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Radiohead has joined forces with MTV, in conjunction with the company's EXIT (end exploitation and trafficking) campaign, to produce a video for "All I Need" in order to raise awareness about sweatshop labor and human trafficking. The result is a very poignant look into the daily routine of two children leading very different lives.
I've been spending an uncharacteristically large amount of time on MySpace lately. Not because I'm trying to make new friends but because I can't stop listening to the tracks posted on the page of Columbus, OH band the Super Desserts.
While I kicked around the idea of using several dessert inspired puns to describe the band I've decided to spare you all. That being said, the band does describe their sound as sounding like butterscotch frosting and their genre(s) as being pop, pop and yes... pop! As you can probably tell, you won't hear many somber numbers from the band. Just like some tasty, super dessert their songs are sure to put a smile on your face. They might even put you into an awesome diabetic coma!
My Morning Jacket just sent out an email with a link for a free download of the title track off their new album Evil Urges. If you're interested in getting your hands on it go here and type in "urges101" when prompted.
Here's the first glimpse into My Brightest Diamond's new album A Thousand Shark's Teeth. While the album was supposed to have a more classical feel, "Inside A Boy" and its crunching guitars juxtaposed with the strings and Shara's voice show the work has morphed into something entirely different. The song has a sense of urgency that, if it's an indication of the rest of the record, means A Thousand Shark's Teeth will most likely be at the top of several year end lists. Asthmatic Kitty will release the record on June 17th so mark your calendars.
Man Man - Rabbit Habits
It's safe to say this album has definitely been one of the most highly anticipated for me this year. At some point during the wait I was watching Serpico and realized Ryan (a.k.a. Honus Honus) has quite the Serpico-era Al Pacino vibe going on. He could definitely pull it off at Halloween with a nice fake beard if he chose to. What that has to do with this review I have no idea but I still thought it was worth mentioning. If anything, I don't think you can go wrong with Al Pacino or Man Man and this record proves the Man Man part of that equation.
Ryan stated in an interview with Pitchfork that despite the band's previous beliefs about Six Demon Bag, Rabbit Habits is actually the band's pop record. There are plenty of great, traditional Man Man moments here but what struck me were the softer, sentimental and, as Ryan put it, more pop moments on the record. One of the best moments like this on Six Demon Bag would have to be the oft-quoted line in "Van Helsing Boombox" of, " I want to sleep for weeks/like a dog at her feet." A similar expression can be found during "Doo Right" with, "I wanna hold you/'til the Mountains turn into sand." Have no fear though, what makes this record so great and shows the breadth of Man Man's talent is showcased on the sequence of tracks starting with the aforementioned "Doo Right" and ending with the title track, "Rabbit Habbits."
Just when you thought the band's gone soft on "Doo Right," they hit you with a Man Man-lian take on what most of us have experienced in regards to an indecisive significant other. The lyrical warning during "Easy Eats Or Dirty Doctor Galapagos" of, "You get the girl/you lose the girl/the girl wants back/but you've already moved on/you take her in/she changes her mind/you lose the girl/and you've lost out twice," would have served me well when I was a teenager. This track is followed up with the insane surf-rock number "Harpoon Fever (Queequeg’s Playhouse)" with its discussion of volcanoes and Dick Dale guitar licks and then quickly followed by the spacey feel of "El Azteca" and its spooky vocals. All of these tracks are perfectly bookended by the title track "Rabbit Habits" and a return to the softer, more intimate side of Man Man. In "Rabbit Habits" we're presented with the two wayward souls and their desire to not spend their days alone. Despite the down-and-dirty, raucous nature of Man Man on record and in concert this might be, dare I say it, a very tender song. I would say, "who would've thunk it," but I think anyone who has really listened to Man Man's records, seen them live, or had the privilege to chat with the members of the band would agree they knew the guys had it in them. Lucky for us they're exploring these areas and showing off what they're coming up with.
This isn't Spinal Tap but I'm sure it goes all the way to 11. How could anything that combines Glam and Grunge into a whole new genre not go to 11?!? Glang Fever is the new rockumentary that follows Duke Diamond and Randy Hoo Ha of the Diamond Hoo Ha Men as they attempt to take over the world. Check out the trailer for the film that may or may not be coming soon!
The National teamed up with Vincent Moon, of La Blogotheque and Take-Away Shows fame, during the recording of Boxer to film A Skin, A Night. The hour-long film will serve as an intimate look into the creative process of the band as they set out to make what ended up being their most accomplished album yet. As an added bonus, the DVD will be packaged with The Virginia EP which includes twelve tracks of demos, an unreleased cover, live tracks, a radio session and b-sides. You can check out the trailer for the film, due out May 22nd, below.
Here are 3 great haikus from Ken Katkin in response to the March 29th show at the Southgate House.
