Pensatos: The Unheard Notes - Indie Music News

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Wednesday June 28, 2006

Bloc Party Talks New Sound

Bloc Party recently updated their site confirming the group was hard at work on new material for their upcoming album. No surprise to us as we saw them at Intonation over the weekend and were pleased with the new tracks we were fortunate enough to hear. On their new sound, bassist Gordon Moaks had this to say:

"We've all been banging and hitting things, detuning guitars, programming beats and making various kinds of racket. I guess we had big ideas for this album and Jacknife has given them the green light and urged us to go further.

"I shan't reveal too much just yet, but expect a song where Matt and I play drums simultaneously; some truly R&B-styled beats; Russell's work with a Big Muff pedal; the sound of a guitar amp being thrown off a first-storey balcony; at least one unplayable guitar solo; both eggshell-thin fragility and trouser-flapping hugeness; piano, glockenspiel, strings; you name it."

No specific dates are announced as of yet but the album is expected to drop in early 2007. For more info, check out our Intonation Festival report.

›› Pensatos Feature: Intonation Festival Review

Babyshambles to Release B-Sides

More and more it feels that the UK fail to pamper the US immediately with their great acts. Although the Babyshambles premier album wasn't released in the states until April, the label Rough Trade failed to release the plethora of singles that followed in the UK. That's due rectification as the label will release the songs in a compilation on August 1st and appropriately titled B-Sides. Below is track list. Get it while you can because with Pete's current stints, it may be the last we hear of him unless it becomes a 2 Pac hat trick.

Belle of the B-Sides:

01 The Man Who Came To Stay
02 East Of Eden
03 Albion (single version)
04 Babyshambles
05 Blackboy Lane
06 Monkey Casino
07 Do You Know Me
08 Clementine
09 Why Did You Break My Heart/Piracy

›› Pensatos News: Pete Doherty The Poet
›› Pensatos News: Doherty Misses Court Because of Rehab
›› Pensatos News: Pete Doherty In Rehab
›› Pensatos News: Pete Doherty Detained on Flight
›› Pensatos Reviews: Babyshambles – Down in Albion

Tuesday June 27, 2006

Sleater-Kinney Call It Quits

Breath. It's the truth. Our beloved yelping ladies better known as Sleater-Kinney and avid college radio airplay rockers are ending their 10 plus year careers.

So how does one of the most beloved indie bands of the past few years just end it all? By playing Lollapalooza? What in all that is holy is going on? The band explained with a release:

"After eleven years as a band, Sleater-Kinney have decided to go on indefinite hiatus."

The upcoming summer shows will be our last. As of now, there are no plans for future tours or recordings. We feel lucky to have had the support of many wonderful people over the years. We want to thank everyone who has worked with us, written kind words about us, performed with us, and inspired us."

But mostly we want to extend our gratitude to our amazing fans. You have been a part of our story from the beginning. We could not have made our music without your enthusiasm, passion, and loyalty. It is you who have made the entire journey worthwhile."

While we are still in shock, we can only hope that some time apart will clear their heads because lets face it - there are no other acts like them currently recording and the music scene needs thier influence. But, alas, if it holds true, then you only have a handfull of opportunites to catch them before they go the way of 'saurs.

To The Great Wilderness:

07-29 Mellwood Arts Center - Louisville, KY
07-31 Starlight Ballroom - Philadelphia, PA
08-01 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
08-02 Webster Hall - New York, NY
08-04 Lollapalooza - Chicago, IL

Arcade Fire Drop Knowledge on New Album

While we are still recovering from the SK bombshell, nothing makes the medicine go down like info on the new Arcade Fire album. The band updated their web blog with studio info. And one remark stands out to explain the diverse nature they are taming for the upcoming release:

"This week we are recording a huge fucking pipe organ on 2 songs. What an incredible sound!"

But that's almost to be expected by one of the head figures of the recent indie movement. The band has committed some 15 songs already. While no release date has been firmed out nor any other details on the album released, you can't help but get excited when you hear band member Win Butler say some records are going to involve the drums in the living room "because the drums sound so great there."

It has also been confirmed that Final Fantasy, the fantastic violinist who aided on the bands 2004 release Funeral with the birth name of Owen Pallet, will once again appear on the to be release follow-up:

"Owen is coming here to record with us in early July. There is talk of recording a few songs with a full orchestra in Budapest...The next couple of weeks we will be pulling our hair out."

Axel Rose Bites Man; Gets Arrested
Honestly, that's all I care to report about this daft man who use to be part of a music evolution in the late 80's but now joins the ranks of Mike Tyson. He doesn't deserve a picture. Good bye dignity forever.

Pensatos on Holiday - Sleep
We are taking a long overdue break for the holiday weekend a few days early. We will be updating with sporatic news but we promise to come back with a vengeance giving you interviews and more from some indie acts we've hand picked from around the world. We'll see you on the 5th. Avoid the mayonnaise based potato salad and for god sakes, don't try and shoot a bottle rocket from anywhere but a bottle.

Monday June 26, 2006

Beck Goes Hip-Hop; Album Info; Remixes

Mutations for me was a somber record. I yearned for turntable and microphone Beck. And while Guero was a great step in the right direction - I still wanted more 'Hell Yes' and less 'Ramshackle'. Well, it looks like he's back folks. Beck's camp is reporting that his follow up LP will focus on hip-hop with the aid of Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. Wait a second. Didn't Godrich also produce Mutations and Sea of Chage you say? Damn you pestilent laid back licks! We'll hold our cards close to our chest before declaring any decisions on the new works but we are still on the fence.

In other Beck news, but on the same subject, the new album will be released as a sticker book that the owner can place supplied stickers on the cover as they see fit to personalize their own piece of Beck-age. Here's hoping that there aren't any scratch-n-sniff 'Sexx Laws' stickers.

Odelay is also reportedly getting the remix treatment just in time for it's 10 year anniversary. The album that garnered the man Spin's Artist of the Year back in '96 will feature rarities and remixes by the likes of Dust Brothers and Aphex Twins. B-Side material like 'Deadweight' will also be included. The only other release of the song was on 1997's A Life Less Ordinary soundtrack which you can find in your local used bin for a nickel.

›› Pensatos News: Beck's Next Album

New Killers Album Info

Last we spoke of The Killers, they had just jettisoned to their new recording studio in London and left Las Vegas in the dust. Now the band is getting their album ready for press by narrowing down the song count. The LP, which is due out September 18th, is apparently the definitive Killers record. In an interview with NME, lead Brandon Flowers said:

"For me this is the album. I feel totally empowered by singing it. There's a spiritual element to the music that wasn't there before."

The songs that are currently being considered for final print are as follows but are not guaranteed for the cut.

Why Do I Keep Counting?
Bones
When You Were Young
Uncle Johnny Took Cocaine
Sam's Town
Read My Mind
Bling

Exciting, we know. It will be even more so when we get to hear them. We'll keep you posted when type becomes auditory.

›› Pensatos News: Killers Relocate To Finish Album in London

Bright Eyes Talk New Album

It's rumored that Conor Oberst, the man behind Bright Eyes is part machine. The part man/machine - all chick magnet released two albums last year and now talking about his follow up. We rumored his studio work for the new LP a few months back but now Coner is openly talking about the new album. Although it is still untitled, the new album will feature classic Oberst writing. That is to say, less smootches and more politics - something lacking in his last two outings Wide Awake, It's Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn.

›› Pensatos News: Bright Eyes New Album?

Postal Service In Studio

In the historical timeline of odd couples, only a few have ever produced greatness: Jack White and Loretta Lynn, my parents, and now it looks like you can add The Postal Service to the list. The group composed of Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbad and Dntel's Jimmy Tamborello are reportedly back in the studio on a new album or at least flirting with the idea. The as of yet entitled follow up to 2003's great Give Up is a bit of a surprise to the indie community considering the lapse in time and the since success of the individual bands. Gibbard recently told MTV about the new work and it's slow but rewarding process:

"We're slowly starting. We're crawling right now, and whether that crawl turns into a walk remains to be seen. But we'll know more towards the end of the year. I've just been touring so much and trying to find time to make it happen and make our schedules line up."

When the album will be finished is anyone's guess but you should should expect it by early next year since the bands are independently touring this summer.

G. Love In Studio With Harper, Johnson

Back in college, nothing got the ladies quicker than a little Summertime Rhyme from G.Love. The man with the lyric rhymes and guitar picks is back but to reclaim his post Coca-Cola commercial debacle but now on comrade Jack Johnson's label Brushfire. But this is no ordinary release. To his aid are hot acts like Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Blackalicious, David Hidalgo (from Los Lobos fame), recent Brushfire defective Donavan Frankenreiter, and Particle's Steve Smoltz. Holy shit is right! Can I get a cold beverage? The new single 'Hot Cooking' can be downloaded from iTunes. The album, Lemonade, is due out in stores on August 1st.