thus spake drake: the vaselines

Monday, September 27, 2010

While nobody seems to be promoting it as such, this week is essentially Scotland Week on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, with appearances from fave Glaswegian bands Teenage Fanclub, Bell & Sebastian and the network television debut for recently reunited The Vaselines. Why Craig Ferguson didn't think of it first is anybody's guess. (Maybe because it's Scotland Week every week on The Late Late Show ?)

Fuzzed-out power poppers Teenage Fanclub kick things with a performance of "Baby Lee" on Tuesday, which also marks a notable date in Scottish history. The Battle of the Clans (aka Battle of the North Inch) happened on this day back in 1396, a senseless bloody battle that has little to do with the twee bands here representing their country, but I thought you should know. Belle & Sebastian bow on Wednesday, with a possible performance of the single "Write About Love," a song which features actress Carey Mulligan guesting on vocals. So let's keep fingers crossed for a surprise appearance.

Besides touring for their own forthcoming release (Write About Love), members of Belle & Sebastian are also supporting the reunited Vaselines, who'll be performing "Sex with an X" on Thursday night. Mostly known for being "that band that Kurt Cobain loved," Glasgow's Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee recently released Sex With an X, their first album of new material in 21 years. Beyond the grey hair and wrinkles, the spark that made them special all those years ago is still there.

Finally, with all the recent chaos in late night on NBC, it's easy to forget that Carson Daly is now in his tenth season. The affable host has been able to endure in the wasteland of a time slot by eliminating a set and filming great up and coming bands at clubs in Los Angeles like The Roxy and The Viper Room. In only its second week, the late night offering is definitely hitting its stride featuring Japandroids, Los Campesinos!, Menomena and The Morning Benders. Every night is a winner.

Picks for the week
Monday, September 27
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Runner Runner
FUEL: The Daily Habit: ASG
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Zac Brown Band
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Temper Trap
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Never Shout Never (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Santana with Nas
Tuesday, September 28
ABC: The View: John Legend and The Roots
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Maroon 5
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: N.E.R.D.
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Hot Hot Heat
IFC: 360 Sessions: La Roux
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Teenage Fanclub
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Menomena
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Vampire Weekend
Wednesday, September 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Tired Pony
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Silverstein
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Seal
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Justin Timberlake, Belle & Sebastian
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Morning Benders
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Zac Brown Band
TBS: Lopez Tonight: FaR*eAst Movement
Thursday, September 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Avett Brothers
FUEL: The Daily Habit: In This Moment
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Rodrigo y Gabriela
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Vaselines
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Japandroids
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Seal
Friday, October 1
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Drake
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Cypress Hill
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Los Campesinos!
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Pete Yorn
Saturday, October 2
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show:
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Kanye West
PBS: Austin City Limits: Jimmy Cliff (SEASON PREMIERE)
Sunday, October 3
SUNDANCE: Let's Get Lost: Chet Baker

Thursday, September 16, 2010

This week is the Super Tuesday of indie rock releases for 2010. The embarrassment of riches includes the latest from The Walkmen, Of Montreal, Weezer, Chromeo, The Black Angels, Black Mountain, J. Tillman, Junip, Azure Ray, Blonde Redhead, Crocodiles, Cloud Cult, a second round of Nick Cave's Grinderman plus strong returns for both Superchunk and The Vaselines.

Playlist: New Releases 09.14.10

Superchunk - Majesty Shredding
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Don't call it a comeback, because the 'Chunk never left. Sure it's been nine years since their last release, but Merge Records' house band never called it quits, but instead were just taking their time. Musically, Majesty Shredding is a return to the spunky pre-Here's Where the Strings Come In days, before the days of embellishment (not that their later catalogue was bad, on the contrary). Throw in lyrics that folks in their 40s can identify with and it's the best of both worlds for an aging indie rocker like me.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Digging For Something" [mp3]

Grinderman - Grinderman 2
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Nick Cave's mid-life crisis disguised as a return to Birthday Party rawness back in 2007 gets a much welcomed sequel. More improvised lyrics over raw expositions result in another Nick Cave gem. He's notched three in a row (counting Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! w/ the Bad Seeds). Cave does the dirty old man bit to perfection.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Heathen Child" [mp3]

Of Montreal - False Priest
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Of Montreal has largely been a one-man effort over the years for Kevin Barnes, but False Priest sees the Atlanta native in a collaborative mood, with the band getting more credit along with some high profile guest stars. Jon Brion helps in production, while Solange Knowles and Janelle Monae join in for a couple duets. It's not as genius as Hissing Fauna..., but it's a step up from 2008's Skeletal Lamping.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Croquette Croquette" [mp3]

The Walkmen - Lisbon
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

I've given up expecting The Walkmen to write another "The Rat," the best thing they've ever done. A funny thing happened on the way to waiting for another burner like "The Rat" to come along -- the band got better at writing spare and powerful songs that don't require the guitars at 11. Album highlight "Angela Surf City" is as close as they get, and I'm alright with that.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Stranded" [mp3]

Junip - Fields
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Before Sweden's Jose Gonzalez achieved solo success, he was the frontman for this act. Reforming the band, you'd think that this would sound more like a band and less like a slightly more rocking Gonzalez solo release. Of course, that's a welcome outcome as well, and there's plenty to like here, especially if you're already a Jose fan.

Free AOL Album Stream

The Vaselines - Sex With an X
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Part of the magic in all these reunions is a return to youth, but sometimes you can't go back. Glasgow's The Vaselines were at their best juxtoposing innocence and sexual honesty, and occasionally the combination works with Sex With an X -- their first album in 21 years -- but they're in their 40s now and that formula doesn't have quite the same magic anymore. Belle & Sebastian help out backing the band and a few sparks fly, but after 21 years of waiting, don't you want a little more?

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Sex With an X" [mp3]

thus spake drake

Monday, September 27, 2010

Ear on TV: Week of 09.27.10: Scotland Rocks!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Now Downloading: New Releases 09.14.10