "Water" – Ra Ra Riot & Rostam
17. "Beneath the Black Sea" – LNZNDRF
18. "Big Ideas" – The Boxer Rebellion
19. "If I Ever Was a Child" – Wilco
20. "The Castle" – The Flaming Lips
21. "No Hard Feelings" – The Avett Brothers
22. "In a Black Out" – Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam
23. "In My Car" – Gold Panda

Top Ten Releases of 2016 With Video Highlights

2016 ranked as another great year to be a music fan – some of my very fave bands came out with new releases (and I'm still eagerly awaiting ones from Beck and the Gorillaz!) Indie rock veterans Radiohead and Wilco continued their dominance with stellar albums worthy of multiple listening sessions. Band of Horses, Okkervil River and Pete Yorn brought a laid back twang to my year's soundtrack while Santigold and Tycho provided tracks ready for a dance party when needed. Then there's the intimacy of Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam to round out my list, along with the crowd pleasing anthems of Travis.

Give a listen on Spotify to all my Top Ten Albums of 2016 as well as Other Fave Albums of 2016, and check out my picks below with live video highlights.


1. Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool
Legendary English band Radiohead released its ninth studio album since 1985, A Moon Shaped Pool. The single "Burn the Witch" dropped with great fanfare as a stop-motion animated video, but it was captured live at Chicago's Lollapalooza festival over the summer. (I actually watched the online feed as it happened and highly recommend revisiting the entire set on YouTube.) It's clear that this band is still at the top of its game and we fans are lucky indeed.

2. Okkervil River, Away
When I heard "The Industry" on local radio WFUV, I was thrilled since I knew immediately it was Will Sheff's creation. Beyond his warm vocals, there was a song structure that belied the intensity of the emotional connection of lyrics and melody. This tune served as the single for Okkervil River's eighth studio album since 1998, Away, which heralds a new creative phase for the frontman with different backing members and life without his beloved grandfather. (When I caught his band at Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2013, he performed next to a framed photo of him in tribute.)

3. Band of Horses, Why Are You OK
Southern indie rockers Band of Horses released its fifth studio album since 2004, Why Are You OK, with a confident collection of songs by this tight knit quintet. Produced by Jason Lytle of Grandaddy and written by singer Ben Bridell, the songs touch on navigating life as a father to three daughters while creating music with a groupthink of incredibly talented guys who happen to really like each other, as evidenced in this video capturing the performance of the single "Casual Party."

4. Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam, I Had a Dream That You Were Mine
The collaboration between The Walkmen's frontman and soulful singer Hamilton Leithauser and Vampire Weekend's multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij, I Had a Dream That You Were Mine, was one of the best surprises of the year. This solid debut offered songs of both transcendence and foot stomping exuberance – I was able to catch a performance of the band at the Rough Trade space in Brooklyn, the perfect size to get up close and personal with the material. This bewitching tune "In a Black Out" was even tapped for a major Apple iPhone commercial, exponentially expanding the band's reach.

5. Wye Oak, Tween
Baltimore's Wye Oak created its fifth album since 2002 from remnants of songs from the past two albums, yet Tween exists just fine on its own with lush production and layered nuances that has you wondering how exactly the music is pulled off by only two band members. Jenn Wasner (vocals, guitars and bass) and Andy Stack (drums, keyboards and backup vocals) combine their talents to create original compositions that expand such sonic constraints, as witnessed in this fan footage of "If You Should See" at a recent concert.

6. Santigold, 99 Cents
Philly native Santigold (née Santi White) is the total indie pop star package, a singer and producer who also creates her costumes, dance moves and positive vibes together with social commentary in her music since 2008. Poking fun at the selfie culture, "I Can't Get Enough of Myself" from the latest album 99 Cents, is an infectious romp of fun as exhibited during this performance on the daytime television show Ellen.

7. Tycho, Epoch
Tycho is the ambient music project of San Francisco's Scott Hansen, who uses vintage-style synths and a live backing band as caught on camera at a recent KCRW session playing "Horizon." The song served as the single for the fourth album since 2002, Epoch, full of electronic experimentation without losing the musical vision of the creator.

