Monthly Archives: January 2012

Listen: Echotape – “Came Into My Blood”

Echotape, a band that came together under a shared disillusionment that the vast majority of artists that presented themselves as “alternative” were, in fact, devoid of any discernible purpose or ambition beyond commercial or egotistic self-nourishment, have a four track EP scheduled for release later this year. Their first released track is called “Came Into My Blood” and it combines dream-like melodies, an upbeat rhythm similar to the Horrors, and passionate vocals. For their debut album, they have worked with legendary producer Youth (of Killing Joke fame) who has previously worked with the likes of The Verve, The Orb, and The Futureheads. They believe passionately in a more considered and coherent aesthetic mission, and so the band isolated themselves and wrote songs that reflected their convictions. I definitely recommend you check out Echotape, as they are on track to producing awe-inspiring music.

Watch: Sleigh Bells – “Comeback Kid”

Check out Sleigh Bell‘s new video for their recently released song “Comeback Kid” below. The video features noise pop duo Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller and their signature shades, leather, and letterman jackets with an 80s overtone and a fitting Judd Nelson-esque fist bump ending. The song and video are in support of the band’s new album, Reign of Terror, which is set to be released February 21st. Sleigh Bells will also be touring to support their sophomore outing, and you can check out the dates below.

Sleigh Bells 2012 Tour
02-03 Gainesville, FL – Florida Theater *#
02-04 Tampa, FL – The Ritz *#
02-06 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall *#
02-07 Tallahassee, FL – The Moon *#
02-09 Jacksonville, FL – Freebird Live *#
02-10 Orlando, FL – Firestone *#
02-11 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution *#
02-14 Miami, FL – Grand Central *#
02-16 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ^
02-17 New York, NY – Terminal 5 ^
02-18 Toronto, Ontario – Phoenix ^
02-21 Los Angeles, CA – The Mayan ^
02-23 San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom ^
02-24 Seattle, WA – Showbox at the Market ^

* with Diplo
# with Liturgy
^ with Black Bananas

Listen: Andrew Bird – “Eyeoneye”

“Eyeoneye” is our very first look at the extremely talented whistler/singer-songwriter Andrew Bird‘s upcoming new album, Break It Yourself. Although the album won’t make its official release until March 6, the new song will be available for immediate download with a pre-order of the limited edition box set of the album from his website here. In terms of style, “Eyeoneye” has a sound that reminds me of “Masterfade” or “Fake Palindromes” from The Mysterious Production of Eggs so perhaps Bird is taking a pre-Noble Beast type direction to the album. Either way, I’m incredibly excited.

Break It Yourself Tracklisting:
01. Desperation Breeds…
02. Polynation
03. Danse Caribe
04. Give it Away
05. Eyeoneye
06. Lazy Projector
07. Near Death Experience Experience
08. Behind the Barn
09. Lusitania
10. Orpheo Looks Back
11. Sifters
12. Fatal Shore
13. Hole in the Ocean Floor
14. Belles

Stream the New Leonard Cohen Album

Head over to NPR to stream Leonard Cohen‘s new album Old Ideas. The album, which is Cohen’s first in about eight years, will be the legendary singer songwriter’s twelfth studio album and is set to be released January 31st through Columbia Records. Cohen is known for influential albums like Songs of Leonard Cohen and Songs of Love and Hate, and for penning “Hallelujah”. You can also check out an interview pertaining to Old Ideas that Cohen did with the Guardian over here.

Old Ideas Tracklisting:
01. Going Home
02. Amen
03. “Show Me the Place
04. Darkness
05. Anyhow
06. Crazy to Love You
07. Come Healing
08. Banjo
09. Lullaby
10. Different Sides

Drummer Leaves Fleet Foxes

J. Tillman, the drummer for Fleet Foxes, has left the band and posted his farewell on Tumblr. His last show with the band was in Tokyo on January 20. Sub Pop has also signed the band Poor Moon, which includes Fleet Foxes members Casey Wescott and Christian Wargo. You can listen and download the song “People in her Mind” here, which will be on the band’s Illusion EP that is planned for release on March 27. Click here for last night’s episode of Austin City Limits that features live performances by Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom.