Music Monday: Polica

"Wandering Star"


"Warrior Lord"


"Tiff"


"Lay Your Cards Out"


"Smug"


Polica has put out some of my favorite sounds over the past couple years. They're an alternative synthpop group from Minneapolis. Polica's most recent album, Shulamith, is out now and can be purchased here.

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Justin Timberlake as Bon Iver, Blue Ivy Carter and more...

I don't really watch SNL because frankly, I rarely find their material funny but this skit is actually good. I'm a big Bon Iver fan (if you haven't noticed already), so I really enjoyed Justin Timberlake's portrayal.

Christmas Morning Creaks

"Blood Bank" by Bon Iver.
Still my favorite of his songs. I love this fan made video.

My Top 11 Albums of 2011!

I had a somewhat difficult time narrowing down my favorite albums of the year but I'm happy with the final list. Of course, I haven't had the pleasure of listening to every record that was released this year but I have listened to quite a few. As with most rankings, this is purely an opinion.


MY TOP 11 ALBUMS OF 2011!

11. Tha Carter IV by Lil Wayne

Tracks:
6. She Will (ft. Drake)
12. How to Love

10. 21 by Adele

Tracks:
1. Someone Like You
4. Rumour Has It

9. El Camino by The Black Keys

Tracks:
3. Gold on the Ceiling
6. Run Right Back

8. Kaputt by Destroyer

Tracks:
3. Savage Night at the Opera
4. Suicide Demo for Kara Walker
5. Kaputt

7. Nine Types of Light by TV on the Radio

Tracks:
1. Second Song
3. You
6. Will Do

6. Cults by Cults

Tracks:
1. Abducted
2. Go Outside
3. You Know What I Mean

5. Ceremonials by Florence + the Machine

Tracks:
4. Never Let Me Go
5. Breaking Down
7. No Light, No Light
8. Seven Devils
12. Leave My Body

4. Circuital by My Morning Jacket

Tracks:
1. Victory Dance
2. Circuital
5. Outta My System
6. Holdin On to Black Metal
10. Movin' Away

3. Wounded Rhymes by Lykke Li

Tracks:
All of them are gorgeous! I love each one more than the next.
*2. I Follow Rivers
*8. I Know Places

2. In The Mountain In The Cloud by Portugal. The Man

Tracks:
Every single song on this album is fantastic! My favorite band of the year and most-listened to record!
*4. Senseless
*11. Sleep Forever (It's a masterpiece)

1. Bon Iver by Bon Iver

Tracks:
The entire album is perfection!!!
*3. Holocene
*8. Calgary

What Might Have Been Lost

Thanks to one of my best friends, Valerie, for the photo! It was nice to put a picture to the sounds.

I love the internet! Because of nprmusic and its webstream, tonight, I was fortunate enough to listen to Bon Iver's show in DC! I really wanted to go to this concert but I didn't want to request off from work (not to mention the tickets were sold out). This was the best show I've (sorta, kinda, not really?) "been" to in quite a long time. I had a few glasses of my favorite wine (Cabernet Sauvignon) and the experience was unreal. I hope Bon Iver eventually comes to Pittsburgh. I need this in the flesh!

If you're into good music or just love Bon Iver as much as I do, you can listen to the performance in its entirety by clicking here. You can thank me later! ;)

Album Review: Bon Iver by Bon Iver

Bon Iver by Bon Iver

Like many other fans, I eagerly anticipated the release of Bon Iver's sophomore album. For Emma, Forever Ago was one of my favorites in recent years and I couldn't wait to hear more from Justin Vernon. Overall, I found the new album to be a nice effort. Clocking in at just under 40 minutes and containing 10 tracks, Bon Iver is full of the raw emotion and haunting beauty that Vernon has come to be known for. It was pretty much what I expected and I am pleased. I just wish it were a bit longer.

Initial Favorites:

3. Holocene - Relaxing. Beautiful lyrics. This will be used in countless TV shows and movies and rightfully so.

5. Michicant - Gorgeous vocals. Adore the arrangement of the second half of the song.

8. Calgary - Possibly the most commercial song on the album despite retaining a unique sound. Love the beat, sound and lyrics. One of the best.

10. Beth/Rest - I love the '80s vibes. It makes me feel like I'm watching an old episode of Saved by the Bell. I can picture Zack and Kelly dancing in the Bayside gymnasium to this one as Screech looks on from the DJ booth with envy.

Would I Recommend to a Friend: Yes

Overall Impression:

Bon Iver Performs on Jimmy Fallon