Back in the fold here, been a busy past 2 weeks! Anyway, I have some musical catching up to do. Up first is Calico Horse, a folky, experimental band from from San Diego. Calico Horse caught my attention recently by doing an excellent and breezy cover of Radiohead's "Idioteque".
Calico Horse - Idioteque (Radiohead Cover)
Calico Horse - Gold
Calico Horse official site
Calico Horse on MySpace
Labels: CALICO HORSE, COVER, FOLK, INDIE POP, RADIOHEAD
Radiohead performs "15 Step" at The Grammys with the USC Marching Band. Not too shabby!
Radiohead official site
Radiohead on MySpace
Labels: INDIE POP, INDIE ROCK, RADIOHEAD, VIDEO
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and things are winding down around here...check out some songs I've been enjoying recently!
Mystery Jets - Flakes
Johnny Foreigner - Another Ghost Another Planet
Blunderbuss - I Am A Prayer
Radiohead - Unravel (Pocket Mix)
Labels: BJORK, BLUNDERBUSS, INDIE ROCK, JOHNNY FOREIGNER, MYSTERY JETS, POCKET, RADIOHEAD, REMIX
Well, after listening to In Rainbows extensively for a week, I have a few conclusions:
1. I like the songs. After having heard live versions of all these songs for the last couple years, it's nice to hear proper studio versions of them. "All I Need" and "Nude" came out perfectly. It's sparse, slightly weird, and beautiful Radiohead. That being said...
2. I don't always like the production choices. The live versions of "Arpeggi" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" are more rocking by far. While I understand as a whole Radiohead was going for a more laid back sound, I have to wonder why the drums are turned down so much on these songs. And what's with the drums? It sounds like
3. Worth the $10 + tax/debit card fee I paid. I know this sounds a bit negative, but I do enjoy the album overall. Just disappointed with how "Arpeggi" turned out! Do a comparison for yourself!
Radiohead - Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Radiohead - Arpeggi (Live)
Radiohead official site
In Rainbows album site
Labels: EXPERIMENTAL, INDIE ROCK, RADIOHEAD
How appropriate, I was going to theme today's post about Radiohead already and then they went ahead and dropped a bomb about the new album! If you haven't heard, head over to this site to pre-order a digital download of In Rainbows that will be available on 10/9. Also, you pay them what you think they deserve to be paid! You could pay $1 for the album...or $20!
They also have a real box set that comes with vinyl, fancy packaging, and a bonus CD with some of the excellent songs that didn't make the album...that costs more like $80. Guys, where is "Open Pick"? I hope you just renamed it, cause I really liked that song...
Tracklist:
01. 15 Step
02. Bodysnatchers
03. Nude
04. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
05. All I Need
06. Faust Arp
07. Reckoner
08. House Of Cards
09. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
10. Videotape
Bonus CD:
01. MK 1
02. Down Is The New Up
03. Go Slowly
04. MK 2
05. Last Flowers
06. Up On The Ladder
07. Bangers And Mash
08. 4 Minute Warning
In other news, my good friends had a baby yesterday, and what better way to welcome him to the world than to offer some Radiohead songs presented in lullaby form?
Rockabye Baby - Knives Out
Rockabye Baby - Airbag
Radiohead pre-order site
Rockabye Baby official site
Labels: INDIE ROCK, RADIOHEAD
Myspace apparently yanked the fanpage that was hosting the live version of "Arpeggi" that Pitchfork blogged about earlier. Don't worry though, that version's been floating around for a while and we've got a backup! The electronic version in question is cold, sequenced, and very minimal; in contrast, the rock version develops nicely with breakbeats and emotive backing vocals. The rock version is definitely one of my favorites from the new batch of songs they've been playing live - check the video below for a snippet of the studio version (as well as some other new songs):
Radiohead - Arpeggi (Live, Electronic)
Radiohead - Arpeggi (Live, Rock)
Radiohead official site
Green Plastic fansite
Labels: INDIE ROCK, RADIOHEAD
Hey guys, gonna be taking a break until the new year - going to NYC for vacation. Here's some major releases we are looking forward to in the new year. Happy new year, everyone!
The Shins - Phantom Limb from Wincing The Night Away (01-23-07)
I've heard some people are disappointed with the new Shins songs they've heard. Hogwash! Give it a few listens, it'll grow on you. The worst thing is when you go into a new CD expecting to hear more of the same. Bands and people evolve. I think this song is great, and so is the rest of the advance cd I've heard.
Bloc Party - Song For Clay (Demo) from A Weekend In The City (02-08-07)
Yes, a crappy quality rip of the CD has leaked onto the internet, but the sound quality is terrible. Also seems like it was pushed too hard during the mastering phase. Stick to this demo for the meantime.
Radiohead - Arpeggi (Live) from Untitled Radiohead CD (2007)
I pray to god this song makes it onto the CD and we don't get another "Man-O-War" incident. It's a beautiful, hypnotic build song, and definitely one of the standouts of the new batch of songs we've heard.
Labels: BLOC PARTY, RADIOHEAD, THE SHINS
Get out there and vote, my peoples...here's a few songs to put you in the mood - 2 about Hurricane Katrina, and a classic Radiohead track. Only you can prevent forest fires.
TV On The Radio - Dry Drunk Emperor
Forget Cassettes - The Catch
Radiohead - Electioneering
TV On The Radio on MySpace
Forget Cassettes on MySpace
UPDATE: Yes, Election Day is today, regardless of anyone that tries to convince you otherwise.
Labels: FORGET CASSETTES, INDIE ROCK, POLITICS, RADIOHEAD, TV ON THE RADIO
