While we are on the subject of women who kick serious musical ass, lets put in a mention for the band Hop Along. In the early years Hop Along started out as an freak folk acoustic solo project by lead singer Frances Quinlan and went by Hop Along, Queen Ansleis. After a few EP's and an album the name was shortened once it gained a drummer and bassist in 2009, as a way to signify that it was no longer a solo venture. In that same year the band released the album Wretches followd by the album Get Disowned that caught them critical notoriety. In 2014 they released the album Painted Shut on Saddle Creek records and in my opinion is their best record. They released a record this year back in April called Bark Your Head Off, Dog which might be my favorite album title ever. the new album is very good , but I feel it's more toned down and more polished than Painted Shut. That isn't a bad thing, i just prefer the more raw sound to their music. Like Freya Wilcox, Frances has a very unmistakable voice that gets quite heavy when things get rocking. This song is from the album Painted Shut and it is always suggested to me in my Spotify radio feed. I would have it no other way! Hop Along - The Knock
I first discovered Cortney Barnett on my local college radio station. I remember it well because I had to actually pull my car over and make google listen to the song at least 3 different times before it came up with something. I was getting more and more frustrated as the song got closer to ending. My local college station has a bad habit of playing 20 songs in a row and not giving the name of artists or songs. Oh, they post a playlist, but it's a hot mess of a playlist. I normally keep a pen in and paper in my car so that I can jot down key lyrics and look them up later with a 50% success rate. When I finally was able to get google to recognize the song I accidentally closed the google search. A few months later I came across a post online that had the album cover and I instantly looked that shit up on Spotify and saved it. So Courtney if you ever read this just know that I went through a lot to find your stuff. Not that I need to be thanked, because the pleasure is most definetly all mine. Ok enough babble. If I had to describe Barnett's sound I like to think of her as a more aggressive Whip Smart era Liz Phair mixed with a slice of Pavement and a hint of hard country blues. It's sonic, artsy, heavy and ferocious musically and filled with smart introspective and personally relatable lyrics. In every interview I have seen with her she seems like really sweet person and the type of girl you could just kick it with. Or perhaps I just have another musical crush. Either way I am so glad I found her music. This song is off her newest album titled Tell Me How You Really Feel. I personally am a big fan of her album Sometimes I Sit And Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, but this is still a definite solid album and an absolute must listen. I figured I would put this up since it's her newest stuff. Make sure to check out her collaboration album with Kurt Vile, it's great.
Courtney Barnett - Nameless, Faceless
Emily Haines has such a smooth voice! It's like butter the toast that is Metrics music, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Metric makes dance-able synth laden pop rock that is welcoming but also a little cold and standoffish. Meaning this stuff has a little bit of attitude. A bite that would fit on any indie lovers list. This Toronto band gained a lot of success by breaking into the ventures of high-profile media outlets. Which, if your going to hear a band on a TV show or a commercial, why not make it a great indie rock band. This is off their soon to be released album which can be pre-ordered here This sounds like it's going to be a really great record akin to the more rocking side of Metric while still mixing in that electronic signature sound that sets them apart from other bands.
Metric - Dressed To Suppress
I was introduced to Tegan and Sara one of the coolest girls I ever met and also one of the most complicated. I feel that the music of Tegan and Sara fit that persona pretty well, totally cool yet sort of complicated. If you've never listened to Teegan and Sara before they are a hard band to pin down because their music constantly shifts flawlessly between genres. Sometimes they are emo, sometimes they are dance, sometime rock and other times pop. One thing for sure is they they are a great band that should not be written off. They have consistently releasing records since 1999 and most of the albums are well received among many fans and artists. Both have great voices that work well together. I am a huge fan of anything featuring Sara Quinn. Her voice is a powerhouse. Sorry Tegan, I don't mean to discredit you, but I just have heard more guest spots featuring Sara. I love you both equally. Fun Fact: You know that insanely catchy Lego movie theme song? You know the one, I bet your humming it right now! Well guess who wrote that? If you guessed that I wrote that song then you are incorrect. Of course was these talented twins! This is one of my favorite songs from their 2011 Live album Get Along (there is a DVD version too). I would suggest you start with this album, which is great on it's own and then be blown away by the awesomeness of the studio versions.
Tegan And Sara - I Know I Know I Know (Live)
Why didn't anyone tell me about this!!! This combines two of my absolute favorite things! Fucking amazing!
Sleater-Kinney - A New Wave
