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.