This piece of news was great for me to hear because I love love (times infinity) love Björk because her voice is absolutely phenomenal and she’s always musically daring. However, I do not have tickets to see any of her NY shows (insert sad face).
It’s such a pleasure to hear that NPR Music and WNYC will have a live stream of one of Björk’s NY performances. The May 5th United Palace show will be streamed live via www.NPR.org/music. WNYC will also have an encore broadcast (on the radio and on the web at WNYC.org) on Monday, May 14th @ 7 p.m. EST.

You can check out the official video for Björk’s first single, “Earth Intruders,” off of her upcoming album, Volta, at her myspace or on youtube. Also, check out a recent interview with Björk on Music For Robots.

Here’s her SNL performance of “Earth Intruders”:

Hey, you.

Yeah, you. Go to that box in the back of the closet and dig your goddamn Ramones t-shirt and that button-festooned leather jacket out of storage. And while you’re at it, put some Blondie, Green Day, and Screeching Weasel on the stereo too. Don’t look at me like I’m stupid, do it! After all, Heartsickle by The Unlovables is out!

For those who don’t know, The Unlovables, composed of Hallie Bullit, Frank Leone, Mat Ranauro, and Mikey Erg (yes, from the Ergs!) are one of my new favorite bands. After listening to their last album Crush Boyfriend Heartbreak for days and weeks on end, as well as catching a killer set by them a few months ago, I can’t really listen to anything else to be honest. Heartsickle, out on Whoa Oh Records, is 13 songs of pure, sugar-laden and hook-insane pop-punk goodness. I’ve listened to it about 4 times just today so far. From the opening notes of “Leave Me Alone” to the totally dance-inspiring “Dance Party For 2 (Your Room 3 AM)”, which happens to be my favorite song on the album, to going out with a bang with “Crazy Tonight”, the whole thing is just one nonstop party that you really can’t help but smile and wanna totally flip out and dance on the subway with your headphones on.

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The upcoming New Pornographers album, entitled “Challengers,” will be released worldwide (with the exception of Canada) on Matador Records. The album will feature cover art from band member Neko Case. The artwork above is not the final design, but will be available for purchase on a screenprint poster at their concerts. Those of you who are lucky enough to be attending Coachella will have the first opportunity to pick up the snazzy poster, which will have an individualized code that guarantees you a copy of “Challengers” on its release date.

The NPs are still in the process of mixing the album, but have some upcoming shows to hold you over until its release. Neko Case has solo tour dates, so I’m unsure as to whether she’ll be performing with the band. I suggest taking any chance you have to see them live. Their energetic powerpop rock will have you dancing the entire time.

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Punknews.org is reporting that The Bronx are working on two releases for the end of this year. As usual, both releases will be self-titled.

The band had this to say about the albums:
“We have begun working on 2 albums worth of material. We will be making 2 different records this time… (and yet both will still be self titled) Record # 1 will be mariachi music (El Bronx) Record # 2 will be dead punk (The Bronx) Both go well with hot sauce, but yet each has a different bouquet. We are aiming for an end of summer release date. Nasty!”

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I received this wonderful note courtesy of the Wilco mailing list:”greetings friends,
as part of our ongoing effort to rock the homes, offices, dorms, and internet cafes of America and the world — we’re starting another on- demand stream of Sky Blue Sky on Sunday night at 12:01 a.m. Central time and continuing it non-stop for 24 straight hours. Make a note of it.”

Wilco previously did an on-demand stream of Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch) at wilcoworld.net on March 11th. If you missed it, now’s your chance to give it a listen. I gave it a few listens and am very excited about the release on May 15th.

Wilco currently has two US tour dates set- Chicago’s Vic Theatre on April 6th (Jeff Tweedy solo) and Bonnaroo on June 17. Then they head abroad to Australia for the rest of April and Europe for most of May. As far as other US tour dates are concerned, the e-mail also noted to check their website because “more dates for June (mostly eastern half of North America) will be on the site next week.”