The BXI EP will be out in August. In the meantime, here’s a promotional poster nabbed from Southern Lord and a clip of Ian Astbury and Boris perfoming “The End” by The Doors . In regards to Boris, Astbury says, “If you’re not listening; you’re not paying attention and, Lou Reed , I don’t understand why you fall asleep to hear this music. These are your children.” I think I got the quote right. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Another in a series of self-recorders that seem to be making some interesting musical strides of late, ( Ariel Pink and Wavves garnering many headlines lately), Paul A. Rosales will be releasing his debut album, Wonder Wheel I , on July 27th. His new single, “Crimes,” is now available on 7” through Care in the Community Recordings . “Crimes” is a mostly mellow rock track, Rosales’ voice steeped in stretched layers of reverb. The bass line reminds me of some low rent variation of “White Wedding,” though the song itself is rich in inexpensive lo-fi and very loose in terms of composition. ”Crimes” Here are some details on the young Rosales: When Paul A. Rosales isn't busy with college, he's helping produce tracks for bands like LA lo-fi female duo Pearl Harbor ( Mexican Summer ), performing in his hometown of Los Angeles, and coming to the East Coast to collaborate with the father of home & tape recording, R Stevie Moore . In addition to all that, Rosales is also w...

I’m not sure if this will outdo the amazing Beatles remasters that came out last year, but this is still a pretty significant undertaking. Because there are so many releases to keep track of, I’ll let the press release explain. Via EMI Press Release: Photo: Iain Macmillan. © Yoko Ono. JOHN LENNON GIMME SOME TRUTH JOHN LENNON ALBUMS REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MIXES AND NEW COLLECTIONS COMPILED FOR GLOBAL “GIMME SOME TRUTH” CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING IN OCTOBER THE GRAMMY AWARD WINNING ALBUM 'DOUBLE FANTASY' WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE IN A NEWLY REMIXED 'STRIPPED DOWN' VERSION PRODUCED BY YOKO ONO AND JACK DOUGLAS Sweeping Catalogue Initiative Overseen by Yoko Ono and EMI Music Commemorates Lennon’s 70th Birthday London, England – June 29, 2010 – Eight of John Lennon’s classic solo albums and other standout recordings have been digitally remastered from his original mixes for a global catalogue initiative commemorating the music legend’s 70th birthday, which falls on October ...

Microphonies Tttiiimmmeeekkkiiilllsss Track Number Records Released: 6.15.10 Were Microphonies a living character, he’d be the quintessential iNerd, overdosing on Butthole Surfers and Captain Beefheart albums with caffeinated exuberance, a network of plugs and snot coursing through his veins. The vision of musician Sam Farfsing , Microphonies is turbulent and often ridiculous, his ramblings about asymmetry, Los Angeles, Beatles loathing and copycats somewhat lost in the midst of his self-generated computerized bleeps, garage instruments and oddity. His album, Tttiiimmmeeekkkiiilllsss , (or Time Kills as it will heretofore be referred), is a disjointed byproduct of Farsfing’s ambition, segment length songs seeming to cater to an American hardcore fan’s attention span. Having noted hardcore, the music does have attitude and snarl to it, ensuring that songs like “Vexxxed,” “Vatican City Pretties,” “Bowwowwow,” and “Flakey MC Flackerton” some level of resonance with the punk/altern...

The following is a quote from The RZA ’s Twitter : ”It's my birthday! BONG” In recognition of The RZA’s birthday, I’d like to turn your attention to “Wu-Gambinos” from Raekwon ’s classic, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... . Aside from the fact that this album encompasses some of RZA’s best and most innovative production work, (Gotta love those crudely collaged orchestrations), I was always drawn to his appearance on this track, particularly the muted reprise of the song’s chorus just before RZA, vocal impediment in place, rattles off his phrases with a commanding presence that almost outshines everyone else’s contribution. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Austin’s Woven Bones released In and Out and Back Again on May 18th through HoZac Records . “Your Way With My Life” is the type of song that makes you glad you’re into rock music, its reverb-laden sneer almost blissful along with the song’s unpolished edges. There’s something refreshingly analog about both the song and the video, the VHS grit deep enough to hear. The sing is fairly high-tempo, tendrils of down tuned guitar sounds and scratchy bass rhythm churning out a really great Monday morning listen. Another 2010 release to add to the wish list. Via Stereogum : Via Force Field PR: West Coast Dates: 06/26 - Chicago, IL — Reckless Records Wicker Park In-Store 5pm 06/26 - Chicago, IL — Empty Bottle 06/27 - Indianapolis, IN — Vollrath Tavern (My Old Kentucky Blog Presents) ^ 06/28 - Fort Wayne, IN — The Brass Rail 06/29 - Cleveland, OH — Now That's Class 06/30 - Pittsburgh, PA — Brillobox 07/01 - Brooklyn, NY — Bruar Falls ~ 07/02 - New York, NY — Pier 17 / South Street Sea...

