Built to Spill have been performing for 18 years and have seven studio albums to their credit, the last five on a major label, Warner Bros. They’ve received all sorts of critical plaudits, too. The last thing you’d have expected from the veteran indie rockers was to go on the…
If Gorillaz ever took themselves completely seriously, would it spell doom for their infectious virtual-band whimsy or make for some iconic, classic postmodernism? Originally just a playful side project for Blur frontman Damon Albarn, the animated quartet captured creative lightning in a bottle with the hip-hop-infused synth pop of 2001’s…
Here’s a summary of nearly all the too-long-didn’t-read reviews you’ll see of Sufjan Stevens’ electro-beat-y new album, The Age of Adz: “He’s not doing the state thing anymore. Something about the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. This album is weird. Where’s the banjo?” Sure, most critics will throw around big words and dance…
Artist: Kelley StoltzTitle: To DreamersRelease date: October 12Label: Sub PopSan Francisco’s recent resurgence in the world of garage-y indie rock (Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, Fresh & Onlys, Sonny and the Sunsets) is probably in some part due to the work of Kelley Stoltz, who’s been dabbling in mid-fi ’60s-influenced…
Song: Weezer, “The Good Life Context: I’m loving the re-issue of Pinkerton. They say my promo copy is water-marked, so I’ve resisted the temptation to upload one of the extra cuts myself. But, trust me, it’s worth buying. Weezer – The Good Life by jhowlett…
T his week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. Is selling two minutes of silence the weirdest thing Thom Yorke has ever done?What are…
It’s a lighter load for this week’s incoming shows — mostly due to the fact that we had two different sets of incoming shows last week. That’s not to say that there aren’t some doozies amongst this week’s announcements, though. For those fans of old-school hip hop, we have EMPD making…
The Fall’s frontman Mark E. Smith allegedly threw a bottle at Mumford & Sons at a festival in Dublin last month, according to NME.Way to get aggressive, Mark. And for what? It turns out he simply didn’t like the way Mumford & Sons played during their sound check. Smith also…
Artist: Kings of LeonTitle: Come Around SundownRelease date: October 19Label: RCAI think it’s funny that people are getting all bent out of shape over the supposed “selling out” of Kings of Leon, saying their new record sucks worse than that sucky one that sold a bajillion copies a few years…
Quick reminder: Indie Bowl, the annual charity bowling event featuring Phoenix scenesters rolling for the benefit of Local First Arizona, is this Sunday. There’s a veritable who’s who among the teams at the Psyko Steve sponsored event: The Rogue Bar, Hard Rock Cafe, Lost Leaf, Snake! Snake! Snakes!, Gospel Claws,…
Song: Jay-Z – Justify My Thug (Flaming Lips Mix)Context: This was the last song on The Black Album I still had rated below three stars on iTunes — before I heard this. The Flaming Lips have announced they’ll be playing The Soft Bulletin in it’s entirety on New Year’s Eve…..
Brooklyn band Atomic Tom thought incorrectly when their latest video would be just another blog post, according to Billboard.Atomic Tom performed their song “Take Me Out” on their iPhones three times while riding a New York City subway. The concert was intended to be a publicity stunt, and considering most…
A judge on Iron fucking Chef. Just look at him. What the fuck happened to this band? What the fuck happened to Caleb Followill? I sure as shit don’t know, but I give up.Since Kings of Leon were first embraced by UK fans, who lead them down this terrible path,…
Artist: The Extra LensTitle: UndercardRelease date: October 19Label: MergeIn “Cruiserweight,” John Darnielle (best known for his work with The Mountain Goats) sings “I get better as I get more worn down.” You’ve gotta love anyone growing old in the rock ‘n’ roll game who can make such a statement — and…
Song: Sarah McGuinness, “Mama Can You See Me Now”Context: This song if off the soundtrack to Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story, which McGuiness wrote and produced on her own. 02 Mama Can You See Me Now (Original Version) by Matthew Walker…
Remembrance Day is Britain’s version of Veteran’s Day. It’s not on November 11, though, it’s observed the second Sunday of November. Well, actually it’s observed on 11/11, too, but just a little. Also, it’s not to be confused with Memorial Day, or with Britain’s version of Memorial Day, which is…
Little Miss Hit Maker and potential diva-to-be Willow Smith will premiere the music video for her first single today, according to Gossip On This.Willow has announced on Twitter (@OfficialWillow) this morning that she’s making her video debut via Vevo and BET’s 106 & Park. She has also made an exclusive…
Kanye West is back to doing what he does best: shocking the world. According to Pitchfork, Kanye isn’t pleased about his racy album cover being banned in the U.S. though.The album artwork, which is the work of artist George Condo, features a nude pair, one with a drink in hand…
Artist: Sufjan Stevens Title: The Age of Adz Release date: October 21 Label: Asthmatic Kitty The new record by indie-music deity Sufjan Stevens is an hour-and-12-minute endurance test, one who’s raison d’etre is revealed in the closing seconds of the record’s final song, “Impossible Soul.” As that 25-minute suite comes…
Benefit shows can be a dime a dozen. And, due to their ubiquity, that can be about as much as they raise sometimes. Rhode Island band Deer Tick’s taking another route, auctioning off a tour bus to raise funds for OxFam International to aid victims of the recent Pakistan floods.The…
Song: Holy Fuck, “Stay Lit”Context: Just a reminder that the Holy Fuck/Indian Jewelry show at Rhythm Room Monday night is free. Used the savings to stay lit, like the songs says. Holy Fuck – Stay Lit by alexman9…
Never Say Never is the title for Justin Bieber’s upcoming 3-D movie, according to Idolator. The movie poster was released today as well. That makes for one more Bieber poster we can all hang up in our bedrooms! Yes!Film director Jon Chu posted pieces of the poster on his Twitter…
