DOLL PARTS

Boy, did I ever have a vehement hatred for Courtney Love at certain points in my teenage girl life. However, I cannot stop myself from regularly ogling What Courtney Wore Today, a blog that seems to be managed by the queen of babydoll grunge herself, and is all about... Well, I'll let you figure that one out.

I'm not proud to admit that since the '90s, anytime this woman's name has been mentioned, my brain goes a little numb. But today she has been reborn in my mind as devastatingly fashionable (at least her stylist is.) I'm only slight miffed that there are no signs of baby barretts or thigh highs. Oh dammit, scratch that -- there they are!

Either way, I'll take one or more of these items in every color. Say what you will, this crazy coot has style.

BELONG / COMMON ERA

I can't wait for the rest of this record to come out. Belong is a duo from New Orleans (please pronounce it: "Nwar Luns") and have a full-length coming out 3/21 on Kranky (though they are curiously not on the website.)

Who are these people? Well, according to my sources, Belong hasn't released anything for five years. The incubation period has delivered us this beautifully warm, synth-heavy output, complete with stunning vocals and plenty of undulating drone. You can dance (sway) to this. By yourself.

By the way, Common Era, will touch down the same week I have many other life things happening. Coincidence, I think not. I'll let you all in on the details as soon as they are more clear.

belong 'perfect life' by kranky

In the meantime, PLEASE listen to this track. It's been gorgeously floating around in my world for the past week now. I'm completely convinced it is melting the snow outside. Yes, it's that good.

Update: Just found this lovely post on their 2008 12", Colorless Record, at Mark's blog, Pop Dr(((o)))nes (formerly Expressway To My Skull.)

TROPIC OF CANCER / BEKO DSL

My band, Tropic Of Cancer, just released a single on a comp from Beko Digital Singles Label, called LOVE_NO LOVE. It's free!

We are so honored to share space with great bands like Pink Playground, Rape Faction and many other amazing artists. In fact, this comp was dedicated to a member (Andrea Belltower) of another band I love, Procedure Club.

Thanks to Reno for including us and thanks to Andrea for always being a big supporter of our music.

ELA ORLEANS

Obsession takes many shapes.



My friend Reno, who runs Beko, the French digital singles label, tipped me off to the loveliness of Ela Orleans by way of Beko's joint comp with Clan Destine Records.

BLOUSE

There are so many things to be excited about in March. For one, it will signify the end of this hellish midwest winter (or so they say.) And two, Blouse, a band literally signed to Captured Tracks days ago, will release a full length (?) record.

Blouse // Into Black from Wooden Lens on Vimeo.

These tunes are pure Portland dream pop but totally worth a regular indulgence. I don't know about you all but I'm currently in need of some sunshine in my life. I'm all in.

You can stream their two tracks directly from the Blouse bandcamp, or listen below.

ZODIACS

Egypt is on fire. It's -5 degrees in Minneapolis.

I am half comforted by the new sounds of Zodiac, a lo-fi, all star supergroup consisting of Dee Dee from Dum Dum Girls, members of the Crystal Stilts, Blank Dogs and Woods. It's everything you would expect it to be and more - '60s beachy guitar riffs, Mike Sniper's melancholy harmonies floating behind Dee Dee's chamber-like vocals. And that's just the short of it.

The new single "Faraway Friend" is limited to 1,000 copies and rumored to be adorned in gold foil. It will be released on Captured Tracks, a label that can certainly do know wrong in my eyes. Other bands on the label may contribute to the Zodiacs' future output. If Wild Nothing ends up anywhere near this record, I'm sold for life.

Stream it RIGHT NOW over at Pitchfork.

Source: My buddy Jared Flair, Pitchfork and Prefix Magazine