Brother Ali Talks About "Explode The Vote" Concert

The concert to which Ali is referring is:



Broth​er Ali
Big Quart​ers
Usual​ Suspe​cts
Illum​inous​ 3
Green​ Sketc​h Crew

Hoste​d by I Self Devin​e
DJ'd by Justn​ine

18+
$​12/​$​15

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Radio K Sessions: Hand Over Fist, Cecil Otter, Private Dancer, Ra Ra Riot, A Place To Bury Strangers, The Broken West

Download: Ra Ra Riot - "Dying Is Fine"
Download: The Broken West - "Auctioneer"
Download: A Place To Bury Strangers - "To Fix The Gash In Your Head"

Before Radio K celebrates their 15th Anniversary, they have to remind us of why they're so special in the first place. And, boy, have they ever.

In the past few days, the radio station has posted several in-studio sessions from both local and national acts. They include sessions from Doomtree members Hand Over Fist and Cecil Otter; Private Dancer, a garage-rock band featuring members of STNNNG; neo-shoegazers A Place To Bury Strangers; power-pop group The Broken West; and orch-pop septet Ra Ra Riot.

Listen to the sessions here.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Video: Jack White and Alicia Keys - "Another Way To Die"

Download: Jack White and Alicia Keys - "Another Way To Die" (via)

On the theme song to Quantum of Solace, Jack White and Alicia Keys collaborate to write a track that sounds like something White finished ten minutes beforehand, and then invited Keys to do some soulful vocalizations in order to make in a "collaboration". Seriously, she could have added something special to this. Oh well.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

This Saturday: Glorious Monster, D Numbers, Food Team @ Nomad World Pub

Nomad World Pub
Saturday, October 4th
9 o'clock doors, 10 o'clock music
$5
Glorious Monster
D Numbers
Food Team
21+

Glorious Monster MySpace Page
D Numbers MySpace Page
Food Team MySpace Page (solo project of Ryan Alcott's)

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Video: Fleet Foxes - "He Doesn't Know Why"

Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why | Music Videos | SPIKE.com

(Via)

Download: Fleet Foxes - "He Doesn't Know Why"

Fleet Foxes MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Live Review: My Bloody Valentine @ The Aragon Ballroom (9/27/08, Chicago, IL)

(My Bloody Valentine - "I Only Said" - Live at the Aragon Ballroom - 9/27/08)

Download: My Bloody Valentine - "Cigarette In Your Bed"

At Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom, a legendary group took the stage after being away from both live and recorded music for 17 years. The quartet, My Bloody Valentine, a British band who helped re-define psychedelic music by wholly inventing a subgenre that continues to shape and influence independent music today, demonstrated to an enraptured audience how it was possible for songs that were 20 years old to remain vital, contemporary, and awe-inspiring. Using a Berlin-Wall-of-Sound, My Bloody Valentine played songs from a masterpiece in sound that still resonates greatly today.

And the songs from Loveless didn’t sound half bad either.

The biggest surprise from My Bloody Valentine’s 13-song set wasn’t that the band gave what many regarded as an incredible, ear-shattering live performance. Rather, it was the fact that the material from 1988’s Isn’t Anything was what ultimately held up best in the context of that live performance. After opening with two Loveless tracks—the mid-tempo “I Only Said” and “When You Sleep”--, the band absolutely tore into “(When You Sleep) You’re Still In A Dream”, a deep cut from the aforementioned Anything. It was on these upbeat tracks that the band was at its most tight rhythmically. Bassist Debbie Googe and Drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig were in absolute lockstep, creating a thrilling foundation on which guitarists Kevin Shields and Bilinda Butcher could create their vast tapestry of sound.

The minor problem, then, was when the band tried to create some semblance of dynamics on Loveless tracks like “Come In Alone”. On that track, the night’s only real disappointment, the sheer density of the wall-of-sound dropped out when Kevin Shields solely played the whirring main melody on his guitar. That resulted in a lot of empty sonic space, which is a killer in momentum for songs that are so clearly based on epic soundscapes. This is probably why the Isn’t Anything tracks were the best, because they were closer to traditional (but still forward-thinking) rock sounds, rather than the fever-dream sound collages of Loveless.

That said, one highlight came in the form of You Made Me Realize EP track “Cigarette In Your Bed”, during which the band regained an impressive command of dynamics that had eluded them during “Alone”. To see a band that was playing as loudly as MBV was don an acoustic guitar to successfully play what was, in the context of the set, a straightforward ballad was impressive.

In a set loaded with highlights, it was on Loveless’ more upbeat songs, such as “Only Shallow” and “Soon”, as well as on Anything tracks like “Feed Me With Your Kiss”, that the grandiose guitar shined brightest, and were the main causes of the band’s pulse-pounding live show. Part of the reason for the live show’s success was due to the increased presence of the drums. In mixing Loveless, Shields and his engineers buried both the drums and vocals to create an air of ethereality. Live, the drums were much higher in the mix, which allowed some songs—namely, the material from Anything—to get a greater “oomph”.

Lastly, but certainly not least, was the infamous “You Made Me Realize”, with it’s the 15-20 minute white-noise section in between. Basically, hearing this section live was like experiencing the end of Eraserhead and 2001 simultaneously. I’m still not entirely sure that’s a compliment, but it did make for a memorable concert moment—particularly after watching dozens of people walk out after minute 10.

While My Bloody Valentine gave a performance that surely be remembered by everyone who experienced it, the show also presented an opportunity for fans to re-evaluate MBV’s debut album, Isn’t Anything, insofar as that was the material that shone brightest amongst a set heavy with highlights. Truly, it was a show not to have been missed.

MBV MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Cross-published on CIMI.

Stream Sing It Loud's New Album on PureVolume

Local pop-punk favorites Sing It Loud are streaming their new Epitaph-released full-length "Come Around" in its entirety on their PureVolume page. Check it out HERE.

(Ian Anderson)

Photos: Big Quarters - Hand Over Fist CD Release Party

(via Big Quarters)





See more over at the Big Quarters MySpace page

Check out the free song from their upcoming Big Quarters Direct EP, if you haven't already:

Download: Big Quarters - "All Day Long"

Big Quarters MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Rift Magazine's 36 Hours Songwriting Contest

THE CONTESTANTS:
Ben Glaros, Brad Senne, Brian Just, David Brusie*, Future Lisa, Nicholas Roesler, Patrik Tanner, Pete Wannemacher, Chris Hall, Nigel Eccleston, ShugE , Mischa Suemnig, Eliza Blue, Sarah Pray and Scott Schweis. - (contestants are subject to change if they get a better gig)

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
Doors Open 6:00, Show at 7:00 sharp.
at the Bryant-Lake Bowl Theatre
$8.00 in advance and $10.00 day of show
Reservation Line - 612-825-8949

h/t Culture Bully

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Full Disclosure: David Brusie is a former contributor to MFR

Shearwater Announce New Digital EP, MP3, Tour Dates

Download: Shearwater - "The Snow Leopard"

Of all the majestic tracks of Shearwater's masterful fifth album, Rook, the one that's most impressive, in terms of song dynamics and building to an unforgettable crescendo, is "The Snow Leopard". One of the closing tracks off of Rook, "Leopard" features a band at its creative peak. So it's fitting, then, that the song is the focal point of a new, digital-only, EP the band plays an releasing in just a few short weeks time. The new EP will include "The Snow Leopard", two covers ("So Bad" by Baby Dee and "Henry Lee", an American traditional), and a whole slew of tracks from radio sessions (including a pair recorded at a certain beloved Minnesotan institution). Check out the tracklisting below:

Shearwater
The Snow Leopard digital EP
(available from all digital stores October 14):

1. The Snow Leopard (album version)
2. So Bad (iTunes bonus track)
3. North Col (vinyl and iTunes bonus track)
4. Henry Lee (live from KUT)
5. Rooks (live from Radio K)
6. I Was A Cloud (live from Radio K)
7. South Col / The Snow Leopard (live from Florence Gould Hall, NYC)

And Tour Dates Via Matablog:

Mon, Oct 13 Chicago IL - Lakeshore Theater - with Hospital Ships
Tue, Oct 14 Cleveland OH - Beachland Tavern - with Hospital Ships
Wed, Oct 15 Washington DC - Kennedy Ctr — Millennium Stage, 7 PM, FREE
Fri, Oct 17 Annandale NY - Bard College
Sun, Oct 19 Boston MA - Cafe 939 at Berklee - with Hospital Ships
Mon, Oct 20 New York NY - Le Poisson Rouge
Fri, Oct 24 Asheville NC - Grey Eagle (stripped-down set)
Sat, Oct 25 Durham NC - Duke Coffee House (stripped-down set)
Sun, Oct 26 Atlanta GA - Drunken Unicorn (stripped-down set)
Fri, Nov 7 Brussels BE - Botanique
Sat, Nov 8 Antwerp BE De Nachten
Sun, Nov 9 Utrecht NL - Tivoli
Mon, Nov 10 Rouen FR - Club 106 - with Silver Mt. Zion
Tue, Nov 11 Paris FR - Le Bataclan with Silver Mt. Zion
Wed, Nov 12 Feyzin FR - L’Epicerie Moderne
Thu, Nov 13 St-Gallen CH - Palace
Fri, Nov 14 Lausanne CH - Le Romandie
Sun, Nov 16 Schorndorf DE - Manufaktur
Mon, Nov 17 Berlin DE - Postbahnhof with Okkervil River
Tue, Nov 18 Dresden DE - Beatpol
Wed, Nov 19 Hamburg DE - Nachtasyl
Thu, Nov 20 Ghent BE - Vooruit
Fri, Nov 21 The Hague NL - Crossing Borders Festival
Sat, Nov 22 London UK - St. Giles in the Fields Church
Sun, Nov 23 Coventry UK - Taylor John’s House
Mon, Nov 24 Brighton UK - Komedia

Rook is out now.
The Snow Leopard is out October 16th.

Shearwater MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Cross-published on CIMI

Video: Doomtree - "Game Over"

Like a cross-pollination of Nickel and Dimed and Clerks, rapper Mike Mictlan demonstrates the difference between the romantization of rappers (notice how the customer in line for the "rap won't save you" line is a damn dirty hipster, no doubt ironically purchasing celery flavored soda. No, wait, that was my college friends) and the reality of actually being a rapper over a toy-box sample and some shuffling, mid-tempo beats. Watch the video for "Game Over" at the top of the post.

From the self-titled crew record, out now.

Doomtree MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Tonight: Maps of Norway on "The Local Show With Chris Roberts"

Download: Maps of Norway - "The Run-out"
Download: Maps of Norway - "Strict Ritual"

As you may know, Maps Of Norway are having releasing a new record titled Die Off Songbird, which they will be celebrating the release of on October 10th. If you want to hear more from that record, then The Current is your place to be. First off, the band's first single from the album, "The Runout", was a Current Song of the Day. Furthermore, the band will be on the The Local Show With Chris Roberts, which airs on 89.3 from 5 pm to 6 pm.

Die Off Songbird is out October 10th.

Maps of Norway MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Sunday: Hand Over Fist CD Release Party @ 7th Street Entry

Tonight: Nobot @ The Uptown Bar

Download: NOBOT - "Drinking Progress"
Download: Estate - "Write To Make"

Saturday, September 27th

Uptown Bar and Cafe
NOBOT
ESTATE
John The Savage
The Anonymous

DJ Bach spinning between bands w/ live, interactive visuals by mulitmedia artist Beeple. (http://beeple.com)

21+ | 9pm | $5

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

This post contains previously published content.

Video: TV On The Radio - "Dancing Choose" (Live on the "Late Show With David Letterman")

TV On The Radio Official Website
TVOTR MySpace Page
TVOTR Wikipedia Page

Saturday: Justin Nuoffer Benefit @ Club Underground

(Chooglin)

A benefit for Justin Nuoffer
to help him cover the evil bills of fighting cancer.

Saturday September 27th.
4 PM-Midnight
Chooglin'
Ouija Radio
Casanatra
Orange Blank
Country Dollar Love
Condo$$
Landspeeder

Club Underground Myspace Page

Also happening this weekend:

Free Martin Dosh and Tim Glenn Show at 331 Club - 9pm. 21+ FREE
Themes' final show as a Minneapolis band at 7th Street Entry

New Music Playlist: The Gentle Guest, Lambchop, Shawn Hewitt, Kid Sister, Jeremy Messersmith, and more!

(Kid Sister)

Download: The Gentle Guest - "Down At The Still"
Download: Shawn Hewitt - "Keep Them At Bay"
Download: La Rocca - "Sing Her Song"
Download: Chandeliers - "Mango Tree"
Download: Chandeliers - "Big League"
Download: Jeremy Messersmith - "Skyway" (Speaking of The Replacements)
Download: Kid Sister - "Family Reunion"
Download: Vince P - "Walking Down The Block"
Download: Lambchop - "National Talk Like a Pirated Day"
Download: White/Light - "Monadnock"

I've decided to compile a collection of new MP3s that have come my way in the last couple of days. Here now is a brief rundown of the artists: The Gentile Guest, a raucous, whiskey-soaked throwback Americana group from Eau Claire, Wis; Canadian electro-soulster Shawn Hewitt, with the first track off of his upcoming Spare Hearts disc; Vanilla Irish indie-folk-pop group La Rocca, whose music has been featured on One Tree Hill; Chicago electro-funk outfit Chandeliers; Fellow Chicagoan, hip-hop artist and Kanye West collaborator Kid Sister; Eccentric electro-hip-hop artist Vince P; Minneapolis singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith covering The Replacements on The Current; Lambchop's first single from their upcoming album; and finally, Chicago dronemeisters White/Light.

Listen to all the songs at the top of the post.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

A version of this post has been cross-published on CIMI.

Reminder: Muja Messiah @ The Triple Rock

Saturday, September 27th
Triple Rock Social Club
Muja Messiah
St. Paul Slim
Paper Tiger
Aby Wolf

21+ | 10:00 PM | $7.00

Hosted by SAMAHRA (Black Blondie)
DJ TURTLENECK

This post contains previously published content.

Reminder: Jagerfest @ Club Jager

Saturday, Sept. 27
6-10pm bands
10pm-2am Attitude City DJs
Solid Gold
First Communion Afterparty
Bella Koshka
Beatrix Jar
$5, includes Summit Octoberfest
@ Club Jager

This post contains previously published content.

Live Video: Neko Case - Songs From The Upcoming Middle Cyclone (Plus: "John Saw That Number" - Live at First Ave.)

(Neko Case - "John Saw That Number" - Live at First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN - 9/19/08)

If you've happened to see Neko Case live (you may have caught her First Ave. show last Friday, video of which is at the top of the post) on her current jaunt--which I did when she stopped by the Hideout Block Party--you'll know that she's been playing songs from her upcoming release, titled Middle Cyclone, which is set for release in March 2009. After being totally entranced by her set at the Block Party, where she, along with Monotonix, gave what I thought was the best performance of the festival. There she played four new songs which may appear on the aforementioned Cyclone. I went on a little YouTube mission to see what I could find and--lo and behold!--there's some great stuff out there.


(Neko Case - "Blue Blue Baby" -Live at the Slowdown, Omaha, Neb.)

I don't think she announced the title of this midtempo song, but the ballad is kind of a musical sibling to Star Witness, one of the many standout tracks from Fox Confessor Brings The Flood. Other videos have titled this "Blue Blue Baby", but that's obvious speculation. However, I've labeled it here as such because "New Song" proves to be awfully monotonous. At first hearing this, I balked a little bit, because it seemed like Case was trying to have songwriting strike twice. That said, it's grown on me after repeated listens. The track may not have the emotional wallop as "Star Witness", but the track easily is a strong showcase for the Case's considerable talents.


(Neko Case - New Song from Middle Cyclone - Live @ The Orpheum Theatre, Madison, Wi.)


(Neko Case - New Song from Middle Cyclone - Live @ The Orpheum Theatre, Madison, Wi.)

Both of these videos were taped at Case's recent show at The Orpheum Theatre. They're both shot at peculiar angles, but the audio quality is still quite good. The first song is a stripped-down ballad, with guitar arpeggios that will melt your heart the instant you hear them, and the second is a short, blast of country-flavored jangle-pop. Of all the new songs floating around, the second one is my favorite, because I like the idea of Case creating a record that's more of an upbeat contrast to Confessor stark lyricism. Also, because it's amazing.


(Neko Case - New Song from Middle Cyclone - Live @ Bumbershoot 2008)


(Neko Case - "Don't Forget Me" - Live @ Bumbershoot 2008)

Another pair of videos, this time taken from the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle. The audio for the first one is a little bit rough, due to the increased presence of the drums in the arrangement. It's also the least interesting song in this batch, as the track shows Case staying in her mid-tempo comfort zone. An anti-climatic ending doesn't help either, but at least there's a jangly guitar line and nice texture from a pedal-steel guitar. The second song is a cover of Harry Nilsson's wry, heartbreaking divorce ballad "Don't Forget Me", which originally appeared on his "lost weekend" album with John Lennon, Pussy Cats (You may know The Walkmen's cover version of the entire album from 2006). These have already been on Stereogum, but they're here because I'm a completist. Check those out above.

Based on these videos, I'd say March can't come soon enough.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Tours: Marnie Stern

Info via KRS Blog:

Download: Marnie Stern - "Transformer"

November 2008
3 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle - w/ Gang Gang Dance
4 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry - w/ Gang Gang Dance
5 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall - w/ Gang Gang Dance
7 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge - w/ Gang Gang Dance
8 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court - w/ Gang Gang Dance
10 - Seattle, WA @ Triple Door - w/ Gang Gang Dance
11 - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Biltmore Theater - w/ Gang Gang Dance
12 - Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan - w/ Gang Gang Dance
14 - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbos - w/ Gang Gang Dance
15 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theater - w/ Gang Gang Dance

(Marnie Stern - "Every Single Line Means Something")

Cross-published on CIMI

Incidentally, I nominate "Transformer" as song of the year.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Tonight: Jeremy Messersmith CD Release Party @ The Varsity Theater

(Jeremy Messersmith - "Miracles")

Jeremy Messersmith's gentle, folk-addled pop music recalls another artist who cribbed quite a bit from the George Harrison-penned Beatles songs--Elliot Smith. (Although,strangely enough, "Light Rail" nicks the guitar lick from "Ob la di, ob la da"). But those who'd automatically conclude that Messersmith must be derivative can have all the fun they want resisting tracks like "Franklin Avenue", with its sighing-then-soaring harmonies provided a thrill-worthy chorus. It still won't change the fact that Messersmith is a talent worth serious consideration. And that's before you hear the left-field electronic curveball of "Miracles" (just added to his MySpace Page). Again, the reference point is an obvious one (the electro-emo of the Postal Service). But Messersmith has such a readily apparent gift for melody and arrangement that arguing, let alone resisting, with its originality seems futile at best. His new album, The Silver City, has been out for a few weeks now, but will be celebrated at this show tonight.

Details:



Jeremy Messersmith
The Owls
Rachel Ries

Varsity Theater
7:30pm
18+ show
$10/$12

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Video: Woodhands - "I Wasn't Made For Fighting"

Woodhands - I Wasn't Made For Fighting

New Pornographers' Newman To Get Guilty On New Album

Download: A.C. Newman - "Miracle Drug"
Download: A.C. Newman - "Drink To Me, Then"

The New Pornographers are rightly considered by many as one of the greatest power-pop groups to have emerged this decade. This assessment should be considered a surprise, given the fact that the Canadian group is almost saturated with seemingly supernatural talent--members include Neko Case, Dan Bejar, and A.C. Newman.

The first two names of that list either had, or were on their way to establishing, solo careers of their own, when the New Pornographers released their first album, Mass Romantic, in 2000. The third, Newman, released his first solo album, The Slow Wonder, in 2004. While there was the trademark bouncy pop effervescence on most of the album, there was a hint of wistful melancholy in tracks like on "Come Crash"--a stylistic tendency that showed up on the Pornos most recent effort, the underrated Challengers. No word on what Get Guilty, the second solo effort from Newman, to be released on January, 20th, 2009, will sound like, but Matablog states that "we’re confident ‘Get Guilty’ raises the bar on Carl Newman’s songwriting prowess even higher."

That's almost terrifying, in a way. We'll find out in a few weeks, when an MP3 from the record will be released. But in the meantime, peep the album cover at the top of the post, and check out Newman's day job covering ELO's "Don't Break Me Down" at the Hideout Block Party:



AC Newman MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Tonight: Hojas Rojas @ The Hexagon

Hexagon Bar
Hojas Rojas
Zoo Animal
Wizards Are Real MySpace Page
Inwood Radio

Hexagon Bar
2600 27th Ave. S
Price: free
Start time: 9 p.m.

Download: Inwood Radio - "Irises"
Download: Inwood Radio - "A Letter"
Downlaod: Inwood Radio - "Linger"

Hojas Rojas MySpace Page
Zoo Animal MySpace Page
Wizards Are Real MySpace Page
Inwood Radio MySpace Page

The Wizards Are Real songs are the most interesting of the bunch, with the band's sound suggesting seminal post-rockers Mogwai adding addition textural elements like saxophone and pedal-steel guitar. Zoo Animal have a crunchy, lo-fi aesthetic, with treble-heavy guitars and singer Holly Hansen helping the band sound like cross between a more upbeat Low and What Would The Community Think?-era Cat Power. Speaking of lo-fi, Inwood Radio have the classic slacker indie-pop sound that has made/will make past, present, and future listeners feel slanted and enchanted. Those wanting a little more fidelity and crashing rhythms can take comfort in headliner's Hojas Rojas brand of post-punk-pop.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Tonight: Muja Messiah @ St. Cloud University

Atwood Memorial Center
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Muja Messiah, DJ ARKITEKT & Nerve go on at 4:30 PM
Cost: Free

Muja Messiah playing a get-out-the-vote rally? But he's normally so apolitical!


(Muja Messiah - "Patriot Act" feat. I Self Devine)

On second thought, perhaps it is a good fit.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Tonight: Monotonix at the Uptown Bar

(Live at the Canopy Club, Urbana, IL on Sept. 18th, 2008)


(Live in Kingstown, TN in 2007)


(Live at the Hideout Block Party, Chicago, IL, - Sept. 20th, 2008)

Monotonix are a trio from Israel who play Vol. 4-era Black Sabbath as filtered through Iggy and The Stooges. They also like to blow shit up and have the audience lift the drummer up above their heads while he's still playing. This is not a show to miss. For the love of God, this is not a show to miss.

Tonight at The Uptown

Monotonix
Call Me Lightning
Gay Witch Abortion
The Guystorm
21+ | 9pm | $6

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Video: Ponytail - "Beg Waves"

Via P4K TV

Video: Atmosphere - "You" and "Yesterday" (Live on Jimmy Kimmel)

Tonight: Athletes In Slacks @ Kitty Cat Klub

h/t More Cowbell

New Wilco w/Fleet Foxes - "I Shall Be Released" (Bob Dylan Cover)

Every election year is a chance for new voters to experience their own personal, political awakening, no matter what ideology they belong to. But ideals don't matter a single bit if they aren't put into action--and voting is the most simple way to do that very same thing. As a means to increase voter turnout, The AV Club has announced the details of an exclusive live collaboration between lush melodists Fleet Foxes and alt-country innovators Wilco that was recorded in Bend, OR. The song played is a cover of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released", which he originally wrote, but was played by The Band on their first album, Music From The Big Pink. Download the song here, for the cost of an email address and a pledge that you will vote in the November election.

As for the original version of the song, check out footage from Martin Scorsese's legendary concert film, The Last Waltz:



(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Cross-published on CIMI

New Music Smorgasbord: The Killers, Golden Hands, Crooked Fingers, and more!

Download: Golden Hands - "Blood"
Download: Golden Hands - "Communist Party"
Download: Crooked Fingers - "Phony Revolutions"
Download: Lukestar - "White Shade"
Download:The Whispertown 2000 - "Done With Love"
Download: Star - "Turning It On"
Download: The Killers - "Human"

Several noteworthy MP3s have crossed my path, and I thought I would make a smorgasbord playlist from it. So here it goes: first off is two MP3s from Golden Hands, both of which hark back to country-pasts; "Communist Party" suggests a fuzzed-out "Maggie's Farm. Next up is Crooked Fingers' Latin-tinged, baritone sax heavy "Phony Revolutions", which strangely resembles Marc Antony's 1999 hit "I Need To Know"; Pavement-esque Lukestar, with their laid-back track "White Shade"; Chicago dream-pop band Star, with a girl-group indebted song from their upcoming sophomore album Violence Against Star; and The Killers, who release a song called "Human", a synth-heavy track that sounds like it could soundtrack the end credits of a terrible anime.

Listen to all of the songs at the top of the post.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

New Black Blondie - "Hunger"

Stream: Black Blondie - "Hunger"

Last time Black Blondie posted new music on their MySpace Page, they were in the midst of what relationship expert Slug might call drama addiction with "For The Taste". But with all of the emotional ambiguity, the band was still able to rejoice with a potent blend of trip-hop rhythms and fantastically abrupt transitions that recall a gospel Fiery Furnaces. This time, with new song, "Hunger", the emotions are darker, for a while at least. "Hunger" starts out with a glum, dissonant chords on the piano, with a solid beat anchoring the proceedings. But, like in "Taste", there is a radical stylistic that suggest the down-on-her-luck narrator isn't about to give up the possibility of emotional transcendence.

I'm not gonna tell you when it comes, of course. That would be spoiling the surprise. Instead, head on over to their band's MySpace Page, so you can hear for yourself why Black Blondie is one of the most promising bands in Minneapolis do what they do best.

In other Black Blondie news, the band will be opening up for Climbing Poetree on October Fourth (as already mentioned below)



Who are Climbing PoeTree? Good question.


