Tuesday, May 06, 2008

wildbirds & peacedrums: heartcore

Two distinct styles seem to carry through Heartcore by Wildbirds & Peacedrums: a minimalist, vocal driven style like Scout Niblett, and the avant-garde, gospel/chanting style similar to Akron/Family. Nevertheless, the two approaches give the album quite a pleasant balance; and together, they create a wonderfully dark, haunting, and surreal atmosphere. Heartcore is led by Mariam Wallentin’s gorgeous vocals and backed by Andreas Werliin’s experimental percussions. They convey such extraordinary chemistry throughout the record; and this makes sense to me after reading that the two are married. The breathtaking duet makes "The Battle In Water" one of the best songs on the album while the raw and minimal percussion along with Mariam’s powerfully hypnotic vocal create a mesmerizing tribal feel in "The Window". I don’t see too many people getting into Heartcore as it is quite unusual sounding; however, for the few that do get it, you will understand why I think Mariam Wallentin has one of the most beautiful and versatile voices in music today!

Bird [wicked-cool song]
The Battle In Water [wicked-cool song]
The Window [wicked-cool song]
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit

visit Wildbirds & Peacedrums' MySpace here
buy Heartcore here

neon blood all around

There is a new EP entitled Things I'll Miss up for download over at Bradford Cox's blog.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

dire times call for dire faces

Tokyo Police Club — May 3, 2008 @ Criminal Records
(big thanks to Tokyo Police Club for playing this free show and Criminal Records for hosting it!)

cover song of the moment

Calico Horse’s simple and striped-down take on "Idioteque" undeniably stands out among the dozen of bad Radiohead covers out there!

Calico Horse: Idioteque (Radiohead Cover) [wicked-cool song]
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit

Saturday, May 03, 2008

tokyo police club: elephant shell

Reminder: Tokyo Police Club will be doing a FREE in-store show at Criminal Records (493 Queen St. West, Toronto) today (Saturday, May 3) at 12:30 pm!

I am absolutely in love with Tokyo Police Club's new record, Elephant Shell! It is full of adorable and catchy songs; each track has its own charm along with some clever and witty lyrics. I can't think of anything negative to say about this record, I have been listening to it since the beginning of March and I still can't get enough of it! I am so glad that the band’s long awaited full-length debut lives up to their smash success EP... it must be such a relief for them! Check out the songs below, come out and see the boys play at Criminal Records and pick up Elephant Shell (as well as a sweet poster designed by Jeremy Wilson of Pop Fuel)... Elephant Shell is indeed the perfect laid-back summer album!

Juno [super-wicked-cool song]
Nursey, Academy [wicked-cool song]
Your English Is Good [super-wicked-cool song]
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit

visit Tokyo Police Club's MySpace here
buy Elephant Shell here

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

it's coming from the sky

Sonic Cathedral recently released a limited split 7-inch between Maps and M83. Side A of the record is a remix of Maps' "To The Sky" by M83 while the other side consists of Maps' remix of "We Own The Sky" by M83. This is truly a very special release; both songs are quite incredible... download them below and make sure you go by the 7-inch!

To The Sky (M83 Remix)
We Own The Sky (Maps Remix)
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit

visit Maps' MySpace here
visit M83's MySpace here
buy Maps/M83 split 7-inch here

i get bored far too easily

You can download Portishead's entire set at this year's Coachella over at Deaf Indie Elephants and Mystic Chords Of Memory. Also, go look at some pretty photos from the show at Brooklyn Vegan and Flickr!
Thanks to For the 'Records' for posting the links!


CSS recently posted a song from their upcoming record, Donkey for download on their site.
CSS: Rat Is Dead (Rage)


Good Shoes have started a blog called the Boxer's Baby.


Finally, Does It Offend You, Yeah? have some new North American dates:
July
28 at The Glass House in Pomona, CA (w/ Bloc Party)
29 at Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles, CA (w/ Bloc Party)
30 at Fillmore in San Francisco, CA (w/ Bloc Party)

August
04 at Drakes in Toronto, ON
05 at Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA (w/ Bloc Party)
06 at Webster Hall in New York, NY (w/ Bloc Party)

Monday, April 28, 2008

go! with fourteen o: the end is close

Have you ever wondered what screaming vocals plus 8-bit Nintendo like music sound like? Well, look no further than GO! With Fourteen O’s The End Is Close. Almost No Need For Money. ...this album will blow your socks off!

Made A Gun With My Fingers And Shot At My Friends
Four More Years
George Orwell's Collection Of Hidden Cameras
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit

visit GO! With Fourteen O's MySpace here
email dennis_wedin@hotmail.com to order The End Is Close. Almost No Need For Money.

cover song of the moment

A historic performance this weekend at Coachella... Prince covered "Creep" by Radiohead!!!!!!!


Speaking of Prince, has anyone heard the new My Morning Jacket album, it sounds like Prince! ...very strange!

give us your vote

The lovely folks over at Criminal Records (493 Queen St. West) will host a free Tokyo Police Club in-store on Saturday, May 3. Stay tuned for set time. Show starts at 12:30pm!

from CBC Radio3 Session (May 17, 2006)
1. Box
2. Citizens of Tommorow
3. Cut Cut Paste
4. Your English Is Good
5. A Lesson in Crime
6. Nature of the Experiment
7. Be Good

from Elephant Shell (Bonus Disc)
Centennial (Remixed by Dntel)
Listen to the Math (Remixed by The Good Life)
***all files expire in 7 days or until bandwidth reaches its limit

visit Tokyo Police Club MySpace here
buy Elephant Shell here