Playlouder interviews the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, focusing on their upcoming single and album.
You've been called everything from the future of rock 'n roll to the most exciting sweat-rock band ever to have existed. Do you deserve such high praise?
KAREN O: It's flattering that people like us, but we're still a really young band and we don't want to be distracted or pressurised by people making such grand claims. Of course we love people coming to our shows and telling us how much they love our songs, but we're not convinced by all the hype surrounding us and we're trying our hardest not to listen to any of it. We're more interested in surviving and keeping our shit together.
Today is the birthday of two people I greatly admire, my father and Bob Pollard. We're headed down to see my mother tonight (my dad passed away in 1989), and will celebrate Halloween with the family in his honor.
In honor of Bobby P., a couple of high kicks and a can of Bud are in order, while dancing to the soundtrack of his life.
The Morning News's Claire Miccio lets P.J. Harvey's To Bring You My Love bring back the memories.
Jack White tops the list of the coolest people in rock, as arbited by British rag NME. Check out their top 10 here.
What Do You Play To Scare Off Trick-or-Treaters? (an I Love Music thread).
Check out Topher's Breakfast Cereal Character Guide when you're trying to remember what Quisp looked like, or who the other "monster cereals" from general Mills were (besides Count Chocula and Franken Berry).
The Village Voice looks at the Scandinavian rock explosion.
So, the Scandinavian circus is set up in all our towns now, with three great chords and three great nations (four counting Iceland's Björk, long an icon in the related "Carport Musique" scene) churning out a variety of copacetic sounds, as rated in the follow-the-line-through-the-IKEA-store maze above. In the meantime, I can't wait until the garrulous garage gals in Finland's Thee Ultra Bimboos send their first major release over here for the New World market. I'm getting a case of Hives just thinking about that prurient prospect.
Hungry? Want something more tasty than the usual PB&J or BLT? Check out the Sandwich Project for interesting sandwich combinations.
<-- Kim's Place
Ever want to hear Telly Savalas sing "Something" or Phyllis Diller sing "Satisfaction"? How about Ozzy singing "Staying Alive"? These and many other audio curiosities are found in the April Winchell Show's multimedia collection.
The new Sigur Ros album was released today. Buy it and enjoy it. Don't take only my words about the loveliness that is this record, listen to what Drowned In Sound has to say:
Is right here. Just print it and you're ready to greet trick-or-treaters (and give them decorating, baking and gardening advice as well).
Touring to support theur new album, Spend The Night, The Donnas talk to Billboard about annoying comparisons to Avril Lavigne and Pink as well as their move to a major label, among other things.
The question remains; is the world is ready for four charismatic girls playing no-nonsense rock'n'roll? "I hope so because there is so much music out there that isn't very good or very fun," Ford offers. " I think that music is in a rut right now. So hopefully, everyone will buy 'Spend the Night' and it will change what music is. And everyone will realize that music is about having fun and good times, and it's not something you should get all depressed about."
Shannon is back with a stunning new design, discussing pop culture and turning the world on to new music.
I just finished burning my monthly mix CD's, Strokes Of Aurora On Bottles Of Wine. It's a collection of (mostly) acoustic music, performed by songwriters I admire. If you've gotten one in the past, keep an eye on the mailbox. If you want to trade mixes, drop me a note...
More kitten rock, this time playing music from The Vines.
Political satire at its finest, plus our chief executive gets a cool PS2 with some neato combat games.
Thousands of midi files from almost every video game ever produced.
Before I read the morning paper with my breakfast, I read the back of the cereal box intently. Here's the archive of cereal boxes, past and present.
Glorious Noise uncovers yet another White Stripes controversy: the theory that Meg White is dead and has been replaced by a robot. This would account for the lackluster drumming, I guess.
Janis Ian speaks out in USA Today:
"On the first day I posted downloadable music, my merchandise sales tripled, and they have stayed that way ever since. I'm not about to become a zillionaire as a result, but I am making more money."
Guided By Voices' Bob Pollard is the focus of this local news piece (RealVideo). Pretty standard "teacher becomes rock star" stuff, but any publicity is good publicity.
