DOWNLOAD: Beach Fossils - "Lessons"

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Beach Fossils will release the single "Shallow" on February 21st and you can now download the B-Side "Lessons" using the link below. (via P4K)

Beach Fossils: "Lessons"

NEWS: Here We Go Magic Announce New Album

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A Different Ship will be released May 8th. Check out the track list below and exchange your email for a download of the track "Make Up Your Mind."

 

01 Intro
02 Hard to Be Close
03 Make Up Your Mind
04 Alone but Moving
05 I Believe in Action
06 Over the Ocean
07 Made to Be Old
08 How Do I Know
09 Miracle of Mary
10 A Different Ship

NEWS: The Shins Reveal New Song and Tour Dates

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The Shins, who will release their new LP Port of Morrow on March 20th, released the B-Side to their previously released track "Simple Song" called "September" today in a video/streaming format. Check out the video below in addition to their new tour dates around Coachella and Sasquatch!

03-22-23 London, England - HMV Forum
03-25 Amsterdam, Holland - Melkweg
03-26 Paris, France - Bataclan
03-28 Berlin, Germany - Kesselhaus
03-30 Stockholm, Sweden - Berns Salonger
04-13 Las Vegas, NV - Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas - The Pool
04-14 Indio, CA - Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
04-17 Honolulu, HI - Neil S. Blaisdell Center
04-18 Maui, HI - Castle Theatre
04-21 Indio, CA - Coachella
04-22 Santa Cruz, CA - Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
04-23 Davis, CA - Robert Mondavi Center
04-25 Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
05-25 Bend, OR - Les Schwab Amphitheatre
05-26 George, WA - Sasquatch!
05-28 Salt Lake City, UT - Red Butte Garden Ampitheatre
05-29 Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Ampitheatre
05-31 Council Bluffs, IA - Harrah's Council Bluffs
06-04 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
06-05 Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
06-06 Detroit, MI - Fillmore Detroit
06-08 Cleveland, OH - Masonic Auditorium
06-09 Louisville, KY - Iroquois Ampitheatre

The Shins: “September” (b-side of “Simple Song” 7”) from Record Store Day on Vimeo.

REVIEW: The Shins - "Simple Song"

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Grade: 84% (B)

The. Shins. Are. Back. Yes, it's true. They're actually back. James Mercer and the new lineup will release their fourth LP (and first since 2007's Wincing the Night Away) Port of Morrow on March 20th. Mercer leads the crew into the new Shins age with this first single entitled "Simple Song." This is a classic cut from the musical genius that is James Mercer. It maintains the same DNA of every Shins song: it sounds like every other track from the Portland band while sounding completely different at the same time. "Simple Song" has towering vocals and a toying guitar in the background. It samples pop features while having the trippy moments that were so heavily featured on their last release. It is something we've never heard before, but at the same time it sounds like the past (and Natalie Portman). I've pre-ordered the album and I suggest you do the same. 3/20 can't come soon enough, and no that is not a typo, it's 3/20 not 4/20. 

NEWS: Real Estate To Release New Track

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Real Estate, who released the excellent LP Days in 2011, will release "Easy," the lead off track from the record, as a single with a new track entitled "Exactly Nothing" as a B-Side on March 5th. 

NEWS: The Shins' Port of Morrow Due Out March 20th

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The Shins have updated the release date for their forthcoming fourth album Port of Morrow. The album will be released on March 20th and you can listen to the first track below entitled "Simple Song." You can download the song for free tomorrow if you pre-order the album. Also, check out their first tour dates in support of the record... Coachella.


04-13 Las Vegas, NV - Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas - The Pool
04-22 Santa Cruz, CA - Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
04-23 Davis, CA - Robert Mondavi Center
04-25 Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort & Casino

REVIEW: of Montreal - "Wintered Debts"

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Grade: 69% (D)

I have recently been thrown into the of Montreal discography after a quick foray into the Pitchfork.tv collection on the band. After a witnessing their live debacle this spring, I was certainly a fan, most notably of their 2007 album Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, but had not yet immersed myself into their sound. However, I have most recently been interested in their latest effort, 2010's False Priest. The pop-iness of the album is spectacularly underground in some way, mainly due to the lyrical uncanniness. While their constant references to sex are enough to grab the attention of an adolescent boy, the scope of their musical depth is interesting to consider. 

With "Wintered Depths," it seems as if Kevin Barnes is sampling a little bit from every part of their discography without completely committing to any style. Running over seven and a half minutes, the track starts with the creepy acoustic guitar that is reminiscent of the band's early musings which is quickly slid into the low-fi pop of The Bedside Drama A Petite Tragedy with a hook comparable to one from Hissing Fauna minus the extrenuous bells and whistles. Barnes even tests his classic lyrical ingenuity, singing, "Tried to call you from a bathroom in South Paulo, but I was too drunk to formulate any sort of earthly language." 

All of this is pushed to the precipice of each former methodology but extends no boundaries into new territory in under three minutes. You're then sucked back into the darkness of Barnes' eerie voice covered by rehashed pianos. Henceforth it is the quintessential "falling down the rabbit hole" swirling sounds of any psychedelic outfit. The final minute is filled with an attempt to grab back at what was before, but the feeling is that it is simply too late and any effort is futile, resulting in an anti-climactic ending of sorts. 

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of Montreal's newest album Paralytic Stalks is out February 7th. 

REVIEW: The Black Keys - "Run Right Back"

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Grade: 82% (B-)

The Black Keys aren't going for the pop scene with their first two releases from their upcoming LP El Camino (out December 6th). While their 2010 release Brothers garnished large pop-success, the first release from El Camino, "Lonely Boy," is a straightforward punch you in the mouth track. Meanwhile, on the second release, "Run Right Back," Dan Auerbach layers guitars on top of each other while Patrick Carney maintains a steady rhythm with his rather simplistic drum beats. Auerbach covers basic chords with a high and childish lead riff that only he could get away with. However, he even adds on another, darker and more affected guitar riff which acts as the song's bassline of some sorts… Even though it already has one. The album's producer, Danger Mouse, does a great job of synching these four guitar sounds into one cohesive unit running through the song. The vocals are worked just as they are in any other Black Keys song and Auerbach continues to sing about his love life in a biker-bar kind of way. Carney takes a simple take on this track, although he does get a chance to break out when the song slows down about three-fourths of the way through. There is no giant hook to draw in the casual listener; rather, this song is enjoyed by someone with a keen ear for what the duo is trying to do with both their music and their attitude towards making it. 

Download via Mediafire

REVIEW: The Antlers - "VCR (the xx cover)

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Grade: 76% (C+)

The xx are a tough band to cover. On their excellent 2009 debut, they shot lyrics back and forth between male and female about love, sex, and the stars. Their ambience is difficult to reproduce, even when they perform live. However, on the Antlers take of the track "VCR," they don't try to be anything they aren't. The Antlers clearly know what they they can do and what they they can't do. Rather than try to perfectly emulate, they do a half-their own version and half-replication. They keep the ambient noise, but produce their own. They keep the down-emotion lyrics but don't try to get too cute with the vocalization. They keep the repeated synth pattern throughout the song but they dial it back and shield it. It's missing the driving baseline and the dueling voices, but it still maintains the original's attitude and spirit. While it is still further from the original than it is closer (it is over a minute longer than the xx version), this track is a good example on how to bridge the gap between musical styles while covering an act that is not entirely within your own soundscape. 

REVIEW: Cloud Nothings - "No Future/No Past"

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Grade: 85% (B)

Cloud Nothings will return with their second LP in a year on January 24th with Attack on Memory. The first bit off the follow-up to their eponymous debut is the track "No Future/No Past." In contrast to the poppy upbeat sounds of the first album, "No Future/No Past" starts with slow rhythms led by the drums and the simply-put downer vocals. With some guitar riffage seemingly screwing around in the background, the song builds and the vocals increase in both volume and intensity until an explosion of slamming drums and power chords and the title being screamed into the microphone. It's very interesting to see where a band can go in a year. This song, which is longer than another from their debut by more than a minute, could give us a glimpse of the maturity of the band after a year of touring and promoting. 

DOWNLOAD/STREAM: The Black Keys - "Run Right Back"

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The Black Keys, who's newest album El Camino is due out on December 6th, have leaked the B-Side of the "Lonely Boy" single, "Run Right Back," which will officially be released on Record Store Day: Black Friday, on November 25th. Check out the new track below.

NEWS: Tennis Announce New Album

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As a follow up to this year's Cape Dory, Tennis will release their second album Young and Old on February 14th of next year. The album was recorded and produced in Nashville by The Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney (via Pitchfork).

You can listen to the newest single "Origins" below, which will be released on December 6th alongside a self-produced track "Deep in the Woods." 

DOWNLOAD: Washed Out - "Amor Fati" (Clams Casino Remix)

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You can download the Clams Casino remix of Washed Out's song "Amor Fati" from their debut album, Within and Without, which was released earlier this year, via Stereogum. The song was officially released yesterday (11/7) on the single Amor Fati with the B-Side "Call it Off." 

LISTEN: Girls - "Lawrence"

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You can stream the newest single, "Lawrence" from Christopher Owens' band Girls, below. The song is dedicated to Felts frontman Lawrence Hayward. The single will be out November 28th in the UK and December 6th in the US both digitally and on heart shaped vinyl. (via Pitchfork)

Girls - Lawrence by PIAS Entertainment

LISTEN: Washed Out - "Call It Off"

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Washed Out's LP Within and Without was released earlier this year to critical acclaim. Next week, they will release "Amor Fati" as a single from the record alongside this previously unreleased track "Call It Off." Stream it via their SoundCloud page below.

Washed Out - Call It Off by WeirdWorldRecordCo

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Washed Out will release the single "Amor Fati" along with "Call It Off" on November 7th.

REVIEW: Lana Del Rey - "Video Games"

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Grade: 86% (B+)

It's scary how big Rebecca Black blew up earlier this year. A couple thousand dollars from her parents to make a video and a typical pop song led to millions of views on YouTube and everyone knew her name. But she was, and still is, hated. Why is Lana Del Rey so hated? She has blown up as well, but without the parents money and company producing her video. She did it the "old fashioned way." Now she isn't Justin Vernon, but she might beckon some comparisons. 

"Video Games" is just a well orchestrated track. With the chiming bells smoothing into the harp and strings, the pulsing piano keys ride along the spine of the song evoking a back and forth feel backed by both her lyrics and subtle yet deep voice. Lizzy Grant's childish innocence when pronouncing, "bestest" and "big kiss" makes you somewhat feel for her. But what if it really is just a ploy to be the "next big thing?" Then the second verse comes, and this slow, downbeat song still has you nodding your head back and forth. More ambient sounds are added with a slow high plucking, a deep bass humming and a snare drum drawing you into the second chorus. 

We haven't even touched the lyrics. If you like COD don't be fooled by the first impression of anti-gaming. Lizzy sings with an idea in mind. She plays along with the boys, "whistling her name," she even likes it. Is she the bad girl she references? You might think she relishes that role, but she isn't. She simply wishes she were. Dealing with things in a back and forth role. That's how relationships work, back and forth. Go play your video games, just expect to give something in return. Go blow up on the internet Lana, but expect some harsh reactions. 

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Lana Del Rey's single "Video Games" with the B-Side "Blue Jeans" is out now. Her debut album is due out early next year. 

VIDEO: Arctic Monkeys - "Evil Twin" (NSFW)

Check out Arctic Monkey's newest video for their single "Evil Twin" off of this years Suck it and See. This is very not suitable for work and we suggest you just don't let your spouse see you watching it as well. Watch and you'll understand.

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"Suck it and See" will be released as a single on October 31st with "Evil Twin" as a B-Side.

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VIDEO: The Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"

The boys aren't satisfied with their MTV Music Video Award... even if it was botched. They come right back with this video which is, in it's own right, pretty out there.

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El Camino is due out December 6th, and you can pre-order it at wannabuyavan.com. "Lonely Boy" will be released as a single on Record Store Day: Black Friday (November 25th).

TRACK REVIEW: The Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"

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Grade: 91% (A-)

2008 doesn't seem like it was really that long ago. Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold sported his grizzly northwestern beard while his band climbed into the indie buzzband sphere with it's self-titled debut. Jim James (AKA Yim Yames) of My Morning Jacket rocked the southern guitar slasher look with his long mane and beard as his band's funkiest album to date gained Top 10 Album of the Year recognition. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver used his facial hair to stay warm in the Wisconsin winter as his self-released debut blew up on the internet. And Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys went above the rest, streaming his full head of hair down to his shoulders alongside his biker style beard as if his band's album Attack & Release didn't posterize him as a badass enough. Each band has since released a follow up to their 2008 LP's in the past year, with the Black Keys' El Camino coming this December after 2010's Grammy Winning Brothers. Auerbach's face however, is the only one completely shaven.

What does his smooth face mean about his music? Apparently nothing. Auerbach continues to sing lyrics of a bleeding heart and still manages to be the complete badass that he is on the guitar, just as he was with a full beard back in '08. The straightforward and direct lyrics overdubbed with classic TBK vocal distortions on "Lonely Boy" refer one back to some of their earlier work. The opening hazy guitar reverb is strikingly familiar to that of the title track of their earlier Thickfreakness. This leads into an opening guitar riff that sounds as if it was taken off of a Limp Bizkit album which offers an opening for Patrick Carney's simplest and freshest drum kit opening to date. Funky guitar riffs continue as Auerbach jumps up a key to a higher note leading into the increasingly distorted chorus with backing vocals. This is back to the stripped down, in your face, drum/guitar action that we know The Black Keys can punch you with. The beard is back, figuratively, and maybe realistically. Let this song kick your ass a couple of times before you figure it out. 

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The Black Keys' newest LP El Camino is out December 6th. Pre-order it at the website wannabuyavan.com and check out their preview video for the album below. 

"Lonely Boy" will be released as a single along with another new track called "Run Right Back" on Record Store Day: Black Friday (November 25th). Check out the video for "Lonely Boy" here.