THE B-52'S - 'Funplex' Single Hits iTunes

The B-52's are officially back!! The new single, 'Funplex' is available now at iTunes. The new album, also titled "Funplex" is due from Astralwerks on March 25th.

Die hard fans take note - another new track will be unveiled on The L Word on February 10th. The track, 'Juliet of the Spirits', was inspired by the 1965 Fellini film of the same name.

BOY IN STATIC

Boy In Static is the sonic brainchild of Alexander Chen, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist from Boston with a romantic devotion to the shoegazer sound of the early nineties. Among the amazing fifteen instruments Chen uses, the viola, organ and guitar help to create lush and cinematic dream pop reminiscent of Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine.

With the help of Markus and Micha Acher of The Notwist, Chen released Boy In Static’s debut album “Newborn” in 2004 on the Alien Transistor label. The sophomore release, “Violet”, was released last May through Mush Records and found itself at the center of a critical landslide. URB Magazine praised the album, proclaiming that it “manages to astonish. Takes a simple color and turns it into a masterpiece.” And Stylus raved, “Lush, gorgeous. Likely to satisfy anyone still waiting vainly for that follow-up to “Loveless”. Turns solipsism into a virtue.”

‘First Love’, the album’s opening track, perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the record. The soft intro slowly gives way to melancholy guitars, juxtaposed by the subtle hopefulness of sleigh bells. ‘Where It Ends’, the album’s first single, could easily have appeared on a teenager’s angst-ridden mix-tape circa 1991, nudged beautifully in between tracks by say, Ride and Chapterhouse.

Boy In Static kicks off a brief tour in Passaic, NJ on February 9, with stops in Toledo, Chicago, Decatur, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

For more information on Boy In Static, visit Myspace.

Originally published at Kevchino.com as part of Buzzworthy.

Boy In Static - Where It Ends (music video)

DEERHUNTER - "Cryptograms Mix Tape"

Bradford Cox of Deerhunter has just released the first sessions of the recording of "Cryptograms" as an ambient sort of "tape collage". Die hard fans should eat this up! Read more about the origins of this recording here.

DOWNLOAD - Deerhunter - Cryptograms mix-tape (24.53 MB)

THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART

Meet Kip, Peggy, Alex and Kurt. Together, they form the sugar sweet new band The Pains of Being Pure At Heart. They were a trio when they recorded their self-titled EP in Brooklyn last summer, using a drum machine to flesh out the backbone of their lush dream-pop landscapes. Now, with the addition of a real drummer, The Pains… are officially a foursome. With critical raves and an upcoming UK tour with The Manhattan Love Suicides, the future is looking bright.

The EP is an all too brief experience of delicate vocals, precious melodies and fuzzy guitars. Songs with titles like ‘This Love is Fucking Right’ and ‘Doing All the Things That Wouldn’t Make Your Parents Proud’ hint at a rebellious nature beneath the innocent façade. But for the moment, their cuddly-cute methods are serving them right.

Over the last year, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart have caught the attention of many top music blogs. Stereogum described their sound as “addictive pop gold that locates a place beyond the band’s well-chosen influences.” Brightest Young Things said, “Clever, clever, clever melodic pop from a Brooklyn trio that really seems to know what they’re doing with their tongue-in cheek (and sometimes between teeth) lyrics, boy-girl vocals, and pitch perfect harmonies.” And Oh Have You Seen This proclaimed “The Pains of Being Pure at Heart…effortlessly take one back to the early-to-mid ’90s with a really amazing interpretation of what being “indie” was back then.”

With all this buzz, you can count on hearing a lot more from these guys in 2008. The debut EP is available now at Insound.

STREAM - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - A Teenager in Love

Originally published as part of Buzzworthy at Kevchino.com.

MGMT - 'Time to Pretend'

'Time to Pretend' has been on heavy rotation on my headphones since last October. Now the anthematic first track from "Oracular Spectacular" has a wildly tripped out video to accompany it. Live out the acid-tinged, tribal experience below.

MGMT are currently on tour with Yeasayer, a double bill not to be missed! Tour dates here.

FEIST - 'I Feel It All'

This is all over the internet already, but it is just too good not to post. Feist has made her third 'one-take' video with Patrick Daughters for the breakthrough album "The Reminder". This one is for my favorite track on the album and features fireworks...lots of them.

Feist - I Feel It All (music video)

ATLAS SOUND

Atlas Sound is the side project of Bradford Cox, front man for Atlanta band Deerhunter, who made a big splash in 2007 with their stunning psychedelic album “Cryptograms”. On a brief hiatus from his work with Deerhunter, Cox is prepping his debut LP for Atlas Sound – “Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel”.

The new LP finds Cox continuing his sonic journey through atmospherics and hypnotic anti-lullabies. Though, unlike Deerhunter, Atlas Sound’s recordings are a solo effort. Cox recorded everything himself onto a 4-track recorder, with some guidance from Brian Foote of Nudge. These songs, with titles such as ‘Quarantined’, ‘Recent Bedroom’ and ‘River Card’, are melancholy ruminations on topics such as children suffering from AIDS, the death of his aunt, and a lonely Puerto Rican boy abandoned by his mother and orphaned by his father. By all accounts, “Let the Blind Lead…” seems a very personal project.

As a lonely teenager himself, Cox spent a great deal of time listening to krautrock records and bands like Sonic Youth, The Stooges and Stereolab, influences that are very present in Deerhunter’s work. But with Atlas Sound, Cox seems more inspired by say, Brian Eno – delay effects, electronics and subtle layers – a more soothing, therapeutic sound than the blistering distortion of “Cryptograms”.

Cox has assembled a full band to accompany him as he takes Atlas Sound on the road in February. Fleshing out the band will be Brian Foote, as well as Adam Forkner, Stephanie Macksey, Honey Owens and Perry Ferall. The tour kicks off in Athens, Georgia on February 16th and wraps in Los Angeles in March.

The debut full-length album “Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel” will be released February 19th via Kranky Records.

-Originally published as part of "Buzzworthy" at Kevchino.com.

Atlas Sound - River Card (music video)

YAZ Reuniting for Summer US/UK Tour

According to Billboard.com, early 80's synth-pop duo Yaz (aka; Yazoo) are ready to come together for the first time in 25 years for a summer tour. The tour will follow the May release of "In Your Room", a special 4-disc box set that features stereo remasters and 5.1 mixes of both "Upstairs At Eric's" and "You and Me Both", as well as a disc of b-sides and remixes. The set will also include a DVD featuring new interviews with Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet and the videos for 'Don't Go', 'The Other Side Of Love', 'Nobody's Diary', 'Situation (1990)' and 'Only You (1999)'.

"It's been really good going back to these songs after such a long while. Many of them have never been played live. I'm looking forward to performing them with Alison for all the fans who've enjoyed our music through the years but never had a chance to see Yazoo in concert". -Vince Clarke

Yaz - Don't Go (live TV performance)

THE KILLS - 'Cheap and Cheerful'

The second video and single from The Kills' forthcoming third LP "Midnight Boom" has arrived. 'Cheap and Cheerful' marks a decidedly different turn for the Brit/American duo known for their down and dirty desert rock sound. The video is also perhaps the most colorful thing The Kills have ever done. I'm kind of digging the new direction.

"Midnight Boom" is due March 10th via Domino Records.

STREAM - The Kills - URA Fever

The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful (music video)

COACHELLA LINE-UP REVEALED

Though I'm shocked and disappointed in the headliners (Portishead/Kraftwerk excluded), the line-up as a whole is still fairly strong. What happened to Goldfrapp?! Rumor has it more big names will be announced in the coming weeks.

April 25:
Jack Johnson, the Verve, Raconteurs, the Breeders, Fatboy Slim, Tegan & Sara, Madness, the Swell Season, the National, Animal Collective, Slightly Stoopid, Mum, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Stars, Battles, Aesop Rock, Midnight Juggernauts, Does It Offend you, Yeah?, Minus the Bear, Spank Rock, dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Diplo, Adam Freeland, Santo Gold, Jens Lekman, John Butler Trio, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Architecture In Helsinki, Sandra Collins, Busy P, Cut Copy, Black Lips, Datarock, Professor Murder, Reverend and the Makers, the Bees, Porter, Rogue Wave, Modeselektor, American Bang, Lucky I Am

