A&E FYI: These are Powers coming to Minnesota with Bird Names

THESE ARE POWERS ANNOUNCE U.S.TOUR

INCLUDES DATES WITH ABE VIGODA, BIRD NAMES

These Are Powers, the Brooklyn/Chicago based trio of future primitives have announced plans for a United States tour. The dates include select performances with Abe Vigoda, Bird Names and US Girls and begin February 25 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, wrapping on March 26 in Chapel Hill North Carolina. Touring in support of their Dead Oceans debut All Aboard Future, These Are Powers live shows are legit face melters - subsonic bass rumbles, club beats and Betty Davis swagger- are not for the wary and should not be missed. Music for tomorrows peace movement never sounded so brilliantly chaotic. Tour dates and more information below.


www.myspace.com/thesearepowers

www.thesearepowers.com

www.deadoceans.com


"Pure musical freedom allows this trio to piggyback hymnal melodies over dense noise collages, club beats and ragas. Infinitely dynamic and wildly improvisational, the sum result is no less than a new language in sound." VILLAGE VOICE


"Guitars emulate warping sheets of metal, and drums and vocals alike sound like they're bouncing off the walls of a cavernous abandoned warehouse." PITCHFORK


TOUR DATES:

Feb 25 2009

The Marvelous Music w/U.S. Girls
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Feb 26 2009

Lava Lounge w/ U.S. Girls
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Feb 27 2009

The Hideout w/ Birdnames, Gatekeeper, DJs Hunter Husar, Alex Valentine
Chicago, Illinois

Feb 28 2009

Grinnell College - Gardner Lounge w/Bird Names
Grinnell, Iowa

Mar 1 2009

Triple Rock Social Club w/Bird Names
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Mar 2 2009

Box Awesome
Lincoln, Nebraska

Mar 3 2009

Rhinoceropolis
Denver, Colorado

Mar 4 2009


Kilby Court
Salt Lake City, Utah

Mar 6 2009

Vera Project
Seattle, Washington

Mar 7 2009

The Northern
Olympia, Washington

Mar 8 2009

Backspace
Portland, Oregon

Mar 11 2009

Tion
Chico, California

Mar 12 2009

Crepe Place
Santa Cruz, California

Mar 13 2009

Totally Intense Fractal Mindgaze
Oakland, California

Mar 14 2009

Hemlock Tavern
San Francisco, California

Mar 15 2009

The Echo/Part Time Punks
L.A., California

Mar 16 2009

Phix Gallery w/ Abe Vigoda, Wavves
Phoenix, Arizona

Mar 17 2009

TBD
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mar 19 2009


SXSW

Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009

SXSW

Austin, Texas
Mar 21 2009

Mar 23 2009

121 Milsaps
Jackson, Mississippi

Mar 24 2009

Eyedrum Gallery
Atlanta, Georgia

Mar 25 2009

Caledonia Lounge
Athens, Georgia

Mar 26 2009

Nightlight
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Mar 27 2009

Richmond TBA w/Diamond Black Hearted Boy, more!
Richmond, Virginia

~Information courtesy Biz3

A&E FYI: Funeral Party hitting MPLS with ...Trail of Dead

Funeral Party Announce Tour w/...Trail Of Dead * Debut Album Out April 21st

Funeral Party will be hitting the road with ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead next month as direct support on their full US tour. See confirmed dates below. The band is also confirmed for SXSW 2009. Funeral Party's debut album is set for release on April 21st and music will be available in the near future. In the meantime, their digital only The Bootleg EP is out now at all digital retailers featuring their blogger approved jam "Car Wars."

Described by the LA Times as "a quintet of electro-charged youngsters from East L.A.. At moments recalling the dance-punk revivalism of early Moving Units and The Rapture and at others bouncing along to a skittish cowbell like LCD Soundsystem." The band's universal appeal to dance, funk, disco and punk fans alike has contributed to their rising popularity.

Funeral Party just completed their first full US tour as direct support for Yelle and are currently putting the finishing touches on their debut album at The Mars Volta's studio in Los Angeles which will be released April 21st. The band is going to be all over SXSW this year so get them on your radar! "Car Wars" is the focus track.

Confirmed Dates w/Trail Of Dead:
Feb 19 2009 8:00P - Granada Theatre Dallas, Texas
Feb 20 2009 8:00P - Walter’s Houston, Texas
Feb 21 2009 8:00P - One Eyed Jack’s New Orleans, Louisiana
Feb 23 2009 8:00P - Social Orlando, Florida
Feb 24 2009 8:00P - The Earl Atlanta, Georgia
Feb 25 2009 8:00P - Cat’s Cradle Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Feb 26 2009 8:00P - Rock and Roll Cafe Washington D.C.,
Mar 1 2009 8:00P - Middle East Boston, Massachusetts
Mar 3 2009 8:00P - La Sala Montreal, Quebec
Mar 4 2009 8:00P - Lee’s Palace Toronto, Ontario
Mar 5 2009 8:00P - Pike Room Detroit, Michigan
Mar 6 2009 8:00P - Logan Square Auditorium Chicago, Illinois
Mar 7 2009 8:00P - Triple Rock Social Club Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 9 2009 8:00P - Bluebird Denver, Colorado
Mar 10 2009 8:00P - Urban Salt Lake City, Utah
Mar 12 2009 8:00P - Neumo’s Seattle, Washington
Mar 13 2009 8:00P - Richard’s on Richards Vancouver, British Columbia
Mar 14 2009 8:00P - Berbati’s Portland, Oregon
Mar 16 2009 8:00P - Slim’s San Francisco, California
Mar 17 2009 8:00P - Echo Plex Los Angeles, California

~Information courtesy WMG

Avenpitch, P.O.S., AM rubin, Middle States, Jamestown Story, Phoenix Productions, Drew Danburry, 'Epicly Later'd,' George Kaplan and more!

Words of wisdom: Never follow up a night of watching "Fire in the Sky" and reading about UFO abductions by listening to the Massive Attack album "100th Window." Talk about creepy....

"CD Reviews: Avenpitch, Middle States and Drew Danburry" :: Albums enjoyed this week: Avenpitch’s “Cast Off,” Middle States’ “Happy Fun Party” and Drew Danburry’s “This Could Mean Trouble, You Don’t Speak for the Club.”

"DVD Reviews: 'Epicly Later'd' and 'An American Carol'" :: An episode guide for the first volume of Vice’s skateboarder-documentary show, “Epicly Later’d,” and some fresh hate for “An American Carol,” one of the worst comedies to surface in some time.

"Megan Abel's Phoenix Productions Dance Troupe Strikes Back" :: A conversation with dancer Megan Abel, who is readying Phoenix Productions’ second big show, “Because We Believe 2009.”

"AM rubin: Most Eclectic Father-Son Band Ever?" :: AM rubin, Duluth's pre-eminent family-based musical collective, covers everything from Steve Earle to Guided by Voices’ “Smothered in Hugs” and Elvis Costello’s “The Comedians." Hear how this unique band came to be.

"Defend Your Castle: Innovative Security Products You Might Want to Look Into" :: No matter how reassuring lowering crime statistics can be, some of us just like to feel extra-safe at home. Here are a couple products to help you out with that.

"First Impressions of ... P.O.S.'s 'Never Better'" :: A track-by-track breakdown of P.O.S.'s new disc, which, as its title implies, finds the Minneapolis rapper (and Doomtree member) moving ahead at full force.

"Dane Says: Grandma's Sports Garden is the Best (Only?) Place to Be Jan. 29" :: Seven bands will play the Canal Park hotspot Jan. 29 — including a new Motion City Soundtrack side project — and, to get a little personal perspective on this monumental event, we’ve asked Jamestown Story’s Dane Schmidt to provide some “color commentary.”

"Second Pants Production a 'Beautiful Mess'" :: For its sophomore offering, Kelli Latuska and Michelle Juntunen's production company, By the Seat of Your Pants, is tackling David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Rabbit Hole."

"Rabble-Rouser George Kaplan Returns to Beaner's" :: Considering that his stage name comes from Alfred Hitchcock’s sprawling masterpiece “North by Northwest,” it’s natural to feel a sense of urgency when you listen to the rambunctious ramblings of this St. Paul musician.

