The Unknown & Unheard Show 141!!!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 141 Right Here, Right Now! Free Energy – Dark Trance – Free Energy (2009) - Forthcoming debut full length. - formerly known as Hockey Night - Produced by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. - I want this album NOW! - After only 3 tracks this has risen to the top of my 2009 favorites. I hope it delivers. - This track especially reminds me of OK Go’s initial sounds. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine These United States - I Want You to Keep Everything - Everything Touches Everything (2009) - 3rd album in 3 yrs - Their debut was one that I immediately latched onto, but it took a re-release to drive up the following this band deserves. - Jesse Elliot, lead singer, writes some fantastic lyrics to go along with the layered Americana progressions. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Chuck Ragan – Rotterdam – Gold Country (2009) - 3rd solo album - Former lead singer of Hot Water Music - Powerful voice with a southern folk rock sound - Out Sept. 1st Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Family Portrait – Will You Be There? (Michael Jackson Cover) - mellow lo-fi 60’s surf feel to this one - Don’t mistake this for a tribute to that creepy weirdo, this cover is quality. - Crazy homemade video to this track with a wide assortment of flamethrowers Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Ramona Falls – Always Right – Intuit (2009) - forthcoming solo debut from Brent Knopf of Menomena - Out August 18th - 2nd member to put forth a solo effort Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The xx – Crystallized – XX (2009) - debut album - huge explosion of hype and praise about this band in the past week. - RIYL: Old good Snow Patrol, not new crappy Snow Patrol - Disgruntled tip of me hat to NPR for being on this band a couple months ago. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine The Heavy – How You Like Me Now? – The House That Dirt Built (2009) - 2nd album out sept. 21st - Funky, soulful UK band with a massive sound. Official Site : Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Soulsavers – Unbalanced Pieces – Broken (2009) - 2nd Soulsavers album - Mark Lanegan’s latest album since his insanely good album of duets with Isobel Campbell - His voice is hauntingly soulful Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Sea Wolf – Wicked Blood – White Water, White Bloom (2009) - 2nd album - LA band with the sound of a less intense and emotional Arcade Fire - Sold a bit of their music for commercials Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Brendan Benson – Eyes on the Horizon – 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 Choir Of Young Believers – Action/Reaction – This Is For the Whites in Your Eyes (2008) - debut full length - POWER Pop… borders on too sugary, but doesn’t cross the line in my opinion. Label's Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Generationals – Nobody Could Change Your Mind– Con Law (2009) - debut album - Louisianan Band - Indie pop - Great SXSW DayTrotter Session Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Bandcamp : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session Vandaveer – Turpentine – Divide & Conquer (2009) - 2nd album from this DC singer songwriter, Mark Charles Heidinger - He also has played bass for U & U favorite, These United States. - His voice is the standout element, but his rich compositions are a close second. - This track (and a few other tracks) feature some back-up female vocals that compliment the music nicely Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

Fun With Fire!!!

Here's the Family Portrait video for 'Mega Secrets' I teased in Show 140... Check out Show 141 for another track from these guys! Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine

The Unknown & Unheard Show 140!!!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 140 Right Here, Right Now! Soulsavers – All the Way Down – Broken (2009) - 2nd Soulsavers album - Mark Lanegan’s latest album since his insanely good album of duets with Isobel Campbell - His voice is hauntingly soulful Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine John Henry & The Engine – Lightning City Blues – Under the Yellow Moon (2008) - 2nd album - RIYL: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’ album - Dirty brooding blues. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon Gentleman Losers – Laureline – The Gentleman Losers (2006) - Instrumental track that I can’t get enough of once I heard it - This track features a bit more guitar than the other stuff I’ve heard by them. - Easy melancholy progression. - They have a new album just out called Dustland. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Cave Singers – Hen of the Woods - Welcome Joy (2009) - 2nd album - An eerie style of folk… the vocals really stand out - RIYL: Lightning Dust - The lead singers sound like they could be brother and sister Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Family Portrait – Mega Secrets – Mega Secrets (2009) - mellow lo-fi 60’s surf feel to this one - good summertime track to relax to. - Crazy homemade video to this track with a wide assortment of flamethrowers Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Dead Man’s Bones – My Body’s A Zombie For You – Dead Man’s Bones (2009) - First single from actors’, Ryan Gosling and Zack Shields, band featuring Silverlake Conservatory children’s choir. - Out October 6th - On ANTI one of the most eclectic labels going. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Timber Timbre – Lay Down in the Tall Grass – Timber Timbre (2009) - 2nd album, debut was out in 2007 ‘Medicinals’ - M. Ward + Bon Iver + Tom Waits’ ‘What’s He Building In There?’ - Eerily cool spooky tracks… slogan on Myspace is ‘Creep on creepin’ on.’ - Toronto duo - ‘Music to kill you lover to’ Label Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Volcano Choir – Island, IS – Unmap (2009) - debut album - Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) project with Collections of Colonies of Bees. - Bon Iver’s owned the 2008 music world - Out 9/22 of Jagjaguwar Label's Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Sufjan Stevens – Decatur – Illinois (2005) - 5th album of 5. 2nd in his State Themed series - Playing Bloomington on Setp 29th Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Magnolia Electric Co. – Whip-Poor-Will – Josephine (2009) - latest album from this Jason Molina band - this song was a long time b-side favorite Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Clues – You Have My Eyes Now – 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 The Entrance Band – Lookout! – The Entrance Band (2009) - debut on Underwater Peoples - LA Trio that can have a very psychedelic sound at times - This track is more pixies if they had an 80’s British lead singer. Official Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Brendan Benson – Poised and Ready – 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 Pablo – Ha Ha Ha Ha – There’s Rope to Leave (2009) - 2nd album - Debut was one of the great under-appreciated gems of the past 3yrs or so - If you dig this one, check out the song ‘Loser Crew’ from their debut. - Stream this entire album on Spinner! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine

The Unknown & Unheard Show 139!!!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 139 Right Here, Right Now! The Almighty Defenders – Cone of Light – 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! Sonny & the Sunsets – Death Cream – Love & Death 7” (2009) - Raven Sings The Blues is one of my favorite blogs when I want something raw, garage, psychedelic, bluesy or any combination of those in the form of a band no one knows about - Sonny Smith is the leader and has release more work under his given name. Official Site : Sonny Smith Official Site : Stream on HypeMachine White Antelope – Wild Mountain Thyme - Demo - Solo acoustic alias for Robin Pecknold, leader of the Fleet Foxes - I think before too long every child born will be required to have a solo acoustic name as well as a real name. - This is just stripped back Fleet Foxes. Loses something without the harmonies, but it’s still better than a lot of what’s coming in contact with your ears. - Cover of what has pretty much become a traditional song written by William McPeake. White Antelope Myspace : Fleet Foxes Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Holiday Shores – Edge of Our Lives - Columbus'd The Whim (2009) - debut album - another fuzzy, dreamy tune to mellow out to. - Playing a TBA show in Bloomington on the 24th Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Netherfriends – Friends with Lofts – Calling You Out (2009) - debut full-length - Chicago band - Only three members despite the rich compositions. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Generationals – Angry Charlie – Con Law (2009) - debut album - Louisianan Band - Indie pop - Great SXSW DayTrotter Session Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Bandcamp : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session Timber Timbre – Magic Arrow – Timber Timbre (2009) - 2nd album, debut was out in 2007 ‘Medicinals’ - M. Ward + Bon Iver + Tom Waits’ ‘What’s He Building In There?’ - Eerily cool spooky tracks… slogan on Myspace is ‘Creep on creepin’ on.’ - Toronto duo - ‘Music to kill you lover to’ Label Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Nick Cave – Song of Joy – Murder Ballads (1996) - 9th album - One of Cave’s best and masterfully dark albums - One of the best received critically albums. - All about crimes of passion… Stagger Lee is a great un-airable song. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Black Heart Procession – Rats – Six (2009) - Appropriately titled 6th album, first since 2006 - dark vibe to their music, but the back up vocals seem to round the edges nicely Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Cave Singers – At the Cut - Welcome Joy (2009) - 2nd album - An eerie style of folk… the vocals really stand out - RIYL: Lightning Dust - The lead singers sound like they could be brother and sister Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Pablo – 4th of July – There’s Rope to Leave (2009) - 2nd album - Debut was one of the great under-appreciated gems of the past 3yrs or so - If you dig this one, check out the song ‘Loser Crew’ from their debut. - Stream this entire album on Spinner! Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine : Spinner’s Album Stream! The Antlers – Bear – Hospice (2009) - 3rd album - Out yesterday - Big pop sound… remind me of The Arcade Fire’s acoustic tracks - Distinct sing songy way of reciting the lyrics Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Dead Man’s Bones – In the Room Where You Sleep – Dead Man’s Bones (2009) - First single from actors’, Ryan Gosling and Zack Shields, band featuring Silverlake Conservatory children’s choir. - Out October 6th - On ANTI one of the most eclectic labels going. Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine

Follow Up To Timber Timbre

As I metnioned on the previous show, Timber Timbre really makes me think M. Ward and this Tom Waits' video had a weird little baby band. Tom Waits - What's He Building In There?

The Unknown & Unheard Show 138!!!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 138 Right Here, Right Now! Rain Machine – Give Blood – Rain Machine (2009) - solo debut from TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone - this is this week’s song that will get you moving. Very funky sound to this one - I hope he can keep the energy up this successfully on the entire album. - Also in the band Iran - Out September 22nd One of Many Blogs you can Download this Track For FREE! Rock Plaza Central - Oh I Can - …At the Moment of Our Most Needing Or If Only They Could Turn Around, They Would Know They Weren’t Alone (2009) - 2nd album from the Chris Eaton led rotating group of musicians - Another track that packs a boatload of intensity. - Strained feel to the song that you get from The Builders and the Butchers and even the Mountain Goats… comparable vocals as well. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine The Mountain Goats – Genesis 3:23 - The Life of the World to Come (2009) - NEW MOUNTAIN GOATS! - If that alone is not worthy of a play, I don’t know what is - This seems to be some relative of a concept album based around lessons he’s learned. Each track’s title is a specific bible verse. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Prabir & The Substitutes – Five Little Pieces – Five Little Pieces (2008) - 3rd Full length. Two EP’s out also. - RIYL Ike Reilly Assassination - Jangly 60’s bar room rock… hard not to enjoy. - Their full-length debut was a double disc, but the 2nd disc was a copy of the first that they encouraged people to share with others. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ha Ha Tonka –Hold My Feet In the Fire - Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South (2009) - 2nd album - RIYL Kings of Leon and AA Bondy Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine We Were Promised Jetpacks – Roll Up Your Sleeves – 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 Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Janglin’ – 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 White Denim – Paint Yourself – Fits (2009) - 2nd album - Enjoyably schizophrenic compositions. - The hand claps and a catchy guitar progression on this one just seem to be smile-inducing. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Portugal, The Man – Guns and Dogs – 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 Faux Hoax – Foxworthy - Your Friends Will Carry You Home EP (2009) - debut EP from Danny Seim of Memomena, Dave Allen of Gang of Four - pronounced ‘Folks’ - incredibly layered tracks like that which you find on all the Menomena stuff Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Lackthereof – Chest Pass - Your Anchor (2008) - 2nd solo album from Danny Seim of Menomena - He does a brilliant cover of the National’s ‘Fake Empire’ to close this album Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Ramona Falls – I Say Fever – Intuit (2009) - forthcoming solo debut from Brent Knopf of Menomena - Out August 18th - 2nd member to put forth a solo effort Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Timber Timbre – We’ll Find Out – Timber Timbre (2009) - 2nd album, debut was out in 2007 ‘Medicinals’ - M. Ward + Bon Iver + Tom Waits’ ‘What’s He Building In There?’ - Eerily cool spooky tracks… slogan on Myspace is ‘Creep on creepin’ on.’ - Toronto duo Label Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Lightning Dust – Never Seen – Infinite Light (2009) - 2nd full length - Another Black Mountain side project - Great vocals - This track in particular reminds me of Gary Jules’ cover of Tears for Fears’ ‘Mad World’ Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine