Stereogum April Jukebox

By Stereogum

1:18 PM EST on March 25, 2005

So many hott tracks rocking the portable digital music device, I've gotta share the April playlist a week early...

Aimee Mann "That's How I Knew This Story Would Break My Heart" from The Forgotton ArmShe loves the '70s (as promised). Stream more cuts from the new CD here.DOWNLOAD AT: Scenestars
Astrud Gilberto "Gentle Rain (RJD2 Remix)" from Verve Remixed 3Girl from Ipanema meets boy from Def Jux, for your next chillout playlist. Enjoy now before the Postal Service/Nina Simone jawn is blaring at a Banana Republic near you.
Ben Folds "Jesusland" from Songs For SilvermanI'd like to think "Jesusland" was inspired by the post-election meme. Ben's focused here, pounding out Americana-tinged arrangements (think recent Wilco) with tales of put-upon everymen that thankfully limit the silliness. Silverman's at its most hummable on the bouncy "Trusted" and "Bastard" (nice CSN breakdown three minutes in). Surprise standout: a repolished "Give Judy My Notice" which on Speed Graphic aped early Elton, but after a classic FM makeover now sounds like The Best Of Fleetwood Mizzle.DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3
Black Lipstick "Bob Fosse" from Sincerely Black LipstickInsound warns "This [album] will rock your ass so hard it will be difficult to sit down afterwards." This cut rocks gently though.DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3
Black Mountain "Bicycle Man" from Quiet Weather Singles Series Split 7"Sax and drugs inform this chug-a-lug blooze. The crew of Canadian mental health workers shares members (and initials!) with Blood Meridian (of Stereogum March Jukebox fame).DOWNLOAD AT: Said The Gramophone (Album cuts here.)
Bloc Party "Little Thoughts" from Little Thoughts CD SingleReally the most infectious Bloc Party song, and it's a b-side. Sunnier but no less energetic than anything on blogger fave Silent Alarm. (UPDATE: Apparently this song IS on the US release.)DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3 (Some British radio versions here.)
The Books "None But Shining Hours" from Lost And SafeStereogum glossed over the collagists' Lemon Of Pink, but if it sounded this trippy (think John McEntire remixing Animal Collective) we should revisit. Some tunes are hypnotic, even jammy, and them banjos sound like Sujfan Stevens.
Brazilian Girls "Don't Stop (Riton Remix)" from Don't Stop 12"Brazilian Girls: neither Brazilian nor girls. Discuss.DOWNLOAD AT: Music-For-Robots
Brian Eno "Another Green World" from Flaming Lips' Latenight TalesMiles, Aphex, and 10cc? Now That's What We Call Nocturne. DJs Wayne, Stephen, & Michael also take on White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army." (Harry Potter's And George W. Bush's Severed Head Arm Mix, obvs.)
Bright Eyes "Mushaboom (Live @ Studio 105)"Gen-Y's Jackson Browne salutes Leslie Feist of Canadian indie collective Broken Social Stars Of Hustle.DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3 Thanks Mr. Heartedboy. (Feist frenzy here.)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah "Home On Ice" from clapyourhandssayyeah.comLoved catching these local boys at Crash Mansion last Friday. Or was it two Fridays ago? It was 4AM so I don't remember so good. I'm pretty sure they were awesome.DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3
The Decemberists "Engine Driver" from PicaresqueThe album leaked months ago (word spread on the official message board) and now the band's gear is gone. Colin is praying the true fans will pay for the new tunes. Support your local Decemberist, k? This free sample sounds like the Smiths!DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3
Doves "Black And White Town" from Some CitiesCritically acclaimed trio bathed Bowery's hipsters in lush Britpop last Tuesday. Foxy Jess and I failed to take one decent photo, but Brooklyn Vegan came through. The first single from the new LP (Doves' third) was a highlight. Check the video: Win | Real (Doves will be back in NYC -- with Mercury Rev -- in May.)
Gwen Stefani (Feat. Eve) "Rich Girl" from Love.Angel.Music.BabyNot as b-a-n-a-n-a-s as "Mickey"-retread "Hollaback," -- and the Fiddler part is lame -- but the "Allllll the riches baby / won't mean anything" bit is earworm material. Didja see this shiksa on SNL? Oy, she's all skin and bones.
Hot Hot Heat "Middle Of Nowhere" from ElevatorThird I've heard from the third album. Not as much fun as "Bandages," but getting warmer.
Ivy "Tess Don't Tell" from In The Clear The Grizz sez: "Depending on your social life, this is music to listen to while falling in love or cleaning your apartment. Either way, you'll feel really cool while doing it." (Blurb via Grambo.) Thanks to Jen we'll be in a small room with Dominique soon.
Justus Köhncke "Alles Nochmal" from DoppellebenCool IDM interpretation of Carly Simon's "Coming Around Again" In German. Don't let that deter you.DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3
Keane "Somewhere Only We Know" from Hopes And FearsI had to hear this pop ballad 200 times before I realized how perfectly constructed it is. I get a rush when the chorus comes in. Wish these guys were around when Stereomom made me take piano lessons.
Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone (Jason Nevins Ambient Candlelight Mix)" from iTunes Remix EPiTunez commissioned some dancefloor makeovers of Ted Leo's favorite Idol. DJ is Jason Nevins, who I'm pretty sure went to my high school. Collect all eight. Share with (four or less) friends.
The Kills "Run Home Slow" from No Wow (Japanese Version Only)Lovely fiancée EJ loved Alison Mosshart in college. We have a box of Discount 7"s in the closet to prove it. Now Alison has a new name (VV) and band (the Kills). Could be time to see what LOT of DISCOUNT 7" rare Record,Florida punk emo,OOP fetches on eBay.
Kylie Minogue "Lovin' You" from Ultimate KylieThe last cut on her new import collection. We think it's co-written by a Scissor Sister (like "I Believe In You") but are too lazy to check.DOWNLOAD AT: Arjan Writes
Lazyboy "Facts Of Life" from Lazy Boy TVThe "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" of 2005. Listen, chuckle, delete. This band has a popular song about underwear, but I haven't heard that yet.
Louis XIV "Finding Out True Love Is Blind" from Illegal TenderThis first appeared as a Stolen Transmission. Did you get your limited edition CD? Bunny did.
M.I.A. "Sunshowers" from ArularAny space left on the bandwagon? We promise not to cause trouble.
Mountain Goats "Dilaudid" from The Sunset TreeJohn Darnielle can yelp a goofy lyric with the best of them. "Dilaudid" rides on a wicked cello riff that reminds me of recent David Byrne. I'm curious what the Internet-only "Marrtronix" remix is, but 4AD's downloading procedure is way too confusing.
Nagisa Ni Te "Me, On The Beach" from Dream SoundsJ-psych folkies embrace their Neil Young fetish. And there's a surfing cartoon bunny on the cover!
Petra Haden "I Can See For Miles" from Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell OutPetra Haden, who you may remember from That Dog (sorry, that dog.) pays tribute to The Who Sell Out by recreating all the parts (even percussion) a capella. It was Mike Watt's idea and she recorded it BEFORE Björk's batshit Medulla.
Regina Spektor "Us" from Soviet KitschThis classically-trained pianist toured with classic rockers The Strokes. Quirky pretty.DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3
Russian Futurists "Our Pen's Out Of Ink" from Our ThicknessMatthew Adam Hart's hooks are sharper than ever. "Our Pen" starts off jazzy then bursts into a sunny, reverb-drenched chorus of "Bah bah bahs." Recommended if you like Dave Fridmann (though he didn't produce this).DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3
Solomon Burke "It Makes No Difference" from Make Do With What You GotLacks the oomph of the Band's original, but I'll listen to this guy read the phone book.
Stars "The Big Fight" from from Set Yourself On FireI meant to write about Stars weeks ago. They're part of a hott Canadian version of Elephant 6 that also includes Broken Social Scene and Feist. Chamber pop call & response unexpectedly shifts into some Arthur Russell-style '80s breakbeat. (Crushing blow: The O.C. discovered this song before Stereogum did.) I'm told the band impressed in Austin.
Stephen Malkmus "Freeze The Saints" from Face The TruthI've been a solo Malkmus fan since he gave out free t-shirts at his first NY solo gig. Here he's all sensitive singer/songwriter. Sweet.
Thunderbirds Are Now! "From: Skulls" from JustamustacheBetter than anything on the D-Town weirdos' debut album. If they stopped trying to be funny I think I'd like them even more. Check out this song if you like Arcade Fire.DOWNLOAD HERE: .mp3
U.S.E. (United State Of Electronica) "Night Shift "Open Your Eyes" "Takin' It All The Way" from U.S.E.I couldn't decide which song. It's always the right time for U.S.E.