Stream the New Feist Album "Metals"

 

Just a brief post here to note that you can now stream Feist's new album, "Metals," free online. A couple of weeks ago I posted its first single, "How Come You Never Go There," and now the entire album is up for streaming. Just enter your e-mail address in the space above, then click a link in the confirmation e-mail that you'll get to open the player.

In a typically quirky, Feistian touch, the page with the album stream also features a handwritten note/illustration from the artist, describing the recording of the album (complete with simple drawings of mountains, the ocean, and the house they recorded in.) You can also download the note (I'm not sure why anyone would want to, but it's there anyway.) 

"Metals" will be released in the U.S. and Canada on Oct. 4th (Oct. 3rd in Europe and the U.K.).

You buy Feist's "Metals" at Amazon.comfor $10.00 for the CD or $9.49 for the MP3 download. (Amazon sometimes offers steep temporary discounts on some new releases, so you might want to watch for this.)

Joan Jett, Heart, Guns 'N Roses, & Beastie Boys Among Rock Hall of Fame Nominees

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (seen here at Coney Island in July) are among the nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Female rockers may finally get their due this year in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as Heart and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts are among the nominees. Also nominated are Guns 'N Roses, the Beastie Boys, The Cure, Freddie King, The Spinners, Donna Summer, Donovan, Eric B. & Rakim, Laura Nyro, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rufus with Chaka Khan, The Small Faces/The Faces, and War.

I've seen Joan Jett and Heart in the last year and a half (Jett just a few months ago) and they can still rock (pretty good considering that Jett just turned 53 a few days ago, and Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart are a bit older than that). Jett and the Blackhearts haven't had a new album in a few years, but Heart released its first collection in more than half a decade, "Red Velvet Car,"last year.


Above: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts performing "Light of Day" (written by Bruce Springsteen). 

Besides Jett and Heart, I'm glad to see a couple of influential 1960s singer-songwriters (Donovan and Nyro) represented. Freddie King definitely makes sense, since so many rockers were influenced by King and other veteran bluesmen, but as usual some of the non-rock choices leave me scratching my head: Donna Summer? The Spinners? (See information on all the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees here.)

The inductees will be chosen in a few weeks, so we'll find out then who actually is getting into the hallowed rock hall in Cleveland.


Above: Heart performing "WTF" from their latest album, 2010's "Red Velvet Car."

In addition to Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, I think it's time to induct her former bandmates—the Runaways—as well as one of their key influences, Suzi Quatro.

Which of these nominees do you think deserve to get inducted? What artists or other figures would you like to see chosen?

Free Album Streaming: New CDs by Ryan Adams, the Bangles, Dum Dum Girls, Kasabian, & More

Stream the new Dum Dum Girls album "Only in Dreams" above, or at Spinner below. 

The latest album from the prolific Ryan Adams and the first release in eight years from The Bangles are among the new albums online for free streaming this week.

For Adams, "Ashes and Fire" is at least the 12th album he's put out since 2000. And it's the first album he's put out since stepping away from The Cardinals, his backing band from 2004 to 2009.

On the not-so-prolific side of things, it's a fitting bookend to this summer's tour by the Go-Go's that The Bangles, the other hugely successful all-female band that arose in the 1980s, are coming out with a new album. In the current lineup are three members from those days: lead singer Susanna Hoffs and sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson (see an interview with Hoffs here).

Also streaming for free this week: new releases from the Dum Dum Girls, Tyler Ramsey of Band of Horses, acclaimed singer-songwriter Sarah Siskind, Kasabian, Canada's Ohbijou, and the rock supergroup Chickenfoot (featuring Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani).

NPR First Listen:
"Ashes and Fire" by Ryan Adams

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"Sweetheart of the Sun" by The Bangles
"Only in Dreams" Dum Dum Girls (also streaming on YouTube)
"Metal Meets" by Ohbijou
"The Valley Wind" by Tyler Ramsey

"Velociraptor!" by Kasabian
"Diamonds & Death" by VHS or Beta

"Candygram for Mowo!" by Mocean Worker
"Number Seven" by Will Hoge

AOL Music Listening Party: 
"Novel" by Sarah Siskind
"III" by Chickenfoot

KCRW Album Preview: 
"The Less You Know, The Better" by DJ Shadow (streaming until Oct. 25)
"Living in Patterns" by Pollyn (streaming until Oct. 25)

Music Notes: Radiohead Plays Roseland, Arcade Fire Wins Polaris, $5 MP3 Albums

Radiohead video for "Lotus Flower" from their most recent album, "The King of Limbs."

Radiohead playing two shows at Roseland next week and Arcade Fire taking home the Polaris Prize headline this latest edition of Music Notes. Also in this edition: last call for Amazon.com's $5 MP3 album salefor September.  

* Radiohead is returning to New York for two shows at Roseland Ballroom on Sept. 28th and 29th. Roseland isn't exactly an intimate setting, but it's much smaller than the arenas the band is capable of selling out. There have been a couple of presales for the shows, but if you misssed out on those you can get Radiohead at Roseland tickets here at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 26th.

All tickets are priced at $79.75 ($65 base price plus $14.75 in fees).

Note: an announcement on Radiohead's website says: "There is a 2 ticket limit per household. All tickets will be available for pick up at will call the evening of the event beginning at 6:30 PM and entry into the venue is required immediately upon receipt. No tickets shall be distributed prior to the event."

You can also get a shot at winning tickets to the concerts by contributing to L.A. radio station KCRW (a very worthy cause). Enter for a chance to win Radiohead at Roseland tickets here (enter by 3 p.m. Eastern time on Monday).

Also on the bill with Radiohead are Four Tet and rocketnumbernine.

* Arcade Fire took home the 2011 Polaris Music Prize for best Canadian album, which could be considered something of an upset since the award prides itself on going to the most deserving candidate based only on artistic merit, regardless of commercial success. (In the past more well-known acts have lost out to relatively obscure artists; last year's winner, the francophone group Karkwa, beat out albums by Broken Social Scene, Tegan and Sara, and The Sadies.)

Big congrats to Arcade Fire on taking home the Polaris (and the $30,000 prize).

* Amazon.com's $5 MP3 album salefor September is in its final week. If you're looking to expand your music collection on the cheap, you'll find albums there by artists including Mumford & Sons, The Decemberists, Feist, Fitz & the Tantrums, Regina Spektor, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blind Pilot, Surfer Blood, Richard Buckner, and TV on the Radio.

Are you going to try to get tickets to see Radiohead at Roseland next week? What shows are folks exciting to see this weekend?

R.E.M. Calls It Quits After 31 Years

Above: Video for "UBerlin" from R.E.M.'s latest (and last) album, "Collapse Into Now."

R.E.M., one of the most enduring and successful rock bands of all time, announced today that it was disbanding with a brief, simple statement on its website. Each of the three band members later added his own short reflection on the decision to end the band. (The R.E.M. breakup announcement now also includes a statement from its record label, Warner Bros.)

The initial announcement:
"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening." R.E.M.

R.E.M. was one of a number of rock bands coming out of Athens, Georgia in the early '80s. With its jangly guitars and mysterious, usually indecipherable lyrics it became a favorite on the college-rock circuit from its first release, the EP "Chronic Town." Amazingly the band had the same lineup its entire existence, except for the departure of drummer Bill Berry in 1995, who left after suffering a brain aneurysm on stage during the "Monster" tour.

I've been a fan of R.E.M. from the time I first heard of them in 1980. I bought "Chronic Town" and the band's follow-up full-length, "Murmur," and saw them live when they played at Maxwell's in Hoboken in 1981 (back when Michael Stipe still had a full head of hair). I remember them putting on a great show, but I honestly don't remember a lot of details about the night. Had I known R.E.M. would become so famous and have such a long career, I would have brought a notebook with me and taken notes.


Above: R.E.M. performing "Radio Free Europe" on David Letterman in 1983, its first national appearance.

Although I bought nearly ever new album R.E.M. put out, I only saw them live a couple of times after that first concert at Maxwell's, the most recent time being November 2004 at Madison Square Garden. When they came out with a new album a couple of years later, they did one show at the Garden that soon sold out, and never scheduled another one.

The statements by the band members make it clear that they are parting as friends, so if there's any consolation for fans like me, it's that they may reunite for a concert sometime in the future. In the meantime, thanks for all the great music.

Free Album Streaming: New CDs from Wilco, the Jayhawks, "Pearl Jam 20," & More

"Mockingbird Time," the new album by The Jayhawks, is available for free streaming this week.

More musical heavy hitters are releasing Fall albums this week and next, and there are some much-anticipated new albums up for free streaming this week. If you didn't catch Wilco's 24-hour-only streaming of its new album a couple of weeks back, you'll be glad to know that KCRW is now offering it online for a much longer time: "The Whole Love" will be streaming free through Oct. 2nd.

Other notable releases: The Jayhawks are back with "Mockingbird Time," Tony Bennett teams up with the late Amy Winehouse and others for "Duets II," and the trio Ivy (featuring singer Dominique Durand and Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger) return with "All Hours" (this was previously streaming on Amazon.com). And if you missed last week's stream of "Night of Hunters," the new Tori Amos album, NPR is streaming it now.

There are a couple of interesting re-releases/collections as well: the 29-track soundtrack album for "Pearly Jam 20," Cameron Crowe's documentary about the band (with rare and unreleased tracks), and "Winterland," the live album from Jimi Hendrix's 1968 performances at the famed San Francisco  venue. And although the third season of NBC's a cappella singing show "The Sing-Off" is just beginning tonight, there's already an album of "signature songs" from the first episode up for streaming.

Some of this week's free album streaming choices:

KCRW Album Preview: 
"The Whole Love" by Wilco (streaming through Oct. 2)
"The Stepkids" by The Stepkids (streaming through Oct. 10)

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"An Argument With Myself" (EP) by Jens Lekman
"Earth Division" (EP) by Mogwai
"Pearl Jam 20" by Pearl Jam
"Winterland" by Jimi Hendrix
"Mockingbird Time" by The Jayhawks
"All Hours" by Ivy
"Megafaun" by Megafaun
"Unpersons" by The Pack A.D.

NPR First Listen:
"Night of Hunters" by Tori Amos

AOL Music Listening Party: 
"Duets II" by Tony Bennett
"Season 3: Episode 1 - Signature Songs" by The Sing-Off
"The Reckoning" by Needtobreathe

Which of these new releases will you be checking out? And do you plan on seeing "Pearl Jam 20"?

Live Music: Sloan at Maxwell's, Union County Music Fest & Other Free Shows, More

Blondie performs "Mother" on the Today Show earlier this week.

For anyone who thought that free outdoor concerts, like wearing white shoes, disappear after Labor Day, here's some good news: there are a number of free outdoor shows and festivals this weekend.

But first, here's a show that's not free but that you might want to catch: Canada's Sloan is playing Maxwell's in Hoboken tonight, and as of now tickets are still available. The band, which is celebrating its 20 year, released its lastest album, "The Double Cross," earlier this year. You Am I and Taylor Locke & The Roughs are also on the bill, and tickets are only $20.

Now to the free stuff. The big event this weekend is the Union County Music Fest, which starts in earnest tonight and runs through Sunday in Oak Ridge Park in Clark, NJ. (See directions page here.) I had a great time at last year's Union County festival and highly recommend this event; it's a nice blend of big-name acts and up-and-comers, classic rockers and new bands, with music on three stages. And it's totally free.

New Jersey native Nicole Atkins will once again play the Union County Music Fest. Photo: Flickr user Kirk Stauffer.

You can check the Union County Music Fest lineup page to see the acts playing each day (I've shown the major acts below, with set times). The music starts earlier each day (4 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday, for example); see the lineup for each day for the full listing. (Unfortunately, they are on a series of PDF files.)

Friday, Sept 16th
7 - 8:15 p.m.: LIVE's Ed Kowalczyk
8:30 - 10 p.m.: Collective Soul

Saturday, Sept 17th
12 - 1 p.m.: The School of Rock Allstars - the music of The Alarm (with the band's Mike Peters)
1 - 1:30 p.m.: Cy Curnin (of The Fixx)
2 - 3 p.m.: Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.: Toad the Wet Sprocket
5:15 - 6:30 p.m.: Paul Rodgers (of Free, Bad Company, and now Queen)
7 - 8:15 p.m.: Neon Trees
8:45 - 10 p.m.: Blondie

Sunday, Sept 18th
1:30 - 3 p.m.: School of Rock Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
3:45 - 5:15 p.m.: The Smithereens
6 - 7:30 p.m.: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Also this weekend are two free folk festivals, one in Manhattan and one in nearby Weehawken, NJ.

The Washington Square Park Folk Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday in the legendary Greenwich Village park, starting at 2 p.m. each day. The lineups:

Saturday: The Calamity Janes, Ferel Foster, East River String Band, and Whiskey Spitters

Sunday: Bob Malenky, Brotherhood of the Jug Band Blues, The Dust Busters with John Cohen, Willy Gantrim & the Phantoms, Peter Stampfel and the Ether Frolic Mob

The Hudson River West Folk Festival takes place Sunday at Lincoln Harbor Park in Weehawken, with great views of the Manhattan skyline. (Directions to Lincoln Harbor Park here.) Susan Werner and Vance Gilbert are the big draws here, and former Weehawken resident Jane Kelly Williams kicks things off. The lineup:

2 p.m.: Jane Kelly Williams
3 p.m.: Vance Gilbert
4 p.m.: Julian Peterson, solo and with Hudson Crossing
5 p.m.: Eugene Ruffolo
6 p.m.: Susan Werner

Peter Bjorn & John at Maxwell's (Photos)

Singer Peter Moren and drummer John Eriksson of Peter Bjorn and John.