Officially out today are notably Har Mar Superstar's You Can Feel Me, the Donnas' Spend The Night, the Foo Fighters' One By One and the Pavement reissue of Slanted and Enchanted as well as their Slow Century double DVD, which only reminds me yet again why we need a DVD player.
The Onion AV Club reviews the new Foo Fighters.
Pitchfork announces what everyone knew, but was afraid to mention out loud: the Elephant6 collective has been put to rest. Luckily, offshoots like Of Montreal, Circulatory System, Sunshine Fix and Elf Power (among others) will keep the spirit of the collective alive.
The BBC looks at "new rock" bands, citing the obligatory Hives, White Stripes and Vines, but also taking a look at Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Datsuns, and others.
Their prerequisites for forming your own "new rock" band:
"You will need:
To be thin
To be male
To be white
To have dark hair
To have a band name starting with 'The...'
To wear tight T-shirts or leather jackets
To know a maximum of three guitar chords"
The Modern Age is serving an MP3 of the White Stripes performing "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground" from last week's Saturday Night Live.
I'm happy to see the Stripes get some more national exposure.
Ever wanted to direct a Moby Video? He's inviting everyone to send him storyboards and/or ideas, with the winner getting their big break.
Two vinyl copies of Guided By Voices' Propeller album have hit eBay recently, with one going for $920, and the other at $99 (and bidding still open as I type).
I bought a copy of this when it came out, one of the 500 with hand-made covers. About six years ago I decided to get rid of my collection of vinyl, and sold my entry in the "Propeller Club" for $150... I guess I should have waited.
Eight new unreleased Morrissey songs are available to download.
Speaking of war songs, check out Billy Bragg's song against the upcoming conflict (mp3 download). Apparently he wants it out on the internet before the war begins -- before the war is over.
<-- laughing boy
A Little War Music lists ten songs to ready us for war with Iraq. I would have added Nick Lowe's What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding, Neutral Milk Hotel's Holland 1945 and Wilco's War on War.
The Confederate Memorial Dorm threatens to secede from Vanderbilt University.
A streaker climbed onto the ice, or more appropriately, dropped to the ice head-first at a recent Flames-Bruins game.
Not a bright fellow, you'd think he'd choose a nice, warm summer baseball or soccer game...
LCD magazine lists interesting and sometimes bizarre quotes about music and the music business, drawing from sources as diverse as Tom T. Hall, Cecil Taylor and Hunter Thompson.
Those Brits... The Guardian looks at holiday novelty songs, from today's Ketchup Song back to 1965's Zorba's Dance, even including their top ten list of holiday novelty tunes.
Another musical featuring the music of Queen is in the works. From what little I've heard from We Will Rock You (the first Queen musical Ben Elton penned), I can only say this is not a good thing.
<-- xrrf
Some would like to see her in hot water, but here is Martha's portrait done entirely with vegetables. Be sure to check out the noodle Golden Girls and matches and lighters Tammy Faye.
That crazy Conor Oberst; Bright Eyes fakes mechanical difficulties to do shots in the middle of a recent show.
Be sure to check out Conor's rock project, Desaperacidos. The difference between the bands, according to Oberst: "Whereas Bright Eyes is social commentary on the most personal and intimate level, this is the polar opposite."
Pitchfork reviews the newly released Guided By Voices ep, Pipe Dreams Of The Instant Prince Whippet, a collection of outtakes from the bands recordings for their Universal Truths And Cycles album.
Pitchfork has posted some new MP3's this week, including a cut from the current Low album as well as some great Oma Yang.
At least if you work there, according to the grandpappy of sux web sites. Flak has a look around bestbuysux.com.
Nick Hornby lists "10 record tracks he could not imagine living without."
RES magazine compiled a mixtape, and has the MP3's online for your listening (and downloading) pleasure.
Henry Kissinger was the ironic winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 (is GW Bush next year's winner?).
Ryan Adams pays a concertgoer to leave his show (after the guy asked him to play, "Summer of '69)...
Wilco is streaming their Washington, DC show live tonight from their website (Apple Quicktime 6 required).
Alex comments on Laurie Anderson and 9-11, quoting the lines from Anderson's "O, Superman":
...Here come the planes.
