The National Debut "Terrible Love" On Fallon...

And make me all the more excited for May. While this year has been slow on the mind-blowing music front, two of my favorite bands of the past decade, The National and Broken Social Scene, have both dropped new songs on the world to give me hope that the 10s have some promise yet. Broken Social Scene absolutely killed their return after a 5 year hiatus with the single, "World Sick" off their forthcoming album (out May 4th), Forgiveness Rock Record (single and all the details available HERE). The National's last two records (3rd and 4th overall), Alligator and Boxer, are two of my favorite records of the past decade (just barely missing out on this HERE) and show a band that is absolutely peaking right now. "Terrible Love" shows the band continuing to build on all the qualities that make them great -lead singer Matt Berninger's deep baritone, helpless yet somehow hopeful lyrics, brilliant orchestral instrumentation, and distinctive and flat out awesome drumming. The band talks about how they have to make their songs less "epic" as they finalize their record, but like Broken Social Scene these guys embrace that "epic" sound in all the best ways. The last minute is both raw but polished rock of the highest order. Can't say enough about these guys. I am looking to them and BSS to save the year.





Enjoy,
MD

Ok Go - "This Too Shall Pass" - Insane Music Video!

So the band that rode a synchronized treadmill (video) to stardom (the video for "Here It Goes Again" HERE) have managed with their latest video to top themselves and then some. This music video is on completely different level - it is one of the most insane and brilliantly awesome videos (music or otherwise) I have seen in a while. The video follows in one shot the most ridiculously extravagant Rube Goldberg Machine (or before I looked it up what I was calling The Mouse Trap Game)built in a two story warehouse in Echo Park with the help of local engineering firm Synn Labs. It is in no way profound but perfectly achieves what lead singer, Damian Kulash, said was it's main goal: "It's purpose is only to be awesome". Great success! The part with the guitar, spoon and glasses goes beyond simple awesomeness to utterly brilliant. The song is even pretty damn good too! Check it out below:




Enjoy,
MD

Fresh Tracks: Broken Social Scene, Local Natives, Gil Scott Heron and More

(Broken Social Scene)

Broken Social Scene are back at it after a 5 year hiatus (although there were a number of band side projects) and they sound as good as ever. "World Sick", BSS's first single off their forthcoming album Forgiveness Rock Record (forgiveness for their lengthy hiatus perhaps?), is EPIC like you would expect from the band that can range from 6-19 members. At times it seems like almost all 19 of them are playing various guitar parts building to the songs many crescendos - these guys absolutely own the modern guitar epic (almost forgot how good these guys can be). It doesn't stop with its musical brilliance either; lyrically, lead singer and lead member of BSS, Kevin Drew, strikes a chord with its chorus "I get world sick every time I take a stand". Seems to perfectly encapsulate the current feeling of constant disappointment from the world's (and our country's in particular) politicians. Get the get track for free at BSS's website:

Broken Social Scene - "World Sick"

Morning Benders are a throwback of the best kind. Coming out of the exploding music scene in San Fran, they have crafted a 60's pop gem with "Excuses". This one sounds like a lost track in Phil Spector's or Brian Wilson's catalog. The song has me longing for summer. It is just a breezy top down driving tune with airy almost floating guitar rhythms, and a gorgeous melody accented with lush harmonies. Take a listen to the single off their new album, Big Echo:


Morning Benders - "Excuses"




Local Natives are one of the most exciting bands in the LA music scene right now. Recently being graced with a P4K Best New Music label shouldn't hurt either. These guys are very much deserving. Their debut album, Gorilla Manor, is one of the most intriguing of the new year. They sound like Grizzly Bear if it was produced by David Sitek. Really these guys resolve my only issue with Grizzly Bear - their weak rhythm section. They don't quite have Grizzly Bear's vocal chops but they have some great harmonies and I LOVE their drumming. Listen to the great first two tracks off their album, "Wide Eyes" and "Airplanes".

Local Natives - "Wide Eyes"
Local Natives - "Airplanes"




Gil Scott Heron is an icon of the 1970's. An African-American poet, musician and author; his musical style played a huge role in the development of hip-hop both with the political and social commentary of his lyrics as well as his rapping style of delivery. Then for a long time he disappeared, was in and out of jail on drug related charges and had only one album to come out in the last 25 years. Then he recently dropped I'm New Here and damn he's still got it. "New York Is Killing Me" is sure to be a classic. It is a stripped down blues tune with minimal hand claps and Gil's signature raspy baritone lamenting of his personal downfall in that great city. But it wouldn't be a Heron classic without its social commentary on the changing landscape of NYC. Enjoy:

Gil Scott Heron - "New York Is Killing Me"




And lastly, Yes Giantess' "The Ruins" may sound EXACTLY like a Passion Pit track (and they also happen to be from Boston, Mass too) BUT it still sounds so good. Check it out:


Yes Giantess - "The Ruins"


Enjoy,
MD

New Thom Yorke Songs!

Lots of Thom Yorke related news as of recent. At his solo performance in support of UK's Green Party, he chose to unleash three new song gems on us. Check out the three new tunes below:

"Give Up The Ghost":



"The Daily Mail":


"Mouse Dog Bird":


Enjoy,
MD

Thom Yorke's Band officially Atoms For Peace AND Touring!

(Recently named Atoms For Peace at The Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles)

First, it was ????. Then on the Coachella flyer it became Thom Yorke ????. Now it is official - Thom Yorke's new superband (with Nigel Godrich, Flea and other musical geniuses in tow) is called Atoms For Peace. Atoms For Peace is both a song off of Thom Yorke's solo debut album, The Eraser, and the famous (or infamous or really a little of both) speech delivered by then President Eisenhower to the UN Assembly that established the US program of supplying information and equipment for the development of atomic energy around the world. It was intended as a means to lead to equality amongst nations in the use of nuclear power / energy and a way to help solve "the fearful atomic dilemma". It was also under this program that both Pakistan and Iran built their first nuclear reactors. The song, "Atoms For Peace", is perhaps my favorite off the album, simple and gorgeous bass harmonics, hauntingly beautiful vocals, and a call to action: "No more talk about the old days, it's time for something great". So clearly I love the name choice (shocking).

Check out this sick remix of "Atoms for Peace by Four Tet (separately, you can catch Four Tet playing the Echoplex on Saturday, 2/27):






Atoms For Peace has announced some additional tour dates in addition to playing Coachella - lucky for those in NYC, Boston, Chicago and SF / Oakland. Check out the dates HERE. Pre-sale tickets available starting March 2nd on W.A.S.T.E. March 5th at 10am EST on Ticketmaster. Good luck - these are going to go fast.





Enjoy,


MD

Quickie: The Year of the Producer? New Music from Yeasayer, Four Tet and others

(Four Tet, aka Kieran Hebden)

So far, 2010 has been the year of the producer. Producers - bands that produce their own music (Yeasayer), bands taking over the boards for the first time (Spoon), longtime production geniuses (Four Tet) and young up and comers (Keepaway) - are the reason behind everything on my playlist right now.

Here's a sampling of their best stuff:

Yeasayer - I Remember - I have already raved about both singles ("Ambling Arp" and "ONE") and this CD just keeps growing on me. The first half is very strong and the appeal lies squarely in their musical experimentation and layered instrumentation. If anything, Yeasayer try TOO much. Not a bad problem at all on your sophomore effort. I see these guys only heading for bigger and better things on LPs to come. "I Remember" is one of the few songs that follows just a couple of ideas and they execute on it beautifully.

Spoon - Who Makes You Money - My track of the year so far. Can't say enough about these guys.

Four Tet - Angel Echoes - Four Tet (pictured above) is the electronic moniker for Kieran Hebden, an absolute electonic music pioneer - from his days back in the the post-rock band Fridge to his intoxicating blending of hip-hop, folk and jazz as Four Tet. His newest album, There Is Love In You, is his best and most straight forward. Absolutely love this track, "Angel Echoes", which is possibly the best musical articulation of a track title I have ever heard. The vocals are haunting. You can see him live Saturday, February 27th at Echoplex.

