We All Want Someone To Shout For

Check out my latest post for the Paper Crane Collective: When Is Too Much Music, Too Much?

Mikey is back with a new track as Blackbird Blackbird. He just sent me a new jam called “Halo. It’s more on the organic indie rock side, than the dreamy electronic pop that we are used to. Mikey provides us with tropical vocal harmonies that ’cause a pretty effect.

Download it below:

[mp3]: Blackbird Blackbird – Halo

The National’s new video for “Conversation 16″ is a weird one. It stars Mad Men star John Slattery as a secret service agent (Matt Berninger is one as well) for the President who is played by Kristen Schaal. Basically, they used to date, and now he has to watch her from his stationary position. It’s definitely a…..different video. All of the band members make cameos at some point.

Watch it below, via MTV:

Man Man’s new album Life Fantastic will be released May 10th via Anti-. Monsters Of Folk/Bright Eyes member Mike Mogis produced it.

I enjoyed their last album Rabbit Habits, so I’m on board to see what they reveal on Life Fantastic. Pitchfork has a song from the album streaming on their site. It’s called “Knuckle Down”. It’s another dose of the eccentric indie rock that they execute with ease. Honus Honus has a unmistakable voice, and puts it to good use. Check it out below (along with some tour dates) via Pitchfork:

01 Knuckle Down
02 Piranhas Club
03 Steak Knives
04 Dark Arts
05 Haute Tropique
06 Shameless
07 Spooky Jookie
08 Eel Bros
09 Bangkok Necktie
10 Life Fantastic
11 Oh, La Brea

Check out this great video of Tapes ‘N Tapes live in Philadelphia at Johnny Brendas, shot by Philadelphia-based collective The Vamp Group. They do a great job capturing Tapes ‘N Tapes in the moment. The video makes me eager to check out Tapes ‘N Tapes live show again, which means that they’re certainly doing their job right.

They captured the band’s rockin’ encore, as well as a brief interview about their new album, Outside. Watch below:

Tapes ‘N Tapes from THE VAMP GROUP on Vimeo.

Broken Bells are releasing their new EP, Meyrin Fields, on March 29th via Columbia. Right now two songs from the EP are streaming online. You can check out the title track at their myspace. Another track called “Windows” is now available to stream via NPR.

Both are engaging listens that have me excited to hear the full EP. Apparently these are songs from the same recording sessions as their debut. They just didn’t flow with the rest of the album.

Okkervil River played new single “Wake and Be Fine” on Jimmy Fallon last January. It’s now available as a free/legal mp3. If you liked what you heard from the live performance, than you’ll love it’s recorded form. It appears on Okkervil River’s upcoming album, I Am Far, which is due May 10th via Jagjaguawar.

“Wake and Be Fine” is a strong song that totally suites the bands style. Each listen improves upon the last, revealing the song in a new light. You will notice pop influenced layers that you didn’t notice at first. Keep it on repeat folks, it does the song well.

Will Sheff has mastered the craft of indie rock. This is my kind of music.

[mp3]: Okkervil River – Wake and Be Fine

Bahamas is Afie Jurvanen, is a Canadian musician who spent three yours as Feist’s touring guitarist/pianist. He released his debut solo album Pink Strat in 2009, released only in Canada. The album received a Juno nomination and was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. The album was recorded in a cabin in 2008, and he plays lo-fi folk rock. Reminds you of Bon Iver a bit, doesn’t it?

He plays warm acoustic rock that will capture your heart and soul. If you don’t believe me, check out “Already Yours”, which he performed for Southern Souls. It’s an honest expression of human emotion that will put your man at ease.

BAHAMAS – Already Yours from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.

I’m sad it took me this long to discover Bahamas. I’m sure that I’m not alone though. For the rest of you who are new to his music, you’d probably like to know that his album Pink Strat will be released in the US on April 19th.

The Antlers new album, Burst Apart, will be released this May 10th via Frenchkiss Records.

They recorded Burst Apart in their Bushwick, Brooklyn studio for five months. If it comes anywhere close to Hospice, then we are in for a real treat folks. My friend Ian Perlman shot some footage of the band recording the album, and tells me that it’s pretty stunning. I bet that adds a little bit to your anticipation, eh?

Check out the tracklist below:

I Don’t Want Love
French Exit
Parentheses
No Widows
Rolled Together
Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out
Tiptoe
Hounds
Corsicana
Putting The Dog To Sleep

If you’re headed to SXSW (not me this year) the band will be there performing new material. Even if you’re not going, you can watch their performance at the NPR showcase right here on March 17 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Wolf Gang has yet to disappoint. I’ve only heard a handful of his songs, and they’ve all been fabulous. I’ve been going through my inbox and found a cover that he did of Radiohead’s “Pyramid Song”. Radiohead is a dangerous band to cover for most artists. Especially a song like “Pyramid Song”.

Wolf Gang came through, yet again. He takes the task with stride and delivers a personal take that he should be proud of.

[mp3]: Wolf Gang – Pyramid Song (Radiohead Cover)

Wolf Gang is releasing a self titled EP March 15th on Elektra. Pre-order it here.