Manic Street Preachers "Jackie Collins Existential Question Time"

Myspace

Coming out earlier this year in the UK, Journal for Plague Lovers continues on the same path as the Manics' previous effort: a late career call to arms reminding fans why the band has always been vital, and washing away the band taste that Know Your Enemy left in everyone's mouths.

While I was in England on the album's release date (on my 30th birthday, no less), other Stateside fans will get the opportunity to buy the new album at non-import prices this Tueaday when it official hits stores. Alternately, buying it here from the band will net you a ten song remix compilation as well. While the band's remixes have never been spectacular, this time around folks like Saint Etienne, Four Tet, and Patrick Wolf had their chance to do a reworking, so this one may be worth checking out.

Additionally, for the first time in a decade, the band will be touring the US, starting in Seattle. Dates below:

September
Mon-21: Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
Tue-22: Vancouver, Canada @ The Commodore Ballroom
Thu-24: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Fri-25: Los Angeles, CA @ The Avalon
Mon-28: Denver, CO @ The Bluebird Theatre
Wed-30: Minneapolis, MN @ The Varsity Theatre

October
Thu-01: Chicago, IL @ The Metro
Fri-02: Detroit, MI @ The Majestic Theatre
Sun-04: Toronto, Canada @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre
Tue-06: Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
Wed-07: New York City, NY @ Webster Hall
Thu-08: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

The Rakes New Album Gets a US Release

Myspace // "1989" [Audio]

They emerged at the top of their scene five years ago, and while many of the new wave-redux bands have fallen by the wayside, it seems as though The Rakes have held on with consistently solid material. Their third album, Klang, has been available since March in the UK, but it will get a digital release on 20 October in the US. This will be coupled with a short tour hitting several markets across North America.

OCT 31 - LOS ANGELES, CA - THE ROXY
NOV 1 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SLIMS
NOV 3 - SALT LAKE CITY, UT - THE URBAN LOUNGE
NOV 4 - DENVER, CO - THE BLUEBIRD
NOV 6 - MINNEAPOLIS, MN - TRIPLE ROCK
NOV 7 - CHICAGO, IL - DOUBLE DOOR
NOV 9 - TORONTO, ON - MOD CLUB
NOV 10 - MONTREAL, QC - PETIT CAMPUS
NOV 11 - BOSTON, MA - GREAT SCOTT
NOV 12 - NEW YORK, NY - HIGHLINE BALLROOM

The Noisettes "Never Forget You"

Myspace

This song is ridiculous in the best way possible, sounding like the Ronettes if they had a heavy diet of indie rock -- it's the second single off of their new album. Being a fan of this band for a number of years, it's refreshing to hear them get better with each subsequent album. While their latest album, Wild Young Hearts, is already out in the UK, it gets a US release on 22 September. The band has a short US tour this summer, all on major markets. Dates below.

7/22 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland - Club NME
7/27 Portland, OR Berbati's Pan
7/28 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
8/1 Brooklyn, NY Bell House
8/3 New York, NY Santo's Party House
8/7 Chicago, IL Back porch at HOB (Lollapalooza After party)
8/10 Boston, MA Great Scott
8/11 Philadelphia, PA M Room
8/12 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel