Cold War Kids - New LP in September

A recently updated website for Cold War Kids features a small video snippet of a new song from their upcoming sophomore album due to drop in September. Check out their old Black Cab Sessions to hear another song, "Dreams Old Men Dream", that's bound to be on the new album as well.

More tour dates announced for 2008:

06/27/08 Celebrate Brooklyn / Brooklyn, NY

08/22/08 Outside Lands Festival / San Francisco, CA TICKETS

08/02/08 Splendour in the Grass / Byron Bay, Australia SOLD OUT

08/03/08 Tivoli / Brisbane, Australia TICKETS

08/04/08 Enmore / Sydney, Australia TICKETS

08/06/08 Palace / Melbourne, Australia TICKETS

08/09/08 Belladrum Festival / Inverness TICKETS

08/10/08 Summer Sundae / Leicester TICKETS

08/11/08 Bloomsbury Ballroom / London TICKETS

08/12/08 Concorde 2 / Brighton TICKETS

08/14/08 La Route Du Rock / St. Malo

08/15/08 Pukkelpop / Hasselt TICKETS

08/23/08 Sunset Junction Festival / Los Angeles, CA TICKETS

08/24/08 Les Schwab Amp w/Beck / Bend, OR TICKETS

09/20/08 Street Scene / San Diego, CA

09/27/08 Wonder Ballroom / Portland, OR

09/28/08 Richards On Richards / Vancouver, B.C., Canada

09/29/08 The Showbox at the Market / Seattle, WA

10/01/08 The Neurolux / Boise, ID

10/02/08 In The Venue / Salt Lake City, UT TICKETS

10/03/08 Boulder Theatre / Boulder, CO

10/10/08 Fine Line Music Cafe / Minneapolis, MN TICKETS

10/11/08 Vic Theare / Chicago, IL

10/14/08 Paradise Rock Club / Boston, MA TICKETS

10/15/08 Webster Hall / New York, NY TICKETS

10/16/08 Williamsburg Music Hall / Brooklyn, NY

10/17/08 Theatre of Living Arts / Philadelphia, PA TICKETS

10/18/08 Nightclub 9:30 / Washington, D.C. TICKETS

10/20/08 Cat's Cradle / Carrabo, NC TICKETS

10/21/08 Mercy Lounge / Nashville, TN TICKETS

10/23/08 Lola's / Ft. Worth, TX

10/24/08 Emo's Alt Lounge-Outside / Austin, TX TICKETS

10/25/08 Warehouse Live / Houston, TX

10/26/08 Voodoo Music Experience / New Orleans, LA

White Denim -Workout Holiday LP

New Music - White Denim: Workout Holiday LP

Texas trio White Denim officially released their debut LP, Workout Holiday, to Europe yesterday. In an attempt to reach foreign listeners, the band struck its first record deal with Full Time Hobby Records for overseas distribution. To purchase a copy for yourself, sign on to iTunes as a European buyer, or go to Play.com for a CD copy or digital download (which will run you ~16 bucks after £ to $ conversion).

And the critics have well-received the album, which is great news for the band:

• BBC Music (positive review) Ian Wade, June 19.
• The Independent (4/5 stars) Andy Gill, June 20.
• UnCut Magazine (4/5 stars) John Robinson, June 23.
• NME Magazine (8/10 stars) Krissi Murison, June 23.
• MusicOMH (4/5 stars) Sam Shepherd, June 23.

Twilight Exit Closes it's Doors

One of Seattle's best bars joins the list of casualties caused by the city's ever-growing Condo Community...

A sad, sad day it was when I first heard the rumors - my favorite Seattle bar was in danger of being sold for more high-rise apartments. With those rumors confirmed, it is only a matter of time before Seattle loses yet another cool place to hang out. It's no surprise that the area of Madison is receiving a face lift (in fact, I was happy to see the wrecking balls topple ol' Deano's Grocery Store to the ground), but couldn't they just leave The Twilight Exit alone? Sooner or later, there's going to be no places for anyone to hang out (see Vaun Raymond's Requiem for a Block on the demise of the 500 block of Pine Street).

While few may actually know, Seattle's music scene started long before the early '90s grunge era. Forty years prior to Nevermind, a small place called the Mardi Gras Grill was home to live jazz acts that helped form the "Northwest Sound". It is that same building that the Twilight Exit now resides. For a city that values its music history why can't they just spare this establishment? And more importantly, where the hell am I going to go now when I need my PBBB fix??? For those of you who don't know, PBBB = peanut butter bacon burger = fucking delicious! Wash it all down with a can or five of Olys... what a night! Well now I'm hungry. Off to the Twilight Exit I go, maybe my last trip ever.

Spoon - "Jealousy" Video

While I'm fresh on the subject, here's another Spoon video I had no idea existed. This one off of my favorite Spoon EP, Love Ways, here's the video for "Jealousy". Directed by Peter Simonite.

