Pharoahe Monch

Its going to be a great year for hip-hop. The Roots, Talib Kwelli, Common and Pharoahe Monch all have new records coming out this year. Highly anticipating each of those, and I just got my hands on the new Pharoahe Monch album "Desire" this weekend and it is quite simply the hotness. If you like good hip-hop, aka not that shit you hear on the radio, dont miss this.

MP3: Pharoahe Monch-Desire

Pharoahe Monch Myspace

Grizzly Bear-The Knife

I didn't start to catch the Grizzly Bear bug until last December so I know the hype for the record has died down quite a bit. But after seeing them for the 2nd time this week, my love for all things Grizzly Bear is back. Their 2006 record "Yellow House" is a haunting, psychadelic-folk rock experience that should not be ignored. More specifically their hit song "The Knife" which has spauned covers, remixes and videos that keep popping up everywhere. Its really quite incredible. So download the original here then go outward and explore all the spin offs. Great stuff.

MP3: Grizzly Bear-The Knife

Grizzly Bear Myspace

Beirut:

Carlton College Choir:

Just some kids:

Covered by Born Ruffians

And finally a wonderful remix by Girl Talk

Minus the Bear

Visions of sunny, west coast streets come to mind whenever I listen to Minus the Bear. Featuring psychedelic guitar effects and one of my favorite drummers around the Seattle five-piece will release their fourth ful-length record "Planet of Ice" this August. If you enjoyed 2005's "Menos el Oso" then their new album should make you say things like "hey! I like this album too!" or "yum! Indie-rock from Seattle!"

In related news, how good is Suicide Squeeze's roster these days? Goes to show you what over a decade of hard work can do for your label.

MP3: Minus the Bear-Knights

Minus the Bear Myspace

The New Pornographers

Hey you! Under that rock over there! The record industry as we know it is over. CD's are a thing of the past, in 3-5 years we will look back and laugh at how archaic things were in the year 2007. We are currently in a transition period. Everything is going digital, and it is going fast. Most record labels are struggling to keep up. They continue to sell records as if it were the 90's when compact disc was in its prime. This scares me very much, but there are rays of light. Innovative ways of selling music to people are popping up left and right, and Matador records has got it right with the release of the latest New Pornographers record "Challengers."

If you pre-order their new record (which comes out August 21st), you get a password to stream the ENTIRE record today, a three cd box set featuring all the b-sides, demos and alternative mixes from the record, a 'live from the future' disc, and a CD that includes Artwork, videos and photos.

People download music for free for two reasons. 1: They want to hear the record NOW! 2: They dont think that what they are paying for is equal to what they are receiving. Both of these reasons are taken care of with this amazing deal.

Kudos to Matador records, and to the New Pornographers for stepping forward and setting a new precedent for the future of selling music. Check out this amazing new song from "Challengers."

MP3: The New Pornographers-My Rights Versus Yours

The New Pornographers Myspace

Fields

Sorry for the week-long break ya'll. Just moved into a new appartment in Minneapolis and things have been crazy. I am all settled in now so things should go back to normal.

Iceland. I have issues with that country. Long story short; I was stranded there for two days in December. It was quite the ordeal. Anyway, they have some great music coming out of that little country these days, one of my favorites is Fields. They are a rock band that creates amazing atmospheric walls of sound that will blow you away. File these guys (and girl) under 'sonic guitar tones and soaring vocals'.

Stay tuned for lots of great stuff coming down the line!

MP3: Fields-If You Fail We All Fail

Fields Myspace