The Dodos - "Confidence"

This morning, deep in the "new releases" feed on Rdio, the new single from The Dodos popped up, and frankly, we couldn't be more stoked. "Confidence", which is from the forthcoming LP Carrier, sees the San Francisco duo at possibly the most polished we've ever heard them. And, frankly, that's a good thing: The amazing songwriting remains, and the cleaned up production allows for vocals that truly emphasize Meric Long's killer pipes, as well as an instrumental breakdown that shows off their instrumental chops in a serious way. We're guessing this is the beginning of a killer year for The Dodos, and if you check the track below, we're guessing you'll agree.

Ambulance LTD: "Arbuckle's Swan Song"

Ambulance LTD at Mercury Lounge in 2009, from the HAD Archive

Tucked away as the second track on the Ambulance LTD's New English EP, "Arbuckle's Swan Song" is the kind of song that you'd swear you've heard a thousand times, the first time you hear it. Drenched in lush, Steely Dan-esque guitars, the tune has a smooth character and style that is reminiscent of the best of 70's rock. In short, it's another reason why we continue to be in love with Ambulance LTD.

If that's not enough for you, you can head to myspace, where the band has posted demos for a number of new tunes including "Ivy", "Ladyfingers", and "Upsetter". Yum.

mp3: Ambulance LTD - Arbuckle's Swan Song

stream: Ambulance LTD - New Demos (MySpace)

Vampire Weekend Release First Single From New Record For Free

You may have heard whisperings (okay, clamor) that Vampire Weekend had a new record on the way. Well, things are coming to fruition, and news is making itself known. Specifically, Contra will drop on January 12th of the New Year.

What's more, the band has taken it upon themselves to release the record's first single, "Horchata", as a free download. We have to admit, we had been a little bit concerned about what we might hear. Combine the fact that there's the ominous "sophomore slump" that tends to plague second records with the fact that the band has a relatively pigeonholed sound, and well: there was the potential for trouble.

However, we're happy to report that (at least with this tune) the band seems to have avoided any missteps, and has maybe even stepped it up a notch. "Horchata" employs many of the techniques the band used on their first record: African influenced guitars and beats, reverby vocals, and catchy melodies. That being said, the production has more depth, and it sounds less like a raw garage recording. Put differently: it sounds (in a good way) like a track that had some time spent on it in the studio, and wasn't just the product of rehearsals and live shows. Granted, it doesn't have the catchy danceability of "A Punk", but we're pretty sure it's still a win. Check it out below.

mp3: Vampire Weekend - Horchata

Monsters Of Folk Drop Album Preview

Well, we have to say: we just keep getting more excited for this record. Monsters Of Folk have dropped two more tracks from their upcoming record on their myspace page, and another five track "teasers" on youtube. In addition to the formerly released, "Say Please", they've also let "Dear God", and "The Sandman, The Brakeman, And Me" loose on the internets.

With every new track that we hear, we're more and more impressed at the degree to which these tunes seem to leverage the talents of all the members, while at the same time holding their own unique persona. "Dear God" unquestionably under the influnce of Evil Urges MMJ, while "The Sandman" toes the line between the acoustic worlds of Oberst and Ward.

It boggles the mind what, with tracks this good, the band will be able to do live. You can bet we'll be there to find out.

Monsters Of Folk 2009 Tour
Oct 13 Orpheum Vancouver, BC
Oct 14 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Portland, OR
Oct 15 Paramount Theatre Seattle, WA
Oct 17 Fox Theater Oakland, CA
Oct 18 The Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA
Oct 20 Spreckels Theatre San Diego, CA
Oct 21 Orpheum Theater Phoenix, AZ
Oct 22 Santa Barbara Bowl Santa Barbara, CA
Oct 28 Holland Center Omaha, NE
Oct 29 Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis, MN
Oct 30 Auditorium Theatre Chicago, IL
Oct 31 Louisville Palace Theatre Lousiville, KY
Nov 2 Massey Hall Toronto, ON
Nov 3 The Orpheum Boston, MA
Nov 6 United Palace New York, NY
Nov 8 Beacon Theater New York, NY
Nov 9 Academy of Music Philadelphia, PA
Nov 12 Philadelphia Church Stockholm, SE
Nov 14 Huxleys Berlin, DE
Nov 15 Vega Copenhagen, DK
Nov 17 Troxy London, UK
Nov 18 Elysee Montmarte Paris, FR
Nov 19 E-Werk Koln, DE
Nov 21 Crossing Border The Hague, NL
Nov 22 Crossing Border Antwerp, BE

mp3: Monsters Of Folk - Dear God (Sincerely MOF)

Ambulance LTD Posts New Tracks To MySpace

We already mentioned how psyched we are for Ambulance LTD's upcoming shows next week, so needless to say that we were doubly excited that the band has posted three new exclusive tracks to their myspace profile.

There aren't any titles for the tracks, but there is a lot of awesomeness. We're more than a little happy to say that these tracks easily stand up in strength and quality to the band's released material, which bodes extremely well for their second full length, whenever it does drop. Meanwhile we'll have to cope with internet streaming goodness, and live show awesomeness. Not too bad!

Ambulance LTD are at Union Hall August 17th, and Mercury Lounge August 18th

Stream: Ambulance LTD New Tracks (@ myspace)

Jay Reatard Drops First Single From New Album

We mentioned a while back that Jay Reatard had a new record on the way, and would be touring in its support this summer. Well now the record has come to fruition, and the first single delivered to the masses. Watch Me Fall won't hit the racks until August 18th, but "It Ain't Gonna Save Me" is the first taste of what to expect.

The track is pretty classic Jay Reatard, with multitracked vocals, frenetic drums, and lots of layered rhythm guitars. That being said, it manages to offer up a view of his constantly evolving songwriting. While his tunes are managing to maintain a similar veneer to material from earlier in his career, the rhythmic and melodic underpinnings are gradually becoming more complex.

It seems like every release from Jay Reatard builds on those underpinnings, and comes closer and closer to the perfect pop song. We haven't heard the record yet, but if this track is any indication, then we can't wait to get our hands on it!

mp3: Jay Reatard - It Ain't Gonna Save Me

Grand Lake: New Singles Releases - Video

We've been digging on Grand Lake ever since we got our hands on Nevermint, and as such we've been wondering when we'd see new material from the band. Well, our wait and wondering is now officially over. We caught up with the band at a recent gig at the Knockout, and managed to snag a couple of vids of some of the band's new material. Specifically, the tunes "Why Do You Lie To Me", "Sandusky Sunset", and "Carapoforo".


The first two tracks are destined for the first of a new series of singles the band is releasing over the coming months. This first one (the band tells us) will be dubbed a "Cassingle", and will be released physically as a cassette, with an accompanying digital download. The two tracks build well on the foundation laid by Nevermint, and while "Sandusky Sunset" would seem comfortable among Nevermint's track list, "Why Do You Lie To Me" takes on a significantly more experimental and original vision.


To our ears, that vision is fully realized in the third track here, "Carapoforo". Targetted for the second single release (tentatively on 7-inch), the track features killer vocals and edgy guitar over a gently loping bassline. We were totally entranced live, and we have to say that we were surprised to see that the video does the tune some real justice. If this is the direction the band is headed, we're definitely on board for the long haul. Click the vids above to listen for yourself.

Wilco: Free Download And A Taste Of The New Record

While we were a bit bummed not to hear any new material from Wilco's new record when we were caught them at Jazz Fest the other week, that certainly hasn't done anything to deter us from being psyched for their forthcoming record. Over the past year or so, the band has given tastes of the new material here and there, and to our ears it sounds like perhaps Mr. Tweedy is indulging his darker side a bit more than he has of late.

While Sky Blue Sky was an admitted foray into earnest singer-songwriter mode, the new material appears to hinge more on Tweedy's uncanny ability to pull influences from all over the rock spectrum and mix them into a unique bit of goodness. What's more, the lyrical content appears to have returned to Tweedy's more poetic influences, and depend less on a direct storyteller vibe.

As the album release grows near, more and more information is amassing, and this week the cover art dropped (above) as well as the following track list:

Wilco (the song)
Deeper Down
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
You And I
You Never Know
Country Disappeared
Solitaire
I'll Fight
Sonny Feeling
Everlasting Everything

While all the material has yet to surface, a few of the tracks are out there. We've linked to them so that you can get a taste for yourself. We have to say, we're thinking this record is gonna be a doozy.

On top of all the new album release goodness, the band has also released a sign-o-the-times download via their website. A cover of the Woody Guthrie tune "The Jolly Banker", the song is a well placed dig at our nation's current financial woes. While you can snag the track for free, the band is hoping that you'll at least make a small donation to the Woody Guthrie Foundation. Head to the band's site to grab the tune.

New Spoon: "Trouble"

If you were wondering just what "Trouble" referred to in yesterday's Spoon Jazz Fest post, well here you go. We originally called the tune "Here We Come Running" when we heard it for the first time in Portland, but apparently "Trouble"'s the working title. Either way, it's uber tasty, and this solid vid totally does it justice in all it's rocking goodness.

The tune is almost A Series Of Sneaks-era Spoon, with crunchy guitars, and an unrepentant rock vibe that's a lot more balls to the wall then we've heard from the band in a while. We have to say, we're pretty psyched: we've always dug on the band's more rock jams like "Utilitarian" and "Car Radio", and hearing that the new album might have a similar vibe is more than okay in our book. Check out the vid above and see for yourself.

Dinosaur Jr: New Track, Album Release, Spring Tour

It's been a while since Dinosaur Jr.'s much lauded reunion album Beyond, so we were psyched to see a deluge of news from the band surrounding their new release Farm. Notably, the record sees the band moving to Jagjaguar Records after a mere one album stint at Merge. Details are beginning to emerge, and among them are cover art (above), the first single, a bunch of tour dates, and some sessions over at pitchfork.tv. Whew!

The first single, "I Want You To Know" is (to our ears) classic Dinosaur Jr.: fuzzed out guitars, big beats, and super fat riffs shared by bass and guitar. To be frank, we're still reeling from the fact that the band has actually reunited, so hearing more classic-feel material continues to be a solid experience unto itself. That being said, the tune definitely isn't just a place holder, and it's ability to stand on its own is a positive indicator of quality for the forthcoming record.

While the record's release is still about a month and a half out, the band is in the midst of touring it's support. While there's no SF date lined up, the band still has dates on both coasts. If you're really craving a dose of Dinosaur Jr., you can find a way to make it happen. Meanwhile, give a listen to the new single below...

Farm is out on Jagjaguar June 23rd

mp3: Dinosaur Jr. - I Want You To Know

Dinosaur Jr. Spring 2009 Dates
Apr 30 The National - Venue Changed Richmond, Virginia
May 1 Chameleon Club Lancaster, Pennsylvania
May 2 Ottobar - SOLD OUT Baltimore, Maryland
Jun 21 The Casbah San Diego, California
Jun 22 Troubadour West Hollywood, California
Jun 23 Troubadour West Hollywood, California
Jun 25 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York

Jarvis Cocker Drops New Single, "Angela"

We couldn't be more psyched for this news: It's been three years since Jarvis Cocker's debut solo record Jarvis made it's way into the world, and two years since he wowed us at The Fillmore. Well now he's back for more. The former Pulp front man has been relatively quiet for a spell, but it now he's on tap to release a new record, entitled Further Complications. The disc is the result of an collaboration with non-producer Steve Albini, and promises to have a raw sound in line with Albini's decidedly hands-off methods.

In anticipation of the new record, the first single "Angela" has just dropped, and in many ways is exactly what you might expect. Raw, retro, and garagey, the track clocks in at just under three minutes. It's loaded with more backup vocals and handclaps than you can shake a stick at, and is based solely around one solid guitar riff. To our ears, this is about as early 60's as you can get without a time machine, and we like it. Well played, Jarv.

mp3: Jarvis Cocker - Angela

Further Complications drops on 5/18.

Thanks to Stereogum for the tip.

The Streets Continue New Tunage Onslaught Via Twitter

It appears at The Streets' frontman Mike Skinner has gotten it into his head to release a new track daily via twitter, and thus far he's living up to his promise. Today's track is "David Hassles", a tune based largely around a squonky synth sample, and more than a little reminiscent of Original Pirate Material's "Don't Mug Yourself". We're not quite as as into it as yesterday's entry, "Trust Me", but you also can't really argue with new free music daily, now can you?

mp3: The Streets - David Hassles

New Dirty Projectors: "Stillness Is The Move"

Picture from the HAD Archive

The last two times we saw Dirty Projectors, we have to admit, we wouldn't have pegged them for being on the cusp of super stardom. Which is not to say we didn't love them: we did. Their live show is a totally immaculate exploration of crazy rhythms, guitar interplay, and amazing layered vocals. The thing is, we wouldn't have expected that the public's taste would expand drastically enough to embrace such a funky, inventive sound. Apparently that's all about to change.

Already riding the wave of a totally genius collaboration with David Byrne on the Dark Was The Night compilation, the band have now released (via their label, Domino) the first track from their much anticipated new record, Bitte Orca. In true Longstreth fashion, the track is totally divergent from anything on Rise Above, and in fact doesn't feature the frontman on vocals at all. Instead, band member Amber Coffman sings a track that, despite having characteristic Longstreth chords and harmonies, is really something of a mainstream dance track.

On the track, sporadic percussion jumps over a drum machine, while a synth line drones away behind Coffman's sailing vocals. It's really something to hear, and it speaks greatly to Longstreth's continued abilities to innovate and put a new twist on sound. It's very seldom that you hear true innovation, and it's even more seldom that you hear such repeated and pronounced innovation from a single source. Color us pleasantly surprised.

mp3: Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move

Details Emerge About John Vanderslice's Romanian Names

We've been watching for release information for John Vanderslice's latest, Romanian Names, ever since we heard the release party was going to be at the Rickshaw Stop in May. Well, now that waiting has paid off, and Vanderslice's new label Dead Oceans has dropped a significant press release about the record. It's full of goodies, including the album cover are (above), an mp3, and the tracklisting (below).

The press release starts things off with a bang, claiming that the new record is "the best record he's made to date". It then goes on to make a wide range of claims and comparisons, including the holy grail that is Berlin-era Bowie. Typically, we'd be inclined to write this off as record company hype. Except for the fly in the ointment: we really really enjoy the first track leaked off the album, "Fetal Horses".

The track has an extremely different feel from previous Vanderslice material. The instrumentation feels looser and more experimental, and the arrangements artfully complex, while still maintaining an air of minimalism. But the largest difference has to be the vocals. Vanderslice's voice sounds more confident, more stable, and less quirky than it ever has before. The change really serves to make the track less of a "great John Vanderslice song", and instead just a really damn great song. In short, we really dig it.

You'll have to wait a bit for the record, but check out "Fetal Horses" below.

mp3: John Vanderslice - Fetal Horses

Romanian Names Tracklisting
Tremble And Tear
Fetal Horses
C&O Canal
Too Much Time
D.I.A.L.O.
Forest Knolls
Oblivion
Sunken Union Boat
Romanian Names
Carina Constellation
Summer Stock
Hard Times

Romanian Names drops 5/19, the record release is at Rickshaw Stop on the same day

Trailer For New EELS Documentary "Tremendous Dynamite"

If the folks in the EELS camp are attempting to get us ridiculously psyched for their new record Hombre Lobo, it's working. The band recently posted a trailer (above) for a documentary entitled Tremendous Dynamite, and it's very tasty.

The video contains a sizeable portion of the title track from the record, along with images of E suited up in welding goggle goodness. The track itself is full on Souljacker-era rock and roll, complete with fuzzed out vocals and stamping march beats. Which is to say: we love it.

Check it out, and be stoked. To the max.

Phoenix: "Lisztomania", SNL Tonight

Things are starting to heat up in the Phoenix camp as the band ramps up to the release of their new record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. For one, the next single, "Lisztomania" has made it's way to the interwebs, and is firmly proving that "1901" was not a fluke in it's awesomeness. The band is currently filming an official video for the tune, but some kind soul has created an 80's movie mashup that you can watch above, if only to hear the new tune. That being said, the vid is pretty awesome as well.

On top of the new tunage, the band is also all set to make an appearance on Saturday Night Live this evening. While we recommend you catch it on TV (this stuff always looks better on the big screen), we can tell you that we'll be digging the vids up ASAP, so don't stress too much. While it's just a guess, we're willing to wager that tonight's tunes will be "1901" and "Lisztomania". That being said, we really wouldn't mind hearing something a bit older as well. No, we wouldn't mind one bit.

In the meantime, if you're bored and half as obsessed with the band as we are, we highly recommend their blog. It's fantastic.

mp3: Phoenix - Lisztomania

Ryan Adams: New Song, "Yes, I Know That Color"

Here's the thing: See, we love that Ryan Adams is releasing all these crazy, wonderful, lo-fi, genius filled tracks to the interwebs, but we want them on a record! Granted, some of them will make their way to the surface on a future release, but we're willing to bet (given what happened with the "Now That You're Gone" 7-inch) that they'll be primped and polished to a studio veneer sheen. Which, frankly, makes us sad. These web-only tracks totally exemplify just what makes Adams so awesome as a musician. They're filled with raw, unadulterated emotion and feel completely fresh and full of life. But, enough bitching. The track itself is fantastic, and one of the more upbeat entries we've heard from Mr. Adams in a while. Give it a listen above.

Thanks to Music Induced Euphoria for the tip.

EELS: New Track, "Fresh Blood", New Record, Hombre Lobo, In June

To be perfectly frank, we were kind of starting to lose faith in EELS. Between a memoir for grandchildren, a double record of super mellow tunes, and a acoustic-y tour with strings, it seemed like good old Mr. E was getting soft around the middle. Well, have no fear: today E dropped the single off the band's first record in four years, and the edge is very much back.

"Fresh Blood" is the first track off of Hobre Lobo - 12 Songs Of Desire, which drops on June 2nd. The track is classic E - all droll delivery, double tracked vocals, and drum machine beats until there's an awesome freakout at about the one minute mark. From there it wades in and out of eerie synth lines, feedbacking guitars, and of course, howls.

There's no question that the track definitely encompasses the more "rock" side of E's personality. While those who are huge fans of the more downbeat E might find themselves dissatisfied, those of you who dig on the rock and roll will most certainly be loving it. What's more, if this track is any indication of the direction the record's taking, well, frankly, we couldn't be more excited. We've been waiting for this one for a while.

Stream the track on Spinner, or download below.

mp3: EELS - Fresh Blood

Hombre Lobo, 12 Songs Of Desire Tracklisting
01 prizefighter
02 that look you give that guy
03 lilac breeze
04 in my dreams
05 tremendous dynamite
06 the longing
07 fresh blood
08 what's a fella gotta do
09 my timing is off
10 all the beautiful things
11 beginner's luck
12 ordinary man

Vampire Weekend Play New Track On Jimmy Fallon: "White Sky"

We haven't heard from Vampire Weekend in a while, so we were psyched to see that they stopped in over at Jimmy Fallon's show to drop a new track on the unsuspecting masses. Frontman Ezra Koenig was all dolled up in red fleece, and conspicuously without guitar. Meanwhile, the band enlisted a string section for what seems to be becoming a standard addition to their live televnision appearances.

As for the song, well, we'd say that it's pretty par-for-the-course VW: Koenig breaks out some of the falsetto vocals, and the pseudo-African rhythms are in full effect. That being said, the song seems to lack something in the rock department, being far more of a lilting stroll through Koenig's melodic turns of fancy. Granted, it's easy on the ears, but we're hoping the band will dig up something a bit more edgy when their second record comes to fruition. Check out the video above.

New Port O'Brien Track, Vinyl EP Series Announced

Photo from the HAD Archive

When we heard this latest track from Port O'Brien, we have to admit we were a bit surprised: while their live show has been becoming more rock-oriented and raucus, it seems that their studio chops have been heading in the direction of a more refined, atmospheric sound. Van's vocals are decidedly more refined, and frankly the overall sound seems to ape more than a little bit from Band Of Horses.

Despite a bit of derivative feel, we have to admit we like the track quite a bit, and we're curious where the band is heading with it. Apparently it's part of a series of 7" vinyl releases "celebrating the seasons" that will be released over the next year. The first one (Winter) drops on February 17th, with vinyl version available via the band's web site. Count us in.

Also, as a side note: unless the band has gone decidedly commercial, it seems that perhaps their web site has been hacked by "National Relocation", no?

mp3: Port O'Brien - Is This Really What It's Come To?