Fuse.tv

Could this actually be happening? Damon Albarn of Blur has confirmed that the original members of Blur, including prodigal guitarist Graham Coxon, will be reuniting early in 2009. What does "reuniting" mean? It means they'll be heading into a rehearsal studio to see if they, well, still got it. One would imagine they do.

Brandon Flowers of the Killers has never been known as a particularly modest man. He called their second album, Sam's Town, one of the greatest albums of the past twenty years. It wasn't, and the buying public knew this. Now he reveals that his goal is to be bigger than U2. Guess that's not as bad. Ain't gonna happen though.

The Kings of Leon are huge in the UK. And they are about to start a major UK tour. So it isn't good that reports from the UK have the band teetering on the verge of a major bust-up regarding frontman Caleb Followill's drinking. Hmmm, that's not good.

Kid Rock is still upset about his divorce from Pamela Anderson. How has he gotten revenge? By 'being successful.'

Links:

Damon Albarn: 'Blur Are Reforming For Rehearsals' [NME]

Brandon Flowers: 'The Killers Can Be Bigger Than U2' [Telegraph]

Kings Of Leon In Crisis? [XFM London]

Kid Rock: 'Success Has Been Revenge To Pamela Anderson Divorce' [Gigwise]

Tagged as: Music

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Happy Freaxxxy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2008 at 10:07 AM

In case you haven't yet seen it, this is the dance/screamo/bigbeat version of Chinese Democracy - a collection of sounds so dense as to be off-putting. Is it a joke? Who knows if this New Mexico "band" is serious, but they (Brokencyde) have a freaking UK tour coming up. Fifteen minutes of fame, etc, etc. Don't watch this after dinner.

Tagged as: Music

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Britney's Back, Again

Posted on November 25, 2008 at 10:27 AM

What's the most shocking part of this Britney Spears cover story in the new Rolling Stone? Is it the fact that she feels like "an old fart"? Or perhaps the revelation that it was Kevin Federline who initiated the breakup of their marriage? Maybe it's that her assistant and a minion of manager Larry Rudolph accompanies her on dates? Actually, it's the cover photo, in which Britney looks healthy, fit and NOT CRAZY. Or rather, it's a tie between the cover photo and the creepy dating-chaperoning thing.

Ever heard of rapper/producer John Forte? He worked with the Fugees. He was arrested in 2000 with $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine. He was convicted, and went to jail. And now, he's getting out of jail, thanks to a presidential pardon from the outgoing George W. Bush. That's right - President Bush is pardoning a hip-hop producer convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Why? Intense lobbying by Carly Simon and her son, who went to Phillips Exeter Academy with Forte. BTW, Bush went to Phillips Andover Academy. The old boys network now extends to drug dealer music producers. Good to know.

Guess who wasn't excited about the release of Chinese Democracy by Guns n' Roses? The Chinese. Apparently, they had never heard of it. But they know about it now. And they're not too happy about that title, or about lyrics referring to banned-in-China spiritual group Falun Gong. Or about artwork which includes a painting depicting Chinese as powerless. The BBC spoke to foreign military spokesman Qin Gang, who noted that "According to my knowledge, a lot of people don't like this kind of music because it's too noisy and too loud." The Chinese government may not have heard Chinese Democracy, but their sources certainly have.

R.I.P. MC Breed, who died on Saturday in Ypsilanti, MI as a result of kidney failure: He worked with Too Short on several albums, both as a rapper and a ghostwriter. A chance meeting with Tupac Shakur in a tattoo parlor led to the single “Gotta Get Mine,” which became a hit in 1993. That year Mr. Breed also appeared, alongside Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, on a characteristically wacky George Clinton song, “Paint the White House Black.”

