Monday, August 31, 2015

Quick News

Run the Jewels and TV on the Radio will perform together during Stephen Colbert's second week as host of The Late Show.

Haim have confirmed on Beats Radio that they are currently working on their sophomore album.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina 10 years ago, U2's Edge created Music Rising, a foundation to give New Orleans musicians instruments that they had lost in the disaster. Now, a decade later, Edge looks back on the foundation in a press release, saying: "Music is at the core of these communities. It’s an essential part of their identities, their hearts and their lives. So when these centers of musical culture are damaged, getting the music going again is a crucial part of the healing process. With Music Rising, we and our partners continue to do everything in our power to help support this centuries old music culture so it can do its magic for many generations to come.What started as a direct response to one of the worst disasters to affect a musical capital of the U.S. has grown over a decade to offer assistance to musicians far and wide. Where there is music, there is hope, and Music Rising will continue to do everything possible to restore both for another 10 years and beyond."

De La Soul have confirmed more guests on their upcoming album that was funded by Kickstarter. Originally, the hip-hop icons announced Damon Albarn, Little Dragon and 2 Chainz to appear on the still untitled LP. Now, they have confirmed Snoop Dogg, Usher, Estelle, and Roc Marciano have also contributed. No release date has been set.

Since Straight Outta Compton's success, DJ Premier wants to make a Gang Starr biopic. Premier told Rolling Stone: "All the wild groupie parties; all the shootings, everything. I want to cover everything that really went down with us." The producer is currently working with the late Guru's sister in developing the project.

GZA has taken to Instagram to showcase that he is working with a movie score legend - Vangelis -- the man behind Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire. He has teamed up with the composure for his upcoming Dark Matter album. 
A photo posted by GZA (@therealgza) on

Sunday, August 30, 2015

VINTAGE CLIP: Eminem, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg at 1999 VMA's


Once upon a time, the MTV VMA's actually counted for something -- mainly because the network played music videos and did music based projects. As the VMA's now is just a reason for artists to stir up 'trending' controversy, all that it was is far gone.

So, as Straight Outta Compton dominates the box office for the third weekend, we look at this VINTAGE CLIP of Eminem's legendary 1999 VMA performance where he brought out Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Fun fact - it was also the night that Dr. Dre announced his sophomore album, 2001. Take a look!

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Quick News

Fucked Up have announced that they are going on a hiatus. It doesn't seem to be too long but more of a break to recharge their inner selves.

Lupe Fiasco released a surprise mixtape called Pharaoh Height. The Chicago emcee announced the news via Twitter on Friday night with a link:

Baroness will release their new album, Purple, in December. It will be the metal band's first album in three years and first since they were sidelined by a bus accident a few years ago. In a press release, singer John Bailzy said: "After releasing a lengthy and investigative record like Yellow & Green we all felt that we needed to make something much more direct and immediate. We wanted to write with our normal focus on artistry, balanced against an increased level of energy and focus. It was important for us to write our new songs with the type of enthusiasm and expressiveness that could act as a counterpoint to the album’s dark themes. As a result, the music came out in an intense, heavy and sonically captivating in a new way, which was important, loathe, as we are to fall into any kind of complacency pitfall or formulaic songwriting routine. Purple is the most fully realized representation of our intention as a band; considering the amount of physical and mental energy spent writing it, we have accomplished something which would have seemed impossible to us a couple of years ago."
The band also released the tracklisting for the album as well:
01 Morningstar
02 Shock Me
03 Try to Disappear
04 Kerosene
05 Fugue
06 Chlorine & Wine
07 The Iron Bell
08 Desperation Burns
09 If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain)
10 Crossroads of Infinity

Chris Walla Announces Debut Album


Former Death Cab For Cutie guitarist Chris Walla has announced that his solo debut, Tape Loops, which is entirely instrumental, will arrive in October.

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

01 Kanta's Theme 
02 Introductions 
03 I Believe in the Night 
04 Goodbye 
05 Flytoget

Friday, August 28, 2015

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Quick News

Coldplay are reportedly releasing their new (and possibly) final album, A Head Full of Dreams, this fall according to Rolling Stone. The magazine released their fall music preview with this being named in the list.

Another album that is potentially arrive this year, and according to Rolling Stone, in November is Adele's long awaited 25. Billboard is also reporting the news and that Danger Mouse, Tobais Jesso Jr., and Max Martin all contributed production work to the forthcoming LP.

Kraftwerk spoke to Rolling Stone and said that their current shows, which have been presented in 3-D for the last two years, will be on Blu-Ray. Werker Ralf Hutter said: "We've been doing this and working on a Blu-ray to make this available. It should be coming out in the late fall. We've put a lot of work into all the images, transforming from our Kling Klang archives into 3D format and arranging it synchronized with the music, so it's quite a lot of production. We're quite a small team of musicians, technicians, computer programmers here at Kling Klang Studios; we do everything ourselves." He also gave an update on the band's ninth album, which has been expected to be released for sometime. He said: "Yes, we are always working on new tracks and patterns and sound compositions, and once we are finished with our work on the 3D Catalogue, those eight albums, then we will concentrate on number nine."

The original soundtrack to the HBO classic, The Sopranos, was released 15 years ago. Now, this October, it will make it's first appearance on vinyl when it is reissued through SRCVinyl.

Lupe Fiasco on Why?



Lupe Fiasco performed on the season finale of Hannibal Buress' Comedy Central show Why? Take a look!

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

10 Hip-Hop Biopics That Need To Happen


As Straight Outta Compton continues to dominate the box office, we got to thinking -- what other biopics on hip-hop artists should be made in the vein of this? 

Since Compton shows the raw and artistic side of how biopics should be done as a passion project and not for commercial gain like the dreaded Notorious. As we wait and see if the alleged Tupac film will come, here are 10 that we picked that should be told.


1) Nas
Sure he got a documentary centered around the greatest hip-hop album ever made with Time is Illmatic, but the Queensbridge's emcee's story is so chaotic and curious that a telling of it on the big screen would be something to admire. Especially in the years after Illmatic on how he had to live up to the hype and keep fighting his way to stay relevant and become one of the all-time greats.


2) Beastie Boys
Three white dudes from New York City that started off making hardcore and punk then rapped over rock and roll sounds to help cross the genre over onto the mainstream, MTV and of course, suburbia. Beasties reinvented hip-hop as we know it and forever changed the landscape. Up until Adam "MCA" Yauch's untimely death in 2012 the three emcees and one DJ were still supplying the hits.


 3) Outkast
They refer to themselves as aliens, they have Andre 3000 who is off the fucking wall and Big Boi who couldn't be more down to Earth -- how did these two craft musical synergy and put Atlanta on the hip-hop map forever? That is the story that needs to be told!

4) Kool Herc
Who says a hip-hop biopic has to be just about rappers? What about the DJ's? In Kool Herc's case, what about the pioneers? This is the man that invented the style in the Bronx 42 years ago and gave the world what we know as hip-hop. What Allan Freed is to rock and roll, Herc is to hip-hop and it's about damn time his story gets put on paper.


5) J Dilla
The Detroit producer died way before his time and when he left us, he left a legacy that will be cherished forever. Dilla worked with everyone from Tribe Called Quest to The Roots to DOOM to Badu and when he did, the world felt his beats and now needs to see his story.


6)  Kanye West
The biggest rapper today is Kanye West. Hands down.  In fact, the biggest artist in the world that still excites people is Kanye West. While Yeezy may be known for his antics and attitude, hailing from middle class Chicago and dropping out of college isn't something many rapped about before or since his arrive. Yet, nearly dying in a car accident as his career was taking off, West came out stronger, better, faster, than ever and dominated music for over a decade.


