Music Under Fire

Doves, who were one of our most anticipated artists of 2009, offered a free mp3 to their fans via their official site this past week, and they've already had over 13,000 downloads!

The track itself features a high bpm with an advanced sound from what their fans may be accustomed to. The beats are tightly looped, the guitar bridges their old sound and there's a large load of production layered into the buildups and breakdowns. We really can't applaud it enough.

Being fans of the Vangelis film score, 'Blade Runner', we always wanted to write an imaginary song for the closing credits on Ridley Scott's classic... It's called Jetstream...

Beirut are getting quite the tour of the world right now, riding high off of their 2007 album The Flying Club Cup. Their last album, which appeared on many best of 07' lists cleared the way for their upcoming EP, March Of The Zapotec. Their EP will be available on February 17th.

Tracklist:
1. El Zocalo
2. La Llorona
3. My Wife
4. The Akara
5. On a Bayonet
6. The Shrew
7. My Night With the Prostitute From Marseille
8. My Wife, Lost in the World
9. Venice
10. The Concubine
11. No Dice

MP3: Beirut - Nantes (buy)

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Feb 4 2009 - Music Hall of Williamsburg brooklyn, New Mexico
Feb 6 2009 - Brooklyn Academy of Music brooklyn, New York
Feb 7 2009 - Brooklyn Academy of Music brooklyn, New York
Feb 19 2009 - Lunaria Auditoria Mexico City, Distrito Federal
Feb 20 2009 - Lunario Auditoria Mexico City, Distrito Federal
May 3 2009 - Fabrik Hamburg, Hamburg
May 5 2009 - Paradiso Amsterdam
May 6 2009 - Cirque Royal Brussels
May 8 2009 - Forum London
May 9 2009 - All Tomorrows Parties Minehead
May 12 2009 - Bataclan Paris

Video: Beirut - In the Mausoleum from The Flying Club Cup

As releases are building up on our 2009 music calendar, we continue to find more of our favorite bands of yesteryear showing up at our door again. This time the Junior Boys are on our radar with their release of their album two-years in the works, Begone Dull Care, due out on April 7th (March 24th for their fellow Canadians) on Domino Records.

The album was named after Norman McLaren's (oscar winning animator and composer) short film named 'Begone Dull Care'. McLaren made his presence known back in the 1930s - 1940's with many of his short films (one which you can see below). Keep in mind these were done at the same time World War II was happening, Jackie Robinson played baseball. Roosevelt was president and Gone With The Wind hit theatres. Its easy to see McLaren was way ahead of his time, which makes it so fitting the Junior Boys were affected so much by his work, their album had been inspired by it.

MP3: Junior Boys - In The Morning (Hot Chip Remix) (buy)
MP3: Sally Shapiro - Jackie Junior (Junior Boys Remix) (buy)

From their latest track, "Parallel Lines", the synths are done just as well as we could imagine, the glibs of sputtering appregiated keyboards makes the song flow just as their old work did. Although we still have another three months to wait, surely this album shows much promise already.

You can check out the new song "Parallel Lines" streaming over at Domino Records.

Tracklist:
1. Parallel Lines
2. Work
3. Bits And Pieces
4. Dull To Pause
5. Hazel
6. Sneak A Picture
7. The Animator
8. What It's For

Video: Norman McLaren - Dots (1940)

Rating: 7.3/10

For anyone familiar with Animal Collective, the release of Merriweather Post Pavillion was nothing of note. Like syrup in a glass bottle, the foursome always provide a fresh taste on whatever plate they come out on. What must be noted though would be that MPP provided the music community with a touch of normalcy and perhaps some of the visceral emotions that epitomize Animal Collective.

The dance around the table begins with wave upon wave hitting the shore in "In the Flowers". This delightfully progressive opening track clicks and chirps a natural aura before gradually blending into the beat-box jungle that follows in the next 10 tracks.

Attuned for remixers and electro-maniacs alike, "My Girls" delves right into the symmetry Animal Collective has spread so often in their past - repititious refrains and keyboard looping. When the loops swing around two or three times, the lyrics have stuck, so the next time "I just want four walls and adobe slats for my girls" sings, it has become a household song. The track "Bluish" chimes to this pattern of catchy refrains with personal tidbits while "Summertime Clothes", the album's lyrical juggernaut, goes into a tirade that wows at every turn.

