Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005
Fans of Canadian indie royalty will be shelling out twice as much to their local record stores on October 4 as in addition to being the release date for Broken Social Scene’s long-awaited Windsurfing Nation, Metric have chosen that date to release Live It Out – the follow-up to Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?. Update: The proper release date for the new record is actually September 27. MTV is wrong, and my entire preamble paragraph is null and void. Goddammit.
MTV talked to Emily Haines about the roller-coaster ride that was the making of the new record and how the band almost disintegrated in the process. Having fled their Los Angeles homebase for sunny Toronto, the band have laid out an extensive Fall tour to support the new album, including a September 29 date at the Phoenix. I note that they have nothing booked for the two days prior to that show – perhaps just in case they have a repeat of this past January when they sold out four night at the Mod Club?
I was all about Old World Underground when it came out in the Summer of 2003, but I guess I OD’ed on it a bit because it fell out of heavy rotation after a few months and now only gets occasional spins. I don’t think I’ve heard any of the new material, having not been to a single Metric show since their Horseshoe gig almost two years ago. Not really intentionally, I just… haven’t. Maybe the new record will reignite my interest in the band.
Another much anticipated sophomore effort (at least by me and Aaron is Nellie McKay’s Pretty Little Head, which will be in stores October 18. Billboard has some details on the album, which will apparently only be one-disc but feature 23 songs, as opposed to Get Away From Me, which was a double-album but with only 18 songs. Hmm.
The Age (Bugmenot) declares Sigur Ros the coolest band in the world. I won’t argue with that – they’re from ICEland, after all. Oh God that was bad. Takk is out September 13 and they’re at Massey Hall on September 19. Via Coolfer.
Music video blog Cliptip has been on a tear lately with vids from The Fiery Furnaces, Grandaddy and Bloc Party, among others. Excellent work.
Jeff Mangum sighting in New York City last night! Billboard was on the scene, Prefix has pictures.
The Telegraph examines the economics driving the repackaging of Bob Dylan for a new generation. Via Largehearted Boy.
PopMatters has a little tete a tete with Stephen Malkmus.
Newsarama talks to Brian K Vaughan about the process of turning Ex Machina into a feature film.
I’ve long fancied myself as something of a Neil Gaiman fanboy, but after scoring just 54% on this Neil Gaiman purity test, I am somewhat unsettled that there are people out there who are obviously far more obsessive than I… and I have one question for those people. The one question on the quiz – “Do you know the relation between Stardust and Howl’s Moving Castle?” I do not and am very curious what that relation is. Anyone?
Meet Rusty – the narcoleptic dachshund! Awwwww.
np – American Music Club / United Kingdom
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005
I think it would be an exercise in futility to try and offer up any sort of proper introduction to Richard Thompson for those unfamiliar with his work – kind of like trying to introduce Bob Dylan to someone but without at the least being able to say, “Blowing In The Wind – surely you know that one?”. What I can say without an ounce of exagerration or hyperbole, is that Thompson is one of the finest singer/songwriter/guitarists alive today. From his early days with 60s English folk-rock legends Fairport Convention through his present-day solo career, Thompson has released countless records featuring his droll, dry English wit, dark and incisive songwriting, distinctive baritone and searing fretwork on both acoustic and electric guitars.
I read somewhere that apart from maybe Neil Young, no one else ever arrived on the music scene as such a fully-formed creative entity. Young is actually an excellent parallel for Thompson, as both are equally at home in folk and rock idioms, forged their own often-unfashionable career paths and have been gifted with incredible longevity for it. Granted, Neil is a little bit more of a household name, but the comparisons are valid. It’s probably not surprising, then, that I’m such a fan of both. I’d like to go so far as to say that RT’s been a big influence on my guitar playing but that’d be grossly overstating my abilities – his bagpipe/Celtic-influenced style is so singular I don’t think anyone could say they’ve copped his style. Instead, I’ll just mention that I bought my acoustic guitar based largely on how much it looked like Thompson’s Lowden and my Telecaster has the same odd pickup configuration as his custom Ferrington. And I used to have a Fender Vibroverb reissue like him, but couldn’t get it to sound any good. Win some, lose some.
While he always has and probably will always remain beneath the radar of the mainstream, it’s nice to see he’s getting some attention on the eve of the release of his new album Front Parlour Ballads (out next Tuesday) – The media page at Thompson’s website does a fine job of rounding up RT-related links on the interweb. He tells The Times about coaching Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son in football and the joys of working in the cultural void that is Los Angeles, while The Sunday Herald finds out about the problems of being a Muslim – even a white one – in the current political climate. And a few months ago Being There ran a piece on one former Thompson-hater’s proverbial moment on the road to Damascus.
Thompson’s bio offers a better summary of the man’s work than I ever could. Interested parties could start with his Watching The Dark three-disc compilation, Action Packed!, which collects his work for Capitol in the 80s and 90s, or wait for the 5-CD box set (plus a bonus disc with early pressings) planned for release in early 2006.
Here’s a sampling of both the folk and rock sides of Thompson’s work in a live setting – “Vincent Black Lightning 1952” comes from his Rumour & Sigh album and may be as close to a signature song as he has (though I’d still vote for “Shoot Out The Lights”). “Hard On Me” comes from 1999’s Mock Tudor and has some truly terrifying guitarwork. And don’t worry – his songwriting is strong enough to appeal even to non-guitar geeks.
MP3: Richard Thompson – “Vincent Black Lightning 1952” (live)
MP3: Richard Thompson – “Hard On Me” (live)
Guitar Player, incidentally the first place I heard of Thompson (natch) proves to be a good source of blog-fodder too, with interviews with Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker and New Order’s Bernard Sumner and Phil Cunningham.
And continuing on theme – The Washington Blade talks to Bob Mould, avowed Thompson devotee. Check out the mp3 of the week, if you haven’t already. Link via Bob.
For a minute this post over at Brooklynvegan got me all excited because it looked like the National/Clap Your Hands Say Yeah tour had actually been rescheduled a bit such that the Toronto show was now on September 3 instead of the 18th – in other words, when I was still in town! Unfortunately, closer inspection shows that CYHSY will be in town at the Horseshoe on September 3 for their own show, and will not be accompanying The National across the border a couple weeks later. Boo. Clap your hands and say whatever. Also boo – For The Records reports that Jens Lekman has cancelled his October 18 show at the Music Gallery, but hopes to make it up here in November for a solo show. Again – boo. But finally, a yay – The Fiery Furnaces will be at Lee’s Palace on October 10. I’m not the hugest fan of their records but am convinced that the live show is something I must see.
The Nonist has published a helpful brochure to assist those suffering with Blog Depression. My God, I thought I was the only one! Thanks to Lots Of Co for the pointer. I’m not alone! I can be free! I quit!
See you tomorrow.
np – Uncle Tupelo / No Depression
Monday, August 1st, 2005
The Bob Mould PR machine has been in top gear lately with the release of his latest album Body Of Song last week and his upcoming tour this Fall. Paste has an extensive interview with Bob about his storied career and rediscovering the electric guitar. Bob has been doing a good job of keeping track of his press on his own blog – here’s some pieces he found and some I found: MSNBC, Metro Weekly, The Irish Times and The Event Guide. And if you’re tired of reading, WNYC has an audio interview with Bob.
Mould fans would also do well to check out the Minneapolis cover story in the latest issue of Magnet, which functions as a nice companion to the Husker Du chapter in Our Band Could Be Your Life. There’s also a feature in the latest issue of Harp and Exclaim! chips in with a timeline history of Bob’s career. And if you’ve always wanted to play along with Zen Arcade in its entirety, here’s an excellent guitar tab archive of all of Husker Du’s albums.