Thus concludes what will hopefully be the second and last This Fortnight's Shameless Budgeteer Plug!

Get yer ya-ya's out and download Cracker's Superior concert for free!

If you'll remember, Cracker's late-July performance at Superior's Head of the Lakes Fair was a big one for me. Not only did I review the show and write a column about how much I love the band, but I also got to interview guitarist Johnny Hickman.

So, I just had to smile when I stumbled upon the entire concert posted at Archive.org as a free, David Lowery-sanctioned download. Get it now at www.archive.org/details/Cracker2008-07-25.matrix. Many thanks to the taper, TAS aka morst!

In case you missed it, the set list is available elsewhere on this blog.

p.s. Cracker's new album, "Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey," will be released in May by 429 Records. Hail!

A&E FYI: Indie rock 'semi-legends' Clem Snide return!

CLEM SNIDE’S “HUNGRY BIRD” SET FOR RELEASE FEB 24

Band’s 2006 Album Surfaces on 429 Records

“Hungry Bird” the sixth full-length recording by indie rock semi-legends Clem Snide will finally see the light of day on February 24^th courtesy of 429 Records. Completed in the spring of 2006 it was produced by Clem Snide founder Eef Barzelay and recorded and mixed by Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Silver Jews—he also worked on the 2005 Clem Snide release “End of Love”). Throughout 2006, a series of painful and bitter breakups both within the band and with their longtime manager and booking agent occurred and the future of Clem Snide seemed uncertain at best. With the release of “Hungry Bird,” Barzelay is hoping to put an end to any and all rumors he may have started regarding the death of Clem Snide. In fact, come the spring of 2009, Eef and Clem Snide will valiantly attempt to bring these songs and other fan favorites to clubs and theatres all over Europe and the United States.

This year, Eef Barzelay and 429 Records shared in the release of his second solo recording, the much-lauded “Lose Big” (the follow up to “Bitter Honey”). He’s also nurturing a successful film scoring career with the acclaimed scores to “Rocket Science” (directed by Jeffrey Blitz) and “Yellow Handkerchief” (directed by Udayan Prasad) under his belt with more to come.

“Hungry Bird” features Eef Barzelay on vocals and guitar, Pete Fitzpatrick on guitar and banjo, Brendan Fitzpatrick on bass, Ben Martin on drums and percussion, Tony Hamel on piano, organ and accordion, Roy Agee on trombone and a special spoken word performance by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Franz Wright (on “Encounter at 3AM”).

“HUNGRY BIRD” track listing:

1) Me No

2) Born A Man

3) Hum

4) Burn the Light

5) Encounter at 3AM

6) The Endless Endings

7) Our Time Will Come

8) Beard of Bees

9) Pray

10) With All My Heart

Bonus EP (available on copies purchased through independent retailers)

1) Ure Gent

2) I Need You Now

3) Death of Silvertone

4) Close the Door

5) South American Lullaby

~Information courtesy Clem Snide's people

A&E FYI: New Brother Ali EP+DVD coming March 10!

So sayeth the Rhymesayers machine:

It’s been two years since Brother Ali released the critically acclaimed
album The Undisputed Truth, and as the Rhymesayers lyrical heavyweight
and producer Ant put the finishing touches on their upcoming follow up
(Fall ‘09) the dynamic duo cap off the last two years with a new EP and a
full-length DVD called "The Truth is Here."
Nine tracks featuring two highly sought after b-sides and seven new and
previously unreleased songs including “Philistine David”, which was
featured in the Jonathan Demme directed documentary, Jimmy Carter
Man From Plains and “The Believer” a collaboration with Slug of
Atmosphere. In addition to the new EP, The Truth Is Here also contains
a full length DVD that features Brother Ali’s sold out homecoming
performance during The Undisputed Truth Tour at the legendary
First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis as well as interviews, a special
commentary by Brother Ali, and videos of “Take Me Home” and “Uncle
Sam Goddamn” from The Undisputed Truth. The Truth Is Here captures
a key period in the career of what many have called one of the most
promising voices to emerge from the underground this century and will
be a must have for any and every Brother Ali fan.

