Off to Tokyo!

Kingblind is off to Tokyo until August 15th, Updates are on hold till we return stateside. See you soon!

Blur: Mid Life, A Beginners Guide to Blur (Album Review)

Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon have made up, and the smartest, funniest Brit-pop band is back (woo-hoo!). But Blur haven’t recorded any new music yet (boohoo). So here’s a two-disc best-of to coincide with their shows this summer, balanced nicely between their cheeky-monkey side (Albarn) and their later weird-guitar side (Coxon). The best bits (“Song 2″) have elements of both. Blur went from wanna-be’s (“Popscene”) to provocateurs (“Parklife”) to artistes (“Beetlebum”) to world travelers (“Good Song”), and, rare moments of torpid dross aside, remained fascinating with each mood change.

Josh Homme reveals why he worked with Arctic Monkeys


Josh Homme has revealed that he wanted to work with Arctic Monkeys after falling in love with their lyrics.

The Queens Of The Stone Age frontman co-produced the Sheffield band’s third album ‘Humbug’, even recording some parts with the band out in the Mojave Desert in California.

Speaking about why he opted to produce a band Homme told the US edition of GQ that it was frontman Alex Turner’s words that first got his attention.

“I was sucked in at first by the lyrics. Alex sounded like a rare poet playing music – he has a special gift for the gab,” explained Homme, who then singled out Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders as “one of the best drummers in rock ‘n’ roll”.

Speaking about the record the producer explained that ‘Humbug’ – released on August 24 – sees the Sheffield band experimenting.

“This is the record where they get weird, grow up and trip out,” he declared.

Meanhwile Homme’s co-producer, Simian Mobile Disco, suggested the album would split fans.

“It’ll definitely surprise people, especially people who are familiar with things like ['I Bet That You Would Look Good On The] ‘Dancefloor’ and stuff like that, [they] might be quite taken aback,” he told Radio 1′s Newsbeat.

“They’re progressing and moving forward trying to change, push themselves and push their audience which I think is rare in a lot of bands today. They’ve just got more relaxed with themselves – they’re comfortable doing what they’re doing. “

Jesus Lizard: Nub (Live at Pitchfork Music Festival)

Arctic Monkeys: Crying Lighting (Music Video)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_G9RRY7SS0&hl=en&fs=1&]

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke writes song for ‘Twilight’ sequel


Thom Yorke has written a new song for the upcoming sequel to ‘Twilight’, the director has confirmed.

The Radiohead frontman was among a number of artists who had expressed an interested in contributing to the score for the vampire film entitled ‘New Moon’.

Director Chris Weitz has yet to hear the Radiohead man’s contribution but says it is almost certain to be included in the movie.

“I selfishly want to put songs in by artists I love. And some the cast and crew also happen to love,” Weitz told HitFix.com, adding that Yorke’s effort will be included, “unless it’s sounds of him belching!”

Bon Iver is also expected to feature on the film’s soundtrack.

“I think Bon Iver is fantastic,” Weitz said. “He says he wrote it for the film, but who ever knows if it might just be something laying around in his cupboard.”

Weitz added that he is still hoping to have a Kings Of Leon song, while Band Of Skulls have already been confirmed to contribute.

Magnolia Electric Co.: Josephine (Album Review)


Josephine is the first proper Magnolia Electric Co. album since 2006′s Fading Trails. In 2007, the limited-edition, four-disc Sojourner box set was issued, but it contained mostly released material, demos, and alternate versions of material recorded elsewhere with numerous lineups. Frontman and songwriter Jason Molina is accompanied by a fairly large ensemble, though the palette of instruments still centers around piano, guitars, drums, and a dobro and lapsteel. The music is strictly alternative country-inflected rock, and the arrangements are standard. That said, there is a great comfort in Molina’s limited approach to making music. While it’s true that the listener will raise her eyebrows at the duet between a saxophone and a piano on the opening “Of Grace,” the nearly constant lilt in the grain of his voice belies a kind of disillusionment that is worldweary and disappointed, and never bitter. Standouts on this set include the gorgeous title track, with its Neil Young meets old-time parlor music feel and its dynamite lyrics, to the mournful “Shenandoah” with its sweet meld of steel and electric guitars, to the snarling opening to the spooky “The Handing Down.” Along the way are spooky touches such as the B-3 and trap kit vehicle “Little Sad Eyes,” which sounds like the end title theme to a motion picture. “Heartbreak at Ten Paces,” is a minimal, turtle-paced, mournful, broken love song that belies every bit of sadness Molina can seemingly bear in its lyric and melody. In sum, Josephine is radically different from Magnolia Electric Co.’s preceding records, but it doesn’t need to be. Molina has a consistent — if downcast — view of the world in his songs, and the canvas he uses to express it does so perfectly.

Phoenix Announce Fall U.S. Tour


Phoenix are having a hell of a year. After making the year’s most irrepressibly breezy summertime album, stylishly rocking “SNL”, and generally boosting the sales of elegantly rumpled button-downs, they’ve announced another round of dates on their neverending world tour. Before Thanksgiving, they’ll hit the UK, Australia, Japan, the U.S., Europe, the UK again, and Europe again. That’s a lot of frequent flier miles.

Brooklyn indie poppers Chairlift will open many of the shows and further ensure that this will be the most fashionable night out you’ll have all year.

Dates below.

Phoenix:

07-24 Cambridgeshire, England – Secret Garden Festival
07-25 Dorset, England – Camp Bestival
08-01 Jakarta, Indonesia – Bengkel Night Park
08-03 Melbourne, Australia – The Palace
08-04 Melbourne, Australia – The Palace
08-05 Sydney Australia – Enmore Theatre
08-07 Tokyo, Japan – Summer Sonic
08-08 Osaka, Japan – Summer Sonic
09-13 Morrison, CO – Monolith Festival
09-16 Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
09-17 San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
09-19 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban
09-21 Omaha, NE – Slowdown
09-22 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue *
09-23 Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre *
09-25 New York, NY – Rumsey Playfield
09-26 New York, NY – Rumsey Playfield
09-28 Philadelphia, PA – The Electric Factory *
09-30 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse *
10-01 New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s *
10-02 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10-13 Montpellier, France – Le Rockstore *
10-14 Lyon, France – Le Transbordeur *
10-15 Strasbourg, France – La Laiterie *
10-16 Lille, France – L’Aeronef *
10-17 Caen, France – Le Cargo *
10-19 Paris, France – Zenith *
10-20 Bordeaux, France – Rock School Barbey *
10-21 Toulouse, France – Le Bikini *
10-22 Nantes, France – L’Olympic *
10-24 Birmingham, England – O2 Academy 2 *
10-25 Glasgow, Scotland – Arches *
10-26 Bristol, England – O2 Academy *
10-27 Manchester, England – Academy 2 *
10-28 London, England – O2 Academy Brixton *
11-07 Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Medis
11-08 Gothenburg, Sweden – Brew House
11-09 Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller
11-10 Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega
11-12 Hamburg, Germany – Hamburg Docks
11-13 Bielefeld, Germany – Ringlokschuppen
11-14 Cologne, Germany – E-Werk
11-15 Munich, Germany – Munich Theaterfabrik
11-17 Stuttgart, Germany – Zapata
11-18 Frankfurt, Germany – Cocoon Club
11-19 Dortmund, Germany – FZW Eldoradio
11-20 Mannheim, Germany – Alte Feuerwache
11-21 Berlin, Germany – Huxleys

* with Chairlift
(via pitchforkmedia)

Os Mutantes Announce North American Tour

Os Mutantes have announced a tour of North America in support of their startling new album “Haih or Amortecedor.” Seeing the legendary “Tropicália” band live is something Kurt Cobain could have only wished for when he pleaded (unsuccessfully) for them to reunite and tour with Nirvana. Now Brazils’ beloved Mutantes, long regarded as one of the most influential and innovative bands in pop music, have returned with both an ambitious new album and a series of highly anticipated performances. Revered by musical luminaries including Beck, Devendra Banhart, David Byrne, Of Montréal, The Flaming Lips and Cobain, the reunited Mutantes offer something far more intriguing than mere psychedelic nostalgia. While the ingenious genre blending Tropicália spirit remains intact on “Haih or Amortecedor”, it’s clear the Mutantes are not looking to the past, but ahead into further uncharted musical terrain.

