Category Archives: Music

Conan releasing two comedy (rock) albums on Jack White’s Third Man Records label

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With his highly anticipated TBS show looming on the horizon, Conan O’Brien is readying two comedy albums for his most loyal fans.  The first record, “Conan O’Brien Live at Third Man”, is a live LP that features “an amazing set of rock and roll tunes and hilarity” and includes performances by Conan and The Legally Prohibited Band (from his Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour), 7 Nation Army, and The White Stripes’ Jack White duet with Conan of Eddie Cochran’s 20 Flight Rock.  This 12″ vinyl is available to purchase today.  The second record “And They Call Me Mad” is a 7″ vinyl; the A side features a improvisational spoken word take on the Frankenstein legend, and the B side is an interview with Conan conduced by Jack White.  This record is due out August 24.  Both of them were recorded at Third Man Records (founded by White) in Nashville, Tennessee during his stop there on tour.  A blog post on the TeamCoco website describes the studio session:

Conan blazed through a rocking setlist of stuff from our Legally Prohibited show – as well as a few other jams that we’ve never done!  The energy in the room was incredible: The band lit by a dim red light, the hot Nashville air thick with excitement; the room packed to capacity – it was a scene the likes of which I’ve never experienced.  I could totally see this show being something that happened outside under a tent in the South in the 50’s.  A very, very cool vibe.

[Via EW-MusicMix; TeamCoco]

Jed Whedon’s debut album “History of Forgotten Things” out now

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Jed Whedon, the man behind all the catchy tunes from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, released his very first album unto the world on August 10.  Hopefully you previewed three tracks from the album History of Forgotten Things when I shared them with you a few weeks ago.  If you did you would know that the album has no connection to his cheery, catchy hits from Dr.H.  (Except for the fact that Felicia Day lends background vocals and violin strings to a number of tracks.)  Instead it takes a more personal, grounded journey that covers many bases ranging from traumatic experiences to character-study songs.  In a humorous interview led by his brother Joss, he listed Paul Simon, Brian Eno, Jane’s Addiction, and Pink Floyd as influences on the record, categorized the album as “alternative/singer-songwriter/ambient/rock”, explained that the cohesive theme is nostalgia, and talked about the nature of the album title:

“The title comes from a few things — the terrifying feeling that we are forgetting our life as it rolls along. My obsession with all the history that was never documented (though in the digital age, that may be over). As well as the sensation that history can give you. A feeling that is indescribable. That feeling of connection through the ages. It is related to nostalgia. Sometimes, when I pass through a town I have never seen before, I long to not only live there, but to have lived there my whole life; to be nostalgic for it. I get the same feeling from history. I yearn to have lived during all those times. And, of course, in the future.”

Jed plans to continue his music career by releasing some EPs “soon” and another album “in the future.”  “But first”, he says, “I am going to start fleshing out some DH2 stuff.”  You hear that, Dr.H fans?  The sequel really is being worked on!  Too bad Joss is busy working on other projects at the moment (ahem–The Avengers).

History of Forgotten Things is available to download at the iTunes Store.  So stop reading this and listen to it right now.

Can you guess the title of Weezer’s next album?

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That’s right–it’s Hurley!  In an interview with Spinner Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo explained where the idea of having Lost‘s Jorge Garcia cover their next LP:

“We struggled super hard trying to come up with an album title, trying to find some kind of phrase that summed up the whole aesthetic behind the album: ‘Heavy Mental,’ ‘Smaller Than Life.’  I was coming up with all kinds of stuff, but ultimately, we just went with some random word that doesn’t really have anything to do with anything.  I just loved this photo of Jorge Garcia — it just had this amazing vibe.  We didn’t want to do a fourth self-titled record and we knew people would refer to it as ‘the Hurley record’ even if we left it without that title, so we just called it ‘Hurley.’  No words are on the cover because all we wanted was his amazing face.”

Although he “really like[s] the show” Cuomo confesses there’s no connection between Lost and the next collection of music from Weezer.  Oh well…the cover rocks!  Hurley releases September 14.

[Via Spinner; Pitchfork]

Kanye West pops into Hot 97 radio show, plays new song “See Me Now” (Featuring Beyoncé & Charlie Wilson), reveals November 16 album drop date

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The Kanye West headlines just won’t stop.  But I’m not complaining.  Today Mr. West stopped by Hot 97’s Angie Martinez Show to play a brand new track that may or may not be off his next yet-to-be-titled album.  It’s called “See Me Now” and features beautiful vocals from the talented Beyoncé and R&B/soul singer “Uncle” Charlie Wilson.  Unknowingly we had heard a preview of this track when Kanye paid a visit to Facebook HQ two weeks ago; he rapped “I’mma need you to kill all the hypocrisy / This is an aristocracy / I’m Socrates, but my skin more chocolatey.”  The track literally is brand new; it was completed this morning at 5am!  Though Wilson’s vocals were recorded about two weeks ago, Kanye met with Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Consequence this morning and rushed to write Beyonce’s part so that it could be recorded and played for us today on the radio.  The final package is nothing short of excellent.  Big shout-out to Lex Lugar and No I.D. for helping Kanye produce the light-hearted track.  “See Me Now” falls on the other side of the spectrum when compared to “Power.”  It’s got the stylistic drums and synths banging in the background, but it is not nearly as dark and brooding.  It’s more uplifting, very reminiscent of “Through the Wire” and other The College Dropout tracks.  It’s good to see Kanye having some fun in the studio again.  Preview and download the song below.

During his four part interview with Angie Martinez, Kanye mistakingly let loose an expected album release date of November 16.  So mark your calendars and let the anticipation begin continue.  Click here to stream the entire interview.  Kanye is surprisingly candid at the mic.

Update: Kanye just used Twitter to point out that this version of “See Me Now” is not the final mix.  When the mastered version is available I’ll post it here.  Also, a “Power” remix is on the way.

Download: “See Me Now” (Featuring Beyoncé & Charlie Wilson)

[audio: Kanye West – See Me Now (Featuring Beyonce & Charlie Wilson).mp3]

[Via KWBlog; AngieMartinez]

Touch-based interface brings standard DJ setup to a multitouch screen

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Gregory Kaufman, a student at Kansas City Art Institute, imagined and implemented “DJ touch screen interface and gesture interaction concepts” for his senior degree project.  Though it’s not quite as visually stunning as the rear projection setup we spied earlier this week, it does bring a new kind of functionality to the up-and-coming DJ multitouch game–the ability to replicate a standard DJ turntable-mixer setup using a touch-based interface.  Check out the video embedded above to hear all about from Kaufman and see a demonstration of the concept tech.

[Via Behance; Engadget]

Kanye West hosts a Ustream chat: album gets a November release, next single drops in 20 days

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Kanye West has been making the rounds on the Internet even since he decided to come out from hiding.  First it was Twitter, then Facebook, now Ustream.  On Friday Kanye hosted a live Ustream video chat from Korea to answer a bunch of fan questions.  The most important news to come out of the twenty-five minute chat session is that the upcoming album is coming out “sometime in November” and that the next single is expected to drop within the next 20 days.  He’s still deciding between “Lost In The World” and “All of the Lights” for the next single.  He gave a 30 second preview of the latter song, and man did it sound great.  Besides spilling that info, he also talked about his influences on the album and the “Power” painting video.  He says that he’s constantly looking at thousands of pictures and a number of artworks and movies for inspiration.  (He name dropped Avatar, late designer Alexander McQueen, Thom Yorke, and Trent Reznor.)  About the “Power” video he said, “I always wanted to recreate the Sistine Chapel.  This is not the full re-creation [though].  I still might want to do that.”  He went on to set the record straight concerning his time on the web; he held up his second laptop to prove he has a hand in updating his blog and Twitter feed.  He also addressed more serious issues about his new (and so far much improved) public attitude: I’m not allowing my attitude to get in the way of my creation anymore.”  He continues, “That’s all I want to do, is give you all the most amazing work I can.”  “All I can do is focus on being a better person,” he adds.  When a commentor asked Kanye why he is a racist, a surprisingly appropriate and light response was given.  “I actually don’t know a rapper before me that liked white people more than me.  I don’t know a rapper that wore tighter jeans.  I don’t know a rapper that collaborated with more white people than me.”  Atta boy, Mr. West.  Watch the recorded Ustream chat here.

DJ gives multitouch a spin

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Check out this crazy amazing homemade DJ setup called Token Concept.  Sure it uses rear projection video on glass for the cool visual effect, but the multitouch implementation is far out.  Into the future.  It’s running off a Traktor Pro controller called Emulator.

[Via Engadget]

Music video: Eminem: “Love the Way You Lie” (Featuring Rihanna) (w/ Dominic Monaghan & Megan Fox!)

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Before tonight’s episode of The Jersey Shore, MTV premiered the music video for Eminem’s chart-topping single “Love the Way You Lie.”  Not only does it include Eminem spitting his game and Rihanna belting out the catchy hook, but Charlie from Lost and the hot chick from Transformers lend their acting chops to the powerful lyrics.  Domestic violence is the theme, something that Eminem and Rihanna have experienced in their own personal lives.  Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox make for an attractive couple in an over-the-top love/hate relationship.  One second punches are thrown and in the next lips and tongues are interlocking.  It all plays out very theatrically and I commend the effort put into it.  Check out the music video above and share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Kanye West’s “Power”: “it’s not a video…it’s a painting”

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Tonight MTV premiered the music video painting for Kanye West’s new single “Power.”  Kanye started to hype the one minute forty-three second video/painting hybrid yesterday on his blog and Twitter account.  He constantly made sure to specifiy that the final product would not be a music video but instead a “painting”.  The video begins with a close-up of Kanye’s face with two lines of parallel pillars behind him.  As the track plays, the camera slowly pans outward to reveal scantily-clad women donning horns, canes, and wings.  Almost immediately you realize that this is not a traditional music video but instead a slow moving painting taking place in the clouds among angels and demons.  After only one verse the video draws to its conclusion when the camera starts to sporatically dart around the scene.  Then the mystical creatures disappear, two men fly through the air with swords aimed for Kanye’s head (and another one dangling above him through a halo ring), and the letters P-O-W-E-R filled with images from the video take over the screen.

Artist Marco Brambilla directed the video; he successfully invokes Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel, his source for inspiration, by placing historical characters and creatures in the neoclassical scenery.  Kanye approaced Brambilla after watching his tremendous specticle “Civilization.”  Click here for a brief behind-the-scenes look at the making of the “Power” video.  (NSFW warning: It does contain minor instances of nudity.)

I have one word to describe what Kanye has done here: interesting.  It’s definitely a bold risk for a music video for two obvious reasons.  One, it’s not really a music video, it’s a “painting”; and two, it does not encompass the entire song.  That said, the art direction is spectacular and the featured goddesses are a nice treat.  I also like the way it was filmed; the slow panning, the quick darting shots, and the awesome illusion on the eyes that made it look like Kanye was moving ever-so-slightly towards us all made for a high value viewing.  I am disappointed that “Power” will not be getting a standard music video that it so rightfully deserves.  I’d almost rather purchase an enlarged poster of this living portrait than watch it in video form.  But this is what Kanye wanted, and Kanye gets what Kanye wants.  Unconventional as it may be, the “painting” proves to be stylistically impressive and easy on the eyes.

P.S. – That poster idea got me thinking.  Watch the video in HD, take a screen cap of your favorite part, and now you have an groovy background image for your computer.  You’re welcome. Continue reading Kanye West’s “Power”: “it’s not a video…it’s a painting” →

Single: Lil Wayne – “Right Above It” (Featuring Drake)

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Rapper Lil Wayne might be in jail but that’s not stopping him from releasing new music.  A track from his upcoming EP I’m Not A Human Being hit the ‘Net the other day and I’ve got it streaming down below along with a download link.  Wayne doesn’t pull any surprises in “Right Above It”, but it proves he’s ready to bring his music back into the spotlight.  The crazy cool beat and the feature by fellow Young Money pard’ner Drake really make the track shine.  The EP drops on Weezy’s birthday September 27 in digital form only.  He’s expected to leave jail in October, and you can anticipate production on Tha Carter IV to ramp up thereafter.

Download: “Right Above It” (Featuring Drake)

[audio: Lil Wayne – Right Above It (Featuring Drake).mp3]

[Via RapRadar]

MTV VMA nominees announced, Lady Gaga nabs record-breaking 13 nods

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The MTV Video Music Awards is just a month away, so it’s time to peruse the nominees list.  Lady Gaga swept the boards with a record-breaking 13 nominations, two of which include Best Pop Video and Best Female Video.  Not only does she now hold the record for most VMA nods in a single show, but she is also the first female artist to be nominated for two different videos in the Video of the Year category (“Bad Romance” and “Telephone”).  Eminem’s hit single “Not Afraid” helped him received 8 nods.  First-time nominees include Ke$ha, Drake, Justin Bieber, and Florence + The Machine.  B.o.B’s “Airplanes”, Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness”, Janelle Monáe’s “Tightrope”, 30 Seconds To Mars’ “King & Queens”, and Dan Black’s “Symphonies” also made the cut.  Check out the full breakdown of nominees organized by category after the break.  The VMAs will air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, September 12 at 9PM on MTV.  According to recent whispers Kanye West will be in the building to perform a song off his upcoming album, so you don’t want to miss a potential “Imma let you finish but…” moment!

[Via EW-MusicMix] Continue reading MTV VMA nominees announced, Lady Gaga nabs record-breaking 13 nods →

Music video: Linkin Park – “The Catalyst”

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After a three year absence Linkin Park is back.  Their fourth studio album A Thousand Suns drops on September 14.  The first single off the album is called “The Catalyst”.  The band decided to take a non-traditional route in promoting the track in collaboration with the upcoming video game Medal of Honor.  The video, directed by Linkin Park’s Joe Hahn, mashes together live and gameplay combat footage; the result is pretty stellar.

[Via EW-MusicMix]