The next The Decemberists album is getting near and, consequently, the guys have decided to put up their first single, “The Rake’s Song,” off the upcoming “The Hazards of Love,” for free/legal download. The songs loopy acoustic string guitar puts you in a sorta hypnotic trance, as the band’s lead vocalist, Colin Meloy, narrates a tale of romance, fatherhood and despair. It’s not titled The Hazards of Love for nothing, you know. Oh, and the…
If you still hadn’t had enough of these furry, but talented animals, here’s another MP3 involving January favorites – Animal Collective. This time AC are handling remix duties, as the band (actually, just Deakin from what I’ve heard) takes a go at Ratatat’s eclectic single, “Mirando.” The outcome is a 10 minute epic, packed with soothing synths and uh-ahs. If you’re interested in getting the 12″, XL will soon release Mirando + the AC remix…
Dan Deacon is a, let’s say, peculiar individual, but in all good respects he is a fantastic musician! His skillful use of synths, samples and various percussion made him one of the most critically acclaimed name in the indie/electro scene, in the past few years. His 2007 full length debut, “Spiderman of the Rings,” was really awesome, although very hard to swallow (repetitive spins ftw!) and kinda short. For this years sophomore release, titled “Bromst,”…
Being European, like a lot of our readers as well, I can only be ecstatic to hear Zach Condon and his band are gonna head out for a trek around the old continent. Beirut is set to play London’s Forum on May 8, with support coming from Shearwater. They will then head to All Tomorrow’s Parties – The Fans Strike Back in Minehead a day later. Although the band won’t be rich with dates, the…
In his latest video, for what seems to be the title track for his upcoming new album, Neil is featured in a one-shot position, listening to music on his headphones, plugged-in into an apple. He then bites it, after chanting “I’m a big rock star” (indeed you are, sir!) – quite a nice allegory to our modern day iPod, iPhone and other Apple gadgets, that today’s music enthusiasts use. “My sales have tanked, but I…
Artist name: Animal Collective Album name: Merryweather Post Pavilion Label: Domino Records Gender: Experimental Rock/Psychedelic Pop Release date: January 6, 2008 ZMErating: 9.5/10 Website: www.myanimalhome.net There’s something just special about Animal Collective, that always resonates in their wacky, space-out music. I always like to think of them as modern day Peter Pans, a trio of grown up men forever trapped in childhood’s magical grasp. I just love it how they transmit this feeling in their…
Here’s a sweet performance by Iron & Wine, playing a live version of “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” a few nights back on Jay Leno. In a characteristic Sam Beam way, the whole experience was relaxing, eerie and pleasant. Proof again that he’s just as good both on stage and in the studio. Off his critically acclaimed, 2007 released “The Shepherd’s Dog.”
Here’s a new track from our favorite Swedish trio Peter Bjorn and John, presumably (no one officially confirmed the name) titled “Nothing to Worry About,” which just recently premiered on Kanye’s blog. WORLD PREMIERE … THEY SENT THE SONG TO ME FIRST! PETER BJORN & JOHN… SHIT IS DOPE!! DRUMS ARE CRAZY AND I LIKE THE KIDS ON THE HOOK. THERE NEW ALBUM IS CALLED “LIVING THING” ….. WITH ALL THAT SAID I DON’T KNOW…
“Common let’s get hiiiiiiiiigh,” goes Franz Ferdiand’s Alex Kapranos as their latest single, Ulysses, unfolds. As fun as the actual track may be, the video is definitely a spectacle for both ears and eyes, featuring the band sharply dressed, jumping around indoors, streets and a desert (?? space cookies??). Off the band’s latest upcoming studio effort, “Tonight: Franz Ferdinand”, out January 27th.
Bon Iver’s “For Emma, Forever Ago” ranked #3 on our ZME Top 50 of 2008, making it, for us at least, one of the best albums of year and one of the best debuts in years. Although “Blood Bank,” the latest material from Justin, is just a short, four track EP, it’s interesting to see if he can produce music of the same quality, without being confined to an isolated Wisconsin mountain cabin. For those…
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