The Killers map out huge tour; get M83 as first leg opener

Last year’s “Day & Age” LP by the Vegas gang, The Killers, was disappointingly mediocre; a blunt collection of dull and uncatchy pop songs, with a one or two exceptions of course. As a Killers fan, I became a bit dishearten of the band, but I then remembered I have two other, almost perfect pop albums to rock of to – “Hot Fuss” and “Sam’s Town”. With this in mind, I’ll just think of Day…

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Download: Ratatat – ‘Mirando (Animal Collective remix)

If you still hadn’t had enough of these furry, but talented animals, here’s another MP3 involving January favorites – Animal Collective. This time AC are handling remix duties, as the band (actually, just Deakin from what I’ve heard) takes a go at Ratatat’s eclectic single, “Mirando.” The outcome is a 10 minute epic, packed with soothing synths and uh-ahs. If you’re interested in getting the 12″, XL will soon release Mirando + the AC remix…

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Funky covers: Roysopp’s Junior

Awesome as it may be, I can’t help stareing and wondering what each element in Royksopp’s new cover art, for the duo’s upcoming album “Junior”, represents. Trippy eyes + lashes, melted plastic, grinded asphalt, a ’50s telephone call by a isteric, but beautiful lady (Yeah, you can tell a lot about a women by looking at her hands) and, of course, the two electro Norwegians, all make interesting subjects  for thought. Junior is out March…

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Metallica, Run DMC, Jeff Beck among the ’09 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame logo

While back, we talked a bit about this year’s RnR HoF and its nominees. Two of last years big names that got nominate for the ’08 edition, Metallica and The Stooges, we’re also amongst the ’09 nominees as well (of course neither got inducted in ’08). Seems, though, Metallica hit the jackpot, sorta speak (since they prolly don’t give a fuck about R &…

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Download: Dan Deacon – ‘Get Older’

Dan Deacon is a, let’s say, peculiar individual, but in all good respects he is a fantastic musician! His skillful use of synths, samples and various percussion made him one of the most critically acclaimed name in the indie/electro scene, in the past few years. His 2007 full length debut, “Spiderman of the Rings,” was really awesome, although very hard to swallow (repetitive spins ftw!) and kinda short. For this years sophomore release, titled “Bromst,”…

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Grammy Awards artists featured on innovative promo art

A few weeks ago we reported a bit about this year’s Grammy Awards nominees, noting, among others, that the Grammys are finally stepping the game and picking up. The last two editions were disastrous, from multiple perspectives, especially ratings-wise. The nominees are a bit more relevant (don’t expect for miracles, though), the organization seems  better and even the promotion process is a lot more interesting, the latest project being  a cool awareness campaign, featuring various…

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Beirut preps for a short European tour

Being European, like a lot of our readers as well, I can only be ecstatic to hear Zach Condon and his band are gonna head out for a trek around the old continent. Beirut is set to play London’s Forum on May 8, with support coming from Shearwater. They will then head to All Tomorrow’s Parties – The Fans Strike Back in Minehead a day later. Although the band won’t be rich with dates, the…

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New Neil Young video: ‘Fork in the Road’

In his latest video, for what seems to be the title track for his upcoming new album, Neil is featured in a one-shot position, listening to music on his headphones, plugged-in into an apple. He then bites it, after chanting “I’m a big rock star” (indeed you are, sir!) – quite a nice allegory to our modern day iPod, iPhone and other Apple gadgets, that today’s music enthusiasts use. “My sales have tanked, but I…

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Animal Collective: ‘Merryweather Post Pavilion’

Artist name: Animal Collective Album name: Merryweather Post Pavilion Label: Domino Records Gender: Experimental Rock/Psychedelic Pop Release date: January 6, 2008 ZMErating: 9.5/10 Website: www.myanimalhome.net There’s something just special about Animal Collective, that always resonates in their wacky, space-out music. I always like to think of them as modern day Peter Pans, a trio of grown up men forever trapped in childhood’s magical grasp. I just love it how they transmit this feeling in their…

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Microsoft Songsmith: cool software, lameass ad!

“Everyone has a song inside…” is the tagline for Microsoft’s latest experimental software, Songsmith, a piece of elevated software that can create instant negatives of songs that goes well with your voice and personal settings. You can easily make songs just with a microphone and a PC, but don’t expect the labels barging in or high quality. It’s just for laughs and play. Sounds pretty neat and fun, but their marketing people are total idiots….

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