We All Want Someone To Shout For

Yesterday, Entertainment Weekley’s Music Mix premiered a new Tokyo Police Club song from their new album Champ called “Wait Up (Boots Of Danger)”. We previously heard the excellent “Breakneck Speed“, so it was important that the band kept the momentum going with another high quality preview. Well, “Wait Up (Boots Of Danger) certainly succeeds. It is a stirring number that should have been what their debut record had more of: straightforward post-punk rockers. It sounds focused and sparkles with youthful energy. This song along with “Breakneck Speed” really make me believe that Champ will be more like their fantastic EP that made us all Tokyo Police Club fans back in 2006.

Stream it below:

Champ comes out on June 8th via Mom + Pop Records.

I was digging “What To Say“, the new single from Born Ruffians, from the first moment I heard it. I have grown to like it with every listen, which hopefully is a telling sign for the rest of their new album Say It.

Now they have a music video for the song that only makes me love the song even more. It was made using a vintage oscilloscope by director Jared Raab and artist/computer programmer Rob Bairos. Saw it from The Tape Is Not Sticky. It was premiered by Stereogum.

Regina Spektor released a cover of Radiohead’s “No Surprises” today on itunes . She said the proceeds will go to the Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund in order to help victims of earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.

Check out a stream of it below:

Regina takes the Radiohead classic and churns out her own beautiful version. It’s really lovely. Be sure to help out the cause by purchasing the single on itunes.

The Morning Benders played their b-side, “Go Grab A Stranger”, for the first time ever live (according to Chris Chu) last Saturday at their Music Hall Of Williamsburg show. The song was released last month as a very limited 7″ which you can still purchase right now from Rough Trade Records. Chris said it was a special performance as a way to reward New York fans.

I wasn’t quick enough to record it, but plenty of other people were. Watch the video below:

Be sure to purchase the 7″ as it is super limited!

Spirituals is the moniker for Tyler Tadlock’s sample-based electronic music project. He is a drummer, producer, and graphic artist out of Portland, Oregon. He is about to release his debut self titled album via Waaga Records on June 22nd. The album shows off his experimentation with samples from jazz projects and other sounds that he combined together through his laptop.

You can get a taste of what Spirituals has to offer from the song “Wanderings”. It is certainly a refreshing song that sounds like nothing else that I have heard recently. “Wanderings” has the power to take you away from your state of boredom, and place you into a different world.

I highly recommend that you check this song out:

[mp3]: Spirituals – Wanderings

For more info on Spirituals visit him on myspace or visit Waaga Records. Or just look out for more posts on him from me in the future. I assure you they will be on the way.

Just discovered Fitz & The Tantrums. The song that caught my attention is the soulful retro throwback, “Breakin’ the Chains of Love”. This song is a blast. This one will please fans of old Motown stuff, but it will also please fans of good music. They successful combine various retro sounds into a modern sound that sounds fresh to my ears.

It was off of their debut EP, Songs for a Break Up, Vol.1. They are going to release their debut LP Pickin’ Up The Pieces later this year.

[mp3]: Fitz & The Tantrums – Breakin’ the Chains of Love

While your here, check out this live performance of “Breakin’ the Chains of Love”.

Yes. That was LIVE. Incredible stuff right?

Keepaway are experimental-rock trio from Brooklyn who are gearing up to release their debut EP Baby Style on May 18th. When listening to their excellent song “Yellow Wings”, you may immediately hear some Animal Collective. Keepaway are not just another AC wanna-be though. They add lots of post-rock sounds and devices that allow them to have their own distinctive voice. Listen hard enough and you may even hear traces of Modest Mouse.

This song is my jam for the week. It’s smart, catchy, and features a pretty major guitar riff. Loving these guys.

[mp3]: Keepaway – Yellow Wings

Yellow Wings is featured on their Baby Style EP. It comes out on May 18th via Lefse Records. Follow them on twitter or visit them at myspace.

A new Grizzly Bear song was used in a new Washington Lottery commercial. It is only a minute long, but it is a pretty glorious minute. The song was approved for the commercial, before even being released in any official form. It is a sunny song with Beach Boy-like harmonies. The keyboard totally reminds me of “Two Weeks”, but I ain’t complaining.

The clip was directed by Patrick Daughters who directed their “Two Weeks” video. It was choreographed by Michael Rooney, who is responsible for the awesome 500 Days Of Summer dance sequence.

Watch the commercial below, and enjoy one minute of new Grizzly Bear:

This is all via EW’s Music Mix.

I was too busy rocking out with the morning benders on Saturday night, so I completely forgot and missed MGMT’s performance on SNL. Thankfully the internet exists and the video’s are online.

The band played “Flash Delirium” & “Brian Eno”. They sounded good! I’m pretty sure MGMT are a band that would benifit from smaller club/venue shows rather than festivals and stadiums. But maybe that is just me?

Flash Delirium:

Brian Eno:

M.I.A. has taken over pitchfork’s twitter today

One of the announcements was the music video for “Born Free”, the song that leaked last Friday. The video is a 9 minute epic that is certainly not safe for work in any way. She posted it at her website, but you can view it below:

Do not watch this at work! Totally NSFW!

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

She later announced the tracklisting for her new album. You can check that out here. I also posted it below:

Then she premiered the art for Sleigh Bells debut album Treats. You can view that here. It comes out May 11th on her label NEET Recordings.

Stay tuned for more!