Setlist: Punch Brothers, The Sugar Club, 11 July 2008

Great night had by all at The Sugar Club last night. I'm still feeling the effects (well, not really, but Bluegrass does equal Whiskey!) The above picture you see is a handwritten setlist by Chris Thile, a great entertainer and very, very funny man. I'll write a full review on Monday. I woke up this morning singing 'Punch Bowl'. That's always a good sign about how good a concert was.

Setlist:
The Eleventh Reel
Punch Bowl
Heart in a Cage
The Blind Leaving The Blind: First Movement
The Blind Leaving The Blind: Second Movement
Ophelia (The Band Cover)
O Santo de Polvora
Wayside (Back in Time)
---
Nothing, Then >
It'll Happen
Watch 'at Breakdown
The Blind Leaving The Blind: Third Movement
The Blind Leaving The Blind: Fourth Movement
Cazadero
----
If the Sea Was Whiskey
Ninety Nine Years (And One Dark Day)

Lists: Not Paul's Musical Genealogy

Indulge me if you will, for I have stumbled upton an idea of genius. Well, other Irish bloggers, UnaRocks and Nialler9 have shown me the light!

The idea (spreading through the blogging world like wildfire), is to name your favourite album from every year you were alive in. Pretty cool, right? Note I probably didn't hear most of these until well past the 80s, but you get the gist!

Picking one is tricky, do I go with The Smiths (who had two albums) or U2 or Talking Heads in 1984? Do I pick or Bruce Willis The Return of Bruno from 1987 or Rick Astley? Seriously though, 2003 was tough: Postal Service, Kings of Leon, Greendale. Tough.

I also wanted to pick Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Live 1975-1985, but greatest hits and live albums have an unfair advantage. It's fantastic though. My favourite live album.

Note: these are my favourites. There may be better albums out there, but these are the ones I listen to most often.

1984: U2 - The Unforgettable Fire
1985: Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
1986: The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
1987: Michael Jackson - Bad
1988: Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman
1989: Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever
1990: Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Ragged Glory
1991: Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
1992: Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
1993: Counting Crows - August and Everything After
1994: Jeff Buckley - Grace
1995: Radiohead - The Bends
1996: Dave Matthews Band - Crash
1997: Radiohead - OK Computer
1998: Mercury Rev - Deserter's Songs
1999: Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning
2000: Johnny Cash - American III: Solitary Man
2001: Mic Christopher - Skylarkin'
2002: Badly Drawn Boy - About A Boy OST
2003: The Postal Service - Give Up
2004: Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell
2005: Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
2006: Seth Lakeman - Freedom Fields
2007: Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
2008: Destroyer - Trouble in Dreams (This could change, we have half a year left)

Live Recommendations: 11-13 July 2008

Not much to recommend this weekend. Oxegen is on, so every artist in the land is gone to play that (before flying to/from T in the Park to do the exact same). The only night there's really anyone you may have heard of is tonight.

P-Square are an American rap/hip-hop duo, if that's your thing. It's not mine, I'm more of a bluegrass man myself, and thus intend to see Punch Brothers at the Sugar Club. Chris Thile is their mainman, and he used to be the main man in Nickel Creek. Punch brothers are more instrumental than Nickel Creek, and if you've heard any of Thile's solo material, you know what to expect.

Sorry for the briefness of this recommendations, but I more than made up for it, with my Oxegen previews:
http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2008/07/live-oxegen-2008-preview-friday.html
http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2008/07/live-oxegen-2008-preview-saturday.html
http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2008/07/live-oxegen-2008-preview-sunday.html

This Weekend's Gigs: 11-13 July 2008

Friday, 11 July 2008

Mugison, Carly Sings	Whelan's		20:00	€15
Powderfinger	The Academy		19:30	€39.60
P-Square	Ambassador Theatre		21:30	€39.20-€44.20
Punch Brothers	The Sugar Club		20:00	€25.50

Saturday, 12 July 2008

Alyanya	CrawDaddy	20:00	€10
Heritage Centre	Whelan's Upstairs	20:00	€10
Pugwash	Whelan's	20:00	€16

Sunday, 13 July 2008

Tadhg Cooke

Whelan's Upstairs

20:00

€10

Setlist: Counting Crows, Ambassador Theatre, 10 July 2008

The 'Children in Bloom' returned to Dublin last night with an extra-special intimate performance at the Ambassador Theatre. There were a few sound issues to begin with, but then the band really hit their stride with excellent versions of 'Cowboys' (its Irish debut), 'Children in Bloom', and a 'Round Here' up there with the Across A Wire version.

