Mission:Metallica

Taking a cue from Radiohead and Trent Reznor, Metallica (didn’t they retire?) just launched a new website offering streaming excerpts from their new album and behind the scenes of footage of recording sessions.

NEW YORK (Billboard) - As the September release of its first album in five years draws near, Metallica has launched a Web site to offer fans exclusive content and teasers of new songs.

At “Mission: Metallica“, a preview clip shows the rock band recording and clowning around in the studio. Fans who sign up will be eligible to “win backstage passes to every show this summer,” among other special offers.

“Mission: Metallica” also has a “platinum” level, entitling fans to a copy of the new album delivered on its release date, weekly “fly on the wall” video clips, contests to travel to shows or Metallica’s San Francisco compound, live show downloads, ringtones and more.

It is unclear what, if anything, the services will cost. [Reuters/Billboard]

Metallica plays the Wiltern Theatre in LA tonight, all other currently know tour dates below.

“Mission:Metallica Launches” continued after the jump

Stream it now!

On May 13, Reprise will release “NOTHING BUT THE BEST,” a single-disc collection from Sinatra’s Reprise Years that features 22 classic cuts remixed and remastered from the original master tapes, plus a previously unreleased recording of “Body And Soul” featuring a new arrangement. The compilation will be available in physical and digital formats, online at www.franksinatra.com, and in more than 7,000 Post Offices across the country. For a limited time, each CD will contain a collectible, commemorative Sinatra stamp with official USPS first-day issue cancellation. The stamp was unveiled in December 2007 by the U.S. Postal Service and will go on sale May 13.

CD Giveaway
I’ve got a copy of “NOTHING BUT THE BEST” to giveaway to a random lucky person who emails me at contests@bumpershine.com and tells me what movie Frank Sinatra won an Oscar for.

Read all about the free Frank Sinatra stamp dedication day events after the jump.

“Ol’ Blue Eyes Is 42 Forever and He Has A New Record + CD Giveaway” continued after the jump

Elvis Costello

Restaurant critic Frank Bruni gave David Chang’s Momofuku Ko a rating of 3 stars (excellent) in today’s New York Times. While pop critic Ben Ratliff called Elvis Costello’s latest record, Momofuku, “effortlessly tossed off,” in yesterday’s paper.

You can stream a good portion of the new Elvis record on the Lost Highway site and judge for yourself.

Momofuku Tracklisting & Audio
1. No Hiding Place: Stream
2. American Gangster Time: Stream
3. Turpentine: Stream
4. Harry Worth
5. Drum and Bone
6. Flutter and Wow: Stream
7. Stella Hurt
8. Mr. Feathers
9. My Three Sons
10. Song With Rose
11. Pardon Me Madam, My Name Is Eve
12. Go Away: Stream

PS You see what I did there?

Barenaked Ladies - Snacktime

It appears that Canada’s favourite (indie) comedy pop band has jumped on the kiddie bandwagon with the release of Snacktime (Nettwerk). I can just hear it now, “Daddy, I want Barenaked Ladies!”

SNACKTIME is Barenaked Ladies first collection of original children’s songs. The album was produced and mixed by Michael Phillip Wojewoda, who also worked with the band on their debut Gordon.

“Our collective kids now outnumber the band more than 2 to 1,” explains vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson. “We set out to make a record that would be entertaining for them…not strictly a children’s record, but a record that children would really enjoy. Our kids are in to all kinds of music. They love the They Might Be Giants kids records, but they also love The Beatles, Fountains of Wayne, Randy Newman, Black Eyed Peas and Green Day. Making the focus about what our kids like was a truly liberating process and fun for the whole band.”

Barenaked Ladies will return to the studio later this year to start work on their next full-length album that will celebrate 20 years together.

DOWNLOAD: Barenaked Ladies - “789″ (mp3)

Watch the video for “789″ after the jump.

“Barenaked Ladies - Snacktime” continued after the jump

  

Radiohead will not repeat their decision to let fans choose what to pay for their music. [The Hollywood Reporter]

In contrast, Nine Inch Nails decided to give away another free album, called The Slip, yesterday. You can also stream The Slip for free over here.

Coldplay gave away their new single “Violet Hill” for free, but that was only for a limited time only. You can still stream it here. In other free Coldplay news, the band has decided to put on two free concerts in support of their new record, Viva La Vida, the first will be at Brixton Academy on June 16 and the second will be at MSG on June 23 .

The Drake had his hands full this past week, so we get a slightly abridged version of the “‘Take” this week focusing on the eagerly awaited new album from trip hop pioneers Portishead and genre jumping soul singer, Jamie Lidell. -ed.

Drake’s Take: New Releases 04.29.08

I spent my weekend and Monday taking care of my two small boys, and since that’s usually the time I spend absorbing the new releases for the week (and pumping out the weekly Ear on TV bit) I find myself impossibly behind, so I’m going to keep commentary on this week’s haul short and semi-sweet. Highlights this week include the latest from Portishead, Jamie Lidell, Robert Forster, Santogold, Constantines, 65daysofstatic and the stateside release from Sweden’s Robyn, which took three years to cross the pond.

Playlist: New Releases 04.29.08

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Album: Portishead - Third

Since I didn’t get to hear this until release day, I don’t feel qualified to comment too much on it, other than to say it shocked the hell out of me, based on my prior experience with the Bristol trip-hop pioneers. Third is more than a departure, as other than Beth Gibbons’ voice, there’s little at all that’s recognizable from their prior releases of over a decade ago. Instead of trip-hop, it’s a (very) dissonant rock album, one that’s as hard to categorize as a latter day Scott Walker release (come to think of it, his releases also have decade long gaps). Musicians Adrian Utley and Geoff Barrow have said that they wouldn’t fall back on any instruments or sounds that appeared on prior albums, and that alone pushes the album to a different place. But the pacing here is also new, with the opening track (“Silence”) seeming twice as fast as anything song prior. Opening single “Machine Gun” openly defies radio to play it, with it’s industrial staccato and dissonant atmospherics. Where Dummy and Portishead might’ve lied like place settings at a dinner party, it seems that Third is more content to throw said dinner plates into the hearth. It’s guaranteed to make many best of lists at year end, but for me it’s too early to say… such a dense and sinister sound demands more time, but after only two days in my ears, it already feels important. (NME, Village Voice, Pop Matters and many more know it to be true.)

Stream “Machine Gun” from band’s MySpace page

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Album: Jamie Lidell - Jim

Jamie Lidell’s switch from electro/raver to soul singer was one of the more radical style shifts in years, and his latest, Jim, perfectly captures the 60’s/70’s soul of Stax and Motown. His soulful voice evokes Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and even Otis Redding at times, which would be just vocal calisthenics if it weren’t for the songwriting to back it up. From the opening handclaps of “Another Day” all the way to the feel good funk of “Hurricane,” Jim is the perfect tonic for those ears grown tired of the depressing guitar squall of indie rock (it happens). It’s certainly nothing groundbreaking about it (like Portishead’s Third,) but it sure feels gooooood.

Free album stream from AOL

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More on the radar this week:
Hayden - In Field & Town
Les Savy Fav - After The Balls Drop: 3 AM 1-1-08 NYC
Robert Forster - The Evangelist / “Pandanus” [mp3]
Santogold - Santogold
Constantines - Kensington Heights
Robyn - Robyn
65daysofstatic - The Distant And Mechanised Glow Of Eastern European Dance Parties
Langhorne Slim - Langhorne Slim / “Rebel Side of Heaven” [mp3]
Make Believe - Going to the Bone Church
Estelle - Shine / Free album stream from AOL
The Roots - Rising Down
Dizee Rascal - Maths + English / “Where’s Da G’s” [mp3]
South - You Are Here / Free album stream from AOL / “Better Things” [mp3]
Firewater - The Golden Hour
Boris - Smile
Madonna - Hard Candy
Awesome Color - Electric Aborigines
Bearsuit - Oh:io
Y-Love - This is Babylon
Lil Mama - VYP - Voice of the Young People / Free album stream from AOL
David Karsten Daniels - Fear of Flying
Nerf Herder - IV
Eli “Paperboy” Reed - Roll With You
Joy Division - The Best Of
REISSUE
Steve Earle - Copper Road

Sorry I’m a little late with these, but there has just been so much happening on the Internets lately, I haven’t been able to keep up with Drake’s voluminous output. Conspicuously absent from this week’s “Take” is the latest from Canada’s Tokyo Police Club, I guess they won’t be making “Drake’s Top 100+ Albums” of this year, (but perhaps FOTC will). -ed.

Drake’s Take: New Releases 04.22.08

I’m a bit torn on whether this is a good week for releases… on the one hand, it’s right in my wheelhouse as far as soundtracks go (Flight of the Conchords, latest from Barry Adamson,) but I think on the whole it’s too early to tell. Other new releases this week come from Elbow, Tokyo Police Club, Chris Mills, Lyrics Born (poached in last week’s post,) Thalia Zedek Band, Billy Bragg The Night Marchers (John Reis of RFTC), Don Cavalli, a collection of mixtape odds and ends from Clipse, and the new single from Scarlett Johansson foray into music.

Playlist: New Releases 04.22.08

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Album: Flight of the Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords

This album seems to serve mostly as a reminder of how funny the HBO comedy series is, as it’s essentially a collection of songs mostly as they appeared on the first season. Fans of the act are familiar with many of the songs from their live acoustic act, and on television the transformation of these songs into full blown studio productions wasn’t jarring in that the banter before songs was also translated into a full blown fictional setting. Without that visual in your mind, I wonder how these songs would come off? It’s hard for me to separate the two, so I’m at a quandary how to judge the album on those merits — but then again, how many people are going to purchase the album that aren’t familiar with the visuals? Bottom line, if you loved the series, you’ll love this. If you didn’t, I doubt this will change your opinion. If you’re completely unaware, Netflix it already.

Full Album Stream from AOL
Download: “Ladies of the World” [mp3]

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Album: Barry Adamson - Back to the Cat

Barry Adamson’s post-punk pedigree (Magazine, Birthday Party, Bad Seeds) always throws people for a loop when paired with a solo career highlighted by soundtrack style compositions. His noir jazz-tinged spoken word work sounds at times like Leonard Cohen if he decided he wanted to compose for James Bond movies. Since his landmark debut, Moss Side Story, this Manchester born bassist has written soundtracks for films that don’t exist, inhabiting the space that the music to The Man With the Golden Arm helped create. Back to the Cat is another throwback to that, full of David Holmes grooves and Lynchian darkness (Adamson composed for Lynch’s Lost Highway. Song highlights include an Elvis turn for “Spend a Little Time,” the obvious single “Walk on Fire,” and the nod to Serge Gainsbourg in “Psycho_Sexual.” I’ve been anxiously anticipating this release since Adamson’s “Jazz Devil” made an appearance recently on Nip/Tuck, and I have to say I’m not at all disappointed.

Listen to album free at last.fm
Download: “Spend a Little Time” / “Walk on Fire” [mp3]

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More on the radar this week:
The Replacements Let It Be/Hootenanny/Stink/Sorry Ma Forgot To Take Out the Trash (AOL Stream)
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Lyrics Born - Everywhere At Once / Free album stream from AOL
Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell / Free album stream from AOL
Chris Mills - Living In The Aftermath
Billy Bragg - Mr. Love & Justice / “Nothin 2 Hide [mp3]
The Night Marchers (John Reis of RFTC) - See You In Magic / Free album stream from AOL / “Who’s Lady R U” [mp3]
Make Believe - Going to the Bone Church
Thalia Zedek Band - Liars and Prayers / “Lower Allston” [mp3]
Scarlett Johansson - Falling Down (Single) / Free album stream from AOL
Clipse - Re-Up Gang The Saga Continues
El Perro Del Mar - From The Valley To The Stars / “Glory to the World” [mp3]
Don Cavalli - Cryland
Sarandon - Kill Twee Pop! / “Welcome” “Mike’s Dollar” [mp3]
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Sh*t Gold - Standard Edition
Shelley Short - Water For The Day / “Swimming” [mp3]
Anna Ternheim - Halfway to Fivepoints / “To Be Gone” [mp3]
Malcolm Middleton - Sleight Of Heart
Sleepercar - West Texas
The Young Knives - Superabundance
The Cat Empire - So Many Nights / Free album stream from AOL
Cinematic Orchestra - Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Pyramids - Pyramids
Juno Reactor - Gods & Monsters
Jack Rose - Dr Ragtime & Pals / Self Titled
Spectrum Meets Cpt. Memphis - Indian Giver
Jukebox The Ghost - Let Live and Let Ghosts

First of all, Langhorne Slim has a terrific new album coming out tomorrow (April 29) entitled Langhorne Slim. Second, he is about to hit the road for a big tour and will be playing not one, not two, but three local shows in support of his new record. The first show is tonight (April 28) at the Music Hall of Williamsburg with Josh Ritter (buy tickets), then he’s playing a sold out record release party April 30, at The Mercury Lounge, and finally he’ll back playing his own headlining gig (w/ Luke Temple and The Builders & The Butchers) at MHOW on May 31 (buy tickets). But wait, that’s not all, I’m giving away a poster, stickers, and a 45 of “Rebel Side of Heaven” and “Sometimes” to a random individual who emails me at contests@bumpershine.com and tells me their favorite Langhorne Slim song.

All Langhorne Slim tour dates after the jump.

“Langhorne Slim Tonight at MHOW, Record Release Party Wed, Merch Giveaways Galore!” continued after the jump

Joseph Arthur - Crazy Rain EP

True to his word, Joseph Arthur is keeping the EP train chugging this month with the release of EP 2 or Crazy Rain as it formally titled (at 8 songs and 29 minutes, this EP nearly as long as the Vampire Weekend debut and The Weakerthans‘ Reunion Tour). In celebration of his latest release, Joseph is playing another intimate gig at the Museum of Modern Arthur (MOMAR) on Saturday, April 26 with some very special guests (buy tickets). I think the new EP is pretty solid on the whole, it sounds a little Radiohead-ish at times, but that’s not a bad thing at all.

DOWNLOAD: Joseph Arthur - “Nothin 2 Hide” (mp3)

Veda Hille

Photo: Geoffrey Farmer and Una Knox

Vancouver singer, songwriter, composer and pianist Veda Hille (pronounced Hilly) will be releasing her 13th album entitled This Riot Life, on May 20, 2008 (having just come back from Canada, I noticed that this CD is actually already on the shelves there). This Riot Life is being released in the USA and internationally on Ape House, the label owned by XTC’s Andy Partridge. Veda is about to head out on tour in support of her new record and in that regard, she is making a rare solo appearance in NYC at Joe’s Pub on April 27 before heading off to play a string of shows in Europe (well, Germany mostly). On a side note, on Monday, April 21 Veda played the songs of Neil Young with the CBC Radio Orchestra at the Chan Centre in Vancouver, BC. That show will be broadcast on CBC radio and online in about a month or so. I haven’t actually seen Veda since she opened up for Stephen Fearing at The Vancouver East Cultural Centre many, many years ago, so I’m looking forward to this show.

DOWNLOAD: Veda Hille - “Lucklucky” (mp3)

Veda Hille 2008 Tour Dates
26 Apr 2008 Connecticut Ballet Centre Stamford, Connecticut
27 Apr 2008 Joe’s Pub New York, New York
08 May 2008 Neue Welt Ingolstadt, Germany
09 May 2008 Cafe Ideal Fulda, Germany
13 May 2008 B Flat Berlin, Germany
14 May 2008 Objekt 5 Halle, Germany
15 May 2008 Alte Feurwache Mannheim, Germany
16 May 2008 Laboratorium Stuttgart, Germany
18 May 2008 PROG Bern, Switzerland
20 May 2008 Sargfabrik Vienna, Austria
05 Jun 2008 Magnetic North/Hive2 Theatre Festival Vancouver, British Columbia

The good news is that Shearwater has a new record coming out June 3 entitled Rook. The great news is that they are going on tour in support of Rook and playing not one, but two shows in New York. The first show will be at the Florence Gould Hall in Manhattan (buy tickets) and will feature a performance of Rook in its entirety and some older songs backed by strings, winds, and a harpist (plus a rare solo performance by Michael Gira); the other show (which was just announced) will be at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on June 19 (tickets on sale 04/24) and will probably be more of a traditional rock outing. (Incidentally, Palo Santo was one of my favorite records the year it came out, so I am really excited about this new release).

All Shearwater tour dates after the jump.

“Shearwater Touring (Florence Gould Hall, MHOW), New Record” continued after the jump

Contrary to popular rumor, Elvis Costello’s new record, Momofuku will be released on CD, vinyl, and as a digital download. The 2 LP vinyl record is available today (April 22) and the CD is being released May 6. As previously mentioned, Elvis and The Imposters are going on tour with The Police this summer and they are playing three NYC area shows in August. All Elvis Costello and The Imposters tour dates after the jump.

“Momofuku Out On Vinyl Today (CD Coming May 6)” continued after the jump

I’m still on vacation (holiday if you will), so you’re getting the Drake more or less straight up this week. Please listen responsibly. -ed.

