Pitchfork

We here at Pitchfork dropped the news back in November that progressive emo quintet Joan of Arc's new album So Much Staying Alive and Lovelessness-- their first studio album in three years -- is set for release on February 4th through Jade Tree Records. According to the Jade Tree website, this new album is a "career culmination of [the band's] musical meanderings and genius in a concise, focused, and mature realization." That's fantastic. But more importantly, was the band influenced by their time spent contributing vocals to rapper Trick Daddy's 2002 release, www.thug.com? I don't see a cover of Trick Daddy's "Suckin' Fuckin'" on the tracklist, so I'm guessing no. Here's the previously reported tracklist, again, in case you're scoring at home:

01 On a Bedsheet in the Breeze on the Roof
02 The Infinite Blessed Yes
03 Perfect Need and Perfect Completion
04 Olivia Lost
05 Diane Cool and Beautiful
06 Participation Billy
07 Mean to March
08 Hello Goodnight Good Morning Goodbye
09 Dead Together
10 Madelleine Laughing
11 Staying Alive and Loveless

In other news, the movers have loaded up the equipment onto the tour van and now Tim Kinsella & Co. are set to bring their "You Bet Tour '03" to a venue near you. Tour dates:

02-26 St. Louis, MO - Rocket Bar
02-28 Fort Worth, TX - Ridglea Theater (w/ Rainer Maria, Mates of State)
03-01 Austin, TX - Emo's
03-03 Phoenix, AZ - Modified
03-04 San Diego, CA - Casbah (w/ Hella)
03-05 Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland (w/ Hella)
03-06 Los Angeles, CA - The Smell (w/ Hella)
03-07 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill (w/ Hella, Ping)
03-08 Sacramento, CA - Capitol Garage (w/ Hella)
03-09 Bellingham, WA - Western Washington Univ
03-10 Portland, OR - The Blackbird
03-11 Seattle, WA - Graceland
03-14 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
03-15 Chicago, IL - Fireside Bowl (w/ The Love of Everything)
03-16 Milwaukee, WI - The Globe
03-19 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop (w/ The Love of Everything)
03-20 Rochester, NY - Milestones (w/ The Love of Everything)
03-22 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge (w/ The Love of Everything)
03-23 Brooklyn, NY - Club Luxx (w/ The Love of Everything)
03-26 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church (w/ Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Love of Everything)
03-27 Alfred, NY - Powell Knight Club (w/ The Love of Everything)
03-28 Bowling Green, OH - Howards Club H (w/ The Love of Everything)