Filter Magazine

News:FILTER Has A New Website!

We at FILTER consider ourselves to be on the cutting edge of technology. In order to keep the masses updated with up-to-the-minute music news and general awesomeness, we've re-designed our website to make it more user friendly! In addition to tons of new features, now you comment on news stories, blogs, and anything your little heart desires.

News:Q&A: Ray Davies (Part 2)

As if “singer and songwriter from a renowned band like The Kinks” wasn’t enough, Ray Davies can now add “choral composer” to his list of fabulous occupations. The legendary leading man got together with the 60-plus member Crouch End Festival Chorus to collaborate on The Kinks Choral Collection, a revival of 15 Kinks songs—from the hit “All Day and All of the Night” to a medley of tunes from the more obscure Village Green Preservation Society album—into a breath of fresh vocal air.

News:Filter's Top 10 of 2009, Day 3: Cymbals Eat Guitars

Welcome to day three of FILTER’s Top of 2009, where each day of this month we bring you a guest artist’s top albums of the year. Continuing our series today are 2009 newcomers Joe D’Agostino and Matt Whipple of Cymbals Eat Guitars, which released its debut record, Why There Are Mountains, this year.

Reviews:Islands

An homage to indie pop with lovelorn lyrics, echoing refrains and melodic hooks�Vapors, the third full-length album from the quirky Canadian band, forms a sugary sound that�s almost too hard to swallow. Commencing loud and fast, Vapors� first half guises itself as a synth-happy dance record before switching to a darker, more pensive tone on �Tender Torture,� which leads into the lulling �Shining� and �Everything is Under Control.

Reviews:Son Volt

Here�s something you don�t hear every day: a song that lambasts ethanol-based fuel. �Who makes the decision to feed the tanks and not the mouths?� Jay Farrar sings in �The Wheels Don�t Move.

News:Final Fantasy Continues Winter Tour

In anticipation of his upcoming third album, Heartland, out January 12th, 2010 off of Domino Records, Owen Pallett, better known as Canadian experimental artist Final Fantasy, will be continuing his winter tour alongside the Mountain Goats. Tonight, the Toronto native will be hitting up New York's Webster Hall.

News:Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar To Tour

Recently Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard and Son Volt lead singer Jay Farrar contributed to the soundtrack for One Fast Move or I'm Gone, a tribute documentary to American beat writer Jack Kerouac. Now, they're taking the tribute album on the road, playing shows together throughout January 2010.

News:The Art Museums To Release Debut LP

The Art Museums, a Bay Area-based lo-fi pop duo consisting of Josh Alper and Glenn Donaldson, will be releasing their debut LP, Rough Frame, off of Woodsist, tentatively out in 2010. Not much else is known about the band, but judging from the tracks off of the indie newcomers' Myspace, all of which embody a distinct '70s Britrock vibe, we will surely be in for a treat next year.

News:FILTER Magazine presents The FILTER Mixed Contest with Little Dragon

DJs, remixers and producers, welcome to the December installment of FILTER's monthly remix series with Little Dragon. We want to hear your interpretation of the track "Blinking Pigs" from the album Machine Dreams out now on Peacefrog.

News:Q&A: Ray Davies (Part 1)

News:Filter's Top 10 of 2009, Day 2: Bradford Cox

As the year wraps up, FILTER is recounting the best of 2009. Each day of the month we’ll be sharing a guest artist’s top 10 albums of the year.

Reviews:Wye Oak

Wye Oak�s Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner are not cute and cuddly like Matt & Kim. They fall somewhere in between the gossamer-thin folk soundscapes of Rosebuds' married tandem Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp or the husband-wife Portland band Viva Voce.

Reviews:The Fiery Furnaces

The siblings Friedberger sure have been busy. Less than a year removed from The Fiery Furnaces� first live release, Remember (which dropped only 10 months after 2007�s Widow City), Matthew and Eleanor have already forged another full-fledged studio effort, and are purportedly working on a �Silent Record��that is, a notated piece of written music released only in book form.

Blog:Politics: War Is (Not) Over

In case you're too wrapped up in the Tiger Woods distraction, President Obama spoke to our future military leaders last night about committing 30,000 more troops and tens of billions of dollars to the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan.   I honestly couldn't disagree/disapprove more and suspect the president's timing for a 2011 withdrawal is politically motivated to make him appear 'anti-war' just in time for the 2012 elections.

News:Kidrockers Presents: The 88 and The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra

The all-ages Kidrockers series of concerts strive to expose children to the local indie music scene in a safe, family-oriented environment. On December 5th, Kidrockers is taking over the Echo in Los Angeles yet again, this time featuring sets from LA natives The 88 and The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra.

News:Kid Cudi To Tour US

In support of his star-studded debut album release, Man on the Moon, rapper Kid Cudi will be embarking on an extensive, national two-month tour of North America. The Ohio native will be kicking the tour off today, December 1st, at the Wang Center in Boston, MA, and will perform alongside pop megastar Lady Gaga throughout December and January.

News:Shout Out Louds Reveal Album Details

After a short hiatus, Swedish indie pop darlings Shout Out Louds have announced that they will be releasing their third studio album, Work, on February 23rd, 2010 off of Merge. The record will be a follow-up to 2007's slice of indie pop heaven, Our Ill Wills.

News:Fucked Up Embarks on Winter Tour

Apocalyptic hardcore punk band Fucked Up is currently terrorizing Vienna right now as they wrap up their 2009 European tour. Afterward, the band will be taking a short two-month break before hitting the road again, this time with their sights set on North America.

Reviews:Various Artists

After all the thrashings, gnashing and bashings of No Wave, the New York vanguard flowered a most potently opposite sound: mutant disco. None other than Luc Sante, able chronicler of all things subterranean NYC, concluded that this unstable genre could best be defined as:  “anything at all plus disco bottom.

Media:Furcast, Grey is Old, MP3

Not much is known about newcomer Furcast, a California duo consisting of Johann Carbajal and Vincent Mazza, except that they are definitely channeling Portishead's '90s trip-hop aesthetic in their sneak single, "Grey is Old. " The track, which is featured on their debut self-released EP Together, is a seductive array of horns, strings, James Bond flair, and film noir attitude.

Media:Hot Chip, One Life Stand, MP3

Indie-electronic Brit ensemble Hot Chip recently announced that their upcoming album, One Life Stand, is due for a Feburary 9th release off of Astralwerks. The London natives will also be touring with the xx on a short five-night tour of the US in April.

News:The Submarines Premeire New Video for Submarine Symphonika

Los Angeles indie rock duo, The Submarines, have revealed their new video for "Submarine Symphonika" on AOL/Spinner today!  "Submarine Symphonika" is an amazing visual treat that will undoubtably spark your imagination.   Check out the new video below.

News:Goldfrapp To Release New Album

Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, collectively known as Goldfrapp, are set to release their fifth studio album, Head First, on March 23 via Mute. The new album will be the band's first since 2007's Seventh Tree, with the first single, the ultra-danceable "Rocket," releases March 8.

News:Filter's Top 10 of 2009, Day 1: J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr

Welcome to FILTER's Top 10 of 2009. You know the drill: Each day of December, we'll be posting a guest artist's Top 10 albums of the year, replete with delicious irony, whimsy, hilarity, obscurity and pop delight.

News:KCRW Presents: AM and Sara Lov Holiday Show at Hotel Cafe

Forget listening to the same overplayed Christmas songs to get into the spirit this year and instead usher in the yuletide season with AM as he performs songs from his new EP, Holiday Happiness & Cheer, at the Hotel Cafe presented by KCRW on December 8. Local songstress, Sara Lov, will open the show.

Reviews:Sunset Rubdown

Spencer Krug’s Sunset Rubdown project continually grows in scope, developing from a bedroom project to its current five-piece assemblage. Krug’s songwriting is a strong, eccentric and endearing force, not always on par with the conventions of his other musical projects (Wolf Parade, Swan Lake, etc.

Media:Spoon, Written In Reverse Audio

Indie rockers Spoon will release their highly-anticipated follow up to 2007's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga early next year. In fact, Transference is set to arrive a week earlier than previously announced, out January 19th via Merge.

News:Damon Albarn Named Multi-Tasker Of The Decade

English publication, The Guardian, has recently named English singer-songwriter and record producer Damon Albarn "Multi-Tasker of the Decade". Albarn’s latest accomplishments include a new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, nearly finished.

News:She & Him Reveal New Album Details

Adorable twee outfit She & Him's, Volume One, was a pop-laden breath of fresh air in 2008 and word comes today that Volume Two is on its way. Taking time from their overwhelming schedules as musician and movie star, respectively, M.

Media:Neon Indian, Cheerleader Sega Genesis P-Orridge Remix MP3

Neon Indian’s Alan Palomo creates Grizzly Bear's "Cheerleader" into a different psychedelic remix. Titling it "Sega Genesis P-Orridge", Palomo is owed some kudos for this amazing tune; enjoy below.

News:Local Natives Sign To Frenchkiss

L. A.

Media:James Pants, Thin Moon MP3

Stones Throw multi-instrumentalist and purveyor of fresh beats, James Pants, is set to release his sophomore record.   Out December 8, Seven Seals, was created with thoughts of mystical literature, the book of Revelations and from being in the mood to start a cult.

News:Flaming Lips Plan Hometown New Years Eve Show

Flaming Lips fans in their hometown of Oklahoma City will be treated to a once in a lifetime New Years Eve performance. The Lips will be paying a tribute to their psych-rock forebears by covering Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at the Cox Center as they ring into the new year of 2010.

Reviews:Portugal. The Man

Over the years, Portugal. The Man has slipped glimmers of soul into a sound that has increasingly focused less on layered rock grandeur and more on tight song structures and hooks.

News:Weekly Picks 11.30.09

Filter likes music. There's no hiding it.

News:Ted Leo and the Pharmacists To Release New Album Via Matador

On March 9, Matador Records will release their first Ted Leo and the Pharmacists record, The Brutalist Bricks, as announced by the Matablog this morning. Leo and the Pharmacists recorded the follow-up to 2007's Living With the Living in Brooklyn this year.

Media:AM, Christmas Time Is Here Video

Singer-songwriter AM's dose of yuletide joy, Holiday Happiness & Cheer, is out now via FILTER US Recordings. The three-song digital EP includes this rendition of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here" (from the classic animated television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas).

News:Field Music Return To US; New Album Out Feb 2010

Following a self-imposed three year hiatus, Field Music, are set to return in the new year with a 20 track double album.   Powered, by brothers and co-frontmen Peter and David Brewis, Field Music’s line up now includes Kev Dosdale (guitar and keys) and Ian Black (bass).

News:The Strokes To Headline Isle of Wight Fest

Indie rockers The Strokes have announced their first live show together since October 2006, headlining this summer's Isle of Wight festival along with Jay-Z, Blondie, and Orbital. The festival takes place off England's southern coast June 11-13.

News:Manchester Orchestra To Play Intimate NYC Show

Atlanta indie rockers Manchester Orchestra will treat NYC fans to an intimate free performance at the Apple Store in Soho, tomorrow December 1 at 7 PM. This performance comes on the eve of their performance at the 101.

Reviews:Six Organs of Admittance

Ben Chasny has always had something of a classic rock bent that would seemingly clash with the sonic landscapes he’s known for creating as Six Organs of Admittance. Skimming online or through some of his albums’ liner notes, there are mention of Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson…and also Iron Maiden.

Blog:Holiday Calendar: UNIQUE LA Holiday Show

If you're still dizzy from Black Friday and have no time to partake in the Cyber Monday festivities, may I suggest your new, one stop shop for all of your holiday gift giving needs. The 2nd Annual UNIQUE Holiday Show will invade downtown Los Angeles this weekend, December 5th and 6th.

Exclusives:Getting to Know: Fool's Gold

Every year in Timbuktu, Mali -- smack dab in the middle of the Sahara -- concertgoers brave the torrid dunes by camel or caravan to congregate for an exotic musical event known as the Festival in the Desert. Only such an extraordinary setting would find Robert Plant sharing a stage with French rappers and Navajo punk rockers.

Reviews:Emily Wells

Borrowing part from filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s right-hand man Clint Mansell, whose hybrid of orchestration and electronic gadgetry will stand someday as a cinema landmark, Wells’ arrangements fall somewhere between a trifecta of Guy Ritchie bass grooves, MacBook wizardry and GarageBand proficiency. With an almost drunken, slurred vocal delivery atop the heavily orchestrated palate of her Dirty landscape, this EP makes a sincere attempt at big kid, adult-like orchestration.

Reviews:YACHT

Beware that along with YACHT’s newest electronic glitch-fest, there are a ton of cult references advertised on the LP, including a borderline obsession with triangles (“humankind’s most sacred and ancient symbol”), immortality (“The Afterlife,” “I’m in Love with a Ripper”), and bizarre recurring mantras that scream “join us!” Provocative statements like “Will we go to Heaven, or will we go to Hell?/It’s my understanding that neither is real” (“Ring the Bell”) sound ominously suggestive until repetitively layered over shakers, disjointed loops and staccato guitar notes—then they’re just hilariously fun messages of positive reinforcement. “Psychic City (Voodoo City),” dripping in spastic tonality and bubble-popping, may as well have been invented solely to fulfill its obligation to become this summer’s official theme song.

Reviews:Broken Records

I hate to generalize, but the Scots have got the sweeping, vaguely Romantic dramatics down pat. So, as The Twilight Sad dominates the noisy rebellion and Frightened Rabbit mends a broken heart by way of folk confessionals, fellow countrymen Broken Records are parading a maudlin career in theatrics.

Reviews:Generationals

Con Law is a homecoming of sorts for the Generationals. A collaborative effort between musicians Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer, the duo returned to New Orleans after the dissolution of their former band The Eames Era—a past foray into indie gum-pop with female lead vocalist.

Blog:TECH: drive and email

Yes you heard that right. Thanks to the amazing new app drivesafe.

Reviews:Tom Brosseau

Would you believe it if someone told you Tom Brosseau actually rocks out on Posthumous Success? Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but after building his reputation on minimalist acoustic folk songs, even the slightest electric charge will seem like lightning. And on this, the follow-up to 2007’s intimately spare Cavalier, Brosseau plays with rhythm sections, electric guitars, and even some synth.

News:Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin Plan US Tour

Indie pop quartet Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin have announced that they will be embarking on a short US tour of the East coast and the Mid-West. The tour kicks off December 2nd at The Outland in Springfield, MO, which will commemorate the band's 10th anniversary.

Media:Yeasayer, Ambling Alp Video

Brooklyn indie collective, Yeasayer, have release a video for "Ambling Alp" , the first single from Odd Blood, the band's highly anticipated 2nd LP, due February 9th via Secretly Canadian.   The very psychedelic, very NSFW video features the band, among others with mirrored faces, and covered in neon goo.

Reviews:Datarock

When your first LP’s success hedges on a simple formula of mixing a few plain ideas together with some red tracksuits, it’s probably a little too easy to knock the entire system into a tailspin with too much misappropriated fanfare on the occasion of the second. This Norwegian-rocker duo fabulously walked a line between angular electro-pop, disco, punk and awkward humor in the past, but something about Red basically reads as 50 percent overly-layered/nostalgic train wreck and 50 percent why we love Datarock.

News:LCD Soundsystem To Score Movie Soundtrack

After laying low for most of this year, James Murphy, the brainchild behind LCD Soundsystem, is revving up for a busy 2010. In addition to the impending release of the electronic project's third album, a follow-up to the 2007 classic Sound of Silver, Murphy has recently announced that he will be teaming up with Noah Baumbach of The Squid and the Whale fame by scoring his upcoming movie, Greenberg, out March 12 via Focus Features.

Media:Massive Attack, Splitting The Atom Audio

Although their highly anticipated full-length, Heligoland, doesn't come out until February, trip-hop duo Massive Attack are previewing their upcoming album with a four song EP, entitled Splitting The Atom. The spooky title track features some guest singing from Horace Andy, The 3D and Daddy G.

Reviews:Fruit Bats

The Fruit Bats, led by singer/guitarist Eric Johnson, have consistently bridged the pop rock of the ’70s with today’s indie rock and nostalgic folk, and their new album, The Ruminant Band, is no exception. If there’s one criticism for this album—or the Fruit Bats in general—it’s that they’re too consistent; they don’t do anything drastically different from album to album, push themselves to anything new, or develop their music much further than where it first began.