Radiohead - True Love Waits

Radiohead - True Love Waits

Tickets to All Points West, aka Coachella East, go on sale TODAY at noon EST. Radiohead is headlining the first two nights of the festival.

I've seen Radiohead twice before. The first time was at Liberty State Park, the same location as All Points West. This was August of 2001, so the World Trade Center made for a wonderful NYC backdrop to the outdoor show.

The second time was at Madison Square Garden, and I'll never forget it because they played True Love Waits, a song that was seldom heard save for some bootlegs floating around. The above song is one of the few copies of True Love Waits that existed before they put the song on the Airbag/How Am I Driving? EP. I love Thom's introduction.

I left that show thinking "It's so awesome they played True Love Waits! The only thing better would have been if they played Creep!" And sure enough, the next night at Madison Square Garden (which I did not go to), they did.

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Cold Son

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Cold Son

Tickets to Stephen Malkmus at the Bowery Ballroom at the end of March went on sale back in January... and they sold out almost immediately! I just found that amazing. Along the same lines, My Morning Jacket already sold out Radio City for a show on June 7th! I'd like to see a graph that shows how quickly tickets sell out for bands; it'd really identify bands with a strong fan base. Anyway, this track is off Stephen's forthcoming release titled Real Emotional Trash, out March 18th.

The Wrens - Happy

The Wrens - Happy

Five years ago, The Wrens released The Meadowlands, my vote for album of the decade, and one of my favorite albums of all time. If your teenage years are defined by the angst of bands like the Pixies, then The Meadowlands perfectly captures your quarter-life crisis. So imagine my surprise last Sunday when flipping through channels and hearing The Wren's Happy playing in the background of... Knight Rider! The new, improved Knight Rider, on NBC, with Val Kilmer as the voice of Kitt! Here it is again in case you missed it.

Times New Viking - Drop-Out

Times New Viking - Drop-Out

Times New Viking was my first favorite of 2008, but sadly they are so loud I can't listen to them. I know this is a sure sign I'm getting old. But at the same time, it is a scientific fact that Times New Viking are loud; here's the proof.

Here is an image of the waveform from yesterday's song, Falling Slowly:



Now compare that to the waveform from today's song:



See that sea of blue that drowns the sonic palette? That's what it looks like when you turn all knobs to 11! And there you have it, scientific proof that Times New Viking are loud.

Times New Viking just finished two nights at Bowery Ballroom opening for Super Furry Animals. They play Brooklyn on March 1st.

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly

I was going to post a different song today, but I could not be happier for Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova winning the Oscar for best original song! Both Glen and Marketa gave a wonderfully humble and insightful speech (Jon Stewart's a class act for getting Marketa back on stage). Its just amazing to see this tiny film work its way into the hearts of so many.

Jennifer Hudson - And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going

Jennifer Hudson - And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going

The Oscars are tonight. Juno is the highest grossing nominee, and the soundtrack opened at number one, so it would be appropriate to post a song from that album. But to be honest with you, besides a few standouts like The Kinks, Belle & Sebastian and The Velvet Underground, this soundtrack is a heap of stinking twee that I find unlistenable!

However, at the end of 2006, a little movie called Dreamgirls launched Jennifer Hudson's film career, leading to a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. This song was her crowning moment; its definitely one of my favorite music movie moments of all time. I can still remember how the audience in the theater stood up and cheered after this number. I mean really cheered, the kind of emotion reserved for only the best action movies.

Magnetic Fields - I'll Dream Alone

Magnetic Fields - I'll Dream Alone

The Magnetic Fields are playing 4 sold out nights at Town Hall; we're going to tonight's show! While their newest album, Distortion, has been compared to The Jesus & Mary Chain, I like this song for its Roy Orbison style majesty.

Okkervil River - The President's Dead

Okkervil River - The President's Dead

In honor of President's Day, and today, Washington's Birthday, I give you Okkervil River's The President's Dead. Not exactly the most upbeat title, but the song goes beyond that, using such a jarring event as a backdrop for a perfect moment from an ordinary day. Will Sheff's lyrics brilliantly connect you and me to the larger-scale events surrounding us; its a theme he explores again in The War Criminal Rises and Speaks (also amazing lyrics).

She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here

She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here

Its easy to roll your eyes when you hear about another actor turned singer, but Zooey Deschanel (She) has a darling, down-home voice that strikes you immediately. Together with M. Ward (Him), they've crafted this exquisite pop gem. Their track comes from the Merge website; their album Volume One comes out March 18th on Merge.

Wilco - Box Full of Letters

Wilco - Box Full of Letters

Wilco is finishing up their 5-day residency at the Vic today, during which they are playing every song from their 6 albums. The Tribune blog Turn It Up is documenting these shows. Today's track is Wilco's first single off their first album, the first Wilco song I ever heard, and the first Wilco song I fell in love with.

Xiu Xiu - Under Pressure (Queen Cover)

Xiu Xiu - Under Pressure

Queen’s Under Pressure is a glorious, impeccable classic. But what I love about this Xiu Xiu cover is that its not afraid to take chances with the original.

The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1

The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1

Inspired by Fred Wilson, I’m posting a song a day. Today’s pick is Sax Rohmer #1 from The Mountain Goats; their album Heretic Pride comes out tomorrow. This is one of my favorite songs by them.