Band of Horses’ Everything All The Time was one of our favorite records last year, so we’re part of the many anxiously awaiting its follow up Cease To Begin, due out October 9th on Sub Pop.

Fans of the groups previous effort will certainly find something to enjoy on the first single, “Is There A Ghost.” Download the track below and we’ll be sure to keep you in the fresh as upcoming album details unfold.

Pre-Order: Insound
Myspace: Band Of Horses
MP3: Band Of Horses - Is There A Ghost

Josh Hodges records as Sexton Blake, and recently released a covers album (wait, don’t cringe yet) that is satisfying and an enjoyable listen from start to finish. It’s a big undertaking to take on Bruce Springsteen (”Hungry Heart”), Elton John (”Daniel”), and Rod Stewart (”Young Turks”). It’s possibly a bigger adventure to take on the bizarre or slightly less-deserving like Milli Vanilli (”Girl You Know It’s True”) or LL Cool J (”I Need Love”). Regardless, the culmination of Sexton Blake Plays The Hits! is worth exploring even if out of sheer intrigue.

We got our first taste of Sexton Blake when he contributed his take of Elliot Smith’s “Rose Parade” to the To: Elliott From: Portland compilation last year. It was a fitting contribution seeing that Blake’s warm and whispered delivery is most often compared to the late Smith.

With so many good selections it was hard to decide which track to let you preview. We’ve been on a big Sir Elton kick around MoB HQ lately, so we’ll hit you up with Sexton Blake’s cover of “Daniel.”

Buy: CD Baby
Myspace: Sexton Blake
MP3: Sexton Blake - Daniel (Elton John cover)

Bonus: My Morning Jacket - Rocket Man (Elton John cover)

We continue to find our ears monopolized by folk-singer songwriter types, especially A.A. Bondy’s American Hearts record. It’s certainly hard to break the mold of this category, but Bondy manages to leave his signature stamp on it with his warm sound and thoughtful lyrics.

Filled with barroom tales, introspective thoughts, and, of course, love. This record is another one to add to your “on the road” mix. Enjoy our favorite tune, “There’s A Reason” below, we’re specifically smitten with the line, “the love that’s tearing you down, is the love that will turn you around.”

Myspace: A.A. Bondy
MP3: A.A. Bondy - There’s A Reason

MoB favorite Feist stopped by the Late Show with David Letterman last night and brought along a slew of indie rock heavy hitters featuring members of the New Pornographers, Mates of State, Grizzly Bear, Broken Social Scene and The National.

If you can’t view the video above, follow this link to dive in.

Myspace: Feist
MoB: We Like: Feist - The Reminder
MoB: Tuesday’s Gold: What We Recommend #9

Each Tuesday stop by Muzzle of Bees for our recommended purchases for the week. Here are the albums we suggest for the release date of August 28th:

Artist: Aesop Rock
Album: None Shall Pass
Label: Def Jux
Myspace: Aesop Rock
Video: None Shall Pass
Upcoming: 9/14 - The Barrymore, Madison | 9/15 - Pabst Theater, Milwaukee
MoB: Form fitting and driving, Aesop Rock delivers a huge record that is sure to continue his rise to the top. Bonus props to him for bringing The Mountain Goats‘ John Darnielle in to perform on the track “Coffee.”

Artist: Liars
Album: Liars
Label: Mute
Myspace: Liars
Video: Plaster Casts Of Everything
MoB: “With each passing listen you’ll find a new crevice, something undetected previously, enabling each listen to be as fresh and exciting as the first time you hit play on your ipod.” Read the rest of our review here.

Download: eMusic
Buy: Insound

The race for my second favorite album of the year has been underway for a couple months now. Boxer, the brilliant follow up to our 2005 favorite Alligator has certainly locked down the number one record of 2007 for us here at MoB.

We’ve been lucky enough to see the band a bunch of times this year, and each time, though similar, holds a different but meaningful memory. We were thrilled to help present their recent Madison stop at the High Noon Saloon and are anxiously awaiting their performance at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on Friday, September 21st. Joining them on this tour will be another MoB favorite and Tuesday’s Gold approved, St. Vincent.

Muzzle of Bees would like to send you and a friend to the upcoming Milwaukee show. Since we’re a big fan of the lyrics on Boxer, please leave a comment letting us know your favorite line or two, and we’ll select one winner at random.

Update (9/4/07): We chose a winner at random today. Dan, who was lucky number 12 won with his favorite lyric, “Hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo for hours, la la la la.” Thanks to everyone for your submissions, and we’ll see you at the Pabst!

Related: Download 4 Free MP3’s from the National’s Daytrotter Session.

Myspace: The National
MP3: The National - Fake Empire
Video: The National - Mistaken For Strangers

Lymbyc Systym and MoB favorite The One AM Radio played the Annex last night, and despite a visit to the hangover hall of fame courtesy of a wedding on Saturday night, we made it to the venue in time to watch Lymbyc Systym impress the hell out of us.

Playing an abbreviated set, Lymbyc Systym is two parts, drums and keys. Their sound embodies everything I loved the first time I heard Muse or Four Tet. They released Love Your Abuser at the beginning of the year on Mush Records, which we’re wading through today - so far so good.

I was glad they made up the backing band for The One AM Radio, their set definitely took me by surprise last night, here’s hoping the next time they swing through town more people show up.

Myspace: Lymbyc Systym
Myspace: The One Am Radio
MP3: Lymbyc Systym - Truth Skull
MP3: The One Am Radio - Mercury(Remixed by Lymbyc Systym)

Here are the Wisconsin shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list.

8/27 - Talib Kweli - Barrymore, Madison
8/27 - Rufus Wainwright/The Magic Numbers - Pabst Theater, Milwaukee
8/30 - The Detroit Cobras/Willowz - Mad Planet, Milwaukee
9/1 - Cloud Cult - High Noon Saloon, Madison

+Remember to bookmark our shows page for all your Wisconsin concert announcements+

A wonderful trio of bands/artists who have all played Madison separately in the not too distant past have been confirmed for the High Noon Saloon on Thursday, November 8th.

11/8 - Cracker/Jason Isbell/Backyard Tire Fire - High Noon Saloon, Madison

Myspace: Cracker
Myspace: Jason Isbell
Myspace: Backyard Tire Fire

MoB: 5 Questions with Backyard Tire Fire
MoB: Backyard Tire Fire: Vagabonds and Hooligans
MoB: Review: Backyard Tire Fire @ The High Noon Saloon

+Remember to bookmark our shows page for all your Wisconsin concert announcements+

Horse Feathers released Words Are Dead a year ago, and with the recent their Daytrotter Session already under their belt we couldn’t be happier to announce their return to Madison to play Cafe Montmartre on Saturday, September 29th..

We thought their album was one of the best releases of 2006, and think you’ll love them too. Don’t miss your chance to see these guys for $7.

Highly recommended for fans of Iron & Wine, Califone and Neutral Milk Hotel.

Myspace: Horse Feathers

+Remember to bookmark our shows page for all your Wisconsin concert announcements+