thus spake drake: 03/01/2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Music on TV - Week of 03.28.11: Duran Duran

These weeks must be running together because I swear I just featured Duran Duran and The Strokes for last week's calendar. Since we had The Strokes up top last week, let's give it a switcheroo, change the places/times (Duran Duran on Kimmel Wed., on Fallon Thu. / Strokes on Fallon Wed) and call it a (late) night (/early morning).

Catch ya next week...

Picks for the week
Monday, March 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Sounds
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: FaR*eAst Movement
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Asking Alexandria
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Los Lonely Boys
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Vanilla Fudge
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Two Door Cinema Club (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Seether
TBS: Conan: Little Big Town
Tuesday, March 29
ABC: Good Morning America: Britney Spears
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Snoop Dogg
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Asking Alexandria
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Freddie Gibbs, Death
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Heart
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Sergio Mendes
TBS: Conan: Panic at the Disco!
Wednesday, March 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Duran Duran
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Mos Def
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Strokes
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Goldheart Assembly
Thursday, March 31
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Funeral Party
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Airborne Toxic Event
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Duran Duran
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Grouplove
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Snoop Dogg
Friday, April 1
CBS: The Early Show: Miranda Lambert
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Royal Bangs
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Airborne Toxic Event
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Scissor Sisters
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ted Leo, The Greenhornes
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: OneRepublic
Saturday, April 2
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Rihanna (REPEAT)
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Elton John & Leon Russell
PBS: Austin City Limits: Jimmy Cliff (REPEAT)

Friday, March 25, 2011

Now Downloading: New Releases 03.22.11

The highlights from this week's crop include three albums I've already delivered digital ink for: James Blake's haunting debut (was available digitally February 8), Duran Duran's return to form (was digitally available back in December), and The Strokes (featured Music on TV artist from Monday). Beyond that, there are a couple fine albums dealing with mortality this week from Edwyn Collins and Eulogies, along with new releases from Datarock, The Lonely Forest, BOAT, and an opera from Pet Shop Boys.

Playlist: New Releases 03.22.11

Edwyn Collins - Losing Sleep
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Losing Sleep is the third solo release for Orange Juice's Edwyn Collins, but it's the first since he nearly died back in 2005 from cerebral hemorrhages. As such, just the fact that you can hold this release in your hands makes it an inspiration worth your attention, but Collins isn't just resting on the human interest angle here. Sure, there are moments abound in the album where it's tempting to assume a given track is about mortality, but Collins' long trusted songwriting ability shines through and the death spectacle isn't needed. As a bonus, Losing Sleep gets some great guest appearances from Johnny Marr, Roddy Frame, along with members of Franz Ferdinand, The Drums and The Cribs.

Eulogies - Tear the Fences Down
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Keeping with the theme of mortality, Eulogies' third release Tear the Fences Down was written in the wake of the death of a four-year to cancer, son to the best friend of frontman Peter Walker. Regardless of the album's origins, Eulogies have never sounded so energetic, quite the opposite of the expected melancholy in the face of such a tragic death. Listeners unaware of the album's intentions will likely hear the heartbreaking end to relationships, none the worse for wear. Highlights include the poptastic title track and the aching beauty of "How to Say Goodbye."

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Skins (MTV) "Eura/Everyone" - Let it all out

The experiment that is re-working Skins for the US on MTV has ended its first (and possibly last) season. And while -- like it's UK parent -- the season was riddled with problems, I would happily welcome another season, as there were enough moments of brilliance and differentiation from the original to warrant a longer look. (The ratings were up for the season's finale, but renewal chances are still on the iffy side.)

Take the infamous UK finale with Sid breaking into Cat Stevens' "Wild World" (a Magnolia moment). Tony getting hit by a bus was so absurd the singing served to take what could've been absurd to a surreal art form. It's safe to say that bit of crazy wouldn't fly on MTV, so instead we have Stanley (US' Sid) spontaneously taking the mic at a Starscream show and singing Tears for Fears' "Shout." Starscream joining him on queue is as crazy as we get (that and Cadie joining in perfect harmony). Ultimately, the UK version naturally works better (Nicholas Hoult as Tony alone makes it difficult for the US version to rise to the bar that was set), but we're at least given a glimpse into how they might handle some scenarios like this in a creative fashion.

Playlist: Skins (MTV) - Episode 1.10
1. "Lina Magic" - 3D Friends (Theme Song) [free mp3 download]
2. "Dear Heartbeat" - Darkstar [free mp3 download]
3. "Gravity In Terms Of Space-Time" - Starscream [free mp3 download]
4. "Kepler's Star Catalog" - Starscream [free mp3 download]
5. "December 28th" - [Cavemanfree mp3 download]
6. "Free Today" - Figurines
7. "Piranhas Club" - Man Man (from forthcoming release Live Fantastic, out May 10, 2011)
8. "Me & Mandy" - Lionshare [download]
9. "Tan Lines" - Valleys [download]
10. "Surrounded By Your Friends" - Hooray For Earth [download]
11. "Holding Stones" - Little Tybee [download]
12. "Shades Of Blue" - Guido [download]
13. "Elgrin" - Fat Segal
14. "Silly Billy Borg" - Fat Segal
15. "Shout (Tears for Fears)" - Starscream (feat. Danny Flaherty & Britne Oldford)
16. "Say Goodbye" - Sophie Barker [download]

Previously: "Stanley" (Episode 1.05)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Music on TV - Week of 03.21.11: The Strokes

The Strokes return from a near five-year hiatus as a slightly different beast. Singer Julian Casablancas has relinquished some control of the band, allowing all the members of the band to contribute, which sounds to these ears more like the frontman's concessions to keep the band together than a conscious choice to push the band forward.

Angles is an improvement on the head scratcher that was 2006's First Impressions of Earth, but one can't help but wish for the iron-fisted controlling sound of their first two releases, Is This It? (2001) and Room on Fire (2003). The Strokes storm Ed Sullivan theater for a performance on Letterman, Wednesday.

Speaking of returns, those new wave giants Duran Duran are back to being relevant again with their new Mark Ronson-produced (and 14th) release All You Need is Now. Oddly enough, it's also the first release from the D-Squared that's not on a major label. By going small, Simon LeBon & co. have mostly returned to their roots, even copping a Niles Rodgers-like groove at times. The album has been digitally available since December, but now the physical copy is getting the expanded treatment, with six more tracks and a bonus DVD (digital releases will also have all 15 tracks as well). Duran Duran make two appearances this week, performing on Leno Tuesday night, and making Ellen dance on Friday.

Elsewhere, there's lots of ear candy on this post's undercard, including British Sea Power (Monday) and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Tuesday) on Letterman, Peter Bjorn & John on Leno Thursday and Cut Copy on Fallon Friday night.

Picks for the week
Monday, March 21
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Brett Dennen
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: British Sea Power
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Steve Martin
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Raphael Saadiq
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Little Dragon
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (REPEAT)
Tuesday, March 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Gaslight Anthem
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Duran Duran
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Richard Ashcroft
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Morning Benders
TBS: Conan: Teddy Thompson
Wednesday, March 23
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Strokes
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Bootsy Collins, Friendly Fires
TBS: Conan: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Thursday, March 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Oh Land
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mountain Goats (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Peter Bjorn & John
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Tres Mts
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ra Ra Riot
TBS: Conan: Wanda Jackson (REPEAT)
Friday, March 25
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Oh Land (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Cut Copy
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Duran Duran
Saturday, March 26
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Chris Brown
PBS: Austin City Limits: Foo Fighters (REPEAT)

Friday, March 18, 2011

Now Downloading: New Releases 03.15.11

It's SXSW week, so the new release list is short and concise as a result. There's the latest from Dodos, Cornershop, J. Mascis, The Joy Formidable, Black Joe Lewis, Noah and the Whale, Mother Mother, Brown Recluse, Brave Irene, Does it Offend You, Yeah?, Jad Fair and a reissue from the Basher, Nick Lowe.

Playlist: New Releases 03.15.11

Dodos - No Color
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

After somewhat disappointing results after working with Phil Ek (you don't hear that too often) on 2009's Time to Die, the Dodos are back working with previous engineer John Askew -- and back as a duo once again (original members Meric Long and Logan Kroeber). With No Color, they're back to the percussive acoustic guitar + drums pop that endeared us to them on their debut Visiter. And when they do introduce another body to the mix, they make the most of it, as on the track "Sleep" which put good use to Neko Case's voice. The electric guitar that was introduced in Time to Die is still here and there, both as color (feedback on "Black Night") or as poignant added punch ("Good"). It's their noisiest and most coherent work, their best release to date.

Free AOL Album Stream

Cornershop - Cornershop & the Double 'O' Groove of
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Since Cornershop broke through with the hit "Brimful of Asha," from 1997's When I Was Born for the 7th Time, they've labored mostly in the margins, combining their distinctive Punjabi rhythms with rock and roll to mixed results. When they're on, it's exhilarating... but when their off, it's kind of dumb. In the middle of their past decade of work, they snuck in a jewel of a Punjabi hybrid called "Topknot," which, released in 2004, featured the vocals of Punjab singer Bubbley Kaur. It sounded a bit different from the rest of their Indian-Rock jams, and Cornershop & the Double 'O' Groove of is born of that collaboration. Besides the aforementioned "Topknot," it includes the similarly sounding labor of love "Natch" and outside of that features the rock/India mix we've come to expect from Tinder Singh & Co. While it's not going to make anyone forget "Brimful of Asha" and the Born for the Seventh Time, this latest proves that the band isn't coasting on this veteran stage of their career.

Download: "Topknot (Cavemen Mix Feat M.I.A. - Clean Mix)" [mp3]

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
J Mascis - Several Shades of Why / "Not Enough," "Is It Done" [mp3]
The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears - Scandalous
Noah and the Whale - Last Night on Earth
Mother Mother - Eureka
Brown Recluse - Evening Tapestry
Brave Irene - Brave Irene
Does it Offend You, Yeah? - Don't Say We Didn't Warn You / Free AOL Album Stream
Jad Fair - His Name Itself Is Music
Adebisi Shank - This Is The Second Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank / Free AOL Album Stream
Eleventh Dream Day - Riot Now! / "Satellite" [mp3]
Steve Martin - Rare Bird Alert / Free AOL Album Stream
The Death Set - Michel Poiccard
Screaching Weasel - First World Manifesto / Free AOL Album Stream
Smoking Popes - This is Only a Test / Free AOL Album Stream
Bob Geldof - How to Compose Popular Songs / Free AOL Album Stream

REISSUE
Nick Lowe - Labour of Lust

tags: music, album review, dodos, j mascis, indie rock, new releases

Monday, March 14, 2011

Chuck vs the A-Team: The Juice is Defuse

The ping-ponging of story lines for Chuck has been hard to digest, even knowing that the series had to adapt more than once to additional episode orders (started with 13, expanded to 24). At least here in the scramble for more stories to tell, we get a welcome return of two of the Gretas from the first few episodes (Old Spice pitchman Isiah Mustafa and Stacey Keebler) as new Intercepts. Besides getting Mustafa back in the mix, it was an intriguing exploration of how Chuck is a special vessel for carrying the Intercept -- it's his perceived weaknesses (lack of killer instinct, geek obsessions) that make him the viable Intercept that both his father and Bryce believed him to be.

Musically, highlights were hearing "Murder Weapon" from Tricky's latest release, Mixed Race and a song ("Ticking Heart") from One A.M. Radio's forthcoming (April 12) release Heaven Is Attached By a Slender Thread.

Playlist: Chuck - Episode 4.18
1. "Murder Weapon" - Tricky [download]
2. "You & Me" - Diamond Rings [download]
3. "No Man is an Island" - Losers
4. "Ticking Heart" - The One AM Radio [download]

Previously: Chuck vs the C.A.T. Squad (Episode 4.15)

Music on TV - Week of 03.14.11:

The Chieftains (Monday) headline Irish Week on Jimmy Fallon

St. Patrick's Day is this week, so Celtic purveyors like The Chieftains (Monday, Fallon) and Young Dubliners (Thursday, Kimmel) are back on the telly.

Picks for the week
Monday, March 14
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ron Sexsmith
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Cold War Kids
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Lonely Forest
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Avril Lavigne
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Chieftains
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: A Perfect Circle (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Guster (REPEAT)
Tuesday, March 15
ABC: Good Morning America: Sammy Hagar
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Avril Lavigne
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Bob Geldof
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Dance Gavin Dance
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Juanes
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Kenny Rogers
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lykke Li
PBS: Tavis Smiley: Wynton Marsalis
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Sick Puppies (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Steel Train (REPEAT)
Wednesday, March 16
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Wombats
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Alesana
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Matt & Kim, Screaming Females
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Ciara (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Cheap Trick (REPEAT)
Thursday, March 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Young Dubliners
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Blackguard
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Serj Tankian
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lissie and Clare Burson
TBS: Conan: Iron & Wine (REPEAT)
Friday, March 18
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Alesana
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Alice Cooper
PBS: Tavis Smiley: Smokey Robinson
Saturday, March 19
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Jessie J
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Eminem (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Patty Griffin with Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Now Downloading: New Releases 03.08.11

In past years, the second Tuesday in March has a big one for releases, coming in advance of SXSW and Spring Breaks, but we're left with merely a tidy stack to choose from. There's still to be pleased with, though, counting another release from the reunited Buffalo Tom, and the latest from Elbow. I've just started listening to the well received latest from Kurt Vile, and am also enamored. Elsewhere there's new releases from Wye Oak, R.E.M., Beth Ditto, Ringo Deathstar and the soundtrack to the Haruki Murakami adapted Norwegian Wood, by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood.

Playlist: New Releases 03.08.11

Buffalo Tom - Skins
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

When Buffalo Tom returned in 2007 with Three Easy Pieces after a decade's absence, the amps seemed cranked to make up for time. Now fully settled into the 21st century, their eighth release, Skins, is a more subtle affair, harking back to mood and tempo of their peak from '92-'93 (Let Me Come Over, Big Red Letter Day), mixing up-tempo rockers with heady ballads. Bill Janovitz's voice is like an old sweater that's immediately comfortable, and the older, wiser version still rings true, even as the subject matter is more grown-up. Songs like "Don't Forget Me" and Bassist Chris Colbourn's "Miss Barren Brooks" fit that mold, and even though they're quieter, they pack as much punch as the up-tempo tracks, like "Guilty Girls."

Free AOL Album Stream

Elbow - Build a Rocket Boys!
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Like Buffalo Tom above, Elbow by this point has little interest in grabbing the brass ring. Even after winning the Mercury Prize and touring with U2, the Manchester outfit is more interested in crafting their albums for themselves and fans of the band, and if you count yourself in that select company, Build a Rocket Boys! will not disappoint. The album is centered on the gorgeous track "Jesus Is A Rochdale Girl," where saving comes in the form of a girl and a stack of CDs. According to band leader Guy Garvey, that song was written first and everything on the album sprouted from that. Not a bad way to start.

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Wye Oak - Civilian
Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo / "Jesus Fever" [mp3]
R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now
Beth Ditto - EP / Free AOL Album Stream
Jonny Greenwood - Norwegian Wood OST
Ringo Deathstarr - Fading Parade / "Do What You Will" [mp3]
Rival Schools - Pedals / Free AOL Album Stream
Carol Bui - Red Ship / "Geisha Means Open Minded" [mp3]
Parts & Labor - Constant Future / Free AOL Album Stream
The Megaphonic Thrift - Decay Decoy / Free AOL Album Stream / "Candy Sin" [mp3]
Les Breastfeeders - Dans la guele des jours
Glee Cast - Glee: The Music, Volume 5
Daniel Tosh - Happy Thoughts

REISSUE
Neil Diamond - The Bang Years (1966-1968)

tags: music, album review, buffalo tom, elbow, indie rock, new releases

Monday, March 07, 2011

Music on TV - Week of 03.07.11: Lykke Li

Lykke Li performs "Get Some" on Conan Thursday, March 10

It's mostly a week of repeats (I picked the wrong week to take off!), but Conan's got Drive-By Truckers and Sweden's fabulous Lykke Li, so all is not lost.

Picks for the week
Monday, March 7
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Adele (REPEAT)
CBS: The Early Show: Eperanza Spalding
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Script (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Biffy Clyro
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Ricky Martin (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Jimmy Eat World (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Steel Train
Tuesday, March 8
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: One eskimO (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Best Coast (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Trouble Andrew
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Civil Wars (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Mini Mansions (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Drive-By Truckers
VH1: Dave Chappelle's Block Party: Erykah Badu, Cody ChestnuTT, Common, Mos Def, The Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Talib Kali, The Roots, Jill Scott
Wednesday, March 9
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Bryan Ferry (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Mos Def
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Neon Trees (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Mike Gordon (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Alberta Cross (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Lupe Fiasco
Thursday, March 10
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Cake (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Gang of Four (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Norma Jean
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Laurie Anderson (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Lykke Li
Friday, March 11
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Michael Franti & Spearhead (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Naughty by Nature (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Biffy Clyro
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: John Legend (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Raekwon with Ghostface (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Yelawolf (REPEAT)
Saturday, March 12
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Jessie J
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Jessie J
PBS: Austin City Limits: Bettye LaVette, Pinetop Perkins
VH1: Behind the Music: Nelly
Sunday, March 12
HDNET: BritPop Concert Marathon featuring concerts from Snow Patrol, Kaiser Chiefs, Duffy and Franz Ferdinand

Friday, March 04, 2011

Now Downloading: New Releases 03.01.11

Back from my time off in Mexico and it seems like we're still experiencing a little dry spell with new releases. Of note are new releases from Sweden's Lykke Li, The Baseball Project, Lucinda Williams, Middle Brother, Dum Dum Girls, Anna Calvi, Papercuts and Ron Sexsmith.

Playlist: New Releases 03.01.11

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

With her debut of Youth Novels in 2008, Lykke Li quickly established herself as Sweden's best professional-dancer=turned=singer. With spare but inventive production again from the Bjorn third of Peter Bjorn & John, Li has built upon her fascinating debut and made it better in every way. The prostitute-angled "Get Some" is raucous highlight, but is that's all you hear from it, you'll be missing out on a dynamic sophomore release.

The Baseball Project - Vol 2: High and Inside
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Lucinda Williams - Blessed
Middle Brother - Middle Brother / Free AOL Album Stream / "Me Me Me" [mp3]
Dum Dum Girls - He Gets Me High (EP) / "He Gets Me High" [mp3]
Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
Papercuts - Fading Parade / "Do What You Will" [mp3]
Ron Sexsmith - Long Player Late Bloomer / Free AOL Album Stream
Acrylics - Lives and Treasure / Free AOL Album Stream / "Sparrow Song" [mp3]
Devotchka - 100 Lovers / Free AOL Album Stream
Eisley - The Valley / Free AOL Album Stream
Paris Suit Yourself - My Main Shitstain
The Two Koreas - Science Island / Free AOL Album Stream
The Rural Alberta Advantage - Departing / Free AOL Album Stream
Forever the Sickest Kids - Forever the Sickest Kids

tags: music, album review, lykke li, the baseball project, indie rock, new releases