Links:

Britney Returns [Rolling Stone]

Record Producer John Forte's Sentence Commuted [New York Daily News]

China: Roses Album Is 'Venemous' [BBC]

MC Breed, 37, Rapper With Midwest Roots, Is Dead [New York Times]

Tagged as: Britney Spears , Celebs , Current Affairs , Music

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All We Need Is Love

Posted on November 25, 2008 at 10:26 AM

These days, it seems hard to believe, but it's true: you can't buy the Beatles on iTunes. Or any other digital store. There are several reasons for this. One is Apple's name, which shares its name with the Beatles company Apple Corps. Everything was fine while Apple Computer only sold computers. But once it got into the entertainment game with iTunes, Apple Corps became angry, arguing that there was only room for one Apple corporate name in the entertainment world. For years - years - the two companies went at it, making many lawyers wealthy. But somewhere along the line, Apple Corps realized that Apple iTunes wasn't going anywhere, and hostilities were dismissed. So, Beatles on iTunes, right? That was the idea. But now, there's a hangup, and, according to Paul McCartney (um, he was in the Beatles), it's with EMI. EMI, of course, was and is the Beatles distributor and sometimes label (it was at their London offices where the Beatles shot the album covers for Please Please Me, as well as the Blue and Red albums). As Paul puts it, "It's between EMI and the Beatles I think - what else is new?" Looks like another holiday season will pass without any digital Beatles. Too bad - this year especially, we could have used some Love.

It's not just Axl that has a big album out this week - today is Kanye Day with the release of 808s and Heartbreak. It's West's first album since the death of his mother and his breakup with a former fiance. He also sings. For the whole album. Jim Farber of the New York Daily News thinks it's "appealing pop that promises far more heart than it delivers." Kanye may not like that assessment.

Your almost-daily Amy Winehouse update: the newly single Amy was admitted to a hospital after a bad reaction to medication. She's fine, but they kept her for tests. That is all.

Producer Swizz Beatz says the upcoming Eminem album will feature a sequel to Stan, Em's tale of fan obsession. So what's it called? Right now, Stan Part 2. Ok, then. Eminem's album Relapse is due in January.

Links:

Beatles' iTunes Talks Stalled: McCartney [Reuters]

Kanye West Drops Rap For Woeful Crooning On New Album '808s and Heartbreak' [New York Daily News]

Singer Amy Winehouse Admitted To Hospital [Reuters]

New Eminem Album Features 'Stan' Sequel [Gigwise]

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AC Newman To Take On Take On Me

Posted on November 24, 2008 at 09:20 AM

Acnewman

Ain't that America: Travis Barker's recovery is proceeding fairly well - a Blink-182 reunion is even being quietly discussed! - so of course this means... time for lawsuits! Barker has sufficiently healed to call his lawyer and get some suits started. Barker has sued Bombardier (the plane's manufacturer), Clay Lacy Aviation (which booked the flight), and Goodyear Tire and Rubber, which made the tires. Clay Lacy Aviation has already responded to TMZ, claiming that, while they're very sorry there was an accident, they simply booked the flight, and therefore are not responsible. That may be, but Barker has deep pockets. And is pissed. And burned. Pissed and burned.

The fascinating saga that is Amy Winehouse's life rolled right along over the weekend as she revealed that her marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil is over. Winehouse says "It was never going to last. We were only together for sex." Given the sex she describes, it's almost surprising they didn't work harder to stay together.

Everybody loves A-Ha's Take On Me, so it's no surprise that slow (pop) wonder A.C. Newman has recorded his own take on the 1985 classic. The impetus was a Valentine's Day comp for Starbucks that will be out in (obviously) February. Or perhaps January. Newman mentioned the cover at his November 15th show at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY before performing a different cover which was rejected by Starbucks, Love Goes On by Aussie greats the Go-Betweens. The show, which took place November 15, was notable for its myriad guest stars, including Nicole Atkins, who contributed vocals, Donna Jean-like, to Newman's set (thankfully, Atkins' contributions were far more enjoyable than the former Dead vox lady) and Charles Burst, former drummer/vocalist for The Occasion, who was behind the Vistalites. Not to be outdone, openers The Oranges Band boasted the guitar work of Doug Gillard, solo artist and formerly of the late, great Guided By Voices. Get Guilty, Newman's second solo album, is out on January 20th.

Links:

Travis Barker Sues Plane And Tire Companies [TMZ]

Amy Winehouse And Blake's Marriage Over [NME]

Amy Winehouse Admits Her Marriage Is Finished [News Of The World]

Tagged as: Music

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Sunday: Dr. Pepper Day

Posted on November 21, 2008 at 10:31 AM

Good to see the Roots in the mainstream news following their appointment as the new Late Night band, but this is the kind of news we could do without: the Philly heroes were in a tourbus accident in Paris early Thursday morning. Their bus flipped after crashing into a van. Thankfully, all are well. ?uestlove has a pretty horrifying account of the incident.

So yesterday, Chinese Democracy commenced streaming on the Guns n Roses MySpace. So how are the numbers? Pretty impressive: as of midnight ET last night, almost 3 million plays for the day. Not bad. The album goes on sale Sunday. And Sunday will be your only opportunity to grab a coupon for a free soda from Dr. Pepper's site. And after Sunday, according to Jon Pareles at the New York Times, we can lay to rest both the concept of and the reality the multi-million dollar album. And in case you're wondering, he thinks there are a couple of decent songs on the album, but that the whole thing is bloated and overdone. There's no doubting, though, that it's fascinating to listen to, at least once.

The curious feud between Taco Bell and 50 Cent continues. In July, the Bell tried to goad Fiddy into being part of their marketing campaign concerning their line of 79 cent tacos. Not only was the former Curtis Jackson pissed off, but he sued for wrongful use of his name. A bit of an overreaction, but whatever. Now, it's Taco Bell's turn to get pissed off. The chain filed its own suit against the rapper, calling him "a self-described former drug dealer and hustler" and basically calling him a fake gangsta. Dude, you DO NOT mess with Taco Bell.

Ashlee Simpson had her shortie and now there is a little Fall Out baby Boy. UPDATE: The kid's name is Bronx Mowgli Wentz. TAKE THIS CHILD FROM HIS UNFIT PARENTS NOW.

Links:

Roots Crash Bus In Europe: Everyone OK [okayplayer]

Chinese Democracy - Guns n Roses [MySpace]

How Axl Rose Spent All That Time [New York Times]

Taco Bell To 50 Cent: You're A Gangsta Wannabe [E! Online]

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Delivers Baby Boy [Reuters]

Tagged as: Celebs , Music

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Lookin Out At The Road Rushing Under My Wheels

Posted on November 20, 2008 at 10:18 AM

Bmph

Paris Hilton and Benji Madden have broken up after nine months together: "Hilton publicist Alanna McCarthy said Wednesday that the two 'remain very good friends.' She wouldn't say more." Of course she wouldn't. There is nothing more to say. Actually, maybe there is: Fox News says that Prince William has been hanging with Paris in London and that the two may have New Year's plans. Is this how a year ends, not with a whimper, but with a bang?

It seems like ages ago now, but remember when the McCain campaign used a bunch of songs at rallies and on TV ads, and those artists got upset? Jackson Browne was just one of them, appalled that his classic Running On Empty was used as a sort of catch phrase in a pro-McCain, anti-Obama spot. Now that the election is over, you'd think the whole bust-up would blow over, right? Wrong: the McCain campaign hasn't forgotten about the suit, and this week filed two motions. One is to dismiss, and the other is an anti-SLAPP motion, which seeks monetary damages following a plaintiff's (Browne's, in this case) attempt to suppress free speech. It's a very smart and shrewd move, and one that would undoubtedly embarrass Browne should the motion go through.

Tragedy often brings estranged friends together: Blink-182's Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and still-recovering Travis Barker have been back in touch since Barker's recent plan accident, and even recently hung out. Will they get back together? Hoppus says there have been "positive conversations" and that that's a "good thing"... exactly the type of commentary one might expect from a band that seriously thinking about it.

Links:

Publicist: Paris Hilton and Benji Madden Split [Yahoo! News]

John McCain Fights Back Against Jackson Browne [Reuters]

Travis Accident Trigger's Blink-182 Reunion... Offstage [E! Online]

Photo: AP/Matt Sayles via.

Tagged as: Celebs , Music

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Don't Gett Off

Posted on November 19, 2008 at 07:32 AM

Prince

Prince has been in the news this week. First of all, he's being sued by a perfume maker, who claims that Prince has failed to live up to promotional expectations that he is, allegedly, contractually obligated to fulfill. Lawyers for Prince claim the suit is without merit. Which is lawyers are supposed to say, of course. In case you're interested, the fragrance is called 3121... just like his 2006 album! The other big Prince news concerns a now-controversial profile in the current New Yorker, in which Prince points to a Bible and implies that Gays are Bad. Newsworthy enough to hear anything so politically explosive from a musician. Also newsworthy? A source close to Prince tells Perez Hilton that the Purple One was misquoted. But Wired says the New Yorker sticks by their story. So there we are, for now.

Is this news? New news? Not sure. But anyway: Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl was inspired by Scarlett Johansson. And speaking of Scarlett, she has no idea why Lindsay Lohan hates her.

Touring can be fun. Photoblogs can be fun. Why not combine both happy pursuits and peruse drummer Justin Peroff's pics on the Broken Social Scene blog? And scroll down for a report from Scene-ster and Do Make Say Think-er Charles Spearin.

Links:

Perfume Maker Sues Musician Prince [Reuters]

Soup With Prince [New Yorker]

Scarlett Johansson Is Flattered She Inspired 'I Kissed A Girl' [People]

Let Me Take You On [Broken Social Scene]

Tagged as: Music

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No One Mashes Up Like You

Posted on November 18, 2008 at 11:38 AM

Hip-hop superstars The Roots are about to become a household name outside of hip-hop, and Philly, and indie rock fans: the Philadelphia stars are set to give up touring and become the house band for Late Night when Jimmy Fallon takes over for Conan O'Brien (who is, of course, headed to The Tonight Show). So add the Roots to a long list of successful musicians who have taken talk show gigs: Max Weinberg of the E Street Band on Conan (who'll also be moving to the Tonight Show), Kevin Eubanks on the current Tonight Show and before him, Branford Marsalis, the legendary New Orleans trumpeter whose forays into rock have included gigs with Sting and the Grateful Dead.

U2 continue their work in the studio (IE, New York, England, Morocco, France, and other places) and, according to producer Daniel Lanois, it's pretty amazing. In an interview with the Boston Herald, Lanois says "The president of the company [Bono] is singing better than ever and the tracks are wildly innovative. I would never have thought things would have gone this way. I believe, well, rock ’n’ roll has been reinvented one more time." Coming from the producer of U2, Peter Gabriel and Bob Dylan, not to mention Lanois's status as an acclaimed songwriter, that's a pretty impressive description.

Here's as unlikely a mashup as you'll hear: Womanizer by Britney Spears, mashed up with No One Does It Like You, the Van Dyke Parks-ian tune by Grizzly Bear member-sharing Department of Eagles.

Links:

Roots Will Be Jimmy Fallon's Band [Philly.com]

U2 Producer Daniel Lanois Hits Boston With His Own Tunes [Boston Herald]

Britney Spears vs. Department Of Eagles [The Hood Internet]

Photo of Daniel Lanois by Danny Clinch.

Tagged as: Music

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Patience

Posted on November 17, 2008 at 10:54 AM

Steven Adler, original drummer for Guns n' Roses, has fallen on hard times. Actually, he's been on hard times for awhile now, basically ever since he was kicked out of the band way back at the turn of the 90s for partying too hard (!!). But yeah, back to now: on Friday, Adler pleaded no contest in an LA court to heroin possession charges in the hopes of avoiding jail time by entering a treatment center. Not so newsworthy in itself, but remarks made by his attorney? That's a different story. Adler's lawyer Barry Gerald Sands tells Reuters that recovery isn't all that's on the drummer's mind. He also wants back in with GNR. And not the revolving door of Chinese Democrats, but rather a reunion of the original crew. Whiiiiiich... is actually possible. Original rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin was invited onstage for a version of Patience a couple of years back, and Axl must surely be aware of the dollar amounts that would come with an original GNR tour. So maybe Adler's onto something.

