Pitchfork

-- The new Black Lips LP, 200 Million Thousand, is out February 24 on Vice and its cover is still giving us a headache. The band-- currently playing all over India-- just extended their tour through May.

The Atlanta troublemakers are also holding a video contest for first single "Starting Over" over at Vimeo.
Uploads will be accepted through February 15 and the winning director will be featured on Vimeo's home page and will receive an exclusive Lips 7" and a signed copy of the new album. They will not get 200 million thousand dollars. Or even $1000. Or even $200. Recessions are a bitch.

-- Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies is a recent three-disc boxed set featuring 43 songs dedicated to America's 43 presidents. Since we're finally ready for prez no. 44, the guys behind Of Great and Mortal Men are celebrating with a Washington, DC show at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue featuring songs from the set performed by Nellie McKay, Tim Fite, These United States, Tom Carter of Charalambides, Laura Burhenn (formerly of Georgie James), series songwriter Christian Kiefer, and more this Saturday, January 17. Come for the Obama love; stay for the Martin Van Buren song. Kiefer has also written a brand new Obama song, "Someone to Wake", which is sung by Centro-matic's Will Johnson. It will be available as a free download on the project's website starting tomorrow, January 16.

-- Sharon Jones makes most neo-soul singers seem quaint and more than a little inconsequential, especially live. Jones will take her crack band on a quick West Coast tour starting next week in San Diego before coming back to her native New York for a couple Valentine's gigs in Times Square. Full tour details at her MySpace.

-- Love's Recurring Dream, the new album from German-based electro-poppers Coloma isn't officially out until February 23 on Italic, but you can stream the whole politely rocking affair at Last.fm now.

-- Folk-psych freakniks MV & EE-- that's Matt Valentine (Tower Recordings) and Erika Elder-- are supporting their new Drone Trailer LP with a tour starting tomorrow in Maine. They will be accompanied by random friends, hippies, and good vibers throughout the trek. Find out if these flower children burnouts are touching down near you by clicking here.