Monday Music Junkie
BY ANDY VIHSTADT
Meat is Murder
Beck dropped a “Timebomb” last Tuesday. The exclusive single isn’t a huge jump from The Information, but here’s to you, Beck, for not using it as a greedy excuse to release a greatest hits album; it’s certainly worthy of A-side status. Listen to it for free at Pitchfork, or fork over a buck to iTunes. Afterwards, head to You Ain't No Picasso for a free MP3 of Beck covering Of Montreal’s “Wraith Pinned to the Mist (and Other Games),” or as most of us know it, that annoying Outback Steakhouse jingle.
Shiny Pasty People
Sigur Ros recently announced its first documentary, Heima, which could easily double as Iceland’s next tourism campaign. Get your passport ready and watch the trailer here. The DVD will coincide with a Sigur Ros compilation double-album, Hvarf-Heim, which will include studio and unreleased acoustic tracks. Both are due in November. Until then, check out the band’s media page for a huge cache of free music.
Speaking of pale, white guys on film, R.E.M. is gearing up to release its upcoming performance CD/DVD, R.E.M. LIVE, on October 16. Preview it here.
Continue the fix after the jump.
That's the Way Ben Likes It
Cover songs are a dime a dozen, so Ben Lee’s decided to up the ante. Before releasing his sixth solo LP, Ripe (due September 18), the Aussie indie-pop star decided to take on Against Me!’s New Wave. Not just the title track, we’re talking the entire album. Download the whole thing for free at Lee’s blog.
Size Matters
This October, the Decemberists are setting out on The Long and Short of It Tour, a series of two-night performances showcasing the band's…well, longer and shorter songs. Chicago’s the closest stop to us, but the band will be releasing The Perfect Crime #2 EP digitally and on limited-edition vinyl next month. Sign up for the Decemberists mailing list to receive a gratis download of the Junior Boys remix of the EP’s title track.
Face Time
John Vanderslice recently stopped by the studios at AOL’s The Interface to perform a few tracks from the very excellent Emerald City. If you’re not familiar with Vanderslice, clear out some space on your hard drive and get caught up.
Have it Your Way
Paul Anka has written a lot of hits in 50 years, but he isn’t above taking on other people’s material. Following up his successful 2005 pop-rock covers album, Rock Swings, he released Classic Songs My Way this week. The LP includes loungey remakes of hits by Cindy Lauper, Duran Duran, Foreigner and Bob Seger, but only a man with Anka’s crooning credentials could make me ever want to hear this song again.
Paul Anka-“Mr. Brightside (Killers cover)”
The List
9/4
Heavy Trash -- Going Way Out with Heavy Trash (Yep Roc)
9/11
Animal Collective -- Strawberry Jam (Domino)
Elvis Costello -- My Aim is True (Deluxe Edition) (Hip-O)
Dirty Projectors -- Rise Above (Dead Oceans)
Black Francis -- Bluefinger (Cooking Vinyl)
The Go! Team -- Proof of Youth (Sub Pop)
The Good Life -- Help Wanted Nights (Saddle Creek)
Grayskul -- Bloody Radio (Rhymesayers)
Hot Hot Heat -- Happiness Ltd. (Reprise)
Love -- Live in L.A. (Snapper)
Mono -- Gone (Temporary Residence)
Oakley Hall -- Follow You (Merge)
Pinback -- Autumn of the Seraphs (Touch & Go)
Jonathan Rice -- Further North (Reprise)
Shout Out Louds -- Our Ill Wills (Merge)
Simian Mobile Disco -- Attack Decay Sustain Release (Interscope)
Kanye West -- Graduation (Def Jam)
9/18
The A-Sides -- Silver Storms (Vagrant)
Crystal Method -- Vegas (2 Disc Deluxe Edition) (Geffen)
The Donnas -- Bitchin’ (Purple Feather)
Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene) -- Spirit if… (Arts & Crafts)
Fog -- Ditherer (Lex)
Havoc (Mobb Deep) -- Kush (Nature Sounds)
Ben Lee -- Ripe (New West)
Ministry -- The Last Sucker (Megaforce)
The Polyphonic Spree -- Live from Austin, TX (New West)
Rogue Wave -- Asleep at Heaven’s Gate (Brushfire)
Thurston Moore -- Trees Outside the Acadamy (Ecstatic Peace)
1 comment(s) / Post a Comment
