Hollywood?

Hollywood, it seems, has really put forth a lot of music contributions this fall. Natalie Portman just released her charity mixtape "Big Change: Songs for FINCA" oct. 30th, featuring exclusive material from several artist like Beirut and Devendra Benhart. So if your looking for some good music and a way to help the world, go download "Big Change: Songs for FINCA" off itunes.

Beirut - My Night With the Prostitute from Marseille

Then, on the 21st of this month Todd Hyne's "I'm Not There" is coming out. The film features six different actors, including Cate Blanchett and Christian bale, playing the role of Bob Dylan. Each actor is, in theory, suppose to represent a different stage in Dylan's life. This technique is meant to depict "the poetic narrative style utilized in Dylan's songwriting". The title, "I'm Not There", is a reference outtake song of the same name. The song was cut from "The Basement Tapes" and will for the first time be released officially on the movie's soundtrack, which came out oct. 30th.

On Soundtrack:
Bob Dylan - I'm Not There
Sufjan Stevens - Ring Them Bells (Bob Dylan Cover)
Not:
Andrew Bird & Nora Connor - Oh Sister (Bob Dylan Cover)
Sophie Ziemani - Most of the Time (Bob Dylan Cover)

Ridley Scott, it seems, is not only an inspiration to film school students but world renowned rappers as well. On Nov. 6th Jay-Z's tenth album will be released sharing the same name as the major motion picture, "American Gangster". As well as being inspired by the movie Jay-Z also inserts snippets of dialogue from the movie itself into several of his songs. Here is "Ignorant Shit" off the new album, which also samples "Big Poppa" by The Notorious B.I.G. and "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers.

Jay-Z - Ignorant Shit (Feat. Beanie Sigel)

Daft Punk "Alive 2007"

Daft Punk's second live album, "Alive", will be released on Nov. 20, 2007. The duo is renowned for their live performance, and chose to make this album using their performance at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, in Paris, France, their hometown. In truth, I believe the original songs don't really compare to the smooth transitions that Daft Punk presents live, often mixing two songs, sometimes three, together. The only thing that would be better than "Alive" would be to see them in person at one of their life changing concerts. You can hear this on the album's "Harder Better Faster Stronger".

Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger (Alive Version) (mp3)

Black Kids: Hottest Thing This Week and New York & Atlanta Shows

With ever growing popularity, Black Kids have planted their flag into the heart of the indie-pop scene, being one of the most talked about bands online, securing a high ranking on The Hype Machine's most popular artist list, along with of Last.fm's "Top Artist Movers of the Week". Pitchfork Media also posted them under their "Best New Music" category earlier this month. The band is a formidable force, as their Ep "Wizard of Ahhs" shows, which draws influences from other groups like The Smiths, Prince, New Order, and even Motown, and can be fully downloaded from their myspace. But Black Kids still stand without any record label, their Ep being self recorded. Many labels have made offers, so they will now have to make the choice of staying in the studio and recording more material or going on tour to further promote themselves.

Shows:
Oct 18 2007 10:00P
The Annex New York, New York
Oct 19 2007 4:45P
R-Bar New York, New York
Oct 20 2007 12:00A
Galapagos Back Room Brooklyn, New York
Nov 15 2007 8:00P
Star Bar Atlanta, Georgia
Nov 16 2007 8:00P
Flicker Theatre Athens, Georgia

Black Kids - Hurricane Jane (mp3)
Black Kids - I Underestimate My Charm (again) (mp3)

"Lord Don't Slow Me Down", as said by Oasis

For some, Oasis has faded into the back round of rock n' roll, and believe it is time for them to hang up their guitars and leave. This statement, though, said around the wrong crowd could see you with your faced punched in by a dedicated Oasis fan, or possibly by the band themselves who have set down their own agenda despite what you may think. Come Oct. 29, Oasis will be releasing their documentary, or rockumentary really, "Lord Don't Slow Me Down", which follows the band throughout their year long "Don't Believe the Truth" tour. Directed by Ballie Walsh, who previously has worked with artists like Massive Attack and New Order, the film hopes to reveal some of what goes on backstage, on tour, and the other side of Oasis that doesn't show up in the calendar, or entertainment section of the paper, talking about one of Noel and Liam's scuffles. So if you ever wanted to find out how the band survived on tour together, this would be your movie.

"Lord Don't Slow Me Down" trailer:


mp3:
Oasis - Lord Don't Slow Me Down

"Made in the Dark"

Hot Chip has announced, now, that they will be releasing their third studio album, on Feb. 5th via DFA/Astralwerks. When asked about the album singer, Joe Gobbard, said,"...I think the actual title is going to be called Made In The Dark, which is a name of one of the songs on the record, it's one that's particularly nice so we thought that would be a good title."

The album, originally, was suppose to be out in stores by the end of this year but the band did some rescheduling, feeling that the album needed more work before it was placed before the savage scrutiny of the public eye. They having nothing to fear, however, for everything I have heard off the album sounds great.

Hot Chip has yet to release a full tracklist for "Made in the Dark", but have let slip that there will be 13 tracks on the CD featuring titles such as "Wrestlers," "Out at the Pictures," and "Shake a Fist," including "Bendable Poseable," "We're Looking for a Lot of Love," "Ready for the Floor," "In the Privacy of Our Love," and "One Pure Thought". Enjoy "Shake a Fist" as you await the rest of its fellow tracks.

Hot Chip - Shake a Fist
Hot Chip - And I Was a Boy From School
The Aliens - Robot Man (Hot Chip Remix)

Maximo Park "Like I love You" Cover

Justin Timberlake certainly has a lot of "love" being thrown at him and it seems everyone wants a piece. That is everyone from Justice, to the Klaxons and now Maximo Park who released their cover of "Like I love You" on a BBC Radio 1 compilation CD. Maximo Park is touring currently and will be stopping by in Los Angeles November 21st, so make sure to check them out. Here is Maximo Park's "Like I Love You" cover along with a the few other covers/remixs I hinted at belonging to Justice and the Klaxons.

Maximo Park - Like I Love You (Justin Timberlake cover)
Klaxons - My Love (Justin Timberlake cover)
Justin Timberlake - Love Stoned (Justice remix)

For tour dates click here

Baron Zen - Best Post Punk/Hip Hop Band Ever?

There were two members in Baron Zen- Sweet Steve and the now famous-in-underground/indie-circles Peanut Butter Wolf. They played together from '88-92, and have recently had their only record, titled "At The Mall", re-released on Stones Throw Records in 2006, and again on September 18 this year with remixes from some of the Stones Throw roster and a few others. I am always delighted to find bands or artists this unique, as it can be rare. This music is defintely worth giving a try, even if it doesn't hit you right away. In addition to this, I stumbled upon some promotional neon-colored Baron Zen rip-offs in classic Ray Ban style, which of course I took three pairs of, near the pile of brochures and pamphlets near the door of Turntable Lab on Fairfax(Los Angeles). This defintely helped my opinion of the band. Good marketing PBW.

Baron Zen-Shoes

Crystal Castles "Fuck This", Metric "You're the Best"

Photo Credit: eatmeatnow

Sorry about the lack of posts over the weekend, but I was busy spending all my money at concerts. To start the weekend off Metric and Crystal Castles decided to perform at the Henry Fonda, kicking my weekend of to a good start. Crystal Castles came on stage to loud appluase from what seemed like an enthusiastic crowd, but when started up they were met with almost sheer silence. The audience obviously hadn't expected to hear Ethan Fawns rough video game like beats and Alice's hair raising vocals blasting out at them, for almost everyone was rock still. I was thoroughly disappointed, as one of the only people moving. Alice certainly put on a good show in trying to get the crowd moving into the furious mosh pit the music deserved, by jumping around stage and wrapping the microphone cord around her neck, miming hanging herself, but to no avail.

Crystal Castles eventually left the stage fifteen minutes into their set, with Alice throwing down the mic and yelling "Fuck This". This was not what I had anticipated for the start of my weekend, and I apologize Crystal Castles for our lack of enthusiasm. Come to LA again and I promise we'll behave even if I have to litter the floor with hot coals to get people moving. Great show, bad reaction.

Photo Credit:Oge1d

The crowds reaction to Metric, however, was completely different from Crystal Castles. When the curtain went and there stood Emily Haines in her long t-shirt and tights looking "Succexy" as ever, everyone started to dance, pump fists, and move in what ever way came to mind.

