New Modest Mouse EP & Video Directed By Heath Ledger

Modest Mouse released their EP 'No One's First, and You're Next
' yesterday which culls b-sides as well as tracks from several 7" vinyl releases over the past year. Coinciding with this release, is the appearance of the video for King Rat conceived and directed by the late Heath Ledger. Ledger's vision, to bring added awareness to illegal commercial whale hunting, wasn't fully realized until after his death. Ledger was a partner in a film/music company known as THE MASSES, who took it upon themselves to complete the video true to the original vision and in honor of the fallen actor. The video can be downloaded from iTunes with proceeds from the first month going to the non-profit Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Enjoy.

New Pearl Jam Track "The Fixer"

Really solid track from a band that has been slowly coming back to me. BTW, check the video at YouTube for a surprise.

New Track From The National (MP3 Added)

The National traveled north of the border and dropped in on Canada's Studio Q recently. They played a few tracks including this new one. Given my absolute love for both Alligator & Boxer, I really can't wait for a new record.

The National - Runaway (mp3 rip from video)

U2's Get Your Boots On is...

Meh. We now have the first single off the new U2 record, No Line of the Horizon (due March 3), and still all I can muster is meh. Personally, I kinda think it sounds as if "Vertigo" had been recorded during the POP sessions. Maybe it will grow on me. I'm still holding out hope for the new record.

Get On Your Boots - U2

Download The New Neko Case Single & Help The Best Friends Animal Society

Anti- Records is offering up a free download of "People Got A Lotta Nerve," the first single from Neko Case's new album Middle Cyclone If that wasn't enough, they are also donating $5 to the Best Friends Animal Society for each blog posting the song and $1 for each iLike user who adds it to his/her profile.

Best Friends Animal Society operates Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, an enormous no-kill shelter in Utah. The Natural Geographic Channel series Dogtown is one part of the sanctuary.

Middle Cyclone, set to drop on March 3 will follow 2006's critically acclaimed Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. Personally, I could listen to both Fox Confessor and 2002's Blacklisted on an endless loop. Neko is equally comfortable and adept working in Alt. Country as she is in Pop or Rock. The new track is more in the vein of her part-time band, The New Pornographers, than the dark Alt. Country tinged Blacklisted. No matter what she is doing though, the beautiful voice and melodies are Neko through and through.

Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve (mp3)