MP3: “I Walked” by Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens surprised us all with an EP release last week. And now there’s the news of another LP to be released in October, his first proper album in five years. A lot of fans will be pissed off by the electronic direction of the first song to surface of the new record, The Age of Adz, but this is one of the best tracks of the year so far. You can download “I Walked” by Sufjan Stevens here or stream it below (via Gorilla vs. Bear):

The Taking Under: An Interview With Elf Power

The last time Elephant 6 veterans Elf Power hit the road, it was a co-headlining gig with Athens, Georgia legend Vic Chestnutt. The band also collaborated with Chestnutt on the critically-acclaimed Dark Developments in 2009. This Fall, the band will tour with the long-awaited Elephant 6 film, Major Organ and the Adding Machine, in which lead singer Andrew Rieger plays one of the principal characters. The film is the visual counterpart to the 2001 album by the same name and is set for release along with Elf Power’s tenth and self-titled release on September 14. We got a chance to speak with lead singer and songwriter Andrew Rieger about their latest record, the influence of Vic Chestnutt, and the bonus material on the Major Organ DVD.

Fishpork: I read the notes you guys wrote about Vic Chestnutt on your web site. It wasn’t hard to tell that you guys really embraced your time him. What was it like working with Vic in the studio and on tour?

FP: What influence has your relationship with Vic had on the band moving forward?

FP: Are there any unreleased tracks from the Dark Developments sessions that may ever see the light of day?

FP: I’m such a big fan of your last album, In A Cave. We’ve only just received the review copy of your new self-titled record. Did you guys take a similar approach for the new record?

FP: Did you guys work with a producer or did you self-produce the record?

FP: Are there any guest collaborations on the record beyond the usual suspects in and around Athens?

FP: The Major Organ and the Adding Machine DVD finally gets a proper release on the same day your new album comes out. What were your contributions to the album and film?

FP: The release notes for the DVD say there is some rare unreleased Elf Power videos on the DVD. Is there anything you can share about those?

FP: We’re happy to see a supporting tour scheduled this Fall to support the new album. Are you bringing anyone on the road with you?

FP: We were lucky enough to see Jeff perform at the Chris Knox Benefit show in May. What was your reaction to his performance?

Elf Power have dedicated the new album to Vic Chestnutt, who committed suicide last Christmas. You can download their first single off the new record, “Stranger In the Window,” here or stream it below:

MP3: “Mercy Street (Peter Gabriel Cover)” by Fever Ray

We knew we were in for a treat when Fever Ray shared the fucked up cover art for her cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Mercy Street.” She played the song live throughout her tour, but the studio version is a reimagining of Gabriel’s 1986 track. You can download “Mercy Street” by Fever Ray here or stream it below:

Faith No More @ Williamsburg Waterfront

Mike Patton is one of the biggest assholes around. He once taunted a New York crowd while wearing his Laker’s jersey post-9/11. He stopped an interview mid-sentence at a festival to bash Wolfmother. On July 5th at the Williamsburg Waterfront in Brooklyn, Patton and a reunited Faith No More mocked the crowd between each song, joking about broken down subway service, the dirty East River, and all the dirty hipsters in the crowd. The band even did a tongue-in-cheek cover of Michael Jackson’s “Ben” just days after the one-year anniversary of his death. Whether you are offended by Patton’s insults and condescending behavior or not, there is no denying his prolific career. With nearly 30 albums with over a dozen music projects, the 42-year old Patton may be the most diverse musician of our generation. He’s worked with avant-guard legend John Zorn, Bjork, Rahzel from the Roots, Massive Attack, Norah Jones, Melvins, Sepultura, Buckethead, Dan the Automator, Handsome Boy Modeling School, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The X-Ecutioners, John Kaada, John Stanier, Dave Lombardo and dozens of others. He’s even sung Italian opera on several solo albums and voiced the howls and screams of the sick, vampire-like monsters in I Am Legend. Patton joined Faith No More in 1989 partly as a way to promote his high school band, Mr. Bungle (see Patton’s Mr. Bungle t-shirt in the music video for “Epic;” they really hate playing it).

Faith No More played a flawless set in Brooklyn, and Patton’s voice was better than ever. I’m not sure there is anyone else out there that can scream for 20 minutes and seamlessly segue into a cover of Lionel Richie’s “Easy” while hitting every note perfectly. An immediate highlight for me was the antagonistic performance of my favorite FNM track, “The Gentle Art of Making Enemies”:

The crowd of 7,500 or so fans that collected at the Waterfront on a 100 degree day were unsurprisingly lame: a mix between 30- and 40-somethings who have yet to move on from the 80s and a sea of hipsters who were there just because the show was in Brooklyn. The alcoholics were cordoned-off behind a barricaded area that employed a beer-for-tickets system. That crowd seemed slightly more motivated. One individual even started a one-man mosh pit with himself, spilling beer on hoards of fans, including myself. In an effort to avoid a confrontation that I might regret, we moved to the “tame” side, which featured local stands selling art and other “hipster” paraphenelia. Smart marketing it was not.

The band invited Rahzel on stage to beatbox during several tracks, which worked generally well. The second encore featured another favorite track of mine off of the band’s Album of the Year record. Although the band’s performance surpassed all expectations, the heat wave, the festival-like atmosphere, and the disingenuous and annoying crowd interfered with all intended nostalgia we may have been seeking. As usual, we’ll look for Patton’s “asshole” tactics and next project in an underground club in the city sometime soon. Jim Morrison or Kurt Cobain would have to come back from the dead for me to attend another Waterfront show.

MP3: “Supertoys” by Autolux

Autolux haven’t released a proper album since 2004 with the mesmerizing Future Perfect. After years of delays and record company issues, Autolux’s sophomore effort will be released via ATP Recordings on August 2. Download their brand new single “Supertoys” here or stream it below:

For fans of Failure, don’t forget that Greg Edward’s former band recently released 1996’s Fantastic Planet on vinyl. You can pick it up at Amazon.

MP3s: “Here’s To Now” and “Lay Me Down” by Ugly Casanova

Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock’s Ugly Casanova contributed nine songs for the soundtrack of new documentary 180° South. The soundtrack is released today via Universal Republic. Amazon is streaming samples of each track here. Download “Here’s To Now” and “Lay Me Down” or stream the tracks below:

Here’s To Now:

Lay Me Down:

MP3: “Stranger In The Window” by Elf Power

Elf Power follow up 2008’s In A Cave, one of my favorite albums in recent memory, with their tenth (and self-titled) album. Their Dark Developments collaboration with recently deceased Vic Chestnutt has obvious influences here. A new Orange Twin release always holds out hope for a Jeff Mangum contribution as well. The album is due in September. You can download “Stranger In the Window” by Elf Power here or stream it below:

MP3: “I’m Your Eagle Kisser (Live)” by Avey Tare

I really wish I wasn’t so late on the Animal Collective band wagon. Yes, they’ve gotten better in the studio, but the live show has obviously gotten worse due to their reliance on electronics and samplers. They might as well have just pressed play on a tape recorder the last time I saw them live in Brooklyn. A few months before I officially became obsessed with the band, Avey Tare did a short six show solo tour (2006). Here’s a live gem from that tour. It’s probably the best solo track from the band that was not on Panda Bear’s Person Pitch. The studio version is mesmerizing, and the live version is right up there. You can download “I’m You’re Eagle Kisser (Live)” by Avey Tare here or stream it below:

MP3s: “The Suburbs” and “Month of May” by Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire’s third LP, The Suburbs, won’t be released until later this summer. However, two tracks from the first single just hit radio stations worldwide. You can download “The Suburbs” here and “Month of May” here or stream both tracks below:

“The Suburbs”

“Month of May”

MP3: “The Believers” by How To Destroy Angels

Unless you’ve got an iPad, you might have to search around the intrawebs for a copy of “The Believers” by How To Destroy Angels. As part of their feature in Wired Magazine’s first iPad formatted issue, Trent and company included the new song. The glitchy track is the band’s best effort to date and will help ease the wait for impatient fans until the July 6th release of their debut EP. You can download “The Believers” by How To Destroy Angels here or stream it below:

Next Page »