NME's Ultimate Indie Album

NME asks you to determine the greatest indie album of all time. "From Slint to The Smiths, Pavement to Pulp, the result is up to you!" [NME]

Depeche Mode 101

As Depeche Mode prepare to release their documentary, Depeche Mode 101, Joshua Klein interviews the band in Pitchfork.

"Depeche Mode 101 lucked into capturing the British group on the cusp of global super-stardom. In that documentary, the band comes off almost shockingly young, if not entirely innocent, but that may be because all the real drama-- substance abuse, nervous breakdowns, divorces, in-fighting, and general self-destruction-- came soon after. Miraculously, Depeche Mode not only survived but continued to prove themselves creatively viable. The proof is in Depeche Mode's latest Sounds of the Universe, which captures the group on the other side of its many ordeals and hardly the sound of band lazy and complacent. In fact, when we spoke separately with members Andy Fletcher and Dave Gahan, Fletch noted with some surprise the group's longevity, and there's no reason to believe Depeche Mode doesn't have many more good years still to come." [Pitchfork]

Sonic Youth To Play NYC

Sonic Youth, The Eternal (Matador, 2009)

Venue: United Palace
Date: Friday, 7/3/09
Notes: Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM; $38, $45

"The Eternal is Sonic Youth’s 2009 celebration of newfound freedom. After many years signed to an ever precarious corporate label, the band has been liberated and is releasing this CD with their friends at Matador. Inspirations ran high in preparation for the recording. Abandoning the time tested routine of writing and rehearsing a cycle of songs in one time period, SY changed tactics and would compose two to three tracks one weekend and record them the following weekend. After a solid month they had a dozen killers..." [The Bowery Presents]

UK Decay Reissue

UK Decay, For Madmen Only (Rough Trade, 2009)

Rough Trade reissues a compilation CD of UK Decay. A progenitor of gothic rock, UK Decay were among the first to splinter from punk in the late 1970s and incorporate the moody atmospherics that eventually came to define gothic crossover. On CD for the first time ever, the 19 tracks include the band's one and only album For Madman Only, the Rising From the Dead 12", plus tracks from The Black 45 7" and For My Country 7".

Alex James' Cheese Odyssey

Cheesus Christ! The Cheese Diaries...the making of Alex James' Little Wallop.

"I got married, and I guess that's the end of Rock and Roll really."

Missed James' obsession with fromage the first go round. In case there are others out there equally intrigued...

Alex James' Pastoral Dream Incarnate

Continuing with the Blur thread...

Here BBC Three looks back to the "Most Annoying People of 2007" - among them, former ladies' man, Blur bassist and now cheese maker Alex James.



Alex James at the Great British Cheese Festival.

Graham Coxon on Blur - podcast

Graham Coxon, solo artist and Blur guitarist, speaks to the Guardian UK's Music Weekly about Blur's temporary reunion. The band are to play a series of highly anticipated gigs in the UK later this summer!

Hedi Slimane's Coachella Diary

Hedi Slimane Diary

Slimane's favored themes of music and youth again collide as he documents Coachella 2009 with his characteristic crisp black and white photography.

Coachella 2009 Medley

Leonard Cohen, "Hallelujah"


Morrissey, "How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel"


Paul McCartney, "Hey Jude"

Soundtrack of My Life: Brett Anderson

As Suede's singer, he put the glam into Nineties pop. Anderson tells Will Hodgkinson how charming Bowie is and explains why Prince is untouchable...

"The first record I bought
Never Mind The Bollocks, The Sex Pistols (1977)

When I go to sleep
Music For Airports, Brian Eno (1978)

The soundtrack to my adolescence
The Queen Is Dead, The Smiths (1986)

The record that made Suede what they were
Parade, Prince (1986)

When I got compared to Bowie
Low, David Bowie (1977)"

[Guardian UK]

JG Ballard R.I.P.

Science fiction writer who notably inspired bands such as Joy Division passes away at 78 after a long battle with cancer.

"JG Ballard's novels, disquieting, visionary and often apocalyptic fables of technological and social anarchy set him at the very pinnacle of contemporary writing. The self-professed "architect of dreams, sometimes nightmares" enjoyed a cult status, and Steven Spielberg's film of his book Empire of the Sun brought him a a popular fanbase, too. Fusing external landscapes of futuristic visions with the internal workings of his characters' minds, Ballard created a series of montages in which the world was, in turns, flooded, desiccated, crystallised and concreted over..." [BBC Obituary]

NEW ORDER Re-releases Update

New Order, Power, Corruption & Lies (Factory, 1983)

"This is a very difficult one, we are aware of the problems and because we did not have finished product to listen to? It has, shall we say……slipped through the net?? My great friend Claude Flowers has taken it on himself to sort this mess out personally, but please be aware, that after the fact it is going to be very difficult, unfortunately because many of you have purchased them already (a great compliment in itself) we are doing all we can to try and get fresh masters made and available, somehow to try and remedy the situation, so please bear with us.

I have said before how difficult it is compiling this stuff, the masters Steve and I listened to, were all basically from people's collections, so it was then left to someone? In the library department to compile, as much as possible from original masters, this is where it seems to have gone wrong, unfortunately it is industry standard these days to not have production masters of the cd's or the sleeves, much to Pete Saville's amazement, but that's just the way it is, hopefully they might resurrect the process after this. Here's hoping, Hooky." [Peter Hook Official MySpace]

Bleep of Faith

For 20 years, Warp Records has been wrecking clubbers' eardrums and delighting fans of electronica. Dave Simpson celebrates the pioneering Sheffield label...

"It's one of the UK's greatest independent labels, responsible for introducing the world to Aphex Twin, LFO, Boards of Canada and Squarepusher. But the origins of Warp Records, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year, were much humbler. The track that would inspire a revolution in UK dance music was conceived in a teenager's bedroom..." [Guardian UK]

Soundtrack of My Life: Jarvis Cocker

The Saint Martins College student turned cultural provocateur reveals his inspirations to Will Hodgkinson...

"The first song I heard
Where do you go to (my lovely), Peter Sarstedt (1969)

My first love affair
Burning up, Madonna (1983)

The song that reminds me of art school
French Kiss, Lil Louis (1989)

The song that reminds me of my son
Milk and alcohol, Dr Feelgood (1978)

The last song I heard
The whole world's got the eyes on you, Legendary Tigerman (2008)"

[Guardian UK]

The Late Great Avedon

A montage of past appearances by photographer Richard Avedon (1923-2004) on the Charlie Rose show. Avedon's images for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue came to define some of the most unforgettable moments in fashion history. Several key prints will be on view in the forthcoming exhibition The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion at The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (May 6 - August 9, 2009).

Heaven and Hell

I love me some reverb. Shoegaze forever!

The Story of the Jesus and Mary Chain by Jonathan Garrett

"If one had any doubts that heaven is indeed too close to hell, as the Jesus and Mary Chain first suggested on 1987's Darklands, the band's own career ought to lay them to rest. For three decades, the Scottish brothers who comprise the core of JAMC, Jim and William Reid, have demonstrated that noise and melody can not only coexist, but when properly executed, each can cast the other in sharper relief. While many artists have been drawn to extreme, few have explored such opposite ends of the spectrum simultaneously. This is their story, as told by the Reids themselves and those who know them best." [Pitchfork]

NPR Guest DJ Portishead - podcast

Portishead, Third (Island, 2008)

"Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley of the trip-hop group Portishead talk with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen about their new album, Third and share some of the songs that have influenced their work over the years. Hear selections from Third, along with music from Jimi Hendrix, Public Enemy, Kraftwerk and British actor and singer Noel Harrison." [NPR]

Phil Spector - Guilty As Charged

Dear Phil Spector,
I hope this has taught you that you can't go blowing people's minds - at least literally. See...guns aren't your friends! The music, however, always was.
Sincerely yours,
m.i.


The Ronettes, "Be My Baby" (Philles Records, 1963)

Radiohead Covers Joy Division

A version of "Ceremony" performed by the band during their webcast on November 9, 2007.

Johnny Marr Falling For the Guitar

"I belonged to it, and the guitar belonged to me." -Johnny Marr

Granada Reports...The Smiths

The Year is 1985, and NME readers have voted The Smiths group of the year. Granada Report's Tony Wilson catches up with the band on the eve of the Meat is Murder tour.

NPR Guest DJ Thom Yorke - podcast

Photo: Jesse Groves

"Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke shares some of his favorite music with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen. The two talk about Radiohead's latest work, In Rainbows, and listen to some of the artists Yorke admires, including German electronica group Modeselektor, rap duo Madvillain, techno group Autechre and more." [NPR]


Radiohead, "Fake Plastic Trees," 2003

The Bends (Capitol, 1995) is one of my best friends. Listening recommendation: With headphones at an irresponsible decibel.

Mix Tape: The Art of Cassette Culture

Thurston Moore explores the magic of the mix tape in Mix Tape: The Art of Cassette Culture (Universe Publishing, 2005).

"This book can only represent one zillionth of the people out there who have made the coolest tapes for themselves or others. In that respect, it simply exists as a nod to the true love and ego involved in sharing music with friends and lovers. Trying to control sharing through music is like trying to control an affair of the heart - nothing will stop it." -Thurston Moore

New York Dolls To Play 100 Club Gig

They'll play a rare show at the legendary punk venue...

"The New York Dolls are to play a rare gig at London's 100 Club this May. The band, who release their new studio album Cause I Sez So on May 4th, will play the gig on May 14th. The Todd Rundgren-produced record is their second since reforming in 2004." [NME]

Tickets for the 100 Club show go on sale on April 7th at 9am (GMT).


New York Dolls, "Personality Crisis," 1973

April's Soundtrack

Blur, "Country House"
The Stone Roses, "Elephant Stone"
Bob Marley, "Jammin"
The Cure, "Other Voices"
Golden Boy & Miss Kittin, "Rippin Kittin"
The Beatles, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Phoenix, "If I Ever Feel Better"
De La Soul, "Betta Listen"
The Buzzcocks, "Love You More"
John Cale, "Woman"

Jarvis Speaks To Pitchfork

Jarvis Cocker solo...finding his "métier."

Antony Asks...Transcendentalism or Masochism?

NPR's Live in Concert series from All Songs Considered presents Antony And The Johnsons in concert - footage and podcast of a recent gig in Washington, D.C.

Set List:
"Where Is My Power"
"Her Eyes Are Underneath the Ground"
"Epilepsy Is Dancing"
"One Dove"
"For Today I Am a Boy"
"Kiss My Name"
"Everglade"
"Another World"
"Shake That Devil"
"Crazy in Love"
"Fistful of Love"
"You Are My Sister"
"Twilight"
"Aeon"

Encore
"Cripple and the Starfish"
"Hope There's Someone"

Otherworldly.

The Top Three Albums of 2009

According to The New York Times, as of February 5, 2009, the artist Andrew Kuo (he of obsessive music chart fame) has determined the three best albums of the year...

#1 Antony & the Johnsons, The Crying Light
#2 Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Beware
#3 Morrissey, Years of Refusal


Andrew Kuo on Charlie Rose, February 23, 2008

Hallelujah Leonard Cohen

"Leonard Cohen walked onto a U.S. stage for the first time in more than 15 years just one month ago. It was a triumphant return for the legendary singer-songwriter, who has reached generations beyond with his lyrical portraits. One song in particular, "Hallelujah," has become a signature for both Cohen and many who've come after him. In this exclusive video, Cohen performs the tune from a recent concert in London. "I want to thank all my fans for keeping my songs alive all these years," Cohen told Spinner. The gratitude is all ours." [Spinner]

