TV On The Radio - Nine Types of Light

Alright, I just got this link so I thought I would share it with you before I even finish my first listen. The lead single is "Will Do" which I've heard a number of times and let me tell you, it's catchy as hell. The other one that had already surfaced is the album closer called "Caffeinated Consciousness". As I'm giving this album a first listen while I write this, I should say that my initial impression is that this is the most accessible of their albums to date, so if you're thinking to yourself, "People seem to rave about this band, but I can't get into them for whatever reason." then this album is definitely for you. Listen, love, enjoy. Find the link here.

Justice - Civilization

It's been known for the last two weeks or so that the pride of Ed Banger Records, Justice, have been prepping the follow-up to 2007's amazing "Cross" album. The French electro-house duo are releasing the first single, titled "Civilization", on April 5. You may have heard the song in the newest adidas ad, directed by Romain Gavras who also directed Justice's controversial video for the song "Stress". Download an advance copy of Civilization here. The adidas advert is above, while the Stress video is below.

UPDATE: The full single, containing a remix (and better sound quality) is here.

Peter, Bjorn, & John - Gimme Some

Well this is embarrassing... I legitimately thought this album came out around the end of January, around the time that I first heard the lead single "Second Chance". Turns out it is set to be released on Tuesday. It's a good album from the Swedish indie rockers but on a whole it is mostly carried by the tracks "Second Chance", "Breaker Breaker"and "Tomorrow Has To Wait".  I'd love to hear what you guys think though. Hope you enjoy, and sorry I didn't get you this earlier.  Download it here.

Daft Punk - End of Line (Tame Impala Remix)

Yesterday I linked to the Tron Reconfigured album, but I have learned that the Australian version of that album will feature a remix by Aussie indie rockers Tame Impala that is not included on the US version (which would appear to be what I linked to), so I've found the song, and I'm dutifully bringing it to you. Right here. 

tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l

Check out the new album from Merrill Garbus' tUnE-yArDs project, due out April 19 but available now, right here, for your aural satisfaction. You may already have heard the lead track "Bizness" over at pitchfork, but I have to say that I've listened to their first album and if I'm being honest, I felt a little underwhelmed by it. Not so with w h o k i l l, which I find to be a beautiful and somewhat genre-busting record, a definite improvement over their first effort and it's always nice to hear a band's sound evolve a little. Don't forget to check out the video for "Bizness" below, it features dancing children, how can you resist?

Wiz Khalifa - Rolling Papers

The second rap album leak of the day is the much anticipated major-label debut from Pittsburgh's Wiz Khalifa. I'm sure we'll be hearing songs from this album all over mainstream radio within the next couple of months, so let's try to enjoy the album before lamestream media kills it. Rolling Papers will be in stores on March 29. Download the album here.

Classified - Handshakes and Middle Fingers

Well it's not every day that you'll find rap and hip-hop on my blog, but if that's your thing then today is your lucky day. First off, check out the new album from Canada's pre-eminent east coast rapper Classified. His new album Handshakes and Middle Fingers is his 14th (!) since 1995. It doesn't stray too far from his past work, but that's not a bad thing. It's chalk-full of observations about the real world that we live in as opposed to some fictional world that exists only between crack corners, strip clubs and the bedroom like some his southern brethren. Check out this fun, insightful and most of all listenable album by using the search feature over here.

The Kills - Blood Pressures

I found this album floating around the interwebs the other day. The band is called The Kills, and if you're not familiar with them then this is album is a great place to start due to its simplicity and accessibility. For those who are familiar with their earlier work, the minimalist rock sound certainly continues but this album has a very bluesy feel to it. I've heard this newer sound criticized as too "Black Keys/White Stripe-esque" but I reject the premise of that argument for two simple reasons: #1 You can't sound too much like the Black Keys or White Stripes without it being by default, beautiful music; #2 Just because something sounds like the blues doesn't mean it's a rip-off of the Black Keys or the White Stripes. Neither Dan Auerbach or Pat Carney nor Jack or Meg White invented the blues. Anyway, physical copies will be in stores on April 5, but for now you can download the whole album here.

Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys

A couple months ago I heard that we should expect a new album from Ben Gibbard and Death Cab for Cutie around May... then Gibbard announced the release date via his new twitter account. Well more than a month in advance, the album has leaked. I've given it a first listen, and it seems to have more of a Transatlanticism feel to it than Plans or Narrow Stairs. I may be in the minority but I prefer the latter two albums. That said, it's a beautiful album from one of the best indie songwriters out there. Check it out here.

The Strokes - Angles

The eagerly anticipated new album from Julian Casablancas and The Strokes has leaked. I've given it a couple listens and I am highly impressed with the evolution of the band's sound. Give this album a listen and then listen to their debut LP Is This It and you can't be unimpressed with their ability to create songs and sounds that are unique and complex but highly accessible. Check out Angles here.

Robin Pecknold (of Fleet Foxes) (and Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear to boot!)

One of the best albums of 2008 was the eponymous debut album from Fleet Foxes. Their sophomore effort Helplessness Blues, and its lead (and title) single, has generated the usual anticipation that accompanies any buzzband’s second album. Will it be buzzworthy? Will they be lauded by lamestreamers like Mumford & Son were last year? What do you want this album to sound like?

In an effort to generate more buzz, and perhaps to satiate our aural appetite before the album’s inevitable leak [edit - the album has leaked now, so there goes that.] Robin Pecknold released a 3 song EP aptly named Three Songs.  The Fleet Foxes guitarist and lead vocalist pairs up with Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste on one track. Check out the EP here (via Stereogum) and the lead single from the new album here. [Link has been updated for access to the entire album] 

I've only just found this link now, so we can all give it a first listen together! Enjoy!




EDIT: It turns out that it was a fake floating around the interwebs. Sorry for the false alarm, I wrote the blog yesterday and as is my usual routine, I did a file search before posting to ensure that I wasn't missing an entire album leak... I got duped, what can I say? It happens. Here is the lead single from Helplessness Blues, also titled Helplessness Blues. Enjoy, and I promise the next time I tell you this album is available, it actually will be. Carry on now.

Renovations

This blog started with what is essentially a placeholder background and layout, and before I knew it, you guys actually started visiting this site on a regular basis. Over the next little while I will be experimenting with the layout a little bit, so if you stop by and the blog appears unreadable refresh often because it probably means I'm in the process of changing it.

Thanks for understanding, and thank you for visiting.