The Swedish trio Peter Bjorn & John played Maxwell's on Tuesday, playing a late-night (for a weeknight) set of infectious pop songs from their albums, including "Gimme Some," their release from earlier this year.

PB&J, of course, entered mainstream consciousness in 2006 with their hit "Young Folks," a catchy tune (from the "Writer's Block" album) that became a summer favorite. Their fun, energetic set at Maxwell's featured that tune naturally, as well as songs including "Nothing to Worry About," "Amsterdam," "Dig a Little Deeper," "Second Chance," and "Down Like Me."

If you've like their songs, you'll enjoy seeing them live. Although they only have three members (playing guitar, bass, and drums), they put on a high-energy show. And yes, all their songs are in English.

In the photos below, singer and guitarist Peter Moren ventures into the crowd with microphone and harmonica during "Nothing to Worry About." 

Getting up close and personal with the Maxwell's crowd...

Free Album Streaming: New CDs from Blondie, Bush, Laura Marling, Tori Amos, & More

 
Above: Video for "Mother" from Blondie's new album "Panic of Girls," which is available for free preview this week. 

Fall is starting off with a bang, with new albums by some great veteran artists available for streaming this week. But are the albums themselves great? Listen to them below and judge for yourself. Among the releases up for preview this week: The ageless Deborah Harry and Blondie are back with "Panic of Girls;" Nick Lowe has come out with "The Old Magic;" Tori Amos returns with "Night of Hunters;" and British rockers Bush have released their first studio album in more than 10 years.

Also, Brooklyn indie band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is out with its first album in four years, and there are new releases from acclaimed female singer-songwriters Laura Marling and Lisa Hannigan. These and the titles below are just a sampling of what's available this week; check the websites for full listings.

Previews are usually available for a week (beginning on Monday), except for those from KCRW, which usually stream for at least a couple of weeks.

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"The Old Magic" by Nick Lowe
"Still Right Here" by Melissa Ferrick
"Panic of Girls" by Blondie
"Believers" by A.A. Bondy
"American Goldwing" by Blitzen Trapper

NPR First Listen:
"Night of Hunters" by Tori Amos
"Hysterical" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
"Seasons On Earth" by Meg Baird
(In addition, NPR Music has a preview of a Miles Davis bootleg album.)

KCRW Album Preview: 
"Passenger" by Lisa Hannigan (streaming through Oct. 11)
"A Creature I Don't Know" by Laura Marling (streaming through Oct. 7)

AOL Music Listening Party: 
"The Sea of Memories" by Bush
"Death by Stereo" by Umphrey's McGee

Remembering Sept. 11th with Music

The September Concert has free performances around the world each Sept. 11th.

Drawing on the power of music to soothe and heal, The September Concert was established to allow people in New York City (and all over the world) hear music for free each September 11th. There were at least two dozen events scheduled in New York City today and tonight, from the plaza in front of the New York Public Library main branch (Fifth Ave. and 42nd St.) to various parks and even in subway stations.

I've been to September Concert events several times over the last few years, and have found them to be just what I was looking for: a way to observe or mark 9/11, but in a low-key way, without speeches, lines, or crowds.

Though many of September Concert events have already occurred by the time of this posting, a number are going on tonight. Here are a few notable selections:

• Rockwood Music Hall (196 Allen St.): Stage One has music until 1 a.m.: 7 p.m. - Josh Lovell; 8 p.m. - Dani Elliott; 9 p.m. - Alfonso Velez; 10 p.m. - Aiden Moore; 11 p.m. - Dirty Bullets; 12 a.m. - Freddie Stevenson
  
• Rockwood Music Hall: Stage Two has a program from 7 p.m. until 11:30: 7 p.m. - Monica Allison; 8 p.m. - NICKCASEY; 9:15 p.m. - Jesse Ruben; 10:15 p.m. - Kyle Patrick
  
• "The Heart of Jazz" concert at Ashford and Simpson's Sugar Bar (254 West 72nd Street): More than 50 top NYC jazz artists gather for a marathon concert, 2 to 10 p.m.
  
