Electric President is the Jacksonville, Florida musical duo of Ben Cooper and Alex Cane.  They started playing music together sometime around 2000 but didn’t really get serious about laying down tracks until 2004  or so.  I’ve been a fan of this band for quite sometime and their 2006 self-titled debut even came in at #19 on my top 50 albums list.

That same year I had the opportunity to see them live at the Conservatory here in Oklahoma City.  I remember the show was a blast, and they did this really crazy karaoke version of “No More I Love You’s.”  The show opener was fellow Jacksonvillian Astronautalis and he put on an amazing hip hop show.  This is a post about Electric President, but if you haven’t checked out Astronautalis you really should.  Anyways the point is Electric President is good and you should really check them out. They have a new album entitled The Violent Blue coming out February 23rd on Fake Four Inc.

So do yourself a favor and give these guys a listen.  I’ll post LaLa streams of their first two albums after the jump.

It is also worth noting that Ben Cooper has a side project entitled Radical Face that is very good.  His album Ghost is a beautiful concept album about  the memories a house retains.  It’s quite touching actually.  I’ll post the LaLa stream to Ghost after the jump as well.

MP3: Electric President – “Safe and Sound”

The Violent Blue is out February 23rd on Fake Four Inc.

Enjoy the streams…

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In an unprecedented move I have changed last week’s “pick of the week” from Beach House’s Teen Dream to Los Campesinos!’s Romance Is Boring. I’ve had an opportunity to really listen to Romance Is Boring the last week and I think it is a tremendous album.  Also, what’s it gonna take to get these kids some “Best New Music?”  P4k needs to get a clue!

As for this week the new Midlake album,The Courage of Others, will dominate every possible musical output device I have. I’ve been waiting patiently for this album  since 2006, and I now feel comfortable assuring you the wait was worth it.

The only other album I’ve had the opportunity to hear so far is the Soft Pack’s (formerly The Muslims) new self titled album.  I haven’t has a lot of time to spend with it, but I can assure you it will demand a few more post-Midlake hysteria listens

Check out the new releases and vote for your most anticipated album after the jump…

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January has been a pretty amazing month for new releases up to this point, and this week shows no indication of slowing down.  I can personally recommend the new Beach House album, Teen Dream.  It’s might be one of the most gorgeous albums I’ve heard in a long time.  I can also recommend the new Charlotte Gainsbourg and Los Campesinos albums.  They are both very good and have probably cemented themselves onto a lot of people’s year end lists.  Wow it’s January and I’m already talking about year end lists.  I think I may have a problem.  Anyways there isa lot of stuff that I’m looking forward to hearing for the first time on this list too.  Should be a busy week of listening to great music.

You may have noticed but I’ve also included a poll so you can vote on your most anticipated new release of the week.

Check out the new releases, album art, streams MP3’s and vote after the jump…

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For what it’s worth this is one of my most anticipated albums of 2010.  If it’s half as good as The Trials of Van Occupanther it will be more than outstanding.

Denton, TX raised indie rockers Midlake’s latest album, The Courage of Others, doesn’t release until February 2, but to tide fans over, the band have been featured in a short film directed by My Name is Earl star Jason Lee. The follow-up to 2006’s stellar The Trials of Van Occupanther, the new album features 11 new tracks, including new single “Acts of Man.” The film will be available as a DVD with deluxe edition of The Courage of Others, along with a double LP, 45 rpm version of the record, and a 32 page book and a live CD.

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER AT THE BAND’S OFFICIAL SITE.

…or watch it after the jump.

Also find the Courage of Others track list and Midlake tour dates after the jump…

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We are three weeks into the new year and some pretty amazing albums have already been released. This week the new Spoon is an absolute must get, but there are a few others that might surprise a few people. The new Eels album has E taking a look back on broken love, and the result is an absolutely heartbreaking but gorgeous album. This weeks new release list  also plays host to a couple of former SDM “Bands to Watch” with the second album from Seattle’s Feral Children and the debut from West Palm Beach, Florida’s Surfer Blood.  Both of these albums are worth picking up and hopefully both bands will have a great 2010.

Anyways, if we’ve left anything off the list I’m sure you will let us know.  Enjoy.

New Releases, Album Art, Streams and MP3’s After the Jump…

…Also make sure you vote for your most anticipated album after the jump

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From the Goner message board.

R.I.P. JAY REATARD
It is with great sadness that
we report the passing of our good friend Jay Reatard.
Jay died in his sleep last night.
We will pass along information about funeral arrangements
when they are made public.

Logan and I caught part of his show at Fun Fun Fun Fest a few years ago and to say it was fun would be an epic understatement.  Jay made some wonderful little tunes.  He will be missed.

Jay Reatard – Blood Visions (mp3)

2009 is officially in the past and the process starts all over again.  2010 gets off to a better than expected start with the new Vampire Weekend and the Owen Pallett (formerly Final Fantasy).  I will admit that the new Vampire Weekend kind of made me nervous.  Their debut was so amazing that I just assumed the  sophomore slump was inevitable.  Lucky for all of us I was dead wrong.  The new album is amazing and could potentially be as good as their debut.  This, of course, will take a few more dedicated listens.  Don’t get me wrong, this album will be very polarizing for some reason, and will bring out the haters in droves. Just remember everyone’s a badass on the internet.

Enjoy the first “New Release Post” of 2010 after the jump…

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Today is officially the last last day of 2009 so we thought it would be fitting to release our top songs of the year list.  Maybe you can even use them to put a little NYE playlist together.  As for me I’ll be watching the Flaming Lips cover Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.  Everyone have fun and be safe tonight.  See you next year.  Goodbye year.  Goodbye decade.

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A few observations:

- This film looks pretty kick ass.

- The accompanying box set also looks amazing. (details after the jump)

- I think Meg is getting hotter.

-  The White Stripes have an awesome website.

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Here are my top 40 albums of 2009 collected into one post rather than spread across three.  For what it’s worth I already have a bad case of list regret.  In retrospect I would have placed the Real Estate album much higher, possibly top 10 even.  I’ve been listening to it a lot lately and it really is gorgeous.  Anyways, what’s done is done.  Enjoy.

View Entire List After the Jump…

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