Miss Leslie Feist performed "I Feel It All" last night on The Colbert Report. Check it and Stephen's outfit out below. Feist will also be on Conan this Wednesday night. The latest release, The Reminder, is out via Cherry Tree.
Coldplay have shared the first single, "Violet Hill," off the forthcoming release, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, out 6/17 via Capitol. Check it out below. I don't know about you, but the intro sure excites the hell out of me and makes me wonder what "Viva La Vida" has in-store for us.
01. Another Day
02. Wait For Me
03. Out Of My System
04. All I Wanna Do
05. Little Bit Of Feel Good
06. Figured Me Out
07. Hurricane
08. Green Light
09. Where D'You Go?
10. Rope Of Sand
Standout Tracks:Little Bit Of Feel Good / Another Day / Figured Me Out
I first heard of Jamie Lidell from an interview Feist gave back in 2005. Jamie's tunes from Multiply instantly put me in a good mood and made me want to dance. Now in 2008, Jamie's new album, for the most part, has put me back in that same mood. My least favorite tracks on this record aren't necessarily bad, Jamie has just taken a slow ballad approach on them, which had slightly altered my mood. Overall, the album is good. Go pick it up and have some fun dancing. Jim is out today via Warp.
* Album reviews are composed only after a few listens. Yes, opinions may change over time, but most first impressions (un)fortunately seem to hold true. I wish I was creative enough to write a proper review, but I've failed miserably in the past. Here's the next best thing, I hope.
01. L.E.S. Artistes
02. You'll Find A Way
03. Shove It (feat. Spankrock)
04. Say Aha
05. Creator (Vs. Switch & Nasty)
06. My Superman
07. Lights Out
08. Starstruck
09. Unstoppable
10. I'm A Lady (feat. Trouble Andrew)
11. Anne
12. You'll Find A Way (Switch & Sinden Remix)
Santi White aka Santogold has provided us with a fairly solid record for her debut. After listening to "L.E.S. Artistes" quite a bit over the last few months, I was definitely noticing the M.I.A. comparison, but honestly this record is pretty diverse. It's even a little more rockin' than dance-able, which I wasn't expecting. However, I did just read, which now makes sense, that she used to be the lead singer of a punk/ska band called, Stiffed. Now I can already tell you that this isn't my favorite record of the year, but do yourself a favor and check it out. Santi is definitely living up to her hype of "An Artist To Watch In 2008" and I have a feeling that this record will be one of the highlights on many blogs best of lists. Santogold is out today via Downtown.
* Album reviews are composed only after a few listens. Yes, opinions may change over time, but most first impressions (un)fortunately seem to hold true. I wish I was creative enough to write a proper review, but I've failed miserably in the past. Here's the next best thing, I hope.
Coldplay had a few announcements for us today. First, a free download of the first single, "Violet Hill," will be available starting tomorrow, over on their website, for one week, a full week before the tune is officially available as a digital download. Then on 5/7, NME Magazine will have a free limited edition 7-inch of "Violet Hill," with an exclusive b-side of "A Spell A Rebel Yell." Next, the band will be playing two free gigs in June. Check below for details. And finally, below, take a look at the newly revealed album art, along with the previously released tracklist. The forthcoming album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, is out 6/17 via Capitol.
Tracklist
01. Life In Technicolor
02. Cemeteries Of London
03. Lost!
04. 42
05. Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love
06. Yes
07. Viva La Vida
08. Violet Hill
09. Strawberry Swing
10. Death And All His Friends
Tour Dates
06.16.08 at Brixton Academy (London, UK)
06.23.08 at Madison Square Garden (New York City, NY)
The lineup for this year's Pitchfork Music Festival, held July 18th - 20th, has been finalized. Check it out below. Again, tickets are $30 (single-day), $50 (two-day), and $65 (three-day) and are available, here.
Friday, July 18th
- Public Enemy
- Sebadoh
- Mission Of Burma
Saturday, July 19th
- Fleet Foxes
- Animal Collective
- Caribou
- Atlas Sound
- The Hold Steady
- !!!
- Vampire Weekend
- A Hawk And A Hacksaw
- Occidental Brothers Dance Band International
- Jay Reatard
- No Age
- Jarvis Cocker
- Dizzee Rascal
- Elf Power
- The Ruby Suns
- Icy Demons
- Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar
- Titus Andronicus
Sunday, July 20th
- Spoon
- M. Ward
- Bon Iver
- Dirty Projectors
- The Dodos
- High Places
- Cut Copy
- El Guincho
- King Khan & His Shrines
- The Apples In Stereo
- Fuck Buttons
- HEALTH
- Spiritualized
- Dinosaur Jr.