(Climbing PoeTree - "Hurricane Season")

Show Details:

Black Blondie
Climbing PoeTree (BROOKLYN)
Black Audience
Carpscale Orchestra
DJ Shannon Blowtorch

Pi Bar
2532 25th Ave. S. MPLS, MN
9pm
21+
$5

Black Blondie MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

New Anni Rossi - "Wheelpusher"

Download: Anni Rossi - "Wheelpusher"

Like fellow Chicagoan/part-time Minnesotan Andrew Bird, Anni Rossi creates a rich tapestry of sound by melding together eclectic orchestrations and lush instrumentation. Rossi's aesthetic is more straight-forward--there are no Dosh-assisted style sonic collages that Bird happens to be fond of--but, using her viola and the surprise appearance of saxophones, Rossi is able to create an imaginative, impressionistic world for listeners to get lost in. But lest you think that Rossi and her Joanna Newsom-like warble make a detour into the self-indulgent, the minimalist production makes sure that both listener and artist stay grounded in reality.

Rossi is currently at work on her debut album, set for release next spring, recording it with Steve Albini at Chicago. But those enticed by the sounds on "Wheelpusher", the track at the top of the post, don't have to wait long for new material. The "mini-album" (different from an EP...how?) Afton, which features "Wheelpusher", will be out on October 21st. Rossi's last US date before her European tour is in Chicago opening up for Why?, but has soon as she has more US dates, we will let you know.

To get a further glimpse into Rossi's creativity, check out her cover of Radiohead's "Creep" (and be sure to download "Wheelpusher", of course):



Afton is out October 21st.

Anni Rossi MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

*The viola, Rossi's instruments, is often the butt of good-natured jokes in orchestras. Read some here.

CD Release Show: Heiruspecs @ First Avenue

h/t to City Pages. According to Andrea Swensson, Heiruspecs announced from the River Rocks Festival stage this past Saturday that their first new album in four years, which will be self-titled, will be released on December 13th. The band has released no new material from the self-titled album (though a song "I Know", is posted on the MySpace page for those "waiting for a new record), but once they do, we'll let you know. Here are the show release deets:

Saturday, December 13
Mainroom
6:00 pm
18+

Heiruspecs MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Show Announcement: Solid Gold, First Communion Afterparty @ Club Jager

Saturday, Sept. 27
6-10pm bands
10pm-2am Attitude City DJs
Solid Gold
First Communion Afterparty
Bella Koshka
Beatrix Jar
$5, includes Summit Octoberfest
@ Club Jager

Show Announcement: Black Blondie, Black Audience @ Pi Bar

Video: Brother Ali Freestyle on B96 Radio

h/t Nah Right/Switchblade Comb.

I think Ali would do amazingly well on something like the Wake Up Show. Thoughts? Here's a Wake Up Show session featuring Eyedea (from Eyedeas and Abilities) and Slug from Atmosphere, added to YouTube this past May:


(Eyedea and Slug on "The Wake Up Show" - Part One)


(Eyedea and Slug on Wake Up Show - Part Two)

(Jonathan Graef)

Tours: Sybris

Spotted at the Sybris MySpace Page:

Sept. w/Colour Revolt

25 The Marquee - Norman OK

26 Hailey's - Denton TX

27 Creative Incubator - McAllen TX

28 Austin City Limits Festival - TX

30 Birdy's - Indianapolis IN

Oct. w/A Decent Animal

1 Canopy Club - Urbana IL

2 Cactus Clb - Milwaukee WI

4 7th St. Entry - Minneapolis MN

7 Sunset Tavern - Seattle

11 Spaceland - Los Angeles CA

12 Rhythm Room - Phoenix AZ

13 Moonlight - Albuquerque NM

14 Larimer Lounge - Denver CO

15 Jackpot Saloon - Lawrence KS


(Sybris - "Oh Man")

Sybris MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Cross-published on CIMI.

New Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" (Young Son Remix)

Download: Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" (Young Son Remix)

Young Son is an emcee from the Twin Cities who, like many rappers in the Chicago area (like Rhymefest and Lupe Fiasco) peppers his rhymes with social commentary. Flow-wise, he skews closer to Lupe's Tribe Called Quest-isms, but lyrically, he deals with the day-to-day struggles, much like Rhymefest. Recently, he remixed Kanye West's new track "Love Lockdown", the heavily re-recorded first single from 'Ye's fourth album, supposedly titled 808s and Heartbreak. Listen to it at the top of the post.

Young Son MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Cross-published on CIMI.

Video: The Melismatics - Live @ Summerfest

Performing "Industry of Cool" at Summerfest. Spotted at the band's MySpace bulletin.

Saturday: Solid Gold @ Kitty Cat Klub

This Weekend: River Rocks @ Harriet Island

Jake One and Brother Ali Post Behind The Scenes Footage of "The Truth"

Jake One & Brother Ali - White Van Music from Three/21 Films on Vimeo.

Spotted over at the Brother Ali MySpace Blog.

New NOBOT - "Drinking Progess"

Download: NOBOT - "Drinking Progress"

"We're drinking progress/and we're getting fucked up" is probably too saucy a line to ever expect out of the speakers at a Barack Obama victory rally (fingers crossed, knock on wood), but for those of us who aren't trying to impress anyone with our moral constitution can scream this at the top of their lungs after pounding a cold one after celebrating the end of the Bush-era. From a micro-beer, of course.

But no matter what your race, creed, or gender is, if MPLS-based electro-dance duo NOBOT's new song "Drinking Progress" doesn't make you get up and dance, then you must be John McCain. In which case, I'd like to thank and honor you for your service to the country, but politely suggest that the gutteral, rumbling bass synth-sounds that begin the song, or its free-form song-structure which allows for both a catchy verse and for the extended jams that hardcore dance fans are used to, may not be for you. Don't get mad! Don't get mad! ARGGHHH, WAAAA.

While I fend off a attack from the distinguished senator from Arizona, you can listen to NOBOT's new single, "Drinking Progress", at the top of the post. In other NOBOT news, the band has got a show with We Are Wolves and Soviet Panda coming up this Sunday, the 21st. The following Sunday, the 21st, sees the band headlining a show at the Uptown Bar. Peep the show details below:



NOBOT MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

New Big Quarters - "All Day Long"

Download: Big Quarters - "All Day Long"

Minneapolis rap duo Big Quarters hit upon an exciting, novel way to deliver new music to their fans with their Big Quarters Direct subscription service. The concept is simple. For 5 bucks every month, you get a new Big Quarters EP delivered to your email address. The duo also has been leaking tracks from the EPs on their website to give listeners a better idea as to what they're in for. This month's offering is called "All Day Long", and you can listen to it at the top of the post. As far as the music goes, it doesn't really depart from what BQ do best--chill mid-tempo grooves, with a jazz-like flow on top--but the narrative is quite dark. The MP3 is at the top of the post.

Check out the video for their track "Barter System" (the first Big Quarters Direct song leaked) below:



Big Quarters MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Show Announcement: Radio K 15th Anniversary Party

The University of Minnesota's radio station Radio K is a veritable underground institution, one deserving of all the celebration it can get, not only for introducing the world to many great, left-of-the-dial bands, but for the fact that, after 15 years, the station is still going strong. So, in order to celebrate, the station has put together some of Minnesota's best acts to play a show at First Avenue. Slow, steady hush-rockers Low, electronic collage-maker/god of multi-tasking Dosh, Doomtree member Sims, and house-of-mirrors psych-rockers Vampire Hands are all coming together on October 8th for an 18+ show to celebrate the station and, presumably, play some awesome music.

Here are the deets:

Low + Dosh + Sims + Vampire Hands
Wednesday, October 8
First Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
8 pm | $12 | 18+

In other Radio K news, the station will be holding its Fall Fund Drive from October 1st to October 10th. So, while you're celebrating the station, throw it some bones too.

Check out Radio K sessions featuring the artists playing on the 8th here:

Doomtree
Dosh
Vampire Hands

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

New Woodhands - "Dancer"

Download: Woodlands - "Dancer"

In contrast to Canadian keytar-and-drums duo Woodhands' first single, "I Wasn't Made For Fighting", their new track "Dancer" strikes a darker, more ethereal note, with female vocals taking the lead, and a minor-key synth line providing the melody. There's a surprisingly hardcore outburst toward the end of the song, and it helps keep things from becoming too predictable. Listen to the track at the top of the post.

Woodhands MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Emiliana Torrini - Me and Armini

Emilíana Torrini
Me and Armini
Grade: C+ (Rough Trade, 2008)

Download: Emiliana Torrini - "Me And Armini"

Sultriness is a distinct expression of sexuality, in that it is the direct way to convey sexual feeling, but it also cannot be overwhelming. There’s a little bit of subtlety needed in order to direct one’s self backwards from being cocky to being confident. Too much in one direction will lead to either being slapped in the face, and too much in the other may lead to not even having your feelings acknowledged.

How curious then, that while Icelandic Emilíana Torrini has a voice that's soaked in sultriness, her songs result in nothing more than toe-tapping innocuousness. Torrini's sixth album, Me and Armini, succeeds in dabbling in many different genres, some more straightforward than others. The first song, "Fireheads", recalls the laid-back surf-rock of Jack Johnson, with a little nod to the chromatic guitar riff from Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary", while others like the In Rainbows-esque multi-track warmth of "Bleeder" are cut from more experimental cloth. One peculiar aspect of listening to Me and Armini is hearing the more adventurous songs stacked up against songs that are nondescript at best. For every track like the VH1-ready "Big Jumps" and the humdrum bossa nova of "Hold Heart", there's a stunner like "Dead Duck", a song that alternates time-signatures and expertly manipulates Torrini's acoustic guitar and voice; and "Gun", which casts the songstress as a femme fatale in the old-school noir sense to tell a reverb-heavy tale of lust and revenge.

Elsewhere, creative production techniques and unpredictable arrangements (check out the almost post-rock interlude of folk-infused ditty "Birds") help keep the album from entering the introspective doldrums too much, and "Jungle Drum" gets by on sheer, goofy infatuation. While too much of Armini is a battle of the mundane and the truly distinctive, and the former wins out much more than it should (like on the sass-ska of the title track), the fact that the latter peeps its head out on more than one occasion should encourage any listeners who have their doubts.

Emiliana Torrini MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Show Announcement: Muja Messiah, St. Paul Slim @ The Triple Rock

Triple Rock Social Club
Muja Messiah
St. Paul Slim
Paper Tiger
Aby Wolf

21+ | 10:00 PM | $7.00

Hosted by SAMAHRA (Black Blondie)
DJ TURTLENECK

Conor Oberst on World Cafe

Conor Oberst spent some time on NPR's World Cafe today and they aired an old recording of "When The President Talks To God." Reminded of how great the song is, I thought I'd post a little reminder to you about it.

This is an older, rougher version than what I heard, but it's a live performance at ULU.

(Ian Anderson)

Tours: Jennifer O'Connor

Sep 17 Rochester, NY Water Music Hall w/ Hayden
Sep 19 Cafe Nine New Haven, Connecticut (headlining)
Sep 21 Vienna, VA Jammin Java w/ Hayden
Sep 25 Iron Horse Music Hall Northampton, Massachusetts w/ Great Lake Swimmers
Sep 26 New York, NY Mercury Lounge w/ Great Lake Swimmers
Sep 27 Brooklyn, NY Union Hall w/ Great Lake Swimmers
Oct 13 Philadelphia, PA M Room w/ Hotel Lights
Oct 14 Pittsburgh, PA Howler's w/ David Dondero & Boca Chica
Oct 15 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
Oct 16 Pontiac, MI Pike Room w/ The New Year
Oct 17 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle w/ The New Year
Oct 19 Madison, WI Cafe Montmarte
Oct 21 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
Oct 23 Columbia, MO The Blue Fugue
Oct 24 St. Louis, MO Off Broadway
Nov 2 Buffalo, NY The Tralf Music Hall w/ Amy Ray
Nov 4 Toronto, ON The Mod Club Theatre w/ Amy Ray
Nov 5 Burlington, VT Higher Ground w/ Amy Ray
Nov 7 Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre w/ Amy Ray
Nov 15 Richmond, VA Capitol Alehouse w/ Amy Ray
Nov 19 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle w/ Amy Ray
Nov 22 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse w/ Amy Ray

Jennifer O'Connor MySpace Page


(Jennifer O' Connor - "Always on Your Mind")

Top Ten Songs On Elbo.Ws Reviewed In 50 Words or Less: 9/01/08--9/15/08

(Jenny Lewis)

Just a quick note: I've decided to review Justice's "Plainisphere" as one whole song, rather than the four separate parts. So if you're confused regarding the order of this edition, that's why.

1. Jenny Lewis - "Acid Tongue"

Download: Jenny Lewis - "Acid Tongue"

On the title track of her second solo album, the Rilo Kiley songstress harkens back to folk-and-country-influenced songwriters of the 70s, not only musically, but by eschewing modern-day production techniques. The narrative is somewhat trite, but the multi-tracked harmonies will still breaking hearts after multiple listens. Heck, after multiple years.

Grade: A-

2. Deerhoof - "Offend Maggie"

Download: Deerhoof - "Offend Maggie"

Speaking of title tracks, "Offend Maggie" shows that Deerhoof are just about to hit a creative plateau, with an offering that's not quite as spastic as their past work, but still showcases the deft instrumental interplay for which the art-pop trio are known. An abrupt end leaves the listener wanting more, and wondering why they didn't get it.

Grade: B-

3. Kanye West - "Love Lockdown"

Download: Kanye West - "Love Lockdown"

A departure from his past three educationally-themed albums, "Love Lockdown" is the most straightforward R&B song that Chicago-rapper West has written. It's also his darkest, with lyrics depicting conflicting, borderline possessive (think stalker), lyrics about relationships, and a dim heartbeat of an electronic beat keeping the pulse. A unusual change of pace, one that has potential to grow greatly on listeners.

Grade: B+

4, 5, 9, 10. Justice - "Planisphere"

Download: Justice - "Planisphere"

An epic, extended dance track created for the Dior Homme fashion show, this four-part dance symphony from the French duo introduces many different motifs, ranging from neo-classical to old-fashioned metal (dig the not-quite lightning fingers guitar solo) while still keeping a steady beat. Justice introduce enough ideas to keep listeners engaged throughout, but enough to blow their minds.

Grade: B

6. The Kooks - "Kids" (MGMT Cover)

Download: The Kooks - Kids (MGMT Cover)

The British rock quartet offer an acoustic take on the electro-pop group's standard anthemic tracks. Cue song being used to soundtrack a prom scene quarrel in three, two, one...

Grade: C

7. Annuals - "Confessor"

Download: Annuals - "Confessor"

The first representation of the North Carolina-based blog-buzz band's sophomore release, "Confessor" has the requisite multi-part harmonies that evoke the most sun-filled day, and reverb-heavy production characteristics that define the band's past work. A brisk tempo should work to the band's advantage, but instead ensures that the song suffers from an anti-climatic end.

Grade: B-

8. Chad VanGaalen - "Willow Tree"

Download: Chad VanGaalen - "Willow Tree"

Like Neil Young, this Canadian singer-songwriter has an affecting tenor that suggests both defiance and resignation in swinging, banjo-accented folk music. Despite a pleasant melody, VanGaalen adds nothing new to suggest that listeners should listen to his music instead of Young's.

Grade: C+

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins

Okkervil River
The Stand-Ins (Jagjaguwar, 2008)
Grade: B+

Download: Okkervil RIver - "Pop Lie"
Download: Okkervil RIver - "Lost Coastlines"

Okkervil River, since 2005, has emerged from a fairly mediocre career to ride a massive wave of success, from fans and critics alike. Following up the mature, complex and fascinating Black Sheep Boy, Okkervil released the masterful The Stage Names. While Sheff used his lyrics to plumb the depths of despair, the rest of the band crafted a bold and tight package in which to parse Sheff’s lyrics.

The Stand-Ins, their latest release, falls somewhat short of the near-perfection of The Stage Names, but still makes for a worthy follow-up. Conceived as the second half of The Stage Names, Stand-Ins retreads some of the same themes and stories, putting more meat on their bones. Whether he’s reflecting on misery of assorted kinds, musing on the relationship between performer and fan or giving himself over to despair, Will Sheff always proves to be one of the most densely – and naturally – meaningful lyricists in rock. On “On Tour With Zykos,” Sheff captures the mundane aspects of coming home and crashing when you should be working, writing, or doing something (anything!) productive. His hesitating, drawling delivery just reinforces the foot-dragging aspects of day-to-day life.

Perhaps a little paradoxically, the downtrodden nature of the lyrics on both The Stage Names and The Stand-Ins is what makes the fact that the albums were released as separate bodies of work function especially well. If the two albums had been released together, people would have died of despair about halfway through. But by cutting them apart and giving people the time to appreciate the two bodies as separate, the audience is able to appreciate The Stand-Ins as a contemplation on the same topics rather than as an extended meditation.

One of Okkervil's strongest selling points is their ability to draw influences from a multitude of bands and styles without sounding forced or clunky. The buzzing orchestral keyboards of "The Stand-Ins, One" are abruptly displaced by the jangling, bass-heavy "Lost Coastlines." Sheff, along with recently departed (to concentrate on Shearwater) guitar player Jonathan Meiburg, alternate vocals, with Meiburg taking the smooth, almost jazzy parts and Sheff bouncing along with the faster paced parts. It's a fun effect that I wished they would have used more often on previous albums. And as soon as the song is over, the group changes directions, infusing their jangly pop rock with dewey-eyed folk, belieing the dismal nature of "Singer Songwriter's" lyrics. Then, in another sharp contrast, Okkervil goes off into soulful bluesy jamming on "Starry Stairs."

And they keep up the pace the whole album. The Stand-Ins is an extravagant mixture of styles, altering and mutating all the way through while still holding to a core of jangly, excitable rock. It doesn't have quite the same tightness or quotability of The Stage Names, but it’s a damn good follow-up.

Okkervil River MySpace Page

(April Wright)

Tours: Schools of Seven Bells (Opening Up For M83)

Download: School of Seven Bells - "Connjur"

Ethereal dream-poppers School of Seven Bells, the group consisting of former members of Secret Machines and On! Air! Library!, have a lot of live activity going on before their debut Alpinisms drops on October 28th. First of is their tour with fellow celestially-minded tunesmiths M83, who are still going strong behind their ambient 80s nostalgia trip Saturdays=Youth. That tour sees the groups coming to the Mini-Apple on November 22nd. But before they come Mid-West, the Bells will hit up a triumvirate of dates in New York, where they will be playing the CMJ music conference, where they will be one of thousands trying to impress industry insiders. Based on the sounds of "Connjur", they should have no trouble.

Here are the dates:

09/27 Boston, MA - Urban Outfitters Newbury
10/17 Pontiac, MI - The Pike Room
10/18 Kalamazoo, MI - State Theater^
10/22 Brooklyn, NY - Cake Shop (CMJ)
10/24 New York, NY - Levi's Fader Fort NYC (CMJ)
10/25 New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge (CMJ)
10/28 London, UK - Old Blue Last
10/29 London, UK - The Social
11/11 Atlanta, GA - The Earl +
11/12 Charlotte, NC- Tremont Music Hall +
11/13 Washington, DC - Black Cat +
11/14 New York, NY - Webster Hall +
11/15 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom+
11/16 Northhampton, MA - Pearl Street +
11/18 Boston, MA - Middle East Downstairs +
11/19 Montreal, QC - Studio +
11/20 Toronto, ON - Opera House +
11/21 Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge +
11/22 Minneapolis, MN- Triple Rock +
11/25 Seattle, WA - Neumo's +
11/26 Vancouver, BC - Richard's on Richards +
11/27 Portland, OR - Doug Fir +
11/28 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore +
11/29 Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theater +

+ w/ M83
^ w/ Black Moth Super Rainbow, Mates of State

School of Seven Bells MySpace Page
(Jonathan Graef)
Jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

International Noise Conspiracy - "I Am The Dynamite"

Download: The International Noise Conspiracy - "I Am The Dynamite"

New International Noise Conspiracy record out on Nov. 25 on Vagrant.

Rick Ruben is at the helm.

Here is the new track that they are leaking -- props to the Tripwire for breaking the story.

Let's all believe in rock music again.

TINC on MySpace

(Ian Anderson)

The Academy Is... Is Good

Download: The Academy Is... - "About A Girl"

I wrote off The Academy Is ages ago, however, I fell in love with a jam on their new record "Fast Times At Barrington High" (Fueled by Ramen). That jam is not this jam, the jam I like is "Summer Hair = Forever Young." However, the only song I can post is this one, which is also good, but the jam it is not.

Buy it at Amazon HERE.

The Academy Is on MySpace

(Ian Anderson)

Video: It Hugs Back - "Work Day"

Does this clip remind any one else of Beetlejuice, specifically the one corpse that would glide like a coat hanger from one place to the another in the bureaucratic hell?

(Jonathan Graef)

Video: Jeremy Messersmith - "Miracles"

h/t Switchblade Comb

Messersmith writes on the video's YouTube Page that "(t)his is (to the best of my knowledge) the first full length music video filmed with an iPhone. Special thanks to Saurik for the Cycorder app and the rest of the jailbreak community." Messersmith also notes that the "device being filmed is a vintage visualizer called a Sight ‘N Sound."

"Miracles" is taken from Messersmith's new album, The Silver City, which has its CD Release Party on the 25th:

CD Release Show
Thurs, Sept 25, 2008
Varsity Theater
with The Owls and Rachel Ries
Doors 7:30pm Music 8pm
18+, $10 advance, $12 door

Jeremy Messersmith MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Video: Mogwai - "Batcat"

Off of The Hawk Is Howling, out on September 23rd.

Mogwai MySpace Page

Sick of Sarah - Sick of Sarah

Sick of Sarah
Sick of Sarah (Adamant Records, 2008)
Grade: B+

Download: Sick of Sarah - "Daisies"
Download: Sick of Sarah - "Paint Like That"

I don’t know if it’s only because my musical taste has shifted and changed in the past 10 years or so, but I’ve noticed an audible drop in popularity in the “chick rock” scene (I absolutely refuse to consider Avril Lavigne and others like her in this category). There was a time when the airwaves and MTV were packed with the likes of Tracy Bonham, Joan Osbourne and Ani DiFranco, some of whom toured the country with Lilith Fair and really created an empire with their angsty rock sound. Eventually, its popularity died out both due to a change in the times as well as a general overdose to something that seemed to be everywhere. The riot grrl act was dead: long live the ever-widening spectrum of indie music.

I’ve always had a little soft spot in my heart for the addictive sound of hot, talented girls playing unabashed, honest rock and roll. Thanks to the Minneapolis-based 5 piece band Sick of Sarah, I think we have a modernized revival with a sharper edge.

Although these ladies have been playing around the Twin Cities for a few years, this August brought their first full-length, self-titled album, featuring 10 songs ranging from electric rockers to acoustic ballads, and everything in between. At first it struck me that these girls were a bit silly and maybe even a little campy, considering the sound is somewhat dated and easily branded as “angry girl rock.” Sometimes it works to bring back dead sounds from the audible grave, and sometimes it doesn’t. Mostly, Sick of Sarah accomplishes this by giving a lively jumpstart to a once tired and overdone scene. Sick of Sarah have a fresh, pop-rock sound that is instantly addictive and although reminiscent of some of the former women of rock who were popular in the late 90s, this band plugs into something new and fun, never taking themselves too seriously but still bringing a sound that is gone but not forgotten.

The record meshes songs that are hard and soft in just the right places; the opening track, "Daisies," is a fun, punk-infused anthem that holds clean, sharp beats and singalong melodies that really display Sick of Sarah as the fun, riotous girls they are. Other fast-paced tunes like "Mr. Incredible” show off fantastic bass action from Jamie Holm and throaty vocals from lead vocalist Abisha Uhl, giving the middle finger to the likes of wanna-be punk chicks donning skulls and crossbones claiming to be badass.

The ballads on the album are deliciously downtrodden and moving, showing off the acoustic abilities of a rock-and-roll band that has been able to master both sounds without sounding trite or phony. “Paint Like That” is one of the better songs on the album, echoing with lovely harmonies that aren’t overly-sweet thanks to simplistic acoustic guitar and not much else other than soft voices.

Sick of Sarah no longer have just one bracket to fit them into, as they might have been pigeon-toed into years ago; instead their diverse and fierce sound has given them one hell of a debut record. It’s good to know powerful rock created by women is NOT dead; it’s alive and well, living in the Twin Cities and rapidly spreading.

Sick of Sarah MySpace Page

(Tara Rogan)

Show Announcement: Baby Guts @ The Nomad

Tours: Ohbijou

Sat. Oct. 4 – Kingston ON – Grad Club #
Mon. Oct. 6 – Sault Ste Marie ON – Loplop Gallery
Tue. Oct. 7 – Thunder Bay ON – Apollo #
Wed. Oct. 8 – Winnipeg MB – Lo Pub #
Thu. Oct. 9 – Saskatoon SK – Amigo's Cafe #
Fri. Oct. 10 – Calgary AB – Broken City #
Sat. Oct. 11 – Edmonton AB – The Pawn Shop #
Mon. Oct. 13 – Kelowna BC – The Habitat #
Tue. Oct. 14 – Vancouver BC – Media Club #
Wed. Oct.15 – Victoria BC – Lucky Bar #
Thu. Oct.16 – Portland OR – Doug Fir Lounge ++
Fri. Oct. 17 – Seattle WA – Tractor Tavern ++
Sun. Oct.19 – Bend OR – Saint Francis #
Tue. Oct. 21 – San Francisco CA – Hemlock Tavern ++
Wed. Oct. 22 – Santa Cruz CA – Crepe Place ++
Fri. Oct. 24 – Los Angeles CA – Spaceland ++
Sat. Oct. 25 – Phoenix AZ – Modified ++
Tue. Oct. 28 – Denver CO – Hi-Dive ++
Wed. Oct. 29 – Omaha NB – Slowdown ++
Thu. Oct. 30 – Minneapolis MN – 7th Street Entry ++
Fri. Oct. 31 – Madison WI – Cafe Montmartre ++
Sat. Nov.1 – Chicago IL – Schuba's ++
Thu. Nov. 20 – Hamilton ON – The Casbah #
Fri. Nov. 21 – Guelph ON – Dublin Street United Church #
Sat. Nov. 22 - Peterborough ON – Montreal House #
Thu. Nov. 27 – Toronto ON – Lee’s Palace #
Fri. Nov. 28 – Montréal QC – La Sala Rossa #
Sat. Nov. 29 – Ottawa ON – Barrymore's Music Hall #

# w/ The Acorn
++ w/ The Acorn & Shaky Hands Tour


(Ohbijou - "The Woods")

Video: Lil' Wayne on Saturday Night Live

(Lil Wayne - "Got Money" and "Lollipop" - Live on "SNL")

h/t Culture Bully

Saturday: Prof and Rahzwell "Get Drunk 2" @ The Dinkytowner

September, 13 2008 at DRUNK 2!!!
Dinkytowner
14th and 4th SE, MPLS, Minnesota
Cost : $5
18+

Ahhhhhh.... you know what it is. DRUNK 2. If you were at the first one, you saw rahzwell throw up in a bucket. You saw Prof consume over 15 drinks in an hour and a half, then forget every song. This here is history in the making. Come get Prof and Rahzwell Drunk. Dont miss number 2.

I think its ok for these guys to hassle the hof. Just a little bit.

Prof & Rahzwell MySpace Page

Download the Kaiser Von Powderhorn mixtape here.

(Jonathan Graef)

This Weekend: Wye Oak @ The Turf Club

Sunday, September 14th
Turf Club, 9pm, $5
Wye Oak (Merge Records, from Baltimore)
Bella Koshka (Mpls)
The Lavellas (Chicago)
Aviette (Mpls)


(Wye Oak - "Warning" - Live at Creative Commons)

Show Announcement: We Are Wolves, Nobot, Soviet Panda @ The Triple Rock

Video: Muja Messiah - "Get Fresh"

Just because Minneapolis rapper Muja Messiah placed number eight on City Pages' "Picked to Click 2008" doesn't mean that he gets to rest on laurels. No, Muja's got a new video for "Get Fresh", one of the more anthemic tracks off of Thee Adventures of a B-Boy D-Boy, which is being re-released on Koch records on November 11th. This video has cameos galore. Be on the look out for Slug (Atmpsophere), M.anifest, and Samahra (Black Blondie). As always, Muja's got a charisma that translates well into the small screen. Watch the video at the top of the post.

Muja Messiah MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Kanye West Out Of Jail

Here's yesterday's footage of Yeezy's arrest due to tangling with paparazzi, an event you've now doubt heard about by now. However, it would now appear, based on a post on Kanye West's blog, that he is out of jail, in the studio, and normally "cool with the paparazzi". West then stated that the guy who took his picture wasn't cool, hence the explosion. Because paparazzi are normally so respectful and granting of space. Read the Twitter-style post here. (h/t Idolator)

In music related news, Nah Right posted a mastered version of Kanye West's single "Love Lockdown", from his upcoming fourth album 808s and Heartbreak. Listen to it here.

Download: Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" (via)

Kanye West MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Cross-published on CIMI

Tonight: Bob's Stem Cell Birthday Bash @ The Hexagon

Show Announcement: An Evening of James Bond @ The Annex

The Annex
Revolver Modele
Mercurial Rage
Bella Koshka

8 PM/$10

Local bands cover James Bond theme songs at this mod ball for MN Fashion Weekend! Featuring DJ Jake Rudh.

(Jonathan Graef)

Kitten Forever - "Born Ready"; Unicorn Basement - "We Are The Mages of Beauty"

Kitten Forever
Born Ready (Tardigrade Records, 2008)
Grade: A-

Unicorn Basement
We Are The Mages of Beauty (UF Records, 2008)
Grade: A-*

It's awfully fitting that, while tonight's show is the CD Release party is for the new Unicorn Basement record, Kitten Forever and Gospel Gossip share the bill as well. It's an apt for the first because, like We Are The Mages of Beauty, Kitten Forever's recently released Born Ready, is short on song length, but long on endearing blasts of psychotic energy and motivation to make the listener dance, dance, dance. Of course, these two bands sound nothing alike. UB is clearly in the synth-punk camp, while Kitten Forever is clearly more in camp rock, albeit with uncommon instrumentation (bass, drums, vocals). In a strange way, Kitten Forever are The Doors of feminist-minded sass-punk.

And make no mistake about it, there is a lot of sass on Born Ready. Tracks like "Fat Crush" and "Warpath" burst with vitality, spunk, and attitude, like the best anti-establishment music. But Born Ready isn't any sort of screed, even though the politics on this record are clearly sympathetic with feminism. (Indeed, singer Liz even mentions her leanings on "Blood Sugar" one of Born Ready barely-minute-long highlights). But lest you think that Kitten Forever are humorless scolds...actually, there's no way anyone could think that this band is nothing but hilarious and irreverent, as the 13 tracks on Born Ready manage to blow by the listener in one fun, wholly entertaining swoop. There are screams here, to be sure, but it's in the sense that screaming your head off is the best ailment for all of your problems, and the lo-fi, dirty, dingy bass lines paired with an insistent crashing of the cymbols makes for a brief, fantastic listen. If Baby Guts, bassist Laura Larson's other group, is the super-ego of punk and feminism, Kitten Forever is undoubtedly its id. And if you doubt that feminism could have an id in the first place, have I got a surprise for you.

Now, let's turn our attention to why its apt that Gospel Gossip are playing tonight. Remember when I wrote about how the word people kept using in tandem with GG was surprise? Prepare for a similar reaction for We Are The Mages of Beauty. There shouldn't be too much information given away, because of the conflict of interest. With that said, tracks like the melodic, but still esoteric, Oingo Boingo-esque pop of "Oh God", the harsh synth glow of "Psionic Airwaves", and the nonsensical profundity of "This Life" show that, for a group with the potentiality to drown in novelty, UB have a surprisingly sophisticated sense of songcraft. Like Kitten Forever, the songs are short on length, but long on ideas, and even. Some of the direct quotations of notable tracks (look for references to "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" or "Fuck The Pain Away") are questionable, but there's always something here for the listener to latch on to, Even when the lyrics are incomprehensible. Like Kitten Forever latest, these songs undoubtedly transmit both a fundamental discontent with society at large and the willingness to celebrate the fact that you can carry on.

You can celebrate both of these bands (as well as Gospel Gossip and MC/VL) at a CD Release Party tonight"



Unicorn Basement MySpace Page
Kitten Forever MySpace Page
Gospel Gossip MySpace Page
MC/VL MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

*in the interest of full disclosure, Max and Deanna are good friends of the writer. However, this writer believes objectively that this record should merit a great deal of discussion. Hopefully, you, the reader, will agree as well

Death Cab For Cutie's "We Have The Facts" For Sale on Amazon for $1.99

Do it, do it now.

Click HERE to buy your copy and start the revolution.

(Ian Anderson)

Video: Basia Bulat - "The Pilgriming Vine"

Directed by Anthony Sack.

Bon Iver on Late Night with Conan O'Brien

For those of you keeping score at home, this is rad.

Bon Iver on MySpace

(Ian Anderson)

New Music Smorgasbord: Deerhoof, Jenny Lewis, White Lies (Crystal Castles Remix), El Guincho, Restavrant, These United States

(Jenny Lewis)

Download: Deerhoof - "Offend Maggie"
Download: Jenny Lewis - "Acid Tongue"
Download: White Lies - "Death" (Crystal Castles Remix)"
Download: El Guincho - "Palmitos Park"
Download: Restavrant - "Joe D"
Download: These United States - "Get Yourself Home..."

It's that time again! When my digital stack of MP3s gets to be ever so high, I like to comply all of the tracks for a feature titled new music smorgasbord. Here are the tracks on the playlist:

Jenny Lewis - "Acid Tongue"

The title track of the Rilo Kiley frontwoman's second solo album shares some characteristics of her debut (gospel influences, narratives about damaged people), but takes on a distinctly analog production technique. That aesthetic decision allows for bone-chilling, multi-track harmonies that haven't heard since the 70s. The lyrics may be trite at times, but the music is wholly engaging. The chorus is the most poignant thing you've heard all year.

Grade: A-

White Lies - "Death" (Crystal Castles Remix)

The Editors wanna-bes get remixed by everyone's favorite digital anarchists/maybe plagarists. A textbook example of how a remix can improve on an original tenfold.

Grade: B

Deerhoof - "Offend Maggie"

A palatable, but strangely anti-climatic, offering from the art-pop pioneers. Long on melody, but still leaves the listener wanting more.

Grade: B-

El Guincho - "Palmitos Park"

A Spanish-language throwback to the days when doo-wop reigned supreme on the nation's airwaves. Again, lots to offer in the way of melody and production, but the track ends suddenly, and there's only one real section here that's repeated over and over again.

Grade: B-

Restavrant - "Joe D"

A compelling novelty does not a good song make, but the banjo-cum-technology stomp of this track remains irresistible to all who hear it.

Grade: B+

These United States - "Get Yourself Home..."

This alt-country jangle finally starts to get interesting around the breakdown. Otherwise, it's pretty mundane.

Grade: C

Listen to all of these tracks at the top of the post.

New Marnie Stern - "Ruler"

-

Marnie Stern's upcoming album, This That and the other thing joey joe joe shabbadoo* is looking like a real album-of-the-year contender. First, Stern herself debuted a track called "Transformer", which perfectly split the difference between 1984 Van Halen and 1984 Husker Du. Then came the equally fantastic feast of polyrhythms known as "Shea Stadium". Now, there's "Ruler", a song that Stern herself leaked via the iLike application on the Facebook. Unsurprisingly, it is awesome. The song begins with tapping, then goes to standard pop-song verse-chorus-verse before it gets really interesting with a breakdown that really breaks down. Check it out above.

This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That** is out October 7th.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

*obviously not the real title
**the actual album title

Cross-published on CIMI

Muja Messiah's 4Seen Magazine Cover

4Seen Magazine is a Twin Cities publication devoted to exposing up-and-coming artists. And, in the hip-hop world at least, there is no artist more up-and-coming than rapper Muja Messiah. Having released the pretty great Thee Adventures of a B-Boy D-Boy back in July (on the same day that Doomtree finally released their equally as great crew record), and a mixtape earlier that spring, Muja's riding a wave of buzz good enough to place him at number 8 on City Pages' Picked To Click 2008.

As far as 4Seen is concerned, you can pick that up at these locations.

In other Muja news, he's just been featured on a new mixtape from Rappers Guide called "From America To Germany". Read more about it here.

Muja Messiah MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Gospel Gossip To Record New EP In The Fall

Download: Gospel Gossip - "Shadows Are Bent"

There's something about Gospel Gossip and fall, specifically, it's potentiality. How fitting, then, that the neo-shoegazers are recording a new EP later this month. Here are the deets:

In other news, we'll be recording an EP later this month. Neil Weir is on board and we're going to do a bit at Pachyderm and a bit more at Old Blackberry way. So far, it's going to be a vinyl only release on Guilt Ridden Pop.

And you heard it here first folks, we're going to stay in Minneapolis for a while (contrary to rumors started by us that we'll be moving to NYC). After a long while on the road, we can't ween away from the Minneapolis' teets.

I also heard that the group might have been moving to Chicago. But it looks like that's not coming to fruition. Consider yourself, lucky, MPLS!

*sigh*.

Well, there's always awesome orch-pop and kickass synth-punk

In other GG news, the band placed second on "Picked To Click 2008". Check it out by scrolling down.

Gospel Gossip MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles Smoke "Picked To Click 2008" Like It Ain't No Thang

As you may have ascertained from the headline, the utterly unique, dizzyingly (not a word, but dammit, it applies) talented Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles have taken their Orange Peels and Rattlesnakes all the way to the top of the pops. And by pops, I mean to the top of the City Pages's "Picked To Click 2008", which went live late last night. The circumstances surrounding the throwback act's victory are as unique as the band itself. City Pages explains:

Forget McCain and Obama—this year's closest election came down to two righteous local ladies: Lucy and Sarah. One is the leader of ukulele-tinged Gypsy/folk/jazz group Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, while the other, Sarah Nienaber, fronts noisy pop band Gospel Gossip. It was a tough fight, as the two stayed neck-and-neck during the counting of more than 100 ballots, but ultimately Lucy Michelle reigns supreme in this year's best-new-band poll...

Due to an unusual number of ties, we ended up with a whopping 13 finalists in the top 10 this year—the most winners ever. And only one band broke up before the issue hit the stands! Ladies and gentlemen, our Lucky 13:

Read the rest of the results here.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Johnny Depp and Phillip Seymore Hoffman Confirm Roles in New Batman Film

Holy crap. Michael Caine announced this morning at the Toronto Film Festival that Johnny Depp will be playing The Riddler and Phillip Seymore Hoffman will be playing the Penguin in the next Batman film.

For the full story, visit MTV.

(Ian Anderson - ian@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com)

New Brightblack Morning Light - "Oppressions Each"

Download: Brightblack Morning Light - "Oppressions Each"

In contrast to the slow, more blues-based "Hologram Buffalo", the second single from Brightblack Morning Light's upcoming Motion To Rejoin finds the group crafting a straight-ahead rhythm-and-blues song, with only the modern-day production touches (vocals heavy on reverb and mixed low) giving away the fact that this came out in 2008. "Oppressions Each" could be considered indie-gospel, which, while not being "Indie Gospel", is still pretty impressive all the same.

Listen to "Oppressions Each" at the top of the post.

Brightblack Morning Light MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Sonic Youth Sign To Matador

Matador released the news today that Sonic Youth have signed to Matador. Pretty wild, here is the press release.

"After rampant speculation, Matador Records can confirm the label will be releasing a new studio album from Sonic Youth sometime in 2009. Having fulfilled their contractual obligations to the Universal Music Group, Sonic Youth recently reached an agreement with Matador to release the band’s 16th album of new material in all worldwide territories, save for Japan.

While Sonic Youth’s status as one of the more innovative and influential bands of the past 30 years needs little explanation, the group’s most recent recordings for Geffen — 2006’s ‘Rather Ripped’ being their final for the label — rank amongst the current decade’s best.

For Matador, the opportunity to work in partnership with a group who’ve made such an profound impact on our roster/hometown/collective consciousness was one to jump at. Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley will commence recording the new Sonic Youth LP/CD this autumn and we look forward to sharing further details in the very near future.

Please check out sonicyouth.com for details about their many recent and upcoming pursuits, including the travelling museum exhibition “Sonic Youth Etc.: Sensational Fix”, which focusses on the multidisciplinary activities of the band since 1981, and the recently self-released CD “Andre Side Af Sonic Youth”."

- Matablog

(Ian Anderson - ian@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com)

Tonight: Vampire Hands 7-Inch Release Show

Image and text taken directly from More Cowbell:

Vampire Hands Variety Hour/7″ Release Show in the Clown Lounge
Tuesday September 9th, 9 PM
FREE
This is the official release of our tour 7″ “A Bigger Splash”,
a song that has been a staple of our live set for the last year and a half or so.
This may be the only chance you have to pick the little vinyl disc up locally.
Invisible Boy
Peppermint Coffins
Ryan Harris (solo)
+1 TBA

In addition to tonight's show at the Clown Lounge, the band will be beginning a North American tour this coming Friday, the 12th. The trek has the Minneapolis-based psychedelic quartet starting out in solidly midwestern states like Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, before heading to the East Coast, where their shows will surely be attended by tea-drinking, arugula-eating damn, dirty elitists. From there, the band heads back to the mid-west, where they'll cap things off with a date in Chicago (yay!).

While on tour, the band will be keeping a diary that will be posted on the Modern Radio Message Board. We'll keep you updated as to when the band posts an entry.

Here are the tour dates:

SEP 12 2008 9:00P
O’LEAVER’S PUB OMAHA, NEBRASKA
SEP 13 2008 9:00P
THE REPLAY LOUNGE LAWRENCE, KANSAS
SEP 14 2008 9:00P
THE BRICK KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
SEP 16 2008 8:00P
CAMP CONCENTRATION @ APOP RECORDS ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
SEP 18 2008 9:00P
SPRINGWATER SUPPER CLUB NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
SEP 19 2008 10:00P
THE PILOT LIGHT KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
SEP 20 2008 10:00P
THE PHILBOG CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA
SEP 21 2008 10:00P
THE SPAZATORIUM GALLERIA GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
SEP 23 2008 8:00P
THE BLUE NILE HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA
SEP 24 2008 8:00P
THE LIGHTHOUSE WASHINGTON DC, WASHINGTON DC
SEP 25 2008 10:00P
TBA PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
SEP 26 2008 10:00P
TBA BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
SEP 27 2008 10:00P
ROSE’S CANTINA-BACKSTAGE BAR GROTON, CONNECTICUT
SEP 28 2008 10:00P
PIANO’S NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SEP 30 2008 9:00P
THE TALKING HEAD BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
OCT 1 2008 10:00P
TBA PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
OCT 2 2008 10:00P
TBA YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO
OCT 3 2008 10:00P
THE CARABAR COLUMBUS, OHIO
OCT 4 2008 10:00P
NEED SHOW CHICAGO, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Help some brothers out, Chi-town!

Vampire Hands MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Parenthetical Girls - "Entanglements" Out Today

Download: Parenthetical Girls - "A Song For Ellie Greenwich"

Portland, Oregon natives Parenthetical Girls are pretty sweet. Their new record, "Entanglements," is out today on Tomlab Records. It's hip, it's fresh. Here is a great song off of it, "A Song for Ellie Greenwich."

Pick up the record HERE.

Parenthetical Girls on MySpace

(Ian Anderson - ian@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com)

Ponytail and High Places Announce Tour Together

Download: High Places - "From Stardust To Sentience"
Download: Ponytail - "Celebrate The Body Electric (It Came From An Angel)"

Two of indie-rock's most promising up-and-comers have decided to gang up for a tour of the West Coast and Canada. Ponytail, whose live show is, literally, better than Christmas, have been touring behind their energetically virtuoso, noisily melodic record Ice Cream Spiritual; and High Places, an excellent, but wholly different, duo who consolidate world music, psychedelia, and indie-pop into short, trance-y waves of songs. The latter released a compilation of previously released material earlier this year, and are set to put out a new record in the coming month. Both bands are playing a handful dates, which neither take them to Minneapolis or Chicago. Sad. Oh well. Away they go now!

Here are the dates:

Thursday September 25 2008 @ Grinnell College in Grinnell IA*
Friday September 26 2008 @ The Mill in Iowa City IA*
Saturday September 27 2008 @ Rhinoceropolis in Denver CO*
Monday September 29 2008 @ Kirby Court in Salt Lake City UT *
Tuesday September 30 2008 @ Badlander in Missoula MT*
Thursday October 2 2008 @ Nectar in Seattle WA*
Friday October 3 2008 @ Department of Safety in Anacortes WA *
Saturday October 4 2008 @ Richards on Richards in Vancouver BC*
Monday October 6 2008 @ Backspace in Portland OR *
Wednesday October 8 2008 @ Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco CA*
Thursday October 9 2008 @ TBD in Santa Cruz CA*
Friday October 10 2008 @ The Smell in Los Angeles CA*
Saturday October 11 2008 @ UC Irvine in Irvine CA
Sunday October 12 2008 @ Modified in Phoenix AZ *
Wednesday October 22 2008 - @ The Ottobar in Baltimore MD - Cal Robbins Benefit
Friday October 31 2008 - Todd P NYC in Brooklyn NY w/ DMBQ, The Homosexuals
* w/High Places

In other Ponytail news, the group is reportedly working on a clip for their song "Beg Wavs", which would be their second video for Spiritual, with the first being for album closer "Die Allman Bruder".

Ponytail MySpace Page
High Places MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

The Deaths Post New Old Music

Speaking of Minneapolis bands and live music, psych-pop devotees The Deaths have posted two new songs on their MySpace Page, one of which is a performance that was taped at the Current earlier this year. That song is the waltz "Turn for the Worst", which finds the band at its most pop-filled, with a sound that is redolent of the 60s (particularly mid-period Beatles). The Deaths also posted the demo of "Revolution" (no relation to Chairman Mao or the number 9), a tension-filled, but more laid-back as well, psychdelic number with a sighing keyboard line much like MBV.

Listen to both songs here.

(Jonathan Graef)

Themes Post Live Songs, Fall Preview of Upcoming Material

If there were ever a time to check out musical offerings from one of Minneapolis' most promising new bands, it would be now. Themes, who, sadly, are moving out to the East Coast come this fall, have posted live versions of previous material, including a new rendition of the majestic "Epic World", over on their MySpace Page. Songs include the aforementioned "World", the rocking, rollicking "Know Navigation", and the haunting, spare "Soldier Trade".

In addition to the live documents, taken from their August 22nd show at the 7th Street Entry*, the band has also posted some samples from an upcoming EP that will be recorded on Halloween at Snowghost Music. Before that time, the group will be part of the Annuals/Minus The Bear tour that will take them to venues all across the nation

So there will be more than ample opportunity to see Themes live, and to perhaps hear the new material. Judging from the snippets posted, the EP will have a more definitive rock feel, while still retaining the folk characteristics of their earlier work; dual harmonies reminescent of Low don't hurt these tracks either.

Listen to the new stuff here.


Full Disclosure: Themes played with One For The Team, and We All Have Hooks For Hands, two bands that one of our writers has a financial interest in.

New Annuals - "Confessor"

Download: Annuals - "Confessor"

Although North Carolina-based sextet Annuals posted this song on their MySpace page a little while back, it has only recently become available as an actual download. The track, "Confessor", is taken from their highly anticipated sophomore release, Such Fun. Annuals are one of the original hype blog bands, so, naturally, all eyes are on album number two to see what it will be capable of.

"Confessor" has some nice textures, which is to be expected from this band, and harmonies perfect for a sunny day, which is also to be expected. However, I think this song suffers from its brevity. After a nifty transition (there's a lovely, waterfall-like piano line in the background), the song kind of just comes to a close. There's no discernible melody to get around. Usually, these types of songs have to grow on you, which "Confessor" might do. But for now, the track feels anti-climatic--strange, given the fact that "Brother" was nothing but glorious catharsis.

Listen to "Confessor" at the top of the post.

(Jonathan Graef)

So Many Dynamos Announce Tour Dates, Prep New Record

Download: So Many Dynamos - "In Every Direction"

The always fabulous So Many Dynamos hit the road this week with HORSE the Band and Heavy Heavy Low Low. SMD are currently hammering out the final details of a soon-to-be-released record deal signing, which will finally get their Chris Walla captained fourth studio album, "The Loud Wars," into the hands of starving children everywhere.

Here are the tour dates:

09/04 - Dallas, TX @ The Door
09/05 - Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
09/06 - Bartlett, TN @ Singleton Community Center
09/07 - Metairie, LA @ the High Ground
09/08 - Anniston, AL @ Model City Records
09/09 - Athens GA @ Go Bar
09/10 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
09/11 - Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
09/12 - Jacksonville, FL @ Fuel Coffeehouse
09/13 - Tampa, FL @ Springs Theater
09/14 - Charlotte, NC @ Casbah
09/15 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
09/16 - Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
09/17 - Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
09/18 - Washington, D.C. @ The Rock and Roll Hotel
09/19 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
09/20 - Danburry, CT @ Heirloom Theater
09/21 - Hackensack, NK @ School of Rock
09/22 - Farmingdale, NY @ Crazy Donkey
09/23 - Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
09/24 - Akron, OH @ Musica
09/25 - Detroit, MI @ The Ritz
09/26 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Rock Club
09/27 - Iowa City, IA @ Picador
09/28 - St. Louis, MO @ Bluebird
09/29 - Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Saloon
09/30 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
10/01 - Launchpad, Albuquerque, NM
10/02 - Las Vegas, NV @ Jillians'
10/04 - Visalia, CA @ 210 - AA
10/04 - Visalia, CA @ Cellar Door - 21+
10/12 - U of Ill. w/Death Cab For Cutie

So Many Dynamos on MySpace

(Ian Anderson)

Video: Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" (Live at the VMAs)

Download: Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" (via)

Although there's been new Kanye West material from his forthcoming fourth album, which may see release as early as December, floating around the internet, the first official taste of record numero quatro came last night at the VMAs. Breaking with his boycott of the show, Yeezy closed the 25th edition of the show by performing "Love Lockdown", a song which also sees release to iTunes today.

As for the song itself, 'Ye is going for a darker, slower, less self-assured vibe here which stands out immediately compared to the likes of "Stronger". "I'm in love with you/but the vibe is wrong/and it hauntin' me/all the way home" goes one lyric, and it aptly sums up the vibe here. "Love Lockdown" is heavy on drums, vocoder, and piano, and all those touches add to the fact that this is Kanye's most R&B-flavored single. I don't think there's any rapping on it at all, and the vocal hook could have come straight from a Daft Punk song. All in all, "Love Lockdown" shows that West is expanding his horizons creatively, but as far as the actual song quality is concerned...

Kanye West MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

This post was cross-published on Chicago is Mildly Interesting.

Jenny Dalton - Rusalka's Umbrella

Jenny Dalton
Rusalka's Umbrella (Glossy Shoebox Productions, 2008)
Grade: B

Download: Jenny Dalton - "The Turn and the River"

Speaking of water, Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Jenny Dalton's sophomore album, Rusalka's Umbrella is thematically saturated in high-quality H20. Umbrella is the story of Rusalka, who is described by Dalton as a "the spirit of a young woman banished to the water where she plays along the banks at night and lures the curious into her depths. The Rusalka represents the dichotomies we have lodged into the fabric of ourselves." Accompanying the album is a book titled Daughters of The Dead Sea, a almost 30-page story which further explores the myth of Rusalka.

Needless to say, Dalton is ambitious. But what about the music itself? The answer is pretty straightforward. In terms of her sound, an ethereal, folk-derived, piano-based type of music, what Dalton brings isn't exactly new. Simply put, Kate Bush and Tori Amos got here first. That said, Rusalka's is always a compelling listen, due to Dalton's shrewd arrangements and composition skills. The former allows her to introduce elements such as electronic beats and collages ("Looted Fires"), unexpected tempo changes ("Merry Go Round" and "Bad Seed"), as well touches of world music, like Eastern European folk on "The Turn of the River" and "Alionshka", two energetic elements. Also remarkable, though perhaps unintended, is the Nirvana-like repetition of certain melodic phrases and lyrics. In some of her quiet moments, Dalton has the hushed, passionate calm of Kurt Cobain, particularly on the album's title track, as well as Camus-inspired "The Fall".

Those expecting a loud, Pixies-like catharsis should obviously look elsewhere. But is because of Dalton's soft, but confident vocals, and her ability to throw the occasional sonic curveball (my favorite being alt-rock anthem "Ladies and Gentleman", whose strong rock presence is provides a change in sonic scenery at just the right time) that should keep listeners compelled. While Rusalka's sound may immediately callback her musical foremothers, the narrative ambition and solid songwriting will keep the daughters of the dead sea paying attention.

CD Release party details:

Saturday, Sept. 6th
Ritz Theater in NE Minneapolis.
Doors open 7pm; show starts 8:00pm, and it will end by about 10:30.
All ages are welcome; tickets are $10 at the door (no pre-sales).

Jenny Dalton MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

New Populous With Short Stories - "Only Hope"

Download: Populous With Short Stories - "Only Hope"

Now that Ben Gibbard has joked about how the next Postal Service album is the indie Chinese Democracy, we listeners will have to get our introspective, electro indie-pop somewhere else. Enter Populous, the nom-de-bleep-blip of Andrea Mangia, a Berlin-based laptop producer with a knack for the laid back IDM, and Short Stories, known for more electronically-minded, but more conventional songwriter fare.

Together, they make up the imaginatively titled Populous with Short Stories. Their collaborative release, Drawn In Basic, will see physical release on Sept. 30th. In the meantime, you can check out their first leaked song, "Only Hope", at the top of the post. Unfortunately, the track is easily the most weak on the album, having listened to all of Basic in the most ideal way possible: on a car drive in the midst of a heavy, rainy storm. The ambient soundscapes and mellow vocals complemented the drops of the rain almost to the point where I couldn't figure out whether the music was the soundtrack to the storm, or vice versa. Either way, it was a great listening experience. Drawn in Basic will be reviewed more in depth come record release time, but do check out "Only Hope" at the top of the post.

(Jonathan Graef)

Video: Big Quarters - "Barter System"

h/t Switchblade Comb

(Jonathan Graef)

Cloud Cult Seeks Fan Input For Upcoming Band Documentary

Download: Cloud Cult - "Living on the Outside of Your Skin"

Regardless of what you think about their music, there's no doubting the fact that Minneapols-based Cloud Cult have had a compelling career, one that's been marked by a unique sense of intertwining art and economics, strident environmentalism, and unspeakable tragedy.

Also, music. Lots and lots of music, specifically eight albums worth of cathartic anthems heavy on orchestral arrangements (long indie-fans started reading from the Neon Bible). Naturally, a story as compelling and wrought with drama as that one would serves as a great foundation for a documentary. Well, lucky for you Cloud Cult fans, the band happens to be putting together a film which will span the entirety of the band's career. In order to get a unique, fan-based perspective, the group is encouraging fans to come out to their studio this Sunday, Sept. 7th for an interview. The band's news letter explains in further detail:

If you're someone who has been touched by Cloud Cult's music and message, please consider contributing by stopping into the studio in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday, September 7th for a 15-20 minute interview...any personal stories or messages you'd like to send to the band are welcome. Many of you have profoundly unique experiences, and we'd like to hear them. If interested, please RSVP (ASAP) to the film's co-director, John Burgess at johnburgess@hotmail.com with "CLOUD CULT INTERVIEW" in the subject line. Please mention any time preferences you may have regarding your schedule this Sunday afternoon.

From there, Burgess will contact you with a time slot assignment and directions to the downtown Minneapolis location. All in all, the experience should take about 30 minutes. If you can't make it out, but still want to contribute your memories of the band, email johnburgess@hotmail.com by October 1st.

In other Cloud Cult news, the band is about to set off on a brief Fall jaunt which will take them mainly on the East Coast and in their beloved Mid-West. Here are the dates:

Thursday Sept. 11th - Denver, CO. Monolith Tree Planting at The Cerebral Paulsey Foundation 11am
Thursday Sept. 11th - Ft. Collins Aggie Theater
Friday Sept. 12th - Denver, CO. - Bluebird Theater Monolith Festival Kick-off
Thursday Sept. 25th - Minneapolis, MN. - Chambers Hotel The Metro 100 Party *Tickets available at metromag.com
Monday Nov. 10th - Washington, DC. - The Black Cat*
Tuesday Nov. 11th - NYC - The Bowery Ballroom*
Wednesday Nov. 12th - Danbury, CT. Heirloom Arts Theatre*
Thursday Nov. 13th - Boston, MA. Middle East Downstairs*
Friday Nov. 14th - Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh University
Saturday Nov. 15th - Cross your fingers Philadelphia
Monday Nov. 17th - University of Wisconsin @ Stout

*with Exit Clov and Mason Proper

Cloud Cult MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Why? and Mount Eerie Answer Questions, Build Mountains

Wow. Why? and Mount Eerie are hitting the road together. This is quite excellent dear reader.

Why? will be at the Triple Rock on Sept. 27, however, Mount Eerie will be missing us on this leg. Better luck next time. Here are some jams and some tour dates for you to dig on.

Download: Why?- "The Vowels, Pt. 2"

Download: Mount Eerie - "Flaming Home"


WHY? "the Vowels pt. 2" (dublab VisionVersion) from dublab on Vimeo.

Why? Tour Dates:

September 4th- Los Angeles, CA Echoplex $
September 5th- Tempe, AZ The Clubhouse $
September 6th- Tucson, AZ Solar Culture $
September 8th- Austin, TX Mohawk*
September 9th- Dallas, TX Granada Theater*
September 11th- Pensacola, FL Sluggo's*
September 12th- Gainseville, FL Common Grounds*
September 13th- Miami, FL White Room*
September 14th- Orlando, FL The Social*
September 16th- Asheville, NC Grey Eagle*
September 17th- Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church*
September 18th- New York, NY Bowery Ballroom*
September 19th- Boston, MA Museum of Fine Arts +
September 20th- Portland, ME Space Gallery &
September 21st- Providence, RI Club Hell
September 22nd- Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa
September 25th- Cincinnati, OH Midpoint Music Festival
September 26th- Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge#
September 27th- Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock#
September 29th- Denver, CO Hi- Dive @
September 30th- Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court (early - 7pm)@
September 30th- Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge (late)
October 2nd- Vancouver, BC Richard's On Richard @^
October 3rd- Seattle, WA Vera Project @
October 4th- Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom @^

* = w/ Mount Eerie
# = w/ Tobacco
$ = w/ Rafter
+ = w/ Alina Simone
& = w/ Alias
@ = w/ Restiform Bodies
^ = w/ Tender Forever

Mount Eerie Tour Dates:



09-04 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
09-05 Denver, CO - Brooks Center Arts
09-06 Penasco, NM - The Penasco Theatre
09-07 Marfa, TX - Marfa Book Company
09-08 Austin, TX - Mohawk #
09-09 Dallas, TX - Good Records (in-store)
09-09 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater #
09-10 Ruston, LA - Louisiana Tech
09-11 Pensacola, FL - Sluggo's #
09-12 Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds #
09-13 Miami, FL - White Room #
09-14 Tampa, FL - Transitions Gallery (early show)
09-14 Orlando, FL - The Social #
09-15 Athens, GA - Ciné !
09-16 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle #
09-17 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church #
09-18 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom #
09-19 Brooklyn, NY - Lutheran Church of the Messiah *^
09-20 Northampton, MA - Iron Horse Music Hall *^
09-21 Worcester, MA - The Grind at Clark University *^
09-22 Providence, RI - Building 16 *^
09-23 Purchase, NY - SUNY Purchase *^
09-24 Pittsfield, MA - Copperworks *^
09-25 Saratoga Springs, NY - Falstaff's *^
09-26 New Haven, CT - People's Center *^
09-27 Boston, MA - Mass Art *^
09-28 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY - Bard Hall at Bard College *^
10-12 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa ^
10-13 Ottawa, Ontario - SAW Gallery *^
10-14 Toronto, Ontario - Church of the Redeemer *^
10-15 East Lansing, MI - Scene Metrospace *^
10-16 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom *+
10-17 Cincinnati, OH - Art Damage Lodge *^
10-18 Gambier, OH - Kenyon College *^
10-19 Delaware, OH - Ohio Wesleyan University *^
10-20 Chicago, IL - AV-aerie *^
10-21 Madison, WI - Gates of Heaven *^
10-22 Louisville, KY - Skull Alley *^
10-23 Bloomington, IN - The Cinemat *^
10-24 St. Louis, MO - Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center *^
10-25 Springfield, MO - Randy Bacon Gallery *^
10-26 Norman, OK - Opolis *^
10-27 Santa Fe, NM - Warehouse 21 *^
10-28 Phoenix, AZ - Modified *^
10-29 Irvine, CA - UC Irvine Cross Cultural Center (early show)
10-29 Los Angeles, CA - SiteLA *^
10-30 Santa Cruz, CA - The Crêpe Place
11-01 San Francisco, CA - Million Fishes $
11-02 Oakland, CA - TBA
11-03 Sacramento, CA - VOX
11-04 Eugene, OR - Wandering Goat Café

# with WHY?
! with the Music Tapes
* with Julie Doiron
^ with Calm Down, It's Monday
+ with Mirah, No Kids
$ with Thanksgiving, White Fang

(Ian Anderson)

New Music Smorgasbord: Future of the Left, Times New Viking, Solange, and More

(Times New Viking)

Download: Fucked Up - "Twice Born"
Download: Future of the Left - "The Hope That House Built"
Ani Difranco -
Download: Big Sty - "Shoebox Money"
Download: Times New Viking - "Call and Respond"
Download: Solange feat. Wale - "Fuck The Industry" (Remix) (via)

Behold! Another smorgasbord of music. Featured items here include the vocoder-tastic "Shoebox Money" by rapper Big Sty; a newly released pop gem from Future of the Left; and a surprisingly funk-tastic (think Morris Day and the Time) track from Ani Difranco. Check them all out at the top of the post, and tell us what you think!

(Jonathan Graef)

Tonight: GZA, P.O.S., Muja Messiah @ The Cabooze

(GZA - "Liquid Swords")

Rage Against The Machine Rage Against Electricity Near The Republican National Convention

Via Idolator.

Additionally, Above The Fold has MP3s of the performance, although merely listening to it kind of robs the humor of it.

That wasn't the only rockin' performance that day though. Check out video below of Amy Goodman's rendition of "Ow! Ow! I'm press, why are you arresting me?" from her classic, genre-defining effort The Battle of St. Paul



Gui-tar!

(Jonathan Graef)

David Brusie - Flyover State

David Brusie
Flyover State (Self-Released, 2008)
Grade: B+

Download: David Brusie - "Flyover State"

Full Disclosure: David Brusie used to write for MFR back when we were newly minted. That doesn't change the fact that this is a pretty tight album.

David Brusie's Flyover State is an album I've been sitting on writing a review on for a couple weeks. I saved it so I could write the review after a long road trip back to Minnesota because almost everything about the album makes me think of distance and the open road.

And, let me tell you, 19 hours in a car later, and I'm digging the hell out of this album.

Immediately when I started spinning Flyover State, I was struck with Brusie's voice. Being a big fan of They Might Be Giants, I'm fairly inclined to grin broadly at anything or one resembling either of the Johns, and Brusie's smooth, clear and moderately nasal voice definitely taps into the TMBG spring of vocal quirks.

The rest of the album doesn't really stand out that much within its ilk, but that's fine. It's a warm album that, in its rolling momentum, recalls the feeling of driving on Midwestern highways past fields and farms, heading somewhere special (or, at least, different). Using mostly guitar, piano, drums and bass, Brusie has a wonderful ability to match the mood of a song to what's going on lyrically, creating a fantastic sense of unity. The ability to present such a strong synthesis between lyrics and music is a really remarkable talent, one that gets overlooked all too often. Pair that with simplistic production, and you've got a great record.

You can pick up Flyover State at CDBaby.

David Brusie MySpace Page

(April Wright)

New Jake One - "The Truth" (feat. Brother Ali and Freeway")

Download: Jake One - "The Truth" (feat. Brother Ali and Freeway)

You may know Seattle hip-hop producer Jake One from his work with an impressive array of rap artists, including De La Soul, Nas, 50 Cent (which makes sense, what with being a member of the G-Unit production team) and MF Doom. In his many years in the game, One has managed quite an impressive resume. A document that does not, however, include solo artists.

Needless to say, that has changed. On October 7th, Jake One will release his debut album in front of the mic. It's called White Van Music, and it will be released via Rhymesayers, the Minneapolis label that also debuted the first single, "The Truth". The song features a verse from Brother Ali, who knows a thing or two about the truth, specifically its location. In contrast to Ali's reggae-derived sonic rabble-rousing, the beats here are a little more chill, letting the verses from Freeway and Ali take the spotlight. There's a distinctly gospel vibe here, whether is the preacher tone that the Brother takes in his verses, or the haunting harmonies hovering in the background. The focus point here, obviously, is the beat, and Jake One has created another set of rhythms that should look impressive against the rest of his diverse sonic portfolio. Listen to "The Truth" at the top of the post.

Here's the tracklist for White Van Music:

01. I’m Coming feat. Black Milk & Nottz
02. Gangsta Boy feat. M.O.P.
03. The Truth feat. Freeway & Brother Ali
04. Turn It Down
05. God Like feat. D. Black
06. Bless The Child feat. Little Brother
07. Oh Really feat. Posdnuos & Slug
08. Hi
09. Trap Door feat. MF DOOM
10. Dead Wrong feat. Young Buck
11. Kissin' The Curb feat. Bishop Lamont & Busta Rhymes
12. How We Ride feat. Freeway
13. White Van feat. Alchemist, Evidence & Prodigy
14. Big Homie Style feat. J. Pinder, GMK & Spaceman
15. Scared feat. Blueprint
16. Great Sound
17. Get 'Er Done feat. MF DOOM
18. Feelin' My Shit feat. Casual
19. Soil Raps feat. Keak Da Sneak
20. Glow feat. eLZhi & Royce Da 5'9"
21. R.I.P.
22. Home feat. Vitamin D, C Note, Maine & Ish

White Van Music is out Oct. 7th.

Jake One MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Reminder: Big Quarters and Mux Mool Fall In Love

Download: Big Quarters - "Test" (Remix by Mux Mool, Medium Zach, and Noam The Drummer)

Even though the EP that this gig at the Turf Club is promoting has been available online since August, you can still come celebrate its release. The EP consists of a remix of the song "Test", originally from their debut album, Cost of Living; 2 new songs featuring Big Quarters; 1 featured performance by Alicia Steele; And an instrumental arrangement by Discount Musical (Medium Zach & Mux Mool).

Show starts at 9 p.m. and costs $4.

September 3rd, 2008
Turf Club.
Performances by: Big Quarters, Mux Mool and DJ Anton
21+ / $4 / 9pm

Speaking of Big Quarters, don't forget to subscribe to their Big Quarters Direct digital service, in which the hip-hop duo delivers 5 new songs to your inbox every month. Subscribe here.

Big Quarters MySpace Page
Mux Mool MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

"Minneapolis is the Danny Devito to St. Paul's Schwartznegger"

If you aren't watching "The Daily Show", you should do so right now. Pretty hilarious.

New Band: Dante & The Lobster

(Haunted House)

A spin-off of psychedelic jam band Haunted House, Dante & The Lobster continue down a similar, but more experimental, with a slight emphasis on sound collage, path. Check out their live recordings here.

The band plays tonight at Big V's.

(Jonathan Graef)

Video: Atmosphere - Live at Take Back Labor Day Fest (Sept. 1st, 2008)

(Atmosphere - "Always Coming Back To You")


(Atmosphere - "God Loves Ugly")

Well, apparently, the past few days haven't been all about conventions, storms, and throwing away the Fourth Amendment. There was some music and merriment involved as well. The Take Back Labor Day Fest may not have had Lupe Fiasco, but we have a feeling that those wanting to rappers with a flow ripe with a jazz-like dexterity got their fill with Minneapolis-based duo (with a large backing band) Atmosphere. The twosome was one of many to play the bill at the all-day fest yesterday.

If you missed it--perhaps because you were out being arrested--fret not. Video of the bands performance has shown up on YouTube, specifically old classics like "God Loves Ugly" (the video of which might induce nausea) and Seven's Travels nugget "Always Coming Back To You", which also doubled as set closer. Based on these videos, it would seem as if Atmosphere stayed closed to the script laid down in the studio, though "God Loves Ugly" gets a nice Paint That Shit Gold reference. Well done.

Watch video of Atmosphere at Take Back Labor Day at the top of the post.

Atmosphere MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Radio K Posts Sessions From Jeff Hanson, Muja Messiah

Radio K has posted two sessions very worthy of your time. The first one is from rapper Muja Messiah, and he performs three tracks from this summer's Thee Adventures of a B-Boy D-Boy. Those tracks are: dryly ironic "Beautiful", statement of purpose "So Far, So Good", and the raucous, rocking "Madness". Backing him on all of these songs are eclectic soulsters Black Blondie, who provide a driving presence of "Madness", and adeptly back him on the other two tracks. Samahra manages to get some good vocal work on "Beautiful" and "So Good". Not only that, but she also knocks it out of the park on "For The Taste", one of two Black Blondie tracks that the group squeezes into the session.

Listen to all of the great music here.

For a local artists with a more recent release (i.e., last week), look no further than Jeff Hanson. The Kill Rock Stars artist laid down four songs of gentle folk music, which should be good for those of us easing back into the work week after a relaxing Labor Day. Check out the haunting, Elliot Smith-esque falsetto of "Maryann", and the solo acoustic likes of three others, here.

Muja Messiah MySpace Page
Black Blondie MySpace Page
Jeff Hanson MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

New Feature: Review Haiku (With New Music From Hotel Hotel, High Places, and Lou Reed)

(High Places)

So, readers, this is a new idea for a feature that I've been kicking around in my head over the weekend, tackling new music with a form of poetry that most of us haven't used since we first learned it (not that I want to presume about MFR readers' haiku usage). This is the first installment, and with it comes brand new music from Brooklyn-based alt-country practitioners Motel Motel; Candian synth songstress Kellarissa; ethereal world-pop duo High Places; the legendary Lou Reed, with a live rendition of a classic track; UK neo-soulsters Magistrates; and The Present (AKA Animal Collective producer Rusty Santos). Hope you enjoy!

1. Motel Motel - "Coffee"
Download: Motel Motel - "Coffee"

Pub-crawl roots-rock plays
tension well, but the Eyes of
the Bright still glare.

Grade: B

2. High Places - "From Stardust To Sentience"

Download: High Places - "From Stardust To Sentience"

Shine, shimmer, and skip, on
Worldly pop transcending
place and melody.

Grade: A-

3. Kellarissa - "Flamingo"

Download: Kellarissa - "Flamingo"

Charming synth-based pop
Music, bare but rich in reverb
and keys proves passable

Grade: B

4. Magistrates - "Make This Work"

Download: Magistrates - "Make This Work"

Prince as New York new
wave with synth sensuality;
blue-eyed soulful sometimes

Grade: B-

5. Lou Reed - "Caroline Says" (Part Two)

Download: Lou Reed - "Caroline Says" (Part Two)

Sing-speak master revisits
past glories and finds renewed,
mournful poignance.

Grade: A

6. The Present - "World I See"

Download: The Present - "World I See"

Down the sonic rabbit hole
goes the producer; Animal
Collectives make more sense.

Grade: B+

(Jonathan Graef)

Stars Ask: Are You A Sad Robot?

Download: Stars - "Going, Going, Gone"

I guess my answer would be: That depends. Certainly, the announcement of a new EP, released yesterday, from Canadian quintet Stars wouldn't make me sad. The music contained therein, however, is an entirely different story. Most music from Stars, whether its from the relationship-woes document Set Yourself on Fire or the politics-meet-personal vibe of In Our Bedroom After The War, is designed to elicit bittersweet emotion on a wide array of topics. We're sure the Sad Robot EP will do the same.

Here's the tracklist:

1. Maintenance Hall, 4am
2. A Thread Cut With A Carving Knife
3. Undertow
4. Going, Going, Gone (live version)
5. 14 Forever
6. Sad Robot

In addition to selling the EP online, the band will also selling a limited edition physical copy of Sad Robot at the band's shows this fall. Here are tour dates:

9/17/08 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street *
9/18/08 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s *
9/19/08 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero *
9/20/08 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 *
9/24/08 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera *
9/25/08 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pagaent *
9/26/08 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada *
9/28/08 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
10/1/08 – Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon ^
10/2/08 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues ^
10/3/08 – Santa Barbara, CA @ UC of Santa Barbara ^
10/4/08 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Rio Theatre ^
10/6/08 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore ^
10/7/08 – Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall ^
10/8/08 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom ^
10/9/08 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox ^
10/10/08 – Bellingham, WA @ Viking Union/Western WA Univ. ^
10/29/08 – Fredericton, NB @ SUB Ballroom/Univ. of NB %
10/30/08 – Moncton, NB @ The Manhattan Club %
10/31/08 – Charlottetown, PEI @ The Wave/Univ. of PEI %
11/1/08 – Halifax, NS @ The Marquee Club %
11/3/08 – St. John’s, NF @ Club One %

* w/ Bell X1
^ w/ Think About Life
% w/ Hey! Rosetta

Sad Robot is out now. Listen to an MP3 of a live version of "Going, Going, Gone" at the top of the post.

Stars MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

RNC: St. Paul Police Take A Nice, Shiny Dump On The Fourth Amendment

Fourth Amendment:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Now contrast this:

Last night, members of the St. Paul police department and the Ramsey County sheriff's department handcuffed, photographed and detained dozens of people meeting at a public venue to plan a demonstration, charging them with no crime other than "fire code violations," and early this morning, the Sheriff's department sent teams of officers into at least four Minneapolis area homes where suspected protesters were staying...

In the house that had just been raided, those inside described how a team of roughly 25 officers had barged into their homes with masks and black swat gear, holding large semi-automatic rifles, and ordered them to lie on the floor, where they were handcuffed and ordered not to move. The officers refused to state why they were there and, until the very end, refused to show whether they had a search warrant...(H)ours later, the Police finally obtained a search warrant -- for the wrong house, one adjacent to the house where they were being detained -- and nonetheless broke in, pointing guns, forced them to lay on the floor and handcuffed everyone inside (and handcuffed a National Lawyers Guild attorney outside). They searched the house, arrested nobody, and then left.

And this:

The search warrants, signed Friday by a judge, sought multiple items, including electronics and MP3 players, rags, jars, Molotov cocktails, communication between RNC Welcoming Committee members, urine and feces...The alleged urine (group that represents the demonstrators maintained) was actually three buckets, two of which contained dirty water used to flush toilets while conserving water. The third was seized from an illegal apartment occupied by someone not connected to the RNC protests. There was no bathroom in the illegal apartment and urine was collected in a bucket...(the police's) warrant specified that they were authorized to look for weapons, evidence of involvement with terrorism, and various electronics, but they took nothing.

With this, from August 21st:

Six Americans detained by police this week could be held for 10 days, according to Chinese authorities, who appear to be intensifying their efforts to shut down any public demonstrations during the final days of the Olympic Games. . . .

Chinese Olympic officials announced last month that Beijing would set up zones where people could protest during the Games, as long as they had received permission. None of the 77 applications submitted was approved, however, and several other would-be protesters were stopped from even applying.

And this:

Behind the gray walls and barbed wire of the prison here, eight Chinese farmers with a grievance against the government have been consigned to Olympic limbo.

Their indefinite detainment, relatives and neighbors said, is the price they are paying for stirring up trouble as China prepares to host the Beijing Games. Trouble, the Communist Party has made clear, will not be permitted.

And we're a more moral nation because...?

As for those of you who wonder what this has to do with music, picture what would happened if the police--who, to be fair, have a difficult, dangerous, and underpaid job, both in terms of keeping order during the convention, as well as on a regular, daily basis--raided other houses in the Twin Cities with communal tendencies? It's too frightening to even think about.

Tactics such as these must be condemned unequivocally, regardless of the offender's--and victim's--ideology. Your freedom of speech is freedom or death. You know what's next.



(Jonathan Graef)

Tomorrow: End of an Era @ The Cabooze

Taken directly from the Black Blondie MySpace Page:

"End of an Era" concert
RNC Freedom Demonstration Post Party

Sept 2nd
917 Cedar Ave Minneaoplis
The Cabooze

doors 8:30 / music 9pm
(Black Blondie plays at 10pm)

$5;18+.

Featuring:
Matisyahu backed by Wookie Foot
Pleasure Pause
Black Blondie
New Rebelution



(Jonathan Graef)

Right Now: Take Back Labor Day Fest @ Harriet Island

(Atmosphere)

Take Back Labor Day Festival
Monday, September 1
Harriet Island
St. Paul, MN
12pm - 7pm | $10 | AA

Festival Line-up:

The Pharcyde
Atmosphere
Mos Def
Billy Bragg
Steve Earle
Tom Morello
Allison Moorer

Lupe Fiasco had to drop out due to undisclosed reasons.