The Craziest Sh*t I Have Seen In A While!

Right before the Holidays I was able to catch Parisian DJ's Justice road documentary A Cross the Universe. Take a look at the trailer clip above, it is a documentary taped while the band was on the road in the U.S. and plays out like Scarface meets The Odd Couple. Featuring gun packing road managers, Evangelical bus drivers, cameos from Diplo, Anthony Keidis, Kanye West and of course sex, drugs and rock and roll.

Another Look at 2008

After taking a ton of great comments and some not so great ones from fans all around the globe, each year I also like to highlight other people's tastes in music and showcase their lists. After all music, like film is so subjective that also like people, no two lists or types are the same.

Here are five music buffs like yours truly, whose taste in music and knowledge of the art form and media I hold to high regard. Trust me I wouldn't give you lists of someone who does not know any better.

The first list comes from my long time musical companion, former writer of Good Times magazine and current writer for Skope and Editor of Playbill, Mr. Bill Reese.
1. Raconteurs Consulars of the Lonely
2. Dr. Dog Fate
3. The Hold Steady Stay Positive
4. TV on the Radio Dear Science,
5. R.E.M. Accellerate
6. Vampire Weekend
7. Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs
8. Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago
9. Coldplay Viva La Vida or Death and All his Friends
10. Counting Crows Saturday Nights and Sunday Morningss


honors
Ryan Adams Cardinology
Girl Talk Feed the Animals
Conor Oberst
Okkervil River The Stand ins
Q-Tip The Renaissance
Santogold
Sigur Ros Med....
The Verve Forth
Weezer

The next list comes from premiere New York City DJ and one of New York's true Renaissance men, DJ Rich D Smoov. Richie's list is a tad different as is not broken down numerically but but superlatives...

1.mgmt:alternative album
2.vampire weekend:indie album
3.girl talk:mash album
4.cut chemist and dj shadow:the hard sell.turntablisim album
5.krallice:black metal album
6.king khan:rock album
7.metallica:thrash album
8.diplo vs santogold:dub/reggae mix cd
9.karl hector:afro latin funk album
10.jackson conti:brazilian album

honorable mentions:
11.boyznoise:electro album
12.justice:best live album
13.koushik:psycedelic album
14.awesome color:retro rock album
15.mad villian2:best remix album
16.droppin science:bluenote best jazz compilation
17.leviathan: usbm album
18.natchmysium:metal album
19.one day as a lion:best ep
20.stones throw:best podcast
21.black moth super rainbow: best leftfield album
22.does it offend you yeah?!: best new comers
23.kon and amir:best disco/soul comp
24.glasvegas: best uk act
25.mr.thing:best breakbeats comp
26.portishead:comeback of the year
27.tv on the radio:best bklyn band
28.coldplay:commercial album
29.united nations:hardcore album
30.santogold:best female act

The next list comes from fellow online blogger (Hindsighting) and former WQAQ DJ, Mike Clancey.

1. Bayside - Shutter
2. Murder by Death - Red of Tooth and Claw
3. Jaymay - Autumn Fallin'
4. Rise Against - Appeal to Reason
5. Connor Oberst
6. Thrice - Alchemy Index: Air and Earth
7. Atmosphere - Strickly Leakage
8. Flogging Molly - Float
9. The Used - Shallow Believer EP
10. Islands - Arm's Way

Honorable Mention:
Meaghan Smith - The Cricket's Quartet

The following list comes from another musical companion of mine and former WQAQ DJ, we call him Logo.

10. The Kooks-Konk!
9. She and Him-Volume 1
8. Kidz in the Hall- The In Crowd
7. Tokyo Police Club- Elephant Shell
6. Kings of Leon- Only by the Night
5. Coldplay- Viva La Vida or Death and all his Friends
4. The Hold Steady- Stay Positive
3. Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs
2. The Cool Kids- The Bake Sale EP
1. Vampire Weekend

...and last but not least another musical companion, Mr PJ Sievering

1. Lil Wayne- Tha Carter 3
2. TV on Radio- Dear Science
3. Coldplay- Viva la Vida
4. My Morning Jacket-Evil Urges
5. Deathcab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs
6.The Hold Steady- Stay Positive
7. Kings of Leon- Only by the Light
8. Fleet Foxes
9. Beck-Modern Guilt
10. Vampire Weekend

Honorable Mentions:

Best "I used to hate you but now your cool again": R.E.M. Accelerate
Best Dance: Hot Chip Made in the Dark Tied with Girl Talk Feed the Animals
Best Sophomore Album: Okkervil River The Stand-Ins

So there are five much different takes on this past year and now we look on to the road ahead...Happy 2009!

Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel cover Vampire Weekend!

Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel have teamed up to cover Vampire Weekend's "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa." Gabriel who is named in the tune from the Columbia University band, adds the vocals while Hot Chip do what they do best, bring the noise. Check out the cover HERE

Quick News

Portishead have announced that fans will not have to wait another 11 years for their next record (thank God). The band spoke to the BBC about the follow up to one of the best albums of the year, Third...check out what they had to say HERE

In other new album news, The National will head back into the studio in April to work on the follow up to their most successful album to date, Boxer. The record will probably be out at some point late next year or early 2010.

Thursday have released the track listing to their latest record, Common Existence. The album is due out in February and check out the track listing below...
'Resuscitation of A Dead Man'
'Last Call'
'As He Climbed The Dark Mountain'
'Friends In the Armed Forces'
'Beyond the Visible Spectrum'
'Time's Arrow'
'Unintended Long Term Effects'
'Circuits Of Fever' 'Subway Funeral'
'Love Has Led Us Astray'
'You Were The Cancer'

U2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The greatest living band today, the coolest band to ever walk the face of the Earth, the greatest live band of all time, one of my favorite bands of all time....HAVE SET A DATE FOR THEIR NEW ALBUM!!!!!

U2's 12th Studio Record No Line on the Horizon is due March 3 in the States! March 2 in Europe and rest of the world! The band had written 50-60 songs for this album, however all of the sessions with Rick Rubin from late 2006 / early 2007 have been scrapped. Yet the band enlisted their longtime heavy hitter producers Daniel Lenois, Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite to oversee the production of the album. No Line on the Horizon was written and recorded in Morocco, London, Dublin and New York.

Also in U2 news, the band was in London last week to shoot the video for the first single. We have no idea what the song is called, but I am sure it will be great!! 2009 is already shaping up to be a hell of a year!

Live Review-Oasis @ MSG

The first family of Manchester, England took the stage to sold out New York City audience last night and wowed and dazzled the crowd for 100 minutes. Oasis are without a doubt legends in their own country, they are one of my favorite bands of all time, however the criticism they receive in the U.S. has just been negative since day one. Back in the hay day of the second British invasion of the mid to late 90's Oasis led the pack, once the millennium hit many fans and critics here in this country began to lose interest. However, they lost interest just as Oasis became interesting, they stopped fighting and began working as a true rock band. It has been said time and time again from the brothers Gallagher that there are two places in the world that they will always try and out due their last performance, always play their best and that is New York City and Manchester. With that said, I was spoiled enough have floor seats for a second time to see Oasis tear it up at Madison Square Garden. Coming out to "Fucking in the Bushes," and stampeding into "Rock and Roll Star," to "Lyla," to "The Shock of the Lightening," Oasis showed why they are still a top band. At one point Liam asked the crowd, "Is there anybody here from England tonight? No wonder we sold out this show!" Proving once again to their critics here in the U.S. their followers will go around the world for a crack at seeing them. One of the many criticisms I have been reading from U.S. journalists on this tour is the lack of talking between songs from the Gallagher's to the fans, the issue is this...Oasis let the music do the talking. Noal talks with his hands, one of the finest guitar players around, Liam the ultimate front man, a guy with the swagger of Mick Jagger, the crass of Ian Brown (The Stone Roses) and the attitude of Pete Townshed. While the rest of the band guitarist Gem Archer, bassist Andy Bell and new drummer Chris Sharrock provide not only the energy but the musicianship to keep up with the brothers. Oasis love to play loud and the louder they get the better they play, at some points the crowd began to overpower the speakers and you could see Liam pointing to the sound tech to raise the volume of the speakers, however the louder the band got, the louder the fans did. Playing a majority of songs off the bands latest Dig Out Your Soul, they also played classics such as "Wonderwall," "Champagne Supernova," and a special acoustic version of "Don't Look Back in Anger," and closing out the night with a cover of The Beatles "I Am the Walrus." A fantastic night and performance and to those who still doubt the bands power and the bands performance, I have two words for you...piss off!
Opening the show was native New Yorker Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Adams, a musician I have always admired and respected, blew my mind with his band after seeing them. Coming on stage with psychedelic lighting and resembling Bob Dylan and his electric band at the Newport Folk Festival in the 60's, wearing all black and having curly afro's, Adams and the Cardinals soared high in their hometown. Another artist who lets the music do the talking, they gained a bigger fan after seeing them..me.

Oasis Setlist 12/17/08 MSG
Fucking in the Bushes
Rock 'n' Roll Star
Lyla
The Shock Of The Lightning
Cigarettes & Alcohol
The Meaning Of Soul
To Be Where There's Life
Waiting For The Rapture
The Masterplan
Songbird
Slide Away
Morning Glory
Ain't Got Nothin'
The Importance Of Being Idle
I'm Outta Time
Wonderwall
Supersonic
Encore:
Don't Look Back In Anger
Falling Down
Champagne Supernova
I Am The Walrus

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals Setlist:
Cobwebs
Crossed Out Name
Everybody Knows
Fix It
Off Broadway
Go Easy
Sink Ships
Natural Ghost
Come Pick Me Up
Magick

2008 The Albums-Top 10

So here it is, the annual Top 10 list for the Best Albums of 2008. I hope you enjoyed my picks thus far for Honorable Mentions and League of Their Own. Now here are (in my opinion) the cream of the crop, best records of the last 12 months. The list is broken down in short then long form with explanations. Enjoy!

In Short:
10- Forth - The Verve
9 - Tales of Love, Loss and Desperation - The Wombats
8 - You Have No Idea What You Are Getting Yourself Into - Does it Offend You, Yeah?
7- Dear Science - TV on the Radio
6 - Third - Portishead
5 - Stay Positive - The Hold Steady
4 - Glasvegas
3 - Made in the Dark - Hot Chip
2 - Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends - Coldplay
1 - Accelerate - REM

Now in Long Form...

10 - The Verve - Forth

This was the record no one would have thought would ever happen. One of the biggest bands of the second British Invasion breaking up at the height of their career in 1998. A decade later, the band put themselves back together and created a fine blend of psychedelic rock, modern alternative and British jam. The Verve put a little bit of everything that has made them popular around the world into Forth. The title a pun, being the fourth record from the band but also showing they are going forth with their career together. I look forward to more music from one of my favorite acts.

KEY TRACKS : Love is Noise, Noise Epic

9 - The Wombats - A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation
A small trio from Liverpool that made a big post-punk sound on their debut. The Wombats picked up the bar style power trio rock that the Fratellis made popular last year with Costello Music and brought it to new levels. The Wombats were not afraid to put their hearts on their sleeves in creating one of the most fun, energetic and cleaver records of the year.
Key Tracks: Let's Dance to Joy Division, My First Wedding


8- Does it Offend You, Yeah? -You Have No Idea What You Are Getting Yourself Into
A band that tries not to take themselves too seriously, but by doing that they really show they know how to have a great time. The word boring would cease to exist when listening to this record, Does it Offend You, Yeah fuses punk-electro-disco and pop into a non-stop dance party that will have you moving for hours.
Key Tracks: With a Heavy Heart (I Regret to Inform You), Epic Last Song

7- TV on the Radio - Dear Science
This Brooklyn band's last record was all about the Apocalypse and the end of the world as we know it and they did not feel fine. Their follow up however is a rebirth of the world around them in a full out hipster-hop dance party. This is one hell of a record and probably the band's best, TV on the Radio never stop impressing me on their musical abilities and style. One of the few band's that keep pushing the creative envelope and always have us wondering what they will do next.
Key Tracks: Family Tree, Red Dress

6 - Portishead - Third
Technically Portishead never broke up, they were just on hiatus for 11 years. Yet, it may have been worth the wait, they returned with Third, the album that could very well be the English trio's very best. Singer Beth Gibbons beautifully haunting voice penetrates right into your body, while the band hypnotizes you with their music. Third is a must own and one record that will leave you breathless.
Key Tracks: Nylon Smile, Magic Doors

5- The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
What more can I say about a band that I just absolutely love. The Hold Steady's fourth album, Stay Positive is a true rock and roll record from one of the last true rock and roll bands. It takes the story of the band's central characters created by singer Craig Finn on the band's debut The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me, these characters have taken the form of all four records in telling their story, but we as fans still have no idea if Stay Positive is the conclusion. What we the fans do know is that this is a record about scenes, and how Religion is the biggest scene and everyone in America is part of a scene whether they like it or not. One of the most honest albums of the year.
Key Tracks: Constructive Summer, Lord, I am Discouraged

4- Glasvegas
My favorite debut of the year from one of my new favorite bands. Having not only the privilege this year of discovering them, but having the opportunity to interview them for the blog made my admiration for Glasvegas grow. Taking stories ripped from the pages of your life and making them beautiful songs is not an easy task, but Glasvegas make it seem so natural. Combining a 50's retro style mixed with 80's Goth mixed with 21 Century alternative, Glasvegas have certainly served up one fine album. Listen to this record, love it as much as I have and I promise you will not want to let it go.
Key Tracks: Geraldine, Go Square Go

3- Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
The most fun you will have listening to any record this year! The perfect party starter, Hot Chip have made an album that will not only having you moving and shaking for hours, but will having you begging for more. They are masters of production, beats and musicians with each member playing more than one at a time. Certainly the band's best record they have released, the sky is the limit for these guys.
Key Tracks: One Pure Thought, Shake a Fist

2- Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends
The biggest selling record of the year from the biggest band of the decade. Just as people were about to write the band off, they answered with one of their best albums as well as their most epic and adventurous to date. Produced by the legendary Brian Eno, the band takes notes from all who have influenced them, from The Beatles to U2 to Radiohead to The Verve and created a masterpiece. Their is no denying how fantastic this album is.
Key Tracks: Viva La Vida, Lost


1- REM - Accelerate
Firing on all cylinders, the original college rockers shot back with their best record since 1994's Monster. Accelerate is REM's finest hour, after releasing a handful of mediocre and sometimes awful albums, REM cut out the problems and released a straight up rock, almost punk record. Showing their roots and not their age, REM shot songs from a cannon to show they still have it in them. Being a life long REM fan, I am so proud to see these guys back at the top!
Key Tracks: Living Well is the Best Revenge, Hollow Man


So there it is, my 10 picks of the year. I hope you enjoyed it and I encourage you to listen to each album and see what I am talking about. Now we usher in a new year to see what this list will look like 12 months from now.

SLUMDOG GETS 4 GLOBE NOMS!

The 66th Annual Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning and the best film of the year, Slumdog Millionaire got four nominations!!!! It was nominated for Best Picture (which it will win), Best Director Danny Boyle (which I hope he wins), Best Screenplay, and Best Score. If you have not seen this triumph work of art yet you must! This film displays every reason we go to the movies, I promise you will love it....To see a full list of nominees click HERE ... The Golden Globes will be broadcast January 11, 2009!

The Wombats Christmas Vid!

Check out The Wombats video for their Christmas single, "This is Christmas?" A very fun video and poppy jam!

Covers and News!

This week's issue of NME in the UK says it all....

That is right after eight long years, Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon are putting aside their differences and are reforming Blur for 2009! As I posted a few weeks ago it was a confirmed rumor by Albarn, yet that has been said so many times that seeing was more believing. Blur will play their first performance in nine years for London's Hyde Park festival in July. That issue of NME hits US stores in two weeks.

In other Cover news, Bruce Springsteen revealed the cover to his latest Working on a Dream, which is due in stores January 27! Take a look below...

Also, another of New Jersey's finest Thursday released the cover and release date to their latest, Common Existence. The album will be out February 17 under the band's new home at Epitaph records. See the cover below...

U2 CHRISTMAS VID!

Check out U2's latest Christmas single, "I Believe in Father Christmas," for the latest campaign venture for product (Red), Redwire.com.

2008 The Albums-League of Their Own

This is probably my favorite superlative to give out at the end of each year. It is given to the artist who is the most forward thinking, open minded, revolutionary musician out there today. Their accomplishments in the past 12 months have either resurrected a sound, broke down walls and created new frontiers or have totally reinvented a genre all together. In the past winners have included:

2000- Radiohead - Kid A
2001- The Strokes - Is This It?
2002- NERD - In Search of...
2003- The White Stripes - Elephant
2004- The Killers - Hot Fuss
2005- The Mars Volta - Francis the Mute
2006- TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
2007- Kanye West - Graduation

... now to add to this list is 2008's biggest breakout star, someone who has seen the highs and lows of the music industry from behind the mixer and in front, and now can enjoy a great success. Brooklyn make some noise for....
Santogold

I first came to hear Santogold in the fall of 2007 as she was hand selected by Bjork to open for her at Madison Square Garden. Santo at the time, an unknown, came on stage as if she was the headliner and from that moment on I knew she would be the next big thing. After putting out her self-titled debut this past year and finding time to hook up with DJ Diplo to release one of the best mixtapes of the year, Santogold has become music's hottest commodities. A former A&R executive turned producer she linked up with her friends Spank Rock to produce her first record which sounds like a fierce Cindy Lauper meets MIA. Now everyone from Jay-Z to NERD to Julian Casablancas has worked with her and music not only has a new rising star, but an artist with a vision. Santo is able to combine hip-hop, dub, reggae, rock and electronica and is not afraid to broaden her horizon's even more. She is poppy but artistic, she is humble but bold, she is energetic...she is Santogold.
Key Tracks - L.E.S. Artist, I'm A Lady (feat. Trouble Andrew)

Holiday Playlist 2.0

It is that time of year again. So break out the egg nog, wool sweater and of course a record player. The holiday's will never sound so good after spinning these classics by today's artists and new songs to add to the holiday season.

Glasvegas - "A Snowflake Fell (and it Felt like A Kiss)
The Wombats - "Is This Christmas?"
The Killers and Elton John - "Joseph, Better You Than Me"
U2- "I Believe in Father Christmas"
Jimmy Eat World - "If You Were Born Today"
The Who - "Christmas"
Dave Matthews Band - "Christmas Song"
Jimmy Eat World - "Last Christmas"
Rogue Wave - "Christmas"
Run DMC - "Christmas in Hollis"
Bruce Springsteen - "Merry Xmas Baby"
Squirrel Nut Zippers - "Indian Giver"
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - "Christmas All Over Again"
Death Cab for Cutie - "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
Dennis Leary - "Merry Fucking Christmas"
Stevie Wonder - "One Little Christmas Tree"
The Vandals - "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S"
Eels - "Christmas is Going to the Dogs"


For more songs to add to the collection take a look at last years Playlist HERE

THE BEST FILM OF THE YEAR!!

Indeed I present my Best Films of the Year list right before the Oscars, but I promise you there will be nothing this year that tops Slumdog Millionaire. One of my favorite Directors of all time, Danny Boyle has created a film that fills up every positive adjective in the English language, calling it amazing is an understatement. This film exemplifies all the reasons we go to the movies....

