To say I was obsessed with this song would be a total understatement. It’s like the “ADHD” of Fire Like This.

NETHERFRIENDS – “Bret Easton Ellis Novel”
“>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM88rd7r1Zs]

This summer, I discovered Netherfriends via Loup Loop Press and fell in love with their garage-y, lo-fi pop sounds. Though I may have forgotten to post about them, “Bret Easton Ellis Novel” was on repeat for most of summer. Good times.

GOLDEN AGES – “Everything Will Be Alright”
“>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO-p_mEsWHM]

Synthesizer-fueled, electro-pop. What more could I ask for on long morning drives?

MYSTERY JETS – “Lorna Doone”
“>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgWQXfBnEfk]

My love for Mystery Jets knows no bounds. As the closing track for Serotonin, “Lorna Doone” only makes me all the more excited for what they’re doing next.

THE FUTUREHEADS – “Heartbeat Song”
“>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjDWpf4fPDs]

When I saw The Futureheads live (THAT FEELS SO GOOD TO SAY), Barry asked the audience to imagine themselves in the middle of a John Hughes film as they danced to this song. For three minutes, I was Molly Ringwald and it felt great.

SLOW ANIMAL – “Dolt Heart”

I can’t say I ever bought into the “chill wave” hype, but this year I definitely discovered some garage bands that knew what was up. Slow Animal were one of those bands and this song sounds best while speeding down the highway with the volume on blast.

CUT COPY – “Where I’m Going”

There’s a reason Cut Copy are the owners of the “gods amongst men” tag.

SUMMER CAMP - “Round the Moon”
“>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twIiFKa6vWE]

You know there has to be something special about music that makes you nostalgic about moments you’ve never experienced and times you’ve never lived. Amazing.

WHITE MYSTERY – “Powerglove”

When I first heard Chicago’s White Mystery, I was positive I was listening to some garage band from the 70s. But nope, WM are a 20-something brother-sister duo creating heavy, grimey rock like it’s no big thing. “Powerglove” is infectious and the video features a plethora of wild, red-headed Chicago peeps. Good times.

NOAH AND THE WHALE – ” L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. (radio version)”
“>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8XuMDi-wIk]

Technically, this song is only a few weeks old but I discovered it earlier in the year through a live YouTube clip. When I heard it then, I got really excited because it sounded so different from anything NATW had done in the past. Fast-forward to a few days ago, the song premiered on Radio 1 and my anticipation for Last Night On Earth officially became insane. But really, would you expect any different from me?

Shortly after Planet Earth’s time at the Cube, the band abandoned their acoustic roots and decided to go off in a new direction. While this news made the waiting for their debut album all the more exciting, the rest of the Bristol session tracks were set aside and forgotten.

Until now!

Unwilling to do the world (and our ears) a disservice, the fine folks over at Young & Lost Club are offering up the tracks as a free EP, Bristol and Back.  Get it below!

DOWNLOAD Planet Earth – Bristol and Back EP

Though this may be our last chance to hear the acoustic side of Planet Earth, there’s no doubt the beauty and lovelorn sincerity of Sam Lewis’ words will remain no matter the musical direction the band chooses to take.

The band are currently writing their second album set to be released this year. May we be so lucky!

Check out this snazzy tour poster created by Scott Campbell

I want one! And if you haven’t already, buy their latest EP Trust for only $2.99. That’s not a bargain, that’s a steal!

New album in 2011. Can’t wait!

“I Was Unconscious, It Was a Dream”

“Hackney Marsh”

“Because We’re Dead”

For more Bandstand Busking sessions from Meltdown Festival (including J.Flynn!) and beyond, check out bandstandbusking.com

But there is one thing I absolutely love about this time of year: HOLIDAY COVER SONGS! Here are five favorites from this year:

SUMMER CAMP – “Christmas Wrapping” (The Waitresses cover)

FREE DOWNLOAD @ PITCHFORK

SHE & HIM (WITH CONAN!) – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

THE FUTUREHEADS – “Christmas Was Better In the 80s”

BUY ON ITUNES

THE MACCABEES – “Walking in the Air” (from The Snowman)

BUY ON ITUNES

COCONUT RECORDS – “It’s Christmas”

FREE DOWNLOAD FROM TARGET

As 2010 winds down, I’m gonna have myself a breather and get crackin’ on my year end “Best of” lists. Unlike last year, I have promised myself not to procrastinate till February. But maybe it was worth it, who else had their 10 favorite albums of 2009 in the form of HAIKUS?

In case you missed it and/or forgot, you can check out my top 10 favorite albums of 2009 in the form of haikus HERE.

You can also find more of my favorite albums of 2009 HERE.

Alright, 2010. Let’s do this!

Word on the street is that he’ll be performing a solo set, all  in support of his latest album Been Listening, officially released in the US last month via Thirty Tigers.

Though this won’t be my first time seeing Flynn live, it will mark my first visit to Mayne Stage. This relatively new Rogers Park venue has undergone quite a few changes over its lifetime, probably why I was oblivious to its existence even though I lived five minutes away for almost four years. Expect a review of the show in the following days!

If you had planned to see him back in October, hopefully you can still make it out to this rescheduled date! Tickets: $15. Doors: 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Owen supporting.

Let’s take a moment to relive the magic of two years ago, shall we?

The band have announced a North American tour in support of their first album in fifteen years, Content, released January 25th courtesy of Yep Roc. The 13-date tour will begin in Toronto on February 4th, hitting major cities in the East Coast, West Coast, and most importantly, the Midwest.

Feb. 4: Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON
Feb. 5: Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Feb. 7: Paradise, Boston, MA
Feb. 8: Webster Hall, New York, NY
Feb. 9: 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
Feb. 11: Metro, Chicago, IL
Feb. 12: First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 15: Venue, Vancouver, BC
Feb. 16: Showbox @ the Market, Seattle, WA
Feb. 17: Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
Feb. 19: The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
Feb. 20: House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
Feb. 21: Music Box, Los Angeles, CA

Chicagoans, tickets will go on sale this Saturday Nov 13th at 10am. BUY THEM HERE through Metro’s official website and act fast because I’m pretty positive this show will sell out quick!

Someone’s got a birthday coming up in January and tickets would be a pretty stellar gift. Just sayin’…

Bombay Bicycle Club
Frankie and the Heartstrings
Marcus Foster
Veronica Falls
Yuck

I’m sure that a whole slew of other bands I would really, really love to see will get added soon enough, that’s how it always goes. However, I’m realizing that with every passing year I care less and less about not being able to go to SXSW. Not exactly the setting I’d love to see these bands in, you know? However, if anyone’s got an extra pass to the Interactive conference, I would love you forever if you hooked a sister up!