Familjen

Proof that you don't always need the words to enjoy a good song. Just added Familjen's new album "Mänskligheten" to my new release list (out May 5th)

Familjen - När planeterna stannat from Adrian Recordings on Vimeo.

[from Discobelle]

New Scissor Sisters!

First Robyn (posted on FaceBook)... now Scissor Sisters!

(Thanks Brian!)

James - The Night Before

I still haven't given up on one of my favorite Britpop bands... James. It's big and it's British, and you can enjoy their new "mini album" in it's entirety until April 5th. (The Night Before is out April 19th.)

The Night Before Preview - limited until 5 April 2010 only; album released 19 April 2010 by James The Band

The Morning Benders

Just discovered these guys (via Erin), who are streaming their entire album for free on their website.

Check it out here too...

And the video. Really good stuff.

Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders "Excuses" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Bummer of the Week: Freelance Whales

Hey, another schtick...

But it's not about the music... Just really wish these guys (Freelance Whales) were coming to Cleveland on their new tour. Closest they're coming is Chicago (4/4/10). Check out their new album, Weathervanes.

And by the way, by saying it's a "bummer," I'm saying you should check these guys out: http://www.myspace.com/freelancewhales

Just sayin'.

Kid Cudi Keeps On Comin'... w/ Dan Black

I'm pretty excited about this new Dan Black album... Check him out: http://www.myspace.com/danblacksound

Preservation Hall Benefit Album

Check out the artists on this album! Definitely going to get this one...

PRESERVATION HALL, SONY RED DISTRIBUTION AND MRI ANNOUNCE: "PRESERVATION, AN ALBUM BENEFITING PRESERVATION HALL AND ITS MUSIC OUTREACH PROGRAM"

A LANDMARK COLLABORATION BRINGING TOGETHER LEGENDARY AND EMERGING ARTISTS INCLUDING PETE SEEGER, TOM WAITS, MERLE HAGGARD, JIM JAMES, ANDREW BIRD AND MORE FOR A CELEBRATION OF NEW ORLEANS MUSIC

Over the last year, more than 20 of American music's most exciting artists traveled to Preservation Hall in New Orleans to collaborate with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on classic New Orleans repertoire. The end result is a timeless and joyous celebration of New Orleans music. Proceeds from the sale of the project will benefit Preservation Hall and The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program. The album is set for release on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2010 in standard CD, deluxe edition and double-LP collectible formats.

[From Preservation - A Benefit Album - About]

All Tracks featuring the PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND:

Andrew Bird – "Shake It and Break It"
Paolo Nutini – "Between the Devil and Deep Blue Sea"
Tom Waits – "Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing"
Yim Yames – "Louisiana Fairytale"
Del McCoury – "After You've Gone"
Ani DiFranco – "Freight Train"
Pete Seeger & Tao Rodriguez-Seeger – "Blue Skies (Comin My Way)"
Jason Isbell – "Nobody Knows You"
Brandi Carlile – "Old Rugged Cross"
Richie Havens – "Trouble in Mind"
Merle Haggard – "Basin Street Blues"
Blind Boys of Alabama – "There is a Light"
Dr. John – "Winin' Boy"
Louis Armstrong – "Rockin' Chair"
Amy LaVere – "Baby Won't You Please Come Home"
Steve Earle – "Tain't Nobody's Business"
Cory Chisel – "Some Cold Rainy Day"
Buddy Miller – "I Ain't Got Nobody"
Angelique Kidjo with Terence Blanchard – "La Vie En Rose"

New Joan Armatrading Album!!

I'm quite giddy about this one... I've talked before how I have certain artists that I'll always be interested in, despite popular opinion. Joan Armatrading is one of those artists. In fact, she may be one of the premiere artists at that level, because not only do pay attention to every release, but I actually get excited about every one of them. The last Joan Armatrading record was a blues album (New Joan Armatrading Tracks & Video), which was fairly enjoyable, but not quite as good as her 2003 Lover's Speak album. I have high hopes for this one... you can preview it here.

The long awaited new CD from Joan will be released on the 8th of March 2010 in Europe. USA release dates is the 30th of March 2010. The title of the CD is: THIS CHARMING LIFE.

Track Listings

1. This Charming Life
2. Love love Love
3. People Who Win
4. Two Tears
5. Heading Back To New York city
6. Goddess Of Change
7. Diamond
8. Promises
9. Virtual Reality
10. Best Dress On
11. Cry
    

Go Afternoon Naps!

