Best Daytrotter Session Ever?

After hearing the Suckers' self-titled debut EP I thought the quality and potential easily matched that of the Fleet Foxes debut EP. An EP that warmed the waters for their debut full length, a near unamimous choice for best album of 2008. Now after hearing three more previously unreleased tracks from the Suckers in this DayTrotter session, I'm just waiting for them to put out their full-length, so I know whether to put atop the Best of 2009 list or the 2010. I honestly think it's going to be that good. 'King of Snakes' highlights the DayTrotter set for me, but it would be in your best interest to check out the song 'Easy Chairs' if you haven't. Suckers DayTrotter Session : 4 Free MP3's await you! Sorry for being two months tardy with my heads up. MP3 : Suckers : Easy Chairs

The U & U is IN your computer? Revised

Howdy people! After several requests I have finally figured out how to set up a legit podcast for the Unknown & Unheard. It's amazing what you can accomplish when your computer doesn't shut itself off every 20 minutes! I'll still post everything as I always have (aside from switching to a new hosting site), but now, in addition to that you with be able to have each week's show downloaded and delivered to your computer as soon as I upload it! This has been a long time coming, but pretty sweet I think. So for those of you interested in this new delivery method, here's what you need to do: Itunes users: Click 'Advanced' Click 'Subscribe to Podcast...' Copy & Paste the following in the dialog box:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/UnknownUnheard

Click 'OK' ... That's all you have to do! Users of other Podcast Downloaders: As far as I understand it, you just have to enter in the web address of the blog... http://unknownunheard.blogspot.com/ I've tested it a few times and it seems to work without error in Itunes, but let me know if you encounter any problems. Ok, I'm done for now... yeah... Thanks! Here's a track to celebrate the U & U's latest advancement in technology and my brand new computer!

MP3 : Sufjan Stevens - Dear Mr. Supercomputer

The Unknown & Unheard Show 142!!!

Stream & Download The U & U Show 142 Right Here, Right Now! Left Lane Cruiser – Wash It – Bring Yo Ass to the Table (2008) - 2nd album - Ft. Wayne band that brings some serious dirty swampy blues Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine These United States – The Important Thing - 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 Langhorne Slim – Say Yes – Be Set Free (2009) - 3rd album… out September 29th - His self-titled second blew me away. - the best folk singer/songwriter out there for my money. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Sonny Smith – Good Folks, Bad Folks – Fruitvale (2006) - 4th solo album - Now releasing music with Sonny & the Sunsets Official Site : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine King Khan & the BBQ Show – Invisible Girl – Invisible Girl (2009) - 3rd album - Out November 3rd - They are both in the Almighty Defenders with the Black Lips Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine White Denim – Everybody Somebody – Fits (2009) - 2nd album - I've probably played half this album on here and I there is really no reason to not continue the pattern - Modern schizophrenic take on Hendrix? Official Site : Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Family Portrait – On the Floor – Mega Secrets (2009) - mellow lo-fi 60’s surf feel to this one - upbeat surfer garage punk… a little Dick Dale flavor. - Crazy homemade video to this track with a wide assortment of flamethrowers Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – Desert Song – Up From Below (2009) - debut album… also on their debut EP, out earlier this year. - Big band that makes deeply layered songs - Sharpe’s vocals are reminiscent of the Kings of Leon - Arcade Fire + Margot & the Nuclear So & Sos? - The horns and whistling bring to mind the sounds on Andrew Bird Myspace : Buy On Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Cave Singers – Summer Light - 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 A. A. Bondy - I Can See the Pines Are Dancing – When the Devil's Loose (2009) - 2nd album - Debut was fantastic. - Stripped back acoustic folk singer/songwriter. Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Jay Reatard – Wounded – Watch Me Fall (2009) - 2nd solo album - He has released a boat load of music since 1998 with a litany of different bands. - Garage punk… this is one of his higher fidelity offereings. Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Robert Pollard – Jimmy – Elephant Jokes (2009) - 5th solo album… of 2009 + one with the Boston Spaceships - There is not a more prolific songwriter anywhere - His consistency is incredible Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Amazon : Stream on HypeMachine Brendan Benson – A Whole Lot Better – 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 Generationals – Wild Life – Con Law (2009) - debut album - Louisianan Band - Indie pop - Great SXSW DayTrotter Session Official Site : Myspace : Buy on Bandcamp : Stream on HypeMachine : DayTrotter Session Ramona Falls – Going Once, Going Twice – 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 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