THE MUSZE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS NEVER BEEN SO SEXY

2008-05-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Kills just released a video for “Last Day of Magic” off the album of the year, Midnight Boom. It’s all about hurting the one you love.

The Kills are better than Santogold. Better than No Age. Better than Tokyo Police Club. Better than Mariah Carey. Better than anything else you’re probably listening to right now. And Alison Mosshart is probably better looking than your girlfriend. And your sister.

The Kills [Official] [MySpace]

Album of the Year [Official]

LOVE IN THIS CLUB

2008-05-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

New MSTRKRFT remix. For Usher. “Love In This Club,” a song I’ve yet to hear the original version of. Of course I’m going to post it.

[MP3] Usher: Love In This Club (MSTRKRFT Remix) (right-click to download)

WE ARE CLOUDS, WE ARE WHISPERS

2008-05-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

A Thousand Shark’s Teeth is on it’s way. If you’re anything like me, you’re pretty excited.

Before the new full-length album from My Brightest Diamond hits store shelves on June 17, you can check out the first single, “Inside A Boy,” a non-album track, “I Had A Pearl,” along with a remix of “Black and Costaud” and “Inside A Boy,” all of which are available on iTunes, nicely packaged in one EP.

Be sure to pre-order your copy of A Thousand Shark’s Teeth over at Athmatic Kitty in either CD or LP format. When you do, you’ll also receive a bonus EP including all this goodness:

Apples (Alternate Version)
Bass Player (Alternate Version)
To Pluto’s Moon (Alternate Version)
If I Were Queen (Alternate Version)
The Diamond (Alternate Version)
Music Box (Non-album Track)

That’s like half of the album presented in an alternate manner. Reminds me of those remastered jazz albums on Blue Note that include all the alternate takes. What, no one else? I guess I’m a nerd.

Shara Worden and company are hitting the road to support the album. Sadly for me, I’ll be unable to catch any of the shows but you can see her here:

05.20.08 Hotel Café, Los Angeles, CA
05.21.08 Hotel Café, Los Angeles, CA
05.23.08 Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga, CA
05.24.08 The Independent, San Francisco, CA
05.27.08 Primavera Sound, Barcelona, Spain
06.09.08 Other Music (Instore), New York, NY
06.14.08 Hultsfred Festival, Hultsfred, Sweden
06.17.08 Blender Theatre at Gramercy, NYC, NY
06.20.08 Berklee Performance Center, Boston, MA
06-27.08 Le Rock dans tous ses Etats, Evreux, France

If you need any further incentive to pre-order the album and catch My Brightest Diamond live, this should do it:

[MP3] My Brightest Diamond: Inside A Boy (right-click to download)

My Brightest Diamond [Official] [MySpace]

SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US

2008-05-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ever wanted to watch Broken Social Scene co-founder Brendan Canning watch a soccer match while ignoring a phone call? Me neither. But you can.

Broken Social Scene Presents Brendan Canning: Something For All Of Us... [Official]

Just like Kevin Drew last year, Canning is releasing his “solo” debut under the Broken Social Scene Presents... banner. Follow the link above and you can view the tracklisting and press release talking all about the album. Something For All Of Us is scheduled for a July 22 release date, the first single is called “Hit The Wall.”

[MP3] Broken Social Scene Presents Brendan Canning: “Hit The Wall” (right-click to download)

DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB

2008-05-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Despite what you may have read on your favorite music blog, She & Him, the collaboration between actress Zooey Deschanel and singer/songwriter M. Ward is a giant bag of suck. I dare you to try and get past the third song without wanting to kick a small child in the head. It’s impossible. If you can you’re either a.) a really good liar; or b.) a much more tolerant person than myself. I think the only reason anyone claims to like She & Him (could your name be any less creative?) is because Deschanel is cute as a button and no one wants to hurt her feelings.

She & Him [Official]

I don’t know if I even need to mention this but actress Emmy Rossum’s album, Inside Out, is also an abomination of sound. It’s music, ahem, for people who like their Imogen Heap watered down and unmemorable. Oh, you didn’t know Emmy Rossum released an album? You don’t even know who Emmy Rossum is? That’s okay, you really shouldn’t. She hasn’t been in anything good - or much of anything, for that matter - since 2004’s Phantom of the Opera. She bangs someone high up at Geffen Records (hence, her album) and is attractive so at least she has that going for her.

Emmy Rossum [Official]

All that being said, perhaps the starlet who takes the crown for Worst Attempt At Making Music is none other than (drum roll please) Scarlett Johansson. I’ve had the misfortune of listening to her forthcoming album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, in it’s entirety and it is, for lack of a better word combination: super shitty. Of course, I have an “advance copy” of the album, and at first I didn’t think it was real. While listening to the second track, “Town With No Cheer,” I told myself, This is fake, that’s obviously a man singing. Guess what, kids? I was wrong, I was listening to the real deal.

I don’t know how much you know about this album but Anywhere I Lay My Head is a collection of random Tom Waits gems “interpreted” by Ms. Johansson. I had no idea the word “interpretation” was synonymous with “abortion” until now. This album is nauseatingly bad. The music is boring, and every song sounds the same or worse than the one before it. Some people thought having David Bowie on a couple tracks was a sign that this thing was going to be okay. Now it’s more of a reminder that Bowie hasn’t put out a solid album since 1983.

Don’t buy this album. I don’t even recommend stealing it. You’re better off listening to Ashlee Simpson. Or Hannah Montana. I’m not even kidding. Johansson should forget the music career and stick to doing what she does best: looking hot. I never thought I’d say this but I miss the days when Johansson was having sex with Benicio Del Toro in elevators at the Oscars.

Update: I’ pretty sure I'd rather listen to the music in the video below, which I found on One D At A Time, than listen to Johansson’s album again. Seriously.

THE SLIP

2008-05-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

It’s official: Trent Reznor is the new Ryan Adams.

The new Nine Inch Nails album, The Slip, is now available for download on nin.com FOR FREE. This is the second time in three months Reznor has released a Nine Inch Nails album. Physical copies will be released in July.

[Nine Inch Nails: The Slip]

You can download The Slip in a number of formats including: high-quality MP3, FLAC or M4A lossless audio, or in 24/96 WAVE for people with high-end sound systems. All versions also come with a PDF booklet and album art.

I was speculating all weekend about what the new single, “Discipline,” entailed. I got my answer a lot sooner than expected. Exciting times.

PARENTS JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND

2008-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I think the underlying message of this video is, much as they are bad at fighting wars, the French are bad at raising children. Rather than keep them in school and off tobacco products, they let them roam the streets like wild animals, touching breasts and stealing old ladies purses.

It’s either that or: you can do whatever you want in France because the police don’t carry guns. Or maybe the message is: roll up your window when waiting at a stop light, otherwise a lawless Parisian youth will drop kick you in the face.

Whatever you decide to take away from this video I think we can all agree on one thing: that giant Justice cross is pretty sweet.

Justice: Stress

ANTHR MSTRKRFT PST

2008-05-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

No, it’s not Tila Tequila. It’s Ayumi Hamasaki, Japan’s “Empress of Pop.”

While searching in vain for MSTRKRFT's remix of Usher’s “Love In This Club” I came across this ALP remix for Hamasaki’s song, “Beautiful Fighters.” While I’ve never heard Hamasaki’s music, the remix is classic MSTRKRFT. Very “Street Justice,” only in a language I don’t understand.

[MP3] Ayumi Hamasaki: Beautiful Fighters (ALP MSTRKRFT Remix) (right-click to download)

NOTHING MATTERS TO ME, NOTHING MATTERS AS MUCH

2008-05-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know (or care) Jeordie White, otherwise known as Twiggy Ramirez, has reunited with Marilyn Manson so he won’t be with Nine Inch Nail’s on their upcoming tour. But it’s not all bad news: Robin Finck, the guitar player from The Downward Spiral and the Fragility tours has re-connected with Trent, along with Alessandro Cortini and Josh Freese, which for Fan Boy #1 over here is fucking awesome.

I’ll be catching Nine Inch Nails in Seattle, WA at the Key Arena. Where will you see them?

[Nine Inch Nails Tour Dates]

As if the Ghosts I-IV project and the new Nine Inch Nails tour / line-up weren’t awesome enough, Trent has also released a new single, “Discipline”, on the band’s site, for the price of your e-mail address. Now I guess the excitement is, are we really going to get a new Nine Inch Nails album this soon? Is Trent Reznor the new Ryan Adams?

[Get “Discipline” here]

Finally, Reznor is touring with a slew of interesting artists on the upcoming tour including Crystal Castles, Deerhunter, Does It Offend You, Yeah? and more. Part of the reason I’m heading up to Seattle is for the NIN / Crystal Castles combo which promises to be delightfully noisy, if nothing else.

Crystal Castles: Courtship Dating

[MP3] Crystal Castles: Courtship Dating (right-click to download)

HOLDING YOU OVER UNTIL...WHENEVER

2008-04-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Since I’ve been neglecting this poor excuse for a music blog, here’s new SebastiAn. It’s probably hot. I haven’t listened to it yet but it’s SebastiAn so, you know, shake your ass.

[MP3] SebastiAn: Motor (right-click to download)

ALL I DO IS PARTY

2008-04-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

So, Happy April Fool’s Day. I guess. I totally forgot about it. All by myself over here in Australia. Happy Fool’s Day was actually yesterday for me, it’s the second of May today. Maybe that’s the joke. On me. Nevermind.

Anyway, did you know MSTRKRFT released some new material? They sure did, including that one “Vuvuvu” song everyone’s been talking about. You want to hear it? Well, why didn’t you just say so!

[MP3] MSTRKRFT: Vuvuvu (right-click to download)

“Vuvuvu” is actually the b-side to “Bounce,” which features N.O.R.E. of all people. I know, I don’t get it either but, whatever; I like N.O.R.E., he’s always fun.

Purchase the “Bounce” single at eMusic.

MSTRKRFT [Official] [MySpace]

WHY THE TERRORISTS HATE US

2008-03-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

A THOUSAND SHARK'S TEETH

2008-03-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

This will undoubtedly be one of my favorite albums of the year. The official press release:

EH, HEM... A SHARK ANNOUNCEMENT

Release Date: June 17, 2008

Charming, playful, daring, foreboding, graceful, eclectic, exciting and visceral: these are all the first words that come to mind after a full listen through A Thousand Shark’s Teeth. It is a record that evokes and challenges, full of the sorts of melodies and arrangements that stay with you long after the album’s stopped playing. Combining songs that were written both before and after the release of Bring Me the Workhorse, and produced and arranged by Shara herself, A Thousand Shark’s Teeth reflects different times, feelings, musical genres and facets of one’s personality, all perfectly sewn together by the powerful thread that is Shara’s dynamic voice.

Originally meant to be a more classical, string quartet affair, A Thousand Shark’s Teeth slowly evolved and refined itself over a period of six years. The record, which was mixed by Husky Höskulds (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello), was recorded in Berlin, Los Angeles and New York City, and features twenty different players all contributing little bits of musical magic. Influenced by artists such as Tricky, French composer Maurice Ravel and Tom Waits, in addition to the star exploration themes of Anslem Kiefer's paintings, the imaginary landscapes of photographer Robert ParkeHarrison, films by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and Alice in Wonderland, A Thousand Shark’s Teeth is a musical snowglobe that sparkles each time you touch it. The songs, whose themes broach intimacy, kisses by moonlight, laundry, lost friendship and more, marry vast instrumentation – marimbas, harps, clarinets, French horns, rabid guitars, vibraphones to name a few – to create an unequaled amalgamation of style and color. In simple terms: it’s beautiful, and there’s nothing else quite like it.

