Hard-Fi "Can't Get Along (Without You)"

This is the second video off of the band's sophomore album Once Upon a Time in the West.

[Myspace] Hard-Fi

The Wombats: I Screwed Up

A couple of months ago I reported that The Wombats' debut album would be out this week. Obviously, I was wrong. I really wish I knew where I read that so I could punch them.

The real release date is Monday, November 5th, and it will be available through all of your favorite retailers. If you're in the UK, go buy it, the album is brilliant! A US date is pending, but I hear it will be sometime early in the new year.

[Preorder] A Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation
[Myspace] The Wombats
[mp3] "Let's Dance to Joy Division"

Cut Off Your Hands

Like pretty much every blogger this side of the Mississippi, I fell in love with Cut Off Your Hands during CMJ. Even though I'm not too fond of their haircuts or their choice of a band name, I have to give it to the little buggers from New Zealand... they're really freaking good. Their shows were characterized by a frenzied exuberance that only comes from the unrestrained arrogance of youth. And, maybe, a few too many drinks.

I feared that my high opinion of Cut Off Your Hands would change once I returned to "normal life," but their music still impresses two weeks later in a quiet apartment. Full of jangly guitars, big dance beats, and sing-a-long choruses, the band is everything I wish The Cribs would be... only better. Unfortunately, they won't be playing on this side of the world anytime soon so I'll have to make do with my copy of their EP, Blue on Blue.

[Myspace] Cut Off Your Hands
[mp3] "Still Fond"

The Rumble Strips On Tour

"They have taken the brass sound that Dexys Midnight Runners packed away in their attic 20 years ago and injected it with enough fun, melody and soul to make it truly their own." Music Week

British group The Rumble Strips are finally getting something out here in the States, as an EP entitled Alarm Clock is set to be released on Kanine Records on Nov. 27th.

The band has released the album Girls & Weather in the UK earlier this year on Fallout Recordings.

Tracklisting:
1. Alarm Clock
2. No Soul
3. Oh Creole
4. High Street Heaven
5. My Oh My
6. The Boys Are Back In Town (Thin Lizzy cover)
* Alarm Clock - Video
* Oh Creole - Video

Winter Tour:
*With Cold War Kids
11/27 Washington, DC 9:30 Club*
11/28 Washington, DC 9:30 Club*
11/29 Philadelphia, PA TLA*
11/30 New York, NY Webster Hall*
12/01 New York, NY Webster Hall*
12/05 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
12/06 San Francisco, CA Popscene

[Myspace] The Rumble Strips
[mp3] "Girls and Boys in Love"

Shows This Week In Boston

10.29: Boris/Damon & Naomi @ Middle East Down
10.29: Jens Lekman @ The Paradise
10.30: The Thermals @ Middle East Down
10.30: Rogue Wave @ The Paradise
10.30: Morrissey/Girl in a Coma @ The Orpheum
10.31: Avail/Smoke or Fire @ Middle East Down
10.31: Lyrics Born/Reu Melo @ The Paradise
11.01: Annuals/Manchester Orchestra @ Great Scott
11.01: Buck 65/Sage Francis @ Middle East Down
11.01: The Weakerthans @ The Paradise
11.02: International Pop Overthrown @ Great Scott
11.02: Casiotone For the Painfully Alone @ Middle East Up
11.02: The Pill @ Great Scott
11.02: Lucero/Bobby Bare Jr. @ Middle East Down
11.03: International Pop Overthrown @ Great Scott
11.03: Isis/27 @ Middle East Down
11.03: Superdrag @ The Paradise
11.04: International Pop Overthrown @ Great Scott
11.04: Say Hi/The Velvet Teen/The A-Sides @ Middle East Up
11.04: Isis/27 @ Middle East Down
11.04: Laura Viers/The Decemberists @ The Orpheum

The Forms On Tour

[Photo Credit: Noah Kalina]

Brooklyn group The Forms prove with their self-titled second album that great math rock will never die. The band will be crossing the country starting with a record release show in NY on Oct. 30th.

October 30 – Cake Shop – New York, NY (Record Release party w/Patter Is Movement) November 1 – Lava Lounge – Pittsburgh, PA
November 2 – Pearl Nightclub – Dayton, OH
November 3 – Permanent Records – Chicago, IL (2 PM In-store performance)
November 3 – Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL
November 4 – Elbow Room - Ypsilanti, MI
November 5 - The Rosebud - Grand Haven, MI
November 6 – Omaha or Lawrence
November 7 – Record Bar – Kansas City, MI
November 8 – Bluebird Café – St Louis, MI
November 9 – Cowboy Monkey – Champaign, IL
November 10 - Lola's - Tulsa, OK
November 13 – San Diego or Long Beach
November 14 – The Scene - Los Angeles, CA
November 15 – 3 of Clubs – Hollywood, CA
November 16 – Rounders - Santa Cruz
November 17 – The Speakeasy Lounge – Sacramento, CA
November 19 – The Funhouse – Seattle, WA
November 20 – Tonic Lounge – Portland, OR

[Myspace] The Forms
[mp3] "Knowledge in Hand"
[mp3] "Bones"

Athlete Contest

Athlete has a new album out called Beyond the Neighborhood on Astralwerks. Since I have nothing better to do, I have a bunch of shit to give away. I have three prize packs to give away [one grand prize & two runners up] -- the first three to answer the simple question below will win.

Which Back to the Future films featured Flea [of Red Hot Chili Peppers]?

E-mail me here.

One grand prize winner will receive:
• One Beyond the Neighborhood full-lenth vinyl LP
• One autographed vinyl 7"
• One Athlete T-Shirt
• One silk screened poster
• One limited edition Beyond the Neighborhood CD
• One "Hurricane" CD single (includes Radio Edit, Camp America Remix, Duet with Iain
Archer, Dub Version)

Two runners up winners will receive:
• One Beyond the Neighborhood full-lenth vinyl LP
• One autographed vinyl 7"

[Myspace] Athlete
[mp3] "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds"

Dragonette

WARNING: The video pasted above contains some explicit material that may not be appropriate for our younger readers. It's basically Boogie Nights in music video form. You've been warned.

Dragonette is a group of Canadian ex-pats, who grew tired of the Mounties and moved away to London. Formed around the core husband and wife duo of Martina Sorbara and Dan Kurtz, the band plays an upbeat, sexy brand of electro-pop full of kitten whisper singing, raunchy synthesizers, and big dance beats. Although I haven't heard their entire debut album Galore (as it hasn't been released state side yet), I am fairly certain that all of their songs are about sex. That's not a bad thing, unless you go to Regent University or BYU or something. Check out this band if you want some fun music to get down to... or just some awesome dance music to perk up your day.

[Myspace] Dragonette
[mp3] "Take It Like A Man"

Cajun Dance Party "Amylase"

I guess this video isn't so new any more as the single came out on August 27th, but I just found it on Youtube, so it's new to me. This very well might be the band of 2008.

P.S. - I am absolutely addicted to this song right now.

[Buy] "Amylase"
[Myspace] Cajun Dance Party

Soft Debut Album Out Today

Brooklyn shoegazers Soft release their debut album Gone Faded today on homegrown label Academy Fight Song. For those of you in the city, they'll be doing an in-store at Sound Fix tomorrow night.

Wed 10/24: Soundfix In-store @ Soundfix 8:00 PM
(110 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg)

[Myspace] Soft
[mp3] "Higher"

Shows This Week In Boston

10.23: She Wants Revenge/Kenna @ The Paradise
10.23: Stars of Track & Field/Eskimo Joe @ TT The Bears
10.23: Kelly Clarkson @ The Orpheum
10.23: No Age/Sexy Prison @ PA's Lounge
10.23: The New Pornographers/Benjy Ferree/Emma Pollock @ The Roxy
10.24: C Rayz Walz @ Great Scott
10.24: Shout Out Louds/Johnossi/Nico Vega @ The Paradise
10.24: Film School/Small Sins/Land of Talk/Eulogies @ TT The Bears
10.24: Magik Markers @ PA's Lounge
10.25: Tunng/Geoff Farina @ Middle East Up
10.25: Dillinger Escape Plan @ Middle East Down
10.25: Viva Viva/Scout Niblett/Picastro @ PA's Lounge
10.25: The Go! Team/Matt & Kim @ The Paradise
10.26: The Pill @ Great Scott
10.26: Holly Golightly & the Broke-offs @ Middle East Up
10.26: Jenny Owen Youngs @ The Paradise Lounge
10.26: Dear Leader @ The Paradise
10.26: Bang Camaro @ The Roxy
10.27: David Bazan/All Smiles @ TT The Bears
10.28: Figurines/Dappled Cities @ Middle East Up

Le Loup

CMJ 2k7 Preview: The Maccabees

UK band The Maccabees have been an Exitfare favorite for a few years now, and they've dropped one of this year's better debut albums, Colour It In. We missed them on their last go around of the States because it seems that they played every city except Boston, but now they we are in NY for CMJ, our time is now to see them.

10/19: Blender Theatre [1230 am] CMJ bandge holders only
10/20: Brooklyn Vegan Party @ Pianos [4 pm, I believe]

[Myspace] The Maccabees
[mp3] "Precious Time"

CMJ 2k7 Preview: Health

LA group Health just released their debut album on Lovepump United last month and for the rest of the week, they are taking over NYC/CMJ. I caught these guys at Pop Montreal a couple weeks ago and they were pretty awesome -- I am glad that there is a band that improves on Liars and Animal Collective simply by making those groups not boring and ordinary.

HEALTH Live at CMJ, 2007:
Wednesday – 10/17
04:30PM – Fader Magazine Side Show
at 146 Orchard (btw Stanton and Rivington)
Friday – 10/19
02:30PM – Brooklyn Vegan Party at R Bar
10:15PM – CMJ Showcase at Knitting Factory
02:00AM – Vice Magazine Party at TBA
Saturday – 10/20
06:00PM – Soundfix Records In-Store
10:00PM – Death by Audio at 49 S. 2nd St (btw Wythe & Kent)

"Glitter Pills" [Live @ The Smell in LA]

[Myspace] Health
[Myspace] Health [remixes]
[mp3] "Triceratops"
[mp3] "Crimewave"

CMJ 2k7 Preview: Go Motion

Omaha group Go Motion took over their hometown and then set their sights on the rest of the country. They're just taking a quick dip in the city for CMJ for a Thursday night showcase before they head back west for a series of dates. Their debut album Kill The Love, one of the most engaging debuts of last year, is out now.

10.18: Banjo Jim's (9th At. & Ave C) 9pm

[Myspace] Go Motion
[mp3] "Dear, Love"

CMJ 2k7 Preview: Tuesday

It's 12:43am and I just got back from seeing the Smashing Pumpkins play a two and a half hour show at the Orpheum. After an especially hectic day of work and a ton of second hand pot smoke from the thirty somethings in front of me at the show, I'm pretty tuckered out... so I apologize in advance for being lazy and putting this post in list form.

If you happen to be in New York for CMJ, I'd highly recommend checking out the following three bands tonight:



7:00pm Care Bears on Fire @ Crash Mansion
These little kids rock much harder than those brats in School of Rock. Playing bonafide punk/garage rock with killer hooks, you'd never imagine that these kids are actually kids. I saw them back in February at the Exitfare showcase and all I can say is wow.

[Myspace] Care Bears on Fire

10:00pm Oppenheimer @ Crash Mansion
If you haven't heard of this awesome electro-infused indie rock duo from Belfast, then you've obviously been living under a rock. They put on a killer show, make sure to check them out at one of their many dates at CMJ.

[Myspace] Oppenheimer

11:30pm The Rosewood Thieves @ Southpaw
If you like your indie rock mixed with a little folk and country, then you'll probably love this genre-bending group. I'm not too familiar with this band yet, but I plan to be...

[Myspace] The Rosewood Thieves

CMJ 2k7 Preview: Astralwerks Records

[Myspace] Astralwerks

Shows This Week In Boston

10.15: Southeast Engine @ P.A.'s Lounge
10.15: Smashing Pumpkins/Explosions in the Sky @ The Orpheum
10.16: The Living Sea/The Silent Years/Barnicle @ Middle East Up
10.16: Slaraffenland/The Coast
10.16: Smashing Pumpkins/Explosions in the Sky @ The Orpheum
10.17: Little Brother/Psalm One @ The Paradise
10.17: The Broken West/Static of the Gods @ T.T. The Bears
10.17: Rodrigo Y Gabriela @ The Orpheum
10.17: Spoon @ The Roxy
10.18: IAMX/The Hourly Radio @ Great Scott
10.18: Slim Cessna's Auto Club @ Middle East Up
10.18: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers @ The Paradise
10.18: Tori Amos @ The Orpheum
10.19: The Pill @ Great Scott
10.19: Cheeseburger @ Middle East Up
10.19: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers @ The Paradise
10.19: Stars/New Buffalo @ Berklee Performance Center
10.19: Tori Amos @ The Orpheum
10.19: They Might Be Giants/Oppenheimer @ The Roxy
10.20: The Octopus Project/Enon/Ho-Ag/So Many Dynamos @ Great Scott
10.20: Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Devin the Dude & The Coughee Brothaz, Bukue One, Junk Science feat Iller Than Theirs (Def Jux) @ Middle East Down
10.20: Imperial Teen/The Snowleopards @ T.T. The Bears
10.21: The Deadly Syndrome/Oh No! Oh My! @ Middle East Up
10.21: British Sea Power/Taxpayer @ Middle East Up

Nada Surf: New Album & Tour

Nada Surf has a new album out on Feb. 5th, 2008 through Barsuk. LUCKY was produced by John Goodmanson (Death Cab For Cutie, Blonde Redhead, Sleater-Kinney) and the record features guest spots from Ben Gibbard, Ed Harcourt, John Roderick of the Long Winters, and guitarist Phil Wandscher of Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter.

The LUCKY tracklisting is:
Weightless
Whose Authority
Beautiful Beat
Here Goes Something
From Now On
I Like What You Say
Ice on the Wing
The Film Did Not Go 'Round
The Fox
Are You Lightning?
See These Bones

Fall Tour
10/13 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
10/15 Columbus, OH Basement
10/16 Cincinnati, OH 20th Century
10/17 Louisville, KY Jim Porters
10/18 Indianapolis, IN Birdy’s
10/19 Chicago, IL Schubas
10/20 Chicago, IL Schubas
10/22 St. Louis, MO Gargoyle Club
10/23 Nashville, TN Exit Inn
10/24 Birmingham, AL Bottle Tree
10/26 Tampa, FL State Theatre
10/27 St. Augustine, FL Café Eleven
10/29 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club
10/30 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
10/31 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
11/1 Charlottesville, VA Satellite Ballroom – UVA
11/2 Baltimore, MD 8 x 10

The week prior to the album release, Nada Surf will play a number of acoustic shows on the West Coast, and then head East for two hometown shows. All shows for this 2008 run go on sale October 19th. The dates are below:

1/30 Seattle, WA The Triple Door (acoustic)
1/31 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge (acoustic)
02/02 San Francisco, CA Swedish American Hall (acoustic)
02/07 Brooklyn, NY The Music Hall of Williamsburg

[Myspace] Nada Surf
[mp3] "See These Bones"

Klaxons on Conan Last Night

Hey dudes, ante up. Justice could have done a way better job.

Thanks for the heads up, Joe.

[Myspace] Klaxons

CMJ 2k7 Preview: Eeenie Meenie Records

[Myspace] Eenie Meenie Records
[mp3] Division Day "Plowed" [Sponge cover]
[mp3] Scissors For Lefty "Lay Down Your Weapons"

Klaxons on Conan Tonight

And the late night parade continues. Tune in tonight at 12:35 am EST to catch Klaxons on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Check out the BBC Interview with Alex Miller regarding the band's Mercury Prize win.

[Myspace] Klaxons

CMJ 2k7 Preview: Die Romantik

[Photo Credit: Ebru Yildiz]

Die Romantik is a three piece from Brooklyn that plays a brooding sort of pop music with an interesting epic, yet theatrical flair. Think Belle and Sebastian mixed with Radiohead mixed with a touch of turn of the century chamber music (twentieth century, not twenty first). I haven't heard their entire debut album, but I'm definitely intrigued and can't wait to hear more of this promising band at CMJ. They'll be joined on stage by Division Day, Air Traffic, Dragonette, Arizona, and Christopher Denny, so don't miss it!

10/17: The Canal Room [ASCAP CMJ Showcase--11:30pm]
11/15: Bowery Ballroom

[Myspace] Die Romantik
[mp3] "Narcissist's Waltz"

Justice on Jimmy Kimmel

This went down last night -- watch it before ABC takes it down. It's pretty amazing.



[Myspace] Justice

A break from indie rock...

This is Dany's special little friend.

CMJ 2k7 Preview: Foals

These snotty art school dropouts who are hungry for the dollar are back in the US for CMJ. Foals blew me away during their all too brief set earlier this year at SXSW, but with new tunes and time drilling their songs into my head, this go around should be way more fun. Not like I didn't have fun before.

For those of you whining that Bloc Party isn't as good as they used to be, these are the guys for you. There are no plans for an album yet, but there are a few assorted singles floating around out there.

"Mathletics"

10/17: Music Hall of Williamsburg
10.19: Galapagos
10.20: Bowery Ballroom [Sub Pop/Hardly Art Showcase]

[Myspace] Foals
[mp3] "Mathletics"

CMJ 2k7 Preview: Walter Meego

So it's that time again. CMJ. Our friends in NY waited a little long to get their schedule up this year, but there's still a week to preview some of the better bands playing this year's fest.

We'll start with Exitfare favorites Walter Meego, who are currently somewhere in Europe playing some amazingly awesome locale. On top of that, their debut album is out early next year on Almost Gold, and they'll be at CMJ for three dates. These guys put on a great show, so grab a Red Bull & vodka and have some fun.

THURS OCT 18- Webster Hall with UNKLE
FRI OCT 19 - The Annex at midnight, Big Stereo Party
SAT OCT 20 - Cake Shop - Shout It Out/Harp Magazine Party

[Myspace] Walter Meego
[mp3] "Keyhole"

Stay Up Late With Vice Tonight

So here's some shit going on tonight on your TV device. It's a big night for Vice Records.

[Myspace] Black Lips
[Myspace] Justice

Pop Montreal 2k7 Recap + We're Marching On

This past weekend's Pop Montreal festival was an exhausting, but fun affair. It lasted from Oct. 3rd-7th, and although I was there just on Thursday, Friday & Saturday, I saw enough great new bands to give me a few weeks of posts!

On top of that, this is one of the most well run festivals I've ever been to. Check-in was organized, the free bag was filled with useful information, the festival guidebook was well laid out and informative with not only tips about bands, but useful hints for navigating Montreal and there were frequent updates sent out via text message. Count me in for 2k8.

This week I'll be recapping some of my favorite bands from the fest, and it all starts with Toronto's We're Marching On.



I wrote about these guys two years ago, but after a few months, they quietly slipped into the background. When I was glancing over this year's PM schedule, I saw that they were playing, so I knew it was my chance to finally see them -- I don't think they've ever played a show in the States. They went on around 8 pm Friday night at Preloved, which is a rather unique vintage clothing store, and played an exciting 30 minute plus set with the lights out.

