Fitz & The Tantrums on 'Corden'

Watch Fitz & The Tantrums perform "Handclap" on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Playlist

September's 27-song playlist of random musical musings is here! Take a listen on Spotify!

Playlist

July's 27-song playlist is here, take a listen!

QUICK SPINS

Tegan and Sara – Love You to Death

The twin sisters return to dance their hearts away. Some of the most infectious and perfect pop music in years has finally been released thanks to Tegan and Sara. Every song on this album could be a single and that is enough to say they made a great record.

FINAL GRADE: A

Masta Ace – The Falling Season

The Brooklyn emcee throws it back in sound and story by taking listeners to a time when he was coming into his own – high school. Masta Ace has crafted a concept record about what his high school years were like and the music that inspired him.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Kaytranada – 99.9%

The Canadian beatmaker unleashes his debut for those that are ready for sunshine. A kaleidoscope of sound and styles from across the world, Kaytranada has created a summer-ready LP that will make anywhere your feet touch a dance floor.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book

The Chicago rapper returns with an album unlike any he has released before. Chance the Rapper gets personal, political and passionate and paints with the words he has made a career with in Coloring Book.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Unlocking the Truth – Chaos

The long-awaited debut from young Brooklyn heavy metal trio, Unlocking the Truth has finally arrived. After being discovered on the streets of Times Square to signing a blockbuster contract with a major label to eventually getting out of the big business, the lives of these three young men has been a roller-coaster and they are not even able to vote. Chaos is the debut fans expected and the record you waited for.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Evans The Death – Vanilla

The latest record from the British indie rockers is a noise rock extravaganza. Think early Sonic Youth meets Pixies with a touch of The Cure thrown in. It is dark and humble, plus singer Katherine Whitaker’s voice is divine.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Ladyhawke – Wild Things

The New Zealand songstress returns with a record that will have you moving and shaking for hours. Wild Things is what the title suggests as well as Ladyhawke’s best album since her fantastic 2007 debut.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Garbage – Strange Little Birds

Since surviving the 90s, Garbage have been hit or miss but Strange Little Birds, the band’s sixth is by far their best since their 1995 debut. It takes the darkness and grit from their early work and blends it in with what happens when rock stars grow up. It is not only a fascinating album but a damn good one, too.

FINAL GRADE: B+

The Avett Brothers – True Sadness

The folk fraternity returns with more deep-rooted rock from the plains and country. With their signature heartfelt lyrics and rousing choruses, True Sadness is just a title, not a feeling after listening to this.

FINAL GRADE: B

Cat’s Eyes – Treasure House

The offbeat sophomore release from Cat’s Eyes picks up with their melancholy and moody 2011 debut left off.

FINAL GRADE: B

Minor Victories

The debut album featuring members of Slowdive, Editors and Mogwai is a British shoegaze extravaganza.

FINAL GRADE: B

The Kills – Ash & Ice

The Kills will always rock, even if their albums all feel and sound the same, they will never made a bad record, just the same record over and over.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Peter Bjorn and John – Breakin’ Point

The Swedish indie rockers are back and like always, bring the fun, catchy tunes and sincerity to their game.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Fitz and The Tantrums

The third album from the California party starters is more electronic than previous efforts and backup singer Noelle Scaggs shines more than on previous releases. The band’s latest is a blast but we do miss the horns.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Discharge – End of Days

Taking punk and speed metal and throwing it together, underground OG’s Discharge come with the heavy.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Getaway

In The Dark Knight, Aaron Eckert’s Harvey Dent famously said: “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Since Stadium Arcadium, every Chili Peppers record has been a dud and while Danger Mouse comes on The Getaway to help the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, it doesn’t save them. What he needed to save were themselves. The album feels all over the place and lacks focus, it also doesn’t have any energy. If the Chili Peppers have dried out in the last decade, this record is further proof of that.

