Laurel and Lana (July 2011)

Side A
01. Passenger by Deftones
02. Subzero Fun by Autolux
03. Crash 17 (X-Rated Car) by Girls Against Boys
04. Car Crash by Tricky
05. Enjoy by Björk


Side B
01. Self-Obsessed and Sexxee by Sonic Youth
02. 9 Fingers on You by Shudder To Think
03. Out of the Blue by Roxy Music
04. Do You Believe by The Cardigans
05. Taste the Pain by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Amy Winehouse (1983-2011)

British singer Amy Winehouse passed away this morning in her North London home at the age of 27 which you can read more on here. Winehouse was a critically acclaimed, award winning performer who, sadly, was known for her legal and personal troubles as much as she was known for her rising musical career. In June, she attempted a 12-date European tour that was cancelled after a disappointing opening date performance. This past Wednesday, Winehouse performed in what is now her last public performance as she made made a surprise appearance at the iTunes Festival. Despite being a source for constant tabloid fodder, the truth is that Winehouse was a very talented artist who could have and should have gone much further than she and her short career did. Definitely, she was a talent lost too soon. For the handful of people who probably read this blog (and not to sound too preachy), if you know someone suffering from substance abuse, do what you can to help them and here are links to directories of treatment centers throughout the U.S. and Europe. Definitely get yourself and your loved ones the help needed and deserved.

Check The Rhimes And Conflicts Of A Tribe Called Quest

In the early to mid 90's, A Tribe Called Quest were one of the top hip hop acts around. Appearances on The Arsenio Hall Show, a spot on Lollapalooza 1994 and three solid, critically acclaimed albums brought the group into the mainstream consciousness while issues with leadership and record labels would cause the group to disband before the end of the decade. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest is a documentary on the influential group and explores these subjects as well as shows why even today, the idea of a reunion blurs the line between being the best and worst thing that could happen to their legacy.

Cibo Matto (Lincoln Hall - July 14, 2011)

It is hard to believe that it has been a decade since Cibo Matto were last around and longer than that since their last album, 1999's Stereotype A, was released. During the year they were active, however, they created a sound as futuristic as it was current and as funky as it was laid-back. As fans filled Lincoln Hall's floor and balcony on Thursday night, they were reminded of the sounds that helped make New York seem like an alternative heaven in the 90's and received a taste of what the Japanese-American duo have been working on since returning.

Free Downloads From Sub Pop, Touch And Go, Kill Rock Stars, Adult Swim And Pitchfork

You have to love free music. One, it is free which is enough reason alone and two, it provides you with an opportunity to hear some new artists as well as artists that you like releasing great songs. These free releases from Pitchfork and eMusic in support of this weekend's Pitchfork Music Festival and labels such Sub Pop, Kill Rock Stars, Touch and Go, Barsuk and plenty more via Amazon. The compilations feature music from TV on the Radio, Kylesa, The Jesus Lizard, Phantogram and Marnie Stern. Finally, Adult Swim's Singles Program is back and the cartoon block is offering 10 new singles featuring Mastodon, Best Coast, How to Dress Well and more with a new song issued each week. So go forth, download these free compilations and hear some great music.

OFF! Release New Video And Plan European Tour

Punk supergroup OFF! is in town this weekend to perform at the Pitchfork Music Festival as well as a post-Pitchfork headlining set at Reggie's Rock Club. In August, the band will spend the month touring Europe with The Bronx and Fucked Up performing on selected dates. In addition to this, the band has released a video for "Full of Shit" which was filmed at their record release party last fall. Catch the band at the Pitchfork Music Festival this Saturday (4:45 on the Blue Stage) and/or at Reggie's Rock Club this Sunday night (tickets available here). The video and tour dates are posted below and for more videos on OFF!, watch Noisey's segment on the band from which the aforementioned video is an outtake from.

Rilo Kiley Officially Disbands

After months of speculation, talks of a hiatus and a couple of years of solo albums, Rilo Kiley has officially disbanded. The band's guitarist/vocalist Blake Sennett recently addressed the band's future in his interview with Spinner. Regarding the band, Sennett offered this comment:

Tori Amos & Lomography Team Up For Photography Competition And Limited Edition Camera

Tori Amos has a new album, Night of Hunters, on the way and the ensuing tour to promote it. In addition to this, Amos has joined up with Lomography for a brand new limited edition camera in her name as well as a very interesting competition for her fans and amateur photographers.

Cool Off The Summer Heat With These July Releases

Simply put, July is littered with some impressive new releases featuring albums from Incubus, Sepultura, Alkaline Trio, Little Dragon and Rodrigo y Gabriela. Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta and Fiery Furnaces' Eleanor Friedberger are issuing their debut albums. The second commercial release from Odd Future, a remastered version of Mellowhype's sophomore album, Blackendwhite, will arrive in stores and a pair of albums from Megadeth and R.E.M. will celebrate their 25th anniversaries will special edition reissues. Who needs pools when you can stay inside with air conditioning and these albums.

White Denim (Schubas - June 30, 2011)

With the fury of a freight train, White Denim began their Thursday night set at Schubas and ended a little over an hour later in a sound of grooved feedback before thanking the sold out crowd. It is their combination of prog, funk and hard rock with a hint of Southern boogie that make the band such a compelling listen in album form. Live, however, the songs exist in a different form. They are the heavier, extended variations filled with impressive, awe-inspiring performances.