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New Audio: Spoon – “Well Alright”

Posted in Audio, Downloads, Music News with tags , , , , , , , on Thursday, February 12, 2009 by Erik Burg

This new track comes via the Dark Was the Night compilation, like just about anything leaking out these days. The album compilation drops next Tuesday, Feb. 17th. on 4AD records. Get more info HERE. 

spoon

This cut though, from indie heavyweights Spoon, is a bit of a let down. Sorry guys, but this fast fasted and confusing song doesn’t remind me of anything Spoon has done in the past. At first I wanted to tap-my-toe along to “Well Alright” but eventually I just wanted to turn it off. But I suppose if there is any place to take the band in a different direction, this would be the place to do it. Oh well I guess, everything else I’ve heard from Dark Was The Night has sounded pretty much amazing, so I’ve still got high hopes and anxious nerves running through my veins for this release. Grab the mp3 below and see what you think. Enjoy!

mp3: Spoon – “Well Alright”

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Talib Kweli Speaks: Reflection Eternal Before Summer, New Liberation?

Posted in News with tags , , , , , on Thursday, February 12, 2009 by Tim Althaus

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Talib Kweli recently did an interview with KevinNottingham.com about current projects and things with his label Blacksmith. It sounds like the next year is jam packed for the god emcee from Brooklyn. I am excited to hear that Kweli has been in Cincinatti with Hi-Tek working hard in the studio on the new Reflection Eternal album, which they hope to release before summer. Talib metnioned that the new Black Star that I was hoping for will not be released this year, but I’m sure we can look forward to that in the future. Talib also mentione there there is a possibility of another Liberation album with Madlib.

All of the previously mentioned information makes me very anctious to hear what Talib has in store for us. Like I’ve said before the original the Reflection Eternal album pretty much changed the way that I listened to music, who knows what this one will do. It sounds like it could be an amazing year for this man and my guess is it will be. You know as soon as I have any updates I will keep you posted right away.

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Black metal storming into Minnesota in June 2009

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Ryan Buege

It’s not often that Satan blesses this state with prestigious black metal tours (despite many of our resident’s strong Norwegian ancestry), but it appears that someone downstairs has some particularly evil plans for the region in early June. Just this week, two massive underground metal tours were announced, both headlined by some of the most feared band’s BM has to offer.

The most noteworthy show announcement is the Mayhem, Marduk concert on June 9th at Station 4 that is being opened by Cattle Decapitation, Cephalic Carnage, and Withered. Honestly, there will be so much awesome packed into this night that I’m having a hard time getting my head around it. I have not had the chance to see Norway’s Mayhem yet, but the well published details surrounding their gruesome history and sickening live show has me really intrigued. Marduk is equally imposing, and are sure to satisfy the many in Mayhem’s legions. Of all the performances, Cattle Decapitation is the “must-see” band; they are always very impressive live, and this year they are going to be supporting what I believe to be the best release of their career. The hilarious dudes of Cephalic Carnage will most likely incite a great brutal tech mosh fest to get things going, and the Withered performance will surely be an eye-opening starter for those who have not yet caught wind of their incredible technical black metal meets grindcore on their recent Folie Circulaire.

Hopefully the Mayhem show won’t wear out the local black metal fans too much, because on June 15th, Station 4 will be home to the CIII tour featuring long-running and revered USBM band Absu, with support from their labelmates Glorior Belli, Averse Sefira, and Sothis. Right now Absu is only a few weeks from releasing their highly antipated new self-titled album, and by the time this show hits St. Paul I’m sure it’ll still be on my heavy rotation playlist. Even after nearly 20 years as a band, their profile is still clearly rising, and for good reason.

Keep reading for the full tour schedules… Continue reading →

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New Audio: Black Lips – “Trapped in a Basement”

Posted in Audio, Downloads, Music News with tags , , , , , , , on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Erik Burg

While I’m not, by any means, a huge fan of the Black Lips, usually one or two from each album usually gets my attention enough to put on repeat for a while. Their third album, due to drop the 24th of this month, entitled 200 Million Thousand has been getting some play around the blogosphere as of late. This cut comes courtesy of the great people at I Guess I’m Floating. “Trapped in a Basement” is a bit of a change from their other material, but for me at least, it’s a welcome change. Shifting from the sound that makes me want to smash an empty beer bottle over my friends head, “Trapped” takes it down a notch while still remaining interesting. The lo-fi production remains, the scratchy vocals remain, but along with this track comes the lingering feeling that these guys would have fit in perfectly with the Doors, Yardbirds, and other classic rock groups. 

It’s definitely worth a look, and it’s definitely going to put some people off, but in the end I believe it’s a great step forward for the psych-rock-grunge band. Keep your eyes out for this release on the 24th on Vice Records. Enjoy!

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mp3: Black Lips – “Trapped in a Basement”

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Colin Munroe on HipHop Dx’s DX NEXT

Posted in News with tags , , , , on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Tim Althaus

colinmunroe I have already made a post about this extraordinary artist and prodigy Colin Munroe. This guy is absoutely captivating and is one of the most talented singers and musicians that I’ve heard in awhile. I normally am not a big fan of singers usually but this guy is a completely different story. I first heard this guy on Black Milk’s new album Tronic on the track “Without U” and was blown away by his talent. Some of you might have also heard of him from the “Flashing Lights (Remix)” and chances are if you haven’t heard of him yet you will very soon.

HipHop DX just did a feature on Colin Munroe in their DX Next feature. Apparently Colin is a huge fan of Detroit Hip-Hop and I’m guessing that’s how he got linked with Black Milk. Check out the article because it’s a great read on the future of music, because this kid is it.

HipHop DX’s Next Features Colin Munroe

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The Bronx solidifies spring tour plans with Trash Talk

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , , on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Watch the priceless brand new video for The Bronx‘s “Past Lives” (via Switchblade Comb) from their newest album, read our review of the release, and then try tellin’ us you have something better to do than come out to the dance with The Bronx and friends on a certain night this April …I dare you! This is rock ‘n’ roll that is too damn good to pass up. The band has firmed up their spring tour plans with Trash Talk, and they’ll be entertaining a crowd in Minneapolis at the Triple Rock on April 12th. Keep reading for all the tour dates… Continue reading →

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NEW AUDIO: Cage – “Nothing Left To Say” (Produced by El-P)

Posted in Audio, Downloads, Music News with tags , , , , , , , , on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Erik Burg

 

Cage on the left

Cage on the left

So this pretty much made my night, I happened to stop by Pitchfork one more time before I went to bed to see if I missed anything interesting today, and look what I found! A new Cage track, but not just any Cage track, this one is produced by El-P (my favorite hip-hop artist). “Nothing Left to Say” is slow to take flight, the first minute or so is essentially a Cage monologue, ranting about the usual life problems and lessons that he seems to touch on. But then lift off, after that first part the track grabs the listener immediately, blasting off into outer space. The production of El-P stand out on this cut for sure, thanks to the various different parts that contribute to the killer beat. Various loops all come together and bang throughout the entire track, coupled with NYC driven lyrics that are dark and dreary, as though Cage would have it any other way, ha. But yeah this is an absolutely sick track, give it a listen for sure.Hip-hop is alive and well y’all, Enjoy!!!

 

 MP3: Cage – “Nothing Left to Say” (Prod. by El-P)

Watch out for Cage’s new album Depart From Me due out June 29th.

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WAVVES live at the Market Hotel NYC 2/6/09

Posted in Audio, Downloads, Music News with tags , , , , , , , , , on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Erik Burg

wavves-nyctaperSo there is this band called Wavves floating around out there. If you’ve been following music at all lately it’s likely that you’ve ran across his name. But his music you ask, what’s it all about? Ummm…. I don’t have an answer, not at all, I can’t make up my mind on Wavves. Whether I like it, hate it, don’t care about it, etc. I’m leaning towards hating it though, which, though upon first sight may seem like a bad thing, is probably a sign that I’m going to grow and come to love it. Seemingly every band I listen to today I’ve hated at one point or another (animal collective, jens lekman, broken social scene) so maybe this backlash is a good thing. Who knows, but what I DO know is that NYC taper captured another great concert, it’s Wavves obviously, playing some new tracks along with older cuts from his self-titled debut. Set list and more info about Wavves below, Enjoy!

Setlist:
[total time 20:28]
01 Weed Demon
02 California Goth
03 Rainbow Everywhere
04 So Bored
05 [tuning]
06 Sun Opens My Eyes
07 [equipment problem]
08 Wavves

Wavves live at the Market Hotel 2/6/09

(the site has been getting crazy traffic for this, so bear with the error if you get one and hopefully it’ll be all good soon.)

Dig Deeper: Myspace   Official 

MP3: WAVVES – “Weed Demon”

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Dub Trio announces tour dates with Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Flogging Molly & Aggrolites

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Dub Trio will be playing Triple Rock Social Club this April with Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. Take notice; last time I saw these guys at the Varsity Theatre, they were on fire, and they only played to a crowd of around 40-50 people! The band consistently delivers neck-snapping live shows that bring their welcome and adventurous metal-meets-dub fusion style to life the way it is meant to be heard. Sleepytime Gorilla Museum have an equally innovative approach to their craft, and while this avant-garde band is as likely to rock your body as the Dub Trio, they’re sure to impress with their elaborate aesthetic & atmosphere and unfamiliar crooning. Mark your calendar if you’ve got some adventurous ears; this is one progressive rock show you shouldn’t miss!

Feb 15-17 w/ Flogging Molly and Aggrolites
2/15 – Hammerstein Ballroom – New York, NY
2/16 – Metropolis – Montreal, ON
2/17 – Sound Academy – Toronto, ON

Feb 18 w/ Aggrolites
2/18 – Call the Office – London, ON

March 2-17 w/ Flogging Molly and Aggrolites
3/2 – House of Blues – New Orleans, LA
3/4 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
3/5 – House of Blues – Orlando, FL
3/7 – House of Blues – Orlando, FL
3/9 – The National – Richmond, VA
3/10 – House of Blues – Boston, MA
3/11 – Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY
3/12 – Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY
3/13 – House of Blues – Atlantic City, NJ
3/14 – Shamrock Festival at RFK Stadium – Washington DC
3/17 – Congress Theater – Chicago, IL

April 13-20 w/ Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
4/13 – Triple Rock Social Club – Minneapolis, MN
4/14 – Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI
4/16 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
4/17 – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
4/19 – Harpers Ferry – Allston, MA
4/20 – Nietzches – Buffalo, NY

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R.I.P. J Dilla

Posted in Music News with tags , , , on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Tim Althaus

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Today marks the third anniversary of James Yancey’s untimely passing. As all of you know this man is a great inspiration to me in every aspect of my life. I truly wish that I would have gotten in tune with this man’s music earlier in my life because there isn’t a single artist or producer that can replicate the beauty that he created. A lot of people would call me a bandwagon jumper seeing as I only found out about Dilla shortly before he passed, but the impact that he has had on me I will never forget.

I gave a 10 minute speech on Jay in one of my classes last year and I ended the speech with a quote by Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson from The Roots: “I am devastated at the world’s loss of a musical genius of Charlie Parker proportions. Too often we bestow the “greatest” title upon those who have the attention of the press, charts and radio. But if you were to secretly ask the most praised Hip-Hop producers, if given a top three, who they feared the most, Dilla’s name would chart on everyone’s list. I am fortunate to have known this man. He inspires me to perfect my craft in every way. Dilla was and always will be my hero.”

I really don’t think that I could some up any argument or statement about James Yancey any better than ?uestlove. If I can do what makes me happy for the rest of my life like Dilla did, then I will certainly be able to die happy. My guess is that God himself had an MPC 2000XL ready for Dilla when he got to heaven just so the lord could take lessons from the greatest. I find myself listening to Donuts and being physically grabbed by some of the tracks, almost as if Jay is trying to tell me something. I will be a Jay Dee fan for the rest of my life.  I can honestly say that J Dilla changed my life.

Like Chaundon once said “If it ain’t Jay Dee, FUCK YA DAMN BEATS!”

R.I.P. J Dilla – February 7th, 1974 – February 10th, 2006

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