We All Want Someone To Shout For

Brendan Benson has put out 3 solid solo albums making a pretty good name for himself. However, he probably is better known for his contributions in The Raconteurs singing alongside Jack White.

He is going to release his first album since the formation of The Raconteurs later this year. The album is called My Old, Familiar Friend. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brendan’s solo work really take off now that his name is familiar to a larger spectrum of people.

I got a brand new track from this new LP that I would like to share with you guys. It’s called “Feel Like Taking You Home”. It has a really haunting pulse via keyboards. The track actually could have passed for a Raconteurs track. I really enjoyed this. Brendan knows his stuff.

My Old, Familiar Friend comes out August 18th

[mp3] : Brendan Benson – Feel Like Taking You Home

Check out the awesome album art for the album!:

If you have been following Klaxons from their beggining, you are dying to hear some new material. I mean I will never get over their fantastic futuristic Mercury Prize winning debut album. However, I want to see what else they got in store. We were supposed to get a new one this year, but things got delayed when their label told them to re-record their album. Why? Because apparently it was to dark, heavy, dense, and psychedelic for the label. The label seems to put the idea that Klaxons can only be a “pop” band (which they aren’t first of all!). I felt that this was a low blow by the label. They should trust Klaxons and give them full creative control.

Any-how, Jamie Reynolds told NME that they are targeting a release early in 2010. When asked why they are waiting till 2010, Reynolds said:

“We’d really like to put out the first great record of the 2010s rather than the last great one of this decade. Now that’s become an aspiration and a goal.”

He also said that they got 28 songs down, and that they are looking for a producer to help them finish it. Klaxons have played a few of the songs live already such as “Moonhead” which you can watch below. I hope that Klaxons still stay true to themselves and don’t completely give in to the label. Though, it may be too late…..We shall see!

[mp3] : Klaxons – Golden Skans

I have been pretty vacant from this blog for a while, and as a result my inbox has been piling up with new stuff. I have gone through each email I have gotten since individually, trying to give each band a fair listen. Trust me, it aint easy. Some of the stuff just plain sucks, some just doesn’t stand out, and some shine. These are all bands and songs that I felt were in the latter category. I hope you feel the same and give them a listen. I have attached a mp3 that they sent along, as well as a myspace link encase you want to look into them more.

I have tons of emails still to get through so this is only part 1! In the meantime, DIG IN:

The Static Jacks

The Static Jacks are a really exciting band from New Jersey that caught my attention recently thanks to their guitarist; Henry Kaye. They recently signed with RCRD LBL and even played with Tokyo Police Club at Bowery Ballroom. I listened to their Bridges and Tunnels EP and was pleasantly surprised. They got a garage rock sound that I adore.

[mp3] : The Static Jacks – Fire On The Bridge and In The Tunnel Below | Myspace

Mouthful Of Bees

- Minneapolis, Minnesotas’s Mouthful Of Bees give us a chill song with “Micky’s Bed”. The really relaxed boy/girl vocals reminded me of some Belle & Sebastian. This is a very good thing!

[mp3] : Mouthful Of Bees – Micky’s Bed | Myspace

School Of Seven Bells

- School Of Seven Bells’s 3rd single off of their critically applauded debut album Alpinisms is “My Cabel”. This song is a really keeper, dream psychadellic pop. The vocals are lush and addictive. The best way to describe “My Cabel” is gorgeous. I am totally getting the rest of the album right away.

[mp3] : School Of Seven Bells – My Cabel | Myspace

Amazing Baby

Amazing Baby come from Brookyln, and they are catching plenty of peoples attention. People such as Phoenix, who have asked Amazing Baby to open up for them at their Terminal 5 show this Friday. Some people are saying Amazing Baby have a MGMT vibe going, which is not too far off. I wouldn’t be surprised to see there name all over the place soon.

[mp3] : Amazing Baby – Smoke Bros | Myspace

The Phenomenal Handclap Band

The Phenomenal Handclap Band are an octet from NYC with a pretty sick name. “15 to 20″ is a song off their debut self-titled album, and it is tons of fun. CSS kinda came to mind with the female vocals over the dance grooves that would make the 70′s envious.  This is very nice!

[mp3] : The Phenomenal Handclap Band – 15 to 20 | Myspace

Mummers

Mummers are a band based in Brighton, England centered on singer Raissa Khan-Panni. Their music is described as orchestral pop, and I would have to say that’s the closest description that you will find. It is almost like Amy Winehouse is singing in a circus atmosphere. OK, maybe that description made no sense. So check out “Wonderland”, the standout track from their debut album Tale To Tell.

[mp3] : Mummers – Wonderland | Myspace

Netherfriends

Netherfriends are a 3 piece psychedelic band out of Chicago that have tons of different sounds. One minute your thinking world, then pop, then psychedelic. Then they blend all three and you are just at a loss for words. They describe it as mid-fi pop. Either way: Delightful tunes felllas.

[mp3] : Netherfriends – Nunya (Beeswax) | Myspace

PRDCTV

PRDCTV is the name that Geometric Records brain Alex Lloyd goes by. He makes really chilled out minimal electronic music that puts your mind in the right place. He just released It’s Never Too Late To Have A Happy Childhood EP, and I have provided you with one of the standout tracks titled “Kyla’s Dendrogram”.

[mp3] : PRDCTV – Kyla’s Dendrogram | Myspace

I am eagerly waiting to hear the Dead Weather’s debut album Horehound! Like many, I really want to hear what Jack White and co. produced. I have to say, from what I have heard from the band (not much at that), it is all very, very, good. I got a new track to show you guys, and it kills (got the reference? )

The song is “Treat Me Like Your Mother” and it is a perfect offering from a band that collides the likes of Jack White & Alison Mosshart. That guitar sounds really deadly, and Jack drums like he has been doing it steadily for years. The song rocks hard, and I am thoroughly impressed. This is quality.

The band will be playing the song on their national TV debut on Conan this Thursday. Get your TIVOS set now, I am sure they will rock the house.

[mp3] : The Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother

-Horehound is due out July 14th. Pre-Order it here.

Bloc Party have announced that they are going to release a new single called “One More Chance” on August 10th. It was produced by Jacknife Lee and didn’t make the cut for their last album Intimacy. I am curious to hear if it sounds like the Bloc Party of old, or like the new electronic based Bloc Party.

Guess we will have to wait till August, or rather until it leaks. I know many have given up on Bloc Party, but I still believe in them. Intimacy has grown back on me as of late.

Check back here for updates!

[mp3] : Bloc Party – Ares (Villains Remix)

Twin Berlin are a 4 piece out of New England that have really caught my attention.

A great way to describe their sound is a mix of The Strokes and Libertines. They got the guitar riffs and rhythm section reminiscent of The Libertines, and the garage grit of The Strokes. It is almost scary how close lead singer Matt Lopez sounds like Julian Casablancas. Twin Berlin’s two songs “Fake It Well” and “Pretty From The Window” are tightly played and super catchy. You would think that these guys have been doing this for years after hearing how well they play, when in fact they are young. There songs give off a classic/punk 70′s indie vibe that is simply something that I wouldn’t want you to miss out on. They got the goods.

I hope to see these guys everywhere soon! See what I am talking about:

[mp3] : Twin Berlin – Fake It Well

[mp3] : Twin Berlin – Pretty From The Window

visit Twin Berlin at their myspace. Twin Single comes out in July. I’ll keep you updated!

Shockingly I actually don’t mind some country rock every now and again. Now remember it is country rock for a reason. I aint talken about that Garth Brooks bullshit. I am talking about the lines of Wilco, Drive By Truckers, Johnny Cash, Band Of Horses.

The always reliable folks at Toolshed sent me over a new Son Volt track. Now I won’t lie, this is my first taste of Son Volt. I know the name, and that they are pretty popular among critics. I can say I thoroughly enjoyed their new song “Down To The Wire”, which will be off their new album American Central Dust. It is supposed to be a return to form for the band, so for all you Son Volt followers, that should be good news right??

Hope you dig it. American Central Dust came out last week if you want to own it!

[mp3] : Son Volt – Down To The Wire

Danish people are the happiest people in the entire world. I would be quite happy if Mew came from my home country too. Mew may only be 4 guys, but they can make rock sound fucking epic! Mew’s music comes off like they are 30 members deep making a sound that the gods can here. Honestly, it is hard to believe that Mew isn’t bigger than they already are.

Mew don’t like taking the conventional route when it comes to album titles. Anyway, Mew are back with the followup to their great album And The Glass Handed Kites. Their new album is due August 25th, and it is titled No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories the World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away. Yes that is correct! How is that for epic?

It is actually supposed to be read as a poem. Sort-of like this:

No more stories
Are told today
I’m sorry
They washed away

No more stories
The world is grey
I’m tired
Let’s wash away

Anyway, I would like to share the first single off the new album. It is titled “Introducing Palace Players” and of course it is fantastic. It starts off with a funky guitar riff, with some off-key synths playing with your mind. It has the Mew stamp all over it with those haunting vocals and atmosphere. I swear, there is just something about these guys. No one can duplicate their sound.

I am very intrigued to see how the rest of the album turns out. After a promising first single, it is looking good.

[mp3] : Mew – Introducing Palace Players

If you need a reminder of how good Mew can be check out a highlight from And The Glass Handed Kites:

[mp3] : Mew – Apocalypso

Animal Collective wisely picked “Summertime Clothes” as their 2nd single from MPP. The only other contender prob would have been “Brother Sport”. I mean summer is pretty much here (although the weather right now hardly shows for it) so it is good timing for this song to get released as a single. The video is as trippy as you would expect from AC. It is quite a ride.

MP3 and video below! :

[mp3] : Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes

Phoenix are my latest obession. They are literally the only band that I find myself listening to lately. I just can’t stop listening to them. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is easily one of my fav’s of the year, and the rest of their catalogue is really making its way back into rotation as of late. I just bought tickets to their show with Passion Pit at Rumsey Playfield on September 25th. I also may try to scalp some tix for their show in Brooklyn this Friday. That’s how serious my love for this band has become!

To get this week started, I have the acoustic live performance that the band did for KEXP. They did really fantastic stripped down versions of singles “1901″ and “Lisztomania”, as well as the delightful cover of Air’s “Playground Love”. I have been holding onto these vids/mp3s for a while and felt that it was time to share them with you since I have reached my peak for my obsession with these French lads.

Watch the performances below, and grab the mp3s!

1901

Listzomania

Playground Love (Air Cover)

[mp3] : Phoenix – 1901 (Live on KEXP)

[mp3] : Phoenix – Lisztomania (Live on KEXP)

[mp3] : Phoenix – Playground Love (Air Cover) (Live on KEXP)