February 2011
45 posts
January 2011
69 posts
“They’re not good people, that’s it. And I don’t mean the whole band—I mean the...”
– Filmmaker Vincent Moon on working with Arcade Fire. (From Eye Weekly)
Maybe Win Butler stole his basketball?
“I’m very aware that this material is far less popular and accessible than...”
– Sufjan Stevens, on The Age of Adz
I ended up really digging Adz, but get why many didn’t. Regardless of where you fall on the record, this Pitchfork interview with Stevens is candid and interesting.
New Fleet Foxes, “Helplessness Blues”...
NEED 3 GOATS WILL TRADE FOR COACHELLA TICKET... →
I don’t usually regret my non-agricultural life. Sometimes, though, it appears that it would be handy!
WatchThe Dismemberment Plan (reuniting after seven years) perform “The City” on Jimmy Fallon last night, their first-ever television appearance.
“I think it’s an incredible smear on this city that will take us decades to...”
– Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, on The Wire.
If a beloved-but-ultimately-cult HBO series that struggled with poor ratings for five seasons is capable of damaging your city for decades, you’ve got bigger problems.
[From The AV Club, and worth reading for Wire creator David...
Reports: Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Duran Duran... →
Even though I’ve only been once, I find myself getting caught up in the “Who’s playing Coachella?” rumours every year. This might be because, during my college years, it was always the festival I felt merited the highest rank on my list of rock-and-roll pilgrimages, and that attention devoted to it hasn’t dissipated now that there’s a checkmark beside it.
...
Britney is capable of a cult hit. Hold It Against... →
Obviously, “Hold it Against Me” is all sorts of boring, but this isn’t the first time I’ve seen 2007’s Blackout considered a forward-looking essential pop album. I’ll be curious if that sentiment continues to grow in the years ahead.
...in which McNutt considers the Canadian 'ban' on... →
It won’t earn me any cool points, but I’m relatively pleased with how this essay turned out, especially since it’s the first time I’ve been inspired to write something substantial for McNutt Against the Music in a couple of months.
Had I more time, and were less interested in getting it online while the topic is still fresh and raw, I’d probably have spent more time...
Sales Numbers for Selected Pitchfork Top 50 Albums... →
perpetua:
Nielsen Soundscan figures as of 1/12/2011, compiled by Eric Harvey.
50 Wavves – King of the Beach (18,563) 49 Wild Nothing – Gemini (8,773) 44 Kylesa – Spiral Shadow (7,778) 43 Tame Impala – Innerspeaker (15,101) 42 Drake – Thank Me Later (1,219,473) 39 Best Coast – Crazy For You (48,296) 38 Rick Ross – Teflon Don (541,299) 35 Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (385,454) 34 Crystal Castles –...
Gay slur in lyrics disqualifies Dire Straits hit... →
This is really much ado about nothing, given that an edited version of “Money for Nothing” is readily available for airplay. But it is good to see that we’re beginning to treat gay slurs more seriously.
That said, I’ve always wondered how much of “Money for Nothing’s” success came from people who actually support its homophobic, rockist anxieties, not...
Sean was talking on Twitter last night about how...
Pete Yorn announces 10th anniversary edition of... →
Today’s “I am getting old” epiphany. I really liked this album when I was 18, but it’s a case where an artist’s inability to produce a quality follow-up has, to some degree, affected the debut’s reputation. Well, that and the fact that it’s a bit bloated; too much filler. Yorn’s still got a great voice, though.
MuchMusic Resurrects The Wedge and Rap City, Gets... →
I know I shouldn’t care that much about music video programming in the 21st century, but given that my teenage Friday nights were often spent watching The Wedge, I can’t help but be nostalgically excited for its return. Not to mention that Damian will be an awesome, awesome host.
What is the most successful band breakup of all...
An e-mail conversation today about Genesis sparked a thought as to whether their split with Peter Gabriel is the most successful band ‘breakup’ of all time, meaning that the individual parts go on to significantly greater commercial success and/or acclaim than the original lineup.
Some strong contenders suggested by my Twitter followers: The Yardbirds, Uncle Tupelo, The Faces.
(Other...
Vinyl Sales Increase Despite Industry Slump →
perpetua:
I wrote this item based on this big packet of data from Nielsen SoundScan. I really geeked out over that stuff, let me tell you. Here is the specific data for top vinyl sales in 2010, for your information.
Top Ten Vinyl Albums, 1/4/2010 - 1/2/2011 1. The Beatles Abbey Road (35,000) 2. Arcade Fire The Suburbs (18,800) 3. Black Keys Brothers (18,400) 4. Vampire Weekend Contra (15,000)...
Fully Validated Kanye West Retires To Quiet Farm... →
“A lot of people thought I was crazy or egotistical for doing those things, but they were merely projections of various childhood traumas and insecurities borne of postmodern alienation. Luckily, I found ways to make up for my deep-seated psychological needs, and I am now a fully actualized adult.”
Eagle flies free - Steve Lambke’s side project... →
Really enjoyed chatting with Lambke about Baby Eagle. While I resisted the urge to talk endlessly about The Constantines, we did have an brief discussion (that didn’t really fit with the article) about the challenges and opportunities of striking out with a new project when you have this beloved, cherished band that everyone is wondering about. It’s a real double-edged sword, but...
