Friday, July 30, 2010

The Hives To Release An All Cover EP Downloadable July 2

Sweden's answer for punk rock The Hives have been quiet since the release of their uneven 2007 LP The Black And White Album. According to Spinner, the band is presently in the studio working out the kinks after their hiatus. To do this, they whipped out some covers and threw them together in a 3 song EP titled Tarred and Feathered. The tracks are available soon and include a revved-up cover of early 80's Indianapolis punk band Zero Boys' "Civilization's Dying". It is only 2 minutes long, so give it a spin.

Pre-order a vinyl copy of Tarred and Feathered here.

The Hives - Civilization's Dying

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Of Montreal Give Us A Couple Of Teases, Let Us Have It All On September 14

Apologies in advance: The suggestive theme of the title for this post seemed appropriate considering the subject. The Athens, Georgia collective known as Of Montreal is coming off of an incredibly prolific decade. Front man Kevin Barnes and Co. has been releasing albums almost yearly while been touring relentlessly and upped their mainstream cache by selling the rights for one of their songs to Outback Steakhouse. Coming off the 2008 LP Skeletal Lamping, an album where Barnes fully allows his indiscriminately sexual freak flag fly, Of Montreal is back with False Priest on September 14 via Polyvinyl.

The two teaser tracks show what could be varying directions in the new album's sound. "Coquet Coquette" is more indicative of Of Montreal's most recent output. There is the chaotic bombast of kettle drums and bracing guitars mixed with disco stomp and swirling keys while Barnes croons about, once again, being made the fool in love. Juxtaposing is "Hydra Fancies", a soulful brew of R & B and funky gospel while sporting shades of Beatles and Bowie. The most striking thing here is it's earnest nature with no hint of dirty talk. With new song titles such as "Godly Intersex" and " I Feel Ya' Strutter", there is surely no concern for Kevin Barnes forgetting his libido. I think of "Hydra Fancies" as his post-coital pillow talk while the next track loads up for another go. Enjoy the good times below.

Pre-order Of Montreal - False Priest here.

Of Montreal - Coquet Coquette


Of Montreal - Hydra Fancies


Bonus: I still love this song, but now think of mediocre steak and piles of onion rings when I hear it.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Les Savy Fav Gives Away New Single, New Album Out September 14

NYC rockers Les Savy Fav are on the cusp of becoming becoming elders statesmen of indie rock. As they come from a scene where bands have moved up to the major league by getting signed, making a breakthrough LP and garnering the mainstream adoration that only force-fed marketing can bring. However, the band has been intact since 1995, making music and touring to a loyal fan base that settles for nothing less than a chaotic spectacle of noise and theatrics.

After a six year stint of no new music as a result of writer's block, they burst back on the scene in 2007 with the great Let's Stay Friends. The wait turned out be fruitful as the new album showed maturity and expansion into more melodic influences. Since a successful supporting tour and lots of cross-promotion from lead singer Tim Harrington's comic leanings, Les Savy Fav are back to the business of new music.Their new LP Root For Ruin is set to be released on September 14 on Frenchkiss. The new single "Let's Get Out Of Here" is a back to basics indie earworm recalling an old school simplicity in a era where bands are constantly referencing influences. Give it a listen and hum along, then download it using the given widget. Keep an eye out for tour dates as well. Give a watch below and see that Les Savy Fav is a live band not to be missed. Maybe they can get a live spot on SNL, whaddasay Fred Armisen?



Les Savy Fav - Let's Get Out Of Here


Friday, July 23, 2010

Maximum Balloon Release Another New Single, LP Out August 24

As the artists in the innovative band TV On The Radio are on a friendly hiatus, we reap the benefits from their worthy side projects. Tunde Adebimpe is building a quality resume of acting credits. Kyp Malone gave us his solo effort Rain Machine last year and this year we have been enticed by Dave Sitek's latest creations as Maximum Balloon. According to a SPIN magazine article, the release party last month in Los Angeles showed an indie parade of vocalists including Malone and Adebimpe, David Byrne and Karen O.

In the meantime, Mr. Sitek has been letting a steady drip of songs loose for maximum interest to escalate. The most noticeable quality in these tracks is their purposeful variety in sound while still finding room under the thematic umbrella. It started with the lovely "If You Return" that features an 80's keyboard engine and ethereal vocals from Little Dragon's Yukimi Nagano. After that, we were given the TVOTR soundalike "Tiger" featuring vocals from frontman for Dragons Of Zynth Aku. Most recent on the tease list is the best of the lot "Groove Me". Fronted by hip hop artist Theophilus London, this dance track features a jittery funk guitar stab, whistling keys and a smooth disco sheen that is a true attention grabber. "Groove Me" is available for purchase at the Maximum Balloon website. Give all of the tracks a listen and watch the balloon-laden video for Tiger below. After that, pencil in August 24 on your calendars.

Purchase the Maximum Balloon album here.

Purchase "Groove Me" as an early single release here.



Maximum Balloon - Tiger


Maximum Balloon - If You Return


Thursday, July 22, 2010

Delorean Release New Single + Remixes, Announce Tour Dates

Coming off a triumphant set at the Pitchfork Festival just a few scant days ago, Barcelona boys Delorean drop a new single with some new interpretations for your listening consumption.The new single "Real Love" is available via Matador imprint True Panther on the new LP Subiza. However, the true gift comes from the offered remixes. Standouts include the on-repeat microsamples of The Field, the festive elasticity of Tiedye and the French-Disko grooves of Narcisse. In addition, Delorean announce their North American tour to include a date back in Chicago at Lincoln Hall on November 17.

Buy the "Real Love" mixes here.  Check out the tour dates here.

Purchase Delorean - Subiza here.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Preview Entire New Jaill Album Here, Album Out July 27

Reaping the benefits of the "listen before you buy" ability of the Internet, we have not only one song, but an entire album to check out before it's release date. Milwaukee gents Jaill are given the promo push from their label Subpop for their new LP That's How We Burn. This is twitchy indie with a healthy dose of early R.E.M./dB's roots rock worked into the mix. Early giveaway single "Everyone's Hip" is a definite keeper and rockers "She's My Baby", "The Stroller", "How's The Grave" and the title track carry the album's good time jangle from start to finish. Makes me want to blow the dust off some of those 80's classics. Side note: I saw Jaill live back in May play a lively set and The Empty Bottle. Check them out if they blow through your town.

Download the "Everyone's Hip" and "The Stroller" here.


Pre-order Jaill - That's How We Burn here.


Monday, July 19, 2010

My (Satur)Day At The Pitchfork Festival

I go to Pitchfork each year choosing one day that I feel has the best potential live lineup. I hit the artists I want to see while discovering the ones that I may have overlooked. I feel the Pitchfork Festival offers much more with less by keeping simple while never choking the ticket buyer with too much advertising or overpriced goods and services. First realization: I should have gone to all 3 days.

Best Show Of The Day
Thanks goodness I got down there just past 2:30. Delorean had just began to play and it was the perfect choice to start my day. This band from Barcelona has the perfect soundtrack for the neverending nightlife that city has to offer. They are equal parts sunny beach and evening breeze, bouncing in the summer heat but could easily have been headlining a old school warehouse rave. These sounds are straight out of the Madchester scene in 1980's filling the void left by Happy Mondays, New Order and Primal Scream. Using Latin rhythms and House piano, Delorean have crafted a fresh take on a comeback genre that keeps on sprouting again. Live dance music is here to stay and Delorean have carved out the beginnings of a solid groove.

Purchase Delorean - Subiza here.

Delorean - Stay Close


Biggest Surprise
One of the best parts of major festivals is the secondary stage where lesser known bands can ply their wares, make their underdog role work for them and convert the masses. This is the perfect spot for a band like Bear In Heaven. This trio brought their brand of throbbing prog-rock to the stage with good attitude and enthusiasm. Highlights include the machinery grind of "Casual Goodbye", the energetic and to the point "Wholehearted Mess" and the offered below "Lovesick Teenagers".

Purchase Bear In Heaven - Beast Rest Forth Mouth here.

Bear In Heaven - Lovesick Teenagers


Biggest Disappointment
This blurb should be prefaced by the following disclaimer: I am not a huge fan of Noah Lennox. Whether it is the blissed-out drone of Panda Bear or the primitive psych-trip of Animal Collective, their music is best consumed in small doses in a well planned playlist in a low key setting. In addition, bands heavy on studio tricks tend to feel out of sorts on tour. Nevertheless, Panda Bear's co-headlining status warranted a high expectation, but brought a messy, buzzy drone that never developed into a distinguishable song. Next time, I will try whatever caused the aging hippie chick to twirl around to the dissonance.

Buy Panda Bear - Person Pitch here.

Panda Bear - Tomboy


Obligatory LCD Soundsystem Post
Since myself and most of the folks at Pitchfork on Saturday, their primary motive in ticket purchasing was to see the headliners. In fact, the crowd seemed to double at about 7pm with the well-washed and clean-clothed. Most of these concert goers surely missed the opportunity to see LCD Soundsystem at the Metro. For the majority of the crowd, they did not disappoint. James Murphy and company was definitely reliable as the closer playing the hits from the past and faves from the new album. If anything, the reliability slipped into predictability for those who have caught them on this tour already. There was not one song I had not heard at the previous Chicago show, right down to the closer/mashup tribute to New York. For all I know, James Murphy could have been wearing the same Fruit Of The Loom v-neck tee. For fear of sounding hateful, I will digress. LCD Soundsystem are easily one of my favorite groups and I will mourn them if James Murphy decides to take his toys and talents and go home and didn't get it. As a dedicated fan, I wanted more. How about opening with the song below?

Purchase LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening here.

LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean


Final odds and ends
  • Jon Spencer Blues Explosion started a bit rusty playing a medley of a few hits that was lost in the lack of synchronicity with the band members. However, once the kinks came out, they sounded as off the rails fun as they did fifteen years ago. Bellbottoms!
  • Maybe I was a bit surly after waiting for 20 minutes, but Dam-Funk was not good. No real instrumentation and his ghetto grooves by way of Prince failed to inspire the crowd. In fact, the whole set reminded me of that gag band Sexual Chocolate that Eddie Murphy fronted in Coming To America. Simply put, no one got it.
  • Titus Andronicus was enjoyable. These New Jersey boys are surely showmen, but fall prey to taking themselves way too seriously.
  • Wolf Parade was fine, but uninspired. They still have not recaptured the power in their first album. They played  "I'll Believe In Anything", one of my favorite songs from the past decade, which was good enough for me. 

    Friday, July 16, 2010

    Matthew Dear Gives Away Another Track, Releases Promo Video, New Album Out August 17

    Just a couple of weeks ago, Matthew Dear dropped his details for his new album Black City and gave us the teaser track "I Can't Feel" to boot. (Read and listen here.) Ramping up the hype, he tweaks us with another free tune and floats out what is best described as a "promotional video" for the new LP. From the quality of the early showings, the hype is warranted.

    First, the video: It feels like a movie preview, setting the fan up for something epic. With a black and white template and Art Deco lettering, the album seems to be inspire a moody film noir in a retro yet timeless setting. The new song "Soil to Seed" has a midnight bass and hand clap that slinks and struts through the alley on the way to some late evening adventure. Dear's detached chant is mechanized sex appeal, enticing all comers with his ode to his seemingly dirty little interests. The only disappointment is that the track ends abruptly. Before you can look up, the excellent groove is over way too soon at 2:28. Was this a true teaser by only offering half a song? Hopefully, or I will have to go to Hype Machine and track down the extended and interpretive remixes.

    Download "Soil to Seed" here.

