Whatever your seasonal preference Vampire Weekend’s eponymous debut belongs in summer catalogue just like the band’s wardrobe, but Rostam Batmanglij seeks to speed towards the fall equinox with his “new” string orchestral edit of “Campus”. With the subtle string arrangements present of VW, it might strike at first an unmixed demo, but after some research it seems like it might be a pre-VW rendition, and it’s damn good. Something for day-walkers i guess.

Rostam Batmanglij-Campus (Edit)

2008 has been a 6-month, non-stop Vampire Weekend with SPIN proclaiming the best band of the year had already been found in March many of us gave a nod of skeptical but subtle approval (as for people crying “solid afrobeat throwback”, that’s a bit more contentious).

From the band’s Mansard Roof EP: Vampire Weekend-Campus

London has the River Thames + triumphant  rock scene, New Orleans has the Gulf of Mexico + trumpet-ant jazz heritage, regardless of preference we can all agree on sensational Cajun Dance Party(s). Yeah, a five piece rock act from England sounds about as unoriginal as writing your own music blog, but this more inventive act will charm you after some attention.

Combining choruses that stick with non-pop verses  and melodies ensures that what’s on your ipod is waaay more indie than everyone else on the street, allowing freedom to glare at all the those mainstream kids with smug disdain. (Me, considering the pop i solicit.)

Pick up your own pocket (Cajun Dance) Party The Colourful Life at the band’s website, scope their Myspace, and download “Amylase” below as a party favor (no download=party foul).

Cajun Dance Party-Amylase

EDIT: I’ve determined there may be subtle, offensive, but unintentional irony when comparing the last two posts.

Musical sects as environmentally-friendly as Cloud Cult are uncommon/preferable to most other cults. With a personal recording studio powered by geothermal energy, mass tree-planting based upon album sales, eight total annual albums and an overall green demeanor, the music is more organic than your favorite carbon compound.

Hip-ster not Hip-py, their newest record Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes) boasts bouncy rhyme-heavy lyrics and an ominous weather-core sound which echoes that pleasant feeling of sipping EGCG in the calm before destructive high force winds and largely ignored warning sirens. It’s music that makes you content.

Cloud Cult- Journey of the Featherless

Cloud Cult manage to cultivate catchy music while still giving Mother Earth a desperately needed therapy session after thousands of years with too many ignorant children. Sample and download the addictive “Journey of the Featherless” and if you like, still avoid cult formation.

Myspace

Opposed to same-sex marriage? Tsk. Believe me, you’ll take 10 hops left after meeting My!Gay!Husband! This Canadian remix artist brings tolerance to the mainstream with a lone laptop and some high-end sound software, formulating both enrapturing EDIT’s and airtight mash-ups. Most are of those indie rock hits that emanate from mysterious sources in college towns. Though, all of which I described have no proven link to homosexuality. 

M!G!H! originated in the seedy Vancouver club scene, but having escaped those oppressive northern basements all of his pop-driven late-night acceptronica jams are offered free on both his blog and Myspace.

It’s as easy as 123…4. My!Gay!Husband!-Feist 1234 (Get Up Kid Edit) 

Normally, the phosphorescent glow/rainbow flavored light still emitted from the 80′s is enough to make me nocturnal for weeks, but ZibraZibra manages to channel those photons to something everyone should bask in.

After one listen to “Lions on the Astroturf” it’s clear this post-awesome, rubix cube rock is unstoppable. I have to move from the place of typing, but if there is one thing i’m sure you have to listen to the above track. I’m going to go score a neon pet rock from CVS. 

Just let it get to the first chorus, and you’ll get it.

Lions on the Astroturf  Download

Myspace

 I’m so glad YOU found out about this totally underground, indie, straight to DVD release first and like it more than everyone else.

“This award winning movie is mine because i found the gem in a really secluded corner shelf of Blockbuster”

“i’ll increase my wit by quoting hyper synthesized dialogue.”  

“You’re…like…the coolest person ever. And you don’t even have to try.” “Awww, why aren’t all boys like that!”

“Anyway, sorry i can’t jab more fyrtle myrtles, but i’ve heard there’s a new line of flannel jacket at Sears!”

“Sigh, <3 Pauly Bleeker <3″

After an adorable romp through teen pregnancy, The Juno Soundtrack actually was a gratifying and very likeable, anti-folk, lo-fi record, exploiting Kimya Dawson and others. 

And I did like the movie, just not as much as you.

Pop-Rock hasn’t ever hurt anyone, and neither have The Friday Night Boys (assumption), all they want is to make you dance. And that guitar-laden, power pop danceability is the basis to the picturesque pop contained in nearly every song the band has tracked, and for a fleeting moment can make any indie rocker forget to be cynical.

The Friday Nights Boys aren’t ashamed to formulate glossy songs that don’t really mean much at all, and you don’t have to be ashamed to lend an ear. But..but..what about my flawless reputation of listening to post-modern poet rock? Shh. No one will know. 

The Friday Night Boys- Theres Still Time

The latest release, The Sketch Process EP is available on itunes. Check out “There’s Still Time” above. The band’s Purevolume contains an expansive list if you desire more, recommended: “Lights Out”, and “3 A.M.”.

Purevolume

In 2004, Denver Colorado, with its high elevation and thin atmosphere produced Hot IQs. The trio whom met while working college radio, now makes music completely appropriate for the same medium. Articulate, deep vocals settle over sharp guitar hooks that aren’t too contrived to be pop, but also aren’t in obscure time signatures that require calculators for proper listening. Well-read lyrics with references to grammatical concepts and parts of the body, that many likely thought unnamed complete the package and as make listening completely enjoyable.

Hot IQs, latest release, The Dangling Modifier EP, dropped in late 2007, but mid 2008 in my mind is still fair game for a feature. Check out the download for “Elephant in White” below, and the bands Myspace for some more solid tracks, including “Firecracker”.

Hot IQs-Elephant in White Download

Myspace

The name was a product of a tedious quarter hour of colliding hipster lingo and a Roget’s Thesaurus, but it creates some slick imagery. One suggested interpretation, an Altoid wearing a small patterned sweater, is nothing short of adorable. Maybe it conjures a place to press crystalline, rhombus-riddled casual vests. Again, what comes to mind is entirely your choice, I don’t dare stifle your imagination.

Don’t worry about genres, don’t be self-conscious, just go with it.

-Logan.