A signed setlist is being auctioned for the Greylist Foundation, you can bid on it here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Counting-Crows-Signed-Tour-Setlist,-Dublin-Ireland_W0QQitemZ320271641429QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL0807081589r28414

When I Dream of Michaelangelo
Up All Night
Hanging Tree
Mr Jones
Black and Blue
Cowboys
Good Time
High Life
Catapult
Sundays
Insignificant
Colourblind
Washington Square
Children in Bloom
Round Here
Goodnight LA
Come Around
Big Yellow Taxi
A Long December
Hangin' Around
----
On a Tuesday in Amsterdam Long Ago
Hard Candy
Holiday in Spain

Here's a mildly amusing Counting Crows live video:

Album News: Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul tracklisting revealed

A user of French forum http://www.nrj.fr has released the tracklisting of the brand new Oasis album Dig Out Your Soul:

To save you from translating it yourself, they say "it's an excellent album, the best from Oasis.

After an absence of three years, the band from Manchester presents its seventh album. The English press did not lie when they proclaimed it an excellent album.

Dig Out Your Soul is a treasure trove of music and is undoubtedly the best studio album of their career. Liam Gallagher said he would compose songs out of the usual construction and move towards a new sound. It's done!

The progression of songs is very consistent. From the raw energy of the first titles to the more sophisticated pieces at the end, the listener discovers new sounds, as if the group wanted to guide him throughout the hearing. The Gallagher brothers put aside their usual Britpop sound to focus on a sound much more rock, sometimes folk. And it's very heavy, especially the track '(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady'.

Never in excess, the rockers introduce arrangements of all kinds with the precision of a goldsmith. In addition, the guitar holds a prominent place in songs and provides real effectiveness on the record."

1. Bag It Up
2. The Turning
3. Waiting for the Rapture
4. The Shock of the Lightning
5. I'm Outta Time
6. (Get Off Your) High Horse Lady
7. Falling Down
8. To be Where There's Life
9. Ain't Got Nothin'
10. The Nature of Reality
11. Soldier On

Live: Kid Sister rescheduled gig

Just a quick note to say that the previously cancelled Kid Sister show, mentioned here:
http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2008/06/live-kid-sister-at-crawdaddy-cancelled.html
has been rescheduled for August 15th at CrawDaddy. It's on late, at 11:30, and tickets cost €15. Worth a look if you've nothing better to do on that Friday night! Me, I'll be in Rome. Might be listening to some hardcore Europop at that time!

Album News: The Verve - Forth tracklisting revealed

Straight from the horses' mouths:

"The single for Love is Noise is released 4th August (CD and 2x7"), followed by the album on 18th Aug which will be made available as a download, standard CD, a special edition CD/DVD & double LP."

Tracklisting for LP (includes 2 bonus cuts)
Record 1
Side 1
1.Sit And Wonder
2.Love Is Noise
3.Rather Be
Side 2
1.Judas
2.Numbness
3.I See Houses
Record 2
Side 1
1.Noise Epic
2.Valium Skies
3.Columbo
Side 2
1.Ma Ma Soul
2.Muhammad Ali
3.Appalachian Springs

The new video for 'Love is Noise' can be found on the band's MySpace:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=38035520

Setlist: Little Feat, The Academy, Dublin, 7 July 2008

"Oh I'll be your Dixie Chicken if you be my Tennessee lamb"

While Lowell George may no longer be with is, the current Feat lineup still put on a great show. And that's no mean Feat! I just love puns sometimes, you'll have to forgive me. Highlights from the show were 'The Weight', which features on their new record Join the Band, as well as 'Willin'' and the aforementioned 'Dixie Chicken'.

