Ok, if he's not my favorite Ben, he's definitely up there.  Ben Folds hit the scene with his huge huge hit "Brick" back in the 90's, and has really sustained an amazing career since then - touring and collaborating with everyone from Rufus Wainright and Nick Hornby to Amanda Palmer and yes, even Chat Roulette (don't ask).

He's just announced that he's heading out on the road for the Lonely Avenue Tour, celebrating his new album (lyrics by author Nick Hornby, music by Ben Folds) by the same name and plays the historic Beacon Theatre on December 14th.  I have a presale password for you dear NYC readers!  Look for me at the show...I'll have my Ben Folds for President t-shirt on.  Yep.

Al Aaxis presale: Friday, Oct. 22 from 10am - 10pm

Presale Password: ALFOLDS

Ticket LINK

Your Pal,

AL

The Avett Brothers (or A-Bros, as I like to call them), first landed on my radar earlier this year, when we hung out at Bonnaroo before their folk-country-rock-honky tonk-pop set (see photographic evidence, above).  After enjoying their live show so much, I picked up their most recent album, I and Love and You, for the plane ride home, and it has pretty much been played on repeat in the Al Aaxis offices for the last 4 months. Filled with the kind of songs that make your heart literally ache, the album is a beautiful materpiece of sad songs and haunting melodies, backed up by some mean banjo playing.

So, when I saw they were releasing a Live album this week, I knew what I had to do: pick it as my Album of the Week!  This is the perfect album for the slow transition from fall into winter and will become (mark my words), your season soundtrack.

Buy it here and catch the band on their upcoming October tour, which includes stops at some legendary venues, including Radio City Music Hall in NYC and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

-AL

Friends!

I have an awesome giveaway for you today - Selena Gomez and The Scene play TONIGHT at PC Richard + Son Theater in good ole' NYC and I have a pair of tickets for one lucky reader.

Just email ME with "Selena" in the subject line or retweet my Selena tweet HERE to enter to win.  I'll pick a winner at 2pm so GO GO GO!

And if you don't win, do not fret!  Z100 will be streaming the entire concert live, right here.

-AL

I know what you're thinking...you don't normally see this type of pop music on my blog BUT really, Selena Gomez is growing on me!  Listen, her new single,  A Year Without Rain, is so catchy, I just can't help but give her props (in the form of an Album of the Week pick)!  Selena, who got her start on the Barney show (of all places), at the young age of 7, has slowly etched her way out of the Disney tween scene and into more mainstream movies and music collaborations.  Her band's second album, A Year Without Rain, released today, features slick, dance-floor worthy tracks.

After a few listens, it makes me feel like Ms. Gomez could be the next Katy Perry, and this album even features a Perry-written tune, appropriately titled Rock God.  Listen folks, even this isn't normally up your alley, it's poppy-fun, bottom line. I mean, just check out this video - it's got convertibles, sudden rainstorms AND hot-guy mirages.

You can listen to AND buy A Year Without Rain HERE.

-AL

Remember when The Killers first came on the scene?  Everyone from Rolling Stone to Ultragrrrl hailed them as indie/pop rock saviors.  And they were!  But the one who always got the most attention (I call this the Beyonce Syndrome), was their stylish and talented lead singer.  Funny and self-depricating in interviews, clever and catchy with his song writing, Mr. Brandon Flowers was a star.

So I'm glad to see a solo album release from him, Flamingo, out today. The album, already #1 in the UK, is an ecletic mix of pop anthems and bluesy meditations on faith, love and more.  If you like the Killers, you will most certainly love this too.  Congrats to Brandon and I can't wait to catch him on his solo tour (a Spin "Must See" fall tour).

Check out all the dates HERE and purchase Flamingo TODAY!

-AL

N.E.R.D. has just been announced as the opening act on the upcoming Gorillaz tour - which includes stops at the Gibson Amphitheatre in LA and Madison Square Garden in NYC.

Also (this is so cool), Murdoc will be chatting live with fans from "Plastic Beach" on Thursday, September 16th at 5pm EST, 10pm London BST via Ustream, which can be viewed on the band’s facebook page, www.facebook.com/gorillaz.  Fans can submit their questions in advance via Twitter using the hashtag #gorillazlive.

So spread the word Gorillaz geeks, get your questions into Murdoc for next week's chat and prepare to watch N.E.R.D. kill it as an opening act!  All dates and ticket links can be found HERE.

Your Pal,

AL

Hey team AL!

I've been on summer vacation (I've got a nice tan now) for the past few weeks so I'm welcoming you (and myself ) back with a little giveaway.  Actually, a HUGE giveaway.

Legendary rockers Alice in Chains, come to Madison Square Garden (the World's Most Famous Arena, natch!) on September 24th for one big rocker of a show.  And yep, I have a pair of tickets for you and a friend!

You can enter-to-win two ways: 1) Email ME or 2) Retweet my Alice in Chains Tweet HERE.

Good luck - I'll pick a winner on Monday so enter away! 

-AL

I headed down to the Chicago water-front last night to see one amazing show from My Morning Jacket. Seriously. This band just gets better and better every time I see them live. Enjoy the photos and really, don't miss them on tour this summer.

-AL

It just so happens that 2 of my favorite artists - one who has established himself as a alltime fav for me and another who has been on my radar for just a bit - are both coming to the legendary Chicago Theatre this year.  Multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens, creator of the amazing state-themed albums, Illinois and Michigan will play the theatre in October and British buzz band The xx, arrive at the end of September.  Both have presales running this week and I've managed to finagle some more presale passwords for you, dear readers.  Check out the show dates and presale info below and tell your friends that Al sent ya!

 The xx at The Chicago Theatre

September 28, 2010

Presale runs: Friday, 8/20 from 10AM - 10PM

USE CODE: ALXX

Sufjan Stevens at The Chicago Theatre

October 15, 2010

Presale runs: Friday, 8/20 from 10AM - 10PM

USE CODE: ALILLINOISE

Celebrated DJ duo Thievery Corporation and British trip-hop stars Massive Attack will be co-headlining a huge tour this fall, which includes 2 nights (!) at the legendary Beacon Theatre in October.  And guess who has another presale password for you?  You got it - me!  Deetz here:

Shows: October 21 and 22

Presale runs: Thursday, August 12 from 10AM - 10PM

Use Password: HELIGOLAND

Click HERE