Born by the River

I'm still alive

2008-03-06T22:52:00.001-08:00

I don't know about Trost.

Kings of Leon, New B-side, Woo Hoo

2007-07-09T20:00:00.001-07:00

Let me preface this post a bit.

Shortly after I made the last post bad things started to happen. They say bad things come in threes, right? Well, first my laptop broke. That's the only problem that effects you in any way I guess; it's hard to post about new music with no computer or access to digital music.

So that kind of sucks.

Then there are a couple slightly more painful problems.

First, I dislocated my shoulder in a soccer match. Normally I would just be like, whatever, but I'm on scholarship and have to report to school for soccer exactly one month from tomorrow. So I have a dislocated shoulder now. Whatever, I can still train... Right?

Well, not so much.

I found out a couple days ago that I also have mono. Now my throat is so swollen that I wake up at night unable to breathe. I actually had to wake my girlfriend up to take me to the ER yesterday at like 5 am because I started to worry I was about to go out like Jimi without the sex drugs or rock & roll.

All of these problems suddenly seem trivial, though, as I just heard Kings of Leon's newest track, "Woo Hoo," the b-side to their "Fans" single, and I was reminded of everything good in the world.

Kings of Leon- Woo Hoo

Now I have a fever and I don't feel like typing anymore.

Enjoy.

The LCD Soundsystem Post (For those of you who think we're done, we're like, "no.")

2007-06-27T10:29:00.001-07:00

A few days ago I said I'd dedicate a whole new post to LCD Soundsystem. Well, the time has come.

I know there's not much left to be said about James Murphy or his new album, Sound of Silver, but I would be remiss if I neglected to create this post. Truly great albums don't come around very often anymore. We bounce from band to band, album to album, song to song so quickly now; it's hard to stay interested in any one thing for a reasonable amount of time. I hope you don't read this and think "look at this hypocritical douchebag." I know that blogs like this one fuel that approach to music, and part of me actually feels a bit of remorse. Maybe.

Anyways...

I told you that the two tracks at the core of the album, "Someone Great" and "All My Friends," were two of my favorites of the year. I don't think you will find better back to back tracks on any album this year. I'm having a hard time thinking of any recent album with back to back tracks that good. Maybe Sonic Youth's "Incinerate" and "Do You Believe in Rapture," but even then...

Seeing as there really is nothing left to say about the album, I'll just try to give you a few b-sides you haven't heard before.

This first one, "Hippie Priest Bum Out," came out as a b-side to the "North American Scum" single.

LCD Soundsystem- Hippie Priest Bum Out

The next track, "Freak Out," was a b-side to the "All My Friends" single.

LCD Soundsystem- Freak Out

This last one is special; it's a cover of Joy Division's "No Love Lost" that came out as a b-side to a limited version of the "All My Friends" single. Maybe a concert-only version? I'm not really sure... Either way, check it out.

LCD Soundsystem- No Love Lost

I also have a lot of LCD remixes that came out as b-sides to this and that if anyone is interested. Not exactly my cup of tea, but I'll gladly throw them up if enough of you want them.

Enjoy.

We've been gone for a while, eh?

2007-06-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

We're still alive.

I was starting to wonder about Trost, though. Ol'boy disappeared on me for a month or so.

I can't believe all of the love you guys are showing towards our humble little site. We really appreciate all the emails and comments. I know I've said it before, but I think we should be back for good this time.

I don't really know how to start back up. Maybe recap the big happenings of the past month or so?

The new Spoon album is good. "The Underdog" really is as fantastic as everyone keeps saying it is. The new LCD Soundsystem is my favorite album of the year so far, with "Someone Great" and "All My Friends" battling for favorite song of the year honors. I think I'll dedicate a whole post to LCD Soundsystem within the next few days. Maybe try to get you some b-sides or remixes you haven't heard or something. The new New Pornographers album has its moments, but honestly I lose interest after the first four tracks. What else? Hmmm. I just got the new Okkervil River album and the new Yeah Yeah Yeah's EP today, so I'll have something from those for you pretty soon. Oh, and the White Stripes... I keep hearing Icky Thump is a good album, and I have some b-sides from it...

What have we been listening to...

Pay the changer no mind. I haven't listened to the Wilco or Voxtrot albums for a long time. Both faded on me. Voxtrot just put out a weak album that should have been condensed to a fourth EP, and the Wilco album gets boring if you try to listen to it for more than 15 minutes at a time. I actually haven't listened to Kings of Leon or the Ponys in quite a while either. The only real constants for me have been Feist and LCD Soundsystem. I've also been listening to the new Bowerbirds album a bit. Then there's always a constant stream of new music: St. Vincent, BOAT, Seymore Saves the World, Bishop Allen, etc.

I don't even want to tell you what Trost has been listening to. It'll just bring you down. Sad bastard. He keeps telling me how good the new Magnolia Electric Co. album is though, and even though I've said in the past that I can only listen to them when I'm sad, I might have to give it a spin or two.

I feel like I need to reward you for reading all that.

Here's a little something from the new Okkervil River LP, The Stage Names, due out August 7th...

Okkervil River- Savannah Smiles

And even though you all probably already have these, they're pretty great, and I want anyone reading our blog to have them...

LCD Soundsystem- Someone Great

Spoon- The Underdog

3 mp3's isn't enough...

I got the new Josh Rouse album the other day (I was enticed, against my better judgement, by the great album title Country Mouse, City House), and, as expected, I'm not really digging it. I really do like the first track, though, so here it is:

Josh Rouse- Sweetie

Guess that's all for now. Keep checking back this week.

Wilco, Again

2007-05-09T17:47:00.001-07:00

The new Wilco b-side I posted up a couple days ago got me all excited about Wilco again; the past 48 hours have seen me searching through all my favorite old tracks from Tweedy & Co. I definitely have some favorite Jeff Tweedy moments, and I've been thinking about where "One True Vine" might fit in.

Ok, it might not be quite that good - Tweedy has blessed us with some seriously astounding moments - but it's still pretty wonderful.

Anyhow, here are some of my favorite Tweedy moments...

I'll start off with my absolute favorite, Uncle Tupelo's "Wait Up." This song has been one of my favorites since the first time I heard it. I was still just a young'in when March 16-20, 1992 released, but I'm pretty sure that, even then, I would have recognized this song's grandeur.

Uncle Tupelo- Wait Up

This next song released 3 years later on Golden Smog's 1995 LP Down by the Old Mainstream. You probably already know about Golden Smog's allstar cast, but despite being a veritble rock and roll "who's who," in my opinion, they've never really delivered. Think a modern day Travelling Wilburys. This song, though, is spectacular. Sounds like Wilco...

Golden Smog- Radio King

What else... There's just too much to choose from.

I guess I'll go with one of my all time favorite Wilco songs, "She's a Jar." That kind of feels like cheating - you know, posting up a track from a Wilco LP. Instead I'll use the demo...

Wilco- She's a Jar (Demo)

If I'm gonna post a Wilco song, I should try to give you something you haven't heard before, eh? Well, I have no clue where this one came from, and I haven't really seen it floating around the net anywhere. Don't believe me? Go search for it. I would guess it released as a b-side at some point, but I really don't know when or to what. Amazing song, though. Definitey a top 10 Tweedy moment.

Wilco- No More Poetry

In 2003 Tweedy teamed up with Jim O'Rourk to release Loose Fur their first album under the moniker Loose Fur. Much like Golden Smog, I was very impressed with some of it, and with some of it I was very underwhelmed. In 2006, though, they released a sophomore LP entitled Born Again in the USA, and the last track on that album has definitely become one of my favrite Jeff Tweedy moments.

Loose Fur- Wanted

This last song may not be an absolute favorite, but it's still very cool. It's a live cover (that you probably haven't heard) of a great song (that you probably have heard).

Jeff Tweedy- I Shall Be Released (Live Bob Dylan Cover)

Ok, that's all for today.

Enjoy.

Wilco- One True Vine (BRAND NEW, YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THIS)

2007-05-08T01:47:00.000-07:00

I just got my hands on the first b-side from Wilco's Sky Blue Sky.

Wow.

You know how I feel about Wilco.

This track is no exception. I absolutely LOVE it. Actually, after a few listens, I might like this more than anything on the album, and I love the album.

Wilco- One True Vine

I wanna be what you are to me...

Remember where you heard it first.

Enjoy.

DON'T CALL THIS A COMEBACK

2007-05-06T14:26:00.001-07:00

Ok, this time I'm not even going to apologize. I'm just going to start posting again. I'll earn your trust back.

Actually, I will apologize for not responding to emails. That's fucked up on my part. I really do want to fill requests, but honestly, I get really, really bored writing about old White Stripes b-sides and whatnot.

On to today's post...

I've been thinking about covers a lot lately, probably stemming from reading that I Am Fuel post. I made a list in my head of recent indie covers that I've loved, and, I dunno, maybe you'd like to hear them...

I can only listen to Magnolia Electric Co. when I'm sad. That's why I was so surprised when I found out that the last track on their 2005 Hard to Love a Man EP was a cover of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London." What a great cover; Molina & Co really make it work...

Magnolia Electric Co.- Werewolves of London

Last year Regina Spektor visited the BBC Radio studios and performed a few songs. Among them was my favorite rainy day song, Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel #2." Spektor's version of the song is beautiful.

I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best...

Regina Spektor- Chelsea Hotel (Live)

Talking Heads covers... I really don't know how I feel about them in general. I've heard some baaad ones, but I've also heard some that I love...

In 2003 the Constantines released the Nighttime Anytime EP. It was their first release on Sub Pop, setting the stage for their prodigious sophomore LP, Shine A Light. The third track on the four-track EP was a cover of the Heads' "Thank You For Sending Me An Angel." This is how a Talking Heads cover should sound. Bry Webb mimics Byrne's voice a bit, but the sound is still unmistakably Constantines...

Constantines- Thank You For Sending Me An Angel

Another Talking Heads cover done right...

Last year Voxtrot played a quick set for Seattle radio station KEXP. Along with three tracks from their Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives EP (Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives, Rise Up In The Dirt, and Soft & Warm), the band played a version of the Heads' "Heaven." I was raised on Talking Heads, and as far back as I can remember, "Heaven" has been one of my favorite songs. Imagine my excitement, then, when I discovered that it was covered by my favorite new band.

Voxtrot- Heaven (Live on KEXP)

I guess I'll keep with the Voxtrot theme.

I've been sitting here thinking about how to present this next track for a few minutes now. I can't really paraphrase the story for you, so here it is, straight from Ramesh...

"About a week ago when we were driving back to Texas for the final two dates of our tour, Jared (keyboardist) received a message from Garrison of Indieinterviews.com, suggesting that Union City Blues would be a nice song for Voxtrot to cover. I mistakenly believed Shayla to be called Union City Blues, and thus promised to work up a cover to record at the venue. There was some confusion but after we sussed it out I borrowed an accoustic guitar from Bosque Brown and we headed to Garrison's Corrola to record it. Small space, but his microphone was quite hi-tech so I think the sound quality is actually okay. I had first heard this song on a free Optimo New Year compilation and have always been moved by the liquid quality of her voice on the recording."

So there you have it.

Ramesh Srivastava- Shayla

I think that's a good place to transition to Jose Gonzalez, yes? Of course I can't have a covers post and talk about Jose Gonzalez without mentioning his take on the Knife's "Heartbeats." When "Heartbeats" released as a single, the b-side was, well, a live version of the track (That seems like cheating to me, but whatever).

Jose Gonzalez- Heartbeats (Live)

That's not what I wanted to talk about, though. In 2005 Gonzalez released a pretty limited Australian Tour EP. The first track on the EP is a cover of Joy Division's infamous "Love Will Tear Us Apart." I know I probably don't need to give you the backstory, but Joy Division recorded this song pretty much right before Ian Curtis committed suicide. What a sad, sad song.

Jose Gonzalez- Love Will Tear Us Apart

In 2005 Calexico and Iron & Wine got together to record their In The Reins EP. As good as that EP was, I think my favorite part of their partnership was revealed at their live shows, where they frequently played a fantastic cover of the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses." Something about that song has always just killed me; it's definitely one of my favorite Stones songs, and these guys do it justice. This recording is from October 22, 2005, at the Triple Door in Seattle.

Iron and Wine with Calexico- Wild Horses (Live)

You may remember a post I made a month or two ago about Beirut in which I included a Calexico cover of the Clash's "Guns of Brixton." I'll go ahead and post it again here. It's definitely the best cover of the song that I've ever heard.

Calexico- The Guns of Brixton

While I'm posting a couple Calexico tracks I might as well give you their take on the Minutemen's "Corona," eh? In 2004 Calexico released their Convict Pool EP. Among the six tracks on the EP is a cover of "Corona," complete with mariachi band. It's such a great song to begin with, and I love their take on it.

Calexico- Corona

I'll round out this post with the song that inspired it: Britt Daniel's take on Sam Cooke's immortal "Bring It On Home To Me." This track just came out on Bridging the Distance, a compilation of covers from Portland area bands. I would suggest that everyone go to the site and BUY IT... I mean, come on, it's only $10. I honestly wish I could post just about every track from the compilation.

Britt Daniel- Bring It On Home To Me

Alright, that's all for today.

Enjoy.

slow dancing barefoot on a dusty front porch somewhere

2007-04-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

I was looking through a few blogs the other day - you know, sizing up the competition - when I came across I AM FUEL, YOU ARE FRIENDS. Normally I don't get too excited over anything I see on other blogs, but her Sam Cooke post caught my eye. You probably could have guessed by the name of the site (I was boooooooorn by the river...) that I am a huge Sam Cooke fan.

In addition to posting over 500* covers of one of the greatest songs of all time, she wrote something so perfect that I can't get it out of my head:

...it always sounds to me like slow dancing barefoot on a dusty front porch somewhere.

Try listening to the original version of "Bring It On Home To Me" without thinking about that line now. I dare you.

*Rough estimate... I stopped counting after 16 or 17

New Architecture in Helsinki (Some Old Architecture in Helsinki, Too)

2007-04-27T14:19:00.001-07:00

Architecture in Helsinki's newest album, Places Like This, isn't due out until August, but the first single has already leaked to the net.

Architecture in Helsinki- Heart it Races

I've never been a huge Architecture in Helsinki fan, but there's something about this song that I really like. I dunno, check it out for yourself.

Like I said, I've never been a huge fan, so I don't have a ton of rare tracks or anything. I have a few that you might not have heard. We'll see...

This next track has appeared on a few limited EP's, the first of which (I'm fairly certain) being 2002's Like a Call EP.

Architecture in Helsinki- Sooner than Soon

I like this track a lot too. I dunno, maybe I'm coming around; starting to see the light...

I was also going to post up a live version of "It's 5!" from the Architecture in Helsinki/Takka Takka/Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 2006 tour EP, but I just realized I already posted that a long time ago. Oh well, here it is again...

Architecture in Helsinki- It's 5! (Live)

Enjoy.

S is for Islands

2007-04-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

On March 30th Islands released an extremely limited 2-track 7-inch, -S-, as part of Tomlab's Alphabet Series. The a-side is "Flesh," a previously unreleased track that predates Islands' 2006 debut album Return to the Sea. I've heard that "Flesh" was actually the first track the band ever recorded, and the Unicorns even played it at their final shows. The b-side is a brand new track (!) called "Dnttakemy Wingzz Away." I've liked "Flesh" since the first time I heard it, but "Dnttakemy Wingzz Away" definitely took a few listens to grow on me. I like both tracks quite a bit, though.

Islands- Flesh
Islands- Dnttakemy Wingzz Away

You didn't really think I was going to leave the post at that, did you? This is Born by the River...

The second single from Return to the Sea was the infinitely infectious "Rough Gem." The single released with a b-side called "Big Bluff."

Islands- Big Bluff

And just because I love "Rough Gem," here's the video, directed by Nick Diamonds himself...

One last surprise for you. Islands' cover of the Kinks classic "Waterloo Sunset" (for the record, one of my favorite songs of all time)

Islands- Waterloo Sunset

Enjoy.

Photo by Clever Name

I've Been Slacking

2007-04-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

My apologies. I mean that sincerely.

Trost and I have been throwing around a couple ideas, but never really getting around to creating anything.

That, and I haven't been listening to any new music lately. Well, I mean, I haven't been listening to new music that I haven't already written about here.

I appreciate all the comments and emails, though. I definitely have a Born by the River to-do list (in my head), and responding to all of those comments and emails is at #2, directly below following up on my White Stripes promise. Now that I think about it, though, another White Stripes post would effectively take care of about half of those emails. Two birds with one stone. Yes? Or two things on my to-do list with one post. That seems more relevant. And realistic. Who has ever hit two birds with one stone? In the same throw, I mean. If anyone ever has, they probably weren't trying to.

Point being, I'll start posting again shortly.

Remember The White Stripes?

2007-04-12T15:29:00.001-07:00

Jack White has ruled over the indie rock world in the 21st century, but I think people lose sight of his greatness amidst all of the magazine covers and Coke commercials. De Stijl and White Blood Cells are two of my favorite albums, and while Elephant and Get Behind Me Satan may not be as raw and authentic feeling, they are both pretty awesome in their own right.

I had very high hopes for the Raconteurs album, and honestly, I came away from that very, very disappointed. I guess I'd rather hear a Jack White solo album, or just another White Stripes album.

I'm not sure how much interest there is, but I have quite a few White Stripes rarities (b-sides, bonus tracks, live tracks, etc) that I'd like to share.

In 2000, the White Stripes released a fairly rare Party of Special Things to Do 7-inch. The a-side contained "Party of Special Things to Do," while the b-side held "China Pig" and a cover of Captain Beefheart's "Ashtray Heart."

The White Stripes- Party of Special Things to Do (One of my favorite Stripes songs)
The White Stripes- China Pig
The White Stripes- Ashtray Heart

Also in 2000, the White Stripes recorded a song called "Hand Springs" that, along with a Dirtbombs track called "Cedar Pointe 76," came free with a certain number of copies of a magazine called Multiball. I know... wtf right?

The White Stripes- Hand Springs (Another of my favorite Stripes tracks ever)

I'm not sure what else to post, and, like I said, I'm not sure if anyone is interested. Drop a comment if you'd like to hear more.

Enjoy.

Top 3 Reasons That Pitchfork Should Not Be Taken Seriously

2007-04-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Definitely not the only reasons... Just the top 3.

One

Two

Three

So completely ridiculous.

Sorry, I don't have a real post for today. I have something planned for tomorrow, though.

More Rare Guillemots (I was going to do it no matter what)

2007-04-09T14:19:00.001-07:00

So a few days ago I told you I'd post up some more Guillemots b-sides and rarities if you asked for them. Well, you did ask for them, but honestly, I probably would have posted some more anyways.

I'll start with a couple b-sides....

Last year Guillemots released "Made-Up Love Song #43" as the second single from their fantastic album Through the Windowpane. The CD version of the single came with two b-sides, a demo of a song called "Woody Brown River," and "The Dormouse & The Meerkat."

Guillemots- Woody Brown River (Demo)
Guillemots- The Dormouse & The Meerkat

I seriously have so many rare Guillemots tracks that I don't know where to go next. I guess I'll go with the two tracks that came exculsively on the Japanese Edition of From the Cliffs.

Guillemots- Moonlight
Guillemots- Pa Moila

The third official Guillemots release was a four track EP called Of the Night that was available for download on the band's website. I've heard that it released on CD and Vinyl later, but I have never seen either.

Guillemots- She's Evil
Guillemots- The Rising Tide
Guillemots- Bad Boyfriend
Guillemots- By the Water

I'll round out this post at an even 10 tracks with a couple live recordings you probably haven't heard. These two tracks are sound desk recordings from last year's november 25th London Calling show.

Guillemots- 21st May
Guillemots- Words

Ok, that's enough for today. I have a couple more, but these are my favorites. Let me know what you think.

Enjoy.

Photo by Laurencea

That Good Ol' Born By The River Sound

2007-04-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

I've never really explained the name of this site... Yes, yes, it was taken from one of the greatest songs of all time, but it also seemed like a good way to express my love for bluegrass, americana, country, rockabilly, blues, etc. Real music. Music that has that born by the river soul. It's something that you just don't find that often anymore.

Trainwreck Riders... For a while I kept hearing tales of their raucous live sets, so about a week ago I hunted down a copy of their 2006 album, Lonely Road Revival. How had I not heard this band before? They're awesome. For some reason, after listening to their album, I felt a strange desire to break out Cosmo's Factory. Check em out...

Trainwreck Riders- Through Unto the End

Trainwreck Riders- Old Timey Feeling

Also, check out their Daytrotter session from not too long ago.

I don't remember where I first heard about Cassino. I think the cover of their album, Sounds of Salvation (released March 29th), caught my eye somewhere. If Tweedy and Farrar were still making music together, this is what it would sound like. I really, really like this album.

Cassino- The Old Year

Cassino- Platano

I would like to publicly declare my love for Free Indie dot com. I should go ahead and declare my love for Carlon, too. A couple weeks ago I downloaded Free Indie's Carlon webmix, and I've been listening to it daily ever since.

"Carlon is the beer drinker's indie band."

Say no more.

Carlon- Ferris Wheel

I'd also like to point out that "Ferris Wheel" is one of the best songs I've heard in a long time. If you listen to nothing else in this post, listen to "Ferris Wheel." Please.

Enjoy.

Some Guillemots You Haven't Heard

2007-04-02T12:29:00.001-07:00

So a month or two ago I wrote a quick piece about Guillemots. We didn't get any comments on it, but I've received a few emails asking to re-up those tracks. Actually, I've been getting requests for more Guillemots rarities as well.

Well, you are in luck; I have for you those original two tracks and a few others...

First, here's the version of "Annie, Lets Not Wait" that released as a single, and the two b-sides that came along with it:

Guillemots- Annie, Lets Not Wait (Sngle Version)

Guillemots- Photograph (Demo)

Guillemots- Take Me Out (Live)

So what next...

Well, I have the two b-sides from the "Trains to Brazil" single from 2006...

Guillemots- White Rag

Guillemots- Blue Eyes

Is that enough? Do you want more? Ungrateful bastards...

Jokes.

But seriously, if you want some more rare Guillemots tracks, drop a comment, let me know; I have plenty, and you know me, I like sharing.

All I ask is that you tell your friends about Born by the River. And your cousins. And brothers and sisters. Or just random people on the street. Hell, buy a Born by the River t-shirt. They don't exist yet, but I know Trost is dying for an excuse to make some. Give him a reason; request one.

Enjoy.

Photo by Laurencea

Born By The River Compilation: Volume I

2007-03-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. The Voxtrot album provided a decent time for a break.

We're back, though, and we come bearing gifts. Actually, just one gift, but it's a good one.

Trost and I have decided to put together a compilation; our favorite tracks from the first quarter of 2007. The idea is kind of that this will become a regular thing, where we put out a compilation every quarter.

You have two ways to get it; you can either follow the first link to the zip file, or you can get the tracks individually. I like to promote free will, so you go ahead and get the compilation whichever way makes you more comfortable.

Born by the River: Volume I

1. Great Lake Swimmers- Your Rocky Spine
2. Elvis Perkins- While You Were Sleeping
3. Wilco- Impossible Germany
4. Voxtrot- Stephen
5. Son Volt- Methamphetamine
6. Kings of Leon- Black Thumbnail
7. Feist- My Moon My Man
8. Josh Ritter- Daddy's Little Pumpkin
9. Tokyo Police Club- A Lesson In Crime
10. Cloud Cult- Your 8th Birthday
11. Andrew Bird- Heretics
12. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Yankee Go Home
13. The Ponys- Harakiri
14. Willy Mason- When The River Moves On
15. Lou Barlow- Yawning Blue Messiah
16. Arcade Fire- Keep The Car Running

Enjoy.

NEW VOXTROT LP (Pt. 3)

2007-03-21T13:46:00.001-07:00

Still obsessing over the new Voxtrot? Yeah, we are too.

Actually, I can't lie, I was really, really hoping they would use "Sway" as the closer. That might be my favorite Voxtrot track ever. Either that or "They Never Mean What They Say." Hell, any of the slower songs. As good as they are at crafting infinitely catchy, saccharine pop songs, I think they are even better when it comes to slow, sweeping, sad songs.

And lets face it, what would life be without the sad songs?

Voxtrot- Sway (Demo)

Voxtrot- They Never Mean What They Say

That was kind of a dramatic build-up for just two songs, wasn't it... The rest of these aren't sad or slow, but they are pretty rare.

Voxtrot- Angry Mulch

Voxtrot- Love Me Like A Stranger

Voxtrot- You Will Never Be Free

Voxtrot- Stephen (Early Live Version)

Forgive the quality of the last three tracks, they were recorded during live performances. I was planning on keeping those tracks to myself, as I hate posting mp3's that aren't the highest sound quality; but ask and ye shall receive...

Check out Part 1 and Part 2 for more.

Enjoy.

Photo by akmal.naim

NEW VOXTROT LP (Pt. 2)

2007-03-17T12:56:00.001-07:00

Since last night's Voxtrot leak, we honestly haven't listened to, or even cared about, anything else.

Yesterday we mentioned the b-sides, covers, and just general rarities that Voxtrot has floating around.

Today we bring them to you.

You've probably heard tracks like "Warmest Part of the Winter," from that Little Darla compilation, but we have some equally fantastic stuff hidden away that you might not have heard.

After much deliberation, we were able to select six to bring to you...

Voxtrot- I Walk Away

Voxtrot- Razorsharp

Voxtrot- This Is Not My Bloody War

Voxtrot- This Place Has Got No Soul, Kid

Voxtrot- Silence Is A Burden

Voxtrot- Dirty Version

Enjoy.

NEW VOXTROT LP

2007-03-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it pays to stay in on Friday nights.

We just got our hands on the new, self-titled, Voxtrot 11 track LP. The sound is what we have come to expect from the perennial mp3 blog champs; solid song-writing and instrumentation, and sparkling production. I have a feeling they're not going to lose any fans with this release.

There's no need to hype Voxtrot; they are the proverbial it band right now. For good reason, though; three solid EPs, and a slew of rare b-sides and covers, all of which have held me over nicely until today.

The album could have consisted of 11 different versions of "The Start of Something," and I would have been happy.

It doesn't though.

Check out a few of our favorites...

Voxtrot - Introduction

Voxtrot - Real Life Version

And if I'm not mistaken, this is their first time using a synth drum:

Voxtrot - Every Day

I can't stress enough for you all to support this band. Go to their shows, buy their albums and shirts, whatever. And as always, remember where you heard it first.

Enjoy.

EDIT: Let me be the first to say this album is what we've all been waiting for. Make sure you pick it up when it releases, May 22.

EDIT #2: PART TWO IS UP.

Photo By Jason O'Dell

New Ted Leo Bonus Tracks - Mo' Living

2007-03-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists’ newest album, and first in three years, Living With The Living, is set to release March 20th. It's the band's first album on their new label, Touch and Go, as Lookout! Records went under in '06.

The album ships out this coming week, and fans who were nice enough to pre-order a copy will be rewarded; Mo' Living, a 5 track bonus EP of all new material, will also arrive at their doorstep. Of course we got our hands on the EP, and, as always, we're more than happy to share it with you…

You want to hear an interesting cover? How about Leo’s take on Chumbawumba’s “Rappaport's Testament: I Never Gave Up.”

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Rappaport's Testament: I Never Gave Up

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Old Souls Know

And my favorite from Living with the Living...

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Bottle Of Buckie

Enjoy.

Good Shoes

2007-03-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

Good Shoes decided that they would rather I did not write anything about them.

Andre Benjamin aka Dre aka Andre 3000 aka Possum Alowishus Jenkins

2007-03-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Andre's rumored 2007 solo album is far and away my most anticipated 2007 album. It's still just a rumor, but the way Andre has been attacking the mic on his 2007 guest appearances has got me excited.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this. I have no news for you. The other day I heard "What a Job" from Devin the Dude's upcoming album, Waiting to Inhale. Andre has a great verse on that track. Then I heard the "Throw Some D's" remix from Rich Boy's self-titled album, and Andre goes crazy on that as well.

I guess I just feel like people don't appreciate Andre enough. There aren't many, if any, rappers in the same league.

Check out a few of his newer verses, if you haven't heard them already...

Devin the Dude feat. Snoop Dogg & Andre 3000- What a Job

Rich Boy feat. Andre 3000, Jim Jones, Nelly, Murphy Lee & The Game- Throw Some D's (Remix)

DJ Unk feat. Andre 3000 & Jim Jones- Walk it Out (Remix)

Lloyd feat. Andre 3000 & Nas- I Want You (Remix)

Enjoy.

New Arctic Monkeys. Again.

2007-03-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Last month I posted a live recording of "D is for Dangerous," from the Arctic Monkeys' upcoming release, Favourite Worst Nightmare.

Yesterday I came across the first official studio track from the album, "Brianstorm."

Arctic Monkeys- Brianstorm

No, that's not a typo. It really is Brianstorm.

Favourite Worst Nightmare is still slated for an April 23rd release.

Enjoy.

Photo By Mark C. Austin

For Those Of You Still Interested In The Shins

2007-03-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got my hands on the Shins' Japanese release of Wincing the Night Away. The Japanese release came with two bonus tracks that aren't on the American release; "Nothing at All" and "Split Needles (Alternate)." You may recognize both of these tracks from the "Phantom Limb" single released last year.

The Shins- Nothing at All

The Shins- Split Needles (Alternate)

For some reason I always feel guilty when I only bring you a couple mp3's, so here's one more you might not have. This is a b-side to the Shins' 2002 single "Know Your Onion!"

The Shins- Sphagnum Esplanade

Enjoy.

Photo By thomaskrap

NEW F***ING SON VOLT (?)

2007-03-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

I understand why it is such a big deal when Wilco releases a new album, but why doesn't Son Volt release to at least a little bit of fanfare? Son Volt is good. Jay Farrar is pretty cool. He may not be as cool as Tweedy, but who is?

Son Volt's new album, The Search, released 4 days ago (March 6th), and I have still yet to read anything about it anywhere.

As usual, the album is good; it's a slice of that good old americana that we love so much at Born by the River.

Son Volt- Underground Dream

Guns or education? The answer's larger than the Hollywood sign

Son Volt- Methamphetamine

That's all for today.

Enjoy.

Photo By Ipso Photo

NEW F***ING OLD NEIL YOUNG

2007-03-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

Neil Young will release Live at Massey Hall next tuesday, March 13th.

If you didn't already know, Young's 1971 solo acoustic Massey Hall show has become somewhat infamous for two reasons; it was an incredbile show, and it was never officially released. That is, it was never officially released until now. There have been numerous bootlegs floating around, but this is the real deal.

Neil Young- Ohio (Live)

Neil Young- Down By The River (Live)

I don't really know what to end this post with. I'd like to post up some Horsey Craze mp3's or something, but I don't have any of those. I do have a few Constantines Neil Young covers, but I already posted them a couple months ago.

I guess I'll just leave it at that.

Enjoy.

Photo By rustovision

Albert Hammond Jr, The Strokes, and Lou Reed

2007-03-08T14:22:00.000-08:00

What did you think when you heard that Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. was releasing a solo album?

Well, Albert is cool... That much is definitely true.

I waited quite a while to give it a listen, but Yours to Keep really isn't bad at all. It definitely surprised me a bit. It sounds about how you'd expect it to sound, but for some reason I was pleasantly surprised.

I know you probably already have the album, but just incase you don't...

Albert Hammond Jr- Blue Skies

Albert Hammond Jr- Hard to Live (In the City)

I can't have an Albert Hammond post without posting something about the Strokes, so here's the Strokes doing "Walk on the Wild Side" at a show in May of last year...

The Strokes- Walk on the Wild Side (Live)

Has Casablancas ever sounded more like Lou Reed?

Speaking of Lou Reed...

Lou Reed and The Strokes- Walk on the Wild Side (Live)

From the Rolling Stones 1000th issue party. Unfortunately the recording was somewhat ruined by some smarmy bitch saying "now you have some material for your blog... not that I read it." Or something like that. Stupid girl.

Enjoy.

Photo By tinatinatina

Some Beirut You May Not Have Heard

2007-03-07T13:01:00.001-08:00

Last month I got hold of a couple new Beirut tracks that comprise the emusic exclusive Pompeii EP. It's kind of cool that Zach Condon works so hard to always bring his fans new music, but two tracks? Maaan. Kidding. I can't complain.

Beirut- Fountains and Tramways

Beirut- Napoleon on the Bellerophon

And because the Pompeii EP isn't super new, I'll try to throw something else up that you might not have heard...

Last year Beirut hooked up with Calexico to release a very limited split 7-inch. Beirut recorded a track called "The Interior of a Dutch House," that I don't believe has been released on anything else, while Calexico recorded a BBTR favorite, "The Guns of Brixton."

Beirut- Interior of a Dutch House

Calexico- The Guns of Brixton

Enjoy.

Picture By bobbybulat.

New Tokyo Police Club!!!1!!1!

2007-03-06T15:17:00.001-08:00

The Tokyo Police Club bandwagon seems to be picking up speed. I may as well jump on while I still can, eh?

I was going to say that I don't really know that much about them, but I probably know as much as anybody else. I have all of their EP's and singles, so you know, I'll go ahead and try to share.

Their first release was the A Lesson In Crime EP, which released April 27th of last year. You've probably heard that. You may not have heard the UK version, though, and the UK version contains a bonus track...

Tokyo Police Club- Cut Cut Paste

That leads me to the next EP... The upcoming three-track Smith EP. One of the three tracks on the new EP happens to be "Cut Cut Paste."

The third track from the Smith EP may be my favorite yet from the band.

Tokyo Police Club- A Lesson In Crime

"A Lesson In Crime" also appeared on Tokyo Police Club's 2006 tour Ep, along with acoustic versions of 4 tracks from the A Lesson In Crime EP.

Earlier this year -- at the end of last month actually, I think -- Tokyo Police Club had a session with Daytrotter, where they performed two new songs, including "Graves," and the aptly titled "New Song."

Tokyo Police Club told Daytrotter: This was the first song we put together after recording our EP. At the time, we named it “New Song” and reckoned we would change it later, but we have been playing it for months now and it is still just “New Song.” I guess if it ever shows up on a record we will come up with a title.

Tokyo Police Club- New Song (Live Daytrotter Session)

Tokyo Police Club- Graves (Live Daytrotter Session)

I have no clue when they plan on releasing a full-length, but I am pretty excited for it already.

Enjoy.

Picture by theplot

Lupe Fiasco: AOL Session

2007-03-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

Sometime at the end of 06, Lupe Fiasco had a live AOL session. He performed a number of tracks from Food & Liquor (BBTR's 06 Hip Hop album of the year) with a live band backing him. The result is pretty incredible stuff. Check out the videos here.

Or, if you don't feel like clicking the link, here's "Sunshine"...

Lupe Fiasco - Sunshine (Live AOL)

And just incase you wanted some mp3's...

As far as I know, these are the only mp3's from this session on the net. That's right, another Born by the River exclusive.

Lupe Fiasco- Daydreamin' (Live AOL Session)

Lupe Fiasco- Kick, Push (Live AOL Session)

My only complaint is that he didn't do "Hurt Me Soul." Easily my favorite track from Food & Liquor.

Enjoy.

Picture by Hooverdust

NEW F***ING WILCO (CONTINUED)

2007-03-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

Well, I listened to Wilco's Sky Blue Sky all night, and I have to be honest, I was completely blown away. Jeff Tweedy is the most important figure in music right now; he makes rock the way it should be made.

Check out the guitar solos...

Wilco- Impossible Germany

Summerteeth?

Wilco- Sky Blue Sky

Enjoy, and remember where you heard it first.

NEW F***ING WILCO

2007-03-04T00:38:00.001-08:00

For you late night readers, Wilco is streaming their new album, Sky Blue Sky, all night.

I just finished listening to it.

Album of the year.

ENJOY!

EDIT: It's down. Damn. Oh well. I hope you got a chance to hear it.

The First Monthly Request Post

2007-03-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

I think I really am going to take tomorrow off. I've thrown up a post every day for like a month now.

I've been getting emails from time to time asking me about certain bands/tracks, so yesterday I figured I'd start making a monthly request post. Think of it as christmas in march. Or maybe your birthday's in march. In that case, happy birthday.

This first track was requested about a week ago. It was actually a two-part request, and I was unable to fill the second part.

Mikka in Germany:
Could you please help me find two other rare songs? The first is called "the present" and is originally on the sampler "help: a day in the life". The other one is "american kids."

Well, "The Present" I do have. It released on Always New Depths: The Complete Silent Alarm B-Sides & Remixes. Not to be confused with Silent Alarm: Remixed.

Bloc Party- The Present

"American Kids," however, I could not find. From what I have found, all that is available is a 55 second clip. The song was recorded way back in the day, when the band was called Angel Range, and a full version of the song does not exist online.

Anyone care to prove me wrong?

The next 3three requests came just yesterday, and again, I was stumped by one of them. For a different reason.

Garrison in Oregon:
Hold Steady - "Modest isnt that sweet"
Hold Steady - "You have to dance with who you came with"

the song i would literally kill for...
OLIVER FUTURE - "Marcello Mastrioanni"

please. please please.

Well, G, I have the two Hold Steady tracks for you, but I don't know anything about Oliver Future, and can't find that track anywhere.

The two Hold Steady tracks released as bonus tracks to the Australian edition of Almost Killed Me...

The Hold Steady - Modesto is not that Sweet

The Hold Steady - You Gotta Dance (With Who You Came With)

The next request came today, and I'm pretty proud of myself, as it's the only request I have been able to fill completely.

Nate in I don't know where:
Thanks for the rare Kings Of Leon. I'm currently after "Where Nobody Knows." Do you have this song?

Yes, Nate, I do have that song. "Where Nobody Knows" came out as a bonus track on Aha Shake Heartbreak...

Kings of Leon- Where Nobody Knows

Ok, there are a couple more requests that I'm working on filling, so check back; I'll probably be editing things in throughout the weekend.

Enjoy.

And feel free to request more: denton@bornbytheriver.com

Kings of Leon: BBTR's Take

2007-03-01T14:54:00.000-08:00

BBTR = Born by the River. Just incase you didn't know...

So let me fill you in on my history with Kings of Leon. I read about Youth and Young Manhood before it released, and became infatuated with the idea of owning it. I had never heard any of the band's music before, but I fell in love with the band name, the album title, and what I had read about them.

Note: Pops raised me on southern rock: CCR, the Allman Brothers Band, Little Feat, James Gang, etc.

Anyways, I bought Youth and Young Manhood the day it released, and played the hell out of it. I can't think of any albums that I listened to more in 2003 and 2004, despite receiving some poor reviews (like this shitty pitchfork review that spends more time critiquing the backstory than the music itself).

By the time Aha Shake Heartbreak released in early 2005, even pops was a fan. I instantly fell in love with that album, as well. Honestly, I think I will be listening to Aha Shake as long as I live.

Now to the good stuff.

I posted the first single, "On Call," from the new Kings of Leon album, Because of the Times, a few weeks back. I liked the track a lot. It's kind of a departure from their previous garage-blues efforts. Just a day or two after I posted "On Call" I received an advance copy of the album. At first I was kind of disappointed. I don't dig synth shit at all. I like music to be cleanly produced, but studio tricks are not my style. I'm definitely a purist; I like to hear a guitar, a bass, and some drums. The Korg has no place in rock, in my humble opinion.

Trost dug the album right away, but Trost is an easy sell. It took me at least a week to get into Because of the Times, but now I would list it right up there with Andrew Bird, Willy Mason, and the Ponys as the best albums of the year. The band has evolved. They have progressed in many ways. Caleb Followill's vocals are by far the most noticable improvement. I loved them already, but people used to complain endlessly. Now I dont think they have anything to complain about. Because of the Times is a giant step forward for Kings of Leon.

Two of my favorite tracks from the album:

Kings of Leon- Black Thumbnail

Kings of Leon- Ragoo

For some reason, I have a strange emotional attatchment to Kings of Leon, so I might not be the best source for a reliable take on the album, but I would urge everyone to buy it.

One more bonus track... Here's an alternate version of "Molly's Chambers," a b-side from the 2003 "Wasted Time" single...

Kings of Leon- Molly's Hangover

Enjoy.

You'd Never Guess What I've Had on Repeat All Day

2007-02-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

Yeserday I got a copy of Lou Barlow's new Mirror The Eye EP, and I can't stop listening to the opening track, "Yawning Blue Messiah."

I've never been super into Lou Barlow and Sebadoh -- or even Dinosaur Jr, whose new album will be covered here one of these days. I mean, sure he's kinda cool, and Sebadoh had some awesome songs, but I just never completely dug either. What's good with the Sebadoh reunion though? I know they're touring, but is there going to be an album? I actually only know they're touring because they're rolling through my hometown, Eugene, in a few days. Unfortunately I am, and will be, 1200 miles away.

Anyways, "Yawning Blue Messiah." Very good. One of my favorite tracks of the year so far.

Lou Barlow- Yawning Blue Messiah

You can get Mirror The Eye on Amazon for $7.72, so, you know, go ahead and support Lou.

Some Live Josh Ritter For You Ungrateful Bastards

2007-02-27T13:42:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all of the wonderful "happy birthday" comments and emails that I didn't get.

Kidding. Of course.

Back to business.

So, as of the end of last month, Josh Ritter has a new EP out, Live at the Record Exchange. Of the six tracks on the EP, 2 are new; one is a John Prine cover, "Daddy's Little Pumpkin," and the other is one of his own "Bandits." Josh Ritter is one of the few singer/songwriters out right now that I listen to on a consistent basis. Right up there with Willy Mason, Jim Guthrie, Neko Case, etc. Pretty elite company.

Josh Ritter- Daddy's Little Pumpkin (John Prine Cover)

Josh Ritter- Bandits

It's a really good EP, and at $6 it's pretty cheap. Go pick it up.

That's all for today.

Oh, and yes, that handsome devil in yesterday's post is your boy.

Sing Me Happy Birthday...

2007-02-26T14:54:00.000-08:00

... like it's gonna be your last day here on earth.

Sorry, it's my birthday, and I'm taking a day off.

Andrew Bird- The Happy Birthday Song

(From Fingerlings 3)

Mañana...

What Happened to The Magic Numbers?

2007-02-25T14:01:00.000-08:00

Weren't The Magic Numbers kind of a big deal a year or two ago?

Their latest album, Those The Brokes, has released without much commotion. Hell, I didn't even know the album had a single, let alone two, until I received a copy of the second, "This is a Song," a couple days ago. I guess I did receive it just a few days after it released (Feb 19), but still...

I'm gonna go ahead and assume you haven't heard the single...

The Magic Numbers- This is a Song

And, as usual, I've got the b-side for you...

The Magic Numbers- Oh, You Might As Well Live in My Head Now (The Jump Rope Song)

And if you're fiending for more Magic Numbers music, check out "Your Call," from the Concretes 06 album, The Concretes in Colour...

The Concretes- Your Call

Yeah, that last one was kind of a stretch, but I felt like you deserved more than that single and its b-side.

Enjoy.

PS. Be on the lookout for the first Born by the River mix...

Check back in a day or two.

The Sea and Cake

2007-02-24T14:26:00.000-08:00

I think it would probably be impossible to dislike Sam Prekop's voice. That said, it would be hard for The Sea and Cake to put out a bad record. Everything they release is going to at least sound pleasant. They kind of have an unfair advantage.

I received an advance copy of The Sea and Cake's upcoming album (Due out May 8), Everybody, a few days ago.

I've only had a chance to listen to it a handful of times, but I definitely like what I've heard so far. They do manage to sound more like Belle & Sebastian than ever, though. Is that a good thing? I dunno... how much do you like Belle & Sebastian?

Sam Prekop calls Everybody “the most straight ahead, even ‘rootsy’ record we’ve ever made.”

I don't think rootsy is the first word that comes to mind when listening to this album, but I can definitely see where he's coming from there.

The Sea and Cake- Up on Crutches
The Sea and Cake- Exact to Me

As usual, I would urge you to buy this album.

That's all for today.

Some Casiotone For The Painfully Alone...

2007-02-23T13:34:00.000-08:00

I can't help but like Owen Ashworth. I usually don't dig music that is even remotely electronic, but damn, Casiotone For The Painfully Alone is cool.

He released a split 7-inch with Foot Foot earlier this month (February 13). On it, Ashworth blesses us with an acoustic gem, "It's A Crime." I honestly think he should change the name, and ditch the electronics all together. I like him so much more when he's playing a guitar.

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone- It's A Crime

If you need more proof that he's better acoustically, check out "Jeanne, If You're Ever In Portland," from his 2006 Daytrotter Session. It is about one thousand times better than the original version.

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone- Jeanne, If You're Ever In Portland (Daytrotter Session)

And just to round out the post a bit, here's Ashworth's cover of Paul Simon's "Graceland," from the Casiotone Graceland EP...

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone- Graceland

Enjoy.

Bloc Party: Bonus Tracks and B-sides (Pt. 3.5)

2007-02-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

It took me way too long to figure out that "Hero," which was requested yesterday, is not a new track. I searched and searched through all the different Weekend In The City related releases.

Eventually I figured out that "Hero" was a b-side to the 2005 "Two More Years" Single/EP. Then I found out that Hero only came out on certain versions of the single (Not the 7 inch, which is the first thing I found)

The Two More Years EP released alongside the Silent Alarm Remixed album... Kind of as a supplement.

Ok enough talking, right?

Bloc Party- Hero

I kind of feel bad only leaving you with one mp3 for the day, so I'll also give you this... The video for the Streets "Banquet" remix that also came out on the Two More Years EP...

Enjoy.

Modest Mouse... Sigh

2007-02-21T14:47:00.000-08:00

What happened to the Modest Mouse I fell in love with?

I should preface this by saying that I don't dislike them because they're popular now. It's not like I've been down since 76 or whatever anyways.

I heard the band for the first time when I snuck into my friend's older brother's room, and listened to Lonesome Crowded West about 10 years ago. But it wasn't until I heard The Moon & Antarctica a few years later that I really fell in love with them. Their music had a way of making me sad. It's not like I enjoyed being sad, though. I mean, come on... I was, for all intents and purposes, still a kid. The music just rattled me to the core. When Isaac Brock told me "The universe is shaped exactly like the earth; if you go straight long enough you'll end up where you were," it was the deepest, most profound thing I had ever heard.

So they've changed. Big deal. It's not a terrible thing. Good News For People Who Love Bad News yielded some great tracks. Of course, it also seemed to start their transition into the pop strata. "Float On," though admittedly a great, great single, may ultimately turn out to be the turning point in this band's career. We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank sounds, to me, like Modest Mouse making music that they think people will like. It doesn't sound honest. It isn't dangerous. I was just talking to a friend about the album, and I think he nailed it when he said that it was too safe for Modest Mouse. It sounds to me like they are trying to recreate Float On with most of the tracks.

I said a month or so ago, in jest, that I was regionally obligated to love Modest Mouse. I still love the band, but now it's more the way you love a good friend that you haven't seen in years.

Sorry you had to read through that. What can I give you as a reward...

Here's a track that you might not have heard. It originally appeared on the now out of print Interstate 8 EP in 1996. It reappeared later as a bonus track to the This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About vinyl release. As far as I know, that's it. Here it is in its original form:

Modest Mouse- Edit The Sad Parts

This one also appeared as a bonus track to the vinyl This Is A Long Drive...

Modest Mouse- A Manic Depressive Named Laughing Boy

That's all for today.

A Bit More Willy Mason

2007-02-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

Slow day today. Not much going on. I did get my hands on the new Willy Mason "Save Myself" single, though. Save Myself is probably my favorite track off If The Ocean Gets Rough. I can't get enough of it.

Anyways, it came with a pretty sick b-side, so here you go...

Willy Mason- Take Control

I also found a collection a couple days ago called Scraps. It's all unreleased or reworked tracks from Willy Mason's older stuff. Some of it is really, really good.

Check out his cover of John Lennon's "Nobody Told Me."

Willy Mason- Nobody Told Me (John Lennon Cover)

And also, a version of "Oxygen" that kicks the ass of the original...

Willy Mason- Oxygen (Pedal Steel Version)

The Save Yourself CD single releases the day after tomorrow officially (February 22nd), but I can't find any official info for Scraps.

I'm telling you, buy this guy's music. He's doing it right.

(Sidenote, come on Gunners, put one away in the second half...)

Kaiser Chefs. Er. Kaiser Chiefs.

2007-02-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

Kaiser Chiefs have a new single out. You've probably heard it.

Kaiser Chiefs- Ruby

The single released, uh, today on CD. Like most singles, it has some b-sides. And like most b-sides, I have them for you.

Actually, I believe the CD has one b-side, and the 7-inch has a different b-side.

From the CD...

Kaiser Chiefs- From The Neck Down

And from the 7-inch...

Kaiser Chiefs- Admire You

That's all for today. Too much going on. I appreciate all the feedback we've been getting. Keep the comments and emails coming. It's fun.

Bloc Party: Bonus Tracks and B-sides (Pt. 3)

2007-02-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, I lied. Yesterday I told you I was done for the weekend.

But you knew I couldn't stay away.

I come to you today with the final installment of the Bloc Party bonus tracks and b-sides series.

I just have three for you today, but they were the hardest to find. Well, two of them were hard to find...

The first one was easy, it was a purevolume free download.

Bloc Party- Visions of Heaven

These next two (I see you Tegan), though, were a bit more difficult. They were both iTunes exclusives...

Bloc Party- Atonement
Bloc Party- Cain Said To Abel

Alright, I think that's everything. Yes?

Enjoy.

Edit: I lose.

Bloc Party- Selfish Son

Is that all of them?

What's New?

2007-02-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling a little burnt out lately. Lots of shit going on. I think I'm only gonna throw up one post this weekend, so I'll go ahead and make it a good, wide-ranging one.

In fact, I think I'm gonna make this "What's New?" thing a weekly type deal. Maybe monthly. Or bi-weekly. Or bi-monthly. Whichever means twice every month. Or once every two weeks. Actually I'll just try to do it every weekend. I'll make it slightly more obscure music that you might not have otherwise heard about. Cool?

I'll start this week off with a band that I heard for the first time a few months ago, Woods. Not "The" Woods; just Woods. To be honest, when the first track clicked on, I thought it was a Devendra Banhart band. The lead singer has that familiar warble. Check out my favorite track from their album, At Rear House...

Woods- Don't Pass On Me

This track is from a band that you're probably familiar with, Maximo Park. This is the first leaked track from their upcoming album. You might be familiar with the track, too. I dunno, I'm not really down with the band, but you might be, so check it out.

Maximo Park- Our Velocity

Check the vid, too...

Hmmm, what next? I'll go with Hotel Alexis. Their album, Goliath, I'm On Your Side, has been out for a little while. If you haven't heard Hotel Alexis, they make quiet, I guess what would be described as country-folkish music. Nobody would actually use those words to describe it. That's a Born by the River exclusive. But anyways, the album has a kind of dark aura. I don't really know how to describe it. You're probably not going to feel it through a single track, so I would advise you to buy the album. It really is worth it, in my opinion.

Hotel Alexis- Sister Ray

Next, how about Grinderman. I told Trost that I didn't want to do a whole piece on Grinderman because it would probably expose my lack of Nick Cave knowledge. I guess I just exposed it anyways, but at least I'm not trying to front, right? So yeah, Grinderman is a new Nick Cave project, and it rocks. I don't know what else to say about it. Sorry. Just listen. It's good.

Grinderman- Go Tell The Women

How about Great Lake Swimmers. I got an advance copy of their new album, Ongiara, the other day. I've never really been into the band, but there are some tracks that I like, including this one...

Great Lake Swimmers- Your Rocky Spine

Alright, to finish it up, how about one of my favorite songs of all time, covered by one of the greatest bands of all time. From Endless Highway: The Music Of The Band...

The Allman Brothers Band- The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

I'm sorry, I have more. I really just feel like I can't type anymore, and I really want to get this up tonight. I'll include some of the other stuff next weekend.

Enjoy.

Bloc Party: Bonus Tracks and B-sides (Pt. 2)

2007-02-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, Bloc Party part deux is here.

A couple days ago I brought you four tracks that came with various forms of A Weekend in the City, and today I have four more for you.

This first track, probably my favorite of the group, came out as a b-side to "The Prayer" CD single.

Bloc Party- We Were Lovers

This next track came, as you probably could have guessed, as a b-side to the same single...

Bloc Party- The Prayer (Phones Metal Jackin' Mix)

There's only one bonus track in this group of tracks, and it's from the Best Buy exclusive version...

Bloc Party- Emma Kate's Accident

The last track came as a b-side to the first version of the 7 inch release of the Prayer single. If that makes any sense...

Bloc Party- England

Ok, I believe that's it. If you have any other rare Bloc Party tracks that I haven't put up, I'd love to hear them/hear about them. Just drop me an email. Or a comment. Or whatever.

Denton@bornbytheriver.com

Enjoy.

Lupe Fiasco: Put It In Your Car And Cruise

2007-02-14T23:09:00.000-08:00

It's a story we've all heard before: Lupe Fiasco single-handedly bringing back real hip-hop and whatnot. I heard all the Tribe, De La, etc comparisons before I had heard Lupe on anything other than that Kanye track.

I liked "Kick, Push," but I didn't even listen to Food & Liquor for a while after it released. To be honest, the hype turned me off to the album initially.

So it turned out this kid really did have some skills.

Food & Liquor ended up battling Nas for my favorite hip-hop album of 2006, and, in the end, it probably came out on top.

"Daydreamin'," which features Jill Scott, was released last year as a single, but it never really came out as a proper single with b-sides and whatnot. It just had the album version/radio version/instrumental. Actually, I believe one version came out with "Kick, Push" as a second track, which doesn't make much sense to me, but whatever.

Anyways, it released this year the way it should have in the first place, with a couple of niiice b-sides that would have fit in nicely anywhere on the album.

Lupe Fiasco- And He Gets The Girl
Lupe Fiasco- Theme Music To A Drive-By

..devious skill that make a strong-willed nigga wane/since a lil nigga hang/with the killas and distributers of caine/they dismemberers of swishers and refill it with the jane/then they tilt it and they lit it with a flame/then they took a pull of killa to the brain like...

And just for fun... Actually you've probably already seen this, but check it out again. Styles P., Papoose, and Lupe on BET. Lupe is nice as usual, but Papoose actually surprised me with a couple intelligent lines before he reverted back to gradeschool punchlines...

Over 100 soldiers died this month, I drop info/out of 100, the majority was negros

Enjoy.

Bloc Party: Bonus Tracks and B-sides (Pt. 1)

2007-02-14T11:29:00.001-08:00

So I've noticed that Bloc Party released almost a whole album worth of bonus tracks and b-sides with various versions of their latest album, A Weekend In The City. I figure there's a good chance that you don't have all of them. I did a little digging, and compiled all that I could find...

These two tracks came as bonus tracks exclusively on the Target Weekend in the City release...

Bloc Party- The Once and Future King
Bloc Party- Secrets

This track came as a bonus track to the album through eMusic...

Bloc Party- Rhododendron

This track I've seen a couple places. It came out as a limited b-side to one of the versions of "The Prayer" single, but it also came out as a Best Buy bonus track...

Bloc Party- Version 2.0

The best is still to come. Check back in a day or two.

Parts two and three are now up.

The Snake The Cross The Crown

2007-02-13T11:25:00.001-08:00

I heard the band name, and I knew they'd be good; The Snake The Cross The Crown... Damn.

I've never heard anything from this band before. I've actually never heard of this band. I'm telling you though, a good name goes a long way. When I came across the advance of their new album, Cotton Teeth, I didn't just cast it aside like I do with most... I saw the ill name and decided I'd give it a listen.

To me they sound, at times, like Wildflowers-era Tom Petty, or maybe Wilco during a melodic country-folkish moment... with the occasional synth layer of course.

I can see this album competing for serious time in the changer for quite a while.

The Snake The Cross The Crown- Cotton Teeth
The Snake The Cross The Crown- Behold the River

Also, check out a live performance of "Cakewalk" (And try to tell me that you don't hear "It's Good to be King")

Their album, Cotton Teeth, releases March 20th. I really hope people support this band. They make good music.

Enjoy.

New Arctic Monkeys...

2007-02-12T11:30:00.001-08:00

Two nights ago the Arctic Monkeys played a secret show at Sheffield's Leadmill where they played 6 of the 12 announced tracks from their upcoming sophomore album, Favourite Worst Nightmare (due out April 23rd).

Here is the tracklist for Favourite Worst Nightmare...

01. Brianstorm
02. Teddy Picker
03. D is for Dangerous
04. Balaclava
05. Fluorescent Adolescent
06. Only Ones Who Know
07. Do Me a Favour
08. This House Is a Circus
09. If You Were There, Beware
10. The Bad Thing
11. Old Yellow Bricks
12. 505

And because I love you all so very much, here is "D is for Dangerous" from the Leadmill show...

Arctic Monkeys- D is for Dangerous (Live At Leadmill)

Enjoy.

And remember where you heard it first.

Peter Bjorn and John: The Young Folks

2007-02-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

So I just got the US release of Peter Bjorn and John's Writer's Block, and it came with a 6-track bonus disk. Two of the tracks, "All Those Expectations (Weak Mix)" and "Ancient Curse," released already as b-sides to the Young Folks single, and one of the other tracks, "Self Pity," released as a b-side to Lets Call it Off. Then there is a version of Young Folks called the "Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve Re-Animation," apparently done by Erol Alkan (it manages to sound curiously like the original version...), and the "original version" of Lets Call it Off. The only track from the bonus disk that I hadn't heard is called "Sitar Folks."

Peter Bjorn and John- Sitar Folks

I guess there's a good chance that you haven't heard all of those b-sides yet, so I'll go ahead and pass them along as well...

Peter Bjorn and John- All Those Expectations (Weak Remix)
Peter Bjorn and John- Ancient Curse
Peter Bjorn and John- Self-Pity

And just for fun, from their last album, 2005's Falling Out...

Peter Bjorn and John- Teen Love

That's all for now.

Yo La Tengo Is Not Afraid Of You...

2007-02-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

So how many of you are into the whole iTunes/buying digital music scene? No one? That's cool. I didn't really think you were. It's probably safe to assume, then, that you haven't heard the Yo La Tengo iTunes exclusive live EP, right? I actually hadn't heard anything about it until I happened across it completely by chance.

From the Matador website: "There's really no better way to commemorate the way Yo La Tengo's awe inspiring 'I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Am Going To Beat Your Ass' has been screwed in so many of the year end polls (admittedly, not all of 'em, just those that we'll never again try to rig ) than with a new EP, exclusively available from the iTunes Music Store."

Amen.

The four tracks on the EP could not be more different. Two of the tracks, "Pass The Hatchet..." and "The Weakest Part," are from I Am Not Afraid Of You... The third track, Luci Baines, as I have discovered after copious amounts of research, is a cover of the mid-60's Arthur Lee track by the same name.

Yo La Tengo- Luci Baines

From Allmusicguide: "Like most of Arthur Lee's pre- Love releases, "Luci Baines" is a copy of another record, this time the Isley Brothers original, pre- Beatles version of "Twist & Shout." Written as a tribute to then-president Lyndon Johnson's daughter Lucy Baines Johnson, the almost bossa nova rhythm is about as infectious as the Isleys' version, and the band performance is pure frat house groove."

I'm not exactly sure where the last track is from. Someone want to fill me in?

Yo La Tengo- El Es Gay

Also, just for fun, and to stick with our Daniel Johnston theme (well, I guess it's not a theme yet. I'll establish it as a theme now)

Yo La Tengo- Speeding Motorcycle

Daniel Johnston- Speeding Motorcycle

I used to have a really cool version of speeding motorcycle that Yo La Tengo did for a WFMU pledge drive, where Daniel Johnston actually calls in and does the vocals over the phone. If I can find that, I'll put it up later this weekend, so check back.

Someone Should Check Willy Mason's Birth Certificate

2007-02-09T12:12:00.001-08:00

I'll preface this by admitting that I have never heard Willy Mason's first album. I've heard of it, is that good enough? No? Oh well.

I recently came across an advance copy of his new album, If the Ocean Gets Rough. I wasn't particularly intrigued at first; I didn't know much about Willy Mason. I had heard that he toured with the Decemberists once. Oh, and he claims to be 22.

That's pretty much it.

I said a while ago that the albums that end up sounding are the best usually sneak up on me. I never see them coming. That theory has, once again, held true.

To be honest, after a week of listening I really haven't found anything about this album that I dislike. From the beautiful second track, "The World I Wanted," that is probably going to hit painfully close to home for a lot of people, to the immensely catchy first single, "Save Myself," there aren't any weak spots on the album.

I wish I could bring you all 11 tracks. I would really encourage everyone to buy this album when it comes out on March 19th.

Willy Mason- The World That I Wanted
Willy Mason- When The River Moves On

Also, check out his 2005 single, Oxygen.

Willy Mason- Oxygen

Enjoy.

The Hold Steady...

2007-02-08T09:31:00.001-08:00

I have always wanted my life to be like a Hold Steady song. Well, I wanted to live like Sal Paradise or Henry Chinaski long before anyone had heard of the Hold Steady. You get the idea though.

I got the Australian Retail copy of Boys and Girls in America a few days ago (it released officially January 29th), and there are a few bonus tracks to go along with the 11 from the American release. My first response when I saw this was to flip, as the first bonus track is "For Boston." I immediately thought of The Dropkick Murphys- For Boston; the opening track from Sing Loud, Sing Proud is one of my favorite songs.

The Dropkick Murphys- For Boston

Alas, it is not the same track. It is, however, still worth listening to.

The Hold Steady- For Boston

My favorite of the bonus tracks is "Arms and Hearts." It's a bit of a slower track, driven by a haunting drumline until the guitar falls in at about the 1:12 mark. It continues to creep along at the same rate until it blows up into the type of Hold Steady song that we have come to know and love at about the 2:26 mark. I'm really digging it.

The Hold Steady- Arms and Hearts

Then there is a curious departure...

The Hold Steady- American Music

Is this really the Hold Steady? I can dig it...

And just for fun... Cattle and the Creeping Things from the Hold Steady's set at Lollapalooza 2006.

(Shout out to A.J. Pierzynski?)

The Hold Steady- Cattle and the Creeping Things (Live)

That's all for now.

Three Cheers for the King of the Jungle Gym...

2007-02-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

About a month ago...

Trost: this cloud cult is pretty decent
Denton: I hate it

A few weeks later...

Denton: Im digging some of this cloud cult album
Trost: you were telling me how much it sucked
Denton: no...

As you will undoubtedly find out, I end up putting my foot in my mouth quite often. Another example: There is no way Arbouretum and The Besnard Lakes are going to be my two favorite albums of the year. What exactly was I thinking? Both albums are great, but damn, come on Denton...

Back to Cloud Cult...

You've probably heard The Meaning of 8, their newest album. I have NEVER liked them in the past, but I find myself coming back to this album time and time again. I was absolutely hooked after I heard "Your 8th Birthday."

Cloud Cult- Your 8th Birthday

Anyways, I have come across a few tracks that the band recorded initially for the album. They were, for whatever reason, scrapped, along with a couple dozen others that will apparently "never see the light of day."

Cloud Cult- 818
Clout Cult- Step Forward

And my personal favorite...

Cloud Cult- May Your Lives Be Long

I actually like "May Your Lives Be Long" more than quite a bit of the stuff on the album, and that's saying something; it's a very, very good album.

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out the "Chemicals Collide" video...

Enjoy.

What ever happened to the Brian Jonestown Massacre?

2007-02-06T14:33:00.001-08:00

We haven't heard anything from the Brian Jonestown Massacre since God is My Girlfriend, the last track from their 2005 We are the Radio EP, faded out.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre- God Is My Girlfriend

(Begin: Tangent

Well, that isn't *entirely* true. Ex-BJM member Brian Glaze released his first solo album last year, Let's Go to the Sea. That kind of counts, right? It isn't a bad album at all. Jangly, guitar driven, 60's sounding psychedelic pop that earned inevitable comparisons to Roky Erickson, Syd Barrett, and Sky Saxon.

Brian Glaze- Don't Believe in Love

End: Tangent)

You're probably wondering what made me think of Brian Jonestown Massacre, yes?

A few weeks ago I came across the 5-track debut self-titled EP of a band called LSD and the Search for God. You should know, I am a sucker for cool band names. The ridiculously awesome band name, coupled with the EP's cover, had me expecting the greatest album in the history of the world.

After a quick listen I realized that it was probably not the greatest album in the history of the world. It is, however, a very cool album. Think My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus and Mary Chain, or, more recently, the Brian Jonestown Massacre on a shoegazing day.

LSD and the Search for God- This Time
LSD and the Search for God- Starting Over

LSD and the Search for God's debut EP released officially on January 16th. Go buy it... You won't regret it.

Ah, but this is only the beginning.

A couple days ago I elected to continue my journey down into the proverbial rabbit hole when I picked up a copy of an album called "A Purple Journey into the Mod Machine," by a band called the Dolly Rocker Movement.

Hmmm, the Dolly Rocker Movement... Syd Barrett?

Syd Barrett- Dolly Rocker

The band's myspace describes their sound as "What would happen if Bolan,Barrett & Donovan went flying high on the west coast with Saxon & Bonniwell. An aural assault of psychedelic splendour and garage rock with the occasional splash of folk/country."

A more fitting description there never was. Although, they could have also just said "Sounds like: the Brian Jonestown Massacre."

Jokes aside, I'm really digging this album.

The Dolly Rocker Movement- My Friend
The Dolly Rocker Movement- Hers and Mine

A Purple Journey Into the Mod Machine released sometime at the end of 2006. I really don't know the official date.

So go ahead and drop some acid, give these two bands a listen, and let me know what you think.

The Decemberists: From Portland to Winooski

2007-02-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Decemberists hail from Portland, Oregon, about 2 hours north of the city I was raised in. I've seen them live a number of times dating back to around 2002, and they never disappoint. I loved their first two albums, but I thought Picaresque (2005), their third album, was kind of a let down. Their newest, The Crane Wife (2006), definitely has its moments. The album's fourth track, "O Valencia!" would qualify as one of these moments, and The Decemberists have wisely elected to release it as a single (February 15th).

You guessed it, I have a copy of the single, and I'd like to bring you the b-sides.

The Decemberists- After the Bombs
The Decemberists- Culling of the Fold

If you bought The Crane Wife from iTunes or Tower Records, you may have heard one (or both I guess) of these tracks. "After the Bombs" was released as a bonus track with the album on iTunes, while "Culling of the Fold" came as a bonus track from Tower Records. Our sources tell us that the latter was the last track scrapped from The Crane Wife, and was likely done at the behest of Capitol Records.

I guess those might be old news to some, so here is the best/worst cover of all time from a show the Decemberists performed in Burlington, Vermont (the city I was born in)...

The Decemberists- Your Love (Outfield Cover)

Ah, what the hell, here's another cover...

The Decemberists- Wuthering Heights (Kate Bush Cover)

Enjoy.

New Arcade Fire...

2007-02-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

On January 31st the Arcade Fire played a show at St. John's in London. At the show they played a cover of the Clash's "The Guns of Brixton," and, well here it is:

The Arcade Fire- The Guns of Brixton (Live)

And just for the hell of it, here is the original:

The Clash- The Guns of Brixton

A low quality copy of Neon Bible (set to release March 6th) is floating around the net, but we don't mess with low quality at Born by the River. If you haven't heard it, here are a few tracks from the album...

The first single:

The Arcade Fire- Black Mirror

One more...

The Arcade Fire- Intervention

Enjoy.

Kings of Leon

2007-02-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

Kings of Leon are such an underrated band. For some reason *cough*pitchfork*cough* they're completely ignored in the United States. I played both of their first two albums to death. I don't understand how you could listen to the Kings of Leon and not have a smile on your face.

I hate how they've been written off as "southern-fried strokes."

I've always thought of them as a 21st century Molly Hatchet. Maybe even James Gang. Just good ol' southern rock.

"Lets throw on some Kings of Leon, kick back, drink some beer, and shoot the shit."

Anyways, Kings of Leon have had the first track, "On Call," from their upcoming album, Because of the Times, up on their myspace for a while now. Needless to say, I'm digging it. Anyways, I've gotten my hands on the mp3, so if you'd like it, here it is:

Kings of Leon- On Call

Because of the Times will release April 3rd, and it is one of the 2007 albums that I am truly looking forward to.

He Goes by N Now

2007-02-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

Real quick.

Nas.

The best doing it. The best to ever do it. Nas is hip-hop.

MC Shan, Raheem, Doctor Ice, Kangol, Kool Moe Dee, Sha Rock, Tito, Grandmaster Caz, Lique, Dana Dane, Pebblee Poo and Just Ice.

Nas- Where Are They Now? (80's All Star Remix)

Redhead Kingpin, The Original Spinderella, Rob Base, Father MC, Monie Love, Mike G, EST, Positive K, Das EFX, Lords of the Underground, and Dres.

Nas- Where Are They Now? (90's All Star Remix)

Breeze, Kam, King Tee, Candyman, Threat, Ice T, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Conscious Daughters, and DJ Bobcat.

Nas- Where Are They Now? (West Coast Remix)

Hope you can appreciate these for what they are.

Oh, to Have a Home to Go to...

2007-01-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

My sincerest apologies for the lack of posts for the past week or so. I have been, well, homeless. Thank god for friends with couches, am I right?

I seem to have found a resting place for the time being, though, so hopefully I won't be leaving you like that again any time soon.

I haven't come across a ton of great new music lately, but there are a few things I would like to share.

I have, in my possession, M. Ward's upcoming single, To Go Home, from his 06 album, Post-War. As long as you haven't been living under a rock (or maybe you haven't had a home...), you've probably heard Ward's cover of Daniel Johnston's To Go Home. What a great track. I would have picked Chinese Translation for my first single, but To Go Home is cool, too.

Daniel Johnston- To Go Home

As usual, I have fallen in love with a couple of the b-sides...

M. Ward- Cosmopolitan Pap
M. Ward- Headed for a Fall

Headed for a Fall is a Jimmie Dale Gilmore cover, and features Jim James, Neko Case, and guitarist Nels Cline. It seems to be moving up on my list of favorite M. Ward songs.

Also worth noting is M. Ward's appearance on the latest Bright Eyes EP, Four Winds.

Ward appears on the third track, Smoke Without Fire. Trost put me onto this track. I'm not a huge Bright Eyes fan, but I'm digging it.

Bright Eyes- Smoke Without Fire

The M. Ward To Go Home single will release February 20th on Merge Records, and the Bright Eyes Four Winds EP will release March 6th on Saddle Creek.

One final note... Props to Trost for the layout. He's got our humble little site lookin all fresh and whatnot. Also for checking up on me while I was scrambling for a place to stay.

That's all for today.

Enjoy.

Andrew Bird Has Made My Day

2007-01-23T19:50:00.000-08:00

I mentioned Andrew Bird a week or two ago when talking about the Bowerbirds. What I didn't tell you is that Andrew Bird's last proper album, The Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005), has probably become one of my most played albums of all time. There's just something about that album...

Last year Bird released "Fingerlings 3," the third in a series of (mostly) live albums (appropriately preceded by, you guessed it, Fingerlings 1 & 2)

Fingerlings 3 provided a first look at two of the tracks ("Dark Matter" and "Scythian Empire") from Bird's scheduled March 20, 2007 release "Armchair Apocrypha." The live album was enough to tide me over, like a mid-morning snack, but lunch has finally arrived; this afternoon I received an advance copy of Armchair Apocrypha.

Bird is one of the most talented musicians around right now. He isn't going to make any bad music... End of story. The real question for me is will this album hit me the way his last did? Only time will tell, but at the moment I am really, really liking it.

From Armchair Apocrypha:

Andrew Bird- Heretics
Andrew Bird- Spare-Ohs

From Fingerlings 3:

Andrew Bird- Dark Matter (Live)

Just for fun, a live version of my favorite track from The Mysterious Production of Eggs, from Fingerlings 2 (2004):

Andrew Bird- Master Fade (Live)

Enjoy.

The Besnard Lakes

2007-01-22T15:36:00.000-08:00

Three weeks in, and already I think I have found what will probably be two of my top 5 albums of 2007. It's going to be hard for anyone to eclipse Arbouretum and The Besnard Lakes this year.

The Besnard Lakes have been around for a while. In 2003 they released "Volume 1." It's definitely worth a listen, but at times it seems a bit too loose and unfocused; kind of rough around the edges. There's a lot of promise, though, buried under the layers of fuzz and distortion.

This year, February 20th to be exact, The Besnard Lakes will release their second album (first on Jagjaguwar), titled "The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse."

I am in love.

They remind me of some of my favorite bands; flashes of Spacemen 3, My Bloody Valentine, and the Jesus and Mary Chain. Two more relevant comparisons that I have seen made are Pink Floyd and Brian Wilson.

Check out a couple tracks from their upcoming album...

The Besnard Lakes- And You Lied to Me
The Besnard Lakes- Rides the Rails

And just for fun... From Volume 1:

The Besnard Lakes- For Spy Turned Musician

Everyone should support this band.

Buy their new album.

Go to their shows.

Camera Obscura B-Sides

2007-01-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

Up until last week I had never really been a fan of Camera Obscura. Funny that my opinion of the band would be swayed by a b-side to one of their singles.

Obscura's single, "If Looks Could Kill," will release officially on January 23rd in the US, and January 29th in the UK and Europe.

"If Looks Could Kill" is a good track. The band struck gold, though, with the first b-side, "Hands Up Baby," a duet between Tracyanne Campbell and Kenny McKeeve.

Camera Obscura- Hands Up Baby

"Now I could end this here/die and take you with me dear/it could be so easy"

"I don't care what you do/I'll still be rid of you/Just make your mind up baby"

Definitely one of my favorite tracks of 07 so far. To be honest, I'm also digging the third track that comes along with the single, "Alaska."

Camera Obscura- Alaska

Some Loud What?

2007-01-17T16:09:00.000-08:00

I had a scary moment a couple days ago. I put on my newly acquired copy of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's "Some Loud Thunder," their highly anticipated follow up to the wildly successful self-titled 2005 debut. I posted up a track about a week ago, proclaiming everything that had leaked from the album at that point to be brilliant.

Back to the scary moment...

If you're reading this, you probably have already heard the first track from the album... The track titled "Some Loud Thunder." Well, when it came on, I thought my JBL's that have treated me so well over the years had blown out.

Then the second track, "Emily Jean Stock," came on.

What the fuck?

I was hoping that I just had a bad copy or something, but alas, the track is up on the band's myspace, and it sounds exactly the same.

Who told them that this was a good idea? It makes an otherwise awesome track nearly unlistenable. I like bands trying to be progressive, innovative, and revolutionary, but this was a serious misstep. Don't let anyone, inevitable ridiculous pitchfork review included, tell you otherwise.

Remember that post we had about good production making the Band of Horses album come alive? (Now you do...) Well, production can have the opposite effect as well.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Some Loud Thunder (Live)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Some Loud Thunder (Album Version)

The live version is directly from the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Architecture in Helsinki, and Takka Takka 2006 Tour EP (Limited to 1,500 copies). The live version shows so much promise. It's a great song; well written and catchy. I think that, with the right production, Some Loud Thunder could have been one of my favorite tracks of 07.

Oh well, the rest of the album seems to be good enough to overlook the first track (I think I said the same thing when their first album came out...)

Here's a little something extra you might enjoy:

Architecture in Helsinki- It's 5! (Live)
Takka Takka- They Built You Up Too Fast (Live)

Both from the 2006 tour EP that I mentioned earlier.

Guillemots B-Sides

2007-01-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Guillemots released a new version of "Annie, Let's Not Wait" as their newest single. I got my hands on it last week, but didn't give it a listen until just a couple days ago. The new version of Annie, to put it bluntly, kicks the shit out of the album version. They ditch the synth, add in some backing vocals, and the song comes alive. Suddenly it has a soul.

Guillemots- Annie, Let's Not Wait (Single Version)

The second track on the single is a demo called "Photograph." It's a slower track, in the vein of "Redwings" from Through the Windowpane. Even if a bit cliche, Fyfe Dangerfield sounds sincere when he laments "Oh, make me smile/I used to make you laugh/but then I used to look at you, and not this photograph."

Guillemots- Photograph (Demo)

The single concludes with a cover of Franz Ferdinand's 2004 single "Take Me Out." I'll pass. It's not a bad cover or anything; I really just can't listen to the song anymore.

The first two tracks are good enough to warrant buying the single.

What's New... To Us

2007-01-15T17:56:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it, despite being a consummate indie music nerd, I find myself catching a lot of great new music well after it has released or leaked. It may not be new to you; it's new to me, and I'm a generous person...

I honestly cannot remember how or when I heard about the Baltimore band Arbouretum . I somehow recently ended up with an advance copy of their newest album, Rites of Uncovering, which will officially release January 23 on Thrill Jockey. I'm really digging it; it might be the best 07 album I've heard so far. The first comparison that comes to mind is Comets on Fire's latest album, but I'm hearing influences dating back as far as Cream, Blue Cheer, and King Crimson (Three bands that, thanks to my dad, I was raised on)

Arbouretum- Signposts and Instruments

I have to give Trost credit for introducing me to the Bowerbirds . He showed me their self-released EP, Danger At Sea, last week, and I fell in love with it immediately. The first thing I was struck by was Phil Moore's voice, which is eerily similar to that of Andrew Bird. There's really only one misstep on the EP. The fifth track, "La Denigración," isn't that great. I'm pretty sure "La Denigración" is Spanish for "would have been great without the accordion." Something like that anyways...

Danger At Sea was released in August of 06. I would suggest that everyone go to the band's website and purchase the album.

The Bowerbirds- My Oldest Memory

The Ruby Suns self-titled debut, out on Lil' Chief Records, has been around for a while overseas (since some time in 05), but it released in the US through Rough Trade in 06. I'm actually kind of embarrassed to admit that I heard it for the first time no more than 3 weeks ago, when it released in the US way back on April 12. Southern California product Ryan McPhun is apparently the driving force behind the New Zealand-based band that has received comparisons to bands like the Beach Boys and the Flaming Lips. To me they sound a bit like Tripping Daisy. To be honest, I'm not really digging the album as a whole that much, but there are a few standout tracks... A few flashes of brilliance.

The Ruby Suns- Trepidation Part Two

I found Austin, Texas band Tacks, the Boy Disaster through Midlake on... um... myspace. What a pleasant surprise this band turned out to be. After a couple of listens to the songs on their myspace page I went and located a copy of their first release, the 7 track EP entitled "Oh, Beatrice." I want to make a comparison for you, but I really can't. I've heard people compare them to the Beatles and the Beach Boys, but I really don't hear either. The band is currently touring with fellow Texans, Midlake. I've also read that Tacks have completed recording for their first full length LP. I haven't seen a scheduled release date anywhere, though.

Tacks, the Boy Disaster- Forget-Me-Not

That's all for now, enjoy.

What's New?

2007-01-12T19:30:00.000-08:00

I've come across some quality new music this week. Everyone's looking forward to albums like Neon Bible and We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, but most of the time it's the releases that catch you by surprise that end up being the best.

The Ponys new album "Turn the Lights Out" is now out there waiting for you...

I'm liking it a lot after a few listens. I was a fan of their last release, Celebration Castle, but I was by no means anticipating this one. The first single from the album has been floating around the net for a month or so (Double Vision). Double Vision is ok; it's good, but nothing too special.

One of my favorite tracks from the new album: The Ponys- Harakiri

The album will be released on March 20th on Matador. Now if the Ponys would just consider a name change...

Elvis Perkins tours with bands like Clap Your Hands and My Morning Jacket, so he couldn't be bad, right? He's actually good enough that we're willing to overlook the fact that "While You Were Sleeping," from his new album, was featured on The OC.

Elvis Perkins- All Night Without Love

All Night Without Love was released as a single on January 9th, while the album is due out February 20th.

Speaking of Clap Your Hands...

You should all know that Clap Your Hands Say Yeah have an album on the way called Some Loud Thunder. Their first album grew on me to the point that I would now list it among my favorites from 2005.

Some Loud Thunder is set to release January 29th, yet, strangely, it has not leaked as a whole to the internet. What has leaked thus far sounds fantastic, though...

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Yankee Go Home

Yankee Go Home was featured on this month's Uncut Magazine CD, and it is apparently going to be the 9th track on Some Loud Thunder.

That's all for now.

Constantines

2007-01-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

If someone asked me to list my favorite albums of the current decade, the result would likely include all three Constantines LP's (and I'm not even Canadian)

I sure do like them.

You've probably heard of the Cons' love for Neil Young, and their cover band Horsey Craze. What you might not have heard is the 1,000 copy, vinyl-only split record that was released earlier this year with the Unintended. The first side of the record is the Cons playing Neil Young, while the second is the Unintended playing Gordon Lightfoot... The record was aptly titled "The Constantines play Young/Unintended play Lightfoot."

The four Young tracks covered are "Don't Be Denied," "Transformer Man," "Don't Cry No Tears," and "Shots."

All four covers are, as expected, stellar. As far as I know there aren't any mp3's from this record floating around the web. Excuse me, there weren't any floating around the web... That's right, Born By the River bringing it to you first. Check out the Constantines- Don't Cry No Tears.

And just incase you haven't heard it, check out the original, from Young's 1975 album Zuma: Neil Young- Don't Cry No Tears

If you like the Cons take on No Tears, you might like this as well: Constantines- Fuckin' Up

Fuckin' Up was one of the tracks that the Cons had originally recorded for this release, but unfortunately it ended up on the cutting room floor.

Enjoy.

Band of Horses

2007-01-09T14:47:00.000-08:00

I know there are plenty of different schools of thought when it comes to production of indie music; some people prefer the DIY, recorded-on-a-fisher-price-tape-recorder sound, while some people prefer shimmering, glossy production. I generally like a happy medium. I don't like production to take center stage, but at the same time, I like to be able to hear music over the tape hiss.

One of the albums that really benefited from spectacular production in 2006 was Band of Horses- Everything All the Time. Check out the album's first single, and incidentally our favorite track, The Funeral.

To say that this album benefited from great production isn't to take anything away from the music itself. This is a great band, writing very good songs. The production took the album to another level, though. The production made these songs glow.

The reason I bring this up... The other day Trost showed me the band's tour EP, a short collection of demos and live songs. At first I was excited, but after a few quick listens, it was clear that these songs could not hold up next to their counterparts from Everything All the Time. If you would like to see what I am talking about, check out the live version of The Funeral from the EP, here entitled Billion Day Funeral. The song is still great, but it kind of falls flat. The production from the album version truly adds a new dimension.

Do yourself a favor and listen to Everything All the Time through some decent headphones or quality speakers. Your laptop speakers are not going to do this album justice.

Dashboard

2007-01-03T23:51:00.000-08:00

Story time...

Last August, Modest Mouse was scheduled to play a series of west coast shows, including one in my hometown. Those shows were cancelled, apparently because the band wanted to stay in the studio to finish the new album. Needless to say, I was upset, but I let it go because, well, I wanted a new Modest Mouse album. When they announced the December 19th release date, any ill will on my part had vanished. A few months later, a funny thing happened; Modest Mouse scheduled a series of November-January shows (in LA and NY for the most part). According to the band, these shows would mean that the album's release date would be pushed back to "early 2007." First they cancel shows to work on the album, then, two months later, they push back the album to play more shows? Ugh.

The first single from their new album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (still scheduled for "early 2007"), will be released officially on January 16th, but the good folks at Born by the River are bringing it to you now:

Modest Mouse - Dashboard

If you liked Good News..., then you will like this track. I am regionally obligated to love everything that Modest Mouse puts out, so you know I'm happy. Dashboard finds Isaac Brock at his most David Byrnesque, while still maintaining all of the same vocal and lyrical idiosyncrasies that made us fall in love with him in the first place. Dashboard provides a promising first look at one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2007.