Iron & Wine will release Around the Well, “a 2-CD/3-LP collection of rare tracks ranging from out-of-print to never-before-released” via Sub Pop on May 19th, 2009. Around the Well is the official release of the many outtakes that have rattled around the internet over the years in one all-encompassing collection. “The double-disc collection is broken up into two sections. The first half is an assortment of hushed home recordings, unedited and raw, and the second highlights moments captured in the confines of proper studios with the help of other musicians, friends and engineers.”

Chicago fans listen up, the band will play two very special shows in the city, including a very intimate performance at Schubas! For both shows the band is allowing fans to determine the set lists via their website and will be making each show available for download here. Good stuff!

5/12 – Iron & Wine – Lakeshore Theatre
5/13 – Iron & Wine – Schuba’s

Iron and Wine, Around the Well Track Listing –> (more…)

If you follow me on Twitter you’re sure to be familiar with my current infatuation with Iran’s Dissolver. The album was released digitally this week and gets a proper physical release next week.

Led by Aaron Aites, whose vocals provide the most perfect overlay to some of Kyp Malone’s best guitar work to date. Pitchfork’s review yesterday came off a little salty and reluctant to let a band change things up a bit. The album is most certainly louder and more direct than the group’s previous output. Aites describes the new album as “very hi-fi”, “more structured” and more “fully fleshed out.” The pinnacle of the album is “Buddy,” a rocker that starts out slow enough and eventually builds into a frantic ball of energy with Aites pleading “I Think You Should Stay Where You Are Cause I’m Dying” as the guitar fizzles away. Great stuff, one of the year’s best tracks for sure.

The group is scheduled to play a few stints at SXSW next month. It’s a show that sits atop my can’t miss list of this year’s adventures in Austin. Cop two tracks, “Buddy” and “I Can See The Future” as a free and legal download below.

Buy: Iran – Dissolver
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Myspace: Iran
MP3: Iran – “Buddy”
MP3: Iran – “I Can See The Future”

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Elsewhere:

Wilco: Ashes of American Flags DVD Trailer
Aquarium Drunkard: Charlie Louvin :: The AD Interview
Drowned In Sound: Sonic Youth reveal details about new album The Eternal

I’ll add Vetiver’s Tight Knit to my short list of favorites for the year thus far. I supremely enjoyed Thing of the Past and it’s follow-up More of the Past. If you’re familiar with their San Francisco sound you’ll need little convincing in picking up the album next week via Sub Pop.

If this is your first listen, think of them as a dreamier version of the Fleet Foxes. A band that took good musical notes on their supporting tour of the Black Crowes and earned a hat-tip from Gary Louris as a result. If you’ve got a well-worn copy of Neil Young’s Harvest in your collection, this could be it’s counterpart in this era.

Great as Tight Knit sounds now, where the winter meets the spring, I can’t wait till it soundtracks those lazy summer mornings and late night bonfires. Grab a listen to the track “Everyday” as a free and legal download below.

Buy: Vetiver – Tight Knit
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Myspace: Vetiver
MP3: Vetiver – “Everyday”

Muzzle of Bees is thrilled to be bringing Strand of Oaks to Madison. If you’ve yet to introduce yourself to the beauty that is Leave Ruin, please do so immediately. Some are hailing it as the For Emma, Forever Ago of 2009 and Rolling Stone just summed it up perfectly as “devastating, gorgeous songs about loss and heartbreak.”

Strand of Oaks will play Cafe Montmartre on Sunday, April 12th.
Tickets: $7
Buy Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets

Previously: Muzzle of Bees Interview :: Strand of Oaks
Previously: Video: Strand of Oaks – “Two Kids” (Live)
Previously: Strand Of Oaks :: Leave Ruin

Buy: Amazon Digital ($7.99)
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Myspace: Strand of Oaks
MP3: Strand Of Oaks – “End In Flames”

The above image is one of my favorites of the year. Coincidentally, Andrew Bird’s Noble Beast is also an early favorite of mine. I cannot resist its near daily call for a once through. That’s also lead me to troll his back catalog and rediscover old favorites. Bird’s two shows at Chicago’s Civic Opera House are certainly tugging at me to attend, though I’m going to cross my fingers and hope for a Wisconsin date later in the year.

On the subject of Wisconsin shows, I’m gonna share one of my old Andrew Bird shows from the now-defunct Luther’s Blues. Many will probably remember the place and its shows just as I do, and this one is certainly a keeper. Containing songs that would eventually appear on Bird’s zenith recording, The Mysterious Production of Eggs three years later, this is a great recording for any Andrew Bird fan. The show features wonderful contributions/vocals from Nora O’Connor.

Andrew Bird Live :: Luther’s Blues, Madison (11/2/2002)

Listen/Download:
1. Why?
2. Opposite Day
3. Action / Adventure
4. 11:11
5. Don’t Be Scared
6. Banking On A Myth
7. Lull
8. Capital I
9. Skin
10. Blood
11. Richmond Woman
12. Right On
13. Headsoak
14. Two Way Action

Buy: Noble Beast / Useless Creatures (Deluxe Edition)
Myspace: Andrew Bird

Muzzle of Bees is proud to present Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson’s at the Majestic Theatre on Tuesday, March 24th. Miles topped the list of favorites at last year’s Monolith Festival that went down at Red Rocks in Colorado.

Get a great introduction to Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson’s material by downloading his four-song Daytrotter session. You can’t afford to ignore an artist whose debut record includes guest spots from members of Grizzly Bear and Kyp Malone of TV On The Radio.

Support: Hoots & Hellmouth
Tickets: $10 Advance / $12 Day of Show
On Sale: Friday, February 13th @ 10am

Buy: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
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Myspace: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
MP3: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – “Buriedfed”

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