You’ve heard “We Are Young” all over the place, now check out what we think about fun.’s new album.
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Spin Cycle: Shearwater’s “Animal Joy”
It’d be a shame if Shearwater’s ultimate legacy was as Okkervil River’s de facto kid brother. Originally envisioned as an artier side project for the wordy indie-rock artisans of Okkervil, Will Sheff and Jonathan Meiburg, Shearwater has evolved considerably. A lot that’s due to the amicable division of labor between the two bands: Meiburg has emerged as Shearwater’s figurehead, while Sheff generally keeps to Okkervil River these days, and under the tutelage of their respective artistic directors, both outfits have […]
Spin Cycle: Joseph Arthur’s “Redemption City”
Joseph Arthur is a prolific mad genius. Like contemporaries Ryan Adams and Robert Pollard, Arthur is a man who simply can’t seem to help making music. He once described songs that made up the four EPs he released in 2008 as “strange animals in a cosmic cage begging for release”; he released an album a scant seven months ago; and now, seemingly out of nowhere, he’s dumped Redemption City on his devoted fanbase as a free digital download, and surprisingly to […]
The Viewfinder: Bon Joviver’s “You Give Love A Bad Name”
Here at Popblerd, we enjoy using our Viewfinder and Singles Bar columns to highlight new and exciting tracks for your listening pleasure. We also like drawing attention to videos that make music nerds giggle. Bon Joviver falls into the latter category. As it turns out, Bon Joviver is exactly what it sounds like: an uncannily accurate facsimile of the bearded folkie who made Popblerd’s Top Album of 2011, singing the irrepressible New Jersey rocker’s mega-hit “You Give Love A Bad […]
Bruce Springsteen announces 2012 E Street Band tour, dates
We here at Popblerd are pretty keen on the sexiest senior citizen in rock n’ roll, Bruce Springsteen. Granted, some of us more than others – I hear that man-crush Drew has on The Boss is undying and a little bit creepy. Fortunately for Boss fans, Bruce has announced another round of touring dates for 2012, in anticipation of forthcoming album Wrecking Ball. You can catch the sweat-soaked, three-hour-plus shows at any of the venues below, and in the meantime, […]
Spin Cycle: Craig Finn’s “Clear Heart Full Eyes”
Craig Finn’s new solo album is out tomorrow. Does it measure up to the standard set by The Hold Steady’s catalog?
The Jukebox From Hell 10: “Yahhh!”
Imagine, if you will, the fictionalized account of struggling Atlanta stage actor DeAndre Way: raised in the ATL, this product of urban ennui always longed to escape his existence by treading the boards. Blessed with a sonorous baritone, piercing, unblinking eyes, and a Shakespearean sense of dramatic heft that could bring to life even the dense, entendre-laden work of the Bard’s finest prose, DeAndre knew that he was born for the stage. Surely, even as all of his friends and […]
Spin Cycle: Of Monsters and Men’s “Into the Woods” EP
There’s more to Iceland than Bjork! Check out Of Mice and Men, who have a new album out now!
Spin Cycle: Snow Patrol’s “Fallen Empires” (Drew’s Review)
We don’t typically double-dip here at Popblerd, in terms of record reviews. But when my buddy and Popblerd brethren Mike A. had a much different reaction to the new Snow Patrol record, we decided an exception to the rule was in order; Mike would review Fallen Empires around its UK release date, while I would take the reins in time for the US release. Mike’s review can be found here , and it’s well worth a read, primarily because your reaction to Fallen Empires just […]
The Viewfinder: Van Halen’s “Tattoo”
Van Halen’s forthcoming album, A Different Kind of Truth, is notable for being the band’s first with original frontman David Lee Roth since 1984. The band released the video for leadoff single “Tattoo” today, and it’s our first real taste of the reformed band, boasting a no-frills aesthetic in crisp black and white. And on first impression, it’s just fine: Van Halen’s glory days may be behind them, but the newly-rejuvenated boys seem to be having a blast jamming together […]