Music Under Fire

It feels great to see our #1 group from 2008 break the mold and begin touring with Keane this Spring. I'd like to think that once you reach Philadelphia and play at the Tower Theatre, a place that caters to some of our favorite groups such as Interpol, Death Cab For Cutie, Doves and now Keane, holds a dear place to us. The last time we saw The Helio Sequence was at Johnny Brenda's in the beginning of last year. Johnny Brenda's holds about 100-150 (if it were packed to the gills) As I recall, Brandon Summers announced before their show, "The last time we were here, there were about six people here to watch us play."

Surely The Helio Sequence have come a long way since then and we're sure their name will spread like wildfire during their Spring tour, which ends on June 13th in Boise, Idaho. For more information check out their MySpace page or visit their profile on Subpop for more.

MP3: The Helio Sequence - Lately (buy)

Tour Dates:
5/8/09 - Fox Theater w/KEANE Oakland, California
5/9/09 - Hollywood Palladium w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Los Angeles, California
5/10/09 - The Grove of Anaheim w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Anaheim, California
5/12/09 - Kingsbury Hall w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Salt Lake City, Utah
5/13/09 - The Ogden Theatre w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Denver, Colorado
5/15/09 - Myth w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Maplewood, Minnesota
5/16/09 - Aragon Ballroom w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Chicago, Illinois
5/18/09 - Diesel Club Lounge Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5/19/09 - DAR Constitution Hall w/KEANE and Mat Kearney WASHINGTON, Washington DC
5/20/09 - Tower Theater w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
5/21/09 - Bank of America Pavilion w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Boston, Massachusetts
5/22/09 - Mohawk Place Buffalo, New York
5/23/09 - The Sound Academy w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Toronto, Ontario
5/24/09 - Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Cleveland, Ohio
5/26/09 - Wellmont Theater w/KEANE and Mat Kearney Montclair, New Jersey
5/27/09 - Radio City Music Hall w/KEANE and Mat Kearney New York, New York
5/28/09 - Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York
5/29/09 - Outback Lodge Charlottesville, Virginia
5/30/09 - The Milestone Charlotte, North Carolina
5/31/09 - Earl Atlanta, Georgia
6/1/09 - Bottle Tree Birmingham, Alabama
6/3/09 - Rudyard’s Houston, Texas
6/4/09 - Mohawk (Outdoor Stage) Austin, Texas
6/5/09 - The Loft (TX) Dallas, Texas
6/6/09 - Opolis Production Norman, Oklahoma
6/8/09 - Launch Pad Albuquerque, New Mexico
6/9/09 - Club Congress Tucson, Arizona
6/10/09 - Rhythm Room Phoenix, Arizona
6/11/09 - Beauty Bar Las Vegas, Nevada
6/12/09 - Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, Utah
6/13/09 - Neurolux Boise, Idaho

Car trouble and a missed show defined Tuesday night for MUF. Missing a show is a terrible thing for us while car trouble is what it is. With many tour dates still ahead for the three groups that played that night - Eulogies, Great Northern and The Dear - we're confident we can at least get other people to the shows.

Fortunately, Phrequency attended the show on May 5 and did a writeup. Good job, guys and gals.

Headlining the tour is Great Northern, although the other groups alone remain reasons to attend. Led by Rachel Stolte's punkish rock vocals, Great Northern released Remind Me Where the Light Is last week in what is gradually becoming one of the best albums of the year. "Numbers" jumps out immediately despite being placed towards the end, yet amicable tracks "Story", "Houses", "Telling Lies" and "Snakes" all extend the album's overall fervor.

Eulogies, who released Here Anonymously in early April off of Dangerbird Records, come in as the proverbial wild card. The latest recording doesn't necessarily match their self-title debut, but for pure listening reasons, is well-worth purchasing. The first two tracks, "Day to Day" and "Eyes on the Prize", share striking similarities in vocal style, so neither stand out. As a whole, Here Anonymously doesn't rely on flashy riffs to propel it, rather a evenly-paced progression helped showcase individual talents. Their video for "Eyes on the Prize" is currently featured on MTVU's Freshman Videos.

Also on Dangerbird Records, Montreal's The Dears are a sight. Seven members and a wily style. The 2008 release of Missiles never reached great heights, yet the single "Money Babies" kept the group on the map with its fun lyrics and upbeat attitude. The group has expressed interest in working on a new album as soon as touring ends, which could be as early as next month.

Tour dates for all three groups are below, as well as a few mp3s and a video.

MP3: Great Northern - Mountain (buy)
MP3: Eulogies - Bad Connection (buy)
MP3: Eulogies - Two Can Play (buy)

5/7/09 Black Cat Washington, DC
5/9/09 Grog Shop Cleveland, OH
5/10/09 Skully’s Columbus, OH
5/11/09 Magic Stick Detroit, MI
5/13/09 Lakeshore Theater Chicago, IL
5/14/09 Mojo’s Columbia, MO
5/16/09 Hailey’s Denton, TX
5/17/09 Warehouse Houston, TX
5/18/09 The Parish Austin, TX
5/21/09 Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ
5/22/09 The Casbah San Diego, CA
5/23/09 Echoplex Echo Park, CA
5/24/09 The Independent San Francisco, CA
5/26/09 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
5/27/09 Crocodile Cafe Seattle, WA

In anticipation of their Quicken The Heart album release next week, Maxïmo Park have dropped their first single from this album, "The Kids Are Sick Again".

Following up the wildly popular Our Earthly Pleasures, the Newcastle-based fivesome have continued to perform on the international stage at an unstoppable clip. To begin their tour they will be playing around England before heading to France, Germany, England again and finally to North America.

Quicken The Heart marks the third LP from the group, as Our Earthly Pleasures and A Certain Trigger released in 2007 and 2005, respectively. The video for "The Kids Are Sick Again", North American tour dates and the opening track from the album are below.

MP3: Maxïmo Park - Wraithlike

9/07/09 Richards On Richards Vancouver, BC
9/08/09 Berbati's Pan Portland, OR
9/10/09 The Grand Ballroom at the Regency Center San Francisco, CA
9/11/09 Avalon Hollywood Los Angeles, CA
9/12/09 House Of Blues San Diego, CA
9/14/09 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
9/16/09 Fine Line Music Cafe Minneaopolis, MN
9/17/09 Metro Smart Bar Chicago, IL
9/18/09 Lee's Palace Toronto, ON
9/20/09 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
9/21/09 Webster Hall New York, NYC

Washington D.C. has been doing quite dandy for the past few months. Yes, the local economy is one of the only places in the country expected to create jobs this year, but no, we don't concern ourselves with that on MUF. Part of the D.C. bright spot we care about comes in the form of Deleted Scenes.

In fact, the foursome of Dan Scheuerman (vocals/guitar), Matt Dowling (bass/keyboard), Chris Scheffey (guitar) and Brian Hospital (drums), released their first full-length album, Birdseed Shirt, in early January. With the aiding talent of Eldridge Skell (The Rude Staircase) and an enclosed lifestyle during the recording process, Deleted Scenes compiled what is really several distinct styles into this 11-track album. These varying styles become evident as a fast-paced new wave indie comes across on one song and a melodic rock powers forward on another. Many albums can't handle this cross-genre pollination, but rest assured that Deleted Scenes makes it work.

Tour dates and some mp3s from Birdseed Shirt are below. Note that they will be playing with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Au Revoir Simone for a couple of the dates. Also, the five-stop Metro music video for "One Long Country Song" is below. We wish the vocals were clearer, but it still works quite nicely.

MP3: Deleted Scenes - Fake IDs (buy)
MP3: Deleted Scenes - Ithaca (Autorock Remix)

4/26/09 WMUC - 3rd Rail Radio College Park, MD
5/5/09 Talking Head Baltimore, MD #
5/21/09 Black Cat Washington, DC
5/29/09 Hexagon Baltimore, MD
6/2/09 The End Nashville, TN %
6/4/09 Star Bar Atlanta
6/6/09 Eclipse Jacksonville, FL
6/11/09 The Lounge on Elm St. Dallas, TX
6/12/09 Notsuoh Houston, TX
6/13/09 Club de Ville Austin, TX
6/15/09 Trunk Space Phoenix, AZ
6/17/09 Silverlake/Fold Los Angeles, CA
7/1/09 Elbow Room Ypsilanti, MI
7/4/09 Divan Orange Montreal, QC

# w/The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
% w/Au Revoir Simone

Bringing The Shins and Delta Spirit together must have been some sort of falling asleep happy thought for a tour manager. For one set the allure of the Pacific Northwest shines as The Shins exude an upbeat foot-tapping binge while on another level Delta Spirit and their forceful lyrics and sparkling ensemble drips with their California swag.

The May tour might not possess new material that generates sold out shows, but the combination of the young Delta Spirit paired with the well-established and always enjoyable Shins. Delta Spirit broke onto the scene last year with Ode To Sunshine, which ranked as our #7 album of 2008. The Shins last release was Wincing the Night Away in 2007, yet the ability to pick up any of their other albums to pass the time places them as a band to see for their showmanship and the possibility of new material.

Tour dates for the two groups are below as well as a few mp3s. Enjoy.

MP3: The Shins - Young Pilgrims (buy)
MP3: The Shins - Sleeping Lessons (buy)
MP3: Delta Spirit - Lover's Waltz (A.A. Bondy cover)

5/2/09 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
5/4/09 Showbox Seattle, WA
5/5/09 Showbox Seattle, WA
5/6/09 Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
5/7/09 Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
5/9/09 The Fox Oakland, CA
5/10/09 Hollywood Palladium Hollywood, CA
5/11/09 SOMA San Diego, CA
5/13/09 The National Richmond, VA
5/14/09 9:30 Club Washington DC, Washington DC
5/15/09 Ram’s Head Live Baltimore, MD
5/16/09 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA
5/17/09 Wellmont Theater Montclair, NJ
5/18/09 Terminal 5 New York, NJ
5/20/09 The Orpheum Theater Boston, MA
5/21/09 Terminal 5 New York, NY

El Ten Eleven's menagerie of full bloom electronica and working-class guitar/bass wailing continue to set them apart. For a group that doesn't sing, the word is still getting out and tour dates for the next few months are aplenty.

Kristian Dunn and Tim Fogarty control this L.A.-based experiment which is capable of entrancing a live audience or soothing a casual at-home listener. Each of their three albums, These Promises Are Being Videotaped (2008), Every Direction is North (2007) and the self-titled debut (2005), expand upon the already vibrant tunes from the previous albums.

For more on the group, check out their MySpace, their videos on Youube and the videos, mp3s and tour dates below. Enjoy.

MP3: El Ten Eleven - My Only Swerving (buy)
MP3: El Ten Eleven - Jumping Frenchmen of Maine (buy)

Band of Horses announced earlier this week a slew of shows to prelude the first days of summer and their newest work. Just hours ago they announced how to get those tickets.

Having recently taken time to revisit Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, NC, where they most recently recorded Cease To Begin off of Sub Pop Records, the group will be now teaming up with Baltimore grunge-rockers Arbouretum for six of the seven shows on the tour (Bonnaroo). Among these shows on the tour includes an acoustic set at New York's Carnegie Hall.

Check out the dates as well as a video from over a year ago when we saw the group rock out Philly's TLA at the Fillmore.

MP3: Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You (buy)

Those on the BoH mailing list should receive pre-sale info. Head to their MySpace to sign up.

6/10 The Norva Norfolk, VA
Tickets go on sale to the public Saturday, February 28th at 10am here
6/11 Carnegie Hall New York, NY
Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 27th at 11am EST at www.carnegiehall.org
*IMPORTANT – you should register yourself with the Carnegie Hall website in advance of the onsale.
6/12 Ram’s Head Live Baltimore, MD
Tickets go on sale to the public Saturday, February 28th at 10am here
6/14 Bonnaroo Festival Manchester, TN
Tickets on sale now at www.bonnaroo.com
6/16 Orange Peel Asheville, NC
Tickets go on sale to the public Saturday, February 28th at Noon here
6/17 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC
Tickets go on sale to the public Thursday, February 26th at 10am here
6/18 House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC
Tickets go on sale to the public Saturday, February 28th at 11am here

Earlier this week Brooklyn's The National announced a slew of North American tour dates slated for late May. The tour's material will consist of some old and new material, which means an album can be expected later on this year.

After successfully touring the world in 2008, following the release of Boxer in late '07, The National set forth The Virginia EP as well as A Skin, A Night, which is a film by Vincent Moon about the group and their recording and touring.

Most recently, Aaron and Bryce Dessner helped produce Dark Was The Night, a compilation featuring 32 tracks from various artists and where the proceeds will benefit the Red Hot Organization's efforts to promote awareness worldwide about HIV and AIDS. The National features the track "So Far Around The Bend" on this compilation that also includes: Arcade Fire, Ben Gibbard and Feist, Yeasayer, Andrew Bird, Beirut, The Decemberists and many more.

Immediately noticeable when listening to The National are the end of the tongue lyrics and the "heck if I care" attitude from Matt Berninger. Joining him since their inception back in 1999 are Aaron Dessner (guitars, bass, piano) and Bryce Dessner (guitar, piano) and brothers Scott Devendorf (guitar, bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).

Tour dates are below, but if you want to buy tickets, head here.

MP3: The National - Fake Empire (buy)

5/21/09 Kool Haus, Toronto (on-sale Feb 14th @ 10:00 AM)
5/22/09 Metropolis, Montreal (on-sale Feb 13th @ Noon)
5/23/09 House of Blues, Boston (on-sale Feb 20th @ 10AM)
5/24/09 9:30 Club, DC (on-sale Feb 14th @ 10AM)
5/25/09 9:30 Club, DC (on-sale Feb 14th @ 10AM)
5/27/09 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta (on-sale Feb 13th @ NOON)
5/28/09 Lincoln Theater, Raleigh (on-sale Feb 13th @ Noon)
5/29/09 Electric Factory, Philadelphia (on-sale Feb 20th @ 10AM)

After selling out their album release tour of the UK and reaching the country's top spot in the charts, London's White Lies have announced tour dates in the US.

The post punk and dreary awning that is White Lies signed with Fiction Records over a year before the release of To Lose My Life (1/19). The album immediately debuted at No. 1 in the UK thanks to a successful tour with Glasvegas and the release of three top-notch singles.

The group of Harry McVeigh (vocals, guitar) Charles Cave (bass, backup vocals) and Jack Lawrence-Brown (drums) previously played under the name Fear of Flying before forming White Lies at the end of 2007.

Check out the mp3 below, as well as the video of their latest single. Tour dates are below the video. For more on the group, head to their website.

MP3: White Lies - Unfinished Business (buy)

3/24/09 Black Cat, Washington
3/25/09 First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia
3/26/09 Bowery Ballroom, New York
3/27/09 Bowery Ballroom, New York
3/28/09 Paradise Rock Club, Boston
3/30/09 Les Saints, Montreal
3/31/09 Lee's Palace, Toronto
4/1/09 Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
4/2/09 Radio Radio, Indianapolis
4/3/09 Double Door, Chicago
4/4/09 Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis
4/7/09 Neumo's, Seattle
4/8/09 Richard's on Richards, Vancouver
4/9/09 Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
4/11/09 Slims, San Francisco

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

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.

2/5/09 New York , NY - East River Park #
2/19/09 Albuquerque, NM - The Launchpad *
2/20/09 Colorado Springs , CO - The Loft *
2/21/09 Denver , CO - The Loft *
2/24/09 Omaha , NE - The Waiting Room *
2/25/09 Des Moines , IA - Vaudeville Mews *
2/26/09 St. Paul , MN - Station 4 *
2/27/09 Madison, WI - The Annex *
2/28/09 Chicago, IL - AV-Aerie *
3/1/09 West Lafayette , IN - Purdue University *
3/2/09 Cleveland Heights , OH - Grog Shop *
3/3/09 Philadelphia , PA - The Barbary *
3/4/09 Cambridge , MA - Middle East *
3/5/09 New York , NY - Mercury Lounge *
3/6/09 Hoboken , NJ - Maxwells *
3/7/09 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel *
3/8/09 Richmond , VA - Canal Club *
3/10/09 Chapel Hill , NC - Local 506 *
3/11/09 Atlanta , GA - Drunken Unicorn *
3/12/09 Oxford , MS - Proud Larry's *
3/13/09 New Orleans , LA - One Eyed Jacks *
3/14/09 Dallas, TX - Club Dada *
3/15/09 Denton , TX - Rubber Gloves *
3/17/09 San Antonio , TX - White Rabbit *
3/18/09 Austin, TX - SXSW
3/21/09 Tempe , AZ - The Clubhouse *
3/24/09 Las Vegas , NV - Wasted Space / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

# Red Bull Snowscrapers w/ Anthrax & Valiant Thorr.
* w/ Lydia

It's been a few months since we last mentioned Good Old War, but with their album Only Way To Be Alone still hot in the presses and the recent signing of the group to The Agency Group, it's time for some more news on these guys.

The switch from Days Away to Good Old War left a lot of fans wondering whether we would hear an album from the group in the first few years in existence, or even if they would aim a bit higher than local shows. Now with The Agency Group aiding the band, extensive tour dates have been promised for the new year to compliment their debut album, which released in September.

Only Way To Be Alone differs from what frontman Keith Goodwin previously did with Days Away by eliminating synthesized sounds while maintaining an authentic strolling acoustic guitar. The multiple layers of pleading lyrics behind the mic from all members, the folk inspired drum tapping in the background and a couple of guitars hold together a smoothly strung-together folk rock album.

Good Old War has been pleasing fans and media across the country since their early recordings together, and due to this success Fuse is highlighting the group on their site while offering the mp3 below for free. The song features Anthony Green as well as Dave Davison from Maps and Atlases.

For more info on the breakup of Days Away to the installment of Good Old War, check out our article from January. Apparently they were thinking of naming the group Castles, but that just didn't stick.

MP3: Good Old War - Weak Man (buy)

Dec 17 2008 Harpers Ferry w/ Ace Enders Allston, MA
Dec 18 2008 The Station w/ Ace Enders Portland, ME
Dec 19 2008 Maxwell’s w/ Ace Enders Hoboken, NJ
Dec 20 2008 The Balcony Bar @ Trocadero w/ Ace Enders Philadelphia, PA

Although not staunch fans of The Killers, we understand their impact. Now that the Obama craze is slowly fading away, humans can turn their attention back to Christmas and pop entertainment. On top of that, The Killers can finally get back to being the prime subject of water-cooler debate for the first time since "Mr. Brightside".

Bringing the band slowly back from the recording kinks was "Human", which released at the end of September. With it came all of the praise one could give a single. More importantly, their Day and Age album, which is slated to release on November 24th, shouldn't just muster some banter, but also consideration for album of the year, according to early reviews.

To further promote this album, The Killers will be looping the U.S. as well as most of Europe over the next four months (see tour dates below). Keep an eye out for their shows and who will be playing with them at MusicUnderFire.

MP3: The Killers - When You Were Young (live)
MP3: The Killers - All These Things That I’ve Done (live)

