Animal Collective – “ODDSAC” Trailer

The Mynabirds - “Numbers Don’t Lie” Laura Burhenn is the kind of soul singer who sounds best when she’s not belting it out, but instead keeping the contours of a great melody sleek and smooth. Her tone in “Numbers Don’t Lie” is sweet yet just a bit salty, and forthright enough to make it clear that her deferential attitude on the chorus comes with a lot of eye-rolling. The tune is a minor marvel, and the production by Richard Swift hits his usual balance of retro warmth and modern textures, which keeps the piece from sounding too much like an overly reverential facsimile of Dusty Springfield style blue-eyed soul.

Buy it from Saddle Creek.

Get Back Guinozzi! – “Carpet Madness”

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Skeletons”

NPR is streaming the new Midlake album, The Courage of Others (out February 2nd), in its entirety.

Paste examines the continued relevance of the term "indie" as applied to popular culture.

Yo La Tengo frontman Ira Kaplan talks to the Tulsa World.

The National Post profiles singer-songwriter Basia Bulat.

Flavorwire lists the 10 best full-album covers of all time.

Line Out offers suggested tracks for the ultimate running music mix.

FACT magazine lists the 20 best minimal wave albums.

The Silicon Alley Insider explains how small indie bands are making money on iTunes.

The Sun Studio Sessions have been added to my local PBS station, and tonight feature Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in session at Memphis's legendary Sun Studios performing a new song. Check your local listings to see if your local PBS affiliate carries the show.

Drowned in Sound has the shortlist for the 2010 NME Awards.

Pitchfork reviews the new Beach House album Teen Dream (out today), giving the disc a 9.0.

This is both the most diverse and most listenable of their three full-lengths, and yet it never seems like a compromise. It feels like the product of careful, thoughtful growth, bringing in new influences-- bits of mid-1970s Fleetwood Mac, sparkling indie pop, even a few soul and gospel touches--- while maintaining the group's core sound. Teen Dream is a stirring reminder that good things can happen when you move out of your comfort zone.