November 3, 2006

Coolfer Digital Semi-Daily

• Pavement: "Heckler Spray/In The Mouth A Desert" live (MP3)

Matador Records added two Pavement MP3s on its website. This one, recorded in April of 1994 at The Palace in Hollywood, comes from a live album that will be available as a bonus download to people who pre-order the upcoming Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition (out this Tuesday, details here). Pavement played an early and a late show that night, and I was at both. Fantastic shows.

• Deftones: "Hole In The Earth" audio stream (WM, RA, Quicktime)
• Deftones: "Hole In The Earth" video stream (WM)

The Deftones' fifth studio album, Saturday Night Wrist (Maverick), was released on Tuesday. Here's a stream of the lead track.

October 23, 2006

Coolfer Digital Semi-Daily

The Who E-Card

Universal Motown created an e-card for The Who's upcoming album. (Be warned: It loads slowly.) Endless Wire will be in stores on October 31st. (It includes a limited live DVD, "Live at Lyon.") The e-card offers streams of four new songs: "It's Not Enough," "Tea & Theater," "Black Widow Eyes" and "Man In A Purple Dress."

• Aerosmith: "Devil's Got A New Disguise" audio stream (Quicktime, WM, RA)

Aerosmith, currently on tour with Motley Crue, has another "best of" compilation in stores. Devil’s Got A New Disguise: The Very Best Of Aerosmith (Columbia) has two new tracks and 16 classics that span the band's entire career.

• Niobe: "Give All To Love" (MP3)

Tomlab puts out some of the best low-key electronic pop. Niobe's track "Give All To Love" is striking in its mixture of classic jazz cabaret and subtle laptop programming. Wow.

October 18, 2006

Coolfer Digital Semi-Daily

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• How I Became The Bomb: "Killing Machine" (MP3)
• How I Became The Bomb: "Secret Identity" (MP3)

I saw How I Became The Bomb shortly after moving to Nashville. The group's quirky indie rock is danceable yet introspective, and the show was a lot of fun. "Killing Machine" ranks as one of the better songs on the band's EP, Let's Go. For some reason the line, "My right hand contains an M-16/The other hand contains a fresh canteen/I can go out there and do what I please," kills me. "Secret Identity" could have almost been on the "Valley Girl" soundtrack. Love those guitar riffs. Totally unconfirmed: A friend who knows someone related to the band said labels are taking a look.

• Alice Smith: "Dream" (MP3)
• Alice Smith: "Love Endeaver" Maurice Fulton Remix (MP3)

Alice Smith recently toured with Citizen Cope and got a good write-up by NPR. Coolfer has heard rumors, all unconfirmed, of majors interested in signing the New York-based singer. Her debut album, Lovers, Dreamers & Me, mixes soul, pop and rock in unexpected ways and is one of the year's must-hears.

September 21, 2006

Coolfer Digital Semi-Daily

• Cold War Kids: "We Used To Vacation" audio stream (WM, RA)
• Cold War Kids: "Hospital Beds" (MP3)

There's a buzz on Cold War Kids, and its not just from bloggers. Expect to see this band in the frequent "next big thing" articles. This four-piece indie band from California's Inland Empire will release its debut album, Robbers & Cowards, on October 10th through Downtown Recordings (let's see how they spend that Gnarls Barkey money). "We Used To Vacation," which was on the Up In Rags EP, was redone for the new album. "Hospital Beds" is from the Up In Rags EP.

• The Whigs: "Technology" (MP3)

Athens, GA three-piece The Whigs just signed with ATO Records, which has reissued the group's year-old album, Give Em All A Big Fat Lip (at a $9.98 list price). Download and nod along. They'll be on tour with Mute Math in October and November.

September 19, 2006

Coolfer Digital Semi-Daily

• Tom Waits: "Bottom Of The World" (MP3)

Bless the indies and their MP3-giving ways. Anti has a free MP3 of a new Tom Waits song, "Bottom Of The World," from the three-CD set Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards. The collection has 54 songs, 30 of them new, and will be out November 21st.

• Kelis: "Blindfold Me" audio stream (WM, RA)

Kelis sounds nothing like Tom Waits, and the kids love her for it. Her latest single, "Blindfold Me," features her husband, Nas.

September 18, 2006

Coolfer Digital Semi-Daily

• The Mooney Suzuki: "My Dear Persephone" audio stream (WMA)
• The Mooney Suzuki: "Love Is A Gentle Whip" audio stream (WMA)

After a failed venture with Columbia Records and production team The Matrix, The Mooney Suzuki are bringing their garage rock by way of V2 Records. The band's The Maximum Black EP was released on September 5th. It has six new tracks and five old, never-released songs. So let's do the math...including this EP, the band has been on three labels and has released 31 songs in the last five years. That's not the output of band trying to break out. Let's hope the V2 full-length makes it to market before garage rock is even more dead that it already is.

• Teddybears: "Yours To Keep" Annie remix (MP3)
• Teddybears: "Punkrocker" featuring Iggy Pop (MP3)

Sweden's Teddybears have been making a bit of noise in the blogosphere lately -- that's what happens when Cornetstone is doing promotion. This remix "Yours to Keep" by Annie will scratch your indie dance-punk itch. The song "Punkrocker" has vocals by the one and only Iggy Pop. Nice. Check the band's MySpace page for audio streams. Their album, Soft Machine, will be out on September 26th (the digital album will be released a week prior).

September 12, 2006

Coolfer Digital Semi-Daily

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• Meatloaf: "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" video stream (Quicktime, WM)
• Bat Out Of Hell 3 EPK (Quicktime, WM)

Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell III will be released October 31st by Virgin Records in North America and Universal Records elsewhere. Desmond Child produced the album (a dramatic singer requires a dramatic producer), Todd Rundgren contributed vocal arrangements and Steve Vai and Brian May perform on a song each. The first single, "It’s All Coming Back to Me Now" (made famous by Celine Dion), is a duet with newcomer Marion Raven.

• Mute Math: "Typical" Live at the El Ray, video stream (Quicktime, WM)
• Mute Math: "Typical" audio stream (Quicktime, WM)
• Mute Math: "Chaos" audio stream (Quicktime, WM)

New Orleans' Mute Math will have a new, self-titled album titled out on September 26th. A limited edition bonus disc (on the first 25,000) has six songs recorded at Los Angeles' El Rey. A national tour starts the 19th in Seattle.

September 5, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Dr. Dog: "Ain't It Strange" (MP3)

Nearly two years after the NY Times' Kelefa Sanneh got all revved up over Dr. Dog, Philly band's XL debut is approaching and the requisite free MP3 is upon us. The "Takers and Leavers" EP will be out September 12th.

• Snowden: "Anti Anti" (MP3)

Atlanta's Snowden is currently on tour and enjoying very solid press for its Jade Tree release Anti Anti. Gotta love that riff before the verse kicks in. Check them out in L.A. at the Silverlake Lounge on September 6th, in Seattle at the Crocodile Cafe on September 13th and in New York at the Mercury Lounge on September 22nd, and plenty of places inbetween.

August 31, 2006

Thursday Morning Business Links, Notes

• Rapper Fat Joe has signed a deal with Virgin Records, a label that has not had the greatest success with urban music over the years. (Billboard.com)

• Today it was announced that John Breeder, President and Chief Operating Officer of Handleman Company, resigned his position effective immediately. The company line: "It became clear in the past several days that John believed that continuing to meet his obligations as President would conflict with his own personal interests," and the company "reluctantly concluded that an immediate separation was the only prudent course to serve the interests of Handleman's customers, employees and shareholders." (Press Release)

• National Public Radio plans an early 2007 launch of NPR Music Online, a download site that will offer music and video from programming that spans 35 years. (MarketWatch)

• The Country Music Association announced the the newest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame: Harold Bradley, Sonny James and George Strait. The formal induction will take place during the November 8th CMA Awards. (Press Release)

• MiG, one of the three finalists on the "Rockstar: INXS" reality series, has signed a deal with Universal Music Classics. His album, due out in January, will be released on Decca and will have at least a few covers ("A Kiss From A Rose," "Life on Mars," "Wrapped Around Your Finger," "Wake Me Up When September Ends"). No joke. (People.com)

August 28, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Aurgasm "Breeze and Sweat" mix (MP3) 80 MB

Funny, six months ago just about every large file was called a podcast. This is Aurgasm's "amateur DJ mix," and it's a really good mix of beat-driven tracks by the likes of Balkan Beat Box, Amadou & Mariam, Mr Scruff & Quantic and Captain Planet. Track listing is here.

Out The Other's New Modern Mix (zip) 89 MB

An indie rock mix in a zip file, with songs by The Kooks, The Sunshine Underground, Biship Allen, Bound Stems and others. Track listing is at this post.

August 22, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• The Triffids: "Seabirds" (MP3)

Domino Recording Co. has already revisisted the words of seminal groups Orange Juice and the Fire Engines. Now comes The Triffids, a band from Perth, Australia that formed in 1981 and released music throughout the '80s. Today Domino reissued the band's 1986 album Born Sandy Devotional with bonus tracks.

August 21, 2006

Coolfer Digital Semi-Daily

• Soulwax: "Miserable Girl" (MP3)

Soulwax is 2 Many DJs with a different name on the office door. Modular/Interscope will release the group's album Nite Versions on September 12th (which will be a very busy street date).

• The Chicago Chamber Musicians: "Quintet for Violen, Two Violas, Violoncello and Horn in E-flat Major, K. 407 (Allegro) MP3

Have some classical for a change. From Chamber Works For Winds And Strings By Mozart, an IODA-distributed album on Summit Records.

• Zero 7: "Futures" (Rub N Tug Remix) (MP3)
• Zero 7: "Futures" featuring Jose Gonzalez, audio stream (WM, RA)

Coolfer always makes a big deal when a major gives away an MP3. Atlantic is doing it here with a remix of "Futures" by Zero 7. An DRM-free download of an album version probably would have been too much. Giving away a track with buzz boy Jose Gonzalez would definitely be too much, thus the WM and RA streams.

August 18, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Mew Acoustic Performance at AOL podcast (MP3) 44.8 MB

Mew played four songs at the AOL office for this great podcast: "The Zookeeper's Boy," "Eight Flew Over, One Was Destroyed," "Why Are You Loooking Grave" and "Comforting Sounds." The Danish band is getting a lot of attention over its new album Mew and the Glass Handed Kites. Might be because it's a great album...but having Alan McGee as your manager tends to get results, too.

• Tootekool: No Pablo Espanol mix(MP3) 86.5 MB
• Fingers on the Pulse: Going to Work mix (MP3) 50.8 MB

Two DJ mixes for you today. The first is a mix by Shanghai's Tootekool, who Coolfer found via a post at Shanghaiist on the city's minimalist techno scene. The other is by NYC's Fingers on the Pulse DJs, a mix with songs by Hot Chip, Cassius, MSTRKFT, The Knife and a few more.

August 17, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Jet: "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" (WM, RA)
• Jet: "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" video (WM, RA, Quicktime)

Jet's new album, Shine On, will be released by Atlantic on October 3rd. "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" is the first track out of the gate. Audio and video stream links are above, or you can view the Shine On e-card here. Sounds like more of the same...not that there's anything wrong with that.

August 15, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

This Digital Daily is dedicated to music blogs from Los Angeles. Though the City of Angels' blogs per capita lags well behind that of New York, there are a few doing good deeds. I usually check Radio Free Silver Lake and Rock Insider, and lately have been reading You Set The Scene, Inflight At Night and Rewriteable Content as well.

• The Bird and the Bee: "I'm A Broken Heart" (MP3)

Gorgeous orchestral pop for slowly sipping wine or sleeping late on a Sunday. The Bird and the Bee are from Los Angeles and are signed to Blue Note Records.

• Division Day: "Colorguard" (MP3)

Sweet songs where heartache takes the place of self pity. Nice to hear a band that can do midtempo without falling asleep at the wheel. Division Day will do a brief Western states run with Birdmonster in late August.

• For Those Who Know: "Competition" (MP3)
• For Those Who Know: "Night at the Dance" (MP3)

I found out about Austin's For Those Who Know from the blog Inflight At Night. Good, noisy indie rock with a reverbed falsetto that reminds of Mercury Rev's first singer, David Baker.

August 7, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Aberdeen City: "God Is Going To Get Sick Of Me" (MP3)
• Aberdeen City: "Sixty Lives" (MP3)

Columbia's Steve Lillywhite signed Aberdeen City, whose 2005 album The Freezing Atlantic gets a re-release tomorrow on Red Ink.

• Black Keys: "Your Touch" (WM)

Black Keys are now on Nonesuch and will release The Magic Potion comes out September 12th. Word on the street is the album is a big leap forward for the Akron, OH-based band.

August 3, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• What Made Milwaukee Famous: "I Decide" (MP3)
• What Made Milwaukee Famous: "Sweet Lady" (MP3)

What Made Milwaukee Famous (from Austin, not Wisconson) signed with indie rock powerhouse Barsuk. Good call. They'll fit right in with a catalog that includes John Vanderslice and Nada Surf. They're a talented bunch and have songwriting chops that far exceed most of their indie rock peers. Songs...remember those? They're nice to hear every once in a while. Trying Never To Catch Up will be out August 22nd.


• Brick and Lace: "Get That Clear" featuring Akon (WM, RA)

Geffen's Brick and Lace are sisters Nyanda and Nailah Thorbourne from Kingston, Jamaica. Their debut, Love is Wicked, does not yet have a street date but Geffen's publicists are letting out some links to audio streams for the track "Get That Clear" that was produced by Akon. Coolfer's looking forward to hearing the song "Why'd You Lie" because it has a sample from Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer."

August 1, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Yesterday Coolfer listened to two CDs, one on a major and one on an indie, both with obvious debts to Elliot Smith. Wish I had some better audio links for y'all. Sorry. Some labels just aren't very good about that kind of thing.

Mike Andrews @ MySpace"

Released on Elgin Park Recordings (recently re-released by Ryko), Mike Andrews' 12-track Hands on Strings was a nice surprise. Andrews has scored such films as Donnie Darko and Me and You and Everyone We Know, and he has put together a great album. If you want MP3s, look them up at The Hype Machine.

• Joshua Radin: "Closer" (WM, RA, Quicktime)
• Joshua Radin: "Winter" (WM, RA, Quicktime)

Columbia Records' new signing Joshua Radin marks Elliot Smith's return to a major label. We Were Here is a very pleasant album of hushed-voice acoustic numbers. Rolling Stone just gave We Were Here four stars, saying that while its breakup music is not revolutionary "his handling of this well-worn theme is understated, poignant and refreshingly frank." Agreed.

July 26, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Frida Hyvönen: "You Never Get Me Right" (MP3)

Fans of indie rock parlour music -- Fiery Furnaces, Dresden Dolls -- should like Frida Hyvönen, a Swedish artist on Secretly Canadian who is on tour with countryman Jens Lekman.

• Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk: "DoeReMe" (MP3)
• Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk: "Strum Strum Bang Bang" (MP3)

Kansas City's The Pitch said this about Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk: "This is a group for indie-rock lovers, especially anyone who revels in the soaring, driving passages of Broken Social Scene or Appleseed Cast." Spot on.

July 24, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• The Pink Spiders: "Little Razorblade" video (YouTube)

Geffen's The Pink Spiders have been quietly getting some attention ahead of next week's album release. Teenage Graffiti was produced by Ric Ocasek and is obviously a priority for the label (just look at the overblown, expensive video for proof). Nashville blogger Nemesisboy has a humorous take on the band in this commercial at YouTube.

• Paris Hilton: "Turn It Up" (MP3)

Bum Squad DJz has an MP3 of the Paris Hilton track "Turn It Up." Unlike the summery "Stars Is Blind" first single, this song has a hip hop beat that could work in the clubs.

Pop Montreal Popcast #22 (MP3)

The Pop Montreal festival is coming in October, and the frequent podcasts are a great way to hear indie music and artists from Montreal.

July 20, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Today's Digital Daily contains tracks from the three bands Coolfer saw play last night.

• The Feeling: "Fill My Little World" video stream
• The Feeling: "Sewn" audio stream

The Feeling have scored a few hits in the UK and will have their debut, Twelve Stops and Home, released in the States on September 25th. Last night's show at the Mercury Lounge was filled with curious parties (like myself), some Anglophiles and a few expats. We were treated to a solid set of power pop played with flair and enough energy to soak through the band's tight cotton dress shirts. How the U.S. will react to The Feeling is anybody's guess, but they do have one potential hit: "Love It When You Call" could be a ringtone chart-topper. (Check the MySpace page for streams.)

• The Big Sleep: "Murder" (MP3)

Brooklyn's The Big Sleep (pictured) will release its debut album, Son of the Tiger, through French Kiss this September. Last night's show at the Bowery Ballroom showed off the trio's mostly instrumental post-rock epics. Think Hovercraft without the visuals and more skronk.

• I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness: "According To Plan" (MP3)

Austin's I Love You But I've Chosen Darkenss finished off the night with a slick set that got the thin crowd at the Bowery moving (not dancing, though). Their album, Fear, was released in March by Secretly Canadian.

July 19, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Lambchop: "Crackers" (MP3)

Nashville's Lambchop will release Damaged on August 22nd through Merge Records. It was called "a transcendent record" by The Guardian, and from what Coolfer has heard it's another beautiful collection of orchestral, rootsy American music. The band is touring the U.S. and Europe this summer and fall. Tour dates are at Merge's tour page.

• James Dean Bradfield: "That's No Way To Tell A Lie" one-minute clip (MP3)

James Dean Bradfield, frontman for the U.S.-challenged Manic Street Preachers, will release his first solo album, The Great Western, next week...in the UK, not in the States. This one-minute MP3 clip is from his MySpace page. MP3 clips aren't everybody's favorite, but it's a miracle Columbia would post even 60 seconds of MP3 on one of its artist's MySpace pages. Anyway, it's a really nice song. Manics bass player Nicky Wire has a solo project as well and an album due in September. The song "Shining Path," which isn't nearly as good as Bradfield's material, is streaming at his MySpace page.

July 18, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Diddy: "Gettin' Off" clean-intro (MP3)

Diddy has an R&B album called Press Play (sorry, Aerosmith) coming this fall, and "Gettin' Off" (mentioned elsewhere as "Get Off") is supposedly a track from it. Sounds like a rough James Brown bootleg -- on a really off night. Fox News' Roger Friedman wrote about the abum just the other day. Diddy sings on this one, and he brought in a lot of help: Nicole (Pussycat Dolls), Brandy, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Big Boi, Nas, Fergie (Black Eyed Peas), Kanye West, Will.i.am, Timbaland, Pharell, Mario Winans and Rich Harrison. (Downloading the track will take a bit of time and clicking. Just follow the directions.) (Link via SOHH)

July 16, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Outkast: "Mighty O" (WM, RA)

The oft-delayed Outkast album Idlewild will be released August 22nd on LaFace/Zomba. "MIghty O" is the first single. Billboard.com has a feature on the duo, the album and the movie upon which it is based.

• Audioslave: "Original Fire" (RA)

Another song from an upcoming album, Audioslave's "Original Fire" is from the Brendan O'Brien-produced Revelations, due out September 5th. Somewhat surprisingly, the group mixes some Guess Who riffs into the usual mix of Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden.

July 13, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

Today's Digital Daily is a special edition with tracks from bands performing at the Siren Festival this Saturday in Coney Island, Brooklyn. See you there.

• Priestess: "Talk To Her" (MP3)
• Priestess: "Run Home" video (Quicktime, Real, WM)
• Deadboy and the Elephantman: "Stop, I'm Already Dead" (MP3)
• Celebration: "New Skin" (MP3)
• The Cribs: "Hey Scenesters" video (YouTube)
• Man Man: "10 Lb. Moustache" (MP3)
• Scissor Sisters: "Filthy & Gorgeous" video (YouTube)
• Art Brut: "Moving to LA" live (MP3)
• Dirty on Purpose: "Light Pollution" (MP3)
• The Stills: "Destoyer" demo (MP3)
• She Wants Revenge: "These Things" video (YouTube)
• Sarena-Maneeh: "Drain Cosmetics" video (YouTube)
• Tapes 'N Tapes: "Omaha" (MP3)
• Tapes 'N Tapes: "Insistor" video (YouTube)
• Stars: "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" video (YouTube)
• Rogers Sisters: "Freight Elevators" (MP3)

July 11, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• The Killers: "When You Were Young" (MP3 snippet)

You know an album is highly anticipated when a short snippet of a song makes waves in the blogosphere. That's what Island is offering of the new Killers single, "When You Were Young." Singer Brandon Flowers claimed the upcoming album, Sam's Town, would be one of the best album of the last two decades. The comments on a Stereogum post about the audio clip are mostly negative and usually strenuously negative. (By the way, that album title is a bit Wal-Mart-ish, no?)

• The Hourly Radio: "Travelsigns" (MP3)

The Hourly Radio are one of those indie bands that don't sound very indie. Their sundazed melodies and bursts of melody and distortion are tight, manicured and well suited for broad audiences...if they can reach them. The band's album History Will Never Hold Me hits August 22nd via Kirtland Records (distributed by RED). (Found at Filter.com)

July 10, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

Inside Digital Media interview with DiMA's Jon Potter (MP3)

Jon Potter, executive direction of the Digital Music Association, talks to Inside Digital Media about the Section 115 Reform Act (SIRA), which spells upcoming changes to music licensing and copyrights. Also, read DiMA's press release about SIRA here.

July 7, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Ani DiFranco: "Millennium Theater" (MP3)

Ani DiFranco has a new album, Reprieve, coming out on August 8th on her own Righteous Babe label. "Milennium Theater" is taken from the album. AlterNet has an interview with the singer-songwriter (and the MP3) in which DiFranco talks about Hurricane Katrina (she has an apartment in New Orlean's French Quarter), politics and her hometown of Buffalo.

July 6, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Razorlight: "In The Morning" (MP3)

When Razorlight came to the States a few years ago, amidst deafening proclaimations of greatness, they were spared the backlash that usually goes along with such a routine...because not too many were paying attention in the first place. "In The Morning" is from their self-titled follow-up, out August 22nd via Universal Motown. Take first album, add some herky-jerky Clash rhythms --- OK, more Radio 4 that The Clash -- and a sing-a-long chorus and you have the new single. Not the most memorable hook in their catalog, but there's worse out there.

June 30, 2006

Long Tail, Meet Scott Storch

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When Coolfer read of super producer Scott Storch's income ($70 million) and lifestyle he's made from producing hit records, it confirmed that there will always be a market for popular music made by A List producers for A List musicians. Rolling Stone's article, "Scott Storch's Outrageous Fortune," shows the empire he has built by ignoring the long tail and concentrating on listeners' desire for celebrity and popularity.

June 29, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

Benn Loxo Du Taccu
Akwaaba Sound System
Can I Bring My Gat?

Rather than post a link to a download or stream, today Coolfer offers links to some of the non-indie rock MP3 blogs that I frequent from time to time.

June 28, 2006

Coolfer Daily Digital

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• Juana Molina: "Micael" (MP3)
• Psapp: Soulful and Bittersweet" (MP3)

Both of these downloads were found at Stereogum in a Blogad for the Jose Gonzalez/Juana Molina/Psapp tour. Good use of your Blogad, Domino!

June 27, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

Adult Chocolate Swim EP (zip file)

Chocolate Industries has a free EP at the Adult Swim website that has remixes from its great roster. Tracks are by Lady Sovereign (a Spank Rock remix of "Hoodie"), Mos Def & Diverse, Vast Aire F/MF Doom, Ghislain Poirier and Kovas. (Via The Tripwire)

• Narwhal: "The Cha" (MP3)
• Narwhal: "Only Smoke Old" (MP3)

I'll be honest. The main reason I'm posting these Narwhal tracks (which are available from the band's MySpace page) is because they're signed to the new record label of the owners of the Sacramento Kings, Maloof Entertainment, and are represented by The Agency Group. The label has a deal with Interscope. The pop-punk band scored some West Coast spots on this summer's Warped Tour. Maloof has also signed rapper Spitfiya, according to the roster at the Interscope website.

June 26, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• The Pipettes: "Pull Shapes" video (YouTube)

Memphis Industries, the label that launched perky indie band The Go! Team, is upping the perkiness with The Pipettes, a Phil Spector-loving female three-piece. The video for "Pull Shapes" may go a bit far with Austin Powers schtick, but there's no denying that the song is as fun as they get. We Are The Pipettes will be released in the UK on July 17th. The band's MySpace page streams four songs. Lots of info on the band in this Telegraph article.

• Gnarls Barkley: "Crazy" Joe Budden remix (MP3)

Rapper Joe Budden raps on this remix of the omnipresent hit by Gnarls Barkley, "Crazy." Actually, he doesn't rap much after the first 70 or 80 seconds. Coolfer ran across a link to the song at a post at SOHH.

June 23, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Dashboard Confessional: "Don't Wait" (WM stream)
• Dashboard Confessional: AOL Sessions
• Dashboard Confessional: MySpace page

Chris Cabrera's face has been all over the place lately, which means Dashboard Confessional has a new album coming out. Sure enough, Dusk and Summer will be out Tuesday via Vagrant. The MySpace page has streams of two new songs, and the AOL Sessions has performances of "Dont' Wait," the first single, and "In A Big Country" (a cover of the Big Country tune) and "Vindicated."

• 7L and Esoteric: "Daisycuttas" featuring Kool Keith (MP3)
• 7L and Esoteric: "Play Dumb" (MP3)

Boston hip hop duo 7L and Esoteric have an album coming out on Babygrande on June 27th. Here are a couple songs, one of which features the always interesting Kool Keith. More music available at their MySpace page.

June 22, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• The Heathens: "Below The Streets" (MP3)
• The Heatherns: "Sex In Silent Films" (MP3)

"We've got the whole town on our trail, we make believe stories to tell," sing The Heathens in the plucky country-rock tune "Below The Streets." Cautionary tales are common in the South, and The Heathens are just too likeable to stay away from. That song and the rambunctous "Sex In Silent Films" are from the Orlando band's upcoming ablum Big White House (out July 4th on Post*Records). Check their MySpace page for tour dates. They'll be at NYC's Trash Bar on July 17th and will have another show on July 18th.

GhostlyCast #3: Dabrye (MP3, 16 minutes, 15.1 MB)

Prolific electronic artist Dabrye reconstructs tracks from his new album, Two/Three, an album that crosses laptop beats with rappers such as Doom, Kadence and Guilty Simpson.

June 16, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Yo La Tengo: "Beanbag Chair" (MP3)
• Yo La Tengo: "Sugarcube" video (YouTube)

Yo La Tengo have a new album coming out September 12th, the title of which is I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass. Matador is already offering a download of the song "Beanbag." As an extra treat I've included a YouTube link to the video for the band's "Sugarcube" video, which still stands as one of the funniest (in a music nerd kind of funny) videos ever made.

June 15, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily - Interview with RIAA's Mitch Bainwol

Inside Digital Media Interview With RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol (MP3)

No music today, rather an MP3 of a 33-minute interview with the RIAA's Mitch Bainwol by Inside Digital Media. (Though it's a long interview, the file is only 5.66 MB)

The interview revealed the thinking of the RIAA and showed where it stands on some big issues. Bainwol spoke many times of the "moral clarity" that he believes has been created in the last five years through the RIAA's efforts, and often emphasized how the market has grown from nothing in just a few years. He is optimistic that problems of interoperability will be worked out by the market, but emphasized the need for DRM. (Translation: Technology companies will be expected to figure out interoperability without labels straying from DRM.)

Here are some other comments that stood out:

• "The fundamental question here is whether we will respect intangible IP as we do physical property. I think in the last three years we've made enormous headway."
• On the transition to digital: "I think we're now over the hump. Core to making this transition is a basic respect in the digital work for the property right."
• On piracy containment: "We're seeing, between wireless and broadband penetration, a huge change in the market. Last year alone, broadband penetration went up 40%. Meanwhile P2P users were flat. That's part of our point about containment."
• On DRM and some indies' belief that lack of DRM is beneficial to them: "There are choices that different entrepreneurs and different companies can make, and I think that's appropriate in a free market. At the end of the day, for there to be a variety of models made available to fans you have to have DRM. DRM is an enabler, not an inhibitor."
• On DRM and the problem of interoperability: "I do think it's getting better. I think it's getting better largely because of the evolution of market pressure, so I don't think this is something one should try to legislate. As this market matures, I think there will be pressures on various players to provide interoperability, and we'll get there."
• On the RIAA's stance on YouTube: "Any time you have a bunch of kids or potential consumers go into a certain site or service there's promotional potential, and I think that potential is well recognized. What is also true about YouTube and some of the others is that they're legitimate businesses that are seeking, I think, to do the right thing. We'd like to work with legitimate enterprises to make sure we find the proper balance between giving fans the flexibility they want but also making sure the rights of creators -- publishings, songwriters, artists and labels -- are also respected."

Continue reading "Coolfer Digital Daily - Interview with RIAA's Mitch Bainwol" »

June 14, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Art Brut: "Good Weekend" (WM, RA)

I know people don't love audio streams. Kids want MP3s. Well, talk to the labels and publicists about it. But the kids love Art Brut enough to play an audio stream. Last year the band's import-only release caught the attention of irony-loving hipsters throughout the U.S. Downtown Recordings, the home of Gnarls Barkley, released their album Bang Bang Rock And Roll here in the States. And they're working hard -- they made tour stops in Lawrence and Orlando. (A note to Art Brut and Downtown: Both your sites need to kill the Flash.)

Update: Coolfer has been told the hipsters were not out en masse for the Lawrence show. Yup, the secondary markets can be a wake up call, can't they?

• Rick Ross: "Hustlin'" (WM, RA)

More streams. (Sorry, downloaders.) Right this very second, the Rick Ross track "Hustin'" sits atop the BigChampange "Top Swaps" chart. Here's a stream of the remix, featuring Jay-Z and Young Jeezy (courtesy of the Baller Status music page). The Florida rapper's album, Port of Miami, will be released this fall by Def Jam.

June 12, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Blowoff: Hormone Love (MP3)

Bob Mould and Rich Morel are Blowoff, the name of the pair's pop duo and also the title of a party they throw at DC's 9:30 Club. On this song, sounds like Morel on vocals (he has the nasally delivery of John Easedale), backed by the familiar, strumming buzz of Mould's guitar. An entire album is planned for September 6th of this year. They've set up a page with this download and would like to hear your feedback after you listen to it.

The Replacements: Don’t You Know Who I Think I Was
Sonic Youth: Rather Ripped
Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope

Stream these albums at AOL. They will be in stores tomorrow.

June 8, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Gran Bel Fisher: "Crash and Burn" (MP3)

It's said that Hollywood Records signed Gran Bel Fisher after seeing his first and only showcase in LA. As far as charismatic singer-songwriters goes, he's got the full package: voice, lyrics, songwriting, connection to the listener. A recent show at the Bowery Ballroom, opening for Brandi Carlile, had the women swooning and singing -- always a good sign. His debut album Full Moon Cigarette streets July 25th.

• Peanut Butter Wolf: 666 Heavy Metal Mix (MP3)

Stones Throw honcho Peanut Butter Wolf made a special heavy metal mix on occasion of the 6/6/6 date on the calendar. Check out a picture at The Cobra Snake of him DJing with the metal wig at Cinespace a few nights ago . Watch out -- it's a 60 MB file.

June 7, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Priestess: "Talk To Her" (MP3)

It's not often a band appears twice in a short amount of time at Digital Daily, but Priestess is a band that deserves the attention. As if "Talk To Her" wasn't the catchiest hard rock song of the year, there's another angle to talk about: Red Ink, a Sony BMG subsidiary, is promoting the band and the song by giving away a free MP3 download. It's rare for a major-afiliated to embrace the unprotected format, but given the young band's need for promotion it makes perfect sense. Hello Master will be released June 13th.

• The Phoenix Foundation: "Sister Risk" (MP3)

Stephen Malkmus fronting the Brian Jonestown Massacre? No, it's The Phoenix Foundation, a New Zealand band that is coming to the States for in support of its album Horsepower (out September 12th in the U.S.) and in search of a U.S. deal. New Yorkers can see them three times this week: Pianos on Thursday, Cake Shop on Friday, Mercury on Saturday.

June 5, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Paris Hilton: "Stars Are Blind" (MP3)

Gossip blog Perez Hilton, has a new Paris Hilton track, which makes sense. Coolfer ran across the link at a post at The Velvet Rope. Funny thing was reading all the pride-swallowing in the thread. Yes, jaded industry folks are admitting it's a decent tune and better than expected. Studio technology surely helped clean up a voice that needs plenty of overdubs and backup singers, but c'mon, a fun summer single doesn't need vocal competency. For different opinions, check out the comments at Stereogum's post on the track. The hipsters aren't biting.

• James Dean Bradfield: "That's No Way To Tell A Lie" (YouTube)

James Dean Bradfield, singer/guitarist for the Manic Street Preachers, has a solo album coming out in July (in the UK). The first single can be heard at James' MySpace page, and currently there is an MP3 at this blog post. The link above is to watch the video at YouTube. In other news, the Manics have recorded a track for a June Brides tribute album called Still Unravished (also tracks by Television Personalities, House of Mexico, The Tyde, Lovejoy and Jasmine Minks).

June 1, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Danko Jones: "Invisible" (MP3)

Razor & Tie is all about diversity. The label's cash cow is the Kidz Bop series, but it takes that money and puts it into developing new artists like Canada's Danko Jones. The hard rockin' trio's latest album is Sleep Is The Enemy, which sums up their sound and work ethic perfectly.

• Rademacher: "You're Never Gonna Hear From Me" MP3

The coolest band ever from Fresno, CA? "You're Never Gonna Hear From Me" rings with urgent psychedelia of decades-old music from the coast down the road. Rademacher on tour in June and will hit NYC's The Delancey on June 9th. (Thanks to Radio Free Silver Lake for the tip.)

May 31, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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PJ Harvey live at the Hay Festival (MP3)

The Guardian is giving away five live PJ Harvey songs that were recorded at the recent Hay Festival. They are, in order, "Oh My Lover," "Angelene," "The Garden," "Rid of Me" and "Water." Beware: The songs are all contained in one 11 MB file.

• Jamie Lidell & Jimmy Edgar: "When I Come Back Around"

The generous folks at Warp are giving away a free MP3 of "When I Come Back Around" by laptop-funk crooner Jamie Lidell and tour- and label-mate Jimmy Edgar, performing together last month at New York's Bowery Ballroom. The link above will take you to the revered MP3 blog Music For Robots. You can also go to this page at the Bleep music store and get it for free -- but it requires registration, which you may already have if you're a super Warp fan. If you haven't seen Lidell perform live, you're missing out.

May 30, 2006

Coolfer Daily Digital

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• SunnO))): "It Took The Night To Believe" MP3
• Boris: "Farewell" MP3

Doom metal, a slow, thunderous offshoot of heavy metal, has made metal cool in some circles. Southern Lord, as you may have read in the recent Sunday Times Magazine article, is at the forefront of -- and is mostly responsible for -- the growth in doom metal. Here are two MP3s by Southern Lord's finest, SunnO))) and Boris. The two finish up a brief tour tonight at NYC's Avalon.

• Paul Oakenfold w/Brittany Murphy: "Faster Kill Pussycat" (Quicktime, WM, RA)

Superstar DJ/producer Paul Oakenfold's (attempted) crossover into the pop mainstream continues with his upcoming album A Lively Mind. "Faster Kill Pussycat" is the first single from the album, and it features actress Brittany Murphy is a surprisingly passable vocal outing. Radio will probably largely pass, but this sounds custom-built to get sports car commercial syncs.

May 23, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Priestess: "Lay Down" (Quicktime, WM, RM)
• Priestess: "No Real Pain" w/drum solo (YouTube)

Montreal's Priestess takes stoner rock to new heights. Unlike the usual slow-moving sludge of the genre, this band is dynamic, steeped in the '70s and the creator of one memorable hook after another. Drummer Vince Nudo often steals the show, as seen in the YouTube clip above. The guy's amazing, but the others in the band are excellent musicians as well. For more songs go to the Priestess MySpace page. The group's RCA debut, Hello Master, will be out June 13th.

• Ray Cash: "Bumpin' My Music" (Quicktime, WM, RA)
• Ray Cash: "Bumpin' My Music" video (Quicktime, WM, RA)

Next month Sony Urban Music will release Ray Cash's C.O.D. (Cash On Delivery) and the Cleveland rapper's debut is already getting great reviews. Vibe likes its "catchy beats and bright lyricism" and XL calls it a "solid debut." Cash is spending most of May on the road with Mobb Deep.

May 17, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• MP3.com has a podcast (download MP3) where the Yeah Yeah Yeahs talk about the four albums that inspire their sound.

• WOXY has a podcast (download MP3) of a Lounge Act Sessions with Sound Team. The set list: ""Back In Town," "Don't Turn Away," "TV Torso," "Handful of Billions."

May 16, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Black Angels: "The First Vietnamese" MP3

A post at KEXP's blog and a review at the Village Voice got Coolfer to check out Black Angels. This Austin band takes a sunbleached Texas sound and adds rough, hazey psychedelica. They've got the kind of swaying hips Black Rebel Motorcycle Club always wanted.

• Goat Explosion: Audio Streams at MySpace

If you're a New York music blogger, you probably know of the electro-pop group Elkland. If not you might not have heard of the young, upstate New York band that signed a multi-album deal with Columbia Records...and then fizzled. Jon Pierce, Elkand's singer, sent out a MySpace bulletin last week announcing two things: Elkland's demise and the birth of his new band, Goat Explosion (which was actually an early incarnation of Elkland). Goat Explosion -- a duo of Jon and friend Jacob Graham -- sounds like Elkland at 4am all hopped up on Sparks and Fischerspooner. The group's MySpace page offers fours streams, all worth checking out. Jon's sterling voice sounds as good as ever.

Bronfman Interviewed

BusinessWeek.com has an interview with Warner Music Group head honcho Edgar Bronfman, Jr.

He has nothing to add on last week's rejection of EMI's bid, but does have plenty so offer on other topics. On the value of a music company:

"Music companies have two areas where they add value. One is the editorial side of the business -- finding and nurturing talent. The second is the marketing of those artists, bringing them through a massive number of different channels and promoting their music. Warner Music is large enough to do both and to continue to grow."

On variable pricing for digital downloads:

"The issue is not what's the proper price for a song. People have often interpreted our wish for variable pricing as a way to increase prices. Variable pricing means that some prices would fall, some would stay the same, and probably very few would rise. My concern is that when everything is the same price, it becomes commodity-like. So while tracks remain on iTunes at 99 cents, I think you'll see tracks with lyrics, tracks with videos, all kinds of things where that pricing will move. There will be experimentation while the price of a single track remains at 99 cents."

May 10, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Editors: "All Sparks" at NapsterLive (free Napster link)
• Editors: "Munich" at NapsterLive (free Napster link)

Editors occupy a space between Coldplay and Interpol. The quest for both the uplifting and the gloomy are clearly evident on these acoustic recordings. Also evident is the fact that songs not written for acoustic guitars don't sound good when played acoustically. What could be rich and layered (when electric) sound thin and pedestrian (when acoustic). At least you can listen for free.

King Creosote Podcast (MP3)

The Times Online's latest podcast features Scottish singer-songwriter King Creosote. His album Kenny and Beth's Musakal Boat Rides was released in the States in 2003 on Domino. That was pre-Franz and pre-Arctic Monkeys, and only a lucky few discovered the eccentric, charming album. His last album, KC Rules OK, came out in the UK last year. His MySpace page has a few tracks from it -- one available for download.

May 8, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• DMX: "Lord Give Me A Sign" (WM, RA, Qucktime)

DMX's next album, Year of the Dog, Again, will be in stores on August 1st. (Or a week earlier if you shop at small hip hop stores in the New York metropolitan area.) A DMX digital bundle is now available at the usual online stores. The "We In Here" EP (iTunes link) has five -- count 'em, five -- versions of the same song: clean version, clean a capella, instrumental, dirty version, dirty a capella.

• Phoenix: "Long Distance Call" (WM, RA)
• Phoenix: "Run Run Run" live (free Napster link)

The bands third album, It's Never Been Like That (out tomorrow), is one of the year's best pop rock albums, a start-to-finish toe-tapper. The well known Phoenix groove is still there -- the rhythm section is as chipper as ever -- but the songs are stripped down and more simple. And it works. A five-city (six if you count Coachella) tour hits Cambridge, MA tonight. Wednesday's show is at New York's Bowery Ballroom. See you there.

(About that Napster link: Register at no cost for a Napster account and you can listen to any track up to five times for free. It's a great way to preview music.)

May 4, 2006

Label Has Own Problem With Sony BMG's Digital Royalties

On the heels of Cheap Trick and the Allman Brothers' lawsuit against Sony BMG that alleges they've been shortchanged on royalties for digital sales, Coolfer received this note from Elmo Shropshire of Laughing Stock Records.

Two years ago, when Sony first received digital payments from a 3rd party called Zingy; instead of paying me 50% as called for in my contract, they treated the downloads as physical CD's sold individually by Sony. Sony deducted 15% for "net sales," 30% for packaging, 50% for new configuration and "audiophile recordings."

The 15% "net sales" does not apply in digital since the digital downloads are not broken or returned. The 50% configuration - my recording was not an "audiophile" recording, and a digital "configuration" costs nothing as compared to a physical CD which cost at least 60 cents to produce.

When Sony received $1.12 for a ringtone, they paid me 6 cents instead of the 56 cents my Sony contract allowed me. In the past two years, Chuck Fleckenstein, at Sony has not answered any of my requests to review the situation.

Keeping my fingers crossed that Sony will live up to their contract.

May 3, 2006

iTunes' Album Price Creep

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More new releases at iTunes go over the standard $9.99 price point.

• Jewel: $13.99, includes a video and an interactive booklet. (Purchased individually, the 13 audio tracks would cost only $12.88.)
• Springsteen: $10.99, includes digital booklet
• Goo Goo Dolls, $11.99, video for "Better Days"
• Mercy Me, $10.99, includes digital booklet and an exclusive track
• The Streets, $11.99, includes two bonus tracks and digital booklet

Items that would normally be used as no-cost, value-added items to entice consumers aren't being used that way at all. They're being used as extra content to help rationalize a higher price. It's similar to the strategy used for selling CDs. Some labels, such as Sony BMG, haven't wanted to drop prices so they've added content or released titles in the DualDisc format.

On the other hand, Godsmack's IV is $9.99 and includes an exclusive live version of "I Stand Alone."

May 2, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily...Briefly

• Human Television: "In Front Of The House" MP3
• Human Television: "I Laughed" MP3

Today Human Television's debut full length was released, by Gigantic Music. The album has been getting compared to all sorts of '80s indie bands, and good ones -- Wedding Present, The Chills, R.E.M., Dream Syndicate. It's a well done album that will make a small uproar among the more loyal record collector types. The band will spend July on tour with The Lilys

May 1, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Cassie: "Me & U" featuring Mario, remix (WM, RA)

You may have seen her but don't know her name. Cassie is the girl in the video for Mario's "Here I Go Again." Missy Elliot picked her to appear in ads for her Adidas clothing line. Cassie's managed by Tommy Mottola, who knows a thing or two about creating pop stars, and is signed to Bad Boy Entertainment. Her MySpace page has has, as of today, been viewed over 2,600,000 times. This Baller Status article says to expect an album later this year.

• Wolfmother: Wolfmother (streaming in its entirity at band's MySpace page)

In stores tomorrow, Wolfmother's self-titled debut is poised for a breakthrough. Austrailia's Rolling Stone gave it three-and-a-half stars and proclaimed it a "winner" and, given the stolen '70s riffs and castles-and-unicorns imagery, "too well-executed to ignore." Can't pass up that kind of advice.

April 28, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Gomez: "How We Operate" Video (Quicktime)

Gomez's fifih album, the 12-track How We Operate, comes out Tuesday on ATO Records. The current Amazon.com sales rank fo 466 is pretty good, I'd have to say. You know, Gomez was one of those rare British bands that practically lived in the United States in the late '90s. They toured like maniacs. Another band that worked hard in the States during that time was Travis. Goes to show what touring will do for a band's popularity in America.

• Sound Team: "Movie Monster" MP3

A few weeks ago Coolfer raved about Sound Team's upcoming Capital full length, Movie Monster. It's a great album, seriously, and has been one of Coolfer's most-played CD of the year. (As a rule of thumb, if something gets played more than three times it's in the running for the year-ending top ten list.) Here's another track. Movie Monster, here represented by an MP3 of the title track, will be out on June 6th. The band will spend May touring with babe magnets Elefant.

April 26, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Smoosh: "Find A Way" MP3

Well, I'll be darned if that sounds like Velocity Girl circa puberty. It's Smoosh, every hipster's favorite band 12- and 14-year-old duo. Yeah, the music is fine. Smoosh is beloved for a reason other than the music, let's be honest, and it's the reason why Shonen Knife has so many fans: Cute sells. The duo's Barsuk album is due in June.

• Jolie Holland: "Springtime Can Kill You" MP3

With a roster that includes Tom Waits, Bettye LaVette and Neko Case, Anti is making a lot of very cool music for adults. Jolie Holland fits right in. Her second album, Springtime Can Kill You, mixes folk, jazz and pop in a way that is best appreciated if one is closer to 40 than 15.

April 25, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Dresden Dolls: "Dirty Business" MP3

If you're into indie rock parlour music, if you'd like the Fiery Furnaces to get some macabre Tin Pan Alley into their songs, then Dresden Dolls are for you. The Dolls' newest album, Yes, Virginia, came out last week. It has a respectable 7.1 critic score at Metacritic and a 8.0 user rating.

• Debbie Harry: "Dirty Deep" MP3

Debbie Harry's new song, "Dirty Deep," is about rapper Lil' Kim. Honestly, that's all I know. Blondie is on tour with The New Cars, by the way. Todd Rundgren is The New Cars' singer. Blondie, thankfully, still has Harry at the mic. Who could take her place?

April 24, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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"Bizarre Whistle Kiss" MP3 from Purple Reign
"Let's Go Dipset" MP3 from Purple Reign

With Purple Reign, a new bootleg that mixes Prince and Cam'ron & Dipset, Jon Moskowitz picks up where he left off with last year's underground hit, Blue Eyes Meets Bed-Stuy, a mash-up of Frank Sinatra and Notorious B.I.G. This group of songs was produced by The Bangers. "Bizarre Whistle Kiss," one of the album's highlights, combines Dipset member Juelz Santana's "The Whistle Song" with Prince's "Kiss" and "A Love Bizarre." "Let's Go Dipset" is the leadoff track and mixes "S.A.N.T.A.N.A.'s Town" with "Let's Go Crazy." Check out Purple Reign's MySpace page to stream four songs.

April 20, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• The Bronx: "Shitty Future" MP3
• The Bronx: "History's Stranglers" MP3

After three years since their debut on Ferret, Los Angeles quartet The Bronx will release its second album through Island Def Jam/Stolen Transmission, on the super satanic release date of June 6th, 2006. Actually, the vinyl and digital album will come out that day. CDs aren't so evil...that format will be released on July 18th. Two new songs have been posted to the band's MySpace page, and these new MP3s have been placed on the band's website. Incredible, raw, soul-purging rock 'n' roll.

April 19, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Kelis: "Bossy" (WM, RA)

Gotta love the major labels and their tinny audio streams. Anyway, check out Kelis' latest attempt to capture the magic of "Milkshake." It's a nice song. Some would dare say it's a sure fire summer smash (though one has to wonder how the words "I'm bossy" goes over on a dancefloor). That's Too $hort rapping on the song, by the way. Her website has the video (with better audio than the links above). Her annoying MySpace page has the song as well (it's been streamed over 237,000 times).

• Final Fantasy: "Arctic Circle" MP3

Final Fantasy is the creation of Canadian musician Owen Pallett (who, if you remember from that NY Times Magazine article about the Toronto scene, is Mr D.I.Y.). The song "Arctic Circle" is from his upcoming album He Poos Clouds (out on Tomlab on June 13th). No joke. Here's something else you might not have guessed: The album's songs "attempt to modernize each of the eight D&D schools of magic" (quoting from the press release). Pretty nerdy, but the kids will love the theme and the indie symphonic pop.

April 18, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Dabrye w/Doom: "Air" remix MP3

The upcoming release, Two/Three, that features a collaboration between electronic chameleon Dabrye (aka Tadd Mulinix) and super-guest Doom -- a.k.a. MF Doom -- is sure to be an anticipated release. Why shouldn't it be? Every album with MF Doom on it is anticipated at least in some small way. Ghostly International is giving away a free MP3 of a remix of the track "Air" until April 24th. Samples of other versions of the single can be heard here. There are other guests on Dabrye's album as well...Beans, Wildchild, Jay Dee & Phat Kat, Big Tone and more.

AOL's Full CD Listening Party

Many of today's new releases are available at AOL Music...Dresden Doll's Yes, Virginia, Ladytron's Extended Play, Maththew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs' Under the Covers Vol. 1, Nils Lofgren's Sacred Weapon and plenty more.

April 17, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Fiery Furnaces: "Waiting to Know You" MP3
• Fiery Furnaces: "Nevers" MP3
• Fiery Furnaces: "Benton Harbor Blues" MP3

There have been a few reviews of the new Fiery Furnaces album, Bitter Tea, and most haven't been very positive. (Current critic rating at Metacritic: 6.2. Six user ratings have averaged a shocking 10.0.) This is a band that consistently gets the benefit of the doubt, though, while it both disappoints and retains its fans. The word stubborn is often used for this band, but maybe this band's winning formula is to not have a formula, to defy expectations and dismiss the pleas for the kind of more traditional songwriting that so many of its fans scream for. What if they got what they want?

• Boards of Canada: "Dayvan Cowboy" video (MP4, Quicktime, WM)

BoC has a new EP, Trans Canada Highway, coming out on June 6th. The video for "Dayvan Cowboy" is a must-see. The first half has footage from Joseph Kittinger's 1960 skydive from 102,800 feet. Fits the music perfectly.

April 13, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Spank Rock: Live performance at BBC Radio's Breeze Block (MP3, 34.7 MB)
• Spank Rock: "Rick Rubin" sample (MP3)
• Spank Rock: "What It Looks Like" sample (MP3)

At some point indie hip hop had to lose the backpack and the social conscious. Have some fun for a change. Enter Spank Rock, a promising Baltimore-based duo who has an excellent and anticipated album coming on Big Dada. The entire album, titled YoYoYoYoYo, comes out April 18th and can be streamed at AOL's Full CD Listening Party. To find out more about the band, check out this site and the group's MySpace page as well.

• Poison: The Best of Poison e-card

If you were surprised Poison's new greatest hits collection sold nearly 40,000 copies in its debut week, don't be. Hair metal is still a money maker for bands like this. New material might not fare so well, but the venues on the band's summer tour are large and the over-30 crowd still love to take a stroll down memory lane with a Bic lighter and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." Odd inclusion on this record: A cover of the Grand Funk Railroad's "We're An American Band." Sounds like Brett lost his voice.

April 12, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Hot Chip: "Over and Over" video (WM, RA)

The buzz is building on Hot Chip. And, get this, they actually come to the U.S. on occasion to play. What a novel idea for a British band! The recorded material regularly gets thumbs up but the live show is what has the hipsters talking. They'll be touring the States next month.

Built to Spill: You In Reverse
Pretty Girls Make Graves: Elan Vital
Saving Jane: Girl Next Door

AOL Music has the usual slew of new albums in its Full CD Listening Party section, for those of you who don't mind streaming music.

April 11, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Roger Manning: "Too Late For Us Now"
• Roger Manning: "The Land of Pure Imagination"

Here's one for you power pop fans. Roger Manning Jr., he of Jellyfish and Moog Cookbook fame, is now signed to Cordless Recordings, Warner Music Group's upstart e-label. On May 2nd Manning and Cordless will release a three-song cluster and then a full-length in the fall. The two songs available for download here are from his second solo album Solid State Warrior, currently available at Weedshare and on Pony Canyon Records (Japan) and out later this year on Cordless.

• Orange Lights: "Let The Love Back In" (MP3)
• Orange Lights: "Click Your Heels"

Jason Hart, formerly of Spiritualized, leads this unsigned band from Newcastle, England. These two songs, both from the band's MySpace page, are acoustic demos. The band's album was produced by Ken Nelson (Coldplay) and has got its fair share of hype from A&R Worldwide. There's not much to these songs. They sound like rough sketches. Given Hart's resume one hopes the final versions have a lot more to offer.

April 10, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Sound Team: "Your Eyes Are Liars" (MP3)
• Sound Team: "Don't Turn Away" (MP3)
• Sound Team: "The Fastest Man Alive" (MP3)

Capitol Records has a gem in Sound Team, an Austin five-piece that will spend much of the month of May on tour with Elefant. The group's major label debut, Movie Monster, balances songwriting, texture, accessiblity and ambition in a way that reminds of another Capitol band, Radiohead. Coolfer's CD is watermarked, so even if I wanted to I couldn't share the tracks. Luckily the Sound Team website is offering three tracks. One, "Your Eyes Are Liars," is on the upcoming Capitol full length. The other two are from the Work EP, released last year.

• Sammy Hagar has a new album coming up, Livin' It Up, which means the tequilla shots and guitar riffs are in full bloom. Here's a video for the song "Sam I Am" (WM, RA) and here's a clip called "The Tequilla Made Me Do It" (WM) of a Hagar performance in Detroit that's more of an ad for his Cabo Wabo brand tequilla.

April 6, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Yeah Yeah Yeahs live at the 9:30 Club

Maybe it's the Joan Kroc donation, but NPR has been really hitting the music nail on the head lately. Most recent is the Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert at Washington DC's 9:30 club. The show's webast is the latest of the network's All Songs Considered series. It's a big MP3 file. Have fun cutting it up into individual songs.

• The Shazam: "Twilight"

Power pop fans, those who think Cheap Trick's Robin Zander has a voice blessed by the angels, should pay attention to The Shazam if not already familiar with them. The Nashville-based four-piece is without a doubt one of the best power pop bands in the country. This track, via Largehearted Boy, is from Lynne Me Your Ears, A Tribute To The Music of Jeff Lynne.

April 4, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

Editors live acoustic at SXSW

Currently at RealRhapsody's Rolling Stone Original site is a four-song acoustic performance by the Editors that was filmed at SXSW. The hype on this band is getting to be unbearable, but for a change everybody's in agreement that the band is better live than on album. Imagine that.

• Red Hot Chili Peppers: "Dani California" (Quicktime, WM)

The Chili Peppers' new single, the first out of the gate from its upcoming Stadium Arcadium (May 9th), combines the funk riffs of old with the melodic choruses of new. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't.

Sareena Manesh at AOL's Full CD Listening Party

Shoegazer's resurgence has never been more evident than in the popularity of Norway's Sareena Manesh, a band that pieces together bits of its predecessors in a without ripping off to much and without doing it all with much originality. They're good at what they do, though, and their live show was been wowing hipsters across the country. AOL Music is streaming the group's debut album it its entirity, and it's worth checking out.

March 29, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• The Little Ones: "Lovers Who Uncover"
• The Little Ones: "Cha Cha Cha"

A friend IM'd to me the MySpace page of a band called The Little Ones. An LA band. The MySpace music player started into "Lovers Who Uncover" and before the song had ended I was on the band's website and ordering a copy of its upcoming EP (that will ship on April 10th). Yes, the song is that immediate, that likeable, with the kind of pop smarts that make The Shins so lovable. A few bars of handclaps and a "Hey! Hey! Hey" shoutalong are the icing on the cake. The band's singer/guitarist, Ed Reyes, was formerly of Sunday's Best (which had albums out on Polyvinyl). The Little Ones' new EP, to be released on Branches Recording Collective, was recorded by David Newton (of The Mighty Lemon Drops) and mixed by Tony Lash (member of Heatmiser).

Tsotsi soundtrack

"Tsotsi," a South African film set in the Johannesburg township of Soweto, won the the Oscar for best foreign language film. The soundtrack was released in February by Milan Records and predominantly features the music of kwaito star Zola (who also starred in the film). The film's website has a page with album streams. Zola's site has a downloads page has an MP3 player with song clips. Here's a RA stream of Zola freestyling.

March 24, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• The Stills: "In The Beginning"

The kids love The Stills. Vice Recordings loves to give away MP3s of its music. Combine the two and you've got an Internet-friendly track in "In The Beginning," the first song off the Toronto group's upcoming album, Without Feathers (out May 9th).

• Hard-Fi: "Middle Eastern Holiday" (WM, RA)

Not all UK guitar bands are overhyped. Hard-Fi has toured the country and has the benefit of Atlantic's major label marketing muscle, but their roll out has been refreshingly calm. Could it be the music will actually be heard without the unrealistic expectations that have marred the band's peers? Most likely. "Middle Eastern Holiday" shows a quality rock pedigree and a longing to play big venues. The album has lots of hands claps. Some songs could fit well in a DJ mix. Fun stuff. Over at iTunes you can get an exclusive video podcast with interviews, video clips, etc.

March 23, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Gomez: "How We Operate" (Quicktime, RA)

Gomez had three albums on Virgin but missed out on the Jason Flom era. The British band released its last album, Out West, in June of last year on ATO (home of David Gray and My Morning Jacket). Its upcoming album, How We Operate, is due out on May 5th and will again be on ATO. The title track is a fantastic tune, give it a listen.

• Gnarls Barkley: "Crazy" (RA, WM)

In just a few years Danger Mouse has gone from unknown producer to free culture poster boy to in-demand producer. He worked with Gorillaz on the group's lastest album, and his Danger Doom collaboration with MF Doom has been a mini-sensation. The latest Danger Mouse project is Gnarls Barkley, a collaboaration with rapper Cee-Lo (Goodie Mob). The two will perform at this summer's Lollapalooza in Chicago and the album will be out April 10th through Downtown Recordings. Check the first single from the album St. Elsewhere, "Crazy" and stream more tracks at the duo's MySpace page.

March 22, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• AOL Music has its usual weekly gathering of album streams at Full CD Listening Party. Up front and center is Underage Thinking by teen singer-songwriter Teddy Geiger (pictured). (How big is the teenage buzz on him? His MySpace page already has over 650,000 views.) Other albums available for listening are My Chemical Romance Life on the Murder Scene, Ben Harper's Both Sides of the Gun and Chicago's XXX.

• The Eagles of Death Metal, duo of Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), are to return with their second album, Death By Sexy, on April 11th on Downtown Recordings. Homme produced the album, and it was recorded in just 12 days at Sound City Studios. Check the video for "I Want You So Hard" (Real, WM, Quicktime) Yes, you do in fact see Jack Black and Dave Grohl in the video.

March 16, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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India.Arie's Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship will be released on June 27th on Universal Motown. (That'll give us a chance to see how Sylvia Rhone and Universal Motown perform after the schism that created Universal Republic.) The first song out the gates is "I Am Not My Hair" and UM is offering streams of three versions: The Akon Remix (WM, RA), the Swizz Beats Remix (WM, RA) and the Acoustic Hip Hop Remix (WM, RA). Coolfer is partial to the Swizz Beats mix.

• Watching the trailer for Jonathan Demme's "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" is enough to get any Young fan excited for the movie's release. Demme filmed a concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium that witnessed nine songs from the Prarie Wind album and some classics as well, then added some interviews with Young and his band members. The subtext here is that Young recorded Prarie Wind in Nashville just days before having surgery for a brain aneurism. Watch trailers (WM high, WM medium).

March 13, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• On April 4th Quango will release The Mating Game by Los Angeles duo Bitter:Sweet. The band's MySpace page has four streams that show a great combination of classic pop smarts and cosmopolitan dance music. Think Zero-7 meets Saint Etienne meets Frank Sinatra, punchy adult dance perfect for syncs on HBO series and promotions on iTunes. The duo is comprised of Shana Halligan and Kiran Shahani. You may be familar with the latter of the two. He was a founding member of Supreme Beings of Leisure.

• If you feel like going through the extra effort, The Vines' website has a video podcast in which the band talks about some songs from its upcoming, third album, Valley Vision. It's an .sit file. Download here.

March 10, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Last week a friend had heard a few things about Guillemots (pictured) and asked me if I knew of them. "Sounds familiar. Seems like I have a CD laying in a stack at home," I wrote back. Turns out I did have the band's CD at home, so I gave it a listen. From the Cliffs, out March 14th, is a collection of songs that were previously released by UK indie Fantastic Plastic and now put out in the States by Verve ("manufactured and marketed" says the CD). It's a great listen, like browsing through the vinyl at a dusty record store with members of a cool, young band and rediscovering some good things about '70s rock -- the things Lenny Kravitz never bothered to recreate. And oddly enough, a publicist sent me to a Music for Robots post for an MP3 link. That's a first. Usually I'm pointed to a label or band website. Anyway, here's a link to Guillemot's "Trains To Brazil." Enjoy it on Mac.com's unlimited bandwidth plan, it's a great song. (If you like that, the band's music page has all sorts of MP3s.) New Yorkers, they'll be at the Mercury Lounge on Monday the 13th.

Ropeadope has a podcast from Mr Len (Company Flow, Dummy Smacks Records). Download here.

• AOL's Full CD Listening Party currently has new releases by David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), rapper Juvenile, Neko Case (of New Pornographers fame), country artist Jace Everett, The Little Willies (the Norah Jones sideproject) and British duo Goldfrapp.

March 8, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Scotland's Mogwai, now it its tenth year, is pretty much a grandfather in the indie rock scene. The band's latest, Mr. Beast, has just been released to good reviews. The band's website has an audio page with some Quicktime streams of band rarities, and the Q Magazine website is offering a video stream of "Glasgow Mega-Snake." At the Matador website there's an MP3 download of the new album track "Folk Death 95." This page has RA streams of 2001 live shows in Amsterdam and at the Lowlands Festival. This site has MP3s of live radio show performances.

March 7, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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From Under the Cork Tree by Fall Out Boy (three of four in the band are pictured above (from the band's "Dance, Dance" video), is closing in on the double platinum mark and is being re-released next week as one of those extended versions that have been so popular lately. Clear Channel Radio's website is offering a sneak peak of the upcoming album, which has remixes and new tracks.

• AOL Music has a new group of free downloads. Among them are "Winters Wolves" by The Sword, smoking neo-stoner rawk from one of Kemado's latest signings; the Paris-produced "Preachin' To The Quiet" from Public Enemy, from the hip hop legend's new album Rebirth of a Nation; and "Brand New Way" from Rhett Miller, singer for alt country faves Old 97s and occasional solo artist.

March 6, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• As far as underground indie rock goes -- as opposed to all that mainstream indie y'all buy at Wal-Mart -- one of the more talked about up-and-coming bands right now is Tapes 'n Tapes. The blogs are going crazy, and Pitchfork gave The Loon an 8.3. If you happen to be at SXSW, they're playing the Team Clermont & Echo Label party. Here's the SXSW profile on them. Download an MP3 of the song "The Illiad."

Cities is to Chapel Hill what We Are Scientists are to New York: A band people would assume is from England if no bio was within eyeshot. Such is the case when a post-Interpol band follows in the dance-rock footsteps of Franz Ferdinand and bears a slight resembance to current "it" band The Editors. Producer Brian Paulson has coaxed from the band songs that have just enough of their own identity to ward off copycat claims. The band's self-titled album will be out April 18th.
Download an MP3 for the song "A Theme."

February 28, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Who would have thought a band would be named after a movie starring a young John Cusak and a Peter Gabriel song? It's true. Say Anything is indeed a band, and it's signed to the same label as Jamie Foxx. "...is a Real Boy" and it was released in 2004 by emo powerhouse Doghouse and was re-released by J Records this month and packaged with an EP titled Say Anything vs. AIDS. Check out the song "Alive with the Glory of Love" (WMA, RA or Quicktime).

• In honor of the cool 7" single in the press kit (see previous entry) here's a link to an MP3 of Breakup Breakdown's "She Went Black."

February 27, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• All these years and still going strong. Listen to the new Dilated Peoples CD, 20/20, at AOL Music. Top it off with a performance of "Back Again" on the February 22nd episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live Tonight. A national tour, with Little Brother opening, starts tonight in Vancouver.

• The first edition of Congotronics showed up on numberous "best of" lists last year. It compiled the music of Congolese band Konono No. 1. The second volume of Congotronics Buzz N Rumble From the Urb N Jungle has finally hit our shores, and Insound has a free MP3 of the song "Koyile/ Nyeka Nyeka" by Kasai Allstars feat.Tandjolo. The pace is slower compared to Konono's bulldozer rhythms, but the sound is plain Kinshasha.

• As you may know, We Are Scientists recently released its major label debut, With Love and Squalor. What you may not know is the band has three previous albums. WAS fansite Nebulize My Mind has a music page with MP3s for every song from all three albums. Hear the evolution.

• After watching this clip of The Killers at Lollapalooza, the phrase "one and done" suddenly popped into my head.

February 24, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Americans haven't seen much of Charlotte Church in recent years...unless they've logged onto Yahoo UK. The video for "Moodswings" (which can be viewed from this page) shows the new, pop side of Charlotte; she's best known in the States as that cute, 12-year-old opera singer. But she's all grown up now. Tissues and Issues, the album that marks her new direction, was released in the UK on October 5th. No release date has been set for the States.

• Maybe you noticed some equipment on stage with Broken Social Scene that had Raising the Fawn stenciled on the side? John Crossingham of the band Raising the Fawn is also a member of the hallowed Toronto indie rock collective, and he was on stage with the band on a recent tour. RTF's latest release, its third, is The Maginot Line (via Sonic Unyon, out on March 7th), and it's sure to be right up the alley of most BSS fans. Download an MP3 of the new song "Carbon Papere" from the Sonic Unyon site.

February 23, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Jaheim sits atop the album chart for the first time in three tries. Ghetto Classics sold 152,900 on its debut week, and with the help of the Verizon VCast promotion he's currently in the sales might hang in there enough to prevent the standard, precipitous drop in weeks two, three and four. Listen to two streams from the album, "The Chosen One" and “Every Time I Think About Her” featuring Jadakiss.

• The video for the Strokes' "Heart In A Cage" has singer Julian Casablancas laying on the ground -- singing in kind of an artistic anguish -- while New Yorkers stream by him in indifference. Stream in Quicktime, RA or WM.

Flameshovel has two MP3s from its excellent new album by Laying in States, Wildfire on the Lake: "qg" and "Turn."

February 22, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Def Jam will release Rihanna's next album, A Girl Like Me, on April 11th. The lead-off single, "S.O.S. (Rescue Me)," is a catchy song that's built around a sample of Soft Cell's '80s hit "Tainted Love." (It can be heard in a new Nike commerical.) Listen to it in WM high or low or in RA high.

• AOL has an album stream of I Killed My Best Friend by Le Volume Courbe, the pseudonym of Charlotte Marionneau. The album, a lo-fi, introspective and largely acoustic affair, has appearances by Kevin Shields and Colm O'Ciosoig from My Bloody Valentine, Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval and David Roback, and Martin Duffy of Primal Scream (a list that reads like a 1992 issue of NME).

Real's Free Listening Party page has abum streams of new albums by the Arctic Monkeys, KT Tunstall, William Orbit, The Subways, Jaheim and Midstates.

February 20, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Stream (Quicktime) Diplo's DJ performance at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, from the ropeadope website.

• Destroyer, the stage name of Dan Bejar (of the New Pornographers), releases his seventh album tomorrow, Destroyer's Rubies (via Merge). Reviews have been excellent. Take a listen by downloading an MP3 of "Painter In Your Pocket" (from Insound.com)

• At AOL Music's Full CD Listening Party you can freeload some music streams to see how good or band an album is. Right now you can check out new albums by the ultra-buzzed Arctic Monkeys (in case you haven't already downloaded every song they've recorded), Eels, Coldcut, William Orbit, Hawthorne Heights, Loved Ones, Le Volume Courbe, Arab Strap and plenty others.

February 17, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

• Fuse is getting into the free download business (go here to visit the page before the flash-based media page). Currently they're going for the indie rock crowd with MP3s of the Test Icicles' "Circle. Square. Triangle." and Arcade Fire's "Neighborhood #2" (which everybody who's interested has probably downloaded by now). There are also music videos by The Go! Team, Hot Chip, Presets and Giant Drag.

• After posting about URB's article on gay hip hop, let's follow up with a link to the most recent podcast at GayHipHop.com. Download the 44-minute mix as an MP3 or listen in RA.

February 14, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• After somehow missing the band for a year or so, Coolfer finally saw Levy a few weeks ago. Verdict: Impressed. The Strokes and Morrissey comparisons, iffish on album, come to life in the live setting. Good energy, a charismatic singer and a new drummer. Go here to download an MP3 of the song "Rector Street" (MP3).

• Listen to the new DJ Cam album Revisited By at Rhapsody. The French producer/DJ got his songs remixed by Kid Loco, Thievery Corporation, the late J Dilla, Madonna producer Bob Sinclair, DJ Vadim and others.

• The Delays have a new single, "Valentine," a danced-up tune that's a departure from the melodic Brit pop on Faded Seaside Glamour. Go here to watch the video in RA or WM.

February 13, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• On March 14th Warner Bros will release the debut from Men Women & Children (pictured), a third-generation band that has elements of dance-rock and the current trend towards Killers-approved electro pop. Much like She Wants Revenge, who have been derided for similarities to Interpol, this is a band that will get little critical respect for showing up late to the creative party. No matter. The album is crafted for the mainstream. And it just might work, especially with the tight dance and funk tempos and the synth flourishes that mimick the cascading violin riffs of the disco era. Think Gang of Four meets The Faint meets KC and the Sunshine Band. It's not the most original music in the world, but they do what they do well. And, surprisingly, the band's website actually has a few MP3s available on the media page.

• AOL Music is hosting a free MP3 of Tina Dico's "Nobody's Man". Tina is best known as a voice behind downtempo favorites Zero 7. The Danish singer's second solo album, In The Red, was just released be New York indie Defend Music. Dido might come to mind when you listen to "Nobody's Man." It's got a great hook.

• Over at GiantStep.net you can get exclusive streams of Gilles Peterson's World:Wide Show. Brit DJ Peterson plays two-hour shows filled with nu-jazz, downtempo and soulful pop and dance and some progressive hip hop from around the world. (Click on link in the jukebox.)

February 9, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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The Magic Numbers were first Mercury Prize nominees in the UK (which always attracts the attention of the early adopters), then they won over American critics and finally they've started to win over listeners in America. Now the band has announced a spring tour that includes SXSW shows on March 16th and 17th. Watch the video for the disgustingly catchy song "Love Me Like You" (Quicktime, Real, WM).

• Via Hip Hop Music comes a stream of a DJ Monkone mix from Underground Railroad. It has, writes Jay, an exclusive version of "Ike's Mood" by the Visionaires and an unreleased alternate take of Wilson Pickett's "Get Me Back On Time, Engine Number 9," among other treats.

VH1 has the world premiere of the new video for INXS's "Afterglow."

February 7, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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The Secret Machines are back with a new album, Ten Silver Drops (mixed by the famed Alan Moulder). It will be released digitally on February 28th and on CD on April 25th. The single "Alone, Jealous and Stoned" was released at iTunes today. Listen to it here (Quicktime, WMA low and high).

• Valentine's Day is coming. Digital Music sales have seasonal- and event-related trends. Add the two together and you've got the iTunes Valentine's Sampler by smooth jazz artist Chris Botti.

Okayplayer has four MP3s from the new RJD2-produced album by rapper Aceyalone, Magnificent City, released today by Decon. Download "Fire," "All For U," "Disconnected" and "Here and Now."

February 6, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Tomorrow XL Recordings releases a smartly packaged two-CD set (with booklet) of Prodigy's best. Their Law - The Singles: 1990-2005 has 31 tracks and five of them are live (one recorded in May of 2005, the other recorded at a Brixton Academy show in December of 1997). Their Law is one of the new releases at AOL Music's Full CD Listening Party. The live tracks at the end of disc two alone are worth hearing. Other Tuesday new releases at the Listening Party are Stroke 9's Cafe Cuts, Remy Ma's There's Something About Remy Ma, The Corr's Home and The Best of Roberta Flack.

• Mellowdrone's new song has more loops and melodies than droning. Fader has an MP3 of the band's new song "Oh My," out March 7th on 3 Entertainment/Red Ink.

• Fey British band The Boy Least Likely To are starting a U.S. tour this week. Stream the video for their super catchy single "Be Gentle To Me" (Quicktime high, low).

• View a trailer for "Stoned" (Quicktime), a movie about Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones that will be opening in select cities on March 24th. Check the movie's website here. The soundtrack is a rock fan's dream come true: White Stripes, The Small Faces, Traffic, Jefferson Airplane (even though "White Rabbit" has been done to death, hasn't it?). The movie was directed and produced by Stephen Wooley and stars Leo Gregory as Brian Jones.

February 2, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Indie rock fans have been taking quite a liking to Voxtrot (pictured), who are about to release their second EP. The track "Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives" (MP3) is now at the band's website. It's taken from the upcoming EP of the same name. Check their website for tour dates and their MySpace page for some audio streams. (The page is approaching 90,000 profile views. Wow.)

• More indie, less rock: the blog-friendly Vice Recordings is passing around an MP3 link to "Get Set," a track by Kano and Low Deep taken from the upcoming compilation Run the Road 2. The second in the series will be out next Tuesday, February 7th. The first volume, a landmark portrait of the UK grime movement, was picked by many to be one of the best albums of 2005.

• Rapper E40 has a new album, My Ghetto Report Card, coming next month. Watch a video for the song "Tell Me When To Go" (WMA high or low, Quicktime) His MySpace page has audio streams of this song and others.

January 31, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Quickly...

"It's Just Cruel" (MP3) is from the National Trust's new Thrill Jockey album, Kings and Queens. I thinkthe term is white funk.

• At AOL Music, stream Heather Headley's new RCA album In My Mind. It was released today.

• Check out the MP3 of Matt Costa's "Cold December." His album will be out on March 28th.

January 30, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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The Editors (pictured), in you haven't heard, are officially the next big thing. This month. But enthusiasm is to be expected in certain circles when you take the athemic Brit pop of Coldplay and the upbeat of Franz Ferdinand and replace the singer with Interpol's Paul Banks. Listen for yourself. Here's a stream of the single "Munich" (RA, WMA).

• And in the next phase of The Great A&R Search For The Next Killers we have Rock Kills Kid. Warner Bros will release their album in spring or summer. In the meantime, an EP will be at iTunes on February 7th and you can hear their song "Hide Away" on "The OC" this Thursday the 2nd of February. Here are some links to audio (Quicktime, WMA low) and video (Quicktime, WMA high, WMA low) for the song "Paralyzed," and audio for the song "Hideaway" (Quicktime, WMA low). More songs can be heard at their MySpace page, and New Yorkers, they're coming to town next month with Electric Six and She Wants Revenge.

• Wal-Mart's new online feature, called Soundcheck, has a five-song acoustic performance by Yellowcard. It was recorded in-studio and is very well done. The entire experience -- clicking from the Wal-Mart home page to streaming the performance -- is completely seamless and requires no external players.

January 27, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• Listen to the new Vines' single, "Don't Listen to the Radio" (WMA) Good advice, and a good song. "Don't listen to the radio / here's something that you already know / I've got no radio." If that's not perfect for an iPod commercial, nothing is.

• Click here for a Dilated Peoples sampler with audio streams, photos, wallpapers and buddy icons. The legendary hip hop group has an album, 20/20, coming out via Capitol on February 21st.

• Lady Sovereign is slowly but surely building her audience after the initial buzz has gone from deafening to loud. CNET's music download section has a free download of her song "Random" (yeah, I know it's been on every MP3 blog for about a year) and a stream of the video as well.

January 26, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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• One of the highlights of last year's CMJ was an early morning performance by the soulful Alice Smith at Nublu (pictured). "Dream" (MP3) shows where she's coming from -- classic soul, new school funk, rock and pop. Alice's upcoming album, For Lovers, Dreamers & Me, will be released by BBE in May. New Yorkers can -- and should -- see her at Southpaw this Saturday.

Rock Insider, one of the few LA music blogs, has two good tracks from Foreign Born: "Into Your Dreams" and "Holy Splinter." The band has a release on StarTime International and is working on its debut full length.

• As the old saying goes, the road to sales passes through Katie Couric. (Just ask Jimmy Buffet.) Download a free video from iTunes of KT Tunstall 's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" performed live on the Today Show on January 20th. Her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, was produced by Steve Osbourne. It will be out in the States on February 7th.

January 25, 2006

Coolfer Daily Digital

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• You've heard Lou Reed's influence througout rock and roll, but how often do you hear the sounds of The Bells and Sally Can't Dance rather than the Velvet Underground and Nico? Not only is Seedy Gonzales' "Page 28" (MP3) a great tune, but its reference point is refreshing. The band has a new EP, Bird That Sings, now at online music stores via Gigantic Music.

Neko Case, she of New Pornographers fame but an established solo artist in her own right, will have an album out on March 7th. Fox Confessor Brings The Flood will be released by Anti, a label that knows a thing or two about putting out challenging, quality albums aimed at an older-than-emo crowd. Download "Star Witness" (MP3).

• Free is good. Hard-Fi (no 'the' as far as I know) have a free download available at iTunes. Get "Cash Machine" in anticipation of the March 14th release of the full length, Stars of CCTV (approaching double platinum in the UK).

January 24, 2006

Coolfer Digital Daily

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Vice Recordings' music blog has another track: Panthers' cover of Pink Floyd's "The Nile Song" (MP3). The song comes from the band's third album, the soundtrack to the 1969 French movie "More." Abosutely rawkin'.

• I ran across this video (pictured) while browsing Google Video. It's a performance by an Eritrian group that may be of interest to fans of world music and/or some of the Ethiopiques albums (the more traditional and less funk titles).

VH1.com is streaming Train's new album For Me It's You.

• Reminds me of the melody in Bobby McFarrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy": Mike Wexler's "Sound The Mirror" (MP3). What a happy little folk song. (Via Largehearted Boy)