Paul Westerberg for 49 cents only.

As some of you may have heard, earlier this week musical jesus Paul Westerberg released "49:00", an album that's almost 49 minutes of a musical collage, to be purchased digitally for only (...wait for it...) 49 cents. Insane right? I've never bought a song for that much, so to get an album's worth of gold is quite the deal.

It's been about an hour since I got this, and now I am here looking back at what just happened: despite it's running time, "49:00" comes and goes like that. The whole thing is one mp3, to keep you from skipping ahead, in case you don't like music, and I think it strangely works here. It's easier to treat it as a song than an album. Despite the fact that certain songs start before one even stops and can sound completely different, this has a lot of flow. Even the covers medley that just about closes up shop makes sense here.

I've also read that people are finding that Paul has come into his own with this one, and I can see that. It's been a long time since we've heard any output from him (due to a screwdriver going through his hand, how metal) and now he hits us with this, a little more rock than we've seen from him in awhile, coming through as effortlessly as ever, doing something for fun but really being worth a damn aka succeeding at all troubles musicians seem to have lately.

Basically, you should buy this. Even if it was awful, it's 49 fucking cents. The worst band on Earth is probably almost worth that... almost. But it's not the worst band on Earth: it's Paul Westerberg.

{purchase 49:00 from tune core}
{more information from paul's page}

Health in your computing machine.

Hey there friends. I apologize for our absence, things have been busy here and I've been gathering up many posts so we can hit you weekly for a long time. You'll love it. That action starts this Monday, but in the meantime check out this live video from our favourites HEALTH performing "Crimewave" at the Music Hall of Williamsburg back in June. It's gnarly you'll love it. You can see the whole set here (they play "Perfect Skin"!), courtesy of our friends at Baeble Music. Fuck yeah, see you Monday!

Life don't get stranger than this

MP3: Spiritualized - Don't Hold Me Close

MP3: Spiritualized - Borrowed Your Gun

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from Mr Spiritual Matt Giordano, who is getting himself ready for live jamage from the artist this post is written about. Have a good time duder, fuck yeah!

I'm a bit surprised with myself. I never submitted a track from that fantastic new Spiritualized lp that came out a couple of months ago, but since I'm seeing them in a couple of weeks, now's the time to do. What Spaceman and the rest of his intergalactic travellers have devilered to us is less a trip, more a journey. It's aching, and easily his most intimate of albums — instead of watching a genius at work you feel as if you're there lending a hand — and the results are glorious.

Abe Vigoda

MP3: Abe Vigoda - Dead City/Waste Wilderness

MP3: Abe Vigoda - Cranes

Damn man, I was way bummed when I missed the Abe Vigoda duders at the No Age gig in NYC this past weekend (showed up late). I did pick up their new album that dropped last week, "Skeleton", which if you've been reading the internet you know is the new hype. It's worth the jerking off over folks, 14 infectious songs in like 32 minutes, all hits and all leave you with that kind of punk rock black eye you'd get when you were on punk rock vacation. Or something. Whatever. Jam this, hard.

"Skeleton" is out now from Post Present Medium.

{purchase abe vigoda recordings from ppm}

FUCK YEAH: Children

MP3: Children - Death Tribe

It's been a long time since I've had only one song from a band and jammed the shit out of it, but New York's Children have risen to the throne. There's lots of reasons for you to check it out: it's got Adam from Early Man on drums, it's on Kemado and it slays mad gash. 10 epic metal jam on 12 inch one sided vinyl and an etching on the b-side duder. Get it. Download this. Fuck yeah, enjoy your weekend.

"Death Tribe" is out now from Kemado.

{purchase children recordings from kemado records}

Albert Hammond, Jr.

MP3: Albert Hammond, Jr. - Gfc

MP3: Albert Hammond, Jr. - Lisa

Sometimes I feel like the only person who is not a Strokes fan. I can stand them, which at the end of the day seems like a feat in itself, but I just never got into jerking off about them: I saved that for other outfits. That said, I like Albert Hammond, Jr. He does some really cool shit on his records and he's got a real ear for sound. Here he is again, in no time flat, with his second LP titled "¿Cómo Te Llama?" and it's a damn good time. While not exactly the summer on the porch record he last delivered to us, it leaves behind laid back for a more solid rock infused approach that is mostly hits. In fact, I'd say the only missed opportunity is the one-two punch of the 7 minute instrumental track "Spooky Couch" and it's follow up "Borrowed Time". Both would've benefited for shorter lengths and to work themselves into each other. Minus those, you've still got yourself 11 songs of audible delight: the single "Gfc" is a great pop song, and "Lisa" gets a littler harder, but never leaves behind it's charm. I've included these 2 songs for your enjoyment.

It's worth a buy for sure. Enjoy the hell out of it, and hope this one stays out of Converse sponsored songs.

"¿Cómo Te Llama?" is out now from RCA.

Bonus videotastic for "Gfc"!

Wooden Shjips look back.

MP3: Wooden Shjips - SOL '07

Who knew this came out?! Shame on you Holy Mountain! I went to visit my friend at a record shop this past weekend and walked away with this sucker, Vol 1 by Wooden Shjips. It's a collection of their old vinyl releases that came before their radical self-titled masterpiece dropped. It rules. Buy it. I did. Now to get the vinyl version...

"Vol 1" is out now from Holy Mountain (we love you, keep putting out great records).

{purchase wooden shjips releases from insound}

Revisting Sam Sparro

MP3: Sam Sparro - Black & Gold

MP3: Sam Sparro - Clingwrap

It's been so long ago since we last posted on Sam Sparro. It was around this time last year that I first posted and fell in love with "Black & Gold", a song so good it could very well be posted in our "Best Song Ever" columns. In fact, I liked it so much I called it my number one song of 2007. So here we are, summer 2008 and an album has finally been released here in the States. Sparro dropped his self titled debut last month and I was lucky enough to get a copy recently. So how is it?

It's really fucking good. It's not a perfect record, but for a debut it's really good. As a whole, it's very listenable, but at times you do have to make a decision regarding if you're willing to let loose and embrace minor cheesiness. But the fact is the hits are there, and stick like glue to your shoe all day. Great in the car, the club or the pool, I elect Sam Sparro by Sam Sparro as the official album of the Summer. All in favour?

"Sam Sparro" is in stores now from Universal Republic.

{purchase sam sparro recordings from insound}

The Best Song Ever: July 4, 2004

MP3: Jason Anderson - July 4, 2004

I was thinking of going with a Fourth Of July song today, but I decided to post on the best song ever: Jason Anderson's July 4, 2004. It not only speaks mountains of how great he is, but it is fitting for the holiday itself. I went with the "Tonight" version, but this jam can be found on "The Hopeful and the Unafraid" on K, the free ep "On the Street" from ECA (who put out "Tonight" as well) and a ton of live bootlegs. It rules.

The Anniversary

MP3: The Anniversary - Hold Me Tonight

MP3: The Anniversary - Let It Slip

I've had the Anniversary's "Devil On Our Side: Rarities & B-Sides" 2 disc collection for nearly a week now and I can't stop listening to it. Sure, they're one of my favourite bands and all of their current projects (White Flight, Dri, The Only Children) are making some of my current favourite jams, I'll always look back fondly at the Anniversary and am thankful that I FINALLY have a b-sides collection from them.

Even the biggest fan will find something new on this collection: disc one is full of 7 inch tracks, unreleased sessions when they were still the Broadcast, Untitled #1 & #2 with titles and demos of songs everyone fell in love with from "Designing A Nervous Breakdown". For those of us who really really liked "Your Majesty" and were excited about a new record, demos from those sessions are here. It's a shame that they broke up too, because as is evident on here, LP3 would have been fucking phenomenal.

I do have some questions. Where is "Tu-Whitt Tu-Whoo" from the Sub Pop single? The a-side is there. Why include "O' Lady Butterfly"? Yes, it's probably one of the best Berwanger songs written, but as far as I know the split with Superdrag it appeared on is still very much in print. And if it's not, why not include the other 2 songs that were on it? Where is "Death of the Season", a demo posted on fan site Anniversary Access from LP3 ages ago? Did they lose it? I have it if you'd like guys. And a minor question, why did "Lonesome Road" get retitled as "Lover"?

Still, none of those are that big a deal, especially to the casual listener. And I will do Vagrant one better in promoting this in posting a song from BOTH cds. "Hold Me Tonight" is a way old song that appeared on a tour 7 inch in the day, and "Let It Slip" is an LP3 demo. Maybe you'll dig on them, but if not, more for me!

{purchase the anniversary merchandise from blue collar distro}

I Choo Choo Choose You Joos

MP3: Silver Jews - Aloyisius Bluegrass Drummer

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from country bumpkin Matt Giordano, who I'd imagine from this post is enjoying some cool refreshments in the hard down south that is NYC. Yee haw (hick for Fuck yeah)!

With a new album out filled with country-rock goodness, D.C. Berman's sixth record continues his fine tradition of get the bumpkins heehawin' in literate ways. This record is meant to played on your Southern porch hiding in the shade from summer's humid sun with a glass of iced tea.

"Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea" is out now from Drag City.

{purchase silver jews recordings from drag city}

The Best Song Ever: You're No Rock N' Roll Fun

MP3: Sleater-Kinney - You're No Rock N' Roll Fun

Hello friends and welcome to a new feature here on Fuck yeah! Go team! titled "The Best Song Ever". It's really self explanatory, this is where you'll read about our favourite songs and maybe find something new. While I enjoy doing this mp3 blog, lately it seemed to focus on new releases, which is no fun. I want this blog to representative of the music that myself, my friends and my guests love both past and present. So here is an attempt to tip the scales as they say. Enjoy.

I love and miss Sleater-Kinney. It seemed like their demise partly contributed to the lapse in rock and roll in modern music. They ended on a high note in 2005's "The Woods" on Sub Pop (also my #1 of '05), and while they are all contributing to music today with solo gigs, being a Jick/a Quasi or blogging, them and us can look back at a fulfilling career. One of their rock high points in my mind came from "All Hands On the Bad One", a Kill Rock Stars release, which featured many stand-outs but had a real classic in "You're No Rock N' Roll Fun". The song put to highlight everything that was special and enjoyable about this group and to this day still makes for fine inclusion on your mix tape.

Now where's that dvd you promised us?

Juvelen comes to NYC, city gets wet

MP3: Juvelen - They Don't Love You

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from promotin' Matt Giordano. He's up on his soapbox, so if you're in NYC area, you best be listening! Fuck yeah!

The almighty Juvelen is descending upon New York City this month to teach we Americans how pop music should be made.

Dates and specific set times:
06/21 - Mercury Lounge 7:30pm
06/28 - Rockwood Music Hall 12:30am
06/30 - The Annex 7:30pm
07/01 - Rehab 9:30pm

Girl Talk: Feed the mother fucking Animals

MP3: Girl Talk - Set It Off

MP3: Girl Talk - No Pause

Girl Talk released the pay as you please download of "Feed the Animals" this morning. As of this moment I don't like it better than "Night Rippers", but I'm still listening to it. He certainly wasn't lying when he said that it would be more seemless and full of more popular music, but in some ways that works against it. I see it taking a couple of listens, but it's still an expected shit-ton of fun. Plus, anything that samples Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen" and Heart's "Magic Man" is cool with me. Fuck yeah.

GET IT HERE

"Feed the Animals" is out now in digital form on Illegal Art. Physical release in September.

Anthem In

MP3: Anthem In - Moving On

MP3: Anthem In - Down

Very nice and catchy rock from Brooklyn's Anthem In, a lot like old Knapsack/Jealous Sound, but it sounds fresh too. Worth your time.

Video for "Down":


"Anthem In" is released June 24th from Quiet/Loud Records.

Atlas Sound virtual 7 inch

MP3: Atlas Sound - Balcony

MP3: Atlas Sound - Canal

Didn't really catch onto the whole Atlas Sound thing because I thought Deerhunter was rubbish. However, I really am digging their new stuff so I decided to give the whole thing a shot. Along comes this, "Amsterdam MIDI", a virtual 7 inch posted on the DH blog which I think is a great idea. It's pretty good, but considering it was a "hotel bedtime recording", there's not much to judge it on. That's fine. I like it.

The Futureheads

MP3: The Futureheads - This Is Not the World

Not usually a fan of brit-rock, but I got a copy of the new Futureheads record "This Is Not the World" and I sorta dig on it. It's entertaining to say the least, a little bit punk and a lot of fun. Enjoy the title track.

o hello, It's Tilly and the Wall.

MP3: Tilly and the Wall - Pot Kettle Black

MP3: Tilly and the Wall - Jumbler

Next week sees the release of Tilly and the Wall's "o", the 3rd in their catalogue and the closest they've gotten to recapturing the magic from their debut 2004's "Wild Like Children". Along the way, they seemed to lose the promise they were bursting with, delivering a lackluster sophomore album and completely unlistenable 7 inch single in "Beat Control", so there were little expectations in "o", which happens to work in their favour. Forging through the shit storm, the band deliver a strong, mature sounding effort that almost gets it, with only a few predictable bumps along the way.

Things don't fully kick up until the second song and the album's stand out, "Pot Kettle Black", an example of the right direction for the band to go in. It keeps their tapping and infectious vocals on top of hard hitting drums and a loud, fucking bad ass guitar line. From there, we never reach that high point again, but luckily it fluctuates very little. "Jumbler" and "Dust Me Off" keep things going, and every now and then it trips up, with messes like "Falling Without Knowing", which attempts to dream and float, but ends up floating out of interest, and the absolute rubbish-fest of "Too Excited", a mess of studio dicking around that someone made the mistake of translating into a song.

Of course, that's just looking at the music. Lyrically, this turns into a whole different review. "o"'s nostalgia trip of lost tall grass, high school cattiness and ice cream is a double edged sword: it's enough to rope in listeners with it's charm, but not enough to keep them. As you get through each song, you look for some maturity in the lyrics but it's just not there, which doesn't seem right for a band well into their 3rd album. Musically, they've finally found their sound, mashed between the classic tap dancing and bass and drums rock. Lyrically, we're all still waiting for them to grow up.

"o" is released June 17th from Team Love.

{purchase tilly and the wall recordings from saddle creek}

Verve Remixed 4

MP3: Marlena Shaw - California Soul (Diplo/Mad Decent remix)

MP3: Ella Fitzgerald - I Get A Kick Out Of You (Cinematic Orchestra remix)

In the past, I've noticed these Verve Remixed series sticking out on the shelves, but personally had little interest in them. Along comes volume 4 in the mail and can say that it was surprisingly enjoyable. Granted, the source material is of more interest to me and I was luckily familiar with some of the remixers.

Everyone loves jazz and everyone loves beats, so the match makes much sense. The compilation is great way to discover artists from both spectrums and some improve upon the originals. The 2 I think do that best, I've included here. If you were like me and a little weary about these things, give these tracks a shot and see if you still feel the same way.

Sony, I want my ten dollars back.

MP3: MGMT - Time to Pretend

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from angry Matt Giordano. Will he get a refund, Sony?

I guess the heat must be getting to me, because I just went out and bought that MGMT record based on the single, which is quite enjoyable. So I've decided to give that up here. However, that's all this album has going for it. Nothing else sticks, it's like pissing into outer space. For an instant you might enjoy it all, but after the fifth song, "Kids", it just becomes insipid beyond belief. Sony music should offer rebates for releasing such utter shit like this. Boo-urns.