Mount Eerie, "Appetite"

Thank goodness for Phil Elverum and Mount Eerie.

I was beginning to think that music couldn't be made without compressing the shit out of vocals, doubling the vocals, and overdubs.

Well, shit. This song reminds me of an aesthetic that I dearly miss. It's the kind of music that's quiet when it's quiet and fucking loud when it's loud.

I'm really happy that Mount Eerie keeps making amazing music, and their 2008 EP, Black Wooden Ceiling Opening, came as a shock. Sure, I had heard The Microphones' The Glow, Pt. 2, but this just keeps getting better and better.

DL the first track, "Appetite." What a great opener.

Autolux, "Sugarless"

When I was a poor college student, my mom bought me this car. I couldn't believe she did that! I mean, it was kind of a shitty car, but a thousand times better than my old one. Anyway, about a year later, I graduated and guess what? I got to take over the payments! What a gift to me! A monthly payment of $211 to the bank for the next 3 years!?! Oh, mother, you've pulled me right into your trap.

There is absolutely no point in that story, but thanks for listening.

Today, I present to you Autolux's "Sugarless" from the album Future Perfect.

What a spaced out tune. The female vocals in the middle of the song give me chills. This band in general is kind of amazing. It always blows my mind to hear something so authentic and creative out of Los Angeles. I know, it's cliché, but that town is a sinkhole for suck.

But this time, LA got lucky, because Greg Andrews—formerly of the amazingly trippy and drugged out Failure—drives this band along with an amazing bass sound. The rest of the band kicks ass too, as you can easily hear. I mean, you have ears don't you? Just listen to the damn song then.

Download: Autolux "Sugarless"

Monroe Mustang, "Universe"

Monroe fucking Mustang.

Those Texan sons of bitches are back. Thank Jesus.

A long time ago I use to buy every album that looked remotely interesting. The funny thing is, I was a poor college student. How did I afford it? I ate a lot of beans.

Anyway, one of those interesting albums was an EP by Monroe Mustang, I am the Only Running Footman. Apparently 5 guys wrote one song each. They're all winners. And not "winners" like in the special olympics, where everyone gets a medal.

It's hard for me to imagine why bands like Okkervil River and the Apples in Stereo became so incredibly popular when there was already one band that combined the best of both.

It's a no brainer.

Anyway, "Universe" is from their newest, Monroe Mustang, The Imaginary Band, Regretfully Declines, a kickass return to mopey and bedroom-produced pop. Check it.

Download: Monroe Mustang, "Universe"

The National, "Abel"

Yeah, so everyone loves the National.

Whoop-a-dee-ding-dong.

Seriously, though, this song rocks pretty hard. It took me a while to get used to how this guy sings on most of the songs from 2007's Boxer. This track, "Abel" though, from 2005's Alligator, was an instant hit in my big fat head.

Download: The National, "Abel"