TRACKLISTING:
1. REAL AS CAN BE
2. PHILISTINE DAVID
3. LITTLE RODNEY
4. PALM THE JOKER
5. GOOD LORD
6. BABY DON’T GO
7. TALKIN’ MY SHIT
8. THE BELIEVER feat. Slug
9. BEGIN HERE

SELLING POINTS:
•Produced by Ant (Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Felt, etc.)
•Includes Full-Length DVD with Live Performance,
Interviews, Commentary, Videos and more.
•Vinyl version includes the DVD, a Second Record with the
Instrumentals, and a Digital Download Card.
•The Undisputed Truth has scanned 57,100 RTD and debuted
#6 Independent and #69 Top 200 on the Billboard charts.
•“Philistine David” was featured in the Jonathan Demme
documentary Jimmy Carter Man From Plains and “Good Lord”
was featured in the live comedy film Allah Made Me Funny.
•Brother Ali has recently been featured on two highly lauded
collaborations in 2008: Jake One’s “The Truth” with Rocafella
recording artist Freeway and DJ Benzi’s “2nd Time Around”
with Mark Ronson protege and Interscope recording artist Wale.
•Brother Ali played over 150 shows in 2007 & 2008 including the
Hip Hop Live! Tour, Coachella, Bumbershoot, Rothbury,
Paid Dues festivals, and TV performances on Conan O’Brien
and Craig Ferguson.

A&E FYI: Watson Twins tour with Kweller, hit up MPLS

THE WATSON TWINS ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICA TOUR AND NEW EP, Live At Fingerprints

NEW RECORDING DUE ON VANGUARD FEBRUARY 17

The Watson Twins, named for identical twins Chandra and Leigh Watson have announced the release of their new EP Live at Fingerprints February 17 on Vanguard Records. The six songs featured on the record capture the pair at their finest - performing acoustic versions of selections from their Vanguard Debut Fire Songs (including a previously unreleased track, 'Rebel Soldier') in an intimate setting at one the epicenters of independent music - Fingerprints in Long Beach, California. Live at Fingerprints was recorded and mixed by Morgan Lowry who has previously recorded "Live at Fingerprints" sessions with Damien Rice, The Hold Steady and Matt Nathanson (among others).

The Watson Twins will be on tour in North America with Ben Kweller beginning February 16 in Omaha, Nebraska and concluding March 6 in Birmingham, Alabama. The Watson Twins will also be doing in-store performances at independent stores along the tour in support of the new EP. Grimey's in Nashville and Ear-X-Tacy in Louisville are confirmed to date, with more to be added.

This will be an excellent opportunity to experience why the Los Angles Times listed Fire Songs as one the best releases of 2008 in a live setting. Track listing, tour dates and more information below.

www.thewatsontwins.com
www.myspace.com/thewatsontwins

Track Listing:

1. Introduction
2. Only You
3. Old Ways
4. Just Like Heaven
5. Bar Woman Blues
6. Rebel Soldier (Previously Unreleased "Fire Songs" B-side)

Tour Dates:

2/16/2009 Omaha, NE - Slowdown
2/17/2009 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
2/18/2009 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
2/20/2009 Bloomington, IN - Buskirk-Chumley Theatre
2/21/2009 Cleveland, OH - Case Western Reserve University
2/22/2009 Toronto, Ontario, CN - The Mod Club Theatre
2/24/2009 Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre
2/25/2009 New York, NY - Town Hall Theatre
2/26/2009 Washington, DC - 930 Club
2/27/2009 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts
2/28/2009 Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
3/1/2009 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
3/3/2009 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
3/4/2009 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
3/5/2009 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
3/6/2009 Birmingham, AL - WorkPlay Theatre

~Information courtesy Biz3

Today's Moment of Zen: 'Satanic Sex Rock'

Drew Danburry is a golden god.

