New York-Based Band News

The National and The Bravery both have new records coming out next Tuesday, 5/22 (as well as an excellent album from Handsome Furs). Right now, I think Boxer is my favorite album of the year. It's a serious grower and at this point, nothing else sounds better. I think this may be their opportunity to step up into the American indie rock big leagues along with Wilco, Spoon, The Shins, and the Black Keys. My money is on The National as the best of the bunch right now.

They'll be performing on MTV tonight. From the band:

We will play in the MTV studios in New York City as part of a 24-hour Human Giant marathon at roughly 1:30 am. If you want to come see us (PLEASE DO!), the arrival time is 12:45 am on 45th street and Broadway. THIS IS A FREE EVENT! The only requirement is that you be at least 18yrs old. To get free tickets, send an e-mail ASAP to battleofthebands@mtvstaff.com and please include the following:

-Name
-Age
-Phone number

As InMyTree mentioned Monday, you can stream their album on AOL or MySpace.

You can also stream the new album, The Sun and the Moon, from The Bravery on their MySpace page. I'm 5 songs in and while I'm not sure what this means but it's not horrible. Although the 5th song, "Bad Sun" is definitely the worst I've heard thus far.

In other news, although not an NYC band, Franz Ferdinand just announced that they'll be doing an "intimate show" here in the next few weeks. No details on where this will be but I have a feeling it will be a tough ticket.

The Bravery: TV Shows & Promos

The Bravery's show at La Zona Rosa is available for viewage over at MSN. They're playing 9:30 Club on June 7th (Tickets). Their song "Public Service Announcement" is currently being used for the Rescue Me Season 4 promo. The Sun and the Moon drops on May 22. Rescue Me kicks off on June 12th.

Slow Going

Not much to report these days. Maybe everyone is prepping for SXSW. I really need to go one of these years. In fact, InMyTree and I made a pact. It's going to happen sooner or later.

I may try to see "300" tonight. Reviews are not surprisingly mixed. I'm still shocked by how much money it made in it's opening weekend. The all-time record for box-office releases in March? The 3rd best debut ever for an R-Rated movie. That probably gives Frank Miller a green light on just about anything for the forseeable future. It looks like he's on tap to direct "The Spirit". He's also involved in an adaptation of "Ronin" and "Sin City 2".

There's an interview with Patrick Carney, one of the best drummers in the business, over at Pitchfork.

I think the ongoing discussion of where the Arcade Fire will be playing in NYC is close to being confirmed. I read something on the UsKidsKnow forums yesterday that it's more and more likely that all 3 shows will be at The United Palace. I'll be there in a couple weeks to see Bloc Party. We'll see. The official message says: "Please do not email this site regarding the NYC shows in May. Just keep an eye on this site in the coming weeks for any updates & info regarding the venues and on-sales."

Just for the hell-of-it MP3: Here's another of the Bloc Party b-sides that I'm enjoying at the moment.

MP3: Bloc Party - "Cain Said to Abel"

You can listen to the Bravery's first single, "Time Won't Let Me Go" on their site. Sounds just like their old stuff. I'll pass.

Finally: Eddie and Keith Richards at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC last night. (Photo credit: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)

Glimpse New Tunes from The Bravery

Remember the Bravery? Seems like just yesterday (actually, it was almost two years ago) that New York Mag called them "New York's next really big thing." This could have very well been the last nice thing said about these guys. I'm not joining the shitstorm of blogger hate (it's dormant now but sure to return near the album release) but I'll admit to being bitter. "An Honest Mistake" and "Unconditional" were such incredibly great pop songs, how could the album fail? But it did - and InMyTree is entitled to disagree with me on this - I thought the album was a major disappointment. I'm an equal opportunity blogger and now, they're back with a slightly different sound and samples of 3 new songs on their site. So, I'll leave the door open a crack and we'll see if these dudes have some more good music in them.

Listen at thebravery.com

The Sun and the Moon will be released on 5/22. More here.

The Bravery: Not-So-Secret Shows

Nov 13
TT the Bears
Cambridge, MA
$12 * 8pm Doors * 18+

Nov 14
Century Lounge
Providence, RI
$10 * 8pm Doors * 18+

Nov 15
Ottobar
Baltimore, MD
$10 * 8pm Doors * All Ages