Adam and Jeremy: White Stripes Conquest

Adam Says: Rock N Roll Is Alive and Well In Austin Texas... Trust Me.

Dude I am back... and the weekend was great! The Austin City Limits Music Festival was totally worth every cent and all the pain of traveling....


A Few Random Observations:
I never though I would find an airport I liked less than Atlanta... then I met Dallas' DFW... and Atlanta is a close second.

At one point I was in an airplane that i literally smaller than a school bus... I am not just saying that for effect... I literally could not stand up inside of it, and leg room... forget it.

Texas is a Southwestern state and not a Southern State... I know this because I couldn't find a glass of sweet tea to save my life.


On to the festival...


Friday:
The wife and I hit Zilker Park just as LCD Sound system hit the stage, and we were pumped... that lasted about three minutes... then we realized that there may not be a single sober person on the stage... so we ducked out early to catch the last bit of the MIA show... I regret not seeing all the MIA show... talk about energy.






Spoon was next up in the line up, playing the same time as Queens of the Stone age... bummer, Once again we were pretty geared up for the deal, but I quickly became bored as I can only bob my head and sway in a hipster cool manner for so long before I actually fall asleep. Now I remember why I can never justify buying an entire Spoon CD... these guys are too cool for their own good.



We didn't see it coming but catching the Kaiser Chief's show next was the highlight of the night! Honestly they are a bunch of bloated brits who play music from the gut. The really got me going, even though the lead singer sprained his ankle in a strange stage move that involved climbing up and down the scaffolding and then running across the stage to crash into the guitarist... whatever I suggest you check out "I Predict A Riot" "Ruby" and the "Angry Mob" all Kaiser Chief songs I guarantee you will love.

Before we headed over to see Bjork we decided to stop for a moment to see the opening of the Killers set... well we wanted to but instead we saw ten minutes of hype video and then a group of what looked like Vegas Show Girls took the stage to play less than catchy electro-pop... gag... bring on Bjork.

Bjork was and is the most interesting performance I will ever see... a spectacle yes, but a spectacle built on a pretty amazing talent.










Saturday:
Kick off the day with the most over hyped band of recent memory... the Cold War Kids... yeah there was no way their show could live up to the hype... but I still like their music... I just wouldn't pay money to them live.


because of the White Stripes backing out Damien Rice got bumped back in the day and we ended up missing him all together, but we did manage to see then end of the St. Vincent set and yes she humbly sung her little heart out to a crowd of new converts.


After some expensive festival food we enjoyed the completely nominal sounds of Andrew Bird (he likes to whistle) as we waited for the Arctic Monkeys to take the stage. I will admit that I was disappointed by these boys' second album,. but they took that disappointment right out of me... opening with a ridiculous Zeppelin-esc riff that cut right into the meat of their set... I think they played all of three tracks from the new album, but those sounded as great as the rest of the deal... and to top it all off I could barley decipher their stage banter through their thick cockney accents... which of course is the most rock n roll thing you can do on stage... all of that to say that you should go pick up every Arctic Monkeys album ever and enjoy.

After Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah did their little pop diddy thing Arcade Fire took the stage among the deafening buzz of anticipation. So if the Cold War Kids were a disappointment because of their hype the Arcade Fire were amazing inspite of the hype... sure everyone was going on about how great these guys were, but no amount of talk or type could really describe the amazing passion with which they played their indie anthems. I am still sore about not getting to see Jack and Meg, but the Arcade Fire was a great consolation prize.


Sunday:
We started the day of with Mr. Nice Guy, Ben Kweller, yep he was as nice as everyone says... and yep that's about all I can say.


Next we rolled over to see DeVotchKa play... next to the Ghostland Observatory these guys were creating the most buzz on Sunday... and well the stunk. I would rather see Gogol Bordello do their own punk version of Gypsy music... this was not so much gypsy punk as gypsy lounge act... gross right?


The most humble performer of the whole festival had to be Regina Spektor who absolutely floored the crowd with her charm, wit, and amazing vocal talent. She was nothing if not enchanting... so much so that I now must see her when she comes to Richmond in November.





Dylan closed out the night, but before we could see the Legend himself we needed to see a legend in the making. The Decemberist were amazing... okay so I am totally bias, and so every bit of pomp and swagger took me right in... Meloy is the best story teller in the industry right now, and the the assembled band has all the musical talent to make sure those stories are heard... literally this was the only band that had me wanting more by the time they left the stage... ah yes... there will be more...


