John Barundia1 “Good Morning” – Kanye West – Graduation – www.myspace.com/kanyewest 2. “Comfy in Nautica” – Panda Bear – Person Pitch http://www.myspace.com/rippityrippity3. “Heatherwood” – Deerhunter – Cryptograms – http://www.myspace.com/deerhunter4. “Patty Lee” – Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends – www.myspace.com/lessavyfav5. “Everyday” – The Field – From here we go sublime –...

“Is that a cardigan?” I had to ask my attractive, female neighbor when Vampire Weekend first appeared on stage Wednesday at The Independent in San Francisco. Laughing, she confirmed that the sweater in question was not of the pullover variety, therefore verifying my suspicions about this garment that adorned the band’s lead singer. However, before the night would progress to this question and answer session, there were a few other acts that needed to show off their wears. First, the...

I have seen The Cult live probably a dozen or so times over the years, and it's always been a bit of a love/hate relationship. They have either been totally amazing, or totally lackluster. It didn't matter if they were supporting Electric or Sonic Temple, or whether they were playing The Cow Palace or The Fillmore. Either they had it that night or they didn't. No middle ground. With that being said, I have always looked forward to seeing what...

So, I’m standing in line to purchase a CD at a used record shop yesterday when I see a ten-year-old boy clutching a skateboard in one hand and a CD in the other hesitantly approach the counter. He whispers something to the clerk who then gets a puzzled face and asks the boy to sit down in the waiting area. The clerk then turns to the store owner and says, “Hey, that kid’s mom wants him to return that CD...

It was bound to happen—after over a decade of David Yow wearing his derangements on his sleeve and yowling out his demons with Scratch Acid and The Jesus Lizard, the authorities must have caught up with him. If that's the case, then for both his own good and that of society, they must have put him on mood altering medications. Whether that's true or not, it's the best possible way of explaining his incomparably playful mood in conversation—being remarkably difficult...

Whenever anyone—be it a band or entertainer of any kind, a political figure or even a co-worker—stands up in support of any kind of ethic, is outspoken about it and exhibits said ethic as being unimpeachable for them, while those with less rigid scruples or those that also previously upheld said personality trait as being very important to them but didn't exhibit it with the same fervent belief immediately begin to feel threatened and insecure. Simply put, as soon as...

Louis XIV have announced that they will be setting off on the road in support of their new album titled Slick Dogs and Ponies. The album—which features the #1 Specialty Charts hit, "Guilt By Association"—arrives online and in stores on January 29. The San Diego-based rock 'n' roll band will introduce fans to their new material via a series of upcoming concert dates, including a much-anticipated North American tour alongside Editors and Hot Hot Heat. The schedule kicks off on...

Almost everything written about Iron and Wine immediately states that it is merely the stage name of one Sam Beam. And although this is true, it is only in part: on November 30th at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, the statement was most certainly more false than true… Iron and Wine started out in 2002 as the bedroom musical project of a cinematography professor. Channeling the spirit of Nick Drake mixed with romantic notions of the Deep South, Sam Beam...

After 19 albums in 18 years, Ani DiFranco has made an indelible impression upon the pop and folk music worlds as well as the political conscience (both sexual and federal) of her listeners. Her fans worship her and that makes a biblically entitled collection of her songs appropriate; Canon culls some choice cuts from the singer’s storied and celebrated career and presents the enduring image of DiFranco in the general public’s consciousness: a politically aware and emotionally charged songwriter that...

First things first: Go to a Spank Rock show! Right now. He brings more energy to the stage than anyone I’ve ever seen as he spits fast rhymes and bounces around like an old school MC. Almost every song mentions sex in the least discreet way possible, and you just kind of have to stand there and watch in a fascinated disbelief. When Bangers & Cash came out a few weeks ago, I was excited to see that Spank Rock...