Alive and Kickin'

For anyone doubting Chuck Berry...

Cold War Kids Dishing Out The Free Tunes

Free download of the new song "Something Is Not Right With Me" by Cold War Kids is now available on their website. Check it out here

Album Watch: of Montreal's Skeletal Lamping

I was going to go into elaborate detail explaining Of Montreal's new album Skeletal Lamping (It's really good) but the first week of school has got me on my heels. Plus it would probably take time better spent watching Hannah Montana. Rest assured that it is freaky, catchy, poppy, unpredictable, creepy, and mostly weird.

Yeah. It sounds about how it looks.

Really though if you are a fan of hooks in music, have a smidgen of indie love, and are willing to try something freaky I would advise that you at the very least give it a chance.

Album Opener:
of Montreal - Nonpareil Of Favor (Mp3 right click ->save as)

Album Closer:
of Montreal - Id Engager (Mp3. right click->save as)

P.s.

When it comes out if you are interested in the album it would be criminal not to get it in one of the following ways.

New KOL Video: "Sex On Fire"

While I do love these boys, they have shown that the level of creativity they possess in making music is far from matched by the level of creativity they possess in making music videos. Yet another video of the band performing the song. HOWEVER, showing some signs of creativity, this one is interspersed with shots of Nathan getting dumped with water, Caleb sweating and writhing around on a barnyard bed, and Matthew eating chicken. What that all means is beyond me.

Sex On Fire

New Music to Obsess Over

Here's a great new dance/hip-hop song from Kevin Rudolph ft Lil Wayne called "Let It Rock." SO HOTT!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY8-mJB94oE

TV on the Radio: "Dancing Choose"

Stream a new jam from critical darlings TV on the Radio's highly anticipated third disc HERE.

More Bon Iver

Justin & Co's beautiful spin on a song from Okkervil River's Cizzle-endorsed new album The Stand-Ins. The finger picked/harmonied outro is gorgeous.

Justice. seriously, you can dance to it

As a music listener I might be guilty of liking too much of everything. Miley Cyrus's 7 Things? Catchy. Mmmbop? Delicious. Heck I even dig the newest Lil'Wayne cd. So when I got into Justice, a French electronic duo that rips the pants off of dancers, my roomates tossed it aside as another one of my fad bands. What they didn't know was that my speakers overpowered paper thin walls.

The thing is they love it now. When we're playing smash brothers alone on a friday night we're rocking Justice in our boxers.

So yes, it is kinda like techno, and yes it isn't for everyone, but I really think you might get into it if you give it a chance.

Plus their live show looks ridiculous...If only I lived in europe

Go here to listen to Justice.
Go here to read Justice trying to do an interview in english
Go here to check out Justice's next release

What's Next...?

I'm not going to lie. I used to be a huge Fall Out Boy fan. I know they don't have a very good rep anymore, but those who judged the band off of their hit, "Sugar, We're Going Down" and automatically hated them from that point on, don't know the half of it. One of my favorite cds I own was put out far before that over-played, bad single hit the charts. "Take This To Your Grave" was a really solid album. After the boys put that cd out, their sound shifted to one that would better fit into the pop genre...and that's when it all started going downhill.


The former diehard fans died off, when more and more teenagers decided to wear skinny jeans and paint their nails black and call themselves Fall Out Boy fans. Their songs had a changed sound and their fame skyrocketed, making their name recognizable to many. When I was asked what my favorite band was in 2004, I would say Fall Out Boy; and no one would know what I was talking about. After their single hit the charts and put Fall Out Boy in the top ten, I was almost embrassed to say I had ever liked them in the first place. The controversial part about this shift in sound was when people started to call FOB sell outs.

What are all of your thoughts? What constitutes selling out? Is it really our place to say that a band is selling out? Maybe they just decided to change their style and finally got noticed...

Fall Out Boy's new cd, "Folie a Deux," hits the shelves November 4th.

New Taylor Swift Album Cover

Check out Taylor Swift's cover for her upcoming album, Fearless, also available at cmt.com. 

New Kooks Video: "Sway"

Video for new Kooks single "Sway," making an argument against the legitimacy of music videos (the sequin shirt is NOT helping).

summer soundtrack

For me, a big part of my summer tends to be the music I jam out to...and I figure I'm not the only one. So, readers- I'm curious.
What's your summer '08 soundtrack? Hit me with the top five.

Here are mine::
1) Salute Your Solution -- The Raconteurs
2) These Girls -- Ryan Adams
3) Stay (Wasting Time) -- Dave Matthews Band
4) What Kinda Gone -- Chris Cagle
5) The Resolution -- Jack's Mannequin

New MMJ Video: "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2"

Love this album. Love this song. Love this video. Love this band. See them live right here in Iowa City on October 7. Tickets on sale NOW. Every ticket not sold makes Spencer Pratt a little richer. 

New Bloc Party Album Coming Out In THREE DAYS!!!!

This was a pleasant spank in the face. Thanks to a tip from the ever vigilant Stereogum, Bloc Party is set to release LP3, Intimacy, on August 21. You can pre-order it now via the band's website (www.blocparty.com).

Uh Huh Her

Stream the whole Uh Huh Her album, Common Reaction, on mtv.com's "The Leak" before it is officially released. 

http://www.mtvu.com/music/the_leak/uh_huh_her/common_reaction/index.jhtml

Finally!

Wow. What a great surprise to wake up today to new music from one of my favorite artists, Will Young. He hasn't come out with new music since 2005 (forever!) and this is certainly well worth the wait. He has said in the past he doesn't want to break into the US music scene (maybe that will change with this album?) but is ridiculously popular in England. The single "Changes" is out now and the album, Let It Go, is due out September 29th. Can't wait, even though I will have to pay import taxes on it, I don't care. The song matures his sound, which started out sort of boy-band era/style and I'm enjoying the contemporary update. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzSMkVxuQD8 

New Lily Allen

According to NME, Lily Allen's label EMI is responsible for the delay in the already completed album's release. But there is a song that has been floating around the interwebs called "Fuck You Very Much." Subtle.

Painted Lemons or Lemonade?

It looks as if Atmosphere is coming to Iowa. The tour is called "Paint the Nation" and is yet another example of how solid Iowa City venues are at booking shows. This particular tour is set for November 5th at the Englert and should fit well with the various other shows slated for fall.

The Cookie Monster

Some of you might remember when slb first posted about Gym Class Heroes' new album The Quilt. Well courtesy of Mr. Wentz and F'NMTV there is now a video to accompany the song and I have to say, I do not like the song one bit.



If you don't have time to watch the whole video I've got a rundown for you: Cookie crumbs equal hot girls, eating cookies instead of veggies equals unfaithful, hands hands hands hands hands hands hands hands hands out the cookie jar, cookieholic, chocolate on my face, scooby snacks, crumbs in bed, girls like me, my hands my hands my hands my hands, milano, oreos, butter pecan, oatmeal raisins, hazelnut, doublestuff, thin mints. Monster for these cookies, beast for they treats, animal for their crackers. My hands my hands hands hands hands cookie jar.

Maybe it's because they said cookie/ made cookie references the entire song, maybe i'm just bitter it's more mainstream than their first release The Papercut Chronicles, or maybe it just isn't good. In any case, I can't even make it a guilty pleasure and I'm hoping the rest of the album is more energetic, exciting, and clever.

As long as I'm crying about how Gym Class Heroes sold out I might as well post an old song. Here's Make Out Club, a song about Travis's old girl problems.

My Vote for Nov. 4th.....Brad Paisley!

It looks as though Paisley will be competing against McCain and Obama for attention on November 4th this year. His new instrumental-themed album, Play , is set to release on election day. Artists who are expected to be involved on the album include Keith Urban, Little Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, and a song paired with blues great B.B. King. For more info on the album, hit up Great American Country.

Are "U" ready for football season?

Columbus circle in New York will be getting a FREE concert next month (sept. 4th) to kick off the new football season and to help celebrate the New York Giants Super Bowl win. Oh by the way, it will be headlined by Keith Urban and Usher. Not too bad for a free show.

What you like, not what you are like

I agreed that what really matters is what you like, not what you are like... Books, records, films -- these things matter. Call me shallow but it's the fuckin' truth.

That line from High Fidelity is the basis for a new RocknRollDating site (Yes I've been reading absolutepunk.net again, thanks again guys). Forget for a second that all the featured members of this site look like convicted rapists (as opposed to unconvicted, they look much cleaner) but the idea is an intriguing one. How important is it to a relationship that your musical tastes match up? I mean it's not make or break but certainly it matters.

Jump with me to a personal example:

Once upon a time, in my high-school days I was set up on a blind date to a women-pay-all dance. At dinner we had our first chance to get to know each other and I led with the all important question.

"What kind of music do you listen to?"

Naturally she responded with the worst answer possible, "O, idk, a little bit of everything".

Akward silence for a bit, then "Quick name 5 bands you like".

"Pretty much whatever is on the radio"

Any chance of us having a relationship was shot. Even friendship was shaky. Sad, but true. So I'm a little neurotic about music, and maybe I'm a little to invested in pushing what I like on other people, but I truly think you have to have a crossover in tastes. If the middle of you and your significant other's music venn diagram is completely empty I think you should give it up because it probably isn't going to work out.

This post is meant to work two fold though. Not only am I trying to bring to light a unique dating site (ha), I also want to know what other people think. So, I want any readers out there to reply with an answer to one of the following:

1. Worst music artist a significant other has been crazy about?

2. Does someone elses music taste have an influence on your relationship with them?

3. Favorite line from the movie High Fidelity?

4. What concert would you most like to see come to Iowa City?

This is also to make sure there are still readers out there, I think us SCOPE bloggers could use the motivation.

Almost Here or Big Mess?

The Academy Is (Without the ...) have decided to leak their own album track by track. Choosing to do so by giving individual tracks to different fans is kind of annoying, but who am I to argue with a free preview of their new cd Fast Times at Barrington High. Thanks to AP.net for compiling all the tracks individual fans have shared so far and here's to hoping the three holdouts cave as soon as possible.

Almost forgot to mention, you need to follow the jump for the preview

New Bon Iver

It's been quite a bit since we've last hit y'all up with any Bon Iver news, but new material is too good to pass up. The video's quality is a little sub-par, but you get the idea. The song is called "Blood Bank" and it's pretty great. A bit more force than we're used to from Justin and crew, but it's nice to see the band able to adapt. Thanks to Stereogum for the headsup.

Concert Review: Mates of State with Judgement Day

I have an unnatural obsession with Mates of State, and this has been going on for about four years now. I have stalked their new tours every couple months to see if they would be playing ANYWHERE near me, and for FOUR years, they hadn't, until this week. I drove to Buffalo with my best girl friend from high school to go see this lively duet. The club where they were playing was in the theater district of downtown, in this small movie-theater-looking building on the second floor. Erase that, office building like place. Anyways, Emily and I took a seat to watch the opener. Never in my entire life have I been so blown away by the mere skill of a band. Judgement Day is a hardcore/metal band that has no vocals, a cellist, violinist, and a drummer. I am definitely not a huge fan of either hardcore or metal, but I honestly could not contain the huge smile on my face during their entire performance. I think the entire crowd was blown away by their talent and the way they manipulated their instruments to create such a different sound. Kori (MoS) actually came to the side of the stage by the audience to watch them perform! I think these are the kind of bands that people need to see right now. Musicians with actual classical talent who are stretching their instruments and breaking away from what is expected in the indie world. Who knew a cellist could rock so hard!?

Now, Mates of State. The crowd finally drifted from the tables to the stage. Their show was everything I expected. A small venue, kids who have a huge appreciation for their music, and a dance party. Although the dance party did not spread farther than Emily, the five kids around us, and I, I still had a great time. They delivered their songs with passion, playing both really new songs (re-arrange us) and oldies like HAHA. They have definitely grown as musicians since their first album Team Boo, and their new set really showed the progression they have taken from a crazy and spastic conglomeration of melodies and instruments to a more toned-down style of music. Judgement Day even came on for about half the set, which added a really cool spin to their music. In all, it was an amazing night, with great music, and my long wait was definitely worth it! And don't worry, as usual, I will inform you all if they come anywhere NEAR the IC area. If you haven't gotten into them yet, you will not be disappointed, they have a distinct sound that I have a hard time trying to describe, and the cutest history to boot. This may leave you wanting to stalk them like I have for the past several years. OK, I'll leave you with their latest video.

Get Better

Album Alert: Okkervil River's The Stand-Ins

I have to admit, upon first few listens of The Stand-Ins I was dissapointed. I loved The Stage Names and couldn't for the life of me understand why this album, a supposed continuation of the previous, wasn't doing it for me. It was like waking up next to a wife after a year of marriage and questioning my love (or so I would imagine).

Then the answer struck me. I'm taking her for granted.

"Lost Coastlines", for instance, is a gorgeous duet between lead singer Will Sheff and recently departed Jonathan Meiburg (Sidenote: He left for a band called Shearwater who put out one of the best albums of 08 in Rook. Go here and listen to Leviathan Bound for proof).

"Pop Lie" is an upbeat number that has me rocking my numb toes.

"Calling And Not Calling My Ex" is simply an amazing thinking about love lost track to play while stalking ex-girlfriend's on facebook.

What I'm really trying to say is this album is great. And if you were a past fan of this band don't expect to be let down.

Love, TC

P.s. here is a taste of of the new album courtesy of stereogum

Okkervil River - "Lost Coastlines" (Right Click -> Save As)

Edit: The Stand-Ins is slated for release on September 9th

Concert Announcement: Man Man at the Picador

Iowa seems to be scoring big this upcoming fall. My Morning Jacket, Yeasayer, Sunset Rubdown, and now Man Man. Picador will be bringing the high-energy carnival pop music to your ears on October 19th. Bring your mustache.

Yeasayer Coming To A Campus Near Us

That's right. Lollapalooza standouts Yeasayer will be taking a jaunt through these United States of America, road testing songs for their sure to be excellent sophomore effort. They'll be stopping by Grinnell on October 31 (full list of tour dates HERE), which is totally awesome. HOWEVER, Kings of Leon also have a show at the Aragon in Chicago on October 31.

Yeasayer killed it at Lolla this year. Kings of Leon killed at Lolla last year (as well as at the IMU here in Iowa City and the Congress in Chicago before that). So I guess the question is KOL v. Yeasayer? Any input out there?

New Franz Ferdinand Song: "Lucid Dreams"

It's been a tic since we've heard anything new from the guys in Franz Ferdinand, but it seems they're back with more of the same post-Strokes dance rock that they made their name with. If I had to describe it, I would say it sounds exactly like a Franz Ferdinand song. Not breaking any new ground, but still good. Grab it HERE.

New Kanye Video: "Champion"

Puppets. Olympics.

Champion from videos222 on Vimeo.

Concert Review: Kings of Leon

Working All Points West Music and Arts Festival this past weekend was arguably one of the worst experiences of my life (and I took microeconomics my freshman year). After selling approximately eight billion ferry tickets to every Radiohead fan on the island of Manhattan Saturday, I hopped the boat myself and got to Liberty State Park in Jersey City just in time to see the Followill boys hit the stage Saturday night as my knights in super skinny jeans.

Kings of Leon opened the set with newbie jam "Crawl," recently available for free download on their website. Live, the song reinforced the transition toward a more arena-rock sound the band made with Because of the Times. If you were one of the opponents of this change, hold on to your copy of Holy Roller Novocain because based on the performance of this song, it looks like the band is going to stick with the new sound. The song was flawlessly played and energetic, despite the fact that the first thirty rows of crowd were taken by aforementioned crazed Radiohead fans securing their spots for the headlining band.

(Side note: Will someone please explain the fascination with Radiohead to me because I don't get it.)

In a show highlight, the band played "Sex on Fire" live for the first time as noted by frontman Caleb who wore his signature white v-neck tee, black jeans and tan snakeskin boots. Throughout the song his vocals straddled the thin line between sexy wail and squeaky crack, a combination so irresistible to some festival goers that various undergarments hit the stage throughout the song. Check it out for yourself:



I have to give major props to lead guitarist Matthew for shredding during the few guitar solos he played. The overall stage presence was very musically mechanical and the band very rarely deviated from the CD versions of songs. When they did mix it up, however, it was with Matthew taking the lead. "McFearless" was especially powerful. The rest of the set was very balanced with material from all the band's releases being played. "Charmer" and "The Bucket" were standouts and "Ragoo" was noticeably missing.

Bottom line: the new album is going to be amazing so get your tickets to the fall tour already. And for the record, the KOL do list is still as follow(ill)s:
1. Jared (duh)
2. Caleb
3. Nacho (yes he was there, yes he was working the ramp party)
4. Matthew
5. Nathan

New Remix - Santogold

For those of you still mourning the loss (by retirement) of one of hip hops finest females, MIA, Santogold has a new remix out that may be able to keep you from jumping out your apartment window.... "Lights Out" (along with "Creator") have been featured in Bud Light Lime commercials throughout the summer, and both versions of "Lights Out" and "Creator" can be downloaded for free on the beer giant's website. The "Lights Out" remix can also be downloaded below, and should be immediately added to any end of summer playlist. 

Santogold - Lights Out Remix

Fun.

Anyone remember The Format?

Of course, by remember, I mean still feel the heart crushing blow of one of your favorite bands breaking up. If this is the case then you can take at least a little consolation in the fact that previous frontman Nate Ruess has started up a new band called "Fun". Not a huge fan of the name but I really like the first demo.

Follow the jump to get the whole story straight from Nate's mouth. (Or scroll to the bottom for the Myspace link)

Hi.

My hope is that you are reading this because you are interested. My hope is that you are reading this because you have been waiting. I know it's been a long time since I've said anything, and for a lot of you it may have seen like I left on a weird note. For that I apologize but my hope is that you'll feel that it was worth the wait. This letter is going out through The Format's email list, so I'm hoping to talk directly to you, the folks who have always been so good to us.

The last time I wrote was when i had the unfortunate task of informing you that The Format had broken up. I must admit, it's still kind of a touchy subject for me. After all, I spent almost seven years travelling the United States (and eventually much of the world) with some of my best friends, doing something that we all loved dearly. I had a great time doing what I love most; making and performing music. Sadly though, we made a decision to put The Format to the side and one of the best things about music is that it isn't confined to working with only one specific group of people. I get to do it again.

For a music obsessive, one of the great things about touring is the opportunity to not only meet some of the most talented people on this planet, but its also the opportunity to make great friends and forge certain bonds. I can recall so many times when I've watched someone else on stage doing what they love and thinking to myself how fortunate I am to be in the same position. The day after The Format had broken up, I already knew that I couldn't just call it quits. I wasn't ready to give up music. I had a handful of songs that I was convinced were the best songs I'd written and I don't think that I would have been able to live with myself if I had just left them to evaporate somewhere in the back of my mind. I don't even think I had told my mother of the band's demise before I made the two phone calls that set the amazing events of the past few months in motion.

Much like Dog Problems, some of the songs that I had been writing were in dire need of arrangements, harmonies, and a whole bunch of player piano. Did I ever know the guy: Andrew Dost. Hopefully you had the chance to see Andrew when he was in Anathallo, or when he was the seventh member of The Format on one of our 'Dog Problems' tours. I remember being on tour with him and just being blown away at his ability to play almost every instrument with ease, sometimes switching from singing and playing the glockenspiel to playing the piano and flugelhorn (all mid-song!!!) (oh and I just read that last sentence back to myself and it reads like something out of the renaissance fair pamphlet). On that tour we spent many nights bonding over our love for Weezer b-sides, among many other things. So I called him, gave him the bad news, and asked him to help me finish these songs I'd been writing. He was anxious to get busy working on some of the rough song ideas I would send him. I remember a few days after we talked I was feeling really upset about how things were unfolding, when I received a call from his home in Michigan with the exclamation that he had written some harmonies to the end of a song I had sent him. I rushed home to download and proceeded to spend the rest of the day feeling invincible. Andrew and I were going to make a record, but I had one more phone call to make...

Whether I want to admit it or not, guitar is most likely (see...cant do it) my favourite instrument...I remember every great guitarist I've ever met (sure I can only count them on one hand) and since the moment I saw Jack Antonoff play he has always been the index finger. He and I can both vividly remember the first time we actually met, at a concert in New Jersey. We both remember thinking the other was an arrogant asshole. We were both kinda right. I barely got the words out of my mouth before he said yes, count him in. That fast.

At this point I was walking on air. We all made plans to meet in New York immediately. Looking back I didn't know what I wanted to come out of this. I think I just wanted to prove to myself that I wasn't completely nuts, but in hindsight I must have been, because four days later we were sitting in Jack's living room going over some of the music I had sent them. The first song we had worked on was "Benson Hedges" (the demo, which we record that very first day, is up on our MySpace). I remember Jack understanding it right away. He picked up the guitar and played it exactly the way I had heard it. Then there's Dost: I had explained to him that when we would record the song properly, I would want a gospel choir. He said that he wanted a crack at it for the demo, so Jack and I left him alone for a while and tried our best not to laugh when we heard him singing so many different variations of "holyghost" from the other room. If only we had known what it was going to sound like when it was all said and done. My jaw dropped - in thirty minutes his one voice had recorded all of the harmonies and sketched out one heck of a gospel sound. We proceeded to collectively put more bells (literally) and whistles (the triangle) on the song and once Jack and Andrew had mixed it, we listened in a car in the garage and I had chills. If I had any fears or concerns, it was right then, once the song finished, that I knew I couldn't have been in a better place. When we left New York after that first batch of demos, we knew that things were going to really change for us.

I flew back home to phoenix with the decision that it would be my last few weeks there. My girlfriend lives in New York. She and I had decided to get an apartment in Brooklyn. It was hard because Phoenix is "my city", despite the fact that I've been to 47 states (I keep count, sorry Alaska,
Maine and Montana) I had decided, like with many things in my life at the time, a change of scenery was in order. One of the first things I did when I got home was meet up with Sam to play him what we had been working .. all, a few of the songs that we worked on were started by the both of us.

Sam, not only being one of my best friends, was also my musical companion for so long. Not only do I respect his opinion incredibly, but I also know that I need it. Fortunately he had the same excitement. It was nice to see a few of the songs that were to be on the next Format record ushered along NOT by strangers, but some of our good friends. Andrew came out to work for a week while i packed up, and a few weeks later i said an extremely tearful goodbye to my parents as I drove east.

The next few months had been more work, adjusting to the city and quietly figuring out who was going to help us on this crazy expedition. We didn't have to go very far. Nettwerk was The Format's management and really the company that helped 'Dog Problems' become the off-the-beaten-path business success that it was. I was still being managed by them and when they heard the demos, they jumped (just like they did when they met Sam at our super-craziest, right before we got dropped. They're nuts over there). I've been very lucky to have kept so many great friends through this whole thing, we have the same booking agent that we've had for the last six years, and he was one of, if not the first person, who really came forward to me and told me how important it was that I continue working and making music.

We are also very fortunate to be making a record with most of the same
Producers (their manager included!), arrangers, and musicians that helped me see out a dream when Sam and I made 'Dog Problems.'

And lately while jack has been on tour, Andrew and I have been jet-setting back and forth from New York to Michigan to Los Angeles getting all of the songs ready for when we head into the studio on September 1st. Somewhere in that time the very wonderful Andrew McMahon decided that he wanted our new band to play on his upcoming Jack's Mannequin tour. I can't begin to tell you how flattering it is that Andrew would have enough belief in us that he would take us on tour without our having made any official announcements about the band, let alone choosing a name. We were really taking our time and trying to get things right before this tour really set us into full motion.

So here I am now, months of silence and months of preparation, finally able to proudly introduce you to what has so gratefully been my life for the past seven months. I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous, and despite how much fun (ha!) I'm having there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about all of my friends in the format and the wonderful job we did for the last seven years. But things change and we have to move forward, I just never knew that I would be able to move this forward this fast. I'm dying to get back on stage and perform, I'm dying for you to hear what I get to hear. And I am so thankful for all of the support I've received from you guys over the last seven years and over the last seven months. So I really want this new band to be a celebration of the things we love and what it takes to accomplish and keep them. I can't wait to keep doing this with Jack and Andrew and I am so fortunate to hopefully be a part of you, the listeners, lives. I'm not going anywhere. Why should you?

Ladies and gentlemen...

fun.
www.myspace.com/fun

P.S. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU LISTEN LOUD.

Paramore To Work On New Album

NME reports that pop-punkers Paramore plan to head back into the studio this fall to work on the followup to 2007's hit album Riot!. The band's reporting that this album will be quite a bit different than their first two, featuring some of the softest songs the band has ever written as well as some of the hardest they've ever written. The band are currently touring the U.S.

New Bloc Party Song

The song's called "Idea For A Story" and comes as a b-side to Bloc's club-centric "Mercury" single. It's yet to be determined whether "Mercury" will be included on the bands upcoming third album, so it seems unlikely that this song will make it on their either. 

"Idea For A Story" follows in "Mercury"s footsteps, ditching the guitars and modifying the drums. Better than "Mercury," but it's most certainly not Bloc Party at it's best. You can stream it over HERE.

I've Got Some Serious Obsessions

So here is a quick over-view of some of the bands I've been crushing over lately:
Lucky Soul
These British crooners are cranking out beats that are suitable for the 50's. They make me want to put on a poodle skirt, find a greaser and take him to make out point. It's fantastic. Seriously, take a listen at their myspace at www.myspace.com/luckysoulluckysoul and you won't be able to stop. \.
Frightened Rabbit
I don't even know what to say about these guys. This Scottish four piece is making some seriously great music. Listen to the song "The Modern Leper" and just listen to the lyrics. It's kind of funny how down the singer, Scott Hutchison, is on himself. You will not be disappointed by this band. I promise.

Watch Video:

The Modern Leper (Frightened Rabbit)

Video Code provided by MusicRemedy.Com

"
Gogol Bordello
Last but not least we have Gogol Bordello. I saw/heard of these guys for the first time at Lollapalooza this year and they put on such an energetic, eccentric performance that I could not help but fall in love with this band. It is comprised fully of Eastern European immigrants and the accents come through really thick in the music which I think is great. This band is definitely an acquired taste. I personally think to get the full effect of the music you need to see a video along with it. So here is the video for the song "Start Wearing Purple".

Fall Fashion '08

With the school year just around the corner, here is a little taste of what you may want to try out this fall. .

Conor Oberst hits up the Late Late Show

Last night Conor Oberst paid a visit to The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, singing Moab, off his new self-titled album. With a chorus aimed at the traveler in all of us, a wonderful acoustic backtrack, and poetic verses, Moab can be seen as kind of an anthem for someone like Oberst, who's spent the majority of the past 12 years trying to stave off depression long enough to find out who he really is. Watch, listen, and enjoy:

I fell in love last night.

And it was with the band Lady Antebellum. I was lucky enough to see them FREE at the Iowa State Fair last night and, wow, did they deliver. Let me just start rambling about how great they were. It literally was a perfect performance, so if any of you get a chance to see them (country fans or not) then I 100% suggest it (they even admitted it was one of their best shows ever). 

First of all, the lead singer Charles Kelley (brother to musician Josh and then obviously brother in law to Grey's Anatomy star, Katherine Hiegl) has by far one of the best voices in country music IMHO. His tenor just exudes confidence and raspiness. Next Hillary, the other c0-lead vocalist, blew me out of the water. I would say she is comparable to peer Miranda Lambert, except even better. Her voice (if possible) was better than the recording. Yeah, I know. And my favorite little third wheel, Dave, was just chillen the most and loving life as the guitar-playin member who was constantly being made fun of for wearing a stylish vest (reminiscent of something taken out of the Kelly Logue collection) prompting Hillary and Charles to quip that he is "the lost Jonas Brother," something I did not have a problem with ;) 

One of the most exciting parts of the concert was witnessing Charles and Hillary's on-stage chemistry. The sexual tension was through the roof!! Loved every minute of it. Besides that, the group had amazing stage presence and had the perfect balance of country/rock, singing/talking with the audience, having fun with upbeat tunes/being serous on ballads, and any other combination that would result in this being a top 5 concert for me. And one  of the best parts for me (yes, there were a lot) was discovering that my favorite song ("All We'd Ever Need") was Charles' favorite and the first one the group wrote together. I love finding out facts like that. Their excellent and strategic cover of "Freefallin'" won me over as well. This concert has literally made me like them more, if that's even possible. 

As their website puts it, "Lady Antebellum offers a combination that’s both shockingly fresh and as familiar as an old friend." I agree completely. 

Do yourself a favor and either check out their album or see them live if given the chance. 

Lollapalooza Round Up

Way too many bands and way too many plastic bottles filled with cheap wine make it impossible for me to accurately recount my experience at the recent Chicago festival. But if you make the jump, I'll give you a super quick and super sweet rundown of the bands that made the biggest impact. So most of the bands that left me impressed were the smaller acts that I hadn't seen before. I knew the big ones (Radiohead, Kanye, Wilco, Black Keys, Bloc Party, etc.) would be able to hold their own, as they have all been through the gauntlet before. But it was the young guys or the club bands that I most feared would disappoint. Fortunately, many of them brought their A-game. 

The first band that really knocked my socks off was Yeasayer. It was hot as hell on the first day and they had a pretty early set, but the band seemed as if they would have rocked just as hard and have been just as content just playing for themselves. They played two new totally awesome songs, and brought the house down with the All Hour Cymbals classics (especially the a cappella outro on "Red Cave"). Plus, there were a lot of neo-hippies doing funny neo-hippy dances.

After a morning of dry heaving on Saturday, I mustered up the strength to check out MGMT's set. Being a reader of this blog (obvi), I was expecting the worst based on SLB's Brooklyn concert experience, so maybe that was why I was so impressed. Admittedly, the band seemed like it lacked a little in the confidence/stage presence area, but they still commanded a fierce crowd of kids that were totally into it. Everyone was dancing and singing (band members and concert goers alike), and every song elicited huge cheers at the start and huge applause at the finish. Plus a guest appearance and a wild guitar solo from Shooter Jennings for closer "Kids."

But the Saturday band that really kicked it up a notch for me was Okkervil River. I've been a fan of most everything they've been doing over the past few years, and their upcoming album, The Stand Ins, seems poised to continue that trend for me. But this was my first live encounter with the band, and they killed it. Lead singer Will Sheff strutted around that stage in his Sunday best with his beat up acoustic blazing, looking like an old priest possessed by the Holy Spirit and preaching to the masses, warning of the apocalypse. Fucking awesome.

By Sunday, morale was low and I was just going through the motions. Showed up to the National's set expecting to find some nice light adult contempo type songs to bring me down. Not a chance. All the songs started off gentle as they do on the albums. But it seemed by the last minute of each song, these little tiny bedroom nuanced tracks turned into epic rockers. Was totally blown away. Brought some brass as well, which made a world of difference. And closer "Mr. November" is pretty much indescribable. Electricity in the air.

Also, Girl Talk...words escape me. Dude knows how to throw a party.

New Kings Of Leon: "Sex On Fire"

The Kings have made the first single, "Sex On Fire," from their forthcoming album Only By The Night available for streaming on their myspace HERE. 

Where "Crawl" was all sludgy bass and political angst, "Sex On Fire" is all dancey guitars and sexual yearning. Can you imagine making sweet sweet love to this song? I know I can...and am.

To live in this town you must be tough, tough, tough, tough, tough!

In 1978, The Rolling Stones released "Shattered," their sort of ode to, sort of social commentary on New York City. For whatever reason, the song's juxtaposition of dark, critical lyrics and an upbeat melody perfectly describe what it's been like living here for the past three months and what it feels like to be leaving in a week.

And just for the record, I live on the west side and uptown so that crack about rats and bed bugs, respectively, hits a little too close to home, thankyouverymuch Mr. Jagger. Here's a clip from Shine A Light, the band's recently release concert DVD. (It should go without saying that I recommend buying or renting this movie as soon as you possibly can.)

got a case of a love bipolar

As you faithful blog readers know, I recently fell in love with Katy Perry's boppy girl power jams. My latest obsession? A tune called "Hot N' Cold" which is pretty much the best thing to happen to my feminist dance party since Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone."

