It's just a hiatus, and it too shall end...

Camera Obscura "My Maudlin Career"

“This maudlin career has come to an end/I don't want to be sad again…” sings Tracyanne Campbell on the title track of Camera Obscura’s new album. And while I wish no particular harm on anyone, particularly the singer of one of my favorite bands, I selfishly hope she doesn’t get her wish. Her apparent melancholy has resulted in some of the most alternately aching and catchy indie pop songs of this decade, and the new disc is another plentiful helping. Somewhere in a sleepy netherworld where the Everly Brothers provide soundtracks to unwritten David Lynch movies is where you’ll find their sublime dream-pop, and My Maudlin Career continues the winning formula of their earlier catalog. If you didn’t care for their sound before, this album isn’t likely to change your mind. It’s a pretty singular mood born in the rainy gray days of Scotland, staring out the window and daydreaming.

For more info: See the video for the first single "French Navy" here. Preview the title track here. More previews here, here, and here. Visit Camera Obscura on Myspace.

Bob Dylan's 'Theme Time Radio Hour' might be ending...

...or so says this article. It must be true, because that's my luck. The whole satellite radio thing is get dangerously less interesting by the day, just like it's terrestrial predecessor.

It's Music Video Monday...

...over at my Examiner.com page. This week watch clips from Datarock, Camera Obscura, & The Ropes.

Today's graphic by: http://ilikesurreal.deviantart.com/

Why File Sharing Will Save Hollywood, Music

A great dialogue-starter from Wired Magazine, if, like me, you're interested in such things.

Free MP3s of Phish Reunion Shows, brah

They're back! This weekend America's unwashed masses will reconvene in Hampton, Virginia to welcome back their gurus of groove: Phish. Of course, there are a lot fewer tickets than there are neo-hippies who want to see their triumphant return. The band has apparently taken notice of this, and circulated this benevolent email this morning:

"In celebration of Phish's first shows in over four years, we're thrilled to be able to offer fans free, high-quality downloads of the band's sold-out March 6th, 7th and 8th concerts at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia at LivePhish.com.

Each show will be professionally multi-tracked and mixed onsite and within 24 hours, 256kbps MP3s will be made available for free for a limited time at LivePhish.com. Fans who wish to download higher quality versions may purchase FLAC downloads. The shows will also be available on CD. Both are available for pre-order now. Register at LivePhish.com to receive an email when the free MP3s are available.

"We really wanted to show our gratitude to all the Phish fans for their support and the overwhelming response they've had to these shows. It's going to be an amazing celebration and we only wish everybody could be there," said Trey Anastasio".

For more info: visit Phish on Myspace, or ask that guy in the park with the flip-flops and the bongos.

Hey, Sexy Boots

I didn't expect I'd be part of the vast media machine talking about the new U2 album, but alas, I'm too enamored with it to let it slide. They're kind of like a Favre-ish veteran quarterback; they probably aren't going to the Super Bowl, and their arm-strength isn't what it used to be, but they'll probably win most of their games and do it with an occasional thrill. This and other horrible analogies in my official review over at Examiner.com.

Welcome Back, Nadia Ali

Lusicious New Yorker (via Libya) Nadia Ali made our heads spin as half of iiO back in the early part of this decade, and after a painfully long wait she returns. I tell you all about it over at my Examiner page, where you can also get a free download. The video is here. Hubba hubba.

Marvin Gaye "Let's Get It On"

Aww yeah. It's Valentine's Day. And as overused as it may sometimes seem, there are few tracks more money than Marvin's ode to the hibbity-dibbity when it comes to dimming those lights. Track is free today only over at Amazon. Click the link below, big daddy: