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By Keir Bristol

The Dears are an indie-rock band from Quebec that have been around since 1995. Their latest album, Degeneration Street is a soon to be classic. Take a look…

The Dears' Frontman, Murray Lightburn

For those who are not familiar with The Dears, the lead singer pictured above is sometimes nicknamed “Black Morrissey,” because of his vocal similarity to the former Smith’s frontman. Musically though, The Dears sound more like Young Galaxy or The Stills.

Degeneration Street will be released on Tuesday, February 15, but you can stream the album here. The first single off of the album, “Omega Dog,” is fittingly the first song on the album as well. Not only does it set the tone for the rest of the album, but it’s also easily one of the catchiest songs you will ever hear based off of a bible verse (Luke 6:38, “Pressed down, shaken together– running over.”)

The Dears – Degeneration Street

Supposedly the second single off of the album is to be “Thrones,” which is a fine choice. But the band could have just as easily gone with “Blood,” a slightly edgier song with steely guitar riffs, or “5 Chords”, a song with lyrics based on a prayer to God for a second chance.

“Lamentation” continues with the Biblical theme as Lightburn croons lyrics such as, “We believe what the prophecy said / those billion of souls / on the edge / I’m only interested in one of them.” The catchiest tune “Yesteryear” harkens to a musical style a la Girls meet the Generationals. Songs like “Stick With Me Kid” and title song “Degeneration Street” slow things down for a more somber feel. The latter features some darker lyrics as well, “I hear there’s no rest for the wicked / so I won’t be sleeping when I’m dead.”

If the Bible is your thing, have fun dissecting Lightburn’s lyrics, but if not, the album is still worth checking out.

Click here to watch the music video for “You and I Are A Gang of Losers,” by the Dears.

Click here to read my review on Lady Gaga’s new single, “Born This Way.”

By Keir Bristol

Sunday, January 30- PJ Harvey announced a new record and more shows (in addition to the two sold-out shows at Coachella 2011. [source]

PJ Harvey

Monday, January 31- Fleet Foxes released “Helplessness Blues,” their first single off of their upcoming album of the same title. [click here to listen and see tour dates]

Tuesday, February 1- Cold War Kids play at Radio City Music Hall in New York, Hold Steady celebrates eight year anniversary with two concerts at Music Hall of Williamsburg in New York. [source, source]

Jack and Meg White of the White Stripes

Wednesday, February 2- The White Stripes, made up of Jack White and Meg White, announce that the band has broken up after over thirteen years.

“The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

[click here to read the entire speech]

[White Stripes on Youtube]

Thursday, February 3- MTV announced that they will put Beavis and Butt-head back on the air, complete with new episodes. I’d prefer Daria, but it’s a start. [source]

Britney Spears announced the title of her new album Femme Fatale, also reveals album art and release date. [source].

Friday, February 4- Legendary hip-hop artist Lauryn Hill performed at the Wellmont Theatre in her home state, New Jersey. Unfortunately, she showed up over three hours late, which seems to be a new trend in her shows. Along with some classic Fugees material, she did some new musical renditions of some of her old hits from her 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. [source]

Dance-punk outfit Death from Above 1979 announced that they will reunite to perform at Coachella 2011. [source]

Saturday, February 5- Monotonix performed with Ty Segall and Nodzzz in California on Saturday and announced that this was their final tour. It has not been confirmed whether this is a stunt or if the band is truly breaking up. [Click here to see pictures from the show in San Francisco.]

The same day on the other side of the country, the Giraffes are playing their last show with lead singer Aaron Lazar. Even though Lazar is leaving, the band still plans to stay together and to make more music. [source]

As if that weren’t enough, the worst news comes from LCD Soundsystem. The band announced today that they will play their last show on April 2.  LCD promises to make their last appearance at Madison Square Garden a show to remember! [source]

Pictures of PJ Harvey and The White Stripes courtesy of Wikipedia.com,

By Keir Bristol

Talib Kweli is one of the most underrated emcees in the game. The rule is that you either love Talib Kweli, or you don’t know who he is. Kweli has been around since 1995, and since then he’s rubbed elbows with influential artists such as Kanye West, Mos Def, Madlib, the Roots, and KRS-One. On Jay-Z’s Black Album, Jay-Z shouts out Kweli in “Moment of Clarity” with “If skills sold, truth be told, I’d probably lyrically be, Talib Kweli.”

Talib Kweli – Gutter Rainbows

His last album was in 2007, and while Kweli can do some beautiful features, hip-hop fans have been patiently (or not?) waiting for his next solo record. Enter Gutter Rainbows, Kweli’s fourth solo studio album to date. Released January 25, 2011, fans of hip-hop need to pick up this album whether you’re a fan of Kweli or have never heard his name.

Kweli takes conscious hip-hop to another level with unique jazz-rap beats (the album samples the Beastie Boys, Noisettes, and Pleasure) and catchy yet soulful hooks (Jean Grae, Kendra Ross, Nigel Hall, etc.). Kweli’s beats are always fresh and innovative, yet each song sounds like a continuation of the last. His lyrics explore topics like the depreciation of the music industry, love, spirituality and politics.

Standout tracks include… actually, all of the tracks stand out. Talib Kweli was never a rapper who depended on filler for his albums. The chorus of “Cold Rain” has a gospel feel to it, “Wait for You” featuring Kendra Ross sounds like it could have been written for Common in the 1990’s (when he was still called Common Sense) and “So Low” is still another classic Kweli track.

It’s a short album unfortunately, but no worries; Gutter Rainbows is an album that you will probably have on repeat for a while.

View Gutter Rainbows’s track listing here!

Watch some of Talib Kweli’s music videos here!

• Talib Kweli – “Get By”
• Talib Kweli – “Never Been In Love”
• Talib Kweli – “I Try (featuring Mary J. Blige)”
• Talib Kweli – “I’m On One”