2004 to 2006 Weblog archive

Happy Numan Year 2006

It looked really bad for a while, but together with a new producer, Gary Numan is back on track, recording his new album. Pushed back from October to March 2006, the rework has left a lot of material for alternative album releases, single extra tracks and downloads etc.

“The Numan fan in 2006 is going to have more new Numan music than in any other year of my career.”

To get a taste of what’s coming, he’s posted 2 clips of rough material for those who are curious. I can’t say I hear much of the “new sound”, but there’s no need to change it for my sake anyway. :)

Playlist September 2005

The snippet mixtape of my favourite songs in September. Click here to listen! (Streaming with Flash in popup)

September 2005

Bloc Party – Luno (Death From Above 1979 Remix)
Kirsty Hawkshaw – Blackout
Lullacry – Killing Time
Fidget – Ride My Track
Ladytron – Destroy Everything You Touch
Conjure One – Endless Dream
Tori Amos – Livin’ On A Prayer
Steven Wilson – Cover Version III
KMFDM – New American Century
DK7 – Where’s The Fun

iTunes and IRC randomness

If I only knew how, I’d code a plugin for Xchat that would base what’s playing in iTunes on matching title words from realtime IRC conversations.

Do They Know It’s Halloween?

Both a trick and a treat, the north american indie elite (The Arcade Fire, Sonic Youth, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Peaches among others) teamed up to record “Do They Know It’s Halloween”. A satire charity-benefit song with all proceeds being donated to UNICEF. See the full credits and listen to it here… and of course buy it on October 11 (available as download a week before). :)

Playlist August 2005

The snippet mixtape of my favourite songs in August. Click here to listen! (Streaming with Flash in popup)

August 2005

The Je Ne Sais Quoi – Station To Station
Paula Frazer – Always On My Mind
Les Rythmes Digitales – Jacques Your Body
The Kid – Bluebird
Imogen Heap – Hide And Seek
Orenda Fink – Leave It All
The New Pornographers – These Are The Fables
Antimatter – Legions
The New Pornographers – Stacked Crooked
Johan Skugge – Decadence

Throwing Free Music

“Money has so polluted the music world that my overwhelming urge right now is to divorce money from recorded music. Over the last 2 years we’ve been asking people to help us educate listeners about 50 Foot Wave and we’ve met resistance every step of the way — caused by little other than money — and to an extent I’ve never seen before. So we’re sending free recordings off into the world to do their work. If people enjoy these songs and are excited by them, we ask that they share them with others. The music business is about fame and huge profits: egos and greed; but if enough people care, 50 Foot Wave will earn an honest living playing live, which is what we love to do.” – Kristin Hersh

Look for a new 50 Foot Wave Ep, free for download in the next couple of months.

Tori Opens Bootleg Boutique

Six live bootleg recordings of Tori Amos are set to be released this fall! Only available from her official Bootleg Boutique, the very sought after live rarities and cover versions from her recent “Original Sinsuality Tour” will be released on stylish and relatively cheap double-disc CD’s. I’m no fan of either live albums or bootlegs, but these I just have to have. Tori live is really something else. :)

All Eyez On Berlin

The New York Times takes a cautious look at the gangsta rap phenomenon in Germany, focusing on Berlin rapper Bushido, who almost ironicly just got imprisoned in Austria for assault. Registration is needed to read, but a visit to Bugmenot helps you slip past it.

3 Inches Of Sunshine

I like 3 inch CD’s, and I have a feeling I’m gonna love this one! In Strict Confidence, and Melotron will be releasing their own version of A-ha’s classic “The Sun Always Shines on TV” in September. Not only will the box contain the song, but also a special picture presentation that can be watched on TV. Only 2000 copies will be made, and judging from Melotron’s latest effort in synthpop, “Cliché”, and ISC’s superb album from last year, I just want to know when and where to preorder. :)
Another collaboration I’d like to hear is between ISC and Gary Numan. He seems to be having some production problems with his upcoming album. A golden opportunity in other words.

Help Me Mighty Mouse

I’m a bit embarassed for still using a Microsoft mouse to my iBook, but it’s not until now Apple finally offers a multibutton mouse. Mighty Mouse! Looks like it’s gonna be another week of noodles.

The Queen Adreena Solo

Probably most known as the singer of Queenadreena, KatieJane Garside has gone solo with her project “lalleshwari / glasswilderness”, which will be released later this summer. Four tracks from it can be listened to over at MySpace. Kind of an interesting turn from the usual metal that’s behind her unique voice… but to be honest, I’m not sure I can consider this new stuff good compared to other triphopish electro-ambient. I’ll give the full project a chance when it’s out though. :)

A Bloc Party Xmas

“Oh my God I can’t believe it”, but rumour has it that Bloc Party and Kaiser Chiefs are planning to release a joint christmas single this year!

“We talked about doing a festive single with Bloc Party, like a sort of limited-edition cover” -Nick Baines from the Kaisers

A cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is apparently under consideration. This project would certainly at least lift my christmas spirit. :)

Madonna In Good Hands

The title and producer of the first single from Madonna’s new album, “Confessions on a Dancefloor”, have been revealed! Stuart Price aka Jacques Lu Cont aka Thin White Duke put his magic touch on “Hung Up”, which is to be released this fall. She couldn’t have picked a better producer for it, but let’s hope this isn’t the only track on the album he’s behind! ..I wonder where the rock sound rumour came from?

The Cardigans Return

Later this year, The Cardigans will return with the new album “Super Extra Gravity”. The first single from it, “I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer”, can be streamed in high quality from here. :)

Berlin Sounds Audio Tour

“Hear we go”. Berlin Sounds is an audio tour to the sounds and electronic music of Berlin. You will be be guided by the DJ and producer Anja Schneider on your way through “Mitte” while you listen to the soundtrack by Barbara Morgenstern, Ellen Allien, Mia and Jazzanova among others. I really wish I had this when I was there in June. The download version is 7 euros. If you’d rather explore it from your couch at home, or simply want english language, I can very much recommend the Berlin Digital DVD which I’ve blogged about earlier.

Playlist July 2005

The snippet mixtape of my favourite songs in July. Click here to listen! (Streaming with Flash in popup)

July 2005

Shocknina – Woman’s Cry
Funker Vogt – Fallen Hero (The Birthday Massacre Remix)
Lady Sovereign – 9-5
T.Raumschmiere – Sick Like Me
Tiefschwarz feat Tracey Thorn – Damage
Magnet – Blow My Blow
She Raw – Real Hip Hop
The Mars Volta – L’Via L’Viaquez
Glis feat Carsten Pedersen – Last Call
Kryptic Minds And Leon Switch feat Joanna B – No Evil

WordPress OSX Tiger Style

Couldn’t resist installing this plugin to make the WordPress administration look more like Mac OSX Tiger. Very good CSS work.

New Depeche Mode Video Leaked

It appears as the rough cut for the new Depeche Mode video has leaked. Someone anonymously sent in a copy of “Precious” to iFilm.com. The unfinished video itself isn’t that much to see, but the song… wow! I won’t be surprised if the upcoming album “Playing the Angel” will be their best in years. :)
Update: The clip has been removed, but the song can now be bought from iTunes!

Charlotte Covers Pearl Jam

The amazing Miss Charlotte Martin has recorded her own version of Pearl Jam’s “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town”, and released it as a limited edition download. You have until August 18 to download it! Those who hoped for a Kate Bush album this year should also check out the rest. :)

Aimee Mann’s Babyism

Haha, profound study of Aimee Mann’s use of “baby” in her lyrics.
Aimee Mann Says Baby A Lot.com