On top of having the coolest website I’ve seen in a while, being in arguably the best hip hop group of all time, and being retarded fly, Q-Tip has a new album on the way. It’s his first since 1999’s Amplified (with the monster hits, “Vivrant Thing” and “Breathe and Stop”). The Renaissance, which features production by Kanye West, J Dilla, and The Neptunes, comes just in time for everyone to need another fix after hearing “Can I Kick It?” in The Wackness this summer. His new track, “Gettin’ Up,” is streaming on his myspace, smoother than milk chocolate, cooler than the other side of the pillow, etc.
The Renaissance is due October 14 on Universal.
Listen: “Gettin’ Up” by Q-Tip
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Though these recordings don’t sound mastered (maybe it’s just me), The Streets’ Mike Skinner has added another great track from his upcoming fourth album, Everything is Borrowed, to his myspace page. The title track is a quintessential Streets beat, with more reflective lyrics and a few amazing one-liners; “just when I discover the meaning of life, they change it.”
Listen: “Everything is Borrowed” by The Streets
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Duffy’s Rockferry is one of my favorite records of the year, and every once in a while it gloats about how good it is and makes fun of some of the other stuff on my iPod. I may even catch her October date @ Webster Hall. She’s recently added some US dates, both headlining and serving as the opening act for that band that you hate, Coldplay. Check out her latest video for “Stepping Stone,” here. I’m still not sure what’s happening in it, but the song is so effing good that it simply doesn’t matter.
10/9, San Diego, CA (Humphrey’s)
10/10, Los Angeles, CA (Orpheum)
10/16, Vancouver, B.C. (Orpheum)
10/17, Seattle, WA (Showbox SODO)
10/20, Chicago, IL (Riviera)
10/21, Cleveland, OH (Quicken Loans Arena)*
10/22, New York, NY (Webster Hall)
10/25, Mashantucket, CT (MGM Grand @ Foxwoods)
10/26, E. Rutherford, NJ (IZOD Center)*
10/27, E. Rutherford, NJ (IZOD Center)*
10/29, Boston, MA (TD Banknorth Garden)*
10/31, Washington, DC (Verizon)*
11/1, Philadelphia, PA (Wachovia Center)*
*Opening for Coldplay
Cookin’ Soul’s latest mixtape went up on HiphopDX and 2dopeboyz like 2 seconds ago, and I’m already reading comments on forums that it’s better than The Gray Album? :WACK: that was me cyber-smacking you. But hey…maybe it is. I’ve only heard “Wonderback,” and let’s just say I’m not ruling it out.
I suppose it was simply a matter of who was going to do this first.
Cookin’ Soul’s OJAYZIS: Jay-Z vs OASIS
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While I’m not big on DJ Khaled (”I”m So Hood,” you just missed Top 10 Most Annoying Hip Hop Songs of 2007), I almost kinda dig this new track from his upcoming album, We Global. Another vibrato verse for Kanye (and I’m OK with that), and of course, T-Pain=vibrato.
Listen: “Go Hard” by DJ Khaled feat. Kanye West and T-Pain
Stream
Dandy Warhols Earth To The Dandy Warhols
The 8th full length album from the Portland Oregon rock band, and first on their own Beat the World record label. Check out the video for the first single here, “The Legend Of The Last Of The Outlaw Truckers.” This is cooky.
GZA Pro Tools
The latest solo album from Wu Tang’s GZA, you need to check out his bangin’ myspace page. Damn.
Music Tapes Music Tapes for Clouds & Tornadoes
The latest offering from Electric Six and Neutral Milk Hotel’s Julian Koster. You can listen to the full album, streaming here.
The Stills Oceans Will Rise
Third album from the Canadian indie band. For those who loves guitars, the 80’s, break-ups, etc. Check out the video for the first single, “Being Here,”…here.
Stereolab Chemical Chords
The 9th studio album by the experimental and influential indie band, and the band’s first release on 4AD. More dreamy pop sounds, interesting arrangements, and fun vocals.
David Byrne and Brian Eno Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
The 2nd and long-awaited collab between David Byrne and Brian Eno. You can buy the record here in 3 different formats: digital only, CD and download, and deluxe.
Lykke Li Youth Novels
Debut album from the much talked about Lykke Li. Beautiful music and a voice to match (i’m never compelled to quite that cliche, but it’s true). Listen to the b-side “Tonight,” here.
Check out a complete list of releases at Newmusictipsheet.com and Largehearted Boy.
TV on the Radio still have awesome hair. Oh, and their new track, “Golden Age,” is currently streaming both on their website and myspace. Of course, the track is ridiculously good, but also very, very different for the band. It’s hard to say exactly what this reminds me of, but it’s mostly like a great Michael Jackson song off of Dangerous. Which, yeah…
The song loops if you keep the site open, and I have lost track of how many times in a row I’ve listened to it. Every minute is better than the last.
The band’s third full length record, Dear Science, is out September 23 on Interscope.
Listen: “Golden Age” by TV on the Radio
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Above is the new single off of Estelle’s breakthrough album, Shine. I love this song. Cee-Lo isn’t in the video, which I find a bit strange (he sings lead on the second verse), and I swore that that was Danger Mouse at the boards, but I don’t think it is…
I hope Gnarls Barkley comes to my party Friday. I always invite him via Facebook, but he is a constant no show.
Jamie T, the British singer-songwriter who made one of my favorite albums of 2007, premiered some new music this weekend at the V Festival in England, including “Sticks and Stones,” which can be found at around the 4:32 mark in the above Youtube video. The song features more of the quick lyrics and messy vocals that I have come to love. There also appears to be another new track, “Back to Mine for a Moonshine” on Jamie’s myspace page. The track is instrumental past the halfway point, and then T’s vocals kick in, actually messier than normal and completely nonsensical…and I love every minute of it.
Noel Gallagher is at it again. The Oasis guitarist has recently decided to become even more of a relentless, pompous asshole, criticizing some of the most talented names in pop music right now, as if Oasis has had a good decent record this decade. It’s more of the same from Noel, in more ways than one! In case you didn’t know, he’s the biggest baddest rock star there ever was, and you are most likely either jealous, or total crap.
On a recent Radio 1 interview on the Chris Moyles breakfast show, Noel said that Mark Ronson (Winehouse producer, maker of kick-ass covers), should “learn three chords on the guitar and go write a tune.”
On Saturday, Ronson responded on his blog..
Oh, Noel…..
noel gallagher said i should “learn three chords on the guitar and go write a tune”. so i just wanted him to know that i’m actually taking guitar lessons from Jay-Z right now and he’s already taught me both chords to “Wonderwall” (tune!). in fact, it’s so much fun having Jay teach me all of noel’s songs on the guitar (hooray!) that i”m thinking of doing an Oasis/Jay Z remix album a la “The Grey Album”. Potential titles are “Champagne Superhova” or “Definitely Jay Z”*. I’ll keep you posted….
Mark X
p.p.s. noel, i did write a song called “back to black”, which actually has 7 chords in it
I am going to give Ronson the win on this one, regardless of the fact that, sure, his biggest hit is a cover. It’s still better than the last 3 Oasis albums combined. Noel, now you’re just trying too hard.
On a BBC interview Friday, Noel mentioned his reaction to Jay-Z’s ‘tribute’ to “Wonderwall,” going on to request that everyone be required to play the song at Glastonbury from now on, and went on about how “brilliant” it is and how it’s “one of the best songs ever written.” It is, but it would be nice if Noel would get over the fact that the current relevance of his band pales in comparison to that of both Jay-Z and Ronson. Saying things like “hip hop” has “no place” at a rock festival, Noel is beginning to sound like a bitter old man. ‘I just don’t get you kids today and your rap music.’ Sorry Grandpa.
Noel also took a dig at Leeds band, Kaiser Chiefs, saying that despite the 18 years of drugs he did, “I never got that bad as to say, ‘You know what? I think the Kaiser Chiefs are brilliant’.” Again, it’s fair to say that Kaiser Chief’s biggest hit is better than all of Heathen Chemistry and Don’t Believe the Truth put together…even if they were twice as good as they are. In fact, I’d say that “Ruby” could hold its own up against some of Oasis’ better songs.
After their appearance at V Festival, drummer Nick Hodgson told BBC Newsbeat:
“We’re definitely not offended but I do actually like it, I think it’s a bit of sport. It is funny though, because it does happen [Gallagher criticising bands] every single time they put out an album. And the last two albums it’s been us [getting the brunt of it]. When I was 17 and Noel was going on about Blur I was watching it, and now I’m 30 and he’s 50 and he’s talking about us, it’s brilliant.”
Excellent point, Nick. The album certainly isn’t going to sell on it’s content!
Not to say that I don’t like my fair share of pompous assholes, I just happen to prefer pompous assholes that still have the talent to back up their ridiculous egos. Being a huge Oasis fan during the mid-90’s boom of Britpop (even though, in retrospect, I have to side with Blur), it’s hard even for me to understand where he’s ever coming from anymore. Despite the fact that he’s written one, or maybe even two of my favorite albums of all time, he’s simply no longer in the position to throw bricks for no reason. At this point, if he’d like to stand on the shoulders of giants, he should try Jay’s.
On Chris Moyles, Noel also mentioned that the band’s new track is, “needless to say, brilliant.” Maybe he’s listening to a different track than I am? At least he admits that it’s “the same old nonsense.”
Finally, something we agree on.
Artist: Oxford Collapse
Track: “The Birthday Wars”
Album: BITS
I promise this is not a Get Up Kids garage tape from 1996. Oxford Collapse hail from Brooklyn, New York, and just released their second album on Sup Pop, BITS. The album’s first single, “Birthday Wars,” has finally made it’s way into my ears and I am quite liking it’s first take guitars and messy vocals. The video is also likable. the band will be touring for the next month in the US with Love As Laughter.
Filed under: New Music | Tags: dig out your soul, Oasis, shock of the lightning
Oh man, look at them. Oasis is back? I mean, Oasis is back. Their new album, Dig Out Your Soul, due October 7 on Big Brother, was produced by Dave Sardy (who has worked with a lot of bands you know), and you know…it’s Oasis. Loud, distorted power chords covered with Liam Gallagher’s exuberant Manchester accent; nothing they haven’t done before (or done better). Definitely Maybe will always make it OK.
- NME has started a rumor that U2’s upcoming album (which apparently has taken 87 years to record) will be called No Line on the Horizon, and UK mag The Mirror reports a release date of November 14
- Stereogum posted an exclusive premiere of another new track off of The Verve’s upcoming forth album, Forth. “I See Houses” is the best leaked track yet, and you should go listen to it here. 90’s Brit-pop comeback albums – please inject directly into my veins
- CMJ announced the initial line-up for 2008, which includes Beach House, Broken Social Scene, The Cool Kids, Lykke Li, and They Might Be Giants (still goin’ strong)
- Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey) told the Calgary Herald that he in fact was the inspiration behind Alanis Morissette’s “You Outta Know.” We knew this. I still have this vision of Dave doing the Bullwinkle ears and saying “Hello Alanis, I fucked someone else”
Radiohead have announced the four winners of the AniBoom In Rainbows Music Video contest.
16 Tracks Vs. Videotape 2.0 is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. As a matter of fact, they’re all pretty damn awesome.
15 Step V2.0 by Kota Totori, Japan, for the song “15 Step”
16 Tracks Vs. Videotape 2.0 by Wolfgang Jaiser and Claus Winter, Germany, for the song “Videotape”
Reckoner V2 by Clement Picon, France, for the song ”Reckoner”
Transmutation by Tobias Stretch, U.S.A., for the song “Weird Fishes / Arpeggi”
Filed under: New Videos | Tags: Ode to J. Smith, Something Anything, Travis
Travis has always been one of those bands that I go back to and say “I don’t listen to this enough.” While I do fancy the mellow, gushy pop that they’ve been up to of late, I also enjoy the return of their heavier sound, more prominent on their first two records. The first single, “Something Anything,” rocks so hard that guitarist Andy Dunlop is literally “huge” when he rips the solo, and is simply exhausted afterward.
The album, Ode to J. Smith, was recorded in just 2 weeks this past winter and is due September 29 in the UK on the band’s own label, Red Telephone Box.
Barack Obama and John McCain both revealed their Top 10 Favorite Songs to Blender, and, perhaps even more amusing, is the analysis that follows by Randy Newman and Girl Talk:
“Why’d they both pick Frankie Blue Eyes?
RN: It says a lot about the long ride Sinatra got out of being phenomenal for two years in the ’40s.”
While Obama’s list is somewhat believable (with the exception of Will.i.am’s “Yes We Can” – Oh, Barack, really?), McCain’s reads like someone made a playlist for their Grandma to show them how to use an iPod and then randomly picked 10 of the songs and put them in any order. I’ll give you one ABBA, but not two. Not two.
When asked who gets the vote based solely on this list, I’ll have to agree with Girl Talk’s response: “If there’s a candidate with Fugees’ “Ready or Not” on his list, I have to vote for him.”
BARACK OBAMA’S TOP 10
1. Ready or Not Fugees
2. What’s Going On Marvin Gaye
3. I’m On Fire Bruce Spingsteen
4. Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones
5. Sinnerman Nina Simone
6. Touch the Sky Kanye West
7. You’d Be So Easy to Love Frank Sinatra
8. Think Aretha Franklin
9. City of Blinding Lights U2
10. Yes We Can will.i.am
JOHN McCAIN’S TOP 10
1. Dancing Queen ABBA
2. Blue Bayou Roy Orbison
3. Take a Chance On Me ABBA
4. If We MakeIt Through December Merle Haggard
5. As Time Goes By Dooley Wilson
6. Good Vibrations The Beach Boys
7. What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong
8. I’ve Got You Under My Skin Frank Sinatra
9. Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes The Platters
Filed under: News | Tags: Britney Spears, Fatburger, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- KW Foods LLC has confirmed that they are opening 3 Fatburger restaurants in Chicago…by the way it’s Kanye West
- Britney Spears gave her first interview in 2 years to OK! Magazine, and talked about a new record (ya know, her “best work ever”), her babies, etc. (oh and I hope you saw the VMA ad – somehow she is still lovable. Aw.)
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that they are opening an annex in NYC in November. The Annex will be located on Mercer Street in Soho, and will house a phone booth from CBGB, Bruce Springsteen’s 1957 Chevy Convertible, and surely other things
The Roots and Gym Class Heroes have announced that they will tour together as co-headliners in the fall. Perhaps a bit of an odd pairing, but now there’s that 1 degree of Patrick Stump between them.
I mean, that Supertramp sample was pretty cool.
October 3 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live!
October 4 – Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
October 5 – N. Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
October 6 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
October 7 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
October 8 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore at Jackie Gleason
October 10 – Houston, TX @ Meridian
October 11 – Dallas, TX @ The Palladium Ballroom
October 12 – Austin, TX @ The Backyard
October 14 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Marquee
October 19 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
October 21 – Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
October 23 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
October 24 – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theatre
October 25 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
October 26 – Toronto, ONT @ Sound Academy
October 28 – New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom
October 30 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium Downstairs
October 31 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Park Convention Hall
November 1 – Albany, NY @ Washington Avenue Armory
So I know everyone is already so over Santogold, thanks to the making an actual album and being in a Converse commercial, but My Poproks and her poproks and I am not over her at all.
…one of the best songs on the record, the video for “Lights Out”
I am a bit late on this, but hadtopost.
Kanye West joins the Olympics…err, Unified Games. Iheartnewbridge.
