I'm Right And You're Not

What’s on your iPod?

2007-02-09T17:43:00.000-05:00

I’ve always seen the feature what’s on your iPod on the site a.v. club, but I never visited the site. That was a mistake. It’s a great music and movie site, the lead feature this week is 15 pop songs owned by movie scenes. Check it out.

n Lucinda Williams’ new album West comes out Tuesday. Go out and get it, and try to catch her on tour. She’s playing at the Brown Theatre in Louisville on April 24. Preseale begins Wednesday.

n Paste Magazine talks about the slew of biopics coming out. Where’s the one on Brian Wilson?

n Kawya Na Kisser has an R.E.M. show from 1989, the Green tour. That was my first time seeing R.E.M., what a treat.

n The Richmond-Times Dispatch reviews Jeff Tweedy’s performance. And the The State reviews another one of his solo shows.

n Cool new feature for iTunes that lets you track your favorite artists concert calendars.

Shins, Apples, Pollack and THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!

2007-02-01T10:40:00.000-05:00

Buzz must really work, because the Shins’ “Wincing the Night Way” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.
Of course, having a great album doesn’t hurt either.
Here’s another interview with lead singer James Mercer.

n The Courier-Journal talks to Apples in Stereo frontman Robert Schneider.
http://www.velocityweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/VELOCITY02/701310361/1066

Harmonium and Harp magazines also talked to Schneider.

n The C-J also had an interview with Craig Lile who runs My Old Kentucky Blog.

n Allison Krauss and Union Station are touring with guitarist Tony Rice and will stop in Louisville April 22 at The Palace Theater.

n The Killers have announced a North American tour.

n Author Neal Pollack, who wrote the hilarious Never Mind the Pollacks talks to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about his new book.

n Pop Matters talks to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

n This isn’t music related, except that it could wipe out anyone who could possibly LISTEN to music. The Doomsday Clock has ticked closer to midnight.

Here’s some more on the cheery news. And more .

Enjoy!

GOOD LORD!

2007-01-24T10:52:00.000-05:00

So I was bumping around the net this morning and ran across a link to Love God’s Way, a religious site. Nothing wrong with that, but then there was a link to bands you should avoid because they are gay or have a pro-gay message.

One of the most dangerous ways homosexuality invades family life is through popular music. Parents should keep careful watch over their children's listening habits, especially in this Internet Age of MP3 piracy.

Okay, here are some of the artist good Christians should avoid: Wilco, the Doors, Metallica, The Strokes, Jay Z (really?), Lisa Loeb (I thought she was just a lonely nearly 40 year old girl with Hello Kitty stuff), and Audioslave. Well, guess I’m going to hell because I love me some gay music.

And they have a list of “safe bands”, but how is Cyndi Lauper on that list. I thought she was some sort of gay icon.

Oh, they also want to “fix” gay people, quote: The bottom line - you shouldn't be gay! You can lead a life of fulfillment and happiness as God intended, a life far better than what your Gay life has offered.

Well, here's some news, but read at your own risk.

n Son Volt has a new album due March 6 and will be in Louisville on April 20 as part of its tour.

n Harp Magazine had an interview with Lucinda Williams about her new album “West,” due next month. The magazine also lists its best albums of the year.

n It’s not really a Jesus and Mary Chain reunion, but the Reid brothers are releasing an album on Sub Pop in March.

The Shins and more.

2007-01-23T14:38:00.000-05:00

The Shins released their excellent new Album Wincing the Night Way today.

I got a copy a couple of months ago didn’t immediately take to it like Chutes Too Narrow but that would have been hard to do.

But after many, more listens, it’s going to be hard to keep this off my top 10 list, with Sea Legs and Turn Me On standing out. Lucinda Williams’ new one, West, comes out next month. Then there is Wilco, Josh Rouse, Ted Leo and Ryan Adams all releasing albums this year. So far, 2007 is shaping up to be a great year for music.

James Mercer of the Shins talked to The New York Post. And here is more Shins news on the ‘net.
In other news:

n Wilco's New album is being released May 15 and is titled Blue Sky Blue.

And just for fun, here is Jeff Tweedy smacking some freak who got on stage and decided to get a little too close.

n Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are set to tour () in support of their new album Living with the Living.

n The Apples in Stereo are also on tour and will be in Lexington Feb. 8.

n And on the tours note, The Decemberists are on tour and will be at the Brown Theater in Louisville on April 13.

n I always loved the early Echo & The Bunnymen, first hearing the self-titled album with Lips Like Sugar on it, then heard Songs to Learn and Sing. Now Rhino Records is re-releasing Songs with even more tracks. A great primer for anyone wanting to get into Echo.

n Fountains of Wayne are set to release a new album and tour.

n Ewan McGregor may play Kurt Cobain in a biopic. Good casting, he can play anything, I'm sure he can do tortured, drug-addled artist.

n There is a tribute to Kim Deal of the Pixies, Breeders, etc. on myspace.

I'm back!

2007-01-18T10:59:00.000-05:00

I'm back!

I know I've been gone a long time, I got really busy -- and well just lazy -- and haven't been good about updating this site. I swear I’m going to try and get better.

So let's see what's been going on since October.

I'll start with my year-end list of best albums.

My tops was Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins' Rabbit Fur Coat. It was the best country album of the year and my personal favorite. It was the one I seemed to come back to more than others.
It was quite the departure from the op sound of Rilo Kiley, and hopefully she’ll continue to do more of this work.

There were plenty of great albums released last year. Here’s some more of my favorite from 2006.
Pernice Brothers — Live a Little
Beck — The Information
Decemberists — The Crane Wife
Corrine Bailey Rae — Corrine Bailey Rae
Pearl Jam — Pearl Jam
Josh Rouse — Subtitulo
My Morning Jacket — Okonokos
Dixie Chicks — Taking the Long Way
Last Kiss — OMPS
Bob Dylan — Modern Times
Pete Yorn — Nightcrawler
Ben Kweller — Ben Kweller

There were just too many singles out this year that I loved off albums I haven’t gotten yet.

And, my favorite album of 2007 is already Wincing the Night Away by The Shins. I got a copy last year and have listened to it quite a bit. Can't wait for new Wilco, Ryan Adams, Josh Rouse, Ted Leo, Norah Jones in 2007.

In other news:
n rbally is no more. Jennings is doing one final Jayhawks post and that’s it. Too bad, I know it’s tough to consistently update a site and still have a life, and it was one of my favorites.

n Paste Magazine has realsied its top 100 albums of 2006.

n Ryan Adams actually released several albums this year, just on his web site.

Bob Saget rocks the mic!!!!

2006-10-20T11:22:00.001-04:00

This may be funniest thing I’ve seen in a while. Danny Tanner rules! It was even better than him on Entourage.

n I may be on a bit of a Wilco overload lately, what with seeing them two Sunday’s ago. But this is my blog, so let me obsess. So here we go again:

n NPR is streaming Thursday’s show rom the 9:30 club in Washington, D.C.

n Jeff Tweedy speaks with Billboard about his incident with a fan on-stage recently.

n rbally.net has a Tweedy solo gig from a folk festival in Colorado. And his live DVD comes out Tuesday.

Well, I’m going to see Death Cab for Cutie with TED LEO!!!!! (http://tedleo.com/) Nov. 15 so I can obsess about that for a while.

n Who Killed the Mixtape has audio from Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins' performance of a new song, "Fernando" from Conan O' Brien last Friday.

Here’s an interview Lewis did with The Houston Chronicle.

n Pop Matters interviews author Chuck Klosterman.

n Yes, the best thing about The New Pornographers is hearing Neko Case belt out those notes. But, when she’s not around, all is not lost.

n Scarlett Johannsson is covering Tom Waits? Well, with Lauren Bacall-esque voice, that may sound cool, but I doubt it.

n The Cars documentary has been released on DVD. The Cars were tremendously underrated, check this out. Of course, I’m sure Jello Biafra hated this “new wave” band.

n I Am Fuel, You are Friends breaks down Pearl Jam’s Vs. (their second album) and has a stream of some new Ben Folds. His new album comes out Tuesday.

n Corey Glover, former lead singer of Living Colour, is playing Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” He talked with the Lexington Herald-Leader.

n The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, is putting on a Clash exhibit. If you’ve never been to the Rock Hall, it’s a very neat experience. They had a John Lennon exhibit there for about two years, and it just has a tremendous amount of rock memorabilia. And while you’re there, check out the city, it’s no longer The Mistake on the Lake. And go to Penini’s!

n The Aspect Ratio has a Martin Scorsese retrospective.

n Interesting roundtable from The Guardian about the state of music.

n Remember when Liz Phair was still really good? Well, this live 1998show, courtesy of Kwaya Na Kisser is a good reminder.

n If your ever looking for a good, diverse group of songs to sample, check out Puritan Blister.

n And finally, you go Chuck Berry! From the AP: Chuck Berry celebrates 80th birthday with St. Louis concert
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Bill Clinton wasn’t among the standing-room-only crowd at Chuck Berry’s 80th birthday celebration, but the former president sent birthday greetings to the rock ’n’ roll pioneer.
“I’ve loved your music for nearly half a century,” Clinton wrote in a letter read aloud before Berry came on stage at Blueberry Hill nightclub Wednesday night.
“Our lives are richer, our music more memorable, and our artistic legacy greater because of you, and I’m glad to have this opportunity to salute you for truly being an American treasure.”
Berry, the duck-walking, guitar-playing rock legend who defined the music’s joy and rebellion in such classics as “Johnny B. Goode,” “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Roll Over Beethoven,” performed tirelessly for over an hour at the venue where he has given concerts one night a month for the last 10 years.
Berry moved the crowd to its feet with his classic “duck walk,” a stage move he patented in a 1956 performance in New York that’s been imitated by rockers ever since.
Berry’s band included his daughter Ingrid on harmonica, and his son Charles Edwards Berry Jr. on guitar. Back-up musicians who have performed with him over the decades took their turns playing with him on stage.
In a surprise appearance, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry also joined Berry on stage.

