Matt Pond PA : Last Light

Pitchfork may absolutely hate Matt Pond PA, but wtf do they know?! This new album, entitled Last Light and originally slated for release earlier this Spring, was put on hold so it could be mastered and he could work out a tour schedule. The album, their seventh, marks the first time Pond has stepped behind the boards to produce. He also wrote about 25 songs for the album and gradually whittled it down to 13. He took a very different approach to his songwriting this time around, mostly due the departure of a few now-former bandmates. Collaborators on the album included Neko Case, Isobel Sollenberger (Bardo Pond), Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck), John O'Mahoney (Metric), Taylor Locke (Rooney), Mike Stroud (Ratatat), and Thom Monahan (Pernice Brothers, Devendra Banhart). Matt Pond PA's MySpace

Matt Pond PA - People Have A Way
Matt Pond PA - Honestly

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Watch the Weeds Season Premiere Now

Thanks again to my pop culture muse, Whitney. She points us to this page where you can go ahead and watch the season premieres of both Weeds and David Duchovny's new show Californication.

You'll have to type in the code word : MONDAYS

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Intermission: The Best of the Solo Recordings 1990-1997

The Go-Betweens have likely been called “sublime” more times than any other band you never heard. With each release, a growing horde of critics urged anyone within earshot to witness to what many have called “the ultimate cult band.” But after several acclaimed releases and subsequent high-profile tours with the likes of REM failed to aid The Go-Betweens in denting the charts, co-leaders Robert Forster and Grant McClennan dissolved the band in favor of solo careers. These solo records, while critically lauded, languished in the bins and have since been subject to erratic availability and collector’s pricing. Thankfully, Beggars Banquet has begun to remedy this situation with the release of the two-CD Intermission: The Best of the Solo Recordings 1990-1997.

Robert Forster’s selections represent the more radical departure from The Go-Betweens’ signature sound; settling easily into an American folk-rock discipline complete with flourishes of barrelhouse piano, dobro and weeping steel guitar. Notably, he succeeds in marrying these elements with angular electric guitar leads that would feel right at home on any Television recording. His lyrical subject matter, while darker, feels like a natural extension of his Go-Betweens’ songs, but by allowing his voice to drop into lower registers (occasionally approaching Nick Cave territory) his wry tales of strained relationships take on a poignancy often veiled by the sheen of his original band. As skilled as they were, it is unlikely that The Go-Betweens would have succeeded in making the opening stanza of Danger in the Past (Your sister picked me up at the station/She told me they’d taken you in/Word was it was just observation/I thought, Here we go again) sound as powerfully threadbare.

While opting not to stray as far from The Go-Betweens’ formula, Grant McLennan shines brighter on his half of the release. His songs, regardless of tempo, glide by effortlessly; riding a wave of crisp acoustic guitars and agile percussion. As a songwriter he deserves mention in the same breath as Neil Finn. It bears commenting that McLennan elected to sequence his disc chronologically, while Forster preferred a more thematic sequence; going as far as to bookend his disc with two very different versions of Falling Star. McLennan’s approach betrays his gradual assimilation of the darker themes and arrangements (witness the washes of feedback and the mantra-like refrain of Heard somebody say/Ain’t nothing wrong with me on stifling Horsebreaker Star) that Forster handled so deftly as a solo artist and when they worked together. Nevertheless, McLennan’s darkest songs are susceptible to his pop prowess and even the most somber verses inevitably give way to soaring refrains.

The early The Go-Betweens albums have been remastered and are widely available, but be warned: these records are not going to blow you away. Setting aside the Amanda Brown’s violin and (gasp!) oboe, this band opted not to enter the margins of pop music. They turned their backs on flash and experimentation in favor of concise, moving pop songs whose layers slowly fall away revealing more with each listen. Casual pop music fans will likely hear echoes of more successful bands (The Smiths, Trash Can Sinatras) and quickly dismiss The Go-Betweens as yet another of the anonymous bands that spawned what was then known as college radio. Others will simply wonder what the fuss was about.

