The Last Shadow Puppets

The Last Shadow Puppets are Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane of The Rascals. Need I say more? I didn't think so but I will nonetheless. I was a little surprised when I heard that Turner would be releasing solo work. Not sure why but it didn't matter because it was soon announced that it was actually a side project with Kane. The two met when The Little Flames (Kane's former band) opened for Arctic Monkeys in 2007.

The first track off the album is 'The Age of the Understatement.' This title also serves as the name of the album, to be released on April 21st, 2008 on Domino. Like most people, I've only really heard this track and whatever Youtube live footage I could find but what I can tell you with certainty is that this song is fantastic. Musically, it is nothing like Arctic Monkeys. There's strings for one thing and it's all very epic. If anything, the song will make you want to hear more from The Last Shadow Puppets.

So is the video by the way, which you can find at the band's website (and is actually all you can find right now). I don't know what it is about this video but I love it. You can't go wrong with the cold Russian winter and nice jackets. You just can't. Anyways, the boys played their first show in NYC last week. There should be more dates to come. Stay tuned.

Download: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement [mp3]

The Last Shadow Puppets: Offical Website

Buy The Age of the Understatement [Single] (UK)

You Should Be Listening To: SONS AND DAUGHTERS - CHAINS

Great song from Glasgow's Sons and Daughters. It's called 'Chains ' and it's off of the band's latest CD This Gift. The song pretty much sums up how awesome this album is. It's just good pop but with an edge. It is really worth picking up. The first two singles 'Gift Complex' and 'Darling' are just as good.

The band are supporting Editors for five dates in the UK before they head to North America for a tour which concludes with a spot at Coachella. Check their MySpace page for a list of dates and also a free dowload of an acoustic version of 'Gift Complex.'

Download: Sons and Daughters - Chains [mp3]

MySpace: Sons and Daughters

Sons and Daughters: Official Website

Buy This Gift

CD Releases: Week of 12/02/08

One of the best singer-songwriters Dallas Green, a.k.a. City and Colour releases his follow-up to his debut album this week. The new one is called Bring Me Your Love and features Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip on the track 'Sleeping Sickness.' It is a fantastic tune. My favourite though, has to be 'The Girl.' The album is solid but I expect no less from City and Colour.

Other releases worth you attention include British Sea Power with Do You Like Rock Music and the 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Notable CD Releases

British Sea Power - "Do You Like Rock Music"
The Cardigans - "Best of"
Ray Charles - "The Way I Feel"
City and Colour - "Bring Me Your Love"
Marilyn Horne - "Souvenir of a Golden Era"
The Isley Brothers - "The Definitive Collection"
Michael Jackson - "Thriller (25th Anniversary Edition)"
Mike Jones - "Running 4 President 2K8"
Morrissey - "Greatest Hits"

Download: City and Colour - The Girl [mp3]

MySpace: City and Colour

City and Colour: Official Website

Buy Bring Me Your Love

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Justin Vernon a.k.a Bon Iver is set to release his solo album on February 19th. Once a member of the band DeYarmond Edison, Vernon took part in other musical ventures before setting out to write his solo material. The music on his debut, For Emma, Forever Ago, were written and recorded during 3-4 cold winter months in a cabin in Wisconsin. The songs reflect such an atmosphere and are a great listen on those cold snowy days. The album, of course, is a re-release as it was self-released by Vernon last fall. The music is folk mixed with horns and subtle drumbeats. Nothing is overdone or over produced. The beauty of it is it's simplicity.

Bon Iver hits the road with Vancouver's Black Mountain beginning on February 19th. Check his MySpace page for dates.

Download: Bon Iver - For Emma [mp3]
MySpace: Bon Iver
Bon Iver: Official Website [Jagjaguwar]

Buy For Emma, Forever Ago

CD Releases: Week of 05/02/08

There are some really good releases this week including the much anticipated debut album from Adele entitled 19. Other releases worth checking out include a solo effort from Broken Social Scene's Jason Collet, Hot Chip's Made In The Dark and Nada Surf's Lucky.

Notable CD Releases

Adele - "19"
Beck - "Odelay" (Deluxe Edition)
Johnny Cash - "Collections"
Jason Collett - "Here's to Being Here"
Ben Folds - "Rockin' the Suburbs"
Hello Operator - "Break" (EP)
Hot Chip - "Made in the Dark"
Jack Johnson - "Sleep Through the Static"
Janis Joplin - "Collections"
Nada Surf - "Lucky"
Willie Nelson - "Collections"
Roy Orbison - "Collections"

You Should Be Listening To: THE HELIO SEQUENCE - KEEP YOUR EYES AHEAD

The Helio Seqeuence are a great little indie band. They come from Portland, Oregon and just released their new album entitled Keep Your Eyes Ahead. The single, of the same name, is a wonderful track with a mild electronica-80's retro feel to it. I love the 80's, twas a great time. And the music, chalk full of one hit wonders, only makes the decade even better!

The Helio Sequence are essentially a duo, Brandon Summers and former Modest Mouse drummer Benjamin Weikel. They have been together for a while, since the late 90's and released their last album, Love and Distance, way back in 2004. So fans have waited a long time for this release and although it may be a little more slower paced than some of their older stuff, the songs are still pretty damn good.

Download: The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead [mp3]
MySpace: The Helio Sequence
The Helio Sequence: Official Website

Buy Keep Your Eyes Ahead

CD Releases: Week of 29/01/08

Make sure to visit your local record shop this week as there are some really good releases. Among them are Vampire Weekend and The Mars Volta. If anything, pick these two up.

Notable CD Releases
ABBA - "The Best of Abba"
Sarah Brightman - "Symphony"
Johnny Cash - "The Best of Johnny Cash"
Eels - "Useless Trinkets 1996-2006"
Louis XIV - "Slick Dog and Ponies"
Shelby Lynne - "Just a Little Lovin' "
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "The Best of Lynyrd Skynyrd"
The Mamas and Papas - "The Best of Mamas and The Papas"
The Mars Volta - "The Bedlam in Goliath"
Willie Nelson - "Moment of Forever"
Protest the Hero - "Fortress"
Vampire Weekend - "Vampire Weekend"
Hawksley Workman - "Between the Beautifuls"

Album of the Month - Vampire Weekend

The self-titled album from Vampire Weekend is released this week on January 29th. The New York based band signed to XL Recording for their debut, one of the most anticipated album's of the first half of the year (at least for me it is). The song 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa' made Rolling Stones' Top 100 Songs of 2007, coming in at #67. The band even got an opening slot with The Shins this past year. Not bad considering their album has not been released yet and the track was released only as a digital EP.

Vampire Weekend, who met while studying at Columbia University, formed in 2006. The band describe their music as "Upper Westside Soweto," a reference to their Afro-pop sound. The first single is called 'Mansard Roof' and it was released on October 28th, 2007. The next one is 'A-Punk' and for some reason I absolutely love their video for it. If you get a chance check it out. However, my favourite song has to be 'Bryn.' It's short but sweet and the slick guitars will stick in your head. Other songs include 'Oxford Comma,' 'Campus' and 'M79,' all very good songs. Here is a full tracklisting:

Tracklisting
1. Mansard Roof
2. Oxford Comma
3. A-Punk
4. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
5. M79
6. Campus
7. Bryn
8. One (Blake's Got a New Face)
9. I Stand Corrected
10. Walcott
11. Kids Don't Stand a Chance

Vampire Weekend are currently touring North America and play the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on February 11th. Check their MySpace page for a full listing.

FYI: At the moment you can stream Vampire Weekend's new album in its entirety on MuchMusic.com. Sample it, you'll probably love it.

Download: Vampire Weekend - Bryn [mp3]

MySpace: Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend: Official Website

Buy Vampire Weekend

You Should Be Listening To: ROGUE WAVE - LAKE MICHIGAN

Rogue Wave released their third studio album this past September. It's called Asleep At Heaven's Gate and features the catchy first single 'Lake Michigan.' This release, like many others, seemed to pass me by last year. Still, better late than never I guess. Anyways, 'Lake Michigan' was a great choice for the first single. It has a great melody and the drumming is powerful and complements the heavy acoustic strumming. The album was produced by lead singer Zach Rogue and Roger Moutenot, who has work with Yo La Tengo in the past.

The band are currently in the middle of a U.S. tour before they head over to Europe in February to play some shows. Check their MySpace page for upcoming dates.

Download: Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan [mp3]

MySpace: Rogue Wave

Official Website: Rogue Wave

Buy Asleep At Heaven's Gate

CD Releases: Week of 15/01/08

The Magnetic Fields release their new album Distortion today on Nonesuch Records. Pretty good album and worth picking up in my opinion. The band will embark on a mini tour of the U.S. in February playing several cities on multiple nights. Check out their MySpace page for a list of dates.

Download: The Magnetic Fields - California Girls [mp3]

MySpace:The Magnetic Fields

Official Website: The Magnetic Fields

Buy Distortion

Notable CD Releases

Econoline Crush - "Ignite"
Hayden - "In Field and Town"
The Magnetic Fields - Distortion

Nana Mouskouri - "The Ultimate Collection"
Frank Sinatra - "Beautiful Ballads and Love Songs"
Ringo Starr - "Liverpool 8"
Rhonda Vincent - "Good Thing Going"
Matthew West - "Something to Say"
Wisely - "Wisley"
Pete York - "Pete York and Friends"