New Albums from My Morning Jacket and Death Cab for Cutie

Alternative Rock veterans My Morning Jacket and Death Cab for Cutie both released new albums today. Both are solid albums worth a listen from die-hards and casual fans alike. Circuital is a pretty straight forward rock record from Jim James and company that focuses on quality songwriting rather than the hit or miss experimentation of some of their previous records (Evil Urges). Codes and Keys is an excellent follow up to the lackadaisical and relatively mediocre Narrow Stairs, that features the typical melancholy words and delivery of Ben Gibbard, shrouded in an upbeat and poppy matrix.

Album Stream: Fucked Up - David Comes To Life

Toronto's hardcore/punk visionaries new album/rock opera is going to be unleashed on the world next Tuesday, but guess what? You don't have to wait that long to hear it in its entirety! Thanks to the fellas over at NPR, we can stream this masterpiece today. And dammmmnn, shits really good. Check it out at the link below. But be ready to rage. Man, I want to see this band live.

NPR Stream: Fucked Up - David Comes To Life

Movie Review - The Hangover: Part 2

***Warning - Contains minor spoilers***

Last night, I ventured to a local theater to catch The Hangover: Part 2, a film which tried to "one-up" it's predecessor with mixed results. To start, here's a synopsis:

The guys, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis), and Doug (Justin Bartha), are in Las VegasThailand for Doug's Stu's wedding. Stu didn't want a crazy bachelor party thanks to the shenanigan's in Vegas. Instead, the guys, plus Stu's brother-in-law to-be, Teddy, all have a single beer on the beach to celebrate the occasion. Cut to the next scene and Phil, Stu, and Alan are waking up in a luxurious suite at Caesar's Palace disgusting, run-down, drug den of a hotel room in Bangkok. When Alan and Phil stumble upon Stu, they realize he is missing a tooth has a brand new Mike Tyson face tattoo. Upon further investigation of where they woke up, the guys find they are now in custody of a baby drug-taking monkey. Shortly after, the film's plot driving device occurs: the crew realizes that Doug Teddy is missing. The typical debauchery ensues as the guys go out into the streets of Bangkok to gather the puzzle pieces of just what the hell happened the night before, in hopes that their efforts will lead them to Teddy. Along the way, they kidnap Mike Tyson's tiger a Buddhist monk, and it's discovered that Alan drugged everyone to make sure the bachelor party was unforgettable get some alone time with the "Wolfpack" without Teddy involved. In the end, Teddy is found and everyone gets back to the wedding in time for the ceremony to go on as planned.

So do I recommend it? If you liked The Hangover and don't mind the fact that this "sequel" is essentially a remake, then go for it. Just like the first incarnation, the sequel's comedy comes from shock value. There are some ridiculous moments that push the boundaries of the "R" rating. On the other hand, many jokes fell flat and felt forced, with the main culprit being Zach Galifianakis. Overall, with ticket prices nowadays, I would suggest waiting to catch this one on Netflix. Better yet, just watch The Hangover again. Same plot, but far superior in comedic value.

And whenever you watch it, just like with the first one, make sure you watch the credits. Pure gold.

Daytrotter Sessions: Middle Brother

What can Middle Brother do next to make me love them even more? I think a Daytrotter Session would do the trick. Wait, what's that? They recorded two, back-to-back? Hot damn! Click here to get your download on. Enjoy.

Yuck on Jools Holland

Another band we talked about earlier this year, Yuck, played their song "Get Away" on Jools Holland last night. Watch the video below!

Bon Iver on Jimmy Fallon

A few days ago Michael posted about Bon Iver covering Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me". You can now watch him performing this song on Jimmy Fallon. Get ready for the self-titled album on June 21st!!!

Unreleased tracks from The Weeknd

Earlier, I posted the new mixtape from Toronto-based R&B act, The Weeknd. Today, 6 previously unreleased tracks hit the internet including a demo entitled "Birthday Suit" for their biggest fan, Drake. You can stream the tracks below and I'm sure downloads will surface on the internet in the next few days

Unreleased The Weeknd by k.niteh

Yeasayer debut new song on Conan

Gosh, I love new music.

Yeasayer unveiled a new song called "The Devil and the Deed" last evening on Conan, and it's not much of surprise. It picks up from where Odd Blood left off with some heavy synth, electrionic tweaks matched with a delicious sounding looped back beat. It's also pretty creepy. The band itself switched things around as guitarist Anand Wilder took center stage and singer Chris Keating bounced his head behind the keys. "Devil" is one of the few songs the band will be debuting this summer before they head into the studio.

Here is a list of their remaining tour dates with Smith Westerns:

05/25 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore*
05/27 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
05/28 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom*
05/29 Seattle, WA @ Sasquatch Festival
05/31 Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen*
06/01 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre *
06/02 Lawrence, KS @ The Granada Theatre*
06/03 Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note*
06/05 Houston, TX (Free Press Summer Fest)
06/06 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre*
06/07 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
06/08 Montreal, PQ @ Club Soda
06/09 Boston, MA @ Royale Nightclub
06/16 Washington, DC @ 930 Club
06/17 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
06/18 New York, NY @ Terminal 5
*With Smith Westerns

An Obituary to the Cold War Kids

After seeing Cold War Kids perform at Washington Park for the 2011 Tulip Festival, I was left with deep-seated feelings of regret and sorrow as though I had just experienced the loss of a loved one. As I walked away from the stage, the sound of another awful cut from Mine Is Yours filled the air. The insipid attempt at pop music began to fade and at the exact moment the attack on my ears ceased, the sky opened up and Mother Nature relieved herself on my defeated soul. I knew at that exact moment I had witnessed the slow death of a formerly great band. Here is my obituary: Cold War Kids, you will be missed.

Drake - Dreams Money Can Buy

I've never been a big fan of Drake's music, so when this came out the other day I ignored it; bad move. My roommate made me listen to it and hot damn, it is unbelievable. The beat samples Jai Paul's "BTSTU" and Drake spits some introspective shit that fits it perfectly. Maybe I should start paying more attention to Drake?

Download here

The Antlers at The Bowery Ballroom 5/20

Friday night The Antlers played the second of their two show stand in New York City. The Brooklyn band just released their album Burst Apart on May 10th and the crowd was treated with many of those new songs. In fact, the band played every song but the instrumental "Tiptoe" during their hour and a half set. Canadian Band, Little Scream opened the show with a very good set. I really dug their sound and energy. And then there was their flautist (or is it flutist?); stunningly beautiful, sultry voice and rocks the woodwind like a professional. What's not to love?

La Dispute, Defeater, and Native at Altar Bar, 5/20

There is a lot wrong with the current state of hardcore. I could write a whole ‘nother piece on what is shitty about the hardcore scene these days, but it really just boils down to unnecessary violence and lack of creativity. At shows, too many innocent bystanders are getting punched in the face during the same tired, “brutal” breakdown. It’s enough to turn people away from shows in the genre, and perhaps even the genre altogether. But luckily, there are still bands that represent what was wonderful about hardcore from the beginning, and on Friday night I had the chance to see three of those bands play this new wave of creative, emotional hardcore live.

Broken Social Scene Cover Modest Mouse

Check out this awesome video of the Canadian collective Broken Social Scene covering the masterpiece "The World At Large" by Modest Mouse.

Broken Social Scene » Modest Mouse from The Voice Project on Vimeo.

Fleet Foxes at United Palace, 5/18

Photo from: We All Want Someone To Shout For

Fleet Foxes put on a truly brilliant performance at United Palace last night. The group seamlessly blends traditional folk music with Beach Boys like vocal harmonies and the result is pure bliss. Last night's hour and a half set was a healthy mix of old and new as all in attendance were entertained to the fullest extent. Such was the case that after "He Doesn't Know Why," there was a spontaneous standing ovation to show their appreciation. Below is the set-list as well as a fan-video for closer "Helplessness Blues". See this band live as soon as possible, you will not regret it!

Titus Andronicus Covering They Might Be Giants

Titus Andronicus covers They Might Be Giants

Check out the invincible Titus Andronicus covering "Birdhouse in Your Soul" by They Might Be Giants for the AV Club. The concept is they bring in indie bands to cover classics both old and new. If you head over to the AV Club's website you can check out more of these covers including Smith Westerns doing "American Girl" and Baths performing a stripped down version of "All My Friends".

Bon Iver Gives Us Something to Talk About

First, I'm sure someone, somewhere has already used that subject for this story. Please don't sue me. Everyone is unoriginal, deal with it.

Anyway, Bon Iver takes the headlines two days in a row now, having covered "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt, tossing in a bit of "Nick of Time" for good measure. To get your hands on the single, you'll have to preorder one of the packages for the new album Bon Iver, Bon Iver by going here. Or just wait all of five seconds and I'm sure you can find someplace to download it from.

Oh, a bit of old news, but a teen-aged singer from the UK who goes by the name Birdy does a pretty decent piano rendition of "Skinny Love". It definitely lacks the raw emotion of the original, but still impressive, especially when you consider her age. And I know I'm behind the eight ball on this one, but the last thing I would do with my life would be to watch a show on the CW (apparently this cover blew up Stateside when it was played on a episode of Vampire Diaries).

New Music: August Burns Red - "Empire"

August Burns Red has released a new song, "Empire", off of their upcoming album, Leveler, which is out on June 21st. It's exactly what you'd expect from them, so if you already dig them, you'll like it. Conversely, if you didn't like their previous efforts, don't waste your time. For a listen, go here: http://listn.to/augustburnsred/


And you thought this blog only covered indie music.

Bon Iver - Calgary

Bon Iver's new self titled album is due out on June 21st and now you can listen to the first track to be released, "Calgary". To download the song just insert your email address in the little box below. Justin Vernon will also be performing on Jimmy Fallon next Monday, May 23rd. Listen and download the song after the jump.

Jim Jones & Girl Talk

I've never been a huge fan of Girl Talk or Jim Jones (I did love his contribution to Blakroc though). With that being said, this collaboration between the two of them is pretty excellent. I love the old school, soul beat and Jim Jones' style fits it perfectly. Well played sirs!

Download Link

2011 Review (So Far): Destroyer

While I was putting together this little list of my favorite music of 2011 so far, Joey D insisted that I listen to this album. The 9th full-length from Destroyer entitled Kaputt is an absolutely incredible album from start to end and an essential listen. Dan Bejar seamlessly blends elements of rock, 80s new wave, Jazz and countless other genres into an album that rivals Sufjan Stevens' Illinois for sheer scope and brilliance. Below is my personal favorite track off of the album "Savage Night at the Opera." Do yourself a favor and listen to this album immediately!