La Sera; Overcoming Expectations

[mp3] La Sera: "Never Come Around"

If you ever read this rag, or our twitter feed(s) - you know that we're not the most massive Vivian Girls, er, guys. Yet, there are only so many times one can hear a song and love it, without telling everyone about it. While we haven't heard the upcoming self-titled album from Vivian Gal Katy Goodman's band La Sera (February 15th, Hardly Art), lead single and A-side of her recently released 7", "Never Come Around" is about as charming as they come, and does well in its efforts to channel the omnipresent Phil Spector girl group sound running rampant out there right now. While not rewriting the indie/pop songbook, La Sera's new tune is catchy and quite repeatable, brining us one step closer to moving past the unforgettable bathtub interview and towards acceptance. Preorder HERE.

New MP3 From The Vivian Girls

[mp3] Vivian Girls: "When I'm Gone"

After rubbing elbows with them on the 4th at the Woodsist fest (props to the gals who were there the entire day even though they weren't playing until late that night) The Vivian Girls drop their first MP3 "When I'm Gone" from their new, more than 22 minute long, In The Red record Everything Goes Wrong which comes out September 8th. I'm really excited for the blogosphere to be alight with riveting comments such as "The Vivian Girls suck" and "no they don't." Exciting times, for exciting bloggers. 

VIA RCRD LBL

The Ultimate Mood Enhancer

[mp3] Woods: "To Clean"

Um. So, yeah. Continuing with the summer mood enhancer theme, is this pretty much amazing festival coming 4th of July weekend in New York. Holidays in the city are usually huge let downs, but the quality of this Woodsist/Captured Tracks showcase is too much to even list in one blog post. How big a year are THOSE guys having? It includes: Woods, Blank Dogs, Crystal Stilts, Kurt Vile, Vivian Girls, Thee Oh Sees, Dum Dum Girls, Ganglians, The Mayfair Set, Real Estate and much more. See after the jump for all of the bands and details, and yes, they really are all playing in one place. Tickets are on sale now, so hurry up. We'll see you there.

Full line-up:

Friday July 3rd @ 979 BROADWAY BACKYARD

9:45pm : CRYSTAL STILTS
9:00pm :: Blank Dogs
8:15pm ::: Psychedelic Horseshit
7:30pm :::: caUSE co-MOTION!
6:45pm ::::: the Mayfair Set
6:15pm :::::: Gary War
5:45pm ::::::: Little Girls
5:15pm :::::::: Kid Romance
4:45pm ::::::::: Beachniks
4:15pm :::::::::: the Gutsies
Saturday July 4th @ 979 BROADWAY BACKYARD

9:45pm : THEE OH SEES
9:00pm :: VIVIAN GIRLS
8:15pm ::: Kurt Vile
7:30pm :::: Woods
6:45pm ::::: Tyvek
6:00pm :::::: Dum Dum Girls
5:15pm ::::::: the Fresh & Onlys
4:30pm :::::::: Brilliant Colors
3:45pm ::::::::: Ganglians
3:15pm :::::::::: the Great Excape -- reunion, pre-Home Blitz
2:45pm ::::::::::: the Beets
2:15pm :::::::::::: Real Estate
1:45pm ::::::::::::: German Measles
1:15pm :::::::::::::: Beach Fossils

979 BROADWAY BACKYARD
979 Broadway btwn Myrtle Ave & Ditmars St Bushwick, Brooklyn
JMZ-Myrtle, L-Jefferson, G-Myrtle-Willoughby DOORS -4PM- $15 all ages
RAIN OR SHINE

ADVANCE TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE: $25 FOR 2-DAY PASS PLUS $2 SERVICE FEE. SINGLE DAY TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ONLY, FOR $15.

Vivian Girls Announcement

In news that will surely be all over the blog world today, The Vivian Girls announce the release of their sophmore album, Everything Will Be The Same on September 8th via In The Red. Blog comments sections still seem to be split over the fate and talent of this all girl trio after their, like, devestatingly pompous and obnoxious bathroom rant, but still they soldier on nonetheless (of course). From the PR.

On the first album, the two longest, slowest songs, "Tell the World" and "Where Do You Run To", were clear standouts. The band says they'll focus more on that side of their sound on the second album. "The songs are longer," says drummer Ali Koehler. "I think it's moodier. I think we have basically the same influences as on our first album, but with more influences added."

