Conor Oberst posted a new song from his forthcoming album, Outer South, on his web-site to be streamed. Click here to listen to “Slowly (Oh So Slowly).” Sounds like he is going to continue one with The Mystical Valley Band for at least one more record, which is great news for us.
New Leonard Cohen Album
If you head on over to NPR you can stream in its entirety the double disc collection Live in London by Leonard Cohen. This is a great introduction for anyone who’s only interraction with Cohen’s music is the Rufus Wainwright cover of his epic “Hallelujah” found on the Shrek soundtrack.
The Killers Cover Bright Eyes
The Killers will relaese their song Spaceman off of their new record Day & Age as a single on April 14th. Which wouldn’t be noteworthy at all, but for the cover of the very country Bright Eyes song, ” Four Winds” that was recorded for the B-side.
Where The Wild Things Are
The trailer for the new Spike Jonze interpretation of possibly the greatest children’s book ever, Where the Wild Things Are was released last week, and it looks awesome. That partly due to how awesome Wild Thing looks, and then also because of the sweet version of The Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” that is playing in the background.
Stereogum premiered a new Death Cab For Cutie record, The Open Door EP. Each day last week they would post one of the five tracks that were recorded during the Narrow Stairs process, but are definitely not outcasts. My favorite might be the last track, which is the only unoriginal track of the bunch, a stripped down demo of “Talking Bird.”
Today I thought I would share with you three tracks that managed to hide their elustrious beauty from my ears until just recently. I should have been singing praises of these three songs back when they were first released, but somehow they slipped under my radar until after the new year had rolled around. So here I am today preventing each of you from letting another year roll around before you hear these addictive tunes.
I thought I had listened to all of the latest Kings of Leon album, Only By the Night. But apparently I hadn’t, cause I don’t know how I could’ve heard this song and not been completely entranced right away. For that is what happened when I heard this track a couple of weeks ago while listening to an end of the year podcast on NPR’s All Songs Considered. I don’t care who you are, I think everyone can groove to this tune. The drum beat and little guitar riff that proceeds throughout just make you wanna just chill and dance at the same time, if that were possible. And there is a passion in Caleb’s voice like never before.
I’ve really been into pop tunes that you can dance to lately, and this one has found its way to the top of my playlists again and again this past month. I am in love with the horn intro. It is just a fun and danceable. And as always, Kevin Barnes knows how to use his words to reach your heart. Again I have no idea how I overlooked this gem of a song.
Now this song I did not accidentally overlook. I just ignored it. In fact I hated this track when I first listened to Day & Age. But it came up again when I was listening to my library on shuffle a couple weeks ago, and something in the chorus just struck me. I think it is just an absolutely lovely melody and I have not been able to stop listening to it.
Stereogum is doing some awesome things that I wanted to point your attention to. The first one that I want you to take notice of and show your appreciation for is their MySplice project. They just recently released the third installment to download for free. With the help of team9 they have taken some of the best/most popular songs of the year and mashed them together. I’m usually not a fan of mash ups but this project is pretty darn entertaining. Here is a couple of my favorites, if you like them head on over to Stereogum to hear the whole project.
I also want to draw your attention to a new series of stripped down studio sessions called Decomposed. They invite both well-known and up-and-coming artists to drop by and record stripped down, acoustic versions of a couple of their songs. They have only featured two artists so far, but I am already a big fan. Check out this awesome performance by The Uglysuit. You’ll gain an even greater appreciation for these guys after hearing this fantastic perfromance of “Chicago.”
The Killers have decided to jump the gun, but releasing their third studio album tomorrow instead of sticking with the traditional Tuesday release. Maybe they are just as excited for us to hear the album as we are to get to listen to it. Expect nothing but pure yet slightly ridiculous 80′s influenced synth-pop fun from these guys. Flowers has yet to write a song I didn’t enjoy. But don’t look to these guys to be inspired, rather just let them help you throw a killer dance party. No pun intended.
Death Cab For Cutie – Somthing About Airplanes Deluxe Edition
Also coming out this week is the deluxe reissue of Death Cab For Cutie’s debut studio album, Something About Airplanes. This double-disc is being released by Barsuk to celebreat the 10th anniversary of the original album’s release. The first disc will contain the original album in its entirety. And then the second disc has seven songs from the bands first ever seattle show. It is a great buy for any Death Cab fan at only $12. By the way if the only album you own by DCFC is Plans, you’re not considered a fan.
Death Cab For Cutie – Champagne From a Paper Cup (removed 2/13/09)
