Watch Out - The Venetia Fair

who: The Venetia Fair

why: released one of the most uniquely awesome albums I've ever heard last year titled 'The Circus'... and have tried to capture their craziness in this, their video for "The Ringleader".

Watch Out - Hellogoodbye

who: Hellogoodbye

why: posted a cool little compilation video from their antics during the Use Your Sole Tour. New album this year????

tf presents: We All Scream for Ice Cream! Vol. I

This is the third "mixtape" I've released if you missed out on my Autumn and Winter compilations... and you should note that those previous mixes were made under the assumption that you guys are a bunch of softies. But I promise you that you're missing on what you don't understand if you've typically strayed away from these hardcore/screamo/metalcore genres. I absolutely love the combination of aggressiveness and complication of these styles and that's what this new series 'We All Scream for Ice Cream!' is going to be about - the variation, talent level, and progression of my favorite (but not so "pop"ular) genres.

If you don't think you'll like this... download it anyways and give it a chance. If there's not one track on this mix that blows you away, then I give up.

tf presents: 'We All Scream for Ice Cream! Vol. I'

[Download] | password = tastyflapjacks

01. The Color Morale - "Humannequin" [2009]

02. Desaparecidos - "Greater Omaha" [2002]

03. Attack Attack! - "The People's Elbow" [2008]

04. underOATH - "It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door" [2004]

05. Emarosa- "Utah" [2007]

06. I Set My Friends On Fire - "WTFWJD" [2008]

07. Jamie's Elsewhere - "They Said a Storm Was Coming" [2010]

08. Sky Eats Airplane - "Giants In the Ocean" [2006]

09. HORSE the band - "A Million Exploding Suns" [2005]

10. A Day to Remember - "I'm Made of Wax Larry, What Are You Made Of?" [2009]

11. Miss May I - "Apologies Are For the Weak" [2009]

12. Bring Me the Horizon - "Pray for Plagues" [2006]

13. The Devil Wears Prada - "Dogs Can Grow Beards All Over" [2006]

14. The Fall of Troy - "Nobody's Perfect" [2009]

15. Dance Gavin Dance - "The Backwards Pumpkin Song" [2007]

16. Four Year Strong - "Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die" [2007]

Premature Infatuation - PMtoday

who: PMtoday

why: have a new album titled 'In Medias Res' set for release April 6th, and if you haven't heard these dudes - you can check out a few tracks on their myspace, including a new song titled "Don't Exist".

Here's their latest studio update:

Backtrack: Studio Update #1 | Studio Update #2

VOTW - January 29th

who: Local Natives

why: because their debut album 'Gorilla Manor' drops in the States on February 16th and you NEED to check it out. These guys are going to take over. Check out this week's Video of the Week for their song, "Airplanes".

Watch Out - Emarosa

who: Emarosa

why: now have 2 studio updates on their YouTube channel.

LMAO! - om nom nom nom

Attention! - Places and Numbers

who: Places and Numbers
why: Remember Gatsby's American Dream? Their album 'Volcano' is up there with my all-time favorites, so you can imagine my surprise when I heard ex-Gatsby's guitarist Bobby Darling (with his solo project Places and Numbers) was signed to Equal Vision. You can check out a couple songs up on his myspace now, and be sure to look out for the "Walking the Dead" EP set for release on March 16th.

Q&A - The Fall of Troy

who: The Fall of Troy
why: Thom and Frank sat down with Punknews to discuss past experiences, band drama and their newest album 'In the Unlikely Event'. Click the pic to read!

WE'LL DO IT LIVE! - John Mayer

who: John Mayer

why: love him, hate him or don't give a shit... he does a mean cover of "Free Fallin". This is a pretty old video, but I heard the song again today and strummed the chords on my acoustic all night... I still can't get the melody out of my head.

WE'LL DO IT LIVE! - The Gaslight Anthem

who: The Gaslight Anthem

why: watch them perform "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" on Fearless Music TV. Their new album 'American Slang' is set to drop June 15th.

Watch Out - Kid CuDi

who: Kid CuDi

why: because I don't know what album this is from, but I like the track... and apparently he has another album coming out this year? The track list looks pretty solid.

Watch Out - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

who: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

why: have released a somewhat creepy video for the beautiful song "Skeletons" off of their 2009 album, 'It's Blitz!'.

Watch Out - Valencia

who: Valencia

why: have posted their first studio update in regards to their new album.