Vivian Girls "Moped Girls [For Us]"

While time is tight this morning - we just wanted to share the new Vivian Girls video for "Moped Girls [For Us]" that Pitchfork debuted. You know about the Vivian Girls, love em or hate em. We're day to day really with these gals, but the video and song are definitely worth posting. Enjoy the fuzzy overdrive goodness.

Meanwhile:


You can now stream Animal Collective's show last night at the 9:30 Club in DC at NPR. Furthermore, the triple vinyl box set CrackBox, filled with tons of goodies for super-fans is out today, although we here rumors that the 1000 piece limited run is already gone. Try it out HERE.

We Got Tour Dates...Lots Of Tour Dates

TOUR DATES!

_________

Force Field PR Co. just released a veritable catalog of Spring tour dates from a ton of Stark's favorite artists.

Continue after the jump for Spring tour dates form: Beach House, Bosque Brown, Crystal Stilts, Dan Deacon, Deer Tick, Max Tundra, Dent May, Nite Jewel, Or, the Whale, Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Vivian Girls, and Wavves.

Beach House:

03-11 Baltimore, MD - Sonar *
03-17 Houston, TX - The Orange Show %
03-18 - 03-21 Austin, TX SXSW
03-31 Lexington, KY - Hop Hop
04-01 Bloomington, IN - John Waldron Arts Center
04-03 St. Louis, MO - Bilken Club
04-16 New York, NY - Webster Hall #
04-02 Iowa City, IA - The Picador / Mission Creek Festival
05-25 George, WA - Sasquatch

* = w/ Vetiver, Sian Alice Group
% = w/ Jana Hunter
# = w/ The Walkm

Bosque Brown:

3/07 Dallas, TX Good Records In-Store
3/14 Denton, TX NX35
3/18 - 3/21 Austin, TX SXSW

Crystal Stilts:

Mar-14 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
Mar-15 Washington, DC DC9
Mar-16 Lexington, KY Al's Bar
Mar-17 Jackson, MS 121 Milsaps
Mar-18 Houston, TX Rudyard's
Mar 19 - 21 Austin, TX SXSW
Apr 12 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
June 18 New York, NY Cake Shop

Dan Deacon:

04/03 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
04/05 Williamsburg, VA The Little Theater
04/06 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
04/07 Knoxville, TN Catalyst
04/08 Birmingham, AL Bottletree
04/09 Athens, GA 88/cp
04/10 Atlanta, GA Eyedrum
04/11 Tallahassee, FL FSU / Club Downunder
04/13 New Orleans, LA The Candle Factory / The Heavy
04/15 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
04/16 Houston, TX Orange Show
04/17 Austin, TX Longhorn Caverns
04/18 Ft. Worth, TX The Ft. Worth Modern Museum
04/20 Tempe, AZ The Clubhouse
04/21 San Diego, CA Che Cafe
04/22 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
04/23 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
04/24 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
04/25 Seattle, WA The Vera Project
04/26 Vancouver, BC Richards on Richards
04/29 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
04/30 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
05/01 Kansas City, MO Pistol S.C.
05/02 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock (2 shows, early and late)
05/04 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
05/05 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom
05/06 Urbana, IL Canopy Club / Club Void
05/07 Chicago, IL The Metro
05/08 Mt. Pleasant, MI CMU / The Wesley Foundation
05/09 Detroit, MI Scrummage
05/10 Toronto, ONT The Deleon White Gallery
05/11 Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa
05/12 South Burlington, VT HG Showcase Lounge
05/13 Cambridge, MA Middle East Downstairs
05/15 Brooklyn, NY Danbro Studios
05/16 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
05/17 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

Deer Tick:

Thu-Mar-05 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place %
Fri-Mar-06 Columbus, OH Skully's %
Sat-Mar-07 Cincinanati, OH Southgate House %
Sun-Mar-08 Asheville, NC Orange Peel %
Mon-Mar-09 Charleston, SC Tin Roof ^
Wed-Mar-11 Tallahassee, FL The Engine Room
Fri-Mar-13 Louisville, KY Headliner's %
Sat-Mar-14 Nashville, TN The Mercy Lounge %
Mon-Mar-16 New Orleans, LA Clever
Tue-Mar-17 Houston, TX Rudyard's
Mar 18 - 21 Austin, TX SXSW
Mon-Mar-23 Huntsville, AL The Flying Monkey Art Center $
Tue-Mar-24 Birmingham, AL Bottletree $
Wed-Mar-25 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn $
Thu-Mar-26 Durham, NC Duke Univeristy Coffeehouse $
Fri-Mar-27 Baltimore, MD The G-Spot $
Sat-Mar-28 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's
Fri-Apr-03 Swarthmore, PA Olde Club - Swarthmore University
Thu-Apr-23 Boston, MA Harpers Ferry
Fri-Apr-24 Providence, RI Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel @

% = w/ JASON ISBELL
$ = w/ PHOSPHORESCENT
^ = w/ CARY ANN HEARST
@ = w/ ELVIS PERKINS IN DEARLAND

Max Tundra:

03.18 - 03.21 - Austin, TX SXSW
03.28 - Toronto, ON - The Mod Club *
03.29 - Toronto, ON - The Mod Club *
03.31 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop *
04.01 - Pontiac, MI - Cro-Foot (Pike Room) *
04.02 - Chicago, IL - The Metro *
04.04 - Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid Cabaret *
04.07 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room *
04.09 - Calgary, AB - The Warehouse *
04.11 - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore Cabaret *
04.12 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe *
04.14 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir *
04.16 - San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's 365 Club *
04.19 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room *
04.22 - Denver, CO - The Bluebird Theatre *
04.24 - Kansas City, MO - Record Bar *
04.25 - St. Louis, MO - Billiken Club *
04.28 - Newport, KY - Southgate House *
04.29 - Columbus, OH - Skullys Music Diner *
04.30 - Lexington, KY - The Dame *
05.01 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge *
05.02 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl *
05.03 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
05.05 - Washington, DC - Black Cat *
05.06 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church *
05.07 - New York, NY - Webster Hall *
05.08 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs *
05.09 - Montreal, QC - Le National *

* = w/ Junior Boys

Dent May:


3/05 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar
3/06 Chicago, IL Schubas
3/07 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room at The Crofoot
3/08 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
3/10 Ithaca, NY Castaways *
3/11 Toronto, ONT Lee's Palace *
3/12 Montreal, QC Il Motore *
3/13 Providence, RI Club Hell *
3/14 Boston, MA Paradise *
3/15 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom *
3/18 - 3/21 Austin, TX SXSW

* = w/ A.C. Newman

Nite Jewel:

03/05 Montreal, QC Zoo Bizarre *
03/07 New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge *
03/08 Brooklyn, NY Monster's Island Basement
03/09 New York, NY Other Music
03/11 Northampton, MA Smith College
03/12 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY Bard College
03/19 - 03/21 Austin, TX SXSW
04/26 Los Angeles, CA The Smell #
05/28 Los Angeles, CA The Smell

* = w/ Glass Candy
# = w/ Grouper

Or, the Whale:

03-12 Los Angeles, CA - Silverlake Lounge*
03-13 Costa Mesa, CA - La Cave
03-14 San Diego, CA - The Ken Club
03-15 Tucson, AZ - The Hut
03-16 El Paso, TX - Zeppelin's
03-18 Austin, TX - SXSW - The Independent
03-19 Denton, TX - The Boilerroom
03-20 Austin, TX - SXSW - Threadgills
03-21 Ft. Worth, TX - The Chat Room Pub
03-24 Denver, CO - Meadowlark
03-25 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
03-27 Sacramento, CA - Luigi's Fun Garden
03-28 Berkeley, CA - Starry Plough

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart:

Mar 13 2009 Bell House Brooklyn, New York
Mar 18 2009 - Mar 21 SXSW Austin, Texas
Apr 24 2009 American Legion Wallingford, Connecticut
Apr 25 2009 Risley Hall - Cornell University Ithaca, New York
Apr 26 2009 Iron Horse Hall Northampton, Massachusetts
Apr 27 2009 The Bug Jar Rochester, New York
Apr 28 2009 Lee's Palace Toronto, Ontario
Apr 29 2009 The Pike Room at Crofoot Pontiac, Michigan
Apr 30 2009 Beachland Tavern - All Ages Cleveland, Ohio
May 1 2009 The Summit Columbus, Ohio
May 2 2009 The End Nashville, Tennessee
May 3 2009 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia
May 4 2009 Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
May 5 2009 Talking Head Club Baltimore, Maryland
May 6 2009 The Barbary (Early Show) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 12 2009 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York
Jun 18 2009 Cake Shop New York, New York

Vivian Girls:

Mar 18 - 21 Austin, TX SXSW
Thu-Apr-02 New York, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg *
Fri-Apr-03 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's *
Sat-Apr-04 Baltimore, MD Ottobar *
Sun-Apr-05 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 *
Mon-Apr-06 Knoxville, TN Pilot Light *
Tue-Apr-07 Atlanta, GA The Earl *
Wed-Apr-08 New Orleans, LA The Parish *
Thu-Apr-09 Houston, TX Walter's on Washington *
Fri-Apr-10 Austin, TX The Mohawk *
Sat-Apr-11 Dallas, TX Hailey's *
Mon-Apr-13 Phoenix, AZ Modified *
Tue-Apr-14 Tucson, AZ Plush *
Wed-Apr-15 San Diego, CA Casbah *
Sun-Apr-19 Indio, CA Coachella
Wed-Apr-22 Visalia, CA Howie and Sons
Thu-Apr-23 Santa Cruz, CA Crepe Place
Fri-Apr-24 San Francisco, CA The Independent
Sat-Apr-25 Sacramento, CA Luigi's Fungarden
Tue-Apr-28 Portland, OR Holocene
Wed-Apr-29 Vancouver, BC Biltmore
Thu-Apr-30 Seattle, WA Neumo's
Fri-May-01 Boise, ID Neurolux
Sat-May-02 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
Sun-May-03 Denver, CO Hi Dive
Mon-May-04 Lawrence, KS Jackpot
Tue-May-05 Minneapolis, MN 7th St Entry
Wed-May-06 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle #
Thu-May-07 Detroit, MI Pike Room #
Fri-May-08 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern #
Sat-May-09 Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa
Sun-May-10 Boston, MA Middle East Upstairs
Mon-May-11 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom %

* = w/ Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
# = w/ Crystal Antlers
% = w/ Times New Viking

Wavves:

Mon-Mar-16 Phoenix, AZ Trunk Space *
Tue-Mar-17 Denton, TX 715 Panhandle *
Mar-18-21 Austin, TX SXSW
Sun-Mar-22 Dallas, TX Lounge on Elm St #
Mon-Mar-23 Knoxville, TN The Pilot Light #
Tue-Mar-24 Chapel Hill, NC Nightlight #
Wed-Mar-25 Harrisonburg, VA The Blue Nile #
Thu-Mar-26 Baltimore, MD The Zodiac #
Fri-Mar-27 Philadelphia, PA The Marvelous Music #
Sat-Mar-28 Brooklyn, NY Market Hotel #%
Sun-Mar-29 New York, NY Cake Shop #
Mon-Mar-30 New York, NY Mercury Lounge #
Tue-Mar-31 Toronto, ON Sneaky Dee's #
Wed-Apr-01 Detroit, MI Magic Stick #
Thu-Apr-02 Ft. Wayne, IN The Brass Rail #
Fri-Apr-03 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle #
Sat-Apr-04 Milwaukee, WI U of W - The Project Lodge #
Sun-Apr-05 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry #
Mon-Apr-06 Fargo, ND Aquarium #
Wed-Apr-08 Olympia, WA The Northern #
Thu-Apr-09 Seattle, WA The Funhouse #
Sat-Apr-11 Portland, OR Holocene #
Sun-Apr-12 Davis, CA DAM House #
Mon-Apr-13 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill #
Tue-Apr-14 Santa Cruz, CA Crepe Place #
Wed-Apr-15 Los Angeles, CA The Echo #
Fri-Apr-17 San Diego, CA Casbah #

* = w/ Abe Vigoda
# = w/ Vampire Hands
% = w/ These Are Powers

Artificial Intelligence

Thanks again to Other Music for their great taste in stocking a limited run of a six song CD-R from LA's Nite Jewel. We've been listening for a few months, and even though it's decidedly lo-fi, there are glimpses of the awesomeness to come from this youngster from the West Coast. It's another entry into the school of '09 bedroom-disco-pop, but hey, when shit's good, it's good. She recently played at the oft-buzzed and oft-awesome, the Smell in LA with Gang Gang Dance and Ariel Pink. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti are hitting the road with the Vivian Girls, in what should be a great tour. We're still pretty pissed at the Vivian Girls though.

Nite Jewel video and tour dates including Le Poisson Rouge w/ Glass Candy on March 7 after the jump.





Upcoming Shows

Feb 28 2009 - Occidental College Los Angeles, California
Mar 5 2009 - Zoo Bizarre with Class Gandy Montreal
Mar 7 2009 - Le Poisson Rouge with Glass Candy, Twisted Wires, and Mike Simonetti
Mar 9 2009 - Other Music Instore New York, New York
Mar 19 2009 - SXSW KVRX Party at Okay Mountain Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2009 - SXSW Other Music Showcase Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 - SXSW After the Jump Party Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 - SXSW Gorilla vs Bear/We Shot JR Party Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 - SXSW Moose Lodge Party Austin, Texas
Apr 26 2009 - The Smell with Grouper Los Angeles, California

New Vivian Girls - "Blind Spot" - mp3

Vivian Girls "Blind Spot" - mp3
We wrote last week about how great the debut record from the Vivian Girls is. Here today is another mp3 to leave you all with for the weekend. Vivian Girls have also announced more tour dates over the next several months, highlighted by shows in New York at Santos Party House with Jay Reatard on October 26 and the Bowery Ballroom on November 8 with Deerhunter and Times New Viking. All dates after the jump.

Indiana is currently a battleground state. So make sure to get out the vote. Tell them Jeff Tweedy sent you.

VIVIAN GIRLS

Fri-Sep-26 Memphis, TN GONER FEST
Sat-Sep-27 St. Louis, MO The Stable#
Sun-Sep-28 Atlanta, GA The Earl#
Mon-Sep-29 Knoxville, TN The Pilot Light#
Tue-Sep-30 Charlottesville, VA Outback Lodge
Wed-Oct-01 Baltimore, MD Ottobar#
Fri-Oct-03 New York, NY Rocks Off Concert Cruise%
Sat-Oct-04 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY Bard College
Sat-Oct-11 Queens, NY Silent Barn / CD Release Party!
Sun-Oct-12 Boston, MA Great Scott $
Mon-Oct-13 Danbury, CT Heirloom Arts Theatre $
Wed-Oct-15 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom $
Thu-Oct-16 Brooklyn, NY Market Hotel $
Fri-Oct-17 Baltimore, MD Sonar $
Sat-Oct-18 Philadelphia, PA The Barbary $
Sun-Oct-19 Washington, DC Rock And Roll Hotel $
Sun-Oct-26 New York, NYC Santo's Party House !
Sat-Nov-08 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom &@
Mon-Nov-10 Boston, MA Paradise &@
Sun-Nov-16 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
Mon-Nov-17 San Diego, CA Casbah
Tue-Nov-18 Los Angeles, CA The Smell
Thu-Nov-20 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill
Sat-Nov-22 Portland, OR Backspace
Sun-Nov-23 Seattle, WA Nectar Lounge
Fri-Nov-28 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's +
Sun-Nov-30 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom +

# = with TYVEK
% = with DARK MEAT
$ = w/ F***ED UP
& = w/ Deerhunter
@ = w/ Times New Viking
! = w/ Jay Reatard
+ = w/ King Khan

Vivian Girls
Vivian Girls - S/T (In The Red)
Street Date: Oct. 7, 2008
01. All The Time
02. Such a Joke
03. Wild Eyes
04. Going Insane
05. Tell The World
06. Where Do You Run To
07. Damaged
08. No
09. Never See Me Again

Stark Short Takes

Short Takes is a new feature on Stark, allowing our writers to review several albums at once, neatly summing up their thoughts and feelings in the matter of one paragraph. Complete with mp3's!

FEATURED REVIEW
Vivian Girls
Vivian Girls - (In the Red) September 30
Rating 82%
Vivian Girls - "Where Do You Run To" - mp3

Joining label-mates Cheap Time, Jay Reatard and King Khan, the Vivian Girls add another addition to the amazing crop of lo-fi punk infused rock released in 2008. Whereas the former artists' music comes off aggressive and in your face, the Vivian Girls' songs have a bouncy melodic nature to them, making them sound more like tiny pop nuggets rather than charging punk-rock. This is no way detracts from their rock cred or badassness. Remember, Elvis Costello and Talking Heads were once considered punk. These three women just happen to write fantastically melodic and catchy songs. These melodies are often hidden beneath their lovely fuzzed-out guitars and straight ahead drum beats. Yet, the Vivian Girls debut record says something about the nature of what is considered punk or rock music. These genres do not always demand lightning quick tempos and sex pistols-esqe lyrics. At times it is the short, pleasing, and highly satisfying albums that sound the most original and do the most to advance these genres.

Starling Electric
Clouded Staircase (Bar/None) August 19 -
Rating - 67%
Starling Electric - "Black Ghost/Black Girl" - mp3

After this Ann Arbor, Michigan's 2006 record Clouded Staircase fell into the hands of Guided by Voices band member Bob Pollard, things began to move fast. They were signed to the big name indie label Bar/None who re-released their 2006 effort this August. Clouded Staircase is quite a pleasant listen in spots and clearly this band has much to offer. While their intention was clearly to channel the psychedelic and lush baroque pop of the 60s and 70s, they achieve this goal to a fault. The songs come off calculated and safe in most parts. Their upbeat, jangely, California pop certainly makes for an enjoyable listen, but it does little to challenge the listener with anything new or original. Clearly Starling Electric has promise, and Clouded Staircase is a solid record, but the band must cut its ties to the past and channel these vintage sounds their through own filter rather than merely set out to emulate them.

Grampall Jookabox
Rope Chain (Asthmatic Kitty) November 5
Rating 77%
Granpall Jookabox - "The Girl Ain't Preggers" - mp3

Grampall Jookabox, despite the horrible name, offers up a distorted bass-heavy mash of hip-hop and psychedelic rock. Yet unlike the above review, this psychedelia comes from an authentic sounding haze of trashed guitar and bass sounds with lyrics that touch upon paranormal experiences, walking on mountain tops and madness. On “Let’s Go Mad Together” he sings: "Let’s accept madness together / I need a partner in crime / I am too weary to fight it, honey /And it could be a good time." There's something modern and visceral happening on this album that sounds original and spontaneous. While perhaps not an everyday listen, the opener "Black Girls" the single "The Girl Ain't Preggers" alongside the lyrics and bass driven beats make Ropechain worth the price of admission.

Dylan Champagne
New Equation
Rating 68%

Dylan Champagne "From Here to There" - mp3
Dylan Champagne "Junk Parts" - mp3
The title of this gentle and melancholic record could perhaps reference Champagne's defection from San Francisco math rocker to a quiet acoustic guitar wielding songwriter recording in a basement in Oakland, California. These sparse songs backed by brushed drums and, at times, strings seem like the perfect soundtrack to those fog enshrouded winter days spent on the bay. For all of the record's aesthetic accolades its failings come at the hands of Champagne's voice, which is average at best and his songwriting which needs refinement and development. Often it's these records that prove most frustrating for listeners. Every aspect is there to make it a truly worthwhile and reliable purchase. You want to love it so much. Yet, ultimately its weaknesses erect some sort of subconscious barrier and it stays on your shelf for weeks. While New Equation never leaves you with a bad taste, there is nothing there that keeps you coming back.

New Videos from Q-Tip, Vivian Girls and Justin Townes Earle

Q-Tip with Robert Glasper "Getting Up"

Today's featured video is a new one from Q-Tip. What really gets us hot and bothered about this video is the inclusion of rising piano star Robert Glasper. Glasper is another in a slew of musicians changing the face of modern jazz. Glasper often collaborates with Q-Tip, Mos Def and other prominent members of the hip hop community. Yet, Glasper draws praise from jazz aficionados as well, who compare him with greats such as Chick Corea, Keith Jarret and Mulgrew Miller. Glasper has two records out now via Blue Note Records, Canvas and In My Element. Both highly recommended. Thanks to Greg "Don't call me Thomas" Thomas for this one. See after the jump for great new videos from the Vivian Girls and Justin Townes Earle.

Vivian Girls "Tell the World" via pitchfork.tv


Justin Townes Earle "The Good Life"

Justin Townes Earle, "The Good Life" from Bloodshot Records on Vimeo.



After the jump.

Hawnay Troof @ Death By Audio w/ Vivian Girls -- Plus New LP

Hawnay Troof's (real name: Vice Cooler?) new LP Islands of Ayle releasing September 9th on Retard Disco, has been spinning a lot around here of late. While it takes a few listens to dig in, this mish-mash of pop, dance, and rock is anchored by 'Troof's clever songwriting, lo-fi production and masterful use of samples. HT plays Death By Audio tonight with the Vivian Girls, whose new self-titled record is amazing. More to come on that album in a few days...

Two new songs are available from HT's new album. "The Gods Are Crazy" (featuring Carla Bozulich) can be heard on SPIN.com and you can listen to "Connection" on MySpace. Hawnay Troof is also offering up a remix project. This from the Press Release:

"HT is inviting fans to take part in an upcoming free download album called Remix Projection. Two different music files are now available for download from their new album Islands of Ayle on the Hawnay Troof website, giving fans a chance to redo their songs. Remix Projection will be released on Halloween. Visit HT's website for full info.

More shows have been added to Hawnay Troof's world tour that includes performances with Deerhoof, High Places, Peaches, Ssion, and a record release party in New York with Vivian Girls.

Limited edition repress remix CDR's will be available on these tours featuring remixes that Hawnay Troof has made for No Age, High Places, Yacht and more."

Tour Dates After the Jump...


09/02/08: Brooklyn, NY @ Death By Audio RECORD RELEASE PARTY! w/ City Center, Urxed, Vivian Girls
09/04/08: Baltimore, MD @ Floristree
09/05/08: Chapel Hill, NC@ C-CHCFME-bog 15 Bolin Heights Chapel Hill NC 27514
09/06/08: Athens, GA @ The Go Bar
09/07/08: Atlanta, GA @ Eyedrum
09/09/08: Orlando, FL @ Blackbooth
09/10/08: Pensacola, FL @ Sluggos
09/12/08: Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box
09/13/08: Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
09/15/08: New Orleans, LA @ The Spellcaster Lodge (Quintrons Birthday Party!)
09/16/08: Austin, TX @ Okay Mountain (Early Show)
09/17/08: Lubbock, TX @ Bash's
09/18/08: Phoenix, AZ @ Trunkspace
09/19/08: San Diego, CA @ The Whistle Stop (Free; 21+; 9PM)
09/20/08: Los Angeles, CA @ The Smell
09/21/08: San Francisco, CA @ The Knockout (21+)
09/24/08: Aukland, NZ @ Power Station w/ Peaches
09/25/08: Wellington, NZ @ SFBH w/ Peaches
09/27/08: Adelaide, OZ @ PARKLIFE w/ Dizzee Rascal, Diplo, Peaches, Goldfrapp
09/28/08: Melbourne OZ @ PARKLIFE w/ Dizzee Rascal, Diplo, Peaches, Goldfrapp
09/29/08: Perth, OZ @ PARKLIFE w/ Dizzee Rascal, Diplo, Peaches, Goldfrapp
09/30/08: Melbourne, OZ @ Ding Dong w/ Always, Grey Daturas
10/01/08: Melbourne, OZ @ Enmore w/ Peaches
10/02/08: Sydney, OZ @ Hopetoun w/ Cat Call, Circle Pit
10/03/08: Sydney, OZ @ Palace w/ Peaches 10/04/08: Brisbane, OZ @ PARKLIFE w/ Dizzee Rascal, Diplo, Peaches, Goldfrapp
10/05/08: Sydney OZ @ PARKLIFE w/ Dizzee Rascal, Diplo, Peaches, Goldfrapp
10/08/08: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill w/ High Places, Ponytail
10/15/08: Glasgow, UK @ 13th Note Cafe
10/16/08: Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
10/17/08: Birmingham, UK @ Chicks Dig Jerks
10/21/08: Hamburg, GER @ Hafenklang
11/07/08: Dallas, TX @ Grenada w/ Deerhoof
11/08/08: Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fest w/ Deerhoof
11/14/08: Vienna, Austria @ Arena w/ Death Sentance Panda
11/27/08: Frankfurt, Germany @ o25
11/28/08: Munich, Germany @ CandyClubFeierWerk