This week’s releases in NPR’s First Listen Series feature two of the most-anticipated (at least for me) albums of the Spring. First up, Wye Oak’s third album: Civilian (out 3/8). Add to that The Mountain Goats’ All Eternals Deck (out 3/29), and it’s going to be one heck of a week! Follow those links to check them out, and don’t forget to listen to R.E.M.’s Collapse Into Now on Tuesday at 2 p.m!
NPR’s All Songs Considered does it again! On March 1st, at 2 p.m. ET, we’ll get to listen to R.E.M.’s brand new Collapse Into Now (Out Mar 8th). The experience will be shared – via a chat app on this page at NPR – and will be our first chance to hear the record before it goes live in the First Listen Series on Mar. 2nd. And for those of you that can’t wait for a taste, follow me for an in-studio video of “Mine Smell Like Honey:”
Continue reading “R.E.M. Listening Party at NPR on March 1st!”
The Mountain Goats stopped by Letterman, last night, to perform “Birth of Serpents” from the forthcoming All Eternals Deck (3/29). The song is one of the batch produced by metal-guru Erik Rutan (read more about the making of the album in this Pitchfork interview)…But for all the hoopla surrounding that choice, it’s pure Mountain Goats. And now, it’s yours:
Those scamps over in Radiohead pulled a fast one, this morning, and announced that their eighth record – The King of Limbs – is coming out this Saturday! Unlike last time, however, we have to pay for this one. If you’re one of those people who loves digital music, then you’re in luck: Saturday (2/19) will see two formats released: MP3 (320kbps) versions of the album will run you $9, and WAV versions will run you $14.
The other format, which will be released on May 9th, is being dubbed “the world’s first Newspaper Album.” With it, you’ll get two clear 10″ vinyl records, a CD, and “Many large sheets of artwork, 625 tiny pieces of artwork and a full-colour piece of oxo-degradeable plastic to hold it all together.” Purchasers of this format will also have access to the download version on 2/19. Prices are $48 for the Newspaper Album + MP3, and $53 for the Newspaper Album + WAV.
One lucky buyer of the Digital Download, as well as one buyer of the Newspaper Album, will have a chance to win “a signed 2 track 12″ vinyl.”
Head on over to thekingoflimbs.com and check it out!
The Decemberists stopped by KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic to do some songs yesterday, and one of those songs was “Cuyahoga” from R.E.M.’s Life’s Rich Pageant. The original is positively stunning, and one of my all-time favorite songs…so, naturally, I feel somewhat protective of it. Happily, despite this cover’s looser, more casual feel, it definitely sounds at home with The Decemberists.
Here, have a listen and judge for yourself. (Thanks to Stereogum!)
[audio:https://www.shh-listen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/The-Decemberists-Cuyahoga-REM-Cover.mp3|titles=The Decemberists – Cuyahoga (REM Cover)] Download