MGMT: 'Congratulations' Cover Art

MGMT reveals the cover art for their admittedly single-less (read: good song-less) new album Congratulations due April 13th on Columbia. It was designed by the band and artist Anthony Ausgang, which fails to make it any less terrible.

Blatant Butchering - Redo of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne"

Record Club: Songs Of Leonard Cohen "Suzanne" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

"Suzanne" is perhaps one of Leonard Cohen's most famous and most beautiful tracks ever recorded. Hence why we are conflicted about this video: on one hand, this is a blatant butchering of an amazing song -- this thing gets pretty rough during certain parts, so much so you just want to turn the fucking thing off. But then again, look at who is involved here -- Beck, MGMT, Wolfmother, Banhart... So yes, we are conflicted. Judge for yourself and please weigh in! We say, this is garbage. So be it.

Via

McCarren Pool Party Thing on Waterfront Now

The beloved Sunday music festivals once held in Greenpoint/Williamsburg's one-time community pool, McCarren pool, are back! The concert series will still be hosted by Jelly NYC but transported to the East River State Park on the Williamsburg Waterfront. They keep the "pool" label even though the event will be devoid of any actual pools. Sorry. The time for drinking away Sunday hangovers amid indie-rock jams, sunshine and all while scoping walking American Apparel ads is upon us once again. Rock and or Roll. Give it up for Jelly though, they have managed to pack the bill with some of indie rocks biggest names, Grizzly Bear, Deerhunter, Girl Talk, No Age, Beach House, Dirty Projectors - I mean, these could be more of a gong show than that MGMT disaster last summer. Click the image for a larger view or after the jump for the full line up.

First line up -- July 12: 
Mission of Burma, 
Fucked Up, 
Ponytail
, Jemina Pearl

Check the full schedule after the jump...

July 12: 
Mission of Burma, 
Fucked Up, 
Ponytail
, Jemina Pearl

July 19: 
Dirty Projectors
, Magnolia Electric Co., White Denim

July 26: ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Black Lips
, HEALTH, 
Grupo Fantasmo

August 2: Deerhunter, No Age, Dan Deacon

 (Round Robin show)

August 9: 
Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set)
, Fiery Furnaces
, Dark Meat, 
The Netherlands

August 16: Del the Funky Homosapien, 
Gravy Train!!!
, DD/MM/YYYY, Kenan Bell



August 23: 
Girl Talk
, Max Tundra
, Wiz Khalifa

August 30: Grizzly Bear
, Beach House

Band to Watch: Acrylics

[MP3]
Acrylics: "Molly's Vertigo"

Acrylics have been starting to make moves in the New York and Brooklyn areas with their softly produced, 70s pop-influenced jams. "Molly's Vertigo" is easily one of our favorite songs of 2009. By blending organic drums and guitars with gentle keys and synths, Acrylics are able to avoid the tired "new wave" tag and channel a sound, at times, more reminiscent of 70s Linda Rondstadt than 80s dance music. While only three songs are up on their myspace, it's easy to tell that Acrylics are the real deal. The production is first rate (a.k.a. not Lo Fi scuzz) and the songwriting is tight and well executed, with the male/female duo sharing vocal duties. They have management ties to Chairlift and count MGMT, Amazing Baby (ew), Suckers, and Grizzly Bear as some of their top myspace friends. The demo they're shooting for is clear, but Arcylics seem to posses a softer wistfulness and melancholy that helps to seperate them from the pack and add a little more depth to their approach. Definitely a band to watch in the summer of '09.

Goldenvoice Is Trying Its Hardest To Avoid An All Points West Sophomore Slump

...But the jury's out whether or not they'll have succeeded by the time the last throng of Coldplay fans exits Liberty State Park at midnight on August 2nd. We attended Saturday's go around last summer, and listen, there was a lot to love about the inagurual soiree -- namely, Radiohead -- but there was also a lot to kind of bitch about too. The beer thing was a fiasco for a lot of people, as was the ill-conceived matter of getting everyone out of Liberty State Park at festival's end. But mostly, the heart of the festival (read: the bands) was undeniably lackluster. (Choosing to decide who to see between Alberta Cross and Sia was the most boring dilemma ever, you guys.)

So Goldenvoice has certainly attempted to add a bit more shine to this year's lineup. Beasties, Fleet Foxes, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai and MGMT are all worthy of shelling out enough cash for at least one day. And there's comedy this year, an inclusion that makes Sunday an automatic must-see (SHOWALTER!) But Coldplay? Come on. Replacing Jack Johnson with Chris Martin and Co. does not a successful improvement make. But whatever. Chances are, we'll still be riding the Light Rail at least one of the days. 

All the info can be found at APW's official site. 

Cover-age: Only iPhones and iPods, MGMT's "Kids"

Pitchfork scooped up this one earlier today -- "Kids" as performed by London's the Mentalists. They know they butcher it, but on iPods and iPhones, that's pretty impressive. Or is it?

On The Blog Reel: Wednesday's Slew Of Videos

Featured:

THE AVETT BROTHERS "Glory Days"

OBI BEST "Green and White Stripes"

PRINCETON "The Waves"

ROMAN CANDLE "Lake Fever Sessions"

Bruce Springsteen is having a hell of a year so far, crotch slides and all, and it's only getting better. The Boss's official site has enlisted a heap of indie artists to contribute to "Hanging Out On E. Street," a series of video interviews and performances dedicated to Springsteen's songs. Our favorite so far is The Avett Brothers' stripped-down but jubilant take on "Glory Days." The Brothers took a break from recording their Columbia debut with Rick Rubin to participate in the project, which also features bands like The Gaslight Anthem, Teagan and Sara, Ted Leo and Valencia. Check out the performance after the jump.

Meanwhile, there are other great things going on in cyberspace this morning. Obi Best, who is fronted by Alex Lilly (backups on The Bird And The Bee's latest) brings us the dreamy video for "Green and White Stripes." It's directed by Max Goldblatt, who also did MGMT's "Boogie Down" clip. We've also got a showcase from Princeton, who first came on our radar last year. They shot a low-budget video on Super-8 film over the course of a winter weekend in LA for "The Waves," which has serious replay value. Lastly, check out some footage of North Carolina's Roman Candle performing new sessions at the Lake Fever Sessions, complete with a cute little kid talking about boogers in the beginning of the clip. We are so there.

All videos after the jump.

Obi Best "Green and White Stripes" Video from Social Science Recordings on Vimeo.


Roman Candle "Why Modern Radio Is A-OK" from Lake Fever Sessions on Vimeo.

New Amazing Baby: "Bayonets" mp3

[mp3]
Amazing Baby: "Bayonets"

Brooklyn's Amazing Baby are almost done recording their debut album, but they just couldn't wait to let the world hear what they've been working on. We've got an exclusive mp3 of "Bayonets," a titanic, gleaming rocker from the forthcoming LP, which at the moment is nameless and surely anticipated by someone (but definitely not Matt.) The debut comes on the heels of last year's Infinite Fucking Cross E.P., which hit at the same time their buddies in MGMT started blowing up. The foursome is currently making believers out of Europeans this month, but will be back stateside in the spring to support Cold War Kids, including a Terminal 5 date on April 3. Hopefully they'll have dialed down all the cliches by then.

Phish Fans Are Stoked, Rest Of The World Is Like, "Whatever"

Well, it's been the worst kept secret in the music world for several months, but America's favorite reunited hippies (read: Phish) are headlining two nights of the eighth annual Bonnaroo festival. (Which, you know, is completely neccessary.) The Boss is joining them, hoping to emulate his crotch-tastic Superbowl performance from Sunday, as are the Beasties, David Byrne, Wilco, Nine Inch Nails, Al Green, SNOOP DOGG, Elvis Costello, Animal Collective, MGMT, Bon Iver and a billion others. You have to give the organizers credit: minus the whole Phish thing, the lineup looks pretty okay. 

We'll be trying our hardest to make it down to Manchester this year, after last year's soiree left us awed and hung over. Tickets go on sale exclusively through the festival's official Web site on Saturday (2/7) at noon. Check out a video of the announcement featuring something called "stratostencil animation" (whatever that is) after the jump. Not as good as Lewis Black, unfortunately.  

Secret Myspace Ting Ting's Show in Philly on Halloween

Ting Tings - Great DJ - mp3
Philadelphia fans of the Ting Tings (what up Mom!) will be delighted to know that the catchy pop duo have just announced a "secret" myspace show at the Barbary on Halloween. Doors open at 7:30pm and fans are encouraged to wear their best cliche rock star costumes. Along with MGMT and the Black Kids, the Ting Ting's have had quite the successful year for a break-out band - most of that success came from licensing (cough, iPod commercial) but that's the way things roll these days just ask Santogold.

MGMT - Just Announced - Halloween Spectacular

MGMT just announced two Halloween shows in NYC on October 30 and yes, the 31st. They will be playing Webster Hall on Thursday the 30th with Bobby Trimble's Flying Spiders and Music Hall of Williamsburg on the 31st with Amazing Baby, Violens and others. I'm dressing up as a hipster... what will you be?

Tickets go on sale Friday. Presale begins tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10:00am.
Password: congratulations

Don't forget your headbands girls.Photos by Bao Nguyen

Bonnaroo Hangover

Yes, I went to Bonnaroo. Yes, I made it to work this morning. And yes, I have a Bonnaroo hangover. What does that consist of, you ask? Combine heat stroke, a regular hangover and sleep deprivation, add sore joints from sleeping in odd places, mysterious cuts and bruises and sensory overload. Then you're about there.

I can't complain. I went to Bonnaroo for free, had press access and procured an artist pass. Here is a little recap as I come down from the 'Roo:

Who I encountered:
-Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers, Beatle Bob , The Wood Brothers w/John Medeski, Battles, MGMT, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Amie Mann, Chan Marshall (a.k.a. Cat Power, who winked and smiled at me), Sigur Ros, De Novo Dahl, Alia Shawkat (Maeby from Arrested Development) and Samuel Beam from Iron and Wine.
Best of performances:
-Metallica, MMJ, Superdrag, Battles, The Felice Brothers, The Avett Brothers, Levon Helm, Adele, M.I.A., The Wood Brothers, Two Gallants, Comedian Louis C.K., Cat Power, Sharon Jones, Sigur Ros, Chromeo and others.
Not the worst, but not the best:
-DBT, The Raconteurs, Pearl Jam, Willie Nelson, didn't stay up for it but Kanye, and Rogue Wave.
Best extracurriculars:
-Swag in the artist area, Sunday morning mimosas, free food and drinks in the radio tent, backstage access, clean Port-o-potties, air conditioned press/artist tent, the photo pit, watching the silent disco, the fire exhibit, comedy tent and more.
Worst extracurriculars:
- The coffee in the press tent, mud, security personnel, $6 for everything, the sun, not getting back stage, the main stages, press bleachers, dodging golf carts and more...

MGMT - "Electric Feel" Video

So we went to a LSD-induced Lord of the Rings gathering with MGMT in the woods and a dance party broke out. Who knew the moon had a molten center of psychedelic liquid? There must be something said for the musical talent of the seemingly Chuck E. Cheese-like house band of animatronics tucked back in the trees - how do they keep such a steady beat? A grizzly bear on lead vocals, a tuxedoed gorilla pianist, some sort of three-toed sloth on bass and a dog drummer? What an eclectic mix. In this fantasy forest, animal horns double as microphones, 40s are Technicolor and motorcycles can fly. The moon is fragile though folks, so if you crash your motorcycle into it, it WILL EXPLODE. Thanks for this gem MGMT - send me an invite to the next Rave in the woods.


After the jump.

MGMT - "Time to Pretend" Remix by Jorge Elbrecht of Violens

Just a little something fresh for what is a pretty gross day in New York. Violens are great as well. They are playing tonight at Union Pool and played last night at Music Hall of Williamsburg with Clinic. Get the remix HERE.

MGMT - "Time to Pretend" - (Remix Jorge Elbrecht of Violens)