It's not you, it's me.

Unfortunately at this time, we're nearly passing our 100GB bandwidth quota for the month and I've just found out that the shit's expensive to upgrade... so we're going to have to take a few or more days off from posting. I know, it sucks, but we don't make a dime off the site to put back into the site. If you'd like to help us get more bandwidth, either use that "donations" button at the bottom of the sidebar or give us a good clue as to where there's safe and functional advertising.

I hate adverts, but if that's what it takes to keep us going daily and keep you happy, we'll do it minimally for the right cause... and only the right type (music ads or the like).

So sorry! We still love you and we promise to keep in touch! In the meantime, check out those favorites (Paul says "favourites"... damn anglophiles) of ours in the sidebar.

Hoping you still love us,
Lady Byrd (and Paul, that bally Anglophile)

CMJ '95-97

Before there was the freedom of hearing and downloading music from sites like this, I depended on what CMJ compilations I could get my hands on to find out what was good and new. Feeling nostalgic today, I decided to pull out a few of the comps that I held onto and resurrect some of these gems from 1995-1997. Only partial commentary on some of these. I ate some leftovers earlier that I think were well past expiration, and my stomach isn't in agreeance with being upright for very long. But... enjoy!

Boo Radleys - It's Lulu

The Raincoats - Forgotten Words

Mercury Rev - Young Man's Stride

Mansun - Take It Easy, Chicken
Wow, I completely forgot these guys ever existed.

Turkish Delight - Spin
Now defunct, unfortunately. I used to love this song for it's simplicity and bass slides.

Welcome To Julian - Bob Your Head
Another defunct band, I almost thought this song was PIL the first time I heard it. At least I think they're no longer around, seeing as how I can't find any information about them other than they are french and that the now out of print album runs about 60 bucks.

Bomb The Bass featuring Justin Warfield - Bug Powder Dust
Many don't know this, but Justin Warfield had a music career before She Wants Revenge. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is your fellow broody, Curtis'esque singer rapping on this track.

Morphine - Open Up The Window (Instrumental Version)

Skylab - Seashell

DJ Spooky - Nihilismus

- LB

There's a campfire built in my heart.

First off, I just want to give a heads up to the NYC'ers that Manifesto is tonight. Drop in for a drink and a song with me if you can.

Okay, done with the blatant self promotion... now on with the music.


I'd really like to take a moment to thank my friend Lisa for introducing me to DIY musician and fellow hometown sharer - Devin Davis. While I usually find myself more fond of different buildups and breakdowns of a song, "Giant Spiders" is an amazing song from start to finish. From the opening line of "there's a dirty sock in my hair, and I don't remember putting it there" to the Kinks'esque vocals to the Baby O'Riley sound of the keyboards at the end... I'm in love with it. Even though I never had the chance to meet this guy when we both lived in Jacksonville, I'll get the chance to see him live on 6/19 at Mercury Lounge.

From Lonely People of the World, Unite!:
Giant Spiders
Iron Woman
+ Myspace



Am I the first to write about the indie folk rock outfit, The Antiques? I did a search and could only come up with information about the other Antiques. Tsk tsk, somebody didn't do their name research. Okay, I'm going off the point now... why hasn't anyone written about THESE Antiques? The songs are beautifully composed... the choruses - catchy, the instruments - well arranged, and the vocals - just folky enough without being annoying. If you're in CA, check out their myspace for tour dates in your area and then let me know how their live performance is.

From Nicknames and Natives:
Dead Ringer
Orinda
+ Myspace



No website, no information on the Banter Records website... Indian Moon is quite mysteriously fitting to their/his sound. What is the sound? It reminds me a bit of Iron & Wine mixed with that guy who covered that Tears for Fears song used in Donnie Darko, Gary Jules. It's lovely, and I want to know more about it. Especially the release date for a full length.

Sleeping With His Gun
In Good Company
+ Myspace

You Made Me Like It

They've opened up for their fellow Glaswegians Franz Ferdinand, but don't mistake the 1990s as the next Ferdinand. Sure, singer John McKeown was once in a band with Alex Kapranos and Paul Thomson called The Yummy Fur, but the sound of 1990s packs a little more force and fun. I can't help but think of Jim Carroll when I listen to these songs.

From the 7" You Made Me Like It available at Rough Trade:
You Made Me Like It
Arcade Precinct
+ Myspace



We've all heard "House of Jealous Lovers" and all of it's remixes one time too many, so it's good to hear that there is a new Rapture release in the works. I recently came upon this little diddy where DJ Salinger apparently remastered and pieced together bootlegged recordings of some new Rapture songs. I'm guessing it's the DJ Salinger of Booty Bar? I'm not really sure. But what I do know is that I like it.

Rapture Re-Wrap (DJ Salinger's Wrapped-Up Rapture)
+ Myspace



Speaking of remixes, the kids from Cities want you bedroom producers to get to work. They are hosting a remix contest for their upcoming Remix EP featuring guests such as Daedelus and Ladytron, in which people around the world can submit their best remix of the single "A Theme," from the band's self titled debut.

The contest began on 5/18/06 but won't end until midnight 7/1/06. The Grand Prize winner will have their entry included in the limited edition Cities Remix EP, and receive an autographed copy of Cities' self-titled debut album along with a bag of select merchandise from the band. The winning entry will also be featured on the Yep Roc website and Cities' MySpace page. Five runner-ups will receive an autographed copy of the debut album from Cities.

A Theme
+ Myspace

Don't Skip To The End

Ok, so some would say you've singlehandedly resurrected Kate Bush's career with that song. So what do you do for a follow up? You release a one off single that charts and then you release album number two which also charts.

That's exactly what The Futureheads have done and they haven't really slowed down since they exploded on the scene back in 2003. Sure they did that song, but they also recorded some of the coolest singles of 2004-2005. Decent Days and Nights, Meantime are classics, period. Anyone that channels the spirit of XTC and the ghosts of Mod revivalists long since gone are instantly cool in my book. I've loved this band from the get go and everything about them. From their packaging, to their videos, to their remixes, to the actual tunes themselves, these guys are just plain cool.

In tribute to their second album being release over here in the States, I figured I'd take a look back and a look forward with some B-sides from their singles. There's life after "Hounds of Love," and these tunes illustrate that.

From the 1-2-3-Nul ep...
Ticket

From the First Day single...
Balsch

From the Decent Days And Nights single...
Boring the Children

From the Area single...
Area

From the Skip To The End single...
Skip To the End (Digitalism Re-Mix)

Here's to a few decent days and nights!

Paul the Anglophile

Thom Yorke and the Dream date.

It's been posted everywhere else, but I wanted to write about it anyway. It is Thom Yorke's new solo effort, The Eraser. I honestly lost interest in all things Radiohead long ago (especially after the release of Hail To The Theif), but after hearing this... I think my love for Thom Yorke has returned. I don't think the sound really needs an introduction, but I'll let Thom describe it in his own words: "It was fun and quick to do. Inevitably it is more beats and electronics. But it's songs. Yes it's a record! No it's not a Radiohead record."

From The Eraser, to be released July 11th (Pre-order):
The Eraser
Analyse
The Clock
Black Swan

*Removed due to label/Web Sheriff's request. Go pre-order the album!

Also, I have an extra ticket to the Gil Mantera's Party Dream show (with The Harlem Shakes & Alan Astor) on June 28th at Knitting Factory, and I want to take one of you with me. If you're not aware of the amazing show that is Party Dream, witness the madness and Gil's grade A dance moves below:


To win this "Dream" date, simply post a comment on just how dreamy you are and why I should take you. It ain't a real date, so gender is not relevant. Just make sure your contact information is included.

- LB

The Beautiful Game

It's that time again. A time that comes around every four years when the only one thing that matters to the REST OF THE WORLD, outside of America, is football. In other words, it's World Cup time!!!!!! It's a time when national pride is on the line, a time when the pressure is on, stars are made and dreams are broken. An event so huge that something like 50 billion people will be watching every day. Of course here in the States...game two of the NBA Finals is more important...woo hoo.

In celebration of the mania that is the World Cup, I've posted five footie anthems from the UK. England plays (or played depending on when you read this) their first game at 9am (EST) Saturday and hopes are high as it is the 40th anniversary of the 66 team winning it all. So lets go Eng-er-land!

Oh...and no I didn't post the Embrace tune because it seems as though everyone hates it.

Get clickin people and tune into ABC,ESPN, and ESPN2 and cheer your team on. And for those of you Yanks who don't know...the US is ranked 5th, YES FIFTH, in the world!!!

Black Grape ft Joe Strummer & Keith Allen - England's Irie
Fat Les - Vindaloo
Lightning Seeds w/Baddiel & Skinner - Three Lions
New Order - World In Motion
Stereo MC's - Step It Up

And a bonus song to play before/after games...
God Save The Queen

Bending it Like Beckham....

Paul the footiephile

UPDATE....England defeated Paraguay 1 - 0.

Strays with scissors.

Though they reside in San Francisco, Scissors For Lefty are signed to Rough Trade UK. It's an odd move, but hey... it's probably a smart one. Just look what it did for The Killers. Now wait, I'm not saying that Scissors For Lefty are as uncrafty or even on the same wavelength as the above mentioned, but I remember that before the Killers blew up, they were signed with a UK label and some thought they were from the UK. They did a few UK gigs and boom... the rest is history.

