Magnolia Electric Co. - Josephine MP3

Jason Molina and crew are back with a new LP, entitled Josephine, due out July 21st here in the U.S. The upcoming album will be the first full-length from the group since 2006 and will once again feature Steve Albini as producer. The record is, apparently, a somewhat indirect but very emotionally heavy tribute to the life of the late Evan Farrell, the band's former bassist. Also, the new material showcases a more sparse, delicate side of the band's sound than they have previously explored.

The guys are offering the new album's title track for download below, a lonely folk tune brimming with regret and heartache. It's a nice introduction to the record which certainly sounds, so far, like it will be worth a couple month's wait.

Josephine (MP3)

Also, check out tour dates with The Donkeys:

7/10 Bloomington, IN @ Russian Recordings *
7/11 Chicago, IL @ Schuba's *
7/12 Chicago, IL @ The Hideout
7/14 Newport, KY @ Southgate House *
7/15 Pittsburgh, PA @ Andy Warhol Museum *
7/16 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk *
7/17 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East *
7/18 Northhampton, MA @ Iron Horse *
7/20 Washington, DC @ Black Cat *
7/21 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 *
7/22 Athens, GA @ 40 Watt *
7/23 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone *
7/24 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves *
7/25 Austin, TX @ Mohawk *
7/27 Tucson, AZ @ Solar Culuture *
7/28 Los Angeles, CA @ Echo *
7/29 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill *
7/31 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir *
8/01 Seattle, WA @ Crocodile *
8/03 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
8/04 Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive *
8/05 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar *
8/06 Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room *
8/07 Minneapolis, MN @ Street Entry *
8/08 Dubuque, IA @ Busted Lift *

Hear Ben Harper and Relentless7's new album on MySpace now!

A week before Ben Harper's new record, White Lies for Dark Times, will be released in stores, you can take a listen to the entire thing over at his MySpace page. His most recent band, Relentless7, features Jason Mozersky, Jesse Ingalls, and Jordan Richardson and - from what I've heard so far - absolutely rocks.

The album is available to stream right now, and it drops May 5th on Virgin Records.

Silversun Pickups preview new album, unveil video for "Panic Switch

Though it's become much easier these days to get an earlier-than-intended listen to most big albums, it's been nice to have a legal way to preview some of this year's most anticipated releases. Silversun Pickups have thankfully allowed their upcoming album, Swoon, to be available to hear in its entirety at MTV's The Leak this week, leading up to the record's April 14th release date. From what I've heard so far, the wait has been worth it.

Also, though I'm sure you've already been listening obsessively to the first single, "Panic Switch," the colorfully claustrophobic video is now up, which you can see below.

Pete(r) Doherty to release solo debut on March 24

Having just hit his 30th birthday, the famously unstable (musically and otherwise) Peter Doherty will release his solo debut album, Grace/Wasteland, on March 24. The album shows a more relaxed and laid-back side of Doherty than we've seen before with Libertines or Babyshambles, mixing folk, blues, and classic pop in a charming set of 12 tracks, all of which you can hear on his MySpace right now! His new, more mature, style should once again make Doherty the subject of scrutiny, but hopefully the attention will be focused more on the music than his personal life this time around.

You can also download the song "New Love Grows on Trees" from the upcoming album by providing some info at EMI. Either way, make sure you take the time to give Grace/Wasteland a listen.


Track list:

Arcardie
Last Of The English Roses
1939 Returning
A Little Death Around The Eyes
Salome
Through The Looking Glass
Sweet By and By
Palace Of Bone
Sheepskin Tearaway
Broken Love Song
New Love Grows on Trees
Lady, Don’t Fall Backwards

Stream Dan Deacon's 'Bromst' right now at NPR!

Dan Deacon's upcoming album, Bromst, will be released March 24, but you can hear the entire thing over at NPR's 'First Listen.' Unlike his previous effort, Spiderman of the Rings, Deacon has combined his formerly all-electronic palette with a mixture of acoustic instruments and machines for a warm, complex sound that's constantly on the move. Deacon has apparently been working on Bromst for three years now, and it's certainly paid off in a big way. I haven't made it all the way through yet, but everything I've heard so far has been nothing short of amazing!

Stream Bromst at NPR


Deacon also has a fairly extensive tour planned in April and May which will include a 15-member backing band playing everything from saxophone to mallets. I imagine this will be a show you won't want to miss.

Tour Dates:

all shows with full live ensemble, and with Future Islands and Teeth Mountain opening

04/03 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
04/05 Williamsburg, VA The Little Theater
04/06 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
04/07 Knoxville, TN Catalyst
04/08 Birmingham, AL Bottletree
04/09 Athens, GA 88/cp
04/10 Atlanta, GA Eyedrum
04/11 Tallahassee, FL FSU / Club Downunder
04/13 New Orleans, LA The Candle Factory / The Heavy
04/15 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
04/16 Houston, TX Orange Show
04/17 Austin, TX Longhorn Caverns
04/18 Ft. Worth, TX The Ft. Worth Modern Museum
04/20 Tempe, AZ The Clubhouse
04/21 San Diego, CA Che Cafe
04/22 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
04/23 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
04/24 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
04/25 Seattle, WA The Vera Project
04/26 Vancouver, BC Richards on Richards
04/29 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
04/30 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
05/01 Kansas City, MO Pistol S.C.
05/02 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock (2 shows, early and late)
05/04 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
05/05 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom
05/06 Urbana, IL Canopy Club / Club Void
05/07 Chicago, IL The Metro
05/08 Mt. Pleasant, MI CMU / The Wesley Foundation
05/09 Detroit, MI Scrummage
05/10 Toronto, ONT The Deleon White Gallery
05/11 Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa
05/12 South Burlington, VT HG Showcase Lounge
05/13 Cambridge, MA Middle East Downstairs
05/15 Brooklyn, NY Danbro Studios
05/16 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
05/17 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

Swan Lake offers free MP3s, pre-order album download

In case you somehow missed the flood of new Swan Lake MP3s being offered exclusively at various sites (Pitchfork, Stereogum, Spin.com) last week, here's all three of them available for download right here:

Spanish Gold, 2044 (MP3)
A Hand at Dusk (MP3)
Spider (MP3)

Each song showcases the indie super-group's members (Carey Mercer, Spencer Krug, Daniel Bejar respectively) and their unique contributions to the project. "Spanish Gold" is a noisy, dramatic rock tune, "A Hand at Dusk" is gently swelling, piano-led piece, and "Spider" has a dark, creepy feel to it. The band's new album, Enemy Mine, will be released on March 24, but if you can't wait, you can now pre-order the album via SC Distribution and you will get a download link so you can hear the whole thing immediately!

Cursive set to release new album, debuts two songs

Cursive is back with another album, Mama, I'm Swollen, due out March 10 on Saddle Creek Records. In preparation for the release, the band are previewing two tracks from the upcoming record. The first is "I Couldn't Love You," which you can find at EW.com, and the second is "From the Hips," which you can hear at AbsolutePunk.net. If these two songs are any indication of the quality of the upcoming record, it's gonna be good.

The band are also playing on Letterman on the 13th, so make sure you check them out there, and lastly, Cursive has a fairly brief tour scheduled, some of which is already sold out.

Tour Dates:

MAR. 9 BROOKLYN, NY MUSIC HALL of WILLIAMSBURG (sold-out)
MAR. 10 NEW YORK, NY BOWERY BALLROOM (sold-out)
MAR. 12 LOS ANGELES, CA SPACELAND (sold-out)
MAR. 13 LOS ANGELES, CA THE TROUBADOUR (sold-out)
MAR. 14 SAN DIEGO, CA THE CASBAH (sold-out)
MAR. 15 PHOENIX, AZ RHYTHM ROOM
MAR. 16 ALBUQUERQUE, NM THE LAUNCHPAD
MAR. 18 SAN ANTONIO, TX WHITE RABBIT
MAR. 19 - 21 AUSTIN, TX SXSW

Stereogum offers "Love Has Left The Room" download from A Camp

Swedish trio A Camp, led by former Cardigans member Nina Persson, are set to release their sophomore effort and US debut, Colonia, in April. For a taste of the new album, Stereogum is offering an exclusive download of the excellent track "Love Has Left The Room." Click on the link below to go to the download page where you can also find out a bit more about the track from the Nina herself:

'Gum Drop: "Love Has Left The Room"


The new record features 12 songs and guest appearances by James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins, Kevin March of Guided By Voices, and Joan Wasser of Joan as Policewoman. In Sweden, the album is currently #2 on the charts, right behind Bruce Springsteen!

New Bishop Allen tunes from Grrr...!

Bishop Allen's new album, entitled Grrr..., doesn't hit stores for another month (March 10th), but you can get a preview by downloading two tracks from the upcoming release here. Uber-catchy pop anthems "The Ancient Commonsense of Things" and "Dimmer" are up there with the best of Bishop Allen's previous release, The Broken String, which was one of my favorite discoveries in 2007.

The Ancient Commonsense of Things (MP3)

Dimmer (MP3)

Get the tracks and head on over to BishopAllen.com to preorder Grrr... Bishop Allen are heading out on tour immediately following the release, so you should also check out these tour dates:

03/10/09 New York City, NY - Other Music (Free In-Store)
03/12/09 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
03/13/09 Washington, DC - Black Cat
03/14/09 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
03/15/09 Asheville, NC - The Rocket Club
03/16/09 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone Cafe
03/17/09 Little Rock, AR - Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack
03/18/09 Dallas, TX - House of Blues - The Pontiac Garage
03/19/09 Austin, TX - SXSW
03/20/09 Austin, TX - SXSW
03/23/09 West Hollywood, CA - The Troubadour
03/24/09 San Francisco, CA - The Rickshaw Shop
03/26/09 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
03/27/09 Provo, UT - Velour - YES!!
03/28/09 Denver, CO - Hi Dive
03/29/09 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon
03/31/09 Chicago, IL - Subterranean
04/02/09 Northhampton, MA - Iron Horse
04/03/09 Cambridge, MA - Middle East
04/04/09 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
04/05/09 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

Dan Auerbach: album details, new song

After releasing one of the year's best records in 2008, one half of the Black Keys (the guitar/vocal half), Dan Auerbach, is taking a break from his bandmate and releasing a solo album, Keep It Hid, on February 10th. His debut features a full band for the majority of the tracks along with a few quieter blues numbers all of which showcase Auerbach's strong songwriting and thrilling guitar work. It's an instant rock 'n' roll classic, and you can get a listen by hearing "My Last Mistake" below.

My Last Mistake (stream)

Track list for Keep it Hid:

SIDE A
Trouble Weighs a Ton
I Want Some More
Heartbroken, In Disrepair
Because I Should
Whispered Words
Real Desire
When the Night Comes

SIDE B
Mean Monsoon
The Prowl
Keep It Hid
My Last Mistake
When I Left the Room
Street Walkin'
Goin' Home


Auerbach is also going on tour with backing band Hacienda:

Feb 28 - 9:30 Club - Washington DC, Washington DC
Mar 1 - Paradise Club - Boston, Massachusetts
Mar 2 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, New York
Mar 3 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York
Mar 5 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 6 - Metro - Chicago, Illinois
Mar 7 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 10 - The Showbox - Seattle, Washington
Mar 11 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, Oregon
Mar 13 - Bimbo’s - San Francisco, California
Mar 14 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, California

Worth Hearing: January 20, 2009

Here's a list of some of the notable and worthwhile albums being released this week and some links to where you can get a listen:


A.C. Newman: Get Guilty - MySpace page - I've only heard a few tracks from this album, but if those were any indication, it's great.

Andrew Bird: Noble Beast - listen to the album at NPR (My Review) - An amazing record from one of indie's most consistent artists.

Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion - listen to the album at NPR (My Review) - Absolutely fantastic, a must-hear!

Antony and the Johnsons: The Crying Light - listen to the album at Spinner - A strangely beautiful listen.

Bon Iver : Blood Bank EP - listen to the EP on their MySpace page - A nice four-song set for a follow-up to last year's stellar debut.

Maria Taylor: New album details, free song

Maria Taylor's upcoming album and third solo effort, Ladyluck, is due out on April 7th through Nettwerk Music. The record will feature product from Andy LeMaster, Mike Mogis, and Lukas Burton and collaborations with Michael Stipe, Nate Walcott of Bright Eyes, and Mckenzie Smith of Midlake. According to Taylor, the album sounds best if you "listen in a dark room, with a candle or two with headphones, maybe in the bath, but definitely horizontal." Nice to have some instructions!

Anyway, you can hear a preview by downloading the gorgeous first single, "Time Lapse Lifeline," below. She also has another track, "Orchids" streaming on her MySpace page, which is equally as wonderful. April suddenly seems like a long ways away.

Download: Time Lapse Lifeline

M. Ward previews new album, Hold Time

NPR started streaming M. Ward's entire upcoming album, Hold Time, last night at midnight ET!

Of course you should check it out.

Because it's awesome, that's why.

Seriously, though, go listen.

You can also still hear Andrew Bird's upcoming Noble Beast, and NPR will have Animal Collective's latest there next week (though chances are you've heard it already). So make sure you check back here or there often to get the latest.

Lastly, check out M. Ward's video for the song "Hold Time."

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.

Andrew Bird previews Useless Creatures

Although I think most of us would prefer a full preview of Noble Beast, Andrew Bird's upcoming album, you can at least listen to the album's instrumental bonus disc (available with the deluxe version), Useless Creatures, in its entirety for the next two or three days here. It's a very avant-garde set of songs with lots of noodling around on the violin like you might expect, though its definitely the most experimental music he's ever made, at least as far as I've heard.

Also, because January 20th still feels like such a long time to wait, make sure you at least hear Noble Beast's first single, "Oh No," on Bird's homepage.

Listen: Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty

The Cold War Kids are streaming their upcoming album Loyalty to Loyalty at MTV The Leak. So far I haven't seen anything popping up on the torrent sites, so this is your best bet for an early listen.

I like what I hear so far; I'll post a full review soon.

Album Preview - Loyalty to Loyalty