sonic slang

The last time we mention Ryan Adams' blog going offline. Maybe.

Something tells us that this nonsensical, probably totally out of the blue goodbye might actually be the end for Foggy.

But yeah, prolly not. 

Gnarls Barkley - "Going On"

Gnarls Barkley's The Odd Couple, after months of blogger hype, sort of came and went.  It's a shame really.  Though it might not contain as many obvious singles as St. Elsewhere, the more introspective follow up shows off a soulful, often melancholy side of Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse that, while rooted in the 1960s, is as oddly contemporary as anything you're likely to hear this year.

"Going On" is another of the few party tunes on The Odd Couple, likely chosen in an attempt to boost so-so sales.  The bait-and-switch might piss off a few teenagers looking for an album's worth of "Hey Ya!," but so be it - These guys deserve the spins. 

Check out the now expected, awesome video after the jump

Radiohead, Live at the BBC Theatre

Freebie Alert: As this dreary Friday in NYC slowly draws to a close, pass the remaining hours with some free tunes - Radiohead, live at the BBC Theatre in London on 4.1. Thanks to Allan at SixEyes for the hook up!

Arctic Monkeys Evolve with The Last Shadow Puppets

We have been quite consistent over the years in our dismissal of The Arctic Monkeys and their over-sold brand of frenzied post-punk.  So you can imagine our surprise upon listening to Monkey-man Alex Turner's side project, The Last Shadow Puppets, and discovering a surprisingly well conceived baroque pop disc in The Age of the Understatement. 

Brimming with swinging cinematic romance, and a sexy London feel, we really and truly hope Turner does in fact quit his day job.

Dave Grohl Wants to be in Metallica

Dave Grohl's a pretty damned likable fellow, so I guess that's why he's able to get away with the backhanded compliments in his "Open Letter to Metallica"

"Dear METALLICA,

"Hey, it's Dave! Remember me? Yeah, I'm the guy that's been listening to your band faithfully since 1983. I bought your first album 'Kill 'Em All' from a mailorder catalogue called Under The Rainbow, I think. Actually I can't remember. It was 1983 for Christsakes! But that album changed my life and I've been listening to your albums ever since (even 'St Anger'!)

"I can't wait to hear the new shit, and no matter what you guys do I'll always be first one at the shop waiting to hear it. I'm sure you'll come out and blow everybody's fuckin' minds, because you're fuckin' METALLICA!

"Good luck. And don't release it until it's kick-ass.

"Yours, Dave Grohl.

"P.S. Are you finished recording the drums yet?"

Translation: "Dude, you guys used to rock, and even though your last couple albums have sucked, and you've alienated your fanbase with all that bitching about Internet downloads, I am totally hoping the new album is good.  PS - can I be in Metallica?"

Coldplay - "Viva la Vida"

Coldplay sound more U2-y than ever on the new LP's title track, "Viva la Vida," which apparently suits people just fine based on the 2 million downloads "Violet Hill" logged last week.  In any case, we like this one a bit better, but Chris Martin should know - the world ain't even close to being big enough for two Bonos...

Check out the new track after the jump

Weezer - "Troublemaker"

Well that was fast.  As many as eight new Weezer tracks leaked today, and so far we can still say that reported similarities to The Blue Album are pretty on the money. 

That whack-boom-crunch is particularly evident on "Troublemaker," a dumb-ass simple but catchy-as-hell pop-rocker.  Short and sugary-sweet, find it at Hype Machine and transport yourself back to 1994.

My Morning Jacket Sets 2008 Tour Dates

If you can't get enough My Morning Jacket, 2008 is your year.  With Evil Urges set for a 6.9 release, the band just finalized plans for a massive summer-to-fall tour, in addition to this weekend's appearance on Saturday Night Live.  Is this the year that MMJ conquers the universe? 

Check out the lengthy tour itinerary after the jump

Vanilla Ice 911 Call

The last thing we would ever laugh at is domestic abuse - but TMZ just posted the 911 call from Vanilla Ice's recent arrest, and it's some funny stuff - Check it out here.  By the way, is it common practice for 911 responders to ask whether the alleged abuser is Black or Hispanic? 

Girl, take if from the Ice Man himself, "Drop the zero and get with a hero"

The Circle of (Drug) Life

In what could be viewed as a passing of the torch (or crack pipe), both of our favorite part-time musicians/full-time dead pool contenders had big weeks - but on opposite ends of the drug spectrum.

Pete Doherty was released from prison on Tuesday after 29 days, and looks forward to a rum and coke followed by some QT with his cats.  Amy Winehouse was arrested, and looks forward to posting bail, doing some lines, picking some scabs, picking a fight, and passing out in the gutter.

Don't worry Amy - something tells us you'll have some company sooner or later.  Unless of course those cats have a stash.

Three New Oasis Tracks Leak to MySpace

Oasis continues its long climb back into our good graces with three just leaked tracks purportedly from the band's upcoming LP.  Check out the acoustic epic (naturally) "I Wanna Live a Dream," a solid Oasis ballad in "Stop the Clocks" and some down and dirty rock on "Nothing on Me" over at Myspace. 

The days of seeing the Gallaghers rule the US charts might be over, but occasionally douchebaggery aside, these guys definitely deserve a second-coming.

Ryan Adams Rescues Foggy

Foggy is back - and if we're to believe a recent post, the blog actually was hijacked.  Either way, it's good to have our favorite over-sharey blog back online:

Note the Werewolph shout out in the side bar:

"I like to pretend I am in a metal band sometimes. seriously.  I think it helps with my obvious depression issues. I guess everybody has their shit."

My Bloody Valentine Adds 2008 Dates

My Bloody Valentine has, as expected, added a handful of dates to the band's 2008 reunion slate.  The gigs are to follow the band's appearance at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival, which incidentally, has a helluva roster including Dinosaur Jr. Yo La Tengo and others.

Hopefully we'll see this list fleshed out a bit, but for now check out the dates after the jump and cross your fingers.

Costello's Momofuku Goes Old School

By our count, 92% of blogger chatter about Elvis Costello and The Imposters' new LP have been about the head-scratcher of a title.  But now that Momofuku is in stores, that's about to change.  Yeah, it's good.  In fact, though the majority sounds like Costello could have written it over a weekend (in fact, he did), this disc will probably prove to be the most satisfying release for longtime fans in years. 

For the now notoriously eclectic artist, the concept couldn't be simpler - Pop elder statesmen, joined by a few of his admirers (Jenny Lewis, Johnathan Rice, among others), having a blast banging out songs that, though few of them might end up in the Costello classics canon, serve to remind us all of why we fell in love with the dude in the first place.  A total surprise and a complete delight.

Stream a few tracks at Lost Highway and holla back with your take.

Candlebox Reforms to Go Into the Sun

And today's award for the most unnecessary reunion goes to: Candlebox. Into the Sun, the band's first new album in ten years, is set for release this July, while lead single "Stand" can currently be heard at the band MySpace page.  Yes, it sounds exactly like you think it does.

PS: Today's reminder that the music industry is f'd - Four million people bought Candlebox's debut back in 1993. In 2007, that would have made it the year's top selling disc by nearly 800,000 units.

Tila Tequila on This Month's Blender Cover

And yet some of us actually still wonder why music and magazine sales are in the crapper...

The Dandy Warhols - "The World The People Together (Come On)"

The Dandy Warhols are back on May 19 with Earth To The Dandy Warhols, release numero uno on their newly-minted Beat The World Records.  To celebrate the newfound independence, the band is offering a free download of "The World The People Together (Come On)," a groovy, beat-driven party cut that sets the tone for the outer-spacey theme of the LP.

After a couple spins - we're goin' thumbs up.  Think Jane's Addiction crossed with U2 on acid.  Get your copy, then check the full tracklist after the jump.

Tay Zonday - "Explode"

Proof positive that lightening rarely strikes twice in the land of viral video.  But hey, at least it's topical.  What could be more "2008" than a song about the intense pressure of life as a YouTube celebrity? 

Get your Tay shirt while they last kids!

Amy Winehouse Not Recording New Bond Theme

Despite her train wreck of a life, we really thought Amy Winehouse was a spot-on choice for the next Bond theme.  Too bad that said train wreck wouldn't allow it.  Producer Mark Ronson has deemed her "not ready to work." 

Hmm...This is the woman who's managed to "work" while covered in scabs, high on crack, and often looking like she'd just gone 3 rounds with Tyson - but now she's not ready?  We can only imagine what that looks like.  Wait, no we can't.

Chromeo - "Fancy Footwork"

Got the Monday blues?  Same here - but we've got a remedy that should keep the clock movin'.  Just dance, dance, dance the day away, to Chromeo's "Fancy Footwork," now with an all new video.

The Canadian duo's second album is available now on Turbo Recordings.  Check out the clip after the jump.

Reznor Gives Fans The Slip as Thank You

Trent Reznor has been a busy boy - NIN fans got an unexpected surprise today, with the release of The Slip, a 10-track, download-only, 100% FREE LP, available on the band's official site, as a thank you to fans for their loyal support.

This comes only two months after Reznor released Ghosts I-IV, an all-instrumental, 36-track opus.  A CD version of The Slip will be available in July, just in time for Reznor's summer tour.  Check out the full tracklist after the jump.

Ryan Adams Posts Two Werewolph Tracks on New Website

Foggy might still be on hiatus, but we knew Ryan Adams couldn't stay offline too long.  But those looking for the next installment of "Crimes of Fashion" might be disappointed.  http://www.davidryanadams.com/ isn't a blog, but a home for one of his many alter-egos, the "Satanic Shu-in Opera" of Werewolph. 

No names are listed for either available tracks, but the tongue-in-cheek (we hope), thoroughly eeeevil serenades to the Dark Lord would  both would do Gwar proud.  Yikes.

Panic at the Disco - "That Green Gentleman"

Kudos to Panic at the Disco, our vote Most Improved Band of 2008 thus far.  First hitting the scene packaged as a Fall Out Boy clone, these guys have gone a totally new route and shown a surprising range on Pretty. Odd.  The leap from emo-punk to baroque pop was seamless and even if the teenagers that worship at the altar of Wentz balk, our hats are off. 

"That Green Gentleman" plays like a goofy Beatles movie outtake, and the song ain't bad too.  A good one to close the week on.  Check out the clip after the jump.  Peace!

The Cure to Release Monthly Singles in Anticipation of New Disc

Good news and bad news for the 30-something goths out there - That long-awaited new LP from the band that first inspired you to give black eyeliner a try, The Cure, is being promoted with a new single on the 13th of everyone month, leading up to a 9.13 release.  (That's the good news.) 

Bad news is, if the first single is any indication of the direction Robert Smith is headed this time out, we're in for a return to the ill-advised sunny pop era, a la Mixed Up. Put the black petticoats back into storage ladies.

Preview "The Only One" at the band's official site.

Wolf Parade Scares Us with New Cover Art

Wolf Parade's "Call it a Ritual," lead single off the upcoming Meet At Mount Zoomer (sorry kids, Kissing the Beehive is out), didn't exactly bowl us over, but the just released cover art has them back on our good side.

Creeeepy