Music News 18.01.10

Every once in a while I come across various stories and news. Sometimes it's during research for an interview or album review, but most of the time it's part of my quest for the newest stuff. In my endeavour to keep this place up to date with my columns, I'll post this stuff from time to time.


Despite iPods and Walkmen, Rates of Hearing Loss Dropping
A super cool story about how hearing loss is decreasing not because of quieter music, but better health and quieter city streets and safer workplaces. I totally approve, but I wonder if it applies to those like me who see around 30 concerts a year and frequent bars with live music as well. I wear earplugs, just in case though.

Moshcam
An Australian website that streams high-definition concerts in full from a bunch of bands. Gaslight Anthem, The Faint, Stars, Tegan and Sara, Propagandhi, and Thrice all show up, along with some 350 others. Lately I've taken to streaming concerts when I have been to one in a while or want to see if a band puts on a good live show.

Filles Sourires
I have a thing for chicks singing in French. Here's where I find some of that stuff.

Why the Cassette Never Died
I agree that it the most personal of formats, but few people have the means to play or compile them. I love giving people music, but a burned CD or internet playlist is so much easier. Plus CD-Rs have way more space to doodle with a sharpie.

You don't turn down Paul McCartney
Dave Grohl turned Sir Paul when he asked to play bass in the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures. Led Zeppelin was famous for lead guitar, not bass. Oh well, their album sucked. For that matter I've never liked anything with Grohl except "Colour and Shape" from Foo Fighters.

In Album news:
Gaslight Anthem titled their new album "American Slang." Brian said like "The '59 Sound" was Gaslight-does-Springsteen, the new album is more influenced by The Who and personal like his short lived solo project. June 15th.

Stars also titled their new album, "The Black House, The Blue Sky".  Torq also stated that mixing is almost complete. My guess based on what I know about Arts&Crafts release schedule would be an August or release. Also expect lots of Youtube videos of new songs when they play at the Cultural Olympiad.

Monsters of Folk/Bright Eyes/She and Him

--Bright Eyes is re-issuing the Neva Dinova split, with 4 brand new tracks. My source was right about Conor being in studio, turns out we get more from a great EP (though I'd have preferred more from the Son, Ambulance split). He is also recording the last Bright Eyes album. Again with a mid-summer release in mind.
--Monsters Of Folk was subject of a twitter prank about them recording a second album.
--She and Him confirmed a March 23 release date for "Volume Two"