If you are lucky enough to get tickets...
04-02 Austin, TX - Michael and Susan Dell Hall at Long Center
04-03 Grand Prarie, TX - Nokia Theatre at Grand Prarie
04-05 Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre
04-07 San Diego, CA - Copley Symphony Hall
04-10 Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
04-13 Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre of the Arts
04-17 Indio, CA - Coachella Festival
04-19 Vancouver, British Columbia - General Motors Place
04-21 Victoria, British Columbia - Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
04-23 Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater at Qwest FieldEvents Center
04-25 Edmonton, Alberta - Rexall Place
04-26 Calgary, Alberta - EPCOR Centre's Jack Singer Hall
04-28 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Credit Union Centre
04-30 Winnipeg, Manitoba - MTS Centre
05-03 Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
05-05 Chicago, IL - The Chicago Theatre
05-09 Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre
05-11 Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
05-12 Philadelphia, PA - Academy of Music
05-14 Waterbury, CT - Palace Theater
05-16 New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
05-19 Hamilton, Ontario - Copps Coliseum
05-21 Quebec City, Quebec - Pavillon de la Jeunesse
05-22 Kingston, Ontario - K-Rock Centre
05-24 London, Ontario - John Labatt Centre
05-25 Ottowa, Ontario - National Arts Centre, Southam Hall
05-29 Boston, MA - Wang Theatre
06-02 Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (V2, 2009)

Phoenix's fourth album was produced by House maestro Philippe Zdar - one half of Cassius. In anticipation of its release on May 25th, the track "1901" is available as a free download on their website. The band's characteristic brand of catchy guitar driven pop is seemingly infused with more of a synth factor this time around. Worthy of the title's classical reference? A bit of a stretch.


The band plays SNL, April 4, 2009.

Profile: Geoff Barrow

Portishead, "Mysterons" (Roseland NYC Live, 1998)

Dave Simpson says: He takes it very seriously and thinks the world's going to end at any minute. In a musical sense he's very dark...

"As a natural outsider who learned early on to trust little beyond his instincts, Geoff Barrow of Portishead is a classic example of a musical pioneer who has gone against the grain - only to find the rest of the world coming with him. He was born in Walton-in-Gordano, Somerset, but grew up in relative hardship in the small coastal town of Portishead, after which he named his band.

Portishead's 1994 debut, Dummy, remains one of the landmark albums of the 1990s, selling 2m copies in Europe alone. Released against prevailing trends at the height of Britpop, the album popularised what has been dubbed "trip-hop" or "the Bristol sound". A blend of slowed hip-hop grooves, Barrow's old skool scratching, soundtrack samples and (singer Beth Gibbons's) mournful, heartbreaking lyrics, Dummy has been widely copied but never equalled." [Guardian UK]

The Stone Roses

Alan McGee on music: Why people want the Stone Roses to re-form
I find it funny that my kid is as obsessed with the Stone Roses as I was more than 20 years ago. As Ian Brown put it: "The past was yours but the future's mine." It still is...

"The big question is why people want the Stone Roses to re-form? Is it just because we're living in a retrospective age with reunions, reissues and Don't Look Back concerts becoming exceedingly popular. Or is it because, when the music scene becomes stale, you have to look back to understand how to move forward?" [Guardian UK]

Miss Kittin & The Hacker Two

Electroclash pioneers Miss Kittin & The Hacker are back with their highly anticipated (and long overdue) follow-up to their First Album (Emperor Norton, 2001).

In their own words:
"It's been far too long since the release of our "First Album," but wait no more, dear music lover, we are back with a bang. And you'd better believe, it's a big, cosmic "bang." We have not only forged a new path on this impressive collection of new material, but also, by transforming and remodelling our many musical influences, we have fashioned a club-based European cyber-pop of our very own. The album also features a wonderful, stellar sprinkling of metallic soul, glamorous space disco, glossy vocal nuances, crystalline beats and swirling melodies. The music possesses a sexy androgyny, glistening and pulsating. And the songs? Sometimes narrative, sometimes confessional, direct and alternatively clouded in mystery. And the lyrics, are they...blue or grey?" [Miss Kittin & The Hacker]

Two (Nobody's Bizzness, 2009) out now.


Miss Kittin & The Hacker, "1982" (Emperor Norton, 2001)