Gus Black Contest Deadline

The Gus Black contest will come to an end tomorrow night! The deadline is Friday, March 31st at midnight. Click this link for the details.

Here's a couple of Gus Black mp3s from his 1999 album, Word of Mouth Parade.

+ gravity
+ goin' our way

Destroyer: Lee's Palace, Toronto + Tour Dates and MP3s

Last night I saw Destroyer play Toronto's Lee's Palace. It was the first time I've seen Dan Bejar and I was surprised. I'd expected, and I'm not sure why, a sloppy performance from the man, but he seemed truly focused on the task of delivering a set consisting mainly of songs from the band's latest, Destroyer's Rubies. It was a very good show and did what a live show should do, reintroduce you to the songs you've heard many, many times before on record. The newer songs were faithfully reproduced and, despite this fact, made me realize just how good they were... somehow they seemed even better than remembered. The men playing around him were fantastic and were having a hell of a time, the smiles on their faces telling me they love what they do (and that they've only been on the road for a few days). Highlights for me were "European Oils" and "Looters Follies", and the funniest moment was supplied by the repeated request of an audience member for "European Oils", which was shot down by keyboardist, Ted Bois, who reached for a mic and said "We already played that shit... where you been? In line?" Now that I read this, I come to the conclusion that not much funny happened at the Destroyer show... but music did happen... and it was damn good.


Here are the band's upcoming dates, get your tickets while you can.

03.26.2006 * Montreal, @ La Sala Rossa
w/ Magnolia Electric Co.
03.27.2006 * Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Underground
w/ Magnolia Electric Co.
03.28.2006 * New York, NY @ Avalon Nightclub
w/ Magnolia Electric Co. and Nedelle
03.29.2006 * Washington, DC @ Black Cat
w/ Magnolia Electric Co.
03.30.2006 * Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
w/ Magnolia Electric Co.
03.31.2006 * Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
w/ Magnolia Electric Co.
04.01.2006 * Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasant's
w/ Magnolia Electric Co.
04.02.2006 * Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar
w/ White Whale
04.12.2006 * Vancouver, @ Richard's on Richards
04.14.2006 * Victoria, BC @ Lucky Bar
05.05.2006 * Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Cafe
w/ White Rose Movement, Hudson Bell
05.06.2006 * Portland , OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
05.08.2006 * San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
05.21.2006 * Camber Sands, @ All Tomorrow's Parties

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Destroyer MP3s...
...from Destroyer's Rubies
European Oils
Looter's Follies
Painter In Your Pocket

from Your Blues
It's Gonna Take An Airplane
The Music Lovers

from Streethawk
The Sublimation Hour
Virgin With A Memory

from This Night...
Students Carve Hearts Out Of Coal
Here Comes The Night

from Thief...
The Temple
No Cease Fires

from Notorious Lightning and Other Works...
An Actor's Revenge

from Streethawk: A Seduction...
Streethawk II - this song is also found on Merge Records Merge: Old Enough To Know Better

+ + + + + + + + + + +

Destroyer can be downloaded from eMusic, detail about eMusic's free trial are here.

The Walkmen: Louisiana

The Walkmen, as I mentioned in a post yesterday, (or was it early today?) are streaming a track off the upcoming album on their myspace page. Well, here's a low res mp3 of that new song (thanks to Chris for droploading it to me), "Louisiana", from the upcoming album A Hundred Miles Off. The song starts off with The Walkmen's trademark echo laden guitar being strummed by Paul Maroon (or is it singer Hamilton Leithauser?), drummer Matt Barrick taps his sticks on the rim of his kit and the evocative talents of The Walkmen return us to the sounds of Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone. That is until the 1:48 mark when the band heads further south, from Louisiana into Mexico, and introduces us to mariachi horns. Yeah, I wasn't expecting it either. It's a good song, perhaps it will embed itself after further listens, but I'd guess that this isn't the best track on the record. The band have made this song available for streaming on their myspace page, I think, to prepare, or possiblly gauge, the reaction of fans to those aforementioned horns and even the psuedo barrelhouse piano.

+ louisiana

Young and Sexy

Vancouver band, Young and Sexy, took form back in '98 when Paul Pittman and Lucy Brain decided to start a band. Now after numerous line up changes and two releases to their credit they rekeased their latest, album number three, Panic When You Find It, this past February 14th on Mint Records.

A strong facet of the band, aside from the songwriting, is Lucy Brain's voice. It's a great voice, one which you can build a band around and if the material on the new disc matches her voice this will be a band to watch in 2006. You can stream 3 songs on the band's myspace page including "The Curious Organ" from the upcoming CD, Panic When You Find It.

Panic When You Find It tracklist...
1. Your Enemy's Asleep
2. Curious Organ, The
3. Without Your Love
4. All The Little Girls And Boys
5. 5/4
6. Night Wears A Sombrero, The
7. Conventional Lullaby
8. Turn On Your Weakness
9. Trespass On A Thought
10. Satellite

+ conventional lullabies
+ all the little girls and boys
+ tresspass on a thought

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Life Through One Speaker
Released: October 7, 2003
+ oh my love
+ in this atmosphere
+ life through one speaker

Stand Up For Your Mother
Released: March 5, 2002
+ television
+ scott (quicktime)

- - - -- - - - - - -

For those who follow the Vancouver music scene, Young and Sexy's Lucy Brain adds her lovely voice to all but one track on fellow Vancouver outfit Sparrow's 2005 album on Absolutely Kosher, The Early Years. Sparrow is led by Jason Zumpano who lent his name and talent to the band he and The New Pornographers' Carl Newman took all the way to Sub Pop in the nineties.

sparrow + all two by two

The Early Years can be found at eMusic and eMusic's Free Trial can be found here.

Sharing Music Again!

I want to apologize to everyone who came here in the past couple of days and found that I hadn't done any new posts. First off, things got in the way of posting and when I sat down to share some music, I learned that Blogger.com's 'spam detection robots' had labelled my blog a possible 'Spam Blog'. So, I had to verify that it wasn't. That was easy, but it took another whole day before I could publish. Boring story short... Sixeyes is back.

There are five songs here, the top five, that I have uploaded myself. I highly recommend you check out all these, but especially Miracle Legion and Jonathan Fire Eater. Both older tracks that still sound good, JFE was the precursor to The Walkmen and Miracle Legion boasted the astounding vocal talent of Mark Mulcahy, whom Thom Yorke has cited as a major influence.


david fridlund + before it breaks
heatmiser + get lucky
jonathan fire eater + when the curtain calls for you
miracle legion + you're my blessing
wheat + death car
run chico run + slow action
american princes + stolen blues
black heart procession + not just words
skeleton & the girl-faced boys + fit black man
the heavy blinkers + try telling that to my baby
shoplifting + male gynecology
cities + a theme
field music + shorter, shorter

The Walkmen: The new track "Louisiana" can be streamed on the band's myspace page.

Calexico, TV on the Radio, The Lovely Feathers MP3 Previews

Here's a taste of three highly anticipated albums to whet your appetites (oh, GOD, how I wanted to say 'wet your pants!').

Calexico - Garden Ruin - the Tucson based band give fans their poppiest album to date.

+ roka

TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain - I haven't delved deeply into this one yet, but many, MANY, are already hyping it as an album of the year candidate.

+ blues from down here

The Lovely Feathers - Hind Hind Legs - This eccentric band of Montrealers has nothing in common with the 'name' bands from Montreal, but they surely deserve a much larger audience and this release, a rehash of their best self-issued music and some very strong new songs should open some ears.

+ ooh, you shocked me

M Craft: "Demons" MP3

Without any doubt the singer/songwriter to watch this year is 30 year-old M. Craft (the M stands for Martin). The Australian born and London based musician traffics in music that stirs comparison to Nick Drake and Simon and Garfunkel, and he even mixes some bossa nova shuffle into the pot. Craft began his musical career when he co-founded the famed Aussie band, Sidewinder, in 1991 at age 15. After the band dissolved in 2000, Craft wandered about, eventually settling in London where he released his solo debut I Can See It All Tonight in 2004. It drew some heady praise from the UK press and Craft was eager to get the next record done, but was beset by a number of disasters. The most serious being an electrocution suffered from a guitar amp, one that left him immobile for a couple of days. With all that behind him and the release of a hard won record ahead, things are looking up for the singer with the release of Silver and Fire coming March 20th.

+ demons [link expired]

In this song, "Demons", when he sings the line "... and I tried so hard..." and the chord shifts on the word hard, and his voice drops to match, that's the hook... the tiny, shiny, blue hook that will pull you into this song and tell you to seek out Silver and Fire, Craft's debut on British label, 679 Recordings.

Craft's myspace page is where you can stream four more songs from the album.

Dancing About Architecture

David Berman (Silver Jews) answers some questions posed by the Boston Globe.

+ k-hole [mp3]

* * * * * * * * *

The National's, Matt Berninger, offers a theory on why the band has taken so long to catch on... their name.

+ baby, we'll be fine [mp3]

* * * * * * * * *

Beth Orton chats with USA Today.

+ a place inside [mp3]

* * * * * * * * *

The Tucson Weelkly sits down with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

+ gimme some salt - live @ black sessions [mp3]

* * * * * * * * *

The New York Daily News has a short chat with Stereolab's Tim Gane.

+ plastic mile [mp3]

* * * * * * * * *

The Chicago Sun Times has a Q&A w/Carl Newman of The New Pornographers.

+ the end of medicine [mp3]

ABOUT: "Bongo": *Sixeyes Review

About
Bongo
[Cock Rock Disco - May 16th]
*Sixeyes Score: 7.7 out of 10

About is the musical vehicle of Dutchman, Rutger Hoedemaekers. A vehicle that, from the sounds of it, may be a head turner (an ear turner?). One of those fossil fuel burners that snag the corner of your eye as they pass. Nothing as crass as an old VW bug with a Rolls Royce grill up front, this is pure and twisted. Electro-pop that fizzes up and out of the glass. That charges you with electrons and ions. That charges you with the task of dancing all night long. Just cue up the CD and dance through the first four tracks, then give it a rest when "Give it a Rest" spins (yeah, I know, but I'm not going to say sorry). It's short and sweetly lilting, even with the huge thumping drum behind his vocal. Standouts include "boo (Hoo)", which displays a great sense of melody and a fine sense of humour and lead off track, "think Niles Drink", a made for radio single in that mythical land where radio is, uhh... still good. And that mythical land? Prepubecense. The last time I thought radio was good, I was ten. But About ain't no myth... they're real. And you know... I don't usually go for electro-pop, so, I have to ask myself, why now? So, I listen again and then some more. It's good, that's all... and I like it, I like it a lot.

BUY the album.

think Niles Drink [mp3]
i don't feel like dancing [mp3]

Tapes 'n Tapes: LIVE @ SXSW MP3s!

Tapes 'n Tapes performed a short set with interview for Seattle's KEXP radio in Austin on the set for the renowned television show, Austin City Limits. After hearing these mp3s I can't wait to see the band live... but when will that be? COME TO TORONTO!

1. Intro
2. Just Drums
3. Manitoba
4. Interview
5. Insistor
6. Cowbell
7. Outro

**Thanks to F.Y. for sending these to me**

At eMusic: New West SXSW Sampler 2006

New at eMusic... and here's where you can learn about eMusic's free trial.

New West SXSW eMusic Sampler 2006 - Exclusive to eMusic
Ambulance LTD New English EP
Centro-Matic Fort Recovery
Roger Eno Swimming
Rex the Dog Prototype

AND...

Too Pure Recordings Sampler - Various Artists
Heres the tracklist...
1. Whisper Pitch : Stereolab 3:57
2. To Hell With Good Intentions : Mclusky 2:28
3. Girls Music Or Pink Ink : Shooting At Unarmed Men 3:17
4. Frosch : Mouse On Mars 4:23
5. On Parade : Electrelane 2:37
6. On The Day We Said Goodbye : Rothko 5:43
7. Kidnapped By Neptune : Scout Niblett 2:48
8. Never Learn To Cry : The Rogers Sisters 3:19
9. The Clock : Young People 3:45
10. Sugar Daddy : Laika 5:26
11. A Few Steps More : Monade 4:32
12. Super-Electric : Stereolab

Calexico: Acoustic "Garden Ruin" MP3

Here's an acoustic version of "All Systems Red", the closing track on Calexico's forthcoming release on Quarterstick Records. Set to hit shelves on April 11th, the pop inflected work opens with the song, "Cruel", which is also available below. So, we've got the opener and the closer, well, the acoustic version of the closer. This is the bread, the slices of bread, and they make a damn fine sandwich when all the ingredients are added.

+ cruel

*Limited Download*
+ all systems red [acoustic version which does not appear on the new album]

Rabbit Fur Coat: An MP3 A Day: Final Post

All right, I know these Rabbit Fur Coat posts were titled, "An MP3 A Day", but I fell behind and lost track and suffered amnesia.... I think.

Here are the last songs from Rabbit Fur Coat... which is found on Team Love.

*Limited Downloads*
+ big guns
+ happy (reprise)


Previous RFC: An MP3 A Day Posts:
First
Second
Third - which offers two mp3s.
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Seven
Eight

PULCO

Pulco is the musical project of Ashley Cooke (former frontman for Welsh band, Derrero). This is great quirky stuff, he must be an interesting guy, to have issue forth from his musical cranium such sweet little burbling melodies. He may be on a folk roots label (and Welsh, I believe) but his sound is what I would call Califolk. His latest solo work, Undersea Adventure, has recently been unveiled on UK label, Folkwit Records... go here to buy.

(That's Mr. Cooke on the left.)

from 2006 release Undersea Adventure...
+ paddle people
+ love of the ocean

from 2004's Wengen...
+ enjoy your ride
+ song 37

*Pulco MySpace Page*

Whiskey & Apples: Red Hunter

Whiskey & Apples is the label which boasts the prolific work of Red Hunter, who records under his own name and as Peter and the Wolf and Murder Mystery. Hunter's music sits somewhere between folk, pop, and blues... give a listen if these genres appeal, Hunter is talented.

Peter and the Wolf
+ the fall
+ anna maria
+ the apple tree
Red Hunter
+ brother can you spare a dime
+ the party
Murder Mystery
+ paint the town

"Oh Sweet Woods" MP3

Goodnight to all of you who visit here. Here's a lullaby, ok, it's not a lullaby... off of Bitter Tea.

the fiery furnaces + oh sweet woods

Released: March 14th

Tuesday's releases at insound.com...

03/14/06 Adam Arcuragi Adam Arcuragi High Two
03/14/06 Ambulance LTD New English EP TVT Records
03/14/06 Archie Bronson Outfit Derdang Derdang Domino
03/14/06 Augie March Moo, You Bloody Choir Sony/BMG
03/14/06 Eames Era Double Dutch C Student
03/14/06 Fever In The City of Sleep Kemado
03/14/06 Five Mod Four Whiskers Contraphonic
03/14/06 Graham Coxon Love Travels At Illegal Speeds Parlophone
03/14/06 Hard-Fi Stars of CCTV Atlantic
03/14/06 Jeniferever Untitled Drowned In Sound
03/14/06 Nicolai Dunger Here's My Song, You Can Have It… I Don't Want It Anymore/Yours 4-Ever Zoe/Rounder Records
03/14/06 Placebo Meds Virgin
03/14/06 Roy Roy Killed John Train Lujo
03/14/06 Stephin Merritt Showtunes Nonesuch
03/14/06 Various Artist Invaders Kemado
03/14/06 Various Artists Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies From The Canyon Numero Group
03/14/06 Zelienople Ink Loose Thread

Candy Bars

Another fine suggestion, this time from Florida (thanks, Meg), to give a listen to Candy Bars.

Found on Florida's own New Granada Records, Candy Bars are a trio, Daniel Martinez (Vocals, Guitar, Keys), Ryan Hastings (Drums), and Melissa Castellano (Cello), who traffic in a sound that is much like flying a kite: The music has a weighty solid foundation and yet, seems light as air and appears to fly. The few songs I've heard jangle and swirl surprisingly well for those found on a debut release. Candy Bars show promise for future efforts and must have delivered on any promises made upon this debut, On Cutting Tigers in Half and Understanding Narravation.

+ + + + + + + + + + + +



On Cutting Ti-Gers in Half and Understanding Narravation
TRACKLIST

1 Landscape
2 Works Cited
3 Violets [MP3]
4 The Flood in your Old Town
5 A Family Photo Taken at an Aquarium
6 Lovesong Lake
7 The Birthday Song
8 You Were Always a Horse
9 Enough to Choke a Cold Air [MP3]
10Winter is a Cathedral
11 The Basque Country

The Lovely Feathers: New MP3

Here is another taste of the upcoming release, Hind Hind Legs, from The Lovely Feathers...

*Limited Download*
+ mildly decorated

***************************

An earlier post on the band is here.

New Music: Neko Case, Sing-Sing, Man Man, Half-Handed Cloud, Bluebottle Kiss

Here are some new songs, some I've found in my mailbox (that's the real mailbox, not the cyber one), and, surprisingly, all these artists can be found on eMusic... most significantly Neko Case and her latest solo CD, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood. The free trial at eMusic can be found here.

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Neko Case unveiled her most recent solo work, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, and the accolades began to roll in. I'm not a fan and even though some profess that Case has moved away from the alt-country siren leanings, I can hear wopping dollops of by-gone country queens in every thing she sings... and more than a touch of '50s torch seeps into her songs here and there.



*Limited Download*
+ margaret vs. pauline

+ + + + + + + + + + + +



Ace Fu put out the most recent and compelling effort by Philadelphia's Man Man called Six Demon Bag. It continues the twisted and gifted sound they tapped on previous album, Man In A Blue Turban With A Face (2004).

*Limited Downloads* from Six Demon Bag...
+ engrish bwudd
+ spider cider

More MP3s...
+ 10 lb moustache
+ i, manface
+ van helsing boombox
+ i'd rather go blind

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

John Ringhofer is the man who stands behind the odd name, Half-Handed Cloud. The latest from the jangly mind of Ringhofer boasts nineteen tracks that clock in at under 30 minutes. Halos & Lassos was released on Asthmatic Kitty, March 7.



*Limited Download*
+ tongues that possess the earth instead - [yes, it's really that short]
+ feed your sheep a burning lamp

More MP3s...
+ i got a letter
+ animals are cut in two

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Australia's Bluebottle Kiss have slaved away on the music scene down under for years and have earned a well deserved rep at home, but a band of this quality should get a lot more recognition on this side of the globe. These two tracks are from their ambitious double disc album, Doubt Seeds, coming out this July on Nonzero.

*Limited Downloads*
+ white rider
+ harold holt

More MP3s...
+ last playboy in town
+ running into doors

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

This is the latest CD by Sing-Sing. Found on Aerial Records, it was released February 14th. I don't know much about this duo, but the further you get into the disc the more similar the songs sound. This mp3 is the lead off track and is a standout.



*Limited Download*
+ lover

+ come, sing me a song

Thanks to the Aggregators

As a thank you to the aggregators that send so many visitors to *sixeyes, I recommend you pay these two a visit after stopping off here. Webnymph has much more than music to keep you entertained and the Hype Machine covers music so thoroughly that you will spend some well wasted time there.

+ + + + + + + + + +

And give a listen to this new track by the Oxygen Ponies...
+ the quickest way to happiness

RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day: Number Nine

You know I've lost track of what songs I've posted from Rabbit Fur Coat... I trust that someone will let me know if I re-post some, won't you?

+ you are what you love

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Previous RFC: An MP3 A Day Posts:
First
Second
Third - which offers two mp3s.
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Seven

Television: Torn Curtain MP3

Here's a great song, I hesitate to call it a classic, even though it's from a classic album, 1977's Marquee Moon. This is Television at their most beautiful, with piano chiming beneath and above the entwined guitar lines of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd.

*Limited Download*
+ torn curtain

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Tom Verlaine from his 2005 release on Thrill Jockey, Warm and Cool
+ a film of flowers

More Track A Tiger: MP3

With all the requests for more Track A Tiger, I thought I'd better calm the rabble.

*Limited Download*
Track A Tiger + flood

TV ON THE RADIO: New Album

Tv on the Radio recently announced they had left Touch and Go Records for the major label, Interscope. Now first up after the label switch will be the Brooklyn band's second full length, tentatively titled, Return To Cookie Mountain. The buzz for this disc will continue to grow until it's release, which has not been confirmed as of yet. I'm not a big fan, but there are some great songs here and in keeping with previous releases I have found some that I like.

*Limited Downloads*
+ let the devil in
+ i was a lover

+ + + + + + + + + + +

(Unconfirmed) Tracklist for Return To Cookie Mountain [via cmj]:
01. Playhouses
02. I Was A Lover
03. Province
04. Snakes + Martyrs
05. Wolf Like Me
06. Tonight
07. Dirty Whirlwind
08. A Method
09. Let The Devil In
10. Blues From Down Here
11. Wash The Day Away

http://www.tvontheradio.com/

The Lovely Feathers: Hind Hind Legs

The Lovely Feathers new album, Hind Hind Legs, will be released on new Canadian indie label, Equator Records, on April 18th. I have one song to share with you and an album tracklist which I can't confirm (so, don't take it as gospel). The song is "(Rome) is in the Valley" and it's one of 13 tracks with a good helping of new songs and five previously self-released, but now in newly recorded versions.

"(Rome) is in the Valley" definitely shows a large leap made by the Montrealers in songwriting, playing, and the sheer tightness of the band. Upon first listen the aural image of Hot Hot Heat being swallowed by Wolf Parade reared it's carnivorous head... and I'll stand by that image... even if you can't hear it, or see it.

*Limited Download*
+ (rome) is in the valley

Hind Hind Legs tracklist
1 Pope John Paul
2 (Rome ) is in the Valley
3 like you
4 frantic
5 wrong choice
6 mildly decorated
7 photocorners
8 the only appalachian cornfield
9 ooh you shocked me
10 e-man's sorrow
11 Rod Stewart
12 breakfast cake
13 lion eats the wildebeast

The band is also a late addition to SXSW which begins it's music showcases this Wednesday the 15th and continues through to Sunday, March 19th.

stellastarr* NEW MP3 + Tour Dates

Here's a new stellastarr* mp3 called "Love and Longing". It's from their most recent album, HARMONIES FOR THE HAUNTED on RCA.

+ love and longing

Also from HARMONIES FOR THE HAUNTED, plus a remix...
+ sweet troubled soul
+ sweet troubled soul - James Iha Remix

stellastarr* Tour Dates
3.20.06 - Boston, MA (The Roxy)
3.21.06 - South Burlington, VT (Higher Ground)
3.22.06 - Montreal, QC (Cabaret du Musse Juste Pour Rire)
3.24.06 - Toronto, ON (Phoenix Concert Theater)
3.25.06 - Cleveland, OH (Agora Theater)
3.26.06 – New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom) – only stellastarr*
3.27.06 – New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom) – only stellastarr*
3.28.06 - Brooklyn, NY (Warsaw)
3.29.06 - Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
4.01.06 - Philadelphia, PA (Trocadero)
4.02.06 - Baltimore, MD (Sonar)
4.04.06 - Norfolk, VA (The Norva Theatre)
4.05.06 - Carrboro, NC (Cat's Cradle)
4.06.06 - Athens, GA (40 Watt Club)
4.07.06 - Orlando, FL (The Social)
4.08.06 - Miami, FL (Studio A)
4.09.06 - St. Petersburg, FL (State Theater)
4.11.06 - Nashville, TN (Exit/In)
4.12.06 - Columbus, OH (Newport Music Hall)
4.13.06 - Detroit, MI (Magic Stick)
4.14.06 - Covington, KY (The Mad Hatter)
4.15.06 - Columbia, MO (Blue Note)
4.16.06 - Chicago, IL (Metro)
4.18.06 - Minneapolis, MN (Fine Line Music Cafe)
4.19.06 - Lawrence, KS (Granada Theatre)
4.21.06 - Denver, CO (Bluebird Theatre)
4.22.06 - Salt Lake City, UT (TBD)
4.25.06 - Vancouver, BC (Richard's On Richards)
4.27.06 - Seattle, WA (Chop Suey)
4.28.06 - Portland, OR (Dante's)
4.29.06 - San Francisco, CA (Mezzanine)
4.30.06 - Indio, CA (Coachella)

RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day: Number Eight

All right. I've been busy and missed yesterday's Rabbit Fur post. SORRY! Here's some more for you.

+ rabbit fur coat

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Previous RFC: An MP3 A Day Posts:
First
Second
Third - which offers two mp3s.
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth

Ladyhawk

Vancouver based and Kelowna (that's British Columbia) bred, the band Ladyhawk have signed to American indie, Jagjaguwar, and they'll release their self-titled debut this coming June. In Canada they reside on the Storyboard label and that is where I found this Ladyhawk MP3 from the forthcoming album..

+ came in brave

The band boasts the guitar and vocal talents of Duffy Driediger [as well as, Darcy Hancock - lead guitar/vocals, Sean Hawryluk - bass/vocals, and Ryan Peters - drums/vocals] who has recorded as a solo act as well. Here are some solo MP3s by Driediger found on Deer and Bird Records...

+ god of science
+ in the old testament
+ moon
+ the trepanation song
+ tiny me



You will find two more Ladyhawk mp3s through this myspace link.

Tomihira's New Order Cover

San Francisco's Tomihira, currently awaiting production of their debut full length, Play Dead, have also submitted a song for a compilation that neworderonline.com is working on. Here's the New Order cover the band did after completing recording of Play Dead.

+ Mr Disco

+ + + + + + + + + +

"Color Of Destroyed" is one of the songs from Tomihira's upcoming album and it shows the band is ready for major exposure. This sounds like an outfit that has several mega-selling albums and world tours under it's belt, in other words... it oozes confidence... and the prerequisite Tomihira melancholia, of course. Exhibited by rolling bass lines, Dean Tomihira's smooth, icy vocals, and the tension filled melding of restrainted guitars under blue synth washes.

+ color of destroyed

*Sixeyes Sponsors

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Rabbit Fur Coat: An MP3 A Day: Number Seven

Okay, I'm a little slow today with the Rabbit Fur. I apologize to those who have already hit the hay. Again this series of posts is for those unable to get the free downloads at Team Love Records due to the fact of where they live.

+ happy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Previous RFC: An MP3 A Day Posts:
First
Second
Third - which offers two mp3s.
Fourth
Fifth

New Music: Ian Love, The Battles, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Kelley Stoltz

Former Cardia and Rival Schools member, Ian Love, has released a self-titled solo effort on Limekiln Records, and it's a mellower affair than what he is generally associated with. Released on Feb 28th, the record is blessed with Love's soft voice, one which can recall Norwegian, Sondre Lerche, in spots.

*Limited Download*
+ sky to fall

From Limekiln Records...
+ butterfly

+ + + + + + + + + + +

The Battles, a Vancouver band whose members make up much of the present incarnation of Destroyer, have returned with a new offering after 5 years. Tomorrow's Eager Hands on SoftAbuse, shows us that either The Battles members who work under the name Destroyer (alongside Dan Bejar), contribute significantly to Destroyer music, or Dan Bejar has made a lasting impact on his bandmates.

*Limited Download*
+ in exelsis, yeah

From Soft Abuse Records...
+ suzanne

+ + + + + + + + + + +

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone is the work of Owen Ashworth, yet another DIY bedroom auteur, but this is one of the few who has grown in confidence and songwriting prowess. One whose talent and praised output has garnered him the chance to again give us an example of his work, but in this instance he broadens his palette and stretches his wings (yeah, you're right, I shoulda left the stretching wings part out). Entitled, Etiquette, it's on Tomlab and this is one of it's fine tracks.

*Limited Download*
+ i love creedence
Also from Etiquette..
+ young shields

+ + + + + + + + + + +

Sub Pop artist, Kelley Stoltz, is an artist whose talent shows in every little detail of his music... even down to the CD package itself. Below The Branches is his first release on SubPop and it's a good one.

*Limited Download*
+ no world like the world

From Antique Glow...
+ jewel of the evening

New Secret Machines MP3

The Secret Machines have a new album coming April 18th, Ten Silver Drops, and this is from that disc...

+ lightning blue eyes

Here's a video of that song... quicktime

SXSW: 25 Track Mix

Bedroom Walls + In Anticipation of Your Suicide
Carmen Rizzo + Travel In Time
Julie Doiron + Snow Falls In November
Dressy Bessy + Electrified
Moving Units + Between Us & Them
Duane Andrews + Caravan
Elliot Brood + Second Son
El Ten Eleven + Lorge
Ladytron + Destroy everything you touch
Atmosphere + Say Hey There
Persephone's Bees + Nice Day
Belong + october language
The Capes + Tightly Wound
Dir En Grey + The Final
Drop Trio + Wreck of the Zephyr
Laura Viers + Galaxies
Cayto + Christmas In Russia
Birdy Nam Nam + Abbesses
Asobi Seksu + I'm Happy But You Don't Like Me
Bosque Brown + Still Afraid
Boyskout + Back To Bed
Winterpills + Pills for Sara
Jesca Hoop + Seed of Wonder
Mazarin + New American Apathy
Cardinale + Untitled

Belle And Sebastian on Conan O'Brien

Here's B&S performing "Funny Little Frog" last week.

Independent Clauses: Music Zine

Do you like music 'zines? There's a lot of them out there... here's a new one I just learned of, Independent Clauses. A fairly young site, I think, visit and read... that's what it's there for.

MOGWAI: Tour Site Launched

Mogwai have a tour site here with lots of features, such as:

*photos and videos from fans via Flickr and YouTube (fans can send an email to delve11dour@photos.flickr.com and have them automatically show up) .

*blogging from the band, including set lists.

*"favorite points of interest" of Mogwai such as Dreamland BBQ in Roswell, GA.

* a GPS feed from the bus that tracks their location and publishes to the "Where's Mogwai" button (this should be working by Monday).

+++++++++++++++++++

From Mogwai's latest, Mr Beast...
+ folk death 95

RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day: Number Five

Here's the fourth installment of RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day. I hope those of you who can't download from the band's label site here, are finding something they like through *sixeyes (and if you do, support indie music by buying indie music)...

*Limited Downloads*
+ born secular

+ handle with care

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Previous RFC: An MP3 A Day Posts:
First
Second
Third - which offers two mp3s.

Found at eMusic

Visit eMusic to see what they have, or look into their free trial offer. EMusic is *sixeyes digital download service of choice. Here's a few artists whose presence at eMusic I stumbled upon while crawling across the internet.

Giant Sand
Calexico
Howe Gelb
Friends of Dean Martinez
Angie Aparo
Josh Rouse: Bedroom Classics Vol 2
Josh Rouse: Nashville
The National: Alligator

RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day: Number 3

Here's the third installment of RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day. And since I messed up and forgot to post yesterday's segment, here are two songs...

*Limited Downloads*
+ melt your heart
+ run devil run

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Previous RFC: An MP3 A Day Posts:
First
Second

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley Workman [born Ryan Corrigan] is a Canadian artist who has gifts to stir hyperbole in the most stony hearted of critic. He has elicited praise from many, and I wish to add myself to the list. I first saw and heard him on television, giving a performance of "No Beginning, No End"... sadly, it was on a pathetic Canadian effort at the nightime talk show format (another one). Nonetheless, the song, and the solo performance, were brilliant, and "No Beginning, No End" still remains my favourite song of Workman's (the song appeared on (Last Nignt We Were) The Delicious Wolves, released in 2001). I've also seen him perform three times, the last two in a vain attempt to witness the magical performance he delivered at Guelph's Hillside Festival a few summers ago. While there was nothing wrong with those shows they failed to match that night... it was special, everything was right, the band, the interplay between both Workman and the crowd and between him and his band. An inspired performance on a beautiful summer's night.

On his latest, Treeful of Starling [released February 28 in Canada/ March 9th in the US], he wisely cuts everything back, bringing it down to it's essence, HW playing most of the instruments and penning on his own all but one of the songs. This is a perfect continuation of his debut For Him and The Girls and Last Night We Were The Delicious Wolves. Unless you take into account the trying too hard effort of Lover/Fighter, but that was just a misstep, he has released a small series of personal and surprising albums.

Two words, if that was all allowed to describe Workman's music, would be poetic and romantic. He has, for me at least, a strange voice, one which easily sweeps up into the upper register and yet still has an everyman, workmanlike quality, that's right I said workmanlike. Where Buckley and Antony Hegarty (Antony and The Johnsons) are angelic, Workman is earthbound, but reaching, always reaching... but, nonetheless, capable of thrilling. If he can stay away from the commercialism that I detected on his Lover/Fighter album and follows his muse, he may, and should, gain similar and equal acclaim to that which met fellow Canadian, Leslie Feist, and her critical success, Let It Die (minus the boundless and countless testosterone fuelled bloggers crushing on him, a la Feist, of course). Treeful of Starling is a right and proper step along the path he began to cut with his debut and continued to follow with his sophomore release. Workman is back on track.


Treeful of Starling tracklist:
1. A Moth Is Not A Butterfly
2. Hey Hey Hey (My Little Beauties)
3. You Are Too Beautiful
4. You And The Candles
5. Rain
6. When These Mountains Were
7. It’s A Long Life To Always Be Longing
8. Goodbye To Radio
9. Ice Age

*Limited Downloads*
Treeful of Starling
+ you are too beautiful

(Last Night We Were) The Delicious Wolves
+ no beginning, no end

For Him And The Girls
+ no sissies
+ paper shoes
+ beautiful and natural

Discography
For Him and the Girls (1999)
(Last Night We Were) The Delicious Wolves (2001)
Almost a Full Moon (2001)
Lover/Fighter (2003)
Before We Were Security Guards (2004)
Treeful of Starling (2006)

RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day: Number Two

Here's the second installment of 'RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day'. Today's song is track number five from the album...

*Limited Download*
+ The Charging Sky

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here's a link to the first post.

Akron/Family & Angels Of Light: Review + MP3s

I have re-posted this review with the addition of two *limited downloads*. One is from this album and the other from Akron/Family's debut.
-----------------------------

Akron/Family & Angels of Light
[Young God Records - 2005]
*Sixeyes Score: 8.7 out of 10
------------------------------
Akron/Family are the sleeper band of 2005, no question. A group of young men who released a stunning S/T full length debut earlier this year, who so impressed their producer and label head, Michael Gira, that he has been using them as his band in studio and on the road. THE sleeper band of the year and it's time to wake up. 2006 should rightly be the year that AF begin to buzz in the ears of all, generate the same online excitement as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Arctic Monkeys, and sell out shows like Arcade Fire. I haven't had the good fortune to see the band live as of yet, but everything I read on this band says they are amazing, from live reviews to album reviews, they've all mentioned their staggering live show. From the most recent release featuring the band, Akron/Family & Angels of Light, there is the song, "Raising The Sparks", and this is what I imagine AF will sound like live.

Akron/Family with Michael Gira[center]

From the Allman Brothers twin guitar six-string harmonies at song's start to the barn burning, foot stomping, tent revival snake charming crescendo that the song reaches, to the singing, shouting, and screaming energy of the band--this band is it's own power supply. Raising the sparks? Hell, they're raising the temperature, they're melting ice caps. Again, without having seen them live I will venture a guess and say this was their attempt to get their live energy on tape. This band is also capable of shifting gears like a trucker in the foothills of the Rockies. In "Dylan Pt. 2" they lull you with a wash of vocal harmonies and then wallop you with a guitar freak out straight off of The Beatles 'White Album'. The second half of this split release is Michael Gira backed by AF and Gira is no fool, his songs here are given a warm, woody sheen by a band that loves Alan Lomax field recordings and Big Pink era The Band as much as Sonic Youth and Radiohead. A strong album that will draw you further into Gira's extensive back catalog (Swans, Michael Gira, Body Lovers, Angels of Light) and send you running for Akron Family's debut.

from Akron/Family & Angels of Light...
+ raising the sparks [mp3]
+ dylan pt 2 [mp3]
From A/K's debut...
+ i'll be on the water

---------------

*Download Akron/Family & Angels of Light and Akron/Family's S/T debut at eMusic* - look into eMusic's Free Trial of 50 MP3 Downloads.

*Sixeyes review of Akron/Family debut
Akron/Family homepage
young god records
Akron/Family myspace

The Stills: New Album

Montreal's The Stills have a new disc, Without Feathers, coming May 9th. The band has a new sound with the permanent addition of touring keyboardist, Liam O'Neil, who can be heard throughout this new song on piano and organ.

This song, "In The Beginning", has a much more fleshed out sound than what they offered on their debut, perhaps due to drummer and main songwriter, Dave Hamelin, moving to the foreground to share guitar and vocal duties. It's a little more organic, a touch more upbeat... I like the change.

The Stills line up now stands as: Tim Fletcher (vocals/guitar), Dave Hamelin (vocals/guitar), Liam O'Neil (keyboards), Olivier Corbeil (bass), and Julien Blais (drums).


+ in the beginning (if this myspace link is more than a little slow to download, please try the other link)
+ in the beginning

RABBIT FUR COAT: An MP3 A Day

Recently indie label, Team Love, offered 11 of the 12 tracks from Jenny Lewis's debut solo record with the Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat, as free downloads. I've heard that some countries cannot download these tracks, so, *sixeyes will post a track a day from the record for those in those parts of the world where the downloads aren't working.

Here's the first MP3 offering...

*Limited Download*
+ It Wasn't Me

Track A Tiger

Track A Tiger is one of the dozens of bands I've found in response to my 'Suggestions' link in the sidebar.
Woke Up Early The Day I Died is an album of songs by Jim Vallet (pictured left) released on February 28th on Future Appletree Records. The songs, begun as a solo project by Vallet in 2003, are aptly described on the band's homepage as "... moody. Lots of male-female harmonies. A little rock, but mostly slow, sad, sleepy late nights..." and as sounding like "cinnamon toast". I won't add anything to that, it's a perfect description of Track A Tiger's sound. Here are a couple of limited time downloads, you will find more through the links below.


*Limited Downloads*
+ here at the end
+ i don't understand these machines

You can download three more tracks at Track A Tiger's website. Get another track at their myspace page.