Artist To Watch: GLASVEGAS

If you haven't heard of this band before, it's time you got to know Glasvegas. They are undoubtedly one of the best new bands in the world. They hail from Glasgow, and have a lead singer/songwriter who looks eerily like Joe Strummer in the early days of the Clash. Their music could be described as Scottish doo-wop, or Phil Spector-style harmonies put in a blender with a punk-rock-aesthetic and Jesus & Mary Chain-style fuzz. They have yet to even finish their debut album, which they are currently recording in New York, and NME has already hailed them as the Joy Division of our time (not that their sound is comparable, but the inevitable influence will surely be). The Scottish accent may take a minute to adjust to, but even if you cannot understand all of the lyrics it doesn't even matter - the songs are undeniable. Two singles have been released, besides that the majority of all songs found online are home recordings (singer James Allan also happens to be quite the genius at production as well, as it turns out, and is co-producing their debut). Glasvegas may not blow up in America the way they justly should, but hardcore music fans who truly love SOUND will put this band among their favorites in the next year or so.....It might even inspire them to start a band of their own as well.

Scroll down for songs, and their first video for "Daddy's Gone."
For more info, and mp3's, email Eli at: elicash.lowkey@gmail.com

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Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell

Indie-scenesters rejoice! The "full-length" debut of Canadian exports Tokyo Police Club has finally arrived. TPC first came onto the scene and into the cracked hearts of indie-kids across the globe with their short-yet-brilliant EP "A Lesson In Crime." The 7-song debut was filled with endlessly listenable 2-minute gems, with its short length leaving fans salivating for more. A couple of one-off singles later, TPC returned to the studio to cut their first LP, "Elephant Shell." While this album has a few more songs on it, don't expect it to be a Mars Volta record (songs still stick around the 2-to-3 minute length). But that's not to say it is not a stellar album. TPC must purposely make short songs as to not "wear out their welcome," and make them contageous enough for repeated listens. Their songs (and albums) are over so fast, it seems hard not to listen to them over again immediately (they can be pretty addictive). Their quirky lyrics and angular, post-new wave riffs have not worn out their welcome yet, and fans of "A Lesson In Crime" will find themselves hooked to "Elephant Shell."

http://rapidshare.com/files/98726296/ElephantShell-TCP.zip

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple

The follow-up to Gnarls Barkley's phenomenally successful debut "St. Elsewhere" has hit the internet, nearly a month early of its scheduled 4/8 release date on Atlantic Records. "The Odd Couple" could be easily described as a continuation of the debut, with more post-Motown vocals from Cee-Lo and complex instrumentals from Danger Mouse. Though it now has become clear that the latter is the main ingredient of the group. Following succesful and diverse production credits for groups such as Gorillaz, The Good The Bad & The Queen and The Black Keys, "The Odd Couple" finally cements Danger Mouse's production genius status. Cee-Lo has a very unique voice, to match his unusual lyrics and song topics (such as this album's "Blind Mary" about falling in love with a blind woman), but "The Odd Couple" would sound just as (if not more) impressive as a purely instrumental album. The songs are grounded by an old-school funk/pop feel that have been sent to futuristic levels by the producer, and it is hard to imagine another current beat-maker who could match Danger Mouse at this point.
This album will undoubtedly please current fans of the group left yearning for more since "St. Elsewhere," except for those who bought it simply for "Crazy." "The Odd Couple" is slightly more laid-back, and features no obvious smash-single like "St. Elsewhere" had. But a song like "Who's Gonna Save My Soul Now" feels like an instant-classic in its own right. Despite a couple of iffy tracks ("Would-Be Killer," "Open Book" for example), this is a solid album that shows a step forward from the radio-friendly debut, proving Gnarls Barkley to be an actual group and not just a one-hit-wonder side project.

DOWNLOADS:
RAR:
http://www.rapidbolt.com/rb-3950040370706080308/G.B.-.The.Odd.Couple.rar
TORRENT (shortcut):
http://dl.btjunkie.org/torrent/Gnarls-Barkley-The-Odd-Couple/44868f9f6b9da43e04f9c47091ee09db98fd94f6a1dd/download.torrent

Dan Sartian Vs. The Serpientes

Alabama-based newcomer, Dan Sartain doesn't mean no harm…But, he does mean business.

Raised on both Johnny Cash and the Sex Pistols, he's just a down-home country punk that wants to not only rock the socks off your mama, but make her dance too. His debut album, "Dan Sartain Vs. The Serpientes" is perfect garage trash rock that rolls sped-up blues, Libertines-y punk, and rockabilly country honk all into one loosely rolled joint. The set moves at a breakneck speed, moving from one tiny monster to another and Sartain has plenty enough in the lungs to make the monster scream.

Album opener, "Tryin To Say" sets the tone with its Pete Doherty-like riff and "I Could Have Had You" sounds straight out of a Tarantino movie. With its body-movin breakbeat, surf guitars, and cocky lyrics, it's the album's standout. "Metropolis" has beautiful traces of Richard Hell and "Autopilot" is a stunningly chilling acoustic tale of drugging and zoning out.

What is there not to like here? Well kids, the answer is: nothing. It's one of the best solo artist debuts in quite a long time, and worth tracking down (But, you gotta look further than Best Buy for this gem). In a post-White Stripes school of rock, Dan Sartain is well on his way towards moving to the head of the class.

Note: This was written a few years ago. Since then, Sartain has released the equally killer "Join Dan Sartain"

Find either of them right now.

In fact, I'll help you.
Here's Join Dan Sartain, right here:
Join Dan Sartain

The Black Lips

God I love this band
I just saw them live and it was the craziest show I've ever seen. Their self-proclaimed "flower punk" drove the crowd into a weird half orgy, half riot like nothing I've ever seen before. Despite the chaos, they managed to blaze through a blistering set of classics, old and new. They're like a bunch of 60's misfits all hopped up on speed and firecrackers. This band is JUNK.

http://www.seeqpod.com/search/?plid=587ccd5df2

Good Bad Not Evil

Vampire Weekend

Although I don't think they're as great as some magazines are proclaiming, I think they are a really fun group. They're pretty interesting because they have incorporated alot of different styles together to make their own little style of indie rock, a style I can envision being ripped off very soon now. Although they owe quite a bit to the Talking Heads and Peter Gabriel, they never sound old or recycled. I think I like them a little bit because they seem to be the one new indie rock band out there that I don't hear a Strokes influence in, at all... Not that I dislike the Strokes. I love them, in fact. It just seems that 9 out of every 10 new indie bands somehow sound a bit like them and it gets old. Kinda like how every new British band seems to sound a bit like the Libertines. Hey, at least they're emulating good bands and not Nickelback, right? Well, if you haven't heard Vampire Weekend, I'd urge you to check them out now. Get some peeps together, throw on their record, and shake it. If you have heard em, what do you think?


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Too Much Junkie Business!

So, this blog has been started for a few reasons
1. To spread new, killer music
2. Review music
3. Build a network for people who like good music

If this is your cup 'o tea, then join and start readin' and sharin' and learnin' and all that good stuff

Enjoy!

-Mr. Junkie