We All Want Someone To Shout For

I am beyond pleased with the enormous amount of fantastic artists that are coming out with new albums later this year. Wolf Parade, who are one of my favorite bands are close to releasing a new album later this year. In an interview with Exclaim, Dan Boeckner, the bands singer/guitarist shared plenty of details about their 3rd album. The bands about the begin mastering the album which might be a double album. There are 15 potential songs consisting of over 80 minutes of music.

Here are the key point taken from the interview/article:

• If all goes well, the album will be released on June 29th via Sub Pop.
• Keyboardist Hadji Bakara has quit music to pursue a doctorate in English literature at the University of Chicago
• It may become a double LP or a LP and EP, since the band wants to include all the songs they did.
• Boeckner said some of the stuff sounds like really heavy ’80′s coke rock
• Two song titles are “Caveosapian” and “Yulia”
• Most of the stuff was co-written, rather than just Spencer Krug vs. Dan Boeckner songs

For more details, make sure to read the article at Exclaim. It’s a good read!

Fresh tunes keep finding their way to me as of late. I’m not complaining. It’s helping my procrastination of my reading of the dreadful books I have to read for Literature Of War.

Kilian from Guerolitomusic was kind enough to notify me that a new Foals song surfaced via my shoutbox. It’s a radio rip of the song “This Orient” which is the lead single off their new album, Total Life Forever. There is more of a widescreen experience to these new Foals songs than their earlier work. They embrace their ability to take their songs and flesh them out, creating some pretty wonderful moments.

Stream it below:

Here is the album cover for Total Life Forever:

Girls covered the Radiohead classic, No Surprises, at the March 10th gig in Göteborg, Sweden. Thanks to Luis for posting this. Video + mp3 below:

[mp3] : Girls – No Surprises (Radiohead Cover)

I’m pretty sure that Jónsi could make anything sound beautiful. His voice is a gift from god himself. He went to BBC’s Live Lounge not too long ago and dropped a marvolous cover of MGMT’s Time To Pretend. He takes the song and flips it on it’s head, giving it a completely new feel. It’s really lovely.

The timing of this cover is pretty appropriate as many MGMT fans are probably wishing a lot of the stuff on Congratulations sounding a bit more like their old.

[mp3] : Jónsi – Time To Pretend (MGMT Cover)

The Hold Steady claimed that their new album Heaven Is Whenever is significantly less anthematic than their previous albums. After listening to it’s first single, Hurricane J, I have become skeptical to the truth of that matter. The songs kicks off with heavy guitars and a very anthematic chant of oooh oooh oooh. The chorus is one of the poppiest of the The Hold Steady’s career.

The subject matter in Craig Finn’s lyrics still retain to finding shit to do to keep night life fresh. He still sings about making out with a girl named Jessie over a few beers, and trying to steer her away from her cigarette smoking friends. Not only are his lyrics sincere, but his vocal delivery is too. It’s still very much Craig Finn, but something about his delivery is noticeably different.

I wasn’t sold on the song right away, but after multiple plays I realized this is another great one from one of the coolest bands around today. They probably won’t ever change too much, but who the hell would want them to? This is the type of music that they make best, and sometimes it’s perfectly fine to stick with what your good at.

[stream] : The Hold Steady – Hurricane J

If you like the song, please continue to support the band. You can do so by pre-ordering the album over at Insound on Vinyl or CD. It’s officially out on May 4th via Vagrant Records.

Come on Beerland, say how you really feel why don’t you?

via Rollo & Grady

The Black Keys have returned with a new song, and millions of garage rock fans around the globe just got their world rocked. The new song is called “Tighten Up”, and it is the only Danger Mouse song produced on their new album, Brothers. Danger Mouse left his footprint all over the song creating a soulful buzz around the Black Keys already pretty soulful sound. The song is a pretty tight jam that grooves along with confidence and ease. Dan Auerbach has one of the best voices in rock ‘n roll today, totally underrated. I think these guys are one of the few modern groups who are truly reviving rock ‘n roll. Keeping it real, one jam at a time.

They put the song on their myspace for stream, and to no one’s surprise a web rip surfaced from the depths of the garage. It’s a low quality webrip, but it still rocks hard.

[stream] : The Black Keys – Tighten Up

Brothers comes out May 18th.

The one and only M.I.A. is making her return to NYC at HardNYC’s South Island Field on July 24th, 2010. Her third album should be out sometime around then. Tickets are somewhat pricey, but you can expect to find me there if I can help it. I’m dying to hear some Paper Planes and Bucky Done Gun live.

Who is joining me? Tickets are on sale next friday at noon. For more info go here.

[mp3] : M.I.A. – There’s Space For Ol Dat I See (hopefully on her new album)

It’s so amazing to see how far along the boys have come since 2005. Not only in terms of their own growth from young lads to men, but also as musicians. Their sound has gotten darker, as they have become more apt at playing their instruments. Alex Turner has developed great lengths as a singer, fleshing out everything that his pipes have to offer. Jamie and Nick know how to add depth and curiosity to the songs. Matt Helders is the backbone to the Arctic Monkeys playing the drums with authority and passion. He’s probably the bands secret weapon.

They are releasing their 3rd single for My Propeller next Tuesday, and let’s just say it may have propelled itself into the internet. A little jitterbug may or may not have sent a “few selected tracks” and oh man they are fantastic. One of them, “The Afternoon’s Hat”, is the standout in my mind at the moment. It starts with a bolt of energy and a smooth settling croon from Turner. The rhythm is jumpy and vibrant leading the way for a bridge filled with dark guitar sounds which are certainly built upon what they learned with Mr. Homme.

The 2nd half is a really promising direction that the boys should embark on. They sound confident, smart, and in control of their sound, not afraid to try new things. Really, really, good stuff. I’m loving it.

[stream] : Arctic Monkeys – The Afternoon’s Hat

Pre-Order the My Propeller EP right here from insound

Avi Buffalo are a name that I know you will hear more of. They have been getting a lot of praise from many bloggers, and it’s well warranted. With so many electronic artists out there, it’s nice to see and artists like Avi Buffalo get the respect that they deserve. They write endearing indie pop songs that are heartfelt and real. Avi Buffalo is the band of a young man named Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg who is fresh out of high school and got noticed for his strong guitar playing and honest song-writing skills. Their live shows grabbed the attention of audiences across California, causing famous indie label SubPop to sign them to a record deal. Their debut self titled album is coming out on April 27th.

Two of the songs featured on the album are songs that you should get on regular rotation right now. Whats In It For? is a jangly pop gem that warrants plenty of well earned Shins comparisons. Where’s Your Dirty Mind? sounds like a fluffier Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin song. Both songs are glazed with clean melodies and warm harmonies that seem all too natural.

Avi Buffalo were born to make music that is familiar to the ear and close to the heart. I can’t wait to see what other gem’s they have waiting for us on their debut album.

[mp3] : Avi Buffalo – What’s In It For?
[mp3] : Avi Buffalo – Where’s Your Dirty Mind?

You can check out some more tracks on Avi Buffalo’s myspace. There are also single’s that are available to purchase at their bandcamp. None of those songs are on their album. They are currently rocking out at SXSW, which will be followed by a short stint opening for Japandroids. Pre-order the album via Sub Pop.