The Unknown & Unheard Show 115!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 115 Right Here, Right Now! The Reigning Sound – Straight Shooter – Time Bomb High School (2009) - 2nd album, 3 out total - Got their start in Memphis, TN Official Site: www.intheredrecords.com/pages/ReigningSound.html Myspace: www.myspace.com/reigningsoundfans Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Heartless Bastards – Early In The Morning – The Mountain (2009) - 3rd full length - Powered by the big voice of lead singer Erika Wennerstrom and some big rock riffs - Just played Letterman - Out of Dayton Official Site: www.theheartlessbastards.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/heartlessbastards Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Vulture Whale – Tote It To Cleveland, AL – Vulture Whale (2007) - 2nd album - I think that this is their 2nd self titled album, not positive. Gets confusing when bands switch labels and don’t catch on til later in their career. - swamp/southern rock mixed with tom petty sounds on the vocals at times Official Site: http://www.vulturewhale.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/vulturewhale Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Darker My Love – Northern Soul – 2 (2008) - second album and one I regret missing for the most part - another LA rock band.. they seem to have a bit of a glam rock feel at times. - huge catchy guitar riffs, a trait they share with BRMC Official Site: http://www.darkermylovemusic.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkermylove Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Benjy Ferree – Fear – Come Back To The Five And Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee (2009) - 2nd album - very very cool concept album about Bobby Driscoll - He was the actor who played Peter Pan for the Disney movies in the 40’s and 50’s up until he hit puberty and had acne problems and was fired by Disney. After that he struggled to find work, turned to drugs and died broke and homeless in NYC at 31. - Ferree deftly showcases his unique and considerable songwriter talent around this tragic story. Official Site: www.benjyferree.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/benjyferree Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon The Coasters – Down In Mexico – The Coasters (1958)/Death Proof OST (2007) - Closing track on their debut album - Featured in the very entertaining movie, Death Proof - Tarantino’s music selection is unrivaled in the world of film The Coasters on All Music Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Okkervil River – John Allyn Smith Sails – The Stage Names (2007) - 4th album of 5 - without a doubt their best and my pick in 2007 for best album if that’s worth anything. - They expanded great on the tired, standard indie rock sound - They are on Bloomington’s Record Label, Jagjaguwar. (loaded with great musicians!) Official Site: www.okkervilriver.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/okkervilriver Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Jared Mees & The Grown Children – Bees – Caffeine, Alcohol, Sunshine Money (2008) - first album with this backing band - self-titles debut out in 2007 Official Site: www.jaredmees.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/jaredmees Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon The New Pornographers – Hey, Snow White - 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. - This is a cover of the Bright Eyes’ song. Conor Oberst is/was the leader of Bright Eyes. New Porno’s Official Site: www.thenewpornographers.com/ New Porno’s Myspace: www.myspace.com/thenewpornographers Dark Was The Night Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkwasthenight Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Black Lips – Starting Over– 200 Million Thousand (2009) - 5th album… out February 24th - This is an album that may sound like some other bands but the sum of the parts results in something truly unique to the Black Lips. - 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 The Cramps – Human Fly - …Off The Bone (1983) - 3rd album and really their last in the prime of their creepy, ominous punk/psychobilly sounds. - Lead singer Erik Punkhiser, Lux Interior, recently died - This is another track that I was drawn to after seeing Death Proof - Fits with T. Rex and the other tracks on there Official Site: www.thecramps.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/cramping Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Elton John, Ringo Starr & T Rex – Children of the Revolution – Born To Boogie OST (1991) - this is from the soundtrack to Marc Bolan’s film ‘Born To Boogie’ - it was a rock opera of sorts, loaded with some brilliant T. Rex tunes - Marc Bolan’s T. Rex are responsible for one of the greatest albums of all time, Electric Warrior. Myspace: www.myspace.com/trexofficial Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon David Bowie – Queen Bitch – Hunky Dory (1971) - 4th album - Folk and glam rock - He was at the height of his career here, helping out on so many other projects including the beginnings of Lou Reed’s solo career. Official Site: http://davidbowie.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/davidbowie Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon TV on the Radio – Heroes (Bowie) – Heroes: War Child (2009) - hey look, it’s another massively loaded charity compilation album - this one is all covers with this song and a Hold Steady cover of Springsteen’s Atlantic City TVOTR Official Site: www.tvontheradio.com/ War Child Site: http://www.warchild.org.uk/heroes Myspace: www.myspace.com/tvotr Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon

Springsteen & The Hold Steady Cut From The Same Musical Cloth

I wonder if hearing The Hold Steady play this song makes Springsteen feel lucky he wrote it first.

The White Stripes Send Off Conan

With a very cool, spare and extended version of 'We're Going To Be Friends' The White Stripes were the final band to grace the Conan stage. Of all the like programs on television, Late Night with Conan has always led the pack in the music department. They have on bands that the other shows would never consider. A lot of people are worried that the show's writing won't be the same, I don't think there's reason to send out alarms there, but rather It's that refreshing open mindedness when it comes to music that I hope continues in LA.

I want the Jukebox from Death Proof!

I just watched Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse flick 'Death Proof' and the bar in that movie has the possibly the best jukebox ever! Tarantino's musical selection leaves very little to be desired and I'm positive he's with me in thinking that Marc Bolan is a bad man! Check out this version 'Children of the Revolution' with Elton John & Ringo Starr from Bolan's/T. Rex's film 'Born To Boogie.' AND Here's my tribute to the recently deceased Lux Interior, frontman of the The Cramps. I think I'm only the 1,000,000th blog to do this. Regardless very cool track with some creepy and fitting old sci-fi clips.

The Unknown and Unheard Show 114!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 114 Right Here, Right Now! M. Ward – Stars Of Leo – 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.) Iran – Buddy – Dissolver (2009) - 3rd album - Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio) and Aaron Aites (a filmmaker) project. - This song/album has the signature distortion found on a TVOTR record. - Almost an eerie 50’s/60’s pop feel to this track. Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/iranband Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Heartless Bastards – The Mountain – The Mountain (2009) - 3rd full length - Powered by the big voice of lead singer Erika Wennerstrom and some big rock riffs - Just played Letterman - Out of Dayton Official Site: www.theheartlessbastards.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/heartlessbastards Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Love Burns – BRMC (2000) - brilliant debut album from one of the 00’s leading rock outfits - seen them the past two times in Indy and they play long energetic set with a mixing of crowd requests - last year they put out a ‘statement record’ ‘The Effects of 333’ of very odd distortion and noise to speak out for their originality. I think it back fired, it’s pretty unlistenable and garnered harsh reviews Official Site: www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/blackrebelmotorcycleclub Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Darker My Love – Blue Day – 2 (2008) - second album and one I regret missing for the most part - another LA rock band.. they seem to have a bit more glam rock feel more than other genres - huge catchy guitar riffs, a trait they share with BRMC Official Site: http://www.darkermylovemusic.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkermylove Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – So Everyone – Lie Down in the Light (2008) - new album from this William Oldham alias. - Surprisingly more upbeat than some of his other stripped bare recordings - This song it a country rock duet that is highlighted with some excellent electric guitar builds mixed in with the acoustics - Playing Bloomington and Indy in the next couple months Myspace: www.myspace.com/princebonniebilly Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Stream and Download Their DayTrotter Session Phosphorescent – I Gotta Get Drunk – To Willie (2009) - Latest album - folk singer/songwriter - Willie Nelson Tribute album Myspace: www.myspace.com/phosphorescent Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Southeast Engine – Black Gold – From the Forrest to the Sea (2009) - forthcoming 3rd album - upbeat rolling rock song - this is similar to what Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy sounds like when he amps up his sound Official Site: www.southeastengine.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/southeastengine Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream and Download Southeast Engine’s DayTrotter Session Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Vulture Whale – Shoulda Been Rockin’ – Vulture Whale (2007) - 2nd album - I think that this is their 2nd self titled album, not positive. Gets confusing when bands switch labels and don’t catch on til later in their career. - swamp/southern rock mixed with tom petty sounds on the vocals at times Official Site: http://www.vulturewhale.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/vulturewhale Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon 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 Yeasayer - Tightrope - 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. Yeasayer Official Site: www.yeasayer.net/ Yeasayer Myspace: www.myspace.com/yeasayer Dark Was The Night Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkwasthenight Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon (Out February 16th) The Video that sold me on Yeasayer. Margot and the Nuclear So and So's – As Tall As Cliffs – Not Animal (2008) - 2nd album… sort of o Animal – the album they made and are releasing on their own. o Not Animal – the album their new major label wanted them to put out. - Indianapolis band with a large following - Combo of bright eyes and arcade fire, but songs don’t pack quite the punch Official Website: www.margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/margotandthenuclearsoandsos Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples & Buy on Amazon Dan Auerbach – Trouble Weighs A Ton – 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 Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch - Lua - 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. - This is a cover of the Bright Eyes’ song. Conor Oberst is/was the leader of Bright Eyes. Conor Oberst Official Site: www.conoroberst.com/ Conor Oberst Myspace: www.myspace.com/conoroberst Dark Was The Night Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkwasthenight Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon (Out February 16th) Stream Bright Eyes on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy Bright Eyes on Amazon

Thank You Mario! But Our Princess Is In Another Castle!

This is old, but brilliant AND The Mountain Goats are playing the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 113 (Web-Only Unrated Gone Wild Edition!) Right Here! Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash – Real Emotional Trash (2008) - another solid effort from one of indie rock’s immortals - this is the most complete album of 2008 second only to fleet foxes - there is not a song on the album that is a let down - clocking in at just over 10 mins this is the best song on the album. Who Says a song needs to be 2:30??? Official Site: http://www.stephenmalkmus.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/stephenmalkmus Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Frightened Rabbit – Keep Yourself Warm – Midnight Organ Fight (2008) - 2nd album - This band had a lot of hype from the start, and that combined with a ‘far from album best’ first single pushed me away at first, but the deeper I dug into this album the more I was blown away - This is the best track on the album and its unedited form isn’t the most radio friendly song. Official Site: www.frightenedrabbit.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon TV on the Radio – Lover’s Day – Dear Science, (2008) - made my best of 2008 show also. - Most approachable of their albums, but brings so much energy and is still so much what TV on the Radio is and has been it does not suffer in the slightest. Official Site: www.tvontheradio.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/tvotr Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon The National – Mr. November – Alligator (2005) - released the self titled debut in 2001 - originally from Ohio but got together in NY in the late 90’s - Boxer was their 2007 breakout album. - Usually a fairly subdued sound but that’s hardly the case here. Official Site: www.americanmary.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/thenational Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon King Khan & The BBQ Show – God Of Raisins – Animal Party 7” (2009) - King Khan’s other outfit… this is with BBQ Show (Marc Sultan) - Rougher blues soul sounds as opposed to his work with the shrines which has a bigger backing band. - King Khan has yet to release an unenjoyable piece of music Official Site: www.kkbbq.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/thekingkhanbbqshow Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Les Savy Fav – Scout’s Honor – 3/5 (1997) - debut album - one of the truly unique bands going. - Latest album, Let’s Stay Friends is flawless. - Lead Singer Tim Harrington is the best frontman I’ve ever seen live. Official Site: www.lessavyfav.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/lessavyfav Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes – Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009) - possibly the most hyped and raved about band next to Radiohead - a hint of folk mixed into a bowl of diverse and experimental building music. - their album cover is one of the freakiest things I’ve ever looked at. Official Site: http://www.myanimalhome.net/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/animalcollectivetheband Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Yeasayer – No Need To Worry – All Hour Cymbals (2008) - break out debut album - the offer a diverse range of styles like Animal Collective but don't go quite as far out there. - This track and '2080' are the two best on the album. - ALSO: check out their song on Dark Was The Night 'Tightrope.' It's streaming on my sidebar towards the top! Official Site: www.yeasayer.net/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/yeasayer Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Phosphorescent - I Am A Full Grown Man (I Will Lay in the Grass All Day) – Aw Come Aw Wry (2005) - debut album - folk singer/songwriter - just released a Willie Nelson Tribute album, ‘To Willie’ Myspace: www.myspace.com/phosphorescent Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Sufjan Stevens – You Are the Blood - 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. Sufjan Stevens Myspace: www.myspace.com/sufjanstevens Dark Was The Night Myspace: www.myspace.com/darkwasthenight Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon (Out February 16th) Fever Ray – If I Had A Heart – Fever Ray (2009) - debut album - very odd eerie electronics and processed vocals. - You Must watch the video below! Official Site: www.feverray.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/feverray Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Stream Video for ‘If I Had A Heart’ on YouTube

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