Hard to believe, but the excellent Lisbon came out two years ago. And The Walkmen have already created what will likely be a worthy follow up. Heaven, the band’s new album, drops on June 5th, and features a guest appearance from Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes. Leader Hamilton Leithauser has stated the new album is a “bigger, more generous statement” than previous albums.
Enjoy some classic Walkmen tracks from previous albums below.
Someone found a video of Nine Inch Nails doing a performance of “Down In It” on the super retro and hilariously campy Dance Party USA – the big-haired version of American Bandstand and Soul Train. The group look marvelously out of place lip-synching and fake-playing instruments to an obvious album track of the band’s dark industrial groove, while the studio crowd dances like they’re listening to Katrina and the Waves. Oh, and Trent rocks a scrunchie. You have to watch this.
“Smashing Pumpkins” (I put quotes around this because the real band is long gone) have announced the latest release in destroying their 90’s alt-rock legacy and stroking the gargantuan ego of frontman Billy Corgan. Oceania drops June 18th, and we can expect it to be overzealous, unfocused, uninspired, and devoid of any hooks or even a hint of songwriting strength heard on Gish, Siamese Dream, or Mellon Collie. While we patiently wait for the inevitable, enjoy this sampling of what once was.
Celebration Rock, the new Japandroids album, drops June 7th via Polyvinyl. This is the first anthemic, fist-pumping single, which will have its own single release on May 15; the Canadian duo covers Nick Cave’s “Jack the Ripper” for the B-side. So yeah, Japandroids are still awesome. And if you got the chance to catch them play this one at SXSW, then you already knew that.
While MIA and Kid Sister take FOREVER to drop new material, Rye Rye has yet to even release her debut LP, something promised long ago. No matter. The protege wows on her new single “Boom Boom.” Whether we’ll ever see this as part of a full compilation of Rye Rye material remains to be seen, but until then, it’s recommended you should blare this in the meantime.
Today I wrote over at the DDT about the upcoming Ol’ Dirty Bastard movie and the new announcement: Michael K. Williams to play none other than Big Baby Jesus himself. You probably remember Williams from his work as Omar in The Wire and Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire. Now add Dirt McGirt to that list. Read the article here, and jam on some ODB while you do so. Baby come on, baby come on….
Currently prepping for an epic world tour, which includes a May 18th sold-out stop at Stubb’s, M83 are set to release the Reunion EP on May 8, featuring remixes of the Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming highlight. The Naked and Famous, Mylo, Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr and more contribute to the project. I am so pumped to hear this, and see them perform a full set of new and old material, I can’t even think straight.
Reunion EP Tracklist:
01 Reunion (Album version)
02 Reunion (The Naked and Famous remix)
03 Reunion (Sei A remix)
04 Reunion (Polly Scattergood remix)
05 Reunion (Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr remix)
06 Reunion (Mylo remix)
07 Reunion (White Sea remix)
My SXSW, I’m sorry to say, ended on a low note that should have been high, but overall it was another fun year, though not as fun as previous ones, for a number of reasons that I won’t go into just yet. The final day probably had some of the best weather that any day of the festival had. I spent most of my day time at Hotel Vegas and Volstead for the Brooklyn Vegan/Partisan/Knitting Factory showcase, where I saw awesome bands like Lucero and Diamond Rugs (a huge highlight for me this week), and rapper Cadence Weapon. Then I met up with some good local buddies and ate at Takoba, the finest Mexican joint on the East Side. Finally, we wandered over to 8th and Trinity for the Red Bull Thre3Style event, where special guest rumors were already running rampant. By the time we got in and got a drink, they had already closed off the gates, so people started jumping the fence early. We saw Datsik, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Erykah Badu, Z-Trip (with Brother Ali), and Questlove from the Roots. The final special guest of the night was Nas, which should have been incredible, but due to microphone problems from the onset, and then a final onstage power-out (whether intentional due to curfew or not, I have no idea), the set was mired with problems and major disappointment. Z-Trip and Nas embraced and walked off saluting the angry crowd, visibly frustrated with the situation.
So overall? SXSW is still the absolute best festival in the world, and this year I got to take more part in the Film and Interactive portions. It cannot be described, one just has to experience it for themselves. That said, this year, compared to the previous years I’ve gone, was a bit of a disappointment. I suppose the letdown that concluded it is symbolic of how I felt throughout, especially during the Music portion. Maybe the City has cracked down on the fun, maybe promoters just didn’t have all the weapons they needed, maybe my expectations for the fest have gotten too high, but whatever the case, I still had a blast, and I’m still looking forward to doing it all over again next year.
I do know no one in the world is happier SXSW is over than my two feet. They braved the elements, and for that I reward them with a relaxing Sunday. You did good, guys. You did real good.
My feet feel like they’ve been stabbed repeatedly, but it’s all good. Yesterday we kicked off things at Mess With Texas, where we opened the day with the smooth sounds and choreographed dancing from Turquoise Jeep! Keep tha jeep ridin’! Then we rocked out to Cloud Nothings and chilled to Purity Ring. The biggest surprise was Titus Andronicus, who have grown into an incredible live band. The place packed up pretty quickly for Built to Spill; the entire warehouse felt like a sauna, but the band sounded amazing. After grabbing a bite to eat and resting our feet, we split off. I met up with some old friends and ran into others at the Green Label Sound Showcase at Club Deville, featuring Flosstradamus, Star Slinger, and all the Mountain Dew you can drink. So, you know, heaven, basically. My good buddy Rachel and I then meandered to the big ol’ Doritos Vending Machine stage thing, where she got me in with press credentials and together we deliriously watched Chiddy Bang. Then it was on to the sweaty ND for Cloud Nothings one last time, who had all apparently succumbed to the SXSW cocktail of heat, exhaustion, sweat, and copious amounts of alcohol. They were in prime shape for a loud, sweaty punk show. It was excellent.
Today I’m hitting up Hotel Vegas for Brooklyn Vegan’s Hotel Vegan party, where I’ll hopefully catch Cadence Weapon, Lucero, and Diamond Rugs. Tonight? We’ll see how my feet feel.