Not only am I fond of their name (I'm left-handed and god knows there were never any left-handed scissors in school when I was growing up), I'm also fond of their sound and dedication to their obvious influences: Pulp, Talking Heads, Kinks, Lou Reed, Billy Idol, Beatles, and others I don't have time to list. Let's just say they take a lot of the band ingredients you love, mix them together in a large bowl, then bake you the fattiest songs you've consumed in a while. What's even better is that they're playing Tiswas 2.0 at the Annex this Saturday night, June 10th, with We Are Americana. Honestly, I've never been to the Annex because I'm frightened of it (don't ask why, there really is no good reason), but I'm willing to venture out for this show.

From Underhanded Romance:
Next To Argyle
Ghetto Ways
+ Myspace


Described as "cinematic ambient alt country" and a "blend between Sinatra, Roxy Music and Curtis Mayfield through the lens of ambient urban folk music," Nashville's Strays Don't Sleep are the kind of band you listen to when you want to get your own creative juices flowing or just to feel human and alive. I took a slow walk in the park yesterday, rain and all, listening to these tracks and thinking about everything surrounding me. I absolutely love when a song heightens my senses.

They'll be performing on Conan O'Brien on June 28th, and also playing at the Clickflicks.net Revolution Party at Canal Room on June 29th. I believe it's a free show, including a screening of Joseph Raso's short comedy "Groomed". Be sure to check out their myspace for a list of other cities they'll be hitting on this tour.

From the self-titled Strays Don't Sleep (hitting stores 6/13):
For Blue Skies
Cars and History
+ Myspace

The sound of young Sweden.

I decided that today was a good day to showcase a few bands from one of my favorite labels that make me wish I was born with blonde hair, Labrador.


With strong comparisons to Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura, Acid House Kings are not a band to be judged by their name alone. "Combining the aesthetics of Kraftwerk with Motown girl groups from the 60s and musical influences from Burt Bucharach to The Smiths, Acid House Kings have created a classic album of timeless pop perfection. True to their Swedish origin, the Kings cannot hide a certain debt to the stylish arrangements and crystal clear melodies of ABBA." Around for over 10 years, they originally started with a 10 year plan: a trilogy of albums with one album released exactly every 5th year. Although that 10 years is up, they're back on another plan and I hope they keep spanning the decades for years to come.

From Do What You Wanna Do, available now at Twentyseven Records:
This Heart Is A Stone
Drama Inside
+ Video - "Do What You Wanna Do"
+ Myspace


Last year in one of my myriad of myspace blogs, I gushed over the incredible sound and the Cure'esque-New Order-like twists of Stockholm residents and AHK member sharers, The Legends. It started out in 2003 as just a couple of guys who booked a gig supporting a tour, but had no band or songs. Now? The Legends are a full band with songs that have a grip on my heart.

From Up Against The Legends:
The Kids Just Wanna Have Fun

From their untitled album, set for Fall release:
Play It For Today
+ Myspace

Both Acid House Kings and The Legends are on a short US tour next month, and only death could pull me away from the chance of seeing them live. Mark the local date below in your calendar and don't miss it!

July 6: Athens, GA (at The 40 Watt Club)
July 7: Detroit, MI (TBA)
July 8: New York, NY (at The Cake Shop)
July 9: Brooklyn, NY (at North 6)
July 10: Cambridge, MA (at TT The Bear's)
July 11: Washington, DC (at DC Nine)
July 12: Philadelphia, PA (at Kensington South Forum)

Last but not least, also sharing some members with The Legends and determined to make love with Japanese girls - the Loveninjas are here to make you dance... or laugh. I can't figure out which, but it gets really confusing on the dancefloor. The songs below aren't really an example of their most humorous side, so I recommend watching the video below or going to their myspace and listening to "She Broke His Penis In Two".

From Keep Your Love EP:
Keep Your Love

From I'm Really Sorry EP:
Meet Me Here
+ Video - "I'm Really Sorry (That I Killed You)"
+ Myspace

We Are The Also Rans

It's been a while since I've provided you with some relatively new music, primarily because once I get stuck looking through all the old stuff that I've got it's sometimes hard to pull me away.

But I've managed to stop looking and listening just long enough to post some relatively newish stuff from across the pond that I quite fancy. So, what are you waiting for get clicking.

Ambershades - Just Get Over It
A classic pop song with enough strummy guitars and harmonies to sound like a Beautiful South song it's ok to like. Ok...maybe more like a Doves sort of song in a head on collision with the pop stylings of the Beautiful South. The songs driving beat and repeated riffage will bore itself into your brain. For something that's got one or two riffs, this song is really good and really catchy.