Rising Artist EXCLUSIVE! Blue Knives

When I first herd the UK's Blue Knives the first and only thing that came to my mind was "Wow!" This is a small band with a big, epic swelling sound that just sucks you in and refuses to let go. The sound resembles the layering of Coldplay meets The Editors meets Snow Patrol. They are truly a contemporary band for our modern times, however they stand apart from those they take influence from. Blue Knives lyrics and sound strike you right where it counts, your heart. Originally a cover band going under the name Liquid Dogs, they ditched the cover idea and took the name Blue Knives. I had the opportunity to interview bassist Nathan Bayley who mentioned "If I had to try to define its meaning for the band, I'd say that the "blue" represents the sometimes-melancholy, emotional sound of our music, and the "knives" represents the contemporary drive & energy that we always put into our songs." This is a band who is hard at work mastering and mixing their first record and I promise, you will fall in love with them as much as I have. For more info and to hear the music of Blue Knives check out their Myspace HERE. For more of my interview with Nathan see below:

You come from England, a place that is seeing a musical Renaissance, do you find it hard to get your music heard in your own country?
NB: If a band puts a lot of effort into the promotion and marketing side of the industry, and if the music is genuinely good then it will get heard by the right people, and by the right type of fans, and the band will progress. In my experience if a band hasn't been heard by enough of the right people, then they've been too lazy.

How does your music differ from every other unsigned act in the UK?
NB: Each band-member's own individual musical background is completely different to the next. We have backgrounds in fields like jazz, commercial music and music technology, and genres such as electronica, heavy metal and post-punk. From the extended chords and harmonies that are placed subtly into the songs, to the electronic and synthesized elements, it all seems to come together to form this atmospheric and layered final sound. It's a very British sound according to most people's views, we won't argue with that, but it's unique enough we hope.

The songs are very epic in sound, do you think that strikes more of an emotional chord with audiences? Especially Global audiences?
NB: I personally adore many bands that use layering, melody, harmony and ambient effects to create a huge, epic sound. If it's done correctly, adding more melodies and making the overall song denser can really have an emotional impact on people. As for global audiences, we do seem to have attracted a lot of European and North American interest online, perhaps it's just chance, I don't think British music fans are less keen on "epic" music haha!

Will the band ever make a trip to the US soon?
NB: Sadly I think a US trip will have to wait for another year or two, that's the kind of venture that needs a lot of financial and professional backing, both of which we're working on acquiring at the moment :) We've already had numerous requests by fans to play all over the US, but both the band and the fans will have to be patient a little while longer.

When will an EP / LP be released?
NB: Very soon!! We've been working on our first full-length album for the past couple of months, it's been very hard work sometimes, but that's just part of the beauty of creating something to be truly proud of. We're currently at the mixing and editing stage, we recorded so many instruments, and so many vocal parts that it's relatively slow progress to mix the entire thing, but seeing as this is our first release we wanted it to be something special, emotional and complete, not a rushed "collection of our songs". The finished product should hopefully be available to buy in the next two months.

How do you measure success?
NB: "Success" means different things to different people, for us it means a steady progression up the musical ladder. The first time I think we'll be able to call ourselves a successful band will be when we have finished our first album, we've put so much effort and love into creating something we're proud of that when it's complete we will have reached the first important rung on the ladder, even if it's initially just a personal success.

Where would you like that success to take you?
NB: After finishing the album we want to reach the point where we can viably share our music to the whole of the UK, I think we should reach that before we start spending too much energy planning anything global or pan-European. For most bands it's always a slow and steady progression, only a few groups are lucky enough to have a global fan base and audience from very early in their career, but of course we're not ruling out that possibility for us either haha :)

Special thanks to Nath and Blue Knives, keep up the great work!

Movie of the Month-A Midnight Clear

Did anyone catch the second to last episode of this season of Entourage a few weeks ago? The one with the Peter Berg cameo, yeah that one. Hollywood of course is intertwined with each other, and this is the film that struck up a career long friendship with Peter Berg and Kevin "Johnny Drama" Dillon. The set in which they met would be 1992's A Midnight Clear, of course Berg would later go on to direct films such as The Kingdom with Jeramy Piven and the two would then star in Smokin' Aces. A Midnight Clear is a fantastic anti-war film set in France World War II that echos the Christmas Truce of World War I when two fighting sides put their differences aside to celebrate Christmas together before the fighting resumes in bloody battle the next morning. The film features a great ensemble cast of a young Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise and Frank Whaley. This humbling film is a great independent flick with a great story that is certainly very unknown but if you are looking for a great Christmas film this Holiday season, A Midnight Clear should be added to the top of your list, I promise you will love it.

Underrated Classic-Mike Ness "Cheating at Solitare"

One of the biggest voices of the SoCal rockabilly-punk movement of the late 80's, Social Distortion's Mike Ness put his claim to fame on hold to pursue one of the most notable solo debuts of the 90's. 1999's Cheating at Solitaire showed Ness at his most vulnerable but also showed support of some heavy hitters on a stripped down more roots-rock inspired album. Leaving the punk basics to Social D, Ness took his signature raspy voice, a voice that sounds like he smoked three packs and downed a bottle of Jack Daniel's before hitting the studio to pour his heart out without his band mates. The cover shows a hard edged man (Ness) clutching his guitar and almost weeping. The cover to me symbolizes a man at his end, but getting this out was just what he needed. Yet, Ness was not alone the album featured cameo's from Bruce Springsteen, Brian Setzer and the Royal Crown Revue, however it also showed one his biggest hits, a cover of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright." The radio friendly anthem got the album attention, but the record only peaked at #81 on the Billboard 200 when it was released in April of '99. This is certainly one of the finest records of the late 90's, if not the decade, and if you have not go and check it out. I promise you will be pleased.

2008 The Albums-Honorable Mentions

Here it is, the first of three end of the year lists to indulge in. I must say 2008 has been one hell of a year for music, many great artists (new and old) have delivered some great material these past 12 months. It excites me to start announcing these lists and records. This list is made up of the honorable mentions of 2008, albums that were good but not good enough to crack the top 10 best of list (or at least in my opinion). Here is a look at six records that are definitely worth a few listens and attention, as always here is the list in short then long form.

Short list:

2008 Honorable Mentions (In No Particular Order)

Gnarles Barkley - The Odd Couple

Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul

NERD - Seeing Sounds

The Fratellis - Here We Stand

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Now Long Form with Explanations:

Gnarles Barkley - The Odd Couple

I really do not think anything will ever compare to the first time I ever put on this duo's first album, St. Elsewhere. The places St. Elsewhere went were just unbelievable, it was a remarkable record pushing the envelope musically as much as it could. The Odd Couple, though not as strong or as its predecessor still stands out to some degree. The last record was the two musical brainiacs hard at work, where this record shows Danger Mouse spreading himself too thin over the past year as a producer for not just his own band but for Beck, Black Keys and many others. Yet, Cee-Lo's voice just explodes from his big body of soul on The Odd Couple making it worth the listen and time.