11/14/08 Pacha Madrid
12/9/08 Deck The Hall Ball Seattle, WA
12/11/08 Oracle Arena Oakland, CA
12/12/08 Warfield Theater San Francisco, CA
1/17/09 Magness Arena Denver, CO
1/19/09 Northrop Auditorium Minneapolis, MN
1/20/09 UIC Pavillion Chicago, IL
1/22/09 EMU Convocation Center Ypsilanti, MI
1/23/09 Air Canada Center Toronto, ON
1/25/09 Madison Square Garden New York, NY
1/26/09 Agganis Arena Boston, MA
1/28/09 George Mason University Patriot Center Fairfax, VA
1/29/09 House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC
1/30/09 Atlanta Civic Center Atlanta, GA
1/31/09 Grand Ole Opry House Nashville, TN
2/2/09 Verizon Wireless Theater Houston, TX
2/3/09 Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX
2/4/09 Nokia Theater Grand Prairie, TX
2/20/09 The O2 Dublin Dublin
2/21/09 Odyssey Arena Belfast, Northern Ireland
2/23/09 O2 Arena London, London and South East
2/24/09 O2 Arena London, London and South East
2/26/09 LG Arena Birmingham
2/27/09 LG Arena Birmingham
2/28/09 Cardiff International Arena Cardiff, Wales
3/2/09 Sheffield Arena Sheffield
3/3/09 Nottingham Arena Nottingham
3/5/09 Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center Aberdeen, Scotland
3/6/09 Scottish Exhibition and Conference Center Glasgow, Scotland
3/7/09 Newcastle Arena Newcastle
3/9/09 Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester
3/10/09 Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester
3/12/09 Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam
3/13/09 Phillpshalle Dusseldorf
3/14/09 Max Schmelinghalle Berlin
3/16/09 Zenith Munich
3/17/09 Datch Forum Milan
3/18/09 Maag Eventhall Zurich
3/19/09 Zenith Paris
3/21/09 Sala Razzmatazz Barcelona

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

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.

The Dark Romantics Heartbreaker was released on September 9th and is available on iTunes.

MP3: The Dark Romantics - Never Been Loved (buy)
MP3: The Dark Romantics - Gimme A Kiss (buy)
MP3: Low vs Diamond - This Is Your Life (buy)

Remaining Tour Dates
Oct 16 2008 Tin Roof Charleston, South Carolina
Oct 17 2008 New French Bar w/ LOOK MEXICO Asheville, North Carolina
Oct 18 2008 Lunch Box Records w/ LOOK MEXICO Charlotte, North Carolina
Oct 19 2008 Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, Florida
Oct 29 2008 The Vagabond **GEN ART presents REVERB** Miami, Florida
Oct 30 2008 Respectable Street Cafe w/ TV CLUB & MOUSE FIRE West Palm Beach, Florida
Nov 7 2008 Flicker Theatre w/ THE WINTER SOUNDS Athens, Georgia
Nov 8 2008 Soho w/ THE WINTER SOUNDS Columbus, Georgia
Nov 13 2008 ANTI*POP Festival Orlando, Florida
Nov 14 2008 ANTI*POP Festival Orlando, Florida
Nov 15 2008 ANTI*POP Festival Orlando, Florida
Nov 16 2008 ANTI*POP Festival Orlando, Florida
Nov 21 2008 New World Brewery w/ THE WINTER SOUNDS & WIN WIN WINTER Ybor City, Florida
Nov 22 2008 CAMP FIRE USA w/ THE WINTER SOUNDS & WIN WIN WINTER Lakeland, Florida

Typically, power pop doesn't brandish much of a need for press. With The Maine we will beg to differ. Now with an extensive tour of the U.S. and All Time Low as their accomplice in these undertakings, we feel if you haven't already, check them out.

The Maine hone a sound somewhat reminiscent of The Starting Line with a taste of Third Eye Blind. They have a contest going on right now, too, that should interest some high schoolers out there. If you aren't a high schooler, you could care less, but perhaps you can get a kick out of their 'boy band' names for their individual MySpace pages - John O'Callaghan (johnohhh), Garrett Nickelsen (babynicko), Kennedy Brock (-same-), Jared Monaco (nOObstomper) and Pat Kirch (hellaboss). Hilarious, even if they weren't intended to be such chuckles.

The group most recently released Can't Stop Won't Stop off of Feearless Records while All Time Low just dropped So Wrong, It's Right. The tours dates are below along with a few mp3s.

