Song of the day: Beatsteaks - "Automatic"

I know, it's been a while since I haven't written anything, but I was at hospital for last three weeks and I just got home. So, from now on I will post frequently again and I will hopefully come with something new as well. Anyways, here's song of the day from great German band called Beatsteaks. Enjoy!

Song of the day: Snow Patrol - "Chasing Cars"

Beautiful song and beautiful performance.

Watch Lana Del Rey perform at Saturday Night Live

Yesterday, Lana Del Rey performed at NBC's Saturday Night Live show. She performed two songs: "Video Games" and "Blues Jeans". She did quite well. Critics frequently bitch about her communication, shyness and singing skills. However, she can really sing and the reason she's little uncertain and shy is because she is not used to this. I think that she'll get much better at us. I hope she'll stay herself in the future because she's really talented. You can check both performances here on NBC Web site.

Lana Del Rey is set to release her debut record Born To Die on January 30.

Song of the day: She & Him - "In The Sun"

The Decemberists announce two-disc live album

The Decemberists have announced that they will release their first live record. It is called We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11), it will be double-album and it will be out March 13. Of course, it will be available not only on CD, but also on vinyl and digitally.

The Decemberists have been kind of busy last year - they recorded three records: The King Is Dead LP, Long Live The King EP, and the iTunes Session EP.

We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11) tracklisting:

Disc 1
01. The Infanta (5:15)
02. Calamity Song (3:57)
03. Rise To Me (4:55)
04. The Soldiering Life (3:58)
05. We Both Go Down Together (4:30)
06. The Bagman’s Gambit (8:05)
07. Down By The Water (3:59)
08. Leslie Ann Levine(4:15)
09. The Rake’s Song (3:34)
10. The Crane Wife 1, 2, and 3 (16:20)

Disc 2
01. Oceanside (3:15)
02. Billy Liar (6:33)
03. Grace Cathedral Hill (4:35)
04. All Arise! (4:30)
05. Rox In The Box (3:15)
06. June Hymn (4:20)
07. Dracula’s Daughter > O Valencia! (5:49)
08. This Is Why We Fight (4:35)
09. The Mariner’s Revenge Song (10:20)
10. I Was Meant For The Stage (10:00)

Anberlin working on new record

Anberlin have announced that they are currently working on their seventh, yet untitled, studio album via twitter. The band tweeted on January 13 following:

"Just listened through our 20 demos for this album. So ready to get into the studio, in my favorite city.. -NY"

So it looks like they've got lots of material to choose from. According to latest and unconfirmed information Anberlin should again work on their new record with producer Aaron Sprinkle.

Watch videos from Velvet Revolver reunion show

A week ago, I informed you about Velvet Revolver reunion show which took place on January 12 at House Of Blues. It was their first appearance in long four years. The show wasn't just reunion show, but also charity concert for Kushner’s friend, musician John O’Brien.

Velvet Revolver performed four tracks during the gig. They played three original songs ("Sucker Train Blues", "She Builds Quick Machines", and "Slither") and one cover - Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here".

You can check performances of all fours songs below.

"Sucker Train Blues":

"Slither":

"Wish You Were Here":

"She Builds Quick Machines":

Song of the day: Queens Of The Stone Age - "You Think I Aint Worth A Dolla"

First track of, in my opinion, their best record Songs For The Deaf. It was released in August, 2002 and it features Dave Grohl on drums and Mark Lanegan as singer of several songs of the album. This album always blow my mind when I listen to it. I love the uncompromising sound of it.

Trent Reznor finally writing music for NIN

A month ago, I informed you about Trent Reznor writing new music. However, nobody was sure if the new music will be for his main band Nine Inch Nails, which went on hiatus in 2009.

Well, now it looks like he's definitely going to get together with Nine Inch Nails. In his recent interview with Pitchfork he said following:

"I'm going to be writing for Nine Inch Nails this year... [I don't] have any particular goal in mind other than... my voice as a songwriter feels like it needs to speak up or at least work out a little bit to not atrophy. I think I have something to say that feels unique to who I am right now, and that's when it tells me it's time to do something... I enjoy the challenge of moving that kind of brand forward, that identity, shaping it to who I am now instead of who I was a few years ago when I last left off... It's all kind of hypothetical right now. When I sit down with a notebook and a little mini-recorder is when my bluff will be called, and then it might not happen at all."

I really hope these guys will release new record sometimes this year.

Song of the day: Arctic Monkeys - "Fake Tales Of San Francisco"

Listen to new Kasabian demo

The band have posted new demo on the Web site. However, it is only 44-second long track and it is very unlikely that it will get official release in future.

Track called "Table Tennis Boom Box" is probably just a joke recorded backstage at Yokohama Blitz venue in Yokohama, Japan during their latest Japanese tour. Funny thing about the song is that ping pong ball is featured as percussion.

You can listen to the song here (via soundcloud).

Song of the day: The Flaming Lips - Convinced Of The Hex

These guys are just great. I found out about them just recently, but I know by now that they are awesome. Enjoy live version of their first track of their latest album Embryonic, which came out in 2009.

The Flaming Lips working on collaborative LP

Rolling Stone magazine reported that the band is working on collaborative LP with Bon Iver, Yoko Ono, Nick Cave, Ke$ha, Lykke Li and Erykah Badu. Yet untitled The record should be out in April

Singer Wayne Coyne has confirmed that he has already recorded new material with Nick Cave and Plastic Ono Band. Bon Iver is set to send two tracks to the band in near future.

Coyne said about the LP:

"All these things happen within a couple of days. You set up these [collaborations] in your mind and immediately get to work. Sometimes it just takes a matter of connecting."

He also talked about Ke$ha:

"We knew that she was a fan. There are a lot of these sort of druggy outlets out there that people get connected through."

The Flaming Lips is a band, which always do something different and funny. This collaborative LP looks very special and I'm looking forward to it.

Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba to release new record with his sideproject

Matt Skiba, frontman of Alkaline Trio, has recently spoken about his side project called Matt Skiba And The Sekrets. My Chemical Romance's drummer Jarrod Alexander and bassist of AFI Hunter Burgan are also in this band.

Skiba talked about band's current and future plans:

"To create a record by myself, pick who is gonna play on it, and create its sound - that was a lot of fun. Of course, I love my friends from Alkaline Trio, however, to create my own rock record has been my dream for a long time."

The band should release its debut record entitled Babylon later this year.

Song of the day: Metallica - "Nothing Else Matters"

Watch new The Kills music video

Yesterday I informed you about trailer for The Kills - "The Last Goodbye" music video. I also told you that they will premiere the video at midnight via Nowness.com.

Well, now you can check the whole video at here. We didn't see a lot fro the video in the trailer because in the video itself, there is not a lot of going on. Half of the video it is just Alison sitting in tiny room in front of the camera. Then she is joined by Jamie and they together do touching poses. It is beautiful video.

Below the video you can read about the song, music video and how Jamie and Alison first met.

Watch The Kills trailer for "The Last Goodbye" music video

The Kills have just announced via their Facebook page that they will premiere new music video for "Last Goodbye" tonight at midnight (NYC time). It will be streamed via Nowness.com. The video was directed by Samantha Morton. 

"Last Goodbye" is their another single from their latest and great record Blood Pressures.

If you don't want to wait for the actual video, you can watch trailer below. It only features Alison Mosshart with crazy hair though. But she's hot...

Song of the day: Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird"

Jane's Addiction announce intimate tour

Jane's Addiction released their fourth record last year and I gotta say, it is awesome record. They toured a lot last year, too. However, they are set to do something different in 2012. They plan to go on intimate North American tour.

They will play show at classic theaters. Tour will be called Theatre Of The Escapists.


Frontman Perry Farrell said about the tour:

"We wanted to immerse the audience in a unique experience unlike any they have ever seen at a rock show. Expect an orgy of musical and visual delights. We like orgies, and hope you do too."

Well, that sounds quite interesting. Tour kicks off on February 5 in Indianapolis and ends on March 24 in Milwaukee.

Jane’s Addiction Theatre Of The Escapists tour:
2/5 – Indianapolis, IN, The Crane Bay
2/22 – St. Louis, MO, The Pageant
2/24 – Detroit, MI, The Fillmore
2/25 – Columbus, OH, The LC Indoor Pavilion
2/27 – Toronto, ON, Massey Hall
2/29 – Rochester, NY, Auditorium Theatre
3/2 – Albany, NY, The Palace Theatre
3/3 – Portland, ME, State Theatre
3/4 – Huntington, NY, The Paramount
3/6 – Montclair, NJ, Wellmont Theatre
3/7 – Waterbury, CT, Palace Theatre
3/9 – Richmond, VA, The National
3/10 – Myrtle Beach, SC, House of Blues
3/13 – Atlanta, GA, The Tabernacle
3/15 – Catoosa, OK, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
3/16 – Kansas City, MO, Uptown Theatre
3/19 – Minneapolis, MN, The Brick
3/24 – Milwaukee, WI, Eagles Ballroom

New Anti-Flag record out at the end of March

All the fans of this great punk band will finally get what they wanted. New Anti-Flag record entitled The General Strike (first it was named Magnum, but then they decided to rename it) will be out on March 20 via SideOneDummy Records.

The band has also released teaser in form of new song called "The Neoliberal Anthem". You can listen to it below. It is awesome.

Van Halen announced new album and tour dates

Van Halen has performed an intimate show in NYC at Greenwich Village's iconic Café Wha? couple of days ago. During this show, Van Halen has announced February tour dates.

Tour will kick off in Louisville, Ky on February 18 and will end on June 26 in New Orleans. Tickets go on sale on January 14.

Also, band has announced they will release new record entitled A Different Kind of Truth on February 7.

North America Van Halen tour dates:

February
18 — Louisville, Ky. @ KFC Yum! Center
20 — Detroit, Mich. @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
22 — Indianapolis, Ind. @ Bankers Life Fieldhouse
24 — Chicago, Ill. @ United Center
28 — New York, N.Y. @ Madison Square Garden
March
1 — New York, N.Y. @ Madison Square Garden
3 — Uncasville, Conn. @ Mohegan Sun Arena
5 — Philadelphia, Pa. @ Wells Fargo Center
9 — Buffalo, N.Y. @ First Niagara Center
11 — Boston, Mass. @ TD Garden
15 — Montreal, Quebec @ Bell Centre
17 — Toronto, Ontario @ Air Canada Centre
21 — Ottawa, Ontario @ Scotiabank Place
24 — Atlantic City, N.J. @ Boardwalk Hall
28 — Washington, D.C. @ Verizon Center
30 — Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Consol Energy Center
April
1 — Rosemont, Ill. @ Allstate Arena
10 — Fort Lauderdale, Fla. @ BankAtlantic Center
12 — Tampa, Fla. @ St. Pete Times Forum
14 — Orlando, Fla. @ Amway Arena
16 — Jacksonville, Fla. @ Jacksonville Arena
19 — Atlanta, Ga. @ Philips Arena
21 — Greensboro, N.C. @ Greensboro Coliseum
25 — Charlotte, N.C. @ Time Warner Cable Arena
27 — Nashville, Tenn. @ Bridgestone Arena
May
1 — Tulsa, Okla. @ BOK Center
5 — Tacoma, Wash. @ Tacoma Dome
7 — Vancouver, B.C. @ Rogers Arena
9 — Calgary, Alberta @ Scotiabank Saddledome
11 — Edmonton, Alberta @ Rexall Place
17 — Winnipeg, Manitoba @ MTS Centre
19 — St. Paul, Minn. @ Xcel Energy Center
22 — Kansas City, Mo. @ Sprint Center
24 — Denver, Colo. @ Pepsi Center
27 — Las Vegas, Nev. @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
June
1 — Los Angeles, Calif. @ STAPLES Center
3 — Oakland, Calif. @ Oracle Arena
5 — San Jose, Calif. @ HP Pavilion
12 — Anaheim, Calif. @ Honda Center
14 — San Diego, Calif. @ Viejas Arena
16 — Phoenix, Ariz. @ US Airways Center
20 — Dallas, Texas @ American Airlines Center
22 — San Antonio, Texas @ AT&T Center
24 — Houston, Texas @ Toyota Center
26 — New Orleans, La. @ New Orleans Arena

