Alvvays & The Decemberists

Good stuff just keeps getting better: The Decemberists drop another song from their new album and meanwhile it's been announced that the Toronto band Alvvays will be opening on both nights of The Decemberists' two-night stand at The Tabernacle in Atlanta.

Alvvays opening for Yuck at The Earl, February 2014

The Decemberists' new What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World came out a little late this year to make most critics Best Of lists, but Alvvays' Archie, Marry Me is on a lot of Top 20 lists for 2014.

Musicians Are Cowards

"Sisters and brothers, we have surely lost our way
In strip malls full of cancer and a pathetic rain."

 - The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes from Born Into Trouble As the Sparks Fly Upwards (2001)

Just Another Band From Montreal

The Barr Brothers at Bumbershoot 2012

If I had to choose a city to live in based only on the bands that come from that city, the pick might go to Portland, but on the other hand, I'd have no problem picking Montreal to live in the city of Godspeed, Silver Mt. Zion, Suuns, and the Barr Brothers.

Somebody needs to get these guys to Atlanta.

Your Shadow Under My Feet

Promo video for Tu Sombra Bajo Mis Pies, featuring a short excerpt from Tho You Are Gone I Still Often Walk With You from Silver Mt. Zion's Born Into Trouble As the Sparks Fly Upward (2001)

Spark & Whisper

Here's a new song from Marin County's Spark & Whisper

13 Angels Standing Guard 'Round The Side Of Your Bed

from He Has Left Us Alone But Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corners of Our Rooms. The 2000 album was dedicated to frontman Efrim Manuck's late dog, Wanda.  A few years later, in God Bless Our Dead Marines, Efrim would sing,

"I love my dog and she loves me.  
The world's a mess and so are we.
She tumbles long green, muddy fields, sick with joy and glee.
And as she dreams sweet puppy dreams, whimpering gently."

Allo Darlin'

Allo Darlin at 529, October 14, 2014

The Allo Darlin' tour, which brought the band to Atlanta's 529 during Rocktober, continued on to the West Coast where they performed Bright Eyes, We Come From the Same Place, History Lessons, and Crickets in the Rain at KEXP's Seattle studio on October 30.