Beautiful Melodies telling you Terrible Things: New Tune Tuesday 6.28.11
Well we're a day late, and a few dollars short with the New Tune Tuesday this week, that's because we spent them at the record store last night. I'm sure you're in the need for a fix too, so I'll be getting to the new stash of ear bud you need to go buy, but first, it's the news blender...
Wilco self-releasing next album...
Taking cue from Cake earlier this year, and Jack White's releases in recent years (well, mostly, White has released some of his Third Man titles through Warner Bros in recent years) Wilco will be completely self-releasing their newest LP on their own indie label. This is really nothing new for them, back in the early 2000's they were in essence dropped by Reprise, who didn't want to release a little album known as 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.' Wilco ultimately streamed it for free online, it got a positive response and Nonesuch ultimately released it...to the tune of over 500,000 sales. Point is, big labels are becoming more and more of a non-issue. If you can build a fanbase, and market your product online and on tour and build it up yourself, you can do pretty well for yourself. Sure, Cake's recent self-released LP 'Showroom of Compassion' was the lowest selling #1 album of the Nielson-Soundscan era with only 44,000 sales it's first week. However, that's 44,000 sales where not a dime went to lawyers and big-named A&R men...
Fair Use is Fair Game...
I'm not a fan of Republican Michele Bachmann but I am of Tom Petty, but does he really have the right to send her a cease and desist concerning her usage of "American Girl" on the campaign trail? Well, according to reports, she's using the song for under 30 seconds, which means she has all the right in the world under fair rights. It's part of the gamble of creating something, anything, there's always the chance it will be used for something you don't like. Sure, in music, you own the publishing rights so for a number of uses it costs money to get a hold of such things and you can have your publishers block it, but in the end, when you create something, you're always at risk at watching something, or some idiot, use it in a way you don't dig. Dylan has been the most quoted songwriter by Judges and the like in the Courtroom, and I'm sure not always in ways or by those he would agree with. The afore-mentioned Wilco's "What Light" comes to mind: "When all the world is singing your songs, just remember: what was yours, is everyones from now on..."
RELEASE OF THE WEEK (6.28.11): 'Rave On Buddy Holly,' a tribute by various
It's funny honey you don't care
you never listen to my prayer
maybe baby you will love me someday...
Here's one I've been waiting for sometime, not just this particular release that I've been excited for since I heard the leaked McCartney track (I can't believe I just said that, but it's good), but just a really proper Holly tribute album such as this. Buddy Holly is the real king for me. I don't dis-like Elvis, the more you listen to him, the more you appreciate his different genres he tackled and what he did for rock. But in truth, what Elvis did for rock, somebody else would have done. Buddy Holly had more talent in his finger than Elvis did all around. Holly is the link in the chain to the two most influential artists of the next decade: the Beatles and Bob Dylan. He had the catchy melodies and simple yet stunning lyrical songwriting hooks the Beatles would harmonize and make their own, and he was a singer/songwriter in an era where most well known artists just didn't write their own material, heck, most of them didn't arrange their own material, much like Dylan who completely broke down the Tin Pan Alley/Brill Building songwriter days.
This compilation of various artists does it right, as a good tribute album does. It's not just a rock or a pop album, the variety in artists gives everyone something to listen to, and also gives folks a chance to listen to tracks and artists they regularly wouldn't. I wouldn't regularly go out and grab the newest Cee Lo Green track personally, but here I'm forced to give it a chance. The same that someone else isn't going to rush out to buy Justin Townes Earle's newest LP (which, by the way, was in my top 10 for '10) but here, they're going to have to give him a listen. Fiona Apple, Paul McCartney, Modest Mouse, Jenny O, Patti Smith, Nick Lowe, Lou Reed, John Doe, My Morning Jacket, Kid Rock, Graham Nash: a great variety in ages and styles. Rock fans will of course flock to the opening number done by the Black Keys, and for good reason, it's done right and one of my favorites on the disc. She & Him also make an appearance, I've always sort of balked at M. Ward's claims that Zooey "I had my career handed to me" Douche-a-nel is a great songwriter, when their best tracks are covers, which is precisely why they work well here. Jack White's newest ex-wife Karen Elson and recent favorites Florence + the Machine also make appearances, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed both. Mostly the latter for really making the song their own.
All in all this is probably the best tribute album since the 'Enjoy Every Sandwich' Warren Zevon release from a few years ago. The early 2000's also gave us some nice Sun Records and Hank Williams tribute albums, but for now, I suggest going out and picking this bad boy up....but, may ask why Weezer isn't on this release?
Available on: CD, Vinyl, MP3 Download
Other Notable Releases (6.28.11):
'The Harrow & the Harvest,' Gillian Welch
Gillian Welch has been one of the most applauded bluegrass/Americana singers of this generation, and for good reason, her collaborations with Dave Rawlings have been astounding, and this release is no different. I'm not sure why it's been 8 years since their last release (Rawlings produces these), but it's 10-track offering proves to be worth the wait. I'd say what the standout tracks for me are, but each time I've listened to it different tracks spoke to me. Maybe "Scarlet Town" and "Hard Times" are my favorites. Maybe "Dark Turn of Mind." Good Stuff.
Available on: CD, MP3 Download
'Memories in my Head,' Riverside
If you're a fan of prog music, this release is for you. Yes it's just an EP, but it's an EP that offers over 30 minutes of music across it's three-tracks, and will keep Riverside fans happy and hungry until the next release. Prog music isn't for everyone, but those who dig it, dig it deep...
Available on: CD, MP3 Download
See you next week, friends...
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