The fact that there haven’t been many posts on this site lately is result of what I perceive to be the current state of what is considered to be “cool” or “hip” music these days. Not that I strive to be either of those, but the current field of what is getting most of the attention is pale and weak.  The current climate of music draped in sappy, daydream, marshmallow, misled lyrical bliss wrapped up in paper thin attempts at music, makes it feel that rock-n-roll is almost dead. A Place To Bury Strangers don’t give a shit though, and their latest offering on Dead Oceans titled Worship proves that point with plenty of blissful noise, dark, unsettling, and ultimately conquering.

Worship hits legal status on June 26th.

Enough of my ranting about the state of music. You can stream Worship right now over at Stereogum.

And there is still time to pre-order the album and be entered to win a Death by Audio pedal designed by frontman Oliver Ackerman.

MP3> A Place To Bury Strangers ‘You Are The One’

For those not familiar, Jeff Mangum fronted the band Neutral Milk Hotel that released a couple of albums in the late 90′s, one which has become somewhat of a cult classic in the indie rock genre titled In The Aeroplane over The Sea. Magnum, recognized as the mind behind this critically acclaimed beautiful record, soon pulled back from the spotlight sliding into the shadows only to be heard on the rarest of occasions for years following. Magnum has since quietly reemerged over the past couple of years and seems to find confidence in taking the stage once again.

Sunday April 29th at ACL Live at the Moody Theatre presents a rare opportunity to see one of most influential artists of this generation.

Tickets on sale this Friday March 9th HERE.

MP3> Neutral Milk Hotel ‘Oh Comely’

It’s no secret to anyone paying attention to the Austin music scene that Black Books created a steady stir of buzz about themselves when they quietly released their debut EP An Introduction To.. about a year ago. So..now that we’ve been introduced, when might we hear some new material and most importantly when will have full length from the band? That question has been on the minds of many and the answers are coming…

The band recently set loose a brand new track from their upcoming full-length titled “Out The Door” on their Bandcamp page just two days ago. And if this is any indication of what to expect from the pending release, which we hope to see early in 2012, we are all in for a treat. I’m pretty sure that we are…

The new track comes just a few days after a cover of The Cardigans “Love Fool” showed up on the SYFFAL (Shut Your Fucking Face And Listen) site. Love the name by the way.

And I bring you both..The beautiful “Out The Door” single and the fun, dreamy cover “Lovefool”..

MP3> Black Books ‘Out The Door’

MP3> Black Books ‘Lovefool’ (Cardigans Cover)

Former Mighty Lemon Drops guitarist and songwriter turned producer/engineer David Newton, has resurfaced as a player once again with his latest outfit David Newton & Thee Might Angels and just released the Paint The Town EP.

I have to admit that my interest in some of the new music that is coming out these days has been fading in favor of revisiting some of the older stuff that occupied my time. The Mighty Lemon Drops were definitely a favorite of mine for awhile until they disbanded in 1992. Happy Head, World Without End, and Laughter all deserve a little revisit or visit if you haven’t done so yet.

Before you do that, check out David Newton & Thee Mighty Angels title track from the Paint The Town EP.

MP3> David Newton & Thee Mighty Angels ‘Paint The Town’

Speaking of festival favs, The Antlers secured a spot with me as one of my favorite bands of current. They pulled off one of the best performances at this year’s ACL Festival despite an early, early time slot on one of the main stages. That, and they were some of the nicest guys.

A little late on board with these guys, just discovering the beautifully heart-wrenching Hospice earlier this year, but better late than never as they say. This year’s follow up to that album Hospice is about to find a same year EP following in it’s wake titled (together) which is set for release Nov 22nd on Frenchkiss Records. If the track “Parentheses (PVT remix) is any indication, The Antlers are having a damn good year.

You’ll find guest appearances on the EP from Neon Indian, Bear In Heaven, and Nicole Atkins

MP3> The Antlers ‘Parentheses (PVT Remix)’

Just over a week after catching this intriguing Japanese trio Boris, weave their mystical sound of multitudes of styles and genres at Fun Fun Fun Fest, the band releases the second track from their upcoming release aptly titled New Album. “Flare” follows the first single released which was titled “Spoon” and can be found on New Album released on limited edition vinyl and CD at independent retailers on Record Store Day: Black Friday Nov 25th and worldwide on December 6th.

Still trying to wrap my head around this stuff, but it’s fun for sure.

MP3> Boris ‘Flare’

Who doesn’t love Superchunk? How can you not? Don’t be Foolish.

Happy Halloween from Superchunk via the band offering up a cover of the Misfits “Where Eagles Dare”.

The band says, “Happy Halloween everyone! An omelet of disease awaits your noontime meal! In the tradition of doing something we did last year, we’ve got another Misfits cover for you. We recorded it with John Plymale at Overdub Lane. Everyone sings! So it’s festive.

MP3> Superchunk ‘Where Eagles Dare’ (Misfits cover)

Not nearly as frightening as the name might suggest, UK’s The Horrors kicked of a U.S. tour early this month in support of their most recent release Skying, that will find them taking to the beloved Parish stage in Austin on 9/21. If you’ve had your fill of the electronic bleep blip, dj riddled, get so friggin happy scene, like myself, The Horrors inspire memories of Bauhaus, Peter Murphy, and even Echo and The Bunnymen at times. It’s okay to wallow in darkness every now and then. That’s why we have Prozac.

The Horrors w/The Stepkids opening things up at The Parish. Doors @ 8p.m. TICKETS

MP3> The Horrors ‘Moving Further Away’

The Horrors US tour:

9/21 – Austin, TX – The Parish
9/23 – St Louis, MO – The Firebird
9/24 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock
9/25 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
9/27 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
9/28 – Montreal, QC – Cafe Campus
9/30 – Washington, DC – Black Cat
10/1 – Asbury Park, NJ – ATP
10/2 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
10/3 – Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
10/4 – New York, NY – Webster Hall

Miniature Tigers is a treat for the indie-electro lover, the pop guru and the believer of online relationships. IE, the bandmates explored each other’s music so much that guitarist Charlie Brand moved west to make music with drummer Rick Shaler. Match made. Boosting the same genre to which Neon Indian and Crystal Castles have similarly contributed, these tigers may not be so miniature after the festival. Songs to check out: “The Wolf” (featured in “Easy A”) and “Bullfighter Jacket”.

Friday 11:20-12:00 on the Austin Ventures Stage

MP3> Miniature Tigers ‘Gold Skull’

Former Pavement (love ya!) frontman Stephen Malkmus and his Jicks band are set to release their 5th full length recording on August 23rd, titled Mirror Traffic, and the press surrounding the album suggests that this might be the bands best work to date. If you are interested in checking it out, you can find Mirror Traffic streaming in it’s entirety over at NPR. We’ve got the track “Senator” here for you as well. You know what a Senator wants? Just take a listen.

MP3> Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks ‘Senator’

Tour dates below as well, with no Austin date currently scheduled, but you would have to believe that Malkmus wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to play our fine city.

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – TOUR DATES

8/23 – Los Angeles, CA Amoeba Free All Ages Instore Performance – 6pm
8/25 – Brooklyn, NY Academy Free All Ages Instore Performance – 6pm
8/25 – Manhattan, NY Other MusicFree All Ages Instore Performance – 9pm
9/20 – Detroit, MI, Majestic Theater
9/21 – Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre
9/22 – Ottowa, ON, Ritual
9/23 – Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre
9/24 – Boston, MA, Royale
9/26 – New York, NY, Terminal 5
9/28 – Philadelphia, PA , Theatre of Living Arts
9/29 – Baltimore, MD, Ram’s Head Live
9/30 – Charlottesville, VA, Jefferson Theater
10/1 — Saxapahaw, NC, The Haw River Ballroom
10/2 – Atlanta, GA, Variety Playhouse
10/4 – Nashville, TN, Mercy Lounge
10/5 – Indianapolis, IN, Earth House
10/6 – Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre
10/7 – Milwaukee WI, Turner Hall
10/8 – Minneapolis, MN, Pantages Theatre
10/11- Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre – (with Ty Segall)
10/12 – Vancouver, BC, The Biltmore Cabaret – (with Ty Segall)
10/13 – Portland, OR, Crystal Ballroom – (with Ty Segall)
10/16 – San Francisco, CA, Treasure Island Music Festival
10/19 – Los Angeles, CA, The Music Box – (with Ty Segall)
10/20 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern – (with Ty Segall)

Sundress has been on the fringes of my radar for a little while, mostly through word of mouth and stumbling upon their live show awhile back here in town. The Denton based band has managed to raise quite a few eyebrows with little in the way of recorded material available, including a nomination for Best New Band by Dallas Music Observer as well as catching the attention of some guy named Wayne Coyne. With Coyne on board one can assume what you might be in for stylistically…maybe a little bit of  psych tinged rock?

While there’s a definite 90′s British shoegaze, psych-rock feel to the songs, Sundress craft a sound that makes it all feel fresh and relevant again. The upcoming self-titled EP, offers up a diverse, solid collection of 6 tracks that will certainly see the band making waves for the next few years if they continue on this plotted course.

The self-released Sundress EP sees official street date Aug 16, 2011.

MP3> Sundress ‘Derelict’

Look for the band to tour later this summer and into the fall with these two dates scheduled currently.

7/23 – Denton, TX – Hailey’s w/ Stardeath & White Dwarves
10/7 – New York, NY – Cameo Gallery w/ No Man, No Eyes

The Antlers recently made their way into my music consciousness with their 2009 release Hospice, via a friend handing me a copy of the album. My interest in the band was subtly sparked just days before by the most recent release Burst Apart lingering in the future, along with the single “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out” fresh on my mind. Spending time with Hospice, which is an incredibly complex, beautiful, dark, sexy record, peaks some serious interest in this band on my end. I question the ability to recreate the magic of that record, but I’m sure that The Antlers still have plenty in store that will keep our musical leanings focused on their potential talents.

The band plays what is sure to be one of the waning moments of Emos outdoor stage on Tuesday night..take notice.

Get TICKETS

MP3> The Antlers ‘Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out’

Canada’s modern answer to hardcore, punk based rock, Fucked Up are set to release their epic 18 track album titled David Comes To Life next Tuesday 6.7.2011. Two dates into the David Comes To Life tour finds the band playing Mohawk during the Chaos in Tejas weekend this Sunday 6.5, and if you haven’t seen this band live, you owe it to yourself to get a little Fucked Up. The larger than life, bald, and often wearing little clothing lead singer Damian Abraham is worth the effort.

MP3> Fucked Up ‘The Other Shoe’

Get TICKETS

Watch a short doc on the making of David Comes To Life

Fucked Up Tour:

Austin’s Bridge Farmers delivered a heavy little chunk of a 6 song EP at the end of 2010 titled Din of Celestial Birds that still finds it’s way into heavy rotation around these parts. The band plays a free show inside at Mohawk after the veteran Melvins have their way with the Austin crowd. Stick around, or show up late and catch what is sure to become a rising star in within the camp of those who crave some serious guitar heavy rock n roll.

Show starts at 11:30 and it’s FREE.

MP3> Bridge Farmers ‘Dancing Bones’

The Antlers just released a track from their upcoming Burst Apart album which is set for release on 5/10 on the Frenchkiss label. “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out” is a curious title for a song, and one that I can say I can relate to, unfortunately. Hate those dreams. Despite the cringe title, the song has me incredibly curious about this band that I have yet to invest much time. That’s about to change, and with the upcoming tour dates, looks like the live session isn’t far away as well. Austin will see the band on 6/07 @ Emo’s.

You can pre-order Burst Apart now with a variety of options available.

MP3> The Antlers ‘Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out’

The Antlers tour dates Read more