when i first did the salmon all the people just laughed

In a strange way, The Chemical Brothers’ music is sort of nostalgic for me as Exit Planet Dust and Dig Your Own Hole both played a significant role during my early half of my teenager years. However, sometimes during Dig Your Own Hole and Surrender, I departed completely from electronic music; and as a result, We Are The Night, out on July 2 in the UK, is the first Chemical Brothers record I have heard in a decade! I had absolutely no idea what to expect with this new record. After listening to We Are The Night the first time, my love for The Chemical Brothers has been resurrected! There new album is full of classic Chemical Brothers styles: flawless timing in build-ups and deliveries can be heard immediately from the intro track and title track right till the very end of the record. Similar to so many past Chemical Brothers hits, We Are The Night features a handsome list of guest vocals as well. The Klaxons gets a lesson with the professors of techno dance music in "All Rights Reversed". Without a doubt, this is the highlight and my favourite track from the new record; and if there’s any justice in the music industry, "All Rights Reversed" should become of the biggest summer of 07’ songs! Likewise, soon after the release of We Are The Night, a new dance craze should be emerging in clubs around the world thanks to Fatlip’s brilliantly hilarious collaboration to "The Salmon Dance". While listening to We Are The Nights, it reminded me why I loved The Chemical Brothers so much during high school; the big beats, catchy rhythms, fairytale marriage with guest vocalists can all be heard on the new album. 2007 has seen the release of some great dance records, and without a doubt, We Are The Night is one of those records.

We Are The Night [wicked-cool song]
All Rights Reversed (featuring Klaxons) [super-wicked-cool song]
Saturate
Do It Again (featuring Ali Love)
The Salmon Dance (featuring Fatlip) [super-wicked-cool song]
A Modern Midnight Conversation
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We Are The Night comes out on July 2 in the UK and July 17 in North America, stay tuned for pre-order details

the wings are wide, the wings are wide

Watch Feist’s Jimmy Kimmel Live performance of "I Feel It All" ON A BUS! ...so awesome!

that's the mentality of kidz today

Initially, Plan B recorded "Missing Links" with Radiohead’s "Pyramid Song" looping in the background; however, due to copyright issues, the song had to be re-recorded for Who Needs Actions When You Got Words. Early this year, Plan B decided to release a limited bootleg album entitled Paint It Blacker, The Bootleg Album which features the original version of "Missing Links" plus fifteen other new and resampled tracks. Paint It Blacker is definitely the most interesting album of 2007!! The bootleg consists of samples from rock and alternative songs ranging from The Rolling Stones’ "Paint It Black", Nirvana’s live cover of "Plateau", Larrikin Love’s "Happy As Annie" to Leonard Cohen’ "Suzanne"!!!! Holy crap, Plan B sampled Leonard Cohen, how fucking amazing is that!?!?!? And it is another one of those deliciously violent songs similar to those I praised about so much on B’s Who Needs Actions When You Got Words. This bootleg enhances the fact that Plan B is one of the most talented and creative new artists in the world, and if you have not done so already, do yourself a favour and buy Who Needs Action When You Got Words.

Paint it Blacker feat The Rolling Stones (Paint It, Black) [wicked-cool song]
Who Needs Actions feat Nirvana (Plateau by The Meat Puppets) [super-wicked-cool song]
Happy as Larry feat Larrikin Love (Happy As Annie) [super-wicked-cool song]
Missing Links feat Radiohead (Pyramid Song) [super-wicked-cool song]
Kidz feat Willy Mason (Where the Humans Eat) [wicked-cool song]
Suzanne feat Leonard Cohen (Suzanne) [super-wicked-cool song]
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read my review for Who Needs Action When You Got Words here
buy Who Needs Action When You Got Words here

sleepless long nights that is what my youth is for

Feist, May 26, 2007 at Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario

making of life, a forged painting

Emily Haines will be performing at The Harbourfront Centre outdoor theater in Toronto on July 25. She is also releasing a new EP entitled What Is Free to a Good Home? on July 22 in North America. The EP features five b-sides off of Knives Don’t Have Your Back as well as a remix of "Mostly Waving".

Rowboat
Telethon
Mostly Waving (TodorK Remix)

What Is Free to a Good Home? EP comes out on July 22, pre-order details coming soon

maybe you just need some time alone

Sometimes, it is well worth the wait for a band or an artist to take so long to create an album. One of those bands is Wilco. Their new record, Sky Blue Sky is their first new studio full-length since the band released A Ghost Is Born back in 2004. The new album could not have came out at a better time: Sky Blue Sky is just the perfect record to relax and chill-out to during the approaching hot summer days. Perhaps the reason why Sky Blue Sky is such a comforting record is because it has a wonderful balanced mixture of alternative rock, country, soul, and blues style. Go grab a cold drink of your choice, sit-back, close your eyes, and enjoy Sky Blue Sky.

Either Way [wicked-cool song]
You Are My Face [wicked-cool song]
Shake It Off [wicked-cool song]
Hate It Here [wicked-cool song]
What Light [wicked-cool song]
On And On And On [wicked-cool song]

buy Sky Blue Sky here

the grammar of one finger forms a language of this ecstasy

There's a photo of Patrick Wolf in GQ Style magazine (Spring/Summer 2007 Issue 4), check out the scan below.


In other exciting Wolf news, Patrick will be performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on June 6!!!

bring me my japanese cigarette case

Does anyone even care what Spoon songs are about anymore?? Albums after albums, the band created countless indie pop anthems that are characterized by their amazing ability to create unforgettable rhythms and melodies. That is exactly why Spoon is one of those rare bands that don’t really need strong lyrics to support their music. With Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Spoon once again perfectly executed ten ultimate indie pop rock tracks. Every song from the new record can easily become the next "The Way We Get By" or "I Turn My Camera On". Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga may well be Spoon most solid effort to date; I predict that I will be spinning Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga for a long long time... I mean, it still amazes me how much I still love Kill the Moonlight after all these years!

The Ghost Of You Lingers
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
Eddie's Ragga [wicked-cool song]
The Underdog [wicked-cool song]
My Little Japanese Cigarette Case [wicked-cool song]
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Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga comes out on July 10, you can preorder it here

happy birthday liam

Happy Birthday Liam!!!

one two... i know kung fu!

While all you non-Canucks woke up early this morning to go to work or school, people across Canada are celebrating and enjoying this Victoria Day long weekend. With the May-Two-Four essential such as beer, BBQ parties, and fireworks already in the lineup, why not throw in some Shitdisco?! Get everyone to remember your wicked-cool party by spinning some ultra new-rave dancepunk tracks from Kingdom Of Fear. To be honest, I guess Shitdisco’s style is nothing really innovative. Musically, they mostly sound like The Rapture or The Faint, while vocally, they sometimes remind me of The Klaxons. In some cases, it is really not a bad thing to sound so much like other bands, especially when a band can bring that familiar sound and still make it sounds fresh. That’s exactly what Shitdisco have done on Kingdom Of Fear: you will recognize the sound, but you put aside that they sound so much like the other bands you love... and most likely, you will not be able to stop listening to the album because it is just so well done and goddamn fun to listen to! If you have read any negative reviews for Kingdom Of Fear based on the fact that they sound so similar to many other bands, please ignore those reviews and give Shitdisco a try.

Kung Fu [wicked-cool song]
Disco Blood
72 Virgins [wicked-cool song]
3D Sex Show [wicked-cool song]
OK
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buy Kingdom Of Fear here

bringing sexy back

Here's a not-so-bad video of Patrick Wolf performing the fans' favourite new track, "Blackbird".

I have converted the above video into mp3, you can download it below.

Blackbird (live) [wicked-cool song]
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this is the age of constipation

The Magic Position FINALLY came out in Canada this past Tuesday. It contains two lovely bonus tracks which were previously only available on 7” singles: "The Childcatcher (Live at The Bloomsbury Theatre)" from Accident & Emergency Single and "Luna/The Libertine (Live at The Bloomsbury Theatre)" from The Magic Position Single.

The Childcatcher (Live at The Bloomsbury Theatre) [wicked-cool song]
Luna/The Libertine (Live at The Bloomsbury Theatre) [wicked-cool song]
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buy The Magic Position here
buy Accident & Emergency 7" Single here
buy The Magic Position (Part II) 7" Single here

my spirit crawls out of my belly button

You can watch/hear Patrick Wolf on KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic here.

but the beat's so boring and i'd rather be home in our bed

You can watch Patrick Wolf live at the Union Square Virgin Record Store in New York City here. In addition, I have converted the QuickTime movie into mp3, you can download that below. Enjoy!

Patrick Wolf live at the Union Square Virgin Record Store in New York City on April 30, 2007:

Overture
Get Lost
Tristan
Bluebells
The Libertine
Accident & Emergency
The Magic Position
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this town's skipping like a record, reruns get me so bored

photo from the may 13 show at the mod club taken by thesecretcircus

Patrick Wolf live at The Mod Club in Toronto, Ontario on May 12, 2007:

Overture
Get Lost
Enchanted
Tristan
Bluebells
Accident & Emergency
The Magic Position
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best track from think before you speak

Watch Good Shoes’ brand new video for "Morden" below.

i'm back!

You can download an exclusive Eluvium song entitled "Swallows in the Bath" here.

do you remember night times long ago?

The terrible news is true! Sadly, Larrikin Love are indeed broken up... they have left a message on MySpace, you can read it below.

Larrikin Love have announced today that they have split up. The band would like to thank all their fans for their support and love over the last two years and assure them that all is amicable between the four members.

Further details of ongoing projects from all members will be announced in the fullness of time.

Love
The Larrikins

Six Queens [super-wicked-cool song]
At The Feet Of Ré [super-wicked-cool song]

Happy As Annie (Patrick Wolf Mix) [wicked-cool song]
On Sussex Downs (covered by Patrick Wolf) [wicked-cool song]
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buy Freedom Spark here

hold on for accident and emergency

Watch Patrick Wolf On Conan O'Brien below!

did the horrors rip me off?

