New Staind Out Tuesday

Shoe-gazers Staind are beginning a new chapter of their lives. Chapter 5 to be exact. On Tuesday, 'Chapter V,' the band's fifth album (if you count Tormented) will be available for purchase. One Amazon.com reviewer claims that the "acoustic guitars have been set aside," meaning this newest album is to be much harder and electrified than the previous ones.

D.F.A.1979 back in the S.T.U.D.I.O.2005

Death From Above 1979, a band which I reviewed in April are keeping busy these days. Not only is the Canadian rock duo currently touring Europe, but they will be heading back into the studio on September 1st to work on the follow up to 2004's You're a Woman, I'm a Machine.

“We are just writing it,” bass/synth player Jesse F. Keeler tells Billboard.com. “The new album will come out in March, but we will be done with it in December.” The group plans on releasing the first single in the U.K. in January, but isn't prepared to dish out any track titles just yet."
“It will probably be 10 songs long and ... epic.”

In mid-October, DFA 1979 will take a brief break from recording to open 20 dates on the Nine Inch Nails/Queens Of The Stone Age tour.

If you get the chance to go see one of those shows, I would highly recommend you do so.

Weiland Threatens to Play 'Fall to Pieces' on Upcoming Ozzfest Tour

Music magazine Metal Edge, known for its tremendous writing and premium content (on second thought, not so much), conducted an interview with Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland recently. VR will be playing on the upcoming Ozzfest tour, and Scotty decided to elaborate on just that.

More or less, if anything is to be retained from this Pulitzer-worthy music news article, it is that Velvet Revolver ISN'T afraid to play 'Fall to Pieces' at the metal fest.

You can find out exactly what I mean and read the entire article excerpt here.

Drive Safe: Sing Your Little Head Off

Good news for this guy. According to a new survey, singing while you drive may actually make you a safer driver. Conducted for a British insurance agency, researchers at the University of Sheffield probed the minds of 1,780 drivers to find that 63% of those who hadn't had an accident in 4+ years also listened to music while driving. Dr. Nicola Dibben, a music psychologist at Sheffield U, made the following statements regarding dashboard divas:

"Singing while driving stimulates not only the mind but also the body which, in turn, produces heightened alertness and reduced fatigue," she explained to the newspaper. "Singing may be less distracting than conversation because drivers recall words to songs they already know, or because it is fairly easy to learn the words to music where it uses repeated lyrics."

The article then goes on to discuss which types of music are best for driving. Supposedly dance music isn't highly recommended, but in my non-professional opinion, if you ever find yourself pulling an all-nighter across some really desolate state, electronica works wonders. Here's some lists that the experts want you to stay informed of:

Top three best driving tunes:

* "They Can't Take That Away From Me," by Frank Sinatra
* "Don't Cha Wanna Ride," by Joss Stone
* "Canon in D," by Pachelbel

Three tunes to avoid while driving:

* "Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1," by Edward Elgar
* "Firestarter," by Prodigy
* "Kim," by Eminem

...So, there you have it. How awesome is it that "Firestarter" and "Pomp & Circumstance" are both examples of what NOT to listen to? Especially when I never drive anywhere without my copy of "Pomp" on hand. I'm lucky to be alive!

Catching up with Pearl Jam

Last week, Pearl Jam was named top American rock band by readers of USA Today's Pop Candy. This week, guitarist Mike McCready answers fans' questions by way of email. Read all of his responses here.

What can you tell the fans about the new album and the next tour in North America? — Kasey Lawson, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The new album is about halfway done. It sounds incredible. Ed (Vedder) is singing like I have never heard. He has raised the bar on all the songs. I think we all have pushed each other to make (dare I say) a really classic and rockin' album. There's no release date set for the record or the tour yet, but we hope to be out playing in the States next year.

Multi-faceted Kasabian Able to Perform AND Model....At the Same Time!

Almost a real life parallel to evil Mugatu's Derelict campaign in the motion picture Zoolander, fashion company Prada is currently targeting indie rock quartet Kasabian as one of its "new faces." Apparently the dirty, desperate rocker look is all the rage in Italy right now.

Metallica, Rolling Stones to Deliver One-Two Punch

In a message sent to fan members, metal Gods Metallica have announced today they will be opening for the Rolling Stones in San Francisco November 13 and November 15. The shows, to be held at San Francisco's SBC Park, will be sure to provide an enormous wealth of entertainment for the seasoned rock music fan. Metallica themselves are quite excited:

"After having the thrill of playing with some of our personal heroes such as AC/DC, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and Ozzy (Osbourne), how could we say 'no' to the quintessential rock band, who are in some way responsible for all of this?" the band said in the email.

"These two shows are about nothing other than having fun and playing music ... nothing to sell, nothing to promote, nothing to talk about ... Simply put, this is the reason we started a band 25 or so years ago, and we are psyched and appreciative of this awesome opportunity to get cracking again..."

