New Song from Fleet Foxes

While driving back from lunch earlier today I was treated to a new song from Fleet Foxes on WXPN.  The new song, titled "Helplessness Blues", also happens to be the album title for the bands sophomore release due out in May.  The band has also listed a number of tour dates on their website for the month of may.  It looks like I'll have a shot to see them when they come to the Tower Theater!  Take a listen to the song "Helplessness Blues" below or go to their website to download it.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

New To Me: The Naked And Famous

I'm going to see Freelance Whales play a show in Baltimore this coming May.  The Naked And Famous were also on the bill so I decided to check them out to get a sneak peak of what I was in for.  With a sound falling somewhere in between Passion Pit, Atomic Tom, and MGMT I feel like they show a lot of promise.  You can be sure I'll be at that show early enough to catch their opening set. 

Boot: Local Natives - SXSW 2010

I missed the train with these guys the first time around.  Their debut album "Gorilla Manor" was released last year and somehow it fell through the cracks for me and I only recently realized how good it was.  They played a great albeit short set at South By Southwest.  Give it a listen below.

 Local Natives - Airplanes - SXSW 2010 by Ledjam311 

Setlist:

1. Wide Eyes

2. Camera Talk

3. Warning Sign

4. Shape Shifter

5. Airplanes

6. Sun Hand

Download:  Local Natives - SXSW

Pearl Jam - News & Rumors for 2011

2011 will be a big year for Pearl Jam fans.  It represents the 20th anniversary of the release of their debut album "Ten".  An article in Rolling Stone this week lists some of the things that PJ has planned. 

• Reissues of their early albums "Vs" & "Vitalogy" which will include unheard bonus tracks and live recordings from the era among other things.  A reissue of "Ten" came out last year and included the long awaited dvd recording of their MTV Unplugged performance.
• A documentary on the band being directed by Cameron Crowe featuring footage from throughout their career.
• A rumored 2-day weekend festival with the band headlining both nights.  I'm already dreaming about potential lineups and collaborations. 

Concert Review: Tokyo Police Club & Two Door Cinema Club - Trocadero, Philadelphia 1/22/11

The only other show I've seen at the Troc was Big Bad Voodoo Daddy back in 1998, which was before I was of age to go up in the balcony or even drive to the show!  Having seen shows at many different venues since then I'd forgotten how much I liked the Troc. 

Returning to a sold out show featuring 2 up and coming alt-indie rock bands made for a great time.  Sitting up in the balcony this time I got to watch the crowd below move in unison dancing and jumping to the up-tempo flow of the show. 

Two Door Cinema Club are from Ireland and released their debut album "Tourist History" in 2010.  I picked it up after being impressed with their performance and found myself dancing along to it upon the first listen.  Tokyo Police Club played an energetic set featuring tracks from their new album "Champ" which I've really enjoyed.  As co-headliners, both bands came out to play the encore which included a cover of The Strokes 'Last Night' which went "all the way back to 2001" according to TPC lead singer Dave Monks.  It was a great cover although the statement made me feel kind of old.

Team Coco presents "Kiss Each Other Clean" by Iron & Wine

Conan debuted a stream of Iron & Wine's album earlier today on his website.  The band will appear on his show next Monday the 24th.  The stream is available until the album is release on Tuesday the 25th.  I pre-ordered my copy of "Kiss Each Other Clean" last week and after having just finished listening to it I'm damn glad I did.  Sam Beam's take Iron & Wine to a whole other level on this release.  Take a listen (or two or three) below!

Videos of The Black Keys, Monsters of Folk, & Grace Potter

Are you bored at work?  Snowed in?  Here are a few videos to occupy you for a little bit.

• Over the weekend The Black Keys performed on Saturday Night Live.  They played 'Howlin For You' and 'Tighten Up'.  Check out the videos below:
• Monsters of Folk (Yim Yames, Conor Oberst, M. Ward, & Mike Mogis) recently reunited to play a set at Austin City Limits.  A recording of the show is now available to view on PBS's website:
• Grace Potter & The Nocturnals played a cover of "Golden" by My Morning Jacket at a show last week.  Thanks to 'Seeker' for posting a link to the video on the MMJ Forum.

Music Notes: Iron & Wine Surprise Show and The Black Keys do SNL

• Iron & Wine played a surprise show this past Wednesday in NYC.  They debuted their new album live in it's entirety to a very lucky audience.  Most of the songs had never been played in front of an audience before.  The new material sounds phenomenal live, it will be interesting to hear the mix on the recorded version.  Head over to The Steam Engine to download a webcast recording of the show.
• Be sure to check out The Black Keys performing on Saturday Night Live this weekend.  Jim Carrey is hosting.  I'll put up a link to videos of the performance afterwards.