Hatchet Reporters Patrick Rochelle and Emily Katz share their latest musical obsessions.
Emily Katz
While I can’t say the same about the rest of MGMT’s new album, “Congratulations,” this song is incredibly strong. The sound is like a more contemporary Beach Boys. It’s not “Electric Feel,” but it’s catchy in its own right.
This song took a while to grow on me, but now that I’m into it, I cannot stop listening. The slow beginning is misleading, as the song evolves into a danceable pop-techno jam. This song is definitely one of the best off their latest album “One Life Stand.”
The Morning Benders: “Excuses”
I first became familiar with this band from their great cover of the Fleetwood Mac song “Dreams.” This is the first original song of theirs I’ve heard, and I’m not disappointed. “Excuses” is somewhat sad in temperament, but the harmonies lift the overall mood. An excellent song from an incredibly promising band.
Patrick Rochelle
B.o.B.: “Don’t Break My Heart (‘Build Me Up Buttercup’ sample)”
What should we call him: B.o.B.? Bobby Ray? Either way, this young artist has a talent for creating catchy melodies and, as this track proves, building off old ones. His debut album, “The Adventures of Bobby Ray,” drops April 27. He can sing, rap and play guitar. What else can you ask for?
The Shins: “Sleeping Lessons (RAC mix)”
Andre Allen Anjos’ project RAC (Remix Artist Collective) explores the subtle melodies and quirks of a song; things that people don’t always notice on the first listen. Here, Anjos highlights the tangy guitar riffs and solos of “Sleeping Lessons.”
Robin Pecknold: “Silver Dagger”
Word on the street is Fleet Foxes are coming out with a new album sometime this year. Although they have yet to release a single or confirm a drop date, lead singer Robin Pecknold recently covered this classic American folk ballad. It’s delicate and melodic with a tinge of heartbreak: the Foxes’ specialty. I guess this will have to do at least for a few more months.
