Happy Birthday, *Sixeyes

That's right, *sixeyes is two years old today! Wheee! I wish I was two again, someone to feed me, to push, or carry me everywhere. Someone to change my dia... okay, i wish i was five again. Yeah... five. Happy birthday. Here's some music.

Ted Leo
Me And Mia
Squeaky Fingers
Tell Balgeary Balgury is Dead
The Anointed One
The Crane Takes Flight
The Gold Finch and the Red Oak Tree
Walking Through
Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone

the social register + bury every dream
The Frames + "Dream Awake"
Shivaree + "I Close My Eyes"
M. Ward"Fuel For Fire"
Luxury + "Green Hearts"
tomihira + world class
erik friedlander + may it please heaven
John Vanderslice + amitriptyline
Wilco + "Spiders"
pela + episodes (diphenhydramine)
The Salteens + thoughts from sound
leeroy stagger + slowly sinking

The Constantines
+ nighttime/anytime (it's alright)
+ on to you

Arcade Fire
+ Laika
+ Power Out
+ Wake Up

Sweet Billy Pilgrim
+ God in the Details
+ ain't no jesus in here

* * * * * *

Today is also the last day of eMusic's 50 free downloads promo offer, this is a great offer from a great site. This is your last chance, go here. There's new Shearwater, Gomez, Beirut, and more, lots more.

Rock Kills Kid Go Acoustic

Rock Kills Kid
+ midnight
+ hideaway
+ paralyzed

Find more songs here.

Released: May 30th

New releases via insound.com...

Asobi Seksu Citrus Friendly Fire
Keene Brothers Blues and Boogies Shoes Fading Captain
Mikaela's Fiend We Can Driving Machine Strictly Amateur
Peeping Tom S/T Ipecac

The new releases via cmj.com ...

ASOBI SEKSU Citrus Friendly Fire
CATARACT Kingdom Metal Blade
CELTIC FROST Monotheist Century Media
CHATHAM COUNTY LINE Speed Of The Whippoorwill Yep Roc
JAMIE LIDELL Multiply Additions Warp
JIM DICKINSON Jungle Jim And The Voodoo Tiger Memphis International
MATTHEW HERBERT Scale Studio K7
PEEPING TOM Peeping Tom Ipecac
YOUINSERIES Outside We Are Fine Equal Vision

Hanne Hukkelberg + Devastations

Here are two songs that caught my ear yesterday and now I find myself listening again.



The first is "Little Girl" by Hanne Hukkelberg. Hukkelberg may seem to exist only so those who hear her can say things like, quirky, offbeat, offkilter, Offenbach (wait, how'd that get in here?), Rickenbacher (okay, now this is getting silly), hey... silly is another word listeners might attach to Hukkelberg. But to me this song shows a free spirit, one who expresses that spirit in her music. And, by the way, this music is so childlike that it's in perfect harmony with the song's subject... a little girl.

+ little girl

* * * * * *




The second song I've been playing often is by Australian trio, Devastations. Titled, "I've Walked This Road", it can be found on a compilation released on Aussie indie label, Spooky Records. This one is nothing like Hukkelberg's song, Tom Carlyon's guitar twangs and quavers above Hugo Cran's steady beat and both buttress the always melancholy voice of Conrad Standish. Starting with a guitar sound that evokes one of the great television series of the last twenty five years, Twin Peaks -- in fact this song would be perfect for a David Lynch soundtrack... slow, achy, and brittle -- it finishes with the instruments slashing and crashing as the road comes to an end.

+ i've walked this road

Devastations were recently signed to Brooklyn indie label, Brassland, and will see their latest effort, Coal, (a fantastic record!) in US stores in late summer/early fall. Keep your eyes open for it and watch for the upcoming interview, Tom Carlyon, the band's guitarist, did with *sixeyes.

Merge Records to Re-Release Spoon Albums

Merge Records will re-release Spoon's early recordings, Telephono, and the EP, Soft Effects--both will be available this July 25th. The band will be playing some west coast dates in August with Mates of State and Death Cab for Cutie, see the dates below.

Here are the six live radio sessions from Spoon's The Way We Get By Ep, a release that featured the album single from Kill The Moonlight, these live tracks, and three videos. Just something to tide you over until July 25th.


+ metal detektor
+ me and the bean
+ anticipation
+ i am the key
+ advance cassette
+ someone something

find more songs by spoon
Of course Spoon can be found at the eMusic site as well, get their latest album, Gimme Fiction, and more for free here.

* * * * * * * * *

Tracklist for Telephono....
01. Don't Buy The Realistic
02. Not Turning Off
03. All The Negatives Have Been Destroyed
04. Cvantez
05. Nefarious
06. Claws Tracking
07. Dis member
08. Idiot Driver
09. Towner
10. Wanted To Be Your
11. Theme To Wendal Stivers
12. Primary
13 .The Government Darling
14. Plastic Mylar

Soft Effects Track List...
01. Mountain To Sound
02. Waiting For The Kid To Come Out
03. I Could See The Dude
04. Get Out The State
05. Loss Leaders

Tour Dates....
08/11 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
08/12 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
08/13 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
08/14 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
08/15 - San Diego, CA - Bayside

The Walkmen Mix

+ look out the window
+ wake up
+ i'm never bored
+ hang on, siobhan
+ little house of savages
+ lost in boston [live]
+ good for you's good for me

find more songs by the walkmen

White Stripes, Raconteurs, and Brendan Benson @ eMusic

After Jack and Meg White form The White Stripes, they tap directly into what makes the world tick, sex, rumour, and mystery, by confusing everyone about whether they are married, divorced, or brother and sister. They release four albums, date movie stars, rock stars, and crash cars (and i think, once in a while, all at the same time). Jack White is deemed worthy of the rock star tag, by his pasty skin, outlandish clothes, and his ability to be endearingly labeled a freak by all who see and hear him play. He then forms the Raconteurs, a four piece band with good friend and fellow Detroiter, Brendan Benson. Jack White's name alone causes a frenzy within the musical media community, one which levels off a tad when they can't find any sex, rumour, or mystery.

All five White Stripes albums, The White Stripes, De Stijl, White Blood Cells, Elephant, and Get Behind Me Satan, are at eMusic. Also, you'll find the Raconteurs recent debut, Broken Boy Soldiers. And to top it off, Brendan Benson has all his solo output available as well. Go here to get 50 free downloads at eMusic - this promotion offer will end June 1st, you've got little more than three days left.

MP3s to Download (again)

This is a long list of some of the mp3s offered on *sixeyes over the past month or two, all hosted on savefile.com. There's a chance you missed some of these the first time around. A little present to all of us who don't get a holiday this Monday. Plus, a little bonus from The Walkmen's latest album, A Hundred Miles Off, released this past Tuesday.

the walkmen + good for you's good for me - find more songs

bebek + 807 Dub - find more songs
born ruffians + hedonistic me - find more songs
born ruffians + raised huns
born ruffians + this sentence
brendan benson + crosseyed demo - find more songs
brendan Benson + Me Just Purely [Album Version]
brendan benson + me just purely [demo]
built to spill + gone - find more songs
built to spill + liar
calexico + roka - find more songs
catchers + christina - find more songs
catchers + cotton dress
cocorosie + ohio [damien jurado cover] - find more songs
devendra banhart + fistfull of love [antony and the johnsons cover]
hard 'n phirm + rodeohead
heatmiser + get lucky
home + juicy ass
jim guthrie + nightime anytime (it's all right) [constantines cover]
Kunek + coma
leslie feist + it's cool to love your family
leslie feist + the mast
m craft + demons
malajube + montreal -40c
mary margaret o'hara + body's in trouble
mountain goats + pet politics [silver jews cover]
murder by death + boy decide
ohsees + broken stems
devin davis + paratrooper with amnesia
persephone's bees + nice day
pet politics + the spring
peter case + travellin' light
phoenix + long distance call
rumble strips + motorcycle
soft hearted scientists + i'll be happy i'll be...
spinto band + my special car
The Coral Sea + Look at Her Face
the paper cranes + i'll love you until my veins...
the shins + we will become silhouettes [the postal service cover]
the sleeping years + islands - demo
the sleeping years + the lochkeeper's cottage (live)
the vorstand circus + all truth now

Live the dream! Be a music writer!

Hey all you wanna be music writers out there! *Sixeyes is planning to expand into a dot com in the near future and we (I) need a couple of people, at least, to cover the genres of hip hop and electronica. If you're interested in drumming up at least one post a week on either of these genres, give me a shout at sixeyesblog [at] hotmail.com for all the details.

prefuse 73 + no origin

the sleeping years

l
photo by niall pollock

So, you want to hear your new favourite unsigned band? Whoa, not so fast (i'm a big tease, or so I'm told)... the band is called The Sleeping Years and is the new project of Irishman, Dale Grundle. Grundle was also the main force behind the widely acclaimed and now defunct band, Catchers. What is most apparent upon listening to the music is Grundle's voice... it doesn't stagger and yet it does rub your ears, and whatever else you may listen with, the right way. The music has a timeless quality and one of mystery... much like the mystery of what we do for the third of our lives we spend sleeping, and so, the band's name, The Sleeping Years, fits perfectly.

Dale Grundle describes and explains the band in this way:

'The Sleeping Years is the result of a period that I spent writing and recording in London after Catchers. All the instruments on the demos are played or programmed by me, but I have recently gathered together a group of musicians and we have been playing live around London as a six-piece and a more acoustic four-piece band. At full strength the band uses three-part harmonies with acoustic and electric guitars, piano and organs, e-bows, handclaps and bass and drums.'

Now listen...
+ islands [demo]
+ the lochkeeper's cottage [live at the 12 Bar Club]

This one thumps along nicely, perfect for in the car on a long drive, or a short one...
+ you and me against the world - not sure, but this may be a demo as well
[streaming at myspace, along with two other songs]

* * * * * *

Here are some Catchers MP3s [Grundle's previous band] from Catchers' website, the following text is also found on the MP3 page where you will find many more to download:

Unmixed tracks from the first singles:
Early mixes from Elephant Studios in London (although the singles were also recorded at the Church Studios and September Sound) for the band to take home. They feature guitar tracks that were maybe pulled back in the mix later or not used at all. Some tracks that appear on the singles were also yet to be added. Transfered from tape with some clipped endings.

+ Shifting
+ Dead Friends Fall
+ Cotton Dress
+ Christina

* * * * * * *

Grundle's old band, Catchers, can be found on the eMusic site... there is now little more than a week left to take advantage of the 50 Free Downloads offer here.

Find more The Sleeping Years songs
Find more Catchers songs

MP3 music downloads at eMusic

Here are some of the popular downloads at eMusic recently... get some for free, sign up here.

* * * * *

Movements
Booka Shade
Alternative/Punk

How We Operate
Gomez
Indie Rock

Gulag Orkestar
Beirut
Alternative

Man In Black
Johnny Cash

Boots
Nancy Sinatra
Pop

Springtime Can Kill You
Jolie Holland
Contemporary Folk, Folk Singer-Songwriter

Tangerine
David Mead
Indie Pop, Singer-Songwriter

Powder Burns
The Twilight Singers
Alternative

Spell
The Black Heart Procession
Indie Rock

Chulahoma
The Black Keys
Contemporary Blues, Garage Rock

Paw Tracks eMusic Sampler
Various Artists - Paw Tracks / Carpark
Alternative Experimental, Indie Rock

Stax Profiles Sampler
Various Artists - Fantasy / Stax

Carpark eMusic Sampler
Various Artists - Carpark
Electronic Ambient, Electronic Experimental

Without Feathers
The Stills
Indie Rock

Bart's In-Store
Supersuckers
Garage Rock, Indie Rock, Rock/Pop Rockabilly

At Dawn
My Morning Jacket
Commercial Alternative

Upper Class Recordings Sampler
Various Artists - Upper Class Recordings
Electro, Indie Pop

Acute eMusic Sampler
Various Artists - Acute / Carpark
Alternative Experimental, Electronic Experimental, Punk

Arular
M.I.A. (XL)

The Drift
Scott Walker (2)
Alternative Experimental, Avant-garde

Free MP3 Downloads :: 1

From Our Lady of Bells 2006 Forgetting the Way Home...
+ here they all pretend
+ adeline
from 2005's Our Lady of Bells self-titled EP...
+ oh my oh my
+ with my eyes

find more songs.

* * * * *

from Matador Records roster...
brightblack
+ everybody new - find more songs.
yo la tengo
+ beanbag - find more songs.
jennifer o'connor
+ exeter - find more songs.


* * * * *

from The Old Ceremony's upcoming release on Sonablast Records...
+ ole
+ blood and oil

find more songs.

* * * * *

from Carolyn Edwards upcoming self-titled CD [6/13/06]...
+ lunacy
+ monica
+ beauty wasted

find more songs.

Skittish

Skittish is a band that has been skimming along under the radar, but that should change as soon as more of the people with great taste, who frequent mp3 blogs, hear the music. Based in Minneapolis, Skittish is Jeff Noller's baby, but he gets some help with the diapers from Erik Wray and Siobhan Meehl, when the band performs live (Noller plays and records the music on his own). And the music? It's by turns, folksy and then indie flavoured, but more than these it's very, very good (and if you think you can dance, Skittish will once again give you the opportunity to revisit that delusion).

from Tragedy of the Commons
+ pass the punch
+ million gray
+ carousel

Go here to buy.

from from my parents basement
+ happily ever after
Go here to buy.

* * * * * * * *

Find More Songs

THE NATIONAL :: One of the Best

The National are one of the best bands in music today. No question. Whether it be on record, or on stage, this band has it all. Subtlety and force, power and finesse, the members of this band strike a beautiful balance in their music. And Matt Berninger, the singer and lyricist, brings a drunken neurotic edge to the words he pens. An edge which becomes much sharper when the band clambers onto a stage... you must see this band live.

The National are one of the first bands I came across after starting this blog... and they have only improved over the past two years.

They are in New York tonight...

21 May: WEBSTER HALL, New York, NY // Purchase Tickets Now >>
** NOTE: All tickets for 21 May at BOWERY BALLROOM will be honored at WEBSTER HALL

UK - May 2006
28 May: GLASGOW ACADEMY, Glasgow, UK // w/ Editors // SOLD OUT
29 May: APOLLO, Manchester, UK // w/ Editors // SOLD OUT
30 May: BRIXTON ACADEMY, London, UK // w/ Editors // SOLD OUT
31 May: KOKO, London, UK // SOLD OUTUS - July 2006
30 July: PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL, Chicago IL // Purchase Tickets Now >>

MP3s
from Alligator 2005
+ secret meeting [live]
+ abel
from Cherry Tree 2004
+ cherry tree
from Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers 2003
+ patterns of fairytales
+ fashion coat

Buy The National here.

FIND MORE SONGS HERE

Previous Posts w/ The National
Alligator review
Interview
Mix of Mp3s
(there are more posts... but for some reason the blogger search isn't finding all of them)

* * * * * * * *
I forgot that eMusic (whose 50 free downloads promotion ends June 1st) has three albums, Alligator, The National s/t debut, and Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers... get them here.

Alejandro Escovedo and Whiskeytown

Alejandro Escovedo began making a name for himself as a member of San Francisco's The Nuns, moving on to co-found Rank and File - a band which blended elements of country and punk - in 1979. Texas born and California bred, the Mexican immigrant's son has explored the Tex-Mex and country influences of his childhood on his solo works since the early 90's. Recent years have brought Escovedo's grinding tour schedule to a trickle as he battled serious medical problems, but with his health returning he has begun to work once more. Escovedo released his new recording, The Boxing Mirror, on May 2nd.

Escovedo's voice has a rich timbre to it, although that timbre emanates from his nose, I find his voice strangely compelling. And that voice was one of the deciding factors when I bought, years back, Whiskeytown's album, Strangers Almanac. Whiskeytown's leader, Ryan Adams, showed great taste in asking Escovedo to sing with him. I love the song, "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight", it's a great song, but when Escovedo adds that voice for a couple of verses it seals it for me... this is a great song (i already said that didn't I?).

+ excuse me while i break my own heart tonight

find more escovedo songs
find more whiskeytown songs

Matador Summer Tour Dates

SPOON [find songs]

Tue, May 16 - London - UK - Koko
Wed, May 17 - Amsterdam - Holland - Paradiso
Thu, May 18 - Brussels - Belgium - AB2
Sun, May 21 - Camber Sands - UK - ATP

STEPHEN MALKMUS [find songs]

Sat, May 27 - Seattle WA - Sasquatch Music Festival
Sun, May 28 - Bend OR - Les Schwab Amphitheater
Sun, Jun 18 - Manchester TN - Bonnaroo Music Festival
Fri, Sep 8 - Portland OR - Crystal Ballroom

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN [find songs]

Tue, Jul 4 - New York NY - Battery Park - with Martha Wainwright opening
Thu, Jul 6 - Los Angeles CA - Hollywood Bowl - backed by the Los Angeles
Philharmonic Orchestra, with The Shins opening
Sat, Jul 8 - Columbia MD - Merriweather Post Pavillion - with Broken Social
Scene

-- plus fall US touring to be announced


BRIGHTBLACK MORNING LIGHT -- The Crystal Totem Turr [find songs]

Sun, Jun 4 - Whitefish MT - Grouse Mountain Lodge
Wed, Jun 7 - Minneapolis MN - Triple Rock Club - with Lights
Fri, Jun 9 - Chicago IL - Empty Bottle - with Lights
Sat, Jun 10 - Louisville KY - Headliners Music Hall - with Lights
Sun, Jun 11 - Indianapolis IN - Birdys - with Lights
Mon, Jun 12 - Morgantown WV - 123 Pleasant Street - with Lights
Thu, Jun 15 - Winooski VT - Higher Ground - with Mariee Souix - Lights
Fri, Jun 16 - Somerville MA - PAs Lounge - with Mariee Souix - Espers
Sat, Jun 17 - Amherst MA - Amherst Unitarian Meetinghouse - with Espers
Sun, Jun 18 - Providence RI - AS220 - with Mariee Souix - Espers
Wed, Jun 21 - Brooklyn NY - Southpaw - with Mariee Souix - Espers
Fri, Jun 23 - New York NY - Mercury Lounge - with Mariee Souix - Espers
Sat, Jun 24 - Baltimore MD - Talking Head - with Mariee Souix - Espers
Sun, Jun 25 - Philadelphia PA - First Unitarian Church - with Mariee Souix -
Espers
Mon, Jun 26 - Washington DC - DC 9 - with Mariee Souix - Espers
Thu, Jun 29 - Wilmington NC - The Soapbox Laundrolounge
Fri, Jun 30 - Asheville NC - Harvest Records
Sat, Jul 1 - Athens GA - Caledonia Lounge
Sun, Jul 2 - Atlanta GA - Drunken Unicorn
Mon, Jul 3 - Birmingham AL - Bottletree
Thu, Jul 6 - St Augustine FL - Cafe Eleven
Fri, Jul 7 - Gainesville FL - Common Grounds
Sat, Jul 8 - Orlando FL - Wills Pub
Tue, Jul 11 - New Orleans LA - One Eyed Jacks
Wed, Jul 12 - Austin TX - Emo’s Jr. - with Daniel Higgs
Thu, Jul 13 - Denton TX - Dans Silverleaf - with Daniel Higgs
Sat, Jul 15 - Denver CO - Hi Dive - with Daniel Higgs
Thu, Jul 20 - Albuquerque NM - Launchpad - with Daniel Higgs
Fri, Jul 21 - Tucson AZ - Plush
Mon, Jul 24 - San Francisco CA - The Fillmore - with Os Mutantes
Fri, Jul 28 - West Hollywood CA - Troubadour - with Daniel Higgs
Sat, Jul 29 - Berkeley CA - Starry Plough - with Daniel Higgs
Sun, Jul 30 - San Francisco CA - Cafe Du Nord - with Daniel Higgs
Sun, Aug 13 - Saratoga CA - Bleeding Edge Festival