Setlist:
Marginal Creatures
One Clear Moment
Time Loves A Hero >
Day Or Night
16 Shells From A Thirty Ought-Six
Fat Man In The Bathtub >
Get Up Stand Up >
Fat Man In The Bathtub
Willin' >
Don't Bogart That Joint >
Long Black Veil >
The Weight >
Willin'
Spanish Moon
Feels Like Rain,
Dixie Chicken
----
Oh Atlanta

Watch 'Spanish Moon':

Live: Oxegen 2008 Preview - Sunday

Last but not least. If you're still conscious on Sunday, there are some great bands playing. And if not, the noise of Rage Against The Machine is bound to wake you from your coma.

If you've time to do some reading before the weekend, People's Republic of Cork have their own nice little Guide to Oxegen:
http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=275

Sunday

13:30
It's the Subways not the Sundays playing the O2 Stage, so there will be no stories ending. Instead, check out alt-country singer Ryan Bingham at Pet Sounds. It'll ease you into Sunday.

14:20
The Hold Steady at the Green Room. Why in the name of Jesus are they on so early? Ridiculous. Tom Baxter is on the same stage six hours later, makes no sense. Go and see them. They're one of your must sees for Sunday.

14:45
Whenever Franz Nicolay walks off the stage, not at 14:45, head over to the Main Stage to catch the end of the Feeling. It'll brighten your spirits, if not the weather.

15:25
In my opinion, The Stranglers only have one good song. Hopefully they'll play it. They might be good live, so give them a try. Best of a bad bunch, playing in the Green Room.

15:50
We Are Scientists. They're pretty good, as their new album Brain Thrust Mastery would attest, so see them on the O2 Stage. Don't bother with the Blizzards. Just because they're Irish doesn't mean they're all that good. The Kinetics on Friday are miles better.

16:00
Lightspeed Champion, he used to write for Pitchfork, you know? He's better than any other critic out there when it comes to playing music though. His lyrics are dope. Am I allowed say that? I'm probably not cool enough. Back to Pet Sounds for this one.

16:40
Alabama 3 is like your own rocky hoedown, well not really but the name does not indicate the music. Try them on in The Green Room.

17:05
Yet another British band, The Pigeon Detectives. How come they produce good music and we have dirge like Delorentos in Pet Sounds. The wingéd ones can be found on the O2 Stage.

17:35
The Kooks released their second album, Konk, earlier this year. It wasn't a patch on the earlier record, but I hear it works well in the live setting. They're on the Main Stage.

18:20
Dublin's The Script are a good upcoming Irish band. There's only a finite amount of them. Recent single 'We Cry' was a great radio hit, and give them the attention they deserve. Pay them attention at the 2FM New Bands Stage.

18:35
'Time to Pretend' by MGMT was everywhere earlier this year. They're bloody weird looking dudes, but they make good music. Not all about looks you know. That said my girlfriend is stunning. I bet yours isn't. MGMT are on Pet Sounds.

19:20
Forget that nonsense singalong song the Fratellis will lash into on the Main Stage, Glasvegas are twenty times the band they are, and play the 2FM New Band Stage. Another of my must-sees for the weekend. You can thank me when you wake Monday evening. Irish act Crayonsmith is on the IMRO New Sounds Stage at the same time, if you're feeling patriotic, check him out. He's good too.

19:45
Band of Horses are one of the most productive bands around and release a lot in a short time. This means they don't have as much time to tour, so catch them when they're here. Speaking of Horses, wasn't Into the West a great film, Tayto? Band of Horses play Pet Sounds.

21:00
Don't even waste time trekking to the Kaiser Chiefs on the Main Stage for fifteen minutes, worm your way up front at the O2 Stage for Jack White and Brendan Benson's Raconteurs. If they play 'Carolina Drama', that'll be the highlight of the weekend.

22:45
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won some award. It isn't well known. Most people, however, don't know they're actually called The Swell Season. They bring their stripped down brilliance to the Pet Sounds Stage. Bound to be packed. At the same time Rage Against The Machine come to the Main Stage (22:35), Chemical Brothers on O2 (22:30), Ian Brown at the Green Room (22:50), but of the other acts, Wales pop-rockers Los Campesinos! are the ones most worth seeing on the 2FM New Band Stage (23:20).


Until Oxegen 2009...

Live: Oxegen 2008 Preview - Saturday

Better get all these done today, cause no doubt some of you are off to the festival tomorrow - you mad yokes! You're going to be soaked!

Saturday

Nice early start Saturday morning. Well early for me, I don't get up before 12 on Saturdays. Not even for Soccer AM!

13:30
Always plenty of choice for the first act. Comedy-rock group Bowling for Soup on the Main Stage, Jack McManus on Pet Sounds, but I'm recommending British band Little Man Tate on the O2 Stage. They're named after a Jodie Foster film. Bound to be brilliant!

14:25
Check out the Delays for a few minutes in the Green Room.

14:45
Scouting for Girls. Yes, they're poppy, but it's the good kind of feelgood stuff. Not shlock like Busted or McFly. They're on the Main Stage.

15:20
Two choices here. Powderfinger (named after a legend of a Neil Young tune) on the O2 Stage, or The Music at Pet Sounds. Depends on whether you feel like walking really.

16:10
Avoid Newton Faulkner at all costs. My housemate wouldn't, she says she'd actually give him a go, dreads and all! My Morning Jacket bring their Evil Urges to Pet Sounds. So you're probably best going to see The Music instead of Powderfinger so. Too late now though.

16:25
The Ting Ting Ting Tings. Major Major Major Major. I like repetition. Horrible name the Ting Tings. Decent music. Those singles will become anthems on Saturday. Check them out in the Green Room.

17:10
Holy Fuck. Don't know which band name is worse, this or the Ting Tings. But the worst of the weekend is definitely Does It Offend You, Yeah? Stop in to the 2FM New Band Stage on the way to...

17:15
The Main Stage for Counting Crows. You'll all know 'Mr Jones', but they do have some other great songs. Their new album isn't their best, but expect a greatest hits performance at Oxegen (their Ambassador show will be used to promote the record).

18:15
You should love Yeasayer. Great band name, great album. Pretty great for the twenty minutes you'll be there.

18:35
If you check out one band this weekend, make it Vampire Weekend. Clever lyrics, African-influences, and the word "Vampire" in their name. What's not to like? Plus, Amy Winehouse will probably not turn up. The Green Room will be full.

19:40
Blues legend Seasick Steve on the Pet Sounds Stage. Well he's not all that much of a legend, but he's old, which is half the battle. For the few years he's been well-known though, he has been well-received, and went down a treat at Glastonbury two weekends ago.

20:15
More sunshine pop from Swedish band Alphabeat. It'll make up for the fact the actual sun didn't shine all day. Catch them at the 2FM New Band Stage.

20:45
"Sheffield crooner channels ghost of Roy Orbison." Sounds like a spam email. It's true though. Love by the Arctic Monkeys. Loved by me. See him!

21:10
(Or whatever time Richard is over. Take note that you should wait for some acts to finish before leaving. Don't spend the weekend walking around!) Black Kids are yet another hype band. I posted a stream of their debut album yesterday. It's worth checking out. Feeder are also on the O2 Stage at this time, could be worth a look. They're much better live than in studio.

22:15
Either Hot Chip or Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong. One is dancy stuff, the other bizarrely-titled rock. Don't bother with the Zutons anyway. They make more money from Amy Winehouse than they do from their own records. Hot Chip can be caught at Pet Sounds, Joe Lean on the 2FM New Band Stage.

23:45
The Verve play The Main Stage. Expect material from their new record Forth, as well as classics like 'Sonnet' and 'Bittersweet Symphony'. And someone record some videos for me, I want to see this new material. I won't be seeing the Verve. The National are on! They play the Pet Sounds stage at 23:40. They sold out a week's worth of dates in the last year, and are loved. Rightly so. Also, if you're into your dance music, check out Justice at 23:45 in the Dance Building.

Live: Oxegen 2008 Preview - Friday

So, you've now read what everyone has to say on a variety of different bands. Most of it was glowing praise. It seems that everyone playing the Punchestown festival this year is the best act ever. Sadly, that's not the case. So here I am to help you decide who to see. And I'm going to do it by time schedule, so you won't forget who's on stage. Yes. I love that scene from Animaniacs, even if it is a rip-off of a classic Abbott and Costello joke.

