"Shipwreck" - Modeselektor ft. Thom Yorke VIDEO

10/26/2011 Taylor Swift @ Frank Erwin Center

You may not think it but I'm a diehard Taylor Swift fan and won't ever deny it. I'll proudly admit that her music inspires and speaks to me, as does it to millions of other guys and dolls. Although it seemed like most seats in the place were good, our original spots were up there near the not-so-quite nose bleed section. But the T. Swift goddesses were on our side! After we arrived to the show one song in, gave a sob story about our car breaking down & making us late, a very nice staff member told us to get on in on the floor. Shocked and freaking out, we couldn't believe our eyes and ears when we got onto the floor, especially since we thought we were going to be squinting to see her. Taylor put on a fantastic and whimsical show that was dreamy and full of sparkle. Being inside her fairy tale land was an experience that I'll never forget. So be fearless, speak now, and rock on. Watch the video of Taylor and Shawn Colvin performing "Sunny Came Home"

CHECK OUT THE PICTURES ON FACEBOOK

John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" - A Potentially Great Halloween Song

While I was coming up with the Halloween playlist, I remembered a song that isn't supposed to be scary... but it really, really could be: John Lennon's "Jealous Guy."  Now, before you read on, I warn you that you may never think of "Jealous Guy" the same way again.

The Black Keys "Lonely Boy"

Not exactly Thom Yorke in "Lotus Flower" but fun stuff. El Camino is out December 6th.

Not Your Grandmother's Halloween Playlist

Featuring songs about murder, dismemberment, stalking, psycho killers (qu'est-ce que c'est?), ghosts, werewolves, bar mitzvahs, insanity, zombies... and The Monster Mash.

Lady Gaga Born This Way - The Remix album (11/21)

With this amazing group of artists remixing Gaga's Born This Way, I can't wait to blast this through my speakers. 

1. Born This Way – Zedd Remix 
2. Judas – Goldfrapp Remix
3. The Edge of Glory – Foster The People Remix
4. Yoü & I – Wild Beasts Remix
5. Marry The Night – The Weeknd & Ilangelo Remix
6. Black Jesus † Amen Fashion – Michael Woods Remix
7. Bloody Mary – The Horrors Remix
8. Scheiße – Guena LG Remix
9. Americano – Gregori Klosman Remix
10. Electric Chapel – Two Door Cinema Club Remix
11. Yoü & I – Metronomy Remix
12. Judas – Hurts Remix
13. Born This Way – Twin Shadow Remix
14. The Edge of Glory – Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix
15. Judas - Royksopp's 30 Pieces Mix 

Whipped Cream of the Day

• Hip-hop/rock group FreeSol recruited the man of many talents, Justin Timberlake to rap and star in their latest video "Role Model".

• First Kanye tweeted "GOODMUSIC.THE ALBUM.SPRING 2012." Then R & S Records posted on Facebook "James Blake EP / Dec 2011". These are a few of my favorite things. 

• Watch the teaser trailer for Drake's upcoming record Take Care out November 15th in the US. The video features some explosive in-your-face accomplishments that Drizzy has received and other various clips of him. Watch the video for "Headlines" which will be on the new album. 

Stream Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

Stream the new album Ceremonials, due out November 1st, over at Pretty Much Amazing.

Watch the video for "Shake It Out" & listen to the beautifully done remix from The Weeknd.

Whipped Cream of the Day

• For the video of the [once-thought] happy song "We Found Love" from Calvin Harris & Rihanna, nonstop partying, sex, and substance abuse takes it's toll on the young couple. Take a peek at Michael K's hilarious dissection of it here. 

• In an recent interview, Radiohead revealed that the band will tour next year around February to November in the US and UK. Excited? Fuck yeah! Listen to the whole interview at BBC.

• Watch Chris Martin and the guys from Coldplay find their own "Paradise" while dressed up in elephant costumes (album out 10/25). Gaze and watch the new video for "Midnight City" as a group of kids that look like they were plucked right out of Professor X's school for the supernatural get out and explore the world (album out now). 

• Take a listen to two Massive Attack & Burial tracks that were released on a limited edition 12" vinyl which sold out on the same day. "Paradise Circus" & "Four Walls" both run around twelve minutes, so sit down and relax. 

• Gotta check out this interactive music experience on Ellie Goulding's website; it's got pretty lights to the tunes of her pretty music---Win! 

• Some single tracks to listen and/or download: Oh Land covering The National's "Bloodbuzz Ohio", Major Lazor "Original Don" (which you have to check out it's artwork), Karen O covers "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys",  Drake "Make Me Proud", Niki & The Dove "The Drummer",  & T.I. remixing Jay-Z & Kanye's "Niggas In Paris". 

New Music Tuesday (on Wednesday)

M83 Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Gauntlet Hair Gauntlet Hair
Real Estate Days

Jack Rants About TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (2011)

I didn't catch TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (F*ck it, I'm just gonna call it Transformers 3)  when it was out in the theaters.  Frankly, I didn't care about the ongoing exploits of Sam Witwicky and his robot pals.  But, I love a full collection (I have the other two, and I actually enjoyed the second one.), and I was told by someone that it's a pretty good movie.  So I bought it.

And wow.

It.  Is f*cking.  Terrible.  (More after the break)

Jack White - "Love is Blindness"

This INCREDIBLE cover of U2's "Love is Blindness" appears on Q Magazine's AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered tribute album.  You gotta love how Jack both honors the original and totally owns this with the intense passion and soul that we've come to love from Mr. White.  (Does it make up for the ICP collaboration?  I don't know... But c'mon, most of that criticism would be there regardless of how that song turned out because it's cool for normal people to hate ICP and cool for juggalos to hate...everything that isn't ICP... What else do they like?)  I like to think he did this to remind the world that he's still a genius and is really good at making covers sound better than the originals.

The tribute album is available with copies of the magazine's next issue which hits shelves on October 25th.  I don't know if we get that in the States, but if not, I'm sure that album will make its way to our ears some way or another.  I know that I'm particularly interested in Damien Rice's cover of "One."

***Update... Damien Rice's "One" is mostly meh.

Check out the track list below. In related news, U2's Achtung Baby reissue arrives on October 31st.  Never was much of a U2 fan, myself, but I might have to check it out.

Tracklist:
1. Nine Inch Nails, "Zoo Station"
2. U2, "Even Better Than The Real Thing (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)"
3. Damien Rice, "One"
4. Patti Smith, "Until The End Of The World"
5. Garbage, "Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses"
6. Depeche Mode, "So Cruel"
7. Snow Patrol, "Mysterious Ways"
8. The Fray, "Trying To Throw Your Arms Around The World"
9. Gavin Friday, "The Fly"
10. The Killers, "Ultraviolet (Light My Way)"
11. Glasvegas, "Acrobat"
12. Jack White, "Love Is Blindness"

THE AVENGERS Trailer Assembles!

I haven't watched a trailer over and over since SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD and WATCHMEN... which is scary because those films failed at the box office... though Scott Pilgrim was still REALLY badass.

But this... There is no way that this movie will not surpass infinity billion dollars... Wait, that's prolly an over-estimate.

Go full screen.  This was meant to see in full screen.

Listen: Death Cab for Cutie "Doors Unlocked And Open" (Cut Copy remix)

Death Cab for Cutie is releasing a collection of remixes of tracks from their latest album Keys and Codes. The first song to hit the web is a remix by the Australian dance electro group Cut Copy. Expect one remix from the upcoming EP to be unveiled each week leading up to the release (11/22).

Death Cab for Cutie - Doors Unlocked And Open [Cut Copy Remix] by deathcabforcutie

Ryan Adams "Lucky Now" video

New album from The Black Keys

The Black Keys announced via this awesome Funny or Die video that their upcoming album El Camino comes out on 12/6. You can also call the guys at (330) 510-1206 (you know you want to) and hear a message from drummer Pat giving all the deats about the van they're trying to sell. Head over to wannabuyavan.com. As a refresher, watch the video for "Howlin' For You".

Stream M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

The new M83 record is streaming the Urban Outfitters blog right now. I highly recommend this one as M83 never disappoints and this is no exception. Buy the album next week (10/18).

Stream Real Estate - Days

Days (out 10/18) is streaming at NPR.

The Weeknd "Initiation"

The Weeknd uploaded a new track over the weekend. Listen to it below.

The Weeknd - Initiation by The_Weeknd

Whipped Cream of the Day

• Take a listen to British singer & producer Jamie Woon spice things up on Lana Del Rey's "Video Games".

• Lady Gaga is releasing a remix album of Born This Way which will include remixes by The Weeknd and Foster The People. What tracks they'll be mixing up has yet to be announced. The remix album is going to be paired with a DVD of Gaga's "Monster Ball Tour" and an extended edition of Born This Way. Expect it and Taylor Swift's "Speak Now World Tour" DVD 11/21.

• Watch and listen to the collaborative efforts of musical genius Jamie xx and multimedia artist Quayola in the newly premiered track + video "Progress". Also take a listen to past remixes by Jamie of Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" and Florence + The Machine's "You've Got The Love".

• Atlas Sound (Bradford Cox of Deerhunter) revealed another song,  "Amplifiers", off his next album Parallax (11/8). He's already put out "Terra Incognito", "Te Amo", and "Modern Aquatic Nightsongs" which all have showcased his natural ability to produce beautiful music. 

9/27/2011 Panda Bear @ Granada Theater

A couple months ago I was scrolling through Facebook doing my daily stalking routine when I came across a post by someone exclaiming their joy that Panda Bear was coming our way. My heart immediately sank at the chance to see one of my all-time favorite performers. Dallas based blog Gorilla vs. Bear was lucky enough to host a show by the acclaimed Animal Collective member, and I instantly jumped on tickets. The show was breathtaking and will go down as one of the best I've ever seen. Noah Lennox & Sonic Boom put on an amazing show complete with hypnotizing visuals and so many strobe lights that I wanted to fly towards it even if it meant instant death. Enjoy the pictures below and know that my love for photography and music go hand in hand, so this experience was a visceral moment in the life of me.

CHECK OUT MORE AT FACEBOOK

9/24/2011 Cut Copy, Washed Out, & Midnight Magic @ MPMF

This year, I had the privilege of going up to Cincinnati for the 10th anniversary of Midpoint Music Festival.  It wasn't at all what I expected in the way of music festivals. It had more of a SXSW vibe with lots of different venues and such. Besides the horrible and unfortunate sound at Gang Gang Dance, all was well. The best night by far was on Saturday when I had the chance to see Cut Copy, Washed Out, & Midnight Magic all on the same stage. Here are a couple pics from the show.

CHECK OUT MORE AT FACEBOOK.

Stream James Blake - Enough Thunder

Stream it before you buy it over at ABEANO. You can get it now via iTunes.

Stream Radiohead - TKOL RMX 1234567

Grab the album 10/11.

Whipped Cream of the Day

• Like a page out of Tim Burton's notebook with Johnny Depp's name written in hearts, B.O.B. has recruited a leading muse of his own to guest spot on the first single off his sophomore album. Listen to Lil Wayne tear it up on B.O.B's first single "Strange Clouds" (best listened to NOT on laptop speakers). 

• Much love from Florence + The Machine lately. Take a listen to a vamped up & wickedly haunting take of "Shake It Out" remixed by The Weeknd. You can listen and watch the official video for the song here.

• Bon Iver covered another great song on the road with his enormous sounding backing band. Listen to his cover of Bob Dylan's "With God On Our Side" and let the beauty sink in.

• I've been needing something to hold the place in my heart where Alison Mosshart's brand of voice sits always waiting patiently for new material. Band of Skulls released brand new material appropriately titled "The Devil Takes Care of His Own". Listen to the track "Patterns" from their first album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey.

• A few notable tracks to take out your earplugs for: The Rapture "How Deep Is Your Love" A-Trak remix, Spank Rock "Nasty" (catch them at FunFunFun Fest), Bright Eyes covering The White Stripes "We're Going To Be Friends", & the video for Drake's "Headlines" where he can be seen rocking a seriously awesome sweater at the dinner table. 

Stream Bjork - Biophilia

Stream the album over at NPR. Buy it next Tuesday (10/11).

New Music Tuesday

Feist Metals
MGMT LateNightTales
Modeselektor Monkeytown