Box Of Tracks (February 27th, 2010)

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – “The Mighty Sparrow”

Harlem – “Friendly Ghost”

Small Black – “Despicable Dogs”

Sightings – “Tar and Pine”

The Besnard Lakes – “Albatross”

Wolf People – “October Fires”

The Pass – “Colors”

The Pass – “Cross Walk Stereo”

Club 8 – “Western Hospitality”

Bear In Heaven – “Bags Of Bags”

Slaraffenland – “Polaroids”

They Listen Too (Feb 25th, 2010)

Boobs and Joanna Newsom TSURU

Fake Andy Samberg on Joanna Newsom Interview RAWKBLOG

Kristin Dunst tries her best at making “music” MFR

Atlas Sound, White Rainbow, and Honey Owens Cover The Cranberries DECIBEL TOLLS

Review of Xiu Xiu’s “Dear God, I Hate Myself” NEEDLE DROP

Amazing Electro Mix MUSIC NINJA

The Scoop on Signals CGT

REQUIRED LISTEN: THE PASS

ZACH THAT:

I never thought Louisville, KY would be the place where I would find a band that has Phoenix-esq melodies, the intensity of Passion Pit, and a laser/fake smoke ridden live show that takes me back to the synth days of the 80’s. But I did find such a band and they’re called The Pass. Recently I was asked by Vinyl and Vodka magazine to talk about a band I thought would be the next big thing in 2010, my mind went straight to The Pass. They recently signed to a Louisville indie record label, sonaBLAST! Records, who just released their self-produced EP, “Colors”. (Out now on iTunes). The band is currently working hard on their debut LP which will be mixed by Alex Aldi (Tokyo Police Club, Passion Pit, Harlem Shakes, and the Walkmen).

This is definitely a band to check out or at the very least put on your radar. The band has made two of their tracks free to the public and are below for your enjoyment. We’re also featuring their EP as the WLFY buy of the week (banner above), a new section where each week we link up an album from an indie band that we think deserves support. Enjoy:

Cross Walk Stereo
Colors

MYSPACE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER

The Disgusting Evolution Of Live Pop Music

ZACH THAT:

Does this make anyone else sad?

1960's: The Zombies


1970's: Queen


1980's: Michael Jackson


1990's: Madonna


2000's Justin Timberlake


2010: KESHA

I want to be paid millions for writing lyrics like BLAH BLAH BLAH.

A Look Inside Joanna Newsom's "Have One On Me" Vinyl

ZACH THAT:

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an early copy of Joanna Newsom's "Have One On Me" vinyl. It's a beautiful box set with three records. You can pre-order your copy HERE or pick one up at your local record store this Tuesday.






Joanna Newsom - "Good Intentions Paving Company" (via Thanks Captain Obvious)

Vinyl And Vodka Issue #2

ZACH THAT:

Vinyl and Vodka is one of the best things to pop up in the music blog world lately. They're on the second issue of their online magazine and WLFY was lucky enough the have a page where we talk about a band to look out for in 2010. The issue also features an interview with HEALTH and articles like The Internet and its Effect on the Music Industry, along with reviews of Tim Burton’s art gallery at MOMA. We also featured 500 Days of Summer and A Single Man (in my top three films of 2009).

Click HERE to read the issue.

The Unicorns Sold Out

ZACH THAT:

I'm not sure why, but the band that broke up at the end of 2004, seems to be entering popular culture now in 2010. First the band was referenced like crazy on How I Met Your Mother:

Ted doesn't meet many people.

And now they are in the background of a stupid crayon product:

Can anyone tell me what's going on? Why now? Bizarre.

I made this back in 2003-2004 when I was in college. We were way ahead of you Crayon company.

New Broken Social Scene - "World Sick"

HANK ALTOGETHER:

Being in Broken Social Scene must be awesome. You get to hang out with your buds. All 9 to 25 of them. There's hot chicks that drop by for a song or two. You've got that Canadian universal health care. And every couple years you get together to drop some mind-bending rock on the rest of the world. In this case it's the upcoming Forgiveness Rock Record out May 4 on Arts & Crafts. And today's the first taste of the John McEntire-produced LP. And, boy, does it sound good. McEntire is one of my fav. folks in indie rock and kind of criminally under-appreciated, despite his time in in Tortoise and The Sea & Cake. Unlike previous BSS efforts, "World Sick" sounds like an amazingly placed affair. The guitar lines are noodley but still as full as you expect from Canada's crown prince[(s)esses]. So sure there's a new sound, but it's the same old crew you love. For the mere cost of your email, you can nab the track below. Which is perfect, cuz hopefully we're almost out of winter and BSS sounds great in the snow.

My Favorite Band Of The Decade: The Fiery Furnaces

ZACH THAT:

I wanted to share my thoughts on my favorite band of the decade, The Fiery Furnaces, in a special way. After tinkering with various ways to examine each of their nine releases from 2003-2010, I decided to do an audio session for each album with examination mixed in with clips from the music itself. I hope you enjoy:





Gallowsbird's Bark











Blueberry Boat











EP











Rehearsing My Choir











Bitter Tea











Widow City











Remember











I'm Going Away & Take Me Round Again

The Value Of Music

Before I explode into a rant, I want to start by saying that it’s important to donate to Haiti and it’s great that these celebrities took the time for a great cause.

Hey music industry, I think I figured out why you’re bleeding money. It hit me like a ton of bricks over the weekend. It’s not illegal downloading or the economy…it’s this picture:

Vaughn, Bridges, Bibbbebrer

In the heyday of record sales, music stars looked like this:

Springsteen, Charles, Dylan

Maybe the problem is that the value that the public puts on music as an art is not as high as it used to be. I mean, the original video featured current artists like: Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Ray Charles. The 2020 video features the best of the best of current music such as: Pink, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Jonas Brothers, Akon, Will.i.am, Jason Mraz, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Nicole Richie, and others.

I think the majority of illegal downloader’s, subconsciously, don’t see what the big deal is when it comes to downloading the new Justin Bieber tune. Back in the day when music had some art in it…I think people held Blonde on Blonde a little higher than a shrug and a right click-download. Maybe if the industry realizes that even pop musicians can be talented (looking at you Michael Jackson) the value of music can be restored. People might not express it, but I think we’re all a little insulted by the industries thought that they can pluck a blond off the street, insert a dollar sign in her name, and call her a musician. People will buy it…others will download it. Make music an art again…respect and revenue might be restored.

Watch these and be sad at what music has become (this line was intended to be read in auto-tune):

Just like Me and your 15 yr old Sister, Thurston Moore Has a Blog

HANK ALTOGETHER:

Sonic Youth member, arty, sometime Gossip Girl player Thurston Moore recently started a blog called "flowers & cream." It's a pretty interesting read and tells tales of Thurston's new project called "northampton wools." Read more, including about how great Raw Power is here.

New Bonnie "Prince" Billy Record Out March 22, 2010

ZACH THAT:

This is one way to announce an album.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day by Palace Music

It's Valentine's Day
And I'm catatonic
And only over the sea will that be taken

And oh, I could be
(The possibilities)
And oh, I could be
(The possibilities)
And oh, I could be
(The possibilities)
God has made you one face
You must find another
God has made you one face
You must find another
You must be born again

11 Films To See Before You Die

ZACH THAT:

Dramatic title. There is a book called 1,000 films to see before you die, so I get zero points for originality. I know we're a music blog, but this Oscar season is killing me inside. I thought I would share with you a list of eleven films that you should see before spending any time on these "best pictures" of 2010. Attached is a clip or trailer for each one. These are not my top eleven favorite films of all time, but the ones on my favorite list that you might not have seen. I hope you explore them and love them as much as I do.

Umberto D


Sweet Smell Of Success


Paper Moon


Le Cercle Rouge


Ashes And Diamonds


A Face In The Crowd


Bande a Part


Short Cuts


Slacker


Persona

The Naked City

Dream Pop Wonderboys: Apteka

ZACH THAT:

When the mix between psychedelia and dream pop is done right, the sound can feel timeless. Such is the case with Chicago's Apteka who formed in 2006. By just slapping on the headphones it would be tough to place their sound exactly in one of the last three decades...and there is something special about having that type of ambiguity of time in ones music. Time aside, Apteka is a nice break from the routine that is making its rounds on the blogs today. For me, their tunes are perfect for a long drive in the summer: close up on wheels turning, rack focus to a friend looking aimlessly out the window, pan across a flat Iowa dirt farm...you get the gist...the music is cinematical.

I always appreciate a band that can bring a little thunder but remain controlled. Apteka has some louder moments, but each explosion is thought out and never wanders into thrash narcissism. The Tour EP, the band's latest release, is a brisk ten track release that really allows you to get to know what they're going for as a band. To me (and this is only off the music) the band is not concerned about packaging cool or manufacturing a false image to fit in with today's viral marketing world...no, Apteka is focused on making solid music...and in my opinion they damn well succeed.

Check em out:

Apteka - Indigenous by CrashAvenue

Apteka - Edie Sees by CrashAvenue

Tour Dates:
03/08/08-Chicago, IL @ Hideout Noon
03/08/08-Iowa City, IA @ The Picador 9pm
03/09/08-Champaign, IL @ The Canopy Club 10pm
03/10/08-Oklahoma City, OK @ Sauced
03/11/08-Tulsa, OK @ Exit 6C
03/13/08-Austin, TX @ Agave Bar 6pm
03/13/08-Austin, TX @ Bikini Bar 9pm
03/14/08-Austin, TX @ Pete's Bar 9pm
03/15/08-Austin, TX @ Pete's Bar 11pm

Erykah Badu (ft. Lil Wayne) - "Jump Up in the Air" (Video)

HANK ALTOGETHER:

We posted the teaser and the first taste of Badu's new album. Now comes the full video of "Jump Up in the Air" here.

Note the "Free Lil Wayne" scrolling letters. Wayne's on the streets till March 2 due to some bling issues.

Speaking of free-ing rappers. You can buy Sam's "Free ODB" T-shirt here.

Neon Indian On Jimmy Fallon

ZACH THAT:

Seeing a band like Neon Indian rise up over the last year and then kill on a prime time late night talk show has to be one of my favorite moments as a music blogger and fan. It was a rare opportunity for a band who is doing their own thing and when the time came, they capitalized with gusto. Here they are playing "Terminally Chill" and "Ephemeral Artery" (My favorite Neon Indian track):

Portugal. The Man Announce Release Date For New Album

MARCH 2nd. Thanks to You're Boring Too Guy for the news tip. Read all the details HERE.

Cryptic Youtube Videos Revealed

ZACH THAT:

At this time there is no official announcement, but after the surfacing of the latest weird youtube video, it appears the artist pumping them out is one Margaret Berger. I, like most, tried to crack the weird code...here are my notes:











Goat 7-15-1-20 Owl 15-23-12 Whale Bee Prelude 699130082.451322-5.4.21.3.1.20.9.15.14.1.12 F I I A C 0 0 H B . D E A C B B - E.D.U.C.A.T.I.O.N.A.L 9.1.13.669321018 I . A . A C . F F I C B A 0 A H I.A.M.6693UAH 9.20.19.13.5.723378 I.T.S.M.E. G B C C G H 13.1.14.4.18.1.7.15.18.1.1110 13-1-18-7-1-18-5-20 2-5-18-7-5-18 M.A.N.D.R.A.G.O.R.A.KJ M.A.N.D.R.A.G.O.R.A.KJ Iamamiwhoami 9-1-13-1-13-9-23-8-15-1-13-9

Yeah, none of that matters. The proof is simply in the look and sound of the girl featured in the latest video:












The stills don't do exact justice, but watch the video...it matches up. Anyone who thought it was The Knife...well, she's friends with the Knife, so they might have had a hand in the production. Also, many writers pointed out that whoever owned these videos must be backed by a pretty big label since they had high production value. Well....Berger is on Sony BMG.

I'm not saying that this is 100% but I think we can close the case.

REQUIRED LISTEN: BABY MONSTER

Oregon is pumping out some of the more intriguing bands of the last few years. The newest edition that has my ears very happy is Baby Monster. It’s not quite chillwave, not quite electro, not quite like anything out there…and that’s a good thing. The track, “She Comes Alive” feels like a nod to The Zombies (in the vocals) with a contemporary synth heavy backdrop. It’s a fantastic mix and has me waiting impatiently for their first LP. For all you SXSWers out there, they will be playing so check them out. You can also pre-order the 7” for “She Comes Alive” HERE. Put these guys on your radars (you have a radar at home right?).

Baby Monster – She Comes Alive

MARCH MUSIC MADNESS 2010 Nominations Are Now Open

ZACH THAT:

That's right, the third annual March Music Madness is BACK! This year, the 64 artist/band tournament that runs alongside the basketball tournament, will be completely up to you, the reader. Here are the guidelines for all nominated bands/artists:

+Must have released an album in the last three years or have a release date in the next three months.
+Had to be created past 1985.
+Has to be a current band (no break ups/reunion/etc)
+Can not be previous winners Radiohead or Animal Collective

-Each writer for WLFY will give an automatic bid to one band each.

Send up to five nominations to welistenforyoublog@gmail.com or leave in comment box below.

Hank and I will announce the 64 band/artist field the same night as the basketball bracket is announced and then there will be posts alerting you on how to vote each round. Remember, the bands/artists that move to the next round are completely based on reader votes.

Click HERE to view the '09 Bracket.

This is one of my favorite things to do as a music blogger and it's success depends on your participation.

New Tom Waits Musical?

HANK ALTOGETHER:

As a playwright, I always love it when music fans forget that seminal Tom Waits albums like Black Rider, Blood Money, and Alice got their start with uber post modernist director Robert Wilson. Waits' wife & collaborator, Kathleen Brennan, is a playwright and has had a big hand in cultivating Waits' albums and stage performances starting with Big Time. So, its not surprising that a new Waits musical with Wilson is in the making. But what is equally astonishing is that it's rumored to include Pillowman scribe Martin McDonagh -- easily one of the best storytellers of the past couple decades. Here's the article on it from Anti-.

Views Of Montreal: Clues

ZACH THAT:

Sharon Van Etten - "Love More"

HANK ALTOGETHER:

It's hard to think Sharon Van Etten can outdo her amazingly spare debut. But if this track from her forthcoming LP is any indication, Ms. Van Etten may well be on her way.

Go here for the free download.

Beeker Does "Dust in the Wind"

We hate nasty comments, too.

Handsome Furs On CNN

PHIL THIS:

(More) New Joanna Newsom - "Kingfisher"

HANK ALTOGETHER:

It never rains, it pours. For the third week in a row, Drag City's letting us have our Newsom piece by piece. This time it's the gaelic "Kingfisher" from the forthcoming Have One On Me. In a move that's sure to make Zach happy, this one's 9+ min and sounds like the most natural descendent from the decadent Ys.

Listen here.

New Erykah Badu - "Window Seat"

HANK ALTOGETHER:

According to Badu: "My ass and legs have gotten thick," but if new track "Window Seat" is any indication the past is the present. Moving away from the sample-laden neo-soul-futurism of New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), "Window Seat" sounds like it could have escaped from 2000's Mama's Gun. Supposedly, her latest New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) is more personal than Part One, and it sure sounds like that's the case. As inviting as your grandmother's living room, this track is pure ecstasy and longing the way no one but Badu can do it. And, yes, I'm looking for a better link.

Erykah Badu - "Window Seat"

Stephin Merritt On Good Day Atlanta

ZACH THAT:

In honor of purchasing the 69 Love Songs box set vinyl and giving The Magnetic Fields' new album, Realism, a glowing 9.0, I think it's fitting to post my favorite Stephin Merritt youtube clip. My favorite lines go:

(talking about kids liking the Gothic Archies songs)
Reporter: I'm sure they're going to love the music as well.
SM: They better.
Reporter: They better, or else.
SM: Exactly.
Reporter: Something dark could happen to them.

SM: SOMETHING DARK WILL HAPPEN TO THEM ANYWAY.

Wow, what a line. Enjoy:

New Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - "I Learned the Hard Way"

HANK ALTOGETHER:

The incomparable Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are offering up a free taste of their latest LP I Learned the Hard Way (out Apr. 6 on Daptone Records). The track "I Learned the Same Name" is a booty-shakin' mix of blues and soul as narrated by the golden pipes of Jones. All you have to is put in your email (or the fake email that you use for spam) and it's all yours.

Get it here.

Thao And The Story Of The Stolen Guitar

ZACH THAT:

WLFY favorite Thao Nguyen from Thao and the Get Down Stay Down had quite the story to share on twitter:

Last night in London our fourth band member, my guitar, was stolen from our dressing room right before the show.

last night in london, right after the show, my guitar magically appeared, having been rescued from a police paddy wagon a few blocks away

the asshole thief had taken it to a pub and then proceeded to smash the windows and people with fire extinguishers and pint glasses.

he was arrested. they tackled him. he landed on my guitar. i am going to find him and ask him to fix and bind it with his conscience.

(More) New Joanna Newsom - "Good Intentions Paving Company"

HANK ALTOGETHER:

Drag City keeps on giving. This time it's "Good Intentions Paving Company" from Joanna Newsom's forthcoming Have One On Me LP, whose artwork you see above. The plaintive cry of '81 has given way to a kind of Band-inspired jammy piano riff and Newsom's (as always) singular storytelling.

Listen here.

or

Joanna Newsom - "Good Intentions Paving Company"

Jarvis Cocker Doesn't Get Nominated. Randy Newman Does. Twice.

HANK ALTOGETHER:

Yet another reason I hate the Oscars. No nomination for Jarvis Cocker's amazing original song for Fantastic Mr. Fox. At least Alexandre Desplat got some love. Here's the music end of the Oscar noms:

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)

- "Almost There," Randy Newman for The Princess & The Frog
- "Down IN New Orleans," Randy Newman for The Princess & The Frog
- "Loin de Paname," Wagner & Thomas for Paris 36
- "Take It All," Maury Yeston for Nine
- "The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)," Ryan Bingham for Crazy Heart

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
- Avatar, James Horner
- Fantastic Mr. Fox, Alexandre Desplat
- The Hurt Locker, Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
- Sherlock Holmes, Hans Zimmer
- Up, Michael Giacchino

Fever Ray Accepts Award. You Have Nightmares

HANK ALTOGETHER:

It's awards season, which only means one thing to me. People will call my house and ask me if I'm watching things that I'm not. Luckily Fever Ray makes my disdain and lack of interest look, well, unartistic and pedestrian. Also, this video is the answer to what happens if you mate a Wookie and a burn victim.