Wilco speaks

From Wilco:

"Greetings to you all from the east coast branch -- where we've been burning the midnight oil for months getting ready for May 15. And it is finally upon us.

By now, you know that next week is the official release date of Wilco's 7th album (or 9th depending on how you count). Hence the slightly serious tone of this note. Tuesday, to be precise, marks the US release of Sky Blue Sky on Nonesuch Records. If you haven't had a chance to listen to the on-demand stream, by all means click here and take it for a spin. We're pretty sure you'll enjoy the ride.

But once you've done that we hope you'll take a moment to reflect (see, I told you this was serious) on how this dynamic has worked over the years -- the dynamic between us and you. We (and this "we" means the band, first and foremost) expend a lot of time, energy and other resources trying to make this something you are not just a witness to, but a participant in and we genuinely hope you can feel that.


We've been asked many times if we'd consider changing the way we do things, usually by people who are convinced we'd be more successful if we did. And either out of stubbornness or something else, we keep refusing. Instead, we just do what we do and somehow it all works. We continue to make lots of music available free to all in the road case, continue to allow taping/photos at shows, and basically just try to keep the things we do charge for of a quality that make you feel like you got a bargain. You know, mutual respect and all that. We like the way it works... a lot. We really do believe in trying to keep as much of it as free and open as is humanly possible. That seems pretty obvious... but somehow it remains a slight novelty in the modern day music business. So much so that people continually mention it in their stories when they write or speak about the band or the somewhat sad state of the music business.
Anyway, what we're getting at here is that right now we need you to participate in a way that is part of what has made this nice little story work. We're actually asking you to please go out next week and do the right thing for Wilco. That is, vote with your feet and prove the band's faith well-placed and buy the record. It's available from Tuesday at all kinds of retailers everywhere. Ask for it by name. It's also available here, and for those of you who are more digitally inclined, here.

Okay, enough campaign speeches. You get the message. And we trust that you'll act on it as you always have."

I 100% agree. The least we can do is support the bands we truly love such as Wilco, Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse, etc.

Also Full Interview with Tweedy HERE

Ben Gibbard Covers: From Neil to Nirvana; Oh and Also National News

Gibby of Death Cab For Cutie covered a couple of songs recently in Massachusetts.
All Apologies
Harvest Moon

Also a new song:
Casino Blues

Also, for your tri-weekly National update
You can listen to the whole new National album Boxer on myspace

Austin City Limits Festival: Solid Line-up

September 14-16 in Austin, TX
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Bob Dylan, Bjork, The White Stripes, The Killers, Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket, The National, Wilco, Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Robert Earl Keen, Spoon, Indigo Girls, Lucinda Williams, LCD Soundsystem, Andrew Bird, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Peter Bjorn & John, Yo La Tengo, Blonde Redhead, Midlake, and About a Bazillion MORE

National Update:

I feel like it is my duty to update you on the best band in the country. The National have a new video out for "Mistaken For Strangers" one of my personal favorites on Boxer.


Also, here is another video from the Atlanta show, thanks to my buddy Chewy.

New Releases and Wilco, etc.

New Music Tuesday:
Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara (available on eMusic) score -N/A
Bjork - Volta P4K - 5.8 Metacritic - 75
The Clientele - God Save the Clientele (available at eMusic)P4k 8.3 and Best new music
Of Montreal - Icons, Abstract, Thee EP P4K - 8.0
Elliot Smith - New Moon (available at eMusic)P4K - 8.7 Metacritic - 82
The Sea & The Cake - Everybody P4K - 7.6 Metacritic - 75

Last week's releases (sorry so late)
Feist - The Reminder Metacritic - 79
Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond (on Emusic) Metacritic - 79
Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position Metacritic - 83
Frog Eyes - Tears of the Valedictorian (on eMusic) Metacritic - 82



Speaking of the new Wilco coming out next week, you can stream the whole album. HERE at AOL

Jeff Tweedy Interview: Festivals and Uncle Tupelo Reunion

Tweedy said this to Spin:

SPIN: Is there a particular festival that you wish you'd attended?

JEFF TWEEDY: I don't think I would have wanted to be at Woodstock without a helicopter, but that would have been pretty amazing. To be honest with you -- and this isn't going to be a very popular comment for a magazine doing a huge feature on festivals -- I generally wouldn't go to one of these unless someone was paying me. I don't mean that to sound crass. I'm just spoiled because, for the last 20 years of my life, I've been able to watch bands from the side of the stage.
...
SPIN: You'll be playing Bonnaroo with the Police -- are all these band
reunions tempting you to re-form Uncle Tupelo?
JT: All I can say is, right now it feels like that would be kind of silly and wouldn't be very productive musically. And as a music fan, I don't know how many times it's happened where I said, "Wow, there's a lot of great artistic ground that just wasn't mined yet." But at the same time, I would never rule it out. And contrary to most people my age, I don't think I ever liked the Police.



Speaking of Reunions, Blue Mountain is apparently reuniting and have tour dates.

Jun 7 2007 8:00P
Twangfest @ the Duck Room @ Blueberry Hill St. Louis, Missouri
Jun 8 2007 8:00P
Proud Larry's Oxford, Mississippi
Jun 9 2007 8:00P
Proud Larry's Oxford, Mississippi
Jun 24 2007 8:00P
Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Jun 30 2007 8:00P
Hal & Mal's Jackson, Mississippi

Modest Mouse and Man Man live in Birmingham

I missed Love as Laughter. Man Man is insane. I have never seen a crazier live band. The band was huddled up tight playing and screaming like you have never seen. Very cool. Their music is very strange but hey sometimes it works (see Tom Waits). Pics and vids describe most of what I saw.

You may want to pause the player to your left so two different things won't be playing.









Isaac Brock is offically a meat. His vocals and guitar were flawless. They honestly absolutely blew the roof off. Crowd was also great. Highlights were "Tiny Cities," "Doin the Cockroach," "Trailer Trash," and "Spitting Venom." Nice mix of old and new. I did want to hear "Parting of the Sensory" or perhaps "March Into the Sea" but oh well I can't complain. The old stuff was nuclear good. I have always wanted to shout "Fakes" with a crowd of people during "Trailer Trash." The sound was a little raspy? But I think it was the arena. Nevertheless, it honestly doesn't matter. On "Florida," "We've Got Everything," and "Missed the Boat," Marr filled in James Mercer's parts very nicely see video below. Marr's guitar and singing are amazing additions. Being on Fourth row was not too shabby. All in all a Very Very solid show. Setlist and video below.
















Setlist:

Paper Thin Walls
We've Got Everything
Dashboard
Florida
Fire It Up
Bukowski
Fly Trapped in a Jar
Float On
Education
Trailer Trash (with a partial other song tacked on end?)
Little Motel
Tiny Cities Made of Ashes (partial song on end)
Missed the Boat
Doin the Cockroach
The View
Encore:
Spitting Venom > partial I Came As a Rat

Missed the Boat
You may want to pause the player to your left so two different things won't be playing.

Updated: Arcade Fire and The National Atlanta

Updated:
Thanks to Rich at Cable and Tweed here are a couple of Mp3's from the show.
This one is when Win summoned everyone to the front (funny price is right quote)Quote

Great Version of "Wake Up" from Atlanta with Crowd. Wake Up

For whole show, head over to Cable and Tweed

First off, The National got no respect. Everyone was sitting down the whole time. They still were amazing though. Matt Berninger doesn't play an instrument which is strange but he rocks nonetheless.




They sounded flawless. He truly meated-out on "Mr. November" and "Abel." The new songs sounded great. One variation from the album was on "Squalor Victoria" where he yelled the same a few times at the end of the song. He screamed so hard he almost took a spill. The piano on stage sounded fantastic.









