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Sometimes, I Hate You All

Music News / TK

Music | January 22, 2009 | Comments (43)

OK, so it’s been like a million years since we had Music News. Cram it. I’m bringing it back, and we’ll be running it every other week from here on out. Now shut your cakehole and get to reading!


Taylor Swift’s Fearless has been #1 on Billboard’s charts for seven consecutive weeks. Seven. Straight. Weeks. In other news, I hate the world and everyone in it. What kind of a universe is this, anyway? Well, I’ll tell you: A universe filled with vast and relentless quantities of suck.


stefani.jpgIn Horrendously Awful Tour News: No Doubt is touring with Paramore. Seriously, Gwen Stefani, what is going on with you, girl? You used to be this kinda cool, kinda rowdy punk/ska chick, and now you’re all hip-hop shitty shitty pop star? Fuck you. And Paramore? You’re that crapass tweener wannabe gothy metaly band on the Twilight soundtrack, correct? BEGONE!


yusuf.jpgOh, so now it’s just Yusuf? Seriously, The Artist Formerly Known As Cat Stevens has had more friggin’ name changes than Diddy. Anyway, Cat Stevens Yusuf Islam Yusuf is putting together a new album. I actually own the last one, Cup, and while it’s no Harold and Maude (one of this life’s great, brilliant soundtracks), it wasn’t too bad. For this one, he’s gathering some stars together. Like… Dolly Parton! And Paul McCartney! And Lemmy!

OK, one of those isn’t true. But how awesome would it be? I’m of the mind that EVERYTHING would be more awesome with more Lemmy.


SaturdaysYouth.jpgI believe we can thank guys like Trent Reznor for stuff like this. M83, a favorite of Pajiba Music writer Chris Polley (read his excellent review here), is having a contest on Youtube, encouraging fans to create a video for their song, “We Own The Sky.” Personally, I love that bands do stuff like this — getting fans involved in a more interactive way is pretty damn cool. I’m sure some of them will be film school drivel, some of them will be pretentious twaddle, but it’s still pretty sweet. Check out the entries here


scion.jpgIt was brought to my attention in the comments for yesterday’s Golden Age of Metal post… possibly the most bitchin’ concert of 2009: The Scion Rock Fest. Check this badass lineup:

Mastodon
Neurosis
High on Fire
Boris
1349
Cryptopsy
Torche
Nachtmystium
Wolves in the Throne Room

Just to name a few. You don’t walk out of a show like that, you stagger out. Oh, and that sound you hear? That’s Boo spontaneously eargasming. Get thee to Atlanta, metalheads, and report back to me. I DEMAND IT. And because I can, MASTODON (if you’re scared of clowns, I’m begging you to watch this):


Anyway, where were we?


nickdrake.jpgTribute albums are popping up left and right. Seriously, the musical landscape has been lousy with ‘em these last couple of years. However, this is one that I’m genuinely intrigued by: A Nick Drake tribute album. For those who don’t know, Drake was an English singer/songwriter from late 60’s/early 70’s who died from an overdose of antidepressants. He is known some gorgeous, delicate songs, featuring his gentle murmuring voice, intricate guitar work, and scattered piano. You may have heard “Pink Moon” in a Volkswagon commercial a few years ago. Anyway, Norah Jones, Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl and others are working on the album, and I have to say — I’m thrilled for it.


And finally, our most interesting tidbit of the day: Britney Spears’s Circus is still an absolutely fucking horrible record.
fuckyou.jpg

TK can be found wandering aimlessly through suburban Massachusetts, wondering how the hell he got there while yelling at the kids on his lawn. You can find him raising the dead in preparation for world domination over at Uncooked Meat.


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Comments

Lemmy?

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 22, 2009 4:35 PM

Of course Cat Stevens isn't working with Dolly Parton. Give your fucking head a shake!

Posted by: admin at January 22, 2009 4:39 PM

Posted by: mightygodking at January 22, 2009 4:39 PM

I don't think I've ever heard a Nick Drake song. Le sigh.

Posted by: Julie at January 22, 2009 4:49 PM

Better yet, Lemmy.

Posted by: TK at January 22, 2009 4:53 PM

I just do not get the appeal of Taylor Swift. I saw here on SNL a couple weeks back and it was excruciating. Her voice is average at best, she has zero charisma, she is no more attractive than your average attractive girl and her songs are slight and boring. And after that butcher job she did on Photograph? She can fuck off for life.

Posted by: TylerDFC at January 22, 2009 4:57 PM

I know who he is, I'm just wondering how his involvement came about :)

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 22, 2009 5:00 PM

Who is Taylor Swift? Also, TK, coulrophobia is not a joke, you sick dirty twisted unicorn!

Posted by: Joker at January 22, 2009 5:06 PM

What the fuck is all that critic love for Taylor Swift over at Metacritic?

Oh, and that is a bitchin' line-up, at least from the names I recognise.

Posted by: JC at January 22, 2009 5:11 PM

I kinda prefer Sebadoh's cover of "Pink Moon". I'm havin none o' that whispery folk shite!

For fan-made videos I highly recommend the New Pornographers "Challengers" contest, especially the round where they asked for NP covers in the style of Michael McDonald (naturally it was one of those that won the grand prize).

I still don't really know who Taylor Swift is, male or female, or if the person's a singer or actor. It just slips off my mind, like it's wearing a perception filter. Hooray for me, I suppose.

Posted by: Jay at January 22, 2009 5:25 PM

mmmmmmm Trent.... mmmmmmmm... sorry... what were we talking about...

Posted by: Tammers at January 22, 2009 5:37 PM

Julie>> If you saw Garden State, you've heard at least one Nick Drake song.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at January 22, 2009 5:45 PM

I was introduced to Taylor Swift by my three nieces at Christmas, as one of her videos (the Romeo and Juliet one) played ad nauseam while I helped take them shopping for clothes. We speculated over how old Taylor was and whether the video was age-appropriate. Anyway, the oldest niece - who is 9 - thinks she's awesome.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at January 22, 2009 5:48 PM

I think the Nick Drake album is worth a listen; particularly w/Norah Jones on it.

Stefani was officially over for me when I heard that BANANA song. I think it's the Hollaback Girl thing. Either way, when she started spelling out banana, I actually turned to to the smooth jazz station.

Posted by: Brie at January 22, 2009 5:55 PM

Oh god! I love Nick Drake but I'm not especially jazzed about the sound of the tribute album. I'm worried about what Norah Jones and the Grohl might do to him.

Also, I was interested to hear that Britney Spears' Circus is still horrible; can we have an update in a couple of months' time, please, to compare?

Posted by: Caspar at January 22, 2009 6:26 PM

Sorry, but it must be said- Paramore is notmore "that crappy" band than Christina Aguliera was "that Britany wannabee" when she first came out. And I know what I sound like right now, but face facts- chick has a voice. She's young, and her songs are all highschooly, which is great to lampoon, but talent is talent. I wonder how far they'll go, and if they'll grow with their fans.

Posted by: Sweetie Dahling at January 22, 2009 6:37 PM

I like M83. That's all I have to add. Goodnight.

Posted by: Porkchop at January 22, 2009 6:46 PM

but face facts- chick has a voice.

Yes, but that makes her no more significant or important to music than a good guitar or well built set of drums. If someone else writes the music and lyrics, and all you do is sing, you are not a musician. You are one of the instruments.

Posted by: stipe42 at January 22, 2009 6:50 PM

stipe42:

I object! Defense resorts to semantics!!!
I dunno, buddy. If a well-built set of drums could play itself as well as she can sing, I'd applaud them, too.

Mebbe I'm just really easy to entertain.
-longtime pajiba lurker

Posted by: Sweetie Dahling at January 22, 2009 7:17 PM

If a well-built set of drums could play itself as well as she can sing, I'd applaud them, too.

It's called a drum machine. And they don't require handlers or implants.

*grins*

Once you de-lurk you can never really go back, that "post comment" button just gets too tempting. Welcome to the party.

Posted by: stipe42 at January 22, 2009 7:21 PM

I must say that is one sweet poster for the Scion Metal Fest.

As for Taylor Swift...bland pop that's easily enjoyable by teens and pre-teens is nothing new. Ten years ago it was Britney. Twenty years ago it was Paula Abdul. I'm sure Cleopatra was rocking to Ancient Egypt's version of "All the Single ladies...put a ring on it..." before she got freaky with a snake.

Posted by: Fredo at January 22, 2009 8:03 PM

Is there any Led Zeppelin news or anything like that?

Posted by: Cindy at January 22, 2009 8:33 PM

I don't want to start getting redundant here on this rarely commented on music threads, but can you guys please give a nod to the new Animal Collective? It just came out two days ago on CD, which would make it current news. I bet more people on this site would be interested in it than news of No Doubt going on tour or Taylor Swift selling lots of albums. Also, it's fucking awesome. Serious braingasm. There were several moments listening to the album where I thought my heart had stopped and the world as I knew it no longer existed. Honestly one of the most amazing musical experiences I've ever had. And I've seen Gwar, met Raffi and shook hands with Oscar Peterson.

Posted by: The Ross Sea Party at January 22, 2009 9:08 PM

Yes, there is Led Zeppelin news Cindy. They are still awesome, I listen to Led Zeppelin 4 more times than any other album, it's still one of the best albums ever, and the world is a worse place without John Bonaham.

God bless the holy Zeppelin.

Posted by: George at January 22, 2009 9:14 PM

On this we can agree George. Amen.

Posted by: Cindy at January 22, 2009 9:25 PM

Also, Britney Spears new album makes me yearn for the days of Kevin Federline. If only it was a cassette, then you could pull out the tape and wipe your ass with it. It's the biggest insult to music (and toilet paper) since Kid Rock's new album.

Posted by: George at January 22, 2009 9:29 PM

lolololololol

I don't need to say it, but to exercise my First Amendment rights, fuck Britney Spears. Have you heard Lily Allen's cover of "Womanizer"? It's about ten billion times better than Britney's version. And Lily Allen isn't even the best musical artist in the world, that song is just vast amounts of shitty.

But I don't think Nine Inch Nails is the first band to do the fan-made video thing. I know Radiohead did it last year, The Decemberists a couple years ago, but I actually think this idea originated in the early '90s. Though, I could be fail-worthily wrong. It has happened.

ANOTHER PIECE OF MUSIC NEWS:
The Decemberists' new album is based on a Broadway musical lead singer Colin Meloy wrote, which a Broadway director called "unstageable". He's currently working on a more "stageable" production for the future. But the new album drops in April!

Posted by: ChristianH at January 22, 2009 9:29 PM

It simply brightens my day that there is a metal band named "Wolves in the Throne Room".

That is all.

Posted by: jpguy13 at January 22, 2009 10:44 PM

It simply brightens my day that there is a metal band named "Wolves in the Throne Room".

I'm on board with that. It's got an ominous drone to it, that name. Must be all the fricatives and nasals, as I'm sure they discussed....

Posted by: sansho1 at January 23, 2009 12:20 AM

People still listen to metal? How gay...

Posted by: Professor Science at January 23, 2009 2:02 AM

Beck did some pretty good Nick Drake covers. I wonder if they're doing "Place to be."

Posted by: Sofía at January 23, 2009 9:46 AM

Is it just me, or has there been a profusion of bands with animal names the last couple years? Animal Collective, Plants and Animals, Deerhunter, Grizzly Bear, Minus the Bear, Panda Bear, Fleet Foxes, Wolf Parade, Frightened Rabbit...has it always been this way? Super Furry Animals have been around for a million years and their name always seemed really unusual...and cuddly.

Posted by: Hb at January 23, 2009 10:07 AM

It's a back to nature thing. These bands all gather on weekends in snowy Wisconsin to sing sweet harmonies, make s'mores and chop wood with Justin Vernon.

Mmmmmm.... s'mores.

Posted by: Stacy D at January 23, 2009 10:56 AM

The only bright spot about Taylor Swift is she'll be instantly replaceable in a year by the next bangable twangable 16-year-old.

Hey ... can I copyright "bangable twangable"?

Posted by: bucdaddy at January 23, 2009 10:57 AM

Wolves in The throne Room have a great name and are a great band.

I'd tell my daughter about the M83 contest, as she is really into making vids (or AMVs as she calls them), but I am afraid that she would just do another Invader Zim themed thing like she usually does. Nothing wrong with that, of course, it's just that someone like, say, Paramore would be more appropriate for that kind of thing.

I downloaded the new Animal Collective CD yesterday from Amazon. I need to hear it a few more times, but what struck me about it right off is how little it blew me away. It's not that it is bad, several songs are obviously really good, it's just that nothing leaped out and struck me in the face the way that For Reverend Green or The Purple Bottle did.

Posted by: imk at January 23, 2009 11:00 AM

You know what? I like Taylor Swift. A lot. She's cute, non-threatening and I can understand her lyrics. And you know what else? I am totally going to see the Friday the 13th remake. Yeah, I went there.

Posted by: TWoP Fan at January 23, 2009 3:36 PM

Lemmy is God!

And TK, you are my anger management for the day. Thank you, kind sir! I like my Music News to be heavy on the scathing. It's what this world deserves.

Posted by: mfg at January 23, 2009 11:02 PM

The clown video was so funny I showed all my friends, TK. Thanks. I love Nick Drake in all his mumbling folksy glory too!

Posted by: ph at January 24, 2009 4:04 AM

I saw Wolves in the Throne Room last year and they are at least awesome as their name implies. I also attended a High on Fire show about nine years ago, probably the loudest show I've seen. Do as TK says.

Oh, and the Mastodon video, kick ass.

Posted by: Esset at January 24, 2009 3:11 PM

Loudest show I ever saw was Sugar in a small club. People I knew were wearing earplugs had their hands over their ears.

Fuckin' Bob Mould ...

Posted by: bucdaddy at January 25, 2009 12:13 AM

Well I think the Paramore comment is sorta harsh. As said higher up in the comments - they are a young band (so maybe their music isn't deeply profound), but the lead singer has a pretty frickin' amazing voice. She's one of the best vocalists I've heard, and their live videos seem to be dead on. And I wouldn't say they are "wannabe goth metal" - the lead singer wears normal tshirts and jeans and just seems like your average 20 year old girl. Not really trying too hard to be much of anything. For goodness sakes she wears normal colors and doesn't wear man ties. We must at least be thankful for that.

Posted by: hmm at January 25, 2009 8:33 PM

No comments about Mastodon? One of the most awesome bands in the history of awesome bands? Instead everyone is arguing the merits of Paramore? Well, split your lungs in blood and thunder, motherfuckers.

Way to go TK, I never expected to see anything on Pajiba about Scion Rock Festival, featuring more kickass bands than should be legally allowed.

Posted by: Rob at January 26, 2009 2:40 AM

I gotta get on board with the Paramore love. The lead singer can throw down and the music itself is not bad. I played "Decode" in the car and my guy, who has no idea who they are and only has a passing knowledge that Twilight even exists, was like, "Who is this?"

I like 'em. Whatever.

Posted by: Dingles at January 27, 2009 11:36 AM