New LCD Soundsystem - for your Free streaming pleasure!

No time to comment.  To fckn busy at work.  Just go, listen, and enjoy! Thanks.

http://www.lcdsoundsystem.com/thisishappening/

New MGMT out Today...sparking mixed reviews?! que?

So I'm pretty stoked for "Congratulations", but I'm reading a lot of negative listener reviews out there basically shitting on it. They seem to all be pissed that its not Oracular Spectacular part 2. No, there's no "Kids", no "Time To Pretend", and definitely no "Electric Feel", but get over it! Artists (especially MGMT and the like) are allowed to progress and develop new sounds and arrangements. Its what makes music so interesting! I am a huge fan of this album. It gets better and better with each listen. I have never seen MGMT live, but I am more inclined to do so now more than ever. They're a trippy, talented pair and I 'congratulate' them. Wow...that was clever haha.

Oh, just caught Pitchfork's review of Congratulations..6.8?! Really? bahh. Maybe I don't see/hear it.  But I dig this one!

MGMT

New Video: MGMT - "Flash Delirium"

bitten from WhoIsMGMT?

New Video: Titus Andronicus - "A More Perfect Union"

A More Perfect Union

Titus Andronicus | MySpace Music Videos

Okay, I've been meaning to write about this album ever since I first laid ears on it, and with this video release for "A More Perfect Union", I felt it was a sign that today should be that day.  The Monitor came out earlier this month and I was immediately blown away. Titus Andronicus created an intricately raw and layered rock album guaranteed to be in the running for 'album of the year'. They have an amazing ability to fuse lo-fi punk and alt rock to produce a rough yet fantastically powerful indie rock sound that I cannot get enough of. Seriously, I listen to this album in full at least 3 times a week. Oh, and I just found out they recorded The Monitor in a barn in New Paltz, NY.  If you've been to NP then you understand why that's cool.

If your a fan of the rough, punk inspired, rock that bands like Japandroids, No Age, or the Soft Pack create, then be sure to check out Titus Andronicus!

The video is sweet but unfortunately, the song is cut down from the full 7:10 to a weak 3:34. You need to hear the track in its entirety to really appreciate what they've done here. Track one below.

Titus Andronicus

Crushing Hard: National Zooey Deschanel Day

So the new She & Him came out today and I have absolutely no problem admitting to listening and loving their stuff.  Seriously, what's not to like?  It's extremely happy, upbeat, oldie's inspired, fun! With brilliant songwriting from M. Ward paired with the oh so gorgeous and multi-talented singer/actress Zooey Deschanel, the cleverly titled She & Him are an indie-folk duo guaranteed to appeal to audiences of all extremes.  "Volume Two" (Merge Records. March 2010) literally picks up right where "Volume One" left off.  On Two, we find 13 tracks of consistently lovely folk-pop assured to get you smiling while hanging in your apartment, going for a drive, or going for a walk in the sun.

Volume Two - She & Him

And while the music is great, my personal favorite part is the imagery that accompanies "She & Him" Is there a more attractive woman out there?...not possible.

Free Listen - MGMT's New Album "Congradulations"

"Hey everybody, the album leaked, and we wanted you to be able to hear it from us. We wanted to offer it as a free download but that didn't make sense to anyone but us"

Gee, thanks MGMT! That is pretty rad of you.

Check out the free stream of their new album "Congradulations" (due out April 13, 2010) at their website: WHOISMGMT?

New Hold Steady Track! "Hurricane J" via Pitchfork

This is going to be a great summer! New Hold Steady album is set to drop May 4th, just as the sun is finding its place permanently affixed in the New England skies.  The Hold Steady could easily be considered one of my favorite bands of the recent years.  Last summer I had the chance to check them out at the Virgin Free Fest in Baltimore, MD and it was without a doubt one of the best live performances I've seen.  I don't think I could recommend a better band for sunny summertime sing alongs..drinking beers and toasting to good vibes.

Track isn't available yet on lala.com but Pitchfork was able to share it with us.  Check it out here.  I plan on posting it here once I can get my hands on the mp3.  For now, check out these vids.

