by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Thrill Me (MP3)

Sweden's premiere psych-rockers The Soundtrack of Our Lives are in the U.S. this week, playing a few dates in support of their sixth album, Communion, which just came out on Yep Roc. This includes two NYC-area shows and both shows still have tickets -- Music Hall of Williamsburg on Wednesday (3/11) and Bowery Ballroom on Thursday (3/12).

A sprawling, 24-track epic, Communion is surprisingly filler-free and the best thing they've done since 2002's Behind the Music. (Amongst the original gems: a genuinely inspired cover of Nick Drake's "Fly.") You can listen to the whole shebang at Yep Roc's website and you can download the Stones-y "Thrill Me" above.

Apart from a NYC date in 2007 and SXSW, TSOOL haven't toured America since the release of Origin Vol. 1 in 2005. If you're never seen them before, TSOOL are masters of Rock Moves, from the windmill to the stick twirl but manage make it seem like they invented them. (Much like their sound, which is a condensation of the great rock bands of '68 - '73.) Easily one of my favorite live acts of the last 10 years.

Singer Ebbot Lundberg and guitarist Mattias Bärjed answered a few questions via email. And all U.S. tour dates are at the bottom of this post.

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Communion seems to have an energy that maybe wasn't completely there on Origin Vol. 1. I know much of this was recorded quickly but what else was different this time?

Ebbot: You´re absolutely right about this. Origin 1 was a hasty compromise. I think we were a little bit too exhausted. That's why we decided to split it up in 2 parts because of deadlines and endless touring. Communion just came about very naturally because we (or anybody else) did not have any expectations. And everybody was relaxed during the recording process.

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by Ryan Barkan

Advertising agencies make lots of online commercials. You know, spots made not for television, but with the hope the brand's message will spread virally on the net in an organic way. Though lots of them never catch steam like a rickroll, the new Guitar Hero World Tour "Bike Hero" video has already been watched over one million times. The creative takes The Living End's "Prisoner of Society" and turns it into a live action, first person bike ride through the song's playable level in GHWT. It's a pretty cool idea with amazing execution and a slight bit of computer magic. Watch the video below.

Other Notable Licensing News:

Bishop Allen played two shows in NYC over the weekend. They are a band that has benefited from some key licensing placements in the last year. The band appeared and performed in the recent Michael Sera movie, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Watch the scene below. The song they performed, "Middle Management", was also on the soundtrack and used in the film's trailer. They were also used in a commercial for Sony digital cameras late last year - watch the spot here.

Crayola goes indie-cool this holiday season with Dan Deacon and Lightspeed Champion songs in the campaign for the new Glow Station (via Pitchfork). Watch the spots below.

The new holiday commercial from LL Bean features "Valley Winter Song" by Fountains Of Wayne.

Danish band The Blue Van rock the soundtrack to the new Samsung Behold commercial. Watch below.

While enjoying college football on Saturday, I heard Nick Drake's "Place To Be" used in a promo spot for Michigan State. That video is below too.

I have a bunch of friends that can not get enough of the show Top Chef. Some of those friends are also crazy for the Foo Fighters (editor's note: with friends like that who needs enemies? JUST KIDDING. Actually that doesn't even make sense...). Those friends will be in heaven when TC goes "Foo Fighters Thanksgiving" this upcoming November 26th. The episode taped during a tour stop in Rochester, NY; the band will guest judge the few remaining contestants. Apparently, TC is Dave Grohl's favorite show.

You may have heard A-Ha's classic jam "Take On Me" before. It is/was a popular song and video. So popular, A.C. Newman is going to cover it for an upcoming Valentine's Day compilation for Starbucks. Even more so, you can take it on karaoke-style in the new video game by Microsoft, LIPS. The pretty clever commercial for the game uses the song as well. Watch it below.

The game's soundtrack also includes songs by The Police, Coldplay, Duffy, The Cure, Peter, Bjorn, & John, Radiohead, and more.

Nintendo DS and Wii players can now get their skateboard on while on the go with the release of EA's Skate It. The soundtrack contains tracks by Cut Chemist, Fujiya & Miyagi, Judas Priest, The Clash, Sly & the Family Stone, and more.

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editor's note: DAFT PUNK, GHOSTFACE KILLAH, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT. ok, here he is.....

After looking at this week's music release list (and previewing the upcoming releases through the end of 2007), I don't feel bad about releasing my favorite album list of the year later today.

Of the discs out tomorrow, I can only heartily recommend the live Damien Rice album, Live from the Union Chapel.

The Killers release a holiday single this week, Don't Shoot Me, Santa, and Fruit Tree, the four-disc Nick Drake box set is also available tomorrow.

Are you picking up any new releases this week? Have I left any noteworthy albums off the list?

Continue reading "Largehearted Boy's Interesting CD Releases This Week"