Likely Looks: Kasier Chiefs "Love's Not A Competition (But I'm Wining)"

Wringing out another single from the kitchen rag that is Yours Truly, Angry Mob (okay, that metaphor was meant to be far more complimentary), we get another single from t'Chiefs. This time it is the not-so-lovelorn ballad, "Love's Not A Competition (But I'm Winning)": part tongue-firmly-in-cheek, part brutal honesty about the transfer of male-female power. It's just like boys to think they're winning, isn't it? Sex biases aside, this is a lovely little tune and the video sees the boys taking in the sites of my sister blogger's city, aka The City. Plus, you get to see Peanut in a little rickshaw. Adorable. Sorry, Penaut.

Kaiser Chiefs - "Love's Not A Competition (But I'm Winning)"



x, LA Broad

P.S. - Interview with the pipes of the chiefs (Ricky "swoon" Wilson) coming SOON

Likely Looks: The Blood Arm & Anais - Do I Have Your Attention?

I was inspired to post this after mentioning one of my favorite LA ("Really? They're from LA? I thought they were British...") bands, The Blood Arm, as being part of the Art Brut/Hold Steady US tour this fall.

They've just released a new album (UK only) called Lie Lover Lie, but they had a fantastic single they released a while back called "Do I Have Your Attention." It's a lovely ditty about movie dates, arson and run of the mill scene gangsters. Tres mignon! I'm going frog on you, because they've recently vamped up the track into a duo, with lead singer/avid set climber Nathaniel sharing vocals with French singer-songwriter Anais.

Check out the champagne 'n brie-soaked cuteness here:

Duo The Blood Arm / Anais: Do I have Your Attention?

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P.S. - The Blood Arm have indeed been blogging their (mis)adventures on the Art Brut tour here.

x,
LA Broad

Oasis Feel "the grooves" on New Album

Noel Gallagher is a genius... well, close and he thinks so anyway—plus, he wrote "Slide Away" and all of our collective Broad favorites. That said, Noel Gallagher can do whatever the fook he wants to. So, if he wants to tell BBC 6 Music that they're going to "focus on the grooves" for their upcoming album, and lose the tracks that are too "songy," well I guess he can. And he did.

The new album, which is nowhere near completion (2 songs in the can and the rest demos), is set to be more groove-oriented and less "songy." Oh, yay. He's touching on his acid-tripping past as the inspiration for these new tracks:

"I've been re-visiting some of my more psychedelic trips of a younger man, because I remember them all you see...putting them to music. I've literally got nothing left to write about: I've wrote about being a youth, and I've wrote about being a rock star, and I've wrote about living life in the big city."

BUT, Oasis were totally back in their element with Don't Believe the Truth. It was like we instantly absolved them of their sins (ahem, Heathen Chemistry)... so, we'll see if their drugged-out heyday and Noel's memory is good enough for a classic.

Speaking of classics, check out this archived Oasis interview with Filter Magazine. My favorite part? The one-word album association. Journalist says the name of an Oasis album, they give a one-word response (Liam and Noel were interviewed seperately). Liam answers all the psych test questions with: "Classic." Of course.

Cocaine & Abel (Or How the Brothers Gallagher Survived Each other...)

Watch the video for their new single, "Lord Don't Slow Me Down":



x,
LA Broad

Likely Looks: Two Gallants "Despite What You've Been Told"

This week people come up with any excuse to relate something with Halloween and here's my lame attempt. Need a costume idea? How about a clown?! Not only is the new Two Gallants video a pretty jaunt through town with a lonely clown, it's also a how-to video tutorial on how to put on clown make-up. Indie-rock clown?! Man, I'm a genius.

The song is a track from their latest (third in-counting) self-titled album. I missed them when they came through town at the El Rey, but hear it was a great show. Get a glimpse of what I missed here:



x,
LA Broad

Libertines Release Best Of: A Time For Heroes

A time for heroes, indeed. Every generation laments the good ol' days when we had someone to look up to. John Lennon. Kurt Cobain. Hell, Kurt Vonnegut. Those people of an iconic nature, who mean so much to us—who seem to define us—aren't meant long for this world. So, it's got to be a little bittersweet when a band like The Libertines is releasing a "best of" and they're all still around... just not together.

Though I'm sure there'll be a formal reunion of sorts in a few years, if Pete doesn't off himself anytime soon, but this signifies the end of an era. Or, if you're feeling glass half full, it's the cornerstone of a time in history, from which everything else will grow. Or, it's just a 13 track CD of songs you probably already own if you're reading this (that's glass half empty). However you take it, it means something. It means these are great songs made by men who one day deserve to be icons for all the right reasons.

Time For Heroes tracklisting:

Up the Bracket
Time for Heroes
Mayday
Don't Look Back Into the Sun
Tell The King
What Katie Did
Can't Stand Me Now
What a Waster
The Delaney
Boys in the Band
Death on the Stairs
I Get Along
What Became of the Likely Lads

Did you see the stylish kids in the riot....



x, LA Broad

Likely Looks: Kaiser Chiefs "The Angry Mob"

God bless Kaiser Chiefs for being able to put out almost as many singles as there are songs on the album. This time around, the quasi-title track "The Angry Mob" is getting the singles treatment. The video is a new direction from their slightly silly and puzzling (tennis ball juggler in "Modern Way," anybody?) video track record as they take a more cinematic approach.

This time, the boys play the help (tuxedoed waiters and barkeeps, a fine dining ivory-tickler and one ravishing limo chauffeur) amidst an angry mob of two flocks of fishnet and bunny-eared ladies on hen nights (very Sharks v. Jets) and a restaurant of dapper, upper-middle class twits.

Yeah! Keep it working class, boys! Leeds!

Kaiser Chiefs - The Angry Mob



x, LA Broad

Likely Looks: Rilo Kiley - "Moneymaker"

I've been down with Rilo Kiley since they were convincing us to "do the frug." I have been fruging ever since.

Their sophomore album The Execution of All Things is for sure in my top 50. They have this beguiling simplicity to their songs (which are beyond simple), and Jenny's Lolita croon gets me every time.

On their fourth studio album (out August 21 via Warner Bros.) Under The Blacklight has been getting a bunch of buzz (check out their cover story in the latest issue of Filter Magazine), but the only track I've heard so far is their first single "Moneymaker." It's a Rilo Kiley tune, but... funky. Yeah, not country, not Omaha, not pop.... funky. Mega bass lines (provided by Miss Lewis herself) and libido-heavy lyricism. To see what I mean, check out the video:



Hot. Hot. And more Hot. Bonus points to the blonde who calls herself "Faye Runaway"--not a really porn name, but still awesome... and kinda dirty.

x, LA Broad

Likely Looks: The Rakes "The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect"

Neither of us broads have really spoken out about how great the new Rakes album is. Sure, it doesn't have the same guilty, drunken, renegade 20-something without a cause feel as their debut, but it's got some perspective. Take their latest single "The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect." As the name suggests, it's a jab against all those dirty, pretty things queuing up outside the newest hipster hotspot, oblivious to the headlines or anyone else.

The video for the song captures that aloof quality, featuring the band as apathetic hairdressers (not on fire). Check it out...



Though the hyperactive tracks seem to be The Rakes' forte, my personal favorite would have to be the ballad-esque "Little Superstitions." Listen for yourself...

The Rakes - "Little Superstitions" MP3

x, LA Broad

Thanks to Nasty Panda for the MP3!

Likely Looks: Matt & Kim vs. Flosstradamus - "Yea Yeah"

Our buddies at IHEARTCOMIX have sent us another gem. Who knew a keyboardist and a drummer who only played Brookylyn (essentially) before releasing their food-fight inducing smash-pop (I just made it up, like it?) debut could have this much success? And these many remixes. But, Matt & Kim are in the honored circle of cool friends like Flosstradamus, Kid Sister, A-Trak, Ocelot, etc, etc.

That's the cool thing about IHEARTCOMIX. They're DIY indie/punk rock kids with an insatiable appetite for dancin'. This Flosstradamus remix of Matt & Kim's breakout hit "Yea Yeah" is the beautiful harmony of those 2 qualities come to life by the adorable animation and muppet-like host created by Demonbabies, who provides all the sweet visuals for any IHEARTCOMIX soiree. Check it:



x, LA Broad

New Cribs Tour Dates

The Cribs know my needs. My needs are to see those three unwashed pop geniuses sweat on me and possibly dribble just a little bit of beer and blood on me. Thank God they know me so well, cos they've just announced their newest string of US tour dates. Here's the word from their official MySpace:

"The Cribs have announced a run of new shows in America and Canada around their appearance on the Main Stage at Lollapalooza.

The Cribs US Dates

(*note these dates are in UK format day/month/year...)

23.07.07 San Diego, California - The Casbah
24.07.07 West Hollywood, LA - The Troubadour
25.07.07 San Francisco, California - Slims
27.07.07 Portland, Oregon - Doug Fir Lounge
28.07.07 Seattle, Washington - Capitol Hill Block Party
29.07.07 Vancouver BC - Richards On Richard
01.08.07 Minneapolis, Minnesota - 7th Street Entry
02.08.07 Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Pabst Theatre
04.08.07 Chicago, Illinois - Empty Bottle
05.08.07 Chicago IL, Grant Park - Lollapalooza
Main Stage
06.08.07 Detroit, Michigan - Magic Stick
07.08.07 Toronto, Ontario - Lees Palace
09.08.07 New York - Bowery Ballroom
10.08.07 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Johnny Brendas

Support bands for these dates will be White Rabbits on the East Coast and Sean Na Na on the west, including Minneapolis.

The Cribs x"

Nice opener choices, but Sean Na Na doesn't surprise me. Sean Na Na is the more palatable, indie-rock stylings of the reforming Har Mar Superstar (aka Sean Tillman). These guys are a fixture in the LA scene, and are definitely buddies of the Cribs. Minneapolis is their hometown, so no surprise there either.

The Cribs' Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever is, again, an amazing record. I cannot urge you enough to go out and buy it when they release it on July on Warner Bros. BUT, if you just can't wait to have that Wakefield brogue whispered in your headphone by the Jarmans, you can download it (from any country) on iTunes here.

Check out their first video from the album, "Men's Needs":



x, LA Broad

Likely Looks: Bat For Lashes

I admit it: I was totally late in the game for Bat For Lashes. I kept on hearing the name, hearing hoe hot the singer was, what cool head apparel she wore, and her ghostly seductive voice. After I saw her on Thom York's iTunes celebrity playlist I became deeply disappointed with myself for being so out of the loop. So, now, I give you.... my Bat For Lashes post!

I was checking out Blender, and they have this great post on one of the better music video directors out right now, Dougal Wilson. He was the one who made the amazing Jarvis Cocker "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time" video. Now, he's worked with Miss Natasha Khan, the beauty and brains behind Bat For Lashes on her latest "What's A Girl To Do". The video bares more than a resemblance in look and feel (and characters) to Donnie Darko. In one full shut Natasha is riding her bike amongst suited demonic rabbits, passing my car crashes and woodland spooks. And it matches the song perfectly. Check it out here...



x, LA Broad

Likely Listen: Kaiser Chiefs "Getting Better"

In honor of me seeing the Kaiser Chiefs as a pre-birthday celebration this week in LA, I thought I'd post the video footage of their 40th anniversary Sgt. Pepper's cover.

I'm not clear on how the songs were broken down or if the band had any say, but Kaisers have tackled the McCartney penned and sung "Getting Better." Ricky does a pretty nice job with the high registered notes, but seems a bit nervous. Maybe the finished product will have a better sound. Nick vocals are, as always, a bit shrill, but complimentary nonetheless. I mean, no one can be Paul. Nick's drums sound rich and full, while Whitey's guitar has enough reverb to keep true to the notes and give it a modern touch. The songs are all recorded on reel to reel, juts like in the good ol' days. Check out the boys' Beatles impressions here:



As a sidenote, has anyone seen their huge stage banner that is a TOTAL rip-off of the Beatles 1966 tour?

