One of my favorite songwriters, Spencer Krug, is set to travel across the Atlantic , accompanied by his band [tag]Sunset Rubdown[/tag], as part of a spring tour in Europe. The Canadians will be touring across the old world, through out UK, Ireland, and a couple Scandinavian countries before ending in early June. Should prove entertaining, especially because I,myself, am European and a big fan of the band, hopefully I’ll get to review a gig. All shows will be in support of the surreal Random Spirit Lover, #21 on our top 2007 albums. 
Permalink to this topic

Artist name: Cat Power
Album name: Jukebox
Label: Matador
Gender: Indie
Release date: January 22, 2008
ZMErating: 8/10
Website: www.catpowerthegreatest.com

---

It’s a pretty well known fact Chan Marshall, aka [tag]Cat Power[/tag], is a bit eccentric in nature, to say the least, fact that can be attested by her live show attendants. But this exact eccentricity, combined with her signature weary, smoky vocals made Chan who she is today, one of the most well sought indie artists today, with over 14 years of experience. Her first cover record, the 2000 bluntly titled “The Covers Record,” became a instant hit among indie listeners and combined with her 1998 critical acclaimed Moon Pix, catapulted Marshall from anonymity to mainstream success. Now, a few more albums in and after a successful fight against alcohol and drug abuse, Cat Power is back with yet another cover compilation, in the form of the soulful “Jukebox.”

Permalink to this topic

The Canadian indie quartet are readying themselves for their upcoming proper debut album, titled “Elephant Shell,” after their first, very well received EP, the 2006 A Lesson In Crime. Tokyo Police Club have confirmed the record’s completion, as well as a scheduled release date in late April via  Saddle Creek in North America and Memphis Industries in the UK. TPC will also embark on a North American tour, that kicks off tonight Connexion Ontario and ends at Big Orbit’s Soundlab, NY on April 30th. Full album track list and tour dates, right after the jump.

Permalink to this topic

Weird videos are not a novelty for us, from behalf of duo [tag]We Are Scientists[/tag], but this time, with their latest single “After Hours,” confused is a light word. In short Keith is having a dinner in three with band mate Chris and his girl friend; Chris then is entranced by Keith’s dalmatian dog, which causes him to pet him and play games with him. Keith grows gelos and smacks Chris silly and play with his dog alone, while Chris gets the girl. WTF? After Hours is the first single off of WAS’s upcoming album Brain Thrust Mastery, out March 17.

>>Watch video @ NME.

Artist name: The Magnetic Fields
Album name: Distortion
Label: Nonesuch Records
Gender: Synth Pop/Indie
Release date: January 15, 2008
ZMErating: 7/10
Website: www.houseoftomorrow.com

---

Highly regarded as one of the most inspired and gifted songwriters of our times, Sthephin Merrit, is less an eccentric, as most people tend to call him, but more of a musical maverick, with a disregard for musical ethics, approaching each of his projects like he would a epic initiating journey. Thus, together with his cohort of fine musicians, with whom he forms [tag]The Magnetic Fields[/tag], Merrit has managed to release constant flow of synth pop compilations, like the 1999 conceptual 69 Love Songs, the album that catapulted the band into mainstream success, that really contains 69 love songs, spaced across 3 CDs; or 2003’s i, another conceptual album, that has every song with the personal pronoun in the title. Now four years later, Merrit doesn’t seem to want to abandon the conceptual album model with the groups ninth record, “Distortion.”

Permalink to this topic

Since they first popped out on the mainstream radar, with the critical acclaimed release Z, the Louisville quintet hasn’t quite fancied itself in making public appearances, apart from the usual gigs. If you add that to almost 3 years of non existing new material, you could MMJ is kinda holding back on us, details, however, concerning their much anticipated upcoming, still untitled album, have emerged. For now what we know is that the recordings are almost done, the album being at the mixing stage, produced by frontman Jim James and producer Joe Chiccarelli (White Stripes, the Shins, and Brian Wilson) and that it will be released on June 10 via ATO.

Permalink to this topic

We usually don’t like to talk about politics, actually I personally hate it, but [tag]Arcade Fire[/tag] frontman, Win Butler, recent statement is worth posting, as it sums a bunch of sentiments, I myself had accumulated during these seemingly neverending election campaigns. Although Win rarely update’s his blog scrapbook, he makes it up for it with incendiary posts, like his recent outburst against Hillary Clinton’s “bullshit” (I’m quoting, cut the crap), in which he heavily criticizes her deceitful ways and shows his unconditional support for Barack Obama, Hillary’s main competition for the White House office. I guess it’s better you read the blogpost:

I am watching Hillary Clinton in her victory speech in new Hampshire…they just threw a bunch of college kids behind her, and had her talk about student loans, and had her daughter come out for a long awkward hug…does anyone actually buy it? Surely young people are too media savvy to be fooled by this kind of shit.
do we live in a democracy so we can just keep electing the same families?
Barack is the first candidate in my lifetime to strip some of this bullshit away, and I just hope we don’t blow this chance.
man if we miss this opportunity we don’t deserve it…how bad does it have to get?

fuck!!!!!!!!!

Permalink to this topic

Seems like a lot of artists have recently endevoured into ‘green’ activities and charities, don’t really know what sparked this sudden interest; you’d think its an election year. Anyway, The Green Owl Comp: A Benefit for the Energy Action Coalition  is a a two-CD/one-DVD collection, packed with rare, live and remixed songs from some of the world’s finest indie artists. All the earnings from the compilation’s sales, will be donated to the  Energy Action Coaltion , a non profit organization, that has as a goal educating the youth upon various perils threatening Mother Earth and how they can help.

Permalink to this topic

After becoming a four piece band once more, after Devin Hoff joined on bass in May, [tag]Xiu Xiu[/tag] are set to show the world, well just North America really, what the new lineup is capable of.  With that in mind the band has mapped a string of shows in the US and Canada, that can be viewed right after  the jump. The tour should prove to be a good chance to see how Xiu Xiu’s upcoming latest album, Women As Lovers, sounds live. The album is out on January 29. via P4K.

Permalink to this topic

In a previous edition of our MP3 freebies I posted a song that really touched me and that proved to be a true on repeat by [tag]Kate Tucker[/tag] & the Sons of Sweden, namely the slow motioned soundtrack of Faster Then Cars. This time I’d like to put to your attention a song of at least similar beauty and musical craftsmanship, called “In The End.” The track revolves around Kate’s mellow falsettos, with a laid back guitar line on the background and relaxing percussions. A excellent song for when you’re feeling a bit down and should prove a great listen for any folk fan.

*mp3 via Spinner