The Thermals
The Thermals 6th album, Desperate Ground, came out this week.
This Portland, Oregon trio is as powerful and pertinent as ever.
“The Sunset” is the single.
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stones Age, led by the multi-talented Josh Homme, release their 6th album in June.
We’ve waited 6 years for …Like Clockwork and guest appearances will range from Trent Reznor to Elton John.
“My God is the Sun” is the first single.
Zooey and Jared
Many musicians have gone on to have successful careers in film, from Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley to Will Smith and Justin Timberlake.
But I can think of only two film stars who have crossed-over and prospered in music: Zooey Deschanel and Jared Leto. This is not to say that some actors are not accomplished musicians, but rather their musical pursuits are more of an avocation. Only Zooey and Jared have flourished as full-fledged musical stars.
Zooey performs with M. Ward as the band She & Him and Jared with 30 Seconds to Mars.
They both have new albums due in May and we feature a track from each.
She & Him “Never Wanted Your Love” (Volume 3)
30 Seconds to Mars “Up in the Air” (Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams)
The National
We’ve waited almost 3 years since High Violet, the brilliant album from The National.
Fortunately the wait is almost over as Trouble Will Find Me is due in late May.
“Don’t Swallow the Cap” is the first single.
Coachella
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is set to begin tomorrow for two long weekends in the desert in California.
The lineup is mammoth as always and Spin is offering a mixtape of some of our favorite indie bands.
Download your free Coachella songs here.
1. Shovels & Rope – “Birmingham”
2. Thee Oh Sees – “Toe Cutter – Thumb Buster”
3. Polica – “Dark Star”
4. Cloud Nothings – “Stay Useless”
5. White Arrows – “I Can Go”
6. Youth Lagoon – “Dropla”
7. The Descendents – “Cool to Be You”
8. Kill the Noise – “Mosh It Up”
9. Dog Blood – “Next Order”
10. SpaceGhostPurrp – “Starz”
Frightened Rabbit
Our favorite Scottish band, Frightened Rabbit, have a new album.
Pedestrian Verse includes the song “State Hospital” which you heard here last year.
“The Woodpile” is the featured single.
Youth Lagoon
Youth Lagoon is Trevor Powers from Boise, Idaho.
His sophomore release Wondrous Bughouse lives up to its name, both wondrous and uniquely exotic.
“Mute” is just one example.
M83
M83, the French electronic band led by Anthony Gonzales, gave us Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming in 2011. It proved to be one of the best double LP’s in recent memory.
Of late Gonzales has been working with composer Joseph Trapanese on the film score for the Tom Cruise sci-fi thriller Oblivion.
M83 has created the title song for the movie. “Oblivion” features the vocals of Norwegian singer Susanne Sundfør.
Palma Violets
Palma Violets is an indie rock quartet out of London. Definitely a band to contend with.
Their debut album, 180, has recently been released featuring the tremendous song “Best of Friends”.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) rose to prominence in 1980 with the song “Enola Gay”. This synthpop gem was guaranteed to fill New Wave dance floors.
The band, originally founded by Andy McCluskey (vocals, bass guitar) and Paul Humphreys (keyboards, vocals), continued on and off for years, finally disbanding in 1996 only to reform 10 years later.
Their 2nd album since reformation, English Electric, is due in a couple of weeks.
“Metroland”, the new single, has that classic OMD sound.
“Enola Gay”
“Metroland”
Portugal. The Man
Portugal. The Man take a decidedly daring turn with their new album.
Produced by the renowned Danger Mouse, Evil Friends has an unexpected but compelling edge.
“Evil Friends” is also the title of the first single.
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend has already given us two terrific albums and from the sound of it Modern Vampires of the City will make it 3.
Due in May, we have the delectable first song “Diane Young”.
David Bowie
As we mentioned yesterday, The Next Day is David Bowie’s new album and his first in 10 years.
Throughout his illustrious career he has given us seminal songs and images that have become imbedded in rock’s vocabulary. He has also been a personal inspiration for me.
The Next Day is Bowie in full maturity and works wonderfully as an album. Yes, there are selected singles but the record needs to be absorbed from beginning to end.
That being said, through multiple listenings different songs emerge as favorites.
Today I am enthralled by a song near the end of the album “You Feel So Lonely You Could Die”.
David Bowie
Truly one of the greatest musical artists of all-time, David Bowie’s body of work continues to expand.
Who else has had a career of such diversity, challenge and interest?
Constantly redefining himself, Bowie’s various incarnations have become iconoclastic in the musical world. His oeuvre is filled with memorable songs, striking characters and formidable collaborations. And while some of his explorations have not been wildly successful, his evolution has always been fascinating, forever enhanced by the beauty of his tenor.
His gorgeous new album The Next Day is his first in 10 years. He has been busy with other projects in the interim but we have missed his music.
We spotlighted “Where Are We Now?” in January.
“The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” is the latest single and video (starring Tilda Swinton).
Tomorrow more music from The Next Day.