MP3: The Maine - The Way We Talk (buy)
Mp3: All Time Low - Poppin' Champagne (buy)

10/10 2008 Gravity w/ All Time Low Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10/11 2008 Croc Rock w/ All Time Low Allentown, Pennsylvania
10/12 2008 Roseland w/ All Time Low New York, New York
10/13 2008 9:30 Club w/ All Time Low Washington D.C., Maryland
10/15 2008 Tremont w/ All Time Low Charlotte, North Carolina
10/16 2008 Free Bird Live w/ All Time Low Jacksonville, Florida
10/17 2008 Revolution w/ All Time Low Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
10/18 2008 House of Blues w/ All Time Low Orlando, Florida
10/19 2008 Jannus Landing w/ All Time Low St. Petersburg, Florida
10/20 2008 Masquerade w/ All Time Low Atlanta, Georgia
10/21 2008 The Red Door Pensacola, Florida
10/22 2008 Wet Seal In-Store Houston, Texas
10/22 2008 House of Blues w/ All Time Low Houston, Texas
10/23 2008 Wet Seal In-Store Dallas, Texas
10/23 2008 House of Blues w/ All Time Low Dallas, Texas
10/24 2008 El Rey Theater w/ All Time Low McAllen, Texas
10/25 2008 La Zona Rosa w/ All Time Low Austin, Texas
10/27 2008 Sunshine Theater w/ All Time Low Albuquerque, New Mexico
10/28 2008 Marquee Theater w/ All Time Low Tempe, Arizona
10/29 2008 House of Blues w/ All Time Low Las Vegas, Nevada
10/30 2008 Ventura Theatre w/ All Time Low Ventura, California
10/31 2008 Wet Seal In-Store San Diego, California
10/31 2008 Soma w/ All Time Low San Diego
11/1 2008 House of Blues w/ All Time Low West Hollywood, California
11/2 2008 Wet Seal In-Store Anaheim, California
11/2 2008 House of Blues w/ All Time Low Anahiem, California
11/3 2008 Best Buy Lakewood Lakewood, California
11/4 2008 The Grand Ballroom w/ All Time Low San Francisco, California
11/5 2008 The Board w/ All Time Low Orangevale, California
11/6 2008 Roseland Theatre w/ All Time Low Portland, Oregon
11/7 2008 Wet Seal In-Store Seattle, Washington
11/7 2008 El Corazon w/ All Time Low Seattle, Washington
11/8 2008 The Venue w/ All Time Low Boise, Idaho
11/10 2008 Gothic Theatre w/ All Time Low Denver, Colorado
11/11 2008 Wet Seal In-Store Kansas City, Missouri
11/11 2008 Beaumont w/ All Time Low Kansas City, Missouri
11/12 2008 Peoples Court Des Moines, Iowa
11/13 2008 First Avenue w/ All Time Low Minneapolis, Minnesota
11/14 2008 The Rave w/ All Time Low Milwaukee, Wisconsin
11/15 2008 Wet Seal In-Store Chicago, Illinois
11/15 2008 House of Blue w/ All Time Low Chicago, Illinois
11/16 2008 Wet Seal In-Store Chicago, Illinois
11/16 2008 House of Blue w/ All Time Low Chicago, Illinois
11/17 2008 Pageant w/ All Time Low St. Louis, Missouri
11/19 2008 Bogart’s w/ All Time Low Cincinnati, OH
11/20 2008 Wet Seal In-Store Columbus, Ohio
11/20 2008 Newport Music Hall w/ All Time Low Columbus, Ohio
11/21 2008 Clutch Cargo w/ All Time Low Detroit, Michigan
11/22 2008 House of Blues w/ All Time Low Cleveland, Ohio
11/23 2008 Kool Haus w/ All Time Low Toronto, Ontario
11/24 2008 The Town Ballroom w/ All TIme Low Buffalo, New York
11/26 2008 The Palladium w/ All Time Low Worchester, Massachusetts
11/29 2008 Electric Factory w/ All Time Low Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hopping aboard the azTeen Magazine Bash later on this month in Tempe, Arizona is none other than Phoenix's own Raining & OK. The bash should provide a chance to catch up their old and new stuff while also showcasing the talents of Drew Alexander, Alaska and Me, The Loveblisters and Runaway Radio at the Desert Ridge.

