If you haven't changed your '90s musical routine, still singing along to Barenaked Ladies in the car and dancing to Hanson in front of the mirror when you get home, it might be time for a new music playlist. With the latest releases, we'll keep you springtime fresh with a little taste of everything. Except Coldplay. There is no Coldplay herein. Enjoy.
Beck - "Say Goodbye"
His first album in nearly seven years is like the soundtrack to a lucid dream or a really tranquil sailboat ride in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. "Morning Phase" proves to be some of Beck's best, while calling back to the days of "Sea Change" but with slightly more sophistication.
John Butler Trio - "Only One"
Some of the softer songs of John Butler appear on his recent "Flesh + Blood" record and "Only One" appears as the catchy, poppy island single to first celebrate the new tunes from Australia-based Butler and his trio.
St. Lucia - "Elevate"
British music producer turned sexy modern Rex Manning, St. Lucia has quickly gained speed and will likely take the music scene over in no time. His first full length album "When the Night" is an example of how electronic rock should be, with every song delivering energetic '80s style pop to your cerebellum.
Broken Bells - "After the Disco"
Any fan of The Shins and the first Broken Bells record in 2012 will be blown away by the returning electronic rock duo of James Mercer and Danger Mouse with their album-titled track "After the Disco."
Paul McCartney - "New"
A quick reminder that Paul's still the man (even after turning 70), his first original work in years, "NEW" features some of the top tunes out there. With some of his best tracks since "Flaming Pie" and the late Beatles chronology, you'll put this record on repeat until it has tread marks.
Band of Horses - "Factory" (Live Acoustic)
After releasing a number of transcendent studio records, Band of Horses decided to release a sample of their bread and butter - the live forum. "Acoustic at the Ryman" features a stripped down live band in Nashville's holiest of hallways.
Phantogram - "Black Out Days"
Picking up with the latest and greatest thing the festival kids will be shaking their asses to this summer, the Upstate New York duo Phantogram is taking over the upbeat music scene with their second full-length record "Voices," mixing the electronic keys and vocals of a very sexy Sarah Barthel with the live guitar sounds of Josh Carter.
Twin Forks - "Back to You"
Chris Carrabba has reincarnated himself as a folk singer with his new quartet Twin Forks, whose debut record just dropped. "Back to You" hits like Mumford & Sons at age 16 on a sugar high, a mature step for the former Dashboard Confessional star as he moves away from whining toward cozy chords and simple harmonies.
David Crosby - "Holding On to Nothing"
We'll slow things down a bit with some good old David Crosby. It almost sounds like the now 72-year-old CSNY star knows he hasn't much time left on this rock, as the songs from "Croz" showcase some introspectively honest titles with "What's Broken," "Time I Have" and "Holding On to Nothing" being the three lead-off tracks. The album, however, is a treat to any fan of Crosby and the boys of CSNY.
American Authors - "Best Day of My Life"
The catchiest sing-along so far this year is the lead single from the American Authors debut full length album "Oh, What a Life." Like The Lumineers took over last year, look for American Authors to do the same with this song and their follow-up hit "Trouble."
Switchfoot - "Who We Are"
Dropped in the first weeks of 2014, California rockers Switchfoot added "Fading West" - same title to their latest tour film - to their discography. Leading off with two strong singles, this song and "Love Alone Is Worth the Fight" shows Jon Foreman and Switchfoot haven't slowed down much at all over the years.
Warpaint - "Love Is to Die"
The Los Angeles lady indie rockers of Warpaint have returned with lovely new sounds before festival season with their groovy self-titled early 2014 record. "Love Is to Die" was a late 2013 teaser for the new album, which set the tempo for their soulful sophomore return to the L.A. music scene.
311 - "Five of Everything"
It's not the best music from 311, but the new tracks from "Stereolithic" smell of that familiar 311 scent. "Five of Everything" is the single from the band's new 15-track release, a clear sign that the band, after 25 years, still has a lot of creative juice to share.
Beck - "Say Goodbye"
His first album in nearly seven years is like the soundtrack to a lucid dream or a really tranquil sailboat ride in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. "Morning Phase" proves to be some of Beck's best, while calling back to the days of "Sea Change" but with slightly more sophistication.
John Butler Trio - "Only One"
Some of the softer songs of John Butler appear on his recent "Flesh + Blood" record and "Only One" appears as the catchy, poppy island single to first celebrate the new tunes from Australia-based Butler and his trio.
St. Lucia - "Elevate"
British music producer turned sexy modern Rex Manning, St. Lucia has quickly gained speed and will likely take the music scene over in no time. His first full length album "When the Night" is an example of how electronic rock should be, with every song delivering energetic '80s style pop to your cerebellum.
Broken Bells - "After the Disco"
Any fan of The Shins and the first Broken Bells record in 2012 will be blown away by the returning electronic rock duo of James Mercer and Danger Mouse with their album-titled track "After the Disco."
Paul McCartney - "New"
A quick reminder that Paul's still the man (even after turning 70), his first original work in years, "NEW" features some of the top tunes out there. With some of his best tracks since "Flaming Pie" and the late Beatles chronology, you'll put this record on repeat until it has tread marks.
Band of Horses - "Factory" (Live Acoustic)
After releasing a number of transcendent studio records, Band of Horses decided to release a sample of their bread and butter - the live forum. "Acoustic at the Ryman" features a stripped down live band in Nashville's holiest of hallways.
Phantogram - "Black Out Days"
Picking up with the latest and greatest thing the festival kids will be shaking their asses to this summer, the Upstate New York duo Phantogram is taking over the upbeat music scene with their second full-length record "Voices," mixing the electronic keys and vocals of a very sexy Sarah Barthel with the live guitar sounds of Josh Carter.
Twin Forks - "Back to You"
Chris Carrabba has reincarnated himself as a folk singer with his new quartet Twin Forks, whose debut record just dropped. "Back to You" hits like Mumford & Sons at age 16 on a sugar high, a mature step for the former Dashboard Confessional star as he moves away from whining toward cozy chords and simple harmonies.
David Crosby - "Holding On to Nothing"
We'll slow things down a bit with some good old David Crosby. It almost sounds like the now 72-year-old CSNY star knows he hasn't much time left on this rock, as the songs from "Croz" showcase some introspectively honest titles with "What's Broken," "Time I Have" and "Holding On to Nothing" being the three lead-off tracks. The album, however, is a treat to any fan of Crosby and the boys of CSNY.
American Authors - "Best Day of My Life"
The catchiest sing-along so far this year is the lead single from the American Authors debut full length album "Oh, What a Life." Like The Lumineers took over last year, look for American Authors to do the same with this song and their follow-up hit "Trouble."
Switchfoot - "Who We Are"
Dropped in the first weeks of 2014, California rockers Switchfoot added "Fading West" - same title to their latest tour film - to their discography. Leading off with two strong singles, this song and "Love Alone Is Worth the Fight" shows Jon Foreman and Switchfoot haven't slowed down much at all over the years.
Warpaint - "Love Is to Die"
The Los Angeles lady indie rockers of Warpaint have returned with lovely new sounds before festival season with their groovy self-titled early 2014 record. "Love Is to Die" was a late 2013 teaser for the new album, which set the tempo for their soulful sophomore return to the L.A. music scene.
311 - "Five of Everything"
It's not the best music from 311, but the new tracks from "Stereolithic" smell of that familiar 311 scent. "Five of Everything" is the single from the band's new 15-track release, a clear sign that the band, after 25 years, still has a lot of creative juice to share.
