By Amber L. Herzog

Like chicken soup for alt-country and soul, the solo debut from one-half of The Black Keys serves up back-woods blues that aren't one bit half-assed. Organ peddling, "I Want Some More" and T. Rex inspired, "Street Walkin'" are candid and uncouth. "The Prowl" follows suit with lurking guitars exactly as advertised. "Whispered Words," written originally by Auerbach's dad, adds sentimental sweetness to this otherwise unrelenting ransack of rock.

That's right people, Record Store Day is the new Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, and Spring Break all rolled into one (ok, maybe not Spring Break) and it's only 6 weeks away. Falling on April 18 this year, Record Store Day is a day when musicians and audiophiles nationwide celebrate the independent music shop as an institution. To celebrate, bands do in-store performances and lot of great artists are releasing Record Store Day limited edition recordings as exclusives for Record Store Day.

In an age when it seems like every exclusive release is to Wal Mart or Best Buy, Wilco is releasing their upcoming DVD exclusively to Record Store Day participating stores. Front man Jeff Tweedy says, "Even if I wasn't in a band, I'd still support Record Store Day. It's a great thing and I'm glad we could do something special with them for our DVD."

Other notable Record Store Day exclusive releases include a Decemberists 7", as well as vinyl releases from Radiohead and My Morning Jacket. Rumor has it Sonic Youth will also contribute RSD exclusive split singles with Beck and Jay Reatard.

If you haven't picked up on the theme here, Record Store Day is awesome. It only comes once a year, so make it count. Check back for more announcements on exclusive releases, in-store performances and more as we continue our weekly Count Down to Record Store Day. -AM

By Matt Fink

Having developed considerable underground buzz on the strength of their three seven-inch singles, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart face the problem of translating their momentum into a focused full-length release. They do that and then some on their debut, rarely wandering from the template of dreamily rendered hooks, malted boy/girl vocals, and crackling drums that they established on previous releases. You've heard it all before, of course, and like early My Bloody Valentine or Jesus and Mary Chain, the New York City quartet favors the sort of buzzing layers of guitar feedback and bubblegum hooks that seem untouched by the last twenty years of indie rock.

By Isaac Lekach

Matt Ward has become obsessed with time -- its fleeting nature and looming influence over our lives. On Hold Time, Ward explores that theme gracefully. After lending Zooey Deschanel a hand in She & Him, it's nice to find him back in the forefront. As per his usual, Ward offers up a couple of covers -- this time tackling, "Rave On" made famous by Buddy Holly, and "Oh, Lonesome Me," featuring Lucinda Williams. While both are remarkable, it's the originals -- songs like "To Save Me" (featuring Grandaddy's Jason Lytle) and "Fisher of Men" that remind us why it's worth spending time, with Hold Time. Yuk. Yuk.

By Amelia Kreminski

Cursive fans expecting a cheery follow-up to Happy Hollow won't find it in the melancholic twists of Mama, I'm Swollen. The band's characteristic minor-chord style underscores the epic tracks on this record. Complete with violin whispers, haunting chorus groups and a healthy dose of lyrical social commentary sung through Tim Kasher's heartsick voice, the songs ring with eeriness. Thoughtful and somewhat depressing, this rainy-day album brings another round of well-crafted music to Cursive enthusiasts.

By Isaac Lekach

Jason Schwartzman is an actor. We all know that by now. He was also a drummer for Phantom Planet. A band he assumes, "you've heard of" on the biographical song, "Drummer." Either way -- your familiarity with Schwartzman's creative output shouldn't sway your ultimate appreciation of Davy. The multi-talented Californian finds focus worth noticing here. His debut Nighttiming, which is also pretty darn good, did feel a bit hopped back and forth between genres, like a bullfrog at a rave. Jon Brion, Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney's influence are bountiful on Davy and "Saint Jerome," "Wandering Around," "Is This Sound Okay?" are perfect examples. The question, however, still remains: Who the heck is Davy?

David Lynch might not be exactly the kind of person who calls to mind peace, meditation and helping children. But that's exactly what his charity organization does!

