New Phoenix video - Trying To Be Cool

Following up "Entertainment" the electric lead-single and alluring video from Phoenix's latest triumph Bankrupt!, the band enlisted the help of directorial team CANADA and The Creator's Project to create what seems to be the biggest music video ever for "Trying To Be Cool." Which, it seems, might actually be the point of the track.

Every trick is pulled out, from fireworks, obscenely obscure visuals, magic, choreography, tons of outfits, and a countdown that finally goes somewhere. It's an absolute joy.

Bankrupt! is out now on Glassnote.

Made In America Festival reveals 2013 lineup

Following last year's monster success, Philadelphia's 2013 Made In America Festival has revealed its stunning second-year lineup.

Leading the charge is Beyonce, which seems like less of a big deal when you remember that Jay-Z is curating the whole ordeal. Alongside her will be Lollapalooza headliners Nine Inch Nails and Phoenix, with Deadmau5 as the head electronica act.

The mid and undercard are swelling as well, with Queens of the Stone Age, Kendrick Lamar, Miguel, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Public Enemy, Calvin Harris, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Solange Knowles, and still many more.

The lineup was revealed today via Spotify, which has a mixtape that reveals every artist here. Public sale for tickets will begin April 17, and will be held in Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Labor Day weekend.

Lollapalooza Headliners Leaked

Aha! Finally some big Lollapalooza news.

Aside from that Nine Inch Nails news that Billboard leaked out a few weeks back, confirmations for this year's festival were largely stray. Aside from a few small confirmations, like Angel Haze and Imagine Dragons, nothing was firmly stamped down.

As per usual, The Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot released the fest's first "confirmed" headliners. Previously rumored acts Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend are indeed on the billing alongside The Killers this year. All four performed at the festival in 2009 and 2010, but only The Killers and Phoenix were previously booked as headliners. M&S have obviously exploded since their 2010 appearance, so the headlining spot isn't surprising, but Vampire Weekend booked as an official headliner may be still curious.

Lollapalooza fans will recognize a slight gap in headliners - an electro act. Since 2011, festival organizers have made a large concerted effort to bring more electronica music to the festival, booking Deadmau5 in 2011 and Avicii and Justice last year. With the four new headliners and Nine Inch Nails, only one headlining slot remains. Nothing is confirmed, but expect that final slot to go to a major electronica act.

The four headliners weren't the only acts leaked, however. Previously rumored Postal Service and The National will also be heading to Chicago this August. Expect the full lineup release in the coming weeks.

Lollapalooza takes place August 2-4 this year. Stick here for more updates and rumors.

Lollapalooza Rumors Update

It's been some time, but with only a few weeks left before the official Lollapalooza 2013 lineup is revealed, its time to get up to speed.

New Phoenix video - Entertainment

Back when we first heard "Entertainment," the lead single from Phoenix's upcoming studio LP Bankrupt!, it wasn't hard to pick up on the classical Asian vibe. Indeed, the song was compared to Siouxsie and The Banshees' "Hong Kong Garden" for the similar, unmistakable lead aesthetic, of which director Patrick Daughters utilizes.

The video features a narrative of love-drawn actors spliced across different eras, which gets very soap opera-y at one point. Check it out below and grab Bankrupt! April 23 via Loyaute and Glassnote Records.

New Phoenix(!) - Entertainment

Today, we finally get a first taste at one of 2013's most-anticipated albums: Phoenix's Bankrupt!. "Entertainment," the lead track from the upcoming LP, premeiered earlier today on Zane Lowe's BBC 1 Radio show, but there's a lyric-video already up for it.

Check it out below and grab Bankrupt! April 23 in the U.S.

Coachella 2013 lineup revealed

While there was some big news out there today, including a brand new Strokes song that nobody seems to like, yesterday's revealing of the 2013 Coachella lineup is still the big story.

As with last year's lineup, the Indio, California festival will span two separate weekends in April (12-14 and 19-21). Following up last year's impossibly good lineup, this year looks to top it.

Featuring the shockingly rare Blur and Stones Roses as the day one headliners is enough on its own, but throwing acts like Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse, New Order, Wu Tang Clan, a reunited Postal Service, and TWO Nick Cave acts make it the early front-runner for festival of the year.

Not just top heavy, the fest's mid-card and lower tier acts are ... just damn good: The Descendants, Thee Oh Sees, Violent Femmes, Major Lazer, Trash Talk, Japandroids, Local Natives, Four Tet, Dinosaur Jr., Danny Brown, Wild Nothing ... it just keeps going.

Click on the poster above to see the full lineup, but tickets won't be available for a few days. There's a special countdown on the Coachella website that you can keep track of, but tickets will sell fast when it comes.

As for Lollapalooza fans, while my status is uncertain this year, Coachella does have some forbearance on who performs at the Chicago festival. In 2011, the two huge events shared 31 acts (18 percent of the billing), although none of the acts were headliners. Last year, only one major headliner (The Black Keys) performed at both.

What does this mean for 2013? Well, don't expect Blur, The Stone Roses, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to appear, but don't count out Phoenix.

New Atoms For Peace - Judge Jury and Executioner

As we look into the future of 2013, there's already a lengthy list of important releases headed our way. Among the ranks of Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire, and (maybe) Daft Punk, Thom Yorke's well-known side project Atoms For Piece has scheduled an album release for late February.

The single "Judge Jury and Executioner" this morning on Zane Lowe's BBC 1 Radio Show, which also features a nice little visualizer video to go with it. Check it out below, and grab Amok February 25 and 26 (U.S.) via XL Recordings.

Lollapalooza 2012: Day Two Review

If we're keeping a tally, and we aren't, Lollapalooza's Saturdays usually end up being the strongest of the weekend. In 2008, it was Rage Against The Machine. In 2009, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs filled in for The Beastie Boys when MCA was first diagnosed with cancer. In 2010, Phoenix played the biggest show of the band's career. And last year, it was front and center for My Morning Jacket.

Predictably, 2012's Saturday stacked up as the strongest day of the weekend with the top-billed headliner Red Hot Chili Peppers slated to perform on the park's south side. But why Saturday ended up being the most memorable of the weekend was for completely different reasons.

Day Two:

Glancing at Saturday's schedule, there was enough quality acts to not only fill out the day, but to skip entirely. Looking at it again, there were several very-notable acts I neglected to see, including the aforementioned Chili Peppers. The trip started early with FIDLAR.

FIDLAR

Every year there's one small band that every Lolla-goer that ventures outside of Perry's falls in love with. For me, seeing FIDLAR at the Double-Door the previous Thursday really helped solidify their reputation as one of the most fun punk acts around. So while I was plenty familiar with the setlist, including a scorching closer of "Wake Bake Skate" in which lead singer Zac Carper jumped into a frenzied crowd to spit off the final 30 seconds, the excitement never dwindled. As one of the very few punk shows of the weekend, it was a fun change of pace and worth the early Saturday heat.

Pushing quickly while trying to cool down as much as I could, the next move was to Jeff The Brotherhood and right to Delta Spirit. Both performances were spirited, especially considering how extraordinary the heat had become during the Midwest's lengthy drought. Delta Spirit lead-singer Matthew Vasquez, at the end of his performance, was dunking his head in buckets of water and pouring them on eager fans jumping in the front rows. Still drenched in his own sweat, he nearly passed out at the end from the pure exhaustion.



Thereafter, the day drifted in another direction. Dry, grey clouds set an overcast - something most of us wanted but kind of feared at the same time. Venturing off, you noticed merchandising tents closing and small flocks gathering towards the entrance. If you were in the park last Saturday, in Chicago, or just watching CNN, you know what followed - a full evacuation. The rain is never so much of an issue as wind and lightning are. Considering those factors, along with a recent string of stage collapses at music festivals, the evacuation was actually a very good thing. For those who made it out and didn't waste their time, taking a break and letting the park cool down made the night that much more pleasant.

