WUSO 89.1FM | Wittenberg University's College Radio

The Chieftans- Voice of the Ages
Caity says: New takes on traditional Irish music! Incorporates artists from a variety of genres, including indie-rock, Americana, Scottish folk; just look at the list of featured artists!!! (Bon Iver, The Civil Wars, The Decemberists, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Paolo Nutini, Lisa Hannigan… to name a few.)

Down in the Willow Garden (featuring Bon Iver):

Hospitality- Hospitality
Mix with: Belle & Sebastian, Vampire Weekend
Caity says: Rich arrangements of keyboards, horns, synths, guitars, and a compelling female voice. Catchy pop aspects that encourage dancing.

Lana Del Rey- Born to Die
Caity says: Beautifully crafted pop songs, with 50s female vocals. Distinctive sound, but sometimes the melodramatic production is overwhelming.

Laura Gibson- La Grande
Mix with: Feist, The Decemberists
Kate says:  Nice folk-y female vocals. Well balances between slightly ambient/ airy and more fast paced.

La Grande:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCZ0S3huM-Q

Nada Surf- The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy
Mix with: Telekinesis, Band of Horses
Kate says: Sounds a lot like past Nada Surf, if a bit more upbeat. Fairly simple and catchy throughout.

Of Montreal- Paralytic Stalks
Mix with: Deerhunter, Passion Pit
Kate says: Good psychedelic-indie-pop with intriguing lyrics.
Caity says: It’s basically a hippie vomit up of all the drugs they’ve taken in their life.

Regeneration (multiple artists)
Steven says: Groovy contemporary music mixed with classics or classical music.

Sharon Van Etten- Tramp
Mix with: Neko Case, The National
Caity says: Hypnotic female vocals with a variety of instrumentation, with a sense of folk foundations and emotionally propelled rock aspects.

Serpents:

Terra Lightfoot- Terra Lightfoot
Mix with: Blind Pilot, Laura Veirs
Kate says: Folk/rock/pop singer songwriter. The best songs are where she successfully focuses within a genre, ie. the most strictly folk, rock, or pop tracks.

Heads, Tails, Tails:

http://vimeo.com/7002844

Hey guys! Here’s our first round of new music from the CD Review Committee [Caity, Kent, Andrew, Nate (and sometimes Kate)] this semester!

Interesting in being on the CD Review Committee? Email Caity Valley at s13.cvalley@wittenberg.edu.

Big Harp- White Hat

Mix with: My Morning Jacket, Tallahassee
Andrew says: “Country folk/indie. Guy sings throughout pretty low and liltingly. Some really cool tunes and great guitar work.”

White Hat:

CSS- La Liberaciòn
Mix with: My Morning Jacket, Tallahassee
Andrew says: “Poppy techno-ish, indie/alt. Lots of female vocals. Dry talking parts throughout. Fun and catchy.”

City Grrl:

Etta James- The Dreamer
Mix with: Gary Clark Jr., Aretha Franklin
Andrew says: “Very blues-centered sound. Low female vocals with soul. Some interesting takes on old songs. Her last album before she passed away.”

In The Evening:

Jim Keller- Soul Candy
Mix with: Elvis Costello, Tom Petty
Andrew says: “Deep male vocals, kind of viscous and growly. Makes some nice catchy tunes, nothing too serious.”

Tallahassee- Jealous Hands
Mix with: Big Harp, Fleet Foxes
Andrew says: “Blue grass type indie rock. Some nice textures.”

Winter Trees:

Welcome back to another great semester on WUSO!

We have had our first meeting with the entire new Exec Board, and there are some really great things coming up. Once rush week is over, you can look forward to a new semester of programming and your favorite WUSO shows.

First of all, we’d like to welcome our new member of the exec board.  (You can view a complete list of the staff, newbies and old-timers, at the staff page.)

Andrew Bowen has taken over the role of Programming Director. Lindsay Dukes, Rory Eustace, John Mathews, and Stephanie Davis make up a new team of people dedicated to the promotion of WUSO, led by our senior promotion advisor, Amber Reyes. Adam Markins will now be serving as our treasurer, and Nate Dorow as our secretary. Sarah Lawson has assumed a brand new position, Social Chair, working to better connect the WUSO community.