For those of you fortunate enough to attend one of these sure-to-be great shows, be sure to thank your lucky stars.

Pumpkins Reborn?

Rumours of a Smashing Pumpkins rekindling have been rife these past few weeks, after frontman Billy Corgan made public how much he missed his old band. However, confirmation that the band will reform has come from Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin whilst on tour promoting his new outfit, The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. Chamberlin stopped off at the Archer in Newcastle to host a drum clinic, and somewhere between offering existential music guidance and performing a solo version of Geek U.S.A. (only drums, no accompanyment), he announced that the Chicago veterans would be getting back together and aiming to tour in February 2006.

Chamberlin went on to state that the Smashing Pumpkins would not be doing "a greatest hits tour [...] we're not after your money" and that the band would work on new songs to take on the road, with the possibility of an album to ensue.
In polite discussion with his fans after the clinic, Chamberlin said that contact had been made with the two estranged former-Pumpkins James Iha and D'arcy Wretsky via e-mail, but that Corgan and himself were awaiting confirmation as to their participation. He also said that the tour would probably go ahead regardless of whether Iha and D'arcy are involved.

Another One of those Block Rockin' Beats

Electronica artists The Chemical Brothers, Paul Oakenfold and Timo Maas will be conducting one of the world's largest raves when they play ULTRA.NY September 16 in New York's Central Park. It is allegedly the first show of its kind to take place in the greenspace.

Sponge - 'Wax Ecstatic'

Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)
Sponge
Wax Ecstatic


In our lives there are moments or periods of time that we associate memory with music. Everytime you hear a particular song, it takes you right back to relive an event in your past. For me, this is one of those songs.

Sponge emerged out of Detroit in the early 90s, breaking out with 1994's Rotting Pinata, which gained them radio play with such singles as 'Plowed' and 'Molly(16 candles).' The very underrated band basically got thrown into the cluster of grunge era bandwagoners, with many critics dismissing them as a ripoff of Stone Temple Pilots. But what separated Sponge was their sense of down-and-dirty Motor City rock n roll that defined acts like KISS, Nugent, Iggy Pop, MC5, etc, etc. On the band's '96 sophomore effort, Wax Ecstatic, the band decided to expand their sound away from grunge more. Having already achieved some moderate success with Rotting Pinata, they chose to focus more on honing their 1970s roots, mixing in handfuls of glam-rock and blues, with enough anthems to fill an arena. While somewhat experimental, the album had a definite edge, able to pack a punch. The title track, 'Wax Ecstatic(To Sell Angelina)', was released as a single, but didn't draw enough attention to keep the band on the charts, and they were dropped by their Columbia record label shortly thereafter. The band tried to bounce back by signing to a new label and releasing New Pop Sunday in 1999, but couldn't keep afloat. The band underwent severe lineup changes, but with frontman Vinnie Dombrowski at the helm, Sponge added new members and released For All the Drugs in the World in 2003 on a smaller label. A new album, Hard to Keep My Cool has been slated for a summer 2005 release for some time, but I haven't heard any more updates, or whether it is out already. While not achieving a lot of national attention lately, the band has maintained its position as one of the most well-received, hardest rocking bands in Detroit Rock City today.

The song 'Wax Ecstatic(To Sell Angelina)' has always held firm as one of the most defining songs of my youth. I was in 7th grade when the song came out, and instantly fell in love with it, buying the album as soon as I could find it. Fellow Lonely Note Contributor Ted and myself have been friends for almost a decade, and we both remember listening to 'Wax Ecstatic' the first time we hung out together. Those are the kinds of memories that stick with you, and often times explain our love for particular songs and albums. As just one of my personal favorite songs, I'll surely be posting on others in the future.

'Wax Ecstatic' opens with an infectious, squealing guitar hook that becomes the backbone for the song. Driving rhythms get your blood pumping while the guitars wail away. Dombrowski's roughened vocals are still capable of being glammy and melodic. Lyrically, the song is gritty, like a cracked-out infomercial, claiming to cure all of your problems with a tiny pill. It kind of reminds me of the infomercials in the film Requiem for Dream. The uptempo song chugs ahead, barely willing to compromise time for a guitar solo. The song ends by spastically spinning itself into fuzzy distortion, and repeatedly calling out its name as it fades away almost as quickly as it had gained momentum. Sponge's Detroit upbringing shows strong on 'Wax Ecstatic.'



