It's spooky, ethereal and would probably soundtrack a haunted carousel just dandy: Nothing Matters When We're Dancing (Magnetic Fields cover) - The Antlers
Here's a video put together by Chris Ware for the spring 2009 event "This American Life -- Live!" -- in which Ira Glass hosts an actual episode of the radio program, performed onstage by some of our favorite contributors. Dan Savage, Starlee Kine, and Mike Birbiglia told stories; David Rakoff and Dave Hill conducted a 'special investigation. Plus, additional visuals by Arthur Jones, and a very
Today, hulu.com posted a documentary called "RiP! A Remix Manifesto" about the ethics of ripping tracks for the purpose of remixing and re-creating them, as well as file sharing. Being that this is a topic close to our hearts (and rapidly thinning wallets), the future of how music is copyrighted is at stake. Girl Talk's Gregg Gillis is interviewed about "challenging the thresholds of fair use."
Good news from England: LOUD ROCK MUSIC IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!!! (via the Daily Mail) Heading off to rock festivals, or simply turning up the volume on your home amplifier might be good for your brain power. According to researchers at Manchester University, music fans are stimulating part of the inner ear known as the sacculus, which responds to the beat in music. This gives the brain pleasure
So what are your picks for album of the decade? Go tell Paste here: http://www.pastemagazine.com/a rticles/2009/08/whats-your-fav orite-album-of-the-decade.html After reviewing their list, mine are as follows:Animal Collective: Merriweather Post PavilionThe Avett Brothers: EmotionalismDeath Cab for Cutie: TransatlantacismFountains of Wayne: Welcome Interstate ManagersThe Hold Steady: Boys & Girls in
I stood on a picnic table yesterday, squinted my eyes through the sun and peered around the park, just scoping out the crowd at the Grizzly Bear show at the Williamsburg Waterfront. I had been loitering around for 4 hours (because I'm hardcore like that) making sure I had a prime spot to see and hear some of my fave songs of the year. I don't fool around when it comes to free shows. I don't fool
A song as nearly perfect as Animal Collective's "My Girls" probably doesn't need to be covered. But that didn't stop Taken By Trees from taking a stab at it. Victoria Bergsman not only regenders the original, but strips it down with some oddball Pakistani instrumentation and in the process renders it shockingly unique. Kudos for taking a risk that *gasp* actually pays off. We think you'll agree.
As you maybe heard songwriter extraordinaire Ellie Greenwich died yesterday, an untimely death of a heartattack at only 68. Maybe you've never heard of her before, but you've undoubtedly heard her songs. "Be My Baby", "Out in the Streets", "Da Doo Ron Ron" and all those Brill Building girl group gems. But most importantly She helped give a public voice to female desire in an era when nary an
Here it is. The very first Volume Knob Podcast (Knobcast?). I'm not sure how frequently I'll record these. A lot depends on your feedback and my tolerance for my own voice. It runs about half an hour long (28:40 to be precise) and features songs by bands recently mentioned on the blog, with a few other tracks thrown in for good measure. The first edition features music by: Girls Yo La TengoThe
Ok, so this cover is about five years old, yet it's totally new to me. Decemberists' guitar player Chris Funk finally steals center stage away from Mr. Meloy and sings the crap out of a song that is pretty much impossible to fuck up. You know the one that goes "I just wanna use your love tonight, I don't wanna lose your love toniiiiiiight". Yeah that one. I think Chris Funk should just hit the
This post marks the first installment of a new feature in which we weed through emails (and snail mail) galore to bring you music actually worthy of your attention. First up: Horse Shoes. Number one way to get this blogger's attention: tell me your band sounds like they're from Sweden even if they're not. That's what Horse Shoes did and it sure worked. And to make matter even more interesting,
Mp3s and some not-so-relevant thoughts of Pitchforks Top-20 songs of the 2000s. 20. The Rat - The WalkmenFor the longest time this was the ONLY song by the Walkmen I actually liked (up until the release of last years You & Me). It's got sass damnit. Bonus points for being the best ringback tone for your ex EVAH. One blast of YOU'VE GOT A NERVE TO BE CALLING MY NUMBER oughta show 'em who's boss.
Despite the fact that Pop Tarts Suck Toasted has been telling me to listen to this band for the past oh 2 years, I must admit I am slow to the Antlers bandwagon. But all it took was one listen to "Two" and I was enthralled. It's all warm strummy goodness that swirls around an eliptical melody, like pixies around a campfire. I've yet to investigate the rest of their album Hospice (just
Loving the animation for the new video for "Red Light Love". Those Darlins are just as cute as cartoon characters as they are in person.
That's right folks. We salute The Rawking Refuses to Stop for re-posting their epic collection of Elliott Smith covers. We know this post is from like seven months ago, we heart completists (plus the links are still good) we thought we'd alert you to it.So head right over and get 'em while they're hot. And sample one here:Blackbird - Elliott Smith (The Beatles cover)
We adore Patrick Wolf and his dreamy blend of orchestral-electro magic and all, BUT tirades like this just don't fly. Calling the woman in charge of the PA a bitch and throwing shit and spitting is really uncool - even if you are totally glammed out and super-duper talented. It all went down last night at the C/O Pop Festival in Germany. Watch for yourself:Accident and Emergency - Patrick Wolf
(courtesy sounds about right)I hope Andrew Bird is the centerfold. He's like totally dreamy. C'mon you know you'd subscribe. Naive Melody - Arcade Fire (Talking Heads cover)
HOLY SMOKES BATMAN! Sufjan Stevens is emerging from his batcave/hyperbaric chamber/center of isolation to *gasp* TOUR. Here's the official list (check out all the teeny tiny venues!!!)09-21 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's *09-22 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's *09-23 Ithaca, NY - Castaways *09-24 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom *09-25 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom *09-26 Champaign, IL
Julian Plenti is the euro-trashy sounding alter-ego of Interpol's Paul Banks. And I have to say his solo debut is a mixed bag of an album, though way better then Interpol's last blah album. ANYWAY I'm mega-exhausted from the weekend, but you can read my actual review, like with grown-up words up on Crawdaddy!.No Chance Survival - Julian Plenti
We're still recovering from the news of John Hughes death (seriously what have we done to anger the pop culture Gods so much this year??) Here are two Pretty in Pink covers, as tribute to the man, the movies and the music that will always be there to comfort adolescents on their awkward, but maybe lucky (or just Ducky) prom night. Pretty in Pink - The National (Psychedelic Furs cover)Pretty in
So This Is What The Volume Knob\'s For
No Church In The Wild
Nas - Daughters
The Rains of Castamere by The National
CHROMATICS "THESE STREETS WILL NEVER LOOK THE SAME"
DIIV "How Long Have You Known?" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
[LISTEN] Gotye (Passion Pit Remix)
Big Boi & Theophilus London (feat. TRE LUCE) - 'She Said OK'
