Peter, Bjorn and John – Living Thing (Almost Gold/Startime International)

PB and J’s new album, Living Thing, is a nice twist on the poppy formula of their first. Yes, the hooks are still there, but so is a newfound experimentalism. Read my review here.

Speck Mountain – Some Sweet Relief

Like Mazzy Star? Like shoegaze? Not much to say about this one…. so read about it here.

Del – Funkman (Hieroglyphics Imperium)

Del the Funky Homosapien will release his new album, Funkman, on April 7 via Hieroglyphics Imperium.
Check out his stimulus package address below, and maybe there will be some clues to solving the financial crisis… or maybe it’ll just be video game tips. Actually, the album will be available for free download!

Tour dates here.

Malkmus Cover Art Mayhem?

Friend of Illiot Gould and professional buns blaster Andrew K. recently alerted me to a striking similarity between the cover art of Steven Malkmus’ latest, Real Emotional Trash, and the cover of a 1970s edition of Graphis Annual. The two are so similar, it seems it must be an intentional reference. I’ve been searching for something verifying that and have yet to come across anything online. Anyway, check it out for yourself.

Real Emotional Trash:

Graphis Annual

Senor Kaos, Young Chris, Bun B, Wale = “Searching For an Outlet”

It’s nice!

Tortoise to Release Beacons of Ancestorship in June

It’s been five years since the last Tortoise album, but they’ll return on June 23 with Beacons of Ancestorship (Thrill Jockey). Typical for the band, the new record is supposed to reference “techno, punk, electro, lo-fi noise, cut-up beats, heavily processed synths, and mournful, elegiac dirges.” That’s a mouthful, but I believe it.

The tracklist:
01. High Class Slim Came Floatin’ In
02. Prepare Your Coffin
03. Northern Something
04. Gigantes
05. Penumbra
06. Yinxianghechengqi
07. The Fall Of Seven Diamonds Plus One
08. Minors
09. Monument Six One Thousand
10. de Chelly
11. Charteroak Foundation

Some old tunes:

JR Writer – “Shut ‘Em Down”

Hey, JR Writer, thanks for making this song. Cam’ron, listen up, maybe you should reference Public Enemy too.

JR Writer’s Cinecrack comes out March 31 on Babygrande.

Here’s something from last year:

Horn Gets Tooted

Check out PerfSpot Music. The nice folks over there decided to spotlight Illiot Gould as a blog worth visiting. Tomorrow, world domination.

Abstract Rude – Rejuvenation (Rhymesayers – 5/5)

Abstract Rude, one of the best and most buttery-voiced of the LA underground, will return with a new solo album this May. Production is entirely managed by Vitamin D, and featured guests include Sahtyre, Busdriver and Alpha MC. Listen to a track here.

Old but amazing:

Diamond D – “Bad/Good” Video

New Diamond D! “Bad/Good”! It’s good! Watch here!

War on Drugs Finally Touring The Whole Country!

One of my favorite bands of late, The War on Drugs, will be supporting The Hold Steady on a national tour beginning at the end of March. Finally! Wagonwheel Blues, their debut for Secretly Canadian. Find your city here.

Tosca – “Springer”

Another song from the forthcoming Tosca album, No Hassle, due out on April 27th on K7. Yes, it’s downtempo cocktail lounge music… but it’s damn good. Download here.

Malkovich – Iran So Far Away

Westside! Seriously, like, West LA…. One of my LA underground faves, Malkovich, channels the ’80s big time on this joke track.

88 Keys ft. Kanye West – Viagra Video

88 Keys and Kanye pull a Jackass and get dressed up as old people in Hollywood. Watch it here.

Grand Puba to Release Retroactive

Reel-to-reel aficionado and ex-Brand Nubian member Grand Puba will release a new album, Retroactive, for Babygrande this June. No details as to producers or guest MCs so far, but I’ll keep you posted.