New Bonnaroo Additions

Cat Power is playing Bonnaroo, that's totally cool, but let's face it: Cat Power is a bit of a downer. Fortunately, Chromeo and MSTRKRFT have also signed on to rock the roo. You may remember Chromeo's Feist remix (Sealion Woman), but their new Fancy Footwork album compels you to demonstrate its title. Check out a couple of tracks below and/or if you want a pretty nifty, rather humorous, description of the band, check out the Bonnaroo site. The Disco Biscuits and Zappa Plays Zappa (or ZPZ) have also signed on to do the roo.

"Ad" Rock: Yael Naim

Rolling Stone magazine recently suggested in a review of Yael Naim's "New Soul" that "ad rock" should have its own musical genre. I tend to agree, and in honor of this new genre, I would like to present my Top 5 "ad rock" tunes for the past 12 months.

1. Pete Droge's "Whichever Way The Wind Blows" (Toyota Sequoia Ad)



2. Yael Naim's "New Soul" (MacBook Air Ad)



3. Feist's "1234" (iPod Nano Ad)



4. The Weepies' "Stars" (Old Navy)





5. Wilco's "Either Way" (VW Bug Ad)



Honorable Mention:
Man Man's "10lb Moustache" (Nike Women's National Soccer Team Ads)



Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros' "Johnny Appleseed" (not Really an "ad" but they played it in ads for the show John From Cincinnati and the opening credits)

Mountain Goats

I've recently been into rhythm-heavy acoustic indie-pop, like the Dodos and Eef Barzelay. Luckily the Mountain Goats' album Heretic Pride fits the bill quite well.

The Whigs: Mission Control

Among all the hype about the Beach House record and Ghostland Observatory's Robotique Majestique this week, and the recent releases from Vampire Weekend and Nada Surf, it would be easy to miss the release of The Whigs' Mission Control. I am here to ensure that doesn't happen. This Athens, GA band is a rock and roll ride with a California feel and catchy melodies that shouldn't be overlooked. Check out "I Never Wanna Go Home" below, watch the "Right Hand On My Heart" performance, and check out their website for some more free MP3s.

MP3: The Whigs - I Never Wanna Go Home

Black Mirror Interactive Video.

Its like the "Neon Bible" page they did a while back, but you get to control the music you hear by pushing numbers 1-6 on your keyboard. I dropped the drums and backup vocals, then the bass, then brought the bass back in, it was so fucking rad. Oh and the video is creepy/cool as well.

Darkroom

Darkroom develop a crafty mix of spacey guitar rock and indie melancholy that brings to mind what VHS or Beta could have been. Before the pushback fashion mullet ruined it all. Plus these boys are from right across the river in Indiana. Love for the neighbors. Its groovy like Dredge, but aloof like Minus the Bear. See what you think it sounds like.

Stephen Malkmus

I'm a sucker for drums, and drummers. I've also been rocking Pavement since middle school, so when I head Janet Weiss (of Sleater-Kinney) was playing said drums for Malkmus now, I couldn't resist checking it out.

Malkmus and James Mercer (of the Shins) recently played a benefit show in their Hometown of Portland. All proceeds from the show went to the Buckman Elementary School Arts Program.

Stephen Malkmus' new album Real Emotional Trash hits shelves March 4, but until then enjoy this little gem called "Baltimore" and listen for Weiss. You can also grab a copy of "Cold Son" from the aforementioned album at Pitchforkmedia.com

Atmosphere

Another quick hip-hop note for you. Atmosphere are touring (no stops near KY of course) in anticipation of their new album When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold on April 22. Their last "album" Strictly Leakage is available for download here. Check out some key tracks below.

Blue Scholars North By Northwest

Just in case you forgot about hip-hop, Blue Scholars is back to remind you what its all about. They are on tour with Del and/or Hieroglyphics, and are doing a special show with Tha GZA (where he will perform the entire Liquid Swords album) in San Diego.

Tegan and Sara

My favorite lesbian sister duo is back on the road. In addition to Bonnaroo, they are mounting yet another tour in the months leading up to the Manchester, TN gig. The 2007 album The Con is chocked full of goodness, but I have to say, Dark Come Soon is definitely my favorite. Check it out below, and Kentucky/Ohio area peoples note the Bogart's date.

Mike Doughty

My main man Mike. Doughty, that is. Alliteration aside, Grand Turismo fans will remember him "taking the elevator to the mezzanine" with his former band Soul Coughing, but his new solo album Golden Delicious is a little slower and more acoustically based. His trademark voice and circular melodies, however, are ever present.

Bjork Wanderlust Ratatat Remix

Ratatat lends their distinctive style to Bjork's Wanderlust. This plus 3 other remixes will be out on CD and 12" EP on April 18.

The Dodos Fools Video

I have decided to stop blogging about politics entirely and focus on music. This will probably change soon, as it is my whim, but for now, all rock.

The California duo the Dodos (formerly Dodo Bird) are a rhythm-based psycho-folk explosion in your mouth. The combination of blues fingerpicking and heavy drums make the music driving and addictive. The new album VISITER is out March 18, but for now you can check out a couple of tracks from it, and download some older work, at their MySpace page.

I recommend Trades and Tarriffs for downloading and be sure to check out the video (for a high def version go here) to Fools from the new album VISITER below.

The Dodos

fools - dir. by Matt Amato

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Zach Galifianakis @ Bonnaroo

Still excited about seeing him at Bonnaroo.

WGA Strike

Its over.... Apparently.

Vampire Weekend is Everywhere

They are going to be at Bonnaroo and their songs are stuck in my head. I actually look forward to waking up so I can hear Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa and kick my day off right. Its fucking catchy, I'll give them that. The catchiest tunes I've heard since Feist. Hope they are still able to deliver the goods live this summer.

Strong indication follows. Peep the Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa at the beginning and end.

#80.1 - VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Mansard Roof
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Bonnaroo

Bonnarroo 2008 appears to be shaping up nicely. Pitchfork announced the performer list this morning followed closely by Bonnaroo.com.

One thing, besides all the great music, that I am excited about is Zach Galifianakis in the comedy tent.

Zach

Rocket Science: Eef Barzelay

This is what I'm into now.

I just watched Rocket Science, which was nominated for the Grand Jury prize, and won the best Director award at Sundance. Its a smart comedy about high school and well whatever, if you are interested in a synopsis, go here. The whole time I was watching I was enjoying the hell out of the soundtrack. Turns out the movie was scored by Eef Barzelay of Clem Snide. I am currently taking steps to acquire both the Rocket Science Soundtrack and Eef's album Bitter Honey, but until then I have been enjoying these free MP3's.

I have been holding out on Vampire Weekend, but I listened to their entire album today, and I am officially on the bandwagon. I like this band. Check out a couple of cool performances here, and grab a couple of free tunes here.



Eef Barzelay



Vampire Weekend

State of the Union

I know its a little late, but I thought I would respond to the State of the Union Address. I wrote down some notes as I watched it, but this is the first time I have had the opportunity to actually organize and present those notes.

The whole address was pretty upsetting, but the think that bothered my most was Bush's plan to subsidize "faith based" educational opportunities to help "save" children who are "trapped in failing public school(s)". So instead of making our public schools a good learning environment, we'll just give scholarships so kids can go to the Christian Academy or the Catholic School. Suggesting that the only thing we need to do to fix education is to ship our kids to private bible schools is very representative of Bush's personal politics, if you can privatize it and inject it with Jesus, it must be better.

I was raised in public schools, I even went to a public preschool, and I am currently in a public college, so I have a bit of a soft spot for public schools to start with. The real problem I have with this is watching what is happening where I live. In my hometown, they are currently building a MASSIVE Christian Academy. They are doing this even though the 2 public schools in town are not overcrowded, not educationally inferior, and have state championship caliber athletic programs. So why do they need a new place for their children to learn? Because, according to these parents they want their children to be taught "in an environment consistent with their faith and beliefs". Yeah, your god forbid that your children learn differing viewpoints or REAL SCIENCE at a public school. QUICK GET THEM ALL UNDER THE SHELTER! The umbrella of Religion will only keep out the "bad" people for a while, eventually we all have to deal with them. Fortunately for me, I was raised in public schools, I know how to deal with them.

Other things I found mildly amusing about the Address were:

1) The theme of the speech was "Trust", but he made a huge push to extend the Government's already atrocious wire-tapping and surveillance powers.

2) Called for Congress to remove ear-marks and promote honesty and transparency, all while he corrupts the executive branch by extending its power and secrecy.

3) Balanced budget by 2012. Our projected deficit for next year is $400 billion, before tax breaks and stimulus packages. I'd like to see the math on how its all going to even out in the next 4 years.