It Covers The Hillsides

ICTH on temporary hiatus :(

2008-05-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

So things haven't quite settled yet with my currently upside-down life, so this means I'll be taking a temporary break from this here blog to take of things. I'm extremely bummed about this, but some things take precedence over others. Please check back after next week, and hopefully all will be back to normal. Thanks for your patience.

ICTH is not dead.

2008-05-08T12:03:00.000-07:00

My life is upside down at the moment, and the lack of posts lately is directly related to that. If all goes well, things will pick back up on Monday. Life can be so "arghhhhh" sometimes.

VIDEO: Deerhunter "Winter Never Stops (acoustic)" - unreleased song

2008-05-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: Dead Confederate "The Rat" (live at GSU's DAEL)

2008-05-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Cable and Tweed for this! I absolutely love this band. I'm actually surprised I haven't posted on them before. Their self-titled EP is in quite a heavy rotation around these parts. They're kind of like a southern rock-flavored Mogwai. DC are currently working on their new full-length which should be out soon.

[MP3] Dead Confederate - Tortured-Artist Saint from "Dead Confederate EP" (via Box.net)

Fri. 5/02/08 - Cracker, Dead Confederate @ The Variety Playhouse
Sat. 6/07/08 - Dead Confederate, All the Saints, The N.E.C. @ The Earl

Dead Confederate - website | Myspace

VIDEO: Spiritualized "Soul On Fire"

2008-05-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Spiritualized - website | Myspace

GREAT NEW MUSIC: The Mae Shi "HLLLYH"

2008-04-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

This week is just kickin' my free-time's ass, so that means slim posts this week. None the less, I just had to post about this band, The Mae Shi. Their new album "HLLLYH" is making the enormous-work-load-ass-beating somewhat tolerable. It's spazzy and fun and totally different and totally worth your attention. I wish I had more time to do this album justice, but apparently it's ass-kickin' time. Stupid work.

[MP3] The Mae Shi - Lamb and the Lion from "HLLLYH" (via Box.net)
[MP3] The Mae Shi - Run to Your Grave from "HLLLYH" (via Box.net)

The Mae Shi - website | Myspace

VIDEO: Atlas Sound "Recent Bedroom"

2008-04-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA/ATHENS SHOWS (04/28 - 05/04)

2008-04-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

Mon. 4/28/08 - Destroyer, Andre Ethier @ The Earl (rec'd!)
Mon. 4/28/08 - Jay Reatard, Thee Crucials, Cheap Time, Derek Lyn Plastic @ Lenny's
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Tue. 4/29/08 - Converge, Genghis Tron, August Burns Red @ The Masquerade
Tue. 4/29/08 - One Hand Loves The Other, Envie, Mystery Palace @ The Earl
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Wed. 4/30/08 - The Acorn, Half-Handed Cloud, Lake @ The Drunken Unicorn
Wed. 4/30/08 - Earth, Madeline, Fur Elise @ The Earl
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Thu. 5/01/08 - Earth, Madeline, Fur Elise @ Caledonia Lounge
Thu. 5/01/08 - American Music Club, Warm in the Wake, No River City @ The Earl
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Fri. 5/02/08 - Iron Hero, Push!, Coral Castles @ Caledonia Lounge
Fri. 5/02/08 - Cracker, Dead Confederate @ The Variety Playhouse
Fri. 5/02/08 - Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause, Tenement Halls @ The Earl
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Sat. 5/03/08 - A. Armada, Make The Fur Fly, Gift Horse @ The Drunken Unicorn
Sat. 5/03/08 - Man Man, Yeasayer @ Lenny's Bar
Sat. 5/03/08 - Elf Power, Night Moves, Space Cookie @ Caledonia Lounge
Sat. 5/03/08 - Tiger! Tiger!, Light Pupil Dilate, Foxfire @ The Earl

VIDEO: Lykke Li "I'm Good, I'm Gone (Black Cab Session)"

2008-04-28T16:46:00.000-07:00

Awesomeness.

NEW SONG: The Twilight Sad - "Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did"

2008-04-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

The Twilight Sad (my #27 of 2007) has put up a new song on their Myspace called "Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did", Angry Ape reports that it'll be the title track of a forthcoming mini-album featuring re-workings of songs from the debut as well as a Daniel Johnston cover. This first track sounds great, and I'm eagerly anticipating hearing the rest (especially that Daniel Johnston cover!). "Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did" comes out June 9th via Fat Cat Records on 12" vinyl and digital MP3.

"Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did" - Tracklisting:
1) And She Would Darken The Memory
2) Cold Days From The Birdhouse
3) Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did.
4) Mapped By What Surrounded Them
5) Walking For Two Hours
6) Some Things Last A Long Time

The Twilight Sad - label website | Myspace

Wolf Parade: TOUR DATES!!

2008-04-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

So Wolf Parade is FINALLY coming to Atlanta. About...damn...time. They also finally decided on what to call their upcoming album...it's now called "At Mount Zoomer" (named after their recording studio). Alright then, I will be getting my tix as soon I possibly can. I posted the first track from "At Mount Zoomer" awhile ago, here. All tour dates below:

:::Wolf Parade | TOUR DATES:::
07-07 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom
07-08 Chicago, IL - House of Blues
07-09 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
07-12 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
07-13 Seattle, WA - Marymoor Park (Sub Pop Anniversary Party)
07-15 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
07-17 San Francisco, CA - Fillmore
07-18 Hollywood, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
07-19 Hollywood, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
07-20 San Diego, CA - Cane's
07-21 Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
07-24 Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
07-25 Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
07-26 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
07-28 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
07-29 Raleigh, NC - Disco Rodeo
07-30 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
07-31 New York, NY - Terminal 5
08-02 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
08-09 Toronto, Ontario - Koolhaus

Wolf Parade - Myspace

TOTALLY FREE MUSIC: Russian Spy Camera

2008-04-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

Athens, GA's Russian Spy Camera are giving away their latest album, "Mutiny in the Kitchen with Knives", for free via their website. Does that mean it sucks? Hell no. They're just really nice, and would rather it make it's way into the hands of fans rather than never see the light of day just because all of their band fund was taken & spent on a plane ticket to Turkey. I highly suggest you head over and download it, and if free albums aren't your thing then there's a Paypal link on their site as well where you can send them some money for it. See? They're nice, so you could be nice back. It's all copasetic.

Russian Spy Camera - website | Myspace

VIDEO: Grizzly Bear "While You Wait For The Others (live on Conan)"

2008-04-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

NEW "SONGS": Jupiter Watts

2008-04-22T16:20:00.000-07:00

I went to see Jupiter Watts last Saturday after an entire day of free music (Record Store Day, 420Fest, etc.), and I must say that it was SO worth fighting off shear exhaustion to finally catch these guys live. I'm a huge fan of their music, but for some reason or another I hadn't been able to catch a show. They played some new material (that I've been told is still in it's primordial infancy), which sounded great & really different than their older material. You can check out said new material on their blog, here.

And, just in case you're not schooled in the music of Jupiter Watts, there are a couple of MP3s below.

[MP3] Jupiter Watts - Felix from "Jupiter Watts" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Jupiter Watts - Travel Without a Sound from "Jupiter Watts" (via Box.net)

Jupiter Watts - website | Myspace

GREAT NEW MUSIC: Citified "The Meeting After the Meeting"

2008-04-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

After talking to Ramon from Jupiter Watts after their show about this band, I realized that I hadn't posted about them since I received their EP, "The Meeting After the Meeting", nearly four months ago...better late than never, right? The delay was certainly not due to any lack of interest in this album. Hell, it's one of the better albums I've been sent so far this year. Not sure what happened, but I'm damn sure gonna tout about now. Dreamy indie-pop/rock that's a little too driving to be shoe-horned into shoe-gaze, but yet it seems to drip enough shoe-gazy reverb & decay to see that MBV and The Cure are definitely amongst their music collection. There is absolutely no filler in this concise & haunting seven song EP, every song as repeatable as the previous one. Needless to say is highly recommended.

"The Meeting After the Meeting" is out now via the great Eskimo Kiss Records.

[MP3] Citified - Weddings from "The Meeting After the Meeting" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Citified - Mascot from "The Meeting After the Meeting" (via Box.net)

:::Citified | TOUR DATES:::
4/25 - The Good Cherry - w/The Late Virginia Summers - Lynchburg, VA
4/26 - Richmond - TBA - Richmond, VA
4/27 - The Galaxy Hut - w/Whiz Bang Three - Arlington, VA
5/23 - The Flat Iron w/Hammer No More The Fingers, Jupiter Watts - Greensboro, NC
5/30 - The Star Bar w/The Preakness - Atlanta, GA

Citified - label website | Myspace

VIDEO: Constantines "Hard Feelings"

2008-04-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA/ATHENS SHOWS (04/21 - 04/27)

2008-04-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

Mon. 4/21/08 - British Sea Power, Film School @ The Earl
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Wed. 4/23/08 - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Duke Spirit @ The 40 Watt Club
Wed. 4/23/08 - The Darlings, Brock Scott Quartet, The Shylights @ The Earl
Wed. 4/23/08 - El Caminos, The Accidents, Royal Thunder @ The Drunken Unicorn
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Thu. 4/24/08 - Cinemechanica, HO-AG, The Liverhearts @ The Drunken Unicorn
Thu. 4/24/08 - Peelander Z, Can Can, Attractive Eighties Women @ The Earl
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Fri. 4/25/08 - Cinemechanica, HO-AG, Bad Dudes, Mouser @ Caledonia Lounge
Fri. 4/25/08 - Tapes n' Tapes, White Denim @ The Earl
Fri. 4/25/08 - Ministry (Final Tour), Meshuggah, Hemlock @ The Masquerade
Fri. 4/25/08 - Sonen, Parade, Twin Tiger @ Lenny's Bar
Fri. 4/25/08 - Modern Skirts, The Bridges @ The 40 Watt Club
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Sat. 4/26/08 - The Winter Sounds, Morning State, Sealions @ The Star Bar
Sat. 4/26/08 - Thrice, Circa Survive, Pelican @ The Masquerade
Sat. 4/26/08 - French Kicks, Today The Moon, Tomorrow The Sun, The Preakness @ The Earl
Sat. 4/26/08 - All The Saints, The N.E.C., Beluga, The Chops @ The Drunken Unicorn
Sat. 4/26/08 - The Young Antiques, Five-Eight, The Big Fish Ensemble @ Lenny's Bar
Sat. 4/26/08 - Je Suis France, The Buddy System, Royal Bangs @ The 40 Watt Club
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Sun. 4/27/08 - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Via Audio, Capibara @ The Earl

NEW SONG: My Morning Jacket "Evil Urges"

2008-04-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

I cannot express how impressed I am with this new title track from My Morning Jacket, "Evil Urges". Hopefully the new direction that this song hints at, is what we can expect from the full album. I mean, as soon as you think you've figured 'em out they go all Prince on us. The new album, "Evil Urges", comes out June 10 via ATO Records.

[MP3] My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges from "Evil Urges" (via Box.net)

Evil Urges - tracklist:
01 Evil Urges
02 Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 1
03 Highly Suspicious
04 I'm Amazed
05 Thank You Too
06 Sec Walkin'
07 Two Halves
08 Librarian
09 Look at You
10 Aluminum Park
11 Remnants
12 Smokin From Shootin
13 Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 2
14 Good Intentions

My Morning Jacket - website | Myspace

NEW SONG: Atlas Sound "Another Bedroom"

2008-04-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, Atlas Sound's breath-takingly beautiful debut album, Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel, is being released in Europe via 4AD with a six-song bonus disc featuring some previously unreleased material (although "ABC Glasgow" was released for free earlier via the Deerhunter Blog). In addition to the bonus disc, the European version will also sport different artwork (see pic above), bonus disc tracklisting below.

LTBLTWCSBCF Bonus disc:
01 Another Bedroom
02 It Rained
03 Stained Glass Swan
04 The Abandoned Closet
05 Spring Break
06 ABC Glasgow

[MP3] Atlas Sound - Another Bedroom from "LTBLTWCSBCF Bonus Disc" (via Box.net)

:::Atlas Sound | TOUR DATES:::
05-12 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
05-13 Helsinki, Finland - Kuudes Linja
05-15 London, England - Stag and Dagger Festival
05-16 Manchester, England - Salford Mill
05-16-18 Minehead, England - Butlins Holiday Centre (Explosions in the Sky ATP)
05-19 Dublin, Ireland - Tripod *
05-20 Glasgow, Scotland - Oran Mor *
05-21 Leeds, England - Brudenell Room *
05-22 London, England - Koko *
05-23 Starbourg, France - Laiterie *
05-24 Paris, France - Alhambra Theatre *
05-25 Lille, France - Grand Mix *
05-26 Bordeaux, France - Grand Mix *
05-27 Porto, Portugal - Teatro Batalha *
05-28 Lisbon, Portugal - Lux Fragil *
05-29 Malaga, Spain - AV Cervantes *
05-31 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Sound Festival
07-19 Chicago, IL - Union Park (Pitchfork Music Festival) *

* with Animal Collective

Atlas Sound - Myspace

VIDEO: Animal Collective "Brother Sport" (Live in Lyon, France)

2008-04-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

This is a new-ish song that AC played live on their last tour. It's not going to be on the new EP, "Water Curses" (out May 6 via Domino Records), so maybe we can expect to see it on their next full-length.

Just in case you haven't heard it yet, I'm posting the title track from the new EP below as well. I fuckin' love Animal Collective.

[MP3] Animal Collective - Water Curses from "Water Curses EP" (via Box.net)

DOWN 'N DIRTY WONDERFULNESS: Thee Oh Sees "The Master's Bedroom is Worth Spending A Night In"

2008-04-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

Goddamn. Between the new Night Marchers album, and now this new one from Thee Oh Sees, "The Master's Bedroom is Worth Spending A Night In", I've been completely immersed in dirty-psyche-garage-rock wonderfulness. This album is SO much more than I was expecting, it bounces between eerie psyche-rock, raw-as-should-be garage rock, and pounding surf-rock. It almost sounds like the soundtrack to some fabulously-bad-which-is-good 60's cult film about fast women, psychedelics, death, and surfing which culminates in an over-the-top beach dance party. Bad ass.

"The Master's Bedroom is Worth Spending A Night In" is available now via Tomlab.

[MP3] Thee Oh Sees - Ghost in the Trees from "The Master's Bedroom is Worth Spending A Night In" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Thee Oh Sees - Grease 2 from "The Master's Bedroom is Worth Spending A Night In" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Thee Oh Sees - Two Drummers Disappear from "The Master's Bedroom is Worth Spending A Night In" (via Box.net)

Thee Oh Sees - label website | Myspace

GREAT NEW MUSIC: Lykke Li

2008-04-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

I'm kinda late in the game when it comes to Lykke Li's music, having just listened to her first state-side release, the "Little Bit EP", just this week. Going from dancy-pop to gorgeously subdued numbers that are as fragile as they are confident. If the full-length is in ANY WAY as alluring as this four-song EP promises then I think it might just see some serious iPod action. No US release date yet for her full-length, "Youth Novels", but the EP comes out May 6th. It is highly recommended.

Lykke Li will be touring North America for the first time this spring on a double headlining bill with ICTH fave El Perro Del Mar and special guest Anna Ternheim.

:::Lykke Li | TOUR DATES:::
05.06.08 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
05.07.08 - New York, NY - Joe’s Pub
05.08.08 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
05.09.08 - Boston, MA - Middle East
05.10.08 - Montreal, QUE - Lambi
05.11.08 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
05.12.08 - Chicago, IL - Shuba’s
05.14.08 - Vancouver, BC - Red Room
05.15.08 - Seattle, WA - Triple Door
05.16.08 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
05.18.08 - San Francisco, CA - Bimbo’s
05.19.08 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre

[MP3] Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance from "Little Bit EP"

[VIDEO] Lykke Li - "Little Bit"

[VIDEO] Lykke Li - "I'm Good, I'm Gone"

Lykke Li - website | Myspace

VIDEO: The Buddy System "Clap Paws"

2008-04-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Cable and Tweed for this.

:::The Buddy System | TOUR DATES:::
4/26 - 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA (w/ Je Suis France)
5/08 - Gainesville Popfest, Gainseville, FL
5/09 - Club 210, Lakeland, FL
5/10 - The Crowbar, Ybor City, FL
5/31 - Flicker Bar, Athens, GA (w/ Spring Tigers)
6/28 - 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA (w/ Maserati)

The Buddy System - label site | Myspace

FISHBOY: Tour dates

2008-04-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

Fishboy, one of my favorite bands on the supa-fine HHBTM roster, is about to embark on an east coast tour starting next week. Needless to say you should drop everything, clear your schedule and make it out to one of these shows. It will be a guaranteed good-time, and you can even bring your Grandma (as long as she loves dancin' around all spazzy-like)!

:::FISHBOY - TOUR DATES:::
4/23 - The Boom Boom Room w/ Jacob Enwood - Fayetteville, AK
4/24 - The Way Out Club w/ That's My Daughter and Wooden Kites - St. Louis, MO
4/25 - Replay Lounge w/ The Jim Button Band - Lawrence, KS
4/26 - Surf Ballroom (home of Buddy Holly's last show!) w/ Poison
Control Center! - Clear Lake, IA
4/27 - Borg Ward w/ Quin Scharber - Milwaukee, WI
4/28 - The Statehouse - Bloomington, IN
4/29 - Quencher's - Chicago, IL
4/30 - 503 Oldham Ct. w/ Joy Bombs/Big Fresh - Lexington, KY
5/01 - Charm City Art Space w/ the Up Set - Baltimore, MD
5/02 - The Knitting Factory w/ Uncle Monsterface and The Besties - New York, NY
5/03 - Party w/ 926 Main Street Apt. 2 - Worcester, MA
5/05 - 6 Barton - St.Rochester, NY
5/06 - 12:00PM Live on 89.7FM WITR - Rochester, PA
5/07 - Khyber w/ MILK! - Philadelphia, PA
5/08 - SPAZZATORIUM GALLERIA! - Greenville, NC
5/09 - 255 Ashley Ave. - Charleston, SC
5/10 - Caledonia - Athens, GA
5/13 - Lowe Mill w/ Japanther - Huntsville, AL
5/15 - Cafe Mi Aroma w/ Mermaid Police - Chattanooga, TN
5/16 - Tomato Tomato w/ Velcro Stars - Murfreesboro, TN
5/17 - Actor's Cafe - Shreveport, LA

[MP3] Fishboy - Parachute (Using Buddy Holly's Ghost As A) from "Albatross: How We Failed to Save The Lone Star State with the Power of Rock and Roll" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Fishboy - Blackout/Flashback from "Albatross: How We Failed to Save The Lone Star State with the Power of Rock and Roll" (via Box.net)

Fishboy - website | Myspace

Celebrate RECORD STORE DAY with Criminal Records this Saturday (4/19)!!!

2008-04-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

So I posted about Record Store Day awhile ago, and now it's almost upon us. This Saturday (4/19), Atlanta's Criminal Records will be celebrating the first annual Record Store Day with exclusive releases from a ton of independent labels such as limited edition records from Stephen Malkmus, The Breeders, Vampire Weekend, and The Teenagers, as well as all-day live performances from great bands including: Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause, Andy Hull (from Manchester Orchestra), Bobby & the Soft Spots, The Bridges, The Coathangers, Club Awesome, Dead Confederate, Hope For Agoldensummer, Judi Chicago & many more (see schedule below). In addition to the musical entertainment, several Atlanta-based record labels (Die Slaughterhaus, Douchemaster Records, International Hits, New Street Records, Rob's House Records, and Stickfigure Distribution) will set up booths to sell their wares, offer advice, compare tattoos, and swap recipes.

Record Store Day at Criminal Records is a free and all-ages event. The store will be open from 10AM until 10PM on Saturday, April 19. Criminal Records has been a mainstay in the Atlanta community for almost 17 years (it's definitely my favorite record shop!). The independently and locally-owned business is located at 466 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, in Little 5 Points. So come out and help celebrate one of my favorite places, the independent record store!

BAND SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Outdoor stage:
1:00 PM - The Bridges
2:00 PM - Ocha La Rocha
3:00 PM - Bobby and the Soft Spots
4:00 PM - Suitcases
5:00 PM - Judi Chicago
6:00 PM - The Coathangers
7:00 PM - Anna Kramer and the Lost Cause
8:00 PM - Noot d'Noot

Indoor stage:
2:30 PM - Single Malt Solution
3:30 PM - Trances Arc
4:30 PM - Club Awesome
5:30 PM - Dead Confederate
6:30 PM - Andy Hull (Manchester Orchestra)
7:30 PM - Hope for agoldensummer
8:30 PM - Janelle Monae

VIDEO: Annuals "Sore"

2008-04-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Annuals - website| Myspace

VIDEO: M83 "Graveyard Girl"

2008-04-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: Xiu Xiu "F.T.W."

2008-04-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

NEW SONG: Wolf Parade "Call It a Ritual"

2008-04-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a track from Wolf Parade's still untitled forthcoming album (which drops 6/17 via Sub Pop). It was rumored to be called "Kissing The Beehive", but that's apparently not the case anymore. Not that it matters, I'm gonna buy it no matter what the hell they title it. It's freakin' Wolf Parade!

~~"Kissing The Beehive"~~ "TBD" - track listing:
01 "Soldier's Grin"
02 "Call It A Ritual"
03 "Language City"
04 "Bang Your Drum"
05 "California Dreamer"
06 "The Grey Estates"
07 "Fine Young Cannibals"
08 "An Animal In Your Care"
09 "Kissing The Beehive"

[MP3] Wolf Parade - Call It a Ritual from "TBD" (via Box.net)

VIDEO: Deerhunter "Cool (Pylon cover, live @ Market Hotel, NYC | 4/11/08)"

2008-04-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Deerhunter played a semi-secret show this last Friday (4/11) in Brooklyn, NY @ Market Hotel. Performing songs from their upcoming album "Microcastle" and this great cover of Pylon's "Cool". ICTH is EAGERLY antcipating this new album, and quite jealous of New Yorkers right now.

VIDEO: Death Cab For Cutie "I Will Possess Your Heart"

2008-04-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

I need the night off....

2008-04-10T15:32:00.001-07:00

Normally I don't post on the weekend, but I need to take a break...so I'll be putting up the rest of today's posts tomorrow. Hopefully next week isn't so hectic (crossing my fingers).

VIDEO: Hot Chip "One Pure Thought"

2008-04-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

MORE BEAUTIFUL NEW MUSIC: Wye Oak "If Children"

2008-04-09T16:44:00.001-07:00

When spring approaches, and the weather starts to warm, I tend to gravitate towards music that accentuates those balmy, breezy (and extremely relaxing) evenings spent finally enjoying being outdoors after four months cooped up inside. Wye Oak's debut album "If Children" is about as perfect a soundtrack to one of these treasured spring evenings as you'll find. Beautifully orchestrated indie-rock-folky-pop with hushed flourishes of slow-core & shoegaze. Listening to this album, it's hard not to want to completely immerse & lose yourself for awhile. So as my jackets get packed away and my shorts get dusted off, I plan on doing just that.

"If Children" is out now via Merge Records.

:::TOUR DATES:::
4/10 - The G-Spot (CD Release), Baltimore, MD
4/11 - The Sugar Tank, Lancaster, PA
4/12 - Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY
4/13 - The Black Cat, Washington, DC
5/01 - Garfield Artworks, Pittsburgh, PA
5/02- Over the Top Festival, Toronto, ON
5/03 - Valentine's Downstairs, Albany, NY
5/04 - Great Scott, Boston, MA

[MP3] Wye Oak - Family Glue from "If Children" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Wye Oak - Obituary from "If Children" (via Box.net)

Wye Oak - website | Myspace

BEAUTIFUL NEW MUSIC: Sharon Van Etten

2008-04-08T16:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when shitty things happen to me, I want to believe that there has to be a good reason why. Like maybe it's to make me a stronger person, or maybe there's a lesson to be learned. I'm not sure. All I know is that while I'm going through it, it just plain sucks. I'm unfortunately going through one of these "shitty things" currently, and although I know it's for the better, it still hurts none the less. So how serendipitous that I was sent this album while going through this mess. Sharon Van Etten's music has been so therapeutic with it's unyielding beauty that, at times, it has stopped me dead in my tracks. Muscles relax, racing thoughts slow down, and the dust clears. I'm not just responding to her engaging voice & beautiful music, but to the lyrics as well...some seem to mirror almost exactly what I'm currently going through. All in all, I've been completely taken with every song (I even love the faint tape-hiss throughout most tracks). This album comes highly recommended.

Right now you can purchase Sharon's album either through her website, or her Myspace page. If you live in the NYC area, you'll fortunately be able catch one of her upcoming live performances (dates below), for the rest of us we'll just have to wait patiently for her to grace one of our local stages. I've included a video of a recent performance at The Apartment below, as well as a couple of MP3s. Enjoy.

:::DATES:::
4/15 - The Cake Shop - w/ Naked Hearts, Werewolves
New York, NY, 8pm

4/21- Monkeytown - w/ Shilpa (of Beat the Devil), Forest Fire
Brooklyn, NY

4/26 - Collision Machine
Brooklyn, NY

4/29 - Pianos - w/ Jae (from Norway), She Keeps Bees
New York, NY, 8pm

5/29 - Zebulon - w/ WS Burn (from TX)
Brooklyn, NY, 9pm *FREE SHOW*

[MP3] Sharon Van Etten - Tornado from "S/T" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Sharon Van Etten - For You from "S/T" (via Box.net)

[VIDEO] Sharon Van Etten "For You (live at The Apartment)"

NEW SONG: El Perro Del Mar "Glory To The World"

2008-04-08T15:59:00.001-07:00

ICTH fave, El Perro Del Mar (Sarah Assbring), will be releasing her new album "From The Valley To The Stars" on 4/22 in the US and has just released the first track from said album entitled "Glory To The World". It's a gorgeous example of what made me a fan of her music in the first place. Those unfamiliar with her should definitely check out her last self-titled album. El Perro Del Mar will be touring North America with Lykke Li and Anna Ternheim starting in early May.

[MP3] El Perro Del Mar - Glory To The World from "From The Valley To The Stars" (via Box.net)

:::TOUR DATES:::
May 6 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
May 7 - Joe's Pub - New York, NY
May 8 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
May 9 - Middle East - Boston, MA
May 10 - Lambi - Montreal, Quebec
May 11 - Mod Club - Toronto, Ontario
May 12 - Schuba's - Chicago, IL
May 14 - Red Room - Vancouver, British Columbia
May 15 - Triple Door, Seattle, WA
May 16 - Dough Fir - Portland, OR
May 18 - Bimbo's - San Francisco, CA

El Perro Del Mar - website | Myspace

ISLANDS reveal tour dates & "Arm's Way" cover art

2008-04-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

Um...wow.

There's an MP3 from "Arm's Way" a couple of posts down. I can't wait to catch these guys in June!

:::ISLANDS - TOUR DATES:::
04-16 Buffalo, NY - Soundlab
04-17 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
04-18 Champaign, IL - IMC
04-19 Madison, WI - TBA
04-21 Denver, CO - Bluebird
04-22 Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
04-24 Los Angeles, CA - UCLA
04-26 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
04-30 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's
05-23 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
05-24 New York, NY - Webster Hall
06-16 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's 365 Club
06-02 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium
06-24 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
06-27 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade

Islands - website | Myspace

VIDEO: Bon Iver "Lump Sum" (Live on Back on Stages)"

2008-04-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

Back On Stages #2 Bon Iver - Lump Sum
by lablogotheque

ATLANTA/ATHENS SHOWS (04/07 - 04/13)

2008-04-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

Mon. 4/07/08 - Tokyo Police Club, Eagle*Seagull @ The 40 Watt Club
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue. 4/08/08 - The Weakerthans, Liam Finn @ The 40 Watt Club
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed. 4/09/08 - HEALTH, Club of Rome @ The Drunken Unicorn 
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Thu. 4/10/08 - Howlies, The Orphins, The Hotpipes @ The Earl
Thu. 4/10/08 - Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Clue to Kalo @ The Drunken Unicorn
Thu. 4/10/08 - Colin Meloy (Decemberists), Laura Gibson @ The Variety Playhouse
Thu. 4/10/08 - Sleepy Horses, 13Ghosts, Jeff Whatley @ Caledonia Lounge
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Fri. 4/11/08 - Spy For Hire, Make The Fur Fly (ex-Continue and Save), Dwarfstarr @ Lenny's
Fri. 4/11/08 - Son Volt, Bobby Bare Jr. @ The Variety Playhouse 
Fri. 4/11/08 - Tiger! Tiger!, The Black and Whites, Bobby & the Soft Spots @ The Earl
Fri. 4/11/08 - Abandon the Earth Mission @ The Drunken Unicorn
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sat. 4/12/08 - Abandon the Earth Mission @ Caledonia Lounge
Sat. 4/12/08 - Noot 'D Noot, Judi Chicago @ The Drunken Unicorn
 Sat. 4/12/08 - Wax Fang @ The Masquerade
 Sat. 4/12/08 - Unknown Hinson, Syrens of the South @ The Earl
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Sun. 4/13/08 - Explosions in the Sky @ The Variety Playhouse 8pm show SOLD OUT!! / 2nd early show added @ 4:30pm
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FULL SHOW: Jay Reatard @ Cake Shop, NYC (10/10/07)

2008-04-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

Man, this last week (and weekend) was brutal, my life has kinda been turned upside-down and it's really prevented me from doing much of anything with this here blog. This may mean fewer posts this week until the dust settles, my apologies. Pitchfork.tv launched today, and good god do they have some really great stuff on there, including this here Jay Reatard show from NYC on 10/10/07. I'm really looking forward to catching his Atlanta show at Lenny's Bar on 4/28, and this video will show you exactly why (tour dates below).