Opener and first single “Inside A Boy” is classic Diamond – slippery guitars meet with gorgeous strings and Shara’s powerhouse voice, which folds nicely into “Ice and the Storm,” a driving foot-stomp of a tune full of swirling vocals, metallic crackles and a stuttering beat. “Black and Costaud” borrows lyrics from a Ravel opera and sees Diamond full of dramatic flourish, while “From the Top of the World” vibrates with soulful swagger, showing off Shara’s tremendous guitar playing. “Apples” is Diamond at her most coy, her vocal line delivered with quite a flirtatious smile, “Like a Sieve” twists a Tricky sample upside down, and “Goodbye Forever” swells with a string-heavy chorus as Shara sings of things lost in a fire, literally and figuratively, exploring both beauty and danger in a shark’s kiss.

The tracklisting:
1. Inside A Boy
2. Ice and the Storm
3. If I Were Queen
4. Apples
5. From the Top of the World
6. Black and Costaud
7. To Pluto’s Moon
8. Bass Player
9. Goodbye Forever
10. Like a Sieve
11. The Diamond

June 17 sure does seem like a long, long, time away...

NO NEED TO ASK MY NAME TO FIGURE OUT HOW COOL I AM

2008-03-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

It’s almost as if a group of people got together and said, “You know what? Trance music sucks and DFA can’t release a track under eight minutes long, something has to be done.” And just like that, the streets were running with MSTRKRFT, Justice, LA Riots, Le Castle Vania, FELIX CARTAL, SebastiAn, and Crystal Castles. All was right with electronic music once more.

“DVNO” is undoubtedly one of the best tracks off Justice’s debut, and they just released a video for it, once again directed by So Me (the guy who directed “D.A.N.C.E”). If we know anything about Justice and So Me it's that they’re pretty fucking cool when they come together.

Justice: DVNO

Justice are also releasing a remix EP for “DVNO” featuring reworks by Surkin, Sunshine Brothers, LA Riots, Petits Pilous, and themselves. See below for my favorite of the bunch.

[MP3] Justice: DVNO (Petits Pilous Remix) (right-click to download)

Justice [MySpace]

YOU CAN HOLD ON BUT I WOULDN’T WASTE YOUR TIME

2008-03-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

In case you forgot, you should have picked up the new Kills’ album, Midnight Boom, yesterday. I bought a copy and, as expected, it’s totally worth it. I can’t remember the last time I was so excited by an album booklet, and music you love always sounds better in physical format rather than MP3. Midnight Boom reminds me of a time before the internet, before the overabundance and accessibility of music, when I used to find one awesome album and invest all my time into it. Believe me when I say you need Midnight Boom. More than any other album this year, thus far*.

[MP3] The Kills: Cheap and Cheerful (right-click to download)

The Kills [Official] [Midnight Boom] [[MySpace]

* Yes, even more than the Louis XIV album (which I admittedly overreacted about).

YOU GOTTA SPEND SOME TIME, LOVE, YOU GOTTA SPEND SOME TIME WITH ME

2008-03-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, St. Patrick’s Day, how you bring out the drunk in me. I’m sure many of you took a trip to Black Out City last night, and why wouldn’t you? While you’re nursing that evil hangover why not enjoy some new Death Cab for Cutie?

Clocking in at eight minutes and thirty-six seconds, “I Will Possess Your Heart” is the new single from Ben Gibbard and Co’s forthcoming album, Narrow Stairs, due May 13. Last night, my friend Brian Johnson and I got to hear all about how great this album is from a guy who works for terrestrial radio. Why anyone from Atlantic Records would send someone out to Reno with a promo of the album, two months before its release, is beyond my comprehension. Hey, maybe we're moving up in the world.

[MP3] Death Cab For Cutie: I Will Possess Your Heart (right-click to download)

Death Cab For Cutie [Official] [MySpace]

STRANGE TIMES ARE HERE

2008-03-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you ever find yourself in Vallejo, California the best thing to do there is leave. It doesn’t matter which direction you go, either. San Francisco, Sacramento, Napa, they’re all much better options than Vallejo. Believe me.

