Amazing videos from 2010: Best Coast, Zola Jesus, Yeasayer

Here are a few videos from some of my favorite albums this year. Best Coast is one of my favorite albums this year. It is sure to be in my top albums of the year. Zola Jesus was a new discovery for me and really brought out my old inner goth. Yeasayer came out with an album this year that was just as creative as the first but had more pop elements. Here are videos from the great albums these artists released this year.

Best Coast: When I'm with you

Zola Jesus: Sea Talk

Yeasayer: O.N.E

More info on PJ Harvey's new album and new song

PJ Harvey is releasing her new album, Let England Shake, on February 14th. A few blog entries ago I posted two new songs from PJ. Those two songs are indeed on the album song list. She has now released another song on her website at pjharvey.net

The new song is Written on the Forehead. Harvey has said that this album is more about her looking outward as opposed to inward. This seems to have resulted in many samples used in the recording of the album. This is a new approach for Harvey. PJ told NME that the album is, "full of energy and quite uplifting." This will be Harvey's first album since 2007's White Chalk. White Chalk was a quiet and haunting while this new album seems to be the exact opposite. Listen for yourself. Here is the newest peak at the album, Written on the Forehead.

Laura Marling is named #1 on NME annual cool list

Laura Marling is an artist that I am still getting familiar with, but am looking forward to the listen. NME, the UK music magazine, has just named her the #1 Cool musician of the moment. She beat out other cool acts such as Janelle Monae, Best Coast and even Kanye West. Laura released albums in 2008 and 2010. She has been labeled as Nu-folk. She is barely 20 but already getting tons of press and praise from critics. Her voice has a depth and age to it that is far beyond her years. This is one of those artists that I will need to double back and take a listen, because if NME says she is #1, then their must be something good there. Here is track from her latest album, Rambling Man.

The Secret Sisters, The newest old Country

The Secret Sisters are two actual siblings from Alabama. Laura and Lydia Rogers are "old school" Country artists, no 'alt-' label here. These sisters are channeling Loretta Lynn, The Carter Family as well as some touches of soul music like Mickey and Sylvia. Their debut album is produced by T Bone Burnett and they have already cut a 7 inch with Jack White for Third Man Records. Their beautiful harmonizing voices have everyone noticing. The Sisters next step will be opening on tour for legends such as Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. Google their website, look up the tour dates and don't miss these two. Their tour is focused on the South, which is sad for us Northerners. Here is a taste of the Sisters talking about the making of their album and samples of the few of the tracks. This is the best classic Country I'ver heard in a long time!

More Portishead please

I know it will be 10 years before we see a new Portishead album, but hopefully not. They were on my mind today, so I thought I would post this great song from the second album. Portishead is one of those bands that every song on every album is just good.

I miss Cibo Matto

Cibo Matto were one of my favorite indie bands of the 90's. They had two solid full length albums, Viva La Woman and Stereo Type A. Cibo Matto was Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori. The group broke up after the second album, but both went on to do great things. Miho went on to form a brazilian music band with a friend titled Smokey and Miho and then also was Noodle on the first Gorillaz album. She also has since put out solo work. Yuka went on to do solo work as well. Here is a clip of them talking about their work.

Cat Power will have a new record in 2011

Cat Power will release a new record in 2011. This one is going to be a return to form for Chan Marshall. She has recently said that she is planning on playing all the instruments on the new album. Her last album of original work was in 2006 with The Greatest. This was the beginning of will most likely be known as her Memphis phase. Both the original album The Greatest and her follow up of covers Jukebox, were blues bases with the Memphis blues sound. Very Dusty Springfield. In honor of Chan returning to her singer/songwriter/musician roots, here is the classic Nude As The News.