The Sifting Pan

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American Royalty


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American Royalty – [Matchstick] + [I’ve Been Fighting For You]

American Royalty

American Royalty are Los Angeleos based psychedelic-blues rockers

American Royalty – Matchstick:

I guess I should tell you upfront that this track has a bit of a build up, sixty seconds of ongoing pleasant piano riffs, but if you can handle then your ears surely will be rewarded with the wonderful changing of pace. That change of pace is the psychedelic electronic frenzy that seems to play a huge influence on the brand of alternative rock made by American Royalty. It’s true that I could sit here all day trying to list genres that this unique band might encompass, but if I were to pick two from the crowd they’d have to be electronic and blues. Makes for a hell-of-a combination as is clearly evident by the head spinning Matchstick. (I mean come on! Did you hear that breakdown?!) However, this is far from the only note worthy track made by American Royalty. I’d easily recommend any of the three songs found on the band’s latest record Matchstick EP. I know three doesn’t seem like much but we’re talking about three completely solid individual jams, and at $1 a piece that sounds like a steal. American Royalty know how to set the bar real high and I can not wait until I can see what these guys do with a full album. I also highly recommend giving the bonus track I’ve Been Fighting For You a listen.

BONUS: American Royalty – I’ve Been Fighting For You:

Don’t forget to support American Royalty by heading over to their Facebook Page and give them a Like!

Or listen to American Royalty on Spotify!


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The Royal Concept – [Gimme Twice]

The Concept

The Royal Concept bring us their pop fueled indie rock from Stockholm, Sweden

The Royal Concept – Gimme Twice: 

I can understand someone’s immediate confusion when listening to this track for the first time. I know the first thought that popped in my head was ‘Is that Phoenix I am hearing?’ I wouldn’t necessarily call it a disappointment to find out that real artist behind this gnarly jam are the soon to pop Swedish indie rockers, The Royal Concept. Detta är indierock på det finaste! The pop infused simplicity and wonderful execution of Gimme Twice gives great reason to have your eyes (and ears!) on this band. The only thing disappointing I find about this band is the overall lack of material. This song is such a tease in the sense it leaves me wanting a full album to hit the up the beach side with and jam out to. While there is no news of a debut album yet, The Royal Concept have at least released one other single for our listening pleasure. I highly recommend checking out their additional track D-D-Dance, which keeps the fun going by picking up right where Gimme Twice leaves off.

Don’t forget to check out The Royal Concept’s Facebook page and give them a Like! You’ll  definitely want to be in the know for when these guys release some new tracks.


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Song of the Day! Phantogram – Don’t Move

Phantogram - Don't Move

New York based Phantogram have a new treat for us called Don't Move

Ok, so if there ever was a band who’s music could pull me out of a damper it would have to be Phantogram. Wonderful indie trip-hop that just breaks down musical barriers and penetrates into your psyche. Phantogram is responsible for last year’s absolutely amazing album Eye Lid Movies, which holds a special place in my heart as a personal favorite. So of course Phantogram releasing a new EP title Nightlife is going to pull me out of hiding. Well Nightlife isn’t quite out until November 1st, but the band recently put the whole EP up for stream on their Facebook Page to hold everyone over. The first single to come off the new EP is the dance inducing track you should be listening to above, Don’t Move. Phantogram’s choice for a new single gives a great overall feel for what to expect from the 6 new tracks on Nightlife. If the band releases an EP with 6 pretty much flawless tracks I can’t wait for their 2012 album prospects.


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Song of the Day! Metronomy – Corinne

Metronomy - Corinne

England based Metronomy are responsible for this year's stunning album The English Rivera


[Note: This is NOT the real version of Corrine. This a bizarre reversed remix that is a stand-in because the real Corrine is copyright protected and was removed from Soundcloud.]

Ok, so when I last posted about Metoronomy, back in April, I had only just discovered the indie/electronic band through the track the laid back single The Look. After I couldn’t get enough of that track I had to get my hands on a copy of the band’s 2011 album The English Rivera for myself. There is no exaggeration in my words when I say picking up this album was musically one of the smartest things I did this year. The English Rivera is like journey of love and lust lead by a cascade of electronic beats and the smoothest bass playing you’re likely to hear out of an indie album this year. Then there’s the intelligent and beautiful lyrics, the intricate electro loops, and the always dominating soft percussion that just adds this perfect level to each track. I could keep going on and on about why The English Rivera is on of the best albums of 2011, but there is no way to truly convey into words the powerful and some what primordial energy put of from this wonderful third studio album. Listening through track by track never leads to disappointment. Do you know how hard it was to pick Corinne as my stand out track? Well, actually it wasn’t that hard because Corinne is an amazing song after all. I can’t help but to sway slightly back and forth faster and faster every time I full get into this song. Yeah, I’d say the majority of Metronomoy’s songs have the power of possession, which is a scary thought, but sometimes you just have to surrender and give yourself up to the music. If you too want to chill out and lose some inhibitions then I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of The English Rivera.

Please head on over to Metronomy’s Facebook Page and give them a Like! There is tons of great info about  The English Rivera on the page as well.


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Song of the Day! Films of Colour – Capital

Films of Colour - Capital

London based Films of Colour will surely make some Capital off a tune as good as this.

Wow. I am absolutely blown away by this track. The song Capital is like falling down an indie rock Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole with its intense and overwhelming mixture of synth and guitar. Just has you feel like this track is throwing you about carelessly the amazing vocals of lead singer Andy Clutterbuck come in to level everything out. I’ll say it again, Wow. Just simply amazing delivery of the lyrics, almost sounds like Chris Martin from Coldplay. I don’t know why but I feel so much more connected with this song with each successive listen. I really wish Films of Colour had an album I could pick up, but so far the just have A and B side singles. That just means this is a band to watch and very closely at that. After looking into Films of Colour I can assume that the band is in due process of recording a real LP or EP. To say the least I’m pretty stoked to hear more. You can hear 6 great tracks, including an amazing acoustic version of Capital, on Soundcloud right here.

These guys are up and coming and need your Likes! Head on over to Films of Colour’s Facebook Page to show your support.