On that note, there are info meetings for those interested in becoming a DJ being held on Jan. 24 and 25 at 8pm in Shouvlin 201. You only need to attend one session. Attendance is CRUCIAl for anyone who wants a show. Time slots will be assigned, key cards will be given out, and contracts will be signed.

To kick off the semester, Cub Scout pack 49 out of Mechanicsburg visited the station for a tour. They got to see our studios and booths, and even got to shout out on the air during half time of the men’s basketball game! Here are some photos of the WUSO staff members practicing their tour guide skills.

Shelly Gregory, General Manager, talks to the pack about how radio waves make it from the microphone to your car radio. 

 Lindsey Dukes, Promotion, and Andrew Bowen, Programming Director, talk to the pack about how programming is selected.

 Sven Isaacson, Engineer, discusses how internet radio works.

 The WUSO exec members with Pack 49.

 Shelly shows the pack the sound board in the studio after they gave a big tiger ROAR during halftime of the men’s basketball game.

New music this week from the WUSO CD Review Committee (Kent, Andrew, Nate, Caity, Joe, and Rory).

Interested in joining the WUSO CD Review Committee? Email Kent at s12.kmontgomery@wittenberg.edu

The track ‘Cardinal Rules’ includes the lines “I’m going downtown/ Springfield, alright!/Oh, tonight.” Like anything alluding to any given Springfield, we’ll just pretend it’s about our own. And we even have a link to a free MP3 of that song from their label for you, too.

No review yet, but Sigur Rós released a new live album, Inni, recorded during a two night London performance by only the original four members, with two free tracks avaliable for download on their web site: Ný Batterí and Festival.

The Dø-Both Ways Open Jaws
Mix with: Moriarty, Cocoon, Asteroids Galaxy Tour, White Rabbits
Nate says: “Really catchy indie’folk album spearheaded by some superb vocals. Some electronic and pop touches thrown in to good effect.”

The Jigsaw Seen
Mix with: XTC, The Kinks, Squeeze
Nate says: “A really fun and original-sounding Christmas/winter-themed album with folk rock and classic rock influences.”

*Joy Kills Sorrow- This Unknown Science*
Mix with: Nickel Creek, Wailin’ Jennys
Caity says: “Combines the virtuoso skill of traditional bluegrass with contemporary songwriting.”

One More Night, live at Halkaer Kro in Aalborg, Denmark:

Last Charge of the Light Horse- Curve
Mix with: Movies with Heros, Dreamers of the Ghetto
Andrew says: “An interesting and very well done mix of low-key dark rock and traditional indie-pop song structure. Very melodic with some great song writing.”

Loney, Dear- Hall Music
Mix with: Patrick Watson, Portugal.The Man
Caity says: “The album is essentially an attempt to communicate love. Harmonious laying of orchestral instrumentation and sentimental synths.”

Pajama Club- Pajama Club
Mix with: MGMT, The xx, Modest Mouse
Caity says: “Low key typical indie pop. Low key vocals and repetitive synth beats with drums with lots of reverb guitar and heavy bass. Very chill, almost psychedelic tunes.”

*Phantogram- Nightlife*
Mix with: Yacht, Cults, Pheonix
Andrew says: “Techno/indie vocals and sound. Lots of catchy rhythms and melodies. Predominately female vocals (girl sings in the duo). Lots of synth and repetitive drums. Would appeal to college kids.”

Make a Fist, studio performance:

*Real Estate- Days*
Mix with: My Morning Jacket, The Shins, Death Cab for Cutie
Andrew says: “Light indie rock, some Shins-like guitar sounds. On the whole fairly catchy stuff.”

It’s Real, studio performance:

*Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin- Tape Club*
Mix with: Kaiser Chiefs, Toyko Police Club, Throw Me The Statue
Andrew says: “High and light male vocals. Many of the songs are classic indie mellow guitars and carefree major melodies. On the whole and interesting band. ”

Cardinal Rules (MP3 download, from their original record label):

9Tomorrows- Gravity in Love
Mix with: Fountains of Wayne
Nate says: “Combines the very best elements of blues, indie rock, and reggae to create an enjoyable record. Plus, the vocals are outstanding.”

*Wishes and Thieves- Lighthouse EP*
Mix with: Phantogram, Phoenix, Jeff Buckley
Andrew says: “Ethereal techno indie. Sultry female vocals. Catchy drum beats and synth sounds over light indie rock guitars.”

Parachute:

New music this week from the WUSO CD Review Committee (Kent, Andrew, Nate, Caity, Joe, and Rory).

One of these bands is on Red Bull’s label. Which does, in fact, exist. Now the free Red Bull everywhere at CMJ makes sense: as Caity puts it, “they need an in with the music industry…all the hipsters need energy, too.”

Interested in joining the WUSO CD Review Committee? Email Kent at s12.kmontgomery@wittenberg.edu

*Bonnie “Prince” Billy- Wolfroy Goes To Town*
Mix with: Iron & Wine, Sun Kil Moon
Caity says: “Will Oldham’s latest record is folky, mystical, and quirky. Songs take awhile to build but are worth it.”

New Whaling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3TWX8TwF2s

*Gauntlet Hair- Gauntlet Hair*
Mix with: Dead Oceans
Caity says: “Shining, disorienting, colorful noise-pop anthems. Melodic and exploratory.”

The Cranberries- Tomorrow
Mix with: “Tomorrow” (Single)
Kent says: “Good mid tempo pop song, female vocals. If you’re familiar with this band, it sounds just like everything else (not bad).”

David Lynch- Crazy Clown Time
Mix with: Blockhead
Nate says: “Slow, atmospheric tracks that would probably best serve as background music in one of Lynch’s movies. Requires a full listen to appreciate.”

Pterodactyl- Spills Out
Mix with: Double Dagger, PRE
Nate says: “Decent post-punk rock with some interesting riffs. Really solid drumming throughout.”

Rob Crow- He Thinks He’s People
Mix with: Pinback, Three Mile Pilot
Nate says: “Really good low-key record with multiple stylings. Great tracks on here. Best described as slower indie pop.”

*Sparkadia- The Great Impression*
Mix with: Arcade Fire, Muse, The Dodos
Kent says: “Stadium indie rock…. big choruses and good harmonies. Lots of instruments in the background.”

Twin Atlantic- Free
Mix with: Manchester Orchestra, My Chemical Romance
Kent says: “A little heavy and mainstream rock-ish, but not terrible.”

WUSO CD Review Committee (Kent, Andrew, Nate, Caity, Joe, and Rory) offers their expert opinions on the new music this week. Favorites albums are starred, as usual… there were a lot of great music this week! Tune into WUSO to hear more from these albums.

Interested in joining the WUSO CD Review Committee? Email Kent at s12.kmontgomery@wittenberg.edu

The Beets- Let the Poison Out
Mix with: Sic Alps, Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall
Nate says: “A mixture of psychedelic and garage rock. Lots of reverb, acoustic guitar, and gang vocals.”

*Gringo Star- Count Yer Lucky Stars
Mix with: The Doors, The Animals, The Killers, The Stroke, The Arctic Monkeys
Joe says: “Awesome indie rock with bluey classic rock notes mixed in. Fun vocals, good driving music.”
 
*Group Love- Never Trust a Happy Song
Mix with: Tokyo Police Club, Two Door Cinema Club
Nate says: “Authentic and energetic indie pop. Very catchy; not a low moment in the album.”

Colours (Live at SXSW 2011):

*Have Gun Will Travel- Mergers & Acquisitions 
Mix with: Old 97s, Low Anthem, Avett Brothers, Langhorneslim
Kent says: “Good mix of bluegrass, country, and rock. A bit redundant at times, but some really cool modern country rock on here.”
 
The Loose Hinges- The Loose Hinges
Mix with: The Shins, Sleater-Kinny
Joe says: “Light beats w synth. Vocals are nice. Lyrics are simple. Background/elevator music.”
 
*M83- HurryUp,We’reDreaming.
Mix with: Neon Indian
Kent says: “Synthy indie pop, a lot of electronics but some really cool spacey songs here too!”

