Spoon Limited Edition Vinyl

The luck of 7-7-07 has found me today, but I won't brag because the day isn't over yet.

A few months back Merge announced the pre-order promotion for the new Spoon album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. The first 200 people to pre-order the album would get a limited edition 7" vinyl, autographed by the band. Of course I raced to the website to put in my pre-order, and after I got the order in, the site was still advertising the promotion. I kept my fingers crossed in hopes that I got mine in on time. I clicked over to Spoon's site, and the promotion had already been removed.

I figured that I probably didn't make the cut, but it really didn't matter. I got my order in for the album anyway, which I obviously planned on buying, so no loss if I didn't.

So here we are, 4 days before the release of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, and in the mail today was a package from Merge. I got excited about opening it up, just due to the fact that I have it before the actual release. I completely forgot about the promotion of the autographed 7". I opened the package and dug right into the CD. I was pretty excited about the bonus disc. Stumbled around the extras that i got with it, a poster and a button, and then i eyed up the 12" of the album. I wasn't until I picked it up that i found tucked underneath of it was the 7" bonus...AUTOGRAPHED BY THE BAND!!!!

So being a huge fan of the band, I am thrilled. Im a firm believer that an autograph really doesn't mean much unless you obtain it yourself. Its fun just to meet the band, get a picture and maybe an autograph to show off later. But with that said, I am always willing to snatch up a freebie like this.

I've taken a snapshot of the entire package. And in case you were wondering, Britt's autograph is on the back of the sleeve, so you cant see it in the photo.

Smashing Paris

Having been a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins for quite some time, and really not much of one for the past few years, I'm obviously intrigued by the release of their first album in 7 years, Zeitgeist. I'm not going to dwell on the fact that we are only dealing with 1/2 of the original lineup. Its aways been about Billy anyway.

The first single from the album, Tarantula, is pretty great. It honestly brings to mind that old familiar sound that only the Pumpkins could make, without a hint of The Future Embrace or even Zwan. As much as I wanted to shrug the album off, and declare that using the name Smashing Pumpkins again was just a way to bring back a brand...I really dont feel like it is. And best of all, its not Machina III.

Shockingly, the album artwork for the UK single for Tarantula features none other than Paris Hilton. The single was released on Monday July 2nd (why do we release albums on Tuesday?). I think just based on the fact that is so funny, I have to order it.

UPDATE: I just ordered the CD single from amazon.co.uk. Pretty cheap too. I can't wait to get it!

Adams Eve

So, here we are on the eve of the release of Easy Tiger, the latest installment to a collection of crap records you can buy with your overpriced but wonderful Starbucks coffee.
Ryan Adams is my favorite artist, but I am really not looking forward to giving Easy Tiger its first spin. Ive managed to avoid the leak for my own reasons. I didnt want to spoil it...for better or for worse. There has been nothing but a sea of what I would consider negative press. Early reviews on the record called it a return to form...a return to the magic of Heartbreaker, Ryan's first solo push. Ive never been one to buy the "return to form" garbage. I honestly dont believe that its ever possible for an artist to ever return to the place in time in which they were at their best. Like the Rolling Stones for example. They still put out records, but no matter how hard they try they will never be able to capture Gimme Shelter and put it into a solid new radio hit.

Back to the subject at hand. Yes, I will go out and buy the record tomorrow. Yes, I will buy the Vinyl. But will I ever care? Will this album ever mean anything to me or will it be just another book up on the shelf? Who knows. Who cares for that matter.

And while Im at it, I have to say that the best and most complete album Ryan has put out was Cold Roses. And as many times as you will hear that Rock N Roll was garbage, I have to say that it happens to be a classic in my book. Its brilliant. It rocks...and it rolls.

Don't let me down Easy Tiger.
Please.

Pet Grief

It's really not often that a friend of mine turns me on to a band that I have both A: Never heard of, and B: Never heard their music. Usually I can claim one or both and sometimes have claimed one or both just to hide the fact that I had no clue. However in the case of Swedish band The Radio Dept., I will honestly admit that I was in the dark....and was I ever missing out on something great.

After being clued in by my new friend Chris, I picked up their 2006, Labrador Records release, Pet Grief. Its the second long player from The Radio Dept. and it's a stunning piece of work. Lo-fi, sweeping melodies of acoustic guitar and piano and electronic percussion, mixed with lush quiet spoken vocals. Mixed together it creates a swelling sound that just works.

I have been playing Pet Grief on repeat for nearly a month now. Just when I was ready to rewind into their back catalog I discovered that they have a slated October release for a new full length album.

Best of all, you can get it all on emusic!

Take a listen...

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky - Review

Wilco
Sky Blue Sky
Nonesuch, 2007

5.0




The first track on every Wilco album is something special. Its a song that prepares the listener for the adventure they are about to go on. Usually slow in tempo, sometimes dragging out past the 6 minute range. Its a song that lets you know that something special is about to happen. A solid opener is something that Wilco fans expect.

On Either Way, the opening track from Sky Blue Sky, that special something never comes. Which sadly does help fit the requirement of the Wilco album opener to be a song that sets the pace. Because throughout the entire duration of Sky Blue Sky, that something special never appears.

I hate to compare a bands past albums to their current album, but in this case I feel its necessary to make exception. Progress through the first 5 albums of Wilco's catalog should not lead us to Sky Blue Sky. From setting the standard for the sound of a genre, to pushing that sound to great heights, Wilco has taken a step back here. Sky Blue Sky is the sound of a band no longer willing to take risks.

The album comes across as one long song. Never building up, and almost never changing tempo. Its not until half-way through track 5, "Side With The Seeds", that we hear anything that sounds even close to the sound they are capable of producing. The static of seemingly improvised guitar solos finally washes over. But it comes and goes, taking us right back to where we were....which was in a coma.

After two risky and ambitious albums Wilco have stripped it back down to basics. Every Wilco album is different and special in their own way. They can almost all be summed up with one word. And I suppose that Sky Blue Sky is the same.

Safe.

Easy Sheryl

So, for the past few days I have been crying myself to sleep. I just cant deal with the Crowvirus Ryan Adams is injecting into my ears. After finally hearing the song "Two" on Ryan's MySpace site, i am slightly relieved. You almost can't even hear her. Which brings the question...Why is her presence necessary in the first place?

On 2005's Jacksonville City Nights, Norah Jones appeared for a little background help on the song "Dear John". Upon hearing the news of that collaboration I was a bit shocked, but the difference with that is that I actually have R E S P E C T for Norah Jones as a musician, and more importantly as a human being! Sheryl Crow is terrible. When she first broke onto the music scene she was respectable...but after she decided to start soaking up sun, all respect was lost. Even worse is the fact that she is a homewrecker with yellow wrist band man himself, Lance Armstrong. "Come on Lance, leave your wife and kids for me, all I wanna do is have some fun!"

She sucks.

The only positive note is that when i did a Google image search for her picture, about half of the images I found involved toilet paper!

If Ryan decides to rock out with Macy Gray on his next album, I believe that will be the end of the road for me.

Return

Well, ive been lost at sea for a while. Life has been busy and I needed a break from the blog. However, today I return.

Rock.

Dave

After Hours with Of Montreal

Thursday, April 12th Of Montreal will perform on Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Should be interesting. Since its network television and not Las Vegas, Kevin Barnes will probably be forced to keep his artistic expression in his pants.

Should be worth staying up to watch so save the date.

The Orange Peels

Last week I clicked my way through about 10 eMusic "Sounds Like" links until I came to a band called The Orange Peels. I think I happened upon them before because I recognized the name. I glanced at a few listener reviews and with that my curiosity got the best of me. I decided to take the plunge.

The music is very catchy. Sometimes a little too predictable as far as the lyrics go. But the sound is very full of life. It probably helped that I started listening to the album on a rare 70 degree winter day.

I don't know what the band is currently up to but take a listen for yourself.

My favorite track is California Blue.


myspace.com/opeels

Easy Pill

Just over a year ago I had the good fortune of seeing Ted Leo/Pharmacists open up for Ryan Adams at Irving Plaza in New York. There were about a dozen bands on the bill that night since it was a benefit show with proceeds going to hurricane Katrina. The whole show was put together by Jesse Malin, a sidekick of Mr. Adams. Anyway, there were a lot of bands on the bill that I had never seen, and some that had never heard of. The likes of Marah, Jesse Malin, Ted Leo/Rx, Butch Walker, Debbie Harry and others...obviously Ryan Adams & The Cardinals.

Of all those bands Ted Leo and the Pharmacists stole the show for me. I was blown away by their explosiveness on the stage. The band ripped through their set and hooked us all. I personally went home and wasted no time in snatching up 2 of their albums...then later the rest. Shake The Sheets is stunning. Perfect punk infected rock music with hook after hook. It gets a little political, but thats what Ted likes to do. Its not overbearing or preachy though, thats something I can't deal with. Leave your politics at home. But with Ted Leo it just comes across perfectly.

Their first release with Touch and Go records is out today "Living With The Living". I will review it when I have heard it. I plan on buying the vinyl which comes with free mp3 downloads of the entire album. Otherwise, you can find it on eMusic.

And honestly, if you don't already have the album "Shake The Sheets" you don't realize the void in your life. Get it first!

www.tedleo.com

Enjoy.

Spooning

Ever have a desire to see a room full of 200 white boys stand in place and dance their faces off without a care?

Ever have a desire to be a part of such an event?

As luck would have it Spoon are heading out on a short tour. What is lucky about this you ask? The very short tour will be making a stop in both Baltimore and Philadelphia!!!!! AND both shows are in small venues. AND both shows are on the weekend!!!!

My only Spoon experience was an eventful evening. Kozy and I hit up the TLA on South to watch Spoon rock right after their latest release Gimme Fiction. The show was amazing. They were one of the tightest rock bands i have ever seen. The entire room was gripped by the performance, and all the while our feet could not stop dancing and tapping.

This time around Spoon are probably going to be warming up a few new songs that will come on their next album, which is speculated to be released sometime this year. As soon as the current flames being put off by the "Fire" start to die down im sure.


04-21 Baltimore, MD - Sonar
04-22 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom


I hope to see you there. Hmmmm, perhaps it will be a full on Spoon weekend!

Wincing The Vinyl Away

Alright. I recently admitted that I did not go out and buy The Shins new album Wincing The Night Away, when it was released officially a few weeks ago. Three reasons really came into play. First, I was broke. Second, I have had a perfect copy of the album for several months. And Third, I honestly played it out so bad, that I didn't even have a desire to listen to it in its true form.

So for the first time in years, I broke my own rule. A personal rule that states the following....

It is only ok to illegally download an anticipated album if I commit myself to an "eventual purchase".

Now obviously if the supposed anticipated album that has leaked turns out to be terrible, then the commitment to slap down money to buy it does not exist. It ends there.

But with an album such as Wincing The Night Away, which I am crazy about, there is no doubt that I have to own the real thing. I feel good about supporting the artist, not so much financially, but just to get out there and contribute to the number of albums they sell. To show them and the label that I want this band to be able to continue to make music. It's also important to me to keep my own collection of cd's and each bands catalog up to date.

Feeling my regret over the past few weeks, I ended up wandering into Bert's on Saturday. I wasn't really concerned at that point about catching up on my Shins collection. I just wanted to wander in, and buy a random cd (Writers Block) that I can't download from eMusic. Plus, I like Bert's and I like Bert. It's important to support my local music shop.

While scanning the walls that are covered in new vinyl records, I noticed that he had Wincing The Night Away. My chance to redeem myself perhaps. Though I am a serious vinyl collector, I have never bypassed a CD purchase and moved straight into vinyl. Until this day. I noticed the sticker on front of the record. It stated that inside the package of this vinyl album there was a code that would allow me to download mp3's of each song.

Now, this is nothing new. I have seen this concept appear from time to time on other vinyl albums. Personally I think its a great idea. Many people consider vinyl to be the "true format". So If i can buy a copy of an album in its true vinyl form and be able to download the album on its dreaded low quality file format...then Im all in!

So now I own Wincing The Night Away. Giant 12"x12" artwork, bonus poster, free mp3 downloads from Sub Pop....and my own copy of the album....in its true format. All for only $13.99.

And future anticipated vinyl releases that will include free mp3 downloads are the new Ted Leo/Rx album and the new Arcade Fire album.

Very exciting.

Silverchair. Webster Hall. 02.13.07

I don't believe I have ever gone to such great lengths to see a band. First, I was unable to get tickets to either NYC show because they sold out before I could blink. I found a good deal on a Buy It Now eBay auction for 2 tickets to the Webster Hall show and was beyond satisfied with that.

Fast forward to the day of the show. The entire eastern seaboard is experiencing severe winter weather for the first time this entire winter. Snow, freezing rain, ice, sleet, high winds, below freezing temperatures....all of which offer ideal driving conditions for a 150 mile drive to New York City....especially when half of that trip will be traveled in the middle of the night.

And you ask why? How could this band Silverchair offer an experience worth braving all of this?

On May 20, 2003 I was one of the few lucky people in this country to see Silverchair play one of only 4 shows in the US....their first in nearly 4 years....and their last for nearly 4 years. It was one of the most stunning, jaw dropping and eclectic sets I have ever seen. The band played songs from every album but their debut. The rocked hard, softened it with Daniel playing songs on the keyboard, entertained us with antics of all sorts. Daniel was all about theatrics at the time. From his attire, to the way he danced around the stage in circles and went crazy. I even remember him yelling out a drink order to the back bar, and having the crowd pass the drink all the way to the front. He said we dare not spill a drop. We didn't.

Last night I witnessed the return of Silverchair to the great city of New York. Webster Hall, February 13, 2007. The band has changed a lot since they last played this city. Four years older, and much more straight forward and professional in their delivery. This time, they were strictly business. Daniel kept his antics to a minimum, but when he did take on the role of the front man you could see Ben and Chris exchange smiles with each other. Daniel was clean cut, dressed in a full suit, which of course with Daniel being Daniel, the suit disappeared throughout the show, one layer at a time. It's always refreshing to see that Daniel still plays the same guitars at every show. It really preserves that lasting impression and familiarity when you see them live. Chris also played many of the same bass guitars, and Ben was rocking on the same drum kit that he used at the Bowery in 2003.

The songs were the same, but different. In 2003, the band tried hard to make every one of their old songs fit into the Diorama mold. They had no choice really. The songs on Diorama were massive, they were whimsical and rocked all at the same time. In 2003 they adjusted many of the old songs to fit right alongside the new ones. They added longer and cleaner guitar solos to songs such as Ana's Song (Open Fire), and made songs like Anthem For The Year 2000 even larger than life.

Last night they just put it out there. They played the songs straight through, altered them just a bit, whether it was Daniel singing in a different key from time to time, or drifting into different guitar solos. I felt like it was truly a live performance. Just a band being themselves. Not as rehearsed sounding as the Diorama tour. This I'm sure was due to the very straight forward rocking sound of the new songs from the upcoming release Young Modern. The songs sounded great live and I can't wait to hear the recorded versions. It's nearly impossible to follow up an album like Diorama and make everybody happy, but I know that if anyone can do it, its Silverchair.

The show completely lacked intimacy. A solo performance from Daniel on the keyboard, sweeping us away with After All These Years or Miss You Love or Asylum, simply never came. I was however pleased that they didn't even attempt to touch anything from Frogstomp. As much as I still love those songs, there really are just so many more songs they have recorded since then that I would rather hear. It was also difficult to realize that some of the older staple songs in the bands live set list have been cut to make way for the new songs. Paint Pastel Princess, Black Tangled Heart, Anthem, and many others, mostly from Neon Ballroom went missing.

All in all, the show was brilliant. If Silverchair never come to Philadelphia again, and I have to drive to NY, NY every 4 years to see them, then I am more than willing to make that commitment.

Rock.

The SETLIST:
Without You / Emotion Sickness / Greatest View / World Upon Your Shoulders / Across the Night / Young Modern / Ana's Song / Straight Lines / Tuna In The Brine / Luv Your Life / The Door / Don't Wanna Be The One / Mindreader / Freak
ENCORE
If You Keep Losing Sleep / Lever

2007 PLUG: Independent Music Awards

So while the spectacular musical talents of Mary J. Blige were being awarded by the Grammys last night, there was another, less credible portion of the music industry handing out its awards. I of course am joking. I hate MJB with a passion, but was happier to see the Dixie Chicks win Album of the Year over the others.

The winners of the 2007 Plug: Independent Music awards:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR- Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR- Arctic Monkeys
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR- Neko Case
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR- Sufjan Stevens
INDIE ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR- Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid Of You...
AMERICANA ALBUM OF THE YEAR- Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM OF THE YEAR- Thom York - The Eraser
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR- Broken Social Scene
SONG OF THE YEAR- Band of Horses - The Funeral
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR- Wolf Parade - I'll Believe In Anything
ALBUM ART/PACKAGING OF THE YEAR- Hot Chip - The Warning
RECORD LABEL OF THE YEAR- Sub Pop
LIVE MUSIC VENUE OF THE YEAR- Bowery Ballroom - NY, NY
MUSIC WEBSITE OF THE YEAR- pitchforkmedia.com
MUSIC BLOG OF THE YEAR- brooklynvegan.com
MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR- Paste
ONLINE RECORD STORE OF THE YEAR- Amazon.com


For more winners and all to see all of the nominees visit www.plugawards.com.

These Friends of Mine

Just wanted to say that tonight I decided to see what Rosie Thomas was all about. I really only remembered hearing her name in connection to Sufjan and the "scandal" of Sufjan and Rosie making babies together. Which wasn't true at all, it was just a buzz revolving around the fact that they were working on an album together.

Well, that album, These Friends of Mine by Rosie Thomas is to be released on compact disc March 13, 2007(what a day) but eMusic has been offering it for a few weeks now. Tonight I sucked it up and downloaded a free track, and discovered in doing so, that I had already downloaded the title track a few weeks ago(January 6th).

Anyway, I never bothered to listen to any of it until tonight but I have to say that its SPECTACULAR. Its 2am right now and this album is sweeping me off of my feet. I was soooooo ready for bed after Conan was over, but this Rosie experience came out of nowhere.

Its very beautiful acoustic/folk. A lot of harmonizing with Sufjan Stevens and Denison Witmer. Honestly some of the songs sound like Seven Swans era Sufjan songs, except make Sufjan singing the background vocals and on the lead vocals put an amazingly soft and soothing female voice. Slow acoustic guitars, orchestra arrangements and from time to time, Sufjans favorite weapon...the banjo.

I should also add that I have had my 90 download per month eMusic subscription for almost a year now, and until this day I have NEVER until this evening purchased a download booster. I only had enough downloads remaining until February 22 to download 3 songs from the album. After about 2 minutes of debate I went for it.

No regrets.

Silverchair at the Bowery // 2003

Everything you have heard is true. Silverchair are amazing. Here are three pics take by John and I at their show at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC on May 20, 2003 on tour for Diorama. And the answer to your question is....YES....we were front and center stage!

The Video

Mini Kozy

Welcome into the world Tatiyana Rebecca!

Straight Lines

So, according to chairpage.com Silverchair will release the single for Straight Lines on March 10th. So that either means that you can order it and hope that it arrives before the album is released, or wait 3 weeks until Young Modern comes out and have them shipped together. Either way, Silverchair singles are always a must have. This is the word from chairpage...

In other Silverchair news it has been announced that a CD single of “Straight Lines” will be released in Australia on Saturday March 10 with Young Modern to follow on March 31.

The CD single will feature 3 bonus tracks - two more original songs plus a live version of the Midnight Oil classic “I Don’t Wanna Be The One” which Silverchair performed at last year’s ARIA Awards to induct the Oils into the Hall Of Fame.



Sounds good to me!

New Music

Current anticipated, or unanticipated but I tried to include a broad spectrum of albums, future releases:

01/30/07 - Youth Group Casino Twilight Dogs
01/30/07 - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Some Loud Thunder
02/06/07 - Bloc Party A Weekend In The City
02/06/07 - Sondre Lerche Phantom Punch
02/20/07 - Cool Hand Luke The Balancing Act
02/20/07 - Explosions In The Sky All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone
02/20/07 - Anberlin Cities
03/06/07 - Lovedrug Everything Starts Where It Ends
03/06/07 - Relient K Five Score And Seven Years Ago
03/06/07 - The Arcade Fire Neon Bible
03/06/07 - My Brightest Diamond Tear It Down
03/20/07 - The Snake The Cross The Crown Cotton Teeth
03/20/07 - Ted Leo & The Pharmacists Living With The Living
03/29/07 - Silverchair Young Modern (Australian Release, will buy on eBay)
04/02/07 - Maximo Park Our Earthly Pleasures (U.K.)
04/03/07 - Kings Of Leon Because Of The Times
04/10/07 - Bright Eyes Cassadaga
04/17/07 - Waking Ashland The Well
05/15/07 - Wilco Sky Blue Sky

Mae is releasing an album titled Singularity which is slated for an April 2007 release.

matt pond PA is releasing an album titled Last Light late spring.

Say Anything's new album will be entitled In Defense Of The Genre.