Titus Andronicus frontman Patrick Stickles talks to Spinner about enlisting indie rockers to portray historical figures on the band's new album, The Monitor.

"Craig Finn was an easy one, because Walt Whitman was one of my favorites for the time period, representing a unique and important thing in that time," Stickles says. "Craig is a really great guy, really very open and magnanimous. I think Walt Whitman would have appreciated what he called the adhesiveness of his character."

Stickles lists some of his favorite things at Pitchfork.

The Notorious B.I.G + the XX = The Notorious XX by Wait What (free mashup album download)

SF Weekly profiles Surfer Blood.

Self-assured, spirited, and surprisingly sophisticated, its songs exist in that sweet spot between lo-fi and polished, skillfully arranged but not overworked. "Floating Vibes" is one of several reverb-soaked tunes that worships raw, shambling Pavement- or Sebadoh-style textures while inserting sunny Beach Boys melodies and vocal harmonies. Power-chord–fueled breakout single "Swim," meanwhile, launches as a sort of Cheap Trick homage before its guitars and rhythms briefly detour into Afropop. And "Harmonix" deftly updates the shoegazer and garage-fuzz template with chiming New Wavey six-strings, like the Jesus and Mary Chain scoring an episode of Miami Vice.

The L Magazine lists 8 NYC bands you need to hear.

Flavorwire and eMusic put together post-SXSW bands to watch in 2010 lists.

Underwire lists the coolest concept albums.

The Guardian shares news and the trailer of Lou Reed's directorial debut, Red Shirley.

Papercuts Sign To Sub Pop, New Album Expected In 2011

Government Bureau, 1956 , George Tooker

Nicolas Jaar - “Time For Us” Nico has grown up. Do you remember Nico? Now he makes music likes this, for vast & eerie nightclubs, and he comes to Montreal to play festivals. But when I say he has "grown up", I do not mean to condescend. My point is not that time has passed, nor that Nicolas has finally shed his childish skin. No, "Time For Us" suggests that Nicolas Jaar has experienced long months, slow seasons, the kinds of days and nights that taught us the little we know about being adults. The nights you go home with silvers in your pocket, a shake in your skull, and cannot tell if you are happy or sad. What reason in the world do you have to be sad? The beat's still in your veins. And yet.

[website/buy]

CocoRosie – “Lemonade” From the forthcoming Lemonade 7″ (out 4/17), and the full-length Grey Oceans, out 5/11 on Sub Pop.

Awesome! The Kickstarter Chris Knox Benefit Raised Over $40,000 In Less Than An Hour!