April 2009
83 posts
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VIDEO: Paramore - "Decoy" (Live)
Paramore just released a live video for their unreleased hit, “Decoy.” Their “Final Riot” DVD is now out too. (Ian Anderson)
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NEW: Shugo Tokumaru - "Rum Hee"
*MP3: Shugo Tokumaru - “Rum Hee” Shugo Tokumaru has been on my radar since he went on tour with the Magnetic Fields in 2008, but now, I am a full-fledged fan. Tokumaru just released a new single, “Rum Hee,” which hopefully means a new LP is on the way.
MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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Saddle Creek Signs Rural Alberta Advantage
*MP3: Rural Alberta Advantage - “Don’t Haunt This Place” Toronto’s Rural Alberta Advantage have announced that they have signed with Saddle Creek Records. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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VIDEO: M. Ward - "Rave On"
M. Ward just released his video for “Rave On,” my favorite track off of his latest album. (Ian Anderson)
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NEW: Dinosaur Jr. - "I Want You To Know"
*MP3: Dinosaur Jr. - “I Want You To Know” New Dinosaur Jr. is here and boy am I happy about it. “I Want You To Know” shows off a bit more energy than I was expecting, and that may be due to the fact that the original lineup is kicking it together again. Their new album, “Farm,” comes out on June 23 via Jagjaguwar. (Ian Anderson)
NEW: John Vanderslice - "Too Much Time"
*MP3: John Vanderslice - “Too Much Time”
John Vanderslice’s new album, Romanian Names, will be out on May 19 via Dead Oeans. Here is “Too Much Time,” the latest from this soon to be my favorite of 2009. I love John Vanderslice.
Buy all of his records here. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
Best Buy To Start Carrying Vinyl
No joke. According to the New York Post, Best Buy (BBY) will be devoting eight square feet to vinyl in every location in the U.S. That means around 200 titles in 1,020 stores. (Ian Anderson)
On the Road Mix No. 8
*MP3: Now, Now Every Children - “Sleep Through Summer” For the next ten days, I’ll be on the road with Now, Now Every Children. We left Minneapolis this morning bright and early and are en route to Chicago, we are playing at the Abbey Pub tonight. If you are a frequent MFR reader and find what I do interesting, don’t be shy and feel free to come to one of these shows...
NEW: Akron/Family: - "River"
*MP3: Akron/Family - “River” The new Akron/Family record, “Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free,” comes out on May 5 via Dead Oceans. Here is the latest from them, “River.” I’m definitely looking forward to this one. (Ian Anderson)
MPR Interviews Tom Robbins
Tom Robbins (author of “Jitterbug Perfume,” “Still Life with Woodpecker,” “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues”) gave a reading at the Downtown Minneapolis Public Library last night and MPR had the chance to interview him.
Listen to more here.
(Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Metric - "Help I'm Alive"
(Ian Anderson)
Best New Releases for April 28, 2009
A Camp - “Colonia” (Nettwerk) *MP3: A Camp - “Stronger Than Jesus” Buy it on iTunes. Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - “Nikorette” [Single] (Merge) *MP3: Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - “Nikorette” Buy it on iTunes. Daughters of the Sun - “Rings” (Modern Radio) *MP3: Daughters of the Sun - “Gong The...
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Announce Tour Dates
*MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - “Hysteric” 04-29 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso 04-30 Paris, France - Bataclan 05-02 Hasselt, Belgium - Polsslag Festival 05-03 Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall 05-04 Milan, Italy - Magazzini Generale 05-06 Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle 05-08 Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Medis 05-10 Tel Aviv, Israel - Ramat Gan Football Stadium 05-23 Quincy, WA -...
NEW: Passion Pit - "Moth's Wings"
*MP3: Passion Pit - “Moth’s Wings” Passion Pit have released a new single, “Moth’s Wings.” A bit different, a bit awesome. “Manners” is out on May 19 via Frenchkiss Records. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
Japandroids Score 'Best New Music' on P4K, Play...
*MP3: Japandroids - “Young Hearts Spark Fire” Our beloved Japandroids scored an 8.3 and the title of “Best New Music” on Pitchfork today, which is awesome. But the best part, is that we will be presenting their show along with Afternoon Records in St. Paul at the Turf Club on May 13 with Gospel Gossip. MFR and Afternoon Records Present: Japandroids Gospel Gossip at the...
Appreciation Post: Avey Tare of Animal Collective
*MP3: Animal Collective - “Purple Bottle” *MP3: Animal Collective - “Water Curses” In August 2005, Avey Tare of Animal Collective and his girlfriend recorded a handfull of songs live and on video, called the Planet Claire Sessions. I’ve been a fan of these videos for some time, however, I re-discovered them this weekend to much delight....
Advice for Bands: A Social Media Guide
Dear bands: Try your best to take advantage of all of the helpful facets that social media networks provide. Ensure that all that you do funnels your traffic back to your official website or to a site that contains content that you completely control (not MySpace, but rather, a yourband.com sort of thing). Without them, you could get big. But with them, your odds get better. Chart via Hypebot....
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Tonight: The Thermals at the Triple Rock
*MP3: The Thermals - “Now We Can See” *MP3: The Thermals - “I Called Out Your Name” The Thermals are playing at the Triple Rock Social Club tonight. Doors to this 18+ show open at 9pm and admission is $12. I recommend getting their early, I bet this will sell out. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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Tonight: Neko Case at the State Theater
*MP3: Neko Case - “This Tornado Loves You” *MP3: Neko Case - “People Got A Lotta Nerve” Neko Case is playing tonight at the State Theatre. The show is sold out and doors open at 7:30pm. It will be fantastic. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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Tonight: M. Ward at First Avenue
*MP3: M. Ward - “Rave On” *MP3: M. Ward - “Right In The Head” M. Ward is playing at the First Avenue Mainroom tonight. Door to this 18+ show open at 6pm and admission is $18 at the door. It will be a great show. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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Daughters of the Sun - Rings
Daughters of the Sun Rings (Modern Radio, 2009) Grade: B+ Download: Daughters of the Sun - “Gong the Divider” Short Take: If can buy only one album this year with fifteen minutes of field recordings from India, make it this one. Long Take: And therein lies both the problem and the . After 2007’s masterful, sorely underrated confection of pop-psychedelia Visions of the Ocean...
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Video: Why Radio & Music Industry Sucks Nowadays
This is a great compilation of interviews from artists voicing their opinions on modern radio and the music industry - and how it sucks. Via Hypebot. (Ian Anderson)
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Film Girl Mix #1: A Mix For The Kids
Our resident film-square-girl, Alyssa Kleven (see our live footage), was recently asked to suggest a few kid-safe tunes for a friend that had grown weary of listening endlessly to Hannah Montana overhead while she worked at her day job, teaching art to four-to-eight year olds. Just a few songs? Well, she might have gone a little overboard. Grab a swirly straw and a juice box and enjoy over the...
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Tonight: Anni Rossi at the 7th St. Entry
*MP3: Anni Rossi - “Machine” Anni Rossi will be performing at the 7th St. Entry with Noah and the Whale. Doors to this all ages show open at 6 p.m. and admission is $10. Recommended. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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The Radiohead Model, Chapter 4: Everything In Its...
*MP3: Radiohead - “Everything In Its Right Place” *MP3: Radiohead - “The National Anthem” A well-known trope in the history of popular music is that no one artist has been able to fully duplicate the exponentially adventurous and innovative catalog arc which The Beatles produced in the 1960s. Certainly, the example lingers like a ghost in the closet of every British band...
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NEW: Passion Pit - "Little Secrets"
*MP3: Passion Pit - “Little Secrets” The new Passion Pit album will be out on May 19 via Frenchkiss Records. This new single is great. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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Live Video: Peter, Bjorn and John in Minneapolis
Here is live footage we shot of Peter, Bjorn and John at their show on April 21, 2009 at the Fineline. Peter, Bjorn and John - “It Don’t Move Me” (Live in Minneapolis 4/21/09)
*MP3: Peter, Bjorn and John - “It Don’t Move Me” Peter, Bjorn and John - “Nothing To Worry About” (Live in Minneapolis 4/21/09)
*MP3: Peter, Bjorn and John -...
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Wilco and Conor Oberst to Tour Together
*MP3: Wilco - “Impossible Germany” *MP3: Conor Oberst - “Nikorette” Wilco has announced that Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band will be opening for them on their upcoming July tour. That’s awesome. Both have new records coming out (Oberst May 5 and Wilco in June). I’ll let you know when the dates are announced. (Ian Anderson)
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Sunset Rubdown - "Idiot Heart"
*MP3: Sunset Rubdown - “Idiot Heart” Sunset Rubdown’s new album, Dragonslayer, will be released by Jagjaguwar on June 23rd. Here is their first single “Idiot Heart.” They’ve also released a string of tour dates, including a Minneapolis stop on July 6th at the 7th St. Entry. 6/11/09 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs 6/12/09 Brooklyn, NY - Studio B 6/13/09...
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Tonight: Great Lake Swimmers at the 7th St. Entry
*MP3: Great Lake Swimmers - “Pulling On A Line” Great Lake Swimmers are playing at the 7th St. Entry tonight. Doors to this 18+ show open at 8pm and admission is $10. The Wars of 1812 are opening, which makes this show a definite recommend. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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The Killers - "I Got Soul" (Chris Tall Remix)
*MP3: The Killers - “I Got Soul” (Chris Tall Remix) The Chris Tall remix of The Killer’s “I Got Soul” just came into my inbox. Pretty tasty. (Ian Anderson)
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Zooey Deschanel - "Fabric of My Life"
*MP3: Zooey Deschanel - “Fabric of My Life” (Via) HAHAHAHHAHA. (Ian Anderson)
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Bat For Lashes Cover Kings of Leon's "Use...
