No Age: "Losing Feeling" Video

In honor of our awesome hang at the Sub Pop showcase during CMJ (photos coming soon) we're posting the new video from No Age that debuted today on p4k. It's strangely autumnal in a way that you wouldn't necessarily associate with No Age. Quite excellent. The band's Losing Feeling EP is out now (on Sub Pop of course.)

Front Page.

After the jump.

Oh Hey, There's This

Look, not that there's anything wrong with American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert being gay, but there's no way his label and creative team could've thought this album cover is in any way, shape or form conducive to selling lots and lots of records. It isn't. If Lambert wants to express himself as a homosexual man unafraid to push boundaries, that's fine, but I can imagine literally hundreds of other possibilities for artwork that would've been better to use than this cover. This isn't even art. It's a badly photoshopped high school glamour portrait of a lizard alien. Which means it's gross. For my entertainment? No. For the floor. Meaning, the end destination of my projectile vomit after seeing this dreck. And that's just gross. So, mission accomplished, Team Lambert?

I'm kidding myself, though. Of course this album will sell like hotcakes, because it's gross and people like to eat garbage and we live in a world where it's okay for Lady Gaga to exist.

New Video: Norah Jones - "Chasing Pirates"

VH1 TV Shows Music Videos Celebrity Photos News & Gossip

You don't need to tell us, we know this video has been posted all over the place already, but we love Norah and this new album, so we felt obliged to post here as well. The Fall, Norah's newest effort, is a somewhat somber, storybook album with songs of love-loss, dreamlike states of mind and most notably, a desire to 'get back to Manhattan.' Norah Jones by no means departs from what made her famous though -- her beautiful song structures, great production and her unwavering-singing-perfection are ever-present. We like this album. A lot. It creeps up on you when you are least expecting it -- you never choose to listen to it, it chooses you. The jury is still out on the whole 'sailing building,' but Norah looks amazing and that's enough enjoyment for these scallywags.

The Fall drops Nov. 17 on Blue Note Records and is a must have of 2009.

Abner Jay / Mississippi Records

[mp3] Abner Jay: "I'm So Depressed"

So you guys probably want to hear about our CMJ. Well, we're not ready to talk about it yet. There were bright spots, yes: Ume, the entire Sub Pop showcase, Acrylics, Awesome New Republic, Alicia Keys - but there were many many wet, frustrating, low points.

What we do want to tell you about is Abner Jay and Mississippi Records. Chris Taylor was spinning records at the Acrylics show at Pianos and something came on that stopped us in our tracks. It sounded like early Dylan mixed with Hank Williams mixed with Muddy Waters. Swallowing our pride, we approached Mr. Grizzly Bear at the DJ booth and asked what it was. An extremely pleasant, friendly and generally awesome Taylor began to spin the tale of Gerogia Blues-man Abner Jay and his most recent vinyl reissue from the Mississippi Records label. Yet, there's not much to tell about the one man band named Abner Jay. He only has a few recorded tunes to his name, but damn - dude made it count. The aforementioned Miss. Records, has built up a great cache. While not quite on that level of a Numero Group, it's easy to pick up any album from this label and be satisfied. Abner Jay will be our first.

Fall Artists to Watch - Part II

[mp3] The Wheel: "Whimper and Wail"

The Wheel are one of those band's that you say - "wait - how did I miss these guys?" Just listening to their 2007 record Desire and Dissolving Men, immediately elicited the above emotion. Rumor has it that the Wisconsin natives (what up Mike Baily) have signed with Rounder Records in the past few weeks. The Wheel have opened for Bon Iver, and are going to be playing some high profile showcases this CMJ, including the Brooklyn Vegan party at Music Hall of Williamsburg. They play a simple and pastoral brand of country-folk that has a melancholy streak to it - even recalling Leonard Cohen at some points. They have several new demos up on their myspace now, and are certainly going to be making huge strides as the fall moves into winter.

also...

[mp3] Zambri: "From the Starts"

Zambri have been our radar for a good bit now, and have been slowly building up momentum in New York on the back of their furious live show and consistent string of New York tour dates. The band sent us over their new mp3 "From the Starts" which they gave away to all of the fans who attended their Bang for Changes EP release show, which we unfortunately missed. We're jerks. "From the Starts" channels a more atmospheric Bat for Lashes type of indie rock, which is different from Zambri's usual in your face type of synth-driven dance-rock. The song is quite brooding and moody, while dialing down the wailing dual female vocals from sisters Jessica and Christi Jo Zambri. It's a nice change of pace for the group and shows a mature forward progression of the band's songwriting and approach to their music. They are all over CMJ this year, so make sure to catch at least one of their shows - it's 100% worth it. See Zambri's CMJ dates after the jump.

ZAMBRI CMJ DATES
Oct 20 2009 CMJ Club NME party @ BLVD new York
Oct 23 2009 CMJ FAMOUS FRIENDS PARTY @ 88 Palace Brooklyn, New York
Oct 24 2009 CMJ Spike Hill Party NY, New York

THE WHEEL CMJ & NATIONAL TOUR
Oct 17 2009 The Washington Burlington, Iowa
Oct 20 2009 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn Vegan Party Brooklyn, New York
Oct 23 2009 Piano’s (SKEWER CMJ 2009) planetary group / future sounds NY New York
Oct 23 2009 Bowery Ballroom - High Road showcase New York, New York
Oct 24 2009 TBA NYC New York, New York
Oct 30 2009 Bottleneck Lawrence, Kansas
Nov 12 2009 Fox Theater Boulder, Colorado
Nov 13 2009 Bluebird Theater Denver, Colorado
Nov 14 2009 In the Venue Salt Lake City, Utah
Nov 17 2009 Bottleneck Lawrence, Kansas
Nov 18 2009 The Blue Note Columbia, Missouri
Nov 19 2009 Peoples Court Des Moines, Iowa
Nov 20 2009 Turner Hall Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nov 21 2009 Majestic Theater Madison, Wisconsin
Nov 22 2009 First Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota

Fall Artists to Watch

[mp3] Lissie: "Little Lovin'"

Why You Runnin' (Fat Possum, 11/10) is the new EP from Rock Island, Illinois' Lissie. She sings like a more polished, rural Cat Power, and her songs, while slightly fashioned for the mainstream, hold a unique mid-western charm that make them at once authentic and appealing. She has a penchant for cigarettes and pie (according to her myspace) which is ok in our book. It will be interesting to see how she develops, and how her eventual LP will turn out. It seems she's willing to lean on her radio friendly voice, but here's hoping she sticks to the stripped down pastoral arrangements rather than opting for a larger city friendly sound.

[mp3] Dawes "Love is All"

1975 was a pretty good year for music. Dawes agrees. The scene had moved from New York to the hills of California, where The Band, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Dylan and pretty much everyone else, began to adopt a warmer more open sound to their usually cold and closed off city-centered music. Then here come the Eagles and Linda Rondstadt and the world shifts on its axis even more. Well, it's 2009 and with their album North Hills, California's Dawes try to recapture that pivotal moment in the mid-70s when everything began to change. Like their sonic partner in crime Diane Birch, they're almost there. North Hills is a solid record, and absolutely worth the listen. Sure there are a few missteps and moments of boredom to deal with. Yet, in a world awash in lo-fi haze, Dawes provide the sunny, clean West Coast reprieve we're all seeking. Thanks Some Velvet Blog for this one.

Stunning Fan-Made Videos: Grizzly Bear, Decemberists, Laura Veirs, Wild Beasts

Grizzly Bear -- "Two Weeks"

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear from Gabe Askew on Vimeo.

You're lucky we're nice -- these are our Top 4, from Paste's recent list of the 10 best fan-made music videos of 2009. Stunning is an interesting word to begin with, but let's just say, the above video for Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks" defines its modern definition. That said, I won't try to throw a bunch of misplaced adjectives at this video, because it is something to be enjoyed purely -- it is a time for you to "think your own thoughts" about it. My first reaction was -- Gabe Askew (maker of the video) must be a new hire in the Wes Anderson camp, and if not, needs to be - like now. Yes, it is a great song, but in a rare twist of fate, this video only makes it better.

For the rest of our favorites (Decemberists, Laura Veirs, Wild Beasts) from Paste's list, see after the jump.

The Decemberists -- "The Rake's Song"



Laura Veirs -- "Phantom Mountain"



Wild Beasts - "All the King's Men"

New Grand Archives Video

Grand Archives: "Oslo Novelist"
Grand Archives: "Silver Amoung the Gold"

For some reason we always mix up Grand Archives and Sea Wolf. Both put out great records recently that people aren't paying enough attention to. (Sea Wolf: White Water White Bloom on Dangerbird and Grand Archives Keep in Mind Frankenstein on Sub Pop) Sure, they're not rewriting the musical landscape, but both bands, like similarly minded J.Tillman, fill the gaps in your day when you can't stand hearing one more weird ass new Flaming Lips song. Enjoy the video and the mp3s!

New Video: Thao and the Get Down Stay Down - "When We Swam"

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down: "Know Better Learn Faster"

Our blog has quickly become inundated with great new music videos-- weird to actually call them music videos -- what is this the "10 Spot?" Thao and the Get Down Stay Down (still a complete bitch-of-a-band name for writer) recently released this video for a track of their newest record, Know Better Learn Faster titled, "When We Swam." Our feelings toward this album are mainly positive, but there are some of us in the Stark camp that feel the album lacks a bit of continuity and seems a bit rushed -- regardless, the positives outweigh the negatives on this fantastic sophomore release from Thao & Co. Hey, after We Brave Bee Stings, they can really do no wrong in our eyes. Hopefully this video can warm you up a bit -- cause the weather outside is freakin frightful.

Thanks and happy Friday. Holla weekend.

Hard Headed Woman

Well if you've been reading our twitter, you may have gleaned that we're a little bored with the music sitting in our inbox recently. As much as I like Girls and Woods and CMJ invites and blah blah etc etc etc - it's become stale. It's all so fucking similar and, well, pretensions and boring. Maybe it always was. So, while catching up on some Lefsetz emails - it appears he falsely reported Wanda Jackson's death?? Man. But in his correction email - he shared this Wanda Jackson video. We became fans of her's awhile back after hearing "Riot in Cell Block Number Nine" on Bob Dylan's radio show. It was like nothing we'd heard in a LONG while. Jackson has done everything, with everyone on the country and rockabilly scene. She even dated Elvis. THIS is the kind of energy and passion we're looking for people. Let's see some hustle. Ms. Jackson sorta reminds us of someone else we know... right?

Wide-Eyed, Legless

Laura Veirs: "Wide-Eyed, Legless"
Laura Veirs: "I Can See Your Tracks"
Laura Veirs: "July Flame"

So, here it is, the first January of 2010 release we're posting about. Oh, it seems like only yesterday that we were all brimming with excitement at the fact that the new Animal Collective record was on the horizon. Well, Laura Veirs is definitely not Animal Collective, but she is a strikingly consistent songwriter, who has quietly been plying her craft for going on 6 albums. Veirs has friends in the right places, or at least friends with great taste. She's appeared on a Decemberists' record, and is a favorite of A-list producer Tucker Martine (who produces, uh, The Decemberists.) Guests on Viers' new record July Flame include Karl Blau, Jim James, and Eyvind Kang - not too shabby. While excitement is high in our camp for this record, it is interesting to note that Laura Veirs has seemed to have parted with label Nonesuch for this release. July Flame comes out on her own label Raving Marching Band - where you can grab the above tracks for free.

New Video: Mayer Hawthorne "Green Eyed Love"

Mayer Hawthorne - "Just Ain't Goanna Work Out (Remix)"

Mayer Hawthorne drinks absinthe like a baller -- he burns the sugar cube and all. So say what you will about this white-boy soul singer from Michigan (!?): does he have the mojo or not? We are half and half here. A Strange Arrangement was a real hit-or-miss record, with massive highs, such as "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out," and "Your Easy Lovin'" and the rest of the record failing to produce. The video above is for Hawthorne's "Green Eyed Love" of that same album -- a song chock full of double entendres. First thing that came to our mind, 'My green eyed love?' More like 'My HQ love' -- this video is sharp looking and breaks down into some sort of pseudo James Bond opening credits montage toward the end. Good enough for our tastes and bizarre Wednesday morning hangover when Tuesday night included only Thai food and Lost? What the hell?

Feral Harmonic

[mp3] Old Canes: "Little Bird Courage"

Saddle Creek has quietly (or not so quietly) been having a stellar year for releases. While most blogs (this one included) have oft focused upon lo-fi experiments and the ironically named "chill wave" movement, it's been great to see a slow gravitation back to well crafted songs played on real instruments. Enter Kansas band Old Canes. While mostly the vehicle of Chris Chrisci (formerly of Appleseed Cast), Old Canes recorded Feral Harmonic piece by piece over the course of three and a half years. There is a true exuberance to the album, as it channels older foot-stomping country, and modern indie-rock shout choruses. This hybrid of folk, country, and "indie" is the most successful undercurrent of 2009. While only a few listens into Feral Harmonic, there is a good chance Old Canes may find their way next to their peers The Dodos and Rural Alberta Advantage on many year end lists. Feral Harmonic comes out October 20th. See after the jump for tour dates, including CMJ, and information on limited edition CDs and vinyl.

From the press release:

Limited edition CDs and LPs of Feral Harmonic are now available in the Saddle Creek online store. Hand-assembled at the Saddle Creek office by Grammy award-winning artist Zack Nipper, each CD and LP is wrapped with a black ribbon and features hand ink-stamped impressions on the cover label and inner/outer packaging, and a booklet of black and white photographs. The vinyl run is a hand-numbered edition of 1,000 and includes a code to download the album in high quality MP3 format. Check out images of the packaging below, and a slideshow of the CD artwork here and the LP artwork here. More info can also be found here.

Old Canes tour dates:

OCT. 13 LAWRENCE, KS JACKPOT
OCT. 15 DES MOINES, IA VAUDEVILLE MEWS
OCT. 16 CHICAGO, IL BOTTOM LOUNGE
OCT. 17 ROCK ISLAND, IL RIBCO
OCT. 18 BLOOMINGTON, IN THE VIDEO SALOON
OCT. 19 CLEVELAND OH BEACHLAND BALLROOM
OCT. 20 ROCHESTER, NY BUG JAR
OCT. 21 HAMDEN, CT THE SPACE
OCT. 22 BROOKLYN, NY KNITTING FACTORY (CMJ)
OCT. 23 PITTSBURGH, PA BRILLOBOX
OCT. 24 CINCINNATI, OH SOUTHGATE HOUSE
NOV. 12 OMAHA, NE SLOWDOWN
NOV. 13 DENVER, CO HI-DIVE
NOV. 15 SALT LAKE CITY, UT KILBY COURT
NOV. 16 BOISE, ID TERRAPIN STATION
NOV. 18 SEATTLE, WA SUNSET TAVERN
NOV. 19 EUGENE, OR BOND'S GARAGE
NOV. 20 SAN FRANCISCO, CA HOUSE OF SHIELDS
NOV. 21 UPLAND, CA THE WIRE
NOV. 22 LOS ANGELES, CA VIPER ROOM
NOV. 23 SAN DIEGO, CA CHE CAFÉ
NOV. 24 PHOENIX, AZ MODIFIED ARTS
NOV. 28 AUSTIN, TX MOHAWK

Roadside Graves and The Parson Red Heads

[mp3] The Roadside Graves: "Far and Wide"
[mp3] The Parson Red Heads: "You can Leave It"

[mp3] The Parson Red Heads: "Burning Up The Sky"

Photos by Karp

So, the age old adage held true: never see a show at Lit Lounge. Such was the case again on Saturday night. While both bands, California's The Parson Red Heads and New Jersey's Roadside Graves were both in top form, the club provided the proverbial wet blanket to the evening's excitement.

The Parson Red Heads, who have shed their usual electric big band ways for a more practical touring ensemble, began the evening with lovely harmonies and softly strummed west coast beach-folk melodies. Their songs proved well-constructed, and tastefully executed. It would be interesting to see their full ensemble, as we imagine it would reflect more of an Edward Sharpe type of psych-folk jam rather than the stripped down Vetiver-like performace we saw Saturday. Above are links to mp3’s that feature the both of best worlds, the full band “You Can Leave It” from their recent 7” Orangufang as well as “Burning Up the Sky” that better represents the acoustic shows they are performing around the tri-state area over the upcoming weeks, most noteably Union Hall tomorrow night with Ladybug Transistor and Hymns.

See after the jump for full tour dates, photos and our recap of Roadside Graves' all too short set.

All evening the Roadside Graves were forced to battle sound issues and a pushy sound guy. Not surprising given the locale.

Somehow, the band managed to fit all 6 band members onto Lit's tiny stage. Their set started out in classic fashion with "Far and Wide", engaging the packed house (and the 7 foot tall #1 fan) and continuing with songs from their recent (and amazing) My Son's Home. Somewhere in the set, right around the peaking energy of "God Touched Me" they lost the bass guitar sound. SO, the band unplugged and got off stage into the crowd to play their undeniablely free wheeling single "West Coast" . Sure, why not. ALSO around this time, the sound man told them they only had 12 minutes left to play, before the fucking DJ went on. They had been playing for about 15 minutes. So, play on they did, as their voices, guitars, and fiddle were drowned by the audience members singing along, and chanting "I'm not going to Jail" the undeniable hook from the unreleased gem "Jail." It was a unique, fun, and memorable ending for what could've been a disaster of a gig from a great band. That's why we'll go to see The Roadside Graves anytime - it's always, always, worth it.

Parson Red Head's Tour Dates
October 12 @ Googie’s Lounge w/Linda Draper – New York, NY
October 13 @ Union Hall w/Ladybug Transistor, Hymns – Brooklyn, NY
October 14 @ Arlene’s Grocery (early 7pm set) – New York, NY
October 15 @ Northeast Kingdom w/Brittain Ashford – Brooklyn, NY
October 16 @ M Room w/Cotton Jones, Roadside Graves, Blood Feathers – Philadelphia, PA
October 17 @ Northern Lights w/Airborne Toxic Event, Henry Clay People, Red Cortez – Albany, NY

Video Monday Apparently

The Decemberists: "The Rake Song"

Camera Obscura: "The Sweetest Thing"

New Peter Bjorn and John Video

Peter Bjorn & John -- Living Thing from Shruti Ganguly on Vimeo.

Gotta say, the Peter Bjorn and John campaign for their most recent record "Living Thing" has just been, well, a little weird. The latest installment is this bollywood inspired video for the title track from that album. I dunno, your guess is as good as mine.

New Charlotte Gainsbourg mp3 "IRM"

[mp3] Charlotte Gainsbourg "IRM"

Today, Charlotte Gainsbourg debuted a new mp3 "IRM" as a free download on her website. There has been a good deal of attention surrounding her new release (also titled IRM) as Beck wrote the music, guests on the record and produced and mixed it - much in the way Air collaborated with Gainsbourg on her last release 5:55. Of course, none of this would be possible without Gainsbourg whisperlike vocals and distinctly French flair. Gainsbourg has recently starred in several movies, but was severly injured and suffered a brain hemmorage after a water skiing accident. "IRM" is a reflection of her time spent getting MRI's during her time in the hospital. It's good to hear she's doing better. The album comes out in early 2010. She also released an album preview video. See it after the jump.
Photo: Autumn de Wilde

Haunting Southern Folk

[mp3] Orenda Fink "That Certain-Something Spring"

While we don't agree with The Alternative Press that there is an Appalachian folk feel at play on the new Orenda Fink record "Ask The Night" that came out Tuesday on Saddle Creek, we do agree that the record is quite excellent. Often recalling a less atmospheric Jessica Ley Mayfield, Orenda Fink transverses the same echoing southern folk ground that has gained Mayfield such widespread praise. This is not to take anything away from Fink though. "Ask The Night" is a strong offering that has had us reaching for the iPod again and again to see who the hell it was that just played on the shuffle. That's a good sign. While there are some weaker tracks on the album, "Ask The Night" is absolutely worth picking up for those moments when Fink channels the glorious musical ghosts of a long gone southern past.

OCT. 21 NEW YORK, NY THE STUDIO AT WEBSTER HALL (CMJ 5pm)
OCT. 22 BROOKLYN, NY KNITTING FACTORY - BROOKLYN (Saddle Creek showcase; 12am set)

Kurt Vile at The Mercury Lounge

[mp3] Kurt Vile "Hunchback"

[mp3] Kurt Vile "Overnight Religion"

Kurt Vile hid behind his hair but stood center stage firmly and confidently. He had nothing to lose, nothing to fear... Vile’s band then joined him on stage for what can only be described as a riotous attempt. Attempting to tackle something is half the battle, but sometimes you don’t make it.

So as things went, real life kept us out of the Mercury Lounge last night. It happens I guess. Luckily, there are other folks in the blogosphere that can pick up our slack. Enter the always awesome blog, Microphone Memory Emotion. Booyah. Our readers know we've been behind Kurt Vile for awhile now, so our anticipation was high for the show. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like our Philly brethren fully delivered on the hype. Click HERE to read MME's full review.

Jason Molina and Will Johnson Collaboration

[mp3] Molina and Johnson: "Twenty Cycles to the Ground"

Well we're just giddy round these parts for the collaboration between Jason Molina (Magnolia Electric Co./Songs Ohia) and Will Johnson (South San Gabriel/Centomatic). You aready know our love for these purveyors of the darker side of country rock, so really we're just here to share with you the information on the release, the new mp3, and well, our general excitement. There you go. Here's some nice words from your friendly label, Secretly Canadian. Molina and Johnson will be available on Secretly Canadian November 3 in the US, and November 2 in the UK.

Each artists' familiar aesthetics lay intact, but find a new, intriguing middle ground on Molina and Johnson. Molina's documentarian, record-the-room ethos finds a home in Johnson's subtle atmospherics and production tweaks; and Molina's powerful tenor croon finds a fitting dance partner in Johnson's equally moving soft-gravel vox. While the individual performances from each are stunning in their own right, the musical mind meld that was captured is absolutely the occasion it should be.

New Grouper Video: "Hold The Way"

The always ehteral, always excellent Grouper debuted this lovely video today on Pitchfork. I always pictured Grouper's music coming from some sort of forest or something, so imagine my surprise upon seeing director Weston Curries' take on Grouper's music.

New Tegan and Sara: "Hell"

[stream] Tegan and Sara: "Hell"

One of the downfalls of being a super successful blogger like myself is that we're always looking forward to what's new and what's next. Most of us have already written off 2009, already formulating our best-of lists and beginning to sample albums from next year's slate. But the reality is, it's only October. There are three good months left in the year, which means there are still albums left on the calendar that have the potential to surprise us all. (Obviously I'm talking about Weezer's Raditude, in stores Nov. 3.) Who knows? Maybe one of them will even be good enough to supplant - spoiler alert - Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear or Dirty Projectors from the blogosphere's collective number one spot.

I'm not sure if Tegan and Sara's forthcoming album, Sainthood, can do the trick, but I definitely forgot how much I'm looking forward to it. 2007's The Con was the sleeper of that year for me, and if the follow-up (Oct. 27) can resonate half as well, then it'll be a success. Today we get a low-quality stream of the album's first single, "Hell," courtesy of Stereogum.Stylistically, it picks up right where The Con left off: a pop song with moderately industrial guitars propelled by the twins' trademark off-kilter harmonies and a straightforward groove from Death Cab for Cutie drummer Jason McGerr. (Fellow Death Cabber Chris Walla, who produced The Con, also helms the boards this time around.) The chorus gets a little repetitive toward the end, but that doesn't take away from its immediacy.

Sainthood is in stores 10/27 via Sire. We lazy blogged the album's cover art and tracklisting a few weeks ago.

Blatant Repost: P4K Guide to Fall Releases

Yes. This is a freaking Pitchfork re-post again. Don't hate the player hate the game. A list such as this is invaluable to avid music buyers, hence why we are imparting it on to you, our loyal readers. Keeping it short, but some upcoming releases of highlight include: Alela Diane: Alela and Alina EP; Blitzen Trapper: Black River Killer 12" EP; Jemina Pearl: Break It Up;Kurt Vile: Childish Prodigy; Music Go Music: Expressions and TONS more after the jump. We conceited music bloggers sometimes forget this music hasn't been released yet! Silly us.

Full list and photo cred after the jump.

OCTOBER

10-05

Bad Lieutenant: Never Cry Another Tear [Triple Echo] [UK release]
Massive Attack: Splitting the Atom EP [Virgin] [UK release]

