SetMusic

'TRL' winding down after 10 years

2008-09-17T21:43:00.000+07:00

Time to start the countdown clock on MTV's countdown era: "Total Request Live" will soon leave the air after 10 years.

Dave Sirulnick, executive producer of "TRL," said Monday that the music video countdown show will conclude in a two-hour special on a Saturday afternoon in November. He stressed that the show wasn't ending for good, but felt now was the right time to give it a break after an unprecedented run on the cable music channel.

"TRL" debuted in September 1998 and became the splashy center of the teen pop music scene with Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, N'Sync and other acts. From its heyday until 2008, it's been a destination for musicians, movie stars and celebrities promoting their new music, movies and other projects.

Barbra Streisand tops Obama fundraiser

2008-09-17T21:38:00.001+07:00

How does Barack Obama lure wealthy donors to a big-money fundraiser in Hollywood? Bring in Barbra Streisand as the headline performer.

The Oscar-winning singer and actress was to perform Tuesday night on Obama's behalf in Beverly Hills. It was to be a two-step evening with a reception and dinner costing $28,500 a person followed by a later event featuring Streisand at $2,500 a ticket.

Obama was flying to Los Angeles after an appearance Tuesday morning in a Denver suburb.

The wealthy fundraiser comes on a day when the crisis in the U.S. economy remained an urgent issue for many Americans. Monday's sharp sell-off left the Dow Jones industrials and the Standard & Poor's 500 index down by more 4%, eroding the value of individual retirement and investment accounts, for example.

Streisand originally backed Hillary Clinton but switched to Obama when he emerged as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Streisand has been outspoken in criticizing John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on the Republican presidential ticket.

"This calculated, cynical ploy to pull away a small percentage of Hillary's women voters from Barack Obama will not work," Streisand wrote on her Web page. "We are not that stupid!"

"I believe John McCain chose Gov. Palin because he truly believes that women who supported Hillary -- an experienced, brilliant, lifelong public servant -- would vote for him because his vice president has two X chromosomes," Streisand said. "McCain's selection of Gov. Palin is a transparent and irresponsible decision all in the name of trying to win this election."

Obama is financing his presidential race with private contributions after abandoning a pledge to take public financing capped at $84 million. His campaign announced Sunday it had collected $66 million in August, a fundraising record for any presidential candidate in a monthlong period.

By comparison, McCain raised $47 million in August, a personal best for his campaign as well. After claiming the GOP nomination, McCain accepted the $84 million in taxpayer funds allotted the public financing system for the race.

Cosmopolitan launches YouTube talent show

2008-09-10T02:13:00.000+07:00

Hearst Magazine's Cosmopolitan has launched a talent show competition via YouTube, dubbed StarLaunch.

Sponsored by Nikon and Procter and Gamble's Pantene, the contest asks for entries from female-fronted bands and solo artists to be uploaded to youtube.com/cosmostarlaunch by Oct. 6.

The entries will be culled to a top 10 on Oct. 21. At that point people can vote on the StarLaunch YouTube page. The top three acts with the most votes will move on a to live battle of the bands competition at New York's Terminal 5 on Dec. 5.

Prizes include $10,000 cash, a three-track demo created with a hit-making record producer, as many as 10 performances at Cosmopolitan-sponsored events and one-year memberships to SESAC and FanBridge, a fan list management service.

"By leveraging our partnership with YouTube and the support of our sponsors Nikon and Pantene, we will be able to give a deserving female artist the opportunity to be discovered by America -- something no amount of money can buy," said Donna Kalajian Lagani, senior vp and publishing director.

Natasha Bedingfield and Solange Knowles will perform after the battle of the bands.

Beyonce working on third solo album

2008-09-10T02:08:00.001+07:00

Beyonce's third solo album will be released Nov. 18 via Music World Music/Columbia, and will be preceded Oct. 7 by the radio release of the singles "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies."

Beyonce co-wrote or co-produced all the material, which the label says comprises "her most personal, reflective and revelatory collection to-date." Justin Timberlake will also appear on the as-yet-untitled project, but additional details about his contributions have not been released.

