We All Want Someone To Shout For

First off, sorry that I’m still doing CMJ stuff. I haven’t been good with time management, and let’s just say editing photos and doing posts on top of school work and stuff isn’t a good combo.

I was lucky enough to walk into Deakin’s set early, grabbing a nice spot. His set was trippy and experimental as expected. I was hit with all kinds of different sounds and experiences that most music doesn’t give me. Deakin has been gone for a while, but if the music he creates is as cool and avant garde (yea, I went there) as the songs that made up his set at Cake Shop, I’m all for it. I spoke to him after the show and he told me he’s going to try and release an EP of material sometime next year.

By the way, I met 3/4 of Animal Collective (no Panda), and they were really, really, normal. Probably the most normal guys I’ve ever met from a band. Go figure. Check out the rest of the photos, after the jump:

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Yes, I’m super late on this, but sue me. Lykke Li released a new single called “Get Some” a few weeks back, and I just got around to it. I ain’t perfect, but Lykke Li is getting close to crafting perfect indie pop. “Get Some” is a super enjoyable invitation to her joyful Swedish world. She calls herself a prostitute, but let’s just think of her as our musical prostitute. After all, she gave away this energetic new single and it’s respectable b-side “Paris Blue” for free.

“Paris Blue” is a more emotional song, pulled from deep within. It’s an honest look at Lykke.

Both songs show different sides of Lykke, and I think we can all agree we’re fans of both sides. You can download both below. Or download them straight from her.

[mp3]: Lykke Li – Get Some
[mp3]: Lykke Li – Paris Blue

If you really enjoyed the single, than grab a limited 7″ from Rough Trade.

Arcade Fire played SNL last night, sounding epic with “We Used To Wait” and showed off their experimental side with “Sprawl II” (notice that Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is playing in the back!). They even showed off their comedic side, taking part in a Digital Short. It’s pretty funny. Check out all three videos below. Better hurry. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until NBC has a fit and gets these removed:

We Used To Wait:

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains):

Digital Short With Arcade Fire:

Kanye still gifted us with another G.O.O.D. Friday song, even though his album leaked in full this week. The man just keeps on giving. Screw all that Today Show hoopla, I’m all about the music. Yesterday’s G.O.O.D. Friday song was the much anticipated “Chain Heavy”. It features Talib Kweli & Consequence, and doesn’t disappoint. This one is so strong, it probably should have made the album.

Either way, I’m not going to complain because this song is way too good to be a free release. Grab it below, via Kanye:

[mp3]: Kanye West – Chain Heavy (Feat. Talib Kweli & Consequence)

Although Sufjan has significantly changed his sound on new album, The Age Of Adz, my favorite song on the album is arguably the beautiful “Futile Devices”. It’s the first song on the album and it just hooked me right away. It still hasn’t let go.

My minds been at a weird place this year, and this song has really had it’s way with me. I can honestly call it one of my favorite songs right now.

While we’re it, here’s an interesting electronic cover of it done by Jump Clubb. Found it via Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good.

[mp3]: Jump Clubb – Futile Devices (Sufjan Stevens Cover)

Saw this clip from the movie Young@Heart in class today. Basically the movie is about this senior citizens who tour singing popular songs. Well two of the men (who were friends) were supposed to cover Coldplay’s Fix You. However, one of the friends passed away days before the performance, leaving the man to perform by himself. The result is one of the saddest performance I think I have ever seen. If this doesn’t tug a few heart strings, I don’t know if you have a heart.

Time to watch this movie asap.

Last October The National played an stripped down/acoustic session for Sirius Radio’s XMU. I just got my hands on the sessions, and I just had to share them. They’re delicate acoustic versions of High Violet’s “Anyone’s Ghost”, “Terrible Love”, “Conversation 16″ and “England”. The band is in top form here. All you die hard fans are going to want these, trust me.

[mp3]: The National – Conversation 16 (Sirius XMU Session)
[mp3]: The National – Terrible Love (Sirius XMU Session)
[mp3]: The National – England (Sirius XMU Session)
[mp3]: The National – Anyone’s Ghost (Sirius XMU Session)

Old Smile is the side project of  Tom Herman Jr., who co-leads the band Arches. He has released his debut EP Hawkins Bridge via the new cassette tape label Treetop Sorbet. It’s available to download right now via the band’s bandcamp.

I highly recommend doing so. Two highlights for me were “Mirrors” and “Swept Up With The Tide”. “Mirrors” is a loose ambient jam that success in it’s ability to convey emotion through its melodies. “Swept Up With The Tide” will steal your heart with some of the loveliest harmonies I’ve heard all year. It’s as uplifting and enchanting as songs come these days. Don’t be surprised to see “Swept Up With The Tide” high up on my end of the year list.

Just when I thought we had met all of the great new artists of 2010, Old Smile comes and shuts me up. Tom Herman Jr. has crafted one hell of an EP. It’s a refreshing release that perfectly suites the fall season that’s upon us.

Check out the previously mentioned songs below. If you like them, be sure to download the rest of the EP. It’s free.

[mp3]: Old Smile – Swept Up With The Tide
[mp3]: Old Smile – Mirrors

Nicki Minaj hit my radar after her absolutely ridiculous verse on “Monster”. If I’m being honest with you, I will admit this is the only Nicki Minaj that I’ve ever heard. However it’s certainly caught my interest. I’m interested in hearing what she has to offer on her debut album, Pink Friday. I am going in it fairly blind, aside from the little previews that came out today.  Grab a peak of the album by listening to those, below:

Posted above is the album artwork for The Decemberists new album The King Is Dead. It’s coming out on January 18th via Capitol Records.The band recorded the album with longtime producer Tucker Martine on a farm outside their hometown of Portland, Oregon.

If you haven’t already grab lead single “Down By The Water” for free here. It gives us a good taste of the country/americana direction that the band took for this new record. R.E.M.’s guitarist plays on three songs, while Gillian Welch adds vocals to 7 songs.

Excited to hear this new album