The sophomore LP from Baltimore lovebirds/two-piece Wye Oak is now streaming at Merge Records. The Knot finds Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack unspooling more hazy Americana soundscapes. The new albumarrives July 21, but you can hear it by clicking right here. (via Idolator)
While Depeche Mode successfully battled with sickness on the road, the new video for “Peace,” takes a similiar war-torn aesthetic. The Sounds of the Universe track follows a female soldier coming to grips with civilian life. As she washes dishes at a grimy diner she’s haunted by what’s she’s seen on the battlefield. The video was filmed in Romania with actress Maria Dinulescu. Depeche Mode was one of the Detection bands in our Spring issue. (via Stereogum)
Nurses
“Caterpillar Playground” MP3
Jun 11, 2009
Here’s a recent Dead Oceans signee that could pass for Akron/Family’s little brother or cousin or a really cuddly version of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah perhaps. Portland’s Nurses craft hooky psych pop on their new longplayer, Apple’s Acre (out August 4th) but “Caterpillar Playground” is the true standout. Songwriting twosome Aaron Chapman and John Bowers orbit a great Rhodes piano line around koo-koo clock-like whistling and the occasional outburst of chimes. It’s playful in all the right ways. I’m sure this lil’ guy would dig it.
Faunts
“Feel.Love.Thinking.Of (Lemonade Remix)” MP3
Jun 11, 2009
Canadian electronic group, Faunts, get a summery tropical techno remix from Lemonade on the delicious title track off Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. We featured Faunts in our Spring issue’s Pleased to Meet You section.
Clipse
“All Good (feat. Pharrell)” MP3
Jun 11, 2009
Clipse posted a track from their upcoming Till the Casket Drops (out September). “All Good” is a synth-heavy, Neptunes-produced banger with Pharrell stepping up to the mic. (via Gorilla vs. Bear)
Sonic Youth
“Sacred Trickster” (Live On “Late Show With David Letterman”) Video
Sonic Youth played Letterman last night, scorching through The Eternal‘s opening cut, “Sacred Trickster.” Side note: I watched it with my parents and they seemed a little flummoxed by the whole situation. Looks like SY’s still got it where it counts. “Seminal” is right Dave.
This Blur reunion is really happening folks. NME posted a link to Blur‘s official YouTube page this week. In this video the seminal band is rehearsing the rocktastic “Song 2.” Other rehearsed tracks posted to the site, include “For Tomorrow” and “Death of a Party.” Albarn and crew seem very jolly in them. The full band is making their return at Colchester’s East Anglian Railway Museum - the very place that held their first ever show. The Museum holds around 150 people so if you’re going to that you are one lucky Blur fan. The reunion tour schedule is up on the band’s site. Blur’s also releasing their second best-of compilation, Midlife: A Beginners Guide to Blur on June 15. [via NME]
Jóhann Jóhannsson
“Escape” MP3
Jun 11, 2009
Jóhann Jóhannsson announced his first ever trip to the States already. That small grouping of dates start later this month. To celebrate the occasion Jóhannsson is giving away a song entitled “Escape.” The track is from the soundtrack he made for the BAFTA-nominated, Marc Croste-directed animated film Varmints. A limited edition CD of the film’s music will be released and sold exclusively on the upcoming U.S. tour. As far as those dates are concerned, Jóhannsson will be performing material from his latest conceptual album Fordlândia (second in a proposed triology based on technology) and will be accompanied by the NY-based quartet The American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME). Here are the dates so far:
6.25 NYC, NY - Wordless Music.org @ Le Poisson Rouge (early & late shows, early show 6 p.m. doors, late show 8:30 doors)
6.26 Boston, MA - Cambridge YMCA Theatre
6.27 Philadelphia, PA - St. Mary’s Hamilton Village / thegatherings.org