So let's start with Day 1:

Friday

17:00
Three choices here really, Dirty Epics, Amy MacDonald or Future Kings of Spain. The others will probably be attended by people who are either family members and friends or people who want to get out of the rain. None of these really shine, but Ireland's own Future Kings of Spain do put on a nice little live performance. They're on the O2 Stage

18:00
The Coronas. If you have time go see these guys for a few minutes at the Main Stage, before heading to see...

18:15
Anyone but the Sugababes. Or maybe they'll cancel again. Who you should be seeing are Dublin-based The Kinetics, who play the Green Room. They're one of the best upcoming Irish bands out there, and were thoroughly fantastic when I saw them recently supporting Saving J.

18:50
It's a case of family business when Son of Crowded House, sorry, Liam Finn, takes to the 2FM New Band/Futures Stage. His music is somewhat reminiscent of his dad's, and is much better than anything Sean Lennon has ever released.

19:10
Paddy Casey belts out some of his Irish modern classics on the Main Stage, but you won't be hearing anything from his average new album, as you'll no doubt be too busy listening to Battles in the Pet Sounds Tent. Expect to hear the wonderful Math-Rock of 'Atlas' which received praise from everyone from NME ro Pitchfork.

19:50
When they're finished, head over to see The Saw Doctors 'N17' and all, where it'll be culchie central in The Green Room. Hope you brought your wellies!

20:25
Back to The Main Stage (lots of walking in my Oxegen 2008 Tour) for Editors, who'll definitely rock the house, and hopefully cheer up all the soggy souls out on the mulch. But you'll only be watching them for twenty minutes...

20:45
Pianoman Ben Folds is on the O2 Stage, minus the Five, but still as excellent as ever. I saw him in Vicar Street last year, and it was definitely a treat for the ears. We even got a guest appearance from Neil Hannon!

21:50
Aphex Twin used to be great. He's still a weirdo, but I'm not too sure how great he still is. Granted, it's either him or The Go!Team or Mundy. So watch him for five minutes anyway.

21:55
Main Stage again for Interpol. I never would say I was looking forward to them, but there's not much else now really is there? Friday is definitely the poorest of all three days. Personally I think they should've stuck with two.

22:30
Friendly Fires are yet to release an album, but when they do, expect it to be soundtracking a lot of adverts. Their single 'Paris' should've been everywhere, but criminally wasn't. Check them out on the 2FM New Band Stage.

23:30
Kings of Leon finally land on the Main Stage. I hardly expect people to be watching anyone else. They'll play plenty of their well-known tunes, and expect some from their upcoming record too. I remember when I first saw these guys (after Youth and Young Manhood was first released) and they were excellent. I don't think anything they've released since matches their debut, but they do put on a great show.

If you want to see someone else while the Kings are onstage though, I'd recommend Cat Power (Pet Sounds 23:50), but not The Rascals (New Band 23:30). Calvin Harris is wonderful live too, and was great last year (Dance Stage 23:50).

Album News: One Day As A Lion - EP and Album

Nothing too significant to note here from my earlier post here, but Andy from InSound has emailed me to inform me that the EP is now available for preorder, to be released in two weeks. They've also made the One Day As A Lion full album LP available for pre-order, and anyone who does so, will be able to download mp3s of all the album's tracks on 22nd of this month, more than three months before the album's physical release date (October 7th)! Not too bad of an offer if I do say so myself.

Find out full details here:
http://www.insound.com/noteworthy/promo.php?p=70

Although don't expect any of these songs to be played by Rage Against The Machine mainman Zach De La Rocha at Oxegen this Sunday!

Stream: Fleet Foxes - NPR All Things Considered

Fleet Foxes may well be this year's biggest hype band. No doubt you've already read loads about them, got the Sun Giant EP, downloaded Ragged Wood only to find out that it's not called that anymore. You might have even grown a beard in appreciation of their mountainy folk.

All things considered, they have released one of the best folk albums of the year - it's no Tallest Man on Earth Shallow Grave, but it's damn good. And 'Blue Ridge Mountain' should be on every mixtape you make this year. The only thing wrong with them is the fact that singer Robin Peckinold does not stand up at his shows! But since this is a mere audio stream, you'll never realise!

Have a listen here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92089028

Album News: Calexico - Carried to Dust

On September 9th this year, Calexico return to their more countrified roots with Carried to Dust, the follow-up to their disappointing Garden Ruin album. Their sixth record promises to be a return to form, and features guest appearances from Sam Beam of Iron & Wine fame as well as Douglas McCombs from Tortoise. The following day, the 10th of September, they play TriPod in Dublin along with Wood Pigeon. Sure to be a treat.

Tracklist
1. Victor Jara's
2. Hands
3. Two Silver Trees
4. The News About William
5. Sarabande In Pencil Form
6. Writer's Minor Holiday
7. Man Made Lake
8. Inspiración
9. House of Valparaiso
10. Slowness
11. Bend To The Road
12. El Gatillo (Trigger Revisited)
13. Fractured Air (Tornado Watch)
14. Falling From Sleeves
15. Red Blooms
16. Contention City


The band released an official teaser trailer (kind of like in the movies - maybe they should have these on instead of all those bloody Coke ads before films) on their iLike Page yesterday:

Upcoming Brilliance: The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

It seems the world is finally catching up to the brilliance of Craig Finn's sing-speak, and warmly embracing Brooklyn's The Hold Steady. Since the days of Lifter Puller, Craig Finn and Tad Kubler have been vastly undervalued musicians. However, the release of their later band, The Hold Steady's Boys and Girls in America in 2006 was their catapult to a worldwide audience. That album was vaunted by every critic I know (including myself on that previous website I wrote for...do some investigative work!)

It was also their first record to be released in Ireland. Their previous two, Almost Killed Me (which features the oh-so-wondeful 'Knuckles') and Separation Sunday got a fair bit of love the other side of the great wide ocean, but not here. Boys and Girls changed that, and with the release of their newest album, Stay Positive, this Friday, they're set to embrace an even wider market. Tom Dunne is even playing 'Sequestered in Memphis' for Christsake. How much more popular can you get in Ireland?

The band are also due to perform at Oxegen this weekend. They played a great show earlier this year at The Academy (I was present to hear live versions of some of the new tunes, and they soung great, especially 'Yeah Sapphire'). That show featured support from the Kanyu Tree, a Galway band who make some excellent summery pop.

But as for now...
"Yeah, Sapphire
I'm sick and I'm tired and I'm fried
And you gotta believe me

Yeah, Sapphire
If I cross myself when I come,
Would you maybe receive me?

Yeah, Sapphire
You were feisty at first,
But I broke you and I showed you the temporal

Sacramento,
It swung at us first
But it ended up going down gentle

Sapphire, if Cheyenne's too small
We'll haul it all back to St. Paul
I was just about to call you
When you called

Yeah, Sapphire
I know the last time we touched
I came on a bit rough, please forgive me

Yeah, Sapphire
After you left, it was a big sketchy mess
They almost killed me

Sapphire, if Cheyenne's too small
We'll haul it all back to St. Paul
[these lyrics are found on http://www.songlyrics.com]
I was just about to call you
When you called

Sapphire, if St. Paul don't call
We've always got Aberdeen
'Cause dreams they seem to cost money
But money costs some dreams

It went just as you predicted
I swear there must be something in your dreams
It all went down exactly like your visions
And I know you said don't call until I'm clean

I'm not drunk, I'm cut
I'm gushing blood
And I need someone to come and pick me up

I was a sceptic at first, but these miracles work
I was a sceptic at first, but these miracles work
I was a sceptic at first, but these miracles work
I was a sceptic at first, but these miracles work"

Stream: Black Kids - Partie Traumatic

It's a preposterous album title, which was saved an element more of preposterousness by not being called Partie Traumatique, but I just like the word preposterous, so I thought I'd mention it. Anyhow, this album has been hyped up to the armpits by everyone from your dog to your ma. Yeah, your ma. I went there.

The album was released over the weekend here and in the UK, but Americans have to wiat another two weeks. It's not really revenge for us having to wait an extra week for The Dark Knight though, is it?

Stream it here:
http://www.myspace.com/blackkidsrock

Album News: Bruce Springsteen - Magic Tour Highlights EP

Over a hundred thousand of us turned out for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's visit to the RDS at the end of May, and a great time was had by all (an especially great time was had by the drunken middle-age tools behind us).

The Magic Tour has featured many wonderful performances (my brother was treated to 'Summertime Blues' in Amsterdam), and there were some great guests as well.

Sadly, E Street legend Danny Federici passed away during the tour, and a charity has sprang up in his name. To raise money for the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are releasing Magic Tour Highlights EP featuring the late keyboard player's last ever performance, as well as guest appearances from other legendary acts.

The EP will be released on July 15th online, and has the following tracklisting:

1. 'Always a Friend' featuring Alejandro Escovedo from Houston (14 April 2008)
2. 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' Featuring Tom Morello from Anaheim (7 April 2008)
3. 'Turn Turn Turn (To Everything There Is A Season)' featuring Roger McGuinn from Orlando (23 April 2008)
4. '4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)' from Indianapolis (20 March 2008)

Here's a lovely tribute to Danny:

Live: MC5 at The Button Factory Cancelled

Sadly, rock veterans MC5 are suffering from the problems that come with old age, and have pulled out of their July 18th show at The Button Factory due to "health problems". At least they gave a reason unlike those confounded Sugababes (Babe my eye) who were due to support Boyzone a few weeks back.

MC5 has also cancelled their Belfast date (the following night) as well as other shows on their European Tour. No rescheduled date has been confirmed.

Album News: Bloc Party - New Album

Bloc Party are currently working on their third album, which is due out later this year. Or knowing Bloc Party, right at the start of next year, so come year-end when people make their Best Of lists, they're forgotten about. The follow-up to A Weekend In The City and their superb debut Silent Alarm, does not yet have a title, but will be produced by Jacknife Lee and Paul Epworth.

Singer Kele Okereke said of the album: "It doesn't sound like anything we've done before and I'm really excited about it" Hopefully it won't sound like A Weekend in the City, because that album was a massive letdown.

You can see for yourself what one part of it sounds like anyway, as lead single 'Mercury' is now available for your viewing pleasure, and is due to be released August 11th.

Bizarre: 100 Worst Ever Album Covers

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Live Recommendations: 7-10 July

After a pretty much uneventful weekend gigwise, there are some treats in store this week. You probably were too busy watching the Wimbledon Finals or the Hurling to go out on the lash anyway. Tonight sees hip-hop superstar Lupe Fiasco make his Irish debut (I think) at TriPod. Don't expect any Kanye West piggybacks here, but do expect material from his two albums as well as some pretty neat sampling.

Tuesday night hosts a whole load of smaller acts as well as one legendary one. The Magnetic Fields are definitely worth a look atVicar Street, while The Miutes and Operator Please are also worth checking out if you're not willing to spend thirty quid on a ticket. Meanwhile, across town, the Bat duo... no wait, that's a line form the 1966 classic Batman film starring Adam West. I watched it at the weekend, hilariously ridiculous. Another classic however, is Little Feat who take to The Academy. And are sure to pull out hits like 'Dixie Chicken' as well as some material from their new duets record Join the Band.

The Minutes perform again on Wednesday, as does David Turpin who put on a fine show last week. On Thursday, American alt-rockers Counting Crows come back to the nation who embraced them most (like David Gray) for an intimate warm-up gig before their Oxegen appearance. The Crows have had a longstanding affinity with Ireland, and our very own Stephen's Green is mentioned on their new album (which has nothing to do with the Albert Sillitoe novel or film of the same Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings (which has nothing to do with the Alan Sillitoe novel or film of the same name - a wonderful film, far better than that Batman nonsense).

Watch a live recording of 'Dixie Chicken' with Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris:

This Week's Gigs: 7-10 July 2008

Monday, 7 July 2008

Eoin Dillon	Whelan's	20:00	€12-€15
Lupe Fiasco	Tripod	19:30	€34-€39.50

Tuesday, 8 July 2008

Joe Bonamassa	The Village	20:00	€26
Little Feat	The Academy	20:00	€30
The Magnetic Fields	Vicar Street	20:00	€30
The Minutes	Whelan's Upstairs	20:00	€10
Operator Please	Crawdaddy	20:00	€14

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Antics Presents The Minutes	Crawdaddy	23:00	€5
David Turpin	Whelan's Upstairs	20:00	€10

Thursday, 10 July 2008

Counting Crows	Ambassador Theatre	21:30	Sold Out
The Gorgeous Colours	Crawdaddy	20:00	€10
Steve Young	Whelan's	20:00	€10

Album News: The Avett Brothers - Untitled Rick Rubin Album

The Avett Brothers' new EP, Second Gleam, will be released July 22nd, much to the delight of me (and everyone else who loves good music). But even better news was revealed yesterday about their upcoming album. The following nugget of information was posted on the band's website:

"We have recently begun working on a new full length album with Rick Rubin. The recording process has been, and will no doubt continue to be, an experience defined by heightened levels of commitment and conviction. It is our distinct pleasure and honor to be in such fine company as we build and bring this most current chapter of songs to fruition."

Along with news that the album will be released on American Records. But Rick Rubin baby! Yeah. He did a great job with Neil Diamond and the Dixie Chicks, so no doubt he'll do a great job with The Avett Brothers. Oh and he may have produced some other legendary records, but we're all Diamond/Dixies fans here right?

Album News: Cold War Kids - Second Album

Cold War Kids return in September with their second album, it does not yet have a title, but who needs names: "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" and all that. And an album with any other name by the Cold War Kids would definitely rock. There is precious little information about the follow-up to their excellent Robbers & Cowards, and what information is available can be seen in this video:



Expect more news as it becomes available.

Live: Oxegen 2008 Site Map

I said in a recent post about the newspaper coverage of Oxegen 2008, that the only reason to buy last Friday's Irish Independent was for the sitemap. I hope you didn't spash the cash (€1.80 or however much it costs), as the Oxegen Official website has the full sitemap for download in PDF format:
http://www.oxegen.ie/2008/files/OXEGEN08_SITE_MAP.pdf

Unfortunately, these are the best maps available. While cute and all, they're not very practical, no sense of scale, or even direction! The Red Campsite and Blue Campsite are right next to each other in the map, no long trek or anything. And all the stages look bundled up. If only GoogleMaps did their own version!

Setlist: Goo Goo Dolls, Ambassador Theatre, 4 July 2008

Not too different from the previous night's set, but my housemates went to Friday's show and were full of praise for the band formerly called Sex Maggots.

dizzy
slide
feel the silence
black balloon
smash
tucked away
big machine
naked
name
Stay With You
transformers
slave girl
better days
Let Love In
acoustic 3
iris
real
broadway

Video of 'Real':

Album News: Annie - Don't Stop

Annie's brand-spanking new website is up and running at http://www.anniemusic.co.uk She has posted a nice little intro to get the site up and running and has this to say about her new single, 'I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me':
"This was actually one of the first songs I wrote for this album. I had a period of time where I was listening a lot to Prince... and I had this idea about making a song where the drums and the guitar would be a little bit like 'Kiss'. Of course it ended being nothing like Prince...but that's where the inspiration came from. A bit snappy....and ruuuude:-)

"I'm not gonna tell the whole story about the lyrics, cuz I like to keep a little bit to the imagination of the listeners...but it's based on a true story. I have a friend of mine that is a very beautiful attractive, funny smart girl....she's always surrounded by loads of guys....but one of the guys had a girlfriend that was not too happy with the situation...and rang her door saying 'you better leave my boy alone girl......or I'll break you'...

"I've been going through something similar myself, so I thought, hmm.... seems to me like a lot of people relate to situations like that...... I'll write a song about it."

In other news, she has also announced a tracklisting for Don't Stop, due out in October:
01 My Love Is Better
02 I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me
03 Sweet
04 Loco
05 Bad Times
06 I Can't Let Go
07 Marie Cherie
08 When the Night
09 Heaven and Hell
10 What Do You Want (The Breakfast Song)
11 Take You Home
12 Songs Remind Me of You