While not exactly Bob Dylan clones – but in a way carry on that disinfected, poetic charge – the indie rock-post punk sensation Arctic Monkeys are now facing a similar dilemma. The band’s latest album, Humbug, is, for the most part, a departure from the unabashed, in-your-face intense rock that made them world famous only five years ago. But Humbug has so far received a so-so response from music critics, bloggers and especially fans – some hate it, some love it, others fall somewhere in the middle.

The verdict of Humbug by AM fans – the people who really matter – appears to be largely split with a slight lean toward the conclusion that the album is a “grower” that apparently gets better with each listen. In a way, I have to agree, even though I can see why some people are disappointed because it lacks the infectious, edgy rock anthems the band had become know for around the globe.

However, Humbug clearly demonstrates the Arctic Monkey’s progression as artists, and that’s not a bad thing. That sound and style is all but absent on Humbug. The songs on the band’s new release are slower, more melancholy and Alex Turner delivers the well-crafted lyrics with more sublime vocals.

When a band has been as outrageously popular as Arctic Monkeys have been in the past five years, the expectations put on them to satisfy so many people with
hit after hit is overwhelming and not fair. Humbug, if anything else, demonstrates a band that is growing up – it is not the emotional, attention-grabbing post punk rock that put the band in the worldwide spotlight back in 2005.

For those who expected Humbug to have the same hard-hitting, urgent and unabashed rock attitude of the band’s early releases, they will either be largely let down or slowly come to appreciate it for what it is.

The Arctic Monkeys changed the face of ‘indie rock’ in the UK, Europe, and to some extent in North America, with their debut album Everything They Say I Am, I Am Not, and to a lesser, but still powerful, affect, their sophomore LP Favourite Worst Nightmare.

A big part of what made the Arctic Monkeys one of the most biggest new bands in British rock history was their raw talent and ability to make catchy rock music that could be cool and fun at the same time. For many fans it didn’t take long to be captivated by the band’s seemingly boundless energy and sing-along anthems (“I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”). With a few notable exceptions, the engaging, enthusiastic rebellion rock of yore is pretty much absent from Humbug.

Humbug definitely has its highlights and plenty of the great story-telling lyrics and melodies of the band’s earlier days. The problem is that, as a collection of songs, Humbug is just not that interesting, or memorable.

Of the songs on Humbug that sound most like the Arctic Monkeys of yesteryear are “Dangerous Animals” and “Pretty Visitors.” While “Crying Lightning” was the band’s
first official single, one of the previously mentioned tracks are more likely “keepers” for old-school Arctic Monkey fans.

“Crying Lightning” – Arctic Monkeys from Humbug

“Potion Approaching”(Live) – Arctic Monkeys from Humbug

“Mirrored and Reversed” - White Demin from Fits (out June 22)

“Bleed” - Animal Collective from Summertime Clothes (July 7)

Nevertheless, classic songs like “Comfy in Nautica”, ” and “”"”. The two 12-minute plus tracks “Good Girl/Carrots” and “Bros” are dreamy explorations of a sonic landscape that unfolds like the scenes of a colorful, psychedelic exhibition. “Bros” is one of those songs that will likely play in your head over and over, but in a good way.

Person Pitch was Noah Lennox’s third solo album, and my personal favorite among the trio. Person Pitch marked a dramatic departure from Panda Bear’s previous solo record Young Prayer. Rather than rely heavily on acoustic instruments found on Young Prayer, Lennox splurged and added all kinds of sonic layers, using samplers and electronics coupled with echoing, choruses and psychedelic radiance.

As Lennox’s record label, Paw Tracks, wrote at the time of it’s release, “Person Pitch is suffused with the kind of feel good modern toe-tapping pop that seems harder and harder to find these days.”

They also wrote that someday Lennox’s third solo album might be in the same ranks as those by Paul McCartney, George Michael, and Ghostface Killah. Not sure they are really in the same sphere of music genres and auidences Paw Tracks, but it is nonetheless one of the best indie solo albums of all time. If you haven’t heard it yet, and especially if your an Animal Collective fan, do yourself and favor and get this album.

“Comfy in Nautica” – Panda Bear from Person Pitch (2007)

“Take Pills” from the same absolutely amazing debut by Noah Lennox as Panda Bear. Get the album here.

On Young Prayer, Lennox’s second solo record, all of the songs were untitled. Therefore, they ended up with a tracklist of “UnTitled1″, “UnTitled2″, etc. Some fans made up their own track names for each of the nine songs after Lennox reportedly suggested they do.

“UnTitled3″ – Panda Bear from Young Prayer

Listen to more free MP3s, and learn about other bands, from Paw Tracks.

The Black Lips

There is a whole world of music out there that is yet to be discovered. It’s a musical continent that has yet to be fully explored, and may never been fully explored to satisfaction – that is to say, “now I heard all the best music that’s out there.” No way dude. That’s impossible even for the largest music staff to accomplish. Here at Indie Rock Songs, we do our best.

The following feature new songs from The Black Lips, The Lovetones, The Cloud Hymn and

“Short Fuse” – The Black Lips

“Journeyman” – The Lovetones

“Wide” – The Cloud Hymn

Malamor by Phoenix artist Milk

Hey all, this blog started out as a spot for exposing great indie artists that don’t really get much exposure, or do to some degree, but still not as much as deserved.

The blog started out great and a lot of people liked it, despite stops and starts. Last fall, a decision was made to stop posting and visit our friends at Indie Rock Cafe instead.

While we still recommend checking out IRC, we have great things in store for indie rock fans. This blog will focus almost exclusively on new and classic indie rock songs, and not albums, bands or news. So if you want just to hear great new songs that you won’t find anywhere, else, sign up for the feed or keep coming back.

That’s no easy task. In addition to delivering great music to music fans, this blog also serves as a promotional channel for the artists and bands featured here. To get things started,

Why not get things started with a couple of awesome news songs from the stacks of CDs and digital downloads piling up.

No descriptions here, but there will be in subsequent posts. Just trying to get this baby off the ground first. Hope you enjoy these tracks:

MP3: “Oh Mojave” from The Ruby Suns off the album Sea Lions (Buy|MySpace)

MP3: “Quiet Little Voices” from We Were Promised Jetpacks off the new album We Were Promised Jetpacks (Buy|MySpace)

All we ask is that people who enjoy the music they hear on this blog make sure (because so many of you do anyhow) to support the musicians and labels they enjoy the most.

Buy CDs or downloads, go to shows and fests, tell others, add the bands to your social profiles like MySpace and Facebook and whatever else you feel like doing. When you hear music you really dig, get in on the gig and do whatever you can to support it.

The Verve performing Friday night at Coachella

Vampire Weekend performing “A Punk” at Coachella 2008

Quick Clips

The Raconteurs

The National performing a short clip at Coachella

Pendulum – Voodoo People – raving at Coachella – short clip, but good sneak preview

Serj Tankian live at Coachella 2008

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To get indie rock songs, videos, concert and festival listings, album reviews, playlists, news and much more throughout 2008, get the Indie Rock Songs feed.

The YouTube videos from Friday’s Coachella performances are already being posted. Sifting through them, here are some of the best, including The Black Kids, The Raconteurs, Aphex Twins and Fatboy Slim.

The Black Kids performing “I’m Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend” at Coachella on Friday, April 25:

The Raconteurs – “Consolers of the Lonely” – Friday Coachella show

The Raconteurs – “Attention” – from AT&T BlueRoom Broadcast (FYI: This may be deleted by YouTube)

Aphex Twins – Live set at Coachella, Friday, April 25, 2008 (song title anyone?)

Fatboy Slim – “Green Supernova” – Friday night, Coachella 2008

,

The following is the line-up for artists and bands playing Coachella Saturday and Sunday. Check out the stage and set times for more information.

Portishead, Prince, Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, Cafe Tacvba, Sasha & John Digweed, Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, M.I.A., Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Animal Collective, Kate Nash, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars on Broadway, Islands, Does it Offend You, Yeah?, Above & Beyond, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boys Noize, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, The Teenagers, VHS or Beta, CarbonSilicon, Erol Alkan, Man Man, Yo! Majesty, Little Brother, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, AkronFamily, MGMT, Surkin, Curses!, Para One, Orgasmic, James Zabiela, SebAstian, Kavinsky, Minus the Bear, Dredg, The Bird and the Bee, 120 Days, Yoav, Electric Touch, Yelle, Uffie featuring DJ Mehdi

Sunday

Roger Waters, Love and Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, Metric, Danny Tenaglia, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Murs, Dimitri from Paris, Autolux, Stars, The Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson, The Cool Kids, Sons & Daughters, Sia, Holy F*ck, Black Mountain, Annuals, Kid Sister with A-Trak, Modeselektor, Duffy, I’m from Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmau5, AUSTIN TV, Grand Ole Party, Shout Out Louds, Plasticines, Brett Dennen

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To get indie rock songs, videos, concert and festival listings, album reviews, playlists, news and much more throughout 2008, get the Indie Rock Songs feed.

The Garlands debut single is available for free, legal download thanks to Cosy Recordings and

MP3: David - The Garlands

Play or download a bonus track You Never Notice Me – The Garlands

The EP, which features a cover version of George Michael’s Freedom, is limited to 300 copies, so if you like the band, go to Cloudberry Records.

Cleveland’s psychedelic indie pop band The Dreadful Yawns have released a new single:

MP3: I Thought One Kiss -The Dreadful Yawns

MP3: Creeper from Island’s new album Arm’s Way due out on ANTI May 20, 2008.

MP3: Tears Run Rings – Mind The Wires from the band’s debut release Always, Sometimes, Seldom, Never on ClairRecords

MP3: The Sun Ain’t the Same – Afternoon Naps from the group’s forthcoming EP (title not known). If you liked that tune also check out this bonus track: Clean Bill of Health - Afternoon Naps

MP3: Leviathan, Bound from new album Rook slated for release on Matador Records on June 3

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To get indie rock songs, videos, concert and festival listings, album reviews, playlists, news and much more throughout 2008, get the Indie Rock Songs feed.

- Vampire Weekend – Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa [mp3]

- Listen to tracks from the band’s official website

- See rare clips of Vampire Weekend performing live in SF and on KCRW (a phenomenal 40-minute studio session of the band performing almost every song on their debut album)

The literary Columbia University grad students gained warp-speed popularity in and around the campus with their catchy mix of indie rock and Afro-fused beats, and soon began playing at high-society social gatherings and NYC venues in 2006.

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To get indie rock songs, videos, concert and festival listings, album reviews, playlists, news and much more throughout 2008, get the Indie Rock Songs feed.