Dear works his magic on 'VCR'

Music producer, DJ and electronic avant-pop artist Matthew Dear has released a remix of "VCR" by The xx, which first started making its way around early last week. I suggest you get ready to stand and shuffle your feet.

Out of everything I've listened to in the past year, The xx have probably been one of the most played groups. They're four 20-year-olds from South London who produce a masterful distillation of R&B and indie synth-pop music that just begs for good sampling or remixing.

In fact, they do quite a bit remixing of their own - fantastically done for musicians their age. I've included Dear's version of "VCR" and a remix of Florence and The Machine's "You've Got the Love (Jamie xx Remix)" for your listening pleasure.

"VCR (Matthew Dear Remix)"
"You've Got the Love (Jamie xx Remix)"

Shear-goodness

Shearwater have gone out of their way to assert themselves as more than just an Okkervil River side project, but a living, breathing full band. By the way, they sound nothing like O.R. The Austin band release their third album, "The Golden Archipelago," February 15th on Matador.

If you like Joy Division, Joni Mitchell, Talk Talk and ... that's right Radiohead - then you may like Shearwater. Here are the first two singles. I have to admit, Jonathan Meiburg's breathtaking falsetto on "Castaways" really gets my heart pounding.

"Castaways"
"Black Eyes"

It's Piss and Vinegar, but I like it

Brooklyn-based band The Shondes has signed to Fanatic Records for the May 4th release of its second album, "My Dear One," an album for survivors of broken hearts. The album’s title track is now available for free streaming and download.

For those lucky folks heading to South by Southwest, the band will perform tacks from the new record live during the Fanatic Records showcase at Beauty Bar on March 16th, 2010.

"My Dear One"