Danielson is back with Best of Gloucester County, his first album since Ships was released in 2006. “Grow Up” is our first taste of the album. It’s got the usual eccentric Danielson sound, along with some crisp riffs.
Best of Gloucester County is coming out on February 22nd via his own label, Sounds Familyre.
[mp3]: Danielson – Grow Up
I just found some great live recording of new songs that The Vaccines played at a show in the UK a week or so ago. One is called “A Lack Of Understanding”, the other is “European Sun”. Both songs are further proof that these lads are the real deal. I’m really excited for their future.
Both clips are posted below, along with two stellar performances of their gold cuts: “All In White” and “If You Wanna”
A Lack Of Understanding:
European Sun
All In White:
If You Wanna:
While we’re at it, here are mp3′s of the bands studio session with BBC’s Marc Riley. They played “If You Wanna” and “Norgaard”. Download both below:
[mp3]: The Vaccines – If You Wanna (Marc Riley Session)
[mp3]: The Vaccines – Norgaard (Marc Riley Session)
Many thanks to this wonderful Tumblr that has everything and everything Vaccines. Worth a follow if your a fan of them. They got live bootlegs, great photos, and very up to date news. It’s pretty cool.
The new Wye Oak song, “Civilian” is pretty spectacular. It’s a strong, polished piece of folk rock that hits home. It’s my first ever listen to Wye Oak, and I’m already sold. It’s driven with passion and timely execution of emotion. I’m floored.
It’s taken from their new album, also called Civilian. It will be released on Match 7th, via City Slang.
[mp3]: Wye Oak – Civilian
Loving the hell out of “Nightwatch”, the new song from the hotly tipped Brooklyn band, Acrylics. It will appear on their debut album Lives and Treasure, due out on January 25th via Hot Sand Records.
“Nightwatch” is a smart smooth ride through incredible sounds that are bright and colorful with infinite appeal. Its refreshing to hear a band like this. So many acts just try to hard. Acrylics naturally have it going on.
[mp3]: Acrylics – Nightwatch
Check out the music video for early single “Molly’s Vertigo” and bring on the Fleetwood Mac comparisons:
Kanye West keeps giving us more and more treasures. He was feeling festive and dropped a x-mas song called “Christmas In Harlem”. He called upon Cam’ron, Jim Jones, CyHi Da Prynce, Pusha T, Big Sean, Teyana Taylor & Musiq Soulchild for support.
Kanye and co. rap over a light orchestrated piece, giving off chilled vibes. It’s a really nice track. Certainly has a holiday feel to it. Download it below via The Good Music Blog:
Asking a Weezer fan to choose the Blue Album or Pinkerton as their favorite album is like asking a mother to choose a favorite child. It’s just unfair. It’s always been a tough call for me, but Pinkerton has grown an incredible amount since I was a little boy. After seeing the band perform the album from top to bottom, I can assure you, it’s Pinkerton. It’s probably always been Pinkerton, but tonight sealed the deal.
Free Energy opened the show. It’s gotta be tough opening for an established act like Weezer. This show had to be tough, considering that everyone was waiting to hear a classic like Pinkerton. That’s a tough crowd. Free Energy have a sound that is built for big stages, and they delivered. It was my 5th time seeing them this year, and it was just as refreshing as the first time.
Weezer were one of the first bands I truly fell in love with. They have been that one band I still had to see (along with The Strokes), and I felt like the day would never come. Once I saw the big bright W light up the stage, I knew that it was a reality. They kicked things off with “Memories” and slowly worked their way backwards in time, playing a cut from each album. “Pork & Beans” and “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived” really came to life live, energizing a crowd that hardly needed a boost. They dipped into (the underrated) “Perfect Situation” before hitting on “Dope Noise” and the always classic “Hash Pipe”.
The band rewarded the die hard fans with three b-sides: “You Gave Your Love to Me Softly”, “Susanne”, and “Jamie”. The only Blue Album cut was “Only In Dreams”. It was an absolute delight to hear it live, but I couldn’t wonder why they couldn’t throw in other Blue Album cuts like, “The World Has Turned And Left Me Here” or “Say It Ain’t So”. I don’t think I’m alone on that.
When it came time for Pinkerton to be played in full, the crowd was antsy with anticipation. All of that waiting paid off when the all too familiar sounds of “Tired Of Sex” kicked the crowd into a frenzy. “Getchoo” grooved with ease. “Why Bother?” got some fans to mosh and crowd surf, ultimately recreating the 90′s scene that the song once thrived in. I almost lost my voice during “Across The Sea”, but wisely saved it for the big punch. The big three combo of “The Good Life”, “El Scorcho”, and “Pink Triangle” is just unfair. It’s an assault of just pure greatness. All three songs were immensely fun to hear live, something I will never forget. Things came to a close with a stripped down version of “Butterfly” that was a perfect way to calm the pink storm.
It’s mind boggling to think that Rolling Stone once called this one of the worst albums of 1996. It really doesn’t get much better than Pinkerton. The band was on point, effortlessly recreating the emotions that were invested in these songs. I feel lucky to have heard Pinkerton in it’s entirety live. Say what you want about Weezer’s recent output, but they absolutely bring it live. This was a show for the ages, and a memory that I will pass on to my children, and theirs.
=W=
Setlist & Some Videos, after the jump:
Read the rest of this entry »
Finally checked out The Joy Formidable. My first taste of them came from their music video for “Whirring”. I think these guys are onto something pretty special. I’m impressed.
“Whirring” is taken from their debut album, The Big Roar, which is coming out on March 15th.
Tapes ‘n Tapes music video for their excellent new single “Freak Out” is hilarious. If you have any second thoughts about marriage, this one’s for you. Kevin Russell directed it.
Watch it below:
It’s taken from their upcoming new album, Outside, coming out on January 11th via Ibid Records.
The Decemberists have released another single from the upcoming new album, The King Is Dead. The follow up to “Down By The Water” is “January Hymn”, a worthy cut from the band.
“January Hymn” is pleasant on the ears, and the mind. The Decemberists don’t try to do too much. They let the music speak for itself. Colin Meloy’s memorable vocals sound like they are guiding you on a peaceful walk with your loved one. Simply put, it’s beautiful. Stream it below:
The Decemberists – January Hymn by weallwantsome1
The band oddly covered the Grateful Dead’s “Jimmy Row” for the single’s b-side. Stream that below:
The Decemberists – Row Jimmy (Grateful Dead cover) by jp917
The King Is Dead is out January 18th, via Capitol Records.
Check out the 2nd album trailer that the band released, after the jump:
“Still Sound” is the effortlessly chill new song from Toro Y Moi. It’s the first taste of his new album Underneath The Pine. He takes the “chillwave” sound from his debut, and rounds it out with a full instrumental band sound. This is something I can certainly get behind.
Super cool stuff from Mr. Chaz Bundick.
[mp3]: Toro Y Moi – Still Sound
Underneath The Pine comes out on February 22nd via Carpark Records.