While you’re leaving, the best thing to listen to is the new Black Keys’ album, Attack & Release. Thick with guitars, it’s bluesy, groove-heavy, an 11-track ache, rattle, and roll of bar-room anthems. I’ve been finding new reasons to love Attack & Release for a week now, what with the slow-simmer of “So He Won’t Break,” the midday-on-the back-patio evocation of “Psychotic Girl,” and the steady pound of “I Got Mine”. Attack & Release will surely be on repeat during the coming summer months. And did you know it was produced by none other than Danger Mouse? Go figure.

Attack & Release hits shelves April 1st. In the meantime, satiate yourself with this:

[MP3] The Black Keys: Strange Times (right-click to download)

The Black Keys [Official] [MySpace]

Pre-order Attack & Release from Amazon.

I KNOW WE’RE GONNA BE THE LUCKY ONES

2008-03-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yet another reason to love Kevin Drew. Directed by George Vale, filmed at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, the video features Tom Cochrane of “Life Is A Highway” fame and 600 shots of tequila. Liqueur always tastes better when it’s illegally distributed.

Kevin Drew: Lucky Ones

Kevin Drew [Official] [MySpace]

GHOSTS AND SOBRIETY

2008-03-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

I know I’m sick when my girlfriend tells me about a new Nine Inch Nails’ album and I can’t summon the energy to get excited about it, write about it, or even look into how I can acquire it. This goddamn flu. What a waste of time.

I’ve always thought sobriety was for pussies. Leave it to Trent Reznor to make it seem cool. While most people lean on the crutch of religion and become ten-times-less exciting versions of themselves, Reznor has entered the most lucrative part of his career: two awesome albums, an intense worldwide tour, an incredible live DVD, and a fun-to-follow viral campaign. How lucky that we get to reap the benefits of his drug-free lifestyle.

Yesterday, Nine Inch Nails released Ghosts I-IV, a “brand-new 36 track instrumental collection,” featuring, “almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period last fall...” according to nin.com. In the vein of Radiohead’s In Rainbows, Reznor is offering the first nine tracks of Ghosts for free, or the full album, including a 40 page PDF booklet, for $5, or a slew of other options. I pre-ordered the $10 two disc set. The cool thing is, with every pre-order you get an immediately downloadable version. Mine is downloading now. While I’ve yet to hear anything off Ghosts I’m sure it will be great.

Ghosts I-IV [Official]

THIS ARMOR DOES NOT PROTECT MY FEELINGS

2008-03-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

Frisky Dingo, the best cartoon / show in the universe is back. The link, to witness the new episode in all its glory, is below. The end.

Frisky Dingo [adult swim]

BRAINLESS

2008-02-27T07:00:00.001-08:00

If you want to know what Vampire Weekend sounds like watered down, without the African influences and prep-school charm, give Sunny Day Sets Fire a spin. I guarantee their yawn-worthy style of whatever-the-fuck-they-want-to-call-it will leave the taste of chalk in your mouth. I think this picture alone is reason enough to say, “Fuck this band”:

All being said, Sunny Day Sets Fire just released an EP for their song “Stranger” and, surprisingly, it’s filled with big name remixes from the likes of Cansei De Ser Sexy (CSS), XXXChange, The Cool Kids, and Mad Decent. More importantly, the best remix - the only one I really like (the source material ruins the others) - is Baron Von Luxxury’s rework of “Brainless.” Baron Von Luxxury kills it again, removing everything bad, twisting the rest, and transmuting an otherwise shit song into a gritty, electro-trash, ass-shaker. Talk about "saves the day."

I’ve been playing Baron Von Luxxury’s remix of “Brainless” rather religiously. I highly recommend it. You can find it on iTunes or you can find it here.

[MP3] Sunny Day Sets Fire: Brainless (Baron Von Luxxury Remix) (right-click to download)

Baron Von Luxxury [MySpace]

SOME THINGS LAST A LONG TIME

2008-02-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

It seems the winter cold has been dragging on forever this year, and the bitter chill is finally taking it’s toll. Thankfully, I’ve got a soundtrack to make it all a bit more bearable, the sophomore album from Beach House, the hauntingly gorgeously Devotion, which hit store shelves today. Beach House make perfect winter music: dreamy and ethereal, dim lit and romantic. If you enjoyed their self-titled debut you’ll love Devotion, as Devotion only improves upon the band’s signature sound. And if you’ve never listened to Beach House before there’s no better time than now, warming by the fire, drinking tequila.