New Release Tuesday - January 26th

I skipped out on last week's releases because I could hardly get out of bed... so I apologize - but look at all the craziness you have to look forward to this week!

Never Shout Never - 'What Is Love?'

tf: hahaha.

This dude's songs are so disappointing every time he comes out with anything new... I'm kind of sick of wasting my time. He's got undeniable potential to lay down well-tracked songs but he sounds like a 10 year old girl playing princess when you listen to the lyrics. I can't stand it.

Alesana - 'The Emptiness'

tf: nope.

The actual instrumentation on this album is pretty good to say the least - I was fairly impressed... but this brand of emocore vocals just isn't really my thing... I couldn't get into it at all and probably didn't give it a fair chance, but it's just not for me.

The Wonder Years - 'The Upsides'

tf: ehhh.

I don't have a whole lot to say about 'The Upsides'... just that I was expecting something a little more memorable. I didn't really hear anything I haven't heard from your average pop-punk band. However, the thing I do like about these guys is that they're completely fucking around... They don't seem to particularly love the genre of music they're in, but damn it they're going to have fun doing it.

Spoon - 'Transference'

tf: ehhh.

I'm still not really sure what I think about this album... and I'm even less sure what I want to think about it, if that makes sense. It seems kind of hard NOT to like Spoon's simplistic, buzzy song structures and rhythms... but it's also pretty hard to find myself getting really into them too... maybe it'll catch on more with listens? And maybe I won't listen to it much at all...

Greeley Estates - 'No Rain, No Rainbow'

tf: fasho.

Boom. The first album I've listened to this year that's got me completely jacked. It doesn't seem to be getting the greatest of reviews early on... and I'm hoping that's just because a lot of people won't understand their "transition" to a more metalcore genre in this release... these songs are HARD, so be ready.

The Felix Culpa - 'Sever Your Roots'

tf: yaysh.

Easily the most complete album thus far in 2010... The Felix Culpa kicked a four year hiatus in the ass with 'Sever Your Roots'. Nearly every song is meticulously and perfectly crafted into the next... you can't stop at any one point, which is what I like to see sometimes. I've always been a believer in records, not singles... and The Felix Culpa know what's up.

Native - 'Wrestling Moves'

tf: yaysh.

Raw, gritty and full of emotion, this is everything I could ever want in a post-hardcore/indie album. I fell in love before I even finished the first listen... it'll be interesting to see how long this hangs on at the top of my list for 2010, being that it's only January... damn this month was packed.

Manchester Orchestra / Kevin Devine

'I Could Be the Only One' split EP

Download (right-click and save!)

Manchester Orchestra - "I Could Be With Anyone"

Kevin Devine - "The Only One"

I'm not going to waste my time critiquing these two songs or placing a rating on them - they're more of a nice little bonus from last year's respective releases of 'Mean Everything to Nothing' and 'Brother's Blood'. So if you haven't checked those albums out... DO IT. Oh, and anticipate a new album from Manchester Orchestra in June. Yeah I know! You're thinking, "Already?" Yes. Already.

Attention! - Local Natives

who: Local Natives

why: are a crazily soothing indie/pop band from LA I literally just found circulating through my blogroll. Their debut album, 'Gorilla Manor' is set for release on February 16th of this year, and this video for their song "Wide Eyes" is already enough to get me sweating with anticipation.

Premature Infatuation - Attack Attack!

who: Attack Attack!

why: because studio updates and modern warfare 2 are fun.

Premature Infatuation - Cyrus

who: John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill

why: just watch the trailer.

WE'LL DO IT ACOUSTIC! - The King and the Thief

who: The King and the Thief

why: performs an acoustic version of "Clock Are Grinning". This a super down to Earth bunch of dudes, and their music is crazy good so be sure to check em out as soon as you can!

Myspace | Twitter | Facebook

WE'LL DO IT LIVE! - Conan

who: Conan (and a few guests)

why: is a Free Bird now. I can't wait to see where he goes and what he does - whatever it is I know it'll be bigger than Jay Leno's chin.

In the Fresh - The Fall of Troy

who: The Fall of Troy

why: I've already had the news on my twitter, but I figured I should post it here after I made their debut, self-titled album my friday flashback for the week.

The Fall of Troy have announced a headlining tour with Envy on the Coast and Twin Atlantic and what's most important is they're coming through Chicago TWICE (OPENING SHOW!!!), with both shows being on weekends! I'm so pumped I can't even tell you. I've only seen them the one time, but it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen and I'll never forget it. Go get yourself some tickets.

Sat/3-6 DeKalb, IL @ House Cafe

Sun/3-7 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theatre
Tue/3-9 Covington, KY @ Mad Hatter
Wed/3-10 Nashville, TN @ Rocketown
Thu/3-11 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
Fri/3-12 St. Petersburg, FL @ Orpheum
Sat/3-13 Orlando, FL @ The Social
Sun/3-14 Mobile, AL @ Mobile Music Box
Mon/3-15 Metairie, LA @ High Ground
Wed/3-17 Mission,TX @ Never Say Never Festival
Thu/3-18 Austin, TX SXSW
Fri/3-19 Austin, TX SXSW
Sat/3-20 Dallas, TX @ The Door
Sun/3-21 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
Tue/3-23 Phoenix, AZ @ Martini Ranch
Thu/3-25 San Luis Obispo, CA @ Downtown Brew
Fri/3-26 San Francisco, CA @ Slims
Sat/3-27 Anaheim, CA @ Bamboozle
Tue/3-30 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
Wed/3-31 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Thu/4-1 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw
Sat/4-3 Salt Lake City, UT @ Murray Theatre
Sun/4-4 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
Tue/4-6 Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
Wed/4-7 Des Moines, IA @ House of Bricks
Thu/4-8 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock

Fri/4-9 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean

Sat/4-10 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Sun/4-11 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection
Tue/4-13 Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
Wed/4-14 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk
Thu/4-15 Toronto, ON @ Annex Wreck Room
Fri/4-16 Montreal, QC @ Underworld
Sat/4-17 Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
Sun/4-18 Albany, NY @ Valentines
Tue/4-20 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
Wed/4-21 Philadelphia, PA @ First Church
Thu/4-22 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Sat/4-24 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Sun/4-25 New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place

VOTW - January 22, 2010

who: Kevin Devine

why: because I've been on a little KD trip lately... I never really got into him too much, but I'm pretty pumped for next Tuesday when he'll be teaming up with Manchester Orchestra to release an EP titled 'I Could Be the Only One'.

Watch Out - Portugal. The Man

who: Portugal. The Man

why: Yes, again... this is the third post I've made about these dudes in a week - but they just won't stop bringin' it.

LMAO! - Adam Sandler

who: Adam Sandler on Conan

why: if you don't know what's going on by now you need to stop donating to Haiti... there's only so much you can do.

WE'LL DO IT ACOUSTIC! - Motion City Soundtrack

who: Motion City Soundtrack

why: fresh off their new release 'My Dinosaur Life', here's a live acoustic performance of their single "Her Words Destroyed My Planet".

Eargasm - Happy Belated 2009

who: The Republic of Wolves and The Temper Trap
why: because it never fails that every year I leave out at least one amazing album from my "Best of" lists... In 2006 it was Manchester Orchestra and This Will Destroy You. In 2007, Lady Radiator. In 2008, I somehow missed out on all of Bon Iver, The Glass Ocean, La Dispute and Wild Sweet Orange's albums.

And now it's just barely 2010 and I've already found two albums I managed to ignore last year. Fans of Brand New need to immediately hop on The Republic of Wolves bandwagon. If you liked 'Daisy', I guarantee you won't be disappointed in this, their debut EP - 'His Old Branches'. Lala isn't streaming their album yet, but be sure to check out their myspace for a few choice tracks.

The Temper Trap are the latest belated edition to my essential albums list. I don't really know the best way to describe their sound so I'll just go with what their twitter says - "4 aussie kids just rockin' it". This album caught me immediately... I listened to it on repeat all day and I still can't get enough.

Conditions - The Temper Trap

Man Crush - Dave Davison

who: Dave Davison of Maps & Atlases

why: if you don't know this man, you need to become acquainted. Easily one of the most talented musicians I've ever had the privilege of watching, he's also like THE nicest guy to ever walk the Earth and now he's somehow gone months? growing this crazy delicious beard without me finding out.

Premature Infatuation - Portugal. The Man

who: Portugal. The Man

why: I don't know how these guys find time to sleep and eat... every time I blink they're announcing news, and I'm not sure even they can keep up with it all. I was already waist deep in anticipation for this year's release 'American Ghetto', and now I've just learned about this, The Oregon City Sessions.

"With one of our most intensive years of touring complete we decided the best way to finish the year would be to head into a studio and to play our live set from beginning to end. No overdubs, just the band as they sounded in December 2008. This was our first year doing several headline tours in the US and Europe and we felt like we had come a long way.

We spent one intensive day in Super Natural Sound Studio in Oregon City recording and filming the performance. Our great friend, Graham Baclagon, was the director, editor, cameraman. Intercut with footage from around the world each song has it's own feel. Jacob Portrait recorded the sound.

"The Oregon City Session" is a film and a live album that we will release soon on Approaching AIRballoons. There will be chances to view the film in its entirety before we release so keep in touch."

Check out Portugal. The Man wherever you can find them...
YouTube | Twitter | Myspace | Facebook

In the Fresh - Portugal. The Man

who: Portugal. The Man

why: have planned a U.S. tour with band Port O'Brien and The Dig. If you've never seen Portugal live, they are easily one of the best bands I have ever seen and I would highly recommend going, even if you've never heard their stuff.

I've posted live stuff of these guys before, and have several times claimed JBG to be one of my idols... but here's an acoustic version of them playing "Colors" from their 2008 release, 'Censored Colors'.

Feb 24 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium
Feb 25 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre
Feb 26 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Feb 27 Louis, MO @ The Gargoyle
Mar 01 Oxford, MS @ Proud Larry's
Mar 03 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues / Pontiac Garage
Mar 04 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live (Studio)
Mar 05 Austin, TX @ The Parish
Mar 06 Austin, TX @ The Parish
Mar 09 Gainesville, FL @ Common Ground
Mar 10 Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar
Mar 11 Orlando, FL @ The Social
Mar 12 Elkton, FL @ Harvest of Hope Festival
Mar 13 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Mar 18 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Mar 19 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
Mar 20 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre
Mar 21 Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century Theatre
Mar 24 Columbia, MO @ Mojo's
Mar 26 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
Mar 27 Vail, CO @ The Sandbar
Mar 28 Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen

Watch Out - Sundiata Gaines (Utah Jazz)

who: Sundiata Gaines

why: because if you're like me and didn't see the game last night... you have no idea what you missed.

VOTW - January 15, 2010

who: OK Go

why: with their video for "This Too Shall Pass" from this year's album 'Of the Blue Colour of the Sky'.

WE'LL DO IT ACOUSTIC! - Neil Young

who: Neil Young

why: performs his own rendition of the infamous "Pants on the Ground"... You might not get it because you haven't been watching American Idol... but you should still be able to understand that's not Neil Young.

For those of you with actual lives... you might want to check out the original "Pants on the Ground", here.

LMAO! - Aziz Ansari

who: Aziz Ansari

why: if you've somehow managed to miss Human Giant, Parks and Recreation, Funny People or any of the many roles he's played, then you're probably also not reading this. But if you are, say hello to Aziz Ansari. He went on Jimmy Kimmel the other night and had a casual conversation about R. Kelly - but even that was fucking hilarious. Click on his name above to check out his other videos on Funny or Die, follow him on twitter, and make sure you check out his Comedy Central Presents special titled 'Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Special Evening' on Sunday at 10pm eastern time.

Watch Out - Of Mice & Men

who: Of Mice & Men

why: have posted a tour update video on YouTube... You should also know that their self-titled release will be out February 23rd.

Premature Infatuation - The Felix Culpa

who: The Felix Culpa

why: have posted four new songs from their upcoming album on their myspace. 'Sever Your Roots' is set for release January 26th.

"Our Holy Ghosts"
"An Instrument"

"Mutiny"

"Because This Is How We Speak"

Click here for more anticipated releases this year.

Q&A - The Swellers

who: The Swellers

why: get quite possibly the most entertaining interview I've ever seen.

... - Rush Limbaugh and Pat Roberston

who: Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson

why: can somehow still get away with all the bullshit that comes out of their mouths, but damn Keith.

Premature Infatuation - Attack Attack!

who: Attack Attack!

why: have posted their first studio update en route to recording their sophomore album.

"Hey everyone! Check out our newest studio update. It's kinda lame, but I promise they'll get better as we keep working! <3

-Wetzel"

New Release Tuesday - January 12th

who: OK Go | Vampire Weekend

why: so it's the first real release week of 2010, and I while I've been lucky enough to listen to 5 albums so far... the top 2 have come out this week!

OK Go - 'Of the Blue Colour of the Sky'

tf: aight.

I literally expected nothing from this album. I'm not saying I don't think these guys are talented or anything, but besides the famous "Here It Goes Again" video, I've just never really been that big a fan. You should definitely check this album out though, fan or no fan, I've given it a couple listens and am pretty impressed. It seems they tried to stray away from the traditional pop-song progressions they're famous for and really tried to make a complete album out of this, and I'm a fan.

Vampire Weekend - 'Contra'

tf: aight.

I still don't really know what to make of Vampire Weekend. I really, really like the complexity and originality in a lot of their songs, but I find it hard to put on an album and listen to the whole thing without looking for something else to do. I like it cause it's new... fresh... hip... but there's just something missing I can't quite put my finger on.

WE'LL DO IT ACOUSTIC! - Kevin Devine

who: Kevin Devine

why: plays a new song titled "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". I'll give you a dollar if you aren't lulled to sleep.

Q&A - Portugal. the Man

who: Portugal. the Man

why: have filmed a ten minute live interview with Chasing Safety, and god damnit I love John Baldwin Gourley.

Watch Out - Motion City Soundtrack

who: Motion City Soundtrack

why: have released their first video for "Her Words Destroyed My Planet" off of the highly anticipated 2010 release 'My Dinosaur Life'. Science Fairs + Awkward Choreography = haha?

WE'LL DO IT ACOUSTIC! - Vampire Weekend

who: Vampire Weekend

why: because it's fun to watch this song live ("White Sky"). It is a pretty big live band, but it's nice to know the songs can actually be performed to the same quality as the album; and to think MTV actually remembers what music is, that's pretty cool too.

Vampire Weekend - New Music - More Music Videos

Premature Infatuation - The Forecast

who: The Forecast

why: have posted their first studio update video on YouTube. I haven't heard much about the album info, or when to expect its release, but it'll be the first full-length album since 'In the Shadow of Two Gunmen' in 2006.

NEW! Video of the Week - January 8, 2010

who: Miss May I

why: After revisiting a few RISE bands from the iPhone App post, I saw this video and I felt like I should try to post at least one true "music video" a week... because I hate watching mtv and never actually watching a show about music, so we'll see how this goes.

This week's video is Miss May I with "Forgive & Forget" off of their 2009 release 'Apologies Are for the Weak'.

Rise Records

Read All About It! - Rise Records

who: Rise Records

why: label for bands like Attack Attack!, Miss May I, The Devil Wears Prada, Emarosa, Dance Gavin Dance, Of Mice & Men and so on, have introduced a new iPhone App that you, for any of you who are lucky enough to have an iPhone, should have. It gives you streaming and downloadable music, local concert updates and news updates straight to your phone. Pretty obvious to me that this could be the future of music.

Attack Attack!

Miss May I

Emarosa

Premature Infatuation - Movies.2010

Here's the second and final part of the current anticipation list for 2010 - movies!

20.

MacGruber

Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader

Set for release April 16th

19.

Meet the Fockers Sequel

Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba, Owen Wilson

Set for release July 30th

18.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Jake Gyllenhaal

Set for release May 28th

17.

Alice in Wonderland

Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway

Set for release March 5th

16.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

British people

Set for release November 19th

15.

The Baster

Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman

Set for release August 20th

14.

She's Out of My League

Jay Baruchel, Krysten Ritter

Set for release March 12th

13.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Jackie Earle Haley

Set for release April 30th

12.

Youth in Revolt

Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, Steve Buscemi

Set for release January 8th

11.

Daybreakers

Ethan Hawke

Set for release January 8th

10.

Grown Ups

Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock

Set for release June 25th

09.

Toy Story 3

The original cast!

Set for release June 18th

08.

The Other Guys

Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson

Set for release August 6th

07.

Iron Man 2

Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson

Set for release May 7th

06.

Date Night

Steve Carell, Tina Fey, James Franco, Mila Kunis

Set for release April 9th

05.

Greenberg

Ben Stiller, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rhys Ifans

Set for release March 12th

04.

Despicable Me

Jason Segel, Steve Carell, Danny McBride, Russell Brand

Set for release July 9th

03.

Shutter Island

Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley

Set for release February 19th

02.

Dinner for Schmucks

Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis

Set for release July 23rd

01.

Hot Tub Time Machine

John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corrdry, Clark Duke, Chevy Chase

Set for release October 24th