Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sunday Video

I came across this awesome video from Jill Andrews (former member of The Everybodyfields) and Matt Butcher (former member of The Outsiders, apparently). Great version of Mr. Butcher's track "Giving My Sadness A Name." Check our Jill's latest self titled EP, and Matt's solo debut Me and My Friends. Stay Gold, Ponyboy.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Free Energy, Stuck on Nothing


This Philadelphia band's debut album Stuck on Nothing is garnering a lot of great press following their strong showing at SXSW.  The album, produced by LCD Soundsystem mastermind James Murphy, is full of infectious rock/pop full of the fun from influences such as glam, southern and current indie rock/pop.  I have been spinning this album for a week now and cannot get enough of it.  It is a lot of fun and serves as a great intro into warmer weather and rolled down windows.  Check out two tracks from the album below.  The album is slated for a physical release on May 4, but is available digitally now.




Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Iceland Volcano Pictures


Not music related, but insane pictures from the volcano eruption in Iceland.  A slideshow of these pics would be nicely complimented by an Explosions in the Sky track.  Our thoughts are with the people of Iceland.  Link below, music later...


Sunday, April 18, 2010

Drive-By Truckers, The Big To-Do


The Drive-By Truckers have done it again.  With the release of their 10th studio album, The Big To-Do, the Athens band continues their reign as the most consistently good studio (and live - they rock hard) band out there today.  While I understand that there will be many out there that disagree seeing that the Truckers do not seem to have many casual fans, you either love them or you don't, spend an afternoon revisiting their discography and you will see that there is not a truly bad album in the lot (A Blessing and a Curse is the weakest of them in the opinion of those with whom I have discussed this subject).  So, if you are a fan, check it out if you haven't already.  If you are not a fan, you might as well continue to keep a safe distance between yourself and these Southern rockers. 


Saturday, April 17, 2010

Happy Record Store Day

You may or may not be aware that today is "Record Store Day" (at least for a few more hours). The demise of the record store is one of the more unfortunate side effects of the digital age. Growing up, my main experience with record stores were limited to mega-retailer Blockbuster Music and Nader's Music in West Point, Georgia (the latter is where I would purchase the best new rap tape singles as a preteen before my musical tastes evolved). The first lasting experience for me in a record store took place in Athens, Georgia at Schoolkids Records. I remember walking through the door of this college town store, determined to make a "hip" purchase. What I walked away with that day was Whiskeytown's Pneumonia, which to this day remains one of my favorite albums. Ryan Adams, Caitlin Cary, and Company's third and final album was released two years after it was recorded among much controversy, and it stands strong among other alt-country masterpieces, such as Wilco's Being There and The Jayhawks Rainy Day Music. Below is the album opener and standout track Ballad of Carol Lynn. Share any good record store memories/stories in the comments section (maybe we'll be lucky enough for Ben to tell us about his Joan Baez purchase in Oxford, MS)

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The Handsome Furs tour Asia


The Handsome Furs, comprised of Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade and his wife Alexei Perry, make some pretty damn good music despite the fact that he bears a striking resemblance to Marilyn Manson (especially in the picture above).  I just discovered that CNN has a special web miniseries following their tour through Asia that is pretty interesting with tales of paid-off cops and dangerous cab rides.  It is definitely worth a watch.  The link is below and I will throw up a Handsome Furs track when I get off of work.  Enjoy.


Monday, April 12, 2010

Broken Social Scene - World Sick


A few things I know about Broken Social Scene - 
  1. There are a shit-ton of folks in the band and I can only name 2 of them (Kevin Drew and Feist).
  2. They have a new album coming out on May 4th.
  3. "World Sick" is an awesome song, so download it below.


Sunday, April 11, 2010

New Deer Tick Track

Picture courtesy of Partisan Records

A new track has been released from YAGN favorites Deer Tick.  It is a great song from the forthcoming album The Black Dirt Sessions.  The album is set for a release of May 25th, so mark those calendars boys and girls.  Also, catch them on the road with Dr. Dog this Spring (if you are seeing them in Birmingham on Cindo de Mayo, we will see you there).  That is all for now...enjoy. 


The Black Keys, 2 Tracks from upcoming album, Brothers


Yessir!  A new release from one of the hardest working bands out there.  I love The Black Keys - have since I first heard them doing their raunchy blues rocking thing on Thickfreakness.  The boys recently took some time to do their own things and release a rock/rap album with some very respected MCs.  Dan Auerbach did not disappoint with his solo effort and I haven't listen to more than a song or two from Patrick Carney's side project, Drummer.  They return after Blakroc, the rock/rap collaboration, with these two solid tracks.  My expectations are pretty high for a really good album and the songs below and album cover pictured above are indicators that this will be true.  Brothers is slated for a May 18th release date.  Enjoy the two songs that have been released below.


Adam Arcuragi - Sin is Just an Old Archery Term

A quick share on this Sunday morning - La Blogotheque has been a favorite of mine, filming their "Take Away Shows" with various artists, in which they film these artists in cabs, stairwells, walking streets, you name it. It makes for great spontaneous moments and interactions with passer-bys and the bands themselves. One of my favorite shows from this website is from Adam Arcuragi, a favorite of ours at the blog. Here is a great version of Adam's song Sin is Just an Old Archery Term, a melancholy song that is filled with rich, anachronistic imagery.


Here's a link to all of the "Takeaway Shows"

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Band of Horses, Compliments (Video)


Download the video for the track "Compliments" from Band of Horses' highly anticipated third LP, Infinite Arms, by going to the band's web site and joining the mailing list.  Totally worth it.  Also, a download of the opening track from the album releasing on May 18th below.

Horse Feathers - Belly of June


Portland, Oregon's Horse Feathers have a new album, Thistled Spring, due for release on April 20th.  "Belly of June" is the first track released from the album and continues the very enjoyable product that the band has given us in the past.  I really don't know what to say about the song other than I cannot get enough of it.  Check it out below.


Sunday, April 4, 2010

Saintseneca, Grey Flag



Say what you will, but every Tuesday I look forward to checking iTunes Indie Spotlight category to see what has been released for the week.  More often than not, my search bears no fruit - but every once in a while, I come across a diamond in the rough.  My latest diamond is Saintseneca, a folk-ish group based out of Columbus, Ohio.  Grey Flag is their new brief, but enjoyable 5 song EP clocking in at roughly 15 minutes.  The EP brings to mind Brazos (click the link for a previous post) displaying a band that plays with a loose almost unrehearsed vibe that produces totally infectious songs.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND checking this out.