[MP3] The Decemberists | "Down By The Water"

Well, I mentioned it the other day, here's the first single from The Decemberists new album, The King Is Dead, out 1/11/11. [They couldn't wait another 10 months?]

[WHO DAT?] J. Cole

I don't know if I have ever dedicated a post to the illest rapper out of North Carolina, J. Cole. He is consistent and has a lot of talent. Every single song of his is great and features only the most dope lyrics. He has the swag of a veteran and hasn't put out an official album yet. He doesn't rap about money, drugs, and women in the stuck-up way that most rappers do. He relates everything to socially relevant topics and problems with society that you don't expect from rap game these days. He toured with Jay-Z recently and was featured on Jay's 2009 album The Blueprint 3 on "A Star Is Born." He is slated to release Cole World in November or December this year, we'll see if that actually happens because a date hasn't been set yet. If there was a rapper that could still do well under Kanye's shadow right now, Cole would be that rapper. I'll go ahead and includes a few songs below for you to enjoy. He also made an appearance on my Glen Beck Swag Mixtape.

J. Cole - Villematic
J. Cole - I'm Coming Home

The Decemberists Announce New Album Out 1/11/11

The Decemberists have announced a new album, The King Is Dead, to be released on January 11th, 2011. The whole date and just one's things is definitely a something you'd expect from the Decemberists.  The album will be released on Capitol Records. The album is said to be inspired by R.E.M. and feature R.E.M.'s Peter Buck on 3 of the 10 songs. I have a feeling that Colin Meloy may have been at work on this masterpiece while 3 of the bands five members were working on and touring with Black Prairie, so without building up the album too much I want to set the bar a little higher than 2009's The Hazards of Love. This is just around the corner, man am I already looking forward to next year, new Decemberists and Drive-By Truckers already announced and I'm sure that's just the beginning.




Tracklist for The King Is Dead:
1. Don't Carry It All
2. Calamity Song
3. Rise to Me
4. Rox in the Box
5. January Hymn
6. Down By the Water
7. All Arise!
8. June Hymn
9. This Is Why We Fight
10. Dear Avery

Below is a video of Colin Meloy singing "Down By The Water" live from a KEXP set at CMJ festival earlier this month. I am definitely digging the harmonica and sound, it has their dark, creepy sound but an earlier sounding Decemberists catchy flow.

[VID] Drive-By Truckers | "Used To Be A Cop"

Here's a new song from the Truckers. It's going to be on their new record Go-Go Boots, out February 15th, 2011. But they are giving this one an advanced release on Black Friday along with "The Thanksgiving Filter" on a 10". The 10" will be limited to 2500 copies and will feature a sleeve designed by Wes Freed, the artist that does all their AWESOME covers. I didn't know that the Drive-By Truckers had a new album coming out so this some sweet news, since their 2010 album The Big To-Do was a classic album with character and quality. Go-Go Boots is a collection of songs that were largely recorded at the same time as The Big To-Do, so you know this record is going to be something special.

[VID] The Love Language | "Heart To Tell"

One of the best songs of the year gets some visual representation. Here's a little -happy-go-lucky taping of one of their shows. It looks to be The Pour House over in Durham, NC. A Love Language concert is highly recommended, if you haven't seen them before. They really bring it live and get the crowd dancing. I'd have to say this song conjures up feelings of joy and summer parties on the beach, but hey, it's a great song and fun video. Grab the awesome mp3 while you're watching the video. [if you don't already have it yet]

The Love Language - Heart To Tell [via AD]

Lonnie Walker | "Love Turn"

Here's a new tune from NC natives Lonnie Walker. I saw them at Local 506 in Chapel Hill a few weeks ago [read more] and they played a great set. On November 4th, 2010 they will be releasing "Love Turn" as a 7" split with Future Islands. It's going to be pressed on a peach vinyl, that is oh so sexy. [check out the picture below] They have been playing to song live for a while, I know they played it when I saw them open for Harlem and the Love Language back in April. There is a great little guitar riff when the beat picks up. The song features a monologue-like part that all of Lonnie Walker's best songs do. Not that Lonnie Walker's songs are painfully long, but this one is shorter than most [3:15] and leaves me wanting more. I think this 7" is the start of a road to a new album, hopefully we'll know more about it soon. PRE-ORDER HERE

Lonnie Walker - Love Turn

[VID] Eternal Summers | "Dye"

Here's a visual by Weekly Tape Deck to one of the better tracks off their 2010 album Silver.

Erol Alkan remixes MGMT's "Congratulations"

This is no Justice Remix of "Electric Feel" but it does go along with MGMT's whole idea of progressivism in their sound. It's weird, it's different, and it works. Erol Alkan takes a bland song and spices it up with some guitar chords and electronic blips. Take a gander and see what you think. This will be the B-side of a "Congratulations" 7" coming out Nov. 23.