WeisCuts

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - “Weight of the Sun”
Ho. Ly. Shit. When the first chorus hits, it’s like you’re walking towards an explosion in slow-motion with debris flying past you while covering your face with one hand held out, palm forward, eyes squinting, your hair blowing back.  

Crank it and tell me you don’t feel that.

I’ve come a long way apparently.  At some point in 2003/2004, I went to a Queens of the Stone Age concert in Toronto.  The only problem was, I didn’t get to see the Queens of the Stone Age because their opening band infuriated and revolted me so much that I left the concert a quarter of the way into the opening band’s set questioning how QOTSA could select such a truly terrible act to tour with them.

That opening band, if you haven’t already guessed by now was …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead.  Either I wasn’t “hearing” them then or their sound has totally changed since or maybe they’re just a lousy live band, but their new track “Weight of the Sun” has completely changed my opinion of them.

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - “Weight of the Sun” [MP3 via Brooklyn Vegan]

Alex Winston - “Sister Wife”

The Guardian’s Music Blog put it best when reviewing Alex Winston’s new track, “Sister Wife”:

Over airy, intricately arranged drums and distinctive vocals, Sister Wife seems sickly sweet on the surface but, like all good pop, hides a dark core.

Alex Winston - “Sister Wife” [MP3 via Brooklyn Vegan]

Bright Eyes - “Shell Games”
Alt-pop comes so easily to Conor Oberst to him and his rotating crew of Bright Eyes bandmates.  There are so many delicate little hooks in this song, something new pops out with each new listen.

Bright Eyes - “Shell Games” [MP3 via Side One: Track One]

Tapes ‘N Tapes - “Badaboom”
If Weezer, Culture Club, David Byrne, and The Cure got together and made a beautiful lovechild, it might sound something like Tapes ‘N Tapes’ “Badaboom”.  

Tapes ‘N Tapes - “Badaboom” [MP3 via MFR]

Yelle - “Safari Disco Club”
“Safari Disco Club” is little slice of electropop heaven from the new Yelle album, Safari Disco Club, due this March. 

Yelle - “Safari Disco Club” [MP3 via PMA]

Foster The People - “Helena Beat”
One of my favorite tracks from 2010, and #3 most played on my 2010 playlist, was the one-off single “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People. They’re back at it with “Helena Beat”.  Foster The People’s first EP, Pumped Up Kicks, is due out January 25, 2011.  If “Pumped Up Kicks” and “Helena” are any sign, their first album should be stellar.

Foster The People - “Helena Beat” [MP3 via OMR]

The Forms feat. Matt Berninger - “Fire To The Ground”
What’s the next best thing to a new single from The National?  Well how about this plucky new track from The Forms featuring The National’s front man, Matt Berninger?

The Forms feat. Matt Berninger - “Fire To The Ground” [MP3 via PMA] 

Lykke Li - “I Follow Rivers”
I Follow Rivers is the second single from Lykke Li’s upcoming album, Wounded Rhymes. The verses are kind of uninteresting except for a percussive melody that pierces it occasionally to catch your attention.  The choruses are worth the wait though.

Lykke Li - “I Follow Rivers” [MP3 via music is art]