Our good friend PJ Sykes shot the awesome cover photo for Lambchop’s brand new live album which came out digitally this week (Nov 17) and will be released as a limited edition CD and high def video download next week (Nov 24) exclusively via the Merge Store.

Lambchop – Live at XX Merge (Cover photo by PJ Sykes)

As Merge fans know, Lambchop has been on the label since 1993, releasing a string of widely varied but consistently brilliant records. But the live Lambchop experience has been somewhat elusive in the U.S. While the band has toured the gilded theaters of Europe and elsewhere for nearly two decades, the Nashville group has seldom toured their home country. Kurt Wagner has performed solo on a recent Yo La Tengo tour, and Lambchop supported their recent album, (OH) Ohio, as an intimately stripped-down quintet in a couple of short bursts over the last year. To help celebrate Merge’s 20th Anniversary the band showed up in one of their largest lineups in recent memory — 11-strong, including multiple guitars, keyboards, piano, and a horn section. Lambchop performing live is always a powerful proposition, but on this night they started quietly with “I Will Drive Slowly” from their first album (I Hope You’re Sitting Down) and accelerated from there, each song seemingly faster and more intensely played than the last, building to a furious finale of “Up With People” and an epic “Give It.” By the end of their set, everyone in the packed Cats Cradle – band and audience both – was levitating a few inches off the ground…

Lambchop’s set at XX Merge was professionally recorded and filmed, and is available now for those who missed it, or for those who want to go back again.

If you’d like to see some more live video from XX Merge, you can check out the treasure trove of exclusive footage from the festival (including The Magnetic Fields, Superchunk, Conor Oberst, Polvo, Spoon, M. Ward, Destroyer, Wye Oak, and She & Him) over at www.babelgum.com/merge.

In honor of this new release, I’m giving away an XX Merge T-shirt, an XX Merge button, and a couple of limited edition XX Merge postcards by PJ Sykes. To enter this contest, fill out the entry form after the jump. US entrants only, one entry per household, contest ends on November 24, 2009.

Pictures of the prize pack goodies, Lambchop Live at XX Merge track listing and a video for Lambchop’s “Give It” after the jump.

“Lambchop Live at XX Merge Out Now Digitally (Audio + Video), Win a Merge T-Shirt, Button and Ltd Edition Postcards” continued after the jump

Holly Miranda at Le Poisson Rouge (10/23/09)

Photo: Jon Klemm
DOWNLOAD: Holly Miranda – “Forest Green Oh Forest Green” (mp3)

XL Recordings is excited to announce the release date and title for HOLLY MIRANDA’s debut full-length album. The Magician’s Private Library will be released on February 23, 2010.

The forthcoming 10-track album was produced by Dave Sitek at Staygold Studio in Brooklyn, NY, and includes contributions from Sitek, Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton (TV On The Radio), Eric Biondo and Stuart Bogie (Antibalas), and Holly’s long-time violinist, Marques Toliver.

Holly Miranda officially has made her XL Recordings debut with her “Forest Green Oh Forest Green” single (7″ & digital) out NOW! The track is the first from Holly’s and comes backed with her stunning cover of Yoko Ono’s “Nobody Sees Me Like You Do”.

Holly is about to head out on tour with her XL labelmates The xx and Friendly Fires for a series of west coast dates on the “NYLON Winter Music Tour“. While the tour will eventually make its way to NYC, someone else will be filling the opening slot at Webster Hall on December 5 (Buy Tickets).

More Holly Miranda tour dates and pictures from CMJ after the jump.

“Holly Miranda on Tour with The xx, New Single Out Now, New Album Coming Soon + CMJ Pics” continued after the jump

Peggy Sue at Lit Lounge (10/23/09)

Photo: Jon Klemm

Well, I’m finally getting around to posting some more CMJ pics, so here’s a set from Peggy Sue to coincide with the release of their new 7″/digital single “Yo Mama” which came out yesterday (Nov 16) on the UK’s Chess Club Records. It’s the first single from their forthcoming album entitled Fossils and Other Phantoms which is coming out in early 2010 on Yep Roc. The new album was recorded in Brooklyn with John Askew (The Dodos) at Atlantic Sound Studio and Alex Newport (Death Cab For Cutie, Two Gallants) at Future Shock Studios.

