Song of the day: The Gaslight Anthem - "Here Comes My Man"

Last week, The Gaslight Anthem appeared on Conan and performed song "Here Comes My Man" taken from their last album Handwritten. Yesterday, I actually put this awesome record on my list of best albums of 2012, so check out what I wrote about it.

Although I usually say that The Gaslight Anthem are awesome live, I have a feeling that this wasn't Brian's best night. His singing is off the tune several times during the performance. Anyway, check it out below because it is still better than performances of most of the today's bands.

Muse have a new music video

Muse have a new music video for their current single called "Follow Me". Song obviously comes from their latest effort. The music video is typical live video capturing band performing live during their current tour. Sound is not live though. But it is entertaining music video to watch and it makes you really wanna see this band live. Check the video below.

Since Muse released their very anticipated sixth studio record entitled The 2n Law, they've been pretty busy touring. They've been touring in Europe only so far. However, they have 5 more EU dates to go (December 13 - Riga, Latvia; December 15 - Hamburg, Germany; December 17 - Amsterdam, Netherlands; December 18 - Antwerp, Belgium and December 19 - Strasbourg, France) and after that, they're heading to Japan where they are playing two arena shows at Saitama Super Arena (January 11 & 12).

Their recently extended North American tour kicks off on January 23 in San Diego, California and ends on April 26 in  Quebec City, Quebec. After that, they're heading back to the old continent before their appearance at Rio De Janeiro's Rock in Rio festival. It is expected that more South American tour dates are yet to be announced. To check out all their tour dates, visit their website.

What does this all mean? Only one thing - now is the best time to go and see this awesome band live. I mean, their shows are just incredible because they are not just about the music. I've seen them live during their Resistance tour. However, it was only festival appearance, but I can confirm that this band is really currently the best live rock band in the entire world.

Check out Biffy Clyro's new music video

As you probably know, awesome Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro is releasing new album on January 28, 2013. It will be a double album and it is entitled Opposites. For more information, head here.

Far back in the summer, they revealed first track of the album. It is called "Stingin' Belle" and you can check it out here (also along with music video).

However, first official single of the record was revealed only last month. It is entitled "Black Chandelier" and you were able to hear it on my blog right after it was revealed. The single will be digitally released on January 14 and it will feature two non-album tracks - "The Rain" and "Thundermonster".

Today, the band also uploaded music video for this track on their YouTube channel. It was directed by Big TV production duo, which consists of Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom.

There is really nothing unusual about the video, but the song's really good like I previously said on my blog. Anyway, check out the video below

The Killers have a new music video!

The Killers just now revealed new music video for track "Miss Atomic Bomb". The song obviously comes from their last and very anticipated fourth studio record entitled Battle Born, which came out in September of this year.

Check it out now here:

The XX announce Night + Day series of gigs

British band The XX, which released new album this year entitled Coexist, announced first three gigs of their Night + Day series of gigs. It is a series of tour dates that will take place at really unusual places. Also, these shows won't be usual concerts, but mini festivals.

The band said about their plans following:

"Night + Day is a series of events, curated by us, to start in the summer of 2013. We searched high and low for unique and beautiful locations to stage these shows and picked the artists that we most respect and admire to join us. The events will run from early afternoon, with some of our favourite music (and food) to take you from day into night."

So far, three dates has been announced, but it is expected that more dates will be added. First, the band will perform at waterfront park in Portugal that has 4.7 hectares of gardens, right on the edge of Lisbon's waterfront Jardim da Torres de Belëm.

Then, the band will perform at an abandoned Berlin theme park with rusty roller coasters, broken rides, crumbling dinosaurs and a 45m ferris wheel.

Finally, The XX will come back to their home city London. They'll perform at Osterley Park & House, which is one of the last surviving country estates in London. It is set to be their biggest headline show to date with capacity of 10,000.

I really like this idea and I am sure that these gigs will be unforgettable for both, the band as well as fans.

Night + Day tour dates:

May 5 - b]Jardim da Torres de Belëm, Lisbon
May 18 - Spreepark, Berlin
June 23 - Osterley Park & House, London

Song of the day: Jack White - "I'm Shakin'"

Last night, Jack White made an appearance on Conan TV show. However, it wasn't an ordinary performance of this guitar magician because he performed track "I'm Shakin'" taken from his debut solo album Blunderbuss (one of my best albums of 2012 + review here) for the first time ever.

Jack White this time performed with his all-female band Peacocks (he has one all-male band and one all-female band, which is really cool). As usual, the performance is awesome and the track maybe sounds even better than the studio version. Check it out below.

Best Albums of 2012: The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten

These rockers from New Jersey have been on the scene since 2006 and during that time they've released 4 studio LPs. They've built quite a big audience and become respected band on the rock scene during their career. Their musical style could be best described as punk mixed with stadium rock (similar to Bruce Springsteen's style).

Their last effort Handwritten came out on July 20, 2012 and I gotta say, it is their best album so far. I've said it many times on this blog and I'll say it again - I think they've found a perfect combination of their punk roots and that huge stadium sound on this record.

Actually, I had no doubts this album will be good after they revealed first track of the album - "45". It is such an awesome song. It's got this really big sound. Other tracks on the album continue with spirit of the opener. However, I wouldn't say tracks on this album are too similar. No, I don't think that's the case because every track has slightly different style.

Vocals are typically incredible like we are used to when listening to this band. But what I like maybe even little more is the guitar work on this album. I don't mean really hard and fast guitar solos that last longer than 5 minutes. No, you won't find these on this LP. I mean emotional guitars that can be heard throughout the entire album. In the background, there is always one guitar playing some riffs in addition to the rhythm guitar. Just listen to it and you'll find out for yourself.

Tracklisting of Handwritten:

1. ''45''
2. "Handwritten"
3. "Here Comes My Man"
4. "Mulholland Drive"
5. "Keepsake"
6. "Too Much Blood"
7. "Howl"
8. "Biloxi Parish"
9. "Desire"
10. "Mae"
11. "National Anthem"

Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:

12. "Blue Dahlia"
13. "Sliver" (Nirvana cover)
14. "You Got Lucky" (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover)

Dave Grohl won't tour with QOTSA

As I informed you last month, Dave Grohl is recording drums with Josh Homme's The Queens Of The Stone Age. And it is really cool that he will appear on another record of QOTSA (he has previously recorded drums on 2002' Songs for the Deaf - in my opinion the best album from QOTSA).

Even though, this fact is really awesome, many people (including me) were wondering if he will actually appear live with Homme and cos. However, in an interview with CBS Local, he ruled out this option.

Everything is not so bad though. He pointed out that his side band Them Crooked Vultures (which he formed with QOTSA's Josh Homme and Led Zeppelins' John Paul Jones) will reunite at some point in the future.

He explained:

"We’ve talked about it, I know that someday we’ll get back together and do stuff, because we love playing with each other."

Dave Grohl is currently preparing for premiere of his directorial debut Sound City, which is set to premiere Sundance Film Festival, which takes place from January 17 – 27 in Park City, Utah. Worldwide premiere is set to be on February 1 of the next year.

Best Albums of 2012: Alabama Shakes - Boys and Girls

Alabama Shakes is a band from Athens, Alabama. They were formed in 2009 and this album entitled Boys and Girls is only their debut album. And I gotta say, this band is the best new act of 2012 for me. The passion this band puts into the music and also incredible skills of every member of this group creates the best combination for awesomeness.

The album was released on April 9, 2012 and I almost immediately got my greedy little hands on these 11 tracks (plus one bonus). I knew this band a little since the beginning of 2012 and based on those couple of songs I had heard ahead of its release, I thought they are pretty good band.

However, after Boys and Girls came out, it blew my mind. Seriously, there is no track that sounds bad or at least not as good as the other tracks on this record. What I like about all those tracks is the incredible voice of singer and also main song writter Brittany Howard. Her voice is perfect addition to already incredible music and together they create something really unusual. The best way to describe their music is probably 'blues rock with badass female singer'.

Of course, Alabama Shakes aren't typical modern today's band because they just aren't, but they make real music with passion and that's what I like. I can listen to this album over and over again and it still sounds awesome, coherent and fresh. The opener "Hold On" may be even the best track of the entire year.

Their live performances are incredible as well - to prove for yourself just check their entire performance from KEXP at the bottom.

Tracklisting of Boys and Girls:

1. "Hold On"
2. "I Found You"
3. "Hang Loose"
4. "Rise To The Sun"
5. "You Ain’t Alone"
6. "Goin’ To The Party"
7. "Heartbreaker"
8. "Boys & Girls"
9. "Be Mine"
10. "I Ain’t The Same"
11. "On Your Way"

12. "Heavy Chevy" (Bonus)

Check out new song from Blink-182!

As I informed you in November, Blink-182 will release new music in form of a new Christmas EP. It is entitled Dogs Eating Dogs and it will be out next week (December 18) as digital download. In fact, there are three different packages, which you can order along with the digital download. To see all the possible packages and to order them, visit their website.

Couple of days ago, somehow it got leaked that the band will reveal first song of the album on December 10 (today). All the Blink-182 fans can tonight get a good sleep because the rumours were true and new track was really revealed.

It was presented to the world via BBC 1. New track is called "Boxing Day" and I gotta sadly admit that it is not so good. It is highly influenced by Tom's band Angels and Airwaves. I really miss there typical Blink-182 sound. The only thing I can do now is to hope that the entire EP won't sound like this.

Anyway, check out the track below.

The cover should look like it is shown at the very top of this post. The band was revealing it as puzzles. However, first when the album was announced, the cover was supposed to look like this:

Me personally, I like the older cover much better than the new one. I think the new one is too dark.