Music: Still listening to that new M.I.A. album

Have you heard the story? British-born Sri Lankan hip-hopper M.I.A. was denied a visa to come to the U.S. for years because of her politically subversive lyrics and ties to guerrilla fighters in her father's homeland.

So, she skipped the studio sessions with American producers - and reportedly Gwen Stefani - and recorded her new album "Kala" in third-world countries and, the AP reports, with a decidedly third-world political perspective and sound.

That back story sure beats Vanilla Ice's "I'm from the streets, yo!" b.s. from back in the day, but does it herald a good album?

Sort of. "Kala" is a mixed bag, and it's taking me a while to get into it. The album's sounds and subjects are more experimental than on M.I.A.'s last release "Arular." There's less hip-hop, more disco and world beats and, unfortunately, more filler on this release. Still, tracks like "XR2" and "Paper Planes" are worth repeat listens. "Boyz" almost recaptures the quirky, beckoning beats and spirit of "Galang" and "Bucky Done Gun" from "Arular," but it's not quite there.

I'm looking forward to decoding the lyrics a little more, since most of the songs seem inspired by political conflicts and the toll they take on people and their lands.

These new songs are different, but they're still good. She'll nail it on the next one. For now, dig on this clip for "Jimmy," one of my favs from "Kala."



Links:

MIAUK.com

M.I.A. at MySpace

AP story on M.I.A.

Photo from The Associated Press

TV: Battlestar Galactica music video

dr. baltar, bsg

Like all things in nature, Battlestar Galactica has earned its own silly but affectionate parody song/video. I don' t know who made it, and I don't think I want to know, but it's up for streaming here at SciFi.com.

The clip is called "A New Crew in Town" and it points out the differences between the old school Galactica and the new version and features clips from both. It's mildly entertaining, if only for lines like "Sorry Dirk Benedict/Don't want you to lose face/But I'd rather share my space with Kara Thrace."

Music: Download Oasis' 1998 unplugged show ... and don't look back in anger

oasis

Patch over at In Search of Arcadia has done Britpop fans a wonderful favor. He's posted MP3 links to every track from Oasis' 1998 MTV Unplugged set.

There are two great things about these tracks. The bulk of them are off What's the Story Morning Glory, my favorite Oasis album, and Noel Gallagher sings lead on all of them instead of lead singer Liam, who reportedly had laryngitis or some shit.

The tracks sound even better than I remember them. Noel's voice sounds great and the band is backed by some beautiful strings and horns.

Grab the track below and click here to download the entire set.

MP3:
Oasis - 'Cast No Shadow' (Unplugged)

Friday Video: Le Tigre - 'Deceptacon'

Here's the Devo-esque clip from Le Tigre's Feminist Sweepstakes. Try this dance at home -- I dare you.

Music: Leonard Cohen on Veronica Mars

Looking for that Leonard Cohen (pictured) song from Tuesday's episode of Veronica Mars? Look no further.

It's called "A Thousand Kisses Deep" and you can find it on The Essential Leonard Cohen, a 2002 best-of release.

Below is a streaming MP3 link to the song. You can play it in your browser, but I reccomend picking up the album or heading over to iTunes if you really want to dig on this song all day. If anyone has a downloadable link, please let me know. Here's a taste:

Leonard Cohen - 'A Thousand Kisses Deep'

I'll try to post more music from VM in the coming weeks. A review of the latest episode should be up here soon.

Friday Video: Beck - 'Cellphone's Dead'

Dig on the Michel Gondry-directed clip for "Cellphone's Dead" from The Information.

Morning Dose: Deluxe Beck; No Holmes in Dark Knight; Heroes death; Luke Cage movie; more

beck

- Intercope is giving Beck's The Information the super massive deluxe treatment. Due Feb. 27, the three-disc release will include the original album plus three bonus tracks, remixes by Bumblebeez, David Andrew Sitek (of TV on the Radio) and others, and a DVD featuring a music video for every track, including Michel Gondry's clip for "Cell Phone's Dead."

- Giving more evidence to the Katie Holmes is brainwashed theory, the actress is skipping out on the Batman Begins sequel to star in something called Mad Money with Queen Latifah.

- EMI has merged the Capitol and Virgin record labels to form The Capitol Music Group.

- Which comic book-based films are nominated for Oscars? (Not X-Men 3).

- Speaking of comic books, fans can nominate their favorite comics and comic book creators for Eagle Awards, the comics industry's longest established awards voted on by fans. One question: Why is Vincent Gallo up for best comic villain?

-Tyrese and John Singleton talk about the upcoming Luke Cage movie.

- A major character is supposed to die on Heroes this season. God, please let it be Niki.

- Some idiots are circulating this petition to arrest Dakota Fanning's parents because of this movie.

-Will Britney Spears play a "raunchy bunch of sex mad aliens" on Dr. Who?

- Finally, somebody buy me this T-shirt. (Thanks Wil Wheaton!)

Music: 90s bands making comebacks

smashing pumpkins

"What's the deal with all these 90s bands getting back together?" my friend Jaime asked me a few weeks ago.

"I dunno. I guess they like money," I responded.

I'm really not that cynical, but it's hard to imagine why so many 90s alt. rock bands -- including Sebadoh, Rage Against the Machine and Smashing Pumpkins -- are choosing to reunite now, all at the same time. Ever Since the Pixies came back, it seems like every 90s buzzworthy band wants to give it another go.

Does anyone think these bands will, once again, have a major impact on the masses? I know popular music is in a state of crisis (may I point you here to prove my point?), but do the Gin Blossoms really think they can save radio?

Well, at least we might get a few good tunes out of this trend. The new Lemonheads album was a nice surprise.

Let's separate fact from rumor concerning some of the recent purported 90s band reunions. Here's a list of some of the major bands that broke up but might be looking to make a comeback, listed in alphabetical order:

Gin Blossoms
Tempe, Arizona's Gin Blossoms seemed destined for greatness after the release of the debut EP Up & Crumbling and the commercial and artistic success of 1992's New Miserable Experience (the one with "Hey Jealousy").
After being fired from the band, guitarist and chief songwriter Doug Hopkins shot and killed himself in 1993 while songs from Miserable were blanketing MTV and radio.
The band tried to rebound with the song "Til I Hear it From You" from the Empire Records soundtrack and the so-so 1996 album Congratulations, I'm Sorry. Neither effort was as critically or commercially successful as Miserable and the band broke up in 1997 only to reunite for a tour, album and DVD release in 2002.
The band released the album Major Lodge Victory in Aug. 2006 and is currently on tour. Stream the new album and view upcoming tour dates here.
Selected discography:
Up & Crumbling, 1991
New Miserable Experience, 1992
Major Lodge Victory, 2006

James
You might remember James' great 1993 hit "Laid," but the band has been a part of the UK pop scene since the late 1980s.
The fey sounding, British jangle pop storytellers are readying for a reunion tour and, as the band's official Web site points out, they're still "fresh as a daisy."
Former James front man Tim Booth announced on his official Web page that the band is also recording new tracks.
The reunited version of the band, once dubbed "the new Smiths," hasn't performed together for more than six years. Tickets for the UK spring tour go on sale this Friday.
Selected discography:
Stutter, 1986
Laid, 1993
Millionaires, 1999

The Lemonheads
The only real constant in the Lemonheads' history has been singer-songwriter Evan Dando, the sole original member featured on the band's new, critically well-received, self-titled comeback album.
Dando hired drummer Bill Stevenson and bassist Karl Alvarez, both of the LA punk band The Descendents, to record the album, which features a somewhat rawer sound than anything the band put out in its late 90s heyday.
The rhythm section of The Pieces has backed Dando on a few live dates and Dando is expected to continue touring in support of the new album under the Lemonheads name.
Selected discography:
It's a Shame About Ray, 1992
Come on Feel the Lemonheads, 1993
The Lemonheads, 2006 (Listen to some new tracks on the Lemonheads MySpace page.)

