Brooklyn’s Crystal Stilts recently recorded a session over at Daytrotter, which along with a few tracks from last year’s debut Alight of Night, also featured two new tracks from the band. Both “Through the Floor” and “Sycamore Tree” are delightful to listen to, that is, if you find a poppier version of Joy Division enjoyable. The latter is even described as “graveyard dance music,” so there you go. Head over to Daytrotter to download the entire session.

MP3: Crystal Stilts :: “Sycamore Tree (Daytrotter 4/7/09)”
MP3: Crystal Stilts :: “Through The Floor (Daytrotter 4/7/09)”
____________________________

I guess that was enough of a segue, as I want to bring up a little something that I should’ve mentioned much earlier: The newest Eardrums compilation from our pal Knut. Each new compilation, which seems to be released every season, always happens to provide a healthy dose of fresh pop songs. Head over there and download the first of four volumes, with the following to be released periodically. Here’s a little taste of what you can expect, as Birdsongs, Beesongs includes a new track from Hari and Aino that you can hear for yourself below. Did I also mention that these are free? Can’t beat that!

MP3: Hari and Aino :: “On My Usual Catch Up With Cecilia”

Photo: Pavla Kopecna

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart released one of the first truly great records of 2009, as heaps of praise have been showered over the band from all corners, including yours truly.  After kicking off a tour in early February in support of the record, the band have added a substantial number of additional tour dates, which include many appearances at SXSW and the Pitchfork Music Festival.

Now for us around the Atlanta-area, we would originally be seeing them on the 13th of this month, but due to some unfortunate circumstances, the band had to reschedule the date for May 3rd.  It’s a bummer, but I’d like to think I’m patient enough to wait a little while longer to finally see them in person.

In addition to the new tour dates, Slumberland have announced the release of a new 7″ single for what I would consider is arguably one of the best tracks on the record, “Young Adult Friction,” a song that I absolutely loved in a previous post that you can read if you wish.  It’ll be released on Mar. 31st, along with a new 7″ from fellow Brooklyn natives Crystal Stilts.  Both of which you can listen to below as they’ve been made available as MP3s. Tour dates can be viewed after the cut.

MP3: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart :: “Young Adult Friction”
MP3: Crystal Stilts :: “Love is a Wave”

Read the rest of this entry »