Animal!

Staring contest!

It's OK Go's Dan vs Animal from The Muppets. Loser gets to be roadie for the winner for a year!

You Say Party

You Say Party! You Say Die! has taken some time off after the passing of drummer, Devon Clifford and just released an official press statement regarding the future of the group.

The press release states that after Devon's parents' blessing, they will forge ahead as a band. Krista Loewen has opted out to pursue school, while good friends Robert Andow and Bobby Siadat will complete the five piece lineup.

The band will no longer be called "You Say Party! We Say Die!," but simply you "You Say Party."

You Say Party! - Laura Palmer's Prom (mp3) (buy)

We're Having Fun Now

All that is known about Jenny and Johnny is that this is a duo comprised of Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley) and Johnathan Rice. They're releasing music at the end of the summer and are going on tour, but boycotting Arizona because of their recent politics. They want you to know that they're having fun and they think you should too.

Jenny and Johnny - Scissor Runner (mp3) (download from official site)

Shine a Light

Wolf Parade: Angular guitar, vocal yelps, frantic post-punk awesomeness. Expo 86 is out June 29, 2010.

Wolf Parade - Little Golden Age (mp3) (buy)

Wolf Parade - Shine a Light (mp3) (buy)

I Have a Story To Tell....

Fullerton, California's the Steelwells sure captured my attention with their indie/dance/rock/pop hybrid. And that's kinda hard to do nowadays. With the proliferation of music on the internet, there's just too much to get through and my attention span has seriously disingrated into what's probably normal for a fifth grader.

Once you hear the Steelwells, you can tell it's indie rock of the late 2000's. It's quintessentially indie and they do it SO well!

Steelwells - Boxes (mp3) (buy)

Listen Honey

Every so often, I get an album that I can't stop listening to. These are the ones that get played on repeat in the car stereo. You know, the ones that only have one CD drive and are not adaptable to mp3 technology. Out sheer addiction to the songs (and laziness), the Tails' self titled album is one I can't stop listening to.

A little info about the Tails: they're two cousins from South Beach, California who engaged in many years of musical rivalry over who can write a better song. Somewhere along the line, they decided to join forces, hire Robb MacLean as producer and thus begot a self titled EP.

They've got insanely catchy tunes that just ask to be put on repeat. It's like musical candy. It seems light and sugary at first, but the lyrics are deceptively sly. It's such good stuff, can I have some more?

The Tails - Surely (mp3) (myspace)

The Tails - Appreciate (mp3) (myspace)

Look What Love Has Turned Us Into

Barzin's third album, Notes to An Absent Lover, is a quiet melodic reflection of a breakup. But before you roll your eyes at another folky breakup album, let me tell you that this one is quite pretty and haunting.

It's quiet and introspective, with weepy slide guitar, but doesn't get too get self-indulgent. While the lyrics focus on the sadness, anger and generally confused quality associated with breakups, its the orchestral arrangements that really drives this record. It's reverb heavy folk for those days when you only want to hear sad songs.

Barzin - Look What Love Has Turned Us Into (mp3) (buy)

Girl, This is the Season

Chicago, IL's the Yearbooks have only been around for a year and a half. They're unsigned, but if they keep the hooks coming, they're already ahead of the game. These guys have a warm power pop sound that conveys summer days and the headstrong romaticism of 80's new wave. This is definitely not music for cynics.

But if you're secretly an optimist, this is for you.

Their Have a Great Summer EP is available on iTunes.

Yearbooks - Season of Love (mp3) (iTunes)

Scott Pilgram vs. The World

I'm pretty excited to see this. I think George Michael has finally got it right this time.

Path of Least Resistance

Burlington, ON's Sandman Viper Command is your quintessential 90's band. Without existing in the nineties. Their power pop/garage fuzz references from Sonic Youth to Sloan to Pavement and adds some frantic ADD energy to the mix.

These guys shot out of nowhere, opening shows for Holy Fuck, The Arkells, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Hollerado and have been hailed as one of the bands to watch for this year.

See them this summer for yourself:

May 29 @ The Atria, Oshawa, ON
June 17 @ NXNE Nacho House, Toronto, ON
June 18 @ Sneaky Dees, Toronto, ON
June 27 @ Scene Music Festival, St. Catharines, ON
July 9 @ Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, ON

Sandman Viper Command - Strawberry Quick (mp3) (buy)