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Monday, October 16, 2006
 

I don't know about you guys but I had an incredibly long weekend that was full of more work then it should have been.  I did have one highlight this weekend though and it was listening to something that was brought to my attention through a Myspace message last week.  I know about so many great artists but sometimes I am convinced that the list of great artists that I don't know about is even longer.  This is especially evident when something like Ivy League, which is the work of longtime friends Alex Suarez and Ryland Blackinton, just suddenly falls in my lap one day and proceeds to become of my favorite releases of the year.  You guys are going to adore Ivy League and their lovely style of indie pop, this is definitely what you need to help get the week off to a good start.  Enjoy.

:Ivy League - London Bridges:  To the untrained ear this will immediately sound like something Belle and Sebastian did when you weren't looking.  Luckily your ears are trained and this song does not disappoint in filling them with some of the most lovely indie pop ever constructed.  London Bridges is incredibly catchy and I am absolutely in love with every part of Ivy League.  The vocals are as sweet as can be, the lyrics are witty, and the mix of electric and acoustic guitars makes for an interesting listen.  This comes highly recommended.

:Ivy League - Crown Of Love (Arcade Fire Cover) Removed at Artist's RequestThere is something about the original version of this song that is so beautiful and sad, especially with lines like  "if you still want me, please forgive me."  Now given that statement I have to say that I have never for an instance imagined this song being performed by anyone outside of The Arcade Fire.  In fact I listened to Ivy League's version three times in a row in a state of bewilderment that anyone would even try to cover this thing.  Regardless of that I will tell all of you with the utmost confidence that I think this version is fantastic.  I love how they didn't try to duplicate the original and instead shortened the song about two minutes while stamping their brand of indie pop all over it.  This is one of my favorite cover songs this year.

Ivy League's debut EP, London Bridges, is available now on TwentySeven Records and make sure to take a moment to become their friends on Myspace.

- John Laird -



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