This is a “should read” for anyone who complains about Blowout or any other organized music event in Detroit. I tried to find at least something to disagree with to ensure that I’m adding some kind of critical voice, but I pretty much agree with everything Gorilla says.
(via Ryan Catbird via MBV)
Portastatic is a band I hadn’t heard before, founded by a founding member of Superchunk, according to the internet.
Destroyer is my favorite band that doesn’t have Joanna Newsom in it.
Portastatic wrote an album of Merge Record artists covers.
One of them was “Foam Hands” by Destroyer.
There’s a bunch of kids singing the chorus, and it’s awesome. I think the only way a cover can be better than an original is when a bunch of kids sing it.
Portastatic – “Foam Hands” (Destroyer cover)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(Post title homage the Peabs)
There are two reasons for the title of this post.
1. This picture is great. Check out the varicose veins on the guy dressed as a Keebler Elf!
2. The new Aloha song is fantastic.
If you like Death Cab with Cutie, then you’ve never heard Aloha and how much better their music is. I must have listened to their album Some Echoes 100 times in 2007 and 12 times in 2008 and 8 times in 2009. The new album, Home Acres, which shares a lot of letters with the title Some Echoes, will be available legally on 3/9, and hopefully will share a lot musically with the previous amazing album as well.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Aloha should tour this year. Preferably somewhere close to where Michigan, USA, is. I’d go.
Czech the Stereogum Gum Drop for a few measly questions with head Alohian Tony Cavallario
My favorite band to be weirded out by. They’re playing the MOCAD in Detroit on April 17. Let’s get boozed up and get creepy yet strangely beautiful. I’ll bring my glow sticks if you bring your S&M gear and castanets. Also, I’m definitely wearing my old high school varsity jacket to the show. #10! Defensive Back!
Xiu Xiu’s new album, Dear God, I Hate Myself (take that Morrissey!), is available legally on February 23.
If you’re like me, with the pressure of the year-end best-of list behind you, it should be of some surprise that Peter, Bjorn, and John’s Living Thing, the long-awaited and oft-maligned follow-up to Writer’s Block, is actually pretty good.
I was unsure, but after listening to it a few times today, yeah, I think it’s actually pretty good. Not anywhere near as good as Writer’s Block, but better than a lot of other new albums from 2009.
It’s a relief to finally write that.
I can’t get into the new Joanna Newsom album. Here’s why:
I can’t believe that some of these songs are about this guy: