March 16 — Items Of Interest
Posted By Ben W. on March 15, 2009
Monday is for items of interest. It’s Monday. So here are your items of interest.
DARK NIGHTS/HAPPY DAY
I know this is like the 56th Super Furry Animals post in this blog’s 14-minute history, but I can’t help this one — this one is big. Big!
Our favorite furry friends from Wales have a new album. Today. That’s right. You read that correctly. At least I’m assuming you did. Today is what I said. Today!
I was under the impression they might finish recording this thing by the summer. Then maybe we’d get a release in the winter. But no no no.
The finished this puppy, called Dark Days/Light Years, last month. And it’s already getting released. Today! Did I mention that part? Today!
Here’s the deal. Go to superfurry.com today at 8 p.m. GMT. I believe that is 3 p.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio. The album will be available for download, with a proper record-store release set for next month.
And we already have a new single — “Inaugural Trams” — featuring Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand doing a German rap in the bridge. It won’t slap you across the face with pure melodic genius like some SFA singles. But it’s pretty addictive after two or three listens. It just bounces and beeps and beeps and bounces and makes you very happy.
I really can’t wait for this new album. I hear there are no steel guitars, no acoustic country numbers, no folk songs. This could be the first truly enjoyable record of 2009.
WIGHT NOISE
I always wanted to go to the Isle Of Wight, just so I could say when someone asked me what I was doing that weekend, “Popping round the Isle of Wight I suspect,” in an English accent. But now I have another reason — The Pixies are going to play the isle’s annual summer festival this June, opening for Neil Young! Click here to see how “good” Frank Black is looking these days.
DEATH OF A PARTY
Do you know what Spotify is? It’s a legal file-sharing site that basically is the next step in making all pop music in the world absolutely free to us consumers. But before you start celebrating, check out Mark Moore’s fascinating commentary on Music OMH. He paints a pretty depressing future for the music business, saying, “Declining sales will decline further. Psychologically, music will become even more devalued than the free CDs given awaywith magazines.”
TAKE ME OUT AGAIN
Franz Ferdinand had a big hit a few years ago. You may remember it. “Take Me Out” was the name. And they liked it so well, they decided to re-release it! This time it’s called “No You Girls.”
THE KLAXONS KIND OF SUCK
The Klaxons kind of suck. Just ask their record label.
NEW MUSIC, DON’T BE SCARED
I was out Saturday night and the house music caught my ear. “What’s this great song?” I thought. “I know this song. I love this song. Who the hell is this?” After a few minutes’ debate, it was determined to be The White Rabbits’ “While We Go Dancing.” So imagine my excitement not 15 hours later when I learned of this.
UNDERWHELMED
OK, I’ve only listened to this song twice. So maybe I shouldn’t pass judgement yet. But then again, the fact that I’ve only listened to this song twice probably tells you everything you need to know.
Add Maximo Park to the list of mid-decade British guitar bands that just can’t seem to conjure a new idea. This “comeback” single sounds like their first album, only half as good. It sounds like a B-side; not lead single material.
If this is an accurate indicator as to what the new album holds, color me uninterested.
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