"I Think I Lost My Headache" may be one of the most hypnotic rock songs I've ever heard. With news of a 2-disc reissue of Rated R , the second album (and first major label release) from Queens of the Stone Age , my mind goes directly to this song, its steel drums shuffling behind cymbal crashed rhythm, the stringy guitar phrases an eerie and magnetic introduction to sonic dismay and then that trumpeted outro that goes on forever. It's one of those moments that make Rated R as monumental as it is, a rock album that derided the so-called "garage revival" before it had really even begun to take shape while acting as a blueprint for their breakthrough album. Consider it QOTSA's Revolver , a drug-induced headtrip of excited neo-psychedelia, quick-chord retro punk and experimental proto-punk that wasn't quite refined enough for mass consumption, but perfect for anyone that knew what they were listening to. With follow-up Songs For The Deaf , QOTSA too...

A couple days ago, I posted a link for a free download from Blonde Redhead , an electronic piece of light and airy New Wave dubbed, "Here Sometimes." According to Beggars Group , this is the single from their upcoming album, Penny Sparkle . Via Beggars Group: Blonde Redhead return this fall with the release of Penny Sparkle, the sublime new album from the fêted New York trio. Released on September 14th (13th outside the US), Penny Sparkle – the band’s third for 4AD - marks another sonic twist in their already adventurous canon. It was made over the last year with the band journeying between New York and Stockholm to work with production duo Van Rivers and The Subliminal Kid ( Fever Ray, Glasser ) and as with their previous album, 23 , Alan Moulder ( Depeche Mode, My Bloody Valentine, Yeah Yeah Yeahs ) was enlisted to mix it. Kazu Mazino from the band speaks of the record: “I can't say what Penny Sparkle is about just yet. I remember talking to Ed (from 4AD) one da...

A couple weeks ago, I got to post Black Mountain 's newest single, "Old Fangs." Today, I get to post its visual accompaniment: Once again, Black Mountain's Wilderness Heart will be out September 14th and is now available for preorder if you want the album a couple weeks before it hits the shelves. I guess the world is one big shark tank. I may as well re-post the band's upcoming tour dates: 06/23/10 Kamloops, BC - Pogue Mahone w/ Lord Beginner 06/24/10 Calgary, AB - Republik w/ Lord Beginner 06/25/10 Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room w/ Lord Beginner 06/26/10 Saskatoon, SK - Amigo's w/ Lord Beginner 06/27/10 Regina, SK - The Exchange w/ Lord Beginner, Orbital Express 06/28/10 Winnipeg, MB - The Garrick Centre w/ Lord Beginner, Sleepy Sun 06/30/10 Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon w/ David Vandervelde 07/01/10 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall w/ David Vandervelde 07/02/10 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick w/ David Vandervelde 07/03/10 London, ON - Call the Office w/ ...

Stoner rock band Stone Axe is releasing a split 7” with Mighty High , which sort of tells you that the album is going to be a smoked out 45rpm revolution. Curious, I checked out a video from Stone Axe’s self-titled LP, a song called “Riders of the Night.” Stone Axe kicks a solid groove. I won’t say that they’re much different from a lot of the so-called inhalant bands out there, but they’re tight and the song is really good. The 7” is out June 25th via Ripple Music and Stone Axe will be opening for Saint Vitus during a small tour out West. Via Ripple Music: Stone Axe and Mighty High Pair Up For A Searing Slab of Fuzzed-Out Stoner Rock Just in time for their West Coast tour in support of the godfathers of Stoner Rock, St. Vitus, Stone Axe has announced that they will be releasing an exclusive split 7" with the Brooklyn-based stoner cretins Mighty High. This two-song disc features ground-breaking material from both acts. For Stone...

Blonde Redhead have a new song out titled “Here Sometimes” that’s available for download on their website . Photo By Pier Nicola D'Amico (picked up from 4AD ) “Here Sometimes” is an electro-rock track, the band possibly embracing New Wave possibilities in the same way that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs did with last year’s, It’s Blitz! . Not that Blonde Redhead haven’t entertained some sort of technological revolution within their music at points, but they’ve always been more of a rock band and have never seemed so fully entrenched in this sort of digitized easy listening. As usual, for the price of an email address, the song can be yours. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Via Earsplit PR : Legendary stoner rock band SLEEP split in 1997 after two hugely influential albums. Members went on to form underground heroes OM and High On Fire , and more recently metal supergroup Shrinebuilder . This Fall, original members Al Cisneros and Matt Pike will be joined by drummer Jason Roeder of Neurosis to perform the seminal Holy Mountain album as well as selections from Dopesmoker and more. SLEEP debuted with 1991's Volume One album, recorded for San Francisco label Tupelo. Earache Records received the band’s next recordings in the mail as a demo. The label -- impressed by SLEEP's single-mindedness and unique vision -- immediately signed the band and released the tape exactly as it was received. Record stores worldwide stocked SLEEP’s Holy Mountain from November 1992 to this day. The band then signed to London Records. Their debut album for the major took the form of one mammoth 63-minute leviathan of a track entitled "Jerusalem." The b...

To Paul, Writing as a fan and not so much a critic of your work, I've taken the unpopular position that your post- Beatles output took the most risks and made the largest impression from an artistic standpoint. But, because you've always been a titan of public relations, your reputation at times overshadowed your work. Next to John Lennon , who for a time did strive to embody an avant-garde and subversive ideology, (thanks to the influence of his artist second wife), you're the "safe" Beatle, the contemporary rockstar who's aged along with the people running the show. As The Beatles once stood as somewhat of a societal downfall in the eyes of parents, because nothing speaks of the onset of immorality and anarchy louder than long hair, you're now "one of them" I guess. It's something even you've acknowledged. Didn't you put yourself in line with being "twee" in your song "English Tea?" I think that both you a...

154 really doesn't get the credit it should. Preceded by the seminal Pink Flag and Chairs Missing , 154 is considered Wire 's break-up tape and was apparently developed under the stress of creative differences and pressure from EMI to produce an album's worth of accessible singles. "The 15th" was intended to be the bullet and I could imagine it appealing to a more generalized public, more so at least than "12XU" or "I Am The Fly" may have. But, Wire refused to release it as such because the song wasn't performed by the full band. In essence, 154 was Wire's White Album , its entire being shaped by individuals as opposed to band members. They broke up the year after its release in 1980. Out of their initial phase, 154 has two of my favorite Wire songs: "The 15th" and "Two People In A Room." "The 15th" could've been the inspiration behind My Blood Valentine 's Loveless , it's sensitiv...

On June 9th, electro-rockers, Phantogram , contributed some tracks for Daytrotter. Not being all that familiar with the band, I very much enjoyed their set, especially the mesmerizing "Make A Fist," which is a fairly tense and nervous mix of repetition and dissonance. You can find the session here. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

VOICEs VOICEs ' Origins was an album I reviewed back in February. Their single, "Flulyk Visions," has just received the video treatment and an EP by the duo dubbed, Sounds Outside , is being reissued by Lefse Records . Check out the video and, if you're interested, you can find the review for Origins at No Ripcord . VOICES VOICES "Flulyk VIsions" Music Video [HD] from CrazyGoodness on Vimeo . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Coffinworm When All Became None Profound Lore Released: 4.13.10 Stereokiller review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

The Melvins The Bride Screamed Murder Ipecac Recordings Released: 6.1.10 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Hollenlarm Javelina Black Breath Kung-Fu Necktie Philadelphia, PA 6.2.10 Indulge for me a moment while I recompile all the wondrous images that I’d gathered in my head a little over a week ago during Black Breath ’s impressive display the night of June 2nd: Beat-up Vans, cut-off shorts, t-shirts tattered with crackled silkscreened names like Brutal Truth and Septic Death , the stench of heat, B.O. and rock music, my sizzled eardrums squealing high frequency dialing that made any subsequent silence that night less than golden. It was a good night at the Necktie, a night of noise pollutant sweet enough to convince the most depressed individual that he should carry on at least one more night, long enough to at least enjoy some aggro-tinged thrash metal. Had it been an all-ages night, there would’ve been some fucked up children to deal with having gained sooooooo much newfound appreciation for the truth that their Disturbed records had been denying them for so long. For clarity’s sake,...

Last week, psych-meets-black metal band Nachtmystium released their new album, Addicts: Black Meddle, Part II . The first single off the album, “No Funeral,” really didn’t do much for me, its pop metallic dance punk combo a real stretch, albeit a ballsy one. It’s like listening to Duran Duran loaded up on downers and Venom records, which, on paper, carries the potential for train wreck fascination. But, once the novelty wears off, there’s little else to fall in love with. However, “Every Last Drop,” which is the album’s closing track, finds Nachtmystium wallowing in one of the more interesting and cavernous epic eight minutes worth of clanging reverb and spatial dismay I’ve heard in recent memory. It opens with throat singing, chants and drives like slow moving doom, acoustic strings and guitar solos layered collage-like, thickening the maelstrom. Both tracks can be found at Stereogum . Also, Nachtmystium leader Blake Judd ’s other band Twilight released a fantastic album ea...

So, I can and will say that one of my favorite releases to come out this year is The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night by The Besnard Lakes . I can and will also say that one of my favorite singles to come out this year is their impassioned and anthemic song, “Albatross,” which now has a video. Just a warning, since this is now the second time I’ve posted this song: I will do anything and everything I can to make sure this album is heard and appreciated, (if not loved), by all. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Candle To Your Eyes , the new album by Montreal quartet, Shapes and Sizes , has been one of the more pleasant surprises I’ve experienced this year. Their first single, “Tell Your Mum,” has some math, some pop and some Beet-like narratives spoken overtop the song’s otherwise disciplined and determined bridge. Candle To Your Eyes will be out August 3rd via Asthmatic Kitty and it’s a very enjoyable album. A review will follow. “Tell Your Mum” Via press release from Terrorbird Media : It's one of the first days of spring here in Montreal. The sun feels warm, and new green is imminent. There's a buzz all around on days like these. The winter was cold and long, but it makes the spring sweeter. Shapes and Sizes settled here three years ago. I say "settled" because prior to their arrival here they kept a rigorous touring schedule. Touring with The National , Yeasayer , opening shows for the Silver Jews , Sufjan Stevens ; too many shows to get into specifics. So when th...

Black Mountain ’s new album, Wilderness Heart , is being released September 14th of this year. They’ve released the single, “Old Fangs,” (as opposed to Them Crooked Vultures ’ “New Fang”), for download per your decision to submit them an email address. The song is a very cool, very rock n’ roll merging of arena rock Boston style and the surf-drenched slacker tones of Fu Manchu . Anticipation level is pretty high for this one. Via Jagjaguwar press release : Black Mountain's third LP, Wilderness Heart , was built on the west coast of America, in part at London Bridge Studios in Seattle with producer Randall Dunn ( Boris, Sunn O))), Kinski ) and predominantly in Hollywood at Sunset Sound with producer Dave Sardy ( Oasis, Wolfmother, LCD Soundsystem ). Each studio's environs and producer had a great impact on what was recorded there - the LA sessions having a free and summery vibe and the ones in Seattle a chillier, more claustrophic feeling. The new record is packed with...

The Hardly Art label is releasing a retrospective compilation of the underappreciated Carissa's Weird entitled, They’ll Only Miss You When You Leave: Songs 1996-2003 . The compilation will be out July 13th with reissues of their albums, Ugly But Honest , Your Should Be At Home Here , and Songs About Leaving , slated to release this Fall. A run of 7” singles featuring the songs “Die” b/w “Sharing A Hole” are being made available through a preorder offer with Hardly Art. “Sharing A Hole” is apparently exclusive to this release, having only ever appeared on a tour EP that was self-released. First 50 orders gets the 7” and, for those who care, it’s pink. “Die” does get a bit epic at points, but the melodies and vocals are sort of amazing in their own way, emotionally quilted together and impossible to ignore. Not being too familiar with Carissa’s Weird, I’d take “Die” as an indication of quality, convincing enough that the compilation would be worth a moment or two to absorb. ”D...

From Earsplit PR : Southern Lord proudly announces an incredible collaboration between label artists Boris and Ian Astbury of The Cult and The Doors ! This finely-crafted four-song mini release, simply entitled BXI , was tracked and mixed in Tokyo in late April. Astbury's vocals are a perfect match for Boris's straightforward, laid-back, but still raw and imaginative songwriting constructed for the EP; another intriguing display within the band's ever-morphing, extensive résumé of releases, tours and collaborations. To see official CD, LP and digital release this September via Southern Lord, BXI will showcase the already unclassifiable rock of Boris in an entirely new light, and shows a new side one of rock and roll's most notorious singers. The release features three new original tracks, as well as a cover of The Cult's song "Rain", ethereally vocalized by Boris guitarist Wata . Art and design for the release was commissioned to Stephen O'Malley...

From Cornerstone PR : SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 24, 2010) - The Levi's® brand continues in its tradition of bringing great jeans and great music together with today's launch of Levi's® Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings - a new and innovative campaign that champions musical artists who embody the pioneering spirit of the Levi's® brand. An original series of musical recordings by a diverse roster of talented musicians, Levi's® Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings features remakes of hits from past decades inspired by renowned artists. The first two songs in the series will be released this week - hip hop superstar, Nas , covering "Hey Young World" by hip hop trailblazer Slick Rick and folk rock duo, The Swell Season 's rendition of the 70s disco hit, "Young Hearts Run Free" by Candi Staton . Both songs will be available for free download, May 24th and May 27th respectively, at www.levi.com . Beginning today through the first of July...