FINAL GRADE: C-

The Strokes – Future Past Present

To call this an EP is a slap in the face to fans. There was once a time when CD Singles would contain the single plus 2 other songs and maybe a remix. That is what this “EP” from the fallen New York band feels like. The Strokes were a star that burned so bright and keeps a legacy for that but for the last five years, they have been below mediocre and lazy. This current “EP” feels like that. It is 3 songs and a remix. It is a glorified CD Single that record companies would release in the 90s for more money. The Strokes did this for more streams in 2016. You couldn’t write 3 other fucking songs to add to 3 average ones on here? At least pretend you are trying because we have not faked caring. You are better than this.

FINAL GRADE: F

Fitz & The Tantrums on 'Fallon'

Watch Fitz and the Tantrums perform on The Tonight Show.

Quick News

A Change.Org petition has been crafted to rename Queens, New York, street Linden Boulevard between 192 Street and 193 Street to "A Tribe Called Quest Boulevard," in the wake of the late Phife Dawg. For more information and to sign the petition, click here.

El-P has given an update on Run the Jewels 3 on Twitter saying that Run the Jewels are half-way through recording the record and it will be released this year.

pleased to report #RTJ3 is halfway done, the goal of a 2016 release is achievable and a safer, more profitable global economy in our grasp.

— el-p (@therealelp) March 28, 2016

He also shared a snippet on Instagram:

; )

A video posted by thereallyrealelp (@thereallyrealelp) on Mar 21, 2016 at 9:49pm PDT

Facing the age old question again about an Oasis reunion, Noel Gallagher told The Mirror that brother Liam is holding things up after their 2009 spilt. He said: "Liam is a very angry man still. So he is not cool. He tends to make the easiest things really difficult.?" He also added: "There might come a day, one day, where it [Oasis reunion] might seem like a good idea, but I have so much I want to do on my own."

Following the announcement that Fitz & The Tantrums were returning with a self-titled new album in June, they released the tracklisting, take a look:
1. HandClap
2. Complicated
3. Burn It Down
4. Roll Up
5. Tricky
6. Fadeback
7. Run It
8. Get Right Back
9. Do What You Want
10. Walking Target
11. A Place For Us

Quick News

Andy Rourke of The Smiths, Dolores O'Riorden of The Cranberries and DJ Ole Kortesky have come together to form a band called DARK. Their debut, Science Agrees, will arrive in May. Take a look at the tracklisting, below:
01 Curvy
02 Chynamite
03 Gunfight
04 Steal You Away
05 High Fashion
06 Watch Out
07 Miles Away
08 The Moon
09 Underwater
10 Loosen the Noose

 Action Bronson is taking his cooking talents to a new level. Next year he will release his first cookbook, F*ck, That's Delicious: An Annotated Guide to Eating Well.

Band of Horses will release their new album, Why Are You OK, in June.

Fitz & the Tantrums will release their self-titled third record in June. Take a look at the cover, below:

Quick News

Sting has been confirmed as the NBA All-Star Game Halftime entertainment. The match will take place next month in Toronto.

Fitz & The Tantrums gave fans an update on Twitter about the progress of their third album.

New Music Coming soon! We are in the middle of the finish line! Who's excited?

— Fitz & The Tantrums (@FitzAndTantrums) January 27, 2016

Noel Gallagher has taken to Instagram to showcase that he is currently working on his third solo LP and managed to take a dig at Kanye West in the process:

So Kanye thinks he's made the best album of all time? You might sell more Mr.Kanye but NGHFB will be better..FACT!

A photo posted by Noel Gallagher (@themightyi) on Jan 28, 2016 at 5:36am PST

The National's Matt Berninger spoke to The Independent about the band's recording process for their upcoming album. He said: "We're trying to get in a room together more often for the next record and that’s been really fun, not tinkering over things obsessively on our own. We’ve been getting a lot of loose ideas together and just getting in a room and fucking around and having a blast for like a week. We also want to play a lot of songs live before we record them this time as it can help us better figure them out."

Will NWA ever tour together? Ice Cube spoke to Rolling Stone about the idea and said: "Well, I don't really know the status. Making the movie was a monster, and we had to really concentrate on that. Some things are easier said than done, and I don't know where everybody's head is at. I hope people will see us out on that stage together soon, but it's really up to Dre and Ren and Yella. You might see some of us; you might not see all of us."

After years of rumors, Lord of the Rings actor Dominic Monaghan confirmed that David Bowie did in fact audition for the Oscar winning trilogy. He told The Huffington Post: "As I was reading a magazine waiting, David Bowie came in and signed his little list and went in. And I'm assuming he read for Gandalf. I can't think of anything else he would've read for. He may have read for something else, but I'm a huge David Bowie fan, and I was lucky enough to know his son now so just seeing him in person was pretty special to me."

Fitz & The Tantrums at Coachella

Watch Fitz & The Tantrums perform "The Walker" and "She's Out of My League" during their Sunday night Coachella set.

Playlist

Take a look at April's 28 song playlist and hear it on Spotify!

Fitz & The Tantrums on Meyers

Watch Fitz & The Tantrums do what they do best, rock the hell out on Late Night with Seth Meyers!

Another Look at 2013

After we announced our picks for the 10 Best Albums of 2013, our fantastic group of correspondents have given us theirs to share. The beauty of music, like any type of art form, is that it is subjective and everyones outlook will be a bit different. Take a look at what our correspondents picked as their favorite albums of the year!

Here is a list from our photographer and premiere NYC DJ RICH D SMOOV:

1. Action Bronson & Party Supplies - Blue Chips 2 
2. Ill Bill - The Grimey Awards
3. Inspectah Deck, 7L & Esoteric - Czarface
4.Deltron 3030 - The Event 2
5. RA the Rugged Man - Legends Never Die
6. Run the Jewels
7. Carcass - Surgical Steel
8. Gorguts  - Colored Sands 
9. Nails - Abandon All Life
10. Take Over and Destroy - Endless Night

Here is a list from our photographer Le-La Cloutier:

1. Arctic Monkeys- AM

2. Portugal. The Man- Evil Friends

3. Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires in the City

4. Justin Timberlake- The 20/20 Experience

5. Cold War Kids- Dear Miss Lonelyhearts

6. Jake Bugg- Shangri La

7. Kings of Leon- Mechanical Bull

8. Lorde- Pure Heroine

9. Arcade Fire- Reflektor

10. Fitz and the Tantrums- More Than Just A Dream

Honorable Mentions:

1. Skylar Grey- Don't Look Down

2. Grouplove- Spreading Rumours

3. The Strokes- The Comedown Machine

Here is a list from our correspondent Matthew Warford:

1 - Classixx - Hanging Gardens

2 - The National - Trouble Will Find Me

3 - Jessie Ware - Devotion
4 - Pusha T - My Name Is My Name

5 - Haim - Days Are Gone

6 - Rhye - Woman

7 - Holy Ghost! - Dynamics

8 - Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City

9 - James Blake - Overgrown

10 - Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

Honorable Mentions:

Phoenix - Bankrupt!

Disclosure - Settle

Drake - Nothing Was The Same

AM & Shawn Lee - La Musique Numerique

Houses - A Quiet Darkness

Here is a list from our correspondent David Blanchard:

1. Smith Westerns - Soft Will

2. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II

3. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City

4. The Head and the Heart - Let's Be Still

5. Lucius - Wildewoman

6. Washed Out - Paracosm

7. Cayucas - Bigfoot

8. Fuzz 

9. Olafur Arnalds - For Now I am Winter

10. James Blake - Overgrown

Playlist

 Take a look at November's 26-song playlist and hear it on Spotify!

Fitz & the Tantrums on Conan

Watch Fitz & The Tantrums perform "Out of My League" on Conan!

Fitz & The Tantrums on Letterman

 Watch the always amazing, Fitz & The Tantrums perform "Out of My League" on Letterman!

Quick Spins

Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

The most talked about duo in modern music release their first album seven years and while the French DJ’s known for changing the EDM game return, their latest is a history of dance music. Daft Punk drop the hard beats and drum machines and pick up synths, guitars, bass, and go fro head banging dance music from outer space to funk and disco and give their audience a timeline of dance music through the years. Mixing genres within the genre, the robots rally up Julian Casabalancas, Pharell Williams, Giorgio Mordor, and others for a universal party.

FINAL GRADE: A-

The National – Trouble Will Find Me

The moody Brooklyn indie rockers return with their latest album, and their most dramatic to date. Trouble Will Find Me finds The National starker, heavier, and darker than ever before, singer Matt Berninger talks about relationships with women, his family (most notably his brother, who was the subject of the documentary Mistaken For Strangers), and what it is like to be the center of attention. The record also hears the band creating musical ebbs and flows within each song and within the tracklisting of the album.

FINAL GRADE: A-

R.A. The Rugged Man – Legends Never Die

Eight years after his debut, the long awaited second album from Long Island rapper R.A. The Rugged Man finally arrives and packs a punch that will knock anyone out. Holding nothing behind, R.A. discusses his personal life, women, his career, being screwed over by the music business, and why he will be independent for life. Linking up with guests like Brother Ali, Masta Ace, Tech N9ne, Talib Kweli, Hopsin, and Krizz Kaliko, R.A. goes lights out and proves his legend will never die.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Tricky – False Idols

The latest album from English trip hop pioneer, Tricky, comes as a breath of fresh air and rejuvenated over the years of playing up his legacy. False Idols features appearances from  Francesca Belmonte, Fifi Rong, Nneka and Peter Silberman of The Antlers, to create a universe of ambient, hypnotic, and emotional music.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Capital Cities – In A Tidal Wave of Mystery

The debut album from California’s Capital Cities packs a serious punch of fun and delight that will have anyone dancing and smiling.

FINAL GRADE: B

Tripwires – Spacehopper

The long awaited debut from England’s Tripwires has finally arrived. We first told you about this band in 2008, and after releasing a handful of EP’s, singles, and covers, the band is finally here with their first full length. They combine sci-fi inspired rock and prog for an impressive debut.

FINAL GRADE: B

Daughter – If You Leave

The debut album from British buzz band daughter arrives and the band combine stark folk and moody, atmospheric hooks that prove they should be on your radar.

FINAL GRADE: B

Deerhunter – Monomania

Indie favorites Deerhunter return with their sixth record and offer up some of their best material in ages. Monomania hears the band making their most ambitious and experimental record so far, yet, while the sound seems to be far out and different for them, it also is the reason why this album is so interesting.

FINAL GRADE: B

Little Boots – Nocturnes

English disco singer and performer Little Boots comes back with her second record and brings classic dance dynamics as well as vigorous sounds that give way to something so fresh, it will rally in new fans and please old ones.

FINAL GRADE: B

!!! – Thri!!!er

Punk inspired dance heroes, !!! return with a record that is a sure fire way to an instant party and a ton of fun to listen to. Thri!!!er hears a band that does not take themselves serious but takes their music very serious.

FINAL GRADE: B

The Melvins – Everybody Loves Sausage

The iconic DIY band celebrates their 20^th anniversary with an album full of covers. Everybody Loves Sausage hears the band cover David Bowie, Queen, The Kinks, The Fugs, Roxy Music, The Jam, Venom, Throbbing Gristle, and more for a variety of interesting takes on pretty well known tunes.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Primal Scream – More Light

The psychedelic Britrock legends return with their 10^th studio album, and since losing Mani back to his first band, The Stone Roses, Primal Scream truck on with massive, swelling, melodies, hooks, and hypnotic sounds that really carry on their legacy. However, as grand as More Light tends to get, it also gets redundant and sometimes too big too many times for one album.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Guided By Voices – English Little League

The Ohio indie legends return with their 20^th album, and like their other efforts, this album sounds as classic as GBV will get.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Pretty and Nice – Golden Rules for Golden People

Taking pop punk inspiration and mixing it with electronic hooks, the Boston bands latest is a fun listen and solid effort that will have you moving and shaking.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Fitz and the Tantrums – More Than Just A Dream

The LA revivalists come back with their second album and still taking a retro cool sound to their music, they spike it up a notch with synth sounds that reach for a broader pop sound. While the new dynamic still has the charm of their fantastic debut, the subtle changes alter the band a bit, but still make for a solid listen.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Talib Kweli – Prisoner of Conscious

 The legendary Brooklyn emcee returns with his latest and while we can still learn from this icons words, some of them fall short. Much of Prisoner of Conscious sounds forced, and far too preachy to enjoy, even with production from RZA, Harry Fraud, Oh No and guests like Nelly, Miguel, Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius, Busta Rhymes and Ryan Leslie, Kweli may still have a lot to say, but he seems tired saying it.

FINAL GRADE: C+

Youngblood Hawke

The debut album from the LA buzz band has arrived, and much like their 2012 EP, it sounds as generic and unoriginal that it after one listen, it will be more than enough.

FINAL GRADE: C-

Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor

The Hellbilly returns with his fifth solo album, and proves that he refuses to change his sound, style and dynamic. Much like his last film, this album went unnoticed and much like his last film, it also is something you can skip.

FINAL GRADE: D 

Fitz & The Tantrums on Kimmel

 Watch Fitz and the Tantrums perform "Out of My League" and "The Walker" off their new album, More Than Just A Dream, on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Quick News

Four Tet will reissue his acclaimed breakthrough album, Rounds, in May for its 10th anniversary.

After denying a reunion, Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant has now hinted that he would be open for a reunion tour of the rock titans. Speaking to Australia's 60 Minutes, Plant said, "[Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones] are Capricorns. They don't say a word. They're quite contained in their own worlds and they leave it to me. I'm not the bad guy . . . You need to see the Capricorns – I've got nothing to do in 2014." Whatever that means, fingers crossed the band gets together again!

The Dillinger Escape Plan announced the title and cover to the their new record. The album, One Of Us Is The Killer, will be out later this year. Take a look at the album's cover below:

Fitz and the Tantrums unveiled the cover to their new album, More Than Just a Dream. The record arrives in April, take a look at the cover below:

New York City rapper Anthm will release his new EP, Handful of Dust, later this year. The EP was produced by Blu under the alias, Godleebarnes. Take a look at the EP's cover below:

Quick News

Fitz and the Tantrums will release their second LP, More Than Just A Dream, on May 7. Over the years we have interviewed the band numerous times, take a look at our first interview with the Fitz in 2011 HERE.

Has Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler accidentally leaked out that Rage Against the Machine are recording again? Butler spoke to Metal Insider about Sabbath's forthcoming new record, which features Rage's Brad Wilk on drums, the legendary bassist may have spilled the beans on the new RATM record when asked about a new Sabbath tour. Butler said, "We're not sure yet. We don't know because I think Brad’s got commitments with Rage Against The Machine. So it'll probably be either Tommy or Brad, depending on their commitments." No word yet from Rage's camp to confirm or deny the claim.

Lamb of God's Randy Blythe's manslaughter trial has begun in Czech Republic. The singer, who was accused of causing injuries that led to a fans death in the country in 2010, has plead not guilty.

Cedric Bixler-Zavala has revealed he is working a solo album in the wake of The Mars Volta breaking up. He tweeted, "Lots of desert ballad space jams, lots of harmonies, lots of lap steel and piano. Lots of AM radio love songs. Short bitter sweet love songs. Be warned I’m not making a rock record. It might lightly rock but not like I’m known for."

The Roots are working with Elvis Costello and making a record together. Speaking to Billboard, Questlove said, "The second time he came on, we surpassed the first one. So by the third time, he was like ‘Let’s stop messing around and do something together.’ They have already recorded between 14-20 songs together.

Alkaline Trio will release their new record, My Shame is True, on April 2. The album was produced by Decendents / All / Black Flag drummer, Bill Stevenson. Take a look at the tracklisting below:

1. She Lied To The FBI - 2:48
2. I Wanna Be A Warhol - 3:07
3. I'm Only Here To Disappoint - 2:46
4. Kiss You To Death - 3:21
5. The Temptation Of St. Anthony - 3:34
6. I, Pessimist - 2:10
7. Only Love - 4:35
8. The Torture Doctor - 3:37
9. Midnight Blue - 2:44
10. One Last Dance - 3:28
11. Young Lovers - 3:31
12. Until Death Do Us Part - 4:13

What's Coming in 2013

We officially are in the New Year and with a new year comes new music. Take a look at what albums are expected to be released this year. 

January:

-       Local Natives – Hummingbird

-       Pantha du Prince – Elements of Light

-       Everything Everything – Arc

-       Biffy Clyro – Opposites

-       Toro Y Moi – Anything in Return

-       FIDLAR

-       Ra Ra Riot – Beta Love

-       The Joy Formidable – Wolf’s Law

-       Ben Harper – Get Up!

-       A$AP Rocky – LoveLiveA$AP

-       Delphic – Collections

-       Bad Religion – True North

-       Tegan & Sara – Heartthrob

-       New Order – Lost Sirens

February:

-       Azealia Banks – Broke with Expensive Taste

-       Snoop Lion – Reincarnation

-       Foals – Holy Fire

-       Coheed & Cambria – The Aftermath: Dissension

-       Johnny Marr – The Messenger

-       KMFDM – Kunst

-       Talib Kweli

-       The Bronx – IV

-       Jim James – Regions of Light and Sound

-       Darkstar – News from Nowhere

-       Eels – Wonderful, Glorious

-       Unknown Moral Orchestra – II

-       Gold Fields – Black Sun

-       Frightened Rabbit – Pedestrian Verse

-       Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push The Sky Away

-       Jamie Lidell

-       Wild Belle – Isla

-       Palma Violets - 180

-       Shout Out Louds – Optica

-       Atoms for Peace – Amok

-       Inspectah Deck / 7L / Esoteric - Czarface

-       Darwin Deez – Songs for Imaginative People

March:

-       Lady Gaga – ARTPOP

-       Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

-       Jimi Hendrix – People, Hell, and Angels

-       Youth Lagoon – Wondrous Bughouse

April:

-       Depeche Mode

-       Onelinedrawing

-       MIA – Matangi

-       Black Sabbath

-       Yeah Yeah Yeahs

-       Devondra Banhart – Mala

-       Phoenix

-       House of Love – She Paints Words In Red

May:

       - Tribes – Wish to Scream

-     Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues

June:

-AlunaGeorge

  

 Other Records Expected to Arrive in 2013:

-       Arcade Fire

-       The National

-       Portugal. The Man

-       Noel Gallagher

-       Beady Eye

-       Stone Roses

-       Slayer

-       The Strokes

-       Pearl Jam

-       OMD

-       Jay-Z

-       Mona

-       Queens of the Stone Age

-       Vampire Weekend

-       Clipse

-       The Black Keys

-       Thin Lizzy

-       Arctic Monkeys

-       Death From Above 1979

-       Action Bronson

-       Primal Scream

-       U2

-       Frank Turner

-       The Heartbreaks

-       Chapel Club

-       Mongol Horde

-       Roc Marciano

-       Alice In Chains

-       Anthrax

-       Metallica

-       Bullet For My Valentine

-       Iron Maiden

-       Pusha-T

-       Suicidal Tendencies

-       Beyonce

-       Atari Teenage Riot

-       Kings of Leon

-       Vinnie Caruana

-       Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 2

-       The Roots

-       Glasvegas – Later…When The TV Turns to Static

-       Wolfmother

-       Violent Soho

-       Empire of the Sun

-       Fitz & the Tantrums

-       Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings

-       Young the Giant

-       Nico Vega

-       The Prodigy – How to Steal a Jet Fighter

-       Editors

-       Roger Waters – Heartland

-       Surfer Blood

-       The Hold Steady

-       The Flaming Lips – The Terror

-       AC/DC

-       Deep Purple

-       Dream Theater

-       Motorhead

-       Q-Tip – The Last Zulu

-       Tool

-       How to Destroy Angels

-       Beck

-       Wu-Tang Clan

-       Robyn

-       Magnetic Man

-       Dillinger Escape Plan

-       Canibal Ox

-       Raekwon

-       Cloud Nothings