The Beatles:



Kaiser Chiefs:



Interesting, no? Can't decide whether is genius or tawdry...

x, LA Broad

Likely Listen: The Airborne Toxic Event

This band isn't new to many of you in the LA area who are avid show attendees. The Airborne Toxic Event (the name is a nod to Don DeLillo's novel White Noise) started out a little over four months ago, and suddenly shot out into the scene. The homegrown band, and brain child of frontman Mikel Jollet, released a three track EP that sold out within the span of their first few shows, garnered a residency on Monday nights at the Echo in February, opened up for the Horrors and littered themselves around the stages of Silver Lake and Echo Park hot-spots.

They just got back from a quick UK tour, where (unsurprisingly) the ravenous, NME-ingesting crowds loved 'em. Now they're back in LA and are slated to open up (as the only support band) for Kaiser Chiefs at the Henry Fonda this Thursday.

Not too bad. But is it too soon?

What do they sound like, you ask? The singer/guitarist/songwriter Mikel Jollet definitely has clear influences. Though the base of the music is a fusion of angular, amplified guitar jolts ala Franz Ferdinand and Orange Juice, the vocals display more than a hint of Conor Oberst and Morrisey—with a dash of Edwyn Collins for some cred. They're an energetic, fun, very "now" band, and the kids sure do seem to like them. I'll be out at the Kaisers show to give you a full update on how their rising stardom is received by the LA crowd.

They band have also unveiled their new (and first!) video for their ode to stalking ex-lovers post breakup, "Does This Mean You're Moving On?":



x, LA Broad

NEW MARY CHAIN ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No secret here, I'm probably the most avid JAMC fan 'round these here blog parts. So, when I stumbled upon the Uncut interview with Jim about the reunion and what the future held for JAMC, I nearly wet myself... okay, maybe I did... just a little.

Here's a little news-age I wrote for work (ARTISTdirect: go. now. we're good.)

Leave it to the Jesus & Mary Chain to blow all other "reunion bands" out of the water. In the latest issue of Uncut, one of the more venerable UK music rags, Jim Reid reveals phase two of the Mary Chain. Speaking to the magazine, the crouching and crotchety lead singer said, "The reunion is not necessarily about any nostalgia trip. There will be a new record, otherwise there wouldn't be any point to reforming." Don't think statement is a side-effect of the reunion high. Both Jim and William have been making records throughout the JAMC hiatus. Jim formed Freeheat with ex-members of The Gun Club and former JAMC bassist Ben Lurie, while William has been releasing a string of experimental and sparse indie rock albums under the moniker Lazycame.

Fans coming out the the band's live shows have gotten a glimpse of what the proposed new album will sound like with the newest JAMC track in over 9 years with "All Things Must Pass." The new tune is a continuation of their Munki-era songs, complete with Jim's signature sardonic and moody lyrics and William's antagonizing riffs. Though the album is still "officially tentative" according to a representative for the Scotland band, if all things go according to plan (aka if Jim and William don't kill each other), JAMC will hit the studio in late fall after their extensive summer tour.

Longtime JAMC fans may also be excited to hear that the guitar-smith of the Mary Chain, elder brother William Reid, has been working on a solo record of his own. Recording the album in Los Angeles earlier this year, the album has no title, no record label funding, but William has released his first single from the forthcoming album called "Ono Yoko" on his official MySpace page.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff

06.01.07

I'm such a smarty-pants. Fuck. I'm so excited.

What do you all think? Does anyone like Freeheat or Lazycame? Lazycame is William being fucking weird and is definitely a left field extension of Munki and Freeheat is basically Jim making a mash-up of Stoned & Dethroned and Barbed Wire Kisses (b-sides, muthafuckah).

I'd put my money on their new record being AMAZING, and blowing all these rip-off bands out of the water.

Exhibit A:



I'm in love... all over again.

x LA Broad

Gettin' Nostalgic

Pete gets a job offer from MTV after being his cute, sober, teenageself waiting in line to get the new Oasis record. Awwww.



x, LA Broad

Fields + Blonde Redhead = Good Ticket

I love Fields. Their almost effortless intertwining of My Bloody Valentine rushes of sound, dissonant melodies and folk backbone amazes me. But... I also like drinking. And because of my lush status, I missed them at Coachella. It's okay, start hurling balled-up post-it notes at your computer screen: I deserve it.

But to make up for it, here is their awesome new(ish) video for "If You Fail, We All Fail" and some pics of their live performance from Coachella.







The band are also touring this summer and a few dates are with Blonde Redhead (also a Coachella highlight). Here's the dates:

5/2 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
5/6 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club*
5/8 New York, NY - Webster Hall*
5/9 Boston, MA - Paradise*
5/11 Toronto, ONT - Opera House*
5/12 Montreal, QUE - Club Soda*
5/14 Toronto, ONT - Amp'd Mobile Studio
5/15 Detroit, MI - Lager House
5/16 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
5/18 Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall
5/19 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
*with Blonde Redhead

x LA Broad

Spinal Tap Are Back!

No time to go into detail... just watch it. And, yes, Rob Reiner put back on the cap. God Bless 'im.



x LA Broad

Sonic Youth Daydream Again

According to the band's website and other sources, Sonic Youth are not only going to be doing 12(!) shows where they'll play Daydream Nation in its entirety, but they will also be re-releasing the classic.



It's a huge mother: 2X CD and 4X LP. Man, a new album last summer, a rarities album at Christmas and now the grand-daddy of re-releases. Either Thurston and Kim have some bills to pay, or SY is on a roll.

Disc 1 features:

-Home demo of "Eric's Trip"
-Remastered tracks of 1988 original

Disc 2 boasts:

-15 live tracks recorded from the Daydream Nation tour
-"Within You, Without You" from Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father - an NME-sponsored charity Beatles Tribute album
-"Computer Age" from the critically-acclaimed Neil Young tribute album The Bridge
-"Electricity" from the Captain Beefheart tribute album Fast And Bulbous
-Cover of Mudhoney's "Touch Me, I'm Sick," originally released as a Sub Pop single

Not bad.
And of course, Sonic Youth will be making their second appearance at Coachella this year, representing the old band that never broke up camp.

Just to remind you that Thurston Moore is still cooler than you, here's an interview from SXSW conducted by the incomparable Filter editor Pat McGuire:



x, LA Broad

The Cribs "Men's Needs" Video

Thank you, Wakefield!

Here is the first full glimpse of The Cribs' supposedly single-laden third album Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever. The boys flew out to Los Angeles the weekend of SXSW (very tricky, Jarmans) to film the first(?) single's video. The band decided to stick with their theme of using arts & crafts video-making pastiche, but you know, added a naked chick. Though, said naked chick does seem to have it in for the boys... oh well. No use crying over a spilled drum kit.

"Men's Needs":



Also, since I'm on a SPIN kick, here's an interview they did with the boys and Alex Kapranos while they were finishing up the album in NYC. Check it out here.

x, LA Broad

No You Can't Stop The Rock

Linda Reid is the luckiest girl in all of Scotland. Sure, her brothers are curmedgeon geniuses which probably makes for some interesting crimbos. But on the flip side, they like to keep all their musical endeavors in the family.



She's the girlish vocals behind the Jim/William Reid "side-project" and Linda's solo career Sister Vanilla. Her debut album (which was recorded over nearly a 10 year period) is finally getting a proper release. It came out a few weeks ago and I still have yet to get it, but waaay back in 2002 when William released his solo effot Lazycame, he included a track with his siter called "Pastelblue (w/ Sister Vanilla)". It's a listless lullaby about writing songs, listening to the Pastels and crashing cars; a normal day in the life. You've also heard her before if you've done your Mary Chain homework. She lends the vocals to "Moe Tucker" on the Chain's swan song (perhaps not anymore) Munki.

Now there's also a video for what appears to be her first psuedo-single "Can't Stop The Rock". It's a little boring, but clever. Apparently, not even old age can stop the rocking of cigarette smoking, tea drinking and aggressive letter-writing.



Here's some MP3s that have been floating around for a while for your pleasure.

Sister Vanilla - "Can't Stop The Rock"
Sister Vanilla - "Pastelblue"
Sister Vanilla - "Jamcolas"

Thanks To TeamCleremont and The Yellow Stereo for the MP3s!

And what synchronicity! Lessons From Things has a lovely Sister Vanilla MP3 posted today, too! NOTE: That picture is not Linda. Phew. For more, check out Sister Vanilla on MySpace.

x, LA Broad