The Brooklyn duo We Are Scientists are a pretty good singles band. And we enjoy their humor -- whether in little skits or Nickelback covers. Thing is, they generally put out a good single or two, and then rely on their charm, humor, Keith's dreamy smile, etc. All of which they have in overabundance. Keith and Chris seem like funny, nice guys. They've got charisma! It's the formula that works well for Foo Fighters, except that Grohl is a legit "writer of radio tracks." Brain Thrust Mastery, their second album for a major label after 2005's With Love and Squalor, opens promisingly with "Ghouls." It's an intense, brief song with an upward lift, clipped guitar squalls/feedback, processed vocals, a constant percussive tap, and repetitious lyrics ("We all recognize that I'm the problem here"). It shifts perfectly into the poppier "Let's See It" -- not a great song, but a suitably bubbly, sing-a-long chorus. Then, though, we get the undeniable swagger of the album's infectious first single "After Hours," which we see as a weird blend of the Strokes and Mister Mister. We think. Some '80s anthem we can't place. Anyone? We should know, actually, because we're already super familiar with that song via its beastiality and Jo Wiley versions. They also played "Impatience," another of Brain Thrust's goodies, that shows up a couple songs later. So far so good.

posted in "New Immaculate Machine Video - "Dear Confessor" (Stereogum Premiere)" at http://stereogum.com/archives/video/new-immaculate-machine-video-dear-confessor_008283.html

posted in "New Immaculate Machine Video - "Dear Confessor" (Stereogum Premiere)" at http://stereogum.com/archives/video/new-immaculate-machine-video-dear-confessor_008283.html

You probably know it, but Immaculate Machine is Carl Newman-niece Kathryn Calder's other band, when she's not busy being the newest New Pornographer. We've buzzed about "Dear Confessor" a couple of times over the summer, but the trio just came out with a video for the tune, so we're spinning it all over again. Following Beach House's shopping cart quest for Devotion, we have ourselves more on-the-run map reading from Immaculate Machine. Only this time it's Canadian. That, and they're in a van en route to a show and a smeary candy bar's central to the storyline. Keep the song's hook in mind: "Maps won't show us where we're going. / All they are is just the boring facts. / Relax." That last part's crucial, broseph.

Eightfires said... Escapism 1 (2005) (Trip hop) Escapism 2 (2006) (Trip hop) http://eightfiresmusica.blogspot.com Sakalli said... Foreigner - 4 (1981) (@256) Coupla Prog - Edmundo Lopez (1970) (@192) Gentle Giant - Interview (1976) (@256) http://sakalli.blog.hr rvd said... PIL public image limited 1981 live RITZ RIOT and the portsmouth sinfonia 1981 best of on 45. http://spurensicherung.blogspot.com bravo juju said... EVA CAN I STAB BATS IN A CAVE? - Olga Neuwirth - Vampyrotheone +...

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And in couples news. Rock 'n' roll muse Winona Ryder (Lost Souls) and Rilo Kiley guitarist Blake Sennett (Salute Your Shorts) are engaged to be married, according to Getty blog (thanks Kelly for the tip). This is exciting news because everyone likes Winona Ryder, and Blake Sennet makes us think about Jenny Lewis. Also? Winona Ryder dated, like, half our CD collection. An exclusive photo of the short-lived supergroup comprised of Winona's rock 'n' roll ex-boyfriends after the jump. Congrats, kids.

Tokyo Police Club's still a young band and already they've given us two releases -- the wave-making A Lesson In Crime EP, the sturdy Smith EP -- but given TPC's penchant for two-minute tunes, really it's only fair this next platter come with more than four-to-six cuts. Saddle Creek snapped up the precocious post-punkers a while back and yes finally an LP is on its way, "In A Cave" being its first serving. Under three minutes (still), fuzzed-up bass (as always), handclaps (again), group chants (of course), but this time out TPC doesn't sound like they're in such a rush, allowing their uncanny knack for pop tracks to brush by a little more smoothly, to expand a bit more patiently. "Cave"'s got nothing on our favorite TPC moment, but it is a fine look at what's creeping out of their Elephant Shell.

Tokyo Police Club - "In A Cave" (MP3)

Elephant Shell is out in the US on 4/22 via Saddle Creek, in the UK on 5/5/08 via Memphis Industries.

Frisian said... On Boppeslag Surf Instros; Infrareds - Infrareds [2000] http://boppeslag.blogspot.com - On Frisian’s Other Favorites Alternative Pop-Rock; Kate Bush - Hounds of Love [1985] Nederpop [Dutch]; Het Goede Doel - Mooi en Onverslijtbaar [1986] http://frisiansotherfavorites.blogspot.com TonyTiger - said... Nargo's Blind Pig The Who 04/06/68 Fillmore East New York Soundboard @ 320 Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys Lonely Avenue The Record Plant New York 1969/70 @ 320 Fleetwood Mac...

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Forever pop culture savvy, the odd couple of Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse draft Justin Timberlake (who's showing a lot of his kebab online today) to play host of a TV dance party soundtracked by the tune's retro party soul. Given, we couldn't have asked for another "Crazy," but this is pretty damn good.

Alongside the pop culture know how, of course, comes the attempts to dupe bloggers. The marketing team behind the album is circulating a rumor that "Run" failed the Harding Flash and Pattern Analyzer (used by broadcasters to ensure footage won't induce seizures). Or at least we think that's why someone sent us this...

posted in "New Weird Weeds - "Dream Songs," "Red," & "We're Gonna Die"" at http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-weird-weeds-red-were-gonna-die_008276.html