Posted on 22 May 2009
Folks have seemingly taken to Los Angeles quartet Silversun Pickups’ “Panic Switch.” Actually, judging from the positive comments when we posted a link to a stream of their second album Swoon, your love of early ’90s Smashing Pumpkins-style alterna-rock runs deep. The last time we saw the band they were at the Glass House in Pomona. This time they’ve stopped by Spinner to offer up a private studio show. We have the old favorite “Panic Switch” along with fellow Swoon song “The Royal We.”
Continue reading Silversun Pickups Flip The “Panic Switch” At Spinner…
Posted on 22 May 2009
Craig Finn shared vocals with former Arab Strap guitarist Malcolm Middleton on ’80s rock radio staple “Run To You” (along with Led Zeppelin’s “Your Time Is Gonna Come” and Malcolm’s own “Kiss At The Station”) in a recent live session on BBC Radio 1. The occasion was a celebratory send-off for DJ Colin Murray. Between this and Bon Iver’s “Your Love” we have the makings of a sweet Indie Rockers Cover 1985 playlist.
Continue reading The Hold Steady Cover Bryan Adams…
Posted on 21 May 2009
When writing on Dum Dum Girls in the past, I’ve mentioned the Mayfair Set, her best-of-two-worlds collaborative project with the recently unmasked Blank Dogs. It’s good stuff and thankfully there’s more of it: A six-song Woodsist 12″ from the duo is forthcoming. You can hear two of the tracks — “Cease To Be” and “Junked” — at their MySpace (Via GvsB). And, because we didn’t post it previously, take a listen to “Already Warm,” the A-Side of the band’s 7″ out now on Mike “Blank Dogs” Sniper’s Captured Tracks label. (To date they’re promo photos are mostly little vintage kids, hence the accompanying pic.)
Continue reading New Mayfair Set - “Cease To Be” & “Junked”…
Posted on 21 May 2009
In an EW Q&A re: Circulatory System’s Signal Morning (8/4, Cloud Recordings) frontman Will Cullen Hart shares exciting E6 news: “We’ve got two songs for the next Olivia record, in my opinion. They’re on Bill (Doss)’s hard drive … We’re really proud of it.“
Posted on 21 May 2009
On Coldplay.com the frontman discusses that free live LP, current obsessions (Springsteen, Anvil, Murmur, Two Suns), and the “really great” “Strawberry Swing” clip that will herald “a new concept in video making.” He also claims he’s inspired by the recent plagiarism lawsuits. Read it here.
Posted on 21 May 2009
After we posted the Jeff Lynne-sweetened “Blue Lips” a commentor said he was “dismayed” that the song — along with “Laughing With” — was “massively overproduced for my taste.” When Spektor performed the Far track on Jools Holland she stripped it down to piano and subtle string accompaniment. No rattling percussion, cymbal washes, ambient drones, etc. The rawness lends something extra to the song’s emotions. It also helps to see how much she’s putting into it.
Continue reading Regina Spektor Brings Her “Blue Lips” To Jools Holland…
Posted on 20 May 2009
Posted on 20 May 2009
A photo of Rihanna near a taxi triggers Kanye’s latest meditation on modern pop superstars: “Justin in the new Mike, Beyonce’s the new Tina Turner, Gaga’s Madonna, Jay is Sinatra… Wayne is Hendrix, Thom Yorke is Roger Waters…” I thought Jamie Foxx was Sinatra?
Posted on 20 May 2009
Every few weeks, Amazon.com lets us select one recent release from its MP3 store to go on super sale (up to 75% off normal prices). Hopefully you’ll be able to add these must-own LPs to your library without breaking your budget.
Onetime BTW the Pains Of Being Pure At Heart made a big splash this year with their self-titled full-length debut, an easy-to-like collection of jangly, fuzzy late ’80s/early ’90s-style indie pop. As we’ve mentioned, from the album art down to the melodies and layers of pretty noise, it’s clear they like the Pastels, Black Tambourine, etc. That’s a good thing. As anyone who’s hummed The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart 10 tracks after just one listen can attest.
Continue reading Stereogum X Amazon MP3 Friendly Deals #11: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart…
Posted on 19 May 2009
We wrote fondly about St. Vincent’s Actor and its weirdly unknowable protagonists. Even though it’s her face on the cover and in the videos, you never can tell if Annie Clark’s singing about herself or a character she’s invented, whether she’s feeling something for real or if she’s acting. Along with her unique song constructions and songwriting sense, it’s a large part of what makes her work interesting. See, for instance, this first-person Actor bonus track “Bicycle,” another example of her compositionally and emotionally complex output. It’s streaming at HypeM. And, remember, she’ll be joining David Byrne’s camp at Bonnaroo.
