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« September 2008 | Main | November 2008 »
Make Of That What You Will
Posted on October 31, 2008 at 10:57 AM
As you know, Madonna and Guy Ritchie are going through an increasingly acrimonious split. She implies that he didn't live up to her rules. He implies that she's a lunatic. And now she sends him texts that say 'You're going down.'
Hmmm. So, the other day word got out that Michael Jackson was planning a thirty city tour next year. Now, news comes from Jermaine Jackson that the original Jackson 5, including Michael, plan on touring in 2009. Janet will open, according to Jermaine. Also, Jermaine says they are all in the studio. Could this be the tour Michael meant? Who knows. Who knows anything with that family.
You've heard of home decorators, interior designers, and myriad makeover shows on TV. Now, get ready for, um, personal music stylists.
Head over to Stereogum for the first track to be released from New Pornographer A.C. Newman's upcoming solo album. Album is called Get Guilty, and the song is called There Are Maybe Ten Or Twelve. It's great.
Links:
Madonna and Guy Ritchie Exclusive [Mirror]
Jermaine Says: Jackson 5 Reuniting in '09 [Billboard]
Does This Song Match My Sofa? [New York Times]
New A.C. Newman - "There Are Maybe Ten Or Twelve" [Stereogum]
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A Guest Is Born
Posted on October 30, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Feist has done it. R.E.M. has done it. Even Rush has done it. Now, it's Wilco's turn to visit The Colbert Report. The band will reportedly play one song and will presumably be interviewed by Colbert, though given his friendliness with the likes of Elvis Costello, a grilling is not likely to take place. Happily for Colbert, and us, Wilco is not letting this appearance nor a December tour with Neil Young get in the way of prepping for a new album, which guitarist Nels Cline says will be sonically wilder.
As previously mentioned, U2's Bono has been offered an op-ed writing gig with the New York Times. So he celebrated with some hot chicks. And, maybe to deflect attention, a U2 spokesperson announced that a new U2 album would appear in early 2009, and not in time for Christmas. Which would be news if they hadn't said the same thing a month ago.
Are They Human? Or Are They Dullard? Earfarm makes a convincing argument for the Killers being the least creative song-naming band ever.
Had enough of Joe the Plumber? Too bad. He could become a William Hung for a whole new generation.
Links:
Wilco To Appear On 'The Colbert Report' [Pitchfork]
In The Studio: Wilco, Band Of Horses, Liz Phair [Rolling Stone]
Uh Oh! U2's Bono Photo With Bikini Teens A No, No [Post Chronicle]
Play It Again Sam('s Town) [Earfarm]
Joe the Plumber Pursued For Record Deal [Politico/Yahoo!]
Tagged as: Music , Television
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Almost Paradise
Posted on October 29, 2008 at 08:41 AM
If you'll recall, Steven Page, frontman for quirky Canuck popsters Barenaked Ladies, had an eventful July, during which he was charged with drug possession after New York State coppers found Page, his girlfriend, and her roommate snorting cocaine with a rolled-up Canadian bill (which is either an insult to Canada, or cocaine). Well, the judgement and sentencing have come down! The verdict? Guilty. The punishment? Eh (get it?), just some substance abuse treatment. As long as he literally gets with the program and, you know, keeps his nose clean for six months, he'll be able to prance about the stage and across the border like any other law-abiding barenaked lady.
Footloose, the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon as a high schooler who moves to an Arkansas town where dancing is banned, is a classic. So why not tarnish its reputation recreate it for a new generation? Paramount plans on paying Zac Efron millions to play the Bacon role. All of which provides more than enough reason to once again point you in the direction of Doveman's hushed and beautiful song for song cover of the entire Footloose soundtrack.
New York's own Ryan Adams played a last-minute surprise show at a tiny bistro in New York's own Soho yesterday. BrooklynVegan was there. So was the Music Slut. And so was Ryan Adams.
Links:
Barenaked Ladies Frontman Steven Page Avoids Jail Time On Drug Charges [Canadian Press]
Paramount Fast-Tracks 'Footloose' [Variety]
Doveman :: Footloose [dovemanmusic.com]
Ryan Adams (Secret Show) @ Cafe Select, NYC [BrooklynVegan]
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Q: Are We Not Breast Casts? A: We Are Charity
Posted on October 28, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Charity work has reached its natural acme: Katy Perry is donating a cast sculpture of her breasts to the Keep A Breast Foundation. The breast cast will be painted by her boyfriend, Travis McCoy. Also participating in the painted breast cast (and other items) for charity campaign are Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, Iggy Pop and Devo. Pictured above is a cast of Amber Ray's breasts, as painted by Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh.
Pitchfork takes a quick break from fawning over currently trendy, reverbed garage rock to interview critically acclaimed songwriter, and composer of many, many kids' soundtracks, Randy Newman.
Ouch: Lindsay Lohan refused to tape a deposition in a lawuit between Samantha Ronson and her former attorney, and in the course of the back and forth discoursed, those lawyers labeled Lohan a "semi-celebrity." They're half-right.
Links:
Katy Perry Donates Breasts To Charity [NME]
Interview: Randy Newman [Pitchfork]
Lawyers Deem Lindsay Just a "Semi-Celebrity" [E! Online]
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That Smiths Rumor Isn't Funny Anymore
Posted on October 27, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Michael Jackson has had quite a career. He was a child star with stunning talent. He was the biggest pop star of the 80s. He was the face of the music video era. He released some pretty awful records in the 90s. Then he got a new nose to replace the one that is rumored to have fallen off due to extensive cosmetic surgery. Then, of course, he went on trial to face child molestation allegations (he won the case). So now the his name is cleared, and some time has passed, he may as well tour. UK tabloid The Sun reports that MJ told a fan in LA that he had a thirty city world tour in mind for 2009. Jackson's popularity is on the wane in the US, though he still does well in major cities globally. Look for the tour to hit places like Eastern Europe, South America and Cape Town, a city to which Jackson has considered moving. Weird dude, MJ is.
More music news, bizarrely, from The Sun: they say the Smiths will reunite to play Coachella in the spring. Johnny Marr's manager, however, tells Uncut that a reunion will NOT be happening.
Jane's Addiction played on Thursday night in Los Angeles. The venue held 157 people. Adrian Grenier, two Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Tom Morello were in the crowd. So was this guy.
R.I.P. Merl Saunders, San Francisco organ player who over his long career played with Miles Davis, B.B. King, Phish and Bonnie Raitt, and who was best known for a long-running friendship and collaborations with the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia. He was also an active environmentalist. Saunders was 74.
Links:
Michael Jackson Is All Set To Make A Stage Comeback Next Year [The Sun]
The Smiths Are 'Closer Than Ever' To A Reunion [The Sun]
Rumors That Smiths To Reunite Have Been Quashed [Uncut]
Jane's Addiction Delivers the Goods at La Cita [Buzz Bands]
Merl Saunder Dies at 74; Keyboardist Collaborated With Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia [Los Angeles Times]
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The Unforgettable Column
Posted on October 24, 2008 at 11:22 AM
With a week and a half to go before the election, the campaign trail is heating up. And so is, naturally, online radio. Slacker Radio has created a channel that plays only the favorites of Dem candidate Barack Obama. Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin and U2 (see below!) are just some of the big names on the playlist. And Kool and the Gang.
Bono, U2's messiah figure, hs been asked to write an "occasional" column for the New York Times. Will Edge play the blues if Bono bugs us?
It ain't music, but it is funny: Star Trek captain James T. Kirk William Shatner is pissed that Star Trek helm officer Mr. Sulu George Takei did not invite him to Takei's wedding last month. Mr. Chekov was invited. In fact, he was the best man. Lt. Uhuru was there, too. Takei, though, says Shatner WAS invited... he just never RSVP'd. Shatner rant here.
