Fleet Foxes Announce New Album

Fleet Foxes announced big things today. First of all their new record will be available on May 3rd of this year and they announced tour dates and will be coming to Boston on May 17th. I couldn't be more excited. To add to the excitement they are also giving away a brand spanking new song and the title track of the album, "Helplessness Blues". It's fantastic.

 Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues 

Tour Dates on sale 2/1/11: (after the jump)

Alexi Murdoch - Towards The Sun

Alexi Murdoch is back and already selling out shows in February and March. His critically acclaimed E.P., Four Songs, came out in 2002 with the song "Orange Sky" which was then featured on various t.v. shows including the O.C. His debut album in 2006 did very well but since then he has laid low, only showing up to work on the 2009  soundtrack for Away We Go with 10 of the 13 songs being his. His new album set to be released on March 8th is one to be on the lookout for. Have a listen to the title track. After the jump are his tour dates.

Towards The Sun

Dutchess & The Duke

The Dutchess & The Duke released their sophomore album Sunset/Sunrise in 2009 but I just started listening to it this week and really liked the way their voices harmonize. They remind me a bit of Cotton Jones. Give it a listen. Buy it on Amazon.

Living This Life

Hands

Los Rakas - Abrazame ft. Faviola

Is there anything better than this song on a Friday morning? I think not. I love this beat and can't get it out of my head. It definitely can put a bounce in your step. Los Rakas are originally from Panama but are now based out of California. You can get a bunch of their songs and remixes from their bandcamp page, including some free albums. This song will make the cold melt away. Enjoy it and happy friday!

Los Rakas - Abrazame ft Faviola

Listen Local: Marc Pinansky

Give it up for the best beard on the local music scene, belonging to Marc Pinansky.  I've seen him as an opening act a couple of times and while he tends to just sit on a stool and strum his guitar, he has the ability to catch the gathering crowd's attention every time. Maybe it's the power of the beard, or the boyish grin he sports when he gets the applause, but it's most likely his easy-going songs that will have you swaying along in no time that do the trick.

All of his music is now on bandcamp and very much worth checking out. Get his song "Big Ol' Bull" for free. He is currently touring around New York and will stop back in Boston for a show with Mason Jennings on February 12th (sorry it's sold out) before he takes off to Vermont for some more shows. Here's one of my favorite songs, but be sure to check out the rest of his offerings, especially his latest EP, January. 

Noisetrade Music: Andrew Belle

Noise Trade, it is a service for artists to put out their music for their fans. In return for an email address and helps promote their music with a tweet or a facebook message prompt. You also have the option of leaving a "tip" for the artist as well. It is a little more forceful than bandcamp but doesn't quite have the large array (mostly singer/songwriters) of artists on it. However, I think this service is one that should be highlighted so I'd like to point you towards some albums that are for "free" this month but I encourage you to leave a tip or find a way to support the artist. Get tunes after the jump.

Corinne Bailey Rae - The Love E.P.

 Corinne Bailey Rae - I Wanna Be Your Lover 

I seriously need to start a feature based on these types of songs called something like "pantie dancers" eww...or "dancin' in your underoos" or "no pants dance"....good brainstorming sesh, I think that's settled then.You know those songs that you just want to blast at max volume in the morning to put you in a good mood while you shake it in front of the mirror? Songs that fit the No Pants Dance bill can range from super cheesy to just completely amazing blow your mind jams. After a bad day at work I've been known to do a no pants dance with a glass of whiskey in my hand, the roommates love coming home to that one. But whatever floats your boat, just know that a No Pants Dance has the power to turn your day around (as most pantsless activies can). It is very much inspired by this clip of Cameron Diaz's no pants dance in Charlie's Angels. 

So getting to the point and song at hand...Corinne Bailey Rae released a precious little E.P., "The Love E.P." this week, and this jam/cover of Prince's "I Wanna Be Your Lover" is totally worthy of a no pants dance. This is not the first time a Corinne Bailey Rae song has inspired a no pants dance either, her breakout hit "Put Your Records On" was a HUGE no pants dance song for months for me. I am also a big fan of her cover of "Is this love?" by Bob Marley, also on the new EP.
After the jump check out some previous No Pants Dance songs from the past.

Hezekiah Jones - Mind Malaise

I was checking up on Yer Bird Records and saw a brand new track from Philly's Hezekiah Jones from his album that will be released March 29th. It is an album that is mostly reworked songs from previous releases, along with a cover of Chris Bathgates' The Last Parade on Anne St.  Lots of good albums seem to be scheduled for that week, mark your calendars.

Hezekiah Jones - Mind Malaise

Twilight Hotel - Mahogany Veneer

Official | Buy

"Mahogany Veneer" is an outstanding track from Twilight Hotel's latest album When the Wolves Go Blind, released just this week. From the quiet softness of the banjo being plucked, the slight waiver in his voice when he sings, nearly whispering at the end, "my old life fell away like mahogany veneer", to the cities it takes you, every inch and aspect of this song is perfect. It sounds like a hymn for marching into the future, quietly urging you to keep going with a heavy dose of nostalgia for the places and events of the past.

This song absolutely crushes me. I haven't felt like this since the first time I heard Sharon Van Etten. Each time the song comes to an end I realize I've been holding my breath. It's truly affecting. Before I blather on any more I suggest you listen to this right away.

Mahogany Veneer

"We scanned our new horizons and the vastness made us weep."

J Mascis - Not Enough

J Mascis, the founder of Dinosaur Jr., will be releasing a solo album via Sub Pop records, which is kind of amazing especially since it is mostly acoustic and not one of his many side projects. It's his longingly raspy vocals that have always attracted me to his music, even though most people would jump on his superior guitar  and song writing skills, it's that voice that does it for me. The album will be released March 15th. This song is hardly enough to tide me over.

J Mascis - Not Enough