February 2010
56 posts
TONIGHT: Cloud Cult Art Show At First-Avenue VIP...
(Ian Anderson)
NEWS: Condom Shortage In Vancouver Confirms That...
This is a real thing. The CBC reported that an emergency shipment of condoms is making its way to Vancouver:
“Health officials in Vancouver have already provided 100,000 free condoms to the roughly 7,000 ahtletes and officials at the Games. That’s about 14 condoms per person. But as of Wednesday, those supplies started running dangerously low.” Click here for details. (Ian...
STREAM: Prince - "Cause And Effect"
]]> From The Current: “‘Prince has some new unreleased music and he’d like to know what you think of it.’
Last week, Prince’s representative called to offer The Current a new and exclusive song—“Cause and Effect”—and to give it its world debut. Prince has long been a supporter of his home in the Twin Cities, and recently appeared at The...
VIDEO: Liars - "Scissor"
(Ian Anderson)
50 Words Or Less: Top Ten Tracks On Elbo.ws
(via)
1. *MP3: The New Pornographers - “Your Hands (Together)”
After the melancholy and melodic restraint of Challengers, first single from album #5 showcases the return of upbeat, effervescent power-pop of past peaks. Suppressed feedback squalor and spectral harmonies add depth, but this is more of the (not too shabby) same.
Grade: B
2. *MP3: The Radio Dept. -...
TONIGHT: Portugal. The Man at the Varsity Theater
*MP3: Portugal. The Man - “Dead Dog”
Portugal. The Man are playing tonight at the Varsity Theater. Doors to this 18-plus show open at 8pm and Port O’Brien and The Dig are opening. For ticketing information, click here. (Ian Anderson)
The Golden Age: Gayngs
Gayngs is the new side project of approximately 1,000 people from the Twin Cities/Eau Claire/Upper Midwest scene, including members of Solid Gold, Doomtree (POS, Dessa), Lookbook, Leisure Birds, Bon Iver, and Megafaun, not to mention Happy Apple’s Mike Lewis and Ivan Howard of the Rosebuds. With their debut album Relayted, to be released in May, the super band’s purpose is to create...
VIDEO: Kirsten Dunst As Akihabara Majokko Princess...
That just happened.
(Ian Anderson)
MP3: The Apples In Stereo - "Dance Floor"
*MP3: The Apples In Stereo - “Dance Floor”
The Apples In Stereo’s new album, Travelers In Space And Time, will be out on 4/30 via Yep Roc/Simian/Elephant 6. “Dance Floor” is the ambitious new single from the forthcoming album. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
STREAM: The Thermals - "Canada"
Heart you Thermals.
Buy it on iTunes.
(Ian Anderson)
MP3: She & Him - "Thieves"
*MP3: She & Him - “Thieves”
She & Him’s Volume Two comes out on 3/23 via Merge Records. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
Best New Releases For February 23, 2010
Alkaline Trio - “This Addiction” (Epitaph) *MP3: Alkaline Trio - “This Addiction”
Stream it on Spinner. Buy it on iTunes. Joanna Newsom - “Have One On Me” (Drag City) *MP3: Joanna Newsom - “Good Intentions Paving Company”
Buy it on iTunes. Shearwater - “Golden Archipelago” (Matador) *MP3: Shearwater -...
NEWS: The Hold Steady Announce Album Details
MFR-favorite The Hold Steady have announced the details pertaining to their new album, Heaven Is Whenever, which will be out on 5/4 via Vagrant. The album was engineered by Dean Baltulonis who also did Almost Killed Me and Separation Sunday and was engineered by one of my favorite engineers working, Dustin Miller. Tracklisting: 1. The Sweet Part of the City 2. Soft in the Center 3. The...
VIDEO: Tegan And Sara - "Alligator"
(Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Vampire Weekend - "Giving Up The Gun"
(Ian Anderson)
STREAM: Frightened Rabbit's New Album
Stream Frightened Rabbit’s new album in its entirety on their MySpace page. So good, just so freaking good. (Ian Anderson)
MP3: The New Pornographers - "Your Hands...
*MP3: The New Pornographers - “Your Hands (Together)”
The New Pornographers are dropping their new record, Together, in May via Matador. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
MP3: The Morning Benders - "Excuses"
*MP3: The Morning Benders - “Excuses”
The Morning Benders’ latest single “Excuses” is just what they needed to get their name on the map. Their new album, Big Echo, will be out on 3/9.
Official Site (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: The Man Your Man Could Smell Like
(Ian Anderson)
GEEK: Using The Force At Home, It's Almost Real
Thank you Star Wars for continuing to exist. Using a dry sensor that monitors brain waves, a nerdy company has created a device that allows you to lift and lower a ball based upon one’s ability to focus those specific brain waves. I can’t make shit like this up, click HERE for more official information.
(Ian Anderson)
MP3: The Radio Dept. - "Heaven's On Fire"
*MP3: The Radio Dept. - “Heaven’s On Fire”
The Radio Dept.’s new album will be out on 4/21 and “Heaven’s On Fire” is the first catchy single to be released. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
MP3: Broken Social Scene - "World Sick"
*MP3: Broken Social Scene - “World Sick”
Broken Social Scene is back and the world is excited. Click HERE (or below) to sign up to their email list and get your own mp3.
(Ian Anderson)
MP3: Dosh - "Subtractions"
[LOCAL]
*MP3: Dosh - “Subtractons”
Dosh’s new album, Tommy, will be out on 4/13 via Anticon. Dosh rules, no doubt about it. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
The Golden Age: Good Vibrations
*MP3: The Drums - “Let’s Go Surfing” *MP3: The Beach Boys - “God Only Knows” *MP3: The Beach Boys - “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” The Drums are a band from Florida, via Brooklyn, that sound a lot like The Beach Boys, or at least the kind of sounds Brian Wilson would have been exploring if he had not been charged with creating the original sound himself. The...
50 Words Or Less: Weird Shit You Might Have Missed
(Dark Dark Dark photo via MySpace)
As you might know, Ian likes pop songs. I like pop songs, too. But I also listen to some weird shit. Here’s some of it that might interest you. In 50 words or less. Boom.
1. *MP3: Mako Sica - “I’Itoi”
Chicago trio crafts the soundtrack to a post-rock haunted house, creaking with jazz-inflected drumwork. Listen with lights low and eyes...
NEWS: MGMT Reveal Cover Art For "Congratulations"
Congratulations will be out 4/13 via Columbia Records. (Ian Anderson)
TOUR: Local Natives Announce U.S. Dates
*MP3: Local Natives - “Sun Hands” Frenchkiss newbies Local Natives have announced U.S. tour dates with a stop at the 400 Bar on 5/17. Gorilla Manor is out now. 04-20 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture 04-22 Dallas, TX – The Cavern 04-23 Austin, TX – Emo’s Inside 04-24 Houston, TX – Mango’s 04-26 Little Rock, AR – Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack 04-27 Haittesburg, MS – Thirsty Hippo 04-29 St....
MP3: Jamie Lidell - "Compass"
*MP3: Jamie Lidell - “Compass” Everyone’s favorite British bad boy, Jamie Lidell, will release his new album, Compass, on 5/18 via Warp. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
Featured Artist: Free Energy
*MP3: Free Energy - “Hope Child” Free Energy have added to the ever-growing “Featured Artist” archive on the left sidebar of MFR with three excellent MFR-ish videos. If you haven’t had a chance to get to know these bros yet, get hip and visit their official site. (Ian Anderson)
TOUR: The Besnard Lakes Announce North American...
*MP3: The Besnard Lakes - “Albatross”
The Besnard Lakes have announced a slew of North American and UK tour dates with a stop in Minneapolis on 4/27 at the 7th St. Entry. Their new albu, The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Nigh will be ou on 3/9 via Jagjaguwar. 3/11/10 Toronto, ON: The Horseshoe 3/12/10 Montreal, QC: Il Motore 3/25/10 Liverpool, UK: Academy 3/26/10 Bristol, UK...
NEWS: Cap'n Jazz Reunion Official, True
*MP3: Cap’n Jazz - “Oh, Messy Life” It’s true! Nerds unite in joy as the rumors are true, Cap’n Jazz is reuniting to play in Chicago on 7/17 at the Bottom Lounge, with more unannounced dates to come. Furthermore, Analphabetapolothology will be released on vinyl via Jade Tree. Pick up tickets here. (Ian Anderson)
Best New Releases For February 16, 2010
Adam Green - “Minor Love” (Fat Possum) *MP3: Adam Green - “Castles and Tassels” Stream it on Spinner. Buy it on iTunes. Field Music - “Field Music (Measure)” (Memphis Industries) *MP3: Field Music - “Measure” Buy it on iTunes. Local Natives - “Gorilla Manor” (French Kiss) *MP3: Local Natives - “Sun Hands” (Via Music Slut)...
MP3: The Golden Filter - "Hide Me"
*MP3: The Golden Filter - “Hide Me”
The Golden Filter’s new album, Voluspa, will be out on 4/26 via Brille Records. If “Hide Me” is any indication, it will be a goodie. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
NEWS: Portugal. The Man Announce Album Details,...
Portugal. The Man have announced the release of their new album, American Ghetto, which will be out on 3/2 via Atlantic. Click here for more details. (Ian Anderson)
50 words or less: Top Ten Tracks on Elbo.ws
(Lali Puna, at #9)
1. *MP3:
Yeasayer - “Ambling Alp (Alan Wilkis Remix)”
This may seem strange, given my opinion on the original, but you gotta respect this remix for bringing out the ’80s synth-pop in “Alp” that was seemingly repressed beforehand. If you’re gonna own the ’80s, then own the ’80s.
Grade: B
2. *MP3:
The Radio...
MP3: Rogue Wave - "Solitary Gun"
*MP3: Rogue Wave - “Solitary Gun”
In exchange for a tweet or a facebook post, Rogue Wave is giving away the mp3 for “Solitary Gun” for free. Click here to participate.
MP3 link via Tsururadio. (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: Yeasayer Performs On Late Night With Jimmy...
(Ian Anderson)
TOUR: The Tallest Man On Earth Announces U.S....
*MP3: The Tallest Man On Earth - “King Of Spain”
The Tallest Man On Earth announced a healthy chunk of tour dates with a stop in Minneapolis on 5/23 at the Varsity Theater. 4/14/10 Buffalo, NY: The Ninth Ward 4/15/10 Winooski, VT: The Monkey House 4/16/10 Montreal, QC: Petit Campus 4/17/10 Toronto, ON: El Mocambo 4/20/10 New York, NY: Highline Ballroom 4/21/10 Cambridge, MA:...
Best New Releases For February 9, 2010
Hot Chip - “One Life Stand” (Astralwerks) *MP3: Hot Chip - “One Life Stand”
Stream it on Spinner. Buy it on iTunes. Phantogram - “Eyelid Movies” (Barsuk) *MP3: Phantogram - “When I’m Small”
Buy it on iTunes. The Watson Twins - “Talking To You, Talking To Me” (Vanguard) *MP3: The Watson Twins -...
NEWS: MFR Shirts Now Available For Order
Hello Dear Readers! The brand new MFR Shirts will be shipping out on 3/1 and we’re taking orders now (click HERE yo!). They are American Apparel Heather Grey, crazy soft, and are totally sweet. I’m going to print a limited run this first time around, so be sure to reserve yours soon. Always finding new ways to shamelessly promote, Ian and the MFR Doods
MP3: Vampire Weekend - "Ruby Soho" (Rancid Cover)
*MP3: Vampire Weekend - “Ruby Soho” (Rancid Cover)
Vampire Weekend leaked a cover of Rancid’s timeless “Ruby Soho” today. Vampire Weekend’s new album, Contra, is out now. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
STREAM: Yeasayer's "Odd Blood" In Its Entirety
Visit Spinner to stream Yeasayer’s “Odd Blood” in its entirety. (Ian Anderson)
MP3: Phoenix - "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands"...
*MP3: Phoenix - “Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands” (Bob Dylan Cover)
Good work Phoenix, covering Bob Dylan is not easy. Official Site (Ian Anderson)
TONIGHT: Gimme Shelter Haiti Benefit Show at First...
(Ian Anderson)
MP3: Free Energy - "Hope Child"
*MP3: Free Energy - “Hope Child”
Free Energy’s debut full length, Stuck On Nothing, will be out digitally on 3/9 via DFA/Astralwerks and it will be awesome. “Hope Child” is the latest single from Free Energy, which I think was originally a Hockey Night song. Needless to say, it’s still bad ass. I cannot wait for this one. MySpace (Ian Anderson)
MP3: Caribou - "Odessa"
*MP3: Caribou - “Odessa”
Caribou frontman Dan Snaith released the following statement about the forthcoming Caribou album, Swim: “I got excited by the idea of making dance music that’s liquid in the way it flows back and forth, the sounds slosh around in pitch, timbre, pan… Dance music that sounds like it’s made out of water, rather than made out of metallic stuff like most...
NEWS: Daria To Be Released On DVD This Spring
Yes! Finally, Daria will be released on DVD this Spring. More to come as details are released. For now, check out MTV’s teaser-trailer above. (Ian Anderson)
VIDEO: St. Vincent - "Laughing With A Mouth Of...
(Ian Anderson)
The Golden Age: Animal Collective and Avatar
*MP3: Animal Collective - “My Girls”
The art forms of each age are informed by the cultures which they inhabit. Artists may think and work independently, but their work will likely follow contemporary streams of public consciousness. If we live as a collective, we think and move as a collective, for our collective advancement and preservation. The movement may be unspoken,...
MP3: Yeasayer - "O.N.E."
*MP3: Yeasayer - “O.N.E.”
When you’ve got it, you’ve got it. Yeasayer is on fire and with “Ambling Alp” and their new single “O.N.E.” So far, with Odd Blood, they’re two-for-two. Odd Blood will be out next Tuesday. Official Site (Ian Anderson)