• Vocal music at St. Patrick's Cathedral (14 E 51st St.): featuring the Choir of St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York Choral Society, and Young People's Chorus of New York City, 7 to 8 p.m.

 UPDATE: One of the September Concert events was a classical concert in a unique location: the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Temple of Dendur. The concert featured several pieces addressing loss and remembrance, performed by the Wordless Music Orchestra. You can listen to the Temple of Dendur concert and read about it here. (You can stream the concert or download it as a podcast.)

Is there any music you listen to on Sept. 11th that helps you deal with the events of 2001, especially on this 10th anniversary? WNYC Radio in New York has been playing listener suggestions this afternoon, and they have ranged from Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" to Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" — an odd mix, to be sure.

Concert Notes: Tinderbox Fest Sat.; Dave Matthews & HMag Festivals Rescheduled, & More

Holly Miranda and a host of established and up-and-coming female bands will play Saturday's Tinderbox Music Festival in Brooklyn.

This edition of Concert Notes is all about festivals, including a Brooklyn fest of female rockers and new dates for two events postponed by Hurricane Irene.

* the Tinderbox Music Festival takes place tomorrow, Sept. 10th, at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. (I wrote about the inaugural Tinderbox fest last year.) The headliners on the main stage are Eternia and the Band (10 p.m.) and Holly Miranda (9 p.m.), but there are plenty of other musicians going all day long starting at 1 p.m., including XYLOS, Alyson Greenfield, Charlene Kaye and The Brilliant Eyes, The Debutante Hour, Still Saffire (representing Brooklyn's own Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls), EULA, and more. (Get Tinderbox Music Fest tickets.)

* the HMag Music Festival in Hoboken has been rescheduled for Oct. 16, at its original venue at Pier A Park in the Mile Square City. The headlining bands, The Walkmen and School of Seven Bells, are still on the schedule, along with Inner Party System, The Kickdrums, 7Mornings, Kangaroo Jones, Christina Alessi, Helloradio, and the Blaire Reinhard Band. The HMag Music Festival starts at 12 Noon and runs until 10 p.m.

* the Dave Matthews Band Caravan will now take place next weekend, Sept. 16th, 17th, and 18th, but will take place on Randall's Island instead of the original site of Governors Island. DMB will play a full set each night, and other musicians including Dispatch, Warren Haynes (solo), Brandi Carlile, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band.

* and finally, a note of very local interest: the 2011 Hoboken Italian Festival is underway, and besides the usual zeppole and cannoli there's old-time music. The festival runs from Sept. 8th to the 11th and, while you've already missed the NJ American Idol and the "Freestyle Friday" events, still to come is stage MC Johnny Maggio, music from Molfetta, Italy, opera singing, the Bronx Wanderers, and more. (See the Hoboken Italian Festival schedule.)

Free Music Tonight For Fashion's Night Out: Best Coast, Joss Stone, The Roots, & More

Get More: MTV Supervideo, Music, Best Coast

Above: Best Coast's video for "Our Deal," directed by Drew Barrymore.

Tonight is annual event known as Fashion's Night Out, and in New York that means plenty of free music gigs around town amid the fashion shows and late-night shopping. See the listings from Brooklyn Vegan and Oh My Rockness to see what bands are playing where and when. You can try using the search at the Fashion's Night Out website, but there doesn't seem to be a way to view just the music events, so you pretty much need to search the site by location (searching by band name doesn't work).

Here are some of the events, according to the above sources:

• Best Coast at Helmut Lang, 6 p.m. (event listed as running till 11 p.m., but it's not clear what time Best Coast is playing)
• Ronnie Spector, Lypskinka, and many others at Bergdorf Goodman, 6:45 p.m.
• The Roots at John Varvatos, 9 p.m.
• Real Estate at Ash Footwear Soho, 6 to 10 p.m. (playing acoustic at 8; DJ'ing the rest of the time)
• Kelly Rowland (Destiny's Child) at Macy's Herald Square, 4th Floor, 7 p.m.
• Joss Stone at Macy's Herald Square, 7 p.m.
• Justin Townes Earle (doing songs from the "Rave On!" Buddy Holly tribute album) at Partners and Spade, 6 p.m.
• School of Seven Bells (acoustic) at Treasure & Bond, 8 p.m.

Totally unrelated to Fashion's Night Out, Patti Smith is playing a free concert at Webster Hall. No ticket required, but you'll need to RSVP to get in.

