October 2009
55 posts
Tonight: Sissy Wish, Lookbook, Melismatics at the...
*MP3: Sissy Wish - “Float” *MP3: Lookbook - “True To Form” Bergen, Norway native and Afternoon Records artist Sissy Wish is in St. Paul tonight playing at the Turf Club with Lookbook and the Melismatics. Doors to this 21+ show open at 9pm. I highly recommend it! MySpace (Ian Anderson)
Tonight: Personal Best Records Launch Party
*MP3: Total Babe - “Bearbones” *MP3: Shoe Shiners - “And Don’t Even Think About Burning Down His Apartment” *MP3: We Valedictorians - “Standing In The Grey” Personal Best Records, a new subdivision of Afternoon Records is having its launch party tonight at the Music Box Theatre. Doors to this all ages show open at 7pm. Go check it out and hear music from...
Copeland Break Up
*MP3: Copeland - “Chin Up” *MP3: Copeland - The Grey Man” It’s a sad day for pop music. Copeland, lead purveyors of a light, subtle and beautiful style of pop music are calling it quits. They released this statement: “We have come to an extremely difficult decision. It has come time for us to move on from Copeland and follow other paths in our lives. We are...
MP3: Designer Drugs - "Drop Down"
*MP3: Designer Drugs - “Drop Down” Club music at its finest. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Lookbook - "Over And Over"
(Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: P.O.S. - "Never Better"
The latest video in P.O.S.’s ambitious goal to create 6 short clips for his breakthrough record, Never Better, MTVU (that’s a thing, right?) premiered this bad boy earlier this morning. The moodiness of the clip makes for a perfect companion to the rainy weather here in the Chi. Watch it at the top of the post.
P.O.S. MySpace Page
(Jon Graef)
VIDEO: James Franco - "Gucci by Gookie"
Okay, I could watch James Franco do anything. That’s it. I love this man. Via the dorks at Funny Or Die. (Ian Anderson)
Appreciation Post: Jimmy Eat World
*MP3: Jimmy Eat World - “Lucky Denver Mint” *MP3: Jimmy Eat World - “Bleed American” The thing I always liked about Jimmy Eat World is that they were just a group of dudes who wrote great pop songs. After spending too many hours in a van on the road, JEW always finds a way to the top of the playlist. Buy Jimmy Eat World’s records on iTunes. (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Julian Casablancas on Conan O'Brien
(Ian Anderson)
MP3: Taylor Swift - "Jump Then Fall"
*MP3: Taylor Swift - “Jump Then Fall” “Jump Then Fall” is from the new platinum-edition Fearless that Taylor Swift released today. Good single potential on this one. (Ian Anderson)
MP3: LCD Soundsystem - "Bye Bye Bayou"
*MP3: LCD Soundsystem - “Bye Bye Bayou” The latest from LCD Soundsystem will be out on vinyl 11/7 and digitally 11/24 via DFA. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
Best New Releases For October 27, 2009
BOAT - “Setting The Paces” (Magic Marker) *MP3: BOAT - “We’ve Been Friends Since 1989” Buy it on iTunes. Devendra Banhart - “What Will We Be” (Warner Bros.) *MP3: Devendra Banhart - “Baby” Buy it on iTunes. The Swell Season - “Strict Joy” *MP3: The Swell Season - “Low Rising” Buy it on iTunes. Tegan and Sara -...
MP3: Weezer - "Can't Stop Partying" (Feat. Lil'...
*MP3: Weezer - “Can’t Stop Partying” (Feat. Lil’ Wayne) What’s up with me liking this new Weezer material? It’s like Cuomo has crossed a boundary into pure pop, thus coming full-circle back to something I like. (Ian Anderson)
MP3: Ke$ha - "TiK ToK"
*MP3: Ke$ha - “TiK ToK” Kinda hate the video that came out with this song, but I do enjoy the song itself — excellent groove. I think we can expect some major Hills/City attention and Top 40 exposure from Ke$ha in the future. (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Tegan and Sara - "Hell"
(Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: 3Oh!3 - "Starstrukk" (Featuring Katy Perry)
(Ian Anderson)
MP3: Bon Iver & St. Vincent - "Roslyn"
*MP3: Bon Iver & St. Vincent - “Roslyn” The collaboration between Bon Iver and St. Vincent is one of the great highlights of the new Twilight soundtrack. So beautiful. (Ian Anderson)
LOCAL: Zoo Animal - "Simone"
Picked-to-Clicksters Zoo Animal performed recently on The Current, and you can watch the video of the trio rocking out on “Simone” at the top of the post.
Zoo Animal MySpace Page
(Jon Graef)
MP3: Phoenix - "Lisztomania" (Alex Metric Remix)
*MP3: Phoenix - “Lisztomania” (Alex Metric Remix) Dance night continues with a remix of Phoenix’s “Lisztomania” by Alex Metric. Good feel and good execution on this one. (Ian Anderson)
MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll" (A-Trak...
*MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - “Heads Will Roll” (A-Trak Remix) I’m loving this A-Trak remix of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Heads Will Roll.” It’s gonna be huge. (Ian Anderson)
Stream Tegan and Sara's New Album In Its Entirety
*MP3: Tegan & Sara - “Hell” Tegan and Sara’s new album, Sainthood, is now streaming in full on their MySpace page. Sounds great. (Ian Anderson)
Best New Releases For October 20, 2009
Ian Anderson - “Here Come The Regulars” (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) *MP3: One for the Team - “Best Supporting Actress” *Note: This is my new book on the subject of how to start a record label with little or no money. It is a simple and straightforward guidebook to help get things off the ground. Buy it via Afternoon Records or Amazon. Atlas Sound - “Logos”...
MP3: Julian Casablancas - "River of Brakelights"
*MP3: Julian Casablancas - “River of Brakelights” The latest from Julian Casablancas has hit the streets. “River of Brakelights” is another continuation of First Impressions of Earth, which is a good thing. (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Camera Obscura - "The Sweetest Thing"
(Ian Anderson)
MP3: Lady GaGa - "No Way"
*MP3: Lady Gaga - “No Way” “No Way” is the latest soon-to-be-release single from Lady GaGa who has been dominating pop culture over the last few months. Add “No Way” to her long list of hits. (Ian Anderson)
Lyrically Speaking: The National
*MP3: The National - “Fake Empire” *MP3: The National - “Mistaken For Strangers”
Of any element of modern popular music, lyrics often merit the least discussion. In formal record reviews, their treatment is often cursory and impressionistic, somehow even truncated in the most tome-like of Pitchfork reviews. The exception might be hip-hop, though space constraints still...
MP3: Lookbook - "True To Form"
*MP3: Lookbook - “True To Form” [LOCAL] Lookbook have always been hot, but now, with the release of their new album, Wild At Heart, they’re taking strides. “True To Form” is my current favorite off of the record, but I expect that to change from week-to-week. Check out their upcoming tour dates on their MySpace page and pick up their previous EP, I Fear You, My...
Free Energy Announces Album Details, US Tour
*MP3: Free Energy - “Dark Trance” Free Energy are hitting the road again with a stop in Minneapolis on 11/6 at the Triple Rock. Futhermore, their new record, Stuck On Nothing, will be out on 1/26 via DFA/Astralwerks. 10/20: New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall - Stereogum CMJ Party 10/21: New York, NY @ Santos Partyhouse - CMJ Oh My Rockness Showcase 10/22: New York, NY @ Pianos...
MP3: OK Go - "Shooting The Moon"
*MP3: OK Go - “Shooting The Moon” OK Go are coming to life again in 2010, the first indication of their awakening comes from the Twilight soundtrack, which features their new jam, “Shooting The Moon.” (Ian Anderson)
MP3: Thom Yorke - "Hearing Damage"
*MP3: Thom Yorke - “Hearing Damage” Thom Yorke loves the Twilight. “Hearing Damage” is his latest contribution to the teen-vampire-drama. (Ian Anderson)
Best New Releases For October 13, 2009
The Flaming Lips - “Embryonic” (Warner Bros.) *MP3: The Flaming Lips - “Worm Mountain” Buy it on iTunes. Har Mar Superstar - “Dark Touches” (Dilettante) *MP3: Har Mar Superstar - “Tall Boy” Buy it on iTunes. Lightning Bolt - “Earthly Delights” (Load) *MP3: Lightning Bolt - “Colossus” Buy it on iTunes. We Shot The Moon -...
Tour: Tegan and Sara Announce US Dates
*MP3: Tegan and Sara - “Hell” Tegan and Sara have announced US tour dates for early 2010 with a stop in Mpls at the Orpheum on 3/24. Fri/Feb-12 - Northampton, MA - Calvin Theater Sat/Feb-13 - Boston, MA - The Orpheum Tue/Feb-16 - Philadelphia, PA, Tower Theater (Upper Darby) Wed/Feb-17 - Washington, DC - Warner Theater Thu/Feb-18 - Richmond, VA - The National Sat/Feb-20 - Tampa,...
MP3: Michael Jackson - "This Is It"
*MP3: Michael Jackson - “This Is It” “This Is It” the movie hits theaters on 10/28, the “This Is It” compilation album will be out 10/27. (Ian Anderson)
Appreciation Post: Queen - "Bicycle Race"
*MP3: Queen - “Bicycle Race” Having just posted a song entitled “Bicycle,” I was inspired to listen to Queen’s take on the topic. This song is awesome, hence all this appreciation. (Ian Anderson)
MP3: Memory Tapes - "Bicycle"
*MP3: Memory Tapes - “Bicycle” Memory Tapes’ new album Seek Magic is a grower. “Bicycle” is currently the track that is striking my fancy the most, check it out. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
Top 20 Sellers for October 8, 2009
*MP3: Paramore - “Careful” *MP3: Jay-Z - “Empire State of Mind” *MP3: AFI - “Medicate” *MP3: Owl City - “Fireflies” 01) STREISAND*BARBR|LOVE IS THE AN - 180,416 02) PARAMORE|BRAND NEW EYES - 175,112 03) CAREY*MARIAH|MEMOIRS OF AN IMP - 167,912 04) BREAKING BENJAM|DEAR AGONY - 134,489 05) ALICE IN CHAINS|BLACK GIVES WA - 126,146 06) JAY-Z|BLUEPRINT...
Yo La Tengo performs for The Current
The indie-rock veterans stop by The Current studios to perform songs from this year’s Popular Songs. Performed are first single *MP3: “Periodically Double Or Triple,” and album cuts “If It’s True,” and “Nothing To Hide.” The appearance is notable for the fact that it occurred exactly three years to the date from their last Current appearance, which...
VIDEO: Death Cab For Cutie - "Meet Me On The...
(Ian Anderson)
Tonight: Yo La Tengo at First Avenue
*MP3: Yo La Tengo - “Mr. Tough” Yo La Tengo are playing tonight at the First Avenue Mainroom. Doors to this 18+ show open at 8pm. (Ian Anderson)
Tonight: Why? at the Triple Rock
*MP3: Why? - “The Vowels” Why? are playing tonight at the Triple Rock Social Club. Doors to this all ages show open at 6pm. (Ian Anderson)
MP3: The Antlers - "When You Sleep" (My Bloody...
*MP3: The Antlers - “When You Sleep” (Live, 2007)
Just a scant 20 minutes ago, The Antlers offered up a tasty morsel of an unreleased track on their Twitter page. Recorded live in 2007, the Brooklyn-based trio offer up their version of My Bloody Valentine’s classic shoegazer track, “When You Sleep,” off of Loveless.
Naturally, my headphones are buried beneath a...
50 Words Or Less: Elbows Top Ten Sept 15-Sept 30
Yeah, so sorry about…oh, the last three months or so. Where does the time go? But hey! I’m slowly going to make it up to you in the most meaningless fashion possible, by making this a weekly get-together. Won’t that be lovely? Here’s the rebooted Top Ten:
1. *MP3: Cassius -“Youth, Speed, Trouble, Cigarettes (Don Diablo Remix)”
French House duo’s latest...
Review: Rock Plaza Central @ Fine Line (9/28/09)
*MP3: Rock Plaza Central - “(Don’t You Believe The Words Of) Handsome Men”
Canadian indie favorites The Weakerthans and Rock Plaza Central graced Minneapolis with their presence this past Saturday, September 26 at Triple Rock Social Club.
The Rock often promises good times and good tunes, but this show really seemed to pack an eclectic punch given the extreme diversity of the...
Best New Releases For October 6, 2009
Air - “Love 2” (Astralwerks) *MP3: Air - “Sing Sang Sung” Buy it on iTunes. Built To Spill - “There Is No Enemy” (Warner Bros.) *MP3: Built to Spill - “Aisle 13” Buy it on iTunes. Calvin Harris - “Ready For The Weekend” (Ultra) *MP3: Calvin Harris - “The Rain” Buy it on iTunes. Daniel Johnston - “Is And Always...
MP3: Vampire Weekend - "Horchata"
*MP3: Vampire Weekend - “Horchata” “Horchata” is the first single from the forthcoming Vampire Weekend album, Contra, due out on 1/12 via XL. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
NEWS: Minus the Bear Post New Song
Minus the Bear have posted a new song, “Into The Mirror,” on imeem. This song is great and is good indication for what’s to come. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
NEWS: Frightened Rabbit Post Two New Songs, Prep...
FatCat Records just posted two new Frightened Rabbit songs on their website to raise a fuss about FR’s new single “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” slated for release on 11/16. (Ian Anderson)
MP3: Tegan and Sara - "Hell"
*MP3: Tegan and Sara - “Hell” “Hell” is the first single from Tegan & Sara’s forthcoming Chris Walla-produced Sainthood. Off to a good start as far as I could say. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Lady Gaga on SNL (10/3/09)
(Ian Anderson)
NEW: Brother Ali JumpOff.TV Interview Video
*MP3: Brother Ali - “Us”
Rhymesayers posted this interview on Friday that MPLS emcee Brother Ali did with hip-hip social networking/music site JumpoffTV. As always, Ali makes for a thoughtful and engaged interview, and this here video isn’t different. Watch it above.
Brother Ali MySpace Page
(Jon Graef)