The Hold Steady: Stay Positive

The Hold Steady: Chips Ahoy

Free mp3s - Drive By Truckers - "Birthday Boy" & "This Fucking Job"

Cop 2 Free tracks from this week's new one by the Drive By Truckers via RCRD LBL.  I'm digging on "This Fucking Job" more so, but both songs are sweet.  Some good ol' southern rock for you on St. Patty's Day.

from The Big To-Do (March 2010)

Ridiculously Fun Album Alert! - Fang Island

Fang Island - self titled (February 2010)

"Fang Island is a self-proclaimed “Healing & Easy Listening / Visual” band from “Philayorkadence” in the United States of America. Fang Island makes music that they describe as 'everyone high-fiving everyone.'" - Last.fm Haha this is such a great description for this band.  Seriously, I just gave Fang Island's self titled album a listen here at work and it easily took the place of my routine post-lunch cup of coffee. So much energy in each addictive track.  Its like listening to 8 different genres rolled into one; post-punk, elecronic, classic rock, instrumental, metal, alt. rock, etc. etc.  This is definitely a favorite for 2010. Check the full album out below.

Fang Island - Fang Island

Huge fan of "Daisy", "Sideswiper", "Careful Crossers", "Welcome Wagon", & "The Illinois".  Start there!

The video for "Daisy" is sweet. Check it.

New Music Tuesday - Noteable Releases

Well, not as intense as last week, but still a few albums dropped today that are definitely worth checking out.

(album art links to respective album page at lala.com for your free listening pleasure) 

Drive-By Truckers - "The Big To-Do"

I've seen these guys before at Virgin Free Fest back a few years back.  A really talented bunch of songwriters from Athens, Georgia.  Feel good southern rock, reminiscent of  the vibe The Hold Steady creates, another favorite of mine.

Check out Pitchfork's review - 7.4

The White Stripes - "Under Great Northern Lights"

A collection of 16 Live tracks from our friends The White Stripes

The Whigs - "In The Dark"

Generally favorable review from (the increasingly un-reputable) RollingStone.com: "Athens, Georgia, band the Whigs build arena-size tunes out of some very unarena influences — including the Replacements, Pixies, My Morning Jacket and Spoon. The band's third disc is the sharpest distillation of its neo-college rock yet, with Animal Collective producer Ben H. Allen's arty, wall-of-sound approach brightening singer-guitarist Parker Gispert's underdog anthems while rarely slowing them down. "I Am for Real" sets echo-chamber guitar grind to a disco throb; "Someone's Daughter" is a riff-monster stomp worthy of Billy Squier; and "I Don't Even Care About the One I Love" suggests the Whigs have got a great record of R.E.M. answer-songs in them, if the local bars ever stop producing hardhearted girls to shout about." - John Dolan R.S.

New Music Tuesdays - Noteable Releases

Rogue Wave - "Permalight"

 

(artist support: image links to iTunes store)

Permalight - Rogue Wave

Athlete - "Black Swan"

(artist support: image links to iTunes store)

Black Swan - Athlete

Portugal. The Man - "American Ghetto"

 

(artist support: image links to iTunes store)

American Ghetto - Portugal. Th...

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - "Ninetime Rainbows"

 

(artist support: image links to iTunes store)

Nitetime Rainbows - A Sunny Da...

Freelance Whales...Cue the Banjos!

Loving Freelance Whales' debut "Weathervanes". Just gave it a listen on LaLa and I haven't heard such an upbeat happy album in a while.  A fairly new group, founded in 2008 in Queens; the Whales create flawless indie folk/pop utilizing everything from banjos, glockenspiel, synthesizers, guitars, bass, drums, and waterphones (what is a waterphone?). I'm checking them out when they come to Boston in April along with Cymbals Eat Guitars and Bear in Heaven, it should be a most excellent show.  A few reviews out there are noting the comparison between the singer of Freelance to Owl City (not cool) and I admit, there's something about this guy's voice that's very Owl City-esque...but the music backing him pardons this easily dismissible and forgivable comparison.  Give this album a listen and I guarantee you'll be smiling every time you hear the twang of a banjo, tap of the glockenspiel, or the overpoweringly catchy and calming harmonic hooks.

Sounds Like: "Somebody wired their heart to a synthesizer"

Check out "Starring", "Kilojoules", "Hannah", and "Generator ^ Second Floor".

Freelance Whales - Weathervane...

 

 

Noteable New Releases - Tuesday, 02.09.2010

Odd Blood by Yeasayer

 

O.N.E. - Yeasayer

Ambling Alp - Yeasayer

One Life Stand by Hot Chip

 

One Life Stand - Hot Chip

Take It In - Hot Chip