What the...

2006-10-11T14:15:00.000-04:00

Holy crap, Rachel Ray has a mix CD, the Too Cool For School Mixtape For Kids.

It’s quite the odd track listing, what the hell.

1. Woo-Hoo!
2. Be Gentle with Me
3. Blackbird
4. Coconut
5. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
6. The Dog Song
7. Shake Sugaree
8. Rocky Raccoon
9. Lil' Red Riding Hood
10. Banana Boat Song (Day-O)
11. Joining A Fan Club
12. Mercedes Benz

But I have a thing for her which my wife just kind of rolls her eyes at. And, you get some her recipes. Get more Rachel Ray here and here and here and here.

n Paul Westerberg has designed a guitar to be sold at Wal-Mart. Wonder if her got a free shotgun and some ammo as payment?

Wilco live

2006-10-09T09:36:00.000-04:00

Jeff Tweedy has apparently achieved Tom Jones-style status.

During “Hummingbird,” Wilco’s final song during Sunday’s first set the Iroquois Amphitheater in Louisville, an eager fan flung her panties up on stage, making the band’s lead singer both amused and baffled in front the wildly receptive capacity crowd.

But flying underwear was just one highlight of the band’s performance, which spanned 21 songs, from “Being There” through several new songs. Only songs from the band’s debut album A.M. was absent on Sunday.

Opening with “Shot in the Arm” off Summerteeth, and “Handshake Drugs” from A Ghost is Born and the More Like the Moon EP, Wilco moved into a new track, “Impossible Germany” with some great, of too long, guitar work from Nels Cline.

From there, fans were treated to eight songs from the classic Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – the bouncy “Heavy Metal Drummer” being a natural highlight during the encore.

“Airline to Heaven,” from the Mermaid Avenue sessions was the show stopper for me, and the band also performed “Christ for President,” from Mermaid without getting too preachy before of after.

The new tracks were terrific. “Germany” was the weakest of the three, but one was an all-out rocker played during the second encore and the other was reminiscent of The Band.

And while Tweedy admits he isn’t David Lee Roth – The Diamond Dave of 30 years ago, not the one now, he pointed out – his stage banter continues to get better. His earnest appreciation of the raucous crowd led him to offer an important life lesson: Go see more rock shows and scream until you are hoarse.

And the band helped achieve that during their finale, “Kingpin,” which closed in at more than 10 minutes and was a great cap to a wonderful night of Amereica’s Best band amongst the woods of Iroquois Park.

Other highlights included “The Late Greats,” “War on War,” and Jesus, etc.” and “At Least that What You Said.”

The only downer to the night was opening act Early Day Miners, who played 42 minutes of boring noise, and just three songs.

Every time I hear some music sand think this may be the best band out there, all I need to do is go see Wilco and all those thought are removed.

They are the kings of music and have few peers.

Here’s the complete set list from wilcobase.com

1. A Shot In The Arm
2. Handshake Drugs
3. new song (Impossible Germany)
4. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
5. Muzzle Of Bees
6. At Least That's What You Said
7. Jesus, Etc.
8. Airline To Heaven
9. Christ For President
10. Walken
11. Theologians
12. I'm The Man Who Loves You
13. Poor Places
14. Reservations
15. Hummingbird

Encore 1:
16. The Late Greats
17. Ashes Of American Flags
18. War On War

Encore 2:
19. Heavy Metal Drummer
20. new song (Let's Not Get Carried Away)
21. Kingpin

All things Wilco

2006-10-07T20:18:00.000-04:00

Woohoo! heading to see Wilco on Sunday at the Iroquois Amphitheater in Louisville, my third time seeing the group. The first was at the Brown Theater and the second at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland, one of my favorite cities. It’s no longer the Mistake by the Lake.

But I digress, in honor of the show here’s a few goodies.

n See a clip from Jeff Tweedy Live in the Pacific Northwest" on Wilco's site. It’s “Is That the Thanks I Get,” one of the new songs Wilco has been playing on tour.

n Watch a Wilco show on the band’s site.

n rbally has a Wilco show from 1997 , 2002 and this past July which has some unreleased songs on it, and a live Tweedy show from last year. There’s more out there, so go searching.
Buy Wilco music here.

n The Courier Journal in Louisville has a piece on the band’s show in Jeffrey Lee Puckett’s Sound Effects column. If I’m not mistaken, Puckett was more of a Son Volt guy back in the day. He had a dual review of Wlco’s “Being There” and Son Volt’s “Straightaways” and like Son Volt more, so my poor butt felt like Sophie’s Choice and went with Son Volt. I got Being There eventually, though. Thanks for making my life tough Puckett!

n Here’s a concert reviews from West Lafayette, Ind.

Oh, the wedding went great by the way. Lissa was beautiful of course, and we had a blast, vases on the head an all. The rain washed out our golf outing so we have 300 Hal and Lissa golf tees!!!!, but everything else was perfect. Cousin Bob even paid the DJ an extra 50 bucks to play until 1 a.m. A good time was had by all.

I even danced, and I was sober. I’m very white, did a lot of white man’s overbite dancing with a couple of spin moves thrown in. Ah, good times. Still wondering if Jason is walking around with that huge bottle of wine.

I'm Getting Married

2006-09-21T12:10:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, Lissa and I are getting married.

So, in honor of that, I present Cosmo Kramer and his views on marriage.

Be back in October!!!

2006-09-18T10:56:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts over the past few weeks.

I knew planning for a wedding would take up a lot of time, but man, it’s been a lot more than I anticipate, even after watching all those wedding shows on the WE.

But, I’ll try to do better, and after theses next two weeks, I should be back into the swing of things. And hopefully, we’ll have our mp3 conversion problem solved.

Anyway, this is kind of weird: Jay Farrar (Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo) is playing a solo gig this weekend at the Christ the King Festival here in Lexington. I would love to go, but I think the woman who would have been my wife for about oh ONE MINUTE – he’s scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m. -- by the time he gets onstage would frown upon this. Just a guess, though.

n rbally has some great R.E.M. shows – one from 1985 and one from the band’s recent performance at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony (with Bill Berry back behind the drums). Good stuff as always from rbally.

n I Am Fuel, You Are Friends has posted what is believed to be the first post from The Quarrymen. If you don’t know who they are, then that is truly sad. Even the most minor of music nerds know this little-known band turned out to be…..figure it out by the picture.

n Oh, by the way got my Wilco tickets. Pretty good seats. I tried to get tickets early, but evidently, you have to log on right at 10 a.m. to get those. Should be fantastic. Heard some of the new stuff they’ve been playing.

n For Mark Lanegan fans, Sweet Oblivion has a seven-part retrospective of the Screaming Trees singer’s career.

n Kevin Smith has a hilarious clip of two different reactions to a ride at his site. I think this woman gets more enjoyment out of the kid completely losing it more than the ride itself.

Wilco tickets update

2006-08-26T07:54:00.000-04:00

Update: Tickets for the Wilco show Oct. in Louisville go on sale at 10 a.m. Sept. 8.

Wilco is coming to Louisville!

2006-08-24T14:19:00.000-04:00

Just saw this yesterday bumping around the net.

After playing the Tallstacks Festival in Cincinnati the day before, Wilco will head down to Louisville for a concert Oct. 8 at the Iroquois Ampitheater. No ticket information is available yet.

So, that just made my week.

Pearl Jam all covered up

2006-08-16T11:05:00.000-04:00

Sure you could fill an entire post about the great original songs by Pearl Jam. But they have done excellent covers, many of which are regular parts of the set lists — Rockin’ in the Free World, Baba O’Riley come to mind.

I’ve found several of these at I Am Fuel, You Are Friends. Heather also has a great live show from Atlanta in 1994, if it’s still up.

Save it For Later (The English Beat)

Baba O’Riley (The Who)

Masters of War (Bob Dylan)

The Promised Land, w/ Sleater-Kinney (Bruce Springsteen)

I’m going to start doing a covers post every Wednesday, with a podcast of either artist or genre profiles on Monday and a mix of stuff for Friday. Could be just songs I’ve been listening to or themes, or just whatever.

Around the blogs:

n In their last issue, the folks at Paste Magazine profiled the 100 best living songwriters. Now, they have listed the 10 best dead songwriters. Sorry, Dee Dee Ramone and his collection of awful rap music didn’t make the cut. But hey, could he really have beat out Orpheus?!?!?!

n Could this be the start of a full-on reunion like The Pixies? Billboard is reporting that Replacements Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson have collaborated on two songs for the animated movie Open Season. Oaky, it’s not quite as cool as what The Pixies did, just go out and tour, but hey a Mats fan will take what he can get.

The album, due September 26 via Lost Highway, includes 10 Westerberg originals, of which "Love You in the Fall" and "Right to Arm Bears" boast Stinson on bass.

One Westerberg track each is performed by Pete Yorn ("I Belong (Reprise)") and Deathray ("Wild As I Wanna Be"). Rounding out the soundtrack are Deathray's "I Wanna Lose Control (Uh Oh)" and the Talking Heads' "Wild Wild Life." The score was penned by Westerberg and Ramin Djawad.

n rbally has a great Old 97s show from 1999. The 97s put on a great show. I saw them in Cleveland at the Grog Shop a few years ago, they played for two hours, and Rhett Miller even did a few songs from “The Instigator” during an intermission. One of the best shows I've seen.

n Josh Ritter is playing Conan O’Brien tonight.

n Neko Case shares her favorite music, etc., with The New York Times.

n Sweet Oblivion has a 1995 Foo Fighters concert from Brixton Academy. The site also has some great conerts from My Morning Jacket, the Drive-by Truckers and Kathleen Edwards.

n The Drive-by Truckers have announced fall tour dates.

n Seattle Weekly covered Sleater-Kinney’s last show.

Sir Paul's divorce gets juicy

2006-08-09T10:52:00.000-04:00

Well, this is going to get realy ugly, real quick. It's not like the press will blow any of this out of proportion or try to dirty it up any. No, not at all.

This in from the AP: The lawyers who represented Prince Charles and Princess Diana in their divorce are squaring off again in the split between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills McCartney.
Anthony Julius, who represented Diana, was retained to work for Mills McCartney, the law firm Mishcon De Reya said Tuesday. Julius reportedly secured a $32 million settlement for Diana.
The former Beatle has already retained Fiona Shackleton, who represented the prince 10 years ago.

As if yesterday's news wasn't bad enough: A security guard at Paul McCartney’s London home called police when one of his estranged wife’s guards climbed a wall to let her in, a spokesman for Heather Mills McCartney said Tuesday.
Mills McCartney’s security guard climbed a wall to open a gate after realizing the locks at the home had been changed, her spokesman Phil Hall said.
A guard inside called police, who spoke to Mills McCartney and left, Hall said. Mills McCartney then entered the house with the couple’s daughter, Beatrice, 2, and stayed the night, he said.
Hall played down the incident, which comes in the midst of what the British media says are acrimonious divorce proceedings between Mills McCartney and the former Beatle.
“She said it was hilarious. It was just a complete mix-up,” Hall said.
Stuart Bell, a spokesman for McCartney, declined to comment.
Hall said McCartney had frozen the couple’s joint bank account and sent Mills McCartney a letter complaining about three bottles of cleaning liquid that were taken from his home to her office.
London’s Metropolitan Police said they were called Monday evening to reports of a suspect on the premises of a northwest London home but would not say whether it was McCartney’s.
Officers spoke to a woman but no offenses were found to have been committed, police said.

McCartney was always someone who valued his privacy, that's why he and Linda moved up to a farm in Scotland to raise their kids. So this just has to suck for him. And no way will the British press let Heather be the good guy in all of this. She could cure cancer and AIDS and find Osama bin Laden and she will still get creamed in the papers.

Oh well, too bad for her.

Live R.E.M. from 1995, TMBG 1992; Dixie Chicks rescheduling

2006-08-09T08:51:00.000-04:00

There was a time when I thought R.E.M. could do no wrong, which they couldn't and was the end all and be all for music. I first heard them when I was a freshman, and they quickly took a seat right beside The Beatles in my list of the best bands ever.

I got to see them twice, once in 1988 on the "Green" tour, their first stadium tour I believe, and then again at the tail end of the “Monster” tour, the one where Bill Berry nearly died and Michael Stipe got severely ill. But they showed up at Rupp Arena that night in full force and put on a tremendous show.

rbally has posted a show from the National Bowl in the U.K. in two parts. Both are up now. As always, Jennings comes up with a winner, the concert sounds greart. The best site to find a concert online, besides the Live Music Archive.

Who knows if R.E.M. willl ever make another good record, let alone a great one. But I’m sure they can still throw a rock concert like nobody’s business. And they’re still one of my favorite bands, always will be.

Here’s a couple samples from the show, courtesy of rbally.

R.E.M. — "Crush with Eyeliner"

R.E.M. — "Pop Song 89"

n Kwaya Na Kisser has a They Might Be Giants from a 1992 show in Chicago’s Grant Park.

TMBG — "Don’t Let’s Start"

n Ted Leo doesn’t let a little thing like a power outage stop him. From Pitchfork.

Glorious Noise also has a link.

n If you get the chance and want to read some lunatic rantings, head over to Donald Richie’s blog. He’s been on vacation, but I’m sure he’ll be up and running at a regular pace before too long.

n Anyone wanting to know what is the best FM transmitter for you to run your mp3 player through, mp3.com looks at some of the best out there.

n Looks like all of American isn’t quite ready to forgive the Dixie Chicks for bashing Dubya across the pond.

From the AP: Kansas City, Houston, St. Louis, Memphis and Knoxville are among 14 cities no longer on the original schedule released in May, according to a revised itinerary posted Thursday on the Dixie Chick’s Web site.
Other shows, including Nashville, Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix, have been pushed back to later dates.
The North American leg of the tour kicked off July 21 in Detroit. Billboard magazine and other trade publications have reported lackluster sales in some markets, particularly in the South and Midwest.

It’s a shame, their new album "Taking the Long Way" is really good, but I guess country fans only believe in free speech when some yokel like Toby Keith does it with a big, dumb grin and a hot chick in his video. Not to defend their bashing of the Prez overseas instead of over here, but which they had to have known would get good play everywhere but country radio land.

But hey, they came back with the number one record. So whether it’s John Lennon saying the Beatles were bigger than Jesus to American kids, Eminem being vile or Elvis shaking his hips, it does show controversy sells. It just doesn’t always lead to a sell out.

n Jenny Lewis has announced a fall tour in support of her album “Rabbit Fur Coat,” which may be my album of the year. Unfortunately, the closest she’ll get to us is Cleveland or Detroit.

n The Shins new album, which was slated for release alter this year, is now being pushed back to 2007. You have to have some very loyal fans in this fickle world to wait nearly four years in between albums, especially with only two under your belt.

Of course, it’s The Shins, so I’ll just sit and wait in anticipation.

New Ryan Adams, Lollapolooza and what will be Sleater-Kinney’s last song?

2006-08-05T16:43:00.000-04:00

Love him, or hate him and his music (I happen to be a huge fan), you can’t say Ryan Adams isn’t prolific, and he isn’t afraid to show warts and all on record. He put out nine albums in six years, with very few missteps. Although I happen to like Rock N Roll more than Love is Hell, I know I’m in the minority. Even his “demos” record Demolition was great . And has there ever been a more bitter song than “Come Pick me Up?”

But Adams has been silent in 2006 after putting out three albums in ‘05. But fans needn’t worry, because he is streaming new track “France” on his website. Sounds great, more rocking than last year’s countrified efforts. Here’s hoping for a new album sometime this year. Of course, someone claiming to be Ryan has been posting that he’s putting out three albums again this year. Well he’d better get hopping seeing that it’s August.

And, Ryan debuted three new songs at the July 22 Norfolk, Va. show, which is now online at the Live Music Archive. Thanks to Heather at I Am Fuel, You Are Friends for posting this.

Or you can just download the songs here:

Ryan Adams — "Promises"

Ryan Adams — "Breakdown Into The Resolve"

Ryan Adams — "Everybody Knows"

Glorious Noise also has a post where Ryan responds to critics on Stereogum.

n Lollapalooza began yesterday in Chicago. I, of course, won’t be able to go, I have a wedding to attend. Oh, and I have no money since we’re trying to help pay for our own wedding next month. I went to the one in 1992, yes I’m old, and it was incredible. From the Jesus and Mary Chain through to the Chili Peppers, especially Ice Cub and Pearl Jam.

But, you can catch a live webcast. Unfortunately, some of the bands I’m interested in seeing are playing at the same time, but I’m sure somewhere on the ‘net, the shows will be posted of I can’t catch them.

n Sleater-Kinney’s news blog, Tiny Suns Infused With Sour is poling on what will be the band’s last song will be.

NRP is streaming the band’s performace from Thursday at the 9:30 club in Washington, D.C.

n The Shins website has been updated, with new news. They are a few weeks away from finishing up their third album. Of course they say it’s their best ever, but even if it’s just as good as the other two, it should make everyone’s top 10 list.

Here’s three song from a concert at the Mudd Club in Berlin, Germany, April 09, 2004.

The Shins — "Gone for Good"

The Shins — "New Slang"

The Shins — "Kissing the Lipless"

That concert is no longer posted, but you can get a concert, in two parts, from Minneapolis in 2005 at rbally.

n It was Kevin Smith’s birthday Wednesday. He looks back on his 21st birthday and when he had his filmmaking epiphany in his blog.

n 120 minutes was the greatest show MTV has ever had, that and Yo! MTV Raps with Dr. Dre and Ed Lover. But 120 Minutes is where a kid from Cynthiana, Ky., could experience The Pixies, Husker Du, The Replacements and countless others. We couldn’t even get WRFL in town when it came on the air around 1988. But we had Cut Corner records (now CD Central), where I’m sure I spent hundreds of dollars of my hard-earned pizza slinging money on groups in that week’s Top 10. Man, some of it was bad, some of it was incredible and stuff I still pull out every now and then.

Some of my friends spent less money that me, but somehow ended up with more tapes than I did. Well, guess we don’t need to go into how that happened.

Lazy-I.com remembers “the only two hours of MTV that mattered”.

Podcasting is here.

2006-08-01T10:34:00.000-04:00

The podcast is here, finally.

Well, here it is my first podcast, finally. Choosing the songs for this podcast was like trying to get a good selection together for a mix tap, which I’ve usually done just for girls. But anyway, here’s a few tunes I’ve gotten from either my collection or pulled off the web. It was hard to trim it down to just six songs, though.

In future podcasts, I want to do features on artists, covers songs, live recordings, or just whatever. I will also try and get a few songs to download along with the podcasts, since six songs is too limiting. Hope you enjoy.

Click here to listen to my first podcast.

The I’m Right and You’re Wrong Podcast #1 playlist.

1. The Flaming Lips : Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
2. Essex Green: Don’t Know Why
3. CSS: Let’s Make Love (And Listen to Death From Above)
4. Wilco: Airline to Heaven
5. Pernice Brothers: Somerville
6 Pearl Jam: Porch

Pixies DVD, White Stripes on the Simpsons, and really a podcast is coming soon.

2006-07-28T12:25:00.000-04:00

Okay, now that I’ve cleared some space on my laptop, I should have enough memory to put together my first podcast this weekend. Had to get the software installed and all that stuff. Then I realized I had a ton of music stored on my computer. Anyway, it’s all cleared up, and I should be ready to roll.

The first one will just be a some songs that I happen to like that are out now, with a few others thrown in. In the future, I’ll try to do some theme podcasts, artist spotlights, etc.

I am also putting a call out to any local musicians out there who want to try and gain a little more exposure, send me some music, either via CD or mp3, and I’ll try and get you up on the site. Commenting on national and international artists is fun and all, but trying to help out some from this area would be great too.

In the blogs:
n Ex-Wilco member Jay Bennett has signed a record deal.

Ex-Wilco multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett has recently signed to Rykodisc and will release a solo album, The Magnificent Defeat, September 26. Bennett’s signing to Rykodisc is the first for the label as a Warner Music Group company.
Mostly recorded at Private Studios in Urbana, Ill., and tracked in Chicago at Bennett’s home studio, The Magnificent Defeat features the best of the 70-some songs Bennett wrote and recorded after his work on Blues Traveler’s Bastardos! in 2005.

n The Pixies will have a DVD chronicling their reunion tour.

MVD Visual has announced a worldwide Nov. 7 release of loudQUIETloud, a DVD capturing legendary college rock group the Pixies.
After an unexpected breakup in 1992, the Pixies reunited in 2004 to embark on a sold-out tour. loudQUIETloud will focus on the rehearsals and warm up shows for the band’s reunion tour while presenting an intimate look at the less glamorous side of the touring band lifestyle.

I unfortunately never got to catch the Pixies back in the day, they were at UK once, but a FRIEND did not tell me and went to the show. I’m still bitter. Anyway, got to catch them up in Columbus when they reunited and they sounded terrific. Grab the DVD that came out the same time as their greatest hits album did a couple of year back. It has a good documentary and concert from 1988.

n For fans of 1980s alternative, you know back in the days of 120 minutes and when MTV actually PLAYED videos, Mars Needs Guitars has a “Bands formed in” post with songs by 80s bands.

n A Blog Soup has a ton of unreleased, live and rare Sleater-Kinney tracks.

n Former Soundgarden and current Audioslave singer Chris Cornell will sing the theme song to the new James Bond movie.

n White Stripes will be on The Simpsons on Sept. 17.

According to MTV.com, the White Stripes will finally run with Homer and Marge on September 17. As previously reported, the episode, entitled "Jazzy and the Pussycats", depicts an attempt by Bart to become a jazz drummer. There will be a parody of the Stripes video "The Hardest Button to Button" and a hang out sesh between Meg, Jack, and Bart. Good times!

Princess Leia’s bikini, Silent Bob, Hoffs and some Swanky photos

2006-07-19T12:06:00.000-04:00

OK, I just watched Matthew Sweet (http://www.matthewsweet.com/) and Susanna Hoffs, performing as Sid and Susie on Conan from last night. Hoffs has lost NOTHING off her fastball, time has been her friend. But Sweet, while still a great songwriter and singer, now looks like the love child of Meatloaf and Stephen Stills. I was like wow, he got big. Then I went back to staring at Hoffs.

n Wired has a story on the cult of Princess Leia’s metal bikini, I mean who didn’t love that. I was 11 when Jedi came out, and I loved it. Of course some of the Star Wars freaks creep me out a bit, not sure they realize it’s just a movie.

n With Clerks II opening this week, MSNBC has a Clerks trivia test, and a story on Gen Xers growing up with Smith. I got 21 of 23 right on the test.
And speaking of freaks, I find it a tad odd when people try to look like Smith’s Silent Bob. I was watching An Evening with Kevin Smith a while back and had to shake my head at the guys in their Jay and Silent Bob gear. It’s like the dude who wears the T-shirt name of the band. Don't be that guy.
See more on Kevin Smith’s site, and news, etc. on the movie.

n The Observer has listed its 50 Albums That Changed Music.
All great choices, except...where is “It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back” by Public Enemy. Next to the first Run DMC album and "Straight Outta Compton” it’s the most important rap album of all time. It’s been called the first punk rock rap record, and the group took DMC’s rap-rock sound a step further. I would certainly put them ahead of “3 Feet High and Rising” by De La Soul. I love that album, and “Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)” always takes me back to some fond memories of high school, but it did not spawn any lasting genre like P.E.
But, it’s hard to narrow any list without excluding someone or something, so just a small issue. But I would put “Murmur” by R.E.M., kind of launched the jangly, mumbling indie rock sound that came out of the 1980s and which I love to this day.
And speaking of R.E.M., I ran across this gem with some early videos and live performances. Man, this used to be such a great band. Well, I guess they still are, but not in terms of making albums.

n The Who ) have announced they are hitting the road, for a full-blown tour.
News on the tour from around the globe via google.

n rbally has a Jesus and Mary Chain concert from 1987, more good stuff from Jennings. I was surprised at how good the quality was.

n Gary Louris was on NPR and played some songs he wrote for the documentary “Wordplay”.

n And just for some eye candy, Vanity Fair has pictures of Hillary Swank’s photo shoot.

n And then, there is this. Thank you, You Tube, you make my day.

Still working on getting my podcast up, hopefully tomorrow. Just tune in, it will be up eventually.

mp3s, podcast coming soon.

2006-07-12T12:48:00.000-04:00

I'm working on getting a podcast up on the site soon, as well as posting mp3s from around the net and from my own collection. Hopefully, I'll get this up either this weekend or early next week.

Syd Barrett dead, JAMC, Mickey Mouse and no more Weezer?

2006-07-12T12:34:00.000-04:00

I was watching a show on Pink Floyd a while back and David Bowie was saying to him Pink Floyd will always be Syd Barrett, and kind of discounted everything which came after.
Which just goes to show the impact the group’s founding member had on the band after just a few years in the group. But after years of isolation due to drugs and insanity, Barrett died Friday at age 60.

I was never a huge Pink Floyd fan to start with, and I just kind of listened to Dark Side of the Moon and on. I never was exposed to the early stuff until I moved to Ohio and had some friends who were big Barrett fans. It’s interesting to see what would have happened to the group if Barrett had not left in 1968 in an utter state of being out there, for lack of a better word.
But he did inspire Moon and “Wish You Were Here,” so I guess we wouldn’t have those. But maybe he could have done something better, he certainly had some great songs on “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.”

Here’s the AP story
Syd Barrett, troubled co-founder of Pink Floyd, dead at 60
By JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press Writer
LONDON (AP) — Syd Barrett, the troubled Pink Floyd co-founder who spent his last years in reclusive anonymity, has died, the band said Tuesday. He was 60.
A spokeswoman for the band said Barrett died several days ago, but she did not disclose the cause of death. Barrett had suffered from diabetes for years.
The surviving members of Pink Floyd — David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright — said they were “very upset and sad to learn of Syd Barrett’s death.”
“Syd was the guiding light of the early band lineup and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire,” they said in a statement.
Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with Waters, Mason and Wright, and wrote many of the band’s early songs. The group’s jazz-infused rock and drug-laced, multimedia “happenings” made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene. The 1967 album “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” — largely written by Barrett, who also played guitar — was a commercial and critical hit.
But Barrett suffered from mental instability, exacerbated by his use of LSD. His behavior grew increasingly erratic, and he left the group in 1968 — five years before the release of Pink Floyd’s most popular album, “Dark Side of the Moon” — to be replaced by Gilmour.
Barrett released two solo albums — “The Madcap Laughs” and “Barrett” — but soon withdrew from the music business altogether. An album of previously unreleased material, “Opel,” was issued in 1988.
He reverted to his real name, Roger Barrett, and spent much of the rest of his life living quietly in his hometown of Cambridge, England. Moving into his mother’s suburban house, he passed the time painting and tending the garden. His former bandmates made sure Barrett continued to receive royalties from his work with Pink Floyd.
He was a familiar figure to neighbors, often seen cycling or walking to the corner store, but rarely spoke to the fans and journalists who sought him out over the years.
Despite his brief career, Barrett’s fragile, wistful songs influenced many musicians including David Bowie — who covered the Barrett track “See Emily Play.”
Bowie said in a statement posted on his Web site that Barrett had been a “major inspiration.”
“His impact on my thinking was enormous,” Bowie write. “A major regret is that I never got to know him. A diamond indeed.”
The other members of Pink Floyd recorded the album “Wish You Were Here” as a tribute to their troubled bandmate.
It contained the song “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” — “Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.” The band also dwelt on themes of mental illness on the albums “Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wall.”
The band spokeswoman said a small, private funeral would be held.

n In happier news, The Jesus and Mary Chain got the Rhino treatment and have re-released their first five albums. Each comes with a DVD of videos, etc.
I can’t wait to get Psychocandy and Darklands, to start. Two landmark albums that “took over where your precious Echo and the Bunnymen left off” as Jack Black says in High Fidelity. Or something to that effect for all the fanboy nerds who know every line verbatim. Definitely one of the most underrated bands of the 1980s and one of the early “alternative” bands I was exposed to as a teen in Cynthiana, Ky.
Wish Barbed Wire Kisses would get the same treatment, but that was more of a rarities disc anyway.

My Old Kentucky Blog has some downloads from the albums. So if they intrigue you, go out and spend some hard-earned cash. And if you don’t like them, well there is something wroing with you. After all, I’m right and you’re not.

n The Americana Music Association has released its Honors & Awards Nominees.

n Kwaya Na Kisser has its Have Love Will Travel Mix. Great stuff on there.

n Continuing with the “Best Ever...” theme, Rolling Stone’s blog begins discussing the best second albums ever. Of course Nevermind was on there. Let me think and I’ll have my list up soon. My ADD is kicking in right now.
There is also new of Rivers Cuomo having doubts about Weezer’s future.
And there is the mouse to your right. Yep, On ebay there is a Mickey Mouse posed like the Clash’s Paul Simonon on the cover of “London Calling.” Not as disturbing as the Kurt Cobain figure.

Bumpin' around the net.

2006-07-07T15:32:00.000-04:00

n No more CBGB’s
CBGB’s, the legendary New York Club which has launched thousands of careers over its 30-plus years of existence, is closing even earlier than expected, on Sept. 30.

New York's revered CBGB club will close its doors for the last time at the end of September. The venue, famous for nurturing the U.S. punk scene in the mid-to-late 1970s by hosting early shows by Blondie, Talking Heads and the Ramones, will become part of rock history on September 30.

Owner Hilly Kristal lost a battle to keep the venue open in 2005 after a much-publicized fight with landlord, the Bowery Residents' Committee, over a new lease. Kristal has teamed up with top New York promoters Rocks Off to host a series of final shows, which will feature "many of the artists who made CB's famous."

It’s truly a tragedy that this club could not be saved. It’s a piece of American music history as much as any place in the country, regardless of the type of music.
I’ve been to New York once, but that was in high school and I don’t think my teachers would have been thrilled about me heading down to the Bowery. We weren’t even allowed to go down 42nd Street since it was pre Giuliani cleanup. Of course, we did anyway. Did get to see The Dakota (and Yoko Ono, yuck) and Strawberry Fields, which was cool. I doubt I would like the music I like today if it hadn’t been for CBGB’s giving these bands a chance.

But anyway, for anyone interested in the history of CBGB’s get "This Aint No Disco: The Story of CBGB". I read it in high school, and it’s a good read. There are some others, but I can’t recommend those since I haven’t read them.

Here’s more from Google on the closing.

n Jeff Tweedy talks new music with the Toronto Sun.

n Rolling Stone has an interview with Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne

n The Velvet Underground and Nico voted greatest debut album by Uncut. It’s hard to argue with those picks as far as the influence each had on music. Kind of surprised Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols wasn’t on there. Rolling Stone also discusses the topic.

Some of my faves, just off the top of my head:

Pearl Jam, Ten
Guns ‘N Roses, Appetite of Destruction
Pixies, Come on Pilgrim, o Surfer Rosa for a full-length album
The Beatles, Please Please Me By the Beatles
The Ramones, The Ramones
Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker (at least it’s a solo debut).
R.E.M, Murmur
The Doors, The Doors
The Smithereens, Especially for You
Liz Phair, Exile in Guyville
Oasis, Definitely Maybe

I’m sure I’m leaving out some I really like a lot I’ll be kicking myself for later. Now, what are the best second albums ever?!?!?!?!
I’ll start with Nevermind by Nirvana, Doolittle by the Pixies, Stranger’s Almanac by Whiskeytown, Home by Josh Rouse, just to name a few. Come on, there’s plenty.

n Ryan Adams has new tour dates.

n Just saw this: Frank Black — aka Black Francis, Charles Thompson — is coming to The Dame ( http://dameky.com/framesTest.html) in Lexington on Aug. 12. Unfortunately I’ll be out of town for this one. Josh Ritter is playing at Headliners in Louisville on July 31.

n From Son Volt’s site: Son Volt has finished recording the next album. The mixing session is scheduled for August and the album will be in stores in Spring 2007.

n rbally has another Replacements concert, this one from 1991.

n Good Hodgkins has his list, and other links, to the best albums of the first half of 2006. I don’t think I’ve gotten enough stuff to make a qualified list. I hate no being able to buy music!!!!!! At least I get a great wife for my inability to buy tunes.

n Kevin Smith is attending the Clerks 2 premiere in Austin, via Paste Magazine.

Speaking of Smith, the stuff with him being “mad” at Ben Affleck is hilarious. God, some reporters just want to get a good feud story going, they wouldn’t recognize humor if it were sitting on their faces.

n Pop Matters has a review of the Minutemen documentary “We Jam Econo.”

There is a great story in Michael Azerrad ’s book “Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991” about some duct tape and some unfortunate digestive problems for Mike Watt I believe. Just shows what bands will go to play a show. One of the best rock books I’ve ever read.

Also, read “Never Mind the Pollacks” by Neal Pollack.

Jay the Joke Indeed

2006-06-28T12:12:00.000-04:00

Evidently, Ozzie Guillen isn’t the only one who hates Jay Mariotti, the smug little columnist from the Chicago Sun-Times who just acts like he's better than everyone else, especially the athletes and teams he covers.

I can't stand Mariotti on "Around the Horn" and a friend of mine who used to work at a paper owned by the same one that owned the Sun-Times said his sportswriter saw Mariotti sit with is feet dangling our of the press box at games and dictating his story to the lackeys he had with him. Not sure if that is true, but it sure is funny.

In actually music news Sleater-Kinney have called it quits.

But one of their finals shows will be in Louisville at the July 29 Forecastle Festival.
Tickets are available at Ear-X-Tacy or Ticketweb.com.

You can catch a clip of the band performing on The Henry Rollins Show on The Independent Film Channel.

Happy Birthday to Me.

2006-06-24T08:46:00.000-04:00

Yep, I’m 34 today. Yep, I’m getting old, at least I don’t have hair in my ears yet (but not as much on my head anymore either).

So, have a drink to me today and jam “Birthday” by the Beatles, I know my dad will when I get there today. And I got Sportsnight on DVD, awesome.

Anyway, since I said I was going to do movie reviews on this blog, I might as well. Don’t get to the movies as much, on the weekends my fiancee, Lissa, and I are busy doing wedding stuff or well pretty much just wedding stuff.

