The Britain-based trio used to sing everything from “Purple Rain” to “Wichita Line Man” in karaoke bars, if that says anything about the vast array of musical influences David Best, Steve Lewis, and Matt Hainsby (collectively Fujiya & Miyagi) give credit to on their latest album. Brimming with hints of Kraftwerk, Talking Heads, and The Happy Mondays, and sharing a title with a Vladimir Nabokov book, Transparent Things collects the band’s recent singles onto one CD, along with the addition of three new tracks. The lyrics make for some amusing icing on the cake, broaching subjects as mundane as office work and as hilarious as determining the difference between male and female genitalia while walking to school.

Transparent Things is out January 23, 2007 on Deaf Dumb & Blind Recordings.

Listen to the track “Ankle Injuries.”

Tracklisting
1. Ankle Injuries
2. Photocopier
3. Collarbone
4. Transparent Things
5. Conductor 71
6. In One Ear & Out the Other
7. Sucker Punch
8. Cassettesingle
9. Cylinders

Aaron LaCrate
Blow Remix EP
Milk Crate
Murdaland’s favorite suspect’s newest EP is so booming, all we can see are asses shaking for miles. Featuring B-more remixes from Scottie B, DJ Equalizer, and a few others, these six tracks will make you sweat–sitting or standing. Buy

Candie Hank
Groucho Running
Sonig
Candie Hank is fucking crazy. From the frantic antics of album-opener “Invitation To Dance” to the elephant-on-a-tight-rope sonic comedy of almost-closer “Contortion Two,” the latest from Patric Catani is a schizophrenic, wonderfully disheveled mess–but this fun is just as smart as it is silly. Buy

Laibach
Volk
Mute
Finally, Slovenia’s Laibach have returned with some more post-industrial, political angst for the dark legions. On Volk, the militant veterans take on national anthems from several countries in a much more mellow fashion to which they’re accustomed. Imagine Mum and Sisters of Mercy at a protest rally–but at 2:00 a.m.–and you’ll get this one. Buy

Arbouretum
Rites of Uncovering
Thrill Jockey
“Signposts and Instruments” opens Arbouretum’s Rites of Uncovering with a low rumble–the smooth, deep growl of a bass, and fingers gently fretting a guitar. It’s a subtle start, but the song’s lurch comes off decidedly physical. Then singer Dave Heumann’s round, whole-milk voice cuts through the weighty semi-silence, doing a perfect backstroke through the song’s guts. The best doom-folk record of all time. Buy

VietNam
S/T
Kemado
It’s damn hard to find a sound of a band that perfectly acclimates to the frustration expressed by the hordes of kids across the American landscape. If we had to choose a group of dudes who’ve taken on the task, the three VietNam members would be it. Their swanky, gothic Americana could bum out the ripest of extroverts. Buy

Conjoint
A Few Empty Chairs
Büro
Conjoint flirts with pussyfooting innocuousness, but ultimately stays on the right side of understated chill. Karl Berger’s vertebrae-tingling vibes provide a foundation of subliminal funk that’s like In A Silent Way performed by Nordic introverts–and it’s cool as shit. Buy

The Subjects
With the Ease, Grace, Precision and Cleverness of Human Beings
Pretty Activity
No matter how many decades have passed since the golden age of prog, bands like The Subjects prove that trip-rock can still numb your psyche. While not necessarily an XLR8R staple, these young bucks have combined the driving guitars of power pop and the mystique of ‘70s rock for one hell of a unique experience. Buy

Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
Roc-A-Fella
Well, it had to be done. The king of narcissistic rap has returned to the game a humble, yet consistent MC. On Kingdom Come, the post-30 rapper tackles his age and maturity over production that’s poppier than ever before. With all of the hype and critical upheaval surrounding old Jigga-man’s return, there’s no denying his ability to turn out sick tracks over and over again. Buy

Bizzart
Bloodshot Mama
Sounds Are Active
In the three-year break since Ear Drung, L.A.’s Bizzart has stepped up his game considerably. Still fighting the demons of his abusive upbringing and his father’s murder, Bizzart’s hybrid of spoken word and rap is complimented by impressive guest spots from Awol One, Yarah Bravo, and Dulak Shaman. From Bloodshot Mama‘s circuit-bent “Stumbling Blocks” to the epically unfolding “Dreams of Sparrows,” Bizzart has unleashed an artful hip-hop record that comes off as totally sincere. Buy

Fad Gadget/Frank Tovey
Fad Gadget by Frank Tovey
Mute
As the first signing to Mute Records, Frank Tovey (a.k.a. Fad Gadget) brought an incredibly theatrical element to the burgeoning industrial scene. Other compilations have summed up his electronic repertoire, but this is the first to really go beyond his major albums to examine his career as a singer-songwriter. Check out the two amazing DVDs here, which feature a live Mudd Club show, spots on German TV, and an opening slot on Depeche Mode’s Exciter tour. Essential. Buy

All albums available from Other Music

December 11 Top Ten Album Picks

On Saturday night, December 2, a tour bus carrying Mr Lif, the Coup, and DJ Big Wiz crashed and caught fire outside San Diego. A statement from EL-P and Definitive Jux explains the incident:

“Approximately 40 miles outside of San Diego the tour bus carrying Mr. Lif, The Coup, DJ Big Wiz, Metro and friends, flipped over and burst in to flames. Miraculously, everyone managed to escape with his or her lives. There were injuries suffered to different degrees ranging from minor to serious but everyone is essentially OK and getting treated in various hospitals. The bus and everything in the bus was destroyed in the fire.

The most serious injuries were sustained by DJ Big Wiz (Def Jux), Zarha (friend and merchandise assistant to Mr. Lif) and SILK-E (The Coup). They are all being looked after now and beginning the process of recovery.

Everyone else (Mr Lif, Metro, The Coup) is battered, but relatively unscathed.

For obvious reasons the tour will most likely not continue. Right now the dust has yet to completely settle but once it does we will provide fans and friends who are concerned with info on how to reach out to the injured parties and express well wishes.

We are all incredibly grateful that our amazing friends and fellow musicians survived this serious event.”

Sincerely,
EL-P and DEFINITIVE JUX

The survival of everyone involved is met with nothing less than sheer amazement and relief. XLR8R wishes all those injured a speedy recovery back to health.

Mr. Lif/The Coup Tour Dates

Indie hip-hop label Definitive Jux (home to RJD2, Cage, The Perceptionists) has partnered with mtvU for a contest to find another name to add to the Jukie roster. Contestants have the chance to win an EP deal, a single/video collaboration with Def Jux’s Mr. Lif, and a video premiere on mtvU and mtvU.com. So if the college scene is a good fit for your tracks, why not give it a shot?

The winning spot will go to the best unsigned DJ, MC, band, or producer among the college audience. That means you or at least one of your band members still has to be enrolled in a university (step aside, you Orb-loving geezers). To enter, create an account, opt in, and start uploading those tracks. Deadline to opt in is December 14, 2006.

Full Contest Listing

Famed French artist Fafi, known for her colorful designs featuring cutesy-but-cool characters, has collaborated with accessory label LeSportsac for a limited edition bag collection. Assorted items will feature Fafi designs at their girliest and brightest, and will be available at Colette in Paris beginning December 7. The store’s eshop will stock them very soon.

In other Fafi news, the artist is said to be teaming up with adidas Originals once more, for Spring 2007. Hopefully this time she won’t be designing a track suit meant specifically for pregnant women!