We All Want Someone To Shout For

Boston band Thick Shakes’ “Go Back To New York” is as infectious of a song as they come. A chorus that begs to be shouting back with retro sounds busting out of the seams. It’s three minutes of pure joy. Even the hardest the please will have a hard time denying that.

It’s from their Why Buy the Cow 7″ that’s coming out this spring via Aurora 7 Records. It’s available to all for the ever so generous price tag of name your own price. Head to bandcamp to check it out. A physical copy can be purchased here as well.

[mp3]: Thick Shakes – Go Back to New York

“Troubled And Done” is the first track that I’ve ever heard of from Atlanta band, Balkans and I’m definitely digging it. It’s a dramatic statement that comes off like a honest, drunken, confession. A little bit of a dirty garage Strokes influence at some parts. I hear a bit of The Walkmen in the vocals as well.

It’s off of their upcoming self titled album, due out May 10th via Double Phantom Records. They will be playing in NYC this weekend. Check out those dates after you download “Troubled And Done” and other album track, “Edita V”:

[mp3]: Balkans – Troubled And Done
[mp3]: Balkans – Edita V

Friday, 4/15 @ Shea Stadium, Brooklyn, NY (w/ The So So Glos)
Saturday, 4/16 @ 285 Kent Avenue (Todd P Presents), Brooklyn, NY

The Natural Shocks, fresh out of Toronto, have delivered a great effortless first single titled, “Heavier Than Heavy”. It’s smart, feel good indie pop that will have you grinning. Hooks and well thought out melodies are clearly a big part of The Natural Shocks agenda, and it does wonders. Every time I listen to it I like it more and more, always a good sign.

“Heavier Than Heavy” is taken from the bands debut full-length album, Complete With Comfortable Lighting which will be available on June 9th. These guys are great, don’t let this one slip:

[mp3]: The Natural Shocks – Heavier Than Heavy

The music video for Scattered Trees‘ fantastic song “Four Days Straight” has got me hooked. It’s a perfect visual aid for the song. I’m late on the song (as you can see), but no matter. I’m just happy to have discovered it at all.

The video was made by Markus Kneer, whose video won a contest held by the band and Consequence Of Sound. The song is charming and witty at the same time. It’s a strong effort that instantly pulled me in.

“Four Days Straight” is taken from the bands latest album, Sympathy, out now via Roll Call Records.

Grab a mp3 after the music video:

[mp3]: Scattered Trees – Four Days Straight

• This contest is now closed. I’m currently reviewing all the entries. I will notify the winner within the next week. Thanks to all of you who entered. Good luck!

Hopefully it goes without saying, but I don’t know where I would be without my laptop. Last December, HP hooked me up with an HP ENVY 14 Beats Edition notebook with Windows Live Essentials 2011. Since then, I’ve put it through its paces and am impressed. It’s a super fast system that does everything I need and more. The ENVY is a notebook clearly made for the music listener, providing an awesome listening experience especially when paired with good headphones, such as the Beats by Dre. Solos. When paired with the storage provided with SkyDrive, the syncing ability of Mesh and the other social features of Windows Live, this really is the ultimate computer.

Does this sound like the system for you? If you answered yes, then you may just be in luck. The good people at HP are letting me give away one of these ENVY 14 systems to one of you. That’s right. I have a laptop to give away to one of you guys.

You’ve been great to me for these last few years, and now it’s time to give back. I know that having a computer is more important than ever before, and that in this economy, getting a brand new machine is not a possibility. I think this is where I can help.

I want to give this computer to someone who really needs it. So, in order to enter this contest, and win this computer, I’m asking that you leave a personal note in the comments of this post explaining why you need this notebook, and what features in particular would be most helpful. Please be as honest as possible. I really want to give this to somehow who is in need of a new computer and can truly benefit from it. Be creative. If you’re current computer is falling apart, show me photos. I’ll trust your word, but good concrete evidence will always prevail.

(Note: Unfortunately, this contest is only valid if you’re a U.S. resident. I just got word of this. I’m sorry if you participated and you’re out of the U.S.)

Two weeks from today date (so-April 27th), I’ll personally read through the notes and choose someone to send the notebook to. There are no bonus points for multiple entries or spamming my comments, so please don’t bother. Follow me on Twitter, and become a fan on Facebook. Let me know through them that you’re following me. I’d also appreciate your help thanking HP for allowing me to give this computer away. Follow @HP_PC on Twitter, and send them a thank you with a link to this post.

I’m honored to be working with a company like HP. I’m even happier knowing that one very lucky reader of We All Want Someone To Shout For will be receiving this great laptop. Please enter below, tell your friends, and spread the word.

Good luck to you all!

• This contest is now closed. I’m currently reviewing all the entries. I will notify the winner within the next week. Thanks to all of you who entered. Good luck!

Although LCD Soundsystem’s has called it a day, their music still lives on.

A while back they recorded a seven minute cover of Franz Ferdinand’s “Live Alone” as a part of Franz Ferdinand’s Covers EP that features various artist covering songs from their last album, Tonight. The EP will be released on Record Store Day.

Lets face it, it’s LCD Soundsystem covering Franz Ferdinand. You already know it’s going to be a grea result. Both are two of my favorite bands, so this is a match made in heaven for me. You know you’ll love it:

I got more new Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2 Beastie Boys for you guys to check out. Our first taste of the album was “Make Some Noise”, but now we are delighted with the good grace of “Tadlock’s Glasses”. It’s a short choppy track that leaves me wanting more, but then I just hit replay, and it’s all better.

Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2 drops May 3rd via Capitol Records. I could really use it right now, though.

Stream “Tadlock’s Glasses” below:

Handsome Furs will release new album Sound Kapital on May 28th via Sub Pop.

Husband and wife duo, Dan Boeckner and Alexei Perry, recorded the album at their Montreal studio with keyboards on their mind. It’s the first Handsome Furs record written exclusively on keyboards. They wanted to prove that electronic music was still able to convey more feelings than just detachment.

They’ve offered album track “What About Us” as a free download. Check that out below:

[mp3]: Handsome Furs – What About Us

Check out Sound Kapital’s tracklisting & the bands 2011 tour dates, after the jump:
Read the rest of this entry »

unouomedude is a young artist from Jacksonville, Florida who just released a great single titled “Frequency”. Reverb, drunk vocals, and fuzzy guitars collaborate to create a hazy summer sound. Sounds a bit like Wavves in some ways. If you’re a fan of Wavves, you will definitely dig this song.

It will be released on Old Flame Records as a digital single on April 19th.

[mp3]: unouomedude – Frequency

Be sure to check out some other songs over at his soundcloud page. His Marsh EP is available at bandcamp for name your own price.

Ford & Lopatin are formally known as Games. They are releasing their debut album Channel Pressure via Mexican Summer on June 7th. “Emergency Room” is a good example of what the duo is capable of: Blipped out 80s electronic funk that wouldnt sound to out of place alongside late night television.

Take a listen:

[mp3]: Ford & Lopatin – Emergency Room

A very limited 12″ of the song will be released in early May.