Nashville-based trio, The Silver Seas, is set to release its sophomore LP later this summer, titled Chateau Revenge. A follow up to the beloved debut, High Society, this next album is full of poppy gems. The track that the band’s offering up as a little sneaky peak is “The Best Things in Life.” With a definite … Read more
Singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier isn’t afraid to write about any subject, even when it means writing bout her adopted and wandering past. Her new album, The Foundling, was released on May 18th, and it’s an autobiographical journey that talks about Gauthier’s search for her birth mother. Gauthier explains that “when I was 45 years old, I … Read more
Today, Free Energy debuted its new video for “Bang Pop.” It starts off in a classroom full of bored hipsters circa 1976 (or maybe it’s 2010? I can’t tell anymore…), perfect timing for this time of year when summer vacation is knock, knock, knocking on every teenager’s door. The band’s debut album, Stuck On Nothing, is … Read more
Flying Lotus, or Flylo as I and other cool people refer to him, has been on a steady climb since being outed as the artist behind a few of the bumps on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming, as well as a moderate underground hit with his debut album 1983. The hype machine has been churning … Read more
It’s surprisingly hard to figure out which part of the musical spectrum Harlem best fits, which for me is part of what makes them so likable. While there’s plenty of punk/rock ‘n’ roll spirit on the album, Harlem has proven that they’re more than capable of writing poppy hooks on tunes like today’s Jam of … Read more
Interpol is set to head out on the road this summer which is news you are mandated to love as a music fan and decent human being – even if they will be heading out without empty-holster wearing bassist Carlos D. (who in my opinion single-handedly brought back the mustache). The announcement came via the … Read more
Recently, our resident North Carolina boy, Matt, was wowed by La Strada’s live show, and his rave review turned me onto the band. Today, the Brooklyn sextet released the official David Lynch-ian video for the first single off New Home, “Wash On By.” Tour Dates: 5/29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Bell House 6/12 – Montreal, … Read more
Today’s JOTD is hugely inspired by last night’s Pearl Jam show in St. Louis (which also featured opener Band of Horses…I’ll have more on that tomorrow). For the most part, I stopped “following” Pearl Jam after 2000, mainly because I couldn’t stand the Binaural album (minus “Light Years,” which I believe is a great song). … Read more
Photo credit: Caleb Beyers Used to “half-writing” songs to take to her fellow band members of The New Pornographers for further collaboration, Kathryn Calder had to do things differently during the process of creating her solo debut. With help from New Pornos pals, Neko Case, Kurt Dahle and Todd Fancey, along with members of Ladyhawk … Read more
Chris McGarry may reside in Denver these days, but his bio tells us he was “raised on Methodist hymns, folk ballads, and vintage country.” And after one listen to “Brooklyn Bound,” off his debut album, And The Weary Eyes Reply, you can sense his car wheels were indeed made for gravel roads. McGarry’s extraordinary sound … Read more
I’m going to use a little reverse psychology this morning on crotchety ole’ mom nature. It’s Monday morning, it’s raining for the fifth day in a row, and she is basically forcing me to post some early Sigur Ros – which would make everyone at work fall asleep in their cubes instantaneously. But I’m going … Read more
Pearl Jam I could tell you a lot of lies about the early ’90s, like how the first CD I ever purchased was Pearl Jam’s Ten. I could tell you that I “discovered’ them all by myself, that maybe I just liked the cover of Ten and decided to buy it. Of course, that would … Read more
Check out behind-the-scenes footage of MGMT’s “Flash Delirium” video, shot last March in Yonkers, New York and directed by Andreas Nilsson. Congratulations is out now on Columbia Records.
