NOW! That's what I call Good Stuff Coming Out!

[Nick Ink]

The Johnnys

Sorry, I'm twelve. I take it, they're not British.

[narlus]

Wow, okay, the final final tally?

Bright Eyes - The People's Key
Hayes Carll - KMAG YOYO
Drive-By Truckers - Go-Go Boots
East River Pipe - We Live in Rented Rooms
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Gruff Rhys - Hotel Shampoo
Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines
Twilight Singers - Dynamite Steps
Yuck - s/t

one more:
LIFEGUARDS - WAVING AT THE ASTRONAUTS

[reebty]

Looks as if Radiohead is going to top my annual last.fm chart again. 199 plays last year without a new album or concert or anything last year.

[davy]

New Adele album's coming out next week and it's pretty killer, dudes.



Some Steely Dan-ish licks in there!

[Dick]

Some Steely Dan-ish licks in there!

Nice!

[davy]

Somebody tells me that Radiohead album was released today.

[Nick Ink]

Radiohead honk of slash

[fishjim]

Nick, we agree in a major way here.

If it wasn't for Queen, we'd be comrades!

[Nick Ink]

I am williing to negotiate on Queen, fish

And i also apologise for being a bit negatibe about radiohead's perfectly serviceable indioe rock - i have been drinking soju and am uncharacteristically vitriolic about hogwash of that nature

[davy]

Those Pearl Jam reissues are actually looking pretty lame: http://www.pearljam.com/goods

I've decided that the only version that will make any sense for me to get is the deluxe box set. The bonus tracks on the individual reissues are totally fucking lame. I'm interested in hearing a remastered Vs., though it doesn't need an overhaul the way Ten did. But I'm wary of them messing with Vitalogy at all, because I think that record sounds bloody brilliant.

The deluxe box set has the vinyl of both--which, okay--but it also has memorabilia, a big glossy photo book, a bonus live CD, and a cassette containing some covers by other bands, which may be interesting.

It'll probably be ridiculously expensive, but my love for these two records probably justifies the purchase.

P-fork had a thing on it today: http://pitchfork.com/news/41675-pearl-jam-reissue-ivsi-and-ivitalogyi/

[YojimboMonkey]

I've decided that the only version that will make any sense for me to get is the deluxe box set.

Everybody who is surprised, raise your hands

[davy]

 

[Antero]

Police Teeth's Awesomer Than The Devil is likely going to be one of my favorite non-rap albums this year, judging by the songs up there right now.

[reebty]

Finally there's a streamable Wild Flag (Mary Timony and 2/3 of Sleater-Kinney) studio recording.

Sounds promising, I reckon. It ends up going crazier than any song Timony's been involved in since Revolution of Hearts.

[davy]

I'm not sure I care much for it

[davy]

Why is there another so-so REM album coming out? There's no fucking reason for it. Why do they keep playing "let's recapture our inner alternarockstar!"?

These dudes are not washed up; there's plenty of creativity left. There's been, what, like half a dozen predictable, lackluster or terrible REM releases since New Adventuers in Hi-fi? There could've 3 or 4 really strong, compelling records instead. I know they've got it in them.

[edison]

These dudes are not washed up; there's plenty of creativity left.

What makes you say that, then, against overwhelming evidence to the contrary?

Also, I think the Wild Flag song is pretty great (if a little lacking in the lyrical department, as far as I can tell) and am excited for the full-length.

[davy]

What makes you say that, then, against overwhelming evidence to the contrary?

It may be a local thing? They remain fairly mythological creatures around here, but they're still locally active in compelling ways. They seem grounded and full of ideas and ambition in a way a lot of 30 year-old bands aren't. For some reason, they just aren't taking it into the studio with them.

As for Wild Flag, I am encouraged by the degree to which Mary Timony has apparently influenced their sound, and I'm definitely still eager to hear the album. I just think this track is kind of meandering and not really that catchy or confident.

[Nick Ink]

It's been a steep downhill trend ever since Document, if you ask me.

Still 5 great albums is a lot better than most bands manage.

[reebty]

I thought Accelerate was a return to form; not in the sense of reminding us what was so great about REM and promising a decade of renewed creativity, but in the the sense of being a decent album that followed a couple of awful ones and an OK one. I thought there would be about a 50% chance that they'd deliver another 7/10 album this year, so I'm not surprised, just disappointed.

I just think they're at the point where they can't surprise me anymore. They need to change their approach in some fundamental ways. That's how almost every band that's been around for 30 years and is still making decent albums is able to do so. Permanently replacing Bill Berry would be a first step.

[davy]

I thought Accelerate was certainly more energetic, and at least gave the impression that they still had some oomph, but as far as content, the songs themselves left me completely cold.

[RavingLunatic]

Finally there's a streamable Wild Flag (Mary Timony and 2/3 of Sleater-Kinney) studio recording.

Sounds promising, I reckon. It ends up going crazier than any song Timony's been involved in since Revolution of Hearts.

Read about this the other day in the paper. I'm pretty sure Brownstein's voice and songs were the ones I liked most from Sleater-Kinney, so I'll have to listen to this when I get a chance.

[davy]

Hey RL!

Nice of you to stop by!

[reebty]

I thought Accelerate was certainly more energetic, and at least gave the impression that they still had some oomph, but as far as content, the songs themselves left me completely cold.

Fair enough. I mean for all the faint praise I can heap on it, it's not an album I keep going back to. I've listened to it maybe a dozen times. That's still more than I've listened to REM's two other 00s albums combined.

[Nick Ink]

May 2011