8. Pete Yorn, Arranging Time
Pete Yorn returned to his solo career after a stint as The Olms with J.D. King, releasing a sixth album since 2000 called Arranging Time. The single "Summer Was a Day" showcased Yorn's breathy vocals and lean production, finding the perfect balance in live performance as well as the studio.

9. Wilco, Schmilco
With a wink and a nod towards Harry Nilsson's album Nilsson Schmilsson, Chicago's alternative rock band Wilco rolled out its tenth album since 1994, Schmilco.  The sweet single, "If I Ever Was a Child," is never cloying or mendacious under this band's credo and Jeff Tweedy's subtle vocal approach.

10. Travis, Everything at Once
Scottish indie rockers Travis released its eighth studio album since 1990, Everything at Once, another collection penned mostly by the frontman, singer/songwriter Fran Healy. The band's cheery optimism is on full display in this official video of "Magnificent Time" with Healy's golden vocals cheerleading the group. But I love the fan footage below it even more, showing Healy teaching the crowd in his thick brogue how to dance along, documenting the exuberance of the band and the sheer joy of being at of their shows (which I witnessed firsthand during their last tour in NYC). Gotta give it up to the audience member hanging on to that empty drink cup!

Late Summer 2016 New Music Playlist

I certainly did not think I’d be posting another playlist so soon. But the surprise album by new band Nice as Fuck and a new collaboration between Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam Batmanglij plus singles galore (Woods, Wilco, Jagwar Ma, Allah-las, The Head and the Heart, Father John Misty, and more) filled my inbox and online radio listening sources, so here we go again!  There are also releases from veterans The Avett Brothers and Fruit Bats to keep the summer soundtrack chill, along with some solid electronica from Mark Pritchard to zone out on a hot day. Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube playlist.

1. “In These Fine Times” – Classixx (featuring De Lux)

Production and DJ duo Michael David and Tyler Blake enlisted fellow L.A. musician Sean Guerin of De Lux to double the vocals for this breezy tune. It is off the band’s second album of electronica since 2008, Faraway Reach.

2. “O B 1” – Jagwar Ma

Australian trio Jagwar Ma are getting ready to release a follow up album since its debut in 2013, Every Now & Then. This stellar psychedelic dance rock single includes drums by Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa.

3. “Could Be You” – Allah-Las

L.A. based surf rock revivalists Allah-Las are back with “Could Be You,” a teaser single for its third album, Calico Review.  The tune is full of signature harmonies and fuzzed out guitar, along with new additional instruments to expand the sound: viola, harpsichord and theremin.

4. “Door” – Nice as Fuck

Jenny Lewis’s latest band with Erika Forster (Savoir Adore) and Tennessee Thomas (The Like) dropped a surprise album of smirk-inducing catchy tunes such as “door.” The self-titled LP comes complete with a theme song for the new group.

5. “All We Ever Knew” – The Head and the Heart

Seattle’s indie folk band The Head and the Heart will soon release its third album since 2009, Signs of Light. “All We Ever Knew” is brimming with the optimistic attitude this six-piece is known for.

6. “They Want More” – Ages and Ages

Portland based sextet Ages and Ages just recorded a third album since 2009 at Ice Cream Party Studio, owned by Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock (he also wielded a guitar on another track). The single “They Want More” confronts commercialism with a infectious melody and trademark sing along chorus.

7. “Know Your Minute” – Woods

“Know Your Minute” is a limited edition, tour-only 7” and digital download single by this Brooklyn folk rock band formed in 2005. Led by laid-back vocals of guitarist Jeremy Earl, Woods continues on its own path of quirky Americana.

8. “If I Ever Was a Child” – Wilco

Chicago’s resident indie juggernaut Wilco has another album ready less than a year since Star Wars. The tenth LP since 1994 is called Schmilco (with a nod to Harry Nilsson’s Nilsson Schmilsson) and this single shows the softer side of the band, led by Jeff Tweedy’s melancholy vocals.

9. “Ain’t No Man” – The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers reunited with mega producer Rick Rubin for the North Carolina band’s ninth album since 2000, True Sadness.  This foot stomping song finds brothers Scott and Seth energetically attacking the music with an infectious beat.

10. “Throw Down Your Guns” ­– Wild Belle

Natalie Bergman’s commanding vocals on “Throw Down Your Guns” leads the charge with her bandmate/brother Elliot for this song off the band’s second full album since 2011, Dreamland.

11. “Real Love Baby” – Father John Misty

L.A.-based singer/songwriter, guitarist and drummer Joshua Michael Tillman released this lush stand alone single after two albums as Father John Misty since 2012. This melodic ode to married life is in a irresistible classic pop tune style.

12. “A 1000 Times” – Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam

“A 1000 Times” is a single by the new collaborative project between Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij and The Walkmen’s Hamilton Leithauser, highlighted by Leithauser’s earthy vocals. Batmanglij provided an assist to Leithauser’s debut solo album and the pair clearly took to the collaborative writing process well.

13. “The Industry” – Okkervil River

Brooklyn-based Will Sheff of Okkervil River has been working on another album with a different band configuration with songs about moving on and finding new beginnings. “The Industry” is the single for the eighth collection since 1998, Away, conveyed by Sheff’s original yearning vocals.

14. “Run Run Blood” – Phantogram

“Run Run Blood” is the single for the synthpop duo Phantogram’s third album since 2007, simply called Three. Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel of Saratoga Springs find a confident vibe for this epic dance tune.

15. “Birthday Drunk”­ – Fruit Bats

Chicago’s folk rock band Fruit Bats released its sixth album since 1997, Absolute Loser.  The sweet acoustic tune “Birthday Drunk” showcases the wry vocals of singer/songwriter Eric D. Johnson.

16. “Division” – Tycho

San Francisco-based ambient musician Scott Hanson, performing under the stage name Tycho, released this fluid single with the intention of another full album in the future, the fifth since 2002.  His music encompasses both lo-fi analog equipment and a futuristic electronica style, completely mesmerizing at the same time.

17. “Khufu”  – Mark Prichard

English electronic musician Mark Prichard is now working out of Australia, testing the musical boundaries with new collaborations and various genres. “Khnufu” is from his fourteenth album since 1992, Under the Sun.

New Song by Field Report "Home (Leave the Lights On)"

My beloved bike from college at the St. Michaels harbor

Sometimes it takes hearing a song in the right setting to have it really resonate within. I had listened to the second album by Field Report, Marigolden (out October 7 via Partisan Records), in its entirety recently without finding a standout tune for my next new music playlist. Yet last week I found myself back in Maryland shortly after celebrating the life of my mother, with my father landing in the impressive University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

Per usual, I found solace in music through local radio stations as I ferried myself back and forth over the Bay Bridge from the Eastern Shore, where my parents have lived for over twenty years in St. Michaels. Independent station WTMD 89.7 in Baltimore offered up favorite bands such as Dr. Dog, Okkervil River and Band of Horses just as I needed an infusion musical jams to keep me rolling, while WRNR 103.1 out of Annapolis presented a more standard lineup and advertising breaks that clued me into the local scene. WRNR also had the inside scoop about area boy Dave Grohl's visit for an episode of his HBO show Sonic Highways, airing an interview where Grohl admitted to flying some Chesapeake blue crabs out to the West Coast because he missed them so much! Plus when R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" came on WRNR as I drove my Dad home from his extended stay, my heart sank with every swelling refrain.

But that first night I drove to stay at my parents house alone, which in itself was unprecedented, was crazy dark and stormy. The Field Report song, "Home (Leave the Lights On)" came on WTMD, with a breezy beginning that belies the depth of meaning found in the lyrics. Voiced by laid back singer/songwriter Christopher Porterfield of Milwaukee, the tune haunted my soul as I realized there wasn't anyone to complete this simple task at my destination. Truths such as how we wake "up everyday just a little bit changed," and how "the body remembers what the mind forgets, archives every heartache" resonated deeply, as I faced another challenge in my family. Check out the band's video below, and I suggest listening carefully to every word.

