When we're not writing on this blog (and lately that seems like more often than not), we enjoy reading other music blogs/sites. One site we enjoy immensely is the Monitor Mix blog on NPR's site. MM is written by none other than Sleater Kinney alum Carrie Brownstein, and this week Carrie has taken the brave step toward attempting to understand the popularity of the band Phish and decide if she can get past the stigma of the jam band and it's brand of fans and enjoy the music. Boy, there's two band's you never thought would share the same paragraph: Phish + Sleater Kinney.
The ennui of summer continues, but as we enter the second half of the season, bands who have been on the road are slugging it out night after night in the name of rock and bands that have been off the radar for a bit are gearing up for the Fall:
Kings of Leon have begun their promotional duties for their upcoming album, Only By the Night. The album will be released September 23rd through RCA, but in the meantime, you can freely download the first single "Crawl" through British music rag NME. You can also enjoy some behind-the-scenes home movies like this one:
Tom Waits is currently in Europe wrapping up his all too brief "Glitter and Doom" tour, but fans can enjoy a stream of his recent July 5th stop at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA, through the good folks at NPR Music.
Lucinda / Ain't Going Down to the Well Down in the Hole Falling Down Chocolate Jesus All the World Is Green Cemetery Polka Cause of It All Till the Money Runs Out Such a Scream November Hold On Black Market Baby 9th and Hennepin Lie to Me Lucky Day On the Nickel Lost in the Harbor Innocent When You Dream Hoist That Rag Make It Rain Dirt in the Ground Get Behind the Mule Hang Down Your Head Jesus Gonna Be Here Singapore
ENCORE
Eyeball Kid Anywhere I Lay My Head
[Photo Credit: Bob Butler, copyright 2008 NPR]
Once you are at the NPR site digging on the Tom Waits show, why not enjoy a live recording of Spiritualized as well? This is from the July 25th show at Washington DC's famous 9:30 Club. J. Spaceman and his band of cosmic rockers are currently on tour in support of their fine new release Songs in A + E.
Lastly, it's been a while since we've had any news on the Drive By Truckers, who continue to tour in support of their 08 release Brighter Than Creations Dark. Below is the video for "Ghost to Most". Enjoy
Here
