Tuesday, December 10, 2013

I'll Find You And God Help You

Brendan Benson's latest You Were Right was officially released today. Many of the tunes have been released throughout the year as one-off singles so check out iTunes to see if their Complete-The-Album feature works! Technology FTW!

Power pop perfection. I've never been disappointed by any of his albums. I was still working in radio when he released Sittin' Pretty from the stunning One Mississippi. I worked tirelessly to get it added to the station's playlist, which it was until someone pointed out the disturbing lyrics. Killjoy.

Official Site | iTunes (on sale now for $7.99!) | Amazon

Thursday, December 05, 2013

REDACTED

Man I love NoiseTrade! Who doesn't love free downloads?! Guster has released a new live compilation called Guster Live With The Redacted Symphony.
Guster are proud to present Guster Live With The Redacted Symphony, a ten-song live album that puts a new spin on fan favorites like "Satellite," "Come Downstairs and Say Hello," and "Fa Fa." The album was recorded in REDACTED CITY, REDACTED STATE with the REDACTED Symphony Orchestra.
Damn copyright. Per the usual, who knows how long it will be available via NoiseTrade and of course NoiseTrade recommends a "tip" of $8. If you gusta Guster like I gusta Guster then that's a small price to pay!

NoiseTrade

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Sing A Joyful Tune

I had a discussion with my kids today about the virtues of vinyl records. My 13-year-old is nearly convinced, but my 11-year-old has a ways to go. Of course it would help to actually get a record player so my dusty LPs from my teens can get some use. I digress.

Today Brandon Schott and An American Underdog (aka Andy Reed) release four perfect-pop gems on their new EP reasonably titled The A/B EP. An American Underdog's The Show Goes On and Good Girl grace Side A while Brandon Schott's Henry and Verdugo Park (Part 2) carry the load on Side B. It's well documented here how much we value Brandon and it's a thrill that he's really tapped into his poppy parts that we heard emerge front and center with his last full-length 13 Satellites. An American Underdog is a revelation and new to me. I've read his 2011 release Always On The Run is a must yet here I am without. The shame.

All four tunes will be on their respective forthcoming full-length albums so this is just an enticing taste of what's to come. The Show Goes On is absolute gold and I'm in love. If someone asked me what a perfect pop song sounds like, that would be a fair answer. Good Girl proves that a marriage between the musical echoes of Elliott Smith and Jeff Lynne is very welcome. Henry is the Penny Lane we knew Brandon had in him. It's pure Beatley joy emanating from the headphones. And Verdugo Park (Part 2) is a bit moodier and suggests a cliffhanger for what's next. I can't wait to hear.

So back to vinyl. In retrospect it was less a digression and more of a set-up. I can't imagine a more appropriate format than vinyl for this release that is so deeply steeped in vinyl's golden age yet such a breath of fresh air. The 7-inch vinyl edition is limited to only 100 copies! Have a power pop fanatic in your life that you think has heard it all? This will blow them away. You can settle for the digital version as well, which is how I've been enjoying it, but these four tunes have inspired me to share a now unique musical experience with my kids that may elevate their love of music to record heights. Pun intended.

Order Here

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Pretty Soon The Connection Is Made

Whoa. Neil Finn. Divebomber. You have our attention. Even my 11-year-old son asked if this tune was The Beatles because it's sounds like one of their "drunken stupor" songs. I'll give him credit for even knowing those tunes!


That is certainly one of the oddest tunes Finn has ever released, but I'm a bit in love with it after my first listen. Dizzy Heights is Finn's new solo album and it's out Feb 11, 2014. Pre-order on iTunes now and get two immediate downloads including Divebomber! Also check out his recent Morning Becomes Eclectic session here.

Official Site | Official Store | iTunes | Amazon

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Don't Act So Surprised

Check out another gem from Jeff Litman ...



Go is now available via Bandcamp for $49.00. Well, you could pay that or whatever you want. Or download it via iTunes if you don't appreciate the freedom of naming your own price.

It's becoming quite clear that Jeff's ongoing hodgepodge of singles will be significantly better than 98% of the albums released this year.

Friday, November 08, 2013

Without These Moments There Isn't Much We Can Do

Next week, Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs are finally releasing the third volume of their covers series Under the Covers. This time they hit the 80s, which you already knew. Popdose has a great interview with Matthew Sweet to discuss the new compilation. More interestingly for us Sweet super(deformed)fans is a series of questions about past albums and the new one he'll be working on next year!

I think it’s going to be a serious album album.

Can't wait. Under the Covers Vol. 3 is out next week.

iTunes | Amazon

Thursday, November 07, 2013

You And Your Angelic Shout

"In their continuing expedition of Jellyfish...."

Normally I get irritated when a band who only released two studio albums is subject to a seemingly endless release of box sets, greatest hits, and live albums decades after those original albums, but with Jellyfish I'll allow it. Out December 10 is Radio Jellyfish, a compilation of mostly-unreleased live, acoustic renderings of those beloved tunes...

1. NEW MISTAKE 
2. SHE STILL LOVES HIM 
3. I CAN HEAR THE GRASS GROW* 
4. BABY’S COMING BACK 
5. THE MAN I USED TO BE 
6. JOINING A FAN CLUB 
7. THE KING IS HALF-UNDRESSED 
8. THE GHOST AT NUMBER ONE 
9. THAT IS WHY 
10. NO MATTER WHAT 
 All tracks previously unissued, except *

God bless Omnivore Recordings. Pre-order here.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Linger On

Countless Too Poppy favorites were clearly influenced by The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed. May he rest in peace.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Your Silence Covers Me

So this is happening right now in that big world of webs...


Arcade Fire's full album stream of Reflektor on YouTube. It's not out until next week, but they knew a leak was inevitable. Enjoy the visuals too!

Monday, October 21, 2013

How Was I Supposed To Know?

This is the most AMAZING performance I've ever heard.



Hey, if it Linda McCartney was fair game surely Bertney is.

Monday, October 07, 2013

Moments To Savor

Jeff Litman makes it seem so effortless that it almost seems like he's showing off. I'm not a songwriter, singer, or musician, but near the top of my bucket list is writing one single catchy tune. Well, every single damn thing Litman does meets that and then some. And now he's going to prove it on the first Thursday of every month with a new single. Last week he released Nothing, which is a bit more than that. Stream it...


...or name your price and download it here. He wrote it during the blackout following Hurricane Sandy and while lyrically the tune is not related to weather per se, I think the sentiment is quite universal.

Lyric Video | iTunes | Amazon

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Wrap My Arms Around You

The Current from Minnesota Public Radio is featuring Jeremy Messersmith's terrific new tune Tourniquet for stream or download! You only have less than 24 hours to check it out and get excited about his upcoming new album.

Need a primer? You can download any of his previous releases and name your own price!

Bandcamp | Official Site | The Current

Monday, September 30, 2013

The Girl Singer

More like this, please. I have a daughter and you do too. Or you have a mother. Grandmother. Niece. Sister. Mother-in-law. Friend. Neighbor. Colleague.

This message has been approved by the Too Poppy Committee for Human Decency.

Now go buy her band's debut album The Bones of What You Believe.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Breathe New Life Into My Tired Songs

Brilliant. Mike Viola is releasing trading cards! The very limited set is only available in packs of five for only five bucks. Do you best to get all 24 because each one contains a download code for an unreleased song. You may even get an autographed box! Beats the hell out of buying a boring ol' rarities CD.

Go here.

Oh, and happy birthday, Mr. Candy Butcher!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

It's A Souvenir For When You Go

Chvrches is one of those buzz bands you've been reading about on all the hip blogs for about a year or so. Clearly they're really about to make it now that they're getting some ink on the less-than-hip blogs!

The Scottish band is made up of smart people making smart music with the finest electronic equipment and production sensibility. Lauren Mayberry's vocals are infectious and flirtatious without being too cutesy. Think of a poppier Garbage or Depeche Mode with heavier synths and beats, or as NPR noted, "Chvrches opts for sprightly melancholy over the dour seriousness of its heroes." For those of you familiar with Sister Soleil you'll understand Chvrches. It is pure 80s electronic pop with a decidedly 21st century indie vibe punctuated by the goofily-spelled moniker (a deliberate attempt to bypass the ubiquitousness of the search term). I've been pleased so far that even with a name like Chvrches there is nary a monk chant to be heard. Dodged one there.

The Mother We Share is the smash on The Bones of What You Believe, the debut full-length. It transcends genre and should've been the big summer hit on Top 40 as well as alternative radio. Of course we don't live in a Too Poppy world ... yet. I dare you to spin Mother two times and shake the melody and hooks. Talk about an earworm. The album is full of them, although I still consider Mother the high point. I was concerned the sound would get repetitive or boring spread out across a full album, but Chvrches has a story to tell and the tenacity to keep you engaged. This is more than just an 80s electro-pop retread.

NPR is streaming The Bones of What You Believe in its entirety in the days leading up to its official release on September 24.

NPR | Official Site | iTunes | Amazon

Monday, September 16, 2013

Give Me A Moment

The Killers announced a new greatest hits package called Direct Hits. Two new tunes will be featured including a collaboration with M83 called Shot At The Night, which musically sounds exactly like what you'd expect from these two neo-New Wavers.



As retro and anthemic both artists are, I'd say they played it safe here. Bonus new tunes on greatest hits compilations tend to be rehashed demos that never found a home on a previous release so I'm underwhelmed but not surprised. It certainly sounds like a nearly unfinished outtake from their most recent album Battle Born, which has been one of my guilty pleasures for most of the year.

Direct Hits is out November 11 just in time for the holidays. More info here.

Official Site | iTunes

Friday, September 13, 2013

Want To Change The World?

Chipotle - yes, the burrito fast-food joint - has released a video featuring Fiona Apple covering Willy Wonka's Pure Imagination. Chipotle wants the take-home to be that industrial meat is bad and scarecrow cooking is good.  However, the "film" is animated gold and more on point the song is a beauty. Apple's rendition is cinematically haunting and gorgeously produced.


Chipotle has also released an iOS game too. They must be pretty serious about this meat thing.

iTunes (song) | iTunes (app)

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Her Baby Buys Her Things

Attention completists! The Beatles On Air - Live at the BBC Vol 2 has been announced for release in November! The set is all new with 60 tracks, 37 previously unreleased performances, and plenty of signature Beatle on-air banter.

The trailer has it all ...


... but if you want more here you go. Pre-order here.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

You Can Only Take So Much

Music soothes grief. Music heals pain. Music strengthens the weak. Music gives us resolve to carry on.

On an anniversary I wish didn't exist, it's hard not to revisit my soundtrack to the aftermath that helped me carry on in the days, weeks, months, and now years that would come. U2 released All That You Can't Leave Behind in 2000, but the album was eerily prescient. Beautiful Day. Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Of. Walk On. Peace On Earth. New York. Grace. Thematically and contextually spot on. Weird. Really. Just weird.

The Irish band was an American fixture in the many months that would follow as we tried to come to terms with the new world. Super Bowl XXXVI was in many ways the focal point of the anxiety, fear, patriotism, and hope that so many of us were feeling at the time. The clouds of war were building and the very real threat inherent in a huge public gathering scared us out of our wits.  In an isolated society we share so few common experiences, but what is more American than the grandiose spectacle of the big game and its typically bloated halftime show? The bombastic U2 was a perfect pick and nailed it. It's hard to get through MLK and Where The Streets Have No Name with a dry eye while victim names were cascaded peacefully and respectfully behind the band. Stunning.

Beautiful Day was the iconic hit from the album and indeed September 11, 2011, was ironically a beautiful day is most of the country. But Walk On is the one that sticks for me.

"And I know it aches | And your heart, it breaks | You can only take so much ... Leave it behind | You've got to leave it behind ... All that you hate."

Walk on.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

I Have To Have You

Bleu has been pimping his 5th full-length on PledgeMusic for a while now with plenty of extra special bonuses for contributors. I strongly encourage you to support this Too Poppy-approved artist! Pledge now and you'll get the album very soon along with those extras (which includes becoming a member of the Redhead Record Club celebrating Bleu's stellar second album). If you're looking for a free preview, NoiseTrade is offering the full download of To Hell With You for free or for a generous tip! R U KIDDING ME? This offer is for only two weeks so get on it now.

To Hell With You gets a world-wide release On Jan 28, 2014. Bleu is currently on tour. Get the details here.

Official Site | PledgeMusic | NoiseTrade | iTunes | Amazon

Monday, September 09, 2013

Now We're Staring At A Screen

After way too much breathless, net-driven hype, Arcade Fire has finally debuted Reflektor, the first single from the upcoming album Reflektor. The tune has a great vibe and sounds best on headphones, particularly to appreciate David Bowie's contribution. Yep.

The video is long, interesting, and a bit nightmarish. Watch it here or below. There's also an interactive experience here, which I could not experience because I don't use Chrome. WTF-ever. The whole effort pushes Arcade Fire to their natural pretentious boundaries and many may not have the patience. It's definitely "gotta-be-in-the-right-mood" music and it's not quite as instant as The Suburbs' Sprawl II, but I dig it on first impression.



Pre-order Reflektor here, to be released October 29. Paste was all over it today, btw.

Saturday, September 07, 2013

It's A Beautiful Thing When Pigs Fly

I've lost my kids to the Top 40. We should start a support group. I tried. I sung The Beatles at bedtime. Their first concerts were Guster and Matthew Sweet. They were raised on Justin Roberts. Ah well. Perhaps this is inevitable for all teens and pre-teens. I do recall a few moments of Top 40 radio obsession when I was their age.

Regardless, I still believe it's our duty to start their appreciation of the good stuff at a young age. NoiseTrade is doing their part with a free download of Sandra Boynton's Frog Trouble. It may be country, but it features contributions by Too Poppy favorites Ben Folds, Fountains of Wayne, and Ryan Adams. Get that Barney tape out of your car and start educating the new generation!

Download free at NoiseTrade

Thursday, September 05, 2013

Feel This Way Every Day

My all-time favorite radio station, Chicago's WXRT, is offering a free download of Brendan Benson's Diamond here!

Benson has been releasing singles all year, which he'll compile on an album called You Were Right, which will be released on November 22: Black Friday. Merry Christmas!

WXRT | iTunes | Amazon

The Feelings Swim To The Surface

Arcade Fire returns.



Reflektor 9/9/9. Tease much?

Update via Rolling Stone

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

The Memories Will Always Linger On

This is getting around fast. Fred Stobaugh is evidently the next big thing and he's only 96 years old. Fred has become the oldest artist to hit the Billboard Hot 100 with a simple yet touching love song to his late wife of 72 years. Watch and listen to the story of Sweet Lorraine below and here.



This is why we listen to music.

iTunes

Oh, That Magic Feeling

Evidently The Beatles didn't really need instruments. Abbey Road's medley a cappella...



Stunning. Thanks, Way2Poppy!

Friday, August 30, 2013

In For A Round Of Overexposure

Hard to believe it's already been about 10 years since Elliott Smith took his own life. Rather than focus on that tragedy, this is a good opportunity to reminisce about his major label debut XO. I could go on and on about its beauty and sadness, but this guy says it all.

I'm partial to Either/Or, but XO is quite stunning as well. Time to borrow the kid's Beats and spend some quality time with Elliott Smith.

Amazon | iTunes

Thursday, August 29, 2013

If It's Any Consolation I Don't Begin To Understand Them

The Replacements played their first show in 22 (!) years earlier this week at Toronto's Riot Fest. John Samson, who sings for the under-appreciated Weakerthans, said,"It was simply the best show I have ever seen."

You can check out some recordings from the show here and a review here and here. So much for being rusty.

Just In Time

This new one kinda snuck out there.

Paul McCartney's new album - New - is out October 15. He just recently premiered the new single New, which you can preview below, here, or download via iTunes if you pre-order the new album! Sounds like a typical new, first single from a new McCartney album. I expect the new album to dig deeper, but at least the old man is still making new music!


New.

Official Site | iTunes | Amazon | More

Monday, August 26, 2013

Everybody's Gonna Dance Around Tonight

Sir Paul tops the list of top-grossing concerts; all without any twerking.

Oh christ, he doesn't twerk on tour now, does he?

Everything Under The Sun Is In Tune

Today BBC premiered Darkside, a new dramatic interpretation of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, which was released 40 years ago!

[Tom] Stoppard has written a strangely compelling radio drama based on and inspired by the album's multi-layered, existential meditations on fear, madness, greed, and the elusive passage of time. Darkside, as Stoppard calls the play, isn't a musical, with actors performing the songs. It's an abstract interpretation of the music and its possible meanings, dramatized by a small cast of recurring characters, with the album's songs woven throughout the piece as a soundtrack. [via npr.org]

Intriguing. Although not my favorite Pink Floyd album, Dark Side of the Moon has played an important role throughout my life; from my first-year college dorm floor name to a memorable evening of tirelessly soundtracking Wizard of Oz with a friend. It didn't work so well. Still, Dark Side is undoubtedly one of the best headphone albums.

BBC Darkside | Amazon | Official Site

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

As Quiet As I Can

Two of my favorite voices have joined forces as Minor Alps. Nada Surf's Matthew Caws and Juliana Hatfield recorded a full album's worth of tunes they're calling Get There. It's out October 29th and it's risen to the top of my fall release wish list.

Preview Buried Plans below...



Official Site

Your Voice Is Soft Like Summer Rain

Yes. I'm posting about Dolly Parton on Too Poppy. But dammit the slowed down version of Jolene that's been making the rounds on the social webs is freakin' cool. Rather than that classic country sound, the 33rpm version has a uniquely haunting Cohen Hallelujah vibe. I was skeptical at first, but here you go...

Like The Kids In Art School

Despite its name, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending will not be their swan song after all. Tears for Fears is evidently back in the studio recording the follow-up to their Too Poppy-approved 2004 release. In a proof-of-life scenario, Tears for Fears has released their version of Arcade Fire's Ready to Start, which is exactly how you'd expect it to sound. Check it...

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

In The End The Path Is Clear

Toad the Wet Sprocket is likely one of the more divisive bands of my generation; reviled by some but beloved by many. They were one of the lucky bands to release a string of modest hits in the 90s that still resonate with some of us today. They broke up after their solid but least memorable studio album Coil, but fate would prove the separation to be temporary and half-hearted. They've toured in the years since and finally recorded a new album's worth of material. And it's good.

New Constellation officially comes out September 17th, but many who contributed to their successful Kickstarter campaign already have the digital download. The album is nothing you wouldn't expect. Toad hasn't gone electronic, gimmicky, or god forbid too poppy. They're not walking on any oceans with the new release nor is there anything quite as stellar as Crazy Life, but New Constellation features the folksy melodies that are certain to please the fans that have stuck with them through the past 20+ years. And for the hard core fans (yes, we do exist), there's at least one Glen Phillips solo tune and one reworked Lapdog song in the set so that's something to look forward to.

For you impatient ones, Toad is giving away an EP called Something Old, Something New, which features two news tunes and three "classic reinterpretations," via NoiseTrade.

Official Site | Amazon | Kickstarter | NoiseTrade

Fate Up Against Your Will

Slipping out in the dog days of summer was the news yesterday that Sid and Susie are back with another collection of cover songs from a select decade. Of course Sid is Matthew Sweet and Susie is Susanna Hoffs and this time they've tackled the 80s, an interesting choice given both were making music then. No covers of their own material and only a few expected choices like Our Lips Are Sealed, which you can sample here. Evidently there was some discussion about covering a Bangles song. Wouldn't have minded hearing Sweet sing Manic Monday, but alas that won't be happening.

Billboard has all the details here along with the full track list, including The Smiths, Tom Petty, REM, XTC, and The Clash. Not a huge fan of cover songs as I've repeated time and time again. I tend to think Sid and Susie are a bit too faithful to the originals despite both being interesting artists on their own. Regardless, there's something quite nice about hearing their voices absolutely melt into each other.

Under the Covers, Vol. 3 is out November 12.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A Shot At Redemption

Jeff Litman continues his righteous journey to becoming the best popster you've yet-to-but-should hear with a new rocking single released today called Debutante, "a sarcastic, political rant aimed at the empty suit on the political stage who feigns sincerity and riles up the mob in service to the wealthy and powerful interests that control him." In full disclosure, Jeff and I are on the same side of the fence politically, but the genius of the tune is that for the most part it is a universal evisceration of the empty politicos we've unfortunately become accustomed to. Check out the lyrics video below.


Jeff's plan for 2013 is to release a new single every so often. The next one is called Nothing and will be out within a couple months.

iTunes | Bandcamp

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The Love Comes Easy

And we made such a big deal about the time between Stone Roses albums?!

A couple weeks ago My Bloody Valentine finally released the followup to their legendary Loveless more than 20 years later. The reviews I've seen have been surprisingly positive considering these decades-in-the-making albums rarely meet expectations. I consider Loveless to be one of the best pop albums released in my lifetime. The pop just happens to be drowned in meticulously crafted noise. Love it.

The new album is simply called m b v and is only available through their official site in several formats here. Check out previews on YouTube.

I Am The Son And The Heir

Paul McCartney almost joined Johnny Marr's band in the 80s! Oh, wait, strike that. Reverse it. Either way it would've been a cool collaboration, particularly because this was around the time when Macca was hanging out with Elvis Costello. Talk about a super band.

Paul is also working on a new solo album with some hitmakers. Hopefully he'll avoid traipsing down the Rod Stewart path any further.

Finally, don't forget about Paul's collaboration with Nirvana sans Kurt called Cut Me Some Slack, which is available on iTunes as a single. It's a fun if insignificant addition to his oeuvre.

Thursday, February 07, 2013

Know How Much It Helps To Talk About It

Check out Brendan Benson's new song, Oh My Love, streaming below!


Friday, January 25, 2013

I.Want.To.Go.To.There

In no particular order...

The Stone Roses, The Postal Service, New Order, Band of Horses, Blur, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, Of Monsters and Men, Social Distortion, Grizzly Bear, Smith Westerns, Stars, Metric, Beach House, Local Natives, Sigur Ros, Modest Mouse, Lou Reed, Beach House, Moby, Violent Femmes, DIIV

Are you fucking kidding me?!

More

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

I've Long Run Out Of My Last Chances But She's On Her Way

Did you miss the exclusive Record Store Day Black Friday Jellyfish release Stack-a-Tracks in November? Yeah, me too. No worries. I guess it wasn't so exclusive after all...

Available March 12, 2013

After the individually numbered, limited-edition digipak for Record Store Day flew off the shelves, fans took to the internet begging for another run. So, using the same, new illustrated artwork (created for the release), this 2-CD set is now available in a jewel box to be added to the collections of power-pop fans everywhere.

What? No crappy digipaks imprinted with numbers? Frak.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

He's One Ambitious Boy

Brendan Benson somewhat quietly released a new digital single called Swimming yesterday. It's not on his most recent full-length and there don't seem to be plans for another anytime soon, but it's greatly appreciated!

Looks like another single called Oh My Love will be out next month.

Amazon MP3 | iTunes

My Piano Was Boldly Outspoken

Last June, Mike Viola, Tim Christensen, and others celebrated Sir Paul's 70th with a concert in Denmark covering Ram and other classics. These two guys covering McCartney is an embarrassment of riches in the truest sense of the phrase. Next month we'll be able to own it. Check out the trailer for Pure McCartney below.



Preorder the CD/DVD/Vinyl/MP3 set in your favorite format(s) here. Mike Viola promises to make it available on his site stateside soon so no worries!

More details here via Tim.

Turn Around

The Postal Service teased everybody earlier today by posting a "2013" in the font style of their only full-length album Give Up leading some to conclude they were reuniting. However, now their official site states they will be reissuing Give Up in a remastered version with a bonus disc of 15 songs including two new ones! Strange how ten years justifies a completely remastered reissue, but there you go. Sub Pop has more detail including the bombshell that they in fact will be performing live together for the first time in ten years!

Get your crappy ten-year-old version of Give Up via iTunes and Amazon. Or wait until April 9!

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

After Everything

In 2010, I got caught up in the immense buzz around Local Natives and their debut album Gorilla Manor yet it fizzled out quite anticlimactically for me. Perhaps the album needs a revisit. Nonetheless, I'm really digging the new tune Heavy Feet from their upcoming Hummingbird out January 29. Check it out here and below.



The video for the official single Breakers is here. Nice.

Via | iTunes | Amazon

Oh Oh Oh

Bleu has co-written what might be the best fake pop hit since That Thing You Do. It's called Ordinary Extraordinary Love and was featured on the comedy Happy Endings. It is hilarious. I hope it's supposed to be hilarious.



Naturally it's available on iTunes.

Don't forget to pledge Bleu's to-be-released To Hell With You here. Freebies and bonus items galore!

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Perfectly Aligned

Rumors are starting to float again that The Postal Service is planning to reunite this year!

Revisit Give Up, released TEN years ago next month. Is Such Great Heights the best pop song of the aughts? Quite possibly.

That is all.


A Man Lost In Time

David Bowie celebrated his birthday today by sharing the unexpected news of his return to new music. It's been something like a decade since we've last heard from him and there has been much speculation over the years about his health and whether we'd ever hear new music from him. Well, he's back with a lovely tune called Where Are We Now? complete with a spooky-ass video. What else would you expect from this pioneer?!

He's not lost in time. He transcends it.



The new album The Next Day is out March 12 in the U. S. of A. Sounds post-apocalyptic. The single is available now via iTunes!

To Get Together

The new album from Telekinesis is mystically called Dormarion and is slated for release April 2, which frankly is not soon enough. To satiate our pop needs, we can stream the new tune Ghosts and Creatures here and below.



12 Desperate Straight Lines was certainly one of my favorite albums of 2011 and holds up quite well so Dormarion is near the top of my list of must-haves for the first half of 2013!

Via | Official Site | Pre-order | iTunes | Amazon