vampire weekend

New York four piece Vampire Weekend look and sound like they're stuck in a Wes Anderson movie, don't tell me when listening to these mp3's you can't picture our little buddy over there in a Max Fisher beret with some buddy holly glasses on, ready to take a shit in Bill Murray's yard or whatever. And besides the occasional boarder line ska miss-step, Vampire Weekend's tropical and cinematic pop rock sounds are pretty okay. Making a fun, solid and not too serious debut album, but heaven help me if hear another asshole throwing around "afro-beat" while talking about this (or any other) contemporary indie rock band.

mp3: I Stand Corrected
mp3: Campus

the self titled album comes out today on XL recordings, the banner on myspace is telling me to buy it at target for 8.99

Today is a great day for the internet.

Dear Internet

I know we haven't been so close lately, but today i received your gift of an advance copy of Oakland, Ca. based Why?'s new full length Alopecia (which doesn't come out until March 22nd!) and what can I say, it's a really thoughtful gift. How did you know that's what I really wanted this Martin Luther King Jr. day? I guess You just know what a guy wants. Other than The Hollows which you must have heard me raving about when it was released as a single in 07, my favorite track is Simeon's Dilemma (even if Yoni does mention his "fixie" on it) which is almost the perfect mix of painfully sweet and a little bit dark (but not too dark.) This is a gift I truly love, man, and I hope I can return the favor somehow, someday.

Hope that bandwidth situation is working it's self out
love, Malcolm.

mp3: Why? - Simeon's Dilemma

Why? will be playing Madison in April and Alopecia comes out March 22nd, buy that shit!

French Superstars Go Underground

As you probably already heard, french superstar DJ duo Justice recently had a mixtape rejected by London powerhouse Fabric, who apparently "weren't ready" for something like this. Justice's label Ed Banger picked up the ball and released the thing as a special "x-mas mix" -- although it's a little late for that -- to critical (blogical) acclaim. The mix includes forty some minutes of obscure french disco, powerhouse slow jams and smooth electronic. But the undisputed standout is Belgian pop due Das Pop's Underground, which could easily move a dance floor as well just provide easy listening vibes any day of the week. The single is as of now unreleased, but will apparently be on their still TBA new full length early this year. You can pick up their current material on itunes or at any (Belgian Friendly) independent record store.

mp3: Das Pop - Underground
mp3: Justice - Xmas Mix

Silver Stallion

I've been listening to the new cat power covers album jukebox a lot over my recent holiday break and I can't say it's sticking with me too much (let's hope the bonus disc with hot boys and nick cave covers is a little better) but it does have a few really solid tracks.

Silver stallion, which was written by lee clayton and made famous by the highwaymen, stands out on this (sometimes) backing band bloated album.

mp3: Cat Power - Silver Stallion

Here's the original highwaymen video:


Jukebox comes out Jan. 22 on matador

Paint Silver Gold

The dudes over at RCRD LBL just posted another track off white denim's killer (and now apparently "exclusive" to RCRD LBL) workout holiday ep, get into it.

nap the mp3 here

Go see them live with the walkmen this month, can not wait for the madison date!

01/18/2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin @ Turner Hall

01/19/2008 Madison, Wisconsin @ High Noon Saloon

01/20/2008 Chicago, Illinois@ Schuba's

01/21/2008 St. Louis, Missouri @ Duck Room