The Useless Critic 2.0

I recently heard of an indie French band called Plage Tara who I would say veer strongly on the indie side. Plage means a fashionable beach by the sea - or so I am led to believe! Plage Tara sounds like a perfect backdrop for exactly that occasion. It's an alluring mix of dream-pop and post-rock, guided by otherworldly instrumentals.  I was introduced to this band by the actress Camille Razat of all people, who runs Soupire Records - the label the band is on. I actually listened to their album when I was in Vegas for work, and I found it an extremely grounding record that helped put me at ease as I find Vegas to be a lot . You can find that album, "Whales of Harmony," on streaming services as well as on  SoundCloud . Check out "Mischief Harmony" below! 

Hi everyone, I updated my best of 2021 playlist with some new developments! You can find it on Apple Music as well as Spotify. Updates include: - Tori Amos - White Lies - Avril Lavigne (that song is stupid catchy!) - Beach House Listen below; happy nearly 2022! Stay safe out there:

That title doesn't really mince any words, does it? But from the instant the song starts, I Break Horse's "I'll Be the Death of You" builds a fuzzy yet warm atmosphere, teetering somewhere between dreampop and synthpop. Honestly, this song sounds to me as if Beach House took Xanax.  The Swedish band's newest album, "Warnings," is slated for an early May release. And it's already my most anticipated album of the year (that is, unless Fiona Apple drops something to honor the new decade upon us.) 

NEW GOOD BAND ALERT.  Toted by their biography as being in the same genre as bands like Phantogram (see previous post!), Purity Ring, and Beach House, Tiny Deaths are deserving of your time and attention. They are a lovely little dreampop group that I can see going great places. Check out "Survivor," which seems to be some kind of ode to survivors of domestic violence: Interview en route shortly.

So there has been a new Beach House album for approximately a month, and the Useless Critic has not released statements on it. That is now about to change. So, "Sparks." It's pretty fuzzy and lo-fi-esque. Not that Beach House isn't known for being somewhat that way, but this seems like a step up from where they have previously been. It certainly has some shoegaze elements as well. I think it's a natural progression from 2012's "Bloom."  Halfway through the song, it seems to pick up and find its footing. At first, it's not the easiest song to warm up to. But, still. It left me curious as to what "Depression Cherry" (such an appropriate title!) will sound like. In short: Less dreampop, more shoegaze/lo-fi. Not a stunner, but something of a grower. Yay "Depression Cherry." Sounds like a Popsicle flavor. 

Hey everyone! I have returned to present you one very belated music mix. Sounds about right. It was intended more for late summer, but let's not kid ourselves. I hope y'all enjoy it. I've got Beach House, Andrew Bird, some new Spoon, and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The Neighbourhood is on there as well because that song gets stuck in my head all the time. Zach has some content planned for October btws. Besides pumpkin spice lattes and football at bad neighborhood sports bars, there's another thing to love about fall!

Song of the Day Can't wait to see dese guys in April. Check here to see if this Baltimore pair will be near you. 

http://www.npr.org/2012/05/06/151227631/first-listen-beach-house-bloom I know this leaked a while ago but WHATEVER.

In a matter of time, it would slip from my mind. Time heals most wounds. MOST. Some we still carry for quite a long time. I think all of us have ample evidence to that claim. I mean, up until this year, I was so haunted by the past that I'd have daily flare-ups of brutal anxiety over things from years ago! But now everything is happening so fast I have no time for that and my anxiety is waitlisted for the present. OH, IF ONLY YOU KNEW, READER.  then there's the disintegration of other things. "you want moooooooore..." she sort of moans. we can only be so much to people and sometimes we are certainly not what they want us to be, what role we need to fulfill, etc. but you can't bend who you are to please people, because you won't survive. believe me, I know.  hence, this song, which I'm half-tempted to have a weird Harold and Maude -esque picnic to someday. question:  Does time heal all wounds or do we just forget about them and block it out?

A while ago, AWM posted about Frank Ocean , who is pretty good in a chill way (I've since checked him out). Check out the Weeknd from Toronto, who is basically, more or less, THE SAME THING. I was sold when I read the last.fm comments about him. apparently you should have sex to this guy. also he doesn't know how to spell the Weekend. but he samples Beach House and Chris Isack. IF YOU LIKE:  pained sex pain during sex crying during sex THEN

Matt has exceptionally good taste in music, so I should listen to him more, no? I just am lazy and unless I hear a band and they get me on that first listen- I'm screwed. if not, well, whatev. OMG LET'S PLAY UFFIE NONSTOP AND DECIPHER HER LYRICS. "damn good cheese." THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING HIDDEN IN THERE, SOME SUBTEXT. so he's been on my case nonstop to listen to Lush. and I've listened to Lush in passing, but inactively. I haven't allowed myself to get into it. is it the same fear that keeps me subdued on dating websites? giving myself away to random strangers/bands and then realizing they have my heart, don't care and will never give it back? that is it. UFFIE, WHAT THE HELL. IT'S JUST THE EMOTIONS, TAKING ME OVER.... all right, I listened to Lush. Matt was nice enough to pass me enough their body of work. yay! so I want to write this like a snob at a winetasting. and I hate wine. here we go: at my first sip of Lush, I am reminded of shoegazin...

Here is the shortlist: N.E.R.D's new track featuring NELLY FURTADO. ahhhh I miss her. Come on, I still know the lyrics to "Promiscuous." You don't have game like Steve Nash! "Hot and Fun"- if I danced, it would be to stuff like this. Pharrell is a little genius: Nelly Furtado is so gorgeous it hurts. oh my god. I don't know how I never noticed this before. Neon Indian says how I wish high school was: Metric Metric Metric. I am currently seeking a concert partner for Cleveland. I NEED TO SEE EMILY. I NEED TO BATHE IN HER SWEAT. THERE'S JUST NO WORDS OKAY I NEED TO BE THERE WHEN SHE DOES HER COCAINE. May 19th! I have two tickets! You'd have to pay for your ticket and give me a ride, but guess what! I know how to use my hands well! Bear In Heaven is opening! They are one of those "next big thing" bands! Slow Club is really juts too adorable it's sick: Cara, does that boy NOT look like Pete? The feel good hit of the summer: http://www.y...

Arguably the best and most expensive music festival there is, that I will ONE GLORIOUS DAY attend, Coachella, is this weekend in California. Acts playing this year: Beach House, MGMT (who I am so over!), The Cribs (or wait, stupid volcano), Jay-Z, LCD Soundsystem, Them Crooked Vultures, Grizzly Bear, Vampire Weekend, Gorillaz, Thom Yorke, Hockey, Pavement, Muse, Tiesto, Spoon, Hadouken! (I love that name), Mew, Sia, Dirty Projectors....I could go on but it will just make you sad. One year, one year. Maybe next year? We will play it by ear. I have been bad at updating and there are two things I MUST write about in the future. So I will try this weekend. Right now, it's 6 am. be gentle with me plz. I'm looking for a job and I'm graduating in less than a month. Yung Loc is playing Edinboro next Friday. yup. Music news you should be aware of: - She & Him have probably the best album of the year JUST SAYING - Hole put out a new album? - Kate Nash has a new album out too but...

- New Beach House. - New Spoon. - New Surfer Blood. of the above, what is the best? O_O also, isn't the Coachella line-up pretty swell? THE WHITE STRIPES? SIGUR ROS? OMG WHO WANTS TO TAKE ME THERE

In that harbor of a room you'll find your anchor soon in the parting of our ways may it never happen, anyway... ...All of your charms couldn't keep you from... http://www.sendspace.com/file/dmf6tv