When things just aren't going your way
Like a problem hair that you pluck or shave?
But shaving got to be such a bore
and you deserve so much more
and happiness is just a purchase away

Angelina, it'll fix your hunchback
Angelina, it'll help your time pass
Angelina, here's a forecast
Angelina, it's science we never laugh

Here's something that is automatic
It's Wax Ecstatic
When life is nothing less than tragic
It's Wax Ecstatic
When life has lost all it's magic
It's Wax Ecstatic
When life can't promise the fantastic
It's Wax Ecstatic

Throw all your troubles away
you've got nothing left that you want to save
With this circus you'll need nothing more
and all your troubles walk out the door
and it's all just a phone call away

Angelina, it'll fix your hunchback
Angelina, it'll help your time pass
Angelina, here's a forecast
Angelina, it's science we never laugh

Here's something that is automatic
It's Wax Ecstatic
When life is nothing less than tragic
It's Wax Ecstatic
When life has lost all it's magic
It's Wax Ecstatic
When life can't promise the fantastic
It's Wax Ecstatic

New Radio Format Known as 'Jack' is Sweeping the Nation

I first encountered Jack rather haphazardly several months ago when I turned my radio dial to the local hip-hop channel. Rather than hearing the expected Ludacris and Nelly, I heard instead Billy Joel followed by Alien Ant Farm followed by Johnny Cash. Intrigued, I listened for nearly 20 minutes before a pre-recorded promo voice came on saying, "Welcome to The Bus. We're kind of like an iPod on shuffle, playing what we want," or something to that effect.

Fast forward to last Friday when I receive the newest issue of Rolling Stone (the one with Jimi Hendrix on the cover) and lo and behold there is an article on the very radio format I speak of. Known as 'Jack,' this new radio format is known for its eclectic playlists and absense of any sort of DJ. Only a few years old, the format has been implemented by a significant number of stations across the country. You can learn all about Jack-FM here.

So, for those of you who are clueless as to why your former favorite radio station is now all of a sudden playing random tracks from no particular genre or era, it is probably because the station has switched to Jack, the radio version of an iPod shuffle.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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."

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)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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

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'.

Steve's Retro Song of the Week: The Doors - 'Crystal Ship'

A psychadelic oddesey, 'Crystal Ship' subtly leads the listener into the uncharted depths of their very soul. Morrison's incredibly hyptnotizing vocals, Ray Manzarek's carefully keyed piano and John Densmore's soft percussional accompianment all combine to manifest themselves into one of the most haunting songs on the Doors' 1967 debut. Aside from that very disc's Oedipal "The End," "Crystal Ship" is one of the most accurate reflections of Morrison's intricate psyche on the album.

Poetic, chilling and slightly touching at all the same time, "Crystal Ship" is a deep track that's significance is quite strong, despite overshadowment by the slew of successful singles the bassless band produced between 1967 and Morrison's untimely death in the early 70s. And while poseurs "study up" on rock's greats by purchasing only "greatest hits" and "best ofs," any true fan of the Doors understand that this cut is a wealthy contribution to the music world in light of the fact it was never celebrated as a popular radio single.
==================================================
Before you slip into unconsciousness
I’d like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss

The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane
We’ll meet again, we’ll meet again

Oh tell me where your freedom lies
The streets are fields that never die
Deliver me from reasons why
You’d rather cry, I’d rather fly

The crystal ship is being filled
A thousand girls, a thousand thrills
A million ways to spend your time
When we get back, I’ll drop a line

The Doors Box Set Torrent

Why Head Left Korn

"When I started playing in KORN, I began drifting downward spiritually. I became addicted to drugs like methamphetamine. I became rich and famous, although I never thought of myself as a rock star or as being bigger and better than anyone. I loved music, but I found myself at the point where I wanted to die. I didn't care about life.

"I think I hit the bottom when my wife left me while I was on the road. She started partying, bailed out with some dudes, and took my money and left me with our daughter. Then I had to take my daughter on the road with me. The band agreed to pay my daughter a dollar every time someone cussed in front of her. Before I knew it, my daughter was making, like, $100 a day, and I told people to try to chill in front of her. She was getting excited about making all this money, and it wasn't working. I had to put my kid before my career and all the money I was making. I decided to do the right thing. I was dying inside. If I didn't have my daughter, I would be dead right now, for sure.

Read the rest of the article here.

Mary-Kate 'Just Hanging Out' With Oasis

Apparently a wasted Mary-Kate Olsen waltzed out of Oasis' dressing room totally sloshed after one of their tour stops. The billionaire groupie was lead away from the band by her burly bodyguard. Olsen's rep claims that nothing terribly saucy went on behind the closed doors:

"Whatever the implication is, it's ridiculous," Olsen's rep assures us. "She was just hanging out with the band. Nothing went on whatsoever."

New Dandy Warhols Album Due In September

The Dandy Warhols' new album, "Odditorium or Warlords of Mars," will be released Sept. 13 via Capitol. The 12-track set was produced by group leader Courtney Taylor-Taylor in tandem with Gregg Williams and was mixed by Tchad Blake. A video for first single "Smoke It" finds the band performing in front of 40 dogs.

