Making Out Like BanditsKill Rock Stars

Listen to Remastered Elliott Smith Tracks

Jennifer Marston — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:44:55 +0000

In December, we received an early Christmas present in the form of news that two Elliot Smith reissues were on the way, namely, Smith’s first solo album, Roman Candle, and From a Basement on a Hill, which was incomplete at the time of Smith’s death and later finished by former producer Rob Schnapf and ex-girlfriend Joanna Bolme.

Kill Rock Stars will unleash remastered versions of both albums on April 6, but has made a couple MP3s already available. “Last Call” is off Roman Candle, which was remastered by Tape Op Magazine and Smith archivist Larry Crane, along with Roger Seibel. KRS also has From a Basement‘s “Twilight” up for grabs.

Head to the KRS site to read some very moving words about Smith by label founder Slim Moon.

New Xiu Xiu Video – “Dear God, I Hate Myself”

Jennifer Marston — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:21:50 +0000

A word to the wise: finish lunch before watching this clip. The newest offering from the Xiu Xiu camp—who have a full-length out later this month—is the video for “Dear God, I Hate Myself” (Via Stereogum).

It features brand-new bandmember Angela Seo, who spends the duration of the clip showcasing her skills at self-induced vomiting while Jamie Stewart waves a chocolate bar around. It’s as twisted as the goth-pop synths on the song, and you can watch it below.

Pre-orders for the album are available here. Dear God, I Hate Myself is out February 23 via Kill Rock Stars.

New Song, Album Details From Xiu Xiu

Jennifer Marston — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:08:44 +0000

As noted in our recent roundup of forthcoming albums, Xiu Xiu have a new one on the way, the cheerfully titled Dear God, I Hate Myself. This is the band’s seventh studio album (as well as the first for new pianist/programmer Angela Seo, added after the departure of Caralee McElroy).

Never a man to hold back (from either a songwriting or promotional angle), frontman and Xiu Xiu mastermind Jamie Stewart has also provided plenty of aural/visual details in anticipation of the new album. Peep a tour poster below, along with a behind-the-scenes video of Jamie in the studio. Then, head over to the KRS site for a free MP3 of album opener, “Gray Death.”

Dear God, I Hate Myself is out February 23 on Kill Rock Stars.

Dear God:
01 Gray Death
02 Chocolate Makes You Happy
03 Apple For a Brain
04 House Sparrow
05 Hyunhye’s Theme
06 Dear God, I Hate Myself
07 Secret Motel
08 Falkland Rd.
09 The Fabrizio Palumbo Retaliation
10 Cumberland Gap
11 This Too Shall Pass Away (For Freddy)
12 Impossible Feeling