Hear Two New Arcade Fire Songs

The music world is always thinking up new ways to premiere music, so as to get the edge on your ever-assaulted ears, but this may take the cake. Somewhere in Glasgow, Scotland a double-sided white-label single was uncovered by one Chris Ward, preceding any official announcement or availability of two new songs from the epically minded Canadian indie-rock troupe, Arcade Fire.

“The Suburbs” and “Month of May” made their debut via BBC Radio 1, and were subsequently radio ripped for your convenient listening pleasure. We’re going to save any in-depth comments on the music for when official releases are made, but we’ll go ahead and say, Arcade Fire seems to be getting a bit back to is roots while keeping a mind on the stadium-sized sounds they love so much.

Listen to Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs” and “Month of May” on OneThirtyBPM, here.

Share |

Free Downloads and New Music From Warp Records

Massive UK-based electronic and indie music label Warp Records is hooking everybody up with free tunes today.

Affiliated online music retailer Bleep partnered up with the Barcelona music festival Sonar to launch a series of free MP3 downloads, which feature fellow UK-based artists that will be playing the music festival and their exclusive tunes. Among the list is Hudson Mohawke, Broadcast, The Blessings, Roska, and Fuck Buttons, the latter two of which are available now, here. Also premiering today is a new track from IDM pioneers Autechre’s forthcoming ten-song release, Move of Ten. Stream the song “y7” over here.

On a related note, keyCMND favorite Flying Lotus also hooked the world up with an unreleased piece of music, called “Heave (n),” which is only available to hear streaming in that player up top.

Share |

TobaccoManiac MeatAnticon Records (2010) Genre: ElectronicRating: D+  Maniac Meat, the latest album from Black Moth Super Rainbow front man Tobacco, is a little bit like living next to a construction site; it’s loud, abrasive, kind of annoying, especially in the morning, and it doesn’t really ever let up. This super synthy record is a lot to take in. Nearly every track features crunchy, fuzzy synthesizers on top of just as crunchy beats, intermittent textural additions, and mostly buried and/or manipulated vocals. There are some temporary reprieves though. The intensity is toned down on the third track, “Mexican Icecream,” where some of the randomness remains, but the sounds are cleaner—taking a break from the all-around disorder to showcase a sound that would have made the record stronger if it had been utilized more often. Even guest spots from Beck couldn’t save Meat from spiraling into a cluttered mess. He provides vocals for two songs, “Fresh Hex” and “Grape Aerosmith.” Unfortunately, both songs are under two minutes long and are gone before they begin. The results are confusing, and way out of left field. The vocals are much less prominent, or nonexistent, in all of the other tracks, and all of a sudden Beck makes a brief appearance, which is over so quickly that it just doesn’t make sense.  Maniac Meat is definitely intense, but out of focus, as well. There are moments—though short and difficult to remember after 16 tracks—of great song writing. Those times, however brief, are almost always overshadowed by constant distortion, blaring volume, and a complete lack of direction.  -Todd Miller Listen:“Sweat Mother” Tobacco on Last.fm

Tobacco
Maniac Meat
Anticon Records (2010)

Genre: Electronic
Rating: D+ 

Maniac Meat, the latest album from Black Moth Super Rainbow front man Tobacco, is a little bit like living next to a construction site; it’s loud, abrasive, kind of annoying, especially in the morning, and it doesn’t really ever let up. This super synthy record is a lot to take in. Nearly every track features crunchy, fuzzy synthesizers on top of just as crunchy beats, intermittent textural additions, and mostly buried and/or manipulated vocals. There are some temporary reprieves though. The intensity is toned down on the third track, “Mexican Icecream,” where some of the randomness remains, but the sounds are cleaner—taking a break from the all-around disorder to showcase a sound that would have made the record stronger if it had been utilized more often.

Even guest spots from Beck couldn’t save Meat from spiraling into a cluttered mess. He provides vocals for two songs, “Fresh Hex” and “Grape Aerosmith.” Unfortunately, both songs are under two minutes long and are gone before they begin. The results are confusing, and way out of left field. The vocals are much less prominent, or nonexistent, in all of the other tracks, and all of a sudden Beck makes a brief appearance, which is over so quickly that it just doesn’t make sense. 