Apartment - Patience is Proving
No...it's not the Editors. This almost sounds like a Dave Gahan (circa 93) or a Morrissey outtake mashed up with a couple of spare riffs from Back Room. It's kind of overly dramatic, fey, and gothy while still maintaining it's danceability. It's not something that will hit you immediately, but repeated listens will reward you with one heck of a single. A very cool band that most definitely has the ghosts of Post Punk past running through them. This I believe was their first single...they've since put out two additional singles which are worth tracking down.

Motorettes - Super Heartbeats
Raw, rocky, and catchier than the bird flu are just a few words that can be used to describe the Motorettes. "Super Heartbeats" is like a pohgoh-a-thon crammed into a three minute tune. This is almost like if Bis, Andrew WK and Ash were joined at the hip and forced to be friends. It's kooky, spiky, shouty, a bit rough, but damn good. This is from their first single, check out their new one You Gotta Look At The Parts

The Pistolas - Villains
This tune is a monster. It's quick, punchy, and sounds like a an electrode throwing sparks all over the place. So, charged seems to be a good word to describe "Villains." This track is like a spasm of frenetic guitar energy with spat out vocals that will force your feet to entwine themselves around a dancefloor. It's a raw uncompromising beast that will pummel you with riffage until you and your toes get the message.

The Young Knives - We Are The Also Rans
Somewhere in a past life Art Brut and the Young Knives were related. They have to be...what other bands can tell stories like these guys? In fact, "We Are The Also Rans," is a little punky number that shouts its way into your conciousness like an Art Brut song on drugs. It's spiky, sounds like Eddie Argos aruging with himself, and has one of the strangest choruses I've heard in a long time. The Young Knives even find time to rip themselves on this track and any band that belittles themselves is instantly cool in my book. One for you weirdos out there!

Until next time...

From the Frozen Tundra of Florida...

Paul the overheated Anglophile

iTunes v666

I believe that iTunes has turned into the Devil he'self. As I was putting together my Mark of the Beast themed mix last night, I purchased a few of the tracks on iTunes and quickly noticed that the old burn-n-import trick wasn't working anymore to bypass those pesky protected files. Sure, it'll say it's converting the files to mp3, but nooooooooo... silence. But do not fear, fellow music loving and sharing readers! I have found a decent way to get around this greedy devil. Say hello to Tunebite. It records the song as you play it, creating a non-shitty sounding mp3 formatted file. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about supporting music and the artists that create it... but I also believe in sharing a couple of things here and there to expose different music to new ears. One track won't $break an artist, but it really can make an artist. It's really no different than handing out a mixtape to some friends. And who says I don't have a lot of friends?

Let me take a deep breath.

Okay, so we all know that it's 6/6/06 and the remake that had potential to be good (until I realized Julia Stiles was in it) starts today. And how could you not? A million TV spots have run for it in the past two days, and if you're in New York you've seen the "6+6+06" posters everywhere. But besides being an advertising campaign, today's date has inspired me to make this somewhat diverse mix which I hope you all will enjoy.

Cobra Killer & Kapajkos - Helicopter 666
Ladytron - Evil
Caviar - 666
Thee Headcoats - Branded
Dr. Frankenstein - AM 666
The O'Jays - Branded Bad
Brothers Johnson - The Devil
Peter Tosh - Mark of the Beast
Yabby You - Antichrist
Muddy Waters - Evil
Skip James - Devil Got My Woman
Skeeter Davis - The End of the World
Deerhoof - Satan

Also, just a tid-bit of interesting information I found, but did you know that some people have believed the mark of the beast will be seen as:

• An invisible, coded tattoo, discernible only by high-tech equipment or some kind of X-ray.
  
• A computerised society in which all business transactions will be done by credit cards.
  
• A silicon identity chip inserted under the skin.
  
• The upcoming National ID.
  

Some people just have too much spare time to think.

Your She-Devil, LB

Not your average soap opera.

Karina U of Young and Restless is Australia's answer to Karen O. They've got that old YYY's sound before the super producers came in and mainstreamed the sound, but some of their stuff also reminds me a bit of the old Hot Hot Heat circa Scenes One Through Thirteen (minus the organs) with a dash of Refused's strength. Although I'm recycling names, Young and Restless are a dance/punk/hardcore band all their own. Produced by Chris Colonna (Bumblebeez81) and mixed by James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco), it's an energetic and refreshing new addition to my playlist.

From their upcoming EP:
Satan
Black

From My Knives:
Dirty Kicks
Police! Police!