Opeth Unleash a Live Album, Play a Cruise Ship
Emerging from the peak of proggy Swedish death metalsmiths Opeth's epic tour in support of 2005's awesome Ghost Reveries LP, The Roundhouse Tapes is a live record captured at a gig at London's Camden Roundhouse. The set features the group at the height of its powers, rolling through nine tunes over two discs. Tapes, available now in Europe and due November 20 in the U.S. on Peaceville Records, even boasts an "exclusive box set" package for its first edition.Though there's not a goddamned thing mellow about them, Opeth will play the Melloboat-- a daylong cruise between Stockholm and Helsinki that'll also feature Katatonia, Leafhound, a reunited Comus, and others-- March 8 of next year. They say don't rock the boat, but, uh, yeah.
Opeth will also play Bloodstock 2008 at Derby, England's Catton Hall next August 17. [MORE...]
Former Dismemberment Planners Prep Statehood LP
Photo by David HollowayAlmost a year ago, Pitchfork reported the formation of Statehood, a new band featuring former Dismemberment Plan/ex-Maritime bassist Eric Axelson and former Dismemberment Plan drummer/actual rocket scientist Joe Easley. For their background, you can read that story. But now, the band has finally finished its debut album, and the talk from here on out is Futuretown, USA.
Led by songwriter Clark Sabine and rounded out by guitarist Leigh Thompson, Statehood will release Lies and Rhetoric, the aforementioned debut record, on November 19. That's a Monday (the industry norm is Tuesday), but since they're self-releasing, they can roll like that.
Also taking place in times yet to come: Statehood's tiny East Coast tour, which starts November 16 in Philly. And since we're talking about the D-Plan, don't forget Travis Morrison is also touring out East this month. [MORE...]
Photos: Jay-Z [Baltimore, MD; 11/09/07]
Photos by Kyle Gustafson
American gangster Jay-Z debuted his newest masterpiece on a small club tour last week, a brief hit-and-run trek that took him from Los Angeles to Philly in six days. We caught up with Mr. Carter at Baltimore's Ram's Head on Friday, right in the middle of the outing.
No word yet on any plans to tour the album further, but at least we can watch that "Storytellers" episode over and over again.
More photos below.
[MORE...]
Ya Ho Wa 13 Play First Shows in 30 Years, Reissue LP
We're hard-pressed for words to describe 1970s group Ya Ho Wa 13 beyond their traditionally vague "psychedelic" tag, so here's some math:the Polyphonic Spree's numbers, cultishness, penchant for robes
X
the Hare Krishnas' meditative spirituality, penchant for robes
÷
general hippiedom
+
more robes
≈
Ya Ho Wa 13 and the Source Family cult/commune around it
Theirs is a confusing history, to say the least, and one that's better documented by others who are more knowledgeable.
But here's what we can tell you: Cold Sweat Records will reissue the band's Penetration: An Aquarian Symphony on February 5.
Better yet, surviving members of the band-- whose leader, Father Yod, died in a hang-gliding accident in 1975-- will play their first public shows in 30 years this month in conjunction with the publishing of Process Media's The Source: The Untold Story of Father Yod, Ya Ho Wa 13, and the Source Family by Isis Aquarian. The performances and accompanying slide shows, home movies, book signings, and more only take place in California, but really, what did you expect from these guys? [MORE...]
Here, let's attempt to set things straight. According to a Guardian Unlimited report today, folks who Googled the word "Radiohead" last week were presented with a highlighted, paid-for link that read as follows:
Radiohead - New Album
www.radioheadstore.com New Album "Rainbow" now available as Boxset inc. CD, USB, Digital
The above link, however, leads not to the In Rainbows deluxe discbox so often mentioned in these pages, nor to anything involving In Rainbows at all. Instead, it takes curious clickers to a page where they may purchase the previously reported Radiohead catalog set in physical, digital, and USB formats from EMI/Parlophone. Which, as you may recall, was not Radiohead's idea.
EMI/Parlophone, of course, is Radiohead's former label, and the fact that they're dropping a box set around the same time Radiohead delivers their discbox has already aroused suspicions. Now comes this Google ad-- rather plainly misleading, wouldn't you say?-- and the plot thickens.
Guardian Unlimited asked EMI whether they had indeed placed the ad, and received the following in response: "Parlophone were aware of the data source glitch and removed the link immediately." Data source glitch, right, gotcha.
The link has indeed been removed, and NME.com quotes a Radiohead spokesperson as saying, "We accept that it was a genuine error and that it has been rectified." Regardless of what exactly is going on here, I think it's safe to say Radiohead and EMI will not be on each other's Christmas card lists this year.
In Rainbows CD and vinyl, meanwhile, arrives in North America January 1 via TBD/ATO, in the UK December 31 via XL Recordings, and in Japan December 26 from Hostess Entertainment.
On a lighter note, Scott Plagenhoef's Radiohead webcast play-by-play should bring a smile to even the grinchiest of faces.
Metric Release Live DVD, iTunes EP
But will they ever release the stranglehold their songs have on my heart?
To sweeten an already sugary deal, iTunes will offer a Live at Metropolis EP come mid-December. It will feature "Patriarch on a Vespa", "The Police and The Private", and "Too Little Too Late" from the Metropolis set, as well as the DVD trailer, for less than a buck.
If all this live stuff has got you salivating for a Metric show, well, you're gonna make a puddle before that happens. Metric's recent tour with Crystal Castles has wrapped, with no future dates scheduled for now. Makes you wish there was some kind of concert film or something to tide you over in the interim, don't it? Hey... [MORE...]
Ladytron Sign to Nettwerk, Prep Fourth LP
Slag off old label, Rykodisc
What, you don't know Ladytron? "Ladytron is one of the coolest, most vital and cutting edge bands around right now," according to Nettwerk co-founder Mark Jowett's press release quote. How about that?
Speaking to Billboard.com yesterday, Ladytron's Daniel Hunt was geeked about the signing as well: "We wanted to work with people who really understood where we were. The best thing about the Nettwerk deal is that the band and the management will have the ability to be really hands-on with the marketing and planning. This time around, nothing will be left to chance."
Hunt was notably less geeked about Ladytron's former label, Rykodisc, which gobbled up their former former label, Emperor Norton. "We were not on Rykodisc by choice," he told Billboard.com. "They wanted to keep us and we said no. The only reason our last record did so well was because we worked really hard and toured on it for two years. The label really did nothing." Rykodisc could not be reached for comment.
The most recent round of Ladytron touring, meanwhile, recently wrapped up, but the band does have a pair of DJ dates in the weeks to come. [MORE...]
Arctic Monkeys Choose "Teddy Picker" for Next Single
B-side features guest vocals from Richard Hawley
All but the 7"-- due to size, of course-- will feature not only "Teddy Picker" and a cover of Pat Farrell and the Believers' 1969 classic "Bad Woman" featuring Mr. Richard Hawley on vocals, but new Monkeys tracks "The Death Ramps" and "Nettles" as well. Maybe when you're older, 7".
All this, of course, comes as the band is on a rare break in their mighty world tour (which picks up again November 27 in France). No last-minute addendums have been made to that itinerary at the moment: perhaps this single is, in fact, the last screech we'll hear from the Monkeys in 2007? I dare not comment; we've spoken too soon on the matter before. [MORE...]
Alan Sparhawk's Black-Eyed Snakes Go Skiing on DVD
Black Mountain pissed they didn't think of idea first
The Snakes have released a short film called Cross Country With the Snakes on DVD, featuring the cross-country skiing talents of the band and, in particular, those of drummer and one-time Olympic hopeful Brad Nelson. And sure, the DVD-- shot by skiing fanatic Hansi Johnson-- also has some live footage from the shows the band played on its Colorado/Utah road trip, but the real prize is getting to see the Snakes' impression of Low's "Belarus" video.
As part of the Banff Mountain Film Festival tour, Cross Country With the Snakes will screen at Minneapolis' Midwest Mountaineering on November 16 and 17 and at the Duluth Cross Country Ski Club on November 18 and 19. The DVD is available from Low's chairkickers.com now.
For their part, Low still have those Down Under dates scheduled in January, starting January 9 in Auckland, New Zealand. [MORE...]
Dan Deacon Reveals Ultimate Reality Tour Details
Tour to focus on music, images rather than globalization, poverty, alienation
Wham Citizens Dan Deacon and Jimmy Joe Roche have turned Ultimate Reality, their collaborative DVD/"dominant pansexual ubermyth" into a dominant pansexual ubercircus with the announcement of a 2008 tour in support of the recent release.
On these dates, Deacon's regular set will come after a screening of the DVD, which will be accompanied by live music from Deacon, Roche, and drummers Kevin O'Meare of Video Hippos and Jeremy Hyman of Ponytail. Deacon has plenty of regular old tour dates as well, starting with a show in Baltimore on November 15.
According to Deacon's label, Carpark, he is readying a Spiderman of the Rings follow-up for a tentative May release. In the touring department, he hopes to supplement his February/March trip to Australia with February dates in Japan, followed in the spring by a potential European Ultimate Reality tour.
And finally: "Wham City" ringtone. [MORE...]
The Band's Levon Helm Helps Ida Prepare Prayers
When it came time to record Lovers Prayers, their follow-up to 2005's Heart Like a River, New Yorkers Ida did the Bon Iver retreat-into-the-woods thing. The thing is, they chose a pretty cool patch of woods for the retreat: the home studio of Levon Helm (Arkansas native, drummer for the Band, actor in The Right Stuff, all-around cool-seeming guy) in the Catskill Mountains.While there, the band was able to get Helm to sit in with them for a little bit of drum recording. And in addition to the work of new band members Jean Cook (Mekons) on violin and Ruth Keating on drum and multi-instrumental duties, contributions to the album included guitar, drums, and cover art from Tara Jane O'Neil, cello from Jane Scarpantoni (R.E.M., Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright), pedal steel from Matt Sutton, and engineering from Justin Guip, Helm's own engineer. Longtime Ida collaborator Warn Defever (His Name Is Alive) helped the band produce the album.
Lovers Prayers marks Ida's seventh full-length overall and second for Polyvinyl, which will release the record on January 29. The band has three New York dates scheduled for this month, starting with an NYC show on November 15.
Finally, during the time they recorded Lovers Prayers, Ida were also afforded the opportunity to collaborate with one of their heroes: songwriter Michael Hurley, who lends fiddle to Lovers. The band is currently working with him on another new project. [MORE...]
Photos: The Walkmen [San Diego, CA; 11/10/07]
Photos by Natalie KardosHamilton Leithauser and his Walkmen strolled into San Diego this past weekend to, yes, rock the Casbah. The Saturday night gig was but one of several engagements the NYC five-piece has lined up in the days to come. Tonight finds them in Santa Barbara, and apart from one lone date in Mexico next month, December is wide open for all the "Sex in the City" DVD-viewing slumber parties these guys could ever want.
[MORE...]
Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)
Wed: 12-26-07: 05:00 PM CST
Radiohead Celebrate New Year With Webcast
Wed: 12-26-07: 04:00 PM CST
Jay-Z Leaves Def Jam Presidency
Wed: 12-26-07: 02:46 PM CST
R.I.P. Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007
Fri: 12-21-07: 07:00 AM CST
The Pitchfork Guide to New Year's Eve
Tue: 12-18-07: 04:30 PM CST
Indie Bands Sue Camel, Rolling Stone Over Ad
- Photos: Wu-Tang Clan [Chicago, IL; 12/15/07]
- Photos: Thrill Jockey 15th Anniversary [Chicago, IL; 12/14-12/15/07]
- Kim Deal Talks New Breeders Album, Pixies, German
- Country Singer J.D. "Cast" King R.I.P.
- Minor Threat Turns Condiment, But Ian Doesn't Mind
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- Kim Deal Talks New Breeders Album, Pixies, German
- Country Singer J.D. "Cast" King R.I.P.
- Minor Threat Turns Condiment, But Ian Doesn't Mind
- Pollard Records 7" With Decemberists, Quasi Members
- Los Campesinos! Reveal Album Tracklist, Release Date
- Swell Return With New Album, Rarities Collection
- Mission of Burma Have a Burmese Mission
- Oldham, Faun Fables Release Letting Go Demos
- Photos: GZA Performs Liquid Swords [New York, NY; 12/13/07]
- Thrill Jockey B-Day Bash: Become Yr Fave Album Cover!
- The Decemberists to Return to the Road in January
- Rocket From the Crypt Resurrected on Live CD/DVD
- Lupe Fiasco Plots Sizable U.S. Tour, Cool Happenings
- Radiohead Reveal Cool In Rainbows CD Packaging
- Kindercore Serves Up Xmas Charity Comp/Comic Book
- Black Lips Release Very Limited Edition Single
- Portastatic, Annuals, Rosebuds Rock Trekky Recs Xmas
- Beach House Team With Papercuts for 2008 Tour
- Labels Seek Apology From Rolling Stone for Camel Ad
- Electrelane Organize Anti-Trafficking Benefit
- Donations Sought for Ailing Country Singer Cast King
- Madonna, Leonard Cohen Inducted Into Rock Hall
- Harry Potter Bands Rock Against Media Consolidation
- My Bloody Valentine Headline Benicassim Festival
- Sambassadeur Let Migration Free in the States
- Kevin Barnes, Jeff Mangum in Wacky Elephant 6 Movie
- Liars, No Age Announce Joint Tour
- Justice Release "Phantom" Single
- Stephen Malkmus Talks Trash
- Ike Turner R.I.P.
- Calexico Tour-Only Jams Now Digital Via Touch & Go
- Bradford Cox Publicly Apologizes to Samara Lubelski
- Yorke Preps 12"s With Field, Four Tet, Burial Remixes
- Diplo Remixes Spoon's "Don't You Evah" for Charity
- Robyn Invites Us to "Be Mine" on Latest Single, Dates
- Morrissey Reveals New Single Details
- Liars, No Age Members Team for Sissy Spacek Show
- Black Lips Add Tour Dates (Yep) Again
- Explosions to "Drop off the Face of the Earth" After Tour
- Yeasayer Announce Big 2008 Tour
- Final Fantasy Song Jacked for Ad Leads to
AngerLawsuitTotally Sweet Music Festival - Okkervil River Drop Free Covers Mixtape, Add Gigs
- The Mars Volta Whip Up More Dates
- Radiohead Pad Out Tour With New Dates
- Jens Lekman Plots 2008 Dates
- Photos: ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas [Minehead, England; 12/07-12/09/07]
- Marina Leaves Bonde do Role
- Ghostface, Raekwon, Kweli Guest on New Hi-Tek Disc
- Built to Spill Keep on Trucking Into 2008
- The Cure Lend Guitar to West Memphis Three Auction
- RZA Sets out on Solo Tour, Wu-Tang Clan Add Dates
- Un-T.V. Eye: December 10-16, 2007
- Various Production Leave XL, Plan Releases
- Clark Sneaks Out New EP, Preps Album, Tours
- Wilco to Play "The Complete Wilco" in Chicago
- Silver Mt. Zion Overcome Triskaidekaphobia on 13 Blues
- David Pajo's Dead Child Plan Attack on Quarterstick
- Cat Power Plans Charity Mission Abroad
- Bonde do Role Cancel Remaining Tour Dates
- Photos: Primavera Club Festival [Barcelona, Spain; 12/03-12/08/07]
- Mirah, the Blow Team Up for West Coast Tour
- Black Mountain Announce West Coast Dates
- Albert Hammond Jr. Talks New LP, Songcraft, Strokes
- Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Add Winter Dates
- Too $hort(!) Contributes to In Rainbows Remix Record
- Robyn, I'm From Barcelona, Shining Play EuroSonic
- Karlheinz Stockhausen R.I.P.
- Kanye, Wilco, Flaming Lips Items in Darfur Auction
- Dead Meadow Herald New LP With Show, Pre-Release
- Waits, Weller, B-more Club on "The Wire" Soundtracks
- The Mountain Goats Reveal 2008 Dates
- Photos: Dewey Cox and the Hard Walkers [Chicago, IL; 12/06/07]
- Sufjan to Play Tibet House Benefit
- Bjork "Declares" New Single Details
- Underworld Reschedule Tour
- Murdoch, Albarn, Harvey Write Charity Postcards
- Dan Deacon to Greyhound Buses: Fuck You!
