The Unknown & Unheard Show 116!

Stream & Download The Unknown & Unheard Show 116 Right Here, Right Now! The Hold Steady – Atlantic City (Springsteen Cover) – War Child: Heroes (2009) - they sound like if they were around first, Springsteen’s version would be the cover - playing Bloomington at Jake’s - latest album is Stay Positive - I can say without hesitation this is one of the greatest bands of out time. Official Site: www.theholdsteady.net Myspace: www.myspace.com/theholdsteady Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Bruce Springsteen – Johnny 99 – Nebraska (1982) - first solo acoustic album and is a compilation of demos… makes for a raw, pure music experience - There are two albums that stand far above the others in Springsteen’s catalog, Darkness on the Edge of Town and Nebraska. - State Trooper is another great song off this album. Official Site: www.brucespringsteen.net/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/brucespringsteen Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon The Listening Party – Little Tender Hearts – Who Are We Missing? (2008) - this is their full length debut - they brought so much energy to their live show I fell in love with them instantly. - You don’t know the words but you can’t help but sing along Myspace: www.myspace.com/wwwmyspacecomlisteningparty Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon The Acorn – Flood Pt. 1 – Glory Hope Mountain (2007) - 2nd full length - New album, Heron Act, came out in February ‘09 Official Site: http://theacorn.ca/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/theacorn Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream and Download The Acorn’s DayTrotter Session Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Gomez – Airstream Driver – New Tide (2009) - forthcoming album - this is the classic big Gomez sound… a song with a swagger, but with smooth catchy vocals. - They have three lead signers, this track features the most pop sounding of the three. Official Site: www.gomeztheband.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/gomez Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Harlem Shakes – Strictly Game – Technicolor Health (2009) - debut full length is on its way this month - a lot of layers to this track, upbeat and hard not to enjoy… leans towards indie pop Official Site: www.harlemshakes.com Myspace: www.myspace.com/harlemshakes Stream Song on HypeMachine The Press – Master – Master (2009) - debut album (I think) - really not a lot out there about this band yet, but if this is the sound their album brings, there will be. - Big anthems, high energy and reminds me of The Listening Party a lot… and since not many bands do that… it’s a very good thing. Official Site: http://thepressthepress.com/ Myspace: http://myspace.com/thepress Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream and Download on RCRDLBL.COM Benjy Ferree – The Grips – 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 Bishop Allen – Don’t Hide Away – Grrr… (2009) - 3rd full length - They always have steady, well constructed lyrics that seem to fit perfectly with the plodding bounciness of their music. - The hype monster is surrounding this band like never before because of this album Official Site: www.bishopallen.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/bishopallen Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Jared Mees & The Grown Children – The Tallest Building In Hell – Caffeine, Alcohol, Sunshine Money (2008) - first album with this backing band - self-titled debut out in 2007 - this album, along with Benjy Ferree’s are the first two to even begin to challenge M. Ward’s domination of my itunes.

Official Site: www.jaredmees.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/jaredmees Stream Songs on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon

Ezra Furman & The Harpoons – Mysterious Power – DayTrotter Session (2009) - 2 albums out, Banging Down the Doors & Inside the Human Body. - Happy sounding, upbeat tracks regardless of the lyric’s subject matter. - He sounds a bit like Dylan, but still really maintains a personality that is unique - Even a little Buffalo Springfield sound to this song. Official Site: www.ezrafurman.com/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/ezrafurman Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream and Download Ezra’a DayTrotter Session Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Delta Spirit – Trash Can – Ode To Sunshine (2008) - debut album and it exploded last year. The Hype Monster sunk it’s claws in deep. - I admit to not being totally sold on these guys, but the quality of this track is undeniable. - If you get into the Cold War Kids you should like this band. Official Site: www.deltaspirit.net/ Myspace: www.myspace.com/deltaspirit Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Black Lips – Take My Heart – 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

Crystal Antlers – Andrew – Tentacles (2009) - forthcoming full length debut - ‘A Thousand Eyes’ is a great track off their debut EP, out in 2008. - Harsh vintage sound, but that’s what they are going for and that’s what will draw you in. - They sound like a more serious version of King Khan, not that King Khan’s immense talents aren’t serious. Official Site Myspace: www.myspace.com/crystalantlers Stream Song on HypeMachine Stream Samples and Buy on Amazon Dan Auerbach – Heartbroken, In Despair – Keep It Hid (2009) - solo debut - done a bunch of producing since last Black Keys’ album - best guitar riff I’ve heard in a long time. Reminds me of some of the great ones Nugent is famous for. Official Site: www.nonesuch.com/artists/dan-auerbach Myspace: www.myspace.com/danauerbachmusic Stream Songs on HypeMachine

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