Streaming Music: Sigur Rós - Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

Those of you who have pre-ordered the new Sigur Rós record (complete with bums on the cover), can download a 320kbps version of the album from today. I'd highly recommend it.

But for those of you who don't like paying for music, you can stream it online here:
http://widget.nabbr.com/sigur_ros.html
Note: You must have Javascript enabled.

Look out for a review of the album soon.

The band are playing Electric Picnic this year (as long as it's not cancelled due to a ridiculous IMRO courtcase). It's like the Mahon Tribunal of Music.

To get you in the mood, here's a recent setlist from their festival appearance in Mexico city

Festival la Colmena, Tepoztlan, Mexico: June 7, 2008
1. Svenf-e-englar
2. Glósóli
3. Vaka
4. Festival
5. Heysátan
6. Gobbledigook
7. Fjótavik
8. All Alright

And some kind taper was good enough to upload it: http://rs53.rapidshare.com/files/121281864/Colmena_SR_.rar

Media Attack: Herald AM, June 17

This is the segment where I complain about other sections of the media, usually reviews. It's easy, and also quite enjoyable.

Today's Herald AM (that's the free morning newspaper version of the Evening Herald, to anyone not in the know) had reviews of both Radiohead's Best of (EMI making money from unnecessary releases) and the new Coldplay album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends.

The Coldplay review started off badly with an attack on the album's title. It was immediately obvious that this reviewer was thoroughly biased. I guess this reviewer was the same Eamonn guy who reviewed the Radiohead record, but there was no name at the end of this review. Does it matter what the album is called? Not really. Led Zeppelin didn't even bother with names on some of their albums... And The Buttless Chaps have one of the worst band names ever, but still make good music.

It all went downhill from there. The reviewer comments how the opening track features "the usual Chris Martin 'oohs' and 'aahs'". Now I've listened to 'Life in Technicolour' a good few times now, and I distinctly remember no vocals, oohs or aahs on this instrumental song.

To top it all off, he even ends the review by admitting that he "doesn't like Coldplay". Seriously, his editor should have looked at this review, went "No", and threw it out. Even the mailboy probably would have done a better job.

And two stars? You're kidding me, right?

Tour news: Coldplay

Not content with getting the UK #1 slot at the weekend, and getting a whopping 6.5 review from Pitchfork, Chris Martin has decided to throw his band's upcoming tour into disarray by injuring himself on the day before the tour. Or so claims The Sun newspaper.

The future Fish and Chip wrapper states "Chris Martin has thrown Coldplay's comeback concert into jeopardy after twisting his knee during tour rehearsals. The frontman was left hobbling in pain after injuring his leg in practice sessions for the band's eagerly anticipated first performance in London tomorrow."

But since he sits at a piano for some of the songs, before twirling around like a madman on others, can't he just sit for them all? Of course he can. It's just the usual newspaper nonsense.

How come I didn't hear about Silver Jews frontman David Berman injuring his hand in Meath while on their three-show stint in Ireland? That's right, because it just wasn't worth mentioning in the news. Berman still sang on, and gave a cracking performance at Whelan's (no 'Party Barge' though - the horror!). Similarly, Martin will no doubt be in excellent condition whether singing or standing. That's of course if he's not doing an encore of that terrible performance at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards:



Horrible, wasn't it?

And even so, they're not playing Belfast til December. I'm sure he'll have healed by then.

This week's Gigs: 16-18 June 2008

I can't say I'd recommend going to see any of these artists early this week. The Courteeners have received the usual NME-hype that any British band gets, but they're really not that good. I'd save my money for the weekend. Madness and Crowded House tickets would have made great Father's Day presents yesterday, and unless you're bringing your dad I suggest staying in instead. And watch a Birdseye ad on TV. One minute of Suggs is more than enough for anyone to take.

Monday, 16 June 2008

The Courteeners	Whelan's	20:00	€16.50
Crowded House	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€49.20
Iggy & The Stooges	Royal Hospital	Gates 18:30	€55
Michael McDonald	Vicar Street	20:00	€54.80
Prince	Croke Park	xx:xx	Cancelled!

Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Crowded House	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€49.20
Madness	Tripod	19:30	€64.50-74.50

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Crowded House	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€49.20
Paul Curreri	The Sugar Club	20:00	€13
Madness	Tripod	19:30	€64.50-74.50

Setlist: Leonard Cohen, Royal Hospital Grounds, 15 June 2008

Even the rain couldn't keep the adoring fans away for the final night of Leonard Cohen's non-emergency visit to the Royal Hospital Grounds in Kilmainham.

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. Heart with No Companion
----Set Break----
9. Anthem
10. Tower of Song
11. Suzanne
12. The Gypsy Wife
13. Boogie Street
14. Hallelujah
15. Democracy
16. I'm Your Man
17. A Thousand Kisses Deep
----Encore Break----
18. Take This Waltz
19. So Long, Marianne
20. First We Take Manhattan
21. That Don't Make It Junk
22. If It Be Your Will
23. Closing Time
24. I Tried to Leave You

Setlist: Leonard Cohen, Royal Hospital Grounds, 14 June 2008

The second of three excellent in the Royal Hospital grounds, Kilmainham performances from the legend that is Leonard Cohen. He's much much more than that Jeff Buckley song... (Shows 1 and 3 coming)

Dance Me to the End of Love
The Future
Ain’t No Cure For Love
Bird on a Wire
Everybody Knows
In My Secret Life
Who by Fire
Anthem
----Set Break----
Tower of Song
Suzanne
The Gypsy’s Wife
Boogie Street
Hallelujah
Democracy
I’m Your Man
A Thousand Kisses Deep
Take This Waltz
----Encore Break----
Waiting for a Miracle
First We Take Manhattan
That Don’t Make it Junk
If It Be Your Will
Closing Time
I Tried to leave you
Whither Thou Goest

Setlist: Neil Diamond, Croke Park, June 14

While the weather could have been better, the man himself could not. Diamond put on a great performance, with many songs from his new album Home Before Dark, but closed the set with many crowd favourites including 'America', 'Cracklin' Rosie' and 'Sweet Caroline'.

One more bite of the Apple/Holly Holy
Street Life
Beautiful Noise
Lady Oh
Cherry Cherry
Thank the Lord for the Night time
Love on the Rocks
Home Before Dark
Don't go there
Pretty Amazing Grace
Crunchy Granola Suite
Done Too Soon
Red Red Wine
Brooklyn Roads
I Am.. I Said..
Solitary Man
Forever in Blue Jeans
Sweet Caroline >
Sweet Caroline (Reprise)
You don't bring me Flowers
Song Sung Blue
I'm a Believer
Man of God
Hell Yeah
-----
Cracklin' Rosie
America
Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show


And just so you realise that I'm not a mentaller for actually liking Neil Diamond, here's a 1971 version of one of his classics, 'Solitary Man':
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