New album for PJ Harvey in Spring/Listen to new songs

PJ Harvey has been hard at work on a new album to be released in Spring 2011. Mick Harvey said on myspace that it could be here as soon as February. I have dug up a couple Youtube clips of at least two new songs that she performed last year. The first one, Let England Shake is a little wacky with samples and auto harp. The second song seems to have some great potential. I love PJ, all her releases are at little, interesting and at most, amazing! My favorite albums by her are To Bring You My Love and Is This Desire, by far her two darkest works. I loved the last album, White Chalk, due to its eerie Victorian influence. I am anxious for the new album and see what new direction she is taking, no two albums are ever alike. PJ has already announced European tour dates for early next year too. Hopefully some US dates will soon follow.

Check out the two new clips:

Let England Shake:

The Last Living Rose:

2011 Tour dates:

*All tickets sales begin at 9am on Friday, October 15

February 18 - Brussels, Cirque Royale
Tel: +32 34 0000 34 or www.livenation.be

February 21 - Berlin, Admiralspalast
Tel: +49 1805 853 653 or www.fkpscorpio.com

February 24 - Paris, Olympia
Tel: +33 1 41 57 32 28 or www.rodrigue.fr

February 27 - London, Troxy
Tel: 0871 230 0010 / 020 7734 8932 / 0844 811 0051 or www.gigsandtours.com

*The 27th has sold out but a 2nd show on the 28th has been added!

I finally like Black Mountain

Many, many of my friends love Black Mountain. It seems everyone has seen them live and everyone talks about how they are one of their favorite bands. Well, I always thought they were OK, but did not really take a good listen. I just figured they were a really great 60/70's, psychedelic throwback band and well, that's never really been my thing. I was wrong. Listening to the new album Wilderness Heart has made me a believer in the driving, heavy metal, but also often earthy and bluesy sound. Anyone that knows me, knows I'm a sucker for a strong female voice and Amber Webber is pretty awesome. Her vocals layered with lead singer Stephen McBean, its pretty much a 1-2 punch. Some of my favorites on this new album are The Hair Song, Buried by the Blues, Sadie and title track Wilderness Heart. So, even if you were like me and was not convinced with their first two albums, do yourself a favor and listen to this new amazing album. You might change your mind too. Here is a video from the new album, its for the single The Hair Song.

Mavis Staples, You Are Not Alone

I am not a religious person but I do enjoy the sound of Gospel music. Gospel music has some of the most powerful voices and one of the best is Mavis Staples. She has recently been making a comeback these last couple of years and she continues that with her new project You Are Not Alone. It is produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. It has a couple original songs, including the title, as well as classic Gospel covers. This is true Sunday morning music, coffee in hand just relaxing and inspiring. Here is a video about the making of the album.

Jenny and Johnny, just two kids having fun

Jenny and Johnny is the newest project by Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley and singer/songwriter Jonathan Rice. Jonathan was a big part of Jenny's last solo outing, Acid Tongue. I think they had so much fun they decided to take it all the way with this all album titled, I'm Having Fun Now. I think that pretty much says it all. The album has a fun, goofy yet rock feel to it. I got it on vinyl and listen to it all the time. The album artwork is pretty amazing too, another reason to grab it on vinyl. They are currently doing opening gigs for Band of Horses along with a few solo shows here and there. Here is a track from the album, Scissor Runner:

Check out Warpaint

Warpaint is a LA band that is currently touring with The XX as well as Zola Jesus. I decided to check them out just based on this line up and I was not disappointed. Their new album The Fool is released later this month on October 26th. This is a track from their last album Exquisite Corpse titled Elephants.

The XX cover Robin S and why the hell did I miss this tour?

The XX is one of my favorite bands of recent years. Their quite, intimate sound is unique and compelling. I wondered what they would be like live but admit not curious enough to drive 4 or 5 hours to see their show. What a mistake. They recently have been on tour with both Warpaint and Zola Jesus, two of my new favorite acts. If this tour had come to Detroit, no doubt I would have attended, but skipping us and and going to Chicago and other cities, I did not make an effort. Well, this will go on to my list of best tours I missed along with PJ Harvey/Tricky tour, Nina Simone last tour and others.

Here is one example why, this is The XX covering the 90's dance hit "Show me Love" by Robin S. I totally loved this song in the 90's and I love that they are doing it. They mix it in after their song Shelter. The cover starts at about 3:20. Enjoy!

My new love is Zola Jesus

Zola Jesus is my new favorite spooky lady. Zola Jesus is 21 year old Nika Roza Danilova. She has been the talk of the town in NME, The Guardian, Nylon and Paste. She has a Siouxsie sort of voice backed by haunting synthes. Nika is spending September as the opening act for no less than Fever Ray. Karin hand picked Zola Jesus for her short European tour. Most of the buzz is based on a EP from earlier this year called Stridulum. I must say, I am truly in love with this artist and I'm a little embarrassed that I missed her up until now. Like all great experimental artists, I have a feeling Zola Jesus will become much bigger in the UK. I am glad that I am finding her now though since she is performing in Detroit at the end of September at the CAID. In August she released a full length album in the UK titled Stridulum II. It is basically an extension of the EP. Looks like the next thing here in the US we will see is another EP called Valusia. Here is a video for Night, a song from Stridulum. It has a Italian horror movie feel to it. Enjoy!