Category Archives: Deep Cuts of the Day

Deep Cuts of the Day: Candy for your ears.

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It’s Friday!  I’m sure there’s a pile of work that needs to be done, but who said you can’t enjoy a little music while you do it?  This edition of DCOTD is special not only because these songs are some of my favorites, but also because it just so happened that they played in the exact order listed below on my way to work this morning.  I couldn’t have asked for a better way to wrap up the week and prep for the weekend.  Take a listen to some early Halloween ear candy and AudioIV will have a fresh round of DCOTD again on Monday.

1.  “Knocked Up”–Kings of Leon.

Kings of Alternative rock at the moment, Nashville natives Kings of Leon featured “Knocked Up” on their 2007 release Because of the Times.  The title says it all.  “Knocked Up” is a reverb-laden story of two dysfunctional lovers with a bun in the oven.  There’s the usual twisting melodies the Kings have become known for, and a little more raw emotion that new fans may be familiar with.  Nonetheless, this song has a tendency to resonate with you. Check out the Kings doing this one live at Lalapalooza:

2. “Elements”–A Fine Frenzy

A definite departure from the grit of Alternative rock, A Fine Frenzy’s “Elements” is delicate and emotional.  Singer Sudol’s soft, yet piercing voice executes the song’s tortured melody flawlessly as it ebbs and swells over a sea of love lost, white capped with heartache.  It may be a little heavy for a Friday morning, but “Elements” is a great cool down piece, and a wonderful way to discover A Fine Frenzy. 

3.  “Two Sisters In Love”–The Dig

You probably haven’t heard of The Dig, but that’s only because they are one of the best kept secrets in Alt-rock.  Hailing from New York, this young band melds gritty vocals, catchy melodies and moving arrangements to create some one of the freshest sounds on the scene today.  “Two Sisters In Love” starts off with a pretty chill verse that opens up at the hook and then takes you on a spacey ride through the band’s collective subconscious.  Appropriately, the song builds like tension between feuding siblings, and leaves you with the lyrics, “they were just two sisters in love.”  Here the whole song on the band’s MySpace here.

4. “I Can Barely Breathe”–Manchester Orchestra

Admittedly not one of the deepest cuts, “I Can Barely Breathe” was a single off the band’s first official release, Like A Virgin Losing A Child.  As singles go this one isn’t so obvious from the song’s start, but as the band progresses through verses and finally lands on the hook, “cause when I fly solo/I fly so high,” MO has already sunk it’s teeth in so deep, “I Can Barely Breathe” is hard to shake.  Enjoy this tune without expectations and you may just have a new favorite band on your hands.

Deep Cuts 10.28.10

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Here’s a few songs to get you inspired today.  Check out the links to videos and clips of songs and then head on over to your favorite online music vendor and pick up a copy for yourself.  Enjoy!

1.  “Don’t Move”–Butch Walker.

You may know Butch Walker as front man of 90′s one-hit-wonders Marvelous 3,  but there’s much more to him than glam rock and mullets.  Besides a huge cult following, Butch has produced and written songs for female pop sensations P!nk, Avril Lavigne, and Lindsay Lohan, and has released 7 full-length albums over the last 10 years.  “Don’t Move” comes from his 2004 release Letters, and is an epic mix of melody, emotion, and instrumentation, and according to Walker it’s, “what you say, when you have nothing left to say”. If you’re into big choruses and honest lyrics “Don’t Move” is the perfect way to start your day.

2.  “You’re Dead”–Alkaline Trio.

If you’ve been here before you know AudioIV is a huge fan of Chicago punk rockers Alkaline Trio. Featured on the album, From Here to Infirmary “You’re Dead” is packed full of emotion and is the perfect example of the band’s signature, bittersweet melodies.  Even though the songs starts out slowly, it builds subtly, and before you know it Skiba and friends are screaming at the top of their lungs… and if you’re cool, you’re screaming too.  Check it out here.

3.  “Time Bomb”–Iration

How about a little reggae in your day?!  Iration is a little band from the islands of Hawaii, bringing you a smooth version of reggae/pop all their own.  “Time Bomb” is the title track off their latest album and really gets a solid groove going.  Whether you’re looking to sing along or just move your body to the music, “Time Bomb” is a must listen for music lovers everywhere. Check out a video of the band playing live here.

Deep cuts of the day.

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I love the magic of “shuffle”.  We cram our iPods full of thousands of songs, many we never hear more than once or twice, but click “Shuffle Songs” on your mp3 device and your entire library becomes a game of roulette–genius!

Driving (or should I say creeping) home last night I heard songs I hadn’t thought about in years and immediately I associated them with feelings and experiences that hadn’t crossed my mind in just as long.  The magic of shuffle is the ability to transcend your current reality and relive times you never intended to forget. 

If any of this rings true with you, check out AudioIV’s newest segment “Deep Cuts of the Day”, and re-discover–or fall in love for the first time–with tracks that were born to stand out in the shuffle.  Coming to you daily as of 10.27.10.  Enjoy!

Deep Cuts of the Day 10.27.10

1.  “Raw Sugar”–Metric. 

Straight from Canada, indie rockers Metric released “Raw Sugar” on their third full-length album Grow Up And Blow Away back in 2007.  Their usual blend of quirky female vocals, and insightful lyrics is exactly what defines this track.  With a chorus that sings, “Raw sugar/I don’t want to die living in a high rise grave” and phrases like, “Still I wear the red dress, Paint my toes and twirl/Take it back to old times,when I was still a girl” this little tune is seemingly about living in a modern world and wishing for an unrefined jem to bring you back to your roots. 

2.  “Foundation’s Cracked”–The Features

The Features may not be a household name yet, but they’re aiming high.  Currently touring sround the south to promote their record Some Kind of Salvation, the Nashville-based quartet has been featured on SIRIUS/XM’s Alt-Nation, as well as MTV.com and recently signed to Kings of Leon and Bug Music’s new label 429.  Thanks the collaboration, The Features are ready to get your toes tapping with their eclectic brand of psychedelic indie rock.  “Foundation’s Cracked” is a perfect example of their signature juxtaposition of grit and beauty and is the perfect introduction for new listeners.  See for yourself here.

3.  “Paralyzed”–The Used

Over the last ten years, The Used has become known for energetic performances, blood curtling screams and a down right dirty image.  Their repretoire spans the ins and outs of pop/punk/screamo/indie/alternative rock and “Paralyzed” is a wonderful representation of their many facets.  The lyrics and melody pack a punch of attitude while heavy guitars and pounding drums punctuate front man Bert McCraken’s signature vocals.  If you’re looking for a toe-tapper that will get your blood pumping check out “Paralyzed” here.

4.  “Every Word I Say”–Hanson

Whatever you do, DON’T think “Mmm Bop” when you go to check out this track.  It’s not about sugary pop anymore with these brother, and “Every Word I Say” is the perfect way to re-discover a band that was never really given a chance to shine.  This soulful piano rock anthem is a tribute to love in all the right ways and should be enjoyed in the car with a heavy dose of air-druming.  If you’re really in the mood for discovery check out the live version of the song on iTunes, or here  on youtube.com.  Then make sure to tell your friends it’s no longer cool to hate Hanson.