The U & U Show 112!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 112 Right Here! M. Ward – For Beginners – Hold Time (2009) - forthcoming album. - streaming on NPR’s site… exclusive first listen. - makes me think of when I heard the fleet foxes in early 2008… this will end up being one of the year’s best albums. - I’m not sure why but the album makes me think of chugging along in a boxcar of a train enjoying the view of the country side from the open sliding door. The songs just bounce along in such a pleasant way. Official Site: www.mwardmusic.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/mward Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Stream the Dreamy Video for ‘Hold Time’ Stream Entire Album on All Songs Considered (A competitor that I dislike due to their misuse of their reach and resources.) Black Lips – Short Fuse – 200 Million Thousand (2009) - 5th album… out February 24th - Velvet underground/Guided By Voices - Known for their wild live shows Official Site: www.black-lips.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/theblacklips Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Blitzen Trapper – Sleepytime in the Western World – Furr (2008) - fourth album, follows up and rivals their best, Wild Mountain Nation - Fits in with the indie folk/rock theme of this week’s show Official Site: http://www.blitzentrapper.net/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/blitzentrapper Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Dan Auerbach – Mean Monsoon – Keep It Hid (2009) - solo debut - done a bunch of producing since last Black Keys’ album - a very solid effort… not quite as straight forward rock as The Black Keys can be… a nice variation. Official Site: www.nonesuch.com/artists/dan-auerbach Myspace: www.myspace.com/danauerbachmusic Stream Songs on HypeMachine Weird Owl – Do What Th’ Owl Wilt – Ever the Silver Cord Be Loosed (2009) - 2nd album, debut out in 2007 ‘Nuclear Psychology’ - Brooklyn band - Vintage bluesy druggy psych rock sounds - A little Stooges can be picked out - So many good psychedelic bands that get lost in the shuffle, not sure why but this genre more than any other gets very little media attention Myspace: www.myspace.com/weirdowl Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Black Mountain - Stormy High – In the Future (2008) - 2nd full length - very well crafted psychedelic rock… ominous feel to the entire album - on the Jagjaguwar label out of Bloomington, IN. Official Site: www.blackmountainarmy.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/blackmountain Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) & Aaron Dessner (The National) – Big Red Machine – Dark Was The Night (2009) - star studded forthcoming charity compilation for The Red Hot Organization (AIDS & HIV) - it seems weird to want to pick a compilation as one of the year’s best albums but the talent and quality of these tracks is undeniable. - Almost every artist on the 2-disc album is responsible for a great album on their own. Bon Iver Myspace: www.myspace.com/boniver Dark Was The Night Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkwasthenight Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon (Out February 16th) The National – Fake Empire – Boxer (2007) - latest release… 4th album - released the self titled debut in 2001 - originally from Ohio but got together in NY in the late 90’s - The songs I’ve heard off this are some of my favorites in a long time - My pick for best song in 2007 if that means anything to you. Official Site: www.americanmary.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/thenational Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Pavement – Cut Your Hair – Terror Twilight (1999) - 7th and final album - Launched Stephen Malkmus to the top of Indie Rock Official Site: http://www.matadorrecords.com/pavement/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/pavement Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – Cold Son – Real Emotional Trash (2008) - another solid effort from one of indie rock’s immortals - this is the most complete album of the year second only to fleet foxes - there is not a song on the album that is a let down - the best track however is unfortunately very radio unfriendly at 10+ mins Official Site: http://www.stephenmalkmus.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/stephenmalkmus Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon A.C Newman – All Of My Days And All of My Days Off – Get Guilty (2009) - 2nd solo album - Lead singer for The New Pornographers - Shins fans gather ‘round. Official Site: www.acnewman.net/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/acnewman Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon New Pornographers – Use It – Twin Cinema (2005) - big indie pop rock - Spoon would fall into this category as well. - These guys have a track on the Dark Was the Night compilation as well. Official Site: http://www.thenewpornographers.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/thenewpornographers Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Blue Giant – Clean the Clock – Target Heart EP (2009) - debut effort from former members of Viva Voce - craft some upbeat, rich catchy tracks regardless of the band name Blue Giant Myspace: www.myspace.com/bluegiantland Viva Voce Myspace: www.myspace.com/vivavoce Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon These United States – West Won - Crimes (2008) - 2nd LP this year - The first was a long time in the works though, had plenty of time to ready this one - Filled out their sound significantly here. - First album was more pop and didn’t really capture their true sound from their previous small releases and live shows. Official Site: www.theseunitedstates.net/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/theseunited Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon