Orange Alert's Music Minute

1. Karl Blau - I recently received Karl's new album "Dance Positive" in the mail, and I have not stopped listening to it. This project takes the lyrics of Brent Lunsford, from Beat Happening fame, and applies a layer of funk and electronics that is simply undeniable. The lyrics were originally written for a project called D+, that had included Blau, Lunsford, and Phil Elvrum. The other musicians involved on this album are: Steve Moore (Sunn, Earth and Laura Veirs), James McAlister (Sufjan Stevens), and Ester Drang. "Dance Positive" is now available on Marriage Records for $10. Check Out: Heatherwood (mp3)

2. Shapes and Sizes - This Montreal band has a new album coming out on May 22nd entitled "Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner.", but if you click here you can stream their entire album for free today! Also if you are one of the first 150 people to preorder the album you will receive their split tour EP with The Castanets for free.

3. Pitchfork Festival continues to add quality talent. This past week P-fork added Califone, Sea & Cake, Yoko Ono, and The Twilight Sad to the already incredible line-up. They are really putting the pressure on Lollapalooza to added some great bands. If want to see Of Montreal, New Pornographers, Dan Deacon, Cat Power, Menomena, Klaxons, Grizzly Bear, and so much more for just $35 go to Pitchfork July 14th and the 15th!

4. Dinosaur Jr. Biggest Fan Competition - Are you the biggest Dinosaur Jr. fan in Chicago? Love them more than anyone in Toronto? Prove it! Compete to WIN TICKETS to see them in your town. Visit their myspace blog for more details.

5. Lollapalooza Band of the Week: fields.
This British band just released their full-length debut, "Everything Last Winter" last Tuesday, and are gearing up to play Lolla (and tour the States). The album has a very diverse sound, from the aggressive sound of my favorite track "If you fail we all fail" (mp3) to the delicate harmonies on "You Don't Need This Song", their is underlying passion rooted deep in this band. "This is an album that creates a vast, frosted landscape ripe for spring's taking, littered with bells, xylophones, feathers of stray birds, cellos, snow-globe vintage organs, white noise guitar cries and Nick and ThorunnÕs startling vocal interplay rustling dead leaves off branches." If you are trying to make out your must see list for the festival you have to consider fields. However, if you need a sneak peek check this video for "If you Fail we all Fail" or catch them on tour this month (Empty Bottle, Chicago, 5/16/07). Bonus: If you Fail We all Fail (SabastiAn Remix) (mp3)