iWant: Handsome Furs’ FACE CONTROL

FACE CONTROL is the second album by husband and wife duo Handsome Furs. I like this band because they somehow remind me of the geeky, sexy awkwardness that permeates Weird Science. FACE CONTROL will be released on March 10th, 2009.

You can preview a track from FACE CONTROL that is currently on repeat in my brain over at http://www.saidthegramophone.com/.

Handsome Furs is playing at this year’s SXSW on Friday March 14th in the Sub Pop Showcase at Bourbon Rocks at 10:30pm.

You can pre order their album on the band’s website.

I know it has already leaked and I will probably download it too, but I am also going to buy the album even though I am broke and can’t afford a new pair of jeans. I will simply wash my same pair again. Why?

If you don’t buy a band’s music or pay money to attend their shows and you aren’t sending them checks in the mail just for fun, they probably won’t be able to make you music anymore. Just sayin’.

iwant: METROPOLIS, SUITE I OF IV: THE CHASE

– via joe_focus

I am aware that Janelle Monáe‘s EP came out last year, but sometimes I am a late bloomer. So here in the present, I am an enthusiastic fan who doesn’t want to wait until the June 10 re-release…

The official site states that the EP is available for purchase, but when you click on the store it isn’t listed. Teases! Copies aren’t showing up on eBay or amazon.com. Tracks from The Chase are not on itunes either. I suppose I will have to wait after all. hmph.

In the meantime, I’ve been watching our recent coverage on Janelle Monáe and listening to songs on her MySpace page while resisting the urge to download bootlegs…

I hear from the kids that there are a lot of great new bands out there. The reality is that with all of my book reading and Squidbillies watching, I have very little time left for anything else. My ipod and other assorted mobile devices are filled with timeless face-melting jams provided by Heart and Led Zeppelin. I also listen to more freestyle than I care to admit. Yeah, I am a bit dated, musically speaking.

So unless you, hot band of the moment, get passed on to me through friends or coworkers, I probably haven’t heard of you. As usual, The Barnes was already onto Janelle Monáe “a long ass time ago” and ridiculed me once again for sleeping on someone dope.

Whatever, Barnes. I’m never making you a burrito again (unless you have a copy of The Chase, then I will make you a lifetime supply of burritos and not force you to adopt my future children so I can travel the world solo-bad-mommy-style).

Besides Janelle Monáe, here’s a list of other “new” (to me, ok?) artists who 1) make me remember I have a pulse and 2) inspire me to obsessively track their albums down and buy them because a download is not good enough:

– The LK (discovered this week – thanks, Tara)

I have been listening to them everyday on Last.FM. I will buy their CD as soon as I can find my card (oops)

– Yelle (discovered last month via Buzzworthy)

French electro hip-hop. What’s not to like? Pop-Up + My French Coach for Nintendo DS = classe de français on the subway.

Bat For Lashes (discovered last year)

I love her magical, eerie music and lyrics. I appreciate that a lot of her songs are inspired by her dreams. There’s a recent interview with her in the latest issue of Preen Magazine.

– Girl In A Coma (discovered last year)

I cannot accurately describe in a mere blog post how excited I am that these ladies are playing a show at The Knitting Factory on April 15th. See their MySpace page for details. I will be there!