Top Ten Releases of 2013 With Video Highlights

Here is a slightly ranked profile of my personal faves for Top Ten Releases of 2013.  As I compiled the list, I realized that I'm lucky to have seen all but TWO bands in concert (can you guess which ones?) To accompany each pick, I found a live video to show the band in action -- most in mid-size venues that I prefer, so not to get overwhelmed or lost in the crowd. However, the best one for Yo La Tengo is from the Pitchfork Music Festival, perhaps a nod to my own experience this year at the massive ACL Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Late night television is also an impressive source for catching performances of kinds of new music, all online afterwards so there's no need to stay up late! And of course, some are directly from the NMMatterscorp YouTube channel archives as bands toured in support of these albums. With that I give thanks as always to my video guy Paul and his calm, steady hand with the flip camera. Plus, be sure to check out the honorable mentions at the end of the post. Onward!


1. Arcade Fire, Reflektor
Reflektor, the highly anticipated fourth album by Arcade Fire, finally arrived at the end of October but most of the fans attending the not-so secret show in Brooklyn on October 18th were already well acquainted with it.  (Maybe if I had my hands on a preview, we wouldn't have been punked by the stage switch captured in this video, knowing there would be plenty of congas needed -- all is forgiven, really I need to move on!)  The band had wanted to collaborate with James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and DFA Records for 2010's The Suburbs, but he was unavailable at the time.  Yet the delay actually seems beneficial in retrospect, now that the influx of EDM has everyone used to getting their groove on.

2. Moby, Innocents
Moby utilized a spirit of collaboration for his eleventh studio album, Innocents, enlisting the likes of Damien Jurado, Cold Specks and (my favorite) Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.  In this video after the shoot for fave track, "The Perfect Life," a sing along breaks out as Coyne applied his frontman skills to get everyone to join in, including this fan -- no matter how many times I hear this song! Moby is still working the full band sound that he returned to for the last album, 2011's Destroyed. (I caught him live that year at Moogfest 2011 after I interviewed him in his new home of L.A. a few months earlier.)  However, he can still work that trademark magic with heart-swelling instrumentals, as in the opening track "Everything That Rises" and "Going Wrong." 

3. The National, Trouble Will Find Me
For their fourth album, Trouble Will Find Me, The National continues to explore its treatise of deeply sincere indie rock.  While I was in the throngs for their show at ACL, a guy commented how he just loved the voice of singer Matt Berninger and I had to agree, being smitten since first listen. The band has plenty of admirers and there's no pressure for detractors, so polarizers can just join in or go home. 

4. Phosphorescent, Muchacho
Matthew Houck of Phosphorescent has another voice in indie rock that caught my ear right away.  There's a slight twang from Alabama roots and deeply personal lyrics provide an instant connection with fans during his sixth studio album, Muchacho. "Song for Zula" was heard everywhere yet I never tired of it, a sure sign of the everlasting power of great music. This year, I saw a some of Phosphorescent's set at ACL after being up close and personal at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, both memorable moments with a veteran road warrior just strutting his stuff.

5. Franz Ferdinand, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action
Scottish indie rock quartet Franz Ferdinand returned with its fourth album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, conjuring up the amped up energy of their self-titled debut in 2004.  I finally witnessed the lads live in Austin, a set full of cheeky fun with impressive new songs, formidable old hits and unexpected covers (Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" of all things!) 

6. Okkervil River, The Silver Gymnasium 
Okkervil River's seventh album, The Silver Gymnasium, finally brought me into the fan fold of this Austin band.  The thematic pull of a New England childhood certainly helped, but it was the rollicking, tuneful songs as conveyed by singer/songwriter Will Sheff that had this new material on repeat. Seeing their solid set at ACL just sealed the deal for a Top Ten spot.

7. Yo La Tengo, Fade
Hoboken's own indie rock trio Yo La Tengo released its thirteenth full length album this year, Fade.  While the lilting closing track, "Before We Run," was plucked for my Early Summer 2013 Playlist, "Ohm" and "It's Not Enough" are also beloved tracks from this collection.

