Fleet Foxes announced the release of their new album, Helplessness Blues, out May 3rd (album art above). The band also announced an initial run of tour dates and provided an audio stream of the new album’s title track which you can hear by clicking the above image.

Discuss: What do you think of the track?

J. Tillman holds down drum duties for Fleet Foxes. He’s got a steady back catalog of releases that I urge you to pick up in turn. You’ll also want to pick up a copy of Vacilando Territory Blues from which the above song/video for “Firstborn” comes.

Buy: J. Tillman – Vacilando Territory Blues

Myspace: J. Tillman

It’s near impossible to fathom that Fleet Foxes self-titled release will not end up in my top five favorite records of the year. Having seen them three times in person this year, they are quickly becoming my favorite band.

Fleet Foxes – “He Doesn’t Know Why”

Previously: From The Crowd | Fleet Foxes – “English House”
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Myspace: Fleet Foxes
MP3: Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”

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

We kicked off our Saturday by seeing the Fleet Foxes for the third time this year. They were absolutely incredible, one of my favorites sets of the day as the band continues to top themselves each time I see them. On top of that, their onstage banter/comedy was unexpected, but very funny.

The Drive-By Truckers put on a tight demonstration of Southern Rock the way it should be. The highlight was the extended story intro of “18 Wheels of Love,” which if you haven’t seen live, hope you do the next time you catch DBT. I caught Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears on the recommendation of many and was glad I did. They guy makes no secret his desire to be the next James Brown, and if this young Texan keeps at it, he’s got the pipes and musical talent to make him famous. Britt Daniel was in the crowd for this set, which is fitting enough, consider Britt worked on Black Joe’s record.

Erykah Badu started her set in typical diva fashion – late. Despite her tardiness, I was absolutely enamored with her set. It was my first time seeing her and it was great watching her huge band and huge beats, all powered by her huge hair! Going from one extreme to the other, I next checked out John Fogerty, whose set was a nod to the greatness he created with Credence Clearwater Revival. Honestly, people all around lost their heads as Fogerty rolled out one CCR tune after another. It was just about as close as I’ll ever get to seeing and hearing a band that was on heavy rotation during my youth.

Going into this festival, the headliners did very little for me. I wasn’t really interested or excited about seeing any of them. On Friday, I stuck around and was rewarded with a great closing set from Manu Chao. Last night offered the dilemma of choosing between Robert Plant & Allison Kraus or seeing Beck. All day I was set on seeing the former as I’d never seen them before and have seen Beck plenty of times. That changed around 6pm when the excitement around the festival convinced me that seeing Beck was the right thing to do. I’m glad I did. Starting his set out with “Loser” was an absolute shock (didn’t think he played that anymore) and a catapult into a set that was filled with generous samples from his catalog including Modern Guilt material for the first time, which sounded great. It ended up being my favorite set of the day. Make sure you check him out on this tour.

Fleet Foxes

José González

Drive-By Truckers

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Erykah Badu

John Fogerty

Iron & Wine

Beck

Two MoB favorites teamed up for a beautiful take on The Band’s Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” at their recent show in Spokane. Find the MP3 from the video above at I Am Fuel, You Are Friends.

Previously: Photos: Fleet Foxes – Terrace, Madison
Previously: From The Crowd | Fleet Foxes – “English House”
Previously: Review: Blitzen Trapper/Fleet Foxes – High Noon Saloon

Myspace: Wilco
Myspace: Fleet Foxes
MP3: Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”

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

I’ve seen the Fleet Foxes three times already this year and each time tops the previous one. Lots of people crammed the terrace last month for the beautiful harmonies the group has come to call their trademark. I can speak honestly in saying they are one of the best touring bands going these days.

The Fleet Foxes play Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater on Friday, October 10th for another $10 show. Chicago fans can catch them two nights later (10/12) at the Metro.

View the rest of their tour dates at P4K

Previously: Photos: Fleet Foxes – Terrace, Madison
Previously: From The Crowd | Fleet Foxes – “English House”
Previously: Review: Blitzen Trapper/Fleet Foxes – High Noon Saloon

Photo: Ed Oliver
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Myspace: Fleet Foxes
MP3: Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”

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

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