Fiona Apple - 'Every Single Night'

The great Fiona returns after a long hiatus. Her latest single is entitled 'Every Single Night' and features the controlled delicacy she has always been adored for.

Stream the track in the Soundcloud app below:

Caught On Tape: Nirvana on Top of the Pops (1991)

One of the best television performances from any band would have to include the mockery that was Nirvana's 1991 appearance on the British show, Top of the Pops.

Following the incredible breakthrough of Nirvana's single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the band was thrown into a whirlwind of unexpected fame and attention. The single catapulted the band from indie-rock heroes to crossover alternative pop culture icons.

The band's audience changed overnight from seedy punk rock clubs to arenas full of teenage girls and jocks - something frontman Kurt Cobain allegedly sought to rectify later with the band's less-accessible, but equally magnificent follow-up album, In Utero.

In the wake of newfound fame and success, the band was asked to perform on Top of the Pops - a chart-toppers countdown program, which featured pop stars miming their hit singles to an audience.

Cobain's general distaste for corporate puppetry influenced the band to use the opportunity as a platform for poking fun at the show's formula.

When Nirvana aired on Top of the Pops, Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic barely attempted to mime their guitar parts over the pre-recorded backing track. In fact, Novoselic spent most of the song wildly spinning and throwing his bass above his head and catching it.

Cobain took advantage of the show's live microphone to sing the entire song in a monotone, Ian Curtis-style vocal.

The hilarious resulting video has since become a cult favorite amongst Nirvana fans and serving as a great reminder that the band's troubled late-frontman, Kurt Cobain, also possessed a keen sense of humor.

2:54 - "Scarlet"

This cold and lusty breath of atmospheric shoe-gaze goes by the name of "Scarlet". It's by 2:54, a British band, helmed by two sisters. There's a certain fragile carnality and heartaching adolescent angst behind the sleek veneer and dense rhythms of Cocteau Twins-meets-Mogwai post-rock.

You can watch the equally cool and ethereal video to "Scarlet" below:

2:54's self-titled debut album is due out on May 28, via Fiction Records. Visit the band's official site here for more information.

Bonus: listen to the band's latest single, "You're Early", via SoundCloud.

Grimes - "Oblivion"

Grimes, aka: Claire Boucher, is a Montreal-based artist who's been making waves all over the blogosphere as of late. And for good reason.

Grimes' latest music video is for "Oblivion", a track off her LP, Visions.

"Oblivion" sounds like Blondie's "Heart of Glass" thrown into a blender with Abba and Nine Inch Nails. If that seems like a strange cocktail, it's surprisingly not. The result is a rather eerie and unsettling, yet relentlessly poppy dance track.

In the video, Grimes is shown bouncing around (albeit somewhat out-of-place) to various testosterone-laden circumstances -- an arenacross show, a football game, a mosh pit, a locker room of half-toweled dudes... All the bare-chested revelry is an interesting complement to Grimes' quietly pristine vocals.

Watch the new video to "Oblivion" below:

Duncan Sheik - 'She Runs Away'

Duncan Sheik was one of the "Sheikiest" balladeers of the nineties. His mega hit, 'Barely Breathing,' moved millions of copies and provided millions more young ladies with romantic inspiration.

'She Runs Away' never escaped the shadow of 'Barely Breathing' on Duncan's self-titled disc, but it was nonetheless an enchanting groove.  Soft strings interpose the chorus, while Sheik's pleading vocal hooks and steel guitar seal the deal.

Take a trip to a time of pre-9/11 bliss and watch the video to 'She Runs Away' below:

Super Bowl Ad: Samsung feat. The Darkness

By far my top candidate for best Super Bowl commercial this past weekend was this Samsung stunner featuring The Darkness and their infamous mid-aughts hit, 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love.'  (This commercial is also my candidate for worst segue ever, but it still works).

See for yourself how great this ad is below:

Gotye - 'Somebody That I Used to Know'

Gotye is one of the big "new acts" of 2012.  Born in Belgium and raised in Australia, Gotye--aka Wally De Backer--presents a contemplative and layered joy of a song.  The call and response, in particular, really sells this one.

Watch the video to 'Somebody That I Used to Know' by Gotye below:

Local Artist Spotlight: The River Monks

The River Monks are a splendidly multi-talented indie-folk collective, hailing from the capital city of Des Moines, Iowa.

Des Moines, after all, is French for "The Monks" (or perhaps, "The Moines", if you ask a local). The city gets its name from the Des Moines River which flows through its downtown. In the 18th century, a group of Trappist monks built huts and used the mouth of the river for catching fish, which led French explorers to name it Le Riviere des Moines.

This interest in the origins of the state's rich history speaks to the local pride of The River Monks. This is a young group of locally-grown musicians who've found a pull to make their mark on their own city's musical landscape. With every grassroots performance, the band has gathered a loving fan base.

These performances are warm, humble and inviting. Delicate 5-part harmonies resonate over layers of guitar, ukulele, banjo and glockenspiel. Percussion crescendos into triumphant fits of passion and jubilant trumpeting, then instantaneously backs down to reveal an even deeper sensibility beneath.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know these artists a little bit better over the past few months and after seeing them play again last night, feel confident that they deserve to be heard beyond their home state. Which is great, because they are just about to embark on a month-long tour both South and West.

For details on where you can catch The River Monks on the road and to purchase music from their terrific debut album, Jovials, visit the band's Facebook page or Bandcamp page.

Listen below to samples of the songs, "Pelica" and "Fall Hard" by The River Monks:

Pelica by THERIVERMONKS

Fall Hard by THERIVERMONKS

He's My Brother, She's My Sister

He's My Brother, She's My Sister is the odd, yet aptly named musical collaboration of brother and sister Rob and Rachel Kolar.

The group's energetic folk-a-billy lifted the crowd at The Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines, Iowa last night.

Rob and Rachel share vocal duties with a rich, soulful kinship. Rob's on guitar and kick-drum. Rachel's on tambourine. The songwriting is strong and the harmonies are vibrant and very catchy, but it's the rhythm section that truly rounds out this band.

Aaron Robinson and Oliver Newell fill the air with slide guitar and upright bass, respectively. Oliver is especially lively - dancing and smiling jubilantly from behind his hand-painted bass.

But it's percussionist Lauren Brown who could be vying for the title of Hardest Working Lady in Showbiz. She thunders on drums, sure. She also tap-dances the majority of their live performance. On top of a bass drum. You get tired just watching her, but it's fabulously entertaining.

As I watched the performance last night, I thought, "This is happy music." I could see it on the band's faces. As I watched them careening through jangly melodies like a band of glammed-out gypsies, it was awfully hard not to smile, myself.

Fans of acts such as Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and Tilly and the Wall should most definitely give He's My Brother, She's My Sister a deeper listen, particularly at one of their great live shows.

He's My Brother, She's My Sister is currently on tour. For dates and more info on where to find their music, visit: www.hesmybrothershesmysister.com

Watch a performance of "Tales That I Tell" by He's My Brother, She's My Sister below:

Lana Del Rey - 'Born to Die'

After years performing in clubs in New York City for crowds of ten or less, Lana Del Rey is finally receiving the exposure she deserves.  Indeed, she is slated to perform this Saturday on SNL.

The sixties-inspired vocal siren is scheduled to drop her major label debut later this month.  And one of my favorite singles from the forthcoming album is 'Born to Die.'

You can watch the official video to 'Born to Die' below:

Cass McCombs - 'The Same Thing'

'The Same Thing' is the latest slow burner from the fretful, but charming, Cass McCombs.  Full of shoe gaze haze in the beginning, the single really hits its stride right around the 2:04 mark with blooming chorus and fragrant pipe organ.

Watch the video to 'The Same Thing' below:

Mastodon in NYC

Merry Christmas all!! Or as Tae and I would say, Happy Birthday Jesus!! Hank here, I'm still alive, not dead (yet). Posting from my new locale of Fort Myers, FL.

Just thought I 'd post a pic of myself (at left in the 'Ohio' t-shirt) with Lonely Note supporter Kellen, hanging out with the lead singer of Mastodon, Brent Hinds.

We were in NYC for a wedding, and just happened to be walking down the street, and we noticed the band outside of their hotel. Kellen and I recognized Brent by his trademark head tattoo. Was a very cool dude, very friendly and appreciative of our support. They were in town to play that night at Terminal 5, headlining the show with Dillinger Escape Plan as openers

I have previously seen Mastodon, opening for Deftones and Alice in Chains at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis 2010. As you can imagine, the show was PHENOMENAL. Funny thing about the Mastodon set: Brent, Troy, and Bill all had the "Mastodon" look: shaggy hair, unshaven, rugged-looking like they had been on a tour bus for 2 weeks straight. Then, when the set was over, the drummer Brann stood up: He had on khaki shorts, a t-shirt, and what looked to be frosted-tips on his hair, almost like he was in an Abercrombie commercial. Hillarious!! Great set though, and they were super cool in NYC, so definitely nothing bad to say about them!!

Any of the readers have any good stories about seeing or meeting Mastodon, or any other good band stories?? I would be interested in hearing them. I have previously met Jared Leto and 30 Seconds to Mars, as well as their opener Saosin, and of course Tae and your trulys favorite, The Goodyear Pimps, but other than that no other back stage or up close personal encounters with any other bands (that I can remember??)

Well, from Tae, Steve, and myself at The Lonely Note, we wish you a very Merry Christmas 2011 and Happy Holidays. Here's to a great 2012!!

Prince - 'Another Lonely Christmas'

Now for a festive post.

The b-side to the single 'I Would Die for U,' Prince's 'Another Lonely Christmas' is one of the most melodramatic Christmas songs out there. With schmaltzy lyrics about banana daiquiris and hokey hooks, 'Another Lonely Christmas' is nevertheless a cool and soulful holiday ballad.  Prince belts out his signature falsettos and vocal runs amidst killer guitar and bright piano licks.  It's a delight.

Stream 'Another Lonely Christmas' below:

	Prince - Another Lonely Christmas .mp3

St. Vincent - 'Cheerleader'

St. Vincent, a.k.a Annie Clark, hits her mark with her latest album, Strange Mercy.

One ear-catching track from the long player is 'Cheerleader.'  It begins innocently enough, with subtle hints of 'A Day in the Life' at its very outset, that quickly morphs into the expected trappings typical of most indie darlings.

But suddenly at the 0:50 mark, the track turns on a dime, blasting into sonic ecstasy while simultaneously proclaiming, "I don't want to be a cheerleader no more!"  The low-fi oscillates to the high-fi, and guitars, drums, and electronic dirge all kick in to chasten the listener with its glorious noise.

Stream 'Cheerleader' below:

	st. vincent cheerleader.mp3

Scars on 45 - 'Heart on Fire'

'Heart on Fire' caught me by surprise.  I was scanning SiriusXM when I settled on The Spectrum.  When I heard 'Heart on Fire' I thought it was a very strong alt-pop single, and I enjoyed it.  It was only later that I discovered the track was featured on Grey's Anatomy, a show I do not watch.

Anyhow, 'Heart on Fire' by Scars on 45 is respectable.  Watch the video below:

Friends - 'Friend Crush'

'Friend Crush' is an electronic jaunt by Brooklyn outfit Friends, and is about a protagonist who, as the title suggests, wants to be someone else's friend.

But don't let the blatant simplicity fool you.  'Friend Crush' is textured and clever.  Cloaked in electronica, it's nothing more than an all-American pop song.

Stream 'Friend Crush' below:

	Friends - Friend Crush .mp3

Those Darlins - 'Screws Get Loose'

"Whoaaaah. Screws get loose!"

You'll be singing along in no time after you listen to 'Screws Get Loose,' the perfunctory--but perfect--single by Tennessee's Those Darlins.  Slightly rockabilly, but mostly garage punk, 'Screws Get Loose' burrows itself nicely.

Watch the video to 'Screws Get Loose' below:

SebastiAn - 'Embody'

SebastiAn's 'Embody' is the embodiment of cool.  (Pun intended).  But what else would you expect from French electronica?

Watch the video to 'Embody' below.

Dark Dark Dark - 'Dadreaming'

In another late discovery, I also recently came across 'Daydreaming' by Dark Dark Dark.  The tune is quiet, pure, dark, focused, and beautiful.  Lead singer None Marie Invie's voice dances between raindrops, delivering Fiona-laden emotion and power.

Stream 'Daydreaming' below:

	Dark Dark Dark - Daydreaming .mp3

Great Northern - 'Home'

I was a little late in discovering Great Northern's 2007 single 'Home.'  And despite my late adoption of this cruisin' tune, it's a strong track that was a few years ahead of its time.

Stream 'Home' by Great Northern below:

	Great Northern - Home .mp3