Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues"

My friend Buchino says when he hears the Fleet Foxes harmonies, it gives him goosebumps. Get ready for 'em, Buchino.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

Spoon - "Black Like Me" (Take Away Show)

Hands down my favorite track from Spoon's consistently surprising Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga gets a gorgeous Take Away Show treatment complete with phonographs and Spoon's singular brilliance.

Jolie Holland & Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio) at Zanzabar 2/2

There are a lot of reasons that I miss Louisville. Being back over Winter Break reminded me of the astonishing people that live in the River City and how I gotta get back every time I can. Unfortunately, I can't make it back for this incredible lineup at Zanzabar (easily the best venue going in Louisville due to its potent lineup of artists and great beer): Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio and Jolie Holland.

I wrote one of my best pieces of music writing about Holland's last visit to Louisville with Swedish-Franco-Israeli outfit Herman Dune for Backseat Sandbar which you can read here. Jolie was nice enough to reply. So, if you'll excuse me, I think we have an internet thing going on and I'll indulge that right now.

Dear Jolie,

If you're reading this, I'm sorry I can't make your show. I live in Scranton, Pennsylvania now, so why don't you come play over here? Or maybe Philly or NYC on a weekend so I can come watch. I hope you have a great time at "Z" bar. Have a beer for me. Oh, and if you get a chance to play "Damn Shame" for the people, they'd love that, too. Hopefully I'll be seeing you soon.

Best,

Hank Altogether.

91.9 WFPK Welcomes:

An Evening with
Jolie Holland
& Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio)
performin their own tunes and then together.
Wednesday, February 2, 9pm
Doors 8pm
Zanzabar
Tickets: $12
On Sale Now
Available at:
on line @ Ticketfly, ear X-tacy & venue
Ages: 21 and over

Track of the Day: Buried Beds - "Breadcrumb Trail"

I've been a fan of Buried Beds since their somber Po Tolo. "Breadcrumb Trail" is a darn bit more jaunty than I'm used to, but a lot of fun. The melody holds the whole thing together as the instrumentation rushes forward with simulated crashes, swirling strings and an ending that makes you wish for 30 more seconds. It's an astonishingly well composed, controlled and lovely tune.

Buried Beds - "Breadcrumb Trail"

Tremble the Sails came out last year. (God knows why I missed it) But, you can still get it here. Or with The 'Beds on tour:

w/ Dr. Dog:

Jan. 29th	Washington DC	930 club tix
Jan. 31st	Knoxville, TN	Bijou Theater tix
Feb. 1st	Memphis, TN	Minglewood Hall tix
Feb. 3rd	Charleston, SC	The Music Farm tix
Feb. 4th	Atlanta, GA	The Masquerade tix
Feb. 5th	Nashville, TN	Cannery Ballroom tix
Feb. 7th	Birmingham, AL	WorkPlay Theater tix
Feb. 8th	Asheville, NC	Orange Peel tix
Feb. 9th	Charlottesville, VA	Jefferson Theater tix
Feb. 11th	Philadelphia, PA	The Electric Factorytix

w/ Murder by Death & Fake Problems

Feb. 24th	Chicago, IL	Subterranean tix
Feb. 25th	DeKalb, IL	The House Cafe, tix
Feb. 26th	Lansing MI	Mac's Bar tix
Feb. 27th	Ft. Wayne, IN (w/Orange Opera)	tba **not a MBD show
Feb. 28th	Morgantown, WV	123 Pleasant st. tix
Mar. 1st	New York, NY	Bowery Ballroom tix
Mar. 2nd	Philadelphia, PA	Johnny Brenda's tix
Mar. 3rd	West Chester, PA	The Note, tix
Mar. 4th	Baltimore, MD	The Ottobar tix
Mar. 5th	Boston, MA	The Middle East tix
Mar. 7th	Norfolk, VA	Jewish Mother Backstage tix
Mar. 8th	Atlanta, GA	The Earl tix
Mar. 9th	Orlando, FL	The Social tix
Mar. 10th	Tampa, FL	The Orpheum tix
Mar. 11th	Gainesville, FL	Common Grounds tix
Mar. 12th	Savannah, GA	The Jinx
Mar. 13th	Charleston, SC	Oasis tix
Mar. 14th	Asheville, NC	Stella Blue

Lohio - "Adelai" (Music Video)

Not too long ago we told you about Lohio's bid to kickstart a music video with acclaimed director Thom Glunt. Well, the results are in today as "Adelai" makes its stunning debut. Sunsoaked, monster-filled, this video is exactly why we're obsessed with Lohio and why you should go check them out on tour.

011 WINTER TOUR:

2/3 - Buffalo, NY
2/4 - Morgantown, WV
2/5 - Elkins, WV
2/7 - Brooklyn, NY
2/8 - NYC, NY
2/10 - Elon, NC
2/12 - Chapel Hill, NC
2/14 - Lexington, KY
2/15 - Bloomington, IN
2/16 - Lousiville, KY
2/17 - Indianapolis, IN
2/18 - Columbus, OH
2/19 - Pittsburgh, PA

Hidden Words Announce Tour Of France

Alden Penner (The Unicorns and Clues) new project Hidden Words just rolled out a bunch dates in France.

06/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Paris Le Café de la Danse

12/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Metz Les Trinitaires

13/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Lyon Le Transdeur

14/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Grenoble TBA

16/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Rennes L’Ubu

17/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Saint-Nazaire Le VIP

18/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Laval Le 6 par 4

21/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Toulouse Festival Progres-Son

23/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Nantes L’Olympic

25/03 :: THE HIDDEN WORDS à Cherbourg L’Epicentre

Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers" (Video)

You've got to hand it to Lykke Li. Unlike just about everything else out there, she's interesting.

Oh, and covered in snow. A lot of things are covered in snow today.

California Guitar Trio New Album & Tour

Our friends over at Karate Body Records passed along an advance copy of California Guitar Trio's new work, Andromeda, a couple weeks ago. Our review is forthcoming. In the meantime, listen to the album yourself or go catch the virtuosos on tour.

California Guitar Trio's 20th anniversary tour begins with a two-night stand Jan. 27-28 at Squitieri Studio Theatre in Gainesville, Fla. Andromeda, the band's first album of all-original material is for sale on LP from Karate Body; download included), andon CD from Inner Knot, as well as record stores in North America.

1/29: FAU Jupiter Lifelong Learning Center; Jupiter, Fla.
1/30: Henegar Center for the Arts; Melbourne, Fla.
2/2: Workplay Theatre; Birmingham, AL
2/3: The Five Spot; Atlanta
2/4: White Mule; Columbia, SC
2/5: The Evening Muse; Charlotte, NC
2/8: Constable Jack's; Newcastle, CA
2/9: Don Quixote's; Felton, CA
2/10: Freight & Salvage; Berkeley, CA
2/12: Teatro de la Casa Cultura; Mexicali, BC
2/13: AMSD; San Diego
3/4: Narrows Arts Center; Fall River, Mass.
3/5: Iron Horse Music Hall; Northampton, Mass.
3/7: B.B. King's; New York
3/9: Barns @ Wolf Trap; Vienna, Va.
3/11: All Saints Episcopal Church; Frederick, Md.
3/12: Sellersville Theater; Sellersville, Pa.
3/13: The Purple Fiddle; Thomas, W.Va.
3/15: Rhythm & Brews; Chattanooga, Tenn.
3/16: 3rd & Lindsley; Nashville
3/18: The Old Rock House; St. Louis
3/20: The Ark; Ann Arbor, MI
3/22: Communications Arts Theatre; Kenosha, WI
3/24: Grand Opera House; Osh Kosh, Wisc.
3/27: Old Town School Of Folk Music; Chicago

A bunch of Dismemberment Plan Vids from Last Night in DC

Dude, this reunion is going to be so rad.

"The Dismemberment Plan Gets Rich"

"Gyroscope"

"Ellen & Ben"

"Ice of Boston"

Check out the Pitchfork article here. Complete with a Facebook slideshow of photos.

New Sonic Youth Mix-Tape

Listen up here.

Includes tracks from their film score: Simon Werner a Disparu.

The Dismemberment Plan do "Fallon" - "The City" & "What Do You Want Me To Say"

No pink guitar, bearded, but still-boyish, Travis Morrison and the The Dismemberment Plan invaded Jimmy Fallon last night with two cuts from their 1999 masterpiece, recently re-released on vinyl & given a 10.o on P-fork (go get it y'all), "The City" & "What Do You Want Me To Say"

"The City"

"What Do You Want Me To Say"

I'll be the first to say that I'm a little skeptical. Still, the band sounds as tight as ever, the off-kilter, akimbo delivery (which now seems like just about everyone has ripped off) still cuts with sincerity. And, after all, "The City" is possibly my favorite song of all time and by the time Morrison hits his final "BYYYEEEE," you can't keep your head from bopping.

I got my tix. See y'all Sat. the 29th at Webster Hall for the reunion show.

Mountain Goats - "Damn These Vampires"

The Mountain Goats new album is entitled All Eternals Deck (out 3/29 on Merge).

Here's the tracklist:

01 “Damn These Vampires”
02 “Birth of Serpents”
03 “Estate Sale Sign”
04 “Age of Kings”
05 “The Autopsy Garland”
06 “Beautiful Gas Mask”
07 “High Hawk Season”
08 “Prowl Great Cain”
09 “Sourdoire Valley Song”
10 “Outer Scorpion Squadron”
11 “For Charles Bronson”
12 “Never Quite Free”
13 “Liza Forever Minnelli”

And if they continue the roll they've been on in previous efforts like Heretic Pride and Life of the World to Come, there are promises of good days of song ahead. The first taste is "Damn These Vampires" which as John Darnielle's trademarked croon and hyperbolic personification of a guy against the world. It's as vintage as your new coat and just as comfortable.

Mountain Goats - "Damn These Vampires"

Here's the upcoming tour:

03/24 – Richmond, VA @ The National
03/25 – Washington DC @ 930 Club
03/26 – York, PA @ Strand-Capitol PAC
03/28 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
03/29 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
04/01 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
04/02 – Ithaca, NY @ Castaways
04/03 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House
04/05 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic
04/06 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
04/07 – Atlanta GA @ Variety Playhouse
04/08 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
04/10 – Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
04/11 – Columbus, OH @ Wexner Center
04/12 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr Smalls
04/15 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theater of Living Arts

Announcing Lohio's Winter Tour

We've kickstarted for them and previewed them, now its your turn to go see them. Pittsburgh, PA's own Lohio is trekking through the Ohio Valley, Mid East and Great Lakes this winter. Including stops in Louisville, Lexington, and a little place that I like to call "The City":

011 WINTER TOUR:

2/3 - Buffalo, NY
2/4 - Morgantown, WV
2/5 - Elkins, WV
2/7 - Brooklyn, NY
2/8 - NYC, NY
2/10 - Elon, NC
2/12 - Chapel Hill, NC
2/14 - Lexington, KY
2/15 - Bloomington, IN
2/16 - Lousiville, KY
2/17 - Indianapolis, IN
2/18 - Columbus, OH
2/19 - Pittsburgh, PA

Coachella Lineup Poster and the WLFY Poster

OURS:

Tallest Man on Earth - "The Gardner" @ Sunset

One of the most refreshing and overdue moments of 2010 for me was the recognition that The Tallest Man on Earth finally began to get with his last LP, The Wild Hunt. This clip is from his first one, Shallow Graves and is a great video for the end of your day.

We have a new favorite blog!

Any surprise that's it's by Dave Berman, former Silver Jews, who is now an Aeschylus & Amp; Blake quoting blogger?  Check it out.


(Thanks to http://neonmusicalinsight.com/ for the heads up)

The Ultimate Music Blogger Super Bowl Pool

WLFY's 2011 resolution was to come up with new ways to help out bands/artists.  On Feb 6th millions of offices and home parties will have guess the winner/score of the super bowl pools and why shouldn't music bloggers have one?

1.)  ENTRY FEE: $5

2.) HOW TO PLAY/WHO WINS: After the final two teams are decided you will be asked to pick the score of the super bowl and the final score of each team.  To win, the first step is you have to pick the winner.  The second tie breaker is who is closest to the score.  If you pick the losing team but are closest to the final score...it doesn't matter, you picked wrong.  The final tie-breaker will be guessing the closest to the total amount of offensive yards.

3.) WHAT DO I WIN?:  Nothing.  Here is what makes this super bowl pool special.  The entry fee isn't collected until after a winner is announced...and WLFY and the winning blogger doesn't get the money.  WHAT???  Each music blogger will announce as part of their entry a band/artist that they are playing for.  The money will go to the band/artist that the winning blogger played for.  The picking of the band/artist will be applied on a first come first serve basis.

4.)  HOW DOES THE BAND GET PAID?: After a winner is announced, it will be the responsibility of the winning blogger to contact the band/artist and get their pay pal account.  Then every participating blogger will transfer $5 dollars to the winning band.  It's the honor system, but we'll ask the band if they received all the money, if not, we'll ask who didn't pay and publicly announce that the bloggers who didn't pay, went back on the honor system, and who hate supporting music.  In other words, please don't play if you don't want to pay (that is if you don't win).

+Each blog is allowed two entries max...this is if you have more than one writer/head of the blog.  You have to pick different bands/artists and it's $5 a piece.

5.) Submit:

To play you must be a music blogger and be willing to pay the $5 dollar entry fee.

E-mail: welistenforyoublog@gmail.com with the following in this order:

SUBJECT: The Ultimate Music Blogger Super Bowl Pool


NAME/ BLOG NAME/ URL 


BAND/ARTIST you will be playing for with link to one of their pages


WINNER OF THE GAME (PACKERS/STEELERS)


FINAL SCORE


TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS


I agree to pay $5 to the winning band/artist

The deadline for entry is Feb 5th at 5PM ET .

ARMS Cover Broadcast's "Corporeal"

It's a sad day for all Broadcast fans as Trish Keenan has passed away.  ARMS has decided to pay homage to the wonderful band by covering my personal favorite Broadcast track "Corporeal".  Go HERE to listen.

Track Of The Day: Mother Mother - "The Stand"

  

In the three years of running WLFY, I can't think of a band we've stumbled on and supported that we love more than Mother Mother.  They are horribly underrated by the hundreds of blogs I read daily and with their third release, they demand your attention.  I had to listen to the new track, "The Stand" a few times before it took me over, but this is due to the large departure from their previous sound.  The new album seems to be injected with synth steroids and Mother Mother is bringing a party on this new record.  If you're not familiar with Mother Mother, I highly recommend checking out their first two amazing releases and getting really excited for March 15th, when "Eureka" drops.  I can't wait.

Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan's Tribute to Captain Beefheart

Check it out here.

If you've never heard of Captain Beefheart before, buy this. Please. Do it.

Drive a Car that Neko Case Sat On

If you've seen this cover, then you've probably wanted to drive a '67 Mercury Cougar as well. Only, do it slowly so Neko doesn't fall off, cuz that sword looks sharp.

Well, now you have the chance. Neko's offering it up as a benefit to 826 National, Dave Egger's super awesome nonprofit tutoring, writing, and publishing center for students from age 6 to 18.

Go here to enter and learn more.

The Pass New Music Video & Tour Dates

Full disclosure: I directed the following video so this is a form of self-promotion.  Either way one of our favorite bands here at WLFY is The Pass and we're thrilled to be lucky enough to be able to lend images to their song.  I've always been in love with the playground game of four square and wanted to do a video where we exaggerate the simple sport.  Hope you enjoy.

The Pass - "Walk Away" Music Video from Visual Space Media on Vimeo.

TOUR DATES

DATE               City                    Venue

Jan 27th      St. Louis           Old Rock House

Jan 28th      Memphis           Poplar Lounge

Feb 1st        Los Angeles      The Satellite (Spaceland)  *w/ Marvelous Toy

Feb 2nd       Santa Barbara   TBA     *w/ Marvelous Toy

Feb 3rd        San Francisco   Milk Bar    *w/ Marvelous Toy

Feb 6th        San Diego          Soda Bar    *w/ Marvelous Toy

Feb 9th        Austin                TBA

Feb 10th      Dallas                City Tavern

Feb11th       Fayetteville       Smoke and Barrel

REVIEW: Tennis - "Cape Dory"

Tennis - Cape Dory

Fat Possum Records

1/18/2011

There are three major influences on the current indie rock scene.

1.) Late 1960's Psychedelia:  Using the folk/blues mind bending sound combination with lo-fi recording and hazy tape sounding recordings, bands and artists like Woods, Ty Segall, Black Mountain, and many more successfully blend their contemporary take on the genre.  Woodsist Records does a great Buddah Records impression successfully finding the more interesting bands who are exploring this hybrid of decades.

2.) 1980's: Mainstream electro pop bands take a literal approach to the 80's influence of the synth but there are bands like Twin Shadow, Twin Sister, and Ariel Pink who turn the 80's sound into a calming and sometimes hypnotic sound.  

3.) Late 50's/Early 60's Easy Listening:  I often refer to this genre as late 50's prom music where the lead singer hip shakes slowly side to side as they croon over simple melodies.  My favorite is Bobby Vinton whose album "Blue On Blue" is the pinnacle of this genre.  Current bands have been flirting with this genre for a while, but Cults busted down the doors in 2010 with their songs pointed directly at Lesley Gore for approval.  Cults brought a fresh perspective on the genre with chimes and moments that felt much more now than then.  The Morning Benders did such a great job masking their influence that few immediately found the comparison.  They took easy listening to a new level with wonderful moments of dynamic explosion that took us out of the past and into the present and then back to the past.  This the genre that Tennis borrows from.  Unlike some, I don't think of influence as a negative, rather a logical point where a band/artist finds their sound.  The main problem is that Tennis doesn't play enough with their influences to separate their album "Cape Dory" with any of the forgotten easy listening records of the early 60's that you can find in the used 99 cent bin at your local record store.

The great thing about the 50's/60's easy listening style is that you don't have to be all that talented to write immediately likable songs.  The standard melodies trigger very basic aesthetics that makes the listener happy.  They hear the beach, driving around on a sunny day with friends, diners, and as I said before high school dances of the past that have been immortalized visually through television and film.  All a band needs to pull off this sound is a great innocent voice and a very simple melodic equation.  What Tennis doesn't understand and execute on this record is why it ultimately fails.  

A little secret about the greats of this genre: while the songs sound happy there is something very dark or passionate lurking behind the surface level glaze.  Bobby Vinton's songs have been used in David Lynch films to highlight this very point of evil hiding behind beauty.  Lesley Gore had upbeat melodies but was one of the most cynical lyricists on the subject of love.  Cults lead singer Madeline Follin will gently groove to the swinging melody and then explode with such a passion that the sweetness of the song turns to pouring out the heart to the listener.  Tennis just moves forward at the same pace track to track and then the album is over.  They understand their influence on the surface, but lack the soul that made the greats of the genre standout from the rest.  The best example is Edward Hopper in the 1940's.  Take a look at any of his realism paintings that focus on what seems to capture an ordinary moment.  No matter what your interpretation of the backstory and the characters/places of his paintings, you have two layers: the immediate (the simple identification of fact) and an eerie feeling that something very important is hidden in the backstory.  It's the absence of this second layer on "Cape Dory" that ultimately renders it an uninteresting listen.

With this criticism aside, I can understand why people enjoy the songs of Tennis.  Lead singer Alaina Moore has a very nice voice and her understated approach really works to maintain a calming effect start to finish.  There are a few precious tracks that work much better as individual songs rather than pieces of a full album.  If I listened to "Marathon" on its own, my interest would be peaked and I would look forward to how they take that sound and progress it on a full length.  The problem is this song gets watered down due to the previous three tracks maintaining the same level of passion and emotion.  Almost every song has the same approach which fits because my least favorite easy listening records from the early 60's had this very same problem.  

"Cape Dory" is not a bad album or something you should avoid, it's just not that interesting.  The general listener will find enjoyment from this record and that's always a positive.  I found myself tapping my toe at times and enjoying moments, but I doubt after this review I'll be spending any more time with "Cape Dory".  Tennis has mastered the reproduction of a genre, but they need to find that second layer to make these songs transcend a gentle voice and melody formula.  The album clocks in a little over thirty minutes but is exhausting in it's repetition of similar sounds and the lack of depth.  Anyone who finds this record exhilarating, fresh, or thoughtful simply doesn't listen to enough music.  It's a record you put on while you're multitasking, not an album that forces you to sit in front of the stereo and give the entirety of your emotions to the sound. 

Important Wax (Jan 10th, 2011)

Matthew Friedberger

Matthew Friedberger - "Solos"

Thrill Jockey

8 12" Records

Ltd. 700 (some store releases)

$70 (Free Shipping)

http://www.thrilljockey.com/catalog/index.html?id=105231

Matthew Friedberger might be the most interesting musician we have in modern music.  A current Van Dyke Parks, he fuses a relentless passion for sound with a unique genius that makes Friedberger a sonic auteur.   "Solos" is a fascinating project where Friedberger writes six different albums around a single instrument per record.  This purchase is a years worth of music, a vinyl shipped to your door every two months, ending with two records with guests.  It all ends with a wooden box to hold the eight records.  Only 700 subscriptions are available and the single records will be released to limited record stores in a small amount.  The two bonus records are for subscribers only.  This record will never appear in digital or cd form, VINYL ONLY.  I bought this subscription the first day it was available and stongly suggest you order this one.  $70 seems steep but it comes out to $8.75 an album (where can you find a new full length record selling for under $10?).  With free shipping and a beautiful box for all the records, the $70 price is very very reasonable.  

The Fiery Furnaces

The Fiery Furnaces - Widow City

Thrill Jockey

12" Double LP

Previously OOP (Not A Reissue)

$14

http://www.thrilljockey.com/catalog/index.html?id=100843

One of the most widely praised Fiery Furnaces records, "Widow City" is a powerful record that was my top album of 2007.  The vinyl was out of print from 2009-2010 and was a must find in the used stacks for fans.  Thrill Jockey announced over the holidays that they found a few in the warehouse and began selling them online.  I have no idea how many are left, but this record is rare.  This is not a repress and the vinyl is sure to be out of print soon.  If you're a price person, this record went for anywhere between $50-$70 on ebay during the out of print days.  Regardless of price, this is one of my favorite pieces of wax and you've been given a second chance to own a wonderful record.

Starfucker

Starfucker - Reptilians 

Polyvinyl

12" Clear Vinyl

Ltd. 700 (Clear) / 180 Gram Black Vinyl 

$14

http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/store/index.php?id=1564

Starfucker wears the electro dance crown.  Nobody comes close to matching their synth beeps, marching drums, and smooth vocals.  I've never listened to a Starfucker song and ended with a shrug.  It's always a smile, tap of the foot, head nod...and that's when I'm not in an all out dance to the infectious melodies.  The new album is fantastic start to finish.  How do I know this if it's not released until March??? Did I download it illegally???  Nope.  One of the benefits of pre-ordering this vinyl is that you get a digital download right when you order it...no waiting...all legal.  Pretty amazing.  While you will be able to find this vinyl in most of your local record stores, the limited edition run of 700 clear records will go fast, so order this gem soon.

The Deloreans 

The Deloreans - "American Craze"

Self Release

12" 180 gram 

Ltd. 300

$18

http://thedeloreans.net/store/

If you read WLFY with any regularity, you probably know that when I get excited about a new band/artist I go into outer space with enthusiasm.  My latest obsession is Louisville, KY's The Deloreans who spin the early 60's prom music sound with a contemporary stylizing.  The band is currently uploading a new track a day off this album on their bandcamp (http://thedeloreans.bandcamp.com/).  The price is a bit steep, but it's a self release and there are only 300 pressed.  Bands that press their own vinyl do it because they're wax heads themselves as it's hard to move copies and for small pressings there is less of a discount from the manufacturer.  This exists out of love for vinyl and sharing their sound on a medium that represents the bands sound in the best way.  

Mountain Man

Mountain Man - Sun Dog EP

Underwater Peoples

10" Marbled Translucent Sea-Foam Vinyl

Ltd. Tour Only Sale Originally

$13

http://underwaterpeoples.com/index.php/up-catalog#mountainmansundog

This is a collection of tracks that lead Mountain Man to compile their breathtaking debut LP, "Made The Harbor".  I'm not sure what the run is, I would assume around 500.  Either way, it's one of the more beautiful pressings of 2010 and the clear sea-foam green is magical.  It's a nice spin, highly recommended for fans who want to own both pieces of Mountain Man wax.

ARMS

ARMS - "Whirring"

A Side: "Whirring" B Side: "Jon The Escalator"

Melodic Records

7"

Ltd: #? (Europe Release Only)

$6 (Plus International Shipping)

http://www.melodic.co.uk/index.htm?/homepage.php

ARMS is one of the great new hopes of 2011.  Todd Goldstein is the frontman and might be known from the band Harlem Shakes.  To date this is the only vinyl of the band ARMS and with a debut LP coming soon, you might want to snatch up this 7" before it goes OOP.  

The Deloreans - "American Craze"

What is to be said about an album that perfectly satisfies exactly why you love music?  Running WLFY for three years now, Hank and I have tried to listen to four-five albums a day, juggle suggestions from friends/fellow bloggers, and dig through endless singles to bring our readers what we consider to be a match for our specific taste.  Recently my brother Nick (who runs the Brooklyn Vegan of Louisville music called Backseat Sandbar) was dropped off a vinyl from a local band called The Deloreans.  I was in the middle of watching a movie and was pissed off when we had to stop the flick to play the record.  After the first two tracks, I sat in the living room stunned...this is what I've been looking for in music.  At the end of the night, Nick and I had played the record seven times, flip and needle drop over and over.  I'll try my best to describe the sound, influences, all the standard blogger writing...but I really want you to listen to the opening two tracks that are provided at the end of the post.

My immediate comparison is Morning Benders meets Bobby Vinton with an infusion of 70's punk in moments.  The A side keeps to the first comparison, but once you flip the record, there are moments of  Titus Andronicus, the Wizard Of Oz Soundtrack, and the whole record sounds like it was recorded by the genius Joe Meek (Opening track has a nice "Telstar" moment).  Currently there is this trend of bands who are making music not defined by a single decade.  Cults, Tennis, Destroyer's new record, Twin Sister, Ariel Pink, and many more are taking little qualities of the 60's, 70's, 80's and infusing them in such a way that the sound becomes their own.  While I love most of the bands listed above, nobody has a better handle on this timeless way of creating music than The Deloreans.  Their knowledge of music and the sonic qualities of each of these decades has been so carefully examined and strategically manipulated on "American Craze" that the sound is familiar yet nothing you've heard before.  I could talk for hours about my love for this record and I will on my full review that I plan to release near their album release date (Jan 18th), but for now, check out the opening tracks of the album.

I hope you enjoy, listen to the tracks on headphones or a good system...while you listen I'm going to spin "Buffalo" over and over.

The Deloreans - "American Craze" (Release Date Jan 18th, 2011) (LP and CD pre-order HERE)

Papercuts - "Do What You Will"

I can't tell you how excited I am for the Sub Pop release of the Papercuts LP "Fading Parade".  Enjoy the first track off the new album expected to release in early March.

  

With 2011 now well and fully upon us, we here at Sub Pop Records of Seattle, WA have the altogether enviable good fortune of sharing with/foisting upon you a new song from the upcoming Papercuts album Fading Parade! Fading Parade will be in record stores near, far and as many points in between as we can possibly manage on March 1st. You can listen to the debut single, “Do What You Will” by clicking here.

We are also releasing a Papercuts 7" single for “Do What You Will” b/w the non-album track “Thoughts on Hell” on February 1st. You can pre-order this 7" by clicking here. If you are as into the idea of pre-ordering records as we are really very fervently hoping you are, then maybe you would like to know that if/when you pre-order Fading Parade via Subpop.com (only) you will also receive a free limited-edition CDR of 3 unreleased bonus tracks! You can get with pre-ordering the record here.

Lastly, Papercuts will be on tour with friends/label-mates Beach House in the beginning of February. Full list of tour dates!

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals - "Golden" (MMJ Cover)

For my money, Grace Potter has some of the greatest pipes out there. So, it's lovely to hear her rock this gorgeous cover of MMJ's "Golden" in such a steadfast, earnest, and beautiful way.

Destroyer - "Kaputt" (Music Video)

Judging from this video, Destoyer's new album Kaputt will be less for the litterati and more for dorky guys from the 80s into smooth jazz and the occult.

Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody On Four Violins (Video)

Even more reason why the violin is my favorite instrument.  Simply perfect in every way.

Arranged for four violins and performed by Joe Edmonds

Track of The Day: The Fervor - "Crazy For The Feeling"

Louisville's The Fervor is one of the exciting new voices of 2011 featuring dramatic melodies, large drum sections, and the gorgeous female vocals of Nataile Felker.  Think Neko Case with an axe to grind.  They delicately walk the line between power pop and just good old fashioned rock and roll.  The music is immediate and never fades, you listen once and you'll be coming back for seconds.  With the release of their LP "Arise Great Warrior" (Feb 8th, 2011), the year is officially off to a bang and I can't wait to see what The Fervor can do with a full length album.  Enjoy:

 The Fervor, “Crazy For The Feeling” by karatebody 

From "Arise Great Warrior"

Release Date Feb 8th, 2011

Label: Karate Body Records

Starfucker Announces New Album: "Reptilians"

The best electro band is back with a new label (polyvinyl) and a new album.  Here are the details.

  Bury Us Alive by starfucker_usa 

Portland's Starfucker (STRFKR) has received almost as much attention for its moniker as for its immensely accessible dance hooks.   Now that the group's name has finally settled on STRFKR after flirting briefly with a few alternatives, however, the focus can rightly return to the quartet's  unique brand of endlessly catchy, addictive pop.  And there's no better place for that to begin than with Reptilians, the bands second album and first with Polyvinyl, due out March 8.  Polyvinyl is offering a limited edition run of 180-gram clear vinyl forReptilians, as well as an instant download of the album for all pre-orders: http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/reptilians.

As with the bands previous albums, Reptilians was written almost entirely by principal songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Hodges. This time around, however, STRFKR's sound is also bolstered by the addition of Keil Corcoran (whom Hodges describes as a human drum machine) and producer Jacob Portrait (The Dandy Warhols, Mint Chicks).

Reptilians focuses primarily on the epic subjects of death and the end of the world, two intertwined subjects at the forefront of songwriterJosh Hodges' mind following the passing of his grandmother.   However, the tone of the record stays out of the doldrums, taking a page from British philosopher Alan Watts (whose lectures are excerpted at various intervals), who proposed death is essential as it lends meaning to life.

With vibrant crescendos, explosive drum beats, and layered melodies that fuel a truly enthusiastic, theatrical live show (dates to be announced shortly), Reptilians is decidedly STRFKR's most well-rounded and full-sounding album to date -- a buoyant affair that will somehow have you dancing to songs about death and too busy enjoying it to mind.

