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February 2009 Archives

February 26, 2009

Out there

• An 8-bit cover of MGMT's "Kids"? Yes, please.

• A Lily Allen and Lindsay Lohan collaboration? Hmm ...

• Yoko does "25 Things"? More interesting than yours.

• OK Go (aka that treadmill band) doing weddings? Only in the movies.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 26, 2009 6:08 PM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

February 25, 2009

100 Bands, 100 Days

By eh

0226CON-2col%28C%29.png

I'm a big fan of endurance challenges, so of course I am totally on board with this guy. He's in the midst of attending 100 shows over the course of 100 days. What he's learned so far (he's about a month in): "People fart at shows."

You can keep up with his schedule here.

Posted by Emily Hulme on February 25, 2009 2:28 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 24, 2009

New Röyksopp video

The new video for "Happy Up Here." It is quite happy. I like the Space Invaders.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 24, 2009 2:54 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 22, 2009

Abbey Road

By eh

The band Blame Ringo has made this cute time lapse video of a day in the life of Abbey Road, the zebra crossing made famous by a little band called the Beatles. I'm surprised how many people try to mimic the shot with not four people. But I guess you have to work with what you have.

I visited London with my family a few years ago, and we did this. You just have to.

Oh yeah, the song: It's kinda cute; a short and sweet poppy gem.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 22, 2009 3:51 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

White Stripes on Conan

By eh

I was a little underwhelmed by the White Stripes performance on the last ever episode of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" when I watched it Friday. I like it a little better now.

But I still think it's an odd choice. "I can tell that we are gonna be friends" is a nice little ditty, but I always thought it was kind of a minor Stripes song. Given that this was the Conan send off, I expected something a little more grand. Maybe a reprise of this one, or something.

This is the album version:

Otherwise, I thought the whole show was a nice goodbye.

ETA: Oho! A quick perusal of the comments over on Stereogum (second only in trustworthiness to Wikipedia, I know), reveals that "We Are Gonna Be Friends" is Conan's favorite song. OK then.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 22, 2009 12:51 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 18, 2009

New Decemberists

By eh

Oh, yeah! The Decemberists have a new album coming out! "The Hazards of Love," March 24. And they play Radio City June 10.

Here's a fan made video for "The Rake's Progress":

You can hear the title track streaming on the band's MySpace page. I like it a lot. It kind of reminds me of CSN(Y), specifically this song:

I'm going through a minor CSN(Y) revival in my own home, so I'm pleased with this turn of style. Just make sure to stay true to your musical pirates' code of conduct, please Decemberists.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 18, 2009 4:31 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

Indie Rock Feud!

By eh

Brooklyn Vegan has the report: Apparently Ben Folds slammed Canadian musician Charles Spearin on the CBC and someone, allegedly Torquil Campbell, rushed to his defense via the Stars' MySpace page. But Torq now claims the account was hacked! Indie rock feuds are fun!

But, blog readers, help me out here. I feel like BF has beef with some other (possibly Canadian) indie rock band, for allegedly stabbing their basketball. I could be getting thrown off track by the fact that Folds' "The Bitch Went Nuts" has a lyric saying, "She stabbed my basketball." So it's possible that Folds isn't actually involved in this at all. But I know there was a minor kerfuffle about two years ago involving some band member stabbing another band's basketball.

ETA: Did a little more research and found it. The basketball was stolen, not stabbed. And it was Win Butler of Arcade Fire who was accused. Ben Folds had nothing to do with the incident. Apologies.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 18, 2009 4:02 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 16, 2009

Bacon Brothers watch

By eh

Kevin Bacon and his brother took their band to Daryl Hall's (of Hall and Oates) house for a recording of Hall's web show. Watch here.

Some embeddable videos below, for flavor.

Hall & Oates

Bacon Brothers

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 16, 2009 4:13 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

Happy President's Day

This is kind of unsafe for work (language and adult situations), but majorly funny. (Even though it's been around for a while.)

George Washington Rocks!

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 16, 2009 2:52 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 15, 2009

Blog Roundup

By eh

• I'll be reviewing this book in Wednesday's paper (preview: It's awesome), but while you wait, you can enjoy author Jesse Ball's soundtrack to "The Way Through Doors."

• Some Elliott Smith outtakes, including a Beatles cover, have leaked. Listen here.

• M.I.A. has had the baby.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 15, 2009 4:32 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 11, 2009

A.C. Newman covers Aha


AC Newman - Take On Me.mp3 -

Did we need another cover of "Take on Me" after Reel Big Fish? I don't think we needed it, but A.C.'s is pleasant enough.

It may or may not surprise you know that I saw "Baseketball" in theaters. It might have even been opening night.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 11, 2009 3:33 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 10, 2009

The Beatles put on a really big shoe

Forty-five years ago today, the Beatles appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show." And a mania was born.

This American Life, a few weeks ago, had the story of Charlie Brill and Mitzi McCall, two performers who were on the show that night, and got totally upstaged. Although their showbiz careers didn't do too badly afterward.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 10, 2009 3:07 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

"The Power Of Love"

Though admitting it now conjures up images of Patrick Bateman, who didn't love Huey Lewis and the News when "Back to the Future" came out? You did.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 10, 2009 2:44 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

TV on the Radio on Colbert

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
TV on the Radio

Colbert asks the question that's on everybody's mind: "Why would you ever leave Cookie Mountain?" The band is nonplussed, but game.

Here's their performance of "Dancing Choose":

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 10, 2009 2:09 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 9, 2009

Lily Allen at Bowery Ballroom tomorrow

By eh

The Fear video

Lily Allen brings her new songs to Bowery Ballroom tomorrow night. She performs with my favorite musical couple Matt & Kim. And it's FREE FREE FREE. How is this show not sold out yet? The tickets don't go on sale until 7 p.m. tomorrow night (it's one of those MySpace "secret" shows). Yikes! Get on line now, kids. (Don't really.)

Again, full album is streaming at MySpace.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 9, 2009 2:57 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

New Belle and Sebastian

By eh

As Pitchfork is reporting, Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian is working on a film, "God Help the Girl." A 12-song soundtrack featuring the B&S crew, as well as other friends, will be released this June. You can hear some of the songs here. And find Stuart's tips for sock matching here.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 9, 2009 2:44 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

"On a Boat" feat. T-Pain

By eh

OK, this could have come out irritating and dumb, but it didn't. It's stupidly brilliant. I don't want to think to hard about why, because explaining the joke will only make it less funny.

SNL, you've pleasantly surprised me again. Also, a lesson: More feat. T-Pain.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 9, 2009 2:21 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

What's up, Sexbomb?

By eh

So this lucky lady essentially had a private concert with Tom Jones in his hotel room for her vlog, The Take-Away Shows. There's no screaming, no underwear throwing, just Tom and his sweet, sweet music.


Tom Jones - If He Should Ever Leave You - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

The videography is ... interesting, to say the least; there are a lot of avant arty shots of feet and equipment. But the audio is what we're here for, and it rocks.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 9, 2009 2:11 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 8, 2009

M.I.A. on your TV

Here's M.I.A.'s performance.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 8, 2009 11:40 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

Grammy Live Blog 2009

Hold on to your pants. We're getting ready to watch Coldplay sweep the Grammys for the next few hours. I'm excited.

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M.I.A. and her giant tummy

11:28: And Stevie takes us out. This time sans Jonas Brothers, thankfully. Another awards show recapped. And we made it through ... this time with considerably less agony. I think focusing on the performers is the right thing to do -- which is what they started to do last year -- but don't throw people together who wouldn't be caught dead in a recording studio together. And more Paul McCartney.

Continue reading "Grammy Live Blog 2009" »

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 8, 2009 7:43 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 5, 2009

The Cramps' Lux Interior dead at 62

By eh

According to Girlie Action, the band's publicist, Cramps frontman Lux Interior passed away yesterday, due to an existing heart condition. Sad news indeed.

He and bandmate/wife Poison Ivy were an incredible punk rock influence, and both seemed like genuinely awesome people. I interviewed Ivy a few years ago, and it really stuck with me what a warm person she was. When she talked about Lux, it was with real love. My internet condolences.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 5, 2009 4:25 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

Grammy time

By eh

So the Grammys are Sunday, and I just wanted to let you know I'll be here live bloggin'! I'm excited, aren't you?

I have nothing else for you about this, so I'll just direct you to MTV's James Montgomery who makes some predictions here. (Basically, expect Coldplay to sweep.) He also slams the awards show quite harshly for someone whose own employer has a ceremony that struggles with irrelevancy just as much. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 5, 2009 4:17 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

On Kanye: Interviewing the interviewer

By eh


Kanye West "Champion Video" Official Directed by NABIL & JOHN from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Rich over at Four Four talks with his friend Sean Fennessey, who wrote Vibe's February cover story on Kanye West. It's pretty interesting, Fennessey has a lot of thoughtful observations about Kanye as a person and the music business in general.

And I kind of agree with Fennessey in that 'Ye is kind of refreshing in his assholery.

I think there's something incredibly honest and very id about the way he talks, about the way people who are self-involved want to talk. You rarely say what you want to say in certain social situations and he knows that he has immunity because he's a) a rapper, b) famous, c) rich. He can get away with it.

Also, unrelated, Rich has some of the best Top Model recaps there are, so when the season starts, bookmark him.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 5, 2009 4:03 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 4, 2009

867-5309 update

It's now going for $400,100. Jenny, I WANT THAT NUMBER!

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 4, 2009 3:02 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

Lily Allen album streaming.

Listen here.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 4, 2009 2:45 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 3, 2009

Happy "Paul's Boutique" day!

By eh

You can download the "Paul's Boutique" 20th anniversary remastered re-release starting today, here.

You can also order all kinds of extras, including vinyl, T-shirts and a physical CD.

Or, if you're cheap, you can listen to a free stream. Though listening to a remaster through your crappy computer speakers kind of defeats the purpose.

According to the press release, " 'The Paul's Boutique' reissue features no additional music, though a track-by-track audio commentary by the band detailing the making of the record will be available with every configuration."

You know what, it's still a great album.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 3, 2009 5:17 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 2, 2009

The Black Keys at Terminal 5

By Hal Bienstock
Special to amNewYork
• At Terminal 5 Friday and Saturday.

The Black Keys have been on the road supporting their latest album, “Attack & Release,” since last spring. Nearly one year into the tour, singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach says things are basically the same as they ever were.

“We haven’t married any celebrities, done anything stupid or run from the cops,” he said. “We’ve changed some songs and added some different ones, but we’re still the same two morons that started the tour.”

Continue reading "The Black Keys at Terminal 5" »

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 2, 2009 4:45 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

Estelle sings out

By Robert Spuhler
Special to amNewYork
• Estelle is at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, with John Legend
• They both play the Apollo Sunday

British singer Estelle is not surprised by the success she’s come across lately — the sold-out tour with John Legend, her near-ubiquitous status on the radio, her two Grammy nominations. She’s only shocked by why they’ve come about.

“I’m more surprised at the success of ‘American Boy,’ ” she said. “We wrote that more as a joke. I didn’t think people would like that at all. I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ ”

To say that “American Boy” has been a career-defining song for the 29-year-old singer/rapper/producer is an understatement. The song, featuring Kayne West rhyming “London bloke” and “bespoke,” made critics’ top-10 lists everywhere from Rolling Stone to indie snobs Pitchfork and also found a home in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Continue reading "Estelle sings out" »

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 2, 2009 3:46 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 1, 2009

Get that number!

By eh

Gawker is reporting that the number 867-5309 (in the 201 area code) is up for auction. As of 6:30pm, the high bid is $4,050. That's a lot of money to pay to receive a ton of prank phone calls.

(Interesting sidebar, in a new development in the battle between YouTube users and Warner Bros.,instead of just removing offending videos, someone (I'm assuming YouTube at WMG's request) is just disabling the audio. So if you want to see Tommy Tutone dancing around silently, check it.)

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Posted by Emily Hulme on February 1, 2009 6:28 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

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