Video: Moving Mountains - "Foreword"

Here's a video montage of some black-and-white footage Gregory Dunn's brother took of the band rocking faces and evoking emotions on their last tour. It's set to the title-track from 2008's Foreword and rumor has it that the band is shacked up recording the follow-up right now. I'm gonna go ahead and file that under the Good Word. It is Sunday, afterall.



MySpace: Moving Mountains

Mr. Hudson - "Angel Eyes"

Get all up-close and personal with Mr. Hudson's smooth UK croon as he goes all Frank Sinatra about some bird (yeah, I went there) on a new cut. Really nothing to the beat, but it's nice reminder that the dude has pipes and is more than just the huge, synthed-out instrumentals he laid on Straight, No Chaser.

Download: Mr. Hudson - "Angel Eyes"

MySpace: Mr. Hudson

Bad Books - "Please Move"

"You Wouldn't Have to Ask" was very much a Kevin Devine track, filled with his signature bouncy spunk and unexpected bite. This second drop off Bad Book's Oct. 19 debut definitely has a Manchester Orchestra feel with spiraling guitar lines and some meandering percussion. Andy Hull takes the helm, motoring the song around his unique dictation. I don't think there was any doubt Bad Books will be excellent, but this one should put all the worries to rest.

Download: Bad Books - "Please Move"

MySpace: Bad Books

Beach Fossils - Daytrotter Sessions (8/11/2010)

Wavves, Washed Out, and Minus the Bear have dominated Summer OH 10 for me. Now, I can add Brooklyn's own Beach Fossils and their killer self-titled record to that list as it's more or less on repeat wherever I can listen to music. The guys (and girl) brought their reverb-soaked guitar lines and hazy-as-a-summer-day vocals to Daytrotter's studio to convert the cynics and just generally spread sunshine.

Beach Fossils is out now.

Download: Beach Fossils - Daytrotter Sessions (8/11/2010)

MySpace: Beach Fossils

Kanye West - "Monster" (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver, and Nicki Minaj)

First installment of G.O.O.D. Friday is a monster...literally. A no doubter from Yeezy, Jay and Ricky Ross's end. Problem is the Justin Vernon's spot is bluesy, but trivial, and Nicki Minaj needs to pick an accent and stay with it. Looking forward to hearing something like this every week, even if it does feed Mr. West's God Complex.

MySpace: Kanye West

Video: Steel Train - "Turnpike Ghost"

Frontman Jack Antonoff said he left the video concept for "Turnpike Ghost" in the hands of the band's comedian/writer friends. The product? Up Late with Al Scalzo. The talk show is hilariously bizarre, Todd from Wedding Crashers makes an appearance, and a bunch of little kids throw on suits and pretend to be Steel Train. This band is starting to have some kind of Midas touch.

Steel Train is out now.



MySpace: Steel Train

Wiz Khalifa - "The World"/"Too Late"

Two old Wiz joints from '05. "The World" is a reggae-tinged, talkbox-infused jam, while the in-your-face "Too Late" is a prime example of the old days before Mr. Khalifa laid off his edge and started blowing smoke 24/7. Nice to hear the kids actually had well-conceived rhymes at one point...although I'm with the bears, for some reason his weed raps are strangely more enjoyable.

Download: Wiz Khalifa - "The World"
Download: Wiz Khalifa - "Too Late"

MySpace: Wiz Khalifa

Stream: Terrible Things - Terrible Things

Terrible Things (ex-members of Hot Rod Circut, Taking Back Sunday, and Coheed and Cambria) self-titled debut is up for streaming on their MySpace. Overall strong effort...some risky song structures don't pay off and there are a couple melodies/riffs that sound borrowed from TBS's Where You Want To Be, but the majority of tracks are beefy rockers. "Not Alone", "The Arsonists' Wife", and "Wrap Me Up" are early favorites.

Terrible Things is out August 31st...check it out ya'll.

Stream: Terrible Things - Terrible Things

Beach House - "White Moon"

Baltimore duo Beach House drop off another sweet basket of ear candy in the form of their iTunes Session, 5 reduxs off Teen Dream and a brand spankin new cut. "White Moon" is the latter and showcases the ethereal carousel-like dreamscapes the bands can spin around you. It's a (tender) celebration, bitches.

