Before we begin, may we just offer you fair warning…this devilishly delightful performance from Glasgow pop trio 1990s may just pull the muscles on the back of your neck to their very limits. So if these brash and bouncy head boppers have you sporting a neck brace over the next few weeks, well, don’t say we didn’t tell you so. That being said, you’ll probably find such bodily reactions to these lads’ performance at the Bowery Ballroom unavoidable…so proceed with caution. - David Pitz

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VIDEO: 1990s:: “Live at the Bowery Ballroom” – NYC, NY

With groovy little licks basted in a dainty chill, Silver Lake CA’s The Deadly Syndrome’s brand of eclectic pop definitely goes a bit bump in the night. But don’t be spooked…those cardboard apparitions that line the stage of the band’s performance at The FADER CMJ Sideshow are only there for the same reason you are; to catch an awfully exciting young quartet in what is obviously their most natural of environments. - David Pitz

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VIDEO: Cut Off Your Hands:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY

From rumor to realization...seems an appropriate headline to blaze across our pages when it comes to the rather compelling partnership between two Sub Pop veterans. Returning to the label in its’ 20th year under the name The Gutter Twins, Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers) and Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees) will release their highly anticipated collaboration, Saturnalia, on March 4th, 2008.

Says Dulli of the album, “I couldn’t tell you what Saturnalia’s theme is, but there’s a seeking of transcendence that’s new… I have never written songs like this before it’s a different temple I’m visiting.”

Interested in visiting the temple before the album is released? If you live in or are willing to travel to a handful of North American or European cities, the two will be celebrating Saturnalia with a number of exclusive live performances. Get the deets below. - David Pitz

Upcoming show Dates"
2/14/08 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom (On sale 11/30)
2/19/08 Paris, France Maroquinerie (On sale 11/29)
2/21/08 London, England Koko – Sponsored by NME (On sale now)
2/23/08 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg (On Sale11/29)
3/1/08 San Francisco, CA Noise Pop – Bimbo’s

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The Gutter Twins on MySpace

I think it is all a gimmick. That salvation oil Dr. Zovitch is pushing? It probably won't take you to the promise land. However, Pela's “Lost to the Lonesome” just might if you let it.


Check out this and other videos at the Baeble Music Video Lounge.
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VIDEO: Pela:: “The Bowery Ballroom” – NY, NY
MP3: Pela:: “Lost to the Lonesome” – from Anytown Graffiti
Pela on MySpace

The bodacious boys of Atlanta GA’s notorious Black Lips wouldn’t want to be bogged down by too much free time. No, that kind of thing would just be brain dead and boring. So before going all larger than life this spring, the band will be shoving thirty plus shows into a six week bag. Chances are, if you’re one of the drunk punks who favor beer tossing, stage diving, and crowd surfing, this course clan of destructive dreamers will be sticking their neck out in a ‘hood near you. Get the details below. - David Pitz

Black Lips On Tour
11-30 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse *#
12-05 Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre *
12-07 Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theater
12-08 Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
12-15 Meredith, Australia - Meredith Music Festival
12-18 Sydney, Australia - Oxford Art Factory
12-19 Melbourne, Australia - The Arthouse
12-21 Melbourne, Australia - The Tote
02-01 Denver, CO - Bluebird
02-04 Seattle, WA - Neumos ^
02-05 Portland, OR - Dante's ^
02-06 Eugene, OR - WOW Hall ^
02-08 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall ^
02-09 Pomona, CA - Glasshouse ^
02-10 Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit Bar ^
02-13 San Diego, CA - Casbah ^
02-14 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey ^
02-22 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
02-23 Austin, TX - Emo's Outside
02-24 Dallas, TX - The Loft %
02-25 Lawrence, KS - Bottleneck %
02-26 Omaha, NE - Waiting Room %
02-28 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry %
02-29 Madison, WI - Memorial Union (University of Wisconsin) %
03-01 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium %
03-02 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall %
03-04 Columbus, OH - The Basement %
03-05 Oberlin, OH - Club Dionysus %
03-06 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick %
03-07 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's %
03-08 Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place %
03-10 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom %
03-11 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg %
03-13 Cambridge, MA - Middle East %
03-14 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's %
03-15 Washington, DC - Black Cat %
03-16 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 %
03-20 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge %
03-21 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone %
03-22 Atlanta, GA - The Earl %
* with Deerhunter
# with Snowden, the Selmanaires
^ with Pierced Arrows
% with Quintron, Miss Pussycat

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MP3: Black Lips:: “Cold Hands” – from Good Bad Not Evil
The Black Lips on MySpace

November isn’t too early to start thinking about the festival season, is it? Not when news of a three-day festival cropping up in our neck of the woods finds its’ way to our desktop. Going into competition with themselves, C3 Presents – the Texas-based company that organizes Chicago’s Lollapalooza Festival every year – has partnered with European partner Festival Republic to stage the Vineland Music Festival. To be held on a 550 private farm in New Jersey, Vineland will run Aug. 8-10th…just one weekend after Lollapalooza. With both festivals featuring 100 plus artists on multiple stages (and overlap sure to occur), aren’t the promoters worried about over saturation? C3 partner Charlie Jones thinks both festivals can thrive independently. “They are nowhere close to each other and they will be different events”, quotes Jones. Vineland will also differentiate itself from its’ Midwestern counterpart by following a more European, camp-in, model. Currating Vineland, C3 can not lay claim to booking three major festivals. They also book the Austin City Limits Festival in Texas. – David Pitz

Though Sufjan’s stamp is certainly neatly pressed in bright red ink over the close cornered genre of contemporary chamber folk, one would be hard-pressed to ignore the work of Danish band Efterklang after a listen to the astonishing recorded work they offer with their recently released third album, Parades (The Leaf Label). Just sifting through the liner notes is a chore. With an endless array of musicians lending their classical contributions to the five piece core that is Efterklang, it’s best to skip all this browsing and head straight for your play button. - KEEP READING - David Pitz

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MP3: Efterklang:: “Cutting Ice To Snow” – from Parades
Efterklang on MySpace

Do it for Darfur...That is the message coming out of a flurry of your favorite bands today. Releasing the inaugural album from their Causes series, Waxploitation is offering up a collection of exclusive and rare tracks donated by Animal Collective, The Black Keys, Bloc Party, Bright Eyes, Cornelius, The Cure, David Sylvian, Death Cab for Cutie, (International) Noise Conspiracy, The Shins remixed by Clint Mansell, Spoon, Teargas & Plateglass, Thievery Corporation and Travis. With all proceeds benefiting three non- profit organizations (Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam America), Causes 1 comes just in time for the season of giving. All it will cost you is $10.99 HERE.

The album will also be available digitally on iTunes for only 90 days beginning on November 27th. "We've made a conscious decision to create a sense of urgency - to mirror what is a dire situation in Darfur. It's not just a symbolic gesture," says Waxploitation's founder Jeff Antebi. "These non-profits need help there now."

Causes 1 Tracklist:
Animal Collective - Safer (Exclusive Live Version)
The Black Keys - Stay All Night (Exclusive Chulahoma Session)
Bloc Party - Rhododendrons
Bright Eyes - Coat Check Dream Song (Exclusive Live Version)
Cornelius - Wataridori 2 (Exclusive Version)
David Sylvian - Late Night Shopping (Exclusive Chris Vrenna Remix)
Death Cab For Cutie - World Shut Your Mouth (Rare Julian Cope Cover)
The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Washington Bullets
The Cure - The Walk (Exclusive Live Version)
The Shins - Turn On Me (Exclusive Clint Mansell Remix)
Spoon - Rhthm & Soul (Exclusive Middle Version)
Teargas & Plateglass - One Day Across the Valley
Thievery Corporation - The Passing Stars feat. Pam Bricker
Travis - Gimme Some Truth (Exclusive John Lennon Cover)

Although estimates of the number of people killed by the conflict in Darfur vary widely from 200,000 to 400,000, what is certain is that more than 2 million people have fled their homes because of the fighting, and 4 million are now in need of humanitarian assistance—making this one of the worst crises in the world today.

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MP3: Bright Eyes:: “Coat Check Dream Song (Exclusive Live Version)” – from Causes 1

A stun gunning outfit with the looks to thrill, Cut Off Your Hands serve serious notice that this little 80’s throwback thing that cropped into popular music a few years back has hardly run its’ total course…something these kiwi’s drive home with every jangley riff of rollicking guitar and every sizzling slice of cymbal and snare. From The FADER CMJ Sideshow, Cut Off Your Hands aim for total dance driven bombast. All you need to do is comply…so, comply! – David Pitz

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VIDEO: Cut Off Your Hands:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY

We’d like to share a tear or two with Jaymay. After all, it need not take more than one listen to hear just how weepy her sad sack tales of a romance that rode away can get. But, oh…if these same songs weren’t so captivating…If this girl with a guitar didn’t paroose the contents of her half-empty heart with such wit and style…We’ve no choice than to hold on to our sympathy, especially considering what this New Yorker has been up to overseas. Having shared the stage with the likes of Bright Eyes and Jose Gonzales, she is currently on tour in support of the UK released Autumn Fallin' (Heavenly) with Okkervil River and Caribou. And while she spends most of her time in her new hometown of London, Jaymay will be bringing it all back home, so to speak, over the next few months. On December 12th, New York fans will be able to catch her play a one off gig at the Mercury Lounge. A little later on, she'll be giving Autumn Fallin’ a domestic release, care of Blue Note Records. Look for the album March 11th. - David Pitz

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Jaymay on MySpace

Ryan Adams and The Cardinals don't seem to be letting the changing of the calendar faze them…and really, why should they? ’07 was one of the more affluent years of Adam’s much lauded career. There was Easy Tiger, an album Time Magazine dubbed “a career breakthrough”. He recently released an EP entitled Follow The Lights, comprised of "reflective and sober renditions of a handful of Mr. Adams' near-classics" (The New York Times). And there was his endless road trip he and his band embarked on to string the two releases together. Not one to sit on his guitar case for too long, Adams has announced a number of west coast dates for this January. Full details listed below: - David Pitz

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals On Tour:
1/16 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
1/18 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
1/19 - San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre
1/21 - Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theater
1/22 - Claremont, CA - Bridges Auditorium
1/23 - San Rafael, CA - Marin Center
1/25 - Salem, OR - Elsinore Theater
1/26 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater
1/28 - Berkeley, CA - Zellerbach Hall
1/30 - Los Angeles, CA - UCLA Royce Hall

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Ryan Adams on MySpace

Fit for your turkey day travels, Bloc Party released the dancey as all get out Flux EP yesterday – the first bit of new material to surface since February’s Weekend in the City. An enterprising track, “Flux” comes injected with the kind of spastic synths that carelessly ricochet off each other, tidy electronic drums that keep things moving along, and that whole goofy, pitch correcting effect pumped through Kele’s vocals. And while the original may trick you into thinking this is some dressed up remix, it is, in fact, how the band originally intended you to hear it. ‘Course, if you want remixes, the band throws them in there as well, signing up Good Books, Punx Soundcheck, and more. Before you hop over to I-Tunes (it is the only place you can pick it up...though you can here it at the band's MySpace), fair warning…these tracks could have you burying your speedometer all the way to grandma’s house - David Pitz

Bloc Party - Flux EP
Flux
Flux (JFK Remix)
Flux (Tomboy's Cowbell Treat)
Flux (Good Books Magnetism Mix)
Flux (Punx Soundcheck "Tenebrae" Remix)*
*iTunes only

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Bloc Party on MySpace

Queue your jealousy now. Yesterday Pitchfork pointed us in the direction of a rather charming clip out of the Okkervil River camp…a drop dead, gorgeously shot video of Will Sheff strumming through the quiet chords of The Stage Names’ “Girl in Port” along the Italian Seaside. Diced up with various touristy (but not so touristy) images of the rest of the band, this is one tempting montage. Italy anyone? - David Pitz

From Pitchfork…
"Our friend Mike Torres shot this 16mm (and Super 8) footage of us on a European tour in late 2006, when we had a day off in the area surrounding the walled city of San Elpidio a Mare, Italy. We took the van down to the beach; Scotty and Brian skipped rocks, Patrick and Travis played this weird little pseudo-poker shell and rock game, and I pulled out my guitar to play this song, inspired by the whole seaside scene. With footage from the beach and around the walled city. One of my favorite afternoons in recent memory." – Will Sheff


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MP3: Okkervil River:: “Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe” – The Stage Names
Okkervil River @ MySpace

Clipd Beaks’ latest album Hoarse Lords (Lovepump United)
showcases the dark side of psychdelia with the more pretentious side of indie rock. It makes for a great listen, but only if taken in small doses. -
KEEP READING - Stephon Johnson

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Clipd Beaks on MySpace

The roll-out of quality shows continues today, as we are proud to release a duo of prolific concerts from two of the most exciting touring bands around. Recorded October 18th, 2007 at the
World’s Fair CMJ Showcase, we’re proud to premier these electric performances from Brooklyn’s
Pela, and England’s British Sea Power.


In this performance at the Bowery Ballroom, British Sea Power offer an exhilarating dose of anthemic, freak out material. Except, here, the band stays cool, and stands tall throughout.
This is material British Sea Power truly reign supreme over. No gimmicks needed, this is as confident a performance as any you'll find in our catalogue. - David Pitz


Propped upon pile driving drums, a brooding bottom end, and flickering guitar lines that elegantly dance to Billy McCarthy’s gutsy yelp, the intensity of this Pela performance - a hometown
CMJ affair at the Bowery Ballroom that was the band’s last of a generous 2007 - will absorb viewers right through the screen. This is music of a more meaningful variety…of course,
when you pull from the very best of American rock bands, both past and present, this is bound to happen.

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VIDEO: Pela:: “Live at the Bowery Ballroom” – NYC, NY
VIDEO: British Sea Power:: “Live at the Bowery Ballroom” – NYC, NY

Abandon your urban squalor and go west young man. That is the message from Portland’s Blitzen Trapper in this, their not
so cheap video for “Wild Mountain Nation”. Plopping themselves in the middle of an animated postcard of sorts, this Orie Weeks directed frontier fling leaves NYC, climbs menacing
mountains, only to blast off for other planets all together…all this while reminiscing of those terrifically twisted animation cuts fashioned by Terry Gilliam for
Monty Python. - David Pitz


Check out this and other videos at the Baeble Music Video Lounge.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
VIDEO: Blitzen Trapper:: "Live at The Mercury Lounge" – NY, NY
MP3: Blitzen Trapper:: “Wild Mountain Nation” –
from Wild Mountain Nation
Blitzen Trapper on MySpace

In the liner notes of their new, self-titled album (Bloodshot Records) The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir include a dedication to Dave Eggers and Harvey Pekar. So then, it should come as no surprise that this motley musical collective (led by the one-named Elia) delivers nine tracks of sincere, but occasionally unpleasant, honesty. - KEEP READING - Claire Orpeza

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MP3: Scotland Yard Gospel Choir:: “Aspirdestra” – from s/t
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir on MySpace

"I got 1 stipulation today. We got 10 minutes and I need y'all to wow out to your fullest capabilities for this 10 minutes. Y'all think y'all can do that?" - Mikey Rocks

