must watch video: Zach Condon of Beirut joins The National for "Fake Empire" at Paleo

when I first watched this video via the live stream a few days ago, I literally screamed out loud when Zach Condon came out. his addition to the song is beyond breathtaking, and very much worth a view (or ten)

I've uploaded the entire concert on youtube, and it's a spectacular set. they even played "Secret Meeting" and a couple of really old tracks from their second album, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers

set list:

set list:

Start A War

Anyone's Ghost

Secret Meeting

Conversation 16

Slow Show

Squalor Victoria

Afraid Of Everyone

Bloodbuzz Ohio

Sorrow

Available

Lucky You

England

Abel

Fake Empire

Mr. November

Terrible Love

must watch videos: Arcade Fire at Bonnaroo

having seen this band in concert and having watched many, many YT videos of them on stage, I can attest to the fact that they generally kick a lot of ass. however, their set at Bonnaroo is something different all together. such intensity, such passion, such perspiration.

must watch video: Arcade Fire perform "We Used to Wait" for a Chicago radio station

Arcade Fire performs "We Used To Wait" on Sound Opinions from WBEZ on Vimeo.

Win sounds so good here. his voice is delicate and perfect.

must watch video: The Strokes: "You're So Right" on Jools Holland

sweet goodness this song just keeps getting more badass every time I hear it.

NIKOLAI, YOUSE A BOSS.

must watch video: The Strokes perform "Gratisfaction" at Cannes

I love three things about this video:

-the fact that you can really hear Albert

-Julian's lack of shoes or sleeves (never before exposed on stage tattoos!)

-"they said the soldier is a necessity in light of all the failures of man"

whoa.

and here's Taken for a Fool:

and Under Cover of Darkness

and Reptilia

must watch video: The National on La Blogotheque

this version of "Ada" is magical.

and here's an older song of theirs that I just heard today:

The National - All Dolled-Up in Straps [mp3]

from the Cherry Tree EP (2004)

BONUS:

download The National's Black Sessions from 2003 and 2005 (French Radio)

must watch video: Arcade Fire on KROQ

the incredible band crowds into a little radio studio to preform my two favourites from The Suburbs





Arcade Fire – Ready To Start (KROQ Session) [mp3]

Arcade Fire – Month Of May (KROQ Session) [mp3]

must watch video: Spoon on La Blogotheque

they're playing in a record shop in Paris. need I say more?

also, they play my personal favourite:


"I'm in need of someone to take care of me tonight"

Spoon - Black Like Me (La Blogotheque) [mp3]

Spoon - Got Nuffin (La Blogotheque) [mp3]

Spoon - The Ghost of You Lingers (La Blogotheque) [mp3]

many thanks to HAD who sent me this way.

must watch video: The Libertines make a triumphant return in England

OH MY DEAR SWEET DEVIL.

must watch video: The National's entire set at Glastonbury

via PMA

I really love High Violet but this set made me really nostalgic for Boxer.

must watch video: Langhorne Slim does "Cinderella" & "I Love You But Goodbye" for Yours Truly

I am kind of sort of in love with Langhorne Slim

must watch videos: Free Energy Insound Session

head on over to Insound Studio's Website to watch three videos dripping with excellence. the band played "Free Energy", "Bang Pop" and "Dream City", all of which, I believe, will be found on the debut.
I am wearing my Stuck on Nothing shirt right now cause I wore it to work yesterday and then slept in it.

must watch video: The Morning Benders "Excuses" on Yours Truly

I'll be damned if SF doesn't have the best damn local music scene EVER

must watch video: Vampire Weekend play the HELL out of "Cousins" on Letterman

this video is such a perfect demonstration of why I love this band.



go, Vampire Weekend, go!!

Letterman has been having a great week. Michael Cera on Monday (watched it 'cause I couldn't sleep...didn't know he was Canadian!), this was yesterday, and tonight, Jules will be on!

must watch video: Beirut's "Guyamas Sonora" on La Blogotheque

somehow this video had previously eluded me and my frenzied Beirut binges, but, better late than never:



"Guyamas Sonora" is my favourite Beirut track ever. what I really love about this video is that it properly showcases how the music of Zach Condon cannot be contained within 4 walls. it's so sonically expansive, so far beyond the realm of reality.

MUST WATCH VIDEO: Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension

"sin is honoring desire above what you know is right"



Julian Casablancas' debut video just combined all of my favourite things:
fabulous music, 80's glam leather fashions, a nod to the Thriller video, violence, Victorian corruption/coats/handwriting, AND JULIAN HIMSELF WITH A GUITAR AND DRUMMING. and did you guys see, he has a tattoo on his upper left arm? I didn't know he had one there, I wonder what it is.

best of all, he writes out different aphorisms like Voldemort does, you know, in the air but they look like fire? and the whole video follows the theme of one of my favourite lyrics in the song: "so when's it coming, this next great movement that I can join?"

I am in awe. in shock. I am so happy.

Julian Casablancas - I'll Try Anything Once (Strokes "cover") [mp3]

must watch video - Phoenix perform "Lisztomania" on Jimmy Fallon

it's scary how this band gets better every time I hear them. The only other band I can say that about is The Strokes. yeah.



they ALWAYS sound fresh to me, and this performance is just killer. Thomas sounds great, as do the other guys
=)

must watch video: Andrew Bird - Route du Rock, Saint-Malo, France (ACOUSTIC GOODNESS!)

I can't figure out how to embed this, click HERE to watch.

holy crap, this is amazing. the first song, "Headsoak" (from his Bowl of Fire days), channels 60's Dylan like nobody's business. I fucking love it. then, brace yourself, as the performance of "Anonanimal" is staggering, especially because it serves as a forceful reminder that the more that TALENTED artists play their "hits", the better the songs sound! good quality never gets tiring.

I love Andrew Bird. the only thing that bothers me about the page is the bit that says "sounds like M.Ward". no offense to Mr Ward, but he aint got nothing on my main man Andrew.

must watch video: Andrew Bird - Anonanimal (acoustic)

this gave me shivers and I just had to share it. I love Andrew Bird so much.

"I will become this animal, perfectly adapted to a music hall"
he needs to get home to his farm house and take a break.

must watch video: The Hives - Genepool Convulsions

I was listening to some of my 45s and came across a Hives single with this b-side:



I love The Hives, and their b-sides are, as Pelle says, superior to most band's a-sides.