8-1-11 - "Generator^First Floor" ~ Freelance Whales

It's a new month, so it seems a good time for a song that speaks of new beginnings.  Freelance Whales are more than just an epic band name.  They bring slightly unconventional instrumentation to indie pop and slather it in lush harmonies.  

The album "Weathervanes" is nonstop fun, start to finish.  Oh wait, there's a pretty sad song right in the middle... but other than that, nonstop fun.  And this track kicks it off with a bang... wait I mean a banjo:

Part of the reason I picked this song today was so I could also show you this video of the PS22 Chorus  collaborating with the Whales:

And just for good measure, an NPR Tiny Desk version which lets you watch them play their instruments (I'm not really sure what that is... a box-cordion? oh wait let me google it ~ a "harmonium".  cool.):

"We keep on churning and the lights inside the house turn on 
And in our native language we are chantin' ancient songs 
Then when we quiet down, the house chants on without us."


__________________________________________________________


In other news, I'm experimenting with a fun site called thesixtyone.com.  It's a little bit of a different take on discovering new music; I recommend checking it out.  Here's this track on the site: http://www.thesixtyone.com/s/Vx2GgH2oe9U/