Friday, October 30, 2009

We Will See The Sun Rise

WPA frontman Glen Phillips is offering 8 free songs for the low low price of your email address.

1. Always Have My Love
2. Blood Pressurize
3. Don't Lose Your Voice
4. Return To Me
5. Thankful
6. Crowing
7. Everything But You
8. The Hole

Previously...

Get to Know the Feeling of Liberation and Release

Adventureland SoundtrackAs I slowly recovered this week from what was likely H1N1, I couldn't stand another minute of the Food Network so I hit the local Redbox and rented Adventureland.

I'll be honest, despite the critical acclaim it received earlier this year upon its release, my expectations were significantly tempered by the overexposure of too-cool-for-me Twilight superstar Kristen Stewart. Perhaps it was the fever haze I was in, but the movie resonated with me. It seemed genuine (excepting the caricatures by Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig) and unforced (excepting the distracting overuse of the Mary Jane), reminding me of similar experiences in my younger days while working with peers at a cultural attraction not entirely unlike the amusement park in the flick. I was never as disaffected as these characters, but I do relate to how they lived to a certain soundtrack - and what a soundtrack it was!

I love when movies use great music well. Adventureland's soundtrack was nearly distracting; not because the music was poorly used, but because the music is so good it nearly dominates the scenes. Fortunately the filmmakers found the right balance. With The Replacements, Velvet Underground, and The Cure the cool factor is amped up, and I found myself smirking to Falco's Rock Me Amadeus, swooning to Crowded House's perfect Don't Dream It's Over, and cringing to Animotion's Obsession.

Unfortunately the official soundtrack (below) is a mere 14 tracks long and hardly representative of the film's music. Thankfully, others have come before me to fill in the rest.

via Amazon.com
via iTunes

Oh, I now understand the appeal of Kristen Stewart a bit better. Her performance seemed effortless and real, and despite her rather moody character she lit up every scene she was in.

Every Love I've Ever Known Is Dead

Leave it to the music lovers at NPR to offer a Halloween playlist sans Monster Mash, but seriously, where's the love for Matthew Sweet (Devil with the Green Eyes anyone)?!?

Thursday, October 29, 2009

I Am In Paradise

Peter Gabriel is working on a covers album that evidently features some interesting choices:

01. "Heroes" - David Bowie
02. "Street Spirit" - Radiohead
03. "The Book Of Love" - Magnetic Fields
04. "Flume" - Bon Iver
05. "My Body Is A Cage" - Sara Lov
06. "Listening Wind" - Talking Heads
07. "I Think It's Going To Rain Today" - Randy Newman
08. "Apres Moi"
09. "Waterloo Sunset" - The Kinks
10. "The Boy In The Bubble" - Paul Simon
11. "The Power Of The Heart" - Lou Reed
12. "Philadelphia" - Bruce Springsteen
13. "Mirrorball" - Elbow
It's also being called a "song swap," which the BBC reports may mean that Gabriel's covers album will come out first next year and then the artists covering Gabriel may be released monthly online. The concept is great and the song selection is stellar. I can't wait to hear his "acoustic ... orchestral" covers.

The Band In My Head

U2 live from the Rose Bowl can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube in case you missed the live stream earlier this week. More like this from other bands, please.

Better Better Better Better Better Waaaaa

Ahh, the simplicity of pop music: Hey Jude -> na!

Thanks, @BeatlesTweets!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

What Do I See?

Matthew Sweet is back to releasing music through fairly obscure soundtracks. Seriously, did anyone see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past? If you did, shame. Shame.

Well as a surprise to even his hardest-core fans, Matthew's title track slipped by us. It's actually an All Too Much tune featuring Matthew Sweet. It's got a decent retro vibe to it - even a bit reminiscent of early Matthew - but it's mostly forgettable unless you're really into Matthew McConaughey movies or, uh, Matthew Sweet.

All Too Much & Matthew Sweet - Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (via iTunes)

Delicious Beyond Compare

Holy shit.

Thanks to the magic of eBay, you can own a piece of modern music history. Ending soon is bidding on original studio reels of Beatnik Beatch - soon thereafter to be known as Jellyfish - recording the now classic Bellybutton.

These five studio "safety reels" are original tapes from Schnee Studios, Studio 55, Ocean Way Recording. Three of the reels are 1/4" tapes, and the other two are 1/2" tapes. These recordings became the classic Bellybutton album we all know and love!
Wow. This is seriously one of the coolest things I've ever seen on eBay.

Pardon the Intrusion

Matt Pond PA wishes you a happy Halloween with free music. Enjoy.

MP3: Matt Pond PA - Halloween (via aampromo.com)

Monday, October 19, 2009

It's a Most Unholy Sight

Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears - Mad Valentines EPResiding somewhere along the spectrum of Beatles <-> Queen <-> Jellyfish <-> Flaming Lips <-> Phoenix is Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears, the sonic equivalent of a funhouse without the stupid clowns. Songs leave you dizzy after taking so many twists and turns and you're left feeling a bit weirded out yet overcome with spastic melodies that stick for a long time.

You can't help feel a bit discombobulated when disembarking from The Flight of the Knife, the last full-length album; but just like a kid vomiting cotton candy after a full day of riding upside-down rollercoasters you definitely want more. To whet our appetite for the next magnum opus, Scary and the Tears have released the Mad Valentines EP and it's definitely more cotton candy and loopty-loops.

Download via iTunes

The band is also on tour with The Black Hollies. Check out TheirSpace for all the dates. What a show that must be!

Maybe Then We'll Last a Million Years or More or More or More

GusterGuster makes it easy to contribute to Reverb, a green non-profit that "educates and engages musicians and their fans to take action toward a more sustainable future." Guster has contributed virtually priceless items like an autographed guitar, autographed alternate album art, and VIP tickets and backstage passes for you to bid on. Guster offers this all through Charity Folks. Guster wishes you luck in your bidding.

Me gusta Guster.

And in the Middle of the Celebrations I Break Down

Abbey Road will be the first full album download available for Beatles Rockband. How freakin' cool would the side two medley be to play?! Lord knows how many times I've air-drummed and air-guitared it.

Here are the details. It's all a bit more complicated than "The album will cost $##.##" so read it for yourself.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Now I Shall Reign in Blood

LEGO Rock BandLEGO Rock Band! "Suitable for younger audiences." I don't know, when my then five-year-old son started playing (and subsequently singing) Raining Blood by Slayer on Guitar Hero I thought nothing of it!

* The Automatic - “Monster”
* Blink 182 - “Aliens Exist” *
* Blur - “Song 2”
* Bon Jovi - “ You Give Love a Bad Name” *
* Carl Douglas - “Kung Fu Fighting”
* Counting Crows - “Accidentally in Love” *
* Europe - “The Final Countdown”
* Foo Fighters - “Breakout”
* Good Charlotte - “Boys and Girls”

* The Hives - “Tick Tick Boom!” *
* Jackson 5 - “I Want You Back”
* Kaiser Chiefs - “Ruby”
* Pink - “So What”
* Ray Parker Jr. - “Ghostbusters”
* Sum 41 - “ In Too Deep” *
* Tom Petty - “Free Fallin’’
* Vampire Weekend - “A-Punk”
Sure. Just in time for the holidays. Why not?

Somehow We Slipped Out and Now We're Eveready

Modern Skirts first came to Des Moines this past summer for the 80/35 festival, which I missed for personal reasons. Mind your own business.

Here's my second chance:

Nov 17, 2009
w/ Skybox
Des Moines, Iowa
@ Vaudeville Mews
212 4th Street [MAP]
18 & up show
Tickets are $8 advance by CLICKING HERE
$10 at the door
For more info call the venue at (515) 243.3270
Modern Skirts on at 10pm sharp
See more tour dates at their official site.

After the Fires, Before the Flood

Earlier this week on Facebook E the Prolific announced a new Eels album:

The eighth EELS studio album, entitled END TIMES, will be released January 19, 2010. Stay tuned to www.EELStheband.com for album info as it comes in.
Man, still haven't listened to all of Hombre Loco yet!

We'd All Love to See the Plan

Not LameEarlier this week Bruce, the Not Lame guy, sent out a cryptic message about the future of his passion project.

So let me cycle back to the beginning of this message. In 2010, some big events coming from me. Huge, in fact. One of them, transformational for many thousands of music fans far beyond this Not Lame world(but you will be the first to know). Quote me. Haunt me with that boldness, I'm game. I'm a fighter and I love a challenge. At the least, I've got skin in the game of my life and pushing to new challenges always. But changes are.....afoot and well under way. Not easy ones but necessary....and still awesome, exciting ones. Keep on supporting what Not Lame is doing *now* and in the coming months. Why? Because....it matters.
No idea what any of this means. I've always been impressed by how Not Lame somehow keeps afloat, but something's obviously going on. Hope it's all good news.

Now Put Your Hands Up

Cecil Adams gives up the Straight Dope on earworms...

The most loathed tune? No surprise here: Billy Ray Cyrus’s “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Lately mine has been Single Ladies for multiple reasons, not the least of which is this. Any earworms inflicting you of late?

And I Will Get What I Deserve

Guster speaks...

Remember Pasty? Back in 1999 when LAGF came out, our TM was a former Guster bootlegger (he made "tapes") named Pasty. Well, Pasty's all grows up and just had a (10 pound) baby named Max. He's turned over his vast bootleg vaults ...to us and we're releasing them on our redesigned website, a new one every month or two, free to download or stream. Right now, he's got one from April 2000 in Portsmouth NH up there. Enjoy...
Me gusta Guster.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Innocence and Consequence

Dan Wilson - one of the fellas behind Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic and the Grammy-winning songwriter behind the Dixie Chicks - recorded a double album during a live performance in Minneapolis last December and it is now available.

Live at the Pantages includes Singing In My Sleep, Secret Smile, One True Love, Free Life, All Kinds, and more. It is only available via his website here.

Please Go All The Way

Sid 'n' Susie are hitting the road and they need your help.

If you are interested in being a street team member to help distribute posters and fliers in your town, please email: SnS.streetteam@gmail.com

Here are the details:
1. We will give volunteers a free pair of tickets and an autographed poster.
2. If you are interested, please notify us as soon as possible.
3. The subject line MUST include the city you would like to street team for (very important) and please only select cities listed below.
4. Please provide us with your mailing address.
5. You will be notified immediately, if you are selected to join.
Oh, by the way, Sid 'n' Susie are Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs and they're taking their righteous renditions of retro classics to these places in November:
Nov 5 Carrboro, NC Arts Center
Nov 6 Atlanta, GA Eddie's Attic
Nov 8 Alexandria, VA Birchmere
Nov 9 Annapolis, MD Ram's Head
Nov 10 New York, NY City Winery
Nov 11 New York, NY City Winery
Nov 13 Arlington, MA Regent Theatre
Nov 14 Northampton, MA Iron Horse
Nov 15 Sellersville, PA Sellersville Theater

We Still Love You, Lucy

Julian Lennon and James Scott Cook have released LUCY, a new one-song collaboration being released to memorialize Lucy (in the sky with diamonds) Vodden who recently passed. It is being released exclusively through Jules' new company theRevolution with proceeds going to support Lupus research in Lucy's name.

Download LUCY

Julian's new album - Everything Changes - will be released early next year.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

People Fall In Love

Trash Can Sinatras release a new single on November 2 in the UK. It's been awhile so it's nice to hear from them. "People" has a decidedly 80's retro feel to it for me, but I like it. This is actually their second single from their latest album, In The Music, released in April 2009. Of course only available here in the states as an import.

Enjoy.




TheirFace
TheirSpace
iTunes
Amazon

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

It's Just Ghosts; It's Just Voices In Your Head

The Clientele - Bonfires on the HeathThe music of The Clientele has always presented a bit of a paradox to me. The tunes are soothingly familiar yet nearly disconcerting in the ways they seem to eerily dust off distant and long-dormant memories. You could swear you've heard them before yet they are brand new. All-in-all it makes for a great listen and today marks the release of their new album Bonfires on the Heath.

The Clientele have always been autumnal and very English, and on their fourth album, Bonfires on the Heath, they may have created the most perfect, autumnal, English pop record imaginable.
Preview and download the album via Merge
Download via iTunes
Download via Amazon.com

The Ego's Last Stand

Nation, The Flaming Lips have given birth to a new album, Embryonic.

With thunderous drums, beefed-up bass lines and bursts of noisy electronic clutter that recall the band's earliest efforts, many of the songs capture the spontaneity of its live shows. It's an element of explosiveness that makes Embryonic yet another musical high mark for an eminently enjoyable and rewarding band.
So says NPR, where you can stream the new album in its entirety a week before it's released! Of course, fans of Colbert already got their chance last month, but in case you missed it, here you go.


Pre-order via Amazon.com
- out on 10/13

Friday, October 02, 2009

Seasons Turn

Brandon Schott - DandelionTreat yourself this fall weekend with a burst of autumnal pleasure...

Brandon Schott's excellent new album Dandelion was released this past week.

via iTunes
via Amazon.com MP3

Brandon's Too Poppy-exclusive cover of Strawberry Fields Forever is going, going...

Dandelion review

Popdose interview with a much appreciated reference to Too Poppy

Enjoy.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Do It Again

The Raveonettes - In and Out of ControlThe Raveonettes' new album In and Out of Control will be officially released next week. Stream the beautiful noise now at TheirSpace. Cheery stuff.

Amazon.com pre-order

Same Old Thing Happens Every Day

Back in July, Paul McCartney played Citi Field to memorialize the spot where the Beatles performed well below the din of tens of thousands of screamers over 40 years ago. He will release the experience called Good Evening New York City on CD and DVD November 17.

This momentous musical experience will be available in two formats: a 3-disc (2 CD + 1 DVD) standard edition and a 4-disc (2 CD + 2 DVD) deluxe version featuring expanded packaging and a bonus DVD including McCartney's traffic-stopping, headline-making July 15 performance on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee (including bonus numbers not aired on the Late Show with David Letterman broadcast).
Macca sure likes releasing his live recordings, but from most accounts, he's been sounding great this year.

It's as Soft as a Baby's Beard

10 Facts about E's beard

The Guts on Your Blouse

Welcome, Broken Bells...

And while he’s well known for producing the likes of Gorillaz, he claims it’s not a Shins album as produced by Danger Mouse; nor is it a trading-computer-files creation à la Gnarls Barkley, his acclaimed partnership with Cee-Lo. Nope, both Danger Mouse and Mercer agree that Broken Bells is, in fact, a band.
Shins never captured my full attention despite claims by one of our most beautiful actresses that it would change my life. Danger Mouse on the other hand has completely captured my attention just by the audacity of his genre-busting work. With his involvement, this will be interesting. Album in 2010.

Official site

Thanks, J.Bro!

Thanks For Turning Me On

RIP

Dic Youngs
Iowa Radio Legend

I had the pleasure of working with Youngsy during my college days at KIOA radio. He had his quirks and a great traditional radio personality. They don't make 'em like him anymore. He will be missed.