Here is the track listing:

"Colder Than the Coldest Winter Was Cold"
"Love Is the New Feel Awful"
"Easy"
"All The Money or the Simple Life Honey"
"The New Country"
"Holding Me Up"
"Did You Make a Song With Otis"
"Everyone Is Totally Insane"
"Smoke It"
"Down Like Disco"
"There Is Only This Time"
"A Loan Tonight"

Fan Stabbed To Death At Corrosion Of Conformity Show

Four people were stabbed, one fatally, at a Corrosion Of Conformity show last night (June 23) at the Masquerade club in Ybor City, Fla. According to police, a fight between two women broke out in the mosh pit in front of the stage but spread to other members of the audience.

The stabbing suspect is a white male with a shaved head between the ages of 28-30, approximately 5'8"-5'10" tall, and with a red or brown goatee and mustache. He fled the scene while continuing to wave a knife at members of the audience, police said.

"In 20-plus years of gigging, we've never seen anything like this," reads a statement on Corrosion Of Conformity's Web site. "It's sad that people can't come together for a good time, listening to music, without something tragic happening. We feel for the families of those attacked and wish success to Tampa law enforcement in their quest to solve this pointless crime."

Voodoo Music Experience 2005

New Orleans' always interesting Voodoo music festival has announced the acts that have been booked for this fall's lineup:

In addition to previously announced headliner Nine Inch Nails, the seventh Voodoo Music Experience will feature performances by Queens Of The Stone Age, My Chemical Romance, the Flaming Lips, Billy Idol, the New York Dolls, Secret Machines, DJ Tiesto, the Bravery, Ryan Adams and Mickey Hart's Voodoo Drum Circle. The event will be held Oct. 29-30 at New Orleans' City Park; tickets go on sale July 8.

Other acts set to appear include LCD Soundsystem, Handsome Boy Modeling School (plus separate sets from group members Dan the Automator and Prince Paul), Brazilian Girls, Carl Cox, Louis XIV, Social Distortion, the Decemberists, VHS Or Beta and Digable Planets.

A number of eclectic acts will grace the One Basin Street Stage, such as Joss Stone, Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, Kermit Ruffins with the Rebirth Brass Band, Michael Tolcher and the Spam Allstars.

For more info, visit the festival's official site at http://www.voodoomusicfest.com/2005/home.php

Artist Spotlight: Smoosh

Seattle's Smoosh has been creating a stir. Maybe it's because the duo is comprised of two sisters; only one of which can barely squeek into a PG13 movie by herself? Maybe it's because they are that young and already in the process of recording their second album? Maybe it's because Death Cab for Cutie's Jason McGerr has worked with them and is helping them in the studio? Maybe it's because they've played shows with Death Cab, Rilo Kiley, Jimmy Eat World, Cat Power, and even Pearl Jam? Or, maybe it is because people are actually surprised that preteens are capable of writing music by themselves that doesnt come out using a phrase like 'MmmBop'.

The preternaturally gifted duo spearheads a growing movement of young female independent bands with an ingenious, instinctual wisdom that comes as naturally as their multifaceted, genre-tickling songwriting. ...Asya, Smoosh’s vocalist and pianist/keyboardist, wails and croons like an old soul with her tiny, tremulous voice. The fearless confidence that often accompanies youth (Asya is 13, Chloe is 11) runs through Smoosh’s pop-based quirk rock with strength and beauty, and people are listening in awe.

When I first looked into the band (via suggestion by LN reader Cal), I found the whole thing to be pretty hilarious. After having listened to several songs I would say that I was actually quite impressed with the originality and catchiness in their music. And apparently I'm not the only one:

"The hottest new band in the US underground" - NME

"Inspiring equal parts awe and awww" - Time Out NY

"10 out of 10" - Vice

"5 out of 5" - Alternative Press

"Remarkable." - Seattle Weekly

"Truly impressive." - Boston Globe

"Smoosh are awesome." - The Stranger

"Smart, engaging, dance-y pop songs that are both intelligently catchy and indie-rock scruffy." - CMJ Music Monthly

To see for yourself what all the fuss is about and draw your own conclusions, check out the Smoosh site at Pattern25 Records

Coldplay Logs Second Week Atop U.S. Album Charts

British rock band Coldplay staved off strong competition from Foo Fighters and the Backstreet Boys to rule the U.S. pop albums chart for a second week, according to sales data released Wednesday.

"X&Y" (Capitol) sold 323,000 copies in the week ended June 19, followed by Foo Fighters' "In Your Honor" with 310,600 copies and Backstreet Boys' "Never Gone" with 291,000 copies. The total for "X&Y" stands at 1.1 million copies.

And listeners are paid how much?

``AMERICAN IDOL'' is coming to a computer near you. The popular TV reality series is kicking off an online version as an Internet radio station called ``American Idol Underground,'' according to the New York Post. The site will provide a place where contestants can upload their music to the service for a $50 entry fee. Then each track will receive a minimum of 200 spins and listeners can vote on their favorites. And make them their own, we guess.

Concert review: Rilo Kiley

Los Angeles heartbreak-rock darlings Rilo Kiley played a raucous, triumphant return home Sunday night to a sold-out crowd at the Wiltern LG. It was an evening of pleasant surprises for fans who wondered whether the indie favorites -- newly bigtime with their latest release distributed by Warner Bros. -- would be able to hold their own in the 2,300-capacity Wiltern, a big step up from the cozy clubs they played in support of their first two records.

The band met the challenge and then some, opening with a forceful "It's a Hit," the appropriately titled song off last year's "More Adventurous" (Brute/Beaute/Warners). It was a night of big, bold sound and impressive instrumentation, rounded out by a couple of horns and frontwoman Jenny Lewis' rich, expansive vocals. The group delivered an astoundingly tight, joyous set -- an impressive show of enthusiasm from a band just off a grueling 41-date North American tour.

Soul Asylum Co-Founder Deceased

After a prolonged battle with throat cancer, Soul Asylum bassist and founding member Karl Mueller passed away on Friday. The Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune reports that Mueller died on Friday at his Minnesota home. Mueller helped form the first incarnation of Soul Asylum, then called Loud Fast Rules, with Dave Pirner and Dan Murphy in the early '80s. The band reached its pinnacle of success in the early '90s with "Runaway Train" off the album Grave Dancers Union. Last October, fellow hometown brethren like Paul Westerberg of the Replacements and Bob Mould of Husker Du organized a benefit concert to help Mueller pay for his cancer treatment. Mueller leaves behind a wife, Mary Beth, and Pirner, Murphy, and former Soul Asylum road manager Bill Sullivan were listed as his "brothers" in a printed obituary.

Billy Corgan Wants to Reform Smashing Pumpkins?!?!

Click here to see the full page ad Billy Corgan took out in the Chicago Sunday Tribune.

Apparently, Billy Corgan has changed his tune and wants to reform his former band.

Ted's Song of the Week - 6/21/05

Girl
Beck
Guero

Wow! This song gets my vote for song of the summer. I was listening to the album on a Sunday morning, not paying much attention so much as filling in the empty void of working in a movie theater at 8 AM. Anyways, I was stopped in my tracks as "Girl" started playing. With an opening comprised of keyboards your kid brother could play, it unexpectedly broke into a flurry of acoustic guitar, clapping hands, and opulent harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys.
The most interesting thing about this song is that, in true Beck fashion, it suggests one thing while offering another. The song's tone innocently paints a picture of a man's pining for some girl at the beach, while the lyrics are a bit disturbing in that stalker/abducter sense. Of course, this is merely my interpretation of the song, but lyrics like "I'm gonna make her die", "hands tied back", and "nothing that i wouldn't try" seem to suggest something deeper than a summer crush.
Love song or not, this is a great song to blast in the car with the windows down. Give it a listen and become a Beck fan.

Lyrics:

I saw her, yeah I saw her with her black tongue tied
Round the roses
Fist pounding on a vending machine
Toy diamond ring stuck on her finger
With a noose she can hang from the sun
And put it out with her dark sunglasses
Walking crooked down the beach
She spits on the sand where their bones are bleaching
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
She doesn't even know what's wrong
And I know I'm gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
Nothing that I wouldn't try

My..... girl
My..... girl

I saw her, yeah I saw her with her hands tied back
And her rags were burning
Crawling out from a landfilled life
Scrawlin her name upon the ceiling
Throw a coin in a fountain of dust
White noise, her ears are ringing
Got a ticket for a midnight hanging
Throw a bullet from a freight train leaving
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
She doesn't even know what's wrong
And I know I'm gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
Nothing that I would not try

My..... girl

Cool Toy; Itunes Registry Important Tool for any Audiophile

For all of you Itunes users out there, I am not sure if you are aware of this cool site known as Itunes Registry.com. Basically, you upload yuor library's XML file, and from there the site generates a number of cool graphs and conclusions based on your library's data. Below is an automated description of my itunes library the site determined:

You appear to like Alternative the most, with Jem your favorite, which is weird since you've spent more time listening to Elbow , yet you have more Cranberries than anything else (in this genre). Indie is your favorite common genre, and you have more Rock songs than anything else. White Stripes is your favorite overall artist. Gomez ain't too bad, either.

I would say, based on my listening habits lately, that this description isn't too far off. How does Itunes Registry's description of your library fair?

Steve's Retro Song of the Week: The Police - "Syncronocity II"

The sequel to "Syncronocity I," the fittingly titled "Syncronocity II" is emulative of a tribesman's painful lament. Sting's opening wails in the beginning provide a perfect segue into the social commentary that is the rest of "Syncronocity II." Combining punk with trad rock, the song bemoans the plight of the urban working class and estranged suburbanites:

Another industrial ugly morning / The factory belches filth into the sky
He walks unhindered through the picket lines today / He doesn't think to wonder why

Although the tone of the song is nothing near somber or pathetic, there are traces of Irish limerick and other folk songs of shared adversity and indignity throughout the tune. With amps cranked to eleven, and Sting wailing at the top of his lungs, the song is both eye-opening and inspirational. And it cannot be failed to mention that the song is well served by a oft-repeated, yet incredibly catchy guitar hook along with the strategic absense of a chorus.

Poppy, smart and contagious, "Syncronocity II" is a great song to drive fast or run a few miles too. It is the perfect backdrop for any situation where you want to blow off a little steam.
============================================

Another suburban family morning
Grandmother screaming at the wall
We have to shout above the din of our Rice Crispies
We can't hear anything at all
Mother chants her litany of boredom and frustration
But we know all her suicides are fake
Daddy only stares into the distance
There's only so much more that he can take
Many miles away
Something crawls from the slime
At the bottom of a dark Scottish lake

Another industrial ugly morning
The factory belches filth into the sky
He walks unhindered through the picket lines today
He doesn't think to wonder why
The secretaries pout and preen like
cheap tarts in a red light street
But all he ever thinks to do is watch
And every single meeting with his so-called superior
Is a humiliating kick in the crotch
Many miles away
Something crawls to the surface
Of a dark Scottish lake

Another working day has ended
Only the rush hour hell to face
Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes
Contestants in a suicidal race
Daddy grips the wheel and stares alone into the distance
He knows that something somewhere has to break
He sees the family home now looming in the headlights
The pain upstairs that makes his eyeballs ache
Many miles away
There's a shadow on the door
Of a cottage on the shore
Of a dark Scottish lake
Many miles away, many miles away

Spin Magazine's Top Album of the Last 20 Years Is...

...Radiohead's "OK Computer." Certainly, this will stir much controversy.

The British band's album edged out Public Enemy's "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" and Nirvana's "Nevermind" on a list in Spin's 20th anniversary issue, currently on newsstands.

"Between Thom Yorke's orange-alert worldview and the band's meld of epic guitar rock and electronic glitch, ('OK Computer') not only forecast a decade of music but uncannily predicted our global culture of communal distress," reads the editorial note on what separated the 1997 disc from the other 99 ranked albums.

Mudvayne: Showing Face

There is a good article at Time Off, an Australian music publication, on the band Mudvayne. Here are a few excerpts:

In many respects, Mudvayne have reflected a return to theatrics for rock’n’roll that references the histories and movements probably most often associated with the 70s and early 80s. While they (and most of their fellow image-based metal counterparts) might not want to acknowledge it, they are the echoed fall-out from 80s hair-metal acts such as Wasp, Mötley Crüe and Kiss.

&

“There’s a temptation to really work at getting the tightest sounds you can and that’s all well and good, but this time I think we’ve let there be loose parts. We’ve taken a step back from that editing and just gone for making it feel like us playing.”

Depeche Mode Touring Ahead Of New Album

Depeche Mode will begin a six-week North American tour in October in support of its as-yet-untitled new album, due around the same time via Mute internationally and Reprise/Warner Bros. in North America. Dates and venues have not been announced for the North American portion, but an extensive European tour will begin Jan. 13 in Dresden, Germany and has dates on tap through April 3 in London.

Here are Depeche Mode's European tour dates:

Jan. 13: Dresden, Germany (Messehalle)
Jan. 15: Hamburg (Color Line Arena)
Jan. 18: Berlin (Velodrom)
Jan. 20: Dusseldorf, Germany (LTU Arena)
Jan. 23: Prague (Saksa Arena)
Jan. 24: Enfurt, Germany (Messehalle)
Jan. 26: Frankfurt (Festhalle)
Jan. 29: Antwerp, Belgium (Sports Paleis)
Jan. 31: Geneva, Switzerland (Arena)
Feb. 2: Marseille, France (Le Dome)
Feb. 3: Toulouse (Zenith)
Feb. 4: Lyon (Tony Garnier)
Feb. 6: Madrid (Palacio Deportes)
Feb. 8: Lisbon, Portugal (Pavilhao Atlantico)
Feb. 10: Barcelona (Palau Sant Jordi)
Feb. 14: Munich (Olympiahalle)
Feb. 16: Vienna (Stadthalle)
Feb. 18: Milan (Forum)
Feb. 21: Paris (Bercy)
Feb. 25: Copenhagen (Parken Stadium)
Mar. 3: St. Petersburg, Russia (SKK)
Mar. 4: Moscow (Luzhniki)
Mar. 9: Stuttgart, Germany (Schleyerhalle)
Mar. 10: Friedrichshafen, Germany (Messehalle)
Mar. 11: Mannheim, Germany (SAP Arena)
Mar. 13: Graz, Austria (Stadthalle)
Mar. 14: Katowice, Poland (Spodek)
Mar. 16: Tallinn, Estonia (Saku Arena)
Mar. 17: Riga, Latvia (New Arena)
Mar. 18: Vilnius, Lithuania (Siemens Arena)
Mar. 21: Budapest (Arena)
Mar. 22: Ljubljana, Slovenia (Hala Tivoli)
Mar. 24: Amneville, France (Galaxie)
Mar. 25: Douai, France (Gayant Expo)
Mar. 26: Rotterdam, Holland (Ahoy)
Mar. 28: Zurich (Hallenstadion)
Mar. 30: Manchester, England (Manchester Evening News Arena)
Mar. 31: Birmingham, England (N.E.C.)
April 3: London (Wembley Arena)

Our Lady Peace Survives 'Paranoid Times'

Canadian modern rock outfit Our Lady Peace has set an Aug. 30 release date for its sixth Columbia studio album, "Healthy in Paranoid Times." The album was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi) and will be led by first single "Where Are You," which goes to radio in July.

Other tracks include "Will the Future Blame Us," "Angels/Losing Sleep," "An Apology," "Walking in Circles" and "Picture."

SOAD/Mars Volta Summer Tour

Here's a tour i would love to see. Too bad it's coming nowhere near my neck of the woods.

System Of A Down will launch its previously announced tour with the Mars Volta Aug. 4-5 in Long Beach, Calif. The trek, which will also feature Bad Acid Trip, will run through Sept. 1 in Toronto. Pre-sale information can be found on SOAD's official Web site.

System's first major North American tour since 2002 comes in support of its new American/Columbia album, "Mezmerize," which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 last month and has already sold more than 827,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The Mars Volta's recent Universal set "Frances the Mute" debuted in March at a career-best No. 4 on The Billboard 200 and has shifted more than 347,000 copies to date.

Tour Dates:
Aug. 4-5: Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Arena)
Aug. 6: San Diego (Sports Arena)
Aug. 8: Phoenix (America West Arena)
Aug. 11: Dallas (American Airlines Center)
Aug. 12: San Antonio (SBC Arena)
Aug. 13: Houston (Mitchell Pavilion)
Aug. 15: Pensacola, Fla. (Civic Center)
Aug. 16: Orlando, Fla. (TD Waterhouse Arena)
Aug. 17: Miami (Office Depot Center)
Aug. 19: Atlanta (Gwinnett Arena)
Aug. 21: Hampton, Va. (Hampton Coliseum)
Aug. 22: Baltimore (Baltimore Arena)
Aug. 23: East Rutherford, N.J. (Continental Airlines Arena)
Aug. 26: Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)
Aug. 29: Montreal (Belle Centre)
Aug. 30: Quebec City, Quebec (Pepsi Coliseum)
Sept. 1: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)

Steve's June Playlist

Compared to Tae's recent playlist there is little room for comparison among the two. Mine is chalk full of mainstream alternative, stemming from the nineties on through to today, whereas his takes a much more underground route of acheiving his musical ends. Owing much of my inspiration to Ted's Song of the Week, five of the songs shown here were at one time features in his weekly article.I would describe this mix as quite raucous with a gradual slow-down towards the end. It makes a great driving mix (I know from my most recent traveling experiences), and despite being comprised mostly of bands with "the" in their name is, in fact, quite diverse:

Candlebox - "Change"
Tonic - "Casual Affair"
INXS - "One Thing"
The Bravery - "An Honest Mistake"
The Doves - "Black and White Town"
Badly Drawn Boy - "One Plus One is One"
Stereophonics -"Handbags and Gladrags"
Jem - "24"
Ash - "Orpheus"
Foo Fighters - "No Way Back"
My Chemical Romance - "Give 'Em Hell, Kid"
The White Stripes -"Blue Orchid"
Audioslave - "Out of Exile"
Nine Inch Nails - "Everyday is Exactly the Same"
Kasabian - "Club Foot"
The Cranberries - "Zombie"
The Black Keys - "10 AM Automatic"
Smashing Pumpkins - "Never Let Me Down Again"
The Thrills -"Saturday Night"
The Fire Theft - "Rubber Bands"

Cursive to release rarities record

Cursive are to release a compilation of rare tracks through Saddle Creek this summer, entitled The Difference Between Houses And Homes.
The 12-track record, available on CD and 180gram vinyl and sub-titled Lost Songs and Loose Ends 1995-2001, will hit shelves on August 8th. A 24-page booklet will be included featuringa story relating to the title of the collection, written by singer Tim Kasher and illustrated by Yuriko Yoshino of Eastern Youth.

Autolux to tour with NIN, Queens of the Stone Age

It has recently been announced that rock trio, Autolux, will be the opening band for Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age. Autolux is reported to be the opening act from September 16 to October 14. Death From Above 1979 will handle the opening duties for the last leg of the tour. The tour will be in support of NIN's "With Teeth" and QOTSA's "Lullabies To Paralyze".

