Michael Buell Jr's Blog
Posted by Michael Buell Jr
Manu Chao, one of the biggest music stars in the world, though far less known in the US, just finished a US tour for his new album, La Radiolina. Pitchfork got a hold of him for an interview where he talks about his tour, his new album, and his view of the world. He also touches on the process of making music, the how and the why of choosing a language for a song. Not always easy for someone who speaks several languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portugese, and Arabic. Fortunately for most readers, the interview is in English.
Manu Chao is one of the most talented and interesting performers anywhere in the world today. He doesn't often make it to the US, so hopefully you got to see him. La Radiolina was released in the spring in Europe to much acclaim. It will be released September 4th in the US. The official Manu Chao website has the latest information somewhere in its bewildering array of languages and colorful design.
Posted by Michael Buell Jr
Following the release of the track Dancing Behind My Eyelids, Múm has created a video for They Made Frogs Smoke 'Til They Exploded, another song on their forthcoming album, Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy. Pitchfork thankfully provides the video and more info on the upcoming album.
The video is hand-drawn and possibly computer animated by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, who looks like he also did the album cover artwork. The song itself is reminiscent of a lighter version of songs from the group's first, mostly instrumental album, Yesterday Was Dramatic, Today Is OK. The music is recognizably Múm, but exploring a different, cheerier soundscape. This is also the first album in three years (since 2004's underwhelming Summer Make Good ) as well as the first music since founding member Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir left the group.
Múm's debut album, Yesterday Was Dramatic... is a personal favorite of mine. The apparent direction of the new album is an interesting take on the group's usual blend of live instruments and synth soundscapes. I look forward to hearing the full album.
Posted by Michael Buell Jr
Pitchfork's Forkcast is offering a new Black Dice track, Kokomo, to stream or download as an mp3. It has nothing to do with the Beach Boys song of the same name, but does offer a throbbing, almost-danceable beat and more sonic experimentation in the signature Black Dice style.
Kokomo is the first we've heard of the new album Load Blown, which will be released in October (10/23/07) on Animal Collective's label Paw Tracks, which also released Black Dice's 10th Anniversary 12", Roll Up.
Posted by Michael Buell Jr
DeVotchKa is a Colorado-based band combining traditional folk influences from South America, Greece, Eastern Europe and most places in between with punk and rock sounds. Traditional instruments such as the bouzouki play alongside a singer who plays electric guitar when he's not waving his hand in the air to manipulate a theremin. The band has received more attention since providing the soundtrack for Little Miss Sunshine last year.
Create Digital Music points to this live video from Spiegeltent in Manhattan two weeks ago. It features an impressive theremin solo from singer/guitarist/trumpeter/etc. Nick Urata. DeVotchKa's website bio says the theremin is homemade, though this may be a different one. CDM's Peter Kirn wryly points to this video as evidence the theremin can be used for something other than the original Star Trek theme. It has apparently gained popularity outside of fans of old sci-fi. The interesting thing is that the combination of traditional and modern sounds works. Not only that, it sounds quite good.
DeVotchKa are currently touring Europe and the UK to promote the European release of their most recent album, the much-praised How it Ends.
Posted by Michael Buell Jr
Japanese avant-noise rockers The Boredoms held their long-heralded event, 77BOADRUM, in New York City's Brooklyn Bridge Park last Saturday, 7/7/07. The event was a 77 member drum circle with Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt and Andy McLeod of Modest Mouse and Howling Hex among the many guests. Pitchfork has the full list of drummers, photos, full coverage with more photos and videos from the event.
It's also interesting to note that the event was covered in a New York Times article (free registration required), though it doesn't add much aside from a different perspective. All reports seem to agree that it was certainly an event not to be missed, though no one was exactly clear on what exactly was happening. A DVD of the event is being produced, though there is no release date at the moment.
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