Spoon - "Not Turning Off" Video

Blast from the Past

I came across this old Spoon video for "Not Turning Off", a fantastic song first released on the Nefarious EP and later re-released on Telephono. Enjoy


Spoon - Not Turning Off Music Video from Brett Vapnek on Vimeo.

Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

Pre-Sale Delivered Today!

Well, the wait is finally over - I received my copy of At Mount Zoomer today. I'd have to say that my initial complaint with the album has been withdrawn after my first listen. As expected, the Mp3 version that I acquired months ago did not quite have the greatest sound quality. I had a hunch that was the case, but I'm relieved to hear the studio quality recording with my own ears. I guess that's the price you pay when you listen to it before its official release.

The songs are fantastic, the artwork is equally interesting, and the album as a whole should eliminate any doubt in the band's ability to follow-up Apologies. The only question I have now is why didn't they include "Things I Don't Know"? This was my favorite live song I've heard them play. I thought for sure it'd make it to the final cut. Maybe they considered it one of the songs that sounded too much like the old Wolf Parade (see Dan Boeckner's interview at Sub Pop). Who knows... maybe it'll end up as a b-side on their first single?

Listen to "Things I Don't Know" if you haven't already - this bootleg is from their August 21, 2008 show at the Showbox (Seattle).

Spoon - "Peace Like A River"

Spoon's Daytrotter Session

Arguably the most established band ever to make an appearance at the Rock Island studios, Spoon delivers yet another solid four-song set. The song I'm most happy about is their take on Paul Simon's "Peace Like A River" - a song that's been showcased throughout their North American tour this past year. Nevermind the silly write-up for the band; these four songs are instant classics. Check them out here or download them directly from Daytrotter through the links below.

1. "Peace Like A River" - Paul Simon cover
   
2. "The Ghost Of You Lingers" - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
   
3. "I Could See The Dude" - Soft Effects
   
4. "Back To The Life" - Kill the Moonlight

Handsome Furs - Face Control

While it's a little old, I just came across this Handsome Furs interview at The Bygone Bureau. It's a really good read, especially the bit about their new album Face Control which was first mentioned after the band's Euro tour last year. Having seen their live show here in Seattle on the first stop of their North American tour with the Teenagers, I'm very excited to hear this album - the new songs (there were about 4-5 played) were as great as any track off of Plague Park. Here's what was said:

So you’re working on a new album for 2008. And you’re working on the title Face Control.

Alexei: Yeah, face control is a door policy in Moscow that they use in these really fancy clubs where people are paying five to ten grand just to reserve tables at these places. But even those people who have paid that money are still subject to face control. So they can arrive at the door and the bouncer can be like (in Russian accent), “I don’t think so.” I don’t like what you’re wearing kind of thing. And there’s one dude whose nickname has become Face Control because he has denied Russia’s top super model three times. And if she’s not getting in, who the fuck is? It’s so bizarre.

Dan: It’s a verb too. You can be like, “Dude, I’m super bummed; I got face controlled.” It’s totally Russian, though. The vibe there is nothing is sugarcoated. It’s not politically correct. You are literally face controlled.

Alexei: At least it’s upfront. There’s something interesting about that

Dan: Those two words sound great together, though.

When do you think the new album will come out?

Dan: It depends on Sub Pop. It’ll depend on what they do with the Wolf Parade record.

Alexei: It’ll get out some point this year. We’ll be done by mid-June.

Is it much different than Plague Park?

Alexei: It is. I think it’s quite a bit faster and maybe a bit rock, too.

Dan: It’s a lot louder, that’s for sure.

Until more information is released on Face Control, you can check out Handsome Furs in a city near you (tickets sold here):

Aug 8: Kingston, ON @ General Wolfe Hotel

Aug 13: Winnipeg, MB @ Royal Albert Arms

Aug 14: Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium

Aug 15: Minneapolis, MN @ 7^th Street Entry

Aug 16: Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Club

Aug 17: Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle

Aug 19: Columbus, OH @ Skullys

Aug 20: Bowling Green, OH @ Howard's

Aug 21: Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room

Aug 22: Toronto, ON @ Lee's Place

Aug 23: Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks

Aug 30: Victoria, BC @ Lucky Bar (No presale)

Aug 31: Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards

Spoon - "All I Got Is Me"

Spoon: Don't You Evah

While I would argue that Don't You Evah is more of a single with a few bonuses than an actual EP, Spoon delivered yet another solid release. Debuting as a number one single on the Billboard Hot Single Sales chart, the band seems to be finally receiving the recognition they so rightly have deserved for all these years of great music. The very fact that the Don't You Evah's b-side "All I Got Is Me" did not make the cut for Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is a testament to the perfectionism in Spoon. Nevertheless, check it out, it's a good listen.

But the real focus should be on the three men responsible "Don't You Evah's" catchy riff. For those of you who still haven't heard the original version of the title track, you should go to CD Baby and purchase a copy of The Natural History's final album The People That I Meet. You won't regret it.

Spoon - Daytrotter Session

Spoon - Daytrotter Sessions

Just a friendly reminder that Spoon's Daytrotter session will be posted this coming Monday (June 16, 2008). The session was recorded a few weeks back, and I'm really excited to see which songs they showcased at the Futureappletree Studio One in beautiful Rock Island, IL... I hope they break out some of their hard-to-catch live songs that have been showcased in encores throughout their latest North American tour. Updates coming soon!

Until then, enjoy "I Summon You" performed during Spoon's Black Cab Session here, or check out the ever-expanding collection of fantastic four-song sets at Daytrotter.

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

Ra Ra Riot: Finally, a record deal...

For those of you who have been patiently anticipating the debut LP of Syracuse's Ra Ra Riot, your wait is over. Recently, in an interview with Spin Magazine, it was announced that the band had signed with Seattle's Barsuk Records to release their first full-length studio album The Rhumb Line on August 19, 2008. While no official tracklisting has been disclosed, the band did reveal that "Dying Is Fine" and "Ghost Under Rocks" will be 2 of the 4 reworked songs that made it onto the record. (Update: tracklisting revealed)

The Rhumb Line

1. "Ghost Under Rocks"
2. "Each Year"
3. "St. Peter's Day Festival"
4. "Winter '05"
5. "Dying Is Fine"
6. "Can You Tell"
7. "Too Too Too Fast"
8. "Oh, La"
9. "Suspended in Gaffa"
10. "Run My Mouth"

*Uploads from their January '08 WOXY.com Lounge Act Sessions in Cincinnati, OH.
*You can also check out "Suspended in Gaffa" at their Daytrotter Session.

Video: "Dying Is Fine"

White Denim - Two New LPs Out Very Soon

I recently had the pleasure of catching a live act from Austin's most happening power-trio when they swung through Seattle. A real must-see, let me tell you. The night kicked off with a 6-song nonstop jam session that nearly melted my face clean off. These dudes really know how to get a bunch of Seattleites grooving to some funky tunes (believe me, that's no easy task). They played some new tracks off their upcoming UK full length, Workout Holiday (not be confused with the 9-song tour EP with the same title) which is set for a June 23rd vinyl and digital release on Full Time Hobby Records. All of the songs they showcased (some I'm not even familiar with) sounded great.

After the show I caught up with bassist Steve Terebecki at the merchandise table. On sale was a CD-R packaged in a paper sleeve with a simple label of "11 Songs" stamped on the front. He informed me that it's soon to be the tracklisting for their US debut LP, Exposion (no typo there) which he stated "should be released on vinyl before Workout Holiday if all goes well." All I can say is that this album fucking rocks - I can't stop playing it. Out of the 11 songs, "Heart From All Of Us", "Transparency", and "Sitting" were all surprise favorites. Look for yet again another awesome White Denim release soon...

Exposion

1. "Don't Look That Way At It"
   
2. "Transparency"
   
3. "Ieieie"
   
4. "WDA"
   
5. "Heart From Us All"
   
6. "You Can't Say"
   
7. "Shake Shake Shake"
   
8. "All You Really Have To Do"
   
9. "All Truckers Roll"
   
10. "Migration Wind"
    
11. "Sitting"
    

Toadies: No Deliverance

New Toadies album set to release August 19, 2008.

Check out their website for a sample of their title track.

A short story: Once upon a time the Toadies rocked the post-grunge scene and made a killer record that still to this date has a special place in my childhood memory. Back before the age of Wikipedia and high-speed internet, I waited in the dark for a Rubberneck follow-up; however, that day never came... sadly, the band broke up - I went on with my life.

Now fast-forwarding to the year of 2001, a fantastic day occurred when my local radio station announced the return of the Toadies. In almost disbelief, I began counting the days down for the release of Hell Below / Stars Above. News traveled to me about a North American tour. To my surprise, they were going to be in Cincy (not a long drive from Indy). The day I go to buy my tickets, it's announced that the band will be adding a few more shows: one is in Indy! and better yet, on my birthday!!! Thinking that it must be fate, I make the decision to buy the Indy tickets and wait it out.

Two days before the show (only a couple days after the Cincy show), I get a call from a friend. From the sound of his tone, I brace for a tragedy to unfold... Break-up Number Two... What a shitty birthday. No Toadies at the music fest - I think Nonpoint replaced them. About a month later, the band officially announced that they were finished. They played a few reunion shows (sans bassist, Lisa Umbarger), but ultimately stated that the band would "never" again record new material.

On the contrary, sticking with the theme of releasing albums every 7 years, the Toadies announced earlier last month that their third album, No Deliverance, will drop August 19. Maybe there's still a chance of catching their live show after all...