Music Under Fire

Tokyo Police Club's release of Elephant Shell last week had us all giddy and all that I could possibly ask for would be remixes (which I'm sure will come forward) or some videos. Thankfully enough, our favorite song from Elephant Shell, "Tessellate" now has a video. Since we all love ratings, I'll give this one a 6.5 out of 10, although the song itself still deserves a perfect score.

MP3: Tokyo Police Club - Tessellate (buy)

Upcoming Tour Dates:
May 2-3 Toronto, ON @ Opera House
May 8 Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Theatre
May 9 Saskatoon, SK @ Louis' Pub
May 10-11 Calgary, AB @ The Warehouse
May 12 Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
May 14 Kelowna, BC @ The Habitat
May 16 Vancouver, BC @ Plaza Club
May 17 Victoria, BC @ Sugar Nightclub

Video: Tokyo Police Club - Tessellate

Since the inception of the idea that Coldplay would release an album dating all the way back to the beginning of 2007 kept their fans bubbling with enthusiasm over the course of the last extended year, and just as the band promised, we get a sneak peek at Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends thanks to Coldplay's generosity. Let's get right to it - you can download "Violet Hill" right now and for FREE as the air you breathe by visiting Coldplay.com and entering your email address. Its as simple as that. As for the song itself, we'll restrain ourselves and just say its quite good in a new Coldplay sort-of-way.

The artwork you see above is the painting 'Liberty Leading The People' by famous French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix. For you history buffs, Delacroix created the painting in 1830. It depicts a three-day uprising by republicans that took place in Paris near Delacroix's painting studio.The main character seen on the album cover is Marianne, the symbol of the French nation. The painting is currently on display in the Louvre gallery in Paris. "Viva La Vida" means "Long Live Life".

Coldplay will also be playing a free show at Brixton Academy, London on Monday, June 16th as well as another free show in NYC at Madison Square Garden on June 23rd. Check back on Coldplay's website for more details.

In the meantime, check out this rare live song recorded at the Bell Centre in Montreal, which dates back to 2003.

MP3: Coldplay - Ladder To The Sun (live)

http://www.coldplay.com/
http://www.myspace.com/coldplay
http://last.fm/music/Coldplay

Hardly getting to go through all of last week's strong releases, we are back again with another list of hopeful albums from many solid artists. Headlining the list for the week includes Augustana, Santogold, Portishead, Run Kid Run, South and The New Frontiers.

As many recall, it was two and a half years ago when Augustana released All the Stars and Boulevards, which featured "Boston". Their new Can't Love, Can't Hurt album will be aiming to slightly change that sound.

The highly hyped Santogold, or Santi White for the lay person, has released her self-titled album today. Previously she worked with artists Lily Allen, Res and Ashley Simpson by means of writing and producing tracks.

Portishead is releasing their first album since their self-titled album in 1997 with Third while Run Kid Run (This Is Who We Are) is releasing their sophomore album, Love at the Core, and The New Frontiers is releasing their debut album, Mending.

Lastly, from the UK, South makes their appearance with You Are Here. This is their first freshest material since 2004 and their new album really hits the spot.

MP3: The New Frontiers - Mirrors (buy)
MP3: Santogold - XXX Change Remix (free download here)
MP3: South - Better Things (buy)
MP3: Langhorn Slim - Rebel Side of Heaven (buy)
MP3: Heloise and the Savoir Faire - Downtown (buy)

