Congratulations is the second full length album the American duo MGMT have released under that name. It follows on the heels of 2007’s hugely popular Oracular Spectacular.

The album will not have any single releases, in order for it to be seen and experienced as a whole. Perhaps the band saw the popularity of the big singles on Oracular Spectacular as a hindrance in the quest to get their message across. I see it as indicative of the pretences that are apparent all over this album.

Points need to be given to the boys for their use of different genres and sounds throughout the album, some in a seemingly experimental way. Having said that, there is nothing here that we haven’t heard before. Tracks like Song For Dan Treacy (complete with fake British accent), It’s Working and Congratulations are massively derivative. Honestly, you’re better to go back to the source and experience where this music really came from. I completely understand that all contemporary music is bound to be influenced by other music, probably in many ways, but there comes a point where it’s hard to understand the justification for producing something in addition to this source material. …read more

After a lot of gossip flying about 2010’s Splendor In The Grass lineup, the list is finally here. As usual, the lineup is excellent so if you can spare the cash and get yourself there, you’re sure to have a ball. Featuring The Strokes, Pixies, Band of Horses, The Temper Trap, Mumford & Sons, Florence and the Machine, Grizzley Bear, Passion Pit, Midlake, Broken Social Scene, We Are Scientists and Goldfrapp this year’s Splendor is sure to impress. For the full lineup and ticket details check out the official website.

The Icelandic band, Sigur Rós, has a very loyal group of followers scattered throughout the word, so when lead singer, Jón Þór Birgisson, announced he was to create a solo album, there was understandably some reservations held within that camp. Well, that album is now here. Released under the name of Jónsi, we have the album, Go.

Firstly, I should mention that I am one of those Sigur Rós fans. I also should mention that I really enjoyed their latest album, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust, which was criticized for being too commercial. In any case, I was also concerned, as I always am when a lead singer goes out on their own, as to how this album would turn out. Would it be nothing like the band’s music and difficult to connect with, or, paradoxically, would it be so similar to their material that there would seem little point in not just creating the album for the band. I think that Go actually manages to tred that fine line, as it is both easily recognisable as Jón Þór Birgisson, but is enough of a departure from Sigur Rós, for it to stand up on its own. …read more

Stone Temple Pilots have just released the tracklisting for their sixth studio album, Stone Temple Pilots, which is set to be released on March 25th. After reforming in 2008, Stone Temple Pilots, have been writing ad recording this album as well as getting in a few shows. With more northern hemisphere summer shows lined up for after the record’s release, perhaps we’ll see the band heading down south for our summer. …read more

In March of 2008 Zooey Dechanel and M. Ward, together known as She & Him, released their optimistically named, debut album Volume One. Now, almost two years to the day comes the follow up, Volume Two.

I love Volume One. Even two years after its release, it is regularly played from start to finish at my work and home. Volume Two offers more of the same; delightful indie folk tunes with a retro twist. And while Volume One has a couple of those songs, that while not unlikable, you could easily skip, Volume Two has no such tracks, making it a great boppy album that perhaps even surpasses its predecessor.

The first single In The Sun, is a lovely, bright, melodic song, which includes backing vocals by Tilly and the Wall. The album also features covers of both NRBQ’s Ridin’ in My Car and Patience and Prudence’s Gonne Get Along Without You Now. Both of these songs slot in beautifully with the original tracks written and recorded for the album. …read more

Jónsi, lead singer of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós, is set to release his first solo album. The release date for Australia is April 1st 2010 and will feature 9 songs that have been developed over his years with Sigur Rós and arranged with the help of composer Nico Muhly.

Details of a world tour will be announced tomorrow, February 1st 2010.

Check out jonsi.com for more details.

As many of you will be aware, each year in the UK there is much attention placed on who will get the coveted Christmas number one on the music charts. Personally, I don’t really understand it as it’s basically just who is holding the number one place the week of Christmas but it’s a big deal over there and I guess a big sales driver.

For the past three years the winners have all been X Factor winners (Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This, Leon Jackson - When You Believe, Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah), providing big publicity for the show and lining Simon Cowell’s ever expanding pockets. This year, one fed up British music fan, Jon Morter, set up a facebook page that aimed to stop the X Factor winning streak.

The Rage Against the Machine for Christmas No.1 page seemed to do the trick with thousands of people joining the groups, and presumably buying the 1992 hit, Killing in the Name Of. Sales of Killing in the Name Of sold 50,000 more copies of than X Factor winner Joe McElderry’s cover of the Mylie Cyrus song, The Climb, which, by the way, is horrible on so many levels. …read more

After the wonderful and successful Volume One, released in 2008, Jooey Deschanel and M Ward (together She & Him) have announced details of their second album, Volume Two. According to sheandhim.com the album will be released on March 23rd, 2010 and will contain thirteen tracks: eleven originals and two covers. …read more

Canadian singer/songwriter, Rufus Wainwright, is set to hit our shores again early next year. Unfortunately for most of us, it looks like Sydney is the only city Wainwright will be playing at with two shows at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Verbrugghen Hall. The show dates are February 28th and March 3rd 2010 with tickets going on sale December 8th 2009.

So, the gaming side of the evening was covered by Trev yesterday so I thought I’d give the music side a it of a look in. For the most part I was less than impressed. A DJ played throughout the night, which was fine except there was a lone saxophone player and a guy with his own Latin rhythm section playing along to the tunes. Weird.

Then there was the surprise guest, two of the girls from the Pussycat Dolls, Melody and Ashley perhaps…I’m pretty sure they were there because of their inclusion on the Lips line up but it was all just a bit odd really. They yelled into the microphone and then danced around with the fellas mentioned earlier, then left. I don’t know if two of the less recognisable Pussycat Dolls were the right act for a room full of gamers. …read more