Lunch Break Mini-Mix

[mp3] The A-Sides - We're The Trees
[mp3] American Analog Set - First of Four
[mp3] The National - Apartment Story
[mp3] Oxford Collapse - Please Visit Your National Parks

Decemberists + Obama = Best Photograph Ever.

The New Year Announce Album Details, Tour!

Fathers of mopey slo-core math rock, The Brothers Kadane, formerly of Bedhead, currently of The New Year, have announced details surrounding the new record from the latter. The record, which is self-titled, will be released on September 9th of this year, and it will come via long-time label home Touch & Go. I couldn't be more psyched.

Via Touch & Go's press release:
"Lyrically, these ten songs address the interlocked themes of lost time, frustrated desire, and the need for others. Although musically these may be the band's most varied songs -- for a band that made innovative use of three guitars, almost half the songs here are built around the piano -- it is the careful sequence of these songs that brings the story the lyrics tell together. The New Year will be touring the US and Europe as a full band this fall, and the Kadane Brothers are on tour this summer with Bottomless Pit."

Kadane Brothers Tour Dates
6/26 - Emo's, Austin, TX
6/27 - Lola's, Fort Worth, TX
6/28 - Granada Theatre, Dallas, TX
7/11 - Knitting Factory, New York, NY *
7/12 - Middle East, Cambridge, MA *
7/13 - le Divan Orange, Montreal, Canada *
7/14 - Sneaky Dees, Toronto, Canada *
7/17 - Schuba's, Chicago, IL *
7/18 - High Noon Saloon - Madison, WI *
7/19 - 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN *
*with Bottomless Pit

[mp3] The New Year - Chinese Handcuffs
[mp3] Bedhead - More than Ever

Buy Bedhead + New Year records.

Death Cab is #1

And no, I don't mean in my heart. I'm talking about on the charts, in sales, in the real world, not in a dream or an alternate reality. Death Cab for Cutie has the #1 album in the country. With sales of 143,586 this marks their greatest highest sales week in Death Cab’s 10-year history.

Now, sure this might not seem so surprising. We all knew how well Narrow Stairs was doing, and Plans wasn't exactly a failure, true, but still for those of us who have been fans of DCFC for a few years, especially those of us who saw shows with 100 or so other people, will surely find this news a bit hard to believe.

If you're not one of the 143,586 who have already done so, you can purchase Narrow Stairs here.

[mp3] Death Cab for Cutie - Blacking Out the Friction (Demo)
[mp3] Death Cab for Cutie - Long Division (Live)

Shearwater - "Rook" Analysis

(Photo Cred.)

Rook starts out as the most delicate thing your ears have ever heard: Johnathan Meiburg's haunting tenor moving fluidly over a classical piano line. That's how it ends to, but in the middle, for about 30 seconds, the tension erupts in such a way that can only be described as frighteningly orchestral. Listening to this album in bed on a still, dark, night is the best thing you could do for yourself. It gives you the opportunity to soak in one of the most beautifully theatrical records I have heard in quite some time.

Most frontmen of Indie Rock bands are not singers, they are songwriters who had to learn how to sing so their songs could be shared; Johnathan Meiburg is a singer. He is a singer in the same way that Antony, Rufus Wainwright, and Chris Garneau are singers, not in the way that Spencer Krug, Britt Daniel, or Will Sheff are singers. His operatic and ghostly tenor is one of the most immediately disarming voices I have ever heard from a non-classical vocalist. It's completely undeniable and it couldn't be better served than it is by the rich grand piano, chaotic horns, delicately tremelo'd guitars, and soaring strings of Rook. I could go on, but i'd rather shut up so you can listen to the beautiful composition below.

Rook is due out on Matador (6/3). Pre-order it here. (Highly reccomended)

[mp3] Shearwater - On The Death of the Waters

See Shearwater's tour dates here.