Finally Dylan closed the festival... his voice may be fading, but his genius is still here and that is all there is to say about that...











After thoughts:
I was bummed I missed Ghostland Observatory and Damien Rice... but it happens... so here is hoping I win the raffel to fifty dollar tickets to next years event.

Adam and Jeremy Say: White Stripes Videos Do Not Require Introduction

Adam and Jeremy Say: We May Be Old, But We Still Rock!

Project 86 - Rival Factions, is in stores today! The line up for these hard rockers got a line up do-over and closet poet Andrew Schwab got rid of some hair, but these guys still rock! check out the video for their lead single "Evil," and go pick up Rival Factions by Project 86 TODAY!
Evil (A Chorus of Resistance)

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Oh yeah that other band, The White Stripes, have a new album out today... I think its called Icky Thump... I am not sure but I am told that you should be the first one in line to buy it... if you happen to live near a Best Buy you can get it for less than Ten Dollars! If that's your kind of thing.


Honestly it's my (Adam) Birthday today, so I don't have any time to say anything else... we may be back tomorrow... maybe. Oh one more thing... DMX greatest hits is out today as well... while you may not know this I spent large portions of my high school years secretly screaming "Stop, Drop, Shut Em Down, Open Up Shop..." in my care while no one was looking, with the windows up... ah sweet memories.

Adam and Jeremy Say: Music Mania!

The Countdown is Over... Sorta
The rumors are correct; www.ratm82407.com counted down to a one off show for Rage Against the Machine in Wisconsin. Now we can only wait and posture as to what it will count down to in August? A fall tour? A new album? Whatever the case this has to be one of the best promotional stunts I have seen in the last month.




June 19th to Be Declared National Holiday by Adam and Jeremy!

Everyone I know is excited about the release of the White Stripes new album "Icky Thump" next Tuesday (June 19th) ((Adam's Birthday!!!)), but there are couple of other releases hitting next week that you should get stoked about:

Project 86 - Rival Factions


This Hard rock Christian band challenges the "Christian" stereotype by writing songs about the struggles and failures of faith, and not just the Jesus Loves You stuff. The music is hard, fast, foreboding and passionate and totally Adam and Jeremy approved!


Mooney Suzuki - Have Mercy


Like three years ago these garage revivalist where the next big thing, ala the Strokes, but things did not really pan out... they sold their souls to car commercials and never really lived up to the hype, but this just may be their chance to redeem themselves. We are told this is a more mature album... that's critic talk for "more technically complicated and therefore slower." Well I wont hold my breath, but it will be worth a listen.



M.I.A Cure Epilepsy With Old is New Video.

Check it out! The New MIA video for "Boyz," yeah she is taking this 80's revival thing to the limit, but we are oddly attracted to it... read more at stereogum.

Manson to MCR: "No Seriously I Think You Guys Suck."
Here is the latest in the Marylin Manson Vs. My Chemical Romance beef: My Chemical Romance find it hard to take Marylin Manson seriously. Well join the team guys.

Mediocrity Rules!
AOL is streaming new stuff from Queens of the Stone Age, Paramore, and Toby Keith... Am I the only one who is beginning to lose hope? Oh that John Lennon tribute album drops this week... which is important only because it raises funds for Darfur.

The Fiery Furnaces are threatening to take Ryan Adams "Most prolific song writer" title.
The Fiery Furnaces have a new record label (Thrill Jockey) as well as a new Record "Widow City" that will drop October 23rd.

Rufus Wainright Live in Concert

You can hear the entire June 9th Rufus Wainright concert for free right now on NPR. Think of all those suckers who actually paid to see him live, they must be ticked!

Transformers Take Cue from Spidey.

The Transformers have taking a cue from the highly successful Spider Man 3 soundtrack, and have loaded up their very own sound track with a shockingly high testosterone version of Spideys indie influenced line up. So instead of Snow Patrol and the Flamming Lips, The Transformers soundtrack will feature cuts from the Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park, The Used, Goo Goo Dolls, and a unique take on the cartoons original theme song by Mute Math. You can here the theme song on Mute Maths myspace page. And since we are talking about Mute Math I figure its a great time to play their buzz worthy backwards video for "Typical"... That was your cue to click, well if that didn't work click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b13rc6DY74A

Interpol

Hey Interpol has a new album hitting in July... they call it "Our Love to Admire," we call it ode to Joy Division 3, but at any rate it should be good... check out their new website and here the first cut from the disc.

Velvet Revolver Cause International Incident

So this should come as no surprise that members of Guns N Roses and Stone Temple Pilots are in trouble with the law again, but it is kind of odd that a group of notorious chain smoking drinkers would get themselves in hot water for smoking during a show, but apparently there is a law against that in Wales... call the UN we may have hit critical mass Here! Whatever NME has the whole story.

Arcade Fire: "The Price Is Wrong Bob."

Arcade Fire = Critically acclaimed indie rock. Arcade Fire = Artistic Integrity. Arcade Fire = Guerrilla Marketers? Yeah well something like that just check out this video of a recent Price is Right episode and see if you notice any familiar faces wearing promotional t-shirts for the Arcade Fire's latest album "Neon Bible."

Adam and Jeremy Say: Have Some Rock N Roll for Lunch; It's Good For Ya.

New Music From Old Boring Artists
AOL is streaming new albums from Marylin Manson, Paul McCartney, Chris Cornell and Big and Rich... if that don't put you to sleep...

Also releasing this week are indie buzz darlings the Long Blondes.

Tegan and Sara Releasing New Album in July, but You Can Sneak a Peak Now!


Twin indie pop rockers Tegan and Sara will release their new album, "The Con," July 24th; but you can check out two of the tracks on this blog here.




White Stripes Change Tour Dates.

One of Tegan and Sara's biggest fans, Jack White, has announced that he and Meg (the White Stripes) are rescheduling some of their fall tour dates; fortunately this will not effect Adams plan to see them at the Austin City Limits festival!




Dizzee Rascal and Lily Allen Team Up for More Underrated Overlooked Brit-Rap.

Stereogum has an MP3 of the latest Dizzee Rascal track featuring Lily Allen titled "Wannabe." If you are completely lost by everything I just said I suggest you check it out.

Greenday Working Class Heroes for Darfur.

Steregum also has Greenday's video for their cover of the John Lennon classic "Working Class Hero." The track and video where created as a benefit to Darfur; which is something you should be interested in.

Deerhoof and Interpol Rock Respective Houses.

Oh and while you are at your computer slip over to Pitchfork and check out concert photos from Deerhoof and Interpol...





Rilo Kiley Make Dreams Come True for Lonely Hipsters.


Rilo Kiley will release "Under the Black Light" August 21st in the states! I just wet myself.



Vegans Are Too Sexy for Meat.

PETA2 is conducting its third annual sexiest vegan contest... you can log on now and vote for your favorite hottie cleb vegan in both the male and female categories. Folks like; Eddie Vedder, Common, Fiona Apple, Bob Burnquist, Kirsten Bell(Veronica Mars), and of course Natalie Portman (vote for Portman) are all on the list and just begging for your votes.

Foo Fighters Throwing A Monkey Wrench Into the Works for Ten Years!

10 Years ago the Foo Fighters released "the Colour and Shape," and now ten years later they are releasing the epic album with several b-sides and live cuts. We don't know about you, but Adam and Jeremy are all for getting to hear classic tracks like Everlong, My Hero, and Monkey Wrench!

Ryan Adams To Release Yet Another Album, This One Promises to Cure Cancer.


Ryan Adams is releasing yet another album this year, on June 26th you can pick up his album of new material, "Easy Tiger," but now Adams is working on a box set of B-sides and what not... with Adams you never know.... you just never know.

Adam and Jeremy: Wild Crazy Free Music And Such

New, Free, Music.

NME has the low down on all this weeks US releases, and if any of them interest you click over to AOL where they are streaming the latest from R. Kelly, the debut from Satellite Party (Another Perry Ferrell side project, and the best of Elvis Costello... oh and the streams are free!

New White Stripes Video Rocks (buy you knew that already)

We were the first (on our block) to post "Icky Thump" the new video from the White Stripes from their forth coming album of the same name, and you guys loved it so much that we figured another link was in order!

Kanye West Video Promotes Scarves As Male fashion Accessory.

Speaking of new videos; Stereogum has the latest video from Mr. Humble himself, Kanye West. If nothing else watch it just to see Kanye's gnarly scarf (Note to self purchase scarf?)

Green Day Record Theme Song for Americas Favorite Idiot.

Green Day will be rocking the Simpson's theme song for the up coming movie... This is the band that wrote "American Idiot" right? Okay just wanted to double check on that.

Sullivan Rock Free World, and Thus Deserve You Love.

Check out this band Sullivan; Adam and Jeremy are really starting to get stoked on them and can't wait for their album "Cover Your Eyes" to drop next week!