Nice gig if you can get it - replacing Josh Freese behind the Nine Inch Nails drumkit in 2009 will be Lostprophets drummer Ilan Rubin.

It'll be a wonderful Christmas after all: Swedish garage rockers The Hives are teaming up with Cyndi Lauper for 'A Christmas Duel', a holiday tune that will be available for free download beginning on November 28th.

Lindsay Lohan and her gfriend Samantha Ronson were just having a normal night out in Paris when anti-fur activists pelted the fur stole-wearing Lohan with flour. Lohan laughed it off - Ronson was pissed off.

Links:

Ex-Guns n' Roses Drummer Seeks Rehab, And His Old Job [Reuters]

Welcome, Ilan! [Nine Inch Nails]

The Hives and Cyndi Lauper Record Christmas Song [NME]

Samantha Ronson's Fur-ious Over Lindsay Lohan Flour Incident [New York Daily News]

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Getting Away With It

Posted on November 14, 2008 at 11:59 AM

Johnny Marr gets around. Following the breakup of the Smiths, Marr immediately took to playing with others, lending his trademark peals of hollow body riffing to Talking Heads, the Pretenders, Bernard Sumner and Neil Tennant, The The, and, more recently, The Cribs, and Modest Mouse, a band in which Marr is actually now a full-time member. Another name can now be added to the list: Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, who has called on Marr to help out with his upcoming solo album The Empyrean, due out on January 20th. The album, Frusciante's tenth (!), will also feature Flea.

Michael Jackson gets to stay at his Neverland home! Barely. To avoid losing his home altogether, Jackson transferred the deeds to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, a firm Jackson has a small stake in. So ho no longer owns Neverland, but he can still live there. And presumably, host visitors.

The Guns n' Roses news train continues: Chinese Democracy listening parties are being scheduled for cities around the country. The parties take place between the 17th and 20th and hit New York, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, LA, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Detroit. Do you know where you are? You're ~~in the jungle~~ at the Chinese Democracy listening party! You're gonna die!

Because It's Awesome: Twi the Humble Feather. Their debut disc, Music For Spaceships and Forests, is an otherworldly collection of pieces driven by repetitive acoustic guitars, angelic, chamber-like vocalizing, and percussion that seems to fly in and out of songs at will. Listen at their MySpace. Pic above by Julianna Barwick.

Links:

Johnny Marr Joins John Frusciante On New Album [NME]

Jackson Gives Up Neverland Ranch [BBC]

Guns n' Roses Set Up Chinese Democracy Listening Parties [SMNnews.com]

Twi the Humble Feather [MySpace]

Tagged as: Music

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There Was A Time

Posted on November 13, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Mitchmitchell

The release of Chinese Democracy inches closer. Reviewers are receiving their review copies. David Fricke's review in Rolling Stone has been published, and the album receives four stars. Is it a four star album? Hard to say (um, especially without hearing it), but the following must be noted: the leaks that appeared earlier this year were not, in this subjective opinion, worthy of four stars. Fricke says it's more Use Your Illusion than Appetite For Destruction, noting it's epic scale of song and genre. Not noted however, is the flat-footed nature of the material. The songs on Appetite were irresistible because of the groove that Steven Adler and Izzy Stradlin brought. The new material seems to sacrifice feel at the expense of arena-sized aural posturing. But maybe this opinion will change when the thing is actually on Best Buy's shelves, and available for purchase.

Calm down, Zep purists: any tour involving Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Jason Bonham, and A Singer That Is Not Robert Plant will NOT have the name Led Zeppelin. That is all.

R.I.P. Mitch Mitchell, nimble-limbed drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Mitchell brought a jazzman's nuance to Hendrix's roars and whispers. The Wind Cries Mary and Manic Depression are just two tracks that well highlight Mitchell's skills. Mitchell also played with Jeff Beck, Georgie Fame and many others.

Links:

Chinese Democracy : Guns n' Roses [Rolling Stone]

Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Jason Bonham Tour 'Not Led Zeppelin' [Gigwise]

With the Death Of Mitch Mitchell, The Jimi Hendrix Experience Is Over [Times U.K.]

Tagged as: Music

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Sunday Night Dream

Posted on November 12, 2008 at 09:05 AM

Brucedream

Bruce Springsteen is very good at keeping his name in the news. In the past month, he has been chosen to play the Super Bowl Halftime Show, jammed with Billy Joel and played acoustic benefits for Barack Obama. It was at an Obama rally on November 2nd that Springsteen debuted a brand new song called Workin' On A Dream. The acoustic version has been available on YouTube; Sunday, you'll have a chance to hear the studio version, when it makes its debut during halftime of Sunday Night Football. The studio recording of this song, which is expected to be on Bruce's new album slated for a January drop, will serve as the background music to halftime highlights. Such is the promotional campaign in 2008.

Good news from California: according to posts on the Deftones blog, bassist Chi Cheng, who was injured in a car accident last week and who remains in a coma, has been displaying positive signs of recovery, and doctors are optimistic about a recovery.

Not-so-good news from the U.K.: Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher has been hospitalized since November 3rd due to an unspecified illness. For now, the band are touring as a three-piece. According to Mastodon's official site, Kelliher's condition is imprving, and it is hoped he can rejoin the band the November 30th kick-off of their headlining tour of Europe.

Links:

New Bruce Springsteen Song To Debut During NFL Game Sunday [Rolling Stone]

Doctors Optimistic For Deftones Bassist [Hollywood Reporter]

Mastodon Member Hospitalized [Mastodon]

Tagged as: Music

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Shirt Designer Pretend

Posted on November 11, 2008 at 10:34 AM

Stipe_lacoste

Looking for a holiday gift for that cousin of yours that loves any two of the following: R.E.M., polo shirts, photography? Then why not pick up the new Michael Stipe-designed polo shirt from Lacoste? That's it above. It's adorned with a black and white short of a concert crowd. Yes, the alligator logo is front and ~~center~~ left. For a more continental web-browsing experience while on Lacoste's site, be sure to click on 'francais.'

It isn't enough to be world famous, a massive pop star, and one half of one of music's most powerful power couples. Which is why Beyonce has declared her interest in portraying Wonder Woman in a feature film. The soon-to-be Sasha Fierce met with honchos from both DC Comics and Warner Brothers recently to make her pitch. A black Wonder Woman would be "bold," according to Beyonce. It would also be pretty awesome. Also awesome? The arresting visual image of Beyonce as Wonder Woman. Just sayin', etc.

That rumored Led Zeppelin tour WITHOUT Robert Plant? Weird to think about. Will they even call it Led Zeppelin? Either way, Chris Cornell finds the idea pretty depressing. So no, Cornell won't be lending his voice, even if asked.

Yet another sign of a changing industry: Warners says all bands signed to their label must have 360 deals. As you may or may not know, 360 deals give labels a cut not only of record sales, but also touring, licensing and merch revenues.

Links:

Michael Stipe Designs Polo Shirt For Lacoste [Pitchfork]

Beyonce Wants To Be Wonder Woman [BBC]

Cornell Slams Led Zeppelin Reunion [Contact Music]

Warners Requiring 360 Deals From Everyone [Punknews]

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Just Have Fun Like You Mean It

Posted on November 10, 2008 at 09:28 AM

The Killers have done some covers in the past; their version of Morrissey's Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself is fairly faithful. Given that the Killers often sound just like Morrissey, that is hardly a surprise. But when they tackled Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want To Have Fun at a recent charity show in London, their clean New Wave stylings were surprisingly well-suited to the timeless melody. Watch it here.

Someone once said that all songs are about love. And that's kinda true. But really, all songs are about doing it. A recent McSweeney's list of Popular Songs Condensed Into Single Sentences proves this.

Classic 80s pop star suits, yachts that made the band seasick, and hot island chicks: it could only be the video for Duran Duran's Rio. The Guardian wonders if this is the ultimate 80s video.

And if you're still bored, check out Cheryl, the Beatbox girl from the Netherlands.

Links:

The Killers Play Surprise Gig [BBC Newsbeat]

Fifty Years Of Popular Songs Condensed Into Single Sentences [McSweeney's]

Is Rio The Ultimate Eighties Pop Video? [The Guardian]

Cheryl, The Beatbox Girl From Holland [YouTube]

Tagged as: Music

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Killer, Thriller Nights On Broadway

Posted on November 7, 2008 at 08:04 AM

Tickets for those Phish reunion shows taking place next spring in Hampton, Virginia are, as one might imagine, difficult to score. Too difficult, some upset phans are saying. Brokers seemed to get a goodly amount of the jam ducats. The Man says that's just the way it is in our crazy, ticket-buying-on-the-internet world.

The rumors turned out to be true: both Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake joined Madonna onstage last night at her show at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The two appeared on different songs, however; Spears on the tune Human Nature, and Timberlake on 4 Minutes. And now we know how a 50 year-old pop star remains somewhat relevant.

It could soon be Thriller night on Broadway: Gigwise is reporting that Thriller, the Michael Jackson song that spawned a mini-movie video, may be turned into a Broadway musical. Expect a lot of dancing zombies. If it happens.

The election of Barack Obama has actually put Rage Against the Machine in a not-bad mood.

Links:

Fans Say Ticket Sales Are Phishy As Brokers Ask Hundreds [PopMatters]

Britney Joins Madonna Onstage At US Show [BBC]

Michael Jackson's Thriller To Be Made Into Broadway Musical? [Gigwise]

Rage Against the Machine Hail Historic Barack Obama Election Win [Gigwise]

Tagged as: Music

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You're So Great

Posted on November 6, 2008 at 08:47 AM

Graham Coxon, the genius former Blur guitarist, and Pete Doherty the genius Kate Moss-getter and drug user, and pretty good musician, former Libertine and current Babyshamble, are heading into the studio together to work on a Doherty solo album. Could it work? Here's some recent YouTubage of the two playing Coxon's old Blur tune You're So Great.

Here's something from the Awesome News department: The Kinks have started writing material for a potential reunion. According to Ray Davies, if the stuff is good, there could be a reunion. If not, who knows. It's a good bet Ray Davies can come up with a decent song or two.

No surprise that Radiohead's Thom Yorke is pleased with this week's election results. And so he has offered up a new remix of his anti-Bush/Blair solo tune Harrowdown Hill on Radiohead's site.

Links:

Pete Doherty and Graham Coxon Head Into the Studio Together [NME]

Ray Davies: Kinks Writing New Material [Billboard]

Radiohead's Thom Yorke Releases New Song To Mark Obama Election Win [Gigwise]

Tagged as: Music

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Will The Lamb Lie Down Again?

Posted on November 5, 2008 at 01:13 PM

Will the Lamb Lie Down On Broadway again? Billboard reports that the original lineup of Genesis - Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Steve Hackett - is getting closer to a full scale reunion. Gabriel remains the main holdout. However, all remain friends, and Gabriel has brought up the idea in the past, so we may indeed see a reunion soon of the original Genesis lineup.

On a day when politics is all anyone can talk about, some sad news from California: Chi Cheng, the bass player for Deftones, is in a coma after being involved in a car accident on Monday night in Santa Clara, California. Writes frontman Chino Moreno on the Deftones blog: Chi is one of the strongest people I know, and I'm praying that his strength will get him through this. Please say a prayer for him as well.

Bruce Springsteen, who played a series of acoustic sets at Obama rallies in recent weeks, seems set to release a new studio album in January, timed to coincide with the Obama inauguration, as well as his own appearance at the Super Bowl.

Links:

Genesis Holding Out Hope For Gabriel Gigs [Billboard]

Deftones Bassist In Coma After Car Crash [Reuters]

News [Backstreets]

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