Drake’s Take: New Releases 04.15.08

After last week’s riches, it’s hard not to feel a bit of a letdown. However, thanks to some early arrivals from The Black Angels, Lyrics Born and Make Believe along with the new releases from M83, Black Francis, The Child Ballads, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Kooks, it’s still a better than average week for releases.

Playlist: New Releases 04.15.08

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Album: The Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost

The latest from Austin’s The Black Angels isn’t actually due in stores for another month, but through the ingenuity of Drake fave label Light in the Attic Records, you can go to participating stores and buy a pre-sale card for $12.99, which gives you a unique online code to download tracks from LITA. Then, once May 13th arrives, you can go back to the store and pick up your deluxe embossed CD digipak release, with bonus CD EP of 4 unreleased tracks. It’s a brilliant move on LITA’s part, even knowing that this is The Black Angels last release on the label (they’ve since signed on with Interscope imprint Suretone). Because the virtual purchase also also buys you the CD, Directions to See a Ghost should get a corresponding spike on Billboard it’s first week. Still won’t be top 40, mind you, but it’s bound to get LITA a heatseeker notice, which is a good way for the Angels to leave the label that gave them their start. Enough about the delivery of Directions — how does it sound? Is saying it’s Passover pt. 2 a bad thing? It might be pure laziness on my part, but if you liked their debut, you’re going to like this one as well. The hypnotic Velvet Underground-meets-13th Floor Elevators sound is still on full display, should be enough to go on. If the one-two punch of openers “You On The Run” and “Doves” doesn’t grab you, then try “Mission District,” which effortlessly transports you to the Bay Area’s pyschedelic past.

Full Album Stream

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Album: Lyrics Born - Everywhere At Once

Listening to the Bay Area’s Lyrics Born won’t get you any street cred, but who needs the street when planning a party. LB’s funk grooves and good time party rap aren’t the kind of joints that speak of a hard-knock life, but the good natured funk grooves are too infectious to worry about being ‘authentic.’ He’s no Young MC, though, as LB’s got a full band behind him now, recalling some of the Gap Band grooves along with party beats not unlike those that Afrika Bambaataa employed during his heyday. Hot tracks like “Don’t Change,” “Hott 2 Deff” and “I Like It, I Love It” will make many mixes in the coming summer, each proof in their own way that there’s no shame in loving a little LB.

Full Album Stream from AOL

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Album: M83 - Saturdays=Youth

Frenchman Anthony Gonzalez (aka M83) gives up some of the My Bloody Valentine layered guitars for an ode to 80’s synth acts like Cocteau Twins and early Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (who fittingly enough, this week see the reissue of their great 1983 album Dazzle Ships). The lush 80’s soundscapes explore the themes of youth, so you have to forgive the lyrics at times, which sometimes seem like the scratchings from a Pee-Chee. “Kim & Jessie” is pure 80’s brilliance, capturing young lovers who have a secret hiding place, and “Graveyard Girl” is a deliberate nod in the direction of the John Hughes’ film Pretty in Pink, even name dropping Molly Ringwald. Too bad this album wasn’t done two years ago, as it would’ve been perfect for Sofia Coppola’s re-imagined Marie Antoinette, with it’s rich new wave textures. It’s an album that hits a bullseye on the target it’s aiming for, but I can’t help feeling that in a month or so I won’t be as drawn to it’s charms, unlike, say, Pretty in Pink.

Free AOL Album Stream

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More on the radar this week:
Make Believe - Going to the Bone Church (in Rhapsody a week early)
Black Francis - Svn Fngers
The Child Ballads - Cheekbone Hollows (Pop. 1/2 Life) / “Cheekbone Hollows” [mp3]
The Kooks - Konk / Free album stream from AOL
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - My Bloody Underground
Joseph Arthur - Crazy Rain / “Nothin 2 Hide [mp3]
Does It Offend You, Yeah? - You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into
Phantom Planet - Raise the Dead / Free album stream from AOL
Tristan Prettyman - Hello / Free album stream from AOL
James McMurtry - Just Us Kids
Jordan Zevon - Insides Out / Free album stream from AOL
Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
The Autumns - Fake Noise from a Box of Toys / “Boys” “Killer in Drag” [mp3]
The Plastic Constellations - We Appreciate You / “Stay That Way” [mp3]
Thrice - The Alchemy Index: Vol. 3 & 4: Air & Earth
The Gossip - Live In Liverpool / “Yr Mangled Heart (Live)” [mp3]
Reissues
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) - Dazzle Ships