Thunderbirds Are Now!

Thunderbirds Are Now! made my top albums of 2005 list with last years "Justamustache." They are coming back this fall with a new record. TAN!'s amazing live show blew me away when i saw them live in march at SXSW, and im glad to hear all of the new songs they played at that show have made the new album. Their high energy style of disco-punk is truly infectious. If you like to dance around in your room, check these guys out.

MP3: Thunderbirds Are Now!- The Veil Comes Down

Thunderbirds Are Now!'s myspace

Tapes n Tapes

For all you under-a-rock livers, Tapes n Tapes are indie rock's new darlings. Their album "The Loon" came out in November and today it gets its international re-release on XL recordings. PLUS they are in New York tonight, where they will make their national television debut. This is a celebratory post for all those things. I would like to say that they are the pride of Minneapolis, but as it turns out, the rest of the country (and the UK) seems to be more in love with them more than we are here. Dont get me wrong, I really enjoy Tapes n Tapes, but I think that here in town, we know that we have better stuff brewing. These guys deserve what they are getting though, their tour schedule is ridiculous. They could be on the verge of getting even bigger if that can happen. Just remember who played them on his podcast in december.


MP3: Tapes n Tapes- Cowbell

Tapes n Tapes Myspace

Also check out their 89.3 the current instudio from last weekend here.

Voxtrot

Enter the world of jangly indie pop. The last few days I havent been able to stop listening to Voxtrot's latest two EP's. One part Belle and Sebastain, one part Camera Obscura. I cant understand why they released this batch of songs as two separate EP's. They could have easily been put together as one great full-length. Oh well, do what i did and burn them together as one. Enjoy.

MP3: Voxtrot-The Start of Something

Voxtrot myspace

Duplomacy

It would be a sin if i didnt post about these guys. This summer I am interning for 2024 records. Its wonderful. Duplomacy is the only release for the label this summer, but it sure is a good one. I really enjoy this record, even if I wasn't helping out at the label out this summer id like to think i would still post about this band. If you like Death Cab for Cutie or Elliot Smith, you will love Duplomacy. The new record "All These Long Drives" just came out tuesday. Pick it up at your local twin cities record store or online here!


MP3: Duplomacy-Stars

Duplomacy Myspace

Girl Talk

When was the last time you thought "I wonder what it would sound like if somebody mixed Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" with The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Juicy?"

I will admit that i didnt hear about Girl Talk until today when Pitchfork nutted all over the new record. I am about to do the same. Greg Gillis aka Girl Talk has created his third record. The entire album is one giant mashup. Mashups, which have been happening for awhile, started to really catch on a few years ago when Danger Mouse created the Grey Album by fusing Jay-Z's Black album with the Beatles' White album. This record, takes the idea of a mash up to a whole new level. Girl Talk has created an album using somewhere around 150 (illegal) samples. Each song is an eruption of samples taken from classic rock, hardcore hip hop, grunge hits, top 40, and so much more. In a single song you could hear The Pixies, Ludacris, the Verve, and Phil Collins, all flawlessly stitched together to make an incredibly fun record.


I really want you to check this out. So much infact, that im bringin TWO mp3s along today.


MP3: Girl Talk-Hold Up

MP3: Girl Talk-Bounce That

Girl Talk Myspace

Lucero

Its not often i post about a band before hearing their new record. So you know that when do, it must be something special. Lucero's last record "Nobody's Darlings" was a nice southern rock record with a little bite. From the sounds of this new sample from Rebels, Rogues and Sworn Brothers, they are sticking to it, and have improved things this time around. Look out for the record in stores September 26th.


MP3: Lucero-I Can Get Us Out of Here Tonight


Lucero Myspace

Smoosh

Smoosh was on Kimmel last night, which inspired me to blog about them today. Smoosh are the sisterly duo that hail from Seattle Washington. Asya, who plays Keyboards is 14 and Chloe who plays drums (better than i do) is 12. To be fair, Chloe takes drum lessons from none other than Jason McGerr from Death Cab for Cutie. The bands synthy pop songs got them signed to none other than Seattle's indie powerhouse, Barsuk records. Their new album is called "Free to Stay." Check em out.

Smoosh will be in town opening for the Eels at the MN zoo on July 31st. Peep that.


MP3: Find A Way

Smoosh Myspace

One For the Team

Local music industry prodigy Ian Anderson is a machine. Aside from owning his own record label, starting his own monthly publication, working at the triple rock and being a full time student 8 months out of the year at St. Olaf, he finds the time to be in a few bands as well. One of those bands is "One For the Team." Their sound is full of garage rock fuzz and Pinkerton-esque lyrics. Check them out at the Triple Rock on July 20th.


MP3: Take Cover

One For the Team Myspace

Seymore Saves the World

Ever feel like you arent getting enough keyboard in your life? Then check out this local trio called "Seymore Saves the World." I'll admit that im a sucker for Rhodes, its such a beautiful sound. These guys take their cues from the Mates of State and Ben Folds (ok ok, more like Ben Folds Five the Rheinhold Messner album). If you like what you hear you can check them out on July 12th at the Uptown Bar. Oh yeah, Sean "i used to be in tapes n tapes but got kicked out" Neary is in this band. Another reason to listen!

MP3: Seymore Saves the World-Red Wing

Seymore Saves the World Myspace

Villains of Verona

Gonna jump on the bandwagon here and be a twin cities blog who posts about the Villains of Verona. They are a young (like just graduated from high school) band from a Chicago suburb who are coming to the Cities this week to Play two shows. The first is Monday at the Varsity, the second is Thursday at the Nomad. If you are a fan of lighthearted indie pop then these kids are for you.

MP3: Villains of Verona-Orson Welles

Villains of Verona Myspace

The Lovely Feathers

And i thought Tapes n Tapes were influenced by the Pixies! One listen to The Lovely Feathers and you can instantly hear who these guys listened to growing up. The new record "Hind Hind Legs" does a nice job switching up styles between frantic, yelping runners to slowed down gentle numbers. How i wish these guys would come play a show near me so i could yell "KRAKOW POLAND!" with them.

MP3: The Lovely Feathers-Pope John Paul

The Lovely Feathers Myspace


btw: i was in south dakota for the holiday. thanks for your patience.