Archive for September, 2010
Colin Greenwood on Music Distribution
Radiohead bassist, Colin Greenwood, has written about music distribution and how Radiohead tries to utilize and improve it.
“The ability to have a say in its release, through the new technologies, is the most empowering thing of all.”
New Kanye West
Kanye West has released the latest song in his G.O.O.D. Fridays series titled “Lord Lord Lord”. It features Mos Def, Raekwon, Charlie Wilson and Swizz Beatz. Download it right here.
New 65daysofstatic Track, EP, and Tour
65daysofstatic have partnered with The Quietus to give away a new track titled “PX3”. The track will be released on the band’s new Heavy Sky EP on October 25, 2010.
Check out the song and a Q/A with the band here.
Read below to see tour dates for 65daysofstatic‘s UK/European Tour.
October 6 -Central Station, Wrexham
October 7 – New Slang, Kingston
October 8 – Concorde 2, Brighton
October 9 – Vera, Groningen (Holland)
October 10 – Swingfest, Essen (Germany)
October 23 – Brainwash Festival, Leeds (DJ set)
November 7 – Effenaar, Eindhoven (Holland) – with Civil Civic and Nedry
November 8 – Hafenklang, Hamburg (Germany) – with Nedry and Tall Ships
November 9 – Lido, Berlin (Germany) – with Nedry and Tall Ships
November 10 – Blue Note, Poznan (Poland)
November 11 – Conne Island, Leipzig (Germany) – with Nedry and Tall Ships
November 12 – Schüür, Lucerne (Switzerland) – with Civil Civic
November 13 – Kiff, Aarau (Switzerland) – with Civil Civic
November 14 – Tunnel Club, Milan (Italy) – with Civil Civic
November 16 – Nouveau Casino, Paris (France) – with Nedry and Tall Ships
November 18 – La Botanique, Brussels (Belgium) – with Nedry and Tall Ships
November 19 – Melkweg, Amsterdam (Holland) – with Nedry and Tall Ships
November 20 – Joiners, Southampton – with Kong
November 21 – Arts Centre, Norwich – with Kong
November 22 – O2 Academy, Oxford – with Kong
November 23 – O2 Academy, Leicester – with Kong
November 24 – Palace, Aldershot – with Kong
November 25 – Academy 2, Manchester – with Kong
November 26 – CAMP, London – with Kong
New Fleet Foxes Album
Fleet Foxes have finished making their follow-up to their Self-Titled album.
Mark Chapman Reveals Motive
Mark Chapman, the man who murdered The Beatles‘ John Lennon, has explained why he shot Lennon in 1980.
“I felt that by killing John Lennon I would become somebody and instead of that I became a murderer, and murderers are not somebodies,” Chapman told the parole board of Attica Correctional Facility in New York.
[Via NME]
Review: Ra Ra Riot – The Orchard
Ra Ra Riot – The Orchard
Released: August 24, 2010
Label: Barsuk
Purchase: iTunes | Insound | Amazon
Ra Ra Riot’s sophomore effort The Orchard is a step in the right direction for the band, trading the catchy pop choruses on The Rhumb Line for introspective lyrics about their own personal lives and how they have grown and developed. The soaring instrumentals and soft, reflective cooing from Wes Miles demonstrate strong musicianship from the band, but the album fails to impress holistically.
There is no doubt in my mind that the members of the band are incredibly talented with their individual instruments, but as a whole, Ra Ra Riot seems unable to combine these talents together as a cohesive unit. The creative bass lines, although quite intricately played, seem to have been turned up way too loud and distract from the other instruments. In the first two tracks, “The Orchard” and “Boy,” the boosted bass line is quite noticeable, and opens the album on a rather bad note (pun not intended). Otherwise, “Boy” is a touchingly reflective song and a great choice for first single.
The signature orchestral lines from cellist Alexandra Lawn and violinist Rebecca Zeller are stylistically brilliant, especially when combined with the energetic guitar playing from Milo Bonacci. The drums from Cameron Wisch keep the songs moving along at a decent pace, even though The Orchard features some of Ra Ra Riot’s slowest ever material.
“Too Dramatic” is a bright, poppy song, standing out from the comparatively somber first two tracks. Directly after “Too Dramatic,” “Foolish” once again returns to the slower, more thoughtful sound that pervades The Orchard as a whole and ultimately drags it down. As a whole, the record feels sluggish and lethargic, even when the band launches into moments of orchestral beauty.
At times, vocalist Wes Miles seems to be a dulled down version of Vampire Weekend’s lead singer Ezra Koenig. In fact, “Massachusetts” could almost be a Contra B-side. “You And I Know” features the voice of cellist Alexandra Lawn, which is touching lyrically and a breath of fresh air sonically.
Unlike their debut The Rhumb Line, The Orchard offers little variety between songs, making the album less intriguing to first time listeners. Instead of the vibrant energy found on The Rhumb Line, Ra Ra Riot takes time to build up the momentum on each song, before launching into lulling, orchestral perfection.
Altogether, the album remains rather drab and fails to really hook the listener. It is certainly an album that grows on you after multiple listens, but The Orchard is in no way, shape or form, a classic. It is, however, a big step forward for the band and hints at an extremely bright future for the already successful young band.
7.0
Standout Tracks: “Too Dramatic”, “You And I Know”, “Shadowcasting”
An Introduction To Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding will release an EP titled An Introduction To Ellie Goulding in North America on September 21, 2010. The EP will be released through Cherrytree Records.
New Cee-Lo Song
Check out a new Cee-Lo song titled “I Want You” right here.
Matt and Kim Cover and Tracklisting
Matt and Kim‘s new album Sidewalks is set to release on November 2, 2010. Check out the album art and tracklisting below:
1. Block After Block
2. AM/FM Sound
3. Cameras
4. Red Paint
5. Where You’re Coming From
6. Good for Great
7. Northeast
8. Wires
9. Silver Tiles
10. Ice Melts
Dear Jack Benefit Concert
As promised, Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin announced details about a fundraising concert via Twitter. He will be hosting a concert for his Dear Jack Foundation on November 18th in Los Angeles, California and will play music from both Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate.
Check out below for more information:
“If you have been dreaming of a night filled with the music of both Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate all while helping a great cause, you are in luck! The first annual concert to benefit The Dear Jack Foundation will be held on November 18th at El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. This evening will mark the first time Andrew will perform with both of his bands, and he will also be joined on stage by special guests Marc Roberge from OAR and singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson. Proceeds will also benefit the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on September 18th via Ticketmaster , , but starting today at 9:00 AM EST you have access to exclusive PRE-SALE TICKETS!!!
“This is going to be a really special night. To share the stage with so many close friends is a blessing in itself, but to do so while working on behalf of young adults with cancer gives me great joy,” McMahon says. ”Hopefully this is a tradition that will last for many years to come.”
In addition to great music, a raffle will be held at the show where fans can win special prizes including autographed gear, vacation packages, and more. An online auction featuring signed memorabilia by the band and friends will also be held to benefit the Dear Jack Foundation. Details of the online auction will be announced at a later date.”
Purchase Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2C004521B10E18F3
Pre-Sale Tickets: http://jacksmannequin.tickets.musictoday.com/JacksMannequin/calendar.aspx
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