Earlier in the week Carl took to facebook to field questions, survive accolades and pleading to visit everyone's town to play. He posted a couple of pics and the link to his latest. It's much more "Libertine-esque" than his last album. Check it out:
How do they remain so consistent? Few artists who have existed as many decades can say as much. Listen here and feel free to post your first impressions of the track.
I consider Sundance a nice warm-up to SXSW. In doing some research about what’s playing and who/what we’ll be hearing about in the next week I found something that has fascinated me. It’s a documentary called “Google and The World Brain.”
There are several layers to the filmmaker’s synopsis: copyrights for authors (can’t help but compare this to musicians) as well as the right to access of information vs. the monopoly of information. I’ve long been a Google fan, but with the latest change to their search algorithm their stock has plummeted (in my book). If the trailer intrigues you, definitely make a point to read a Q&A with the filmmaker over on IndieWire. Ben Lewis has had a pretty broad view of the world throughout his career. He claims the message of his film is ’Down with technoutopianism!’” Huh. I think I just added a new word to my vocabulary!
Now I’m off to search for a copy of H. G. Wells’ “World Brain.”
Here’s a broad look at recent music news for the middle of January:
I am looking forward to the ‘Mats material – especially ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’. And here’s more new music to try out:
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ ‘Jubilee Street’
Luv the fact he referenced “Diary of A Rock And Roll Star”! Billy, you’re aces. 
Features video
Play it big. Play it loud. Just PLAY it!
Ran across this article and had to share it as it’s a little amusing. At first I was concerned Dave was making a major wardrobe change, but alas, that’s not the case. Whew! The MSN blurb says it all:
When I read this statement I knew I had to check out this band: “Our record reminds us of Bobby Gillespie and Joe Strummer in a fist fight.”
Not quite sure where the Joe Strummer part comes in, but this LA-area band definitely digs Primal Scream. Think dirty, LA signature sound with a hint of the ‘Scream mixed in. I listened to the full album (titled “Near & Undear”) tonight. There are clear UK influences yet it contains more hard-edged rock than one would expect. The band takes notes from their influences and makes them their own.
A couple of things worth noting -1) I really like several songs deep into the tracklisting. In fact, I would recommend “Waking Up The World” (via Spotify) and “Want It All” if you only listen to 2 tracks. 2) Solid songwriting. I think there’s some promise here.
If their vibe is a little too hard for your taste, give the track “Sister Anne” a try.
Mountain Picnic Blues will be available in March (of course it’s going to be released in March along with every other cool album I’m looking forward to) and highlights all things related to their work on “Tellin’ Stories”. Fifteen years on I’m sure the band’s perspective dealing with the loss of Rob and realizing what a once-in-a-lifetime album they had created will make for a great retrospective. Beautiful album that’s worth a full listen now and then.
BTW, has anyone checked out Tim’s latest album?
“If Leonard Cohen was the author . . . and John Cale was its editor,” writes Light, “Buckley was the song’s ultimate performer.”
The Holy Or The Broken by Alan Light
I’ve lamented about the evolution of Cohen’s masterpiece and this book takes on the subject in detail. I didn’t know exactly when Cale had recorded the track. Buckley’s version came 10 years after the original recording. Lots of goodies about the song that has become the go-to track in the face of national loss and hurt.
Feels good to be talking (and hearing) new Black Rebel Motorcycle Club music. During my week off at the folks over the holidays I was excited to hear Robert’s Dad’s band, The Call on one of the hometown radio stations. I think the last time I heard “Let The Day Begin” was when I had learned of Michael Been’s passing. It was refreshing to hear the track. As I got back to my place this weekend (and to my laptop rather than using Mom’s iPad) I was blown away to see the playlist for their recent Troubador show. Top of the list was “Let The Day Begin!”
And it’s one of the tracks off the new album to boot. Double treat: Tom Ferrier of The Call guested on the song during their Santa Cruz gig. I tell you, BRMC always hits it right. I don’t know how they do it, but why question it. Enjoy the tracks below and here’s a link to a blog review of the Slim’s show via 402 Productions.
The “Six Barrel Shotgun” performance 402 Productions writes about:
Cleanest version of “Let The Day Begin” I can find (Troubador):