- HEALTH Sketch Out 2008 Dates
- Malkmus/Jicks Reveal Emotional Trash Tracklist
- Camel, Rolling Stone Under Fire for Indie Rock Ad
- DeVotchKa Sign to Anti-, Ready New Album
- Wilco Announce Spring U.S. Tour
- Mike Patton Lends Voice to Creatures in I Am Legend
- Nick Cave Announces Single, Soundtrack Releases
- Photos: David Shrigley's Worried Noodles in Concert [New York, NY; 12/05/07]
- Bauhaus Mark Final Breakup With Final Album
- Destroyer, Amy Millan, Tokyo Police Club on CBC Comp
- Photos: Yo La Tengo Hanukkah Show [Hoboken, NJ; 12/04/07]
- Atlas Sound Announces North American Tour
- Hot Chip Reveal Intimate U.S. Shows
- Nas, Rihanna, Method Man Rarities on Def Jam Comp
- Jason Isbell (ex-Drive-By Truckers) Does Big Tour
- Photos: Kevin Drew with Metric's Jimmy Shaw and Chikita Violenta [Mexico City, Mexico; 12/03/07]
- Antony Announces New Album Title, Bjork Video
- Silver Jews Reveal Lookout Tracklist, 2008 Live Plans
- Earth Return With New Album, Live Dates
- M.A.N.D.Y. Craft Fabric 38 With Boratto, Booka Shade
- Photos: Deerhoof with Ken Kagami [Miami, FL; 12/04/07]
- Radiohead Freeloading to End December 10
- Art Brut Line Up 2008 Dates
- Nick Lowe Reissues, Expands Jesus of Cool
- The Futureheads Reunite With the Road
- The Moldy Peaches Reunite for Juno Premiere
- The Breeders Return With Mountain Battles
- Destroyer Brings Trouble in Dreams on New Album
- Blue Note Collects Classic Hip-Hop Sample Material
- Mike Ladd Sends Nostalgialator Stateside via Def Jux
- R.I.P. UGK's Pimp C
- Hersh, Donelly on All-Female Neil Young Tribute CD
- New Autechre Album Due in March
- Merge Bundles Big Dipper Albums Into Remastered Set
- Morrissey Brings the Pain to NME Via Blog
- Jeff Tweedy, Cool Kids Rock for Obama
- Regina Spektor Further Postpones Shows
- Radiohead Further Flesh Out European Tour Itinerary
- Aesop Rock Plots 2008 European Tour
- Yo La Tengo Freewheel Into 2008 on Tour
- Photos: The Clean / Times New Viking [New York, NY; 12/01/07]
- Super Furry Animals Tour, Do Gigs With Fiery Furnaces
- Witch, RTX, Turbonegro Kickstart Volcom Singles Club
- Daniel Lanois Unveils Sixth Solo Album, Film
- Rare Book Room Comp (Ft. Avey Tare, Deerhunter, Silver Jews) Release Details Announced
- Un-T.V. Eye: December 3-9, 2007
- Devin the Dude + France + Architecture in Helsinki = !?
- Joanna Newsom Lines Up More Orchestral Dates
- T.I., Lil Wayne, Chamillionaire on Crunk Hits Vol 4
- Maximo Park Celebrate Hometown With Beer, Bus Tour
- Constantines Issue Limited Edition 7"
- Radiohead Firm Up Tour a Wee Bit
- Born Ruffians to Issue Colorful Debut LP in Spring
- Califone, Sparhawk, Kozelek Help Do Presidential Songs
- Pumpkins, JAMC, QOTSA, Air, CSS Rock Aussie V Fest
- Lupe Fiasco Talks The Cool, Cheeseburgers, Retirement
- Mahjongg to Finally Issue New Record on K
- Blood on the Wall Ready Third Album
- Sufjan's Literary Event Back On for December 17
- Klaxons Go Crazy for France on Latest Single
- Foals Sign to Sub Pop in U.S.
- The Mars Volta Reveal Dates, Puzzling Download
- The Mary Onettes Issue Debut in the States
- The Teenagers Lust for Scarlett Johansson on Single
- Jackson Reissues Thriller With Kanye, will.i.am, Akon
- Band of Horses Sandwich Tour With More Dates
- New Portishead Album Due in April
- Radiohead's "Jigsaw" Single Details Fall Into Place
- Dean & Britta, Keren Ann Link Up for Spring Tour
- Stars Extend Tour Even More
- Shia LaBeouf Working on Cage Biopic
- Child Ballads (ex-Jonathan Fire*Eater) Send EP to U.S.
- Morrissey to Sue NME Over Immigration Remarks
- Boris Smile for New Album
- U.S. Gets Hey Willpower [ft. Imperial Teen, Tussle] LP
- St. Vincent Extends Tour
- Merge Auctions Arcade Fire, Spoon Posters for Charity
- Weird Weeds, Future Rapper Play Chris Schlarb Events
- Black Lips, Deerhunter, Mastodon to Appear in ATL Doc
- MMJ Sell Live "Oregon Trail" Picture Disc for Charity
- Growing Sign to the Social Registry for 7", Mini-Album
- Beyonce's Sister Solange Samples Boards of Canada
- Radiohead Announce More Tour Dates, Sorta
- Vetiver Plan Remix 12", Covers Album, New LP
- Belle & Sebastian Fete Glasgow in Calendar
- Pinback Play a Bevy of Radio Station Christmas Shows
- Be Your Own Pet Get Awkward on New LP
- The Locust's Van Robbed
- Forrest, Lucky Dragons Do Deathbomb Arc Tape Club
- Hot Chip, Optimo, Studio, Maps Remix Love Is All
- Tonight's Sufjan Stevens Literary Event Postponed
- Driver Who Killed Silkworm Drummer Sentenced
- Gutter Twins Announce Release Date, Shows
- Photos: Electrelane [Glasgow, Scotland; 11/27/07]
- Editors, Hot Hot Heat Link Up for Winter Tour
- Morrissey Signs to Polydor/Decca in UK
- Photos: Los Campesinos! / The Most Serene Republic [Los Angeles, CA; 11/27/07]
- Sufjan, Bjork, Arcade Fire in Rock for Kids Auction
- Evangelicals' New Album Descends on Dead Oceans
- The Big Sleep Record Forever, Tour With Thermals
- Black Lips Announce Huge 2008 Tour
- Jens Lekman, A Place to Bury Strangers Join P4K ATP
- New My Bloody Valentine Album: Not Digital-Only
- Fogarino/Franklin's Setting Suns EP Finally Emerges
- Crystal Castles Reveal Debut LP Details
- The Rumble Strips Postpone U.S. Dates
- Interpol Live, Remix EPs Available Right Now
- Radiohead Announce First 2008 Dates
- Kanye West Makes Nice With Evel Knievel
- Bright Eyes' Oberst Forms Band With M. Ward?
- Ryan Adams and the Cardinals Line Up West Coast Tour
- Lavender Diamond Join Traveling John Waters Xmas
- Arcade Fire Add More 2008 Dates
- Coil Issue Naples as Vinyl Box Set With Bonus LP
- Weezer LP6 Site Declared Hoax, Alone Pushed Back
- Simian Mobile Disco Hustle Into 2008 With More Shows
- R.E.M.'s Mills Plays New Orleans Charity Event in D.C.
- Herbert Seeks Phoned-In Vocals for New Big Band LP
- Un-T.V. Eye: November 26-December 3, 2007
- Richard Hawley Steps Out on Stage and Screen
- The Clean Plan Some Shows
- James Murphy, Nelly Furtado on Fucked Up Holiday 7"
- Wu-Tang Clan Reveal 8 Diagrams Tracklist, Add Dates
- Morrissey Plans 2008 Gigs
- Photos: Dinosaur Jr. [Boston, MA; 11/24/07]
- My Bloody Valentine Plan Digital Self-Release for LP
- DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist Join for "Hard Sell" Tour