But last night we went and saw The Break-Up. It’s not really a chick flick, and while it is funny, I wouldn’t classify it as a classic romantic comedy. But I really enjoyed it. I won’t give spoilers for anyone who hasn’t seen it, although it wouldn’t be like explaining what Rosebud meant, you know?

Vaughn plays Gary Grobowski, a tour bus guide in Chicago who exudes all his Vinceness on his bus guests. Anniston plays Brooke Meyers, an art gallery employee who works for Judy Davis. He picks her up at a Cubs game by being, well Vince Vaughn.

Vaughn played Vince Vaughn as only Vince Vaughn can. Although Cole Hauser, who plays his younger brother Lupus, is a real sleazy version of Vaughn’s Trent from “Swingers.”

After three years together, and one condo purchase later, Brooke and Gary are on the last legs of their relationship, and blow up at each other after a family dinner, where Brooke’s brother (John Michael Higgins) does some very annoying singing. Well, cut to the chase, they break up but neither leaves the apart. And comedy ensues, sort of.

Both try to drive the other out while secretly hoping to win that person back, but it’s apparent the relationship is over. But it’s fun seeing Vaughn party it up with buddies Johnny O (Jon Favreau) and RIggleman (Jason Bateman) and make friends with one of Brooke’s dates.

This was Vaughn’s, pardon the expression, baby from a while back and it being a fan I’m glad he got it on screen. And, an appearance by the great Old 97s, although way too short for me, was terrific. On a side note, not sure if there are too many better live bands than them.

This is a movie for adults, dealing with the struggles to make a relationship work, so kids probably won’t get it and won’t like it. But Vaughn and Anniston have good chemistry together, obviously, and the movie does set up for a potential sequel.

So, there's a lot of crap out there this summer, until Clerks 2 opens July 21!!!!!! The Break-Up is a good little summer flick that may actually make you feel better about your relationship.

Brushing up on the Mats

2006-06-14T14:37:00.000-04:00

The Replacements, one of the great American bands of all time, gets the Rhino Records treatment with the release of “The Replacements Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? - The Best of the Replacements.”
For those not familiar with Minneapolis’ finest, well next to Prince, then here’s the run-down. They came out in the early 1980s while Tommy Stinson was about 13. They made gloriously sloppy rock music while being incredibly drunk, all the time. After they all sobered up, tension flew high. Bob Stinson (Tommy’s older brother) continued to drink and do drugs, was kicked out of the band in 1986 and died in 1995. He was replaced by Slim Dunlap on Pleased to Meet Me.
Whenever a best-of is released, people always gripe about their favorite songs not being on there, this set being no exception. There’s no reason to go into all the songs I would put on, it would fill another 2 CDs.
Of course I would recommend just buying all of the Mats’ records — begin with the triple play greatness of Hootenanny, Tim and Pleased to meet me — instead of this, but as best-of comps go, this would be a good place to start for anyone trying to figure out what the band was all about. Or get someone to make you your own best-of. Or, just wait for the box set, which has not gotten an official release date that I know of.
The disc also include two new songs — Message to the Boys and Pool & Dive. I just heard clips of those two, but they were okay, although new music from the Mats was certainly good to hear.
So I’ll have to go through my CDs and make my own best-of.
Pitchfork has a review. Or you can get a Download a live Replacements concert at rbally.
I am Fuel, You are Friends has a ZIP files of rare Mats and Westerberg.
For Replacements overload, here’s a story from MSNBC on the Paul Westerberg.

Music news/around the blogs
n Jeff Tweedy is prepping to release a live solo DVD shot on Tweedy's Northwest U.S. tour back in February. A DVD of the Kicking Television live set released last year was supposed to be a DVD but evidently the footage was not good. Having listened to some live Tweedy stuff, this should be great, especially when he does Airline to Heaven.

n From Pitchfork: Shins, Decemberists, Sleater-Kinney on Burn to Shine 3; Strokes, Vedder, Homme Cover Marvin Gaye.

n Captain’s Dead has a Cat Power ATP Festival FM broadcast.

n rbally has Sonic Youth from Morning Becomes Eclectic.

n Mocking Music has a link to a Save the Internet Campaign, and the best songs of the year so far.

n Jay Farrar interview with Harp.

Oh, and Rolling Stone had launched a music blog. YAWN!!!!! When was the last time Rolling Stone was actually relevant? Go read Paste, Harp, Mojo, No Depression or Uncut instead.

In the Blogs

2006-06-12T08:18:00.000-04:00

Exclusive from Pitchfork: Colin Meloy Talks New Decemberists Album.

Earlier this week, we told you that the new Decemberists album, their Capitol Records debut, now has a title (The Crane Wife) and a release date (October 3). Overwhelmed with excitement, we called up Colin Meloy so that he could fill us in with more details about the record.

Ted Leo announces more show s

Ted Leo and his Pharmacists are once again preparing to shake the streets (and the parks and the piers) on tour. TL/Rx have a bunch of shows scheduled between now and mid-September, including a gig with Broken Social Scene and Belle and Sebastian in Maryland, an appearance at NYC's South Street Seaport, Austin City Limits, and, of course, our very own Pitchfork Music Fest (a guaranteed prescription for a good time).

Neil Young honored.

SAN FRANCISCO: Pegi Morton Young, co-founder of the Bridge School, and her husband, Neil Young, who started benefits for the school as well as Farm Aid, were among the four honorees (with Jackie Speier and James Brosnahan) given honorary degrees at San Francisco State's commencement Saturday.

Check out this week's newest releases at New Music Tipsheet.

2006-06-07T11:24:00.000-04:00

Want to see what the number one song was on your birthday in the U.S. and U.K? Check this out.
For me, June 4, 1972, it was The Candy Man by Sammy Davis Jr. and Vincent by Don McLean in England. Kind of lame.
Thought I’d try a few more. Ha, the Theme from Shaft was No. 1 in the U.S. on the birth day of my fiancé Lissa, Nov. 16, 1971. And Cos I Luv You by Slade in the U.K. Now we’re talking, damn right!!
For my Mom, July 7, 1951, and dad, Aug. 28, 1951, there was no information. Must have been before the radio was developed!!!!! Kidding.

And of course, there is the sad news of Billy Preston’s passing at only age 59. Preston of course is best known for his work with the Beatles on Let It Be, but with tons of other artists and had some solo success.

Here’s the AP story.
Singer-songwriter Billy Preston dies at 59
PHOENIX (AP) — Billy Preston, the exuberant keyboardist who landed dream gigs with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and enjoyed his own hit singles including “Outta Space” and “Nothing From Nothing,” died Tuesday at 59.
His longtime manager, Joyce Moore, said a heart infection in November left him in a coma, and he never regained consciousness; he was taken to a Scottsdale hospital Saturday after his condition deteriorated.
Preston had battled chronic kidney failure and received a kidney transplant in 2002. But the kidney failed and he was on dialysis ever since.
Known for his big gap-toothed smile and towering Afro, Preston was a teen prodigy on the piano and organ, and lent his gospel-tinged touch to classics such as the Beatles’ “Get Back” and the Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking?”
He broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s, winning a best instrumental Grammy in 1973 for “Outta Space,” and scoring other hits with “Will It Go ’Round In Circles,” “Nothing From Nothing” and “With You I’m Born Again,” a duet with Syreeta Wright that became a favorite at weddings. He also wrote Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful.”
Other career highlights included being a musical guest, in 1975, on the debut of “Saturday Night Live”; having a song named after him, by Miles Davis; and appearing last year on “American Idol.” Among his film credits: “Blues Brothers 2000” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
His partnership with the Beatles began in early 1969 when friend George Harrison recruited him to play on “Let It Be,” a back-to-basics film and record project that nearly broke down because of bickering among band members. Harrison himself quit at one point, walking out on camera after arguing with Paul McCartney.
Preston not only inspired the Beatles to get along — Harrison likened his effect to a feuding family staying on its best behavior in front of a guest — but contributed a light, bluesy solo to “Get Back,” performing the song with the band on its legendary “roof top” concert, the last time the Beatles played live. He was one of many sometimes labeled “The Fifth Beatle,” a title he did not discourage.
Preston remained close to Harrison and performed at Harrison’s all-star charity event “The Concert for Bangladesh” — for which Preston won another Grammy — and at the “Concert for George,” a tribute to Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001. He played on solo records by Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon.
Preston also toured and recorded extensively with the Rolling Stones, playing on such classic albums as “Sticky Fingers” and “Exile on Main Street.” In the mid-’70s, he parted from the Stones, reportedly unhappy over not getting proper credit for “Melody” and other songs, but reunited with the band in 1997 on its “Bridges to Babylon” record.
“Billy was a fantastic and gifted musician ... a superb singer in both recording sessions and on stage,” Stones singer Mick Jagger said. “He was great fun to be with onstage when touring with us and I will miss him a lot.”
His sessions credits included Aretha Franklin’s “Young, Gifted and Black,” Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks” and Sly and the Family Stone’s “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,” three of the most acclaimed albums of the last 35 years.
“His legacy is so huge I don’t even know where to start,” Moore said. “It’s many genres, so many years. ... It’s rock ’n’ roll, it’s soul, it’s funk, it’s everything. He was truly, truly, truly a genius.”
A Houston native who soon moved to Los Angeles when his parents split up, Preston was in and around show business for much of his life. He was taking piano lessons at age 3 and was just 10 when he played keyboards for gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.
Two years later he portrayed a young W.C. Handy— played as an adult by Nat “King” Cole — in the 1958 biopic “St. Louis Blues.” He toured with mentors and fellow piano greats Ray Charles and Little Richard in the early 1960s, first encountering the Beatles while on the road in Germany.
Cole’s daughter, singer Natalie Cole, said she appreciated Preston “and his musical genius over the two decades we crossed personal and professional paths,” adding: “He is my favorite keyboardist of all times.”
Gospel musician Andrae Crouch, whose friendship and musical collaboration with Preston spanned four decades, said he had a knack for knowing how to play a song.
“If I played a new idea, he would know where to put it and in what category,” said Crouch, who has performed with Quincy Jones and Elton John. “He was the best keyboard player in the world ... It was like having a harmonica in his mouth. He had that much control over it.”
Exposed to drugs and alcohol early on, Preston had numerous personal troubles in recent years. In 1992, he was given a suspended jail sentence, but ordered incarcerated for nine months at a drug rehabilitation center for his no-contest pleas to cocaine and assault charges. Five years later, he was sentenced to three years in prison for violating probation. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and agreed to testify against other defendants in an alleged scam that netted about $1 million.
“It (jail) was a great lesson, an awakening. I needed to reflect, to get rid of some of the dead weight around me,” he later said. “You take the bitter with the sweet and I have to say it was my faith that kept me going. I had nothing else to fall back on.”
Preston is survived by two sisters.