New Album and Tour From The Streets.

Pitchfork is reporting that the Streets (Mike Skinner) are working hard on their next album, due out around Christmas, and they have announced a handful of tour dates for this summer! Seriously if you don't know who the Streets are or what they do then you need to find out because its great stuff!

Free Stars Download!

CMJ has a free download of the Final Fantasy Remix of the most excellent (Bill and Ted still Rock!) song "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" by the band Stars. You all know of Adam's overwhelming affection for this band, and thus you know that we must insist that you download this track.

Linkin Park + Al Gore = Captain Planet.

Linkin Park is teaming up with Al Gore for this summers Live Earth event in Tokyo Japan... I think "Linkin Park" is Japanese for "over rated nu metal band that takes itself way to seriously."

Plus 44 and Others Pay Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins Despite Bands Reunion.

Spin is apparently putting out a Smashing Pumpkins tribute album featuring acts like Plus 44 and The Academy Is... Umm... Why?

Live Modest Mouse Performance

Yahoo Music has a great live performance by Modest Mouse on their site today... you want to see it don't deny your feelings!

ESPN to Cover New Sport; Leopard Wrestling.

Finally; what do you get when you mix a leopard, a small child, a pet cat, and an Israeli man in is underwear? A really amusing story...

Adam and Jeremy Say: New White Stripes Video!!!!

Adam Says: More Music News Than My Server Can Hold

Free New Music

AOL is streaming new albums from The Arctic Monkeys, Test Your Reflex, Snoop Dogg and The Night Watchman (Tom Morrello's side project ((Tom Morrello of Rage Against the Machine.))


The Arctic Monkeys

Barley a year ago the Arctic Monkeys blew up the blogosphere with "Whatever You Say I am, that's what I am not." These blue collar kids from England were touted as the next big thing, and to some extent it was true, but they were literally kids so they didn't handle the spotlight of fame so well. Now they are back with an album that is richer and deeper, but misses the greatness it reaches for. "Favourite Worst Nightmare" is good and at points its great, but the youthful guile that made their debut classic has been replaced by the jade of celebrity and so the heart begins to miss beats, the shine begins to ware. "Favourite Worst Nightmare" is step forward for the Arctic Monkeys, and if they keep this up they may be the type of grizzled veterans that can continue to make classic albums far into the future.

Well that's my take, check out what Pitchfork and the NME readers think...


Viva La Nightwatchman Revolution!

We are all giddy with excitement to hear that Rage Against the Machine is back together, and so the "One Man Revolution" by Tom Morrello's alter ego the Nightwatchman may be dropping at the perfect moment or it may be over shadowed by Tom's gigantic day job. "One Man Revolution" pulls heavily from names like Cash, Dylan, Young, Springsteen and the protest songs of the sixties; and even manages to do so without becoming some sort of burn out hippie caricature. On stand out tracks like "House Goes Up In Flames" Morrello does an excellent job of taking the intensity of his beliefs and pouring them into his voice and acoustic guitar, but on many other tracks the resplendence of Morrellos guitar work and its creativity that made Rage Against the Machine sound so unique in the rap-rock era is sadly missing. For the most part the message is stronger than the songs on this album, but maybe that was the point. I for one am more excited to see Tom at his creative height this summer as Rage begin to play shows again.


Can't Ever Get Enough White Stripes

More White Stripes news! Yeah so "Icky Thump" will drop June 19th (My Birthday!!!), but before that Jack and Meg plan to drop two singles on vinyl! Oh man music geeks prepare to geek out!... read the rest on Pitchfork. Oh there's also something about Gorillaz breaking up and Radiohead's next album in there, but come on who could focus when news about the White Stripes has just been unleashed.






If Stereogum says it, it must be true.

Stereogum.com has named Alberta Cross a band to watch... for what its worth.


Indie Music Videos? Isn't this an oxymoron?

Okay so you have to/MUST check out the Take-Away Shows! It is a group of videos of different amazing artist like The Shins, Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire, The National and Cold War Kids... shot live in all these non-video locations like freight elevators and back alleys... it is a totally gnarly project brought to us by the French of all people! Seriously the rest of this blog is meaningless if you don't ch-ch-ch-check it out!


Rollingstone? Ain't that funny?

So Rollingstone has come up with a snarky sarcastic list of ways the record industry can save CD's... wow what a great idea! Jeremy wouldn't you say that is an incredible concept that we should consider using in the future?


Top 10 reasons Letterman is way cooler than you, and American Idol for that matter!

So apparently American Idol is still on the air (Good thing we turning off our TV this week or we may have been tempted to watch it) at any rate this kid Sangria or something like that was apparently a big deal on the program and got kicked off... so of course Letterman did a Top 10 list with him. It is quite funny...

Adam and Jeremy Say: White Stripe Torture

Why is NME teasing me so?!!? Yes I am super stoked about the White Stripes new album "Icky Thump" which hits streets June 18th, but honestly an article that summarize each song... its like torture... evil vile torture!

Adam Says: Music is Fun!

Last week was a great week for music; mainly because Modest Mouse released their excellent "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank." These northwest nihilist have a sound and vibe that make them fun to listen to even if the subject matter is rather dark and foreboding. I really enjoyed the album even though critics say it is less accessible (accessible is the word critics use whenever they don't get it but they don't want to sound unhip.) If you liked their platinum selling "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" then you will love this new one, but don't take my word for it... check it out for yourself.

AOL is streaming new albums from Tim McGraw, Kaiser Chiefs, Good Charolette and J. Lo. However, I would not advise wasting your time over there because honestly they are all awful.

I am really disappointed in the Kaiser Chiefs; "I Predict a Riot" is still in heavy rotation in the iPod, but this album doesn't have one track that lives up to that standard. Apparently no one told the Kaiser Chiefs that the Beatles, Oasis and Franz Ferdinand have perfect the Brit-Pop-Rock sound, because they try their hardest to emulate it... badly. I reckon I should not be upset with Good Charolette they sold their souls to the corporate rock devil long ago, and I am sure their pseudo-pop-punk thing is still big with the tweeners, but honestly I think they take themselves way to seriously... after all they are just a bunch of punk kids from Baltimore.

If you do not know The Kills you do not know music. That may be a bit of an overstatement, but honestly I love this band. Their dirty take on garage punk-funk is one of the most amazing entries in the indie rock lexicon. their album "No Wow" is a must for any serious music snob, and a stumbled across this article about them yesterday that is pretty interesting. It paints them as the Rock N Roll Romeo and Juliette (oh did I mention The Kills are a two piece girl boy duo?) at any rate check it out, but I must warn that the magazine I found it in may be a little racier than some of you are up for so please don't click if you are offended by beer ads or women's beach volleyball.

Pitchfork has the track list for the as-yet-untitled new Spoon album, and I must admit I cant even type this post without having "The Way We Get By" bounce through my head. Spoon has also announced a handful of tour dates, but the closest they are coming to Richmond is Baltimore... and everyone knows that Baltimore is a hole.

Did you ever wonder who that enchantingly magical female voice singing with Damien Rice on his ready for coffee house albums was? I did until I found this article on Stereogum and found out that the aforementioned amazing voice is Lisa Hannigan and apparently she is doing her own solo thing that is worth checking out. You can check her website out here, and take my word for it... its totally worth it.

White Stripes news! Advance copies of the White Stripes latest album, "Icky Thump," have made it into the hands of several critics and over influential music publications. So of course the news of the day is the... TRACK LIST! well leave it to the White Stripes to completely stop Billboards presses for a track list. At any rate the reviews sound promising, and I don't want to steal CMJ and Billboards thunder, but apparently bagpipes are played... that is literally the only thing both publications touch on... from their they both do a good job of suppressing expectations. No release date for "Icky Thump" yet, but look for it before the years longest day.

One last non-music tidbit; Popcandy recently did a post on this website. There is a threesome of twenty somethings who want to road trip across America and to do it they are selling ad space on their van like this is NASCAR or something. At first glance I just figured this was another one of those "put me through college by buying pixels on my website" things, when I started to think about it I realized that this is just another case of capitalism whoring out one of my found childhood memories in the name of the all mighty dollar! What ever happened to five guys jumping into an ISUZU Trooper and driving all night from Lynchburg to Alabama?

Adam Says: What the Icky Thump is that?

Adam and Jeremy favorites The White Stripes have announced that they have finished recoding and mixing their latest record; to be titled Icky Thump, but have yet to give a release date. I won't go into details but you can learn more at the White Stripes website. You know you are big when people get excited about you announcing when you will release an album... sorry about all the music post latley... I feel a little one sided, but dude this is the White Stripes! And if all goes well I hope to see them at Bonnaroo this June (alas Jeremy is the only one of us to have actually see the greatness of Jack White in person)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aDHdcLwvh4