MUSIC: Bonnie Prince Billy (New Demo Track)

A slight regurgitation, but the track provided by Drag City was in .m4a format. Plus, I'm a sucker for anything new from the hands of Will Oldham. This track, although rough, certainly falls nicely into his recent (abundant) basket of releases. It'll be fun to see how the song progresses before landing on the album (titled Lie Down in the Light, out in May). It's disturbing how spoiled I am; when news of a new BPB album comes out, all I say is "well, of course".

Personally, I love this lyric the most: "I'm a good bird, son, and now I'm free". (Certainly subject to interpretation).

::: Bonnie Prince Billy - So Everyone

Buy some Bonnie/Will/Palace, as it is wonderful wonderful stuff.

[Bonnie Prince Billy official website.]
[Bonnie Prince Billy label page.]
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[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to Alan Dejecacion.]

Tags: mp3, music, bonnie prince billy, will oldham, drag city, demo

MUSIC: Railcars

I'm quite excited about this local (San Francisco) band. Railcars (formerly known as Aria C Jalali, the lead singer's name) has released a 7-inch vinyl EP called Postmodernism! and have another EP in the works which is being produced by Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu). Originally oriented as a bedroom music project, it soon blossomed into a 4 piece; subsequently, they found themselves opening for Handsome Furs. The immediate aural connections to the Wolf Parade crew are evident, but while Dan Boeckner and crew tend towards morose/angst, Jalali et al approach their music with a little more hope/desperation. So, count me in as a member of the Railcars fanclub.

::: Railcars - There is Ice; It is Blue
::: Railcars - Neon Lovers Glowing on a Dull and Dark Night

Keep an eye out for their upcoming EP and try and pick up one of the remaining vinyl EP's at a live show.

[Railcars on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to unfurl.]

Tags: mp3, music, railcars, san francisco, xiu xiu, handsome furs

MUSIC: Delta Spirit

I got a tip from a trusted fan a while back about Delta Spirit he (and I quote) "saw the best live show in a long, long time" out in Boston. With that kind of recommendation, I couldn't pass up on checking into this Southern California (right?) band. After receiving their new album (Ode to Sunshine) in the mail, my initial response was incredibly positive: soaring tempos, achingly good vocals, and more-than-apt songwriting. Further research shows that I'm certainly not the only one enjoying their sounds (see here, here, and here).

They don't have any Bay Area dates lined up, but there's certainly a high probability they'll be in your area soon. Check out tour dates on their myspace page. Here's some tracks that are floating around the internet.

::: Delta Spirit - People, Turn Around (f/ Ode to Sunshine)
::: Delta Spirit - Trashcan (f/ Ode to Sunshine)
::: Delta Spirit - Gimme Some Motivation (f/ I Think I've Found It! EP)
::: Delta Spirit - Streetwalker (f/ I Think I've Found It! EP)

You should definitely order the album. However, I can't recommend ordering the vinyl version of the EP from Monarchy Music; I did that three weeks ago and it hasn't arrived yet.

Also, their new Daytrotter session is excellent. So, head on over there to read the article and download some free tracks. (The older session isn't half bad either!)

[Official Delta Spirit website.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to Sam Newmann.]

Tags: mp3, music, delta spirit, sunshine, indie

MUSIC: My Morning Jacket (New Song!)

My excitement for the new My Morning Jacket album should come as no surprise. However, the fact that MMJ has provided the title track for free is kind of surprising (but certainly welcome). It's certainly better than listening to the various live cuts out on the interweb. Evil Urges, which drops on June 10th via ATO Records, promises to build upon their already magnificent catalog of work. Color me patiently waiting.

::: My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges (from Evil Urges)
(use the official MMJ download page to get the song)

Pre-order Evil Urges in either CD or Vinyl.
Also, check them out on their spring/summer tour.

[MMJ official website.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to misstinguette.]

Tags: mp3, music, my morning jacket, evil urges, ato

MUSIC: Ladyhawk

A recent addition to the "top played" list around here at macktronic is the new album by Ladyhawk. Their second LP, titled Shots, is out now on Jagjaguwar, is a raucously enjoyable affair. See for yourself.

::: Ladyhawk - I Don't Always Know What You're Saying
::: Ladyhawk - S.T.H.D.

You can purchase the new album (and others) here. For you Bay Area folks, word on the street is that local faves The Parish will be opening for Ladyhawk on May 30th at Bottom of the Hill. I'm definitely gonna be at that show.

[Ladyhawk official website.]
[Ladyhawk on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to by-stander.]

Tags: mp3, music, macktronic, ladyhawk, jagjaguwar, the parish

MIXTAPE: FRIDAY (Apr 4 2008)

It's Friday, and I felt like making a mixtape. Although all the songs don't sound the same (see: boring), there's a similar tone (read: arc). So, onto the weekend.

[01] ::: Burial - Southern Comfort
[02] ::: Battles - Atlas
[03] ::: Apparat - Arcadia
[04] ::: Hercules & Love Affair - Athene
[05] ::: Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Let's Make Out (Alt Version)
[06] ::: MSTRKRFT - She's Good For Business
[07] ::: Glass Candy - Sugar & Whitebread
[08] ::: Gang of Four - I Love a Man in Uniform (YYY Remix)
[09] ::: White Williams - Route To Palm
[10] ::: Bomarr - Trike

Oh, and I dropped it onto a muxtape as well. Hello bandwagon!

[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
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[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]

Tags: mp3, music, mixtape, burial, battles, apparat, hercules, mstrkrft, glass candy, gang of four, white williams, bomarr

MUSIC: The Golden Boys

Came across a good band through the recent Monofonus Press sampler (which you can get for free here) called The Golden Boys (out of Austin, TX). Expansive rock with a hearty dash of psychedelic noise makes for a wonderful listening experience.

::: The Golden Boys - James The Gentle Dreamer (f/ an upcoming release)
::: The Golden Boys - Oooh Girl (f/ Whiskey Flower)
::: The Golden Boys - If I Can't Hold You In My Arms (f/ Whiskey Flower)

You can download more tracks directly from their myspace page. Buy Whiskey Flower directly from Hook or Crook (Oakland!).

[The Golden Boys on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to electricnarwhal.]

Tags: mp3, music, the golden boys, monofonus, austin

VIDEO: American Princes

Here's a new video from American Princes, who have a new album coming out next week (which I wrote about here). It's directed by Matt Bradley, who must be a ninja with the scissors.

::: American Princes - Real Love (f/ Other People)

You can pre-order the album here and receive some demo MP3's immediately. Or you can stream a few new songs over at their official website.]

[American Princes official website.]
[American Princes on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]

Tags: mp3, music, american princes, video, matt bradley