A Quick Word from the Author:
"Much to our chagrin, in a sorry plight the highly anticipated musical fire of 2012 hit wide of the mark. The expected aces disappointed more often than not, and our beloved influx of yearly newcomers found to be less fruitful than years past. Conceivably, this flash in the pan was fault of our own— a faux pas we forced into being with exaggerated expectations riding on 2011's triumph. Maybe we were too critical, more snobbish than needed be. Yet perhaps, and more likely, 2011 was just a lead balloon, too over-saturated to keep flight and destined to dishearten. 2013 has to be better, right? Right?"
Thus goes the opening to my flagship editorial of 2013, admittedly an odd way to start an album review but I had to get it off my chest. 2012 was awful. It was my least favorite year of music in recent memory, and I think it's best we leave it behind and never look back. That being said, if there are any artists planning on making music this year who are reading this— do me proud and make sure your stuff is awesome. I have faith in you all. I don't know what happened last year. Maybe people were freaking out about the Mayans, I don't know— but I'm done talking about this. Let's kick 2013's ass, shall we? Happy new year, my fine haired friends.
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Move along now and dive into those tunes below; they're certified fresh.
The Bees Knees
Your life will be much easier now.
These are the creamiest tracks of the week, one each from the three sections. These are here for those who only wish to sip. Yes, I'm looking at you, with your impenetrable ADHD and fascination with with Country Time Lemonade products. You and your inability to listen to more than just a few tracks because you have 1 new Facebook Notification and a Twitter Message.
This is for you, you beautiful, busy bastard.
The Pasture: Night Panther – "Fire"
Fire--EM0113
Download: Night Panther – Fire
The Tryptophan: Y. K L Ei N – "H O L L O W H O L L O W"
H-O-L-L-O-W-H-O-L-L-O-W--EM0113
Download: Y. K L Ei N – H O L L O W H O L L O W
The Chicken Dance: Flume – "Sleepless (Charles Murdoch Remix)"
Sleepless-(Charles-Murdoch-Remix)--EM0113
Download: Flume – Sleepless (Charles Murdoch Remix)
The Indie Gift Basket
Overview
- The Pasture covers the basics, from Folk to Rock to Pop, and will now serve as the hub for the tracks perfect for any occasion.
- The Chicken Dance is a hodge podge of tracks that you could be excused for doing the, err… Chicken Dance to. Although these aren't simply Dance tracks, they're all good to whip your hair around to.
- Lastly, The Tryptophan is built for those relaxed moments, where you're winding down with the aid of something herbal — or even for a time where you might just want some background atmospherics to doze off to.
The Pasture
The Pasture is your home for the best of Indie for every occasion. Whether you're stuck in an elevator and need to sooth your companions, or in an argument with the ex and need to calm them down — these tracks are your answer. Highlights on the fresh dairy from Night Panther, Wildlife Control, Vivian Girls, and TRAILS AND WAYS.
The Tryptophan
Relax. Take a deep breath, press play and shut your eyes — these tracks will take you somewhere. Herbal stimulation recommended. Highlights on the dank dairy from Y. K L Ei N, Apparat, and Pretty Heart.
The Chicken Dance
If you're like me, your dancing skills are at best similar to an epileptic seizure — and that's on a good night. As a result of our less than impressive abilities, we often simply revert to the stupid moves that anyone can do, comforted with the knowledge that while we may look a bit odd, we won't look like a total jackass. My personal favorite is the Chicken Dance, something that I found myself doing to each of these tracks. Highlights on the fresh dairy from Charles Murdoch, Japanster, and The Soft Moon.
WANT MORE INDIE SABBATH?
There's plenty more where this came from. Click the link above to check out the rest, and stay tuned in for more of the best in Indie as well as everything else, right here on EARMILK.
Upon this day, I declare that Indie music is leaps and bounds more pure than anything else, and the term "Indie" means not that a band isn't mainstream, but that a band has been able to hold on to its roots, even through fame and fortune. While the wonderful thumps and womps of other genres get me grooving, it will always be the sui generis of Indie that guides me to the homeland. And for that — I both thank it and applaud it — for it has brought me great pleasure in the past and will so in the future.