Hailing from our nation’s capitol, singer/songwriter (or as his MySpace page says “songer singwriter”) Paul Michel has been in several bands over the years and is currently bassist for the DC power pop outfit Georgie James. However, since 2004 he has been recording and touring extensively as a solo project. Paul’s voice is a soaring tenor wail (something akin to Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, or Cold War Kids’ Nathan Willett) and his music is best described as a blend of folk, prog, indie, and brit pop. “The Backup Plan,” from Paul’s most recent album, Quiet State of Panic, is an excellent showcase of his sincere falsetto set against electronic backbeats.

MP3: Paul Michel - The Backup Plan

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Check out Joel & Ethan Coen’s absorbing short-film contribution to Paris, Je T’Aime - one of the eighteen short stories in the film (and probably the one with the best catchphrase - “What Are You Looking At, C***-Person?”). This short and the five clips from their forthcoming film, No Country For Old Men, are excellent reminders of how much we’ve recently missed seeing the Coen’s work on the big screen.

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The next and #8 band in our ambitious 120-part series - BETTER KNOW AN ACL ARTIST - recently battled salmonella food poisoning after eating in a Virgina restaraunt with tourmates My Chemical Romance. Yikes - Hypeful hopes they’re feeling better, because our eighth installment is about the sick band, Muse - the Fightin’ Food Poisons!!!

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The New Pornographers have released the song “My Rights Versus Yours” from their forthcoming album Challengers (due out August 21) and it is definitely a great piece of indie pop. Even better, the Challengers cover art features a fighter with a striking resemblance to Anchorman’sChannel Four field reporter, Brian Fantana! Maybe it’s an appropriate choice - Fantana is no stranger to vicious cockfights.

Or maybe it’s Freddie Mercury. Hypeful can’t decide - the readers should.

MP3: The New Pornographers - My Rights Versus Yours

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Great news from Stereogum - Sufjan has emerged from his metaphorical music cocoon as a rockin’ butterfly!!! For an upcoming music issue, the Believer got Sufjan into the studio to record a new track as part of a CD compilation entitled Cue The Bugle Turbulent. Sufjan’s contribution is a song called “In The Words Of The Governor” and it marks a pleasantly surprising turn for Hypeful’s favorite Illinoisemaker. Proving himself more than a band geek/orchestra maestro, Sufjan plugs it in, cranks it up, and gives Jack White a run for his frenzied rock money. Hypeful is digging the track and hoping Sufjan explores more of this new sound during his prolific career. (Seriously, I can’t shake the song’s repetitive & rowdy, “Put it back!!!” from my head…)

MP3: Sufjan Stevens - “In The Words Of The Governor”

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Josh Rouse is previewing his upcoming album, Country Mouse, Country House (out July 31), one track at a time on his website. Every Monday through July 31st, you can hear a new track and get a sneak peak of Country Mouse, Country House. Allow Hypeful to help you get started with the “la-la-la”-filled “Sweetie,” an already previewed song.

MP3: Josh Rouse - “Sweetie”

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Nope - it isn’t an Arrested Development spin-off of failed magician Gob & his Segway (although Hypeful would like to see that happen, Hollywood). 10 MPH is a documentary about 3 people crossing the US on Segways. That’s right - the two-wheeled, self-balancing transportation device that is, well, kind of simultaneous cool & goofy. The DVD is out May 29.

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Based on advanced listenings of Spoon’s new album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (release scheduled for July 10), Britt Daniel and company may be releasing one of the best albums of the year. On their excellent Gimme Fiction, Spoon demonstated that they’re masters at cutting the fat, crafting solid songs, and delivering very tight albums (Gimme Fiction clocked in under 44 minutes with 11 songs). Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga runs just as tight (10 songs in 36 minutes!) and Spoon’s recipe for success can be summed up as the “3 H’s” - hooks, horns, and handclaps. Don’t believe me? Check out the ironically titled “The Underdog,” as it’s a definite winner from their new album.

MP3: Spoon - The Underdog

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If given the opportunity, Hypeful would most like to perform with the next and #7 artist in our ambitious 120-part series - BETTER KNOW AN ACL ARTIST! The (lucky) seventh part of our installment is a closer look at Arcade Fire - the Fightin’ Funeral Directors!!!

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I hope you’re wearing your hipster moustache, because it is time for Part 6 of our ambitious 120-part series - BETTER KNOW AN ACL ARTIST! The sixth part of our installment is a look at The Killers - the Fightin’ Flowers!!!
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