What The Hell Am I Listening To?!?

The two best records to come out of North Carolina so far in 2009:

Birds Of Avalon (Raleigh, NC)


Photo by Justin Lyon

I remember catching Birds Of Avalon open for Beach House a couple of years ago and thinking that they would be something special one day. Well, that day seems to have come with the release of their newest record, Uncanny Valley. The album was recorded completely with analog equipment and their sound is heavily rooted in ’60s and ’70s psych. While I’m not typically one to champion music so retro, they manage to squeeze out so much that is unique and fresh with this approach. Something about this band’s vibe makes me want to describe them as a weirder and more lo-fi MGMT, but they are really a beast all their own. They will be heading through Atlanta October 3rd, hitting up both Criminal Records and the Star Bar, so be sure to catch them and get your hands on a copy of Uncanny Valley:

Birds Of Avalon : All Your Downtime Is Up

Birds Of Avalon : Eyesore

Buy Uncanny Valley

Birds Of Avalon myspace




The Bronzed Chorus (Greensboro, NC)

My greatest discovery while on the road this summer had to be The Bronzed Chorus. Most of the time I find 2-piece bands lacking in a live setting, but this duo put on more than an impressive show. The drummer was a machine, and the guitarist had some neat gear tricks up his sleeve. Their studio work is stunning as well. I am a post-rock junkie, and I have to say that their newest effort, I’m The Spring, is one of the best of that sort I’ve heard in long time. It is difficult for an instrumental album to hold the listener’s attention throughout, but every inch of this one is completely engaging. Make sure to stop down at the Drunken Unicorn Friday night to catch them along with Georgia instrumental rock institutions A Armada and Sorry No Ferrari.

The Bronzed Chorus : Underpass Sunrise

The Bronzed Chorus : Hiding In The Woods

Buy I’m The Spring

The Bronzed Chorus myspace

Back From The Road

I’m back in the ATL now, so after I do a lot of catching up, I should be back to my regular summer blogging schedule soon. I’m going to post a lengthy chronicle of the entire three week experience sometime in the next few days, but until then, here are tracks from two really great bands that This Piano Plays Itself played with over last week that I highly recommend checking out:

A Lull : Skinny Fingers
A Lull Myspace

The Bronzed Chorus : For The City Lights
The Bronzed Chorus myspace