Dark was the Night - Radio City Presale

The National "So Far Around the Bend" mp3

Starting now - presale tickets are available for the May 3rd Radio City Dark was the Night concert extravaganza featuring confirmed guests the National, Sharon Jones, My Brightest Diamond, Feist, Dirty Projectors and David Steik. There is some speculation on Grizzly Bear, Sufjan and David Byrne. People are also reaaallly hoping for MMJ, but no reports seem to suggest that. AMEX presale and Internet presale (Password - oksana or HEDARK). Via BV.

Tuesday's Recommended Releases with MP3s

David Byrne, Dirty Projectors "Knotty Pine" mp3

This week the stores (digital and physical) are jammed with quality releases. The indie-rock explosion that is the Dark Was the Night charity record is definitely up there for us this week. While it is at times uneven, there are definitely more than a few gems in here; not to mention the album is for charity so you can certainly shell out a few of your precious dollars for this. Alela Diane's record that we've been running our mouths about is out physically today, as well as Benjy Ferree's (anyone on shrooms? Bennnnjyy!) latest which is excellent. Click HERE for mp3s from both records. For all of our other recommendations and mp3s click after the jump...




We're pretty neutral on the M.Ward - it's ok, but his time in the sun may be over (for me at least). She and Him may have been that fateful jump over the shark.
M.Ward "Never Had No One Like You" mp3

While we haven't heard the N.A.S.A. record yet, I'm certainly intrigued by its massive list of contributors including: Tom Waits, David Byrne, M.I.A, Santi and pretty much everyone else in the world. NASA - "Spacious Thoughts (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)" mp3

Also of stellar caliber this week is the new Vetiver - which Vince raved about earlier.
Vetiver "Everyday" mp3

We hate to do the general list - but there is only so much time in the day and so much music - sooooo we ALSO recommend: The amazing debut from Emmy the Great (digi only), William Eliot Whitmore's latest, the new Robyn Hitchcock, Faunts, Fol Chen, and DEFINITELY Iran. Thanks to Largehearted Boy you can try everything before you buy.

And my personal blast from the past recommendation for the week is, well, fuck it: Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like a Wheel. With the Eagles as her backing band, this record is a gem of early 70s country rock. Thanks Caitlin, sorry Dad.

Dark was the Night - Charity Compilation - 2/17

Even though the blogosphere has been alight for the past several weeks regarding this blockbuster compilation, enough can't be said about how all-around great it is. I'm sure there will be much debate over the "greatness" of all the artists, but you can't expect names like Wavves to sell this record. At least not yet. (No hate to Wavves here.)

We've been able to peruse about 3/4ths of it since it arrived yesterday, and what we've heard so far has been excellent. Not only does the tracklist feature a veritable who's-who of major indie rock artists of the past decade, but all of the proceeds of Dark was the Night go to the Red Hot Organization. This is the 20th Red Hot release, and the 20th anniversary of the Red Hot Organization. The organization is an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture.

Much more info and an mp3 after the jump.

Dirty Projectors and David Byrne "Knotty Pine"

The first disc of the two features darker more haunting versions of folk themed songs (some covers and originals). Highlights here include Antony's cover of Dylan's I Was Young When I Left Home, the reworked Grizzly Bear track Deep Blue Sea and the Dirty Projectors/David Byrne collaboration Knotty Pine (mp3 above).

The second disc brings forth a brighter collection of tracks, the "morning" to the first disc's "night" if you will. Personal favorites so far are the My Morning Jacket track El Caporal and the Sharon Jones cover of Shuggie Otis' Inspiration Information.

BUY this record February 17th via 4AD. Remember, charity people, don't be a torrenting asshole. Lots of great listening here. Tracks from the comp have been streaming for awhile HERE.

THIS DISC

1 Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors + David Byrne http://www.4ad.com/audio/darkwasthenight/knottypine.mp3

2 Cello Song (Nick Drake) - The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez

3 Train Song (Vashti Bunyan recorded, written by Alasdair Clayre) - Feist Ben Gibbard

4 Brackett, WI - Bon Iver

5 Deep Blue Sea - Grizzly Bear

6 So Far Around the Bend - The National (arrangement by Nico Muhly)

7 Tightrope - Yeasayer

8 Feeling Good (popularized by Nina Simone) - My Brightest Diamond

9 Dark Was the Night (Blind Willie Johnson) - Kronos Quartet

10 I Was Young When I Left Home (Bob Dylan) - Antony Bryce Dessner

11 Big Red Machine - Justin Vernon Aaron Dessner

12 Sleepless - The Decemberists

13 Stolen Houses (Die) - Iron and Wine

14 Service Bell - Grizzly Bear Feist

15 You Are The Blood - Sufjan Stevens



THAT DISC

1 Well-Alright - Spoon

2 Lenin - Arcade Fire

3 Mimizan - Beirut

4 El Caporal - My Morning Jacket

5 Inspiration Information (Shuggie Otis) - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

6 With A Girl Like You (The Troggs) - Dave Sitek

7 Blood Pt 2 (based on original song "You are the Blood" by the Castanets) - Buck 65
Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)

8 Hey, Snow White (Destroyer) - The New Pornographers

9 Gentle Hour (Snapper) - Yo La Tengo

10 Another Saturday (traditional song) - Stuart Murdoch

11 Happiness - Riceboy Sleeps

12 Amazing Grace (traditional song) - Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues

13 The Giant Of Illinois (Handsome Family) - Andrew Bird

14 Lua - Conor Oberst Gillian Welch

15 When the Road Runs Out - Blonde Redhead Devastations

16 Love vs. Porn - Kevin Drew