According to the "Message From David Lynch" on the David Lynch Foundation's website, "In today's world of fear and uncertainty, every child should have one class period a day to dive within himself and experience the field of silence - bliss -the enormous reservoir of energy and intelligence that is deep within all of us. This is the way to save the coming generation." The message is accompanied by the comforting picture of Lynch shown on the left. Basically, he wants to teach kids to meditate so they can say no to stress and violence and yes to peace. Right on, David, I'm all about "consciousness-based education and world peace" (the motto on the website) too! Find out how a Paul McCartney/Ringo Starr concert fits into this story after the jump.

Who better to play a benefit concert for this somewhat bizarre but refreshingly idealistic charity than... Paul and Ringo! That's right, the remaining two Beatles will be playing the "Change Begins Within" benefit concert April 4th at Radio City Music Hall. Makes sense--after traveling to India in 1968 to study meditation with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Paul and Ringo probably know a few things about the charity's goals.

But David Lynch isn't one to do things half-assed. When he throws a benefit concert, he throws a benefit concert! So joining Starr and McCartney on the concert bill will be Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Ben Harper, Moby and Donovan. Another former Maharishi Mahesh Yogi student, Donovan is also head of the musical wing of Lynch's foundation.

Tickets go on sale 11 a.m. March 9, so get your Ticketmaster browsers up for one crazy benefit concert! - AK

During the four soul-crushing years I spent at Fordham University, U2 never performed. Not once.

Why the hell they showed up on the quad this morning is beyond me. To jazz a bunch of upper-middle class white kids from Long Island up for No Line on The Horizon? (By the way, it isn't half bad.)

President Father McShane explains: "They chose us because we're in New York, because we are Fordham, because of the warmth of the campus." I'll give him that. Fordham has a lush, green campus. In fact, staring out the window is the only thing that got me through college.

Anyway the article in the New York Times today focusses on how a security guard let a few women from Michigan to slip in to see the show. I hope they weren't terrorists. -SB

The lovely ladies of Brooklyn's Au Revoir Simone have announced the release of Still Night, Still Light on May 19th. A follow up to much-praised 2007 debut The Bird Of Music, the new record will be self-released on the band's own label, Our Secret Record Company. Look out here for new tracks and tour dates to follow this spring and summer. -AM

The Beatles Rock Band game release date was announced today. The game is slated to hit retail on September 9th, 2009. Finally, you're living room can be converted to a Liverpool pub.

True to The Beatles insatiable thirst to still make as much as money as possible, the game will be packaged three different ways. The standalone game compatible with pre-existing Rock Band instruments will retail for $59.99. The game and two Beatles-modeled guitars will retail for $99.99. The game with a complete Beatles set-up (guitars, bass, drums) will retail for $249.99.

Like most most white people, I love the Beatles so I'm stoked for this. They haven't announced what the guitars are just yet, but I'm willing to wager they'll be modeled on the Epiphone hollow-body Casinos John used to play and Paul McCartney's Hofner violin bass.

Overall, it's pretty funny The Beatles refuse to put their music on iTunes and have opted for the video game route instead. It's pretty telling in terms of where the music industry is headed. -SB

03/18/09 Austin, TX - SXSW @ Mrs. Beas (1104 E. 6th Street) - NY Noise Party - time TBD
03/19/09 Austin, TX - SXSW @ Malverde (2nd and Guadalupe) w/ Little Boots, Suckers, The Mae Shi, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Micachu & The Shapes, Glasser, Sebastien Grainger DJ set - IAMSOUND/'Sup Magazine & This Is Music day party - time TBD
03/19/09 Austin, TX - SXSW @ Red 7 (611 E. 7th St.) w/ Chairlift, Harlem Snakes, Suckers, Nite Jewel, Crystal Stilts (Other Music/Heeb Party) - 12 AM
03/20/09 Austin, TX - SXSW @ Waterloo Records (600 N. Lamar Blvd.) - 5:00 PM
03/21/09 Austin, TX - SXSW @ Urban Outfitters (2406 Guadalupe) - w/ Lemonade, The Chap, Rye Rye, Max Tundra, School of Seven Bells - 12 PM
04/01/09 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/02/09 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/03/09 Chicago, IL @ Metro w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/04/09 Chicago, IL @ Metro w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/06/09 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/07/09 Montreal, QC @ Theatre Telus w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/08/09 Boston, MA @ House of Blues w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/10/09 New York, NY @ Webster Hall w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/11/09 New York, NY @ Webster Hall w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/13/09 Philadelphia, PA @ The Tracadero w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/14/09 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club w/ Ladytron, The Faint
04/15/09 New York, NY @ The Annex (Record Release Show)

Wow--found this in the archives. I don't think I've ever actually tried Colt 45, but I'm seriously considering becoming a Colt 45 person now.-AM

OK peeps, here's the deal: Tomorrow Obama convenes a summit on health care at the White House, to try to convince Congress to pass the health care reform he laid out in his speech last week. Lobbyists for the health insurance companies (and mad Republicans) are putting the screws to Congress to keep this from passing. MoveOn.org is circulating a petition to be presented to Congressional leaders voicing support for health care reform by us, the voters. Click here to sign the petition. They've got over 200,000 signatures, and are looking to get another 50,000 before the summit starts tomorrow. It takes literally 2 seconds, so if you want better health care, sign it!-AM

I hope this is a joke. Below is a video from Vanilla Ice apologizing for well, just about everything. I, for one, still love "Ice Ice Baby" and the more obscure gangsta rap single "Roll 'Em Up." -IL

The movie is not yet titled, but Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis have signed on. The two will play cops who hunt down a stolen baseball card, rescue a Mexican gal and fend off drug dealers. Sounds like a bizarro Mario Brothers story. "Sorry Tracy and Bruce, but the Princess is in another castle."-IL

If you missed Ra Ra Riot's performance on KCRW, fear not -- watch it here. -IL

Dan Deacon's latest electro-opus Bromst is currently streaming on NPR's First Listen.

The record is set to be released three weeks from today on March 24th. Despite what you may think from the photo, the record shows a darker, more mature side of Deacon, who has up until now been known for his rowdy live show, carnival image, and songs about cartoon characters.

To stream the record visit NPR. Deacon is also featured in the latest issue of Death+Taxes, which is on stands now. Nevertheless, you can check the article out here. -SB

What's that? The Great Global Armageddon of 2009 got you down? Well Vanity Fair wants to try to cheer you up. Here is a sample of a photo portfolio of some of the funniest people in the world from the forthcoming April, 2009 issue. There's one of Seth Rogen as Frieda Kahlo--it's amazing. The photos are all by heavyweights like Annie Leibowitz (like the one pictured here) and Mark Seliger. No photo of Tina Fey, which is bummer, but maybe she's there in the print version.
-AM

The Watchmen soundtrack was released to retailers today.

The soundtrack is more or less a collection of smash hits from the sixties: "The Times They Are-A Changin',"All Along The Watchtower," "I'm Your Boogie Man," alongside a just torturous rendition of "Desolation Row" by My Chemical Romance.

Now, onto the movie. New Yorker film critic, Anthony Lane, reviewed The Watchmen in this week's issue. He didn't like it, and expressed the typical grievances you're used to hearing about the film. The general consensus seems to be, "Well, I'm not going to like it, but I'll probably see it anyway."

Way to be psyched about a film everybody. Especially one that took 10 years to make and cost $120 million. -SB

Everybody loves The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. All of a sudden, just like that!

You've got to give them credit: They write catchy, feel-good songs that run the risk of being anthemic but never go off the cliff. And they've somehow managed to have an over-the-top name and cutesy image without being a terrible emo band. Or maybe today's hipsters are finally getting over unlistenable psychedelia for some wholesome rock tunes. Who knows. Either way, Pains of Being Pure at Heart have arrived. Their tour dates are after the jump. -SB
PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART TOUR DATES
Mar 13 2009 Bell House Brooklyn, New York
Mar 18 2009 4:35pm - Red 7 - Terrorbird/Force Field Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2009 8:30pm - Ms Bea's - Todd P + NY Noise Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2009 1:00pm - Radio Room - Brooklyn Vegan Party Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2009 3:45pm - Malverde - Iamsound + Sup Magazine Party Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2009 10:00pm - Opal Divine's - Green Label Sound Showcase Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 2:00pm - Emo's Main Room - Pitchfork Party Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 3:45pm - Fader Fort Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 6:30pm - South Salina Street - After The Jump Party Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2009 11:00pm - Emo's Jr. - Slumberland + Cake Shop Showcase Austin, Texas
Mar 21 2009 1:00pm - Waterloo Records Instore Austin, Texas
Apr 24 2009 American Legion Wallingford, Connecticut
Apr 25 2009 Risley Hall - Cornell University Ithaca, New York
Apr 26 2009 Iron Horse Hall Northampton, Massachusetts
Apr 27 2009 The Bug Jar Rochester, New York
Apr 28 2009 Lee's Palace Toronto, Ontario
Apr 29 2009 The Pike Room at Crofoot Pontiac, Michigan
Apr 30 2009 Beachland Tavern - All Ages Cleveland, Ohio
May 1 2009 The Summit Columbus, Ohio
May 2 2009 The End Nashville, Tennessee
May 3 2009 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia
May 4 2009 Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
May 5 2009 Talking Head Club Baltimore, Maryland
May 6 2009 The Barbary (Early Show) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 12 2009 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York
Jun 18 2009 Cake Shop New York, New York

04/24 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord *
05/02 Arlington, VA Iota #
05/03 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom #
05/04 Petersborough, NH Glass Museum #
05/05 Winooski, VT Monkey House #
05/06 Allston, MA Harper's Ferry #
05/07 Brooklyn, NY The Bell House #
05/10 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop #
05/11 Athens, OH Union Bar and Grill #
05/12 Chicago, IL AV-aerie #
05/13 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room at The Crofoot #
05/14 London, ON Call The Office #
05/15 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern #
05/16 Buffalo, NY Big Orbit's Soundlab #
05/17 Pittsfield, MA Copperworks #

* = w/ Cryptacize, The Finches
# = w/ Vetiver

The first one of the week included a round-robin show with Bell Orchestre (members of Arcade Fire) and the Clogs (members of the National). All the songs played were instrumental (both bands containing classically trained musicians) except for a Clogs song for which the surprise guests Sufjan Stevens and Shara Whorden (My Brightest Diamond) lent their voices to. It was a beautiful show.

The second of the week was a bit more popular with the Brooklyn indie set. The sold-out show featured D+T cover boys, Grizzly Bear, along with Final Fantasy. FF's Owen Pallett admitted that he doesn't normally trust others to perform with him (hence his usually solo shows), and didn't think his piano skills were up to par (the instrument he played on Saturday in lieu of his violin), but I thought his music translated beautifully into an orchestral arrangement.

Grizzly Bear's set was absolutely amazing. With the accompaniment of the Brooklyn Phil they were able to play some songs that had never been possible before. They also played some new ones off their forthcoming album, Veckatimest. Their sound is growing into something really special. Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen have completely different voices and writing styles, but somehow they manage to blend the two seemlessly. Ed's voice is also really taking shape and growing bigger. It was a perfect show.

The star of the both evenings, however, was the genius Nico Muhly. The wunderkind (seriously he's only 27) helped both Bell Orchestre and Grizzly Bear translate their music for the Brooklyn Phil. Nico also accompanied Grizzly Bear on the piano and donated scores to their new album.

Both shows were a real treasure. -SK

(All photos by Kyle Dean Reinford)

Some wonderful person (or persons, most likely) recorded Deerhunter's set at this year's Noise Pop festival in San Francisco. The quality is pretty good! Watch it below in its entirety. 56:43. Yup. -IL

What a filthy time to be a budding professional. I remember being 14, skateboarding, listening to the Sex Pistols -- I guess I wasn't ever actually "punk" because I thought the whole "no future" rhetoric was canned hyperbole. It's about high time I got a mohawk.

Anyone still asserting the market is simply re-correcting itself after years of gross negligence, greed and sweeping deregulation is a fool. Anybody who tells you they know what's going to happen next is a liar. In this economy, there is only one absolute truth: It is a great, great time not to own stock.

That reminds me, I have to go check out my portfolio at E*Trade. Logging in... wait... oh nice! I ain't got nothin! (Ergo I ain't got nothin' to lose.)

