A Fine Frenzy previews new single, "Blow Away," on Myspace

For those of you who heard A Fine Frenzy's debut album several years ago, One Cell in the Sea, new music from promising singer/songwriter Alison Sudol should be great news indeed. Sudol's fine voice, piano skills, and songwriting ability are all still in play here, but "Blow Away" is a louder, more rambunctious affair that can be found on most of her debut. The song is the first single from her upcoming album, A Bomb in a Birdcage, which will be release on September 18th and which Alison promises is something of a new direction for A Fine Frenzy. In her own words:

"I think some people may be surprised. They think that I’m all fragile and ethereal—and that’s lovely, it’s flattering. It's all I've really let anyone see, up to this point. But I have a wild side too. I like to bang on things and cause a ruckus every now and then. I’m a quiet person with a loud streak. I like both. This record is a testament to that.”

Sounds great to me; check it out for yourself on MySpace.

Track list for A Bomb in a Birdcage:

1. Wouldn't Do
2. New Heights
3. Electric Twist
4. Blow Away
5. Happier
6. Swan Song
7. Elements
8. World Without
9. Bird Of The Summer
10. Stood Up
11. Beacon

Passion Pit announces tour, release debut LP on May 26

Passion Pit, the much buzzed about electro-rock band fronted by Michael Angelakos, is set to release their debut full-length, Manners, on May 26th. The album follows the band's stellar EP, Chunk of Change, which was released last year to widespread acclaim, and promises to bring more of the same funky, keyboard-heavy pop music that impressed so many people.

You can hear the album's first single, "The Reeling," over at Passion Pit's Myspace page. The song is infectious and danceable, and should get pretty much everyone excited to hear the rest of Manners in May. You can also take a look at the band's tour schedule below. I imagine tickets will be going quickly with the way these guys have taken over the indie scene.


US Summer Tour Dates

5/23 - George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival
5/24 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
5/26 - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s
5/28 - West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
5/29 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
5/30 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
6/2 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
6/3 - Austin, TX @ Emo’s
6/4 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
6/5 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
6/6 - Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
6/8 - Richmond, VA @ The National
6/9 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
6/11 - Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
6/13 - Covington, KY @ Mad Hatter
6/14 - Chicago IL @ Empty Bottle
6/17 - Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
6/18 - Boston, MA @ Paradise
6/19 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
6/20 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

New Artist: Ed Laurie

I briefly mentioned Ed Laurie a few weeks ago, but he's recently popped up on my radar again. This guy has some serious potential and for folk fanatics (like myself) he's an artist worth looking into. Check out this cool widget that gives you the opportunity to listen to a song, purchase the album, etc.



Also, here are a couple videos you should take the time to see.

"I See No End" (Video) on Imeem

"Meanwhile In The Park" (Video) on Death + Taxes

New Single: Annuals - Confessor

I realize that the album has already dropped, but for those of you who haven't heard the Annuals first single "Confessor" from Such Fun, you should check it out here. It's a melodic, breezy tune with great harmonies and dynamics.

Confessor - Annuals (MP3)

Also, while music videos aren't generally something I get excited about, Annuals take a different approach, using their songs as the background for animated stories. Here is the video for "Confessor;" you should also check out the video for "Sore" on the same YouTube channel.

Confessor - Annuals (YouTube video)

New Track: Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care

I just heard Fall Out Boy's new track,"I Don't Care," the first single from their upcoming album, and it rocks. Sure, it's derivative, repetitive, and we'll all be sick of it in a week, but it's a pop song with all the right ingredients. It's got big, shiny guitars, a stomping, danceable beat, and Patrick Stump wailing like a one-man gospel choir. I'm interested to hear what else they came up with for the new CD, Folie A Deux.

Anyway, don't take MY word for it, check it out on their MySpace page.