Hippies Are Dead

The Dodos - "Confidence"

2013-05-21T06:46:00.002-07:00

This morning, deep in the "new releases" feed on Rdio, the new single from The Dodos popped up, and frankly, we couldn't be more stoked. "Confidence", which is from the forthcoming LP Carrier, sees the San Francisco duo at possibly the most polished we've ever heard them. And, frankly, that's a good thing: The amazing songwriting remains, and the cleaned up production allows for vocals that truly emphasize Meric Long's killer pipes, as well as an instrumental breakdown that shows off their instrumental chops in a serious way. We're guessing this is the beginning of a killer year for The Dodos, and if you check the track below, we're guessing you'll agree.

U2 - "The Wanderer"

2013-05-20T07:01:00.000-07:00

U2's 1993 record Zooropa is an underrated gem of the band's catalog. It held the hits "Lemon", "Stay", and "Numb", yet is oft-considered the younger sibling of the monster hit Achtung Baby from the year prior. Even the band's guitarist Edge has referred to it as nothing "more than an interlude". Recorded while the band was on the Zoo TV tour for that earlier record, Zooropa was an extension of the Achtung Baby aesthetic, but bathed it the realities of touring, and free of the sterility of the studio. Many of the songs were loaded with societal critique, and the broken-hearted romance of its predecessor was largely left behind. Those songs that did qualify as "love" songs had a more positive bent, and were more about finding love, than lamenting its loss. Case in point, the album's final track, "The Wanderer".

A bit of an anomaly on the record, the song (which was written and recorded by U2) has vocals by the late Johnny Cash. This is, depending on your perspective, a lovely close to the album by one of music's greats, or the lost chance to hear Bono's vocals on one of the record's best compositions. Here at HAD, we've always fallen between the two camps: The writing on the tune is unquestionably killer, and it's one of the albums highlights. Moreover, we had never had access to a Bono version of the track, so there was no real way to know what we were missing — until now.

Over the weekend, we stumbled upon the video above while browsing the interwebs. Filmed at a Johnny Cash tribute after his death, the clip features the band singing "The Wanderer" in full as a tribute to Mr. Cash. And, we must say: it's amazing. The tune's range is perfect for Bono's late-career vocals, and Edge adds a Dion-style backing vocal not found on the album. The two come together to flesh out the tune and allow it to come together as something it never was on Zooropa: the album's defining track, allowing the band to head out into the world to explore the next big thing, and go wandering.

Suuns - Images du Futur

2013-02-28T09:52:00.001-08:00

While we're not exactly sure that we agree with Spinner's estimation that the band is "like Liars or Clinic", we couldn't be happier to have discovered that they're streaming the new record from Suuns, Images du Futur, over at the site. A couple of weeks back we tweeted the band's video for "2020", a killer track off the new record. Well, now in addition to that gem, we've got a whole disc of audio, and a new video for "Edie's Dream" (above).

In short, we're very, very, excited about the release. The band has taken their experimental sonics from the first record, and honed them down into arrangements that are simpler, even more engaging, and as acoustically edgy as their predecessors. At the same time, the deceptively poppy grooves from the first disc have only become more prevalent. Much like the work of many of the great visual artists of the modern era was honed after a comprehensive understanding of traditional craft, so it is clear that Suuns have the ability to deliver catchy, de rigueur rock and roll. Instead, they've chosen to cast aside easier options, and instead deliver a record that focuses on texture, groove, and hidden melodies that stick in your head for days.

We'll be honest: A new Suuns record is not a hard sell for us, as we already loved the band from the get-go. That being said, the record is even better than we had expected, and the fact that it's paired with a serious bout of touring has us seriously excited. The Montreal-based band is even better in their live incarnation, and the fact that some of the dates are with The Besnard Lakes is simply an added bonus. To miss out on this tour would be a serious mistake, and may be what we would guess is your last chance to see them in truly small rooms. But don't take our word for it: stream the disc below and see for yourself!

Suuns 2013 Tour Dates
03/02/13 Saint-Tite, QC - A la Fut w/ We Are Wolves
03/08/13 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC - Le Zaricot w/ We Are Wolves
03/12/13 Laval, QC - Studio Theatre w/ We Are Wolves
03/23/13 Toronto, ON - Lee's Place
03/29/13 Joliette, QC - Cabaret Arena w/ We Are Wolves
03/30/13 Terrebonne, QC - Moulin Neuf w/ Plants and Animals
04/04/13 Montreal, QC - Sala Rossa
04/05/13 Quebec City, QC - Le Cercle
04/09/13 London, ON - Call The Office
04/10/13 Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
04/11/13 Hamilton, ON - Casbah
04/12/13 Kingston, ON - The Grad Club
04/13/13 Ottawa , ON - Ritual
04/15/13 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
04/16/13 Washington, DC - Black Cat
04/17/13 Pittsburgh, PA - 6119
04/18/13 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/19/13 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/20/13 Chicago, IL - Schuba's w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/21/13 DeKalb, IL - Otto's Nightclub w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/22/13 Bloomington, IN - Bishop Bar w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/23/13 St. Louis, MO - Firebird w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/24/13 Fayetteville, AR - J.R.'s Lightbulb Co w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/25/13 Dallas, TX - Club DaDa w/ The Besnard Lakes & Black Mountain
04/26/13 Austin, TX - Austin Psych Fest
04/29/13 Rome, IT - Lanificio 159
04/30/13 Modena, IT - Mattatoio
05/02/13 Zagreb, HR - Culture Factory Club
05/03/13 Krems, AT - Donau Festival
05/04/13 Munich, DE - Atomic Cafe
05/05/13 Berlin, DE - Comet
05/06/13 Cologne, DE - Studio 672
05/07/13 Metz, FR - Les Trinitaires
05/08/13 Zurich, CH - Rote Fabrik
05/09/13 Paris, FR - Trabendo
05/10/13 Lille, FR - Le Grand Mix
05/11/13 Brussels, BE - La Nuit de Botanique
05/12/13 Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg
05/13/13 Brighton, UK - The Haunt
05/14/13 London, UK - XOYO
05/15/13 Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club
05/16/13 Dublin, IE - The Grand Social
05/17/13 Liverpool, UK - Kazimier
05/18/13 Bristol, UK - The Exchange
05/22/13 Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
05/23/13 Vancouver, BC - Media Club
05/25/13 George, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival
05/26/13 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge

Stream: Suuns - Images du Futur

Video: David Bowie - "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)"

2013-02-26T06:17:00.001-08:00

Here we go: things are kicking into overdrive for the release of David Bowie's new record The Next Day, and that includes today's release of the latest single from the record, "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)". The tune, which was released as a video(above) starring Tilda Swinton and directed by Floria Sigismondi, opens with an almost-"Station To Station"-esque instrumental interlude, only to then break down into a rock jam akin to much of Bowie's last big single "New Killer Star".

As with Reality, these rockers tend to kill live, which is what makes it all the more disappointing that Bowie won't be doing more than a show or two in support of his new record. Nonetheless, the track provides a stark contrast to last month's "Where Are We Now", and leaves us with a real question about just how the new record will come together, and whether it will fulfill a hefty spot as the apex of the second half of Bowie's career. A title which currently, in our opinion, continues to be dominated by 2002's Heathen. Either way, we're stoked and ready to digest an album's worth of material.

"The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" is available on iTunes and will see physical release on Record Store Day as a limited edition single.

Johnny Marr — "Upstarts"

2013-02-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

There's no denying that Johnny Marr long ago solidified his place in the world of cool, ranging from his tenure with the Smiths, to playing guitar for Modest Mouse at the height of their most recent success. Even so, we still were unprepared for the awesomeness that Marr was set to deliver with his new solo work. Culled from the forthcoming record The Messenger, "Upstarts" is a three-and-a-half minute dose of some of the best power pop we've heard in a long time. It's an utterly delightful slice of a sound that is at the same time classic and new, absent of a specific place or era. On top of that, Marr and Co managed to create a killer vintage-feel video for the song that is spot-on. Needless to say, we are very excited about this record.

Stream: Johnny Marr - The Messenger (Full Album)

Phoenix - "Entertainment"

2013-02-19T12:26:00.001-08:00

Well, here it is. The first single from Bankrupt!."Entertainment" is a bombastic dose of classic Phoenix, with a solid dose of synth thievery from the vibe of Siouxsie's "Hong Kong Garden". Which isn't to say it's derivative, or that it's anything less than great. It's undeniably fantastic to hear the latest from these Frenchmen.

"Entertainment" picks up stylistically right where Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix left off, and demonstrates its skill as "Girlfriend"'s able bodied cousin. In short, it is a showcase for the band's intricate riffing and rock-solid songwriting, while Thomas Mars' vocals sail about it all.

We'll stop gushing now, and just go listen to it on repeat. You should probably do the same — check it above.

Stream The New Frightened Rabbit

2013-01-31T10:20:00.001-08:00

We'll admit it: after our heavy-duty adoration of Frightened Rabbit's second record, The Midnight Organ Fight, we were a bit let down by the band's third effort, The Winter Of Mixed Drinks. Not that there was anything "wrong" with it per se, but it just simply didn't have the passion or balls-to-the-walls aplomb that we had grown to love. Instead, it felt more like a go-through-the-motions effort that rehashed the most obvious parts of the band's sound.

As such, it was with great hesitation that we sampled the band's new single "Woodpile" (video above) when it dropped last December. We need not have been worried. The track brings the band back to their awesome, impassioned vigor of old, and creates a haunting soundscape that culminates in a screeching guitar avalanche that encourages you to sing along at full volume

Fast forward to this week, and there's even more good news: the whole album is fantastic. Whatever steps they took to ensure this, they were the right ones. Pedestrian Verse drops in February, but it's streaming now over at the Guardian UK, and you should most certainly go have a listen. Everything about the record is on-point, and we couldn't be happier to have a new musical addiction

Stream: Frightened Rabbit — Pedestrian Verse

John Cale Live On KEXP

2013-01-30T12:08:00.001-08:00

Around these parts, our affection for John Cale knows no bounds. And, despite the fact that we have undying love for his classic records(like Paris 1919 which was recently so well revived at BAM), we have been equally smitten with his latest record, Shifty Aventures In Nookie Wood. The record finds Cale in a true return-to-pop-form, deviating from his more recent noisy work, and instead embracing the art-pop he has always delivered so well. It's truly a fantastic listen.

So, you can imagine our delight when we recently stumbled across the knowledge that Cale had made a mid-December stop at KEXP, and recorded a killer set. Not only does he deliver the seventies classics "GUTS" and "You Know More Than I Know", but also stripped-down takes on the new tunes "I Wanna Talk To You" and "December Rains". It's all there in glorious HD, with the 70-year-old Cale sounding fantastic. Check it out above!

The Flaming Lips - "Sun Blows Up Today" (Video)

2013-01-29T14:51:00.001-08:00

It's been a good long while since we've heard a new jam from The Flaming Lips, so we were stoked to learn that their new record The Terror is due April 2nd, and the lead single just droped on the interwebs! "Sun Blows Up Today" is a synth laden psychedelic trek that recalls a hybridization of some of their more recent fuzzy guitar work, and the subtle melodies of The Soft Bulletin in short — it's killer, and we're loving it. Stream the vid (complete with lyrics!) above...

[Gossip] Will A New My Bloody Valentine Record Drop Tomorrow?

2013-01-28T07:57:00.001-08:00

My Bloody Valentine at San Francisco's Concourse in 2008

People have been clamoring for a new record from My Bloody Valentine ever since the band reunited to overwhelming success over five years ago — and you can't really blame them. Not only is the band in top-form, but Kevin Shields has been continually dropping nuggets to the press indicating that such a record was just around the corner.

Well, last night at Brixton's Electric, apparently the news became notably more specific. Apparently, when Shields was asked by an audience member when the new record drop, the reply was "in the next two or three days". Whoa. Normally we'd think it was a joke, but in the age of streaming audio and digital releases, there's really no telling.

Apparently there was a video of the whole event, which has since received a takedown notice on youtube. Rest assured, we're keeping our ears close the ground in the hope of more news. Fingers crossed!!!

The Strokes — "One Way Trigger" (NEW TRACK)

2013-01-25T11:19:00.004-08:00

Happy late Friday afternoon. Thought we were gone for the weekend, eh? Well, so did we, but guess what? The Strokes just dropped a new tune via their official website. It's in the vein of a lot of Angles material, but also a bit more classic than anything on that full-length. Including a quirky little synth line, some acoustic guitars, and Julian's killer falsetto, it's definitely worth a spin, or 100. Yum. Stream or grab the mp3 over at the band's official site.

UPDATE: MP3 Below!

mp3: The Strokes - One Way Trigger

Menomena - "Toomer"

2013-01-25T08:59:00.002-08:00

This January, a fair number of tracks have been cropping up from bands that are on the HAD favorites list, not the least of which is the latest from Menomena, "Toomer". The track is culled from the sessions for last year's Moms, and is certainly true-to-form for the band. Built around a lilting percussion track, hypnotic vocals, and smooth analog synths, it somehow manages to be even more engaging than anything on that full length. It's a mystery why it didn't make it on the record, but we're certainly glad that it's seen the light of day! Stream the track below...

Phoenix Return With Bankrupt!

2013-01-24T13:33:00.001-08:00

There's not much news to report yet, but suffice it to say that we are jump-out-of-your-chair excited about the return of Phoenix. After being off the radar for the better part of the last year or two, the band has update their web-site with a flashing logo and a hypnotic synth line. Both point to the release of the band's new record, apparently entitled Bankrupt!, which is scheduled to drop in April. That's all the news we have for now, but suffice it to say, we are very, very, excited.

EELS - "Peach Blossom" (Video)

2013-01-23T11:06:00.003-08:00

The latest album from EELS is still two weeks away, but that hasn't kept us from salivating over the sneak peeks that are out there. Case in point: the above video for "Peach Blossom". It finds Mr. E back in his Souljacker-era bass-driven, fuzz guitar, take-no-prisoners mode. After two records in 2010 that both hooked into his more sensitive side, we couldn't be happier to hear a little rock and roll back in teh mix.

Wonderful, Glorious, Eels drops on February 5th, and will be accompanied by an internatonal tour, including the US dates listed below. It's being billed as a "Natural, Spectacular Event", make of that what you will. What's more, in addition to "Peach Blossom", you can further whet your appetite with "New Alphabet", an equally fuzzed-out accompaniment to this killer new material. Yum.

EELS US Tour Dates 2013 February 14 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory
February 15 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theatre
February 16 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
February 18 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
February 19 Seattle, WA Showbox Theater
February 22 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
February 23 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
February 24 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
February 25 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
February 26 Montreal, QC Theatre Corona
February 27 Boston, MA Paradise
March 1 New York, NY Webster Hall
March 2 Philadelphia, PA World Cafe Live
March 3 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
March 4 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
March 5 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
March 7 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
March 8 Houston, TX Warehouse Live Ballroom

New Bowie Record Gets Cover Art, Album Tracklist

2013-01-08T13:24:00.002-08:00

Following today's news regarding the new record from David Bowie, The Next Day, we are stoked to have stumbled upon (what could be) the cover art for the record, as well as a definite tracklist. Culled from the iTunes pre-order screen, the monster 17-count tracklist seems all-but-certain, whereas the cover art, a white overlay on the cover of Bowie's 1977 record 'heroes' (see above), could possibly be a placeholder. Either way: excitement!!!!

