Three years without any new Jens Lekman material can feel a lot more like thirty, but the Swedish indie-pop sensation has finally returned to croon his way back into all of our hardened hearts. So where has he been hiding all of this time, you ask? Well sadly, it would seem that the breakout success [...]
Late last year, Malmo’s Danish Daycare (a.k.a. Daniel Jonsson) released his solo debut titled A Story of Hurt, an album full of electronic pop inspired by the likes of The Cure and Depeche Mode. I was a pretty big fan of the preceding single A Purpose to My Sins, but somehow never got around to buying the full-length — mostly due to the fact that I couldn’t find a store that wished to handle the necessary transaction in English. Well, I guess good things come to those who procrastinate, because now Jonsson has decided to re-release his debut for free to anyone with a working internet connection, and it even comes packed with an extra song.
It was announced this weekend that ultra-famous and ultra-lanky Interpol bassist Carlos D would be leaving his bandmates behind to blaze a new career path. According the the official announcement on Interpol’s site, the group actually completed recording of their new album just prior to Carlos informing them of his decision, so it would appear that future plans won’t be derailed too much by his sudden departure.
Post-rock legends Mogwai are going to be releasing a concert film titled Burning this August, to coincide with the debut of their first ever live album Special Moves. I’ve been lucky enough to see the band perform many times over the years, and it’s an experience that would prove incredibly difficult to properly capture with a camera, but if the teaser trailers are anything to go by, directors Vincent Moon and Nathanael le Scouarnec have absolutely nailed it.
An Editors music video with a demonic Mickey Mouse dancing on what looks vaguely like the Star of David. Yeah, it’s sort of a must see.
By now most of you have probably already heard Kele Okereke’s debut single Tenderoni, but I was a bit behind the curve on this one and had to be alerted as to its existence by a damn close (and quite handsome) friend of mine a few weeks ago. Since I figure I can’t be the only one living under a rock, I am posting a video stream of the song below, so check it out if you’re still blissfully ignorant.
Brandon Flowers going solo might just be better than you expect. Though for most of you cynics, that’s probably a low bar to set.
If you thought summer was all about Star Trek and Harry Potter, think again. While everyone is busy geeking out over the blockbuster onslaught that’s breathing down our necks (myself included), Anvil: The Story of Anvil will quietly sneak its way into theaters this April and then abruptly rock everyone’s fucking face off.
Yusuf Islam has a long history with the peace making scene (not to mention the being wrongly deported scene), and he’s not done yet.
David Berman, who fronts the elusive indie rockers The Silver Jews, announced last week (via the band’s message board) that he’s done with music. As in completely, even. With his typically caustic wit, Berman commented that it’s time to quit while the band is ahead, saying “I always said we would stop before we got bad. If I continue to record I might accidentally write the answer song to Shiny Happy People.” While there’s no doubt that long-time fans are in for big disappointment here (surely including my girlfriend, who I have to thank for enlightening me to the band’s greatness), it’s hard not to see the twisted wisdom in Berman’s words.
When Joaquin Phoenix first declared his retirement from acting to pursue an unlikely musical career, I was as shocked as anyone. I’ve always respected his talent, and the public spectacle he created with the announcement seemed not only completely out-of-character, but also fucking insane. After all, it’s been over two decades since Patrick Swayze set the actor-turned-musician bar sky-high with She’s Like The Wind, and no one has proven even near up to the challenge of dethroning him.
With just one album under their belt, post-punk revivalists Heavens are put to rest. Let the black eyeliner stained tears flow.