- Ghostface And Raekwon
- Les Savy Fav
- Boris
- Times New Viking
- Mahjongg
01. Naked And Red
02. A Siren
03. Elegant View
04. See It
05. Moses Of The South
06. Swamp
07. Ageless Everytime
08. Innocent And All
09. Shovel To Ground
10. What Will Come Of Us
Standout Tracks:Moses Of The South / Naked And Red / A Siren
Wow, I really like this record. I only picked up Colour Revolt's self-titled EP, Colour Revolt, a month or so ago and have briefly listened. But, man oh man, after sitting down today to listen to this record, I'm definitely going to listen more often. Plunder, Beg, and Curse is out now via Fat Possum.
* Album reviews are composed only after a few listens. Yes, opinions may change over time, but most first impressions (fortunately or unfortunately) seem to stick/hold true.
I don't know if I'll ever be lucky enough to go see some of the States finest festivals like Coachella, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, etc. because they are either too expensive, too far away, and overly crowded for my liking. However, thanks to the kind folks at the AT&T Blueroom, you and I are able to catch a glimpse of these events from the comfort of our bedrooms. Over the past two years, I have done my best to tune in to watch some acts that I have never had a chance to see live. Anyway, Coachella begins today and if you're like me, just sitting around doing nothing, I highly suggest that you tune in. Here's a list of all the bands that they will broadcast this weekend. Check it out here.
01. Sun It Rises
02. White Winter Hymnal
03. Ragged Wood
04. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
05. Quiet Houses
06. He Doesn't Know Why
07. Heard Them Stirring
08. Your Protector
09. Meadowlarks
10. Blue Ridge Mountains
11. Oliver James
Standout Tracks:Ragged Wood / White Winter Hymnal / Blue Ridge Mountains
Seattle's Fleet Foxes have given us a great collection of tunes for their first full-length. I personally can sense/feel the My Morning Jacket connection and others have compared these guys to Band Of Horses and Grizzly Bear, but that definitely is not a bad thing in my book. I am upset that I missed their show a few weeks ago at Schubas with Blitzen Trapper, but am glad I'll be seeing them at Pitchfork Fest in July because I'm sure these guys put on a good live set. Anyway, Fleet Foxes is out 6/3 via Sub Pop.
* Album reviews are composed only after a few listens. Yes, opinions may change over time, but most first impressions (fortunately or unfortunately) seem to stick/hold true.
Jamie Lidell has a new video for "Another Day," the opening track off the forthcoming release, Jim, out 4/29 via Warp. Check it out below, along with some upcoming tour dates.
04.11.08 at Mozaique Festival (Rotterdam, NL)
04.15.08 at Rock School Barbey (Bordeaux, FR)
04.16.08 at Le Nouveau Casino (Paris, FR)
04.17.08 at La Plateforme (Lyon, FR)
04.18.08 at L'Olympic (Nantes, FR)
04.19.08 at Maison Folie Moulin (Lille, FR)
04.23.08 at Rocking Chair (Vevey, CH)
04.25.08 at The Tramway - Triptych Festival (Glasgow, UK)
04.26.08 at The Liquid Rooms - Triptych Festival (Edinburgh, UK)
04.29.08 at Koko (London, UK)
05.01.08 at The Academy 3 (Manchester, UK)
05.02.08 at Clockwork (Bristol, UK)
05.03.08 at The Academy (Dublin, UK)
05.06.08 at Paradiso (Amsterdam, NL)
05.07.08 at Les Nuits Botaniques (Brussels, BE)
05.10.08 at Admiralspalaast (Berlin, DE)
05.11.08 at Mousonturm (Frankfurt, DE)
05.12.08 at Übel & Gefährlich (Hamburg, DE)
05.15.08 at Die Registratur (Munich, DE)
05.16.08 at Linz 09 (Linz, AT)
05.25.08 at Richards On Richards (Vancover, BC)
05.26.08 at The Gorge (George, WA)
05.27.08 at Berbatis Pan (Portland, OR)
05.28.08 at Bimbos 365 Club (San Francisco, CA)
05.29.08 at El Rey Theater (Los Angeles, CA)
05.31.08 at Rialto Theater (Tucson, AZ)
06.02.08 at Bluebird Theater (Denver, CO) 06.04.08 at Abbey Pub (Chicago, IL)
06.05.08 at Opera House (Toronto, ON)
06.06.08 at Babylon Club (Ottawa, ON)
06.07.08 at Paradise (Boston, MA)
06.08.08 at Bowery Ballroom (New York City, NY)
06.09.08 at Bowery Ballroom (New York City, NY)
06.11.08 at World Cafe (Philadelphia, PA)
06.12.08 at 9:30 Club (Washington, DC) 08.02.08 at Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL)
She & Him, with some help from Yo La Tengo, performed "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" last night on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Check it out below, along with the new release, Volume One, out now via Merge.
Luke Temple had a Daytrotter session posted today, which features four unreleased tunes. Check it out here, along with the latest release, Snowbeast, out via Mill Pond.
Tracks
01. Weekend Warrior
02. You Could Be Anyway
03. In The Open
04. Where Is Away
Dr. Dog have finished their new ablum, Fate, which will be out 7/22 via Park The Van. Check the album art out below, along with some upcoming tour dates.
Tour Dates
05.03.08 at Harvard Square (Cambridge, MA)
05.08.08 at The Mercury Lounge (New York City, NY)
05.09.08 at 400 Bar (Minneapolis, MN)
05.13.08 at The Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles, CA)
06.01.08 at Mountain Jam Festival (Hunter, NY)
06.06.08 at Friday Cheers (Richmond, VA)
06.07.08 at Wakarusa (Lawrence, KS)
06.08.08 at Wakarusa (Lawrence, KS)
07.23.08 at Bowery Ballroom (New York City, NY)
07.24.08 at Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY) 08.01.08 at Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL)
08.08.08 at El Rey (Los Angeles, CA)
Grizzly Bear performed "While You Wait For The Others" last night on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Check it out below, along with the latest EP, Friend, out via Warp.
So WXRT plays this song a bunch and it pumps me up every time. Hopefully it has the same effect on you. The new release, Attack & Release, is out now via Nonesuch.
So I was just listening to a UK radio station and I heard/liked this song, "Happiness," by Goldfrapp. Turns out I already had the album, Seventh Tree, just haven't listened to it yet. I've also included the video, which I must say is quite amusing.
Speaking of Iron & Wine, I've really been into Califone over the last few days, mostly because of the tune, "Sunday Noises." It's so good. Califone is currently wrapping up a tour with Sam Beam & company and will playing two shows on April 21st and 22nd at The Vic. The latest release, Roots & Crowns, is out via Thrill Jockey.
French Kicks have announced some more tour dates, which includes a Chicago show on May 29th at Double Door. Check the rest out below, along with another tune, "Atlanta," off the forthcoming release, Swimming, out 5/20 via Vagrant.
04.24.08 at Rock and Roll Hotel (Washington, DC)
04.25.08 at Local 506 (Chapel Hill, NC)
04.26.08 at The Earl (Atlanta, GA)
04.27.08 at Bald Eagle (Asheville, NC)
05.15.08 at Doug Fir (Portland, OR)
05.16.08 at Chop Suey (Seattle, WA)
05.18.08 at The Independent (San Francisco, CA)
05.19.08 at Blue Lamp (Sacramento, CA)
05.22.08 at The Echo (Los Angeles, CA)
05.23.08 at The Casbah (San Diego, CA)
05.28.08 at Grog Shop (Cleveland, OH) * 05.29.08 at Double Door (Chicago, IL) *
05.30.08 at High Noon Saloon (Madison, WI) *
05.31.08 at 400 Club (Minneapolis, MN) *
06.02.08 at Record Bar (Kansas City, MO) *
06.04.08 at Granada Theater (Dallas, TX) *
06.05.08 at Mohawk (Austin, TX) *
06.06.08 at Walter's on Washington (Houston, TX) *
06.07.08 at Spanish Moon (Baton Rouge, LA) *
06.09.08 at The Bottletree (Birmingham, AL) *
06.10.08 at Exit/In (Nashville, TN) *
06.11.08 at The Basement (Columbus, OH) *
01. The Modern Leper
02. I Feel Better
03. Good Arms Vs. Bad Arms
04. Fast Blood
05. Old Old Fashioned
06. The Twist
07. Bright Pink Bookmark
08. Head Rolls Off
09. My Backwards Walk
10. Keep Yourself Warm
11. Extrasupervery
12. Poke
13. Floating In The Forth
14. Who'd You Kill Now?
Standout Tracks:Old Old Fashioned / Good Arms vs. Bad Arms / Poke
This album isn't bad, but it just doesn't really do anything for me. I don't think I'm in love with the singer either. He's not bad, but he just reminds me of a Scottish Conor Oberst meets Adam Duritz. There are a few decent tunes and I especially like the last track, but in the end, nothing that's going to frequently bring me back for a listen. The Midnight Organ Fight is out today via Fat Cat.
* Album reviews are composed only after a few listens. Yes, opinions may change over time, but most first impressions (un)fortunately seem to hold true. I wish I was creative enough to write a proper review, but I've failed miserably in the past. Here's the next best thing, I hope.
Every month I like to put together a collection of songs (a Monthly Mix) that I currently dig and or have caught my attention in one way or another. To download this as "one track", please follow the "Monthly Mix" link above. However, for individual tracks, I recommend searching out previous posts or using the Hype Machine. Thanks and enjoy.
April Mix
01. Bullets In Madison - We Have Become The Inexplicable
02. El Guincho - Antilles
03. Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood
04. Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, & Tich - Hold Tight
05. Dry Your Eyes Darling - Assumptions
06. Latino Tanks - Elephant War
07. Beck - Sexx Laws
08. Beach House - Heart Of Chambers
09. Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down - Bag Of Hammers
10. Damien Jurado - Lose My Head
11. Colour Revolt - Matresses Underwater
12. Cortney Tidwell - Mama From The Mountain
My friends Bullets In Madison have a new record out, that you all should check out here or here. If you are a fan of Radiohead, Sigur Rós, Broken Social Scene, etc., you will definitely like this. I hate to jump the gun, but I may be a part of this band in the near future. So yeah, please have a listen.
Tracklist
01. Design Story
02. In The Garden Of The Skyline Assassins
03. A Corner Where We Can Rise
04. The Streets
05. Sarah Is A State Of Mind
06. Everything Holds Everything
07. We Have Become The Inexplicable
08. The Sun Divine
09. Twenty-One
10. Wings And Guns
11. The Contender
12. Edge Of The Blanket
13. High Up In Black County Towers
14. Diego Dreams Of Murder
15. Until They All Surround You
16. Statement
I can't seem to get enough of Natalie Prass, a girl who left the Berklee College of Music because it was too cold and now is attending school in Nashville. A little odd maybe, but the whole fact that she has been writing music since elementary school just intrigues me. Anyway, here are a few more tunes of hers that I found and a new EP from Miss Prass should be out in May.
Damien Jurado will be hitting the road this spring with Jeremy Enigk. Check the dates out below and definitely consider attending.
Tour Dates
05.24.08 at Fox Theatre (Boulder, CO)
05.27.08 at Varsity Theater (Minneapolis, MN) 05.28.08 at Bottom Lounge (Chicago, IL)
05.30.08 at North Star Bar (Philadelphia, PA)
05.31.08 at Great Scott (Allston, MA)
06.01.08 at Bowery Ballroom (New York, NY)
06.03.08 at Jammin' Java (Vienna, VA)
06.05.08 at Local 506 (Chapel Hill, NC)
06.06.08 at Amos' Southend (Charlotte, NC)
06.07.08 at Variety Playhouse (Atlanta, GA)
Coldplay will release their new album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, on 6/17 via Capitol. Check the tracklist out below.
Tracklist
01. Life In Technicolor
02. Cemeteries Of London
03. Lost!
04. 42
05. Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love
06. Yes
07. Viva La Vida
08. Violet Hill
09. Strawberry Swing
10. Death And All His Friends
The Dodos recently performed on NPR's The Bryant Park Project. Check it out below, along with the new release, Visiter, out now via Frenchkiss. Thanks to MFR for pointing me in the right direction and head on over to their site to view another video for "Fools." Also, remember that a Chicago show will be had next Thursday, April 17th at The Note, with yours truly opening. You should definitely come on out because it's going to be real good.
La Blogotheque has a new feature on their page called, Back On Stages. Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver was fortunate enough to take part in this new feature. Below is one video out of five. View and download the rest, here. Also, if you are in the Chicagoland area tonight, I highly suggest that you check out one of Justin's two shows (7pm & 10pm) at the Lakeshore Theater.
* Album reviews are composed only after a few listens. Yes, opinions may change over time, but most first impressions (fortunately or unfortunately) seem to stick/hold true.
