Author Archives: robert duffy

From Beck’s official site:

Stay tuned over the next few days for details on a Summer USA tour.

Short, sweet, and to the point.

During the time of the 1996 Olympics, Coke asked Yo La Tengo to write a song for them. It’s now documented and posted on their website:

They asked to license one of our songs. Don’t bother writing to ask which one; we won’t answer, and if we do answer we will lie. As we have in so many other instances, we looked to the career of Barry Manillow for guidance. Did Barry get to the top by licensing “Mandy”? He did not. Instead, he composed “Just like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” No, Mr. Coca-Cola, we replied. We will not license one of our songs for your commercial, but instead we will write you your very own jingle. Much to our surprise, they said yes. (full story)

Unlike Ween’s Pizza Hut song, Yo La’s Coke commercial is pure instrumental. Direct MP3 download.

And another review of the new album, this time from the Washington Post:

“Elephant” is at its adrenaline-pumping best when it behaves like its animal namesake — a scary-looking beast with a big heart. Choosing a favorite of the Stripes’ many sweet-tempered rampages isn’t easy, but “Black Math,” “Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine” and “The Air Near My Fingers” all contend. With V2 behind them, the Stripes are about to get very large, and Jack White’s guitar-mensch approach will take its rightful place in the Hall of Great Guitar Rock Templates. And bass players beware: Your job might be in jeopardy. (full story)

Oh how I love it.

Godspeed seems to be the only touring band getting major press in just about every city they hit.

Another wartime concert, another night of protest music. It started with one word in frantic, spidery letters flickering on a screen above the band: “Hope.” Near the end, film of an antiwar rally was shown. Downstairs, you could buy a T-shirt that said, “International Terrorist,” with a picture of President Bush. (full story)

Here’s a stat for you. While I did buy the new Godspeed album, amount of times I’ve listened to it in the past 90 days: 2.

They feature a lot of MP3s but also, more often then not, make me laugh out loud. Case in point:

All the olde-timey Cave In fans keep bitching that the band sold out on their new album. All the olde-timey Cave In fans need to shut the hell up and stop whining.

They deserve your love.

Why is Jason at Product Shop the only guy in New York to have the scoop on this?

From his site:

“The much-talked about New York Music Festival has indeed been improved and has been given a name. Field Day will be 7-8 June at Calverton Enterprise Park near Riverhead, Long Island, with Radiohead headlining the first night, and the Beastie Boys the second. Other acts include Sigur Ros, Liz Phair, Beth Orton, Spiritualized, My Morning Jacket and more. (source: Time Out New York)” (full story)

This information appeared in TONY, apparantly, but it’s still not lighting the web on fire. I’m here in Columbus OH and already thinking about making plans to return home to New Jersey for that weekend.

More about the musical aspect of the first Pearl Jam show here.

While we’re talking about MTV’s site, I think it’s great they’re trying to educate the younger generation about the war in Iraq, but I find it funny when there’s a group of headlines that go like this:

li>Queen Latifah In Talks For ‘Barbershop 2’ Cameo, Spinoff

According to this AP report, dozens walked out of Pearl Jam’s tour opener the other night in Denver.

I mean, what did anyone expect? On their last tour they basically did an anti-Bush commercial at every stop. Those few people should have known better.

Of course, the article says “dozens” from a venue that can hold up to 20,000 people for a concert. So the number is small no matter how you slice it. But I guess it’s news to someone.

They don’t mind it, too much, but they are upset.

“We’re not angry really,” Johnny Greenwood said at the time. “Shame it’s not a package with the artwork and all, but there you go.” But he now says it has become apparent that these versions constitute “work we’ve not finished, being released in this sloppy way, 10 weeks before the real version is even available. It doesn’t even exist as a record yet.” (full story)

So if you’re one of the many people who downloaded the new Radiohead songs, just make sure you label the CDR “Unfinished Demos” so you won’t confuse it with your CDR that will be titled “Completed Works.”

I’ve heard the songs, and they’re very good quality, both soundwise and lyrically. “Hail to the Thief” is still a lame name for the album title, though.