Happy Holidays to all of you Ohmpark readers! I’ll be dropping the rest of my year end lists next week, but here are a few stocking stuffers until then:

The Long Blondes recently broke up, but I only very recently learned it is because their guitarist suffered a stroke in June. That sucks. They did release a free anti-Christmas song at their myspace:

Long Blondes : Christmas Is Cancelled

Jambanders Umphrey’s McGee just released a free holiday EP complete with three live tracks from various performances, and you can get the whole thing here. Here is a cut from that:

Umphrey’s McGee : Greensleeves > Carol Of The Bells

Atlanta’s Black Lips have been getting into the spirit by giving away a track from their forthcoming album 200 Million Thousand, due out February 24. They are also challenging people to make as many videos for the song, “Starting Over”, in hopes of having 200 million thousand videos of it. Get all the details here.

Black Lips : Starting Over

Austin’s The Octopus Project have also given away a free song for Xmas, a Bee Gees cover. More info on that here.

The Octopus Project : I. O. I. O.

Finally, I already posted my holiday mixtape, but before it is over, here’s one more interesting Christmas song for you:

65daysofstatic : I’m Dreaming Of A White Noise Christmas

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Post tags: 65Daysofstatic, Black Lips, Long Blondes, The Octopus Project, Umphrey's McGee

Santogold (Brooklyn, NY)

Santi White emerges as Santogold on her full-length debut of the same name. The revolving door of producers to appear on the release serve up indie-dub-punk with a side of 80’s sheen. Additionally, this former A&R rep for Epic made sure that she had help with the writing behind each track as well. This combination makes it easy for many of the songs to be winners. However, this method of production also detracts from the album holistically – at times it feels like listening to a lot of singles. Santogold showcases versatile vocal styles and perhaps I’m only impressed more by how many genres get crammed into several jams. This is one of those albums you’ll get caught bumpin when you think you’re alone and you’re doing the stupid dance you made up to your favorite track. It’ll be ok, though. You caught that friend listening to Barry Manilow that one time.

Santogold : Santogold : L.E.S. Artistes

Santogold : Santogold : Lights Out

Buy Santogold here

Santogold Myspace

The Long Blondes (Sheffield, England)

The Long Blondes return with Couples, their sophomore follow-up to the blazing Someone to Drive You Home. Kate and Co. are definitely stretching their legs and, despite a shorter album, offer greater extremes and richer textures than before. I’m rewarded by continued listens (the rule) and that’s just dandy because the first time I heard it (the exception) I wanted to run back to “Giddy Stratospheres.” At the moment, the tracks are more hit than miss. However, I’m not near declaring it better than their previous effort. We’ll see how time treats this album through the summer months. Don’t worry, Kate. I still have a crush on you.

The Long Blondes : Couples : Erin O’Connor

The Long Blondes : Couples : I’m Going to Hell

Buy Couples here

The Long Blondes Myspace

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Post tags: Long Blondes, Santogold, What The Hell

Tegan And Sara (Vancouver/Montreal, Canada)

I’ve admittedly only gotten into this duo recently but I’ve been enjoying their new album, The Con. Very catchy and upbeat, but not lacking in character or style. I think I will be going to see them at the Roxy in November.

• Back In Your Head
• Relief Next To Me

Tegan And Sara Myspace

Buy The Con Here

St. Vincent (US)

photo by tod seelie

St. Vincent, aka Annie Clark, has been a member of the Polyphonic Spree and in Sufjan Stevens touring band last year. I’m a little behind the rest of the blogosphere on this one, but now that i have her album, Marry Me, I’m loving it. You will too:

• Now, Now
• Paris Is Burning

St. Vincent Myspace

Buy Marry Me here

The Long Blondes (Sheffield, UK)

The debut album from this 5-piece, Someone To Drive You Home, sounds like Tragic Kingdom-era No Doubt meets Blondie, but in a good way. This album is definitely pop and the subject matter is a little surfacy, but if you can deal with that, you’ve got a high quality album with some really catchy and fun songs:

• Lust In The Movies
• Only Lovers Left Behind
• Heaven Help The New Girl

The Long Blondes Myspace

Buy Someone To Drive You Home here

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Post tags: Long Blondes, St. Vincent, Tegan And Sara, What The Hell

One of the guys from Klaxons broke his leg stage diving.

Black Lips‘ new album, Good Bad Not Evil, hits stores September 11th. Vid:

Vegoose added the following acts:

• Mastodon
• moe.
• M.I.A.
• Robert Randolph and The Family Band

You can watch a streaming Flaming Lips show here tonight and tommorrow.

Joanna Newsom will be back in Atlanta at the Woodruff Arts Center Symphony Hall on Saturday November 17th.

The Long Blondes will be at the Earl on November 12th. I’ll have more on them for you next week but for now:

Listen to some new Fiery Furnaces songs from their upcoming new album here.

Madlib in Bollywood? check it out.

Final Fantasy will be at The Drunken Unicorn November 6th.

More Tegan And Sara:

Tori Amos will be in Atlanta somehwere on November 14th.

Band Of Horses‘ new album drops October 9th.

I leave you today with Sonic Youth from a recent Daydream Nation show:

© Davy Minor for Ohmpark, 2007. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Black Lips, Liars, Long Blondes, Sonic Youth, Tegan And Sara