Raining & OK, whom MUF became acquainted with when the group released The Devil On Your Shoulders album last year, have continued to perfect their ambient-laced rock that whispers their magnetic tune to potential fans. The group has been touring through the early fall with the likes of Barcelona while also recording some new tunes. Stay glued to their site for more info on tour dates and a possible album release date.

To check out our review of TDOYS, go here.

MP3: Raining & OK - Wade in the Wires (buy)
MP3: Runaway Radio - What You Take

MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/dredg

If the instrumental rock we have shown you this year (Blind Place, Explosions in the Sky, El Ten Eleven, etc...) hasn't encouraged you to see a different kind of live show, then jump on This Will Destroy You's Fall tour dates before it is too late.

The Austin natives TWDY, also a product of Magic Bullet records, define themselves through a progressive ambient sound that could be considered a struggle beneath the surface. When any of their 5+ minute tracks drifts into the right environment, the emotional implications increase as well as define themselves to that setting. Perhaps this timely sound has been the attraction for videographers and other well-standing artists who have brough TWDY to an international level through movies, hard news stories and remixes.

The group released a self-titled album earlier this year to follow up their Young Mountain album from 2006.

For the first few days of the tour, TWDY will be playing with Lymbyc Systym, who although ambient, create a more synthesized and electric sound. When they reach Paris at the beginning of October and the start of their European tour, Pelican, Torche and Mom will be joining them. Mom will then finish the next 20+ shows of the tour with TWDY.

MP3: This Will Destroy You - Quiet (buy)
MP3: Lymbyc Systym - Fall Bicycle (Album Leaf remix) (buy)

9/5 2008 Jackpot Saloon w/ Lymbyc Systym Lawrence, KS
9/6 2008 Calhoun Street w/ Lymbyc Systym Ft. Wayne, IN
9/7 2008 Uncle Fester’s w/ Lymbyc Systym Bloomington, IN
9/9 2008 Bottom Lounge w/ Lymbyc Systym Chicago, IL
9/10 2008 Lager House w/ Lymbyc System Detroit, MI
9/11 2008 El Mocambo w/ Lymbyc Systym Toronto, ON
9/12 2008 Zaphod Beeblebrox w/ Lymbyc Systym Ottawa, ON
9/13 2008 Zoobizarre w/ Lymbyc Systym Montreal, QB
9/14 2008 Harpers Ferry w/ Lymbyc Systym Allston, MA
9/15 2008 Union Hall w/ Lymbyc Systym Brooklyn, NY
9/16 2008 Knitting Factory w/ Lymbyc Systym New York, NY
9/17 2008 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA
9/18 2008 DC 9 Washington DC, Washington DC
9/19 2008 The Boot Norfolk, VA
9/20 2008 ICC Burlington, NC
9/21 2008 Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA
9/24 2008 Mink Houston, Texas
10/7 2008 Glazart w/ Pelican, Torche, Mom Paris
10/8 2008 Vk w/ Mom Brussels
10/9 2008 Corporation w/ Mom Sheffield
10/10 2008 White Rabbit w/ Mom Plymouth
10/11 2008 Freebutt w/ Mom Brighton
10/12 2008 Whelans w/ Mom Dublin
10/13 2008 Captains Rest w/ Mom Glasgow
10/14 2008 Music Box w/ Mom Manchester
10/15 2008 Underworld w/ Mom London
10/16 2008 Simplon w/ Mom Groningen
10/17 2008 Lido w/ Mom, Caspian Berlin
10/18 2008 Tromba Club w/ Mom Tczew
10/19 2008 Beatpol w/ Mom Dresden
10/20 2008 Schocken w/ Mom Stuttgart
10/21 2008 B72 w/ Mom Wien
10/22 2008 Orangehouse w/ Mom München
10/23 2008 Init w/ Mom Roma
10/24 2008 Grabenhalle w/ Mom St. Gallen
10/25 2008 PMK w/ Mom Innsbruck
10/26 2008 FZW w/ Mom Dortmund
10/27 2008 Schlachthof w/ Mom Wiesbaden
10/28 2008 MUZ Club w/ Mom Nürnberg
10/29 2008 Lagerhaus w/ Mom Bremen