Free Album Previews: New St. Vincent and Ivy, the Latest "True Blood" Collection, & More

St. Vincent - "Cruel"

There aren't a lot of new albums for free preview this week, but there are some good ones available. One of the most anticipated is the new release from Annie Clark, the singer-songwriter and guitarist who performs under the name St. Vincent. She's back with "Strange Mercy," her first album in several years (release date: Sept. 13), and NPR Music is calling it her best yet. It's available for free streaming there and at KCRW (for a longer period).

Also available this week are new albums from a number of singer-songwriters including A.A. Bondy, Joe Firstman, and Tom Russell (with contributions from Calexico, Lucinda Williams, and others) … the album by the Horrible Crowes, the side project of Brian Fallon from the Gaslight Anthem … and the latest album by Ivy (the trio including Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne).

One album I've been enjoying is "True Blood: Music From The HBO Original Series Volume 3,"with music by Neko Case and Nick Cave, PJ Harvey and Gordon Gano, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Nick Lowe, Massive Attack, and others. Some songs (or their performances/arrangements) don't do anything for me or seem like filler (does the album really need four versions of "She's Not There"?), but I really like some of the contributions, and there's a great range of artists on the album.  

Album previews from NPR Music and AOL/Spinner are usually available for one week, from Monday to Sunday; KCRW's album previews are up for a longer time and the date is given when known.

KCRW Album Preview: 
"Strange Mercy" by St. Vincent (streaming through Sept. 18)

NPR First Listen:
"Believers" by A.A. Bondy  

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"Hanna - Original Soundtrack" by the Chemical Brothers
"True Blood - Music from the HBO Series, Volume 3" by various artists

AOL Music Listening Party: 
"Mesabi" by Tom Russell
"Swear It Was a Dream" by Joe Firstman
"Elsie" by the Horrible Crowes  

Amazon.com Album Preview:
"All Hours" by Ivy

Which of these albums do you like, and which other new albums are you enjoying? Leave your comments below!

Stream Wilco's New Album "The Whole Love" Free Until Sunday Morning

Wilco is previewing its new album free on its website for 24 hours.

Just found out earlier today via the L.A. Times that Wilco will be streaming its new album, "The Whole Love," for 24 hours only at the band's website, wilcoworld.net. The Times reported the news in an article on Saturday afternoon and says the offer runs through Sunday morning, Sept. 4th.

I know this is short notice, but I hope at least some readers will see this post and will be able to preview the new Wilco album free on its website. The track listing for "The Whole Love," according to the website:

Art of Almost
I Might
Sunloathe
Dawned On Me
Black Moon
Born Alone
Open Mind
Capitol City
Standing O
Rising Red Lung
Whole Love
One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)

Wilco's "The Whole Love" will be released on Sept. 27th.

Free Album Previews: Wild Flag, Tom Morello, & More; Throwing Muses Tix On Sale

Above: Album trailer for Wild Flag's self-titled album. Preview it free at the link below.

Just in time for their Fall tour of the East Coast, Wild Flag's self-titled album is available for free preview this week (its release date is Sept. 13th). This much-anticipated album features the talents of longtime indie rock women Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney), Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney and Quasi), Mary Timony (Helium and her solo work), and Rebecca Cole (The Minders).

Wild Flag will be playing in the New York City area in October at the Bell House, Maxwell's, and the Bowery Ballroom (all dates sold out). Other new albums available for free online streaming this week including what may be the last new release by Glen Campbell (who recently announced that he has dementia), albums by indie rockers Blitzen Trapper and Cymbals Eat Guitars, and a new release from Tom Morello, formerly of Rage Against the Machine.  

(Also of interest to indie rock fans: Throwing Muses will be returning to New York for a show at Bowery Ballroom on Oct. 16th. Tickets went on sale Sept. 1st at noon; get Throwing Muses Bowery Ballroom tickets here. See the full list of current Throwing Muses/Kristin Hersh tour dates.) 

NPR First Listen:
"Wild Flag" by Wild Flag
"We are the Tide" by Blind Pilot

KCRW Album Preview: 
"American Goldwin" by Blitzen Trapper
"Ghost on the Canvas" by Glen Campbell

AOL Music Listening Party: 
"World Wide Rebel Songs" by Tom Morello
"Coastal Grooves" by Blood Orange
"Lenses Alien" by Cymbals Eat Guitars

Spinner.com's Listening Party:

"Emperors Nightingale" by Stereo MCs
"If You're Young" by The Static Jacks