MP3: “La Chanson de Jacky (feat. Mike Patton)” by Secret Chiefs 3

Apparently, this is the closest we’re going to get to a rumored Mr. Bungle reunion. The song comes from a 7″ vinyl release by Trey Spruance’s Secret Chiefs 3. Spruance was the lead guitarist and keyboardist for Mr. Bungle, which has been inactive since 2000. Mr. Patton contributes vocals for Side A, which is a cover of Jacques Brel’s “La Chanson de Jacky.” Hopefully, this will hold us over until Patton releases the next Tomahawk record, which is expected later this year! You can download “La Chanson de Jacky (feat. Mike Patton)” here or stream it below [via GunShyAssassin]:

MP3: “Pigs” by Black Dice

After seeing Eric Copeland open up for Avey Tare late last year at Johnny Brenda’s, the new Black Dice album is something we’ve been greatly anticipating. The record will be called Mr. Impossible and releases on April 10 via Ribbon Music. In the meantime, the New York based trio provide a taste of the new album with “Pigs.” You can stream and download “Pigs” by Black Dice (click down arrow for download) below:

Black Dice – Pigs by Ribbon Music

Also, check out the self-produced video for the track below:

MP3: “Leny (ADAT rmx)” by Crystal Castles

Crystal Castles gave an early Christmas present to fans yesterday by posting a remix of the previously released “Leni,” a remix of a GoodBooks song by the same name. If you listen closely you can hear a sample of the last verse of The Knife’s “We Share Our Mother’s Health.” You can stream and download “Leny (ADAT rmx)” by Crystal Castles (click down arrow for download) below:

Crystal Castles – Leny (ADAT rmx) by Crystal Castles

MP3: “You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are (Constrobuz Remix)” by Keaton Henson

We missed this one back in August, but here it is before we reveal our favorite songs of 2011 this week. Keaton Henson’s amazing “You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are” isn’t an obvious choice for a remix, but Raleigh, North Carolina’s Constrobuz puts in an impressive effort on his take of Henson’s solemn tune. Download “You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are (Constrobuz Remix)” by Keaton Henson here or stream it below:

MP3: “The Lawn” by Exdetectives

Just received an awesome tune from our friends at Fanatic. Los Angeles-based musician Faris McReynolds, who also makes music as the minimalist avant-garde pop project One Finger Riot, takes a totally different songwriting approach as alter-ego Exdetectives on Take My Forever due January 31st from the Post Planetary record label. Upon hearing this new track, Dinosaur Jr. was the first band to come to mind for me. Here’s what McReynolds says about it: “I’m paying tribute to the music of my youth. Britpop bands like Blur, Ride, and Elastica, first wave indie rock like Dinosaur, Jr. and also The Beatles which I didn’t hear until after I’d gone through punk. This music is about being straightforward and letting the songs do the work. It’s loose, casual and direct. Hopefully something I didn’t plan for comes out of that approach.” [via Fanatic]

Download “The Lawn” by Exdetectives here or stream it below:

MP3: “Oraculum” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross + Full Details on TGWTDT Soundtrack!

Trent Reznor previously teased about an announcement that would come today. And it’s here. Full details concerning his and Atticus Ross’ soundtrack release for David Fincher’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo are finally here. Trent will self-release the US versions and let Mute Records handle the international release. The official note from Trent is on NIN.com. Fans can pre-order the entire 3+ hour soundtrack in various formats, including digital, CD, and a deluxe package that features six LPs and a bunch of other goodies. The deluxe editions are limited to 3000 copies and will sell for $300. You can also get a free download of a six-song sampler that Trent and company made available on their Null Corporation outfit here.

Need a taste of the soundtrack right now? Download “Oraculum” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross here or stream it below:

Also, check out the full version of Trent and Atticus’ collaboration with Karen O on a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” (the opening track on the soundtrack) below:

And here’s the second full trailer for the film, which hits theaters on December 21st:

MP3s: More Unheard Elliott Smith Recordings Unearthed

After last week’s surprise of Elliott Smith’s previously unreleased “Misery Let Me Down” from the WMUC lost library of his late 90′s in-studio performance, there is more. David Taylor, record librarian for WMUC, posted this update on the WMUC tumblr page:

I have spent the last couple days digitizing the MiniDisc containing Elliott Smith’s ‘96/’97(?) live performance at WMUC. It’s done and the tracks are now available for download.  However, it is my regret to inform you that the MiniDisc is not the original source, nor does not contain the full performance. The new recording clocks in at around 18 minutes, 6 minutes less than the previous CD version. Furthermore, the multiple takes of “Say Yes” and “Division Day,” including “Misery Let Me Down,” are entirely missing.

There is some good news. The MiniDisc contains two tracks that are unavailable on the CD, “The Morning After” and “The Biggest Lie.” And the other tracks are now presented in higher audio quality.

We will not have a definitive version of Smith’s WMUC performance until we can find the original ADAT that it was recorded on.

Download MP3s of the 18-minute set here or get the FLAC version here. You can also stream the first song, “The Morning After,” below:

MP3: “Misery Let Me Down” by Elliott Smith

A previously unheard, unreleased Elliott Smith track was recently recovered from the archives of WMUC-FM, The University of Maryland’s student-run radio station. The song was sung by Smith as a warm-up for a 1997 live session on the station. There’s an interesting backstory concerning how the track was finally recovered here. If you’re an Elliott fan, the track is definitely worth a listen. Download “Misery Let Me Down” by Elliott Smith here or stream it below:

MP3: “Strawbear” by Keaton Henson

Keaton Henson is a reclusive artist and musician who barely leaves the confines of his room. He self-released his first album last year with no record deal, management or promotion. Since then, droves of fans from all over the world have expressed their adoration for his music. A proper release of Dear … will be released next February now that Henson has been signed to Motive Sounds Recordings. The first single from that album, “You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are,” might be my favorite track of 2011. Listen to the accompanying track, “Strawbear,” here or stream it below:

MP3: “Zoo Station (U2 Cover)” by Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails may be on temporary hiatus, but a sober Trent Reznor seems to have found time to make a contribution to Q Magazine’s 20th anniversary tribute compilation of U2′s Achtung Baby between an upcoming full-length How To Destroy Angels record and the score to David Fincher’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (due in December). The track is mellow, atmospheric and features an impressive vocal delivery from Trent (yes, really). Atticuss Ross co-produced and programmed the track. Download “Zoo Station (U2 Cover)” by Nine Inch Nails here or stream it below:

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