    Pre-Order Matthew Dear - Black City here.

    Matthew Dear - Soil To Seed


    Wednesday, July 14, 2010

    Japandroids Latest Single To Be Released July 20

    The Japandroids are still hard at work toiling away on a never ending tour in support of their amazing debut full length Post-Nothing to an insatiable fan base. However, the hard working Vancouver duo still feel they can give more to their devoted followers. Starting in February as an intended five piece series, they began releasing a 7 inch singles on Polyvinyl featuring an original track and a cover for its b-side. The first single "Art Czars" sold out before its release date and the latest offering "Younger Us" has a street date of July 20.

    Both tracks have an old school quality that cannot be ignored. "Art Czars" is all teenage rebellion and fist pump chant. With it's military drum roll intro and "Here's your punk rock back" demands, this is a call to arms to kids young and old to flip the bird to the man and snicker at their buddies who are still buying Avenged Sevenfold albums. As a counterpoint, the real draw in "Younger Us" is the reminiscing for when times, and music, was simple, provincial and pure. This feeling maybe not resonate with some people yet. Trust me, it will when you blow the dust off and give a listen to one of your all-time favorites a decade or two later. Oh, and Hüsker Dü circa 1984 is on the phone for Japandroids. They say you're welcome.

    Order the 7" inch vinyl single of Younger Us here.

    Purchase the mp3 version of Younger Us here.

    Purchase the mp3 version of Art Czars here.

    Purchase the vinyl version of Post-Nothing here.

    Japandroids - Younger Us


    Japandroids - Art Czars

    Monday, July 12, 2010

    Interpol Releases Second Track From Upcoming Album

    Interpol has been enjoying dropping news via sneak attack lately. New song, new video, band changes, tour dates and album details keep popping up periodically to stoke the fan interest (not that we could ever forget about them). So when I was up too early this morning checking my Twitter feed, the guys decided to slip another note under the door. They have released a second song entitled "Barricade" from their upcoming self titled release and it is, um, really, really good.

    The new tour is still kicking off on July 23 with two shows in Chicago August 15 and 16, the album is still coming out on September 7 and the track list is given below.

    Preorder the new album here.

    01 Success
    02 Memory Serves
    03 Summer Well
    04 Lights
    05 Barricade
    06 Always Malaise (The Man I Am)
    07 Safe Without
    08 Try It On
    09 All of the Ways
    10 The Undoing

    Friday, July 9, 2010

    Album Review, Best Of 2010 (So Far): Tokyo Police Club - Champ

    Pre-2010, the basic expectations from Toronto based Tokyo Police Club were clear and distinct. This is a group of guys who make fun, free-wheeling music that doesn't go too deep or require too much from the listener. If you are looking for an emotional plunge or a musical transcendence, don't waste your time looking too hard. For the rest of you, hang out for a bit if you are up for a quick fix in the form of a two minute pop-punk nugget. This is hardly a condemnation as many bands cannot find that proper mixture of joyous energy and warmly embracing yet indelibly catchy songs.

    Tokyo Police Club's second release Champ was nothing unexpected and made no sudden change in their established style. Yet, the album was a true surprise because it is, as a whole, better music. Most obviously, the average song length on Champ is more than a solid minute longer than their earlier releases. The new tracks never feel drawn out or overextended; Tokyo Police Club now just have more to say. The themes here are more thoughtful, mature and articulate. Granted, nobody will ever mistake Tokyo Police Club for making overly heartfelt, self-aggrandizing music (Hi U2!). Thank goodness that oft-made misstep wasn't, and will hopefully never be, made. Enjoy the three tracks.

    Buy the new Tokyo Police Club album here.

    Tokyo Police Club - Wait Up (Boots of Danger)


    Tokyo Police Club - Breakneck Speed


    Tokyo Police Club - Bambi

    Thursday, July 8, 2010

    Kid Cudi, Vampire Weekend, Best Coast members Make a Summer Jam To Sell Shoes

    Music made in the name of selling shoes. Well, it is the era of your favorite musicians tying themselves to commercial products. It is the easiest way for your single to catch the ear of the new listener.However, this collaborative effort of Kid Cudi, Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino and Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij was made to promote the shoes not the artist. I might turn my nose up at this effort if it wasn't so damn catchy. Check out the song below and download the track for free here.


    All Summer by Kid Cudi, Bethany Cosentino, Rostam Batmanglij
    All Summer by mjvisme

    Album Review, Best Of 2010 (So Far): Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo

    The best way to come across a never-heard-before band is incidentally, giving the moment a "stars are in perfect alignment" feeling that puts this gift of newly found music in your listening rotation that is reserved only for the all-time favorites. You can have that feeling with Avi Buffalo as well. Since this is not only their first album, but that all of the band members are at or under legal drinking age, you can definitely get in on the fandom at the ground floor. The only fans who will have you beat will be their high school friends.

    If you have been reading up on Avi Buffalo recently, you have quite possibly heard their sound connected to the Zach Braff-endorsed band The Shins. There is a definite connection to their sweet, hummable tunes paired with a inviting falsetto. However, Avi Buffalo's lyrics manage to dig deeper and employ the edgier, adventurous side of being young. Their songs are about the unsettling nature of relationships not unlike, well, everyone else, but have the youthful exuberance of teenagers who can't restrain themselves. Look no further than the tellingly titled tracks "Summer Cum", "Five Little Sluts" and "Where's Your Dirty Mind".

    Yet  there is much more going on here than teenage energy. There is interesting vocal inflections, beautiful boy-girl harmonies and some intricately simple guitar work revealing a confidence most bands search for their entire careers. If anyone is finding their sound too twee, give the guitar solos on "Remember Last Time" and "Jessica" a listen. It is almost an inside joke that such 70's inspired sounds come from band members mostly born in the 90's. All in all, Avi Buffalo's self titled release is definitely the best debut this year. Get on the bandwagon now while there is plenty of room. Three favorite tracks from the album are given below.

    Purchase the new Avi Buffalo album here.

    Avi Buffalo - Remember Last Time


    Avi Buffalo - Summer Cum


    Avi Buffalo - Truth Sets In

    Friday, July 2, 2010

    Album Review, Best of 2010 (So Far): Beach House - Teen Dream

    There are select expressions in music that render me a sucker. These moments are unpredictably disparate, but always leave me affected. It could be a frontperson's painful wail or sardonic sneer, that perfect pop guitar lick or disco drum beat, or the emotional swell in a song that still brings the goosebumps after thousands of listens. One of those well used methods is the woozy, swirling slide guitar where it feels like the room is spinning. These sounds were perfected on the 1991 album Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine. Anytime a band invokes that feeling, I am well over halfway there.

    Baltimore duo Beach House has been employing dizzying guitar loops since their 2006 self titled release. However, their two earlier efforts had failed to wrestle me down like Teen Dream. Released at the beginning of the year, it seemed that Beach House brushed off the restraints of their earlier two albums and began to truly soar. With a new clarity in their production featuring upfront vocals courtesy of Victoria Legrand, Beach House had gone from that shy wallflower in the back of the class to the confident, blossoming, world-ready graduate.

    The entirety of Teen Dream is a gauze-strewn slideshow of dreamy, from the hip snapshots capturing memories of those mundane moments that are easily missed. The settings that Beach House evoke are the sights of Americana: fields, dirt roads and yes, beaches. All the tracks are have their own mise-en-scene set by the instruments, be it a warm morning stroll, lazy afternoons in the shade or a long drive under twinkling stars. There is defined beauty, but always a second layer of longing and ache that is never too dark nor stormy. It is just the everyday cloud obscuring that perfect sunny day. Three of my favorite tracks are given below.

    Buy the Beach House album Teen Dream here.

    Beach House - Norway


    Beach House - Lover Of Mine


    Beach House - Take Care