*MP3: Kings of Leon - “Use Somebody” (Bat For Lashes Cover) Bat For Lashes covered “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon in a recent BBC Session. Great song, solid performance. (Ian Anderson)
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Tonight: Peter, Bjorn and John at the Fine Line
*MP3: Peter, Bjorn and John - “Living Thing” Peter, Bjorn and John are playing at the Fine Line tonight. Their new record, “Living Thing,” has been quite the pleasant surprise. 4/21: Mpls, MN @ the Fine Line 4/22: Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre 4/23: Chicago, IL @ Metro 4/24: Newport, KY @ Southgate House 4/25: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre 4/26: Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music...
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St. Vincent on NPR's "First Listen"
Listen to St. Vincent’s new album, “Actor,” in its entirety at NPR’s “First Listen” here. It’s amazing. (Ian Anderson)
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NEW: Sonic Youth - "Sacred Trickster"
*MP3: Sonic Youth - “Sacred Trickster” Sonic Youth’s new album, “The Eternal,” will be out on Matador Records on June 9. They’re giving away “Sacred Trickster” for free to get the word out, and it’s a great taste of what I hope the rest of the record will sound like. Exciting! Props to We All Want Someone To Shout For for the find. MySpace...
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Tonight: Serena Ryder at the Hard Rock Cafe
*MP3: Serena Ryder - “Little Bit Of Red” Toronto’s Serena Ryder is playing a free show at the Hard Rock Cafe tonight. Recommended for fans of Alela Diane and the folkier side of Feist, Ryder has a hit in “Little Bit of Red.” MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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Phoenix Covers Air
*MP3: Phoenix - “Playground Love” (Air Cover) Props to WDPK on the find of this Air cover by Phoenix. Great song, pretty cover. (Ian Anderson)
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42 Songs for 4/20
(Abstraction - “Nuff’ Fire”) Download: Jarvis Cocker - “Angela” Download: Fleet Foxes - “Mykonos” Download: The Vaselines - “Son of a Gun” Download: Fucked Up - “No Epiphany” (No Age Remix) Download: St. Vincent - “The Strangers” Download: Vacations - “Hassle with Real” Download: Black Blondie -...
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Appreciation Post: The Kills
*MP3: The Kills - “Last Day Of Magic” *MP3: The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful (SebastiAn Remix) The Kills are so damn cool. The London-based duo has found their way onto the top of my iTunes playlist consistently each week since I first heard “Last Day of Magic” last year. All of their records are dark, sexy and fantastic. If you’re new to The Kills, I recommend...
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Tonight: Wye Oak and Pomegranates at the 7th St....
*MP3: Wye Oak - “Take It In” *MP3: Pomegranates - “Corriander” Wye Oak and Pomegranates are playing tonight at the 7th St. Entry. I highly recommend this show. Wye Oak on MySpace Pomegranates on MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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Black Blondie - Do You Remember Who You Wanted To...
Black Blondie - Do You Remember Who You Wanted To Be Grade: A- (Self-Released) *MP3: Black Blondie - “Candy Cigarettes” Slug of Atmosphere, during his one-time stint as love advice columnist for The AV Club, advised one reader that some people were addicted to drama in the same way that others were addicted to drugs. Based on some of the lyrical content of Black Blondie’s newest...
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John Vanderslice Announces Tour Dates
*MP3: John Vanderslice - “Fetal Horses” John Vanderslice added a whole slew of tour dates to his schedule today, including an MPLS date at the Turf Club. 05/17/09 Merced, CA - The Partisan w/ The Morning Benders 05/19/09 San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Shop w/ Special Guest 05/21/09 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios w/ Special Guest 05/22/09 Seattle, WA - Easy Street 05/24/09...
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NEW: Gospel Gossip - "Pre-Med"
Download: Gospel Gossip - “Pre-Med” I’m currently at work right now, so I can’t listen to this, but any new track from Gospel Gossip is bound to cause excitement here at MFR. The new track is called “Pre-Med,” and its the second single released from their recently released Dreamland EP. The band debuted the song at a Radio K session some time ago, but this is...
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Trailer: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
YES. (Ian Anderson)
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Ra Ra Riot Live In The Current Studios
Ra Ra Riot performed in-studio at the Current yesterday. They did a great job and it sounds beautiful. Read the full piece here. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
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VIDEO: Alela Diane - "Every Path"
*MP3: Alela Diane - “White As Diamonds” Alela Diane released her video for “Every Path” today. Very pretty video. She also announced a few tour dates (no Mpls date sadly): May 5 Triple Door Seatle WA w Iron & Wine May 7 The Loft San Diego CA w Mariee Sioux May 8 Masonic Cemetary Los Angeles CA w Iron & Wine May 9 McCabes Santa Monica CA w Mariee Sioux May 10...
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Yeah Yeah Yeahs On Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
(Ian Anderson)
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Neko Case On Late Night With David Letterman
Neko Case is so cool. (Ian Anderson)
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The Alarmists Announce New Album
It’s been a while since the scene has heard from The Alarmists in record form, though the band has been keeping plenty busy in terms of playing live gigs. But now, in a post on their MySpace blog, the power-popsters have announced that a new album is coming this summer. The record is titled The Overhead Left, and the record will be released sometime in early June. The Alarmists have also...