April 26:
Portishead, Kraftwerk, Death Cab For Cutie, Cafe Tacuba, Sasha & Digweed, Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, M.I.A., Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars On Broadway, Islands, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boyz Noize, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, Jamie T, The Teenagers, VHS or Beta, Carbon/Silicon, Erol Alkan, Yo Majesty!, Little Brother, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, Akron Family, MGMT, Institubes DJs (Surkin, Para One and Orgasmic), James Zabiela, Sebastian, Kavinsky, Dredg, The Bird and the Bee, Grand Ole Party, New Young Pony Club, 120 Days, Yoav, Electric Touch, Uffie

April 27:
Roger Waters, Love & Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, the Streets, Metric, Danny Tenaglia, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Murs, Dmitri from Paris, Autolux, the Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Les Savy Fav, The Cool Kids, Sons & Daughters, Sia, Holy Fuck, Black Kids, Black Mountain, the Annuals, Kid Sister w/A-Trak, Man Man, Duffy, I'm from Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmau5, the Horrors, Austin TV, Shout Out Louds, Plastiscines, Brett Dennen

THE MAGNETIC FIELDS - "Distortion" 81%

It’s been over eight years since The Magnetic Fields released their magnum opus “69 Love Songs”, a three-disc album that lifted Stephin Merritt from eccentric indie songwriter status to a widely-praised musical poet. With “Distortion”, Merritt has not been shy about his attempt to make a record that sounds like The Jesus & Mary Chain. He has said that he feels “like “Psychocandy” is the last significant event in pop music production…It’s the last album that sounded shockingly new, to me anyway.” I’m not certain that he succeeded in the attempt to recreate a record of that importance, but utilizing the same methods, he has does something better. Drenched in feedback and Phil Spector-like melodies, Merritt has crafted an original album of bittersweet pop gems.

“Distortion” kicks off with the celebratory-sounding ‘Three-Way’, which explodes with a jubilance and such an air of expansive freedom that you’ll find yourself wishing you were driving on an open road to some idea of paradise at the end of it. The track conjures images of sexual liberation, yet only uses the occasional, very simple “Three-Way” cheer to portray it lyrically. The punch is in the screeching guitars and the pounding piano chords. But right away, Merritt kills any idea of a false paradise with the wickedly humorous track ‘California Girls’, in which his lyrics describe taking a battle-ax to those tanned, blonde girls. The fact that these lyrics are sung in a deadpan matter of factness by longtime collaborator Shirley Simms only adds to the irresistible genius of the track.

Merritt has said that he originally recorded and mastered the album, singing all the tracks himself. This is quite fascinating to me, as Shirley Simms’ presence here seems so vital. Simms has one of those voices that stays with you, gracing her tracks with a casual simplicity that somehow leaves a complex impact on the listener. This is perhaps best realized on the fantastic ‘Drive On, Driver’, one of a number of tracks here about unrequited love, a recurring theme in the world of The Magnetic Fields. Furthermore, the back and forth male/female vocals make great fun out of twisting the gender roles within each songs story. This works to a wonderful effect; something better discovered after multiple listens.

By far, the funnest moment on “Distortion” comes with ‘Too Drunk To Dream’, an instantly catchy sing-along that throws back to the older days of The Magnetic Fields. The track may very well be one of the greatest songs to ever make alcoholism seem so exuberant.

“I gotta get too pissed to miss you
or I’ll never get to sleep
I gotta drink wine not to pine for you
and God knows that ain’t cheap”

The most effective use of actual distortion comes with the final track ‘Courtesans’, which uses feedback to create a subliminal soundscape around Simms’ gentle vocals. The somber track has one of the greatest verses on the album:

“But courtesans are not like me
They don’t take love very hard
Their hearts are free
Their hearts are free
How avante-garde”

Of “Distortion”, Merritt says, “This is my most commercial record in a way. Some audience members may be completely and immediately turned off but, I figure, if you find it too loud, just turn it down and it will sound quite pretty.” I beg to differ. The louder “Distortion” is, the prettier it gets.

Originally published on Kevchino.com

Coachella Rumors...

The Coachella messageboards are abuzz with speculation of this year's line-up. Word has it the line-up will be announced this Monday (Jan. 21). Some major developments have surfaced recently:

-Acoording to the LA Times, My Bloody Valentine will NOT be playing Coachella.

-Portishead is looking more and more likely to finally play Coachella!! Yes!