:::TOUR DATES:::
04-09 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre ^
04-10 Omaha, NE - Slowdown ^
04-11 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ^
04-12 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre ^
04-13 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue ^
04-15 Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre ^
04-16 Ottawa, Ontario - Babylon %
04-17 Toronto, Ontario - Silver Dollar %
04-18 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa %
04-19 Ithaca, NY - Cornell University Barn
04-20 Boston, MA - Harper's Ferry #
04-21 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom #
04-22 Brooklyn, NY - Europa #
04-24 Princeton, NJ - Terrace Club #
04-25 Swarthmore, PA - Swarthmore College #
04-26 Washington, DC - Black Cat #
04-27 Charlotte, NC - The Milestone #
04-28 Atlanta, GA - Lenny's #
05-01 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone #

^ with the Black Keys
% with CPC Gangbangs
# with Cheap Time

NEW SONGS FROM UPCOMING ALBUMS

2008-04-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some new-ish-ly released songs from some highly anticipated upcoming albums. Enjoy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[MP3] Islands - Creeper from "Arm's Way" (via Box.net)
"Arm's Way" is out May 20th via ANTI-.

Islands - Myspace
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[MP3] No Age - Eraser from "Nouns" (via Box.net)
"Nouns" is out May 6th via Sub Pop.

No Age - Myspace
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[MP3] Jay Reatard - Always Wanting More from "upcoming 7" single" (via Box.net)
The first 7" in Jay Reatard’s singles series for Matador, “See Saw” b/w “Screaming Hand” is out April 8th.

Jay Reatard - Myspace
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[MP3] Shearwater - Leviathan, Bound from "Rook" (via Box.net)
"Rook" is out June 3rd via Matador.

Shearwater - Myspace

VIDEO: Los Campesinos! "My Year in Lists"

2008-04-02T12:55:00.001-07:00

Caribou / Fuck Buttons - TOMORROW NIGHT!!!

2008-04-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

There was a little scare yesterday concerning whether or not Caribou were going to cancel some shows on their current tour (including the Athens date) due to an injury suffered by their drummer on 3/30...well worry no more, Caribou has found a replacement drummer and the shows are still on! This would've been a serious bummer, since I've been anxiously awaiting this show for months now. Plans were made, people are involved (I'm pretty sure that some of them are prone to crying ;) ), but now it's back on and I AM EXCITED! This is sure to be one hell of a show, I strongly suggest you scrape up 12 bucks and hit this up.

Wed. 4/02/08 - Caribou, Fuck Buttons @ The 40 Watt Club

Caribou - website | Myspace
Fuck Buttons - website | Myspace

VIDEO: The Acorn "Flood Pt. 1"

2008-04-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA/ATHENS SHOWS (03/31 - 04/06)

2008-03-31T15:07:00.000-07:00

Mon. 3/31/08 - Gaye Blades, Coffin Bound, The Points, Mammals @ The Drunken Unicorn CANCELLED :(
 Mon. 3/31/08 - Kylesa, The Ocean, Lair of the Minotaur @ The Masquerade   
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 Tue. 4/01/08 - David Dondero, Ben Trickey, Trapper's Cabin @ The Earl 
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Wed. 4/02/08 - Caribou, Fuck Buttons @ The 40 Watt Club
Wed. 4/02/08 - The Dirtbombs, Kelley Stoltz, Thee Crucials @ The Earl
Wed. 4/02/08 - The Good Moods, The Hotels, Goodnight Mush @ The Drunken Unicorn
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Thu. 4/03/08 - Sleep Therapy, Jeffrey Butzer/Midwives, Dancer vs. Politician @ The Earl
Thu. 4/03/08 - Say Anything, Manchester Orchestra, Biffy Clyro @ The Masquerade 
Thu. 4/03/08 - Femme Fatality, Indigo Vox (After show: FUCK YESSS w/ Le Castle Vania, Treasure Fingers) @ The Drunken Unicorn 
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Fri. 4/04/08 - Tentonic, The Red Coats, Ponderosa @ The Earl
Fri. 4/04/08 - All The Saints, We Are Wolves, Trial By Fire, Ominous Castle @ Lenny's Bar
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Sat. 4/05/08 - Enon, Howlin' Rain, Nomen Novum @ The Drunken Unicorn
Sat. 4/05/08 - Mourdella, The Coathangers, West End Motel @ The Earl
Sat. 4/05/08 - The Mars Volta @ The Tabernacle CANCELLED :(
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Sun. 4/06/08 - Jupiter Watts (dunch) **FREE SHOW**@ The Earl

NEW SONG: Ladytron "Black Cat"

2008-03-31T14:53:00.001-07:00

Ladytron just released a track from their forthcoming album, Velocifero, which is out June 3rd via Nettwerk. I can't understand a single word sung in this song as it's all in Bulgarian, but that hasn't stopped me from playing the hell out of it for the last half hour. Ladytron is touring starting 5/02 in Canada, then heading south for the US leg of the tour on 5/24.

:::Ladytron - Tour Dates:::
5/20 Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room $
5/21 Calgary, AB - The Warehouse $
5/23 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom $
5/24 Seattle, WA - Showbox $
5/25 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom $
5/27 San Francisco, CA - Fillmore $
5/29 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda $
5/30 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda $
5/31 San Diego, CA - The Belly Up $
6/02 Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue $
6/03 Denver, CO - The Gothic $
6/05 Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom $
6/06 Austin, TX - Stubbs $
6/07 Houston, TX - Meridian $
6/08 New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues $
6/10 Orlando, FL - Club Firestone $
6/11 Tampa, FL - Czar $
6/12 Miami, FL - Studio A $
6/13 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse $
6/15 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Festival
6/16 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant $
6/17 Chicago, IL - Vic Theater $
6/18 Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall $
6/25 New York, NY - Terminal 5 $
6/26 Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts $
6/27 Baltimore, MD - Sonar $
6/28 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club $
6/30 Boston, MA - Paradise $

$ = w/ Datarock

[MP3] Ladytron - Black Cat from "Velocifero" (via Box.net)

Ladytron - website | Myspace

VIDEO: Justice "Phantom, Part II" (unofficial)

2008-03-31T14:51:00.001-07:00

VIDEO: The Billionaires "Eighties Movies"

2008-03-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: Björk "Wanderlust"

2008-03-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

Now this is how you make a music video, leave it to Björk to push the envelope, yet again (her videos are always my favorites)! The guys from from Encyclopedia Pictura (who directed this), are bad-asses...this is my pick for video of the year, hands down (I'm pretty sure no one's gonna top this one anytime soon, probably not until Björk makes her next video ;) ). Watch a bigger version here. They are planning on releasing the 3-D version of this video soon, and you can get your free 3-D glasses here.

PRETTY DAMN GOOD NEW MUSIC: Colour Revolt "Plunder, Beg, and Curse"

2008-03-27T17:01:00.001-07:00

I just got this album through eMusic yesterday, and I wasn't really taking to it by the first listen. I was working at the time, so I just let it play through a second then a third time. I thought I was listening to a different album by accident the second time, but no...it was still Colour Revolt. It seemed much better this time, and by the third listen I was completely hooked. Make no mistake, it's a rock album...a really well written, and ENGAGING rock album that really rises above the MANY others. I'm about to take another stroll through these ten tracks, I suggest you do the same.

"Plunder, Beg, and Curse" will be released April 1st on Fat Possum.

They are on tour with The Breeders starting April 28th, then with Atlanta's own Snowden starting May 12th (sadly no Atlanta date :-( ).

::::Colour Revolt - Tour Dates::::
Apr 04 - The Library Bar and Grill - Oxford, MS
Apr 05 - Smith Wills Stadium (Youth Educational Fair) - Jackson, MS
Apr 11 - Bottletree - Birmingham, AL
Apr 12 - Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA
Apr 26 - Courthouse Square (Double Decker Arts Festival) - Oxford, MS
Apr 28 - Cane's Bar and Grill - San Diego, CA *
Apr 30 - Slim's- San Francisco, CA *
May 02 - House of Blues Las Vegas- Las Vegas, NV *
May 03 - Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ *
May 05 - Emo's - Austin, TX *
May 06 - House of Blues Dallas - Dallas, TX *
May 07 - Meridian - Red Room - Houston, TX *
May 09 - The Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS *
May 10 - Pop's - Sauget, IL *
May 12 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC %
May 13 - Rock & Roll Hotel - Washington, DC %
May 14 - Northstar - Philadelphia, PA %
May 15 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY %
May 16 - Maxwell’s -) Hoboken, NJ %
May 17 - Pearl St. Downstairs - Northhampton, MA %
May 18 - Great Scott - Allston, MA %
May 20 - Mohawk Place - Buffalo, NY %
May 21 - Lee’s Palace - Toronto, ON %
May 22 - Musica - Akron, OH %
May 23 - Subterranean - Chicago, IL %
May 24 - Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, MN %
May 25 - Jackpot Saloon - Lawrence, KS %
May 26 - The Conservatory - Oklahoma City, OK %
May 28 - HOB Cambridge Room - Dallas, TX %
May 29 - Stubb’s BBQ - Austin, TX %
May 31 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA %

* with The Breeders
% with Snowden

[MP3] Colour Revolt - Naked & Red from "Plunder, Beg, and Curse" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Colour Revolt - Innocent and All from "Plunder, Beg, and Curse" (via Box.net)

Colour Revolt - website | Myspace

NEW SONG: Annuals "Sore"

2008-03-27T15:50:00.001-07:00

Been awhile since I've heard some new music from Annuals, whose "Be He Me" was top fave here in 2006 (and still is!). So they have a split EP, "Wet Zoo", coming out on April 1st...and get this, it's split with themselves...sorta. The other band is Sunfold, which has all of the same Annuals members, but with guitarist Kenny Florence taking over vocal duties from Adam Baker. They had this to say about what we can expect from Sunfold's sound as compared to Annuals: a "very different, more guitar-heavy" sound. Make sense? O.K., good. Here's one of the Annuals' tracks from "Wet Zoo", entitled "Sore". It's very grand and lush, and it has me anxiously awaiting to hear more. Good music has that effect, no?

"Wet Zoo" will be available via Ace Fu Records & Canvasback Music.

[MP3] Annuals - Sore from "Wet Zoo EP" (via Box.net)

DAYTROTTER SESSIONS: The Dodos / A Place To Bury Strangers

2008-03-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

How many times can I profess my love for Daytrotter? Not enough my friends, not enough. Amongst the slew of recent Daytrotter sessions, were sessions by The Dodos & A Place To Bury Strangers. Both are amazing and should be checked out, I've included a track from each band's session below (including an unreleased song from APTBS).

Get all the tracks here.

[MP3] The Dodos - Undeclared from "Live Daytrotter Session" (via Box.net)
[MP3] A Place To Bury Strangers - Never Going Down Again (unreleased) from "Live Daytrotter Session" (via Box.net)

VIDEOS: Black Lips "Treat Me Like a Man" / "Everybody's Doing It" (Live on the "Take Away Show")

2008-03-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

BLACK LIPS "Treat Me Like a Man"
by lablogotheque

BLACK LIPS "Everybody's Doing It"
by lablogotheque

VIDEO: Phosphorescent "A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise"

2008-03-27T07:15:00.001-07:00

VIDEO: Excepter "Kill People"

2008-03-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty worn out today, I feel like doing nothing...which is exactly what I'm gonna do. Bigger posts tomorrow when this mood passes. Oh, and this video DOES rule, Bradford.

MATADOR RECORDS releases new digital compiliation, new tracks from Shearwater, Jaguar Love and Jay Reatard!!

2008-03-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

Matador Records has just released their annual "Intended Play" spring compilation, highlighting the label's recent and upcoming releases (including new ones from Jay Reatard, Shearwater, Jaguar Love [ex. Blood Brothers, Pretty Girls Make Graves]). You can download the compiliation as a ZIP file, here.

:::TRACKLISTING:::

01. Jay Reatard - Always Wanting More (from 7" #3, due out June 17)
02. Times New Viking - DROP-OUT (from Rip It Off)
03. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Cold Son (from Real Emotional Trash)
04. Shearwater - Leviathan, Bound (from Rook, due out June 3)
05. Cat Power - Metal Heart (from Jukebox)
06. Matmos - Polychords (from Supreme Balloon, due out May 6)
07. Mission Of Burma - That’s How I Escaped My Certain Fate (from Vs.: The Definitive Edition)
08. Jaguar Love (ex. Blood Brothers, Pretty Girls Make Graves) - Bats Over The Pacific Ocean (from Take Me To The Sea, due out this summer)
09. The Cave Singers - Helen (from Invitation Songs)
10. Dead Meadow - I’m Gone (from Old Growth)
11. The New Pornographers - All The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth (live) (from Live From Soho (iTunes Exclusive))
12. Earles & Jensen - Bleachy Is Back In Town, Look Out (from Just Farr A Laugh Vols. 1 & 2: The Greatest Prank Phone Calls Ever!, due out April 22)

Matador Records

The Raveonettes: "Black/White" video + MP3

2008-03-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

So I just found this Raveonettes video/song (Black/White), they did for the "Sound of Color" project in which "...five bands were commissioned to write five songs based on five different colors. Five directors then shot music videos of each song/color. The result is Sound of Color. Here, the Raveonettes take on the color(s) Black and White." It is directed by the award winning designer, Chris Do (Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy").

This may be old news, but since I just stumbled upon it, it's new to me...and any excuse to post about The Raveonettes is always good (I've included another video, and an MP3 of this song "Black/White" below).

The song is SO great, and I think it could have easily been included on "Lust, Lust, Lust" which in my humble opinion is one of the BETTER albums this year.

[VIDEO] The Raveonettes "Black/White - Sound of Color series"

[VIDEO] The Raveonettes "Dead Sound" from "Lust, Lust, Lust"

[MP3] The Raveonettes - Expelled From Love from "Lust, Lust, Lust" (via Box.net)
[MP3] The Raveonettes - Black/White from "unreleased" (via Box.net)

The Raveonettes - website | Myspace

R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe "outs" his bandmates

2008-03-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

This is awesome...and hilarious. Thanks to Cable and Tweed for this.

ATLANTA/ATHENS SHOWS (03/24 - 03/30)

2008-03-24T16:22:00.001-07:00

Mon. 3/24/08 - Die! Die! Die!, The Hiss, Today The Moon Tomorrow The Sun @ The Earl 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tue. 3/25/08 - New Model Army @ The Drunken Unicorn
Tue. 3/25/08 - Fu Manchu, Burning Brides, Blood Vessels @ The Earl
Tue. 3/25/08 - Phantom Planet, House of Heroes @ The 40 Watt Club
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed. 3/26/08 - Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks @ The Variety Playhouse
 Wed. 3/26/08 - The Dodos, Silje Nes, The Liverhearts @ Lenny's Bar
Wed. 3/26/08 - Danger Bear @ The Drunken Unicorn
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Thu. 3/27/08 - Ahleuchatistas, Sorry No Ferrari @ The Drunken Unicorn
Thu. 3/27/08 - The Waybacks, The Infamous Stringdusters @ The Earl 
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Fri. 3/28/08 - Silent Kids, Luigi, The Preakness @ The Earl 
Fri. 3/28/08 - Club Awesome, Chow Nasty, Judi Chicago @ Lenny's Bar
Fri. 3/28/08 - The Black Lips, The Selmanaires, Pride Parade ***FREE SHOW*** @ The 40 Watt Club
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 Sat. 3/29/08 - Elf Power (CD release), Ham1, Madeline Adams @ The 40 Watt Club
Sat. 3/29/08 - WREK 91.1 40th Ann. (w/ No River City, The Feeding Fingers, Judi Chicago, Misfortune 500, + more) @ The Drunken Unicorn 
Sat. 3/29/08 - Kimya Dawson (Moldy Peaches), Angelo Spencer, Paul Barribeau @ The 40 Watt Club
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Sun. 3/30/08 - Delta Spirit, Port O'Brien, Chainstereo @ The Drunken Unicorn

Ruby Suns - 2008 Tour Dates

2008-03-24T13:17:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite finds of 2008, was Ruby Suns' latest album, "Sea Lion", which has been in heavy rotation since my first listen. They're currently on tour with some other ICTH faves such as Throw Me The Statue, Le Loup, and Foals. Dates below:

:::Ruby Suns - 2008 Tour Dates:::
Mar 24 - Union Hall - Brooklyn, NY **
Mar 25 - TT The Bear's - Cambridge, MA **
Mar 27 - Waldron Arts Centre - Bloomington, IN **
Mar 28 - Schubas ** Chicago, Illinois
Mar 29 - First Ave, 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis, MN **
Apr 01 - KEXP Live Session Seattle, WA
Apr 01 - Chop Suey - Seattle, WA **
Apr 02 - Holocene - Portland, OR **
Apr 04 - Bottom Of The Hill - San Francisco, CA **
Apr 05 - The Echo (Early Show) - Los Angeles, CA **
Apr 06 - The Casbah - San Diego, CA **
Apr 07 - Modified - Phoenix, AZ **
Apr 09 - Lola's - Fort Worth, TX **
Apr 11 - The Yauhaus - Charlotte, NC **
Apr 12 - The Boot - Norfolk, VA &&
Apr 13 - The Soapbpx Lounge - Wilmington, NC &&
Apr 14 - Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA &&
Apr 15 - BottleTree Cafe - Birmingham, AL &&
Apr 16 - The Mink - Houston, TX &&
Apr 18 - Mohawk - Austin, TX &&
Apr 19 - Lola's - Ft. Worth, TX &&
Apr 30 - Alvin's - Detroit, MI ++
May 01 - Showplace Theatre - Buffalo, NY ++
May 02 - Lee's Palace ++ Toronto, ON
May 03 - Cabaret Music Hall - Montreal, QC ++
May 05 - Higher Ground Lounge - Burlington, VT ++
May 06 - Middle East Downstairs - Boston, MA ++
May 07 - Maxwell's - Hoboken, NJ ++
May 08 - Union Hall - Brooklyn, NY ++
Jul 19 - Pitchfork Festival Chicago, IL

** w/ Le Loup
&& w/ Throw Me The Statue
++ w/ Foals

[MP3] Ruby Suns - Tane Mahuta from "Sea Lion" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Throw Me The Statue - Lolita from "Moonbeams" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Le Loup - Outside of This Car, The End of the World! from "The Third Heaven Of The Nations' Millennium General Assembly" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Foals - The French Open from "Antidotes" (via Box.net)

[VIDEO] Ruby Suns "Tane Mahuta"

[VIDEO] Throw Me The Statue ""Lolita (live Take Away Show)"

[VIDEO] Foals ""Cassius"

Ruby Suns - Myspace | Throw Me The Statue - Myspace | Le Loup - Myspace | Foals - Myspace

Liars confirmed as openers for Radiohead's SPRING TOUR

2008-03-24T11:55:00.001-07:00

What could possibly make a Radiohead show even better than Radiohead themselves? Adding Liars to the bill that's what, my fine friends! It has been confirmed that Liars have been selected as the openers for Radiohead's spring tour. I am smiling right now.

:::RADIOHEAD + LIARS:::
05-05 West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre
05-06 Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
05-08 Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre
05-09 Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
05-11 Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge
05-14 St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
05-17 Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
05-18 Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center

VIDEO: Why? "Song of the Sad Assassin"

2008-03-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

RECOMENDED SHOWS TONIGHT (3/20)

2008-03-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

Man, I'm gonna be making a tough decision as there are some fantastic bands all playing tonight:

Times New Viking, Naked on Vague, Psychedelic Horseshit, Gold Painted Nails @ Eyedrum

Baroness, Young Widows, Spewtilator @ The Masquerade

Dark Meat, Monotonix, Birds of Avalon @ The 40 Watt Club

Blitzen Trapper, Fleet Foxes, Nomen Novum @ The Drunken Unicorn

Acid Mothers Temple @ The Earl 

TRULY GREAT NEW MUSIC: The Dodos "Visiter"

2008-03-20T15:29:00.001-07:00

So I didn't get a chance to make it over to SXSW this year, but that doesn't mean I'm not up on all the buzz (I read blogs too, ;-) ). One of the more talked about bands were San Francisco's, The Dodos. Now normally, I have at least heard of the band before they garner any SXSW attention, but that just wasn't the case this time. Maybe I'm getting old, or maybe I read too many blogs & listen to too much music (is that possible?). Not that it really matters, I'm just surprised that I wasn't listening to them sooner. Their music is certainly right up my alley: drum-heavy freak/folk/psychedelic housing some really great lyrics. I've only been listening to the album for the last 6 hours, and I haven't skipped a particular track once. A sign (in my opinion) of a truly great ALBUM. A rarity these days, an entire album that I completely dig from the first song to the last. So it's probably no surprise that The Dodos album, "Visiter", is highly recommended. They're playing Lenny's in Atlanta next week on 3/26, so at least now I'm not SO heartbroken about not attending SXSW.

"Visiter" out now via Frenchkiss Records, and you can pick up a copy from Insound, eMusic, or locally at Criminal Records.

[MP3] The Dodos - Jodi from "Vister" (via Box.net)
[MP3] The Dodos - Fools from "Vister" (via Box.net)

:::TOUR DATES:::
03-20 Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory
03-22 Marfa, TX – Ballroom *
03-23 Houston, TX – Mink *
03-25 Birmingham, AL – The Bottletree *
03-26 Atlanta, GA - Lenny's
03-27 Asheville, NC - Harvest Records *
03-28 Durham, NC – Bull City Headwuaters **
03-29 Charlottesville, VA – Tea Bazaar *
03-30 Washington, DC - DC 9 *
03-31 Brooklyn, NY - Death by Audio
04-02 New Haven, CT - Cafe Nine *
04-03 Edison, NJ - Vintage Vinyl *
04-03 Princeton, NJ - Terrace Club
04-04 Washington, DC - Black Cat %
04-05 Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts %
04-06 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge *
04-08 Montreal, Quebec - Divan Orange
04-09 Toronto, Ontario - El Mocambo
04-10 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY - Bard College
04-11 Buffalo, NY - Mohawk
04-12 Pittsburgh, PA - Garfield Artworks
04-13 Cleveland, OH - TBA
04-15 Columbus, OH - Cafe Bourbon St.
04-16 Detroit, MI - The Pike Room
04-17 Chicago, IL - The Note
04-18 Chicago, IL - Shoreland Ballroom
04-19 Bloomington, IN - Indiana University
04-20 Lawrence, KS - Replay Lounge
04-21 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
04-26 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella) #
04-27 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall &
05-14 San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
06-21 Yakima, WA - Yakima Sports Bar
06-28 Calgary, Alberta - Sled Island Festival
07-02 Boise, ID - Downtown Boise Summer Series Festival

^ w/ the Ohsees
* w/ Silje Nes
** w/ Silje Nes, Megafaun
% w/ Les Savy Fav, The Big Sleep
& w/Les Savy Fav
# as part of Akron/Family

[VIDEO] The Dodos "Fools" from "Visiter"

The Dodos - website | Myspace | The Dodos - label site

VIDEO: Black Kids "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You"

2008-03-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like the Black Kids have a bigger budget now...the video looks pretty nice! It also seems to be a different mix/recording of the song, it's a LOT cleaner...also probably due to a bigger budget. Not sure if that's a good thing or not. I kinda liked the lo-fi-ness of the original, but the song is still as awesome as ever none the less. I'm still patiently awaiting their proper full-length (as I'm sure a lot of people are), so until then...

VIDEO: Boris "My Neighbor Satan"

2008-03-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

LES SAVY FAV to drop first live album, cover Pixies, Misfits, Nirvana, CCR & Love

2008-03-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars. On April 28th one of my favorite bands (and yours too, hopefully), Les Savy Fav will drop their first ever live album "After The Balls Drop", which documents the band’s storied 3:00AM performance at Bowery Ballroom in New York City on January 1st, 2008. Fifteen tracks total, with covers of songs by the Pixies, Misfits, Nirvana, CCR & Love, as well as some of my favorite Les Savy Fav tunes (this will be a digital only release via Frenchkiss Records). The only thing that could make this post better is an announcement about LSF playing a date here in Atlanta, which the word on the street is that we just might be getting that good news soon. Fingers are crossed.

"After The Balls Drop" Tracklist
01 Equestrian
02 Patty Lee
03 What Would Wolves Do?
04 Sweat Descends
05 Yawn Yawn Yawn
06 We'll Make A Lover Of You
07 The Year Before The Year 2000
08 The Lowest Bitter
09 Who Rocks The Party
10 Tim Speech
11 Hey Tonight [Creedence Clearwater Revival Cover]
12 Debaser [Pixies Cover] 
13 Astro Zombies [Misfits Cover]
14 Sliver [Nirvana Cover]
15 Everybody's Gotta Live [Love Cover]

[MP3] Les Savy Fav - The Sweat Descends (live) from "After The Balls Drop" (via Box.net)

Les Savy Fav - website | Myspace

VIDEO: Atlas Sound "Cold As Ice (live at Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia)"

2008-03-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: HEALTH "Triceratops (live)"

2008-03-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

HEALTH "Triceratops"
by saullevitz

VIDEO: Chromatics "Killing Spree"

2008-03-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

RECORD STORE DAY - April 19th

2008-03-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

This is a wayyy better idea than "World Cow Chip Day" which is one of the holidays that shares the April 19th date (don't believe me, they have ecards for it!). Record Store Day has it's own website where you can see which independent record stores are participating & read quotes from different artists (such as Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Butch Walker, Cameron Crowe, Chuck Berry, Damien Rice, Damon Albarn, Del The Funky Homosapien, Henry Rollins, Joan Jett, Mike Patton, Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers), Patton Oswalt, Regina Spektor, Sam Phillips, Ziggy Marley and more) talking about why independent record stores are so important. What will happen on Record Store Day? Not sure, but anything that has to do with celebrating the independent record store is okay in my book. Criminal Records in Atlanta IS participating so be sure to drop by on April 19th and wish 'em a Happy Record Store Day (and maybe buy a record or two ;-) ).

NEW SONG: Death Cab For Cutie "I Will Possess Your Heart"

2008-03-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

So today the boys in Death Cab For Cutie released a stream of the first single from their upcoming album, "Narrow Stairs" (out May 13 via Atlantic Records), entitled "I Will Possess Your Heart". It's definitely MUCH better than anything on the last album (Plans), which I was pretty disappointed with. I loved all of their previous work, and was really hoping that this new album wouldn't be a further slide into mediocrity...and this new track is pretty damn good, and it's hopefully an indication of what we can expect with this new album. Here's to a another great DCFC album!

[STREAM] Death Cab For Cutie "I Will Possess Your Heart" (Real) (WM)

Death Cab For Cutie - website | Myspace

GREAT NEW MUSIC: Bearsuit "OH:IO"

2008-03-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you get your twee mixed in with my spazzy art punk? Bearsuit, that's what! They're kind of like the bastard offspring of Belle and Sebastian & Deerhoof, and it's really, really, really, really damn fun! And man, do I ever LOVE fun things over here at ICTH. Recommended for all you fun-lovers out there.

Bearsuit's latest album, "OH:IO" is out now via Fantastic Plastic Records and Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records.

[MP3] Bearsuit - Foxy Boxer from "OH:IO" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Bearsuit - Keep It Together, Somehow from "OH:IO" (via Box.net)

[VIDEO] Bearsuit "More Soul Than Wigan Casino" from "OH:IO"

[VIDEO] Bearsuit "Steven Fucking Spielberg" from "OH:IO"

Bearsuit - website | Myspace

VIDEO: Modest Mouse "Fly Trapped in a Jar"

2008-03-17T14:16:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: Spoon "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb"

2008-03-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

New addition to ICTH...

2008-03-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

I've added an IMEEM streaming playlist to the upper right corner of this here blog, and in it I've put some songs that are currently draining the battery on the ol' iPod. I'll update it semi-regularly with new music, so this should make it a little easier than digging through my entire blog to hear new stuff. As always, enjoy.

(As a side note: I am EXTREMELY busy today so the posts will be sparse, but rest assured there will be plenty of good ones for tomorrow.)

VIDEO: Los Campesinos! "Death to Los Campesinos! (Live on Radio Città Del Capo)"

2008-03-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

It must be nice...

2008-03-13T16:00:00.001-07:00

I am suffering from some serious SXSW envy. Every single email & post I've read in the last two weeks seems to have something to do with SXSW...and the only post I've done for the event has to do with wishing I was there. Fuckin' pathetic. Ahh, maybe next year. For all of you who are currently attending...YOU ARE LUCKY BASTARDS...and I am jealous.

Have a good weekend.

GREAT NEW MUSIC: Plants and Animals "Parc Avenue"

2008-03-13T13:21:00.001-07:00

It's absolutely beautiful out today, and so how apropos that I'm posting about the beautiful new album from Montreal's Plants and Animals, "Parc Avenue". I noticed that Pitchfork gave the album a pretty good review today, and I'm not about to buck that trend with anything but praise as well. Their sound is rooted in the same music that influences bands like Fleet Foxes, Blitzen Trapper, Grizzly Bear and to some extent Arcade Fire (and successfully not sounding much like these bands at all): 70's rock, front-porch folk, hushed (and not-so-hushed) psychedelic and little art rock for good measure. Hell, they even use a sax & cheerleading shouts (along with the handclaps!) in one song. It's so refreshing to hear music that is capable of being so much more than the sum of it's parts (and influences). The whole album is highly recommended!

"Parc Avenue" is out now via Secret City Records.

[MP3] Plants and Animals - Good Friend from "Parc Avenue" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Plants and Animals - Faerie Dance from "Parc Avenue" (via Box.net)

:::TOUR DATES:::
3/14 - Homeslice Pizza Party (SXSW), Austin, TX
3/14 - SXSW Showcase - Maggie Mae’s, Austin, TX
3/15 - Urban Outfitters Party (SXSW), Austin, TX
3/20 - The Lo Pub, Winnipeg, Manitoba
3/21 - Amigo’s Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
3/22 - HiFi, Calgary, Alberta
3/24 - Media Club, Vancouver, BC
3/26 - Lucky Bar, Victoria, BC
3/28 - Velvet Underground w/Born Ruffians, Edmonton, Alberta
3/29 - The Exchange, Regina, Saskatchewan
4/02 - First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
4/03 - Schuba's, Chicago, IL
4/05 - Cegep Mont Morency, Laval, QC
4/11 - Hell’s Kitchen, Halifax, Nova Scotia
4/12 - Capital Bar, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Plants and Animals - website | Myspace | Secret City Records

VIDEO: Beach House "Gila (live at Good Records)"

2008-03-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks to GvsB for this!

MIND-BLOWING NEW MUSIC: Evangelicals "The Evening Descends"

2008-03-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying the shit out of the new Evangelicals album (The Evening Descends) for awhile, and I somehow missed posting about it. Who knows why, all I know is that it is one of the best albums to come out this year by far and if you haven't picked a copy up yet then get to it! Maybe you were waiting for me to post about it. Well now you have no excuse. This is one of those albums I'm not going to even try and describe, I'd rather let the music do that for me. A couple of MP3s (and a video) are below you ravenous little music vultures.

They are currently on tour with Headlights, dates below.

:::TOUR DATES:::
03-12/15 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-17 Tucson, AZ - Plush *
03-19 Los Angeles, CA - Silverlake Lounge *
03-20 Visalia, CA - Howie and Son's Pizza *
03-21 San Francisco, CA - Hemlock Tavern *
03-22 Portland, OR - Towne Lounge *
03-23 Seattle, WA - Nectar's *
03-24 Missoula, MT - The Badlander *
03-26 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court *
03-27 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive *
03-28 Omaha, NE - Waiting Room *
03-29 Minneapolis, MN - Nomad World Pub *
03-30 Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club *
03-31 Dekalb, IL - The House Cafe *
04-01 Rock Island, IL - Huckleberry's Pizza *
04-02 Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon *
04-03 Iowa City, IA - The Mill *
04-04 Lake Forest, IL - The Chapel *
04-05 Beloit, WI - C-Haus *

* with Headlights

[MP3] Evangelicals - Bellawood from "The Evening Descends" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Evangelicals - Skeleton Man from "The Evening Descends" (via Box.net)

[VIDEO] Evangelicals - Midnight Vignette from "The Evening Descends"

Evangelicals - label website | Myspace

VIDEO: Fishboy "Parachute (Using the Ghost of Buddy Holly As A)"

2008-03-11T16:48:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to Cable and Tweed for this.

Fishboy - website | Myspace | HHBTM Records

VIDEO: Graveyard "Evil Ways"

2008-03-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

Graveyard will be opening for fellow Tee Pee Records signees, WITCH (see previous post) on their current tour.

Graveyard - label website | Myspace

VIDEO: Holy Fuck "Lovely Allen"

2008-03-11T16:24:00.001-07:00

Holy Fuck - website | Myspace

SUBTLE: New album & tour

2008-03-11T15:53:00.001-07:00

After catching Subtle's show last year (with Sunset Rubdown & Magic Weapon), I have vowed to see them again live any chance I get. Adam "Doseone" Drucker and the rest of Subtle put on such an unbelievingly amazing live set (I hadn't heard their music before this show), that I ran out immediately and purchased "for hero:for fool". Amazing. Their latest album "ExitingARM", is set to drop May 13th via Lex Records (check out the track "Unlikely Rock Shock" from said album, below). Before that though, the Subtle crew is embarking on a small tour that WILL take them through Atlanta (yay), dates below.

::::TOUR DATES::::
05-07 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
05-09 Portland, OR - Doug Fir ^!
05-10 Seattle, WA - Nectar Lounge ^!
05-12 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
05-13 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
05-15 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry $
05-16 Madison, WI - Annex $
05-17 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle &
05-19 Toronto, Ontario - TBA
05-20 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa
05-21 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs @
05-22 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's @
05-23 New York, NY - Knitting Factory @
05-24 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel @^
05-26 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
05-27 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
05-28 Austin, TX - Mohawk
05-30 Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory *

* with Clue to Kalo, Facing New York
^ with Efterklang
! with Slaraffenland
$ with Fog
& with Pit Er Pat
@ with Black Moth Super Rainbow

[MP3] Subtle - Unlikely Rock Shock from "ExitingARM" (via Box.net)

Subtle - website | Myspace

VIDEO: The New Pornographers "Don't Bring Me Down (ELO cover)"

2008-03-11T09:32:00.000-07:00

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS : Don’t Bring Me Down - LIVE

ATLANTA/ATHENS SHOWS (3/10 - 3/16)

2008-03-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

Mon. 3/10/08 - Men (feat. JD and Jo Fateman of Le Tigre) @ The Earl
Mon. 3/10/08 - Pigeon John, The Labratz, Soupy Jones, The Remnant @ The Drunken Unicorn
Mon. 3/10/08 - SIA, Har Mar Superstar @ The Variety Playhouse
Mon. 3/10/08 - The Apes, An Albatross, Smokedog @ Caledonia Lounge (rec'd!)

Tue. 3/11/08 - Harvey Milk (with Joe Preston(!!): Earth, Melvins, SunnO)))), Torche, Hull @ The Drunken Unicorn (highly rec'd!)

Wed. 3/12/08 - Built To Spill, The Meat Puppets @ The Variety Playhouse (highly rec'd!)
Wed. 3/12/08 - Pelican, Black Cobra, Unearthly Trance @ The Drunken Unicorn (highly rec'd!)

Thu. 3/13/08 - MSTRKRFT @ The Masquerade (highly rec'd!)

Fri. 3/14/08 - Sleep Therapy, Preakness, Wormwood @ Lenny's Bar (highly rec'd!)

Sat. 3/15/08 - They Might Be Giants (Special Show for Families!) @ The Variety Playhouse (highly rec'd!)
Sat. 3/15/08 - Trial By Fire, The Feeding Fingers, Nerd Parade, Swank Sinatra @ The Drunken Unicorn

Sun. 3/16/08 - Tilly & The Wall, Cap Gun Coup, The Kiwis @ The Drunken Unicorn (highly rec'd!)

VIDEO: Minus The Bear "Throwin' Shapes"

2008-03-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

VICE Signs Dark Meat!!

2008-03-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

One of Athens' (GA) finest, Dark Meat, a psychedelic orchestra/collective comprised of 17(!) members who describe their music as "THE STOOGES meets CRAZY HORSE with killer Stax / Funeral / Marching band horns, wailing gospel-style female backing vocals, ripping guitar leads and free jazz freakouts" has just been signed by VICE Records (Black Lips, Panthers, Justice, Bloc Party, etc.)! The new album, "Universal Indians" (an ICTH fave!), will be re-released on April 8th with three unreleased bonus tracks, followed by the release of a vinyl edition on April 22nd (it was originally on Orange Twin Records). Dark Meat put on one hell of a live show, so I suggest you check 'em out at of those dates below!

:::::TOUR DATES:::::
03/11 - Shreveport, LA - The Jackrabbit
03/12 - Austin, TX - Bourbon Rocks
03/12 - Austin, TX - Spiro's 611 Red River
03/13 - Austin, TX - Ms Beas
03/13 - Austin, TX - Vice Bar
03/14 - Austin, TX - Spiderhouse
03/15 - Austin, TX - Saxon Pub
03/16 - San Antonio, TX - The X-ing
03/17 - Houston, TX - The Mink
03/18 - Pensacola, FL - Sluggos
03/19 - Birmingham, AL - BottleTree
03/20 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt
04/07 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall
04/08 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool
04/09 - Boston, MA - Milky Way
04/10 - Bridgeport, CT - Two Boots
04/11 - Providence, RI - As220
04/12 - Washington, DC - Red and The Black
04/13 - Norfolk, VA - The Boot
04/15 - Raleigh, NC - Slim's
04/16 - Charlotte, NC - The Milestone
04/17 - Richmond, VA - Gallery 5
04/18 - Baltimore, MD - Talking Head
04/19 - Philadelphia, PA - WPW
04/20 - New York City, NY - Cake Shop
04/21 - Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place
04/22 - Pittsburgh, PA - Garfield Artworks
04/23 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
04/24 - Urbana, IL - The Canopy Club
04/25 - East Peoria, IL - Peoria Pizza Works
04/26 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
04/27 - Minneapolis, MN - Nomad World Pub
04/28 - Fargo, ND - Aquarium
04/29 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room
04/30 - Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon
05/01 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
05/02 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Ct.
05/03 - Missoula, MT - Friend Friend Friend Fest
05/04 - Seattle, WA - Comet
05/06 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
05/08 - San Francisco, CA - Hemlock Tavern
05/09 - Visalia, CA - The Cellar Door
05/14 - Houston, TX - Walter's on Washington
05/15 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk
05/16 - Ft. Worth, TX - Lola's
05/17 - Dallas, TX - Good Records
05/18 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory
05/19 - Columbia, MO - TBC
05/20 - Kansas City, MO - The Record Bar
05/21 - St. Louis, MO - The Blue Bird
05/22 - Champaign, IL - Mike n Molly's
05/30 - Woodstock, NY - Mountain Jam

[MP3] Dark Meat - One More Trip from "Universal Indians" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Dark Meat - Three Eyes Open from "Universal Indians" (via Box.net)

Orange Twin - artist page | Myspace

VIDEOS: Yeasayer "La Blogothèque / Take Away Show"

2008-03-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

#87.1 - YEASAYER - No need to worry / Redcave
by lablogotheque

#87.2 - YEASAYER - 2080
by lablogotheque

NEW SONG: The Notwist "Good Lies"

2008-03-06T16:03:00.001-08:00

The Notwist have a new album coming out!! It's been almost six years since their stellar "Neon Golden", and their latest "The Devil, You + Me" will drop sometime in late May via City Slang in Europe and on Domino in the US and Japan. They've released a new track ("Good Lies") from said album, and it's below for your listening pleasure. Enjoy.

[MP3] The Notwist - Good Lies from "The Devil, You + Me" (via Box.net)

The Notwist - website

CONTEST / GIVEAWAY: Great Northern - signed CD / 12-inch LP / t-shirt

2008-03-06T15:22:00.000-08:00

Great Northern, whose full-length "Trading Twilight For Daylight" has gotten much love over on this here hillside, is set to release their new EP, "Sleepy Eepee" on March 18th via Eenie Meenie Records. To celebrate, I'm giving away a signed copy of the "Trading Twilight For Daylight" CD, an unsigned vinyl LP copy (also of "Trading Twilight For Daylight"), and a Great Northern t-shirt (pic above) to one lucky person. All you need to do is email me at itcoversthehillsides (at) gmail dot com, with your name and address & GREAT NORTHERN CONTEST as the subject and I'll pick a winner sometime next week.

Great Northern are also currently on tour with The Gutter Twins (also an ICTH fave!), dates below. Needless to say, I am pretty excited about checking this show out.

