It seems Jacob Dylan has settled into a comfortable skin now that he’s exploring the rootsy sound that began on his debut solo record two years ago. The formula continues, but this time he’s brought in some big names to help flesh it out, in particular T. Bone Burnett who produced the biggest Wallflowers disc, and indie heart throb, Neko Case, who joins him for this first single from the forthcoming Women and Country album. Jacob Dylan with Nothing But The Whole Wide World on the Daily Feed.
Time to spazz out 80’s style, and I’m not talking about doing it with a new indie band that’s that’s looking to throw back. No, today we’re headed straight for the source courtesy of the original New Wavers in Devo. They’ve completed their first record in 19 years and even tried a bit of it out recenetly at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. To celebrate, and show the kids how it’s done, they gave us this track for free to get the party started. Devo with Fresh on The Daily Feed.
In case you haven’t heard, Robert Schneider from Apples in Stereo is kind of a genius. He not only continues to write great pop songs, but he also created his own music scale using a complex theory that most people go cross-eyed trying to understand. And while you may never notice, that new scale has been put to use on the forthcoming Apples In Stereo record, Travelers in Space, due out April 20th. What you will notice is a more dancey flavor dedicated to their usual uptempo fare, and should make a pretty great album. Check out the first single, appropriately titled Dance Floors, now for The Daily Feed.
After yesterday’s announcement of new Broken Social Scene, I had assumed that all of Canada’s indie rocker clan were holed up in the same studio to be a part of it. Turns out there was a small group who went rogue, but involves no less exciting news. Ladies and Gents, it really is Mega-Blowout-Canada Day because now we also have the latest from the New Pornographers. AC Newman, Neko Case and the gang have completed Together, due out May 4th and let free the first single yesterday. Get ready for the continuation of a solid, northernly rock, here is New Pornographers with Your Hands for The Daily Feed.
It’s been five years since we’ve been able to say the words “new Broken Social Scene,” but if you were reading the blogs over the weekend, you might think that those repeated words were the biggest (and only) news in the entire world. Kevin and the crew are back, along with mainstays Feist, Amy Millan, Metric as well as Scott from Pavement and what looks like dozens of other guests to bring you the new LP, Forgiveness Rock Record. The party arrives on May 4th but this seven minute opus should hold you over till then. Broken Social Scene with World Sick for The Daily Feed.
Just an awesome weekend. The skies gave us a break from the grey, cold misery just in time to spend the weekend walking around the Highlands (in Louisville) to catch some Vitamin D and good sidewalk conversations. On top of that, I’m really happy with this week’s turnout of music. Something about this whole set just works so well together, so if you’re at your house or work, turn it up and let it play you through whatever your doing. It’s an hour’s worth of the best soundtracking you’ll get all day.
As if you needed any more reason to see the new Alice In Wonderland movie, consider the soundtrack. The score is done by Danny Elfman, which is no big surprise, but no less exciting. And to add to the whole deal, they’ve recruited a few guests stars, including Mr. The Cure, Robert Smith. Given the climate of the movie, he fits in well enough and stays true to the type of odd wizardry that Elfman likes to use as the backdrop. Check it out now, it’s Robert Smith with his version of the ’51 Disney song Very Good Advice for The Daily Feed.
As if you needed any more reason to see the new Alice In Wonderland movie, consider the soundtrack. The score is done by Danny Elfman, which is no big surprise, but no less exciting. And to add to the whole deal, they’ve recruited a few guests stars, including Mr. The Cure, Robert Smith. Given the climate of the movie, he fits in well enough and stays true to the type of odd wizardry that Elfman likes to use as the backdrop. Check it out now, it’s Robert Smith with his version of the ’51 Disney song Very Good Advice for The Daily Feed.
Thanks goodness for protégés and mentors. When the music world started feeling vacant from the lack of Outkast material, they unleash Janelle Monae – the self described super alien from the future that had been shepherded by Andre 3000 and Big Boi. She’s taken her time completing the follow-up to her Gammy winning debut, but must feel the world is ready once again and has just given us the first taste of The ArchAndroid, due May 18. Bringing Big Boi along for the ride, here is Janelle Monae with Tightrope for The Daily Feed.
How much time does an artist need to place between the first single and the record? For The Radio Dept., basically a year. Last May, they wowed the web audience with a track called David and it’s taken till now to get a 2nd peak of their forthcoming Clinging to a Scheme. What was the band doing all this time? Apparently just working on it, so we should expect a masterpiece, right? Probably not so much. What you do get is a fine pop rock song from the land of the Swedes that give us so much these days already. Meant for sunnier days, here is The Radio Dept. with Heaven’s on Fire on the Daily Feed.
Did anything happen this week? I felt like went through some warp and ended up in the weekend. I guess some pass undetected, and then you’re in the next one. Crazy.
The city or State from which a band hails can sometimes play an important role in their sound and message. We need only to look back at places like Seattle, NYC, and Austin to find examples. Philadelphia is generally known as having a great norther soul vibe that’s found its way into the mainstream in recent years. Dr. Dog, however not a part of that general sound, has ended up with an album that takes a large part of it’s inspiration from their hometown and as you’ll hear in this single from their upcoming album Shame, Shame, they call on specific people and events to pay homage to the land of our founding fathers. Dr. Dog with Shadow People on The Daily Feed.
Just in time for those Winter Olympics, The Thermals have surprised us with a love song to the Great White North. Their disc, Now We Can See, put them on the map as a pop-punk band that you should actually pay attention to and even though the album came out this time last year, the trio was already back in the studio by the end of ’09 recording the followup. It’s not due to see daylight until later this year, so hopefully this one-off can whet your appetite. The Thermals with Canada on The Daily Feed.
Remember the project we let you in on a couple weeks ago between David Byrne & Fatboy Slim? The short story is that they’ve done a concept record together and enlisted a full roster of today’s biggest names to help out with the vocals. We’ve already heard the Santigold fronted “Please Don’t” and now to make the release date push a little easier to swallow, we’ve been given the title track with Florence from Florence & The Machine at the lead. Now due out on April 6th, here they are with Here Lies Love for The Daily Feed.
Josh Ritter is a man who has been championed by critic after critic as one of the best songwriters of this generation, so it’s a little surprising that he’s never made the total jump to mainstream. But what the major world doesn’t know, there is a large, rabid fanbase who get to claim him as all their own. Ritter is back with a new disc, So Runs the World Away, due to make its own historical conquest on May 4th. Check out the first single now, it’s Josh Ritter with Change of Time for The Daily Feed.
Towards the end of last year, we were introduced to Free Energy, the Philly band grown from the ashes of the band Hockey Night. Their first few teasers gained a lot of support, half based on their past lives and the other on the instant fun that their 70′s influenced bright-rock gave. Their James Murphy produced debut, Stuck on Nothing, is finally edging up on its release date, so it seems as good as time as any to release something new to keep their name fresh on our lips. So keeping in the same theme as those previous singles, here is Free Energy with Hope Child on The Daily Feed.
There are certain times during the year that Louisville has a great spark drifting around it. Usually, it’s during a winning season for UK or UL heading into March Madness, but it came a bit early this time ‘round. Not only is the town hanging on every dribble for Kentucky’s near flawless season, but the Super Bowl just happened to be happening as well. I learned a long time ago that most of the games became a lot more fun when I didn’t follow anyone. With no affiliation, you’re always a winner. Sure, some will say it’s a copout, but I never have a bad game. As long as it’s entertaining, I’m happy, but with as much excitement is going around – football, basketball, and the upcoming World Cup – even for a guy who really doesn’t care, it’s not hard to get caught up.
Anyway, let’s plat some music. A bit more of a slower week than last, but that just means that I get to turn you on to a few bands you probably haven’t heard of. Needing that fix? I got ya.
