Thursday, July 28, 2005

Steve's On Hiatus

I just wanted to let all our readers know that I will have only sporadic internet access for the next week and a half or so. And while I may be able to sneak in a post at work, it is safe to say that my stream of submissions will be few and far between until I move into my new apartment August 5th.

Don't fret, however. I am confident Tae and Ted will more than fill the void of my absense. Again, thank-you for your patronage and all that you do.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

I Was Listening to "Now 1" While You Were Still Shittin' Yellow!

Will someone please stop the insanity?? Now 19 debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200. This is the seventh time the pop compilation has debuted at the top spot. When will they stop making these things? Why do so many people keep buying them???

And I have some words of advice for those who seem content blowing twenty bones each time one of these pop-culture abominations are released: get a CD burner and a file sharing program (legal or otherwise).

Green Day to Run 'American Idiot' Into the Ground

American Idiot has sold roughly 4 million copies since its initial release almost one year ago. In fact, for every Clear Channel Kiss station you turn into you are bound to encounter either 'Holiday' or 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' within a 60 minute listening period. Yet, despite the saturation of the pop-punk super album on top 40 radio, Green Day, themselves, claim they still aren't exhausted of the recording:

But isn't the group tired of "American Idiot," which has sold 3.8 million copies in the United States, even just a little? "No," frontman Billie Joe Armstrong tells Billboard.com without hesitation. "I was just listening to the record today, to tell you the truth [laughs]. I'm really proud of this record. Because there's so much content in it, I think that's why it still has legs."

With MTV VMA nominations and further tour dates on the docket, the band seems quite content to ride out Idiot's success as long as the album continues to have momentum---despite how burned out on it the many of us may seem to be.

So, what about a new album?:

...Armstrong has a head start as far as that's concerned, admitting he has "about 15 new songs" in the hopper already. "Right now, it's that no-pressure/fun stage of just getting on a four-track and coming up with some goofy stuff," he says. "Eventually, something sort of unfolds. It's exciting. The juices are always flowing."

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

The Nicest Guy in Rock Still Feuding Love


According to a Spin article, Courtney Love and Dave Grohl are still at odds over who has the rights to Nirvana's earnings. Claiming that Grohl was "taking money from [her] child [Frances Bean]," Love continued to berate the grunge band's former drummer by calling him one of rock's "biggest jerks."

"Dave gets to walk away unscathed and be the happy guy in rock, when he's one of the biggest jerks," Love says in the August issue of Spin, on newsstands Friday. "He's been taking money from my child for years."

As for being the "nicest guy in rock," Grohl wonders where the title came from.

"I don't know. Because I don't do coke?" Grohl asks Spin. "I supposed it's not taking anything for granted and feeling lucky to be here.

As for my two cents, I personally think Courtney Love is a selfish, marginally-talented slob who is trying to get a piece of her deceased husband's pie before it goes to her daughter, Frances, once she turns 18.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Veda to Release New Album Tomorrow



Kansas City, Mo.'s indie-alternative quartet, Veda, will be releasing their new album The Weight of an Empty Room July 26th on Second Nature Recordings. Vocalist Kristin May channels the likes of Rilo Kiley, while the band could evoke a wide range of comparisons. The band, which has only been together for a year, has taken off quickly with the local and national scene, drawing lots of attention and acclaim. Veda will be on tour with Dredg through September, and then hit the road again with Thrice during the October-November months.

Only a year into their existence, Veda has not only built a fervid underground following, but they've crafted a wholly unique sound that is as equally rapturous as it is leveling. Kristen May's charmingly colossal voice navigates a musical ship riveted together by its stunning melodic qualities and powered by its anthemic passion. Brian Little's guitar lines lie somewhere between U2 and Elliot while the rhythm section of Jason Douglas and Drew Little is reminiscent of the infamous Will Goldsmith/Nate Mendel anchor of Sunny Day Real Estate. Musical prowess alone, however, is nothing without the work ethic to give up the comfort and security of home to jump in a van and hit the road. So far in the first part of 2005 alone they've toured the US four times and are looking at a full schedule for the remainder of the year.


Check out Veda's homepage and myspace links to hear tracks from The Weight of an Empty Room.

Neil Young - 'Down By the River'

In this track the Godfather of Grunge, Neil Young, implements rustic guitar and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young-esque harmonization to paint the picture of a relationship gone awry. Not real lyrically intricate, the guitar-heavy tune carries on for a whopping nine minutes, but is worth every second. Bluesy, organic and reflective, 'Down By the River' serves as one of Decade's most laid back slow jams.

'Down By the River' MP3

========================

Be on my side,
I'll be on your side,
baby
There is no reason
for you to hide
It's so hard for me
staying here all alone
When you could be
taking me for a ride.

Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.

You take my hand,
I'll take your hand
Together we may get away
This much madness
is too much sorrow
It's impossible
to make it today.

Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.

Be on my side,
I'll be on your side,
baby
There is no reason
for you to hide
It's so hard for me
staying here all alone
When you could be
taking me for a ride.

Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead
.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Detroit Reporters Don't Know Jack; Eminem NOT Retiring

Detroit reporters had released information last week citing rapper Eminem was calling it quits---forever. However, a week later, the lyrical gangsta says "not so fast!" According to an MTV News article the rapper claimed he was only simply taking a break, nothing more, nothing less:

"When I say I'm taking a break, I'm taking a break from my music to go in the studio and produce my other artists and put their albums out. That's called taking a break for me," Em told MTV News. "When I know my next move, I'll tell everyone my next move. Not some reporter who writes a story about 'This is Eminem's last album.' I never said [Encore] was my last album. I never said anything yet. I don't know what I'm doing yet. Nothing is definite, you know what I'm sayin'? Nothing is written in stone."

Frances Bean Out; Sally Field's Son In

The New York Post reports that Courtney Love is flaming mad that love child with Kurt Cobain, Frances Bean, was left off of Steven Spielberg's son's Bar Mitzvah guest list. Sawyer Spielberg knows Frances via their shared love of horses. In related news, Sally Field's son, Sam, was invited to the bash.

Friday, July 22, 2005

Autolux Gearing Up to Open for Nine Inch Nails


LA Hypno Rockers Autolux are preparing for one of the biggest gigs in their band's short life: being the opening act for Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age in their approaching fall tour. Apparently, Trent Reznor has been a fan of the group for some time:


"There were one or two interviews with Trent Reznor where he talked about us and then soon after that, someone contacted us about the tour. That's what's really nice about it -- it came from him. I think he had two or three bands he wanted to open the tour and we were one of them." [Guitarist Greg Edwards]


Autolux is slated to tour throughout the rest of 2005, with thoughts of writing and recording a new album increasingly creeping into the picture:

"I'm sort of hoping that at the end of this year that we'll be done but then again, it all depends on what happens," Edwards says. "If the record starts taking off more, then there is more pressure to tour. If that happens, wonderful, but if not, wonderful also because that means some time in the next
three or four months we'll get to start working on the next record."

Thursday, July 21, 2005

XFM Poll: Muse is Greatest Indie Band Evaaaah!

According to listeners of the UK's XFM (not to be confused with XM Satellite Radio here in the colonies) the greatest indie band in the world right now is Muse. The Radiohead sound-alike band found mainstream success here in the States throughout the past year with the singles 'Time is Running Out' and 'Stockholm Syndrome.'

The XMF Greatest Indie Band Vote asked listeners to rate their favorite musicians in the realms of vocals, drums, guitar and bassist. From there, the plan was to combine the top vote-getters of each category in order to make the best hypothetical indie band. Since Muse musicians topped all four categories (Matt Bellamy took both the singer and guitarist slots), essentially the greatest indie band is the non-hypothetical, already existent Muse.

Runner-ups included:

Singer:
Thom Yorke (Radiohead)
Liam Gallagher (Oasis)

Guitarist:
Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
Noel Gallagher (Oasis)

Bassist:
Andy Bell (Oasis)
Mani (The Stone Roses / Primal Scream)

Drummer
Dave Grohl (Nirvana)
Phil Selway (Radiohead)

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Sweet Mash-up: Deelite vs No Doubt

Found this little gem over at Between Thought and Expression. It's Deelite's 'Groove is in the Heart' vs. No Doubt's 'Hella Good.' Check it out!

Weiland's 2003 Drug Charge Dropped


It's good to see that one of the greatest frontmen of all time is beginning to get his drug addiction under control:

A felony drug charge filed in 2003 against Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland was dismissed following the singer's stint in rehab.

The artist's decade-long battle with heroin addiction was cited as one reason his former band, Stone Temple Pilots, broke up. He was first arrested for heroin possession in California in 1995. He served five months in jail in 1999 before being arrested again in 2003.

Drowning Pool to Reveal New Singer

According to Drowning Pool's official website, the metal act will unveil their new lead singer at their Dallas Ozzfest Main Stage performance - Thursday August 25th at the Smirnoff Music Center.

To those interested in their single "Think" you can download the MP3 safely here.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Most Likely to be Mistaken for a Homeless Person: Marcus Congleton

Quite a few underground music news publications have been having field days lately ripping on the not-so-pretty performers at Coney Island's Siren Festival that occurred over the weekend. However, when it comes to Ambulance LTD's Marcus Congleton, Spin magazine, in particular, has bestowed upon him the not-so-great label of Most Likely to be Mistaken for a Homeless Person:

Marcus Congleton, the emaciated singer and guitarist of beloved indie band Ambulance Ltd., may have a model-worthy face, but his dirty wife-beater and stringy hair made him look like he should have been begging for change on the seaside instead of fronting a band. Luckily, Congleton's singing voice didn't seem to be affected by the dirt as he led Ambulance through a tight set that mixed old favorites with a few new songs. One promising new track was entitled "Somalia," maybe because Congleton currently empathizes with its inhabitants.

The last I checked, the more homeless looking an artist, the better his/her music was. Does the grunge music explosion ring any bells?? Tell ya what Spin, how 'bout you stick to covering music, and we'll leave the male fashion tips to GQ.

Kaiser Chiefs Favored For Mercury Music Prize

The Kaiser Chiefs' debut album, "Employment" (B Unique/Polydor), is the leading contender for the 2005 Nationwide Mercury Prize, the shortlist for which was unveiled today (July 19) in London. The prize recognizes the best albums of British and Irish music.

The So-So-So Exciting World of Hillary Duff

Hilary Duff has a message for anyone who thinks they know her: You don't.

The 17-year-old teen queen, who's used to dealing with the pressures of the glaringly hot media spotlight, is breaking loose in the video for her new single, "Wake Up," unveiling some new looks and a more mature pop-techno sound.


Hillary Duff: So rebellious, so feisty....so cliche! Give me a break.

Monday, July 18, 2005

Gretchen Wilson Single Takes Ringtone Route

The latest in the recent convergence of pop music and technology, another artist has chosen to release their single first via cellphone ringtone:

Cingular Wireless customers are the first to hear the latest single from Gretchen Wilson. The country artist's "All Jacked Up," the title cut of Wilson's forthcoming sophomore, is available as a ringtone via the wireless carrier's Cingular Sounds program before it can be heard on radio or purchased in any other format.

Wilson's single is the second to bow via Cingular's exclusive ringtone program, following Coldplay's "Speed of Sound" in April. The initiative has offered exclusive post-release ringtones from Gwen Stefani's Interscope album "Love, Angel, Music, Baby."


Woo hoo for Cingular customers. Boy, do I sure envy them...considering how much I like country music and all. I really think this whole ringtone craze is rather ridiculous. Listening to music blare through your tiny cellphone speaker is kind of like having your overzealous friend call you from the Slayer concert he's attending. He holds his phone up to the band, and all you can make out on the other end is a loud cackle of static. Honestly, if you absolutely can't wait until 'All Jacked Up' hits the stores and radio airwaves to the point you feel the need to pay for the rights to download it as a ringtone, perhaps you should have your musical tastes reassesed.

Sunday, July 17, 2005

The Who - 'Eminence Front'










Eminence Front

The Who
It's Hard


After years of intense success, British rockers The Who were slammed by tragedy. With the death of legendary drummer Keith Moon in 1978, just months after the release of Who Are You, the band had seemed to have met an all-too-abrupt end. Prior to Moon's death, the band members had already been forming independent careers, and it wasn't unknown that Moon and guitarist-songwriter Pete Townshend had each struggled with addictions; however, the band had held together. After Moon's overdose, the remainder of the band had to consider whether or not to go on working together.
In 1979 they hired a new drummer and added a keyboardist, and decided to work on new material and tour towards the end of the year. But that wasn't an end to the band's tragedies. In December, eleven people were trampled to death while trying to attain festival seating at a show in Cincinatti. The band fell apart, with each of the three going solo. After a solo album featuring the hit 'Let My Love Open the Door', Townshend became addicted to cocaine, tranquilizers, heroin, and alcohol - nearly dying himself from an O.D. in '81.
That same year they managed to reform, and put out two final LPs by the end of '82. Face Dances, the first of the two, sold well but received mixed reviews. The second, It's Hard, wasn't that lucky. Critics thought the band was starting to sound too much like Townshend's solo creations, but without producing anything all that captivating.

So this finally brings me to the real meat of this post. Now, some die-hard fans of The Who might disagree with me here, but for their last album, they did produce at least one song that I feel is most definitely worth mentioning. 'Eminence Front', a song which Townshend lends his vocals, is a great track - chilling, and worthy of being one of the group's last recording efforts. The song opens with keyboards,and then the other instruments enter to break it down to a groove. The guitar whips out a mellow solo within the first two minutes prior to any vocals. From there, Townshend begins to lay down his concise,unnerving lyrics over the funk of the rhythm section; periodically breaking into a call and response of "It's an eminence front - It's a put on!" The entire song reminds me of something you'd expect to hear on some '80s cop-drama, maybe even Miami Vice. Apparently the song is featured on the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas soundtrack, so maybe that is appropriate. Anyway, the song continues this path, with Townshend reminding the listener that "people forget that they're hiding." To me, this might be the perfect ending to the band. The three original members later admitted that they felt The Who died with the loss of Keith Moon, and the fact that the band had tried to forge on into the '80s might make the entire song. Aging rockers faced with the crossroads of where to go next, perhaps? Maybe Townshend was reflecting upon himself, pondering about hiding his feelings about Moon's death, or his subsequent struggles with drugs afterwards? These are all just my own thoughts on the song, but despite the true meaning, the song has a quality of strength - denying to go down without a fight.



The sun shines and people forget
The spray flies as the speedboat glides, and people forget
Forget they're hiding
The girls smile and people forget
The snow packs as the skier tracks, and people forget
Forget they're hiding
Behind an eminence front
Eminence front, it's a put on
Come and join the party, dress to kill
Won't you come and join the party, dress to kill
The drinks flow, people forget
The big wheel spins, the hair thins, people forget
The news slows, people forget
The shares crash, hopes are dashed, people forget
Forget they're hiding
Behind an eminence front
Eminence front, it's a put on
Come and join the party, dress to kill
Won't you come and join the party, dress to
Won't you come and join the party, dress to
Won't you come and join the party, dress to
Won't you come and join the party, dress to
Dress yourself, dress to kill

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Etheridge to Release Tom Petty Cover; Breaks Hearts of the Heartbreakers in Process

Melissa Etheridge is set to release her rendition of 'Refugee' as the first single off her soon available greatest hits collection. Frankly, I haven't heard the recording yet, but I am willing to bet it sucks horribly (or is it horribly sucks?). I can actually dig some of Missy's stuff from time to time, but judging from the following description, this cover seems only to serve as a springboard back onto top 40 AC and pop rotation:

Melissa Etheridge takes on Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' "Refugee" as the first single from her forthcoming greatest-hits album, "The Road Less Traveled." While the Petty original had an uncluttered, solid groove and a fairly uptempo beat, Etheridge goes the slow-burn, jangle-rock route. She and producer John Shanks throw in a mess of guitars and turn the song into a semi-personal anthem for Etheridge. While the singer's radio fortunes have faded over time, her stellar Grammy Awards performance earlier this year might make programers take a second listen.

Jangle-rock??? Going the way of REM with one of Tom Petty's sweetest songs sounds WAY......uh....awesome. Yeah right. Great job Melissa.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Index Case Announces Release Date

Slipknot may not have the prestigious title of "that band from Iowa" for much longer. Ten minutes from Des Moines hails the hard-rocking quartet known as Index Case; a band which the press has often applauded for upstaging many of the national acts it's opened for. A large, devoted following and an intense live show have helped propel the band to mainstage performances at some of the area's larger music festivals. Having kept track of the band since about 1999, I am definitely excited for them as they have just announced the release date for their major label debut, due out in late September.

Index Case, who is the first signing to Tim King (SOiL) and Rob Such's (Twelfth Gate) Mortal Music/ Platform/ Fontana/ Universal Records, will be shooting their debut music video with director Chad Calek (Bleeding Through, Taking Back Sunday, Curt Smith of Tears For Fears) on August 6th, 2005, in the band's hometown of Indianola, Iowa. The video will be for the single "Deserver", which appears on Index Case's self-titled Mortal Music/Platform/Fontana/Universal debut release, due to hit the shelves nationwide on Sept 27th, 2005.


Check out the band's website for added information, audio/video clips, and more.

Pearl Jam rocking Montana for Democrat

My two favorite interests in life, music and politics, have come together as Pearl Jam has decided to play Missoula, Montana August 29, in an effort to raise funds for Democratic US Senatorial challenger Jon Tester:

Tickets for the Adams Center show go on sale July 23 via Tickets West. Tester, currently Montana Senate president, is one of several Democrats vying to challenge U.S. Senator Conrad Burns, a Republican seeking his fourth term.

The benefit comes on the heels of a recently announced Sept. 1 show in George, Wash., which sold out in three hours, and a Sept. 30-Oct. 1 stand at the Borgata in Atlantic City, N.J., which sold out in two minutes. In between, Pearl Jam will play a 16-date Canadian tour beginning Sept. 2 in Vancouver and open a Sept. 28 show for the Rolling Stones in Pittsburgh.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Ted's Song of the Week - 07/13/05



Time to Waste
Alkaline Trio
Crimson

Before now, if you were to ask me about Alkaline Trio, i would've said they were just another punk-rock band polluting the airwaves. Good thing i decided to give them a chance recently. I knew from the moment i heard the opening track, "Time to Waste", that Crimson was going to be a great record to listen to. This is pop music with a violent streak.
To hear "Time to Waste" is to take a tank for a Sunday drive. It can be relaxing and even scenic, but you better believe there is the possibility of carnage. The first 30 seconds features a piano intro to lower the listeners defenses before the band launches into a musical assualt to shred the serenity. Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano's harmonies complement the already stellar rhythms one can find on this album.
Other key tracks: Burn, Dethbed, Prevent This Tragedy

Lyrics:
There's someone down below blowing you a kiss.
They watch from their windows
as all arms fall to their sides,
and all eyes fix on the death of tomorrow.
And you found everything you need
to make a life complete,
completely revolting and they have safety and relief
For sale down the street.
I see you in line every day

You had time to waste and I'm not sorry,
such a basket case, hide the cutlery.
I had time to kill, it's dead and buried.
You've got guts to spill but no one trustworthy.

These creatures are waking up in these dark trees.
Awaiting like vultures.
Eyes roll back turn white in time to feed
They salivate in hunger.
for you, and everything they need
to make a death complete,
completely unnatural and salvation lies
behind those dead eyes that watch you while you sleep every night, and

You had time to waste and I'm not sorry,
such a basket case, hide the cutlery.
I had time to kill, it's dead and buried.
You've got guts to spill but no one trustworthy.

You had time to waste and I'm not sorry,
such a basket case, hide the cutlery.
I had time to kill, it's dead and buried.
You've got guts to spill but no one trustworthy.

Killing Joke - 'Love Like Blood'

Not really intended as a Song of the Week, this post is more of something that I have just felt like adding to share my own thoughts on some tracks that I feel are worth checking out. Sometimes I might do one review a week; other times I may post more or less frequently. Just my little way of adding to your musical experience here at the Lonely Note ;)


Love Like Blood
Killing Joke
Night Time

Killing Joke has remained a band in some form or another, off-and-on since the late 1970s, however it has always managed to stay relatively underground. In somewhat the same fashion as Motorhead, Killing Joke mixed the sounds of the punk movement with the edge of metal. However, where Killing Joke splits off is that it also delved into the experimental realm of synthesizers that defined a lot of alternative rock/pop music in the '80s. With their 1985 album Night Time, Killing Joke had awoken from a hiatus to create one of the most commercially-successful records of its career. The song 'Eighties' from this album is now looked back upon as one of the group's more influential songs, since it is considered that Nirvana cloned the guitar for their own song 'Come As You Are.'

The song 'Love Like Blood' made it on the UK's Top20 chart, but didn't gain quite as big of a US following. The song managed to sound enough like Duran Duran or Tears for Fears to make it on the dance charts, while maintaining Killing Joke's dark and brooding intensity. The song's driving rhythm and the mysterious quality of its guitar and keyboard work makes it easy to get caught up bobbing your head without really paying attention or giving credit to the song's intelligent lyrics. While the song remains catchy, the lyrics create depressing scenes of alienation and utter disappointment.

We must play our lives like soldiers in the field.
The life is short
I'm running faster all the time.
Strength and beauty destined to decay
So cut the rose in full bloom.
Till the fearless come and the act is done
A love like blood
A love like blood.
Till the fearless come and the act is done
A love like blood
A love like blood.
Everyday through all frustration and despair
Love and hate fight with burning hearts.
Till legends live and man is god again
And self-preservation rules the day no more.
We must dream of promised lands and fields
that never fade in season
As we move towards no end
we lean to die.
Red tears are shed on grey.
Till the fearless come and the act is done


Killing Joke may have stayed somewhat unknown to the masses, but the influence can be seen in numerous bands that have gained popularity since. Helping pave the way for what would later be called industrial music, Killing Joke never quite fell into any one category. For more information, I would highly recommend checking out the AMG articles on the band and the song 'Love Like Blood.'

Keith Richards to Make Hollywood Debut

ROLLING STONES’ guitarist KEITH RICHARDS is set to make his HOLLYWOOD debut.

Following some speculation, it appears Richards will star in a ’Pirates Of The Caribbean’ sequel.

"I can confirm, Keith Richards will appear in ’Pirates Of The Caribbean’ 2 or 3,” explained co-star Bill Nighy to Contactmusic.com. “I'm not sure which one, because they are being filmed back to back."

The Rolling Stone is expected to play the father of Johnny Depp’s character Captain Jack Sparrow who was largely based on Richards real life persona in the original film.

Franz Ferdinand announce well-titled new LP

Scottish four-piece angular chart overlords Franz Ferdinand have announced details of their brand new album for this Autumn.
Opting to call the record exactly the same thing as the last, which humorously enough is the same moniker they chose for the band itself, ('Franz Ferdinand') it will also bear the same artwork but with altered colours.

The band have announced a US tour around the release and are expected to perform a similar action involving UK dates over the next month.

Friday, July 08, 2005

Nails fans offered 'Only' remix

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor is inviting fans to download his band's new single, "Only," and to remix or alter it any way they choose.

He did a similar experiment with NIN's previous single, "The Hand That Feeds," limited to Apple's Garageband audio format. "I've enjoyed and cringed at what you've done with my song," Reznor said in a message on http://www.NIN.com. "Thank you (I think)."

This time he has opened it up to both Mac and PC users by posting the track in Ableton Live, Digidesign Pro Tools LE and Sony Acid Xpress/Pro in addition to Garageband.

Death Cab's Atlantic Debut Due In Late August


Death Cab For Cutie sticks with its trademark emotional rock'n'roll sound on "Plans," its major-label debut for Atlantic after releasing four studio sets on Barsuk. Due Aug. 30, the 11-track set will be led by the acoustic guitar-tinged single "Soul Meets Body," which will be delivered Sept. 13 to U.S. radio outlets.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Audioscrobbler

For those interested in sharing the tracks they've been playing on their favorite media player with the rest of the world, Audioscrobbler is the perfect site. Simply download an appropriate plug-in (iTunes and WMP plug-ins included), set-up an account and voila!, your media player will automatically submit your playlist information to Audioscrobbler, where unique stats will be compiled on your own personal page. Share your specific URL with others so they can keep up to date on exactly what Joe-Music-Listener is spinning.

System and Volta Tour Dates Unveiled

System of a Down and Mars Volta have announced their joint tour dates. Kicking off in mid-September, the ten-date joint venture will wrap up at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon, October 6.

Now I don't know about you guys, but I think it would be pretty sweet for Mars Volta and Thirty Seconds to Mars to tour together under the banner THE RED PLANET TOUR. Wonk, Wonk!

The SOAD/Volta tour dates are listed below:

Sept. 17: Vancouver (Pacific Coliseum)
Sept. 19: Calgary (Pengrowth Saddledome)
Sept. 20: Edmonton (Rexall Arena)
Sept. 22: Winnipeg, Manitoba (MTS Centre)
Sept. 23: Minneapolis (Xcel Center)
Sept. 29: Detroit (Joe Louis Arena)
Sept. 30: Chicago (Allstate Arena)
Oct. 2: Denver (Pepsi Coliseum)
Oct. 5: Seattle (Key Arena)
Oct. 6: Portland, Ore. (Rose Garden)

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Arcade Fire, !!! Lead Initial CMJ Artists

The Arcade Fire, !!!, Blackalicious, Nouvelle Vague, Annie, the Brian Jonestown Massacre, the Wrens, Kaki King and Atmosphere are among the first acts confirmed for the 25th annual CMJ Music Marathon, which will be held Sept. 14-17 throughout venues in New York.

Other artists who have signed on to perform are the Hold Steady, Dungen, John Vanderslice, Against Me!, the Constantines, Battles, Kinski, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Rogue Wave, Early Man, Channels, Dirty On Purpose, Walking Concert, Athlete, Acid Mothers Temple and Funeral For A Friend.

Monday, July 04, 2005

Justin Hawkins' New Website

For those interested in news and notes about Justin Hawkins' new solo endeavours this website has been launched.

Franz Ferdinand Finds Its Edge On New Album

Franz Ferdinand is about a week away from locking down the track list for its sophomore album, which will be released Oct. 4 by Domino/Epic. "We haven't decided on a running order yet," lead singer Alex Kapranos tells Billboard.com by phone from the studio. "We've been through about 25 songs altogether and we're mixing 15 songs; of those 15, we'll probably choose 12 or 13."

Kapranos said he was confident the following tracks will end up making the album: "Do You Want To?" (the intended first single), "Walk Away," "Turn It On," "I'm Your Villain," "Evil and a Heathen," "This Boy," "Well, That Was Easy," "Outsiders" and "You Could Have It So Much Better."

Steve's Retro Song of the Week: Third Eye Blind - '1000 Julys'


One of the issues that has come up with the phrase "retro song of the week" here at the Lonely Note is what exactly constitutes "retro." For most of us, songs over thirty years old clearly fit within the bounds of the definition. But when it comes to newer songs, or songs within the last five to ten years, the parameters are slightly more sketchy. Can a song released in 1999 appropriately be filed under the title "retro?"

Combining my editing powers with my current festive mood (It's Independence Day, Duh!!) I made a creative decision that, yes, '1000 Julys' could, indeed, be called a retro song. After all, it was recorded and released last century ;) And while many of our short-lived readers may feel immediately old with this week's choice, I will remind them that six years ago folks were stockpiling canned goods in preparation of Y2K disasters, the World Trade Center towers stood proudly and Fred Durst was all the rage. In other words, a lot has changed in a relatively short time.

All tongue-in-cheek banter aside, '1000 Julys' was one of the stand out tracks on Third Eye Blind's follow up to their 1997 smash debut. With powerful, crunchy guitar, grunge's lingering influence on the band is apparent in this particular tune. Steven Jenkins, an English grad from Berkeley, again fails to disappoint with his powerful and profound lyrics dealing with relationships and personal insecurity:


I'd say the words but no words come to mind
But you let me in and I don't know why
But when you come it's like a thousand julys

Overall, this song blitzkriegs while providing the hooky guitar and beach-rockesque harmonization unique to the band at the same time. Sure, the song could also fall under the cheesy category, but cheesy in the same way Kirk Cameron was on Growing Pains: the bad boy and All-American boy at the same time.

Have a great 4th of July folks!!
=========================================================
Planning my attack just before you come back around
Maybe I'm wrong but I don't know how to back down
I never fit in you know I don't belong
But you know that I don't care when you and me are strong
Cause I'm a vampire y'all
We toast the blood of our enemies
You're still scaring me no still scaring me no
And we don't fit in
Wonder what it's like when you're living with someone like me
I'm a freak and I'm nervous when it's easy
Feral days and I'm sex crazed
I put it in with my animal ways
That's the sign I was born to be living in
I ran around and gave the finger to the ritalin
You know you calm me down and I can't say why
You say goodbye and burn my eyes
A thousand july's
I hope you find
I'd give you the words but no words come to mind
But you turn me so cold so I tell you lies
When you let me in it's like a thousand julys
When you left I felt the drop like a boom
Wintertime all alone in your bedroom
I don't blame you and I know I'm not your friend
How we live young american
I guess I've always known I'd be on my own
I'd be on my own and I don't know why I don't know why
A thousand julys
I know you'll find
I'd say the words but no words come to mind
But you let me in and I don't know why
But when you come it's like a thousand julys
A thousand julys
That's what you are
I'd tell you to come back now but we've gone too far
And we've burned it out now
I don't even try
But I feel you gone
I lost a thousand julys


Third Eye Blind "Blue" torrent

Friday, July 01, 2005

Sevendust Announces What's "Next" for the Band

Sevendust has been in the studio working on new material for their 5th record, entitled Next. The release date has been set for October 11th, 2005. On their new site, http://www.Sevendust.info the band sheds some light into their recent struggles and discusses a promising new album:



(Sevendust) "We have been on a roller coaster ride since May of 2004. We replaced our management company with MG Management, dug out of financial despair, watched a record deal dissolve, and replaced a guitarist all in the course of six months. This left us in the position to do things one-way, our way. In January of this year, we locked ourselves away and shut out the outside world and began writing, recording, and self-producing or fifth album entitled, Next. For the first time since very early in our careers, we had no outside interference, no one telling us how to sound, no one telling us what to look like. The end result is truly gratifying. After feeling like a battered and ugly wife for so long, it was amazing to see the reaction to what we created from such a large percentage of the record industry. After weighing many options we decided to sign with Winedark/Universal who subsequently offered us our own record label imprint, 7Bros. Records. The excitement that we feel from these individuals, is something we have never felt before. It is safe to say we don’t feel so ugly after all."


If you visit the site, you can listen to the new track 'Pieces'.