So, there are 500 of these available for pre-order .  If you have money and meet the appropriate criteria recommended before purchasing, (like, if you're a Liars fan and you really want to own their upcoming new album, Mess , in some physical manner), you should probably think about picking this up.   Me?  I'm broke.  I know that the asking price of $35 is generous, but it's a couple days till payday and the family has to eat. And, to be honest, this is the type of specialized, high-value album I would NEVER play.  It's a vacuum-sealed gate-fold with REAL string housing clear vinyl: it checks off all the little boxes that qualify the release as both inventive and instantly collectable.  And, then there's that whole "limited edition" thing.  While the designer and visual fetishist in me believes that this album is somehow necessary for the preservation of my ability to work creatively and remain inspired (which, to some extent, might be true), the au...

Pontiak INNOCENCE Thrill Jockey Records Released: 1.28.14 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Ought : "Waiting" (via Rarely Unable/Soundcloud) Wolf People : "When the Fire is Dead in the Grate" (via Sure Shot PR/YouTube) PINS : "Waiting For the End" (via [PIAS] America/ Brooklyn Vegan /Vimeo) PINS - Waiting For The End from PINS on Vimeo . Christina Vantzou : "Going Backwards to Recover That Which Was Left Behind" (via Rarely Unable/ Kranky /Soundcloud) TOY : "It's Been So Long" (via [PIAS] America/YouTube Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

I was a fan of The Body 's very disturbing 2010 release, All the Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood . That being said, the band's 2013 release, Christs, Redeemers , escaped me, the misfortune of which has only been compounded by my awareness of the ridiculously uncomfortable tracks, "Shrouded" and "To Attempt Openness." The news of The Body's upcoming European tour brought me to the videos, which I feel compelled to attach because they're both very creepy, suitable visual components for the music.  I consider The Body's art expert in its ability to remove any notion of joy from one's life, their amplified misery both compelling and awful. The Body - Shrouded from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo . The Body - To Attempt Openness from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo . All info comes courtesy of Thrill Jockey Records. THE BODY ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN TOUR AND FESTIVAL APPEARANCES IN APRIL AND MAY We are very pleased to announce The Body...

Do you miss Ween ? It's likely you'll be missing them for years to come, then. However, Qui is pretty cool and seems to have embraced the same goofy duo dynamic that Ween possessed, sans the overt genre parody. The track "Whateryoudoin'?" takes the group's creative relationship and twists into this this comedic love song addressing the growing romantic tension between them.  The track is featured in their upcoming new album, Life, Water, Living... , will be out in late February.  All info and links are courtesy of Us/Them Group. Qui premiere second video via SPIN from forthcoming album, tour with Moistboyz  L.A. duo Qui premiere the second video from their forthcoming third album today via SPIN. The clip, for "Whateryadoin?" is available to watch/share HERE . Hot on the heels of the album release, Qui take to the road with fabled hard rock band Moistboyz (ex- Ween , Mondo Generator ) on the west coast. Please see all dates below....

Punk'ish interpretation of the Shangri-Las ' dynamic?  Yeah, I enjoyed Vivian Girls .  While the lo-fi Spector thing has lost some of its novelty, and the Girls themselves have split off into a bunch of separate entities ( La Sera , The Babies , Upset and every Frankie Rose project), it's not too surprising (though disappointing) that the band has decided to call it a day.  A note from the band was offered as their obit and two farewell shows have been announced. I reviewed Share The Joy , the band's 2011 release, for Kicking Against The Pricks . All info comes courtesy of Force Field PR.   Vivian Girls announce split, playing farewell shows in NY & LA Vivian Girls have announced their official split with the announcement of farewell shows in NY & LA. The girls will continue to focus on other projects - Katy with La Sera (new album due later this year), Cassie with The Babies and solo work, and Ali with Upset. A note from the band: Br...

Pontiak : "Wildfires" (via Thrill Jockey Records/Soundcloud) New Bums : "The Killers and Me" (via Rarely Unable/ Drag City /YouTube) Mt. Royal : "Missing Reward" (via PIAS/ Brooklyn Vegan /YouTube) Doomsquad : "Disremember/Dismemberment" (via Force Field PR/ Noisey /Soundcloud) C O L L E C T R E S S : "Spell" (via Rarely Unable/Soundcloud) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead