Parasites and Sycophants

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Hanne Hukkelberg on Narnia: Prince Caspian Soundtrack

Wednesday May 14, 2008

Norwegian Hanne Hukkelberg adds her splendor and moonlight with the song “Lucy,” joining Regina Spektor and Switchfoot as special contributors to the Narnia: Prince Caspian Soundtrack. Hanne is back at home writing and getting set to record a new album. Hanne’s last album, Rykestrasse 68, recently released in North America, has been well received and bringing her to the front of attention.

“Lucy”
Lucy.asxLucy.movLucy.ramLucy on iTunesLucy on Amazon
Rykestrasse 68 is available on Nettwerk Records.
Rykestrasse 68 on iTunesRykestrasse 68 on Amazon

http://www.nettwerk.com/
http://hanne.hukkelberg.net/
http://www.myspace.com/hannehukkelberg

Shearwater:: Rook & Jonathan Meiburg departs Okkervil River

Tuesday May 13, 2008

Shearwater have a follow up to their magnificent album Palo Santo, Rook, coming out June 3rd on Matador Records. Jonathan Meiburg, frontman for Shearwater has announced that he is leaving Okkervil River to focus exclusively on Shearwater. Meiburg says the split is “completely amicable”, and that Shearwater has grown to the point that it excludes his further participation in Okkervil. “This is just a logical extension of the way things have been going since ‘Palo Santo’”, Meiburg adds. “Shearwater’s increasingly demanding schedule has meant that I’ve performed with Okkervil less and less over the past two years, and with Rook coming out in June, we all felt that it would be best if I completely disengaged from Okkervil rather than stretch myself too thin.”

audio:
rooks
tour:
May 13 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry *
May 14 Fargo, ND – the Aquarium
May 16 Seattle, WA Neumo’s
May 17 Vancouver, BV Richards on Richards *
May 19 San Francisco, CA The Independent *
May 20 West Hollywood, CA Troubadour *
May 29 Austin TX The Parish with 8-piece orchestra
June 13-Atlanta Earl
June 14-Chapel Hill Local 506
June 15-Washington DC Black Cat
June 17-Philadelphia Johnny Brenda’s
June 19-Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
June 21-Danbury, CT Heirloom Arts Theatre
June 24-Chicago, IL Mansion
June 27-Fort Worth, TX Lola’s
June 28-Austin, TX Mohawk
* w/Clinic

http://www.shearwatermusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/shearwater
http://www.matadorrecords.com/

Mudhoney:: The Lucky Ones & Superfuzz Bigmuff Deluxe Edition

Tuesday May 13, 2008

It seems appropriate with the coming 20th anniversary, that Sub Pop would re-release an album that many of us associate more with the label’s storied history than anything else. On May 20th, Mudhoney brings out a double dose with a new album called The Lucky Ones, and the Superfuzz Bigmuff Deluxe Edition double cd, which includes rare previously unreleased live material.

audio:
I’m Now(from new album The Lucky Ones)In ‘n Out of Grace(live and previously unreleased from Superfuzz Bigmuff Deluxe Edition)
video:
Touch Me I’m Sick

tour:
Friday, May 30, 2008 Bottom Lounge, Chicago IL
Saturday, May 31, 2008 Headliner’s Music Hall, Louisville KY
Sunday, June 1, 2008 Southgate House, Newport KY
Monday, June 2, 2008 Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac MI
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 Cafe Bourbon Street, Columbus OH
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 Mohawk Place, Buffalo NY
Thursday, June 5, 2008 Pearl Street, Northampton MA
Friday, June 6, 2008 Middle East, Cambridge MAdownstairs
Saturday, June 7, 2008 Highline Ballroom, New York NY
Sunday, June 8, 2008 Note, West Chester PA
Monday, June 9, 2008 Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington DC
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Cats Cradle, Carrboro NC
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 The Earl, Atlanta GA
Thursday, June 12, 2008 Common Grounds, Gainesville FL
Friday, June 13, 2008 Churchhill’s, Miami FL
Saturday, June 14, 2008 Back Booth, Orlando FL
Sunday, June 15, 2008 Sluggo’s, Pensacola FL
Monday, June 16, 2008 One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans LA
Saturday, July 12, 2008 Sub Pop 20th, Redmond WA
Thursday, July 31, 2008 Forum, London United Kingdom
Saturday, August 2, 2008 Storas Festival, Trondheim Norway
http://www.subpop.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mudhoney

The Submarines:: Honeysuckle Weeks

Tuesday May 13, 2008

Honeysuckle Weeks is an album full of a lot of inspired lyrics placed over ten songs of alluring “take me away” melodies. The male/female vocals do much to alternate and convene in the right place, taking the feeling and often thick atmosphere to a fever pitch, seen in full view on the cheerleader sprint spouting chorus of “You Me and the Bourgeoisie.” “1940″ changes it all up with this dub exotica neo-space age lounge thing, moving on to mysterious vocal runs and the promise of impending high drama. It may seem to cheapen this album a bit by calling it a “pop” record; though it is, and a really fine one that rages with swerving lines and the pervading feeling of something truly real going on here. Really, if you haven’t been drawn in by it all by the time you reach standout “The Wake Up Song,” then you just need to give it up because you don’t deserve to get on the merry go round of fun called “Swimming Pool.” Additionally, I have to mention that “Maybe” has a backdrop that reminds me of something off of Power, Corruption, and Lies, really perpetuated by the drums and the fleeting synth riffs. Speaking of pretty and alluring – - I’m not sure it ever gets any better than on finale “Brightest Hour,” with its magnificent “starlight star bright” music box ambiance and a stellar send off. By the end of Honeysuckle Weeks, there is no doubt that The Submarines have carved out their own distinct universe.

live:
May 22 Schuba’s w/ Headlights Chicago, Illinois
May 23 The Crofoot w/ Headlights Pontiac, Michigan
May 24 The Drake Hotel w/ Headlights Toronto, Ontario
May 25 Le Divan Orange w/ Headlights Montreal, Quebec
May 27 Iron Horse w/ Headlights Northhampton, Massachusetts
May 28 Middle East Upstairs w/ Headlights Boston, Massachusetts
May 29 Union Hall w/ Headlights Brooklyn, New York
May 30 Mercury Lounge w/ Headlights New York, New York
May 31 North Star w/ Headlights Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 1 Black Cat Backstage w/ Headlights Washington, Washington DC
Jun 6 Chop Suey Seattle, Washington
Jun 7 The Bourbon Vancouver, British Columbia
Jun 8 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, Oregon
Jun 10 Cafe du Nord San Francisco, California
Jun 12 Beauty Bar San Diego, California
Jun 13 The Echo Los Angeles, California

video:
The Submarines: Epic Tour Movie

http://www.myspace.com/thesubmarinesmusic
http://www.thesubmarines.com/
http://www.nettwerk.com/

Pomegranates:: Everything Is Alive

Tuesday May 13, 2008

It is difficult to capture the essence of Pomegranates new album Everything Is Alive with name dropping and meandering descriptions, though I will try, and begin by conceding that at a few different points and only in short doses, I find a similar atmosphere to that of early New Order. Again that is only seconds, here and there, for the magic of Pomegranates lies both in an experimental nature and their capturing melodies, which intertwine and augment with sublimely unique sensibilities. Perhaps, Everything Is Alive is the human experience rolled into an album: erratic, introspective, severe dramatics, release, lulls, departures….all changing before the ears, hardly giving the listener the time to settle in and make sense of it all. Some things are more straightforward, such as on poppier number “The Bellhop,” though obviously thoughtful sequencing makes it seem like every song was perfectly set up by the preceding piece. This album flows really well from beginning to end with some of my favorites including the Bedheadish “Desert Hymns,” and “Honey Moon Pie,” complete with a desert future disco tangent and an engaging refrain: “I want to go back home. I want to find me a wife….” Rest assured, I know it all sounds better in the song.

audio:
whom/who.mp3thunder meadow.mp3stream the album

http://www.everybodyoutside.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/pomegranatesart
http://www.lujorecords.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lujorecords

Cursive:: Daytrotter session and a few shows

Tuesday May 13, 2008

Cursive head in to the studio next week to record a follow up to their 2006 album, Happy Hollow. The band also stopped by the Daytrotter studios last month, recording “Sierra,” and two brand new songs. Check it out below and possibly catch them at one of their upcoming shows.

audio:
Cursive on Daytrotter
tour:
Mon-May-19 Omaha, NE Waiting Room
Tues-Jun-3 New York, NY Mercury Lounge (SOLD OUT)
Fri-Jun-27 Chicago, IL Subterranean
http://www.cursivearmy.com/
http://www.myspace.com/cursive
http://www.saddle-creek.com/
http://www.myspace.com/saddlecreek

Tokyo Police Club:: In A Cave

Tuesday May 13, 2008

http://tokyopoliceclub.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tokyopoliceclub
http://www.saddle-creek.com/

Music Go Music:: twelve inches and more

Tuesday May 13, 2008

Remember in the seventies when you used to get all geeked out in the bathroom and vip areas of your favorite discotheques, canoodling with the stars in a totally hands on environment? Of course, punk came and killed that era of decadence, bringing its own edgy splendor that for years now has turned on itself only to become a mocking caricature of its past. Lovers of high heels, sequins, wild sex, hot moves and Abba should delight in Music Go Music, who without apology, are here to reopen those bygone days of excess and frivolity. On May 20th, Secretly Canadian will release the first 12″ in a series of vinyl releases by Music Go Music.

