The Unknown & Unheard Show 129!

Stream & Download Show 129 Right Here, Right Now!

Here are the Tunes, No Time For Fanciness! Gotta get to Alaska!

Pablo – Loser Crew Arms – Tiger Tamer Real Estate – Fake Blues T. Rex – Planet Queen Suckers – Easy Chairs Shag – Stop and Listen King Khan – Crackin’ Up Richard Swift - A Song for Milton Feher The Mountain Goats – This Year Viva Voce – The Slow Fade A.C. Newman – Take On Me Builders & the Butchers – Red Hands The Nightwatchman – The Road I Must Travel Grand Duchy – A Strange Day Ryan Adams – Drive All Night

The Unknown & Unheard Show 128!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 128 Right Here, Right Now! Eels – Fresh Blood – Hombre Lobo (2009) - forthcoming album - Translates to ‘Werewolf’ - There is a really interesting look into Mark Everett’s past on a NOVA on PBS, ‘Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives’ - This is the next album on my must have list. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks – Veckatimest (2009) - 2nd album - The hype and anticipation surrounding this album hasn’t been equaled in a long time, and that’s saying A LOT these days. - Great eclectic band - Amazingly weird video for this track. - Buy for $3.99 on Amazon!!! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Union Line – Pearls – The Union Line (2008) - debut full length - chugging anthemic beat and vocals with candied-up guitar highlights - Reminds me of Les Savy Fav a bit. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Clues – Remember Severed Head – Clues (2009) - debut album - Alden Penner (The Unicorns) and Bredan Reed (Arcade Fire Alum) - doesn’t really sound like a combination of those two bands which is pretty cool, I think. - This track has an off-kilter meanness like modest mouse. Official Site : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Modest Mouse – Guilty Cocker Spaniels – Satellite Skin (2009) - forthcoming 7” EP - was supposed to come out on Record Store Day Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Electric Owls – Darken Me – Ain’t To Bright (2009) - debut full length - ‘Magic Show’ is a brilliant track. - This one is simpler and mellow, but still quite enjoyable. - Elliott Smith and Shins fans gather ‘round. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Iron & Wine – Hickory – Around The Well (2009) - compilation of seldom seen and previously unreleased material - genuinely restrained singing style - Use to be criticized for a lack of variety, but now has almost too much. - Alt Rock to spare singer/songwriter to layered jammy compositions. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session The Flying Change – If You See Something, Say Something – Pain Is A Reliable Signal (2009) - debut full length - deep layered instrumentation and vocals. - if you like this go buy all the Sufjan records. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Wilco – Wilco (The Song) – Wilco (The Album) (2009) - 4th album - one of their most critical and popular successes - new album on the way ‘Wilco (The Album)’ which features ‘Wilco (The Song)’ - stream that on their site right now! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Viva Voce – Tornado Alley – Rose City (2009) - forthcoming 4th album - Portland, OR husband and wife duo - some of the members just released an album as Blue Giant - spacey catchy psychedelic rock. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Dukes of Stratosphear – 25 O’clock – 25 O’clock (1987) - one of 2 albums from this alter ego of the band XTC - odd style of psychadelia reminiscent of Syd Barrett - I’m digging the Gong in this track more than I should. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Pontiak – Honey - Maker (2009) - 2nd full length - Harder rock leaning psychedelic band out of Baltimore… combine them with Wilderness and I’d say you have a pretty strong scene for that genre going already with just two bands - Ominous feels of Black Mountain Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Tom Waits – Goin’ West – Bone Machine (1992) - one of his darkest, eeriest, most tribal sounding albums - if anyone can pull off that sound after mastering soulful piano jazz, it’s Tom Waits - Fitting for the trip! Humor me and listen. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Lucero – That Much Further West – That Much Further West (2004) - It’s rare I have a theme show, but this is another one I’m playing solely for trip purposes! - band led by Ben Nichols - has a gritty raspy bar rock singing voice which I can’t get enough of - name means ‘bright star’ in Spanish. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

Grizzly Bear Is Creepy And I Like It!

I'm treating this video sort of as a warm-up to the big trip. It's the first of, potentially, many weird Grizzly Bear encounters. Awesome video. The track is from their super-highly anticipated forthcoming album 'Veckatimest.' They are playing the Buskirk-Chumley next month. Two Weeks Official Site : Myspace

The Unknown & Unheard Show 127!!!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 127 Right Here, Right Now! White Rabbits – Rudie Fails – It’s Frightening (2009) - debut album, huge hype and acclaim surrounded this album - I like this song better than anything I heard on their debut… promising start for what’s to come on the rest of the album. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session Royal City – A Belly Was Made For Wine – Royal City (2009) - Forthcoming 3rd album, debut out in 2001 - Toronto band - This one is a Compilation of B-Sides ot June 23rd on Asthmatic Kitty (Sufjan’s Label) Official Site (Download this song right now!) Comet Gain – Asleep on the Snow – Broken Record Prayers (2009) - 5th album… together since 1993 - Lou Reed vibes found here Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Big Black Nothing – Outer South (2009) - 2rd album under his given name. Out May 5th - Best known for his work as ‘Bright Eyes’ - Headlined the Omaha music scene’s rise to respectability - Some big juicy bluesy riffs on this track. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine XTC – Dear God – Skylarking (1986) - 7th album, or so… debut out in 1978 - Catchy quality British pop - A side project of theirs that I have really enjoyed thanks to a re-release was Dukes of Stratosphear. Official Site : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Modest Mouse – Satellite Skin – No One’s First & You’re Next (2009) - forthcoming 7” EP - was supposed to come out on Record Store Day Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Clues – Perfect Fit – Clues (2009) - debut album - Alden Penner (The Unicorns) and Bredan Reed (Arcade Fire Alum) - doesn’t really sound like a combination of those two bands which is pretty cool, I think. Official Site : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Prabir and the Substitutes – Who’s Gonna Love Ya? – Hello EP (2009) - debut album out in 2008 - 2nd album is just out - bright familiar sounding rolling rock with harmonies and clapping. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Wilco – Heavy Metal Drummer – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002) - 4th album - one of their most critical and popular successes - new album on the way ‘Wilco (The Album)’ which features ‘Wilco (The Song)’ - stream that on their site right now! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine My Jerusalem – Sweet Chariot – Without Feathers EP (2009) - debut EP - members of Gutter Twins, Great Northern and Polyphonic Spree - made a big impression at SXSW Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Quest For Fire – Bison Eyes – Quest For Fire (2009) - Debut, out June 9th - opening for the Pink Mountaintops - Download this song right now! Official Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Dark Night of the Soul – Angel’s Harp (Feat. Frank Black) – Dark Night of the Soul (2009) - David Lynch, Dangermouse & Sparklehorse collaboration - David Lynch is one of the weird movie makers you’ll ever find. Eraserhead, Lost Highway, Twin Peaks. - Stream it right now! Official Site : Stream on HypeMachine : NPR Stream Pink Mountaintops – Outside Love – Outside Love (2009) - 3rd album - project from Black Mountain’s leader, Stephen McBean - started in 2004 - If you enjoy this, but want some bigger more aggressive sounds search out some Black Mountain, Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

Dr. Dog – Alaska – We All Belong (2007) - 3rd album and their best if you ask me - This is a great track and gets me pumped for my trip! Ha! - This album really put them on a national scene and on tour with The Black Keys, among others. - Check out their myspace for info on how to buy their latest ‘Fate’ for only $1.99! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

HOORAY PARENTING!!!

New Eels!

It's called Hombre Lobo (spanish for werewolf) and is out June 2nd. Based on two songs and the badassness of E's beard I feel totally fine in getting absurdly pumped for this album. Tremendous Dynamite: Fresh Blood:

Official Site : Myspace

The Unknown & Unheard Show 126!!!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 126 Right Here, Right Now!

Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Slowly (Oh So Slowly) – Outer South (2009) - 2rd album under his given name. Out May 5th - Best known for his work as ‘Bright Eyes’ - Headlined the Omaha music scene’s rise to respectability - Some big juicy bluesy riffs on this track. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The 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. - One of the best albums of the year - Playing the Pitchfork Music Fest Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Portugal The Man – Church Mouth – Church Mouth (2007) - 2nd full length of 3… 3 EP’s as well - Intense sounds… falsetto vocals - Big White Stripes influence and that’s a very good thing! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Strange Boys – To Turn a Tune Or Two – The Strange Boys & Girls Club (2009) - debut full length - in the same vein as the Black Lips… lo-fi mash-up of 60’s/70’s rock, old r&b and punk. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Fleet Foxes – Mykonos – Sun Giant EP (2008) - debut EP - Brand new single?!? Not really. - Broke out early last year with their debut. - Lead singer, Robin Pecknold, is also pushing a solo project called White Antelope. - Go to Amazon and get this song for FREE! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ape School – Be An Encore – Ape School (2009) - Debut album - Distorted druggy vintage sound - musical name for Michael Johnson Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Boston Spaceships – Big O Gets an Earful – Planets are Blasted (2009) - a new album from Robert Pollard??? Imagine that - Guess what… it’s another quality effort. This one has a nice glam rock riff to it - Robert Pollard = Former Guided By Voices frontman and Indie Rock Idol Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Pixies – Dig For Fire – Bossanova (1990) - 4th full length - 2nd on a major label - sound was significantly more mainstream, but considering where they started from its effect on their sound wasn’t too big of a deal. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Double Dagger – The Lie/The Truth – More (2009) - 3rd album, debut out in 2003 - Odd style of late 80s early 90s punk - Makes me think of the pixies a lot. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Japandroids – Young Hearts Spark Fire – Post-Nothing (2009) - Debut, critical praise is pouring down on this album. - raucous post punk rock - huge energy and distortion. You’ll want to see this song live and as loud as possible Official Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Pink Mountaintops – Vampire – Outside Love (2009) - 3rd album - project from Black Mountain’s leader, Stephen McBean - started in 2004 - If you enjoy this, but want some bigger more aggressive sounds search out some Black Mountain, Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Magik Markers – Don’t Talk in Your Sleep - Balf Quarry (2009) - 4th album - Formed in 2001 - Very ominous psych rock - Creepy eerie Black Sabbath or Black Mountain Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Iron & Wine – The Trapeze Swinger – In Good Company (OST)/Around The Well (2009) - compilation of seldom seen and previously unreleased material - genuinely restrained singing style - Use to be criticized for a lack of variety, but now has almost too much. - Alt Rock to spare singer/songwriter to layered jammy compositions. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session

