Ra Ra Riot have recently announced the follow-up to their incredible 2008 release, The Rhumb Line. The Orchard comes out August 24th via Barsuk Records, a label that’s been churning out some great releases this past year (see: Rocky Votolato’s True Devotion and Phantogram’s Eyelid Movies-not to mention they’ll be putting out the new Maps and Atlases full-length as well). The track listing for The Orchard comes courtesy of Pitchfork.

01 The Orchard
02 Boy
03 Too Dramatic
04 Foolish
05 Massachusetts
06 You and I Know
07 Shadowcasting
08 Do You Remember
09 Kansai
10 Keep It Quiet

In anticipation of their highly anticipated follow-up Sea of Cowards, the Dead Weather have decided to stream the album on their website. You’ll quickly notice that when you log onto the website to listen, that it’s being broadcasted in real time, and on vinyl. The live-vinyl stream will be up all the way through 1 pm tomorrow. The band will also be performing Sea of Cowards live, and as a full band on Monday at 6pm, on their Myspace. In the age of inevitable album leaks, it’s nice to see a band take steps to not only to avoid a leak, but still offer people a chance to hear the album early, and in such an innovative way. Sea of Cowards drops May 11th, and that date could not come soon enough. Log onto their website to give the album an early listen, and in the mean time, check out all of these amazing live videos from bands stunning performance at this year’s Coachella.

Chicago’s Maps and Atlases have finally announced their Barsuk Records debut, which will be called Perch Patchwork. The album is slated to drop on June 29th, and it was recorded by Jason Cupp. A new song entitled “Solid Ground” gives us a glimpse of whats to come from the follow up to 2008′s You and Me and the Mountain, and it can be heard here. The band will also be opening for Frightened Rabbit on their up and coming headlining tour. Get excited.

Good things really do happen to good people. Portugal the Man have just signed a deal with Atlantic Records. While a lot of people might be skeptical of something like this (myself included), just reading over this message that singer John Gourley posted on the band’s website just reassures all of my confidence in this band, and gets rid of any doubt that I could possibly have. They have done things their own way for a long time, and it’s wonderful that people are finally starting to take notice. Congratulations to the band on their much earned success, and check out these incredible live videos/interview. After seeing this band live numerous times, and watching videos like this, I always end up asking myself why this band isn’t the biggest band in the world.

“You prove to us every day that there is a reason we are doing this. I realize I have used the word “lucky” far too many times in writing this. It is not luck we have found, it is something real and something that I fully believe in and we are doing it together. Thank you again and again for everything you have all done with this band. Let’s continue to believe in this and continue to take our steps one at a time.” -John Gourley

James Mercer and Danger Mouse will take their project Broken Bells on the road this Spring/early summer, with the Morning Benders as direct support. Both bands have new releases that they will be touring off of, and both are definitely worth check out if you haven’t already.

(check out this live video of Broken Bells performing on Letterman a couple weeks ago-it’s great)

Broken Bells:

05-18 San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay *
05-19 Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda Theatre *
05-21 San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom *
05-24 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom *
05-25 Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market *
05-26 Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore Ballroom *
05-29 Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre *
05-31 Chicago, IL – Vic Theater *
06-01 Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall *
06-02 Toronto, Ontario – Queen Elizabeth Theatre *
06-04 Boston, MA - Royale NightClub *
06-05 New York, NY – The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza *
06-06 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory *
06-07 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club *
06-10 Atlanta, GA – Center Stage *
06-11 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club *

* with the Morning Benders

I will be the first to admit that I am late to the PJ Bond party, but it’s better to be late than not show up at all, right? PJ Bond’s You Didn’t Know I Was Alphabetical came out this past November, and is his first official solo release. He has played in numerous bands as a touring musician, but finally put an album under his own name.

It’s easy to lump Bond in a category with likings of: Rocky Votolato, Ryan Adams, and Uncle Tupelo-however, he has a refreshing approach to the singer-songwriter genre, that allows him to successfully stand all on his own. Songs like the album’s opener “You, Too,” “Mama, I’m a Smoker,” and “Quiet or Loud” are all Bond at his most vulnerable, with just him and his guitar (and maybe a little slide guitar thrown in every now and again as well). Then there are other tracks like “Stop Being Bad” and “Grow Your Smile Wide” that incorporate a full band and complement those stripped down songs very nicely.

I have been obsessed with this album ever since a friend recommended it to me about two weeks ago, which only makes me  want to see Bond perform in a live setting. However, just as my luck would have it, he is currently  traveling the world and randomly playing shows along the way. He has been documenting his travels through his blog, which is also very entertaining to read. I am going to post a full stream of You Didn’t Know I Was Alphabetical right under my ramblings, and if you like it, go purchase it here and support this great artist. I dare you to try and listen to “Stop Being Bad” just one time through.

In keeping with the spirit of anticipation for up and coming Spring/Summer releases, New Jersey’s The Gaslight Anthem have just dropped the title track off of their album American Slang. American Slang is the follow up to 2008′s The ’59 Sound, which was extremely well-received. The band draws on various influences to create their distinct sound; which can range all the way from Tom Waits and Otis Redding, to Tom Petty and The Clash. However, the band is more well-known for being compared to fellow New Jersey native; Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen even joined the band on stage at last years Glastonbury Festival, to perform “The ’59 Sound.” American Slang drops June 15th via SideOneDummy, and the band is slated to appear at a handful of early Summer festivals, all of which can be found on the band’s website.

I first saw Portugal the Man back in the summer of 2006, opening for some very mediocre bands, in a tiny club. They had caught my attention with the release of their first album Waiter: “You Vultures,” and my young ears had never heard anything quite like it. Their oddly-captivating live show had also gotten my attention, and put it in a strangle hold. Back then they were still a young band, and I had no idea what they would be capable of accomplishing, or what the future would have in store for them. Now four short years later, and five full-lengths, yes five full-lengths later (and various EPs and digital singles), Portugal the Man have established themselves as living proof that a band with a driving work ethic can release amazing music, without compromising their creativity.

The band dropped American Ghetto on March 2nd, which was the follow-up to magnificently Paul Q. Kolderie (The Pixies, Radiohead) produced, and well received, The Satanic Satanist. The Satanic Satanist was only released in July of 2009, which is an insanely short time-frame to release a follow-up when you put things into perspective, but something that Portugal the Man has done consistently throughout their entire career. For a band to put out an album every year (two in 2009 if you include The Majestic Majesty which is the acoustic accompaniment to The Satanic Satanist) in the awful climate that is the music industry today, is an accomplishment all in itself which should be applauded. This rings especially true when every album grows exceptionally stronger than the last.

American Ghetto picks up right where The Satanic Satanist left off, which is a blend of progressive indie, and smooth electronic drum machines that meets some sampling and looping. However, where The Satanic Satanist was more of a fast-paced, driving rocker of an album, American Ghetto slows things down a bit gets way more soulful. Tracks like “Fantastic Pace,” “The Pushers Party,” and “Some Men” are fine examples of vocalist John Baldwin Gourley utilizing his voice and creating unique vocal melodies that seem to come out of nowhere, but yet will be stuck in your head for days. His vocals on this album sound more like the kind that can be found on an R &B or hip-hop record. It’s incredibly intoxicating.

Other tracks like the album’s opener “The Dead Dog,” “60 Years,” and the closer “When the War Ends,” are much more guitar and riff heavy. Various synth and keyboard arrangements are also scattered throughout the entire record to act as the glue, and brings everything together. A song like “1000 Years” takes all of the various elements that can be found on the album and embodies what I feel is the entire spirit of the record.

If you’re still reading this rather lengthy post, and haven’t already guessed, this is one of my favorite bands whom I deeply admire. Their ability to release so much music, with so much substance is unparalleled. I cannot think of another band today for whom I share this admiration for. I have seen Portugal the Man six times and will see them again for a seventh later this week, which is something I am very much looking forward to. They have gone from opening small dive bars to headlining and selling out substantially larger venues, which will take them all the way to California this April to play Coachella. They are true artists and deserve all of their much earned success. Go do yourself a favor and buy American Ghetto, or simply any other of their releases here. You will not be disappointed.

Tour Dates:

3/11 Orlando, FL @ The Social

3/12 Elkton, FL @ Harvest of Hope Festival

3/13 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl

3/18 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

3/19 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom

3/20 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small’s Theatre

3/21 Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century Theatre

3/24 Columbia, MO @ Mojo’s

3/26 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre

3/27 Vail, CO @ The Sandbar

3/28 Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen

4/13 Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall

4/14 Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre

4/17 Indio, CA @ Coachella Music and Arts Festival

4/22 Anchorage, AK @ Bear Tooth Theatre

Florida natives Look Mexico have just released their Suburban Records debut To Bed To Battle. The record is a melodic ten song journey, which proves to be an easy and enjoyable listen. Chances are, most of you probably have never even heard of Look Mexico, but do not fret.

To Bed To Battle is the band’s second full-length, and also comes after the release of several EPs. To Bed To Battle was recorded last summer in the band’s home state of Florida, in the basement of a pizza shop. The band’s first single and opening track off of the record “You stay. I go. No following” is an intense introduction to the album, and offers a glimpse of whats to come on the remainder of the album. The accompanying music video (which is excellent as well) can be viewed here.

To avoid confusion, it should be cleared up that To Bed To Battle is a straight-up, rock and roll record. However, there are songs on the album that take an acoustic, and more folksy route, which could potentially even be categorized into the “ballads” (gasp!) category.  Such songs are “Take It Upstairs, Einstein,” and the standout track “They Only Take the Backroads.”

What Look Mexico does so beautifully on To Bed To Battle, is take emotionally charged rock songs and incorporate incredible instrumentation. The band uses horns, steel pedal guitar, organ, violin and cello, as well as electric piano throughout the entire record. By using this eclectic mix of instruments, it allows each song to have it’s own unique feel, without straying or taking away from the the overall cohesion  of the entire album.

Tracks like “They Offered Me a Deal (I Said No, Naturally)” and the albums epic closer “Just Like Old Times” sound huge, and spices up the album just enough. Look Mexico is an outstanding example of a modern rock band, doing their own thing, and doing it the right way. The physical release of To Bed To Battle comes out at the end of March, but you are able to pre-order it now and instantly download the album digitally (320 Kbps), or simply just purchase it digitally. By pre-ordering it on vinyl, you will also receive a button and beer coozie, and the deluxe pre-order includes a shirt, a coozie, as well as a pint glass (awesome right?) Pre-orders can be found here. I would suggest physically purchasing this album just for the incredible album artwork, which elegantly complements it.

Spring is nearly upon us, and there is an abundance of new music being released to help us all smoothly transition from the cold, and into the sunshine.

This past week, Minus the Bear announced details on their Dangerbird Records debut, entitled OMNI. The album drops on May 4th, and it was recorded by  Grammy Award winning producer, Joe Chiccarelli (My Morning Jacket, The White Stripes). You can grab the first single off of OMNI called “My Time” for free right here, and pre-order it as well on the same page.

The Black Keys have also just announced their follow-up to their 2008 effort Attack & Release, which is being named Brothers. Brothers is going to be released on May 18th. The band has also just released a few new tour dates for the up and coming months, which will lead up to the release of Brothers. Those can be found here.

Band of Horses will release Infinite Arms, on an as of yet unnamed label, and is also due out on May 18th. Infinite Arms was produced by Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, The Shins). The band has just announced their Spring touring plans for the next few months, which can all be found here.

So get excited for the warm weather, and all of these excellent releases.

Note: The thumbnail is a painting by an excellent artist named Matt Gauck-definitely check his work out.

1. Minus the Bear-Broken China

1. The Flaming Lips-The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine

1. Colour Revolt-Naked and Red

But thankfully, you can still listen to his show via this link.

LISTEN HERE. LIVE 11AM to 1PM.
a window will pop-up and just open the stream with your itunes.