Keepaway - Yellow Wings - The Animal Collective reference point is an obvious one here, but the Keepaway's, a young Brooklyn band, are more than just a lesser AC. They use simple samples and percussions to perfect effect on "Yellow Wings" off their debut EP, Baby Style. And they have something to say; lyrically more akin to indie rock past than the AC mold. Been addicted to this tune for weeks.

Enjoy,

MD

A Look Back On The Music Year So Far...

First off, my measly blog posting output for this past month has been unacceptable - PERIOD. I promise you it will not happen again. While I have been absolutely swamped with work, it has only hindered my ability to inform you about music (these ramblings take far more time than it looks) and (fortunately for my sanity) not my ability to find it and listen. So this post is intended as an all-encompassing grab bag of all the exciting new music to have already dropped and the new music news about the very exciting 2010 music future. Here we go:

1. Favorite band of last year (Phoenix) covers favorite act of my youth (Bob Dylan): world collapses in on itself. Fortunately I survived my encounter with this tune. Thomas Mars channels a very convincing Dylan, staying very true to the original "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" off the beyond essential, Blonde on Blonde. From personal favorite "Visions of Johanna" to classics "Just Like a Woman" and "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" check out the original too - please. Phoenix - "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands"

2. Animal Collective premiered their "visual album" at Sundance yesterday and have some screenings planned for NYC and Chicago in the next couple months (hopefully LA soon?). more info here: http://oddsac.com/. The 30 second teaser below is everything you would expect from an AC video: visually captivating and terrifying. Unfortunately not a lot of insight into the music in the teaser, but I was sold at "visual album".

3. Spoon's Transference came out last week and I have been listening to it non-stop. So hard to rank Spoon albums since all of them are truly fantastic, but they focus more here on textures with the same brilliant instrumental interplay. Britt's voice is as captivating and playful as ever on the melodies. Check out "Who Makes You Money" and "I Saw the Light" (especially the absolutely awesome piano solo / break starting at the 2 min mark). Best album of the year so far (a bit underwhelmed by the other big releases - Vamp Weekend, Beach House (though do check out "10 Mile Stereo" HERE which is an excellent track off a good album, and Surfer Blood).

4. Dirty Projectors weren't content to just rest of their laurels of "best of year" lists from nearly every publication or maybe just because of that they have given their fans a present. Single "Ascending Melody" (not featured on Bitte Orca, but from that session) has been released on their website for free: http://www.dirtyprojectors.net/. I like the single, but for me the highlight is the free b-side, "Emblem of the World". It is as simple as this band gets (or I would bet will get) - just a simple guitar strum, minimal drums and David Longstreth at his most harmonious.

5. I have already raved about Yeasayer's first single "Ampling Arp"; this single may just top that one. "One" - 80s disco infused good times. Free download here: http://www.yeasayer.net/. The rest of the album, Odd Blood, drops February 9th and it ain't too shabby, but these two are the absolute gems.

6. Check out this very cool video of El Perro De Mar joined by Lykke Li on an LA rooftop performing an acoustic version of "Change of Heart". Love this cover (and the original HERE). Check it out:

7. LASTLY, LCD Soundsystem and The National have new albums out this spring!!! The National are playing the Wiltern on May 22 and LCD Soundsystem as of now is playing Coachella on April 16th and hightailing for a European tour after that. More updates on these guys (and a massive Coachella primer posting) coming soon.

Not a bad start to the new decade...

Enjoy,

MD

Coachella 2010: It's Now Official

AND WHAT A LIST IT IS!!

Hope to see you all there!

Enjoy,

MD

Coachella 2010: It's Fun To Dream

(Musical Nirvana)

So The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (known simply as Coachella) is set to hit the California desert for the 11th time the weekend of April 16th - 18th. The festival is absolutely epic and has a storied history of acts from big-time reunions (Pixies back in 2004, Rage Against The Machine and Jesus and the Mary Chain) to rock legends (Paul McCartney) to most importantly (in my humble opinion) the best acts in indie, electronic and (for the most part) hip-hop today PERIOD. The festival typically reveals its lineup by the end of January, but speculation on the acts begins much earlier and is all part of the fun. I have been monitoring the lists of "confirmed" acts which means they are either fully confirmed or more likely they have a conspicuous hole in their touring schedule conveniently around the 16th-18th and right near LA. I have scoured some of my favorite acts touring schedules as well to add to the list of potential acts. If this is anything close to the real list, this may just be my most anticipated one yet!

Selection of my favorite "confirmed" acts found on a number of fairly reliable sites:
The Big Pink
Devo
Delorean
Hot Chip
Miike Snow
Phoenix
Vampire Weekend
The xx

Passion Pit

Selection of acts heavily rumored with new records dropping this year:
Dirty Projectors
LCD Soundsystem
jj
Gorillaz
Yeasayer
Pavement

Florence & The Machine

MGMT

Little Boots

MY Added groups that have those odd and very intriguing schedule gaps from the 16th-18th:
Spoon
Japandroids
Beach House
Washed Out (maybe? They are touring with Beach House just after the dates)
Wilco?

Panda Bear?
Thom Yorke? (Has been rumored and did just play The Eraser with a new band in LA just a few months ago / Unfortunately Radiohead is highly unlikely)
Arcade Fire? (Supposedly have a new album dropping this year)
Broken Bells? (Danger Mouse did debut Gnarles Barkley at the festival why not his new band with James Mercer from the Shins)

For those who have not gone - this is a must on any West Coaster's yearly itinerary. Can't wait for the full list in the next few weeks!!

Enjoy,
MD

Bon Iver's Humble Beginnings

(Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver)

Before there was Bon Iver, the new man/moniker that emerged from the northwoods of Wisconsin after months of seclusion, there was just Justin Vernon. Bon Iver (a reference to the French word bon hiver meaning "good winter") seemed to have produced a masterpiece, For Emma, Forever Ago, simply out of thin air in his father's cabin. Now with some insight into his earlier recordings, his previous album, Hazeltons (whole album available HERE), shows a lot of the promise that led to his brilliant "debut". "Hazelton" HERE, the title track off his previous album, believed to have only 100 copies in circulation, shows the foundation of everything that made For Emma, Forever Ago so incredibly moving - layered vocals, his captivating and incredibly emotive voice, the melancholy and simple guitar picking and his uncanny sense for melody (He has talked about how he started For Emma, Forever Ago with wordless melodies and then later found the words to fit within the melody). For those unfamiliar with Bon Iver, simply listen to "Skinny Love" (HERE with a few others off the album) once through and you will be hooked for good.

(Just outside my top 10 albums of the 00s)

Happy New Year!

Enjoy,
MD

Best Albums of 2009 Round-Up

Well the year and decade are just about at their end - and both were fantastic for music. I can only hope the coming year and decade continues to bring us exciting, innovative and groundbreaking music from those we are hoping and expecting it from (see my most anticipated albums of 2010 post HERE) and, sometimes even better, from those just getting started (the future xx's). Before the new year, I want to leave you with 3 things: (1) my top 10 albums of the year (below), (2) links to some of the best music blog & magazine end of year lists and (3) the most exciting music news for 2010 already: Radiohead back in the studio THIS January (we can only hope for that In Rainbows follow-up to kick off the decade Kid-A style).

Happy New Year Everyone!

DYB's Top Albums of 2009
10. Passion Pit - Manners
9. Fanfarlo - Reservoir
8. Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
7. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
6. Handsome Furs - Face Control
5. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
4. Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue
3. The xx - The xx
2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
1. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Pitchfork's List: HERE

Stereogum's Reader Poll: HERE

Metacritic's Compilation of Year-End Top Ten Lists: HERE

Enjoy,

MD

Quickie: Spanish Lost Season 6 Promo featuring Radiohead

This is awesome (and completely hilarious) in all the best ways possible!

In this Spanish language promo for one of TV's best shows, Lost, entering its final season (sad, but exciting), possibly my favorite song of the decade, Radiohead's "Everything in its Right Place" (off Kid A) plays over this hilariously stereotypical and overdramatic ad that would work perfectly for any Telemundo soap opera.

Should help make the Monday work just a little more bearable:

Enjoy,

MD

Quickie: More New Vampire Weekend and Introducing Toro Y Moi

(Vampire Weekend)

NOW I am VERY excited about this new Vampire Weekend CD! (There goes the CAPS lock again) First they drop an all-out punk song, "Cousins", as their first single and now they take a page out of Animal Collective's playbook for the b-side to the "Cousins" single on "California English, Pt. 2". Keep in mind, this is just a b-side and more of a musical idea than a fully constructed song - but if this is any hint of the willingness of VW to push the limits of their sound, January 12th can't come fast enough (or at least the next leaked song off Contra). And Pt. 2 does seem to imply a Pt.1 that may be on the album...and just a bit more fully formed perhaps? Let's hope. In the meantime check it out on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdP2d_M3yTg&feature=player_embedded

(Chaz Bundick aka Toro Y Moi)

So here's the second music video shot in Paris posted here for the week - why not? Especially when the song "Talamak" by Toro y Moi is made for driving and the video takes us on a trip at dawn on a nearly traffic-less tour of the French capital. Toro y Moi is one-man show from South Carolina, Chaz Bundick who's lo-fi loop-driven dreamy electronic sounds play like a marriage of Washed Up (also from SC and raved about HERE) and Bibio (who put out one of the absolute best albums of the year and is also the man responsible for DYB's first ever music post HERE). Toro Y Moi is great on its own right - check video out below and get the song HERE:

Enjoy,

MD

Phoenix Perform "1901" and "Lisztomania" for The Take Away Shows

For those unfamiliar with the Take Away Shows directed by Vincent Moon, it is time to get acquainted (All the shows are available for viewing HERE). The concept is simple: take a great artist and bring their music outside - to a park, field, square, even an elevator - in an atypical setting and just let it play out. No editing just letting the music and the environment interact and see what happens. The National, Animal Collective, Arcade Fire, you name it have done some fantastic shows in the past. Now it is Phoenix's turn. They play "1901" in front of a couple about to be married and a small crowd in Trocadero square right next to the Eiffel Tower and then take over a double decker tour bus to play "Lisztomania" riding right by that famous Paris landmark. Check out the whole series (including "Long Distance Call" and some detail on the event HERE).

"1901":

Ten Most Anticipated Albums of 2010 (and some other rumored hopefuls)

Before we fully wind down 2009 and I discuss my favorite music of the year and the decade (both to come in the next few weeks), I thought I would start with the future. I have already posted singles from some of the most anticipated and exciting albums of 2010 with Yeasayer's "Ambling Arp" and Vampire Weekend's "Cousins" so I thought I would go one step further. These are my top 10 most anticipated albums of the upcoming year in no particular order (other than release date for those with them). I have also include a few albums that have been rumored to drop in the coming year because it is always fun to dream. To prep everyone for these exciting releases, I have put together a lala playlist in the upper right corner with a couple of the best tracks from these bands to keep you occupied until the release dates.

Vampire Weekend - Contra (January 12): Only two weeks into the new year and Vampire Weekend is following up their nearly universally acclaimed self-titled debut with Contra. I have already raved about their first single, "Cousins", below HERE and word from those who have heard it all (unfortunately I am not one of those people) is that it is just the beginning. "Cousins" has me very hopeful that there won't be a sophomore slump from these Columbia alums.


Spoon - Transference (January 26th) - Another band that I won't shut up about HERE. From "Mystery Zone" which leaked a few weeks ago to their single, "Written in Reverse" which came out today on iTunes, their follow-up to Ga Ga Ga Ga looks to be another excellent effort from the band that just can't seem to put anything out that isn't strong to quite strong.


Hot Chip - One Life Stand (February 9) - Hot Chip is one of those bands that is so consistently great you sometimes forget about them. Made in the Dark was one of the most tragically underrated albums of 2008 with excellent singles at nearly every turn from "Ready For The Floor" to "Out At The Pictures". Their blend of R&B with electronica is taken to the next level with lead singer Alexis Taylor's subtle yet intoxicating vocal delivery (It has always struck me as similar to The Notwist's Markus Acher in that way - another favorite band for another posting). The One Life Stand tracks to hit the web so far are no less stunning. "Take It In" starts off like an 80s New Order influenced dance jam and slowly seems to mellow and build at once - loving this HERE. The title track is great too HERE.


Yeasayer - Odd Blood (February 9): I have already raved about single, "Ampling Amp" HERE. They seem even more sonically adventure on the new single than the previous album's best work, including "Sunrise" on the lala player playlist. Look for this one to be heavily blogged about in the new year. Yeasayer is the 2010 MGMT (until MGMT comes out with their own debut follow-up Congratulations in Spring 2010)



LCD Soundsystem - TBD (March): Another band I absolutely LOVE (as evidenced HERE). James Murphy is one of the most talented musicians and producers in the game PERIOD. When I talk about him or LCD Soundsystem I have trouble with my CAPS Lock like Kanye. Pat Mahoney, co-founder with James Murphy of DFA and the drummer in LCD had this to say on the new album: "different than Sound Of Silver and certainly different than the first one ... It still sounds very much like us, like James. It's maybe slower and it has kind of got some more rock stuff back in it. It also has a bunch of disco influences." It could be a country record and I would still give it a whirl.

Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (TBD): Big Boi is one half of the best hip-hop group of my lifetime, Outkast. So anything by these guys (the other half is Andre 3000) is going to be highly anticipated. Many expected this to drop in 2009, but there have been issues with its release. We have seen two excellent tracks already hit the web from it though with "Shine Blockas" HERE (one of the best hip-hop jams of the year) and "Fo Yo Sorrows" (just the type of fun as hell track you would expect off an Outkast record). This record should be sick - more details in this interview with Pitchfork HERE. (In it he gives us hope for a new Outkast record in 2010 too!)

The National - TBD: The National's last two albums Alligator and Boxer are two of my absolute favorites of the past decade. Easily one of the bands I have spun the most in that time period. Listen to the anthemic and totally awesome "All The Wine" off Alligator and "Apartment Story" off Boxer in the lala playist. Lead singer Matt Berninger has a way with phrasing - it is simple, understated at times jarring but always spot on. With instrumentation by the Dessner brothers, two of the most talented musicians in indie rock today, this new album is going to be great.

Interpol - TBD (Early 2010): Interpol's first album, Turn Of The Bright Lights, is perfect or it was when it came out in 2002. In the aftermath of September 11th, these New Yorkers painted the perfect desolate landscape of the city yet there music was still so hopeful and so damn cool. Their second album was strong and the third unfortunately weak, but Interpol has been talking a lot about getting back to where they started. Drummer Sam Fogarino told PASTE, "The new record falls back towards the first ... That big wash of reverb? It's back." Thank God. Check out old favorites "Untitled" and "NYC" in the playlist.

Panda Bear - TBD: Panda Bear aka Noah Lennox is one of the masterminds behind Animal Collective and his solo album Person Pitch will most definitely be on my best of the decade list. He is one of the most innovative and constantly changing forces in music. He talks about it being "darker" and more "raw" than his previous effort and "totally different" than Animal Collective's brilliant Merriweather Post Pavillion. I can't wait - in the meantime I will have to listen to "Comfy in Nautica" and "Bros" on repeat (lala playlist on the upper right - hint hint). They are pure sonic bliss.

Arcade Fire - TBD: When your previous two albums are all over everyone's best of the decade list, Funeral in particular, there is going to be a lot of anticipation around this one. Arcade Fire's "Rebellion (Lies)" is one of my favorite songs of all-time (to hell with just of this decade) and "No Cars Go" off Neon Bible is great too. Usually the third album is where things really start to blossom (a la OK Computer) - no pressure.

Other Potential Releases To Wet Your Appetite:

Radiohead: They have talked about never doing an LP again with Thom Yorke telling The Believer, "None of us want to go into that creative hoo-ha of a long-play record again." (That day was the saddest of my life). But in a recent interview with NME, Ed O-Brien stated, ""We were misquoted. We will be making an album!" (The best day of my life). Who knows but even a hypothetical Radiohead album is better than most albums.

Justice: The follow-up to t should be dancey electro heaven.

The Shins w/ Danger Mouse: After James Mercer announced he fired his current band, he announced he would be making an album with Danger Mouse. This has my attention.

Enjoy,

MD