Radiohead's new album out 10/10/07

Radiohead just posted the following on their website:

"Hello everyone.Well, the new album is finished, and it's coming out in 10 days;We've called it In Rainbows. Love from us all.
Jonny"

It looks like they are making it available only through this website (what rebels): http://www.inrainbows.com/Store/Quickindex.html

I've already ordered my copy! Woo-hoo!

Finally! A new one from Manu Chao

Manu Chao, my favorite French-Spanish via South America world fusion artist, has put out his first full album of new material since 2001. The title is La Radiolina and it was released on Sept. 4. I have heard some samples and it has that same, infectious sound that characterized his first two albums. Quirky loops and samples, sunny reggae stylings, and lyrics in half a dozen different languages (mostly French, Spanish, and English) make his sound totally unique and enjoyable. This is something that is perfect to play on a saturday afternoon while sipping a cool drink.

Even though it's been a long time between albums, he has been busy playing and producing, most notably on last year's Dimanche a Bamako by Amadou and Miriam. His sound can be a bit repetitious, but it is so diffferent from anything else out there that he can be forgiven for his narrow track. I am looking forward to see how much , if any, his sound has matured since 2001.

New Iron & Wine album coming out soon

One to look for on Sept. 25 is Iron & Wine's new album, The Shepherd's Dog. With his whispering singing style and understated, yet beautiful arrangements, Sam Beam is not known for rocking out. But his recent collaboration with Calexico seems to have lit a spark under Sam, if "Boy With a Coin", his single from the new album, is any indication. The energy of the song is much more uptempo than is typical for him. Supplementing his acoustic guitar with percussion and handclaps, it has a bounce and rhythm you can (almost) dance to. Given that, I have a feeling that the album will still contain those soft, haunting gems that endear me most to his music. Hear his new single on his MySpace page here: http://www.myspace.com/ironandwine

Concert Review: Wilco @ Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA 08/24/2007

With family in tow, I ventured down to Berzerkely to check out Wilco at the Greek Theater. We brought the kids knowing that the Greek has lawn seating where we imagined spreading out our blanket, opening our picnic basket and laying back enjoying some great music. What we didn't expect was how small and steep the lawn at the Greek really is. The only level spots were up at the very top where, although the view is nice, the sound is not. It was still comfortable and the sound improved when I stood up. Still, nothing could detract from that Wilco magic. Once again they show why they are, in my humble opinion, one of the best live bands around.

The setlist was varied, with songs from all phases of their career. They played a lot songs from Sky Blue Sky, which I certainly didn't mind. A highlight for me was Nels Cline's spirited guitar work; especially on Handshake Drugs, and Impossible Germany. Nels was hopping around like a jumping bean most of the night and at one point almost fell over his monitor.

Jeff Tweedy was his usual flippant self as he bantered between songs. At one point he pleaded with the audience to stop using the phrase "I love's me some...", like "I love's me some Wilco." He also made quite a few references to marijuana, saying, "You guys smell high" and adding that we still had a long way to go if we wanted to keep up with Portland.

Once again Wilco put on a great show, sound challenges notwithstanding. They are still one of my all-time favorites.

Setlist
Sunken Treasure
You Are My Face
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
Either Way
Handshake Drugs
Pot Kettle Black
War on War
Shake It Off
Side with the Seeds
A Shot in the Arm
Impossible Germany
Sky Blue Sky
Too Far Apart
Via Chicago
Jesus, etc.
Hate It Here
Walken
I'm the Man Who Loves You
-------------------------
Misunderstood
California Stars
Hummingbird
On and On and On
--------------------------
I'm Always in Love
Outta Mind (Outtasite)
In A Future Age
Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Wilco webcasts & assorted sundries

Wilco is webcasting two Canada shows, live on their website, on Aug. 17 & 18. If you miss the live webcasts, I am sure they will add it later as an archived stream.

Also, Wilco performed for a presentation of AOL Sessions, which can be viewed here: http://sessions.aol.ca/?id=631&xtraid=AOLMUS00050000000020

Mix Tape: Road Trip Mix (and Urge)

The new version of Windows Media Player includes an embedded digital music service called Urge. Urge, run by MTV Networks, is an online distribution service that provides millions of songs for download. The service was launched in May of 2007. The great thing about it is that it can be used in conjunction with WMP to make great mix tapes. WMP will search for songs that are already in your personal library. However, if the song is not there, Urge probably has it in it's vast database. Samples of all the songs can be listened to, and if a monthly subscription service is joined, the full songs can be played in their entirety. If you want to burn the songs, they are available for $0.99 a track.

I used the service to fill in the gaps of my most recent mix tape. I made the Road Trip Mix in honor of an upcoming family vacation. The tracklist is shown below. This will be the first installment of what I hope will become a regular feature; cd-length mixes revolving around various themes.

Road Trip Mix 2007

"On the Road Again" - Willie Nelson
"Hit the Road Jack" - Ray Charles
"Going Mobile" - The Who
"Drive My Car" - The Beatles
"Cars" - Gary Numan
"Convoy" - C.W. McCall
"East Bound and Down" - Jerry Reed
"Hot Rod Lincoln" - Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen
"Hang On St. Christopher" - Tom Waits
"Six Days on the Road" - Taj Mahal
"No Particular Place to Go" - Chuck Berry
"(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" - Nat King Cole
"King of the Road" - Roger Miller
"Born to be Wild" - Steppenwolf
"Life in the Fast Lane" - Eagles
"Radar Love" - Golden Earring
"Truckin" - Grateful Dead
"Cruisin" - Smokey Robinson
"Ramblin' Man" - The Allman Bros Band
"Take Me Home Country Roads" - John Denver
"Everyday is a Winding Road" - Sheryl Crow

Radiohead - Wherefore Art Though?

When's the bloody album coming out??!!

Found a sweet video on YouTube. One hour of live Radiohead.