I was just reading about this kid who invested $15,000 (his life savings) into Citigroup last year when it was at a fire-sale price of $23 per share (!) because he was ready to "become an investor." Poor bastard. I'm really happy I'm not him. And so should you.

You know, I had a couple of hundred bucks I was going to pop into my FDIC insured IRA. But given that FDIC insured means nothing anymore, I'll think I'll just spend it on something nice. Maybe a little p-u-n-k on the knuckles for old time's sake. -SB

Believe me. It's not. Michael Alan's Draw-a-thons are performance-art-based unconventional figure drawing sessions held every Saturday around New York City. So what exactly does that mean?

Well, it's different every time. According to past participators, sometimes you're crammed into tiny apartments somewhere in Brooklyn while circus music plays and ten or so naked models float around. Sometimes you're in auditoriums, decked out with themes and costumes. Next Saturday, March 7, you could be at 196 Grand Street enjoying "A stripped down version of our production, focusing on drawing long and short poses of love, hugs, 20's and love, emotion and joy, embraces, followed at 11pm by the interview of the nude, questions and answers on what makes us tick." Intrigued?

Well, nothing's free, so bring twenty bucks or pay $17 in advance here. And don't worry if you're not an artist - the event isn't about drawing, per se - it's really just about creativity. Write. Dance. Take off your clothes and join the models - whatever floats your boat. So if you like making stuff, eating food (I believe there's usually food) and lots of adventure, check out Michael Alan's weekend diversion. - AK

Indie rock's premiere Swedish folk artist Loney Dear will be hitting the road late Spring in support of their latest Polyvinyl release Dear John.

The band recently wrapped up a sold-out U.S. tour with Andrew Bird. Yes, we're wondering what Bird and Emil Svanangen talked about during downtime, too. Probably something along the lines of, "Oh, your falsetto is so pretty!" "No, yours is!" "Oh my god, I hear there's a great vegan bakery around here."

In a press release, Svanangen is quoted as describing Dear John as "a marvelous album in dark shades with a lava-like glow from underneath." His description is pretty fucking accurate. The Loney Dear headlining tour dates are available after the jump. -SB

Loney Dear Tour Dates
03/18 - 03/21 Austin, TX SXSW
05/04 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
05/05 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
05/06 Boston, MA Great Scott
05/07 Montreal, QC Il Motore
05/08 Toronto, ON Rivoli
05/09 Chicago, IL Schuba's
05/10 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Center
05/13 Seattle, WA Crocodile
05/14 Portland, OR Doug Fir
05/15 San Francisco, CA Bottom of The Hill
05/16 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
05/17 San Diego, CA UC San Diego

Nashville pop-rockers Pico vs. Island Trees are releasing their new album Futura this April. If you haven't heart of Pico yet, check them out on their Myspace.

Though they're usually classified as "indie pop," this young trio doesn't really fit into a specific category. Their songs flow with a (quite appropriate) Caribbean upbeat chill, weaving soulful guitar riffs between toe-tapping drum beats and Bryan Carter's boyishly sincere vocals. From the older "Open Doors," laid back but catchy in its bluesy chord changes and rock drumming, to the newer "Call Call Call," refreshing in its almost electronica-inspired rhythmic vocals and floating melodies, Pico pleases a wide-ranging audience. More Pico songs and news after the jump.

My personal favorite, "Love Again," (available for online listening here) captures perfectly the spirit of Pico - reckless optimism and haphazard happiness. Pico songs are the auditory equivalent of the carefree joy felt when running around barefoot when you were five, or eating a popsicle midsummer with half of it dripping off your face. So if you're facing some end-of-winter blues (like we are here in snow-choked NYC), check out the boys that so inspired MTV's Subterranean to say, ""Not only do we like the music quite a lot but we kind of want to make out with them." -AK

Peep this video of The Mentalists covering MGMT's "Kids" on their iPhones. It sounds pretty decent. It's hard to believe this is possible while texting on the phone remains so damn difficult. -IL

Nope, it's not for IKEA. The Oscar winning brothers directed a spot that mocks the coal industry. The commercial was made on behalf of This Is Reality. For more information on the environmental coalition click here. Watch the ad below. -IL