Owl and Bear’s Best Albums of 2009
Owl and Bear writers’ favorite albums of 2009. (more…)
Get Three Avett Brothers Albums for Five Bucks Each
Okay, so this is the part where I talk about how much we at Owl&Bear love the Avett Brothers and you, unimpressed by the witty and/or articulate manner in which we’ve elected to express our ardor this time around, roll your eyes and think something like, “Oh come on, you guys always write about how much you love the Avett Brothers and not only is it getting old but, quite frankly, I’m starting to question your sexuality.” So, rather than beat you over the proverbial head with declarations about how great the Avetts are, we’ll just cut to the chase. This time.
Starting today, you can download three Avett Brothers albums—Emotionalism, Four Thieves Gone, and Mignonette—on Amazon for the trifling pittance of five dollars apiece. While Four Thieves Gone and Mignonette are no slouches, the crown jewel of the bunch is surely 2007’s Emotionalism, which shines as a terrific introduction to the band and their greatest achievement to date.
The albums are on sale until Friday as part of Amazon’s Black Friday Deals Week, as are works by artists like Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, Matt & Kim, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Radiohead, Califone, Built to Spill, Okkervil River, the Decemberists, Islands, and Neko Case. And if you already own all those albums, then congratulations: you’re almost as cool as us, but still only half as cool as the Avett Brothers.
Neko Case Announces Summer Tour
A few months ago, Neko Case played a “secret show” at the Casbah, which was announced ahead of time on the underground Internet site MySpace. The show, designed to promote music enthusiasts TurboTax, was set to open its doors at 7pm and would only admit people on a first-come, first-serve basis.
However, people on the Casbah’s e-mailing list were told that they could show up at 3pm to get a wristband guaranteeing entry, and then reappear later and walk right in—information that was unavailable to anyone who found out the correct way (through MySpace). This therefore greatly benefited otherwise oblivious Casbah mailing list members; in other words, lots of people showed up a mere three to four hours ahead of time to find the show already sold out.
Those who missed Neko that night may be wondering if San Diego is to be included in her upcoming North American tour, but this time as a real show with purchasable tickets and an adequately-sized venue. Well, San Diegans can now rest easy because Neko has finally announced her tour dates and, if you did miss her last time, you remain hopelessly and utterly screwed.
However, if you live in any other city in North America, you’re in luck. Neko and her goddess-like vocals are coming to you! Tickets can be purchased here, and we’ve got the dates for you after the jump. You know, in spite of everything, we do still love you, Neko. (more…)
Buy Neko Case For Three Dollars
No, you can’t buy Neko herself for three dollars, though I’m sure all of you lovestruck pervs are already reaching for your wallets. Amazon MP3 is currently selling Ms. Case’s amazing 2006 album Fox Confessor Brings The Flood for the ridiculously low price of three bucks.
If you’ve never heard Fox Confessor, you now officially have no excuse. Let Neko’s unparalleled vocals wrap you in their warmth, like a sleeping bag made from her sweet breath, soft lips, and fiery red hair. Okay, maybe I’m a little lovestruck too.
The sale is today only, so get moving. Or, if you’re feeling a bit heavier in the wallet, do what I did and buy the limited edition blue vinyl version of Fox Confessor from her website.
How to Hug Your Independent Record Store
“Indie record stores,” says Chrys Hansen of Modern Music, the Caribbean’s most visited record store, “are where you go when you first realize there’s a whole new world of music for you to explore.” The Internet notwithstanding as perhaps one’s first stop when searching out what the world has to offer musically, Hansen’s words ring sentimental and otherwise true.
Independent record stores, unlike the CD sections of Wal-Mart and Best Buy, often feature carefully procured selections of good popular music and local and alternative groups that are either too vulgar or not Hoobastank-y enough for other outlets. The quality of independent record stores is only enhanced by the personal touch offered by the staff.
Anti- Records Sampler (MP3s)
Anti- Records just wrote to tell me that they too have a free MP3 sampler on Amazon.
Featured bands/artists include Neko Case, Booker T, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, N.A.S.A. (featuring Santigold, Nick Zinner, and M.I.A.), Jason Lytle, Bob Mould, Westbound Train, William Elliott Whitmore, Bettye Lavette, Michael Franti, The Aggrolites, Mavis Staples, and Jolie Holland.
[Amazon]
MP3: Neko Case Blogs For Charity
Sure, everybody who has heard Neko Case knows she’s talented, and everybody who has seen her knows she’s beautiful. But did you know she’s also a good person? Turns out Ms. Case is unveiling the first single off her forthcoming Middle Cyclone album in a very classy way: by making a $5 donation to charity every time a blog reposts the song.
The donations will benefit the Best Friends Animal Society, which is kind of like PETA, except not scary. Middle Cyclone, the follow-up to Case’s incredible Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, is due out March 3rd and the smart money says it’ll be more fun than a poke in the eye.
So help us help Neko help animals by clicking here and downloading her song.
December 17, 2008 Link Roundup
Scott and Grant Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit talk to Drowned in Sound.
Review: San Diego Street Scene; September 19, 2008
San Diego’s annual Street Scene festival was truly a sight to behold. A large section of San Diego’s downtown and West Village was sectioned off and made home to four stages, forty bands, and thousands upon thousands of voracious music lovers. From bros rolling joints to cute hipster chicks with flasks taped to their thighs, the surroundings were cramped, but everyone was in such a good mood that no one seemed to mind the lack of breathing room.
Neko Case – Live From Austin, TX
Neko Case is in fine voice, and this has all the makings of a classic live recording. She is probably the second coming of Patsy Cline, if there could ever be such a thing.
