Takenobu Has My Ear

takenI beg you. Please take some time and listen to this track from Takenobu. There’s something remarkable about this track, from start to finish. It opens with really light string arrangements, heavy-handed on the cello…the main instrument of Nick Ogawa. Soon, however, his voice enters into the picture, holding you close with his lofty pop ambitions. Sure, work like this has been crafted before, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard it done quite so well…and quite so focused on the string arrangements. He’s just finished up the finer touches on his album Reversal, his fifth album; it’ll make it your way on February 12th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/233954742″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Steel Phantoms Kicks Out the Indie Jams

steelphantomsI’m thoroughly impressed by the work of the duo, Steel Phantoms.  When I first heard this track, I thought the group might approach the sound of Dodos, but they totally turned it up a notch, adding a more raucous element with the pounding of the drum section.  Sure, they mellow out momentarily in parts, but the whole of the track is much more forceful.  The band has a new self-titled EP that’s heading your way on July 16th, and it’s figuring to have a heavy spot in your summertime rotation, combining sprawling indie rock with energetic anthems.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/01-STEEL-PHANTOMS-Curtain-Call.mp3]

Download: Steel Phantoms – Curtain Call [MP3]