By David Nadelle on Mar 9 2009
Talk about perfect timing! Like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen seems to be getting an inordinate amount of late-period career press, so much so that recordings of their latest dentist appointments are leaked “inadvertently” then discussed fervently in the darkest forum corners. Meanwhile, the legend-cementing continues unabated as musicologists are now attempting to amend all historical accounts to reflect the fact that Leonard Cohen built the Great Pyramid at Giza. It really has become a bit much.
Most of this type of idolatry is inane blather by inferior ninnies hopping on their virtual soap-boxes, but some of it is inspired and all of that important blather is by us at Tiny Mix Tapes. First came Drew Cordes’ brilliant and saucy two-part dissection of Cohen who is revealed, in verse at least, as a sexual roleplaya of the highest order. Then Kat Gardiner jumped into the fray and discussed Cohen’s recent master-baiting of Tickermaster’s dubious ticket-gouging practices. If you have not read these posted pièces de resistances... why the hell not? They will make you think with your mind, your head, and your brain. It goes without saying that, when discussing Cohen, all three of these are located “below the equator.”
Leonard Cohen is your man and needs no introduction -- unless you are completely unfamiliar with his work, of course. If that is the case, then you could do no wrong with picking up his The Best of Leonard Cohen album, because that’s what those greatest hits albums are for. If you would prefer your Cohen captured live, then you will soon get the chance to buy a concert performance of Cohen singing many of his best loved songs recorded at a July 17, 2008 show at London’s O2 Arena. The double-disc or DVD Live in London is released March 31 on Columbia Records and features an ultra-scarce cover version of Semisonic’s classic piece of poetry, “Closing Time.” Just kidding, kids.
Disc One:
1. Dance Me to the End of Love
2. The Future
3. Ain’t No Cure for Love
4. Bird on a Wire
5. Everybody Knows
6. In My Secret Life
7. Who by Fire
8. Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye
9. Anthem
10. Introduction
11. Tower of Song
12. Suzanne
13. The Gypsy’s Wife
Disc Two:
1. Boogie Street
2. Hallelujah
3. Democracy
4. I’m Your Man
5. Recitation w/N.L.
6. Take this Waltz
7. So Long, Marianne
8. First We Take Manhattan
9. Sisters of Mercy
10. If It Be Your Will
11. Closing Time
12. I Tried to Leave You
13. Wither Thou Goest
Although many touted that his first U.S. show in 15 years (February 19 in New York City) would be rarer than a dodo bird on a wire, it seems those same people spoke too soon. Cohen has announced a slate o' dates that will take him throughout the U.S and his home and native land starting April 1 in post-SXSW Austin, TX.
First we take Manhattan, then we take Saskatoon:
04.01.09 - Austin, TX - Long Center for the Performing Arts
04.02.09 - Austin, TX - Long Center for the Performing Arts
04.03.09 - Grand Prairie, TX - NOKIA Theatre Grand Prairie
04.05.09 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre
04.07.09 - San Diego, CA - Copley Symphony Hall
04.10.09 - Los Angeles, CA - NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE
04.11.09 - Los Angeles, CA - NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE
04.13.09 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre
04.14.09 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre
04.19.09 - Vancouver, British Columbia - GM Place
04.21.09 - Victoria, British Columbia - Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
04.23.09 - Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater
04.25.09 - Edmonton, Alberta - Rexall Place
04.26.09 - Calgary, Alberta - Jack Singer Concert Hall @ The Epcor Centre
04.28.09 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Credit Union Centre
04.30.09 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - MTS Centre
05.03.09 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
05.05.09 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
05.06.09 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
05.09.09 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre
05.11.09 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
05.12.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Academy of Music
05.14.09 - Waterbury, CT - Palace Theater
05.16.09 - New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
05.17.09 - New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
05.19.09 - Hamilton, Ontario - Copps Coliseum
05.21.09 - Quebec City, Quebec - Pavillon de la Jeunesse
05.22.09 - Kingston, Ontario - K-Rock Centre
05.24.09 - London, Ontario - John Labatt Centre
05.25.09 - Ottawa, Ontario - Southam Hall @ National Arts Centre
05.26.09 - Ottawa, Ontario - Southam Hall @ National Arts Centre
05.29.09 - Boston, MA - Wang Theatre
05.30.09 - Boston, MA - Wang Theatre
06.02.09 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
The Thermals to Release New LP and Tour, Fans Super Happy; In Other News, Kenya Human Rights Activist Shot Dead
By Kat Gardiner on Mar 9 2009
Remember being a teenager? I have a hard time filling in all the gaps of the story -- putting events in the correct chronological order, getting facts straight, etc. Though, I do remember being insecure, having an awkward body with raging emotions, envying girls with perfect knockers, and drinking to excess in the bathroom by the art room every Valentine's Day with a few other awkward weirdos who also hated the horrible raging doldrums of adolescence.
But do you know what's the best part of recounting this era? Remembering with full clarity every detail of my dreams. Not the night type dreams, but the "I wish this would happen" dreams -- or more aptly put, the "maybe tonight, when I go see this all-ages punk rock show, it'll sound awesome and everyone there will be awesome, and I will be awesome, and it will be so totally awesome" dreams. Those dreams feel a bit like The Thermals' sound: some pop, some punk, some grunge; short and terse with some parts you can easily jump around to.
Their new album, Now We Can See will be released on Kill Rock Stars April 7, and they're touring in support. So grab your fake ID, heavy douses of cologne and/or b.o., some animal beer, and go see the quick and dirty pop-punk trio party like it's 1999
03.18.09 - Austin, TX - Red 7 *
03.18.09 - Austin, TX - Emo's *
03.19.09 - Austin, TX - Red Eyed Fly *
03.19.09 - Austin, TX - French Legation Museum *
03.20.09 - Austin, TX - Club Deville *
03.20.09 - Austin, TX - Radio Room *
03.21.09 - Austin, TX - Maggie Mae's *
04.09.09 - Portland, OR- Wonder Ballroom
04.10.09 - Salem, OR- The Grand Theater
04.11.09 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
04.22.09 - Boise, ID- Neurolux^•
04.23.09 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge^•
04.24.09 - Denver, CO - The Marquis Theater^•
04.25.09 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown^•
04.26.09 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club^•
04.28.09 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon^•
04.29.09 - Chicago, IL - The Bottom Lounge^•
04.30.09 - Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig^•
05.01.09 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom^•
05.02.09 - Buffalo, NY - Big Orbit's Soundlab^•
05.03.09 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern^•
05.05.09 - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street^•
05.06.09 - Portland, ME - SPACE Gallery^•
05.07.09 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs^•
05.08.09 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom^•
05.09.09 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom^•
05.12.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's^•
05.13.09 - Washington, DC - Black Cat^•
05.14.09 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506^•
05.15.09 - Charleston, SC - The Pourhouse^•
05.16.09 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade^•
05.18.09 - Birmingham, AL - Bottle Tree^
05.19.09 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone Cafe^
05.20.09 - Little Rock, AR - Revolution Music Club^
05.21.09 - Dallas, TX - The Loft^
05.22.09 - Austin, TX - Mohawk^
05.23.09 - San Antonio, TX - The Warhol^
05.26.09 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room^
05.27.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour^•
05.30.09 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill^
05.31.09 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill^•
* SXSW
^ The Shaky Hands
• Point Juncture, WA
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Announce Lengthy Tour, Play Every SXSW Showcase Ever
By Annapocalypse on Mar 9 2009
If you’re in a buzz band and it’s the middle of March, chances are pretty good that you’ll either be on your way to Austin, TX for the annual SXSW Music Conference or already drunk, double-fisting Lone Star beers with David Cross. Since The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, with their self-titled debut (TMT Review), are relative newbies to this whole buzz-band phenomenon, I thought I’d share a few tips with them about how to not overexert themselves during one of the TEN showcases that they are playing over FOUR DAYS:
- Need to sober up? Go shove some BBQ in your face at Stubbs.
- Feel like throwing up after all that BBQ? Place a bucket onstage next to your guitar amp.
- Drunk again at 3 AM after playing your final showcase? Resist those sketchy late-night tacos; you’ll be shitting on the entire plane ride back to New York.
Good luck, dudes:
03.13.09 - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House
03.18.09 - Austin, TX - Red 7, Terrorbird/Force Field Showcase
03.18.09 - Austin, TX - Ms Bea’s, Todd P + NY Noise Showcase
03.19.09 - Austin, TX - Radio Room, Brooklyn Vegan Party
03.19.09 - Austin, TX - Malverde - Iamsound + Sup Magazine Party
03.19.09 - Austin, TX - Opal Divine's - Green Label Sound Showcase
03.20.09 - Austin, TX - Emo's Main Room - Pitchfork Party
03.20.09 - Austin, TX - Fader Fort
03.20.09 - Austin, TX - South Salina Street - After The Jump Party
03.20.09 - Austin, TX - Emo's Jr. - Slumberland + Cake Shop Showcase
03.21.09 - Austin, TX - Waterloo Records Instore
04.24.09 - Wallingford, CT - American Legion
04.25.09 - Ithaca, NY - Risley Hall - Cornell University
04.26.09 - Northampton, MA - Iron Horse Hall
04.27.09 - Rochester, NY - The Bug Jar
04.28.09 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace
04.29.09 - Pontiac, MI - The Pike Room at Crofoot
04.30.09 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Tavern
05.01.09 - Columbus, OH - The Summit
05.02.09 - Nashville, TN - The End
05.03.09 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
05.04.09 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
05.05.09 - Baltimore, MA - Talking Head Club
05.06.09 - Philadelphia, PA - The Barbary
05.12.09 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
06.18.09 - New York, NY - Cake Shop
Flash Photography Prohibited, But Flashers Welcome! Camera Obscura Reveal All with New Album and Tour
By David Nadelle on Mar 9 2009
You can call off the indie-pop police. Glasgow’s best sextet Camera Obscura have been found and will return with a career-building album called My Maudlin Career on April 21. Phew. The album is their first release in three years (since Let’s Get Out of This Country), their first for new label 4AD, and second recorded in Sweden with Jari Haapalainen. It all adds up to a record that you will be compelled to pick up as soon as you can. The title track is available for download now and can be yours for free if you sign up for the band’s e-mail list. If you are hesitant, you can test drive the song first on their website and MySpace page -- but when dealing with a band as consistently brilliant as Camera Obscura, you know you’re going to love it.
“Some people who have heard it say it’s intense and quite dark,” says lead hand Tracyanne Campbell. “I suppose it is in a way. We were more open and brave when making it than we were with the last record.”
More interesting are Campbell’s thoughts on her lyrics this time around, saying, “I’ve never been so brutal when its come to writing lyrics. I wouldn’t even call them lyrics. Just documentation of what was going on with me for a while.” Considering the girl’s mastery at writing clever and biting verse, we are anxious to see what they have up their sleeves for My Maudlin Career. A single, “French Army,” is due April 13.
My maudlin tracklisting:
1. French Navy
2. The Sweetest Thing
3. You Told a Lie
4. Away with Murder
5. Swans
6. James
7. Careless Love
8. My Maudlin Career
9. Forest and Sands
10. Other Towns and Cities
11. Honey in the Sun
Other towns and cities will see these shows:
03.16.09 - London, England - The Lexington
03.18.09 - Austin TX - Central Presbyterian Church (SXSW)
03.24.09 - Brooklyn, NY - The Bell House
03.25.09 - New York, NY - The Mercury Lounge
04.21.09 - Newcastle, England - Academy 2
04.22.09 - Manchester, England - Club Academy
04.23.09 - London, England - Shepherd’s Bush Empire
04.24.09 - Warwick, England - Warwick Uni Copper Rooms
04.25.09 - Sheffield, England - The Leadmill
04.26.09 - Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands Ballroom
04.29.09 - Belfast, Northern Ireland - The Stiff Kitten
04.30.09 - Dublin, Rep. of Ireland - Andrew’s Lane Theatre
07.25.09 - Derbyshire, England - Indietracks Festival
Mario Speedwagon’s Under The Radar News Roundup: Pitchfork Announces Some Festival Deetz, The Chap Tour The U.S., Eminem To Drop Two Albums In 2009, Wye Oak Are Coming To Your Town, Passion Pit Release Debut LP In May
By Mario Speedwagon on Mar 6 2009
So, sorry about the lack of “Round Up” last week. It was my birthday, and I didn’t give a FUCK. I’m pretty excited, because it’s like, 70°F outside today, and there are plans for it to be warmer. That being said, Sunday it snowed eigh inches in Athens, Georgia. That shit NEVER happens. Now, I’m from Baltimore so, like, I know what snow looks like, but people here freaked the fuck out. It was hilarious. Weather is so weird. Anyway, on to the news...
- Pitchfork Music Festival announced a few bands slated to play the mid-July festival, held in Chicago’s Union Park. Bands planned for Friday include Built To Spill, The Jesus Lizard (fuck yeah), Yo La Tengo, and Tortoise -- and instead of doing “Don’t Look Back,” fans will get the chance to vote on which songs the bands get to play. Saturday’s lineup includes The National, Pharoahe Monch, and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, while Sunday’s lineup includes Grizzly Bear, The Walkmen, and Vivian Girls. The festival runs July 17-19, and tickets go on sale March 13. You can find more information at the event’s official website. Solid.
- London pop quartet The Chap are hitting the road for the first time in the U.S. They kick off their tour March 12 in Lexington, KY at The University of Kentucky, hitting a few other cities before ending up at SXSW in Austin, and then end their U.S. tour in New York at Cake Shop March 28. You can view all of The Chap’s tourdates on their website.
- Don’t worry, everyone: Eminem is releasing another album. I know ya’ll were worried that his “hiatus” would be permanent, but like most rappers who “retire,” he didn’t... so yeah, expect not just one Eminem record, but TWO records this year. Ugh. Relapse, the first of the two records, releases on May 19, while Relapse 2 is slated to come out by the end of the year. Shit comes out on Interscope.
- On a more pleasant note, Baltimore hoodlums Wye Oak are hitting the road! They kick off their tour April 14 in Brooklyn, NY at Bell House (with Crooked Fingers) and finish up in Baltimore, MD at the Metro Gallery. They are just so cute; I just want to put them in my pocket.
- Boston dudes Passion Pit are set to release their debut LP Manners on Frenchkiss Records May 26. I dug the Chunk Of Change EP and went to see them at CMJ. Lemme tell ya, falsetto IN THE HOUSE. Dude is LOUD. It was fun though. They’ll announce tourdates soon, and they are playing SXSW.
Aight, have a good weekend, suckers.