[MP3] Great Northern - Telling Lies from "Trading Twilight For Daylight" (via Box.net)

TOUR DATES:::: w/ The Gutter Twins
3/07 Chicago, IL @ Metro
3/08 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
3/09 Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
3/11 Newport, KY @ Southgate House
3/12 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
3/14 Toronto, ONT @ Mod Club Theatre
3/15 Montreal, QUE @ Cabaret du Musse Juste Pour Rire
3/18 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
3/19 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
3/20 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
3/21 Atlanta, GA @ The Roxy Theatre
3/22 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
3/26 Austin, TX @ Antone's
3/27 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
3/29 Boulder, CO @ Fox Theater
4/02 Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon

Great Northern - website | Myspace

NEW SONG: Shearwater "Rooks"

2008-03-06T10:59:00.001-08:00

Shearwater's breath-taking album "Palo Santo" would have been high up on my 2007 Best Albums list had it not been a re-release (re-released in 2007 by Matador, it was originally released in 2006 by Misra Records). That being said, I am eagerly anticipating their latest release "Rook" which drops June 3rd. If this song, "Rooks", is any indication of what we can expect from this newest album then expect it to rank high on THIS year's list. Jonathan Meiburg's voice keeps getting better every album, and this song really showcases it. Recommended!

[MP3] Shearwater - Rooks from "Rook" (via Box.net)

Shearwater - website | Matador Records

MIND-BLOWING NEW MUSIC: Fleet Foxes "Sun Giant EP" & "Ragged Woods"

2008-03-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

Both the new EP, "Sun Giant" and the forthcoming debut full-length "Ragged Wood" from Fleet Foxes are simply gorgeous. Wait, they're not SIMPLY gorgeous...they are UTTERLY gorgeous. The band describes their music as "baroque harmonic pop jams", and I can't think of a more accurate description than that. Soaring, reverb-drenched vocal harmonies melting beautifully into elements of front-porch southern folk, classic rock (ie. Fairport Convention, America) and baroque fantasy. These albums reflect such a confident and mature sense of accomplishment from such a relatively young group of musicians, and it's apparent that we have nothing but great things to expect from them in the future. Both EP & LP are highly recommended!!

The "Sun Giant" EP is available from the band on tour, or on April 8th via Sub Pop. Full-length debut, "Ragged Wood" due June 3rd via Sub Pop as well. They are currently on tour with Blitzen Trapper, and there's an Atlanta date...see ya' there!

For fans of the Band, Grizzly Bear, Joanna Newsom, Panda Bear & My Morning Jacket.

::::TOUR DATES:::::
03-05 Houston, TX - Walter's on Washington *
03-07 Tallahassee, FL - The Beta Bar *
03-09 Jacksonville, FL - The Eclipse *
03-11 Birmingham, AL - Bottletree *
03-12 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon *#
03-13 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-14 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-15 Austin, TX - SXSW
03-16 Norman, OK - The Opolis *
03-17 Columbia, MO - Mojo's *
03-19 Nashville, TN - Exit/In *
03-20 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn *
03-21 Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern *
03-22 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle *
03-23 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 *
03-25 Washington, DC - Black Cat Backstage *
03-26 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's *
03-27 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Upstairs *
03-29 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *
03-30 Worcester, MA - The Grind at Clark University
04-01 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa *
04-02 Toronto, Ontario - El Mocambo *
04-03 Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place *
04-04 Cleveland Heights, OH - The Grog Shop *
04-05 Detroit, MI - The Magic Stick *
04-06 Chicago, IL - Schubas *
04-08 Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon *
04-09 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry *
04-10 Grinnell, IA - Grinnell College *
04-11 Omaha, NE - Slowdown *
04-12 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot *
04-14 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive *
04-15 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
04-17 Vancouver, British Columbia - Media Club *
04-18 Seattle, WA - Neumos *
04-19 Portland, OR - Holocene *

* with Blitzen Trapper
# with Man Man

[MP3] Fleet Foxes - Mykonos from "Sun Giant EP" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal from "Ragged Wood" (via Box.net)

Fleet Foxes - Myspace

VIDEO: Bon Iver "The Wolves (Act I and II)"

2008-03-05T11:11:00.000-08:00

ATLANTA/ATHENS SHOWS (3/04 - 3/09)

2008-03-04T18:05:00.001-08:00

Tue. 3/04/08 - Anna Kramer & The Lost Cause, Dan Sartain @ The Earl (highly rec'd!)

Wed. 3/05/08 - The Winter Sounds, Spy For Hire @ Caledonia Lounge (rec'd!)
Wed. 3/05/08 - Gentlemen Jesse and His Men, The Weight @ The Drunken Unicorn

Thu. 3/06/08 - FUCK YESSS DANCE PARTY (with Le Castle Vania, Treasure Fingers) @ The Drunken Unicorn (rec'd!)
Thu. 3/06/08 - Gringo Star @ The Earl (highly rec'd!)

Fri. 3/07/08 - The Hiss, Black Horse, The Big Sleep, The Howlies @ The Drunken Unicorn
Fri. 3/07/08 - Pattern is Movement, Cinemechanica, Ponytail, We Versus The Shark @ Caledonia Lounge (highly rec'd!)
Fri. 3/07/08 - The Death Set, Make a Rising, Red Rocket (Pattern is Movement After Show, 1am) @ Secret Squirrel
Fri. 3/07/08 - The Features, Say Hi, Explorer's Club @ The Earl

Sat. 3/08/08 - Beat Beat Beat, Blondsai, Hollywood @ The Drunken Unicorn
Sat. 3/08/08 - Born Ruffians, Cadence Weapon, The Death Set @ The Earl (rec'd!)
Sat. 3/08/08 - Man Man, The Extraordinaires, Mouser @ The 40 Watt Club (highly rec'd!)
Sat. 3/08/08 - Ponytail, Team Robespierre, White Mice (Man Man After Show, 1am) @ Secret Squirrel
Sat. 3/08/08 - Harvey Milk, Pride Parade, Scars @ Caledonia Lounge (highly rec'd!)

Sun. 3/09/08 - The Walkmen, Vampire Weekend @ The Earl (highly rec'd!) SOLD OUT!!
Sun. 3/09/08 - Ponytail, Mouser @ The Drunken Unicorn (rec'd!)

GREAT NEW MUSIC: Team Robespierre "Everything's Perfect"

2008-03-04T18:01:00.000-08:00

Man, this week's theme must be "music that makes me wanna go ape-shit". I've really been diggin' the debut from Team Robespierre, "Everything's Perfect", in fact I've been goin' ape-shit over it. Electroclash with a metal overtone and drenched in a snotty, fuck-it-all attitude; reminiscent of one of my favorite bands, Le Tigre, only darker. There's no deep message here, but that's not the point; it's rapid-fire observations of modern society wrapped in ass-shakin' beats...the world's fucked so you might as well dance your ass off before the end. Alright, I'm in.

They're playing a Man Man after-show show in Athens, GA at Secret Squirrel (766 W. Broad St., underneath Park at the Point on the corner of Church St. & Broad St. at 1am.) with White Mice and Ponytail for $5 bucks. After seeing that pic above, I bet their live show is fucking insane.

"Everything's Perfect" is available now via Impose Records, or from eMusic.

[MP3] Team Robespierre - 88th Precinct from "Everything's Perfect" (via Box.net)

Tour dates:
March 5: NARA SUSHI, Richmond, VA
w/ RED ROCKET, BRAINWORMS
March 6: DOWNTOWN EVENTS CENTER, Raleigh, NC
w/ THE DEATHSET
March 7: GOURMET PERKS, Asheville, NC
March 8: SECRET SQUIRREL, Athens, GA
w/ WHITE MICE, PONYTAIL
March 9: SLUGGO’S, Pensacola, FL
w/ THE DEATHSET
MARCH 11: MRS BEAS, Austin, TX
TODD P’s pre-SxSW w/ TELEPATHE, VIDEO HIPPOS, JUICEBOXXX & MORE
March 13: SxSW NIGHT - WWW.MYOPENBAR.COM SHOW
w/ NO AGE & MIKA MIKO
March 14: SxSW DAY – IMPOSE PARTY
w/ VIDEO HIPPOS, ECSTATIC SUNSHINE, RED ROCKET, CSTNTS & MORE
March 14: SxSW NIGHT – SOLIDPR SHOWCASE
w/ MAN MAN, FUCKED UP, DAUGHTERS, AN ALBATROSS & MORE
March 15: SxSW NIGHT – TODD P SHOWCASE
w/ MATT & KIM, SILVER APPLES, HIGH PLACES & MORE
March 15: SxSW NIGHT – WWW.OHMYROCKNESS.COM SHOW
w/ VIDEO HIPPOS
March 16: HAPPY FUCKER HOUSE, Little Rock, AK
w/ THE DEATHSET, PONY TAIL, THESE ARE POWERS
March 26: MERCURY LOUNGE, New York, NY
w/ CRYSTAL CASTLES, HEALTH
April 4: SUNY PURCHASE, Purchase, NY
ZOMBIE PROM w/ MATT & KIM

Team Robespierre - website | Myspace

GREAT NEW MUSIC: The Billionaires "Really Real For Forever"

2008-03-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I like to flail my arms above my head and jump around yelling funny sounds (at least they're funny to me). I like music that makes me want to to do this, a lot. Call it a natural high stress-reducer...it's way better than road rage, trust me. The Billionaires new album is exactly this kind of music. Fun and _______ (enter you're own "catchy as fuck" phrase here), and I've been flailing and singing quite a bit since I first started listening. A great album all the way through and highly recommended!

"Really Real For Forever" is available April 1st via Too Soon Records.

[MP3] The Billionaires - Cold Day from "Really Real For Forever" (via Box.net)
[MP3] The Billionaires - Eighties Movies from "Really Real For Forever" (via Box.net)

The Billionaires - Myspace

NEW SONG: Grizzly Bear "While You Wait For The Others"

2008-03-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Grizzly Bear recently performed on KCRW's "Morning Becomes Electic" (on my b-day 2/27!), and debuted a new song (presumably from their next album) called ""While You Wait For The Others". As with almost everything they do...it is really, really good.

VIDEO: Justice "DVNO"

2008-03-03T09:02:00.000-08:00

As a motion graphics designer, I can say that this is indeed "retro heaven", thanks Pitchfork!