Despite the band’s name, Sleigh Bells isn’t the type of music you’d listen to over the holidays with your grandparents. Imagine Alison Goldfrapp or Inara George joining Public Enemy and you’ve got Sleigh Bells, a duo out of New York City made up of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss.

Their debut release, Treats, is packed with blazing guitar riffs and beats that are loud, brash and may frighten small children.  Mix in Krauss’ airy vocals, and you’ve got a match made in heaven. 

The album starts off strong with “Tell ‘Em” and is followed by equally great songs such as “Kids”, “Riot Rhythm”, “Run The Heart” and “Rachel”. Just when you think you’re approaching sensory overload, they mellow things down a bit with “Rill Rill”, another one of the album’s standout tracks (and currently playing on Sirens of Song Online Radio.)

Sleigh Bells has been touring for most of 2010 and will be on the road this fall with LCD Soundsystem while making a few solo appearances along the way.

Sept 15 – Pawtucket, RI / The Met
Sept 20 – New York, NY / Webster Hall
Sept 25 – Columbia, MD / Merriweather Post Pavilion (Virgin Mobile FreeFest 2010)
Sept 30 – Albany, NY / Valentine’s
Oct 13 – Tempe, AZ / The Clubhouse
Oct 19 – Costa Mesa, CA / Detroit Bar
Oct 22 – Salt Lake City, UT / Urban Lounge
Oct 23 – Denver, CO / Larimer Lounge
Oct 25 – Minneapolis, MN / The Triple Rock Social Club
Oct 26 – Milwaukee, WI / Mad Planet
Oct 27 – Chicago, IL / Metro
Oct 28 – St. Louis, MO / The Firebird

Sia’s latest album, We Are Born, hit stores this past Tuesday. 

Produced by Greg Kurstin (one half of the Bird and the Bee), the new album does a great job in capturing Sia’s upbeat and bubbly personality.

Although the majority of songs on the album are a departure from the downtempo vibe that originally put Sia on the map, old fans will still eat it up.

Highlights include “You’ve Changed,” “Be Good To Me” and a cover of Madonna’s “Oh Father”. For those of you who love to hear Sia slow things down, “I’m In Here” is just for you.

Sia’s official website, www.siamusic.net has undergone a makeover as well. Check it out to read her blogs, watch music videos, download exclusive remixes and catch up on all the latest news.

The Bird and the Bee meet Hall & Oates with The Bird and the Bee’s newest release – Interpreting the Masters Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates. (The Bird and the Bee and Goldfrapp release an album on the same day. Could things get any better?)

Inara George and Greg Kurstin cover classic Hall & Oates songs while adding their own unique style. The CD is a treat for both fans of the Bird and the Bee and fans of Hall & Oates. If you’re a fan of both groups, it’s bliss.

Also included on the album is the original track “Heard It On The Radio.”

Track listing
Heard It On The Radio
I Can’t Go For That
Rich Girl
Sara Smile
Kiss On My List
Maneater
She’s Gone
Private Eyes
One On One

If you don’t have the album yet, you can listen to it in its entirety at thestreetdate.com

Other interesting facts about the album:
- Shirley Manson of Garbage does backing vocals on “Maneater”
- The album cover closely resembles the artwork on Hall & Oates’ Private Eyes

Goldfrapp’s fifth album, Head First, hit stores today and they bring a new sound with it.

Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have a history of giving their fans something different with each release. Throughout their 10 year history, they’ve successfully experimented with several genres such as ambient, glam rock, snythpop, electronica, dance and downtempo. (Did I miss anything?)

The label describes the new sound as “a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance.” The nine-track CD takes us back to the 80s with the first single “Rocket” and sticks with the synth sound for most of the album.

Aside from the lead single, other stand-out tracks include “Believer,” “Hunt” and “Head First.”

A few tour dates have already been announced in support of the new release:
June 7 @ O2 Academy, Oxford
June 8 @ The Assembly, Leamington Spa
June 27 @ Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA. USA
August 21 @ V Festival, Weston Park, Staffordshire
August 22 @ V Festival, Hylands Park, Chelmsford

Visit their official website, www.goldfrapp.com for the latest tour dates.