-Spiritualized, Goldfrapp, The Verve and many more have been confirmed.

-Goldenvoice is launching a new music festival at Liberty State Park (right across the river from Lower Manhattan) in August 08.

Here is the confirmed (via Myspace or other media outlets) list so far:

The Breeders, Death Cab for Cutie, Deltron 3030, Cold War Kids, Kid Sister, Sia, VHS or Beta, The Cinematic Orchestra w/Heidi Vogel, Autolux, Electric Touch, Austin TV, Chromeo, Dredg, Sons & Daughters, Duffy, Goldfrapp, Akron/Family, The Dodo's, Spirtualized, Kavinsky, Animal Collective, Simian Mobile Disco, The Verve, Cafe Tacuba, YB, My Morning jacket, Islands, Rabbit in the Moon, Tegan and Sara, Marcus Schulz, The Bird and the Bee, Does it offend you yeah?, Booka Shade

Strongly Rumored:

Justice, Jens Lekman, Junkie XL, UNKLE, Portishead, Dan Deacon, Brett Dennen, Battles, Crystal Castles, Louis XIV

Likely, but not yet confirmed:

Gutter Twins, Les Savy Fav, Sun Kill Moon, Mark Kozelek, Hot Chip, Dwight Yoakam, Midnight Juggernauts

I also think R.E.M. and Feist will be on tap this year, but that's just me.

ROBYN - "The Rakamonie EP"

Robyn is finally ready to make her big splash in North America, starting with the US release of "The Rakamonie EP". The five track EP was originally released in a slightly different format in the UK well over a year ago. The main difference here is that an acoustic version of 'With Every Heartbeat' replaces the cover of Saul Williams' 'List of Demands'. Other than that, everything is here, including her take on Prince's nasty early track 'Jack U Off', as well as the ballad version of 'Be Mine'.

Speaking of 'Be Mine', Robyn has released a new video for the Ocelot remix of the track. Check it out below.

"The Rakamonie EP" hits North American (digital) shops on January 29th, followed by the eponymous album release in April. As well, if you live in LA, NYC, or San Francisco, you can catch Robyn live! Here are the select dates:

Feb. 5 NYC - Highline Ballroom
Feb. 7 San Francisco - Popscene
Feb. 9 West Hollywood - The Troubadour

Robyn - Be Mine (Ocelot remix)

CRYSTAL CASTLES - 'Air War'

Crystal Castles are dropping their full length debut on March 18 via Last Gang Records. 'Air War' will serve as the first single, accompanied by the music video below. The 8-Bit duo will invade America for a massive tour with HEALTH, kicking off in Detroit on February 26th, with stops at both Studio B and Mercury Lounge in March.

[EDIT: According to the band's label, 'Air War' will not be the first single. The video was actually made two years ago and was never meant for release. Expect an announcement of the real first single soon.]

Tracklist:

01 Untrust Us
02 Crimewave (Crystal Castles vs. HEALTH)
03 Alice Practice
04 Magic Spells
05 Xxzxcuzx Me
06 Air War
07 Courtship Dating
08 Vanished
09 1991
10 Good Time
11 Love and Caring
12 Knights
13 Through the Hosiery
14 Reckless
15 Black Panther
16 Tell Me What to Swallow

Crystal Castles - Air War (music video)

CUT COPY - 'Lights & Music'

Cut Copy have announced the release of 'Lights & Music', the first official single from their second album "In Ghost Colours". Only problem is they don't say how or when the single will be released. In their own words, Cut Copy describe the single as "a trans-galactic voyage featuring epic synth breakdowns and more than a sprinkling of Goldsworthy magic". Tim Goldsworthy of DFA that is.

"In Ghost Colours" is due from Modular Records in March.

STREAM - Cut Copy - Lights & Music

THE TEENAGERS - "Reality Check"

The much anticipated debut full-length from The Teenagers is finally here! The disc comes out physically on March 18th, but will be available digitally this Tuesday, January 15th! Even better, you can stream the album in its entirety up until January 14th!

STREAM - The Teenagers - Reality Check (full album)

Tracklist:

1. Homecoming
2. Love No
3. Feeling Better
4. Starlett Johannson
5. Streets of Paris
6. Make It Happen
7. Wheel Of Fortune
8. Fuck Nicole
9. French Kiss
10. Sunset Beach
11. III
12. The End of the Road

ANNIE Preps New Album for 2008

According to Pitchfork Media, Norwegian pop princess Annie is putting the final touches on her new album. The first single, produced by Richard X, will be a cover of Stacey Q's 80's smash 'Two of Hearts', with a b-side titled 'Songs Remind Me of You'. But I wonder, do we really need another cover of 'Two of Hearts'? Here's hoping she radically changes the song and makes it her own.

Annie - Heartbeat (music video)

THE B-52'S - "Funplex"

The B-52's will finally release their follow-up to 1992's "Good Stuff" on March 25 via Astralwerks. "Funplex" was recorded just a few blocks from the location of their first performance on Valentine's Day 1977 and features new tracks like 'Pump', 'Love in the Year 3000', and 'Keep This Party Going'. The title track will be released as the first single on January 29. The band premiered a handful of songs from the new album at a memorable Halloween show in NYC last year. The show was off the hook.

STEVE AOKI - "Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles" CD Giveaway

Steve Aoki's bangin' debut mix album "Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles" is about to explode onto the scene. The electro-slam rock mix features hot tracks from Justice, Peaches, Datarock, MSTRKRFT, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand and others, with guest vocal drops from Santogold, Spank Rock, Uffie, Kid Sister, Pase Rock, Amanda Blank and Mickey Avalon. This mix is out of control!

For a chance to win a copy of the CD, write to theskyreport@yahoo.com and briefly explain why you would like to add this mix to your collection. See the full tracklisting below.

"Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles" will be released January 22 via Thrive Records.

For tour itinerary and remix streams, go to Steve Aoki's Myspace page.

Tracklisting:

1. Refused - New Noise
2. Justice - Waters of Nazereth (Erol Alkan's Durr Durrrrrr Re-Edit) w/ Pase Rock's Guest Drop
3. Does It Offend You, Yeah? - We Are Rockstars w/ Spank Rock & Amanda Blank's Guest Drop
4. Services - Element of Danger (MSTRKRFT Remix) w/ Har Mar Superstar's Guest Drop
5. Goose - Bring It On w/ Todd Fink's Guest Drop
6. Larry Tee & Princess Superstar - Licky (Work It Out) [Herve Goes Low Remix] w/Santogold Guest Drop
7. Green Velvet - Shake and Pop w/ Kid Sister's Guest Drop
8. Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow (Soulwax Remix)
9. The Mystery Jets - The Boy Who Ran Away (Riton Re-Dub)
10. Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her (Weird Science Remix)
11. Datarock - Fa-Fa-Fa w/ Steve Bays' Guest Drop
12. Yelle - Je Veux Te Voir
13. Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To (Erol Alkan's Glam Racket Remix)
14. KIM - Wet 'N Wild w/ Mickey Avalon's Guest Drop
15. Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT Remix)
17. Scanners - Low Life (L.A. Riots Remix) w/ Uffie's Guest Drop

UNDERWORLD - 'Beautiful Burnout'

Underworld have a new video for their latest single 'Beautiful Burnout', one of my favorite tracks from the "Oblivion With Bells" album. The video is a bit strange...not sure how I feel about it yet. It doesn't compare to the album's first video for 'Crocodile' though. In any case, here you have it...

Underworld - Beautiful Burnout

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GOLDFRAPP Playing Coachella, 'A & E' Music Video

Goldfrapp have pulled a 180 with their upcoming fourth album "Seventh Tree", opting to ditch the electro-glam stylings of 2005's "Supernature". The new single 'A & E' walks a folksier road than anything the duo has done before. Check out the video below, which finds Alison Goldfrapp lying on a bed of leaves in a forest somewhere, frolicking around with dancing leaf-men and various animals of the wild. The track is a startling departure, but grows on you with each listen.

At the same time, MSNBC is reporting that Goldfrapp will finally play Coachella when it rolls around again the last weekend of April. "Seventh Tree" will be released February 26 via Mute Records.

Goldfrapp - A & E (music video)

RADIOHEAD Webcast - "Scotch Mist"

Radiohead have made a new webcast entitled "Scotch Mist", featuring live versions of tracks from "In Rainbows". The webcast is more like a music film. Whatever it is, it's awesome. Enjoy.



Regular posting will resume next week.