We were all pretty blown away after hearing Sigur Ros front man, Jonsi’s debt solo track, Boy Lilikoi, with its orchestral sweeps and sing-along lyrics. It’s what has been keeping his busy now that Sigur Ros has been put on hold while the band takes some time off to make their families. We’ve now got another look at his new disc, and another example of his teaming up with classical composer Nico Muhly in this 2nd leak that’s sure to keep you pleased. The album Go will be out March 22nd, and here is the song Go Do from Jonsi, on the Daily Feed.
A few years ago, when the new generation of soul singers was rearing its heads, it was easy to weed out the imitators, especially when they were being played next to Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. Sure, Amy Winehouse and Joss Stone sounded fun for a moment, and then we heard Sharon and all went, “oh, that’s how it’s done.” I mean, as we saw recently on SNL, she’s so good she makes Michael Buble sound less white. The Dap crew is back with a new disc called, I Learned the Hard Way, due out on April 6th and here is the title track. It’s Shaton Jones and the Dap Kings on the Daily Feed.
Beach House is now a name that sends web kids scrambling to soak up any bit of news to report or music to share. It all started late last year when the updates rolled in telling tales of their Sub Pop album Teen Dream. Before long, a single was birthed – Norway – and at this point has all culminated in a drop in to Daytrotter. Now, folks record for Daytrotter everyday, and it goes by with little outside reporting, which is what makes it all the more interesting to see nearly every OTHER website posting to the live performance. Regardless, it’s put this Baltimore duo on a pretty high pedestal that they seem quite comfortable on. Beach House with Walk In The Park on The Daily Feed.
Last week came the first taste of the amazing new project from Peter Gabriel – the cover of Arcade Fire’s “My Body Is A Cage” – from his upcoming Scratch My Back collection. As it’s been told, Gabriel has recorded epic versions of a lot of his favorite current music, including Magnetic Fields, Radiohead, Bowie, and Paul Simon, along with the aforementioned Arcade Fire. In return, all of those artists are invited to return the favor by recording a Gabriel tune. This week we get another peak into the beautiful disc where the veritable composer tackles Bon Iver’s Fume. Scratch My Back will be in stores on the 15th and here os Flume now, on the daily feed.
I woke up this morning with the sun shining through the window and the bluest sky I’d seen in months. Up until I took a look at the world around, it sure did feel like Spring. Even so, the near zero temps and snow covered ground are a lot easier to take when the sky’s not grey. I think I’ll go for a walk. Time to shed this cabin skin.
And I couldn’t ask for a better soundtrack to listen to. Our first major-artist week of the year: Yeasayer, She & Him, The Tallest Man on Earth, Drive-By Truckers, Goldfrapp & Joanna Newsom. Some cool covers as well with Justin Townes Earle teaming up with Dawn Landes to update a Dolly Parton Song, Grizzly Bear takes on Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel has one of the most stirring, moving renditions to an Arcade Fire song that I’ve ever heard. Ch-check it out.
Among the hundreds of decent Brooklyn bands existing right now, Yeasayer had a head start on most of them, having begun their march several years ago and making a name for themselves with an experimental indie sound. When they released their newest single, Ambling Alp, it was clear that these guys were looking to gain a bigger audience, though the band assures us that it’s not at the expense of their odd sounding roots. The compromise is more evident on this 2nd single, taken from the disc Odd Blood, that finds the band giving you something to sing along with while scratching your head at the same time. It’s a pretty perfect mix in an album that has the potential to make a BIG statement. Yeasayer with ON.E. on the Daily Feed.
Alright kids, hipster-overload time. You know the drill: one big indie band covers another big indie band and somehow the world doesn’t come a’crashing down. Last year’s hot ticket, Grizzly Bear, recently popped Down Under to Triple J radio and while there, took a whack at covering Hot Chip’s “Boy From School” from their own personal hot ticket, 2006’s The Warning. So, for your listening pleasure, Grizzly Bear, on The Daily Feed.
