Considering that we're all about to look like extras from the set of Cinderella Man, The Decemberists' new ode to "Valerie Plame" (of the infamous Robert Novak/Wilson drama) feels like small potatoes on political protest song hierarchy. Catchy enough song though...Let's just pretend it's about chicks. Listen after the jump.
Ray LaMontagne's Meg White-lovin' Gossip in the Grain is due on 10.14, and Amazon is streaming "You Are The Best Thing" this week on the album's pre-order page. This track is a little Starbucksy for my tastes, but LaMontagne's smokey vocals still sells it better than most.
Ani DiFranco's Red Letter Year, the indie icon's 103rd album since 1989, is due on 9.30. She managed to squeeze in some time between recording album's 104-110 for a quick Daytrotter session, where she previewed two new tracks, "Present/Infant," and "The Atom." While 1998's Little Plastic Castle was the last DiFranco disc that really grabbed me, these new cuts still prove that her alterna-folk muse hasn't lost its touch.
A "new" Bob Dylan track has been made available for free download on the folk legend's official site. First released as a rocked-up cover on Sheryl Crow's 1998 album, The Globe Sessions, "Mississippi" was recorded by Dylan during the sessions for the Time Out of Mind disc, and is now available for the first time in its original, stripped-down form.
Download "Mississippi" here
Miniature Tigers have a new LP, Tell It To The Volcano, due in records stores by early '09. But through the magic of the Interwebs, you can download a digital copy via iTunes or Amazon right now. Why the rush? Well, if you're a fan of sunny indie pop, tracks like "Cannibal Queen" might be the perfect balm for tha case of summertime withdrawal just starting to set in.
Grab the mp3 below, stream a bunch more tracks at MySpace, then check out the full tracklist for Tell It To The Volcano after the jump.
When a band calls itself The Supersuckers, claims to be the "Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World" and sports a lead singer named Eddie Spaghetti, one might be tempted to not take its music too seriously. But with Get It Together due 11.25, it's a good time to remind everyone that after 20 (!) years, the Arizona four-piece is still churning out rockabilly-style punk (think Social Distortion) that, while perhaps not as great as the band's self-imposed tag line, elevates these guys well beyond novelty status.
The Killers, who's new LP Day and Age is set to drop on 11.25, look set to return to their pop-synth roots, if lead single "Human" is any indication. The mid-tempo, 80s pop track premiered on Radio 1 last night, and has been springing leaks all day. Grab it while you can (almost every YouTube clip has already been yanked) at Pretty Much Amazing.
This new Q-Tip song is precisely what I was hoping for. So, while it makes me miss the 1990s when mainstream hip hop actually moved me, I am glad to see we may actually have a winner from our album release race. Check out the clip for "Getting Up" after the jump.
Scott Weiland is streaming a new track from his upcoming solo LP, Happy in Galoshes (due 11.25). Check out "Missing Cleveland" at MySpace, or over at SPIN. After one listen, it definitely sounds like the former Velvet Revolver frontman is channeling the glammier end of his STP days (think Tiny Music...) this time out.
The Dears are teaming up with Secret Machines for a five-week North American jaunt to support the Montreal act's upcoming (10.21) LP, Missiles. Judging by the big-beat sound of "Money Babies," this could be the makings of a great double-bill. And for a peek at the more orchestral-pop side of The Dears, check out "Meltdown in a Major" at MySpace. This could be one to keep an eye on this Fall.
-Stream The Dears' "Money Babies" (WMV)
