I just concluded my first listen of the upcoming 4-song EP from Hot Chip, featuring contributions from Robert Wyatt and Geese.

It’s a great follow up to Made In The Dark, which made our list of favorite releases of 2008. You can currently download the track “We’re Looking For A Lot of Love” from the new EP for free right here.

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | Amazon

Cracker will play an acoustic set at the High Noon Saloon on Thursday, February 5th.

Tickets: $15 Advance / $17 Day Of Show / 21+

Related: 5 Questions with Johnny Hickman (Cracker)
Revisiting: Cracker :: Greenland

Photo: Lynn Crounse
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Myspace: Cracker
MP3: Cracker – “The World Is Mine” (Live in Berlin)

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | Amazon

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

Muzzle of Bees + WMSE 91.7 FM have teamed up to bring Milwaukee fans of Animal Collective a very special first listen to Merriweather Post Pavilion. The event will begin at 7pm on Tuesday, January 6th at Burnheart’s in Bay View.

We’ll have exclusive giveaways, including download cards, posters, etc. You’ll also be able to purchase a copy of Merriweather Post Pavilion on vinyl (w/digital download) via the Exclusive Company. Of course the highlight of the evening will be dropping the needle down and getting that first listen of what is certainly one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2009. See you there.

Merriweather Post Pavilion will be available in all formats on Tuesday, January 20th via Domino Records.

Myspace: Animal Collective

Below is a list of my favorite records from 2008. I could have easily made a list of 50. It was pretty hard to narrow things down and most of the records after #10 could move up or down depending on my mood. The same could be said for the “honorable mentions” at the end of my list. So, check out my 30 favorite records of 2008 and make sure to click through at the end to check the favorites of our contributors as well! Thanks for a great 2008, we’re looking forward to 2009. Enjoy the holidays! As always, drop a comment with your favorites, things you liked, things we missed, etc.

30. The Celebrated Workingman – Herald The Dickens

29. Q-Tip – The Renaissance

28. No Kids – Come Into My House
MP3: No Kids – “The Beaches All Closed”

27. Throw Me the Statue – Moonbeams
MP3: Throw Me The Statue – “About To Walk”

26. The Felice Brothers – The Felice Brothers
MP3: The Felice Brothers – “Frankie’s Gun”
MP3: The Felice Brothers – “Wonderful Life”

25. Deerhunter – Microcastle

24. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cardinology

23. Jason Collett – Here’s To Being Here

22. Alejandro Escovedo – Real Animal
MP3: Alejandro Escovedo – “Always A Friend”

21. Hot Chip – Made In The Dark

20. Centro-matic/South San Gabriel – Dual Hawks
MP3: Centro-Matic – “I, The Kite”
MP3: South San Gabriel – “Trust To Lose”

19. The Cool Kids – Bake Sale

18. Matt Bauer – The Island Moved in the Storm
MP3: Matt Bauer – “Don’t Let Me Out”

17. Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark

16. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

15. Girl Talk – Feed the Animals

14. Black Mountain – In The Future
MP3: Black Mountain – “Tyrants”

13. TV on the Radio – Dear Science,

12. Justin Townes Earle – The Good Life

11. Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping

10. Horse Feathers – House with No Name
MP3: Horse Feathers – “Curs In The Weeds”

9. Langhorne Slim – Langhorne Slim
MP3: Langhorne Slim – “Restless”
MP3: Langhorne Slim – “Rebel Side of Heaven”

8. Dr. Dog – Fate
MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Old Days”
MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Ark”

7. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive

6. The Walkmen – You & Me

5. David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

4. Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight
MP3: Frightened Rabbit – “Modern Leper”

3. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

2. My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
MP3: My Morning Jacket – “Evil Urges”

1. Blitzen Trapper – Furr
MP3: Blitzen Trapper – “Furr”

Honorable Mentions: The Rosebuds – Life Like, The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound, The Henry Clay People – For Cheap Or For Free, Spiritualized – Songs in A&E, Hayes Carll – Trouble in Mind, Sun Kil Moon – April, The Black Keys – Attack & Release, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig, Lykke Li – Youth Novels, Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst, Shearwater – Rook, Pale Young Gentlemen – Black Forrest (Tra La La), Megafaun – Bury the Square

CLICK HERE TO READ 2008 FAVORITES FROM Jodi, Dan, Ed, Eric, & Pete (more…)

Lots of fun last night at the Barrymore. Bon Iver was definitely happy to be back home in Wisconsin and the crowd was happy to entertain. Below are my 7 highlights from the night, all photos by Ed Oliver.

7 Highlights/Reflections/Remembrances of Bon Iver + The Tallest Man On Earth in Madison

1. The Tallest Man On Earth – Everyone was in place early last night. Everyone got turned onto the awesomeness that is Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man On Earth. A great performer, a great musician. Ended his set with a Son House cover. So good.
MP3: The Tallest Man On Earth – “Pistol Dreams”

2. “Beach Baby” – The Bon Iver set began with this new one from the Blood Bank EP. This one rivals “Blood Bank” as a favorite of mine of the new material. Both were absolutely huge live.

3. Blood Bank EP on vinyl – So nice to be able to get this four-song gem on wax. Picked up a copy for myself and some additional ones for friends.

4. “Creature Fear” – Was the absolute pinnacle for me. Hairs on the back of my neck were all at attention by the end of this song. One of the strongest and hardest-hitting musical memories ever.

5. “Your Love” – I almost wish I hadn’t seen and heard their cover of The Outfield’s “Your Love” before going into the show. It was gorgeous and so fun to watch and listen as everyone began to realize what they were hearing and singing along.

6. “For Emma” – Justin described writing the song in one sitting after family members (who were in the audience) had come to visit him at his now infamous cabin in the Wisconsin woods.

7. Bus not a Van – The guys left Madison en route back to their hometown of Eau Claire in a bus, not a van. Really nice to see such great representatives of Wisconsin making it.

Discuss: Leave your thoughts and reviews in the comments. Did you like the new material?

Good Winter! Safe travels to the show tonight. It’s going to be a great evening. Enjoy the above video recording of Bon Iver’s cover of The Outfield’s “Your Love” (aka “I Don’t Want To Lose Your Love Tonight”).