thus spake drake

Now Downloading: New Releases 11.24.09

2009-11-24T23:18:00.000-08:00

Another week, another short list of new releases filled primarily with gift-giving in mind. Wading through the wasteland of late year releases can bring a few plums, and this week sees Tom Waits' third live disc and a special reissue of a Drake fave from '94 (Jawbox). Elsewhere there's a new one from Tahiti 80, a compilation from Daptone Records and a live collection from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

Playlist: New Releases 11.24.09

Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Tom Waits' live shows have always been an event, so it's no surprise that this live collection is so eventful. Casual fans will no doubt be dumbfounded by the lack of songs they recognize, but this collection more than captures the essence of last year's carny-barker-as-tour that Waits put on. Bonus second disc is an edited together collection of the best of Waits' between songs banter. Plenty of highs and lows that sound much better after a cocktail or two.

Jaw Box - For Your Own Savory Sweetheart (2009)
Stream / Purchase

DC's Jawbox put out several great albums on Dischord before jumping to the majors, a move which garnered them more than a few 'sellout' cries. But their major label debut was anything but selling out, instead an uncompromising and fiery statement. It's been out of print for some time, so it's reissue is a welcome affair. More than back in print, though, For Your Own Special Sweetheart gets packaged up with some great b-sides and even a sharp new cover. But that's not all. Singer/guitarist J. Robbins always lamented that the album was missing a little bottom end, so super-producer Bob Weston was brought in to 'lower the boom,' as it were, and the result is amazing. FYOSS had plenty of oomph before, but now it hits even harder. And that's saying something. The album is released today, but Jawbox will be celebrating it in a couple weeks, with a special appearance on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon. Can't wait to hear them rip through "Savory"...

Free AOL album stream

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Tahiti 80 - Activity Center
Daptone Gold
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - The Live Anthology
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - The 'One' EP
Brett Anderson - The Slow Attack
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - The 'One' EP
Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
The Princess and the Frog OST
Miles Davis - The Complete Columbia Album Collection / Free AOL Album Stream

tags: music, album review, tom waits, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Dinner with the Band: Sharon "Boogidyboo" Jones

2009-11-24T22:32:00.000-08:00

IFC's Dinner with the Band premiered tonight featuring Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, and the kitchen was crowded. The episode featured a lot of tired-looking Dap-Kings standing/sitting and looking on as chef Sam Mason put together the *meal. I was kind of hoping for more energy from somebody on the set, but everyone looked like the morning after pulling an all-night set at The Bowery.

*Since my body has issues digesting any red meat, I can't speak for how mouth-watering the Sharon Steak turned out. But the red-eye gravy and Dap-Rings (beer-battered onion rings) looked deeeeelish. But... Decaf coffee grounds sprinkled on Onion Rings?

Menu:
Sharon Steaks, Dap Rings and Red Eye Gravy + a Welcome Home Martini.

Music backing the episode was pulled entirely from the Daptone Records catlogue, w/ many songs appearing on their new compilation out today, Daptone Gold.

Playlist: Dinner with the Band Episode 1.01 (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings)
1. "Na Teef Know De Road of Teef" - Pax Nicholas & the Nettey Family
2. "Montego Sunset" - Menahan Street Band
3. "Ataa Onukpa" - Pax Nicholas & the Nettey Family
4. "Make the Road By Walking" - Menahan Street Band
5. "Let Them Knock" - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (performance)
6. "What Have You Done" - Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens
7. "Budos Rising" - The Budos Band
8. "100 Days, 100 Nights" - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

If you missed it, IFC is re-airing episodes several times during the week.

Previously; Ear on TV Calendar for this week featured a preview of the series.

Random MOTV: Muppet Rhapsody & Young Fresh Prince

2009-11-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

The random Gods of funny grace us with two viral masterpieces in one day. First is The Muppets take on the Queen classic "Bohemian Rhapsody," and then from last night's episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Fallon does a sublime Neil Young covering "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Both are made of WIN.

The Muppets - "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Jimmy Fallon does Neil Young covering "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon):

Ear on TV: Week of 11.23.09: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2009-11-23T00:30:00.000-08:00

You can forgive the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a bit of fuzzy math in calling this their 25th anniversary. First and foremost, any excuse to put on a star-studded concert event like this is going to be accepted. (Just is.) Secondly, they're really splitting the difference, given that it was founded in 1983 but didn't have an induction until three years later.

Recorded over two nights (October 29-30) at Madison Square Garden, HBO has pared the 90 song setlist down to four hours. The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert might just be the most legendary lineup of artists ever to grace the stage for the same celebration. And what a better cause to celebrate -- that of Rock & Roll.

Playlist: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert - setlist (list of songs played)

Just to look through the lineup as it was announced some time ago was star-studded enough. But then to see all the special guests and the combinations that ended up playing on stage together makes this one for the ages*. Bruce Springsteen, U2, Stevie Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby Stills & Nash are on the marquee, but it's the prospect of Metallica backing Lou Reed and Ray Davies, or Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello launching into The Clash's "London Calling" that really grease the wheels. All that was missing was Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell (Eric Clapton cancelled at the last minute due to illness). The concert airs on HBO Sunday night at 8PM.

*And I do mean ages -- the average age of the performers lies well north of 60.

It's Thanksgiving week, and that means both vacation and a very big meal. Relating to the former, we have some of the talkies taking a break. To the latter, we have an exciting new series from IFC called Dinner with the Band, which takes the construct of a cooking show and sprinkles discussion of music with a helping of live performance. Brooklyn Chef Sam Mason invites musicians to a kitchen where he builds a menu based on their tastes, while the band helps do the cooking.. Artists scheduled for this first season include Final Fantasy, Les Savy Fav, Kid Sister, Men, Yacht and season premiere guest. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, who are treated to gourmet Steak & Eggs. Um... yum?
Dinner with the Band will Tuesday nights on IFC, at 11PM.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Weezer
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Cold War Kids
NBC: The Jay Leno Show: Lady Gaga
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Timbaland with Nelly Furtado and So Shy
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bat For Lashes (REPEAT)
Tuesday, November 24
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rihanna
IFC: Dinner WIth the Band: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Weezer
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Pixies
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Cold War Kids (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Bon Jovi
Wednesday, November 25
NBC: The Today Show: Bon Jovi
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Mos Def & Talib Kweli
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
Thursday, November 26
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Rx Bandits
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Bon Jovi
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Phoenix (REPEAT)
Friday, November 27
FUEL: The Daily Habit - Special Best of Music Matt & Kim, Matt & Kim, The Walkmen, The Bronx, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, Street Sweeper Social Club
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Keane (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Kill Your Idols: Sonic Youth, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Theoretical Girls, Liars, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks, Gogol Bordello, Swans
VH1: Storytellers: Foo Fighters
Saturday, November 28
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
Sunday, November 29
HBO: 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Lou Reed, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin

Spectacle: Elvis Costello With - Season 1 on DVD

2009-11-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

One of the surprise debuts of last year had to be Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., a talk show featuring Costello pulling off the rare triple threat: host, performer and bandleader. Equal parts interview and jam session, the Sundance series relies upon Costello putting the artists at ease, getting even the prickliest of artists to open up and speak warmly about their influences.

But, as Martin Mull once famously quipped, "talking about music is like dancing about architecture," and so it's the tremendous musical performances sprinkled throughout that add beautiful flesh to the meat and bones discussion. Guests on the first season include Elton John (who also served as Executive Producer), Lou Reed, The Police, Rufus Wainwright, Kris Kristofferson, Jenny Lewis, She & Him and Smokey Robinson. And for not being a musician at all, Bill Clinton still held his own talking about his love of Elvis and jazz musicians growing up in Arkansas.

Highlights from the sessions -- recorded at both the famed Apollo Theater and 30 Rockefeller Center in NYC -- include Rufus Wainwright's discussion of meth use; artist Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) recounting personal tragedy involving Lou Reed and the death of his father; and the edge-of-seat uncomfortable interaction between Sting and drummer Stewart Copeland. It's naked moments like these that you never see on television anymore, and even if you have to suffer through paint-drying moments (James Taylor, Tony Bennett) to get to them, they're worth the effort.

Bonus features include four exclusive performances from Costello that didn't make the original telecasts. "Ballad of a Well Known Gun" (from the Elton John episode), "Beginning to See the Light" (Velvet Underground/Lou Reed), "Purple Haze" (with The Police) and the Smokey Robinson written classic for the Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, "No More Tearstained Makeup" (see video below). Plus, plenty of backstage interviews with Sir Elton John, Sting, Smokey Robinson, Rufus Wainwright, Rosanne Cash and even Elvis Costello himself.

Glee "Ballads": The Song Says It All

2009-11-18T22:20:00.000-08:00

Up to now, Glee has sort of tip-toed around being a musical, keeping the songs primarily performance-based, with lyrical ties not overtly specific to the moment. "Ballads" is the first episode that really can't be called anything but a musical, with every song having overt literal meaning to the scene at hand. And if there was any question, Rachel set us straight at the end. "Just listen to the song, it says it all," she says before they launch into the overused (but still loved) "Lean on Me."

Speaking of "Lean on Me," I've always wished Glee would take more chances with it's musical choices, but time after time, they make the safest bet possible (although, I thought The Police/Gary Puckett mash-up "Don't Stand So Close To Me/Young Girl" tonight at least shook hands with bold). And since Glee: The Music, Volume 1 has done so well in the three weeks since its release, I don't imagine they're going to change that horse. This week, we're entering into Volume 2 territory, which I'd assume would take care of season one's soundtracks. Which begs the question: How many TV shows could release two soundtracks before Christmas, let alone in a season? Scroll down past the playlist for a list of songs on Glee: The Music, Volume 2 - on shelves December 8.

Playlist: Glee - Episode 1.10
1. "Endless Summer" Glee Cast (Lionel Richie & Diana Ross original)
2. "More Than Words" - Extreme
3. "I'll Stand By You" - Glee Cast (The Pretenders original)
4. "Don't Stand So Close To Me / Young Girl" - Glee Cast (The Police / Gary Puckett)
5. "Crush" (Jennifer Paige original)
6. "You're Having My Baby" - Glee Cast (Paul Anka original)
7. "Lean On Me" - Glee Cast (Bill Withers original)

The full track listing for Glee: The Music, Volume 2 (in stores December 8) is as follows:
"Proud Mary"
"Endless Love"
"I’ll Stand By You"
"Don’t Stand So Close To Me / Young Girl"
"Crush"
"(You’re) Having My Baby"
"Lean On Me"
"Don’t Make Me Over"
"Imagine"
"True Colors"
"Jump"
"Smile" (cover of Lily Allen)
"Smile" (cover of Charlie Chaplin)
"And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going"
"Don’t Rain On My Parade"
"You Can’t Always Get What You Want"
"My Life Would Suck Without You"

Previously: "Wheels" (Episode 1.09)

Now Downloading: New Releases 11.17.09

2009-11-17T15:37:00.000-08:00

We're headlong into gift-giving season, so feel free to make your year-end list, as it's no mans land as far as quality releases. That being said, there are a couple albums that provide more than stocking fodder. The Led Zep/Queens of the Stone Age/Foo Fighters supergroup Them Crooked Vultures doesn't disappoint, and Macca's got a live album that aims to please. Elsewhere, it's mostly meh in new releases -- tis the season for reissues.

Playlist: New Releases 11.17.09

Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

The debut from this heavy metal supergroup is a near perfect sum of it's parts. Featuring a dream team rhythm section of Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones TCV builds the songs on fat bass & drum grooves, and while some of Josh Hommes' guitar work is pulled out of a LedZep trick bag, thankfully nobody is going to confuse him with Robert Plant. That's what keeps this effort from sounding like a tired tribute and instead something inspired by the real thing. Essentially, it's in the same vein as Homme's Queens of the Stone Age classic Songs for the Deaf (which featured Grohl on the drums), but with a bit more Zep worship - especially the atmospherics of In Through the Out Door, which contains some of John Paul Jones' best work. At its core, Them Crooked Vultures is really just cheap thrills, but sometimes that's all you need.

Paul McCartney - Good Evening New York City
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

In someone else's hands, the set list for Paul McCartney's concert in New York (CitiField) might seem like pandering. Ok, there is a bit of pandering, but there's a time and a place for it, and we're all kind of Beatles hungry again, right? Macca only performs a couple songs from this decade (23 of the 33 are from Beatles era), sprinkling them in the first disc w/ songs from both Wings and Beatles, leaving the second disc entirely to Beatles faves. His enthusiasm for the material is such that they all feel like new songs again. For a bit, anyway.

Free AOL album stream

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Tape Deck Mountain - Ghost / "Ghost Colony" [mp3]
Real Estate - Real Estate / "Beach Comber" [mp3]
SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Remixes! / Xiu Xiu - "Volcana (I Hope You Hear the Train Crashes remix)" [mp3]
tUnE-yArDs - BiRd-BrAiNs / Free AOL album stream
Lovvers - Think EP
Dan Zanes & Friends - 76 Trombones
Alexandre Desplat - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (The Score)

REISSUES
David Bowie - Space Oddity: 40th Anniversary Edition
The Fall - Hex Enduction Hour: Deluxe Edition
The Blood Brothers - Burn, Piano Island, Burn [Bonus Track Version]
The Blood Brothers - Crimes [Bonus Track Version]
The Blood Brothers - Young Machetes [Bonus Track Version]
The Blood Brothers - March On Electric
Children
RJD2 - Since We Last Spoke: Deluxe Edition / Free AOL album stream
RJD2 - The Horror: Deluxe Edition / Free AOL album stream
John Entwistle - Rigor Mortis Sets In

tags: music, album review, them crooked vultures, macca, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Ear on TV: Week of 11.16.09: My Morning Jacket

2009-11-16T02:09:00.000-08:00

When My Morning Jacket played their legendary performance in the rain at Bonaroo last year, who knew that it would be the inspiration for an episode of American Dad? Specifically, the 8-minute long rendition of Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home," featuring comedian Zach Galifianakis dressed as Little Orphan Annie. In the audience for the set was American Dad co-creator Mike Barker, and he's pulled not only My Morning Jacket in for the episode this Sunday (titled, "My Morning Straightjacket"), but also Zach Galifanakis, who provides the voice of an MMJ superfan.

The plot has Stan becoming a roadie for MMJ, eventually devolving into an Almost Famous parody, which feels slightly off, in that we remember MMJ appearing in a different Cameron Crowe movie (Elizabethtown).Not only is MMJ getting the animated treatment for the episode, but six of their songs will also be featured, which has to be some kind of record for a half-hour series. To capitalize on the appearance -- in what appears to be a growing trend -- a special digital EP will be released, featuring the songs and several bits of dialogue. All we need now is an animated Zach Galifanakis in a Little Orphan Annie dress to really cap it off.

Meanwhile, the much ballyhooed Lady Gaga makes an appearance on Gossip Girl this week, and while some wonder which song she'll be singing (latest single “Bad Romance”), most the anticipation lies in what she'll be wearing (performing in a 30 ft dress!). Lady Gaga serves as the musical backdrop to the messy emotional leftovers from last week's threesome. "Bad Romance" indeed.

Elsewhere, folks are still talking about the 18-song set that Pearl Jam performed at the taping for Austin City Limits, and this Saturday, PBS viewers will finally get a chance to see what folks were raving about. Hard to tell what of the two-hour set will make it into the edited hour, but some of the highlights include opening with a cover of Austin native Daniel Johnston ("Walking the Cow"), a cover of The Police song "Driven to Tears," and Ben Harper joining the band on slide guitar for "Red Mosquito." (Go behind the scenes with a piece done for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.)

Finally, Elvis Costello is making several appearances this week (The Colbert Report, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Early Show), to promote the DVD release of the first season of his excellent talk show, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., out this week. That also reminds us that the Sundance series comes back for its second season in just a few short weeks, and with superstar guests like Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and U2 in the works, it looks to be an even better season than last year's revelation.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 16
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Wyclef Jean with Cyndi Lauper
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: They Might Be Giants tell me they're slated, but sked says Ben Harper
THE CW: Gossip Girl: Lady Gaga
Tuesday, November 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: OneRepublic
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Bouncing Souls
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Neko Case, Cheech and Chong
Wednesday, November 18
CBS: The Early Show: Elvis Costello
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ray Davies
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Wale
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Brian Setzer Orchestra
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Avett Brothers
Thursday, November 19
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Elvis Costello
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Leighton Meester
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Obits
Friday, November 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Death Cab For Cutie
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Lyle Lovett
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: David Gray
FUEL: The Daily Habit: LMFAO
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Bon Jovi
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Elvis Costello
SUNDANCE: Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub: The Roots, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Moe
Saturday, November 21
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Rod Stewart
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Dave Matthews Band
PBS: Austin City Limits: Pearl Jam
Sunday, November 22
FOX: American Dad: My Morning Jacket

The Prisoner - Be Seeing You

2009-11-13T16:31:00.000-08:00

Long before David Chase felt it necessary to leave the country when the series finale for The Sopranos aired, there was Patrick McGoohan and his series the The Prisoner (1967-1968). The series finale ("Fall Out") so infuriated and puzzled viewers, McGoohan had to retreat to the mountains of Wales to get peace. McGoohan's uncompromising series was willfully weird and vague to the very end, but like The Sopranos, there was closure for those who were willing to accept it.

AMC is streaming all 17 episodes on their site, so now is the best time to catch up on a classic.

From the beginning, The Prisoner was meant to thumb its nose at the existing rules that governed television series creation. McGoohan had tired of playing secret agent John Drake (that's right DRAKE) in the series Danger Man (aka, Secret Agent), but was able to parlay his value to ITV into greenlighting his idea for this new series. Originally conceived as a seven episode arc, the seventeen hours that were produced encompass some of the most uncompromising work television has ever seen. The influence on other/current shows cannot be under sold either -- Lost (the smoke monster modeled after Rover), Battlestar Galactica (Number Six anyone) and even the recently cancelled Dollhouse (concept of individual vs society and technology).

That individual vs society theme came out strong in the opening episode ("The Arrival"), but the series ended in a manner that felt a bit rushed and willfully weird -- much like the Beatles film Magical Mystery Tour, which is appropriate since the fab four were big fans and contributed MMT's "All You Need Is Love" for the finale (Number 1 was the Walrus). Even rushed, there was a lot of meat still to chew on it. Number 6 battles with Number 2 always seemed a precursor to finding out who Number 1 was, but in the end, it's the self that is the number one enemy, as revealed in the finale.

The other interesting theme was the Village/society co-opting rebellion. When rebellion is embraced, what can you rebel against?This last point is made especially clear with the beatnik Number 48, singing "Dem Bones," and talkin' bebop "daddy-o." The magistrate cops his lingo, though, and eventually, the black & white masked jury starts singing "Dem Bones" (actually, it's "Dry Bones" here, by The Four Lads), confusing the rebellious #48, who then kind of gives up. Later, after everyone has escaped and the village is left in disarray thanks to a rocket being launched (!), Number 6 ends up back home. Of course, his door opens automatically, like in the village, and we're left with a final visage of him driving like in the intro. Nothing has changed -- he's still a prisoner.

We all are.

