I saw the announcement of Here We Go Magic’s new album, but didn’t see that it also included this new song! Holy cow, this looks to be an incredible album. Also, please forgive me if I forget to include this song in my Top Songs of 2012 list. Consider this an honorary inclusion if my memory fails me this December.

I’m hugely remiss for not posting about Bro Stephen long ago. But his great new album Baptist Girls is in stores now.

MP3: Bro. Stephen – Tears on Tape
As the world continues to freak out over Bon Iver, I continue to not really get what all the fuss is about. If you’re looking for some modern-day heartfelt folk then you’d do no better than to look toward Bro. Stephen’s new album Baptist Girls. It’s not a flashy or showy album, but one that rewards patience. Next time your television is off and you’ve got some bourbon in your hand, put on this record and tell me that everything’s not a little clearer in your life.

Bro. Stephen on Facebook

The Ford Theatre Reunion has built up quite a cult following in Lexington over the years. With a unique musical vision, filled with various appropriated musical cues, the band has carved a singular enclave. The group favors a ramshackle, theatrical approach heavily indebted to Tom Waits. Yet, while Tom Waits has built a cannon out of the [...]

Here’s the day-in-the-life-of video for the Handsome Furs’ excellent track “Serve the People” off their 2011 album Sound Kapital. And with it, here’s hoping the duo are touring again soon!

I initially didn’t like MIA’s new version of “Bad Girls,” but now I’m thinking that I might not have been fully done hating her last album and there was just a little bit of distaste for her left in my mouth. Not totally fair of me, I know. But after watching the video, I think this might be exactly what she needed to put out. It’s solid, not too serious and has good production.

[via GvB]

Oh man. This is almost too good to believe. Michael McDonald, Cee Lo, Ryan Adams and Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover, onetime 30 Rock writer) provide voice and song cameos in this 30 Rock short. Madonna injures herself and the NBC suits scramble to find a replacement. These three stars have to cover “classic” NBC tracks. Superbonus points for the “dong lover” joke.

Here’s another great song I picked up from my Soundcloud dropbox. If you’ve been emailing me music, this is a WAY better alternative.

MP3: Sands Hollow – Watch Yourself
The album cover looks like something my avant-garde metal-loving friends would enjoy, but this is some straight-up catchy pop. It’s like slowed down, non-reverby Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

Mark down my first show of 2012 as a great one. I haven’t seen Langhorne Slim live since Robert Schneider snuck me into his 2005 show at the Dame when I was underage. And while he was a good live show then, the past seven years of Grade A songwriting have moved Langhorne into a completely new league.

Seeing Langhorne perform is like seeing a Unicorn in the wild. The “soulful folk revivalist” is great in theory, but usually sloppy live; Langhorne has his insanity down to a tight science. And with a crowd that knows the call-backs (like in “Cinderella”), he’s free to be as mad as he wants to be and still keep it together.

More photos after the break

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