I went out like a lamb, but I’m coming in like a lion.

A loud, fuzzy lion.

In tight, shiny, fuchsia pants.

Sleigh Bells – Crown On The Ground (demo)

http://www.myspace.com/sleighbellsmusic

Nothing could be more appropriate for my last post before heading up into the snowy cold beauty than Beach House (have I told you lately that I love them?) performing “Norway” in their white, fuzzy practice studio. They play Bimbo’s on April 16th — $16 isn’t a lot to spend to feel all swoony and melty for a while.

To watch them perform “Zebra,” kick it on over to Pitchfork.tv.

Tunng started out as a two-man folk outfit with heavy electronic influences and tweakies, but have continually evolved. Their fourth album, …And Then We Saw Land, finds them without one of their founding members and grown into a fully collaborative five-piece.

The sounds are bigger and closer to the British folk-rock tradition, which is just fine by me. I’ll miss the loopy tweaky bits, but I can’t say I’ll miss hearing Tunng described as “folktronica” (shudder).

…And Then We Saw Land comes out March 1 on (Thrill Jockey [U.S.] / Full Time Hobby [U.K.])

Tunng – Don’t Look Down Or Back from …And Then We Saw Land

… and for good measure, here’s a trance-inducing number from their 2004 debut that I always keep with me in my brain-crannies:

Tunng – People Folk from Mother’s Daughter And Other Songs

http://www.tunng.co.uk

http://www.myspace.com/thisistunng

The last few days have been all about this song for me. The sparse arrangements on the xx’s album are so refreshing, and that guitar part is another tick in the “the best music was made in the 1980s” column.

The xx: VCR

After a week of new bands, it’s time for some music that’s been around longer than the half-gallon of buttermilk on the bottom shelf of my fridge. And after a week of covers, it’s time for an overlooked original.

We’ll miss you, Teddy. It’s OK that you left us this way, though, because this way was with a lot of excellent music.

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – Don’t Leave Me This Way from Wake Up Everybody

I’ll say it again:

What’s up, woolly mammoth?

A. Skillz & Krafty Kuts (w/Droop Capone) – Peaches

first posted September 10, 2007

Covers week over already? Do you miss it? Wait, don’t answer — I’m a little angry at you. Why didn’t you tell me about Fol Chen? Didn’t you think I would like a band that makes a video like this?

“The Longer U Wait”

That’s OK, I forgive you! It’s all better now. Especially since Fol Chen have covered one of my favorite Prince songs, and even left in the me-getting-chills part.

Fol Chen – The Beautiful Ones

…and here’s a bonus Floyd cover for good measure.

Fol Chen – In The Flesh

Fol Chen are working on their second album for Asthmatic Kitty, and are touring with Liars this spring (locals will find em at Slim’s on 4/27).

http://www.myspace.com/folchen

Javelin hit up our favorite local thrift store and turn a handful of cheap cassette tapes into an XLR8R “Tune In An Afternoon.” Carambo!

Listen to the result of their afternoon (but it’s more fun if you watch the video first):

Javelin – Me Thing Drawing Me

Javelin’s first LP, No Más, comes out April 20 on Luaka Bop.

http://www.myspace.com/hotjamzofjavelin

I thought 2009 got off to a good start, but so far 2010 is just bananas.  I can barely keep up with the excellent releases so far this year, and there’s more joy just around the corner (Midlake, Hot Chip, Joanna Newsom).

But even if no more albums were released this year, I’d count 2010 as a success just based on Beach House’s Teen Dream (Sub Pop). Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally have crafted a unique and fully realized vision of longing, love, and regret, and it has the sound of a bona fide classic.

Beach House – Norway

…and here’s the song that is breaking my heart ever day, “Silver Soul”:

http://www.myspace.com/beachhousemusic

If you like your ass-shaking with extra wOMp and swing, you’re all over this mix that Bassnectar recently did for International DJ.

Bassnectar – 2010 IDJ Mixtape

Tracklisting