DRAGONSLAYER!!!

There is a growing build up of buzz in all the corners of the internet's music department. What's the reason this time? That hideous creature Susan Boyle finally gave into her natural instincts and ate a child? (Not yet.) Obama twittered something? (blah) Oprah twittered about Obama twittering? (Please stop, seriously) No, No and No. It is the frenzied anticipation of Sunset Rubdowns' forthcoming album, Dragonslayer. Sunset Rubdown = Spencer Krug's (of Wolf Parade fame) 15th or 16th band. The first single is 'Idiot Heart' and is pretty sweet, but continuing my Odd Video Adventure Sunday I wanted to post this little teaser video the band has put out featuring a sample of another track (Paper Lace) from DRAGONSLAYER!!! (See 'm live at Jake's in Bloomington on the 8th of July!) Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

Weirdest Letterman Performance Ever?

I won't lie and claim to have liked Animal Collective from the beginning, but man have they grown on me. What's sold me? Their latest album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and stuff like this. Letterman looks more like a confused old man than I've ever seen. Lion In a Coma is another track you should dig up. DO IT! Official Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine : Buy on Amazon

The Unknown & Unheard Show 125!!!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 125 Right Here, Right Now! Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Roosevelt Room – Outer South (2009) - 2rd album under his given name. Out May 5th - Best known for his work as ‘Bright Eyes’ - Headlined the Omaha music scene’s rise to respectability - Some big juicy bluesy riffs on this track. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine OK Go – Get Over It – OK Go (2002) - debut album - far better album than their 2nd which blew up thanks to their treadmill video. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Baby Teeth – Looking For A Road – The Simp (2006) - Debut full length… 2nd is on its way. - The Hold Steady Light? - Great big anthem with a touch more pop feels than The Hold Steady. - If you like this track, go dig up some Mark Kozelek/Sun Kil Moon - Listen to their DayTrotter Session! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session The Theater Fire – It’s All The Same – Matter and Light (2008) - debut album and another I kick myself for missing - There’s something that makes me really enjoy this album’s cover art. - This track is more upbeat and sounds like it could come from Neil Young. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Comet Gain – Brothers off the Block – Broken Record Players (2009) - 5th album… together since 1993 - Lou Reed vibes found here Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Mumford & Sons – The Cave– Debut EP (2009) - my favorite new band I’ve found this go around at SXSW - such a big, building sound for an acoustic song - nice use of banjo. Really compliments and adds to the song. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine

Akron/Family – Last Year – Set ‘em Wild. Set ‘em Free (2009) - 4th full length - range from simple spare folk to massive psychadelic rock jams. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Suckers – Beach Queen – Suckers EP (2009) - debut EP - big pounding, distorted anthem with a couple huge builds - loads of hype around this short 4 song release… deservedly so! - Spacey arrangement here. - RIYL: Modest Mouse, Bowie Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Modest Mouse – Tiny Cities Made of Ashes – The Lonesome Crowded West (1997) - 2nd album - one of the best Modest Mouse albums - a touch less pop than they got into with their most recent albums Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ape School – Wail to God – Ape School (2009) - Debut album - Distorted vintage sound - musical name for Michael Johnson Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Viva Voce – Die A Little – Rose City (2009) - forthcoming album - Portland, OR band - some of the members just released an album as Blue Giant Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Okkervil River – Pop Lie (One Man Band Version) – Pop Lie (Single) (2009) - rougher, more distorted rock version of this track taken from their latest album ‘ The Stand Ins.’ Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Decemberists – The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid – The Hazards of Love (2009) - Brand new album - Colin Meloy, leader, said he had initially envisioned this album as a musical. - distinct folk band that at times brings in some Jethro Tull sounds - Headlined the NPR music stage at SXSW - This track (and album) has some of the biggest, fattest riffs that they’ve ever put out. - Playing the Murat on August 8th!!! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine My Brightest Diamond – Something of an End – Bring Me the Workhorse (2006) - Shana Worden’s debut album - Previously with Awry and Sufjan Stevens Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine