Music Under Fire

Costumes are pretty pointless every day of the year except Halloween. Music fits the bill every day of the year, but when you want to get specialized and jazzed up, you get a Halloween playlist to set things off right. We've intricately selected some ghoulishly delightful songs to get your inner zombie in the right mood.

Also, since candy is so important on Halloween, we want you to check out Candy Blog. If you need costume ideas, head to CricketSoda's Top Blogger or find out what you should be with the Halloween Costume Generator. If you're looking to snack healthy this year, check out 365Halloween. Now get dressed up and let MusicUnderFire's Halloween playlist light the way.

MP3: Jason Segel - Dracula's Lament (buy)
MP3: Filligar - Ghost Town (buy)
MP3: The Rosebuds - Cape Fear (buy)
MP3: The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight (buy)
MP3: Umbrellas - Ghost (buy)
MP3: Mystery Jets - Scarecrows in the Rain (buy)
MP3: TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me (buy)
MP3: Fields - Skulls And Flesh And More (buy)
MP3: MGMT- Of Moons Birds and Monsters (Holy Ghost! Remix) (buy)
MP3: The Black Ghosts - Any Way (Boy 8 Bit Mix) (buy)
MP3: Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost (buy)
MP3: Armor For Sleep - Basement Ghost Singing (buy)
MP3: Cut Copy - So Haunted (buy)
MP3: Explosions In The Sky - Welcome, Ghosts (buy)
MP3: The Postal Service - We Will Become Silhouettes (Matthew Dear's Not Scared Mix) (buy)
MP3: Does It Offend You, Yeah - Dawn of the Dead (buy)
MP3: City And Colour - The Death of Me (buy)
MP3: Anberlin - The Haunting (buy)
MP3: Gorillaz - Dracula (buy)
MP3: M83 - Graveyard Girl (buy)
MP3: Jeniferever - A Ghost In The Corner Of Your Eye (buy)
MP3: Apartment - Ghost of an Unforgivable Past (buy)
MP3: Mogwai - Kids Will Be Skeletons (buy)
MP3: Bloc Party - Hunting For Witches (buy)

The best presents for women come in small boxes. The best new find for music enthusiasts comes as The Little Ones.

The five grinning guys from L.A.'s easiest to like group most recently displayed their diamond in a box capability with October 7th's release of Morning Tide. Wound with the pop of their own giddiness, The Little Ones fuse in experimentation akin to Vampire Weekend while also melting in the groove of The Whitest Boy Alive.

In 2006, Sing Song had propelled The Little Ones into quiet recognition among indie critics, but when Astralwerks dropped the group from their label, the chatter died down momentarily.

2008's recording of the Terry Tales & Fallen Gates EP marked a reemergence as well as perhaps the defining moment for a group that had re-released Sing Song numerous times. The Little Ones finally had gone back to what they did best- compose simple, energetic, beach party songs with their personalities flying above the powdered sand. Chop Shop Records jumped at the chance and sent the cheerful group into recording on their first full-length album.

The Little Ones are composed of Edward Reyes (vocals. guitar), Brian Reyes (bass, vocals), Ian Moreno (guitar), Lee LaDouceur (keyboard) and David Esau (drums). For more on the band head to their web site or myspace.

Also, we have an mp3 and a video along with tour dates below for your enjoyment.

MP3: The Little Ones - Farm Song (buy)

11/10/08 Chop Suey Seattle, WA
11/11/08 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
11/14/08 The Echo Los Angeles, CA
11/15/08 Detroit Bar Costa Mesa, CA

The Shore, with their psychedelic rock, remain on top of our lists of favorite bands since 2004. Influenced by many sounds of the 60s, including Buffalo Springfield and The Beach Boys, the California foursome have had us repeatedly going back for more since their infectious, self-titled debut. We were delighted to hear of their news not more than a month ago of their new album, Light Years, which was released digitally on October 13th.

The band, consisting of Ben Ashley Wayne Faler, Kyle Mullarky and John Wilmer, were kind enough to give us some feedback on their current status, what went into their latest album and a few other meddling questions. Aside from the questions below, we strongly urge you to go out and buy Light Years, The Shore's second album on iTunes or give them a listen on their MySpace page. They are sure not to disappoint.

Since the release of your last record and your eventual departure from Maverick Records, what has happened with The Shore? Why such a long gap between records?

Well... A lot has happened. We left Maverick, which eventually was dissolved, a couple of us had children, management changes, etc. We were also searching for direction as a band.... I'd written about 60+ songs, which were eventually distilled down to what ended up on "Light Years". Plus we only release our albums in Olympic years!

Your new album 'Light Years' released digitally on October 13th, what is the significance of this album name?

I'd taken that title from the James Salter novel of the same name... basically about beautiful lives frayed over the course of time... which seemed to be a bit of a theme while writing the album.

You were once again working with Rick Parker (Sugarcult, Dandy Warhols), how did having him back in your corner help with completing this album?

Well, Rick's very good at reigning us in. Perhaps we would go way off course into some really abstract psychedelic stuff otherwise... He's able to produce in a way that isn't intrusive but more so inspiring in that he gets really great tones and sound.




Were there any setbacks making 'Light Years'?

Only in the time it took to actually get into the studio. We had the songs ready, as well as the vibe of what we were hoping would be translated in the recording. Once we actually got in to the studio everything flowed quite quickly.

Four years later and we're thrilled to hear your second album is ready for the public. Much has happened since then, how does 'Light Years' differ from your 2004 self-titled album?

I'd say some of our other influences perhaps are more relevant on this one... there's a lot of sitars and mellotrons and whatnot. Also I think the theme and vibe of this one is maybe a bit closer to how we are as musicians...

We at MusicUnderFire were quite fond of "Hold On" from your last album. What particular song off of your newest work are you most excited about?

I really dig all the songs on this album... but if pushed I'd have to go with "Wandering Light" or "Showers You With Love"

If you could go on tour with another group right now, who would it be?

Fleet Foxes are doing some great stuff right now... Or perhaps My Bloody Valentine or Oasis.

Besides the obvious CD release party with tons of champagne bottles popping, how are you going to celebrate your new album?

Hopefully by touring soon, and writing another masterpiece!

Anything else you would like to add?

Just thanks to everyone for hanging in there and believing in our music! Now go pick up "Light Years", and enjoy!!

The Twilight Sad are overseas entertaining the European countries, so alas, we must do nothing but wait for this album to come our way. Their tour is beginning today in support of Mogwai (Glasgow, UK), whose The Hawk Is Howling was released a little over a month ago. Their exclusive album will be available for sale at their upcoming shows.

Their exclusive album named The Twilight Sad Killed My Parents And Hit The Road, features covers of The Smiths, Joy Division and even the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The album includes rarities and live performances of songs not yet released.

Here's the track listing:

1. Walking For Two Hours
2. That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy
3. Untitled #28
4. Cold Days From The Birdhouse
5. And She Would Darken The Memory
6. Twenty Four Hours (Joy Division cover)
7. The Weather Is Bad
8. Half A Person (The Smiths cover)
9. Untitled #27
10. Modern Romance (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)
11. I Was Hoping The Winter Was Over

MP3: The Twilight Sad - I'm Taking The Train Home (buy)

Below are their tour dates, which start today with Mogwai:

27 Oct - Rockhal, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
28 Oct - Casino de Paris, Paris, France
29 Oct - Live Music Hall, Koeln, Germany
30 Oct - Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
02 Nov - Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
03 Nov - Mejeriet, Lund, Sweden
04 Nov - Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
06 Nov - Huxleys, Berlin, Germany
08 Nov - Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg, Germany
10 Nov - Mousonturm, Frankfurt, Germany
12 Nov - Backstage, Munich, Germany
13 Nov - Aquarius Club, Zagreb, Croatia
14 Nov - WuK, Vienna, Austria
15 Nov - Archa Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic
17 Nov - Fri Son, Fribourg, Switzerland
18 Nov - Rote Fabrik Aktionshalle, Zurich, Switzerland

Its a shame this was our first time to the spacious brick capsule called the 'World Cafe Live' down on Walnut Street in Philadelphia. It's suited in a warm environment, the tall skyscrapers of our city a mere quarter-mile away, yet lingering on the campuses of both Penn University and Drexel University and a grassy field, covering the West side of the building. The World Cafe also houses Philadelphia's own independent radio station WXPN who are finishing up their donation drive to keep the radio station going for more years to come. Please visit them to help contribute in any way you can.

Pictures and Sound



Luke Reynolds' name may ring a bell if you've heard of Blue Merle. In fact, he was the lead vocalist for Blue Merle and later moved on to operate as a solo unit since the releasing a solo EP titled The Space Between the Lines. Reynolds now travels with two other members, Dave Wilder (bass) who previously played with Jem, and Pete McNeal (Drums) to make up a three-man band named Pictures and Sound. The band operates under Vanguard Records, who have contributed to the careers of other great singers and songwriters such as one of our other recent favorites, Greg Laswell and a slew of other artists (Edwin McCain, Hootie & the Blowfish, Blues Traveler, Shawn Mullins, and Chely Wright).

The show began with McNeal's drums, which were quick and rhythmic like that of a drum machine. No sooner did Reynolds' sing that their sound was completed with drums, bass and Reynolds on the guitar as well. It was a showcase of the relaxed atmosphere that Blue Merle could have pulled off. The simplicity of the three members on stage was satiating to the crowd as onlookers patiently waited for the jazzy lead act, Nikka Costa. It's safe to say, there was more to be found in this act. Many were swaying to the music, and unexpectedly found themselves enjoying the open air of the World Cafe much more with an stellar opening act.

Pictures and Sound opened with two of their own songs from their new self-titled album, both quick rhythms, with relaxed guitar melodies, uplifting and captivating. The second song dramatically stretched more than five-minutes as there was no lull in the performance as Reynolds played to the crowd with a new jazzy version of "Burning in the Sun", slowed down by as much as 30-40 BPM. Perhaps this had the potential to be the most captivating performance of the night, offsetting the pace from the previous song. But this was not the case.

Reynolds proceeded to play a song called "Sundays", which was a collaboration with Felix Haaksman who makes up one half of the German re-mix team Haaksman + Haaksman. This collaborative effort mastered in the streets of Berlin was wildly different from the other songs played throughout the night, featuring a pulsing bassline and had a duality (as most collaborative efforts do) which seemed to be an addition to Reynold's melodies and influence, with the drum beat and bass combined.

The most captivating moment of the night was when Pictures and Sound played the first track from their latest, titled "Everything Leaves A Mark". The song is upbeat and the vocals fit perfectly to the guitar and drums. Their entire performance was top notch, really. The band backed by McNeal and Wilder complimented Reynold's vocals and the band seems to be having a great tour thus far. You can follow up on what the band has been doing on their blog. Make sure you go out and buy Pictures and Sound's album!

MP3: Pictures and Sound - Forever to Reach (buy)

MySpace: http://picturesandsound.com/
Blog: http://picturesandsound.blogspot.com/

Video: Pictures and Sound - 100 Directions











Nikka Costa



The eight-man funk band highlighted by Nikka Costa arrived on stage after a brief intermission between sets. Immediately, fans and patrons alike found open places in front of the colorfully lit stage. Once prepped properly, wailing horns and kickin' jazz erupted to the giddy delight of everyone.

This release wasn't complete though until seconds later, the soulful speech of Nikka protruded from her ensemble at center stage. As she was skillfully inserting each lyric onto the thumping melody's palate, she sent a karmic presence to the abiding room by the pushing and pulling of her arms.

Along with her own aura, the skilled help on stage worked through their respective trade, whether it was trumpet, trombone, bass guitar, electric guitar, drums, keyboard and anything else available. Not only did the group together manage to create an electricity with their instruments, their personalities flew across the room, too, as each sound created an important part of the whole.

For more on Nikka Costa, head here.

MP3: Nikka Costa - Stuck To You (buy)

With our Fightin' Phils getting ready for their World Series games, we thought we would spread some of our excitement as well as spread some of the Philadelphia music talent with a playlist. Unfortunately, Survivor and Bon Jovi didn't make it, but I am sure Fox will play the heck out of them. GO PHILLIES!!!

MP3: Dr. Dog - Ain't It Strange (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: Birdie Busch - Sweetheart Age (MySpace)
MP3: Anthony Green - Springtime Out the Van Window (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: Good Old War - Looking For Shelter (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: The Artificial Hearts - You Were My Everything (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: Peasant - We're Good (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: Enon - Mirror On You (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: (the sounds of ) Kaleidoscope - Silver Sk'eyes (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: Surgeon - Can't Let Go (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: Quintero - Gravity (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: Natalie Walker - With You (buy) (Official) (MySpace)
MP3: Circa Survive - The Difference Between Medicine and Poison is in the Dose (buy) (Official) (MySpace)

Bloc Party news has been simmering down since Intimacy was released back on August 21st. Since then, an array of remixes have been releases, their most prominent one being their Mercury EP (iTunes UK link) which featured two other songs we didin't post here - "Flosstradamus Remix" and the "Herve Is In Disarray Remix" .

However, the list below has some great remixes, most importantly by CSS along with some of my older favorites such as "The Modern Love" and the stunning duality of Kele singing "Hunting for Witches" to the tune of Coldplay's "In My Place". Also featured are Chromeo and Does It Offend You, Yeah? (featured on our 300th post) remixed by Bloc Party.

MOST notable below, you can listen to the latest Bloc Party Remix, "Talons (Phones R.I.P Mix)", which will be available for download on iTunes' UK site as of tomorrow (10/20/08) in the UK only. From listening to the song below, I can say this is the best Bloc Party remix I've heard to date. As any Phones fan would be, I am shocked to hear it rumored that this is going to be his final remix (hence the "R.I.P." part of the remix title). If anyone has some truth to this, please leave a comment. Enjoy the list and be sure to pick up the Talons EP tomorrow...

MP3: Bloc Party - Hunting for Witches (Crystal Castles Remix) (buy)
MP3: Bloc Party - Mercury (CSS remix) (buy)
MP3: Bloc Party - The Pioneers (m83 remix) (buy)
MP3: Bloc Party - The Prayer (La Modes Sunday school remix) (buy)
MP3: Bloc Party - This Modern Love (dave piankas making time remix) (buy)
MP3: Bloc Party - Where Is Home (Diplo Remix feat Skepta) (buy)
MP3: Bloc Party vs Coldplay - Hunting for Witches In My Place (buy)
MP3: Chromeo - Needy Girl (Bloc Party Remix) (buy)
MP3: Does It Offend You Yeah - We Are Rockstars (Bloc Party Remix) (buy)

Bloc Party - Talons (Phones R.I.P Mix)

With just a few weeks left in our Denny's Rockstar Menu and MUF Contest, we want to remind our readers a bit about why we chose to highlight the Eagles of Death Metal over Taking Back Sunday, All American Rejects and Plain White T's. It's simple - EODM bring that funky hoppy sound we love and our readers love.

Sure the words Death Metal throw you off instantly, but it isn't actually hardcore, screaming-and-yelling rock, but rather a White Stripes-type style with a grungy heavy metal look. Their new album, Heart On, will be in stores on October 28. We've added a video below to help you out.

Also, to enter the contest, head here and just email us with your name. The contest ends October 31.

Well it looks like Mute Math began promoting their latest work and just couldn't wait to premier one of their latest songs from the studio. After being sheltered in that poorly lit house for some many months and showing us YouTube videos to support their hard worked tracks, the foursome are currently getting all of the scratches buffed out and some new songs melted down into new shapes. You can check out our previous post on Mute Math showing a video from these recordings.

Their first song to premiere on their yet unnamed album will be "Spotlight" and will be featured in a movie called Twilight, a vampire/love/action flick which will hit theatres on 11/21/08.

MP3: Mute Math - Control (live) (buy)

The soundtrack itself has some big names as well, such as Paramore, Muse, Collective Soul and Iron & Wine. You can preorder the soundtrack here or listen to some of the songs here.

Twilight tracklisting:
1. Muse — Supermassive Black Hole
2. Paramore — Decode
3. The Black Ghosts — Full Moon
4. Linkin Park — Leave Out All The Rest
5. MuteMath — Spotlight (Twilight Mix)
6. Perry Farrell — Go All The Way (Into The Twilight)
7. Collective Soul — Tremble For My Beloved
8. Paramore — I Caught Myself
9. Blue Foundation — Eyes On Fire
10. Rob Pattinson — Never Think
11. Iron & Wine — Flightless Bird, American Mouth
12. Carter Burwell — Bella’s Lullaby

From their website:

Mute Math will release a new song, "Spotlight", as part of the official motion picture soundtrack for the forthcoming film "Twilight". Mute Math has also composed new music for one of the scenes in the movie. The film, an action-packed modern day love story between a vampire and human, is based off Stephanie Meyer's New York Times Bestselling series of Vampire novels. The soundtrack will be available November 4 on Chop Shop/Atlantic. The movie will release November 21. "Spotlight" will also be featured on Mute Math's sophomore album due out spring 2009.

This begins yet another long saga for one of MUF's favorite bands as Band of Horses enter the studio and we just have to stick it out with updates on their progress until the day comes we can listen to it. We don't have any date the band has set, there is no name of the album, in fact, Ben Bridwell and his buddies are just entering the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama. Their studio selection should come as no surprise, since the band has grown with the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd through the years, who also just so happened to record here.

There's a small joke for your Band of Horses fans in their note below and it might seem odd, but could you imagine a record of theirs with more than 10 songs? Both Cease To Begin and Everything All the Time are 10 each. Really anything these guys touch turns to gold regardless of how many songs they make this time around, so in this case, the more the better.

MP3: Band of Horses - Detlef Schrempf (buy)

If you missed our review of their show at the TLA in Philly, you can check it out here as well as a video we shot of them performing a CCR cover of "Effigy".

From the band:

Now we begin to also never start stopping again :-)

We're headed to historic Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama this week to officially start the jammering. You've more than likely heard many of the fantastic records birthed there, but just in case http://www.blogger.com/www.muscleshoalssound.org has a complete discography and awesome slide show available for your curious viewing pleasure.

We're extremely excited to get back at the business of recording songs. Here are a couple things I can safely say this album will include:

*More Than 10 Songs!!!!
*Songs written by all members of BoH (Ryan, Creighton, Bill, Tyler, and me)
*Christopher Wilson brand beautiful artwork
*Not The Funeral
*Music

So here we go. It's hard to say how long this will take to complete, so I'm not even gonna speculate for fear something will go terribly wrong. Thanks always to all of you who've supported us throughout this past year and beyond. We really love you.
xoboh

Montreal's The Dears are going to have a lot on their plate over the new few months. With their album Missiles set to release in the UK on 10/20 and in the U.S. on 10/21, a new video for their song "Money Babies" out and tour dates scheduled across the States, the seven-man crew should be mighty busy promoting their collective sound.

Natalia Yanchak (piano, keyboards, vocals) and Murray Lightburn (vocals, guitar, keyboards) are the vanguards for the reoccuring revival of The Dears, which now claims five other musicians of glory: Jason Kent (guitar, vocals, keyboard), Lisa Smith (bass guitar, keyboards), Yann Geoffroy (drums, keyboards), Laura Wills (keyboards, vocals) and Christopher McCarron (guitar).

One of the changes expected from the group through Missiles is a more energetic alt-blues tempo. Six of the seven members claim experience with the keyboard, so an electronic feel could be the new spunky attraction of The Dears.

Below we have provided a few mp3s below, as well as tour dates and their video of "Money Babies" off of Missiles. The album will be in stores next week, so check them out and let us know what you think.

MP3: The Dears - Disclaimer (preorder Missiles)
MP3: The Dears - You and I Are a Gang of Losers (buy)

When referencing small groups with great potential coming from Indiana, immediately Hoosiers comes to mind. Five guys with dreams much bigger than the town they reside in, that's Dugger, Indiana's Philpot.

After carefully working out the makeup of the band during their early years (2000), the potential of the current ensemble sprung to new heights when the group bumrushed New York City in 2004 to play in front of celebrities at a club owned by rockers Fuel and the Velvet Revolver. This type of bravado swinging in from nowhere America to the country's melting pot is what has taken Philpot from ordinary Heartlanders to a new heartbeat for music-lovers everywhere.

Harnessing a sound fused between the Black Crowes and Oasis along with a chemistry that has been developed over years of camaraderie compounds their synthesis. This pleasant mixture of talents together comes full swing at live shows but it also passes on to their recorded works. Find out they have written more than 300 songs together, most of which have never been recorded, and you have an intriguing formula.

Despite the typical comparisons to Oasis or any other alt-rockers, the individual swagger of the stars on stage benefits their live sets beyond a typical and tunnel-vision approach. While the hearty vocals of Kentz Ward protrude to the forefront of Philpot's recordings, the dynamic stringplay of Caleb Smith breaks any castings on these guys as just another rock band. Even if Caleb or Kentz don't attract your dearest attention, then the toils of Josh Kennedy (guitar), Arthur Ready (drums) and Tyler Evans (bass) are more than likely to start one Googling Philpot's upcoming tour dates.

After recording Bitch Be The World with Applehead Films & Records, Philpot was quickly picked up by Toucan Cove/Universal Records. Their latest, Hate Writes Better Than Love, continues the group's dynamic threading into the rock world as is shown by their song "Girls Don't Know", which immediately sparked interest in the UK.

Tour dates are below, but make sure to check out their website or MySpace for the latest Philpot news. Photos used are from Philpot's show on October 12 at The Khyber courtesy of Jared Coffin.

MP3: Philpot - Image in the Wood (buy)

10/19/2008 Melody Inn Indianapolis, IN
10/23/2008 The Verve Terre Haute, IN
10/25/2008 Oodle Inn Switz City, IN
10/31/2008 7th & Elm Terre Haute, IN
11/7/2008 Deerhead Tavern Evansville, IN
11/14/2008 Ciceros University City, MO
11/20/2008 Double Door Chicago, IL
11/21/2008 The Reptile Palace Oshkosh, WI
11/22/2008 John Harbor's Main St Menomonee Falls, WI
11/28/2008 Dawg House Terre Haute, IN
11/29/2008 Oodle Inn Switz City, IN

The Dark Romantics aptly titled sophomore album, Heartbreaker, will wrap its wild vines of despair around your heart. An album like this one isn't something we stumble on quite often, but the darkness and underlying sweeps of brittle emotions will capture your attention. On first listen, this was not a typical album to get sucked into. It was much more supple than I anticipated hearing, and my first impressions were to expect something perhaps less melodic than what had actually hit my ears.

The album itself is full of swinging guitar chords and slabs of swooning emotion from lead vocalist, Eric Collins. Vocal comparisons could be made to three of our favorite bands Low vs Diamond's Lucas Field and Your Vegas' Coyle Girielli and Keane's Tom Chaplin, particularly in the two songs below. The Dark Romantics have also been compared to A.C Newman (New Pornographers) and Thom Yorke (Radiohead), but are none in the same with a defining sound just a notch below the prime bands of our day. Their deeper cutting tracks are not for an amateur listener, yet primed for a hearty listen.