New Conor Oberst! And Not One Day Too Soon.

Conor Oberst's self-titled solo debut was one of my favorite albums last year. I loved his more energetic country leanings and his meat-and-potatoes arrangements. For me, "Conor Oberst" was one of those albums that I could listen to in pretty much any mood.

Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band are releasing another album, "Outer South," on May 5. Some bloggers are noting/whining that he has not waited very long between albums and that he's going to be the next Ryan Adams, but the way I see it, more music is always a good thing, especially if it's from an artist as talented as Oberst. Plus, I love Ryan Adams and can't complain about any of his albums.

Based on the first two songs released off the album, "Slowly (Oh So Slowly)" and "Nikorette," "Outer South" is going to be super-duper. Can't wait yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!!

Nikorette- Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band

However, if this alone does not satiate your Conor craving, get pumped for "One of My Kind," the hour-long documentary that looks at Obert & Co.'s touring adventures from the past year. BUT WAIT IT GETS BETTER! The documentary will be available as a FREEEEEE stream or download on all of these site: Causecast.org, IFC.com, conoroberst.com, mergerecords.com, and wichita-recordings.com.

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The Mary Onettes EXPLODE!

I first heard the Mary Onettes when their song "Explosions" played during a climactic moment of a terrible episode of Grey's Anatomy. I instantly dug their Jesus & Mary Chain-but-poppier sound (listen to the first bit of "Explosions"...very similar/identical to "Just Like Honey," no?). I just heard a new (I think...) track from the Mary Onettes called "Dare" that I like a lot. I first read about it on a blog that compared the track to something from Shout Out Louds, another band I love. I definitely see the comparison.

Dare- The Mary Onettes
Explosions- The Mary Onettes
Just Like Honey- The Jesus & Mary Chain

Also, here's a video, because I can't listen to the Jesus & Mary Chain without thinking of this:

Ashes of American Flags

With Wilco being my favorite band, I will buy pretty much anything they release. Next month, "Ashes of American Flags," the concert documentary chronicling Wilco's 2008 winter tour (including their two dates at DC's 9:30 Club that I could not go to because they were on school nights even though one was the night before a half day so it wouldn't have even mattered if I were tired. Hi, parents.).

This is the first Wilcomentary since 2002's candid, achingly beautiful "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," which documented the making of the band's seminal masterpiece, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." It's directed by Brenden Canty and Christoph Green, both of whom directed Jeff Tweedy's live solo DVD, "Sunken Treasure."

The two directors will be speaking in April at the Avalon Theater as part of FilmFest DC (the film will be screening at the Avalon as well).

MORE INFO
FILM WEBSITE

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WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE TRAILER WOWOWOWOWOOWOWOWOWOWOW

I have been following the roller coaster ride of this film for quite some time now. I'm a huge Spike Jonze fan (and I actually got to interview him earlier this year for my school's paper. It was as cool as you would think it would be) and I love the Maurice Sendak book. FINALLY, there is a trailer. And it is incredible. Truly amazing wonderful mind-blowing wow perfect everything. The visual effects look great and even though the trailer only has snatches of the film, the cinematography looks stunning. Plus, using Arcade Fire has never hurt anything. CAN'T WAIT.