Bobbyisms: Music to the ears

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. I'll let you in on a little secret: today is my birthday. That is... I don't know what day it is that you're reading this, but if it's the day printed along the top of the page here, then it's my birthday.

As such, I've thrown everything else off to the side and figured we could just celebrate today by talking about good music. If you're reading this online at fsu.ca, I'd love if you would leave a comment with a recommendation of something new for me to listen to, but here below are the last two new records I checked out.

Lungs by Florence And The MachineThe first is the recent debut full-length released by Florence And The Machine, called Lungs. This band is fronted by Florence Welch and is based out of the U.K., and for weeks after its July release, Lungs was second on the charts only to Michael Jackson. It's kind of difficult to describe this record for the fact that it's explosive and unpredictable. Welch's voice is strong and soulful and reminds me of all the other woman singers (McLachlan, Apple, Amos) and yet none of them at the same time.

Each and every song on this disc is diverse and catchy, inspiring and amusing. If you watch TV, you've definitely heard their first single, Kiss With A Fist, and the rest are also more than worth a listen.

Top five songs: Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up), Kiss With A Fist, Dog Days Are Over, Drumming Song, You've Got The Love.

Twenty per cent that I would cut (three songs): Howl, Between Two Lungs, Blinding.

The other disc I recently heard for the first time is called In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by indie act Neutral Milk Hotel. This record is renowned among indie fanatics, and the band hasn't followed it with anything since its release in 1998. You know how you can have a lot of friends recommend something to you for a long time, and then how you can put actually checking it out off for a long time? This is one of those records for me.

There are few records in the world that catch me at a complete loss for words, but Aeroplane is definitely one of them. From the opening notes of the record it becomes apparent just how unique it is; Jeff Mangum's vocals float over mellow guitar strumming and create an atmosphere eerily reminiscent of The Decemberists' early work, soothing and haunting all at once.

I consider this record to be something like a book by Aldous Huxley — if you've ever read Island or Brave New World then you know that the first two chapters or so are difficult, but once through it you're left with some of the most interesting and textured music I've ever heard.

Top five songs: Two-Headed Boy, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, Ghost, Holland 1945, Oh Comely.

Twenty per cent that I would cut (two songs): King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 2-3, The Fool.

I hope you get a chance to check out these two albums, and along with it I hope that you enjoy indie music, at least on some level. Happy birthday to me, I'm out of words.