Roger Manning provided the sound track to Best Buy's latest television campaign.
That might just be enough to get me back in their stores. Well, probably not. I used to be a huge fan of Best Buy, but I think they've really gone blah over the last few years. I much prefer Circuit City. Well, that is after using the internet.
The fantastically popular Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi has a video of their cover of that Jellyfish favorite, Joining A Fan Club in the video section of their web site. Check it out.
The illustrious Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish fame is of course a frequent producer and composer of their music.
I'm impressed with the Val Air Ballroom here in Des Moines. First they announced Wilco was coming on March 22. Now, it seems Ben Folds will be there on March 9. Sure, big-city visitors, laugh at us, but for two artists of their caliber to visit Des Moines within two weeks of each other at the same venue is something to be lauded.
Wilco tickets are $28.50 and go on sale Friday, February 10 at 10am. Ben Folds tickets are $26.50 and go on sale tomorrow at noon. Sweet. It's been a couple of years since BF visited during the Drake Relays. He put on a great show, although I'm sure it was better back in the Five days. Bummer I have class that night.
There is an overwhelming propensity for the pop world to destroy its nearly perfect songs by continually recasting them, either by use in soundtracks or by cover versions. This is currently happening to Joseph Arthur's In the Sun.
I first became concerned when it was prominently featured in the movie Saved. It seems the spirituality of the tune ("may God's love be with you") leads to its ubiquity when some commentary on religion is required. Usually, that's just lazy scripting. But in that movie, the song was still fresh and it was done well. Then I started to hear it pop up on TV. I think ER or West Wing or both have used it at least once. Finally, or so I hoped, I heard it on Austin City Limits when Chris Martin of Coldplay irritatingly called out his favorite Michael (Bolton wasn't available - ha ha, Chris), Stipe, to sing it. I wanted to like it because I like Michael (Stipe, not Bolton - ha ha, 2poppy), but I just couldn't. The song is too good and the setting just wasn't right. I also felt Stipe just wasn't that into it.
Well, I must have been wrong because now, Michael Stipe is releasing six different versions of it via iTunes on Sunday. And a song of such magnitude couldn't be released just for the hell of it. Nope, Stipe has to pull a Jacko and release it for a charity (in this case, Gulf Coast Relief). Hey, I'm all for it, but I just hate seeing a great tune slowly being eroded by good intentions. Sigh. At least Arthur himself is featured on Mix 3.
I've missed them. Through the zen of Tivo I've been watching Subterranean again on Mtv 2. Tom Vek was the guest and I really really liked C-C (You Set the Fire in Me). The video is crazy and the song is constantly running through my head. You can stream the video here and buy the digital here.
Like many of you I received my Flaming Lips tease today and decided to download their latest single W.A.N.D. from their new album At War With The Mystics due April 4.
I've been losing hope lately but if this new single is anything like the rest of the album I'll be floored. It sounds like the perfect blend of Clouds Taste Metallic and Yoshimi Part 2. Get it here you won't regret it.
Split Enz is regrouping for at least an Australian tour, if not a new album! For those who need a background on this very influential band, go to Trouser Press. To download my favorite Split Enz tune via iTunes, go here.
