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Sunday, February 28, 2010

NEW TOP 30 JUST ADDED

CLICK HERE

FOUR TET STAYS AT THE TOP WHILE THE TOP 30 WELCOMES FIVE NEW TRACKS

The third Indie30 chart for 2010 was as you were at No 1 with Four Tet's nine minute epic 'Love Cry' remaining entrenched in the top position. Joanna Newsom had a huge debut with 'Good Intentions Paving Company' coming in at number two while High Places 'On Giving Up' marched into the Top 10 at 6. Other big debuts saw The Radio Dept 'Heaven's On Fire' enter at 10 and Belgium's The Go Find with the self titled track from their new album do the same at 12.  Broken Social Scene's long awaited recoding return saw the first track 'World Sick' off their forthcoming album debut at 16 while San Francisco indie folk rock songstress Emily Jane White entered the Top 30 at 22 with her track 'Liza'. Click the Latest Top 30 link in the centre tab above to access the chart from 30 to 1 with links to download every song. Each track also has either an official clip, live performance of the track in question or audio track to stream via youtube. 

Saturday, February 27, 2010

TED LEO RETURNS TO FORM ON NEW FULL LENGTH

Now into their second decade, Ted Leo And The Pharamacists (James Canty and Chris Warren), are set to release their fifth album proper, The Brutalist Bricks on March 9, which will be the first through Matador. Going from the three tracks that have been doing the blogs, its set to be a strong return to form for the the punk influenced indie rock trio from the US capital heralding a similar strength exhibited on 2004's Shake The Sheets. What is remarkable about Ted Leo's style, the falsetto vocal layered over punk pop hooks is that it has remained remarkably fresh despite the passing of years so listening to Leo c2010 doesn't feel the least bit dated. Ted Leo And The Pharmacists will tour the US in an anti-clockwise direction beginning on the album's release date in Brooklyn and finishing a month later in Boston. Album tracklisting, links to download a track and tour dates in that order can be found below.

Tracklisting

1. The Mighty Sparrow
2. Mourning in America
3. Ativan Eyes
4. Even Heroes Have to Die
5. The Stick
6. Bottled in Cork
7. Woke Up Near Chelsea
8. One Polaroid a Day
9. Where Was My Brain?
10. Bartolomeo and the Buzzing of Bees
11. Tuberculoids Arrive in Hop
12. Gimme the Wire
13. Last Days

Even Heroes Have To Die

Ted Leo And The Pharmacists (USA)

From the forthcoming album 'The Brutalist Bricks, Matador.

Download here

Ted Leo And The Pharmacists US Tour Dates

March 9 Knitting Factory, Brooklyn
March 11 The Grog Shop, Cleveland
March 12 The Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac
March 13 Bottom Lounge, Chicago
March 14 High Noon Saloon, Madison
March 15 First Avenue, Minneapolis
March 18 The Blvd, Spokane
March 19 Neumo's Crystal Ball Reading Room, Seattle
March 20 Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
March 21 Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
March 23 Grate American Music Hall, San Francisco
March 24 Soho Restaurant And Music Club, Santa Barbara
March 26 The Glass House, Pomona
March 27 The Troubador, Los Angeles
March 28 Hotel Congress, Tucson
March 30 House Of Blues, Dallas
March 31 The Parish, Austin
April 2 One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans
April 3 Club Downunder, Tallahassee
April 4 The Masquerade, Atlanta
April 5 Cat's Cradle, Carrboro
April 7 First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia
April 8 9.30 Club, Washington DC
April 9 Irving Plaza, New York
April 10 The Paradise, Boston

Thursday, February 25, 2010

THIS WEEKS RELEASES: JOANNA NEWSOM, SAMBASSADEUR ET. A.L.

Things are a little underwhelming in the new releases category this week with our inclusion of Shearwater and Xiu Xiu's latest releases in last weeks batch as UK drops. Both The Golden Archipelago and Dear God, I Hate Myself respectivelly were released this week in the USA. However, undoubted highlights this week are Joanna Newsom's marathon 3 sided effort Have One On Me out through Drag City worldwide and Spunk in Australia and Sambassadeur's European on their Swedish Labrador label. They are joined by the debut from former Jealous Girlfriends frontwoman Holly Miranda with The Magicians Private Library and fellow Canadians, We Are Wolves with the long awaited Invisible Violence and Zeus with an album that's had a lot of blog buzz Say Us. Download links for a track from each can be found below.

Good Intentions Paving Company

Joanna Newsom (USA)

From the album 'Have One On Me', Drag City/Spunk

Download here

Albatross

Sambassadeur (SWE)

From the album 'European', Labrador

Download here

No One Just Is

Holly Miranda (USA)

From the album 'The Magicians Private Library', XL Recordings

Download here

Blue

We Are Wolves (CAN)

From the album 'Invisible Violence', Dare To Care/Fat Possum

Download here

Marching Through Your Head

Zeus (CAN)

From the album 'Say Us', Arts And Crafts.

Download here

 

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

FEATURE ALBUM: LOCAL NATIVES - DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER?

As anyone who has been in a band for keeps knows, the writing process, when ideas are spread across a myriad of personalities with disparate ambitions and interests can be simply just damn hard work. Even harder is committing to that process, heart and soul, especially when it seems anything of substance may prove ever elusive. I guess that's why many bands are often controlled by one or two strong figures and the rest just fall in and do as they are told. So its heartening to hear of a successful transformative process that saw a talented collective go from treading water to realising what was possible with a bit of grit and focus. A group that became so hellbent and 100% committed to producing something of quality and substance that they moved into a house together and devoted themselves completely to writing an album that turned out to be of immediate and lasting quality. Thus, it was with Silver Lake five piece Local Natives. In an area of Los Angeles that has been dubbed the 'Williamsburg of the West' and is and was home to the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pavement, Jane's Addiction, Beck, Porno For Pyros, Lou Barlow, Mark E. Smith and the late Elliot Smith it is unsurprising that in such an environment, a group of enterprising and accomplished musicians would enter into such an artistic and organic endeavour.

What has been produced is a set of eleven consistent, accessible, catchy yet technical original songs that sit together perfectly with the excellent rounded out Talking Heads cover, 'Warning Sign'. Led by the golden multi-layered vocal harmonies of guitarists Tim Rice, Ryan Hahn and keyboardist/percussionist Kelcey Ayer whose voices and instruments provide plenty of lasting and embedding hooks throughout the album, the influences old and new that drive Local Natives are easily identified and won't be dealt with here. Review wise, they have been overdone almost everywhere else. Tied together with the work of drummer Matt Frazier, whose combo work with Ayer is outstanding, complementing each track and the powerful driving and looping bass guitar of Andy Hamm, the meticulous attention to detail spreads across every corner of the band's sound.

There is an effervescence constantly bubbling away on tracks such as 'Wide Eyes' and 'Sun Hands' and an aggressive, yet pensive and immediate, yet patient feel to the likes of 'Shape Shifter' and 'Stranger Things'. The straight ahead rock that begins 'Camera Talk' gives way to reggae before emotive strings and keys combine with pounding drums and open hi hat that gives a flourishing finish. This is followed by the simple three chord hook that permeates the slower 'Cards And Quarters', that slow dances its way into the aforementioned Talking Heads cover, a rendition that adds so much to the original. Although the shuffling beat and clean guitar that drives 'Cubism Dream' rounds out the highlights it feels irresponsibly remiss to omit mention of the other tracks. Full kudos goes to Infectious Records in the UK who had the foresight to release this album last year. It is extremely strange that, given Local Natives are an American band, it hasn't seen the light of day in the US until now. Gorilla Manor is an album of enduring stature that combines grand ideas with flawless execution and attention to detail, fully shining light on what a group of five talented and dedicated individuals can produce when their creative stars align. Absolutely outstanding.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE CUT LOOSE AT THE GUGGENHEIM FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECTACLE

The Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece that is the Guggenheim Museum in NYC will set the stage for a one off mind melting experience on March 4, seeing the sounds of the Animal Collective, along with collaborator Danny Perez's amazing visuals transform the beautiful swirling rotunda into another dimension. It will all be a part of the 50th annniversary of the one and only original Guggenheim Museum.

Transverse Temporal Gyrus as it is called is set to be an interactive happening and feature costumes, projections, props and of course a special one off recording by the boys from over the river in Brooklyn. Animal Collective posted on the Guggenheim website stating that their inspiration was drawn from the jungle, in particular the sounds of the birds "so many different sounds coming from so many different directions. Are they communicating to each other? What are they saying?"

The gist of it is this; to get one away from the cacophony of NYC, the traffic, car alarms, the rumble of the subway, blaring of horns, random wafts of music escaping bars. To sit, or wander the majestic museum and hear new sounds, to seek respite from the outside world, is the intention here. After a while seemingly random sounds bouncing around the concrete interior may start to form a pattern and make sense. Kinda like the bird calls in the jungle. Elements of sound and colour will unite and the symbiosis will be something this museum hasn't seen in its fifty year history. I wonder what Frank Lloyd Wright would make of it all.

Danny Perez has worked with Animal Collective on the videos for 'Who Could Win A Rabbit' and 'Summertime Clothes' and recently with the experimental film 'ODDSAC' (Occipital Dynamic Dysfunctional Surrealism (by) Animal Collective). It premiered at Sundance on January 26th this year, features psychedelic visuals and as the website says, is a 'visual album'. With Sundance and other film festivals around the world leaning more towards the medium of experimental art video it is a good thing to see Animal Collective getting in at the ground floor.

For those lucky enough to have tickets to Transverse Temporal Gyrus, it promises to use the beautiful art space as a portal to the brain. It kinda has the right shape for it too. Brian Eno would love this and maybe the ghost of the legendary Wright will be looking down from the top of the spiral tapping his cane and smiling at the celebration of his final work below, who even with his fevered imagination could never have envisioned this spectacle. 

Monday, February 22, 2010

NEW BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE ALBUM NAMED - SET FOR MAY RELEASE

Canadian indie rock collective Broken Social Scene have announced the title of their new and fifth album proper. Titled Forgiveness Rock Record, its set for a May 4th release and the band are currently offering a free download of the track 'World Sick' from their website. The album was produced by the band together with John McEntire of Tortoise. From the first few aquatic sounding guitar chords after which the drums make a commanding impressive entrance, 'World Sick' hails a long awaited return of the sprawling organic sound that last surfaced five long years ago. If you weren't lucky enough to catch them play a one off show in Vancouver on Saturday night, make sure you do so at the dates below.

World Sick

Broken Social Scene (CAN)

From the forthcoming album 'Forgiveness Rock Record', Arts and Crafts. Out on May 4th.

Download here

Broken Social Scene Tour Dates

Sunday, March 14, Harvest Of Hope Festival, Elkton
Thursday, March 18, Stubbs BBQ, Austin
Friday, March 19, The Parish, Austin
Saturday, May 1, The Fillmore, San Francisco
Monday, May 3, Henry Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles
Friday May 7, Webster Hall, New York
Thursday, May 13, Brixton Academy, London
Friday, May 14, All Tomorrows Parties, Minehead @ Butlins
Saturday, May 15, The Great Escape, Brighton
Monday, May 17, Heaven, London
Tuesday, May 18, Melkweg, Amsterdam
Wednesday, May 19, Burgerhaus Stollwerck, Cologne
Friday, May 21, La Maroquinerie, Paris
Sunday, May 23, LinzFest, Linz
Monday, May 24, Kesselhaus, Berlin
Thursday, May 27, Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona
Saturday, May 29, Sasquatch Festival, George, Washington
Saturday, June 19, Olympic Island, Toronto

Sunday, February 21, 2010

NEW TOP 30 JUST ADDED

CLICK HERE

Saturday, February 20, 2010

FEATURE ALBUM: FOUR TET DROPS FIRST LP IN FIVE YEARS 

Four Tet (aka Kieran Hebden) has been making his own brand of electro experimental music for some time now. Back in 1998 he had his first venture under the moniker Four Tet with the craftily titled single 'Thirtysixtwentyfive', which was, yes, 36 minutes 25 seconds in length. Since then a swathe of EPs and five LPs have followed. His resume as a remixer is long and impressive, covering a wide range of genres. Manic Street Preachers, Beth Orton, Aphex Twin, Super Furry Animals, Radiohead, Sia, Kings Of Convenience, Battles, Badley Drawn Boy and even Black Sabbath have had their work remoulded in Hebden's hands. A double CD of his remixes came out in 2006.

There Is Love In You, out through Domino, marks his first long player release since Everything Ecstatic in '05 and it has been well worth the wait. The soundscapes have never sounded better and the whole album lends itself beautifully to a variety of listening experiences, be it late night chill time, as a soundtrack to walking city streets with headphones or a hung over Sunday session, it suits them all. Hebden honed these tracks during a DJ residency at the London club Plastic People (after which he has named one of the tracks) tweaking his music after judging the response from the patrons. 'There Is Love In You' is a stripped back pure experience. Tracks range from reflective and cerebral to hypnotic and jubilant.

Kicking off with a tap on the cymbal and a simple beat 'Angel Echoes' opens the music box that is There Is Love In You. A female voice drifts in on a clipped sampled loop and floats along for four minutes of bliss, overlappping onto the next track 'Love Cry'. A crackling and droning intro builds the anticipation and when the beat kicks in at 1:06 you know straight away this track will get multiple plays and stay on repeat in your head all day. It builds and builds with the brilliant and sexy vocal loop entering the mix at a restrained four minute mark, halfway through the track. At 7:10 the vocals drop away as the killer beat continues and the track moves into third gear. This nine minute epic brings us back for a soft landing with some sweet guitar to round it off nicely. It's clear to see why this track made the number one position in the first Top30 list for the year. 'Sing' has an optimistic, upbeat feel to it and more female vocals adding to the mix. 'This Unfolds' does just that, with a complex mix of sounds, showcasing Four Tet's sophisticated take on the electro genre.

Each track sits perfectly alongside the next, and as a whole There Is Love In You is a soothing and heady experience. Hebden has set himself apart with his unique and ethereal music. Check it out and see for yourself. He will be touring North America and the UK in February and March.  

Four Tet website here

Four Tet myspace here

Tour Dates 

20 Feb - Austin TX - The Mohawk
23 Feb - Seattle WA - Chop Suey
24 Feb - Vancouver BC - Biltmore Caberet
25 Feb - Portland OR - Doug Fir
26 Feb - San Francisco CA - The Independent
27 Feb - Los Angeles CA - Echoplex
11 March - Manchester England - Club Academy
12 March - Leeds England - TJs
13 March - Edinbugh Scotland - Bongo Club
17 March - Brighton England - Concorde 2
19 March - Birmingham England - Custard Factory
20 March - Bristol England - Fiddlers

Thursday, February 18, 2010

ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES CELEBRATES TEN YEARS IN 2010 - MATT GROENING AND PAVEMENT TO CURATE MAY FESTIVALS, DON'T LOOK BACK SERIES IN SEPTEMBER

The mega popular All Tomorrow's Parties festival has become one of the most unique and anticipated tickets around, wherever it is in the world, and for good reason. Whatever ATP puts its name to, be it recordings, film, gigs or festivals, you know it's going to be something worth checking out. Renowned and revered since its inception (following on from Belle and Sebatian's Bowlie Weekender festival, curated by Mogwai in '99) it has spread from the UK to the USA, Europe and Australia. An integral part of the successful ATP formula is having influential artists or bands choose the line-ups, with past curators including Portishead, Tortoise, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, My Bloody Valentine, Mike Patton and Sonic Youth.The locations also play an important part, being intimate and memorable ranging from ski resorts in Australia to holiday camping grounds in England. Their tenth year sees the Parties continuing as strong as ever with no hangover in sight.

May 7 - 9 will be Matt Groening's turn to curate, at Butlin's Minehead in the UK. The beautiful Joanna Newsom has just been added to the stellar lineup, other acts chosen by the Simpson's creator include the XX, Panda Bear, Deerhunter, Hope Sandoval and Built To Spill. Tickets are still available but selling fast. A week later at the same venue, Pavement will be in charge and the Californians have chosen well. So well in fact, it has sold out already! Not surprising...check out the lineup...Faust, Broken Social Scene, Calexico, Fiery Furnaces, The Walkmen, Atlas Sound, Blitzen Trapper, The Raincoats,  Camera Obscura, The Dodos, Pavement themselves plus a whole lot more. 

The New York ATP carnival will set the scene for the tenth anniversary of celebrating the best indie music around, and see fans diving for their credit cards to secure a place for the September three day event.

The New York gig, held from Friday September 3 to Sunday September 5 will be at the sprawling Kutsher's Country Club, Monticello, in upstate NY. The fun begins on Friday with another of the legendary ATP 'Don't Look Back' series, seeing bands and artists performing seminal albums in their entirety from go to woe. Be there to see Iggy Pop and the Stooges play Raw Power, Sleep play Holy Mountain, Mudhoney play Superfizz with more acts to be announced. 

Saturday will have past curators and ATP friends joining in the birthday fun, including Sonic Youth, Explosions In The Sky, The Breeders, Fuck Buttons and, yes, more to be announced. It has been confirmed that Sunday will see legendary film maker Jim Jarmusch as curator, he won't have to travel far as he lives nearby in the Catskills Mountains. Known for his off beat and and visually striking cinema, music has been an integral part of his work (Dead Man, Mystery Train, Ghost Dog, Coffee and Cigarettes to name a few). So far Jarmusch has chosen The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Girls, Raekwan, The Black Angels, Wooden Shjips and Vivian Girls for his line up. Ah, to have the power. Where would you start?!

An incredible program of dj's, cinema, a myriad of venues sprawled across the beautiful 1200 acres, and the famous chilled out atmosphere, will make Kutsher's Country Club the place to be over the Labor Day weekend. Two hours drive from New York City, better gets tickets while you can! All Tomorrow's Parties are good at what they do and let's hope they keep doing it. Here's hoping for another ten years of good times and good parties.  

All Tomorrow's Parties website here

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

THIS WEEKS NEW RELEASES:  UK RELEASE FOR SHEARWATER AND XIU XIU, US RELEASE FOR LOCAL NATIVES, - CONFUSING ISN'T IT?

This week saw three prominent US bands release their new albums in quite strange ways. Firstly, Los Angeles five piece Local Natives finally released their debut album through French Kiss in their own country after releasing it last year in the UK while fellow Americans Shearwater and Xiu Xiu let the cat out the bag in the UK a week earlier than the release dates in their homeland. All three albums are impressive and lead a strong set of releases this week. Among them include albums from big band pop troubador Adam Green, Canadian post rockers Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra and fellow Constellation off beat folk veterans, Tindersticks, Sunderland indie rockers, Field Music, San Franciscan lo fi Woodsist labelmates Moon Duo and The Art Museums, indie country rockers Clem Snide, ex Test Icicle Lightspeed Champion and the bittersweet pop rock of Antwerp's The Go Find. Another of the highlights this week comes from Post electronic rock artist Son Lux, otherwise known in real life as Ryan Lott who has released an EP, Weapons in the form of six tracks each simply labelled as that with a number.

Castaways

Shearwater (USA)

From the album 'The Golden Archipelago, Matador. Out now in UK/Europe/Australia. Out Feb 23 (US)

Download here

Wide Eyes

Local Natives (USA)

From the album 'Gorilla Manor', French Kiss/Infectious Records.

Download here

Dear God, I Hate Myself

Xiu Xiu (USA)

From the album 'Dear God, I Hate Myself', Kill Rock Stars. Out Feb 23 (US)

Download here

Castles And Tassels

Adam Green (USA)

From the album 'Minor Love, Rough Trade.

Download here

Kollaps Tradixionales (Bury 3 Dynamos)

Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra (CAN)

From the album 'Kollaps Tradixionales, Constellation.

Download here

Black Smoke

Tindersticks (ENG)

From the album 'Falling Down A Mountain, Constellation.

Download here

Stumbling 22nd St.

Moon Duo (USA)

From the album 'Escape, Woodsist.

Download here

Sculpture Gardens

The Art Museums (USA)

From the album 'Rough Frame, Woodsist.

Download here

Paris Cafes

The Art Museums (USA)

From the album 'Rough Frame, Woodsist.

Download here

s.h.o.p.p.i.n.g.

The Art Museums (USA)

From the album 'Rough Frame, Woodsist.

Download here

Official video

Effortlessly

Field Music (ENG)

From the album 'Measure', Memphis Industries.

Download here

Forgive Me, Love

Clem Snide (USA)

From the album 'The Meat Of Life. 429 Records.

Download here

Everybody Knows It’s Gonna Happen, Only Not Tonight

The Go Find (BEL)

From the album, 'Everybody Knows It’s Gonna Happen, Only Not Tonight', Morr Music.

Download here

I Don't Want To Wake Up Alone

Lightspeed Champion (USA)

From the album 'Life Is Sweet!, Nice To Meet You', Domino.

Download here

Marlene

Lightspeed Champion (USA)

From the album 'Life Is Sweet!, Nice To Meet You', Domino.

Download here

Weapons V

Son Lux (USA)

From the EP, 'Weapons', Anti-con.

Download here

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

NEW RADIO DEPT. TRACK FROM LONG AWAITED LONG PLAYER

Swedish electronic pop/rock outfit The Radio Dept. will finally release the on again, off again long player Clinging To A Scheme on April 21. The album has been in the pipeline since late 2007 and the release of 'Freddie And The Trojan Horse' in late 2008 in Sweden was supposed to pave the way for the release. Postponed several times since then, the track 'David' surfaced in the middle of last year and usurped Freddie as the first single.  Labrador recently announced a real release date and besides the aforementioned 'David' this sun drenched second taste of the album 'Heaven's On Fire' has been doing the blogs over the past couple of weeks and begins with an intro advocating blow torching capitalism's destruction of youth culture back on the greed is good ideology itself. Seems pretty apt give the actions of a certain internet giant last week. Download it at the link below.

Clinging To A Scheme Tracklisting

1. Domestic Scene
2. Heaven’s On Fire
3. This Time Around
4. Never Follow Suit
5. A Token Of Gratitude
6. The Video Dept.
7. Memory Loss
8. David
9. Four Months In The Shade
10. You Stopped Making Sense

Heaven's On Fire

Radio Dept. (SWE)

From the forthcoming album 'Clinging To A Scheme', Labrador.

Download here

Audio Only

 

Monday, February 15, 2009

SONGS IN THE KEY OF BLOG: EARLY FEBRUARY

Here at Indie30, we once again has been scouring the internet to bring you our bimonthly feature of the best from the world's music blogs (well, the ones that haven't been shut down and wiped by Google). The list includes new tracks from Canada's The Besnard Lakes, who are set to release their new album The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night on March 9 and England's Field Music, who have a new album, Measure out next week. They are joined by American duo Japanther with a track from Rock N' Roll Ice Cream that is out early March. Other artists to feature include a Scandanavian triumphivirate of tracks from Sweden's Love Is All, Finland's Burning Hearts and Denmark's Quadron. Canada's Gigi, The Stance and Dragonette as well as tracks from American artists Wild Nothing (album out May), The Delta Mirror, The Silent League and Mynabirds round out an impressive list.

And This Is What We Call Progress

The Besnard Lakes (CAN)

From the forthcoming album 'The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night', Jagjaguwar. Out on March 9.

Download here 

In The Mirror

Field Music (ENG)

From the forthcoming album 'Measure', Memphis Industries. Out on Feb 15.

Download here 

Spread So Thin

Japanther (USA)

From the forthcoming album 'Rock N' Roll Ice Cream',  Menlo Park. Out on March 2

Download here 

Kungen

Love Is All (SWE)

From the forthcoming album 'Two Thousand And Ten Injuries', Polyvinyl. Out on March 23.

Download here

Night Animal

Burning Hearts (FIN)

From the single 'Night Animal', Shelflife.

Download here

Average Fruit

Quadron (DEN)

From the album 'Quadron, MBO/Plug Research. Out in the US March 23.

Download here

Strolling Past The Old Graveyard

Gigi (CAN)

From the album 'Maintenant', Tomlab .

Download here

Jenny Jitters

The Stance (CAN)

From the album 'I Left Love Behind A Long Time Ago', Just Friends Records.

Download here

Gone Too Far

Dragonette (CAN)

From the album 'Fixin' To Thrill' Universal (CAN)/I Surrender (US).

Download here

Chinatown

Wild Nothing (USA)

From the forthcoming album 'Gemini', Captured Tracks. Out on May 18

Download here

He Was Worse Than The Needle He Gave Me

The Delta Mirror (USA)

From the forthcoming album 'Machines That Listen', Lefse Records. Out on March 16

Download here

Yours Truly, 2095

The Silent League (USA)

From the album 'But You've Always Been The Caretaker', Something In Construction

Download here

Numbers Don't Lie

Mynabirds (USA)

From the album 'What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood', Saddle Creek.

Download here

SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR RELEASE NEW SINGLE

Australian indie pop act Skipping Girl Vinegar have just released the first single off their forthcoming yet to be titled new album through itunes. It will be their second album and follow up to the strong 2008 release, Sift The Noise. It was recorded with Melbourne producer Nick Huggins, who recently did the same for Whitley and mixed in Nashville with the esteemed Brad Jones. To coincide with the release, the band are touring the Australian east coast in February and March. Click here to get the dates and look out for the band to figure prominently in 2010. 

One Long Week

Skipping Girl Vinegar (AUS)

From the single 'One Long Week', Secret Fox/Pop Boomerang .

Stream/Buy here

Sunday, February 14, 2010

FOUR TET TAKES THE FIRST NUMBER ONE SPOT WITH LOVE CRY

UK DJ/Producer Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) took the number one spot this week in the first Top 30 chart of 2010 with the extremely impressive slow build track 'Love Cry' from his equally impressive fifth long player and first in five years. The nine minute epic eclipsed Owen Pallett's 'The Great Elsewhere' and the instrumental 'The Night You Left New York' by the Brooklyn trio Slow Six which landed at two and three respectively. 'Silver Soul' by Beach House and the rock out number 'Anchorage' by Surfer Blood rounded out the Top Five. Other artists to feature include Shearwater, Caribou, Xiu Xiu, Two Door Cinema Club, High Places, Drive-By Truckers, Jonsi, Frightened Rabbit, Plants And Animals, Alcoholic Faith Mission and Joanna Newsom, all of whom have much anticipated albums coming out over the next two months or so. Artists who have already dropped their albums and also feature include Hot Chip, Silver Swans, Laura Veirs, Vampire Weekend, Chew Lips and Midlake. There is no doubt that this list forms the most strongest and formidable first up Top 30 chart since it began unofficially in 2006 and is certainly better than last years equivalent. Check out the list below and go here for the chart. Links to download all but two tracks await you. Lap it up and enjoy!!!

Chart No 1, February 14, 2010

1. Love Cry - FOUR TET
2. The Great Elsewhere - OWEN PALLETT
3. The Night You Left New York - SLOW SIX
4. Silver Soul - BEACH HOUSE
5. Anchorage - SURFER BLOOD
6. Black Eyes - SHEARWATER
7. Odessa - CARIBOU
8. Silvia - MIIKE SNOW
9. I Feel Better - HOT CHIP
10. Karen - CHEW LIPS
11. Gray Death - XIU XIU
12. I Remember - YEASAYER
13. Blood. CLIPD BEAKS
14. Undercover Marytyn - TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB
15. On Giving Up - HIGH PLACES
16. Boy Lilikoi - JONSI
17. Attack Music - THESE NEW PURITANS
18. Are You Really On My Side - SILVER SWANS
19. This Fuckin Job - DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS 
20. Swim Until You Can't See Land - FRIGHTENED RABBIT
21. Summer Is The Champion* - LAURA VEIRS
22. Yellow Wings - KEEPAWAY
23. The Pharmacy - BETTIE SEVEERT
24. My Eyes To See - ALCOHOLIC FAITH MISSION
25. Wind Blows - YUKON BLONDE
26. Rulers, Ruling All Things - MIDLAKE
27. Minors - TORO Y MOI
28. Run* - VAMPIRE WEEKEND
29. Tom Cruz - PLANTS AND ANIMALS
30. '81 - JOANNA NEWSOM

All tracks bar those indicated with * have links to free downloads in the Latest Top 30 section here. 

Friday, February 12, 2010

BLOGOCIDE: GOOGLE MOVES ON MUSIC BLOG SITES AND SHUTS THEM DOWN

Global search engine giant, Google has responded to pressure from the legal teams that represent major labels and acted upon the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the US shutting down a number of blog sites that happened to be unfortunate enough to use Google's Blogger service. Among those targeted was Pop Tarts Suck Toasted (a site we have referred many of our readers too since our inception), Masala, I Rock Cleveland, To Die By Your Side, It's A Rap and Living Ears. Worse than being shut down, all archived content that these bloggers have been building up for years in some cases has been deleted. Years of work down the drain. The problem stems from Google arbitrarilly deleting these blogs after claiming repeated violations of its terms of service, that is the posting of copyrighted material. In Google's words;

''Last summer, we updated our enforcement of the DMCA. Our current policy is that when we receive a DMCA complaint, we:

-Notify the blogger about the complaint by e-mail and on the Blogger dashboard.

-Reset the offending post to ‘draft’ status, allowing the blogger to remove the offending content.

-Send a copy of the complaint to ChillingEffects.org.

When we receive multiple DMCA complaints about the same blog, and have no indication that the offending content is being used in an authorized manner, we will remove the blog".

Read the Google explanation and responses courtesy of The Daily Swarm

That seems reasonable on the surface, but bloggers have complained that Google or the DMCA complaint does not mention the offending track to be removed and often bloggers themselves are confused as to what offense they have committed.

In the days where bloggers are no longer on the fringes of the music industry and are indeed now central to many indie record label marketing and publicity strategies, this has been seen by some as a worrying sign from Google, who now seem to be acting as big brother for the big record companies, who don't seem to have caught on to the importance of music blogs and seem to be still living in the dark ages. The fact that Google have deleted all archived content with no redress makes it a sad day for those who have put their hearts and souls voluntarily into their love of music. Without the blog world, many bands like the Arcade Fire, Lily Allen and Vampire Weekend would never have got the leg up needed to get where they are. It's a sad day indeed. However, Pop Tarts Suck Toasted has now relaunched under its own url address as has Living Ears and It's A Rap and the former has announced that it has been able to save 70-80% of its archived material. Click on the previous link for a response from Pop Tarts and a look at the new website.

Check out this article re the situation from The Guardian

Friday, February 12, 2010 

BRIGHT EYES ARE BACK 

Six years ago Bright Eyes collaborated with Neva Dinova (also hailing from Nebraska) on the EP One Jug, Two Vessels. Apparently it was Conor Oberts's favourite recording and they're reissuing it in March, along with four more brand spankin' new tracks; Rollerskating, Happy Accident, Someone's Love and I Know You. The new version, out through Saddle Creek, will feature Oberst and Neva Dinova frontman Jake Bellows singing new two songs apiece with the respective band members contributing to the recording. Oberst has been occupied with side projects Monsters Of Folk and the Mystic Valley Band of late, and in January Bright Eyes played their first gig in two years for a Haiti fundraiser in Ohama, Nebraska. A damn good reason to reunite.

He has hinted another (and maybe final) Bright Eyes album will be released this year. Twelve years is a good run for any band, and fans can rest assured knowing that anything Oberst lends his vocals to is sure to be something unique, immediate and extremely listenable. From soothing and beautiful, to ranting and racked with emotion, the new tracks are sure to strike a chord (or two) with fans old and new. 

Thursday, February 11, 2010

THIS WEEKS ALBUM RELEASES - HOT CHIP, YEASAYER AND MANY MORE

This week sees the much anticipated releases from London's electro-dance outfit Hot Chip and Brooklyn's experimental indie pop/rockers Yeasayer drop with One Life Stand and Odd Blood respectively as well as the release of triphop veterans Massive Attack with their fourth release and first for seven years, Heligoland. The big three are joined by another veteran poet and musician Gil Scott Heron with only his second album proper in over 25 years, I'm New Here. Other highlights include indie power electro popsters Bluebrain with their debut Soft Power, the chilled ambience of Germany's Pantha Du Prince with Black Noise, the sweet pipes of The Watson Twins (Talking To You, Talking To Me), the retro electronica of Phantogram (Eyelid Moves), the second album from Dessa of the hip hop collective, Doomtree with A Badly Broken Code and some gothic shoegaze from Blessure Grave with Judged By Twelve, Carried By Six. Check tracks out from these releases below.

Hand Me Down Your Love

Hot Chip (ENG)

From the album 'One Life Stand', Astralwerks.

Download here

One Life Stand

Hot Chip (ENG)

From the album 'One Life Stand', Astralwerks.

I Remember

Yeasayer (USA)

From the album 'Odd Blood', Secretly Canadian.

Download here

Ambing Alp

Yeasayer (USA)

From the album 'Odd Blood', Secretly Canadian.

Paradise Circus (feat. Hope Sandoval)

Massive Attack (ENG)

From the album 'Heligoland', Virgin.

Download here

Unofficial Video. Montage taken from the 2006 film The Fall

Me And The Devil

Gil Scott Heron (USA)

From the album 'I'm New Here', XL Recordings

Download here

The Herdsman

Bluebrain (USA)

From the album 'Soft Power', Lujo.

Download here

Satellite Sniper

Pantha Du Prince (GER)

From the album 'Black Noise', Rough Trade.

Download here

Official album trailer

 

U-N-Me

The Watson Twins (USA)

From the album 'Talking To You, Talking To Me' Vanguard.

Download here

Mouthful Of Diamonds

Phantogram (USA)

From the album 'Eyelid Moves', Barsuk

Download here

Live On KEXP

The Chaccone (feat. Matthew Santos)

Dessa USA)

From the album 'A Badly Broken Code', Doomtree Records

Download here

Dixon's Girl

Dessa USA)

From the album 'A Badly Broken Code', Doomtree Records

Open Or Shut

Blessure Grave (USA)

From the album 'Judged By Twelve, Carried By Six, Alien 8.

Download here

 

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

SMALL BLACK SIGNS TO JAGJAGUWAR, TOURS WITH PICTUREPLANE AND WASHED OUT

The Josh Kolenik and Ryan Heyner project Small Black made a splash last year with the release of their self titled debut EP. Word has it that Kolenik has signed to Jagjaguwar, who will release a new remixed and remastered version on April 27. The EP will feature the original five tracks plus two others, 'Kings Of Animals' and 'Baby Bird Pt. 2. Small Black have added two new members to round out the band's sound, Juan Pieczanski and Jeff Curtin on bass and drums respectively. They are set to tour with the esteemed Pictureplane, who won many plaudits on this website in 2009 and Washed Out. South By South West is also in the can. Kolenik, Heyner and co. have just finished writing and recording their debut album which is set to surface later this year. We'll certainly keep an eye out for that. Meanwhile, something that did escape our eyes last year was the video to the track 'Despicable Dogs' which we featured on the site this year. If you missed the impressive Yoonha Park directed visual you can view it below. Check the North American tour dates too.

Despicable Dogs

Small Black (USA)

From the EP 'Small Black', Transparent.

Small Black Tour Dates (All with Pictureplane and Washed Out unless marked *

6 March - Hartford, The Wadsworth Atheneum
7 March - New York, Mercury Lounge
8 March - New York, Mercury Lounge
9 March - Philadelphia, The Barbary
10 March - Baltimore, Floristree
11 March - Washington, DC - DC9
12 March - Charlottesville, Tea Bazaar
13 March - Chattanooga, 412 Market Place
14 March - Memphis, Hi-Tone Cafe
15 March - New Orleans, The Den
17 March - Austin, TX - SXSW*
18 March - Austin, TX - SXSW*
19 March - Austin, TX - SXSW*
20 March - Austin, TX - SXSW*
21 March - Monterrey, Monterrey Festival*
24 March - Phoenix, The Black Forest Mill
25 March - San Diego, Sushi Arts
26 March - Los Angeles, Echoplex
27 March - San Luis Obispo, SLO Arts Center
28 March - San Francisco, Riskshaw Shop
29 March - Portland, Holocene
30 March - Vancouver, Media Club
31 March - Seattle, The Vera Project
2 April - Denver, Rhinoceropolis
5 April - Chicago, Empty Bottle
6 April - Detroit, The Cafe
7 April - Toronto, Wrongbar
8 April - Montreal, Il Motore

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

FEATURE ALBUM: BEACH HOUSE RELEASES ONE FOR THE AGES

When Baltimore duo Beach House lit up the musical landscape late last year and delivered a definitive knockout track in the form of the fully formed 'Norway' off their then yet to be released third effort Teen Dream, I couldn't help but get excited about the prospective ear candy that the Chris Coady produced release proper promised to deliver. I also felt a little trepidation that the album may not live up to those lofty expectations and at the risk of sounding sacrilegious given all the critic and blog love the album has recieved, initially the first couple of listens failed to deliver. I needn't of worried because no matter, in the end, as with the first two Beach House albums, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally have again produced a collection of exquisite slow burners, with more accessibility yet lasting qualities where nothing misses the mark. The fact that I've listened to this album more than any other this year thus far is early testimony to how great it is and will turn out to be in posterity. The lesson for reviewers is, don't be premature in judgement. Does Tom Hughes of Guardian fame want another go?

The amazing thing about the Beach House sound is how remarkable it is by being well, unremarkable. Let me explain. The consistent pulse and timing behind the lush, ethereal soundscapes whether it be by using Legrand's synth or a thin or deep sounding drum machine is repetitive across the album but it lays a base for the creation of those soundscapes which are accompanied by lasting hooks and alternation between light and dark, cold and warmth. Scally's guitar is immediately prominent on the metaphoric opener 'Zebra' and combined with Legrand's sun-drenched keys and soaring vocals, its a knockout combination that is immediately on show and extends throughout the albums' 53 minutes. The fact that each song sits between four and six minutes and none outstays its welcome often finishing before you're ready is evidence of the lasting qualities of Teen Dream.

'Silver Soul' is a classic example of the feel on the first two albums but sounds more rounded in an aural sense and delves organically deeper musically. That the pristine 'Norway' is still a standout after three solid months on repeat is unsurprising and the excellent 'Walk In The Park' is further evidence that Beach House is one of the tightest, most innately tuned into eachother duos around. 'Used To Be' sits pretty as the middle track and its change in tempo is a welcome distraction and perfectly paves the way for the familiar melody that dominates 'Lover Of Mine', a track that sports a shoegaze shuffle. 'Real Love' is the best example of Legrand's vocal growth as she displays an almost chanteuse quality. 'Take Care' rounds the album off perfectly and is sublime in its simplicity with only Legrand's vocals changing noticeably backed by Scally's always more than complementary pipes as the musically driven beat continues on relentlessly until the fade out leaves you longing for more. Just start again. I have many times.

James Stocker - February 6, 2010

Zebra (Live)

Beach House (USA)

From the album 'Teen Dream', Sub Pop

   

BEACH HOUSE OFF ON A 66 DATE TOUR MARATHON 

If you like what you saw above, you'll be interested to know that Beach House embark on substantial tour of Europe and North America in support of the album kicking off in Glasgow this Thursday night and ending in their hometown of Baltimore on the 8th of May. Many shows are already sold out so get in fast. Check the dates out here.

Monday, February 8, 2010

DELOREAN BLAST OFF WITH NEW LP DUE MARCH

Those boys from the Basque country are following up on their infectious EP from last year 'Ayrton Senna' with the long awaited full length album Subiza. Due to drop in Europe in March, they recorded in Spain with the help of John Talabot and mixed in New York with Chris Cody (TV On The Radio, Telepathe, !!!, Lemonade). 'Big Dipper' from the EP was a track that put a smile on the face and had you moving from the first beat, with its pounding piano house groove, and Delorean fans will be lining up in droves for another fix.

Starting out as a punk-based guitar band, they have put their own stamp on club music while still using the standard bass-guitar-drums setup, accompanied with keyboards and sampler. Delorean became known for remixing a plethora of artists (Lemonade, Franz Ferdinand (see below), Mystery Jets, Big Pink) and are now hitting the Barcelona music scene.

The four piece, headed by Ekhi Lopetegi are touring North America in March and April and have already sold out three gigs in iconic indie music establishments; The Bowery Ballroom and Webster Hall of NYC and Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg, with tickets still available at this stage at the esteemed Mercury Lounge (also in NYC).

The upbeat, relentless energy of Delorean live would be a night to remember...dancing the night away to their blissed out beats would be suitably appropriate in Gaudi's Guell Park. Until then, catch them wherever you can if you have half a chance.

 Subiza tracklisting and tour dates below

1 Stay Close
2 Real Love
3 Endless Sunset
4 Grow
5 Simple Graces
6 Infinite Desert
7 Come Wander
8 Warmer Places
9 It's All Ours

03-18 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-19 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-20 Houston, TX - The Meridian
03-22 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
03-24 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
03-25 Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts
03-26 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
03-27 New York, NY - Webster Hall
03-28 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
03-29 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
03-31 Boston, MA - Paradise
04-02 Montreal, Quebec - Club Soda 
04-03 Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix Theatre
04-05 Chicago, IL - Metro
04-06 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
04-08 Kansas City, MO - The Record Bar
04-09 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
04-10 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
04-12 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
04-14 Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
04-15 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
04-16 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
04-17 Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex

Live Alone (Delorean Remix)

Franz Ferdinand (SCO)

From the 'The Ultimate Franz Ferdinand Compilation', Zerocast Special

Download here 

Saturday, February 6, 2010

CARIBOU TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN APRIL

Dan Snaith is set to follow up the brilliant 2007 Polaris Prize winning release Andorra with a new album called Swim. The record is set for release on April 20 through Merge in the US and City Slang in Europe and the UK. By the sounds of the stunner of a first single, the opening track 'Odessa', the album is going to be a killer. Recorded in both Canada and Wales, the album contains contributions from Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians and a quartet of jazz musicians. Snaith himself has declared that the new album will sound very different from Andorra in that he has veered away from the nostalgic 60's sound so on the basis of 'Odessa', we can expect to be mesmerised by Caribou's aquatic take on the dance genre. Download 'Odessa' at the link below.

1. Odessa
2. Sun
3. Kaili
4. Found Out
5. Bowls
6. Leave House
7. Hannibal
8. Lalibela
9. Jamelia

Odessa

Caribou (CAN)

From the forthcoming album 'Swim', Merge/City Slang. Out on April 20.

Download here

Friday, February 5, 2010

VAN HALEN vs LAURA BRANIGAN? THE SOUNDS OF NEW GOLDFRAPP

English duo Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp are set to release a new album in March, Head First. The Pop Justice blog have labelled the first track to be taken from it, 'Rocket' as sounding 'a bit like Van Halen vs Laura Branigan', very clever and actually pretty close to the mark. Head First promises a departure from the psych electro-folk of Seventh Tree and a more danceable sound closer to 2005's Supernature. I for one still pine for the sounds of Felt Mountain but no matter, every Goldfrapp release contains elements worth close consideration. Although the track isn't as good as this quote again from Pop Justice,

'an all-round win/win crowdpleasing thumbs-aloft 100% take-no-prisoners officially-certified copper-bottomed happy-days-are-here-again belter, and no mistaking.'

We nevertheless look forward to release for the album on March 22. Download 'Rocket' and the equally impressive 'Believer' below.

Rocket

Goldfrapp (ENG)

From the forthcoming album 'Head First', EMI/Mute.

Download here

Believer

Goldfrapp (ENG)

From the forthcoming album 'Head First', EMI/Mute.

Download here
 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

JOANNA NEWSOM RETURNS WITH NEW TRIPLE ALBUM

The exquisitely talented and strangely alluring singer songwriter and harpist Joanna Newsom will release her long awaited third album and follow up to Ys on February 19 in Australia and February 23 everywhere else.Titled Have One On Me, it sprawls over three discs, any one of which is the length of an album itself. The first taste of the record comes in the form of the track '81, a beautifully sparse harp and vocal arrangement that sees Newsom toning down somewhat, the vocal acrobatics that characterised her first two releases. Whether that is indicative of the rest of the album remains to be seen, but one things for sure, on the whole it will have quality written all over it. Download '81 below.

Trackilisting with track lengths

Disc One:
1. Easy 06:04
2. Have One On Me 11:02
3. ‘81 03:51
4. Good Intentions Paving Company 07:02
5. No Provenance 06:25
6. Baby Birch 09:30

Disc Two:
1. On A Good Day 01:48
2. You And Me, Bess 07:12
3. In California 08:41
4. Jackrabbits 04:23
5. Go Long 08:02
6. Occident 05:31

Disc Three:
1. Soft As Chalk 06:29
2. Esme 07:56
3. Autumn 08:01
4. Ribbon Bows 06:10
5. Kingfisher 09:11
6. Does Not Suffice 06:44

'81

Joanna Newsom (USA)

From the forthcoming album 'Have One On Me', Drag City/Spunk. Out on Feb 23 globally and Feb 19 in Australia.

Download here

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

THIS WEEKS ALBUM RELEASES: NEW MIDLAKE LEADS THE PACK

The long awaited follow up to Texan 'AM' rockers Midlake's debut album The Trials Of Van Occupanther is released this week.The Courage Of Others is an attempt at a more expansive contemplative approach than that first release but nevertheless the signature Midlake sound that harks back to simpler times is still very evident. The Courage Of Others is joined, in a week that marks the calm before the new release February storm by the first effort by veteran punk rocker Fred Cole's new outfit Pierced Arrows and new albums from Montreal's We Are Wolves, San Diego natives The Soft Pack and The Album Leaf and New Zealand duo The Brunettes. Check out the list below

MIDLAKE (USA) - The Courage Of Others, Bella Union
WE ARE WOLVES (CAN) - Invisible Violence, Dare To Care
THE BRUNETTES (NZL) - Paper Dolls, Lil' Chief 
PIERCED ARROWS (USA) - Descending Shadows, Vice
THE SOFT PACK (USA) - The Soft Pack, Kernado
GLOSSARY (USA) - Feral Fire, The Rebel Group
THE ALBUM LEAF (USA) - A Chorus Of Storytellers, Sub Pop 
and...
BLIND MAN'S COLOUR (USA) Wooden Blankets, Kanine
MOUNT EERIE (USA) - Black Wooden, Latitudes
U.S GIRLS (USA) - Go Grey, Slitbreeze. 

Here's a selection of tracks from these albums with download links. Enjoy.

Act Of Man

Midlake (USA)

From the album 'The Courage Of Others', Bella Union.

Download here

Blue

We Are Wolves (CAN)

From the album 'Invisible Violence', Dare To Care

Download here

Red Rollerskates

The Brunettes (NZL)

From the album, 'Paper Dolls', Lil' Chief.

Download here

Let It Rain

Pierced Arrows (USA)

From the album 'Descending Shadows', Vice.

Download here

Answer To Yourself

The Soft Pack (USA)

From the album 'The Soft Pack', Kernado.

Download here

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

FIRST VIDEO FROM NEW BEACH HOUSE ALBUM

The interminable wait finally ended last week as the promise elicited by the track 'Norway' came to fruition with the release of Teen Dream by dream popsters Beach House. That track was so good, it managed to achieve the Number 4 spot on the Indie30 Top 100 Songs of 2009, and Teen Dream promises to be among the highlights album wise in 2010. While Owen Pallett's incredibly strong album Heartland usurped the Baltimore duo for the first feature of the year, it must be said that the decision was line ball. The track chosen for the first video 'Silver Soul' includes that trademark Beach House sound and as with the whole album, a familiar sound that possesses new stength and depth. Watch the Victoria Legrand directed clip below. There will be no surprises this Sunday then.

Silver Soul

Beach House (USA)

From the album 'Teen Dream', Sub Pop.

Download here

LAST CALL AT THE TOTE: ICONIC COLLINGWOOD VENUE CLOSES

In another worrying sign for the future of live music in arguably Australia's most vital city for indie and alternative music, Melbourne, iconic inner northern suburbs venue, The Tote Hotel closed its doors for the last time on January 18. Deemed a high risk venue by tough new government liquor licensing laws due to its 3am closure time, the Collingwood establishment's owner said he had no choice due to the unprofitabilty of having to employ security guards when having live acts, the cost of which is way above what the actual bands are paid, often nearly quadrupling that outlay.  John Perring, who is behind the FairGo4Live Music group, which so far has garnered together 20,000 Facebook members and 10,000 signatures on a petition circulating around protesting the link between high risk venues and live music, is investigating the possibility of resurrecting the venue although will be reluctant to do so in the current situation.The Tote joins The Duke Of Windsor, The Greyhound and The Punters Club as live music venues that have closed in recent times and The Arthouse is said to be going the same way. Sad days indeed. Go here to sign the petition.

Monday, February 1, 2010

LAST MONTHS ALBUM RELEASES: THE BEST OF JANUARY

2010 certainly started off with a bang with brand new albums from Owen Pallett (this weeks feature album - see review below), Spoon, Beach House, Four Tet, Vampire Weekend, Surfer Blood, Magnetic Fields, Laura Veirs, Toro Y Moi, Dinowalrus, Basia Bulat and Clipd Beaks among the highlights. To make up for the fact you've been without us for two months and we've been without you, we've chosen a track from each of these releases for you to download courtesy of the wonderful blog sites you will encounter as you click 'here'. Check them out while you're at it.

Midnight Directives

Owen Pallett (CAN)

From the album 'Heartland', Domino.

Download here

Written In Reverse

Spoon (USA)

From the album 'Transference', Merge.

Download here

Zebra

Beach House (USA)

From the album 'Teen Dream', Sub Pop.

Download here

Angel Echoes

Four Tet (USA)

From the album 'There Is Love In You', Domino.

Download here

White Sky

Vampire Weekend (USA)

From the album 'Contra', XL Recordings.

Download here

Swim

Surfer Blood (USA)

From the album 'Astrocoast', Kanine.

Download here

You Have To Be Out Of Your Mind

Magnetic Fields (USA)

From the album 'Realism', Nonesuch.

Download here

July Flame

Laura Veirs (USA)

From the album 'July Flame', Raven Marching Band.

Download here

Blessa
Talamak

Toro Y Moi (USA)

From the album 'Causers Of This', Carpark.

Download here

Nuke 'Em, Duke 'Em

Dinowalrus (USA)

From the album '%', Kanine.

Download here

Gold Rush

Basia Bulat (CAN)

From the album 'Heart Of My Own', Secret City

Download here

Home

Clipd Beaks (USA)

From the album 'To Realize', Lovepump United

Download here

FEATURE ALBUM: OWEN PALLETT AFTER THE FINAL FANTASY

Stepping out from behind the Final Fantasy moniker he wore for his first two albums, Canadian violinist, composer and pop music extraordinaire Owen Pallett has produced with his third, Heartland, twelve tracks laden with a perfect organic fusion of pop and classical arrangements that bear the mark of a skilled yet sensitive hand. Armed with the class of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and ably assisted in parts by Nico Muhly, the orchestral arranger for the last Grizzly Bear and Antony And The Johnsons albums, Pallett has released a singularly original, vital and lyrically existential piece of work, an excellent way to kick off the new decade for true music lovers and aficionados of the artist in particular.

Always sporting a pop centre, Heartland ebbs and flows, resting on a meticulous mixture of electronic loops, tweaks and beats that combine seamlessly with rich strings, horns and traditional orchestral percussion. The tension that underpins the music is readily recognisable with every twist and turn. Equally impressive is the navel gazing lyrical theme that sees the artist pitted against an ultra violent unreasonable farmer named Lewis. The album is peppered with literate contemplation as Pallett examines his actions in response to his protagonist. Vocally he has never sounded better, in fact musically, lyrically and vocally, Heartland is the total package.

Standout tracks include the sonically adventurous opener 'Midnight Directives and the album's two centrepiece tracks, the jaunty, trippy, yet pastoral  'Oh Heartland, Up Yours' and the pulsing tangle 'Lewis Takes Off His Shirt'. Other highlights are the off kilter, almost creepy 'Keep The Dog Quiet', the immmediate 'The Great Elsewhere', the beautiful lament, 'E For The Estranged' and the punchy 'Tryst With Mephistopheles'.

Overall, Pallett has excelled with Heartland. It's depth of arrangement and mastery of the pop genre is truly remarkable It's an ambitious yet humble effort and by far his most complete effort surpassing in depth and ambition his last under the Final Fantasy moniker, the unusually titled He Poos Clouds.This album had a great deal of competition in grabbing the first Indie30 feature album of 2010. With the quality of the competition, in essence, its a testimony to Heartland's intelligence, imagination and lasting qualities, most of which are yet to unravel. This reviewer looks forward to unfurling this album further as the year progresses. Stunning! 

James Stocker - February 1, 2010

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