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.
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 ^
“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
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
Bruce Springsteen is set to release his seventeenth studio album at the beginning of March, a record called Wrecking Ball. A single off the album was released online today at 7 a.m. ET entitled “We Take Care Of Our Own”. The lyrics tackle the concept of American citizens changed morals, while an upbeat rhythm keeps the song moving. The song has all the credentials heard in previous songs by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band through the medley of keyboard, drums and guitars. However though, due to the death of saxophonist Clarence Clemons, the E Street Band’s signature saxophone sound is missing. Wrecking Ball will be Springsteen’s newest release since his 2009 album, Working On A Dream. I have high hopes for this album as it will hopefully combine elements from all of the previous releases.
Wrecking Ball Tracklisting:
01 We Take Care of Our Own
02 Easy Money
03 Shackled and Down
04 Jack of All Trades
05 Death to My Hometown
06 This Depression
07 Wrecking Ball
08 You’ve Got It
09 Rocky Ground
10 Land of Hope and Dreams
11 We Are Alive
12 Swallowed Up (Bonus Track)
13 American Land (Bonus Track)
For their new record Attack On Memory, indie rockers Cloud Nothings partnered with legendary producer Steve Albini (Nirvana) to create a sound that would set them apart from the other “hazy, electronic-y nostalgic music” that has been extremely popular recently. Instead of sticking with the trends, Cloud Nothings take a agressive, raw rock approach to the record. Lead singer Dylan Baldi even went so far as to say, “The title, Attack On Memory, is basically referencing the current trend toward hazy, electronic-y nostalgic music that is making up the “indie” scene. I don’t really like that kind of music. This album is meant to place us more firmly outside of that category.”
So if you’re tired of “that kind of music” too, you can check out the full album below, courtesy of Complex. Attack On Memory is out January 24th via Carpark.
Hot off her recent SNL performance (which, Mr. Brian Williams calls “one of the worst outings in SNL history”), New York singer songwriterLana Del Rey has released a remix to her song “Born to Die” by up and coming producer Clams Casino, who has built a name for himself by working with other rising hip hop artists like A$AP Rocky and the always basedLil B. The remix will be part of a remix EP that will also features work from Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn.
Lana Del Rey’s debut album, which is also titled Born to Die, is set to be released January 30th in the UK and January 31st in the US.
Check out the a new single from Sleigh Bells titled “Comeback Kid” (which was also the title of the most recent episode of Parks and Recreation). The band, who released their critically acclaimed debut album, Treats, in 2010, will also be touring in February to support their new album. Reign of Terror is set to be released February 21st, and you can preorder the album on iTunes to receive an immediate download of “Comeback Kid”. Click read more to check out the dates.
Dan Smith and Chris Nelson are Listener, a talk-music band where Dan does the talking and Chris plays the music. The first time I stumbled upon their music, I was quite confused to what was actually happening. Once I discovered that Dan talking was in fact the music I was greatly intrigued.
Listener is something that will be forever unique and a refreshing take on the power of music in society. The enchanting words of Dan Smith can be soul crushing through both the depth of the lyrics and the passion in his voice. Whether it’s through the soft melody of “Wooden Heart” or the heavy guitar and presence of a trumpet in “These Hands Weren’t Meant For Us”, Listener crafts their music beautifully. Be sure to check out their website, along with my favorite song by them “You have never lived because you have never died”.
First, could you state your name(s) and your band name?
Listener: Dan Smith & Chris Nelson… the band is called Listener.
Is there any meaning behind your band name?
Listener: It’s a word that we all can share in, I guess. (more…)
Stephin Meritt and The Magnetic Fields will make their return to Merge Records with their tenth LP, Love At The Bottom Of The Sea, on March 6th. After concluding their “no-synth” album trilogy (i, Distortion, and Realism) in 2010, The Magnetic Fields have promised that their new album will return to their familiar synth and acoustic roots, as well as keeping every song on the album under three minutes long. You can listen to the new single, “Andrew In Drag”, below.
Love At The Bottom Of The Sea Tracklist:
01 “Your Girlfriend’s Face”
02 “Andrew In Drag”
03 “God Wants Us To Wait”
04 “Born For Love”
05 “I’d Go Anywhere With Hugh”
06 “Infatuation (With Your Gyration)”
07 “The Only Boy In Town”
08 “The Machine In Your Hand”
09 “Goin’ Back To The Country”
10 “I’ve Run Away To Join The Fairies”
11 “The Horrible Party”
12 “My Husband’s Pied-a-Terre”
13 “I Don’t Like Your Tone”
14 “Quick!”
15 “All She Cares About Is Mariachi”
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