Reptilians Track listing:

1. Born

2. Julius

3. Bury Us Alive

4. Mystery Cloud

5. Death as a Fetish

6. Astoria

7. Reptilians

8. The White of Noon

9. Hungry Ghost

10. Mona Vegas

11. Millions

12. Quality Time

Will Oldham on Fogged Clarity

Fogged Clarity is a website that highlights thinkers. Will Oldham is the real name of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy who we really like, is pretty weird and shows it along with an awesome acoustic performance of The Palace Brothers' (also an Oldham moniker) "You Will Miss Me When I Burn," Doug Paisley's "We Weather" and PB's "I Am a Cinematographer."

Listen here.

And read the interview here.

Important Wax (Jan 4th, 2011)

Our 2011 resolution was to try to help as many bands make money to simply afford to be just a band.  One of the new regular segments we'll be doing is called "Important Wax" where we highlight vinyl off the beaten path.  You won't find these in stores, rather these are the records that have limited runs and little exposure created by bands/artists on the rise.  

One of my nightmares concerning collecting vinyl is that I only started six years ago.  All these gems that I want on wax are out of print and sold out.  If you collect smart, in five years the records in your collection are these rare gems everybody wants.  I'll be using this section to highlight records that accomplish two things: 1.) feature amazing music 2.) have a great shot at becoming sought after rare vinyl down the road.  Remember, vinyl is like wine...it gets more expensive with time if you purchase the right product...unlike wine, you get to enjoy it while it matures.

Guards: http://guards.bandcamp.com/

Guards EP 

3 Syllables Records

200g

12"

Ltd. 500

€8.99 with shipping/Around $26 US (Shipping totaled in)

http://3syllablesrecords.bigcartel.com/product/guards-200g-vinyl

Guards 

"Resolution Of One"

7"

Ltd. 500

Small Plates Records

$7

http://smallplates.bigcartel.com/product/guards-resolution-of-one-7in

Guards is an amazing band that's catching the same wave of buzz that propelled Cults to a Columbia Records deal.  These are two records that document the beginning of a band with unlimited potential.  Both are limited to 500 which makes them a steal.  

Radical Dads: http://radicaldads.bandcamp.com/

Radical Dads

Side A: "Recklessness" Side B: "I Am The Father Of Myself"

7"

Ltd. 100

$5

http://www.radicaldads.com/

The first full length from Radical Dads is to be released this year and I'm telling you right now, this is not a band to ignore.  Robbie Guertin (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and Uninhabitable Mansions), Lindsay, and Chris make a perfect team and are the best hope for bringing back the purity of indie rock that made 2002-2006 so special.  At only 100 records pressed and the fact that this is their first physical release in any form, the above 7" is already a collectors item. 

Gobble Gobble: http://gobblegbl.bandcamp.com/

Gobble Gobble

"Neon Graveyard"

12" White Marbled Vinyl

Ltd. 500

Royal Rhino Flying Records

$12

http://rrfr.bigcartel.com/product/gobble-gobble-neon-graveyard-12-lp

Lawn Knives

Side A: "Lawn Knives" Side B: "End Of Days"

7" Clear Vinyl/Some Pressed On Black

Ltd. 400

Royal Rhino Records

$5

http://rrfr.bigcartel.com/product/gobble-gobble-lawn-knives-end-of-days-7

Wrinklecarver

Side A: Wrinklecarver Side B: Nemo

7" 

Ltd. 300

National Archive Of Records

$5

http://nationalarchiveofrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wrinklecarver

I would bet my life that Gobble Gobble is the next "big thing".  They're smart, fun, and nobody can deny a dance to their tunes.  There is only one piece of wax they have put out that is currently OOP, but you can snatch up the rest of their collection for under thirty dollars.  These are all a must own.

Clues: http://cstrecords.com/cst057/

Ledmonton 

A Side: "Ledmonton" B Side: "You Have My Eyes Now"

7" Tour Only (4 Card Silkscreen Print)

Ltd. Unknown (Only 100 Left)

Constellation Records

$4

http://cstrecords.com/store/products/CST064-7%22.html

In 2009 a little band called Clues shook up my world.  Their self-titled debut received a perfect score from WLFY.  I was upset when they started selling the above 7" at tours, but only after I saw them in Los Angeles.  I never thought I would get a shot at this record until Constellation announced that a few were left over from the show and they started selling them online.  There isn't much as far as new tracks, as both are appear on the LP (one different version), but if you're a fan then you can't pass on this.