Just like how Francis Ford Coppola waited a full decade and a half before producing the highly anticipated third installment of The Godfather, Wu-Tang member Raekwon is finally releasing on August 11 Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, the follow-up to his 1995 masterpiece Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, an album often cited as the birth of the divisive crack-rap genre. But unlike The Godfather, Part III, let's hope this sequel doesn't feature a convoluted narrative, hinge on the performance of Raekwon's non-rapper daughter, or generally suck.
To the frustration of fans, the album has been on the cusp of a release over the past few years: it reached #6 on XXL Magazine's most-anticipated albums of 2007 (note the date) and was referred to by Raekwon in an interview with HipHopDX.com as being "damn near 200 percent done." So, maybe the man has put in about 342% by now. Cuban Linx has since its release gone platinum, but its successors have been released to more diminishing returns -- Rae's 2003 album The Lex Diamond Story only sold 150,000.
Ghostface Killah, The Game, Bun B, Method Man, Dr. Dre, and Wu producer RZA are slated to appear on Cuban Linx II. Even (ugh) Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has been rumored to appear! EMI will release the record under Raekwon's ICEH20 Records. The album's first single, "Woo Oh (The New Wu)," features Ghostface Killah and Method Man.
A few years ago, I wrote a news story about The Good Life touring Europe, in which I recommended famous pubs and other drinking establishments to everyone’s favorite indie rock drunk, Cursive’s Tim Kasher. This time around, Kasher has asked me to recommend to him some of the best breweries that the U.S. has to offer so that he can make the most out of his summer touring schedule. Of course, I obliged, because it’s hard to say no when Kasher threatens to write an angry song that name-drops you. Feel free to print this list out and follow Kasher and Co. across the country this summer (Tim will be the one face-down in the beer vat):
- Frederick, MD: Flying Dog Brewery - Milwaukee, WI: Miller, Lakefront Brewery - Chicago, IL: Goose Island - Billings, MT: Yellowstone Valley Brewing - Seattle, WA: Pyramid Brewery - Portland, OR: Bridgeport Brewing Co. - San Francisco, CA: Anchor Brewing Co. - Chico, CA: Sierra Nevada Brewery - Salt Lake City, UT: Bohemian Brewery
It’s going to be a long summer: 05.04.09 - State College, PA - The State Theatre * 05.05.09 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel * 05.06.09 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick * 05.07.09 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall # 05.08.09 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue 05.09.09 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge # 05.12.09 - London, UK - Dingwalls 05.14.09 - Cardiff, UK - Clwb Ifor Bach 05.15.09 - Brighton, UK - The Great Escape 05.16.09 - Birmingham, UK - Hare And Hounds 05.17.09 - Norwich, UK - Arts Centre 05.18.09 - Manchester, UK - Academy 3 05.19.09 - York, UK - Fibbers 05.20.09 - Newcastle, UK - Academy 2 05.21.09 - London, UK - Stag & Dagger Festival 05.22.09 - Leeds, UK - Stag & Dagger Festival 05.23.09 - Glasgow, UK - Stag & Dagger Festival 05.24.09 - Nottingham, UK - Dot To Dot Festival 06.13.09 - Denver, CO - Westword Music Showcase 06.18.09 - Sioux Falls, SD – Nutty’s North 06.20.09 - Billings, MT - Yellowstone Valley Brewery 06.21.09 - Missoula, MT - The Other Side 06.22.09 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory 06.23.09 - Seattle, WA – Neumo’s 06.24.09 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom 06.27.09 - San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall 06.28.09 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre 06.29.09 - Pomona, CA - Glasshouse 07.01.09 - Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
Cantankerous lounge comedian Neil Hamburger, after reportedly failing as a spokesperson for a national chain of low-cost motels, has announced (via telegram, no less) a summer release of a DVD entitled Western Music and Variety. The video will no doubt feature some of Hamburger's crotchety audience ribbing as well as country and western music from the Too-Good-For-Neil-Hamburger-Band, whose album Sings Country Winners (TMT Review) was released this past summer by Drag City.
The DVD will feature live footage of the band performing most of the songs on the album, as well as a bonus live performance filmed inside a cat hotel. The all-star band itself should be worth the price. Hamburger is backed by Tubes founding member Prarie Prince, guitarist Dave Gleason, New Cars bassist Atom Ellis, Rentals and Weezer contributor Rachel Haden, and pedal steel player Joe Goldmark. As a teaser, check out this music video for Hamburger's tearjerking ode to his father, "Jug Town":
05.22.09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge 05.23.09 - Bellingham, WA - Rogue Hero 05.24.09 - Seattle, WA - Triple Door 05.31.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland 06.28.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland 07.17.09 - Austin, TX - Emo's 07.18.09 - San Antonio, TX - Rock Bottom
- Cass McCombs will release a new record July 7 via Domino Records called Catacombs. I hate it when writers reference press releases, but from Cass McCombs press release, I found out that he’s a Scorpio, his Wikipedia page is almost entirely false, and the word “paradox” was used seven times. I really have no other news on this matter.
- ATP New York curated by The Flaming Lips, added Boredoms (could have seen that coming), Iron & Wine, Deerhunter, No Age, Caribou, Deerhoof, and Boss Hog to the lineup. They'll be doing some special performances. Read more about it here.
- The New York Dolls begin a tour in May to support their new record Cause I Sez So, which comes out May 5 (TMT News). It kicks off May 20 in Solana Beach, CA at Belly Up Tavern and ends June 13 in Atlanta, GA at Center Stage. Many of the dates are with Black Joe Lewis.
- Mark Kozelek -- making us sad with a new live album. Lost Verses – Live will be released May 12 and features performances from Kozelek’s 2007 and 2008 acoustic tours. The songs featured include solo material as well as Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters jams. They were all recorded at “intimate, seated settings” at venues like the Williamsburg Music Hall (Brooklyn), First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia), and the Palace of Fine Arts (San Francisco.) An additional live record of Kozelek in Zaragoza and Barcelona will come free when you buy the record at Caldo Verde.
So, perhaps this is not what was expected when seeing the headline, but Neutral Milk Hotel are making news again! Why? Apparently, the group wants “the people” to help them save a carousel.
Located in Hull, Massachusetts, The Paragon Carousel is an 81-year-old machine in need of some help. Julian Koster (also of The Music Tapes), speaking on behalf of Neutral Milk Hotel, has put out a plea on Merge’s site to help win this historic carousel a $100,000 preservation grant from Massachusetts. According to Koster:
I spoke with Jeff and Scott and Jeremy about this and they agreed that I should, on behalf of Neutral Milk Hotel, make an appeal to the good people who might have enjoyed the music made over the years, because we think you'd understand especially, and want to help.
All you have to do is visit this site and vote once a day until May 16, and then Neutral Milk Hotel’s cup will be spilling over with happiness.
I get skittish leaving my car on while I sigh at our local Redbox machine. But The Dears -- the poor Dears -- had their tour bus stolen while their driver slumbered in a Montreal Comfort Inn the morning before their tour was to start. The nerve!
Since the band was packing at home, luckily no equipmment was actually stowed on the van. And guess what: The Dears gave the whole situation the middle finger and are touring with Great Northern and Eulogies right now anyway.
If you see the vehicle, contact your local authorities. Here's some info: Bus model: Prevost, Series 60. Accuride Alcoa; License plate: V957YW.
The tourdates: 05.01.09 - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House * 05.02.09 - Albany, NY - Valentines * 05.04.09 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom * 05.05.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's * 05.07.09 - Washington, DC - Black Cat * 05.08.09 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel * 05.09.09 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop * 05.10.09 - Columbus, OH - Skully's * 05.11.09 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick * 05.13.09 - Chicago, IL - Lakeshore Theater * 05.14.09 - Columbia, MO - Mojo's * 05.16.09 - Denton, TX - Hailey's * 05.17.09 - Houston, TX - Warehouse * 05.18.09 - Austin, TX - Parish * 05.21.09 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room * 05.22.09 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah * 05.23.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex * 05.24.09 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent * 05.26.09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge * 05.27.09 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile Lounge * 05.29.09 - Victoria, BC - Sugar # 05.30.09 - Vancouver, BC - Richards on Richards # 05.31.09 - Kelowna, BC - Habitat # 06.02.09 - Calgary, AB - Theatre Junction Grand # 06.03.09 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room # 06.04.09 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos # 06.05.09 - Regina, SK - Distrikt # 06.06.09 - Winnipeg, MB - West End Cultural Center #
* Great Northern and Eulogies # Jets Overhead and Black Diamond Bay
