There are moments in Beat Radio’s cover of Robyn’s “Every Heartbeat” where the horns buffeting the steady percussion and calliope arpeggios seem ready to burst out of the song and go somewhere completely unexpected. I wonder whether it’s a coincidence that the “Every Heartbeat” cover is the final track of the first chapter in Beat Radio’s Hard Times, Go! trilogy, and whether it’s a sign of things to come.

In all ways, Hard Times, Go! feels more epic than Brian & Co. have ever gone before. The release of Golden Age on vinyl at the end of 2010 was a new high, but this feels even bigger. If that album was about new ways to share music, Hard Times, Go! focuses on new ways to tell a story with it. For example, Brian has compiled videos for each of the songs on the album, and some of them are particularly intriguing. (See: “Every Heartbeat”)

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I was compelled to pre-order part one of Beat Radio’s Hard Times, Go! trilogy following the release of the album’s second track, “Head Under Water” last week. I have a feeling this album is going to be good – really really good. I’m also very interested in this purported cover of Robyn’s “With Every Heartbeat.”

 As 2011 comes to a close, we figured we’d jump on the recap bandwagon and rattle off some of the best and worst music moments. Sure, we’re going to bring you thoughts on the obvious categories like “Album of the Year” and “Best New Artist,” but we’re also going to throw a monkey-wrench in the game with “Darkhorse of The Year” nominations and “Best Song Featuring Nicki Minaj” — because let’s be honest she’s been on just about every track. Point being, this ain’t no Billboard Magazine recap – get ready to be surprised with artists ranging from the obvious (read: Adele, Britney Spears and Rihanna) to the underrated (read: Sondre Lerche, The Cults, and Mumford & Sons) to the overlooked (read: Navet, Beat Radio, TFDI trio, Summer Camp, and Astro) making the cut.

Categories:

Album of The Year:
Jayvee: Adele, “21″ - not surprising considering the glowing review I gave it, right?
GhostfaceMillah: Astro, “Astro”
Forest: The One AM Radio, ”Heaven Is Attached By A Slender Thread”
ED-G: Guess everyone is voting for Adele, so I’ll give that a vote (Editor Note: writers sent picks to me only – team didn’t see them in advance)

Best New Artist of The Year:
Jayvee: The Caveman or R&B wunderkind The Weeknd
GhostfaceMillah: Three-way Tie! Astro; Reptar; Youth Lagoon
Forest: Navet
ED-G: Foster The People

Darkhorse of The Year (translation: What? Indie Goes Mainstream):
Jayvee: Foster The People or The Civil Wars, I can’t decide!
GhostfaceMillah: The Cults
Forest: Active Child
ED-G: Shit, this is tough….cause FTP is tech on a major label, but their sound has been compared to other indie acts like MGMT and the album isn’t mainstream per se, so my vote is for them or Mumford & Sons. I think people took notice of Mumford at the Grammys this year. The Black Keys are also getting a shit ton of mainstream press recently with their big debut on Billboard.

Most Over-Hyped Album of The Year:
Jayvee: Drake’s “Take Care”
GhostfaceMillah: “Take Care” by Drake
Forest: Foster The People “Torches”
ED-G: Lady Gaga

Best Pop Album You Probably Didn’t Hear: (Editor’s note: Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger was listed as a constant by me…)
Jayvee: Sondre Lerche’s self-titled SEVENTH studio album
GhostfaceMillah: Summer Camp’s “Welcome to Condale”
Forest: Darren Hayes, “Secret Codes & Battleships”
ED-G: Hmmm, people have heard Kelly’s , I mean it still sold albums just not as much as the others, and she did a decent amount of promotion plus video airplay…I just think people stopped caring, sadly. Honestly, I think Avril Lavigne’s “Goodbye Lullaby” was under the radar and all three “singles” released are strong ones. The whole album is more mature than her older stuff. It’s pretty solid.

Most Disappointing Album of the Year:
Jayvee: Coldplay “Mylo Xyloto”
GhostfaceMillah: no contest – “Lulu” – Lou Reed & Metallica
Forest: Drake – because he made another album
ED-G: Sorry, gonna have to be unbiased here as much as it hurts, but this one’s for Kelly. Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” (Editor’s note: ED-G and I are now in a fight…)

Best Indie Album (not signed to a major or signed at all):
Jayvee: TFDI (Tony Lucca, Jay Nash, Matt Duke) “When I Stop Runnin’”
GhostfaceMillah: Summer Camp’s “Welcome to Condale”
Forest: Mitten, “See You Bye”
ED-G: Civil Wars or The Cave Singers

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Good news this week! There is a new Beat Radio album in the works for 2012, a concept album entitled Hard Times, Go! that will be released in three parts over the course of the new year. We’re not sure what the exact concept of the project will be, but the lead off title track is pretty freaking excellent.

You can download “Hard Times, Go!” for free on Beat Radio’s Bandcamp page, and it is provided here as well.

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After two weeks of intense head-to-head competition Ashley Arrison has done the unthinkable…again. The unsigned singer-songwriter muscled her way into the Championship round of March Music Madness II where she claimed her second straight title in as many years — this time against Arcade Fire.

The Canadians put up a valiant fight, but when all was said and done, Ms. Arrison stood victorious thanks to the grassroots efforts of her fans.

A big thank you to all the artists, especially Beat Radio, Mitten, and Love & Logic, who rallied their fans to support this year’s competition! For the fans who diligently voted each day, we hope you’ll stick around TRT – there is more to come from your favorite artists.

After the jump you can watch Ashley Arrison’s most recent cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” which appropriately summarizes her run through March Music Madness II.

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Round 1 Match-Ups

(2) Katy Perry vs. (7) Sara Bareilles
(2) Beat Radio vs. (7) Mitten
(2) Nicki Minaj vs. (7) Kid Cudi
(2) Arcade Fire vs (7) Fleet Foxes

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I’ve been going on and on about how wonderful it would be if two of my favorite New York bands, Beat Radio and Mitten, teamed up to make music. Well, it happened – like eight months ago.

Where I was when these great minds collided, I have no idea. The important thing is that I can enjoy Mitten’s remix of “Treetops” now, and I’ve taken it upon myself to share this beautiful moment with everyone else – a year after they heard it the first time.

Somewhere in the world, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope sense a miracle about to happen.

My review of Beat Radio’s latest album, Golden Age, is so overdue, it’s not even funny. Still, one could argue that the time I’ve spent sitting (not literally) on this awesome record (literally) has allowed me to plumb the many dimensions of its depth.

Indeed, Golden Age is not the same record that Safe Inside the Sound was and, while I love them both, the former is much fuller, sonically.

If you know Beat Radio, or are in Beat Radio, the point is obvious.

While Brian Sendrowitz manned the helm on both albums, he had quite a bit more support this time around. Brian Ver Straten, Evan Duby and Dan Bills do more than enough to flesh out Sendrowitz’s vision and their contribution to both Golden Age and the other songs Beat Radio has put out this year should be acknowledged with plenty of high-fiving.

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I’m so far behind on my Beat Radio, it’s not even funny. So, I’ll keep it brief.

1) If you haven’t listened to Beat Radio’s 2010 Singles Collection, here it is. Please absorb the greatness. The music is free, but I highly recommend donating to the cause.

2) If you love vinyl and you love Beat Radio, but so far haven’t been able to enjoy them together, fear not! You can support the pressing of “Golden Age” on vinyl over at Kickstarter.

The pressing is over 70 percent paid for, but with 11 days left, they can still use your help!

It’s been a while since we featured Beat Radio here on The Round Table, but that doesn’t mean we love them any less. Maybe you love Beat Radio too?

Well, have I got the opportunity for you …

Until August 14, Beat Radio will be raising funds to produce a limited edition, 10″ vinyl pressing of “Golden Age.” We featured the song back in March, as one of Beat Radio’s ongoing “singles collection” for 2010.

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