The Dumbest Looking band of 2007

As I was eating my breakfast, a video came on for a band named The Last Goodnight. I was shocked and appalled by what absolute idiots these guys looked like. Cheese-ball mohawks, contrived emo-esque long hair all gelled down over the face, ridiculous outfits, sad pensive looks on their faces - they had it all. Good work Virgin Records - you really signed a winner this time. Is this what the music industry is coming to?! Major labels are starting to realize that the indie music scene is raking in a lot of money and critical acclaim - so they dig up some band, dress them up in some mainstream-ified attempt at indie fashion and give them some sad pining-away name like The Last Goodnight. Its sounds like an attempted homage to The Get Up Kids' The Long Goodnight, but without the sincerity, talent or actual emotion.

In any case, I couldn't turn the stupid video off because I just HAD TO see what the name of the band was at the end so I could look them up and excoriate them. I'm so disgusted by all of this, that I'm not even going to provide any links. Take that Virgin Records!

If you have an idea for a Dumber looking band - please leave a comment

Amos Lee - Colors

When was the last time that you listened to something new from the legendary Blue Note Records label? Their slogan "The Finest Jazz since 1939" is probably accurate. We're talking John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, Wynton Marsalis, Duke Ellington . . . the list goes on. While I "appreciate" classic jazz, I can't say I listen to it much. However, I can remember my old roommate Ken (a trumpet player) spinning some old jazz albums from Blue Note. In any case, Amos Lee is one of their contemporary acts and his music is really growing on me. Acoustic, bluesy, soulful. Enjoy this live video.

Best Music Video of 2007

According to Sterogum.com the best music video of 2007 was The Underdog by Spoon. Enjoy.

New Iron and Wine video - Boy with a Coin

Finally! A video from Iron & Wine's latest LP, Shepherd's Dog. Who knew that large beards and flamenco dancers could go together so well?!

Hopefully you've already snatched up Shepherd's Dog, but also consider buying the Boy with a Coin single. It has 2 great b-sides, Carried Home and Kingdom of the Animals.

New Phantom Planet

Let me be the first to say that I wasn't impressed with Phantom Planet's last LP. To be honest, I preferred Negatives 1, Negatives 2 and Polaroid - all b-sides collections. Oddly, Polaroid was the first Phantom Planet I heard, I was immediately hooked. From there I got their earlier Phantom Planet it Missing and The Guest. I highly reccommend purchasing all of those. But, I'm holding out hope that their Spring 2008 release, just announced to be on the Fueled by Ramen label, will be better than their eponymous release.

In honor of this possibility, enjoy this new video of them played some Christmas tunes. Plus an MP3 (which I presume will end up on the new LP) from their most recent Limited Edition Tour EP.

Phantom Planet - Leader.mp3

Andrew Bird - Imitosis

New Andrew Bird Video - Imitosis

Be a pal and by some of Mr. Bird's music!