For Sarah...A Birthday Mix (April 2012 Mixtape)

Side 1

01. School Days by Loudon Wainwright III

02. Into the Void by Nine Inch Nails

03. The Mansion World by Deadsy

04. Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound by The Mars Volta

05. New Orleans Instrumental No. 1 by R.E.M.

06. Greetings in Braille by The Elected

Side 2

01. Tunic (Song for Karen) by Sonic Youth

02. Human Pin Cushion by Skeleton Key

03. Erase/Rewind by The Cardigans

04. Sound and Vision by David Bowie

05. Bastardo by Charlotte Hatherley

06. A Thief at My Door by Karen Elson

Playlist: Record Store Day Edition

Normally, this would be posted on Friday but I did it specifically for today to go along with my purchases. Needless to say, I'm a happy camper. Without any further delay, here are some of the artists whose records I purchased today. Sorry for the rush but I want to listen to them.

Dick Clark (1929-2012)

Yesterday, Dick Clark, America's Oldest Teenager, passed away at the age of 82 following a heart attack after a medical procedure. For many, the passing of Clark represents the passing of an era long gone and the youthfulness of that era that still resonates today within people, young and old. The ever youthful host and radio DJ was best known for American Bandstand, the ground breaking daily (eventually, weekly) show that served as a dance party in your living room and helped ease some of the racial tensions in America when they were at their worst as Clark openly invited African-American performers to a show that formerly opposed the concept.

White Denim Release New Single, Perform At Lincoln Hall Tonight

Playlist: A Tribute to Jason Voohees

Friday the 13th is best known for being the day in which a goalie masked, supernatural, superhuman, zombie-like being in overalls stalks the woods with a machete to kill campers that fornicate on the campground where his mother died while killing camp counselors yearly to avenge the loss of her son who drowned in a lake. Whew, and I thought saying Shelly sells seashells by the seashore was hard. Anyway, in honor of Jason Voorhees and his mother, this week's edition of Playlist (formally Friday Playlist) features song titles that pretty much up your time in Camp Crystal Lake. The last song, however, is probably the last thing you hear when he finally catches you.

Company Flow At Metro Tonight; Interview With El-P

Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers Headline Lollapalooza 2012

Playlist: El-P

Rapper/producer El-P has a new album, Cancer for Cure, in stores next month. Having already debuted "The Full Retard" and "Drones Over BKLYN," the album's cover art and tracklist were released today. In honor of his forthcoming album, today, we honor the works of El-P through his videos and performances. Cancer for Cure is in stores May 22 and features appearances from Killer Mike, Danny Brown, Nick Diamonds of Islands and more. In a completely related note, El-P has been performing with his old group, Company Flow, on and off over the last year in support of the reissue of Funcrusher Plus. On Friday, April 12, they will  perform their first ever show in Chicago on April 12 at Metro. Between these events and his collaboration with Killer Mike (R.A.P Music) also due next month, a moment to honor the forever, hard-working El-P is long overdue.

Jack White, Record Store Day Headline April New Releases

RECORD STORE DAY!!! That is all I really need to say about April's new releases. It is a filled with exclusive releases and is a celebration of music and the independent stores supporting our habit. As awesome as this day is, this, in no way, discredits the rest of the month which features new releases from Nicki Minaj, Jack White, Elvis Costello, Screaming Females, Peter Gabriel, Florence + the Machine, Brendan Benson and The Raveonettes. There are even reissues from Roxy Music and fIREHOSE to begin this month. With plenty of selections to choose from, here are just a few of them waiting for your ears this month.

The Post Punk Pop Sounds Of Big Science At Fireside Bowl Tonight