Back in 2007, a group of us sat with our jaws on the floor when a guy in his black shirt and slacks, sporting a pencil thin mustache, put on one of the most spellbinding performances of the year. From reviews, that seem to happen everywhere he went. He calls himself The Tallest Man on Earth, and where he may lack in actual height, he accomplishes in both legend and sound. and as the well documented joke goes, it’s taken a guy from Sweden to play some of the most direct and personal Americana currently out there. He’s got a new record called The Wild Hunt and you can hear it’s first now. This is The Tallest Man on Earth with King of Spain on The Daily Feed.
A CD we’ve been looking really forward to since it’s announcement comes from Peter Gabriel. Not a name you might expect these days. This time, however, he’s come up with a concept titled Scratch My Back where he covers a big bunch of modern musicians and sets up the stage for them to, in turn, cover their favorite Gabriel tracks (Radiohead just announced they’d be doing one). Smart man, that Sledgehammer, and not a bad way to stay relevant in an ever changing aural landscape. So, here to prove just how amazing this guy can still be, he’s tackled Arcade Fire’s “My Body Is a Cage,” giving it a lush, yet dark string arrangement and playing the song to it’s multiple strengths. Check it out now and pick it up on Feb. 15th, Peter Gabriel with My Body is a Cage on The Daily Feed.
So, let’s do a quick recap of She & Him. Zooey and M. debut a fantastic CD, give it a good tour and rack up critical acclaim. She makes some hit movies. He makes a hit solo record followed by a mega-announcement, teaming with the Monsters of Folk and She makes a mega-announcement about becoming the wife of Ben Gibbard. Not a bad way to spend a few years, no? So, somewhere in this, the two found the time to get back together and crank out what will be Vol. 2 due to be released on March 23rd. They invited Tilly and the Wall to help out on this one, it’s She & Him with In The Sun on The Daily Feed.
Did you all catch Conan’s final show? Whether you’re a fan or not, there are fewer classy ways to wrap it all up. When he could have lambasted NBC, he thanked them for over two decades of loyalty. When he could have been down on the whole deal, he instead begged us all not to become cynics. And then, of course, we were all treated to Freebird. And why not? Will Ferrel, Beck, Ben Harper, Billy Gibbons, Max Wineberg, and another dude who I never figured out who was; Not a bad backing band to close out the shortest Tonight Show run yet, cementing him as the George Lazenby of late night.
Anyway, let’s play some music, yeah? I got some great stuff I wanna play ya. Turn it up.
Some of you may already be familiar with the band Retribution Gospel Choir. Aside from a couple solo records, lead man Alan Sparhawk is also the head of the Minnesota band Low. The Choir, unlike his minimalist-pop day job, require the amps to go a little louder and the songs to be a little crunchier. The trio recently collected a group of new songs for their 2nd album, out on Sub Pop, drops next Tuesday. You can check out an accompanying video over at theweeklyfeed.org and check out the song now, it’s Retribution Gospel Choir with Hide It Away on the Daily Feed.
On the Phone with… Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes
This round, we take a call from Alex Ebert, frontman of the traveling menagerie known as Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes. Topics covered: Caddyshack, post-coital madness, arguments in front of the Cliffs of Dover, and the process of putting together a 10 piece band.
Recently announced Coachella headliners, Gorillaz are back after a five year absence with a new disc called Plastic Beach. The cartoon, semi-fictional band (depending on how you look at it) have, as usual, invited a group of folks over to contribute to the Damon Albarn brainchild. Lou Reed, Snoop, De La Soul, & Mick Jones are all a part of the fun this time around, but it’s Bobby Womak and Mos Def who shine on the first single. It’ll be out on March 8th, here is Gorillaz with Stylo on The Daily Feed.
Time to spazz out 80’s style, and I’m not talking about doing it with a new indie band that’s that’s looking to throw back. No, today we’re headed 
I woke up this morning with the sun shining through the window and the bluest sky I’d seen in months. Up until I took a look at the world around, it sure did feel like Spring. Even so, the near zero temps and snow covered ground are a lot easier to take when the sky’s not grey. I think I’ll go for a walk. Time to shed this cabin skin.