Beach House - White Moon (Itunes Session) by subpop

MySpace: Beach House

Video: Washed Out - "Hold On"

Washed Out's awesome haziness + clips from Ernest Greene's bouncy 80s dance party + all the skylines, deserts, and hotel hallways in between = good lookin'.

Life of Leisure is out now.



MySpace: Washed Out

Video: Wavves - "Post Acid"

The beach bums in Wavves are just having fun...shredding with aliens and hitting some pipes (of the skateboard varitey, of course) in their trippy new video that solidifies it cred with a John Norris sighting. Now that's what I call an acid flashback...

King of the Beach is in stores now. DISCLAIMER: You haven't enjoyed summer until you've blasted this record...BUCKETLISTED!



MySpace: Wavves

Video: El-P - "Time Won't Tell"

Director Shan Nicolson grew up in "the ‘Old New York’ during a time when necessity often bred creativity.” The story is re-told here...well, except that Nicolson's life isn't set to some genius instrumentals crafted at the hands of Def Jux mastermind El-P. Comes off Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx3 which I'll be picking up riiiight now.



MySpace: El-P

J. Cole - "No Holding Me Back"

J. Cole has really let his track titles do the talking for him recently. "Ain't no holding me back, I'ma get mine...believe that." Cole World coming Oct. 26.

Download: J. Cole - "No Holding Me Back"

MySpace: J. Cole

Video: Circa Survive - "Get Out" (Manchester Scenewipe)

It's been too long since the boys of Circa Survive have graced this blog, hasn't it? No fear...Anthony Green returns with a manicured goatee, trance-like eye twitching, and some spastic barks to gear a fiery acoustic rendition of "Get Out" courtesy of the fine folks at Manchester Scenewipe.

Circa Survive from MCR Scenewipe on Vimeo.

MySpace: Circa Survive

Lupe Fiasco - "Go To Sleep"

Lupe the Fiasco returns with a nocturnal new track that is spooky as hell. Ominous keys and foggy synths open into a graveyard of background of supernaturally zigging riffs as Lu, per usual, is on point with the bars. Producers take note, this is how you make a complex beat without over-saturating it. LASERS is apparently completed and ready to drop, but Atlantic has been delaying it for so unknown reason. Guess they're the only one's going to sleep on this one...

Download: Lupe Fiasco - "Go To Sleep"

MySpace: Lupe Fiasco

Video: Drake - "Miss Me" (feat. Lil' Wayne)

Drake lights it up (in reverse) like it's dynamite, continuing his flare for flashing lights and throwin' hand gestures with a new video. The visuals are average, but this song is one of the better cuts off Thank Me Later...I still find myself wishing Drizzy had included more care-free tracks like this on the record. And can we free Weezy already? Between Drake awkwardly lip-syncing over his spot here and his monster of a new single "Right Above It", it's clear the game needs him back in the flesh badly.



MySpace: Drake

Video: Steel Train - "Bullet"/"Turnpike Ghost" (Dickies Sessions)

Steel Train helped Dickies promote whatever it is that they do these days by shooting footage of rousing acoustic renditions of the first two cuts on their must-have Steel Train. Not sure about Jack's acid-washed jean jacket or the awkward glances the backup vocalists keep shooting at each other, but these songs are aural gold.





MySpace: Steel Train

Kanye West - "Power" (Remix feat. Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz)

Yeezy's big brother jumps in on this epic remix of the already epic "Power", bringing some futuristic, center-staged synths along with him. Ye teaches us all the "power clap" with a new verse and goes crazy when Swizzy swings in to switch up the beat with a Snap sample. I GOT THE POWER!


MySpace: Kanye West

Lazerbeak - "Salt and Sea"

Doomtree beatmaker Lazerbeak put down his wings and teeth and picked up a mic to drop this new cut off his upcoming solo effort Legend Recognize Legend. The beat is equal parts rattling bass and eerie organs as it is jittery, yet ambient electronics. Surprising to hear Lazerbeak's vocals lead it, but his seething rasp adds some smoke on top of the track's aquatic feel that would make Deep Purple proud. Legend Recognize Legend drops Sept. 28th.