2006-06-06T10:35:00.000-04:00

OK, being a sportswriter I am using this blog to do something a little different. But this was just too good. I've seen some pretty funny stuff covering various pro, college and prep sporting events, but I've never seen someone's pet during interview sessions.

2006-06-06T09:29:00.000-04:00

Good Lord, the British Press is having a field Day with Sir Paul's impending divorce from Heather Mills. It's not a secret, the future ex Mrs. McCartney did some nude modeling before she lost a leg but gained a gravy ttrain, but they are acting like this is breaking news. Pretty funny though.

Added some stuff to the site, with more blogs to check out. I've found lots of great stuff, new and old, to download and discover new artists. If my html-challenged self can figure out a way, I'll throw some of these up. But just glance to your right, no your other right, and see the links. Get out there and check out some tunes.

I have discovered bloggers love Radiohead and Elliott Smith! Even more than Germans love David Haselhoff. Thanks Norm.

Bonnaroo has released its full schedule.

On the tube: Drive-by-Truckers are on Conan tonight, David Lee Roth is on Leno. Tomorrow, John Fogerty is on Leno and Juliette (Lewis) and the Licks are on Carson Daily. I suppose Carson will don his white rocker guy persona that night. My Morning Jacket his Letterman on Thursday and Wolfmother is on Friday.

Out this week, some reissues from Dinosaur Jr., World Party, and Depeche Mode; a new album from Ice Cube; The Sweatbox by Henry Rollins (watch his IFC show). Check out The New Music Tipsheet for all the latest releases.

Also, Kevin Smith's blog has the 8-minute ovation from Cannes for Clerks II. I wonder if it's because there is a full-on snowball scene!?!?!?!?! Anyway, happy reading, whoever actually reads this.

2006-05-29T09:12:00.000-04:00

OK, I’ve become obsessed with a few sites since I started this blog.

The first is rbally. It’s a great site that posts concerts, radio appearances, etc. I have gotten shows from R.E.M. and The Replacements from the 1980s, Wilco, Ryan Adams, Jeff Tweedy and The Shins among other. They just posted a 1970 concert from Van Morrison I’m going to check out.

I also love My Boring Ass Life, the online diary of director Kevin Smith. Most of the stuff is, well, boring. But it is funny the dogs always wake him up at about 6:45 every morning. And some of the mundane details of his life can be interesting, he does love his Tivo. But the best stuff is his chronicling the drug problems of Jason Mewes (the Jay of Jay and Silent Bob).
I just thought Mewes was a stoner and big drunk, but good lord the stuff Smith went through to get his friend clean is remarkable. Very good stuff, which is why few can do dialogue as well as Smith.
You can also get info on Clerks II and link to viewaskew.com.
And if you’ve never seen “An Evening with Kevin Smith” by all means see this. It’s Smith’s speaking engagements at about five different colleges a few years ago. Hilarious, especially his bits about writing the new “Superman,” how he met his wife and his working with Prince.

I first ran across My Old Kentucky Blog while searching for music blogs on blogger.com. It’s fantastic. It provides downloads of songs from tons of artists, quite a few I’ve never heard of, and half the fun of music is discovering new stuff.
There also links to other similar sites, some good, some not. The last few posts, the guy has put up a song and a bunch of cover versions. So far, he’s done “Suspicious Minds,” by Elvis; “Where is My Mind,” by the Pixies; “Don’t Feat the Reaper,” by Blue Oyster Cult —complete with SNL’s More Cowbell routine; “God Only Knows,” by The Beach Boys,” and a couple of more. Definitely the best site I’ve found on the Net for finding new music and getting a few free tunes in the process.

Have to mention the passing of Ian Copeland, the man who had a huge hand in 80s punk and new wave. I remember watching a VH1 Behind the Music on either R.E.M. or the Police and Miles Copeland, head of I.R.S. Records, wanted him to represent The Police (where younger brother Stewart was the drummer) and Ian wanted Miles to sign R.E.M. A nice compromise was worked out and all were the better for it, don’t you think?

Here’s the story on his death from the AP.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ian Copeland, a rock music agent and entrepreneur who represented The Police, R.E.M., Adam Ant, The Go-Go’s and other seminal rock groups that emerged in the 1970s and 1980’s New Wave and Punk scenes, has died. He was 57.
Copeland died Tuesday of melanoma, said Amy Grey, a family spokeswoman.
Copeland was one of three brothers in the family who became prominent figures in the music industry. Younger brother Stewart was the drummer for The Police. Older sibling Miles founded record label International Records Syndicate.
In the mid-1970s, Copeland moved to Macon, Ga., where he worked for an agency booking tours for several Southern rock groups, including Charlie Daniels, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band.
Word of London’s emerging punk rock scene excited Copeland, who sought to get the agency he was working for to bring the raw new British bands to U.S. venues.
It didn’t work. But when his brother Miles signed the British band Squeeze, the two siblings arranged for the band to tour small clubs in the U.S. They used the same strategy to promote other bands, including The Police and the B-52s.
In 1978, Copeland moved to New York and launched Frontier Booking International. The young talent agency represented New Wave and punk acts such as Adam Ant, The Bangles, The Smiths, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and the Dead Kennedys among others.

2006-05-17T09:55:00.000-04:00

Guess Heather Mills really wasn’t a good replacement for Linda! Some breaking news out of London on the split of Paul McCartney and his soon-t0-be ex-wife.

It’s sad to hear, but come on, can anyone really be surprised by this? Linda McCartney was the love of Paul’s life, no woman could compete with that. I mean, except for a few days in Japan on a small matter of a marijuana issue (bringing to mind the great skit Paul did with Chris Farley on SNL), they never spent a night apart. She of little musical talent even joined Wings.

Plus, media coverage today is so much worse, and Mills seemed to be a little more eager to be in the spotlight than McCartney, which I’m sure figured into the decision to split. When he and Linda married, they retreated to their farm to raise their kids and live their hippie-ish lifestyle, albeit with a few million pounds in the bank.

So what did Heather Mills have to offer except a shared desire to get rid of landmines? I mean, I'm sure he loved her, he even quit hitting the weed for her after being an avid smoker for decades. But really, did he have to marry her?

The worst thing was, there was no prenup! (Kanye West would not like that). She offered to do one, but he turned her down. So we’ll see how that all turns out. Paul's kids never liked the idea of him marrying her anyway, and now that they had a kid, Mills has hit the jackpot.

McCartney release a statement on the split on his website.

More news on the split from Yahoo News.

2006-05-15T15:52:00.000-04:00

Lots of good stuff out this week.

The Raconteurs, side project of Jack White, releases its first album “Broken Boy Soldiers” today.
Also worth noting:
ABBA — Greatest Hits: 30th Anniversary [Limited Edition]
Blondie — Live 1978
BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE — V.2 TEPID PEPPERMINT WONDERLAN
Johnny Cash — THE JOHNNY CASH CHILDREN'S ALBUM
DINOSAUR JR. — Green Mind (Expanded & Remastered) and Where You Been (Expanded & Remastered)
Julian Cope — Floored Genius: The Best Of 1979-91
LED ZEPPELIN — LED ZEPPELIN-THE ULTIMATE REVIEW [3DVD SLIM PAC BOX SET]
THIN LIZZY — THIN LIZZY'S LIVE AND DANGEROUS DVD

See more on these and other releases at New Music Tipsheet.

On TV this week: Jewel is on Conan O’Brien tonight; The Raconteurs are on Conan on Thursday, May 18.
In the future:
5/22 U2 — CONAN
5/25 FLAMING LIPS — LENO
5/27 FRANZ FERDINAND, MILWAUKEE FAMOUS — AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

Found a Wilco concert from 2002 at rbally.net. Have found several good shows off that site, as well as links to others at My Old Kentucky Blog.

2006-05-11T09:08:00.000-04:00

Random bits of nothing special

Pretty funny stuff from youtube.com on The Beatles suit against Apple Computers. It appears John Lennon did invent the iPod, who knew?
There is also some videos to bring up. Can never get too much of the Fab 4.

Also, if anyone watched the Gilmore Girls finale on Tuesday (don't laugh, it's a great show!) they had the town troubadour, Grant Lee Phillips, leaving to go on tour with Neil Young and a whole slew of 'troubadours' pouring into Stars Hollow trying to be discovered. For a small town, there sure is a lot going on there.
Anyway, I got Joe Pernice, Sonic Youth (with daughter Coco), Sparks, Sam Phillips, the girl from '24', the guy who tried to be town troubadour a few seasons a go and that’s about it. Anyone else notice any real singers making their cameos? Just let me know.

Picked up the new Pearl Jam the other day. Have to say, a lot better than their last two efforts. A further review is forthcoming. They are also playing in Cincy on my birthday (June 24), but at nearly 60 bucks a tickets and me trying to pay for a wedding, it aint looking good.

Sort of breaking news: Keith Richards has been released from the hospital, this from nme.com

2006-05-02T16:38:00.000-04:00

Some music news via Paste Magazine.

n Kentucky's own My Morning Jacket is playing with the Boston Pops. Hasn't this been done to death already?

n Radiohead announces tour dates.

2006-04-29T16:49:00.000-04:00

Stream Neil Young's new album "Living with War" here.

2006-04-27T15:42:00.000-04:00

Just a little music news to get you through the day:

n From gloriousnoise.com: Jay Bennett, formerly of Wilco, has a new record coming out on Rykodisc in August. He's currently in the studio finishing up the album tracks, and some of the demos he's working on are now streaming on are now streaming on his myspace page. There's also an unreleased cover of Carol King's "It's Too Late" on Titantic Love Affair's myspace. Finally, Jay will be playing TapeOpCon in Tucson this June.
Jay’s site lets you download a few of his songs, pretty interesting. You can definitely see his influence on Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

n From pitchfork: Some very good news for Jesus and Mary Chain fans who want to drop a load of cash for some reissued stuff. Psychocandy and Darklands are two essential albums for any fans of 80s “alternative” music.
Oh, scroll down the page a bit, you’ll see the Lemonheads have signed wit Vagrant Records (The Futureheads, Paul Westerberg, the Hold Steady, Rocket From The Crypt) )

n Wilco will be appearing on Late Night with Conan O’Brien May 12 while Conan is in Chicago for the week.

n Josh Rouse will be featured on The World Cafe on Tuesday, May 9th! Listen on the website or listen to WUKY 91.3 FM from 9-11 p.m. that night.

n Check out the latest releases at the New Music Tipsheet.

Any feedback on the blog so far is welcomed, good or bad.

2006-04-26T15:15:00.000-04:00

Album Review:
Josh Rouse/Subtitulo (Bedroom Classics)

Fans of Josh Rouse know what to expect from the Nebraska-born singer-songwriter.
For six albums, Rouse has consistently been one of America’s best storytellers, whether describing the breakup of his own marriage (Sad Eyes), trying to break out of the stoner-slacker lifestyle (Direction) or doing a concept album about a Midwestern couple falling in love and living life in the 1950s on “Under the Cold Blue Stars”, Rouse has always delivered the goods.
And while not as spectacular from start to finish as last year’s fabulous “Nashville," Rouse’s latest release, “Subtitulo,” is still another solid effort from an artist who has yet to deliver a bad record.
In the past year, Rouse has divorced, moved from his adopted hometown of Nashville to the small, Spanish seaside town of Puerto de Santa Maria, and started his own record label, Bedroom Classics.
Rouse said he has been influenced by Bossa Nova, and that influence is felt a bit on Subtitulo.
On the opener, Quiet Town, Rouse describes shows his love of the laid-back nature of his new home: “I’ve lived in cities where there is no solitude/I’ve made some friends there that I hope I’ll never lose/But for now, I want to stay in a quiet town.”
But the highlight of “Subtitulo” is The Man Who...
On the song, Rouse duets with singer Paz Suay about a New York City man whose life feels broken by a string of unsuccessful love affairs, but eventually finds love after meeting a woman on the train. It goes along nicely with Suay and Rouse exchanging verses over a softer drumbeat and guitar, gradually building up to the big chorus.
It Looks Like Love, one of the faster songs on the album, would have been a perfect song for his 1972 album, with it’s bouncy AM-sounding pop flow.
Other songs worth a mention include Givin’ It Up for Good, Jersey Clowns, His Majesty Rules and Wonderful.
The only forgettable song on the album is the instrumental La Costa Blanca, but eye-popping musicianship isn’t what Rouse is about.
It’s the story, whether writing about his own experiences, or exploring the human condition, that is essential to Rouse’s music.
And few do it as well as Rouse, an artist who seems more interested in having a long-lasting career than hitting it big with a flash-in-pan hit album.

Here’s a review from All Music.

2006-04-19T11:34:00.000-04:00

Ran across this link to an old radio performance from R.E.M. back in 1984 when I was reading a thread about R.E.M.'s relevancy. For the record, I discovered the band in high school and are still my second-favorite band ever behind the Beatles.

As Jack Black wonders in High Fidelity, is it okay to forgive a formerly great artist for their latter day sins. That is, anything after New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Sad they are as boring as they are now. But loved EVERYTHING before the last two. Come back Bill Berry.

For anyone that can post, I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on the subject.

Anyway, here's the link. Haven’t heard it yet, but is going straight the Ipod. Thanks Lissa.

2006-04-06T09:31:00.000-04:00

Good to know The Clash can still scare the hell out of people a quarter century later. Pretty funny, and scary, story out of the U.K.

2006-04-05T10:46:00.000-04:00

Just ran across this. Thomas Dolby is awesome.

2006-04-05T10:21:00.000-04:00

Ugh, this is so depressing. So much new music and not enough money. I was reading a thread on gloriousnoise.com and this guy was getting a bunch of old stuff on CD and has spent about 300 bucks this month on music.

I so want to be that guy. I know it would take me forever to actually LISTEN to all of that stuff, it's not the point. I just want it like crack.

At least I've been able to snag the new Josh Rouse, Jenny Lewis, and Rhett Miller. Would love to get the new Neko Case, Jayhawks live albums and of course continue the tape-to-CD purchases.

But, since my fiancé and I are saving for a wedding, honeymoon and house, I'll just get through my shakes and go on with life. She already says our living room looks like a Best Buy. Oh well, I always have my IPod and the free crap you get off the Internet to get me by.

Saw where Gary Louris of The Jayhawks has co-written some songs for the Dixie Chicks new album. Should make for an excellent album.

And as I write this Don't Let's Start by They Might be Giants is playing. My all-time favorite TMBG song, probably because it's the first one I ever heard, way back in high school. I miss 120 Minutes. For those too young to remember, 120 Minutes an MTV show back in the 80s and 90s that played alternative music videos from noon-2 a.m. Sundays. Especially for those who lived in small towns, it was abut the only way we could hear good music. The we'd go to Cut Corner Record (no CD Central) and get what we heard on MTV.

Any suggestions or thoughts on new stuff that’s out there would be great.

2006-03-30T12:39:00.000-05:00

Man, Courtney Love really has no shame, or cash for that matter, it appears. Kurt Cobain has been immortalized not in a way fitting his fame, but as a freakin' action figure. What a useless piece of trash she's become.

In better news, anyone reading this should pick up the new Josh Rouse album Subtitulo immediately. He may have changed continents, but not his sound. Classic Rouse.
Unfortunately, no stop in the Bluegrass State for him this time around, but if he ever makes it back to Kentucky, check him out.

And, if anyone ever hears anything on the new Shins record, let me know. I can't find anything concrete on a release date.

2006-03-22T14:11:00.000-05:00

This is my first post as a blogger. I'm a sportswriter by trade, but music nerd by choice, so my newspaper in Kentucky asked me to do a blog on music and movies. Since I have strong opinions on that stuff, i thought I'd give it a shot.

Some of you may think I'm an idiot who knows nothing, and that may be the case. But for those who don't like what i say (like my hating the grateful dead, jimmy buffett and 80s hair rock among many things), just check out the title of the blog. Hope you enjoy, and don't take this too seriously.

Anyway, I was searching the net on the music sites and ran across this tidbit. According to the website, the Replacements are set to release a box set (no release date). This should be outstanding for those who are huge Replacement fans like I am. The DVD should be great.