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It's Record Store Day!

BuzzSugar — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:30:01 -0700

Happy Record Store Day, everyone! Since it started in 2007, this event has caught on as a nationwide celebration of the little neighborhood shop and a reminder of how important it is to music. In this age of the digital download, it's easy to forget how awesome it is to wander through the aisles of a record store and discover a band you might not have found on an iTunes best-sellers list.

I love this quote from Colin Meloy of The Decemberists about why record stores are the greatest:

I don't know what I would do without indie record stores. Having grown up in a town without them, I can tell you that it's no fun to shop for indie records at chain box stores. Independent record stores like Sonic Boom in Seattle, Rockin Rudys in Missoula, and 2nd Avenue in Portland were holy golden shrines to me growing up. Actually, they still are.

A bunch of artists have put together limited-edition Record Store Day releases available only at participating stores (I'm totally coveting the Andrew Bird/Loney Dear 7" and the previously unreleased Flight of the Conchords songs). In addition, super-cool events are taking place at stores around the country today - for example, the independent store in my neighborhood, Amoeba, will be holding giveaway contests every hour and has DJs spinning all day. Head over here to see what's going on today at your local store.

Do you like the idea of Record Store Day? Anything cool going on in your neck of the woods?

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Link Time! 3/19

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:30:32 -0700

A beautiful, appreciative post about Natasha Richardson's contribution to stage and screen. - Popwatch
The members of My Chemical Romance are not at all interested in having their music in a Twilight movie. - MTV Movies Blog
Nine memorable TV shows about TV. - TV Squad
OMG, Lost Boys 3. F'real?! - Cinematical
Which of these Davids will save HBO? - Vulture
The new, free Fandango app for iPhones has arrived, to the joy of movie lovers everywhere. - geeksugar
Audio and photos from the Decemberists' Hazards of Love premiere at SXSW. - Stereogum
The Gossip Girl spinoff is not called Lily, and more from Josh Schwartz. - Watch with Kristin

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What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:30:27 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. Here are today's selections:

Early download alert!: Today iTunes has an exclusive deal for you to download the Decemberists' fifth album, The Hazards of Love, which technically drops on March 24. We've already heard one single from the album, which is part of a big, lively story about a woman named Margaret. It's hard for me to pick this apart by track because all the songs fit together in a particular way, but take a listen to the title track first to get a sense of it all.

British rocking: According to the many reviews I've skimmed about the debut album from London band White Lies, it suffers from some pretty silly lyrics but most agree it's still an above-average effort that fans of acts like The Killers and Franz Ferdinand will enjoy. Check out "Farewell to the Fairground" and "Death" for a taste of what these guys can do.

One more cool discovery up next, so read more.

A band to note: At the end of the Ugly Betty episode titled "Things Fall Apart" a really sad song plays to match the intense emotions, and that song was by these guys. Turns out the album isn't set to release until March 31 but is available for download at iTunes right now. So far, I think this is a surprising and exciting band with a haunting sound similar to that of the Fleet Foxes (though with less harmonizing). I think we're going to hear a lot more buzz about these guys (and gal) in the coming weeks. Check out the beautiful "E Minor" as well as the song featured on Betty, "Black Tables."

Free Download From The Decemberists: "The Rake's Song"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:30:28 -0800

In anticipation of their next album coming out March 24, the Decemberists are making one of the album's songs available for free download today. "The Rake's Song" is a drums-heavy, dramatic tune from the album, The Hazards of Love which will weave a tale with the songs, each track telling another part of the dark but lively story. An email I received about the album today describes the album like this:

The Hazards of Love tells the tale of a woman named Margaret who is ravaged by a shape-shifting animal; her lover, William; a forest queen; and a cold-blooded, lascivious rake, who recounts with spine-tingling ease how he came "to be living so easy and free" in the aforementioned "The Rake’s Song."

I'm liking "The Rake's Song" well enough but I can imagine tiring of it as it's a little on the repetitive side. You can nab a free download for yourself by clicking here, or to take a listen now, just read more.

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:30:56 -0800

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. In addition to these picks, you can download new singles from Taylor Swift, Kanye West, and the Smashing Pumpkins. Here's what's on my list this week:

Holiday spirit: Sure, it's a little on the early side to bust out the tinsel and candy canes, but this is one holiday album that seems like it would be good all year. I've long been a fan of Rosie Thomas's sweet, folky voice, and on A Very Rosie Christmas, she presents her take on Christmas songs both new and old, from ballads like "River" to jazzier, up-tempo tunes like "Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year." There's also a brief comedy sketch from "Sheila," Thomas's stand-up comedy alter ego.

Come on, Elaine. "Days of Elaine" is the latest song in The Decemberists' singles series, Always the Bridesmaid. The second volume in the series is out today and contains two versions of "Elaine," the regular one and a long one that clocks in at more than six minutes. The EP also includes a cute and somewhat old-timey cover of the Velvet Underground's "I'm Sticking With You."

One more pick for the week, so just read more.

Twilight rising. If you're eagerly awaiting the movie release of Twilight, why not dip a toe into the movie's mood right now with the film's soundtrack? The 15-song album includes tracks from Iron and Wine ("Flightless Bird, American Mouth") and Paramore ("Decode," the only song available without buying the whole album, and "I Caught Myself"). But maybe most intriguing are the two tracks from the film's star, Robert Pattinson, including "Never Think."

Song of the Day: The Decemberists, "Valerie Plame"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:30:39 -0700

Yay! New Decemberists stuff! And it's so fun! I know - lots of exclaiming here. I just can't get enough of this song, "Valerie Plame," because it makes me giggle a bit. According to a press release, the song is sung from "the point-of-view of one of Plame's inside contacts upon discovering her true identity, the song is an amorous tribute to the onetime CIA operative." "Valerie Plame" is a part of the band's upcoming series of singles titled Always the Bridesmaid. The first volume of the series is due out on Oct. 14, and the Decemberists are scheduled to play "Valerie Plame" on Conan O'Brien the night before the election, Nov. 3.

Political context aside, "Valerie Plame" is a bouncy song with horns and some banjo and a sing-along at the end. It reminds me vaguely of the circus at times. I love this band's flair for the dramatic. To take a listen, read more.

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I Like Food: Munchies from Musicians

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 06:58:45 -0700

In my mind, rock music and yummy food truly are two great tastes that taste great together. So Kara Zuaro is a girl after my own heart: She's compiled a book of recipes from rockers including the Hold Steady, the Decemberists, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, My Morning Jacket, and the Mountain Goats called I Like Food, Food Tastes Good.

Now, I tend to associate rock show food more with "hey, is that pizza place still open?" than with elaborate gourmet delicacies, so I'm excited to see that Camera Obscura apparently has a way with veggie paella and the Drive-By Truckers make a mean banana pudding. On the other end of the scale, there's Strung Out's Rock 'n' Ramen (two ramen flavors, not one) and this, um, recipe from freak-folker Devendra Banhart:

RIGHT ON!!!!!!
here is my favorite recipe for:
AFRICANAS RICAS!
you shall require!
many bananas!
a box of graham crackers!!!
two eggs!!!
SOUR CREAM!!
HONEY!

Those of you in New York can check out one of the book's release parties scheduled throughout the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, head over to YumSugar to see Grizzly Bear's recipe for pecan pie.

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Decemberists to Play With Local Orchestras on Tour

BuzzSugar — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 08:04:38 -0700

In cool Decemberists news, Billboard reports that the band will play with local orchestras in select cities during their U.S. "The Crane Wife" tour.

This idea came from Johanna Rees, who has paired orchestras with Air, Dead Can Dance and Belle and Sebastian. Regarding her idea to put orchestras with the Decemberists, Rees has said:

"I was the liaison between the band and the orchestra folks, because they don't really know how the rock world works," Rees tells Billboard.com. "And if you're a fan, it's such a perfect band to put with an orchestra. Musically, they're just astounding."

I can easily envision the Decemberists' already slightly string-laden music paired with orchestral sounds, and I only wish San Francisco were on the list of cities where this is taking place. If you live in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago or Columbia, MD, however, check it out and tell me all about it!

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Link Time! Watch George Clooney Voicing Fantastic Mr. Fox

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:25 -0800

So cool - see how the voice acting was done on The Fantastic Mr. Fox - Cinematical
Comedy Central is teaming up with The Onion for a TV show - The Hollywood Reporter
No Doubt is suing Activision for using their likenesses inappropriately in Band Hero - GeekSugar
2012 already has a TV series sequel, 2013 - MTV Movies Blog
Fox Searchlight has halted the national release of Gentlemen Broncos - Vulture
Sufjan Stevens admits his 50 states album concept was a joke - Stereogum
Amazing video mash-up of scenes with characters saying the movie's title - Videogum
Anthony Hopkins and Annette Bening will play Ernest Hemingway and wife in Hemingway and Fuentes - Variety
The Decemberists' Colin Meloy and wife Carson Ellis are writing a children's book - Pitchfork
10 scary Christmas movies to bridge Halloween and Christmas - Rotten Tomatoes

Highlights From the 2009 Treasure Island Music Festival

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:30:05 -0700

As expected, this year's Treasure Island Music Festival was a well-rounded weekend of awesome live music, dancing, and pretty views of San Francisco. The gorgeous and warm weather on Saturday fit the bill for the lineup that had a heavier concentration of electronic music and DJs (like MGMT and Girl Talk), while on Sunday I bundled up and chilled out to The Decemberists and Grizzly Bear. All in all it was an awesome weekend that ended with a bang as The Flaming Lips closed down the party. Check out some photos of my favorite acts from the weekend.

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