The song attempts to describe the typical on again off again emotional roller coaster in a vague and trite way. But when that thumping electronic background comes in at the beginning of the chorus I find myself not really caring about the lyrics. Apparently this is the next single off One of the Boys and will be the true test of Perry's staying power. My guess? Get ready to hear this one in the IC bars (if it's not already happening). Download it here and break out those dancing shoes.

Is It Just Me?

Or does the new Jonas Brothers' song "A Little Bit Longer" sound exactly like Jack's Mannequin? It is exclusively Nick Jonas (the youngest one) singing the ballad and playing the piano. It was just released today as part of a very smart marketing campaign in which 4 songs have been released sporadically over the summer to jack up interest in the JB's new album due out next Tuesday. The track also showcases the band's increasingly mature sound, coinciding with the groups growing fan-base, especially among older listeners. 

Check It Out Here and Decide For Yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceHlXAZ5_U0

dave's got a good track record.

In about a week I'm about to chad bro it up again and go see The DMB at Alpine Valley. And I gotta say, not only am I excited to hear Tim Reynolds and Dave jam out but I'm really quite psyched about the opener.

Earlier this summer, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings opened for The Dave Matthews Band and as SUSBUS posted, they really rocked the stage. The trend of good openers continues later in this tour when The Black Crowes open for Dave at Alpine. I hadn't been too excited when I first heard they were opening because I hadn't heard of them; but after looking them up, I found them to be pretty sweet. I find them to have a rock/blues style to their music and I'm really digging it. Hope you all do too. Check 'em out::

look how pretty

On a scale of one to ten, how inappropriate is my crush on Nick Jonas? Check out the fifteen year old (!) rocking out on Leno last night.

Archie Be "Crush"in

My favorite American Idol finalist of the past season, who was unfairly robbed of the AI title (yes, I'm still bitter), has released his first single, and it's great! It is called "Crush" and is very contemporary (thank God!) and will please both fans and skeptical non fans (see link where a previous Entertainment Weekly Archuleta-hater jumped on Lil Archies fan train). Check it out, and if you are cool then you will like it. http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/08/david-archuleta.html 

My Morning Jacket tickets on sale NOW

Tickets are on sale NOW for SCOPE's My Morning Jacket concert on October 7, 2008 in the University of Iowa Recreation Building. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, by calling the Phone Center at 319-363-1888 and at all Ticketmaster outlets. A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to the UI Flood Relief Fund. Visit www.scopeproductions.org for more information about this concert.

See you at the show!

Jessica Simpson Won't Cut It

For laughs, here is a video of Jessica Simpson's first country single, "Come on Over". Let's just say she probably won't be stealing any ticket sales from Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, or Miranda Lambert anytime soon. And here is the rest of it.

The Resolution

New Jack's Mannequin song.

There's a lot that I don't know
There's a lot that I'm still learning
But I think I'm letting go
To find my body is still burning
And you hold me down
And you got me living in the past
Come on and pick me up
Somebody clear the wreckage from the blast

And I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgiveness
I just need light
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution

And the bars are finally closed
So I try living in the moment
'Til the moment it just froze
And I felt sick and so alone
I can hear the sound
Of your voice still ringing in my ear
I'm going underground
But you'll find me anywhere I feel

That I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgiveness
I just need light
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution

[background vocals???]

You hold me down
You hold me down
I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgiveness

I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgiveness
I just need light
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution
I need light, I need light

Monsters of Folk reunion album and tour?

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon an article on Great Britain's leading entertainment website, the Independent. For those of you who don't know, Monsters of Folk was a touring stage trio from 2004, who didn't make any albums, and played only a few shows. So why is it significant that they are planning a 2009 reunion tour? Well, because the Monsters of Folk trio consists of folk legend Conor Oberst, guitar god M. Ward and upcoming University of Iowa philanthropist Jim James, of My Morning Jacket fame...

The article from the Independent actually focuses on the upcoming solo effort of Conor Oberst (due in stores next week, but leaked online last week). But, the article is full of both fun and interesting information, as well as some real bummers.

Here are some of the highlights:
1: Oberst plans on being back in the studio with guitarist Mike Mogus, and trumpeteer/everyman Nate Walcott, recording Bright Eyes next studio album this November.
2: Oberst hinted in an interview at a reunion of Monsters of Folk for an 09 album and tour.
3: Oberst has finally found a presidential candidate he supports (first time ever) in Democratic hopeful Barack Obama.
4: Oberst may have recently split from Maria Taylor (lead singer of Azure Ray), who is largely responsible for Oberst cutting back on the harder drugs in recent years.

I don't know about you, but it sounds like it's going to be an extremely exciting next 12 months for folk-rock's wunderkind. And I would pay big bucks for tickets to see M. Ward, Jim James, and Conor Oberst sharing one stage.