Nicole Atkins & the Black Sea - The Tower

One of my favorite singers Nicole Atkins is poised to release a follow-up to her outstanding 2007 album 'Neptune City' this Spring entitled 'Mondo Amore'. She's been showcasing some of the new material on tour and recently recorded a riveting Daytrotter session and even performed live at Paste Magazine.

Below, check out her neo-noir pop in top form performing 'The Way It Is' on Letterman in 2007 and then below my favorite of the new songs: 'The Tower'. She's playing at the stars-studded The Who Tribute at Carnegie Hall on 3/2 and then also at City Winery on 3/12. Who's up for a trip to the Winery?
 

{{  MP3: The Tower  }}

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Brett Gelman - Death Bed Subtext (NSFW)

If you don't know Brett Gelman, it's time to get familiar. He's a UCB regular who you may recognize from the NY Lotto commercials as 'Little Bit of Luck' or his various appearances in Funny or Die sketches. My personal favorite is Brett as 1/2 of hip-hop comedy duo Cracked Out with Jon Daly celebrating a very special part of the female anatomy.

He's topped himself now with a new FoD video featuring Topher Grace and Kate Bosworth called 'Death Bed Subtext'. It gets real dirty people so pop in those headphones and enjoy!

Somebody get this man a sitcom ASAP!

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Local Natives - Airplanes

One of my favorite new bands is Cali-based Local Natives whose debut album Gorilla Manor comes out in the US on February 16th via Frenchkiss Records (label-mates include Passion Pit, The Dodos, Les Savy Fav). Gorilla Manor is a beautiful and haunting album that features lush arrangement, a sunny afro-pop sensibility, hyperactive percussion, and spooky three-part harmony. The CD surprises the whole way through but my favorite track is gloomy heartbreaker Airplanes. Enjoy the video below:

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Trailer: Get Him to the Greek

This is going to be a fun one! Russel Brand and Jonah Hill revive their characters from Forgetting Sarah Marshall in the upcoming comedy Get Him to the Greek due for release on June 4th. In the movie, Hill's character Aaron has 72 hours to get hard partying rocker Aldous Snow, played by Brand, from London to LA to play a show at The Greek Theatre. The cast features P. Diddy as a demanding music exec (quite a stretch) and small parts by Neon Harmony favorites Nick Kroll and Aziz Ansari.  I'm sold! Trailer below:

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Broken Bells - The High Road

Peanut butter and jelly. Pita and hummus. The Beatles and Jay-Z. Some pairings just need to be experienced to fully comprehend. Hello Broken Bells - the unlikely duo of  The Shins' James Mercer and Brian 'Danger Mouse' Burton. I'm a huge fan of the Shins and everything Danger Mouse touches seems to turn to gold, so this odd couple assuredly would make sweet sweet musical love together. The result: picture The Shins riding an electric keyboard through a dark forest. Check it!

Listen: The High Road

 

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Julian Casablancas (w/ Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sanz, The Roots) - I Wish It Was Christmas Today

Though I'm a avid aficionado of both music and comedy, it's rare that a performance combines the two in an impressive and interesting way. Check out Julian Casablancas of The Strokes bringing the SNL classic 'I Wish It Was Christmas Today' to Late Night with original performers Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sanz, and an assist from house band The Roots. Also, pick up Julian's solo album Phrazes for the Young for more of his effortless NYC cool.



For reference: long-haired Fallon, a portly Sanz, Chris Kattan, and Tracy Morgan performing the original on SNL:

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Erik Hassle - Hurtful

Every once in a while an artist comes along whose music seems clearly destined for commercial success but still avoids the all-too-familiar trappings of Top 40 pop. Swedish-born London resident Erik Hassle is that guy! Santigold, Keane, and John Legend also come to mind as popular but unique talents.

Though his soulful voice is vaguely reminiscent of Gavin Degraw, 20-year old Hassle ignites his tracks with surprising instrumentation and a seasoned confidence. Already a hit in Sweden and the UK, first single 'Hurtful' is a pop classic in the making. Get familiar before Gossip Girl snatches it up.

Watch: 'Hurtful'

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