Wilco & Fleet Foxes - "I Shall Be Released" (Dylan cover) video

Bob Dylan - "Dreamin' of You"

Tell Tale Signs, the 8th volume in Dylan's masterful Bootleg Series, will be released on October 7th. Signs contains previously unreleased studio recordings, demos, alternate takes, live tracks and rarities spanning 1989 to 2006. In album terms, the set covers all his brilliant late period works: Oh Mercy, Time Out of Mind, Love & Theft and Modern Times. "Dreamin' of You" is taken from the Time Out of Mind sessions. In fact, a chunk of the lyrics in "Dreamin' of You" ended up on Time Out of Mind standout "Standing in the Doorway." Unlike "Standing in the Doorway," "Dreamin' of You" is a brisk, blues-shuffle filled with stinging leads and rippling high-hat. If you didn't already know that Dylan's throwaways were often as good as the stuff he released, then you have this track as proof.

Download MP3: "Dreamin' of You"

Department of Eagles: In Ear Park

A while back, I posted a demo version of "No One Does It Like You," a standout track from Department of Eagles' latest album, In Ear Park (due Oct. 7th on Beggars Banquet/4AD). If you need reminding, Department of Eagles is Daniel Rossen (co-singer/songwriter for Grizzly Bear) and his college roommate Fred Nicolaus. For the most part, In Ear Park resembles Grizzly Bear's Yellow House in sound and structure - which is not a bad thing. It also shouldn't be too shocking as Rossen wrote a good portion of that album. The first two tracks on In Ear Park have been made available as free downloads.

Download MP3: "In Ear Park"
Download MP3: "No One Does It Like You"

My Bloody Valentine - "To Here Knows When" (Live @ Fuji Rock Fest)

Finally, we have a quality audio/visual recording from one of MBV's reunion shows. The audio seems to be directly from the soundboard so this is probably as good a live document of MBV as is possible. Thanks to P4K for the heads up on this.

Heavy Rotation: Bat for Lashes

Bat for Lashes is the nome de plume of British singer/songwriter Natasha Khan. She is fresh off a stint opening for Radiohead to support her debut LP, Fur and Gold. Thom Yorke's praise of Bat for Lashes is actually what prompted me to give them a listen. He had this to say about "Horse and I," Fur and Gold's opening track: "I love the harpsichord and the sexual ghost voices and bowed saws. This song seems to come from the world of Grimm's fairytales and i feel like a wolf." I couldn't have put it better myself. Natasha Khan has a sylvan priestess mystique about her much like kindred spirits Joanna Newsom and Tori Amos - although Bat for Lashes sounds little like either of them. Natasha's songs tend to be dark, minimal and feral without forsaking melody. Also attracting my interest was the presence (vocals, spooky guitar) of Lift To Experience mastermind Josh T. Pearson on three tracks.

A short while ago, Bat for Lashes performed a gorgeous, spellbinding cover of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" during a Fair Game session on Public Radio International (notice she changes the point-of-view to that of a woman). She also recently recorded a cover of "A Forest" for Perfect As Cats: a tribute to The Cure. I have posted both covers below.

Download MP3: "Horse and I"
Download MP3: "What's A Girl To Do?"
Download MP3: "I'm On Fire" (Bruce Springsteen)
Download MP3: "A Forest" (The Cure)

Sigur Rós - "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur" video

This video for "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur"was filmed at the Náttúra concert in Reykjavík in June. Although I do find the band's new album to be a bit uneven, there is no arguing the greatness of "Inni," and, if this video is any indication, it is even more spectacular live.

‘Inní mér syngur vitleysingur’ - Official Video

The Tallest Man On Earth - "A Field of Birds"

I just discovered that the Yellow Bird Project commissioned The Tallest Man On Earth to create an "official theme song" for the Project. For those unfamiliar with the Yellow Bird Project, they are a Montreal-based, non-profit initiative that collaborates with musicians to raise money and awareness for myriad charities. If you don't already know, The Tallest Man On Earth is a favorite new artist of mine and it's easy to see why the Project went to him for a bird-themed song. Besides the fact that his lyrics reference bluebirds and sparrows, his music also evokes the feeling of being in a wide-open vista surrounded by natural wonders. "A Field of Birds" is a joyful, banjo-led tune that does just that.

Download MP3: "A Field of Birds"

David Byrne & Brian Eno: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

If you haven't done so already, I strongly urge all of you to check out David Byrne and Brian Eno's Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (their first collaboration in 27 years). The entire album is streaming on their website, but I've embedded the player below. A digital copy of the album will only set you back $8.99. After about a dozen listens, I'm confident calling this a great album. I didn't really have any expectations prior to hearing it, but I've been listening to it nonstop since Monday. For me, the highlights are "Home," "Everything That Happens," "Wanted For Life," "One Fine Day" and "Poor Boy."

TV on the Radio - "Golden Age" (new song)

It's about damn time. Here it is: the first taste of TV on the Radio's forthcoming third album, Dear Science. There aren't too many bands that get me more excited than TV on the Radio and "Golden Age" will only further my devotion. These guys never fail to deliver. The tune is built on a scuzzy bassline, snapping percussion and glimmering synths. In the choruses, Kyp Malone's sweet falsetto melts into the horn section and it's pure euphoria. It's also funky as shit and probably the most straightforward "pop" track these guys have ever laid to tape. I swear this could have been lifted from Prince's Sign 'O' The Times.

Download MP3: "Golden Age"

Crystal Stilts - "Crystal Stilts"

Although originally from Florida, the Crystal Stilts are now based in Brooklyn. So, yes, it's another Brooklyn band specializing in blissed-out melancholy, but I'll be damned if they're not worth a listen or three. They just released a self-titled EP and their full-length debut, Alight Of Night, is due 10/28 on Slumberland. "Crystal Stilts" appears on both releases. The singer (whose name I cannot track down) is a dead ringer for Stephin Merritt and his vocals are a perfect fit for the gloomy surf pop the Stilts conjure up. Many people have been quick to dump the Ian Curtis/Joy Division tag on these guys, but, honestly, it's a lazy comparison. The Crystal Stilts' melancholy is livened with Spectoresque pop flourishes and a steely surf rumble. If anything, the Stilts are what Joy Division would have sounded like had all their tunes been in the vein of "Love Will Tear Us Apart." There's nothing quite as comforting as surrendering yourself to a swoony oblivion.

Download MP3: "Crystal Stilts"

Heavy Rotation: James Jackson Toth

James Jackson Toth has previously recorded as the leader of Wooden Hand & The Vanishing Voice as well as under various other aliases, but his first "official" solo album, Waiting In Vain, was just released on Rykodisc. I'd never listened to the guy until now and I did it at the behest of Silver Jew David Berman who has been praising Toth's work lately (they are both Tennessee-based). Waiting In Vain is rustic, ramshackle rock in the vein of Silver Jews (naturally) and Frank Black & The Catholics - classic Americana/roots-rock tempered with a healthy portion of rough 'n' tumble punk scrapple. Naturally, there are also clear echoes of formative influences like Dylan and the Stones. Toth is worth your time because he masterfully condenses all these sounds/influences into something that he owns and unspools into songs that are uniquely arresting.

Download MP3: "Doreen"
Download MP3: "The Banquet Styx"
Download MP3: "Beulah The Good"

Frank Black - "This Is Where I Belong" (Kinks cover)

I'm sad to report that I just recently discovered Frank's smoking cover of "This Is Where I Belong" which was a b-side to his 1994 minor-hit single "Headache." Much like his cover of the Beach Boys' "Hang On To Your Ego" from his eponymous solo debut, he masterfully morphs this Kinks classic into sprightly synth-punk. The original's structure and melody are firmly intact. Frank simply gives it that twist and varnish to make it fit in snugly with the rest of his canon.

Download MP3: "This Is Where I Belong"

Radiohead: Live @ All Points West (8/8/08)

I don't normally post concert reviews, but, as anyone who has seen them live can tell you, Radiohead is special. Very special. First off, the sound was impeccable. This is no small feat as outdoor concerts (especially festivals) are notoriously unpredictable re: sound mix. Last night, every element was crisp, clear and beautifully mixed. Secondly, the light & video show was un-fucking-believable. There were many rows of LED light strips hanging from the stage ceiling like glistening icicles, and they were constantly reflecting/projecting colored light in unison with the videoscreens around the band. I'd seen many pictures of their stage set-up for this tour beforehand, but experiencing it in person, up close was mind-altering - quite literally. When I'd look away from the stage after being transfixed for a few songs, I felt like I was wearing 3-D glasses. So, how was the music? I will spare you from any hyperbole and just say that yesterday's show simply reinforced my belief that Radiohead is the best band on the planet - on record and in concert. The setlist was pretty flawless. We got all of In Rainbows minus "Faust Arp," half of Kid A and 2-3 songs from The Bends, OK Computer, Amnesiac and Hail To The Thief. Many of the highlights were no-brainers ("Paranoid Android," "Lucky," "Just," "15 Step," "Bodysnatchers," etc.), but some were unexpected ("The Gloaming," "Optimistic," "Dollars & Cents" and "How To Disappear Completely"). Fittingly, they ended the evening with "Everything In Its Right Place."

The Setlist

1. 15 Step
2. There There
3. Morning Bell
4. All I Need
5. Lucky
6. Nude
7. Arpeggi
8. The Gloaming
9. Optimistic
10. Videotape
11. Reckoner
12. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13. You And Whose Army
14. Idioteque
15. Climbing Up The Walls
16. Bodysnatchers
17. How to Disappear Completely
Encore 1
18. House of Cards
19. Pyramid Song
20. Paranoid Android
21. Dollars & Cents
22. Street Spirit
Encore 2
23. Cymbal Rush
24. Just
25. Everything In Its Right Place

"Paranoid Android"



"Just"



"Nude"

David Byrne & Brian Eno - "Strange Overtones"

What do you get when you put two of the most awesome dudes in the world together? Nothing short of awesome. It also helps when those two dudes have an amazing collaboration track record. David Byrne and Brian Eno recently announced their first collaborative effort since 1981's My Life in The Bush of Ghosts. Their new album, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, will be made available on their website August 18th. A few months back, Byrne described the album as "electronic gospel." On their website, he added further clarification: "For the most part, Brian did the music and I wrote some tunes, words and sang. It's familiar but completely new as well." And, honestly, I can't add anything else beyond that. I've only heard the first song they've made available for download, "Strange Overtones," and it pretty much sounds like what you'd expect from Byrne and Eno. I mean nothing negative by that. In fact, it's a wonderful ambient, afro-pop track topped with Byrne's beautiful voice which doesn't seem to have aged a bit since the Talking Heads' heyday. Naturally, I'm dying to hear what the rest of the album has in store.

Download MP3: "Strange Overtones"