Author Archives: Tankboy

Ever wonder how ageing music critics keep up with the parlance of the day?

Well wonder no more.

Fifty grand to find out who Carly Simon was pissed off at in the early ’70s? Does this really qualify as the soft-rock unsolved Deep Throat mystery?

I thought not.

According to Tiny Mixtapes Ryan Adams is all pissed off about some comments Jeff Tweedy made after he thought an interview was over. Read it straight from the horses mouth here.

Due to the generosity of the EMI recording company (I have absolutely no problem accepting nice things from Major labels so go ahead and take away my Indie Cred card if you must) I had a chance to see both Blur and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club last night. How were the shows? I?ll never tell!

I will however write all about it here.

Ms. Phair has decided to respond to detractors of her new album — namely Megan O’Rourke — in the New York Times’ letter to the editor section. You can read it here or head on over to the Done Waiting discussion board on Ms. Phair’s new album where we have posted the whole durn thing.

Apparently she hasn’t had a boy in a really long time so I will selflessly offer up myself to help her alleviate that problem.

Just don’t tell my girlfriend, okay?

Sorry to be repetitive but goddamnit The Pixies might get back together! How hot is that?! How unbelievable?! How badly do I want to see them again to make up for the time I fell asleep during their set when they opened for Love and Rockets?

Amends must be made. The Pixies must ride again. Read this funny report

Unfortunately that great wind you feel is the collective yawn of today’s youth not understanding just how important The Pixies were to this movement titled “Alternative” and the sounds they mosh to emanating from radios the world over. Heck, Nirvana was basically a Pixies tribute band when you really think about it…

I love David Bowie so much that I as one of those rare souls that actually can enjoy everything the man has done — yes, even the Legend soundtrack — to some degree. However I feel the man is just becoming a little too greedy in his latter years.

For instance do we really need a three CD version of Black Tie White Noise? I admit the Morrissey cover and “Miracle Goodnight” are pretty good songs but the rest of the disc is just Nile Rodgers produced slickety-sloo and fluff.

How do you expand that to three discs?

Gotta work those Bowie Bonds I guess…

If anyone is really surprised by the uproar around Liz Phair’s new album, well, they shouldn’t be. The old gal has been attracting both critical praise and fire since the beginning and to be honest the critical hand grenades being lobbed her way nowadays seem pretty weak compared to the fire and brimestone Steve Albini and Company threw her way back in 1994.

Read The Great Chicago Debate of ’94 in all of its glory here.

Now THAT’S scathing commentary!

Looks like The Polyphonic Spree are taking all that Hollywood Records fat cash advance and are back on the road with their tour bus bursting at the seams with French Horns and choir members. Here’s the new tour schedule:

7/30 – Los Angeles – El Rey
8/14 – Boston – Paradise
8/15 – Brooklyn – Warsaw
8/16 – New York – Central Park SummerStage
9/21 – Austin – Austin City Limits Festival
9/23 – New Orleans – Howlin’ Wolf
9/24 – Atlanta – Variety Playhouse
9/25 – Birmingham – WorkPlay Theatre
9/26 – Asheville – The Orange Peel
9/28 – Philadelphia – First Unitarian Church
9/29 & 9/30 – Toronto – Lee’s Palace
10/2 & 10/3 – Detroit – Shelter
10/4 & 10/5 – Chicago – Empty Bottle
10/7 – Chicago – Metro

canada meds

Now Duffy has a reason to come to Chicago!

Also, pick up the band’s re-released debut with four bonus tracks (including a peppier “The Sun”) at you favorite independant record store.