Band leader Sergio Dias says he is eager to translate the epic Mutante sound on stage. “I love playing this music live,” Dias says. “It is the best thing possible. When we were playing at the Pitchfork festival it was like looking at yourself when you were a kid trying to mumble the words to I Wanna Hold Your Hand in English and not understanding the words. There weren’t many Brazilians there but the kids were singing our songs in Portuguese. Playing with this band live is amazing. I can not describe anything better other than maybe going into space. It keeps me young.”

North American Tour Dates:
08-28-09, Los Angeles California, The Echoplex
08-29-09, San Francisco California, Outside Lands Festival,
09-01-09, Redway California, Mateel Community Center
09-02-09, Portland Oregon, Aladdin Theater
09-03-09 Vancouver, BC, The Commodore Ballroom
09-04-09 Bellingham Washington, The Nightlight
09-05-09 Seattle Washington, Bumbershoot Festival
09-19-09 Yosemite California, Symbiosis Fest
09-24-09 Denver Colorado, Cervantes
09-25-09 Omaha Nebraska, Waiting Room
09-26-09 Minneapolis Minnesota, Cedar Cultural Ctr
09-30-09 Cleveland Ohio, Beachland Ballroom
10-04-09 Boston Massachusetts, Sommerville Th.
10-08-09 New York New York, Webster Th.
10-09-09 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Mr. Smalls
10-10-09 Columbus Ohio, Capitol Th.
10-11-09 Lexington Kentucky, WRFL Fest
10-13-09 Tampa Florida, Skipper’s
10-14-09 Ft. Lauderdale Florida, Culture Room
10-16-09 Atlanta Georgia, Variety Playhouse
10-17-09 New Orleans Louisiana, Tipitina’s
10-18-09 Austin Texas, La Zona Rosa

Kings of Leon Announce Fall Tour, Go Platinum

Nashville rock band the Kings of Leon today announced dates for a 30-plus-date North American arena trek this fall. The announcement comes just as their 2008 album “Only By the Night” has been certified platinum by the RIAA — the first U.S. platinum certification for a band that has sold millions internationally.

After a July 31 appearance on the Today Show, the tour will kick off August 7 with the band’s headlining stint at Lollapalooza in Chicago and continue through October. They will also perform on the “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” on August 24.

“Only By the Night” hit No. 5 on the Billboard 200, while single “Sex On Fire” topped Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart and won a Grammy for best rock performance by a duo or group. The platinum certification is awarded for shipments of at least a million, and the album has sold 959,000 units in the U.S. to date according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The Kings of Leon became international superstars before making a real impact at home — “Only By the Night” sold millions of copies worldwide and went Platinum in multiple countries before breaking the 400,000 mark in the U.S.

“The market has come around to the band,” RCA VP/GM Tom Corson said earlier this year. “It’s just their time. The band has put the work in over the years, they have their finest album to date, and consumers are into it.”

Here are the Kings of Leon’s tour dates:

August 7: Chicago, IL (Lollapalooza)
August 9: Morrison, CO (Red Rocks Amphitheater)
August 12: Edmonton, AB (Rexall Place)
August 13: Calgary, AB (Pengrowth Saddledome)
August 15: Vancouver, BC (General Motors Place)
August 16: Vancouver, BC (General Motors Place)
August 19: Las Vegas, NV (The Joint)
August 21: San Diego, CA (Cox Arena)
August 22: Los Angeles, CA (The Forum)
Sept. 8: Columbia, MD (Merriweather Post Pavilion)
Sept. 9: Uncasville, CT (Mohegan Sun Arena)
Sept. 11: Mansfield, MA (Comcast Center)
Sept. 12: East Rutherford, NJ (Izod Center)
Sept. 14: Uniondale, NY (Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum)
Sept. 16: Montreal, QC (Bell Centre)
Sept. 17: Ottawa, ON (Scotiabank Place)
Sept. 19: Hamilton, ON (Copps Coliseum)
Sept. 20: London, ON (John Labatt Centre)
Sept. 22: Auburn Hills, MI (The Palace of Auburn Hills)
Sept. 23: Columbus, OH (Schottenstein Center)
Sept. 25: Noblesville, IN (Verizon Wireless Music Center)
Sept. 26: Milwaukee, WI (Bradley Center)
Sept. 28: Minneapolis, MN (Target Center)
Sept. 30: St. Louis, MO (Scottrade Center)
Oct. 2: Austin, TX (Austin City Limits Festival)
Oct. 3: Oklahoma City, OK (Ford Center)
Oct. 6: Houston, TX (Toyota Center)
Oct. 7: Dallas, TX (American Airlines Center)
Oct. 9: Atlanta, GA (Philips Arena)
Oct. 10: Lexington, KY (Rupp Arena)
Oct. 13: Kansas City, MO (Sprint Center)
Oct. 16: Nashville, TN (Sommet Center)
Oct. 20: Guadalajara, MEX (Telmex Arena)
Oct. 22: Mexico City, MEX (Sports Arena)
Oct. 24: Monterrey, MEX (Arena Monterrey)

Gonzo’s Gong sells for $64,000!

In other signs of a possible economic turnaround, an anonymous bidder paid $64,000 for John Bonham’s (drummer for Led Zeppelin) gong. Although the purchase price was significantly lower than the anticipated $120,000 auction price, it’s both comforting and disorienting to know that someone has enough cash to shell out that much money for someone’s gong. I wonder where they’ll display their purchase.

The Fiery Furnaces: I’m going away (Album Review)

Some of the piano-led rockers on this avant-garde sibling act’s latest effort, I’m Going Away, are as accessible as anything in their catalog — not that there’s much competition in that category. Yet these moments of relative calm come sandwiched between typically overflowing puns, nervous-tic vocals, and guitar skronk that gets sprayed around like Silly String. Fans 
can breathe easy: The weirdness that so delights them isn’t Going anywhere just yet.

Obits:: Pine On (Music Video)

The White Stripes to premiere documentary film in Toronto

The White Stripes have announced world premiere details of their forthcoming documentary film, ‘Under Great White Northern Lights’.

The screening is set to take place at the Toronto Film Festival on September 18.

The film, which was directed by their long-time video director Emmett Malloy, chronicles Jack and Meg White’s first extensive tour of Canada in 2007. It captures the duo’s gigs at several atypical venues including bowling alleys, boats and city buses. It also features the band’s 10th anniversary show at the Savoy Theater in Nova Scotia.

A trailer for the film, which dubs it “A brother and sister’s journey across the great white north,” can be viewed here.

Sufjan Stevens to release “BQE” Multimedia set

A View-Master reel and a comic book are involved.

Back in November 2007, Sufjan Stevens unveiled a multimedia performance inspired by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway called “The BQE”. By all accounts, it was an over-the-top affair with an orchestra, artsy footage of the highway, and hula hoops. And now, Sufjan is putting out a purchase-able “BQE” package to satisfy bloodthirsty fans still waiting for his official follow-up to Illinois, which– believe it or not– came out four years ago this month.

Due out October 20 in the U.S. on Asthmatic Kitty (October 19 in the UK via Rough Trade), “The BQE” set is not half-assed– it really may have taken him a couple years to put this thing together. The regular edition includes a CD of the show’s soundtrack, a DVD of Brooklyn-Queen Expressway footage that accompanied the original performance (not a film of the performance itself), a 40-page booklet with liner notes and photos, and– wait for it– a stereoscopic 3D View-Master reel! Finally, a reason to dig that old View-Master out of the attic.

For those truly enamored with Sufjan on a semi-frightening and obsessive scale, there’s a limited edition version that features the soundtrack on 180-gram vinyl and a 40-page BQE-themed comic book starring the show’s hula hooping wonder women, the Hooper Heroes.

Check out the Wes Anderson-y trailer for the DVD portion of the package– which will screen at New York’s 92YTribeca October 24 with an introduction by Stevens himself. (via pitchforkmedia)

THE BQE- A Film By Sufjan Stevens from Asthmatic Kitty on Vimeo.

Kasabian, Florence Lead Mercury Prize Nominations

Alt-rock acts Florence & The Machine and Kasabian have emerged as the bookmakers’ favorites for the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize, the U.K.’s album of the year award.

The two acts were quoted at odds of 5/1 by leading U.K. bookmaker William Hill when the shortlist for the 2009 award was announced by radio/TV presenter Lauren Laverne at central London’s Hospital Club this morning (July 21). Albums by British and Irish artists released between July 2008 and July 2009 were eligible for the prize.

The full list of nominees and odds is:
Bat for Lashes, “Two Suns” (6/1)
Florence & The Machine, “Lungs” (5/1)
Friendly Fires, “Friendly Fires” (8/1)
Glasvegas, “Glasvegas” (6/1)
Kasabian “West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum” (5/1)
La Roux, “La Roux” (6/1)
Led Bib, “Sensible Shoes” (10/1)
Lisa Hannigan, “Sea Sew” (8/1)
Speech Debelle, “Speech Therapy” (8/1)
Sweet Billy Pilgrim, “Twice Born Men” (10/1)
The Horrors, “Primary Colours” (8/1)
The Invisible, “The Invisible” (10/1)

According to a spokesman for leading bookmaking firm William Hill, “This has been a year of musical excellence with these superb albums representing a diverse range of genres from British and Irish artists. This quality is highlighted by the odds we’ve given to the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year,’ which are the closest ever.”

This year’s award is the first to be sponsored by Barclaycard — an arm of global financial services provider Barclays — under a four-year deal that has replaced the previous sponsorship agreement with building society Nationwide, which had sponsored the event since 2004.

The annual U.K. “album of the year award” was launched in 1992, backed by labels body the BPI and the British Assn. of Record Dealers (now known as the Entertainment Retailers Assn.). It provided a model for similar awards in the United States (The Shortlist), Canada (the Polaris Prize) and Australia (the Australian Music Prize), where albums are judged purely on creative criteria.

The winner will be chosen by a 12-strong panel representing artists and the media during a televised ceremony in London on Sept. 8 at which several of the nominees will perform live. The ceremony will be broadcast live on national TV channel BBC Two; Laverne will present the programme, while musician and BBC TV/radio presenter Jools Holland will host the actual ceremony.

Previous Mercury winners include Suede, Dizzee Rascal, Arctic Monkeys and Klaxons. Alt-rock band Elbow took the 2008 prize with “The Seldom Seen Kid” (Fiction/Polydor).

BEASTIE BOYS TOUR DATES CANCELED, ALBUM RELEASE POSTPONED ADAM YAUCH DIAGNOSED WITH PAROTID GLAND TUMOR

Adam “MCA” Yauch of Beastie Boys was diagnosed last week as having a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland. Luckily it was caught early and is localized in one area, and as such is considered very treatable. It will however require surgery and several weeks of additional treatment. Fortunately the cancer is not in a location that will affect Yauch’s vocal chords.

Beastie Boys have canceled all upcoming concert appearances to allow time for Yauch’s surgery and recovery. The release of the band’s forthcoming album Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 will also be pushed back.

Paraphrasing from a video statement on Beastieboys.com, Yauch said, “I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we’ll release the record and play some shows. It’s a pain in the neck (sorry had to say it) because i was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later.”

“Treat Me Like Your Mother” (Live on Fallon) (Video)[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjfEGMNIoeY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

Black Moth Super Rainbow: “Born on a Day the Sun Didn’t Rise” (Video) (NSFW)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3iopYskSKs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

James Murphy get his friends to give his running soundtrack a tweak

LCD Soundsystem are set to release a new collection of remixes based around their ’45:33′ mini-album this summer.

The remixes will be issued on a series of 12-inch vinyl singles, while all of them will be collected together for a full expanded version of the album, which is out on September 14.

The project originally started as a collaboration between LCD’s James Murphy, Nike and iTunes in 2007.

The ’45:33′ remixers are:

Runaway Remix
Prince Language Remix
Prins Thomas Diskomiks Remix
Theo Parrish’s Space Cadet Remix
Trus’ Me Remix
Padded Cell Remix
Pilooski Remix
Riley Reinhold Remix

Murphy, meanwhile, is currently in the studio working on a follow-up to 2007′s ‘Sound Of Silver’, which is due for release early in 2010.

Grizzly Bear: “Ready, Able” (Live on Letterman) (Video)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcQAOfa__ro&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

New Pirate Bay boss spells out legitimate future

The potential new boss of torrent website The Pirate Bay – which is set to become a legal music venture once its sale goes through – has outlined his future plans for the site.

Wayne Rosso, whose Global Gaming Factory X AB company will acquire The Pirate Bay in August, revealed he is working with London music executives to create a viable legal version of the notorious torrent website.

Rosso’s firm are buying The Pirate Bay for 60 million Swedish SEK (£4.7 million), shortly after its four founders and hosts were jailed and fined for copyright infringement offences.

In an interview with CNET, Rosso said The Pirate Bay’s new regime will offer fans unlimited legal music downloads for a small monthly fee, though a hierarchy uploading scheme could see users’ fees lessened depending on how much they use the site.

Working under a ‘cloud’ network system, users will be encouraged to dedicate their own hard drive space to the site.

“The more of your computer resources you contribute to the network, the less you pay down to zero,” Rosso said, adding: “The user is in control.”

Rosso says he wants the majority of The Pirate Bay’s income to come from selling the computer power gained from the cloud scheme, explaining that it will save Internet Service Providers’ (ISPs) resources.

“We hope to introduce a new BitTorrent technology that will optimize ISP traffic,” he said. “We can save ISPs up to 80 per cent of their resources. Half of the Internet traffic is file-sharing and half of that traffic is Pirate Bay.”

Paul McCartney: Live on Letterman (On top of the Ed Sullivan Marquee!) (Video)

Incredible 5 song set that was not aired on TV.

Stream a New Modest Mouse Song: “History Sticks to Your Feet”
Indie warriors Modest Mouse have dropped a new 7″ single, “Perpetual Motion Machine” b/w “History Sticks to Your Feet”, on July 21. The single, limited to 4000 copies, will be on red vinyl with an embossed sleeve. The cover is above.

Here, we’ve got the B-side, “History Sticks to Your Feet”. It’s a traditional, guitar-centric Modest Mouse churn-fest that sounds almost (gasp) happy. There’s a sparkling little riff, a gently stomping beat, and an Isaac Brock vocal in which you may or may not be able to hear the guy smile, even as he sings about how he’s had enough of rolling boulders.

Check it out below.

(via pitchforkmedia)

Future Of The Left:: Travels With Myself And Another (Album Review)

Bands that traffic in anger tend to get bogged down in humorless self-righteousness, particularly in that soggy blob of a genre known as “post-hardcore.” That’s because most frontmen aren’t half as smart or funny as McLusky veteran Andy Falkous, the caustic wit who these days spits his sardonic worldview on the sizzling hot rock of Future Of The Left. Making good on the only slightly veiled threats of Curses, the new Travels With Myself And Another finds Falkous’ barbed stories—of fruitless sex, godless existence, and other pointless-yet-unavoidable bullshit—stretched wire-taut, with nary a moment of wasted energy. “Arming Eritrea” sets and immediately detonates the charge, with Falkous screaming his vocal chords into sinewy tatters over the sort of blistering metallic churn that keeps Steve Albini in fancy microphones. The giddily nihilistic “The Hope That House Built” sails on a yo-ho-ho sea-chanty rhythm, with Falkous snarking through one line after another like “Re-imagine God as just a mental illness.” Expounding on its usual pointed, piss-and-vinegar formula, the band even allows a few pretty harmonies on “Throwing Bricks At Trains,” throws the world’s bitterest dance party on “I Am Civil Service,” and turns the heavy-metal sing-along ironically inward with the punishing “You Need Satan More Than He Needs You.” That’s the kind of righteousness we need more of.

Dead Weather add shows to North American tour

The Dead Weather have added two shows to their tour of the US, extending it into October.

The band will perform on October 2 at Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA and October 3 at House Of Blues in New Orleans, LA.

Pre-sale tickets are currently available here, while general sale of tickets start at 10am on Saturday (July 18).

As previously reported, the band will perform at noon at a makeshift ‘pop-up’ record store on New York’s Lower East Side tomorrow (June 16).

The tour dates are:
New York, NY Terminal 5 (July 16, 17)
Boston, MA House Of Blues (18)
Ottawa, Canada Ottawa Blues Festival (Rogers Stage) (19)
Montreal, Canada Olympia De Montreal (21)
Toronto, Canada Kool Haus (22)
Detroit, MI The Fillmore (24)
Columbus, OH The LC Pavillion (25)
Minneapolis, MN First Avenue (27)
Chicago, IL Vic Theatre (28, 29)
Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium (30)
Denver, CO Ogden Theatre (August 17)
Salt Lake City, UT The Depot (18)
Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre (20)
Vancouver, Canada Commodore Ballroom (21, 22)
Portland, OR Roseland Theater (23)
Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre (25)
Pomona, CA Glasshouse (27)
San Diego, CA Street Scene (29)
San Francisco, CA Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival (30)
Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle (October 2)
New Orleans, LA The House of Blues (3)
Austin, TX Austin City Limits Festival (4)

Guns N’ Roses Leak Blogger Sentenced

A federal judge has sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to leaking part of the Guns N’ Roses album “Chinese Democracy” to a year’s probation.

Blogger Kevin Cogill (KOH’gill) will also serve two months of home confinement, subject his computers to government scrutiny, and record a public service announcement for the Recording Industry Association of America.

Cogill pleaded guilty earlier this year to one misdemeanor count of copyright infringement for posting nine tracks from the long-awaited Guns ‘N Roses album last year.

He said in court Tuesday that he posted the tracks to promote the band, not hurt it.

A federal prosecutor had asked a judge to sentence Cogill to some prison time, but U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Abrams said he felt Cogill had learned his lesson.

The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas to release solo album – exclusive

The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas is to release a solo album.

The singer is currently finishing working on his first full record outside the band ahead, with a release pencilled for the autumn. A trailer for the album can be watched below.

The record, called ‘Phrazes For The Young’ was recorded in Los Angeles, Nebraska and Casablancas’ home city, New York.

The album was produced by Jason Lader, with additional production from Bright Eyes’ Mike Mogis.

Tracks slated for ‘Phrazes For The Young’, include ‘River Of Brake Lights’, ‘Glass’, and ‘Ludlow St’.

Casablancas – who issued the illustration pictured – is set to play a “specials series” of US dates, ahead of a solo tour later in 2009.

For more information head to Juliancasablancas.com.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXpXpYLoCek&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
Casablancas – who since the last album from The Strokes released ‘My Drive Thru’ with Santigold and Pharrell Williams and collaborated with Danger Mouse on the recent ‘Dark Night Of The Soul’ album – is the fourth Stroke to release an album not connected with the band.

He follows solo albums from Albert Hammond, Jr. and Nikolai Fraiture along with drummer Fab Moretti’s side project Little Joy.

Guitarist Nick Valensi, meanwhile, has undertaken a photography project
(via NME)

MGMT, Flaming Lips, Girl Talk Top Treasure Island Fest Lineup

MGMT, Girl Talk, The Flaming Lips, Beirut, The Walkmen, Passion Pit, The Streets, Yo La Tengo and Brazilian Girls are just part of the lineup for the third Annual Treasure Island Music Festival, October 17-18 on a man-made island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay.

The lineup on October 17 will have an electronic and dance-centric lineup including the Limousines, Crown City Rockers, Murs, Dan Deacon, DJ Krush and Federico Aubele, among others.

Day number two, October 18, will have an indie rock focus with Grizzly Bear, Bob Mould, Vetiver, Spiral Stairs, Sleepy Sun, Tommy Guerrero and Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, plus more.

A limited number of $99.99 two-day passes and VIP single day two-packs will be available July 14 on treasureislandfestival.com. Single day tickets will go on sale for $65 starting July 17 on the website.

A 60-foot Ferris wheel, interactive art tent and village vendors will also be a part of the fest.

Wilco, Feist, Yo La Tango Bring Indie Rock Nirvana To Coney Island

Wilco drafted a slew of high-profile guests for its Monday night (July 13) show at Keyspan Park near New York’s Coney Island, collaborating with Feist, Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste and Yo La Tengo during the encore of the performance.

Opening act Yo La Tengo joined Wilco for a raucous run through the noise rock epic “Spiders (Kidsmoke),” while Feist and Droste joined in on percussion on “Hoodoo Voodoo” to close the evening.

Earlier, Feist dueted with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy on “You and I,” which they will reprise tonight on “The Late Show With David Letterman.”

Feist remained on stage to sing on “California Stars,” and was joined by Droste for that cut as well as “You and I,” from Wilco’s brand new album “Wilco (the Album).” Tweedy also led the sold-out crowd in a rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

The show spanned Wilco’s 16-year canon, blending newer tracks like “Impossible Germany” and “Bull Black Nova” with fan requests such as “I’m Always in Love” and “Can’t Stand It.”

“Wilco (the Album)” was released on June 30 and sold 99,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 4, a career best.

Wilco’s full set list:
“Wilco the Song”
“I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”
“A Shot in the Arm”
“At Least That’s What You Said”
“Bull Black Nova”
“I Am Your Face”
“One Wing”
“Handshake Drugs”
“Deeper Down”
“Impossible Germany”
“Jesus Etc.”
“Sonny Feeling”
“I’m Always In Love”
“Can’t Stand It”
“Hate It Here”
“Walken”
“I’m the Man Who Loves You”
“Hummingbird”

Encore 1:
“Heavy Metal Drummer”
“You and I”
“California Stars”
“You Never Know”
“Misunderstood”
“Spiders (Kidsmoke)”

Encore 2:
“The Late Greats”
“Hoodoo Voodoo”

Fucked Up, Mission of Burma, Jemina Pearl & Ponytail @ the Williamsburg Waterfront 7/12/09

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS

The 2009 Pool Parties in Williamsburg Brooklyn kicked off on Sunday with a great lineup, perfect weather, and an incredible backdrop.
Jemina Pearl, Ponytail, Fucked Up and Mission of Burma played to a crowded park getting used to the new surroundings.
The shows now at Williamsburg Waterfront, a brand new state park overlooking the East River and the Manhattan skyline, are a change of venue from the old stomping grounds at McCarren Pool just a few blocks away.

Jemina Pearl, former lead singer of Be Your Own Pet, opened with her first gig with her new band, and got the show off to a good pace.
Ponytail was on next, and got a pit going. This turned out to be just a preview of what was to come.

Fucked Up took the stage and absolutely took over. Security had a rough task holding up the security fences, but they did a great job protecting the crowd as the surfers, stage divers and moshers went nuts. Lead singer Pink Eyes quickly ended up in his underwear and looked like he was having a great time passing the mic to the crowd and hugging and high-fiving everyone up front. The crowd ate it up, and so did he.

Headliners, Mission of Burma were rock solid, and while not as crazy as Fucked Up, they proved that they still had their chops, traversing through new and old material.
Despite the venue change, the Pool Parties are still a great way to spend a Sunday in Brooklyn.

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS

The lineup for the rest of the pool parties can be found at
http://thepoolparties.com/

(Photos and Text by: Kurt Christensen)

The Dead Weather:: Treat me like your Mother (Music Video)

New Mission of Burma Album Coming Soon

Attention old rock bands considering a reunion after a couple of decades of nonexistence: Go hunt up those last two Mission of Burma albums and pay very close attention. Along with Dinosaur Jr.’s remarkable resurgence, the return of the Boston postpunk legends is pretty much the ceiling for indie band reunions. Their new material rips about as hard as their old stuff, and there’s none of that attention-seeking sense of desperation that you get from so many of their peers.

During their first incarnation, Mission of Burma released one album and one EP. Since their 2002 reunion, Burma have released two albums, and now they’re getting set to drop another one. That means the new Burma is now twice as productive as old one!

As the Matablog announced this morning, Matador will release The Sound The Speed The Light, the new Burma album, on October 6. The band recorded it with producer and latter-day member Bob Weston. The badass album cover, which reminds me of Unsane or some shit, is above.

The Dead Weather– Horehound (Album Review)

Freakin’ Jack White.

If there’s anything more annoying than a guy who can’t make up his mind, it’s a guy who turns every half-baked idea into a gold-plated success.

Our boy Jack is guilty as sin on both counts. First and foremost, of course, the singer-guitarist is the brains behind The White Stripes. And, since ex-wife Meg seems to have lost her shpedoinkle for touring, he’s got his Nashville rock outfit The Ranconteurs. But is that enough for White? Noooooo. He’s gotta have a side project for his side project. So now we also have The Dead Weather, another blues-punk outfit with Ranconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence, Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Dean Fertita and Kills vocalist Allison Mosshart.

Like everything White does, their album was reportedly dashed off in a week or two this spring. And like everything White does, it smokes. Horehound’s 11 cuts chase the hoodoo down with a posse of snarling guitars, crash-bash drums, chicken-shack organ and transfixing grooves, while evil seductress Mosshart’s witchy vocals lend a PJ Harvey-meets-Royal Trux vibe to the whole affair. Oh, and just to make his triumph even more annoying, White plays drums in the band (though he apparently contributes guitar, keyboards and vocals on the disc).

So, what next? Well, we can only presume he’ll start a power trio with fellow Type A rockers Josh Homme of QOTSA / Eagles of Death Metal and Damon Albarn of Blur / Gorillaz / Monkey / The Good, The Bad and The Queen. White will probably play bagpipes. And their CD will probably destroy.

Freakin’ guy.

60 Feet Tall 5:33

As openers go, this is more sneak attack than all-out assault — a smouldering hypno-blues slowly evolves from nothing, then explodes into a firestorm of guitars. “You’ve got my attention,” moans Mosshart. Ours too.

Hang You From the Heavens 3:38

Welcome to the single — a simple catchy riff, a hooky chorus and some serious guitar abuse, anchored by a syncopated beat that keeps you offbalance (and proves White really can drum).

I Cut Like a Buffalo 3:27

Out go the guitars. In come a stabbing Hammond organ and a laid-back groove. Bonus points for lyrics that ask “Is that you choking?” over the sound of someone retching.

So Far From Your Weapon 3:40

Mosshart leads the band in call-and-response vocals over a slowly rolling, quietly mesmerizing blues reminiscent of John Lee Hooker. Soothing and ominous at the same time.

Treat Me Like Your Mother 4:11

“I’m just like your mother,” spits Alison. Thanks for that visual, Ms. Freud. As the lumpy funk jam shifts gears midstream, some barking, rap-style vocals ruin the retro effect.

Rocking Horse 2:59

White and Mosshart harmonize on a serving of spaghetti western desert-blues, with twangy guitars and a blistering solo from Fertita, underscored by a nimble bassline from Lawrence.

New Pony 3:58

An obscurity from Dylan’s 1978 offering Street Legal, revved up to a mammoth blues-metal outing of Zeppish proportions — with a slice of Sab’s War Pigs on the side.

Bone House 3:27

Mosshart pitches a hissy fit about always getting what she wants, while Jack and co. smack out a fairly generic blues-rocker. The wildly oscillating treated guitar is the star of the show.

3 Birds 3:44

Another slice of desert-dry noir strung together with plenty of reverb, twang, tremolo and vibrato — except this time it’s an instrumental. What are you, The Sadies?

No Hassle Night 2:56

After a crash-bash intro, things settle down into a seductive slow-grinding groove, with Mosshart purring suggestively that she’s “looking for a place to go.” Short and sweet.

Will There Be Enough Water 6:20

White and co. sail into the sunset with a dusty waltz built from a noodling acoustic guitar, a ringing upright piano and lazy vocals, set atop lethargically brushed drums.

The Dead Weather– Horehound (Album Review)

Freakin’ Jack White.

If there’s anything more annoying than a guy who can’t make up his mind, it’s a guy who turns every half-baked idea into a gold-plated success.

Our boy Jack is guilty as sin on both counts. First and foremost, of course, the singer-guitarist is the brains behind The White Stripes. And, since ex-wife Meg seems to have lost her shpedoinkle for touring, he’s got his Nashville rock outfit The Ranconteurs. But is that enough for White? Noooooo. He’s gotta have a side project for his side project. So now we also have The Dead Weather, another blues-punk outfit with Ranconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence, Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Dean Fertita and Kills vocalist Allison Mosshart.

Like everything White does, their album was reportedly dashed off in a week or two this spring. And like everything White does, it smokes. Horehound’s 11 cuts chase the hoodoo down with a posse of snarling guitars, crash-bash drums, chicken-shack organ and transfixing grooves, while evil seductress Mosshart’s witchy vocals lend a PJ Harvey-meets-Royal Trux vibe to the whole affair. Oh, and just to make his triumph even more annoying, White plays drums in the band (though he apparently contributes guitar, keyboards and vocals on the disc).

So, what next? Well, we can only presume he’ll start a power trio with fellow Type A rockers Josh Homme of QOTSA / Eagles of Death Metal and Damon Albarn of Blur / Gorillaz / Monkey / The Good, The Bad and The Queen. White will probably play bagpipes. And their CD will probably destroy.

Freakin’ guy.

60 Feet Tall 5:33

As openers go, this is more sneak attack than all-out assault — a smouldering hypno-blues slowly evolves from nothing, then explodes into a firestorm of guitars. “You’ve got my attention,” moans Mosshart. Ours too.

Hang You From the Heavens 3:38

Welcome to the single — a simple catchy riff, a hooky chorus and some serious guitar abuse, anchored by a syncopated beat that keeps you offbalance (and proves White really can drum).

I Cut Like a Buffalo 3:27

Out go the guitars. In come a stabbing Hammond organ and a laid-back groove. Bonus points for lyrics that ask “Is that you choking?” over the sound of someone retching.

So Far From Your Weapon 3:40

Mosshart leads the band in call-and-response vocals over a slowly rolling, quietly mesmerizing blues reminiscent of John Lee Hooker. Soothing and ominous at the same time.

Treat Me Like Your Mother 4:11

“I’m just like your mother,” spits Alison. Thanks for that visual, Ms. Freud. As the lumpy funk jam shifts gears midstream, some barking, rap-style vocals ruin the retro effect.

Rocking Horse 2:59

White and Mosshart harmonize on a serving of spaghetti western desert-blues, with twangy guitars and a blistering solo from Fertita, underscored by a nimble bassline from Lawrence.

New Pony 3:58

An obscurity from Dylan’s 1978 offering Street Legal, revved up to a mammoth blues-metal outing of Zeppish proportions — with a slice of Sab’s War Pigs on the side.

Bone House 3:27

Mosshart pitches a hissy fit about always getting what she wants, while Jack and co. smack out a fairly generic blues-rocker. The wildly oscillating treated guitar is the star of the show.

3 Birds 3:44

Another slice of desert-dry noir strung together with plenty of reverb, twang, tremolo and vibrato — except this time it’s an instrumental. What are you, The Sadies?

No Hassle Night 2:56

After a crash-bash intro, things settle down into a seductive slow-grinding groove, with Mosshart purring suggestively that she’s “looking for a place to go.” Short and sweet.

Will There Be Enough Water 6:20

White and co. sail into the sunset with a dusty waltz built from a noodling acoustic guitar, a ringing upright piano and lazy vocals, set atop lethargically brushed drums.

The History of the Electric Guitar as Seen by 3 Rock Legends

“The earliest documented performance with an electrically amplified guitar was in 1932,” according to Wikipedia. The electric guitar was used by Hawaiian Style musicians. George Barnes reportedly recorded the first 2 songs with the electric guitar in 1938.

Now, Rock ‘N’ Roll without the electric guitar, is a folk song; slap a banjo on your knee and rock with a toothless hockey player on the harmonica. Howstuffworks calls it the best thing since the incandescent light bulb.

In It Might Get Loud — a documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three rock legends, Jack White, the lead vocalist for The White Stripes; The Edge, guitarist for the Irish rock band U2; Jimmy Page, co-founder of the English rock band Led Zeppelin; give accounts of their lives mastering the electric guitar.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sBLir8H2zM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

The Breeders plot US tour

The Breeders have announced the dates of an extensive North American tour this summer.

Kim Deal and company will hit the road on August 5, playing dates in cities including St. Louis, Chicago and Washington DC. They’ll conclude the jaunt in Columbus, Ohio on August 23. The tour will also include two nights at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on August 18 and 19.

The band are supporting their recent EP, ‘Fate To Fatal’.

The tour dates are:

Newport, KY Southgate House (August 5)
Indianaplis, IN Vogue (6)
Lawrence, KS Bottleneck (8)
Omaha, NE Showdown (9)
Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Café (11)
Madison, WI Majestic Theatre (12)
Chicago, IL Metro (13)
Pontiac, MI Crofoot Ballroom (14)
Toronto, ONT Lee’s Palace (15)
Boston, MA Paradise Ballroom (17)
New York, NY Bowery Ballroom (18, 19)
Washington, DC Black Cat (21)
Pittsburgh, PA Diesel Club Lounge (22)
Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall (23)

Pearl Jam Announces U.S. Tour Dates

Pearl Jam will celebrate Halloween early with two concerts at Philadelphia’s Wachovia Spectrum to be held Oct. 28 and 30. The shows are part of a brief North American tour which also includes stops in San Diego, Seattle and Los Angeles. Ben Harper and Relentless 7 will open all announced shows except for those in Philadelphia.

The band will also head to Australia and New Zealand in November, with additional dates expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Philadelphia tickets go on sale to the general public on July 17th at 10 a.m. EDT. All other confirmed shows go on sale to the general public on July 18th at 10 a.m. PDT.

The tour dates come in support of Pearl Jam’s self-released ninth album, “Backspacer,” which will be out Sept. 20. As previously reported, Target will be the exclusive big-box retailer in the United States, while Universal will handle distribution internationally.

The new album’s first single, the hard-charging rock track “The Fixer,” will hit U.S. radio and digital retailers on July 20. During a June 1 appearance on “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien,” Pearl Jam premiered “Got Some,” another new song from “Backspacer,” and at recent solo shows, frontman Eddie Vedder has debuted three other tracks — “Unthought Known,” “The End” and “Speed of Sound” — which are expected to appear on the album as well.

On Aug. 8, Pearl Jam will play its first full live show in more than a year at the Virgin Festival in Calgary, Alberta. After a quick four-show run in Europe, the band then visits Toronto (Aug. 21) and Chicago (Aug. 23-24) before headlining the Outside Lands festival in San Francisco on Aug. 28.

Also on tap is a headlining slot on Oct. 4 at the Austin City Limits festival in Austin, Texas. The day before, Pearl Jam will tape an episode of the long-running TV series “Austin City Limits.”

Here are Pearl Jam’s new tour dates:

Sept. 21: Seattle (Key Arena)
Sept. 22: Seattle (Key Arena)
Sept. 30: Los Angeles (Gibson Amp.)
Oct. 1: Los Angeles (Gibson Amp.)
Oct. 6: Los Angeles (Gibson Amp.)
Oct. 7: Los Angeles (Gibson Amp.)
Oct. 9: San Diego (Viejas Arena)
Oct. 28: Philadelphia (Spectrum)
Oct. 30: Philadelphia (Spectrum)

Son Volt: American Central Dust (Album Review)

Jay Farrar resurrected Son Volt in 2005 after his solo career seemingly ran out of gas, and the two albums that followed — Okemah and the Melody of Riot and The Search — were the best and most compelling music he’d made since Son Volt’s masterful debut Trace in 1995. However, the new albums didn’t connect with an especially large audience, and the band was dropped by Sony/BMG; 2009′s American Central Dust, the third set from Son Volt 2.0, has been released by the venerable independent roots music label Rounder Records, and while there’s little telling if it was dictated by finance or esthetics, the album sounds austere in a way its immediate predecessors did not. Okemah and The Search found Farrar and his new bandmates edging into new musical territory while embracing a bigger studio sound; by comparison, American Central Dust feels more organic and intimate, recalling the simplicity of Trace without delivering the bracing rock & roll of songs like “Drown” or “Route.” However, if American Central Dust takes a few steps back in terms of energy and impact, Farrar still sounds thoroughly engaged as both a songwriter and performer, and his band — Chris Masterson on guitars, Mark Spencer on keyboards and steel guitars, Andrew DuPlantis on bass, and Dave Bryson on drums — is tight and sympathetic, finding just the right angle to approach this material. And from the fiery love of “Dynamite,” the environmental and economic commentary of “When the Wheels Don’t Move,” and “Down to the Wire,” the tribute to the joys of a good honky tonk in “Jukebox of Steel,” and the glimpse into Keith Richards’ psyche of “Cocaine and Ashes,” Farrar has rarely spoken his mind so clearly in his songs as he does here, and if he still reaches for a spectral feel, his meanings are more clearly felt than ever. American Central Dust doesn’t have the feel of a step into new territory the way Son Volt’s past two albums did, but it consolidates old strengths and confirms Jay Farrar is still an artist worth caring about to 20 years after Uncle Tupelo cut their first album.

The Dead Weather: Horehound (Listen to entire Album)

The new album from The Dead Weather: Horehound, is streaming for the next 24 hours exclusively on iLike. streaming goodness is located here: www.ilike.com/thedeadweather

Michael Jackson Music Dominates Billboard Charts, 800K Albums Sold

On the day the world said goodbye to Michael Jackson, his legacy continues to shine on Billboard’s charts, a testament to his lasting musical legacy and impact.

Based on preliminary sales numbers from Nielsen SoundScan, Jackson’s catalog of solo albums sold a whopping 800,000 copies in the U.S. in the tracking week that ended at the close of business on Sunday (July 5) night. That’s an increase of 90% compared to the previous week, when his combined albums sold 422,000.

A jump in sales was expected, since this was the first full week of sales since Jackson’s passing on June 25. Additionally, after most physical retailers swiftly sold out of available Jackson albums, Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group were able to replenish brick-and-mortar stores with CDs last week to meet customer demand.

In turn, physical albums accounted for 82% of Jackson’s sales last week — 656,000 physical albums versus 144,000 download albums. In the week previous, when Jackson’s albums moved a total of 422,000, physical albums accounted for 43% of that sum (181,000) while digital albums made up the other 57% (241,000).

When SoundScan’s charts are released in the morning on Wednesday, July 8, Jackson’s “Number Ones” collection will be the top selling album in the United States, with 339,000 (up 215%) and will also be No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Comprehensive Albums chart. “Thriller” will be No. 2 with 187,000 (up 86%) while the third place set will be the newly released “Now 31″ various artists compilation, which will start with 169,000.

Jackson will also again dominate the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart. It tallies albums that are more than 18 months old, have fallen below No. 100 on the Billboard 200 and don’t have a current radio single. Catalog albums are ineligible to appear on The Billboard 200 chart though they can chart on the Top Comprehensive Albums chart.

Last week, Jackson had a record eight albums out of the top 10 on the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart, while a Jackson 5 compilation also found its way into the upper tier. This week, the entire top 10 is all-Jackson, all the time. He alone has albums at Nos. 1-6 and Nos. 8-10 while a Jackson 5 title (“The Ultimate Collection”) resides at No. 7.

On Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs chart, Jackson will hold down five out of the top 10 slots, with “Man in the Mirror” leading as his top selling digital download song of the week (159,000; down 3%). Overall, it ranks as the second-best selling song of the week, next to the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” (215,000; up 6%).

Jackson’s total song download sales this week — including his works with the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons — stand at 2.2 million downloads. Last week, the collected total was 2.6 million

NIN Announce Final (Final) Tour Dates

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor announced today that the band will play a final “handful of shows” in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles beginning August 22.

While NIN originally planned to stop performing in the U.S. for good after the tour with Jane’s Addiction that wrapped June 12, Reznor wrote in a post on the band’s website that “the NIN/JA tour felt like we had to rush through sets due to a limited allotted set length and many shows were in daylight – it just didn’t feel right to end NIN that way.” NIN also has dates scheduled across Europe and Asia through August 15.

No dates have been announced for the extended tour, but Reznor did reveal that the New York shows will be at Bowery Ballroom, Webster Hall and Terminal 5, all smaller club venues. The Chicago show will be at the Aragon Ballroom, while Los Angeles stops will include The Wiltern, The Henry Fonda, The Palladium and The Echoplex. Supporting acts will include the Horrors and Mew, and “possible special guests.” Reznor also said he intends longer set lists for the shows than were planned for the NIN/JA tour.

The post also announced that NIN will be a headline act at Toronto’s Virgin Fest, with dates to be announced shortly.

Watch the Michael Jackson Memorial LIVE from Staples Center

Live coverage from the Staples Center, Los Angeles, where thousands of fans have gathered to say goodbye to superstar Michael Jackson.

Artists including Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey will play at the event.

Roads have been closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Centre, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his untimely death on 25 June.

Other people due to take part in the memorial include Motown boss Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller – Live.

The ceremony is due to begin at 10:00am LA time (1800 BST).

CLICK TO VIEW

The Lemonheads, ‘Varshons’ (Album Review)

Head Lemonhead Evan Dando has always had a magic touch with cover songs. Whether tackling Broadway showtunes or John Prine, or Simon and Garfunkel, the laconic alt-rocker nimbly transforms songs until they sound like they could be his own. That pixie dust extends to “Varshons,’’ the Lemonheads’ first all-covers release. Inspired by mix tapes Dando received from “Varshons’’ producer Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers, the track list is beyond eclectic. Some songs are expected, like the sparkling take of Gram Parsons’s ambling “I Just Can’t Take It Anymore.’’ A few explore the favorite Dando topic of time misspent, including the psychedelic freakout “Green Fuz’’ and Townes Van Zandt’s melancholic “Waiting Around to Die.’’ And then there is the truly left-field, including a bouncy run-through of G.G. Allin’s murder ditty “Layin’ Up With Linda.’’ The other theme seems to be pretty ladies – Kate Moss and Liv Tyler show up to competently provide vocals on Arling & Cameron’s synth-pop song “Dirty Robot’’ and a tender take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye,’’ respectively. Oddly, neither contributes to the lovely, Neil Young-in-“Harvest’’-mode version of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.’’ No matter: That title describes the whole album.

Death Cab for Cutie: “Little Bribes” (Live on Conan) (Video)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6MKPP2vuG8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

The Dead Weather: “Will There Be Enough Water?” and “I Cut Like a Buffalo” (Videos)[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YtNu_T5cEs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

Wilco: Wilco (The Album)–(Album Review)

Sometimes “important’’ bands just want to make good rock records. Which isn’t to say that the adventurous spirit that elevated Chicago rockers Wilco from alt-country upstarts to vanguard indie experimentalists isn’t rattling around the group’s seventh album. That specter has simply taken on a mellower form on “Wilco (the album).’’

Jeff Tweedy (above) and his merry band of musical omnivores dial back the squirrelly avant left turns in favor of ambling guitar rock (“Wilco (the song)’’), hushed laments (“Country Disappeared’’), and Beatles-flavored pop psychedelia (“Deeper Down’’). In other words, there’s a little bit of everything that they’ve done well in the past on early albums like “A.M.’’ and “Summerteeth.’’

There are plenty of pleasing musical quirks that follow in the footsteps of their more recent catalog, too. Consider how the guitars grow from insistent needling to wild and wired on “Bull Black Nova,’’ mirroring the menacing lyrics about encroachment and evoking the skewed sensibility of Split Enz. Or there’s the way Tweedy’s pinched-yet-emotive rasp drily scrapes up against the increasingly frantic soundscapes of “One Wing.’’ And if only because the band hasn’t been known for its soulful stylings, it’s a pleasant surprise to hear “You Never Know’’ shamble along to a Sly Stone groove.

Like with many good rock records, bits of whimsy, melancholy, confusion, and joy swirl around the songs of “Wilco (the album).’’ So while it may not feel as groundbreaking as previous releases, it’s just as human. (Out tomorrow)

Former Beatles, Stones Manager Allen Klein Dies

Infamous record label owner Allen Klein, who played a key role in the demise of the Beatles and also nabbed control of some of the Rolling Stones’ best-known songs, died in New York on Saturday after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, a spokesman said. He was 77.

During a career spanning more than 50 years, the New Jersey-born accountant enjoyed a reputation as a savvy gangster-like figure. His ruthless business practices were reviled by many, but he also earned grudging respect for bullying labels into giving rich deals to his clients.

“Don’t talk to me about ethics,” he told Playboy magazine in 1971.

“Every man makes his own. It’s like a war. You choose your side early and from then on, you’re being shot at. The man you beat is likely to call you unethical. So what?”

It did not hurt his reputation when he was sentenced to two months in prison in 1979 for tax evasion.

He once said John Lennon hired him to protect his interest in the Beatles because he and wife Yoko Ono wanted “a real shark — someone to keep the other sharks away.”

His company, ABKCO Music & Records, is one of the biggest independent labels in an industry controlled by multinational corporations. The spokesman said it would remain family-controlled.

Two of Klein’s three adult children work at the company, including son Jody who runs ABKCO. (The acronym stands for Allen and Betty Klein Co., Betty being his wife.)

Its assets include recordings by the Rolling Stones, the Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Bobby Womack, the Kinks, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and many others.

The publishing arm boasts more than 2,000 copyrights including compositions by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Cooke, Womack, Ray Davies of the Kinks and Pete Townshend of the Who.

SAM COOKE TO BEATLES
Klein broke into the music business by auditing record labels on behalf of clients including Bobby Darin and Connie Francis. When he found they were owed royalties, he took half of the difference as a fee.

His first big management client was Sam Cooke, for whom he negotiated a lucrative recording deal in 1963 that gave the soul star unprecedented control over his own catalog.

Klein, who was already representing “British Invasion” artists such as the Animals, Dave Clark Five and Herman’s Hermits, set his sights on the Rolling Stones, who were laboring under an onerous deal.

He renegotiated their pact in 1965, and ended up managing the group for about five years — taking a 20 percent fee.

The Stones eventually tired of Klein. But the only way to break free of him was to give up the rights to their master recordings and rights to such timeless tunes as “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

“In some ways Allen Klein was very much ahead of his time,” Jagger said in the 1989 Stones documentary “25×5.” “We lasted about three or four years with him, really, though the ramifications of that still continue to this day.”

Richards was more philosophical, describing their experience with Klein as “the price of an education.”

By then, Klein was focused on the ultimate prize, the Beatles. He offered his help to Lennon in early 1969, when the Fab Four’s idealistic Apple Corps. label was fast draining the fractured group’s coffers.

George Harrison and Ringo Starr also warmed to his pitch, but Paul McCartney was fiercely opposed. He preferred the expertise of his father-in-law, high-powered New York attorney Lee Eastman.

Amid a series of complex maneuverings that also have consequences to this day, Klein unsuccessfully tried to secure control of the Beatles’ copyrights on behalf of the group. Michael Jackson ended up with the rights 16 years later.

Klein did score a rich recording deal for the Beatles, but relations within the group were past frayed, and it dissolved in 1970.

That year, Harrison “honored” Klein in a rough version of his song “Beware of Darkness” with the line “beware of ABKCO.” “It might have ended up being prophetic. But at the time it was just a little joke,” Harrison told Reuters in 2000.

Indeed, Harrison and Klein reunited in 1971 to put on the all-star Concert for Bangladesh shows at Madison Square Garden in New York. It took a decade for the funds to reach the refugees because of complex tax problems.

In addition to his children and wife, Klein is survived by his longtime girlfriend Iris Keitel, an ABKCO executive. His funeral will take place in New York on Tuesday.

Kingblind.com is celebrating the 4th of July.. See you Monday!!

Jay-Z Confirms Roc Nation Deals With Sony, Atlantic

As previously reported, Jay-Z has inked a distribution deal with Sony for his Roc Nation label, the Brooklyn-born rapper confirmed to Billboard last week.

“Sony is Roc Nation. That’s where Roc Nation’s going through,” Jay-Z told Billboard.com on Friday (June 29).

As for the deal he recently signed with Atlantic, he clarifies that it is a one-off situation for his upcoming album, “Blueprint 3,” slated for a September 11th release.

“That’s pretty much just for this specific album. Roc Nation — we’re experts in marketing and making records. But we do distribution deals,” he says. “On this one, we’re working directly with the Atlantic staff, which is Julie [Greenwald], Lyor [Cohen], Kevin [Liles] and Kyse [Mike Kyser]. For the rest of the Roc Nation artists, we did a distribution deal with Sony.”

Jay-Z also said he originally approached Def Jam with the same distribution deal idea four years ago, but was shut down. “You have to figure, this is like four years ago, and to them it was just like, ‘Are you crazy? No! Make a song!’” he said. “To me it was like, I’ve sold companies for huge amounts of money. I’m an entrepreneur — that’s what I’ve been all my life. I can’t just sit here and make records and not do anything else. Why wouldn’t you want to do this with me? I felt under-utilized.”

When his Def Jam contract was nearing expiration and he had one last album to release with the label (in this case, “Blueprint 3″), Jay-Z opted to buy himself out of the contract for a reportedly $5 million price tag.

In related news, Jay-Z, who performed during this year’s BET Awards on Sunday (June 28) released the video to his “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune)” video after the show, as part of BET’s post show. The clip features guest appearances from Lyor Cohen, head of Warner Music Group which houses Atlantic Records, basketball player Lebron James and actor Harvey Keitel.

Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records

As predicted, Michael Jackson is once again the King of the Pop charts.

Based on preliminary sales numbers from Nielsen SoundScan, the entire top nine positions on Billboard’s Top Pop Catalog Albums chart will house Jackson-related titles when the tally is released in the early morning on Wednesday (July 1). Nielsen SoundScan’s sales tracking week ended at the close of business on Sunday (June 28) night.

Jackson himself has a record eight out of the top 10, while a Jackson 5 compilation also finds its way into the upper tier.

The King of Pop’s “Number Ones” will fittingly lead the pack at No. 1 with 108,000 (an increase of 2,340%) while “The Essential Michael Jackson” and “Thriller” are in the Nos. 2 and 3 slots with 102,000 and 101,000, respectively. Last week “Number Ones” was the only Jackson title on the chart, at No. 20 with 4,000 copies; both “Essential” and “Thriller” re-enter the tally this week.

Additionally, his classic 1979 studio set “Off the Wall” re-enters at No. 4 with 33,000 while his 1987 album “Bad” returns at No. 6 with 17,000. At No. 5, the Jackson 5′s “The Ultimate Collection” debuts with 18,000. Jackson’s fourth studio album for Epic Records, 1991′s “Dangerous,” re-enters at No. 7 with 14,000 while his 2001 compilation “Greatest Hits: HIStory — Volume 1″ also comes back to the list at No. 8 with 12,000. Finally, Jackson’s 2004 box set “The Ultimate Collection” charts its first week on the Pop Catalog chart, arriving at No. 9 with 11,000.

The lone non-Jackson-related set in the top 10 is a reissue of the “Woodstock” movie soundtrack, which bows at No. 10 with 8,000.

Collectively, Jackson’s solo albums sold 415,000 this past week. That’s extraordinary, since his titles sold a combined 10,000 in the week that ended June 21. Of the 415,000 total, 58% were digital downloads.

Additionally, the 415,000 albums sold just last week is nearly 40% more than what Jackson’s catalog had sold the the entire year up through June 21 (297,000).

Speaking of digital albums, on the Top Digital Albums chart, Jackson has a record six out of the top 10 slots, including the entire top four. “The Essential Michael Jackson” leads the Top Digital Albums list with 80,000 downloads sold, while “Thriller” is No. 2 with 57,000.

With the Black Eyed Peas’ “The E.N.D.” moving back to the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200 chart with 88,000, this week marks the first time that a catalog album has sold more than the No. 1 current set on the Billboard 200 albums chart. (All three of Jackson’s top sellers on the Pop Catalog chart outsell “The E.N.D.”)

Ironically, the feat almost occurred when Jackson re-issued “Thriller” in February 2008. The set relaunched with 166,000, re-entering at No. 1 on the Top Pop Catalog chart. That week, Jack Johnson’s “Sleep Through the Static” led the Billboard 200 chart with 180,000 while Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” was at No. 2 with 115,000.

Catalog albums are ineligible to appear on the Billboard 200 albums chart, though they can chart on the all-encompassing Top Comprehensive Albums list. On the latter chart, Jackson’s “Number Ones,” “Essential” and “Thriller” are at Nos. 1-3, followed by the Black Eyed Peas’ “The E.N.D.” at No. 4.

Jackson places a record 25 songs on the 75-position Hot Digital Songs chart (21 solo hits and four with his siblings), smashing the mark of 14 charting titles established by David Cook in the June 7, 2008 issue. Jackson’s Halloween radio staple, “Thriller,” moves 167,000, which is good for second place on the chart behind the 203,000 shifted by the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling.”

“Thriller” was also Jackson’s best seller in the week before his death with 5,000 downloads, which translates to a 3,551% jump. Jackson’s total volume of downloads this week — including his tracks with the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons — account for 2.6 million downloads, a remarkable number considering last week’s cumulative sum was 48,000. Moreover, Jackson becomes the first act to sell more than 1 million song downloads in a week.

Besides “Thriller,” Jackson places five other songs in the top 10 including “Man In The Mirror” (No. 3, 165,000), “Billie Jean” (No. 4, 158,000), “The Way You Make Me Feel” (No. 6, 136,000), “Beat It” (No. 7, 134,000) and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (No. 8, 125,000).

Not surprisingly, each of the tracks in the top 10 of Hot Digital Songs were among the top 10 most-played Jackson selections at radio following his passing. According to research provided by Nielsen BDS of monitored airplay from over 1,600 terrestrial and satellite radio stations and cable music channels, “Billie Jean” was the Jackson track with the most spins for the week ending June 28 with 4,540 — 97% of which occurred after news of his death became public. The track posted only 318 plays in the prior week.