SETLIST:
Start a War
Mistaken for Strangers
Secret Meeting
Slow Show
Abel
Squalor Victoria
Apartment Story
Fake Empire
Mr. November
About Today







Arcade Fire wow is all I can say. With all the hype and expectations, they still lived up to and over and beyond. The venue was like a huge Ryman and I think has a capacity of 4600 and it was nearly if not slap-full. The show started out with some evangelical crazy woman on the screens running up and down the stage (on the screen) Then everyone comes piling out (all ten of them) and start it off with a flawless "Black Mirror." AF steamed through neon bible with "Neighborhood 2 (Laika)" and "Haiti" sandwiched in between. Laika was a definite highlight where Will and red-headed dude were acting like African tribesman on two miscellaneous drum sets on the stage.
LAIKA



The entire show everyone one would play a different instrument. Win played Keys, Organ, Mandolin, bass, and guitar, while Regine played drums, keys, organ, etc. They had 2 permanent violinists and 2 permanent horn guys (who looked completely normal by the way.) Bullhorns, stand-up bass, multiple percussions, keyboards, organs, mandolins, guitars, violins, clarinets, trumpets, (some instrument I have no idea what it was), accordians, were all played and I am probably leaving something out.



Probably the best part of the show:
I was on the second actual row, but there was a little sitting area with fold out chairs where people stood. Finally, on "Power Out" Win told everyone to come to that area. He said something to the effect of these chairs are driving me crazy will yall come up here to the front. Security tried to stop us but Win told them to let us through. As everyone jumped up and down screaming AF could not have sounded better. The crowd was pandomoneum.
Power Out



Then, they went merged straight into "Rebellion(Lies)." All of the sudden we look up and Will is tight-roping the rail up to the balcony with drum in hand high-fiving everyone. I can't believe he did not fall. Go Here to see the rail he climbed. Something caught my eye behind me only to find two high-schoolers making out (or snagging as we called it) like there is not tomorrow. Honestly, this kid probably had the best night of his life. Then, I saw one white girl on the front row up on somebody's shoulder flash her boobs to the band. Then a black girl flashed her boobs up in the balcony. As if it could not get any better, they barrell into "Keep the Car Running."



Then they come out for the first encore with a flawless "Intervention" thick-torqued organ and all. They walked off the stage only to return with none other than "Wake Up" which everyone in the crowd went ape to. Everyone in the crowd black, white, chinese, indie, mid-life crisis, high-schoolers, corporate, hippy all screamed side by side to the choral singing of the song. Incredible experience. Honestly the best show I have ever seen.








Black Mirror
No Cars Go
Neighborhood 2(Laika)
Haiti
Black Wave
My Body is A Cage
Windowsill
The Well and the Lighthouse
Ocean of Noise
Neighborhood 1 (Tunnels)
Power Out>
Rebellion (lies)
Keep the Car Running
___________
Encore:
Intervention
Encore 2 :
Wake Up

The Twilight Sad: A Scottish invasion.

The Twilight Sad live up to their hyped publicity. Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters is jam packed with thick, full-layered tunes. With a thick Scottish accent that is apparent on the album, James Graham voice and lyrics both provide the perfect ingredient to accompany the album's thorough instrumentation. P4K gave it an 8.6. I picked it up via eMusic. Here is one of the strongest songs on the album.

Cold Days From the Birdhouse

January Reviewed

I know its late, but some of these cd's i just got last month.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
At first listen, one can easily get red-faced and want to grab Alec Ounsworth by his receding head. However, I know it seems like the new trend, but this album is completely different. (the whole apples and oranges cliche'). P4k said it best in that it seems like the social anxietous Ounsworth may have put out an album aimed to throw off some fans. The album starts off with a great song with a recording that is hardly bearable to listen to. Here is a non-static version that is much better Some Loud thunder. Anyway, back to the album as a whole. I like it. (there I said it) It is not catchy at all but a pretty good album nonetheless. Granted it takes a few listens, but gems like "Emily Jean Stock", "Underwater (you and me)", "Yankee Go Home", "Five Easy Pieces" get things going. I will say the first version of "Underwater" is much better. I will post it one day when I get it on this computer. "Five Easy Pieces" does not even have any words per se, yet I love it. Once you get past the lyrics in "Satan Said Dance" and just realize it is a fun song, one will realize it too is a gem. In sum, this is a dark album but a pretty good follow up to a near perfect first album. Good/not great.
Grade B-



Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer
I have talked this one to death. Just buy it. Kevin Barnes wrote this album in a state of depression after his woman left him. Jeez tell her to leave him every year. Then, they song was on an Outback Steakhouse commercial. Next, his meat and potatoes were on Pitchfork at a vegas show and now has agreed to sell the pics to Playgirl. Now, Of Montreal are doing Karaoke shows. Finally, they were just recently on Conan with the best/weirdest national performance I have ever seen. These guys are relentless. Meanwhile back at the ranch, perfect album for a band I really did not even like before. See, "A Sentence...." "Suffer from Fasion" basically 1-8 will blow your mind. Amazing album.
Grade A



The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
Once again, a tough follow-up scenario is at hand from near perfect Chutes Too Narrow. James Mercer and the boys try the slow route to hook us. I feel similar about this album about CYHSY's Some Loud Thunder. At first listen, I thought it was weak until gems like "Sleeping Lessons," "Phantom Lamb," "Australia," "Turn on Me." shine through. I absolutely love these four. "Sea Legs" and "Split Needles" are just behind these. The album needs more upbeat songs though. Good album, not great. Grade B-


Works in Progress


Menomena - Friend and Foe
Just started listening to this album. Sounds great so far...will keep you posted.












Youth Group - Casino Twilight Dogs
First listen sounds good. Will let you know. Great version of Alphaville's "Forever Young"

WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FEEDBACK IN COMMENT

The Thermals: The Body, The Blood, The Machine

After seeing The Thermals open for The Hold Steady, I knew I must get their latest cd. The Body, The Blood, The Machine is absolutely fantastic. Intertwined with heavy distortion and punk rock, TBTBTM is a definite rocker. With as much energy as any Hold Steady cd, TBTBTM has numerous catchy tracks leaving you singing to yourself all day. You may have an initial problem with his voice but that problem will soon vanish. Mp3-->Here's Your Future

Great Wilco Article

Great Article Here

The NATIONAL JOIN ARCADE FIRE IN ATLANTA

The National Join Arcade Fire for U.S. Dates

FROM P4K:

In what's being described (by me) as the record nerd double-bill of the second quarter, yarn spinning Brooklynites the National will bring seven loads of urban grittiness to the pomp and circumstance of the smoldering Arcade Fire, as the National have been announced as the opener for a string of previously-announced Arcade Fire dates.

With Neon Bible-thumpin' and Boxer vs. Alligator debate concurrently reaching fever pitch, these will be hot tickets, for sure. Or rather, were hot tickets, as most of the shows are sold out already. So expect to give a scalper something you'd only give your significant other on his/her birthday.

In other Arcade Fire news, their "Keep the Car Running" single drops May 5 in the U.S. In other National news, they're touring with Arcade Fire. OMFG 4 REALZZZ.

Arcade Fire and the National:

05-01 Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Civic Centre Theatre
05-02 Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
05-04 Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
05-05 Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre
05-07 New York, NY - United Palace
05-08 New York, NY - United Palace
05-09 New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall (High Line Festival)

Arcade Fire B-Side

Arcade Fire released a B-Side from Neon Bible on Vinyl. Someone converted it.....Broken Window

Tuesday's New Releases

Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes puts out Cassadaga on Saddle Creek. The album has received mixed reviews. A 6.0 from P4K and an aggregate score of 75 metacritic. Some critics rave and some downplay. As a big fan of Bright Eyes, I have a feeling I will like it. No One Would Riot for Less
Blonde Redhead - 23 - Blonde Redhead is a very ambient sound. Compare to My Bloody Valentine.
23 - MP3
The Rosebuds - Night of the Furies. I am going to download this from emusic. At first listen it sounds similar to Andrew Bird. P4K gave it a respectable 7.7.
P4K Review Get Up, Get Out Mp3

Jason Isbell leaves Drive-Truckers

Drive By Truckers' most talented member, Jason Isbell, has left the band. The bad news is that this is a huge blow to DBT. The good news is for Jason. In case you are not familiar, Jason wrote and sings "Outfit," "Danko/Manuel," "Decoration Day" "GD Lonely Love" and "Never Gonna Change" and others. Clearly being the most talented singer/songwriter, Jason will not regret this decision. I recently wondered why he hasn't already left and started a band on his own. He will be releasing a new solo CD, Sirens of the Ditch, on July 10th. Check out some of the tracks on myspace. Both DBT and Isbell claim it is an amicable split. Full announcement from the band is here.

Two Live Jason Tracks:

Outfit
Dress Blues (of his upcoming record)

Summary of March

With the month like we had thus far in music, it's time to reflect back on the releases that unveiled in March this year. Here are my mini-reviews of each.

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Absolutely incredible album. Starting off with the torque drenched, "March Into the Sea," this is Modest Meat at its finest and is one of the harder tracks on the album, which is followed by radio-friendly "Dashboard," which is also a top track on the album. Stoner anthem "Fire It Up" is incredible. I could keep going but it would be too thorough. James Mercer adds great touches to favorites like "Missed the Boat" and "Florida" Basically 1-7 are amazing...add "Little Motel" and "Spitting Venom" (an epic which I have ran into the ground) and you have a classic album. The only songs I am not just going crazy over is "Fly Trapped in a Jar" and "Invisible," however they are growing on me. Grade - A

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Arcade Fire sophomore effort is a slower tempo-ed even darker album than Funeral. However, it is an amazing album. Highlights include, "Keep the Car Running," "Anti-Christ Television Blues," "Intervention." Weaknesses of the album include "My Body is a Cage" (which is growing on me). Although I love the album, I still feel they could have done better...see "Power Out" and "Rebellions(Lies)" While I know it is like comparing apples to oranges, I don't find myself oohing and ahhing over it like I did with Funeral. This might be because I enjoy upbeat music more. I do love the album, I just wish there were more faster tracks that seem to make me keep coming back for more, and craving certain songs. Grade B+

Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
The Bird comes through in the clutch. This album is Andrew Bird at his finest, and is very up-tempo combining whistling, violins, mandolins, guitars and Martin Dosh's drums and effects. Highlights include "Dark Matter" "Fiery Crash" "Heretics" "Simple X" and "Plasticities" All highly recommended.
Grade A-

Son Volt - The Search
As I have nearly given up hope for my oldest obsession, Jay Farrar comes back with a pretty solid album. Although the album starts off with the weakest song on the cd, the rest of the album is non-comparison. The album is very diverse. It is mixed with poppy upbeat rock tunes ("The Picture"), Slow country steel guitar ballads ("Highway and Cigarettes")and middle of the road rock songs. "Adrenaline and Heresy" somehow points to Death Cab's "Different Names for the Same Thing" or "Transatlantacism." Highlights include "Circadian Rhythm," "Adrenaline and Heresy," "Beacon Soul," and "Methamphetamine" Grade B-

Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Although I do think this album is brilliant and unique, I feel it loses its luster after a while. I do enjoy popping it in every now and then but it is not something you can just put in anytime. In accord with the theme of this post.....it is a little slow for me. Highlights, "Bros," "Comfy in Nautica" I also think sometimes critics just decide on an album that they are going to rave about, which leads me to the next album..... Grade - C+

LCD Soundsystem - Sounds of Silver
This album is not as good as the critics say. Although I do LOVE "Someone Great" and "All My Friends" the rest of the songs are just pretty good...not great.
Grade - C

I know no one leaves comments but I would love to hear opinions.

The National: Boxer reviewed.

One of the best blogs out there had wonderful things to say about The National Boxer. I can't wait. Review and Interview with The National I know it has leaked, but I am going to try to wait it out. Here are some Mp3's All the Wine (early)

Jay Jokes of a Reunion.

Q&A with Jay Farrar of Son Volt pretty funny. The whole article can be found here at the Chicago Tribune.
Q. You've been in bands starting with Uncle and Son. Will you start one for Grandpa?

A. Nope, but people often ask about an Uncle Tupelo reunion, and I think the Uncle Tupelo reunion that would really make sense to me would be if we do it when we're in our 70s. Uncle Tupelo can go out the way it came in, just playing for 10 people--at the nursing home barbecue.

Q. Do you own any Wilco records?

A. I do not, no. Do you?

I do.

Also, America's Bar Band, The Hold Steady is on the cover of Paste this week

The Hold Steady loves the Twins

The Minnesota Twins marketing guy asked The Hold Steady to do a version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" to be played in between innings. Story
Video here