My Morning Jacket album and shows

My Morning Jacket have finally announced the name of their new album. The follow up to the 2005 album 'Z' will be titled 'Evil Urges' and will get a US release date of June 10th. The UK will probably get it around the same time.

The band are also playing five dates in America over the next few months - so far at least - although three of them are festival shows. Hopefully they'll come over here soon, since I wouldn't mind seeing them live.

My Morning Jacket

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Morrissey halts show due to illness

This has broken in the last couple of hours. It looks as if Morrissey has thrown the rest of his Roundhouse residency into doubt. Read the full story at NME.com.

Morrissey official website

Overdue tracks of 2007

When I did my look back of my albums of 2007, I was thinking about the possibility of adding a seperate Tracks of 2007 list. In the end I decided against it and instead just named a key track under each of my choices in the albums list.

I've now had a change of heart.

Albeit a month late, the reason why I've done is mainly because there were many other good albums of last year. So one to highlight these albums is by doing this. If you like the tracks, go and get the album.

The list, in no particular order:

Nine Inch Nails - My Violent Heart
Klaxons - It's Not Over Yet
Radiohead - All I Need
Dizzee Rascal - Sirens
The Bees - Who Cares What The Question Is?
Saul Williams - Scared Money
Arcade Fire - My Body Is A Cage
LCD Soundsystem - New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down
Simian Mobile Disco - Sleep Deprivation
Arctic Monkeys - 505
Jonquil - Lily
Kaiser Chiefs - I Can Do It Without You
Kings Of Leon - Fans
Patrick Wolf - The Stars

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Last FM goes OD

Last FM, a social networking site that allows you to see what other people are listening to and offers radio and streaming services based on that user's tastes and other features, have announced that they have gone on-demand. They managed to sign a deal with all the four big labels (EMI, Sony BMG, Warners, and Universal) and with hundreds of smaller independent labels to allow huge volumes of albums to be listened to and streamed, making Last FM bigger than Napster and all other leading competition.

In my eyes, this is a major deal. Especially considering the state of the industry where artists and organisations are desperately trying to find new business models. This one, to me, is the fairest model for both consumers and artists/labels so far.

So how will this work then?

The user of Last FM would be at first allowed to listen to any track from the library of 3.5 million tracks for free...but there is a catch. You can allow listen to the track for a maximum of three times. After that, you will be recommended other songs or artists that you may like and will advise you to subscribe, like Napster, in order to have unlimited listens. I'm unsure of what the fee is at the moment. I read one blog that said $3 but I'm not sure, since there's no mention in the Last FM blog post explaining the on-demand service. I'm pretty sure though it will be cheaper than Napster.

What's the benefit for the artists and labels?

It's simple really. They will be paid everytime a song gets played. Last FM also annoucnced that, in addition to this on-demand service, unsigned artists could sign up for free and upload their own music to the database. That artist would then recieve a royalties payment everytime one of their tracks was played. This aspect of the on-demand service is really exciting for aspiring artists. The benefits for an unsigned artist are now far more appealling financially than they would be on MySpace.

How will Last FM make money?

Advertisers would be able to use a 'mini billboard' in the pop up player to sell their product or service. Simple as.

This idea is definitely one that can work and I think the oppurtunities for unsigned artists are promosing. Is this the way forward for the music industry? Well, unless anyone has a better idea, this is the best solution I've heard of so far...

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Four albums for 2008

Better late than never, the albums that I'm looking forward to this year.

Franz Ferdinand - The sound on the album is said to be a bit more synth driven but one thing is for sure, it will definitely be by far a different record from their previous two. I can understand why people didn't like their second album (main reason being 'more of the same') but I liked the songs enough to let Franz off the hook. As long as there isn't another Eleanor, Put Your Boots On or Fade Together then I will be happy.

The Music - Much missed band in my books. Their last album, Welcome To The North (released back in the deep echelons of 2004) was an impressive rock record which should have propelled them to stardom. Yet they are still nowhere near as popular as other bands. Here's hoping that the new album, tentatively given a title of Strength In Numbers, is the one that gives them the attention they deserve.

Green Day - Very likely to release a record this year but it's unsure what kind of record they'll put on. My money is on a more maturer album with a mix of the musical styles of Warning with the biting political lyrics of American Idiot. Other rumours include that it will be a psychedelic record or a straight up punk record but I think that is increasingly unlikely.

The Verve - What I would want is very simple. A record as good as Urban Hymns but without all the solo crap that Richard Ashcroft terrorised us with. If they can come up with a very balanced record with epic, soft, and just plain groovy songs then all will be well. If it isn't, it will make me think they reunited for the money.

Franz Ferdinand
The Music
Green Day
The Verve

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Hear me talk about Radiohead

Earlier today, someone messaged me on my Last FM profile, asking if I wanted to appear on Belgian radio to speak about the Radiohead surprise gig. After I was assured that this was a proper radio station (namely Studio Brussel), I spoke to the presenter of a program called Volt for an interview. So, if you want to hear me babble on about the gig (in English, not Dutch, since I don't know the language at all!), click the link below. It will take a while to buffer, so let it load for a couple of minutes or so.

Me on Studio Brussel
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Radiohead at 93 Feet East

Let's start at the beginning.

So yesterday morning after we had watched Jeremy Kyle I was checking my news feeds and I stumbled across the news of yesterday's Radiohead gig. For the next hour, I was absolutely torn as to whether to go or not. Purely for the reason that if I went and didn't get into the gig I would be quite disappointed...but in the end, me and my girlfriend decided to go for it. If we missed out, we had a Pizza Express voucher waiting to be used, of all things to fall back on.

So we left on our journey which took us on bus, train, tube and foot to the venue location which was the Rough Trade store at Brick Lane. There were already about 100 people in the line already so we settled into the queue, talked to randomers - what you would usually do if faced in a situation where you have to queue for others.

I also made a couple of excursions into the Rough Trade store. The first trip was to buy the Radiohead single on CD and vinyl. The second was just to look around. Both times I was in there there was some soundchecking taking place. The second time I was in there I am pretty sure I spotted Phil, the drummer of Radiohead, talking to someone. I stood literally for about two seconds and then walked out because I was too chicken to even ask. What a missed oppurtunity.

So we waited until about quarter to six when the wristbands were being given out. Me and Aino got ours as did the people who we were talking to throughout the day. At that point, we suddenly realised how much of a fuss this had become. There were loads more than 200 people there (I think that was the amount of wristbands given out). Doors were supposed to open at 7pm. Twenty minutes after that, we were told by a bouncer that the venue was changed to 93 Feet East, literally round the corner from Rough Trade, and it would be at 9pm. We went to that venue before the mass stampede and were pretty much told to bugger off.

So me and my girlfriend went to an Internet cafe at the top of Brick Lane and stayed there for about an hour. Whilst we were there, we noticed some couple followed us there. The guy of this couple actually asked if he could jump in the queue but we said fuck off. He then loitered around the queue and was generally very creepy. We found out towards the end of our cafe stint that they were making fake wristbands so that they could try to get in. So, once we made our way back to 93 Feet East, we told security and they thanked us.

It was still very hectic in that area when we got back. Loads and loads of people without wristbands were there and a few photographers from the press as well. There was even a dude with an acoustic guitar singing Radiohead with others. Weird. We joined the queue to get in and as it turned out we were the last group to be allowed in. We waited for a further hour in the garden near the bar and briefly cheered when we saw Thom making his way into the building.

At around just after 10pm we were allowed in slowly. People with fakes were being turned away. We got in and made our way as close as we could to Jonny's side of the stage. The band came on at 10:15pm and the set began as me and Aino took our places setting on the table top of the bar. Finally.

The gig itself was absolutely brilliant. The whole of In Rainbows was played as the main set. Considering a lot of their usual gear (Thom's piano, Jonny's Ondes Martenot, Jonny's synths, kaoss pads and tons more) was not used they were on the money. Obviously, some temporary measures had to be put in place. Thom's piano on All I Need was replaced by an electric guitar, the piano on Videotape was replaced with a Rhodes keyboard and Jonny's Martenot sounds were replaced by just an electric guitar.

Highlights of that part of the set included Bodysnatchers, which was made of RAWK, Nude, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, Reckoner and Jigsaw Falling Into Place. Even though Videotape is now probably my favourite Radiohead song I prefer it with piano.

They came did a five-song encore. Thom came out first to do a solo acoustic version of Up On The Ladder, which is on the discbox CD. Very, very nice. And then it was onto the oldies. You & Whose Army? from Amnesiac was excellent, The National Anthem from Kid A was frantic but the real treat was the last two songs - My Iron Lung and The Bends. It made the hours of waiting worthwhile. Both songs were amazing and went down a storm with the crowd.

The band looked incredibly happy and they were really enjoying it. Joking with each other throughout the gig, as well as the crowd. This is the first small gig that the band have done since their appearance on the Later program in 2001 and I still find the idea of a small Radiohead gig surreal. But it was totally worth it.

I think the police and the security team need a shout out too. They handled last night incredibly well given the circumstances and I don't think they put a foot wrong. They were also quite jovial at times and very friendly and helpful.

That's pretty much it. If you haven't checked out the gig yet then your YouTube link is here.

Setlist in full was:

15 Step
Bodysnatchers
Nude
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
All I Need
Faust Arp
Reckoner
House Of Cards
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Videotape
-----
Up On The Ladder
You & Whose Army?
The National Anthem
My Iron Lung
The Bends

Radiohead's official website
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Albums of 2007

It seems fair that on the last day of 2007 that I share with you the ten albums that I enjoyed listening to this year in ascending order.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

It was a difficult call but this, the second album by Montreal group the Arcade Fire, just edges it. Making an album better than their debut album, Funeral, is no mean feat when you consider how much of a great record it was. There's not even an ounce of filler or bad tracks on this album. It is THAT good.

Song of choice: No Cars Go

Radiohead - In Rainbows

I am a huge Radiohead fan and it was tough not to name it the album of the year. Apart from one dud track (House Of Cards) it is a fantastic album and their best since Kid A. Like Neon Bible it doesn't feel overlong and Thom Yorke has written some of his best lyrics for some time.

Song of choice: Videotape (my song of the year)

Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero

Trent Reznor's sixth studio album is one that is by far the most challenging Nine Inch Nails record. Some will say it is too long and some will say it doesn't match up to The Downward Spiral or The Fragile. Year Zero is just as good as both of those albums, largely because it's a very rewarding listen.

Song of choice: In This Twilight

And here are the best of the rest, continuing in ascending order:

Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times

Song of choice: Knocked Up


Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

Song of choice: The Magic Position


LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver

Song of choice: All My Friends


The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Song of choice: Conquest


Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards

Song of choice: We Used To Vacation


Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

Song of choice: Brianstorm


Jamie T - Panic Prevention

Song of choice: Sheila

And that raps things up nicely. But what do you think? What albums should or shouldn't be on there? What songs sum up your year? Please feel free to comment and tell me.

Somewhat predictably, this is my last blog entry for 2007. Hopefully I will blog more next year. In the meantime, have a safe new year!

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Morrissey and the NME are both wrong

After a brief happy spell of three and a half years, the NME and Morrissey have once again locked horns over an interview that was published in today's issue. In the interview, which details Morrissey's views on immigration in a detailed way, the NME question his views on the subject.

This news story details the whole saga quite well.

To be honest, I have beefs with both subjects.

In regards to Morrissey, I think that some of the comments he made in that interview were very confusing. One minute he was for and then against and then back to being for and then against immigration. His mind is quite muddled on the issue. If he was a British resident, I suppose I could have a level of understanding with his comments. But he isn't.

Morrissey has spend the best part of the 90s and the first half in this decade residing in LA and then last year he moved to Rome. He has essentially been cut off, for the most part, from British politics for more than a decade. So for him to make some of the comments he made is a show of naivety on his part.

But then again, the NME telling me that his views are wrong (which is what they are essentially doing) is plain stupid. I do think Morrissey is a twat, not just for this but for other things too, but I'm sure there are other people who aren't so...politics savy I guess. Basically, it's propaganda on the NME's part to not allign with the Tories.

It's not just this feature that shows their political bias either. It's become a habit of the NME for the last few months and it does feel like propaganda now (anti-racism campaign aside, which is totally justified for the obvious reasons). I allow my friends and other people to have their own opinions - not to force feed them policies.

It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

True To You - a Morrissey fan website

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Foo Fighters at Wembley? No thanks.

So today, Radio 1 announced that the Foo Fighters will be playing Wembley Stadium next June (the 6th to be exact). You would think that, as a Nirvana, Foos and Grohl fan, I would jump at the chance to get tickets.

Well I'm not.

It is absolutely nothing to do with the band themselves. I'm pretty sure that they will put on a brilliant show at Wembley. Since their brilliant Live Earth performance, I'm sure many will have wanted them to go back for a full-on Foos gig there. It is looking like next year's biggest stadium show in the UK.

And that is the problem. It is a big show. The last time I saw Foo Fighters, it was at Hyde Park in June 2006. Whilst it was a great day and I had a nice time, the setlist was very average and I know a lot of people complained about the sound. And to add that, we all had to endure Motorhead. If I want to see the Foos again, I'll want to see them at a far smaller venue (and unbelievable, an arena gig counts!)

The other potential problems is going to be a re-occurnace of the niggles I encountered when seeing Muse this year. Only a week before the gig, they'll announce a golden circle and piss off lots of punters. Whilst I can understand why there is a need for it (safety), I still hate the idea. So standing isn't going to be that much fun if you are not in the circle.

After the first gig sells out, another one will be added and then if the gig is really successful then the DVD of the gig will feature the second day, pissing off the fans who thought that their own date would be special.

So the reason I'm not going next year, although if persuaded I might try and look on Scarlet Mist every now and then, is not because of the Foos. I'm just fed up of massive summer gigs.

Foo Fighters website
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