Thursday, July 31, 2014

Quick News

The Cribs have confirmed that Ric Ocasek of The Cars will be producing their forthcoming album. Ocasek just finished producing Weezer's comeback record which is due in June. No word yet as to when The Cribs will strike back with their latest. Speaking to NME about getting Ocasek, Ryan James Jarmin of The Cribs said, "He doesn't do records like a gun for hire; he chooses a band. We've been trying to get him since the third record, now he thinks we're definitely good enough."

Was grunge the death of hair metal? According to Mike D it was. The Beastie Boy spoke to Vanity Fair about the scene saying, "What was interesting about grunge was that it was this death sentence to the rock that had preceded it, which was hair metal. All of a sudden, grunge came in [and] it wasn’t cool anymore, if you were a guy at the gas station, to be into Warrant. You couldn’t have big, fluffy long hair. You had to have fucked up shorter hair and a plaid shirt. You couldn’t be walking around the gas station in spandex anymore." Amen.

In honor of her new album, The Voyager, Jenny Lewis is getting her own wine. The wine, which shares the same name as the record, comes from California vineyards and is said to be "blend of carignan, valdiguie and petit sirah."

Stars announced that their new album, No One is Lost, will arrive in October. Take a look at the cover below:


Live Pix: Rock Steady Crew 37th Anniversary


This past weekend in Central Park, the Summer Stage hosted the 37th anniversary to the legendary Rock Steady Crew and it featured a number of special guests like ONYX, MOP, Large Professor, DJ Red Alert, Slick Rick, Cormega, Jazzy Jay and many more. 

Our correspondent RICH D SMOOV was on hand to capture the action. Take a look:

Cormega
 Keith Murray
 Red Alert
 Rhazel
 Slick Rick
 Rock Steady Crew

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Temples on Fallon


Watch Temples perform "Shelter Song" on The Tonight Show!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Live Review: David Gray @ Ed Sullivan Theater

Sometimes you remember an artist for their breakthrough singles or albums and how those songs take you back to a time and place. Sometimes you also forget how good an artist is until you are reminded. Tonight that just happened with David Gray as he performed in front of a packed Ed Sullivan Theater for a private concert for the Live on Letterman web series. Gray, who has been in town to support his tenth album, Mutineers, taped his Late Show performance before doing his Live on Letterman gig. Gray, who broke through in the late 90's thanks to his classic album, White Ladder and then sustained his celebrity with A New Day at Midnight, managed to constantly make solid songs and in doing so, gained a massive fanbase over the years. Now, in a special Live on Letterman performance, those fans were taken down memory lane.

As the clock stuck 9 p.m., Gray walked down the aisle of the famous theater that has hosted so many icons and walked to his piano, surrounded by his band mates and went into the Mutineers single, "Birds of the High Arctic." He then joked at the end of the song, "This is about David Letterman and how cold he keeps his theater." As he focused on new songs like "Last Summer," and "Mutineers," he also threw in classic songs for his fans like "The One I Love," "Sail Away," and a surprising remix of his massive hit, "Babylon." It was eight songs crammed within an hour that saw Gray shift from piano to guitar to ukelele but also saw him shift from musician to front man. After doing this for the 20 years he has been, he knows how to work a room and knows how to get everyone on their feet. It is in those moments where you remember how damn good of a performer, musician, and songwriter he is.

Quick News

Taking to Twitter, producer Butch Vig has confirmed that the new Foo Fighters album is done and mixed. Vig tweeted: "We are officially done with the new Foo Fighters album. 23 straight days mixing! IT'S EPIC!!!" The still untitled album arrives this November.

And of course before Dave Grohl was in Foo Fighters working with Butch Vig, he was in Nirvana working with Butch Vig. Now, original drummer Chad Channing, who was replaced by Grohl, said he would be up for a Nirvana reunion of sorts. Telling NME, Channing said, "Yeah, if they wanted me to. It'd maybe be something like Dave playing guitar and singing and Krist doing bass. That'd be about the only arrangement I could think of that we cold pull off."

Jake Bugg has revealed that he is working with Rick Rubin on his third album and already has ideas that the duo are flushing out together. Speaking to NME, Bugg said, "I've been trying to keep what I'm doing under wraps at the minute," he explains. "A producer or someone could stick me on the mics and I'll just make something up on the spot and not share the ideas that I've actually spent a bit of time on because I just want to have a bit more time with it."

After announcing the reissue of Blur's Live at Budokan and then clarifying why Blur's new album may never see the light of day, musical God Damon Albarn is now opening up about the children's musical he wants to create. Also speaking to NME, who isn't these days, he said, "It's got to be finished for summer next year. It's based on a very beloved kids' book, but with a very modern take on it."

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Timbaland have an update on Miss Elliott's long awaited new album. The producer and beatmaker said, "It’s coming. It’s on her. She got the first single, it’s just a matter of when she wants to do it. We got the hollow-tip bullet in the gun. We have the game-changer right there.”

Foxygen Announce New Album


Psychedelic garage rockers Foxygen have announced details to new album. The record will be called ....And Star Power and features 24 songs! It will arrive in October and is 82 minutes long. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below, as well as the video for "How Can You Really." 

01 Star Power Airlines
02 How Can You Really03 Coulda Been My Love
04 Cosmic Vibrations
05 You & I0
6 Star Power I: Overture
07 Star Power II: Star Power Nite
08 Star Power III: What Are We Good For
09 Star Power IV: Ooh Ooh
10 I Don't Have Anything/The Gate
11. Mattress Warehouse
12 666
13 Flowers
14 Wally’s Farm
15 Cannibal Holocaust
16 Hot Summer
17 Cold Winter/Freedom
18 Can’t Contextualize My Mind
19 Brooklyn Police Station
20 The Game
21 Freedom II
22 Talk
23 Everyone Needs Love
24 Hang


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Quick News

In October, The Melvins will release their new album, Hold It In. Singer Buzz Osbourne said of the album in a press release, "Hold It In is a refreshing piece of fiction in a boring world of fact and bullsh*t."

Speaking to Triple J, Danny Brown talked about his collaboration with the enigmatic Avalanches and says it is going to blow people away. Brown said, "I did one song with them a while ago and it was cool. They felt like it was OK and I felt like it was OK. But then we actually got in the studio and made a record and I swear the record we made is incredible. 'Frank Sinatra' was the first one we did. That was cool but the one we did after that... I swear, if we put that out, it'll change the world. I heard it that first night and that was the only time I heard it. I wanna hear it again!"No word yet as to when this long awaited Avalanches album will arrive.

In September, JEFF The Brotherhood will release a covers EP called Dig the Classics. The band covers Pixies, Beck, My Bloody Valentine, Teenage Fanclub and more. Take a look at the cover below:


The "classic" line-up of Primus, aka the ones that crafted Sailing the Seas of Cheese, will release a Willy Wonka tribute album. Singer Les Claypool says of the album, "The idea was to combine the Frog Brigade and Primus, and do this record,' says Claypool. I think like a good portion of the planet, we were all pretty put off by the remake of the 'Willy Wonka' movie - the Tim Burton version. I really wanted to pay homage to a film that was very important to me as a kid and very influential to me musically. So that's what we did. And as opposed to just going in and recording the songs and playing them the way they are in the film, we twisted them up a bit...twisted them up a lot." Take a look at the cover below:

Conor Oberst on Letterman


Watch Conor Oberst perform "Hundreds of Ways" on Letterman!

Jenny Lewis on Fallon


Watch Jenny Lewis perform "Just One of the Guys" on The Tonight Show!

Beck on Colbert Report

Watch Beck perform "Heart Is a Drum" and "Heaven's Ladder" on The Colbert Report.

Quick News

TV on the Radio have announced that their new album, Seeds, will arrive this fall. The album will arrive via Harvest Records and was produced by band member David Sitek. Singer Tunde Adebimpe said in a press release, "We've been through a lot of stuff in the past few years that could have stopped the band cold, but I'm glad we got it together and took stock of the unique connection we have between each other because the record is, 1000%, without a doubt, the best thing we've ever done."

Following the announcement that Blur's 1995 Live at Budokan album will arrive digitally next month, Damon Albarn spoke to NME about what is going on with the new Blur record and if it will see the light of day. He said, "There are about 15 songs we recorded in Hong Kong. The annoying thing is, if I'd been able to write the lyrics there and then about being there, we'd have finished the record. But sometimes, if you can't do it all at once, it dissipates really and I don't know what I'd sing about now with that record. There's some great tunes on there, but it may just be one of those records that never comes out. I'd do some more work on it. I like making records in short periods of time if I can. It was a different process with 'Everyday Robots' because that was really thought out, but sometimes it's great to get some amazing energy and do something in 10 days. There was too much commuting between where we were staying and where we were recording and it was a bit too hot. I think that's why we didn't get it finished."

Taking to Twitter, Muse frontman Matthew Bellamy gave an update on the band's new album. He told fans that they are going to have to wait for next summer to hear new music, which is when the album is expected to arrive. He also said, "Its gonna get heavy." 

El-P gave an update on Twitter that the latest Run the Jewels album is "One day away from being fully mixed." We hope to hear the album release announcement soon.

Led Zeppelin will be reissuing IV and Houses of the Holy this fall with bonus content and alternate packaging like they did with their first three albums earlier this year. 

Monday, July 28, 2014

Weezer on Fallon


 Watch Weezer perform their awesome new single, "Back at the Shack," on The Tonight Show.

TWEEDY on Fallon


Watch TWEEDY aka Jeffy Tweedy and son Spencer on The Tonight Show!

NehruvianDOOM Album Announced


DOOM and Bishop Nehru are teaming up for a project they call NehruvianDOOM. The self-titled album will arrive in September. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, as well as hear the new single, "Om," and watch the video for "Darkness (HBU)" below"

01 Intro
02 Om
03 Mean the Most
04 So Alone
05 Coming For You
06 Darkness (HBU)
07 Caskets
08 Great Things
09 Disastrous
 

Blur Announce 1995 Live Album


In November of 1995, Blur performed in front of 20,000 Japanese fans at Budokan as part of their "Great Escape Tour." Now, 19 years later, that live performance will be available for the first time outside of Japan. The Live at Budokan album at this point has only been available to Japanese fans, but, next month, it will be released internationally. 

Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting / setlist, below:

'The Great Escape'
'Jubilee'
'Popscene'
'End Of A Century'
'Tracy Jacks'
'Mr Robinson's Quango'
'To The End'
'Fade Away'
'It Could Be You'
'Stereotypes'
'She's So High'
'Girls & Boys'
'Advert'
'Intermission'
'Bank Holiday'
'For Tomorrow'
'Country House'
'This Is A Low'
'Supa Shoppa'
'Yuko And Hiro'
'He Thought Of Cars'
'Coping'
'Globe Alone'
'Parklife'
'The Universal'

Quick News

Iceage have confirmed in a new video that "More music coming soon." The band have been working on their third album and while it still does not have a title nor release date, fans can expect something in the coming future.

After signing a blockbuster deal with Sony, teenage metal heads Unlocking the Truth will now be the subject of a documentary. The film's director Luke Meyer told The Hollywood Reporter, "These three boys are coming of age at the exact moment their band is being introduced to the entire world. This film is a picture of that unique moment." No word on when it will be released.

Coldplay have donated nearly $20,000 to an English fan who is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease and even dedicated a song to the fan at a recent London concert.

According to sources at G.O.O.D. Music, Kanye West will release his new album just like Beyonce did with her latest -- as a surprise. We will all be waiting.

Kele Announces Sophomore Album


Bloc Party's Kele Okereke will release his sophomore album, Trick, in October on Lilac via Kobalt. The album was recorded in New York and London and is said to be darker than his solo debut, Boxer. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting below:


1.     First Impressions
2.     Coasting
3.     Doubt
4.     Closer
5.     Like We Used To
6.     Humour Me
7.     Year Zero
8.     My Hotel Room
9.     Silver and Gold
          10.  Stay the Night

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Quick News

A source close to U2 told British tabloid, The Sun, that the band's long awaited new album will arrive this fall. The source said, "The U2 comeback is very much on for this year. This album has been a real struggle for them to make. It's taken a long time and Bono didn't find it easy. But they're very confident now and are convinced the wait has been worth it."

Former Swedish House Mafia member Steve Angello will release his solo album, Wild Youth, this fall.

Flying Lotus will release his new album, You're Dead! in October.

M83 have announced they will reissue their out-of-print first three albums next month. The French band will also be releasing a series of EP's that feature outtakes, B-sides, demos, and remixes from those first three LP's recording sessions.

The Drums have released the cover to their upcoming third album, Encyclopedia. Take a look below:

Beatmaker SBTRKT announced his new album, Wonder Where We Land. While the record doesn't have a release date, you can check out the cover below:

Mistaken For Strangers: The Play


Last year, The National released their documentary, Mistaken For Strangers, which shows director Tom Berninger working for his brother Matt's band, The National, and following them with a camera. The movie, which is more about the relationship between the two brothers than about the band is hilarious and heartbreaking. Now, in a fantastic Funny or Die sketch, former Board to Death co-stars Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis are recreating the movie as a play. Take a look!

Reggie Watts & Friends on Conan


Watch Reggie Watts perform "I Once Knew A Horse" with special guests ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Coheed & Cambria's Travis Stever on Conan!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Live Pix: Deltron 3030 @ Prospect Park


This past Saturday, Deltron 3030 gave a free concert in Prospect Park as part of the annual Celebrate Brooklyn series. Take a look at RICH D SMOOV's live pix of the band and member Kid Koala opening the show!






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Live Pix: Radkey / Re-Tros @ 4Knots


Earlier this month, the 4Knots festival returned to South Street Seaport. Our very own RICH D SMOOV captured a bit of the action with Radkey and Re-Tros. Take a look at his pix below:



Radkey




Sick of it All Announce New Album


NYHC legends Sick of it All will release their new album, The Last Act of Defiance in September. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below:

1. Sound the Alarm
2. 2061
3. Road Less Traveled
4. Get Bronx
5. Part of History
6. Losing War
7. Never Back Down
8. Facing the Abyss
9. Act Your Rage
10. Disconnect Your Flesh
11. Beltway Getaway
12. Sidelined
13. Outgunned
14. DNC

Quick News

In a recent interview with GQ, Kanye West confirmed his new album will arrive this fall, saying, "I hope I can get one of these songs out in the next couple of weeks, just to have something up and running. But I think most likely September. I go back and forth. Like, should it be September or should it be October? Should it be November? When Beyoncé was working on her last album, she took a while. I was thinking it could somehow come out in June, like Yeezus, and just kill it for the summer. But then I'm like, I have to work on Adidas and be with my child." He then went on to talk about his album-making process saying, "Well, when I work on an album, it's fun at certain times. There's some accomplishments, and sometimes there's a bit of frustration. And it's usually like a nine-month process, right? This is a multi-lifetime process that we have now embarked on. Meaning starting now, you're just starting to see a glimmer of what the idea of West will mean. So right now, at this age and with this visibility and with the skill sets that Kim is now giving me, I think I have a good chance of success in building something that has longevity, high integrity, high success rate, and is very fulfilling, not only for me creatively but also in adding fulfillment to people's lives. Adding ease. Adding wonder. Adding magic."

After a long time of rumors and discussion, the long awaited joint band from Jonah Matranga and Jawbox's J. Robbins will release their first 7" this September under the moniker Moral Mazes. The band also features Jeff Dean of All Eyes West and Darren Zentek of Office of Future Plans.

Damon Albarn has done it all. From working with Blur, Gorillaz, to his Africa Express project and Rocket Juice & the Moon, as well as composing an opera with Monkey: Journey to the West and releasing a classical / opera album Dr. Dee, not to mention his solo work! Albarn has confirmed to The Daily Star that he is now writing a musical, saying, "It's funny for me to say, 'I'm writing a musical', but yes, that's what I'm doing next. It's something I've always wanted to do, because musicals are great when they're done well. It started out with the same subject matter but was going to be a leftfield, experimental opera. But it's lurched into a mainstream musical for families."

Orange will be the new black for Marilyn Manson. The first image of Manson as a White Supremacist on the forthcoming final season of Sons of Anarchy has been released by FX. The show will return to FX on September 9. Take a look at the shot of Manson with protagonist, Jax (Charlie Hunam) below:

Johnny Marr Announces New LP!


As we mention last week, Johnny Marr was headed into Abbey Road Studios to mix and master his new album. Now, details of said record have emerged.

Marr will release the follow-up to last year's The Messenger this October. The new album is called Playland and Marr says about the record, "When 'The Messenger' came out I kept on writing. I liked that the band had a momentum going on tour and a connection with the audience, and I thought that energy would be good to capture on the new record."

Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting below:

1.) Back In The Box
2.) Easy Money
3.) Dynamo
4.) Candidate
5.) 25 Hours
6.) The Trap
7.) Playland
8.) Speak Out Reach Out
9.) Boys Get Straight
10.) This Tension
11.) Little King

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Exclusive! BIG WRECK Intv!

In 1997, Canada's Big Wreck seemed to be one of the fastest rising artists around thanks to their triumphant debut, In Loving Memory Of..., which featured the hits, "That Song," "The Oaf," and "Blown Wide Open." Yet, as the decade came to an end, it seemed so did the light on Big Wreck. The band split it 2001 after the release of their sophomore album, The Pleasure and the Greed. Then, in 2010, the band got back together and released 2012's Albatross which saw them return to the rock and roll throne they were looking to obtain in their native country. They were nominated for a Juno and were back on track. Now, this month, the band will release their fourth album in the U.S., Ghosts. To celebrate the release, we spoke to frontman Ian Thornley about the band's new album, reunion, and the meaning behind one of their biggest hits. Take a look at our interview below:

The band formed 20 years ago, did you think two decades later you would still be doing this?

No. I didn't really give the future much thought, I probably just assumed that I'd be making music somehow, some way.

Eight years into Big Wreck, you called it quits and went solo, what prompted the 2012 reunion?

The real catalyst was the re kindling of the friendship between Brian and myself. From that grew the idea to make music together again, although I don't believe either of us would have thought to put it under the Big Wreck moniker. That was someone else's idea, to which we figured "why not?"

The new record is called “Ghosts,” is this a record that signifies anyone or many from your past?

I think I'm using the term 'Ghosts' in a much broader sense. So it may not necessarily be a person or persons from my past, but could be decisions or actions that one continuously grapples with. Tough to pin point the meaning really.

In a day and age when everyone loves singles, you crafted your longest record to date, was that your intention making this album?

My only intention making this record was to make something that I really enjoy. The whole game with singles is fine, but not really for me. I tend to like songs that develop and surprise me, that will grow with me. A lot of single-oriented music feels somewhat dishonest and disposable. I had forgotten all about track length as we were putting this together. Quite liberating indeed.

“Ghosts” debuted at No. 5 on the Canadian charts, what was it like to see that you had a top 5 record in your country?

It was great! Of course. It's always nice to see your hard work appreciated.

What did you do on this record that you had not done before?

Quite a few things, really. I think we were further along before we actually started to record as the demos were very elaborate with most of the ideas sketched out in detail. And gated reverb on the drums. I've been wanting to do that forever and always ran into "absolutely not" or "you're joking, right?". Not this time though. I think I want to use more of that in the future. Great noise. Worked for Phil!

Like all of your previous work, this record is very autobiographical and a piece of you is on every single song you write. Is songwriting a cathartic / therapeutic experience for you?

I suppose in a way it is, although I don't really set out to deal with a specific situation by writing about it. It comes from the music first, generally, and then an image or a line that conjures something may pop out. I just find that it's easier for me to perform a song if it relates to me personally and directly.

That band had much success in the 90’s and are labeled a “90’s band,” other “90’s bands” have had much success reforming in recent years like Afghan Whigs, Soundgarden, Toadies, etc. Was seeing these bands get back together put the idea in your head and try it out?

Not at all actually. As I said before it was a real natural progression from Thornley back into Big Wreck. The current lineup of BW is basically an amalgamation of the two bands.

Hailing from Toronto, which these days is mainly known for the music of Drake and the city’s mayor these days, how has the city played a role in your music?

Oh I don't know that I could say, really. If my city was an influence on our sound, I have no idea what that would be. Good question!

When can we expect Big Wreck to tour the States and hit NYC?

I'm not sure. We have a tour of Canada coming up in the fall, so I would assume sometime after that. We did a short run of US dates last year and had a great time, but there are so many cities we didn't get to. New York being one of them. I'm told we will definitely be going down there to do some shows, but haven't heard when.

BURNING QUESTION – What is “That Song” that you really love in “That Song?”

Take the Long Way Home" by Supertramp. More or less.

Live Review: Deltron 3030 @ Prospect Park

It was a perfect summer night in New York City. No humidity, not too hot, a slight breeze, and brilliant moonlit sky. It was the perfect conditions for a night in the park. As part of Celebrate Brooklyn's annual free concerts in Prospect Park, alternative hip-hop supergroup Deltron 3030 performed a rare live concert with a full orchestra to help close out their current North American tour. The group, which released their latest record, The Event II, last fall, have been on-and-off the road for the last few months and Deltron fans know that if they are touring now, who knows when they could tour or play again. So, it was no surprise that the Prospect Park Bandshell was jam packed with fans from all over the boroughs, as well as curious ears who wanted to see what was happening in their park that night.

As Kid Koala opened with a 20-minute set in full Koala Bear outfit, "I lost a bet. Now, I have to wear this for 100 shows," he said before spinning a vinyl only bangers set as the sun was setting. Koala got the crowd ready for his band members to arrive. As he ran to the wings to change, the Deltron Orchestra arrived on stage, did a quick tune as Koala, Dan the Automator, and Del the Funky Homosapian arrived on stage to transport Brooklyn to the year 3030. The futurist storylines of a hero named Deltron fighting off corporations in a post-Apocalyptic world may seem like something out of a Ridley Scott movie, but it came from the collective minds of Del, Koala, and Dan. Bringing their symphonic hip-hop to life, the audience was left flabbergasted as one's eyes and ears could not simply focus on one thing on stage. With the orchestra, Del rapping his head off, Dan conducting, and Koala simply destroying the turntables, all being done in front of trippy images projected on a screen behind the artists, it was full on sensory overload. With a healthy mix of songs from their classic 2000 debut and Event II, the 90-minute set was just too good to end.

As the history of Deltron 3030 is a precursor for Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn's Gorillaz, who in their early years, featured Del and Dan, it came as no surprise that the closing number would be Gorillaz breakthrough single, "Clint Eastwood," which clearly had everyone in attendance, fan or not, going crazy. It was a night that featured modern music at it's finest and featured something for everyone, which was enough to celebrate in Brooklyn on a perfect summer night.

Great Soundtrack: Help!


While this month marks the 50th anniversary to The Beatles' iconic film and soundtrack, A Hard Day's Night, we decided to be a little devious and look at another classic Beatles soundtrack that stole the hearts of audiences around the world -- Help! Released in 1965, Help! was The Fab Four's second film and second soundtrack and sustained the band as the leading pop group of their era but then would cement their place as the greatest pop group of all time. With catchy tunes like "Help!," "Ticket to Ride," and a cover of "Dizzy Miss Lizzy," it also showed the tender side to the band with "Yesterday," "It's Only Love," "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away," "You're Going To Lose The Girl." Help! is one of the few soundtracks in history where it plays more like an actual studio album than it does as songs written for a motion picture. While the film is not as memorable as A Hard Day's Night, it's music is just as iconic.

Recommended Reading: An American Prayer


In 1970, Doors frontman Jim Morrison published a limited run of poems in a leatherbound book called, An American Prayer. The book, which featured poetry that Morrison would perform at cafe's around the world, was released to only 500 copies. The book, which was inspired by the beat-poets of his generation, was Morrison's words in action. Before he passed away, Morrison would record these poems and posthumously, his band, The Doors would put music behind the spoken word and release it as an album, the final Doors album, An American Prayer, in 1978. After the popularity of the record spread around the globe, Morrison's estate reissued the book, An American Prayer, in paperback in 1981.

The book, which is short in pages in big in inspiration. It is Morrison at his most insightful, vulnerable, chemical, and cerebral best. An American Prayer is a document to how Morrison saw the world and still will give you chills decades later and showcase the brilliance of a man we lost too soon.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Playlist


Take a look at July's 27-song playlist and hear it on Spotify!

Quick News

The family of late hip-hop producer J. Dilla are set to donate his equipment to the Smithsonian. Among the items that will be donated are his custom-made Minamoog Voyager synthesizer and rare Akai MIDI Production Centre 3000 Limited Edition.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will feature an exhibit, starting next week, on the costumes worn by Beyonce. From those that have been featured in videos to on-stage performances to tours, the exhibit will encompass all of Beyonce's most iconic outfits.

Following a recent health scare, many speculated that Sir Paul McCartney would retire. However, Macca is silencing critics in a recent interview with Rolling Stone saying, "I'll retire when I feel like it." He then continued to say, "People say, "But why do you care, man? Someone like Bob Dylan doesn't necessarily care – he'll just do what he wants, and that's cool. I say, "Yeah, but I have these memories that haunt me of these concerts that I went to and these records that I bought." I don't want those people in my audience thinking, "Hey, we came for big hits, and you played a bunch of shit.'"

 Former Queens of the Stone Age bassist Nick Oliveri will release his latest solo album, Leave Me Alone, in September.



St. Vincent on Letterman


Just before she taped her Live on Letterman appearance, St. Vincent taped her performance on The Late Show with David Letterman. Watch her in action, again, as she performed "Bring Me Your Loves."

Friday, July 18, 2014

VINTAGE CLIP! Kanye West Rapping at Fat Beats in 1996


Video has surfaced of a 19-year-old from Chicago rapping at the grand opening of the now defunct hip-hop record store, Fat Beats, in NYC. The rapper, Kanye West. Watch as this just released footage of Yeezus going off on the mic about five years before he started making beats for Jay Z.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Rolling Stones European Tour Video


The Rolling Stones just wrapped their "14 on Fire" tour in Europe and to celebrate, they just released a highlight reel of the trek. Take a look!

Quick News

Leave it up to Arcade Fire to get punk legends Television to reunite! The iconic 70's New York City band will reform for a special concert as they open for the Canadian art rock ensemble next month at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

KISS will have a month long residency at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas beginning in November.

The Drums will release their third album, Encyclopedia this fall. Frontman Johnny Pierce told Spin, "'Encyclopedia' is full of magic and surprise while maintaining a serious, more weighty tone throughout. We were feeling very angry, confused and alone when we made this album, and we wanted to be very honest this time around, even if being honest meant making some people uncomfortable. We've left the beach for higher ground, always searching for hope."

 Speaking to NME, School Of Seven Bells' Alejandra Deheza said that the band will release a posthumous record after the death of member Benjamin Curtis. The record, which will feature Curtis' final work is said to be "the best one we've ever done," according to Deheza. She also said, "There's plenty left to do but the songs themselves, so far as structure and lyrics go, are written." No word yet on a release.

Johnny Marr confirmed via Facebook that his new album is done and is being mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London. Marr posted this photo to showcase the news:

Jesse Ware confirmed that hew new album will be called Tough Love. She released the title and cover today, take a look below, no word on a release date:

St. Vincent FULL Live on Letterman Webcast


On Wednesday night, St. Vincent performed at the Ed Sullivan Theater for the Live on Letterman web series. Take a look at the full performance!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Quick News

Adele has confirmed that her new album, 25, will be released in 2015.

David Bowie has confirmed that he will be releasing music "soon" in only the grand fashion that David Bowie can confirm something like this. In a statement made at the London's 12 Bar during a charity event, it said, "This city is even better than the one you were in last year, so remember to dance, dance, dance. And then sit down for a minute, knit something, then get up and run all over the place. Do it. Love on ya. More music soon. David." Bowie surprisingly released his first album in a decade in 2013.

Rolling Stone confirms that Ron Howard will direct a Beatles documentary that chronicles the band's early days in Liverpool and Hamburg. The film will be backed by Beatles Apple Corps. and no release date has been set.

Speaking to LA Weekly, Pennywise frontman Jim Lindberg talked about his return to the band and their new album, saying, "This album was very therapeutic for the band. I think the last couple of records we did together were overproduced. We lost the spirit that we have live and we got pasteurized somewhat. This is beach punk…mic the instruments, sing until your voice is raw, and put it out!" Their latest LP, their first with Lindberg since 2008, Yesterdays, was released this week.

Asteroids Galaxy Tour Announce New Album!


This September, the brilliant Danish pop duo Asteroids Galaxy Tour will release their third album, Bring Us Together. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting below:


1. Bring Us Together
2. Navigator
3. My Club
4. Get Connected
5. Choke It
6. Hurricane
7. Rock The Ride
8. I Am The Mountain
9. Zombies
10. X

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Quick News

Motion City Soundtrack have confirmed they will be releasing a new album in 2015. No word yet as to when, but fans can look forward to the new year already.

After just six weeks on Broadway, the Tupac-inspired musical, Holler If Ya Hear Me will close on Sunday due to poor ticket sales. We were fortunate enough to see the play on it's opening weekend and it was very good, it is a shame it did not last longer.

The Ting Tings will release their new album, Super Critical, in October.

Drake will be calling his new album, Views From the 6, no word yet as to when this record will arrive.

Teen Brooklyn metal trio, Unlocking the Truth have signed a six-album, $.17 million deal with Sony music. No word yet as to when their debut will arrive, Sony announced they are committed to the first two albums and will option the other four.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Tool's Adam Jones and Danny Carey talked about why it has taken so long for their band's new album to arrive. Jones said, "The fans are pissed at us. And while part of me is selfish and goes, 'I'm not necessarily doing it for them,' it's time that they understand what's going on." The band have been involved in a lawsuit with an artist since 2007 and legality issues have halted the band a bit. The trial is set to begin in January after a series of setbacks. As far as what the songs they have demoed sound like, Carey said, "It's all a little more 'metal' sounding, if I may. I'm having fun drumming on it. There is one other song [beyond the 10-minute tune] that I would say is pretty much there. It's another one that's pretty gnarly with some good double-kick [drumming] going on in it." Carey then continued, ""I'm hoping that we have something really solid recorded by the end of the year. But we'll see how it goes. I thought that last year, too. But we're making great progress. We've really knocked out a lot of good things, especially over the last month. We're all excited about it." Jones added, "It's not good when it's done, it's done when it's good. We've been working at our own pace, but we don't want to put out something and go, 'This song's fine, just put it out.' I'm never gonna put something out where later, I go, 'Fuck, I wish we hadn't done that.' We're just not going to settle for doing anything but our best work, and the fans appreciate that."

Monday, July 14, 2014

Nick Cave's '20,000 Days on Earth' Trailer Arrives


In September, filmmakers Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, will release 20,000 Days on Earth, a pseudo-documentary about the life and times of Nick Cave. Cave stars in the film that blends fiction / non-fiction. Take a look at the film's trailer, above.

Action Bronson Raps in Port-A-Potty


If anyone has ever had the pleasure of seeing Action Bronson live, then you know that the Queens native can't stand still on stage. He usually body slams some people or walks into the crowd. This weekend at the Ottawa Blues Festival, Action went into the crowd, walked all the way to a port-a-potty and did his business while he rapped and didn't miss a beat. Take a look!

Quick News

Jay Z and Beyonce's "On the Run" tour will be featured on HBO this September in a live concert special.

Legendary producer Rick Rubin has filed to legally change his name. His birth name was Fredrick Jay Rubin, through his entire career he has gone by Rick, and will now seek to make that his permanent name. 

Speaking to BB6 Music, Johnny Greenwood has confirmed that Radiohead are going to hit the studio in September saying, "We're going to start up in September, playing, rehearsing and recording and see how it's sounding."

Speaking to Billboard, Dave Grohl talked about the method behind the new Foo Fighters album, which arrives in November, and the catalyst for filming themselves for an upcoming HBO documentary, Sonic Highways. He said, "We could just go make another record in the studio, hit the road and sell a bunch of T-shirts. It's all about reinventing the process."

As we mentioned last week, Joy Division / New Order guitarist Bernard Sumner will release his autiobiography, Chapter and Verse, on September 25. Take a look at the cover below:


UK band The Strypes will release a new EP, 4 Track Mind, next month via Republic. Take a look at the cover below:

Saturday, July 12, 2014

R.I.P. Tommy Ramone


The last of the original members of The Ramones, Tommy Ramone, has died at age 65. Tommy died in hospice on Friday following treatment for bile duct cancer, said in a statement on the band's Facebook page. 

Tommy, who originally signed on to be The Ramones producer, was also their drummer from 1974-1978, he also produced the bands first three albums. 

Our thoughts go out to Tommy's family, friends, and the surviving members of The Ramones. 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Beck Announces Actual 'Song Reader' Album


In 2012, Beck released a series of sheet music scores for an album he did not record, but simply composed called Song Reader. Now, the musical mastermind will release the album so fans who do not play instruments can hear it, however, it comes with a catch, not all of the songs will feature Beck himself. A majority of the songs will be done by Beck's colleagues. 

Song Reader the album arrives at the end of this month. Take a look at the cover, above, and the star-studded tracklisting, below:

01 Moses Sumney: "Title of this Song"
02 Fun.: "Please Leave A Light On When You Go"
03 Tweedy: "The Wolf is on the Hill"
04 Norah Jones: "Just Noise"
05 Lord Huron: "Last Night You Were A Dream"
06 Bob Forrest: "Saint Dude"
07 Jack White: "I’m Down"
08 Beck: "Heaven’s Ladder"
09 Juanes: "Don’t Act Like Your Heart Isn’t Hard"
10 Laura Marling: "Sorry"
11 Jarvis Cocker: "Eyes That Say 'I Love You'"
12 David Johansen: "Rough On Rats"
13 Jason Isbell: "Now That Your Dollar Bills Have Sprouted Wings"
14 The Last Polka: "Marc Ribot"
15 Eleanor Friedberger: "Old Shanghai"
16 Sparks: "Why Did You Make Me Care?"
17 Swamp Dogg: "America, Here’s My Boy"
18 Jack Black: "We All Wear Cloaks"
19 Loudon Wainwright III: "Do We? We Do"
20 Gabriel Kahane with Ymusic: "Mutilation Rag"

Yelle Details New Album


French Neo-New Wave pop star Yelle will release her new album, Complètement Fou in September. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, and hear the new single, "Banquet Final" below:

1. Complètement Fou
2. Ba$$in
3. Coca Sans Bulles
4. Les Soupirs Et Les Refrains
5. Nuit De Baise I
6.Toho
7. Moteur Action
8. Florence En Italie
9. Un Jour Viendra
10. Nuit De Baise II
11. Jeune Fille Garnement
12. Dire Qu'on Va Tous Mourir
13. Bouquet Final

Quick News

We Were Promised Jetpacks confirmed that their new album will be called Unraveling and it will be released later this year.

Speaking to NME, Carl Barat has confirmed that The Libertines will release a new album next year. He said, "Next year, it has to be. I don't wanna just go on the road because then you'll get cabin fever and have an epic fallout. So yeah, I want to keep something fresh coming in. We just need to find the time."

Roni Size will release his first album in a decade called Take Kontrol on August 18.

Courtney Love will appear as a schoolteacher in the upcoming season of Sons of Anarchy. The show, which will enter its final season this fall has already casted Marilyn Manson to link up with SAMCRO crew.

After 21 years, drummer Jeremy Taggart has left Our Lady Peace. The band announced on their Facebook page: "It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Jeremy as the drummer in OLP. Jeremy was important to us all and we wish him nothing but the best as he explores life outside OLP and pursues new goals. A wise man once said "change is the law of life and those who only look to the past are certain to miss the future. We will always treasure our past but we are truly excited about the future. We've just finished recording new music with producer Mike Elizondo and will be showcasing some of the new material on the upcoming summer shows."

 Brian Johnson has confirmed to Classic Rock that AC/DC have finished their new album. No word as to when it will be released.

Joy Division / New Order member Bernard Sumner will release his autobiography, Chapter and Verse in September.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Death From Above 1979 Detail New Album!


As we mentioned last month, Toronto duo Death From Above 1979 will release their first album in a decade. The record, The Physical World, was produce by D. Sardy and will be released in September. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below.

01 Cheap Talk
02 Right On, Frankenstein!
03 Virgins
04 Always On
05 Crystal Ball
06 White Is Red
07 Trainwreck 1979
08 Nothin' Left
09 Government Trash
10 Gemini
11 The Physical World

War on Drugs on Letterman


Watch The War on Drugs perform "Red Eyes" on Letterman.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Quick News

After rumors began swirling around the weekend, it has been confirmed that Pink Floyd will release their new album, their first in 20 years, The Endless River in October. According to a press release from Columbia Records, "It is an album of mainly ambient and instrumental music based on the 1993/4 Division Bell sessions which feature David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. The album is produced by David Gilmour with Phil Manzanera, Youth and recording engineer Andy Jackson. Work is still in progress, but more details to come at the end of the Summer."

Speaking to Gigwise, Massive Attack's 3D gave an update on the bands new album saying, "To be honest there's a whole album of new material sitting in a studio at the moment which isn't finished and hasn't been played at all yet. There's one track I've done with Tricky… but I've gotta play it live with him really, and that's not ready for this tour yet as it would have just been a bit haphazard to throw it in there for these shows."

Living Colour will be releasing their new album, Shade, later this year. 

Arctic Monkeys Alex Turner and longtime musical partner and Last Shadow Puppets member, Miles Kane are co-writing a superhero film that is set in the 1960's and said to be inspired by X-Men. No word as to when the film will be made or released.

Speaking to NME, Win Butler of Arcade Fire suggested that the band could begin writing a new album soon, saying, "We're in a position now where we can have an idea and the people around us to make it happen. It starts when you get off the road. If I ever feel bored now, it's the best feeling in the world, because I know that's when the next idea is going to come into my brain and it will start again."

While we wait for a release date of Weezer's new LP, the band released the cover of Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Take a look:

Thursday, July 3, 2014

All Is By My Side Trailer


The trailer for Jimi: All is by My Side staring Andre 3000 as Jimi Hendrix has finally arrived! Take a look above, the movie arrives this September.

Finding Fela Documentary Trailer


Take a look at the just-released trailer for Finding Fela, the documentary on Fela Kuti, hitting theaters this August!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Tony Allen New Album Trailer


Iconic drummer Tony Allen announced his new album, Film of Life, via a trailer. The record arrives in October and will feature contributions from Damon Albarn. Watch the trailer above, and hear the first single, "Go Back," featuring Albarn, below: 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Rising Artist: Soviet Soviet


Could a cold-wave band hail from any other place aside from the U.K., Scandinavia, or the U.S.? Italy's Soviet Soviet are certainly proving so. The trio, who formed in 2008, have two albums already under their belt and are known in the Italian underground rock scene, they also have been slowly making a name for themselves in the U.S. as well after an appearance this year at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. While the band hit the road to tour all of Europe this summer, they captured our attention with a sound that feels and sounds as if it came straight out of Manchester, England, in the early 80's but also has a modern and unique twist to it. See for yourself, this is a band that after one listen will absorb your ears and consideration.

Underrated Classic: The Frames - Dance the Devil

The Frames were a band that never took off in America. It is hard to try and figure out why. The had it all, killer rock riffs, amazing lyrics, the vocal and lyrical brilliance of Glen Hansard, and an arsenal of tunes coupled with an fantastic live show, it is a wonder that Hansard became a huge Oscar winning star on his own and never got the acclaim with his band. This Irish band were no joke and proved that on their third album, Dance the Devil, which arrived in 1999. Maybe the band tried to break in America during the wrong time with this record. In the States it was all about rap/rock and bullshit boy band pop back then and grunge, hard rock was out. Looking back on it now, 15 years after the fact, Dance the Devil is a fantastic and underrated classic that hardly anyone here heard. Packed with songs like "Pavement Tune," "The Stars Are Underground," and "Seven Day Mile," the singles were hits in the Ireland and the U.K. but failed to do anything here. After Hansard became a famous name thanks to Once, many started looking back into his locker of songs from The Frames, including myself, and Dance the Devil stood out the most and still does. This is a record that needs to be heard and enjoyed.