Interesting Reads at Pretty Much Amazing!

Interesting Reads

Album Updates- Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, James Taylor, and Team B

Album Updates Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, James Taylor, and Team B interesting reads

Let’s start off with the Beastie Boys. The boys are finishing up their 8th studio album, and its apparently shaping up to be a “pretty weird” one, says lead rapper Adam Yauch. Far from their all-instrumental album The Mix-Up, this one includes “a lot of rhyming and playing and sampling — all combined.” It should be pretty cool…thanks to Entertainment Weekly for the heads-up.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ new album was prematurely evaluated over at Stereogum, and they seem to like it. A lot. Judging from the first two singles, I think PMA is going to like it, too.

James Taylor is working on another covers album, coming out April 7th, called Other Covers. Good title! It’ll have seven more covers from his original studio session, including “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning,” along with Chuck Berry’s “Memphis. His last Covers album was pretty well-received. (Via MOG).

Team B, a band formed of members from Beirut, Arcade Fire, and LCD Soundsystem (woah) is streaming their new album on MySpace…I haven’t taken a listen yet, but Beirut, Arcade Fire, and LCD Soundsystem? It should be pretty good. Thanks to Tiny Mix Tapes.

Interesting Reads / Music / New Releases / News — No Comments
19
Feb 09

Conor Oberst is Album-Prepping and Touring

Conor Oberst is Album Prepping and Touring interesting reads

Last year’s very good Conor Oberst solo album was not a one-time deal. He will be recording once more, non-Bright Eyes, for his next album, entitled Outer South. The album will drop May 5th.

This one seems like more of a collaboration with the Mystic Valley Band he tours with, as not every song was written by Oberst himself.

Personally, I’m excited. I really enjoyed Oberst’s solo debut last year (”NYC, Gone, Gone” was one of my favorite songs), and I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us. Click on for his tour dates with the Mystic Valley Band. Continue reading →

Interesting Reads / Music / News — 3 Comments
19
Feb 09

Oh Yes They Did! Pitchfork Gives Incredibad a 7.7

Oh Yes They Did! Pitchfork Gives Incredibad a 7.7 interesting reads

Awesome!

Just a day after many of us were very angered with Pitchfork, the site goes and redeems itself by giving Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island’s album some much-deserved respect. Jessica Suarez gave the album a great review (although she bashed “Sax Man,” which I loved). Here’s her final, well-written paragraph:

“The Lonely Island understand repetition and exaggeration. On SNL, that was most apparent in their “Dear Sister” sketch, its melodramatic, “O.C.”-savaging death scene iterations getting funnier and funnier. On Incredibad it’s the “boiled goose” line on “Boombox”, the endlessly repeated chorus of “I’m on a boat!” from “I’m on a Boat”. Basic comedy stuff, sure, but the guys also have a good sense of when to quit (see also the “cool beans” segment in “Hot Rod”). Maybe it’s that same sense of rhythm that guides their songwriting. Maybe that makes this comedy music, instead of musical comedy, because it’s hard to tell which one’s modifying the other. Still, good timing’s good timing.”

You pleased with Pitchfork’s Incredibad analysis?

Interesting Reads / Music / News — 7 Comments
19
Feb 09

Oscar Winners Leaked???

Probably not. But many sites have shared their opinion on the controversial list released by http://oscars2009leaked.blogspot.com/:

Actor in a leading role: Mickey Rourke
Actor in a supporting role: Heath Ledger
Actress in a leading role: Kate Winslet
Actress in a supporting role: Amy Adams
Animated Feature Film: Wall-E
Art Direction: The Dark Knight
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Costume Design: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Directing: Slumdog Millionaire
Documentary feature: Man on Wire
Documentary short: The Conscience of Nhem En
Film editing: Milk
Foreign language film: Departures
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Music (Score): Defiance
Music (Song): Down to Earth (Wall-E)
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Short film (animated): Presto
Short film (live action): Auf Der Strecke (On The Line)
Sound editing: Wall-E
Sound mixing: The Dark Knight
Visual effects: Iron Man
Writing (Adapted screenplay): The Reader
Writing (Original screenplay): In Bruges

Almost everyone seems to believe that this is a fake, but very accurate prediction of what’s to come for Oscar Sunday. Aside from Amy Adams’ supposed victory, the list really does seem dead-on. The only thing it doesn’t predict well, in my opinion, is Hugh Jackman’s inevitable mediocre job as host. I like the guy, but Jon Stewart is much funnier- he should be the new yearly lock. Whatever. Comment on the list, and share YOUR predictions below.

Interesting Reads / Music / Music Festivals / News — 1 Comment
18
Feb 09

Members of Hanson, Fountains of Wayne, Smashing Pumpkins, and Cheap Trick Form A Band.

Members of Hanson, Fountains of Wayne, Smashing Pumpkins, and Cheap Trick Form A Band. interesting reads

As Pitchfork said earlier today, this doesn’t seem to be a joke. The band is called Tinted Windows and features the Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, Taylor from Hanson, and Adam Schlesinger, Fountains of Wayne’s bassist and lyrical mastermind.

Cool, right? I think so. The band apparently plans to make their debut at Billboard’s SXSW showcase in Austin on March 20th.

Interesting Reads / Music / New Releases / News — 24 Comments
18
Feb 09

Oh No They Didn’t! Pitchfork gives N.A.S.A. a 1.6

Oh No They Didnt! Pitchfork gives N.A.S.A. a 1.6 interesting reads

Come on, Pitchfork. As Seth Myers would say, really?

Debate N.A.S.A.’s debut album, The Spirit of Apollo, all you want, but not even the harshest critics would go as low as a 1.6 for this PMA fave. To me, this is just another “statement review” that Pitchfork feels the need to make due to N.A.S.A.’s extremely positive buzz. But that’s just my opinion- maybe writer Tom Breihan just really hated the album. Give your thoughts on Pitchfork’s review in the comments. Click on for Tom Breihan’s harsh final paragraph. Continue reading →

Interesting Reads / Live Music / Music / News / TV Shows — 4 Comments
17
Feb 09

The Roots Working on 200 Songs for Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night

The Roots Working on 200 Songs for Jimmy Fallons Late Night interesting reads

Earlier this year, The Roots were announced as Jimmy Fallon’s house band for his new stint on late night television (premiering March 2nd). The move surprised fans, making them nervous that their beloved Roots were to become a cover band, or would quit their touring just to jam with Fallon. But have no fear. In an interview with Rolling Stone, drummer ?uestlove quells any concerns that fans may have:

Since NBC won’t pay for published music anymore, the Roots can only play original songs: “We have to write 200 new songs, which will probably last about a year,” he says. “We’ve written about 55 so far.”

They will keep touring: “They’ll allow us ten weeks of touring time every year. We’ll start with five shows each week night, but I’m certain that Jimmy will want to do it Letterman-style, taping two shows one night so we can get Fridays off. That’s an extra 52 days so I’m sure we’ll fill those up with shows.” The band also plans to host a regular late-night residency at New York’s Highline Ballroom, beginning March 5th.

Read the full interview here, and get pumped for the Roots to start their late-night gigs! Feel free to settle the dispute in the comments about whether or not Jimmy Fallon is funny. Personally, I think he’ll be great. Thanks to TwentyFourBit.

Interesting Reads / Live Music / Music / Music Festivals / News — 2 Comments
14
Feb 09

SXSW Schedule Announced- You MUST Go!

SXSW Schedule Announced You MUST Go! interesting reads

Wow…SXSW has yet again put an incredible lineup together for their festival this year. The talent includes, and is in no way limited to:

Peter Bjorn and John, Bishop Allen, The Tallest Man On Earth,Â Andrew Bird, Miniature Tigers, Grizzly Bear, Katy Perry, Ra Ra Riot, Little Boots, N.A.S.A., Miniature Tigers, Delta Spirit, The Airborne Toxic Event, Josiah Leming, Passion Pit, Department of Eagles, Princeton, The Hold Steady, The Morning Benders, White Lies, Friendly Fires, Your Vegas, Titus Andronicus, The Break And Repair Method, The Duke Spirit, The Republic Tigers, The Decemberists…

And really, who knows who and how many I missed. It truly is an endless lineup of unbelievable bands and individuals, and you should absolutely make an effort to get yourself to this festival. Let PMA know who exactly you plan on seeing, and what buzz bands playing SXSW you want the world to know about.

Check out the lineup, broken down both alphabetically and day-by-day here. Thanks to Stereogum for the tip. The festival takes place from March 18-March 22.

Gigs / Interesting Reads / Live Music / Music / News / Random — 10 Comments
12
Feb 09

Who’s Raking in the Dough?

Whos Raking in the Dough? gigs

She is. Here’s Billboard’s “Moneymakers” list of the musicians who took the biggest paycheck (more accurately, who made the highest revenue) in 2008. Thanks to Brooklyn Vegan.

1. Madonna: $242,176,466
2. Bon Jovi: $157,177,766
3. Bruce Springsteen: $156,327,964
4. The Police: $109,976,894
5. Celine Dion: $99,171,237
6. Kenny Chesney: $90,823,990
7. Neil Diamond: $82,174,000
8. Rascall Flatts: $63,522,160
9. Jonas Brothers: $62,638,814
10. Coldplay: $62,175,555
11. The Eagles: $61,132,213
12. Lil Wayne: $57,441,334
13. AC/DC: $56,505,296
14. Michael Buble: $50,257,364
15. Miley Cyrus: $48,920,806
16. Taylor Swift: $45,588,730
17. Journey: $44,787,328
18. Billy Joel: $44,581,010
19. Mary J. Blige: $43,472,850
20. Kanye West: $42,552,402

What do you think? Madonna made more than Bruce? The JoBros more than Weezy? Kenny Chensey more than DOUBLE Kanye? Comment away!

UPDATE: I think this list incorporates both album sales and ticket sales for tours. Read up at the original Billboard article.

Interesting Reads / Listen / MP3 / Music / News — 16 Comments
23
Jan 09

M.I.A. is having an awesome 2009, 3 weeks in.

M.I.A. is having an awesome 2009, 3 weeks in. interesting reads

Maya Arulpragasam (better known as M.I.A.) is having an already stellar 2009. Good for her. Let’s look at the things she has to look forward to in February.

For one thing, she’s pregnant and her baby is due February 8th! As if that weren’t exciting enough, on that night (GRAMMY night), Ms. Arulpragasam is nominated for two GRAMMYs: one for Record of the Year for “Paper Planes,” and another for Best Rap Song for “Swagga Like Us” — under the technicality that the song samples “Paper Planes” and she wrote “Paper Planes,” and in the GRAMMY panel’s eyes, that’s the exact same thing.

That’s pretty huge stuff. For some women, having a child is the highest honor. For some musicians, winning a GRAMMY (or two) is the highest honor. She’s doing pretty damn good as a female musician if you look at it that way. Now what if this lauded female musician mother/GRAMMY-winner wins an Oscar? That would be pretty fucking crazy, no?

That could very well be M.I.A. come February 22nd because — you guessed it — she’s nominated for an OSCAR for her fantastic work in “O Saya,” one of a few M.I.A. songs featured on the annoyingly overrated Slumdog Millionaire. If she were to win, she’d share the Oscar with A.R. Rahman, who nominated for another Oscar for Best Original Score for “Slumdog.”

Is M.I.A. friggen awesome, or what? Continue reading →