Song of the day: Placebo - "Song To Say Goodbye"

I am going to hospital tomorrow so I'll be off for week or so. I may eventually write something, but it won't be a lot...

Listen to REM covering ABBA

REM sadly ended their great career back in September, but rare tracks and covers are still emerging from the internet. The latest is cover of ABBA's track “Does Your Mother Know?”. You can listen to it down below.

More The White Stripes tracks to be released

Jack White is a busy man even without The White Stripes, which broke up last year. Jack White has most recently collaborated with Tom Jones. However, he will come back to his former band for a while.

Jack White will release vinyl entitled Outtakes via his Third Man Records. It will include two early versions of known singles - "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground" (it will be called "Dead Leaves" on vinyl) and "Let's Built A Home".

According to label, these versions are much different than those which actually ended up on Blood Cells and De Stijl. You can listen to these versions below.

New Releases: 2nd Week

It's the beginning of the year and therefore not many artists release new stuff. The only new album that I recommend this week is The Maccabees' Given To The Wild. It is third album from this indie rock band.

Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with lymphoma

Sad news guys. Guitarist of Black Sabbath, which recently reunited and will headline this year's Download Festival in UK, Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with lymphoma. For those of you who don't know what it is, it is a form of cancer with attacks cells from immune system. Doctors found out about his illness in early stage, so we all hope Tony will heal very soon. Our thoughts are with him.

Despite his illness, Iommi is being a strong man and said that he will still participate at Black Sabbath reunion during this summer.

Watch new Arctic Monkeys music video

Arctic Monkeys have made another music video for song from their latest (and great) record Suck It And See. This time it was for second track of the record called "Black Treacle". Once again, the main character of the video is drummer Matthew Helders who again showed great acting skills.

The single Black Treacle will be released on January 23.

Song of the day: Placebo - "Follow The Cops Back Home"

This in my opinion one of the most beautiful tracks of all times.

Listen to another two previously unheard Radiohead songs

Radiohead have posted another unreleased songs online. "Fragile Friend" and "Fat Girl" are another two demo track from 1986 demo tape ("Everybody Knows" and "Girl" were released at the end of last year). You can listen to them at the bottom of the post.

Demo tape was recorded before guitarist Jonny Greenwood joined the band at Oxfordshire's Abingdon School (band was called On A Friday in that time).

It is always interesting to hear some band's track before they were famous. "Fragile Friend" and "Fat Girl" confirm the fact that Radiohead were talented musicians even back in 1986.

Album covers without dead people

On Friday, Spin posted an article entitled I Don't See Dead People: Famous Album Covers Minus the Deceased. From the title, you can tell what will the article be about.

The article directs you to this tumblr called Live! I See Dead People Tumblr and I just love that idea. I admire the creator of this tumblr for doing this. Of course, these covers are empty without deceased artists and sad. However, it is still awesome. Check it out.

Listen to Lana Del Rey's leaked track

At the bottom of the post you can listen to leaked track from Lana Del Rey's forthcoming record Born To Die, which is out on January 30.

According to All Music, surfaced track called "National Anthem" should be the closing track of the album. Well, I gotta say that even though I like this young artist and I am excited about her album, I'm not a fan of this song. I really miss her typical sound in this song. It is too pop for me. For example tracks like "Blue Jeans" or even her mega hit "Video Games" are unique songs and you just know it's her song. But "National Anthem" is just bad for me. Hopefully, her album will be still good, but my expectations kind of lowered.

Download new Lostprophets track

Lostprophets have recently announced that their fifth studio album called Weapons will be out on April 2. Yesterday they made available new track to download fo free. It is entitled "Better Off Dead".

You can download it on band's Web site in exchange for an email address.

You can also listen to "Better Off Dead" via YouTube:

Song of the day: Wolfmother - "Far Away"

These guys are just great.

Velvet Revolver are back

Velvet Revolver are reuniting for benefit gig which takes place in LA next week. Original members (ex-Guns N'Roses Slash and bassist Duff McKagan as well as Matt Sorum, Dave Kushner and Scott Weiland) will perform on January 12(Thursday) at House Of Blues.

The band split up in 2008 after singer Scott Weiland left the band. Remaining member have been since looking for replacement.

Reunion show will honor Kushner's friend Josh O'Brien, who died last August.

Kushner said about the show:

"That [having other acts on the bill] will take the pressure off all of the bands, including Velvet. Because we hadn’t played with Scott in a long time I said, 'Look, let's just do three songs'. So we just got a bunch of people. Everyone will do three songs."

Tom Morello, Maroon 5, Sheryl Crow and Crosby, Stills And Nash will also perform during the concert.

Good news also is that Weiland may have decided to stay in band full-time. That would mean full reunion of Velvet Revolver. Let's hope that it will eventually happen.

Song of the day: Bob Marley - "Is This Love"

Classic...

Hear The Flaming Lips cover The Beatles

The Flaming Lips is a band, which always makes something different and funny. Most recently they covered The Beatles' "I Am The Walrus". You can listen to this cover at the bottom of the post.

The Flaming Lips have previously covered whole Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon album.

The Black Keys: "Nickelback ruined rock'n'roll"

American due The Black Keys think that canadian Nickelback caused death of rock'n'roll. Drummer Patrick Carney told in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine that rock'n'roll is dying because "people started to think that Nickelback is the biggest rock band on the planet".

"Therefore, they are okay with the fact that the biggest rock band is just bad - and who would want to be such biggest band?" Carney think Nickelback is awful post-grunge bullshit, which has nothing to do with rock'nr'oll.

Well, it is kind of strong statement and I agree that Nickelback is awful band, but I'm not really sure if they cause death of rock'n'roll. Anyway, The Black Keys had a great year 2011 - they released new great record El Camino and sold out Madison Square Garden in 15 minutes.

Listen to two new Thom Yorke tracks

Two new tracks from Thom Yorke has surfaced online. Well, one is not really new. They are called "Stuck Together" and "Twist". These two songs were used for Rag & Bone’s show at Fashion Week in New York City last Fall. Therefore, Twist is kind of older and people heard it before. Anyway, you can now listen to both new songs below.

Song of the day: Placebo - "In The Cold Night Of Morning"

Sorry guys that I haven't posted a lot lately, but my school just started so I've been kind of busy. I will make it up during the weekend though.

Song of the day: Warpaint - "Beetles"

Awesome performance.

Cancer Bats to play 6 gigs during one day

Yes, Cancer Bats are set to play 6 gigs at 5 different places during one day. I know it's crazy, but in a good way. However, I am kind of worried if they can make it through the day. They are hardcore band and that means their concerts are full circle pits, mosh pits and walls of death.

Anyway, they are set to perform at these London's clubs:

11.30 - The Old Blue Last
14.00 - Nottingham Hill Arts Club
16.30 - The Garage
19.00 - Brixton Windmill
21.30 - Barfly
00.00 - The Old Blue Last

Funny thing is that if you connect all the clubs with lines, funny thing will show up.

Cancer Bats are also set to release new LP called Dead Set On Living this April. You can also hear new song that was released couple of days ago:

The Killers to release new album this year

Frontman of The Killers Brandon Flowers has told BBC Radio 1′s Zane Lowe that they will release new record this year.

He said following:

“It’s just whether it’s [released in] the summertime or the wintertime. I think the consensus within the band is to take those things that we’ve done well and really hone in on that. We don’t want to make Hot Fuss 2 or Sam’s Town 2, or Day & Age 2. We’ll maybe take all that stuff, the best of all of it and do what we know how to do.”

I am actually kind of excited about this. Also, it is a great thing that these guys will move forward again and not repeat themselves.

I have a feeling that 2012 will be a good year because we have several reunions (Black Sabbath, The Stone Roses, Van Halen and maybe even Pink Floyd) and albums from bands that were on hiatus are coming out.

Biffy Clyro to release double album

Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro have announced that their next studio album will be a double album. They hope it'll come out in April.

Their sixth, yet untitled, follow up to their last successful LP Only Revolutions will be recorded in Los Angeles.

Singer Simon Neil said to Q Magazine:

"We're going over the top as we can. It's an album about a fork in the road and how your decisions can take you on one path or the other. One path is the right decisions and one path is the wrong decisions - and each album's going to represent each path."

It sounds as a great idea, however, I think it is kind of risky move to release double album nowadays. Even though, Biffy Clyro are great and they are popular, I still think it may not be a good move. Anyway, we'll have to wait at least until April to see wether they've done a good move or not.

Meanwhile, you can listen to their mega hit "Bubbles" from their last LP:

Song of the day: Placebo - "Because I Want You"

Placebo is probably my most favorite band of all times. These guys are just awesome. They are even more awesome when they perform live (they recently released their second live DVD entitled We Come in Pieces). I just love these guys.

Enjoy this awesome acoustic performance of "Because I Want You" from their record Meds. It's beautiful.

New Bloc Party record to be released this year

Frontman of a great band Bloc Party, Kele, has now confirmed that new record will come out later this year.

According to Radio 1, Kele said that the album should be out at some point in 2012. He and his bandmates are currently working on it in New York.

Are you excited about this announcement? I gotta say that I am. Meanwhile, let's play one of their great songs:

Pink Floyd may perform at London's Olympics

Well, dream of many music fans has maybe finally come true. One of the most significant bands of all times, british legend Pink Floyd is allegedly close to reuniting.

They should play at this year's summer Olympic Games, which take place in London. Pink Floyd would be the headliner of final ceremony. We'll have to wait some time to see if it's only rumor or not.

Last time Pink Floyd played together at Live8 in 2005. I really hope this is true and we all see them together once again. Let's be realistic, they're not getting younger...

Song of the day: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Second Life Replay"

I got to this song and this band because of television series Californication (this song was featured on soundtrack of the fourth season). I realized this swedish rockers are awesome. Watch great performance of "Second Life Replay" below.

Is today's music overrun by pop?

NME magazine today reported that british indie rock band Kasabian think rock'n'roll music is declining because of pop. Singer Tom Meighan said:

"There's a rock 'n' roll drought at the moment, so I'm glad we're here. People are frightened of making records that sound good on the radio."

Well, actually I agree with Kasabian because we rarely hear rock'n'roll music on the radio or TV anymore. Times have changed and pop is everywhere. I'm not saying I hate pop because I like all kinds of music, but I hate the fact that shitty pop singer is played on TV just because she gets almost naked in her music video. I think that most of the music played today on TV isn't really about the actual music but about the image, style, charisma or beauty.

Where are the 90's? Sometimes I wish I was born 20 years earlier... What do you think? Is today's music overrun by pop or not?

Watch The Vaccines perform on Jool's Annual Hootenanny

The Vaccines performed during Jool's Annual Hootenanny, which is annual celebration broadcasted on New Year's Eve as part of Later...with Jools Holland series.

The Vaccines seemed they were really enjoying the night as well as people in the audience. They performed three songs. They kicked it of with their biggest hit "If You Wanna". Then they played "Nørgaard" and at the end "Wreckin' Bar". Watch the performance below, it is quite awesome because everybody was having fun.

Song of the day: Pearl Jam - "Yellow Ledbetter"

My favorite song of all times...