FUCK YEAH: Children round 2.

MP3: Children - Power Spirit

What the fuck: We haven't done a 'FUCK YEAH' post since October. That is weak, though it isn't my fault as music has been particularly vagina-like for a good bunch of months now. In fact, 2009 hasn't really delivered anything worth jamming hard at all... until now.

Children are the most exciting new band ever. I wanked off about their "Death Tribe" one track lp back in July of last year and had been anticipating anything and everything from them since. Here it is: Kemado delivers "Hard Times Hanging At The End Of The World" on May 12th and we are frothing at the mouth until our hands can grasp it.

In the meantime, "Power Spirit", the first teaser from the lp will be rocked as loud as technology will allow repeatedly until ears bleed and minds burst wide fucking open. It is on.

Hard Times Hanging At The End Of The World (Kemado Records)

Release Date: May 12, 2009

Tracklisting
1. Advanced Mind Control
2. Nuclear Bummer
3. Power Spirit
4. Hard Times Hangin . . .
5. Subterranean Cities

Beware!

MP3: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - I Don't Belong to Anyone

Holy shit, here it is: mp3 post #250:

We love Will Oldham and his Bonnie 'Prince' Billy records, so much so that I bought his newest record "Beware" on all 3 formats. Jeeeeez. Completely worth it though, and what an album it is. It certainly is his most accessible which would explain the massive press push Drag City is doing behind it, but accessible doesn't mean terrible. It's interesting to hear Oldham's definition of pop music and he shines all throughout "Beware", with his passion on it almost as strong as all of the pedal steel playing.

On a related note, I've got tickets to see him here in Lawrence on April 7th and am quite excited. The Granada is no Apollo Theater, but it'll do.

The Best Song Ever: Cunts Are Still Running the World

MP3: Jarvis Cocker - Cunts Are Still Running the World

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the Matt Giordano, whom I just saw in the flesh about 2 weeks back. He exists? Fuck yeah!

Some people are always ahead of the mass trend, and such has always been the case with Jarvis Cocker. Nary three years after he released his debut single, which you can download above, it's come to be much more relevant than it was when authored, which is quite a feet by the world indeed. As faith is losing in the current world structure at a faster rate than the economic slide, it's this impressive and witty retort to them all that's becoming truer by the day. Indeed, Jarvis, cunts are still running the world. And if you (or your publicist or manager) happen to be reading this, next time you're in New York, send an email and let's get a drink.

Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak...

MP3: Susanna - Jailbreak

I've been sitting on this song forever. Seriously, I've moved it down on my uploaded mp3s list on the server countless times, hoping to one day write a post to do it justice. I uploaded it on October 29th of last year... jeez.

So I don't know if I can finally fulfill my self impossed obligation to "Jailbreak", but it's time to dust it off. Here is what you need to know: Susanna has a beautiful voice and put out a beautiful record of covers from all the best bands. She opens with this song, which is by Thin Lizzy who is honestly one of my favourite bands ever. Finally (and here's where it gets perfect) she gets Bonnie 'Prince' Billy to sing on it with her. Fuck yeah. You can't beat it.

Have a great weekend everybody, it felt really fucking good to do a full week of posts again. It's been... who knows how long. Hope to keep up the momentum even a little bit. See you soon!

The hottest boyz.

MP3: Casiotone For the Painfully Alone w/ Dear Nora - Hot Boyz

A collection of b-sides and singles from Casiotone For the Painfully Alone is a dream come true for any fan, and the recently released "Advance Base Battery Life" is everything you could hope for.

The biggest gem that had gone over my head in my collecting days was "Hot Boyz", a Missy Elliot cover that showed up on a States Rights Records comp way back when. It's a collaboration with the criminally underrated Dear Nora, who takes on lead vocals for one of the most awkwardly charming and completely sincere genre bending takes I've ever heard. It's a sore thumb and has been on heavy repeat for as long as I've had it.

Don't forget to be on the lookout for "Vs. Children", the next great Casiotone masterpiece coming next month. I already like it a whole bunch myself.

Wives b-sides for you & yours.

MP3: Wives - Facelift
MP3: Wives - Wives Hate Police
MP3: Wives - Fun Fun Fun

I bought the Wives' record "Erect the Youth Problem" from a seller on Amazon and ended up getting the import version. Radical. It came with 3 b-sides from 7 inches. Wives are ex-No Age, eat it up.

Brilliant Colors with no u.

MP3: Brilliant Colors - Should I Tell You
MP3: Brilliant Colors - Not This One

Here's a quick one: I went to the record store the other day and the owner told me to check this 7 inch out by Brilliant Colors as it was up my alley. Intrigued by what it could sound like, I took the chance and that man was right: this is great. I'd say it reminds me of lo-fi punk pop riot grrrl fun smile garage greatness. Can't wait for more.

A frightening journey through Little Hells.

MP3: Marissa Nadler - Mary Come Alive

"Little Hells" is not a title to be taken lightly: this album is fucking scary. Sure, you can be allow yourself to be fooled by Marissa Nadler's familiar reverb soaked vocals or the sense of hope found in new instrumentation, but BE WARNED! You will die here if you go in seeking light.

Yes, this record is wonderful. We knew that. Nadler's last one, "Songs III: Bird On the Water" was my #1 album of 2007 and this will more likely than not be #1 this year. It's just a breathtaking piece of art, dark and brooding and something new and different, which is tough to do. I'm so attatched to the last one that I thought it impossible to fully take this one in, but it's a testament to her as a songwriter of how timeless and perfect these songs are. I continue to be in your debt MN. Don't miss this!

St. Vincent walking on a street, looking at the strangers.

MP3: St. Vincent - The Strangers

It took me a long time (probably too long) to really absorb and love St. Vincent's last record "Marry Me". Since I've heard this song "The Strangers" from her upcoming "Actor" lp, I think I am fully on board. I especially like the dirty guitar action at the end. Very excited to hear the rest.

"Actor" sees release May 5th from 4AD. Pre-order right here and get a free limited 7 inch while you can. I did!

Sorta like a dream? No, better.

MP3: Air France - Collapsing At Your Doorstep

It's interesting how an iPod can change the way I take in records. I've had one for years, but over Christmas I got one of the newer, fancier models which has caused me to put anything on it I can find. Imported are cds from the library, promo cds I'd normally never touch, zip files in the email or digital vinyl downloads. I've found I need it all, in order to have an impressive and proper music library.

Doing this causes a lot of albums to get over looked. I am a compulsive music shuffler when it comes to iPods, getting off on the thrill of hearing 2 songs that don't normally go together yet somehow they work or having some music I loved in high school or something that I hadn't appreciated in quite sometime pop up. The biggest joy of all is hearing a song you've never heard before come on and change your life completely.

I bet you can see where this is going now. It was Wednesday night and I was driving to the grocery store to buy some feel better food for my girlfriend who had been sick all day long. I'm feeling a little lonely yet concerned and paying hardly any attention to anything except the road ahead of me. Then it happens: "Collapsing At Your Doorstep" by Air France comes on and it is total game changer. It's hard to believe that something so perfect has been lying dormant on this machine for so long now. Of course, with the song being so good, I had to listen to the record from the start in hopes that the entire opus is up to that caliber. Good news: it is.

Air France is a group I've been aware of for some time and I remember hearing a song from them on a blog once and liking it, which is why I grabbed the record when I saw it, but I never got to listening to it. Shame on me. Besides the fact that they're from Sweden and on the phenomenally radical Sincerely Yours label, the reason to pay attention to them is that they're fucking great. It's everything bands try to be nowadays: sparse and artificial while sounding completely full and organic all the while making use of killer samples. Who knows if they're trying very hard or not, but it comes off so natural that it requires a deep breath and your full attention. So give it, completely.

Can't wait for the next one guys, though I am happy to take "No Way Down" in for the year ahead.

Shoegaze in the soil with Dead Mellotron

MP3: Dead Mellotron - Nothing I Ever Imagined
MP3: Dead Mellotron - Saltwater (Beach House cover)

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from Matt Giordano, who is wearing his shoegaze on his feet. Or something. Fuck yeah!

I was sent this today by my friend Paul, and damn, it's a pretty good shoegazey-pop confection. Dead Mellotron mix the perfect amount of fuzz and ambiance in there, and it's just the work of one dude. It harks back to the glory days of the JAMC and My Bloody Valentine (and new-gazers The Legends), yet with a slight more preciousness that eases the tension. There's a link to download the EP, but click fast: http://www.mediafire.com/?gnjhczofjtm. Enjoy!

Nar Wavves

MP3: Wavves - Gun In the Sun
MP3: Wavves - No Hope Kids

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from Matt Giordano, who is riding high on the hype wavve. Surfs up? Fuck yeah!

Wavvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvves is the new hot shit. Blogs are saying that==========THEY ARE MORE VALID THAN THE GUARDIAN. Seriously though, the fickle "flogosbere" as we'll now call it, has found its new band for 2009. Wavves slay much gash though, and their second, oh so soon second album is going to be one of the year's best recieved, and aptly so. Neo-punk in the vain of No Age, Abe Vigoda. et all. Tie your shoes and grease your elbows for the mosh pit.

"Wavves" is out on March 17th from Fat Possum.

Keep It Hid & Keep It Fresh, Dan Auerbach.

MP3: Dan Auerbach - My Last Mistake

The very existence of "Keep It Hid" asks two big questions of it's author Dan Auerbach: are these songs different from his main outfit the Black Keys and are they necessary? The answers that are audibly given say it's okay to take a sigh of relief.

"Keep It Hid" is chock full of special songs for your mixtape or pocket that could have been fermenting for years or maybe a month before putting these down in the studio. There is much soul, honesty and passion in songs like "Trouble Weighs A Ton", "Real Desire" and single "My Last Mistake" and I can appreciate and even envy a slight bit that Auerbach made this entirely by himself. The advantage is in the fact that he's been making records with his band for years, so this sounds less like a debut and more like a consistent gift to his fans new & old.

That said, there are a couple of songs, like "The Prowl" that sound like a Black Keys b-side, but you really can't fault a songwriter for sounding like himself, can you? Again, this record is near completely it's own thing: I've seen other reviewers say otherwise, but I think that's rubbish.

But judge for yourself... if you dug Auerbach's day job, you're going to love it. If not, give it a shot anyway, I think you'll be quite pleased with the results.

"Keep It Hid" is out now from Nonesuch.

---

Check out this real cool video of him playing "Trouble Weighs A Ton" here and (while it lasts) a sweet performance of "My Last Mistake" on Conan here.

Tourtastic:

Feb 28 - 9:30 Club - Washington DC, Washington DC
Mar 1 - Paradise Club - Boston, Massachusetts
Mar 2 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, New York
Mar 3 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York
Mar 5 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 6 - Metro - Chicago, Illinois
Mar 7 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 10 - The Showbox - Seattle, Washington
Mar 11 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, Oregon
Mar 13 - Bimbo’s - San Francisco, California
Mar 14 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, California

Heartless Bastards are the greatest band on the top of the Mountain.

MP3: Heartless Bastards - The Mountain
MP3: Heartless Bastards - Could Be So Happy

I can't imagine the Heartless Bastards' band name is literal. They seem like some genuine, large hearted humans. I'm sure they chose it because, as bad asses, you need a bad ass band name. I get that. Their newest effort "The Mountain" does seem like it can be taken literally, however.

When listening to the record, you climb higher and higher. Though you aren't starting from the bottom: you get to cheat a little. It's like that episode of the Simpsons where Homer climbs that mountain hopped up on Powersauce and he thinks he makes it to the top, but really there is plenty more. We start from there, and it gets better and better. Songs like "The Mountain", "Early In the Morning" and "Out to Sea" soundtrack the determined climber, with a goal in mind to dredge past the shit that is below to make it towards the Sun's warm glow. Then, when you're ready to eat your packed lunch or wait out the heavy breeze, you can spin "Could Be So Happy" or "So Quiet".

It's damned near impossible to find an album with no duds in these hard times. Why are we spending our rent money on records anymore when only a handful of songs are subpar? It's worthless, but maybe now people will work harder for your money. Or it may come naturally: this album seems pretty fucking natural. This, to me, is exactly what I want to see more of in 2009. It's an attitude and a style that should catch on - and why not? It's infectious. You listen to this record and you want to be a better person, you want to do better things. You want to earn the right to be a listener and fan of the Heartless Bastards and I want to do what it takes to be worthy of them. "The Mountain" is not be missed, and is officially the first great record of 2009. Let it be heard.

"The Mountain" is out now from Fat Possum.

They play Letterman on the 10th and recently did a phenomenal Daytrotter session which could be found here.

TOURTASTIC:

02.04.09 - Maxwell’s - Hoboken, NJ *
02.05.09 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA +
02.06.09 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY +
02.07.09 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY +
02.11.09 - Gravity Lounge - Charlottesville, VA *
02.12.09 - Bottle Tree - Birmingham, AL *
02.13.09 - Government Street Grocery - Ocean Springs, MS *
02.14.09 - Last Concert Café - Houston, TX *
02.26.09 - Sam’s Burger Joint - San Antonio, TX *
02.27.09 - Longhorn Saloon - Fort Worth, TX *
02.28.09 - Hailey’s - Denton, TX *
03.15.09 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO @
03.16.09 - Liberty Hall - Lawrence, KS @
03.17.09 - Cain’s Ballroom - Tulsa, OK @
03.18.09 - SXSW - Austin, TX
03.19.09 - SXSW - Austin, TX
03.20.09 - SXSW - Austin, TX
03.21.09 - House of Blues - Houston, TX @
03.23.09 - The Lyric - Oxford, MS @
03.25.09 - Madison Theater - Cincinnati, OH *
03.27.09 - Webster Hall - New York, NY #
03.28.09 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA #
03.29.09 - Mr. Smalls - Pittsburgh, PA #
03.30.09 - Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH #
04.01.09 - St. Andrew’s Hall - Detroit, MI #
04.02.09 - Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI #
04.03.09 - The Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL #
04.04.09 - Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, MN #
04.07.09 - The Warehouse - Calgary, AB #
04.08.09 - The Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB #
04.10.09 - Plaza Club - Vancouver, BC #
04.11.09 - Crocodile Café - Seattle, WA *
04.13.09 - Berbati’s Pan - Portland, OR #
04.15.09 - The Boardwalk - Sacramento, CA #
04.16.09 - Slim’s - San Francisco, CA #
04.21.09 - The Clubhouse - Phoenix, AZ #
04.22.09 - Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM #
04.23.09 - Black Sheep - Colorado Springs, CO #
04.24.09 - Gothic Theater - Denver, CO #
04.25.09 - Beaumont Club - Kansas City, MO #
04.28.09 - Granada Theatre - Dallas, TX #
04.29.09 - Antone’s - Austin, TX #
05.02.09 - The State Theatre - Tampa, FL #
05.03.09 - The Social - Orlando, FL #

* Heartless Bastards headlining
+ Show with The Black Keys
@ Show with Andrew Bird
# Show with Gaslight Anthem

VEGA: "Handsome fighters never lose a battle!"

MP3: VEGA - Well Known Pleasures
MP3: VEGA - All Too Vivid

According to a Google search, not only is Vega a Street Fighter character, but is also an extensively studied bright fucking star. I'm already learning from this post and I like that.

VEGA is also an artist from Austin, Texas which is arguably the best city in TX. His music is outer space large and beats vast in it's scope with some of the smoothest, casual, best friend vocals you can find on the planet. He also pops up on Miami Horror's "Bravado" ep, polishing an already non turd into a diamond. Yes, he's that magical.

I do have to wonder about the name choice. Is it because he is a pretty fighter from Spain who wears a mask so his face won't get ruined while fighting and had that one total Wolverine rip-off claw? Or is it because he's a bright star, blinding us with talent and pop genius? I could really take either, and maybe both.

Look out for this one duders. He's a keeper. The "All Too Vivid" 12 inch is coming soon and I can't wait. Let's star gaze for it together friends.

Titantastic

MP3: J.P. McClain & the Intruders - Just Another Pop Song
MP3: Secrets - Get Your Radio
MP3: Scott McCarl - I Think About You

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from Matt Giordano, who is probably missed around these parts more than constant updates. Fuck yeah!

Well, with a slight aside from their fantastic Eccentric Soul series, the Numero Group has delivered yet another true gem, this time in the world of power-pop with Titan: It's All Pop!. Just as the title suggests, this compilation is the entire catalogue of the short-lived Titan label, plus almost two dozen later tracks with their associated acts. A must-have, either for yourself or as a gift for the music lover in your life.

Reviving with Abe Vigoda.

MP3: Abe Vigoda - Don't Lie

It's the make over nobody asked for: in less than year's time, Abe Vigoda return with their most defining and rewarding work yet, in an ep titled "Reviver". A strange title and concept, considering this is a band that sounded near fucking perfect on last year's "Skeleton", but when music gets changed up to something this good, there is no reason what so ever to complain.

This ep leaked hard, and it's a testament to this band's popularity when you can do a Google search to download the thing. That's great that they're highly in demand and enjoyed so much, they really deserve it. Abe Vigoda seems to work hard and have a blast in what they do, which is so goddamn rare to find in music these days. I hope that this ep and these dudes set the standard of the year in music and general niceness.

Thanks for the treat guys, we don't deserve it.

The "Reviver" ep sees release February 17th from Post Present Medium.

Welcome back with the Replacements.

MP3: The Replacements - Alex Chilton
MP3: The Replacements - Nightclub Jitters

I'd say we're long overdue for a post, don't you think? With the stress of the holidays, a broken computer and drowning at work, I fell behind and I am sorry. We're beyond looking back at a year that was and totally into looking forward at the year that's yet to be. With 2009 started up, I figured what a time to say hello and get back in the groove.

I got the Rhino reissue of "Pleased to Meet Me" by the Replacements with a X-Mas giftcard and it's been my current jam. Say hello to an old friend or introduce yourself to a new one by downloading it. See you sooner than later friends (aka maybe tomorrow).

The Fine Arts Showcase

MP3: The Fine Arts Showcase - Friday On My Knees

NOTE: Today's second in a double shot of contributions comes from Matt Giordano, who sheds is temporary tough guy image for something from the Swedes. Like a jacket or something, since it's getting cold. Fuck yeah? Not really.

Woah, two posts from two of next year's projected best albums in a row? We here at Fuck yeah! Go team! sure love you all. What The Fine Arts Showcase gives us here is a logical progression from their last (and fantastic) album Radiola—their trademark brand of pop music, yet with their psychedelic influences brought further to the front. Enjoy, and anticipate.

Dead Prez

MP3: Dead Prez - Politrickkks (featuring Malcolm X)

NOTE: Today brings the first of two contributions coming from Matt Giordano, who gives us an update on the when they're on, they're on and when they're off, it sucks Dead Prez. Looks to be a return to grace luckily, even if the subject matter is already mostly dated: welcome back hip hop! Fuck yeah!

This track, easily from one of next year's most anticipated albums, Dead Prez returns at top-form with their masterful political rhymes and über-crunk beats. Looking towards a social-anarchical state, Stic.man and M1 have always been tops at coverying their message of a harmonious America. So much hope permeates from their lyrics it's ridiculous—they know our system is fucked and they want out.

The Black Keys: MP3 AND A CONTEST TO BOOT!

MP3: The Black Keys - I Got Mine (live)
VIDEO: The Black Keys - I Got Mine (from the dvd, Quicktime required)

I love the Black Keys a whole ton. A lot of my favourite memories in life have been soundtracked by them and visually they are always a stellar sight so when I caught wind that they are releasing a new live dvd recorded at one of my favourite venues, it was hard to stay calm.

"Live at the Crystal Ballroom" is a 17 song jaunt of rock and roll and life saving tunes. It's got all of the hits, man:

1. Same Old Thing
2. Girl Is On My Mind
3. Set You Free
4. ThickFreakness
5. Stack Shot Billy
6. Busted
7. You’re The One
8. Remember When (Side B)
9. Your Touch
10. Oceans and Streams
11. Strange Times
12. Psychotic Girl
13. 10 am Automatic
14. No Trust
15. I Got Mine
16. All You Ever Wanted
17. Till I Get My Way

...and is not to be missed. It is directed by Lance Bangs and features music videos and behind-the-scenes footage of the band in the studio working on their last record.

To celebrate the release of such a legendary dvd, Fuck yeah! Go team! is giving away 2 signed copies of the still fresh and excellent "Attack & Release". Radical! All you've got to do is fill out and send the following:

NAME:
EMAIL:
FULL MAILING ADDRESS:
JOIN THE BLACK KEYS MAILING LIST:

Send to unicorntastic@gmail.com with the subject "The Black Keys Contest". Make it happen friends! Contest ends November 26th.

DVD TRAILER:


"Live at the Crystal Ballroom" dvd is out November 18th from Nonesuch.
{purchase "live at the crystal ballroom" from nonesuch}

VOTE!

MP3: Bruce McCulloch - That's America

NOTE: Just a quickie from Matt Giordano. Go vote!

Seeing as how it's election season and everyone's getting all a fuss, we should reflect and let Bruce McCulloch tell us all the truth.

The Best Song Ever: Cowboy Song

MP3: Thin Lizzy - Cowboy Song

Sigh. I honestly could post almost every Thin Lizzy record ever in this column or even create a "best band ever" just for them, but I just took the needle off of side B of my "Jailbreak" record and this is where my mind is at.

The great thing about Thin Lizzy is you could fill a room up and everybody will find a song that spoke to them on any of their albums: from the heartbroken to the middle class, that one song is yours to cherish as it was written for you. Happy birthday. "Cowboy Song", the track featured here today, appeals to the boy in us men, who grew up loving and wanting to be a cowboy, just like our daddy's. Being grown up sure ain't fun, as our horses are automobiles (or bicycles if you're a badass) and getting into a gun fight at dawn will land you in the slammer. Bummer. But this song makes me feel like a cowboy, as it is written to work both in the historical sense and the modern sense... you see what Phil Lynott did there? You should give this a shot if you're not a Thin Lizzy fan, it is wonderful. It gets soft and it rocks, which gets thrown around a lot but this truly accomplishes the near-impossible feat of sounding like everything. Fuck yeah!

Oh, and to close out, I'd like to challenge the internet: please post high quality, awesome, new or old, LARGE photographs of this band. Seriously, doing a Google image search for this band is depressing. Once you've done this, email us and I will replace this post with your finding and credit you and shit, maybe you'll get some mail too!

The return of the mighty Mos Def?

STREAM: Mos Def - Life In Marvelous Times (via RCRD LBL)

Typically when delving into the pasts of my fellow bloggers, most of them found or fell in love with hip hop from the Wu-Tang Clan or any early 90's positive mc group that made a minor splash. For me, I was sucked in by Black Star's self-titled Rawkus debut (and sadly, only record) featuring Mos Def and Talib Kweli. From there, I not only followed their careers, but most of the Rawkus roster, as well as enjoying mix tapes from my friend in high school who would fuel my thirst for quality flows.

Soon after graduation, the mix tapes stopped, and everybody I was following had lost the spark that made them special and unique, mostly falling into the same troubles that made mainstream hip hop so boring and insipid. Mos Def followed up the phenomenally brilliant debut "Black On Both Sides" with a strange and beyond lackluster mess in the rock/blues/rap album "The New Danger". It was so hard to stand behind the man, as he seemed to be distracted by his new acting career, content to phone in what made him so special and promising to begin with. Things only seemed to go further downhill on 2006's unlistenable and artless "True Magic".

He then left Geffen, who had acquired MCA who had acquired Rawkus for Downtown Records, a very credible and very consistent record label. There seemed to be some freshness in the air but it still didn't seem enough to forgive the sins of the past.

When I saw the news today of a brand new Mos Def track, I found myself curious but expecting the worst, a dramatic change from my late teens when the news of anything Mos Def would stop the world and fill me with such excitement. Clicking without paying attention, I was then treated to a whispered promise fulfilled in "Life In Marvelous Times", with it's spastic future-like beat and a man who sounds well rested and hungry for the promise he once held. I fucking love it, I really do. It feels great to have faith again, and if a second song can follow up on this feeling, I will be his biggest fan once more. One can only hope the forthcoming "The Ecstatic" can bring everything I dream of and more.

FUCK YEAH: New Parts & Labor

MP3: Parts & Labor - Nowheres Nigh

Holy shit: Parts & Labor made a pop record! I was going to take today off to relax and bring some comics back to the library, but then I heard "Nowheres Nigh" off of the band's new record "Receivers" and I couldn't resist. Since we last left the dudes, they lost a drummer and picked one right up as well as a new addition in a guitarist to boot; not sure if that helped to spawn the sound they're producing right now or that I am forgetting that they were a constantly shifting musical group (probably the latter).

So be on the lookout tomorrow, I don't think anything worthwhile is coming out anyway. Just this gem. Run, don't walk. Or trip... seriously, be careful out there.

"Receivers" sees release tomorrow from Jagjaguwar.

{purchase parts & labor recordings from insound}

You probably didn't miss: "Vivian Girls".

MP3: Vivian Girls - Wild Eyes

There's no way you missed the huge debut by the Vivian Girls. If so, get it. It rules. 'Nuff said!

"Vivian Girls" is out now from In the Red Records.

You probably didn't miss: "Stay Positive".

MP3: The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress

NOTE: Now, with the work week over, we enjoy the weekend with a look at the records we can all count on enjoying. The ones that both got and are worthy of the hype. Fuck yeah!

Yes, it's true, you probably didn't miss "Stay Positive" by the Hold Steady, but since the Summer air has cleared and it's gotten cold as all hell, it's no longer the outdoor party record it once was. So does the story of the aging hipster hold up inside the apartment or the heated car hold up? Of course it does. Because in the end, the Hold Steady brings the quality before the gimmick, and despite the season, quality keeps warm. Fuck yeah!

You may have missed: "Starfucker".

MP3: Starfucker - Isabella Of Castile

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

Okay, so this record just came out a couple of weeks back so if you missed it, it might be because you haven't heard of it or haven't had a chance to make it to the shop yet. No biggie. But I would like to make sure Starfucker's self-titled debut is not missed, as it is amazing. Our friend Zach Hangauer knocked it out of the park with his "German Love" post, and the track I've posted is to help cement our claim in Starfucker being the best new band of 2008. They killed it in Lawrence on Monday and this jam sounded beautiful.

"Starfucker" is out now from Badman Recording Co.

You may have missed: "1".

MP3: Juvelen - They Don't Love You

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

Juvelen's "1" is an album myself and frequent contributor Matt Giordano have been championing since it's release and it is one that continues to grow and surprise each time it gets dusted off. In a landscape full of dance pop Prince wanna be's, Juvelen is the only one to take the genre to the next level, brining the correct amount of hipness and swagger to make the ladies swoon all night and the dance floor sweaty. This may be the sexiest album of our generation, and certainly of 2008.

The good news for us in the States and the better news for those NYC/CMJ bound is you will have a chance to see the Swedish wonder at work: He's in town. One gig is with the super incredible Starfucker, so don't miss out. Straight from the Hybris mouth:

Juvelen will play live at CMJ in New york next week! We will also be there, so get in touch if you want to meet up!

Three gigs in all:

1.
The Electric Bowery
Weds Oct 22 6-9pm FREE
Happy Hour Swedish Music Showcase $4 drinks
with Razzia/ Hybris/I Made This Records
presented by ITSATRAP. COM and International Rescue Artist Development
at Bowery Electric - downstairs
327 Bowery (at 2nd St), NYC
Firefox Ak 6:20
Juvelen 7Pm
Hello Saferides 8pm

2.
Weds Oct 22After the Jump on Wed night @ Knitting Factory
Main

8 PM Starfucker
8 45 PM Unicycle Loves You
9 30 PM Bad Veins
10:30 Crystal Antlers
11:30 Heloise and the Savoir Faire
12:30 Juvelen

3.
Saturday, Oct 25 Kanine Records and Friends UnCMJ Party:
Crashin In At Public Assembly (70 N6th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn,NY

With live performances by:

Front Room
4:00pm-5:00pm Sky Larkin(Wichita)
5:00pm-6:00pm PRE(Deleted Art)
6:00pm-7:00pm Radio 4
7:00pm-8:00pm Holy Hail(Kanine Records)
8:00pm-9:00pm The Muslims
9:00pm-10:00pm Shock Cinema(Kanine Records)
11:00pm-12:00am The Mae Shi(Moshi Moshi)
12:00am-1:00am Cut Off Your Hands(679 Records)
1:00am-2:00am Johnny Foreigner(Best BeforeRecords)
2:00am-3:00am The Uglysuit(Touch & Go Records)
3:00am-4:00am Juvelen(Hybris)

"1" is out now from Hybris.

{purchase juvelen recordings from parasol}

You may have missed: "The Hopeful and the Unafraid".

MP3: Jason Anderson - The Hopeful and the Unafraid

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

You know, I had a grand summer to "The Hopeful and the Unafraid" by Jason Anderson. This vinyl with free cd cemented my admiration for the man and now, come autumn, I am still loving it. 10 stories about life anyone can relate to and it's impossible not to sing along. Rock it loud and if you missed it the first time, check out our "GO TEAM" post from Jason Anderson on the song "This Will Never Be Our Town". Dig in.

"The Hopeful and the Unafraid" is out now from K Records.

You may have missed: "UnonoU".

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

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

Danava's "UnonoU" came out very early on in 2008 and I got around to posting about it in April. So it's very possible that you might have missed out on it when it was released and/or covered. Not a problem, let's talk: people this year have been trying new genres out left and right, be it punk rock or dance pop, but metal seems to still be a dirty word with those who don't play in that sandbox. Fair enough, it's what makes that music so great and rewarding in that it's scary and sends off listeners who aren't serious about their intentions. There were a lot of great records that came out this year, but one that is eying my number one is "UnonoU" by Danava.

7 songs of rock and roll brilliant, peppered all over with out of place but proper fitting puzzle pieces like horns and synths to build up to one delicious meal. You'd be shocked how many times I've played this one and created converts out of the unexpected. THAT is what makes a great record, and this one has it in spades.

Light up, grab a pint, whatever, but it's party time when you jam out on this one. Find it before you make up your mind on 2008 friend.

PS. For those of you wondering, the video is for the single "Where Beauty and Terror Dance". Radical.

"UnonoU" is out now from Kemado Records.

Rachael Yamagata video

We will have a menagerie of Rachael Yamagata posts coming in the future, but today I am happy to share with you the excellent video for "Elephants", the opening diddy from her just released "A Record In Two Parts…Elephants and Teeth Sinking Into Heart" double shot. Make it happen folks, see you next week!

Tourtastic:

October 28 - 9:30 Club - Washington DC
October 30 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
October 31 - Paradise - Boston, MA
November 1 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
November 3 - Bogart’s Front Room - Cincinnati, OH
November 5 - Park West - Chicago, IL
November 6 - Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, MN
November 7 - High Noon - Madison, WI
November 8 - Blueberry Hill - St. Louis, MI
November 9 - Liberty Hall - Lawrence, KS
November 11 - Bluebird - Denver, CO
November 12 - Avalon Theater - Salt Lake City, UT
November 13 - Knitting Factory Concert House - Boise, ID
November 15 - Chop Suey - Seattle, WA
November 17 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
November 18 - Henry Fonda Theater - Los Angeles, CA

The Best Song Ever: Break My Stride

MP3: Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the Matt Giordano, who apparently took some time away from a recent cocaine binge to grace us with this post. Fuck yeah!

We often proclaim various songs to be the best ever, but perhaps we have rediscovered one that is. Whilst Rick Astley has become an internet phenomenon, I believe the internet community has seriously overlooked the true gem of the 80s, that being Matthew Wilder's instant classic "Break My Stride". Not only is the song one of the happiest, but also very uplifting. It adds an extra bounce in your step, making each day a bit more joyous.

Dungen

MP3: Dungen - Sätt att se
MP3: Dungen - Minda damer och fasaner

Time and time again, Dungen has delivered golden beauty, crafting masterpieces that slowly create a grand opus: their latest record "4" just may be the biggest and best piece of the puzzle yet.

Putting the guitar down and sitting at the piano, mastermind Gustav Ejstes has changed the name of the game, all without abandoning the psychedelic salt and pepper that made Dungen such a grandiose endeavor to behold. Sometimes things get hip swayingly crunchy or sometimes they become a swirl of strings, floating to the sun and gently falling with the stars. Even when it jams, like the 2 part peek into a kaleidoscope of ideas titled "Samtidigt" that is sprinkled in the near bookends of "4", it manages to not be a turnoff (seriously, jamming is fucking lame, keep it in the practice space people, not in the studio), maybe for the first time in rock history. That alone deserves a blue ribbon, but they bring along many reasons to earn not only one, but many: Dungen's "4" cleans out the entire fair. Fuck yeah!

"4" is out now from Kemado Records.

{purchase dungen recordings from insound}

Gun Outfit

MP3: Gun Outfit - Your Will

One of my favourite labels, Post Present Medium, released a new 7 inch recently from Gun Outfit, a great band out of Olympia. I've been seeing them compared to Dinosaur Jr. and the Meat Puppets, who are both awesome, but they really are on their own level of unique and clever. The 2 guitarists do well to stand out from one another, and yet compliment the other to lay down the structure of a great song. The 7 inch is 3 gems long and you can find early versions of them and more at the band's website.

It's been nice, having just moved to Lawrence, KS recently and I didn't have the space to pack any records, just my record player. It's caused me to give serious focus on any new vinyl I get, letting me take it in and let me just say that this has been a highlight on the turntable lately. Seriously, this is a band to look out for.

{purchase the gun outfit 7 inch from ppm}

Totally in love (still) with Laakso!

MP3: Laakso - Rotterdam Here I Come
BONUS MP3: Markus Krunegård - Noiserock i Japan
NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the Matt Giordano, who was kind enough to grace all of us with a return to form in spreading his man love for Laakso. It's okay, I missed them too. Fuck yeah!

We at Fuck Yeah Go Team have been negligent this year. Why, you ask? Because we have yet to post a Laakso song! Obviously with no new album (although singer Markus Krunegård released a solo-album, of which a bonus mp3 is included), there's no need to post them. However, there is an obligation to, as they have been the best band on the planet since their inception. This track is from one of last year's stellar Laakso releases Mämmilärock. Someone should be paying this band millions of dollars just for being amazing.

Liz Durrett

MP3: Liz Durrett - Wake to Believe

Boasting a producer/arranger in Eric Bachmann (Crooked Fingers, Archers of Loaf, songwriting deity), an uncle in Vic Chesnutt and a label in Warm, it was pretty hard for me to ignore "Outside Our Gates", the 3rd record from Liz Durrett. Thankfully, it doesn't disappoint, and fulfills as a meaty 11 song album that is more layered than naked. It's nice to hear that from a singer-songwriter these days, as most of them seem to boast on the fact that they are so thin, which is all well and good, but I feel like it's time for more. The sweetness that is "Outside Our Gates" has it in spades, be it from strings or beat keeping percussion: call it folk, rock, whatever genre you'd like, but Liz Durrett can confidently fly the flag of quality any day.

"Outside Our Gates" is out now from Warm Electronic Recordings.

The Kid

MP3: The Kid - I just wanna play punk like daddy did

The Kid put out "Transient Blood" a couple of months back, and sadly I am only getting to it now. It's a more polished affair, still brining the goth-electro-pop jams that you've come to love, sometimes with a little bit of sun. Case in point: "I just wanna play punk like daddy did", infectious from start to all-too-soon finish, it'll have your body waving about in glee, arm extended/finger in the air with "let's go down now"'s swimming from your lungs and the urge to indeed play punk like daddy did.

"Transient Blood" is out now from Hybris.

{purchase the kid recordings from hybris}

The Best Song Ever: Wake Up Little Susie

MP3: The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie

I don't think it's wrong to assume that calling "Wake Up Little Susie" the best song ever goes beyond just the personal opinion of this blog. The Everly Brothers were quite the pop songsmiths in their hayday, and throughout the years they've been covered by everybody from the Beach Boys to the Beachwood Sparks.

Their true gem for me is this song, as it the most timeless. It doesn't completely rely on the easy emotions of love and actually tells a tale that is still relevant to this day: who hasn't stayed out a bit too late with someone you may or not be going steady with, possibly passed out from too much fucking or getting high and you miss your curfew? Brilliant stuff.

Fun fact: according to the Wikipedia entry for the "Wake Up Little Susie" single, George W. Bush declared it his all time favourite song on Oprah back in 2000, though he erroneously thought it to be by Buddy Holly: smooth.

High Places

MP3: High Places - Golden
MP3: High Places - From Stardust to Sentience

The new eponymous record from High Places is very much worthy of it's self-titling in that it is a fine representation of the group and all of it's strengths. What was merely hinted at on the group's singles collection "03/07 - 09/07" is realized to it's fullest potential; it is two people's musical outlet at it's greatest hour.

You've certainly heard of High Places, probably starting late last year and well into 2008, as they've fit in like a glove at your favourite band's gigs and consumed all of your favourite internet news and mp3 publications. It felt like there was a bit of a label race to snag up this talent (in the shadows of course) and when it was announced that Thrill Jockey had reigned victorious, everybody seemed deserving of their winnings.

All of this, of course, makes for an interesting introduction, but it requires ignoring once you get down to the dirt and actually listen to the band and it's debut long player. They're not exactly reinventing the 'High Places' wheel, as they are that rare band that has found it's sound and embraced it completely, but they have perfected it, erasing any near-impossible flaws that could've been found in the past. It is the perfect pop record in the sense that it only goes 19 seconds over 30 minutes, and the beat never stops. It is ethereal and it is bouncy, it is sweet and it is challenging, all of the things that make it so rewarding to be a fan of this music. While it's less buried treasure than it was when it started, it still sounds personal enough for everyone to hold dear: when you're listening to songs like "Vision's the First..." or "Golden", it is yours. You get the empty room percussion, you get the rarely pitch-shifting vocals and the synths serve to sew it together into a well fitting shirt. It's all yours. High Places have done their part, and now it is our turn to sit back and enjoy it. Be it at a party or a candle lit dinner, this record is the soundtrack to every possible activity in life, and I personally am thankful to have that in any band, it is aces that it comes from these folks. An audible job well done.

"High Places" is out now from Thrill Jockey.

{purchase high places releases from insound}

"German Love" by Starfucker

MP3: Starfucker - German Love

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from Zach Hangauer, who has been missed around these blogging parts. Hopefully he is enjoying some love at this moment, German or not. Fuck yeah!

If the mid-70's Kraftwerk boys sang a verse without the vocoder and then Weezer, a year before the Blue Album, sang the octave-up response, you'd have the gist of "German Love". That there is anything more going on, any brilliance in the structure or a mixologist's melange of sounds and styles - much less drums on full-blast A/C, much less that Portland art-collage wink wink - is gravy, frosting, whipped fucking cream.

"German Love" is the only Starfucker song I've heard, so I have no idea if they are one-hit wonders, but the more I think about it, the more I'm certain they know what's up. Even the words, "German Love" spark sparks. The "German" part is famously literal, wracked by philosophical passions but incapable of expressing them casually. And the "Love" part is the most open, earnest, vulnerable passion we feel. So Starfucker channels Kraftwerk to sing "German Love, I will give it to you/ give it to you/ give it to you" like hungry robots, as though repeating the desire will fulfill it. And then they bop their mop-tops and froth their Weezer falsettos into "But she won't have a thing to do with me/ to do/ to do with me", full of teenage - twenty-something - universal longing, howling wolves by way of a boy's choir. Need a cherry on top? Having set the stage, Starfucker throws the two themes together, the Capulets and the Montagues, desire and defeat, all intermingled like it ain't no thing, like indie-rock pulls off drama like this all the time, so effortlessly, so puzzle- solving-perfect.

So what is this? Synth-pop? Indie-rock? Ganking tween from the tweens for a stoned and boozy Art School party? Acoustic guitarelectronica? There aren't more compressed drums mixed with more diffuse cymbals anywhere on MySpace Music - they've totally flipped it. 10 years of digital Portastudios and we're finally making sense of the way it sounds. I'm wondering if this is the palette for the rest of the record too? D.I.Y. pumped through the digital makeover machine except now there's bands that are too fucking savvy to let it neutralize them.

"German Love" sounds like a glass ceiling busting, like the romance between digital and analog is finally getting past the sniffing-butt stage. It's "Power to the People" seized by people ready to wield it. And they're three kids from Portland! And they're packing maracas!

"Starfucker" is released September 23rd from Badman Recording Co.

Vivian Girls "Tell the World" video

The Vivian Girls are a band I've been digging on since their first 7 inch, but I missed the boat on their full length on it's first edition so I refused to listen to anything from it until it sees wide release next month from In the Red. However, seeing that they had a new video out for "Tell the World", I couldn't resist watching it and now it's constantly on repeat. The video itself is a total blast, a fine visual to accompany the wonderfully catchy song, filled with detached steering wheels and dancing friends (bears, monsters, hipsters) that is worthy of your eyes. So yes, I am very excited for self-titled to come out. October can't get here soon enough!

Talkdemonic

MP3: Talkdemonic - March Movement

Golly, I knew Talkdemonic had a new record coming out, but TOMORROW?! What a slacker I've been! I have not heard the album itself but I have heard the song I am posting today, "March Movement", a sprawling work of beauty that hits all of the right notes and emotions (as usual); they find a way to make strings more awesome and to make banjo an instrument with strings taken from your heart. Talkdemonic continue to prove that they are the only active band exploring the landscape of sound and doing unique and original things with it. Incredible.

"Eyes At Half Mast" is released tomorrow from Arena Rock Recording Company.

