The Unknown & Unheard Show 137!!!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 137 Right Here, Right Now! Portugal, The Man – Work All Day – The Satanic Satanist (2009) - 4th album - This band has had a huge sound from the start. - They are always putting out changing and innovative tracks and this album seems to show a change on a bigger scale. - This album sounds more restrained than some of their previous stuff… more acoustic than anything else. - ‘Church Mouth’ is my favorite album. - RIYL The Raconteurs/Jack White/Brendan Benson Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ha Ha Tonka – Walking On the Devil’s Backbone - Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South (2009) - 2nd album - great building folk track. I may have been sold simply by the Dostoevsky reference. - RIYL Kings of Leon and AA Bondy Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Brendan Benson – Don’t Wanna Talk – My Old, Familiar Friend (2009) - forthcoming album, first since Raconteurs work - out 8-18-09 - for those not near and dear to his previous solo work you should be able to at least clearly hear his contribution to the Raconteurs’ sound. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Free Energy – Free Energy - Free Energy (2009) - Forthcoming debut full length. - 2nd song to slide out… I think every band should have a title track on their self titled debut. Black Sabbath sold me on that idea… not so much Bad Company. - This band could’ve had the year’s best summer album if they’d just release this thing already. 'Dream City' is another brilliant track - formerly known as Hockey Night - Produced by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine We Were Promised Jetpacks – It’s Thunder and It’s Lightning – These Four Walls (2009) - Debut album - Scottish band with a very similar sound to Frightened Rabbit on the mellower tracks but seem a bit more aggressive when they amp up their sound. - This week’s track that is lodged in my head. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Japandroids – Darkness on the Edge of Gastown - 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. - This track was a stand out in their Pitchfork set, but it’s not on an album unfortunately. You can hear it on RCRDLBL.com though. Official Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine : RCRDLBL.com Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home – Up From Below (2009) - debut album… also on their debut EP, out earlier this year. - Big folk band that makes deeply layered songs - Arcade Fire + Margot & the Nuclear So & Sos? - Really liking the vocals from one of the female ‘Magnetic Zeros’ on this track - The horns and whistling bring to mind the sounds on Andrew Bird Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Netherfriends – TAC TAC – Feathers and Dots (2009) - debut full-length - Chicago band - Only three members despite the rich compositions. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Rural Alberta Advantage – Don’t Haunt This Place – Hometowns (2009) - debut album - playing Bloomington august 25th - songs are really marked by the bands drumming. Fast paced and light Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Modest Mouse – Perpetual Motion Machine – Perpetual Motion Machine (2009) - Single preceding their forthcoming EP - They’ve released about an album’s worth of music this year but have just spread it out… a lot of it is pretty damn good too! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Lost In the Trees – Walk Around The Lake – All Alone in an Empty House (2008) - 2nd album - Ari Picker’s 3rd band (B-Sides & the Nevers) - Really cool string section in their music. It gives them a considerably larger sound. - If you like this song you should definitely get the Iron & Wine EP with Calexico ‘In The Reins’ Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Bowerbirds – Beneath Your Tree – Upper Air (2009) - 2nd album - Primarily Phil Moore and Beth Tacular - Reminds me a lot of Ryan Adams’ mellower tracks. Official Site : Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Yim Yames – Behind That Locked Door – Tribute To (2009) - Solo project from My Morning Jacket’s Jim James - An album of George Harrison covers. - Part of the Monsters of Folk: Playing the Louisville Palace Halloween night! Official Site : Stream on HypeMachine Todd Snider – America’s Favorite Pastime – The Excitement Plan (2009) - 8th studio album - The Devil You Know was best/most commercial to date… this is working on surpassing that. - Peace Queer came out before this and was obnoxiously political… this album, thankfully, shows a return to what got him where he is. - This song is perfect for summer (and drug abusers too, I guess), it’s the story of MLB pitcher Doc Ellis threw a No-Hitter high on LSD. Official Site : Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

The Unknown & Unheard Show 136!!!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 136 Right Here, Right Now! Matt & Kim – Don’t Slow Down – Grand (2009) - 2nd album, debut out in 2006, Self-titled. - 2nd Best Band at Pitchfork! - keyboard & drums that sound like much more than that… sum of the parts - Big indie rock sounds without a doubt… the sound of the vocals scream it. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Yeasayer – Red Cave – All Hour Cymbals (2006) - Debut album - Best Band of Pitchfork By Far! - Immensely layered quintet - Played a few new track that have me pumped for early 2010 Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Modest Mouse – History Sticks To Your Feet – Perpetual Motion Machine (2009) - Single preceding their forthcoming EP - They’ve released about an album’s worth of music this year but have just spread it out… a lot of it is pretty damn good too! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Clues – Crows – 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 Lord Cut-Glass – Look After Your Wife – Lord Cut-Glass (2009) - Debut from former member of The Delgados - Scottish accent really adds to why I like this band. - Stream the entire album on Spinner this week. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Thermals – Returning To The Fold - The Body, The Blood, The Machine (2006) - 3rd full length…. Latest is 2009’s ‘Now We Can See’ - playing Pitchfork Fest - Portland band who can thank the Death Cab for Cutie crew for their start. Ben Gibbard made Sub-Pop recognize them, and Chris Walla produced their 2002 debut. - Fairly aggressive alt-pop punk Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ponytail – Beg Waves – Ice Cream Spiritual (2008) - 2nd album - Missed this band completely, but after seeing them live I am totally sold on them - The lead singer’s shrill unique way of singing makes her more of an instrument than a reciter of lyrics. - Biggest pleasant surprise of the weekend. 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 Monsters of Folk! – Say Please – Monsters of Folk! (2009) - Debut from the M. Ward, Conor Oberst & Jim James - Not ground-breaking, but as quality as you’d expect from these names. - Album is out in September - Download this song for free right now on their site! Official Site Kurt Vile – Childish Prodigy – Childish Prodigy (2009) - 2nd album, debut was ‘Constant Hitmaker’ - dreamy pop rock with vocals that bring up thoughts of Devendra Banhart - like Iron & Wine, cut his teeth with lo-fi recordings… this shows up more on ‘God is Saying…’ Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Deer Tick – Friday XIII – Born On Flag Day (2009) - 2nd album - Rambling folk duet. A bit of Dylan comin through Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Lonely H – Out West – Concrete Class (2008) - debut full length - chugging anthemic beat and vocals with candied-up guitar highlights - Reminds me of Les Savy Fav a bit. - Sometimes you just want something familiar with big fat electric guitar chords. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Brendan Benson - Feel Like Taking You Home – My Old, Familiar Friend (2009) - forthcoming album, first since Raconteurs work - out 8-18-09 - for those not near and dear to his previous solo work you should be able to at least clearly hear his contribution to the Raconteurs’ sound. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Florence and the Machine – Falling – Lungs (2009) - Debut album - UK band highlighted mainly by their lead singer. - Starts as an extremely delicate song, but slowly grows and expands. - This song might not be called ‘Falling.’ It’s definitely not listed as that on the album, hmmm… Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

The Unknown & Unheard Show 135!!!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 135 Right Here, Right Now! WAND – Jaybird Flower – (2009) - 2nd album from the leader of Wooden Wand, James Jackson Toth - this is an unreleased, reworked older track. - The bass line makes me think of Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ - This is this week’s track that will dismiss all your stresses. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : Get the MP3! Todd Snider – Money, Compliments, Publicity – The Excitement Plan (2009) - 8th studio album - The Devil You Know was best/most commercial to date… this is working on surpassing that. - Peace Queer came out before this and was obnoxiously political… this album, thankfully, shows a return to what got him where he is. Official Site : Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine White Denim – Radio Milk How Can You Stand It – Fits (2009) - 2nd full length - Check out the video for ‘I Start To Run’ on the U & U Blog - Their music follows no pattern and never gets boring… enjoyably schizophrenic. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Dead Weather – Bone House – Horehound (2009) - The Debut from Jack White’s latest band - Finally out! - Features Allison Mosshart of the Kills Official Site : Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Kills – Dead Road 7 – No Wow (2005) - 2nd album - Detroit duo with a rough, innovative take on hard blues rock. Official Site : Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Almighty Defenders – Bow Down and Die – The Almighty Defenders (2009) - Debut album from King Khan & The BBQ Show + The Black Lips! - The story is they got together in Germany (where King Khan started his career) after The Black Lips were ran out of India by authorities while on tour. Myspace : Preview on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : Get the MP3! The Strange Boys – Then - … And 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 Bowerbirds – Northern Lights – Upper Air (2009) - 2nd album - playing Pitchfork Music Fest and the Vollrath in Indy on the 17th - Reminds me a lot of Ryan Adams’ mellower tracks. Official Site : Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Whiskeytown – The Ballad of Carol Lynn – Pneumonia (2001) - 2nd album of 3 - Ryan Adams’ first band… heavily Alt-Country - slightly more commercial effort compared to their debut… a more polished feel. Official Site : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Magnolia Electric Co – O! Grace – Josephine (2009) - Josephine is his forthcoming full-length - Jason Molina’s current moniker he’s releasing music under. - Also released music in his name and Songs: Ohia - Check out how to get the song ‘Josephine’ for free on their Official Site! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Builders and the Butchers – Barcelona – Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well (2009) - Sophomore album out June 16th - From the previews of this album I’ve heard, they’ve really stepped up the sounds and progressions… and that’s saying a lot if you are familiar with their debut. - Such a powerful track! - Get excited about this album! - Playing the Vollrath August 6th Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session The Extra Glenns – Going To Morocco – Martial Arts Weekend (2002) - collaboration between John Darnielle (Mountain Goats) and Franklin Bruno (Nothing Painted Blue) - Love the album art. Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Matt & Kim – I Wanna – Grand (2009) - 2nd album, debut out in 2006, Self-titled. - Playing Pitchfork this weekend… hopefully will hit up Indy soon too! - keyboard & drums that sound like much more than that… sum of the parts - Big indie rock sounds without a doubt… the sound of the vocals scream it. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream – Up From Below (2009) - debut album… also on their debut EP, out earlier this year. - Big folk band that makes deeply layered songs - Arcade Fire + Margot & the Nuclear So & Sos? Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Heavy – Sixteen – Sixteen (2009) - Funky, soulful UK band - First single from forthcoming 2nd album Official Site : Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Theater Fire – Coyote – Matter and Light (2009) - 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

The Unknown & Unheard Show 134!!!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 134 Right Here, Right Now! Clues – Cave Mouth – 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 Sunset Rubdown – Nightingale/December Song – Dragonslayer (2009) - 4th album… out June 23rd - Eagerly awaiting this album - One of Spencer Krug’s many bands - Playing Jake’s in Bloomington July 8th - This album has some epic sounding tracks. - Longest song on the show by 56 seconds! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Frightened Rabbit – Floating In the Forth – 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. - Scottish accent stands out, but there seems to be something more than that to his vocals and make them truly unique. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Lord Cut-Glass – Big Time Teddy – Lord Cut-Glass (2009) - Debut from former member of The Delgados - Scottish accent really adds to why I like this band. - Stream the entire album on Spinner this week. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Builders and the Butchers – Down In The Hole – Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well (2009) - Sophomore album out June 16th - From the previews of this album I’ve heard, they’ve really stepped up the sounds and progressions… and that’s saying a lot if you are familiar with their debut. - Such a powerful track! - Get excited about this album! - Playing the Volrath August 6th Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Lien On Your Dreams – Baby 81 (2007) - 4th and most recent major release… - 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 : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Dead Heart Bloom – Love Like Lies – Oh Mercy (2008) - 2nd of 3 2008 Eps - All are free to download on his site. - Two full lengths show a wide range of talents, spanning from heavy dark BRMC/NIN-like songs to bright acoustic folk. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Thermals – A Pillar of Salt - The Body, The Blood, The Machine (2006) - 3rd full length…. Latest is 2009’s ‘Now We Can See’ - playing Pitchfork Fest - Portland band who can thank the Death Cab for Cutie crew for their start. Ben Gibbard made Sub-Pop recognize them, and Chris Walla produced their 2002 debut. - Fairly aggressive alt-pop punk Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine WAND – Eyes – Hard Knox (2009) - 2nd album from the leader of Wooden Wand, James Jackson Toth - this album is a result of a pretty crappy year. Set out on a really long tour on which his musical partner and wife left him… as well as his band. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Kurt Vile – Beach On The Moon – God Is Saying This To You (2009) - 2nd album, debut was ‘Constant Hitmaker’ - dreamy pop rock with vocals that bring up thoughts of Devendra Banhart - like Iron & Wine, cut his teeth with lo-fi recordings… this shows up more on ‘God is Saying…’ - Uses the lyrics from ‘Freeway’ on this track…’Freeway’ is one of my favorite of the year, so it was hard not to dig this. - If you aren’t completely relaxed by the sound of this track you are probably still angry about my ‘Reply All’ idea. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Magnolia Electric Co. – Little Sad Eyes – Josephine (2009) - the first is from his Record Store Day Release - Josephine is his forthcoming full-length - Jason Molina’s current moniker he’s releasing music under. - Also released music in his name and Songs: Ohia - Check out how to get the song ‘Josephine’ for free on their Official Site! - Russian Recording in Bloomington this Friday! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine White Denim – Say What You Want – Fits (2009) - 2nd full length - Check out the video for ‘I Start To Run’ on the U & U Blog - Their music follows no pattern and never gets boring… enjoyably schytzophrenic. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Deer Tick – Easy – Born On Flag Day (2009) - 2nd album - this track makes me think of Beach Boys and some early rock and roll songs. - Playing locals only July 14th Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine