Fikaked: New Radiohead & Weezer

Well, it's not what everyone was hoping for, but it's something new from Radiohead, so it's hard to complain too much. "These Are My Twisted Words" might actually be the most abstract, out there song they've released since Amnesiac. The band is offering the track as a free download (don't believe there's even the option to pay this time), and as part of the zip file you get a ridiculous amount of artwork similar to what you see above, along with some cryptic info. No real word on whether or not this is part of something bigger, so for now you'll just have to be content with the fact that you've got some new Radiohead to listen to:

Weezer have a new album coming out in October. Not holding my breath, but this advance track is the best thing they've released since "Island in the Sun":

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Fikaked: Volcano Choir, Jaydiohead, & MSTRKRFT

Volcano Choir is basically Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) plus his old band (Collections of Colonies of Bees). They have a record coming out in September called Unmap, and "Island, IS" is the first track to hit the internet. Sounds promising:

"Jaydiohead" is a mashup project similar to The Gray Album, this time featuring Jay-Z and Radiohead. The guy/s behind it call themselves "Minty Fresh Beats". The whole album, along with a newer ep (this thing has been around a few months, apparently) are available for free from the creator/s themselves here. Not sure what Radiohead thinks about it, but Jay-Z apparently likes some of it. You've gotta figure mashing together the best rapper in the world and the best band in the world is going to have at least a few positive results. My favorite track so far, "Wrong Prayer", is a mashup of Radiohead's "I Might Be Wrong" and Jay's "Pray" (Thanks, Teddy!):

Another not so new track. I actually heard this for the first time when my wife was watching So You Think You Can Dance the other night. Turns out MSTRKRFT is actually one of the members of my favorite broken up death/dance/punk duo Death From Above 1979. Pretty shocked to find that out, especially considering that this track is a collaboration with John Legend. "Heartbreaker":

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Fikaked! Tracks: YACHT's Psychic City

This track has been out there for a while, but See Mystery Lights was just released this past week. YACHT seem to have the whole internet/blog buzz thing going on for them, but if you've never heard them, here's what Allmusic.com has to say about main man Jona Bechtolt: " (Bechtolt is) a musician and multimedia artist who embraces an eclectic but playful blend of electronics, acoustic percussion, and noises of all sorts." In Pitchfork's glowing review, they mention the names LCD Soundsystem and The Rapture. I definitely agree with the latter. As for "Psychic City" in particular, I hear an iPod commercial waiting to happen:

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Fikaked! Tracks: Radiohead's "Harry Patch (In Memory Of)"

As reported @ Pitchfork, Stereogum, etc., Radiohead have released a new track honoring Harry Patch, the last surviving British veteran of WWI who passed away a little over a week ago. Later in life, Patch became an adamant opposer of WWI and war in general. The song itself is a somber orchestral piece that is only recognizable as Radiohead because of Yorke's unmistakable vocals. You can get the track @ the band's website here, with all proceeds going to a British war veteran's legion. "Harry Patch (In Memory Of)":

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Fikaked! Tracks: Julian Plenti, Nurses, Fruit Bats, The Antlers, & Modest Mouse

Julian Plenti is actually Paul Banks, the lead singer from one of my favorite early '00s bands, Interpol. Definitely similar in a lot of ways to Banks' full-time band (i.e. the unique voice), but there are some obvious differences, too. Namely, Skyscraper is actually really catchy and poppy in some places. "Only If You Run":

Nurses kinda have the Animal Collective, weirdly-catchy psych-pop thing going on. "Technicolor":

In case you've never heard of Fruit Bats, they're a Sub Pop band that's been around for a while. They're from Chicago originally, but make southern rock that reminds me a lot of early Tom Petty. "The Ruminant Band":

The Antlers' Hospice was just named "Best New Music" by Pitchfork Media for being both "ambient and anthemic". If you're into Arcade Fire, chances are you're going to dig all or some of this. "Two":

You've probably already heard most of the material from Modest Mouse's newest release, No One's First, and You're Next, an ep that compiles 7"s, b-sides, and bonus tracks from the past 5 or 6 years (as they did with Building Nothing Out of Something, etc.). Worth getting ahold of whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard. "The Whale Song":

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Fikaked! Tracks: The Raveonettes, Thom Yorke, & The National

"Suicide" is one of the more upbeat tracks I've heard from The Raveonettes, and it really suits them. From their 4th album, In and Out of Control, which is due out October 6:

Download from Pitchfork (Right Click & "Save As").

Ciao My Shining Star is a compilation that was assembled to provide financial relief for Mark Mulcahy, the former frontman of Miracle Legion (who, amongst other things, is responsible for the theme song from Nickelodeon's Pete and Pete). Mulcahy's wife died suddenly about a year ago, making him the single parent of twin 3 year old girls. Over twenty artists contributed exclusive tracks, including Thom Yorke, The National, and Michael Stype. Yorke's "All For the Best" is another electronic track in the same vein as his Eraser material, and The National can't seem to put out anything that isn't completely awesome. Enjoy.

Thom Yorke's "All For the Best":

The National's "Ashamed of the Story I Told" (Polaris Cover):

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