New Radiohead Album In Rainbows Out In 10 Days.

Radiohead have announced on their website that their newest album In Rainbows will be available for download HERE in 10 days (October 10, 2007.) Apparently they are bypassing all record labels (at least for now.)

You can also pre-order a discbox version (which comes with the ability to download the album.)

The discbox version includes a CD and 2 X 12 inch heavyweight vinyl records. The disc boxes are being made to order and will be 40 pounds (that's nearly $80) including shipping. It will begin shipping on December 3. And as they make clear on the website if you order this version you'll also have access to the downloads on October 10.

Perhaps the strangest thing about this release is the fact that they are apparently allowing people to set their own price on the downloadable version of the album. It literally says the price is "Up to you."

Go to www.InRainbows.com to learn more.

New Artist Review: Emma ~ “A Reason to Stay up All Night”

What I am generally hearing here is something religious and humorous and witty. The piano style on the whole sounds like something heard in a parlor of the American West. There is a sense of longing and wanting to belong to something specific, but as to what that something is exactly is rather difficult to decipher. The melodic lines are rather easy to follow and the voice is natural and soft and suits the general mood of the record nicely. In other places the piano work is highly expressive and moody, perhaps not dissimilar to some of the more so quieter moments by Beethoven. There are instances in which the vocal work reminds one of Nick Drake, in short: Perfect rainy day music. However, the artist does not seem to give into any real sense of depression, as a certain highly literary humor is very obvious in the lyrical content. The lyrics themselves are not out of place, as they are finely edited on the whole and often repeat their themes.

The elements that remind me of Baroque era Classical are quite pleasing due to the sense of drama that enters the picture, like on “Pet (Helen’s Lament)” which is track three on the album. However, things are given a modern twist after the introduction and the lyrics seem to inform me that the song is possibly about the unique and loving perspective of a dog? I am reminded of the sassy Nellie McKay in places, and like her, these songs seem to belong to a different time and place and coming decidedly from an old soul. Elements of Classical can be heard again on “Stay with Me Tonight,” which is track four on the album. Some of the collective atmospherics contained on the various pieces of instrumentation are rather familiar to something heard on a film soundtrack, and one does tend to see a film playing in their head with music of this variety. Perhaps not quite as gut wrenching as some of the more potent material by Van Morrison, but if you are in the mood for a Singer/Songwriter with a decidedly Jazzy approach on the whole, I suggest giving it a shot and let the mood of the music take over…

For more information on this artist, please visit her official site:

www.iamemma.com

Music as Comedy?

It is complicated, it’s audience narrow and its lifespan is greatly limited. I find it to be highly un-enjoyable on the whole, but yet it still chooses to exist regardless. Novelty music, Comedy Rock, advertising jingles, call it what you wish (but just don’t call me late for supper). I can’t stand Tenacious D, they mean nothing to me. An Adam Sandler CD is not for me; I would much rather climb the tallest pretty tree (tee-he!). Comedy records existed years ago, Bob Newhart and Richard Pryor, but of course, any real significant musical content was rather minimal. So, what I am talking about is generally a bit vague, but clear and obvious rules exist regardless. Take Emo Philips, for example, a few of his popular comedy records of the 80’s contained some highly goofy novelty cuts, like “The Animal Square Dance.”

Was the album Bruce Willis released years ago somehow comedy by error? Is the majority of commercial music accidentally quite funny indeed? I tend to think so, but perhaps you would disagree. Andy Kaufman had a strong flirtation with music and it was comedic, and in the case of Mr. Kaufman, ultimately rather effective. The Hudson Brothers were a different story, one that is not worth mentioning. Did you know that a great many comedic talents had highly impressive musical abilities? It is entirely true, just think of Chico or Harop Marx, both of whom were entirely impressive and ultimately played their musical numbers rather straight.

Both Jerry Lewis and Peter Sellers were fantastic Jazz-style drummers, and Larry from The Three Stooges played a mean violin. Does a direct correlation between music and comedy actually exist? Perhaps in some instances, but maybe you view it differently, my dear reader. A warning often exists in the Music as Comedy genre, just think of Jimmy Fallon, as the poor bloke is instantly very badly dated making Cheech & Chong look far more contemporary and forward-thinking in comparison, and no doubt twice as loved. However, I present Weird Al, as this is a chap that has made it work. Perfectly legitimate bands have a flair for the comedic, and either by accident or design, The Ramones and Devo come to mind, just to name a brief few. Comedy is a strange area in general, and it does not always work, and it can especially fail in the musical realm, but when it does work, it leaves us all laughing and thirsty for more…or does it?

Ponder like all get out:







It is not quite Gilbert & Sullivan, but it will do...

Weezer – “Make Believe”

How does one make believe exactly? Read a little Lewis Carroll? Step into a hot bath with the ghost of Orson Welles Future? No, none of the above! One simply listens to this fantasically underrated masterpiece by none other than Weezer. It takes loads of guts to create such an effort that goes against the grain, and that could have easily appeared on the soundtrack to “Top Gun.” Rivers Cuomo truly becomes a generic lyric maestro on this release, but a maestro is a maestro. In short, young master Cuomo is king of Pop craft, he is like the best of Nirvana, The Beach Boys and The Cars rolled into one tiny little chap. Now more than ever, Rivers is Weezer, and there is a lot that is accomplished on this highly polished and glossy effort.

Rivers discovered a lot on this album as it relates to a middle-aged gent, and this is something to be respected. Rock doesn’t always need to be some glamorous suicide, as some Pop icons need the courage to grow both old and potentially laughable, and Rivers is just such a chap. The lyrics are heavily edited to only the most obvious of clichés, but this is by design…Because; as has been popularly mentioned about Rivers Cuomo on more than one occasion, HE is WEIRD, but alas, HIS MUSIC is NOT. I find this to be an understandable summary of a rather complex musical talent. Like even the best of Weezer records, which this decidedly is not according to the popular consensus, this is largely a singles album. Maybe not quite as catchy as “Green” or perhaps not as emotionally raw as “Pinkerton,” but it is a healthy mix of each.

I suggest giving this album another chance, play it on repeat and drink a nice cold glass of bottled water. Bold blanketed statements absolutely cake this record, “We Are All on Drugs” and “Beverly Hills” being the most obvious. The chorus hooks repeat like a mantra, and appropriately so, what with Rivers intense fascination with highly disciplined meditative exercises, and no doubt thanks in part to the album’s well known producer Rick Rubin. Not everyone is fond of an everyman’s approach to emotional sincerity, and perhaps Rivers does treat this record a bit like a personal diary with guitar solos sometimes, but you won’t catch any obvious weird gimmicks like might be heard on a Beck album, and Beck essentially being an artist who says quite a lot without saying much of anything. Rivers is the other extreme, in saying quite a lot by saying rather little, but this editing, if you like, fits within the Pop realm nicely, and like it or not, on “Make Believe” Rivers and his understandably anonymous band mates have thoroughly done their home work.

Radiohead - LP 7 - Potential Songs

Radiohead's 7th album is due to come out "sometime in 2008." It's been reported that the album is completely recorded and in the mixing/mastering stages now. Radiohead has not released an album since 2003's Hail To The Thief.

What follows are some of the songs that are rumored to be on the album with (with live performances of each.)

Potential LP 7 Songs:

"All I Need"


"Arpeggi"


"Bangers 'n' Mash"


"Bodysnatchers"


"Down Is The New Up"


"15 Step"


"4 Minute Warning"


"Go Slowly"


"House Of Cards"


"Nude" (or "Big Ideas")


"Open Pick"


"Spooks"


"Videotape"

New Weezer album in 2008 looking likely!

Perhaps it was mentioned not too long ago in my generalized Weezer article about some upcoming works for the year of our Lord 2008, rumor has it that this is looking quite likely indeed, as my article title clearly indicates like all get out. Weezer’s longtime manservant Karl has been quite active with the band in sunny Southern California as they are apparently laying down some impressive new jams that are guaranteed to change each of our respective lives for the better, and even if our respective lives are going quite nicely as is, point is: Things can only get better.

Wouldn’t you know that the band have been rehearsing since earlier this spring and entered the studio legit in July. I find it truly fascinating that this event is going to take place, as it hits a cultural nerve, unlike the recent Smashing Pumpkins release. I know that it is not going to be easy to top the epic “Make Believe” of just a few short years ago, and of which I may very well write a review at some point, so stay tuned for that! The way Karl is describing this material it almost seems as if Weezer is trying their luck with Prog Rock. Oh, Rivers, whatever will we do with you?

And now more specifics directly from the Weezer lackey:

The sound is definitely weezer, but not quite like any weezer I've heard before. Or rather, not like any one style that weezer has ever tried, but a fresh combination with some new flavors on top. It sounds as if the band has grown into a new land that they had previously only skirted around the edges of - a land where arrangements are getting adventurous, where song structures, lengths and feels are given plenty of sunlight and fresh water and allowed to grow into what the songs demand. It sounds really cool. Like an excellent music farm. Or perhaps a food co-op.

I am quite pleased by Karl’s musings, and wish to enter the most privatized of layers of the inner Weezer realm myself, but perhaps Only In Dreams (Just a little “Blue Album” reference, mates). I’m excited, as we are discussing the greatest band in the history of Rock, and don’t you forget it. And if you need a reminder, just take a look:



=w=

Crispin Glover’s “Big Problem”

This is a record like no other and not dissimilar to Sonic Youth’s epic “Bull in the Heather” and I must admit that a part-time job at Pizza Hut would be far superior, like when Veruca Salt simply could not help but fight the “Seether.” It is true that Crispin Glover’s singing and speaking voice are not dissimilar to that of the great comedic talent Emo Philips, but really, what can one ultimately do? There is some original material contained in this genuine puzzle of a record, which is something that can be discussed in more detail at a later date. But indeed, this is a thematic record. You have rather bizarre cover songs, including a rather obvious popular hit by Nancy Sinantra. Most telling and enjoyable is Crispin reading from a selection of his books including the quite enjoyable Rat Catching, and readings take place regularly when Mr. Glover tours about giving slideshow presentations and screening his repulsive and questionable films, films that are rather thoughtful as well, however.

The last cut features Crispin screaming rather manically in German; not exactly the most musical experience in the world but it is far from boring. The actual title of this 1989 “masterpiece” spells out as follows: The Big Problem Does Not Equal the Solution. The Solution = Let It Be. Take a deep breath and ponder that for a spell. What exactly is the problem contained within, you may ask? I believe from Crispin’s lyrical standpoint on those songs that he actually penned that the issue deals with human behavior in relation to bad habits and how that affects society on the whole. On the cover tunes, I believe that the master thespian Mr. Glover is just essentially letting his slightly self-possessed weirdo persona go bonkers, and like with the best of cult actors, it sure is fun to watch, or in this case, fun to listen to.

It is rumored that this album was originally suggested to Crispin from a prominent member of Devo who went by the name of Mark, and from there Crispin was introduced to the chaps behind the catchy “Fish Heads” cult anthem and magic was made, and perhaps made all the more with Weird Al playing some rather good accordion on at least one song. You will want to get this record to tell your great-grandchildren about, just to clarify to them that you too were once an eccentric ball of energy. Crispin is really raging against the Back to the Future machine on this record, so don’t miss the outright unnecessary reality of a celebrity record, in this case a hyper-intellectual cult actor, but however unnecessary, the results are entertaining at the very least, and that is primarily Crispin’s trade, to entertain.

…Oh; and there’s been a second album in the can for years with the working title of “Big Love,” so get ready…



And something more recent for the two people that saw "Willard"...



(Both videos directed by Crispin Hellion Glover, don't you know?)