The artists teamed up to cover the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell classic "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" last Friday at the Fashion Rocks event at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

Producer Jim Jonsin, the man behind Lil Wayne's "Lollipop," has also logged studio time with Beyonce on the track "Beautiful Nightmare," which leaked online this year. It is unknown if the song will make the final track list.

The new album is the follow-up to 2006's "B-Day," which has sold 3.2 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Beyonce also is gearing up for two upcoming film projects. She stars as blues legend Etta James in "Cadillac Records," a release date for which has yet to be announced, and as the wife of a stalking target in "Obsessed," due Feb. 27.

Britney Spears will kick off VMAs

2008-09-04T19:48:00.000+07:00

Despite her train-wreck performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last year, the network confirms that Britney Spears will kick off the show once again.

But it won't be a performance. Instead, MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler said Wednesday, it'll be something "fun and unexpected" on Sunday night's show.

Unexpected is probably the kindest way to describe Spears' performance at last year's VMAs. In what was heavily promoted as the troubled singer's comeback, she instead gave an unfocused, almost unwatchable performance of "Gimme More," one of the many lowpoints in her year of debacles.

So what made Spears and MTV reunite one more time?

"MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated," Spears said in a statement.

"I think for Britney, people are rooting for her, and she's really on the road to recovery," Toffler said, noting that MTV had nominated her for three VMAs, including video of the year, for her clip "Piece of Me."

"It feels like it's her year," he added. "It's our 25th anniversary of the VMAs, and she's been such a critical piece of MTV's history."

Spears also equals ratings gold: Last year's VMAs were up 23% over the 2006 show.

In recent months, Spears, who's working on a new album, has appeared to have cleaned up her act. Her father James has been in control of her personal and professional matters as her legal conservator, and she drew high ratings and positive reviews when she made guest appearances on CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" earlier this year.

So far, the confirmed performers for Sunday's show include the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, T.I. and Kid Rock.

Toffler also raised the possibility of another troubled pop icon appearing: Michael Jackson.

"We've been talking to him as well, I don't know if that's going to happen," he said. "People fall in and fall out up until the day of the show."

Concert Review: Glen Campbell

2008-08-30T22:16:00.002+07:00

Glen Campbell covering Green Day and Foo Fighters?

The inevitable first reaction to news that the pop cowboy is doing an album of covers by those bands and others including U2 and the Velvet Underground is, "Uh-oh, is this the long-dreaded recurrence of Pat Boone’s metal mood?" The second might be, "Then again, Johnny Cash pulled it off late in his career."

While clearly aiming at the latter, Campbell's effort falls somewhere between those extremes. "Meet Glen Campbell" -- a deft title for the reintroduction of a man who's made 70-plus albums -- is a crisp, enjoyable record that stamps vintage Campbell-type arrangements on songs with recurring themes of aging or self-realization. There's no cheeky cheese like Boone churned out.
But Campbell and producer Julian Raymond, who picked the songs, seem content to let the musicians do too much of the interpreting. And Tuesday's packed show at the tiny, sweaty Troubadour, which coincided with the album's release, exacerbated that. In the intimate live setting, the eight-piece band, including two drummers, forced the attention to the music rather than Campbell and that honey-dipped voice.
The result was an entirely pleasant hourlong show but one that felt like a missed opportunity.

"Yep, still kicking," the 72-year-old said before playing Tom Petty's "Angel Dream," which was both countrified and rocked up, driven by a little snare hook. Campbell introduced Travis' "Sing" as "one of my favorite songs." He expressed similar admiration for many of the covers during the show, but though he performed them with a smile, he rarely seemed genuinely affected by them.

An exception was the Replacements' "Sadly, Beautiful," a father's lament that Campbell sang with purpose. Two of his sons were in the band, and two daughters sang backup.
Campbell picked up a guitar only when he played his country-pop classics, five of which were scattered throughout the set. He closed his eyes to deliver "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and earned a long ovation after "Wichita Lineman." Stripped of their generic orchestration -- which clouded some of his most popular material more than driving it -- both were moving reminders of how affecting Campbell's vocals can be.

It was a rare chance to see an icon up close, and his voice has retained its much of its singular purity. But less instrumentation and more Campbell might have made it truly unforgettable.

Kanye West backs Obama at DNC

2008-08-30T22:15:00.000+07:00

Kanye West's regret on the day Barack Obama was nominated for president: that his mother, Donda, hadn't lived to experience it.

"It's an incredible time to be around. I wish my momma could have seen this day," the rapper told a crowd gathered for his performance early Thursday morning in Denver.

Jamie Foxx then joined West onstage and delivered what was easily the strangest Obama song dedication at this week's Democratic National Convention.

"We make history, man," Foxx declared at the ONE campaign party. "With Obama, we make history. If you ready for Obama, make some noise. Yo man, let's do this for Obama."

Nobody said politics and entertainment always mix smoothly. The pair then launched into their hit "Gold Digger," about money-grubbing women.

The party, sponsored by Bono's ONE anti-poverty campaign and the Recording Industry Association of America, drew celebrities including Forest Whitaker and Ashley Judd, who arrived with Foxx waving an American flag. Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner and former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle also walked the red carpet.

Some, including Daschle, left the club before West took the stage and roared through hits such as "Touch the Sky," "Home" and "Stronger."

Backed by a band clad in black outfits that seemed inspired both by Mad Max and the riot police ringing the convention arena, the hip-hop star also tried out two new songs he said he'd written in the past several days -- both more focused on relationships and heartbreak than politics.

John Lennon biopic comes together

2008-08-30T22:09:00.002+07:00

The story of John Lennon is headed for the big screen with "Nowhere Boy," a biopic that will be directed by visual artist Sam Taylor-Wood.

Produced by U.K. shingle Ecosse Films, the script from "Control" screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh will focus on the Beatle's childhood and subsequent journey to icon status. Filming is set to take place on location in Lennon's hometown of Liverpool.

Greenhalgh's script details the story of Lennon as a lonely teenager growing up as his aunt and the mother who gave him up fight for his love. His only escape is music, art and his fateful friendship with Paul McCartney.

Casting for the major roles "is under way," the backers said of the project that is being co-developed with the U.K. Film Council.

Sales and finance house HanWay Films is handling worldwide sales and will be trying to get sellers to tune in at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.

"The women in John's early life truly shaped who he became," Taylor-Wood said, "and the strengths and weaknesses of their relationships are central to this film."

Ecosse and HanWay also worked together on "Becoming Jane" and "Brideshead Revisited."

Christina Aguilera wants another baby

2008-08-28T17:56:00.000+07:00

Christina Aguilera wants another baby.

The 'Dirrty' singer - who gave birth to her first child, Max Liron, in January - revealed she and husband Jordan Bratman hope to add to their brood because they love parenthood so much.

She said: "It is the best thing you will ever do in your life.

"It just lights up my whole world when Max laughs.

"Being a mother just gives you a whole new sense of purpose, and it's just the most amazing thing. I was in awe of the entire experience of pregnancy - the entire journey was just incredible."

Meanwhile, Christina claims her instincts have helped her maintain a long career. The 27-year-old singer - who shot to fame aged 13 in 'The New Mickey Mouse Club' - explained: "In this business it gets crazy - the people that you sort of have to weed through with bad intentions or ulterior motives - but you have to trust your instincts.

"In the end, know what you're in it for and it's the love of music and the love of what I do, so I just have fun with it and really continue to try and soul search and be myself continuously through and through."

Pink has denies ‘dissing’ her estranged husband's new video

2008-08-28T17:55:00.001+07:00

Pink has denied 'dissing’ her estranged husband in her new video.

The 'Stupid Girls’ singer – real name Alecia Moore – is seen sawing down a tree bearing a love heart containing her and motocross star Carey Hart's names in the promotional clip for 'So What’ as she sings 'I'm all right, I'm just fine and you're a tool'.

However, the singer insists there is 'much love attached' to the video and it shouldn’t be taken seriously. She told radio host Ryan Seacrest: "It's very sarcastic and sick humour, and it's also a 'screw you' anthem with so much love attached. It's like when a kindergartener goes up and punches a girl he likes and runs away. Care Bear's my darling. It's all good.

"It's what I do. I'm healing myself with other songs. I've been having a lot of fun." Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Pink will perform 'So What’ at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Rapper T.I., Paramore and Rihanna – who performed 'Umbrella’ at last year’s ceremony – will also join confirmed artists the Jonas Brothers, Kid Rock and Lil’ Wayne, who will play at the Los Angeles event on September 7.

Jackson to appear at the MTV Awards

2008-08-28T17:51:00.001+07:00

Michael Jackson is rumoured to be appearing at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The 'Thriller' singer - who turns 50 tomorrow (29.08.08) - is reportedly in talks to present an award with his sister Janet at the ceremony which is taking place on September 7 in Los Angeles.

The reclusive star is in the process of recording his new album in Las Vegas at the moment, and MTV bosses are keen for him to re-launch his faltering career by appearing at the show.

Michael - whose career has faltered since he was acquitted of child sex charges in 2005 - has been in the studio with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am.

It was recently rumoured troubled pop star Britney Spears would be making her comeback at the ceremony, but her manager Larry Rudolph has since denied the claims.

He said: "Contrary to media reports, Britney was never slated to perform at this year's VMAs. She's in the middle of recording her next album, which is going amazingly well, and her focus remains on the studio."

MTV has yet to announce who will be presenting awards at the event - which is being hosted by British comedian Russell Brand - although they have released a list of performers, with Pink, Rihanna and the Jonas Brothers all set to take to the stage.

The Doors' legal battle nearly over

2008-08-23T23:53:00.001+07:00

SAN FRANCISCO -- The end is near for a bitter legal dispute between the three surviving members of the Doors now that the California Supreme Court has refused to take up their case.

Keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger are on the hook for more than $5 million after they were found by lower courts to have improperly invoked the Doors' name and images during a 2003 concert tour. After the high court declined to hear their appeal on Aug. 13, they'll have to pay up to drummer John Densmore, the parents of the deceased lead singer Jim Morrison and the parents of Morrison's deceased wife, Pamela Courson, who died in 1974.

The case goes back to 2002, when Densmore declined an offer from the other two to go on a concert tour as the Doors. Densmore said he didn't object to Manzarek and Krieger touring and singing the Doors' songs, as long as they didn't call themselves the Doors, use the group's distinctive logo or any other Morrison-era imagery.

"You can't call yourselves the Doors because you can't have the Doors without Jim Morrison," Densmore's attorney S. Jerome Mandel said.

Densmore and the parents sued Manzarek and Krieger in 2003 after the two began touring the country with Ian Astbury, former lead singer of the Cult, and calling themselves the Doors of the 21st Century.

Densmore complained that the phrase "of the 21st Century" was often little more than fine print in advertisements and that the new band displayed Morrison's image dozens of times during concerts. The tour grossed $8 million and netted $3.2 million, which went to the new band's company called Doors Touring, Inc. and none of which went to Densmore or the parents.

In 2005, a judge ordered the new band to stop using "The Doors" in any form and ordered Manzarek and Krieger to pay Densmore and the parents a combined $3.2 million, plus $2 million in legal costs.

An appeals court upheld the $3.2 million award, and is considering Manzarek and Krieger's appeal of the $2 million in legals costs as excessive.

"It's really disappointing," said lawyer Mark Poster, who represented Manzarek and Krieger. He said the two pursued the appeal so vigorously because a judge had overruled a jury decision in awarding Densmore damages.

The dispute stems from a 1970 agreement signed by the four original band members, including Morrison, that any business deal would require an unanimous vote of the Doors. The agreement was reached after Morrison and three others got into a "violent disagreement" over using "Light my Fire" in a Buick television commercial, according to the appeals court's decision in May backing Densmore.

"While the three partners had agreed to the commercial, Morrison vehemently disagreed and the commercial was not done," the appeals court wrote.

Since Morrison's death in Paris in 1971, the remaining band members and the parents split Morrison's share of the still-flourishing sale of the Doors' music and memorabilia. Each partner has veto power over business deals.

Seven years ago, for instance, General Motors offered the partnership $15 million to use "Light My Fire" to sell Cadillacs, and everyone but Densmore wanted to take the deal. Densmore also refused an endorsement deal offered by iPod maker Apple.

"Morrison had been adamant against doing commercials and Densmore wanted to honor Morrison's memory," the appeals court noted in its May ruling.

The Los Angeles-based band, which was inducted in 1992 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had a string of hits in the 1960s including "Break on Through," "L.A. Woman" and "Riders on the Storm."

Manzarek and Krieger now call themselves Riders on the Storm and continue to perform the Doors' songs live.

Nicolas Cage is a 'Kick-Ass' ex-cop

2008-08-23T23:52:00.003+07:00

Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson and Lyndsy Fonseca are set to star in "Kick-Ass," Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of the violent Mark Millar comic book.

Written by Millar and drawn by John Romita Jr., the Marvel Comics' Icon imprint book centers on a high school dweeb named Dave Lizewski who decides to become a superhero even though he has no athletic ability or coordination. Things change when he eventually runs into real bad guys with real weapons.

Johnson plays the dweeb and title character, while Fonseca plays the object of the teen's infatuation who believes Dave is gay. Cage is a former cop who wants to bring down a druglord and has trained his daughter (Chloe Moretz) to be a lethal weapon.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse is also in the cast.

Vaughn and his Marv Films partner Kris Thykier are producing the feature, which is being financed independently as many studios balked at the bloody nature of the project. David Reed is also producing.

A fall shoot in London and Toronto is planned.

Brit actor Johnson had a blink-and-you-missed-it cameo as a kiddie Charlie Chaplin in "Shanghai Knights." He went on to star in "The Thief Lord" and is one of the stars of "Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging." He is repped by WMA and Principal Entertainment.

Fonseca, repped by Gersh and Sager Management, is known for her work in TV's "Big Love" as well as "Desperate Housewives" and "How I Met Your Mother."

Cage, repped by CAA, next appears in "Bangkok Dangerous."

Sheryl Crow trades votes for downloads

2008-08-23T23:49:00.000+07:00

Sheryl Crow wants your vote -- and figures she can get it for a song.

The Grammy-winning singer is offering a free download of her politically charged tune "Gasoline" to anyone who logs onto the Rock the Vote Web site or anyone on the group's mailing list.

And the first 50,000 people who register three friends to vote will get a free digital copy of her album "Detours."

"I hope people wake up and emotionally engage in issues," Crow said in a telephone interview during a visit to Los Angeles.

Crow's giveaway is a kickoff to Rock the Vote's voter registration drive, said the organization's executive director Heather Smith.

Crow, 46, was one of the founding artists of Rock the Vote 18 years ago. She said the "Detours" album fits perfectly into the group's cause since the lyrics touch on topics such as adoption, breast cancer, the war in Iraq, the environment and Hurricane Katrina.

"It's about the issues that everyone's talking about, but there's a lot of hope," Crow said. "At this moment in my life, writing about anything else would be uninteresting and impossible because I feel such urgency."

Rock the Vote aims to register 2 million young people to vote by November -- the largest youth voter drive in history by three times, Smith said. Anyone who recruits three people to vote will have to log onto the Rock the Vote Web site and go through a verification process before receiving Crow's album, Smith said.

Paramount eyes Famous fortune

2008-08-20T23:33:00.002+07:00

More than a year after its formation, Paramount Home Entertainment's ambitious direct-to-video initiative has a branded name, concrete production and release plans and a series of senior management appointments.

The unit, under the direction of former Universal Studios Home Entertainment president Louis Feola, will operate as Paramount Famous Prods., a nod to its intent to exploit its library of theatrical features with direct-to-video sequels, prequels and spinoffs.

Principal photography has just wrapped on "Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling," a sequel to the 2004 theatrical comedy about three men on a camping expedition to find the lost D.B. Cooper bounty. It grossed $58.2 million in U.S. theaters.

The DVD is scheduled for release in early 2009. Meanwhile, Par Famous is developing more than a half-dozen other projects, based on such hit movies as "Road Trip," "Bad News Bears," "Naked Gun," "Mean Girls" and "Grease."

Ultimate plans call for the division to release five to six films a year, beginning in 2010, most of them based on theatrical pictures in the libraries of Paramount, Paramount Vantage, DreamWorks, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. Par Famous also will develop filmed entertainment content with Viacom-owned cable networks such as BET, Comedy Central and Spike TV.

"The name Paramount Famous Prods. speaks to the studio's rich history and reputation for delivering world-class, memorable entertainment to diverse audiences," said Par Famous president Feola. "We plan to continue building on Paramount's legacy and the strength of Viacom's brands by developing tailor-made entertainment to moviegoers who choose to view our films on today's expanding, nontheatrical distribution platforms such as Blu-ray and VOD."

Kelley Avery, president of worldwide home entertainment for Paramount, said she expects Par Famous' DTV movies "will further enhance our robust portfolio and position in the industry." Paramount this year is bringing to DVD and Blu-ray two of the year's top three movies, "Iron Man" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," as well as "Kung Fu Panda," the year's No. 6 theatrical grosser.

Par Famous also announced three executive appointments to help Feola run the division.

Peter Green, tapped as senior vp development and production, was senior vp programming and production for cable network G4. He spent 13 years at the Walt Disney Co., where as president and producer of Fountain Prods. he developed dozens of projects, including "Parent Trap 2," "Herbie Rides Again" and "Inspector Gadget 2," the latter Disney's first foray into live-action DTV.

Joel Goldstein, senior vp business affairs, spent eight years at Village Roadshow Pictures, most recently as vp business and legal affairs. And Traci Nishida, vp finance, comes to Paramount from NBC Universal, where she spent more than 18 years as a finance executive.

Paramount is one of several major studios plunging into the lucrative business of producing movies directly for the home entertainment market.

This week, USHE released a DTV prequel, "The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior," which division president Craig Kornblau called the studio's "most ambitious" made-for-video production yet.

Universal has made serious money with its DTV movies, Kornblau said. Three sequels to "American Pie" and three more DVD originals based on the cheerleader movie "Bring It On" have sold between 1 million-2 million units each, which translates into total consumer spending of nearly $200 million.

Universal hopes 'Mamma Mia!' sings

2008-08-20T23:30:00.001+07:00

Moviegoers who can't resist singing along to "Dancing Queen" are in luck.

Universal is looking to pump up Labor Day weekend grosses for its hit movie musical "Mamma Mia!" by presenting "Mamma Mia! The Sing-Along Edition" in select theaters nationwide.

Powered by ABBA tunes, the musical starring Meryl Streep has grossed more than $320 million worldwide. Domestically, it has grossed nearly $117 million and is close to surpassing "Hairspray" (which grossed nearly $119 million) to become one of the top-grossing musicals of all time, ranking below "Grease," "Chicago" and "The Sound of Music."

For the sing-along engagements, the movie's prints will include subtitled lyrics to all the songs so that audiences can sing along. "Sing-along" showings of movie musicals have become popular on the festival circuit, and last summer New Line also employed the strategy several weeks into its run of "Hairspray."

Gregg Kilday 8/19/08 digest version

On Aug. 29, Universal will release a sing-a-long version of "Mamma Mia!" in select theaters nationwide. Audiences will be invited to follow subtitled lyrics to the ABBA tunes which power the movie musical, which has grossed more than $320 million worldwide to date.

Am I Missing Something? Music of 2008

2008-08-18T20:12:00.003+07:00

As the mid point of 2008 has arrived, I started to think about what recordings from this year are leading in my list of favs for the year, and found myself struggling to feel real strong about anything much that I’ve heard this year. I’m not saying that there hasn’t been any good music released this year, but last year at this time, the scene was a buzz with releases by Feist, Spoon, The National, Grizzly Bear, and more. Although I may not have felt as strongly about some of these releases as some other folks, just out of personal preferences, they had a huge impact on the scene in mid 2o07. Undeniable. What do we have this year?

My Morning Jacket’s recent beat laden release Evil Urges hasn’t quite made the splash with the critics that die-hard fans would have liked, and quite a few die-hard fans are still on the fence in regards to this release. It seems to be exposing the band to a new generation of listeners, which is great for the band, but is it the album some were hoping for? I personally enjoy the record for what it is, but the recording as a whole, falls short of the greatness that we come to expect from MMJ. Maybe some of us expect too much?
Fleet Foxes self-titled release on Sub Pop is one of this year’s more promising releases, reminding me a bit of 2007’s Yellow House by Grizzly Bear, with it’s uniquely familiar, strange and beautiful sounds.
I am quite fond of the Scottish folk indie-rock sounds found on Frightened Rabbit’s effort The Midnight Organ Fight, and would highly recommend the recording to anyone, but it’s not blowing my mind.
I do like the guitar heavy, drenched in despair (I stole the despair comment from someone else) recording Plunder, Beg, and Curse from the southern band Colour Revolt. It’s extremely dense and complex in it’s structure, and flat out rocks. This one might be one for a year-end list.
Portishead, The Gutter Twins, The Black Angels, Tokyo Police Club? All have made respectable recordings released this year, but still nothing I’m getting too excited about.

Maybe it’s me? Maybe I’m becoming an old jaded blogger who will start to argue that the best music has already been made and there is no hope for the future of rock-n-roll. I don’t think so. I just think that musically 2008 has a bit of catching up to do, if it is going to dare to live up to the year of 2007. 2007 does have Radiohead on it’s side, so it might be a tough haul.

If there is something out there that you think I’m missing, that might just change my mind about 2008, then I beg of you…..please let me know. I’m thirsty, and we’re in a bit of a drought. Not dying by any means, just looking to get shook to my core by someone.

The National Support Obama w/T-Shirt Design

2008-08-18T20:09:00.002+07:00

I’m not claiming any political alliance with any candidate, as I choose to not speak my political views or opinions as a general rule. I just think that this is news worthy, and I really like The National. I mean, I really like The National. And it’s kind of a cool way to show support I think.

The National, one of the greatest bands around currently if you haven’t been paying attention, have designed a t-shirt for Barack Obama in support of the presidential candidate. The design features Obama’s mug placed above the wording “Mr. November” which is the title of a song off of the band’s release Alligator. All proceeds from the t-shirt sales go towards Obama’s campaign fund.

I suggest that you listen to the words of the song as they are curiously suited for this little project.

You can purchase the shirt here: The National Online Shop

New Modest Mouse

2008-08-18T20:04:00.002+07:00

Back in February, Modest Mouse front man Isaac Brock mentioned to Rolling Stone a new EP. That currently-untitled EP will feature unreleased songs from the band’s two latest albums. Rumored track so far have been “Autumn Beds,” “The Whale Song,” and “Satellite Skin.” While no release date has been announced, the band has been playing some of the tracks on the road, and video has finally surfaced of one of them. Below is a video of “Satellite Skin,” and while the quality is mediocre at best, it still gives you a good sense of how the song will eventually sound on the forthcoming EP.

Beach House Should Play In Black Cabs More Often

2008-08-16T23:21:00.001+07:00

On their recent swing through Europe, Alex and Victoria seem to have partaken freely of all local cultures and their relevant web-friendly music features. To wit: The Baltimore duo accepted the challenge of writing and recording an original piece of music for the Norwegian show Lydverket a few months ago, to very pretty albeit typically sepia-tinged results. Sorta to wit: I imagine they were in Paris, and I'm sure we'll have something to La Blogabout shortly, there. Today's to wit: a web bonus from their time in London. It is not new Beach House per se (the song is the preexisting and lovely "Heart Of Chambers"), but the environs are relatively novel (not sick of these Black Cab things yet, right?), and the organ and reverb free arrangement of the track even more so. There's a guitar and a drum, and in this stripped, acoustic environment Victoria sounds less ethereal, and entirely more earthy -- and that little bit of vocal husk does the song good.

Hearing serious possibilities for whenever Beach House decide they're over their dreamy side. Pretty exciting, actually. Although, as our devotion to their last record suggests, there need be no rush on that front.

The B-52’s FUNPLEX

2008-08-16T23:17:00.002+07:00

I haven’t heard “The B-52’s” in years. Do you remember singing along to that one song right…? LOVE SHACK BABY YA LOVE SHACK or something like that. Anyways, I mildly shocked to find out they are coming out with a new album this month. “FUNPLEX” is due out March 25th and it’s being marketed as “the first record of the 21st century from The B-52s!” hahah awesome. Lets get one thing straight, I’m young, I remember listening to them when I was 15 or so… who knows. “Love Shack” practically always played on the radio and I watched the video a handful of times. I remember thinking they looked kinda old then so you know they’ve aged a bit more over the past 10 + years… but they’re back in the game! I say good for them and I’m sure they still have a large fan base.

Here’s a quote for good measure on the album,

“It’s loud, sexy rock and roll, with the beat pumped up to hot pink,” says guitarist Keith Strickland.

The only problem I have with that quote is the “sexy” part. I’m sorry that I’m not sorry but those chicks are old, and I’m not a cougar hunter.

One last note, there is a REMIX EP out that I’ll try to get my hands on soon featuring CSS, Peaches and Scissor Sisters.

The Morning Benders share covers EP

2008-08-16T23:16:00.002+07:00

I have no idea why it took me so long to get around to posting on this. I friggin love the Morning Benders and I really love covers. Sounds like a no brainer, huh?

The Morning Benders assembled their computer mic and did a couple quick and beautiful covers of some of pop music’s best bands: the Smiths, Paul Simon, the Beach Boys, the Ronettes, Fleetwood Mac and tons more. The best part? They’re offering all these as a free download over at their site:

Download The Bedroom Covers by the Morning Benders

New Peter Bjorn & John - "Inland Empire"

2008-08-16T23:14:00.002+07:00

Since taking prime time television with that ubiquitously whistled Asian Riff, PB&J have found plenty of ways to stay busy, teaming up with cool-questing Kanye in Sweden, Peter offering a turn as downcast troubadour, and so many et ceteras. Still, it's been awhile since Writer's Block. And it'll be awhile more before we get a proper pop follow-up from the Swedes. There is a stop gap though, via the forthcoming (mostly) instrumental album they've titled Seaside Rock. From the sound of the first single, "Inland Empire" (see also) -- and befitting the "see also" -- it's gonna be dark, saxy, and sexy.

That comes via P4K, who also have a PB&J-penned press release which explains the new album's duskier sounds in flip fashion. Seaside Rock is out in the US on 9/23 via Almost Gold / Star Time International.

Okkervil River: “Pop Lie”

2008-08-16T23:09:00.001+07:00

Man, I’m bummed that I missed Okkervil River at Lollaplooza. Their new record The Stand-Ins is another great album in their history of great albums. But, I wasn’t feeling too well, so what can you do?

“Pop Lie” doesn’t have the best lyrics of an Okkervil River song, but it deserves an award for its premise, if not its catchiness. Though unfortunately it’s apparently not an answer to Prince’s “Pop Life,” “Pop Lie” makes me grin each time I listen to it. In a way it’s absurd: people becoming riotously angry because a pop singer lied in a song. I mean really, how many times have you listened to pop songs that told you that everything works out and love wins in the end? You didn’t actually believe them, did you? Well the people in “Pop Lie” did — and they’re pissed. It’s like Nick Horby said in High Fidelity: “People worry about kids playing with gun, and teenagers watching violent videos; we are scared that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands — literally thousands — of songs about broken hearts and rejection and pain and misery and loss.”

Well here’s a song for the people who do worry.

Nirvana’s Nevermind Cover Kid

2008-08-16T23:08:00.001+07:00

On last week’s All Things Considered on NPR, the program caught up with Spencer Elden (now 17), the boy in the iconic album cover of Nirvana’s Nevermind. Apparently now he’s just a “straight up” California kid, who hates high school and plays Rock Band. The only difference between him and a typical teenager is that he owns a platinum record and his penis has been seen by millions of people. Check out the interesting interview HERE.