Needle Drop: "The King of Limbs" by Radiohead

For your listening pleasure, the latest from Radiohead, start to finish:

Friday Treat -- Video of Radiohead's "Lotus Flower"

Here's a sweet treat to start your weekend -- a first taste from the new Radiohead LP The King of Limbs.  This is the video of "Lotus Flower".  Enjoy!  And for those who pre-ordered the digital download, rumor has it that they are available a day early.  So, check it out...

Radiohead Announces New Album -- Digital Download Available Feb 19

You don't get to name your own price this time, but Radiohead is once again   taking the path less chosen in releasing their new LP The King of Limbs.  It sounds confusing -- you can pre-order "the world's first Newspaper Album", a package which will ship to you on May 9, 2011, but for having ordered it you will have access to the digital download on Saturday, February 19.  This fancy collectors package, which includes 2 vinyl discs, a cd, and literally hundreds of "tiny pieces of artwork", is available for $48.00 (that's the mp3 price -- $53.00 for a wav file instead of mp3).

Or, if you're like me and you would rather have the music now without having to commit to a $48.00 purchase, you can simply pre-order the digital download, which you will be able to receive on Saturday, February 19, for $9.00 (that's the mp3 price -- $14.00 for the wav file).

Now that you're totally confused, go to their web site and make your choice.  But I know you will buy it in one form or another -- it's a new Radiohead album, for goodness sakes!

BTW -- what is a "Newspaper Album"?  I have no idea, but this is a Jigsaw Falling Into Place:

New Release Tuesday: Bright Eyes, PJ Harvey, and The Dears

This weeks brings three releases that I plan to investigate further.


The first is from indie-darling Conor Oberst and his project Bright Eyes.  He has indicated that this might be the final release by Bright Eys, and that alone would be reason enough to give The People's Key a listen.  Early reviews have been mixed, but Bright Eyes tends draw polarized reactions.  My guess is that if you are an Oberst fan, you will like it, and if not, well, don't bother.  Below is a song from the album called "Ladder Song".

Next up is the latest from PJ Harvey.  Unlike the Bright Eyes album, PJ Harvey's Let England Shake is garnering almost universal praise, and therefore seems to be something worth giving a try.  The eclectic English singer-songwriter seems to be in fine form on the track below, "The Words That Maketh Murder".  This could be my next purchase.  See what you think.






Finally, we have the new LP from Canadian indie rockers The Dears.  Their latest is called Degeneration Street.  I admit that I am a fan of their 2006 effort Gang of Losers as well as the 2004 album No Cities Left.  After listening to a couple of songs, I'm not overly optimistic about this new album.  Here is the opening track, "Omega Dog".

Happy Valentines Day

In honor of their surprising Grammy Award for Album of the Year last evening, I offer as a Valentine's Day gift to all loyal readers Arcade Fire's The Suburbs in its entirety.  Enjoy!

New TVOTR Due This Spring!

TV On The Radio have announced that they will have a new album hitting stores this spring.  Nine Types of Light does not have a release date yet, but I will post it as soon as it is announced.  Until then, here's a TVOTR six-pack to get you excited:

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New Release Tuesday: Cut Copy and James Blake

There are two releases this Tuesday that deserve attention.  The first is one that I have already spent some time hyping, the self-titled LP from James Blake.  Here is the opening cut, "Unluck".



Second is the new album from the Australian indie/electronic band Cut Copy.  The album, Zonoscope, is a follow-up to the well-reviewed 2008 LP In Ghost Colours.  If you listen to "Hearts on Fire" from that earlier release, you will swear that you have been transported to the '80s.  Zonoscope is receiving praise, as well, and this might be just the ticket if you are in the market for new dance tunes.  This is "Pharaohs & Pyramids".