http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Sat, 13 Sep 2003 04:28:47 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. 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Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/09/13/042847.php Lennat MakIf you dig the work of Michel Gondry, there's a piece of good news.Palm Pictures will be releasing an on-going series that highlights the work of filmakers who have helped re-define music videos and filmmaking over the last decade.From their official website, "each volume features music videos, shorts and commercials hand-picked by the directors, exclusive audio and video commentaries from featured artists and collaborators, unreleased shorts and documentaries and much more. A 52-page companion book including photographs, storyboards, treatments, drawings and interviews comes with each specially packaged DVD."Included in the series so far are Spike Jonze and Chris Cunningham. To read more about this release, check out the official website here. Video8350@blogcritics.org Sat, 13 Sep 2003 04:28:47 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/09/13/042021.php Lennat MakThe official website of The White Stripes has premiered the video to the new single "The Hardest Button To Button."Directed by Michel Gondry, the video sees Jack and Meg appearing with a lot of drumsets and amps that move along with the beat. Beck, good friend of the band, also made a special appearance in the video.To watch the video, head on to the official website here. Quicktime player will be needed. Screenshots of the video are available at Triple Tremelo. Music8349@blogcritics.org Sat, 13 Sep 2003 04:20:21 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/06/20/030930.php Lennat MakThe White Stripes will be releasing "The Hardest Button To Button" as their new single.According to MTV.com, Jack and Meg have chosen the song "as the second single from their fourth album, Elephant. A video for the track will be shot next month, but the band has not yet decided on a director."Previously, word has it that the next White Stripes single might be "Black Math." It was reported by the Detroit Free Press that the video has already been shot by Anthony Garth and was premiered at the Planet Ant Festival in Hamtramck, Detroit. Apparently, the "Black Math" video is a live performance shoot at the Masonic Temple gig on April 16, and according to the report, "what makes this different from the usual live performance video is that (Garth ) bled all the color out of the film except the reds, in keeping with the red-and-white color scheme that has become the band's visual trademark."The White Stripes are currently in heat of their tour around America, with a few dates slotted in for UK festivals and a one-night stint in Montreal Canada. Catch them at the following places: -6/21: Orlando, Hard Rock Live 6/23: New Orleans, Municipal Auditorium 6/24: Houston, Verizon Wireless Theatre 6/25: Austin, Stubb's BBQ 6/26: Grand Prairie, Nextstage 6/27: Oklahoma, Bricktown Events Center 6/28: Kansas, Memorial Hall 6/30: St. Louis, The Pageant 7/01: Chicago, Aragon Ballroom 7/02: Chicago, Aragon Ballroom 7/03: St. Paul, Roy Wilkins Auditorium 7/12: T In The Park 7/13: Witness Festival 7/19: Providence, Lupos 7/20: Boston, Fleet Boston Pavilion 7/21: NYC, Roseland Ballroom 7/22: NYC, Roseland Ballroom 7/23: NYC, Central Park 7/25: Philadelphia, Penns Landing 7/26: Washington DC, GW Smith Center 7/27: Norfolk, Norva Theater 7/29: Nashville, Ryman Auditorium 7/30: Indianapolis, Egyptian Room at Murat Centre 8/01: Pittsburgh, AJ Palumbo Center 8/02: Cincinati, Bogarts 8/03: Columbus, Promowest Pavilion 8/04: Cleveland, Tower City Amphitheatre 8/06: Montreal Quebec, Metropolis 8/08: Milwaukee, Rave/Eagles Ballroom 8/10: Detroit, Masonic Temple 8/23: Reading Festival 8/24: Leeds Festival Music6342@blogcritics.org Fri, 20 Jun 2003 03:09:30 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/06/07/020541.php Lennat MakThe Coral will be releasing their new single "Pass It On" on July 14, followed by their much-anticipated album "Magic And Medicine" on July 28 in the U.K.According to Deltasonic's newsletter, the album will contain 12 tracks, including the band's recent Top 10 single "Don't Think You're The First."Tracklisting of "Magic And Medicine" according to Deltasonic: 1. In The Forest 2. Don't Think You're The First 3. Liezah 4. Gypsy Market Blues 5. Secret Kiss 6. Milkwood Blues 7. Bill McCai 8. Eskimo Lament 9. Careless Hands 10. Pass It On 11. All Of Our Love 12. ConfessionsIn other news, The Coral is currently gearing up for their biggest headlining gig to date.A mini-festival of sorts, A Midsummer Night's Scream will see The Coral as the headlining act with fellow label mates and friends -- The Basement, The Zutons, The Libertines, The Thrills and The Bees -- as supporting acts."We wanted to do a proper homecoming gig, something a bit special. It's being held in a tent on this ghost pier. Not many people do things like this because it loses them money, but that's not the point really. We're hoping to get The Bees to play too, and if so then it will be all the best new bands in the country playing on one bill. I've never seen The Libertines and it's been ages since we last caught The Zutons, so I can't wait," explained the 22-year-old James Skelly, guitarist and vocalists for The Coral.A Midsummer Night's Scream will be held under a specially erected 5,500 capacity tent at the Kings Parade, New Brighton, Merseyside on June 21, 2003. Tickets for this event are priced £17.50 (subject to booking fee).For more news, check out www.thecoral.co.uk. Music5988@blogcritics.org Sat, 7 Jun 2003 02:05:41 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/02/09/040646.php Lennat MakUK music publication NME unveils Jack and Meg's new image in their latest issue (The Vines on the cover) with a track-by-track preview of Elephant, to which I may add, isn't quite accurate. Don't get me wrong, it's a very positive preview. But they should at least get the lyrics right. And it's a octave guitar, not a bass guitar. Meg didn't sing "I love Jack White like a little brother." Holly GoLightly did. Research people, RESEARCH. More at Triple Tremelo's post here.Word also has it that Jack and Meg will be sporting "country outfits" for the album cover.On other side news, althought it has been reported that The White Stripes have distributed vinyl copies of Elephant to battle piracy, the full album are already available for download as MP3s on various sites. Even with the vinyl format, one can't be sure if you distributed vinyl promo to the wrong hands, who clearly has the ability to rip it to MP3 easily (we are in 2003 afterall). To counteract the problem, a 30 secs loops of the songs (made by the record label perhaps?) are actually widely available as well.Also, it has been revealed by John Peel that he was not allowed to play any more tracks from Elephant on the recent Tuesday show (February 4) due to "marketing strategy." I've listened to the show for a little while myself and it happened that the management of The Blues Goblins (I might have got the band name wrong) emailed in and thanked Peel for playing their records. In light of the closure of Elephant on his show, Peel did seem a little sour about the whole affair, comparing the ironic situations he has on hand. He did mention that he will continue to support The White Stripes but will not play any more of Elephant until he can walk into HMV and buy it himself though.It might be funny to note that his opening track for Tuesday's show was "'Play Nice Kids" by the 65DaysOfStatic.You can find out more about John Peel's musing on the show at Triple Tremelo here.The White Stripes will be embarking on a sold-out mini-UK tour in April. Tour dates are:THE WHITE STRIPES IN EUROPE April 7th: Wolverhampton (Civic) April 8th: Manchester (Apollo) April 10th: Glasgow (Academy) April 11th: London (Brixton Academy) April 12th: London (Brixton Academy)Elephant will be released on April 7 in the UK and April 15 in the US. Music3085@blogcritics.org Sun, 9 Feb 2003 04:06:46 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/02/09/032930.php Lennat MakBrendan Benson returns with a new single "Metarie" from Lapalco -- the sleeper hit album of the 2002. Hit? Did I say hit? Damn.Anyway, the song's a newly reworked version -- heavier on the pyschedelic vibe with Beach Boys style harmonising by the fabulous Wellfed Boys and a new bridge written in. This is the third version of the song I've heard so far. And all three are kinda special in their own ways.The single will be released on April 14 with the following tracklisting: -CD: Metarie (Fred de Faye Mix) / Alternative to Love / Metarie (Alpha's Dub Mix) 7": Metarie (Fred de Faye Mix) / Metarie (Alpha's Dub Mix)Video of "Metarie" is available at 56k, 100K, and 300K in windows media format at www.brendan-benson.com. Directed by Nicholas Hill and shot in Detroit, the video features some 80s style green screen effects, with an opening scene that might remind one of "Tribute" by Tenacious D.Brendan Benson will be touring Europe in March too. Tour dates according to the official website:17th Munich, Orange House 18th Dresden, Star club 19th Berlin, Magnet 20th Munster, Gleiss 22 22nd Bochum, Matrix 23rd Utrecht, Ekko Music3084@blogcritics.org Sun, 9 Feb 2003 03:29:30 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/10/20/113013.php Lennat MakCollectively known as the Donnas, Donna A, Donna C, Donna F and Donna R are a four piece girl band that first started out by releasing a couple of singles and a self-titled album on an indie label Superteem. They play an infectious blend of punk/pop and have toured with people like Joan Jett, Rocket From The Crypt, Creeper Lagoon and most notably of late, with The Strokes on their Wyckyd Sceptre Tour. After ending their stint with Lookout! Records (early home of Green Day), a record bidding war started and before one can say "punk rock rules!," the girls landed up with Altantic and are now ready to release their major label debut "Spend The Night" on October 22.And what a difference a major record deals makes. Even their official site has gone all flashy and highly interactive. A touch of glam and glitter has been added to the girls rock and rollers' image. But no room for sweeping statements like "sell-out" here, as the girls have certainly paid their dues, jamming and rocking out since they were 14 in Palo Alto, California. And just like The Hives, it's only about time that the girls get their big break into mainstream music, which has reached its saturation point with the relentless attack of sweet Planet Pop.Before you decide if you want to like The Donnas, you can listen to the entire "Spend The Night" album via www.thedonnas.com. Give it a listen and like whatever tickles your fancy. Music1401@blogcritics.org Sun, 20 Oct 2002 11:30:13 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/25/101614.php Lennat MakWoman, mid-twenties, PR executive: Stop watching The White Stripes! You are starting to look like a crazy fan!Man, mid-thirties, System Administrator: Oh dear. I always see you watching this band.Me, early twenties, music journalist: ...Back to daily trivialities, Peter was wondering if he should tell me about his experience seeing the Datsuns at Sheffield, Barfly last night (he's going to see them again tomorrow) cos he knows I don't get the chance to see all those bands he mentioned. I don't know really. I'm not sure I can want to hear Eileen telling me how good (or bad) The Vines are when she go see them in the next couple of months, or Sara telling me about The Von Bondies when she doubles up as official photographer in the coming weeks. All this makes me go crazy and having been having evil thoughts all day doesn't help either. Blah blah black sheep indeed.Jack mentioned that they might open for The Rolling Stones. More blah blah black sheeps for me. I think they are getting further and further, beyond my reach or something.Read more red and white rants at skywriting. Music833@blogcritics.org Wed, 25 Sep 2002 10:16:14 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/08/12/210208.php Lennat MakFrankly, Britain does not have to look over to Detroit for their dose of garage punk that's sending the musical trend-followers into a much-hyped frenzy. For 25 years, a certain cult legend has operated under the media radar, self-financed his own independent releases, published 30 collections of poetry, written two books and exhibited more than 2000 of his paintings. He's a poet, a painter, a punk rocker that influenced people from Kylie Minogue to Kurt Cobain to Jack White. And he's none other Billy Childish.Responsible for now-defunct underground bands like Thee Headcoats, The Mighty Ceasars, and The Milkshakes, Billy Childish returns with his 100th release "Steady The Buffs" with his new three-piece The Buff Medways (who debuted last year with their first LP "This Is This") on Graham Coxon's label, Transcopic.Considering the fact that it's Billy's 100th release and yet, none of the stripped down garage spark has been lost, "Steady The Buffs" is an instant classic rock 'n' roll album without a doubt. Unpolished with an honest simplicity, it's impossible to resist the infectious immediacy emitted by less-than-three-minute stompers like "Troubled Mind," "Dawn Said," "Vanessa Does Flavours" and "Archive From 1959." Humor is not absent too. The Edwardian-clad, moustache-donning Billy delivers the implicating working blues with exaggerated theatrics on "Times Up," hollers "you piss me off" on the second last track "You Piss Me Off" only to rectify the problem with "Ivor" -- their interpretation of the "You Are Forgiven" verse from The Who's "A Quick One While He's Away" -- on the last. Sure does sound like Billy's having more fun than the listeners on the record!The current trend of back-to-basics rock 'n' roll and The White Stripes plug might levitate Billy Childish and The Buff Medways a step higher from the underground, but it will always be the raw and powerful music that will see Billy Childish into another 25 years and perhaps, another 100 releases. Music14@blogcritics.org Mon, 12 Aug 2002 21:02:08 EDT