One of the most rewarding parts of having C+A+D, other than being able to share music and information with you all, is helping out bands we really love. Starfucker is debatably the most fun band I have ever seen perform live. The energy at one of their shows can’t be compared. They’re wizards with their synths and wonder-workers with the turn tables. Check their free remixtape here. They are playing a DJ set in LA at The Central :: Social Aid & Pleasure Club, and in honor of that we have a copy of their amazing Reptilians LP up for grabs! The place sounds exotic. Find out how to win after the jump.

Buy $8 tickets to their show!

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Philip Mendoza

The Shins FaceBook | Event Photos | Buy PORT OF MORROW

We had the opportunity to snag tickets last week to the Shins performance at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles. We got there just in time to see Washed Out play Amor Fati, closing up his opening act. The Shins took the stage shortly after. I must admit I wasn’t sure what to expect, having never seen an indie band play at such a large venue before. The New Mexico five-piece delivered a stellar performance from beginning to end. They opened with Caring Is Creepy and closed with Sleeping Lessons, returning to the stage for a three-song encore. Their set was a healthy blend of new songs and old classics including Phantom Limb, Kissing the Lipless, Girl Sailor, The Rifle’s Spiral, Australia, Simple Song and It’s Only Life.

The Shins possess the kind of synergy and raw talent it takes to make for a great live performance. Their energy was contagious throughout the entire show; it was great to see an audience of that size so into the music. With the kind of skill they have as a band, it is not a surprise that they are such a commanding stage presence. The title track from their most recent release Port of Morrow was chill-inducing, with an ethereal vibe that filled the entire theater. Sleeping Lessons and New Slang were arguably the highlights of the show. It’s great to see a band of their caliber still going strong after so many years. Many of us can agree, The Shins were a gate-way drug into great music.

Australia
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/ze%20shinz/02%20Australia.mp3]
Bait and Switch
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/ze%20shinz/04%20Bait%20And%20Switch.mp3]
Phantom Limb
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/ze%20shinz/04%20Phantom%20Limb.mp3]
Turn On Me
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/ze%20shinz/07%20Turn%20On%20Me.mp3]

Hey friends! I just made it back to the states yesterday from my South American adventure. All I can say right now is that no matter who you are; what you believe in; or where you’re from, traveling is the best thing you can do with your life…and the next best thing is going to as many concerts as possible. Which brings me to my next point! We felt it was time to have another giveaway, and thanks to LiveNation, it’s about to go down. The Shins are playing at the Gibson Amphitheater in LA tomorrow, but it doesn’t end there: Washed Out is opening for them! This show is going to be a hoot and a half, and we want to help our friends get there. Check after the jump to find out how you can win:

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There’s a sort of confidence to be garnered when age-old piano melodies make even the dustiest sentiments sound like truth. Minneapolis chamber-folk sextet Dark Dark Dark are set to drop their next album “Who Needs Who” October 2 via Supply and Demand and it’s sure to be full to the brim with the musical equivalent of antique photos from a seemingly more romantic time. “How It Went Down” is a haunting preview of what’s to come, much like a trailer for some heart wrenching unreleased film from when your parents were kids. Or that’s how I see it. Comparisons like this are bound to be made all over the place. There’s something idealized in it, even if it does offer truth, a feeling that everything will work out in the third and final act. The song’s delicately graceful buildup offers a sense of escape behind a painful reminder that nothing really changes.

Dark Dark Dark – How It Went Down
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/dark%20dark%20dark/How%20It%20Went%20Down.mp3]

Indie-pop essentials Generationals recently released a single “Lucky Numbers” to their website. It’s carefree fun, it’s had me jamming all day. Maybe this means they’ve got a new album on the way? I’m getting my hopes up. Enjoy.

Generationals on FaceBook | Generationals on iTunes

Lucky Numbers
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/generationals/Lucky%20Numbers.mp3]

Free Candy

These Habits
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/generationals/10%20These%20Habits.mp3]
I Promise
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/generationals/02%20I%20Promise.mp3]

Denton, Texas duo The Colurs are near the top of my list of artists to look out for. They’ve released three tracks up for free download on their website. They sport a fresh and sweet indie pop sensibility that is bound to light up the blogosphere is upcoming months. It’s a tad early to determine just what their gig is but it looks promising. They’re on my radar and should be on yours too.

The Colurs on FaceBook | The Colurs on Twitter

Easy To Love
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20colurs/Easy%20To%20Love.mp3]
Julia
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20colurs/Julia.mp3]
Washed Away
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20colurs/Washed%20Away.mp3]

Muse, UK’s pride and glory, are preparing to release their sixth studio album at the beginning of October. Their first single off the album is reminiscent of the Black Holes and Revelations style that had me obsessed with their sound. Art rock seemingly produced from the depths of the galaxy. While they embrace the electronic influences of the UK, the guitar solos and orchestral rhythms they’ve established in the past are still prevalent. Matthew Bellamy’s voice is one I don’t see myself get tired of anytime soon. You can preorder The 2nd Law by clicking here. 13 new tracks from Muse? I say yes!

Madness (192)
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/01%20Madness.mp3]

Here’s a video I got from their performance at OSL in 2011. Mind blowing…