Pavement
News of a Pavement reunion is based on pure rumor and some vague comments by front man Stephen Malkmus and guitarist Spiral Stairs.
In 2005, Malkmus told Chart Attack that the band might reunite "in five years." Malkmus went on to say that there was "still hope" for a reunion and joked that it would be for a "Legends Of Indie Rock" tour.
Stairs, a.k.a. Scott Kannberg, told Pitchfork last September that there had been talk of an eventual reunion.
"I think it makes more sense to let more time go past, you know? It would probably work well for a 20 year anniversary or something like that," he said.
The indie rock band split in 1999 after releasing its final album, Terror Twilight. Matador Records has since re-released the classic Pavement albums Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, Wowee Zowee and the band's 1992 debut Slanted and Enchanted.
Malkmus has since recorded three solo albums with the Jicks, and Stairs records with Preston School of Industry.
Selected discography:
Slanted & Enchanted, 1992
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, 1994 (Download "Gold Soundz".)
Brighten the Corners, 1997

Rage Against the Machine
On Monday, the LA Times broke the news that a reunited Rage will headline this year's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. This was confirmed by a post on the band's official Web site.
As of now, vocalist Zack de la Rocha, guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk are slated to perform at the festival on April 27.
The band rose to fame in the 90s with several albums worth of polemic leftist anthems set to a fierce blend of hip-hop, punk and metal. De la Rocha left the band in 2001 to record his yet unreleased solo album. His collaborative track with DJ Shadow, "March of Death" was released online in 2003 in protest of the Iraq war. The remaining members of Rage formed the Billboard chart-topping post-grunge band Audioslave with former Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell in 2001.
There's no word yet on whether Rage will tour or record after the initial reunion show.
Selected discography:
Rage Against the Machine, 1992
Evil Empire, 1996
The Battle of Los Angeles, 1999 (Listen to "Sleep Now in the Fire".)

Sebadoh
Singer-songwriter Lou Barlow's beloved 90s lo-fi band will kick off a spring tour Feb. 26 in San Diego. Click here for the complete itinerary.
Sebadoh's original lineup -- including Eric Gaffney, Jason Loewenstein and Barlow -- split in 1994, before the release of, arguably, the band's most successful albums Bakesale and Harmacy.
Barlow started the Folk Implosion around the time and Sebadoh released its final record, The Sebadoh, in 1999. Barlow has since recorded a few critically successful solo records and reunited with his earlier band Dinosaur Jr. for a 2005 tour.
Selected discography:
Sebadoh III, 1991
Bakesale, 1994
Harmacy, 1996 (Download a live version of "Too Pure")

Smashing Pumpkins
"IN STUDIO NOW! ALBUM OUT SOON!" reads the front page of the Pumpkin's official site. An awkward post on the band's MySpace page by front man Billy Corgan promises new tracks and a "tour of tears" for 2007.
Corgan even purchased full-page ads in the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times to announce the impending reunion.
Aside from drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, it's unknown who will be involved from the original lineup, which included guitarist James Iha and bassists D'Arcy Wretzky.
The Pumpkins achieved mainstream success with the 1993 album Siamese Dream, but the band hit a major turning point in July of 1996 when, touring in support of the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin and Chamberlin overdosed on heroin in New York. Melvoin died and Chamberlin was arrested for drug possession.
Since then, the band's lineup has been in flux and the quality of its records has been spotty. Corgan formally disbanded the Pumpkins in 2000 and recorded a solo album and fronted the band Zwan.
The upcoming Pumpkins album will reportedly feature tracks produced by Roy Thomas Baker, who produced many of Queen's albums, and producer Terry Date, who has worked with Pantera and Soundgarden.
Selected discography:
Gish, 1991
Siamese Dream, 1993 (Listen to "Mayonaise".)
Pisces Iscariot , 1994

Who did I miss? Is Chumbawamba coming back?

Afternoon Dose: Spidey 4 villain?; Rage reunion; Oscars; Heroes, Trek news

the lizard

I'm still sick, but here are some of today's interesting headlines ...

- Will The Lizard be Peter Parker's nemesis in Spider-Man 4? Actor Dylan Baker, who plays The Lizard's alter ego Dr. Conners in Spidey 2 and 3, thinks so.

- Will there really be a Rage Against the Machine reunion, featuring Zack de la Rocha, at this year's Coachella fest? De la Rocha's official site seems to confirm it.

