Kleenex (LiLiPUT) - "Madness"

I just love everybody, and that's it. -Jessie Gutierrez

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The Morning Benders - “All Day Daylight” There are times when you need to escape, but you don’t get the opportunity to do so. Other times, you get a chance to get away, but despite the change of scenery, you can’t avoid stress and expectations. The character in “All Day Daylight” was in the former category, but is now in the latter, and as much as he’d like to relax in the summer sun of somewhere on the other side of the globe, he can’t shake off his self-consciousness. He’s not agitated, and it’s not a bad trip. It’s never stated outright, but it seems like he is just realizing that as valuable as it can be to get out of your element, the pressure to relax in an unfamiliar place isn’t exactly a remedy for unhappiness. Still, this song is more about pleasure than feeling uncomfortable. The music is a paradise of gentle reverb and understated guitar hooks, the chorus is huge and inviting, despite its undercurrent of cynicism. It’s easy to see why they made this into a song about the summer and vacations — it sounds warm, wide-open, and exciting.

Buy it from Amazon.

The new self-titled collection by seminal indie-poppers Black Tambourine is out on Slumberland this week– and whattya know, we’ve got a Listen@MBV album stream of it for you! Formed in 1989 by members of Velocity Girl and Whorl, the band actually appeared on Slumberland’s first release ever (1989′s What Kind Of Heaven Do You Want? 7-inch). And though Black Tambourine only released a scant amount material in its short 3-year existence, the stuff they did release has become recognized as an indiepop classic. This new compilation collects all of the band’s recorded output, PLUS their first 2 demos, PLUS 4 new songs, including covers of Buddy Holly (“Heartbeat”) and Suicide (“Dream Baby Dream”).

And, oh yeah, did I mention we’ve also got a copy of the vinyl (w/a free poster) to give away? Because we do. Just enter your email below, and we’ll draw a winner on Friday.

NPR is streaming the new Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings album, I Learned the Hard Way (out April 6th) in its entirety.

New York Magazine profiles Sharon Jones.

After three decades of near obscurity, Jones is in demand; she and Brooklyn soul curators the Dap-Kings will release their fourth album, I Learned the Hard Way, on April 6. In recent years, she's sung with Lou Reed in the stage version of Berlin and with Phish for their re-creation of Exile on Main St.; she duetted with Michael Buble on Saturday Night Live and sings a funkified version of "This Land Is Your Land" in the opening credits of Up in the Air. "I feel like I asked God, and it took me a while," says Jones. "So instead of 'Why?' I say, 'Thank you.' "

The New Statesman lists the top 20 political songs.

The Globe and Mail profiles Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas.

Like his bandmates' varied side projects, Casablancas’ Phrazes for the Young explores new musical directions. Its name is a twist on Oscar Wilde's 19th century life-advice list Phrases And Philosophies for the Use of the Young; the album came out late last year to mixed reviews. Its synth-based, futuristic sound may be light years away from the Strokes’ retro guitar rock, but Casablancas’ catchy songwriting and baritone croon are seductively familiar.

The Quietus interviews Britt Daniel and Jim Eno of Spoon.

On sale at Amazon MP3: Joan Armatrading's new 11-track album This Charming Life for $3.99.

True/Slant lists the best worst classic rock songs of all time.

The Guardian interviews Courtney Love about the Hole reunion.

The Guardian Music Blog examines the usually unsuccessful career change of models into music.

NME lists 10 tracks you have to hear this week.

NPR is streaming the new album by Sigur Ros frotman Jonsi, Go (out April 6th) in its entirety.

Dum Dum Girls – “Jail La La”

The Antlers
Guillaume Jouannet, 2010