lounge acts

The best independent internet-only station out there, WOXY in Cincinnati, keeps getting some of the best acts on tour to stop by their studios and play some tunes. This streak continues this week with two great bands stopping by to play:

- The Hold Steady - Wednesday June 1st @ 3:00p EDT
- Lucero - Thursday June 2nd @ noon EDT

WOXY, a world famous independent station from Oxford, OH, was heard on 97.7 before the frequency was sold last year, and after a brief time off the air, the station returned as an internet-only station. They feature live DJs from 9am through 11pm during the week, with a computer running the show the rest of the time. This past weekend they launched the WOXY Vintage Channel featuring the best in Modern Rock from the past 30 years from the largest modern rock collection in the world.

My Fav Records of the Year (so far)

Wanted to share some music that has been part of my 2005 so far. Each of these has occupied a serious portion of my ear time over the past 5 months, and the mp3 for each one is my fav song on the release. If you dig I'd encourage you to pick up a copy or mail order from the Bent Crayon, a wickedly cool indie shop in Cleveland.

1. The National
Alligator
I have not stopped playing this thing since I got a copy back in March, and when they finally decide to tour the states this year instead of grinding away in Europe they are going to take over. I don't really think there's even anything spectacular about the band or this record, but what they do is perfectly actualized and executed. The vocals are powerful, the guitars are brilliant, and the drumming is ridiculous. What's not to like?
MP3: Lit Up

2. Crooked Fingers
Dignity and Shame
I was/am a huge Archers of Loaf fan, but struggled to get into Eric Bachman's post-Archers vibe until this record. Mixes an americana/Spanish musical flare with confident vocals and solid writing. I think CF is finally fully realized on this release.
MP3: Call To Love

3. The Hold Steady
Separation Sunday
The music is AC/DC influenced rock that almost intentionally alienates the lister while it invites you into the back of the club for a bad time. And oh yeah, Craig Finn is the best rock lyricist right now. I will not miss their show at the Jackpot in Lawrence June 19th.
MP3: Cattle Call and the Creeping Things

4. Bright Eyes
I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
I wasn't a Bright Eyes fan really until this record came out. I think it's by far his best effort ever. The lyrics are there, the melody is there, the politics are there, Emmy Lou Harris is there. What isn't there is a great live show, but I guess you can never have it all.
MP3: Old Soul Song (For a New World Order)

no cars go

Since Brad is on a little vacation I though I'd pick up the slack and drop this great video site I came across today. Looks like its a catalogue of shows in Amsterdam all free and streaming right to your machine. I'd recommend the Aracde Fire, Sonic Youth, and Bright Eyes shows right off the top, but there are a ton of streams spanning the spectrum of independent music.

Iron & Wine - "The Trapeze Swinger"

This site keeps getting hits from people looking for the Iron & Wine song "The Trapeze Swinger" which was featured in the movie 'In Good Company'. I saw the movie this weekend, and was surprised to see it was 1 of 3 Iron & Wine songs featured in the movie. Quite the coup for Mr. Beam. It's a great song, and you can get an mp3 of it here.

Go buy the soundtrack here: 'In Good Company' soundtrack

why you got to go and make things so complicated?

I ran across this post today which contains an mp3 of Death Cab For Cutie's frontman Ben Gibbard performing a cover of Avril Lavigne "Complicated" during a concert back in 2002. I'm usually not a fan of "ironic covers", but it is kind of funny, particularly his analysis of the song at the end. I'm glad this has not surfaced until now, because I think I finally reached the point where this song does not make my brain hurt after it's mass overplaying.

i'm sorry sir, you're going to have to wait

One of my most anticipated albums of 2005, is now my most (and so far, only) anticipated album of 2006, that being the new album from the Flaming Lips, "At War With the Mystics". After last summer's Lollapalooza tour was cancelled, the Lips headed back to the studio, so I was hoping we'd get something soon, but alas the release date now stands as January 2006. Apparently the band recently took some time to contribute to a Queen tribute album, doing a cover of the classic "Bohemian Rhapsody". Only the Lips would be crazy enough to try to pull that off, and I know only they could.

Fortunately, there will be something out this Tuesday to tide us fans over - the release of the new documentary The Fearless Freaks. I've heard many great things about this intimate documentary, and cannot wait to get my copy.

More on the Lips new album can be found here from NME.

Headphones

This week sees the release of the debut album from the Seattle-based band Headphones on Suicide Squeeze Records. The band is actually a side project of Pedro the Lion members David Bazan & Tim Walsh, along with Frank Lenz of Starflyer 59. The band left it's guitars at home and brought along only synths & drums. I'm sure some of you are thinking right now "boy, sounds a lot like a certain other band...Postal Service?". Well, the single I heard is very good, and not very much like the Postal Service. I'm a big fan of Bazan's vocals, so he could be singing over some hip hop beats and I'd probably dig it.

You can read more about the band here, and be sure to scroll to the bottom to snag an mp3.

While you're at it, also check out another Suicide Squeeze band, Crystal Skulls. Their sound is very simple, yet irresistibly catchy.

shapes for sale

A few things of interest I ran across recently:

- Yesterday, the new album from the Seattle band Tullycraft, 'Disenchanted Hearts Unite', was released by Magic Marker. I still have their first CD I bought back when I was in high school. Didn't seem them making it this long.

- Ran across some more info here on the new Sufjan Stevens 'Illinois' album, including some quotes on recording the album, promo pictures and some cover art.

- Someone posted some pictures here on flickr of the Arcade Fire's set at Coachella.

- Low was on NPR's 'Fresh Air' today. Go here to check it out.

Album of the Month: The National "Alligator"

A few weeks ago, I posted this story about the new record from The National, and how you could stream the entire album from their website. At the time, I liked it, but, well, it was streaming. Well, after getting the album and listening to it for real, I'm totally hooked. I've listened to it a ton over the past month, and it is definitely my favorite album of 2005 so far. If you have not given it a listen yet, I would recommend giving it a chance, and go buy it.

The National - "Alligator"