Dearest friends,

The first single from our debut album ‘Fossils and Other Phantoms’ (coming out next year!!!) is out today on iTunes. woo.
Tis called ‘Yo Mama‘ and comes with a brand new b-side called ‘Hatstand Blues.’
Go download it now.
Or if you prefer to hold it in your hands it comes out on Chess Club Records next Monday 23rd November.
You can pre-order it from Rough Trade if you so please.
More importantly. I’m going to watch Beyonce tonight at the 02. it’s probably the best day of my life.
Over and out

Katy
x
[Peggy Sue's Facebook Page]

Some UK tour dates and more Peggy Sue photos from the Lit Lounge CMJ show after the jump.

“New Peggy Sue Single Out Now, New Album Coming Next Year + CMJ Pics” continued after the jump

Magnetic Fields – Realism

UPDATE: I spoke too soon, Friends of BAM can purchase tickets to the Magnetic Fields Feb 13, 2010 show starting today ($25, $35, general on sale begins Friday, Nov 20).

Well, at least I can now name one big name “rock” act who will be headlining the Sounds Like Brooklyn Festival at BAM this year, Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields will be holding court at the Howard Gillman Opera House on February 13, 2010 as part of the festival of Brooklyn’s finest (BAM General On Sale Date TBA 11/20/09). A limited number of presale tickets for that show and the rest of their upcoming US tour dates (including two nights at The Town Hall NY on March 10-11, 2010) are available right now (Nov 17) at magneticfields.musictoday.com. The BAM show and the ensuing tour is in support of their new record entitled Realism which will be hitting the store shelves on January 26, 2010 via Nonesuch Records.

The Magnetic Fields’ Realism will be released by Nonesuch Records on January 26, 2010. The band’s ninth album is the follow-up to 2008’s Distortion, which was hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the best records of [their] career.” Whereas Distortion was an album of power-pop songs with heavily distorted guitars, in homage to the Jesus and Mary Chain’s Psychocandy, Realism finds front man and songwriter Stephin Merritt drawing inspiration from late 1960s / early 70s orchestral and psychedelic folk. Realism’s all-acoustic recording line up featured no electronic instruments, and used untraditional percussion instruments, ranging from tabla to tree leaves. The Magnetic Fields will tour the U.S. in support of the album beginning February 4.

As the album title implies, Realism finds Merritt examining what “real” really means in recorded music, exploring the sincerity (or lack thereof) of folk lyrics and their delivery, along with non-electronic instrumentation, “realistic” production values, and even a plain brown paper sack background used for the album’s artwork.

In addition to the usual ensemble of Merritt on ukulele, Claudia Gonson (keyboard, vocals), John Woo (guitar), and Sam Davol (cello), and Shirley Simms (vocals, autoharp), The Magnetic Fields are joined by friends and longtime collaborators Daniel Handler, a.k.a Lemony Snicket (accordion), as well as
Johnny Blood (tuba) and Ida Pearle (violin).

View all Magnetic Fields tour dates after the jump.

“Magnetic Fields, New Album “Realism”, Tour Dates (Sounds Like Brooklyn @ BAM, Town Hall)” continued after the jump

Paul McCartney – Good Evening New York City

Today (Nov 17) marks the release of Good Evening New York City the new live CD/DVD set by Paul McCartney documenting his stadium inaugurating three night stand at New York’s CitiField in July of 2009. Here’s a little press blurbage about the latest release from The Beatles former bass player:

Paul McCartney’s historic three-night musical christening of New York’s Citi Field, witnessed by 120,000-plus attendees and universally hailed as a concert experience for the ages, will be immortalized November 17 when Hear Music/Concord Music Group releases “Good Evening New York City”.

This momentous musical experience will be available in two formats: a 3-disc (2 CD + 1 DVD) standard edition and a 4-disc (2 CD + 2 DVD) deluxe version featuring expanded packaging and a bonus DVD including McCartney’s traffic-stopping, headline-making July 15 performance on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee (including bonus numbers not aired on the Late Show with David Letterman broadcast).

Apparently wowing North American audiences wasn’t enough, because before the year is out, Sir Paul will embark on his first European tour in five years entitled “Good Evening Europe”. The 8 night trek will commence in historic Hamburg (where The Beatles cut their cut their teeth as a young band) and finish off before his hometown crowd in London, England.

This is my chance to bring our current show home to where it all began. Starting in Hamburg, ending in London and rocking everywhere in between. I’m very much looking forward to ending the year on a high. [TheTelegraph.co.uk]

Paul McCartney 2009 European Tour Dates
12/02/2009 Hamburg, Germany
12/03/2009 Berlin, Germany
12/09/2009 Arnhem, Netherlands
12/10/2009 Paris, France
12/16/2009 Cologne, Germany
12/17/2009 Cologne, Germany Lanxess Arena
12/20/2009 Dublin, Ireland
12/22/2009 London, United Kingdom

If you’d like to win a copy of Good Evening New York City standard edition (2 CD+ 1 DVD), you can fill out the entry form after the jump or follow me on Twitter and Tweet the following:

RT this for a chance to win a copy of Paul McCartney’s “Good Evening New York City” from @bumpershine http://bit.ly/2lVkHh

US entrants only please, contest ends on November 23, 2009. One entry per household please (IP checking enforced).

Check out the full album press release and official track listing after the jump.

“Paul McCartney Announces “Good Evening Europe” Tour, “Good Evening New York City” Live CD/DVD Comes Out Today, Win A Copy” continued after the jump

John Mayer MySpace Secret Show at MHOW (11/16/09)

In addition to this just announced MySpace Secret Show at MHOW, John Mayer is playing a special record release show at the Beacon Theatre on Nov 17, 2009 (which will air live on Fuse TV) and then two much larger gigs at Madison Square Garden on Dec 11, 2009 (Z100 Jingle Ball) and Feb 25, 2010 (Buy Tickets). John Mayer’s new album, Battle Studies, comes out on Nov 17, but you can stream it right now over at rhapsody.com/mayer.

MySpace Secret Shows
is very pleased to present…
An Evening With John Mayer

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CITI FORWARD BY MYSPACE

MONDAY
November 16, 2009
FREE! AGES 16+
Doors @ 8:00 PM

DETAILS BELOW
@ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
66 North 6th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-486-5400

PLEASE NOTE:
This show is first come, first served.
Line up will start at 10 AM Monday morning.
Get there early and stay in line.

Absolutely No Camping Overnight!

Also, over the next year if you are one of the first 20 people with the new Citi Forward by MySpace card, you will automatically be able to skip the line.

More John Mayer tour dates after the jump.

“John Mayer, New Album, Tour Dates (MySpace Secret Show at MHOW, Beacon Theatre, MSG)” continued after the jump

Snow Patrol Prize Pack

Speaking of new releases, on Tuesday Snow Patrol released a 2 CD compilation of singles, covers, rarities and album tracks in celebration of their 15 year anniversary. Here’s a little press blurbage about Up To Now, their new career spanning retrospective:

Up To Now includes three previously unreleased songs, “Just Say Yes” “Dark Roman Wine” and “Give Me Strength”, as well songs from the two albums Snow Patrol released on UK indie label Jeepster Records: 1998’s Songs For Polarbears and 2001’s When It’s All Over We Still Have To Clear Up. The album also includes two songs by The Reindeer Section — an indie supergroup featuring members of Belle and Sebastian, Idlewild, Mogwai and Teenage Fanclub, among many others — from their 2002 album for Bright Star Recordings, Son of Evil Reindeer.

Other highlights include a cover of Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” that was recorded as a live track for BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe’s evening session at Maida Vale in London (with a rap performed by Lowe). Up To Now also features live versions of Snow Patrol’s hit singles “Run” (from their 2003 album Final Straw) and the double-platinum “Chasing Cars” (from 2006’s Eyes Open) that were recorded at London’s Union Chapel as part of an exclusive one-off show put on by Radio 1 presenter Jo Whiley to raise money for the charity MENCAP.

In more Snow Patrol news, last week saw the release of Late Night Tales, an exclusive late night DJ mix CD compiled by SP’s Gary Lightbody and Tom Simpson. In addition to containing tracks culled from deep within their personal record collections, the album includes a new Snow Patrol cover of “New Sensation” by INXS.

