Dark Was The Night Comp

There has been talk about this mega-ultra indie compilation CD that I've been disregarding this week due to homework and life. But on this lazy Sunday I finally have time to catch up on this hype. It deserves every amount of praise it gets with bands such as: Arcade Fire, Beach House, Beirut, Bon Iver, The Books, Cat Power, The Decemberists, Dirty Projectors, Feist, Grizzly Bear, Iron & Wine, The National, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens, Yeasayer and many many many more.

Want to hear a few tracks? Head on over to the Dark Was The Night official website to listen to a few streaming tracks. Right now you can stream new tracks by Bon Iver, The National and The Dirty Projectors. Also check their Myspace page to listen to a new track each day [in the order of the CD].

This two disc indie monster is set to be released in stores on Feb 17th courtesy of 4AD. All proceeds from the CD will go towards The Red Hot Organization who are an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for AIDS. 

AC shows + other

I promise this is the last time I post about Animal Collective. I know it's getting a little tired on the music blog scene.

AC have released a schedule of 24 show dates for this year.

Check em out here courtesy of SPIN Mag:
Animal Collective tour dates:
1/20, New York, NY (Grand Ballroom)
1/21, New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom)
1/22, Chicago, IL (Metro)
1/23, Los Angeles, CA (Henry Fonda Theatre)
1/24, Los Angeles, CA (Troubadour)
5/11, Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
5/12, Philadelphia, PA (Electric Factory)
5/13, New York, NY (Terminal 5)
5/14, Boston, MA (House of Blues)
5/15, Montreal, Quebec (Metropolis)
5/16, Toronto, Ontario (Sound Academy)
5/18, Royal Oak, MI (Royal Oak Music Hall)
5/19, Milwaukee, WI (Turner Hall Ballroom)
5/20, Minneapolis, MN (First Avenue)
5/24, Vancouver, British Columbia (Commodore Ballroom)
5/25, Portland, OR (Roseland Theater)
5/26, Oakland, CA (Fox Theatre)
5/27, Big Sur, CA (Henry Miller Memorial Library)
5/29, Los Angeles, CA (Wiltern)
5/30, Las Vegas, NV (House of Blues)
5/31, Tucson, AZ (Rialto Theater)
6/1, Albuquerque, MN (Sunshine Theater)
6/2, Boulder, CO (Boulder Theatre)
6/4, Dallas, TX (House of Blues)
6/5, Austin, TX (Stubbs)
6/6, Oxford, MS (The Library)
6/8, St. Petersburg, FL (State Theatre)
6/9, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Culture Room)
6/10, Orlando, FL (Club Firestone)
9/12, Monticello, NY (All Tomorrow's Parties)

As you may have noticed, I high-lighted the one I want to see. It's $20. Hopefully it doesn't sell out. HAHA fat chance.

****

In other news: No Doubt are back on tour? New album in the works?

"No Doubt recently announced that they'd be playing live shows soon, including an appearance at the Bamboozle Festival. Today they confirmed that their tour, the band's first in five years, would begin in May and would hit outdoor amphitheaters and arenas nationwide. What's more, pop-punk heroes Paramore will open all dates."

"After a lengthy hiatus -- and, you know, a few solo albums and a new baby from frontwoman Gwen Stefani -- Anaheim, CA, rock and ska quartet No Doubt will return in 2009 with a new album and supporting tour, beginning with a just-announced headlining performance at East Rutherford, NJ's Bamboozle Festival May 2-3. "It's time for some rock'n'roll," bassist Tony Kanal wrote to the band's official website. [Via MTV.com]

As for the new album: "If we go on tour, it will inspire us to write," Stefani wrote. "I need to see the fans out there." Guitarist Tom Dumont agrees and thinks the band could write the follow-up to 2001's Rock Steady while on the road. And Kanal is certainly on board as well. "I think playing some shows will make the studio time even better," the bassist wrote. "Playing shows, writing songs, kicking ass, ND 2009."" 

--read full article @ SPIN.com

video - The Walkmen [via blogotheque]

The good fellows over at La Blogotheque seem to have taken a cue from the guys at Black Cab Sessions and started to film bands playing in an automobile. The difference being In A Van sesh's are shot in a van. Black Cab sesh's are shot in a cab. Both are great concepts, I think. How could you get anymore intimate. Maybe play in an elevator? or a dressing room in Macy's?

Anyway, check out The Walkmen doing an In A Van sesh.


The Walkmen - On the Water from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

And be sure to check out the rest of the sessions over at Blogotheque

video - Matt & Kim + Obama

Heyyyyyyyuuhhh

After all the hype and heavy rotation of Animal Collective's MPP on my pod and my recent return to life [broken clavicle shiitttt] I nearly forgot about Matt & Kim's January 20th release of Grand. Might be old news to some, but whatever. Here's a video of their new song "Daylight." Looks like they had a blast making it. Good, fun, upbeat song too. Nothing else was expected. [Hey, Blogotheque, get on this shit.]



Also, check out their page @ Green Label Sounds to see up to date Matt & Kim junk including tour dates and new musics.

***

Tomorrow is also: Inauguration Day, BABY!!!! I just got a funny mass txt message from a friend reading, and I quote, "FWD: just a friendly reminder to shave your crotch January 20th. It's the last day for Bush! Lol Pass it on..."

Disregard the "lol" portion but the rest is fucking awesome.

I decided to leave it up to SPIN and the rest of the music blog world to give you Inauguration Day concert information.

Also, first day of school. Ugh

Notorious - out 1/16/09

Anyone see this/want to see this?? Looks good

mp3 - Said The Whale + TMTS

I'm usually a sucker for music that comes out of the Northwest. The bands tend to have this smooth, relaxing sound that flows with the Pacific currents. Said The Whale, hailing from Vancouver, BC is no different. Oh, but they are. Each song off of their 2008 debut album Howe Sounds/Talking Abalonia tells a different story with a few different musical styles. I'm usually not a fan of bands that do that on one album. I like bands that progress their sound over time from record to record. So that's the only downer about this debut. Maybe for their sophomore effort, they'll find their own sound. But I have realized that this album does have a few gems that are worth listening to.

MP3: Said The Whale - This City's A Mess
MP3: Said The Whale - Howe Sounds


***

In other west coast news, Throw Me The Statue aka Scott Reitherman is coming out with a tour-only EP next month [Feb 17th] called Purpleface. TMTS have been a Seattle fave of mine for a while since his debut album Moonbeams [Secretly Canadian]. Catchy, beautifully written bedroom pop with the perfect amount of guitar fuzz and memorable lyrics. His new song, "Ship" is not as upbeat as his tunes from Moonbeams, but it's still just as easy to get stuck in your head.

MP3: Throw Me The Statue - Ship

[Pre-order Purpleface @ insound]
[Buy Moonbeams @ insound]

video - NEW Beirut [La Llorona]

Sorry if I've been jockin' on Beirut lately. January has been a slow month for new band discoveries for me. Anyway, here's new video featuring a song from Beirut's upcoming EP March Of The Zapotec [out on Pompeii Records Feb 17th] called La Llorona. Directed by Owen Cook.



Look for live concert pictures to come sometime in February.
Pre-Order your copy of Beirut/Realpeople March Of The Zapotec/Holland EP's: here

Thoughts on this new song anybody? Hit the comment button

Beck + War Child Comp

Beck covers Bob Dylan - Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat


‘War Child: Heroes’ is an unprecedented collaboration between music’s most heralded legends and the finest current artists.

We asked 15 ultimate icons to select a favourite song from their classic back catalogue and to nominate the new act they most trust to create a unique interpretation of that hand-picked track.

This album is the result: 15 exclusive and breath-taking cover versions.

The album will be released in the UK by Parlophone and internationally by EMI on February 16. In the USA it will be released by Astralwerks on February 24 and in Canada on Quebecor on March 3. - [warchild.org]

Heroes tracklist:
1. Beck (Bob Dylan - "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat")
2. The Kooks (The Kinks - "Victoria")
3. The Hold Steady (Bruce Springsteen - "Atlantic City")
4. Hot Chip (Joy Division - "Transmission")
5. Lily Allen feat. Mick Jones (The Clash - "Straight To Hell")
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (The Ramones - "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker")
7. Franz Ferdinand (Blondie - "Call Me")
8. Duffy (Paul McCartney - "Live And Let Die")
9. Estelle (Stevie Wonder - "Superstition")
10. Rufus Wainwright (Brian Wilson -" Wonderful & Song For Children")
11. Scissor Sisters (Roxy Music - "Do The Strand")
12. Peaches (Iggy Pop - "Search And Destroy")
13. Adam Cohen (Leonard Cohen - "Take This Waltz")
14. Elbow (U2 - "Running To Stand Still")
15. The Like (Elvis Costello - "You Belong To Me")
16. TV On The Radio (David Bowie - "Heroes")

mp3 - The Love Language

I've mentioned these guys before when I heard a few of their tracks on myspace. The only legit [and free] mp3 I could find was from a compilation courtesy of their record label - Bladen County Records - and it was a christmas song. Bummer. Well recently R5 Productions updated their show list and posted a nice mp3 from Love Language's upcoming debut album.

This band is sure to be a 2009 fav. At least in my book.

They are going on an east coast tour:
1.14 @ Otto Bar. Baltimore, MD*
1.15 @ Johnny Brenda's. Philadelphia, PA*
1.16 @ Bowery Ballroom. New York, NY*
1.17 @ Middle East. Boston, MA*
1.18 @ Bar Nightclub. New Haven, CT#
1.19 @ Mercury Lounge. New York, NY$
1.20 - The BYT Inauguration Classic 2k9 Spectacular @ Bohemian Caverns. Washington, DC
1.24 @ Cat's Cradle. Carrboro, NC*
* w/ The Rosebuds
# w/ Lucas In Love
$ w/ Cursive

MP3: The Love Language - Lalita
MP3: The Rosebuds - Bow To The Middle

YEAAHH BOYY!

E.A.G.L.E.S! EAGLES!!

video - Devon Williams

I've been so stoked to see Beirut next month that I started looking for new tracks. Not successful. Total failure. It might be a good thing though. Anticipation is always exciting. On my quest to hear new tracks I discovered this dude named Devon Williams who is also signed to Ba Da Bing Records. I read that he's from LA, California and he was part of some band. But now he's got a kick ass debut album called "Carefree."

Check out a vid of one of his performances @ Amoeba Music:


And be sure to check out this myspace page: here

B Boys Makin' With The Freak Freak

The Beastie Boys have been one of my favorite groups for a looong time [with the exception of 5 Boroughs]. So I was excited to hear that they will be releasing a special 20th anniversary remastered edition of "Paul's Boutique" along with special add on's like a digital download of Beastie commentary and fully restored vinyl artwork on an 8-panel fold out poster. Everything a Beastie's fan could ask for. I wish they could've also released it on vinyl though. Anyway. Release date is January 27th.

Pre-order your copy at Insound.

[head on over to Beatieboys.com to see what else is new]

PS: they should really do a re-issue of Check Your Head. Anyone agree?

MP3: The Beastie Boys - Shake Your Rump
MP3: The Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies

Haduken!

Whyyyyyyyy

Im In The Woods

Bon Iver [Justin Vernon] has released the 4 songs from his EP [due out Jan 20th] on myspace.

Check out his space to listen. It seems that he has been progressive with his sound. Woods is my favorite track which features strong use of an auto-tuner. and nothing else. I was skeptical at first too but this is the song that hits me the most. Not to say the other songs don't have that same effect. It's Bon Iver. Come on

Cold Iowa Dirt

Been listening to William Elliott Whitmore for a few years now ever since I saw him open for Murder By Death and again when he opened for Owen. Excited to hear that his 4th studio album will be released next month, Feb 17th to be exact, courtesy of Anti Records [home of Man Man and Tom Waits]. In support of "Animals In The Dark", he'll be doing some good ol' touring. Check out the dates:

1.9.09 @ The Fillmore. Detroit, MI*
1.10.09 @ Town Ballroom. Buffalo, NY*
1.11.09 @ Middle East. Cambridge, MA*
1.12.09 @ Bowery Ballroom. New York, NY*
1.13.09 @ Bowery Ballroom. New York, NY*
1.14.09 @ Black Cat. Washington, DC*
1.15.09 @ The Troc. Philadelphia, PA*
1.17.09 @ Rock Island Brewing Co. Rock Island, IL*
1.23.09 @ Varsity Theater. Minneapolis, MN*
1.24.09 @ Waiting Room Lounge. Omaha, NE*
1.25.09 @ Bluebird Theater. Denver, CO*
1.22.09 @ Slim's. San Fran, CA*
1.28.09 @ El Rey. Los Angeles, CA*
2.20.09 @ Reggie's. Chicago, IL
2.21.09 @ Picador. Iowa City, IA
2.22.09 @ Picador. Iowa City, IA
2.23.09 @ Jackpot Saloon. Lawrence, KS
2.24.09 @ Mojo's. Columbia, MO
2.25.09 @ Off Broadway. St. Louis, MO
* w/ City and Colour

Head on over to Anti to hear the new song "Old Devils": here

[buy WEW @ insound]

PS: a ways back Whitmore did a Daytrotter sesh [here]

Mmmmm

Utopian Jewel Oolong. Courtesy of Teavana. If you like/love loose leaf tea and tea accessories, you'll love this store. Started down in Georgia in the 90's, this tea shop turned tea emporium is making its way through the states. I will say that they are slightly expensive but it's worth it not only for the taste, but for your health. Sure, you can shop around online tea stores if you know what you want, but if you're just getting into tea and need some guidance, you can count on these guys/gals to give it to you straight. Even if you are a tea guru like myself, Teavana lets you smell and see fresh tea before you purchase. Online vendors don't. Duh.

Merriweather Post Pavilion review

Merriweather Post Pavilion was released today as a vinyl.

Animal Collective's 9th studio album entitled "Merriweather Post Pavilion" [the name of a venue in Maryland built by Frank Gehry] is introduced to us with the familiar sounds of avant-garde digital noise that we're used to when we listen to them. It brings this tension with it which fits the mood perfectly since we've all been waiting to listen to it for a while. It's tedious and quiet and pokes at our patience. Just as we're about to lose it, it's as if they read our minds. At the 2:30 mark, they release. Release isn't the right word. Neither is explode. Maybe nuclear destroy? We are raised up high and we are dancing. At the end of 'In The Flowers', we are ready for the rest of the adventure.

The album continues on a high point for a few songs. One of my favorites 'My Girls' is sure to be a 2009 blog favorite with the proud husband's admittance that all he wants is for his girls to have a proper house. Avey Tare (David Portner) and Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) harmonize with each other beautifully. "I don't mean to seem like I care about material things like a social status/I just want four walls and adobe slabs/for my girls."

Other stand out tracks like 'Summertime Clothes', 'Guys Eyes', 'Lion In A Coma' and 'Brothersport' are full of body-throbbing beats covered with ambient Beatles-esque vocals courtesy of Noah Lennox [aka Panda Bear.] I'd say the latter would be more reminiscent of Rhythm Of The Saints era Paul Simon, but not in a Vampire Weekend kind of way. However, comparing them to anyone else other than themselves is kind of silly.

A lot of the album is very toned down as compared to their earlier 2007 effort "Strawberry Jam" and they have certainly matured since "Feels." With this release, Animal Collective have shown us that they can make an incredible, boundary-pushing album while still being [more or less] accessible.

Overall, there is really not one song on 'Merriweather Post Pavilion' that I do not enjoy and it will be on heavy rotation over the year. Well done.

[for the record - I'm calling that this album will be at the top of many lists towards the end of the year]

Stand out tracks:
MP3: Animal Collective - In The Flowers
MP3: Animal Collective - My Girls
MP3: Animal Collective - Guys Eyes
MP3: Animal Collective - Brothersport

[buy @ Insound]

Speed-The-Plow

Went into NYC last weekend with the lady to see a play called "Spring Awakening." Long story short, saw "Speed-The-Plow" instead. Highly recommended. Student tix [with ID] are only $26.50

Do it do it.

[Although Jeremy Piven of Entourage fame is in the picture posted above, he is not part of the cast anymore due to mercury poisoning - or some shit. But don't let that discourage you from seeing this awesome show]

Read about the Plow: here

Really??

This is what happens when you cant sleep. Lesson learned.

To: Simone
From: Evan

Spin Mag AC review + Matt & Kim Hype

Spin Magazine gave 4/5 stars to Animal Collective's newest effort "Merriweather Post Pavilion." The review is pretty dead on I'd say. And I'm not really a big fan of Spin. Look for my own review of this album to come soon. It's been on repeat ever since I received it and I'm just making sure I got it down pat. If you have already heard it I'm sure you can see where I'm coming from. All I'm saying is... top 10 of 2009. Booyah. [read Spin's review: here]

In other news:
















Matt & Kim [of Brooklyn dance-punk fame] will be releasing a sophomore album entitled The Grand the same day that AC's MPP comes out. I'm psyched for this. The first time I heard their self-titled album all I wanted to do was get wild. No album I heard from 2008 really let me do that.

Never heard of Matt & Kim?
MP3: Matt & Kim - No More Long Years
MP3: Matt & Kim - Yea Yeah

[2009 tour dates via: Brooklyn Vegan]

National Hangover Day + Early Releases 2009

Welcome to 2009. Hope everybody had a wonderful New Years Eve, stuffed your bellies full of alcohol and crammed your minds with good times. Today was definitely national hangover day on my calendar [anyone else catch the Mummer's parade?] Anyway, lets be real. We all wonder what's to come in the form of music over the year. There's definitely a few that I cannot wait for [animal collective, beirut]. So when I checked out Pitchfork today, they already had a comprehensive list of early 2009 releases. I made my own not-so-comprehensive list of the ones that I, personally, will be stoked on. However, I did not include UK release dates or DVD releases or a majority of the re-issues. That's just overkill.

1.13
Franz Nicolay: Major General
Bruce Springsteen: Greatest Hits

1.20
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion
Bon Iver: Blood Bank EP
John Frusciante: The Empyrean
Matt & Kim: The Grand

1.27
American Football: American Football vinyl reissue
Bruce Springsteen: Working On A Dream
Franz Ferdinand: Tonight- Franz Ferdinand
Owen: the ep

2.03
Ben Kweller: Changing Horses
Eluvium: Life Through Bombardment [7xLP box set]
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Yeasayer: All Hour Symbals [vinyl release]

2.17
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead: The Century Of Self
The Apple Seed Cast: Sagamartha
Beirut/Realpeople: March Of The Zapotec/Holland EP
M. Ward: Hold Time
Morrisey: Year Of Refusal
Mountains: Choral
Throw Me The Statue: Purpleface EP
Thursday: Common Existence
William Elliot Whitmore: Animals In The Dark

2.24
Black Lips: 200 Million
Pearl Jam: Ten [reissue]

3.3
The Boy Least Likely To: The Law Of The Playground
Neko Case: Middle Cyclone
The Prodigy: Invaders Must Die
U2: No Line On The Horizon

3.24
Dan Deacon: Bromst
The Decemberists: The Hazards Of Love

Sometime In 2009
Grizzly Bear: TBA
Dave Matthews Band: TBA
Tortoise: TBA
Black Dice: Repo
50 Cent: Before I Self Destruct
Big Boi: Sir Lucious Left Foot... Son Of Chico Dusty
Chris Cornell: Scream
Dead Meadow: Peel Session
Doves: TBA
Eminem: Relapse
Jay Retard: TBA
Missy Elliott: Block Party
Mastodon: Crack The Skye
Sonic Youth: TBA
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: TBA

Want more??
Pitchfork Media [dot] Com