[MP3] Beach House: Some Things Last A Long Time (right-click to download)

Beach House [Official] [MySpace]

I WANT EXPENSIVE SADNESS

2008-02-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

My favorite band of all time of the moment, The Kills, are releasing their new album, Midnight Boom, on March 18. Even though I have already stolen this fantastic album off the internet and played it to death, I will be purchasing a physical copy. And one for Pockets. And one for my sister. And one for my mom. I can already tell my family what they’re getting for Christmas: a copy of Midnight Boom and a Boccalone gift box. Can you ask for much more?

You sure can: tour dates. Tickets are already on sale. Get them before they sell out. Best believe I’ll be at the San Francisco show.

THE KILLS: TOUR DATES
04.30.08 Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
05.01.08 Webster Hall NY, New York
05.02.08 Black Cat Washington, Washington DC
05.03.08 Johnny Brendas Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
05.04.08 Cabaret Montreal, Quebec
05.06.08 Opera House Toronto, Ontario
05.07.08 Magic Stick Detroit, Michigan
05.09.08 Metro Chicago, Illinois
05.10.08 Annex Madison, Wisconsin
05.14.08 Richards Vancouver, British Columbia
05.15.08 Neumos Seattle, Washington
05.16.08 Berbati’s Portland, Oregon
05.17.08 Slim's San Francisco, California
05.19.08 Casbah San Diego, California
05.21.08 El Rey Theater Los Angeles, California
05.22.08 Brickhouse Phoenix, Arizona
05.24.08 TBA Austin, Texas
05.25.08 TBA Dallas, Texas
05.27.08 Mercy Lounge Nashville, Tennessee
05.28.08 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia

Pre-order Midnight Boom from InSound.

[MP3] The Kills: Cheap and Cheerful (right-click to download)

The Kills [Official] [MySpace]

THE WIND IS IN MY HEART

2008-02-20T12:00:00.001-08:00

(Click to Enlarge)

Wait! What? What time is it? Where am I? Sorry, must of dosed off there. I started listening to the new Simple Plan album and was so bored I fell into a Rip Van Winkle-esque coma. When I’d heard they released a new album I was surprised; I was like, wow, these guys are still making music? Then I heard it and said, oh, that’s right, I don’t fucking care. No wonder the recording industry can’t get it together, they’re still wasting money on bands like this. Wasn’t Simple Plan’s last album about underage drinking or something? Boring.

Thank god for Foals.

Foals in no way, shape, or form have anything to do with Simple Plan. The most they have in common is they’re five guys. Really, I just wanted to talk shit about Simple Plan. It sounded like a good idea. I guess Foals is a math rock band. I don’t even know what math rock is. I thought Mars Volta was math rock for a minute, then I realized they were just suck rock. Foals definitely don’t suck. If I were to define them in the laziest way possible, I’d say they’re somewhere in-between Minus the Bear and that band I was talking about last week, These New Puritans. But honestly, who reads this shit? Just download the MP3 and dance around in your living room. With the windows open.

[MP3] Foals: Cassius (right-click to download)

Foals [Official] [MySpace]

YOUR NEW 'FAVOURITE' BAND

2008-02-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here’s something to fall in love with now and hate six months later, get 'em while they're hot: These New Puritans.

To get an idea of their sound, imagine Arctic Monkeys meets some other band meets your mom. MySpace told me they're from London, Pisces, and here for dating. Sexy. Although a bit repetitive at points, their infectious energy ultimately wins out. I like them a fair amount, maybe you will too. These New Puritan’s debut album, Beat Pyramid, is available everywhere except for the US because the rest of the world hates us.

[MP3] These New Puritans: Colours (with a ‘u’, so you know they’re British) (right-click to download)

[MP3] These New Puritans: Elvis (right-click to download)

These New Puritans [Official] [MySpace]