The Unknown & Unheard Show 188!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 188 Right Here, Right Now! (Download) Les Savy Fav – Sleepless in Silverlake – Root to Ruin (2010) - 5th album out September 14th - New York angular alt-rock band led by one of the most insane people on the planet, Tim Harrington - Possibly the best live band I’ve ever seen… primarily thanks to Harrington Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Menomena – Oh Pretty Boy, You’re Such a Big Boy - Mines (2010) - Forthcoming 4th album - We may now have a three-way for best album of the year… - Lackthereof and Ramona Falls are side projects that have had releases since the last Menomena album - Ultra-creative song writing. No one comes close to the sound they make. Layers and layers of instruments and vocals. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Bravestation – Clocks & Spears – 2010 EP (2010) - Debut EP - It’s about time Yeasayer fans have another band addressing their needs. MySpace : HypeMachine Light Pollution – Good Feelings – Apparitions (2010) - Debut from Chicago rock band - This track builds and sounds like an Arcade Fire anthem. - Playing Radio Radio August 2nd MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band – Hurrah – Where The Messengers Meet (2010) - 2nd album in two years, out August 4th - Jangily, off-kilter indie rock. - RIYL: Modest Mouse and Wolf Parade MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine These United States – Water & Wheat - What Lasts (2010) - Forthcoming 4th album in 4 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. - This is about the most poppy they've ever sounded. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Superhumanoids – Persona – Urgency (2010) - Debut full length - Features male and female lead vocals that make you think a little of the New Pornographers, just a little heavier music. Official Site : MySpace : HypeMachine Wolf People – Tiny Circle – Steeple (2010) - 2nd full length but first proper (non-compilation) to be released in the US - UK band that signed to Jagjaguwar last year to finally get legitimate US distribution. - Pulled straight out of the late 60’s/70’s psych blues rock. - This one has a touch more of a Jethro Tull feel courtesy of the flute throughout. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine The Black Angels – Bad Vibrations – Phosphene Dream (2010) - 3rd album from the ominous psych rockers. - Formed in 2004 in Austin, TX - Interesting feel to it… similar to some of the Black Keys more eerie songs - Debut Self Titled EP was released in 2005. 2nd full length out in 2008 Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Eels – Looking Up – Tomorrow Morning (2010) - 3rd album in a trilogy of albums. End Times and Hombre Lobo were the first two. - Big time retro feel to this bright Blues Brothers-esque track. - There is a really interesting look into Mark Everett’s past on a NOVA on PBS, ‘Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives’ Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Love Language – Heart To Tell – Libraries (2010) - 2nd album - Laid back folky rock - Touring with Local Natives Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine The Bees (The Band of Bees in the US) – Silver Line (2010) - First single off their forthcoming 4th album - This track is a little less upbeat than the majority of their previous ultra-catchy album ‘Octopus’ and is a little more Simon and Garfunkel Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine J. Tillman – Three Sisters – I Will Return (2010) - 7th album since 2004, out September 14th - Fleet Foxes drummer. - Stark and restrained acoustic ballad. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Deerhunter – Revival – Halcyon Digest (2010) - 4th full length, out September 28th. - Hugely popular Indie rock band led by Bradford Cox Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

It's everywhere, but... NEW GRINDERMAN!

Even the cover arts are badass! Heathen Child by MuteRecords

as badass as this one? I think we have a tie.

The Unknown & Unheard Show 187!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 187 Right Here, Right Now! (Download) Menomena - Toas - Mines (2010) - Forthcoming 4th album - We may now have a three-way for best album of the year… - Lackthereof and Ramona Falls are side projects that have had releases since the last Menomena album - Ultra-creative song writing. No one comes close to the sound they make. Layers and layers of instruments and vocals. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine These United States – One You Believe - What Lasts (2010) - Forthcoming 4th album in 4 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. - This is about the most poppy they've ever sounded. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine White Denim - Wet Sand- B-Side (2009) - Download for free on RCRDLBL.com - Not sure where this one hid from me, but I'm happy to find it and share. - Schizophrenic brilliance! Like a Jimi Hendrix sound check might sound. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Titus Andronicus – Titus Andronicus - The Airing of Grievances (2008) - Debut album - 2nd album The Monitor is still topping my best of the year list - Named after the Shakespeare play - This is a enjoyably raucous anthem. - A Rolling Stone ‘Best new band of 2010’ even though their debut came out in 2008. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine The National - So Far Around the Bend - Dark Was The Night (2009) - Huge compilation out at the beginning of last year. - Produced by a member of the National and was LOADED with stars. - This was the Nationals more than worthy contribution. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine : DayTrotter Electric Owls – Magic Show - Magic Show EP (2008) - debut EP - Elliott Smith and Shins fans gather ‘round. - This a personal favorite song of mine and I heard it recently in a crappy movie’s trailer and figured I need to balance things out. MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Grand Mal - Lower Yer Heart - Clandestine Songs (2010) - 6th album - NYC band led by Bill Whitten Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Chief - Night & Day - Night & Day EP (2010) - Latest EP, out this year - has a feel of a different decade. - Like Cincy’s Buffalo Killers, these guys bring a slightly hazy psychedelic rock that would hold up against some of the late 60’s and 70’s originators of that sound. MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine LCD Soundsystem - I Can Change - This Is Happening (2010) - 3rd Album - James Murphy led outfit - Band known for successfully tapping into many different genres: dance, rock, indie, disco. - This one feels like Bowie/Prince/Queen - They are responsible for what many critics consider some of the greatest songs of the past decade: All My Friends, New York I Love You and Someone Great Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Cut Copy - Where I'm Going - (2010) - Forthcoming 3rd album - Synth-Pop band from Australia Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Women - Eyesore - Public Strain (2010) - Forthcoming 2nd album - On Bloomington, IN's Jagjaguwar record label. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Come Undone - Hawk (2010) - Forthcoming 2nd album - Mark Lanegan is the haunting voiced former lead singer of punk rock outfit X - Their debut Sunday At Devil Dirt was outstanding. - Hip soulful swaggering retro feel. Isobel Campbell MySpace : Mark Lanegan MySpace: Amazon : HypeMachine Sun Kil Moon - You Are My Sun - Admiral Fell Promises (2010) - 4th album - Sleepy mellow lyrics that remind you of Andrew Bird - Recorded a couple interesting cover albums. One was all Modest Mouse tracks and it's amazing. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

The Unknown & Unheard Show 186!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 186 Right Here, Right Now! (Download) The Tallest Man On Earth – Burden of Tomorrow – The Wild Hunt (2010) - 2nd album is just out. - Extremely unique voice - 2008 self-titled debut was very well received. - The first act I will see at the P4K-fest Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine : DayTrotter Modest Mouse – Never Ending Math Equation – Building Nothing Out Of Something (1999) - Compilation of various singles and b-sides. - 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 : Amazon : HypeMachine Free Energy – Dream City - Stuck on Nothing (2010) - Debut full length. - Formerly known as Hockey Night - Produced by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. - Will likely be on the 2010 Best Of list. MySpace : HypeMachine Sonny & the Sunsets – Death Cream – Tomorrow Is Alright (2009) - Debut album… getting a proper release finally. Was previously out only on vinyl and digitally. - 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 : HypeMachine Kurt Vile – Freeway - Constant Hitmaker (2008) - Debut album. - 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…’ - Side project from The War on Drugs' lead guitarist. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Titus Andronicus – Richard II – The Monitor (2010) - Civil War-themed 2nd album - Out march 9th - Named after the Shakespeare play - This is a enjoyably raucous anthem. Myspace : Amazon : HypeMachine Bear In Heaven - Deafening Love - Beast Rest Forth Mouth (2009) - 2nd album - This is the type of band that typifies what Pitchfork brings to the table that not many other outlets might not. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Wolf Parade – I'll Believe in Anything - Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005) - Debut album - Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug each take their cracks at song writing and lead singing and each are coming of hugely successful releases from their side projects. - Boeckner (Handsome Furs) and Krug (Sunset Rubdown) Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine LCD Soundsystem - Oh You (Christmas Blues) - This Is Happening (2010) - James Murphy led outfit - Score for the interesting-looking not ridiculously silly new Ben Stiller role. - Band known for successfully tapping into many different genres: dance, rock, indie, dicso. - They are responsible for what many critics consider some of the greatest songs of the past decade: All My Friends and Someone Great - This is one of their most dark and brooding. Fits well with Wall-era Pink Floyd, Nick Cave and the heavier John Lennon solo recordings. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Girls – Lust For Life – Album (2009) - the hype surrounding this band is extensive. - Their leader’s, Christopher Owens, story is quite unbelievable. - I’m more sold on that than anything. - He grew up in a cult in which his brother died, dad left and mom was prostituted out for the good of the cult. Then he was rescued by a millionaire, moved to San Fran and started this band. - They bring some seriously noisy, fuzzy, nostalgic and make me think of a darker T Rex playing on a beach. MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Best Coast - Boyfriend - Crazy For You (2010) - from a forthcoming full length debut. - Warm and fuzzy surf pop… think Beach Boys a little. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Local Natives – Shape Shifter - Gorilla Manor (2009) - debut album - Check out their DayTrotter Session Here! Official Site : Myspace : HypeMachine Surfer Blood - Swim (To Reach the End) – Astro Coast (2009) - Debut album - echoey sound is reminiscent of Kurt Vile except these guys have more of a anthem sound. MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Sleigh Bells - Ring Ring – Treats (2010) - Debut full length - one of the biggest ‘breakouts’/benefactors of CMJ. - Beta Band sound here, but really dive into the electronics on the other tracks I’ve heard. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Pavement - Cut Your Hair - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994) - 2nd album - they are reforming for a comeback in 2010 and it has the music world flipping out - they are led by Stephen Malkmus who has released a bunch of quality solo music since the band’s initial split. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

The Unknown & Unheard Show 185!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 185 Right Here, Right Now! (MediaFire) Mumford & Sons – Dust Bowl Dance - Sigh No More (2009) - my favorite new band I’ve found this go around at SXSW - such a big, building sound for what starts as a fairly mellow acoustic song - RIYL: David Ford – State of the Union MySpace : HypeMachine Sun Kil Moon - Admiral Fell Promises - Admiral Fell Promises (2010) - Sleepy mellow lyrics that remind you of Andrew Bird - Recorded a couple interesting cover albums. One was all Modest Mouse tracks and it's amazing. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Perfume Genius - Write To Your Brother - Learning (2010) - debut album. - Another easy and catchy piano track. - This week's band that is blowing up out of the blue. They are everywhere! MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine The Black Keys - Ten Cent Pistol - Brothers (2010) - 6th album - very similar feel to their last album. - A little less of that raw aggressive blues rock found on their early albums. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Grinderman - (I Don't Need You To) Set Me Free - Grinderman (2007) - Debut from harder rockin' side project from Nick Cave and some Bad Seeds. - The follow up to this album, Grinderman 2, was just announced. - Nick Cave is someone who grows on me more and more with every listen. - This album features a ton of great, but not radio-friendly tracks. Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Tennis - Marathon - South Carolina EP (2010) - Forthcoming Debut EP out July 27th - Pop husband and wife duo. - Bought a sailboat and sailed around the east coast for eight months and now are sharing their experiences in song form for you. MySpace : HypeMachine Black Lips – Best Napkin I Ever Had - Black Lips/Pierced Arrows Split EP (2010) - 5 albums out - Big garage sound of the Stooges/Velvet underground/Guided By Voices - Known for their wild live shows Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine King Khan & the BBQ Show – Crystal Ball– Invisible Girl (2009) - 3rd album - Out last November - They are both in the Almighty Defenders with the Black Lips - They just had a falling out and may not make any more music together : ( Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Wolf Parade – Little Golden Age – Expo 86 (2010) - 3rd album - Their 2nd was a huge 2008 hit. The same can be sair about their debut in 2005 - Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug each take their cracks at song writing and lead singing and each are coming of hugely successful releases from their side projects. - Boeckner (Handsome Furs) and Krug (Sunset Rubdown) Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine The Thermals – I Don't Believe You - Personal Life (2010) - Forthcoming 5th album - 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 : Amazon : HypeMachine The Jameses - The Haunted Rider - Rat People & The Haunted Rider EP (2010) - Debut 7” EP - Garage pop/punk sound… have a definite psychedelic side too. MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine Puerto Rico Flowers - Voice of Love – PRF 2 EP (2010) - 2nd of 2 EPs - Another heavier rock sound with a bold voice. - This band makes me think of late 80's and early 90's alternative rock bands. - Maybe it's b/c I'm trying to get into it, but the intro to this one makes me think of Twin Peaks. Label's MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine MMOSS - Come What May - i (2010) - Debut full length… this is the album’s emphatic closer. - Available for 'You Name the Price' on their official site. - Be careful when Googling… this band is not the Minnesota Metabolic and Obesity Surgical Specialists… I don’t think. Official Site : MySpace : HypeMachine