Steinski

MP3: Steinski - The Payoff Mix

For people who aren't in the know such as myself, this mother fucker came out of nowhere: WRONG! Steinski has been at it since '83 and killing ever since.

The song title is no joke: it really does pay off, as does this entire 83-06 retrospective release, from it's hours of entertainment right down to the beautiful 2 cd packaging. It's well worth going to this link to read his very intersting bio, but when it comes down to it hear some original mash ups that still sound fresh and stand the test of time: I guarantee it is 99.9% better than the mash ups you're rocking.

"What Does It All Mean? 1983-2006 Retrospective" is out now from Illegal Art.

{stream the retrospective from fanatic promotion}
{purchase the steinski retrospective from illegal art}

FUCK YEAH?: Melvins

MP3: Melvins - Nude With Boots

I don't know what happened between recordings, but if "Nude With Boots", the title track released earlier this week from the upcoming Melvins lp is any indication, we're in for something different from the band.

Not that it's shocking: these duders change it up in some way all the time, and since taking Big Business into camp with (A) Senile Animal in 2006 it's only gotten better. This song might be fucking weird as all hell, but it still fucking slaughters and pisses on your record collection. Looking forward to the record on tour to follow boys!

"Nude With Boots" is out July 8th from Ipecac Recordings.

TOUR: (7-16 through 8-20 with Big Business)
06-16 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall (Biafra Five-O)
06-17 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall (Biafra Five-O)
07-16 Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
07-17 Sacramento, CA - The Boardwalk
07-18 San Francisco, CA - Slim's
07-19 Reno, NV - Club Underground
07-21 Modesto, CA - Fat Cat
07-26 Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market
07-29 Teton Village, WY - Mangy Moose
07-31 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
08-03 Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
08-04 Chicago, IL - Double Door
08-05 Detroit, MI - Small's
08-06 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
08-07 Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
08-09 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
08-10 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street
08-12 New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
08-13 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
08-15 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
08-16 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
08-17 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
08-18 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
08-20 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jack

FUCK YEAH: Dwarves

MP3: Dwarves - Back Seat Of My Car
MP3: Dwarves - Fuck You Up and Get High
MP3: Dwarves - Astro Boy

NOTE: Today's FUCK YEAH! contribution comes from Mr. blood, guts & pussy himself: Matt Giordano. Fun fact: he is in fact not a dwarf in height, only at heart... where it counts!

The Dwarves are one of the greatest punk bands ever, but have never really garnered the massive accolades bands like the Ramones, Black Flag and the Dead Kennedys. It's always been quite a shame, since their 1990 Sub Pop breakthrough album Blood Guts & Pussy ranks among the five best of the genre. At a blinding speed and spewing more punk ethos than the kids in the early 80s vomiting on Camden High Street, the Dwarves shot a fresh fix in the veins of the mohawked, fucking them up and getting them high.

{purchase dwarves merchandise from the band}

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy for everyone to see!

MP3: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - So Everyone

MP3: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - So Everyone (demo)

Who would've thought the new Bonnie 'Prince' Billy record ("Lie Down in the Light") would be so darned upbeat?

Well, I suppose there was a hint: last year's "Ask Forgiveness"covers opus was very sunny, and the one Oldham original was quite bouncy, so the signs were indeed there. Still, when hearing LDITL was recorded at the same place as fan-favourite "Master and Everyone", I very much expected a similiar tone; not so much. Drag City quietly released a demo to tease in "So Everyone", which possibly suggests a different direction, but in the end we are given a gift: a true summer record from Will Oldham. "Lie Down In the Light" is the perfect soundtrack for afternoon drives to the lake with baby in the passenger seat, hand in hand.

Now let's hope that sometime soon we can get a demos album, similiar to "Wai Notes", the demos from "The Letting Go". What do you say, Drag City?

Late April

MP3: Sun Kil Moon - Lost Verses


MP3: Sun Kil Moon - Moorestown

I am not happy to admit that I slacked on "April" on it's (you guessed it) April release date, but a couple of weeks back I got myself caught up and into the new album from Sun Kil Moon. Now that I am finally here, what do I think? Well, I love it. It is an absolutely precious piece of audible art that should be spread, cherished and listened to repeatedly: a pattern I think we've all come to get used to when it comes to Mark Kozelek, easily one of the greatest songwriters of this or any time.

Right from the start, it kicks off big and epic with "Lost Verses" and it doesn't let up. In fact, after the first 2 songs alone you're at nearly twenty minutes listening time. Highlights include "Moorestown" and "Tonight the Sky", but I'm kidding myself in pretending that they're not each as incredible as the one before it.

And over the weekend, I was lucky enough to give it a good travel listen, which in my opinion is the best way to take in these albums. It did indeed hold up, and is a worthy companion on your cd shelf next to "Ghosts of the Great Highway". Also, look out for appearances from your fun favourites Will Oldham and Ben Gibbard.

Highly recommended.

"April" is out now on Caldo Verde Records.

GO TEAM: Jason Anderson

MP3: Jason Anderson - This Will Never Be Our Town

NOTE: Today's GO TEAM contribution comes from Jason Anderson, a dude who is both prolific & super amazing and who's records are some of my favourites that stay in constant rotation. Recently, K Records released "The Hopeful and Unafraid", a 10 track opus on vinyl (with free cd and download of another album) that is worth seeking out for your perfect Summer soundtrack. It should also be noted that besides that album, in 2008 he put out: "Life Sucks Love Sucks Dose Out" on States Rights Records (also with free download of a different album) and 2 free downloads on ECA Records: "On the Street" and the 105 song "Song A Day" project. And they're all hits, I promise.

Jason was radical enough to give us a few words on "This Will Never Be Our Town", a standout on "The Hopeful and the Unafraid". Fuck yeah!

I wrote this song over the epic, romantic summer of 2004. Back then I came up with a bunch of tunes that have become some of my most favorite to play, including 'Sometimes' and 'July 4'. Originally it was recorded for an album called 'With Friends At Dusk', which was never released, although this year it came out digitally as part of the 'On the Street' free online record. That version is way more intense and rocking as compared to the version from 'The Hopeful and the Unafraid'. 'The Hopeful' was recorded in Chicago and features Justin Brown on pedal steel and Felix Grimm on drums. Juliet Nelson sings the beautiful harmonies, and I did everything else. When we practiced it, Justin's gorgeous slide guitar gave it a bit of a country, folk-rock feel, so we went with that in the studio. There is really no definitive "version" of this one, though, aside from the triumphant sing-alongs that happen at all my solo-acoustic shows. I have never played this live with the band, only by myself, which is interesting. Anyway, I love this song and am so excited that other people get into it, too!

TOURTASTIC!

Jul 3, 2008 - Portsmouth, New Hampshire
The Muddy River - 21 Congress St. - w/ The Divorced

Jul 13, 2008 - Phoenix, Arizona
Modified Arts - 407 E. Roosevelt - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 14, 2008 - San Diego, California
Epicentre - 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd. - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 16, 2008 - Pomona, California
the Glass House - 200 W Second St - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 17, 2008 - Los Angeles, California
the Troubador - 9081 Santa Monica Blvd - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 18, 2008 - San Francisco, California
Bottom of the Hill - 1233 17th Street (17th @ Missouri) - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 19, 2008 - San Francisco, California
Bottom of the Hill - 1233 17th Street (17th @ Missouri) - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 20, 2008 - Eugene, Oregon
TBA - w/ Gregg Porter Project

Jul 21, 2008 - Portland, Oregon
Wonder Ballroom - 128 NE Russell - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 22, 2008 - Olympia, Washington
Capitol Theatre - 206 5th AVENUE SE - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 23, 2008 - Seattle, Washington
Neumo's - 925 E Pike St - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 26, 2008 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Kilby Court - 741 S. Kilby Court (330 WEST) - w/ Harry and the Potters

Jul 27, 2008 - Phoenix, Arizona
Trunk Space - 1506 NW Grand Ave - w/ Golden Boots

{purchase jason anderson recordings from insound}

Time Fades Away

ZIP: Neil Young - Time Fades Away
MP3s:
01. Time Fades Away
02. Journey Through the Past
03. Yonder Stands The Sinner
04. L.A.
05. Love In Mind
06. Don't Be Denied
07. The Bridge
08. Last Dance

NOTE: Today's MEGA contribution comes from "Mighty" Matt Giordano, who I'm happy to high five over some Neil Young. Join us? Fuck yeah!

PS: I'll be in Cleveland over Memorial Day weekend thinking of everything but this blog, so posts will resume Tuesday. Don't cry, because this post has a whole rare fucking album in it. Word.

It's been about a month or so since my last posting, but I just haven't been sure what to contribute. Maybe I'll get around to another track from the stellar new My Morning Jacket album, but then I downloaded this gem a couple of weeks back. Those kind folks over at Buddyhead having been gracing us with fine mp3s for awhile, but nothing quite as spectacular as their recent posting of the Neil Young opus "Time Fades Away". Above is a link to the entire
album, if you choose to download it.

The Lemonheads: Best band ever?

MP3: The Lemonheads - My Drug Buddy

MP3: The Lemonheads - Bit Part (demo)

I am not sure if I would consider myself a "child of the '90s" because I was very much in my youth at the time, but I was very aware of culture: I saw many movies released, read numerous comic books, watched a lot of television, had some cool toys and so on (I'm 23 if you're trying to do math right now). However, I wasn't much on top of current music. Other than listening to Neil Young cassettes in my folks' car, I only had my sister's changing tastes to rely on at the time. This was how I found grunge, Weezer and rock and roll in general, but she also didn't delve too deep. I had to find my Pavement and Afghan Whigs albums all by myself later on.

So I didn't come to the Lemonheads' "It's A Shame About Ray" until the 00's. Sure, I had heard their "Mrs. Robinson" version in "Wayne's World 2" and heard many bands cover them, but it wasn't until meeting certain friends that caused me to track down a used copy of the lp and give it a try. Immediately, I understood what the fuss was about.

While every single Lemonheads album is fantastic and worth picking up, "Ray" is just so connectible, catchy and brilliant from song to song, it's very certainly one of those rare perfect albums that will stick with you until your death. This still counts on this expanded edition (thank god), which adds not-so-hard-to-find b-side "Shaky Ground" and a collection of unreleased demo versions of your favourite songs. On these demos, Evan Dando sounds at his most honest and intimate, fuzzing through the speakers directly to your side sharing his stories with just himself and guitar for you to listen. "My Drug Buddy" sounds like he just scored and is returning to your living room to tell you all about what went down on King St. and in the phone booth. But perhaps he is most effective on "Bit Part", minus the rock and introductory desperation courtesy of Polly Noonan but still with pal Juliana Hatfield on backing vocals, taking it down a notch to try to find "a bit part in your life", something so subtle but absolutely fucking perfect of life that you can't help but cheer for him.

However, these demos do not change the dynamic of this classic album: Alison is still starting to happen, and there are still plenty more rockin' strolls to enjoy. They merely serve and succeed as supplementary material to make you adore and appreciate an already flawless old friend. Is it worth shelling out $25 for an album you probably/hopefully already own? Well yes, if not just for the expansive liner notes and (for the first time on) dvd version of "Two Weeks In Australia", then for a chance to revisit a chunk of nostalgia and hear it with fresh ears and an updated outlook.

It's worth a damn. A big damn. I would go as far to say that on the right day, "It's A Shame About Ray" is my favourite record ever. Now where is the vinyl reissue?

Langhorne Slim CONTEST!

