sonic slang

Ryan Adams' "Fix It" Spawns Comic

"Fix It," the beautifully-lovelorn lead single from Ryan Adams' (is it time to make the switch to just calling them The Cardinals?) upcoming Cardinology LP, has been transformed into a depressing-as-all-hell comic strip by Leah Hayes.  Not for the recently dumped, but still pretty cool.

Wilco Trades MP3 For Your Vote

Admittedly, it should never take a celebrity to convince you to vote, but you gotta respect what Wilco is doing with its new "free" download.  Just head over here, give the band your word that you intend to participate in this November's electoral process, and you'll receive a free mp3 of Wilco and Fleet Foxes covering Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released."  Gotta love democracy.

New Video: Bjork - "Dull Flame of Desire"

I must admit it's been a long time since I got really excited about a new Bjork song, but the accompanying videos are often genius - or at least worthy of a big "WTF?".  The clip for "Dull Flame of Desire" is not on the cinematic level of her most ambitious work, but it is very cool in a minimalist sort of way.  Enjoy on mute after the jump.

Radiohead - "House of Cards"

When we heard that Radiohead was making a video for "House of Cards" with freakin' lasers, we thought "big whoop."  Well today the clip is online, and it's actually pretty cool.  Now, just attached this gimmick to one of the tracks we actually like, and we might be onto something...

Name that Tune with Songtapper

Whitney turned us on to our favorite new time waster: Songtapper.  Got a song stuck in your head but you just can't seem to place it?  Just tap out the beat on your keyboard and Songtapper will help you find the name.  As you can imagine, a system like this is hardly fool proof, but it's a fun little idea nonetheless.  Now, why you had Spandau Ballet on the brain is another problem all together...

Maritime Drops New Clip for "Guns of Navarone"

We're always glad to see the boys of Maritime getting some love from the blogosphere.  As you long-time readers might remember, we first picked up on these guys almost two years ago, and although they still aren't what you'd call a household name, latest LP Heresy and the Hotel Choir has gotten some solid reviews, even in mainstream media.  If you still prefer Promise Ring after this one, we give up.

The new video for "Guns of Navarone" has that predictably indie-cute vibe (we do love the construction paper cut-and-paste effect) but the song still sounds like a solid hit for college radio.  Listen up people!  Then check out the clip after the jump.

Download: Maritime - "Guns of Navarone"

Keith Richards Penning Memoirs

In what could prove to be the most scintillating rock memoir in recent memory (assuming he remembers enough), the bidding war over Keith Richards' self-penned life story has been sold to Little, Brown and Company in anticipation of a 2010 release.  The Stones guitarist will receive $7.3 million for whatever two or three nuggets are still rolling around upstairs, but to be fair, it's safe to assume he'll have at least a flashback or two before the release date, and that should make for one trippy epilogue. 

Score The Sopranos Finale

Though the cut-to-black treatment our favorite goombas received in The Sopranos' final moments wasn't our favorite way to see Tony and co. go out, we actually dug the choice of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" for the show's musical swan song.  But apparently some of you indie kids weren't feeling , so Stereogum brought us a nifty little tool for re-scoring the ending.

Just head over here, enter the URL of any mp3 you like, and click "play it!"

We tested it out with Ryan Adam's "Halloweenhead" (mostly because we had it handy, but the ominous church bell opening followed by "Here comes that shit again" actually was kind of cool...).

If you stumble on a winner, let us know!

UPDATE - Some other picks from the SS archives:

-The ominous ending (Tony gets gunned down) - I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness: "According to Plan"

-The super mega happy ending (Tony and the family go to Disneyworld) - Belle and Sebastian: "Another Sunner Day"

Pop Songs 07 Hearts R.E.M.

Once upon a time, recent Hall of Fame inductee R.E.M. first helped nudged a young, wide-eyed SS towards bands and artists outside of top 40 pop and rock, and opened our eyes to a larger, deeper musical world.  Pioneers in the "college" music scene who are now regularly credited with kick-starting the alternative rock movement, Stipe and co.'s spotty recent work has done little to diminish R.E.M's significance in our eyes, and we still anticipate each new release like Christmas eve for an eight year old. 

At any rate, we're far too musically ADD for a project like this, but hat's off to this R.E.M. fanatic, and welcome Pop Songs 07 to the SS blog roll. 

Today's post - "Get Up" off of 1988's Green.

Yahoo Music Offers Lyric Database

Yahoo Music is attempting to navigate the tricky waters of online lyric databases, and the reviews thus far are begrudgingly positive.  Despite the occasional goofs, the 400,000 song vault is generally a step up from the other low-rent sources on the web.  (For another solid option, try MyLyricsCentral.com)

The database is licensed by Gracenote, who is allegedly mulling a similar arrangement with Apple.  Lyrics on your iPod?  Now THAT might be something worth getting excited about.