The Mars Volta – “Cotopaxi”
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BILL CALLAHAN IN AUSTIN
Last Friday at Waterloo Records here in Downtown Austin local freak-folk hero Bill Callahan (aka Smog) performed some tracks from his new, hypnotic LP Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle to a hushed and reverent Texas audience. Marking a return to the darker days of his lo-fi cassette recordings, Callahan kept a crowded record store absolutely rapt with attention as he lightly strummed and picked through literary and intricate tracks. If you haven’t heard the new LP, definitely grab it from this Austin legend.
Bill Callahan – “Jim Cain”
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NEW CELEBRATION SONGS
Check out the new website from Cannibal Cheerleader favorites Celebration – it’s called Electric Tarot and it’s based on the idea that the 22 tracks from their latest LP of the same name are related to the 22 major archana of the Tarot deck. Their site will feature a full deck with cards being added over time. Studio recordings will be the major archana, home recordings the minor, and the Court cards will be Celebration videos. Sounds like a really cool idea to us, check out the mp3s and videos below for the first two songs, “What’s This Magical” (The Shaman/Magician Card) and “I Will Not Fall” (The Fool Card). Awesome stuff.


Celebration – “What’s This Magical”
Celebration – “I Will Not Fall”
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NEW BLOC PARTY VIDEO
Here’s the video for the Villains’ remix of “Ares” as featured on Bloc Party’s Intimacy: Remixed LP. It’s an all cell-phone-camera production recorded from two nights at London’s Olympia Theater. Very cool idea and even better realization. Take a look below.

Bloc Party – “Halo (We Have Band Dub)”

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Here’s there show review:

“The stage was set up like a kid’s school production of “South Pacific”, with a nautical extravaganza situated on the stage. A ship bow dead smack front and center, silver cellophane covering the floor, reflecting the blue and purple clear cellophane positioned by the monitors and drum kit–giving the impression of a dreamy sea. A foamy seascape hung as a backdrop.

When the band came out, they were all clad in white, with little sailor’s caps donning their heads. As the ship’s leader, Miss Karen was decked out in a checked button down shirt, black poofy skirt with pockets, and a captain’s hat with “Native Korean Rock” written in the band.

The subdued, 30-minute set was charming way to spend the evening. The songs were quiet, sweet, and whimsical–perfectly showcasing Karen O’s uncanny ability to sing songs with an intimate vulnerability that always rings true.“

And of course, here are the videos of the songs “Days Go By” and “Comes the Night”. Check it people!

Native Korean Rock – “Rapt”
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SCAR-JO POSTS ITUNES PLAYLIST
Our favorite Tom Waits-covering A-list actress Scarlett Johansson recently had her music tastes prodded in the iTunes music store. The 20-song mixtape, which leaned heavily on classic singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan and showmen like Frank Sinatra, featured a few left-field choices as well, including the Arcade Fire and one of our personal favorites, Celebration, of which Johansson states “I love the female vocals by Katherina. It inspired me to explore a new realm for my own vocals.” Come to think of it they do sound pretty similar – perhaps a ScarJo album covering Celebration is in order? You can view the list by clinking on this link or by going to Scarlett’s music Myspace. In other news, Scarlett Johansson has a music Myspace (who knew?)

Scarlett Johansson – “Innocent When You Dream (Live)”
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NEW COLD WAR KIDS
There’s a lot going apparently in the world of The Cold War Kids who last we heard were entrenched deep beneath the earth at work on their sophomore LP. Well the Kids have emerged into the sunlight and the result is Loyalty to Loyalty which comes out Sept. 23rd according to Stereogum. They’ve also got a new track up on their Myspace called “Something Is Not Right With Me” which retains the yelping, carnival-esque noodlings of their past sounds but adds a little bit more bounce and a harder edge that we hope hints at an album of soul-shaking rock and roll from these guys. Also, it looks like the troupe will be swinging through Austin on Oct. 24th at Emo’s so be sure and check that out as well. Here’s the tracklist for L2L:

1 Against Privacy
2 Mexican Dogs
3 Every Valley Is Not A Lake
4 Something Is Not Right With Me
5 Welcome To The Occupation
6 Golden Gate Jumpers
7 Avalanche In B
8 I’ve Seen Enough
9 Every Man I Fall For
10 Dreams Old Men Dream
11 On The Night That My Love Broke Through
12 Relief
13 Cryptomnesia
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NEW GNARLS BARKLEY VIDEO
Not much to be said about this Odd Couple standout except, why are Gnarls Barkley so damn clever? Great tunes, great videos, great pairing. Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse 4 lyfe.

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