MP3: Langhorne Slim - Rebel Side Of Heaven

I sure do love Langhorne Slim and his self titled record, out now on Kemado. I also love the track "Rebel Side Of Heaven", which can be downloaded right in this post as well as seen in video form right here.

Another good thing about the song? You can win a 7 inch for the track b/w "Sometimes", as well as a poster and a sticker! Huzzah!

That's right, just email us at unicorntastic@gmail.com with the subject "LANGHORNE SLIM CONTEST" with:

Your full name
Mailing address
Email address
and if you'd like to receive future updates from Langhorne Slim...

...and you'll be entered! US residents only folks.

The contest ends on May 27th and the winner will be notified on May 28th so get to emailing!

"Langhorne Slim" is out now from Kemado Records.

TOURTASTIC:

May 22 -- Urban Lounge -- Salt Lake City, UT
May 23 -- Hi-Dive -- Denver, CO
May 24 – Replay Lounge (outside) – Lawrence, KS
May 25 – 400 Bar – Minneapolis, MN
May 26 – High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI
May 27 – Mad Planet – Milwaukee, WI
May 28 – Schuba's -- Chicago, IL
May 29 – The Hideout -- Chicago, IL
May 30 – Club Café – Pittsburgh, PA
May 31 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
June 5 – W. Mount Vernon Park – Baltimore, MD
June 6 – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA
June 7 – T.T. The Bear's — Cambridge, MA
June 17 – La Divian Orange — Montreal, QB
June 18 – The Horseshoe – Toronto, ONT
June 19 – Grog Shop – Cleveland Heights, OH
June 20 - Pike Room @ Crofoot - Pontiac, MI
June 21 - Ruby Tuesday - Columbus, OH
June 22 – Off Broadway- St. Louis, MO
June 24 – The Aquarium (Dempsey's Upstairs) - Fargo, ND+
June 26 - Sled Island Music Festival – Calgary, AB
July 3 - High Sierra Fest - Quincy, CA
July 4 - High Sierra Fest - Quincy, CA

{view the video for 'rebel side of heaven'}
{purchase 'langhorne slim' on iTunes}
{purchase langhorne slim recordings from insound}

HEALTH: sheds noise and welcomes disco.

MP3: Health - Triceratops (CFCF Rmx)

Low and behold, Health has given their debut more life! Charging up the paddles, they put on the juice into the heart of that square blue wonder and ZAP! out comes "HEALTH//DISCO", from the incredible Lovepump United. Friends and family alike all came by to gaze in awe and wonder at this new sound, each throwing in their own bits and pieces of genius to transform already great songs into something new and different.

Using our extra strong teeth, we here at Fuck yeah! Go team! bit off a sample for you. Gather round, baby lions, and feast on this. CFCF "rmx" (that stands for "remix" young cubs) the powerful "Triceratops" with extra delight and juices that I think you will all enjoy.

If you like the sample, please visit your local grocer (AKA record store/online vendor) and prepare to feast on the lp that is... HEALTH//DISCO!

Also, it should be noted that this release is extra delicious because Health seem to be the nicest fucking gents on this planet (and maybe others) and were kind enough to give thanks to the blogs that posted about them in their growing times. Thankfully, the PR Gods were kind enough to make sure that THIS blog was around with ears to be one of them, and the band gave us a nice thank you in the liners. Thank you Health, Lovepump, Fanatic and everyone who downloaded the songs from the post. It was an honour.

HEALTH//DISCO is released NEXT Tuesday, May 27th on Lovepump United.

{purchase health recordings from insound}

Ghosty

MP3: Ghosty - You Are A Big Screen

It's fucking Springtime mother fucker, and here is a great sunny pop record for you to enjoy while the Sun is your friend: Ghosty's "Answers". Lawrence, Kansas' all-stars come back with another round of audible goodness for your ears to have sex to. Don't ever stop. Word up.

{purchase ghosty recordings from blue collar distro}

Gregor Samsa are video.

MP3: Gregor Samsa - Jeroen Van Aken

Hello friends. I was going to wait another week or two before gushing over my love of Gregor Samsa, but they debuted a phenomenal video for their "Jeroen Van Aken" track that needed to be addressed. So yes, a full review/mp3 post of "Rest" coming shortly, but in the meantime read this press release, download the song and enjoy the video. And buy "Rest", it's been haunting me for a month now with it's brilliance (as all Gregor Samsa albums tend to do).

PRESS RELEASETASTIC:

Gregor Samsa has just released a video from their upcoming album Rest... Take a look at the stunning clip for "Jeroen Van Aken" directed by Rick Alverson from the band Spokane.

In their third full-length album in seven years, Gregor Samsa takes a new approach to composition, both in process and instrumentation. The result is Rest ; nine pieces composed over e-mail during the course of nine months by key members in New York, Chicago, Boston, DC and Richmond, VA.

In Rest, Gregor Samsa expand on their affinity for minimal, classical instrumentation mixed with mangled and manipulated sound through integration of new instruments such as the celesta, clarinet, classical voice and vibraphone. Along with these new sounds, guitar has been almost entirely replaced by piano, whose parts were recorded on a rare Bösendorfer once owned by Philip Glass. The record is being released in 5 different formats (digital and limited ed. out now, official unlimited version out May 13).

Euro tour dates.... (tour of USA later this summer)

05-08 Leuven, Belgium - Stuk
05-09 Karlsruhe, Germany - Jubez
05-10 Würzburg, Germany - Cairo
05-11 Berlin, Germany - Schokoladen
05-12 Leipzig, Germany - Nato
05-13 Munich, Germany - Kafe Kult
05-14 Vienna, Austria - Chelsea
05-16 Milan, Italy - Leoncavallo
05-18 Rome, Italy - Traffic
05-20 San Sebastián, Spain - La Casa de Cultura de Okendo
05-22 Barcelona, Spain - Be Cool
05-23 Lyon, France - La Marquise
05-24 Bičvre, Belgium - TBA
05-25 Bruges, Belgium - Cactus
05-26 Paris, France - Mains d'Oeuvres *
05-27 Amiens, France - Le Grand Wazoo *
05-28 Lucerne, Switzerland - Treibhaus *
05-29 Frankfurt, Germany - Elfer *
05-30 Luxembourg, Luxembourg - d:qliq *
05-31 Münster, Germany - Gleis 22 *
06-01 Duisburg, Germany - Steinbruch *

* with Kayo Dot

"Rest" is out now from The Kora Records. More formats coming soon, read all about that here.

Beachwood Sparks: getting the band back together!

MP3: Beachwood Sparks - Surfing Saints

Now that I've found a gap in the essential postings, let's take a step back from some of the best news announced as of late. Sure, Sub Pop is turning 20 and to celebrate they are holding a festival in the summer, but playing are BEACHWOOD SPARKS!

You can't beat news like that. I say for those of us on the opposite coast we should set up a bus or something and hightail it over to Washington. We'll figure it out, but tickets are on sale now on the Sub Pop site and thanks to The Calming Seas (the most important site for BWS fans) they have a mini interview with drummer Aaron Sperske which can be found here. Keep an eye out for the mention of MORE GIGS! But sadly, it is looking like no Farmer Dave (fucking Interpol).

To celebrate this epic news, please enjoy this b-side from the Japanese release of the self-titled lp.

FUCK YEAH: Boris

MP3: Boris - Statement

It's a wonder that we haven't posted about Boris on the blog before: both myself and frequent contributor Matt Giordano are big fans of the gash slayers, but I suppose we just assumed everyone was hip to them and didn't need to be told what to listen to.

But that is the beauty of the FUCK YEAH posts... oh and they put out a new record. "Smile" is out today, and worth getting online from Southern Lord so you can get the limited dvd (only in 3000 copies of the disc, numbered and all) with videos for Statement (today's mp3), My Neighbor Satan and the rarely seen video for Pink. Word.

If you've never heard Boris or "Smile", I posted "Statement" as a first listen. If you have heard Boris AND "Smile", this is here because you know it's a fucking killer track.

Good night.

"Smile" is out today on Southern Lord.

VIDEO FOR "STATEMENT"!

FUCK YEAH: U No Danava

MP3: Danava - Down From A Cloud, Up From the Ground

"UnonoU", the first official full length effort from Portland's Danava may be one of the most creative "metal" (if that's what we're calling it) albums made in recent memory. It's fully laced with horn parts and layered organ tracks over the group's typical 5 minute plus epic stories, making it a unique and utterly enjoyable listen.

In fact, since I got this record a couple of months back, it rarely has left my regular listening rotation, and when it does it is always sorely missed and shortly returned to the stack.

Thanks as always goes to Kemado, for continuing to release the Earth's greatest music. We all appreciate it greatly.

ps if you dig this, don't forget to catch the band's self titled ep that came out awhile back. it's just as fan-fucking-tastic as this gem.

{purchase danava recordings from kemado}

She & Him

MP3: She & Him - I Was Made For You

You kids might be over this record, but I am still loving on it a whole bunch. She & Him's "Volume One" comes along in a lovely 2008 Spring season, ready for full enjoyment. I like "I Was Made For You" the best. Word.

"Volume One" is out now on Merge.

{purchase she & him recordings from merge records}

My Morning Jacket tease our Urges.

MP3: My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

What a way to spend the weekend. Here is a preview from My Morning Jacket's upcoming "Evil Urges" coming this June. Us at the Team are stoked, despite the atrocious album cover. See you next week, here is what the band had to say:

"hello all you fine and wonderful people out there that are interested in what we do. we now live in the 90's - the era of the interweb and instant gratification. these are confusing times for all humankind, but especially for those of us in the music world as you well know... a week or so ago we played some of our new songs for the first time at a show in houston tx! about an hour later all of those songs were available on the interweb- talk about speed!!! since those and other non-album audiovisual recordings are available to people on the interweb, we wanted to make at least one "real" song version available (if one was interested in what the "real actual studio album" might sound like) to those of you who have supported us most and have seemed most excited about what we are doing over the years.

so here is the song "evil urges". we sure hope you are to enjoy it! we would put the whole thing out there on the interweb, but gosh darn-it, we're still a little old fashioned in that way of wanting the listener to be able to get the actual music when it is supposed to be released, when we say it is finished- not when someone else puts it on the interweb.... but it is the 90's now, we understand that. its a new decade and we want to be part of this decade, but whilst still maintaining a link to the past - where one can't necessarily get everything they want immediately when they want it, but rather when they are told they can have it - by their real life keeper or their digital daddy! we will play both roles here. we all personally relish waiting to unwrap that shrink wrap and smelling that fresh vinyl or compact disc plastic, mmm...that fresh cardboard and paper. or if we buy it off the interweb we all love holding our computers up to our noses and smelling those brand new digital downloads...mmm...fresh! gall durn it- we're just old fashioned that way. sometimes... gentle reader, in this age of instant gratification, waiting can be so rewarding, it can teach us a valuable lesson about the triumph of the human spirit... but sometimes, like our old friend tom petty said- waiting is the hardest part. thank you all for being so supportive of us, and unending in your love... from the bottom of our cold dead hearts!

love,
mmj!"

No Age: erasing bad music.

MP3: No Age - Eraser

Our friends over at Insound were rad enough to ship my "Eraser" vinyl single to me on Saturday, a mite bit early from the April 8th release date. It does serve as an applicable teaser for May's "Nouns" lp from the lovable No Age. The b-side manages to fit 3 covers on itself and they do not disappoint. My only complaint is that Sub Pop did not release a download code with this one. Rats. If anyone has a rip, send it on over to unicorntastic@gmail.com. Word.

Enjoy "Eraser". I am.