Maniac Meat is definitely intense, but out of focus, as well. There are moments—though short and difficult to remember after 16 tracks—of great song writing. Those times, however brief, are almost always overshadowed by constant distortion, blaring volume, and a complete lack of direction. 

-Todd Miller

Listen:
“Sweat Mother”

Tobacco on Last.fm

Share |

Stream the New Ratatat Album Now

Those two NY dudes with the guitars and the drum-machines and the overflowing sample bank, Ratatat has a brand-new album coming out soon. It’s the duo’s fourth album, so they felt calling it LP4 was good enough.

Not too long ago, Evan Mast and Mike Stroud hooked the world up with the record’s first single, “Party With Children,” and now we’ve all got a chance to stream the as-yet-unreleased new album in its entirety. Head over here to listen to LP4, thanks to NPR, and you can pre-order your copy before its released June 8 via XL Recordings, here.

Share |

Watch: FM Belfast - “Underwear”

Here’s a pretty funny and unusually awesome looking music video for the song “Underwear” from Iceland’s FM Belfast. The song itself—which is a relatively average bit of electro-pop we couldn’t exactly recommend—is actually overshadowed by some well-executed visual work directed by Daniel Scheinert & Dan Kwan, collectively known as DANIELS.

The two video makers turned a somewhat dull concept, boys and girls dancing alone in their respective rooms, and made it look amazing. Employing a few visual effects and some insanely high-quality footage, DANIELS made the embarrassing movements of awkward tweens into stellar looking visual art.

Share |

New Music From Toro Y Moi, Menomena, and Shlohmo

Today has been a particularly busy day for premieres. Throughout many of the internet’s various music outlets, relatively disparate artists Toro Y Moi, Menomena, and Shlohmo have unleashed never before heard songs on the unsuspecting masses. We couldn’t pick which was our favorite of the bunch, so we opted to share three of the tracks with you in one post.

Toro Y Moi’s new single “Leave Everywhere,” Menomena’s “FIVE LITTLE ROOMS” from the band’s forthcoming new LP, Mines, and Shlohmo’s cut from the upcoming Camping EP “Birthday Beat” are all included for you as stream, download, and other digital what-not, below.

Toro Y Moi - “Leave Everywhere”

Download as MP3

Birthday Beat - Shlohmo - Camping EP by FoFMusic

pictured Menomena

Share |

The NationalHigh Violet4AD (2010) Genre: IndieRating: B  Most people either love The National’s ability to write a song that subtly—though somewhat predictably—swells from a quiet, minimal place to a louder, busier still mostly minimal place punctuated by brass and slick drum fills or are completely bored by the sometimes lackluster crescendos, Matt Berninger’s monotone voice, and his overly melodramatic lyrics. You could belong to one of those camps, or like me, you could reside near the fence, comfortably and a bit shamefully in the middle. There is something to be said for not conforming after being widely chastised by some with the “generally boring” criticism. The band is making the music that they want to make, whether we all love it or not. High Violet is the latest example of The National putting naysayers in a box, forgetting about them, and continuing to do what it does best. It’s a record that’s full of beautiful progressions and skillfully executed instrumentation, even if most of the songs do follow a pattern of beginning simply and building up to endings heavy with layers, textures and little bits of muted chaos. High Violet is also a record of completely depressing lyrics that are, at times, almost moaned into the microphone by Berninger. Such is the case on “Sorrow,” as he repeats in his most sorrowful tone, “I don’t want to get over you/I don’t want to get over you.” This is also no different from The National that we have known in the past, and those who love the band might say that they knew what was coming all along and that they’re into it. Maybe they love getting totally bummed out, which is fine, but others might say that this dude needs to get out in the sun for a while and lighten up. Both sides might be on to something. In the end, I can see where the haters are coming from, and I tend to agree with them on a lot of points, but I can’t help but like this band and this record in spite of it all. Whether it’s stronger than 2007’s Boxer—it might be. High Violet features a band that is more confident than it has ever been, which is shown in the album’s consistent and polished sound. The National is definitely getting better and better at what they do, even if what they do isn’t for everybody. -Todd Miller Listen:“Bloodbuzz Ohio” The National on Last.fm

The National
High Violet
4AD (2010)

Genre: Indie
Rating: B 

Most people either love The National’s ability to write a song that subtly—though somewhat predictably—swells from a quiet, minimal place to a louder, busier still mostly minimal place punctuated by brass and slick drum fills or are completely bored by the sometimes lackluster crescendos, Matt Berninger’s monotone voice, and his overly melodramatic lyrics. You could belong to one of those camps, or like me, you could reside near the fence, comfortably and a bit shamefully in the middle.

There is something to be said for not conforming after being widely chastised by some with the “generally boring” criticism. The band is making the music that they want to make, whether we all love it or not. High Violet is the latest example of The National putting naysayers in a box, forgetting about them, and continuing to do what it does best. It’s a record that’s full of beautiful progressions and skillfully executed instrumentation, even if most of the songs do follow a pattern of beginning simply and building up to endings heavy with layers, textures and little bits of muted chaos.

High Violet is also a record of completely depressing lyrics that are, at times, almost moaned into the microphone by Berninger. Such is the case on “Sorrow,” as he repeats in his most sorrowful tone, “I don’t want to get over you/I don’t want to get over you.” This is also no different from The National that we have known in the past, and those who love the band might say that they knew what was coming all along and that they’re into it. Maybe they love getting totally bummed out, which is fine, but others might say that this dude needs to get out in the sun for a while and lighten up. Both sides might be on to something.

In the end, I can see where the haters are coming from, and I tend to agree with them on a lot of points, but I can’t help but like this band and this record in spite of it all. Whether it’s stronger than 2007’s Boxer—it might be. High Violet features a band that is more confident than it has ever been, which is shown in the album’s consistent and polished sound. The National is definitely getting better and better at what they do, even if what they do isn’t for everybody.

-Todd Miller

Listen:
“Bloodbuzz Ohio”

The National on Last.fm

Share |

Watch: Rainbow Arabia - “Holiday in Congo”

Now here’s a video that fun to listen to and fun to watch. LA husband and wife duo Rainbow Arabia filmed their music video for “Holiday in Congo” while touring through Brazil. They made some pit stops in order to employ a few friends, don that classic black & white outfit the world is so familiar with, and do their best Jacko moves through São Paulo. It’s hilarious, weird, and totally awesome, quite like Rainbow Arabia itself.  And if you’re super into this song, head over to Stereogum (who premiered the video) and get your hands on some free downloads of the original track and a remix by Myd.

Share |

Listen: Extra Life - “Head Shrinker (Tyondai Braxton Remix)”

It’s been quite a while since we’ve heard anything from Battles frontman and future-classicalist Tyondai Braxton, so despite us not having much background on the Brooklyn band Extra Life, we went ahead and posted this remix of the outfit’s track “Head Shrinker” anyway.

Braxton’s treatment of “Head Shrinker” is far more on the experimental, noisy side of his music rather than the orchestral endeavors he followed on last year’s Central Market, but somehow melody still finds its way into the mix. Truthfully, we’re not sure what exactly this version has to do with the original song, but we’ll take it in lieu of that new Battles album we remain waiting patiently for.

Listen:
“Head Shrinker (Tyondai Braxton Remix)”

Download as MP3

Share |

Interpol Takes New Music on the Road

Now with one less original member and one more original song, Interpol is set to travel our nation’s fine highways and byways to share their elegant rock tunes with concertgoers throughout the East Coast and Midwest. The band is offering fans a chance to purchase pre-sale tickets for these dates straight from its website, so as to minimize tickets prices. A list of dates, along with Interpol’s awesome new track, “Lights,” is down below.

06.21.2010 Water Street Music Hall - Rochester, NY
06.22.2010 Town Ballroom - Buffalo, NY
06.23.2010 Mr Small’s Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA
06.25.2010 Crocodile Rock Cafe - Allentown, PA
06.28.2010 People’s Court - Des Moines, IA
07.01.2010 Bogart’s - Cincinnati, OH
07.02.2010 House of Blues Cleveland - Cleveland, OH
07.05.2010 Blue Note - Columbia, MO
07.08.2010 40 Watt Club - Athens, GA
07.10.2010 The Music Farm - Charleston, SC
07.14.2010 Ram’s Head Live - Baltimore, MD
07.20.2010 Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel - Providence, RI
07.21.2010 Toad’s Place - New Haven, CT
07.23.2010 Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY
 07.24.2010 Chameleon - Landcaster, PA

Share |

Minus the BearOmniDangerbird Records (2010) Genre: IndieRating: B- Boozing, girls, and travel have been inspiring Minus the Bear’s sound since 2001. It’s why the faces at the band’s shows are so varied. Because who can say “no” to a stiff drink, hard bodies, and new locales? Omni, the Seattle quintet’s new album, treads where it wishes without unraveling the same prog-pop mantra that has always worked so well. The electronic qualities that sprouted the outfit’s niche still protrude strongly, but tracks like “Secret Country” blend it into the mix marvelously. “Into The Mirror” is the product of what defines this band: telling a vivid story with only five minutes or so. “There’s a mirror full of ‘cane in the bathroom / Cause nobody here knows when to stop / For now we’re just making out with the door unlocked.” It’s all for the high of the uninhibited tryst, and at the party in the next room, the boyfriend sits completely unware: “She sits down beside him without a hint of shame / Cause everything’s the same in its own way.” Minus the Bear’s strength also resides in ‘choose your own adventure’ type cuts that sound perfect before bed after a long day, during a raucous dance party, or courteously drowning out the sex noises coming from your room. An anomaly? Yes, but “Animal Backwards” proves it. The song is packaged with a pounding bass beat that strikes hard—not loud—and unfenced synth effects plucked from an old-school arcade game that rev up during the song’s last quarter. A mishmash of molded sounds that, at the right volume, could set one to slumbering or sweating. Omni isn’t so much a gift from God; tracks like “Dayglow Vista Rd.”—which sound like nothing more than filler made up from scraps—falter from the others. It’s like convincing yourself that the shake left in some baggy is enough to get you high, but deep down you know it’s a waste of time. Don’t be mistaken, though, if you’ve been jonesing for new material from Minus the Bear, Omni will simultaneously feed that need and build up your tolerance. -Sean McCoy Listen:“My Time” Minus the Bear on Last.fm

Minus the Bear
Omni
Dangerbird Records (2010)

Genre: Indie
Rating: B-

Boozing, girls, and travel have been inspiring Minus the Bear’s sound since 2001. It’s why the faces at the band’s shows are so varied. Because who can say “no” to a stiff drink, hard bodies, and new locales? Omni, the Seattle quintet’s new album, treads where it wishes without unraveling the same prog-pop mantra that has always worked so well.

The electronic qualities that sprouted the outfit’s niche still protrude strongly, but tracks like “Secret Country” blend it into the mix marvelously. “Into The Mirror” is the product of what defines this band: telling a vivid story with only five minutes or so. “There’s a mirror full of ‘cane in the bathroom / Cause nobody here knows when to stop / For now we’re just making out with the door unlocked.” It’s all for the high of the uninhibited tryst, and at the party in the next room, the boyfriend sits completely unware: “She sits down beside him without a hint of shame / Cause everything’s the same in its own way.”

Minus the Bear’s strength also resides in ‘choose your own adventure’ type cuts that sound perfect before bed after a long day, during a raucous dance party, or courteously drowning out the sex noises coming from your room. An anomaly? Yes, but “Animal Backwards” proves it. The song is packaged with a pounding bass beat that strikes hard—not loud—and unfenced synth effects plucked from an old-school arcade game that rev up during the song’s last quarter. A mishmash of molded sounds that, at the right volume, could set one to slumbering or sweating.

Omni isn’t so much a gift from God; tracks like “Dayglow Vista Rd.”—which sound like nothing more than filler made up from scraps—falter from the others. It’s like convincing yourself that the shake left in some baggy is enough to get you high, but deep down you know it’s a waste of time. Don’t be mistaken, though, if you’ve been jonesing for new material from Minus the Bear, Omni will simultaneously feed that need and build up your tolerance.

-Sean McCoy

Listen:
“My Time”

Minus the Bear on Last.fm

Share |

Listen to a Bunch of New Albums Now

We’d like to think that record labels are becoming generous and thoughtful with age, but it’s more likely that they offer their latest releases for full streaming weeks before the release dates to combat against you whippersnappers trying to download something for nothing. Regardless, right now over on AOL Spinner you can listen to a whole lot of new, as-yet-unreleased albums, some of which are pretty great.

Among the list of available titles, web surfers will find Broken Social Scene’s Forgiveness Rock Record, Holy Fuck’s Latin, Minus the Bear’s Omni, The Hold Steady’s Heaven is Whenever, Booka Shade’s More, and Rusko’s O.M.G.!. Listen to those albums, among many others, over here. Enjoy!

pictured Rusko

Share |

Trans AmThingThrill Jockey Records (2010) Genre: IndieRating: C+ The ninth release from DC-bred psych-noise post-rockers Trans Am, Thing, could be a 40-minute romp through a barren desert planet, an electronic acid trip collage, futuristic heavy metal, or simply a mockery of all those who are listening. While the majority of today’s electronic sounds may be showcased by dance- and pop-minded artists, Trans Am has always been more prone to the darker, quasi-industrial side of that spectrum. Thing is no exception. The album’s 12 songs range from German minimalism à la Kraftwerk to almost danceable tracks heavy with buzzing lead synths and motorik live beats, and just about every style from the band’s repertoire in between. Examples of the latter include “Black Matter,” a jam with math rock drumming and sparse vocodered vocals, and “Naked Singularity,” something akin to a lost Prodigy demo—complete with a clap track and spacey pads. “Heaven’s Gate” employs insane metal drumming and shredding guitar work that amounts to one continuous solo. Drifting to the more cerebral and psychedelic, “Bad Vibes” and “Space Dock” both seem to explore uncharted extraterrestrial territories with their ambient soundscapes and noisy interludes. Trying to place Thing into one genre is much like an attempt at classifying the band itself. Trans Am has always seemed to just brush up against various scenes and styles: one part jammy post-rock, one part kitschy electro-tinged metal, one part digital Space Age video game soundtrack, and a splash of dissonant noise. Whatever the case, Trans Am continues to stay off of whatever the current trajectory of electronic and rock music may be. -Dave Peterson Listen:“Apparent Horizon” Trans Am on Last.fm

Trans Am
Thing
Thrill Jockey Records (2010)

Genre: Indie
Rating: C+

The ninth release from DC-bred psych-noise post-rockers Trans Am, Thing, could be a 40-minute romp through a barren desert planet, an electronic acid trip collage, futuristic heavy metal, or simply a mockery of all those who are listening. While the majority of today’s electronic sounds may be showcased by dance- and pop-minded artists, Trans Am has always been more prone to the darker, quasi-industrial side of that spectrum. Thing is no exception. The album’s 12 songs range from German minimalism à la Kraftwerk to almost danceable tracks heavy with buzzing lead synths and motorik live beats, and just about every style from the band’s repertoire in between.

Examples of the latter include “Black Matter,” a jam with math rock drumming and sparse vocodered vocals, and “Naked Singularity,” something akin to a lost Prodigy demo—complete with a clap track and spacey pads. “Heaven’s Gate” employs insane metal drumming and shredding guitar work that amounts to one continuous solo. Drifting to the more cerebral and psychedelic, “Bad Vibes” and “Space Dock” both seem to explore uncharted extraterrestrial territories with their ambient soundscapes and noisy interludes.

Trying to place Thing into one genre is much like an attempt at classifying the band itself. Trans Am has always seemed to just brush up against various scenes and styles: one part jammy post-rock, one part kitschy electro-tinged metal, one part digital Space Age video game soundtrack, and a splash of dissonant noise. Whatever the case, Trans Am continues to stay off of whatever the current trajectory of electronic and rock music may be.

-Dave Peterson

Listen:
“Apparent Horizon”

Trans Am on Last.fm

Share |

Various ArtistsSecondhand SureshotsDublab / Stones Throw Records (2010) Genre: ElectronicRating: B Secondhand Sureshots is the result of four LA-based beat makers who, with five dollars for five records, sifted through stacks of old thrift store vinyl with the intention of making something old and discarded new again. Commissioned by Dublab, producers J. Rocc, Ras G, Daedelus and Nobody each created one original song from their previously unheard thrift store finds for the collection and its accompanying documentary film. Further, in the spirit of recycling, for the vinyl release of Secondhand Sureshots, which includes the four initial tracks as well as additional remixes of those tracks, 500 old gatefold vinyl jackets were reclaimed, and the release’s artwork was silk screened on top of the original sleeves. The most interesting part about the music that came from the Secondhand Sureshots project are the separate identities of each producer to be heard in the tracks. Even though the methods were the same in the beginning, the results are purely individual. The sounds used to craft these songs are too many to list in their entirety, but include Middle Eastern beats, piano and organ melodies, and voices used for percussion, among other purposes. When the original four songs end—which they do so quickly, as they make up about 15 minutes in total—it feels a bit unfulfilling. The remixes that follow are okay, but they aren’t what make Sureshots interesting. Had more beat smiths been commissioned to take on the same challenge as J. Rocc, Ras G, Daedelus, and Nobody, a more satisfying release could have been made. There are plenty of records in thrift stores out there, and there are plenty of DJs and producers who might have created some pretty cool songs out of them, as these four did. -Todd Miller Listen:“J.Rocc”

Various Artists
Secondhand Sureshots
Dublab / Stones Throw Records (2010)

Genre: Electronic
Rating: B

Secondhand Sureshots is the result of four LA-based beat makers who, with five dollars for five records, sifted through stacks of old thrift store vinyl with the intention of making something old and discarded new again. Commissioned by Dublab, producers J. Rocc, Ras G, Daedelus and Nobody each created one original song from their previously unheard thrift store finds for the collection and its accompanying documentary film. Further, in the spirit of recycling, for the vinyl release of Secondhand Sureshots, which includes the four initial tracks as well as additional remixes of those tracks, 500 old gatefold vinyl jackets were reclaimed, and the release’s artwork was silk screened on top of the original sleeves.

The most interesting part about the music that came from the Secondhand Sureshots project are the separate identities of each producer to be heard in the tracks. Even though the methods were the same in the beginning, the results are purely individual. The sounds used to craft these songs are too many to list in their entirety, but include Middle Eastern beats, piano and organ melodies, and voices used for percussion, among other purposes. When the original four songs end—which they do so quickly, as they make up about 15 minutes in total—it feels a bit unfulfilling. The remixes that follow are okay, but they aren’t what make Sureshots interesting. Had more beat smiths been commissioned to take on the same challenge as J. Rocc, Ras G, Daedelus, and Nobody, a more satisfying release could have been made. There are plenty of records in thrift stores out there, and there are plenty of DJs and producers who might have created some pretty cool songs out of them, as these four did.

-Todd Miller

Listen:
“J.Rocc”

Share |

Hear Two New Arcade Fire Songs
Free Downloads and New Music From Warp Records
Stream the New Ratatat Album Now
Watch: FM Belfast - “Underwear”
New Music From Toro Y Moi, Menomena, and Shlohmo
Watch: Rainbow Arabia - “Holiday in Congo”
Listen: Extra Life - “Head Shrinker (Tyondai Braxton Remix)”
Interpol Takes New Music on the Road
Listen to a Bunch of New Albums Now

keyCMND's Favorite Music:





























About keyCMND:

KeyCMND aims to provide the most interesting and exciting music, videos, album reviews, and news. We encourage readers to share with us what they're into and would like to read more about. Please use our contact information accordingly.

Please send materials for review or feature consideration here:
keyCMND
Attn: Patric Fallon
1102 York St.
San Francisco, CA 94110

Alternately, you can send emails here:
keycmnd@gmail.com

keyCMND on Facebook
keyCMND on Twitter