No, it’s not a cover of James Brown’s hot 1985 jam, “Living in America.” But, ahem, I probably wouldn’t be too mad if it were. No, Dom’s ode to the land of the free and the home of the brave is a tongue-in-cheek proclamation of America’s downright sexiness. Yes, folks, “It’s so sexxxyyy, living in America.” … Read more
EELS is set to release what band leader, Mark Oliver Everett, calls the third installment of the album trilogy that began in 2009 with Hombre Lobo, followed up with End Times in January of this year. To finish it out, the fourteen-track Tomorrow Morning drops August 24th on Everett’s own E Works Records, and the … Read more
Photo Credit: Katie Guymon “Are you really a man, or are you a bag of sand?” lead singer Scott Hutchison sang mid-way through Frightened Rabbit’s set at the Old Rock House in St. Louis. The opening chords of “Swim Until You Can’t See Land,” the first “single” off Frightened Rabbit’s latest album, The Winter of … Read more
Singer-songwriter Michael McDermott made one of the best albums in 2009 that you may not have heard. Hey La Hey was filled with great songwriting, and its closing track, “Carry Your Cross,” is an emotional whirlwind. I’m happy to see McDermott has given it justice with the video below. Take a few minutes and soak … Read more
I recently heard The Joy Formidable, and our Jam of the Day “Whirring,” described as being hit in the face with a heavy sack of sugar. After listening, I would have to concur, and understanding the statement now, consider it an actual compliment for the Welsh group. And that’s coming from a dude who was … Read more
Cowboy Junkies, those generous Canadians. Yup, you can hear their album, Renmin Park, for free on their website (or just listen below). And judging from a few listens, this is an interesting and wonderful collection of songs, which are mostly influenced by lead songwriter Michael Timmins’ experiences in China. Spend some time with it before … Read more
Well, here’s your chance to do something pretty awesome – and of course reap the benefits at the same time. Because good deeds really don’t feel good unless you get some shit in return. The History: It’s been eight long years since the release of Crooked Fingers’ unbelievable Reservoir Songs EP, which found leader Eric … Read more
Click, spin, and enjoy! A. The Suburbs AA. Month of May
Sometimes I close my eyesAnd hum the songs we lovedYour dress was blue and you Were as bright as ChristmasAnd down through all the streetsThe air was cool and sweetAnd all we knew was briefBut seemed eternal The first time I heard this song, I saw Matthew Ryan perform it live, solo-acoustic, at Off Broadway … Read more
Thanks to Alice for the tip on this live cover of Bon Iver doing The Outfield’s “Your Love,” originally found on Rod Blackhurst’s blog. It’s about six months old, but it’s news to me. And maybe you, unless you’re way cooler than I. If Justin Vernon’s voice isn’t perfect for this song, I don’t know … Read more
Here’s some North Carolina love for this Tuesday morning – from one local artist to another. Scott Avett (one of The Avett Brothers) recorded the video below for your viewing pleasure, performing Bombadil’s song “Marriage” from their album Tarpits and Canyonlands released last year via Ramseur Records. Now I’m not sure which version I like more…
Rust Never Sleeps, right? Neil Young began his “Twisted Road” solo tour on Tuesday evening with “My My, Hey Hey,” the opening song off 1979’s Rust Never Sleeps. We weren’t at the opener, but we’ll be at The Ryman on June 2nd with a full report. For now, check out the opening night’s setlist! (FYI: … Read more
Delta Spirit is set to release LP2, History From Below, June 8th on Rounder Records. To celebrate, the band has just put up the first single, “Bushwick Blues,” for sale on iTunes and confirmed an in-store performance on June 7th at Amoeba Records in Los Angeles. History From Below was recorded at Prairie Sun Studio … Read more
When trying to introduce Megafaun to the masses, it’s hard not to bring up the fact they were three of the four members of the Raleigh band DaYarmond Edison. Reason being – the fourth member of that band was Justin Vernon, otherwise known as everyone’s favorite indie-folkie Bon Iver. But as our Jam of the … Read more
It’s really hard to talk about Minneapolis singer-songwriter, Jeremy Messersmith, without mentioning The Beach Boys. He does that Pet Sounds-meets-the-here-and-now thing quite well, kinda like The Thrills‘ 2003 album, So Much For the City, an ode to Californ-i-a, start to finish. Think: sun-drenched baroque pop that glimmers…but recedes into the shadows when the storytelling grows moody. … Read more
The Black Keys’ sixth LP, Brothers, comes out today on Nonesuch Records. The blues-rock duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney released the Danger Mouse-produced, “Tighten Up,” as its first single back in March. And while that is a damn fine introduction to what Brothers is all about, an R&B-packed punch full of crazy catchy … Read more
I’m a sucker for banjos and fiddles. And female singers. I’m sure I’ve already told you that numerous times, but hey, that’s how my brain works. (Is there some kind of therapy for that?) Crooked Still, who will release Some Strange Country on June 1st, has all of these things. I’m guessing you’re gonna like … Read more