10-06

Air: Love 2 [Astralwerks]
Alela Diane: Alela and Alina EP [Rough Trade]
Alexander Robotnick: "Obsession for the Disco" 12" [Fool's Gold]
Aliens: Luna [Birmdan]
Ancestors: Of Sound Mind [Tee Pee]
Bellini: The Precious Prize of Gravity [Temporary Residence Ltd.]
Betty Davis: Nasty Gal [Light in the Attic][reissue]
Black Heart Procession: Six [Temporary Residence Ltd.]
The Black Hollies: Softly Towards the Light [Ernest Jenning]
Blitzen Trapper: Black River Killer 12" EP [Sub Pop]
Boston Spaceships: Zero to 99 [Guided by Voices Inc.]
Boys Noize: Power [Last Gang Records/ Turbo Recordings/ Boysnoize Rec]
Brakesbrakesbrakes: Rock Is Dodelijk [FatCat]
Built to Spill: There Is No Enemy [Warner Bros.]
Califone: All My Friends Are Funeral Singers [Dead Oceans]
Christmas Island: Blackout Summer [In the Red]
The Cinematics: Love & Terror [Orchard]
The Clientele: Bonfires on the Heath [Merge]
Daniel Johnston: Is and Always Was [Eternal Yip Eye Music/ High Wire Music]
Daniel Merriweather: Love & War [J/Allido]
Dead Man's Bones: Dead Man's Bones [Anti-]
Dinowalrus: Dinowalrus [Kanine]
DJ Gant-Man: "Juke Dat Girl" 12" single [Fool's Gold]
DJ Spooky: The Secret Song [Thirsty Ear]
The Dutchess & the Duke: Sunset/Sunrise [Hardly Art]
Emily Rodgers: Bright Day [Misra]
Ethernet: 144 Pulsations of Light [Kranky]
Eugene Mirman: God Is a Twelve-Year-Old Boy With Asperger's [Sub Pop]
Exene Cervenka: Somewhere Gone [Bloodshot]
Evangelista: Prince of Truth [Constellation]
Gogol Bordello: Live From Axis Mundi [Side One Dummy]
Grant Hart: Hot Wax [Con D'or/ MVD Audio]
Harmonia & Eno: Tracks and Traces [Gronland][reissue]
Headlights: Wildlife [Polyvinyl] [U.S. release]
Hockey: Mind Chaos [Capitol]
The Horns of Happiness: Weathering Alterations [St. Ives]
Hunx and His Punx: Gay Singles [True Panther Sounds]
Hush Arbors: Yankee Reality [Ecstatic Peace!]
Jesus Lizard: Entire Catalogue [Touch & Go][reissue]
Jemina Pearl: Break It Up [Universal/Ecstatic Peace!]
Jessica 6: Fun Girls EP [self-released]
John Vanderslice: "Too Much Time" 7" [Dead Oceans]
Karl Blau: Zebra [K]
Kraftwerk: Autobahn [Astralwerks][reissue]
Kraftwerk: Man Machine [Astralwerks][reissue]
Kraftwerk: Radio-Activity [Astralwerks][reissue]
Kraftwerk: Tour de France [Astralwerks][reissue]
Kraftwerk: Trans Europe Express [Astralwerks][reissue]
Kurt Vile: Childish Prodigy [Matador]
LAKE: Let's Build a Roof [K]
Lou Barlow: Goodnight Unknown [Merge]
Lucero: 1372 Overton Park [Universal Republic]
Massive Attack: Splitting the Atom EP [Virgin]
Matthew Friedberger: Winter Women/Holy Ghost Language School [Thrill Jockey][reissue]
Mayer Hawthorne: A Strange Arrangement [Stones Throw]
Me'Shell Ndegeocello: Devil's Halo [Downtown]
Michael Hurley: Ida Con Snock [Gnomonsong]
Mike Doughty: Sad Man Happy Man [ATO]
Misson of Burma: The Sound The Speed The Light [Matador]
Mountain Goats: The Life of the World to Come [4AD]
Murder By Death: Finch [Murder By Death]
Music Go Music: Expressions [Secretly Canadian]
Nick Oliveri: Death Acoustic [Impedance/ MVD Audio]
No Age: Losing Feeling EP [Sub Pop][12" and digital release only]
Noah and the Whale: First Days of Spring [Interscope]
Octoberman: Fortresses [White Whale] [U.S. release]
Orenda Fink: Ask the Night [Saddle Creek]
A Place to Bury Strangers: Exploding Head [Mute]
Port O'Brien: Threadbare [TBD]
Port Royal: Dying in Time [n5MD][physical release]
Princeton: Cocoon of Love [Kanine]
The Raveonettes: In and Out of Control [Vice]
Revelations: Bleeding Edge [Traffic]
Richard Pinhas: Rhizosphere/Live, Paris [Cuneiform]
Rosanne Cash: The List [Manhattan]
Sarandon/Membranes: Spike Milligan's Tape 7" [Slumberland]
Slits: Trapped Animal [Narnack]
Spinto Band: Slim & Slender EP [Park the Van Records]
Sufjan Stevens/Osso: Run Rabbit Run [Asthmatic Kitty]
Supercluster: Waves [Cloud Recordings]
Thank You: Pathetic Magic [Thrill Jockey]
Th'Inbred: Legacy of Fertility V.1 [Alternative Tentacles]
Three Mile Pilot: "Planets/Grey Clouds" 7" [Temporary Residence]
Toro y Moi: "Blessa" 7" [Carpark]
Vic Chesnutt: Skitter On Take-Off [Vapor]
Wadada Leo Smith: Spiritual Dimensions [Cuneiform]
White Hills: Dead EP [Thrill Jockey]
White Mystery/BlackApple: Split 7" [Whistler]
Yura Yura Teikoku: "Dekinai/Sweet Surrender" 12" [DFA]

10-12

Editors: In This Light and on This Evening [Kitchenware] [UK release]
Fuck Buttons: Tarot Sport [ATP] [UK release]
Luciano: Tribute to the Sun [Cadenza] [International release]
Wolfmother: Cosmic Egg [Modular/Interscope] [European release]

10-13

Andrew Bird: "Anonanimal"/"See the Enemy" 7" [Fat Possum]
Anti-Pop Consortium: Fluorescent Black [Big Dada] [U.S. release]
Baroness: Blue Record [Relapse]
Bear in Heaven: Beast Rest Forth Mouth [Hometapes]
Beaten Awake: Thunder$troke [Fat Possum]
Bell Horses: This Loves Last Time [Try Square]
Black Feelings: Black Feelings [Alien 8]
BOAT: Setting the Pace [Magic Marker]
Bob Dylan: Christmas in the Heart [Columbia]
Broadcast & the Focus Group: Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age [Warp]
CANT/Arthur Russell split 7" [Terrible]
Chinese Stars: Heaven on Speed Dial [Anchor Brian]
Coma: Crystal 12" [Kompakt]
Del the Funky Homosapien/Tame One: Parallel Uni-Verse [Gold Dust]
Digital Leather: Warm Brother [Fat Possum]
Echo and the Bunnymen: The Fountain [Ocean Rain]
Fanfario: Reservoir [Canvasback/Atlantic]
The Flaming Lips: Embryonic [Warner Bros.]
Forro In the Dark: Light a Candle [In Grooves]
Godflesh: Pure/Cold World [Earache][3xCD reissue]
Grant Lee Phillips: Little Moon [Yep Roc]
Grooms: Rejoicer [Death By Audio]
Har Mar Superstar: Dark Touches [Dilettante Recordings]
Harper Simon: Harper Simon [Vagrant]
Hi Red Center: Assemble [Joyful Noise]
Hudson Mohawke: Butter [Warp]
J Dilla: Dillanthology 3 [Rapster]
Jodis: Secret House [Hydra Head]
Kaito: Trust [Kompakt]
Lackthereof: Retrospective 1998-2008 or When I was a Christian Emo Twenty-Something [FILMgeurrero]
Lightning Bolt: Earthly Delights [Load]
Little Girls: Concepts [Paper Bag]
Little Wings: Wonder City [Knw-Yr-Own][reissue]
Luciano: Tribute to the Sun [Cadenza] [US release]
Majority Rule: Interviews with David [MagicBullet][CD/LP reissue]
MV & EE: Barn Nova [Ecstatic Peace!]
Nellie McKay: Normal as Blueberry Pie [Verve]
Neon Indian: Psychic Chasms [Lefse]
Nihill: Grond [Hydra Head]
Olafur Arnalds: Found Sounds [Erased Tapes]
Peanut Butter Wolf: 45 Live 7" Box Set [Stones Throw]
Piano Magic: Ovations [Darla]
The Raincoats: The Raincoats [Kill Rock Stars][Vinyl-only reissue]
Small Black: Small Black [CassClub]
Sole and the Skyrider Band: Plastique [Fake Four Inc.]
Spider Bags: "Teenage Eyes" 7" [Odessa]
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down: Know Better Learn Faster [Kill Rock Stars]
Think About Life: Family [Alien8]
Thomas Function: In the Valley of Sickness [Fat Possum]
Tinariwen: Imidiwan: Companions [World Village]
Viva Voce: Rose City [Jealous Butcher]
Warpaint: Exquisite Corpse EP [Manimal Vinyl][physical release]

10-19

Beak>: Beak> [Invada][UK release]
Efterklang: Performing Parades CD/DVD [Leaf] [UK release]
Julian Casablancas: Phrazes for the Young [RCA] [UK release]
Sufjan Stevens: The BQE DVD/CD [Rough Trade] [UK release]
White Rainbow: New Clouds [Kranky]
Various Artists: 5: 5 Years of Hyperdub [Hyperdub] [UK release]

10-20

60 Watt Kid: We Come From the Bright Side [Absolutely Kosher]
Akron/Family: "River" 7" [Dead Oceans]
Alasdair Roberts: Wyrd Meme 12" [Drag City]
Alec Ounsworth: Mo Beauty [Anti-]
Atlas Sound: Logos [Kranky]
Bats: Don't You Rise 7" [Slumberland]
Beak>: Beak> [Ipecac] [U.S. release]
Bloody Beetroots: "Awesome [ft. Cool Kids]" 12" [Downtown]
Chll Pll: Aggressively Humble [Porter]
Clare and the Reasons: Arrow [Frog Stand]
Cococoma: Things Are Not All Right [Goner]
Converge: Axe to Fall [Epitaph]
Dark Meat: Truce Opium [Emergency Umbrella]
DJ Tiësto: Kaleidoscope [Ultra]
Do Make Say Think: Other Truths [Constellation]
Doveman: The Conformist [Brassland]
Efterklang: Performing Parades CD/DVD [Leaf] [U.S. release]
El Perro Del Mar: Love Is Not Pop [Control Group]
Elvis Perkins in Dearland: The Doomsday EP [XL]
Espers: III [Drag City/Wichita] [U.S. release]
Excepter: Black Beach [Paw Tracks]
Falty DL: Bravery EP [Planet Mu]
Flight of the Concords: I Told You I Was Freaky [Sub Pop]
Florence and the Machine: Lungs [Island][U.S. physical release]
Former Ghosts: Fleurs [Upset the Rhythm]
Frankie and the Outs: "Thee Only One" 7" single [Slumberland]
Fuck Buttons: Tarot Sport [ATP][U.S. Release]
Get Back Guinozzi!: Carpet Madness [FatCat]
Glass Ghost: Idol Omen [Western Vinyl]
Gregory Webster: "Promised Land" 7" [Slumberland]
Irmin Schmidt: Filmmusik Anthology [Mute]
Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard: One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Music from Kerouac's Big Sur [Atlantic]
Julian Casablancas: Phrazes for the Young [RCA] [U.S. release]
Kings of Convenience: Declaration of Dependence [Virgin]
Lissy Trullie: Self-Taught Learner EP [Downtown] [reissue]
Little Dragon: Machine Dreams [Peacefrog]
Nancy Elizabeth: Wrought Iron [Leaf]
Majeure: Timespan 2xLP [Temporary Residence Ltd.]
Maps: Turning the Mind [Mute]
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson: Summer of Fear [Saddle Creek]
Mountains: Etching [Thrill Jockey]
Old Canes: Feral Harmonic [Saddle Creek]
Old Lights: Every Night Begins the Same [St. Ives]
OOIOO: Armonico Hewa [Thrill Jockey]
Parenthetical Girls: The Scottish Play: Wherein the Group Parenthetical Girls Pay Well-intentioned (If Occasionally Misguided) Tribute to the Works of Ivor Cutler 10" [Tomlab]
Pontiak: Sea Voids EP [Thrill Jockey]
Pylon: Chomp More [DFA][reissue]
The Pixies: Minotaur (Limited Edition) [Artist in Residence] [5xCD/5xLP/6xDVD/6xBlu-ray/2xBK box set]
Richard Youngs: Under Stellar Stream [Jagjaguwar]
Russian Circles: Geneva [Suicide Squeeze]
Silver Starling: Silver Starling [Last Gang]
Spiral Stairs: The Real Feel [Matador]
Sufjan Stevens: The BQE DVD/LP [Asthmatic Kitty] [U.S. release]
Themselves: CrownsDown [Anticon]
Tickley Feather: Hors d'Oeuvres [Paw Tracks]
Tropa Macaca: Sensação do Princípio [Siltbreeze]
Various Artists: 5: 5 Years of Hyperdub [Hyperdub] [U.S. release]
Various Artists: Black Dynamite OST [Wax Poetics]
White Denim: Fits [Downtown]
White Mice: Ganjahovahdose [20 Buck Spin]

10-26

M.A.N.D.Y.: The Mix Collection [Renaissance]
Morrissey: Swords [Polydor] [UK release]
R.E.M.: Live at the Olympia [Warner Bros.]

10-27

Broadfield Marchers: Displayed In Reflections [Rainbow Quartz]
CFCF: Continent [Paper Bag]
Cobra Killer: Uppers & Downers [Monika]
Dam-Funk: Toeachizown [Stones Throw]
Devendra Banhart: What Will We Be [Warner]
DOOM: Unexpected Guests [Gold Dust]
Fela Kuti: The Best of the Black President [Knitting Factory Records][reissue]
Fight Amp: Manners & Praise [Translation Loss]
Gift of Gab: Escape 2 Mars [Cornerstone Recording Arts Society]
Guano Padano: Guano Padano [Important]
Holy Sons: Criminals Return [Important]
Horse Feathers: "Cascades" 7" [Kill Rock Stars]
It's Casual: New Los Angeles [Friendly Hills Recording Co.]
James Husband: A Parallax I [Polyvinyl]
Jesu: Opiate Sun EP [Caldo Verde]
Jozef Van Wissem: Ex-Patris [Important]
Junk Culture: West Coast [Illegal Art]
Katsen: It Hertz! [Shelflife]
Matias Aguayo: Ay Ay Ay [Kompakt]
Merzbow: Bird Series Volume Ten [Important]
Michael Jackson: This Is It 2CD Soundtrack [Epic/Columbia]
Neon Indian: Psychic Chasms [Lefse]
Pelican: What We All Come to Need [Southern Lord]
Phill Niblock: Touch Strings [Touch] [2CD]
Ocean: Pantheon of the Lesser [Important]
Pink Martini: Splendor in the Grass [Heinz]
Pyramids with Nadja: Pyramids with Nadja [Hydra Head]
Saviours: Accelerated Living [Kemado]
Sean Lennon: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern [Chimera Music
Seven Storey Mountain: Seven Storey Mountain [Important]
Shrinebuilder: Shrinebuilder [Neurot]
The Sight Below: Murmer EP [Ghostly International]
Sun Ra Arkestra: Heliocentric Worlds V.2 [ESP-Disk]
Tegan and Sara: Sainthood [Sire]
U2: The Unforgettable Fire [Mercury][reissue]
Various Artists: Fire In My Bones: Raw + Rare + Other-Worldly African-American Gospel [3CD] [Tomkins Square]
Wolfmother: Cosmic Egg [Modular/Interscope] [U.S. release]

