Mar/100
Sub Pop gets folk-freaky with CocoRosie
Sub Pop gets folk-freaky with CocoRosie
Believe me, it only gets better from here.
It’s hard to imagine a musical duo stranger than a couple of French sisters whose unique “freak-folk” style incorporates everything from a harp to beatboxing to various children’s toys. But what’s even harder to imagine is that duo gaining any sort of mainstream recognition. Well, check out your window, because there just might be a fleet of airborne pigs scuttling on by.
CocoRosie, the project of Paris-based sisters Bianca “Coco” and Sierra “Rosie” Casady, just announced that their next album, to be titled Grey Oceans, will release on popular American indie label Sub Pop this coming spring. This release will mark their fourth album since 2003’s La maison de mon reve (a title that Babelfish tells me means something like, “The house of my dreams.”) The article also hints that “amazing and diverse musicians” will be appearing on the new album – though what that means is, at this point, anyone’s guess.
Grey Oceans will release May 11 on Sub Pop Records.
Feb/100
Sonic Youth members to cut album with Yoko Ono
Sonic Youth members to cut album with Yoko Ono
More like Sonic Bleagh.
Hot on the heels of last year’s acclaimed release, The Eternal, two members of Sonic Youth are now set for a collaboration with one of the most controversial figures in the past half-century of rock music.
“Kim [Gordon] and I will be recording a trio LP w/Yoko [Ono] this year,” states a message written by singer/guitarist Thurston Moore on the band’s blog late last week. Ono, the 77-year-old widow of the late John Lennon, has released over 20 albums since the late ’60s, many with Lennon contributing as well. She remains a divisive figure, however, with devoted fans singing her praises and detractors doing just the opposite.
Me, I’ll be interested to see if Kim and Thurston can tame Ono’s more annoying creative tendencies.
Dec/090
Smashing Expectations
Smashing Expectations
This is a song for a bald guy.
Between departing members, albums of dubious quality, and frontman Billy Corgan’s constant drama, one need look no further for musical drama these days than the (current and former) members of The Smashing Pumpkins. But sometimes, even the worst rainstorm leaves blooming flowers in its wake. Or something like that.
At least, that’s the thought that today’s Pumpkins-related news leaves me with. With their respective projects solidifying, Corgan and former drummer Jimmy Chamberlin can now settle down to doing what they do best: Cranking out some good music.
Corgan and the new Pumpkins, as you may remember, announced the gradual online release of a free 44-track album a couple of months back, to be entitled Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. Today, the band made the first track from that album – called “A Song for a Son” – available for your listening pleasure. And, surprisingly, it’s good. Really good. As in, easily the best rock-based song that they’ve released since Mellon Collie. If the band can keep up this level of quality, I’ll be eagerly awaiting each and every new release.
Chamberlin, meanwhile, has been working behind the scenes on a new project of his own. Though the band name (”This”) may be cliche in that awful, hipster-ironic sense, it’s Chamberlin’s description of their style – “progressive, symphonic pop” – that sets my hopes alight. Can we expect a project in the style of, say, Transatlantic or IQ? I certainly hope so, as the guy definitely has the chops to pull off some amazing things on his drum kit.
Will these projects pan out as they – and we – hope they will? Maybe. In the meantime, let’s just sit back, put “Song for a Son” on repeat for a bit, and try to forget about what James Iha has been doing recently.
Oct/090
Monday Newsmix: ODB’s son snags a single; plus The Strokes and more
Monday Newsmix: ODB’s son snags a single; plus The Strokes and more
Like father, like son?
It’s so hard to believe that it’s been five years since the untimely death of Wu-Tang member Ol’ Dirty Bastard. (But then, I tend to say that about a lot of things – maybe I’m just getting old, eh?) In fact, it’s been so long since then that now ODB’s own son is ready to take up his father’s mantle.
Barson Jones, AKA Boy Jones, will release his first single before the end of the year, according to reliable sources. The 21-year-old son of ODB, whose real name is Russell Jones, first appeared on stage at age 9 with his father, so he’s had a lot of time to hone his skills. Here’s hoping that the single lives up to its namesake.