Download: Lazerbeak - "Salt and Sea"

MySpace: Lazerbeak

Video: Arcade Fire - "Ready to Start"

Funny that this is an official video since it's live footage and live audio...but the song is jangly goodness and Win Butler and Co. ooze passion, looking totally entranced in the performance. If they can get that feeling across, it's probably better than any concept they could think on. The Suburbs is in stores now.



MySpace: Arcade Fire

Atmosphere - "To All My Friends"

Atmosphere is back and celebrating their upcoming To All My Friends Tour (featuring the likes of fellow Rhymesayers Blueprint and Grieves) with a new joint about Slug's mic skills that'll definitely get him some call backs from Monster(MCs).com. cwatididthere? Truthfully, Sean Daley has earned to the right to tell people he never has to quite his day (or rather, night) job.

Download: Atmosphere - "To All My Friends"

MySpace: Atmosphere

Bad Books - "You Wouldn't Have To Ask"

Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra have talked a lot about an official collaboration. They toured extensively together, they covered each others' tunes for I Could Be With The Only One, and even spoke a lot about teaming up under the Bad Books moniker (see: KDev performing rumored track "Mesa, Arizona" at a truck stop.)

Well now we can stop dreaming and start celebrating as we finally have the two sides joined together on one track in the pleading new single "You Wouldn't Have To Ask". It's simultaneously airy and charging; sunny and bitter. In a word: it's fucking great. Bad Books will drop their debut album on October 19th and I might just lose my self out of sheer excitement.

Stream: Bad Books - "You Wouldn't Have To Ask"

MySpace: Bad Books

Big Sean - "Whatever You Want" (feat. Kanye West)

Sean adopts a vulnerably laid-back flow over a simplistic instrumental that features delicate keys and Yeezy's auto-tuned calls swirling in and out the track like one smooth ass siren. This cut appears on the Perajok/Kanye G.O.O.D. Ass Mixtape and now we officially got a good ass theme going.

Download: Big Sean - "Whatever You Want" (feat. Kanye West)

MySpace: Big Sean

J. Cole - "Blow Up"

I think the title says it all on this one. Cole World drops October 26th...I believe the term is "foreshadowing".

Download: J. Cole - "Blow Up"

MySpace: J. Cole

Kanye West - "See Me Now" (feat. Beyonce and Charlie Wilson)

After getting all serious with "Power" it's nice to hear 'Ye let loose with the help of a diva-status Beyonce and a preachy Charlie Wilson on this soulful joint courtesy of Lex Luger. 6-minutes is completely unnecessary but hearing Kanye drop classic lines about walking into clubs barefoot "like it's Whole Foods" and how falling on the concrete is your "ass-fault". Straight ridiculous, but trademark G.O.O.D. Yeezy's still untitled record officially drops November 16th.

Download: Kanye West - "See Me Now" (feat. Beyonce and Charlie Wilson)

MySpace: Kanye West

Glassjaw - "All Good Junkies Go To Heaven"

Studio-quality new Glassjaw music. Yeah, you heard me right. This is their first official drop since "You Think You're Fucking John Lennon" back in 2008 and it's an epic 9 minutes of pummeling drums and scorching riffs. Not exactly sure when a new Glassjaw record will see the light of day, but I think this'll do quite fine in the meanwhile.



MySpace: Glassjaw

Terrible Things - "Been Here Before"

Another drop off Terrible Things debut...fills the slot of the string-laden ballad, but with the level of songwriters involved it doesn't come off quite as cheesy. I'd break it down for ya'll, but I think Fred Mascherino could put his finger on the meaning way better than I could...


"Sometimes you write a song because you're so unhappy and you just need to get it out of you. This was one of those songs for me. It describes the unchangeable past that we all deal with in our own ways. I think that helplessness comes across pretty well. It's something I've tried to paint a thousand times but it wasn't until the producer, Jason Elgin, suggested that we slow the music down from its original upbeat version that we really got that feeling. I'm always trying to make that moment happen where the listener is pulled in and it becomes their story too. It's about the lyrics but also the music has to build up and complete the picture. With the strings, piano, electric and acoustic guitars, we still had to leave room for the vocals to come out and tell the story. I'd say this it wound up being my favorite lyrics on the album."

Terrible Things is out August 31.

Listen: Terrible Things - "Been Here Before"

MySpace: Terrible Things

The Graduate - "Siren"

Not sure whether the song title refers to the high-pitching notation in the rising guitar lines or the mythological creatures Corey Warning pledges his soul to. Who cares? It's a new Graduate tune with, in the words of Jason Tate (brains behind AP.Net), "less sugar and more substance". Only Every Time drops August 31st.

Listen: The Graduate - "Siren"

Jimmy Eat World - "My Best Theory"

Jimmy Eat World treats the eager masses to the lead single off Invented, featuring a pulsing bass line, escalating licks, and production packed full enough to explode out of the bellies of arenas nationwide a-la Aliens. Thankfully, (IMO) the guys have abandoned the etheral power-pop of Chase This Light for a darker, gritter sound more akin to fan-favorite Futures. Guess the album art tells the whole story...Invented drops/gets picked up Sept. 28.

Listen: Jimmy Eat World - "My Best Theory"

MySpace: Jimmy Eat World

Mark Ronson - "Lose It (In The End)" (feat. Ghostface Killah)

Mark Ronson supplies the bubbly, classically-influenced (anyone hearing some Mozart in this?) production for Ghostface to tear apart with all his Wu fury. Record Collection drops October 5th. Classic watch.


MySpace: Mark Ronson

Andre 3000 - "I Do"

With everyone buzzin' on Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot, Andre 3000 decided to join his partner in the spotlight and get his grown man on in the most smooth, soulful way possible. This is supposedly a verse for an upcoming collab with Jeezy, but we also know Three Stacks has got something of his own on the way in the near future. Hip-hop heads rejoice.


MySpace: Outkast

Pianos Become The Teeth - "New Normal"

The kids in Pianos Become The Teeth have been making waves in the Charm City hardcore scene since releasing their debut record Old Pride, a unique blend of unrelentingly brutal backing, classic screamo sensabilities, and a tactful touch of post-rock ambiance. Here's the an exclusive track off the their upcoming split with Boston-based act The Saddest Landscape...following the same intoxicating concoction we've seen from these guys before. Best believe when my hometown (Baltimore) and adopted hometown (Boston) meet up, you got yourself a soundtrack to trash a room to. If you miss the glory days of Thursday, Glassjaw, and Envy...definitely take note of this one.

Listen: Pianos Become The Teeth - "New Normal"

MySpace: Pianos Become The Teeth

Blu - "Love Line" (prod. by Exile)

John Barnes has one of his old track's primped up and mastered for it's presentation on Exile's upcoming new record A/M. I wanna hear what new shit Blu has cooking up on his own, but anytime E and Blu team up, it's a win...after all they bang jeeps to break beats, blaze trees and females. You ain't me.

Download: Blu - "Love Line" (prod. by Exile)

MySpace: Exile

Video: Taking Back Sunday - "Set Phasers to Stun" (Live From Orensanz DVD)

Here's some footage of TBS preforming the opener from 2004's Where You Want To Be that'll show up on their upcoming live DVD Live From Orensanz. Considering half the band members here didn't play on that record, it's interesting to hear their re-working...definitely a much more jam-based arrangement and Matt Fazzi's vocals backing vocals (IMO) sound way more clean and striking than Fred Mascherino's did. Even though these guys are one of those band's chained down to my high school years, this was sick for nostalgia's sake, and judging by the awesome shot quality, I'm thinking of even drop some $$$ for a hard copy...say yes, say yes, say yes.

Live From Orensanz is available Aug. 17th. Pre-order here.


Set Phasers to Stun Live From Orensanz

Taking Back Sunday | MySpace Music Videos

MySpace: Taking Back Sunday

Video: Eminem - "Love The Way You Lie" (feat. Rihanna)

Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan (CHARLIE!!!) act out the hot-n-cold of domestic violence in the visuals for a song by two artists known for their personal experiences with abusive relationships. I dunno about ya'll, but I'd let Megan Fox stick me in the jaw if I got some make-up love after. Too soon?



MySpace: Eminem

Video: Manchester Orchestra - "#3.02"

More in-studio footage of the demoing/pre-production process of some rifftastic new Manchester Orchestra songs looked to be featured on the forthcoming Let Go of Your Sorrowful Groaning. Also included: Andy Hull's raucous beard, new drummer Ben Homola, and Chubbs Peterson's legendary golf tip...all featured in Dolby Surround Sound.



MySpace: Manchester Orchestra

Video: Kanye West - "Power" (clip)

Kanye gets his Botticelli, 300, and chain-gleaming all at once in this WTF-inducing clip for "Power". There's a number of interpretations you can dig out of this (the bears have a couple), but I'm trying to look past all the allusions and chalk it up to 'Ye being 'Ye. The record formerly known as Good As Job is slated to drop October 12th.



MySpace: Kanye West

Video: Mike Posner - "Cooler Than Me" (Live on Jimmy Fallon)

Who told you about this kid way back in January? Hate to say I told you so...either way, Mike brought his baby face to Jimmy Fallon's stage for an all-smiles performance of his breakout "Cooler Than Me" to celebrate his recent graduation from Duke. (with a 3.6 no less) Nice to see someone else enjoying a similar post-grad lifestyle as yours truly...31 Minutes to Take Off drops August 10th.



MySpace: Mike Posner

Mixtape: Wale - More About Nothing

Wale drops the sequel to the much-talked-about Mixtape About Nothing; staying on D.C., Seinfeld, and dismantling every other MC with some Linda Blair-style head spinning bars. Dude's working towards legendary status at an unprecedented rate.

Download: Wale - More About Nothing

MySpace: Wale

Lil' Wayne - "Right Above It" (feat. Drake)

The king and crown prince of Young Money unite on top of a gargantuan instrumental courtesy of Kane Beatz for the lead single off Weezy's upcoming I'm Not A Human Being EP (dropping Sept. 28)...if you needed any other explanation why these two on are on top of the game right now, look no further than this. F-I-R-E.

Download: Lil' Wayne - "Right Above It" (feat. Drake)

MySpace: Lil' Wayne

Wiz Khalifa - "Fly Solo"

Wiz gears up his me-against-the-world mentality over a live band instrumental that sounds like it could've been penned by Jack Johnson. I'll stay on the record that, in my opinion, nothing about his verses are jaw-dropping, but there's just something that makes it's really hard to dislike the kid. Everything is good until it goes bad...

Download: Wiz Khalifa - "Fly Solo"

MySpace: Wiz Khalifa

Video: The Roots - "The Fire" (feat. John Legend)

The Roots have a tendency to think outside the box...so when they approached the idea of a music video for "The Fire", naturally they opted for a graphic and gritty Rik Cordero-directed short film assessing greed, power, and the human condition. Obvious choice. Although no one from the legendary crew nor Mr. Legend make an appearance in this, if the concept doesn't at least have you thinking for the next couple days you need to get your head examined.

How I Got Over is in stores now. Instant classic.



MySpace: The Roots

Interview: Steel Train (Absolutepunk.net)

Jack Antonoff and Evan Winiker sat down with AP.net to explore the long and winding road that took the Jersey boys from their start, joining the once golden (now ravaged into extinction) label Drive Thru Records with opening gigs for the likes of Brand New and Finch, to ending up performing on Letterman this past month (thanks to their excellent self-titled album) and all the tough twists and turns in between. In this MySpace age, where you can post one over-saturated demo and a glossy promo shot of every band member either jumping in the air or looking longingly into the distance on your site and get a full-spread page in Alternative Press, it's refreshing to hear the stories of a group that's went through the toil and toll of the grinder and made it out to the starlight on the other side.

"I feel like we're on the highway now...For a long time it bothered us that everyone was getting big around us. Then it was like, "Oh, we just did this big tour and got to do this and be on television and play this festival." You see all these people, and you realize that you've held it together. We've never had a moment where we've fallen apart. We've never been a band where we're drawing thousands of people and then hundreds of people and been like, "What's going on?" People come to our shows, and they don't stop coming. That means a lot to me."

Steel Train is in stores now. Pick it up and enjoy...simple as that.

Read: Interview: Steel Train (Absolutepunk.net)

MySpace: Steel Train