Tour Dates:
Sept. 16: San Diego (Cox Arena)
Sept. 17: Tucson, Ariz. (TCC Arena)
Sept. 19: Phoenix (America West Arena)
Sept. 20: Fresno, Calif. (Selland Arena)
Sept. 23: Seattle (Key Arena)
Sept. 24: Portland, Ore. (Rose Garden)
Sept. 26: Vancouver (Pacific Coliseum)
Sept. 28: Sacramento, Calif. (Arco Arena)
Sept. 30: Oakland, Calif. (Oakland Coliseum)
Oct. 1: Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl)
Oct. 4: Salt Lake City (E Center)
Oct. 5: Denver (Pepsi Arena)
Oct. 7: Chicago (Allstate Arena)
Oct. 8: Detroit (Joe Louis Arena)
Oct. 9: Cleveland (Gund Arena)
Oct. 11: St. Paul, Minn. (Xcel Energy Center)
Oct. 13: Madison, Wis. (Alliant Energy Center)
Oct. 14: St. Louis (Savvis Center)
Oct. 16: San Antonio (SBC Center)
Oct. 17: Dallas (American Airlines Arena)
Oct. 19: Houston (Toyota Center)
Oct. 21: Jacksonville, Fla. (Jacksonville Arena)
Oct. 22: Tampa, Fla. (St. Pete Times Forum)
Oct. 24: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Office Depot Center)
Oct. 25: Orlando, Fla. (TD Waterhouse Centre)
Oct. 27: Atlanta (Philips Arena)
Oct. 29: New Orleans (Voodoo Music Experience)
Oct. 31: Nashville (Gaylord Entertainment Center)
Nov. 2: Washington, D.C. (MCI Center)
Nov. 3: New York (Madison Square Garden)

British band Coldplay's new album opens at No. 1

British rock band Coldplay clinched its first American chart topper on Wednesday as its latest album "X&Y" logged first-week U.S. sales of more than 737,000 copies and also shot to No. 1 in 21 other countries.

The strong debut for Coldplay's highly anticipated third studio release marked the biggest opening so far this year for a rock album and came as especially welcome news for the band's label, EMI Group Plc.

Ted's Song of the Week - 6/15/05

Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell On You)
Aqualung
Strange & Beautiful

Aqualung's U.S. debut is pure gold for those who enjoy their music chilled. While the title track is only one of many gems you can find on this album, it has gained the most acclaim after being featured in a volkswagen commercial. The band draws comparisons to Coldplay and early Radiohead.
"Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell On You)" is comprised almost entirely of piano with the occasional accompaniment of bass guitar and the soft, steady rhythm of drums. If nothing else, it works to lull the listener to sleep.

Lyrics:
I've been watching your world from afar,
I've been trying to be where you are,
And I've been secretly falling apart,
Unseen.
To me, you're strange and you're beautiful,
You'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see,
You turn every head but you don't see me.

I'll put a spell on you,
You'll fall asleep and I'll put a spell on you.
And when I wake you,
I'll be the first thing you see,
And you'll realise that you love me.

Yeah...
Yeah...

Sometimes, the last thing you want comes in first,
Sometimes, the frist thing you want never comes,
And I know, the waiting is all you can do,
Sometimes...

I'll put a spell on you,
You'll fall asleep,
I'll put a spell on you,
And when I wake you,
I'll be the first thing you see,
And you'll realise that you love me.

I'll put a spell on you,
You'll fall asleep 'cos I'll put a spell on you,
And when I wake you,
I'll be the first thing you see,
And you'll realise that you love me, yeah...

yeah...
yeah...
yeah...
yeah...

Tae's June 15 Mix

Disclaimer: I've never been known for having an exceptionally narrow taste in music; in fact, sometimes my interests jump rather drastically from one genre to another. Occassionally I'll skip from Michael Jackson to Pantera without a thought. Lucky for me, the Lonely Note provides a haven for me to discuss an eclectic range of music without apologies. Once or twice a month I put together a mix of new music that I've been listening to - Some of which is more mainstream, and some which is fairly underground. Realizing that not everyone will appreciate every single track that I put on a mix, my goal of posting the tracklisting is to not only provide a collection of some current interests, but to hopefully turn the reader onto some new tunes.

This most recent mix covers some new tracks that I've been listening to within the past couple weeks. In general, the tracks on this particular mix are arranged to flow from hardest to softest. Opening with harder rock, the disc transitions into indie/garage rock, which then turns toward new wave, and finally wraps up with some folky chamber pop.
So, without further rambling, here is...

Tae's June 15 Mix:

1) Static-X - I'm the One
2) Dream Theater - I Walk Beside You
3) Finch - Brother Bleed Brother
4) Dredg - Bug Eyes
5) 30 Seconds to Mars - Attack
6) Billy Corgan - Mina Loy (M.O.H.)
7) 10 Years - Wasteland [acoustic version]
8) the Sights - Circus
9) Mando Diao - God Knows
10) Spoon - I Turn My Camera On
11) Of Montreal - The Party's Crashing Us
12) Fischerspooner - Cloud
13) Phoenix - Everything is Everything
14) New Order - Jetstream
15) Morcheeba - Wonders Never Cease
16) Architecture in Helsinki - The Owls Go
17) Caribou - Hello Hammerheads