Yann Tiersen is a genius. Aside from the masterpiece that is the score to Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, the iconoclast himself has mountains of musical gems to offer. Here’s an amazing exhibition from 2001’s Eurockeennes de Belfort 2001. Wait until he’s playing accordion and rubbing the viola bow against the steel xylophones…at the same time. Watch the whole thing. Warning, you made need a couple rolls of Brawny to wipe up the tears that may fall to the floor.

Yann Tiersen will be coming to Austin, TX February 3, 2011 @ Mohawk. It’s the day before my birthday, so, yeah, I’ll be there with my pen clicked and my paper towels readily available.

Here Björk uses her massive lung capacity to shift the stars as she delivers a perfect live performance of “Desired Constellation” from 2004’s Medulla at France’s Canal+.

posted by: Bene Garcia

“During the SOY Festival in Nantes, HEALTH was the first night’s sensation. The four Californians did not disappoint their fans who came to see them at the Batiment de Bitche (an underground artist squat). Powerful and focused on pushing experimental rock to its limits, HEALTH is the 2010 D.I.Y noise rock we at Grandcrew like…especially the insane tribal drums !!!” (source: Grandcrew)

We couldn’t agree more.

posted by: Brent Carter

This video clip of the White Stripes performing “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” was taken from the 10th Anniversary Show entitled The White Stripes Under Nova Scotian Light.

On March 16, the White Stripes will release a limited-edition box set that celebrates and commemorates that 10th anniversary tour through Canada with a plethora of goodies. In the set, fans will find a live compilation of tour highlights in both CD and vinyl, a DVD of the 10th Anniversary Show and a documentary about the The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights tour at large. But wait… there’s even more  that comes in the box set – including a hardcover book, silk-screened prints and even more vinyl.

Watch the trailer for The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights below:

posted by: Brent Carter

Ever since the U.S. government got their excuse to invade and/or bomb Yemen, thanks to the alleged actions of the “underwear bomber,” two songs by post-punk luminaries Wire have been stuck in my head. One, “Being Sucked in Again” from Wire’s 1978 album Chairs Missing and also “Blessed State” from the band’s 1979 album 154. Although Wire’s music may echo the frustration many of us are feeling in these times of instability, it’s the lyrics that make them still relevant thirty plus years later.

From “Blessed State”
Closing doors
Opens eyes
To the fatal gift
Of a well timed lie
Loved in the flesh
And (but) butchered in the mind
Oh what a pearl
What a well made world
Holy globe
Eternal home
Sacred sphere
So glad I’m here
Oh what a pearl
What a well made world

From “Being Sucked in Again”
Bound and gagged your labour’s saved
The cost minute, the rules are waved
No hand, no step, your labour’s in vain
Being sucked in again

Both live versions of these songs were recorded in 1979 by the German TV show Rockpalast and re-released in 2004 by Wire as a part of a live CD/DVD set called Wire on the Box: 1979. It is excellent.

For those new to Wire and wanting more, we also highly suggest any of the band’s first three studio albums.

Wire – Pink Flag – 1977
Wire – Chairs Missing – 1978
Wire – 154 – 1979

Find out more about Wire here

posted by: Harold Johns III

Right when you thought MySpace was a complete waste of time, electro-punk pioneers Devo decide to stream a live album recorded in Bristol, England from 1978 on their page. Listen to the live album here.

Also, Devo is releasing a four-disc box set entitled The Ultra Devo-lux Ltd. Edition on December 22 which features two studio recordings “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” and “Freedom of Choice,” demos, remastered live tracks, a live dvd from 2009, a collection of their music videos, a fold out poster, a copy of the artwork featured on Devo’s first single “Jocko Homo/Mongoloid” and other goodies all for the price of $49.99. Pre-order The Ultra Devo-lux Ltd. Edition here.

posted by: Harold Johns III

Although much of the national coverage We Are Country Mice has received categorizes them as a Brooklyn based band, we know they truly are country mice. These four Brooklyn dwellers return to their Midwestern roots this Wednesday, December 9 at 10pm to play the Replay Lounge in Lawrence, KS. To learn more about the band check out these links:

We Are Country Mice MySpace
Pitchfork CMJ Review
Earfarm Review
Purchase their 2nd 7″ here
Listen to “A Good Old Fashioned Barn Raising” here

posted by: Tricia Rock

I’m posting this just video because I heard “The Passenger”on a movie trailer for a lame-ass romantic comedy starring George Clooney and I wanted to remember Iggy Pop in a better context. That and the fact Iggy is wearing an animal tail during this live performance from 1977 make it a must post. La…la…la..la..lalala!

posted by: Harold Johns III

Artist, songwriter, innovator, performer, producer, inventor of dub and overall reggae madman Lee “Scratch” Perry  is embarking on brief US tour this month. To set it off right Perry put together the video message below and believe us it’s out of control in the best way possible.

Perry’s most recent album, the Grammy-nominated Repentance, fuses his signature style with a truly diverse collection of contemporary musical influences. Starting with a chance meeting between Perry and hyper-energetic artist/producer Andrew W.K. at SXSW in 2006, the pair formed an unthinkable friendship which led to a musical collaboration, resulting in Repentance, Perry’s 54th studio album. Guest musicians include Moby, producer Don Fleming (Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub) and drummer Brian Chippendale of noise duo Lightning Bolt.

LEE “SCRATCH” PERRY TOUR DATES

12/13/09 – Highline Ballroom – New York, NY
12/14/09 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
12/16/09 – The Star Bar – Park City, UT
12/18/09 – Independent – San Francisco, CA
12/19/09 – The New Parish of Oakland – Oakland, CA
12/20/09 – The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA

Watch the Lee “Scratch” Perry at work in his heyday

Download the track “Santa Claus” from Repentance here

If you’re interested in hearing more of Perry’s music we suggest the following records:

Cloak & Dagger – 1973 Trojan
Roast Fish, Collie Weed & Cornbread – 1978 VP Records
The Return of Pipecock Jackxon – 1980 Black Star Liner

posted by: Harold Johns III

Prior to A Sunny Day In Glasgow taking the stage at the Replay Lounge (Lawrence, KS) on November 24, the local opening act Burger Kingdom completed their set and demolished the remains – flipping over a drum set and chucking the lone guitar at the four foot amp. Personally I didn’t agree with the lead singer yelling, “More like off-core!” but who am I to judge? I thought they did pretty well…

While writing a review of ASDIG’s most recent album Ashes Grammar just a week before, I had the feeling it was a bit overwhelming and pretentious at first but with some special attention I came to adore the layered collection of dream pop. If I had to isolate myself with headphones, how was seeing the sound come to life going to turn out? Surprisingly, it went well.

ASDIG opened up with Ashes Grammar’s “Failure” and “Shy.” The lead brains behind ASDIG, Ben Daniels, preferred to stay off to the side behind his Roland S404 sampler while Jen Goma and Annie Frederickson gracefully flaunted their pop inspired dance skills and vocal abilities which possessed a surprisingly welcome sexiness – most prevalently during “Passionate Introverts (Dinosaurs),” the most entertaining performance of the night. Props must given to the drummer of Burger Kingdom for grabbing Josh Meakim’s microphone and drunkenly slurring, “They sound a lot better the closer you get to the stage” before the song began. And indeed they did. “White Witch” was also a standout performance for ASDIG that night, displaying their cohesiveness.

The crowd remained engaged for the rest of the show as ASDIG bounced from familiar numbers off Scribble Mural Comic Journal and Ashes Grammar. Overall, the small number of people inside the Replay didn’t reflect the scope of talent that ASDIG casually possess. They’re not for everyone; however, they came to please, and did please, those genuinely interested in what they have become.

by: Bene Garcia