8. Portugal. The Man, Evil Friends
Portland-based Portugal. The Man knows how to compose soulful alt rock that easily translates epic swells of emotion. I saw the band headlining CMJ 2011 at Terminal 5 and caught a glimpse of them recently at ACL, with an expanded lineup confidently presenting the new songs of this seventh album, Evil Friends. The music is timeless with the best intentions, a straight forward approach to the simple joy of rocking out.

9. Ra Ra Riot, Beta Love
Indie pop outfit Ra Ra Riot released its third album, Beta Love, back in January before heading out on tour (I caught them live at a hometown show in NYC after interviewing frontman Wes Miles). They forayed into electronica as the band regrouped as a quartet, resulting in a new danceability that left some fans confused but others, like me, thrilled.

10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mosquito 
NYC's indie rock trio, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, returned to the scene with another blast of no hold barred musical creativity. The single, "Sacrilege," was featured on my Spring 2013 Playlist, with the powerhouse vocals of Karen O matched by a choir no less.

HONORABLE MENTIONS (Other albums on heavy rotation throughout this year)

Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City

Caveman, Caveman

Youth Lagoon, Wondrous Bughouse

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, II

Jagwar Ma, Howlin

YouTube Playlist of Late Fall New Music 2013 Songs

The latest compilation for Late Fall 2013 featured three songs that I wrote about individually so there's some repeats on this YouTube video playlist (Travis plus The Naked and The Famous) but I chose a live video from The Bing Lounge for The Wild Feathers, since they are just so fun to see in performance.  There's also a video from that venue for Okkervil River that I chose for their song, providing another glimpse at a band doing their thing.  The Midlake video shows them superimposed over colorful clouds during the song, yet it's still nice to see them in action. Same goes for the Phantogram video from The Current radio station in Minneapolis -- I welcome the opportunity to see these bands I haven't witnessed live in concert.

For those looking for some crafty film work, there's an arty black and white video for The Cults complete with floating vintage appliances and a sweet classic Beemer. Man Man's video is also harking to the past with old footage and script lettering for the lyrics. And Broken Bells released a "Pseudo Video" for their song "Holding on for Life" (just showing the album artwork with the audio), might as well call it what it is!  Enjoy the visuals at link here or below, although the first one makes me a bit squeamish...

Late Fall 2013 New Music Playlist

There’s plenty of new music around to create one more playlist for 2013. New bands such as The Wild Feathers and Love Inks make an appearance in this compilation while established groups such as Travis, Luscious Jackson and Mazzy Star return to the new music fold. Also back for another round are The Naked and Famous, Cults, Tennis, and Phantogram, while remixers RAC composed some songs of their own.  Artic Monkeys returns to its rock roots, Okkervil River finds a wider musical net with a nostalgic theme, and Broken Bells provide a glimpse of the next album.  Check out all this and more, plus a quiz about the longevity of some of the bands. Link to listen here.

**EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU CAN NAME EVERY BAND THAT EXISTED IN THE 90s -- WITH BONUS POINTS FOR ONES THAT HARK BACK TO THE 80s (ANSWER AT THE END OF THIS POST!)

1. "Let Go (featuring Kele & MDNR)" – RAC

RAC stands for Remix Artist Collective, a group of international musicians dedicated to the craft of melody-driven remixes.  After over 200 indie-focused tracks, founder André Allen Anjos, a native of Portugal living in Portland, has released an EP of original songs, Don’t Talk To, including this bouncy tune “Let Go.”

2. "Down Down the Deep River" – Okkervil River

This song is from The Silver Gymnasium, a concept album by Austin’s indie folk rock band Okkervil River (its seventh).  Lead singer Will Sheff mines his childhood in New Hampshire for an unflinching look back, which takes the six-piece into a new direction of tuneful melodies via captured images from the past.

3. "High Road" – Cults

New York based indie pop duo Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin weathered their split as a couple by writing songs for their second album, appropriately called Static. The song “High Road” finds the dreamy low-fi sound intact as the band continues on.

4. "Are You Ready?" – Luscious Jackson

Luscious Jackson is back in the swing of things with that signature NYC swagger after toying with a reunion for years. As if asking the fans, “Are You Ready?,” this revamped quartet clearly is -- rocking full throttle through a fourth album, Magic Hour.

