thought i saw something hiding in the yard

I was sorting and cleaning up my music folders on my laptop today and I came across a Basia Bulat EP folder that I have forgotten about. The out-of-print EP contains six tracks: an early version of "Why Can't It Be Mine" and a gorgeous strip-down version of "Snakes and Ladders", plus four songs that are not on Oh, My Darling.

1. Untitled
2. Why Can't It Be Mine
3. Snakes and Ladders [wicked-cool song]
4. Sugar and Spice
5. Secret House
6. Distance
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit
(songs were re-posted on January 6th, 2009 at 10:40pm.)

It also looks like Basia Bulat will be touring North America this Winter/Spring:

Feb 7 - Chicago IL, Schubas
Feb 8 - Madison WI, High Noon Saloon w/Pale Young Gentlemen
Feb 9 - Minneapolis MN, 7th Street Entry
Feb 13 - Seattle WA, Triple Door
Feb 14 - Portland OR, Doug Fir Lounge
Feb 15 - Eugene OR, Sam Bond’s Garage
Feb 16 - San Francisco CA, Bottom of the Hill
Feb 19 - Los Angeles CA, Hotel Cafe
Feb 22 - Denver CO, The Walnut Room
Feb 23 - Omaha NE, The Waiting Room
Feb 27 - Vienna VA, Jammin’ Java
Feb 28 - Philadelphia PA, Tin Angel
Feb 29 - New York NY, Bowery Ballroom w/St Vincent

Mar 1 - Cambridge MA, Middle East Underground w/St. Vincent
Mar 27 - Ottawa ON, Zaphod's
Mar 28 - Kingston ON, The Grad Club
Mar 29 - Toronto ON, Lee's Palace

April 3 - Hamilton ON, The Casbah
April 4 - London ON, Call the Office
April 5 - Guelph ON, Salsateria
April 12 - Montreal QC, Sala Rossa

visit Basia Bulat's MySpace page here
buy Oh, My Darling here

endless free songs from atlas sound

Bradford Cox has recently uploaded more Atlas Sound songs on his blog. Two covers: Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" and Jay Reatard 's "Oh Its Such A Shame", as well as "Without Headlights" and "Middle School Instrumental" from Virtual 7" No. 2.

xiu xiu: women as lovers

Like all of Xiu Xiu previous releases, Women as Lovers is yet another record filled with ambitious experimentation in rhythm, structure, and noise. Xiu Xiu’s sixth full-length is not very different from any other Xiu Xiu albums; I guess there is no need for dramatic changes since the band’s sound is already so original and the music is always so engaging. It is interesting though to hear saxophone on their cover of "Under Pressure" as I don’t ever recall hearing the saxophone on any Xiu Xiu songs – the saxophone addition sounds like something out of the Lost Highway Soundtrack. The bottom-line is, if you are a longtime Xiu Xiu fan, you will enjoy Women as Lovers; however, if you were never a fan of Xiu Xiu’s music, you are probably not going to be crazy about this release.

[UPDATED on January 22, 2008]

I Do What I Want When I Want [wicked-cool song]
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit



No Friend Oh!
Under Pressure (feat. Michael Gira) [wicked-cool song]
You Are Pregnant, You Are Dead [wicked-cool song]
***Songs were removed due to request, please do not ask for a repost

Women as Lovers comes out on January 29th, you can pre-order it here

we are adventuring

Go to Be Your Own Pet’s MySpace page to hear five brand new tracks from their sophomore full-length, Get Awkard. The album comes out on March 17 in Europe and 18th in North America.

best scene ever.

I saw Persepolis last night. The film is as great as the graphic novel! The clip above is the funniest and most memorable scene of the film, it totally caught me by surprise!

this feels so unnatural, peter gabriel too

I am not sure when this told place, but Vampire Weekend did an interview and performed "Mansard Roof", "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa", "A-Punk", and "The Kids Don't Stand A Chanceon" on KEXP. Don't forget, their amazing debut comes out on January 29th!

Vampire Weekend - Live on KEXP
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit

these new puritans: beat pyramid

These New Puritans’ debut full-length sounds like a cross between Bromheads Jacket and Art Brut. Beat Pyramid is a rather entertaining record: mostly because of its question-everything and rebellious punk-like attitudes. There are electronic/experimental instrumental interludes throughout the record, which I honestly believe that it can do without. Nevertheless, These New Puritans have successfully created a terrific debut full of memorable Bloc Party-like anthems!

Numerology aka Numbers [wicked-cool song]
Swords of Truth
Elvis [wicked-cool song]
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit

Beat Pyramid comes out on January 28th, you can pre-order it here

i was given one ice chip an hour

Bradford Cox recently posted a few non-album Atlas Sound songs up as well as a list of tour date up on his blog. Don’t forget, Atlas Sound’s debut album, Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel, will be out on February 19!

Lost and Found (for A.O.)
Children's Hospital (Screaming in the Face of Death #2) [super-wicked-cool song]
Brother (You Don't Have To Lay Down Your Arms)

Feb 19: ATLANTA, GA - Drunken Unicorn
Feb 20: CHAPEL HILL, NC - Local 506
Feb 21: WASHINGTON DC - Black Cat
Feb 22: PHILADELPHIA, PA - Johnny Brendas
Feb 23: NEW YORK, NY - Mercury Lounge
Feb 24: BROOKLYN, NY - Music Hall
Feb 26: BOSTON, MA - Middle East
Feb 27: MONTREAL, QC - Casa del Popolo
Feb 28: TORONTO, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
Feb 29: DETROIT, MI - Magic Stick
Mar 1: CHICAGO, IL - Empty Bottle
Mar 2: MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Triple Rock
Mar 5: VANCOUVER, BC - Pat's Pub
Mar 6: SEATTLE, WA - Crocodile
Mar 7: PORTLAND, OR - Holocene
Mar 8: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Bottom of the Hill
Mar 11: LOS ANGELES, CA - Echo

round two

Björk assaults news photographer...

final fantasy covers céline dion

Here’s a video of Final Fantasy’s cover of Céline Dion's "Power of Love" at Gladstone Hotel a couple of nights ago. You can download the mp3 version from the previous post.