New Artist/MP3: East Hundred

This five-piece band from Philadelphia are composed of brothers Brooke and Will Blair (on guitars and drums, respectively), Brooke's ex-girlfriend Beril Guceri singing, and the Blairs' good friends David Sunderland on bass and Susan Gager on Keys. It looks like a recipe for inter-band drama, and it was, as Brooke and Beril broke up midway through making the group's first album, Passesnger, to be released this week. Fortunately for them (and for us), "rather than derail the recording process...the resultant heartache and awkwardness produced a flood of new material and what was intended to be a minor EP soon became a full-fledged album," according to the band's bio.

The nine tracks on East Hundred's debut LP range from straightforward alt-rock tunes like opener "Slow Burning Crimes" and "Dear Blue" to the more delicate, indie shoegaze sound of "Sigh and Wave." The album has some great moments, especially "Autopilot," with its excellent mix of shimmering guitars and Guceri's clear, strong vocals and the haunting, meloncholy closer, "Afterlove." The band definitely have a knack for writing melodic pop rock tunes that grow with each spin. Get yourself introduced by downloading "Slow Burning Crimes" below and make sure to check out the video as well.

Slow Burning Crimes - MP3

Slow Burning Crimes - watch the video


Track listing for Passenger:
1. Slow Burning Crimes
2. Plus Minus
3. Deadpan
4. Autopilot
5. Pony
6. Along The Way
7. Dear Blue
8. Sigh And Wave
9. Afterlove

Review: Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (* * * * *)

You've probably been able to form your own opinions about Animal Collective's soon-to-be-released Merriweather Post Pavilion as the album leaked several weeks ago. But, for those of you who haven't heard it yet or who look to me for musical guidance and leadership (right...), let me sum the album up right here with a few adjectives; stunning, captivating, essential. Seriously, if you haven't yet, the time to buy into the hype is now. "Merriweather" is an album worth hearing not just because you'll feel out of the loop if you don't, but because you would be missing out on something truly remarkable.

Although not a radical departure from their previous efforts, "Merriweather" has a smoother, more polished feel than even 2007's Strawberry Jam. Less yelling and screaming - more melody and breathtaking vocal harmony, fewer jarring stylistic shifts - more subtle and expansive transitions. I don't mean to make it sound as if the band have stopped innovating, the record still includes plenty of trippy, odd pop moments fans will love (like the Tigger-esque bouncing bass on "Lion in a Coma"); Animal Collective just sound more purposeful and direct this time around. This is also the most engaging and approachable the group have ever sounded, creating a collection of themes and sounds that is much more often inviting than it is alienating.

Album opener, "In the Flowers," has a droning, ambient intro before exploding into a joyous, upbeat celebration with Avey Tare singing lines like "we could be dancing and you'd smile and say 'I love this song'" over scattered percussion and chirping electronics. It's one of many smile-inducing, dance-inspiring moments. Following is another highlight, "My Girls," an explosion of harmony, arpeggio synths, and tribal percussion combined in one of the album's most immediately enjoyable tunes. "Summertime Clothes" and especially "Brothersport," with Panda Bear's arena-sized chanted chorus provide additional instant pop-oriented gratification.

While the more anthematic tracks will likely receive the most attention, "Merriweather" should be recognized for some of its more subtly fantastic moments as well. The gentle, shimmering "Bluish" and the perfectly restrained "No More Runnin" give the album much-needed variety but are also great songs independently, showing Animal Collective's more (for lack of a better word) sensitive side. Elsewhere, "Guys Eyes" builds slowly, adding layer upon layer of vocals and percussion in a psychedelic wall of sound while "Daily Routine" shifts gears from an off-beat electro-pop song into a simple, sonic vocal feature by Avey Tare. I could go on, but I'm running out of tracks. Simply put, it's all great.

I realize I'm only helping to hype an already uber-hyped album, but when it's as good as Merriweather Post Pavilion is (which is to say, spectacular), I can't help but go with the flow. Do yourself a favor and give this one a shot, because this is the kind of groundbreaking, genre-shattering, musical revelation that should be experienced.

New Artist: Harlem Shakes

Harlem Shakes turned some heads in 2007 with the release of their first EP entitled Burning Birthdays, a quirky set of pop tunes that was undeniably catchy and exceptionally smart. After a fairly quiet last year, the band are set to release their first full-length album, Technicolor Health, in March. The group create a great pop style using a mix of spiky guitars, soaring keys, and both programmed and traditional percussion, and while they draw from a variety of influences, their sound feels unique and fresh. I'm predicting some serious hype surrounds this album within the next couple weeks.

The band have a song up at their MySpace page called "Strictly Game" and I simply can not get enough of the fantastic guitar/drum combo behind the witty, well-delivered lyrics; it's pure pop perfection. Add this to the list of reasons March is gonna be an amazing month for music.


Track List for Technicolor Health:

1. Nothing But Change Part II
2. Strictly Game
3. TFO
4. Niagara Falls
5. Sunlight
6. Unhurried Hearts (Passaic Pastoral)
7. Winter Water
8. Natural Man
9. Radio Orlando
10. Technicolor Health

Dan Deacon previews new song, reveals album art

I may be a little late in telling you this, but Dan Deacon is streaming a new tune from his forthcoming album in several places, one of which is at imeem. The song is titled "Get Older" and the album, scheduled for release on March 24th, is called "Bromst." Whereas Deacon's previous work, Spiderman of the Rings, was completely electronic, the new effort mixes organic and electronic elements together while still maintaining his signature sound, noisy, complex dance-pop.

Also, check out this trippy cover art:



Slightly reminiscent of Department of Eagles' "In Ear Park" if you remove the tent. Anyway, the buzz about this album is palpable, so take a minute (six, actually) and give "Get Older" a try. I'm glad I did.


Track listing for Bromst:

1. Build Voice
2. Red F
3. Paddling Ghost
4. Snookered
5. Of The Mountains
6. Surprise Stefani
7. Wet Wings
8. Woof Woof
9. Slow With Horns / Run For Your Life
10. Baltihorse
11. Get Older

Royksopp new album details

The Norwegian duo of Svein Berge and Torbjorn Brundtland recently announced the details of their upcoming album, Junior, due out March 23rd. As is standard procedure for them, the band have written, performed, produced, etc. the entire album themselves, but also decided to bring some friends along for the ride. Anneli Drecker, Karin Dreijer-Andersson (The Knife), Lykke Li, and Robyn all guest. That list alone should turn some heads, though Royksopp have created quite a following and should have no trouble in building the anticipation.

You'll have to wait until March 9th to hear the album's first single, "Happy Up Here," but you can get the goofy "Happy Birthday" track from the duo's website along with a note from the band about the new record.


Track listing:

1. Happy Up Here
2. The Girl And The Robot
3. Vision One
4. This Must Be It
5. Röyksopp Forever
6. Miss It So Much
7. Tricky Tricky
8. You Don't Have A Clue
9. Silver Cruiser
10. True To Life
11. It's What I Want

Benjy Ferree new album details and tour dates

Benjy Ferree's new album has quite the story behind it. The lengthy title itself, Come Back To The Five and Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee is probably enough to make you start Googling unless you're a serious film buff. The record is described as "a musical eulogy to a forgotten child star who was chewed up and spit out by the unforgiving Hollywood meat market." The child mentioned is Bobby Driscoll, who portratyed Peter Pan in the 1953 Disney classic, but after reaching puberty was fired and began a life of drugs and poverty before dying at the young age of 31.

Sounds intriguing, to say the least, and anyone familiar with Ferree's music will know that his uniquely soulful pop rock sound is sure to bring life to any project.

For a preview, stream the song "Fear" over on imeem or check out Ferree's website for a couple more samples.


Tracklist for Come Back To The Five and Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee:

1. TIRED OF BEING GOOD
2. FEAR
3. BIG BUSINESS
4. WHAT WOULD PECOS DO?
5. BLOWN OUT (GOLD DOUBLOONS AND PCS OF 8)
6. THE GRIPS
7. IRIS FLOWERS
8. I GET NO LOVE
9. COME TO ME, COMING TO ME
10. WHIRLPOOL OF LOVE
11. PISSTOPHER CHRISTOPHER
12. WHEN YOU'RE 16
13. GREAT SCOTT!
14. ZIPPERFACE BLUES


Also, check out these tour dates with Tim Fite:

Feb 19 TT the Bear's Cambridge, Massachusetts
Feb 20 Union Hall Brooklyn, New York
Feb 21 M Room Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Feb 22 Thunderbird Cafe Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Feb 23 Beachland Tavern Cleveland, Ohio
Feb 24 The Pike Room Pontiac, Michigan
Feb 25 Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Feb 26 Northside Tavern Cincinnati, Ohio
Feb 27 Rumba Cafe Columbus, Ohio
Feb 28 Black Cat (Record Release Party!) Washington, DC

Glasvegas release debut album in the U.S. today

Scottish quartet Glasvegas made some big waves last year in the U.K., but until now their self-titled debut album was only available in the U.S. digitally. If you haven't already, now would be a good time check out the band's critically acclaimed sound by listening to the whole record over at Spinner (this week only, I think). The album features fuzzy guitars, pounding drums, and singer James Allen's distinctive brogue in an epic pop presentation that is often quite excellent.

Also, check out my full review and head on over to RCRD LBL to download the lead single from the album, "Geraldine."

Bell X1 MP3 / New album details

Bell X1's third album and US debut, Flock, was released early last year and garnered the band some well-deserved praise. The Irish group have a new record, Blue Lights On The Runway, in the works to be released on March 3rd, which the trio have described as a "little bit electronic, a little bit Bacharach and a little bit New Orleans Funeral March." I'm not sure exactly what that would sound like, but I'm interested to find out.

For a taste of the upcoming album, download the sexy, electronically-inclined first single, "How Your Heart Is Wired," below.


How Your Heart Is Wired (MP3)


Blue Lights On The Runway Tracklist

1. The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella
2. How Your Heart is Wired
3. The Great Defector
4. Blow Ins
5. Amelia
6. A Better Band
7. Breastfed
8. Light Catches Your face
9. One Stringed Harp
10. The Curtains are Twitchin'

Andrew Bird previews Noble Beast!

First, Useless Creatures, now the real deal, Noble Beast. Andrew Bird's new album, due out January 20th, is available to stream over at NPR! The guys over at Stereogum didn't love it, but my first impression has been quite positive.

Go check it out and decide for yourself.

Also, remember you can also give the bonus instrumental disc Useless Creatures a listen over at Bird's website.

New Artist/MP3: A Classic Education

A Classic Education are a band I know little about. They live in Italy and tour through Europe, they sing in English, and at least one of them is Canadian, but that's about the extent of what I've been able to find out. I suppose that's not much of an introduction (I also suppose I could have just asked for some more info), but now we can get to what really matters here.

The band's sound, as showcased by the First EP (a fitting title), is gentle, yet earnest, indie-pop with a slightly gritty undertone. At times I hear traces of Arcade Fire, Minus The Bear, and Built To Spill, but it's tough to make a good comparison. The five tracks range from the energetic, shifting "Badlands & Owls" to the emotional balladry of "Lovers Barricade." The disc closes with "Wartimes," a shimmering, mid-tempo pop tune with some afro-pop guitars and a more atmospheric tone. It's a strong set of songs with A Classic Education proving themselves capable of wearing many stylistic hats during the album's 18 minutes.

What I have available to download here (courtesy of the band's website) is a new tune called "We Can Always Run To Hawaii," which is the sound of the group at their most upbeat and sunny. Download the song using the link below and head over to A Classic Education's MySpace page to hear more.

Download: We Can Always Run To Hawaii

Check out the band's website and MySpace Page