Nerdy Heartbeat’s Friday Music Recommendations May 8, 2009

So being a huge ass music elitist as well as talking about movies, I thought every week I should have a music recommendation page featuring bands you should check out. Let me know what you think! Here we go… 

Manchester Orchestra

I’m probably the 20th person who told you that Mean Everything to Nothing is an unbelievable record but I can’t stress it enough. Manchester Orchestra is one of the most phenomenal new bands to emerge in the past few years and just one listen will make you realize that they earned all the hype. From the aggressively beautiful “Shake It Out”, to the Black Sabbath-esque “Pride”, to the album’s “ballad” “I Can Feel A Hot One” every song is nothing short of brilliant. Buy it, download it, torrent it, stream it on myspace. You need to hear this record. (Although I recommend paying for it, these guys deserve your well earned cash).

RIYL: Brand New, Kevin Devine, Kings of Leon 

Go to Manchester Orchestra’s Myspace Here!

Charles Hamilton                                                                                                                                                                                                            Gotten a recent rise of fame due to MTVU, as well as a brief feud with the love to hate Soulja Boy, Charles Hamilton has emerged onto the hip-hop scene as one of the most prime up and coming rappers. And man has he proven it. Releasing a myriad of mixtapes (all available for free on his website), has made listeners turn heads. His intelligent lyrics, addictive sample-heavy beats that would make even Girl Talk proud and his infamous, but nonetheless super cool, obsession with Sonic the Hedgehog kept listeners wanting more. His major label debut, This Perfect Life, will be available in late June but for now you have The Pink Lavalamp, The L Word and other mixtapes that showcase his brilliant style. For all his free mixtapes check out his website here.

Also, be sure to check out his blog and myspace.

RIYL: Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Common

The Motorcycle Industry                                                                                                                                                                                               Easily one of my favorite new bands to emerge this year, this folky punk-rock band from Brooklyn has some truly genius songwriting, as well as infectious vocal work reminiscent of Say Anything’s Max Bemis. Even with their DIY ethics, these guys still manage to put out a record with some fantastic production values. There new album Electric Education as well as their EP are available for free on their website. Also be sure to check out their myspace. 

RIYL: Say Anything, Defiance Ohio, old Weezer