I’ve had The Spinto Band’s upcoming full length, Moonwink (Oct. 7th), on pretty heavy rotation for the past week. If I would’ve heard it a bit earlier, it would’ve easily made my top 20 of 2008 (so far) list. In prepping for their upcoming release, the band has launched a new website and a series of weekly video shorts dated for consecutive Tuesdays leading up to the release of the Moonwink. If you click on the first half moon featured on the new site, you can see a live rendition of the new track “Later On,” played using a table full of utensils and produce. Also, check out the new track “Summer Grof” below for a taste of the new Spinto goodness!

MP3:
The Spinto Band - “Summer Grof”

Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood covered Neil Young’s “Tell Me Why” at their Hollywood Bowl gig on Monday and thankfully an enterprising Radiohead fan was there to capture the tune. The duo had previously tried to play the opening track from After The Gold Rush the week before at their Washington gig, but Yorke apparently forgot the words. Check out the song and video below!

MP3s:
Radiohead - “Tell Me Why” (Neil Young cover)
Neil Young - “Tell Me Why” (Live In Bakersfield-March 11, 1973)

VIDEO:

PREVIOUSLY:
Radiohead Introduces “Super Collider” and Covers Portishead’s “The Rip”

Normally, I would put off sharing a Canadian keytar-and-drums duo until closer to the weekend. However, this new Woodhands song, “I Wasn’t Made For Fighting,” is good enough to get a dance party started even on a Tuesday! If you dig this track, then you’ll want to check out their new album Heart Attack that is being released today.

MP3:
Woodhands - “I Wasn’t Made For Fighting”

Rumors are circulating that as a result of her obsession with the 1939 musical Wizard of Oz, Amy Winehouse has heavily sampled the “Wicked Witch of the West” on a track for her forthcoming album. An unnamed source close to the singer has said:

“[Amy] loves the surreal look, sound and score. One of her new songs heavily samples the theme tune. And the soundtrack and score will be a theme running throughout the record.”

The unnamed source described the song as “really interesting, if a little bizarre,” adding, “I suppose that’s what you would expect from her at the moment.”

MP3:
Afghan Whigs - “If I Only Had A Heart (The Wizard Of Oz cover)”

Huzzah! Not only have The Decemberists announced that they’re in the studio finishing work on a new album, but they’ve also recorded a tidy heap of material which they’re releasing as 12″ vinyl and digital singles over the course of three Autumnal months starting in October. Aptly titled “Always the Bridesmaid,” the series of singles will prominently feature songs that the Decemberists really loved but couldn’t find a spot for on the forthcoming LP. The first volume will hit fine indie record stores everywhere on October 14th, and will be comprised of “Valerie Plame,” and “O New England” on the A and B side, respectively. The second volume, “Days of Elaine” b/w “Days of Elaine (Long)” and “I’m Sticking With You,” will be released on November 4th. The third and final volume, “Record Year for Rainfall,” b/w “Raincoat Song,” will be released on December 2nd.

MP3:
The Decemberists - “O Valencia!”