Check out the latest Morning Benders' track, a cover of “Last Nite” by The Strokes.
In a departure from their usual sound, the Morning Benders opted to abandon their guitar driven melodies for electronic beats and dreamy synths to give “Last Nite” a totally different feel.
For fans of The Morning Benders and The Strokes this is bound to make your day.
The Morning Benders are back with a new song inspired by the amazing Woody Allen movie Annie Hall.
Aptly titled “Oh Annie,” The Morning Benders capture the longing, the heartbreak, and that unmistakable magical spark that New York added to Woody Allen and Diane Keaton’s movie romance.
The melodic piano lines create a fitting nostalgic bitter-sweet mood as lead singer Chris Chu pines away for Allen's lost love, singing “Annie/oh annie, how can you go? I taught you everything you know, you know?” The track would have fit perfectly on the soundtrack for the movie.
In announcing the release of the track, lead singer Chris Chu wrote on Twitter, “My only regret with 'Big Echo' is that this song wasn't on it. I wrote it after watching Annie Hall for the 100th time.”
In light of the tragic events in Japan, The Morning Benders have just released a special EP of unreleased songs in support of Red Cross relief efforts.
The EP is available for free after donating and the band promises that 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross Japan Earthquake Relief fund, and besides why would we have any reason to distrust such a genuine band like the Morning Benders.
In a heartfelt note, on the band’s website Chris Chu writes that they were originally scheduled to play their first show in Tokyo last week. But owing to what happened their Japanese tour was cancelled. It also turns out that Chris was originally born in Japan and spent his early years there.
What a win-win situation. Donate to the Red Cross and get a free Morning Benders EP. The only unfortunate thing is that it took a massive earthquake and tsunami to get this.
Let’s just get right into it. Here are my 10 favorite albums of 2010.
#10 Of Montreal – False Priest
The of Montreal gang is back and funkier than ever. They’ve infused their quirky sound with pure sex in a manner that only those arty rockers could do. I suppose hanging out with the Wondaland Arts Society and listening to a lot of Parliament was largely responsible for the new sound.
# 9 Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
While sticking to their experimental dreamy sound, Halcyon Digest is the clearest indication that Deerhunter has solidifed their own unique sound. Gone are the aimless clouds of noise that obscured some of their last album, and instead a coherent haze of noise has emerged. More aptly their unique style of coherent chaotic soundscapes has emerged, and it’s damn good.
#8 Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
I’m a bit shocked that this hasn’t been on more people’s lists this year. I’ve always been a tremendous fan of Broken Social Scene, so I suppose it comes as no surprise that their new album made my list. Their sound is always incredibly expansive, intricate, and elaborate, although that’s hardly surprising considering the bevy of talented musicians that are in the band. The album hangs together well, and their tendency to wander and compact a million different ideas into one song has been further refined as they string together a series of cohesive songs.
#7 Beach House – Teen Dream
While much more accessible than their previous albums, Teen Dream still has all the abstract and moody elements that made me fall in love with Beach House initially. The dark sensuous vocals, the dreamy organs, and the swirling guitars make for some pretty soothing yet melancholy music.
#6 The Pass – Burst
As I mentioned in a recent post, The Pass makes some of the most fun and danceable music that I’ve heard in a long time. Throwing this album on always makes a spontaneous dance party wherever you are.
#5 NYC UFO's – Newer Stations
Raw garage rock with a New York sound that sounds like The Strokes from a bunch of up and coming youngsters dropping their first album. ‘Nuff said.
#4 The Morning Benders - Big Echo
Their march to ever greater musical stardom continues on unimpeded. Who would have thought that the sleepy hills of Berkeley would produce such awesomely inspired music. Big Echo is an amazing follow up to their first album that establishes the Morning Benders’ own unique sound, shows their increasing maturity, and puts them on the path to ever greater heights.
#3 Shout Out Louds - Work
There’s just something about these Swedes that I love. They have this infectious sound that always puts a massive smile on my face. What better reason for liking an album a lot?
#2 The Black Keys – Brothers
Few good bands have that vintage pure rock and roll sound these days, but album after album The Black Keys have managed to keep their edge. In large part, it’s due to the fact that they understand that rock n’ roll evolved from the blues. So I suppose it’s no surprise that on Brothers, they take their explorations of the underpinnings of rock even further by delving into Mo-Town soul and doo wop to find an even more inspired sound.
#1 Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
While Arcade Fire’s new album being at the top of lists is getting to become a cliché, the hype is deserved. This was the album that I most eagerly looked forward to all year, and the album actually lived up to their inflated reputation.
Thoughtful, mature, and hauntingly good, they continue to grapple with serious issues moving beyond youthful angst and rebellion to a quiet understanding of their new lives. Moreover, their anthemic rock is absurdly catchy and always emotionally raw. The crack in Win Butler’s voice is no longer as melancholy as it once was, but it’s still equally as powerful and earnest.
I mean seriously, it’s pretty damn hard not to like such a genuinely nice band.
Fortunately for us, the fantastic cameramen of La Blogotheque were on hand to capture a stunning new track from The Morning Benders “Virgins.”
We are certainly in for a treat as the band announces clearly, in a sneak preview of what promises to be an amazing Soiree de Poche, that this is the first time they’ve played it live for an audience.
Chris Chu’s dreamy vocals, the doo wop bass line, and light harmonies make for a beautiful tune. The audience seems equally blown away as they stare in pure awe, although their looks could also just be a heat induced stupor. The room looks swelteringly hot, with each band member having at least 3 buttons undone and audience members visibly sweaty.
Regardless of the heat, I would have politely maimed someone to be there.
Oh and check out this great clip of the band rehearsing the song before the show.
Wait! Here's a free download of The Morning Benders' just released cover of Bob Dylan's "Outlaw Blues."
The Morning Benders recently released their new video for “All Day Daylight.” Unfortunately, this wonderfully sunny video comes during the last days of summer, so enjoy its good times as long as you can. Like the song itself, the video is equally bright, fun, and sunny.
