Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

We all wanted to be superheroes when we were kids. If only it were as easy Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. This acoustic-pop indie band from across the pond has taken up a special place in my playlists. The newest release Searching For The Hows and Whys features a mix of slow-paced finger-picking ballads and downright up-beat pop songs (with screaming and horns and everything). They're a little bit like Oasis meets Iron + Wine with a horn section. Check out a few tracks below including a guest spot by Kate Nash.

MP3: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. - Postcards From Catalunya

MP3: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. - Better Things feat. Kate Nash

Video: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. - Find The Time

Black Keys: Attack and Release

After I heard Rubber Factory, I didn't really care about hearing anything more from the Black Keys. That's probably why I didn't buy, or even listen to, any of the albums between it and Attack and Release. After seeing the video below at My Old Kentucky Blog, I decided that this album would get at least a full listen. It was worth it. While the Keys early work was nothing but simplistic blues, this new album is developed, layered and multi-instrumental. Changes in tempo and style offer a wider range of sounds and really test what the Keys can do. When this comes out tomorrow (4/1) you should buy it, or at least give it a good listen. For now, check these out.

MP3: The Black Keys - Strange Times

MP3: The Black Keys - Psychotic Girl

Video: The Black Keys - Strange Times

One Tooth Records Showcase

I made this. Aaron Raitiere's record label, One Tooth Records, is throwing down at 3rd and Lindsley. Its April 10th, I know its a school night, but surely you can throw caution to the wind just this once, right? You can buy tickets here, and check out some Aaron and Smoked Mullet below.

MP3: Aaron Raitiere - Money's Our God

MP3: Aaron Raitiere - Tonya The Lawnmower

Flight of the Concords

I don't know when there will be new episodes, but there is a full length album coming out in mid-April. I saw these posters today and just had to put them up. If are familiar with the show then you know why they are great, and if you aren't, there is nothing I can do for you.

The Breeders: Mountain Battles

The Breeders have released "We're Gonna Rise", the first single from Mountain Battles due out April 8. Their first full-length album since Title TK, it doesn't have the same youthful angst as Last Splash and I don't think there is another "Cannonball" waiting anywhere on Mountain Battles, but it is still Kim Deal cooing over melodic guitar and great drums. I was listening to my iPod today and I heard The Breeders and Stephen Malkmus back to back and I was suddenly 15 again. I guess my review of this album would be that it's The Breeders, and I like The Breeders.

MP3: The Breeders - We're Gonna Rise

Gnarls Barkley: The Odd Couple

I never expected there to be another "Crazy" from Gnarls Barkley, but I did expect something at least close to St. Elsewhere. The Odd Couple is a mix of bubble-gum beats with dark organ and CeeLo's soulful pipes. While CeeLo bears his soul more, the album just doesn't pop....ever. I keep waiting for something to happen, and it never does. It has a few redeeming tracks. One of which I will give you below.

MP3: Gnarls Barkley - Going On

MORE DODOS!!

I can't get enough Visiter, so here's some more for you.

MP3: The Dodos - Ashley

Sun Kil Moon: April

Mark Kozelek has put out another album with Sun Kil Moon called April. Its not anything revolutionary, but if you were already a fan, you'll like this addition to the series. 11 tracks of radio-unfriendly acoustic, and haunting electric guitar with Kozelek's signature drone. Simple, beautiful and slightly depressing.

MP3: Sun Kil Moon - Heron Blue

The Raconteurs: Consolers of The Lonley

Whether or not the quick-release formula will work sales wonders for the Raconteurs is yet to be seen, but it did keep critics from over analyzing it before anyone had a chance to hear it. Now that I've heard it all the way through a few times, I have found it far superior to Broken Boy Soldiers. With that album, even though I enjoyed it, I kept wishing it was the White Stripes. Not the case with Consolers of the Lonley. Tracks like "Old Enough" and "Top Yourself" have no problem carrying the Jack White energy in a unique package. Check it out. Thanks to You Ain't No Picasso for bringing the video to my attention.

MP3: The Raconteurs - Old Enough

Radiohead Rarities

I've fallen in love with Radiohead again. I was rooting through the music I had been listening to for the past few months and ran across the bonus disc to In Rainbows. It reminded me of all the great Radiohead songs that are released on EPs, 7", and bonus discs. In honor of all of this, here are my favorite Radiohead Rarities.... Or at least semi-rarities.

MP3: Radiohead - Lozenge of Love (My Iron Lung EP)

MP3: Radiohead - Polyethylene (Parts 1&2) (Airbag/How Am I Driving EP)

MP3: Radiohead - Last Flowers (In Rainbows Bonus Disc)

Raconteurs New Album

You Ain't No Picasso reports there will be a new Raconteurs album next Tuesday. This has been confirmed through their website here. Cool huh?

ANR: Awesome New Republic

Awesome New Republic or ANR refer to themselves as post-crunk in the the title to their newest album Post-Crunk and Hard as Hell, and that's probably the label they would fit under best. This trio was brought to my attention by a friend of mine (who went to college with the guitarist) this morning, and I immediately enjoyed the indie-dance grooves they be pumpin'. You can check out my favorite song below, or hit up their MySpace page to check out some others. Awesome New Republic is just that... awesome.

She and Him: M. Ward + Zooey Deschanel

I've been really keen on music from movies lately (i.e. Eagle v. Shark, Rocket Science, Juno, etc.), so I have one last tie-in between music and film before I leave this topic for a while. M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel are now She & Him, and they have an album out called Volume 1. I'm sure you already knew that, but if you didn't, you should check it out. You can download a free song from their MySpace page or just check out the stuff below.

Radical Face

If anyone reads this, they would notice my absence for the last week or so, so I will apologize just in case anyone does. Midterms were a real bitch and I just do this for a hobby, so when something had to get cut out of the schedule, this was it. So if you missed me, sorry. Here's something cool I've been listening to, it called Radical Face. I was really into the Dodos for a while and this reminds me of them a bit. I'm excited for Visiter from the Dodos, but you should check out Ghost from Radical Face... pretty good shit. Sorry this is kind of spastic, I'm still a bit fried...from midterms.

RADICAL FACE!!!!!!

The Moldy Peaches

Hopefully Juno can do for The Moldy Peaches what Garden State did for the Shins, becuase I want to hear more of them.

Eagle vs Shark

Jemaine (if you say Jermaine with a New Zeland accent you don't need the R anyway) Clement delivers a knockout performance as the socially awkward, lovable asshole in Eagle vs Shark. This kiwi wonder is about two misfits and the long strange trip toward understanding one another. Its funny and full of heart. The humor, accents, and musical whimsy are reminiscent of Clement's previous work on the HBO series Flight of the Concords, but quirkier. The soundtrack heavily features the Phoenix Foundation with oringinal songs and work from artists like M. Ward (doing a bowie cover) and the Reduction Agents sprinkled in. It flows incredibly well with the movie, but stands just as stoically on its own. Here are a few tracks and videos.

I'm trying a new MP3 host so see how you like it with "Apples and Tangerines". It is my favorite.

MP3: Apples and Tangerines - The Phoenix Foundation
boomp3.com
Click here for download.
Trailer


Cool clip with M. Ward (Bowie Cover)


Phoenix Foundation video for "Going Fishing"

Gnarls Barkley

I thought "Crazy" was going to forever ruin Gnarls Barkley for me, but luckily its been gone long enough for me to enjoy "Run". Its the single from their April release The Odd Couple. In late January the Smoking Section reported that it was among a pool of 40 to 50 songs being considered, so it will be interesting to see what makes the cut. I am just excited about a full length release from the new Oscar and Felix.

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.