Metacritic math gives Body Of Song a rather uninspiring score, which is odd considering most of the stuff I’ve read first-hand speak very highly of the record. In his blog, Bob ruminates on the inherent problems of trying to appease critics at this stage of his career. I haven’t heard the record yet but I’ve been mainlining Du, Sugar and solo Bob lately so I’ll surely be getting it soon. Probably the same time I pick up tickets for his October 2 show at the Mod Club.
Ever-prolific, American Music Club frontman Mark Eitzel continues his solo career with the release of Candy Ass in October.
Being There welcomes August with their 25 all-time greatest country albums. You know those people who say they love all kinds of music except rap and country? Those people are stupid.
Today’s daily Sufjan link is this piece in Exclaim!.
Newsweek has a web-exclusive interview with Jay Farrar about the new Son Volt. Note the new Son Volt website – it’s sharp. Via Largehearted Boy.
The Strokes’ third album, still untitled, has been given a release date of January 24.
The Onion AV Club has a double-shot of comic-creator interviews with one of the key architects of the new DC universe Geoff Johns and Eisner award-winner Brian K Vaughan.
Was one of the conditions of the new collective bargaining agreement that the NHL reverse the direction of their logo (old vs new)? Weird. Bizarro NHL.
So far this long weekend has been spent in various states of lounging – sitting around reading, watching DVDs, listening to music. Today promises more of the same. Aaaaahh.
np – Sufjan Stevens / Michigan
Sunday, July 31st, 2005
So as I’ve mentioned in the past, people send me things. CDs mostly, often MP3s or MySpace links, sometimes books, sometimes DVDs. Some of it I work into regular posting, other stuff can fall by the wayside – not necessarily a reflection of the quality of the stuff (though sometimes it is), more often it’s simply a case of not enough time to give it the attention it may deserve. In the interests of clearing out my “To Listen To Pile” (AKA “The Guilt Pile”), I’m starting a semi-regular Sunday feature that I’m calling Sunday Cleaning.
Basically, I’ll try to review a few things a week. I’ll attempt to keep things eclectic. Some will be current, some will not. I don’t guarantee that I’ll have listened to things I review more than a couple times (if even), or that I’ll have the musical taste/context/knowledge to give it the due that someone more qualified might. Sometimes the reviews will seem a little flippant, dimissive or indifferent for that I apologize in advance. But remember – you sent me this stuff, most of the time I didn’t ask for it. You’ve been warned. The records reviewed in this column won’t be keeping with my usual mandate of talking about stuff I like or am interested in – this is about clearing out the backlog (not to mention taking a little pressure off the publishing schedule).
And without further ado.
Innaway / Innaway (
Some Records)
Innaway offer up a blend of classic rock psychedelia with a light sprinkling of blues, served up in a laid-back SoCal fashion. While musically rooted in days of yore, Innaway keep it sounding fresh with more modern production values and touches of ambient and electronica. They work programmed beats into their sound without it being too obvious or out of place, something many bands have tried without as much success. And while they could surely get by coasting on singer/guitarist Jim Schwartz’s remarkable tenor, but the fact that they back it up with creative and impressive musicianship proves they could well be worth watching.
Stream their album here or check out their MySpace.
Kate Earl / Fate Is The Hunter (
Record Collection)
Kate Earl’s people sent me a huge-ass press kit. Colour photocopies, stickers, temporary tattoos, a lock of hair, all very impressive. I didn’t look at any of it. I have to think that press clippings and fashion shoots from teen magazines and whatnot could only work against my impressions of Ms Earl, so I figured I’d just listen to the record and give a go. Hailing from Alaska but now based out of LA, Earl is blessed with a sweet, pure voice and fittingly, her debut is a pleasant, inoffensive slice of upbeat MOR focused on themes of love and self-discovery – you know, the usual. The album has enough genre-hopping to allow for maximum market appeal (R&B? Jazz? Pop? Folk? Check check check and check) and features some A-list session musician talent (Jon Brion, Wendy Melvoin, Pete Thomas). With the proper PR people, there’s no reason Kate Earl couldn’t find her own niche in the adult-contemporary market.
