Hot Chip

For those who like their dance music a little bit quirky there exists London's Hot Chip. A lot of people seemed disappointed by their last release (Made in the Dark), which I will attribute to their giving up on it too early... it's definitely a grower. Right now I'm listening to their new single (via Hype Machine), for just the second time, and it's grown all over me already. It's called Take it In and I suggest you do what they say. Their new album One Life Stand is scheduled for a February 9th release on Astralwerks.

Suckers

Please welcome the newest buzz band from Brooklyn. Their self-titled EP has four songs which seem to progressively outdo each other. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah fans will surely dig this. I hear heavy Modest Mouse influence and a not too subtle vocal likeness to David Byrne. Also, I'm not surprised to hear that the set was produced by one of the guys from Yeasayer, since similarities abound. In my book, these are all very good things. I couldn't pick a favorite track, so went with the one that has a video. Enjoy.

Spoon

In the world of indie rock, news of a new Spoon album is about as big as it gets. Big news everyone! Transference is slated to drop on January 26th, and, lucky for us, the first single is already out there in the blogosphere. Hear Mystery Zone on Hype Machine.

Yeasayer

Last year I picked up a used copy of Yeasayer's debut album All Hour Cymbals after hearing one or two of their songs on internet radio and reading a lot of positive press. It has turned out to be one of my favorite releases of the past few years. If you haven't heard it, I implore you to do it now. The good news here is that they have set a date to drop their sophomore full length. Odd Blood will come out on February 9th of next year on Secretly Canadian. They have yet to preview any of the tracks yet, but you can listen to Tightrope, their contribution, and one of the highlights from the Dark Was the Night compilation (which you should own for two reasons, it's excellent and it's proceeds benefit AIDS).

Tightrope - Yeasayer

ADDENDUM:

The new single is out!

Ambling Alp - Yeasayer

Frightened Rabbit

Here we have a band from Scotland who a year ago were but a blip on my radar. They showed up on enough 2008 year end lists for me to finally give them some real attention and their album The Midnight Organ Fight turned out to be one of my after-the-fact favorites of the year. So word of a follow up (which will actually be their third) album is welcome news. It won't be out until next Spring, but the first single (and it's b-side) are already streaming on their label's website, Fat Cat Records. Go have a listen.

Devendra Banhart

The quirky Venezuelan/American will release his newest studio album on October 27th and the first single Baby is now online. His popularity has been growing steadily over the course of his five LP's, and I see the trajectory continuing in an upward direction with What Will We Be, his first on a major label (Warner/Reprise).

Hear the new song on Myspace.

Twilight: New Moon

I have no reason to recommend this film, but take one look at the song list for the soundtrack and tell me you don't at least want to get a burned copy from your little sister.

01 Death Cab for Cutie: "Meet Me on the Equinox"
02 Band of Skulls: "Friends"
03 Thom Yorke: "Hearing Damage"
04 Lykke Li: "Possibility"
05 The Killers: "A White Demon Love Song"
06 Anya Marina: "Satellite Heart"
07 Muse: "I Belong to You (New Moon Remix)"
08 Bon Iver and St. Vincent: "Rosyln"
09 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: "Done All Wrong"
10 Hurricane Bells: "Monsters"
11 Sea Wolf: "The Violet Hour"
12 OK Go: "Shooting the Moon"
13 Grizzly Bear: "Slow Life"
14 Editors: "No Sound But the Wind"
15 Alexandre Desplat: "New Moon (The Meadow)"

The Death Cab song has a link to the video on mtv.com.

The xx

This London group blend R&B and indie pop to end up with a dreamy, sexy debut album that really should be heard by a lot of people. I wasn't sold the first time a streamed a track, but after a couple of listens it's growing on me like a rash. I suggest finding time to give the entire record a spin. Goes well with wine.

xx by The xx

The Big Pink

Compared to last year (Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Bon Iver, etc), uber-hyped debut albums seem to be coming in slower in 2009. Look for this band to start making up for that. They'll appeal to MGMT fans, sounding like a glammy '00's My Bloody Valentine on the first single Velvet. And they've definitely got the hooks... listen to Dominos once and you're sure to be hearing the chorus in your head all week. I'm excited to hear the whole album, which comes out September 22nd.

Delorean

It's been cooling down around these parts of late, but the Summer jams just keep on coming. Barcelona's Delorean (not to be confused with these guys, please!) have put out a perfectly sun-drenched tune called Seasun as part of the new Aryton Senna EP (it's namesake is a Formula one driver, if you were wondering). When I hear it I picture myself back at Space in Ibiza dancing in the sand on a hot August morning.

Their Myspace page has this and other fine cuts streaming for your enjoyment. I tried to buy the EP the old fashioned way (at something called a record store!) but it's looking like a pretty hard to find item. Am I gonna have to download?!

Volcano Choir

You may or should be a Bon Iver fan. This is a project that pre-dates For Emma, Forever Ago and will hopefully garner a decent fraction of the attention served to aforementioned album/artist. Pretend it's already Autumn and click here to listen.

jj

This mysterious Swedish group craft blissful indie pop perfect for late summer days. Pitchfork has a few of their tracks available for streaming and if you go to their label's website, sincerelyyours.se, you can download the mp3 of the track From Africa to Málaga for free. You might want to mix up a daiquiri and pull up a sun lounge for optimum enjoyment.

Monsters of Folk

Heard the new supergroup featuring Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Jim James? Hop over to their Myspace and you can hear three songs from their upcoming self-titled album (out 9/22). One of them is actually a folk song! Check here to see if they're coming to your town when they take their show on the road.

Sondre Lerche

If the term Chamber Pop doesn't mean anything to you, go here to familiarize yourself. Then go to Stereogum and have a listen to an excellent example of this particular sub-genre. If you're anything like me you'll be cast under the spell (yet again) of Sondre Lerche's newest single, which is the title track from his forthcoming record, Heartbeat Radio. Bring on the tour info Mr. Lerche.

Raindrops Remixed

Basement Jaxx continue an almost perfect decade-long run of great singles with their latest Raindrops. I rarely get my hopes up that remixes will do much to improve a song and I can't see any of these getting more iPod spins than the delicious original version, but I'm making this post to share with you the widget below which "mixes the remixes" creating a rather addictive tool for sampling the goods. Click on "Play With It" and join in the fun. Notice that it even has a fade out when you press stop.

FULL SCREENhosted by playlive.fm

While I'm here, I'm going to share with you a few remixes that, for me, do improve on the original. Suggestion: Turn down the lights, and turn up the volume.

Late of the Pier - The Bears Are Coming (Emperor Machine Remix)

Björk - Earth Intruders (Spank Rock remix)

M.I.A. - Paper Planes (DFA Remix)

Discovery (that's the name of the band)

A group made up of one Vampire Weekender and one Ra Ra Rioter? Yes please! This isn't exactly a new project but they're getting renewed attention thanks to the announcement of an official release which will hit stores on July 7th. Four of the tracks are streaming at their website. It's all the indie-synth-pop bliss you could hope for with such a duo.

And speaking of Vampire Weekend, they're in the studio working on a follow up to their thoroughly enjoyable self-titled debut. While I find it hard to believe that anyone reading this blog hasn't heard VW, it is plausible that Ra Ra Riot slipped under your radar. Change that right now... Dying Is Fine is an excellent example of their orchestral rock goodness. I'll be seeing finally catching them live when they open for Andrew Bird next month.

Florence & the Machine

I'd like you to meet Florence Welch from old London town. The video for her debut single Raise It Up should serve as a good introduction. It may be a little too ready for top 40, but I get the feeling this girl might really have something to offer. She certainly has a good set of pipes. I hear a little influence from many of my favorite ladies, though she comes off sounding like no one else. I like Dog Days too. Her album Lungs is out Oct 13th, or much sooner (July) if you're a downloader, or British.

Grizzly Bear

This is probably the last blog on earth to feature a post about the new album Veckatimest. I was one of the few that actually waited until after the official release date to really give it a listen. It didn't take me long to fall head over heels. This is seriously good stuff. Don't believe me, or the rest of the blogosphere. Just listen for yourself to the sublime single Two Weeks. Then, don't hesitate to seek out the rest of the record. I'm labeling it essential.

A Different Kind of Dancing

One thing I do a lot in my life is dance. Yes, there's the foxtrotting and the cha cha cha-ing, but then there's also a fair amount of the kind more commonly seen under the flashing lights at your neighborhood discotheque. Here are a few brand new songs I'd love to hear while dancing "off the clock".

Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity of Huge

Basement Jaxx - Raindrops

Junior Boys - Hazel

White Rabbits

They call their own music "Honky Tonk Calypso". For me, it's kinda like Spoon's rhythm section had a few tequila shots. They've just released the follow up to their excellent debut album with It's Frightening, I'm excited to see it all live at the Casbah in a couple of weeks. If you wanna join me, make sure you wear some danceable shoes. And be prepared for a couple of tequila shots.

White Rabbits - Percussion Gun

New Modest Mouse Single - Satellite Skin

Here's the first thing we've heard from them in quite some time. The sound has them moving forward in a backward kind of way. In case that doesn't make any sense, what I mean to say is that it would fit better alongside Lonesome Crowded West than most of their newer stuff, while also sounding pretty damn perfect right here in 2009. If that still means nothing to you, read this... it's rad. Listen to it on their Myspace. It'll be released as a single in a week or so, on (orange!) vinyl or digitally. We're gonna have to wait a while longer for a new full length by the looks of things.

Wilco (The [entire] Album)

The official release date is more than a month away, but there's no need to wait to get your fix... listen to the new record from beginning to end right now at wilcoworld. I'm about half way through and it's making me very happy. I'm even gonna put off watching Lost. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Unemployed? Wilco has a treat for you.

Jeff Tweedy and the boys have made more magic with Woody Guthrie material, this time a cover of The Jolly Banker. You can download it from Wilcoworld for a nominal donation to the Woody Guthrie Foundation or for nothing if "you are unemployed or otherwise unable to donate now", though "please keep it in mind for the future when your circumstances improve." Does underemployed count? How about just broke?

In other Wilco news, a new album has been announced! It will be titled Wilco (the Album) and will feature the song Wilco (the Song). Clever or annoying? As long as it's good (and what have they done that isn't?), who cares? Check out Jeff's Colbert Report appearance and the live premiere of the new track...

Passion Pit

Another new song from their upcoming debut LP has my mouth watering. This one isn't as overtly dancey as their previous output, but I'm not sure you could call it a ballad. Whatever it is they're doing, it's working wonders for me. I can't wait to hear the whole album Manners (out 5/19 on Columbia).

Passion Pit - Moth's Wings

Jenny Lewis

I made a late decision to go to see Jenny Lewis at the Belly Up last night. So glad I did! She exudes charm enough to convert even a casual music fan into a rabid enthusiast. She shared the stage with Johnathan Rice (her alleged current beau) and a full band, playing material from both last year's excellent Acid Tongue, and her first non-Rilo Kiley album, Rabbit Fur Coat (featuring the Watson Twins). She did squeeze in one song from RK (a gorgeous solo acoustic version of Silver Lining) and a cover of the Everly Brothers Love Hurts. I was particularly taken with her performances of (the very White Stripesy) Jack Killed Mom, which breaks down into a full-on hootenanny, and a stunning version of Acid Tongue with the band (sans instruments) providing perfectly harmonized back up vocals. The title track to Rabbit Fur Coat had the entire place in utter silent regard, and the encore rendition of Rise Up with Fists!! had the audience doing just that. I wanted to put her in my pocket and take her home (she'd probably fit).

Go see her if you get the chance.

St Vincent

If you haven't heard of her yet, here's a delectable video to serve as your introduction. If you're familiar with her, get ready to hear the best thing she's done yet.

PB&J

Peter Bjorn and John have a new album out. It's called Living Thing and it's everything you could want in an indie pop record... a little geeky, a lot quirky, and insanely catchy. Did I mention dancey?

Here's a vid. No lip synching!



I think I'm gonna have to make myself a mask for when I see them next weekend at Coachella.

Bat for Lashes

Natasha Khan, the chanteuse (and everything else) behind this Brighton, England "band", already has one splendid album under her belt in 2006's Fur and Gold. Her new one is called Two Suns and I've already fallen head over heels for it after just a couple of spins. I'm digging the video for the single too.

Fiona Apple

It's not an original, but it's lovely to hear something new from Fiona. It's been ages since Extraordinary Machine, so let this beautiful cover tide you over while we wait for news of her next LP. Hurry up!

You can find it as part of the Tribute to Cy Coleman EP

DCFC

Death Cab for Cutie are putting out The Open Door EP next week. Most of the tracks are available for streaming at Stereogum. They sound like they'd fit pretty well in segue with the new Conor Oberst stuff (see below). I like the direction. See if you do...

Little Bribes
A Diamond and a Tether
My Mirror Speaks

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

Conor Oberst and his entourage have a new album on the way entitled Outer South. Go to his website to hear the first track, Slowly (Oh So Slowly). Dare I say that it's upbeat? I'll be checking out the live show at Coachella... don't be jealous, just come with.

