Matador just released Ted Leo’s latest single, the explosive “The Mighty Sparrow”, out for free download. The track is off Ted Leo and The Pharmacists’ “The Brutalist Bricks” slated for a March 9 release. Pre-order here for a 15% discount. [via P4K] [MP3] Ted Leo and The Pharmacists – ‘The Mighty Sparrow’
Last year’s “The Satanic Satanist” by the Alaskian experimentalists Portugal. The Man delivered some of the best material I’ve had the chance to listen all year round. Now, barely a year after their previous effort, the band is set to release a follow-up titled “American Ghetto” on March 2nd. Captioned above is the official art work for the album which I guess portrays the father-son relationship in an American ghetoo – that or the wacky…
Like in the case of M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” and “Boyz” orVampire Weekend’s “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa”, the smashing simple of the year’s first quarter, Yeasayer’s “Ambling Alp”, has been turned 180 degrees by The Very Best who left their distinct electro-funk imprint on it. The original vocals have been scrapped altogether and replaced by Esau Mwamwaya’s indescifrable lyrics, but which still retain the song’s jovial, up-beat spirit. Granted, it’s a wonderful reinterpretation that will definitely…
Album name: Perfect View Artist name: Libby Johnson Genre: Folk Released: 23 February 2010 Label: Wrong Records ZME Rating: 8/10 Website: libbyjohnsonmusic.com/ I want to preface this review with a plea, and a thank you. You see, this Libby Johnson album – quite a good album, as you’ve yet to find out – is, following Nite Nite and Phantom Family Halo, the third album in a row I’ve reviewed which has been sent my way…
It’s going to be a very densely packed year for Julian Casablancas. Between recording sessions and the afferent touring following the release of The Strokes’ upcoming new album, Casablancas is set to embark on a relatively short stint in the US where he’ll tour in support for his recently released debut solo album, “Phrazes for the Young”. The tour will kick off at the end of March in Atlanta, and after a few stops through…
Because the Drive-By Truckers make great music to drive to. (I presume. Being a half-blind halfwit, I’m stuck with public transport for now. [But mostly because, pun.]) I’ll come clean immediately, because I may have misled you slightly: you can’t actually buy the Drive-By Truckers. But, wonderfully, you will be able to buy their new album, The Big To-Do, come March 16, and unless you’re blind in your ears or something, you’d be well-advised to…
Just found out that Toronto post-punk four piece Little Girls tackled and covered “10 Mile Stereo”, one of the gems off Beach House’s recent new phantasmagoric new album “Teen Dream”. The song is perfectly layered and faithfully covered, despite being dazed with Little Girls’ signature lo-fi/haunting sound, which makes 10 Mile Stereo feel like an even eerier experience. [MP3] Little Girls – ’10 Mile Stereo’ (Beach House cover) In other related news, Little Girls will…
A while ago, I concluded that if 2008 was considered by many a year outshined by band reunions, then 2009 is definitely the year of the super groups. Last year we got to hear some awesome new material by newly formed bands, whose members were super, duper musicians, hence the term super group (doh). There was Monsters of Folk (Conor Oberst, Jim James, Mike Mogis, M. Ward), The Dead Weather (Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita, Jack…
We’ve expressed skepticism in the past concerning the extremely overdo new Strokes album, but it seems we’ve finally gotten solid word from the band itself that things are indeed stirring towards a bright future. If you happen to access the Strokes website at the moment, you’ll be greeted with a neat sign advising visitors that “recording” is indeed in progress. Finally glad to hear the NYC garage rockers aren’t slacking …too much. The new album…
In a recent gig at Beck’s Festival Bar, in Sydney, The Decemberists played a brand new song, called “Springville.” Someone from the audience caught the song on tape being performed live solely by the band’s frontman Colin Meloy and his beautifully strung acoustic guitar. The sound is very folksy and warm, like much of their previous grand effort had to offer, last year’s critically acclaimed “The Hazards of Love”. Worth noting is that the video…
Tibi Puiu
Al Byrne