The Da Vincis “Standing In Line” “Standing In Line” is not a shockingly weird song, but there are enough unexpected bits in it for it certainly qualify as an unlikely oddity, particularly when you bear in mind that the band is a trio of high school seniors from Mississippi. The track begins with a guy crooning “I took a shower / I went to a movie last night / a woman approached me / and we became bff’s that night / best friends forever, that’s what we became that night” like a teenage Morrissey with a stuffy nose, and then it only gets more peculiar from there, with its farfisa lounge groove shifting into a series of darker tangents. The novelty does not entirely wear off, but as it becomes more familiar upon repeated listening, the internal logic of the band’s aesthetic decisions is more apparent, and it starts to seem more sensible than strange.

Buy it from Olympic Records.

Frank YangIt’s funny that though I offered readers an introduction to The Wooden Sky just last month, watching them play an in-store at Sonic Boom on Monday night, the eve of release for their new album If I Don’t Come Home You’ll Know I’m Gone, it felt like I was the one being introduced to them for the first time.

Previously, I’d regarded them as very good with moments of great roots-rock band – terrific at what they did but unlikely to turn anyone’s world upside down. And initial listens to the new record backed that up – it was a definite step forward for the band in terms of concept and execution, but not a giant leap. But this understated show in the sweaty basement of a local record store was a real eye- and ear-opener...

Photos: The Wooden Sky @ Sonic Boom – August 24, 2009
MP3: The Wooden Sky – “Something Hiding For Us In The Night”
MP3: The Wooden Sky – “North Dakota”

Final Fantasy recently taped a Black Cab Session while in the UK for the Field Day Festival. Final Fantasy plays an unrevealed location in Toronto September 5 and his new album Heartland is out in early 2010. Ambiguous much?

Thick Specs and Exclaim have interviews with Amy Millan, whose Masters Of The Burial is out September 22.

Spinner is streaming all ten nominees for the Polaris Music Prize this week – though I suspect they’re only available in Canada. The prize will be awarded on September 21.

Blurt talks to Kevin Barnes of Of Montreal.

Bradley’s Almanac is sharing live MP3s from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, recorded in Vermont way back in February on Valentine’s Day. Awwwww.

Magnet plays over/under with The National. Interestingly, four of their five most overrated picks are some of my least favourite National tunes – I stand by “Green Gloves” – and their five most underrated are some of my most favourite. Make of that what you will.

The Wooden Birds have released a new MP3 and video from Magnolia. They’ve also announced Fall tour dates with Great Lake Swimmers.

MP3: The Wooden Birds – “Hometown Fantasy”
Video: The Wooden Birds – “Hometown Fantasy”

The Quietus talks to The xx.

Rain Machine, the new project from TV On The Radio’s Kyp Malone, will release their self-titled debut on September 8. Pitchfork premiered the first track from the album.

MP3: Rain Machine – “Give Blood”

Still from The Rape of the Sabine Women

Ernest + Tom - “Non Stop Orbit” Virgin, common, liar, too rich, too smiley, gay, hot but boring, angry, short, way too short, old, selfish, wears makeup, cries, smoker, doesn't have a car, cheesy, stupid, bald, show-off, gross teeth, stuck in the past, no male friends, muscle-head, desperate, too healthy, takes phone calls at dinner, always apologizing, ruined by other girls, dresses nicer than me, hair too long, fucking awful shoes, blase, cheap, rebounding, too jealous, bad fuck, "Game" advocate, little twee bitch, fat, ugly, sweaty, testy, tests me, pencil-thin anything, finishes my sentences, gets too drunk, fake laugh, coward, kisses too quick, remembers too much from phone conversations, doesn't tip cabbies, embarrassing pants, couldn't find the bathroom in a bar, grabby, dense, pink blazer, talks about youtube. [MySpace]

Fanfarlo – “The Walls Are Coming Down”

Weekend – “All American” West Coast fuzz from San Francisco. Their debut 7″ is out on Mexican Summer in November.
(via Transparent)