“If it rains another day, I’ll probably freak out. It’s always raining here.” These opening lyrics off Man/Miracale’s debut album The Shape of Things easily resonate with Seattle listeners. Seattleites are more prone to SAD than “freak-outs” however, SMB is pleased to introduce you to this Oakland based band that can relate just enough to our overcast skies to send up a little California warmth through their resplendent indie-pop.

Life is simultaneously thriving and decomposing in their stridently diverse tracks. Lead singer Dylan Travis agilely adapts to each one by expressing styles ranging from abrupt David Byrne-like stanzas, to angelic Robin Pecknold-esque discants. The album is overall upbeat, though at times lending enough edge to keep their bright sound from boiling over to bubbly pop.

Tense overtones come to a head on “Pushing and Shoving” which begins with a raucous chant, defining an intensely deliberate rhythm that is carried through the song by driving guitar and percussion. The vocals belt out the story of a relationship that’s abrasiveness sets the stage for a striking crescendo. The following track “Other People” releases your bated breath with a punky stuttered guitar riff that epitomizes the albums pop sensibility. The Shape of Things (available here) pleasantly works from start to finish as it showcases Man/Miracle’s style. Warm your spirits with these two tracks today, and be at their Black Lodge show on January 29th.

Man/Miracle – Pushing and Shoving

Man/Miracle – Other People

Exciting News: I’m pleased to announce that I’ve joined Seattle Show Gal as New Music Editor! You soon be finding links to my posts here s0 be sure to head over and check out one of Seattle’s finest music news outlets.

Thanks to Stephen Gannon for the great photos from this rocking concert by Future of the Left.

Some might say it is no accident that the fruits of electronic and hip-hop music have been blended by a plethora of next generation artists looking to make a concoction of beats and lyrics that will have you moving your feet and shaking your booty. The combination can be heard in tracks by local Fresh Espresso all the way to the internationally known Kanye W. Despite how inevitible this combination of genres may be, one of the hottest acts in this new fusion league were formed without any purposeful intention all. One late night DJ/Producer Graham Zilla had put the finishing touches on a club shaking beat and intended to send it to his Montreal electronic compadres. Through the magic of internet serendipity, the track wound up instead in the inbox of Toronto MC Isis who recorded her slick rhymes over it and sent it back. Thunderheist was born, mashing synthesizers with 808 beats  and hip-hop lyrical fervor. Get your weekend started a day early with Thunderheist @ Chop Suey, Thursday 11/19.

Thunderheist on Myspace
Get tickets here

Tomorrow night @ Nectar Lounge in Fremont, ReignCity.com presents Little Dragon. This Swedish based indie electro group build upon spacey ambiance to create soulful counterpoint to Swedish-Japanese soultry vocals. Expect a chill sound that leads up to dancey jams. See you there!

I had all but given up hope of seeing one of the CMJ marathon’s most highly buzzed bands. Seeing that the venue was full, I walked away from Williamsburg Music Hall, the faint sound sound of The XX opening for School of Seven Bells fading into the background. Just as their songs begin with melodramatic minimalism and suddenly explode into excited exuberance, however, my spirits were lifted when I received a text, inviting me to an after party with the London quartet themselves at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. What sort of a place for a new wave/indie concert is a upscale hotel in one of Manhattan’s trendiest yuppie neighborhoods? I soon found out as I descended through their gorgeous lobby into the intimate ballroom underground. The walls were pitch black glass, and the almost nonexistant lighting turned the New Yorkers with their penchant for wearing all black into a dark morass of people; I literally had to feel my way to the bar. No one knew when the band was showing up and if it weren’t for the euqally black and shiny X’s that adorned the walls, I would have had my doubts. Around 1:30am the band took the stage, illuminated by eery orange lighting at their feet. They told us that the Tribeca Grand would be their last show in the US before they headed back to Europe. They played through their entire dreamy, atmospheric record before promising to be stateside again soon. XX will be back at Neumo’s on 11/27, don’t miss out!

SMB is pleased to bring you review coverage of the College Music Journal Music Marathon. Over a period of 4 days and in more than 70 venues across Manhattan and Brooklyn, 1300+ bands took to the stage as over 120,000 fans, musicians and industry types descended on New York’s music scene to search out the best new bands from genres of all types. SMB was lucky enough to take part in this year’s marathon and we will in the next few days be showcasing our best finds that will give you the inside edge on what we think will be the best up and coming bands in 2010. Enjoy!