The Strokes Post #79, 80

missed one yesterday, so here's a double dose of Strokes-side-project-awesomeness

Little Joy - The Next Time Around (live KRCW 19 December 2008) [mp3]

Band of the Week: Foo Fighters

yesterday, I found the Foo Fighter's debut album in the Amoeba clearance racks for 4 dollars. I was listening to it last night and rememebered how much Foo Fighters rock

Foo Fighters, as you all know, is Dave Grohl's band, formed after Kurt Cobain died in 1994

while they are indeed indebted to the grunge sound that Nirvana was so famous for, they, like Queens of the Stone Age, moved far past realms of either Nirvana or Pearl Jam.

with each album, they gained more complexity, and the culmination of this can easily be seen on their latest release: Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace (2007)

In Your Honor (2005) consisted of two cds, one elctric and one acoustic, both incredibly haunting.

now I know this is a loaded statement, but I'm gonna say it: Foo Fighters are a lot better than Nirvana. their albums flow better, Dave is a better singer than Kurt, and his musical skills are much better utilized on guitar than behind a drum kit.

Foo Fighters are a band that I love, but I somehow forgot that I loved them. at this point, I've heard all of their albums, and have not come across a song of theirs that I don't like. for some reason, though, I never really thought about what a well-rounded and accomplished band they are.

now, I hope this post will get you guys to (re)discover Foo Fighters. download a couple of songs off their s/t debut below:

Foo Fighters - This is a Call [mp3]

Foo Fighters - Exhausted [mp3]

the band is currently working on a new album.

Saturday Music Definitions: Graduation

I graduate next Saturday. I will be wayyyy too busy to post anything that day (and I'm gonna see Margot and the Nuclear So & So's that night!), so here's one in advance

Head Automatica - Graduation Day [mp3]

Mika to release acoustic EP

it's called Songs For Sorrow and will be on sale online on May 25.



I love Mika. my very first post was a review of his Warfield show.

new White Stripes record in the works

after The Dead Weather finishes up their tour, Jack's going to head back to studio to work on a new album with Meg

two songs have already been recorded, and he says it will probably be out sometime next year

Jack also admitted his own mortality, which came as a surprise to me: "We just needed to stop for a while. When it comes down to your health...It's hard; people don't really understand. They think you go up on stage and you're having a blast, like you're partying or some shit. That's not the case. It's hard work to go on tour."

via NME

Pete Doherty is stirring up trouble

he's challenged the band with an ego like no other: Oasis.

"With Oasis stepping up a gear and proving they've still got it, they need to be shown there are people out there who can surpass them. Can we match them? The quality is good [in Oasis], but there really is no competition because my band is the greatest in the world and we're going to prove it."

Babyshambles are definitely better than Oasis. I hope the Gallaghers don't blow a fuse over this

via NME

Elvis Costello to appear on 30 Rock

The season finale, which will air on May 14th at 9:30PM, will include the following musical guests:

Elvis Costello, Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Mary J. Blige and Sheryl Crow

one day, very soon, I will have time to catch up on television.

Delta Spirit's bass player with new album update

according to an email from Jon, Delta Spirit will be hard at work on a new album, which they've been brainstorming for a while, after a slew of concert dates.

"After The Shins tour, we are going to do a few festivals (Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo), and start working on a new album. e have a lot of ideas floating that you may have heard at shows or on You Tube. It has been way too long and we are very excited"

I was lucky enough to catch a few of their new songs the last time I saw them, watch those below:




I really love this one.



tour dates:

May 9 - Oakland, CA / The Fox w/ The Shins
May 10 - Hollywood, CA / Palladium w/ The Shins - TICKETS
May 11 - San Diego, CA / SOMA w/ The Shins - TICKETS
May 13 - Richmond, VA / The National w/ The Shins - TICKETS
May 14 - Washington DC / 9:30 Club w/ The Shins
May 15 - Baltimore, MD / Ram's Head Live w/ The Shins
May 16 - Philadelphia, PA / Electric Factory w/ The Shins
May 17 - Montclair, NJ / Wellmont Theater w/ The Shins
May 18 - New York, NY / Terminal 5 w/ The Shins
May 19 - Albany, NY / Valentines *Headline Show
May 20 - Boston, MA / The Orpheum Theater w/ The Shins - TICKETS
May 21 - New York, NY / Terminal 5 w/ The Shins - TICKETS
Jun 11 - Manchester, TN / Bonnaroo - TICKETS
Aug 8 - Chicago, IL / Lollapalooza - TICKETS

follow them on TWITTER, which Jon says they "invented" hahaha

The Softpack on DAYTROTTER

part of the SXSW sessions

head on over for the free mp3s and article

also part of the sessions:
The Hold Steady
Glasvegas
and Dawes

Matt Costa to play free gig in LA this weekend

Saturday, May 9th, 1PM at Union Station in Los Angeles

the show is all ages, solo acoustic

The Strokes Post #78

I know some of you have been disappointed by the fact that the album stream of Dark Night of the Soul has disappeared.

so, without further ado, let me present you with an mp3 of the song by Julian.

Julian Casablancas - Little Girl (track 4) [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!]

I love this song. it's so nice to hear a song with ONLY JULIAN SINGING again. "My Drive Thru" and "Boombox" just weren't doing it for me. I am so fucking ecstatic about a new Strokes release. the guitars remind me a bit of Radiohead. looove it.

read more about the Dark Night of the Soul HERE, which will be available for sale in the UK on May 13th

must watch videos: Delta Spirit on LA BLOGOTHEQUE!

funnily enough, I was listening to the La Blogotheque version of Beirut's Nantes when I came across the following

it was recorded in our very own San Francisco! wait, early February, that must have been the time when they played BOTH! I should have loitered in the city that week just to catch this. I wish I were omniscient about all great musical things like this

Delta Spirit - People Turn Around from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Delta Spirit - Trashcan from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Delta Spirit - Strange Vine from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Delta Spirit, are, by far, my favourite live band. Jon looks so cool in these videos. hip, not hipster haha =)

the second video is especially enchanting. I love the dancing during People C'mon

WTF THEY ARE OPENING FOR THE SHINS?! why do I only find out about these shows AFTER they sell out? I'd have gone just to see them (as I would have wanted to go to the M Ward show to see them open but that was sold out too.)
I wish they'd go on another headlining tour...

new song from Julian Casablancas!

a compilation called Dark Night of the Soul has surfaced the internet

Brian Burton + Sparklehorse + Flaming Lips + Gruff Rhys + Iggy Pop + Suzanne Vega + Black Francis + Vic Chesnutt + Julian Casablancas + Jason Lyttle + Nina Persson + James Mercer x DAVID LYNCH

click HERE to stream the album, look to the left hand column to be blown away by Jules, who sings lead on track 4

I really like his new style of singing, it's quite soulful

many thanks to nateraabe for the heads up!!

Snow Patrol and Interpol's lead singers to pursue solo projects

Paul Banks will release an album called 'Skyscraper' on August 4 under the pseudonym Julian Plenti.

Gary Lightbody is planning to release two albums on his own:'Listen Tank' and 'Tired Pony' a "country" album.

Interpol - NYC [mp3]

must watch video: Franz Ferdinand-No You Girls on Letterman

oh how Alex loves his shoes.

Ra Ra Riot - Each Year

I've had this song stuck in my head all morning,
and I'm not complaining.

Ra Ra Riot - Each Year [mp3]

I love how he sings: "Silhouettes in a window frame/Better run if it's Boo's old man/He won’t know if you’re white/Oh, in the night"
=)

probably my favourite song off The Rhumb Line, everytime I listen to the album, it's the one that really sticks out to me

The Strokes Post #77

Albert Hammond Jr converted to Judaism after 'Is This It' was released so that Nick Valensi wouldn't be the only Jew in the band. He's enjoying the perks. He told Rolling Stone, "The first time I told a guy I was Jewish was in LA, he pulled me into the corner, and I discovered this whole secret world. He even got me laid that night."

XD

video: Black Lips-The Drop I Hold

it's basically just some green lights and them "taking turns" singing, but it's pretty rad.

I am currently sleep deprived and/or retarded and can't figure out how to embed it (the link shows up all choppy) so click HERE to watch it

The Strokes Post #76

yesterday, I went to Amoeba on a whim.

I found not one but TWO Strokes singles:

I don't understand how "NYC Cops" is considered a b-side. I'd A-side that shit ASAP.

by the way, how cool is it that it's clear vinyl? I was delighted when I opened it

The Strokes - NYC Cops [mp3]

The Virgins - Fernando Pando

I am listening to The Virgins (I forgot how good this album is...I haven't heard it in AGES) as I type up medieval sex tracts
I love my life.



The Virgins will be playing GAMH on the 2oth. I expect all of my SF area readers to attend.

The Strokes Post #75

Sunday Morning Covers

ZIP FILE

Babyshambles - Janie Jones (The Clash cover) [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]
what a great tribute to a phenomenal song. if anyone thinks Pete Doherty is a washed up loser, just click above to be convinced otherwise. he's a genius indeed.

Andrew Bird - Being Green (Kermit the Frog cover) [mp3]
not only is this man incredible enough to cover a Muppets song, but he does so IN FRENCH. oh, Andrew, put me out of my misery, MARRY ME.

TV on the Radio - Heroes (David Bowie cover) [mp3]
trippy, but nowhere near the original

Flaming Lips-Seven Nation Army (White Stripes cover) [mp3]
the sirens are just the touch to make this sound ever so...Flaming Lips. weird and quirky and awesome

30 Seconds to Mars - Stronger (Kanye West cover) [mp3]
a band that I liked in high school covering an artist I can't stand who got more credit than a French group I really do love. the result sounds nothing like 30 Seconds to Mars, Kanye, or Daft Punk.

Ben Lee- Float on (Modest Mouse cover) [mp3]
very mellow, and I approve.

BONUS (x2):
Andrew Bird - Oh Sister (Bob Dylan cover) [mp3]
holy goodness gracious, this is just...wow.

Ben Lee - Kids (MGMT cover) [mp3]
quite unlike the original. slow, but pretty. "Kids" was my favourite song of 2008

The Strokes Post #74

another snippet from In Transit
I mainly like this clip because you can see Nick playing with himself. haha that makes me uber creeper but oh well