Album Stream: Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Three years is a quite a bit of time to follow up a flawless debut, but Fleet Foxes wanted to make sure their second full length album hit all the marks. And, boy does it. After overcoming extended sickness, plenty of additional recording and mixing sessions - the Seattle band picks up right where they left off. Nothing new here, no off-beat sophomore direction. Just the tunes we want to hear, from a band that wears so well.

To that end - the always impressive NPR Music, currently has the album streaming in its entirety (prior to the album's release date, May 3rd, via Sub Pop).

Lend an ear and remember they are playing The Hollywood Palladium May 7th (w/ The Cave Singers).

Sunday Morning Soundtrack

Enjoy.

My Morning Jacket - Circuital
Fleet Foxes - Montezuma
Radiohead - Supercollider
Deerhunter - Nosebleed
Seapony - Dreaming

Enjoy the Desert!

Seeya out there folks! Be good to one another and have fun.

Cheers,

T-Hale

Elbow - Lippy Kids
The Kills - Satellite
Tame Impala - Expectation

TV On The Radio - Nine Type of Light

We're exactly a week out until TVOTR release their 4th full length album, Nine Types of Light. BUT Rhapsody has it streaming right now, in full, here.

Upon first impression - I dig their new found mellowness. I highly recommend at least a listen to the track: Killer Crane.

What do you think?

ALSO, the band just announced they will be playing the Music Box Tuesday May 3rd (w/ Glasser). Relatively small venue for them. Get your tix Saturday, April 9th at 10am here.

A Fond Farewell - LCD Soundsystem

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines the word denial as such: A psychological defense mechanism in which confrontation with a personal problem or with reality is avoided by denying the existence of the problem or reality.

To that point - it is with great denial, that I write about the end of an era for one of my favorite bands, LCD Soundsystem.

The NY pop, electro, disco, punk, (whatever genre you want to put them in) outfit - had a near flawless run, spanning three full length albums, (four, if you count the Nike deal) countless singles and the title of throwing the biggest party in your town when they came through. Yet, in some strange way, it feels almost right. This all too cool crew waves goodbye and James Murphy makes good on his promise that LCD was only temporary. Of course, the lot of us figured the engine would keep on running as long as we would keep on dancing... But, to the chagrin of many, the guy has kept his word and we'll be left to our discography and they go out on top.

Alright, let's get on with it, because I could truly sing the praises of James Murphy/LCD Soundsystem all night. But to wallow, piss and moan almost seems blasphemous to the spirit in which this band abides.

While it's definitely not easy to cope with loss, I do however suggest the following: 1) Read Pitchfork's wonderful career spanning article that includes a track by track analysis here. AND 2) If you aren't going to be at the final LCD show at MSG, April 2nd, you can stream it live on Pitchfork.

The man himself, said it perfectly: “I make dance music, or disco, ... And dance music isn't really about anything. I can tell if it's working: Are people dancing? Yes.' Then I've achieved my goal.”

So go ahead - (sure, it definitely downright sucks, when you really think about it) for this last time, enjoy yourself; tap your toe one last time with James Murphy and Co.

These guys deserve an applause and a dance or two for bowing out in style.

A few of my favorite tracks can be streamed below (I gotta tell ya, it was very difficult to somehow limit this to five tracks).

LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great
LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge
LCD Soundsystem - Home
LCD Soundsystem - Daft Punk Is Playing At My House

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean

Sean Pecknold (brother of Robin from the Fleet Foxes) shoots beautiful film and is quite the talented director. He's created music videos for many a band: Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others; Beach House - Used To Be; and of course he's kept it in the family with a couple Fleet Foxes jams - White Winter Hymnal and Mykonos.

Furthermore - it looks like Brother Sean hung out with Fleet Foxes during their road weary recording schedule over the last year. And for our enjoyment, he put together a little glimpse into the recording of the new album which accompanies the beautiful new track, Grown Ocean.

Give it a look/listen below and remember the new album Helplessness Blues comes out May 3rd. Also, Fleet Foxes are playing the Palladium May 7th and tickets are still available.

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean from Fleet Foxes on Vimeo.

Sunday Morning Soundtrack

Radiohead - Give Up the Ghost
The National - Think You Can Wait
Kurt Vile - Baby's Arm
Alexander - Truth
John Legend - Rolling In the Deep (Adele Cover)