-- and many more dates to be added; many more openers to be confirmed


CAT POWER -- all dates backed by the Memphis Rhythm Band (except July 2) [find songs]

Wed, Jun 7 - Boston MA - Berklee Performance Center
Fri, Jun 9 - New York NY - Town Hall
Sat, Jun 10 - New York NY - Town Hall
Sun, Jun 11 - Philadelphia PA - Theatre Of The Living Arts
Wed, Jun 14 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club
Fri, Jun 16 - Manchester TN - Bonnaroo Music Festival
Sat, Jul 1 - Detroit MI - Comerica TasteFest
Sun, Jul 2 - Montreal QC - Canada - Montreal Jazz Fest

-- plus fall European touring to be announced


THE DOUBLE [find songs]

Mon, Jun 19 - Lansing MI - The Temple Club
Tue, Jun 20 - Cleveland Heights OH - Grog Shop - with We Are Scientists
Wed, Jun 21 - Chicago IL - Metro - with We Are Scientists
Thu, Jun 22 - Milwaukee WI - Miramar
Sun, Jun 25 - Indianapolis IN - Birdy’s
Mon, Jun 26 - Columbus OH - Little Brother’s - with We Are Scientists
Tue, Jun 27 - Washington DC - Black Cat - with We Are Scientists
Wed, Jun 28 - Philadelphia PA - Theatre Of The Living Arts - with We Are
Scientists
Thu, Jun 29 - Brooklyn NY - Warsaw - with We Are Scientists
Fri, Jun 30 - New York NY - Irving Plaza - with We Are Scientists
Sat, Jul 1 - Northampton MA - Pearl Street - with We Are Scientists
Sun, Jul 2 - Boston MA - Paradise Rock Club - with We Are Scientists


YO LA TENGO [find songs]

Mon, May 29 - Rome - Italy - Circolo Degli Artisti
Tue, May 30 - Bologna - Italy - Estragon
Thu, Jun 1 - Barcelona - Spain - Parc del Forum
Thu, Jun 15 - Philadelphia PA - Trocadero
Thu, Jul 13 - Park Slope NY - Prospect Park
Sun, Aug 13 - Saratoga CA - Montalvo Center For The Arts

MATMOS [find songs]

Sun, Jun 4 - New York NY - Bang On A Can
Sat, Jul 29 - Chicago IL - Pitchfork Music Festival
Sun, Aug 13 - San Jose CA - Bleeding Edge Festival
Fri, Oct 6 - Columbus OH - Wexner Center
Sat, Oct 7 - Pittsburgh PA - New Hazlett Theatre
Sun, Oct 8 - Toronto ON - Canada - Music Gallery
Mon, Oct 9 - Toronto ON - Canada - Music Gallery
Tue, Oct 10 - Montreal QC - Canada - National
Wed, Oct 11 - Philadelphia PA - International House
Thu, Oct 12 - Boston MA - Museum of Fine Arts
Fri, Oct 13 - New York NY - Thalia Theater at Symphony Space
Sat, Oct 14 - New York NY - Thalia Theater at Symphony Space
Wed, Oct 18 - San Francisco CA - Great American Music Hall
Fri, Oct 20 - Portland OR - Holocene
Sat, Oct 21 - Seattle WA - Triple Door

MISSION OF BURMA

Fri, May 19 - Camber Sands - UK - ATP
Mon, May 22 - London - UK - Koko
Sat, Jul 1 - North Adams MA - MASS MoCA
Thu, Jul 13 - Boston MA - Paradise Rock Club
Fri, Jul 14 - Brooklyn NY - Warsaw
Sat, Jul 15 - Washington DC - Black Cat - with Antelope
Sun, Jul 16 - Philadelphia PA - First Unitarian Church
Wed, Jul 26 - Toronto ON - Canada - Horseshoe Tavern
Thu, Jul 27 - Cleveland Heights OH - Grog Shop
Fri, Jul 28 - Detroit MI - Magic Stick
Sat, Jul 29 - Cincinnati OH - Southgate House
Sun, Jul 30 - Chicago IL - Union Park

-- openers to be announced; and subsequent US touring to be announced

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS

Tue, May 16 - London - UK - Koko
Wed, May 17 - Nottingham - UK - Rescue Room
Thu, May 18 - Glasgow - Scotland - ABC2
Fri, May 19 - Leeds - UK - Cockpit
Sat, May 20 - Brighton - UK - The Great Escape
Sun, May 21 - Camber Sands - UK - ATP
Sun, Jul 2 - Detroit MI - Comerica TasteFest Festival
Sun, Jul 16 - Ottawa ON - Canada - Cisco Systems Bluesfest
Thu, Aug 3 - New York NY - Central Park Summerstage - with Calexico - The Frames
Sat, Aug 5 - Chicago IL - Lollapalloza
Sat, Aug 12 - Seattle WA - Gas Works Park
Fri, Sep 15 - Mexico City - Mexico - Bulldog
Sun, Sep 17 - Austin TX - Austin City Limits

DEAD MEADOW

Thu, May 18 - London - UK - The Legion
Fri, May 19 - Camber Sands - UK - ATP
Sat, May 20 - Camber Sands - UK - ATP
Sun, May 21 - Manchester - UK - Manchester Academy
Mon, May 22 - Birmingham - UK - Birmingham Academy
Fri, May 26 - Cardiff - Wales - Club Ifor Bach
Sat, May 27 - London - UK - Bush Hall
Sun, May 28 - Nottingham - UK - The Social
Fri, Jun 2 - New York NY - Pier 17
Sat, Jul 22 - Chicago IL - Subterranean
Sun, Jul 23 - Chicago IL - Wicker Park Summer Festival

JENNIFER O'CONNOR

Tue, Jun 6 - Boston MA - Abbey Lounge - with Silver Lining - Choo Choo La Rouge
Wed, Jun 21 - New York NY - Sin-e - with The Mendoza Line
Sat, Jul 15 - Greensboro NC - Flying Anvil - with Hotel Lights - Pleasant
Mon, Jul 17 - Tallahassee FL - Beta Bar - with Hotel Lights
Tue, Jul 18 - Atlanta GA - The Earl - with Hotel Lights - Liz Durrett
Wed, Jul 19 - Athens GA - Caledonia Lounge - with Hotel Lights - Liz Durrett
Thu, Jul 20 - Asheville NC - Grey Eagle - with Hotel Lights
Fri, Jul 21 - Richmond VA - Gallery 5 - with Hotel Lights - Prabir - The
Substitutes
Sat, Jul 22 - Chapel Hill NC - Local 506 - with Hotel Lights

-- plus more summer and fall dates to be added

Brendan Benson @ eMusic + Early Demos

I should have told you in the previous post that Brendan Benson can be found at eMusic. All three of his full length releases are on the site: 1996's One Mississippi, 2002's Lapalco, and 2005's The Alternative to Love.

Here's a couple of 4-track demos that later appeared on his full length debut, One Mississippi, and in addition I've added the final album version of one track.

+ me just purely - demo
+ crosseyed - demo

+ me just purely - album version


You can download a couple of Benson's albums (at least a couple) for free with the soon-to-expire '50 Free Downloads' offer at eMusic. This fantastic promotion ends May 31st... so get on it.

In The Mailbox :: Vol. 3

Band: The Coral Sea
Album: Volcano and Heart
Release Date: June 27th 2006
Website: http://www.thecoralsea.net/
Label: Hidden Agenda/Parasol

California based, The Coral Sea are led by Rey Villalobos whose delicate and clear vocals rarely rise above 'in your ear' confidentiality. Although, when they do, they lose some of their bell-like shape and then exhibit the strength of that bell's metal skin. This band has what all desire: a distinctive sound.

+ look at her face

FIND MORE SONGS.

* * * * * * * *

Artist: BebekAlbum: Open Eyes
Release Date: , 2006
Website: http://bebekmusic.com/
Label: self-released

A sultry groove permeates the trip hop and electronic elements of Philadelphia's Bebek, but a '1 am in the heart of the city' groove is the principal element.

+ 807 Dub

FIND MORE SONGS.

* * * * * * *

Artist: Kunek
Album: Flight of the Flynns
Release Date: 2005
Website: http://www.kunek.net/
Label: self-released

Based in Stillwater, Ok, the six members of the talented outfit, Kunek, never get in each other's way and in the quieter moments the space they give the songs resonates beautifully.

+ coma

FIND MORE SONGS.

Doveman, The National, and Baby Dayliner: May 21st Date

On next Sunday, May 21st, Doveman will be opening for former Brassland artists, The National, and current Brassland artist, Baby Dayliner at Webster Hall. Soooo... this show will start with neurotic finesse and end with neurotic force. Let's hope that Baby Dayliner can stand up to being bookended by Doveman's 'Woody Allen as improvisatory genius' and The National's 'Woody Allen as horny stud who thinks too much' (just kidding... i had to add that as i was beginning to feel paranoid).


doveman [find more songs]
+ honey
+ teacup
the national [find more songs]
+ wasp nest
baby dayliner [find more songs]
+ at least

* * * * * * * * * *

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that *sixeyes has joined blogads... there's a box up there in the left corner of the sidebar if you want to advertise here. This move was made after learning of eMusic ending their 50 Free Downloads promotion at the end of this month. That offer is still available here.

Juana Molina: New Album

Juana Molina, whose new album, Son [Domino], will be released worldwide on June 6th, will tour in support of the new CD beginning mid-June in Los Angeles. Also on the bill with the Domino artist will be Swede, Jose Gonzalez and UK electronica duo, Psapp.

The Argentinian plays very personal folk inflected music... her voice drawing the listener into the web of her songs. These songs demonstrate a marked willingness to experiment, which gives Molina an edge over your run of the mill singer/songwriter.

From the album Son...
+ micael
+ malherido
+ no seas antipática

FIND MORE SONGS HERE.

Tour Dates
Friday 16th Jun
El Rey Theater
Los Angeles, CA
Saturday 17th Jun
Bimbo's
San Francisco, CA
Sunday 18th Jun
Doug Fir
Porltland, OR
Monday 19th Jun
Neumo's
Seattle, WA
Tuesday 20th Jun
Richard's On Richards
Vancouver, BC CANADA
Friday 23rd Jun
Cedar Cultural Center
Minneapolis, MN
Saturday 24th Jun
Hothouse (sans José Gonzalez)
Chicago, IL
Monday 26th Jun
Trinity St. Paul
Toronto, ON CANADA
Tuesday 27th Jun
National
Montreal, PQ CANADA
Wednesday 28th Jun
Museum of Fine Arts
Boston, MA
Thursday 29th Jun
Bowery Ballroom
New York, NY
Friday 30th Jun
Black Cat
Washington, DC
Saturday 1st Jul
World Cafe
Philadelphia, PA
Monday 3rd Jul
Bowery Ballroom
New York, NY

BELLA UNION RECORDS

Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins are behind the label Bella Union. Established in mid 1997, they wanted to create a label to help expose the music which inspired and excited them. The exciting and inspiring Bella Union is found in Twickenham, England.

* * * * * * * *

Here's two songs from the band Devics Bella Union debut in 2001, My Beautiful Sinking Ship...
+ 5 seconds to hold you
+ alone with you

Below you will find mp3s from Bella Union's roster...

dirty three
sea above sky below
I really should have gone out last night
françoiz breut
everyone kisses a stranger
cocteau twins
calfskin smack
garlic
philmore
the czars
dave's dream
song to the siren
lullabye 6000
departure lounge
beyond The beltway
what you have is good
simon raymonde
muscle and want
the venue
mmhm!
russell mills/undark
cage of air
sneakster//robin guthrie
fireheart
the faraway places
do what you can
nanaco
luminus love ritual
sing sing
hit and run
yu-ra
namida
sneakster
stolen letter
the wave room
anywhere here is now
gwei-lo
annoy
quixotic
rothko
metatonic
bonnevill
lullabye

LABEL LINK
www.bellaunion.com
ARTIST LINKS
@ bella union

* * * * * * * * * *

GO HERE... for these artists on the digital download site eMusic... AGAIN, eMusic will be ceasing their promotion of 50 Free Downloads beginning June 1st. Get these artists and more for free while you can through the link.