Finally, because it’s still contest week, I’m giving away a Snow Patrol themed prize pack which includes the following items:

1 Snow Patrol Umbrella,
1 Snow Patrol Tumbler,
1 Snow Patrol Lollipop, and
1 copy of Up To Now (2 CD compilation out 11/10)

Contest ends on November 19, 2009 at 11:59 PM. One entry per household, US residents only. To enter the contest, fill out the entry form after the jump.

UK tour dates, Up To Now and Late Night Tales track listings and a video for “Just Say Yes” after the jump.

“Snow Patrol, New Greatest Hits Album, UK Tour, “Up To Now” Prize Pack Giveaway” continued after the jump

More slim pickins for Drake this week as he runs down the latest live effort from the prolific Robyn Hitchcock. -ed.

Drake’s Take: New Releases 11.10.09

Another week closer to the holidays, and even more gift-oriented releases — this week featuring live (Robyn Hitchcock) and greatest hits (Snow Patrol) collections. There were a few new releases as well, from The Cribs (featuring Johnny Marr), Asobi Seksu, Wale, Grant-Lee Phillips, Caroline Herring, Ray Davies, Pants Yell! and Echo & the Bunnymen.

Playlist: New Releases 11.10.09

---

Robyn Hitchcock – I Often Dream of Trains in New York
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Robyn Hitchock lovingly recreates the beloved album I Often Dream of Trains live for a lucky New York crowd. Joined by multi-instrumentalists Timo Keegan and Terry Edwards, Hitchcock gives the eccentric material a more mature edge, reinterpreting the material for mid-afternoon tea (with a dash of Monty Python zaniness, just so you remember who it is we’re listening to here). There’s a DVD as well, the content of which debuted on Sundance back in June, you can check out some video clips from the concert film after the jump.

---

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
The Cribs – Ignore the Ignorant
Asobi Seksu – Rewolf
Wale – Attention Deficit
Caroline Herring – Golden Apples of the Sun / “Tales of the Islander” [mp3]
Ray Davies – The Kinks Choral Collection / Free AOL Album Stream
Grant-Lee Phillips – Ladies’ Love Oracle
Pants Yell! – Received Pronunciation / “Cold Hands” [mp3]
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Xenophanes / Free AOL Album Stream
Echo and the Bunnymen – The Fountain
Snow Patrol – Up to Now
The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters
The Jackson 5 – 1967
Tori Amos – Midwinter Graces

“Drake’s Take: New Releases 11.10.09″ continued after the jump

Bon Jovi at Best Buy Union Square (11/13/09)

Though I had initially thought this would be a performance, it looks like Bon Jovi will just be signing copies of their new CD The Circle on Friday, November 13 at the opening of the new Best Buy Union Square (which is where the old Circuit City used to be). New Jersey’s second biggest musical attraction isn’t thing only going on at BB this week though, the grand opening celebrations will continue throughout the weekend with performances from various other bands you may (or may not) have heard of.

Best Buy seems intent on keeping the Virgin Megastore’s concert tradition alive, even though it’s not moving into the Virgin space (that honor goes to Nordstrom Rack.) According to a flier that has popped up around the neighborhood, the Saturday after opening day will see a performance from Lamb of God at 1pm; Peter Erskine and Friends play at 6pm; and Sunday Anthrax welcomes shoppers at 2pm. The flier also promises something called “Club Beats,” a big section of the store dedicated solely to DJ gear. That should open Thursday, November 19, with special guests Dr. Dre and will.i.am, as well as Diplo, Major Lazer and “other local DJs.” [Racked.com]

Last but not least, Wyclef Jean (who is a national hero in Haiti) will be doing an in-store performance and signing with DJ Drama on November 17, 2009 at 6 PM.

Wyclef Jean at Best Buy Union Square (11/17/09)

Full schedule of events after the jump.

“Bon Jovi, Anthrax, Dr. Dre, will.i.am, Diplo, Major Lazer, Wyclef Jean and Others at Best Buy Union Square” continued after the jump

This week Drake gets nostalgic with a couple of releases from hometown heroes Nirvana, and dismisses the Oscar Wilde inspired solo project from Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas. (I guess all that sunshine isn’t inspiring him to do his best work.) -ed.

Drake’s Take: New Releases 11.03.09

We’ve officially moved into the gift-oriented release schedule, filled with deluxe reissues, box sets and other compilation/soundtracks to help (trick?) the average schmo get a gift for the music lover in their life. There’s a couple gift choices from the archives of Nirvana, soundtracks from Fantastic Mr Fox, Glee, NCIS and Aqua Teen Hunger Force — which is actually a X-mas album, and my fave of the bunch. Of the few new releases, there’s ones from Julian Casablancas, Weezer, Molina & Johnson and Girls in Trouble.

Playlist: New Releases 11.03.09

---

Nirvana – Bleach [Deluxe]
Stream / Purchase [mp3]
Nirvana – Live at Reading
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

If the gussying up a deluxe edition of an album made for just $600 seems a bit like a gratuitous cash grab, nobody will blame you. But Bleach’s place in the the canon of rock is unquestionable, namely as a blueprint for what was to come, but also as a raw document of Kurt Cobain’s talent, before Dave Grohl was added on drums. Remastering the album tracks added some punch, but the real jewel here are the live tracks, also pre-Grohl, from a performance in Portland in February of 1990, where the songs are brought to life.

Download: “Scoff” [mp3]
Download: “About a Girl” [mp3]

Speaking of live tracks, this document of their 1992 set (Live at Reading is Nirvana at their peak, and at their most jovial. The band headlined a lineup that included Nick Cave, The Beastie Boys, and NW friends Mudhoney, Screaming Trees & the Melvins. But it was Nirvana everyone came to see, and they didn’t disappoint, from the moment Cobain is wheeled out in a hospital gown, to the closing feedback, the entire set is electrifying, the way we all should try and remember them. (This is the Nirvana album to get of the two, by the way.)

---

Julian Casablancas – Phrazes For The Young
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

It’s been three years since The Strokes disappointing First Impressions of Earth, and this solo release from the band’s frontman does little to change our belief that the band’s best days are behind them.

I haven’t heard the album yet, but this quote seems like the weakest endorsement of a record I’ve heard in a long time:

Jason Bentley, the musical director of KCRW radio in California, said he was “a little surprised, but pleasantly so” by the album and would play the single, though he expected only hard-core Strokes fans to seek out the record. But, he added, “There is a chance that the pop appeal of these songs will establish a new fan base on its own merits.” [NYTimes.com] -ed.

---

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Weezer – Raditude
Molina And Johnson – Molina And Johnson / “Twenty Cycles to the Ground” [mp3]
Girls in Trouble – Girls in Trouble / “I Was a Desert” [mp3] / “Secrets/You’re Always Watching” [mp3]
Aqua Teen Hunger Force – Have Yourself a Meaty Little Christmas
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack) / Free AOL Album Stream
Glee: The Music, Volume 1 / Free AOL Album Stream
Capgun Coup – Maudlin / Free AOL Album Stream / “Bad Bands” [mp3]
The Swimmers – People Are Soft / Free AOL Album Stream
Jookabox – Dead Zone Boys / “Phantom Don’t Go” [mp3]
Brilliant Colors – Introducing
Vitalic – Flashmob
Athlete – The Getaway EP (AOL STREAM)
Guided By Voices – Suitcase 3: Up We Go Now / “Janet Wait” [mp3]
Morrissey – Sword
Rickie Lee Jones – Balm in Gilead / Free AOL Album Stream

REISSUES
Devo – Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
Devo – Freedom of Choice [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
Cold Cave – Love Comes Close [Deluxe Remastered Edition] / Free AOL Album Stream / “Life Magazine” [mp3]

Andrew Vincent

DOWNLOAD: Andrew Vincent – “Going Out Tonight” (mp3)

It’s been a big weekend for Canadians in NYC (Bahamas, Gentleman Reg, Hidden Cameras, and Amy Millan all played shows), but one act who may have flown under your radar is Toronto’s Andrew Vincent. In 2009, Andrew put out a record called Rotten Pear which got my attention, it’s a bit of a hybrid affair shifting between acoustic folk (with toy accordion) and electrified rock with a bit of a country twang. According to Andrew’s MySpace blog, the album is a mix of some bedroom recordings that date back as far as 2004 along with some newer tracks recorded in the studio, (which kind of makes sense after listening to the album in its entirety). The lyrics are pointed and insightful throughout the record, and despite the layered on band on a few tracks, it still comes across primarily as the vision of a single singer/songwriter (which is a good thing). The more acoustic tracks are really the main draws here for me, and I think they would probably sound great live at a place like The Living Room, which just happens to be where Andrew plays the last of his NYC shows on Sunday (Nov 8) at 8PM sharp. Rotten Pear originally came out in Canada in early January on Kelp Records and was just released last week (Nov 3) in the US on Carrot Top Records, having said that, the best way to purchase it seems to be via Amazon mp3 or iTunes.

More Andrew Vincent tour dates after the jump.

“Andrew Vincent In NYC for One More Show” continued after the jump

With the year drawing to a close musically speaking, Drake runs down two of the most anticipated follow-up releases of 2009. -ed.

We’re quickly approaching the point of no return as far as significant releases go, before the tide turns to that of gift-oriented, so we have to savor what morsels are thrown our way. This week that means the latest from The Swell Season, Devendra Banhart, Tegan & Sara, Wolfmother, Gemma Ray, Broadcast And The Focus Group, Boat, a live release from R.E.M., a compilation from The Breakaways and deluxe reissues of U2’s The Unforgettable Fire and James Brown’s Live at the Garden: The Expanded Edition.

Playlist: New Releases 10.27.09

---

The Swell Season – Strict Joy
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

As wrong as it is, it’s hard not to think of this album as a sequel to Once, where Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova have broken up and are putting it to song. Of course The Swell Season existed before Once, with many of the songs from their debut ending up in the film, so this technically is a follow up to that release, but for the vast majority of the record buying public, Once is the starting point. I’m not sure what Hansard & Irglova are thinking putting their Van Morrison impersonations front and center (opening songs “Low Rising” and “Feeling The Pull”). The rest of the album has worked wonders as a sincerity tonic, cleansing my palate of all the irony and sarcasm in indie rock that are part of my usual diet, and for that I am grateful.

---

Tegan and Sara – Sainthood
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

The transition from folk to minimalist new wave pop is almost complete for Tegan and Sara, with this their sixth album, Sainthood. Their past two releases both signaled the change, but the subject matter was a little dark on So Jealous and The Con. Here, there’s a lighter feel to go with the witty banter the sisters showcase during their live set, and it just feels a bit more relaxed, confident… and yes, fun. And when your opening single is titled “Hell,” that’s saying something.

---

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Devendra Banhart – What Will Be
Wolfmother – Cosmic Egg
Gemma Ray – Lights Out Zoltar
R.E.M. – Live at the Olympia
Broadcast And The Focus Group – Broadcast And The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults Of The Radio Age
Yo Gabba Gabba: Music Is Awesome
Boat – Setting the Paces / “Lately (I’ve Been On My Back)” [mp3]
The Breakaways – Walking Out on Love: The Lost Sessions
Junk Culture – West Coast / “West Coast” [mp3]
Los Lobos – Los Lobos Goes Disney
Deleted Waveform Gatherings – Ghost, She Said
The Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
Chet – Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home
Chuck Prophet – ¡Let Freedom Ring!
Del McCoury – Family Circle
Gov’t Mule – By a Thread
Awesome New Republic – Hearts
I Love You – Bell Ord Forrest / “The Colloquialism Is Simply ‘Gas’” [mp3]

REISSUES
U2 – The Unforgettable Fire (Deluxe
Reissue)
James Brown Live at the Garden: The Expanded Edition

John K. Samson (of The Weakerthans) at The Music Hall of Williamsburg (09/18/09)

Photo: Matt Fricovsky (more)
DOWNLOAD: “Cruise Night” – John K. Samson (mp3)

When a band takes 4 years between albums, a three song EP from the primary songwriter still counts as an “event” in my books. As is usually the case, John K. Samson takes on his (and my) hometown as the subject of his new short player, City Route 85, which came out digitally and on 7″ Tuesday (Nov 3) on ANTI- Records. According to the press materials, the new EP is the “first in a series of recordings exploring the atmospheric streets and highways surrounding Winnipeg, Manitoba”. After reading that, I have to wonder, could the first ever song about bumpershining be far behind?

The City Route 85 of the record’s title is the formal name for Portage Avenue, one of Winnipeg’s main thoroughfares. Samson begins his musical study of this storied street with the song “Heart of the Continent,” set at the corner of Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, where a demolished building is resurrected by a narrator struggling to evoke the losses and despair that haunt the city and its people. “Grace General” travels west along Portage to Grace General Hospital, seen through eyes preparing to face the death of a loved one. The closing song, “Cruise Night” finds a young man desperate to join in the strange and innocent tradition of driving aimlessly up and down Portage Avenue, a social activity Winnipeggers have participated in on Sunday nights for as long as anyone can remember. [ANTI-]

Not one to rest on his laurels, John is taking his solo acoustic act to Germany (where The Weakerthans are huge) starting today (Nov 6). No NYC (or US) dates have been scheduled as of yet, but he’ll be opening for his pals The Constantines at three Ontario shows in December of 2009. All John K. Samson solo tour dates after the jump.

“New John K. Samson (of The Weakerthans) EP Out This Week, Solo Tour Dates” continued after the jump

Noah and the Whale at the Bowery Ballroom (05/01/09)

Photo: Winnie Cheung (more)

Noah and the Whale’s brilliant new album The First Days of Spring, just came out last month on Interscope/Cherrytree Records and the band begins a three night residency tonight (Nov 2) at the Mercury Lounge in support of it. The festivities actually kicked off on Sunday night (Nov. 1) with a Q&A and screening of Charlie Fink’s 45 minute companion film to The First Days of Spring at Pianos. The film was shot on location in London and Surrey with an ensemble cast including model Daisy Lowe and is included with the deluxe edition of the CD.

As some of you may know, I’m a sucker for chamber pop, and this album won me over right off the bat, it reminds me of The National, but with more melancholy and less rock posturing. It’s sweeping and cinematic and every time it ends and I just want to cue it up and all over again. Like I said, you can make comparisons to The National, but there’s so much more than that to this record, it starts off rooted in sort of a pop/rock chamber vibe and then veers off into instrumental, orchestral, and even choral territory for a few songs. Not until we hear the song “Stranger” and the electric guitar reappears, are we reminded again that we started out listening to a pop album. One thing I really love about The First Days of Spring is the fact that it works so well as a complete work of art, or a as a concept record, if you will. While I think there are a lot of great songs on this album, I honestly feel that just listening to one song as a single does this album a disservice, each track really needs to be enjoyed in the larger context. This has to be one of my favorite records of the year, and when you account for complete plays, probably the one I’ve listened to the most in 2009.

Tickets are still available for the Noah and the Whale shows at the Mercury Lounge, and I suggest you snap one up while you still can. Atlantic recording artist Robert Francis is set to play the middle slot for all three nights and the opening slots will be filled by Alex and Janel (11/2), Essie Jain (11/3) and Sharon Van Etten (11/4) respectively. Trailer for the First Days of Spring and more Noah and The Whale tour dates after the jump.

“Noah and The Whale Begin 3 Night Mercury Lounge Residency Tonight, New Album “The First Days of Spring” Out Now” continued after the jump

Looking to give U2 and The Boss a run for their money, New Jersey’s own Bon Jovi is set to inaugurate the New Meadowlands Stadium with a three night concert run in May of 2010 (Buy Tickets). Those newly announced shows are part of a huge stadium tour in support of their forthcoming album entitled The Circle, which is due to fly off the shelves at Walmart (and other fine places records are sold) on November 10, 2009. The Circle is available as a single audio CD or as a CD/DVD package with the accompanying documentary film entitled When We Were Beatiful, (which just premiered last week on Showtime). If that wasn’t enough, November is Bon Jovi month at NBC/Universal which means the band will appear exclusively across the various network platforms in musical appearances, interviews, and TV guest-starring roles. To that effect, Bon Jovi will appear live on the Today show on all four Wednesdays in November, including a final concert performance on the plaza on November 25th [NJ.com].

Tickets for Bon Jovi at the New Meadowlands stadium go on sale to the general public on October 31, 2009 at 10AM. More Bon Jovi tour dates after the jump.

“Bon Jovi Named First Act To Play New Meadowlands Stadium, Tickets On Sale Today” continued after the jump