WikipediaOne of the perks, if you could call it that, of not having cable or a working terrestrial radio, is that it’s very easy to be completely tuned out of mainstream popular culture and whatever the inescapable song du jour might be. The only time they seep onto my radar is when they’re slowed down 8000% and become internet memes or are covered – ironically or not – by artists I do like. And so it was that the first time I heard Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, which was apparently one of the monster jams of 2007, was when Coeur De Pirate covered it beautifully at Virgin Festival last year (her version).

The second time was when I found this version by Manic Street Preachers, recorded for an NME CD released in conjunction with the NME Awards in 2008, wherein they got artists of the moment to cover other artists of the moment, the Manics’ moment at that point being their 2007 album Send Away The Tigers. It’s a typically Manics big rock treatment, trading the original’s slinkiness for stadium scale, but you can still hear James Dean Bradfield smile as he gets to that chorus. Who wouldn’t?

The Manics’ new record Postcards From A Young Man is out September 28. Rihanna is set to release a new album, as yet untitled, on November 2.

MP3: Manic Street Preachers – “Umbrella”
Video: Rihanna – “Umbrella”

Abbey DruckerWho: School Of Seven Bells
What: New York outfit working the time-honoured two-twin-sister and one boyfriend formula to create heady and gorgeous dream-pop
Why: Having toured their debut Alpinisms relentlessly but not having been back to Toronto since last October, their sophomore effort Disconnect From Desire finally gives them the excuse to return
When: Wendesday, September 15, 2010
Where: The Mod Club in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Highly-touted locals Bishop Morocco and highly-touted Los Angelenos Active Child round out the bill
How: Tickets for the show are $20 in advance but courtesy of Embrace, I have two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to attend School Of Seven Bells” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 12.
What else: The Fader has got videos from an acoustic session with the band

MP3: School Of Seven Bells – “Windstorm”
MP3: School Of Seven Bells – “Babelonia”

FacebookWho: Dirty Projectors
What: Critically-acclaimed but polarizing Brooklyn collective known for their musical and vocal prowess and willingness to show it off
Why: If the impending September 26 re-release of 2009’s Bitte Orca in double-disc deluxe form isn’t reason enough to tour, then I don’t know what is
When: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Where: The Opera House in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Vermont-based, Sub Pop-signed Happy Birthday support
How: Tickets for the show are $24.50 in advance but courtesy of Domino Records and Union Events, I have a grand prize consisting of a pair of passes to the show and a copy of the deluxe edition Bitte Orca on CD and two additional pairs of passes to the show to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to be a Dirty Projection” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 12.
What else: The Washington Post talks to Dirty Projectors main man David Longstreth.

MP3: Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is The Move”
MP3: Dirty Projectors – “Useful Chamber”

Nacho AlegreWho: Mystery Jets
What: British five-piece known partly for having frontman Blaine Harrison’s dad in the band and partly for putting out catchy rock that’s a little bit psych, a little bit new wave and a whole lot catchy
Why: They’re making a very short visit to North America in support of this year’s new album Serotonin with dates in just Los Angeles, New York and Toronto
When: Monday, September 13, 2010
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Up-and-coming Kingston, Ontario noisemakers PS I Love You
How: Tickets for the show are $17.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts I have two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to ride the Mystery Jets” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 9.

MP3: Mystery Jets – “Dreaming Of Another World”
MP3: Mystery Jets – “Flash A Hungry Smile”

MergeIt was announced last month that following a long, fruitful run on the venerable 4AD label, John Darnielle was herding up his Mountain Goats and moving to the equally venerable Merge Records for the release of the next Mountain Goats record and presumably a number of its successors. But before that run of records begins – presumably next year – there will come Undercard, a new album from the Darnielle project with frequent collaborator and contributor Franklin Bruno under the name The Extra Lens.

Formerly known as The Extra Glenns, the duo have been producing music independent of their respective solo projects since 2000 but had only one album to their name – 2002’s Martial Arts Weekend. And with the name change, I guess that won’t ever change, but I digress. Those coming to The Extra Lens via The Mountain Goats will be pleased to know that Darnielle’s distinctive cadence and aesthetic makes The Extra Lens feels instantly familiar. It’s sparer in arrangement than recent Goats records yet fuller in a sense, with Bruno’s multi-instrumental skills put to good use.

Though the record isn’t out until October 19, it’s already available to stream in its entirety at Merge so if the wait from last year’s The Life Of The World To Come to next year’s whatever it ends up being called is too long for you to manage, make with the clicky. It’s unclear if The Extra Lens will become a touring proposition, but if so, it’s worth pointing out that The Mountain Goats skipped Toronto entirely whilst promoting Life, so being one of some select dates would ba nice way of making that up. Just saying.

MP3: The Extra Lens – “Only Existing Footage”
MP3: The Extra Glenns – “Going To Marrakesh”
Stream: The Extra Lens / Undercard

New York’s Postelles are coming to town as part of a Fall tour in support of their forthcoming self-titled debut which is due out October 12 – look for them at the Mod Club on November 30. In addition to a Daytrotter session released earlier this Summer, the band have also put out a Buddy Holly cover.

MP3: The Postelles – “Everyday”
MP3: The Postelles – “White Night”
Video: The Postelles – “White Night”

Radiohead have made a fan-made live video bootleg of a show in Prague official by providing the audio masters from the performance for the soundtrack. Radiohead: Live In Praha is currently available for free download or can be watched clip-by-clip at YouTube.

Built To Spill have put out a new video from last year’s There Is No Enemy.

Video: Built To Spill – “Hindsight”

Beatroute interviews Ted Leo while Pitchfork talks to Tom Scharpling, who directed Leo’s new video for “Bottled In Cork”.

Beatroute talks briefly to Titus Andronicus’ Patrick Stickles.

The Irish Times runs a profile on The National, interviewing guitarist Aaron Dessner.

The Morning Benders have put out a new video from Big Echo. Support for their November 5 show at The Mod Club have been announced as Twin Sister and Oberhofer.

MP3: Twin Sister – “Dry Hump”
MP3: Oberhofer – “I Could Go”
Video: The Morning Benders – “All Day All Light”

Baeble Music has posted a Guest Apartment session with School Of Seven Bells. They’re at the Mod Club in a couple weeks, on September 15.

The Santa Barbara Independent interviews Tift Merritt.

Interview talks to Wes Miles and Rebecca Zeller of Ra Ra Riot.