Narrow Stairs

I have been literally foaming at the mouth in anticipation of Death Cab's newest album, Narrow Stairs, due out May 13th. As has become par for the course, the album began leaking online this week, and I grabbed it up. Upon two full listenings of Narrow Stairs, I can say I am so glad I did not plunk down $13 for the album. Death Cab's latest endeavor is shite, from start to finish. In an album review MTV writer James Montgomery said that although "Death Cab for Cutie had gone insane." he also believes that Narrow Stairs could make "an early contender for the best album of 2008." He also said that "Narrow Stairs is a great album, one that could make them very famous, but could very well also kill their careers." I am going to cast my vote for the latter. This album makes me almost regret buying tickets for DCFC`s upcoming show in Toronto. Let`s hope they stick to older material for their set, and that the next Death Cab album won`t be so horrendous.

For your ears -
I am being a jerk on this one and not releasing any tracks. Seriously, I hate the album that much.

For your eyes -
DCFC video for Ì Will Possess Your Heart

Watch Video:

I Will Possess Your Heart (Death Cab for Cutie)

Video Code provided by MusicRemedy.Com

Friday Five: Covers-A-Go-Go

Looks to be about that time again, so here's five cover songs for your Friday. Enjoy!

For your ears -
Death Cab for Cutie: Lovesong (The Cure cover)
Nina Gordon: Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A. cover)
Jack Penate: 1234 (Feist cover)
The Killers: Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town (Kenny Rogers cover)
Micheal Gum: Lovefool (The Cardigans cover)
support these artists by buying their music

For your eyes -
A Fine Frenzy doing a live cover of Death Cab for Cutie's "I Will Follow You Into The Dark"

Dragonette with Sweet Thing, Fritz Helder and the Phantoms @ The Phoenix 4/3/08

Dragonette wrapped up their tour last night in Toronto at The Phoenix Concert Theatre with openers Sweet Thing and Fritz Helder and the Phantoms. Dragonette's set was short (45 minutes including the encore), but well polished and a lot of fun. Not too much more to say about it, as I am entirely too hungover.

Dragonette performing "True Believer" at The Phoenix


Dragonette performing "Take It Like A Man" at The Phoenix


Dragonette performing "Stupid Grin" at The Phoenix


Last song of the night - Dragonette and Sweet Thing performing "Get Lucky"

Friday Five: Cover Me

Another Friday, another set of five covers. Enjoy!

For your ears -
Daniel Rossen (of Grizzly Bear): Too Little Too Late (JoJo cover)
Sia: Paranoid Andriod (Radiohead cover)
KT Tunstall: My Doorbell (White Stripes cover)
The Bird and The Bee: How Deep is Your Love (Bee Gees cover)
Brandy: I Do It For You (Bryan Adams cover)
support these artists by buying their music

For your eyes -
Kids Inc. covering Madonna's "Into The Groove" (yes, I went there...her people got my damn fileden account suspended). Also, look for Little Fergie in the background as well.

The Material Girl is running out of material

Madonna's 11th studio album, Hard Candy, will be released on April 29th to fufill her contract obligations to Warner Brothers Records. Songs have been slowly leaking from the new album, and Madonna's age (she'll be fifty in August) is starting to show. The material girl is sounding worn out, and not even an infusion of Timbaland's beats and Justin Timberlake vocals are doing much to pep her up. Take a listen for yourself and let me know what you think.

For your ears -
Madonna: Four Minutes(featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland)
Madonna: Candy Store
from the upcoming album Hard Candy (pre-order it)

For your eyes -
The video for the last good song Madonna put out, "Jump"

Madonna's Website

She may have a new soul, but she sings like a classic.

Parisian Yael Naim caught the ears of everyone when Apple used her quirky song "New Soul" in a Macbook Air commercial. Naim ended up garnering a spot on The Billboard Singles chart, and her sophomore album, Yael Naim, was finally released in North America on March 18th. The album is sung in English, French, and Hebrew and is a beautiful little record. Pick it up for yourself, you won't be disappointed.

For your ears -
Yael Naim: Levater
Yael Naim: Endless Song of Happiness
from the album Yael Naim (buy it)

For your eyes -
Yael Naim performing "Far Far" live

Yael Naim's Website

Pretty Odd.

I won't lie, I was a huge fan of Panic! at the Disco's debut album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. The album was a good time from start to finish, with great hooks and clever lyrics all along the way. I was looking forward to their sophomore release, Pretty Odd, on March 25th, hoping honestly for more of the same. Unfortunately, it seems like the boys of Panic were listening to The Beatles way too much, and Pretty Odd comes across as a horrible knock off of McCartney/Lennon without the great lyrics and arrangements. Save yourself the time and energy and let this one sink into the abyss.

For your ears -
Panic! at the Disco: I Have Friends in Holy Spaces
Panic! at the Disco: When the Day Met the Night
from the album Pretty Odd (buy it)

For your eyes -
Panic! at the Disco's video for "Nine in the Afternoon"

Panic! at the Disco's Website