GYPSY BOOMBOX

KoL RETURNS, BOOMBOX TOO

2010-10-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Come Around Sundown, the newest dripping-panty disco from Kings of Leon, hit shelves today, and I can't wait for the uproar. However, I did wait to review the album so I could enjoy the fervor leading up to its release. Facebook congregates declared it "like Christmas Eve" last night which is hilarious on so many fronts in 2010. Right now estrogen armies are learning the new battle chant "I will never be your cornerstone". It might be religion by Thanksgiving.

"The End" opens the album, an ominous eulogy for sororities across the globe, but calm down ladies, its's a joke. Like sororities. "Radioactive" is the feathering single that proves once again the priceless value of bible verse Folliwill: Cousin. As in the Bible and my experience, Matthews are formidable. Cousin Matthew has silently urged this band further into the choppy musical waters that makes the pain believable. Sure, he's a barbecued Joey Santiago in tight tight pants, but it's never been needed more. As with most Kings albums, the radio gems come first and loud and wet, but the musicianship follows. Though Keith Richards may never notice, "Mary" is a rip-off from the first swell, but molds into a decent fireside tale. While "Back Down South" offers violin-fed free passes into the life of Jacob, the teasing beginning is just that. It rivals the albums' best efforts, but as much fun as it would be to join the Kings family reunion and sing by the fire, listeners are stuck in traffic. The albums later tracks embrace the dirty and honest, finally. "No Money" ups the tempo and reminds us that doubt and insecurity got the Kings this far, and has now earned the right to let go completely. "Pony Up" is plain fun. "Mi Amigo" fearlessly talks girth. With "Pickup Truck", the Nashville sex folk revivalists have officially stated their appreciation for the Pearl Jam gospel of putting a session's best effort last.

The Kings have embraced the mood of 5 years ago in the songwriting and simplicity, but stepped on all the pedals money can buy to create a sonic middle-of-the-road that could possibly wrangle fans from both eras of fandom. This is a band that still needs to be seen live, from the bowels of the church hall to The Garden this Fall. Sundown is appeasing, hopefully for the band as much as the listener. Kings of Leon are the new arena rock. That's a fact, and I can only offer congratulations and condolences.

Joke: SO THE GHOST OF KUBRICK GOES TO A ROCK SHOW WITH TIM BURTON...

2010-10-15T01:30:00.000-07:00

ARCADE FIRE HEAT UP DAILY SHOW

2010-08-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

Arcade Fire celebrated reaching #1 with their brilliant new album The Suburbs this week by webcasting a live show from MSG, then stopping by The Daily Show with John Stewart last night to perform two songs. My professional review of the new disc can be read right here, right now: Buy this album immediately. Here is Win Butler and Co.'s performance of "Ready to Start". Hell yeah, Canada.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Arcade Fire - Ready to Start

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Buy The Suburbs NOW

YEASAYER + KRISTEN BELL = WHAT?!?!

2010-08-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

So my favorite tune from the Yeasayer's Odd Blood album, "Madder Red", finally gets a video. Next I find out that it stars actress Kristen Bell, who manages to juggle her ridiculous sex appeal with the ability to take on one awful role after another, Forgetting Sarah Marshall aside. Yeasayer keep it weird as usual, this time with some sort of pirate-eyed scrotum-like house pet pining for the affections of Ms Bell in a looped vision of love and feelings of inadequacy. Sound familiar? Go!

BROKEN BELLS IN SPACE

2010-08-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

Broken Bells are continuing their side-project space odyssey, literally. Check out the cosmic new video for "The Ghost Inside"featuring the lovely ginger beauty Christina Hendricks AKA Mad Men's deliciously curved Joan Holloway. The video is part Total Recall and part daydream, and possibly fetishistic if you're a sick weirdo. Try it on. See how it fits. "Just like a whiskey bottle drained on the floor..."

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM TOUR with HOT CHIP and SLEIGH BELLS

2010-08-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

James Murphy's brain has hatched another brilliant idea! The beat scientist will take his LCD Soundsystem show on the road this Fall with special guests Hot Chip and/or Sleigh Bells. The shows will be held in a mix of indoor and outdoor venues from coast to coast, and should prove to be quite the dance party. LCD's latest effort, This is Happening, is out now and I for one can't get enough of it. Get your dancing shoes on for this one, people! LCD Soundsytem tour dates after the jump...

LCD Soundsystem Dates

September
24 – Philadelphia, Penn. @ Philadelphia Naval Cruise Terminal (w/ Sleigh Bells)
25 – Columbia, Md. @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, V Festival
27 – Burlington, Vt. @ Memorial Auditorium (w/ Sleigh Bells)
28 – Boston, Mass. @ Orpheum (w/ Sleigh Bells) (JOIN ME!!!)

October
1 – Clinton, N.Y. @ Hamilton College (w/ Sleigh Bells)
4 – Atlanta, Ga. @ Tabernacle (w/ Sleigh Bells)
5 – Orlando, Fla. @ Hard Rock (w/ Sleigh Bells)
6 – Miami, Fla. @ Fillmore (w/ Sleigh Bells)
8 – Houston, Texas @ Verizon Amphitheater (w/ Sleigh Bells)
9 – Austin, Texas @ Austin City Limits Festival
13 – San Diego, Calif. @ RIMAC Arena (w/ Hot Chip)
15 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Hollywood Bowl (w/ Hot Chip and Sleigh Bells)
16 – San Francisco, Calif. @ Treasure Island
19 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ The Complex (w/ Hot Chip)
20 – Denver, Colo. @ Fillmore Auditorium (w/ Hot Chip)
22 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ Eagles Ballroom (w/ Hot Chip)
23 – Saint Paul, Minn. @ Roy Wilkins (w/ Hot Chip)

NEIL YOUNG TO PLAY FOR GULF COAST

2010-08-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

Americana's finest pilgrim rocker, Neil Young, will play a short series of concerts in late September to benefit to the Gulf Coast residents in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi who are suffering as a result of the oil spill. Young is asking fans to bring non-perishable food items to the shows, and will also contribute all the proceeds from limited-edition merchandise to the Bay Area Food Bank. The performances are sure to be special, and of course also for an amazing cause. If you are unable to attend these landmark shows, remember you can still donate and help get the Gulf back on its feet! Cheers!

Neil Young Gulf Coast Tour Dates
Sep 20 Marina Civic Center Panama City, FL On-sale 8/13 10 a.m. EDT
Sep 25 IP Showroom Biloxi, MS On-sale 8/11 @ 10 a.m. CDT
Sep 26 Saenger Theatre Mobile, AL, On-sale 8/14 @ 10 a.m. CDT
Sep 28 Saenger Theatre Pensacola, FL On-sale 8/14 @ 10 a.m. CDT

THE BOOMBOX IS NOT A TOY

2010-07-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

Andy Samberg and the Lonely Island crew are at it again, this time with help from Julian Casablancas and some horny old people. Have a good weekend folks, and remember: A boombox is not a toy..

OUTSIDE LANDS INTIAL LINEUP

2010-07-09T23:31:00.000-07:00

Outside Lands has announced the preliminary lineup for this August's third annual festival. Big names include headliners Kings of Leon, Phoenix, The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Wolfmother, Social Distortion, and Al Green. Some more eclectic acts will also feature, like The Levon Helm Band, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Cat Power, and Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, who will headline Saturday night. Hip hop will be represented too of course, most notably the collaboration between Damian "Jr Gong" Marley and Nas. Upstarts like Janelle Monae and Empire of the Sun will also add some new flavor to the mix of bluegrass, jazz, dub, and electronic music that rounds out the bill. More artist will surely be added soon, so stay on your toes, hippies.

Outside Lands will take place August 14th & 15th in San Francisco's historic Golden Gate Park. Tickets are on sale now. For information on Late Night shows, Festival Tickets, Food, and the full lineup, visit the festival's website.

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: THE FLAMING LIPS

2010-07-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

Forgive me, it was actually Tuesday night when freak icons The Flaming Lips rolled their carnival into Providence for an intimate mindfuck at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel. Brooklyn's Matt & Kim opened, but in effect they are both locals, growing up in Vermont and Rhode Island, respectively. Despite the venue's heatwave stricken temperature, the duos energy immediately got the crowd moving, stomping through hyperactive versions of my personal favorite "Good 'Ol Fashion Nightmare" and "Yea Yeah" as well as the cardiac "I Wanna", with Matt leaping on top of his stool and kung fu kicking the surrounding air repeatedly. Midset, they rowdied the crowd with "Lessons Learned", and told the story of a man who streaked across their stage at Coachella recently, an homage to the song's great video. But unfortunately, Matt explained, the man is now a registered sex offender in California. Their set was so refreshing; seeing two people so overjoyed to be playing their music. The smiles were like stage lights when Kim leaped on top of her drum kit to count off songs and wave to her family in the balcony, and Matt spiraled with one physical freakout after another. They ended with their hit "Daylight", leaving the crowd breathless, sweaty, and full of anticipation. Perfect opener.

Then the rabbit hole started to open. A giant, half moon LED screen lit up fluorescent blue behind the stage, and a naked, yellow women began to dance and gyrate, seemingly pulling the crowd towards her. Eventually she sat down and spread her legs, and the image pulsed and zoomed inward.... Yes, of course the band entered the stage through her giant yellow vagina. Wayne Coyne then rolled out into the crowd in his usual human hamster ball, and was passed around the frantic crowd as the confetti cannons blasted
and giant balloons spilled from the ceiling. Coyne birthed from his ball, grabbed a megaphone, and began shouting the lyrics to "Worm Mountain" through it. Normal way to open a show, right? The blazing "Silver Trembling Hands" came soon after, this time with Coyne atop the shoulders of lucky fan dancing in a full-body grizzley bear costume. The fever of the song was matched by the spectacle, every squeal accompanied by a burst of confetti. "She Don't Use Jelly" maaaaaaagazine'd out next, inspiring both cheers of recognition and I'm-getting-old sighs. The song is always fun, though, and may never lose it's silly appeal. Later, the stalking "See the Leaves" chased onlookers around Lupo's with its shamanistic drone. "Leaves" is one of my favorites from Embryonic, but no silliness here. It's dark drum claps and repetitive rhythm creates a haunting hypnosis that could send the faint of heart running for the doors. "The Sparrow Looks up at the Machine" has a mountain to climb just living up to its title, but the introductory fuzz instantly gives way to an auditory Venus fly trap that is quite difficult to escape."What does it mean, to dream what you dream, to believe what you've seen?" sings Coyne over a swirling blanket of fuzzy bass and ominous cymbal crashes, a line that provides a fine summation of the band's spectacular live show and musical history. "Sparrow" provided a fine example of the band's newish lean towards straight psychedelia, which some fans don't appreciate, that on this night provided the show's highlight. A calming howl-a-long came next in the form of "I Can Be a Frog", with the audience filling in for Karen O for animal noise duties. Within three minutes, each audience member had been given the chance to be a bear, a bat, a Gila monster, a warrior indian, a wolf, or any of several large cats. Growl accordingly. It was quite entertaining, but how did they know I'd always wanted to be a helicopter? With the chaos momentarily ebbed, the Lips performed two semi-acoustic Yoshimi gems, "In the Morning of the Magicians" and the beloved "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1". Though there was a little sound trouble in the latter, these were two moments that proved impossible to bring down. Shit-eating-grins overpowered the urges to make Lupo's a campfire singalong, and the songs were allowed to work their own cooling magic. In contrast to the violent peaks of "Sparrow", this toned down portion of the set
also provided a glimpse at the mellower masterclass that is the Flaming Lips. After a verbal hugfest from Coyne, and a raucous response from the crowd, the table was set for "Do You Realize?" to rollercoaster everyone out the door satisfied, stunned, happy, and in one case, dressed like a grizzly bear.

Photos are low quality from my phone, but its all I got, people. Cheers!

JEFF TWEEDY TAKES ON BEYONCE

2010-07-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a fine example of why most musicians don't take request. This clip is from a recent pair of benefit shows the Wilco frontman put on at Chicago's Vic Theatre. Quite hilarious. Enjoy.

PAVEMENT ADD DATES

2010-06-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

Indie darlings Pavement have added more US dates to their already-expansive reunion tour. The venues include smaller theaters, arenas, and a handful of tasty summer festivals. All of the reunion shows so far have gotten rave reviews, so cash in your change jars and dig out your old holey tees. This is not to be missed.

Pavement Tour Dates
06-19 Toronto, Ontario - Olympic Island #
06-24 Stockton, CA - Bob Hope Theatre %
06-25 Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre $
09-03 Troutdale, OR - Edgefield Amphitheater $
09-05 Seattle, WA - The Paramount Theatre $
09-07 Vancouver, British Columbia - Queen Elizabeth Theatre $
09-09 Broomfield, CO - First Bank Center $
09-11 Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater
09-12 St. Paul, MN - Roy Wilkins Auditorium ^
09-13 Chicago, IL - Millennium Park ^
09-14 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
09-16 Columbus, OH - The LC Pavilion
09-17 Philadelphia, PA - Mann Center for the Performing Arts
09-18 Boston, MA - Agganis Arena @
09-19 Brooklyn, NY - Williamsburg Waterfront @
09-21 New York, NY - Rumsey Playfield
09-22 New York, NY - Rumsey Playfield
09-23 New York, NY - Rumsey Playfield
09-24 New York, NY - Rumsey Playfield
09-26 Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
09-28 Austin, TX - Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheatre
09-29 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl &^

# with Broken Social Scene, Band of Horses, Beach House, Timber Timbre
% with the Authorities
$ with Quasi
^ with No Age
@ with Jenny and Johnny
& with Sonic Youth

FRIDAY HILARITY.... WHY NOT? (NSFW)

2010-05-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

This next clip is totally out of character for the Gypsy Boombox, but it's just too funny to pass up. Plus it's Friday and a good laugh is always a great way to start the weekend. Here is a mash-up of oompa loompa pimp comedian Kat Williams performing pieces of his fantastic stand-up special The Pimp Chronicles with some remixing by DJ Steve Porter. Sure it's ridiculous, but the talent is undeniable. Check out Porter's YouTube page for more hilarious clips, including one of Allen Iverson's famous "Practice" press conference. Happy weekend, everyone. And remember kids, stay in school, and don't do drugs.

MUSIC ON TV

2010-05-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

If you survived the fallout of the LeBronocalypse last night, it was a good evening to channel surf, and possibly spot some of the Boombox's favorite bands performing live. All week on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon bands were performing Rolling Stones' songs, celebrating the reissue of Exile on Main Street. Last night, Phish showed up to perform their live staple "Loving Cup", and even got a surprise wobbly introduction from Keith Richards. Meanwhile, America's greatest bar band The Hold Steady visited The Cobert Report to perform "Hurricane J" from their new gem Heaven is Whenever. Check it out.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

The Hold Steady - Hurricane J

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

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Oh and P.S. The National visited Sir David Letterman last night, with brilliant buddy Sufjan Stevens in tow to provide backing vocals on "Afraid of Everyone". Dig it.

NEW CAMELFACE ALBUM!!!

2010-05-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

Check out this hilarious comic strip from cartoonist Asher Sarlin.

WILCO VISITS LATE LATE SHOW

2010-05-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

Chicago greats Wilco visited the Late Late Show wit Craig Ferguson to perform the cut "Deeper Down" from their recent self-titled album. The band reportedly busy writing their next album, and will begin recording later in the year. The band are also curating the upcoming Solid Sound Festival, a three day event held at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. Even more information here. God Craig Ferguson is annoying, but here's the video of last night's performance.

OUTSIDE LANDS 2010

2010-05-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

San Francisco's Golden Gate Park will once again host the Outside Lands Festival this August 14-15. The lineup will be announced on June 1rst, but over at the official website, festival mascot Ranger Dave has been offering hints as to who might perform, some vague and some quite obvious. Ticket info, Wine Country lineup, A Taste of The Bay Area news, and more right here.

HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS

2010-05-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

Trent Reznor has announced his first post-Nine Inch Nails project, dubbed How to Destroy Angels. The group is a collaboration with his wife, ex-West Indian Girl frontwoman, and smoking hottie, Mariqueen Maandig. On the band's official website, they have been releasing small, strange video snippets of assumed new music. It's sound is reminiscent of NIN's later lo-fi piano vs. fuzz instrumentals, with Maandig's vocals comparable to the likes of Zero 7 and Beth Gibbons. Both sexy and evil.. just how I like it. A self-titled EP is expected this summer, but check out the first leaked track, "A Drowning", here on the Boombox.

THE DEAD WEATHER ALBUM & DATES

2010-05-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Sea of Cowards, the sophomore effort from blues supergroup The Dead Weather, comes out today. Jack White & Co. will hit the streets in mid-July for a string of shows throughout the US. They will also sweat it out at Bonnaroo in June. And Alison Mosshart, I still love you. Check out the tour stops below. Also don't miss the sick video for "Die by the Drop" on the band's official site.

The Dead Weather Tour
06-12 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
06-26 Pilton, England - Glastonbury Festival
07-02 Belfort, France - Les Eurockeennes Festival
07-13 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
07-14 Boston, MA - House of Blues
07-15 Toronto, Ontario - Sound Academy
07-17 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
07-19 San Diego, CA - House of Blues
07-21 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
07-22 San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
07-24 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
07-27 Billings, MT - Babcock Theatre
07-28 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
07-29 Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
07-30 Chicago, IL - The Congress Theater
07-31 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
08-02 Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head Live!
08-03 Brooklyn, NY - Prospect Park

THE NATIONAL RELEASE HIGH VIOLET

2010-05-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

The National's new album, High Violet, hits records stores today. The album is expectedly great, and is retailing for a mere $7.99 in most stores. The band plays Letterman on Thursday night, before a hometown show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Saturday night. The National then head out west to begin a proper, full-length tour, hitting most major markets across the US and Europe. Tour dates here. Also, check out the new video for "Bloodbuzz Ohio" from High Violet, then go grab the album. Enjoy.
The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (official video) from The National on Vimeo.

GORILLAZ BRING "STYLO" TO COLBERT

2010-05-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

Check out the Gorillaz performing the Plastic Beach track "Stylo" on the Colbert Report. Fucking sick.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Gorillaz - Stylo

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Fox News

FILM OF THE MONTH (YEAR?)

2010-04-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

I strongly encourage fans of the Boombox and film to stop updating your Facebook pages, and take 2 hours out of your busy life to let artistic & directing mastermind /visionary / personal hero Terry Gilliam blow your mind with his new film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Gilliam's past works include Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Time Bandits, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and 12 Monkeys. ALL classics, but Parnassus could quite possibly be Gilliam's masterpiece. The filming of the movie took a blow when lead actor Heath Ledger passed away, but friends of Ledger and Gilliam in the acting community stepped in to finish the vision, offering a unique experience as Ledger's character was given new life by Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell. Following his spellbinding turn as The Joker, this performance cements the artistic tragedy of Ledger's untimely death. Oh, did I mention that Tom Waits plays the Devil?

The film is released on DVD today, April 27th. Enjoy the trailer below.

MGMT ADD NORTH AMERICAN DATES

2010-04-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

MGMT have added several dates to their extensive North American tour, which officially kicks off at the end of May. The Brooklyn daytrippers will also feature on the "Live on Letterman" concert series, broadcasting live from the Ed Sullivan Theater Tuesday, May 11, following the taping of the band's performance on the Late Show. The show will be webcast started at 8 PM EST at http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/. Tickets are still available for most of the US dates.

MGMT Tour Dates after the jump.

MGMT TOUR DATES
05/02/10 EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -MEADOWLANDS SPORTS COMPLEX (BAMBOOZLE FESTIVAL)
05/28/10 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA -AVILA BEACH CLUB
05/29/10 SANTA CRUZ, CA-SANTA CRUZ CIVIC AUDITORIUM SOLD OUT
05/31/10 GEORGE, WA -GORGE AMPHITHEATER (SASQUATCH! FESTIVAL) SOLD OUT
06/01/10 PORTLAND, OR-CRYSTAL BALLROOM
06/02/10 PORTLAND, OR-CRYSTAL BALLROOM
06/04/10 SALT LAKE CITY, UT -IN THE VENUE
06/06/10 AUSTIN, TX -STUBB'S BBQ SOLD OUT
06/07/10 HOUSTON, TX -HOUSE OF BLUES SOLD OUT
06/08/10 DALLAS, TX -HOUSE OF BLUES SOLD OUT
06/11/10 DENVER, CO – RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATER
06/13/10 KANSAS CITY, MO -UPTOWN THEATRE
06/14/10 INDIANAPOLIS, IN -THE VOGUE THEATRE SOLD OUT
06/15/10 COLUMBUS, OH-LC PAVILION
06/16/10 DETROIT, MI -THE FILLMORE
06/18/10 CHICAGO, IL -RIVIERA THEATER SOLD OUT
06/20/10 MILWAUKEE, WI -RIVERSIDE THEATER
*07/15/10 SAN DIEGO, CA - SDSU OPEN AIR THEATRE
*07/16/10 LOS ANGELES, CA -GREEK THEATRE-LA
*07/18/10 POMONA, CA -FOX THEATRE
*07/24/10 VANCOUVER -COMMODORE BALLROOM
*08/04/10 MONTREAL -METROPOLIS
*08/05/10 TORONTO -KOOL HAUS
08/08/10 CHICAGO, IL –LOLLAPALOOZA
*08/11/10 HOLYOKE, MA- MOUNTAIN PARK
*08/14/10 COLUMBIA, MD- MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILLION

*Indicates added date

NEW M.I.A VIDEO (NSFW)

2010-04-27T15:21:00.000-07:00

Brace yourself for another WTF? moment, dear readers. M.I.A has released a video/mini-movie for her new track "Born Free". As if the song wasn't a strong enough statement of revolt and angst, now director Romain Gavras has unleashed his own horrific visual interpretation. It starts out like a scene from a Micheal Mann thriller, then offers a glimpse of comedy, before raging into a slightly hard-to-watch genocide of sorts. This is video is EXTREMELY GRAPHIC AND VIOLENT, and NOT SAFE FOR WORK. You've been warned. If you are a ginger like me, please go watch the baseball game.

FREE PHOENIX

2010-04-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

On the heels of their Grammy win for Best Alternative Album, Boombox darlings Phoenix have decided to bestow some free music on the unworthy masses. Live in Sydney features 8 Wolfgang tracks performed live on the band's recent tour. Download the live album absolutely FREE here.