 7) Wu-Tang Clan
After Straight Outta Compton arrived, Raekwon said he wants a Wu biopic to tell their story. With the nine members of the Shaolin clan, it gives a story with nine characters that bring nine different personalities to the table.



 8) A Tribe Called Quest
Like Nas, their story was told in the fantastic documentary Beats, Rhymes, and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, yet, with their on-again, off-again status, it is time the Tribe's story gets another shot on screen.

 
 9) Lauryn Hill
From The Fugees to her solo career, she still remains an enigma that is now known more for her antics than her music. A film about her can rectify all of this.

10) Kendrick Lamar
Not since Kanye bursted onto the scene over a decade ago, Kendrick Lamar has been the best new voice in hip-hop since his arrival. Period. K-Dot has given a voice back to the city of Compton and to black youth across America, and with To Pimp A Butterfly, we are only beginning to see his magic, let's explore where that came from. 
 

Quick News

In October, The Velvet Underground will reissue their classic record, Loaded, for it's 45th anniversary via Rhino. The reissue, Re-Loaded will feature the classic album expanded as a six-disc set with stereo, mono and surround mixes, rarities, and live recordings.

Taking to Twitter, Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace has confirmed that the band will begin working on the follow-up to last year's best album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues. She tweeted:
Speaking to Louder than War, Glasvegas frontman James Allen said the band hope to have their new record out by November.

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson said he plans to pilot the band on their world tour which kicks off next year. The singer also has announced plans to create a new fleet of airplanes in south Wales, creating up to 200 jobs, according to BBC.

Here is something just for fun, The Royal Frontier has translated Biggie's "Juicy" into Shakespearean English. Take a look HERE.

Taking to Twitter, Young the Giant have confirmed they have wrapped recording on their third album.
Paul Weller spoke to Digital Spy about the possibility of a Jam reunion and The Modfather shut down the idea. He said: "Absolutely, categorically, fucking no. To me it would be against everything we ever stood for."

As announced earlier this week, Morrissey will release his new book List of the Lost, next month. Now, the singer has just revealed the cover:

Unknown Mortal Orchestra on Conan


Watch Unknown Mortal Orchestra perform "Can't Keep Checking My Phone" on Conan.

Monday, August 24, 2015

QUICK SPINS

 

Frank Turner Positive Songs for Negative People
The modern Bill Bragg aka punk poet Frank Turner returns with his latest offering and while musically it is no different from what he has given us already, what Turner showcases is that is not about the sounds in the back but his lyrics up front. This master storyteller gives the listener stories about himself that also relates to those hearing them. He has unintentionally given us the soundtrack of our lives.
FINAL GRADE: A-

Dr. Dre Compton: The Soundtrack
It has been 16 long years since fans got to hear new music from Dr. Dre. In the time that he was supposed to promise the world his long awaited, Detox, the sequel to his 1999 classic, 2001, he has gone on to help mold and shape the careers of Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, became a billionaire and created a series of headphones that have everyone still going crazy for them. Needless to say, the beat doctor has not really need to put out new music. However, since his story was told in Straight Outta Compton, Dre brought the old and new school together on Compton: The Soundtrack. While the record is allegedly his final solo album, is has it’s moments but they don’t come from Dre himself, they come from his disciples – Em and Kendrick. Compton may be his swan song, but still leaves listeners wondering what Detox would have been like.
FINAL GRADE B+

Leon Bridges Coming Home
Mixing gospel, soul, R&B and roots rock, Leon Bridges sounds and looks like he should have come from a bygone era of music, however, he gives a new generation a chance to hear what the past sounded like.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Wavves / Cloud NothingsNo Life For Me
Two garage rock meets post-hardcore outfits team up for a banging and slaughtering duet record.
FINAL GRADE: B+

The Weeknd Beauty Behind the Madness
The Weeknd has been on a steady rise since releasing his Trilogy in 2011 and now returns with his fifth album and gives the world his most complete record to date. With the massive singles “Earned It,” and “I Can’t Feel My Face” this is the record that will make The Weeknd’s steady rise explode into the stratosphere.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Felix Da HousecatNarrative of Thee Blast Illusion
The superstar DJ returns with his latest album of beats from another planet and brings forth an instant party for fans to toss on and dance to.
FINAL GRADE: B+


Albert Hammond Jr. Momentary Masters
The Strokes guitarist has had a respective solo career for nearly a decade but now, he has finally found his own voice and able to break out of the mold of what his main band has made him famous for. The guitarist brings a new wave meets Elvis Costello attitude on his latest album and finds his own voice, creativity, and himself on this record.
FINAL GRADE: B+

WilcoStar Wars
Jeff Tweedy and co. surprised fans with this release and while it came as a gift to fans, it is a typical Wilco record.
FINAL GRADE: B

ElbowLost Worker Bee
Much like Wilco, England’s Elbow released a surprise EP that sounds much like leftover songs from last year’s beautiful The Take Off and Landing of Everything.
FINAL GRADE: B

Warren GRegulate… G Funk Era Part II
The OG Warren G returns with an EP to showcase that he has still got it and with all the hype (and believe the hype) surrounding Straight Outta Compton, G gives the kids a reason to learn their West Coast roots.
FINAL GRADE: B

The Maccabees Marks to Prove It
The English rockers return with their fourth and most mature album to date. Marks to Prove It may be the title of the record but it is also the theme of how they are showcasing why they are a force to be recognized.
FINAL GRADE: B

Jill Scott Woman
The beautiful and prolific voice of Jill Scott soars on her fifth album but the album falls flat on differentiating themes and songs throughout the record.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Iron & Win & Ben BridwellSing Into My Mouth
Iron & Wine teams up with Band of Horses vocalist Ben Bridwell for a series of covers. While the album is perfect to unwind to, the record may have two singers but only one star – Bridwell.
FINAL GRADE: B-

MS MRHow Does It Feel
The New York duo’s second album stands out on it’s own and showcases that they can do anything from pop, rock, to dance and still keep the flow going.
FINAL GRADE: B-

The Internet Ego Death
While Odd Future may be no more, offshoot – The Internet is still challenging the minds and ideas of listeners with their trippy and acid rap sounds that culminate into their third album.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Method Man The Meth Lab
It has been five years since Method Man has delievered a solo record and while The Meth Lab is a clever title, the record falls flat in many areas including originality.
FINAL GRADE: C-

Major Lazer Peace is the Mission
…and on their third album, Major Lazer made the same songs they did on their first two records.
FINAL GRADE: D

Quick News

Chris Cornell has confirmed to Rolling Stone that Soundgarden will release a follow-up to 2012's King Animal. The band will work on their new album once the singer is done with his "Higher Truth" solo tour.

Morrissey will release his first fictional book, List of the Lost, next month. This is the former Smith's front man's second book following his 2013 autobiography.

Megadeath frontman Dave Mustaine was famously fired from Metallica in 1983. The band's then had a war of words that would last decades until they made up in the 2004 documentary, Some Kind of Monster. The reconciliation has allowed both parties to perform and tour together. So, when asked if Mustane would ever rejoin Metallica given the chance during a recent Twitter Q&A, he said: "I would be honored, but I would not."

Earlier this summer, Pete Doherty said that the newly reformed Libertines were going to work on the follow-up to their soon-to-be released new LP "As soon as possible." Now, when asked about Doherty's comments, bandmate Carl Barat told NME: "I don’t know. Cor, one step at a time, Martin. I have no idea really. I don’t really think outside of my head for more than 40 seconds at the moment. It’s for good reason, really. I don’t want to jinx it by making plans, but absolutely. That’d be a lovely thing."

Following the success of the N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton, Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon is calling for a Wu biopic. Raekwon told Hot 97: "When we make a Wu movie, bet your ass it's gonna be serious because we gotta tell the truth. I think that's what I love about the Straight Outta Compton movie is that they told the truth. When we do get to that level and it happens, it has to be the real story. It's gonna be an interesting one, cause I said - RZA hit the lotto one day. He knew who he had, but he didn't know what he had. So let's keep it right there."

Speaking to NPR, Twin Shadow discussed the bus accident that happened earlier this year that almost sidelined his career and life. He said: "I think my phone rang, and I reached for it — and right in that moment, I just was thrown across the room and kind of landed with everything that was in the back lounge on top of me. There was a couch that had flipped on top of me, a mattress had come off the bed and was on top of me ... The first thing I realized was that I couldn't pick myself up with my hand, then [I remember] looking at my hand and seeing the bones sticking, kind of making a teepee out of my hand."

Run the Jewels performed at FYF in Los Angeles over the weekend and brought out their friend and famous L.A. resident, former Rage Against the Machine frontman Zach de la Rocha to perform "Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)." Sure, they have done this before but then El-P goes and posts the biggest tease of all when he took to Instagram to post a pic of Run the Jewels with Nas and Zach. This leads many to speculating that they are collaborating on RTJ 3. Take a look below:
A photo posted by thereallyrealelp (@thereallyrealelp) on

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Exclusive! K-os INTV!

Toronto's hip-hop scene scene is the center of attention these days thanks to Drake and The Weeknd. Before those cats made the Canadian city a hip-hop epicenter, rapper K-Os (short of Knowledge of Self) was doing it long before Drake was even on Degrassi. With his new album, Can't Fly Without Gravity, out this month, K-Os is looking to stake his claim as the Godfather of Toronto rap. We spoke to the artist about his new album, his philosophies on music, and his legacy. Take a look at our interview below:

Hailing from Toronto, how has the city influenced your work?

Sometimes when Gazelles have to cross a river where there are crocodiles awaiting to feed. They all stand at the river's bank waiting for one Gazelle to start running across. You can see how they start kicking up water in anticipation of this crucial crossing a crossing that could take their lives. These animals are afraid because the first one to cross the river is the easiest target. Making musical art and trying to push the envelope has that same lonely element of danger!

Essentially I am a crooner and singer at my core so I always viewed Rap or Hip Hop as something to play and experiment with not something to make money off of. I always wanted to be the first to jump in the proverbial 'crocodile river’ despite risking not really  'blowing up' to a level of social distortion.  Toronto and the people in this city let me be me … and they appreciated my work

Regardless of the fact that the music I make lacks a blatant or desperate vie for pop stardom. I am thankful for that civic pride and grace.


The city has spawned popular hip-hop stars like Drake and The Weeknd, but you came first. Do you feel you paved the way for them to come through?

As a wise man once said : 'I plant the seed but Apollos (GOD) makes it grow.’ I plant seeds this is simply - just my job.The Universe and timing does the rest.

However… I mostly feel like a proud Daddy watching my sons use my genetics and DNA to try to conquer the world, its an unprecedented feeling.

Your musical style has never been about one thing and what makes you unique is that you drift into different genres, and ideas. Where does the inspiration come from?

From the fact that there a million and more ways to look at life and any living situation AND also because my biggest fear is getting caught in a specific paradigm or looking at life like 'Kevin' as opposed to looking at life with the virgin eyes of a child. I think over the next 50 years the human race will realize that we are multidimensional beings and when we do. When that day comes ALL the 'isms' will be smashed into bits leaving not one iota of prejudice left to conjure hate and bigotry. I hope I am around to see that day.

Many writers found it hard to pigeon hole you because of how unique your music is. How do you define your sound? Do we still need classifications in 2015?

My style is no style because I am not planned and yet .. it seems I've planned that to be said about me.

Tell us about your new record, what did you do here that you hadn't done before?

An enlightened being  sweeping crumbs on the floor and fetching water like a servant

On this album you name check Denzel Washington, Boyz II Men. Any particular reason?

Denzel remains my hero of heroes and as an artist he almost always makes the right choices. The song bearing his name sounded like his persona to me and maybe the music that would be played as he got out of a limo at a black awards ceremony in 1991 or 1942.

Boys II Men -- All the emcees on this track -- Saukrates, Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, King Reign and Shad I knew them as boys as they knew me as one and now we are all men.  We all grew up in Hip Hop together and here we are alive and kicking it .. and growing stronger as artists. This is my DreamTeam supergroup called "The TronCIty All Stars' and I still can't believe the song exists!

What was the origin of the title 'Can't Fly without Gravity?'

I saw a bird flying one day in Vancouver the bird kept flying high then dropping letting Gravity pull it down then with a thrust of its wings it would soar to higher heights just playing with the wind and the gravity having fun in the sky. I was jealous. But in that moment I realized that it was actually the gravity helping the bird fly the very force pulling it down was equally responsible for its transcendence and that’s when it hit me -- You Can't Fly Without Gravity.

Once the record arrives, what are your plans?

Enjoy the moment.

What is your 'Knowledge of Self?'

The sound of a stone plunking in the water.

When Nas mentioned that hip-hop is dead, you had agreed with him then. Do you still feel that way or is it witnessing a rebirth?

Can you be born without dying?
Where were we all before we appeared in our mamas womb? 
Where did we come from?
Does all being come from non being?
For something to be new it has to be old first like the pair of shoes we replace. Death is a natural part of life. Mankind is afraid of death because he doesn't want his memory to end but then again, Sometimes I don't even remember some of my own lyrics.

We gotta let it go.  People say 'you only live once' but that’s the mentality of someone who wants to rule the world they live in and .. will do anything to do so.

Hip Hop is not a person ... its a style made by people and when those people get old... so does the style. The key is not to get old. The key to not getting old is letting everything go and being like a newborn child who doesn't know the value of a dollar bill.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Quick News

The National's Matt Berninger spoke to NME about his new project EL VY and opened up about the recording of his main band's new album. He said The National have about "30 Sketches" of songs for a new record, he mentioned that they will reconnect in Los Angeles later this year and begin hashing things out.

Deftones have pushed back the release of their untitled new album from September to November.

Paul Thomas Anderson and Johnny Greenwood have collaborated together for nearly a decade now. The Radiohead musician has scored Anderson's last three films and will now be the subject of the director's latest project -- Junun. The documentary follows Greenwood's trip to India to work with Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur. The film will premiere at the New York Film Festival next month.

Run the Jewels collaborator Boots will release his debut AQUARIA in November.

Earlier this week we mentioned that Run the Jewels will be performing at street artist Banksy's Dismaland installation theme park in England next month. Banksy has now interview the hip-hop titans with the help of The Guardian. Read it here

Lana Del Rey will release her new album, Honeymoon, next month and the record will have two covers to choose from. Take a look, below:


The Weeknd Shares 'Beauty Behind the Madness' Mix


Next weekend, The Weeknd will release his new album, Beauty Behind The Madness. To get fans pumped, he has shared an 18-minute mix featuring every song on the record. Take a listen.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Quick News

Former Interpol bassist Carlos D. has revealed to BedfordandBowery that watching Coldplay on Saturday Night Live made him want to quit the band: "I think the moment for me, and it’s funny to think that this is the occasion for it, but when Coldplay – our old manager was Coldplay’s manager – played Saturday Night Live, he offered us tickets. And when I felt so much titillation and excitement over all the skits – Jon Hamm was the host – and looking at how they were being performed. And then when Coldplay came on, I felt bored, quite frankly. I knew then that there was something going on with me, some kind of identity shift, really. It really troubled me.” He also admitted that he had other issues while in the band as well. The former axe man also mentioned that he has not spoken to the members of Interpol since he left and has just finished studying acting at NYU.

Lana Del Rey will release her new album, Honeymoon, next month. She has just shared the tracklisting:
01 Honeymoon
02 Music to Watch Boys to
03 Terrence Loves You
04 God Knows I Tried
05 High by the Beach
06 Freak
07 Art Deco
08 Burnt Norton (Interlude)
09 Religion
10 Salvatore
11 The Blackest Day
12 24
13 Swan Song
14 Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Janet Jackson has titled her new album, The Great Forever, no word yet on an official release.

Enigmatic street artist Banksy will open his Dismaland a 'Bemusement Park' installation in England this weekend. Each Friday, the park will feature a different musical performer including Run the Jewels, Peanut Butter Wolf, Massive Attack and more. For more info, click here.

Langhorne Slim on Conan


Watch Longhorne Slim perform "Strangers" on Conan.

MS MR on Meyers


Watch MS MR perform on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Mumford & Sons on Kimmel


Watch Mumford & Sons perform "The Wolf" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Beach House Stream New Album


NPR is streaming Beach House's new album, Depression Cherry, which arrives in stores next week. Take a listen!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Great Soundtracks: Goodfellas


When Martin Scorsese sets his sight on a film it is something to admire but when he gets involved in the soundtrack, now, the game has changed. When he released his mafia masterpiece Goodfellas 25 years ago, Scorsese not only created a timeless picture, he curated a timeless soundtrack.

Using only songs that were current or older to the era in which his story was told, the director gave himself boundaries that he would adhere to send his vision forward. In what is one of the most expensive musical licences for a film, using a whopping 48 songs in just the film alone, he picked 12 for the soundtrack that was released to the public.

For what the consumer was able to get he picked Cream, Bobby Darin, Billy Ward and His Dominos, The Cadillacs, Derek and the Dominos, Muddy Waters and more. The album still transport listeners to the famous scenes in which the songs were used and will make you want to dance like Spider in the film -- and just hope your fate is better than his. 

Recommended Reading: Mad World


The 1980's may seem like an eternity but the music still sounds as fresh and as vibrant today as it did then. When something is a classic it never goes out of style. This is depicted in the 2014 book, Mad World by Lori Majewski and Jonathan Bernstein, who like Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain before them wrote Please Kill Me -- the oral history of punk, wrote the oral history of New Wave.

The book features interviews from members of Duran Duran, New Order, The Smiths, Tears for Fears, Adam Ant, Echo and the Bunnymen, Devo, ABC, Spandau Ballet, A Flock of Seagulls, Thompson Twins, and INXS. 

Featuring an intro by Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran and an afterword by Moby, this book will transport you back in time and make those that lived through the scene remember and those that didn't bring them to a place that now only exists in memory. 

Playlist


August's 26-song playlist of random musical musings is here. Take a listen on Spotify!

Savages Unleash New Album Trailer Feat. Henry Rollins


Savages will release their new album next year and to get fans pumped they have released a trailer featuring narration by Henry Rollins reading "Jazz Cleopatra: Josephine Baker in Her Time" by Phyllis Rose. Take a look!

Morrissey on Corden



Watch Morrissey perform "Kiss Me A Lot" on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Foals Preview New Album in Epic Teaser


Foals will release their new album, What Went Down, this month and are giving fans a taste of what is to come in an 11-minute trailer. Take a look!

Live Pix: Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito 25th Anniversary in Central Park


On Sunday, legendary hip-hop DJ's Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito screened their documentary, Radio That Changed Lives, which features a cameo from our own RICH D SMOOV, in Central Park at the Summer Stage.

The DJ's celebrated in grand fashion bringing out friends for a massive jam that included Pete Rock, Large Professor, Brand Nubian, Rob Swift, Pharaoh Monch, and many more. 

Take a look at RICH D SMOOV's Live Pix!



Large Professor 
 Pete Rock
 Pharaoh Monch
 Brand Nubian
 Kool Keith

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Live Pix: Non Phixon @ Highline Ballroom


On Saturday night Non Phixon rocked the Highline Ballroom in Manhattan and brought special guests including a reunion from Arsonists

Take a look at our RICH D SMOOV's Live Pix!


Arsonists
 Non Phixon


 DJ Eclipse

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