The Useless Critic 2.0

Two new songs by Franz Ferdinand came out today. These Scots haven't put out new music since 2009. I'm liveblogging my reaction.... .... Keep reading .... Reading.... Reading.......... Reading............. Reading.................. This is "Love Illumination," which is touched with some Hot Chip genius. I don't know if I like it. Franz Ferdinand, it seems to me, is a band who does not age well. There's another track, too. Their new album (in case you were wondering out there)  Well, their new album comes out in August. So there's that. Here is one of my favorites by them:

Song of the Day: You know, I am liking the new Hot Chip 20000 times more than I thought I would.

WILCO just announced (WILCOOOOOO) that they will be hitting up Pittsburgh in April on the 11th. Now for me that's a pretty big deal. I'd put them up in like, near-Radiohead territory. I WANT to see that so hard. for reals. The Antlers will be playing in Akron come January 30th. Tickets are like 11 dollars. Hospice was Amazon's pick for the year! yeahhhhhhh. In February, Sondre Lerche will be in Pittsburgh on February 26th at the Club Cafe. he's very good live, worth a view if you haven't already! JBM will be opening again. Another performer that's very worth a trip to see is ST. VINCENT, who will be at Pittsburgh on Feb. 21, a Sunday. God. she's so like- mesmerizing live. she made me a big fan after witnessing her all-too-brief opening bit for Andrew Bird. Irish group The Guggenheim Grotto will be in Pittsburgh March 3. They're pretty up-and-coming and if you're a fan of Damien Rice or the like, you might appreciate them. WATCH NOW Then you have vet...