Details of the contest, tour dates, and a sweet MP3 after the jump!
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You already know how much I love the new O+S record. I’m thrilled to offer you a second song from the album, one that I think will give you an even better window into their sonic diversity. “Permanent Scar” is the first single from the self-titled album, and I hope you’ll dig it as much as I have been.

O+S – Permanent Scar

_{You can purchase o+s from Amazon by clicking here. O+S will be appearing at SXSW on Friday, March 20th, 11pm @ The Radio Room.}

There’s a tricky dissonance that wafts through the undercurrent of the most beautiful recordings I’ve listened to in my life. It’s the unexpected collaborations or spellbinding accidents of circumstance that unite elements into original flavors. The illogical syllogisms in music are the ones that surprisingly seem to work the best. Such is the case of O+S, whose self-titled debut will be released via Saddle Creek Records on March 24th.
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An observation: I think if Erlend Oye were a type of fabric, he’d be a smooth vinyl suede.

After all, the Norwegian crooner has made his career out of experimenting with various combinations of the synthetic and the smooth. The latest of these efforts is Rules, the second release from The Whitest Boy Alive, due out on Bubbles in March. The Berlin-based group’s 2007 debut, Dreams, was about as close as dance-rock can come to producing a concept album; the stripped-down guitar/bass/drums/vocals galvanized by spare, funky rhythmic consistency made for an album as danceable as it is listenable.

This sophomore release resists the temptation to rehash the formula and instead elaborates on that signature sound by way of more ambitious compositions and an expanded sound palette. Rules sacrifices some of what made Dreams such a standout, mostly in terms of restraint. Oye’s smooth but angular guitar phrasing is still insistently there, as are his haunting, ever-so-slightly-flat vocals, but they are augmented by a smattering of vintage synthesizers, fuzzy basslines, and lots of adrenaline-inducing dynamic shifts in the drumming. The songs are still irresistibly catchy and the lyrics wry as always, but nevertheless Rules comes off as less of a carefully-edited statement and more of an enthusiastic exploration of the possibilities of rebuilding on a solid minimal framework.

The Whitest Boy Alive – Island

_{You can purchase The Whitest Boy Alive – Rules by clicking here.}

She’s the star of the new web-based series from MTV and director Craig Brewer entitled Five Dollar Cover. She can “triple-slap the upright bass like Willie Dixon on Steroids” (according to Jim Dickinson). She can sing like a siren. She’s been on tour the world around, playing packed-out shows at places like the Royal Albert Hall. And tonight, Memphis-based upright bass player, vocalist and film engeneue Amy LaVere, will be the musical guest on Late Night with Conan O’Brien tonight, Monday night (Feb. 2).

According to the Archer Records website, this will mark Amy’s late night debut here in the US, having just played in the UK on Later…with Jools Holland a few months ago. Be sure to tune in tonight. If you live in Memphis, join me and the nice folks from Archer Records at the Hi-Tone Cafe on Poplar for a viewing party.

To tide you over, enjoy this video of Amy performing her song “Killing Him” from the lastest Sun Studio Sessions. It’s recommended that you watch it in HQ (you can choose HQ from the player and you’ll be glad you did).

They’re best known for their insane onstage antics — things like making out with each other and pissing into their own mouths. I mean, I can’t make this stuff up folks — I’ve seen it in action (…pause).

But on top of that sideshow freakishness, Georgia’s self-proclaimed “flower punk” band Black Lips are a stunning live rock experience unlike anything you’re likely to ever see. High energy, a group dynamic that is unprecedented, and hey — they can play their instruments in the nude without blinking. Wait a minute….paused again.

Recently, they escaped the jaws of death on a trip to India (in which members attempted a couple of the previously mentioned stage tricks to the chagrin of locals). They survived long enough to give us a chance this aptly-titled track from their highly anticipated upcoming album, 200 Million Thousand, entitled “Short Fuse”.

EDIT: If you tried to download the song before and got a 1 minute clip, try again. It’s fixed (thanks @ViceRecsChris)

Black Lips – Short Fuse

More after the jump.
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Apologies to my regular readers that this video contains an ad. As someone with no hair, I am personally offended that it’s an ad for Pantene; however the video, taken from Saadiq’s masterful 2008 album The Way I See It, is worth sitting thru the ad.

The video transports you back to the 50’s when tailored looks, impecable style and choreographed dances defined your Saturday night. Disc Jockey’s ruled the airwaves and Mempis, TN was finally given it’s star power on the map. Imagine you are the audience and Raphael Saadiq is your entertainment for the night. I instruct you to advise on the above before you press play, evoke the mood and the mood is Soul.

That’s from the press release. So Nikki, if you’re reading this, you might should proof that press release — our city’s name spelled Memphis, not “Mempis”.

Don’t worry: in a couple of months you’ll be able to spell it in your sleep. Now dig some Raphael Saadiq.

photo credit: ups2006

We got a nice note from Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes today about what’s going on with them for 2009. If you were wondering, here’s a quick update from Sune on their limited tour dates and their upcoming return to studio to record their new album.

Had a great creative talk with Sharin today and we’re so ready to make the best album to date! It’ll be released in September and we wanna do a proper studio album with a genius producer. There’s only so much you can do in your living room and let’s face it, whenever you pull out one of your favorite albums, it’ll stand the test of time because of a timeless sound, excellent production and songwriting. Now’s the right time for us to step it up…

Before we go into songwriting mode, we’ll hit the road on the 15th of January for an intense tour. We’re bringing a 4 piece band on the road so it should sound massive! There’re still a few tix left so get them now!

This will be the last we’ll tour for a while because we wanna spend all our time on the next album. We’re excited about the future.

Rave On

X Sune

1.15.09 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
1.16.09 New York, NY Webster Hall
1.17.09 Washington, DC Black Cat
1.23.09 San Francisco, CA Bimbo’s 365 Club
1.24.09 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theater

If you’re looking for me on Sunday, I will not be hard to find. I might be the one at Hard Rock Cafe ready to tear it up with the rest of you crazy kids at MSTRKRFT. If you look around the house here, you might find something to listen to.