New Iggy and the Stooges single: My Idea of Fun

The first Iggy and the Stooges album since Raw Power (1973!) hits stores on March 6. Thanks to SPIN for hosting the stream of the first single:

 MY IDEA OF FUN
Pretty typical Stooges stuff. I’ll be adding this one to my ipod for running.

Admission of guilt: I missed the boat on Midlake

I read all the hype last year about Midlake. Despite that I only managed :30 second samples on itunes. The Trials of Van Occupanther escaped me. Thanks to the ever hip and with-it Senor Borquez I am now semi-obsessed with last year’s masterpiece – The Trials of Van Occupanther.

Watch the video for Young Bride:

Stream more Midlake HERE

New Modest Mouse track list and release date announced

 

Here’s the official word from Billboard.

On March 20th we’ll be treated to:

 March Into the Sea”
“Dashboard”
“Fire It Up”
“Florida”
“Parting of the Sensory”
“Missed the Boat”
“We’ve Got Everything”
“Fly Trapped in a Jar”
“Education”
“Little Motel”
“Steam Engenius
“Spitting Venom”
“People As Places As People”
“Invisible”

Hear DASHBOARD here

Retro Friday: THE CURE

How else would I start this than with this blog’s namesake: The Figurehead by The Cure circa 1980:

Here’s another for good measure. This is Charlotte Sometimes from the concert film The Cure In Orange – it was the first concert film I ever saw and I was mesmerized:

The Figurehead’s New Weekly Feature: Retro Friday

I think its evident the fondness the Figurehead holds for the founding fathers of modern alternative and indie music. Born in the 70’s…a child of the 80’s…I was taking it all in when it happened. To honor the past The Figurehead will now be dedicating Fridays, unless there is breaking news, to the best bands that shaped modern music. I want your feedback on upcoming artists for “Retro Friday”. The Figurehead will feature weekly videos of my favorites…and yours.

Arcade Fire: Black Mirror

Thanks to the folks at Obscure Sound for hosting this MP3. It sounds great! The Figurehead is looking forward to new album.

BLACK MIRROR

The Good, The Bad, and The Queen

 

I’m listening to the new album this morning. So far so good; in fact, I’m really into it. Don’t have yours yet? You can stream several of the tracks HERE.

The Decemberists are coming to the home of The Figurehead

I’m giddy with excitement…and I’m serious Clark…I’m giddy. I’ll get my tics tomorrow morning on presale. Yes, Colin Meloy and company are coming to Music City USA Nashville TN on Apr.5.

live at the Tabernacle in ATL – The Crane Wife 1

Congratulate me on my excitement please my loyal Figureheads.

ps. Were Colin Meloy and Ben Gibbard seperated at birth?

A new My Bloody Valentine record? No, you’re not dreaming.

NME is reporting that My Bloody Valentine will indeed put out another record, their first since 1991’s Loveless. Viva la Retro!

Here’s the NME article: MY BLOODY VALENTINE

Custom Vans dude!!! Jeff Spicoli would flip over this!

 

I was thinking about some new shoes – other than the my standard Clark’s Wallabees or the 25 pair of Brooks Addiction running shoes in my closet. I used to be a big fan of classic Vans. That was back in the day; back in the 80’s when the world was safe. I remember trying to be a skater – kick/pushin’ around while proudly wearing my high top skull and cross bones Vans. I think it was during this phase of my life that I learned to really love music.

Check out the Van’s website’s design your own shoe function. RADICAL!!! HERE!

Coachella 2007: Let’s play a game, shall we?

Take a look at this lineup! Wow! Let’s say you can only go one day to the festival. Based on the bands that are playing – which day are you going?

The Evolution of the music we love

The conversation generated by my Sonic  Youth post gave me this idea. I wanted to post several videos in succession to see if there is a definate cycle.

The Beatles – And I Love Her

Ramones – I don’t Wanna Grow Up

Pixies – Monkey’s Gone to Heaven

Nirvana – In Bloom

Arcade Fire – Wake Up

 Are these just a random assortment of videos? Or does it timeline with sounds bleeding over from time period to time period? I love Arcade Fire, don’t get me wrong. I think what they’re doing is genius. But would they be where they are without the Beatles, The Ramones, Pixies, Nirvana?

 Let’s continue the discussion.

Sonic Youth: still relevant after all these years?

I was contemplating the sound of today’s music recently. I was also listening to Sonic Youth. Check out these two Letterman appearances and tell me if you think they are still relevant (if you say “no” chances are you’re 15 years old or less).

At 32 years old I keep up with the current bands as best as I can. The fact is, though, I also have to continually go back to when music was exciting and it wasn’t such a stretch to do something new. If you don’t know Sonic Youth, Pixies, Pavement, Nirvana…or worse yet, you don’t know The Cure, Joy Division, REM …go listen and learn. Old school alternative/punk still rocks!

The Chili Peppers still rock!

 

I think the Red Hot Chili Peppers get a bad rap sometimes from indie rock scenesters. Sure, their albums have been increasingly marketed to the mainstream for a long time now, but so what.

I was fortunate enough to see the boys do their thing last night in Nashville. I’ve been listening to The Red Hot Chili Peppers since I was 15. It’s hard to believe I didn’t see them live until I was 32 years old (“GASP! TheFigurehead just revealed part of his secret identity). Honestly, I was expecting them to be horrible. I’ve read numerous accounts of them not being very good live. Two songs into the show I realized how great they sounded. It was near perfection; Flea, John, and Chad sounded great as always, but even Keidis was perfect.

I told a buddy of mine at the show that it’s hard to believe they were playing in front a few hundred skaters at a time 20 years ago. My how things have changed! The Gaylord Entertainment Center was sold out. A huge light show, and jumbo tvs filled the place with energy. The only thing that would have made it even better would have been “Fight Like a Brave.”

Bravo Chili Peppers. You guys still rock!

Thanks to my boy CT for the tickets (private suite with all the amenities!)

New Ted Leo + Pharmacists track!

The Figurehead has been eargerly awaiting something new from the new Ted Leo + Pharmacists album Living with the Living. Thanks to Pitchfork for providing the stream for Sons of Cain. I love me some Ted Leo! This sounds like its going to be perfect for summer listening.

Listen HERE

Bloc Party – I Still Remember

At last, a new Bloc Party single and video from the forthcoming A Weekend in the City album. The Figurehead likey likey. It’s so…….Smiths!

I have to admit though, the video feels like watching The Polar Express. Izzy Figurehead was obsessed with that movie and we must have watched it 1000 times leading up to Christmas.

January’s emusic bounty: Pinback, Mountain Goats, Decemberists

Every month it’s tough to decide what I’m getting from emusic with my 25 downloads. I’ll share my choices with you every month. This months winners: Pinback – Summer in Abaddon, The Mountain Goats – Get Lonely, The Decemberists – 5 Songs EP and The Tain EP (that completes my Decemberists collection – I have it all!).

Pinback – Fortress

The Mountain Goats – Woke Up New

The Decemberists – Los Angeles, I’m Yours (yeah, I know its not from either of my new EPs, butI love this song and vid.)

Mogwai: “Travel is Dangerous” video

Yeah, I know this is an old video. I’ve been listening to alot of Mogwai lately, so I thought I’d share is beautiful piece of art with the loyal Figureheads.

Deerhoof – “Friend Opportunity” released two weeks early on itunes

Ok, so I’ll admit it…I don’t really “get” this band (this coming from a guy who loved Mr. Bungle); but apparently, the kids like it. I noticed today that itunes has released it two weeks early. So if Deerhoof is your thing, go and get you some!

New singles from Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, The Shins, and more

Thanks to NPRs “All Song’s Considered” for always providing great streaming. Check out new singles from The Arcade Fire (pictured above), The Shins, and Of Montreal ….

HERE

At Last…The Truth is Out: SEC is the best

 

I was literally laughing last night while watching the Florida Gators destroy Ohio State 41-14 in the BCS National Championship. I’m not a huge Gator fan (my wife is), but I’m a Southerner. That means I’ve known the truth all along, despite what the media hype machine would have had you believe all season long. They actually wanted us to believe that the Big 10 could hang with the SEC; no, it was more than that – they wanted us to believe that the Big 10 was better than the SEC. That hurt my pride as a Southerner and a fan of all things good (ie Southern).

Let’s look at the facts:

In this college bowl season SEC teams went 6-3 with victories by Florida, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky.

Southerners hold doors open for women and children, let each other over in traffic jams, and say please, thank you, and you’re welcome.

What about the mighty Big 10? They went 2-5 with losses by Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Purdue, and Minnesota. Ohio State is 0-8 all time vs. SEC teams in bowl games.

Big 10 fans flip each other off in traffic, curse too much, and their women grow mustaches (it gets cold up there). – just messin with ya’ll.

Where are the people who were crying for that Ohio State vs. Michigan rematch now? We might as well make the SEC championship game the National title game from now on.

Three Imaginary Boys revisited

 

You’ve probably guessed that The Figurehead is a huge Cure fan. I always have been; ever since I bought my very first CD – Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me. I already had several Cure cassettes at that point.

Today I purchased the Three Imaginary Boys Deluxe Edition from itunes. This is the kind of stuff that I would have gone nuts over in the late 80’s! I mean…a Robert Smith home demo of 10:15 Saturday night!?!? This is Robert and what sounds like a Casio mumbling a quieter slower paced classic. There are other home demos on this edition as well. Tracks that didn’t make the cut for the original Three Imaginary Boys or Boys Don’t Cry (some of these hint at the gloomier Cure that would later emerge).

Want to know what the Cure sounded like before Interpol, Editors, and other soundalikes were even born? Listen HERE!

Modest Mouse – Dashboard

 

The Figurehead finally found the radio leaked song “Dashboard” from Modest Mouse forthcoming album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.
Give it a listen HERE.

Ok, so this doesn’t count anymore as a “leaked song”. The original link I had up was pulled down. I guess the song isn’t a secret anymore since the new link I’ve provided goes to Modest Mouse’ website.

Coming in 2007 in music

 

Here are some notable albums to look for in 2007: (can’t wait for The Cure, Pixies, Bloc Party, Interpol, Modest Mouse, Iggy and the Stooges, Arcade Fire,  Radiohead, U2, Oasis)

January:

Crunk Rock by Lil John – Jan.9

Wincing the Night Away – The Shins – Jan.23

The Good, the Bad, and the Queen – The Good, the Bad, and the Queen – Jan.23

Friend Opportunity – Deerhoof – Jan.23

Hissing Fauna, Are you The Destroyer – Of Montreal – Jan.23

Not Too Late – Norah Jones – Jan.30

Casino Twilight Dogs – Youth Group – Jan.30

Some Loud Thunder – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Jan.30

February:

New Magnetic Wonder – Apples in Stereo - Feb.6 

Infinity on High – Fall Out Boy – Feb.6

A Weekend in the City – Bloc Party – Feb.6

Buck the World – Young Buck – Feb.6

Nevermind: Chopped and Screwed – DJ Paul Wall and Nirvana – Feb.20

All of a Sudden, I miss Everyone – Explosions in the Sky – Feb.20

Swift and Changeable – Ghostface Killah

The Sun and the Moon – The Bravery

How Dirty Girls get Clean – Courtney Love

Untitled – Kaiser Chiefs

Make Another World – Idlewild

March:

Introducing Joss Stone – Joss Stone – March 6

Four Winds EP – Bright Eyes – March 6

Myth Takes – !!! – March 6

The Search – Son Volt – March 6

Todd Smith pt.2- LL Cool J – March 6

Good Morning Revival – Good Charlotte – March 20

Living with the Living – Ted Leo + Pharmacists – March 20

Before I self Destruct – 50 cent – March 20

The Weirdness – Iggy and the Stooges – March 20

Untitled – Chris Cornell

April:

Untitled – NIN

Untitled – Tori Amos

Neon Bible – Arcade Fire

Cassadega – Bright Eyes – April 19

June:

Moderation – Interpol

October:

Untitled - Coldplay

Spring releases:

Rancid, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys

Summer:

Wilco

Winter:

Coheed and Cambria

Unknown dates:

We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank – Modest Mouse

Smashing Pumpkins, White Stripes, U2, Doves, Ministry, Blind Melon (???), Silverchair, Social Distortion, Offspring, Bad Religion, Metallica, Portishead, The Cure, Dinosaur Jr., Foo Fighters, Franz Ferdinand, The Mars Volta, Meat Puppets, Oasis, Pixies (!!!), Raconteurs, The White Stripes 

If you know any release dates for notable indie releases let The Figurehead know.