Mark Lanegan: "The Gravedigger’s Song"

[mp3] Mark Lanegan: "The Gravedigger's Song"

While nowhere near true experts on Mark Lanegan's full career catalog dating back to his role as frontman for Screaming Trees, his new album Blues Funeral (2/7 4AD) has been on fairly constant rotation at Stark HQ. Dark, brooding, dramatic and well-written Blues Funeral's lead track "The Gravedigger’s Song" got the video treatment last week directed by Alistair Legrand and produced by Jack Richardson.

New Single from POND - "Moth Wings"

We've been hearing about Australia's very own POND for some time now. They just released "Moth Wings," the second single from their upcoming record, Beard, Wives, Denim out March 6 on Modular Recordings. Dig it above. Has some balls eh?

Vince Clicks the Viral - Demi Moore Wasted

This is my new series...hope you enjoy. When you see videos in this column, they have or definitely will, click the 'viral' button. You want the viral? This is a one-stop-shop.

Marisa Monte Announces New Album

If you've never heard of Marisa Monte, and tell that to a Brazilian, they will look at you as if you said you had never heard of Madonna. Monte has amassed stellar catalog dating back to 1989 and can easily sell out the Beacon in New York, despite not yet being a household US name. Monte has collaborated with the biggest names in Brazilian music, and of course, Brazil's un-offical US ambassador David Byrne. The facts are staggering: "The “Infinito Ao Meu Redor” worldwide tour... hit 140 shows throughout 50 cities in 15 countries across 4 continents. Monte has sold 9 million albums and won 3 Latin Grammy Awards. She was named the most important living Brazilian singer by Rolling Stone Brazil." Today, in exciting news, Monte announced the release of O Que Você Quer Saber De Verdade (“What You Really Want To Know”) due March 27th on Blue Note Records. All the pertinent info is below (from the press release).

O Que Você Quer Saber De Verdade was produced by Monte with co-producer Dadi and recorded in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles and New York. The album features musicians such as the Oscar-winning multi-instrumentalist Gustavo Santaolalla, the Brazilian power trio Nação Zumbi, Argentinean tango group Café de los Maestros, a duet with Rodrigo Amarante of the Brazilian-American super group Little Joy, and a string ensemble performing arrangements by the American maestros Greg Cohen and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. The album features songs penned by Monte along with long-time musical partners Arnaldo Antunes, Carlinhos Brown and Dadi. Monte also covers some of her favorite artists including Jorge Ben (“Descalço no Parque”) and a version of the classic tango “Lencinho Querido” by Juan de Dios Filiberto and Gabino Coria Penaloza.

New Video: The War on Drugs - "Brothers"

The War on Drugs - Brothers from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

How ironic?

Trust: "Sulk"

We had this post flagged last week, but of course, being the lazy bloggers we are, we sat on it and now P4K named it best new track, and now we just look like those schmucky second rate guys that... ANYWAY! This is a solid song that according to Larry Fitzmaurice is "slithery" enough to use that adjective twice in one review... but we digress. "Sulk" doesn't rewrite the book on goth-synth, but is solid enough to file next to your recent Cold Cave albums, which is very good company indeed. Trust also features Maya Postepski from the excellent, and underrated Austra. Not sure how the album is, and we will not post that heinous cover art, but we're looking forward to it. Trst drops 2/28 on Arts & Crafts.

The New Twilight Sad Tune Rips

[mp3] Twilight Sad: "Another Bed"

Today we got a taste of the new Twilight Sad song "Another Bed" and it's fantastic. Their past material had a tendency for slower post-punk dirges interspersed with several excellent more pop-minded songs. Yet, with today's track, it seems that these scots have take a turn for the new and exciting, which makes us extremely excited for the new album No One Can Ever Know which comes out Feb 7. Enjoy the unsettling video above, and check out the cool items they have for pre-order.

New Saint Etienne "Tonight"

Admittedly, we missed Saint Etienne in their prime (not our fault) - but have reaped the benefits of their amazing catalog due to the recent re-issues and crate digging through various "used" piles. Luckily, we have a taste of new music from them for the fist time in 7 years. Via P4K:

St. Etienne's Bob Stanley (who has contributed to Pitchfork) says the track is "about the anticipation of going to see your favourite artist. For some reason, I imagine this show is at the Forum in Kentish Town. The whole album is about the power of pop, how it affects and shapes your life. People talk about the problem of landfill indie, but there's so much landfill pop around at the moment - we're trying to do something about it."

Keeping Up With Norah Jones

Today Norah Jones announced the release of her new album Little Broken Hearts (Blue Note/EMI), a collaboration with the producer and musician Danger Mouse, dropping this spring. Of course, this partnership was formed during their collaboration on the much acclaimed album ROME. Jones and Danger Mouse share the songwriting credits and perform the majority of the instrumental parts; Jones on piano, keyboards, bass, and guitar, and Danger Mouse contributing drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, and string arrangements. Norah Jones will be touring heavily around this release leading into the summer festival season. Jones advocates will lobby that pairing with Danger Mouse is the final step to establishing true critical "credibility" while detractors will argue that this album pairs a sleepy artist with an even sleepy-er producer. The test will be in the material!

On a more jovial, and Stark-focused front, we've been loving The Little Willies' (Jones' country side project) new album For The Good Times out now (Blue Note / EMI). As honest lovers of the original versions of these songs, we feel comfortable stating that there are not many artists out there who could do justice to these tunes, but somehow the Willies manage to capture the true nature of these songs without sounding hoakey (for the most part). Besides being ace pickers, these folks (Jones, Richard Julian, Jim Campilongo, Dan Rieser, Lee Alexander) truly love and understand these songs inside and out - and in the covers game, that makes all the difference. Highly recommended. The below video of "Jolene" is dedicated to my roommates, and our Christmas tree. RIP.

New Video: Sleigh Bells - "Comeback Kid"

Get More: Sleigh Bells, Comeback Kid, Music, More Music Videos

Reign of Terror releases February 21st via Mom+Pop Records.