David Bowie — The Next Day
Tentative Tracklist via iTunes pre-order

1. The Next Day
2. Dirty Boys
3. The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
4. Love Is Lost
5. Where Are We Now?
6. Valentine's Day
7. If You Can See Me
8. I'd Rather Be High
9. Boss of Me
10. Dancing Out In Space
11. How Does the Grass Grow?
12. (You Will) Set The World On Fire
14. Heat
15. So She (Bonus Track)
16. I'll Take You There (Bonus Track)
17. Plan (Bonus Track)

David Bowie Drops New Single, Album In March

2013-01-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

If you're a long-time reader of HAD, you'll no doubt recall that one of our undying obsessions is that of the Thin White Duke, David Bowie himself. Given that he's been a bit of a recluse in recent years, there hasn't been much news to speak of, and we've had to satisfy ourselves with perusing the archives, and enjoying memories of live shows gone by.

Well, starting now, that's all going to change: on this, his 66th birthday, Bowie has released a new track entitled "Where Are We Now?" (video above), and announced a full-length record The Next Day, due to drop March 12th. To state it lightly, for any fans of Bowie this is huge, huge news!

So what does it all mean? Thus far details are sketchy, but the track (which is currently available on iTunes) and record are apparently produced by long-time cohort Tony Visconti, which is a good way to get things started. Bucking the trends of Bowie's last few records, the lead single is decisively a ballad, and it's a good one at that.

With a strikingly simple studio arrangement, "Where Are We Now?" is loaded with nostalgic lyrics about Bowie's time in Berlin, and recalls the instrumentation of his mid-seventies work, notably "Wild Is The Wind", off of Station To Station. The songs conclusion breaks from the ballad structure, with a march-influenced drum beat, and a sense of general rebirth. A good thing, indeed.

Suffice it to say, we are ridiculously excited about this development, and will keep you posted. In the meantime, check the video above and enjoy it!!!

Nick Lowe - "Endless Sleep"

2012-11-28T11:08:00.001-08:00

While listening to Nick Lowe's greatest-hits reboot Quiet Please: The New Best Of Nick Lowe, we stumbled across a serious gem from the singer-songwriter's earlier days. Culled from his Bowi EP , the track "Endless Sleep" is a bulletproof example of the man at his very best.

Unlike much of his early work, the track is subtle in delivery, and eschews the pub-rock machinations of his hit records at the time. Instead, the track is a subtle build-up centered around a reverb-laden guitar and a pulsing bass drum. Combine that with Lowe's voice being in top form and, well, you've got yourself a classic.

mp3: Nick Lowe - Endless Sleep

Divine Fits Played Letterman (Video)

2012-11-19T11:38:00.000-08:00

On Friday night, Divine Fits paid New York a visit, and continued to prove that just about any track from their killer debut could serve as a TV-worthy single. In this case, it was the beat-driven "Baby Gets Worse". The track was simplified from its already-great studio incarnation, and really benefitted from a juxtaposition of instrumentation, with a palpable back-and-forth. What's more, the track emphasized just what makes the Fits' live show so great: a relaxed Britt Daniel easing in with killer bass lines, and a frenetic Dan Boeckner tearing it up on guitar. In short, rock wizardry. Watch now, above.

Divine Fits Played Fallon (Video)

2012-09-10T07:26:00.002-07:00

Last night we managed to catch a stunning show from Divine Fits at Music Hall Of Williamsburg. More on that later, but in the meantime, you can get a taste for the vibe at the show by checking out the band's appearance on Jimmy Fallon (above). Featuring the album track "Would That Not Be Nice", which appears to be leading the race for the next single from the band, the performance is incendiary, tight knit, and totally switched on. Enjoy.

John Cale Readies New Record, BAM Appearances (Video)

2012-09-06T08:09:00.001-07:00

Around these parts, our love of John Cale has only increased in recent years, as the once-Velvet rocker has expanded his musical vocabulary to all sorts of electronics, and released some of the most pleasing records of his career. As such, we couldn't have been more delighted to learn that Cale has a new record on tap for next month.

Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood drops on October 1st, and the first taste we've gotten is fantastic. The track "Face To The Sky" is a meditative ballad, with a killer abstract video to go along side. You can check out the video below, and enjoy the loveliness. If the rest of the record follows suit, we're sold.

On top of the new album excitement, Cale is also scheduled to arrive at BAM in January after a fall European tour. Over three nights, he will deliver two performances of his classic solo record Paris 1919, along with a one night tribute to his frequent (and sadly, deceased) collaborator, NICO. It's always good to know there's a highlight in store to make our January a bit less bleak. Excitement abounds!

John Cale Winter 2012-13 US Dates
Wed. Jan. 16 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM [Life Along The Borderline - tribute to NICO]
Fri. Jan. 18 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM [When Past & Future Collide: Paris 1919]
Sat. Jan. 19 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM [When Past & Future Collide: Paris 1919]

Sondre Lerche Drops First Bonus Track From Reissues, Tour Dates

2012-08-08T08:46:00.001-07:00

Sondre Lerche @ The Great American Music Hall, from the HAD Archive

It's no secret that we here at HAD are huge vinyl fanatics, so when we heard that Sondre Lerche's first four records were being reissued, and simultaneously would be available on vinyl for the first time, we were very, very, excited. However, our excitement was not to end there.

You see, in addition to all that vinyl-flavored goodness, Lerche is giving us so much more: the reissues are backed with bonus tracks that include demos and unreleased tracks. Stereogum has the first one, a demo of "John, Let Me Go", and if it's any indicator of quality, these are going to be a real treasure trove. What's more, Lerche is also releasing his first live record, Bootlegs, from which you can hear the first track at his website. It is equally killer, and definitely representative of the quality of this live shows.

Which brings us to the final gem: Lerche is headed out on a fall tour in support of the records, and he's covering the bases. He'll be in the East, West, and middle of the US, and provided you're somewhere near a major market, you'll be able to see him. And, let us say, as devotees of his live show since his first US tour for Faces Down, it's one that you don't want to miss.

Sondre Lerche Fall 2012 Dates
9/05 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
9/06 Cambridge, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
9/07 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
9/10 Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
9/11 Pittsburgh, PA @ New Hazlett Theater
9/12 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
9/13 Holland, MI @ Hope College – DeWitt Theatre
9/14 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
9/15 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
9/18 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
9/19 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
9/20 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
9/21 Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
9/22 Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
9/25 Phoenix, AZ @ Musical Instrument Museum
9/26 Albuquerque, NM @ Low Spirits Bar & Stage
9/27 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
9/28 Waco, TX @ Common Grounds
9/29 Austin, TX @ Stubbs

It's All Happening: Divine Fits Single, Record Release, and Tour

2012-08-02T09:04:00.002-07:00

We'll be the first to admit: we've been remiss in covering the emergence of Divine Fits from studio project into real-life band, but now the time has come. Not only has the Daniel/Boeckner supergroup dropped their first legitimate single, but they've also delivered artwork for their full-length (above), and scheduled something of a mini-tour. And, frankly, we couldn't be more excited.

The single, which is available online or as a pretty vinyl 7", is fronted by the Boeckner-sung track "My Love Is Real". While it is sonically similar to Handsome Furs in both vocal approach and it's synth-laden identity, it also features hints of Daniel backing vocals on the chorus, and syncopated beats that are the Spoon frontman's hallmark. The track's b-side, "I Was Born In A Laundromat" is unquestionably a Daniel-led affair, reminiscent of the first two Spoon records in both production quality, and writing style.

In addition to these two tracks, Merge has also delivered the Daniel-fronted album cut "Would That Not Be Nice". It's nearly impossible to hear this tune and not think of Spoon's cover of "Don't You Evah". That being said, it seems that Daniel has taken on some of Boeckner's vocal reverb and synths for the track, as well as a slightly more clean spacious production approach. It definitely works, and it's a clear example of how this collaboration serves both artists' quite well.

In addition to all of this exciting new material, the band has lined up an end-of-summer tour, and is hitting both coasts, as well as a few spots in between. Tickets for the Music Hall Of Williamsburg show go on-sale tomorrow at noon.

While there are, of course, no guarantees in life, we've got a good feeling about this one. And, despite the fact that we've only heard three tracks, they're sounding damn good (stream all below). If they're any indication of what's to come, this is going to be a record, and a tour, to remember.

Divine Fits Summer/Fall 2012 Dates
AUG 03 2012 Montreal, QC at Il Motore
AUG 05 2012 Chicago, IL at Schubas
AUG 06 2012 Columbus, OH at Ace of Cups
AUG 09 2012 Salt Lake City, UT at Twilight Concert Series
AUG 14 2012 Los Angeles, CA at The Bootleg
AUG 30 2012 Seattle, WA at The Crocodile
SEP 05 2012 Toronto, ON at Lee's Palace
SEP 09 2012 Brooklyn, NY at Music Hall of Williamsburg
OCT 14 2012 San Francisco, CA at Treasure Island Music Festival

Elton John - To Russia...With Elton

2012-07-10T08:33:00.001-07:00

In 1979, Elton John found himself in a strange place in his career: he had largely stopped touring, he had made some odd forays into disco, and his records weren't getting as much traction. Moreover, he was sober, and newly out of the closet - both of which caused a change in both the delivery, and the public perception of, his persona. It was in this climate that he decided to tour the USSR.

While the only explanation given fro the choice of venue is that they "wanted to play in places they had never played", it can't really be stated enough how amazing it is to see a star of John's magnitude behind the iron curtain and loving every minute of it. The tour was a simple one, with Elton and his percussionist Ray Cooper. As a result, it was oddly reminiscent of his earliest 1970 shows as a piano-drum-bass trio. And, as is often the case with John, his solo performance is just as (if not more) incendiary than his full band show.

Luckily for his fans, the tour had a documentary filmmaker along for the ride, and the result is a 74 minute concert film that is among the best ever produced. It features fantastic performances, cultural insight of the 1970's cold war climate, and fascinating back stage glimpses. In short, everything a concert film should be, and the entire thing is on YouTube. If you're a fan of Elton, and you haven't checked out this film (embed above), now is the time. You won't be sorry.

(And, if that's not enough to satisfy you, then follow up with this Live In Australia video. Not quite as much of a "film", but the performances are equally wonderful, and feature the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.)

Blur Deliver Two New Songs, And They're Awesome

2012-07-03T10:53:00.002-07:00

The past few years have been on-again, off-again on the Blur front. 2009 saw the band reunite for a series of "comeback" shows, but little more than that in terms of follow up. Then 2010 saw the release of "Fool's Day" for Record Store Day, the band's first new material in seven years. Finally, 2012 saw the band committing to a performance at the London Olympics, and hinting at new material. And yet, all the while, Damon Albarn simultaneously was confirming or denying the band's continued existence, depending what media source you chose to believe.

Well, now little of that matters, because the day has arrived: the band has dropped two new singles (videos with lyrics above) entitled "Under The Westway" and "The Puritan", and if you're even a little bit of a Blur loyalist, you will not be disappointed. The first track is a classic Blur ballad, along the lines of "The Universal", but incorporating some of the scratchy guitar sounds the band discovered on 13. The second song is even more "classic" Blur in its feel, recalling the bouncy brit-pop of the band's earliest days on Modern Life Is Rubbish.

All of this confirms what fans have known all along: that the band are more than able to create amazing new work, and that it's a bit of a travesty that they've been silent for so long. Seeing them play the two tracks live (still streamable here) was a dream come true, and their chemistry is undeniable. Given that, we can't wait to see them perform at the Olympics, but moreover, we can only hope and pray that the experience will push them to at least take one last stab at creating another brilliant record.

Video: Plants And Animals - "The End Of That" Live At Mercury Lounge

2012-04-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

Last week when we stopped in at Mercury Lounge to catch a blazing set from Plants and Animals, we also managed to get a video of the title track from their latest full length, The End Of That. We think you'll agree that it's a killer clip - check it out above!