Pet Politics: New Song

Sweden's Magnus Larsson is the sole voice and talent behind the musical project, Pet Politics. *Sixeyes stumbled upon him close to a year ago and even conducted a short interview with him. Now I've received word from Magnus that he has a new song to share with everyone obviously inspired by the departure of winter and the arrival of spring.

+ the spring

You can stream three tracks on his myspace page, here's an earlier song in mp3 format from his debut EP, In My Head, on Catbird Records...



+ the ghost mary & her friends

Links to his homepage and myspace.

FIND MORE SONGS HERE

born RUFFIANS

Luke Lalonde of Toronto band, born RUFFIANS, has a voice which vaguely resembles Gordon Gano of The Violent Femmes, but it stretches into David Byrne shapes. I've only heard these three tracks and now I'm expecting big things from this Toronto trio [Lalonde also plays guitar, while Mitch DeRosier handles bass and Steve Hamelin drums]. They have the sound, and a sense of humour within that sound, to generate a shitstorm of buzz within the mp3 blog community, indie zines and websites. These song arrangements are sparse, simple, and embroidered by hand claps, yelps, and ear catching lyrics. The band is unsigned and, as far as I know, have only one recording to their credit, the EP, Raised Huns.

+ raised huns
+ hedonistic me
+ this sentence

Upcoming Dates
May 25 2006 9:00P
Sneaky Dee's (The Bicycles' Tour Fundraiser Show) w/ The Old Soul and Bicycles Toronto
May 26 2006 9:00P
The Gap of Dunloe Ottawa
Jun 8 2006 8:00P
NXNE @ The Boat Toronto
Jun 19 2006 8:00P
Horseshoe Tavern w/ DON CABALLERO Toronto

band website [under construction]
myspace page

* * * * * * * *


FIND MORE SONGS HERE.

Zero 7: New MP3

Zero 7 will see their latest album, The Garden, hit stores on June 6th.

Here's an mp3 from the new record...

zero 7 + left behind feat. José González


TRACK LISTING:
1. Futures (feat. José González)
2. Throw It All Away (feat. Sia Furler)
3. Seeing Things
4. The Pageant of the Bizarre (feat. Sia Furler)
5. You're My Flame (feat. Sia Furler)
6. Left Behind (feat. José González)
7. Today (feat. José González)
8. This Fine Social Scene (feat. Sia Furler)
9. Your Place
10. If I Can't Have You (feat. Sia Furler)
11. Crosses (feat. José González)
12. Waiting To Die (feat. Sia Furler)

http://www.myspace.com/zero7official

FIND MORE SONGS HERE

The Futureheads: News and Tributes E-Card

Here's a link to an e-card which lets you hear four tracks from The Futureheads upcoming June 13th, release, News and Tributes on Vagrant/StarTime.

* * * * * * * * *

FIND MORE SONGS HERE.

Dan Wallace: Neon and Gold

How did I come across this guy, Dan Wallace? He has some fantastic music here on his album, Neon and Gold, music which is different enough to my ears to cause them to prick up and familiar enough to slip into those well worn ruts in my musical taste. Chicago based Wallace has a fondness for minor chord sadness and his voice is well suited to it... here's an example:

+ fell
+ jacques
+ too soon
+ maybe

This is not your typical sounding indie boy, but this is imaginative and intelligent music... someone was thinking when they made it and that will get you thinking.

Learn more on his homepage and myspace page.

Released: May 9th

This week's releases courtesy of insound.com...

05/09/06 Ane Brun A Temporary Drive V2

05/09/06 Beirut Gulag Orkestar Bada Bing

05/09/06 Black Heart Procession The Spell Touch & Go

05/09/06 Camera Obscura Lloyd, I'm Ready To Heartbroken EP Merge

05/09/06 Danielson Ships Secretly Canadian

05/09/06 Eighteenth Day of May S/T Hannibal

05/09/06 Electric Soft Parade The Human Body EP Better Looking

05/09/06 Everyothers Pink Sticky Lies Kill Rock Stars

05/09/06 Gnarls Barkley St. Elsewhere Downtown/Atlantic

05/09/06 Grandaddy Just Like The Fambly Cat V2

05/09/06 Jolie Holland Springtime Can Kill You Anti

05/09/06 Lansing-Dreiden Dividing Island Kemado

05/09/06 Like Young Last Secrets Polyvinyl

05/09/06 Matmos The Rose Has Teeth in the Mouth of a Beast Matador

05/09/06 Model/Actress S/T Thick Records

05/09/06 Old Haunts Fuel On Fire Kill Rock Stars

05/09/06 Plain White T's Hey There Delilah Fearless

05/09/06 Pony Up Make Love To The Judges With Your Eyes Dim Mak

05/09/06 Red Red Meat Debut S/T Re-Issue Thrill Jockey

05/09/06 Shearwater Palo Santo Misra

05/09/06 Snow Patrol Eyes Open Interscope

05/09/06 Stills Without Feathers VICE

05/09/06 Test Icicles Dig Your Own Grave EP Domino

05/09/06 Various Artists Acquired Taste DVD Sub Pop

05/09/06 Various Artists The Sound the Hare Heard Kill Rock Stars

05/09/06 Wooden Wand Harem Of The Sundrum And The Witness Figg 5RC

05/09/06 Zach Hill & Mick Barr Shred Earthship 5RC

In The Mailbox # 2

Band: Voxtrot
Album: Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives EP
Release Date: April 4, 2006
Website: http://www.voxtrot.net/
Label: Cult Hero

Austin, TX is the home base for this young band with retro vision. Clear eyes and talent can make anything old sound young again… and this sound may just be wearing gold-plated diapers.

+ mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives

Find More Songs Here.

* * * * *

Band: Murder By Death
Album: in bocca al lupo
Release Date: May 23, 2006
Website: http://murderbydeath.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/murderbydeath
Label: Tent Show Records

Murder By Death is a midwestern band whose music can be as odd, obvious, and strange as their name.

+ boy decide

Find More Songs Here.

* * * * *

Band: The Church
Album: Uninvited, Like the Clouds
Release Date: April 18, 2006
Website: http://www.thechurchband.com/
Label: Cooking Vinyl

The Church continue to follow a path unique to them after nearly a quarter century of making music together.

+ unified field

Find More Songs Here.

* * * *

Band: Camera Obscura
Album: Let’s Get Out Of This Country
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Website http://www.camera-obscura.net/
Label: Merge Records

Camera Obscura are from Scotland, forming a decade ago in the working class city of Glasgow. This latest release, Let’s Get Out Of This Country, is their first to benefit from an extended stay in a true studio setting (working in Stockholm with acclaimed producer, Jari Haapalainen).

+ let’s get out of this country

Find More Songs Here.

* * * *

Band: Phoenix
Album: It’s Never Been Like That
Release Date: June 13, 2006
Website: http://www.wearephoenix.com/
Label: Arts & Crafts

These Frenchmen know their way around a pop tune. They’ve forged another fine set of songs for the new album, It’s Never Been Like That, and, as is their want, have polished them until they gleam.

+ long distance call

Find More Songs Here.

* * * *

Band: Persephone’s Bees
Album: Note’s From The Underworld
Release Date: , 2006
Website: http://www.persephonesbees.com/
Label: Columbia

Persephone's Bees are based in San Francisco, led by Russian ex-pat, Angelina Moysov, and churn out a slickly updated 60's sound on this song…

+ nice day

Find More Songs Here.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Church, Camera Obscura, and Murder by Death, are found on the eMusic site. With eMusic's promotion of 50 Free Downloads coming to end shortly (May 31st), now's the time to get your free music.

eMusic says 'BYE BYE' to 50 Free MP3s!!

ATTENTION!!

I recently learned that eMusic is going to drop their 50 Free Downloads promotion at the end of May... for what? I don't know yet. But I doubt it will be as great as the current offer. SO, if you haven't taken them up on this no strings deal, you've got just under four weeks left.

GO HERE... for these albums and artists and one helluva lot more!

The new eMusic offer is HERE!

Sufjan Stevens
Spoon
anathallo
Paw Tracks eMusic sampler
drive by truckers
sunset rubdown
gomez - how we operate
Calexico Garden Ruin
Pretty Girls Make Graves Élan Vital
Gotan Project Lunatico
Mecca Normal The Observer
Art Brut Bang Bang Rock & Roll
The Unicorns Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
Lambchop The Decline of Country and Western Civilization...
Imaad Wasif Imaad Wasif
Rarities by Ron Sexsmith
You Are My Sister by Antony and the Johnsons [single off the I Am A Bird Now LP - with a few non-album tracks]
Antics Remixes by Interpol
The Complete Upsetter Singles 1970-1972 by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Tony Hawks American Wasteland Soundtrack by Various Artists
Neko Case
A.C. Newman The Slow Wonder
Arcade Fire
Maritime
Galazie 500 Peel Sessions
The Wedding Present John Peel Sessions 1992-1995
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness Fear Is On Our Side
Cities Cities
Elf Power
Of Montreal
Dressy Bessy
Marshmallow Coast
Beulah
Neutral Milk Hotel
Ladybug Transistor
The Beach Boys
The Kinks
Badfinger
The Turtles
Pavement
Apples In Stereo
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

DIVISION DAY and VANDERSLICE Live

John Vanderslice has announced on his website that fellow San Francisco musicians, Division Day, will join the line-up for Vanderslice's tour finale at the Independent in San Francisco on MAY 12th. This show's bill will also feature Laura Veirs and Nedelle.

You can read *sixeyes review of Division Day's The Mean Way In EP, right here. And you can read *sixeyes review of John Vanderslice's latest, Pixel Revolt, here.


From Divison Day's full length debut, Beartrap Island...
+ tigers
+ tap-tap, click-click
+ colorguard
+ hurricane

From The Mean Way In, 6 song EP...
+ bad black moon
+ there is no telling

In The Mailbox: Music!

Yeah, I didn't know what to call this post... I think it may become a regular feature. So many CDs spill out of my mailbox that I could never review all of them, so I thought this was a way to get the word out.

******


Of Montreal - the Athens Ga., band offers up three recordings from the past. The Bedside Drama: a Petite Tragedy, The Bird Who Continues to Eat The Rabbit's Flower, and The Early Four Track Recordings, were all released on Kindercore Records between 1997 and 2001. All three are re-released on Polyvinyl Records.

+ just recently lost something of importance from The Bedside Drama: a Petite Tragedy
+ if i faltered slightly twice from The Bird Who Continues to Eat The Rabbit's Flower
+ dustin hoffman thinks about eating the soap from The Early Four Track Recordings



==========

Black Heart Procession - The Spell will be revealed on May 9th. Coming out on Touch and Go Records, the music reflects the band's name, they don't often break into a run and evoke dark, shadowy rhythms laced through with vocals which drift in from the other room.

+ not just words



==========

The Fever - A new release on Kemado Records is from The Fever, whose lead singer sounds kind of like Jerry Lee Lewis meets Nick Cave on the song, "Redhead", at least.

+ redhead
+ waiting for the centipede



==========

Elf Power - Back to The Web was released April 25th on Rykodisc. Theband's seventh full length album it was written by Elf Power singer/guitarist, Andrew Reiger, who composed many of the tracks on 12 string guitar.

+ an old familiar scene


==========

Asobi Seksu - May 30th will see the release of the NYC based quartet's second effort, Citrus. Found on Friendly Fire Recordings, it shows a stronger pop sensibility than their 2004 debut for the band whose name is Japanese slang for playful sex.

+ new years

Released: May 2nd

Today's releases courtesy of insound.com...

05/02/06 Alejandro Escovedo The Boxing Mirror Backporch

05/02/06 Baby Dayliner Critics Pass Away Brassland

05/02/06 Black Keys Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough EP

05/02/06 Brandtson Hello, Control. Militia Group

05/02/06 Charlatans Simpatico Sanctuary

05/02/06 The Court and Spark Hearts Absolutely Kosher

05/02/06 DeVotchka Curse Your Little Heart EP Ace Fu

05/02/06 Final Fantasy He Poos Clouds Tom Lab

05/02/06 Gomez How We Operate ATO

05/02/06 Human Television Look At Who You're Talking To Gigantic

05/02/06 Jon Auer Songs From The Year of Our Demise Pattern 25

05/02/06 Lisa Germano In The Maybe World Young God

05/02/06 Love of Everything Superior Mold and Die Record Label

05/02/06 Mae Shi/Rapider Than Horsepower split LP/CD Don't Ignore The Potential Strictly Amateur

05/02/06 Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Monkeywrench LP1

05/02/06 PJ Harvey PJ Harvey On Tour - Please Leave Quietly [DVD] Island Records

05/02/06 Sunset Rubdown S/T Absolutley Kosher

05/02/06 Thursday A City By The Light Divided Island

05/02/06 Wolfmother Wolfmother Interscope

05/02/06 Year Future First World Fever GSL

MORE CALEXICO TOUR DATES

I did a post [with mp3s] about Calexico tour dates a few days ago, but I just found some more.


2006-06-28 The Roxy Boston MA w/Jason Collett
2006-07-02 Umer Zelt Ulm Germany
2006-07-06 Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto Ontario
2006-08-03 Central Park Summerstage New York NY w/The Frames, The New Pornographers
2006-08-05 Lollapalooza 2006 Chicago IL w/Wilco, Flaming Lips, Etc (130+ acts)
2006-08-11 La Route du Rock St. Malo France w/Franz Ferdinand, Belle And Sebastian, Mogwai
2006-08-12 Summer Sundae Leicester UK w/Gomez, Martha Wainwright, Morning Runner, Etc
2006-08-15 Poolbar Festival Feldkirch Austria w/New Model Army, Heather Nova, Fun Lovin' Crimina
2006-08-16 Open Air - Serenadenhof Nürnberg Germany
2006-08-20 Green Man Festival Crickhowell UK w/Jose Gonzales and more...
2006-08-23 Schlachthof Dresden Germany
2006-08-24 Parkbühne Leipzig Germany
2006-08-25 Rock en Seine Paris France w/Radiohead, Richard Ashcroft, Broken Social Scene,
2006-08-26 Ein Tag am See – Festival Losheim Germany

NEW MUSIC!

I get a lot of CDs in the mail. They pile up and make a mess (ok, I make the mess) and it's about time I shared some of the music people stick in envelopes and put in the post for little ol' me. If I had a couple of contributors, perhaps there would be more reviews showing up on this page, but I'm the only one. So, here's a little info and an mp3 (or two) from some of the jewel boxes messing up my place.

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


John Ralston - Needle Bed, the Florida-based artist's debut, will arrive via Vagrant Records on June 6th... and it's straight-up, sharp sounding indie pop/rock.

+ i believe in ghosts
+ gone gone gone


==========

Maritime - This Flameshovel band has pedigree on it's side: Davey von Bohlen and Dan Didier were half of The Promise Ring, and Eric Axelson wielded the bass with The Dismemberment Plan. After those seminal bands were spent, dried up, blew their wad?, these three men assembled as Maritime. We The Vehicles, their latest, landed in stores April 18th.

+ parade of punk rock t shirts
+ calm



==========

Ohsees - Led by former member of the Coachwhips, John Dwyer, the Ohsees traffic in airy DIY bedroom pop with a decided folk bent... BUT this band records their vocals in a way that I can't stomach, they're way off in another room (on most of the tracks). And adding to the vocal annoyance is the annoying voice of Dwyer himself. BUT, the music isn't bad, so give it a listen, you may like what I don't. The Cool Death of Island Raiders will be out on Narnack Records.

+ broken stems


==========

The Submarines - Out on June 20th, The Submarines Declare A New State delivers 10 tracks of stately indie pop bearing marshmallowy vocals.

+ peace and hate



==========

Mary Kate O'Neill - The New York based [via Boston] singer/songwriter gives us her latest 1-800-Bankrupt on May 2nd. She got's some friends helping her out on this record, one being Nada Surf's Matthew Caws who adds vocals and guitar. It's quirky and above average pop... another talent that's still under the radar.

+ stay
+ things are too good (they're bound to go bad)



==========

Russian Circles - This Chicago based instrumental trio will unveil their full length debut, Enter, on Flameshovel Records [May 16th]. The trio of Mike Sullivan [guitar], Colin DuKuiper [bass], and drummer Dave Turncrantz, bring an array of influences to their 6 track debut.

+ death rides a horse



==========

Scott Solter - Acclaimed sound engineer who has been behind the scenes of many spectacular indie albums [John Vanderslice, Mountain Goats, Court and Spark, amongst others] , Solter offers his second full length on Tell All Records. Titled One River, it is ambient soundscapes assembled from processed guitars for the most part. As soothing as the river in the album's symbolic title.

+ antique brothers

The Fiery Furnaces Matt Friedberger: Solo Albums

The Fiery Furnaces, Matt Friedberger, will release his first solo effort, a double disc entitled Winter Women / Holy Ghost Language School, this August 8th on the newly formed label 859 Recordings.

Much like the difference between Rehearsing my Choir and Bitter Tea, so it goes with the upcoming double album. Winter Women is the 'pop' record, whereas Holy Ghost Language School is the experimental effort with a narrative structure.

Friedberger makes these two discs a true solo effort as he plays all instruments, with the exception of some drumming done by Tortoise's John McEntire. Produced this past March by Bill Skibbe at Benton Harbor, Michigan's Key Club Recording, the songs were culled from what Friedberger has written over the past three years.

The Fiery Furnaces, Friedberger and his sister, Eleanor, launch their European tour this Thursday in Manchester and will wrap it up with an appearance at All Tomorrow's Parties on May 20th. In June they'll tour the US with a focus on the West Coast and Midwest.

Track Listing for the two records:

Winter Women
1. Under The Hood At The Paradise Garage.
2. The Pennsylvania Rock Oil Co. Resignation Letter.
3. Up The River.
4. Ruth versus Richard.
5. Her Chinese Typewriter.
6. Big Bill Crib & His Ladies Of The Desert.
7. Don’t You Remember?
8. Betcha Don’t.
9. PS.213 Mini School.
10. Theme From Never Going Home Again.
11. Motorman.
12. Quick As Cupid.
13. I Love You Cedric.
14. Servant In Distress.
15. Hialeah.
16. Wisconsin River Blues.

Holy Ghost Language School:
1. Seventh Loop Highway.
2. Holy Ghost Language School.
3. The Cross And The Switchblade.
4. I Started Drinking Alcohol At The Age Of Eleven.
5. Do You Like Blondes?
6. Azusa St.
7. Topeka and San Antonio.
8. A Mystical Preparative To Lewdness.
9. Ship Scrap Beach Business.
10. First Day Of School.
11. Things Were Going So Well.
12. All In Vain Or The Opposite.
13. Moral and Epilouge

Home: "Bubble"

This song by the band, Home,has a goofiness about it, just listen and you'll hear it... what you might not hear is how the band Cake wishes they could sound. Not too sharp and yet, not too sloppy. And with just enough funk to make you, who swears that he, or she can't dance, dance.

+ bubble

Here's another one that is just as good, maybe even better! Both these songs are from the bands upcoming release, Sexteen.

+ juicy ass