bastille.

English alternative rock band BΔSTILLE is composed of singer/songwriter Dan Smith, Chris Wood, Will Farquarson, and Kyle Simmons. After starting as a solo project, Bastille became a quartet in 2010, and the following year signed with EMI Music, and then Virgin records one year later in 2012. After just three years together,  they released the studio album 'Bad Blood' which reached the number two spot on the UK Album charts in 2013.

I've been obsessed with this album for the past month or so and I gotta say, if you give it a listen, you'll know exactly why. Generally, I don't consider myself a fan of pop/rock artists but what can I say, the man knows how to arrange a tune. Bastille mixes melodic piano ballads and often full orchestral accompaniments with light dance beats and perfect dynamics. It's one of those albums you can listen to over and over and not even notice where the time has gone.

Take a listen for yourself, you won't be disappointed.   

flaws

pompeii

icarus (acoustic version)

If you like what you hear, as I'm sure you will, stop wasting time and pickup the cd by clicking here. 

- James

Bon Iver.

If you know anything about indie/folk music then you already know how amazing Bon Iver is. Formed around the singer/songwriter Justin Vernon, their first album (For Emma, Forever Ago) was recorded in 2007 primarily in a secluded cabin in northwestern Wisconsin. Coincidentally, the name Bon Iver is derived from the French term bon hiver, meaning "good winter" or "have a good winter." For me, that album changed my perception of good music and opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. I highly recommend giving it a listen. 

Often times when an artist has a breakthrough album, anything he releases later suffers by comparison. That's not the case with Bon Iver's most recent release: Bon Iver (the album name is the same as the band name just FYI). It's great. It may not have changed my view all over again because it's not completely different from the previous album, but I love it just the same. Bon Iver is one of the few groups around today that creates music as an expression of emotion instead of simpling working for a paycheck.

In fact, Bon Iver was asked to perform at the Grammys. "So why didn't I see them performing at the Grammys?" you might ask. To which I would respond: "Because Bon Iver is awesome!" At this point you might say, "....ummmm how bout you answer my question for reals this time?" Let me further explain my previous answer. Bon Iver was asked to play at the Grammys. They declined. When asked about their reasoning, Justin Vernon said "We wanted to play our music, but were told that we couldn’t play. We had to do a collaboration with someone else." He was then asked who they were asked to play with to which he responded: "Awesome people. People that I would love to play a song with. But you know what? F**kin’ rock n’ roll should not be decided by people that have that job. Rock n’ roll should be the f*cking people with guitars around their backs. And their friends. And their managers.” RIGHT?!?! You tell 'em Justin. #STAYTRUE.

So what's my point? Bon Iver is amazing. Don't believe me? Take a listen for yourself:

Bon Iver - Skinny Love. from the album For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver - Calgary. from the album Bon Iver

You likey? I knew you would.

- James

Must Haves.

I have great faith in Drip Cult followers. I'm confident that you all have good taste in music and a good idea of what's hot and what's not in the music world these days. For example, I'm sure that you all know about Mumford & sons already. I'm sure that you know they've been around since 2008, based out of London, and are one of the main contributors to the folk revival. You undoubtedly know that their most recent album "Sigh No More" was nominated for multiple Grammy awards. Does that mean they're selling out? No! It means they're making amazing music that is being recognized by an audience larger than just the indie/folk scene. I'm also confident that you are all familiar with the indie rock band Local Natives from Los Angeles. You definitely knew that these guys have been creating unique, catchy music that you can''t help but sing a long to; and, at the same time, growing phenomenal facial hair. Like I said, I'm sure you knew all that already. But just in case you didn't, now you do. Don't be embarrassed, just get with the times.

- James

Must Have albums:

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

And just in case you needed more convincing:

British Invasion.

Allow me to lay some mathematic knowledge on you.

Rap + Hip-Hop + Indie + Jazz + Dance + England + Fun + Individuality = Rizzle Kicks. The two-man hip-hop/ rap project Rizzle Kicks has been layin' it down straight outta Brighton, England since 1996. They finally hit their stride in 2009 with a string of music videos and guest appearances on tracks by other English hip-hop artists which led to their signing with Island Records and lucky for us, the teo teenagers have been in the studio since then working on their album Stereo Typical which dropped last month. Jordan "Rizzle" and Harley "Sylvester" bring back that good vibe of positivity from the late 80's and 90's a la Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul mixed with a unique blend of Indie and Pop. Their music is fun, catchy, creative, and unique. Mark my words, Rizzle Kicks is about to explode all over the map. Pick up the new album and click the picture to Get Down With the Trumpets!

 - James