Jackhammer : The Spinto Band

Found this song a while ago and meant to post it. The music video is pretty interesting, lots of fast-moving textures and quick cuts. It's reminiscent of Peter Gabriel's video for "Sledgehammer" back in the 80s. Coincidence? You decide.

Anyway, the Spinto Band hails from Delaware and has been around since '95. (Who knew?) The best part of this tune is definitely the dreamy, breezy guitar which makes for an funny juxtaposition in a song about a city, or getting out of one at least. Also, the song is delightfully short. Sometimes you don't need much.

Bloodbuzz Ohio : The National

Carrying on in the land of free things, The National is offering a download of "Bloodbuzz Ohio," a song from their May 11 release, High Violet. And you know what? It definitely sounds like The National. You want sonic continuity? Give it a listen.

The Web site gives you two download options, though if you want the higher quality and the artwork you have to hand over your email address.

Tricky musicians.

SXSW Sampler from NPR

It's definitely a big week for music, and The Musically Inclined..... is not in Austin right now (sorry), but that doesn't mean that there isn't a little SXSW goodness to be heard back here. Mainly I just wanted to draw to your attention the free NPR Music at SXSW sampler that's available on iTunes. The track listing is as follows:

01. Written in Reverse : Spoon
02. The High Road : Broken Bells
03. I Learned the Hard Way : Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings
04. Canadian Girl : The Walkmen
05. Girl In Love : Smith Westerns
06. Airplanes : Local Natives
07. Everywhere I Go : G-Side
08. Cleo's Song : JBM
09. Achille's Heel: IV. Shur Landing : Brooklyn Rider
10. Hannah : Freelance Whales
11. Swim : Surfer Blood

The first two tracks alone make this worth the download. In somewhat related news, I have scattered thoughts on Broken Bells and will post soon. Anyway, the sampler is again, free, so I don't really know why you're still reading this. Have at it.

Terrible Love : The National

We may be about two months (May 11) from the release of The National's new album, High Violet, but they're already hitting the late night television circuit.

Last night, the Brooklyn band played opening track "Terrible Love" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The power behind the song builds and bursts with fuzzy guitar and horns. Sounds promising. Check it out above.

Wavin' Flag : K'NAAN

Last April I had the good fortune of getting press passes to Vanderbilt University's Rites of Spring Music Festival. One of the first acts that performed on day one was K'NAAN, a former Somali refugee who currently does a breed of hip hop (sort of but not really) infused with his ethnic roots that's pretty refreshing.

By far the best song he did was an extended version of "Wavin' Flag" that recounted the murder of his best friends in Somalia and his arrival in the U.S. He captured the audience and held them. It really was a fine moment.

Paste Magazine is offering a free download of the song. Definitely give it a listen.

Th National Name Album, Set Release Date

Winter '08 we heard that The National was heading back to the studio, so surely a new album was right around the corner, right? Just about a year later, we've got a name and a release date!

According to Drowned in Sound, expect High Violet on May 11th. TMI is pretty excited. Boxer was truly a wonderful album and I look forward to another cerebral, intricately layered production by the coolest self-aware-sort-of-adults around.

Check out the website they set up for High Violet.

Other than that, details are few. Stay tuned though, you'll find them here as soon as they trickle in.

This Too Shall Pass : Ok Go

I never got around to getting the new Ok Go album and I probably won't, but good grief if there was a video for every song on the album as crazy as this one, I'd drop this post and purchase that sucker. This is the most complicated Rube Goldburg machine I've ever seen-- really puts Sylvester the Cat to shame. Also, it looks like it was done all in one shot. If it wasn't, I don't want to know. Check it out.

Tech Fail.

Apologies for the long silence. My hard drive died last week and I'm finally with computer again, trying to get everything back to normal.

Until that happens, check out the latest Auto Tune the News from the fantastic people who are The Gregory Brothers.


Also-- NPR is streaming Frightened Rabbit's new album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks.

They're also streaming the new self-titled Broken Bells (Danger Mouse + James Mercer) album.

They are lovely people.