audio:
light of love

http://secretlycanadian.com/
http://www.myspace.com/musicgomusic

The Quarter After:: Changes Near

Tuesday May 13, 2008

The Quarter After:: Changes Near Another favorite record of mine this year is The Quarter After’s Changes Near. Following on the pathways of West Coast rock, this album narrows the focus to the sixties and pays one grand tribute to one of the coolest bands ever – - The Byrds. No doubt, that last line is enough to give you fair grounding on what to expect, and while many have tried to utilize the Rickenbacker twelve-string to induce Jim McGuinn type episodes over the years, none have ever came as close or been as successful in capturing the feeling as The Quarter After on Changes Near. You’ll hear much of it on here, reminding you of the early Crosby years, Notorious, Ballad of Easy Rider, and so forth. Don’t worry though Byrds fans, The Quarter After don’t seem to worship that Gram Parsons’ Sweetheart of the Rodeo stuff(no offense Gram, you were real fine, but The Byrds were even greater without you in the mind of this tried and true Byrds fan) as much as the sheep like music media, and opt for the cooler sounds. Good times indeed, and I need to take my hat off to these guys for knowing what is up.

audio:
See How Good It FeelsTurning Away.mp3
live:
May 18 Freakbeat Records Sherman Oaks, California
May 22 The Raven w/the Asteroid 4 Prescott, Arizona
May 23 Pappy & Harriets w/the Asteroid 4 & Spindrift Joshua Tree, California
May 24 The Prospector w/the Asteroid 4 Long Beach, California
May 26 “…IS GOOD” w/ Jon Hershfield www. killradio.org
May 26 Spaceland of Dreams w/ Asteroid 4 & Mezzanine Owls Silverlake, California
May 27 Big Sur Spirit Garden w/Asteroid 4 & Chief Nowhere Big Sur, California
May 28 The Rickshaw Stop w/the Asteroid 4 San Francisco, California
May 30 The East End w/the Asteroid 4 & Rebel Drone Portland, Oregon
May 31 Comet Tavern w/the Asteroid 4 & Rebel Drone Seattle, Washington
Jun 4 The Standard Hotel Los Angeles, California

http://www.myspace.com/thequarterafter
http://http//www.thecommitteetokeepmusicevil.com/

Rumspringa:: EP and June L.A. Residency at The Echo

Monday May 12, 2008

The term Rumspringa is an Amish rite of passage; the practice of releasing teenagers to explore the outside world, its sins and pleasures. Los Angeles based Rumspringa bring out their Rumspringa EP June 24th on Cantora Records and play The Echo Monday nights in June.

audio:
Goldmine
video:
Goldmine

live:
June 02 @ The Echo “Monday Night Residency” – Los Angeles, CA
June 09 @ The Echo “Monday Night Residency” – Los Angeles, CA
June 16 @ The Echo “Monday Night Residency” – Los Angeles, CA
June 23 @ The Echo “Monday Night Residency” – Los Angeles, CA
June 30 @ The Echo “Monday Night Residency” – Los Angeles, CA

http://www.myspace.com/rumspringa
http://www.cantorarecords.com/

http://www.attheecho.com/

Bowerbirds:: Hymns for a Dark Horse expanded edition; tour

Monday May 12, 2008

Bowerbirds’ Hymns for a Dark Horse was the delight of 2007 and one of few records to merit a listen for years to come. Now, the expanded edition of Hymns for a Dark Horse will be released June 17 (and August 18 in the UK) on Dead Oceans, featuring two new songs as bonus tracks – -”La Denigración” and “Matchstick Maker.” Originally released by Burly Time Records in 2007, Dead Oceans will release Hymns for a Dark Horse on vinyl for the first time in addition to the expanded edition. Bowerbirds will also make their first trip to Europe after a tour that will see them joining Bon Iver on a stretch of dates this July.

audio:
In Our Talons.mp3
video:
Bowerbirds Take Away Show
My Oldest Memory

tour:
06/29/08 Durham, NC – Duke University Gardens
07/17/08 Madison, WI – The Terrace at University Of Wisconsin
07/20/08 Chicago, IL – Schubas
07/21/08 Detroit, MI – Crofoot Ballroom w/ Bon Iver
07/22/08 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace w/ Bon Iver
07/23/08 Montreal, QC – Cabaret Music Hall w/ Bon Iver
07/25/08 Portland, ME – Space Gallery w/ Bon Iver
07/26/08 Boston, MA – Museum Of Fine Arts w/ Bon Iver
07/27/08 Dennis, MA – The Cave Cinema w/ Bon Iver
07/29/08 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom w/ Bon Iver
07/30/08 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg w/ Bon Iver
07/31/08 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church w/ Bon Iver
08/01/08 Washington, DC – Black Cat w/ Bon Iver
08/02/08 Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theatre w/ Bon Iver
08/03/08 Columbus, OH – Wexner Center w/ Bon Iver
08/15-17/08 Brecon Beacons, UK – Green Man Festival
09/12-14/08 Salisbury, UK – End Of The Road festival
http://www.myspace.com/bowerbirds
http://www.bowerbirds.org/
http://deadoceans.com/

Planets:: Summer Tour

Monday May 12, 2008

Napa, California’s bass and drums duo Planets bring their wild erratic frenzy to towns across the country with Ahleuchatistas joining them on the east coast from June 18th to June 28th. Click on the flyer for dates.