Audio available on her MySpace page.
Satellite Rides
Unabashedly wearing their influences in their name, Halifax’s Satellite Rides trade in rootsy pop-rock. They don’t have Rhett Miller’s incisively clever lyricism or vocal prowess and aren’t as twang-ified as their namesakes (that’s Dallas’ Old 97s, if you were wondering), but the guitar work is pretty damn sharp and the songs hooky enough to soundtrack a good night out at the local social club. Their recorded output comprises a single self-released, self-titled EP, a couple of tracks from which you can hear below:
MP3: Satellite Rides – “Ever Be The Same”
MP3: Satellite Rides – “Kill Them With Kindness”
Hmm, most of the stuff in this first edition was at least polite. But don’t worry – I know there’s stuff to come that’s just DIRE. Knives out, fellas. Knives out.
np – The Replacements / Pleased To Meet Me
Saturday, July 30th, 2005
This may have been the first time I’ve ever watched a movie exclusively because I enjoyed the soundtrack. The completist in me demanded that I get the Friday Night Lights soundtrack to augment my Explosions In The Sky collection – the Austin-based instrumental combo provided the score for the high school football film. Though it reprised some of the songs from The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place, the mixes/arrangements and edits were different enough that the soundtrack had its own personality and wasn’t redundant. The Daniel Lanois instrumental was also quite nice and surprisingly fit very well with the Explosions material. No comment on the Bad Company track, though.
Anyway, having enjoyed the soundtrack, I was curious to see how the music worked in the context of the film. Most sports films utilized horrid, cliched classic rock anthems – how would EITS’ sound compliment the film? Quite well. For a sports film, Friday Night Lights had a unique mood and direction which the soundtrack definitely enhanced. Haunting and elegiac for the most part, though explosive – pardon the pun – when called for. In some sequences, it seemed like the film was simply acting as a video for the audio. A very odd video, granted, but a music video nonetheless.
But getting back to the film, I particularly liked how the culture of high school football in texas was neither outright celebrated nor condemned – it was simply portrayed as a matter of fact, and somewhat ambivalently so. Being as far removed as humanly possible from being a smalltown Texan football fan, a lot of it was completely alien to me and rather fascinating. I’m not big on football – I understand it well enough to watch, not that I do – but will admit it makes for excellent cinema. Friday Night Lights stands apart from your stereotypical sports film by stepping back from the predictable “scrappy team of underdogs does good” angle (though being based on a true story certainly helped keep them in check) and takes a more meditative, philosophical approach – Billy Bob Thornton is particularly zen as the high school coach. Sports films aren’t a staple of my cinematic diet, but I have to say – this one was pretty damn good.
Today’s Sufjan Stevens is an interview with Nerve. Link thanks to Dreams Of Horses.
The Newport Mercury profiles recent Rhode Island transplant Ted Leo. Ted and his Pharmacists are in Toronto September 29 at the Mod Club and hope to have their new album out around February of next year. Link via Bradley’s Almanac.
The oft-delayed Mazzy Star anthology now has another release target – January 2006 – and a name: Unreflected: The Best of Mazzy Star. It will be available in both standard CD or deluxe CD/DVD packages.
This Rubber Soul tribute album is pretty freakin’ sweet. It’s called This Bird Has Flown – A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles’ Rubber Soul and is out on October 25.
More contests! I’m going to help some lucky Torontonians plan out their live music schedule next week by giving away passes to see either the Magnolia Electric Co next Friday (August 5), X country side-project The Knitters on Sunday (August 7) or Smog on Monday (August 8). I’ll have the details up on the contests page later today, so check back and when you see the banner up top, make with the clicky.
np – Crooked Fingers / Dignity And Shame
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