65daysofstatic - The Distant and Mechanized Glow of Eastern European Dance Parties EP (Official) (MySpace)
Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt (Official) (MySpace)
Awesome Color - Electric Aborigines (Official) (MySpace)
Backseat Goodbye - Dressed Up Like Dreams (Official) (MySpace)
Boris - Smile (Official)
Carly Simon - This Kind of Love (Official) (MySpace)
Cloudland Canyon - Lie in Light (Official) (MySpace)
Constantines - Kensington Heights (Official) (MySpace)
David Karsten Daniels - Fear of Flying (Official) (MySpace)
Def Leppard - Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (Official)
Dizzee Rascal - Maths+English (Official) (MySpace)
Estelle - Shine (Official) (MySpace)
Foxboro Hot Tubs - Stop Drop and Roll (Official) (MySpace)
Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight (Official) (MySpace)
Ghost of a Stranger - Hers and Yours (MySpace)
Heloise and the Savior Fare - Trash, Rats and Microphones (Official) (MySpace)
Jamie Lidell - Jim (Official) (MySpace)
Langhorne Slim - Langhorne Slim (Official) (MySpace)
Madonna - Hard Candy (Official)
Make Believe - Going to the Bone Church (Official) (MySpace)
Mindless Self Indulgence - If (Official) (MySpace)
Mudcrutch - Mudcrutch (Official)
Nerf Herder - IV (Official) (MySpace)
New Found Glory - Tip of the Iceberg EP (MySpace)
New Frontiers - Mending (Official) (MySpace)
Portishead - Third (Official) (MySpace)
Quarter After - Too Much To Think About 7" (Official) (MySpace)
Robyn - Robyn (Official) (MySpace)
Run Kid Run - Love at the Core (Official) (MySpace)
Santogold - Santogold (MySpace)
Sea Of Treachery - At Daggers Drawn (MySpace)
Steve Winwood - Nine Lives (Official) (MySpace)
The Cab - Whisper War (Official) (MySpace)
The Roots - Rising Down (Official) (MySpace)
Forever The Sickest Kids - Underdog Alma Mater (MySpace)
Tickley Feather - Tickley Feather (MySpace)
We Shot The Moon - Fear and Love (Official) (MySpace)

DCFC just posted their songs for the 'Daytrotter Sessions' on Daytrotter.com. Available for FREE are six tracks from Gibbard & Co., including the already leaked "Cath..." and our first listen in on "Talking Bird" from Narrow Stairs.

Here's the tracklisting for the Daytrotter Sessions:

1) A Movie Script Ending
2) Cath
3) Styrofoam Plates
4) Talking Bird
5) The New Year
6) Why You'd Want To Live Here

MP3: Death Cab For Cutie - Talking Bird (Daytrotter Sessions)

To download all of the tracks, go to Daytrotter's Official Post.

Bell X1 were overwhelmingly received on their first tour when they took the trip from Dublin to the States, so much that they've decided to revisit many of the cities they loved the most. They will circle back around after they're done touring Europe on their last stop in Copenhagen, then will start their second US tour with Boston and ending Pittsburgh. Bell X1 will also be performing on the Craig Ferguson show tonight at 12:30 from a show taped about a month ago.

MP3: Bell X1 - Bigger Than Me (buy)

Their tour dates are as follows:

May 2008
2 Munich, DE - Atomic Cafe
3 Nürnberg, DE - Hirsch, w/Nada Surf
4 Aschaffenburg, DE - Colos-saal, w/Nada Surf
5Cologne, DE - Luxor Tickets
6 Luxembourg, LU - Den Atelier, w/Nada Surf
7 Utrecht, NL - Tivoli, w/Nada Surf
11 Copenhagen, DK - Rust
16 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
17 Annapolis, MD - Rams Head
18 Charleston, WV - NPR’s Mountainstage
20 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
22 Atlanta, GA - Vinyl
23 Orlando FL - The Social
25 Nashville,TN - 3rd & Lindsley
27 Columbus, OH - The Basement
28 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
29 Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café

June 2008
3 Wash, DC - 9:30 Club
4 New York, NY - Fillmore @ Irving Plaza

With a spastic energy akin to Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse, The Sweet Serenades continue to form the mold of their Swedish indie pop day by day and new listener by new listener. Riding the release of their First Taste EP last year and invigorated by a new album slated for release in September of this year, the duo from Stockholm are on the move.

First meeting back to 1991, frontmen Martin Nordvall (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Mathias Näslund (lead guitar) didn't materialize The Sweet Serenades until 2002. With the aid of various friends on all of their "guest" instruments, the guys mesh emotions of sexual frustration, failed relationships and an overall enjoyment of their creations in their songs.

Claiming influences from The Boss, Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon, Stones and The Hives to name a few bands, The Sweet Serenades will be releasing their first full-length album off of Leon Records. They can also be found on myspace.

Although currently recording the new album, Nordvall will be touring as the bassist with Pelle Carlberg in Germany. Check out Pelle here.

MP3: The Sweet Serenades - I Can Never Die (buy)
MP3: The Sweet Serenades - First Taste of Trouble (buy)

Before I get into all of this, be sure to enter our Ragged/Filter contest - we're giving out a bunch of free goodies, so don't miss out!

Now, on to our mix. Our third installment of the weekend mix is a particularly good one and includes a lot of music from the UK, per usual. You may have perused our new music this week and noticed we were talked up Tokyo Police Club quite a bit. No album this year hit me quite the same as this one - its a singing, clap-fest of an album, filled with all of those earnest indie confections other bands can't seem to scrape up. Or maybe its just "Tessellate" that made it for me. I see no reason why this won't be a top 10 song for me this year.

Other groups to note on this list are Delorentos, whose song "Do You Realise" is one of our Songs of the Week this time around. Their song "Eustace Street" reminds me a bit of The Cinematics, who we were able to see open up for Mute Math last year. Also, check out Annual's "Sore". There's something truly unique about this song style, this song in particular keeps showing up on the good ol' iPod.

The longest song out of the bunch is Sonic Flyer's "Overseas", whose London, UK sound has been stuck in my head all week. The shimmering guitars and that little guitar diddy they do every minute or so make this song for me. And lastly, take a closer look at The Coast as well as The Courteneer's acoustic version of "Not Nineteen Forever". Enjoy the list!

MP3: Tokyo Police Club - Tessellate (buy)
MP3: The Courteeners - Not Nineteen Forever (acoustic) (UK store)
MP3: Camphor - Confidence Shattered (buy)
MP3: Annuals - Sore (buy)
MP3: Delorentos - Eustace Street (buy)
MP3: Bridges and Power Lines - The Golden Age (buy)
MP3: Cloud Cult - Chain Reaction (buy)
MP3: My Brightest Diamond - Inside A Boy (buy)
MP3: Sonic Flyer - Overseas (buy)
MP3: The Coast - Nueva York (buy)
MP3: The Dears - Lost In The Plot (buy)
MP3: The Details - The Height of Land (buy)
MP3: The Dimes - Delilah (buy)
MP3: Driving By Night - Fears of Men (buy)

Arbor Day (4/25) isn't something we normally celebrate, but it makes for a great playlist opportunity that we couldn't pass up. Since we missed out on Earth Day (4/22), we threw in an Earth theme as well. First place for the best tree song goes to Rush. You rock.

So grab some seeds, maybe a beer and some mulch and enjoy our list. Happy Arbor Day.

MP3: Rush - The Trees (buy)
Trees rock!
MP3: Sea Wolf - Leaves In The River (buy)
This was such an easy pick. Leaves In The River is pretty much a metaphor for Arbor Day.
MP3: Matt Pond PA - The Trees and the Wild (buy)
If Matt Pond sings about trees, so should you.
MP3: The A-Sides - We're the Trees (buy)
MP3: Silversun Pickups - Three Seed (buy)
Amazing song, amazing album, amazing band. And this song might have something to do with trees. We're not totally sure.
MP3: Embrace - Nature's Law (buy)
MP3: City & Colour - In The Water I Am Beautiful (buy)
MP3: The Album Leaf - Eastern Glow (buy)
MP3: MGMT - Kids (buy)
The randomness of MGMT sticks well. "A family of trees wanted, to be haunted"
MP3: Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees (acoustic) (buy)
Picture above from the "Paranoid Android" video if you didn't know.
MP3: Dredg - Planting Seeds (buy)
"I'm good at planting my own seeds..." Good to know.
MP3: The Academy Is... - Seed (buy)
MP3: Frog Eyes - Bushels (buy)
"Give the birch birch back it's swing" for crying out loud
MP3: The American Analog Set - The Green Green Grass (buy)
One of my favorite bands. They obviously love grass.

UK based The Bees (AKA "A Band of Bees" ) made a little bit of news this week with their split EP with California quartet, The Mother Hips. This is their latest music since their much acclaimed Octopus album (Astralwerks) which vocalist and producer Paul Butler built his own studio with founding friend and Bees member, Aaron Fletcher.

By now you've probably heard "Listening Man", the song that linked over 60 years of music, all combined into one solid, new age, yet timeless track. If not, we suggest you listen to the stream on the band's official site (which is subsequently under contruction for... something new?)

Their Split EP features two fresh tracks, one from each party:

1) The Bees - "Papa Echo"
2) The Mother Hips - "Childish Dreams"

The Bees also got Ashley Beedle to remix their song "Better Days" from their Octopus album. Check it out:

MP3: The Bees - (This Is For The) Better Days (Ashley Beedle Remix) (buy)

Links: Official Site, MySpace and Last.fm

Another indie band signs to a major label and this time around, its Dirty Projectors who made it. A report from Billboard.com says the band will be under the UK-based Domino Records.

Dirty Projectors hail from Brooklyn, NY under the direction of Dave Longstreth, a former Yale student. Their lo-fi sound has given the band a unique sound which has garnered enough of a following to give attention to their biggest success Rise Above, released last year.

Domino has signed many artists whose name would ring familiar, particularly The Notwist, Ulrich Schnauss, Animal Collective, Caribou, The Kills, Lightspeed Champion, Elliott Smith and more recently Silver Jews.

Check them out on MySpace or their Official Site.

MP3: Dirty Projectors - Rise Above (buy)

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Apr 25 2008 8:00P Edinburgh, Scotland
Apr 26 2008 8:00P Glasgow, Scotland
Apr 27 2008 8:00P Aberdeen, Scotland
Apr 30 2008 - whelans Dublin (IR)
May 1 2008 - Roisin Dubh Galway (IR)
May 2 2008 - Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Belfast (IR)
May 3 2008 - futuresonic festival Manchester (UK)
May 7 2008 - Paradiso Amsterdam (NE)
May 8 2008 - Nouveau Casino Paris (FR)
May 9 2008 - The Dome Kentish Town London (UK)
May 10 2008 - ATP v pitchfork festival Camber Sands, East
May 11 2008 - Les Nuits de Botanique Brussels (BE)
May 12 2008 - De Kreun Kortrijk (BE)
May 14 2008 - astoria w battles London
May 31 2008 - primavera sound Barcelona (ES)
June 6 2008 - Galeria Ze Dos Bois Lisbon (PT)
June 7 2008 - Club Vademecum Vigo (ES)
June 8 2008 - Serralves Em Festa Porto (PT)
Aug 7 2008 - Haldern Pop Rees-Haldern (DE)
Aug 8 2008 - Les Nuits Secrets Festival Aulnoye-Aymeries (FR)
Aug 9 2008 - Field Day London (UK)
Aug 10 2008 - Summer Sundae Weekender Leichester (UK)

While on the road for the Honda Civic Tour, Motion City Soundtrack have announced that they will be releasing their first-ever acoustic EP on May 6, which will feature five songs from their Even If It Kills Me album (9/07).

MSC, which is known best for their live shows with rollercoaster synth sounds and memorable lyrics, previously released Commit This To Memory (2005) and I Am The Movie (2003). They are currently touring with Panic! At the Disco, The Hush Sound and Phantom Planet, all of whom have released albums within the past month and a half. The tour ends June 14. For more tour dates, click here.

Here are the track listings for the Acoustic EP:
1) Fell In Love Without You
2) It Had To Be You
3) Broken Heart
4) Can't Finish What You Started
5) Point Of Extinction

MP3: Motion City Soundtrack - When You're Around (acoutic) (buy)
MP3: Motion City Soundtrack - Sunday Warning (acoustic) (buy)

With a free issue of RAGGED Issue #4, giveaways for several lucky fans and intriguing artists to listen to, MusicUnderFire couldn't help but be a bit giddy when FILTER asked us to get involved.


This edition of RAGGED features cover story “Up In Arms: Kate Nash & the War on Apathy,” a compelling look into the audacity and songwriting of Kate Nash . Other features include a look into life after A Tribe Called Quest with Q-Tip, the records that inspired Switches, the unconventional allure of Grand Ole Party, playing late night favorites with Gran Ronde, the struggles of breaking bilingual barriers with Monte Negro, and a discussion on the inspiration of nature with Thrice.


Along with all the stellar features of artists, a contest to win $500 of American Rag Cie clothing at RAGGED, and the RAGGED blog that offers artist features, tour updates and music news, MUF will be handing out a VIP package on top of all of that.


