April 2012
13 posts
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A new and improved edition of RS’ 500 Greatest Albums of All Time book arrives on newsstands today, including a story I wrote about the making of Radiohead’s In Rainbows. This was a total dream assignment for me, especially the part where I got to interview producer Nigel Godrich, who’s had a hand in so many of my favorite records. He was charming and honest, though of course he...
This happened a couple of days ago, and it’s still making me chuckle every time I think of it. I read a story in which Sean Hannity, great dude that he is, denied the existence of hunger in the United States. Guys like Hannity make comparably ridiculous/offensive remarks all the time, but I was irked enough by this one to send off a snarkish tweet. Some loser tweeted back at me with an even...
Yesterday afternoon, I streamed the new Allo Darlin’ album in the background while I finished some work. When it was over, I listened to it again, and a third time after that. It’s really good! In a lucky twist, the band kicked off their U.S. tour at the Mercury Lounge last night, so Sarah and I headed downtown after work to check out the show. We weren’t disappointed: the band...
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Kurupt drops gems re: Hologram Pac: “Whoever was selling weed that night must have got rich, because if you hit that weed and saw ‘Pac come out, you’d be like, ‘This is the best shit I’ve smoked in a while!’” He and Warren G have lots of thoughts on the rest of Snoop and Dre’s Coachella set, too. These interviews were fun.
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“Maybe we should take some theater lessons,” mused the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, watching Pulp’s opening set from a backstage trailer last week at Coachella. “I know, man,” Keys frontman Dan Auerbach replied. “We suck.” Read on for more quips from the Night One headliners.
COACHELLA DAY THREE REPORT: I’m not sure I’ve ever had more fun at a show than I did with Snoop and Dre last night. They didn’t stint on the hits – “The Next Episode,” “Nuthin’ But a G Thang,” “Deep Cover” and “Gin and Juice” were all among the first few songs, with 90,000 or so people rapping along. There was weirdness at...
COACHELLA DAY TWO REPORT: The highlights of this sunny Saturday were far too many to list, but two unforgettable moments stand out. (Photo by the lovely fellowette.)
1. Seeing Jeff Mangum sing under swaying palm trees as the sun fell behind the mountains was as surreal and wonderful as can be expected. Not that anyone a few years ago expected this would be happening.
2. Radiohead’s...
COACHELLA DAY ONE REPORT: Implausibly chilly and grey weather (for this I flew 3,000 miles?) redeemed by Frank Ocean’s seductive ease, Jarvis Cocker’s charming eccentricities, Jimmy Cliff’s joyous vibes, Explosions in the Sky’s reliable crescendoes and a handful of other highlights. Day two had better be sunnier.
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Miniature Tigers’ Fortress was one of my favorite psych-pop listens of 2010. Their turn toward goofy electro on the new Mia Pharaoh left me befuddled at first, but it’s definitely grown on me. Here’s a short take.
