Skateboarder Josh Harmony has always been portrayed a subtle songwriter, but I’ve never actually gotten the chance to hear anything before this preview that posted today on Facebook.  If this trailer is any indication, I can’t wait to hear more from Taller Than Trees.

Skateboarding and music . . . has there ever been a better pairing?

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2. Track of the day: Cold War Kids – “Audience of One”
3. Sights: Leftmore: "Knives In My Father's Eyes/Drinking with Ghosts"

The first new track from London royalty Blur, “Fool’s Day” was released as a Record Store Day exclusive that was limited to 1,000 copies.  The single is Blur’s first in nearly seven years.

”We want independent record stores to continue — they’re an important part of our musical culture.”

Damon Albarn told the Sun the above, despite the single only being released in London record shops and not in the States.  The band has, however, decided to release the single as a free download for the price of an email address at Blur.co.uk.

The single is pretty mellow and pretty repetitive but I, for one, am excited to hear what follows in the coming months as Blur go back into the studio according to NME.

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2. Track of the day: Blood Red Shoes – "Colours Fade"
3. Track of the Day: New Pornographers – “Your Hands (Together)”

Despite not remembering half of the Band of Horses show in Boulder, something about this song rings a bell.  The first single from the upcoming Infinite Arms album, “Compliments” might be one of my favorite BOH tracks.  So many other forums have already dismissed this as an “over-polished, studio-friendly” track.  So what?  Band of Horses lyrical prowess and guitar rock are far past being lo-fi noisemakers and are poised for greatness.

MP3:  “Compliments” – Band of Horses

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We’ve already raved about Two Door Cinema Club, the Irish trio with the drum machine backing.  Besides rocking Gravis and being some music/skate junkies, these guys make some white-boy club-stomping music that’s akin to labelmates Phoenix.  The video and singles from Tourist History are great and the band will undoubtedly be this year’s darkhorse, just as Phoenix was last year.

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MP3:  “Your Hands (Together)” – The New Pornographers

The New Pornographers, despite rumors of their imminent demise, have returned to the studio and have a full-length due out May 4.  This first single definitely makes New Pornographers’ fans anxious for the upcoming album . . . The huge band of gypsy musicians that they are breeds a HUGE sound on the track.  “Your Hands (Together)” is an epic, percussive single that makes me think of old 1980′s cop movies for some reason.  Perhaps I’ve just had too much morning coffee and the repetitive rolls and cymbal crashes are a bit much this morning.

Besides . . . I swear I’m hearing lyrics about Lee Majors or something.

Together is out on Matador, May 4.

• New Pornographers Official Site
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2. Track of the day: The Dirty Projectors – “Ascending Melody”
3. Track of the Day: We Are Scientists – “Rules Don’t Stop”

mp3:  Ascending Melody
Listen to Ascending Melody
TrendRobot Rating:  9/10

Good lord I love the Dirty Projectors. After snagging my top spot for albums of 2009, the band releases a 7″ that continues to hone their odd-rock orchestra.

Ascending Melody is a song that definitely embodies what the Projectors are all about. Carefully crafted and improvised at the same time, the song sounds like a family garage jam-session. Guaranteed to brighten the most overcast days, The Dirty Projectors are a band unlike any other.  Head to their official site to download the Ascending Melody 7″ in it’s entirety, for free!

• Dirty Projectors official site
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Tour Dates:  Anyone going to Coachella will be in for a show

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1. Track of the day: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – “Beat The Devil’s Tattoo”
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3. Track of the day: Cold War Kids – “Audience of One”

• TrendRobot Reviews Contra
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TrendRobot Rating:  8/10

Listen to “Beat The Devil’s Tattoo” from the forthcoming LP, due out March 9, 2010

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club always seem to be just what rock n roll needs.  A gypsy band of guys in leather jackets, doing garage-rocking, jangles with very very lo-fi production.  “Beat The Devil’s Tattoo” takes rock n roll back to it’s dirty, Rolling Stones, roots.

From the forthcoming LP, Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, the title track is an ode to every influence that the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club has ever had.  With a touch of southern voodoo and flair, this track is really as much of a party-stomper as it is a preview track.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Site

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The Shout Out Louds are really rolling out the marketing tools in support of this February’s Work.  After receiving an advance copy of Work, “Walls” was undoubtedly the single and stand-out track.  “Fall Hard” is an interesting song in the mix . . . a bit mellow and more vocal cadence than most Shout Out Louds work.

The video for “Fall Hard” finds the band backstage before a late-night, european talk show, waiting to perform in the murky smoke of the show’s host

Shout Out Louds – Fall Hard from Merge Records on Vimeo.

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mp3: Walls
TrendRobot Rating:  9/10
Listen to “Walls” from the upcoming (February 23, 2010) Work

There are few bands that I get downright excited about receiving an advanced copy from these days.  The Shout Out Louds, after taking a short hiatus in the latter months of 2008, returned to Stockholm to re-invent themselves on an upcoming project.  Later, turning a barn into a full-on, musical temple, the band mixed-down what would become Work, to be released this February.

Work finds the Shout Out Louds in a different mode than they were on Our Ill Wills, but still as vibrant and angsty as ever.  This track, “Walls”, has been on constant repeat since I received the advance.  Review soon to follow.

• The Shout Out Louds
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1. Sights: Shout Out Louds – “Walls”
2. Sights: Shout Out Louds – “Fall Hard”
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