Mike Nau and The Cotton Jones Basket Ride will be hitting the road this spring. Check the dates out below, along with the new tune, "Chewing Gum." A new album, Paranoid Cocoon, is supposed to drop sometime this spring via Quite Scientific.
Tour Dates
04.12.08 at Talking Head (Baltimore, MD)
05.13.08 at Talking Head (Baltimore, MD)
05.14.08 at The Space (Hamden, CT)
05.15.08 at Union Hall (Brooklyn, NY)
05.18.08 at The M Room (Philadelphia, PA)
05.19.08 at The Iota (Arlington, VA)
05.20.08 at The Boot (Norfolk, VA)
05.21.08 at Local 506 (Chapel Hill, NC)
05.22.08 at The Milestone (Charlotte, NC)
05.23.08 at The Village Tavern (Charleston, SC)
05.24.08 at Caledonia Lounge (Athens, GA)
05.28.08 at Southgate House (Cincinnati, OH)
05.30.08 at Tea Bazaar (Charlottesville, VA)
05.31.08 at The 3rd Floor (Fredricksburg, VA)
06.11.08 at Mohawk Place (Buffalo, NY)
06.12.08 at Beachland Tavern (Cleveland, OH)
06.13.08 at Bear's Place (Bloomington, IN)
06.14.08 at Mike 'N Molly's (Champaign, IL)
06.15.08 at Bluebird (St. Louis, MO)
06.16.08 at The Replay Lounge (Lawrence, KS)
06.17.08 at The Waiting Room (Omaha, NE)
06.18.08 at The Aquarium (Fargo, ND)
06.19.08 at 7th Street Entry (Minneapolis, MN)
06.20.08 at The Picador (Iowa City, IA)
06.21.08 at The House Cafe (Dekalb, IL)
06.22.08 at Cafe Montmarte (Madison, WI) 06.23.08 at Schubas (Chicago, IL)
06.24.08 at Cactus Club (Milwaukee, WI)
06.25.08 at Alvin's (Detroit, MI)
06.26.08 at Silver Dollar (Toronto, ON)
06.27.08 at London Music Club (London, ON)
06.28.08 at Brillobox (Pittsburgh, PA)
My friend, Andrew Kettering aka [...] Your Eyes Darling (Control, Deny, Fold, Sold, Try) has begun to undertake a new Magnetic Fields inspired project of 69 Sad Songs. Check three tunes from the first volume of 23 songs out below.
The lineup for this year's Lollapalooza, held August 1st - 3rd, has been announced. Check it out below.
Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, Wilco, The Raconteurs, Love and Rockets, Gnarls Barkley, Bloc Party, The Black Keys, Broken Social Scene, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Cat Power, Lupe Fiasco, The National, G. Love & Special Sauce, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Explosions In The Sky, Brand New, Gogol Bordello, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Dierks Bentley, Okkervil River, Amadou & Mariam, Blues Traveler, John Butler Trio, Girl Talk, CSS, Battles, Jamie Lidell, Butch Walker, Mates Of State, Spank Rock, Brazilian Girls, Chromeo, Duffy, The Kills, Rogue Wave, The Go! Team, Mason Jennings, The Gutter Twins, Yeasayer, Grizzly Bear, MGMT, The Weakerthans, Booka Shade, Santogold, Black Kids, Black Lips, Louis XIV, Dr. Dog, Nicole Atkins & the Sea, The Ting Tings, Kid Sister, Office, The Cool Kids, What Makes Milwaukee Famous, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, The Whigs, Manchester Orchestra, Foals, Uffie, The Octopus Project, Cadence Weapon, Ferras, De Novo Dahl, Noah & the Whale, Margot & the Nuclear So & So's, K'NAAN, Serena Ryder, Newton Faulkner, Your Vegas, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Lovers, Steel Train, Bang Camero, The Blakes, Tally Hall, White Lies, Magic Wands, Electric Touch, Innerpartysystem, The Postelles, The Parlor Mob, DJ Bald Eagle, Krista, Ha Ha Tonka, Witchcraft, We Go To 11, Sofia Talvik
So I'm a few weeks behind on posting these new videos, but I'm currently in a Miracle Fortress mood. Check them out below, along with the latest release, Five Roses, out via Secret City.
I am by no means a professional writer, nor do I strive to be. I am just a musician sharing info on bands that I enjoy, in a fairly simplistic way, with the hopes of you finding something new.
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