Coldplay Releases New Single "Violet Hill"

So we finally get to hear a song off Vida La Vida or Death And All His Friends due for release on June 17th."Violet Hill" is the first single and is available to download for free for one week at their main website (or here).

So does it live up to all the experimentation/latin-influenced talk that's been milling about from the band?

Well it's the first single, and first singles usually (most often/always) sound the most like the band's previous album and this song is no exception. With that said, I am starting to really dig it. It has a really nice groove to it, dirtier guitars and a nice sleazy bassline. Still, it is very piano heavy (not a bad thing, the end works for me) and Chris Martin's voice is the same as before (there has been mentioning of other songs on the album in a lower register).

But I say check it out and make up your own mind and check out the pretty sweet album cover here.

Tracklist for Vida La Vida or Death And All His Friends
1. "Life in Technicolor"
2. "Cemeteries of London"
3. "Lost!"
4. "42"
5. "Lovers in Japan"/"Reign of Love"
6. "Yes"/"Chinese Sleep Chant"
7. "Viva la Vida"
8. Violet Hill"
9. "Strawberry Swing"
10. "Death and All His Friends"

Mp3:
Coldplay-"Violet Hill"

Link:
Coldplay.com

CLLCT Is Better, Faster, Stronger!

Around December 2007 a mysterious boy/creature Secret Owl (of Secret Owl Society) birthed the 001Collective from his gut and heart. The idea was simple: create a site where artists give their music away for free. Why? Well, these artist love their music and love sharing it more, it wasn’t (isn’t) about money.

This site quickly grew and its small but strong form wasn’t enough so then it evolved into its current form CLLCT. Although it has shed its skin many times since January, CLLCT is better, faster, and stronger.

The site not only has more music, but there is so much more you can do with the music (as an artist or fan). There are artist pages, album pages, forums, blogs, etc. etc. All of the progress towards this site has been towards this central idea that will make this free music relevant and that idea is community.

A community is what CLLCT has become. Whether it’s getting advice for what kind of ukulele to buy, getting tips on a song, shooting the shit about music or politics, booking shows and other things, CLLCT is a place where an artist can feel welcome to say (and sing) about whatever their heart desires.

I was initially skeptical about 001Collective when it first started. Being raised in music capitalism that is the mainstream I had the difficult time of accepting that it is okay to give away your music for free. In many ways I myself have gained many more listeners because of this site (and in turn friends). And it is this community that truly won me over (plus all the Tinyfolk, Real Live Tigers, James Eric and Shelby Sifers one could handle).

If you haven’t been there yet and you are a music fan, especially of Lo-Fi or music that comes from the heart and gut then you owe it to yourself to check it out. And if you are an artist or musician and you don’t have your stuff up there yet I have two words for you: DO IT! Seriously you won’t regret sharing your music, people will listen.

On a promotion-atory note:
Up for order right now is The Roaring Nineties, a compilation of your favorite CLLCT artists covering your favorite songs from the 90s. Artists like Tinyfolk, Dustin And The Furniture, Existential Hero and Patrick Ripoll cover Elton John, Third Eye Blind, Destiny’s Child and The Fugees respectively plus more! It’s only thirteen bucks and it goes towards keeping the site running smoothly and effectively. There are only a hundred copies so order this collectible fast before it’s gone!

Link:
CLLCT.com
CLLCT forums
Collective Common, the CLLCT blog
Order The Roaring Nineties compilation!

Mp3 of the Week: "Stuck With Me" by Marc With A C

So I recently rediscovered this gem off of Marc With A C's greatest hits compilation, What The Hell Is Wrong With Marc With A C? (Originally off of This World Is Scary As Fuck).

it kind of captures how I feel right now and that when you have someone it makes anything difficult much easier to bear and not only that, but you want to bear it because you love that special someone so much.

It's classic Marc With A C and the hook couldn't be more effing perfect, "This world is scary as fuck/It's big and it's really mean/Yeah, I don't like this world/But it looks like I'm stuck/And I'm glad that you're stuck with me."

Mp3:
Marc With A C-"Stuck With Me"

Links:
MarcWithAC.com!
Marc With A C on Myspace!

Tinyfolk Unveils New Track From Forthcoming LP

One half of Tinyfolk, Russ Woods lays down the law

About a week ago (Hey, I was on vacation!) Tinyfolk unveiled a new track from their forthcoming album Sic Semper Equis called "Thus Always Horses." It's startling and melancholy, featuring animals like most Tinyfolk songs, but in form and tone completely new. It has a sense of purpose and a humorous undercurrent that'll make you feel sad more than make you laugh. But that's the point.

No release date is set and as far as I know, no label has picked it up yet. If you are a label I say get your ass in gear and release it!

I have something special planned for its release that you won't want to miss.

Mp3:
Tinyfolk-"Thus Always Horses"

Link:
Tinyfolk on Myspace!

2nd Poll Closed, New Poll and Vacation Time

Some things I want to know...



I figured there would be more "I told you," but this was a trick question since I'm God as well I got 19 votes total. Oh snap!

But seriously folks, tell me what "other" means?

Oh and I am heading on a two week trip around the South Island in New Zealand so I won't be updating. Sad I know, but I have many awesome articles planned for when I return including reviews of the new Bearsuit record, the new Kapiano/Foreign Loren Split, the new EP from Prince Edward Island and more!!


See, I'm stuck in a city/But I belong in a field (or the beach!)

Tinyfolk: Jack’s Broth (2008)

What is Tinyfolk now? The days of “Love Is A Thing” are far-gone and the new EP from Russ Woods and Meghan Lamb, Jack’s Broth, feels like a watershed for Tinyfolk, a change is in the wind.