- Pan's Labyrinth, Children of Men and, finally, Mark Wahlberg have been nominated for Oscars. Babel, The Departed, Letters From Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine and The Queen are up for Best Picture. View the entire list of nominees here. More on this later.

- Little Man and Basic Instinct 2 are up for Razzies. What, no hate for Just My Luck?

- B-movie prince Eric Roberts is joining the cast of Heroes. Also, have you visited PrimaTech Paper's Web site? Use the code MT36 to log in.

- Star Trek's Brent Spiner (Data) says fans are to blame for the last Trek film's failure.

- And finally, STARZ will air the Guided By Voices documentary The Electrifying Conclusion on Jan. 29. This one is on the house.

Friday Video: Sloan - 'The Good in Everyone'

I feel like celebrating, so here's Sloan's "The Good in Everyone" from way back in 1996. Terrible video quality, but great song. Happy Friday.

Music: Meet Of Montreal

of montreal
Originally uploaded by gold_teeth.

It's still hard for me to accept that most of the world has never heard of Of Montreal, one of the most progressive sounding, mind blowing bands that'll ever make you shake that ass.

Of Montreal is one of those prolific indie pop bands that's constantly evolving and racking up the critical praise, but, I guess, they still don't sell that many records.

The Athens-by-way-of-Brooklyn band released on of its best albums, Statanic Panic in the Attic on Polyvinyl in 2004 and followed up that success with The Sunlandic Twins in 2005. Now, Polyvinyl has released Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, arguably the band's most accesible disc to date.

The new album is classic Of Montreal -- containing infectous guitar and keyboard-driven melodies, complex arrangements, off-kilter dance beats and singer-songwriter Kevin Barnes' singular high-pitched vocals -- but the band sounds more urgent and in control of its craft.

Polyvinyl is also offering the band's discography in one special set. Of Montreal hits San Antonio on Jan. 21 and will continue its tour througout the year. Consume the media below for now.

MP3:
Of Montreal - 'Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse' from Hissing Fauna

Of MOntreal - 'Disconnect the Dots From Satanic Panic in the Attic

Of Montreal - 'So Begins Our Alabee' from The Sunlandic Twins

Video:

Friday Video: Busdriver - 'Avantcore'

busdriver
Originally uploaded by gold_teeth.

Dig on this great, playful clip from Busdriver. Happy Friday. Also, those evil bastards at Pitchfork are offering a new MP3 from Busdriver's new album here.

Music: Meet Talib Kweli

talib_kweli
Originally uploaded by gold_teeth.

I had such a busy one yesterday that I forgot to post about a new band you should check out. Now, instead of doing that, I'll post about an MC -- Talib Kweli.

The Brooklyn MC, formerly of Back Star with Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tek, just released a colabo disk with Oakland-based producer and MC Madlib called Liberation. A post on Kweli's MySpace blog informs that Liberation, which was offered as a free download before its first week of release, is a gift to fans of independent hip-hop. In the post, Talib goes on to praise Madlib's talents and reveals more about the inspiration for this album.

"In this era of over produced and over marketed product, Mad Lib leads the pack of independent artists who could care less about all of that. I am a part of the music industry, and lord knows I'm needed, but for our own sanity we must step outside the system and create that which is not packaged for mass consumption," he writes.

Liberation is definitely worth listening to. It's one of the most interesting collaborative records I've heard in a long time. Madlib's beats are soulful, imaginative and unexpected, while Talib's singular flow is always welcome. Unfortunately, it's not available for free download anymore, unless you do some creative searching, of course. Keep checking the Stones Throw Web site for an official release date.

Look for Kweli's next solo project Eardrum to hit the street later this year.

Here's some media to consume:

MP3:
Talib Kweli & Madlib - 'The Function (feat. Strong Arm Steady)'

Video:

News: Hiro speaks; Franz records; Shaun of the Grindhouse?; Casting news; Music of Men

masi_oka_heroes
Originally uploaded by gold_teeth.

Masi Oka reveals all about Hiro

Did you know that Hiro wasn’t in the original draft of the Heroes pilot? Tim Kring, creator of the NBC series, added him as an afterthought. Did you know that Hiro will soon have another love interest on the show that isn’t named Charlie? Oh yeah, and Star Trek’s George Takei will play Hiro’s dad in upcoming episodes. Read Heroes star Masi Oka’s revealing interview with ComingSoon.net for more.


Franz Ferdinand in the studio

It looks like Franz Ferdinand will be heading into the studio soon for album no. 3. Lead Ferdinand Alex Kapranos told NME that he’s also producing the new album for UK trio The Cribs. Kapranos says his new Franz songs have a “rougher, rawer feel to them.”


Shaun of the Dead director joins Grindhouse

Fangoria.com just reported that Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright will direct one of the faux trailers for Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s upcoming flick Grindhouse. It’s rumored that one of the trailers will feature Nick Cage turning into a werewolf. Sounds like fun.


Casting News

Kyrsten Dunst as Blondie’s Debbie Harry? She’s got the perfect face for it. Sophia Bush as Wonder Woman? She’s got the perfect … er … hair for it. What do you think?


Music of Men

Lastly, did anyone see Children of Men this weekend? (I’m working on my review, it should be up soon.) How about all that great music in the film? Donovan, the Libertines, Roots Manuva. I’m on a mission to track down down Franco Battiato’s version of “Ruby Tuesday.” Check out the hilarious, anti-child video below for Roots Manuva’s ”Witness." The song was featured early in the film.

Friday Video: Devo - 'Whip It'

devo
Originally uploaded by goldteethblog.

At least one good thing came out of CNN's decision to cover nothing but the ghost ride the whip idiocy today. Because of the network's constant coverage, I've had Devo's "Whip It" (which is actually not about getting high from nitrous oxide) stuck in my brain all day. Here's the video. Lucky you.

Music: Do you Daytrot?

elf_power_illus
Originally uploaded by goldteethblog.

The good, indie music loving folks over at Daytrotter.com offer something not many music Web sites can: exclusive, unreleased tracks by great musical artists.

Daytrotter invites traveling musicians to its recording studio in Rock Island, Ill., to record four songs exclusively for the site. They post the songs for all to download for free. Daytrotter also posts reviews, features and inteviews with the bands and great illustrations (like the one of Elf Power posted above).

So far, Daytrotter has recorded the likes of Mates of State, Elf Power, Shearwater, Of Montreal, Sound Team, Cold War Kids, Bonnie Prince Billy and tone more.

Here’s a link to Mates of State’s cover of Nico’s “These Days” recorded for Daytrotter.

Morning Dose: Aqua Teen movie; Teens vs. God; M.Ward; O.C. dies, Bionic Woman lives

athf
Originally uploaded by goldteethblog.

Aqua Teen movie on the way

It’s called Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie for Theaters and it’s due out in March, reports ComingSoon.net. The animated feature, based on the Cartoon Network series, is Adult Swim’s first feature and will detail the origins of Meatwad, Frylock and Master Shake.
"Never before will the silver screen be engaged in such a celebration of animation," said creators Maiellaro and Willis simultaneously and in unison when interviewed recently.
The show will continue to run on TV and it looks like sequels might even follow this initial film.


Wired weird science

The good people at Wired started a show called Wired Science that premiered last night on PBS. Anyone watch it? David Byrne composed the theme music. To learn more and see clips, click here. While we're on a short science kick, check out this list of top pharmaceutical innovations of 2006. Anyone in need of some Zoster vaccine.


YouTubing in blasphemy's name

Did you know that more than 400 young people have joined a YouTube campaign created by the Web site BlasphemyChallenge.com to stake their souls against the existence of god? Sounds like 400 people didn’t see Bruce Almighty, Dogma or any of those old George Burns movies. If you go by Hollywood, and you always should, God is cooler than Samuel L. Jackson. Anybody wanna stake their soul against the existence of Samuel L. Jackson. … I didn’t think so.


M. Ward scores film

SuicideGirls.com reports that singer-songwriter M. Ward, praised for the albums Post War (2006) and Transistor Radio, just finished scoring his first film called The Go Getter. The film is a road trip drama starring Zooey Deschanel, Jena Malone and … M. Ward. It was written by the dude who wrote Stealing Harvard, so, you know, it might be quite terrible. Here’s to hoping Tom Green stayed away from the shoot.
Download M. Ward’s Vincent O’ Brien.


Fox cancels The O.C.; Bionic Woman green lit

ComingSoon also reports that the sun will set on the so bad it’s still really bad nighttime soap The O.C. on Feb. 22. Please tell me One Tree Hill is next. … SuperHeroHype.com reports that the Bionic Woman will return to TV in an NBC remake. No casting news yet, but let’s hope they keep that cool bionic sound thing going.

That’s all I got time for. Now, listen to this Of Montreal track and get to work.

Music: Meet the Thermals

the_thermals
Originally uploaded by goldteethblog.

The Thermals’ latest album The Body, The Blood, The Machine has to be one of my favorites of last year. The Portland trio makes some of the most basic and most raucous punk rock I’ve heard in a long time and, somehow, they make it all sounds fresh, urgent and new.

How did I discover the Thermals? My love of the so-twee-they’ll-give-you-cavities collective All Girl Summer Fun Band led me to AGSFB member Kathy Foster’s home recordings with singer-songwriter Hutch Harris. The pair, recording as Hutch and Kathy, put out a great lo-fi record in 2002 and started the Thermals with Lorin Coleman as a fluke shortly after. Three albums later the Thermals is arguably their most successful project yet.

Consume the media below and tell me if you agree.

MP3:

The Thermals – ‘Here’s Your Future'

The Thermals – 'A Pillar of Salt'

The Thermals – 'A Stare Like Yours'

Video:

Morning Dose: Sebadoh's back; New Modest Mouse track; Optimus Prime time; Spidey, Galactica news

sebadoh
Originally uploaded by goldteethblog.

Sebadoh announces new tour dates

Just when you were getting over the shock brought on by the Dinosaur Jr. reunion, Sebadoh has announced a six-week reunion tour. Lou Barlow and crew will start out in San Diego on Feb. 26 and play a few more west coast dates after that. The band will hit Houston on Feb. 13 and Austin on Feb. 14. Here’s the itinerary.

Listen to new Modest Mouse track

A new Modest Mouse track called “Dashboard” was leaked online today. It sounds like Issac Brock has been digging his David Byrne record collection. Download it here.

Optimus Prime speaks

Everyone knows I’m giving the finger to the upcoming Michael Bay Transformers movie, but at least it brings back some nice nostalgia. Head over to the upcoming crapfest’s official Web site to hear Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen from the original series) say cool stuff like “It’s Prime Time.”

New Spider-Man 3 trailer

This new Japanes trailer for Spider-Man 3 (in English with Japanese subtitles) features Harry’s Goblin transformation and more on the black suit.

Sci-Fi renews Battlestar Galactica

Some fans were nervous about the fate of the Sci-Fi Channel’s best series, but I never had any doubt. Sy Fy Portal reports that Battlestar Galactica will be given the green light for a fourth season before the show returns to finish out season three later this month. Momentum for the announced Galactica prequel show Caprica is losing steam though. A source tells Sy Fi Portal that the show won’t turn up until 2008.

That’s all I have time for now. Well, that and this rockin’ Thermals track (“Here’s Your Future”) from Sub Pop. Enjoy.

Music: The Shins - 'Phantom Limb'

the_shins
Originally uploaded by goldteethblog.

Aww, come on. You know you love The Shins.

Don't give me any of that "dude, the Garden State soundtrack is, like, so 2005'" crap. You know The Shins are so much more than Zach Braff's most favoritist band ever. Just listen to the band's new single below, and look at that photo up there, it's fucking hilarious. It has nothing to do with their music or their "image." They're just dickin' around up there. Look at that.

Anyway,The Shins camp reports that the band's third album Wincing the Night Away will be out Jan. 23 on Sub Pop. Wincing was produced by the band's frontman, James Mercer, as well as Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, U2).

"Phantom Limb," the upcoming album's first single, again features James Mercer's sharp vocals front-and-center, backed by a subtle but undeniably catchy arrangement. Dowload it below, courtesy of Sub Pop, and check the Max Fischer-esque video. Buy the "Phantom Limb" mini EP here.

MP3:
The Shins - Phantom Limb

Video: