Weekly Top 10: SXSW Acts (Part 2)

With one of the country's largest festival events less than a week away, we figured this would be as good a time as any to feature some of our picks from our favorite artists in attendance down in Austin, TX. Today's playlist is only for artists who perform at SXSW on either Friday, March 19 or Saturday, March 20. So without further ado, check out this entertaining collection of great acts-- all of whom will be appearing at SXSW.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: SXSW Acts (Part 1)]

Weekly Top 10: Winter Songs

Seasons have often been a powerful inspiration for music. From the colorful foliage of autumn, to the carefree pace of summer. In the past, we've highlighted the Top 10 songs that best embodied both the summer and fall. This week, we have decided to bring you our Top 10 songs that embrace the dead cold and sweeping, snow-covered landscapes of winter. So grab a mug of hot cocoa, curl up on the couch with a blanket, and enjoy.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Los Angeles-Area Artists]

Coachella Announces 2010 Line-Up

Just as we did last year, we're happy to report the lineup for 2010's Coachella Festival. It's probably better than last year, depending on your vantage point. Among the most notable acts (according to this blog, not the festival) per day:

Friday, April 16-- Jay-Z, LCD Soundsystem, Passion Pit, Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear, She & Him, Yeasayer, Ra Ra Riot, Wale

Saturday, April 17-- Muse, MGMT, Dirty Projectors, Major Lazer, Mew, Portugal. The Man, Girls

Sunday, April 18-- Gorillaz, Thom Yorke, Phoenix, Spoon, De La Soul, Sly and the Family Stone, Julian Casablancas, Sunny Day Real Estate, Yo La Tengo, Deerhunter, Local Natives

So there it is. An epic collection of artists this year, really. I'm excited, as I'm sure you are too. To Indio, California we go.

Weekly Top 10: "Ghost" Songs

In light of Halloween coming up this weekend, we decided to make our Weekly Top 10 reflect the holiday. Below is a collection of our favorite songs involving ghosts. You'll notice that the word "ghost" is contained in the title of all of them. So enjoy the tracks. Hopefully your Halloween is both a successful and safe one.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Album Closers]

New Ra Ra Riot Video, "Can You Tell"

Happened upon this and figured it couldn't hurt to give some love to fellow members of the Syracuse University community.  "Can You Tell," Ra Ra Riot's latest video is a good time- it's actually done in an early-00s theme (I feel), which is nice for a trip down memory lane.  You know, when we were hearing songs like "Superman" from Three Doors Down or "Swing, Swing" from the All-American Rejects for the first time.  Actually, I'd rather not relive that.  Still, I would recommend checking out this video, and if you haven't heard The Rhumb Line, I'd suggest doing so immediately.  The Rhumb Line is out via Barsuk, and in stores everywhere you could possibly imagine.

Best of 2008: #9, Ra Ra Riot

Rank: #9

Album: The Rhumb Line

Artist: Ra Ra Riot

Label: Barsuk

Coming in at #9 on the countdown is Ra Ra Riot's The Rhumb Line.  For a band's debut LP, The Rhumb Line displays a very strong concept of melody and presence, one which sets them up for what should be continued success in the future.  I saw them live at Syracuse University (their alma mater) this past September at an outdoor show, and let me tell you, in no way do they disappoint.  Their fun brand of strings-infused indie pop fills the air whether live or on headphones and grabs your attention immediately.  Obviously, I'm not the only one who's taken notice, as they've received favorable reviews all across the web and music magazines, as well as getting an appearance on Letterman.

The entire record keeps it upbeat and lively, never allowing the words or strings to drown the tempo.  Wesley Miles' soaring vocal and keyboard work also keeps the songs, as well as the band, moving throughout.  Continuity is another big key hear, as each track sounds like it belongs in the sequence it was placed, keeping the same theme and key elements intact throughout.  It will be interesting to see how the follow-up sounds without the songwriting contributions of their late drummer, John Pike.  Though the record was made after his unfortunate death in summer of 2007, most of the tracks had already been written earlier that year, and he was a large part of those.  Even though every song is appealing here, the moving "Ghost Under Rocks," poppy "Dying is Fine" and regretful "Can You Tell" stand out above the others.  The band's cover of Kate Bush's "Suspended in Gaffa" also fits right in amongst their original work.  Similar artists may include The Walkmen, Vampire Weekend and Rogue Wave. 

Best Track: "Dying Is Fine"