Congrats on your AllMusic Blog Review.

Afternoon Naps - Parade
November 12th, 2009 | 5:30 pm est | Tim Sendra

Cleveland, Ohio may not seem like a hotspot for indie pop but thanks to Afternoon Naps, the city is home to one of the best indie pop bands anywhere in 2009. Parade, their debut album for indie pop stalwart Happy Happy Birthday to Me, is a short, sweet confection made from a recipe of classic pop sounds from the past, able songwriting and breezy performances. The ten songs that make up the album hit the sweet spot between tightly arranged pop from the Brian Wilson school, the loose-limbed jangle of the Postcard Records crew, the sunny harmonies and chords of any number of 1960’s sunshine bands and the lo-fi, high energy patchwork of the Elephant 6 collective. Throw in some Felt, a touch of Smiths, then add the ability to take all these influences and turn them into something fresh, and that’s a pretty nice trick

[From The Allmusic Blog » Afternoon Naps - Parade]

http://www.myspace.com/afternoonnapsband

Melissa

Everyone has one (or several) of those artists... Someone who you continue to follow even though you'd never recommend their new album to a friend. But for some reason you still keep tabs on them, whether it's be because you were listening to them during a transitional time in your life, or you're just a completionist and try to have everything from a particular artist. Or maybe I'm just telling my own story and you can't relate at all. Whatever. I'm still glad to see that Melissa Etheridge is going to be giving up on writing popular material. She's been such a SNOOZEFEST this past decade. Her early stuff was great, and I think that's what kept me following her all these years (and other reasons stated above). :-)

Melissa Etheridge Returns to “Slamming” Rock on March LP “Fearless Love”

Melissa Etheridge had a simple message when she met with producer John Shanks to discuss her next album. “I told him that I wanted to make a record that’s a hundred miles an hour all the time — unabashedly drawing from my all of my influences,” she says. “What we’ve done rocks harder than I’ve rocked in years. There’s a couple of ballads on it, but the majority of it is just really slamming.” The disc — Fearless Love — is due in March, with the debut single (also called “Fearless Love”) coming out in January.

Shanks, who has worked with everybody from Ashlee Simpson to Bon Jovi, began his career as Etheridge’s guitar player more than 20 years ago. “He likes to say I discovered him at [L.A. punk club] Madam Wong’s,” says Etheridge. “That’s where I first heard him play.” On Fearless Love, Etheridge says she is no longer trying to write pop hits for the radio. “I can’t play that game anymore,” she says. “You can’t win because if you sound like you are trying to write a pop song nobody likes you.”

[From Melissa Etheridge Returns to “Slamming” Rock on March LP “Fearless Love” : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily]

Martha Wainwright Covers Edith Piaf

I haven't spent much time with Martha Wainwright since her first album, but that's nothing on her. I think she's a phenomenal artist, and if I would trust anyone to pull off Edith Piaf, it would be her. (No US release date?)

Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, A Paris

Martha Wainwright's Piaf Record

UK, Ireland, Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia -- NOVEMBER 9th
Australia -- NOVEMBER 13th
Canada -- SPRING 2010

Martha Wainwright stamps her je ne sais quoi on a beautiful selection of rare and acclaimed Edith Piaf songs, passionately sung and romantically interpreted by Martha on her stunning album 'Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, A Paris. Martha Wainwright's Piaf Record' out November 9th.

The album was recorded over three intimate performances in New York's Dixon Place Theatre in June. Produced by Hal Willner, Martha Wainwright assembled a unique band of musicians including long-time collaborator Brad Albetta, who produced Martha's first two albums, pianist Thomas Bartlett and electric guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Doug Wieselman to capture the French chanteuse's venerable catalogue, beautifully coupled with Martha's incredible, evocative and characterful voice.

Cautious of avoiding the cliche of looking sad, pretending to be drunk with a glass of absinthe on the table, Martha creates tension and urgency on this charming 12-track record - delivered with paralleled emotion conveying Edith Piaf's mystical vulnerability. Highlights include 'Adieu Mon Coeur', 'Vieux Piano', 'Une Enfant' and a transfixing version of 'Le Foule'.

Growing up in Montreal and speaking French at school, Martha was totally influenced and captivated by Piaf as a child, having listened to her music since the age of eight. "There are certain things about her that I have always been influenced by," says Martha. "The emotive sensibility of her voice. She's an incredibly emotional singer and I've always been an incredibly emotional singer and pained singer."

Full Album Streams... (Avett Brothers, Sea Wolf, etc.)

NPR is streaming the full Avett Brothers album "I and Love and You" before next week's release date...

Full Album on NPR Now + The Good News is Here!
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009, 11:41 am

NPR Music Full Album Stream
Our friends at NPR have been by our side through this entire release, and starting today... are teaming up with us again in a big way.

NPR music will be host to an exclusive first listen of I and Love and You now through September 29th!

This means, starting today you can hear our new album,in it's entirety, right here!

Thanks NPR for all the support on this album...
And thanks to all of you for the love and support from the start!

[From Full Album on NPR Now + The Good News is Here! | The Official Avett Brothers Site]

Spinner also has a nice little carousel of full albums available for listening. I'd recommend checking out the new Sea Wolf, The Hidden Cameras, and the new Le Loup albums.

New Moon Soundtrack Lineup - Seriously?

Wow. Whadda lineup...

And I couldn't help but add in this cheesy fan photo I found. ;-)

Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Thom Yorke, Lykke Li and BRMC All Make "New Moon" Soundtrack

Despite promises that the soundtrack listing would be revealed on Friday, the artists and tracklisting for the much anticipated "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" were finally unveiled on Monday via MySpace. Although contributions from Thom Yorke and Death Cab For Cutie had been mentioned by director Chris Weitz ages ago - Death Cab's "Meet Me On The Equinox" is the first single - it was not known that Yorke would be contributing an entirely new song for the soundtrack, called "Hearing Damage." It had been speculated by fans that one of the many singles Yorke been releasing of late; including Radiohead's "These Are My Twisted Words," might make the cut.

Other artists on board include Grizzly Bear, Lykke Li, Atlantic recording artist Anya Marina, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Killers, Editors and most intriguing, a duet between Bon Iver and St. Vincent (aka Justin Vernon and Annie Clark). Hyperbolic UK rockers Muse also return as the only band to be on board both the "Twilight" and "New Moon" soundtracks.

The soundtrack, which drops on October 20, is available for pre-order via Amazon. And the vampire flick itself, starring the gothically pale Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stuart, opens on November 20th

The Twilight Saga: New Moon tracklisting:

1. Death Cab For Cutie – Meet Me On The Equinox
2. Band Of Skulls – Friends
3. Thom Yorke- Hering Damage
4. Lykke Li – Possibility
5. The Killers - A White Demon Love Song
6. Anya Marina – Satellite Heart
7. Muse - I Belong To You (New Moon Remix)
8. Bon Iver and St. Vincent – Rosyln
9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Done All Wrong
10. Hurricane Bells – Monsters
11. Sea Wolf – The Violet Hour
12. Ok Go- Shooting The Moon
13. Grizzly Bear - Slow Life
14. Editors – No Sound But The Wind
15. Alexandre Desplat – New Moon (The Meadow)

[From The Alternate Side | Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Thom Yorke, Lykke Li and BRMC All Make “New Moon” Soundtrack]

Pursuit of Happiness

Great song. Great performance... Anxiously waiting for the Deluxe CD/DVD version of Kid Cudi's new album to hit my mailbox.

Kid Cudi's New Album Cover and Artwork

Thanks to Melophobe for the update!! I might even have to pre-order the deluxe version. I wonder if Music Saves is going to carry it...

kid cudi’s new album cover and tracklist

If you don’t know Kid Cudi, get familiar. The arguable king of the new generation of hipster rap is going to drop Man On The Moon: The End Of Day on Sept. 15th and that means cool grooves and headnods for all. As well as collaborations with MGMT and Ratatat. So baste your brain with a little bit of visual gravy and check out the album cover and track list for his new disc.

Tracklist:
ACT 1 - THE END OF DAY
1. In My Dreams (Cudder Anthem)
2. Soundtrack 2 My life
3. Simple As…

ACT 2 - RISE OF THE NIGHT TERRORS
4. Solo Dolo (nightmare)
5. Heart of a Lion (KiD CuDi Theme Music)
6. My World Feat. Billy Cravens

ACT 3 - TAKING A TRIP
7. Day N Nite (nightmare)
8. Sky Might Fall
9. Enter Galactic (Love Connection Part 1)

ACT 4 - STUCK
10. Alive (nightmare) Feat. RATATAT
11. CiDi Zone
12. Make Her Say Feat. Kanye West & Common
13. Pursuit of Happiness (nightmare) Feat. MGMT & RATATAT

ACT 5 - A NEW BEGINNING
14. Hyyerr Feat. Chip Tha Ripper
15. Up Up & Away (The Wake & Bake Song)

[From melophobe | Kid Cudi’s New Album Cover and Tracklist]

Matisyahu - One Day Video, NPR Article & Full Album Stream

Just ran across this new stuff from Matisyahu. His new album, out yesterday, had caught me by surprise... not because I was looking for it and missed it, but because I've ran across multiple (and strategic) mentions about it.
It started off with a co-worker telling about this piece on NPR this morning. Then I ran across a full stream of his new album, then ending up seeing his video, which I posted below. All good stuff.

New Flashy Python Album (Alec Ounsworth from CHYSY)

Filling the void from where Clap Your Hands Say Yeah has left off... This Flashy Python album is good stuff, but then I'm kind of a sucker for Alec Ounsworth voice. Looks like this is only available via the Flashy Python website. He offers even offers FLAC & Vinyl options - respectable.

Listen to Clap Your Hands Man Alec Ounsworth's Flashy Python Album

We already told you about Mo Beauty, the solo album that Alec Ounsworth, frontman of the on-hiatus Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, will release on Anti- on October 20. But when Pitchfork spoke with Ounsworth a couple of weeks ago, he told us that he'd also recorded another non-Clap Your Hands album, this one under the moniker Flashy Python. According to Ounsworth, the Flashy Python album is "more about me trying to erect some grand statement" compared to the album he recorded under his own name.

[From Pitchfork: Listen to Clap Your Hands Man Alec Ounsworth's Flashy Python Album]

Stream the new Dodo's "Time to Die"

So I guess the new Dodo's album leaked out on the internet, so they decided to stream the full album online here. They also posted a video explaining this, and they're obviously not crazy about it happening. Truthfully, I didn't realize it leaked until they told me! It sounds good though, check it out (however you like)

The Dodos stream new album online

The Dodos are streaming their forthcoming third album, 'Time To Die', in its entirety online for a week beginning today (July 14).

The San Francisco-based band are due to release the physical album on September 15 in the US and August 31 in the UK. It will be available digitally the week of July 27.

In the meantime, you can hear the Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, The Shins)-produced album here now.

Meanwhile, the band are in the midst of an extensive tour throughout the US, the UK and Europe, which will extend well into the autumn.

[From The Dodos stream new album online | News | NME.COM]

Download New Avett Brothers Song

In case you missed it, Spinner put up a track from the new Avett Brothers album, being released in September. Good stuff.

The Avett Brothers, 'I and Love and You' -- Free MP3 Download

They might be from North Carolina, but the Avett Brothers' new single finds them in a Brooklyn state of mind. 'I and Love and You,' the title track for their new album, is a piano ballad soaked in folk flavor, crying "Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in." Makes sense, since the song was inspired by a gig at Brooklyn's Galapagos. "It was the coolest place we'd ever been, and the furthest from home we'd ever been in every sense," Scott Avett tells Spinner. "So the Brooklyn chorus kind of embodies the rest of the lyrics."

Download 'I and Love and You' below, exclusively on Spinner.

Listen to 'I and Love and You'


Download: The Avett Brothers, 'I and Love and You' (MP3)

[From The Avett Brothers, 'I and Love and You' -- Free MP3 Download - Spinner]

New Gossip

The Gossip just released the video for their first single "Heavy Cross" from their new album Music for Men (out on Tuesday). Definitely polished and "glamed" up, but that's what you'd expect with a major label release and with Rick Rubin as a producer (U2, Weezer, Linkin Park, Justin Timberlake, etc.). I think this is going to be a phenomenal album.

Check out the album cover:

THE GOSSIP'S MUSIC FOR MEN ALBUM ART

When posting the Gossip's "Heavy Cross," we suggested the trio's Rick Rubin-produced fourth album Music For Men had its own heavy cross to bear, i.e. whether or not the Grammy man's slightly tweaked sound and the band's new Columbia label would push Beth Ditto & Co. further into the crossover section of the record store. It's too early to say, but it's not too early to note that the album art evokes KD Lang, Morrissey's Viva Hate, David Bowie, Johnny Cashy, Vanilla Ice, James Chance, and a million other iconic folks and pics with its cool b&w, splash of pink, and distant stare. That said, the band tells us the photo was inspired by the Germs. True?

Music For Men is out 6/22 via Columbia/Sony.

[From The Gossip's Music For Men Album Art - Album Art - Stereogum]