A Sunny Day in Glasgow played Mercury Lounge

This past week had been one of the worst weather related weeks I have ever experienced in this city. Wind, rain, snow, freezing temperatures all peaked throughout the week so I decided to cap it all off with a late night performance by A Sunny Day in Glasgow. Franny and I head to the Mercury Lounge around 11:30 to catch these guys after braving the tundra of Manhattan. The dreamy shoegaze sound blasted through the speakers and invaded the small club with such power that it swallowed the crowd. The lush soundscapey textures combined delayed droning guitar, hazy electronica, and tremendous female harmonies recalling the 90's sound of the Cranberries. The band packed the set list with jams from both albums as well as a few new ones. Although they had to over come so tour opening technical difficulties the band still powered through giving each song full rich sound.

The White Stripes - Under Great White Northern Lights

Back in 2007 the White Stripes toured Canada for their 10th anniversary playing in every province and doing unique shows exclusively for the tour. Now the band is releasing a special commemorative box set including a documentary of the tour and an accompanying live album. The documentary, directed by Emmett Malloy, highlights the White Stripes explosive live show and off-stage moments across Canada. The box set ships March 16th and the film is screening globally.

Broken Social Scene - "World Sick"

It has been five years since the last, self-titled, Broken Social Scene record and today the band dropped the first single from their highly anticipated new album Forgiveness Rock Record out May 4. Once again the album will feature a great guest list including Feist, members of Pavement, and members of Tortoise/Sea and Cake. The epic almost seven minute track "World Sick" is available for a free download on the band's website and it sounds just as one would hope.

Japandroids - "Art Czars"

Noise rockers Japandroids have long list of tour dates ahead so they won't be releasing a follow-up to 2009's awesome Post-Nothing but fans need not worry. According to Pitchfork the band intend to release five limited edition 7" singles this year of unreleased songs backed with classic covers. First up is a song called "Art Czars" which they were playing last fall. Looking forward to all that follow. Learn more over at the fork or support independent music (and the economy) and buy the single at Polyvinyl.

mp3: Japandroids - "Art Czar"

No Age on Daytrotter

No Age dropped some new and unreleased tracks on Daytrotter today. The four previously unheard songs keep in check with the noise rockers classic stylings, the best the genre has served up in my opinion. Not too many of these noise bands have been able to keep my attention, but these guys keep in tradition with DYI customs and generally prefer the basement all-ages show atmosphere in opposition to the typical rock venue. Plus, along with Japandroids, they play the best guitar/drum punk around. They describe the track below as "very Husker to me, which is never a bad thing, this version shreds." Check out more over at Daytrotter.

mp3: No Age - "Depletion"

Joanna Newsom - "81"

After Joanna Newsom released the beyond epic Ys in 2006 I often wondered how she would follow up an album of that caliber. Recently she announced that she had risen to the challenge and would be releasing a triple album, yes triple on CD as well as vinyl, called Have One On Me which she described as a blend between her first two records. The first track from the album was quickly posted on the Drag City website and another one ("Good Intentions Paving Company") has appeared today. Both tracks sound great and are building my anticipation for the full release and her upcoming tour this spring.

mp3: Joanna Newsom - "81"