Merriweather Post Pavillion continually drifts back towards its organic origins. "Also Frightened" and "Lion in a Coma" play the part of ensuring the album throws in its fair share of natural sounds, whether that be through owls hooting, insects crawling or the didgeridoo.

When the bells and whistles aren't ricocheting out of the speakers, the people behind the music (Panda Bear, Deakin, Avey Tare, Geologist) really shine. Sentimental lyrics such as "I really want to show to my girl that I want her" from "Guys Eyes" and "Friends I once had turn their thoughts away from me" from "No More Runnin" break away to a heartfelt side that can be missed on a casual listen.

Despite a low overall rating, the diversity in sounds and studio enhancements on this album made it worth listening to. Although they have alluded my ears for a live show, countless fans have heralded the group for what they bring to the road. Below we have clips from their show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York, courtesy of http://animalcollective.org/.

MP3: Animal Collective - My Girls (live at Bowery Ballroom)
MP3: Animal Collective - Guys Eyes (live at Bowery Ballroom)
MP3: Animal Collective - Brother Sport (live at Bowery Ballroom)

Cold War Kids will promote their new album, Loyalty to Loyalty, with a performance tonight, Jan. 28 2009, on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. The Conan performance coupled with another sold-out event tonight at New York's Mercury Lounge will jump-start their upcoming tour which will make its way back to the states after a few international stops.

The band has also signed on with the Death Cab for Cutie spring tour which will kick off April 7 at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA. Cold War kids will be on the ticket for the month of April, while Matt Costa will handle the following dates. Ra Ra Riot will be the opening act for all shows. Tickets will go on sale this weekend.

1/28/09 Late Night with Conan O’Brien New York, NY
1/28/09 Mercury Lounge - SOLD OUT New York, NY
2/2/09 Metropolis Concert Club Perth, Western Australia
2/3/09 Governor Hindmarsh Hotel Adelaide
2/4/09 Palace Theatre Melbourne, Victoria
2/6/09 The Arena Brisbane, Queensland
2/7/09 Playground Weekender Festival Sydney, New South Wales
3/7/09 Bicentennial Park – Langerado Music Festival Miami, FL
3/26/09 4th & B Concert Theatre San Diego, CA
3/27/09 Orpheum Theatre Los Angeles, CA
4/2/09 Wilbur Theatre Boston, MA
4/3/09 Terminal 5 New York, NY
4/4/09 Water Street Music Hall Rochester, NY
4/07/09 Tower Theatre Upper Darby, PA #
4/08/09 DAR Constitution Hall Washington, DC #
4/09/09 John Belk Arena Davidson, NC #
4/10/09 The Louisville Palace Louisville, KY #
4/11/09 Orpheum Theatre Memphis, TN #
4/12/09 The Brady Theater Tulsa, OK #
4/13/09 Holland Center Omaha, NE #
4/15/09 Roy @ WIlkins Auditorium St. Paul, MN #
4/17/09 Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL #
4/18/09 Breslin Events Center East Lansing, MI #
4/19/09 Van Male Fieldhouse Waukesha, WI #
4/20/09 Gothic Theatre Denver, CO
4/21/09 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, British Columbia
4/22/09 The Showbox at The Market Seattle, WA
4/23/09 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
4/24/09 McCarthey Athletic Center Spokane, WA #
4/25/09 The Morrison Center Boise, ID #
4/27/09 Memorial Auditorium Sacramento, CA #
4/28/09 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA

# w/ Death Cab for Cutie and Ra Ra Riot

Nightmare of You started 2009 off with a 'bang' by headlining Brooklyn on the 18th of this month. Among other things, they've visited DC and have a slew of other stops lined up come April (tour dates below). The band has also leaked some studio footage, including some music to a few songs, one of which is called "Gavi". From what it sounds, Nightmare of You's sound has developed itself a bit.

Some of the lyrics include:

I'm making up all of this honey, I'll give you anything you want, but it has to
cost money...

While everyone else is sifting through Animal Collective this year, we've been following these guys for quite some time and its time we spread the wonderful news: Jeniferever's upcoming album Spring Tides will be released on April 13th, 2009! The band will be releasing their latest off of Monotremere Records with whom they signed on January 19th.

To accompany the album, German label Denovali Records will release both Spring Tides and Choose A Bright Morning on vinyl around the time of the official release of Spring Tides in April.

The Nangijala EP, which we wrote about in November, has preempted an even more elaborate orchestration for this album. Although we're still running high on the tracks laid down on Choose A Bright Morning with its strings, horns and mellow atmospheric rock, Spring Tides looks to be another excellent effort given the free track the band offered below. Keep updated with Jeniferever via their MySpace page.

MP3: Jeniferever - Green Meadow Island (buy)

Rush from Black Gold entered the speakers of MUF and haven't quite settled down. The vanguard of 2009's must-buy albums presses with an influx of breakdowns and technically sound instrumentals from its opening to closing tracks courtesy of Eric Ronick and Than Luu.

The duo formed in 2006 and soon began working on their first full-length work, Rush, which releases February 3. Ronnick (from Panic at the Disco) and Than ( M. Ward, Rachel Yamagata, shushshush) blended their ideas into a rich 12-track rock gold mine.

Black Gold's tour begins February 5 at Red Bulls Skyscrapers snowboarding event in New York City. They will be accompanied by Anthrax and Valiant Thorr at the event. All posted tour dates are below along with their video of "Detroit" from Rush. Their video for "Plans and Reveries" can be found at purevolume.com.

We received an email from one of our colleagues yesterday notifying us of a law that is scheduled to go into effect in New Zealand on February 28 that will essentially disconnect people who are 'suspected' of downloading illegal material. This, of course, includes blogs.

This new section to the Copyright Amendment Act 2008 aims to prevent repeat offenders of illegal sharing/downloading of "music, videos and other intellectual knowledge on the internet." More importantly, proper and well defined statutes haven't been labeled, rather someone suspected of promoting illegally downloadable items can have their ISP ripped from them based solely on suspicion.

Since this is a matter of infringing upon creative outlets, we would like to show our readers and artists how they can help. Head to http://creativefreedom.org.nz/petition.html if you find this irritating. For the full breakdown of the law, head to http://www.stuff.co.nz/4813173a28.html .

Please post a comment if you have a unique take on the matter.

Your friends at MusicUnderFire

This is a late post for this performance. but rightly so. We really couldn't find a video anywhere else of Mute Math's "Spotlight", which was performed on January 15th on the Jay Leno Show.

The video below isn't in great quality, but if you've been rummaging around the Internet for it, this is the best we could find. Seems NBC has their hands on YouTube deleting any reproduction of this video. No need to adjust your volume, whoever recorded this turns up the volume about 20 seconds into their shaky recording. Bear with us, this isn't great quality, but we're excited for what's next to come from the band. Neither their official website or MySpace has given much to read about since their vlog on YouTube this past year.

MP3: Mute Math - Progress (buy)

We last mentioned the new album from The Rakes before recording started, an album name was announced or a release date was mentioned. Now that recording has completed, Klang has been coined and March 23rd has been marked on calendars, it's time for a taste of the work.

In what will be the third album from the group, following Ten New Messages (2007) and Capture/Release (2005), Klang will be introduced in the U.K. through a slew of shows in January and February before a full-fledged batch of shows in April. On March 16th, the album's single "1989" will release.

The tracklisting, an mp3 from Klang and the video for the single "1989" are all below. For tour dates, head to The Rakes' website, as dates continue fill up gradually.

No one should be thinking of Valentine's Day yet, but since Starbuck's announced the January 30th release of their Sweetheart compilation, perhaps love is in the air already.

The compilation includes an armful of quality indie artists performing their favorite love songs. Starting off with Death Cab for Cutie's cover of The Cure's "Love Song" and ending with Lila Down's cover of Frank Sinatra's "My One and Only Love", the 14-tracks certainly pull from some of the industry's greatest artists.

Sweetheart can be picked up at participating Starbuck's locations starting on the 30th.

Tracklisting (original artists in parenthesis)
1. Death Cab For Cutie - Love Song (The Cure)
2. Katy Perry - Black And Gold (Sam Sparro)
3. DeVotchKa - Hot Burrito #1 (Flying Burrito Brothers)
4. Department Of Eagles - Love Me (Elvis Presley)
5. Jessica Lea Mayfield - Words Of Love (Buddy Holly)
6. Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses - Your Love Is Forever (George Harrison)
7. Kate Tucker - I'm On Fire (Bruce Springsteen)
8. Rogue Wave - Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
9. A.C. Newman - Take On Me (a-ha)
10. Jem - Yellow (Coldplay)
11. Richard Hawley - Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot)
12. Daniel Martin Moore - I Hear Music (Billie Holiday)
13. She & Him - I Put A Spell On You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins)
14. Lila Downs - My One And Only Love (Frank Sinatra)

It was an unconventional night for us as we dropped in on a singer/songwriter night at the Tin Angel in Old City, Philadelphia, the upstairs venue above Serrano. The stage was set with Anya Marina to appear first, Jenny Owen Youngs then Greg Laswell.

Anya Marina


Anya Marina brought her smoky-sassed vocals to the table when it came time to cram it into the Tin Angel. The lighting was fitting for an emotional-driven set.

The acoustic setting led for her vocals to do much of the talking, which shined amidst the dark-lit stage. She played many of her favorites including "Miss Halfway", her song featured on Volume 2 of the Grey's Anatomy Soundtrack. Her passion for her songwriting was apparent in the way she sung and the guitar playing matched the mood.

The big news, however, is that her new album Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II would be released on January 20th (yesterday). She treated the crowd to several new songs from this album as well.

To our surprise, many had come to see just her, as the venue cleared a few visitors after her set.



Jenny Owen Youngs


Jenny Owen Youngs referred to herself as the "meat between the bread" as well as shared a few crude jokes with the crowd. Her humor was apparent as was her language, which does have its own appeal, too, if you're looking for the unconventional songwriter. If you're a fan of hers, you probably gather most of this from her song "F*ck Was I", which was well received by the crowd.

Her storytelling in between each song added to the show, as did her mystery shown in the picture above. Not only was her face hard to see, but it was a bit tough taking pictures of her as well.

Greg Laswell


As said by Anya Marina, Greg and her go back a little bit, enough to have toured with each other before, and are friendly with each other to do it again. As you may know from what we've written about Greg prior to the show, he's a singer/songwriter who has an instant appeal to many and not only writes music, but began his career as a producer first, then began writing his own albums.

Laswell began with "Days Go On" making his hour show a solo performance with a little help from a background guitar player. Much had changed from album to solo show; Laswell even alluded to saying next time he was around he wanted to play with a band. Many of the songs were quiet, particularly when he moved to piano playing songs from his previous album Through Toledo.

What makes a solo performance more fun to watch is when the artist can get involved with the singer through the stories they tell. In this particular instance, Laswell told of his demo song "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", which he received hate mail for, then lamented it with a nice response to the naysayers.



He continued to play many songs from his better known Three Flights To Alto Nido, particularly his popular "That It Moves", "Comes and Goes (In Waves)" and "The One I Love".

After wrapping up the show with "How The Day Sounds", the highlight of the show was truly when Laswell let his vocals go. This was one of only few songs that really give him the option to let his voice sing as loud as the music was playing.

Overall, Laswell by himself gave the crowd a great show and the feeling in general was that of a pleasing, yet intimate display at the Tin Angel. A full band would have done Laswell's latest album, and many of the pieces he played here, more justice. The female vocals of Molly Jensen, who backed up his singing in certain songs was certainly missed as well. Most of his album seems to have a duality in the singing (such as "Days Go By") and are more difficult to play as a solo act. Laswell has dipped his hands in two different styles of music here and that plays to his strengths in each different setting.

From Silversun Pickups' latest on their MySpace post, it seems the band is quite confident with their new material. Having thrown in some string and horns, must haves for any album, the groups seems to be exploring their own inner depths of songwriting while they finish up orchestrating their newest album Swoon, SSPUs were one of our most anticipated choices for our Top 20 Artists To Look Forward To in 2009. (studio pictures below).

MP3: Silversun Pickups - Booksmart Devil (buy)

For those looking forward to this album a release date has now been set for April 14th. If you're reading this and have no idea who SSPUs are, its time you picked up Carnavas. Seems Brian Aubert is saying much of the same before he released his last album such as "We worked our asses off". We know you work your ass off, Brian, and we know it will be great... in the words of Aubert "only one thing is certain to us - we're standing on top of a mountain that is of our own making, and we're intent on enjoying the view from up here. " Swoon will be out on Dangerbird Records on 4/14/09!

in the making of our second full length album, we've been lucky enough to work with a lot of the same talented people that helped us out in carnavas. darren waterston is one of them, and he is the shit. he was instrumental in giving carnavas a visual to our sound, and not to mention he has become a dear friend to us. since we're on the topic of artwork, also returning is the very creative graphic designer sara cumings. she's the one that gives our name some class. because of her, fonts will never be the same to us again. with their combined artistry, we're confident that swoon, like carnavas, will be a breath of fresh air in the dying art form of album artwork.

tony hoffer is back in the studio mixing swoon. its great to have him back and we know the songs are in very good hands. he and dave cooley are working very hard to meet our mastering deadline at the end of this month. you couldn't even imagine how many knobs are turned and frequencies embellished to make us sound pretty. its getting close to the finish line and we all await with baited breath...

its been almost a year to the day when we entered our rehearsal space to start work on a new album. and even though it easily feels like that was just yesterday, living with swoon every single day for a whole year is the duality. we worked our asses off, tried to push the right buttons, tried not to blow up too many recording studios (that one time wasn't our fault). we tried to do something new and uncomfortable, yet have it be recognizable and reassuring. and throw in some strings and horns while we're at it. whether we reached our goal to get to the highest peak of our own proverbial mount everest, or whether we're balancing

precariously atop a heap of rubble which we've created - only one thing is certain to us - we're standing on top of a mountain that is of our own making, and we're intent on enjoying the view from up here.

The quaint stage nestled in The Khyber of Downtown Philadelphia was recently visited by Lights Resolve and Elevation as part of the Riffs & Snow Drifts Tour. A surprisingly boisterous crowd for a Tuesday night waited in anticipation for the strong sounds and vocals both of these bands produce.

Elevation

My growing interest in Elevation had me excited to see their live performance. When listening to their album you immediately hear the flexibility of lead vocalists Nathan Smith's range. The live performance was no different.

Smith's voice seamlessly adjusts to Elevations songs which jump genres ranging from indie ballads ("Can't Shake it Off") to heavy southern rock anthems ("Razoreyes"). Of course a lead singer would be nothing without his band and the four behind Smith- Andrew Averso, Stephen Bailey, Luke Hickok and Matt Perez- produced a clean yet punchy sound to accompany their front-man.

The Atlanta band did not limit their short set of five songs to samplings of their debut album Strangelove. The final song of their set was a cover of Springsteen's "Born to Run". Smith's sometimes gravelly voice lent itself well to the song, but I would recommended leaving Springsteen to Springsteen.


Lights Resolve

Being touted as a band with a killer live show, the spatially challenged stage of the Khyber proved no match for the powerful performance of Lights Resolve. Heavy bass lines and clamorous percussion filled the room behind Matt Reich's invigorating vocals.

As I watched the trio from New York perform I kept thinking of the phrase "organized chaos". It was evident that their musical efforts were collaborative, with each of the three artists contributing their own touch to their songs.

As Reich asked the crowd to take ten steps closer to the stage the mood in the room changed to that of a Friday night rather than a Tuesday. With Luke Daniels' active bass riffs, Neal Saini's energy on drums and the shear enjoyment you could tell they get from performing, Lights Resolve ensures that they will achieve their goal of pleasing their fans.

Having been on tour with The Used and Straylight Run in past years, it was clear that Lights Resolve have polished a crowd pleasing live offering. If they can capture their live sound on an upcoming album the future of Lights Resolve will be one of longevity.

With only three dates left on this East Coast tour, you may have missed your chance to see these bands together, but be sure to keep an eye out for what the upcoming year will hold for Elevation and Lights Resolve.

The Raleigh group of The Rosebuds came to Philadelphia last Thursday (1/15) to play at Johnny Brenda's along with The Love Language, and even though the strange pop style doesn't lend to crazy zombie dances, the group managed to involve everyone in attendance.

The Rosebuds


When The Rosebuds released Life Like in the fall of 2008, fans of the group knew something special was in order. In the group's fashion of genre jumping, this effort moved in the direction of acoustic goth-rock. Not only did they produce a sound rich with lurid tales entwined smoothly with a UK pop melody, but they somehow stamped a guarantee for a quality live show.

Most noticeably upon their arrival in front of the 100+ people on the second floor of JB's was the body-length winter coat of keyboardist and vocalist Kelly Crisp. Sure, the southern drawl of Ivan Howard hyping up the crowd caught some attention, but a winter coat during an indoor show is a bit odd.



With all eyes on stage, Crisp and Howard, along with Megafaun's bassist Phil Cook and Roman Candle's drummer Logan Matheny joined Crisp and Howard as they opened up with the instantly enchanting "Blue Bird" from their Birds Make Good Neighbors album. This followed with fan favorites "Life Like" and "Cape Fear".

Towards the end of the set, Howard and crew focused in on their fan-friendly songs, "Nice Fox" and "Bow to the Middle: Religion of Politics". With the band singing and dancing around the small stage, the crowd followed by chanting back "and it don't mean nothing at all."

This show ascended to meet high expectations. No distortion or unclear lyrics shot from the speakers or from the walls, which meant The Rosebuds were worth checking out.

Love Language

A party formed on stage when Love Language's set started. Seven members occupied every inch of the already somewhat small stage equiped with guitars, drums, keyboards, tambourines and a bass.

The seven-person band composed of Stuart McLamb, Jordan McLamb, Junis Beefmonth, Joshua Pope, Kate Thompson, Tom Simpson and Missy Thangs are a group in the truest form. Multiple layers of vocals, all instruments chiming in an organized manner and a cohesion within the feel good southern rock charm Love Language locked down.

For more on Love Language and The Rosebuds, head to their links above to check out their remaining tour dates before they head back to North Carolina.

Philadelphia's Dr. Dog didn't strike MUF's interest right when they released Fate. Thanks to a few friends who instantly fell for their earnestly composed rummaging folk sound, we dialed their number once more and found what we were missing.

Headed by the T-names of Taxi (vocals, guitar), Tables (bass, vocals),Text (keyboards, guitar/vocals), Trouble (drums), and Thanks (guitar, vocals), Dr. Dog strung together an almost jittery energy and a foreboding omen into Fate. A sound that says,"Who are these guys?" Check out the video of the group playing and interviewing at Amoeba Records, and if that doesn't do it, tour dates are below.

London's Fanfarlo wowed us with their track "Harold T. Wilkins" off of the split single with Sleeping States from early 2008. Now with a video out and an album coming out soon, it is time to pass the excitement on with a video and mp3.

Fanfarlo's current ensemble - Amos, Cathy, Justin, Leon and Simon- have slated a bunch of shows in anticipation of another trip back to SXSW in mid March. The group most recently parted ways with Mark West (photo far left), who will be continuing with a solo project named Mixed Cases.

For more on the group, head to their website or MySpace.

MP3: Fanfarlo - Sand and Ice (demo)

Since their 2006 release of Dreams, the Berlin-based disco-twittlers of The Whitest Boy Alive have really touched the world. With 120 shows from Europe to Mexico and even Down Under, it isn't hard to see that the group and fans alike should have some added excitement with the March release of Rules.

Erlend Øye (vocals/guitar), Sebastian Maschat (drums), Marcin Öz (bass) and Daniel Nentwig (synth) compiled and recorded their newest effort at Glass Cube Recording Studio in Mexico before heading back to Berlin's Funkhaus where adjustments to tracks took place. This past Fall the album went into the final mixing stage at Villa Qrella in Berlin with the help of Norman Nietzsche, just as was done with Dreams.

Tracklistings are below for Rules and tour dates for Europe are expected for April, although any fan knows that tour dates sometimes become a bit of a challenge to find. Any extra help on this matter, please comment. The song "Island" from the album can be found on their MySpace page.

Tracklisting
1. Keep a Secret
2. Intentions
3. Courage
4. Timebomb
5. Rollercoaster Ride
6. High On The Heels
7. 1517
8. Gravity
9. Promise Less Or Do More
10. Dead End
11. Island

As we're adjusting to 2009, we just finished up our top 100 songs of 2008 and are now in full swing again. This week has lots of names we're not too familiar with, so let's start off by mentioning the electronica powerpop of Peachcake. We think you'll be interested to at least watch one of their videos and get a good idea of what these guys are all about.

Also this week, City and Colour are reissuing their Sometimes album from 2005. One of the most well known names this week is Saosin, who are releasing an EP. There's an array of pop-punk bands this week such as Varsity Fanclub, My Dear Disco and Royal Bliss.

Also, we urge you to check out Franz Nicolay's (the Hold Steady guitarist) album Major General. Lastly, check out Gris - they're a group form Canada, and although their MySpace page is in French, we're sure its nothing but good reviews for this mysterious rock style. Enjoy this week and be sure to check back with us for some new music for 2009!

MP3: Kanye West - Love Lockdown (My Dear Disco Remix) (buy)
MP3: Odd Nosdam - Fat Hooks (buy)
MP3: Franz Nicolay - World Inferno Vs. The End Of The Evening (buy)
MP3: City and Colour - Save Your Scissors (buy)

Adam Payne - Organ Holy Mountain (Official) (MySpace)
Bang Camaro - Bang Camaro II (Official) (MySpace)
City And Colour - Sometimes (Re-Issue) (Official) (MySpace)
Cocount Records - Davy (Official) (MySpace)
Colossol Yes - Charlemange's Big Thaw (MySpace)
Derek Trucks Band - Already Free (Official) (MySpace)
Down For The Count - Battle Royale (MySpace)
Eliane Elias - Bossa Nova Stories (Official) (MySpace)
Franz Nicolay - Major General (Official) (MySpace)
Gris - Gris Live at the Creamery (Official) (MySpace)
Heather Headley - Audience of One (Official) (MySpace)
Hunches - Exit Dreams (MySpace)
Joshua Redman - Compass (Official) (MySpace)
La Otracina - Blood Moon Riders (Official) (MySpace)
Late of the Pier - Fantasy Black Channel (Official) (MySpace)
Laura Barrett - Earth Sciences EP (Official) (MySpace)
MV + EE - Drone Trailer (Official) (MySpace)
My Dear Disco - Dancethink Music (Official) (MySpace)
Odd Nosdam - T.I.M.E. Soundtrack (Official) (MySpace)
Oh No Not Stereo - 003 (Official) (MySpace)
Peachcake - What year will you have the World?.. (MySpace)
Royal Bliss - Life In-Between (Official) (MySpace)
Saosin - The Grey EP (Official) (MySpace)
The Bats - Don't You Rise 7" (Official) (MySpace)
Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre (Official) (MySpace)
Varsity Fanclub - Varsity Fanclub (Official) (MySpace)
The Year Ends In Arson - Vessels (MySpace)

When the psychedelic music movement gyrated in vans and on phonographs across the globe, Scott MacKenzie's "San Francisco" in 1967 highlighted the location of what would become the center of the flower power generation. This harmonizing style backed by a PEACELOVEHOPE mentality still resides in The City by the Bay; namely, with the hometown fivesome of All My Pretty Ones.

Much like MacKenzie's influence within The Mama's and the Papa's, lead singer and songwriter Derek Schmidt's direction has become paramount to AMPO's burgeoning success. Although the overall aura of the group doesn't compound such a psychedelic feel, the laid-back folk appeal encompasses the likes of generations who swayed to the foggy mist of San Fran.

Led by the musings of Schmidt, who also plays the guitar, piano and ukulele, and the expansive talents of Genessa Kealoha (upright bass), Jesse Wade (guitar, mandolin), Jocelyn Bentley-Prestwich (oboe) and Matt Payne (percussion, accordian, trombone), All My Pretty Ones has so far composed a clean kinetic sound rich with classical and modern folk flavor.

The pure feel from songs such as "Do or Don't" and "Icicles" portrays a generated effort far from the wild child groove from the 1960s, but the emotion contained within definitely showcases these artists as a single unit with a clear conceived vision compliments of many aspiring musicians working under a single songwriter.

Tone Poems marks the first full-length release since Threadbare in 2005 for the group. They also released their Handsbreadth EP in 2006.

MP3: All My Pretty Ones - Do or Don't (buy)