They're American planes. Made in America.
Smoking or non-smoking?
And the voice said: Neither snow nor rain nor gloom
of night shall stay these couriers from the swift
completion of their appointed rounds.
'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice.
And when justice is gone, there's always force.
And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!...
Good to have you back, Alex...
Magnet asks indie musicians about their favorite power pop songs.
My favorite: Shocker In Gloomtown, the Guided By Voices song, as covered by the Breeders.
Breeders Shocker In Gloomtown MP3
Jeans And A T-Shirt has posted its monthly music mix for October, check out the titles and download MP3's from artists ranging from the alt-country of Ryan Adams to the metal of Mastodon to the melodious pop of Spoon.
largehearted boy is accessible to the Chinese internet audience. Is your site?
It's my bride's birthday today, amidst her presents is her personal mix CD (which she's listening to with a wry smile as I type).
It's been a busy afternoon in the largehearted house, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are visiting for the weekend, and the obligatory cleaning and cooking are finally done (30 minutes prior to their arrival). We have a marinated pork tenderloin for dinner, accompanied by my special roasted garlic smashed potatoes with a side salad ready for dinner, and a potato, corn and scallion frittata set for breakfast. Major thanks to my co-chef for the salads and prep work. I love to cook, but under a deadline help is always welcome, and creating meals as a team is much more fulfilling. Also, thanks to Pete's Wicked Ale and the new Apples In Stereo cd for inspiration. The Apples album is reminding me more and more of Mitch Easter's work with Let's Active, mostly in the vocal harmonies and chord changes, and since I love Let's Active, that's not a bad thing.
Ever worked in advertising? Watch this (I'm still laughing)...
Click on the ribbon, and one dollar will be donated to breast cancer research. Pass it on.
The New Yorker reviews Beck's latest CD, Sea Change. A sample: "What's most interesting about this record is that it sounds as if Beck is still concerned more with sonic form than with lyrical content. You can hear the lessons he learned from the tightly constructed soundscapes of 'Midnite Vultures.' (Previous albums had foregrounded his songs' rough edges.) Though the melodies on 'Sea Change' aren't remarkable, as pure sound the record is gorgeous."
Exclaim! publishes an article on the changing relationship between advertising and popular music. The ubiquitous Dirty Vegas/Mitsubishi connection is examined, as well as less publicized deals by Yo La Tengo and the Shins.
It's a fun Friday Five this week, here goes:
1. If you could only choose 1 cd to ever listen to again, what would it be?
Doolittle by the Pixies
2. If you could only choose 2 movies to watch ever again, what would they be?
The Godfather and Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story (a tacky TV movie that I love)
3. If you could only choose 3 books to read ever again, what would they be?
The Adventures of Augie March (Saul Bellow), The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke, The Complete Short Stories of Flannery O'Connor
4. If you could only choose 4 things to eat or drink ever again, what would they be?
Pasta with olive oil, garlic, parmesan and green onion; sausage and mushroom pizza; Chunky Monkey ice cream; Pepsi
5. If you could only choose 5 people to ever be/talk/associate/whatever with ever again, who would they be?
I'd hate to limit myself to five people, so I'll pass on this one...
Here is a collection of songs from the Simpsons in mp3 format. My favorite of the bunch? "It Was A Very Good Beer", sung by Homer himself.
<-- destinyland
Sax and Sunshine closed its doors today, but the wonderful music weblog reopened at Close Your Eyes, so get over there and enjoy Alexander's critical ear!
We took our second yoga class (of this session) today. Definitely easier (so far) than the power yoga we had been attending, with only basic poses and plenty of resting. We're learning Hatha yoga, I'm looking forward to the next couple of months. I see yoga as a means to increasing my flexibility, balance and generally maintain my good health. So far I'm at the head of the class, it jelps that my bride and I are ten years younger than anyone else). My only complaint: the lame new age music.
After dinner we had a homemade "meat and three", minus the meat. Vegetarian? Almost, minus the bacon I cooked with the cabbage. It was almost a totally healthy day until we kicked in our ice cream fix (peanut butter swirl, mmmm).
For other yoga news (along with bread, coffe and chocolate info), check out the wonderfully informative bread, coffee, chocolate, yoga.