Also, the linked article drops another interesting tidbit: ODB’s final posthumous album, A Son Unique, may be seeing a release before the end of the year. A fitting album name, all things considered, isn’t it?
* * *
In other new album news, The Strokes are officially back in the studio. The five-piece indie group have been working on solo projects since the release of their 2006 album, First Impressions of Earth, but now they’ve collected once again to write and cut their long-awaited fourth album.
According to reports, the group have nearly finished writing the album, and frontman Julian Casablancas has compared the new songs to Thin Lizzy, as odd as that sounds. It’s good to hear that the band is taking their time, I suppose, but that description leaves me with a bit of apprehension. Here’s hoping that they can pull it off.
* * *
I guess being behind bars doesn’t bar one from receiving accolades. Rapper T.I., whom you may know from his collaboration with Rihanna on the single “Live Your Life,” received two B.E.T. Hip-Hop Awards this past weekend while serving a year’s prison sentence for possessing illegal weapons. Hey, it is a pretty catchy single…
* * *
So it looks like the new Animal Collective album is actually a five-track, half-hour-long EP. According to the description, it seems like it’ll be a bit harsher than the “springy, summery” Merriweather Post Pavillion. Okay, it’s not a new album, but it IS more AnCo. I’m certainly not complaining.
* * *
As if you needed any further reason to avoid the next Good Charlotte record (other than the fact that it’s another Good Charlotte record), it looks like Pink will perform in some fashion on a song. Blech.
* * *
See the track list for the upcoming Lego Rock Band video game here. Not a bad list, though I want to throttle the guy who thought that Vampire Weekend would be fun to play.
Oct/090
Thursday Newsmix: Oasis dries up, plus new Animal Collective and more
Thursday Newsmix: Oasis dries up, plus new Animal Collective and more
We're so British, we invented the Jaffa Cake.
After Noel Gallagher left the band over a month ago, the fate of Britpop superstars Oasis has been, for the most part, up in the air. Today, in an interview with The Times UK, estranged brother Liam Gallagher laid all rumors and speculation to rest: Oasis is no more.
In that interview, Liam spelled out the fate of the band in no uncertain terms: “Oasis is no longer. I think we all know that. So that’s done.” Instead, the younger Gallagher will be entering into the fashion business with a new line of clothing, with any further projects involving the remaining band members to be decided. Meanwhile, Noel is most likely going it solo, though details on any such venture are slim to nil at the moment.
While the demise of such a prolific band does tug a bit at my heartstrings – Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? having been, for better or worse, a major part of the soundtrack to my teenage years – the band has been mostly retreading well-worn ground for the past decade. The time was well past due to call it quits.
* * *
My admiration for Animal Collective’s January release, Merriweather Post Pavillion, should be no secret by now. Hipster echo-chamber aside, MPP is a dynamic, exciting album packed to the brim not only with good musical ideas, but also a sense of melody and accessibility that the band’s earlier material lacked. So when the announcement of another album – slated for this year, too – comes out of nowhere, you must excuse me if I’m a little, er, excited.
Okay, that’s an understatement. This is going to be effing awesome.
The new album, to be titled Fall Be Kind, is slated to be released December 8 on Domino Records. We don’t really have any more info as of yet, but be sure to stay tuned as this exciting story develops.
* * *
Are you the owner of some treasured piece of autographed Joy Division memorabilia? If so, you may want to check that certificate of authenticity. Ex-Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook has admitted to forging the signature of the late Ian Curtis on various JD-related items, thus calling into question the value (both monetary and otherwise) of pretty much every such piece. I think I just heard Curtis roll over in his grave.
* * *
The Beastie Boys‘ Adam “MCA” Yausch is apparently really into Eastern medicine. After having been diagnosed with cancer, Yausch stated in an update released via Rolling Stone, he traveled to Tibet on a retreat, converted (temporarily) to veganism, and attended a seminar by the Dalai Lama. Whatever helps him feel better, I suppose.
* * *
So it looks like Radiohead might be cutting a new album after all. Jeez, make your mind up already, will you guys?
* * *
After initially snubbing an offer to have the band immortalized in a Rock Band game, arena-rockers U2 have stated that they would “definitely… like to be” involved with such a project. Too bad it won’t be nearly as good as The Beatles’ iteration.
* * *
In other music-game news, view the entire tracklist for the upcoming DJ Hero video game here.
* * *
Preview The Flaming Lips’ upcoming album, Embryonic, over at NPR.
Oct/090
Monday Newsmix: Glenn Beck and Muse; plus Method Man and more
Monday Newsmix: Glenn Beck and Muse; plus Method Man and more
I want YOU!! ...to subscribe to MY conspiracy theories.
I’m of the opinion that conservative/libertarian “commentator” Glenn Beck is one of the craziest political voices in the United States, between his religion-based warmongering, thinly-veiled racism, and general tin-foil-hattery. But at least he likes Muse – albeit for the wrong reasons (he erroneously associates the band with libertarianism).
Oh, and he’s also a dirty rotten liar. But we already knew that.
Recently, on his Fox News show, Beck claimed that a spokesperson for Muse insisted that he stop plugging the group on his show. Only, that never happened, according to a representative for Beck’s company. He was just joking. Right.
Regrettably, Muse declined to comment on the situation, thereby ensuring that this story doesn’t go much further than it already has. Otherwise, people might actually realize that Beck and his ilk are “fair and balanced” only because they jury-rigged the scale.
* * *
Wu-Tang member Method Man, along with brother-in-arms Redman, released what’s thus far my favorite hip-hop album of the year back in May. But apparently not enough people bought it, as Meth needed to, uh, supplement his income with unpaid tax money.
This morning, Meth turned himself in for evading over $32,000 in taxes – and that’s not including the attorneys’ fees or punitive damages that any self-respecting judge will saddle the famed emcee with. If convicted – and it looks like he will be, due to the whole “turning himself in” thing – he could face up to four years in the slammer as well.
Any chance of a jailbird-recorded Blackout 3, Methy ol’ pal?
* * *
NPR reports that a collaboration is in the works between David Byrne and Norman Cook, otherwise known as Fatboy Slim. The duo’s planned album, to be entitled Here Lies Love, will be based upon the life of former Filipino First Lady Imelda Marcos, and will feature over 20 guest vocalists, including Cyndi Lauper, Santigold, and Tori friggin’ Amos. Hell. Yes.
* * *
In completely silly news, reggae artist Major Mackerel claims that some guy in New York City slashed him up with a two-foot-long sword. A strange story – and even stranger if it somehow turns out to be true.
* * *
View the tracklisting for the Foo Fighters’ upcoming Greatest Hits album here. Not a bad list, though woefully lacking in tracks from their excellent debut album.
Sep/091
Tueday Newsmix: Danger Mouse breaks bells; Jacko breaks records
Tueday Newsmix: Danger Mouse breaks bells; Jacko breaks records
Here he comes to save the day! And make some kickin' rad music.
Been wondering what multi-instrumentalist/producer Brian Burton, AKA Danger Mouse, is up to lately? You’re definitely not alone. As one of the busiest men in modern music, Burton always seems to be at work on one project or another, all of which tend toward competent at worst and ground-breaking at best. Take now, for example: a scant few months after the “non-release-release” of his collaboration with Sparklehorse, the mouse is back – and in good company.
Broken Bells is the (tentative) name of the new collaboration between Burton and James Mercer, the creative force behind indie rockers The Shins. Unlike Dark Night of the Soul, however, both parties are in this one for the long haul: the duo plan to release their debut album next year via Columbia Records, and they already have plans extending beyond that album. There’s no further details on the collaboration yet, but that’s a helluva lot of musical talent concentrated in two individuals.
Has Burton finally settled on a project that’ll extend beyond the two album mark? Does this mean that The Shins are on hiatus? Probably not on both counts, but either way, this one just shot up near the top of my “most anticipated of ‘10″ list.
* * *
Even after his death, Michael Jackson continues to sell tickets. Thousands upon thousands of ‘em. Tickets for showings of the documentary This Is It, comprising footage of the last few months of the late pop star’s life, went on sale this past Sunday – and shattered records for advance ticket sales. In North America alone, Reuters estimates, hundreds of screenings for the documentary have sold out completely. Elsewhere, in Japan alone, advance sales made more than $1 million.
Frankly, I don’t know why people are so eager to see footage of creepy caucasian post-facial-surgery Jacko, as opposed to young suave Jacko, but maybe that’s just me. I just hope that this documentary lives up to the hype.
* * *
In other new-band news, Thom Yorke of Radiohead announced late yesterday that he’s heading a new supergroup. His fellow partners-in-crime will be Flea (yes, that Flea), producer Nigel Godrich, session drummer Joey Waronker, and Brazilian musician Mauro Refusco. I’m no fan of Yorke’s, but with that lineup I’d go see them live anyway.
* * *
Apparently, after nearly three dozen shows in Europe and America, U2 still have yet to make a profit off of their “360″ world tour. According to reports, the band needs to front about $750,000 per show. What a waste.
* * *
Wondering when the next Sufjan Stevens album will hit? According to the man himself, it won’t be coming any time soon, as he “no longer [has] a deep desire to share [his] music with anyone.” Sigh.
* * *
Yet another Omar Rodriguez-Lopez album, titled Xenophanes, will drop November 10th via his own independent record label.
* * *
Preview Karen O’s Where the Wild Things Are movie soundtrack for free over at Stereogum.
* * *
NPR is streaming the upcoming Roseanne Cash covers album, The List, via their Exclusive First Listen feature.
Sep/090
Thursday Newsmix: E Street goes bye-bye, Billy Corgan says hello
Thursday Newsmix: E Street goes bye-bye, Billy Corgan says hello
Janey said it was time to go, So we closed our eyes and said goodbye to Gypsy Angel Row. Felt so right, Together we moved like spirits in the night.
If you missed Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s world tour this year, then you may need to wait a while longer for your next opportunity. A lot longer. Late yesterday, E Street guitarist Steve Van Zandt revealed that the band will be going on hiatus – perhaps indefinitely.
“[It could be] one year, year and a half, two years off,” Van Zandt stated, later adding, “You never know. This could be our last tour.”
If true, this announcement would mark the possible end of a band that’s been touring together on and off for nearly four decades. But don’t despair too much: after all, the last hiatus lasted “only” four years. I suspect Van Zandt’s just being dramatic.
* * *
The Smashing Pumpkins (now just frontman Billy Corgan and a collection of random dinks) have had a turbulent history, with members coming and going, a full break-up and reformation, a critically panned comeback album, and Corgan’s frequently offensive antics backing it all. This time, however, Corgan aims to get it right for the first time since 2000’s criminally underrated Machina: The Machines of God.
Yesterday, in a long blog post, Corgan outlined the concept for his next album, to be titled Teargarden by Kaleidyscope (a name obviously meant to reference the trippy-quirky-emo name of 1995’s Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness). The album – actually a collection of 11 4-track EPs – will “[harken] back to the original psychedelic roots of [the band]: atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty.” Sounds good to me, but what makes it even better is that all 44 songs will be released for free.
Thank you for listening to your fans for once, Billy. Now please don’t screw this one up.
* * *
NEWSBITES
* * *
R.I.P. Mary Travers, folk singer and one-third of influential ’60s folksters Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Jay-Z is set to break the record previously held by Elvis Presley for the most number-one albums in America for a solo artist. Frankly, I can think of few modern recording artists more deserving. Good show, Jay.
Activision CEO Dan Rosensweig acts like a complete jackass in regards to Courtney Love’s objections over the use of her ex-husband Kurt Cobain’s image in Guitar Hero 5.
Timbaland’s upcoming album, Shock Value 2, will contain a song inspired by teen-vampire-schlock novel Twilight, as well as a guest appearance by, among others, Paramore. The only shock value here is Timby’s shockingly bad taste.
Embryonic, the new album by The Flaming Lips, is streaming over at The Colbert Nation website. It’s in a smallish box on the left hand of the screen.
Spiritualized is set to re-release their amazing 1997 album, Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space, on November 16. Premium editions will include bonus CDs with nearly three dozen outtakes, demos, and remixes.