10-28

Acrylics: All of the Fire 10" EP [Terrible Records]

NOVEMBER

11-02

Espers: III [Drag City/Wichita] [UK release]
Slayer: World Painted Blood [Columbia/American] [International Release]

11-03

Arrington de Dionyso: Malaikat Dan Singa [K]
Bat For Lashes: Two Suns [Astralwerks] [CD+DVD special edition]
Brilliant Colors: Introducing [Slumberland]
Citay: Remixes LP [Dead Oceans]
Cold Cave: Love Comes Close [Matador][reissue]
Curtis Harvey: Box of Stones [FatCat]
David Bazan: "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" b/w "Say it Isn't Greensleeves (A Chance at Christmas)" 7" [Suicide Squeeze]
David Bowie: Aladdin Sane [Capitol] [2LP][reissue]
David Bowie: Diamond Dogs [Capitol] [2LP][reissue]
David Bowie: Space Oddity: Deluxe Edition [Virgin/EMI][reissue]
David Bowie: Young Americans [Capitol][reissue]
Efterklang & Danish Chamber Orchestra - Performing Parades [Leaf] [CD+DVD]
Felix: You Are the One I Pick [Kranky]
Foo Fighters: Foo Fighters Greatest Hits [Roswell/RCA]
Guided by Voices: Suitcase 3: Up We Go Now [Guided By Voices Inc.]
Half-Handed Cloud: Cut Me Down and Count My Rings [Asthmatic Kitty]
Helen Money: In Tune [Table of Elements]
Holopaw: Oh Glory, Oh Wilderness [Bakery Outlet]
Ikonika: Smuck 12" [Planet Mu]
Jookabox: Dead Zone Boys [Asthmatic Kitty]
King Khan & the BBQ Show: Invisible Girl [In the Red/Paper Bag]
Laarks: An Exaltation of Laarks [Absolutely Kosher]
Lymbyc Systym: Shutter Release [Mush]
Mary Onettes: Islands [Labrador]
Max Richter: Memoryhouse [FatCat][reissue]
Molina & Johnson: Molina & Johnson [Secretly Canadian]
Morrissey: Swords [Polydor] [U.S. release]
Múm: Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know [Euphono][2xLP U.S. release only]
Neutral Milk Hotel: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea [Merge][180g vinyl reissue]
Neutral Milk Hotel: On Avery Island [Merge][180g vinyl reissue]
Nirvana: Bleach [Sub Pop][reissue]
Ola Podrida: Belly of the Lion [Western Vinyl]
On Fillmore: Extended Vacation [Dead Oceans]
Slayer: World Painted Blood [Columbia/American] [U.S. Release]
Sleep Whale: Houseboat [Western Vinyl]
Stricken City: Songs About People [The Kora]
Subeena: "Solidify" 12" [Planet Mu]
The Swimmers: People Are Soft [Mad Dragon]
Syntaks: Ylajali [Ghostly International]
Systems Officer: Underslept [Temporary Residence Ltd.]
Useless Eaters: "Sucked In" 7" [Goner]
Various Artists: Goner Fest 4 [Goner]
Vitalic: Flashmob [Different/PIAS] [U.S. release, out now in Europe]
Weezer: Raditude [Geffen]

11-09

The Killers: Live at the Royal Albert Hall CD/DVD [Island] [UK release]
Lake Heartbeat: Trust in Numbers [Service] [UK release]

11-10

Asobi Seksu: Rewolf [Polyvinyl]
Cave In: EP [Hydra Head]
Dead Meadow: David Peel Sessions [Xemu]
DJ/Rupture: Solar Life Raft [The Agriculture]
Javelin: "Javelin" 12" [Thrill Jockey]
The Killers: Live at the Royal Albert Hall CD/DVD [Island] [U.S. release]
Merzbow: Bird Series Volume Eleven [Important]
Midnight Masses: Rapture Ready, I Gazed at the Body [Collect]
Miles Davis: The Complete Columbia Album Collection [Columbia/Legacy]
Pants Yell!: Recieved Pronunciation [Slumberland]
Ray Davies: The Kinks Choral Collection [Decca]
Robin Crutchfield: The Hidden Folk [Important]
Robyn Hitchcock: I Often Dream of Trains in New York [Yep Roc]
Various Artists: The Harmonic Series: A Compilation of Music Works in Just Intonation [Important]

11-16

Spiritualized: Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space [Sony][reissue]

11-17

Annie: Don't Stop [Smalltown Supersound]
Felt: Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez [Rhymesayers]
Kid Sister: Ultraviolet [Downtown Music]
Nurse With Wound: Space Music [Beta-Lactum Ring]
Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City [Hear Music/Concord Music Group]
Real Estate: Real Estate [Woodsist]
Robin Guthrie: Songs to Help My Children Sleep EP [Darla]
Tape Deck Mountain: Ghost [Lefse]

11-23

Rose Elinor Dougall: "Fallen Over" [Scarlett Music]

11-24

Miracle Condition: Miracle Condition [Tizona]
Numero Group: Light: On the South Side/Pepper's Jukebox [Book+2LP][Numero Group]
Various Artists: Daptone Gold [Daptone]

DECEMBER

TBA

Mi Ami: "Cut Men" 12" [Thrill Jockey]

JANUARY

TBA
Charlotte Gainsbourg: IRM [Because]

01-11

Vampire Weekend: Contra [XL] [UK release]

01-12

Blunt Mechanic: World Record [Barsuk]
Final Fantasy: Heartland [Domino]
Malakai: Ugly Side of Love [Domino]
OK Go: Of the Blue Colour of the Sky [Capitol]
Vampire Weekend: Contra [XL] [U.S. release]

01-19

RJD2: The Colossus [RJ's Electrical Connections]


OTHER RELEASES TBA

Beach House: TBA [Sub Pop]
David Bowie: Station to Station [TBA][reissue]
Dr. Dog: TBA [Anti-]
Jack Rose: Luck in the Valley [Thrill Jockey]
The Love Language: TBA [Merge]
Matthew Herbert: One Pig [TBA]
Mi Ami: TBA [Thrill Jockey]
Smashing Pumpkins: Teargarden by Kaleidyscope [Self-released]
Tokyo Police Club: TBD [Mom & Pop]

Photo credit:http://www.streetneeds.com/uploads/twinturbonet/repost111.jpg

Ólöf Arnalds Covers John Prine

Ólöf Arnalds - "Við og Við"

One of our favorite new(ish) songwriters, covers one of our favorite old songwriters and performs a new track on KEXP in Seattle. Ólöf Arnalds only learned John Prine's "We are Not the Jet Set" 24 hrs before performing. Risky biz, but it came out nicely. Ólöf's new track "Innundir Skinni" is particularly lovely. Details on her new album coming soon. Looking forward to that one immensely. See the video for "Innundir" after the jump.

And the #1 Record of the Decade Is....

Not Arcade Fire. See the #1 after the jump.

There weren't many surprises in Pitchfork's top 10 records of the 2000s, or really on the entire list for that matter. Most could be found on Pitchfork's year end round ups and "best new music" features. At least that says something for consistency. Whatever your thoughts are about Pitchfork, this list is notable and will, of course be debated throughout the blogosphere and over beers this weekend. Just a heads up - PopTartsSuckToased has been compiling a pretty solid top 100 of the decade as well. Check it out.

New Cheap Time: "Woodland Drive"

[mp3] Cheap Time: "Woodland Drive"

It's been a good while since we posted on Cheap Time and Vince wrote about them for the Nashville Scene. What's the occasion? This In The Red band is in town for 2 shows this weekend (Fri and Sat) at Silent Barn. They have a new single "Woodland Drive" that is a damn fine nugget of garage pop. Thankfully it's free of completely trashed levels and incomprehensible vocals. There are tastes of, well, every great garage band here - but this is a great tune from a great band. Check em out this weekend.

New Lucero Videos

"What Are You Willing To Lose"

Lucero "What Are You Willing To Lose?" from Lucero on Vimeo.
This Lucero video campaign is fucking genius, because once you post one, you feel like an asshole if you don't post all subsequent videos. So here you go, two new videos for "What Are You Willing To Lose" and "Goodbye Again" off of 1372 Overton Park, dropping Oct. 6.

Yes. We will be posting the rest of the damn videos too.

"Goodbye Again"

Lucero "Goodbye Again" from Lucero on Vimeo.

New Foo Fighters Video: "Wheels"

Foo Fighters - New Music - More Music Videos

Do you think the Foo Fighters are anyone's favorite band? I mean, they've sold tens of millions of records on the strength of seemingly as many hits, but for some reason, I don't ever see Dave Grohl and co. as the type of guys that have legions of devotees who swear by everything the band does. They've always been that band that sort of floats along anonymously in the background, fulfilling their yearly quota of churning out pleasant, successful modern rock singles while somehow managing to consistently sell out entire tours. How do they do it? I don't think anyone passionately loathes the Foos - in fact, I think you can gather up most music fans and come out with a generally positive consensus of the band - but I've just never seen or heard anyone go absolutely apeshit over them. I guess a blogger in the 70's and 80's would've thought the same thing about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: a band that slowly amassed a career's worth of monster hits without ever really being interesting.

I make that Tom Petty comparison not only for analogical purposes, but also because, hell, a lot of the Foos' catalog takes heavy cues from the Heartbreakers. Grohl has even admitted as much. So the fact that the band's new song, "Wheels," is in the vein of Petty's output from two decades ago shouldn't be surprising. It's a mid-tempo rocker with a nice central guitar riff and a vaguely enthusiastic chorus; lather, rinse, repeat. It's nothing more than a throwaway B-side that's being serviced as the band's victory lap single for the forthcoming Greatest Hits collection on Nov. 3. Good for them, though. They've been able to remain relevant for 15 years running, and hardly any bands have matched that kind of success in the same time period. So in keeping form with most Foo singles, "Wheels" isn't really anyone's thing... but it'll do.

Also, this video is pretty boring.

New Black Lips Video: "Let it Grow"

[mp3] Black Lips: "Starting Over"

So, dude took a pint glass to the face over the weekend. From people close to the parties, he was indeed asking for it. Shit happens I guess, but damn - that's a legit bar fight. Yet, don't we want that from our rockstars? They're supposed to be leading the lives we're too pussy to lead. I like my rockers hard-living and pretty much on the edge. Wavves and Black Lips fall into that category. Enough with this though. Vince is gonna kill me. Here's the video from the Black Lips' mediocre record 200 Million Thousand. The album ain't that great, but if you take broken glass to the face, you earn yourself a post. Even if you did deserve it.

What Happened to the Gaslight Anthem?

The Gaslight Anthem - "The '59 Sound"

Is the Gaslight Anthem getting too Bro?

With musical connections ripe for a myriad of Springsteen comparisons, we think they may be one Cadillac short of a Heineken sponsorship. Though Springsteen has reached bro-stardom to excess, he has tapped other demographic markets that supersede such a raucous fan base. The fact that Gaslight hail from New Jersey and stomp on the grounds of Springsteen's kingdom, isn't helping their case either. Regardless, there is no substitute for the genuineness of their debut effort, The '59 Sound. When this record came blasting "through my Grandfather's radio" it knocked our fucking socks off. It permeated our pours, made us want to drink, get arrested, be a rambunctious teen again and spit in the face of the man. Since going into slight remission post-debut, Gaslight emerge to try and regain their hipster cred -- headlining a bill at Brooklyn Bowl with support from Jesse Malin, Murder by Death and Broadway Calls will definitely help that.

Take it as you will -- Gaslight @ Brooklyn Bowl on Oct. 16. We'll be there with a PBR in one hand and a Heineken in the other, letting Gaslight make the decision for us.

Un-released Nirvana Live mp3

[mp3] Nirvana: "Scoff"

How often does a blogger these days get to post on something new about Nirvana? While this un-released live mp3 for the song "Scoff" is sure to be all over the web today, who are we to not share it with our readers? It's hard not to get caught up in the legend of Nirvana and Cobain when listening to their music, but hearing Nirvana now reminds us of what a visceral raw emotional force this band was. They were real. They were passionate. It's these characteristics that have entered them into the annuals of history, not solely the tragic end to Cobain's life. A great place to start revisiting the band, is where it all began, with their debut Bleach. Sub Pop reissues the album on November 3rd, which comes with a complete live recording of a 1990 gig at Portland's Pine Street Theatre.