5. "Antiphon" – Midlake

“Antiphon” is the title track of the fourth album by Texas folk rock band Midlake, the first with guitarist Eric Pulido taking over lead vocals.  Majestic harmonies carry this quintet through a trajectory of emotion alluding to the plight of man, all while referencing an overthrown orator in ancient Greece.

6. "Hearts Like Ours" – The Naked and Famous

This New Zealand band landed in L.A. after touring the world to create its sophomore album, In Rolling Waves.  The swirling heartfelt chorus of “Hearts Like Ours” conveys lead singer Alisa Xayalith’s personal pain about losing her mother to breast cancer as a girl.

7. "Holding On for Life" – Broken Bells

Indie rock duo James Mercer of The Shins and artist-producer Danger Mouse are getting ready to release another album as Broken Bells, After the Disco. This single, “Holding On for Life,” alludes to that past scene with an archetypal falsetto chorus.

8. "Moving" – Travis

Scottish alt quartet Travis emerges after a five-year absence with its seventh studio album, Where You Stand.  This song, “Moving,” is written by bassist Dougie Payne, stretching singer Fran Healy’s vocals to new heights, although still enabling that trademark emotive warmth.

9.  "Black Out Days" – Phantogram

Phantogram is an electronic duo founded by Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, friends since teenagers in upstate New York.  “Black Out Days” is an echoing tune off a self-titled EP with second full album, Voices, up next.

10. "Do I Wanna Know?" – Arctic Monkeys

English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys formed in 2002 and have explored different genres through their five albums. The latest is, AM, named for the group initials with a nod to The Velvet Underground’s VU. Classic hand claps and foot stomps make way for singer Alex Turner’s rapid-fire delivery in “Do I Wanna Know?”

11.  "Mean Streets" – Tennis

Husband and wife duo Tennis, Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley of Denver, recently released a five-song EP called Small Sound.  “Mean Streets” establishes a breezy confidence for the couple, as a vintage-tinged ambiance permeates the song.

12. "Head On" – Man Man

“Head On” is a the melodic single from On Oni Pond, experimental Philly band Man Man’s fifth album since 2003.  The multi-instrumental jam plays off the laid back vibe of lead singer and lyricist Honus Honus.

13. "The Ceiling" – The Wild Feathers

This Nashville quintet has roots in Texas and Oklahoma, along a shared love of 70s country rock that saturates their self-titled debut. The full on vocals in “The Ceiling” convey an infectious chemistry between these former lead singers.

14.  "Outta Sight" – Love Inks

Love Inks is a trio that self-recorded a debut LP, Generation Club, on a half-inch tape machine in their hometown of Austin, Texas. Lead singer Sherry LeBlanc croons over synth beats and key strikes with a pining lustful urgency.

15. "Peace Sword (Open Your Heart) (featuring Tobacco)" – The Flaming Lips

In typical overboard fashion, The Flaming Lips’ one song project for the Ender’s Game movie soundtrack inspired a four-song EP called Sword.  This characteristically epic tune showcases the electronic wizardry of Tobacco from Black Moth Super Rainbow with cinematic flair.

16. "If We Were Banished" – Radar Brothers

Jim Putnam formed indie rock band The Radar Brothers in L.A. without brothers but with an intention to create songs expressing a universal musicality.  The meditative world of “If We Were Banished” is from the band’s eighth album, simply titled Eight.

17. "California" – Mazzy Star

Mazzy Star is back after fifteen years with its fourth studio album, Seasons of Your Day.  Hope Sandoval’s distinctive languid delivery owns the proceedings as vocalist and lyricist, while composer David Roback’s guitar humbly makes way.

DID YOU GUESS EIGHT BANDS? BONUS POINTS IF YOU KNEW THE FLAMING LIPS AND MAZZY STAR GO BACK TO THE 80s…

1. OKKERVIL RIVER

2. LUSCIOUS JACKSON

3. MIDLAKE

4. TRAVIS

5. MAN MAN

6. THE FLAMING LIPS – Formed in 1983

7. RADAR BROTHERS

8. MAZZY STAR – Formed in 1988