Well, well, well. Looks like someone's been listening to The Beatles White Album on repeat. On their upcoming release So Divided, ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead flex their melodic skills by channeling the fuzzed out, dirty rock that dominates one of the best Beatles albums. Laying off the pummeling sound they are known for, TOD instead rely on hooks that lay in wait just beneath the surface of the track; only to reveal themselves after repeated spins. While I am a huge fan of Source Tags & Codes, So Divided may just end up being my favorite album in their catalogue. For your listening (dis)pleasure:


...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead: Wasted State Of Mind

...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead: Witches Web

...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead: Naked Sun

...And You Will Know Us By TheTrail of Dead: Life


::EDIT::


If you happen to swing by TOD's website (which you should) you will be greeted by a post from lead singer Conrad Keely. Apparently, the album leaked a little while ago and the band is none too pleased. As a premptive measure, I want to let everyone know that I received an advance copy from their PR company and DID NOT snag it online.

Let me tell you why I like Sean Lennon. Because he's loaded. Thanks to a generous inheritance from his father, the late John Lennon, Sean never has to worry about money for the rest of his life. And it's this very reason that enables him to make such compelling music. Pure, honest, and insanely catchy. There is no fretting over commercial success. If you like what he lays down on wax, cool. If you don't, hey that's great as well. He makes no bones about who he makes music for: himself and a select group of fans, and on his recently released sophomore album Friendly Fire he more than hit the mark. Filled with lush, harmony laden tracks and an impressive display of naked lyrics, FF oozes out of the speakers and into your heart. A song cycle based loosely on his relationship and subsequent breakup with actress Bijou Phillips, Lennon takes a chance in letting the listener in on some seriously private moments and emotions; to great success. If you're looking for a sublime pop album to fall in love with, look no further. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Sean Lennon: On Again, Off Again

Sean Lennon: Parachute

Sean Lennon: Headlights

Sean Lennon: Dead Meat



On another note, I've started writing albums reviews for the excellent Silent Uproar site. Check it out!

Listening to The Walkmen always seems to put me in a good mood. Their brand of sloppy yet controlled chaos wafts through my speakers like a perfectly poured Black & Tan. Smooth at first but filling once you get past the first layer. Godamnnit I need to go into rehab. After the release of their third full length; the excellent A Hundred Miles Off", The Walkmen decided to head back into the studio and cut a spot on rendition of the Harry Nilson/John Lennon classic "Pussycats". A lot of love went into the making of this album and from the languid opening cut of Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers To Cross to the rollicking cover of Loop de Loop, the listener gets the overwhelming sensation of actually being in the studio with the band for every note committed to tape. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

The Walkmen: Many Rivers To Cross

The Walkmen: Loop De Loop

The Walkmen: Save The Last Dance


::CONTEST ALERT::

The fine folks over at Record Collection are pairing with Indoor Fireworks to offer a sweet Walkmen contest. One lucky winner will receive the follow prize package:

The Walkmen - "Pussy Cats" starring the Walkmen
The Walkmen limited edition numbered silkscreened poster
The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off"

If you're feeling lucky, email me at indoorfireworksonline@gmail.com and let me know why you should be chosen. Be creative. I'll announce the winner on Monday.

Listening to Emily Haines makes me woozy. Her voice cascading around my head and seeping into my skull like a drunk night out; my equilibrium out of whack. It's quite rare that an artist can have such an immediate effect on me, but Ms. Haines has an uncanny knack for subtly drawing you into her quiet world. Before you know it you're humming along to a song you've only listened to once. She's that good. Taking a break from her duties as frontwoman for Metric, Haines spent the last 4 years recording her upcoming debut solo album Knives Don't Have Your Back in a host of studios around the US and Canada. With her stellar backing band The Soft Skeleton (which includes members of Sparklehorse, Broken Social Scene, and Metric,) Haines has assembled a charming collection of hooky melancholic songs that beg to be listened to over and over again. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton: Doctor Blind

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton: Nothing & Nowhere

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton: Our Hell

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton: Reading In Bed