ICTH on temporary hiatus :(

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.

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

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

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"

Spiritualized - website | Myspace

GREAT NEW MUSIC: The Mae Shi "HLLLYH"

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"

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

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wed. 4/30/08 - The Acorn, Half-Handed Cloud, Lake @ The Drunken Unicorn
Wed. 4/30/08 - Earth, Madeline, Fur Elise @ The Earl
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)"

Awesomeness.

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

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!!

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

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)"

NEW "SONGS": Jupiter Watts

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"

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"

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

Mon. 4/21/08 - British Sea Power, Film School @ The Earl
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun. 4/27/08 - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Via Audio, Capibara @ The Earl

NEW SONG: My Morning Jacket "Evil Urges"

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"

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)

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"

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

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"

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

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)!!!

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"

Annuals - website| Myspace

VIDEO: M83 "Graveyard Girl"

The new M83 album, "Saturdays = Youth," is out today (4/14) via Mute.



:::M83 | TOUR DATES:::
Tue 5/20 | Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
Wed 5/21 | San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
Fri 5/23 | Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
Sat 5/24 | Vancouver, CAN - Richards on Richards
Sun 5/25 | Seattle, WA - Neumos
Wed 5/28 | Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Club
Thu 5/29 | Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
Fri 5/30 | Toronto, CAN - The Mod Club
Sat 5/31 | Montreal, CAN - Cabaret Music Hall
Mon 6/2 | Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
Tue 6/3 | Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
Wed 6/4 | New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
Fri 6/6 | Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
Sat 6/7 | Washington, DC - Black Cat

M83 - website | Myspace

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

NEW SONG: Wolf Parade "Call It a Ritual"

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)"

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"

I need the night off....

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"

MORE BEAUTIFUL NEW MUSIC: Wye Oak "If Children"

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

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"

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

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)"

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

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

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun. 4/13/08 - Explosions in the Sky @ The Variety Playhouse 8pm show SOLD OUT!! / 2nd early show added @ 4:30pm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FULL SHOW: Jay Reatard @ Cake Shop, NYC (10/10/07)

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

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[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"

Caribou / Fuck Buttons - TOMORROW NIGHT!!!

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"

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

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



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tue. 4/01/08 - David Dondero, Ben Trickey, Trapper's Cabin @ The Earl

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 :(
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun. 4/06/08 - Jupiter Watts (dunch) **FREE SHOW**@ The Earl

NEW SONG: Ladytron "Black Cat"

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)

VIDEO: The Billionaires "Eighties Movies"

VIDEO: Björk "Wanderlust"

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"

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"

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

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")

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"

VIDEO: Excepter "Kill People"

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!!

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

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