I guess I've been overcome by musical duos this year, getting all giddy for releases from The Kills and The Black Keys, not to mention Mates of State's new album coming out this Tuesday. You can add another group to the list--The Bird and The Bee. The first couple times I saw their video for "Polite Dance Song," I didn't really think much of it--a video taped performance of old people dancing, big deal. But now, I'm tellin' you, I can't stop watching it! I'm mesmerized by both the song and video:

The band Mudhoney, like their record label Sub-Pop, is celebrating their 20th year of existance. This Tuesday, May 20, Mudhoney are putting out a favorites/previously-unreleased collection, Superfuzz Bigmuff Deluxe Edition, in addition to releasing a brand new album, The Lucky Ones.

(left: Twenty years in the game and still goin'.)

Here's a track from Lucky Ones:

I'm Now.mp3

And here's one from Superfuzz Bigmuff Deluxe Edition:

In 'n Out of Grace.mp3

For the youngsters out there, Mudhoney helped make the whole early-90's "grunge" revolution possible, by achieving a moderate amount of success, which made it possible for other bands (i.e., Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden) to achieve even more success. Mudhoney never got the big payday, but sometimes that's the price of being a trailblazer. At times though, it seems like they were having more fun.

Is Mastadon guitarist/vocalist, Brent Hinds (left), moonlighting as Philadelphia Flyers' forward Scott Hartnell (right)? I couldn't get a good picture of Hinds ooing, but I'm telling you, he may have himself a night job in the NHL. If that's the case--and for the sake of music--I hope his team loses their playoff game tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins, so he can focus solely on Mastodon.

Husband-wife duo, Mates of State, will be releasing their brand new album, Re-Arrange Us, on May 20 (um, which I just realized is this upcoming Tuesday).

The album title is actually quite fitting since Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel have expanded their sound, adding piano, synths, and lush string arrangements to their music.

(left to right: Kori on the keys, Jason on the drums.)

Here's a free copy of Mates of State's

My Only Offer.mp3

Note: If you're having trouble downloading this song, sometimes the right-click or ctrl-click (for you laptop users) will do the trick.

I gotta thank Pitchfork Media for the tip-off on this story. Girl Talk (aka Greg Gillis), Pittsburgh's greatest rump-shaking export since Donnie Iris, recently played a hometown show at Mr. Small's and treated the crowd to some free Taco Bell that he had won in a contest.

(left: It's a rarity to see Girl Talk NOT shirtless. During his live-set, that t-shirt comes off of him faster than you can say Greg Gillis.)

As most of you know, I love Pittsburgh, I'm a big fan of Girl Talk's mash-ups, and I'm not gonna lie to you--Taco Bell is a guilty pleasure of mine (grilled stuffed burrito--mmmm).

Here's the Pitchfork article.