The 20 Best Albums of 2011 (So Far) - Josh Jackson

The 20 Best Albums of 2011 (So Far) - Josh Jackson

This week, Paste staffers will be making their personal picks for the best albums of the first half of 2011. We reserve the right to rearrange these in our minds weekly, realize that some shouldn’t be on here at all and maybe even decide to add James Blake by year’s end. But right at this moment, here are my Top 20 albums of 2011 (so far)....  read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

10 New Songs For The 2011 Summer

10 New Songs For The 2011 Summer

It’s hard to say what makes a perfect summer anthem. Usually it contains something that immediately inspires a little shoulder shakin’ or hip swayin’. Something that engages the ears without taxing the brain, a song whose power is its ability to make a summer seem longer and further disentangled from the monotony of daily life. Oh, and whistling....  read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

Seven Great Graduation Songs

Seven Great Graduation Songs

For years, a few songs have become graduation standards: Boyz II Men's "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye," Eve 6's "Here's to the Night" and Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)." These songs are getting old.   read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

The Low Anthem, Iron & Wine To Release Split 12" of Daytrotter Sessions

The Low Anthem, Iron & Wine To Release Split 12" of Daytrotter Sessions

In (late) celebration of Record Store Day, The Low Anthem and Iron & Wine have plans to release a split 12" of their Daytrotter sessions. Only 1000 copies of the limited edition release will be produced, sold exclusively through “mom and pop” record stores, with a few copies available through Daytrotter and the bands’ respective websites....  read more

Found in: Music, News

100 Tasty Bands Combine to Form 50 Tastier Bands

100 Tasty Bands Combine to Form 50 Tastier Bands

After sifting through the infinite internet, we found it curious how many band names involve food. Then we decided to combine two food-related bands (Iron & Wine, String Cheese Incident) to form an entirely new, even tastier band (Wine & String Cheese). Sometimes they even create a whole new food item (Chocolate Honey Cone)....  read more

Found in: Music, Features

The 25 Best Songs of 2011
(So Far)

The 25 Best Songs of 2011<br>(So Far)

I’m the first to admit I get unreasonably excited about music. I approach my job like the prospectors of old, and each new nugget I come across feels like striking gold. To carry that metaphor way too far, 2011 feels a lot like 1849—there’s been so much good music already in this first quarter. Here are 25 songs that make me dance like Yosemite Sam. (I told you I was going to take that metaphor too far.)...  read more

Found in: Blogs, List of the Day

Iron & Wine Announce Additional Tour Dates

Iron & Wine Announce Additional Tour Dates

Sam Beam is coming to your town. And he's bringing The Low Anthem with him.  read more

Found in: Music, News

Wilco, Death Cab, Modest Mouse, Flaming Lips Lead 2011 Sasquatch Lineup

Wilco, Death Cab, Modest Mouse, Flaming Lips Lead 2011 Sasquatch Lineup

Late last night, Sasquatch Music Festival revealed their 2011 lineup, with the Foo Fighters, Death Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse and Wilco confirmed as main acts for the West Coast festival. The Flaming Lips will also headline the festival, performing their acclaim record, The Soft Bulletin, in its entirety....  read more

Found in: Music, News

Catching Up With... Iron & Wine

Catching Up With... Iron & Wine

"I thought it would be much like all the records; they’re heavy records lyrically. They talk about life—the good and the bad, warts and all..."  read more

Found in: Music, Features

Watch Iron & Wine on Conan

Watch Iron & Wine on <em>Conan</em>

It’s no secret that Iron & Wine has been on repeat around Paste HQ lately. Yesterday, we gave the newest release from Sam Beam, Kiss Each Other Clean, our full-fledged approval. And last night, Iron & Wine brought a sample of the new album to Conan O’ Brien’s late-night stage. You can watch Beam and his seven-piece band performing “Tree By The River” below....  read more

Found in: Music, News
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