Album Review: Annuals - Sweet Sister EP

With their latest EP, Sweet Sister, Annuals has given us a sampler of varied pop soundscapes they can create. While all five tracks are markedly different, they all share the same tight production and smooth vibe.

The EP starts strong with “Loxstep,” a high energy mix of Latin and island rhythms. Every second of the track is filled with multiple instruments: guitars, drums, synths and even vibraslap. In the hands of a lesser producer it would be a mess, but the production of frontman Adam Baker fits everything together perfectly.

Lady Gaga brings Monster Ball Tour to Raleigh, Charlotte

Hot on the heels of her "Telephone" video release, Lady Gaga has announced the North American leg of her 2010 Monster Ball tour, including stops in both Raleigh and Charlotte.

Lady Gaga will play Raleigh's RBC Center on Sunday, September 19, and Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena on Saturday, September 18. Tickets will go on sale in select markets on March 19, but no official word on Raleigh or Charlotte ticket sales just yet. Virgin Mobile and Citi customers will have access to ticket presales tomorrow, March 16, at 10 a.m.

[UPDATE: Tickets for the RBC Center show go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 9, for $49.50, $85 or $175. Charlotte tickets will go on sale at the same time for $51.50, $87 or $177.]

Depending on your opinion on Lady Gaga, whose fame has skyrocketed this past year, this news will either be met with a shrug of indifference or an all out joygasm. Gaga loyalists, whom the artist refers to has her little monsters, treat concerts the same was a Star Wars geek would a convention. That is to say, the costumes and garish makeup won't be limited to the stage.

Lady Gaga's latest video, a nine minute Tarantino-inspired collaboration with Beyonce, is after the jump, as well as a complete list of tour dates.

I Was Totally Destroying It featured in Brazil ad

The local lads and lady of I Was Totally Destroying It have spread their reach to the southern hemisphere. The song "Come Out, Come Out" from the band's latest album Horror Vacui is being used in television ads for the Brazilian wireless phone service provider Vivo.

It's fitting that the company picked that song, because it's by-and-far, the strongest song on the album. Hopefully the band was able to pick up a little scratch for licensing the song too. Check out both the full-length version and the 30 second edit of the commercials below.

New music from Wye Oak - "I Hope You Die"

Baltimore duo Wye Oak just keep cranking out new music. They just released their latest full-length album The Knot last July and have a new EP out. It's titled My Neighbor / My Creator and will be released digitally via the usual outlets on April 20 and on CD on June 8. But, the EP is available now as a digital download via the Merge Records' website.

The EP features four new tracks and a remix of "That I Do" by Mickey Free. Download the new song "I Hope You Die" below along with the tracklist.

The CD version of new EP will be available in advance of the release date at Wye Oak's upcoming tour dates, including the date with Shearwater and Hospital Ships at Local 506 on Thursday, March 25. Tickets are $10 in advance here. Check out more dates below.

New Love Language dates, includes Durham & Raleigh

The new incarnation of The Love Language (with the new band members) have lined up some new shows ahead of the SXSW music conference in Austin, TX.

The very first show featuring the new line-up will be at Broad Street Cafe in Durham tomorrow night, March 12 with The Pneurotics, The Loners, The Travesties and D-Town Brass. The show is a benefit for Reese McHenry of The Dirty Little Heaters, who was slammed with a health insurance premium hike after surgery in December. The cover is just $5, though I'm sure a little extra won't be turned away.