To enter for the VIP package (RAGGED hoodie, CDs from the six artists above, RAGGED magazine), email MusicUnderFire. The contest will run until May 31 and the winner will be notified shortly after. Please include name and email address with each entry. You will not be spammed!


RAGGED includes articles on bands from the up-and-coming underground as well as familiar favorites, continuing FILTER’s renowned tradition of bringing good, unique music to the masses. In addition, American Rag Cie lends its passion and eye for style to the magazine by showcasing its exclusive clothing line on the artists themselves.


The bi-monthly magazine also features avant-garde authors, filmmakers and artists and has established itself as the editorial voice for independent music enthusiasts.


For more info on RAGGED, you can check them out at www.raggedmag.com.


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You know we love our UK rock, and Thirteen Senses have been no secret of ours. Since their release of their album Contact last year, the band has done nothing but stayed focused on the road ahead. We're elated to announce they're working on a new album!

Over the past couple years, Thirteen Senses evolved from their impeccable debut album The Invitation in 2004 leading up to their well-produced sophomore release Contact produced by sound engineer Danton Supple (Coldplay). Their sound has grown larger over the course of the past couple years, but they remain a laid-back rock style, like that of an early Coldplay. Their style is that of a gentler UK rock, including piano and an occasional acoustic guitar. Above all, Thirteen Senses' earnest approach to what they do makes them so permissable to listen to.

From their website:

Hello ladies and gentlemen! We are very pleased to report that the third album recording is progressing very well indeed.

We feel like we are firing on all cylinders at the moment and are producing what we believe to be the best music we've ever written.

The band posted two new demos for their upcoming album on their MySpace page "Imagine Life" and "The Loneliest Star". A release date has not yet been announced for their new album. For more information on the band, go to their MySpace Page or Official Site.

MP3: Thirteen Senses - A Lot of Silence Here (buy)
MP3: Thirteen Senses - Into The Fire (buy)
MP3: Thirteen Senses - Thru The Glass (buy)

Video: Thirteen Senses - All The Love In Your Hands (Contact 2007)

Shout Out Louds arrived this week with Impossible EP featuring their immensely popular song "Impossible". The EP features the radio edit of "Impossible" followed up by a few remixes; the more appealing of the two by Studio and the second by the Stockholm duo, Van Rivers & Subliminal Kid.

My second favorite track from their Our Ill Wills album, "Hard Rain" ("Normandie" was my favorite) is featured live from Haldern Festival, which is a yearly pop festival in the Lower Rhine area in Germany. Its a short trip for the Swedes anyway. "December" is the other track featured on this EP - also worth checking out. I really enjoyed the guitar work in this song.

MP3: Shout Out Louds - Impossible (Possible Remix by Studio) (buy)

Below is a video for the "Impossible Remix by Studio". As you may notice, the video has been modified to differ from the original version. As it was, SOL bassist, Ted Malmros remixed his own video just for this track. For the original, go here.

Video: Shout Out Louds - Impossible (Possible Remix by Studio)

Lots to talk about this week, so let’s get right to it. This week’s flagship album may just be Tokyo Police Club's Elephant Shell. Their album is absolutely top-notch and we give our highest recommendation.

A few surprises before we get into some of the more talked about groups. A Great Big Pile Of Leaves is offering their mellow, yet pulsating album The Firey Works free on their website. After one listen through, I already have a few favorites. If you’re looking for some wonderful shoegaze, we recommend Christopher Bissonnette’s In Between Words; truly beautiful music.

Some groups to pick out of this long list are the legendary Billy Bragg with his album Mr. Love & Justice. The Cinematic Orchestra, whose experimental intrumental music has made a name for themselves, has released their live album, Live at the Royal Albert Hall. The Bees are featured in on a Split Ep with The Mother Hips. Even Blind Melon is somehow back this week with For My Friends introducing their new lead singer Travis Warren.

Cloud Cult is already becoming an indie favorite on the blogsphere garnering lots of attention from many critics, particularly Pitchfork who calls their latest Feel Good Ghosts "Insane genius…”. On the other end of the spectrum is the much-anticipated pop-punk album from Story of the Year,