Phantom Planet breaks up

Very Sad. Here's the details from their Myspace blog:

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Last Phantom Planet Show. This could be the most difficult piece of news we have ever had to post. Sadly, Phantom Planet will be playing our last show, December 12, at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, the same venue that we played our very first live all ages gig, back in 1994. We have had an amazing time playing together for 15 years, but we have officially decided to go on hiatus, and will not be playing any more live shows or making any new records, indefinitely. There is so much more to write, but at this time, we just want to say thank you, to everyone, for their support, friendship, inspiration, attendance, and love. -alex, darren, jeff and sam.

Vampire Weekend Does Conan O'Brien

One of my favorite tracks off the album

Colin Meloy of the Decemberists talks about the new album

Very exciting stuff. Meloy even refers to it as a "Rock Opera" Read the full story from Rolling Stone.

Get Up Kids reunite!

Holy wow! Don't get too excited though - its only for one show, this Sunday night, in Kansas City. I took the Mrs. down to their last farewell show back in 2005, but don't think I'll be able to swing this one.

Read more HERE

and HERE

Conor Oberst does Conan (plays new song)

Consider buying:

Fleet Foxes singing in echoey rooms sounds better than most bands in the studio

Enjoy these videos - compliments of la blogotheque


Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.



Watch another Here


Get yourself some Fleet Foxes NOW!

No Sunlight - New Death Cab for Cutie Video

No Sunlight


Here's some Death Cab for Cutie to purchase



Or, hows about some Postal Service?



Or solo Ben Gibbard?

New Blue Scholars interview

Add them to your collection!




Also, consider their associated act Common Market (same DJ, different MC)

Sigur Rós - Við spilum endalaust - Offficial Video Released on last.fm

That's right. View it HERE

J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues - Album Review

Initial Thoughts Album Review #5


Unpretentious album reviews that forgo the big words, analogies and obscure music-references to simply voice some initial thoughts and gut reactions.

J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues



I was introduced to J. Tillman via the band he currently drums for, Fleet Foxes. I first got Minor Works (a gift from McGreggor) and from there went through and acquired his full back catalog. Minor Works was good - really good. However, he laid the pedal steel on a little thick for my tastes. The back catalog (I Will Return, Long May You Run, J. Tillman, and Cancer and Delirium) were great, but a bit lo-fi for my tastes.

His latest release, Vacilando Territory Blues, currently available digitally, improves on both of these complaints. The heavy pedal steel sound, and the recording quality is up to par with his likely expanded budget. So now I can enjoy Tillman's uber-mellow vocals, simple orchestrations, and believably heartfelt lyrics without any annoying distractions.

Standout tracks are Firstborn, James Blues, Barter Blues (my favorite) and Master's House. Highly recommended for anyone that likes Damien Jurado or the likes.

The Decemberists do Conan - Huzzah!

Death Cab does Leno

This is one of the better live late-show venue performances for Death Cab. Enjoy.



Here's some Death Cab for Cutie to purchase



Or, hows about some Postal Service?



Or solo Ben Gibbard?

Yo Yo Ma + Stephen Colbert = ?

Speaking of Yo Yo Ma . . . he was on The Colbert Report last night.

(these last 2 posts are for you Juls)

Andrew Bird + Yo Yo Ma = Awesome

MTV Shows

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

Sigur Ros + Bjork + National Geographic = Gobledigook Live

Plus Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur

Blue Scholars give you a tour of Seattle - video

Add them to your collection!




Also, consider their associated act Common Market (same DJ, different MC)

The Mighty Underdogs - Droppin' Science Fiction

Initial Thoughts Album Review #4

Unpretentious album reviews that forgo the big words, analogies and obscure music-references to simply voice some initial thoughts and gut reactions.

The Mighty Underdogs
Droppin' Science Fiction



Although this means we will have to wait a while longer to see a solo Lateef album, I am very excited to see this super group release their full length LP. Standout tracks are Monster, ILL Vacation and War Walk. I don't think Gift of Gab's performance is quite as good as with his other ventures as a solo artist and in Blackalicious, but the combination of Lateef and Gab on tracks has always proved successful. I'm thinking 4000 Miles (Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow), Side to Side (Blackalicious - The Craft), Banger (G. Love's Lemonade), It's Going Down, Sun Don't Shine, Cold War Economics and 3 Strike Felony (The Gift of Gab - Supreme Lyricism Vol. 1), Kalakuta Show (Red Hot and Riot Fela Kuti Tribute Album). I could have done without the womanizing track "Aye." In all, this is a solid album and a great addition to the Blackalicious/Gift of Gab, Lateef the Truth Speaker and Headnodic/Crown City Rockers associated catalogs.

Beck does Letterman

Be a Pal and Buy some Beck tunes!

Death Cab for Cutie do Conan O'Brien

. . . she holds a smile like someone would hold a crying child . . .

Here's some Death Cab for Cutie to purchase



Or, hows about some Postal Service?



Or solo Ben Gibbard?

new Mighty Underdogs Video - I want you Back

Not my favorite Might Underdogs Track, but I'm still excited for their full length, Droppin' Science Fiction, to drop next week!