{purchase no age recordings from insound}

Vapnet

MP3: Vapnet - Plötsligt händer det inte

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the invincible Matt Giordano, who was kind enough to send in another post in our attempt to make this blog a complete Hybris tribute. Fuck yeah!

Not only does Vapnet create some great tunes, but they've become somewhat prolific, offering up new music every year since their inception. It's all been quality, and it's all had that nice spring/summer vibe emanating throughout the music even if the lyrics did not. Two years ago "Thomégränd" was my song of the summer, and if this new single is reflective of their highly anticipated new album Döda Fallet, then I wouldn't be surprised if a track would end up taking the prize again. This track is the proper single, which is out now on the ever stellar Hybris, and is fucking brilliant. Enjoy.

{purchase vapnet recordings from hybris}

FUCK YEAH: The Gods have returned.

MP3: The Sword - To Take The Black

Tomorrow, "Gods Of the Earth" is released to masses, the sophomore effort for The Sword, aka the best band ever. I am mostly sure that is my album of the year (which makes 2 years in a row that a Kemado release has been my #1), and it has not left my cd player since it's arrival a few weeks back. It is a flawless record, from the start to finish. I was going to do a huge post on this but it is better to let the song speak for itself. This is why I love music. Thank you for your time.

Neva Dinova continue to dream

MP3: Neva Dinova - Will The Ladies Send You Flowers

The always solid and enjoyable Neva Dinova return with their 3rd lp proper "You May Already Be Dreaming" next month, and it is yet another winning affair. It's been awhile since we last saw the boys in 2005's "The Hate Yourself Change", but they are back with their Saddle Creek debut and while it's more of the same goodness, the band feels a bit more relaxed and focused (probably from the downtime which included equipment destroying floods and eardrum blowing bar room brawls ). "Will The Ladies Send You Flowers" is as good an example of any of this album, a lush effort that floats and stings along the way.

"You May Already Be Dreaming" is released April 8th on Saddle Creek.

{purchase neva dinova recordings from saddle creek}

Midnight Movies

MP3: Midnight Movies - Nights In White Satin

Before receiving this wonderful ep, I was not very familiar with Midnight Movies beyond the name, but boy am I happy to know of them now. The "Nights" ep is as good an introduction as any I would think, right from the opening track that I've provided here titled "Nights In White Satin". It sounds like it's existed forever, birthed along with the Earth itself representing all that is great in the form of sound. For fans of the French language, Midnight Movies close things out with "Mes Rêves De Satin", which is the song sung in French, proving these folks are a real class act. While doing research, I've seen the term "psychedelic pop" thrown around and I am going to adopt that here as well.

This release is digital only, though it looks like a vinyl of it is on the way, and it features 6 songs (2 of them remixes, one from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner and the other from ex-Smashing Pumpkin and current remix master James Iha), all fantastic. Super recommended.

The "Nights" ep is available now on all digital outlets from New Line Records.

{purchase midnight movies recordings from the band}

Your Forests Are So Full Of Blueberries

MP3: The Social Services - The Baltic Sea

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the mighty Matt Giordano, who should think about growing a mustache. Fuck yeah!

This track is pretty much a repost from It's A Trap!, because it's just that fucking good. Between Avi and Swedesplease championing stellar music from Scandiland, this stands out among some of the best I've heard in a while. The Social Services are fucking brilliant, plain and simple, and if all indie-pop were this good, then derivation wouldn't occur. Thank Thor that bands like this exist. The society should be grateful for their service. Enjoy.

Fuck Buttons

MP3: Fuck Buttons - Ribs Out

Gnarly stuff right here: Fuck Buttons are a duo of dudes who make noise and add a punch of beauty for flavour. Highly recommended with drugs and gash slaying.

"Street Horrrsing" is released tomorrow on ATP Recordings.

{purchase fuck buttons recordings from insound}

GO TEAM: The Prigs

MP3: The Prigs - T.V. Reporter

NOTE: Today's GO TEAM contribution comes from Matt Giordano, a bro that loves himself his Prigs. Gnarly.

Not only are The Prigs good friends of mine, but they also happen to be a great band. They've been busy playing to the drunken New York City audiences for the past couple of years, and have just now released their first proper set of recordings entitled "Health Sunday United", which fits the Health Sunday ideals so well. With their bar-band atmosphere and just all-around fun loving, I'd hope The Prigs to come to more attention in the near future. Oh yeah, and their live show is fantastic. Enjoy.

Don't Mess With Juvelen

MP3: Juvelen - Don't Mess

Holy fuck, he's done it again! Not that it's a shocker, but after Juvelen's excellent debut ep on Hybris last year (which both me and Matt featured on our top 10 lists and both posted about here on this blog) we finally get a glimpse at what is sure to be a front runner for album of the year.

And what a song it is! The trademark falsetto is in full swing, as well as his trademark gash slaying with his lady loving lyrics and general confidence. Don't you worry Juvelen, we won't ever mess around with your love.

Download this NOW. Then buy the ep if you don't have it already. Fuck yeah.

{purchase juvelen recordings from it's a trap!}

Catcall

MP3: Catcall - Chicky Babe

Thanks to the awesome folks at Einstein, dressed as Robin Hood for turning me onto this one.

Not sure if this one is coming stateside or not, but Australia's Catcall is radical. She's down with all your favourite bands like the Gossip, Dan Deacon, Crystal Castles and probably Zeppelin too. "Anniversary", an ep, comes out in the AU in April from Instant Touch Recordings. Look for it, just in time for spring hotness to expand and blow up on ya!

El Perro Del Mar

MP3: El Perro Del Mar - How Did We Forget

On the first listen of El Perro Del Mar's "From the Valley to the Stars", it was very easy for me to dismiss it as rubbish. It lacked the hooks and desire of 2005's "Look! It's El Perro Del Mar", but certainly not the simplicity. Maybe on first thought I figured that was the downfall, but out of boredom I went in for a round two and suddenly the previously compiled slag fest I had as a review vanished in favour of what you are now reading. Yes, I like it.

Let's be clear: it's no album of the year. But it's sweet, simple (ah ha!) and honest. Sarah Assbring might not know how to write sprawling epics, but that's quite alright. The best way to sum up this record is that it's a follow up with the same mindset, but on a slightly larger budget leaving more room to play. Yes, it's repetitive, but it works wonders in the background of your life. I worry that the reviews I've read will kill the hype train Assbring was rightfully riding, but let's hope her followers are one step ahead of what their peers are peddling as "hip".

Walk, don't run to your record store, Sweden, (we'll get it soon enough United States) to grab this one, and walk home with it playing in your ears. Why move quickly, when you risk the possibility of missing out on something that is plain on the surface but rewarding when you look around.

I do wish she was still on the flawless Hybris though...

"From the Valley to the Stars" is out now in Scandinavia from Licking Fingers, in the UK in mid-May from Memphis Industries and April 22nd in the US from the Control Group.

The Black Keys

MP3: The Black Keys - Strange Times

One could argue that the Black Keys are really giving us the same thing every time, which is mostly true, except I'd have to retort that with each album they get just a little bit better. Which is adding up to really be something, considering right from the start they were really fucking great.

"Attack & Release" comes out April 1st on Nonesuch, seeing outside production from Danger Mouse oddly enough (strange times indeed) and takes the band into their first real live studio. While both of these things sound like possible trouble to mix in the untainted formula, the Keys make it work like 2 mad scientists. Radical.

{purchase the black keys recordings from insound}

Tilly and the Wall's newest trainwreck: not just audible bile anymore!

In an effort to stay current, I've decided to delay my planned mp3 post to focus on a video that came to my attention via the always wonderful Stereogum.

Today, they premiered a video for the new single "Beat Control" by Omaha's Tilly and the Wall. Now I must say, this is a real backwards leap in pop music, with rhymes written like they taken from a high school girl's diary who just discovered 80's night at her local teen center. I will shamefully admit that at one time I enjoyed the group's first record, but I mean seriously at this point, it's time to come clean: all of this cutesy rubbish is a gimmick right?

Take the video itself: their smiles look painted on, goofy for the sake of a teenage fanbase, dressed like complete retards peddling recycled keyboard drum beats and a lazy organ line. They even resort to pounding "the beat" into our heads forcefully instead of taking the time to actually write a respectable hook.

For what looks like 2 records now, the band took what people liked about them and saturated it into an unrecognizable mess, accepting the fact that they will never write anything timeless or worthwhile in their recording careers. I mean honestly guys, your fans are going to grow up and leave you for better records... are you prepared for the future? Judging from "Beat Control", I think it's safe to say not even in the slightest.

However, there is a small beam of hope: this is only a 7 inch single track, with no plans to put it on the band's upcoming full length, though something tells me that it will still be more of the same throw up they've been calling songs all this time. Pick this up? Fuck no.

Judge for yourself: @ sterogum

Welcome to the overhypedome!

NOTE: Today's essay comes from our boy Matt Giordano. To check out past essay "Cheese Metal - A Brief Memoir", click here. We'll be posting more of these in the future, and if you'd like to contribute shoot an email to unicorntastic@gmail.com. Word.

The vittula that is blog land has been squeezing some nasty shit out of its urethra lately. At first I expected it caught another case of blogmydia, but then I saw it was a new virus called "Vampire Weekend", presumeably the result of way too much PR money being inserted into that little hole. This "Vampire Weekend" virus may take a little while for the negative side effects to show, but once they do, you'll want to beat the fuck out of the twat that gave it to you. No topical solution can cure it, and in a few months, you'll become as soulless as the creators of it. Diagnosis: FUCK NO!

Throw Me The Statue

MP3: Throw Me The Statue - Lolita

Once you get past the typical reasoning to love this album (I.E. it's on Secretly Canadian, they're from Seattle, the city that always the delivers and there are breasts on the cover), you will find something really special inside. Throw Me The Statue seemed to come from no where and are hitting the musical ground running, not looking back and leaving behind some interesting sounding dust for us to eat.

I like this "Lolita" song a lot. I hope you do too.

"Moonbeams" is released February 18th from Secretly Canadian.

{purchase throw me the statue recordings from sc distribution}

Lullatone put me to sleep.

MP3: Lullatone - The Bathtime Beat

Lullatone's 2006 effort "Plays Pajama Pop Pour Vous" was a list making record that didn't make mine for the sad fact that I didn't catch up until early '07, but made up for it by listening (and falling asleep) to it as much as I could throughout the year. This trend continues into the year current, and luckily I will be able to give it a new partner: the duo release "The Bedtime Beat" in March on Australia's Someone Good record label.

They describe the effort as "our strangest and most pop CD yet, featuring the sounds of bathtubs, underwater humming, snoring cut up into drum beats, Yoshimi's human beatbox and much much more." Count me in. You can sample some of the splashing on "The Bathtime Beat", the album's opener, showcasing their usual brilliance and unique creativity, with the expected/adored focus of singer Yoshimi's hushed vocals on full display behind Shawn's understated production choices.

Fuck yeah.

Tracklicious!

1. The Bathtime Beat
2. Your Snore
3. The Bedtime Beatbox
4. Make Believe Melody
5. Maboroshi Ondo
6. Marching to Sleep
7. Tiny Cinema
8. Goodnight Train
9. Make Believe Melody #2
10. Oyasumi

{purchase lullatone recordings from darla}

FUCK YEAH: Rick Astley

MP3: Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

NOTE: Today's FUCK YEAH! contribution comes from Matt Giordano, whom I plan on never giving up. I should also note that I went with the pop up video version of this single, because who doesn't love fun facts? Answer: not you.

"Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you"

The video for this song rules, check out the fellow dancing behind the bar. Enjoy.

The Billionaires

MP3: The Billionaires - The End Of Summer Song

MP3: The Billionaires - NYCab

I can dig this: The Billionaires have a ton of songs on the upcoming "Really Real Forever" that can be best described as nostalgic pop fueled by cheap liquor and pill highs. You gotta stay hip and "in" you know, and these duders are a start. Radical.

FUCK YEAH: The Spits

MP3: The Spits - Let Us Play Your Party

Work fucking sucks. Go party. Let the Spits play and we'll all smash holes in your walls with your dad's bowling balls. Fuck yeah.

Say Hi

MP3: Say Hi - Northwestern Girls

This band has been around town for a little bit but the biggest turnoff for me was always the name: seeking out a band called "Say Hi To Your Mom" just really wasn't high on my to do list. Thankfully, songwriter Eric Elbogen dropped the 'To Your Mom' to the simpler Say Hi, moved to Seattle, went on a killer tour with the Velvet Teen and put together his 5th album "The Wishes And The Glitch" which is a finely crafted record of honesty and delicious hooks.

The opening track and by far my favourite "Northwestern Girls" struck me right away. For me personally, it was very easy to relate to the prospect the song was selling me. I too have moved from the East Coast to the Northwest and been stunned by the fantastic women that populate the area. While everyone else may not get the meaning that literally, I think it's pretty a universal feeling to be somewhere new and just be completely taken in by all of exciting change around you and thankfully I now have a soundtrack to that feeling.

"The Wishes And The Glitch" comes out February 5th from the band.

{purchase say hi recordings from the band}

Canadians

MP3: Canadians - Summer Teenage Girl

Just a quickie, since I am super sick...

Canadians' gem of a record "A Sky With No Stars" hit my mailbox a few months back and I slacked on it. A quick listen told me that I like it enough to post on it but would need another listen to know what the hell I would be talking about.

Skip to a few weeks ago and I am still waiting for that next listen. Luckily, the clever bastard that is iTunes shuffle decided to throw me "Summer Teenage Girl" and for a little over 4 minutes kicked my ass with it's pop goodness. While it's not reinventing the wheel it sure is showing one of it's more flashier models.

Everyone has their band comparisons for these Italian duders (mine? The Rentals meets the Beach Boys) which happen to be bands that everyone loves and I feel that's for good reason: Canadians are easily up to par with all of your favourite bands & songs and are very worthy of being in your cd stand/iPod/computer bootlegging. From the second you hear this songs' "ooh la la la"'s, I think you'll be hooked or else your claims of loving quality pop music will be decided upon a jury of your peers... or not. Whatever, your loss.

"A Sky With No Stars" is out now from Ghost Records.

{purchase canadians recordings from ghost records}

A Weather: warm songs for cold times.

MP3: A Weather - Shirley Road Shirley

When we last A Weather, I was enjoying their then recently released "Feather Test" single and loving it. Here they return with "Cove", coming March 4th on Team Love. They still sounds the same, except a little better and thankfully with more than 2 songs to offer us. A wonderful offering of dream pop goodness, pick this little guy up when you see it in your record shop.

See you dudes in Portland this fall, my one big regret is that when I lived there, I never saw you live. Weak.

Tracklisting:

1. Spiders, Snakes
2. Shirley Road Shirley
3. Screw Up Your Courage
4. Small Potatoes
5. Hanging Towers Of Baltimore
6 Pilot’s Arrow
7. Oh My Stars
8. Pinky Toe
9. It’s Good To Know

{pre-order "cove" from team love}

GO TEAM: Monitor and the Merrimac

MP3: Montior and the Merrimac - Lonesome House Blues

NOTE: Today's GO TEAM contribution comes from one of my favourite Connecticut artists: David Grazynski, who performs as Monitor and the Merrimac. He released "Grandma's Old Couch" at the end of last year and has been a consistent staple in my listening habits from then and well into this year. The record features contributions the CT all stars including members of Mates of State, Quiet Life and TITLES and is all hits, no misses.

David has been kind enough to give us some background on one of my favourite songs from the album, "Lonesome House Blues". Fuck yeah!

I have to preface my explanation of this song by telling you that I purchased a town home in the summer of 06 that I live in by myself... It has a pool and a nice back porch and I made the entire record down there. Ok... here goes...

I wrote this song sometime during the summer of 07 when I was feverishly writing and recording during some downtime at work. It started, as do most (if not all of my songs) with a line "I sing the big lonesome empty house blues" and the verse that begins "go tell your father..."I remember going to the pool and sitting there for a while right before a late afternoon heatwave storm rolled in and I just started jotting down lines for verses that could end with "I sing the big..." It was around this time, and it should be noted, that my girlfriend took an internship with Howard Stern in the city. Now living in the north end of Bridgeport isn't exactly "Country livin", but I just don't like the hustle and bustle of the city all the time, for me it all depends on my mood, sometimes I love it, sometimes it gets me down. So that's kinda what started those lines (about the city), as my friends all migrate towards New York I am still here and very content at being here...

The breakdown and the last verse were all written much later, the original lines were really just placeholders. those are very true to the situation that was happening with the recording of Grandma's Old Couch. I would be stealing time in the afternoons in the basement pounding on drums trying to learn how to play the drums, all hoping that my neighbors wouldn't get pissed off. I recorded everything in my basement except for the instruments at the end and the foot stomps and hand claps in the breakdown... Those were done at my friend Jason's house. We were stomping on an old suitcase and he played the piano and concertina at the end. I am happy with the way the recording sounds... I wanted it to sound like we could be on my back porch... I am trying to get that same sound and feeling throughout the rest of the record too... like.. you could hear these songs in a bar or you can hear them played by a bunch of friends on a porch. All in all the song is just about a dude living alone in a house. Being bored, doing far too much sitting on the porch and bbqing. Banjos and shuffle beats and foot stomps and hand claps and harmonica and hollering.

{purchase "grandma's old couch from monitor and the merrimac}

Someone Still Loves You Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin!

MP3: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Glue Girls

It's always great news when a great band gives word of a new great record. It's even greater when you get to hear a bit of said great record. Enter "Glue Girls", the lead track from Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's upcoming "Pershing" lp. Even though "Broom", the band's last effort, feels so new, it being a reissue resulted in it appearing younger than it truly was. So while it's been some years since their last proper effort (the band dropped a killer seven inch last year [that I covered right here] which gave hint to what was to come), they seemed to have skipped a couple of albums worth of "feeling it out" to go straight to polished guitar pop brilliance. "Glue Girls" caught me off guard at first, because it was so different but I soon realized these seeds had been planted long ago.

I can't stop listening to the song and will be looking forward to April 8th, when "Pershing" drops on Polyvinyl.

Tracktastic!

1. Glue Girls
2. Boring Fountain
3. Dead Right
4. Beach Song
5. Modern Mystery
6. Some Constellation
7. Think I Wanna Die
8. You Could Write a Book
9. Oceanographer
10. HEERS
11. Doris Tailspin (Boring Mountain)

Tourtastic!

01-25 Columbia, MO - Mojo's
01-26 St. Louis, MO - The Bluebird
01-27 Bloomington, IN - Space 101
01-28 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
01-29 Rock Island, IL - Huckleberry's Pizza Parlor
01-31 Northfield, MN - Carleton College
02-01 Grinnell, IA - Joe Rosenfeld Center (Grinnell College)
02-12 Springfield, MO - The Gilloiz Theatre (Brooke Fletcher benefit)
03-14 Austin, TX - Habana Calle (SXSW)

Hello, Blue Roses: All the best songs begin with 's'.

MP3: Hello, Blue Roses - St. Angela

MP3: Hello, Blue Roses - Sunny Skies

From what I've noticed, most everyone is paying attention to Hello, Blue Roses because of Dan Bejar's (Destroyer, New Pornographers, Swan Lake) involvement which, is all well and good, but hopefully after being drawn in by that fact they will realize the true shining star of the group is songwriter Sydney Vermont. She really stands out with her near divine singing and her ability to create such vivid imagery from her lyrics. It should come as no surprise that this beauty is coming from a visual artist: she really does paint stunning, audible pictures.

I really appreciate the dynamic of the group: Vermont builds them up and Bejar arranges them and then proceeds to knock it all out of the park. In the end, you have an album's worth of songs that are carefree, deep and original. I think it is safe to say that "The Portrait Is Finished And I Have Failed To Capture Your Beauty..." is the first great record of 2008. Best wishes and good luck to everyone else who decides to release music this year.

"The Portrait Is Finished And I Have Failed To Capture Your Beauty..." is out tomorrow, January 22nd from Locust Music.

{purchase hello, blue roses recordings from locust music}

Top 15 Songs of 2007: The rest!

To say we took a break is an understatement. Time got the best of me, and I never got around to finishing my top 15 songs of 2007 posts and to move forward you've got to complete that which was start. So here is the rest, then I will be taking the rest of this week off to compile many posts to look ahead on the new year. Thanks for sticking around!

10: Dr. Dog - Heart It Races

The audible definition of polishing a turd (sorry Architecture In Helsinki). After hearing this, it begs the question: when is the covers album coming out Dr. Dog?
http://www.drdogmusic.com

09. HEALTH - Perfect Skin

Just got this record on wax a few weeks back and it sounds great. "Perfect Skin" rules even harder on it. This track is so fucking powerful, and it has the best sounding drums I've maybe ever heard.
http://www.healthnoise.com

08. Welcome - Natural Frost

Probably the best rock and roll record of the year, and a this song is a mix tape staple for me for the past 6 months.
http://www.myspace.com/yrwelcome


07. Alicia Keys - No One

My personal favourite pop song of the year and the only radio track that didn't make me want to shoot myself. Old girl has pipes and when that synth lines kicks in, it's over for me. Pure gold.

06. Dri - Free Tonight

2007's party anthem. "Smoke Rings" was unstoppable, and I see it dominating 2008.
http://www.myspace.com/drismokerings

05. Juvelen - Summer-Spring

I find out about bands on this blog too. When Matt posted about Juvelen, I was hooked. I know he swears by "Watch Your Step", but it was "Summer-Spring" for me that was the deal maker. Pop music at it's finest/sexiest.
http://www.juvelenjuvelen.com

04. No Age - Neck Escaper

No Age is the Jesus of punk music. I like this song cause it's catchy and it's from my favourite single of theirs. I'm pretty sure their debut on Sub Pop is my most anticipated album of '08.
http://www.myspace.com/nonoage

03. Spank Rock & Benny Blanco - Loose (featuring Amanda Blank)

Another Matt posted gem. The whole Bangers & Cash ep was a party for me (dudes: where's the full length?) and this was it's crowning achievement. Amanda Blank spits fire at the closing end of this opus.
http://www.myspace.com/spankrock

02. Scout Niblett & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Kiss

Beautiful, beautiful music. I loved the output from both of these heavyweights of rock this year, but no one can deny the power of "Kiss". A perfectly orchestrated song from the beginning to end. A real tear jerker/love partier/gash slayer.
http://www.scoutniblett.com
http://www.bonnieprincebilly.com

01. Sam Sparro - Black & Gold

From the second I heard it, I knew "Black & Gold" was my favourite song of the year. Catchy as all fuck and sung by Sparro's soulful voice, it's like all the best drugs being transmitted to your ears. Count me in! Hope 2008 brings an lp from this modern wonder.
http://www.myspace.com/samsparro

So there you have it. If you want to see my best records of 2007 list, I posted those on the Pink Teeth website. Check them out here: http://www.pinkteeth.com/bestof2007.htm. See you next week!