Portishead will release their new highly awaited album “Third” on April 28th. I cannot wait to get my gush on.

Portishead, Machine Gun

The Great Black Hope is a nice little Black Metal Review from WFMU, with audio to listen and learn.

…and what better to wear to a black metal show deep in the woods than a black that makes your black look like a little pink dress. This news about a new blacker black got a bunch of attention last month. The linked story is a good overview.

Say your sitting in on a trend forecasting meeting at Death Row Records, this graphical analysis of rap lyrics might help you make a few points visually, which always gives you an edge.

Garfield Minus Garfield belongs on every psychotherapists wall. Talking like this to a existing cat is only a little less neurotic. (via neatorama)

(flickr, CC)

It is difficult to smile when wearing an underwater breathing apparatus. But I did the best that I could. I was in stealth mode, swimming about a mile off the Tunisian coast, the secret microfiche safe in the tuxedo jacket under my wet suit. I had time to kill, my contact was not going to signal for another hour, so I hit the shuffle button on my ipod. It was the kind of grin that happens when the music you are hearing is the perfect soundtrack for what is going on around you. This World, from Supreme Beings Of Leisure would fit great in a James Bond soundtrack.

Supreme Beings Of Leisure, This World

This World is from the album 11i, out last month on Rykodisc.

download: This World

myspace | label

An interesting conversation, point/counterpoint style, between Gore Vidal and the recently deceased William F. Buckley, Jr. It’s from the 60’s, so you’ll notice the black and white screen, and the gender bias from all parties involved.

What seems most relevant is the level of anxiety regarding international security reflected in both mens answers to the question put forth, and the similar concerns and thought patterns that exist in election cycle we find ourselves in today.

William F. Buckley, Jr. and Gore Vidal, ABC News

Here is a rundown of statements that I found interesting; again, sorry on their behalf for the lack of gender neutrality:

Buckley:

…it is really unprofitable to talk about Camelot, since we don’t live in Camelot, but in the good old USA, and thats alright jack, at least all right by me.

He shouldn’t be too naive, for instance when the Soviet President informs him the communists desire world peace, the next president ideally would tell him to cut the horse feathers…

He shouldn’t crave the idolatry of world opinion.

(The President) shouldn’t have too high opinion of himself. He should recognize that America is a great deal that has nothing to do with the presidency.

Vidal:

He must know what they are saying in the ghetto, as well as in the boardroom of US Steel.

A president must be able at times to fool others, but he must never fool himself.

…presidents are very seldom nice man, and it is very childish of us to insist that they be, after all its not a very nice world.

…men have been known to grow in office, let us pray that our new chief executive will be one of those made great by responsibility.

I wish this debate format could still be found on the evening news… but at least we can discuss.

Mans Heart Complaint is pretty laid back for a psychedelic offering. Laid back in almost an Atom Heart Mother way. Keeping the strangeness of the groove and the vocals at an English distance. They do it in metric.

{{{Sunset}}}, Man’s Heart Complaint

{{{Sunset}}}’s new album, Bright Blue Dream, is due out March 25 on Autobus Records, where you can pre-order.

download: Man’s Heart Complaint

official | label | myspace

I thought that my speakers were failing. Maybe the jack wasn’t pushed in all the way. New Orleans duo Belong made a Barrett song more eerie. The full brunt of it lost somewhere in the stereo field.

Belong, Late Night (Syd Barrett cover)

Belong released their new ep, Colorless Record in February on St. Ives.

download: Late Night (Barrett)

Thus spake my onion horoscope last week:

You’ve always believed your work ethic and determination were what set you apart from the pack, but, as it turns out, it’s that everyone else is a wolf.

Smooth happenings around the office… stirrings in cubicles around me at dusk, and at twilight everybody around me gets a little funkier.

The Cansecos, Raised By Wolves

The Cansecos released their second album, Juices!, in November. You can see them at SXSW, coming up fast.

download: Raised By Wolves

official | myspace | label

It’s not exactly a bitter goodbye, it has streams of hope within. Sometimes we leave to go out and search for something that we think is missing. Sometimes it’s just for a girl. Sometimes it’s a big mistake.

Next Train is found on Miracle Fortress’ latest album Five Roses, out last spring on Secret City Records.

Miracle Fortress, Next Train

download: Next Train

myspace | label

The first video has emerged from the forthcoming Beach House album Devotion, due out on Carpark Records February 26th. You Came To Me is a tonally colorful song, Victoria Legrand’s vocal blendings are perfect, and the video directed by Skizz Cyzyk fits it well. Beach House has a knack for making complex melodies and structures sound simple; finely built soup with a cup of Tang.

Beach House, You Came To Me

Electro-pop artists have been deconstructing the ’80’s for a while now (you may be shocked to learn). Its been going on for so long that I am always surprised and impressed whenever someone finds a new angle to resurrect. In PNAU’s Embrace, synths fill the stereo field unapologetically, and Ladyhawke solidifies her presence as a new and impressive retro diva on the scene. Its pop theater; the music of Flashdance, or any other small town girl or boy arrives on a scene to make good.

PNAU, Embrace (ft. Ladyhawke)

Continuing with Ladyhawke, her single Back Of The Van hit the ’sphere late 2007. You can hear a bit of The Police in the guitar and a little Cindy Lauper in the vocals, with a great production sheen filling it all out.

Ladyhawke, Back Of The Van

download: Embrace (ft. Ladyhawke)
download: Back Of The Van

myspace:
Ladyhawke | Pnau

1. David Fullarton’s ‘more regrettable incidents in a life filled with bitter remorse’ is scrapbook making at its finest.

2. This Arcade Fire song might sound better without drums, and some nice videography.

3. Photographer/Performance Artist Lilly Mcelroy throws herself at men.

4. Truck Bearing Kibble is a web comic that is peculiar, deviant, and funny.

Through the crackles of the AM radio dial, I would be hard pressed to place Mono In VCF in a scene, or a decade. It is an old and thick sound; the scrapings of dried bourbon under an analog envelope filter you found in Phil Spectors attic. Be careful when you are milling around those dusty digs.

Mono In VCF’s self-titled record hit mailboxes last week on Stylo Music.

Mono In VCF, Masha

Mono In VCF, Key To The House

download: Masha
download: Key To The House

official | myspace | previous

Scene 1 kicks off Brazilian and remixer Gui Boratto’s latest record Chromophobia, released a year ago this month on Kompakt. The tones are bright, the synths sound like strings, and the sun is starting to breach the early evening.

Gui Boratto, Scene 1

download: Scene 1

official | myspace

Pittsburgh’s Howlermonkey crafts thick creations. He recently dropped the ‘DJ’ from his moniker, added vocalist Rebecca Bortman, and is straying from the remixes that set him on his path. Life On The Beat Part 1 & 2 shows him looking back for inspiration, borrowing the droning synthscape of The Eurythmics’s Here Comes The Rain Again to lurk underneath his new creation.

Howlermonkey, Life On The Beat Part 1 & 2

download: Life On The Beat

The Life On The Beat ep, should be out sometime this year according to his myspace page. Listen to more choice tracks on your visit.

Luciana has a captivating voice, perfect for the slow burn repertoire on her latest album The New Bossa Nova, released last summer. Light some candles, pour some wine.

Luciana Souza, You And The Girl

download: You And The Girl

official