The Walrus is a Philadelphia-based music blog written by Michael. You may send me stuff through the send a tip page or email me. All mp3s should be sent as links. NO ATTACHMENTS, PLEASE. If I like your music, chances are I will write about it.
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mp3s on this site are for promotional purposes only. If you wish to have an mp3 removed please contact me.
One of my favorite new bands, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band have taken a break from their awesomely strange PSAs to direct an official music video for “Cheer For Fate”. Themes of delusion, reflection and change are presented in a beautiful scrap-book style…and the band breaks stuff, which is always cool.
Pick up their debut album from Dead Oceans and I highly recommend that you catch them on tour with Bishop Allen. The songs sound great and Marshall is SICK on the drums!
MusicRadar posted an awesome list of crazy drum kits found online. It includes square drums (pictured above), recycled drums and drums made from cheese (which may come in handy when performing live at art openings). And you thought Carl Palmer’s 2 and a half ton stainless steel drum set was nutty…
Diamond Watch Wrists, the new side-project from Prefuse 73 aka Guillermo Scott Herren may be my favorite so far. Together with drummer Zach Hill (Hella, Marnie Stern) they create beautiful 60’s inspired pop, with a nod to weird 70’s krautrock. Beautiful vocals, beautiful music.
The album, Ice Capped at Both Ends, will be out via Warp on April 28.
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With what could easily be a song in some new horror movie trailer, Metric have returned with “Help I’m Alive”, an intense song that may be one of their best to date and is the lead-off track to their (awesome) new album Fantasies. Have a listen:
Fantasies is out 4/14. Pre-order it from their site.
Everyone living in Philly should make their way to The Church tomorrow night to see one of the best bands in pop music, Bishop Allen, along with Walrus BFFs Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band. If you like great songwriting, it’s a must! Get the details on Facebook.
New Bishop Allen video “Dimmer”
Classic Mt. St Helens Vietnam Band promo:
Bishop Allen are touring in support of their excellent new album Grrr and MSHVB are supporting their debut EP. Dead Oceans has them both, along with free MP3s from both bands!
I’m not the biggest fan of Bat For Lashes, but this song, like its cover, is absolutely awesome. Natasha Khan’s channeling of Hounds of Love-era Kate Bush is even more evident with the addition of a dark disco beat.
The new album Two Suns will be out 4/6 via Astralwerks.
Lately I’m discovering that a lot of European electro bands have an unhealthy obsession with American 80’s nostalgia and retro-future imagery. It brings back memories and it’s kind of beautiful and Utopian…in a cheesy, naive sort of way.
The music of Futurecop! seems to be inspired by 80’s Saturday morning sci-fi cartoons and teen movies. Their original version of this song (which was named after the film) is synth-fantasy, the Powerglove remix is synth-danger. Check it out.
For more stuff like this check out the Valerie blog.
Also, if you live in Philly, check out Futurecop! live on 3/31 @ MRoom.
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Good news! Philly’s Hermit Thrushes, who I have posted about previously, have landed on a new label and are prepping their sophomore album Slight Fountain for release in June. The first “single” is a charming little tune, a la Captain Beefheart had he played with Polvo, that sounds like it’s about to fall apart at any second. Nice work, gents.
Slight Fountain will available 6/9 from Joyful Noise. Catch the band back in Philly on April 6th @ JB’s and check out more tour dates here.
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BEATERS are from California, hang out in (are members of?) the Crocodiles/Dum Dum Girls/Soft Pack scene and have a fucked up demo titled “Fishage”. Ominous, funky and chant-like, it’s ESG meets The Liars meets your death.
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This new video from Bishop Allen reflects the song’s lyrics with a comedic, Vaudevillian spin. And although it shows some members getting old and/or disappearing, have no fear the band WILL be HERE…in Philly that is, this Thursday at The Church.
Get show details here and purchase the new album, Grrr, from their website.
Swedish duo First Aid Kit, whose music sounds rather American, have a beautiful new single out and you are advised to download it immediately. These teenage sisters may be new but their stuff already sounds classic. No trends, no gimmicks, just good ‘ol fashioned songwriting and it’s awesome.
Check out more posts about the band here and here.
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California’s Dum Dum Girls (actually just one girl named Dee Dee—just found this out) is getting some good buzz of late. For me most of the new wave of lo-fi is hit or miss, but this project has some choice tunes like “Blank Girl” and “Jail La La” which I posted about last week. Here is the silly and very entertaining video for the former, which uses vintage party footage from who knows where…
