EAR FARM checks in with the Elbo.ws top 10

Who's hot? Why?! From time to time I field questions about why EAR FARM isn't talking about/featuring some of the current 'hot' indie bands or songs. This site has always operated under the assumption that not featuring certain music said all that needed to be said about those artists (from an EAR FARM perspective) and that there are already plenty of other sites giving service to these much talked about bands. Besides, when any music really scratches the EF itch it gets a mention. Still though...checking in each week with what's popular over at music blog aggregator Elbo.ws wouldn't hurt and might offer a chance for a different tone here.

Enter EAR FARM's new weekly feature.

Elbo.ws top 10 'hot' artists - 14 August 2006 @ 3pm EST

Brazilian Girls - this band is like eating dinner at Outback Steakhouse. Pretty decent but nothing worth spending much money on or going out of your way for... Some people might consider them delightful, exotic, and special but I think they're more Deee-Lite, bland, and normal. That said, the spooky touches in "Jique" are nearly enough to keep me interested for four minutes.

Listen: "Jique" (via Indieblogheaven)

Viva Voce - I remember Pitchfork responding favorably to one of their tracks recently and I know they're hitting the road with Silversun Pickups but I'm not completely sold on what I've heard thus far. "When Planets Collide" sounds a bit like beginner rock to me yet still gets my foot tapping. Therefore, I wouldn't mind seeing them live so as to form a more informed opinion of the band.

Listen: "When Planets Collide" (via Skatterbrain)

Bel Auburn - who?! I don't know these guys but I can quickly tell they like to think they feel the music. Their Sunny Day Eat World inspired sound doesn't do much for me at all. "Sing What You Mean"...any fool can think up words that rhyme, many others do - why don't you?

Listen: "Sing What You Mean" (via Indieblogheaven)

Bishop Allen - much respect. That and big ups to Bishop Allen for what they've been doing with their 'EP each month of 2006' project. It's so uniquely interactive when you go and purchase the new EP and then get four new songs from them each month but the best part about it all is how damn good the songs are. This one, "Click Click Click Click", belongs at the top of the camera/picture-song list with other classics like "Kodachrome" and "Pictures of You".

Listen: "Click Click Click Click" (via The Bubble Death)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - surprised I am that so many of my friends with good taste in music don't really like this band. They kick ass both live AND on record...AND on TV. Check out "Cheated Hearts" from their recent appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Listen: "Cheated Hearts" (via Culture Bully)

The Walkmen - another thing which I find surprising: lackluster response to The Walkmen's May release A Hundred Miles Off. It's a very good album that might just need to sit on the shelf a bit before critics realize they generally got it wrong the first time. I'm looking forward to their second album of the year, a reinterpretation of the 1974 Harry Nilsson album Pussy Cats.

Listen: "Many Rivers To Cross" (via Culture Bully)

The Raconteurs - blah blah blah Jack White, yawn yawn Brendan Benson, boring boring Patrick Keeler, Jack Lawrence...etc, etc. The most interesting thing about this band is their website.

Listen: "Blue Veins" (live @ Lollapalooza 2006) (via Culture Bully)

Silversun Pickups - I missed out on seeing these guys live a week ago because of work. Stupid, stupid work. Thus, I can't say what I think of the band other than that I've heard mixed things thus far about their live shows and I think their album isn't half-bad AND I like this WOXY performance. Check it out at So Much Silence below.

Listen: "Lazy Eye" (via So Much Silence)

Matthew Friedberger - I've tried to like The Fiery Furnaces but they just don't do it for me. I did like that EP they put out but then I think that's like Match Point to Woody Allen. Regardless, I am liking what I hear of Matthew Friedberger solo. Take the track below for example, it's fun and fresh in a Burt Bacharach meets Jeff Tweedy kinda way.

Listen: "Up The River" (via Pop Tarts Suck Toasted)

The Diggs - EAR FARM first featured The Diggs back in December and I've watched their popularity grow nicely since then. Not sure what exactly pushed them into the Elbo.ws top 10 just now but I'm guessing it could be the excellent remix of "Everyone's Starting Over" by Cassettes Won't Listen.

Listen:
"Everyone's Starting Over" (Cassettes Won't Listen Remix) (via Thepunkguy)

(obviously, "hot" is relative and I'm referring to the above artists' hotness in terms of music blogs)