AMC's gamble of a reboot, airing this Sunday, is purportedly to be nearly as weird, but really is a no-win situation. Remaking a cult classic that had such a distinct stamp put on it by its creator would be sacrilege, and to change it entirely might lose the point of the series. While what I've seen looks beautiful, reviews have not been favorable. I want to root for it just to champion 'outside the box' television, and will do the first two hours for sure. But an escape plan is already in the works for if and when AMC's version begins to plod.

Some music from the series:
"The Prisoner Theme" - Ron Granier
"Pop Goes the Weasel" - used in many episodes, coming to a head in the penultimate (video linked here)
"All You Need is Love"- The Beatles - the Fab Four were fans, and finale had similar crazed feel as the film (Magical Mystery Tour that this song anchored.
"Dem Bones" ("Dry Bones") - The Four Lads - (video) in finale, with beatnik and jury
"I, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much)" - Carmen Miranda - death of the Rover, finale.

Glee "Wheels": See the Real Me

2009-11-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

For a series that has achieved such great name recognition so quickly, Glee has still suffered from an identity problem, something that can easily happen when you've got three distinctive writers shaping the show. Ryan Murphy, who penned "Wheels," seems to have learned a bit from the success of recent episodes by Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, and sees what we saw tonight as the tone for the series going forward, telling LA Times as much in a recent interview:

This episode is the turning point for the show. Certainly, after this, it remains a comedy, and it’s fun. But writing this made me feel the responsibility of showing the truth of the pain that outcasts go through. It’s not all razzle-dazzle show business. It’s tough, and it’s painful, and it was for me growing up, and it is for most people. So I think this made me realize that amid the fun and the glamour, it’s really great now and again to show the underbelly of what people who are different feel.

Of course that all ties together a theme of the episode, revealing the real person behind the mask. Kurt came out of the closet to his father a couple episodes back, and now more characters are coming out of their own self-made closets. Tina and her fake stutter, Puck with his paternal asperation, and Sue as caregiver to her sister with down syndrome.

All told, I'm all for the tone Murphy has decided on, if only that it has to mean less of Terri and her fake baby storyline. Her absence here reinforces the correlation between good episodes and her absence since the pilot. It also apparently calls for more singing and dancing, which is always good for this blog, right? Take for instance the multiple use of "Dancing with Myself," first the Glee Cast version of Nouvelle Vague's take on it, and Billy Idol's popular take (originally by Idol's old Generation X band, of course). I'm too lazy right now to go back and check, but I think that might be the first time an original has been used alongside a Glee Cast version. The song itself was originally inspired by a Japanese disco, where Idol saw the Japanese dancing by themselves in front of mirrors. How better to see the real you than in a mirror?

With this song, and the Wicked 'diva off' of "Defying Gravity" (most popular version sung by previous guest star Kristen Chenoweth), we've now heard all the songs featured on the recently released soundtrack, Glee: The Music, Volume 1. From here on out, I guess, we're looking at Volume 2 (next week: "Don't Stand So Close to Me.") UPDATE: Volume 2 is indeed in the works, coming with in a month of Vol 1 (December 8).

Playlist: Glee - Episode 1.09
1. "Dancing With Myself" - Glee Cast
2. "Dancing With Myself" - Billy Idol
3. "Pusherman" - Curtis Mayfield
4. "Flight of the Bumblebee" - The Swingle Singers
5. "Defying Gravity - Glee Cast
6. "Proud Mary" - Ike & Tina Turner (Glee Cast)

Previously: "Mash-Up" (Episode 1.08)

Now Downloading: New Releases 11.10.09

2009-11-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Another week closer to the holidays, and even more gift-oriented releases -- this week featuring live (Robyn Hitchcock) and greatest hits (Snow Patrol) collections. There were a few new releases as well, from The Cribs (featuring Johnny Marr), Asobi Seksu, Wale, Grant-Lee Phillips, Caroline Herring, Ray Davies, Pants Yell! and Echo & the Bunnymen.

Playlist: New Releases 11.10.09

Robyn Hitchcock - I Often Dream of Trains in New York
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Robyn Hitchock lovingly recreates the beloved album I Often Dream of Trains live for a lucky New York crowd. Joined by multi-instrumentalists Timo Keegan and Terry Edwards, Hitchcock gives the eccentric material a more mature edge, reinterpreting the material for mid-afternoon tea (with a dash of Monty Python zaniness, just so you remember who it is we're listening to here). There's a DVD as well, the content of which debuted on Sundance back in June, and here's some video clips below from the concert film to wet your appetite:

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
The Cribs - Ignore the Ignorant
Asobi Seksu - Rewolf
Wale - Attention Deficit
Caroline Herring - Golden Apples of the Sun / "Tales of the Islander" [mp3]
Ray Davies - The Kinks Choral Collection / Free AOL Album Stream
Grant-Lee Phillips - Ladies' Love Oracle
Pants Yell! - Received Pronunciation / "Cold Hands" [mp3]
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Xenophanes / Free AOL Album Stream
Echo and the Bunnymen - The Fountain
Snow Patrol - Up to Now
The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters
The Jackson 5 - 1967
Tori Amos - Midwinter Graces

tags: music, album review, robyn hitchcock, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Happy 40th Sesame Street!

2009-11-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

It was 40 years ago today that Sesame Street aired its first episode, November 10, 1969, which explains why In case you've been wondering why Google has had Sesame Street on the brain for the past week (culminating in today's great doodle pictured above).

The opening credits haven't changed that much, when you think about it... here's the original opening:

For their 40th birthday, there are a lot of guests stopping by, including first lady Michelle Obama and Adam Sandler, in the video below singing a song for Elmo:

Mad Men "Shut the Door. Have a Seat.": Sterling, Cooper, Draper & Pryce

2009-11-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

There are people out there who buy things. Like you and me. Then something happened. Something terrible. And the way that they saw themselves is gone. And nobody understands that. But you do. And that's very valuable.

Every season, Don has a sales pitch that says a lot about that particular season of Mad Men. That this one was to Peggy and not a client doesn't diminish the fact that it nails several truths about this season, and the characters' past. While last week's Kennedy assassination episode was light on plot, the 'something terrible' was an event that shapes this week and America going forward. It set up events in this week's episode in that it forced most to look at their world differently, accelerating change not here, but across the country.

This whole season has seemingly been about tearing Don down, bit by bit, as uncomfortable as it was at times to see. Father-in-law Gene, baby Gene, Conrad Hilton, and Betty have, little by little, taken away some control from Don's life, and much like his hair, Don's life is a product of control. Seeing him lose his temper to Peggy, in particular, was hard to see, but reflective of a man losing control (and lets not forget sleep).

The finale starts by pulling out the final pieces-- in the form of betrayals. First up, father figure Hilton breaks the news of Sterling Cooper's sale to ~~McCann~~ Sausage Factory* to Don, who sees deceit in Conrad's handling of him through their relationship - namely for forcing him to sign a contract, thus leaving him no convenient escape route. Next up, Betty begins divorce proceedings, pulling another relationship rug from under Don (and leading to the heartbreaking scene with Bobby & Sally, pictured above). But for every door that closes...

*Once upon a time, I worked for that sausage factory.

Sterling Cooper Draper Price, how can I help you?" "Yes Harry, it's room 435.

The episode took on the fun elements of the heist genre, like Draper's Eleven, as Don, Roger, Bert and Lane plotted out how they'd pull off their own pre-emptive betrayal. I'm pretty sure they broke a few laws in the process, and wouldn't be surprised if a lawsuit results, but it was a brilliant scheme leading to not only a reunion with Joan, but also all sorts of exciting season four possibilities. To get there, Don had to repair some relationships along the way. First Roger, who helpfully pointed out Don's problem with relationships, then Pete and finally, as opened with here, Peggy.

A great finale demands a fine ending, and seeing Don pull up to his new digs (found for him by Joan) to the strands of Roy Orbison's "Shahadaroba":

Shahadaroba, Shahadaroba
Face the future
And forget about the past
Shahadaroba, Shahadaroba
In the future
You will find a love that lasts

Previously: "Grown-Ups" (Episode 3.12)

Ear on TV: Huey Lewis & the News

2009-11-09T00:51:00.000-08:00

What's old is new; what was once out is now in... it's too hard to keep track anymore. Are Huey Lewis & the News really making a cultural comeback?

Like many bands from their era (I'm looking at you, Journey), the News are benefiting from a resurgance, due in part from television and film exposure. Last year, they were tapped by Judd Apatow to write the theme to Pineapple Express and then Chuck used several of their hits to great effect during their second season. They'll likely be playing one of those hits (let's guess "Power of Love") when they appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the experience scale, buzz-y up-and-comers The Xx have already lost a member due to exhaustion. Following a grueling tour schedule which culminated in a series of shows during CMJ, guitarist/keyboardist Baria Qureshi recently left the group, too exhausted to go on. The West London band makes an appearance on MTV's It's On Alexa Chung Wednesday, likely as a trio, still on a neverending tour promoting their self-titled debut. It's so hard to be young and fabulous these days.

Finally, Johnny Marr has truly become an indie gun for hire. The highly influential ex-Smiths guitarist famously joined Modest Mouse on their previous release (Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, but has since moved on to UK's The Cribs, lending his craft to their latest release Ignore the Ignorant. The album is getting rave reviews in the UK, giving Marr a Midas Touch rep he hasn't enjoyed since his days in The Smiths (well, maybe The The). Let's hope the brothers Jarman (twins Gary and Ryan, plus younger brother Ross Jarman) enjoy it before Marr finds an even younger band to briefly join.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 9
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Matisyahu
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Rihanna
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: David Gray
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Yo La Tengo (REPEAT)
PBS: How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin: The Beatles
Tuesday, November 10
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Shakira
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: John Fogerty
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Wale
Wednesday, November 11
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Antlers
Thursday, November 12
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Cribs with Johnny Marr
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: The Xx
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Goodie Mob
Friday, November 13
ABC: The View: Kool & the Gang
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Huey Lewis & the News
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Kid Sister
SUNDANCE: You're Gonna Miss me: Roky Erickson
Saturday, November 14
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Alison Moyet
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Black Eyed Peas
PBS: Austin City Limits: Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel

Sonicsgate: Sherman Alexie & Seattle Hip Hop

2009-11-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

Now that baseball season is officially over, it's hard to ignore that another season of NBA is in full swing -- a painful reminder of what was taken from us in Seattle. And now, of course, there's a documentary to go along with it.

Sonicsgate made it's way online last month and while the film has a lot of issues (its in desperate need of art direction, for one -- the Powerpoint-like graphics "needed a fresh pair of eyes," as we like to say), its a compelling tale of a franchise, a city and the competing interests that tear them apart. Poet/author Sherman Alexie ends up being the soul of the film, while the tandem of Clay Bennett and David Stern end up playing the part of villain. (Part 1 of the film below).

Sonicsgate HD Part 1 of 2 from sonicsgate. Click here for part 2.

Besides Sherman Alexie, the other best part of Sonicsgate is the music, putting Seattle hip-hop front and center. Much of the film's score is the work of Jacob Dutton, aka Jake One, borrowing heavily from his soulful White Van Music. Other 2-0-Sixers include local mainstays Common Market, Blue Scholars, The Saturday Knights, Dyme Def, Grayskul and others.

Playlist: Sonicsgate Soundtrack

Bonus: Presidents of the United States of America's "Supersonics" theme, written for the '96 playoff team:

Grrrr.....

Now Downloading: New Releases 11.03.09

2009-11-04T23:36:00.000-08:00

We've officially moved into the gift-oriented release schedule, filled with deluxe reissues, box sets and other compilation/soundtracks to help (trick?) the average schmo get a gift for the music lover in their life. There's a couple gift choices from the archives of Nirvana, soundtracks from Fantastic Mr Fox, Glee, NCIS and Aqua Teen Hunger Force -- which is actually a X-mas album, and my fave of the bunch. Of the few new releases, there's ones from Julian Casablancas, Weezer, Molina & Johnson and Girls in Trouble.

Playlist: New Releases 11.03.09

Nirvana - Bleach [Deluxe]
Stream / Purchase [mp3]
Nirvana - Live at Reading
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

If the gussying up a deluxe edition of an album made for just $600 seems a bit like a gratuitous cash grab, nobody will blame you. But Bleach's place in the the canon of rock is unquestionable, namely as a blueprint for what was to come, but also as a raw document of Kurt Cobain's talent, before Dave Grohl was added on drums. Remastering the album tracks added some punch, but the real jewel here are the live tracks, also pre-Grohl, from a performance in Portland in February of 1990, where the songs are brought to life.

Download: "Scoff" [mp3]
Download: "About a Girl" [mp3]

Speaking of live tracks, this document of their 1992 set (Live at Reading is Nirvana at their peak, and at their most jovial. The band headlined a lineup that included Nick Cave, The Beastie Boys, and NW friends Mudhoney, Screaming Trees & the Melvins. But it was Nirvana everyone came to see, and they didn't disappoint, from the moment Cobain is wheeled out in a hospital gown, to the closing feedback, the entire set is electrifying, the way we all should try and remember them. (This is the Nirvana album to get of the two, by the way.)

Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

It's been three years since The Strokes disappointing First Impressions of Earth, and this solo release from the band's frontman does little to change our belief that the band's best days are behind them.

Free AOL Album Stream

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Weezer - Raditude
Molina And Johnson - Molina And Johnson / "Twenty Cycles to the Ground" [mp3]
Girls in Trouble - Girls in Trouble / "I Was a Desert" [mp3] / "Secrets/You're Always Watching" [mp3]
Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Have Yourself a Meaty Little Christmas
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack) / Free AOL Album Stream
Glee: The Music, Volume 1 / Free AOL Album Stream
Capgun Coup - Maudlin / Free AOL Album Stream / "Bad Bands" [mp3]
The Swimmers - People Are Soft / Free AOL Album Stream
Jookabox - Dead Zone Boys / "Phantom Don't Go" [mp3]
Brilliant Colors - Introducing
Vitalic - Flashmob
Athlete - The Getaway EP (AOL STREAM)
Guided By Voices - Suitcase 3: Up We Go Now / "Janet Wait" [mp3]
Morrissey - Sword
Rickie Lee Jones - Balm in Gilead / Free AOL Album Stream

REISSUES
Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
Devo - Freedom of Choice [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
Cold Cave - Love Comes Close [Deluxe Remastered Edition] / Free AOL Album Stream / "Life Magazine" [mp3]

tags: music, album review, the swell season, devendra banhart, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

thus spake drake is five years old today

2009-11-04T13:55:00.001-08:00

Weird to think it was five years ago that I started this mess of a blog. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times: Guided By Voices were on their farewell tour, Arcade Fire's Funeral was stuck on repeat, and GWB had somehow just been elected President again. That's what I ended up writing about, which was a distraction from what I thought the blog was going to be about -- the confluence of these four things:

1)Finding my birth parents
2)The impending birth of my first child
3)The impending death of my younger sister
4)Another four years of George Fracking Bush

Music is the perfect distraction from such prickly personal (and political) posts, so it ended up winning out -- didn't hurt too that music was the only writing experience I'd had up to that point, having briefly worked as a freelance music journo back in '96, and the company I work for makes the best music sharing application known to man (Rhapsody). Early days were not pretty, but I found a couple small nuggets that first week that tricked me into thinking I could write again:

Arcade Fire Funeral - "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" is a blood-pumping, fist-raising, hyperglycemic pop masterpiece. The album seems to flows out of that song's center, ending "In the Back Seat" with Régine Chassagne's voice soaring over churning strings, breaking your fucking heart.

Elliott Smith From a Basement on the Hill - The record hangs heavy like a warm wet coat. It ranks as one of the saddest records I've ever listened to, and it's difficult to hear without his tragic end overwhelming the album's every note. But it plays out like a movie you watch over and over thinking it will end differently, every song progressing the story to a happy ending that slips through our fingers.

In the first year I invented the time-consuming Novel Soundtrack, put together ridiculously long playlists and genre histories (example - the four-part Power Pop project) and, after the birth of my first child, started writing about music on television. And yes, I'm not afraid to admit it began with The O.C.. Music-based posts about Grey's Anatomy, Nip/Tuck, The O.C. and HBO shows (Six Feet Under, Entourage, The Sopranos) led to merging my hobby with my day job when Film.com was launched, and I mixed writing in with paid gig of photo-editing.

Blah, blah, blah... can I start drinking the champagne now?

Mad Men "The Grown-Ups": Mourning After

2009-11-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Definitely not my favorite episode... with so much of the plot and visuals centered around watching characters watch television, it's an understandable challenge for the writers. And given that inherent hole they had to start with, the final product turned out pretty compelling. As compelling as it can be... watching people... watch TV. Previously, Matthew Weiner had stated he was reluctant to do an episode centered around Kennedy's assassination, as he felt it was well-trodden ground. Now I see what he meant.

Sure, there was some poignant moments associated with how Kennedy's death affected folks in different ways, including the ruined wedding, but we knew the wedding was screwed after the first episode. Don't get me wrong, it is still a fine episode, but as the penultimate, traditionally the episode in the David Chase-influenced world that Weiner lives and breathes, I'm wholly disappointed.

What did work was the 'event' as a trigger for change. Betty and Don seemed to be back on track from the end of last week's episode up until the news broke of Kennedy's death. Betty and Don mourn in vastly different ways* and the two assassinations (we sometimes forget that Oswald was assassinated as well... only a public figure for a less than 24 hours, but that's all it takes) shifted the ground under Betty's feet enough for her to believe she can leave Don (we'll see).

*Don should really stop trying to play grief counselor... just not working.

Playing us out from Don's realized nightmare, was country pop sweetheart Skeeter Davis singing "The End Of The World", a song which peaked on the charts about eight months prior. "Don't they know it's the end of the world? 'Cause you don't love me any more." Don't think it's the end of the world for Don (again, we'll see).

Previously: "The Gypsy and the Hobo" (Episode 3.11)

Ear on TV: Week of 11.02.09: Pixies

2009-11-02T00:06:00.000-08:00

The Pixies are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of the classic 1989 album, Doolittle, with a massive tour featuring a stunning visual production. The US tour kicks off on Wednesday in Hollywood, and the band will put their production on display on The Tonight Show stage on Friday night, While many wonder when the alt-rock legends will record something new, the band seems fully content to coast on their elevated past, which isn't a bad thing. If they can't create new songs that fit in the canon, then it's best to just leave it be.

Meanwhile, now that the dust has settled from the 2009 version of Beatles mania (special edition CD reissues and video games), the time is right to for Yoko Ono to get some of her due. John Lennon's widow is an avant-garde icon, but you'd hardly know it given how much grief she's been given over the years for her love of John Lennon. "The woman who broke up the Beatles," is an the unfair accusation that time hasn't seemed to erase yet, but maybe this is the year to make it right.

