Playlist: Pop Rock Pitch Meeting

Sorry for the hiatus; I've been trying to actually make some kind of career out of writing, so it's been hard to blog when my typing fingers are bleeding from banging out unfunny dialog all night. But I'm back, no more excuses, with free music.

My roommate and I play a game where we pitch new movies using ridiculous parings, i.e. "Its like Jaws meets Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" or "Think Pirates of the Caribbean with a touch of Love Actually." Maybe you have to be there. Regardless, for this crop of pop I have for you, I'm going to try this style as well. Bear with me, it'll work. Enjoy!

The Features - Lions
Pitch: Kings of Leon meet The Kinks
Slightly more sinister, yet at the same time brighter, than KOL. The choral chant on this song will stick in your head for days. iPod commercial fodder for sure, despite the introspective and dark verses. I'm told this is the current Nashville sound.

fun. - All the Pretty Girls
Pitch: ELO meets musical theater
I know it sounds a little gay, but I don't mean it as in cliché "musicals." It's full of spastic instrumentation and narratives, almost operatic breakdowns, with that Jeff Lynne Beatle-y brightness and catchiness. A second single, "Benson Hedges," may give you more of an idea. My favorite new band, including the guy from The Format.

Flying Machines - On A Whim
Pitch: ELO meets Queen
Yes, more Jeff Lynne. It's amazingly catchy and spastic, like Fun., but less horns and strings and more guitars and bass. It's got the rock side of Queen and he has a bit of Freddie Mercury in his voice.
disclaimer: DSST brings to my attention that they are one of the bands with an NBCU "residency." i had no prior knowledge to this before rocking out to them.

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp
Pitch: Cure meets MGMT
Hipster pop with an 80's sonic structure and a very vulnerable and honest vocal melody. Party in Brooklyn.

The Postelles - 123 Stop
Pitch: Elvis Costello meets The Strokes
Young NYC guys, who have Albert from the Strokes producing them, churn our peppy, unapologetic pop. This song is specifically Elvis Costello vocally and with its staccato guitar and bass.

Mason Jennings - Ain't No Friend Of Mine
Pitch: The Black Keys meet Beck
This song is as straightforward as the pitch; dirty simple blues with syncopated vocals. Throughly bad-ass, especially for the arpeggio breakdown.

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Buriedfed
Pitch: Bon Iver meets Conor Oberst
Not quote country-fried, but definitely cold-weather sounding. It's got a rambling and depressing story, with a slow buildup into a full on barn-burner. By the end, you're caught up in some fast and drunk party around a bonfire in the woods.

The Explorers Club - Don't Forget the Sun
Pitch: The Beach Boys meet, well, the Beach Boys
There's nothing but adoration for Brian Wilson here. No other influence but Surfs Up and Endless Summer here. But, they do a great job at it, even miming Mike Love's lead vocals. All original songs, but they sound like covers. Which is a good thing. More proof in another single "Forever."