The delay only lasted from 3:30-6 p.m., pushing other performances back just an hour. Almost immediately upon reentry, The Tallest Man On Earth resumed Lolla festivities with one of the weekend's best sets. Going on over his scheduled play time, Kristian Matsson never seemed to slow down. Rounding off hit after hit from his previous three albums, it was clear that he resonated deeply with his fans who never seemed to leave.

Tallest Man On Earth

From then on, electing to skip both Franz Ferdinand and The Weeknd, I made a station at the Google Play stage through Washed Out, Twin Shadow and that night's headliner Frank Ocean.

Washed Out

While Washed Out did what they could considering their circumstances, and Frank Ocean's set was electric, the curiosity of the night laid with Twin Shadow. Sound problems and a rushed set forced the band for an extremely quick set (about seven songs), but what was seen was absolutely electric. The benefit of playing later at night than originally scheduled added a special element, which also leaked into Ocean's set.

Frank Ocean

Personal sets - truly personal - are actually fairly rare during music festivals. But for those around for Ocean's set, you truly felt a personal vibe. His on stage props streamed constant cartoons that any of his fans can identify with, while he constantly addressed his screaming onlookers. Culminating with the full 10-minute version of "Pyramids," it was a stellar way to end things on a very eventful Saturday.

Best Performances: FIDLAR, Tallest Man On Earth, Twin Shadow, Frank Ocean
Worst Performances: Washed Out

Highlights: "Wake Bake Skate" by FIDLAR, "There's No Leaving Now" by The Tallest Man On Earth, "Five Seconds" by Twin Shadow, "Pyramids" by Frank Ocean.
Lowlights: Evacuation

Tuesday Bears: New Tron trailer with Daft Punk

After receiving word that Daft Punk's much-anticipated TRON: Legacy Soundtrack would be slightly pushed back, and the duo's surprise showing at Phoenix's Madison Square Garden show, listeners can finally get a (nearly) full-listen to "Derezzed," complete with a new preview for the movie with previously unseen footage and Daft Punk themselves spinning in Tron world.

The TRON: Legacy Soundtrack is due out December 7, with the movie scheduled for release Dec. 17, via Disney.

Daft Punk - Derezzed (TRON: Legacy Trailer)

Thursday Bears: Phoenix headline MSG, Daft Punk appear

Last night, Phoenix performed perhaps the most important concert of the now seemingly-huge 10 year career at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The implications of headlining a giant venue? Sure, that's a big deal, but it pales in comparison to what happened during the show.

In what can only considered to be a concert wet-dream, fellow Frenchmen Daft Punk made an appearance at the near end of show in between Phoenix's rendition of "If I Ever Feel Better," bringing their own alternate version of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger/Around the World." All I can say, really, is goddammit. Oh, and the videos are a bit spotty.

Phoenix (ft. Daft Punk) - If I Ever Feel Better/Around the World/Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Live at MSG



Phoenix (ft. Daft Punk) - 1901 (Pt. I) - Live at MSG



Phoenix (ft. Daft Punk) - 1901 (Pt. II - Encore) - Live at MSG

Wednesday Bears: Phoenix continues "Love Like a Sunset"

In anticipation for their upcoming headlining gig at Madison Square Garden, Phoenix (yes, Phoenix) have released the previously unknown third installment of "Love Like a Sunset," off their 2009 album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

It's a sincere pleasure to know that Phoenix is getting the Arcade Fire treatment: after a long and critically illustrious ten-year career, they've finally established themselves as a headlining name worthy of a legitimate stage. And judging from their headline performance at last August's Lollapalooza, they certainly can pull it off.

Take a listen to "Love Like a Sunset Pt. III" below (stream).

Thursday Bears: Lollapalooza 2010 Review - Day Two

Day one was an undoubted success, but if anyone is familiar with music festivals, that kind of success isn't usually long-lived. But while day two wasn't the jubilant adventure Friday, August 6 was, the dropoff was hardly noticeable. Already, 2010 was shaping up to surpass 2009.

Day Two:

The perfect weather from Friday carried over the next morning, so me waking up over an hour later than I had originally planned didn't put too much of the damper on the beginning of my day, although it did force me to miss The Morning Benders at noon. I took my first steps in Grant Park that day just fast enough to catch the beginning of Harlem's short set. Quirky, intimate and fun, the Tuscon trio crashed through quick hits from their 2008 debut Free Drugs and this year's Hippies. Although nothing really jumped out of the group's set, the show still proved to be very solid for the early afternoon.

Harlem

Ubiquitously, apathy set in after my short leave from the Sony Bloggie stage. Wild Beasts and Rogue Wave were both competing for my half-assed attention, with the former winning out. Now while I can't say for certain that Wild Beasts played a good or bad set, I can pretty much tell you I didn't care either way. With that, and the fact that Stars continued to seem less and less appealing at the time, I did what anyone else would (or should) do; go to Perry's place before I grabbed a spot for Gogol Bordello.

It's within that time that I learned my first official lesson for Lollapalooza this year: when you're bored, don't hesitate, just go to Perry's. As pedestrian as it sounds, it really is a constant string of fun - no waiting, non-stop music and unavoidable freaks by the barrel-full. It'll be something to remember for next year.

Balkan Beat Box

And then there's Gogol Bordello. For those who aren't aware of my obsession with their live act, or their devoted, energetic fan-base, Gogol Bordello is one of the most intense, blissful and heavy-hitting live acts out there. And just like 2008, the band proved to be one of the best, if not the best, non-headlining act of the weekend. It's no wonder I've now seen them more than any other group in my life.

Exhausted, covered in sweat and confetti, I decided to forgo a spot for Deer Tick and grab a better one for Spoon. As it always seems to be around five and six o'clock, the crowds begin to swelter and gather in enumerable droves at the main stages. So what came of a nice relaxing spot in the grass quickly grew into a choke-gasm behind the festival's seemingly tallest fans (they were all friends, who would have thought?).

Spoon, by the time they had begun, had proved once again that waiting is usually worth it. The Austin natives played through most of their catalog, from 1998's Series of Sneaks all the way up to this year's Transference, with the set mostly focusing from their previous two albums. Again, it wasn't a set that "blew" people away, that's not the kind of music Spoon plays, but it was eerily pitch perfect, long-lasting and invigorating all in the same time.

Spoon

With the sun beginning to set on the Chicago skyline, I only had a few choices left for the night: starve to death, see a bit of Cut Copy or wait for Phoenix. Well, I hate starving, so I got that out of the way first, and wedged a spot for Cut Copy. Apparent sound problems drove me out after the group opened up with "Lights and Music," so I made my way back to where I started. It's worth noting that Cut Copy's show was apparently one of the best of the entire festival.

I may have lost my pristine-ish spot for Phoenix, but even from where I was (not too much further back than before) I saw perhaps the best show of the entire weekend. Coming in, knowing well that this was set to be the largest show in the band's ten-year career, and the fact that they supposedly weren't going to be a headliner prior to the festival's lineup announcement, Phoenix blew all my doubts right out the window. Spanning from the group's debut album United to last year's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (still the backdrop to their shows). While I'm not sure their big enough to still headline other festivals, they certainly are capable of doing so.

Phoenix backdrop

With two fantastic days behind me, I left the park, my fingers crossed until Sunday.

Best Performances: Phoenix, Gogol Bordello
Worst Performances: Wild Beasts

Highlight: "Start Wearing Purple," by Gogol Bordello, "Written in Reverse," by Spoon, "Love Like a Sunset" and "Playground Love" (Air cover) by Phoenix.
Lowlight: None

Day Three Review Tomorrow

Lollapalooza 2010 Must-See Artists, Pt. V

And finally, here's part V.

#2: Spoon
No, Spoon aren't one of the six headliners at Lollapalooza this year, something that speaks volume to the festival's plethora of solid mid-tier acts, or their maybe weak-ish headliners. The Austin, Texas indie-alterna veterans, now 12 years into their critically-amassed studio career, have become a staple for summer music festivals, appearing at Pitchfork Music Festival two years ago, Coachella in April, Lolla (for the third time) and Austin City Limits later this year.

It seemed that the release of 2007's Ga Ga Ga Ga, that the band would be poised for an enormous breakout, similar to what Phoenix has experienced since the release of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix last year. While things didn't exactly pan out in the same manner (they never really do), the band is still is at the peak of their long career.

Spoon will be performing at 6:15 on the Budweiser stage, Saturday, August 7. Fans can also meet the band at 8:00 in the F.Y.E. Tent.

Spoon - The Mystery Zone (Live on KCRW)



#1: Arcade Fire
Six years and only three studio albums to their credit, the Arcade Fire are in a unique place - too big for the indie scene and still too small, obscure and profound for the big markets. While it remains to be seen that this will be the zenith of their careers, the band has certainly reached a point of critical profoundness.

I guess it's somewhat ironic that I ended up posting this today, the same day the group releases their third album The Suburbs. I've heard bits and pieces, but have to get my hands on a full copy of the release. But from what I've heard (and numerous others have) the band does not disappoint. Surely, during Lollapalooza, for those who aren't obsessed with Lady Gaga, the Arcade Fire may end up being the biggest thing all weekend.

The Arcade Fire - We Used to Wait - MP3

Well, that wraps up this year's top ten list. I'll be heading off pretty soon, so Bears and Bullets will be on its annual hiatus. Stay tuned next week for my in-depth review of the festival.

Stay cool kids ...

Monday Bears: Lollapalooza 2010 Must-See Artists, Pt. IV

The final day before my departure is here, so I better be quick with this whole list thing. Here's part IV.

#4: Phoenix
The French quintet has basically been everywhere since the release of the critically and commercially successful Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix release last year. The group, however, has pumped out several LP's since their 2000 debut United. While it has been a slow and steady climb, the band has seemed to reach their surprising peak.

Phoenix made appearances at Bonnaroo and Coachella in the past, but 2010 will be the first time in the group's ten-year history at Lollapalooza. For a band that seemed to be so underrated by many for the better part of last decade, Phoenix are now sharing the headlining spotlight with five of the festival's biggest acts - likely for the largest show of their career.

Phoenix will close out the second night of the festival on the Budweiser stage at 8:30, Saturday, August 7. Fans can also meet the band at 5:30 at the F.Y.E. Tent the same day.

Phoenix - 1901



#3: The Strokes
A band I'd begun to think I'd never have the pleasure of seeing, The Strokes (and not just Julian Casablancas or Albert Hammond Jr's solo work) are over four years-removed from their last produced work as a cohesive unit. First Impressions on Earth, the group's third studio record, seemed for a while to be the last anybody would hear from the suddenly iconic New York garage-rock group.

News of the quintet have been low, aside from various solo and side projects, since their last release. In 2009, word of a new album from the whole group had been rumored, but nothing was made official until earlier this year. Along with news of a new album (expected release some time next month), the Strokes also announced they'd be playing their first shows in the states in nearly half a decade. Though new shows are few and far between, the group is set to be one of Lolla's primary headliners.

The group will close out the first night of the festival on the Budweiser stage at 8:30, Friday, August 6. You can also catch the band at the Outside Lands and Austin City Limits festivals later this year.

The Strokes - You Only Live Once



Check in Later for Part V ...

Tuesday Bears: Lollapalooza 2010 schedule revealed

Now I have nothing left to wait for but my annual Chicago vacation.

Lollapalooza announced earlier today their official schedule for their 2010 festival with their usual assortment of conflicting set times and empty hours. Let's break it all down:

Day One: Friday, August 6 marks the opening day of the festival, and is jam-packed, unlike last year's lackluster opening day. Noise-something duo Wavves will start my festival early at 12:15 p.m., with The Walkmen, playing a surprisingly early 1:00 p.m. set shortly following. Raphael Saadiq, The Big Pink and Cymbals Eat Guitars all follow until 4:00 p.m., when fans will have to decide between The New Pornographers and Devo.

Shortly following, we encounter another Day One conflict; Fuck Buttons, Matt & Kim and The Dirty Projectors will all begin their sets at 5:00 p.m. Only an hour later, The Black Keys and Hot Chip will begin their sets, with Jamie Lidell starting at 6:30.

Day One will be closed out by The Strokes and Lady Gaga.

Day Two: Compared to Day One, Day Two is a relative breeze. It starts with the Morning Benders at noon, for a measly half-hour set, then Harlem and Rogue Wave begin at 1:00 p.m. Then, I expect to cruise through Stars, Gogol Bordello, Grizzly Bear, Deer Tick, Spoon and Cut Copy, all the way until Phoenix headlines at 8:30.

It's worth noting that Green Day, who is the other Day Two headliner, will play a two hour and 15 minute set - the longest set I've seen scheduled for a long time.

Day Three: Day Three looks a bit more like Day One, with a handful of conflicts arising at the end of the day.

It starts with HEALTH and The Antlers at 11:30 a.m. through noon, then Dodos, The Cribs and Blitzen Trapper play at 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Then, another conflict; indie-upstarts Freelance Whales, Minus the Bear and Mumford & Sons all begin at 3:00 p.m. So, choose wisely.

Yeasayer begin their set at 4:00 p.m., in what turned out to be a pretty easy choice. However, at 5:00 p.m., another conflict a-la Day One arises. Frightened Rabbit, Erykah Badu and MUTEMATH all begin at the same time, so again, think carefully.

Then, another series of conflicts: at 6:00 p.m., MGMT and Wolfmother both perform. While this decision may be a little easier for some people, MGMT have a just reputation to suck live. That being said, The Temper Trap also begin their performance at 6:30 p.m. The National follow at 7:15 p.m., and then The Arcade Fire and Soundgarden will close out the festival.

So that's the jist of it, except for Perry's Place. You can check out the entire schedule below, or just head over the festival website.

Day One (Friday):

Day Two (Saturday):

Day Three (Sunday):

Tuesday Bears: Official Lollapalooza lineup revealed

One day after Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune leaked what was to be believed as the "official" Lollapalooza lineup, festival promoters have announced the legitimate lineup. And, in an ironic (or completely un-ironic twist), Kot was 100 percent on the money.

Indeed, the reunited Soundgarden, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Arcade Fire, Strokes and Phoenix are scheduled to headline the 2010 festival, with other notables, such as Spoon, The New Pornographers and The National, among others, making up a portion of the mid-tier acts.

The festival will host a couple retro and legendary acts, such as reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, Devo and Cypress Hill, who appeared with Soundgarden at the first Lollapalooza in 1992. Perry's Place looks to replicate the fantastic success of 2009, landing 2manydjs, Empire of the Sun and Digitalism, among others, to lead the electro charge.

Despite the relatively improved headliners from last year and what appears to be another stellar stack of performers at Perry's Place, 2010's lineup (like 2009) appears to be a tad lacking, a la Bonnaroo. After various rumors had The Flaming Lips set to headline, the Oklahoma band is a no-show, which is likely the reason why Phoenix was thrown in as the sixth. Along with the disproved rumors possible appearances from David Byrne, Dangerdoom, Public Enemy and Against Me!, the mid-tier and lower groups look a bit light. Put that together with a superior Coachella lineup (it really is amazing), and fans may have some legitimate gripes this year.

However, with the seemingly last second inclusions of acts like Erykah Badu, The Walkmen, Harlem, Health and Wavves, this year may prove to be a little more full than meets the eye.

Three-day tickets for the Chicago festival, held from August 6-8, are available now. You can check out the whole lineup yourself here.

Stay tuned for more news regarding anything and everything Lolla ...

Wednesday Bears: Lollapalooza lineup all but leaked

Earlier today, Lollapalooza promoters started the initial leak of their 2010 lineup, Wheel of Fortune style. After Bonnaroo leaked their lineup in a new, viral fashion several weeks ago, the Chicago festival's promoters are putting their own spin on the idea; Hang Man.

At noon today, a day after the first batch of tickets officially went on sale ($190 right now), the model (see above) for the lineup was released on the festival's Web site, revealing the letter "O." And from that lone vowel, plus the combination of inside information and rumors, about 60-70 percent of the whole lineup has been basically figured out.

As I mentioned previously, Soundgarden, Green Day, Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Lady Gaga and Phoenix look to be the main six headliners, with The National, New Pornographers, Hot Chip and Dirty Projectors, and others filling in the likely sub-headline spots.

Other artists that I haven't mentioned, but look to be included, are Spoon, Wolfmother, David Byrne, Dangerdoom, Grizzly Bear and the Black Keys, among others. Check out Consequence of Sound's somewhat completed map here for what has been figured out so far.

Check back later for more rumors.

Bonnaroo Lineup Announced Throughout Today

Not too long after Coachella and the Pitchfork Music Festival revealed parts of their official 2010 lineups, Manchester, Tennessee's four-day Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is doing the same.

Announced throughout the day (one act every six minutes) via the festival's Myspace, this year's lineup (as of now) includes several large acts including Jay-Z, Phoenix and The Flaming Lips performing Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Several other acts include Weezer, Wale, The Avett Brothers, Regina Spektor, Norah Jones, Gwar (hopefully following Jones), and many, many more.

Tickets for the June 10-13 festival are available now. Expect more updates and bigger names in the near future.

Bears and Bullets Top 25 Songs of 2009 (Pt. IV: #10 - #1)

We'll continue our top 25 countdown with songs #10 through #1.

#10: Stillness is the Move - Dirty Projectors

As much as people fawned over Merriweather Post Pavilion, Dirty Projector's Bitte Orca rivaled it many ways. Some would even suggest that Orca surpasses MPP in brilliance with its sheer ingenuity and creative flourish, thanks in part to "Stillness is the Move." Often pop music is regarded is simplistic and rudimentary because of lack of originality and mass consumerism. With "Stillness," however, the rhythms, hooks, and harmonies of Amber, Angel and Haley is as uncommon and inventive as anything else we heard this year. Nearly impossible to replicate, although Solange Knowles did a good rendition.

Dirty Projectors - Stillness is the Move

#9: What Would I Want? Sky - Animal Collective

After over three minutes of distorted samples and crashes, Animal Collective's "What Would I Want? Sky," begins to glisten in a clash of brilliant vocal sequences, with a sample of the Grateful Dead's "Unbroken Chain" gently grazing in the background. Few and far between do Animal Collective's songs sound so gloriously uplifting and enriching, with Avey Tare asking, "Is everything alright? You feeling lonely? You feeling homely? You're not the only." The direct contrast between the first and the second half are what make Animal Collective such a polarizing and ingenious group -- with mess is beauty, in the brightest places.

#8: You're a Target - No Age

"You're a Target" accomplished something somewhat rare for No Age; they compiled a rousing, loud and boisterous noise-rock song with a collective harmony and memorable bridge. The song, part of the band's four-track Losing Feeling EP, wouldn't so much as fit with their 2008 album Nouns, because it sounds too mature, too frank and welcoming. "You're a Target," sounds, however, more embracing because the visceral fuzz and melody actual comes clean, unrushed, and still categorically immense.

No Age - You're a Target - MP3

#7: People Got a Lotta Nerve - Neko Case

How any artist retooled Hall & Oates coined "Maneater," to not only an extent of not only relevance but revitalization is beyond me. In Neko Case's "People Got a Lotta Nerve," the red-haired singer-songwriter boasts her man eater lifestyle not to the party-styled anthem idea of commanding and conquering the opposite sex, but ravaging them until their nothing. And yet, it's insatiably sweet coming from Case's exquisite alt-country voice -- both terrifyingly honest and beautifully broadcast.

Neko Case - People Got a Lotta Nerve

#6: Ambling Alp - Yeasayer

Before first listen to "Ambling Alp," Yeasayer could be deemed more psychedelic than pop. Their 2007 album All Hour Cymbals, aside from the wonderful "2080," sounded like a mirage in the Sonora desert -- long, labored, loose and fluid. "Ambling Alp," albeit very new (released only a few weeks ago), is a terrific step for the Brooklyn band. Pop is often curiously standard and continuous, always looking to achieve what's already been heard. Yet, every so often an artist with enough gall and ambition can make those strides toward a higher level. Radiohead did it, Animal Collective did it, and with "Ambling Alp," Yeasayer is doing it.

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

#5: Lisztomania - Phoenix

With most of 2009 rumbling over Merriweather Post Pavilion and Bitte Orca, Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix reveled in their indie shadows and helped the band make their first leap into popular culture. "Lisztomania," creates a mass-appeal without asserting itself. Its bright melodies and cheery and leaping chorus, makes Phoenix sound lighter and more alluring than ever before, and it's not even the best song of the album.

Phoenix - Lisztomania

#4: Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The border between dance and rock music is hard to define. Often times those in music business will attempt to trespass on that border, and, more or less, failure is certain. What the Yeah Yeah Yeahs achieved with "Heads Will Roll," not only crosses that border, but takes it down. Karen O shrieks and shrills on a "chrome" dance floor, imploring that everyone should "dance, dance, dance till your dead," while Nick churns a haunting synth lead, almost sounding like noir with poise. The finishing product, glistening in a metallic stream, is heavier than it appears; it rips and tears through the dance-floor with a midnight castle element -- glowing in the dark and shining under the lights.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll - MP3

#3: My Girls - Animal Collective

"My Girls" rushes into the ear with a earthy stream, followed by the emerging electro beat, humming quietly in the back. The song yearns for simplicity, imploring that Panda Bear doesn't "care for fancy things," but that gloriously simplicity is already there. "My Girls," sounds like sped-up evolution. The sounds careen and swirl around the listener, with tiny percussions, vocal samples and bass punches popping out of the back like small cracks on the Earth's surface. It leads and ends in the same fashion, slowly swelling, rising, climaxing, and falling back down to Earth. But before it falls, "My Girls" goes somewhere Animal Collective, until now, haven't found before -- a place lost between sounds and meaning, combining for something unbelievable.

Animal Collective - My Girls

#2: 1901 - Phoenix

"1901" is Phoenix's advertisement for the rest of the world -- it's the culmination of the bands work for the majority of the decade; smart, invigorating, inviting pop music that can make someone smile for days. The song's fuzzy interlude and landscaping synths make Thomas Mars sound cleaner and cooler than ever, bringing the band in the commercial spot light that has been years in the making.

Phoenix - 1901

#1: Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear

"Two Weeks," is Grizzly Bear's triumph on Veckatimest. It's stark, luring, brilliant and incredibly intelligent. Every key note hit by Ed Droste and the rest of the band, honing in on their trademark harmonies, sounds crisper and better than ever. The alarming exceptionalism of "Two Weeks" makes one wonder how much further the band can progress after Veckatimest and 2006's Yellow House. Indeed, if "Two Weeks" can prove anything other than indelible craftsmanship, it's that Grizzly Bear seem to progress at each and every try. How much better can they get?

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks - MP3

Merry Christmas, yall.