You are currently browsing the monthly archive for April 2009.
Josh Jackson over at Paste has compiled a killer list of great Bob Dylan covers. Just in time for the release of Bob’s new album, “Together Through Life,” in stores today!
Jackson offers a lot of the songs on stream and there are YouTube videos up as well.
They left off one amazingly good cover- which sounds the same as the Dylan version but somehow the artist makes the song sound like it’s hers: Nanci Griffith covering “Boots of Spanish Leather.”
Check it.
Nanci Griffith: Boots of Spanish Leather
Click on the above link.
Nanci Griffith: Boots of Spanish Leather
A topic conversation brought up lately: best albums to have sex to. I personally have nothing to say about that. Ahem!
But I can say that this New Order song has sexiness seeping out of every note, break between notes, drum strike, etc. Just watch this:
I love how the two guitars are strapped and played so differently. One is up on the chest and the other hanging low. And Bernard’s naked chest! Woo!
New Order: Age of Consent
click the above link.
New Order: Age of Consent
This shit is better than Susan Boyle!!!
And I know you’ve all seen it since Perez posted it too. But I can’t help myself.
Also, check this. The kids and Passion Pit in the studio. So cute!!!
I first heard Nite Jewel‘s song “Weak For Me” back in the cold, cold winter month of January. It’s really bewitching. And witchy. I love the scary vibe and echo-y haunted house vocals. A perfect combo of indie vibes and electronic mania, this song is.
Nite Jewel is touring with Telepathe in June, but there aren’t any East Coast dates, unfort.
Check the Q and A with Nite Jewel over at Stark Magazine.
Tonight:
Mogwai at Williamsburg Music Hall (and Tuesday and Wednesday)
Friday:
Noah and the Whale at Bowery Ballroom
Saturday:
Buraka Som Sistema at Bowery Ballroom (there’s something about the bass beats these guys throw that feel like a good kick in the stomach) Check them here.
Sunday:
Dark Was the Night Benefit with everyone and your mother at Radio City Music Hall
Tara Jane O’Neil, Mirah and Tall Firs at Market Hotel (THIS WILL BE THE SHIT)
It’s so hard to rail on anyone these days. Especially musicians. Anything to make a buck off your sound, right?? De La Soul’s new album is one 45-minute track, originally individual songs mixed together by Flosstradamus to make one long song. Why, you ask?? Because it was written to inspire….activism? Partying? No. Exercise. Running. That’s Hip-Hop right?!
Yeah, sneakers are part of hip-hop culture. But is running???
NIKE probably offered a good amount of $$$ for this, and in the Billboard story you’ll see De La is working on a new album, and the money put up will help a lot, i’m sure.
Anyone have a problem with making an album for a purpose like this, instead of following your own personal sensibilities or musical inclinations?
Saturday was a hot and steamy day. But I didn’t really feel it that much until Tanlines took the stage at Bruar Falls around 11 pm. Ok, that’s bullshit. The sun was so hot I got tanlines on my back, and i’m still burned, from biking back from Fort Tilden. But back to the band.
Tanlines competently mix electronic beats, drum pad strikes and guitar to make a racket that is both danceable and interesting. We all know that a lot of dance music is fun and nothing more. But Tanlines try to be complicated- changing rhythms, vocals when you least expect them, etc. When a band is trying to vary their sound- as they all should- not all songs will be perfect. And i’m a big fan of that, it means the musicians are really serious about their music. They don’t just want to make people dance, they want their music to be diverse. And that’s what Tanlines is doing. While some of their songs, Bejan in particular, are completely spot-on, other newer tracks are a work in progress. Rather than churn out the same song over and over, they’re taking chances.
Eric Emm croons a little on a few songs. My friend thinks the band sounds like Sting when he sings. I think that’s more funny than accurate. What she’s really saying is that with Emm’s vocals comes a certain warmth, or sentimentality, that is often absent in straight dance-y electronic music.
Tanlines are attempting to chart a territory that’s wholly their own. And they’re playing some upcoming shows- check them out for a good time. But thankfully, not blind fun.
Click here for live dates, a new video by the band and info about a Tanlines side project.
Well, I can’t say i’m not surprised about this. But I can say how unhappy I am. I mean, it’s a nice space and all (UPT, see NY date below) but I don’t like sitting down for shows. And definitely not for a Sonic Youth show. If they’re in their 50s and can still fucking tour and stand on stage all night it’s only right that the audience does the same. True???
SONIC YOUTH NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2009
Sonic Youth announce their North American tour for this summer. General tickets are on sale Sat May 2. Presale tickets on sale Friday May 1. Buy Early Get Now exclusive presale tickets available April 30.
June 28th – Chicago, IL – Vic Theater
June 29th – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
July 2nd – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
July 3rd – New York, NY – United Palace Theatre
July 6th – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
July 8th – Richmond, VA – The National
July 10th – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theater
July 11th – Nashville, TN – War Memorial
July 12th – Birmingham, AL – Sloss Furnaces
July 13th – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
July 15th – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
July 16th – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s
July 18th – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
July 20th – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall
July 21st – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave
July 23rd – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
July 25th – Seattle, WA – Capitol Hill Block Party
July 28th – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom
July 30th – Salt Lake City, UT – Twilight Music Fest
July 31st – Denver, CO – Ogden Theater
August 2nd – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
Ian MacKaye, of Fugazi and Minor Threat fame, was asked to introduce a music movie at the Maryland Film Festival and instead of choosing a documentary about a hard-core band, or a straight-edge scene in Japan, he decided on Nina Simone: La Legende, a not-often seen made for TV film devoted to the singer so well known for her deeply emotional and confessional songs.
MacKaye is going to speak after the screening, and discuss the film with the audience.
MacKaye is currently in the band The Evens, who are really fierce. Check them out…they’re not on tour unfort.
Bruce Springsteen means many things to many people. For me, when I hear his voice, I think of camraderous drunken college evenings. Hollering at the top of my lungs, dancing on couches and beds, falling down in ecstasy. For others, The Boss embodies the dream: he’s an example of what can happen if you try real hard. He’s inspiring.
“Some folks are born into a good life. Other folks get it anyway, anyhow. I lost my money and I lost my wife. Them things don’t seem to matter much to me now.”
The Boss puts the hardships of life into perspective. That’s his best quality.
“Darkness on the Edge of Town” starts with a simple piano line and a cymbal cling. And after a verse, the song breaks out and turns into a more riotous, rollicking tune. And then back to simplicity for the next verse. In typical Springsteen fashion, the song goes from high to low, up and down…. Just like life.
Check this oooolllllldddd video, it’s amazing. Even the sound is good. Look at his face! The FEELING! Imagine if you were there!!!!!
Bruce Springsteen: Darkness on the Edge of Town
Click the above link.
Bruce Springsteen: Darkness on the Edge of Town
