Stream: Good Old War - Come Back As Rain

Good Old War will release their third studio album Come Back As Rain next week. After the solid through-and-through debut Only Way to Be Alone, the Philadelphia trio tried to get too eclectic on their self-titled follow-up and lost their way. Come Back As Rain is a definite return to the breezy harmonies and crisp acoustic backing of their earlier material with touches of both a Southern jug band ("It Hurts Every Time") and Simon and Garfunkle's Afro-folk ("Over and Over") that bring together a sound that conjures up summer memories sometime between the hazy late afternoon and chilly dusk. It's really hitting shelves at the exact right time of year, so hit below to get an early listen to the entire album. You can also click here to check out the guys doing a rendition of the title-track in studio.

Stream: Good Old War - Come Back As Rain

Video: fun. - "Be Calm"/"We Are Young" (Live on Carson Daly)

Yes, you read correctly. Carson Daly is still around. He also featured some footage of fun. performing two songs at The Troubadour in L.A. It was a nice surprise to hear the entire crowd singing along as loudly when the band broke out the shape-shifting "Be Calm" from 2009's Aim & Ignite as they did during "We Are Young". I don't think that trend will carry on too long (sorry hipsters) but props to those kids.

Watch: fun. - "Be Calm"/"We Are Young" (Live on Carson Daly)

Stream: Every Time I Die - Ex-Lives

Every Time I Die's sixth studio LP Ex Lives will hit stores March 6th and it's nice to know after nearly 14 years together (with the exception of their revolving door of bass players) that both their sledgehammering sound and Keith Buckley's lyrics are still as unrelenting as ever. Hit the link below for a full album stream, including three bonus tracks.

Stream: Every Time I Die - Ex Lives

Video: Bon Iver - "Towers"

Bon Iver ended up being one of my favorites of 2011, as did it's strummy, country-tinged "Towers". NABIL takes the directing duties for it's corresponding video and paints a beautiful, yet ominous living picture of an old man who makes his way out to sea only to watch his towers crumble into it. It's a masterpiece, but anything associated with Justin Vernon just about qualifies as such nowadays.


Bon Iver -  Towers (Official Music Video) from Bon Iver on Vimeo.

Washed Out - Daytrotter Sessions (2/22/12)

Ernest Greene thoroughly introduced us to the infinite sunny possibilities of chillwave with his stunning debut Within and Without. On his sessions with Daytrotter (via Ashville, North Carolina's Echo Mountain Recording) however, he launches far more into a more somber, piano-driven take on popular b-sides that would resonate more with the gloomy chamber pop kids than the stoned surfers smoking joints in Bali.

Download: Washed Out - Daytrotter Sessions (2/22/12)

Jazz Cartier - "Jet Plane"

Jazz Cartier took the blogosphere and hip-hop heads alike by storm when he dropped his impressive debut mixtape Losing Elizabeth at the tender age of 17. The Toronto native has since taken some time off to finish up high school, but dropped a fresh new single "Jet Plane" that is largely powered by a sample of Angus & Julia Stone's "Big Jet Plane" that perfectly fits his laid back vibe. Even better is the fact that the song will come off a forthcoming mixtape Maruading in Paradise. Glad to see the kid is still making moves. Stay on the look out.

Download: Jazz Cartier - "Jet Plane"

The-Dream - "Kill The Lights" (feat. Casha)

The Love IV: Diary of a Madman is less than a month away so The-Dream decided to let another album track go as a reminder. The six-minute slow jam epic is sure to work in Mr. Nash's grandiose production, vocal theatrics, while still keeping a spot open for his own protege Casha. Between this and "ROC", Love IV is shaping up quite nicely.

Download: The-Dream - "Kill The Lights" (feat. Casha)

Video: Girls - "My Ma"

Christopher Owen's billowing ode to his mother gets beautiful video treatment thanks to the direction of Focus Creeps and a plug from Team Coco as a recluse former actress reflects on her life and attempts to prove to herself she still got some chops. Father, Son, Holy Ghost got a lot of love in 2011 from the in-the-know indie kids, so if you were late to the party like I was, check the video below and be sure to give the album a listen.

Video: The-Dream - "ROC"

Terius Nash marked his return to The-Dream moniker after wowing the blogosphere with his 1977 mixtape by dropping "ROC" back in January. Nearly two months later, the quirky single from the forthcoming The Love, IV: Diary of a Madman sees the Radio Killa going all The Weeknd (without the ecstasy and despair, of course) and hosting a house of, well, balloons and a pretty sweet pool.

Video: The Shins - "Simple Song"

Not to go all #firstworldproblems, cuz that shit is played out, but I'm glad that The Shins decided to post their new video for "Simple Song" on VEVO as opposed to it's iTunes debut that fucks up your format because it's totally worth watching. James Mercer's family from the future is watching his videotaped will, which in true hipster fashion, sends them on a scavenger hunt to find their inheritance. It's kind of like Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, but without the whole profiting off a terrorist attack thing. When they finally do put the pieces together, it's legitimately hilarious. Dead James Mercer is a dick.

Port of Morrow is out March 20th.

J. Cole - "Grew Up Fast"

Jermaine has gone in over some serious soul samples before (see: "Villematic") but it's always a pleasure to hear him rip up something that is already screaming "Hallelujah". His chooses David Ruffin's "The Double Cross" this time and drops gems which include him calling "bitches with few goals" a "hat-trick". Now all we need is a whole album's worth of this ish.

Download: J. Cole - "Grew Up Fast"

Video: Ryan Adams - "Holy Diver" (Dio Cover) (Live at Walt Disney Concert Hall)

When I saw Ryan Adams at an intimate acoustic show at Strathmore outside D.C. (which I maintain was one of the greatest live show I've ever seen) he made a sly comment about having the sheet music for Dio's timeless "Holy Diver" while leafing through his material. Well apparently he wasn't joking and here is the video evidence. It only makes it better that this took place at a concert hall named after Walt Disney, a fact he hilariously points out during his trademarked pre-song shtick. C'mon, who could hate this guy?

Free Album: North Korea - Basement Tape Vol. 2

I was a huge fan of the first installment in North Korea's (ex-Envy on the Coast, ex-Dillinger Escape Plan) Basement Tapes, but they may has outdone themselves in Vol. 2. Dialing back the funk-metal aspect in favor of a moodier grunge influence results in an excellent sound that can only be described as if Incubus' Brandon Boyd was the lead singer for Pearl Jam. Bravo gentleman. Go "like" their Facebook page for a free download.

Download: North Korea - Basement Tapes Vol. 2

Good Old War - "Can't Go Home"

We've been lucky enough to hear "Calling Me Names" and "It Hurts Every Time" before Come Back as Rain's March 6th release date and now Consequence of Sound has the exclusive goods on a third in the free-wheeling "Can't Go Home". I just learned that the album, which lead vocalist Keith Goodwind described as "stemming from that longing for home that happens when you’re away all the time," was recorded in frequent Bright Eyes contributor Mike Mogis' studio, an influence fully exposed in the song's full-bodied nature.

Download: Good Old War - "Can't Go Home"