I swear, I’d totally intended to go see The Mendoza Line at the Rivoli last night along with Picastro and Great Lake Swimmers, but some personal stuff came up and I was unable to make it out after all. Alas. Sometimes real life seeps into blog life and things get all higgeldy piggeldy. And it’s a shame, because I’ve really been enjoying their latest highly regarded album, Full Of Fire And Full Of Light. Shannon McArdle’s voice is stronger than ever while Tim Bracy’s vocals are less Dylan-nasal and have more character of their own, and the songwriting is super-sharp and the music a terrific blend of country twang and pop hooks. I really am sorry to not be reporting back on the show but as consolation, I offer up this interview with the band courtesy of Aversion and these MP3s… which I’ve posted before, yes.

MP3: The Mendoza Line – “Catch A Collapsing Star”
MP3: The Mendoza Line – “Mysterious In Black”

They have a few Canadian dates left so if you get a chance, go see them. Hopefully (for me), they’ll be back sooner rather than later. Also check out Shannon and Timothy’s side project, Slow Dazzle.

Archive.org has My Morning Jacket’s Toronto show from this past October available for your downloading and listening pleasure. Last week, MMJ had to cancel their upcoming European tour while Jim James recovers from pneumonia. Best wishes to James for a quick recovery.

Torq Campbell of Stars gives eye a very quick preview of what to expect from their six sold-out shows at Lee’s Palace this weekend. That’s right, SIX.

Magnet catches up with Mark Gardener, who gives his seal of approval to their shoegazing feature story a few years ago.

Rolling Stone finds out why Rhett Miller is The Believer, his second solo album due February 28.

So here is some news – I leave it to you to decide if it’s good or bad. For The Records reports that The New Pornographers will be back on the road in early ’06 in support of Belle & Sebastian. This is indubitably good news. However, this info synchs up with some hush-hush info that I recently received that, if true, will leave the indie kids howling for the booking police. Me, I’ll be looking for comfortable shoes and calling a cab. Do with that info what you will.

Check it out – another award nomination for yours truly. This one is for LiveDaily’s “Best Music Weblog” category, with some other very worthy nominees. I don’t know what to say about their other categories, though… Update: Well it looks like the contest/voting is only open to Americans. That’s my chances fucked right up, then. Update 2: Okay, it looks like anyone can enter, but only Americans can win…

More lists – The AV Club’s music writers take a swing at the best of 2005 and Stylus picks their best movies of 2005. And for a good one-stop year-end list resource, check out Fimoculous.

np – David Bowie / Low