The All-American Rejects recently, as bands will do, shot a video. It's called Gives You Hell, and it's taken from the Oklahoma rockers' forthcoming release When the World Comes Down, which is out December 16 on Interscope. Scroll down for some exclusive behind-the-scenes shots from the shoot, which went down this week.
Links:
Obama Gets His Own Internet Radio Station [Wired]
Bono Asked To Write New York Times Column [New York Times]
'Trek' Stars Clash Over Snub [Kansas City Star]
All-American Rejects. Gives You Hell shoot:
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Fierce!
Posted on October 23, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Know what happens when a big tour bus travels at highway speed on icy roads in Wyoming? It skids off the road. Sometimes. Which is what happened to Florida agit-rockers Against Me! early yesterday morning. No one was hurt, but gear was scattered over the road. The band was forced to cancel its Salt Lake City show last night, but tonight's Boise show is scheduled to go on as normal.
OK, so that free Dr. Pepper that everyone is getting because the Guns n' Roses joint Chinese Democracy is actually coming out this calendar year? Apparently, go to Dr. Pepper's site on November 23rd (release date), register your information for a coupon. When the coupon arrives, go redeem where Dr. Pepper is sold. Et voila, there you go.
Jane's Addiction will play their second reunion show of the year tonight at La Cita in Los Angeles. The $5 tickets are all gone, surprise surprise. The lineup includes Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery. So... could a more substantial reunion may be on the way?
On November 18, get ready for Sasha Fierce. AKA Beyonce. I Am... Sasha Fierce is the upcoming double - that's right, double - album from Beyonce. Sasha Fierce is her alter ego, you see. Key word ego? Hmmm.
Links:
Against Me! In Bus Accident, Forced To Cancel Show in Salt Lake City [Rolling Stone]
Official Instructions For Claiming Your GNR Dr. Pepper [Prefix]
Jane's Addiction To Play Another L.A. Reunion Show [Yahoo!]
Beyonce Reveals Official Album Title(s) And Reveals Alter Ego [str8 hiphop]
Tagged as: Music
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Theatre Of Pain
Posted on October 22, 2008 at 08:45 AM
The southern California legal system giveth, and the Southern California legal system taketh away: the Britney Spears driving-without-a-license misdemeanor case has been declared a mistrial... on the same day, Lindsay Lohan is being sued by three people who were taken on a drunken joyride by noted driver Lindsay Lohan, the same ride that led to Lindsay Lohan's DUI arrest last year.
SNL head honcho and Dr. Evil inspiration Lorne Michaels tells EW about how the whole Sarah Palin appearance thing came together.
Motley Crue bassist is a big fan of Crue guitarist Mick Mars. In fact, he likes Mick so much that he got a tattoo of him. On his leg. That's right: Nikki Sixx now has a tattoo of Mick Mars. Blabbermouth has a photo.
Links:
Britney Donged With Mistrial; Case Dismissed [E! Online]
Lindsay Lohan Sued Over '07 DUI Ride [E! Online]
Lorne Michaels Talks Sarah Palin [Entertainment Weekly]
Nikki Sixx's Mick Mars Tattoo Revealed [Blabbermouth]
Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs , Music
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Electro Shock News
Posted on October 21, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Leslie Feist is a huge star. But before she was a huge star, she was a somewhat smaller star, riding the massive critical acclaim of her album Let It Die, as well as her status as Toronto indie collective Broken Social Scene's most distinct female voice. Well, that latter role may be finished. Feist says she is taking a break from her solo career, and will also be making a permanent break from Broken Social Scene. "It's not really as interesting for me as it once was," Feist said. "[It] would be like a reunion to be able to hang out with everyone – but I can do that around a kitchen table too."
Kevin Cogill, the 27 year-old blogger who is being sued by Axl Rose and the Federal government for allegedly leaking new Guns n' Roses tracks, pleaded innocent to charges of violating copyright law in federal court yesterday. What will happen first: his trial, or the actual release of Chinese Democracy?
If you're a fan of intelligently quirky, introspective pop, then you may be familiar with Eels, who have been quietly releasing critically acclaimed albums since their breakthrough single Novocaine For the Soul was released back in the mid-90's. What you may not know is that main Eel man Mark Oliver Everett's father Hugh was a world renowned and famous physicist, who helped pioneer the multiple worlds theory of quantum mechanics. Tonight, Nova on PBS examines the relationship between father and son, as (Mark) Everett researches his father's history.
Isn't that nice: Gwyneth Paltrow is 'supporting' her friend Madonna during this difficult time.
Links:
Feist Taking A Break, Possibly Permanent Break From Broken Social Scene [Prefix]
L.A. Man Pleads Innocent in Guns n' Roses Piracy [Reuters]
'Nova: Parallel Worlds, Parallel Live' [LA Times]
Paltrow 'Supporting' Pal Madonna [BBC]
Tagged as: Music , Television
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Monday Morning Missiles
Posted on October 20, 2008 at 08:35 AM
He may not be recovered enough to run around southern California naked, but crash survivor Travis Barker has been released from an LA burn center. He will continue to be treated from home.
Janet Jackson mystery solved: the singer, who had canceled several weeks' worth of shows, had migraine-induced vertigo, returned to the stage over the weekend. The New York Daily News did not like what they saw.
The Dears are a Morrissey-influenced indie band from Montreal, headed by Murray Lightburn and (his spouse) Natalia Yanchak. They're about to release a new album, Missiles, this week, but the backstory of their band, featuring endless touring, babies, animosity with old band members and disappointment and disillusion, is a fascinating one. That pic above is of the newest touring lineup of the band, which features Chris McCarron, bassist of fellow Montrealers Land of Talk.
Links:
Former Blink-182 Drummer Released From Burn Center [Yahoo!]
Janet Jackson's Rocky As She Resumes Rock Witchu Tour [New York Daily News]
Oh, Dears, Where Did It All Go Wrong? [The Globe and Mail]
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Movin' Out
Posted on October 17, 2008 at 10:37 AM
The rockin' for Obama continued last night, in the form of a Billy Joel/Bruce Springsteen supergroup at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. The event was a high-priced fundraiser, with some tickets going for $10,000, so the entertainment had better be good. According to Rolling Stone, Springsteen and E Streeters Patti Scialfa and Roy Bittan joined Joel and his band for a rotating setlist of Springsteen and Joel classics. Born To Run, Allentown, Glory Days, River Of Dreams... all played. Joel's "Just The Way You Are" sadly not.
Guess who's back? Eminem. Listen to Eminem's new "I'm Having A Relapse."
Looks like Dr. Pepper is keeping its (his?) word: If Chinese Democracy comes out this calendar year, everyone in America will get a free can of Dr. Pepper.
Links:
Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel Form Supergroup For Obama In NYC [Rolling Stone]
Eminem - I'm Having A Relapse [Yo! Raps]
Yes, We're All Getting Free Dr. Pepper [Stereogum]
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Who Says You Can Use Who Says You Can't Go Home?
Posted on October 16, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Add Bon Jovi to the list of artists who are pissed over that McCain/Palin is using their music at rallies. The band's tune "Who Says You Can't Go Home" has been used at recent Sarah Palin rallies. Jon ain't happy: "Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home.'" Got it. Bon Jovi joins a list of upset, accidental Repub soundtrack-supporting musicians that includes Heart and Jackson Browne. Unfortunately, ASCAP, the publisher of all the songs in question, employs a blanket fee for public performance for many artists at once, meaning that there is little these artists can do. Except complain loudly and make their opinions heard.
Yesterday, we told you about how Ringo Starr will stop reading and answering fan mail. The guy's getting old... leave him be! Now he has to go and explain himself. He shouldn't have to. Trivia question: What is the only Beatles song to contain a drum solo? Answer below.
Oh hey this band Guns n' Roses has a new album coming out (finally! LOLZ) and you can pre-order it here. There's vinyl if you want. Also a few different album covers. Only one there now, though. Welcome to the jungle, blah blah blah blah blah.
Links:
Bon Jovi Complains Over Republican Rally Song [Reuters]
Ringo Starr Does Damage Control Over Fan Mail Controversy [Rolling Stone]
Guns n' Roses, Chinese Democracy [Best Buy]
Trivia answer: The End.
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Honey Don't
Posted on October 15, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Radiohead have finally unveiled a bit of info on the whole pay-what-you-want In Rainbows experiment. Their management still won't reveal exact numbers, but say that the download money was more than the total sales for 2003's Hail To the Thief. That was BEFORE the album was physically released (and subsequently went to Number 1 in the US and the UK). Also, the band was apparetly monitoring the download/money numbers and were prepared to pull the plug.
Post-colonial grad-rockers Vampire Weekend has written material for a new album and will begin recording in November. According to frontman Ezra Koenig, the new tunes will feature "a lot more instruments." Makes sense, now that they can afford more instruments.
According to UK tabloid The Sun, Madonna and Guy Ritchie are divorcing, for real this time, we mean it, very, very soon. Clashes over career commitments and Madonna's desire to adopt another child are reportedly behind the split. It IS the Sun, however, so take it with a grain of salt.
Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr, famously depicted in a Simpsons episode answering every piece of fan mail he receives, will no longer accept fan mail. Presumably because there's just too much of it. Which is fine. Let Ringo relax.
Links:
Radiohead Reveal How Successful 'In Rainbows' Download Really Was [NME]
Get Ready For A New Vampire Weekend Album [Spin]
Madonna and Guy Ritchie's Relationship Ends After Seven Years of Marriage [The Sun]
Ringo Starr: No More Fan Mail [AP]
Tagged as: Celebs , Film , Music
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Back In the Black
Posted on October 14, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Pretender Chrissie Hynde, who owns a vegetarian restaurant in her hometown of Akron, Ohio, isn't the only rocker-turned-restauranteur: Julian Casablancas of the Strokes opened his Korean BBQ joint Shin in Hollywood last night. Mark Ronson, as well as That 70s Show actors Danny Masterson and Laura Prepon, are among the other investors.
The New York Times calls AC/DC ageless and defiant. Which they are. They also rule. The Times piece also reveals that the band's five members are spread out over three continents: drummer Phil Rudd in New Zealand, guitarists Angus Young and Malcolm Young split time between London and Sydney, and bassist Cliff Williams and singer Brian Johnson live near each other in Florida. More eye-openingness from the article: "Since 1991, when Nielsen SoundScan started tracking music sales, this Australian band has sold 26.4 million albums, second only to the Beatles, and more than the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin." Wow. And check out that kickbutt photo above, taken by Tyler Hicks.
The bizarre Janet Jackson "tour" continues: Jackson, who has canceled every scheduled show since she first became ill in late September, had been scheduled to resume the tour last night. But, um, she didnt, on advice of her doctors. What's wrong with her? The public doesn't know. Her brother claimed she had vertigo. Others say the whole ruse is meant to hide poor ticket sales. So much for her first tour in seven years.
Links:
Hynde Opens Vegan Restaurant In Hometown [SFGate]
The Strokes' Julian Casablancas Turns Restauranteur [NME]
Ageless and Defiant, AC/DC Remain Popular Without Going Digital [New York Times]
Ailing Janet Jackson Cancels More Concerts [AP]
Tagged as: Music
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She's [M.I.A.] Having A Baby
Posted on October 13, 2008 at 10:13 AM
So now we know what M.I.A. has been out of the picture yesterday - she's pregnant! The now Brooklyn-based British Sri Lankan revealed her her current state at a Diesel 30th anniversary party on Saturday night in Brooklyn. The photos on BrooklynVegan seem to indicate that M.I.A.'s pregnancy isn't affecting her athletic style of performance. The father, one would assume, is Benjamin Brewer, frontman for Brooklyn band The Exit and son of Warner Music Group's Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
The video for the new Britney Spears single Womanizer debuted on Friday night on 20/20 of all places (check it out here). And yes, she's kinda nude in a lot of it. And yeah, she looks good. So why does the whole thing forced? Britney Spears... out of ideas.
Via MySpace, Travis Barker gives us an update on his recovery. Mad props go out to his doctors, family, friends and fans. Slight disses go out to Shanna Moakler.
Sad news: R.I.P. Gidget Gein, formerly of Marilyn Manson. Gein's real name was Brad Stewart. Stewart's body was found at his Burbank, CA home on Thursday; cause of death likely an overdose. Stewart played bass in the band until 1993, when he was fired over his drug use and replaced by Twiggy Ramirez. In slightly more upbeat news, word is the Manson may be collaborating with Ne-Yo.
Links:
M.I.A. Is Pregnant, Played the Diesel Party [BrooklynVegan]
Britney Debuts Womanizer Video [People]
Travis Barker: Latest News [MySpace]
Manrilyn Manson Band Member Found Dead [NME]
Ne-Yo To Team Up With... Marilyn Manson? WTF?! [E! Online]
Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs , Music
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They Might Use Jelly
Posted on October 9, 2008 at 10:13 AM
You would expect rock stars to live like rock stars. But what about artsy, experimental pop artists like Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips? Wayne lives in a multi-house compound in a crime-ridden part of Oklahoma City, a complex that serves as home, laboratory, rehearsal space and band headquarters. You know, just like you'd expect.
Wow: 2009 may see a project by a new supergroup featuring Faith No More's Mike Patton, no stranger to unusual collaborations, TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe and Anticon's Adam "Doseone" Drucker (cLOUDDEAD, Subtle, 13 & God). Apparently, an avant-vocal thing.
The Obama awareness shows continue: the still-stunning Devo will play a rare hometown show at the Akron Civic Center on October 17. It's their first headlining show in Akron since 1979 (!).
Who's responsible for the "successful" ("successful" meaning maintaining the same level of not winning) surge in Iraq? Jessica Simpson, according to George W. Bush.
Links:
At Home With Wayne Coyne - Not Exactly Domesticated [New York Times]
TVOTR + Mike Patton Anticon... My Dream Supergroup Is Born [The Onion A.V. Club]
Devo Playing Rare Hometown Show [Billboard]
Prez Says the Darndest Things [New York Post]
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You Don't Mess With the McCartney
Posted on October 8, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Paul McCartney has a reputation for being just about the nicest guy in rock n' roll. But (the deeply unpopular) Heather Mills managed to piss even him off. In a new song released under the moniker The Fireman (McCartney's collabo with superproducer and Killing Joke bassist Youth), McCartney lays into Mills with lyrics like "I remember you well . . . I couldn't resist you / when I made you . . . You have money and no manners"... Damn! It's like the old Lennon solo tune How Do You Sleep?, except that McCartney is Lennon, and Heather Mills is McCartney. Or something like that.
Hip-Hop New Albums alert:
Lil Wayne is already working on Tha Carter IV, as well as a new mixtape called Dedication 3 that will be available soon. Of course, this news comes from his ESPN blog. Did you know that Brett Favre is Lil Wayne's favorite player of all time? Now you do.
Kanye West hit up T.I.'s LA show over the weekend and seized the opportunity to talk about himself, or rather, his new album, which is called 808s and Heartbreak, and will be out on November 25th.
Somewhat semi-hip hop-related, Coldplay will release a new version of "Lost" on November 24, a version that features... Jay-Z!
Because it's awesome: The Pretenders perform Boots of Spanish Plastic on Letterman. Dudes, Chrissie Hynde is 57 and still kicks ass.
Links:
Getting Even [New York Post]
Lil Wayne Blogs For Us: World Series? "I See The Tampa Bay Rays" [ESPN]
Kanye: New Album Coming November 25 [Billboard]
Coldplay To Release 'Lost' Jay-Z Track [Uncut]
The Pretenders, "Boots Of Chinese Plastic" [YouTube]
Tagged as: Music , Television
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Desperate Police Club
Posted on October 7, 2008 at 09:16 AM
The line between indie rock and network television continues to blur: Toronto rockers Tokyo Police Club are shooting an episode of Desperate Housewives today that will air in November. What brings the young Canucks to Wisteria Lane? A Battle of the Bands, of course. The men of the show form a band, they enter a competition, and end up facing TPC. Yes, Tkyo Police Club perform, and yes, they have speaking roles.
Yikes: after seeing In the Heights, Britney Spears is reportedly looking for a role somewhere on Broadway.
Good news! We will have "have to wait" for the new Michael Jackson album, according to producer will.i.am.
Because it's awesome: Department of Eagles, featuring Daniel Rossen (Grizzly Bear) and Fred Nicolaus.
Links:
Tokyo Police Club to Guest On Desperate Housewives [Pitchfork]
Charlize Suit Closely Watched [New York Daily News]
Will.I.Am: 'Michael Jackson Fans Face Wait For New Album' [Gigwise]
Daniel Rossen Flies With the Department of Eagles While Staying Inside the Den of Grizzly Bear [New York Times]
Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs , Music , Television
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Rehab
Posted on October 6, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Amy Winehouse... she's got problems. Which is why the Scientologists want to help her! Gawker points us to this story which reveals that the controversial, Hollywood-based, um, religion, has been in touch with Winehouse, urging her to join their drugs program (you're meant to give up drugs, not do more, if that wasn't clear). And apparently, she's considering taking them up on her offer. How'd they find her? Via a producer who worked on her Back to Black album, of course.
Are you cool or famous enough to have Disneyland closed to the public in order to host your Sweet 16 party? No, you're not. But Miley Cyrus is. Guests included Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks and Jennifer Love Hewitt, a veritable Who's Who of Us Weekly faces.
The great Chinese Democracy Watch continues: apparently, 900 Best Buy employees were treated to three tracks from the long-in-the-making Guns n' Roses LP. And word is that the album will be released November 25 and sold exclusively at Best Buy. New GnR manager Irving Azoff has really gotten Axl to step to it. Also, rumor is he is attempting to get the original band together for a summer 2009 tour. Um, wow.
So a kiss at a Kuwaiti concert has infuriated Islamists MPs in the country. Not the band KISS, mind you... a kiss. A teenage girl recently jumped onstage and kissed popular Egyptian singer Tamer Hosni at a recent show. This not only violates mores, but actual laws; in 2004, the Kuwaiti government passed legislation banning audience dancing and imposing segregation of the sexes. Sounds like a party!
Of course, SNL did the VP debate. Click here for hilarity. Also, the Killers performed. And they were OK. Not groundbreaking, but they wore nice suits. The new stuff returns to the New Waveyness of Hot Fuss. Which is fine. OK.
Links:
Scientologists Reach Out to Winehouse [DigitalSpy, via Gawker]
Miley Cyrus Celebrates Sweet 16 at Disneyland [AP]
Guns n' Roses Chinese Democracy Set For November Release? [MusicRadar]
Kiss At Concert Infuriates MPs [Kuwait Times]
Saturday Night Live: VP Debate Open [NBC]
Tagged as: Music
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Something About Airplanes, and Other Things
Posted on October 3, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Bidness News: Apple has won a case with music publishers over profits from the iTunes store. Apple had been threatening to close iTunes if publishing rates had increased. The publishers were seeking 15 cents per track, as opposed to the current 6 cents per track. Would Apple had actually shit down iTunes had they lost? No way. iTunes is a major component of Apple's image, and with Amazon's store, not to mention more and more digital retailers, picking up steam, shutting down was and is a move Apple can never make. And in terms of net profit, Apple has just dodged a bullet, much to the industry's chagrin (again).
New Music composer/wonderdude Nico Muhly does the Guest List thing for Pitchfork. If you are looking for beautiful, insane new music that is completely different from other stuff out there, you should really check out Muhly's new Mothertongue.
More news: Death Cab For Cutie will give their now ten year-old debut Something About Airplanes the deluxe reissue treatment, including new artwork as well as a bonus live CD of the band's first ever Seattle show. That latter will include liner notes from Sean Nelson of Harvey Danger, the headlining band that night.
Links:
Music Download Royalty Rates Won't Rise, and iTunes Isn't Going Anywhere [Dallas Morning News]
Guest List: Nico Muhly [Pitchfork]
Something About Airplanes to be Reissued As A Deluxe Limited Edition [Barsuk]
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To Be Born Again
Posted on October 2, 2008 at 09:38 AM
We knew this moment would come: Phish, the mega-selling jam quartet from Vermont, is reuniting after four years of retirement. The announcement came yesterday, and included news of three dates this March in Hampton, Virginia. Hampton, and its Hampton Coliseum, was the site of the Phish live album Hampton Comes Alive. It was also where the Grateful Dead, in 1989, played two "secret shows" and brought back old faves like Dark Star and Attics of My Life to the live show. Apparently, Phish felt they needed to find some magic in the very same Coliseum. Whether they did or not is hard to say, but there will certainly be plenty of people psyched for the these, and the subsequent, yet-to-be-announced, shows.
Bruce Springsteen has added another date to his Obama Tour - a show in Philadelphia's Ben Franklin Parkway this Saturday, October 4th, that is free to all residents of Pennsylvania. If you want to pay a little money to see Bruce, then save your shekels for the $500 minimum show at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom that Bruce is playing with, erm Billy Joel. That goes down on October 16.
Irish soul mystic Van Morrison will perform his 1968 album Astral Weeks in its entirety on November 7 and 8 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. It is no stretch to say that this album is one of the greatest albums made in the rock era.
Links:
After Four Years, It's Time to go Phishing Again [Boston Herald]
On the Streets Of Philadelphia [Backstreets.com]
Billboard Bits: Van Morrison [Billboard (second item)]
Tagged as: Current Affairs , Music
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Smells Like the Guy Who Wrote Smells Like Teen Spirit
Posted on October 1, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Yesterday we mentioned the Katy Perry doll, today, today it's the controversy over 'I Kissed A Girl' being used at a pep rally in Texas. It all went down at Van High School in Van Zandt High School, where the offending parties (three twirlers) have been suspended from performing at the next two games. The band is showing solidarity - band members are wearing buttons of support and the drum line is refusing to play. Shades of Donna Martin Graduates!
No Freakin' Way: An Australian artist claims to have come into possession of some of Cobain's ashes. And she plans to smoke them. In a joint. It's all part of a five piece "death cycle" of art. The experience/installation will end with the artist, Natascha Stellmach, smoking the joint filled with Cobain's ashes and releasing him "into the ether, away from the media circus." Not a bad thought, but maybe someone should have asked him?
Janet Jackson was in the hospital... and now she's out. Jackson was in a Montreal hospital for two hours yesterday. No cause given, but having been dropped from Island/Def Jam, she can't be feeling all the hot in general these days.
Links:
Twirlers Disciplined Over Suggestive Song at Pep Rally [MSNBC]
Australian Artist Plans to Smoke Kurt Cobain's Ashes [Daily Swarm]
Jackson Released From Hospital [BBC]
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JAY-Z Video
- JAY-Z on 'The Blueprint 3'
- Toure finds out where the new album resides in JAY-Z's catalog of classic records.
- JAY-Z on Cover Art
- Toure and JAY-Z talk about the inspiration for his new album's cover art.
- Daily Noise: JAY-Z Interview
- We sit down with JAY-Z to talk about his new album and more.
- D.O.A. (TRANSLATED!)
- Watch the video and read Fred Pessaro's translation for the hip hop impaired.
- Run This Town
- Watch JAY-Z, Rihanna and Kanye run this town. Heck, I'd vote for them.
Awsome band!