Easily, one of my favorite acts out today is My Morning Jacket. The release of Z solidified their status as a group of intelligent, creative and talented musicians who could share a stage with the best. Their double-disc live album/DVD, Okonokos, was even more proof that My Morning Jacket is a group of lasting appeal. Their shows have consistently stood out in my mind as some of the most intense and high-energy concerts out there. Jim James is an immensely powerful lead singer who only seems to get better. Although reviews of the new album are somewhat mixed, I could not be more excited. Today’s song put me in a great mood as it is one of the first pieces I’ve heard off the new album. I love the direction they’re taking this. This 8 minute 12 second track entitled “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 2″ is a pretty good indicator of things to come, in my opinion. Tell me what you think…

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 2″ from Evil Urges

Home | MySpace | Hype Machine | ATO Records

Evil Urges drops on June 10th. Preorder: Amazon

And for those of you who just can’t get enough MMJ, here’s a bunch of live versions of new songs they did in Austin on March 13th.

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “Evil Urges (Live)”

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “Highly Suspicious (Live)”

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “I’m Amazed (Live)”

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “Thank You Too (Live)”

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “Sec Walkin (Live)”

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “Aluminum Park (Live)”

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “Smokin’ From Shooting (Live)”

MP3: My Morning Jacket - “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 2 (Live)”

Download the Full Show here (high quality): Sendspace [Courtesy of Deaf Indie Elephants]

Oh, you want more? As you might know by now, Jim James is also a talented solo performer. Just two day’s after that MMJ show in Austin, Jim James played at St. David’s Church nearby with none other than M. Ward–even playing about 6 songs together. It’s a fantastic show where the listener gets to see yet another side of the multifaceted artist.

Check out these live solo tracks from Evil Urges or jump over to Archive.org to get the full show experience.

MP3: Jim James - “Sec Walkin’ (Live)”

MP3: Jim James - “Librarian (Live)”

MP3: Jim James - “Smokin From Shootin (Live)

MP3: Jim James - “Thank You Too (Live)”

The show is intimate and very honest. It’s a great listen, especially the duet on

MP3: M. Ward feat. Jim James - “Chinese Translation”

I love My Morning Jacket. I’ll be checking out their always-legendary Bonnaroo set this year, but the boys will be playing a few other shows if you can’t make that one:

03-10 Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theatre w/ Yo La Tengo

03-13 Austin, TX - Austin Music Hall (SXSW) w/ Yo La Tengo

03-15 Austin, TX - St. David’s Church (Jim James solo) (SXSW)

04-27 Indio, CA - Coachella

06-12-15 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo

06-20 New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall (”An Evening With My Morning Jacket”)

(Song of the Day - 3/28/08)

I was hangin with a friend of mine the other day when he mentioned the new Erykah Badu album (New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War). I realized that I completely forgot. Actually, I’m about a month off…

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can let her soul out onto a recording like Badu. Her raw and unfiltered inner voice is shared with every listener creating an intimate, soulful and real connections.
Badu, while definitely holding her place within the music community has released an extremely strong set of albums that have been, in my opinion, grossly overrated over the past 10 years. Since Baduizm, her power as a poet and musician has grown. Badu exudes powerful feminine energy and continues to be a symbol of the strength of her community, be it women, black or simply a child of this world. Listening to her music does not make me feel better as a critic, but rather, it brings me to the level… and the connection is real.

For her latest masterwork, Badu strays away from the live soul setup to favor a studio approach, bringing in a wide variety of talented producers from across the spectrum. Personal favorites like Madlib, 9th Wonder and ?uestlove are joined by trip-masters Sa-Ra to create what is both real and other-worldly all at once. Dealing with “the issues”with such grace and integrity, Badu has it all contained. Never afraid to be progressive, Erykah Badu brings it once again. Syncopation and downtempo grooves flood the deep and layered tracks in such a way that many have been turned off by its esoteric nature, but the more time you spend with it, the more interesting it becomes.

MP3: Erykah Badu - “The Cell”

MP3: Erykah Badu - “The Healer/Hip-Hop”

MP3: Erykah Badu - “Soldier”

ErykahBadu.com | MySpace | HypeMachine

Pick up New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War: BandWear | iTunes | Amazon | Insound

After listening to the album I was truly hooked on her feel, her sound and her attitude once again. Then a friend of mine turned me on to her latest VH1 SoulStage performance I was totally in love. If you can treat yourself to one music-related activity today, hang out with this show. Back again in the live situation Badu explains that recording is “perfecting a moment” while live “is creating a moment.” You can feel the energy and the group is soooo tight that they shift tempo and structure on the fly, all in stride. It is one of the best performances I’ve seen online and makes me want to do whatever it takes so see her live. Please, PLEASE check it out. It is nothing short of beautiful.

If Erykah Badu is proof of anything, it is the power of real, honest music. Enjoy.

Check out the rest of the set HERE.

She is, without a doubt, one of the strongest, sexiest women alive… fake fro and all.

The DC music scene used to be known mostly for its punk in the 90’s, and only those familiar with the city know just how much things have changed. Up and coming bands like These United States are proof to all those skeptics out there that the DC scene is in no way, shape or form like it used to be.

The band’s debut album, A Picture of the Three of Us at The Gate to the Garden of Eden (as used herein, “the album”), deserves your immediate attention. Their soulful alternative, folk album will bring to mind the likes of M. Ward, Devendra Banhart, and Okkervil River. I have listened through “the album” a few dozen times, and only love it more and more upon each spin.

I dig the short Preface at the beginning of “the album;” it starts out almost as spoken word and gets the listener ready to jump into the deep end, with “First Sight,” and “Kings and Acres,” among the most solid tracks on “the album.” I can’t stop listening to “Burn this Bridge.” The African influenced drumbeat is awesome, and the passion in Elliott’s voice makes it one of the most uplifting songs I have heard in a long time. I can listen to every track between “Diving Boards Pointed at the Sky” and “Slow Crows Over” over and over again. They are all fantastic. You really can’t go wrong with any song on “the album.” The instrumentals scattered across A Picture of…”the album” are sometimes so passive that each listen differs slightly from the previous one.

Jesse Elliott, the lead singer behind These United States is one of the coolest cats you’ll come across. I met up with him a month or two ago, and quickly got a feel for his diversified background. He is creative, funny, and genuinely interested in those around him. I could tell from my modest conversation with him that he knows lots of people in lots of places, which, of course, makes sense after hearing that over 30 musicians from Chicago and DC helped out with “the album.” Just check out the pics on the TUS blog; I feel like you can get a vibe for what kind of guy Elliott is.

David Strackany, aka Paleo, is part of These United States, and may be best known for his 365 songs in 365 days project. Another admirable thing TUS currently has going on is a 33 day US tour where they play with a different local band in every city they hit (a highlight for me is that they are playing with Bon Iver). That’s the creativeness I’m talking about— getting that schedule together couldn’t have been as easy task. These United States’ innovative music is that much more innovative after you check out their site, myspace, and blog; I haven’t found one band that has managed themselves this well.  Check to see if they are touring near you, I can’t wait for their return show at the Black Cat on April 13th.

These United States - First Sight

These United States - The Business

Site | iTunes | Amazon | Amie St | Myspace |Day Trotter | Learn Your Geography

Just wanted to remind you guys that the Plug Independent Music Awards are tonight at 8 pm EST. The awards will be hosted by Patton Oswalt and include performances by nominees St. Vincent, Dizzee Rascal, José Gonzalez, and The Forms DiVinci. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is headlining. I was actually supposed to attend the awards, which is being hosted at Terminal 5 in New York City, but had a last minute change of plans. Even though tickets are sold out, you can catch the whole event on a webcast HERE.

The Plug Awards were founded to highlight outstanding accomplishments within the independent music community, and if I’m not mistaken, you still have a little time to vote for various categories via Plug’s website. Michael Showalter, who is one of my biggest idols, also did three really funny promo videos for the Plug Awards which you can see below (click “continue reading” to see last two)

Here are a few songs that are on albums that have been nominated as Best of 2007:

Beirut - Nantes

Band of Horses - Ode to LRC

Radiohead - Reckoner

Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

The National - Fake Empire

My Predictions:

Album of The Year: Radiohead - In Rainbows

New Artist of The Year: Justice

Female Arist of the Year: Emily Haines (have to admit I’m not sure)

Male Artist of the Year: Andrew Bird

Indie Album of the Year: Band of Horses - Cease to Begin

Song of the Year: Justice -D.A.N.C.E. (though if up to me, The National - Fake Empire)

Live Act: Of Montreal

Music Video: Justice: D.A.N.C.E.

Record Label of the Year: Sub Pop

Music Website of the Year: This is close. Between Pitchfork, Daytrotter, and Hype Machine. I’m going with Hype Machine.

Music Blog of the Year: Brooklyn Vegan

Online Radio Station: Either KEXP or KCRW. I’m going with KEXP.

What do you think about my predictions? Make your own in the comments!

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For those who like: Feist, Cat Power, Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, Andrew Bird

I rarely come across an album that I want to listen to from beginning to end. There is always at least one song, often more, that tempts me to hit the skip button. With the Toronto band Forest City Lovers, that is not the case. In fact, I have already put the album on repeat quite a few times. I only came across the band a few weeks ago, and am absolutely in love with their 2006 debut album, The Sun and The Wind. If you are only plan to purchase one album within the next month, this is the album I recommend.

Forest City Lovers make me feel warm inside—something about their music is so familiar, yet new at the same time. The first time I listened through The Sun and The Wind, I felt that the band mastered knowing exactly what I wanted to hear; it is a talent to be able to not only know good music, but consistently produce it. This album entertains horns, banjos, chimes, violins, piano, and other surprises that make it the masterpiece that it is. The instruments never intrude on the vocals or guitar though. They just gently poke their heads out to say hello.

The female vocals are welcoming and comforting—and among the best out there next to Cat Power and Feist. Kat Burns’ voice is real and personal and sounds superb when sung in conjunction with their beautiful instrumental arrangements.

I know I am going to be gushing over this album for a while. And it deserves every second of it. This is truly a remarkable piece of work, and I love everything about it. I love the track placement. I love how all of the eleven tracks are less than three and a half minutes in length (and seven tracks are under three minutes). It’s not a second shorter or longer than it needs to be. It gets to the point. And now so will I. Buy this album. It is essential to have in your music catalogue. Listen from start to finish. And embrace.

Forest City lovers is based in Toronto, Canada and consists of Kat Burns (vocals/guitar/piano), Kyle Donnelly (bass/guitar/vocals), and Mika Posen (violin/piano/vocals). They have a new album coming out March 11, 2008 on Out of this Spark, entitled Haunting Moon Sinking. Some songs can be previewed on their Myspace, and I will be reviewing the album within the next few weeks. I’m also going to quickly mention that they released The Sun and the Wind independently, so the proceeds are going to the band.

The Sun and the Wind (2006):

Forest City Lovers - Song For Morrie

Forest City Lovers - In Flight

Forest City Lovers - Beneath Rocks & Sands

Deciding which songs to feature was nearly impossible. They are all great. If you like songs, you will love the album.

Site | Kat Burns’ site (check it out)| iTunes| Zunior| Myspace (Buy CD directly from band)

I love this music video for “Don’t Go, Please.” It was filmed by the band in 2007 when touring Western Canada, from Toronto to Victoria.It goes perfect with this music.

Looking to put the thrill back into chill? Look no further than Dublin’s Electric Penguins. Besides their sick name, which they got from Paul McCartney (he used the name as password for his Cavendish Square apartment in the ’60s), they have some great ambient, electronic/pop music. Think Kraftwerk meets Album Leaf meets David Bowie meets the Flaming Lips meets Super Furry Animals. Man, am I good. But besides my amazing talent of being able to categorize bands, keep in mind that the mixture leads to some great songs and a few that go a little astray at times.

Electric Penguins has one album entitled Goodbye from the Electric Penguins. Really funny name for a debut album. Personally, I would have gone with Electric Penguins: Greatest Hits 2006-2006. The beginning of the album is definitely the most solid with “Supergirl,” “Soft Landing, and “Translantic Part 1″ being among the highlights.

Electric Penguins is based in Dublin and consists of Mark Cummins, Paul Murphy and Sean Quinn. On Goodbye from the Electric Penguins, you will hear some unique instruments such as Moogs, Mellotrons, and Farfisa organs. That’s right. Mellotrons. Apparently, the Electric Penguins have a philosophy of only using instruments from the 70’s. They are signed to Psychonavigation.

Goodbye from the Electric Penguins (2006):

Electric Penguins - Supergirl

Electric Penguins - Soft Landing

Myspace | iTunes | Amazon | Podcast Interview

Liam Finn’s debut album, I’ll be Lightning, has been one of my favorite new albums to listen to recently. The album released late January on Yep Roc Records. Similar to some other musicians we have featured, the twenty-four year old New Zealander plays almost every instrument you hear on his songs. He manages to somehow play his shows solo as well, using a pedal to control loops. It’s hard to give Liam Finn an exact comparison, because his influences vary from song to song, and the best band comparison formula Rolling Stone could come up with is: Elliott Smith - Despair+ a Leprechaun. I know, weird, RIGHT? I would probably go more with the formula: Elliott Smith * (1/3) + Matt Costa * (1/3) + Pink Floyd * (1/3) - x + x = Liam Finn, where x = RS is going downhill.

Picture Courtesy: Rolling Stone

“Second Chance” has been one of the main promos for I’ll Be Lightning , and while I do enjoy the song, I don’t think it’s the best track on the album. I would say “Gather to the Chapel,” “Fire in The Belly,” and “I’ll Be Lightning” are several of my personal faves. Overall, this is an excellent album to put on if you just want to sit back and relax. Finn has nice riffs spread throughout the album, and his music is that much more intriguing when you realize all the orchestration was done by him. His vocals sound great and are most of the time in perfect harmony with the instrumentals. In my opinion, his tracks with a slower tempo are his best songs because they bring out how talented and ranged he is vocally.

As I mentioned earlier, Liam Finn is from New Zealand and he is the front man for the band Betchadupa. He is the son of musician Neil Finn (Split Enz and Crowded House), and after Crowded House reunited in 2007, Liam became part of the touring band. Many think Liam’s voice is influenced by Neil. He will be doing a solo tour (myspace) in the States between February and April, and I hope to catch him in DC, March 9, at DC9. Watching the video below from a live show Finn did in Seattle, he looks like an awesome performer. Finn says, “No two shows are the same.. it’s been constantly evolving all year, and it’s so enjoyable to let the spontaneous moments guide the show..absolutely anything can happen.”

I’ll Be Lighting (2008):

Liam Finn - Gather to the Chapel

Liam Finn - Energy Spirit

Other recommended songs: I’ll be Lightning, Wise Man, Wide Awake on the Voyage Home, Music Moves My Feet. This Place is Killing me. Pretty much everything. Buy this album.

Site| iTunes | Amazon

I went through a period when I wasn’t listening to Sufjan Stevens on a regular basis, but that is no more. The break I took made me appreciate his music all over again. In particular, I have been obsessed with the first track on Illinoise, “Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, IL.”

You may not be aware of the fact that Sufjan is a writer, outside of being a lyricist, having received a MFA in creative writing. Over the years, he has written many short stories and essays. Several months ago, I found a site, All Good Naysayers, that has many of his published works. I haven’t had a chance to go through everything he’s written, but am impressed and entertained by those which I have read. If you are a Sufjan Stevens fan, and want to get a little more intimate with him as a person, and his music, I highly recommend you go read these. Perhaps to start out, you can read the 2006 cover story Stevens’ wrote for Topic Magazine. He discusses music experiences he had while growing up as a kid. I have posted the whole essay below, click on the pictures to read. Then go to All Good Naysayers (linked to writing section) to read additional short stories.

Illinoise (2005):

Sufjan Stevens- Concerning the UFO sighting Near Highland, IL

Sufjan Stevens-Chicago

Sufjan Stevens- The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!

——

Seven Swans (2004):

Sufjan Stevens- A Good Man Is Hard To Find

——

Michigan (2003):

Sufjan Stevens- Romulus

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Enjoy Your Rabbit (2001):

Sufjan Stevens- Year Of The Ox

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A Sun Came (2000):

Sufjan Stevens- A Winner Needs A Wand

——

Extras:

The Avalanche (2006):

Sufjan Stevens- Adlai

B-Sides and Demos:

Sufjan Stevens - God’ll Ne’er Let You Down

2007 Believer Music Issue CD:

In The Words Of The Governor

I’m Not There OST:

Sufjan Stevens - Ring Them Bells

Bob Dylan - Ring Them Bells

Songs For Christmas (2006):

Sufjan Stevens - O Holy Night

The BQE (more info):

Sufjan Stevens - The BQE (part 3)

Site | Amazon | iTunes

It actually started out as one of those jam things I was talking about, where I just had a few friends who wanted to play more and we talked about getting together once a week and just jamming. We did that once or twice and I was like, “This is boring, I’m tired of jamming.” I want to actually play some songs. It comes and goes, the moods of what kind of music I feel like making. Sometimes jamming is just dull and boring, so I started learning some songs. I want to do this forever. I’d love to have this going on always, just to keep in practice of playing and recording but you don’t have to write the songs. We’re still interpreting music. I feel very much super involved in it. I feel as excited about doing this stuff as I have about any Built to Spill things, and I feel its every bit as valid as a Built to Spill record. (via Pop Matters)

Words from the mouth of Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch. Click below for more of the interview.

In 2006, Martsch sold 7-song discs of the Boise Cover Band album Unoriginal Artists on the Built to Spill tour that year. Why I hadn’t heard about it, I have no idea. But what I am certain of is this: This is a treasue.

The album consists of “reggae” covers of old soul tracks and even a little David Bowie. Since the release of You In Reverse Built to Spill have been touring constantly, but shy of the studio–this fills the void a little. If they are coming ANYWHERE near you, go see em. If you missed em, here’s the song of the day:

MP3: Boise Cover Band - “Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie Cover)”

This album is DEFINITELY worth the purchase: Newbury Comics | ShopIndi

More Doug Martsch related covers:

MP3: Boise Cover Band - “I Love You More (Lee Williams And The Cymbals Cover)”

MP3: Built to Spill - “Re-arrange (Gladiators Cover)”

MP3: Built to Spill - “Freebird (Lynyrd Skynyrd Cover) - Live”

and of course:

MP3: Built to Spill - “Cortez the Killer (Neil Young Cover) - Live”

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Sometimes after browsing Pitchfork reviews I feel less informed than I did before I started reading. Don’t get me wrong, Pitchfork is an impressive site that has a lot to offer people. But, in my opinion, part of the problem with review sites is that they feel the need to “interpret” things when they don’t necessarily know what they are talking about. It comes across as a lot of BS, and especially with Pitchfork, after comparing their reviews with others, I find their over-criticalness a big hindrance.

There are probably better examples for making that particular point, but I felt that confusion after reading the Pitchfork review of the Eels new release, Meet The Eels: Essential Eels 1996-2006 Vol I. The review somewhat makes it sound like the Eels have been unsuccessful, when in all truth, they have been successful in many ways. They have sold many albums over the years, and have had songs featured in commercials and Hollywood movies. Jason Crock, the Pitchfork reviewer, writes:

The covers just reinforce that Everett– or ‘E,’ Mr. E, MC Honky, whomever– is both more tasteful than he’s often given credit for, and often unable to take those tastes anywhere original or unexpected. That’s the frustrating duality that exists in even the Eels’ best singles, and maybe why there’s an air of undelivered potential on this, the portentously titled ‘Vol. 1′ of their hits.

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t really know what that statement means. Everett is tasteful, but unoriginal? Also, the Eels have a big following. There are bands that obviously have more spotlight than them, but they still are a well-known band. I do not agree that Everett lacks originality, and while some of theirs songs may be faulty at times, find me an artist where that’s not the case.

I’m not the biggest fan of the Eels on the face of the earth, but like a lot of their songs, and loved their Live at Town Hall album. If you are new to the Eels, and would like to hear their best songs, check this album out. The songs are, in fact, the “Essential Eels.”

I really enjoy the Jon Brion remix on the album, “Climbing To The Moon.” It’s previously unreleased, and has a really nice beat, and banjo, and is just a really cool song. Some of my favorite Eels songs include: “I Need Some Sleep,” “Last Stop : This Time,” “Dirty Girl (Live At Town Hall),” “Trouble With Dreams,” “Love of the Loveless,” “Mr. E’s Beautiful Eyes,” “Fresh Feeling,” “I Like Birds.”

Meet The Eels: Essential Eels 1996 -2006 Vol I:

The Eels - Climbing To The Moon

The Eels - Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues

The Eels - Need Some Sleep

Site | iTunes | Amazon | Myspace