What is Radio Exile’s Hype Device?  Let me paraphrase the famous Emma Lazarus poem, “The New Colossus”:

“Give me your unheard, your unhyped,

Your huddled bands yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your Williamsburg shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I hype them beside the golden door!”

In short, we hype little heard bands that are deserving of blogosphere platitudes.  How nice of us.  We just do it cause we love the music.  And for the girls.  Mainly for the girl.  Chicks dig obscure indie bands.  I’m getting off track.  On with this edition of Hype Device!

[mp3] Matt Morrell – “I Can’t Let You Get Away” – Starts off as completely perfect early ’80’s New Zealand pop and finishes with some completely perfect late ’90s Elephant 6 Collective (think The Gerbils) horns.  Did I mention the word “perfect”?  Because that’s what this song is. [Official Site]

[mp3] Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers – “Coward Cracked The Dawn” – Radio Exile’s love for Shilpa Ray [Myspace] (no matter what name she’s recording under) is a poorly kept secret.  This first recording from her new outfit only makes us love her more.  

Question: Has there ever been a song recorded containing the lyrics “And then God said to Abraham…” that has NOT been completely amazing?

Answer: No

[mp3] The D’Urbervilles – “Hot Tips” – Okay, ignore the terrible name.  Ignore that “post-punk” is played out and then some.  Some songs just hit the sweet spot; a musical G spot, if you will (and since that is a terrible allusion, I hope you won’t).  This song hits it.  A worthwhile addition to a crowded genre. [Myspace]

[mp3] Yellow Ostrich – “Fog” – Do you like lonely songs recorded late at night in bedrooms on four track recorders with multi-tracked vocals and early Elephant 6 tape aspirations?  Yes?  Inquire within. [Myspace]

[mp3] Harlem Shakes – “Niagara Falls” – First time I heard the Harlem Shakes [Myspace], I thought they were dull.  First time I saw them live I just plain didn’t like them.  Almost two years go by and all of a sudden I love them.  How did that happen?  I’d like to attribute it to their name checking of my hometown (Poughkeepsie! Represent!) in this song but honestly it was through the old standby of writing awesomely catchy songs.  Like this one.  

Last 5 posts by Tom Williams

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