The warmth is coming

Supposed to be in the low 80's this weekend! Finally.
And with that another semester is coming to an end for me. One more exam to take and one more paper to write. Lucky for me, the topic is a good one.

The influence of a type of music, of a particular song, or of a particular musician on your life.

I get to write about my first love.
So this will be how I'm spending my next couple nights - writing about why I love this thing we call indie.
And with that, there were some notable releases this past week.
Depeche Mode released their 12th studio album. While Sounds of the Universe certainly doesn't have the nostalgia of the classic that is Violator, I'd give a solid 3.5


In Chains by Depeche Mode from Sounds of the Universe [deleted mp3]




I wanted to love this EP. I really did. But the latest release from The Breeders, Fate To Fatal, just didn't quite cut it for me. Of the 4 songs, the title track was the strongest, and more of what I was hoping for.


Fate to Fatal by The Breeders from Fate To Fatal EP [deleted mp3]




With Okkervil River's lastest EP, I would have to say it's for the truly devoted fans. The title track is already on The Stand Ins and features a new track as well as the "one man band" version of "Pop Lie".


Pop Lie (album version) by Okkervil River from Pop Lie EP [deleted mp3]




I thoroughly enjoyed My Maudlin Career, the newest release from Scottish indie pop band, Camera Obscura. A good 4.5 in my book.


French Navy by Camera Obscura from My Maudlin Career [deleted mp3]




It's no secret I'm a huge Manchester Orchestra fan. I had such high hopes for Mean Everything to Nothing after the track "I've Got Friends" was released. Andy Hull's voice is like gold, IMO. As I sit here, writing this and listening to the album again, I'm asking myself, "What's missing?" There are definitely some strong tracks on this album, but it's just not grabbing me as a whole album like I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child did. Then again, maybe my hopes were a bit too high. As of now, I give it a 4 out of 5.


The Only One by Manchester Orchestra from Mean Everything to Nothing[deleted mp3]