Stereolab

It'd be safe to say we're all mad fans of Stereolab. A quick search of our archives reveals nine references to Stereolab as we introduced you to new artists by appealing to your taste in international, space-age pop. There are many more bands that aspire to Stereolab's neu-lounge sound, but few can keep up with the quality and quantity of output. Never wandering far from their signature sound or formula, Stereolab astonishingly remains relevant and refreshing. For this, their 11th, album the band once again used Sean O'Hagan as producer and arranger. According to Tim Gane, the album began as seventy tiny drum loops on top of improvised piano and vibraphone chords. They sped up some tracks, slowed down others and worked their way to "a collection of purposefully short, dense, fast pop songs." The track here is definitely one of my favorites from the album, a groovin' romp where horns and organ build to bursting point, threatening to release contagiously good vibrations. All the while Ms. Sadier keeps her perennial cool, which always melts my butter.

FYI: While supplies last, pre-order the album (street date: August 19th) and receive a limited edition 7-inch. The band tours North America in September and October.

Three Women [MP3, 6.4MB, 192kbps]

www.4ad.com
www.stereolab.co.uk

Blonde Redhead

For the past 10+ years Blonde Redhead has delivered some of the finest textured music from the indie world. Each release brings their old-world pop sounds, complete with orchestral flourishes and whispery vocals, into crisper focus. Fortunately for us, we're at the tail end of down time between records. It's been over two years since their last album, and it sounds like the band is in the process of recording a new record that'll be available early next year. Too long of a drought in my opinion. But I ain't gonna complain. Not when they're the kind of band that enlists David Sylvian for vocal duties (for an alternate version of their song "Messenger"). I'm including the video to my favorite song from the band, "Equus," below. For some reason the song's buried at the end of the album Misery is a Butterfly and it's easy to miss. Don't miss it.

Misery is a Butterfly [MP3, 4.7MB, 128kbps]

www.4ad.com
www.blonde-redhead.com

Pixies

I have a lot to be thankful for, including two incredible live music experiences in one week: The wonderful Arcade Fire last Thursday at the Magic Stick, and a reunited, rejuvenated Pixies at the lovely State Theater in downtown Detroit. A bit of backstory, the Pixies' Surfer Rosa/Come on Pilgrim is one of the first compact discs I bought in The Great Format Switch of 1988 and has had more front-to-back spins than any other CD I own. Yet, for a number of reasons, I never had the chance to see the Pixies play live until the other night. Let's just say, they bought me a soda, they bought me a soda and tried to molest me in the parking lot...yep, yep yep! They were so tight (Dave Lovering was playing drums like it was his last chance on earth), no one was holding back, and they played for two solid hours and hit every single song on my wish list. Joe and I tried hard afterwards to think of anything else we would have had them play and all we could come up with were B-sides and agreed that was way too greedy of us. So that backstory now has a happy ending. Merry Thanksgiving everyone!

Debaser (Live in Norfolk, VA) [MP3, 4.0MB, 192kbps]
No. 13 Baby (Live in New York City) [MP3, 5.1MB, 192kbps]
Subbacultcha [MP3, 2.9MB, 128kbps]
Debaser [MP3, 2.7MB, 128kbps]

www.spinartrecords.com
www.pixies4ad.com
www.pixiesdiscs.com

Neil Halstead

Today's Christmas special comes courtesy of Brushfire Records. Looking for last minute Christmas music? Download this festive collection and 25% of the profit goes to support children's music education. Lots of stocking stuffers from Matt Costa, Money Mark, Rogue Wave, and of course Jack Johnson. But, I can never pass up Neil Halstead's toe-tapping authenticity song, so I'm passing this one along to you. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Cheers. The Man in the Santa Suit [MP3, 3.8MB, 160kbps]

Original Post: 5/18/2004:
Voice of Slowdive and Mojave 3 suffers from a brief, but brilliant, case of solo-itis. Hopefully he catches that bug again soon.

Two Stones In My Pocket [MP3, 4.1MB, 128kbps]

www.brushfirerecords.com
www.myspace.com/neilhalsteadofficial
www.4ad.com
www.mojave3online.com

The Mountain Goats

John Darnielle may not be singing into his trusty Panasonic boom box anymore, but his incisive, tuneful narratives are as raw and compelling as ever.

No Children [MP3,2.6MB, 128kbps]
Palmcorder Yanja [MP3, 2.54MB, 128kbps]
Cut Off Their Thumbs [MP3, 4.6MB, VBR]
Deserters [MP3, 5.0MB, 160kbps]

www.4ad.com
www.mountain-goats.com