New Music: Juno (Soundtrack)

Yeah, it's a soundtrack chock full of twee...what of it?
Meanwhile, it's a really great release and spans the obscurity spectrum from well known groups (Belle and Sebastian and Kimya Dawson) to some you may not know (Barry Louis Polisar). Highlights are "Anyone Else But You" sung by Michael Cera And Ellen Page and "Sea of Love" by Cat Power.

Tracklist:
1. Barry Louis Polisar: "All I Want Is You" / 2:37
2 Kimya Dawson: "Rollercoaster (Juno Film Version)" / 0:53
3. The Kinks: "A Well Respected Man" / 2:41
4. Buddy Holly: "Dearest" / 1:53
5. Mateo Messina: "Up the Spout" / 0:53
6. Kimya Dawson: "Tire Swing" / 3:07
7. Belle & Sebastian: "Piazza, New York Catcher" / 3:01
8. Kimya Dawson: "Loose Lips" / 2:24
9. Sonic Youth: "Superstar" / 4:06
10. Kimya Dawson: "Sleep (Instrumental)" / 0:52
11. Belle & Sebastian: "Expectations" / 3:35
12. Mott the Hoople: "All the Young Dudes" / 3:35
13. Kimya Dawson: "So Nice So Smart" / 2:47
14. Cat Power: "Sea of Love" / 2:20
15. Kimya Dawson and Antsy Pants: "Tree Hugger" / 3:14
16. Velvet Underground: "I'm Sticking With You" / 2:29
17. The Moldy Peaches: "Anyone Else but You" / 2:58
18. Antsy Pants: "Vampire" / 1:20
19. Ellen Page and Michael Cera: "Anyone Else but You" / 1:56

Download Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?092nd3mn5mu

New Music (Video): Cool Kids - Gold And A Pager

Lots of new stuff on the way. Enjoy this video for now....it's hotness.

Year End List 2007

The best releases of the year basically. I wanted to limit it to a top 10 but 2007 has been such a great year for music that my list sort of spilled over the limit. Enough chit chat though, cue the list:

10 The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible












9 Black Kids - Wizard of Ahhhs













8 Glass Candy - Beatbox













7 Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover













6 Burial - Untrue












5 The National - Boxer












4 Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam














3 LCD Soundsystem - Sounds of Silver













2 Dan Deacon - Spiderman of the Rings














1 Besnard Lakes - Are the Dark Horse














-----------------
Honorable Mention List

Handsome Furs - Plague Park
Lil' Wayne - Da Drought 3
Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
CPC Gangbangs - Mutilation Nation
The Teenagers - Demos EP
Oh No - Dr. No's Oxperiment
Crystal Castles - Sampler EP

December Mixtape

We're back after a loooooong hiatus.
Sorry about that dear readers.
But I have a gift for you - so let's not fight...

It's a mixtape of all my favorite montreal bands - some you may know and others you just won't. Download it and enjoy.

Tracklist:

1 Piano - Donkey Heart
2 Fast Runner - Dorian Hatchet
3 Under The Underground Water - Telefauna
4 "1,2,3,4,5" - The Diskettes
5 Last Ride - Boo Hoo
6 New England - Code Pie
7 Esa-2000 - Heroes & Villains
8 Maybe Lately - Miracle Fortress
9 Going Places - Montag
10 The Truth About Cats And Dogs - Pony Up
11 Une Comptine Pour... - ...You Ghost!
12 Blame Me - Cold City Girls
13 Serious Chords - Think About Life
14 (babies got the) rabies - Duchess Says
15 Close to Ju - Lil' Pip
16 Three Colours - Sunset Rubdown
17 Again and Again - Dishwasher
18 You Are Never Alone - Socalled
19 Snakes on the Ladder - Handsome Furs
20 I'll Never Get Out Of This World Tenessee - John & Li'l Andy

Download link: http://www.sendspace.com/file/uwi5ik

Check back soon for more snobbyness including our year end list for 2007.

New Music: Radiohead - In Rainbows

Yep, everyone already knows the det

Osheaga Saturday Recap

Just a quick check in kids. The Veils rocked - as expected. I wish they played a longer set though, they only managed to squeeze in 5 or so songs. Even at that they were my favorite band of the day.

Meanwhile, what I saw of the Vice showcase was great; namely Fucked Up and CPC Gangbangs. They really provided a nice contrast to the slower, folkier stuff. Also, they both get points for running/jumping into the crowd and getting the indie kids moshing.

Also scoring high points were Stars and Explosions in the Sky. I'd never seen either of them live before and I didn't know what to expect. Thankfully their stage presence was fantastic and they really delivered.

And yes, I checked out a tiny bit of the Smashing Pumpkins, but truth be told they just aren't my thing. Thankfully the throngs of people there to see them seemed to dig 'em just fine.

Make sure to get there early tomorrow to catch Voxtrot get things started!

Osheaga 07 Preview

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Under Review: The Tough Alliance - New Chance

I was looking for some new autumn music. Personally I like fun poppy upbeat stuff sorta in the vein of the happier Jens Lekman tracks. If that's your thing too then check out fellow Swedish musicians The Tough Alliance. Their new New Chance LP is like all the best parts of Peter, Bjorn & John without all the hype. Don't get thrown off by the Arabic chanting at the start of the lead track, it opens up quite quickly into a catchy electropop rhythm that you just wanna play for all your friends. Or at least swing your hips around on those metro rides to school.

MP3: The Tough Alliance - Silly Crimes

RILY: Jens Lekman, Air France, Peter Bjorn & John

New (Again) Music: Modern Lovers

Those hip cats over at Sanctuary Group have decided to re-release one of the most overlooked records this side of pretentious - the classic 1976 Modern Lovers lp. Produced by John Cale and clocking in at just over 50 minutes, this lp was definitely before its time.

So why is it such a big deal that an album is getting re-released? Mostly because it's been out of print since around 1989. I know...crazy, huh?

All that and it comes with 8 bonus tracks too!

I don't wanna gush about it TOO much, but it really is a great album that really connects the sounds of 60's art rock (see: velvet underground) with late 70's/early 80's post punk (see: joy division). Hell, you can even heard traces of this album on groups out today - art brut for instance.

Ok kids, go out and listen to this one before it goes out of print again!

MP3: Modern Lovers - Roadrunner (alt version)

Admit One: Hold Steady 08/07/07

This was my first time seeing Brooklyn's The Hold Steady live. I've been a fan of theirs for a while but for some reason they never seemed to play Montreal - strange given its reputation as a party town and their penchant for penning songs around that very same theme. Last weeks show more then made up for their absence as frontman Craig Finn said at the start of the show: "better late then never". Of course the massed crowd that filled the Sala Rosa didn't hold that against them.

As you may guess from their lp's, The Hold Steady are a show band - and they lived up to their reputation playing almost non-stop for a full hour and half, and covering the majority of their catalogue. Finn's stage presence really added to the show as he ran around the stage belting out lyrics - all the while downing a seemingly endless supply of Heineken. The highlight of the night was their extended rendition of "First Night" which ended with nearly the whole venue singing the reprise: "Boys and Girls in America".

Really though the experience of seeing The Hold Steady is best summed up in their own words
"we had some massive nights./every song was right."
Listen: The Hold Steady - Your Little Hoodrat Friend

News: Tony Wilson Dies at 57

Tony Wilson passed away today after a year long battle with cancer. Wilson of course was the founder of Factory Records and the famed Hacienda club in Manchester. A major player in the UK music scene, Wilson was responsible for discovering Joy Divison, New Order, A Certain Ratio and many others. Factory Records along with Wilson's efforts as a concert promoter helped bring the UK punk scene (along with acts such as The Buzzcocks and The Sex Pistols) onto the world stage. Wilson's life and effect was featured in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party People.

Tony Wilson Interview (1988)

News: Lily Allen Banned In the US

Looks like Lily Allen will be heading back to LDN for awhile - according to the Daily Mail she has had her US work visa revoked and can't play any shows in the US for the time being. No offical word as to why she was banned but it probably has something to do with her attacking a photographer a few months back.

This is the word from her management said:

"Lily doesn't know why it happened, she is quite shocked, but her LA schedule carries on as planned. She's due back in the UK at the end of the week to continue work on her second album, and we're sure all this will be sorted out in time for her American tour. It's in the hands of the relevant authorities and these things take time. The most important thing to her is her fans. She does not want to let them down."

New Music: Handsome Furs - Cannot Get Started

With the new Sunset Rubdown lp well on its way, Wolf Parade's other frontman is keeping people talking about his Handsome Furs side project. Check out the new video for "Cannot Get Started" off their excellent debut lp - released earlier this year.

New Music: Sunset Rubdown - Up On Your Leopard, Upon the End of Your Feral Days

What started off as a side project for Wolf Parade's Spencer Krug has blossomed into a full blown band. The release of Random Spirit Lover marks Sunset Rubdown's 3rd release, and if it's anything like last year's Shut Up I'm Dreaming... then indie rock fans are in for a fabulous listening experience. And judging from this single off their new LP, I'd say that Random Spirit Lover could actually exceed it's predecessor. Have a listen for yourself:

Random Spirit Lover is due on 10/09/07 from Jagjaguwar

Just For Laughs: Bubbling With Laughter

Words by Jeff Barkun

The Just for Laughs festival is supposed to be packed with great performances, and last nights performance of Bubbling with Laughter truly satisfied the entire palette. This show is performed every night for over a week, with the benefit of different line-ups to allow one to get a taste of many different styles of comedy, so even if you go one night, you will not lack for delight and surprise if you are to return for another version of this show.

When I say it satisfied the entire palette, I take this very seriously. By the end of the show, I had gained a deep understanding of the life story of the evening exciting host Kathleen Madigan, while New Brunswick’s Tim Steeves provided a slightly more vivid depiction of his life and follies of tending to family. Greg Mortin on the other hand provided a visual depiction of certain societal quirks, with his facial expressions doing as much talking as his words. Finally, we were taken through an unexpected ride by Men in Coats, making their Montreal debut, which provided a clever fusion of a circus freak show and puppet show with a funky twist, nothing I have seen before or expected, but something I would highly recommend supplying to your laugh buds.

Bubbling With Laughter runs every night until July 21
Tickets: BUY!

Just For Laughs 2007: Britcom

The Montreal Just for Laughs festival is just getting started but things are already in full swing. After what seeing the Nasty Show, which I personally consider to be the unofficial "opening" for the festival - my expectations were high. Perhaps a bit too high given the fantastic line up including Lewis CK and Dave Attell (and new host Nick Dipaolo). Tonight's installment of Britcom was, however, a whole other bag. Unlike the Nasty Show which has a consistently solid line up of more or less well known preformers - this year's installment of Britcom features a far more esoteric group. But don't let that stop you. In fact, checking out new comedians is half the fun of the fest.

Highlights for me included; Wes Packer, who's diatribe on meeting women when you're ugly was perhaps the best of the showcase. Jimmy Carr's fast paced non-sequitur was very much in the style of Mitch Hedberg and brought the laughs something fierce. And of course, headliner Frank Skinner, who was a perfect closer to the night - and his routine is simply too great to even hint at.

Just like when I write about music I'll end it by telling you to go see this show. Why? Because I know what you'll like, dear reader...so get out there and buy yourself a ticket!

Britcom is playing July 17 and July 18.
Get your tickets here: TICKET BUYING LINK!!!!!

New Music: Kanye West - Stronger (Daft Punk Remix)

All I can say is wow. While normally I'm not too keen on Kanye, this track could be one of the years best hip hop singles.
Oh also the video is really cool.

Kanye West - Stronger

New Music: Spice Up Your Life...Again?

In a totally uncalled for move, it seems the spice girls are getting back together...

Let's just hope they don't release a new album...
Oh and in case you want a full frontal of the '07 edition of the girls

Under Review: The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Oh my fucking god! They're back!

Remember when you excitedly downloaded your advanced copy of Get Behind Me Satan only to discover that the White Stripes had gotten all sucky? I promise - Icky Thump makes up for it 10 fold. Perhaps their strongest LP, Icky Thump combines the best moments from pre-Satan White Stripes and takes simultaneously takes their sound a step further.

Yeah, the band's strong suit has always been the combo of Jack's amazingly great guitar and Meg's verging-on-retarded simple drumming - but Icky Thump incorporates more complex instrumentation that they were trying to use is Satan without neutering their signature sound.

What you end up with is 13 tracks that are not just great sounding but are complex AND rock REALLY hard.

Needless to say - this LP is up among the year's best.

Icky Thump is out June 19.

Admit One: Datarock/Busdriver/CSS 06/04/07 + mp3 bonus

I was covered in sweat...icky sticky sweat.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

First up was Datarock and despite that I'm fairly certain only 1/4 (or less) of the crowd knew any of their songs they still had the sold out crowd dancing and singing along (with helpful cues given mid-song). In their signature red jumpsuits they definitely were worth showing up early for. Honestly, I wish more opening bands were this good..they nearly stole the show.

Busdriver was next up...and sadly didn't fare as well. While I've seen him before and usually love his live shows - he just seemed off. While his set was was far from bad he was defiantly a let down after the crazy goodness of Datarock.

As good as Datarock was, CSS stole the show back and woke everyone up and got people dancing again. Complete with costume changes, crazy Brazilian accents, and weird but fantastic b-sides (check out the mp3s below) CSS was everything you'd expect from hearing their cd. And while Lovefoxxx didn't have a freakout and run around in the audience like she did last time I saw her she was still ab-fab.


Mp3: CSS - Pretend We're Dead (L7 cover)
Mp3: CSS - I Wanna Be Your J-Lo


Picture of Datarock by Pamela Willis
More photos

New Music: Voxtrot - Stephen (Video)

I know, I know - I was expecting some sexy dance routine from this video too. But what can you do? Looking at the video can you guess the boys are on tour? Hmmmm....

Go see them if you live near one of these places...
JUNE
Fri 1- Portland, OR @ Doug Fir #$ 21+
Sat 2 - Seattle, WA @ Sonic Boom [4pm Ballard store FREE] AA
Sat 2 - Seattle, WA @ Crocodile #$ 21+
Tue 5 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock #$ AA [5pm early show]
Wed 6 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection #£ AA
Thu 7 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick #£ AA
Fri 8 - Toronto, ON @ Sneaky Dees #£ AA EARLY SHOW ADDED
Fri 8 - Toronto, ON @ Sneaky Dees #£ 19+ SOLD OUT
Sat 9 - Montreal, QC ( I'll be at this one) @ Main Hall #£ ticket
Sun 10 - Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place #£ AA
Mon 11 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom #£ AA
Tue 12 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar #£ AA
Wed 13 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat #£ AA
Thu 14 - Boston, MA @ Middle East #£ 18+
Fri 15 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall #£* 18+
Sat 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ Pure [Making Time] 21+
Mon 18 - Newport, KY @ Southgate House 18+
Thu 21 - Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds 18+ ticket
Fri 22 - Miami, FL @ Studio A 18+ ticket
Sat 23 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar 18+ ticket
Sun 24 - Orlando, FL @ Backbooth AA ticket
Tue 26 - Tallahassee, FL @ Beta Bar AA
Wed 27 - Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn AA ticket
Thu 28 - Birmingham, AL @ Bottle Tree Cafe 18+
Fri 29 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon 18+ ticket
Sat 30 - Houston, TX @ Proletariat AA

JULY
Sat 14 - Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Festival ticket

AA - All Ages
* - featuring Tosca String Quartet
$ - w/ Sound Team
£ - w/ Favourite Sons
# - w/ Au Revoir Simone

Admit One: Arcade Fire at Maurice Richard Arena - 05/13/07

The Arcade Fire have a serious problem. They never seem to be able to not sell out every show they play within minutes of tickets going on sale. Even playing two nights in a row at an arena, every ticket for both shows was spoken for just as fast as when they played at the 300 person-sized Ukrainian Federation a few months back.

I know what you're thinking snobby reader, "They're playing in a 4,500 person venue?! I remember seeing them play in some guy's kitchen! (insert more pretentious anecdotes here)...they're too big now, I hate them". Well...you would be right in noticing that they've gotten more popular. I think it may have had something to do with putting out a very decent new lp and a deluge of exposure in the mainstream (you guys watch SNL, right?).

The band's growth aside, the question that was running through my mind was if the Arcade Fire would be able to bring some level of intimacy to the huge space. Short answer: they pulled it off.
Sure, it was obviously less intimate then seeing them play in a church, or an old theatre (or any of the other various small venues they've played) but throughout the show the band's energy really showed. While they've calmed down some for Neon Bible, it's still the same group of amazingly talented musicians. They definitely added some gloss to their normal show - using neon bars on the front of the stage, video projectors, and a real organ. But even with all the extras Win was still sweating through his shirt, Richard and Will were still running around hitting each other with drum sticks and throwing drums in the air, and Regine was as manic as ever. In fact, after seeing them a handful of times, I can say that this seemed to be the most confident performance I've ever seen them give.

Overall, even with all the douchebaggery that arena shows entail (old people looking grumpy in the audience, people bringing signs in or holding up lighters) it ended up being a lot closer in intimacy to their past shows then I'm sure most people would like to admit.

Photos by Pamela Willis

New Music (WTF?!): Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk

While I normally only post good videos, this was just too weird to not share with you guys.

Yep, it's a country song about badonkadonk. The video is complete with gratuitous booty shots and line dancing for some reason.

Enjoy!

New Music: Junior Boys - Too Young (Video)

This was one of my favorite albums of '06 - and perhaps the best song off it. 'Nuff said. Watch the video.

Friday Five: Special Coachella Edition

As much as I know you all love the friday five, I've got something about 3 and a half times cooler this week. A live stream of Coachella (that massively sweet music festival going on this weekend in California). Tune in throughout the weekend to catch sets from Of Montreal, Sonic Youth, Bjork, and a whole lot more.

Live Stream: Coachella Live

News: New Interpol Album Details

Details are pretty sparse right now - don't worry kids, I'm sure it'll leak any minute now...

So far all we have is a track list and LP title.

Our Love to Admire:

01 Pioneer to the Falls
02 No I in Threesome
03 The Scale
04 The Heinrich Maneuver
05 Mammoth
06 Pace Is the Trick
07 All Fired Up
08 Rest My Chemistry
09 Who Do You Think
10 Wrecking Ball
11 The Lighthouse

Oh, the release date is out too - July 10, 2007.

For now just keep rewatching this:

New Music: The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Hey, remember the other day when I said that "Icky Thump" was being being released June 11? Good news, now you don't have to wait.

MP3: The White Stripes - Icky Thump

On first listen, it sounds like Jack and Meg are returning to their pre-Get Behind Me Satan. I'm also really digging the distorted casio/guitar combo.

Enjoy!

You can thank me later.


Icky Thump will be out June 18.

Under Review: Elliott Smith - New Moon

Oh god! The dead have risen and are releasing records!

Too soon?

Oh well, I said it and I'm not taking it back.

This is Elliott's second posthumous release, and sad as it is too say, this guy's unreleased material is better then a lot of what still-alive artists are putting out. No wonder since New Moon is made up of material that Smith recorded at his high point in the mid to late 90's. I don't know if LP really compares to his proper releases like From A Basement... or Either/Or, but it's pretty consistently great throughout.

More importantly, New Moon does what a good posthumous is supposed to...make you reexamine the artist's catalog and wow you all over again.




New Moon is out May 8, 2007.

News: New White Stripes Single

If you're on the internets you know that The White Stripes have a new LP comming out this June called Icky Thump (I know, I didn't think it could get worse then Get Behind Me Satan either).

But because Jack and Meg are such lovely people, they've decided to ease the wait with 2 pre-release singles - both on coloured vinyl, of course. "Rag and Bone" will be released on red vinyl with copies of the June 6 edition of NME. Wow, finally a reason to buy a copy of NME! "Icky Thump" (the single) will be released on white vinyl and without magazine on June 11.

You can start holding your breath again...


Icky Thump will be out June 18.

Friday Five: April 20 '07

Handsome Furs - Plague Park

Yeah, yeah, you all know the buzz around this LP. To summarize: it's Dan Boeckner's new side project, it's just him and his girlfriend, it's really, really good. What I love about this album is that it's actually more of a Wolf Parade follow up (when are we ever gunna get one of those?). So basically, if you guys are jonesing for a follow up to Apologies, then check this out.





The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns Fifteen Winters

Following up their well received EP, The Twilight Sad will soon be releasing their first full length. Sounding more like a toned down Scottish Arcade Fire then Arab Strap, the last thing they are is contrived. Instead of conforming to the typical chamber pop sound like so many other bands (*cough*Ohbijou et als. *cough*) The Twilight Sad come off as diffrent by mixing brooding vocals with some pretty impressive, sweeping instrumentation. It's too bad that it's summer, this would be the perfect fall record.


Electrelane - No Shouts, No Calls

Don't you wish bands would stop drawing on the same musical influences? Yes, we know, Velvet Underground, Arcade Fire, and Sonic Youth have all had a huge effect on more then just a few bands...Ok well good news, even with that amazingly generic list Electrelane sound fresh on No Shouts, No Calls. Somehow they copy+paste all their influences into an album that doesn't sound like something you've heard before.



Bill Callahan - Woke on a Whaleheart

Oh my! This album really caught my attention right from the first listen. No, not because of the cover art...(I know, it's pretty wacky!) Rather because on his newest solo release he manages to rock out on with piano, cello, and yes even a violin or two. Don't go callin' him Sufjan though, Woke on a Whaleheart is a lot less grandiose, but still manages to reach Morrisey levels of "wow" while staying pretty low key the whole time.


Small Leaks Sink Ships - Until The World Is Happy

These guys are being criminally underexposed. Maybe it's my love of early Built to Spill, but something about Small Leaks Sink Ships debut EP really stands out. Even though it's only 10 tracks long, Until The World is Happy keeps the intensity on high the whole time. Raw, angular guitar drives this album and makes it a great summer album.

Yep, no joke for this one, oh well.

New Music: LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum (live)

Super sorry about the lack of regular posts and such.
What's that? You forgive me? Awwww, you're so sweet imaginary reader! I'll make it up to you with an amazingly great friday five this week!
Hurrays all around!

For now though, enjoy James Murphy doing up "North American Scum" all live and such:

Rant: If Quinton Is A DJ, Grindhouse Is A Dance Floor

After my extended vacation I finally managed to squeeze in some time to go see Grindhouse - the new Tarantino/Rodriguez double feature. First off, let me say wow! It's a fantastic movie...go see it right now...twice!

But what I found really amazing was the music in Death Proof (Tarantino's half of the movie). I know, you're thinking "big whoop, Pulp Fiction had good music too."

Well voice in my head, you're half right.

Pulp Fiction did have a great soundtrack, but in Death Proof Tarantino's inner music nerd really comes out. Not only are the song selections amazing but a huge part of the dialog and story really focuses on the music in the film. Don't worry, it's not forced. One of the main characters is a DJ - the cool kind, not the retarded morning ones.

I don't want to ruin anything, but let's just say that Tarantino comes very close to rivaling the "Stuck in the Middle with You" scene from Reservoir Dogs.

Ok, thats enough critical fellating for one night.

Listen: Smith - Baby It's You (MP3)
Listen: Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich - Hold Tight (MP3)

Grindhouse is in theaters now, Death Proof's soundtrack is now available too.

Site News: We're Back!

I hope everyone had a lovely passover/zombie-jesus week.
That said....we're back!

New Music: Tokyo Police Club - Cheer It On (video)

Check out the new video.
Sorry about the short post, more news tomorrow.

Rant: Walk All Over Ian Curtis, Why Don't You?

You read this blog, so I'll assume you like Joy Division.
Do you also like shoes?

If so, then I've got big news for you!

That beacon of indie culture in the shoe world, New Balance (yes, I'm as confused as you are) have reasoned that you'd like to celebrate your love of the seminal British band with...custom trainers!

Wait...what?No release date has been set as of yet...but one can only guess that Urban Outfitters will pick these up.

Under Review: Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

If I'm asked to name one song to characterize Bright Eyes, I'll pretty much invariably think of "Lover I Don't Have To Love" off 2002's Lifted or the Story Is In the Soil, Keep Your Ear To the Ground. Not that it's his best song - but more because it's angst and sense of urgency pretty much epitomize Conner Oberst's work.

Well, prepare to be stunned. On Cassadaga Oberst does a 180 and sounds more like some sort of Ryan Adams/Bruce Springsteen love child. Of course, you're asking yourself "alright, but is that a good thing?"

The answer is "sort of".

I think that it may partially have to do with Oberst choosing to explore new territory that he's not 100% comfortable with. But in after a few listens Cassadaga really seems like a mixed bag. Not to say it's all bad "Hot Knives" "Four Winds" and "I Must Belong Somewhere" are all great tracks - but this album seems more like one that you'd listen to driving down the highway then one you'd listen to over and over.

I think that people's opinion of this album will vary quite a bit - chances are after reading this you already will have a feeling if you'll dig it or not.

Listen: Bright Eyes - Four Winds (MP3)


Cassadaga is out is out 4/10 on Saddle Creek

New Music: Hot Chip ''My Piano''

Hurray!

Yep, Hot Chip is back with a new single from their upcoming release DJ-Kicks. Nothing really new here, if you liked The Warning or Coming On Strong, then you'll probably find a lot to like on "My Piano". On the same note, if they haven't won you over with their past two efforts you likely won't be converted on the strength of this.

Don't expect a full album though, for anyone not familiar with the DJ-Kicks series, it's basically a mix cd put together by the band. Don't fret, I'm sure it'll be three kinds of fun.

Enjoy!

Listen: Hot Chip - My Piano (MP3 Link)



DJ-Kicks is out 05/24/07 on !k7

Friday Five: March 30 '07

This week has seen more bad then good in my music listening. So, to offset all the crap being thrown at us by the record industry I've dug out the best five records I could find. But hey, you knew that already, didn't you? Enjoy these records, see you all back here on Monday.




Kathy Diamond - Miss Diamond to You

No, no! Wait, come back! I swear, this isn't one of those crappy LeAnn Rimes-style country albums. In fact, it isn't a country album at all. Quite the contrary, Miss Diamond to You is probably the best indie-electro-pop album I've heard since Hot Chip's The Warning. Speaking of Hot Chip, thats a great place to start when trying to describe Kathy Diamond's sound. Pretty cleaver how I worked that in, don't you think? Sadly this fab LP won't be out for another month or so, but I'm sure that if you're resourceful you can track down a copy before then.

Listen: Kathy Diamond - Over (MP3 link)


Frog Eyes - Tears of the Valedictorian

On is Frog Eye's umpteenth release they have actually won me over. After being turned off by the chaotic craziness earlier efforts their new one sounds more like Swan Lake or - dare I say it - Wolf Parade. As I type I'm sure a group of hipsters from BC have put a bounty on my head... Either way, Carey Mercer and Spencer Krug (and the rest) have a real winner on their hands here. Check this out just pretend its one a new Spencer Krug side project.

Listen: Frog Eyes - Bushels (MP3)




Rob Crow - Living Well

Yep, Pinback frontman has pulled a Thom York and releasing a solo album. The good news is also sort of the bad news in this case. The album sounds like...well...a Pinback album. A really good Pinback album, but still a Pinback album. Let's throw in one more for good luck, shall we? "Pinback!" Through and through this LP is really consistently good, twangy, indie rock. Tracks like "I Hate You, Rob Crow" (see below!) make you think back to the first time you heard "Microtonic Wave" and smile. This will be a big hit at partys with your friends who dug last year's Boys and Girls in America. Namely, good music to hang out and get drunk to.

Listen: Rob Crow - I Hate You, Rob Crow (MP3)


The Harlem Shakes - Burning Birthdays

Forget Tokyo Police Club. Cold War Kids, who? The Harlem Shakes will be the new hot thing. Sounding a whole lot like Voxtrot on this new EP, they absolutely blew me away. If anything, Burning Birthdays left me wanting to see them live...conveniently they're touring, EVERYWHERE! So don't be lazy, go out and boogie with those patent indie dance moves.

Listen: The Harlem Shakes (MP3 Link)




Devin the Dude - Waiting to Inhale

Ironically, the feature that really catches my attention on a hip hop album usually isn't the lyrics. It's the production. I find that I'm always drawn back to LP's that have really interesting backing music (see: J Dilla, Ghostface, Mf Doom, Madlib, Zion I). Well add Devin the Dude's latest release to the list. Yeah, we all know he's been around for a million years and has some solid lyrics to top off those backing tracks. But still, the production on this album alone makes it worthy of the Friday Five. Yeah that's right, it's the second edition of this column and it's getting a reputation already. What can I say? I'm hot shit.

Listen: Devin the Dude (MP3 Link)