Ne-Yo arrives (Newsday)
Traditional R& B like it used to be as soul singer, 24, angles for a sound with stay power. The soul singer known as Ne-Yo has had a good year. His album “In My Own Words” (Def Jam) opened at No. 1 and yielded two smash hits, the ballad “So Sick” and the follow-up single “Sexy Love.” He co-wrote Beyonc ’s chart-topping “Irreplaceable” and Rihanna’s “Unfaithful.” And he’s co-headlining a lineup …

Ever Since I Can Remember I’ve Been Playin’ Mancala

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Please Kill Me Negli ultimi mesi dell’anno ho sen…
Please Kill Me
Negli ultimi mesi dell’anno ho sentito molto parlare del bel saggio di Simon Reynolds Post-punk 1978-1984 (ISBN Edizioni). Non mi sembrato che altrettanta attenzione sia stata riservata a Please Kill Me, di Legs McNeil e Gillian McCain, pubblicato in Italia da Baldini Castoldi Dalai prima dell’estate. un peccato, perch i due libri sono del tutto complementari, e l’analisi di Reynolds prende le mosse proprio l dove la narrazione di Please Kill Me giunge a un epilogo, quanto meno di significati, se non ancora di… read more

Jim Reid - “Dead End Kids”
So I heard that Jim Reid is starting a new band with the drummer from Ride and a couple other dudes. I don’t know what it’s called or what they sound like but I like the idea…. Anyone know what’s…

Global Culture Books

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Official NZ Music Chart & Chartbitz Dec. 6 2006 (Scoop.co.nz)
Let The Festivities Begin It s December and that means Christmas. Two festive hits join the Singles Chart just to freshen up the caroling this week. However, both are remakes and very definitely aimed at the younger market.

“About A Son” trailer
They’re making a movie called About A Son about Kurt Cobain using interview clips that Michael Azerrad audiotaped for his book Come As You Are. Which is kinda weird cuz Kurt told a lot of fibs in that book… either…

CHESTNUTS, ROASTING

Merry Christmas to all those who are so celebrating. & Happy Christmas if you live in the UK, because that’s what they say instead.

I don’t have any festive music for you today; just music for slow-moving afternoons, which is the way my Christmas usually passes. I hope somewhere out there there are some humbugs, jews and travellers in a similar boat: slide around the floors with me, socks on.

Shearwater - “If You Stay Sober”. A lovely lop-sided song from Shearwater’s first album, from the band’s first winter. From when the narrator’s me-and-you was an easy thing, able to wash away the memory of dark times: “two days in ‘95″ when he “wanted to die”. With swing of drums and guitar, Jonathan Meiburg singing like he’s swaying from a star, then a fiddle to underline the heaven come to earth - the way joy does sometimes just appear. [buy]

Christine Fellows - “Paper Anniversary”. Tomorrow will be a post about death so today let’s let it be about love. (Easier said than done. But seriously, wait, let’s stay in the parentheses; it’s easier here. And on “Paper Anniversary”, Christine makes true love sound simple as punch, no harder than piano keys struck-and-echoing, a wheezy out-of-key organ, a statement of the things that Simply Are: “There’s no better time than the second time, of anything, with you.” It’s a song that jolts with sentiment strongly felt, that jumps with the gladness of a moment shared. It’s a yay.

[buy])

—

Amy at Shake Your Fist’s best songs of 2006 has lots of very great things.

RIP James Brown. [photo (c) diane arbus]

Irene
White Christmas in Sweden? When would it not be a white Christmas in Sweden? Guess that’s why Labrador Records’ Christmas present to us is the wishfully-titled “Christmas on the Beach” from pop masters Irene. I say pop masters since Irene’s songs display pop from every decade since the 60’s, no doubt honed and perfected on many a white Christmas Day while dreaming of warmer climes…
clay

Silver Jews - “Night Society”

“Across from him the Dane and his companions had ordered luncheon. Abe did likewise but scarcely touched it. Afterwards, he just sat, happy to live in the past. The drink made past happy things contemporary with the present, as if they were still going on, contemporary even with the future as if they were about to happen again.”

A passage from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night. I’ve never read it. I assume the Dane must be Hamlet, and Abe must be Abraham Lincoln, because with those characters, the passage becomes quite pointed. But if my life and my whole damn aesthetic has any marching song it’s “down with context”, so let’s just let the words fade in and out like passing by a fist-fight while riding in a cab. In a way, that’s what this year has been like. A lot of heavy rumbling, some loud thunder, and a great big night that just turns the volume up and down on the sun. [the vinyl is cheaper]

Ramblin’ Jack Elliot - “Woody’s Last Ride”

Shhh… if you’re quiet enough, the whole year will just fall fast asleep and we can get out without any more hassle, without any more favours. [Buy]

The ZimCali Pop of Chris Berry & Panjea (CD Review)

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Anyone think they should write for this blog?
Well if you think that you should be yapin’ your trap on here, this your chance sausage fingers. If not, you’re bummed cuz that’s what this whole post is about. So anyways, a while ago people started complaining that the…

Blitzen Trapper
File this one under my favorite band that I completely missed in 2006. This despite the fact that plenty of fine sites have been trying to hit me over the head with Blitzen Trapper’s simultaneously spacey and homey sound. “Texaco” is a straight up country joint, the whining of a slide guitar punctuating the wavering vocals while “Summer Twin” floats and hovers about like one of XTC’s psychedelic efforts. The two tendencies come together on “Pink Padded Slippers.” Pure listening satisfaction. Don’t miss “40 Stripes,” a throwback to solid AM-worthy, classic rock standards and the electro-funk of “Love I Exclaim!” The band’s two self-released albums are available on CD Baby where a fan beautifully sums up Blitzen Trapper: “[they] sound like they’re trying to paint the Sistine Chapel with a box of crayons.”
sean

2006 in review
This year we;
- got a banjo for xmas
- got fined fifty quid for littering
- rode the Paris tube one hot summer night, listening to Burial on headphones
- helped arrange a workshop at the Tate Modern (and then failed to show up)
- signed on
- didn’t have a sauna
- paid tuition fees late
- got fatter
- got chatted up on the Leeds-Kings Cross train
- got some kittens
- went boating in Cornwall
- got a violin for xmas (and broke the string already)
- got punched for being foreign (we’re not)
- used a bottle as a… read more

Neil Diamond - “Early Classics”
This record is a great place to start if you don’t have any Neil Diamond in your collection… and trust me, you NEED some. Don’t be scared of Neil! Homeboy has laid more pipe in his lifetime than an army…

Ne-Yo arrives (Newsday)
Traditional R& B like it used to be as soul singer, 24, angles for a sound with stay power. The soul singer known as Ne-Yo has had a good year. His album “In My Own Words” (Def Jam) opened at No. 1 and yielded two smash hits, the ballad “So Sick” and the follow-up single “Sexy Love.” He co-wrote Beyonc ’s chart-topping “Irreplaceable” and Rihanna’s “Unfaithful.” And he’s co-headlining a lineup …

Paris Hilton: Critics’ Fave? A Look At Amazon Users’ Top 10s (MTV Music Television)
Music critics’ year-end top 10s tend to be pretentious and deliberately obscure. Amazon users’ top 10s are anything but. Here are some of our favorites.

Great success for Rihanna and Zedstar - Waleg.com

Arthur Lee - “Vindicator”
I’ve been on a serious Arthur Lee kick lately… The first three Love records: Love (my favorite), De Capo, the legendary Forever Changes have been in constant rotation as of late. I’ve also been getting into Vindicator too, which was…

2006 Hip Hop Releases

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On the Cover of the Rolling Stone…

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Diamonds Are Forever, They Won’t Leave In The Night

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World AIDS Day + World Music

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The Red Faced Laughter
I think I can safely speak for all of us here when I say we’re suckers for a great pop song. We’ll even settle for a relatively good pop song. By pop I mean a song that begs to be sung along to. Occassionally, however, it’s good to drop in and turn up music that you can crash a car to. Enter The Red Faced Laughter. A Texas trio that excels at mangling things up a bit. This is a complete EP, Brokenear #4, released on the German net label Broken Ear Records. They remind me a lot of Sunny Day Real Estate, the vocals mostly, but with a more noisy, improvisational style of playing. This one’s for everyone who likes their coffee black—no cream, no sugar, no fluffy latte—this is the stuff that Will Farrell’s character in Elf was so excited to share as “The World’s Greatest Coffee.”
sean

Impressions

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Rauchschwaden in der Villa Kunterbunt

Die Hippiekinder-Welle rollt. Sufjan Stevens, Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart und viele mehr sorgen f r ein Comeback der US-Folklore. W hrend die Medien noch nach einem passenden Namen f r ihr “New Weird America” suchen, erobern die umjubelten Nu-Folker den Mainstream. (Mehr bei ard.de) read more

Diamonds Are Forever, They Won’t Leave In The Night

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Jim Reid - “Dead End Kids”
So I heard that Jim Reid is starting a new band with the drummer from Ride and a couple other dudes. I don’t know what it’s called or what they sound like but I like the idea…. Anyone know what’s…

rihanna unfaithful
We will listen and rihanna unfaithful. Miro was injured. … Rihanna unfaithful energy. People but see something was leaving there was right. A rihanna unfaithful of the descolada is what if the two thousand. None of her. …

Gorgeous Liar Downer

Volcano Suns - “Balancing Act”

Literally as its title says. Things it is other than a balancing act: a chapped sneer, a bottle of goddamn beer, a leather fucking jacket. Pretty much every word associated with this song, since there are none, is right on: volcano suns, balancing act, from the album The Bright Orange Years. Full marks for intention and clarity of vision. Just don’t hit on my girlfriend. [out of print, but buy others]

Anton Karas & Kay Armen - “I’m in the Middle of a Riddle”

That zither is unmistakable, and Kay Armen is its charming little wine glass rim. You’re seated at dinner, pop culture never happened, and stone walls climb like ivy up until the red roofs, where they spread and the stars fall in like light rain. It’s non-diegetic, and this has already happened, but it was the nicest dinner you ever had. Soy escargot in a butter garlic sauce, with a milkshake, and another 20 in your back pocket. [buy the Brick soundtrack]

–

Also, read Ian’s great post on the death of Daddy’s Hands’ Dave Wenger over at Popsheep.

Also, commenter e-rock made a video for that AIDS Wolf song I posted, and I had no idea. He’s a talented fella.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch…

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Ever Since I Can Remember I’ve Been Playin’ Mancala

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Fashion rocks
Daily Independent - Meanwhile, as 18-year-old Rihanna saw her star rise this summer with her top 10 song Unfaithful and she posed for more and more photo shoots, she noticed that the clothes she always seemed drawn to were Posen s. Once she found out that she d …

Yep, Still Tippin’

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Apes and Androids
Despite the fact that I m sensing a whole lot of holiday spirit from the 3hive dudes this week, I m going to have to deviate from the norm and express my relief that the world has returned to its normal state of affairs. And in the coming days, I ll have to step aside and let someone else find you all that hot new ghettotech version of Auld Lang Syne. In any case, the seasonal lights may still be up, people may still be out of town, but the madness is over. And for a grinch like me, that means some celebration is in order. Who knew that NYC band Apes and Androids would provide just the kind of relief I was looking for? I m naturally arrhythmic and dancing has just never been my thing, so what a miracle it is that I cannot stop dancing around my apartment to Radio ! Seriously, this is huge. I ve been dancing all weekend! There was a time when uber-electronic music that made other people want to bump and grind really didn t speak out to me, but times are a-changing and Apes and Androids happen to be clever about the placements of their bleeps and zips and pings, which helps. Of course, let us not discount the value of hearing something fun after all these days of cheer and sentimentality. A&A are new to the game, and will be releasing their album in early 2007, but while I wait, I plan on buying a pair of good flat shoes to dance in ALL NIGHT LONG. Ah, how sweet to remember just how fun life can be when you need a holiday from the holidays.
lisa

Alan Williamson

Crash: Worst Movie of 2005

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2OO6 - a year of jaded Jazz Funk Greats?

20jazzfunkgreats

Mp3s: David Bazan live in Cambridge, MA

Brad

#9. Rihanna - Unfaithful lyrics
In the latest charts at position #9: Rihanna with Unfaithful.

Official NZ Music Chart & Chartbitz Dec. 6 2006 (Scoop.co.nz)
Let The Festivities Begin It s December and that means Christmas. Two festive hits join the Singles Chart just to freshen up the caroling this week. However, both are remakes and very definitely aimed at the younger market.

Camera Crowd’s Best of 2006

This year for music has been F-A-N-tastic: long-time favorites two-stepped back into the music world again. (look: Cat Power, Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens…) On the other hand, new favorites settled so quickly into our ears that we’re almost scared to wonder if 2007 can top this year.
Okay, so we couldn’t figure out who would get to write on these four albums, since we both loved them immensely and we mean immensely. To the point where Anne called dibs on all four of them, but realizing… read more

Cat Power - Living Proofamazon itunes
sparrow house - foxes (sighing like a furnace)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Heartsamazon itunes
Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5 55amazon
Peter and the Wolf - the highwayamazon itunes
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins - Rise Up with Fistsamazon itunes

Nascent!

20jazzfunkgreats

XXJFGMas at the Interdimensional Ice Rink Dungeon

20jazzfunkgreats

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Eat By Proxy

Her Majesty’s Orchestra - “Ms. Christmas Tree, I Dig You”

I was swayed by the title too. Don’t be. This song is strong enough on its own, it rises above “Christmas novelty” into a swaggering, staggering thug of a carol that is only vaguely recognizable as festive. It’s Christmas in a tight Union Jack tee. It’s like a Friedberger holiday party, where Eleanor, sauced, has lost her voice from reading ingredients lists on all the items in the charity bin. Everybody: salt rennet! tartrazine! sodium phosphates! calcium chloride!
[whole album available (I also recommend “You’re Gettin’ Nothin’”)]

Sleeping People - “Untitled”

each person steps forward from the facing line, and says their line.

Mother: “I warmed him milk when he couldn’t sleep”
Barber: “I cut his hair every 3 months, tapered from the bottom”
Bully: “I taught him the value of healthy suspicion”
Neighbourhood kitty: “I gave him bad luck, and kisses”
Mayor: “I shook his hand on a cold day in March”
Best Friend ages 8-14: “He made me la–”
KA-BAM!

[Buy]

my style is meti-ti-ti-culous-culous-ulous
… your speed ti - what you know rihanna - unfaithful (supa dups black chiney remix) beirut - scenic world barbara morgenstern - the operator (album version) nadiya - tous ces mots beyonce - irreplaceable corinne bailey …

I ain’t posting mp3s anymore, so I’m just gonna start bragging about shit…
Last week ruled. I saw Pete Townshend play at my friend Marko’s Hotel Cafe (some Billy dude from some Pumpkins band played too, someone said he was big in the 90s), saw The Who play The Hollwood Bowl from the…

All My Ex’s Live In Texas

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Oasis - “Lord Don’t Slow Me Down”
Oasis have a rockumentary movie coming out called Lord Don’t Slow Me Down that’s based on their last last tour and record Don’t Believe The Truth (which I think is tits). Noel’s gonna be at the CMJ screening of the…

Rihanna Hooking Up With Ne-Yo When She’s Done Crying ‘S.O.S.’
MTV - Their ballad, ‘Unfaithful,’ will be the second single from A Girl Like Me. What’s the most unexpected way to come back from a smash debut single that mined an island vibe? How about sampling a 25-year-old new-wave classic? Even if you weren’t born in …

Anyone think they should write for this blog?
Well if you think that you should be yapin’ your trap on here, this your chance sausage fingers. If not, you’re bummed cuz that’s what this whole post is about. So anyways, a while ago people started complaining that the…

Those Who Can, Sing. Those Who Watch, Shriek.
New York Times - Sometimes songs seemed beside the point, but not in the case of Ne-Yo, who took time to remind the crowd of his writing credits. (He helped write Beyonc s Irreplaceable and Rihanna s Unfaithful. ) He isn t the A-list R&B star he …

Rihanna - Unfaithful lyrics
Lyrics to Rihanna Unfaithful Unfaithful - Rihanna Story of my life Searching for the right But it keeps avoiding me Sorrow in my soul cause it seems that wrong really loves my company Hes more than a man and this is more than love the …

Napster Announces Winners of Digital Music Awards
PR Newswire - Blige Most-Played R&B Song “Unfaithful” by Rihanna Most-Played Reggae Artist Sean Paul Most-Played Reggae Song “Temperature” by Sean Paul Most-Played Rock Artist …

Salem-News.Com

Rihanna To Headline Brut Sun Bowl Halftime Show Salem-News.Com, OR - Dec 11, 2006 In 2006, Rihanna has had seven songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100, including a pair of No. 1 singles in SOS and Unfaithful. …

The Cassettes - ‘Neath The Pale Moon (podcast)
As I mentioned here on this site before… I’m really excited about The Cassettes’ record we’re putting out called ‘Neath The Pale Moon. The band just put together a really cool podcast called The Cassettes’ Radio Hour, which is just…

Top 100 Videos

A Monday Music Conundrum

Brad

World AIDS Day + World Music

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One Second Bridge

Kris Waaah