Should: 'Breathe Salt' Stream

After debuting to rave reviews under the moniker Shift, the band renames themselves Should and leaves Ausitn, TX for the east coast. It's a pity because their original place card stood for a cleaner more direct approach to shoegaze/post-rock, the name "Shift" made perfect sense to me. I wish I could offer this entire disc for free because there are so many gems on it. Originally released in 1995, "Breathe Salt" is a building, soaring, slow-burner that mixes the finest elements of Galaxie 500 and Slowdive. Buy the EP/collection A Folding Sieve over at Words-On-Music.

|||Should: "Breathe Salt" Stream|||

Other inner-nets

Fluxblog is offering a great track from Bell entitled "Magic Tape".

I Guess I'm Floating gives a pretty accurate rant about the state of bloggers promoting too much crappy music. Some other bloggers (HRO, Gvs.B) were implicated. Read the accompanying comment section over at the site and try not to laugh.

New Slayer over at P4K. Sounds okay, but a little too clean?

Stream the Andrew Weatherall-produced "Surf Solar" by Fuck Buttons at Stereogum. It's the first single from their forthcoming noise epic Tarot Sport.

More Sea Wolf news at So Much Silence.

Check out the new video for "Introducing Palace Players" by Mew at Spinner.

Guitar: 'Saltyme & Saltykisses' MP3

Haven't posted about Michael Lueckner's Guitar in quite some time. Tonevendor has been busy re-releasing most of his hard-to-find albums from this decade, and I finally got myself a copy of Saltykisses -- originally issued in 2005. The disc really varies compared to his older, more straightforward noise-pop; ranging from folk, minimal electronica and layered pop. This Swallow-meets-Robin Guthrie montage highlights four sweet chords that coat your ears for eight minutes. As usual, the song features vocalist Ayako Akashiba. I also love how the guitars create a separate rhythm, brilliant.

|||Guitar: "Saltyme & Saltykisses" MP3|||

Washed Out: 'Feel it All Around' MP3

On "Feel it All Around" from South Carolina's Ernest Greene, aka Washed Out, the somber tone of synths takes you to daybreak, like you've stumbled out of a club questioning the relevance of your night's activities. It's soothing yet depressing as Greene's voice somehow keeps the repetitive melody from sounding stale. Maybe I've heard a song just like this before, but then again, that familiarity is also what keeps me reaching for repeated listens.

|||Washed Out: "Feel it All Around" MP3|||

Division Day announce U.S. tour dates

L.A.'s Division Day has announced U.S. tour dates in support of their sophomore disc Visitation, coming August 18 on Dangerbird. The band will be joined by labelmates Bad Veins on most dates. This is off the subject a bit, but doesn't Kevin Lenhart share a striking resemblance to artist Jack Penate?

Stereogum premiered "Chalk Lines" yesterday, you can download the track for free. Also, get a remix of "Devil Light" over here.

Schedule:

8/8/09 – San Diego, CA @ Bar Pink/North Point Music Thing
9/2/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland ^
9/3/09 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar ^
9/4/09 – San Francisco, CA @ Café du Nord ^
9/5/09 – San Jose, CA @ Nickel City ^
9/8/09 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge ^
9/9/09 – Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern ^
9/10/09 – Missoula, MT @ Palace Billiards ^
9/12/09 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court ^
9/14/09 – Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge ^
9/15/09 – Chicago, IL @ Suberranean ^
9/16/09 – Columbus, OH @ Skully’s Music Diner ^
9/17/09 – Washington, DC @ DC9
9/18/09 – Allston, MA @ O’Brien’s Pub
9/19/09 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Bell House
9/20/09 – Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
9/24/09 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk

^ w/ Bad Veins

SOSMIX - 21

While I'm entering this post everyone and their Mom is watching Jarvis Cocker at The Wiltern.

|||Download: "SOSMIX - 21" ZIP|||

1. A Sunny Day in Glasgow: "Ashes Grammar/Ashes Maths"
2. Delorean: "Seasun"
3. Maribel: "Ecstatic"
4. Memory Cassette: "Surfin (Sail a Whale version)"
5. Nosaj Thing: "Heart Entire"
6. School of Seven Bells: "Connjur"
7. The Big Pink: "Dominos"
8. The Raveonettes: "In and Out of Control (demo)"
9. Washed Out: "Feel it All Around"
10. Yo La Tengo: "Here to Fall"

Other inner-nets

The complex and playful rock of Deerhoof makes its way to the Echoplex on Friday.

Stereogum premiered a brand new Division Day track entitled "Chalk Lines".

Add some much-needed Nosaj Thing into your life. A couple of solid downloads over at Passion of the Weiss.

According to a post today on Twitter, Sea Wolf will see its sophomore album drop September 22 on Dangerbird. U.S. tour dates to be announced soon!

If you have an iPhone then head over to Ghostly and get the best application for discovering a wealth of amazing electronica.

L.A. Record has live photos of The Pains rocking the Echo last week.

Sonic Youth added several California tour dates to its Facebook page.

A Sunny Day in Glasgow: 'Ashes Grammar/Ashes Maths' MP3

On the sweeping and dreamy "Ashes Grammar/Ashes Maths", the first glimpse from the Philadelphia-based group's forthcoming album Ashes Grammar, A Sunny Day in Glasgow continue to place melodic, cloud-like imagery at the forefront as vocals blend together endlessly. If there's one thing evident about this record it's that Ashes Grammar is less about experimentation and disorienting pop -- it moves forward with very few surprises. But the feel and warmth that characterized Scribble Mural Comic Journal is everywhere. It's all about layers, escape and connecting with sound.

|||A Sunny Day in Glasgow: "Ashes Grammar/Ashes Maths" MP3|||

Imaad Wasif signs to Tee Pee, 'The Voidist' coming this fall

Local artist Imaad Wasif has inked a deal with Tee Pee Records. The label will release the follow-up to last year's excellent Strange Hexes worldwide on October 13. The Voidist features collaborations with the familiar Two Part Beast (Bobb Bruno & Adam Garcia) along with additional guests Dale Crover (Melvins) and Greg Burns (Red Sparowes). You can also find Imaad, along with Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, "Little" Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs and Dead Weather, on the score for the eye-catching adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are in October. We'll have an MP3 for you very soon!

Details:


1. Redeemer
2. Priestess
3. Fangs
4. Widow Wing
5. Our Skulls
6. Return to You
7. The Hand of the Imposter
8. Daughter of Fire
9. Her Sorcery
10. Another
11. Razorlike

The Depreciation Guild plot North American tour

The last time The Depreciation Guild came into town I was barely able to help them out with a gig. Sometimes it can be unusually tough for a talented up and coming band to get a decent billing in this town, but after a video premiere for "Dream About Me" on Pitchfork TV and a stellar new 7" single I think things are going to change rapidly for these guys.

Fronted by guitarist/vocalist Kurt Feldman, who is also the drummer for The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, the group will set out on a massive tour this fall along with The Pains and critical darlings Cymbals Eat Guitars.

|||The Depreciation Guild: "Sky Ghosts" MP3|||


Schedule (all dates with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart & Cymbals Eat Guitars):

9/5: The Middle East - Boston, MA
9/6: La Salsa Rossa - Montreal, QC
9/7: Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON
9/8: Logan Square Auditorium - Chicago, IL
9/9: Orpheum Stage Door - Madison, WI
9/10: Slowdown - Omaha, NB
9/13: Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, UT
9/14: Neurolux - Boise, ID
9/17: Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
9/19: Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
9/21: Casbah - San Diego, CA
9/22: Club Congress - Tuscon, AZ
9/24: Lola’s Saloon - Fort Worth, TX
9/25: Mohawk - Austin, TX
9/26: One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA
9/27: Club Down Under - Tallahassee, FA
9/28: The Earl - Atlanta, GA
9/29: Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC
9/30: The Black Cat - Washington, DC
10/1: Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
10/5: First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, PA

Maribel: 'Ecstatic' MP3

Norway's Maribel specialize in the dissonant, feedback-driven rock perfected by fellow countrymen Serena-Maneesh. On their debut album Aesthetics the band create crushing tones of distorted guitars mixed with a glam-rock feel, gloriously evident on "Ecstatic". Dive into the track below.

|||Maribel: "Ecstatic" MP3|||

Buy Aesthetics over at Tonevendor.

Vagrant to re-release School of Seven Bells' 'Alpinisms'

When I think of a label like Vagrant the words dream-pop and shoegaze don't come to mind. School of Seven Bells' Alpinisms is being re-released on October 21 by the label. A massive fall tour has also been mapped out to coincide with the release, which includes stops at Austin City Limits and right here in L.A. at the Troubadour.

|||School of Seven Bells: "Connjur" MP3|||

Schedule:

8.07 Tokyo, JP @ Summer Sonic Festival
8.08 Mashima, JP @ Summer Sonic Festival
8.14 New York, NY @ Seaport Music Festival
8.28 Paris, FR @ Rock en Seine Festival
9.25 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
9.26 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
9.27 Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
9.28 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
9.29 Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
10.01 Austin, TX, @ Emo's
10.02 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
10.04 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
10.05 Los Angeles, CA, @ Troubadour
10.06 San Francisco, CA, @ Slim's
10.08 Portland, OR, @ Doug Fir Lounge
10.09 Vancouver, BC, @ Biltmore Cabaret
10.10 Seattle, WA, @ Neumos
10.13 Minneapolis, MN, @ 7th Street Entry
10.14 Chicago, IL, @ Empty Bottle
10.15 Toronto, ON, @ Lee's Palace
10.16 Northampton, MA, @ Pearl Street Nightclub
10.17 Boston, MA, @ Paradise
10.23 New York, NY, @ CMJ Music Marathon (Webster Hall)

Fuck Buttons return with 'Tarot Sport'

Noise enthusiasts rejoice, Fuck Buttons return with Tarot Sport on October 12 via ATP Recordings. The album will be preceded by the single "Surf Solar" on September 14, just got a whiff of it this morning and it's smoother and almost techno-ish, that is until the wall of noise kicks down the door.

The album was produced by Andrew Weatherall, and there's definitely a lot of his style immersed on "Surf Solar". We'll post new music from Fuck Buttons the minute we get it.

Schedule:

9/17 – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
9/18 – Sheffield, The Corporation
9/19 – Oxford, The Cellar
9/20 – Manchester, Deaf Institute
9/21 – Nottingham, Bodega
9/22 – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
9/23 – Newcastle, The Other Room
9/24 – Glasgow, Stereo
9/25 – Lancaster, The Storey
9/26 – Bristol, Colston Hall (as part of Geoff Barrow’s Invada Invasion event)
9/27 – Brighton, Audio
10/27 – London, Heaven

Serena Maneesh, Yo La Tengo and more added to ATP's 'Nightmare Before Christmas'

The My Bloody Valentine-curated All Tomorrow's Parties event Nightmare Before Christmas has announced the recent additions of the amazing Serena Maneesh, Yo La Tengo, Primal Scream and Brightblack Morning Light. I don't know what else to say at this point...check out the full lineup below.

The festival takes place December 4-6 at Butlins, Minehead (UK).

Lineup:

My Bloody Valentine
Sonic Youth
De La Soul
E.P.M.D.
Sun Ra Arkestra
Primal Scream
Yo La Tengo
The Horrors
J Mascis and The Fog
Bob Mould
Swervedriver
Dirty Three
Buzzcocks
Fucked Up
Spectrum
Witch
Brightblack Morning Light
Serena Maneesh
Le Volume Courbe
The Wounded Knees
The Pastels
Lilys
A Place To Bury Strangers

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks playing Echoplex on Saturday

I've never been to the Echoplex when it's at capacity, but Saturday's Stephen Malkmus performance might be a close one. In the 90's, Pavement were like the Twilight of indie rock, only Malkmus writes a better script and has way cooler hair. Doors have been moved up to 8PM (whew) -- opening acts are The Fresh & Onlys and Red Cortez.

SOSMIX: Best of 2009 (O-Z)

Round 2.

|||SOSMIX: "Best of 2009 (O-Z)" ZIP|||

1. Polvo: "Beggars Bowl"
2. Praveen & Benoit: "Embers (Machinedrum remix)"
3. Spanish Prisoners: "Los Angeles Guitar Dream"
4. Spoon: "Got Nuffin"
5. The Big Pink: "Velvet"
6. The Field: "The More That I Do (Foals remix)"
7. The Horrors: "Sea Within a Sea"
8. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: "Young Adult Friction"
9. The Radio Dept.: "David"
10. The Sight Below: "Dour"
11. The Twilight Sad: "Reflection of the Television"
12. Toma: "This Day"
13. Tremblexy: "Panther"
14. VOICEsVOICEs: "Tape Noon"
15. ZAZA: "Always On"

Other inner-nets

I really regret missing Micachu & the Shapes the other night. There's just not enough of me to go around. Check out Amateur Chemist via Stereogum for photos/review.

L.A. bands take note: If you get yourself fixed-up with a great label that consistently spends ad dollars on Pitchfork then you're more likely to get a review above 5.5. But seriously, the new Foreign Born record is pretty solid.

Listen to a new Yo La Tengo track entitled "Here to Fall" over at Aquarium Drunkard.

Another new Flaming Lips song. Sample "Silver Trembling Hands" via I Guess I'm Floating.

The Raveonettes have three free new demos, and they all sound great.

Brad Laner: 'Crawl Back In' Video

I haven't heard any of Brad Laner's forthcoming disc for Home Tapes yet, but after browsing through his Tumbler site I came upon a video (created by brother Josh) that unveiled a new song. "Crawl Back In" features the most acoustic guitar I've ever heard on a Laner-related release, and it sounds really, really good -- kind of a summery backyard feel complete with distorted guitar and rich harmonies. The video below is just as easy to get lost in too. Watch the images glow and twist and you'll see what I mean.

According to Insound, Brad Laner's Natural Selections drops August 18.

Brad Laner: "Crawl Back In"- Directed by Josh Laner:



If you haven't heard Medicine's The Buried Life yet then shame on you. If you have then we've got a hell of a lot more in common.

Unreleased My Bloody Valentine songs!

I wouldn't mess with you on the topic of My Bloody Valentine. The Walrus, a blog I've never heard of until today, is hosting three unreleased MBV tracks, and that's pretty ballsy.

"Kevin's Song", "Belinda's Song" and "Cowboy" sound straight out of the Glider sessions, or possibly Loveless tracks that didn't quite live up to other material. "Belinda's Song" is pretty awesome.

Listen to the songs HERE!

Update: There's another one called "Good For You" over at The Blackened Lair.

SOSMIX: Best of 2009 (A-N)

This is exactly what it looks like, a great mix featuring some of the year's best music. The second installment will be available Thursday. Enjoy.

|||SOSMIX: "Best of 2009 (A-N)" ZIP|||

1. Atlas Sound: "Walkabout (feat. Noah Lennox)"
2. Aushua: "Tuck (How it Feels Away)"
3. Bibio: "Ambivalence Avenue"
4. Camera Obscura: "French Navy"
5. Charles Trees: "It's The..."
6. Circulatory System: "Overjoyed"
7. Frankel: "Weather Balloon"
8. Grizzly Bear: "Cheerleader"
9. Kate Simko: "Dublake"
10. Kyle Bobby Dunn: Baltic Sea Kisses "(Viul Winter remix)"
11. Lotus Plaza: "A Threaded Needed"
12. Micachu & the Shapes: "Wrong"
13. Nadja: "Only Shallow (MBV cover)"
14. National Skyline: "Revenge"
15. Nosaj Thing: "Coat of Arms"

Tremblexy: 'Pasture' MP3

Fans of Can, The United States of America and Broadcast now have a new vehicle to test drive: Los Angeles-based Tremblexy. The songs found on the duo's web page are icy, dense and sound like they were unearthed from a dusty analog tape circa 1968, and best of all, they're all free. As derivative as some of this material sounds the music is really sexy and futuristic, which is what I'd love to see more of in Los Angeles.

|||Tremblexy: "Pasture" MP3|||

A Place To Bury Strangers return with 'Exploding Head', add North American tour dates

A Place to Bury Strangers, one of the noisiest bands on the planet, return Oct. 6 with Exploding Head via Mute Records (irony). A tour has also been mapped out and will feature support from the highly underrated Darker My Love and the epic rock of a band I wished I hadn't missed during SXSW, All the Saints. The tracklisting and tour dates are listed below.



Exploding Head Tracklist:

1. It Is Nothing
2. In Your Heart
3. Lost Feeling
4. Deadbeat
5. Keep Slipping Away
6. Ego Death
7. Smile When You Smile
8. Everything Always Goes Wrong
9. Exploding Head
10. I Live My Life To Stand In The Shadow Of Your Heart

Schedule:

7/18/09 Coney Island, NY @ Siren Festival
10/4/09 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's^
10/5/09 Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel^
10/6/09 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506^
10/7/09 Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn^
10/8/09 Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder^
10/9/09 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks^
10/10/09 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada^
10/11/09 Austin, TX @ The Mohawk^
10/13/09 Tucson, AZ @ Plush^
10/15/09 San Diego, CA @ Casbah^
10/16/09 Los Angeles, CA @ Echo^
10/17/09 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent*
10/18/09 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge*
10/19/09 Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Café*
10/20/09 Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret*
10/22/09 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge*
10/23/09 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge*
10/25/09 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird*
10/26/09 Chicago, IL @ Double Door&
10/27/09 Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club&
10/28/09 Montreal, QC @ Il Motore&
10/29/09 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom&
10/30/09 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs&

^ with Darker My Love & All the Saints
& with Dead Confederate & All the Saints
* with All the Saints

The Flaming Lips: 'Convinced of the Hex' Stream

I've always been convinced that the best Flaming Lips material was created during guitarist Ronald Jones' tenure with the group. The band relied heavily on his wacky melodic, tone-bending sustain freak-outs -- accentuating their persona as a crew influenced by classic rock and drugs. But Jones never cared for drugs, he was interested in exploring music like an astronaut explores space. And while a majority of critics and fans will offer their own explanations about why The Soft Bulletin is the band's greatest achievement, I will always disagree.

There's no doubt that The Soft Bulletin is an amazing feat, especially because Jones had just left the band -- allowing them to shift stylistically. But everything Wayne Coyne and his bros have released after that record is nowhere as fucked up, disjointed, or sonically exciting as albums like Clouds Taste Metallic or the raw power of Transmissions From the Satellite Heart. Take this new song from the band's MySpace page entitled "Convinced of the Hex". This is a brand new album cut from the forthcoming Embrionic. Have a listen and let me know what you think. Personally, I still miss Ronald Jones.

|||The Flaming Lips: "Convinced of the Hex" Stream|||

SOS: Update

Lala now requires that everyone sign up and create an account before streaming any content, if this has been the case in previous weeks then I apologize. We're going to get rid of the embedded players altogether because I think it's completely ridiculous to force any user to sign up before streaming content. I removed the player to your right and updated the stream for the new Engineers track in the previous post. Thanks.

Engineers: 'Three Fact Fader' Stream

I was a bit harsh in my last Engineers post, but I finally got my hands on the band's sophomore album and I'm starting to feel pretty siked...and maybe a little guilty. Three Fact Fader is an electronic-dream-pop record full of syrupy drones and delicious guitar washes (think Catherine Wheel meets Spiritualized). The pre-release buzz offered a free MP3 of the album track "Clean-Coloured Wire", but that song is nothing compared to the rest of the material.

If you don't connect with the title track "Three Fact Fader" then don't even bother buying the album, which you can, and should, do right here. The disc was co-produced by the group and Ken Thomas, who has worked with stellar acts like M83, Sigur Rós and Maps. Have a listen:

|||Engineers: "Three Fact Fader" Stream|||

Other inner-nets

Aquarium Drunkard is presenting Steven Malkmus & the Jicks this Saturday, July 25 at Echoplex. Tickets are actually still available.

Cafebabel.com has an interview with WARP Records co-founder Steve Beckett.

Mariachi El Bronx is having its debut album released on September 1, and they killed it at Chavolot Quincenera this weekend. Apparently, the event will continue each month through fall.

Clark's highly anticipated album Totems Flare gets a mild review over at Pitchfork.

Check out a cool promotional tool for Bibio's Ambivalence Avenue. You get to build your own digital tree.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart/Girls @ The Echo

A quick plug for a great bill tomorrow evening at the Echo. I've dedicated many posts to both Brooklyn's The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and San Francisco's Girls, but getting to see both of them live on the same bill is a real treat. I highly recommend getting there early for tickets, this will sell out.

|||The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: "Young Adult Friction" MP3|||

|||Girls: "Solitude" MP3|||

Broadcast announce North American tour dates with Atlas Sound

Die-hard Broadcast fans know how mysterious the band is. During a typical release cycle the group will release info regarding a brand new EP, then the album and finally a U.S./European tour -- all of this within a month from the actual release date. After the rush of press and excitement over their new material it suddenly ends in a flash, and Broadcast quietly disappear for about three years. No news or updates whatsoever.

Broadcast has just released North American tour dates with Atlas Sound, and you can bet your paycheck that I'll be posting more news regarding album #4 in the near future. 2009 just got more awesome.

Schedule:

10/15: Atlanta, GA - The Earl - with Atlas Sound
10/16: Chapel Hill, NC - with Atlas Sound (venue TBA)
10/17: Washington, DC - Black Cat - with Atlas Sound
10/18: Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church - with Atlas Sound
10/21: New York City, NY - with Atlas Sound (venue TBA)
10/22: Boston, MA - with Atlas Sound (venue TBA)
10/23: Montreal, QC - Le National - with Atlas Sound
10/24: Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace - with Atlas Sound
10/26: Chicago, IL - The Bottom Lounge - with Atlas Sound
10/27: Northfield, MN - with Atlas Sound (venue TBA)
10/31: Seattle, WA - The Vera Project - with Atlas Sound
11/3: San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall - with Atlas Sound
11/7: Austin, TX - Waterloo Park/Fun Fun Fun Fest

Soon to be confirmed:

Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour
Columbus, OH - Wexner Center
Denton, TX - Hailey's Club

Square on Square: 'Black Holes' Stream

Everyone's got their own testimonial regarding a talented band about to break out into the open only to have their label totally fuck it up. This is what happened not too long ago with Evan Slamka and his amazing group Marjorie Faire. If you were fortunate enough to catch any of their shows you know they were special; songs that were intricate with swirling guitars and outstanding vocal melodies.

Evan Slamka's got a new band called Square on Square, and it picks up right where Marjorie Faire left off. Most of the same influences come to mind: Slowdive, Red House Painters, Wilco, and I also hear some Eagles. I swear that's a compliment.

Check out the warm, swooning haze of "Black Holes" below and keep your eyes peeled for some upcoming gigs in the future. More details regarding a debut full-length as we get them.

|||Square on Square: "Black Holes" Stream|||

Atlas Sound: 'Walkabout (feat. Noah Lennox)' MP3

Bradford Cox's Atlas Sound vehicle gets a sexy rubdown of sun tan lotion (SPF 100) on this shimmering new track featuring Animal Collective/Panda Bear maestro Noah Lennox. It beams with sparkled samples and intoxicating harmonies. A nice treat for Friday.

Kranky will drop Logos, the sophomore effort from Atlas Sound, on October 20.

|||Atlas Sound: "Walkabout (feat. Noah Lennox)" MP3|||

Other inner-nets

Get the Hellhole Ratrace 10" from Girls for free over at True Panther. The band play Monday night at the Echo with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Can't wait to get rocked by "Morning Light".

Dates have been released for SXSW 2010. Still feel like I'm recovering from 2009.

Looks like Sunset Junction is happening. Saturday seems like the better day for local acts.

This week's Buddyhead gossip is some funny shit.

Want to hear a 12-minute "conversation" that includes the long lost ex-Smashing Pumpkin D'Arcy Wretzky? This is the sound of years of drug abuse.

The Flaming Lips are playing the Fox Theater in Pomona, Grizzly Bear and Beach House team up at the Palladium and School of Seven Bells return to the Troubadour.(YSTS).

Swervedriver added to ATP's 'Nightmare Before Christmas'

It's already sick that My Bloody Valentine get to curate another All Tomorrow's Parties festival, this time for the annual Nightmare Before Christmas rock saga. But check out that lineup below! Next, comes some recent news that Swervedriver has been added to the list. You see, I'm not sure if the Swervies last reunion tour was a one-off or not, but if they are down to play special events like ATP then why not treat U.S. fans to another tour?

Lineup:

My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, De La Soul, E.P.M.D., Sun Ra Arkestra, The Horrors, Buzzcocks, Spectrum, Fucked Up, Le Volume Courbe, The Wounded Knees, The Pastels, J Mascis and The Fog, Lilys, A Place To Bury Strangers, Witch, Bob Mould, Swervedriver and Dirty Three.

TRS-80: 'Tinted' Video

After stumbling around Eric Fensler's web page, he just did the clip for Cass McComb's beautiful single "You Saved My Life", I found this video from his musical project TRS-80. He and main musician Jay Rajeck have several releases and limited vinyl pressings out, which I knew nothing about until last night. The duo's music is a darker, edgier take on Gary Numan...or the lost soundtrack to the killer Miami Vice themes? Check out this video for "Tinted". Seems like it's going to go in a completely different direction until just a few seconds after they start playing. The synths and simple drumming sounds really nice.

TRS-80: "Tinted" - Directed by Eric Fensler:

Daniel: 'Goodbye Silhouette' MP3

I'm not sure how you categorize this new Lazrus album from Detroit-based Daniel. It's got an R&B feel, vocally, yet the synths and melodies sound out of this world, warped and disconnected. If you're a fan of the first TV on the Radio EP, Junior Boys and Jamie Lidell then this is music you should be paying attention to.

Here's a track from the forthcoming disc entitled "Goodbye Silhouette". Lazrus drops July 21 on Moodgadget. I think people will be surprised by how hypnotic and approachable this album is.

|||Daniel: "Goodbye Silhouette" MP3|||

Other inner-nets

According to a recent post on Twitter, Sea Wolf has finished album #2 with Bright Eyes bro Mike Mogis and will play Spaceland on September 5. I missed these guys.

For all your live options and recommendations you should spend at least 20 minutes per week browsing You Set the Scene.

There's a new Cass McCombs video for "You Saved My Life" over at My Old Kentucky Blog. It was directed by Eric Fensler, who is responsible for all of those amazing G.I. Joe PSAs.

Amusement Parks on Fire will head out on a U.S. tour in September with The Psychedelic Furs and Happy Mondays.

Stereogum has a clip of Broken Social Scene performing a moving version of "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl", and much more.

Brad Laner is releasing his second solo album, Natural Selections, via HomeTapes on August 18 (according to Insound).

Brand new Languis: 'Swim' MP3

Ale Cohen returns with a fresh batch of Languis tunes on I'll See You Again Someday, out now via Igloo. The result is a diverse collection of ambient, post-rock and new-wave pop -- lots of territory is covered here. With the exception of the ethereal "Come Visit Me", every one of the thirteen tracks is an instrumental that provides pastoral imagery and serene sounds, each preserving its own personality and feel.

Songs like "Grace Under Pressure", "Beach" and "You Are In My Dreams" sooth the temporal lobes with pulsating synths, but there's also poppier numbers like the gritty Berlin-meets-New Order pop of "Swim" and a bouncy futurism on "Paper Weight" -- both are so ripe for vocals. One could call I'll See You Again Someday an exploratory record, but it's more of a take-out menu that showcases Cohen's range for creating mood and aural beauty.

|||Languis: "Swim" MP3|||

Japancakes: 'Behind the Mountains' Video

Most people I know, including myself, learned about Athens, Georgia natives Japancakes from their exceptional instrumental album covering My Bloody Valentine's Loveless. While many bands attempt to mimic the shoegaze legends with effect pedals, layers of noise and buried vocals, Japancakes offered a different take on the groundbreaking disc by recording with string arrangements, pedal steel and zero vocals. The harmonies shoot forth with crystal clear notes and warped tones created by humans not electronic gadgets, and the result is like modern-day muzak that still retains the dense beauty of their peers.

This is the first video I've come across from them, it's for the single "Behind the Mountains" due July 28. Looks nice too.

Japancakes: "Behind the Mountains" - Directed by Ryan Berg:

JEGA releases first new album in 9 years

This is the stuff dreams are made of. JEGA has produced two volumes of new laid back and experimental electronica that sounds like all of my favorite Warp and Moodgadget artists wrapped up into one. If you were ever curious about artists like Autechre, LFO or Mu-ziq then this will serve as your musical training wheels for the wonderful world of electronica. It's also JEGA's first new release in 9 years, take that Hope Sandoval!

Variance drops on July 20 (2xCD) on Planet Mu. I'll have a new MP3 for y'all very soon. Here's the artwork and track listing:


Vol.1:

1. SoulFlute
2. Anitphon
3. Moment
4. The Girl Who Fell to Earth
5. Sakura
6. Eva
7. Dreams
8. Aqueminae
9. Zenith

Vol. 2:

1. Tensor
2. Shibuya
3. Chromadynamic
4. Cascade Decoherence
5. Aerodynamic
6. Latinhypercube
7. Kyoto
8. Hydrodynamic
9. Reprise

The Clientele: 'I Wonder Who We Are' MP3

The Clientele get jangly and tickle your brain with pianos, trumpets and classical guitar melodies on this brand new track from the forthcoming Bonfires on the Heath. I generally like the quartet when they're smokey, dense pop feels sad and lonesome, but I'm digging this upbeat Smiths-influenced track.

|||The Clientele: "I Wonder Who We Are" MP3|||

Here's the awesome artwork and track listing for Bonfires on the Heath:


1. I Wonder Who We Are
2. Bonfires on the Heath
3. Harvest Time
4. Never Anyone But You
5. Jennifer & Julia
6. Sketch
7. Tonight
8. Share the Night
9. I Know I'll See Your Face
10. Never Saw Them Before
11. Graven Wood
12. Walking In The Park

Engineers: 'Clean Coloured Wire' Video

Apparently, this is a "promo" clip of U.K. shoegazers Engineers. I hate to say it, but if this is the best "promo" their label can come up with then I'm afraid the band's new album Three Fact Fader will be as ghostly as everything else they've attempted to accomplish here in the U.S.

Let's face it. No one in this country has a clue about who or what Engineers is about or how great their music is, which is why it's sad to see their current label completely drop the ball with PR, digital marketing and viral marketing of the band's latest release. After promises of promo CDs and media I had to track down Three Fact Fader's pulsating, electronic dream-pop goodness myself. Seriously guys, who needs a fucking label anymore?

Engineers - Clean Coloured Wire (from Three Fact Fader) from Kscope on Vimeo.

New Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions: 'Blanchard' MP3

What's it been like 8 years? Hope Sandoval is set to release her long-awaited album Through the Devil Softly on September 15 via Nettwerk. We don't have a track listing yet but the full-length will feature 11 songs and was recorded in Northern California and in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland with My Bloody Valentine drummer Colm O'Ciosoig.

Here's the first glimpse from Through the Devil Softly, the track is entitled "Blanchard" -- a gentle acoustic-filled dream. A North American tour is slated for fall.

|||Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions: "Blanchard" MP3|||

Deerhunter coming to Detroit Bar

A short post, but an important one. Deerhunter is coming to Costa Mesa's Detroit Bar on August 27. The band are cruising through town on their way to rock the 25th annual Street Scene Festival in classy San Diego, which has a pretty strong lineup too.

Aushua: 'Tuck (How it Feels Away)' MP3

Aushua follow-up their stellar No Harm Done EP with a brand new collection of six tracks beaming with atmosphere and expansive instrumentation. "Tuck (How it Feels Away)" is one of the many bright moments and feels like a band exploring more space and melody (which I think they've always been consistent at). In past reviews I compared the Orange County quartet to bands like Doves, The Stills and locals Foreign Born. After a few listens to the the new Limbo EP I hear classic Verve.

Aushua is heading out on a massive tour of the U.S., starting with a show this Saturday, July 11 at the beloved Detroit Bar. Check out all of the dates here.

|||Aushua: "Tuck (How it Feels Away)" MP3|||



Limbo:

1. A Confession
2. Tuck (How it Feels Away)
3. Limbo
4. God In Search of Man
5. What's It Worth
6. Hiding Place

Other inner-nets

Nine Inch Nails have announced their final tour, for real. Trent Reznor and the boys have released dates with openers Mew and The Horrors in much smaller venues, more details at Billboard.

If you read local blogs I guarantee you'll find Frankel's new album Anonymity is the New Fame on many 'best of 2009' lists to come. Here's a solid review from Buzz Bands.

It turns out that Dum Dum Girls' "Dee Dee" is actually Kristin Gundred from San Diego's Grand Ole Party (Brooklyn Vegan).

Autolux has just announced a full-on U.S. tour. Check out the dates here.

Grizzly Bear + Lil' Wayne mash-up of "Two Weeks" over at I Guess I'm Floating.

Gorilla vs. Bear revealed his favorite albums, EPs and singles of the first half of '09, and so did You Set the Scene.

The Twilight Sad: 'I Became a Prostitute' Video

Please don't get salty over the continued coverage of Glasgow's The Twilight Sad, they're worth it. I've only been exposed to a couple of new tracks from Forget the Night Ahead and they're brilliant, a real progression from their debut. The material is also gloomier, much like this track will reveal, and shows how moving a singer like James Graham can be amongst an ocean of guitars. I love this band.

This video might be NSFW for some you out there.

The Twilight Sad - "I Became a Prostitute":

Frightened Rabbit & The Twilight Sad hitting North America

Two of Scotland's finest bands are tag-teaming America this fall. Both Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad are stellar in a live setting, even if they are playing Hollywood's most inconvenient venue the Knitting Factory. But there will be no hesitation or excuses on my part to make my way west. Time to start sifting through my coin jar for the parking fee and overpriced brews.

As we mentioned previously, The Twilight Sad are gearing up for the release of its sophomore album Forget the Night Ahead (9/22 via Fat Cat).

Schedule:

9/14: Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
9/15: Boise, ID - Neurolux
9/16: Seattle, WA - Neumo's
9/17: Portland, OR - Dante's
9/18: San Francisco, CA - The Independent
9/20: Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory
9/22: Tucson, AZ - Plush
9/24: Austin, TX - Mohawk
9/26: Birmingham, AL - Bottletree
9/27: Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
9/28: Tallahassee, FL. - Club Downunder
9/29: Orlando, FL - The Social

Favorite Albums of 2009 (January - July)

I've mentioned this before to many friends and a few fellow musicians: The first half of 2009 has been the slowest and most sparse year for album releases that I can remember. I know the economy has played a big role with labels singing, and taking chances, on new bands, but isn't the best art created when your back is against the wall? You can't pay rent, life sucks, you're miserable and emotionally drained...what else is left? Art.

Here are my favorite releases of the year so far:

1. Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue


2. Doves - Kingdom of Rust


3. Sonic Youth - The Eternal


4. The Sight Below - Glider (actually a 2008 release)


5. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest


6. National Skyline - Bliss & Death


7. Clark - Growls Garden EP


8. Dinosaur Jr. - Farm


9. Lotus Plaza - The Floodlight Collective


10. VOICEsVOICEs - Sounds Outside EP


11. Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years


12. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart


13. Thee Oh Sees - Help


14. The Drones - Havilah


15. Frankel - Anonymity is the New Fame


16. Kate Simko - Music From the Atom Smashers


17. Nadja - When I See the Sun Always Shines on TV


18. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career


19. Seeland - Tomorrow Today


20. Mux Mool - Just Sayin is All EP



A list of albums I'm looking forward to in the second half of 2009:

A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Ashes Grammar (9/15)
AIR - Love 2 (10/6)
Brad Laner - Natural Selctions (8/18)
Cass McCombs - Catacombs (7/7)
Circulatory System - Signal Morning (9/8)
Clark - Totems Flare (7/21)
The Clientele - Bonfires on the Heath (10/6)
Farmer Dave Scher - Flash Forward to the Good Times (8/18)
Girls - Album (9/22)
Maps - Turning the Mind (10/20)
Mew - No More Stories... (8/25)
Polvo - In Prism (9/8)
The Twilight Sad - Forget the Night Ahead (9/22)
Yo La Lengo - Popular Songs (9/8)

Dum Dum Girls: 'Hey Sis (Live)' Video

Gorilla vs. Bear recently posted this live clip of Dum Dum Girls playing "Hey Sis" at the Woodsist/Captured Tracks Festival in Brooklyn, New York. It's also the very first gig the band has ever played and features some guest musicians. Maybe now they'll book a show here in L.A. and actually play it, but then again I still have no idea if Dum Dum Girls exist as anything more than a recording project.

Clark: 'Totems Flare Sampler - Parts 1 & 2' MP3

Fuck Yes. Not only am I super excited about Chris Clark delivering another solid album in a year's time, but there's a couple of album samplers over at WARP. Clark's forthcoming album Totems Flare drops July 14 in the U.S. -- should be an extravaganza of modern electronica and futurism.

|||Clark: "Totems Flare Sampler - Parts 1 & 2" MP3|||

Other inner-nets

It's been a year and a half since the last Midnight Movies update. Wish these guys would start playing again.

There's a brand new Girls track/download called "Solitude" over at Gorilla vs. Bear. Their debut album drops September 22 on True Panther/Matador.

Cinemax is debuting the new Dead Weather video for "Treat Me Like Your Mother" (Idolator). Morrissey would be jealous of that song title.

Is Sunset Junction even gonna happen? All signs point to...probably (LAist).

Best blog on the internet for electronic-house-ambient-techno: Keytars & Violins.

Exclaim.ca is featuring an extensive and massive timeline of Dinosaur Jr.


twitter.com/surfingonsteam

Drop Nineteens: 'Angel (Madonna)' MP3

Remember these kids? Drop Nineteens were one of a handful of young American bands flaunting big guitars, male/female vocals and loads of effects pedals. They had chops and some pretty solid guitar melodies at times, but their songs were always somewhat impenetrable, and very hard to get lost in. It's one thing to be influenced by such noise-dazzlers as MBV, Ride and Moose, but there just isn't any room to breathe in most of the band's short-lived material.

"Angel" is, obviously, a Madonna cover, and it's pretty bad-ass. Not because a noise-pop band like Drop Nineteens are covering it, the Boston quintet just happened to create a style that sounds original yet still salutes Madge's classic pop jam. Other tracks on their debut album Delaware come close ("Delaware", "Winona" and the ultra dreamy "Lick the Tragedy"), but "Angel" rocks.

Apparently, Cherry Red Records decided to reissue Delaware in April, a pretty random decision in this economy. Oh yeah, happy fourth of July!

|||Drop Nineteens: "Angel (Madonna)" MP3|||


Coming next week: My favorite releases of 2009 (January-July).

SOSMIX - 20

This week saw the release of Bibio's Ambivalence Avenue, one of the best records you'll probably hear all year. I can't stop listening to it. Everything about it is inspiring and gets me excited about the future of independent music again.

The title track is included in our 20th mix below. Thought I'd post this early in case some of you have Friday off.

|||Download: "SOSMIX - 20" ZIP|||

1. A Sunny Day in Glasgow: "Game of Pricks (Guided By Voices)"
2. Bibio: "Ambivalence Avenue"
3. Blank Blue: "Eyes Closed (Nosaj Thing remix)"
4. Jogger: "Nice Tights (Nosaj Thing remix)"
5. Marc Romboy vs. Gui Boratto: "Eurasia (Marc's mix)"
6. Moscow Olympics: "Still"
7. Rove Dogs: "Miss Boogie (Edit)"
8. Sally Shapiro: "Miracle (Bogdan Irkuk remix)"
9. Spanish Prisoners: "Los Angeles Guitar Dream"
10. Spoon "Got Nuffin"

A Sunny Day in Glasgow: 'Game of Pricks (Guided By Voices)' MP3

Leave it to A Sunny Day in Glasgow to take a classic straight shooter like Guided By Voices' "Game of Pricks" and turn it into a mini circus of psychedelic pop. There's this odd mandolin that clucks like a chicken -- almost like they're playing at a barnyard hoedown with RIDE's Nowhere in the background -- but it totally works. And then we have the group's trademark layers of vocals backed by waves of echoed guitars. Of course, once that unmistakable chorus comes in, you can't help but place Robert Pollard's trademark vocal melody on top of it. ASDIG provides us with a quirky take on an indie-rock classic while managing to embody the spirit and simplicity of GBV.

|||A Sunny Day in Glasgow: "Game of Pricks (Guided By Voices)" MP3|||

WARP20 Box Set Track List is Sick

Last month we posted a link to the eye-dazzling and comprehensive 20th anniversary edition box set from WARP. Today, I just saw the finalized track listing and boy does it absolutely rule. It's not surprising that the first "chosen" CD is all about the pioneering electronic artists that put WARP on the map, sort of a best-of for die hard/ purist fans. Co-label founder Steve Beckett also does an excellent job picking the cream from the crop on the second disc (Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Broadcast, Autechre...). My only gripe is that !!! (Chk Chk Chk) is not represented, yet Gravenhurst is.

Browse through the CD and 10" vinyl offerings and tell me this box set isn't worth the pre-order price of $130. Think of it as a piece of musical history that you'll be able to pass down to generations, yo.

Warp20:

CD1 (chosen by online voting):

1. Aphex Twin: "Windowlicker"
2. Boards of Canada: "Roygbiv"
3. Squarepusher: "My Red Hot Car"
4. Battles: "Atlas"
5. LFO: "LFO (Leeds Warehouse Mix)"
6. Plaid: "Eyen"
7. Luke Vibert: "I Love Acid"
8. Autechre: "Gantz Graf"
9. Jimmy Edgar: "I Wanna Be Your STD"
10. Clark: "Herzog"

CD2 (chosen by Steve Beckett):

1 Broadcast: "Tender Buttons"
2. Squarepusher: "My Sound"
3. Boards of Canada: "Amo Bishop Roden"
4. Battles: "Race: Out"
5. Flying Lotus: "GNG BNG"
6. Black Dog Productions - Xeper: "Carceres Ex Novum"
7. Nightmares on Wax: "I'm for Real"
8. Mike Ink: "Paroles (Original)"
9. Aphex Twin: "Bucephalus Bouncing Ball"
10. Jamie Lidell: "Daddy's Car"
11. Squarepusher/AFX: "Freeman Hardy & Willis Acid"
12. Seefeel: "Spangle"
13. Autechre: "Drane"

Warp20 (Recreated):

CD1:

1. Born Ruffians: "Milkman/To Cure a Weakling Child" (Aphex Twin cover)
2. Jimi Tenor: "Japanese Electronics" (Elecktroids cover)
3. Tim Exile: "A Little Bit More" (Jamie Lidell cover)
4. Rustie: "Midnight Drive" (Elecktroids cover)
5. Luke Vibert: "LFO" (LFO cover)
6. Autechre: "What Is House? (LFO Remix)" (LFO cover)
7. Russell Haswell: "Cabasa Cabasa" (Wild Planet cover)
8. Clark: "So Malleable" (Milanese cover)
9. Diamond Watch Wrists: "Fool in Rain" (Pivot cover)
10 Hudson Mohawke ft. Wensday Night: "Paint the Stars " (Jimi Tenor cover)

CD2:

1. Mark Pritchard: "3/4 Heart" (Balil – Black Dog Productions cover)
2. Mira Calix With Oliver Coates: "In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country" (Boards of Canada cover)
3. Pivot: "Colorado" (Grizzly Bear cover)
4. Bibio: "Kaini Industries" (Boards of Canada cover)
5. Jamie Lidell: "Little Brother" (Grizzly Bear cover)
6. Leila: "Vordhosbn" (Aphex Twin cover)
7. John Callaghan: "Phylactery" (based on Autechre's "Tilapia")
8. Gravenhurst: "I Found the F" (Broadcast cover)
9. Plaid: "On My Bus" (Plone cover)
10. Seefeel: "Acrobat' (Maximo Park cover)

Warp20 (Unheard):

10" 1:

A1. Boards of Canada: "Seven Forty Seven"
B1. Autechre: "Oval Moon (IBC mx)"
B2. Clark: "Rattlesnake"

10" 2:

A1. Plaid: "Dett"
A2. Elecktroids: "Elecktroids Bonus Circuit"
B1. Flying Lotus: "Tronix"
B2. Nightmares on Wax: "Biofeedback Dub"

10" 3:

A1. Plaid: "Sam Lac Run"
A2. Nightmares on Wax: "Mega Donutz Dub"
B1. Broadcast: "Sixty Forty"
B2. Seefeel: "As Link"


(via P4K)

Moscow Olympics: 'Second Trace' MP3

Where the hell was I when Moscow Olympics dropped their debut album Cut the World (Lavender Recordings) last year because as of now the album is completely sold-out. The Phillippines-based dream-pop group, who are the best thing to come out of that country since Manny Pacquiao -- created a gorgeous, lush and vibrant batch of songs that rivals any band carrying the torch of New Order, Pale Saints or The Ocean Blue. "Second Trace" is a near perfect pop masterpiece, and I almost feel bad focusing on just one song. Trust me when I say you need to scour the internet and find this album asap.

|||Moscow Olympics: "Second Trace" MP3|||

Other inner-nets

Blank Blue get remixed by Nosaj Thing over at L.A. Record. How can you resist?

Resident Advisor has a truckload of amazing electronica-based Podcasts.

VIBE went bust today. Guess who's probably following the same route?

I'm starting to get attached to L.A. twee-poppers The Tartans. And after a couple of listens to Frankel's sophomore album Anonymity is the New Fame I'm completely sold.

Slayer is returning with World Pained Blood in late summer (Billboard).

L.A.s' Club Violaine has returned to Roberto's in China Town. Now goths, shoegazers and indie hipsters can all finally hang out together and discuss the merits of JAMC (eyeliner and creepers optional).

Kate Simko's amazing Take You There EP came out yesterday on Ghostly Intl. Pick it up in time for your 4th of July backyard BBQ this weekend. It's so good.