Monday Bears: The Strokes return to SNL

As you probably have heard already, the Strokes performed a pair of new songs on last weekend's Miley Cyrus-hosted Saturday Night Live. Alongside "Under Cover of Darkness," Casablancas and Co. debuted "Life is Simple in the Moonlight," a song we've only heard 30 seconds of before.

The consensus is that it seemed a bit, I don't know, phoned in. Plaintively, the group looked unenthusiastic (that's not to say that the songs were actually bad - they weren't), but not in the cool Strokesy way. See for yourself.

The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness



The Strokes - Life is Simple in the Moonlight

Wednesday Bears: New Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness

For those living under a series of rocks, the Strokes are back.

Today marked the release of the band's first new song since way back in 2006. For those who've been following, you may have already heard the 30 second sample of "Under Cover of Darkness," and probably wanted more. Well, good news then.

For the next two days, the song will be available for free download at the Strokes website, barring you sign up for it. But for those who don't even want to deal with that, just download it dummy.

Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness - MP3

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 ...

Monday Bears: Lonely Island and Julian Casablancas digital short for "Boombox."

Last Saturday's SNL featured yet another video (digital short) from the Lonely Island's legendary Incredibad album. This time around, Andy Samberg got help from Julian Casablancas, bringing a "Boombox," and lively-hood to a New York City that has been drolled down by a society like a boiled goose.

In other Strokes' related news (which is actually happening), the band just announced their plans to release their fourth studio album this coming September, along with their official confirmation to be one of the headliners at this year's Lollapalooza.

Lonely Island (ft. Julian Casablancas) - Boombox (SNL Digital Short)