First of all, if I’m not mistaken, Tinyfolk’s key instrument, the baritone ukulele, is nowhere to be heard. Most songs use acoustic guitar, piano or are acapella. Aesthetically most of this EP recalls a more stripped down approach of early Tinyfolk, but is more assured and more purposely minimal.

“Antelope” appears to be a purging of the more self-described “bloated” and zany Tinyfolk of the Bill/Valley Forge albums. A Spaghetti Western-esque musing on looking for food, it contains various voices to provide its humor in its rhymes.

This cover of David Bowie’s “Five Years” is probably one of Russ’s most impassioned performances on tape. And by tape I mean the sound of song. It has an intentional “on the radio” sound that works well with how bare it sounds.

“Wandlight” is the first out of two songs that were supposed to go on a concept EP about the relationship between the wizards Dumbledore and Grindelwald from the Harry Potter series. It’s sensual, features some subtle production work and is quite moving. Russ’s singing on this song is quite exceptional.

The acapella cover of Gene Chandler’s “Duke of Earl” is probably one of the most adorable songs in the Tinyfolk canon. Featuring Meghan Lamb’s heavenly voice more prominently, it is intimate, silly and fun.

“Before Our Beards Were Long” is the second song about the romance between Dumbledore and Grindelwald and again for not being a Harry Potter fan I am extremely moved by this song. It’s incredibly sad.

Jack’s Broth is all about re-contextualizing familiar Tinyfolk behaviors, themes, motifs, etc. “Antelope” uses Bill-esque arrangements but infuses it with the vastness of Little Mice And Other Things That Go Skitter Skitter. “Five Years” takes a glam-rock song and brings the level of intimacy seen on "Platapeasawallaland". “Duke of Earl” plays off the twee cuteness of early Tinyfolk but is now acapella. Both of the Harry Potter romance songs use humans (wizards) as the subject for deep emotion instead of animals as on all other Tinyfolk albums.

So Jack’s Broth is a mish-mash of songs that work surprisingly well as an album (EP) and all hint at a new future for Tinyfolk. I wait with excited anticipation.

Mp3:
Tinyfolk-“Duke of Earl”

Links:
Download Jack's Broth for FREE on CLLCT
Tinyfolk on Myspace

Weezer's New Album Title Not A Joke

Pitchfork has reported that indeed Weezer's new album coming out on June 17th, 2008 will be called Weezer. The cover will be red continuing the occasional scheme of theirs. So prepare yourselves for the Red Album. I for one am excited. I really dug Make Believe, but I've read all sorts of cool things about this new album including other members singing songs, instrument switch-ups, synths and more. It was produced by Rick Rubin as well. Rolling Stone reported that the first single is going to be called "Pork And Beans," but that may have been the actual fake part of the April Fools joke? We'll see.

Links:
Original article on Pitchfork
Weezer site

YouTube Video of the Week: Transformers Toy Reviews

I don’t know why but lately I’ve been incredibly fascinated with toy critics who mostly (if not only) focus on reviewing Transformers toys.

As a kid I had Transformers and Beast Wars figures and the idea that a toy could change into several forms was a winning concept that changed ideas of what toys could be and how to get the most out of a toy. Many battles were fought and won in my room, living room and backyard as a child.

Now don’t let me think I am making fun of these guys. I mean honestly having an intense knowledge and passion for anything is awesome in my book, but there is something more here that I can’t even explain.

There are three reviewers I have been following: Goktimusprime, DCompose and MatrixPrime. The videos I selected for all three are a review of the same toy (Movie Leader Optimus Prime) so you can get a better sense at their differing styles.



Goktimusprime was the first reviewer I found and he is perhaps the most knowledgeable of Transformers reviewers. His reviews aren’t flashy, but he works with a relaxed but focused level of precision. Not only does he give you a nice history of the figure (character and manufacturing history), but also a very balanced and fair sense of criticism that speaks to my style of critiquing as well.



You’ll notice immediately that DCompose has a very different style. His reviews are a lot more cinematic featuring a lot more angles, shots, cuts, etc. He speaks with a mellowed sense of excitement, but the kicker is his seductive tone that he takes when talking about each toy. I swear I want to have sex with Optimus Prime after watching this review.



Watching MatrixPrime’s review is like watching an infomercial. He speaks about the toy so matter-of-factly like it’s a knife set or a blender. He captures every little nuance of a figure and nothing is left unmentioned. Reviewing from his point of view is probably the smartest way to review these toys allowing us to see the details very clearly.

So in the end we get three very different ways of looking at the same thing. Each one picks out something new or something unthought-of by the others. It speaks volumes to bigger ideas such as representation and taste (among other things).

Also it makes me want to dig my old Transformers out of the attic.

Link:
Optimus Prime on Wikipedia

Poem of the Week: "Women" by Adrienne Rich

"Women" By Adrienne Rich

My three sisters are sitting
on rocks of black obsidian.
For the first time, in this light, I can see who they are.

My first sister is sewing her costume for the procession.
She is going as the Transparent lady
and all her nerves will be visible.

My second sister is also sewing,
at the seam over her heart which has never healed entirely,
At last, she hopes, this tightness in her chest will ease.

My third sister is gazing
at a dark-red crust spreading westward far out on the sea.
Her stockings are torn but she is beautiful.

I had a test today in Modern Poetry and what I love about this poem is how broken it shows women. It shows what men have done to women and it causes men to sympathize and then look at themselves in the "black obsidian." It's subtle yet extremely critical. However, it isn't hopeless, the last line ends on a sense of empowerment and resolution.

Link:
Adrienne Rich on Wikipedia