Passion Pit

I've been crazy addicted to their Chunk of Change EP (especially I've Got Your Number) since I picked it up used a couple of weeks ago. The news of a full length has therefore gotten me a tad worked up. It'll be called Manners, and will feature The Reeling which is (big grin) now streaming on their Myspace, which has the delightful url... myspace.com/passionpitjams.

Please enjoy.

Metric - Fantasies

If you enjoy highly charged indie pop with sexy female vocals you should already be a Metric fan. Emily Haines & Co. have put together yet another album full of catchy, new wavey tunes to dance to while vacuuming (for example). It's called Fantasies, and it's available for streaming in it's entirety at ilovemetric.com

New Patrick Wolf

This enormously talented young man is putting out a new album in June called The Bachelor. I gotta say... the lead single isn't quite up to the (admittedly very high) expectations I have for Mr. Wolf, but I'm reserving judgment until I hear the whole record. For now, we have a rather racy video for the new song Vulture, which I suggest you wait to watch when not at work.

Patrick Wolf - Vulture


For a superior example of Patrick's artistry, listen to this superb track from his brilliant second album Wind in the Wires:

The Libertine

Empire of the Sun

There's been a wealth of quality dance acts from Down Under (Cut Copy, Presets, Midnight Juggernauts, Muscles) making it big "Up Over" (read: everywhere else in the world), and here's another one: Empire of the Sun comprises Luke Steele from the Sleepy Jackson and PNAU's Nick Littlemore churning out an album full of irresistible synth pop that sounds about what the Scissor Sisters might be like on say, their 5th album. This isn't exactly hot off the presses... they've already conquered the charts in Australia and were getting their fair share of blog attention in the US way back in the fall, but the new news is that they will finally have their debut LP released stateside on April 21st. Check out their appropriately flamboyant videos below.

We Are The People


Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream

It's Blitz!

The new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album won't be in record stores for another month, but (allegedly due to it's recent leak onto the web) it has just been made available for immediate download with the option to have the cd or vinyl shipped upon release. Bad news for retailers, but good news for Karen O addicts like myself who want instant gratification.

Get it here.

The Dead Weather

As if the White Stripes and the Raconteurs weren't enough for young Jack...



That is indeed Alison Mosshart of the Kills on vocals, not to mention a Queen of the Stone Age in there.

Used Bin Purchases

Here's stuff that I bought that you might wanna hear...

For Beginners - M. Ward

Sawdust Man - Ben Kweller

I've Got Your Number - Passion...

Random Firl - Late of the Pier

Be So Happy - Heartless Bastar...

Another World - Antony & The J...

Deserter - Matthew Dear

I also picked up Red, Yellow & Blue by Born Ruffians, but they're hard to find links for.

Foreign Born

I am foreign born. There is a band from L.A. called Foreign Born. Enjoy their latest single. It's quite lovely.

Vacationing People - mp3

What else would I spend it on?

So, when I went to buy the Dark was the Night compilation I was (as ever) beckoned hither by the used section and it's tempting top shelf of prime preowned offerings. Catching my eye first were the copy of the brand new Ben Kweller release and Heartless Bastards' even brand newer album, both enticing me with their sub ten dollar price tags. Upon perusing the entire bin, I came across a number of recent releases (and a couple of older ones) that have been hanging about on my "to buy" list. Score. I ended up with ten discs worth of new tunes for under a hundred bucks, including tax. Anyway... I'll stop babbling and share with you some of the goodies. (More to come.)

Another Comp

My being out of town has impeded my ability to post this week. I'll be making up for it in the next few days.

For now, I'm going to share with you another compilation that I picked up before I left town and have already played right through a number of times. It's called DARK WAS THE NIGHT. Indie heavyweights abound, giving us a slew of unrealeased songs that add up to a really strong tracklist. Arcade Fire, The National, Bon Iver, Feist, Decemberists, My Morning Jacket, Sufjan Stevens... need I go on? Alright... New Pornographers, Spoon, Ben Gibbard, Iron & Wine, Conor Oberst... okay, I'll stop (but it really is an amazing lineup). It's a Red Hot mix, so benefits the AIDS cause... so no burning people. It's a double disc, but It's priced like a single and is well worth the money, charitable or not. I'm on a computer with an ancient browser version so can't seem to manage a good link for you (it won't even let me use italics)... find one yourself, or take my word for it and just pick up your own copy.

Heroes

There's a new War Child album out with a bunch of songs requested by legends and covered by the cream of the current musical crop. Hot Chip covering Joy Division? Yes Please! TV on the Radio taking on Bowie? Mm-mmm. Beck does Dylan, Scissor Sisters do Roxy Music, Elbow does U2... Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hold Steady, and Rufus all make appearances. And it's all for charity, so no file sharing people. Help the kids.

War Child - Heroes Vol.1 - Var...

Ra Ra Riot

I'm going to see them tonight at the new performance space at UCSD, The Loft. I'll write something about the show tomorrow, probably. If you haven't heard them yet... then make it right. You shan't be disappointed.

Ra Ra Riot - Dying is Fine

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart

I can't say I like the name, but the music sounds good. Teenage Fanclubby, Belle & Sebastianey, britpoppy indie rock for your lazy springtime afternoons. Here's a link to the whole, self-titled album, try Come Saturday or Young Adult Friction fore the catchiest stuff.

The Teasing Was Worth It.

Have a taste of this delicious new song from Phoenix.

Heartless Bastards' New One

Here's a great new song from Heartless Bastards. Yes, that is a girl on vocals. Talk about a unique voice. It's a little bit country, a lot rock and anything but heartless. If the new album has more songs this good then I can't wait to hear the whole thing (And I see that's it was already released on 2/9, so I won't be waiting long).

The Mountain

Phoenix Teaser

Bastards.

Random Rufus Shows

Mr Wainwright has announced a handful of dates that are scattered about in a seemingly arbitrary fashion. The good news for me is that one of the shows is close enough to get to with minimal effort. Might I see you at the Anaheim House of Blues on April 29th? Tickets are in pre-sale now, and they will go faaast.

Here's a wonderful video from his last album.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs put out.

The new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album, It's Blitz!, comes out on April 14th (same day as Silversun Pickups new one, oh and Metric... see you at M-Theory), and the first single Zero is streaming on their myspace. Get ready for a synth-attack! Sounds like the record won't bear much resemblance to Is Is, their dirty rockin' Ep from '07. Alright by me... I like to dance (and her sublime vocals are enough to make me swoon regardless). Check out the cover art for the album (I hope it's free range)...

January Retrospective

It doesn't feel right to ignore that it's already six weeks into the year. I need to backtrack and get 2009 started from square one. I have my share of OCD-like moments, and this is one of them. So I'm going to share what got my foot tapping back in el mes primero. Here's a couple to start...

It remains to be seen if this will ever eclipse his last couple of LPs on my forever growing list of favourite albums, but then that's a lot of "living up to" to be reasonably expected... everything I've heard by Andrew Bird to date has won me over and Noble Beast is no disappointment. It's beautifully layered, lyrically advanced, not-trying-too-hard-to-be-cool music for adults. Wait until it's raining outside and then play this song.

Animal Collective is a band I've never quite been able to get my head around, until now. The new album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, sucked me in immediately and I'm guessing it's gonna be hard to beat for album of the year (whatever that means exactly). It's like a more psychedelic In Rainbows. For a sample, try this acid trip of a video for one of the catchier cuts off the album, My Girls.

More reflection to come.

New Doves

Manchester (area) band Doves have been hinting at a new album for bloody ages (we're talking years people), and finally the official word is out... Kingdom of Rust will be released April 7th, 2009. If you want a little taste of what it has to offer, just go to their website and download the first single Jetstream. We're talking about a proper DRM free mp3 here. I love when bands do that. (Metric and Gomez are other examples of rad one-word-name bands who've been similarly accommodating).

I suggest turning the volume up nice and high for this one.

The Title Track

I'll make my first real post a link to the song that spawned the title for my blog. If I had to pick a favourite artist of all time, Rufus Wainwright would surely be standing somewhere on the medals podium. This is a lyric from one of the best albums of the decade, Want One. The song is 14th Street, and it's at once melancholic and uplifting, not for the faint of heart. It's quintessential Rufus, and it's practically compulsory that you enjoy this tune if my blog is to be of any use to you.

Rufus Wainwright - 14th Street - free stream

VML

I've made a reality of an idea I've had for a while... a blog where I can share my musical fixations with the world (or at least a few of my friends). It remains to be seen how well maintained I will keep this space, but I'll do my best to make it a place you can reliably come to for recommendations, entertainment or just a way to waste time at work. I stay way up to date with all the latest stuff so you don't have to. I hope I can filter my knowledge into something useful for my less obsessive, music loving peers. If I can turn you onto even one great band in the process then I'll feel like a more useful human being. Comments, suggestions and mild abuse are welcome, nay encouraged.

Please enjoy.