So the amazing Strange House is finally seeing light in North America on the 15th of May. I came across a link that has a Pre-Order of the CD and you can get a T-shirt with it. It opened the link up and I was in complete shock:

Not only is the idea the same, but the shapes of the bats are exactly identical too!!! Here are pictures of other shirts that I made with the same design… judge for youself.

How about my profile picture... and the old background to this blog...

i yearn for all of this to work

Apparently, Larrikin Love have split up. Can anyone confirm this?

honey honey food for the bees

Being a graphic designer myself, I am a HUGE fan of packaging and poster arts. Naturally, I am in particular interested in album packagings and concert posters or just music related posters. I was visiting All Things Feist today and there was a link to Simone Goes’s blog – the artist who is responsible for designing Feist’s The Reminder. Be sure to check that out… I especially like the four gorgeous promotional posters!

sing like you think no one's listening

Straylight Run will be releasing their sophomore album, The Needles The Space on June 19. You can stream their new track "Soon We’ll Be Living In The Future" [wicked-cool song] below:

Quicktime
Windows Media

For more information, go to Straylight Run's Official Website or their MySpace page.

...and they will be hitting the road shortly, so be sure to check Straylight Run out when they come to your area!

5/28 Phoenix, AZ – The Clubhouse
5/30 San Diego, CA - Soma
5/31 W. Hollywood, CA – House of Blues
6/1 San Luis Obispo, CA – Downtown Brew
6/2 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
6/3 Reno, NV – The New Oasis
6/5 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
6/6 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
6/8 South Ogden, UT – Country Club Theatre
6/9 Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
6/10 Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck
6/12 St. Paul, MN – Station
6/13 Madison, WI – The Loft
6/14 Chicago, IL – Metro
6/15 Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
6/16 Indianapolis, IN - Irving Theatre
6/17 Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
6/18 Louisville, KY – Headliner’s
6/19 Toledo, OH – Headliner’s / ALBUM RELEASE
6/21 Providence, RI – The Living Room
6/22 New York, NY – Irving Plaza
6/23 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts
6/24 Washington, DC – Black Cat
6/25 Norfolk, VA - Norva

oh how he loved prison... how awfully lovely was prison

So apparently, Cocorosie sadly had to cancel the rest of their North American tour because they were arrested. There is no detail explanation concerning the arrest or if they will re-schedule... I guess we just have to keep our fingers crossed and wait.

Werewolf [wicked-cool song]

buy The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn here

we could go to the cinema, big effects and big name stars

Patrick Wolf will be on Late Night With Conan O'Brien on May 9!!! Watch it!!!

i took the pictures in my head

New Moon, a two disc compilation album by the late Elliott Smith is coming out this week via Kill Rock Stars. The compilation is a collection of b-sides, demos, outtakes, etc. recorded by Smith between 1994 and 1997. At first, I was excited to hear the announcement of this release; however, I later felt afraid to hear New Moon because I thought it would make me really sad. On the contrary, this is actually a gorgeous collection of songs that in a way, celebrates the incredible talent of Elliott Smith. Yes, at certain points, this new compilation depresses me, but for the most parts, it strangely makes me happy to hear Elliott Smith (in my opinion) during the best part of his career! New Moon is not just for diehard Elliott Smith fans, it can definitely act as a brilliant collection of songs to introduce Smith’s music to new listeners!

Looking Over My Shoulder [wicked-cool song]
Going Nowhere
Riot Coming
First Timer [wicked-cool song]

Georgia, Georgia
New Disaster [wicked-cool song]
Seen How Things Are Hard [wicked-cool song]
Either/Or [wicked-cool song]
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buy New Moon here

there's a charm that is greater still

I bought Björk’s much anticipated new album, Volta at a HMV in Sapporo a couple of days ago. I have listened to the ablum a handful of times now, and as I expected, it is fantastic!! The songs with Antony are just lovely!

Dull Flame of Desire [wicked-cool song]
My Juvenile [wicked-cool song]
I See Who You Are (Mark Bell Mix) [bonus track on Japanese import]
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ten miles i've walked today along the shore

Holy crap, so much had happened during my week in Sapporo, Japan. Patrick Wolf has came out of “retirement” and added US headlining dates, including one in Toronto (which I can’t go because I’ll still be in Japan)... in addition, all-new Patrick Wolf online store is now open for business.

Court in Jaipur issued a warrant to arrest Richard Gere for kissing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty on the cheeks (seriously, this was ALL over the news in Japan!).

The Format will be announcing dates for the summer tour soon, as well as support. According to their MySpace blog post, there will be at least seven Canadian dates!!!!

New Beirut video for "Elephant Gun".



Lastly, I got like a hundred emails from people either asking me to listen to their music and post about them on my blog or re-upload songs onto my blog. Here are some of the posts that you’ve requested during my absent, enjoy!

Patrick Wolf vCasts and "The Marriage"
Old Joanna Newsom EPs
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