Today's Moment of Zen: Further proof Google hates me

Check out this "CAPTCHA" ->

sys38 :: JEFF SPODER, ACTING MAYOR

"Without music, time has a very different quality." —Rory Stewart

1. The Psychedelic Furs - "Forever Now"
If all you know of the Furs is the hits, I really hope you choose to delve deeper within a week or two. Not that their albums are going anywhere, but you owe it to yourself.

2. CSS - "Alcohol"
This Brazilian act is one of those bands where they were so hyped up at one point that I totally tuned out and didn't really give them a chance. (Until now, of course.) What a mistake that was. These are some of the most pleasant melodies to ever grace my 'phones.

3. From Bubblegum to Sky - "The King of Failed"
If you liked the "Stubbs the Zombie" soundtrack, here's some original music right up your alley. From Bubblegum to Sky, while definitely an indie pop group, emotes a fiery passion for pre-Beatles oldies. If hipsters went back in time and opened up a malt shoppe, the juke would be rockin' steady with this loose gem.

4. Bush Tetras - "Punch Drunk"
From the Electric Fetus newsletter: "Laura Kennedy was the original bassist in the legendary Bush Tetras and has made Minneapolis her home this past decade or so. This past year, Laura suffered health problems and required a liver transplant to stay alive. Luckily, last month a donor came through and she got a new liver and a new lease on life. She also has enormous medical bills." (Find out how to help out by visiting lklf.blogspot.com.)

5. The Streets - "When You Wasn't Famous"
Mike Skinner (aka the Streets) is probably the best thing the British music scene has going for it these days. Not since the Chemical Brothers dropped “Dig Your Own Hole” in 1997 have I been able to make such a sweeping statement about the country’s talent pool. [Recycled sentiment alert!]

6. Black Lips - "Starting Over" [LISTEN HERE]
The more subtle and unassuming the Black Lips get, the more I like and respect them. Their last album, "Good Bad Not Evil," was great, and something tells me this new one, "200 Million Thousand," is going to be even better.

7. Marc Gartband - "Amputate"
Even more ammo if anyone questions my decision to name this group's "Me and My Big Ego" the best Duluth release of '08. -> That's really saying a lot considering the competition.

8. Here We Go Magic - "Tunnelvision" [LISTEN HERE]
Sounds like something you'd hear on Walt Dizzo's show just around midnight. Cluttered, but joyfully so.

9. The Go-Go's - "This Town"
"Life's a kick in this town." <- Sounds like somebody's visited Superior before, eh. ... No?

10. Eric B. & Rakim - "Eric B. is President" [Dub Version]
Wish I could make beats like these.

11. Mixmaster Mike - Track 13 from "Live Beatdown, Vol. 1" [MP3]
I've had the pleasure of catching Mixmaster Mike, the Beastie Boys' DJ, in concert — opening up for Guns N' Roses in Fargo, no less — and it was a fucking blast. And, I can honestly say, his set would've been even better had the Beasties track used so liberally here ("That's It That's All") been, you know, not just a sparkle in Adrock's eye back in '02 when said concert took place.

12. Dance Band - "Feet on Fire"
Another party-startin' classic from what is arguably the best live band in America these days.

13. Matt and Kim - "Yea Yeah" [MP3]
These guys make me smile.

14. Mr. Oizo feat. Uffie - "Steroids"
I suppose I've come across as somewhat of a curmudgeon when it comes to "the new sound" — especially when reviewing groups like Boys Noize and Crystal Castles — but this Parisian electronica outfit has made a believer out of me. It only took one spin, too.

15. Deerhunter - "Nothing Ever Happened"
Doesn't necessarily live up to the group's mammoth hype, but I still like 'em a whole lot better than Animal Collective. (For shame, right?)

16. Radio Birdman - "New Race"
Some swift punk rock from Down Under.

17. The Mirrors - "Another Nail in the Coffin"
If you're in a band and want to impress some pretentious music geek, cover this barnburner note for note.

18. The Unicorns - "Evacuate the Vacuous"
A beauty from some random EP. Well worth seeking out.

19. Bon Iver - "Skinny Love"
Hey, if Marc Gartman, Katy Helbacka and Lance Rhicard all love this dude from Eau Claire to pieces, I can get on board.

20. AM rubin - "Looking for a Job" [MP3]
Do yourself (another) favor and get to know this Duluth group, aka the most eclectic father-son team ever.

21. The Brighton Port Authority feat. Pete York - "Dirty Sheets" [MP3]
I know he never gets a lot of respect from critics, but the latest project from Norman Cook (known aliases: Fatboy Slim, the Mighty Dub Katz, etc. etc. etc.) sounds just as promsing as "Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars." (If you can't tell, I'm a fan, and I desperately want to make sweet love to that album.) (Wait ... what?)

22. Goblin - "La Caccia"
As George A. Romero's "Dawn of the Dead" recently surpassed "The Shining" as my favorite horror movie, I thought I'd celebrate by including one of those endearingly goofy soundtrack cuts on this here mix tape.

Thus concludes your thirty-eighth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

A&E FYI: Mates of State coming to Minnesota, will release remix EP

MATES OF STATE CONFIRM REMIX EP RELEASE, CO-HEADLINE TOUR WITH BLACK KIDS

Fresh off an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America and with Best of 2008 accolades having come in from NPR, Paste, KCRW and more, Mates of State are ready to kick off 2009 with two major announcements:

First, tickets go on sale this Saturday, January 17 for Mates of State's upcoming co-headline tour with Black Kids. The tour, which kicks off April 2 in Richmond VA, will feature Mates closing the show in all cities but Brooklyn, Boston, Los Angeles and the second San
Francisco date.

Second, at a date TBD this spring, Mates of State will release Re-Arranged: Remixes Vol. 1 (Barsuk) digitally and on 12" vinyl. The first in a series of Mates remix EPs, Re-Arranged: Remixes Vol. 1 will feature the following reinterpretations of tracks from Re-Arrange Us:

1. You Are Free (Mae Shi Remix)
2. Now (RAC Remix)
3. Help Help (DJ Sega Philly Club ReMix)
4. The Re-Arranger (Flosstradamus Remix)

The full list of dates for the Mates of State/Black Kids tour are below. For further information, contact Steve Martin or Amy Grote at nasty little man t 212 343 0740 e amy@nastylittleman.com.

04-02 Richmond, VA - The National
04-03 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
04-04 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
04-05 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Of Williamsburg
04-06 New York, NY - Webster Hall
04-07 Boston, MA - House of Blues
04-09 Montreal, Quebec - Cabaret Musee Juste Pour Rire
04-10 Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix Theatre
04-11 Chicago, IL - Metro
04-12 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
04-13 Kansas City, MO - Beaumont Club
04-15 Denver, CO - Oriental Theater
04-17 Seattle, WA - Neumos
04-18 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
04-19 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
04-20 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
04-21 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
04-23 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
04-24 Pomona, CA - The Glass House
04-25 Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
04-27 Dallas, TX - Granada
04-28 Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
04-29 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live

~Information courtesy Nasty Little Man / image courtesy Crackerfarm

Today's Moment of Zen: Show off your ugly!

www.youresougly.com

A&E FYI: Make your own 'God Loves Ugly' cover art

		Atmosphere launches Youresougly.com! From the Rhymesayers newsletter.... With the re-issue of "God Loves Ugly" right around the corner we thought we'd give you an opportunity to show off your own ugly mug at www.youresougly.com. Upload a picture or take one with your webcam and just like that you'll have your very own "God Loves Ugly" cover. Share it with your friends, add it as your social networking profile picture or print it off and use it as a brand new cover for your repackaged, remastered and uglier than ever "God Loves Ugly" CD. Now get over to www.youresougly.com and start uglying up the place!

A&E FYI: Cake debut gets its vinyl on

From the band's newsletter: CAKE is pleased to offer their "Motorcade of Generosity" on a high quality 180 gram orange vinyl disc. Both a "Motorcade" poster and a digital download card for the full album will be included inside the jacket. In advance of the forthcoming black vinyl, this orange vinyl collector's edition album is available for $15 for a limited time only at http://www.cakemusic.com/mog.html while supplies last!

sys37 :: CONTENT TO BE A JERK

It feels good to be doing this again. Sincerely, Vern-o!

1. Mama Cass - "Make Your Own Kind of Music"
"We're stuck in a bloody snow globe."

2. (Olympic) Hopefuls - "Shy"
I know I say this every week, but this is my favorite John Hermanson-related track.

3. Deastro - "The Shaded Forests"
Pure bliss, somewhere between Dealership's "Action/Adventure" and any given Snow Patrol release.

4. Oranger - "New Comes and Goes"
For whatever reason, I can see other fans of Beulah and/or Super Furry Animals digging this cool-as-shit song as much as yours truly. Highly recommended.

5. Kimya Dawson - "Tire Swing"
I know this song suffers from "Juno" overkill for most of you, but, seriously, "I had a dream that I had to drive to Madison / To deliver a painting for some silly reason / I took a wrong turn and ended up in Michigan" are some of the coolest lyrics out there.

6. Johnny Berlin - "Minus Eden"
Like "The Shaded Forests," but Belgian. (Oh, you can tell....)

7. Barbie Bangkok - "New Dehli" [Listen Here]
Belgium’s Barbie Bangkok went from a decent-enough (but largely mainstream-repellant) alternative rock outfit on its 2003 debut mini-LP, “Oh My God,” to what it is now: a lean, mean, New Wave-courting machine. Nowhere is this more evident on “People and Geometry,” the group’s first full-length, than on “New Delhi.” This instantly addicting nugget is actually a rewrite of the 2003 track “Hold On,” and what a rewrite it is. Where that earlier “Oh My God” track leaned toward the cool, nuanced Talking Heads of “Take Me to the River” and a little grandiose posturing, this new(ish) song bursts out of your speakers with all the nervous energy of that legendary group’s mid-’80s commercial heyday. It’s bouncy and unpretentious, and, most importantly, it’s an undeniable pleasure.

Deja vu all over again, eh, brother?

8. Jonny Polonsky - "Long Gone"
Even though he'll probably never step out of Frank Black's long shadow, there is one thing no one can ever take away from Jonny Polonsky: his knack for creating unbelievably catchy, time's-a-wastin' rock 'n' roll tunes.

9. The Streets - "Never Went to Church"
This one goes out to my sister's fiance, who's dealing with one of the hardest things a son ever has to go through. Our thoughts are with you, Lonney.

10. She & Him - "Sweet Darlin'"
And, on the lighter side of things, one of the most uplifting songs ever written -- by the No. 1 indie rock crush (according to me and Stereogum).

11. Matthew Sweet - "Tomorrow"
I wasn't expecting much from the late-in-the-game release "Living Things," but this beautiful track won me over in seconds. Like a souped-up (and slightly sappy) Big Star.

12. Aesop Rock with Jeremy Fish - "Tomorrow Morning" [MP3]
Had I actually finished my "Best Singles of 2008" list, this White Zombie-meets-P.O.S. track would've been right up there. It's monumental, man!

13. Does it Offend You, Yeah? - "With a Heavy Heart (I Regret to Inform You)"
This one's a builder, too. Hot Hot Heat meets Justice? (I just love these semi-meaningless comparisons....)

14. Kaiser Chiefs - "Never Miss a Beat [Don Gosh Bad Nothing Remix]" [MP3]
A nice mindless excursion.

15. The Psychedelic Furs - "Love My Way"
I wish I could say I feel a certain affection for this classic because its host album, "Forever Now," was released just a few months before my birth, but, nah, it's probably just the magical Todd Rundgren production!

16. Mike Mictlan - "Soul Survivor"
A rough-around-the-edges early track from Hand Over Fist's emcee half and/or one of the 12,000 Doomtree rappers.

17. Kenna feat. the Cool Kids - "LooseWires [Remix]"
I've always felt Kenna was one of the most underrated mainstream(ish) rappers, so a little help from the Cool Kids couldn't hurt his street cred.

18. Both - "777"
A highlight from the "Homegrown Rawk and/or Roll: Lindquist's Mix." Here's what Mark Lindquist had to say about it in an interview with the Duluth News Tribune's Christa Lawler: "I just think Greg Connolly is a really good songwriter. He can write for a lot of genres. I picked the song that was an old B-side of a Shaky Ray vinyl we put out. Anything on vinyl in this town should be represented somewhere."

19. Blackpool Lights - "This Town's Disaster" [MP3]
According to the most reliable source on the planet (...), this band was formed after former Get Up Kids guitarist Jim Suptic recorded "Guilt Show" with his old band. While I love that album to death, I can see why he wasn't afraid to go it alone. This is pretty great stuff.

20. Bunny Clogs - "Midtown Greenway"
“More! More! More!” is a triumph in every sense, and this track, featuring the New Standards' John Munson on stand-up bass, is just one of its many highlights. One of the few examples of kids-as-backup-singers actually working.

21. St. Dominic's Trio - "I Thought We Were Friends"
Though he didn't write any of the songs or anything (that'd be the amazing Terry Walsh), there's something I have to say about Rich Mattson: everything this man touches turns to gold.

22. Eric Bachmann - "Lonesome Warrior"
Mellow gold from the Archers of Loaf/Barry Black/Crooked Fingers mastermind.

Thus concludes your thirty-seventh dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

Ryan Rapsys, Barbie Bangkok, Dante Pirtle, Matt and Kim and (once again) some innocent heart-explodin' fun!

In case I haven't told you before: Thanks for your patronage. Some things don't get said enough, cheeky monkey....

"Catching Up with Local Composer Ryan Rapsys" :: From scoring Craig Blacklock DVDs and Duluth Playhouse productions to cooking up thought-provoking short films and running his own record label, Duluth native Ryan Rapsys (brother of Robin, Tepetricy's drummer) is sure up to the task of making his mama proud.

"CD Reviews: Dante Pirtle, Barbie Bangkok and Matt and Kim" :: Albums enjoyed this week: former Duluthian Dante Pirtle's "Pirtlean," Belgian rockers Barbie Bangkok's "People and Geometry" and Brooklyn indie pop duo Matt and Kim's "Grand."

"Taste Test: Buzz Bites and Foosh Energy Mints" :: Hundreds upon hundreds of new energy products hit the U.S. market every year. So, for this inaugural Taste Test, we're giving two new products from Vroom Foods a spin. A DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S (BELATED) SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!

Tepetricy, Bunny Clogs, Buzz Bites, Van Morrison groupies, that DFA1979 dude and another (questionably) healthy buzz!

My weeks are whirlwinds....

"'The Brotherhood of Tepetricy is Stronger than Ever'" :: The up-and-coming Twin Cities hard rock outfit Tepetricy has a lot of local ties — four out of its five members are from Duluth, to be exact — so we thought we’d hit them up before their show Jan. 10 (this Saturday) at Norm’s.

"CD Reviews: Bunny Clogs, St. Dominic's Trio, the Belfast Cowboys and Death From Above 1979's Sebastien Grainger" :: Albums enjoyed this week: "Switch" by St. Dominic's Trio, the Belfast Cowboys' self-titled debut, Sebastien Grainger's "Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains" and Bunny Clogs' "More! More! More!"

"Taste Test: Buzz Bites and Foosh Energy Mints" :: Hundreds upon hundreds of new energy products hit the U.S. market every year. So, for this inaugural Taste Test, we're giving two new products from Vroom Foods a spin. A DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

And some random photos of a dock on Rice's Point (this week's cover shot), Renee Zellweger (an oldie but goodie), Darlene's Hair Stylists in Lincoln Park and hockey camp at the Heritage Sports Center this past summer.

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S (BELATED) SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!

Help get 'God Rocked' on Netflix!

4 Track Films, Duluth's independent film-production unit, needs your help getting its latest film on Netflix. The plea, straight from the 4 Track Films newsletter:

In order to get "...and on the 7th day, God Rocked" out to the world, we've submitted it to Netflix and need your help!

Please go to this Netflix webpage and fill out the title request email form. Simply fill in your email address, choose "title request" for your subject matter and in the body of the email say you'd like to see Netflix offer "...and on the 7th day, God Rocked" from 4 Track Films for rent! It's that easy.

Thanks for taking a few moments out of your day to help us spread the word!