Goodbye Stylus

Today marks the end of Stylus Magazine which is unfortunate because I put quite a bit of value into their opinions. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean I agree with all of their choices for favorite albums and songs of '07. Their final say:

Top 10 Albums:
10. Radiohead - In Rainbows
09. The Field - From Here We Go Sublime
08. M.I.A. - Kala
07. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
06. Kanye West - Graduation
05. The National - The Boxer
04. Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3
03. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
02. Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
01. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver\
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Top 10 Songs:
10. LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great
09. Lil' Wayne - Upgrade U
08. Grinderman - No Pussy Blues
07. The National - Fake Empire
06. Radiohead - House of Cards
05. M.I.A. - Jimmy
04. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
03. Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing!
02. UGK ft. OutKast - International Players’ Anthem
01. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
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New Pornographers @ Webster Hall, 10/25/07

I made another exception during my baseball playoff viewing to see the New Pornographers last night. Caught the first few innings and then made it across the street to watch the last inning and a half. I think I've got the routine down now. As for the show itself, Bejar may be the crowd favorite - and without all 3 "stars," I probably would have skipped this one - but for me, Neko is the standout. She has an unbelievable voice and it comes across so effortlessly. It was an awesome show; one that I'm glad I didn't pass up. And yes, the bass coming from the club downstairs at Webster is obscene. I have no idea why Bowery still books shows at this venue, especially with all of the new ones popping up around town. If there is a game 6, on the other hand, then Ryan Adams will have to wait.

Setlist (from the New Pornographers forum)
All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth
Use It
Myriad Harbour
All the Old Showstoppers
Miss Teen Wordpower
Execution Day
Challengers
The Laws have Changed
Spirit of Giving
My Rights Vs. Yours
Mass Romantic
Testament to Youth in Verse
Adventures in Solitude
Bones of an Idol
Unguided
Twin Cinema
Go Places
Sing Me Spanish Techno
Bleeding Heart Show
--------------------
These Are the Fables
Jackie Dressed in Cobras
Violent Femmes cover w/ Gordon Gano
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Letter from an Occupant

Pitchfork's "Guest List" with Josh Homme

Further proof that Josh Homme is, in fact, the man. My favorites:

Favorite New Band

I kind of like this Black Angels record-- it's really good. They're from Texas and that makes me happy, because I want something good to finally come out of Texas. We're going to do some shows with them.

How's it holding up?

Fuckin' good, man. Better than your music, that's for sure. Oh wait, you guys don't make music, you just write about it [laughs]. So yeah, I'm just listening to our family of stuff.

Favorite Record Shop

They still have those? I'm gonna miss those fuckin' things. I used to like to just hang out there. I guess you can have a coffee store and a bookshop now. Amoeba, definitely.

New The Mars Volta Album Details

This is more for NF than me but TMV have finally settled on a release date and track listing for The Bedlam In Goliath. The album will come out on 1/29/08. Jeff Jordan is doing the artwork and John Frusciante guests.

Track listing:
'Aberinkula'
'Metatron'
'Ilyena'
'Wax Simulacra'
'Goliath'
'Tourniquet Man'
'Cavalettas'
'Agadez'
'Askepios'
'Ouroboros'
'Soothsayer'
'Conjugal Burns'

Trail of Dead @ Highline Ballroom, 10/18/07 (CMJ)

The odd start time (listed at 9:30) allowed me just enough time before and after the show to watch my Sox. On any other night, I'd much prefer a headlining and longer set but this was perfect. When I bought these tickets I had every intention of seeing Islands (whom I've never seen) but it wasn't meant to be. TOD's high energy and intense set did not disappoint although I admit, I hold them is such high regard that it would take a complete disaster for me to offer any other opinion. The only downside, as was the case at Luna Lounge, was not hearing "How Near, How Far." I don't know who I need to pay to hear that song live. Also, a congratulations goes out to the bouncer/ID checker at Highline for the biggest asshole of the day award.

Setlist:

"Ode to Isis"
"Gargoyle Waiting"
"Naked Sun"
"Stand in Silence"
"Relative Ways"
"Caterwaul"
"Will You Smile Again for Me"
"Clair de Lune"
"Totally Natural"

Bruce Springsteen @ Madison Square Garden, 10/17/07

Just as quickly as Radiohead swooped in last week to remind everyone yet again of their greatness (and raise the bar for other bands making music today), Bruce, for one night at least, brought me back to the voice of my childhood. See, Bruce was THE Rock Star in my house growing up and at 58 he may not be able to move on stage like he used to but he can sure as hell still put on an amazing show.

Last night was the first time I've ever seen Bruce and the E Street Band in concert and I can't think of a better place to see him than the Garden. It's easy to see how he has inspired so many of my favorite bands today . The setlist featured a lot of songs from Magic which certainly suggests the band's confidence in the new material ("Gypsy Biker" is awesome). It's a great album, maybe not 5 star great, but about the only thing that has kept from In Rainbows across the past 8 days. "Badlands" was amazing and no matter how many times you've heard "Born to Run," last night's experience was unforgettable.

Setlist:

Radio Nowhere
The Ties That Bind
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason To Believe
Adam Raised A Cain
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
The Promised Land
Brilliant Disguise
Backstreets
Darlington County
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands

Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Thundercrack
Born To Run
Dancing In The Dark
American Land

Debut Puscifer Single: "Queen B"

Puscifer - "Queen B" (PC | MAC)

Unfortunately, the song isn't very exciting. Even if it IS Maynard.

Bloc Party Performing New Song on Conan

Bloc Party have a new song called "Flux" which they are planning to perform on tonight's Late Night With Conan O'Brien show. Also appearing on tonight's show: Snoop Dogg. Looking forward to hearing it.

New Wu-Tang: Beatles Interpolation, Frusciante Contribution

[A Concert for George]

I make no bones about it: George Harrison is my favorite Beatle (in fact a framed issue of Rolling Stone with his face on it looks at me as I type), "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is my favorite Beatles track (no surprise, it was penned by George) and despite their abysmal live performance two years back at 9:30 Club, I love me some Wu.

So the news that Wu-Tang took the track on with the help of George's son, Dhani, John Frusciante, and Erykah Badu got me a little excited. As of yesterday I was babbling to some cohorts about how they were the first to "sample" the Beatles and now today we find out its an "interpolation". I feel like Wu-Tang has Bush's speechwriters penning their MySpace blog: a euphemism here, the wrong word there. C'mon. It's definitely a noticeable take on the Beatles classic. One man's interpolation is another man's sample.

Continuing on my nightly journey through the internets I stumbled across more George Harrison news. Martin Scorsese has agreed to direct a Harrison documentary that will be produced by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and involve participation from both Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney (a close second as favorite Beatles go). More at Rolling Stone and Variety.

Now back to the 36 Chambers:

"The statement that we made yesterday was incorrect and we apologize for any confusion it may have caused. We DID NOT sample the Beatles, i repeat, we DID NOT sample the Beatles, rather we did an INTERPOLATION of the classic George Harrison composition 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps.' In a historic collaboration, Dhani Harrison, son of George, through his friendship with the RZA, played guitar on the song and he himself helped secure the REUSE LICENSE. Also appearing on the song are John Frusciante, guitar player for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Erykah Badu singing the chorus. To satisfy everyone's curiosity, the song will be streamed exclusively on loud.com tonight. It will be the first single and video from the forthcoming album '8 Diagrams' in stores December 4.

"Thanks again to Dhani Harrison and the Harrison Estate for helping us make history." [TangSpace]

MP3: Wu-Tang Clan (ft. Dhani Harrison, John Frusciante & Erykah Badu) - "The Heart Gently Weeps"
MP3: The Beatles - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
MP3: Martin Luther McCoy - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

A New Day, A New List: Underrated Guitarists

It's not clear if this is from Rolling Stone or Rolling Stone's readers. It's entertaining nonetheless.

1. Prince
2. Kurt Cobain
3. Neil Young
4. George Harrison
5. Ace Frehley
6. Mike McCready
7. Lindsey Buckingham
8. Mick Taylor
9. Nels Cline
10. Johnny Greenwood
11. Tom Verlaine
12. Carrie Brownstein
13. Mick Jones
14. Robert Fripp
15. Johnny Marr
16. John Frusciante
17. Izzy Stradlin
18. Daniel Johns
19. Vernon Reid
20. Robbie Robertson
21. Mick Ronson
22. Billy Corgan
23. Elliott Smith
24. Eddie Hazel
25. Phil Keaggy

Tuesday: Division Day @ The Echo

This'll be a record release show at The Echo for Beartrap Island which JK talked about last week. Doors at 8:30, Division Day gets on at 11. $8. Beartrap Island is available on iTunes now and on CD this Tuesday. Hence the whole record release thing...