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MGMT's Oracular Spectacular party continues with the second video for "Electric Feel". I think I still prefer the original interactive video over the new version - a visual reminder of how quickly these guys have blown up into a big band. Good for them, but still it's a little sad when your favorite indie secret is no longer indie, nor a secret.
MGMT are doing a free show on July 27th at McCarren Pool in Brooklyn, with The Ting Tings and Black Moth Super Rainbow. You must RSVP to get into the show, though I haven't been able to figure out how. Maybe the RSVP isn't yet in effect.
Seminal British post-punk band Wire will release Object 47 on July 7th. The title refers to it being the 47th item of their evergrowing discography. Tonight the band will play a free show with Die! Die! Die! at South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan. As well, they have released the first track from the new album, available for free on their website.
Tricky is back this summer with a new LP and single. The album Knowle West Boy is on tap for a July 7th release in the UK, but won't hit the US until September 9th. Knowle West Boy is described as "the album that sums up everything that Tricky has accomplished since his 1995 Maxinquaye debut."
The first single features Tricky on lead vocals. The new video can be viewed in high quality format here, or in regular YouTube quality below.
Tricky - Council Estate (music video)
Knowle West Boy Tracklist:
1. Puppy Toy 2. Bacative 3. Joseph 4. Veronika 5. C'mon Baby 6. Council Estate 7. Past Mistake 8. Coalition 9. Cross To Bear 10. Slow 11. Baligaga 12. Far Away 13. School Gates
Sigur Ros return with a new LP this summer, called með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust, whatever the hell that means. Actually, it translates literally to "with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly". The disc hits North America on June 24 via XL Recordings, but the new single and video are here now!
"Gobbledigook" is a striking new direction for the Icelandic band, a more upbeat, tribal nature than their previous work. The video is really beautifully - ultra skinny nudists running through the woods and playing in the water. The clip is definitely NSFW, but highly recommended.
The video and the new album artwork were made in collaboration with photographer Ryan McGinley (link NSFW). Get a free mp3 and check out the video for "Gobbledigook" here.
með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust tracklist:
01 gobbledigook 02 inní mér syngur vitleysingur 03 góðan daginn 04 við spilum endalaust 05 festival 06 suð í eyrum 07 ára bátur 08 illgresi 09 fljótavík 10 straumnes 11 all alright
For diehard collectors and for those rare individuals who don't own every single Radiohead album, comes The Best of..., a collection of some of the greatest (hits?) of their career. The tracklist looks really great, especially if you get the special edition two disc set.
The collection will be released on June 3rd via Capitol/EMI. More info about the release here.
Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees (music video)
Here are the full details of the various formats being released...
Radiohead: The Best Of will be available in the following formats and configurations: *1CD collection featuring 17 tracks *Special Edition 2CD, adding 13 tracks *4-piece vinyl set with 29 tracks *17-track & 30-track digital downloads *DVD featuring 21 classic promo videos
Tracklisting:
Radiohead: The Best Of (standard) 1. Just 2. Paranoid Android 3. Karma Police 4. Creep 5. No Surprises 6. High and Dry 7. My Iron Lung 8. There There 9. Lucky 10. Optimistic 11. Fake Plastic Trees 12. Idioteque 13. 2+2 = 5 14. The Bends 15. Pyramid Song 16. Street Spirit (Fade Out) 17. Everything In Its Right Place
Disc 2 (Special Edition 2CD) 1. Airbag 2. I Might Be Wrong 3. Go To Sleep 4. Let Down 5. Planet Telex 6. Exit Music (For A Film) 7. The National Anthem 8. Knives Out 9. Talk Show Host 10. You 11. Anyone Can Play Guitar 12. How To Disappear Completely 13. True Love Waits [recorded live in Oslo, 2001]
Ratatat are prepping LP3 for release on July 8th via XL Recordings. You can preorder the disc here, plus you will receive a free digital copy of the Shiller EP as an added bonus. The brand new video for "Mirando" is below.
The best part of living in New York during the summer is all the amazing free shows. The annual River to River Festival just announced their lineup:
Wire, Ulrich Schnauss, A Place to Bury Strangers, Sonic Youth, St. Vincent, No Age, Ted Leo, Mary Weiss (Shangri-La's), Atlas Sound, Akron/Family, Dirty Projectors and more.
I'm most excited about Wire, No Age, and Atlas Sound, but the experience of the festival is also a great part of a sultry, summer Manhattan day. Most of the shows are free at Southstreet Seaport. Sonic Youth is at Battery Park on July 4th and the tickets are free, but require getting tickets at rivertorivernyc.com (not sure exactly when they become available).
The second video from Cut Copy's new album In Ghost Colours has arrived in the form of "Hearts On Fire". The video sort of reminds me of what it has been like living in New York lately - more rain than sunshine. In the case of the video, lead singer Dan Whitford is followed around everywhere he goes by a constant downpour. The video was directed by Nagi Noda.
Baltimore's Ponytail are prepping the release of their second LP Ice Cream Spiritual, set for June 17th via We Are Free. The experimental art rock band has been building quite a buzz lately, having shared marquees with Yeasayer, Dan Deacon, and Japanther to name a few. Tomorrow night, Ponytail opens for Black Kids and Cut Copy at Sonar in Baltimore. These guys are definitely worth keeping your eye on.
In conjunction with the recent European release of his debut LP Smoke, White Williams has released a pair of new videos for the album. The first is the awesome TV carnage version of "New Violence", a video of spliced together clips from 80's action shows. Not completely safe for work, but so much fun!
White Williams - New Violence (TV Carnage music video)
The latest is for the track "Violator". A simpler video, with super cool graphics and shots of the super cute WW doing things like talking on a funny phone, looking through binoculars, and holding black balloons. Not sure what it all means, but it goes very nicely with the track.
The Ting Tings are a British duo who are about to make a huge splash in America. Already, their track "Shut Up and Let Me Go" is at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100; a result of its being featured in a new iPod commercial. But, the new official single is for the fantastic "That's Not My Name". A bit pop, but the way this track builds is kind of anthematic. I can't help but love it.
What really sold me was their awesome performance of "That's Not My Name" on Later with Jools Holland. I think it best represents the near brilliance of the track.
The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name (on Later with Jools Holland)
We Started Nothing comes out digitally on May 20th, and physically June 3rd.
Ladytron's Velocifero comes out June 3rd. The first video is for the single "Ghosts". I'm intrigued with their (kinda) new direction. Thoughts?
Ladytron - Ghosts (music video)
Ladytron tour dates:
05.15.08 / The Astoria, London 05.16.08 / Tripod, Dublin 05.20.08 / The Starlite Room, Edmonton 05.21.08 / The Warehouse, Calgary 05.23.08 / Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver 05.24.08 / The Showbox at the Market, Seattle 05.25.08 / Wonder Ballroom, Portland 05.27.08 / The Fillmore, San Francisco 05.29.08 / The Music Box @ Fonda, Los Angeles 05.30.08 / The Music Box @ Fonda, Los Angeles 05.31.08 / Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach 06.02.08 / In The Venue, Salt Lake City 06.03.08 / Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO 06.05.08 / Palladium Ballroom, Dallas 06.06.08 / Stubb's Bar-B-Q, Austin 06.07.08 / The Meridian - Prime Room, Houston 06.08.08 / House Of Blues - New Orleans, LA 06.10.08 / Club Firestone, Orlando 06.11.08 / Czar, Tampa 06.12.08 / Studio A, Miami 06.13.08 / Variety Playhouse, Atlanta 06.15.08 / Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN 06.16.08 / The Pageant, Saint Louis 06.17.08 / Vic Theatre / The Vic, Chicago 06.18.08 / Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit 06.25.08 / Terminal 5, New York 06.26.08 / The Fillmore, Philadelphia 06.27.08 / Sonar, Baltimore 06.28.08 / Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD 06.28.08 / 9:30 Club, Washington DC 06.30.08 / Paradise Rock Club, Boston 07.02.08 / Metropolis, Montreal 07.02.08 / Festival International De Jazz De Montreal 07.03.08 / L'Imperial de Quebec, Quebec City 07.03.08 / Quebec City Summer Festival 07.04.08 / Harbourfront Theatre Centre, Toronto 07.05.08 / Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa
The 2008 NYC Popfest will be held Thursday June 12th through Sunday June 15th at various venues around Manhattan and Brooklyn. Every night a different venue - Cake Shop, Piano's, Music Hall of Williamsburg, and Union Pool - will host a night of indie-pop bands from around the world. Opening night kicks off with one of my favorite bands, Sweden's Love is All, headlining at Cake Shop. Other highlights of the line-up include Tullycraft, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Ladybug Transistor, and The Silent League.
After parties are also scheduled at Don Hill's and Galapagos.
Full line-up with venues:
Thursday June12th 8PM Cakeshop Love Is All, Alsace Lorraine, Oh! Custer, In Interview, The Foxgloves
Friday June 13th 6PM Pianos Tullycraft, The Besties, Pants Yell!, From Bubblegum to Sky
Friday June 13th 11PM Don Hill’s (Special Popfest edition of Mondo) Cats on Fire, Friday Bridge
Saturday June 14th 6 PM Music Hall of Williamsburg The Ladybug Transistor, The Orchids, My Teenage Stride, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Mahogany
Saturday June 14th 11PM Galapagos Mono Taxi, Cannonball Jane
Sunday June 15th 2PM Union Pool (Popfest Recovery BBQ & Farewell Show) The Cannanes, The Frank & Walters, The Hermit Crabs, The Silent League, One Happy Island, Steve Goldberg and the Arch Enemies, Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele
The Black Ghosts will at last release their debut LP in July. Leading up until then, both Big Stereo and Missing Toof will be premiering videos for the entire album. The collection will be archived here.
Check out my favorite so far for the track "Anyway You Choose to Give It". (This video is NSFW.)
The Black Ghosts - Anyway You Choose to Give It (music video)
-The Secret Life of Sofia are proud to present Seven Summits, their first official full length effort. Recorded in an empty farmhouse in rural Massachusetts, the band brings an intimate feel to an expansive and thematic recording.
The Secret Life of Sofia build on a melodic rock backbone with more experimental arrangements, and complex harmonies. Flute, clarinet, dulcimer, keyboards and group percussion add color to the album and help to bring the ambitions, dreams, and fates of the mountaineers of Seven Summits to life. -press release
Portishead have not only made the comeback album of the year (so far, anyway), but Third is also one of the very best album's of the first half of 2008. After multiple listens, the songs grow on you in a very subtle, but very powerful way. One of the best tracks on the album now has a video. "The Rip" comes in animated form; a bizarre video for an absolutely gorgeous song.
The Kills have just released the third video from their latest album Midnight Boom. The clip features the duo duking it out in various locations, with bloody noses, the pulling of hair, and the strangling of necks. It definitely works well with the sex-meets-violence nature of the track. I have to say, "Last Day of Magic" is my favorite of the three singles. Check out the video below.
After three years of promoting her self-titled, star-making album, Robyn finally takes on the US. The album, a killer collection of pop gems, was released in North America this week. She was joined by fellow Swedish sensations Teddybears for her recent appearance on David Letterman. And - breaking news - she will be joining the gals on The View today, causing her to postpone scheduled gigs in Portland and Seattle.
Her remaining two American dates - San Francisco, Los Angeles - will have to suffice until she returns in August for a slot at the All Points West Festival and another US tour. In addition, Robyn has a brand new video for the track 'Handle Me', which marks the third video filmed for the song over the last three years.
Walter Meego are a trio who met in Champaign, Illinois, relocated to the Chicago area, dropped a couple of EP's, and now have their first full length readied for release. Entitled Voyager, the disc is set to hit stores May 27th via Sony/Almost Gold. Their sound is glitchy electro pop - plenty of vocoders and tight synth build ups - fused with guitars and catchy melodies. For me, the new songs - Girls, Forever, In My Dreams - are instantly contagious. I'm really looking forward to hearing this album.
Check out the upcoming Walter Meego tour dates here.
The always loveable Big Stereo has the 'Girls' MP3. Go get it now.
Tickets for the first All Tomorrows Parties New York - curated by My Bloody Valentine - have went back on sale, though these tickets have you staying three miles from the venue, rather than onsite. You can purchase tickets here.
As well, a handful of amazing bands have been added to the already ear-splitting lineup. Dinosaur Jr., Yo La Tengo, Harmonia, and Mercury Rev will join MBV, Mogwai, Thurston Moore, Fuck Buttons, Meat Puppets, Low, Built to Spill, Autolux, Tortoise and many more for the three-day event being held at Kutsher's Country Resort in the Catskills.
Firstly, Fuck Buttons are not for everybody. But if you've ever liked experimental noise, this Bristol duo are definitely worth checking out. Start with the hypnotic video for the edit of 'Bright Tomorrow' below. The debut album Street Horrrsing was recorded by Mogwai's John Cummings and mastered by Bob Weston of Shellac.
Fuck Buttons - Bright Tomorrow (music video)
Fuck Buttons will join My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai, Low, Autolux, Tortoise, Thurston Moore, Shellac, and Meat Puppets for All Tomorrow's Parties New York, September 19-21. Don't get too excited though. The weekend sold out in under five minutes.
Album #2 from CSS has been titled Donkey and is set to hit stores on July 22nd via Sub Pop. The first single will be called 'Left Behind', but as a preview of what's to come, the band has issued a free mp3 for your consumption in the form of album track 'Rat is Dead (Rage)'.
In related news, bassist Ira Trevisan has officially left the band to pursue other projects. We'll miss you Ira!
01 Jåger Yoga 02 Rat Is Dead (Rage) 03 Reggae All Night 04 Give Up 05 Left Behind 06 Beautiful Song 07 How I Became Paranoid 08 Move 09 I Fly 10 Believe Achieve 11 Air Painter
Alphabeat have already made a big splash in their homeland of Denmark. Now, they have their sights set on the UK, and hopefully America, in the near future. The single "Fascination" is catchy as hell! For those easily bothered by overly cheerful pop music, you may want to skip this one. But if your spirits need some escapist lifting, check out the video below.
The debut album from Alphabeat hits the UK on June 2nd.
The Team: Derek Morris for TROPHY, Scott McGibney, Halley Hopkins
Contributors: Matthew Lindsay, Matthew Dunehoo, Amos Mac, Jessi Bautista, Phoebe K. Waterson
Live Team: Sam Teague, Jeremy Russell, Jacob Lane
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