The only hip hop act to take The Sideshow all week, these CMJers obviously needed a bit of beat in their bones, and bass in their face. So yeah…I’d say the crowd holds their own during this performance from Chicago up and comers the Cool Kids. Though not given long to do so (this is the shortest show in Baeble’s catalogue), the duo of Chuck English and Mikey Rocks travel the hip hop continuum, harking back to days when big trap-set beats, the flash of the record scratch, and damn positive, party vibe lyrics were a norm. Tack on outrageous graffiti gear, and these retro outfitted MCs do the golden age of hip hop right. - David Pitz

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VIDEO: Cool Kids:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY

Could a grizzled old line legend, his voice rough and gruff,
be flirting to go toe to toe in the studio with a spitfire devil of an electric guitar player (not to mention singer)? That is the question
NME is pondering this morning. From the endless UK rumor mill comes speculation of a marquee studio collaboration
between Bob Dylan and Jack White. And while this sort of thing would certainly be an interesting piece of audio, I’m not sure if the mag’s reasons necessarily add up to the
supposed partnership definitely occuring. True, Jack did join Bob on stage two nights running in Nashville back in September. And he also kicked off the second season
of “Theme Time” – Dylan’s acclaimed XM radio show.But NME
take their info from Dominic Suchyta, an old friend of White’s currently recording a slew of White renditions of Hank Williams songs…a project coordinated by Dylan himself.
Telling Paste Magazine, Suchyta hinted, “I wouldn’t put it past either of them. They seem to be cut from the same cloth, sort of misplaced Midwestern brothers.” It’s the kind of
statement not so soaked in certainty, is it? Of course, it’s also bound to make it tough to put time out of mind, so to speak. I guess we’ll all need to wait to see… - David Pitz

You’d think a 17-date tour would be just what Amy Winehouse might need to pick herself back up from the quite literal blow she was dealt last week. Instead, the opening night of her tour in Birmingham England was met by a cascade of fuming fans booing the boozy babe singer, and finally walking out of her performance…and with good reason. Though taking the stage a half hour late is hardly reason to rant (if there is one thing she has taught her audience, it is to expect this much), stumbling through four songs, slurring her words, and looking utterly lost throughout the performance generally don’t go over well with an audience that has paid premium pounds to witness what is suppose to be one of the most talented vocalists of our time. Said one onlooker, “She fell into the guitar stand and dropped the microphone -- it was atrocious. The song dedicated to her husband was so bad it was like swinging a cat round your head." Added Birmingham music critic Andy Coleman, it was “one of the saddest nights of my life. I saw a supremely talented artist reduced to tears, stumbling around the stage and, unforgivably, swearing at the audience."

That last bit of info refers to the brain dead banter sadly spit out in reaction to all this. Snapping, "Let me tell you something. First of all, if you're booing, you're a mug for buying a ticket.” True I suppose. But continuing “Second, to all those booing, just wait till my husband gets out of incarceration -- and I mean that." doesn’t douse any of the flames her performance ignited. And as if that were not enough, Winehouse capped her evening off with an “abbreviated” version of “Valerie”. Descending in to chaos, Winehouse stopped singing, dropped her microphone, and stumbled off the stage after a measly forty minutes.

And to that, all we can really say is, “Get Ready to Live Glasgow!” Winehouse plays the Scottish city tomorrow evening. - David Pitz

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Amy Winehouse on MySpace

There is no containing this pack of odd ball musical animals, and, frankly, that is the way we like it. With their mighty ’07 season not yet in the bag, Animal Collective have begun to map out the musical terrain they plan to plod through next year, and if you are a fan of this quisitive and quirky band, the news revealed on the Animal Collective Message Board will obviously be to your liking.

Currently mixing at the Rare Book Room, the band will be releasing an EP of Strawberry Jam session material. Included with “Street Flash”, look for three other romps you probably haven’t had a taste for. In addition to the EP, the band will jet set to Europe for a handful of gigs…most notably a stop on the Explosions in the Sky curatted All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival. Then the band treks to the Far East for a few gigs in Japan, bringing it back home for at least one show on US shores this April.

Somewhere in the midst of all these plans, Animal Collective plan to record somewhere near a beach. And as if that were not enough, they are both finishing a brand new website, as well as planning the art work for a three LP box set…though, no word on when that is coming out.

After that is all said in done, here’s hoping the band take a well-deserved break. We want them around for a few more years. – David Pitz

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Animal Collective on MySpace

Richard Hawley wants you to know that the suburban life is such a sunny life…especially when you’re in love. So says the former Pulp guitarist in this video for “Serious”, directed by Shane Meadows.


Check out this and other videos at the Baeble Music Video Lounge.
For those interested in the making of such a video, why we even have this behind the scenes look at, of all things, the making of the video.



And if the video don’t suffice enough, check out Hawley when it ventures cross the pond to the States this December. Full details below:

Richard Hawley On Tour:
12/01 - New York @ Bowery Ballroom
12/02 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
12/04 - Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bear's
12/06 - Chicago, IL @ The Abbey
12/07 - Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar
12/10 - Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Cafe
12/12 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord
12/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

* * * * * * * * * * * *
Richard Hawley on MySpace

You may not want to pick up Saturday Looks Good To Me's newest album Fill Up The Room (K Records) if: you're deathly allergic to catchy melodies, you think the world could do with a little more death metal on the radio, or you hate bands fronted by quirky, multi-talented musicians. If none of this applies to you, read on. KEEP READING - Claire Orpeza

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MP3: Saturday Looks Good To Me:: “Make a Plan” – from Fill Up The Room
Saturday Looks Good To Me on MySpace

Raise the sails gents, for one of NYC’s most gushed about bands are prepared to cast off. Though recent XL Recordings signees Vampire Weekend’s destination isn’t entirely exotic, I suppose that could be the charm of this one. Regardless, this carefree cruise around the New York Harbor to the tune of “Mansard Roof” will have to make due until the band’s debut album is released on January 29th. - David Pitz


Check out this and other videos at the Baeble Music Video Lounge.

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Vampire Weekend on MySpace

Dirty Projectors’ devil of an album, Rise Above (Dead Oceans), has been a colossal favorite of ours in the office since it first came through the mail slot back in August. Few musicians dare us to dream up such high-rise possibilities for independent rock as David Longstreth, and having missed all of the band’s previous NYC performances to date (a real crime considering their local), we are left to imagine just how far this daring band dive down the rabbit hole throughout the course of a live outing. However, good news hit the inbox several days ago…With the band scheduled to play five upcoming US shows, we’ll finally get what ails our live fix. Full details below. – David Pitz

Dirty Projectors On Tour
11/30/07 Poughkeepsie, NY - Vassar College
12/01/07 Alfred, NY - Alfred University - Knight Club
12/04/07 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
12/05/07 Cambridge, MA - Middle East
12/07/07 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s

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MP3: Dirty Projectors:: “No More” – from Rise Above
Dirty Projectors @ MySpace

While we certainly have enjoyed many an opportunity to film at some of the cities’ bigger venues, last Wednesday’s performance from Boston up and comers Medicated Kisses illustrates exactly why cramming into a hole in the wall club is still one of the more exhilarating things one could do with their time. A high energy outfit tailor made for both suburban mall punks and legitimate lovers of rock alike, Medicated Kisses combine wicked smart pop sensibilities with a ferocious fusion of cut throat guitars and bull dozer rhythms. Tag on front woman Alanna V’s soulful presence at the helm of the quintet and this band is ultimately a highly polished, yet utterly explosive group stewing a brand of relevant rock that is sure to take them from The Annex to Webster Hall in no time at all. - David Pitz

Stay tuned to Baeble in the coming weeks for exclusive footage from this show.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
Photos: Medicated Kisses:: “Live at the Annex” – NY, NY
Medicated Kisses on MySpace


- Photography by Maureen Pitz

As we have screamed from the roof tops for the last several weeks, CMJ was very kind to all of us here at Baeble. It’s not every week we get to set our cameras up in an empty storefront on the Lower East Side to shoot thirty plus performances from some of today’s most gushed about bands and musicians. Special thanks to our friends over at The FADER are still very much in order.

Today we’re paying our good fortune forward, bestowing upon you, the loyal Baeble viewer, a gratuitous grab bag of performances by The Checks, Drug Rug, White Denim, and Biffy Clyro. All of this on the heels of our CMJ premier from Wild Light, which we released Friday. – David Pitz

* * * * * * * * * * * *
VIDEO: Biffy Clyro:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY
VIDEO: The Checks:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY
VIDEO: Drug Rug:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY
VIDEO: White Denim:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY
VIDEO: Wild Light:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY

When the first song on Citay’s Little Kingdom (Dead Oceans) emanates from the speaker, you realize that there has never been such truth in advertising. “First Fantasy” lives up to its title with great harmonies, psychedelic guitar work and wordless, but triumphant vocals. This sets a pattern that the band doesn’t stray away from throughout, but then again, it might be the whole point. KEEP READING - Stephon Johnson

* * * * * * * * * * * *
MP3: Citay:: “First Fantasy” – from Little Kingdom
Citay on MySpace

We’ll start with the freshest bit of news coming from Radiohead this morning…As expected US distribution of the record you already “paid” for, In Rainbows, will be handled by ATO Records, thereby making the greatest rock and roll band on the globe the property of Dave Matthews…chuckle if you must. The US release also comes on the heels of XL Recordings's December 31st UK release. Look for it January 1st.

Of course while news of the release of an album everyone already has is exciting enough, it’s last weeks’series of interweb soirees that are the talk of the town. We’ve got your a full video recap below.

Last Thursday the band tucked away in an Oxford studio to bring the world an exclusive webcast. Titled the “Entanglement”, Thom kicked things off at the decks, DJing his way through a mix of his solo work “Harrowdown Hill”.


This was all followed by a Phil Selway-less cover of Bjork’s “Unravel” and some cryptic musings on a chalk board.


What a nice little treat, eh? We thought so. Of course that is before we later discovered Thursday was nothing more than a prelude to Friday’s epic “Thumbs Down” webcast. And while we could talk about all the covers, hill top jams, homemade, Thom in a box videos, various DJ sets, bicycle helmets, and car park extravaganza involved, we feel it best to show you a bit of what you might have missed below - David Pitz

Radiohead – “The Headmaster Ritual” (Smiths Cover)


Radiohead – “15 Step”


Radiohead – “Faust Arp”


Radiohead – “Jigsaw Falling Into Place”


Radiohead – “Reckoner”


Radiohead – “Ceremony” (New Order Cover”

Amy Winehouse has had herself any number of smash hits this year. But here is one even the boozy babe singer, who seems to bow to controversy at almost every turn she makes, has yet to experience…until yesterday. Acting on a tip from those no good, pesky British newspapers, police knocked in the front door, sans battering ram, of the home Winehouse shares with hubby Blake Fielder-Civil. Good news for music fans though. Apparently the law had it hard for Fielder-Civil, though this, of course, comes as no comfort to Winehouse. She was reportedly doused in tears, screaming “I want to go with him!” The singer’s mother in law later confirmed Winehouse was too upset to talk further.

Of course the police don’t knock in pop singer’s homes for no reason…so what was the cause of such a scene? Seems Fielder Civil was fixing to pay off the victim of a lawsuit brought against both him, and friend Michael Brown. Accused of assaulting barman James King, Fielder Civil reportedly offered money to King to either remove his statement or go abroad for awhile so the trial would collapse. A police spokesman suspects more arrests will be made as "claims of conspiracy to pervert justice" are generally not taken too lightly.

There could be some selfishly good news to report, however. Perhaps with the love of her life in the can, Winehouse can finally chum up with fellow maniac Pete Doherty to record that highly anticipated duet the pair keep blabbing about…though it to, no doubt, will also somehow meet an unfortunate fate by way of the bobby battering ram. – David Pitz

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Amy Winehouse on MySpace

Backing off the mic just a bit, Wild Light – a group of young New Englanders taking a bit of time off from their luck defying role as warm-up to the Arcade Fire – let it all go-“ooooh” in opener “Call Home”. It’s a less is more kind of moment…less because the voice doesn’t journey through the amp but rather straight from the fleshy windpipes of those on stage, more because of the collective pulse it gives the already emotionally charged compositions. Better yet, it’s a moment that is repeated throughout the entirety of this CMJ performance at the FADER Sideshow.

Watching Wild Light in the thick of their performance, its not a far stretch to see why one of the world’s biggest rock band chose to invite the little known quartet along for their latest North American and European tours. Stripped of the violin, auxiliary instrumentation, and church blast pipe organ that lie at the aid of their new found Canadian friends, Wild Light go for broke with what they have…epic story lines, love sick, three-party vocal melodies, and piano pounding songcraft. It’s a serious mix they sport. But most meaningful music is…just ask Arcade Fire. – David Pitz

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VIDEO: Wild Light:: “Live at the FADER Sideshow” – NYC, NY

To describe my conversation as a tad on the awkward side…well that would probably be a statement of slightly understated proportions. It’s not every day Kevin Allen dials in from Berkley CA to tell you about the latest doings of the band he victimizes guitar after bloody guitar for, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. Tack the current affairs the band found themselves in the thick of this past week over their split and riff with Interscope (a topic Allen had purposely dodged), and there were certainly plenty of questions to throw Allen’s way, but unfortunately, not a whole heap of answers. So what though… You can’t blame a guy for not divulging the motivations behind every decision a band makes. Plus Allen did hint at several ideas of the massive variety the band are currently kicking around for their immediate future. And isn’t that what ultimately matters?

Currently enjoying himself on the Adult Swim Presents’ tour…a college campus onslaught with Gorillaz-style animated metal band Dethklok on in support…Allen doesn’t quite know how such an unlikely partnership came to be. “They just told me to play, so I showed up for it.” We’ll just leave the mysteries of corporate sponsorship for another day altogether. What we did touch on was what long-time fans can expect from the Austin outfit on their current tour. Surprisingly, Trail of Dead are currently playing a wide range of material, spanning their entire career…an unlikely fact considering the band is preparing to record a new album this February. “We’re still rolling through plenty of our older songs…we really won’t be playing any unfamiliar gems at these shows just yet.”

Why? Turns out Trail of Dead are still working through plenty of the new songs they are scheduled to record. “At the moment, I’d say it is only half way done.” And while they might be scrambling to find material (not to mention a label), Allen did hint at the band’s desire to venture into more interactive territory with the as yet to be named album. Big fans of Guitar Hero III, the band is working through several ideas to work the game into their record…though I personally fear the results of millions of teenagers smashing their Guitar Hero controllers at the end of a triumphant set! On top of that, Trail of Dead are also prepping a collection of “near misses”, to be released early next year as well. Expect the kind of collection (b-sides, basement recordings, rarities, demos, etc.) that will help fill in the gaps and flesh out their entire, ten year recorded history.

And with that Allen saluted me after a tidy ten minutes “world peace and chicken grease”, and the line went dead. I’ll just assume he destroyed the phone. – David Pitz

Trail of Dead On Tour:
11/08/07: University of South Dakota, Vermillian, S.D.
11/11/07: University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
11/13/07: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill.
11/15/07: University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.
11/17/07: University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.
11/18/07: Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill.
11/19/07: Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, IL
11/20/07: Lee’s Palace, Tornoto, ON
11/21/07: Grog Shop, Cleveland OH
11/23/07: Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY.

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Trail of Dead on MySpace

Consider it to be a vice like grip that’s got a hold of the sock hopping, Danish duo known as The Raveonettes. At least that is the news coming from Vice Records this afternoon. Apparently the label has swooped in and scooped up Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo…just in time for the release of their forth coming release, Lust Lust Lust, nonetheless. Look for the album early next year, with accompanying US tour to follow. – David Pitz

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VIDEO: The Raveonettes:: “Live at Maxwell's” – Hoboken, NJ
The Raveonettes @ MySpace

Known for their quiet take on urban city life, NYC band Ida have pulled a Thoreau, vacating the metropolis to record their newest record in a wooded, Catskill retreat near Woodstock NY. The result of such a pastoral positioning is Ida’s seventh full-length, Lovers Prayers; a brand new collection of tracks that apparently captures the band’s studio surroundings within the confines of the compositions.

From the press release...
“Strange buzzing sounds, incandescent acoustic drones, dissonant tone clusters of unknown origin, the distant communications of birds, and unobstructed views of the night sky suffuse the gently strummed guitars, sparse piano notes, and poignant personal narratives of Daniel Littleton, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Karla Schickele...Ida's interest in sparseness, minimalism, and sound worlds is in abundance on Lovers Prayers, but these concerns are never at odds with their pop instincts. Ida's music has evolved into something generous and beautiful, a synthesis of folk, rock, blues, and world music that feels singularly their own. They have made a record that is uncompromising, complex, and emotionally resonant, with enough sonic detail and depth to reward repeated listening.”

Lovers and Prayers will be released January 29th on Polyvinyl Records. - David Pitz

Lovers Prayers track list:
1.Lovers Prayers
2.The Weight Of The Straw
3.The Love Below
4.Willow Tree
5.Worried Mind Blues
6.Gravity
7.For Shame Of Doing Wrong
8.First Light
9.Kora
10.Surely Gone
11.The Killers 1964
12.See The Stars
13.First Take
14.Blue Clouds

The band has also booked a handful of NY dates, listed below:

11/15 - New York , NY - Knitting Factory w/ Tara Jane O'Neil
11/17 - Rosendale , NY - Rosendale Cafe w/ Tara Jane O'Neil, Luc Sante + Jana Martin
11/18 - Woodstock , NY - Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

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Ida on MySpace

If big, bold, and brash are the wicked ingredients that wet your appetite, Los Angeles experimental quartet HEALTH will probably have you drooling on your own shoe once they finish bulldozing you over. Firing on a plenty of percussive bombast and magnificent, radio static guitar drones, the band’s recently released 11 song, 30 minute debut is a devilish delight of noise rock anthems that have had the band name-checked everywhere from hometown publications to England’s biggest rock rags. To learn that the band neglected the stale studio environment in favor of a dark, dirty, brick club in downtown Los Angeles for the recording certainly comes as no surprise. HEALTH rumble and roll off whatever walls confine them. A recent experience at one of the band’s seven CMJ stops taught us that such abrasive and course bouts of rock also translate into awfully intense live work. Keep an eye on Baeble in the next few weeks for exclusive video from the band’s performance at The Fader Sideshow. In the meantime, stream the band’s entire album HERE, and check out the band at any of the handful of dates they are currently set to play on the west coast. – David Pitz

HEALTH On tour:
11.15.07 - Che Cafe - San Diego, CA
11.16.07 - The Smell - Los Angeles, CA
11.17.07 - Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA

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MP3: HEALTH:: “Crimewave” – from s/t
MP3: HEALTH:: “Perfect Skin” – from s/t
HEALTH on MySpace

Shout Out Louds seem to be mastering the art of the short-film video. Shot in around their native Stockholm, this dusk to dawn cut for second single "Impossible" picks up in terms of cinematic beauty where "Tonight I Have to Leave It" left off. I suppose capturing sheer beauty is just bassist/director Ted Malmros' way. Oh yeah...Say Adam, that shirt looks quite familiar! - David Pitz


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VIDEO: Shout Out Louds:: “Live at Spiegeltent” – NYC, NY
MP3: Shout Out Louds:: “Tonight I Have to Leave It” – Our Ill Wills
Shout Out Louds @ MySpace

Impressing the unknowing will always remain the ultimate objective of the perfectly compiled mix tape, and in 2006 there was no better track than Beirut’s “Postcards from Italy” to call upon to play the role of instant curiosity peaker. All melancholy ukulele, rolling rum pum pum snare drum, blaring brass, and Zach Condon’s stirring vocals, the song is easily the signature track from Beirut’s Gulag Orkestar; though that hardly means the entire body of work suffered.

For Gulag’s full-length follow-up, the twenty-one year old once again traverses the old world, this time taking queues from the cobblestone streets and corner cafes of the City of Lights. And while the results of his inspirations are certainly a little less gypsy, The Flying Club Cup (Ba Da Bing) still aims for indie exotica all the way. KEEP READING – David Pitz

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MP3: Beirut:: “A Sunday Smile” – from The Flying Club Cup
Beirut Band on MySpace

Anna Ternheim may have plenty of fame and acclaim in her native Sweden. Being the lucky recipient of a Swedish Grammy for “Best Newcomer” in ’04, as well as notching nominations for “Best Female Artist”, “Best Lyricist”, and “Best Songwriter” a year later will bestow that kind of thing on a fetching, young 28 year old. But other than the year spent abroad in Atlanta, America has never heard a peep from this talented musician. It’s a shame too. Ternheim has been playing guitar, writing songs, and performing rather elegantly since the age of ten...a fact that explains the achingly beautiful poetics and solid songwriting displayed on both her debut album Somebody Outside, as well as its’ follow-up, Separation Road.

Making up for lost time, Ternheim recently released a self-titled EP for Decca Records, marking the first time her songs have washed ashore here in the US. And if this five song collection has anything to say about it, this won’t be the only time such a thing occurs. Plucked from Separation Road, opener “Lover’s Dream” is an acoustic mystery of sorts, touched up with inquisitive, brow-raising bits of violin and Ternheim’s breathy, Suzanne Vega-esque vocals. “Bridges”, with transient piano and rickety guitar lines provides plenty of mood and atmosphere for the next time you need…well, plenty of mood and atmosphere. And then their Ternheim’s version of “China Girl”…an example of Bowie done right if ever there was one.

While currently on tour in the UK, expect plenty of US dates as she prepares to support a new full-length album this March. – David Pitz

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MP3: Anna Ternheim:: “I'll Follow You Tonight”– from s/t EP
MP3: Anna Ternheim:: “China Girl” – from s/t EP
Anna Ternheim on MySpace

While they aren’t exactly putting down their instruments (why these lads are just getting rolling…oh yeah, and they’ll need them for this new project), Atlanta’s notorious Black Lips will go a tad “bigger than life” this May, agreeing to play the cinematic role of a fictional band in the upcoming feature-length film Let it Be. Not another Beatle movie as the title obviously suggests, Let it Be will be a late ‘80’s stab at capturing the post-punk American underground music scene. The film will be shot in the Southeast and will include notable music from the period, as well brand new! Black Lips material.

‘Course this isn’t the only news coming out of these Bad Kids today. Turns out they have no desire whatsoever to stop gigging, and if you live in the South, you stand to benefit from an extended tour. Details below: - David Pitz

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Nov 30 - Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, GA @ w/ Snowden, Deerhunter, and Selmanaires
Dec 5 - Georgia Theatre - Athens, GA w/ Deerhunter
Dec 7 - Neighborhood Theatre - Charlotte, NC w/ The Sammies
Dec 8 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC w/ Reigning Sound

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MP3: Black Lips:: “Cold Hands” – from Good Bad Not Evil
The Black Lips on MySpace

Despite what we’ve been shown in this video clip for the first single from Two Gallants' superb self-titled album, I’d venture to say this sad sack, booze hound of a Clown, like singer Adam Stephens, once had a soul. Now all he’s left with is a few coins and a dollar bill. - David Pitz


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VIDEO: Two Gallants:: “Live at the Gramercy Theater” – NYC, NY
MP3: Two Gallants:: “The Hand That Held Me Down” – from Two Gallants
MP3: Two Gallants:: “Despite What You've Been Told” – from Two Gallants
Two Gallants on MySpace

Picking Seventh Tree (Mute) for the title of her fourth album, sexy genre buster Allison Goldfrapp is marking February 28th the release date for what’s going to be one highly anticipated album. Spending a career pining to near universal critical acclaim, Seventh Tree follow’s on the heels of ‘05’s Supernature. To the official release we go…

“If ‘Supernature’ was airbrushed in bold strokes of glitterball glamour, ‘Seventh Tree’ is its sensual counterpoint. Where its predecessor came cocooned in style and sex, ‘Seventh Tree’ emerges gilded in the butterfly colors of an English surrealism shared from Lear to Lennon. It shimmers and shines with the warmth of a hazy summer, an electric whirlpool of sound over which Alison’s glistening voice soars.”

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Goldfrapp on MySpace

Those longing to hear As Tall as Lion’s Daniel Nigro’s rattling range shouldn’t creep too far from their computers on November 27th. Word is the band is set to release a digital only EP entitled Into the Flood (Triple Crown). Want to know a little more? Nigro is obviously the man to clue you in…

“These new recordings are filled with life. For the first time during the recording of Into the Flood we were able to let go of our perfectionist approach to recording and just play. We tried not to over-analyze the tones or the performances which led these songs to flow closer to what you see at our live show.”

In other words, the six day project was less about labor, and more about love. Good thing to, considering the band is once again set hibernate for much of ’08 in order to record the follow-up to ‘06’s self-titled LP. – David Pitz

Into The Flood Track Listing:
1. 505
2. Into The Flood
3. We're The Ones That Keep You Warm At Nite
4. Breakers
5. Blacked Out

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MP3: As Tall as Lions:: “Ghost of York” – from As Tall as Lions
As Tall as Lions on MySpace

Though I usually go all giddy in the head for anything coming out of camp Animal Collective, Panda Bear's newest video for "Comfy in Nautica" strikes me as a bit...well, plain actually. I mean, I'm all for the act of skateboarding. I'm even all for watching skateboarding when the time is right. I suppose that is just the problem with this clip. When the inventively balmy and blissful trip that is “Comfy in Nautica” comes pouring out the speakers, I don’t get all riled up to go cruising round the city. Though I suppose the procedure of contrast employed here is probably the whole point of the video…You decide. - David Pitz



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Panda Bear on MySpace