"Tbtf" (Art & Crafts) Slated for September, Spirit If... is a solo project by Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew. "Tbtf" reveals that Drew has a more accessible folkier side than the relatively experimental work he does with BSS.
Newly added to Sub Pop's already stellar roster, The Go! Team will release their sophomore album Proof of Youth in September. If you enjoyed their debut album, this track is a good clue that lightning's struck twice for the UK act.
"Summersend" (Pitchfork) This pretty little summer song by New York's Misha seems like it was made to be enjoyed on an open-top road trip to the beach. Feel the rays bouncing off the hood of that convertible. The song appears on the album Teardrop Sweetheart, which was released last week.
"Give Thanks and Praises" (Toolshed) Early reviews are in and it looks as if Bad Brains has finally created a long awaited comeback record that brings back the hardcore punk elements from their punk rock prime. The album, Build a Nation, is in stores tomorrow.
"Tryplmeade Gorsmatch" (Stones Throw) John McEntire, John Herndon, and Dan Bitney of Tortoise unite for the side project Bumps. The band creates percussion-only instrumentals like this one from their self-titled LP. Considering that these guys are all in Tortoise, I wouldn't be surprised if the album was all just as amazingly dynamic.
M.I.A.'s eagerly awaited release Kala is available in late August, but it doesn't mean she can't enter the competition for summer dance track of the year. Honestly, I feel that "Boyz" is fun but a bit uninspired. Then again, it's probably unfair to judge the quality an M.I.A. song from viral video audio quality alone.
"Listened On" (Jagjaguwar) Black Mountain members Amber Webber and Joshua Wells take on the side project Lightning Dust, a deliberately sparser approach to music making than their more lushly orchestrated parent band. The duo's self-titled debut is out next Tueday.
"Wildwood Flower" (Audiofile) Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash features covers from Ralph Stanley, Emmylou Harris, Roseanne Cash, Elvis Costello and Loretta Lynn -- who sings the Carter Family classic "Wildwood Flower".
"Pom Pom"(Pitchfork) "Elementary Lover"(Spin) Check out these two electronic funk pop tracks from Detroit-based Matthew Dear's week-old release Asa Breed, a collection of delightfully fun summer tracks that give me a very real urge to strap on a pair of skates and go roller dancing in the park.
Here's an exercise in compare-and-contrast. Watch LCD Soundsystem's recently released music video for their new single "All My Friends" off their acclaimed Sound of Silver, then check out the 80s-style makeshift visual plays on the video for Franz Ferdinand's cover of the song (which appears as a B-side to the official LCD Soundsystem CD single).
"Heart It Races" (Polyvinyl) The lovably bizarre Architecture in Helsinki releases their new album Places Like This in August. In the meantime, here's a selection to tide fans of the Canadian band over. Is that a bit of Caribbean flare I hear?
"The Underdog" (Toolshed) As one of indie pop's most consistently brilliant melody makers, Spoon offers yet catchy another track from their upcoming album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.
"Era Tu" "Ya Verdad" (Anti-) Guillermo Scott Herren is perhaps better known for his work on his electronic hip-hop project Prefuse 73, but a lot of his energy also goes into Savath & Savalas, his less plugged-in, multi-instrumental, Spanish-language moniker. Golden Pollen, which features contributions from Jose Gonzalez and Danny Bensi of Tarantula A.D., is out June 19.
"My Rights Versus Yours" (buyearlygetnow.com) I think everyone has swiped this not-so-new New Pornographers mp3 by now. (I was going to post this two weeks ago, but I was having tech problems and have had limited time to update the blog.) But since they are one of my favorite working bands, I couldn't just let it pass. "My Rights Versus Yours" is less immediately catchy than the highlights from Twin Cinema and Electric Version, but I've been hooked in by the song's less cyptic, weightier lyrics. If they've gone in this slightly different direction on their upcoming Challengers album, I think I'll be very pleased.
"A Place Called LA" (Kill Rock Stars) Vancouver's They Shoot Horses Don't They buckle you onto a chaotic carnival ride on this new track from their new album Pick Up Sticks, which hit stores today.
The old Listening Room was kind of silly. We at The LARRY Page have concluded the kids will like this better.
To download MP3s, right-click on link and choose "Save Target As." Most MP3s are only available online for a limited time, so some links in the archives may no longer work. The LARRY Page does its best to ensure all downloads that appear in Hobby Box are legal.