Robert Forster - The River People
Grant McLennan - The Dark Side of Town
The Go-Betweens - Part Company

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Slug on a Spree: Sad Clown Bad Summer Vol 9

Atmosphere cuts the ribbon on Sad Clown Bad Summer Vol 9, Accompanied by Piano with Sunshine, a track simple and sweet as a Bomb-Pop melting down your pasty white arm. Propped up by an uncluttered piano line, Slug pulls his head out of the toilet long enough to locate his ten-speed and set off on a careless spree around the Twin Cities. This effortless gem will likely gather Slug and Ant a handful of new fans as it overtakes the independent airwaves, but hardcore followers will recoil in horror each time a local news affiliate uses it as the music bed for a montage of overweight Minnesotans sauntering mindlessly around a lake. It’s pure summer fun and you’ve earned it. If you’re looking for me, I’ll be hiding in my apartment with the blinds pulled tight listening to Bam on repeat. Buy Sad Clown Bad Sumemr Accompanied By Piano.

Atmosphere - Sunshine

Atmosphere On Tour:

7/31/07 - Minneapolis, MN
8/1/07 - Minneapolis, MN
8/4/07 - Eugene, OR
8/5/07 - San Francisco, CA
8/7/07 - Morrison, CO
8/9/07 - Santa Fe, NM
8/10/07 - Mesa, AZ
8/11/07 - San Bernardino, CA
8/12/07 - San Diego, CA

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Contest Winners : QOTSA & White Stripes

OK, sorry for the delay on this. With last week's unexpected happenings, this got lost in the shuffle...The promotional company picked the winners at random, just so everyone knows. I don't have anything to do with it after it's up...

Winner of the QOTSA album and Vestal Watch: Ryan @ 6:20pm : ryandth(at)mac(dot)com

Winner of the White Stripes Vinyl: Ginny : yipyap(at)adelphia(dot)net

You'll be contacted by email today, if you haven't been already.

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Christians and Lions

I found the Boston-based Christians and Lions as I was scoping out shows in Chicago for an upcoming trip. Great pop songs with great melodies...throw in some horns, as in Skinny Fists, and you can bet I'll have it on repeat. The band was founded by brothers Samuel and Benjamin Ellis Potrykus, who recorded some rough demos while on a half-assed tour. Afterwards, they returned to Boston, recruited a band (including their younger sister, 16-year-old multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Katherine) and recorded this new version of the album which has been gaining them momentum on the Boston club scene the past little while. They say their their influences are Os Mutantes, The Beach Boys, The Kinks, and their contemporaries, Danielson Famile and CocoRosie.

The album, which they released last summer, is called More Songs for Dreamsleepers and The Very Awake and you can buy it here for only $8. They're touring pretty extensively througout August, so maybe you should go check them out. Chtristians and Lions' MySpace.

Christians and Lions - Skinny Fists
Christians and Lions - Gimme Diction

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White Light Riot : Atomism

MOKB is expanding a little. This week we'll welcome two new contributors. They are both great friends of mine and very knowledgeable and passionate about indie music. Dee and I have practically grown up together. We've been through great times and bad together and she is someone I love and trust. Dee loves power-pop, electro-rock and most things high energy. If it makes her dance, she usually has it's back. She's turned me on to a lot of bands over the years (including White Light Riot : see post) and I'm thrilled to welcome her as a new and hopefully long-time contributor to MOKB. You'll meet Luftmensch tomorrow. Both Dee and Luft are based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so they'll lend a new perspective to MOKB. I'm looking forward to it! - Dodge



What’s up, MOKB cool kids? I’m going to do my best to live up to Dodge’s standards and hopefully turn you on to more great artists. I’m coming out of the gate with a solid new album from local faves, White Light Riot. These young guys won me over from the first note they played at a show I caught almost two years ago. I’ve been anxiously awaiting their follow-up to the well-received 2005 debut EP The Dark Is Light Enough, produced by Erik Applewick of Tapes N Tapes fame.

They’ve been busy signing a record deal with Minneapolis’ 50 Entertainment (the first band signed to the label), and teasing fans with new songs at their live shows. They also released another EP – Out of Sight – last winter to further tantalize their fanbase. Finally, Atomism, their first LP, hit the streets a few weeks ago. And it does not disappoint. It’s a tight and polished – but not too polished – record packed with catchy hooks and smart lyrics from the first song to the last. Almost every song builds to a crescendo of raucous guitars and drums, while lead singer Mike Schwandt uses his energetic vocals to gets his point across loud and clear. The melancholy numbers are wonderfully meandering and dreamy with sing-along choruses.

It’s difficult to compare their sound to any one band or pinpoint a singular influence, which is what makes them unique and all the more exciting. If you’re in Minneapolis, check out their live show. Their energy is contagious. White Light Riot's MySpace.

White Light Riot - Charlatan
White Light Riot - Midway Souvenirs

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Reminder : The Vulgar Boatmen, John P. Strohm, The Spitshine & 806 Main St. : Tonight at Spin Nightclub

Come out tonight! Doors are 8pm and the cost is only $7. FREE Hot Box Pizza and the first fifty (50) people through the door get a FREE copy of a Musical Family Tree compilation! (Sorry I said it was John P. Strohm's new album earlier, but I was mistaken!)

The Vuglar Boatmen - Mary Jane
The Vuglar Boatmen - The Street Where You Live
John Strohm - Sha La
806 Main St. - Dead Air
806 Main St. - I'd Say Hello
The Spitshine - Brooklyn Bridge

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Broken Social Scene Presents...Kevin Drew "Backed Out On The..." Video

Arts & Crafts put this up on YouTube today. Here's what they're saying about it...

This song was recorded with Joules Scott Key of Metric and Bang Lime on drums and J Mascis and Kevin Drew on guitar and vocals. The video happened last minute after a Dinosaur Jr show in Toronto where J, Lou, and Murph all came to the shoot to hang out. John Caffery from 'Kids on TV' was hired to come and dance his ASS off and a spontaneous party was put into effect.

There were seven mirrors, one disco ball, four lights, one bottle of rum, three bottles of tequila, 62 beers, four crew, and 17 people. It got put together on the day of the shoot and became the party of the year. It cost three thousand dollars to make... It was priceless.



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Aesop Rock : None Shall Pass

I have always loved the sneering, melodramtic, intelligent, eclectic and urgent style and sound Aesop Rock has brought to the underground/college hip-hop scene. August 28th marks the release of his fourth album, None Shall Pass from Definitive Jux. You gotta put it on your must buy list because what other rapper is going to bring in John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats to bust out a verse?! Aesop Rock's MySpace

Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass

Aesop Rock - Coffee (ft. John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats

None Shall Pass Tracklisting:

1. Keep Off The Lawn
2. None Shall Pass
3. Catacomb Kids
4. Bring Back Pluto
5. Fumes
6. Getaway Car (feat. Cage and Breeze Brewin)
7. 39 Thieves
8. The Harbor is Yours
9. Citronella
10. Gun For The Whole Family (feat. El-P)
11. Five Fingers
12. No City
13. Dark Heart News (feat. Rob Sonic)
14. Coffee (feat. John Darnielle)

Tour Dates:

07-28 Seattle, WA - Capitol Hill Block Party
09-06 Portland, OR - MusicFest NW

W/ Cage, Rob Sonic, Blockhead, DJ Big Wiz, DJ Signify:

09-08 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom
09-09 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
09-10 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
09-11 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theatre

W/ the Octopus Project, Rob Sonic, Blockhead, DJ Big Wiz, DJ Signify:

09-13 Chicago, IL - Metro
09-14 Madison, WI - Barrymore
09-15 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
09-16 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
09-18 Detroit, MI - TBA
09-19 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
09-21 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
09-22 Providence, RI - Living Room
09-23 Boston, MA - Middle East
09-25 Northampton, MA - Iron Horse
09-26 Burlington, MA - Higher Ground

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The Vulgar Boatmen, John P. Strohm, The Spitshine & 806 Main St. : Saturday, June 28th at Spin Nightclub

Come out tomorrow night see some of the respected "Old Guard" of the Indianapolis music scene as well as some of the young up-and-comers. Musical Family Tree, with the support of MOKB, NUVO, Rock Music Review and Hot Box Pizza, will welcome Indianapolis local scene legends, The Vulgar Boatmen, back to perform. They'll be joined by John P. Strohm, The Spitshine and MOKB favorite 806 Main St. The show will be this Saturday night, July 28th at Spin Nightclub. Doors are 8pm and the cost is only $7. FREE Hot Box Pizza and the first fifty (50) people through the door get a FREE copy of John P. Strohm's new album Everyday Life!

You can stream John Strohm's new album, Everyday Life, here and download live sets from The Vulgar Boatmen here.

The Vuglar Boatmen - Mary Jane
The Vuglar Boatmen - The Street Where You Live
John Strohm - Sha La
806 Main St. - Dead Air
806 Main St. - I'd Say Hello
The Spitshine - Brooklyn Bridge

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Recent Videos...The National, The Magic Numbers & Chromeo

In case you missed these, three of MOKB's favorite bands released videos or played late night TV. The National performed on David Letterman this past July 24th, 2007. The Magic Numbers released a new video for their song Undecided. It was on their album Those The Brokes this past year...still criminally unrecognized here in the States. Chromeo released a video for Tenderoni from their album Fancy Footwork...







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In 2080 I will surely be dead...

It's already been mentioned on some affluent sites, but it bears repeating. Yeasayer will release their debut full-length, All Hour Cymbals, this Fall (October 22nd/23rd) on the new label started by Monitor Records founder Jason Foster called We Are Free.

Easily in my top five of favorite songs this year, Yeasayer's 2080 has that same infectious sound that Midlake's Roscoe has last year...but better. To get you ready for the October release, they're giving these two tracks away...

Yeasayer - 2080 (highest possible rec!)
Yeasayer - Sunrise

"It's a new year, I'm glad to be here, it's a fresh spring, so lets sing. In 2080 I will surely be dead, so don't look ahead, never look ahead."

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Dragonette's Boys vs. Calvin Harris' Girls

You know MOKB loves covers, and we got a fun one in our inbox yesterday. Calvin Harris has been making waves with his Scottish disco revival. Dragonette jumped on board with a new take on his song The Girls. If you missed Dragonette on MOKB, you can find it here.

Alright, now dance mutha effer, dance!

Calvin Harris - The Girls
Dragonette - The Boys (Calvin Harris Cover)

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Bon Iver : Revisited

It was only a couple weeks ago that I first talked about him, but it's great to see Bon Iver getting some love from great and respected places like Brooklyn Vegan! When I first heard Skinny Love, I hoped others would feel the same. Lucky for you Vegan pointed out two other tracks from the new album that Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver has made available.

If you missed it the first time MOKB spoke on him, Justin Vernon is the former songwriter/singer/guitarist of the much heralded, former Eau Claire, WI based, Raleigh, NC implanted band, DeYarmond Edison. He has also toured as a member of The Rosebuds' band. His new album - one that he created over the course of three months this past winter in the woods of Northwestern Wisconsin - is entitled For Emma, Forever Ago and has been created with nothing more than a few select microphones and a handful of ancient instruments. You can stream the whole album over at Virb.com/boniver.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Bon Iver - Blindsided
Bon Iver - For Emma

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Neva Geoffrey : Live In-Studio At 91.7 WEEM

Neva Geoffrey was another in-studio I was unfortunate to miss out on, but my friends at 91.7 WEEM did a great job without me, as always.



Neva wasn't happy about being forced to play the piano as a child, but looks back on it as the greatest gift her mother gave her. Neva was born in Syria, but moved to Texas with her family in the mid-90s. Her album, The Days Are Rolling was released this past April on Lexington, KY based label Alias Records. Her music will attract those who love Cat Power, Norah Jones, Elliott Smith, Andrew Bird, Aimee Mann and Beth Orton.

Neva Geoffrey - The Pigeon (Live In-studio at 91.7 WEEM)
Neva Geoffrey - Glass Eyes (Live In-studio at 91.7 WEEM)

Bonus MP3s from Online Athens

Neva Geoffrey - Corduroy Boy
Neva Geoffrey - Glass Eyes
Neva Geoffrey - Maiden Lane

Upcoming Shows:

8/03/07 - 21C Museum - Louisville, KY - 8pm
8/09/07 - Rockwood Music Hall - New York City - 6pm
8/10/07 - The Livingroom - New York City - 7pm

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The State : Finally Coming To DVD

Oh man, seriously, there is a God. They're not lying! This video announcement on David Wain's MySpace that Whitney pointed me to has me so fired up. Too much time during my formative years was spent watching this show. Now, too much time of what ever years these are now will be spent watching these five DVDs. The State finally being released on DVD with tons of bonus materials and never before seen sketches is all I want for Christmas, Santa.


$240 Worth Of Pudding


Louie At The Last Supper

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