May 2009
109 posts
Tonight: Camera Obscura at the Varsity Theater...
*MP3: Camera Obscura - “My Maudlin Career” Camera Obscura are playing tonight at the Cedar Cultural Center and I am thrilled that MFR is presenting the show along with the Current. This is absolutely a do-not-miss show. For ticketing information, click here.
MySpace (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Frightened Rabbit - "Swim Until You Can't...
(Ian Anderson)
Dulce et Veckatimest, A Grizzly Bear Review
*MP3: Grizzly Bear - “Fine For Now” *MP3: Grizzly Bear - “About Face” Veckatimest is the sound of a band trying very, very hard. It’s also a fantastic record, a triumph not only of musicianship and technique, but of stirring pathos and epic intent. Ambition can be an ugly thing, especially on a band’s second record, but Grizzly Bear’s first album,...
Sebastien Grainger Announces Tour Dates with...
*MP3: Sebastian Grainger - “Love Can Be So Mean” (via) Sebastian Grainger landed a great opening slot for Metric this summer. Grainger will be in Minneapolis with Metric on June 13 at the First Avenue Mainroom.
Sun-May-31, Omaha, NE, Slowdown Thu-Jun-04, Seattle, WA, Showbox* Fri-Jun-05, Portland, OR, Wonder Ballroom* Sun-Jun-07, San Francisco, CA, 1097 Gallery Mon-Jun-08, Los...
Daytrotter Bookery: One for the Team
I recently did a bookery for Daytrotter and it went up today. Click here to listen. This is what Daytrotter had to say about it: “The reading here - courtesy of Ian Anderson, Grace Fiddler and the rest of the One For The Team team - is the first episode of the second season of X-Files. It’s as ambitious of a Bookery reading as we’ve ever featured, the work of two or three days...
WHY? Announces Plans for New Album In Fall
*MP3: WHY? - “The Vowels” Yoni Wolf of WHY? has announced plans to release a new WHY? album this fall entitled “Eskimo Snow” via Anticon. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
Beyond The Elbo.ws Top Ten: May 28th
(Black Moth Super Rainbow)
1. *MP3: Delay Trees - “Desert Island Song”
Reverb-heavy folk song straddles the line between Phil Spector’s work with the wall-of-sound and more austere inspirations. Plantive emotions help anchor an endearingly vulnerable track.
Grade: B
2. *MP3: The Silent Years - “Madame Shocking”
Beatles-esque chamber-pop (think “Eleanor...
NEW: Julian Plenti - "Fun That We Have"
*MP3: Julian Plenti - “Fun That We Have” Okay, so I’m sold. Heart you Paul Banks (aka Julian Plenti). Official Site (Ian Anderson)
Tonight: Santigold at First Avenue
*MP3: Santigold - “Your Voice” *MP3: Jay-Z - “Brooklyn Go Hard” (Featuring Santigold) Santigold is playing at the First Avenue Mainroom tonight. Doors open at 6pm for this 18-plus show. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
PHOTO: John Vanderslice's Birthday Party
This is one of the most heart-warming photos I have ever seen and I just wanted to share it with you. Go by John Vanderslice’s new record. Via Stereogum. (Ian Anderson)
NEW: The Twilight Sad - "Reflection of the...
*MP3: The Twilight Sad - “Reflection of the Television” Scottish lads Twilight Sad have finally caught my attention with their latest single, “Reflection of the Television.” MySpace (Ian Anderson)
NEW: Jay Reatard - "It Ain't Gonna Save Me"
*MP3: Jay Reatard - “It Ain’t Gonna Save Me”
This just came over the wire (and by wire, i mean inbox). It’s the first single from Jay Reatard’s upcoming, just announced Watch Me Fall, which is, if I’m not mistaken his first, real-boy, all-original album of material for Matador (his previously releases were singles collections, and righteously glorious ones...
NEW: Bowerbirds - "Northern Lights"
*MP3: Bowerbirds - “Northern Lights” “Northern Lights” by Bowerbirds has really been sticking with me since Jon’s Elbows post last week. It has been in my head lobbying for my attention. I’m excited for these guys, hope you like it. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
Tonight: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band at the 7th...
*MP3: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - “Dull Reason” Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band are playing tonight at the 7th St. Entry with Wars of 1812. Sadly, I’m still out of town, otherwise, I’d be front row for both bands. Doors open at 8pm for this 18-plus show. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Brother Ali - "Good Lord"
*MP3: Jake One - “The Truth” (Feat. Freeway and Brother Ali)
Fresh off of his (and many others, so it would seem) triumphant set at this year’s Soundset ‘09, Minneapolis rapper Brother Ali puts the icing on the cake by releasing a video for the track “Good Lord,” which is taken from his 2009 EP The Truth Is Here. The video was shot at the Malcolm X and Dr....
VIDEO: Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"
(Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll"
(Ian Anderson)
Best New Releases for May 26, 2009
Grizzly Bear - “Veckatimest” (Warp) *MP3: Grizzly Bear - “Two Weeks” Buy it on iTunes. Viva Voce - “Rose City” (Barsuk) *MP3: Viva Voce - “Devotion” (via) Buy it on iTunes. (Ian Anderson)
Minus the Bear to Self-Release New Album
Minus the Bear released on their MySpace page that they wil be self-financing their new soon-to-be-done album: “Seattle-based quintet Minus the Bear are currently hard at work on their highly anticipated fourth studio album, still untitled. Excited to expand on their inimitable brand of rock n roll songwriting and explore their existing love of audio ingenuity, the band teamed up with...
MFR On Tour: Los Angeles, CA Tonight and Tomorrow
*MP3: One for the Team - “Best Supporting Actress” Tonight I’ll be in Upland, CA at the Wire and tomorrow I’ll be in Anaheim, CA at the Chain Reaction. Both shows are all ages and will be a blast. It’s good to be back in LA County. May 23 - Upland, CA - The Wire May 24 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction May 25 - Phoenix, AZ - The Phix May 26 - Albuquerque, NM - The Telos May...
Tonight: Three CD Release Parties: Big Quarters,...
*MP3: Big Quarters - “Good Look”
If you don’t already have plans this evening, check out one of the three CD release shows going on tonight at various venues in the MPLS. First off is the CD release show for hip-hop duo Big Quarters. Though it’s been online and in stores for nigh on three weeks now, it’s only tonight that the duo will be celebrating their latest...
MFR On Tour: Tonight, San Francisco, CA at the...
*MP3: One for the Team - “Best Supporting Actress” *MP3: John Vanderslice - “Fetal Horses” *MP3: Deerhoof - “Basketball” Tonight, I’ll be at the The Retox in San Francisco, which is located at 628 20th St. (415.626.7386) and we’ll go on at 8pm. We’re staying in town tonight too, so if you come, bring your party hats. San Francisco is home to two of my favorite...
Tonight: Netherfriends and Exercise at the 7th St....
*MP3: Netherfriends - “Nunya” *MP3: Exercise - “Robot” Chicagoans Netherfriends are in town tonight playing at the 7th St. Entry along with St. Louis’ Exercise and one of my new local favorites, Dante & The Lobster. This is an excellent way to spend Friday night. MFR Presents: Netherfriends Exercise Dante & The Lobster a the 7th St. Entry 9pm - 18+ MySpace...
Local Music Roundup: Eyedea and Abilities, Muja...
*MP3: Eyedea and Abilities - “This Story”
*MP3: Muja Messiah - “Yes Sir”
*MP3: St. Paul Slim - “Is This Mic On?”
Hey, there, MFR Readers. I’ve got three hot hip-hop tracks for you to consider. First up is the first single from Eyedea and Abilities’ By The Throat, the first album in five ‘effin years from the duo. The track is called...
The Weakerthans Announce Tour Dates
*MP3: The Weakerthans - “Civil Twilight” The Weakerthans announced a few July tour dates today. Although none of them are in Minneapolis, this is exciting because the possibility exists that they could announce a Minneapolis date at some point. 7/17 - Vancouver Folk Festival Vancouver, British Columbia 7/18 - Vancouver Folk Festival Vancouver, British Columbia 7/18 -...
Tonight: Black Dice at the Triple Rock
*MP3: Black Dice - “Glazin” Black Dice are in town tonight playing at the Triple Rock with Wolf Eyes opening. Doors are at 9pm and the show is 18-plus. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
Tonight: Last of the Record Buyers @ Fifth Element
*MP3: Big Quarters - “Everyday”
The DJ series starts its new home at Fifth Element tonight with Tek. Hosted by Brandon Allday of Big Quarters.
Big Quarters MySpace Page
(Jon Graef)
50 Words Or Less: Top Ten Tracks on Elbo.ws (May...
Note: We’re gonna try to run an elbo.ws-oriented feature every Wednesday (even if its 11:53 PM CST), so what you see here may not reflect what’s currently on the charts. Other than that, go on and dig it!
1. *MP3: Bowerbirds – “Northern Lights”
Dylan-indebted ramshackle…between Elvis Perkins, and a million other singer-songwriters with this exact same sound…well, where does...
Green Day's "21st Century Breakdown" Debuts at #1...
*MP3: Green Day - “East Jesus Nowhere” Green Day’s new album took #1 on Billboard this week with an opening of 215,000 albums sold. Read more on Billboard. Does the music industry work now, or what? (Ian Anderson)
Tonight: Animal Collective at First-Avenue
*MP3: Animal Collective - “My Girls” C’mon, do I really need to tell you that you should be at this? MySpace (Ian Anderson)
NEW: Free Energy - "Dream City"
*MP3: Free Energy - “Dream City” Free Energy released their first single “Dream City” from their forthcoming DFA-released album for some blog love. I love it, I hope you do too. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
St. Vincent Begins Tour Today
*MP3: St. Vincent - “Out of Work Actor” St. Vincent hits the road today. She’ll be in Minneapolis on June 4 at the First Avenue Mainroom. 5/19/2009 Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre 5/20/2009 New York, NY Webster Hall 5/21/2009 Philadelphia, PA Unitarian Church 5/22/2009 Washington, DC Black Cat 5/24/2009 George, WA Sasquatch! 5/25/2009 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater ...
VIDEO: White Rabbits on the Late Show with David...
(Ian Anderson)
MFR Tour: Tonight, Denver @ the Hi-Dive
*MP3: One for the Team - “Best Supporting Actress” *MP3: Dressy Bessy - “Automatic” *MP3: The Photo Atlas - “Class of 2012” I’ll be in Denver tonight at the Hi Dive for what should be a great show. Denver is an awesome town. It pretty much feels like Minneapolis, but moved into the mountains. It is the 27th largest city in the United States with a population of...
Radiohead Working On New Album
The BBC reported today that Radiohead are working on a new album, which is always excellent news. They’ll of course be working with long-time Jedi Master producer Nigel Godrich, and Colin Greenwood probably summed up the recording process in the best sound bite I have ever heard: “It’s at the stage where we’ve got the big Lego box out and we’ve tipped it out on the...
Best New Releases for May 19, 2009
John Vanderslice - “Romanian Names” (Dead Oceans)
*MP3: John Vanderslice - “Oblivion” Buy it on iTunes. Passion Pit - “Manners” (Frenchkiss)
*MP3: Passion Pit - “Eyes As Candles” Buy it on iTunes. White Rabbits - “It’s Frightening” (TBD)
*MP3: White Rabbits - “Percussion Drum” Buy it on iTunes. (Ian Anderson)
Eyedea & Abilities Announce New Album Details
Eyedea & Abilities have announced that their new album, “By The Throat,” will be out on July 21 via Rhymesayers Entertainment. I’m excited. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
NEW: Modest Mouse - "Satellite Skin"
*MP3: Modest Mouse - “Satellite Skin” Modest Mouse’s latest release, a 7-inch of “Satellite Skin,” will be out on May 26. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
Tour: Tonight, Omaha at the Slowdown
*MP3: One for the Team - “Best Supporting Actress” I’ll be on tour for the next two weeks with my band, One for the Team. If you’re in town, come say hey at any of these shows. I’m usually easy to find or behind the merch booth. May 18 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown May 19 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive May 20 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Sho May 21 - Davis, CA - University of...
On the Road Mix No. 9 - A Compilation of Mixes
As many of you have noticed, we’ve revamped a bit here at MFR. As a result, some of our archiving has gone a bit goofy. Which many of you have noticed in regards to my “On the Road” mixes (thanks for all of the emails and tweets, you know who you guys are). So, I thought I would quickly repost all of the On the Road mixes (not 8, because I just posted that) in this one place....
NEW: Lady Gaga - "Silly Boy" (Featuring Rihanna)
*MP3: Lady Gaga - “Silly Boy” (Featuring Rihanna) The collab I’ve been waiting for. (Ian Anderson)
NEW: M.anifest - "Rebel" (feat. Muja Messiah)
(photo by Tina Harchysen)
*MP3: M.anifest - “Rebel” (feat. Muja Messiah)
A track from Ghanian-born, but now based in MPLS, rapper M.anifest, “Rebel” also features another promising up-and-comer, Muja Messiah. Together, they create “Rebel,” a track from M.anifest’s forthcoming Coming To America record. Underneath a nifty pipe organ track, M.anifest...
Solid Gold Release "Bible Thumper" Stems For Remix
*MP3: Solid Gold - “Just Like Everyone Else”
If any of you amateur remixers out there wanted to get a shot at re-tooling a song from one of MPLS’ better bands, now is your chance. Recently, disco-pop trio Solid Gold, who on Friday headlined First Ave. for the first time, released two stems of “Bible Thumper” on their MySpace page. “Bible Thumper” is a...
Top 15 Most Popular Music Sites
Hypebot reported today via Digital Music News the top fifteen most popular music sites. These are unique impressions for the month of April:
AOL Music (28,634,778)
MySpace Music (27,423,200)
Yahoo Music (20,578,092)
MTV Networks Music (18,543,442)
ArtistDirect Network (12,193,996)
MSN Music (7,352,016)
Jango Music Network (6,921,809)
Universal Music Group (6,240,440)
Imeem (6,162,165)
...
VIDEO: Telekinesis - "Awkward Kisser"
(Ian Anderson)
Appreciation Post: Sasha Frere-Jones
Sasha Frere-Jones is a pop music critic and commentator for The New Yorker, a title seemingly dripping with pretention. But Frere-Jones’ writes about music in a way that few writers do these days. His New Yorker essays are often part review, part reflection on a given artist, but are never mistakenly labeled as reviews. His prose unfolds in a direct but easy-going manner, balancing the...
The Antlers Sign to Frenchkiss Records
*MP3: The Antlers - “Two” Brooklyn-based The Antlers just signed with Frenchkiss Records who will be releasing their debut album, “Hospice,” on July 18. Upcoming Tour Dates:
5/21 - Bowery Ballroom W/ White Rabbits & Cymbals Eat Guitars - New York NY 5/29 - Music Hall Of Williamsburg W/ Au Revoir Simone - Brooklyn NY 5/30 - Rock N Roll Hotel W/ Au Revoir Simone -...
TRAILER: Lars von Trier's "Antichrist"
Wow, this looks like a legitmate scary movie. Plus, bonus, Charlotte Gainsbourgh and Willem DaFoe together is kind of amazing. (Ian Anderson)
Tour Dates Announced for Blink-182/Weezer/Fall Out...
*MP3: Blink-182 - “The Rock Show” The tour dates for the Blink-182 headlining tour with Weezer and Fall Out Boy have been announced with a stop in Minnesota at the Xcel Enery Center on August 18. July 24: Las Vegas (the Joint) July 28: Vancouver (GM Place) July 30: Calgary, AB (Saddledome) July 31: Edmonton, AB (Rexall Place) Aug. 1: Saskatoon, SK (Credit Union Center) Aug....
Tonight: Solid Gold at First Avenue
*MP3: Solid Gold - “Just Like Everyone Else” Solid Gold are headlining in the First Avenue Mainroom tonight. Look Book and Marijuana Death Squad are opening. Doors are at 8pm and the show is 18 plus. MySpace (Ian Anderson)