Spinner

Massive Attack Reveal New Album Details, Offer Sneak Preview

Julian Marszalek — 2009-11-24T17:00:00+00:00

Six years on from the release of their last album, '100th Window,' and just weeks after dropping their new EP, 'Splitting the Atom,' Massive Attack have at last announced the details of their new collection of original material which will feature a slew of guest vocalists.

According to a posting on the band's website, 'Heligoland' is scheduled to be released on Feb. 8 next year and the tracklisting has been confirmed.

Guest vocalists include Tricky collaborator Martina Topley-Bird, Blur and Gorillaz mainman Damon Albarn, TV On The Radio's Tunde Adebimpe, ex-Mazzy Star singer Hope Sandoval, Guy Garvey of Elbow and Massive Attack mainstay Horace Andy.

Swell Season Explain 'Strict Joy' Origins

Michael D. Ayers — 2009-11-24T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, New Music, Exclusive

Although the Swell Season recently confessed to us that the their new album 'Strict Joy' was written more apart than together, they also took the time to explain to us the meaning behind the seemingly oxymoronic album title. In fact, they borrowed it from James Stephens, whose collection of poems has the same title. However, it turns out they're thinking well beyond than just an homage to their favorite poet.

"The poem is about when you go in and address your sorrow. It's a transformative thing that happens," Swell Season frontman Glen Hansard tells Spinner. "When you pull it out of the inner and give the words voice, there is a weird thing where the coal turns to diamond."

Lenny Kravitz Celebrates 20 Years of 'Let Love Rule'

Steve Baltin — 2009-11-24T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive

Yes, 'Let Love Rule,' the album that introduced the world to Lenny Kravitz and made the singer/songwriter/guitarist a star is 20 years old. To commemorate the milestone, Kravitz went back to the beginning to create a deluxe version of the CD. To do so, Kravitz says he had to really look back at 1989. "I had to pay attention to my life at that time," he tells Spinner. "We found a lot of photographs and memorabilia and things that brought me back to 20 years ago. The interesting thing for me was that it still felt fresh, it felt the same. That was really weird."

That the record, which included the monster title song, has remained relevant all these years is a testament to his vision at that time. "I remember saying 'I want to make a record that in 20 years would stand up.' That was the sentence that I said," he says. Now, he's not trying to take credit for being a prophet at the time. "Obviously I couldn't have been thinking 20 years ahead. I wasn't even thinking 20 minutes ahead," he says. "I had no idea I would ever make another record besides that one. I didn't know what was going on. I just knew that there was music inside of me and I wanted to express it."

Minus the Bear Writing Sunnier Songs for Fourth Album

Justin Jacobs — 2009-11-24T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, New Music, Exclusive

In any other context, lyrics about drinking, sex and exotic places might call to mind, say, the boasts of Lil Wayne or Jay-Z. But draped over twisting grooves and sung without any sense of gloating, Minus the Bear singer Jake Snider's lyrics become a much more relatable escapism.

With his band's still-untitled fourth album set to drop in spring of 2010, Snider is more thankful than ever that music -- once his form of escapism -- actually helped him escape an office job.

"Sitting at a desk is my nightmare. I like exploration, travel, moving away from what ties you down," Snider tells Spinner. "I sold backup libraries for computer networks for three years before the band. It was soul-crushing."

Pixies Bring 'Doolittle' Show to New York City

Ginny Yang — 2009-11-24T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News

The Pixies breathed new life into familiar material when they performed all of their 1989 album 'Doolittle,' as well as its related B-sides, last night in New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. The seminal alt-rock act produced video footage especially for the set, which they will repeat during three additional shows at the venue over the next two days. The concert kicked off with the tracks 'Dancing the Manta Ray,' 'Weird at My School' and 'Bailey's Walk' with bassist Kim Deal joking that the songs were so rare, the band had to relearn them.

The Pixies then launched into the 20-year-old album, performing 'Doolittle' in its entirety in front of large video screens and giant floating globes (which began to glow red and move across the stage during 'I Bleed'). Deal took on the role of the announcer during the concert, with leader Black Francis (aka Frank Black) and guitarist Joey Santiago stoically playing next to her in all black. "Can't skip any of them!" she said of the album's tracks.

Rolling Stones Photographer Ken Regan Recalls His Time With the Band

Emily Tan — 2009-11-24T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, Pop Culture

Photographer Ken Regan promised himself that he would never shoot certain kinds of events. However when Keith Richards asked him to document some big events in his life, Regan just couldn't refuse. "I did Keith Richards' wedding, and the three things I said to myself when I got into photography that I would never do were weddings, bar mitzvahs and babies," Regan said at an event in the Brooklyn Museum on Sunday. "Keith got me to do two of them."

Regan has photographed the Rolling Stones for years -- shooting five of the band's concert tours, Mick Jagger's only solo tour in Japan in 1989, a Richards and Ronnie Woods solo tour, about three music videos and a slew of magazine shoots. Starting with the Stones' 1972 American tour -- also the same time Robert Frank's controversial film 'C---sucker Blues' was filmed, Regan has had many interesting moments with one of the biggest bands in the world.

While many people may prefer Richards over Stones frontman Mick Jagger, Regan saw that he was more than just the band's lead singer. "Mick really is the number one person in the band," Regan said. "Mick was the band leader. He was the organizer. He graduated from the London School of Economics. Every nickel and dollar that is spent on a tour, Mick knows about it."

Steve Vai Discusses His Beekeeping Hobby

Robin Milling — 2009-11-24T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, Holy Hell

Hard rocker Steve Vai has a soft side -- he's a beekeeper. The guitar virtuoso happened upon the unlikely honey hobby when a swarm of bees in his neighbor's wall beautified his wife's garden. "I wanted to plant these fruit trees and I did some research and found that honeybees are really a fantastic way to pollinate so I just got a hive," he says. "I called up my local beekeeper and he brought me a wild swarm and I put in a colony."

The bees weren't always so cooperative with Vai who had to learn the hard way how to tame their natural instincts. "You puff a little smoke in the hive and they think there's a forest fire so they gorge themselves on honey and they can't sting you because they can't bend their abdomens," he says. "After a while, you go into the hive they get to know you and it's no problem. Honeybees are actually a lot mellower than you think. I'm the bee whisperer!"

Trent Reznor Unplugs on Neil Young's 'Bridge School' Compilation

John D. Luerssen — 2009-11-24T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, New Music, New Releases

Let's face it, Trent Reznor doesn't strip down often. But back in 2006, the Nine Inch Nails brainchild showed up at Neil Young's annual non-profit Bridge School Concert sporting a beard to deliver an extremely rare unplugged set. Now, NIN devotees can load those stripped down approaches to "Fragile" and "Hurt" onto their iPods with today's release of 'Bridge School Collection, Vol. 4' via iTunes.

Aside from Reznor's heartfelt offerings, the compilation also counts live tracks by My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, Death Cab For Cutie, Regina Spector, Norah Jones and Tegan and Sara, who posted the tracklist on their website. Noting that the Bridge School directly benefits children with severe speech and physical challenges, Sara writes that she and Tegan have repeatedly appeared at the concerts over the years and that it is "an absolutely incredible experience. Both professionally and personally."

Attesting to the variety of acts Young has attracted to his Bridge School concerts over the years, 'Vol. 4' also boasts everyone from Ministry -- captured back in 1994 -- to John Mellencamp, Tom Waits & Kronos Quartet, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayer and, um, Josh Groban.

Animal Collective Mark End of 'Merriweather' Era With New EP

Kenneth Partridge — 2009-11-24T12:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, New Music, Exclusive

With the release of its new EP, 'Fall Be Kind,' Animal Collective is clearing the vaults of material recorded during sessions for 'Merriweather Post Pavilion,' one of the most critically fawned-over albums of 2009. In doing so, multi-instrumentalist Dave Portner, aka Avey Tare, says the New York City-via-Baltimore band is closing the book on a "really positive" chapter in its career.

"I think that's why we wanted to put it out at the end of the year," Portner tells Spinner of 'Fall Be Kind,' out now digitally and available next month on CD and vinyl. "It feels like [the songs] all kind of fit together with the touring and the things we've been doing for the last couple of years. It definitely feels like the end of this era."

Mariachi El Bronx's Stage Outfits All About Respect

Matt Glazebrook — 2009-11-24T12:06:00+00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK

The concertgoing couple in zarapes, ten-gallon hats and cowboy boots clearly didn't get the memo; Mariachi El Bronx tread sensitively in their borrowing of Mexican culture. "We don't wear sombreros, which are part of the charro suit, because we're white, and it's disrespectful," explained guitarist Joby Ford before Monday's tour-closing gig at London's Islington Academy, the group's biggest UK show in their Latin-flavored guise. "We would get killed if we f----- around and didn't have respect. People would seriously come and kill us."

Happily, our amiable Euro-vaqueros faced no such danger on a night heavy on good humour and sing-a-longs, despite the gritty traditions of the rebel music invoked onstage. Mariachi El Bronx -- the acoustic, tequila-infused alter-egos of Los Angeles punk bruisers the Bronx -- may be surprised by their UK popularity ("Last night in Oxford I was talking a mom who was into mariachi music and a daughter who likes punk bands," recalled Ford pre-gig. "That's the Bronx, bringing families together!"), but it was easy to see why their euphoric live show has transcended cultural boundaries.

John Fogerty's Legacy Preserved by 'Fortunate Son,' 'Lebowski'

Dan Reilly — 2009-11-24T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, Movies, Politics as Usual

When John Fogerty wrote the lyrics to 'Fortunate Son' in 1969, he didn't know how resonant the song would be. In fact, he didn't know if anyone would still care about his music in the near future. "I had no idea what the future would hold," the former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman tells Spinner. "I used to tell people 'I'm trying to make records that they'll still play 10 years from now.' That was a very audacious statement because in those days, the rock 'n' roll from 10 years prior was all but ignored."

The song was inspired by President Dwight D. Eisenhower's grandson, David, who married then-President Richard Nixon's daughter, David. Fogerty, who was nearly drafted a few years earlier, knew that the younger Eisenhower wouldn't have to worry about getting involved with Vietnam. "I was very, very passionate about the sentiment in 'Fortunate Son,'" Fogerty says. "Obviously, the sitting president at the time was Richard Nixon, who I once described as an endless source of inspiration -- but it wasn't of a positive type. It was a very heartfelt emotion and it was very easy to write because the thing I was reacting to was all around me."

Little Richard Undergoes Hip Surgery

Michael D. Ayers — 2009-11-24T11:55:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Holy Hell

Even those living legends who still rock are in need of a body tune-up every once in awhile. Little Richard, now 76, is recovering at a Vanderbilt University hospital after undergoing hip surgery. In a post to his official Myspace page, a spokesperson has said that although the surgery was successful, the veteran rocker is still in a lot of pain. "Please be praying for a quick and full recovery. He may have a long road ahead of him (i.e. physiotherapy) because he waited so long to have the surgery."

Little Richard, a long-time born-again Christian, is asking his fans to continue praying for him as he recovers. According to the Associated Press, he plans to resume touring activities in 2010, once his recovery is in full. "He is thankful to the LORD for the blessing of longevity and greatly appreciates the kindness and caring of all of the faithful warriors who have been uplifting him in prayer," the Myspace statement continued.

Coldplay, A-Ha and Mew Members Form Apparatjik

John D. Luerssen — 2009-11-24T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Album, New Music, New Releases

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has always credited 1980s Norwegian pop band A-Ha for inspiring him to form his own band, but it's Martin's bandmate who is actually making music with a member of the 'Take On Me' troupe. Bassist Guy Berrynam has teamed with the Scandinavian group's keyboardist Magne Furuholmen and their producer Martin Terefe, along with Mew frontman Jonas Bjerre, to form a new project known as Apparatjik.

The group has emailed a new song, 'Electric Eye,' to approximately 30 fans and plans to make the tune available through its official website on November 30. According to the Guardian, Apparatjik -- who first appeared last year to lend one tune to the 'Amazon Tribe' benefit CD -- will unexpectedly release its debut album that same day.

Based on a sample of the track that was uploaded to the Internet by one of the 30 fans, the song meshes synthesizers with somber guitar tones. The vocalist on the track doesn't appear to be Mew's Bjerre, and since we haven't been privy to the singing style of Berryman or Furuholmen, the band's frontman is still unknown.

Canadian Soul Singer Haydain Neale of Jacksoul Dies of Lung Cancer

Joshua Ostroff — 2009-11-24T10:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, R.I.P., Canada

Juno Award-winning jacksoul singer Haydain Neale passed away Sunday in Toronto's Mount Sinai hospital, following a private battle with lung cancer, surrounded by family and friends.

The 39-year-old had spent the last two years in rehabilitation from severe head injuries after being struck by a car while riding his Vespa scooter in August 2007. Though not publicly disclosed, Neale had also been struggling with lung cancer over the past seven months.

"Through all these challenges, Haydain's sense of humour and love of music were ever-present. He constantly brightened the room with his singing and his smile. His joyful presence and beautiful voice will be missed by us all," said his wife Michaela in a statement.

Still, Neale's death comes as a shock to his fans as the singer had recently been able to complete the recording of songs he'd begun prior to his accident. "It takes me more time now," he said in a recent record label statement, "but I still orchestrate the room." Earlier this month, jacksoul released their long-awaited new single, 'Lonesome Highway,' and the group's 5th album, 'SOULmate,' was scheduled for release Dec. 1.

New Spiritualized Album On the Way?

Julian Marszalek — 2009-11-24T09:51:00+00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK

Not known as a band with the speediest of work rates, Spiritualized lynchpin Jason Pierce has revealed the band's next album may be released as early as 2010 as well as claiming that the new work is inspired by none other than ... Spiritualized!

Speaking in an interview with the Quietus, Pierce said that his work on the newly re-mastered and expanded edition of his 1997 classic 'Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating in Space' has influenced the direction of Spiritualized's current work in the studio.

U2 May Find Glastonbury Tough, Critics Say

Richard Moore — 2009-11-24T06:35:00+00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK

After Monday's announcement confirming U2 as the first headliner for the 2010 Glastonbury Festival, some music industry commentators have been quick to suggest the show could be a tough one for the Irish megastars.

With their experience of massive venues and crowds, the undertaking is unlikely to be daunting for the band, but their lack of experience of festival crowds could be their undoing, some have warned.

Nicola Slade, editor of the music industry newsletter Record of the Day told the Guardian that she thinks the band's show at the 40th anniversary of the festival could come across as "weird."

"They are not going to be able to do their usual U2 spectacular that people have come to expect from them," Slade said. "U2 are a divisive band -- you either love them or you hate them. I think it will be a difficult audience because it is not their core contingent."

Massive Attack Detail Album Tracks and Guests

Julian Marszalek — 2009-11-24T05:52:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Album, UK

Wilco, the Fall and the XX Join Primavera Line-Up

Julian Marszalek — 2009-11-24T05:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News

While the Glastonbury Festival's organisers Michael and Emily Eavis are doubtless patting themselves on the back following the announcement of U2's Friday night headlining set, the promoters of Spain's increasingly popular festival, Primavera Sound, have confirmed the first batch of artists who will be joining headliners the Pixies and reformed indie darlings Pavement.

Added to the bill are Wilco (pictured), widely regarded as one of the most important bands to have emerged from America in the last decade, and the idiosyncratic and ongoing saga that is the Fall.

Rolling Stones Reissue 'Wild Horses' After Susan Boyle's 'X-Factor' Performance

Richard Moore — 2009-11-24T04:46:00+00:00

Filed under: News, UK

The Rolling Stones have released a new digital package of their 1971 hit 'Wild Horses.' The reissue comes after a performance of the song on the 'X Factor' TV show on Sunday (Nov. 22) by 'Britain's Got Talent' finalist and YouTube sensation Susan Boyle.

Boyle has recorded a version of the song for her debut album 'I Dreamed a Dream' which was released yesterday (Nov. 23). 'Wild Horses' is the opening track on the album.

Gibson Guitars Under Investigation for Using Illegal Wood

Richard Moore — 2009-11-24T03:43:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Legendary company Gibson Guitars is being investigated by US federal agents for allegedly using illegal rosewood to make its instruments.

Last Tuesday (17 November) the US Fish and Wildlife Service raided Gibson's manufacturing premises in Nashville, Tenn. They seized wood, computers, files and guitars in an attempt to find evidence that Gibson has shipped the illegal wood from Madagascar via Germany, reports the Guardian newspaper.

Rosewood is a key component in the construction of many guitars, but at £3,000 per cubic metre -- over double the price of mahogany -- it doesn't come cheap. It's also an important export for the troubled East African island state of Madagascar, but due to alleged corruption and environmental issues US companies were barred from importing it under the Lacey Act. The act was originally passed in 1900 as a conservation law protecting endangered species.