A decade ago, Robyn was poised to be the next Britney Spears, with her hit "Show Me Love," but the teen hype machine employed by major labels then was repellent, and Robyn retreated back to her native Sweden to rethink her career. Considering where her career path might have led, it's all the remarkable that Robyn is back stronger than ever with her self-titled release, even if it took over ten years to do it. Robyn was released in Sweden in 2005 to rave reviews, and slowly found it's way to the ears of music fans here in the U.S. via import and illegal download. Even though it's three years removed, the album still sounds as fresh as ever (aside from the Teddybears cover "Cobrastyle," as the original is now in the 'tired' column). On Thursday, Robyn makes her US network television debut on Letterman. Considering it will be International Workers' Day, I guess it's only appropriate that it took eleven years of hard work for her to finally make it to this point.
Elsewhere, Neil Diamond is back in the spotlight, first as the feature guest on American Idol (Tuesday/Wednesday) and then performs on The Today Show Friday, showing off a tune from his soon to be released album of gritty acoustic originals (Home Before Dark). Diamond has hooked up with producer Rick Ruben for the second time, hoping to capture some of the same magic that Johnny Cash achieved with Ruben's spare approach.Also, check out She & Him, the Zooey Deschanel / M. Ward collaboration, as last week's performance on Conan featured Yo La Tengo backing the band (video).
Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, April 28
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Roots with Chrisette Michele
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Morrissey
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Georgie James
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Santogold
Tuesday, April 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Cinematic Orchestra
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Morrissey
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Beat Union
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Natasha Bedingfield
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: The Kills
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Serj Tankian
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Def Leppard
Wednesday, April 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Def Leppard
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Grand Archives
FUSE: The Sauce: Chuck D
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Feist
Thursday, May 1
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Robyn
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: She & Him
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Was (Not Was)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Does It Offend You Yeah?
Friday, May 2
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Estelle
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Nick Lowe
NBC: The Today Show: Neil Diamond
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Sleepercar
NBC: The Today Show: Ben Harper (REPEAT)
RAVEHD: Later with Jools Holland: KT Tunstall, Mutya Buena, Band of Horses, Beirut, Martin Simpson, Ting Tings, Gabriella Cilmi
Saturday, May 3
PBS: Austin City Limits: Alejandro Escovedo
1 comment:
Picks for the week of 04.28.08
1. "Rising Up (featuring Wale, Chrisette Michele)" - The Roots
2. "First Of The Gang To Die" - Morrissey
3. "Cake Parade" - Georgie James
4. "Creator" - Santogold
5. "All That You Give" - Cinematic Orchestra
6. "She Is The Gun" - Beat Union
7. "Sour Cherry" - The Kills
8. "Empty Walls" - Serj Tankian
9. "Nine Lives" - Def Leppard
10. "Miniature Birds" - Grand Archives
11. "Rise Above" - Chuck D
12. "I Feel It All" - Feist
13. "Handle Me" - Robyn
14. "Sentimental Heart" - She and Him
15. "Crazy Water" - Was (Not Was)
16. "Battle Royale" - Does It Offend You, Yeah?
17. "Wait A Minute [Just A Touch]" - Estelle
18. "Long Limbed Girl" - Nick Lowe
19. "Hell Yeah" - Neil Diamond
20. "Wasting My Time" - Sleeper Car
21. "In The Colors" - Ben Harper
22. "Hold On" - KT Tunstall
23. "No One's Gonna Love You" - Band Of Horses
24. "A Sunday Smile" - Beirut
25. "A Psalm Of Life" - Martin Simpson
26. "Great DJ" - The Ting Tings
27. "Evening Gown" - Alejandro Escovedo
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