Best New Tracks
- Major Lazer: "Keep It Goin' Louder [ft. Nina Sky and Ricky Blaze]"
- The Smith Westerns: "Be My Girl"
- Cymbals Eat Guitars: "Tunguska"
- Polvo: "Beggar's Bowl"
- Ganglians: "Valiant Brave"
- Discovery: "So Insane"
- Tiny Vipers: "Dreamer"
- Das Racist: "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell (Wallpaper. Remix)"
- DJ Kaos: "Love the Nite Away (Tiedye Mix)"
- YACHT: "Psychic City (Voodoo City)"
Friday, June 26
Echo Chamber: Colin Meloy
"Just watched a documentary about GG Allin and my day has been officially ruined."
-- If that's not a ringing endorsement of Pitchfork.tv's current One Week Only feature-- Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies-- from the Decemberists' Colin Meloy, we don't know what is. (via @colinmeloy)
Posted by Ryan Dombal on June 26, 2009 at 4:55 p.m.
Tags: Colin Meloy, Echo Chamber
Reznor Reveals Rejected Timbaland Remix
Calls Tim's "Hand That Feeds" mix "laughably terrible"
Trent Reznor hasn't been shy about declaring his disdain for Chris Cornell's recent Timbaland-produced dance-pop experiment Scream. But in a new interview with Sound Opinions, the radio show/podcast from Chicago-based rock writers Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, Reznor went a little deeper.
Stars' Amy Millan Preps Second Solo LP
Features Feist guest appearance, Death Cab cover
Back in 2006, Stars singer Amy Millan released Honey From the Tombs, an album of statuesque Emmylou Harris-like alt-country that felt a million miles removed from the epic new wave of her other band.
On September 8, Arts & Crafts will release Masters of the Burial, Millan's second solo album. Millan recorded the album in rural Ontario with Broken Social Scene producer/sound engineer Martin Davis Kinack and features guest appearances from Feist, Evan Cranley of Stars, and others.
The tracklist contains a cover of Death Cab for Cutie's "I Will Follow You Into the Dark". Millan previously covered "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" on a 2007 KCRW EP; however, it has been re-recorded for the album.
We've got the tracklist and album cover below.
On July 25, Millan will play a free show at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre, and she'll tour this fall.
Blur Reunion Live Album on the Way
The Blur reunion tour is set to bring all the hits to London's Hyde Park July 2 and 3. And now you'll have a little more than some YouTube video to remember those shows.
The band is set to professionally record both gigs and sell the results via limited edition double CD and MP3. (Everyone who orders the CD will also get the download.) So if you scream really loudly during, say, "Tender", you could be immortalized in Blur history for eternity. The CDs will also come with photos from the show.
The release will only be available online, and you can pre-order it now.
Posted by Ryan Dombal on June 26, 2009 at 2:15 p.m.
New Release: The Postmarks: Memoirs at the End of the World
Artist: The Postmarks
Album: Memoirs at the End of the World
Release Date: August 25
Label: Unfiltered
MGMT to Open for Paul McCartney
Talking to the UK blogger Zoe Griffin earlier this month, Sir Paul McCartney had some nice things to say about Brooklyn synth-hippies MGMT: "I like MGMT. I'd like to work on some more dancey stuff with MGMT. But it has to happen organically ... We need to talk about it. I can't call them. If they called me, I'd say, 'How did you get my number?' But I'd do it."
Well, there's still no word on the McCartney/MGMT duet we all want to hear. ("The Shroom Is Mine"? "Neon Facepaint and Ivory"?) But MGMT won't necessarily need McCartney's phone number to talk to him. They can just holler at him backstage when they open for the man in Boston.
That's right: MGMT will open two shows for Macca, August 5-6 at Boston's Fenway Park.
Guess McCartney really does like those crazy kids, huh?
Posted by Tom Breihan on June 26, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
Tags: Collaboration, MGMT, Paul McCartney
Echo Chamber: Black Francis
"The band needs to work with a film director, Quentin Tarantino or someone like that. It'd be like, 'Make some music for our film; you guys be the sound of the film'. Spread the word about the idea 'cos I think it's gonna work."
-- Black Francis wants the Pixies to be the new RZA. (via NME)
Posted by Tom Breihan on June 26, 2009 at 1:20 p.m.
Tags: Black Francis, Echo Chamber, Pixies
Download a New Fleet Foxes Song
Robin Pecknold takes to the BBC airwaves to perform new track "Blue Spotted Tail".
Homepage photo by Kathryn Yu
Fleet Foxes played Glastonbury's famed Pyramid Stage today, but before that, lead singer Robin Pecknold played a solo acoustic version of new song "Blue Spotted Tail" for the BBC. It's a haunting, Neil Young-style track that shouldn't disappoint fans of the year-end kings. Download here:
MP3:> Fleet Foxes: "Blue Spotted Tail" (Live on BBC 6 Music)
Posted by Ryan Dombal on June 26, 2009 at 1:15 p.m.
Tags: Audio, Fleet Foxes
Michael Jackson News and Reactions
Updates, remembrances, and more.
Michael Jackson's death continues to dominate the headlines, as the world struggles to come to terms with the loss of the King of Pop. Yesterday evening, we collected some thoughts from the artistic community. This morning, our managing editor Mark Richardson offered a tribute to Jackson's incomparable life and legacy. We've also compiled a selection of Jackson music and video highlights.
Here's a roundup of more notable news and reactions from around the web:
Islands' Nick Diamonds Spills About Vapours, His New Album
New album, new lineup, new sound.
Photo by Aliya Naumoff
Indie rock exhibitionist and Islands mastermind Nick Thorburn (aka Nick Diamonds) is a restless fellow. From the Unicorns to Th' Corn Gangg to Human Highway to Islands, the 27-year-old singer has cycled through bands, band mates, and styles like an ADD-addled whiz kid over the last decade. And the upheaval continues with the third Islands album, Vapours, due out September 22 on Anti-.
Recorded in New York City and produced by Diamonds and Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, Trail of Dead), Vapours finds Diamonds reinventing Islands as a synth-y four-piece featuring original member (and fellow former Unicorn) Jamie Thompson, who was M.I.A. on the group's last album, the blown-out Arm's Way.
On a recent rainy Friday, Diamonds called us from his current Brooklyn neighborhood to talk about the record. "I'm actually right across the street from where Biggie grew up in Clinton Hill," he said. "He did not grow up in Bed-Stuy, despite popular belief." More fun facts-- and lots of details about the future of Islands-- after the jump:
- Jack White Sci-Fi Spoof to Screen at Comic-Con 1:45 p.m.
- Michael Jackson Breaks Chart Records 10:20 a.m.
- Video: Death Cab for Cutie: "Little Bribes" 4:05 p.m.
- Warp20 Box Set Tracklist Revealed 12:30 p.m.
- Passion Pit Remix Yeah Yeah Yeahs 11:00 a.m.
- Premiere: Tyondai Braxton: "Uffe's Woodshop" 2:55 p.m.
- Vibe Magazine R.I.P.
- Kanye Unveils Amazing New Stage
- Jens Lekman Contracts Swine Flu
- Cass McCombs Announces North American Dates 10:40 a.m.
- Mark Eitzel Adds East Coast Dates 9:50 a.m.
- Bishop Allen Announce European Tour 7:10 a.m.
- Destroyer Summer Dates 6:00 a.m.
- Gang Gang Dance Announce Summer Tour 2:55 a.m.
- Cotton Jones Books Dates
- Conor Oberst Adds More U.S. Dates
- Andrew Bird World Tour
- St. Vincent Tours With Andrew Bird
- R.I.P. Michael Jackson
- Artists React to Michael Jackson's Death
- Jay Bennett's Death: Overdose
- Is This the Flaming Lips Album Cover?
- Dirty Projectors in Auto Accident
- Buy Elliott Smith's Car
- Crystal Castles Tangle With Security at Sonar
- Radiohead's Kid A, Amnesiac, Thief Reissued
- Flaming Lips Set LP Title, Digital EP
- Trent Reznor Logs Back On
- Buy Billy Corgan Lunch!
- Unreleased Jeff Buckley Song in Tearjerker
- Sunny Day Real Estate Reunite!
- Radiohead/Wilco/Marr Supergroup LP Details
- Pitchfork Music Festival Set Times Revealed
- Dead Body Found at Bonnaroo
- Beastie Boys Reveal Hot Sauce Details
- Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe on Mulcahy Tribute
- Arctic Monkeys Unleash Album Art, Dates
- Triumph Takes on Bonnaroo
- Video: Death Cab for Cutie: "Little Bribes"
- Silver Jew David Berman's Cartoons, Revealed
- Premiere: Tyondai Braxton: "Uffe's Woodshop"
- ATP Film l Transfigurations Fest l Bobby Ubangi
- Jack White Sci-Fi Spoof to Screen at Comic-Con
- New Release: The Black Heart Procession: Six
- Warp20 Box Set Tracklist Revealed
- Devendra, Thurston Contribute to Tour Book
- Video: Rye Rye: "Bang" (Directed by M.I.A.)
- Passion Pit Remix Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- Michael Jackson Breaks Chart Records
- Echo Chamber: Ted Leo
- Treasure Island | Donnas | Bondy | Lerche
- Rising: Suckers
- New Release: Apples in Stereo: #1 Hits Explosion!
- Galaxie 500 Reissue Albums on Vinyl
- Echo Chamber: The Roots' ?uestlove
- R.E.M. to Release Live Double Album
- Jarvis Cocker to Guest on UK Political Show
- Vibe Magazine R.I.P.
Recently
Reviews
- Major Lazer: Guns Don't Kill People-- Lazers Do
- J Dilla: Dillanthology 1 / Dillanthology 2
- Street Sweeper Social Club: Street Sweeper Social Club
- Blank Dogs: Under and Under / The Fields EP
- UUVVWWZ: UUVVWWZ
Track Reviews
- The Twilight Sad: "I Became a Prostitute"
- Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros: "40 Day Dream"
- Cave Weddings: "Let's Drive"
Features
News
- Video: Death Cab for Cutie: "Little Bribes"
- Silver Jew David Berman's Cartoons, Revealed
- Premiere: Tyondai Braxton: "Uffe's Woodshop"
- ATP Film l Transfigurations Fest l Bobby Ubangi
- Jack White Sci-Fi Spoof to Screen at Comic-Con
- New Release: The Black Heart Procession: Six
- Warp20 Box Set Tracklist Revealed
- Devendra, Thurston Contribute to Tour Book
- Video: Rye Rye: "Bang" (Directed by M.I.A.)
- Passion Pit Remix Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Reviews
- The Mars Volta: Octahedron
- Love Is All: Last Choice EP
- Cage: Depart From Me
- Rock Plaza Central: ...At the Moment of Our Most Needing or If Only Th
- EAR PWR: Super Animal Brothers III
Track Reviews
- Major Lazer: "Keep It Goin' Louder [ft. Nina Sky and Ricky Blaz
- Yim Yames: "Behind That Locked Door"
- Mungolian Jet Set: "Clairevoyage"
TV
News
- New Release: Apples in Stereo: #1 Hits Explosion!
- Galaxie 500 Reissue Albums on Vinyl
- Echo Chamber: The Roots' ?uestlove
- R.E.M. to Release Live Double Album
- Jarvis Cocker to Guest on UK Political Show
- Vibe Magazine R.I.P.
- New Release: Slaraffenland: We're on Your Side
- Kanye Unveils Amazing New Stage
- Matt and Kim Tour North America
- The Pirate Bay Sells Out
Reviews
- Wilco: Wilco (The Album)
- Isaac Hayes: Hot Buttered Soul
- YaHoWha 13: Magnificence in the Memory
- Drake: So Far Gone
- Zs: Music of the Modern White
Track Reviews
- The Smith Westerns: "Be My Girl"
- Lupe Fiasco: "Shining Down" [ft. Matthew Santos]
- Drug Rug: "Never Tell"
TV
Features
News
- Mew l The 801 l Bobby Bare Jr. l Whartscape
- T.V. Eye: June 29 - July 4
- Listen to a New Billy Corgan/Sky Saxon Song
- New Release: Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band: Between...
- Pixies to Celebrate Doolittle on Tour
- Video: Kanye West: "Street Lights"
- MGMT, Karen O Guest on Flaming Lips LP
- Wavves Speaks About Meltdown, Future Plans
- Video: Jay-Z: "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)"
- New Release: Megafaun: Gather, Form & Fly
Reviews
- Bibio: Ambivalence Avenue
- Various Artists: A Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island
- Ganglians: Ganglians / Monster Head Room
- Hello Seahorse!: Bestia
- Land of Kush: Against the Day
Track Reviews
TV
Features
News
- Jackson's Cause of Death Not Yet Determined
- Video: Wilco and Feist Perform "You and I"
- Echo Chamber: Colin Meloy
- Reznor Reveals Rejected Timbaland Remix
- Stars' Amy Millan Preps Second Solo Album
- Blur Reunion Live Album on the Way
- New Release: The Postmarks: Memoirs at the End...
- MGMT to Open for Paul McCartney
- Echo Chamber: Black Francis
- Download a New Fleet Foxes Song
Reviews
- Tortoise: Beacons of Ancestorship
- The Lemonheads: Varshons
- Alasdair Roberts: Spoils
- So Many Dynamos: The Loud Wars
- The Present: World I See / The Way We Are
Track Reviews
News
- Artists React to Michael Jackson's Death
- R.I.P. Michael Jackson
- Benefits: Jeff Tweedy | Robin Pecknold | TVOTR
- Echo Chamber: Morrissey
- Join the Vampire Weekend Tribute Band!
- New Release: Joe Pernice: It Feels So Good...
- Listen: Wale + Peter Bjorn and John
- Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe on Mulcahy Tribute
- Video: Wilco: "You Never Know" (Live on "Conan")
- R.I.P. Seeds Frontman Sky Saxon
Reviews
- Sunset Rubdown: Dragonslayer
- Gossip: Music For Men
- Spinnerette: Spinnerette
- Future of the Left: Travels With Myself and Another
- The Paper Chase: Someday This Could All Be Yours
Track Reviews
Features
News
- Unreleased Jeff Buckley Song in Tearjerker
- Pitchfork on ABC: Kasabian's West Ryder Pauper Lun
- Devendra Banhart Finishes New LP, Leaves XL
- Buy Billy Corgan Lunch!
- New Release: La Roux: La Roux
- Is This the Flaming Lips Album Cover?
- Pitchfork on ABC: God Help the Girl
- The Roots to Debut New Song on "Late Night"
- Chris Knox Leaves Hospital After Stroke
- Jim James to Release George Harrison Tribute
Reviews
- God Help the Girl: God Help the Girl
- Regina Spektor: Far
- Playboy Tre: Liquor Store Mascot
- Noisettes: Wild Young Hearts
- Larry Jon Wilson: Larry Jon Wilson
Track Reviews
- Air France: "GBG Belongs to Us" [ft. Roos]
- The Binary Marketing Show: "Shape of Your Head"
- The Radio Dept.: "David"
News
- Dirty Projectors in Auto Accident
- Common | Reverie Sound Revue | Octopus Project
- Nick Cave and Warren Ellis Score Sex Trade Doc
- Rhino Releases Factory Records Digital Box
- Jay Bennett's Death: Overdose
- Sunny Day Real Estate Reunite!
- Listen to Archived Primavera Sets on WFMU
- Echo Chamber: Dirty Projectors' Dave Longstreth
- Seniors Interview Fiery Furnaces, Bash Wilco
- Arctic Monkeys Unleash Album Art, Dates