Tourtastic:

9/20: Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
9/30: Seattle, WA - High Dive
10/1: Missoula, MT - Crystal Theater
10/3: Fargo, ND - The Aquarium
10/4: Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar
10/7: Chicago, IL - Schubas
10/9: Somerville, MA - PA's Lounge
10/10: Philadelphia, PA - Khyber
10/11: New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
10/12: Washington, DC - The Red and the Black
10/13: Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
10/14: Mt. Pleasant, SC - Village Tavern
10/15: Atlanta, GA - The Earl
10/17: Tampa, FL - Crowbar
10/18: Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds
10/21: Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon *
10/22: Austin, TX - Mohawk
10/24: Tucson, AZ - Plush
10/27: San Diego, CA - Casbah #
10/28: Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
10/29: San Francisco, CA - Cafe du Nord

* = w/ Born Ruffians and Plants & Animals
# = w/ Jeffrey Lewis

{purchase talkdemonic recordings from arena rock recording company}

Hello Saferide: Anna

MP3: Hello Saferide - Anna

The great thing about Hello Saferide is that she's consistent, which seems to go unappreciated around these parts. Hopefully the upcoming "More modern short stories from..." will change that. Check out and enjoy the mp3 and video for the single "Anna". The record comes out September 24th from Razzia. Hopefully It's a Trap! will have some copies for us gents in the States sooner than later.

Noise For Obama!

MP3: Lightning Bolt - Dracula Mountain
MP3: No Age - Here Should Be My Home

I have been subconsciously praying for a way to link Lightning Bolt, Deerhoof and No Age together other than being fucking amazing, but last night I was finally given a way: Noise For Obama. A new website launched by noise artists in support of future United States President Barack Obama, it gives personal statements from members of the bands I just mentioned as well as the radical Foot Village and a link to register to vote (pretty pointless as you've already done so, right?).

Don't worry, it doesn't end there: Lightning Bolt's Brian Chippendale is lending his Black Pus project to a split 12 inch with Foot Village which collects tracks that originally appeared on their split cassette and adds a bonus Foot Village jam and 2 Black Pus jams. To make the deal sweeter, included is a 16" x 22" poster of a full colour animal photo with screened art by Chippendale on top of it (it should be noted that BC's art is amazing, and has 2 widely available art books/comics available from PictureBox Inc: Ninja and Maggots [the cover is pictured above, but it comes minus the Obama face]). All profits go to support the Obama campaign and it sees release October 14th from Deathbombarc. You can order it now right here.

New Deerhoof: "Offend Maggie"

MP3: Deerhoof - Offend Maggie

Very excited for this one: the new Deerhoof record "Offend Maggie" drops in the States October 7th from Kill Rock Stars. Today the blog family has been passing the title track around our dinner table and boy is it delicious! It's a quickie and starts off with some pretty sweet acoustic guitar work before exploding into the charm and sophistication we've come to love from the 'Hoof. It's one and done and a great way to up the anticipation. Bring it on!

Tourtastic:


10-03 Los Angeles - Avalon *
10-04 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
10-06 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom ^!
10-07 Seattle, WA - Neumo's ^!
10-09 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge ^!
10-11 Denver, CO - Bluebird ^!
10-13 Omaha, NE - The Slowdown ^%
10-14 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ^%
10-15 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall ^%
10-16 Bloomington, IN - Buskirk Chumley Theater ^%
10-17 Chicago, IL - Metro ^#
10-18 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom ^#
10-21 New York, NY- Spiegeltent
10-22 New York, NY - Irving Plaza ^#
10-23 Cambridge, MA - Middle East ^#
10-24 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street ^#
10-25 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom ^#
10-26 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club ^#
10-28 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle ^#
10-29 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle ^#
10-30 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge ^#
10-31 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club ^#
11-01 Orlando, FL - The Social ^#
11-02 Tampa, FL - Crowbar ^#
11-05 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues ^#
11-06 Houston, TX - Numbers ^#
11-07 Dallas, TX - Granada ^@
11-08 Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fun Fest
11-10 El Paso, TX - Club 101 ^+
11-12 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress ^+
11-13 Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse ^+
12-05 Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
12-06 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
12-08 Rennes, France - Antipode
12-10 Lyon, France - Grrrnd Zero
12-11 Paris, France - Trabendo (Sonic Protest Festival)

& with Gnarls Barkley
* with Okay, Happy Hollows
^ with Experimental Dental School
! with Coconut
% with Au
# with Flying
@ with Hawnay Troof
+ with KIT

{purchase and pre-order deerhoof recordings from insound}

GO TEAM: Adventurers

MP3: Adventurers - Do me right

NOTE: Today's GO TEAM contribution comes from our own Matthew Giordano and his Adventurers project. He just released "Penguins & The Vinson Massif", a 15 song free download from the excellent Sound/Friends. Get it here and jam out.

When asked what "Do me right" is about, I really don't know. I'd be safe to guess subjectivity, and based upon its vagueness, well, that just sounds about right. Written and recorded in about thirty minutes on the Christmas morning of 2006, my brother and I were just having fun. Seeing as how Santa Claus did not bring us any new toys that year, we had to make our own fun.

Super duper.

MP3: The Cardigans - In the Round

WE'RE AT THE END OF THE CARDIGANS WEEK HERE AT FUCK YEAH! GO TEAM!

Closing out the extra long week with the newest Cardigans record "Super Extra Gravity". Maybe their most solid effort, and a fine showcase of a band that is wise beyond it's years with no signs of slowing down. I'm ready for the next album now!

Long Gone.

MP3: The Cardigans - You're the Storm

WE'RE ONE POST AWAY UNTIL THE END OF THE CARDIGANS WEEK HERE AT FUCK YEAH! GO TEAM!

A hop and a skip later, pretty much starting from scratch came "Long Gone Before Daylight", the polar opposite of "Gran Turismo" or really anything that came before it. Mostly mellow and even a bit twangy, it sparked the biggest sea change for the Cardigans yet. A nice one to sleep to, and maybe be a little melancholy too.

Victory at Gran Turismo

MP3: The Cardigans - Erase/Rewind
MP3: The Cardigans - Hanging Around

WE'RE JUST ABOUT TO WRAP UP THE CARDIGANS WEEK HERE AT FUCK YEAH! GO TEAM!

"Gran Turismo" is a wild card of an album, it sticks out in the Cardigans' discography, abandoning their pop roots almost completely in favour of electronic sounds and darker tones. At times, it can be the most rewarding of albums from them and it makes you wonder what would happen if they revisited the ideas birthed from this time in the band. I'd like to see one like this again, at least for a spell.