Midnight City:

 
The Rapture- In the Grace of Your Love
Mix with: Metronomy, Holy Ghost, Friendly Fires, LCD Soundsystem
Nate says: “A seamless blend of dance, indie pop, and port-punk influences.”
 
*Tom Waits- Bad as Me
Mix with: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen
Kent says: “Really gravelly voice, lots of experimental instrumentation but some good rockers and ballads hidden beneath.”
 

The WUSO CD Review Committee (Kent, Andrew, Nate, Caity, Joe, and Rory) have their picks from our new music this week. Their favorites are starred, and we’ve listed clips of some of the highlights. Tune into WUSO to hear more from these albums!

Interested in joining the WUSO CD Review Committee? Email Kent at s12.kmontgomery@wittenberg.edu

*Big Tree- This New Year*
Mix with: The Dirty Projectors
Caity says: “Jazz rhythms and time signature with a pop base and colorful harmonies, strong female vocals.”

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Hysterical
Mix with: Handsome Furs, Wolf Parade, The Rapture, Girls
Nate says: “A really fun mix of indie rock and indie pop. Vocals take some getting used to, but are still solid.”

Cut Off Your Hangs- Hollow
Mix with: Red Distribution
Nate says: “Jangly guitars and a driving pulse offset the band’s somber lyrics to create a very indie rock sound.”

*Dawes- Nothing is Wrong*
Mix with: Drive by Truckers, Old 97s, Deer Tick, Wilco
Kent says: “Good rock band with country and folk influences. Great harmonies, nice mid-tempo tunes.”

A Little Bit of Everything:

Dreamers of me Ghetto- Enemy/Lover
Mix with: The xx, U2
Nate says: “Dark, atmospheric rock. Some good trucks mixed in with some filler.”

The Drums- Portamento
Mix with: Surfer Bood, The Vaccines, Cults, Bombay Bicycle Club
Nate says: “A fun mixture of Brit-pop and surf rock with occasional dips into the falsetto.”

What You Were:

*Feist-How Comes You Never Go There (Single)*<
Mix with: Cat Power, Dan Auerbach
Caity says: "Smooth female vocals, occasionally horse and black keys-esque guitar."

Gary Clark Jr.- The Bright Lights EP
Mix with: Black Keys, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Jimi Hendrix
Andrew says: “Straight modern blues. Lo-fi vocals and breezy guitar.”

Jens Lekman- An Argument with Myself
Mix with: Joseph Arthur, Belle & Sebastian
Caity says: “Simple male vocals with Belle & Sebastian feel; road trip themed, sometimes added instruments (horns, strings).”

*Pujol- Nasty, Brutish, and Short*
Mix with: The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Ramones
Andrew says: “Pretty catchy, poppy, alt-rock. A lot of lo-fi vocals. Very playable for college radio. Some cool interesting guitar rifs.”

S.C.U.M.- Again into the Eyes
Mix with: Explosions in the Sky, WULYF, Bon Iver
Kent says: “Really ambient and spacey… not really my kind of music, but worth a shot.”

Shivering Timbers- We All Started in the Same Place
Mix with: Iron and Wine, The Black Keys
Nate says: “A completely original sound that mixes elements from folk, blues, indie, and country to create an eclectic record that requires several full listens through the appreciate.”

Sun Wizard- Positively 4th Avenue
Mix with: My Morning Jacket, The Strokes, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Wilco
Andrew says: “Wilco/Bob Dylan-esque edge vocals. Very nice, colorful, indie guitar lines. Great start to the album, a little less interesting towards the end.”

We Were Promised Jet Packs- In the Pit of the Stomach
Mix with: Manchester Orchestra, We Are Augustines
Kent says: “Heavier rock music with a few really good tunes. Definitely check out if into punk/hard rock.”
Medicine:

This month, WUSO DJs will be providing music at:

Gamma Phi Beta Spaghetti Dinner
Thursday April 14th, 5-7 pm

Student Senate Japan Relief Fundraiser
Thursday April 14th, 9-11 pm

Laser Tag
Wednesday April 13th, 8:30-11 pm