Ear on TV: Week of 05.03.10: New Pornographers

One of the trials of fronting a supergroup is finding time on everyone's busy schedule, and it's no different for Carl Newman and his collective of Canadian stars, The New Pornographers. Between the time demand for Neko Case, Dan Bejar's Destroyer and Newman's own solo career as A.C. Newman, the New Pornographers have to do a lot of juggling in order to get everyone together for time in the studio and especially to tour. As if in response to this occasional struggle, their latest (and fifth) release is titled Together, a nice commentary on the band's once-every-two-to-three-years unity.

In keeping with the album's title, all eight members of the band will be 'together' for the tour, kicking off with a collective appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on cinco de Mayo (Wednesday). As if eight weren't enough for this supergroup, New Pornographers brought in a slew of guest stars, including Zach Condon (Beirut), Will Sheff (Okkervil River) and The Dap-Kings, to name a few. Speaking of all the guest stars, actor Adam Goldberg hosts an amusing (and chaotic) look behind the scenes video:


Elsewhere, The Devil Makes Three make their television debut on Dinner With the Band, selected by Chef Sam Mason, who also moonlights as a country music DJ. On the menu is roasted chicken, spiced carrots and pickled green beans, all of which sound like a great pairing to DM3's whiskey-soaked country sound. Another great pairing in the making is Jay-Z as musical guest to Betty White's hosting on this week's Saturday Night Live. There's been rumors of them working together on something for the episode, but why stop there? A full album of Betty White in the vein of The Black Album could even eclipse Danger Mouse's contrast mashup, The Grey Album. Hova + Betty = Gold.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, May 3
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Tokyo Police Club
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Godsmack
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Corinne Bailey Rae
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Metric (REPEAT)
Tuesday, May 4
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
FUSE: Madonna: Innocence Lost: Madonna
IFC: Dinner With the Band: The Devil Makes Three
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: OK Go
Wednesday, May 5
ABC: The View: Court Yard Hounds
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Godsmack
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Willie Nelson
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Foxy Shazam
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Roger Waters, The New Pornographers
Thursday, May 6
ABC: The View: Willie Nelson
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Angels & Airwaves
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Court Yard Hounds
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Local Natives
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Lenny Kravitz (REPEAT)
VH1: NWA: Dangerous Group: NWA, Ice Cube, Dr Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren
Friday, May 7
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Wale
FUEL: The Daily Habit: High on Fire
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Common
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Bloc Party, La Roux
Saturday, May 8
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Jay-Z
PBS: Austin City Limits: Drive-By Truckers, Ryan Bingham (REPEAT)

Ear on TV: Week of 04.26.10: Courtney Love's Hole

Adding weight to my theory that we're re-living 1994 all over again*, Courtney Love's band Hole is back with their first album (Nobody's Daughter) in over a decade, and their first relevant album since 1994's Live Through This. Of course, it's a bit of a misnomer calling this a Hole album, given that co-founder Eric Erlandson is absent, along with fan fave Melissa Auf Der Maur. Love is taking a page out of album collaborator Billy Corgan's book, banking on the band name without any of the other actual band members. Like Smashing Pumpkins, this is now about Love and Love alone.

* Seriously... Pavement, Soundgarden, Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr,, Sunny Day Real Estate, Alice in Chains and host of others are all in min-comebacks. I even took part in my first full blown show in over 16 years.

Love recently declared that the 'Love' name should be dead anyway, looking for a fresh start. As expected, that turned out to be just Courtney talking out of turn (surprise, surprise) as her management have clarified that statement for Love, calling it a metaphor. Is that what they're calling talking out of turn days? Instead of a trip to rehab, artists can blame their English teacher. Courtney Love (or whatever she wants to call herself) and Hole will be performing twice this week, first on Letterman Tuesday, and then on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, The Hold Steady is also coming back with a slightly revamped line-up, having lost keyboardist (and resident mustache) Franz Nicolay, who's moved on to solo endeavors. The resulting product, Heaven is Whenever, still has Craig Finn's beer-soaked observations, but is less anthemic and more spacious, which is not a bad thing. I'm still missing those Springsteen-like fills on the keys that Nicolay would sprinkle liberally throughout, though. Maybe Paul Schaffer can do the job when they stop by Letterman to likely perform the song "Rock Problems" on Friday.

