Burning

Mogwai has released a sprawling live DVD spanning a large portion of their enourmous catalog. The movie is now available on iTunes and is directed by Vincent Moon and Nathanaël Le Scouarnec.



Along with the DVD, Mogwai has released and accompanying live album entitled Special Moves. Lucky enough for me (and you) one of my favorite songs, "Friend of the Night" is included in the live compilation. The live version has some nice fuzzy moss that isn't included in the studio cut. Enjoy.

Mogwai: "Friend of the Night" (Live) [Buy]


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Jónsi Does MGMT

When this man opens his mouth, the angels speak. It's as simple as that. The fact that Jónsi can conjure his ethereal vocal timbre on command is a testament to the capabilities of the human voice. Especially in this age of AutoTune and lip-syncing, such a feat is even more remarkable. Entering the indie mainstream with "Boy Lilikoi" (see 1:01) this past winter, Jónsi has hit the festival and gigging circuits of late, playing all over the US and Europe. The Iceland native peddles his own take on dream pop, which has proven to be far more accessible to the average indie listener than the Vonlenska-laden post-rock of Sigur Rós. Aligning with the accessible bent of his solo effort, Jónsi covered MGMT's 2008 crossover hit "Time to Pretend" during a live performance on BBC Radio 1, reimagining the song entirely. The cover is rather sparse texturally, an airy piano accompanying Jónsi's otherworldly voice as the tempo is slowed and what originally was the indie equivalent of a club banger is transformed into to a thoughtfully melancholic look at the realities of pop stardom.

Time to Pretend (Live cover on BBC Radio 1)

☢4☮

The group of musicians that once was an outlet for Thom Yorke to perform his 2006 electronic solo effort is seeming more and more like a bona fide band. Atoms for Peace now has an official website complete with a store that sells posters, water bottles, and shirts. Although the site's design is obviously a reworking of Radiohead's W.A.S.T.E., the simple fact that time (likely in the form of Stanley Donwood) was invested in created a legitimate online home for the band implies that AfP is more than a fly by night ordeal. While reports maintain that AfP's gigs are high energy and feature Yorke in peak form vocally, the Radiohead purist in me grieves at the thought of never seeing Thom, Jonny, Ed, Colin, and Phil on stage together again—no less an LP8. Whatever the case may be, you can count on Muzjiks to bring you the latest. The beast has risen again.

Jam (Live in Oakland [4/14/10])
Follow Me Around (Live in Oakland [4/14/10])

The car's on fire, and there's no driver at the wheel...

I'm at a loss for words. The mythical Godspeed You! Black Emperor has returned. Save a Pink Floyd reunion, Radiohead playing in my backyard, or Damon Albarn serenading me with "Out of Time" as he simultaneously metamorphoses into 2D, this is literally the best news I've ever heard. Some how, some way, I will see this band live. My left nut is officially up for grabs for anyone who gets tickets to a GY!BE gig and is willing to trade. Right is negotiable, too.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor: Tiny Silver Hammers (Part 1)

EDIT: And just for the record, Muzjiks beat Pitchfork to the punch on reporting this...