Jan

29

2008

guillemots-main.jpgI like the Guillemots alot, so I’m pretty stoked to hear the band will release their new album “Red” sometime this March. The band are an unusual mix of lads and ladies from across the globe that can make a mean pop tune or two. Before that, for U.K. fans that has access to Radio 1, the will premiere their brand spanking new single “Get Over It” from that album. For further information just read below the fold.

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Jan

28

2008

astrelwerks.jpgHmm…regardless of which band it is, by their 6th studio album they’ve probably been in and out of rehab twice and and just a record or two away from a “Greatest Hits” re-release, but this is Supergrass, so give em the benefit of doubt and you can probably hear this pumping on your stereooo on April 15th.

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Jan

28

2008

tuscover.jpgYikes, I’m sitting here overloaded with a million things to check out and do, but I did stumble upon this little gem that made me throw everything else off the table. Of course it’s only a single and who knows how the album will sound, but if it’s as good as this single… it’ll be exciting. A little bit of electronica, a little bit of folk, in the same ballpark as Tunng, with vocals a bit like Mercery Rev. There debut album will appear on March 4th via United Interests. Check it out…

Free Downloads: First Sight By

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Jan

23

2008

No Kids from Vancouver, Canada are set to release their impressive “Come Into My House” album on Feb. 19th via Tomlab Records. Their sound is often compared to such indie stalwarts like the Shins, Pas/Cal with inflections of the indie electronic groove of The Blow. Also even David Bryne from the Talking Heads is showing love for the No Kids by streaming 5 of their tracks on his own website. In the meantime check out their free download of “The Beaches All Closed”.

Free Downloads: The Beaches All Closed

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Jan

23

2008

deanwareham-main1.jpgAnybody interested in taking a firsthand glimpse into the life of indie rock muscian should check out Dean Wareham’s upcoming biography “Black Postcard.” He certainly should have a lot stories to tell considering he fronted such bands as Galaxie 500, Luna and now Dean & Britta. His book comes out on March 13th and in the meantime Men’s Vogue has published a lengthy excerpt from his biography. One of the more interesting bits found in those excerpts would be Dean’s description of the days when he broke up with his then wife Claudia and started his relationship with Britta Phillips (of Dean & Britta).

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Jan

22

2008

subpop-logo.jpgOne of the more interesting bit of news I have come across is an upcoming concert by The Thermals on January 31st. The Thermals will perform their standard set of songs for the first set and then come out to play a second set of all karaoke hits - where audience members come up and sing along with the Thermals. There’s a list of songs listed below to choose from, I would pick the Buzzcocks “Ever Fallen In” and and the Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love”!, filled with well known hits and a select list of The Thermals own songs. The show will be at Studio B in Brooklyn, New York (8pm). If anybody that reads this goes, feel free to send pictures of the show here!

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Jan

17

2008

absolutelykosher-label-logo1.jpgSweet news from Absolutely Kosher. The indie music label will release Xiu Xiu’s upcoming album “Women As Lovers” as a double LP on January 29th. Furthermore, for audiophiles and just geeks like myself, the record plays in the smoother sounding 45 rpm mode! Album can be pre-ordered from www.absolutelykosher.com. Meanwhile, Kill Rock Stars will be releasing the album on CD + DVD.

Free Downloads: I Do What I Want, When I Want

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Jan

11

2008

polyvinyl-main.jpgThe Champaign, IL trio Headlights will release its sophomore album, “Some Racing, Some Stopping” on Polyvinyl on Feb. 19. “Cherry Tulips” is the first single from the album … and it’s great! There’s a little Beach House like female vocals, going along with a whole lot of melodic melodies.

Free Downloads: Cherry Tulips

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Jan

11

2008

subpop-logo.jpgA band to check out this year would by the Ruby Suns, signed to Sub Pop in the U.S. and Memphis Industries in the UK. The band was formed by California native Ryan McPhun, along with a slew New Zealand friends that he met in 2004. Ryan has played with bands like The Tokey Tones, The Reduction Agents, and The Brunettes. Ruby Suns has a new album coming out in March called “Sea Lion” and if their track “Tane Mahuta” is any indication that album should be quite impressive. Should appeal to fans of Panda Bear, the more melodic Animal Collective tunes, and Architecture in Helsinki.

Free Downloads: Tane Mahuta

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Jan

9

2008

dominologo.jpgYour favorite surgical mask wearing band have nearly completed their as of yet untitled 5th album. Their prior album visitations was very strong and hopefully this one will be even be better. In the meantime the band announced that they will give away their first single “Free not Free” and b-side ‘Thor’ with full artwork for free electronic download on February 1st at Clinicvoot.org.

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Jan

7

2008

napster-logow180h172.jpgThe days of Napster as the greatest P2P have long bitten the dust and if you haven’t been paying attention since we don’t blame you as there isn’t much worthwhile going on. Anyways, once Napster got sued into non existence, Roxio (known for their CD Creator) bought the rights to the branding and whatever else was left and relaunched “Napster 2.0.”

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Jan

7

2008

A new song from the Whitsunday’s upcoming debut album on Friendly Fire Recordings (Asobi Seksu, Elk City) is available to download and check out right now. This should appeal to fans of Dressy Bessy, Apples in Stereo, The Shins, and Belle & Sebastian.

Free Downloads: Loralee

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Jan

7

2008

paperbagrecords-main.jpgWell I didn’t even know what a kalimba was a few minutes ago, but I do know. It’s a tiny thumb piano, that vaguely resembles the sounds of a xylophone and bands like Psapp have probably used the instrument in their songs many times in the past. What does this have to do with Paper Bag Records and Laura Barrett? It seems Laura Barrett plays one mean kalimba. Her music should be of interest to fans of Psapp, Cibelle, Mirah and Jolie Holland.

Free Downloads: Deception Island Optimists Club

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Jan

7

2008

Fans of sweet indie pop laced with small blasts of shoegaze should love the sounds of Wye Oak. The duo were formally known as “Monarch” and hail from Baltimore, MD (a recent hotspot for good indie music). The band will release their debut album “If Children” on Chapel Hill’s Merge Records on April 8th. In the meantime take a sample of a track off that album called “Warning.”

Free Downloads: Warning

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Jan

4

2008

Los Angeles’ Radar Bros. unveiled the first video for their song “When Cold Air Goes To Sleep.” The song will be included on their new album “Auditorum,” which will be relesed by Merge Records on January 29th. The band enlisted the directing talents of pal Bradley Beesley, best known for his film on the Flaming Lips, Fearless Freaks. In the video, band leader Jim Putnam fails to get the memo that they are supposed to be dressing up as KISS.

MP3 Download: Warm Rising Sun
iPod Video Download: When Cold Air Goes to Sleep by Bradley Beesley

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Jan

4

2008

Sony BMG to go DRM Free

Posted by mikespiegs | Leave a Comment

sonybmg.jpgIt should come as no surprise that Sony BMG is also going to offer DRM Free music online. They have yet to announce the specifics (where, when, how) but those should be announced, according to Sony BMG, “within a couple weeks”. With Sony BMG hoping on board there aren’t many major labels left that haven’t abandoned the DRM train and this is a wonderful thing. Now, if only Apple could do the same.

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Jan

2

2008

R.E.M. Announces Accelerate

Posted by mikespiegs | 2 Comments

Does the world need a new R.E.M. album? We’re not sure but here it comes. The title for R.E.M.’s new record is “Accelerate” and aptly so as the band states it’s their “fastest” record in years. It appears the trend for 2008 is to title based on sound (i.e. Magnetic Fields “Distortion”). If [...]

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