Elsewhere, IFC's Dinner With the Band is back and getting a full 13 episode season with corresponding premiere. Rufus Wainwright sings for his supper Tuesday night (video below), which consists of Schnitzel, Spaetzle and Sauerkraut. Achtung, baby! Looking over the artists listed, it looks like the mini season we enjoyed late last year is being folded into this season. Besides highlights Les Savy Fav, Final Fantasy and Sharon Jones, chef Sam Mason welcomes The Mountain Goats, My Brightest Diamond, Andrew WK and The Murder City Devils.


Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, April 26
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: David Sanborn
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Gogol Bordello
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: OK Go, Paolo Nutini
Tuesday, April 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Hole
IFC: Dinner With the Band: Rufus Wainwright
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Whigs
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Citizen Cope
Wednesday, April 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Dr. Dog
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: OK Go
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Aqualung
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: RJD2
Thursday, April 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Hole
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: OK Go
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Holly Golightly
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Paramore
Friday, April 30
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Hold Steady
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: The Killers, Florence and the Machine, Chairlift
Saturday, May 1
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Vampire Weekend (REPEAT)
Sunday, May 2
HBO: Treme: Kermit Ruffins, Dr. John

Dinner with the Band: Vegan YACHT

Haven't commented on the past couple DWTB eps, due to a combination of 'not enough time' and 'not as interested in the band' and was all set to skip this one, but YACHT elevated it a bit with their performances (specifically, with "Pyschic City/Voodoo City"). I wasn't interested in the vegan menu, as I can see little chance of me evey cooking it and the chemistry between Sam & the band was just ok. So it was all music, for the most part...

Playlist: Dinner with the Band
1. "Togen's Hule" - Casiokids [mp3]
2. "Bejan" - Tanlines [mp3]
3. "Ring the Bell" - YACHT [mp3]
4. "The Explorers" - CFCF [mp3]
5. "Gront Lys I Alle Ledd" - Casiokids [mp3]
6. "Follow Me" - Codebreaker [mp3]
7. "High Hopes" - Justin Faust
8. "Psychic City" - YACHT [mp3]

Previously: DWTB - Les Savy Fav

Dinner with the Band: Les Savy Fav

Easily my favorite of the three episodes so far. Having Les Savy Fav guaranteed that wrenches would be thrown in the proceedings, with frontman Tim Harrington turning Sam Mason's living room into his own private art performance. Whether it was writhing over one of the guests or taking a mid-song shower, Harrington made sure this DWTB would not be ordinary.

"I don't overdrink, except when I'm on a food show."
- Tim Harrington

It helps as well that the menu tonight was something my mouth waters for: Jerk Pheasant, Mofongo and some crazy Mai Tais. The cooking segment was more interesting not just because of the menu, though, but also due to entertaining stories and questions from Harrington and Les Savy Fav. The music in the cooking segments was naturally from Frenchkiss Records, the label founded by Les Savy Fav bass player Syd Butler. The Antlers, Call Me Lightning, The Big Sleep, Tangiers and Sean Bones rounded out a great soundtrack.

Playlist: Dinner with the Band - Episode 1.03 (Les Savy Fav)
1. "Billion Eyes" - Call Me Lightning
2. "Murder" - The Big Sleep
3. "Yawn Yawn Yawn" - Les Savy Fav
4. "Dragging the Harbour" - Tangiers
5. "Two" - The Antlers
6. "Bear" - The Antlers
7. "Sugar in my Spoon" - Sean Bones
8. "Bringing Us Down" - Les Savy Fav

Bonus song/video: "Rome (Written Upside Down)"

Previously: Episode 1.02 - Final Fantasy

Dinner with the Band: Final Clam Fantasy

This week's Dinner with the Band was a big improvement over last week's sleepy premiere. On the cooking side, having just Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy) in the kitchen seemed to put chef Sam Mason more at ease with the proceedings. And Pallett, likewise, seemed more at home in the kitchen than the Dap-Kings last week, who at times seemed like they'd just as soon curl up on the sofa and 'sleep one off.'

But the real prize here is the three songs from Final Fantasy's upcoming album Heartland that were 'debuted' (two songs embedded below). In all, Pallett played four songs, including "This Lamb Sells Condos," from 2007's He Poos Clouds. The new album, Heartland, appears to be a concept album about a violent farmer named Lewis who's a proud patriot of the fictional land called Spectrum. Heartland comes out January 12, 2010.





Playlist: Dinner with the Band - Episode 1.02 (Final Fantasy)
1. "Running" - Tmdp
2. "Up All Night" - French Horn Rebellion
3. "This Lamb Sells Condos" - Final Fantasy
4. "Keep the Dog Quiet" - Final Fantasy (link to live video)
5. "Hot Cakes" - El Ten Eleven
6. "3 Plus 4" - El Ten Eleven
7. "A Lovely Drive To You" - Cassettes Won't Listen
8. "Chopper" - Mannequin Men
9. "Helpful" - Mannequin Men
10. "Communication Breakup" - Gator
11. "Eskimo Scientist" - Le Mood

Previously: Dinner with the Band - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Ear on TV: Week of 11.30.09: Band of Skulls

Most would assume that bands were clamoring to get in New Moon's soundtrack, but for many, like the UK's Band of Skulls, it wasn't even on their radar. In fact, the band found out via the Los Angeles Times that a demo they'd recorded after finishing their debut album (Baby Darling Doll Face Honey) had been pegged for inclusion. It wasn't until singer/guitarist Russell Marsden spoke to his 22-year old sister that the band began to understand just how a big deal it was getting the song ("Friends") on the soundtrack.

The band performs on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Friday night, likely playing the soundtrack contribution in the wake of the film's success. They've had a streak of good television and film inclusions, between the song "I Know What I Am" getting used in an iPod commercial and "Blood" getting placement in this past season of True Blood. Two vampire franchises in one year? Does the band like vampires? "No," said Mardsen, before they performed at the movie premiere, "they're not very nice." Similarly, they had no interest in meeting the film's stars, preferring instead to checkout fellow performers Sea Wolf (who who are also on the calendar this week playing The Bonnie Hunt Show on Tuesday).

Meanwhile, Oscar winners Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season), have warmed up to tinseltown a bit since becoming the toast of the ceremony in 2007, after their win for Once. Take their performance in Los Angeles this past week, where actor Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, How I Met Your Mother) joined the band on stage to perform his own special composition. The band joined in for what turned out to be a musical pick-up line, referencing his penis and even including a real phone number to call for some action. I doubt Segel will be around when the band plays The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Monday night, but it gives me the perfect opportunity to embed the video (below).



Finally, it's the second installment of IFC's Dinner With the Band, which this week will be a much less crowded set featuring Owen Pallett, aka Final Fantasy. On the menu is This Lamb Sells Razor Clam Ragu, and plenty of twisted violin pop from Final Fantasy. Both sound delectable in their own way.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Death Cab for Cutie (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Weezer (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Swell Season
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bat For Lashes (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
Tuesday, December 1
IFC: Dinner WIth the Band: Final Fantasy
FOX: Lopez Tonight: The Bravery
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Rickie Lee Jones
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Avett Brothers (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Cold War Kids (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Bonnie Hunt Show: Sea Wolf
Wednesday, December 2
CBS: Grammy Nominations Concert Live!: Maxwell, Sugarland, Black Eyed Peas, LL Cool J
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Cribs with Johnny Marr (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Raveonettes
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, The Police (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Obits (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
Thursday, December 3
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mika (REPEAT)
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Los Lobos
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: The Big Pink
NBC: The Jay Leno Show: Maxwell
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Phoenix (REPEAT)
Friday, December 4
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Band of Skulls
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Wale (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Keane (REPEAT)
Saturday, December 5
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: David Gray
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Rihanna

Dinner with the Band: Sharon "Boogidyboo" Jones

IFC's Dinner with the Band premiered tonight featuring Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, and the kitchen was crowded. The episode featured a lot of tired-looking Dap-Kings standing/sitting and looking on as chef Sam Mason put together the *meal. I was kind of hoping for more energy from somebody on the set, but everyone looked like the morning after pulling an all-night set at The Bowery.

*Since my body has issues digesting any red meat, I can't speak for how mouth-watering the Sharon Steak turned out. But the red-eye gravy and Dap-Rings (beer-battered onion rings) looked deeeeelish. But... Decaf coffee grounds sprinkled on Onion Rings?

Menu:
Sharon Steaks, Dap Rings and Red Eye Gravy + a Welcome Home Martini.

Music backing the episode was pulled entirely from the Daptone Records catlogue, w/ many songs appearing on their new compilation out today, Daptone Gold.

Playlist: Dinner with the Band Episode 1.01 (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings)
1. "Na Teef Know De Road of Teef" - Pax Nicholas & the Nettey Family
2. "Montego Sunset" - Menahan Street Band
3. "Ataa Onukpa" - Pax Nicholas & the Nettey Family
4. "Make the Road By Walking" - Menahan Street Band
5. "Let Them Knock" - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (performance)
6. "What Have You Done" - Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens
7. "Budos Rising" - The Budos Band
8. "100 Days, 100 Nights" - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

If you missed it, IFC is re-airing episodes several times during the week.

Previously; Ear on TV Calendar for this week featured a preview of the series.

Ear on TV: Week of 11.23.09: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

You can forgive the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a bit of fuzzy math in calling this their 25th anniversary. First and foremost, any excuse to put on a star-studded concert event like this is going to be accepted. (Just is.) Secondly, they're really splitting the difference, given that it was founded in 1983 but didn't have an induction until three years later.

Recorded over two nights (October 29-30) at Madison Square Garden, HBO has pared the 90 song setlist down to four hours. The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert might just be the most legendary lineup of artists ever to grace the stage for the same celebration. And what a better cause to celebrate -- that of Rock & Roll.

Playlist: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert - setlist (list of songs played)

Just to look through the lineup as it was announced some time ago was star-studded enough. But then to see all the special guests and the combinations that ended up playing on stage together makes this one for the ages*. Bruce Springsteen, U2, Stevie Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby Stills & Nash are on the marquee, but it's the prospect of Metallica backing Lou Reed and Ray Davies, or Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello launching into The Clash's "London Calling" that really grease the wheels. All that was missing was Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell (Eric Clapton cancelled at the last minute due to illness). The concert airs on HBO Sunday night at 8PM.

*And I do mean ages -- the average age of the performers lies well north of 60.

It's Thanksgiving week, and that means both vacation and a very big meal. Relating to the former, we have some of the talkies taking a break. To the latter, we have an exciting new series from IFC called Dinner with the Band, which takes the construct of a cooking show and sprinkles discussion of music with a helping of live performance. Brooklyn Chef Sam Mason invites musicians to a kitchen where he builds a menu based on their tastes, while the band helps do the cooking.. Artists scheduled for this first season include Final Fantasy, Les Savy Fav, Kid Sister, Men, Yacht and season premiere guest. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, who are treated to gourmet Steak & Eggs. Um... yum?
Dinner with the Band will Tuesday nights on IFC, at 11PM.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Weezer
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Cold War Kids
NBC: The Jay Leno Show: Lady Gaga
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Timbaland with Nelly Furtado and So Shy
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bat For Lashes (REPEAT)
Tuesday, November 24
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rihanna
IFC: Dinner WIth the Band: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Weezer
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Pixies
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Cold War Kids (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Bon Jovi
Wednesday, November 25
NBC: The Today Show: Bon Jovi
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Mos Def & Talib Kweli
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
Thursday, November 26
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Rx Bandits
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Bon Jovi
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Phoenix (REPEAT)
Friday, November 27
FUEL: The Daily Habit - Special Best of Music Matt & Kim, Matt & Kim, The Walkmen, The Bronx, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, Street Sweeper Social Club
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Keane (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Kill Your Idols: Sonic Youth, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Theoretical Girls, Liars, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks, Gogol Bordello, Swans
VH1: Storytellers: Foo Fighters
Saturday, November 28
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
Sunday, November 29
HBO: 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Lou Reed, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin