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Mac Demarco/Tyler, the Creator working together...

That ellipses in the headline exists for a reason. Two undeniable goofballs like Mac Demarco and Tyler, the Creator doesn't just give cause to pause, but cause for concern. The pair have spent some time together in the studio while Demarco's been in L.A., presumably to promote his upcoming Salad Days LP. Yesterday, music site Line of Best Fit tweet out the above photo, which we can take to mean the two are filming something. The real news of course would be if whatever it is doesn't turn out to be: weird, schlocky, or downright disgusting.

Mac Demarco’s aforementioned Salad Days arrives April 1 via Captured Tracks, and you can hear the jangly first-take "Passing Out Pieces" below.

The Flaming Lips, Sting, Broken Bells to pay tribute to the Beatles on Letterman

























For the next six years if you're a music fan at all, you can expect a constant barrage of "On this day fifty years ago in the Beatles..." statuses. The first major domino in that parade will topple next week with a "Beatles Cover Week" on CBS's Letterman program. Considering CBS was the network that Ed Sullivan was on when the Fab Four first joined him in '64 and Letterman films in the very same theatre, it's only appropriate to reignite Beatlemania from the locale. 

So beginning Monday of next week, a bevy of artists ranging from The Flaming Lips (no strangers to Beatles covers) to Sting, Broken Bells, and John Lennon's son Sean, will all tip their hats to the lads from Liverpool, leading up to a February 9th airing (the exact date of the Sullivan gig) of tribute special called The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute To The Beatles. Twist, shout, scream. Do whatever you'd like to celebrate the milestone.

For news updates throughout the day, follow @AllFreshSounds on Twitter and check back in Monday for more of the newest in new(s).

"Passing Out Pieces"- Mac Demarco

As I’m writing this, I want to shove my head straight through my laptop. Internally I’m screaming  one “simple” question in my head, “why does Mac Demarco do this?” “Why shield gorgeous jangle pop with juvenile live shows and slimy presentation?” I wonder aloud. Trying to rationalize “an off-kilter persona is perfectly acceptable in rock,” I abruptly pause once realizing that if taken too far “off-kilter” can become an unwelcome diversion. Scanning my own library, most “slackers” I find are paper tigers. Stephan Malkmus appears borderline “lazy” in his delivery on a track like “Summer Babe (Winter Version)”, but he still had to get up off the couch and write the anthemic chorus.

I picture Edmonton-native Demarco sinking further into a couch, Cheetos crumbs and flecks of stale weed showering over him. Hearing the sedate guitar riffs and tottering “surf synth” of “Passing Out Pieces” doesn’t win any hearts or minds. Demarco volunteers, “watching my life pass right in front of my eyes” and as he says it you can hear the infinite resignation in his voice. He’s not powerless to stop what’s going on; so much as he’s unwilling. When you hear “oh is it boring” sighed, you want to shake Demarco out of his glassy-eyed stare. “What mom don’t know has taken its toll on me,” is the one kernel of honesty to be pried out of the gap-toothed singer. The slovenly exterior isn’t a distraction from the music; it’s a distraction from Demarco.

Mac Demarco’s new album Salad Days arrives April 1 via Captured Tracks.