Key Tracks: Open Book, Surprise

Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul

I am a huge fan of the band's last record 2005's Don't Believe the Truth. Dig Out Your Soul was one of the most anticipated albums for me this year considering Oasis are one of my favorite bands of all time. Critically here in the U.S. I believe they have shut up all of the naysayers and created a great rock and roll record. I would like to call this "Abbey Revolution," if you will. Taking over the famous Beatles studio in London and mixing the record in California, Oasis have finally learned how to work as a team and have created a great psychedelic rock record. One that all must check out.

Key Tracks: The Shock of the Lightening, Waiting for the Rapture

NERD - Seeing Sounds

After having an over impressive debut, then releasing one of the worst albums I ever herd Fly or Die in 2003. NERD had a lot to prove before I wrote them off. They not only proved it but Pharell and Co, delivered one of the best hip-hop/dance hybrids not only of year but of the decade. They proved what talented musicians, producers and performers they truly are. Seeing Sounds is certainly one to check out and it will keep you moving for hours.

Key Tracks: Everyone Nose, Anti-Matter

The Fratellis - Here We Stand

This record is a declaration, that the Scottish trio known as The Fratellis are not going anywhere. The essential follow up to last years Costello Music, Here We Stand may not be as poppy but it rocks just as hard. This was the perfect summertime fun in the sun album, one that you could put your speakers out your windows, annoy your neighbors and just rock out to.

Key Tracks: Mistress Mabel, Look Out Sunshine

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

The music industries favorite band has released four albums in five years (including this one) and are finally getting the attention they truly deserve in their own country. Nashville's Kings of Leon mix the perfect blend of southern rock with a European flair on this album. This is without a doubt their most solid work to date and I cannot wait to see what will be next for the fraternity of Followills.

Key Tracks: Sex on Fire, Cold Dessert

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Honestly, call me crazy, but who knew they still had it in them? Oh, Rick Rubin did that's right! The San Fransisco Legends finest hour in almost two decades, the metal Gods still prove they are legends for a reason. For anyone that ever wrote Metallica off in the twilight of their career are certainly eating their words now, this is one heavy, in your face, intense album. Death Magnetic is a return to form for the metal giants and hope they stay at the top where they belong.

Key Tracks: The Was Just Your Life, All Nightmare Long

So that is the first of three lists for now. I hope you enjoyed my pics thus far, stay tuned next week as I will be posting the coveted "League of Their Own" award.....

Reunions and Separations...

It has been confirmed that No Doubt will reunite in 2009 and hit the studio as well as the road next summer. The band is already booked to headline this years Bamboozle festival in New Jersey in May.

God only knows how many times this has been said but Blur are getting back together. This time Damon Albarn makes it legit by telling the BBC "Blur are certainly going to rehearse and see if we're into it." They will enter the studio after the holidays and work together for the first time since 2003's Think Tank. Lets hope they make something grand.

The original bar band The Faces featuring Ron Wood and Rod Stewart have been in a rehearsal studio for about a week now and are ready and willing to hit the road next year. This will be the first time The Faces have played together in almost four decades.

As great as all these reunions and tours may seem, sad news to report, my favorite unsigned band from New York City has split. The Fire Flies whose amazing two records Baobabs in the Basement and Two New Sciences, as well as brilliant live shows will be a memory. The members of the band are currently hard at work on other projects. I wish them all the best of luck in their future endevours.

Newsletter

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to give a rundown on what will be happening for the end of the year before I begin to publish my list of 2008 - The Albums from the "Top 10," "League of Their Own" and "Honorable Mentions." Here is a breakdown on when to expect what list:

Thanksgiving / Black Friday - Honorable Mentions
Dec 7 - League of Their Own
Dec 14 - 10 Best Albums of 2008

***Just a reminder, my list for the 10 best films of the year comes in February right before the Oscars****

One other note, I would like to take this time to mention the passing of one of my best friends and supporter of this site. The passing of my close friend Phil Duerr has sidelined me, I will miss him dearly. His kind words of encouragement, and friendship proved he was much more than a friend but a brother. Phil - I love and miss you, see you on the other side......

Kanye West "Heartless" Video

Heartless from kwest on Vimeo.

Does Kanye need to prove it anymore why he is THE GREATEST! Here is the latest video from Mr. West off 808's and Heartbreak, it was directed by Hype Williams. Just call it the video of NEXT year....

Playlist

Here is a playlist of songs to check out and indulge in...

Coldplay feat Jay-Z - "Lost +"
Bloc Party - "One Month Off"
Tripwires - "In Times of Trouble"
The Killers - "Human"
Glasvegas - "Go Square Go"
Pulp - "Like a Friend"
Joy Division - "She's Lost Control"
Airborne Toxic Event - "Sometime Around Midnight"
The Knux - "Cappuccino"
Daggers - "Jealousy"

Coldplay Game

Check out the game tie in for Coldplay's Prospekt's March EP coming out next week!

New Boss Tracklisting!

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have confirmed the release date and track listing for their latest, Working on a Dream. The Brendon O'Brien produced album is slated to come out January 27, just in time before the bands big performance at this years Super Bowl Half Time Show. The Boss had this to say in a press statement “Towards the end of recording Magic, excited by the return to pop production sounds, I continued writing [...] I hope Working on a Dream has caught the energy of the band fresh off the road from some of the most exciting shows we’ve ever done. All the songs were written quickly, we usually used one of our first few takes, and we all had a blast making this one from beginning to end.”
The record will feature 12 songs and two bonus songs, "The Wrestler," the title track to the upcoming Mickey Rourke film and "A Night with the Jersey Devil," the song Bruce gave away for free on Halloween. See the rest of the listing below:

1. “Outlaw Pete”
2. “My Lucky Day”
3. “Working on a Dream”
4. “Queen of the Supermarket”
5. “What Love Can Do”
6. “This Life”
7. “Good Eye”
8. “Tomorrow Never Knows”
9. “Life Itself”
10. “Kingdom of Days”
11. “Surprise, Surprise”
12. “The Last Carnival”

Live Review - Girl Talk @ Terminal 5

Honestly, I really have no idea even where to begin with this review. Last night's bordello of musical mash-ups, dancing, and an entire room of 3,000 plus people running on pure adrenaline, left me not only exhausted, but speechless. A former chemical engineer from Pittsburgh, Gregg Gillis would spend his weekdays at his desk and would turn into the night ripper by the weekend DJing sold out gigs all over the world under the name Girl Talk. His popularity has risen this past year with the release of his latest mixtape / mash up album Feed the Animals. Girl Talk has become the biggest American DJ since the hayday of Moby. Mashing up songs from everyone from Blackstreet to Radiohead to Jay-Z to The Verve to Biggie Smalls to Elton John, combining a non-stop fist pumping, dance party.

Last night was the first of three sold out shows at New York's Terminal 5, and for an unusual warm November night in New York, the heat cranked up full blast in the venue. It was a no holds bar full out extravaganza equip with fans dressed as bears, bananas (yes, some dude was in a banana costume), confetti and toilet paper streaming across the crowd. Girl Talk is known for his wild shows, but at a place like Terminal 5 where security is so tight, it could not stop him and his fans from going nuts. Inviting hordes of people on stage to dance around him, Girl Talk didn't break his concentration as he put on one of the most entertaining shows I have ever witnessed. He broke out new mash ups featuring NERD's "Everybody Nose," to Jay-Z's "Jockin Jay-Z" to Kanye's "Love Lockdown." No word on when his next record will drop, but Girl Talk is a sight to be seen. I can not even call this a concert, it was an experience.

Kanye West Tracklisting!

Aside from being arrested today in the UK, Kanye West released the track listing to 808's and Heartbreak which is set for release Nov 24. Check it out below:

01 Welcome to Heartbreak
02 Heartless
03 Love Lockdown
04 Robocop
05 Anyway
06 Streetlights
07 Say You Will
08 Real Bad News
09 Amazing [ft. Young Jeezy]
10 Tell Everybody That You Know [ft. Lil Wayne]
11 Coldest Winter

Gnarls Barkley Cover Radiohead!!!!

A real gem on Youtube that I found. Gnarls Barkley doing an amazing live cover of Radiohead's "Reckoner"!

Read! READ! Read!

A few new awesome blogs have popped up that I feel I need to share with my audience...check them out here..

Hindsighting - A blog comprised of former WQAQ DJ's I used to work with, think of it as a Village Voice told through the eyes of twenty-something year old's. It features everything from film reviews, concert reviews, TV, news, editorials, restaurants and new music. Even yours truly is a contributing writer. Check it out at http://hindsighting.blogspot.com/

Because I Can't Always Talk On The Radio - An insiders look into pop culture from my dear friend Valentine. It will be one of those sites you will constantly be checking for updates and seeing what is going down in Tinseltown. Check it out at http://valsyummyblog.blogspot.com/

Sweet and Sour - Ever wonder what its like to be an aspiring model in New York City? Watch and read as it is told through the eyes of a young woman in this blog. My friend Candice is the voice on the other end, she will discuss the highs and lows of her life, while professing her love for President - Elect Barack Obama. Check it out at http://dancewithcandy.blogspot.com/

Slumdog Millionaire

One of my favorite directors of all time Danny Boyle is back with his latest film Slumdog Millionaire. It is already getting Oscar Buzz, check it out as it opens in theaters this week!

Quick News

As Tall As Lions have confirmed their studio ambitions will go forth in 2009. The band will enter a Los Angeles recording studio at the beginning of January to master and finish recording their follow up to 2006's brilliant self titled sophomore disc. The latest record currently titled You Can't Take it With You, will be produced by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah producer Adam Lasus.

Seminal 90's post-hardcore band Far reunited a few weeks ago in California. Far featuring front man Jonah Matranga had sworn off rumors of a reunion last year when every band under the sun were getting back together. They played a surprise show at the Troubadour and are now doing shows in Europe. Fingers crossed for a New York appearance.

In another surprise move, The Killers were the surprise opening act to Glasvegas this weekend in England. Before the Scottish band took the stage, Brandon Flowers and Co. did a surprise acoustic set featuring some new songs as well as classics. Also in Killers news, the bands latest Day and Age was push up a day and will now be released Nov. 24.

He is a singer, a poet, filmmaker, writer, an activist now REM's Michael Stipe can add fashion designer to his resume. Stipe has designed a polo for French clothing company Lacoste for their Spring collection. The shirt can be seen below

Glasvegas in a Stairwell

Indeed the title of this post maybe a little obtuse, however, it is a brilliant video. It is Glasvegas singer James Allen in typical black shades performing an acoustic version of "Geraldine," for a European TV network.

Live Review-The Hold Steady @ Terminal 5

What a week it has been, it would only be fitting to cap it off in celebration. The pride of New York would headline one of the biggest homecoming concerts they have done in some time. Brooklyn rockers The Hold Steady and Alabama's Drive By Truckers Co-Headlining the "Rock and Roll Means Well Tour," arrived in a two night stay at Terminal 5. Hell's Kitchen was ablaze on the sold out final night of a pure good old fashion rock and roll show. Coming out guns a-blazing The Hold Steady opened with "Constructive Summer," a song of furious rock epic proportions about life, love and music supplied with a simple prayer to Joe Strummer it would platform the rest of the night. Hold Steady front man Craig Finn showed off his pure front man brilliance. Finn is part Shakespearean actor, part slam poet and using his guitar and mic stand for prop purposes only, his arms flailing around in the air with a smile from ear to ear. Finn was celebrating not only the victory of coming home to a big audience, his band successes, a new President, he was celebrating the idea that his words have reached out to so many in a time when words mean so much.
The Hold Steady are not just your typical band singing about angst. It is the angst that drives us day in and day out at every age on why their music hits so many demographics and groups of people. If you are 15, 25, 35, 45 years old, you can find something to relate to and have the songs become your own. Finn is not just the only one in the band offering something or someone to watch, guitarist Tab Kubler is one of the best his generation has put out. An underrated guitarist with the talent of his idols, he shreds and strums like an animal. Pianist Franz Nicolay (who is looking more like Italian Actor Alberto Sordi and less like Porn Star Ron Jeramey), swigs from his bottle of wine while jumping and dancing in place. The rhythm section of Bobby Drake (drums) and Galen Polivka (bass) are the back bone keeping the band in line. Playing for almost two hours, including a joint venture on stage during the encore with members of Drive By Truckers and The Loved Ones (who were in the audience, but not on the bill), Finn was two sheets to the wind by the end of the night, slurring his words and thoughts. While the musicians showed camaraderie while showing to their audience, Rock and Roll really does mean well.
Clearly a band who in the end of all of this will prove their longevity. The reality is clear after following them for a few years now, The Hold Steady are here to make true American thought provoking rock and roll music proud once again in a music world dominated by commercial distortion.

Set List: The Hold Steady @ Terminal 5 11/7/08
“Constructive Summer”
“You Gotta Dance (With Who You Came to the Dance With)”
“Multitude of Casualties”
“Chips Ahoy!”
“Sequestered in Memphis”
“One for the Cutters”
“Cheyenne Sunrise”
“Ask Her for Adderall”
“Magazines”
“Arms & Hearts”
“Stevie Nix”
“Massive Nights”
“Party Pit”
“Lord, I’m Discouraged”
“Hornets! Hornets!”
“Your Little Hoodrat Friend”
“Most People Are DJs”
“Slapped Actress”
“How a Resurrection Really Feels”
Encore:
“First Night”
“Stay Positive”
“History Lesson Part II”
“Ride On” (AC/DC Cover with members of Drive By Truckers)
“Burnin’ For You” (Blue Oyster Cult Cover with members of Drive By Truckers)
“Killer Parties” (with members of Drive By Truckers and The Loved Ones)

Quantum of Solace

In a week from today Bond returns to US theaters!

Mr. November

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer." -

Barack Obama

"I'm the new blue blood, I'm the great white hope, I'm the new blue blood. I won't fuck us over, I'm Mr. November, I'm Mr. November" -

The National "Mr November"

Listen to The KNUX!

Two brothers that left New Orleans after Katrina made a life for themselves in Hollywood. Sick beats and great rhymes...think Clipse meets Cool Kids meets Old Outkast!

500th Post / 2 Year Anniversary

This is a monumental posting as November marks the Two year Anniversary of this site, but this is also my 500th Post!! I am very proud to have seen where this blog has gone and taken itself. With readers as far south as Brazil and Argentina to all over Europe to Canada and as far west as California, "With This I Think I'm Officially A Yuppie," is getting read in places I never thought possible.

This has been a great year for the blog and I must take the time to thank some for helping me make it so big. Thanks to: Coldplaying.com, thevervelive.blogspot.com, Brooklyn Vegan, The Editors, Jonny Cragg of Spacehog, Glasvegas, Arthur Kremer of Stellastarr*, to artists making good music and films and giving me something to write about. Most importantly I need to thank you the reader above anyone else. Without you this site would not be going as strong as it has and I promise this next year will outdo this past one!

Thanks again for the support!

Much love,
Sal

Rising Artist - Daggers

Somethings in life just go together; like Cigarettes and Alcohol, Coffee and sweets, and of course Europe and Electro music. The combination of the two have been companions for some time now, yet the next wave of Euro-electro is here and that is Manchester, England's Daggers. The band describes themselves as "Extra spectral popular song, distorted atmospherics and apocalyptic electronics." England's Independent have said "If you want to gauge Daggers' potential, you aren't just looking at the Manchester scene, or the indie scene, or anything so irrelevant. You're looking at Planet Earth." They are a small band with very big potential, their influences are laid out in their music. Think Gary Numan fronting Nine Inch Nails or Simon LaBon fronting The Sounds. It is dark as it is poppy and it certainly needs to be listened to, they will have you dancing in your seat while waving your hands in the air. Check them out HERE

Movie of the Month - La Vie En Rose

After watching this film I realized every other biopic I had seen before December 2007 was nothing compared to La Vie En Rose. This is the single greatest biopic about an person ever put on screen. The French can do more than just put people in seats, but they engross the audience in a full blow piece of art. La Vie En Rose is the story of the famous French World War II singer Edith Piaf. The film goes through her trials and tribulations as a child just trying to survive, then as a singer just trying to stay alive and not fall to addiction. Piaf was the Amy Winehouse of her day, if you will, but how her story is laid out is one of more tragedy than triumph. Piaf is portrayed by the beautiful and talented Marion Cotillard in the role that won her an Oscar at this past years Academy Awards. Cotiallard transforms herself into Piaf from not only her voice but her look as well. Take a split screen of the both of them and you will not be able to tell the difference. Of course the film is chock full of Piaf music, and I promise you will become a fan of the famous French singer. A beautiful soundtrack to a beautiful film about a tragic figure. La Vie En Rose is a must for those that have not seen witnessed it.

Underrated Classic - Thursday "War All the Time"

You may look at this post and say it is too recent of a record to call a classic, let alone an overlooked classic. If anything War All the Time is one of those albums that has been given to us and needs to be discussed now more than ever.

The release of New Jersey's Thursday third record, but first major label, was met with very mixed reviews and much struggle. Thursday nearly broke up recording this record and then after a successful tour with Thrice and Coheed and Cambria, they went on hiatus. Unlike its predecessor Full Collapse, the record that gained the band national attention, War All the Time was a much more musical and melodic record. The title reflects both current times and the struggles we face at everyday life. Opening with the rip roaring "For the Workforce," the welcoming Thursday gave to fans was just a straight punch to the face. Not holding back, the record does move the listener unlike anything any Thursday fan was used to. Songs such as "Steps Ascending," "This Song Brought to You by a Falling Bomb," and "M.Shepard," showed the bands poetic side but not soft side, considering the topics of war, religion and sexuality were heavy in idea. War All the Time will open a listeners mind and in a time of change here in the U.S. it is one to start spinning again.

Political Playlist

This Tuesday the most important US Presidential election will take place. At this point I do not think I need to stress how important it is for you to go out and vote. With that in mind, here is a soundtrack of songs I have compiled that reflect government issues, world issues and politics as a whole...

Coldplay - "Politik"
The National - "Mr. November"
Rage Against the Machine - "Wake Up"
Bruce Springsteen - "Johnny 99"
Bob Dylan - "Blowin in the Wind"
Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son"
Bright Eyes - "When the President Talks to God"
U2 - "Love and Peace or Else"
Pearl Jam - "Bushleaguer"
The Clash - "Know Your Rights"
Chris Cornell and Maynard James Keenan - "What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding"
Bouncing Souls - "Letters from Iraq"
Billy Bragg - "Waiting for the Great Leap Forward"
Bjork - "Declare Independence"
Green Day - "American Idiot"
MC5 - "Kick out the Jams"
John Lennon - "Gimme Some Truth"
Radiohead - "House of Cards"
REM - "Welcome to the Occupation"
Bob Marley - "Get Up! Stand Up!"
Pink - "Dear, Mr. President"
Woodie Guthrie - "This Land is Your Land"
Muse - "Map of the Problematic"
Marvin Gaye - "What's Goin On?"
Against Me! - "Stop!"
Rise Against - "Swing Life Away"
System of a Down - "War"

Coldpraising!

Every once in a while I have to give this blog (and myself) some credit. It is great to have people read this site from all over the Globe. Thanks to the beauty of the Internet a slew of people in the UK have been following the site and e-mailing me with some great things. Just wanted to say thanks! Also, speaking of UK readers, someone in Manchester, England saw my review of Coldplay at Hammerstein and posted it on the biggest Coldplay fan site in the world. The site Coldplaying.com featured it on their site as well as their message board. Check out the message board posting HERE

Another cool thing is the message I received from Stellastarr*'s Arthur Kremer about the site. Kremer mentioned "Hey I like the layout of your site...good job!" Some nice words of encouragement from a really awesome guy! Thanks Arthur!

And finally I am patting myself on the back for this...Who is one of the first people in the US to be writing and even interviewing Glasvegas? Oh me - that's who! Who has the free featured single of the week on Itunes this week as well as an upcoming taping of Letterman in January--Glasvegas! I told you they were going to be huge! You herd it first here on this side of the pond!

Sorry for my nerdiness but I just needed to let it out.

EXCLUSIVE! STELLASTARR* INTV!!!!

At some point during this decade, bloggers (like myself) had begun to dictate which bands were cool and what people should be listening to. Artists such as The Arcade Fire, The Shins (Pre-Garden State), The Decemberists had begun to build a reputation in the blogosphere before labels and radio took notice. One band in particular New York City's Stellastarr* was one of those bands that caught the attention of bloggers, however, Stellastarr* were much more crafty than online writers led on. Propelled by catchy hooks, clever lyrics and fantastic live shows, Stellastarr* were poised to become the next big thing from the city that never sleeps. After reaching much success with two albums, 2003's self titled debut and 2005's Harmonies for the Haunted, Stellastarr* are set to release their third album in 2009. I had the opportunity to chat with drummer Arthur Kremer about the new record, New York and touring the world. Check out my exclusive interview with Kremer...

1- How is the progress on the new record?
It's coming along slowly and un-surely. We are pretty much finished with it. It's recorded and mixed and now we're fussing about with the details such as mastering, album name and just how the hell to release it.

2- How do you think fans will react to the new album?
I hope they either really hate it or really love it.

3- You were one of the first bands to break out of the neo-New York scene this past decade. What has role has New York City played in your music? What role does music play in New York City?
New York is very much intertwined with us and the music we make. I wouldn't even know how to separate it out. I don't think stellastarr* could have been born in Tallahassee or Cleveland or any other town.

4- You were also one of the first bands to take the 80's synth sound and bring it back to the mainstream in such effective way around the world. Do you think that type of dance-rock, that you helped reusher in, makes it easier to reach a global audience than other generes?
I don't know how to answer this...Partially because we don't really use any synths and especially didn't when we first started out. We also never intended to "usher in" any particular genre of music. We just got together to make music that we wanted to make...and what came out, came out.

5- Has touring the world and having your music reach out to so many people changed you as musicians?
Absolutely. In some ways it made us better musicians, more professional and savvy. But with the good there always is the bad. I am sure we've lost a great deal of innocents and naiveté which I very much revel in. I am sure we are more jaded and perhaps more cynical as musicians and as people.

6- The sound Stellastarr* produces sounds more British than American. Has Brit-pop been a strong influence on the band?
For sure...I mean Brit pop in general is a huge influence on all music and all musicians. So many incredible musicians came out of that little place it's baffling to me. Maybe they're crappy cuisine had made them strive for something more fulfilling...well that's my theory anyway. However I will say that I think our sound is more New York than British or American. New York is a unique place that's is in my mind culturally a perfect blend of the American and European ideals. I think and hope we helped to usher in a New York sound...I guess this answer can be applicable to question 3 and 4.

7- You have placed the demo of "Warchild," up on myspace. Does this song and title reflect our current times? Will the band be getting more political / social on the new record?
We'll be getting more.



Above: Stellastarr* on Last Call with Carson Daly / Below: Video for "Sweet Troubled Soul"

Glasvegas XMas Tracklisting

As I mentioned last week, Glasvegas are set to release a Christmas album this Holiday season. The album entitled A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss), will be out December 1. After reviewing the track listing, it seems to be more of a Holiday EP, but I am still looking forward to it. Here is the track listing:

'Please Come Back Home'
'Cruel Moon'
'Careful What You Wish For'
'Fuck You, It's Over'
'A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)'
'Silent Night / Noapte De Vis'

Live Review-Coldplay @ Hammerstein Ballroom

In a up close and personal, exclusive invitation only concert, one of the biggest bands in the world played to one of their smallest audiences in years. 500 lucky fans, industry executives, and friends of Coldplay including Jay-Z and Beyonce had a chance to see the London four piece in a intimate setting. Being one of the lucky ones to get in, it was rather amazing to see Coldplay perform to such a small crowd gathered at Hammerstein Ballroom, a venue that can hold close to 4,000. The concert was a taping for a Nissan / Yahoo live series that will be broadcast on the web December 1. Opening with "Life in Technicolor," then going into a semi-acoustic version of "Violet Hill;" I could hear the feedback coming off speakers, the hands of Chris Martin, Guy Berryman and Johnny Buckland sliding up and down the fret boards of their guitars, Chris' fingers pounding his piano. While feeling the air coming from Will Champion's drums, I knew I was in for something special. Playing for an hour, featuring a heavy Viva La Vida or Death and all His Friends set, they managed to sneak in fan favorites like "Clocks," and "Yellow." The biggest moment of the night was during "Viva La Vida," when the small crowd just went absolutely nuts, it is one of those songs that people need to experience live at least once before they die. In between songs Martin would lend his smug commentary from everything to life on the road, the upcoming US Election and his admiration for touring mate Duffy. It was during these little moments in between songs that I realized after seeing them five times (including last night), in every size venue possible, this is the most I have ever herd Chris Martin speak to his audience. Fame has seem to really grab a hold of the singer, his ego and confidence on stage has soared beyond measure. However, he has his band mates to keep him grounded as they really provide the soundtrack to an amazing event, night after night. Last night also proved that size does not matter for Coldplay. You can stick them in Madison Square Garden or Hammerstein Ballroom in front of 500 people and they will give one of the greatest live performances you will ever see and only leaving you wanting more.

Coldplay setlist 10/22/08 Hammerstein Ballroom:
Life In Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
Lost!
Chinese Sleep Chant
42
Yellow
Strawberry Swing
Viva La Vida
Lovers In Japan
Death And All His Friends