The Canadians played quite a few songs off their newly rereleased album "Grow Up and Blow Away", an album I'm still familiarizing myself with, along with crowd favorites "Dead Disco" and "Poster of a Girl". At the end of their set they were brought back on stage by the chanting of "Metric" and the drum roll of everyone's feet running in place on the wooden floor. Emily, ironically, congratulated the crowd as being "the best crowd all tour" numerous time throughout the show. I suppose the audience must have been sole Metric fans.

Crystal Castles mp3s:
Crystal Castles - hc 1
Crystal Castles - Insecticon
Goodbooks - Leni(Crystal Castles Remix)

Metric mp3s:
Metric - Poster of a Girl
Metric - Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
Metric - Monster Hospital(MSTRKRFT Remix)

Bloc Party's New Single Flux

Bloc Party's new single "Flux", though not yet released, is getting plenty of coverage. The song is coming out next month with the same Bloc Party touch, which is as Pitchfork puts it "Nervous guitar downstrokes march in lockstep with cymbal-heavy drumming, as Kele Okoreke croons anguished lyrics...". Flux's release will also be accompanied by the two b-sides "Emma Kate's Accident" and "The Once And Future King". Enjoy Bloc Party as they performed live on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien".

Bloc Party - Flux (Live with Conan O’Brien)

Deerhoof no more? Cryptacized!

I was just reading Deerhoof's wikipedia page and then clicked on The Curtains link. I read it through, it was interesting, and followed up to read Chris Cohen's page but found it to be about some english football(aka soccer) player. So I looked around and eventually ended up finding out about Chris's new music project "Cryptacize". Cryptacize is comprised of Michael Carriera, Nedelle Torrisi (of The Curtains), and Chris Cohen (formerly of deerhoof and a member of The Curtains, and not an english soccer player). The band has an experimental indie feel that is definitely interconnected with deerhoof's, but slightly lighter which can best be related to the work of The Fiery Furnaces. The band will be touring around the US this october so make sure to stop and check them out.

Tour Dates:
Oct 13 2007 6:30P
mama buzz cafe oakland, California
Oct 14 2007 8:00P
Spaceland Los Angeles, California
Oct 16 2007 8:00P
Trunk Space Phoenix, Arizona
Oct 18 2007 8:00P
Jake’s Backroom Lubbock, Texas
Oct 19 2007 8:00P
OKAY Mountain Gallery Austin, Texas
Oct 20 2007 8:00P
TBA Houston, Texas
Oct 21 2007 8:00P
the Bottletree Birmingham, Alabama
Oct 22 2007 8:00P
the Pilot Light Knoxville, Tennessee
Oct 23 2007 8:00P
WIlliam and Mary College / TIdewater Room Williamsburg, Virginia
Oct 24 2007 8:00P
Floristree Space Baltimore, Maryland
Oct 26 2007 8:00P
the Vacuum Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 27 2007 8:00P
the Silent Barn Ridgewood, New York
Oct 28 2007 8:00P
Pa’s Lounge Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 29 2007 8:00P
Wesleyan University Middletown, Connecticut
Oct 30 2007 8:00P
Oberlin College Oberlin, Ohio
Oct 31 2007 8:00P
The Underground at Harrison Center for the Perfoming Arts Indianapolis, Indiana
Nov 1 2007 8:00P
Empty Bottle Chicago, Illinois
Nov 2 2007 8:00P
Garnder Lounge Grinnell, Iowa
Nov 3 2007 8:00P
Rhinoceropolis Denver, Colorado
Nov 4 2007 8:00P
Kilby Court Salt Lake City, Utah
Nov 9 2007 8:00P
muddy waters cafe santa barbara, California
Nov 10 2007 8:00P
the echo los angeles, California

mp3:
Cryptacize-Stopwatch
Cryptacize-Say You Will

Cat Power: Cover Album

On January 22, 2008 Cat Power will be releasing her second cover album. Cat Power's first cover album, The Covers Record, was released in 2000. The idea for the cover album was the result of several back to back tours where she grew tired of her own material. Who would think such a lack of inspiration could breed such great work? Anyway, mark the charts for Jan 22, 2008. Here are some covers you should recognize.

Cat Power-Crazy(Gnarls Barkley cover)
Cat Power-Wonderwall(Oasis cover)