Now at 76 years old, Ono has released what might be her most realized work of art, in the album Between My Head and the Sky, which also finds her working under the name Plastic Ono Band for the first time since 1973's Feeling the Space, a band so Feeling Spacenamed by John Lennon. The suggestion to work as Plastic Ono Band again fittingly came from son Sean Lennon, who wrote, produced and played most the instruments on the album. The mother-son team was joined by Japan's Cornelius (Keigo Oyamada), jazz cellist Erik Friedlander and Cibo Matto's Yuka Honda in the studio, and there's no reason to think that we won't see most or all of them on stage Thursday night for Ono's appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Another album celebrating it's 20th anniversary this week is Nirvana's Bleach, which gets the Deluxe edition treatment this week from Sub Pop. Since there's sadly no Kurt Cobain to pimp the product on the talk show circuit, we'll have to settle for a couple films further up the dial, the first being the FUSE presentation of the amazing Nirvana Live at Reading on Monday (also seeing release on CD/DVD this week), and the final one being the documentary Kurt Cobain About a Son getting another showing on Sundance.

Elsewhere, check out a special performance from the cast of Glee for It's On with Alexa Chung (MTV), performing a song from the soundtrack (Glee: The Music Volume 1), which sees its release this week.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 2
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Cobra Starship (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Peter, Bjorn & John
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Weezer
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Tegan & Sara
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Say Anything
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Arctic Monkeys (REPEAT)
Tuesday, November 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: White Rabbits
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Glee Cast
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: La Roux
Wednesday, November 4
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ghostface Killa
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Nebula
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Bravery
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Monsters of Folk
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Alice Cooper
Thursday, November 5>
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Florence & the Machine
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Brother Ali
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Yoko Ono with Sean Lennon, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Matisyahu
SYFY: Stargate Universe: Janelle Monae
Friday, November 6
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ralph Stanley
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Regina Spektor
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Raekwon
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Pixies
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Peaches
SUNDANCE: Kurt Cobain About a Son: Nirvana
Saturday, November 7
PBS: Austin City Limits: Elvis Costello, Band of Heathens

Drunk Ewoks: The Battle for The Today Show

2009-10-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

Drunken spontaneity is usually reserved for The View, but perhaps it just follows Meredith Vieira. The Today Show cast dressed impressively as Star Wars characters, but it was the Ewoks that took control (scroll down for video).

During a segment with Better Homes & Gardens, the Ewoks got into the vodka and slowly began to instigate themselves more and more into the proceedings, eventually becoming the center of the entertainment. Giggling, fighting, moonwalking and even humping Al Roker's leg, the Ewoks proved too powerful for even Darth Vader (Ann Curry). Perhaps it's time to track down Ewoks: The Battle for Endor again?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Now Downloading: New Releases 10.27.09

2009-10-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

We're quickly approaching the point of no return as far as significant releases go, before the tide turns to that of gift-oriented, so we have to savor what morsels are thrown our way. This week that means the latest from The Swell Season, Devendra Banhart, Tegan & Sara, Wolfmother, Gemma Ray, Broadcast And The Focus Group, Boat, a live release from R.E.M., a compilation from The Breakaways and deluxe reissues of U2's The Unforgettable Fire and James Brown's Live at the Garden: The Expanded Edition.

Playlist: New Releases 10.27.09

The Swell Season - Strict Joy
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

As wrong as it is, it's hard not to think of this album as a sequel to Once, where Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova have broken up and are putting it to song. Of course The Swell Season existed before Once, with many of the songs from their debut ending up in the film, so this technically is a follow up to that release, but for the vast majority of the record buying public, Once is the starting point. I'm not sure what Hansard & Irglova are thinking putting their Van Morrison impersonations front and center (opening songs "Low Rising" and "Feeling The Pull"). The rest of the album has worked wonders as a sincerity tonic, cleansing my palate of all the irony and sarcasm in indie rock that are part of my usual diet, and for that I am grateful.

Tegan and Sara - Sainthood
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

The transition from folk to minimalist new wave pop is almost complete for Tegan and Sara, with this their sixth album, Sainthood. Their past two releases both signaled the change, but the subject matter was a little dark on So Jealous and The Con. Here, there's a lighter feel to go with the witty banter the sisters showcase during their live set, and it just feels a bit more relaxed, confident... and yes, fun. And when your opening single is titled "Hell," that's saying something.

Free AOL Album Stream

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Devendra Banhart - What Will Be
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg
Gemma Ray - Lights Out Zoltar
R.E.M. - Live at the Olympia
Broadcast And The Focus Group - Broadcast And The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults Of The Radio Age / Free AOL Album Stream
Yo Gabba Gabba: Music Is Awesome
Boat - Setting the Paces / "Lately (I've Been On My Back)" [mp3]
The Breakaways - Walking Out on Love: The Lost Sessions / Free AOL Album Stream
Junk Culture - West Coast / "West Coast" [mp3]
Los Lobos - Los Lobos Goes Disney
Deleted Waveform Gatherings - Ghost, She Said
The Mother Hips - Pacific Dust / Free AOL Album Stream
Chet - Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home
Chuck Prophet - ¡Let Freedom Ring!
Del McCoury - Family Circle
Gov't Mule - By a Thread / Free AOL Album Stream
Awesome New Republic - Hearts / Free AOL Album Stream
I Love You - Bell Ord Forrest / "The Colloquialism Is Simply 'Gas'" [mp3]

REISSUES
U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (Deluxe
Reissue)
James Brown Live at the Garden: The Expanded Edition

tags: music, album review, the swell season, devendra banhart, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Mad Men "The Gypsy and the Hobo": The Past Comes Calling

2009-10-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

Remember back when I said Hugh Laurie could have the Emmy locked up with the first episode? Retraction... of course, I had know idea that Jon Hamm would have such a plum like this to submit as his Emmy reel.

Like last week, the writers (Matthew Weiner with Marti Noxon & Cathryn Humphris) did a great job of framing the episode around the climax of Betty confronting Don, and the theme was a similar one. If last week was how folks see things, this week is the shattering of illusions, romantic or otherwise. If Betty's impression of Don changed when she opened the box, it shifted dramatically again after Don came (mostly) clean about "the big lie." And that was true in every story. Roger's old flame Annabelle has romantic illusions both about family dog food business (it's made from ponies!), to her feelings about Roger. The scene where she compares their past to Casablanca says it all, where Roger is quick to reply, "That woman got on a plane with a man who was going to end World War II, not run her father's dog food company."

Roger was kind of at the center of this episode, seeming much less like the clown that he's been this season so far. Even his conversation with Joan belied someone who has come a long way from the joker we'd seen in prior episodes. Speaking of Joan, she did some shattering of illusions herself, making Greg understand that she had unattained dreams as well.

Lest we forget, Betty had dreams as well, although it's likely they've been distorted over the years. I liked that they had her express her anger upfront with "Am I supposed to be feeling sorry for you?" only to wilt in compassion after seeing Don's tearful confession about his brother Adam. This was Don's worst nightmare, but it actually looks to be a good thing for him and Betty.

Not so good for Miss Farrel... though I doubt we can close the book on her.

Not to split hairs with a future award-winning episode but... Bobby and Sally's costumes felt a bit too obvious, along with the lingering camera framing on Don after Carlton delivers his "And who are you supposed to be."

Seemed like a good place to just cut quicker to the closing credits with the song "Where is Love" from the musical/film Oliver!, which is a fitting song in that Don is that orphan singing about his lost mother. "Must I travel...far and wide? 'Til I am beside...the someone who I can mean...something to..."

Previously: "The Color Blue" (Episode 3.10)

Ear on TV: Week of 10.26.09: Weezer

2009-10-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

In the past, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo has been known to be a bit of a control freak, so it's surprising to see just how much he's let go with their latest release, Raditude. Whether it be the band switching instruments, giving Lil' Wayne a guest spot to rap (Weezer & Weezy!), or even letting The Office's Rainn Wilson name the album, it's a looser, more free-flowing Weezer.

In the lead up to the album's release, set for November 3, the band has repeatedly managed to keep itself in the news, by branding their own Snuggies, launching a Weezer iTunes Pass, and more recently, bringing along one Kenny G. to an in-studio taping (for an upcoming edition of AOL Sessions).

As far as television goes, the band has a two-night engagement on The Late Show with David Letterman, and has already taped five songs for upcoming episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live, to air sometime in November. One of those songs for either shows is undoubtedly going to be the advance single "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To," a song that signals the bands return to relevance. The video for the song, besides borrowing a tad from Being John Malkovich (Weezerville as Malkovich inside is own head), also harkens back to their "Buddy Holly" days, with it's fifties-style nostalgia in the art direction. It also sports the beautiful Odette Yustman (Cloverfield, The Unborn), which is never a bad thing. Too bad music videos don't have the same cache that they once had. (Oh, where have you gone, MTV?)

Not to be outdone in the video department, Har Mar Superstar (aka Sean Tilman) employed multiple starlets in the video for his recent single, "Tall Boy," including Eva Mendes, Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat and even comedian Eric Wareheim (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Good Job!). When Tilman performs the song on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, expect some suggestive dancing and undergarments to go with the double-entendre in the song's lyrics (a song, it should be pointed out, was originally written for Britney Spears to sing).

Finally, Oscar-winners Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season) have finally followed up their surprising debut with Strict Joy, and while it would undoubtedly benefit from having film like Once as a feature-length music video, the duo create their own stories befitting the film playing in your subconscious, kind of like a sequel (let's call it Twice). Not seeing it? Maybe it's time to wake up the projectionist.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, October 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Motorhead (REPEAT)
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Florence & the Machine
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Wolfmother
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Har Mar Superstar
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Like (REPEAT)
Tuesday, October 27
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Morningwood
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Florence & the Machine
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Future of the Left
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Julian Casablancas
Wednesday, October 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Flyleaf
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sting
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Rodrigo y Gabriela
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Snoop Dogg
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: "Weird Al" Yankovic
Thursday, October 29
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Weezer
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Swell Season
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Mastadon
Friday, October 30
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Weezer
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Fruit Bats
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Why?
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Alice in Chains
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Andrew Bird
SUNDANCE: Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten: The Clash, Joe Strummer
Saturday, October 31
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Lady Gaga (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: M. Ward, Okkervil River

Now Downloading: New Releases 10.20.09

2009-10-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

Like last week, those who'd already made their top albums list for the year (or decade, eh, P4k?) are out of luck, as another couple releases can slide right in. First one being Logos from Atlas Sound (Deerhunter's Bradford Cox) and another being the latest from the UK duo F*ck Buttons. Other new releases of note come from Flight of the Conchords (which I reviewed with videos), Russian Circle, Spiral Stairs, El Perro Del Mar, Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Maps and soundtracks from Sufjan Stevens (from a musical production), Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard, and the much anticipated New Moon soundtrack.

Playlist: New Releases 10.20.09

Atlas Sound - Logos
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

In his first release as Atlas Sound, Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel, Deerhunter's Bradford Cox sounded like we'd interrupted a private moment in his bedroom. With this second release, Cox has taken us out of the bedroom and into... the living room, I guess. Regardless, it's a great album of found sounds and pop wonders wrapped head-to-toe in guaze, like a pop rock mummy. The standout track is the collaboration with Animal Colelctive's Noah "Panda Bear" Lennox, "Walkabout," which samples the Dovers' "What Am I Going to Do". Elsewhere, when Cox buries his vocals, it feels like Deerhunter's more shoe-gaze-y moments, but somehow more artful in it's presentation. With an album like Logos, it's going to be hard for Cox us to convince us that Atlas Sound is a side project anymore.

Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

See the track-by-track video review from Tuesday.

Download: Sugalumps" [mp3]

Glee "Mash-up": Nixon in China

2009-10-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

"Love knows no bounds," or does it?

Not all things can get the mash-up treatment, like Sisqo and My Fair Lady - but I bet somebody out there is working hard to prove otherwise to writer Ian Brennan. Speaking of Brennan, given his previous scripted eppy, "The Rhodes Not Taken," perhaps he should get a few more thrown his way. The concept of "Mash-up" is thought to be applied to the songs, but not a single song got the treatment, instead it was just diverging characters dallying in the practice. Ultimately, there were two reasons this episode worked better than most. Matthew Morrison's footwork and, more importantly, there was no sign of Terri (and that last point can't be emphasized enough).

Like last week, here's a reminder that the first soundtrack from the series, Glee:The Music, Volume 1, is available now for pre-order and on the shelves November 3. We heard a few more songs from the album tonight, and still can look forward to seeing their renditions of Billy Idol/Generation X's "Dancing with Myself" and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked (sung in cast recording by Glee guest Kristen Chenoweth in the musical).

Playlist: Glee - Episode 1.08
1. "Flight of the Bumblebee" - The Swingle Singers
2. "Bust a Move" - Glee cast (Young MC original)
3. "Thong Song" - Glee cast (Sisqo original)
4. "What a Girl Wants" - Christina Aguilera (Rachel sings)
5. "Sweet Caroline" - Glee cast (Neil Diamond original)
6. "Sing, Sing, Sing" - (originally by Benny Goodman)
7. "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady

Previously: "Throwdown" (Episode 1.07)