The Philadelphia Inquirer profiles A Sunny Day in Glasgow.

When Ben Daniels went to make the first A Sunny Day in Glasgow album, he drafted his sisters Lauren and Robin to provide the ethereal, angelic vocals to top his blissful dream-pop soundscapes. Scribble Music Comic Journal, the Philly band's '07 debut, was very lush (and very Lush, as in the early '90s British band), a stirring blend of effects-laden guitars, electronic ambience, and floating vocals that occasionally coalesced into bubbly pop hooks.

The London Evening Standard explains how we all fell for singer-songwriter Lily Allen in the 2000s.

NPR Music examines the uncertain future of recording studios with the rise in home recording.

Folk Alley lists the top 10 folk songs of 2009.

Oxford American editors share albums they love (with streaming samples).

Sake of the Song is a non-music store selling products crafted by musicians (including Langhorne Slim, Au Revoir Simone, and others).

Standard Recording Company and NUVO have teamed up to release the digital holiday compilation A Very Standard Christmas, Vol.2, with proceeds going to FACE Low-cost Spay & Neuter Clinic in Indianapolis.

Radian – “Git Cut Noise” From the band’s latest, Chimeric, out now on Thrill Jockey.

Woodsman – “Sunglass”

David WaldmanThe tale of Toronto’s Diamond Rings was one of the unexpected little Toronto triumphs of the Summer, what with the electro-glam alter-ego of D’Urbervilles frontman Jon O’Regan releasing a fun video to go with his debut 7″ single, “All Yr Songs”, and having it quickly get not only catch the ear of Pitchfork founder Ryan Schreiber, but also garner title of “Best New Music” by the same tastemaking site, leading to plenty of attention, singles sales and plum opening slots.

The happy tale took an unfortunate turn Wednesday, however, as the YouTube clip – at 50,000 plays and counting – was unceremoniously pulled because of “a copyright claim by Sony BMG Music Entertainment”. This was especially odd considering that the song is an original, sample-free composition and the video, while paying tribute to the aesthetic of early hip-hop videos, was also wholly original.

Read more at Chromewaves →

Update: Okay, the YouTube clip has been un-banned though no explanation as to why has been given. My completely baseless theory is that it may have mistakenly gotten caught up in some Vevo-related dragnet of material that the labels were seeking to clean up/seize control of. I’ll relay anything else I learn, but the important thing is you can now watch Jon bust a move on the online streaming video platform of your choice.

MP3: Diamond Rings – “All Yr Songs”
MP3: Diamond Rings – “All Yr Songs” ((GOBBLE GOBBLE’s Wings for Eyeliner remix)
Video: Diamond Rings – “All Yr Songs”

The Vancouver Sun, Toronto Star, Torontoist, NOW and eye salute Constantines on the occasion of their tenth anniversary as one of Canada’s foremost rock bands.

Ohbijou are capping off their own terrific year by giving away a free cover of Wham!’s holiday classic, “Last Christmas”. Head over here to grab it.

Woodpigeon have shared the MP3 of a Pink Floyd cover they recorded for a “Mojo compilation. I had suggested they do “Run Like Hell”, but no one ever listens to me. Their new record Die Stadt Muzikanten is out January 12.

MP3: Woodpigeon – “Mother” (Pink Floyd cover)

The Besnard Lakes’ identity crisis continues – apparently they no longer believe themselves to be The Dark Horse for as of March 9, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night. The new album will be preceded a month earlier with the release of a new single “Albatross” on 12″.

College Times and Austin360 talk to the Rural Alberta Advantage.

The Joy Formidable, who had me scrambling to check airfare prices upon seeing they’re playing four shows in New York at the start of next January (no I’m not going), are getting into the holiday spirit by giving away a free MP3 of a new song just crackling with festive cheer – “My Beerdrunk Soul is Sadder than a Hundred Dead Christmas Trees”. Now that’s my kind of Christmas carol. I love this band – someone give them tonnes of money so they can tour over here, or give me tonnes of money so I can go see them wherever they play. Actually, let’s just pursue scenario two.

Video: The Joy Formidable – “My Beerdrunk Soul is Sadder than a Hundred Dead Christmas Trees”

Exclaim has details of the second She & Him record, entitled Volume Two (it’s the second volume, y’see?) and out March 23.

Portland band Panther calls it quits

Class Actress - “Someone Real” “You just need someone real to love.” There are a lot of ways could use that line and have it come off as either stinging or empathetic. Elizabeth Harper goes right down the middle, insisting that the woman the object of her affections has put on a pedestal is not herself, and softly but sternly suggesting that he needs someone real to love, i.e., the person she actually is. Harper’s voice is sweet but slightly aloof, and she slips perfectly into a sleek track that is perhaps just a little too chilly, graceful, and reserved to be considered bouncy, but manages to get a nice bump going nonetheless.

Visit the Class Actress tumblr.

Just a few days ago, we pointed out that Merge was offering a 10% off holiday deal– and now Matador is following suit! Get 10% off your order at the Matador Store by using code “holidaze” (good thru next Tuesday). Is it time to pick up that critically-acclaimed Girls’ Album? Or Times New Viking’s Born Again Revisited? Or maybe even something from the nine-hundred billion other releases in Matador’s legendary discography?