a closer look at Delta Spirit

this
is fucking great



I saw glimpses of the city! Sean kind of looks like a rapist with that mustache hahah

song of the day: Wilco - Sunken Treasure

"Music is my savior, and I was maimed by rock and roll"

Wilco - Sunken Treasure [mp3]

HOLY SHIT. I don't think I've ever listened to disc 2 of Being There. this song just might get me into Wilco. wow.

new video: Vampire Weekend - Giving up the Gun

I remember reading a couple of days ago that Joe Jonas was in this video, and I am happy to say that I didn't know which one that was, or what his role is in his "band". in any case, Jake Gyllenhal made me CRACK UP. well done, sir.

does anybody else find it amusing that Rostam has put on weight?



(this is still my favourite track on Contra, followed closely by "Diplomat's Son")

band of the week: The Flaming Lips

if my favourite music were a candy shoppe, The Flaming Lips would be imported bubblegum. always fun, often wacky, and arriving in many surprising flavours. one piece is never enough. better in execution than in theory. not always on my mind, but always welcome in my mou--okay, this analogy is getting a bit weird

anyhow, I do love The Flaming Lips even though I often can't wrap my head around their music (especially their latest album, Embryonic, which is intense). but I suppose that's the point. if they wanted to be accessible they could pop on some costume makeup and call themselves of Montreal. don't worry if you don't get it, my sense of humour baffles me too.

The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1 [mp3]

The Strokes Post #362

I had my music on shuffle today and a really underpar recording of YOLO came on, and it made me grin. even shitty Strokes is still fan-fucking-tastic. anyhow, here is a live video to hold you over until I dig through my external hard drive for another bootleggg.

Broken Bells - The High Road

Broken Bells is the latest from Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley; Dark Night of the Soul; spectacular producer of countless great albums), who chose to abandon his pseudonym and be credited as Brian Burton this time around.

anyhow, it features James Mercer (The Shins) and from what I've heard so far, it's pretty damn spectacular.

the album will drop on March 9th, a review is forthcoming

visit them on MYSPACE

Classic Track Thursday

everyone, including yours truly, has been excited about the reunion of Pavement, and for good reason. Stephen Malkmus is a wonder and a thrill, and, if you don't believe me, just take in his magnificent guitar work in the track below

Silver Jews - Night Society [mp3]
from American Water (1998), which I have been spinning all week

Malkmus contributed pretty significantly to Silver Jews, which is first and foremost David Berman's baby.

song of the day: Modest Mouse - Float On

feeling very triumphant today.

The Strokes Post #361

there have been rumours circulating that The Strokes will headline Lollapalooza this year. I have a good feeling about this, and if it's true, I will trek out to Chicago for the weekend. it's closer than England, and happens to fall on the weekend right before my 21st birthday.

PS here are some more tour dates of our favourite workaholic

3/23 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s
3/24 – New York, NY - The Fillmore, Irving Plaza
3/26 – Atlanta, GA - Center Stage
3/27 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
3/28 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head
3/30 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
4/1 – Montreal, QC – National
4/2 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix
4/3 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
4/5 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
4/6 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
4/8 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave
4/9 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
4/10 – Kansas City, MO – Beaumont Club
4/12 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
4/13 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
4/14 – Austin, TX – La Zona Rosa

song of the day: Cold War Kids - Dreams Old Men Dream

it's been spinning through my head all day. I've been feeling nostalgic lately.
also, I have to say that Loyalty to Loyalty is one hell of an under-rated record. I love it. this track has got to be a contender for my favourite CWK song...and definitely a spectacle to behold live.

you guys should check this SESSION out.

on Gus Van Sant + Beethoven

source

I am listening to Moonlight Sonata right now, for a couple of reasons

first off, I haven't heard it in ages
secondly, I've been thinking all night about how certain songs follow you around, regardless of what you're doing and where you're doing it.

more than any other art form, music has an almost haunting power of lingering.

and that got me thinking about Gus Van Sant's basic yet powerful film Elephant, and then I got to thinking about the only person who has ever played Moonlight Sonata for me, and how different she was from the character in the film who plays the song. if you've seen the film, you know what kind of person that guy is. if you haven't, let me just boil it down to this: he was no where in the same realm as my happy-go-lucky friend.

but, violent tendencies aside, he was the only other person I've ever seen play the song. (no, I don't care if the actual actor was not playing the song. I am referring to the character.)

how do we consume music? how does music consume us? why do some people marvel at the beauty of some pieces of music while others are left unaffected? will I ever find solace or bliss beyond the realms of my turntable?

Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata [mp3]

The Morning Benders - Excuses

I've been promoting this band forever on Music Induced Euphoria and to anyone who will listen to my ramblings about music. I've lost count of how many people I've given Talking Through Tin Cans to.

and now that the band has decided to give away another studio version from their forthcoming Big Echo (March 9th, Rough Trade!), I've got to say, FUCKING AYE I TOLD YOU SO.

this band has a level of sunshine unparalleled this side of The Beach Boys. but somehow, they manage to deliver it in the freshest, most palatablely subtle way imaginable.

The Morning Benders - Excuses [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]
you know that kind of dazed feeling you get when you stare at the sun? happy, content, but kind of out of it? yeah.

visit MYSPACE for tour dates.
damn Independent. 5 more months. 5 more months.

The Vinyl Princess book signing TOMORROW

I just started reading Yvonne Prinz's The Vinyl Princess last night, and it's golden. I will post a review shortly, but if you're in the SF area, head on over to Booksmith tomorrow at 7:30 PM, because the Amoeba Records co-founder will be doing a book reading + signing!

The Postelles announce tour dates

the NYC band is on tour with Hockey to support their debut EP, White Night, which was produced by Albert Hammond Jr

3/11---7th Street Entry---Minneapolis, Minnesota
3/13---Outland on Liberty---Columbus, Ohio
3/15---Bowery Ballroom---New York, New York
3/16---Johnny Brenda's---Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3/17---Rock and Roll Hotel---Washington, D.C.
3/23---Mercy Lounge---Nashville, Tennessee
3/24---Drunken Unicorn---Atlanta, Georgia
3/25---Cafe 11---St. Augustine, Florida
3/26---Club Downunder---Tallahassee, Florida
3/27---Bottletree---Birmingham, Alabama
3/29---Thirsty Hippo---Hattiesburg, Mississippi
3/30---Spanish Moon---Baton Rouge, Louisiana
4/01---Warehouse Live---Houston, Texas
4/02---Emo's Alternative Lounge---Austin, Texas
4/03---The Loft---Dallas, Texas
4/06---Larimer Lounge---Denver, Colorado
4/08---The Neurolux---Boise, Idaho
4/10----Wonder Ballroom---Portland, Oregon

visit them on MYSPACE

Elliott Smith's Roman Candle to be reissued

normally, I'm not a big fan of reissues, but the upcoming April 5th rerelease of Elliott's beautiful debut album will doubtless bring attention to his work, and probably will incur more listeners to the greatness that is Elliott.

Elliott Smith - No Name #1 [m4a]
(sorry, my file converter is being a butt and won't work right now)

The Strokes Post #360

reposting this because it's hilarious and worthy of multiple rereads, and also because some of you may not have ever seen it:

Dear G-d, It's Me Nikolai

enjoy.

song of the day: Jimmy Eat World - A Praise Chorus

I will never ever tire of Jimmy Eat World...especially Bleed American and Clarity. so simple, but so effortlessly empowering. I fucking love these guys.

The Dodos on La Blogotheque

watch it.

The Strokes Post #359

guess what I bought todaaaaaaaaaaaaay


also, NPR has a cool interview with Julian, including some killer session versions of "Out of the Blue", "River of Brakelights" and "Ludlow St"
check it out!

Rilo Kiley - Love and War

Rilo Kiley - Love and War [mp3]

I was listening to More Adventurous a couple of days ago and I remembered how much I love this track. it's more aggressive than your run of the mill RK. just fabulous.

another great one from the album is "Ripchord", sung by Blake Sennett (who fronts The Elected). I like this song because it reminds me of Conversations with Other Women

also, it's a tribute to Elliott Smith, which just warms my heart right up.

Miike Snow - Billie Holiday

Miike Snow - Billie Holiday [mp3]
from the UK pressing of Miike Snow. just like everything else I've heard from this Swedish band, the track is lush and glittery and dazed in a good way.

via RCRD LBL

The Strokes Post #358

Julian Casablancas - Glass (demo) [mp3]
from the bonus disc of Phrazes for the Young. which I listened to at 4 o clock this morning when I woke up and couldn't get back to bed. mmm Phrazes you are my favourite insomnia buddy.

Sunday Morning Covers

ZIP FILE!

Spoon - A Good Flying Bird (Guided By Voices cover) [mp3]
at first I thought this was mislabeled, but that is definitely Britt at :52. does anybody know who sings the rest of the song? in any case, this mp3 is from 1996 and it's fantastic.

Elvis Costello - Egypt (Nick Lowe cover) [mp3]

My Morning Jacket - Oh! Sweet Nuthin' (Velvet Underground cover) [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]

Elliott Smith - Harvest Moon (Neil Young cover) [mp3]

Beck - Green Light (Sonic Youth cover) [mp3]

Editors - Feel Good Inc (Gorillaz cover) [mp3]

No Age - It's Oh So Quiet (Björk cover) [mp3]

Death Cab for Cutie - Rocking Chair (The Band cover) [mp3]

Vampire Weekend - Ruby Soho (Rancid cover) [mp3]

The Morning Benders - Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love? (The Ronettes cover) (daytrotter) [mp3]

The Strokes Post #357