My favorite answer, from Bill Maher: "Religion to me is a bureaucracy between man and God that I don't need. But I'm not an atheist, no."
Listen to your favorite Joe Pesci movie quotes.
<-- parallax view
No Love For Ned's weekly music stream was recorded at his mother's house, using only her CD's, check it out for a step back into memory lane.
Analog Roam goes retro and reviews Liz Phair's debut album, Exile In Guyville. One of my all-time favorite albums from the first listen, its sparse arrangements and low-key production (as well as strong songwriting) ensure that it gets a play often at my house. If you get the chance, I strongly suggest finding and listening to the Girlysound demos (from which this record was largely made).
Liz Phair Girlysound demo mp3 mp3
London's first radio art station, Resonance 104.4 fm, has started broadcasting (on a limited schedule). Catch the programme listings and MP3 stream.
Some people have too much time on their hands. One of the things I like about Spongebob Squarepants is the celebration for diversity the show provides. Sponges live along starfush, squid, fish and even squirrels, and everyone gets along.
I'm Bon Jovi, I guess it could be worse, I could have been Ratt. Take the quiz...
Splendid is publishing the ramblings of The Beatings as they ride from gig to gig.
A professor of cultural studies pens an insightful article examining Wilco's Jeff Tweedy for popmatters.
Cartoon Network released a Dexter's Laboratory hip-hop cd, T
"the album features a mix of hip-hop artists such as Prince Paul, De La Soul, Phife Diggy, will.i.am, YZ and Coolio. Perfect impulse item or gift for your favorite little genius! Appeals to Dexter's Laboratory audiences of all ages."
Of course, this follows the Powerpuff Girls cd, which featured such indie favorites Frank Black, Apples In Stereo and Shonen Knife, and still gets an occasional spin.
From the Spanish music magazine Rockdelux comes this grandiose list.
<-- Analog Roam
Actually, the filthiest of all time, judged by a panel for Blender. (not for the easily offended)
Here's the tiny version of the band, one of many animated musical miniatures at minipops.
Hear Spiro Agnew challenge the hippies and John Wayne explain "The Good Things", among others, at the Bad Music Foundation.
Allegedly due to time constraints, Snoop Dogg ends up on the cutting room floor of the upcoming Muppet movie.
Of The Top 40. Interesting and slightly offensive to me...
<-- Fark
Proof the Beatles popularity has faded. Googlefight is useless, interesting and fun, give it a try. Solve some eternal puzzles or just quench your curiosity.
Slatch starts their weeklong campaign against Bill O'Reilly. Read the letters to both Mr. O'Reilly and Pepsi (regarding the removal of Ludacris as spokesman), they are priceless. The comparison of Bill O'Reilly and Baba O'Riley is mere genius as well.
Read the interview here with one of today's more talented rock guitarists.
Highlight: The Lifeguards album (another collaboration with Bob Pollard) will be released next year with Doug writing all the music.
Shellac is about to tour, here are the dates:
10.10 PORTLAND , ME
10.11 MIDDLE EAST CAMBRIDGE , MA
10.12-13 NEW YORK , NY
10.14 BROOKLYN , NY
10.15 GLOUCESTER CITY , NJ
10.16 WASHINGTON , DC
10.17 RALEIGH , NC
10.18 CHARLOTTE , NC
10.20 ATHENS , GA
10.21 NASHVILLE , TN
10.22 OXFORD , MS
10.23 FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS , IL
Check out their live mp3's at Transmission 3000 from All Tomorrow's Parties this spring.
<-- slatch
Listen to Peter Gabriel now (requires Quicktime 5 or above).
Be sure to read Margaret Berry's last installment of her etiquette series at The Morning News.
Flakmagazine publishes a premature obituary for Warren Zevon.
The LA Times published an article about indie rockers learning from their forefathers (yes, after reading this I feel very old).
I've found my favorite hockey player: Robert Esche. His recently painted goalie mask is adorned with the likenesses of Hank Williams, Jr. and Waylon Jennings (his favorite musicians) against the Philly skyline.
Bought a music CD? You may have cash coming your way.
Here's the website to file your claim.