** Featured Album
+ Former Feature
@ Request/Dedication

** Featured Album
+ Former Feature
@ Request/Dedication

After 2007′s Calling the World and a tour in 2008, Rooney departed from Geffen Records and did their own thing. Taylor Locke, guitarist for the band, put in a lot of time with his band The Roughs, and ended up hanging out quite a bit with our pal Bleu. They released an EP in 2009, and finally in 2010, they released Eureka, through Warner’s independent label, California Dreamin’ Records. Rooney is still the same band that brought us “Blueside” and “Calling the World”, and it shows on Eureka. Here’s the music video for the leading single “Holdin’ On”:

Favorite tracks: _5_ All Or Nothing, 2 I Can’t Get Enough, 12 Don’t Look at Me, 1 Holdin’ On
Label: California Dreamin’ Records / Rooney Music
RIYL:  Weezer, Ocean Colour Scene, Fountains of Wayne

** Featured Album
+ Former Feature
@ Request/Dedication

** Featured Album
+ Former Feature
@ Request/Dedication

Last year, the revered power pop supergroup from Vancouver, The New Pornographers, released their fifth album on Matador Records. It is called “Together”, and in the span of twelve tracks it covers the distinct influences of all of its members – A.C. Newman’s cryptic lyrics, Neko Case’s charmingly cheerful choruses, Dan Bejar’s awkwardly beautiful songwriting, Kurt Dahle’s unmistakably persistent drumming.. it’s only right that the band end the album with a song calling “We End Up Together.”

In the video below, feel free to skip over the first :17 or so, and then watch a ludicrously funny trailer for a non-existent movie: “Moves: The Rise and Rise of the New Pornographers.” Directed by noted comedian and radio host Tom Scharpling (WFMU, Monk, etc.), it features all manner of TV celebrities and musicians taking on the roles of characters from the band.. and then some! Witness, for example, Ted Leo tarted up in the role of bandmate Kathryn Calder. The trailer takes “mockumentary” to a new level, perhaps best described as “crockumentary.” See it for yourself:

Favorite tracks: _1_ Moves, _2_ Crash Years, _10_ A Bite Out of my Bed
Label: Matador Records
RIYL:  The Gay, Sloan, Brendan Benson, The Wondermints

Ladies and gentlemen, Mike Viola

Here’s our interview with Mike Viola, recorded on November 25th at Slim’s in San Francisco and aired December 1st on the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow:

Kudos to Mike for making time to chat with us about a number of things, such as:

• His new album “Electro de Perfecto” which we featured here on the Overthrow a few weeks ago
• What’s next on the horizon for Mike
• The origins of the band “Mono Puff“
• An easy way for any fan to get some Mike Viola rarities (you have to listen to the interview to find out!)

** Featured Album
+ Former Feature
@ Request/Dedication

Coming up on tomorrow’s edition of the Overthrow.. a chat with Mike Viola! A few short weeks ago, we featured his new album ”Electro de Perfecto” on the show. As luck would have it, we had the chance to catch up with him while he was in town last week at Slim’s in San Francisco. Hear the interview yourself by tuning in at 90.1FM in the San Francisco Bay Area or online in ultra high fidelity at http://kzsulive.stanford.edu/ just before 8AM on the west coast, 11AM on the east coast… though you should tune in at 7AM PT/10AM ET to hear the whole show! Be sure to check out our entire blog to see former playlists and featured albums.

Check out this music video for one of our favorite songs by Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers.. “You Belong To Me Now”. Enjoy, and see you tomorrow! -Phil

Were there ever to be a “nerd-pop” genre, John Lennel and John Flansbergh would be the celebrated champions. Throughout their astounding 28 year (and counting) career as They Might Be Giants, they have reigned supreme with their own unique, sometimes quirky, always upbeat take on accordion and guitar-based pop. Earlier this year the band of Johns released Join Us on their own label, Idlewild Recordings. This release marks their 15th full album, and brings them back to their adult fans, who perhaps have been waiting in the wings as a whole new generation of children have come to know TMBG through their children’s albums (Here Comes Science, Here Come the 123′s, etc.)

Here’s a hilarious video take on the opening track, “Can’t Keep Johnny Down.” TMBG solicited music videos for the song, and this piece was judged — by John Hodgman, of all people — to be the runner up in the contest.

Favorite tracks: _1_ “Can’t Keep Johnny Down”, 4 “Canajoharie”, 9 “When Will You Die”
Label: Idlewild Recordings / Rounder Records
RIYL:  XTC, Ween, The B-52s, Weezer