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Merriweather Post Pavillion news

Posted in Music News with tags , , , , , , on Sunday, December 14, 2008 by Erik Burg

The Geologist, Avey Tarre, and Panda Bear

The Geologist, Panda Bear, and Avey Tarre

Big news from the Animal Collective camp this week, the release date for the Vinyl of Merriweather Post Pavilion has been pushed up two weeks to January 6th. The digital and cd release of the highly anticipated album will still be on January 20th, but the Vinyl comes equipped with a mp3/wav download of the album so you could essentially have the album two weeks early in any format. Since any mp3 or leak of this album is impossible to have, and sanctions by the “web sheriff” have already been handed down I don’t have any preview to lend, but I’ve heard a streamed version “My Girls” and I can surely say that it is an amazing, hard-hitting track that is in fashion with all the other Animal Collective material out there. Stay tuned for an album review as soon as it hits shelves.

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Akron/Family sign deal with Dead Ocean for album release in 2009

Posted in Music News with tags , , , on Sunday, December 14, 2008 by Ryan Buege

Akron/Family plays some sweet music indeed, and now I can drink merrily this evening knowing that their fourth album will be coming early in 2009. Also, part of the good news this week is that the band as partnered with the very respectable and fan-friendly Texas-based Dead Oceans label for the release of new experimental, folk-influenced rock .

But the most interesting news is about the direction the band has taken on the new album. In a recent interview, member Miles Seaton referred to the album as organic; he also implied that although it is undeniably an “Akron/Family album”, they are very proud of a progression on their sound that expands their sound into uncharted territories. “It started out being really inspired by American soul and West African music,” he says. “We’re all still in love with American classic rock music, but [the new ablum] is inspired by many different directions […] There’s even one track that emphasizes our fondness for extreme noise and painful, almost guttural sounds — raw, primal noise. We’ve alluded to those things, but I think there are a few moments that are mashing all those sounds together, into hopefully, one seven-minute prog masterpiece.”

From the sounds of it, the next album may be their most ambitious yet – but while many bands might fall flat on their faces attempting this kind of thing, Akron/Family seems to actually have the depth to pull something like this off. Every song I’ve heard so far from the band has been unique, but they all have (nearly instantly) earned my long-lasting appreciation. While they definitely show a well-versed appreciation for folk of yesteryear and solid chops to match, they really seem at home when submerging the listener in subliminal background pyschedelia, noise rock, ambience, and engaging, soaring vocals. This band has a very interesting and beautiful approach to modern music. I’m hoping that this release will finally push them into the spotlight so that they can get the credit they deserve for the contributions they’ve made; either way, I’m psyched!

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Talk About a Concept Album

Posted in Music News with tags , , , , on Sunday, December 14, 2008 by Erik Burg

CHECK OUT THE NEW ALBUM REVIEW OF BITTE ORCA! HERE

The Dirty Projectors, what is there to say about this band. Seemingly transforming from a one man act thanks to Dave Longstreth to a four piece band accompanied by his roommate from Yale and two rather beautiful women named Amber and Angel. Longstreth proclaims himself as the “musical director” on their myspace, but he is as active as ever in their musical performance. I saw them this summer at Pitchfork Music Festival and they played the tightest and most “studio-like” performance I saw all weekend, led front and center by Longstreth (and oh yeah, the beautiful girls too, haha). Last year the group released the critically praised “Rise Above” that turned the group from lo-fi one man act, to a band now designed around the entire group. Since then they have been quiet, but in the past week some information about a follow up album has been coming out. 

“The album is related to Plaxico Burress,” says Longstreth. Now there is a concept for an album, a man who shot himself in the leg. Do I have any suggestion as far as what the album will sound like? None at all, but I can only dream that it’ll sample some M.I.A. gunshots. In the past Dirty Projector albums have been based on The Black Flag, September 11th, and the Aztecs so what is next will hopefully come as a great surprise. Longstreth apparently wrote pages worth of words or phrases that had to do with his moods or thoughts and that’s what he started the album with. Most of what wrote deals with heartache, women, and loneliness, but how any of that relates to Plaxico Burress is beyond me. Obviously suggestive of pop-like lyrics hopefully the band will continue on its trend towards incorporating the women vocalists and creating a more pop sound compared to the older lo-fi rock that started with Longstreth. 

Okay so he’s probably fucking with all of us because the album was finished in September, well before any of this Plaxico Non-sense took place. So what to ultimately expect? I’m not quite sure, but I have high hopes because the Dirty Projectors have been evolving on each and every record, and in my opinion getting better and better. Look for the record in early to mid 2009, though no official date has been set (damnit).  Stay tuned for more news! 

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A Storm of Light release new song from collaboration with Nadja

Posted in Music News with tags , on Friday, December 12, 2008 by Ryan Buege

Josh Graham’s A Storm of Light has announced plans for a collaboration with the amazing post-doom/ambient noisemakers of Nadja(!!!), and they have even given us a taste of what we can expect. Go to their myspace page now to listen to “Sister”, the latest release from A Storm of Light.

This song is huge, and I really dig the Isis approach of diving right into the song that they embrace here. However, as I mentioned in my previous review, this is a band that really enjoys indulging in jamming hard on the moments where most bands lose focus.. For some reason, (from my point of view) their riffs during the quiet parts and segues are even more infected and interesting than when they crank out heavy shit during the epic parts. Whatever the case, it’s really refreshing to hear a doom band that is actually surprising and which demands my attention – rather than one that slowly drowns me to sleep with epic riffage. If A Storm of Light can continue to produce such unpredictable AND unforgiving songs, there will be no one to stop them. Really, Josh only needs to continue doing what makes him unique; eventually I could imagine this band being mentioned in the same  breath alongside the “post-metal” innovators like Neurosis and Isis.

More than anyone I’ve heard in a long time, A Storm of Light sound like they have more contributions to make.

LISTEN NOW -> “Sister” (from collaboration with Nadja)

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Ghostface Killah: “Slept on Tony”

Posted in Music News with tags , , , , on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 by Tim Althaus

ghostface1

Ghostface Killah’s new album Ghost Deini the Great comes out this coming Tuesday. This is the first track to be released off of the album and of course Ghost sounds like he’s murdering bars like he always does. Go out and grab Ghost Deini The Great on Tuesday and enjoy one of the best Ghostface collections to date.

Ghostface Killah – “Slept on Tony”

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Meshuggah and Cynic team up for 2009 tour

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 by Ryan Buege

Progressive death metal masters Meshuggah, Cynic, and The Faceless have announced that they’ll be collaborating on what is sure to be the best metal tour of early 2009!

Seriously, WHOA! That is one of the most impressive metal touring packages I’ve seen in a hell of a long time, and anyone who’s familiar with these bands know that we’ll be able to expect and amazing show. To begin with, all three bands have just released some of the best albums of their career. Not only is this is Meshuggah’s first U.S. tour in support of frighteningly chaotic obZen,  but Cynic will be supporting their career-reigniting mindtrip Trace in Air and the Faceless will be starting the show off with songs from their incredible new tech death release Planetary Duality. To say that the crowd will be excited will be an huge understatement. Meshuggah have some of the most passionate fans in all of metal, and it’s been a long time since they set out on a real headlining tour in America. Even, Cynic is a landmark in the genre that will have many longtime metal fans giddy. Thank Lucifer a metro Minnesota date is on the itinerary! We’re going to tear Station 4 apart!

Feb. 01 – House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
Feb. 02 – House of Blues – San Diego, CA
Feb. 03 – House of Blues – Hollywood, CA
Feb. 04 – Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
Feb. 06 – El Corazón – Seattle, WA
Feb. 07 – Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Feb. 08 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
Feb. 09 – Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA
Feb. 11 – Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO
Feb. 13 – Station 4 – St. Paul, MN
Feb. 15 – House Of Blues – Chicago, IL
Feb. 17 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON
Feb. 18 – Club Soda – Montreal, QC
Feb. 20 – Recher Theatre – Towson, MD

ps. A few more dates are still forthcoming!

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Video: Common Interview with Myspace Music

Posted in Music News with tags , , , on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Common’s new album Universal Mind Control was released today. This is an in depth interview that Common did for MySpace Music. In the interview he skews a few topics such as his growth through albums and some of his Hip-Hop quotables. Sounds like this album could be a huge treat and I can assure you I will have a review up after I get a good listen. Also look below to see Common’s opinion on Universal Mind Control (his review). Com is setting some pretty high standards for himself based on his review. Continue reading →

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Find DMX & you could get $5000!

Posted in Music News with tags , , , on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 by Tim Althaus

dmx084mugshot1Well it seems as though DMX just can’t get out of the doghouse (no pun intended). It seems as though Earl “DMX” Simmons is wanted by the police yet again. The Arizona police (YES THE ENTIRE STATE) are offering a five thousand dollar reward leading up the capture of Dark Man X.  The reason that they are taking this so seriously is because this is his second time that he has failed to appear for court. The Arizona judge set “This guy is a major annoyance to the criminal justice system…” “But we will track him down, and he will face a different kind of music in the court of law”. Simmons faces charges of drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty.

This guy used to be at the absolute top of the game? What the fuck happened? DMX actually used to make really good music and be at the forefront of Rap culture. I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks…

Well it seems as though DMX is still in the doghouse (no pun intended). It seems as though Rap’s favorite

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I Was Never a Big Fan of Pac-Man Either

Posted in News with tags , , , on Monday, December 8, 2008 by Erik Burg

humbling kanye west

the greatest gift of all: humbling kanye west

Kanye West V. Stephen Colbert: A battle of epic proportions.

Anybody following The Colbert Report or Kanye West’s twitter lately (to anyone admitting to the latter: come on dude) knows what all of this non-sense is about. Let’s lay it all out there in a nice chronological order:

Round 1. Stephen Colbert initiates Operation Humble Kanye, which involves all of his fans buying his new christmas album on the same day so that it would jump 808 & Heartbreaks on the iTunes album chart.

Round 2. Kanye West responds by saying “who the fuck is Stephen Colbert” on his blog. (Very insightful Kanye)

Round 3. The Result: Watch the most satisfying news segment this year here

Round 4. Kanye plays it all off as if someone hacked his Twitter (sorry Knaye put I don’t think anyone knew it existed to begin with) so that he doesn’t look like an absolute fool. Coincidentally this makes him look like more of an idiot.

Round 5. Well there really isn’t a five yet, hopefully Mr. West goes on the Colbert Report to settle all of this though, being that he is the “voice of this generation of this decade”

As if releasing a new album and blogging constantly wasn’t enough work for Kanye, he’s apparently releasing a Christmas album now too. I can’t wait for this one to drop. Preview after the jump… Continue reading →

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Sonic Youth, John Paul Jones, and Takehisa Kosugi collaborate for dancing

Posted in Music News with tags , , , , , on Thursday, December 4, 2008 by Ryan Buege

A meeting of the minds if there ever was one: Sonic Youth (aka the best band ever) has confirmed an apperance in April 2009 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music that will feature none other than Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones! Merce Cunningham At 90 will be the international premiere of a new evening-long dance work and a musical team-up between Sonic Youth, John Paul Jones and Takehisa Kosugi. The group will be performing in a work composed by Kosugi for New York’s Merce Cunningham Dance Company. The event will honor the 90th birthday of the choreographer, Merce Cunningham, “whose radical approaches to space, time, and technology continue to redefine the way we experience dance,” according to Guardian.co.uk.

While I’m personally not big on interpretive dance and choreography and the like, Sonic Youth working with anyone is interesting news, especially when its the man who layed the rhythm down in some of the greatest rock ‘n roll songs of all time. And to me, this sounds like a far cooler post-Led Zeppelin experiment than the rumoured Robert Plant-less Zep tour that’s apparently in the works (as is Plant’s duet with Allison Krauss) . I know I won’t be able to attend, but hopefully a pro will be there to tape this experiment with the great Sonic Youth. Merce Cunningham At 90 takes place April 16-19 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, tickets start at $25.

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