These guys just may have been the best thing I saw all weekend as they managed to pack a small store full of kids that were hanging on every note and every word. The crowd knew all of the words and didn't miss a beat when accenting the high notes with fist pumps and awkward white kid dance moves.

The band's Argh! Umph! Ahh! EP has been floating around for awhile and when an album finally drops, I sense big things for these guys. I am really surprised that more blogs have not caught on yet.

[Myspace] We're Marching On
[mp3] "1800s"

Shows This Week In Boston

10.08: Black Mountain/The Cave Singers/Yeasayer @ Great Scott
10.09: The Helio Sequence @ Middle East Up
10.09: Oakley Hall @ T.T. The Bears
10.10: Digitalism @ Middle East Down
10.10: Jesse Malin @ T.T. The Bears
10.10: Pinback/MC Chris @ The Roxy
10.11: Thom Moran/Foreign Islands @ Great Scott
10.11: High on Fire/Mono/Panthers @ Middle East Down
10.11: Hot Hot Heat/Bedouin Soundclash/De Novo Dahl @ The Paradise
10.11: Gogol Bordello/The Dub Trio @ The Roxy
10.12: The Pill @ Great Scott
10.12: !!!/The Field @ The Paradise
10.12: Queens of the Stone Age/Biffy Clyro/The Black Angels @ The Orpheum
10.12: Of Montreal/MGMT @ The Roxy
10.13: Age Rings @ Great Scott
10.13: Voxtrot/1990s/The Little Ones @ Middle East Down
10.13: Architecture in Helsinki/Lo-Fi-Fnk/Panther/Tigercity @ The Paradise
10.13: Smashing Pumpkins/Explosions in the Sky @ The Orpheum
10.14: The Silent Years @ Great Scott
10.14: Division Day/iLiKETRAiNS/Dylan in the Movies @ Middle East Up
10.14: The Hives @ Middle East Down
10.14: Shooter Jennings/Earl Greyhound @ The Paradise

Black Kids

[Photo Credit: Adam Britt]

The internet is abuzz with talk about Black Kids, an unsigned five-piece band from Jacksonville, Florida, of all places. After cutting their teeth opening for cool bands like Lo Fi Fnk, Anathallo and Elf Power, Black Kids is on the cusp of breaking out on their own. If you've had a chance to listen to their quality E.P., Wizard of Ahhhs, then that fact shouldn't come as much of a surprise. (FYI--the E.P. is available for free on their Myspace).

Black Kids' sound is distinctly rooted in 80s pop, full of synthesizers, jangly guitars, and a lead singer who probably could pass as a blood relative of Robert Smith (if it weren't for skin color). Their songs are full of some fantastic tongue in cheek lyrics about heartbreak, as well as some catchy synth riffs and male/female call and response choruses. Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if they became the main draw at shows sometime in the very near future. Check them out at CMJ, I know I will.

10/18: CMJ--The Annex (10pm)

[Myspace] Black Kids
[mp3] "Hit The Heartbreaks"

The Go! Team

I've apparently been living under a rock, because I completely overlooked the fact that The Go! Team released a new album a few weeks ago. Proof Of Youth is not a grand departure from the sound that made them famous--much like 2005's breakthrough Thunder, Lightning, Strike, the record is seeped full of bright horns from the annals of funk and the infectious dance sensibilities of the disco era. This is party starting music, but party starting music with real intelligence.

The Go! Team uses elements from disparate genres and time periods to compliment and complicate each song. Whether it's rhymes straight from early hip hop ("Flashlight Fight") or the breakneck tempo/attitude of punk ("Universal Speech), cheerleader chants ("Doing It Right") or the light touches of twee ("I Never Needed It Now So Much"), these distinctive components all magically come together in a sound that's both cohesive and enjoyable. Not to mention, dynamic and full of energy. If I sound overly enthusiastic, go buy the album and hit up their shows and I'm sure you'll see what I mean.

[Myspace] The Go! Team
[mp3] "Doing It Right"

super/heater

[Photo Credit: Antonella Fratino] There aren't enough people doing good math rock anymore -- it seems as though the genre's heyday is gone. Seriously, there are only a few out there, perhaps Traindodge and Riddle of Steel. Even DC has been pretty quiet as of late, but I've always been confident that a good genre will never die. Montreal's super/heater remember the glory days and they're technical as fuck to prove it. If all was beautiful in the world, these guys would be rocking out at Pop Montreal, but you can't always get what you want. The band does have a limited two song single, and it can be all yours by visiting their Myspace page.

[Myspace] super/heater
[mp3] "Automatic Transmission"

Pop Montreal 2k7

Hey friends, in case you didn't know, I also write for Stranded In Stereo, which is a pretty awesome site. Check it out sometime.

But anyway, I just did a piece on Pop Montreal for SIS highlighting a few new bands, so I am going to be all lazy and repost some of it here.

By the way, Pop Montreal began yesterday and it goes through Sunday. It's in Montreal, obviously, and if any of you guys are going, hit me up. So here are some of the bands to look out for:

We're Marching On: I was tipped off to these Toronto locals a couple years ago, but in classic Dany-fashion, some other band distracted me and I moved on. I'm glad they're on the schedule because I am still dying to see them. By taking the theory that more is always better and applying it to indie rock, they make a sound that fits like a glove and then immediately tears off your hand. In the best way possible.
[Thursday 10/04 1 am @ Coda // 4119 Saint-Laurent]

Thundrah: When you ask someone "Hey man, I need good bands to check out when I am at Pop Montreal, who should I check out?" and this is the first band they suggest, it's obvious that you're on the same wavelength. These Montreal locals play like Thurston Moore would if he only listened to bands on Dischord. If there were more bands like this, life would be a few steps closer to perfect.
[Wednesday 10/03 11 pm @ Theatre National // 1220 Sainte-Catherine E.]
[mp3] "Weighing & Wanting"

Syme: Do you ever wonder why so many awesome bands come from Norway & Sweden? Syme hails from the former and makes an excellent approximation of what I am going to dub "Norsecore." Their tunes bring to mind Sigur Ros and Mew in that cinematic, almost futuristic way by adroitly balancing melody and noise.
[Friday 10/05 10 pm @ Academy Club // 4445 Saint-Laurent]
[mp3] "Modern Love"

Yelle: She's from France, and while some people might say that's no different than Montreal, that's something that should never be uttered out loud. Fights will ensue. But anyway, back to Yelle. It's a sound built for the dancefloor, perfect for your Justice fans that are craving a bit more of that classic song structure. Her tunes have been blowing up the blogosphere for a minute now, but I have high hopes for her as part of the new French Revolution.
[Saturday 10/06 1 am @ Les Saints // 30 Sainte-Catherine O.]
[mp3] "85A"

[Myspace] Pop Montreal

Josh Ritter In Boston

Hey dudes, I am way way busy right now and I am headed to Montreal tomorrow for Pop Montreal! Anyway, because I like to treat you guys right, I have a pair of tickets for the Josh Ritter show Friday night [October 5th] at the Somerville Theatre here in Boston.

His new album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, is out now on Sony/Victor.

If you want them, be the first to e-mail me and answer this very important question -- which Teen Wolf movie is better and why?

[Myspace] Josh Ritter
[mp3] "Rumors" [Live in Berlin]
[mp3] "To The Dogs or Whoever"

Another Dewar's Debate

Vice Magazine and Dewar's invite you to the second Dewar's Debate in Boston - October 4th

On Thursday, October 4th, we are serving up a heated argument. Come watch as two culinary cut-down artists roast each other over the topic: Herbivores vs. Carnivores. I invite everyone to go and have fun for me as I'll be in Montreal.

For meat: Noah Garfinkle. For veggies: Joe Mande. All will be sternly moderated by Gabe Liedman.

Where:
ZuZu
474 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA

When:
October 4th
Doors at 7, Debate at 8:15

Complimentary cocktails provided by Dewar's.

Mandatory RSVP: debate@viceland.com

Must be 21+ to attend

New Division Day Video

Division Day's debut album Beartrap Island came out yesterday on Eenie Meenie -- if you're still not sure about these guys, you can stream the island at Virb. To celebrate, the band made a video for one of the many hits on the record, "Tigers."

Also, the fifth installment of the Beartrap Island maps is above.

[Myspace] Division Day
[Video] "Tigers"

Radiohead New Album Details

As if you don't know already. But if you don't, here it is.

Radiohead's new album, In Rainbows, will be out on October 10th, available only on the band's website as a DRM-free mp3 download. As of a couple of hours ago, the site was having some troubles, but to pre-order the record, all you need to do is suggest a price and in nine days, the record is yours.

Radiohead’s fan service, WASTE, is currently taking advance orders for two formats: the album MP3 and the Discbox, which includes double vinyl and CD versions of the record and a second, enhanced CD with additional new songs, artwork, and photographs of the band, all exclusive to the box. Anyone purchasing this deluxe edition will automatically receive the bundled MP3 album on October 10.

Radiohead are currently planning a traditional CD release of In Rainbows for early 2008. The album was produced by Nigel Godrich.

The complete track listing is:
15 STEP
BODYSNATCHERS
NUDE
WEIRD FISHES/ARPEGGI
ALL I NEED
FAUST ARP
RECKONER
HOUSE OF CARDS
JIGSAW FALLING INTO PLACE
VIDEOTAPE

The extra songs on the second CD of the Discbox are:
MK1
DOWN IS THE NEW UP
GO SLOWLY
MK2
LAST FLOWERS
UP ON THE LADDER
BANGERS AND MASH
4 MINUTE WARNING

[Myspace] Radiohead

Interpol "No I In Threesome"

[Myspace] Interpol

Shows In Boston This Week

10.01: Campaign For Real Time @ Great Scott
10.01: Magnolia Electric Co./The Watson Twins @ Middle East Down
10.01: The Brunettes/Ferraby Lionheart/Winterpills @ Middle East Up
10.02: The Good Life/Luke Temple @ Middle East Down
10.02: Nellie McKay @ The Paradise
10.03: Great Lake Swimmers @ Middle East Up
10.03: Minus The Bear/Subtle @ Middle East Down
10.03: Apollo Sunshine/Dr. Dog @ The Paradise
10.04: The Draft @ Middle East Up
10.04: Minus The Bear/Subtle @ Middle East Down
10.04: Johnette Napolitano @ The Paradise Lounge
10.04: Patrick Wolf @ The Paradise
10.05: The Pill @ Great Scott
10.05: Caribou/Born Ruffians @ Middle East Up
10.05: Two Gallants/Blitzen Trappen @ Middle East Down
10.05: Brandi Carlile/A Fine Frenzy @ The Orpheum
10.05: Michael Franti & Spearhead @ The Roxy
10.06: Qui/Neptune/Black Helicopter @ Middle East Up
10.06: Paper @ Middle East Down
10.06: The Blow/Saturday Looks Good To Me @ MFA
10.06: Paolo Nutini @ The Orpheum
10.06: The National @ The Roxy
10.07: Sunset Rubdown @ Middle East Down
10.07: The Donnas/Donita Sparks @ The Paradise
10.07: Henry Rollins @ Berklee Performance Center

Diamond Sea

When a band bills themselves as "the world's most dangerous band," nine times out of ten they are dangerous alright--dangerously bad. That statistic aside, whoever wrote the Myspace page for the small Montreal-based band Diamond Sea is definitely onto something because the group is really, really good. Their songs are ultra melodic, dreamy soundscapes that truly have the capacity to break your heart. It's literally shoegaze at its best. I can't say enough good things about Diamond Sea, so make sure to check them out this weekend at Pop Montreal if you're lucky enough to attend.

[Myspace] Diamond Sea
[mp3] "15"