Give me whatever's left, whatever the worker's found

I suppose there is no shortage of them, those that call themselves singer-songwriter's, and certainly shortage of them which would list their myspace genres as "Rock/Country/Folk," but this shouldn't stop us from enjoying the ones that excel at their craft, familiar though it may be, right?

Beau Jennings is a pretty special one in this field. He exists somewhere between the dustbowl americana Josh Ritter taps for inspiration and the 50's rock n' roll which fills the jukebox of your local inland interstate diner. While this still may not sound like anything terribly original I'd encourage you to give Tulsa Sound or The Opolis a listen and not find yourself hunting the repeat button. Those of you who preferred Bright Eye's matured, world-traveler, folk-rock direction on Cassadaga to his earlier more angst-ridden offerings, for example, will likely find Mr. Jennings' work quite satisfying.

There's a cast of notable players including James McCalister and Jeff Shoop (Sufjan), Ryan Lindsey (Starlight Mints), and production by Chad Copelin (The Umbrellas, Bishop Allen). If you're still not sold give the track below a listen and call me in the morning.

[mp3] Beau Jennings - Tulsa Sound

Hear more here.

Ra Ra Riot Sign to Barsuk!

Well this is good news! The wonderful Ra Ra Riot have inked their names on the dotted line with the also wonderful Barsuk Records. The North-Easterners will satisfy a niche in Barsuk's corner they haven't quite tapped yet, I'd say. A bit more dancy than the pop of The Long Winters, a bit more sophisticated than the average band whose pop is more dancy than the Long Winters (read: english sounding voice and strings = success!). I, for one am excited to see such a great band get such a great home.

A few dates this year to see too.

What shows should I see this summer?

Why I'm glad you asked, dear reader. Simply click on the artist's name to see if they're resting their heads in your town.

Of course: if you can only see one show this summer, and I shouldn't have to say this, it should be Radiohead. If you can only see two it should be one of the following, and if you can see more than that then you should see them all!

Radiohead - Everywhere, and sure to be the best show ever.
[mp3] Radiohead - How to Dissapear Completely

My Bloody Valentine - The One you should see if you can see two or don't like Radiohead. Am I scared it won't be as good reunited? A little. But we'll see.

Oxford Collapse - Both coasts and a bit in between.
[mp3] Oxford Collapse - Please Visit Your National Parks

Bon Iver - Everywhere - w/ lots of people including Wilco!

Thee Silver Mt. Zion - Everywhere, and it's rare they do so, so you better be there!
[mp3] Thee Silver mt. Zion - Movie (Never Made)

Mates of State - W/ Headlights!

The Cotton Jones Basket Ride (Ex-Page France) - Everywhere.
[mp3] The Cotton Jones Basket Ride - To Death With You

Frightened Rabbit - w/ French Kicks!

Death Cab for Cutie - I don't have to tell you that one, their triumphant return to the stage.

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - The West. I still haven't gotten to see Owen play live, even after thinking I was going to get to on two occasions. Go for me and send video.
[mp3] Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Don't They Have Payphones....

Camera Obscura - Europe Only. What a treat it would be...

Sigur Ros - Europe, limited US. One of the best shows ever.

My Morning Jacket - Everywhere - I'm told it's an experience everyone should have.
[mp3] My Morning Jacket - The Way He Sings (Demo)

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Everywhere. Because they're great.

Centro-matic - stop sleeeping.

So that's it, those are my picks for the summer. Of course there are more and feel free to leave them in the comments, but whatever you do - just go see bands this summer. Being on tour is hard, especially when it costs 80 bucks to fill up a van. Go say hi, cheer really loud, and buy a shirt if you can.

I'm in love with the world

I haven't had much time to post, as you may have noticed, the past few days. My girlfriend had oral surgery and people on painkillers require some attention. On top of this, I've been feeling poorly myself. Tennessee can't quite decide if it prefers winter or summer here lately and my ears, nose, & throat are feeling it.

This little gem came on my ipod's shuffle this morning as my alarm clock. It's perfect in every way. It's DCfC coverig Elliott. The holy grail of melancholy.

[mp3] Death Cab for Cutie - Blacking out the Friction / Say Yes (Elliott Smith)

I'm going to see Radiohead

I don't know how I missed it, but there's a Radiohead date on August 3rd in Noblesville, Indiana, which Google Maps tells me is a mere 4.5 hours drive. Are any of you fair readers going? Is my life going to be changed in ways I'm not quite ready for? Should I bring smelling salts and the jaws of life in case I pass out or die from an overdose of awesome?

[mp3] Radiohead - There, There
[mp3] Radiohead - Last Flowers to the Hospital

Of course, see the rest of the dates here.

Buy Radiohead stuff here.

Bon Iver announces dates w/ Wilco, AA Bondy, Bowerbirds

Venerable, bearded, woods-dwelling, soul tinged folk singer Bon Iver has announced a lot of tour dates. Poor guy seems to live on the road this year, but his exhaustion is your gain! You can catch him on a series of dates pretty much covering the entire country, and you should. We were quite blown away with his show here in the spring, and I feel quite certain you'll be too.

Bon Iver 2008 Tour Dates

06/21/08 Minneapolis, MN - Walker Art Center w/ The New Pornographers
07/20/08 Chicago, IL - Pitchfork Music Festival
07/21/08 Detroit, MI - Crofoot Ballroom w/ Bowerbirds
07/22/08 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace w/ Bowerbirds
07/23/08 Montreal, QC - Cabaret Music Hall w/ Bowerbirds
07/25/08 Portland, ME - SPACE Gallery w/ Bowerbirds
07/26/08 Boston, MA - Museum Of Fine Arts w/ Bowerbirds
07/27/08 Dennis, MA - The Cave Cinema w/ Bowerbirds
07/29/08 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom w/ Bowerbirds
07/30/08 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Of Williamsburg w/ Bowerbirds
07/31/08 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church w/ Bowerbirds
08/01/08 Washington, DC - Black Cat w/ Bowerbirds
08/02/08 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theatre w/ Bowerbirds
08/03/08 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center w/ Bowerbirds
08/04/08 Indianapolis, IN - The Lawn At White River w/ Wilco
08/06/08 Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre w/ Wilco
08/07/08 Charleston, NC - North Charleston Performi w/ Wilco
08/08/08 Cary, NC - Koka Booth Amphitheatre w/ Wilco
08/10/08 Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light w/ A.A. Bondy
08/11/08 Nashville, TN - Exit/In w/ A.A. Bondy
08/12/08 Bloomington, IN - Waldron Arts Center w/ A.A. Bondy
08/14/08 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre w/ A.A. Bondy
08/15/08 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue w/ A.A. Bondy
08/24/08 San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
08/25/08 Los Angeles, CA - Troubador w/ A.A. Bondy

[mp3] Bon Iver - Flume [Live - HTFAF's Backstage Sessions]

Buy Bon Iver's music here.

A Mixtape for Lost : Volume 3

Oh, LOST. How I love to bask in thy glorious mystery and serial drama! How I experience an unnatural feeling of fondness for Thursday evenings because of your wonderful pixels! I'm not even a TV watcher, besides news & The Office you're the only reason I turn one on! And now you're winding down again - just three episodes to go.

I'll miss you. Please hurry back.

[mp3] M. Ward - Helicopter (Live)
[mp3] Hot Hot Heat - Island of the Honest Man
[mp3] Weezer - The World Has Turned & Left Me Here
[mp3] Wire - Map Ref. 41 Degrees N, 93 Degrees W
[mp3] Pinback - Hurley

Death Cab for Cutie - "Narrow Stairs" Analysis

At the beginning of Stars' 2005 album, Set Yourself on Fire, a voice chimes in with histrionic theatrical timbre, "When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire." At some point between their record from the same year, and Narrow Stairs, Death Cab for Cutie took those words to heart.

There is an instantly noticeable difference between Plans and Narrow Stairs: where the former opted for over-direction, glossy production, and lots of overdubbing, the latter tends to replace those tendencies with raw-sounding vocal performances, walls of feedback and noise from Walla's delay pedal, and almost entirely live tracking.

Bixby Canyon Bridge starts the record much like Marching Bands of Manhattan started Plans. A stripped down guitar line, building percussion, and an eventual explosion. However, this time the first thing you hear is a wall of delayed and distorted sixteenth notes, and the last thing you hear is Gibbard's vocal run through a rig of trinkets creating an amplified, dirty, fuzzbox of a melody. Probable single, No Sunlight makes good on a strong riff, focused drum beat, and one of Gibbard's most hooky melodies to create a pop masterpiece for those of you who hated Soul Meets Body. Talking Bird is a wonderful regression towards early DCFC, precisely what Bedhead would sound like if they made pop music, while the timpanis and organ line of You Can do Better Than Me, race towards the finish line while recalling the California pop that much of the album was penned in close proximity to .The thickly overlapped riff of Cath sets the stage for a classic Death Cab narrative which could easily replace Company Calls : Epilogue, on 2001's fan-favorite We Have The Facts...

The second half of the record flows much like a live set, with the three tracks in the middle linked by gapless transitions. Grapevine Fires is a beautiful tale of of the earth's woe, padded by low-range wurlitzer, slowly descending lines of bass and guitar, and one of the more interesting melodies on the album. The song is about wild fires on the surface, about something much more below that, managing to sound simultaneously paranoid and nihilistic. A light-hearted melody but heavy-handed story of aging alone unfolds on Your New Twin-Sized Bed while the allbum's emotional climax is brought out in superb production during a strong bridge which hearkens back to The Photo Album's Kaleidoscope in sound. Long Division uses a strong mathematical metaphor and an even stronger mathematic drum track which interweaves effortlessly with the pop synths and guitars of the hook; a shoe-in for a second or third single. Pity & Fear will throw your ears off a bit - the almost middle-eastern percussion and riff feel a bit clunky, perhaps the album's only miss. This won't matter, however, once you get to The Ice is Getting Thinner, easily a contender for the best lyrics Gibbard has ever penned, and a minimal sound that veteran Death Cabbers will know and love from the band's early EP Stability.

It's hard to imagine that Death Cab could've made a more well-executed bridge between fans of their early catalogue and those introduced to the Northwesterner's by Plans. And while that may make it tempting to call it a compromise of sorts, that would be decidedly wrong. There's little compromise on this album: from the eight-minute single to the minimal production and general lack of overdubs. The sound would be more comparable to the band's limited-run live EP than any of their prior studio albums in some places, and that's an exceptional thing. Gibbard's voice briefly topping out during the high-range refrain of Talking Bird, the slightly off kilter guitar lines towards the end of The Ice is Getting Thinner, McGerr's audible drum counts - all of these are good reference points for what seems to be Narrow Stairs' modus operandi - Play the songs with all the fervor you can muster, don't worry about doing it perfectly, and don't stop if you screw up.

It's a refreshing thing to hear from a band following up a near-platinum record on a major label, and while the control room might have moved from a living room in Bellingham to four studios across the U.S. - the heart and soul behind the operation is as sincere as it was in 1998.

See Death Cab's tour dates here.

Buy Narrow Stairs here.

[mp3] Death Cab for Cutie - No Sunlight

New Backstage Session : Sea Wolf

We're quite pleased to announce another Backstage Session; this one with the wonderful Sea Wolf. The show goes down on May 23rd at our favorite club, Exit/In, an it's on a Friday, so if you're in Nashville you have no excuse not to be there.

Check for the date closest to you here.

[mp3] Sea Wolf - Sea Monuments

Buy Sea Wolf records