Via (previously)

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Good interview with Cursive’s Tim Kasher over at the A.V. Club. He talks about his band’s sporadic output, living in a constant state of suspended adolescence, and not being able to listen to some of his own songs. I’ve always found Kasher an enigmatic songwriter. My first impression of him was as sort of a […]

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I want to give her a pass for this abomination, but I just can’t. Can I?

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Who knew Damon Albarn’s voice would lend itself so well to slow-burning hip-hop beats and flashy turntablisms? He’s more than proved himself in that context thanks to Gorillaz’ unexpected worldwide success, and now DJ Scratch has tapped Albarn’s distinctive croon for his second solo record. He’s in esteemed (give or take) company, as Kanye West, […]

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Prince’s take on the Tommy James and the Shondells classic “Crimson and Clover” is kind of watery and distant. It seems to drag a bit, even on the rocking parts. And the video is a new-age hippie’s wet dream. Sadly, this version doesn’t touch Joan Jett’s killer cover from 1981’s I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll. […]

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I had never made the correlation between the Talking Heads song “The Overload” and Joy Division, but I’m Waking Up To… has an intriguing post about the history of that closing track off Talking Heads’ seminal Remain in Light LP from 1980. None of the members of the Talking Heads had ever heard Joy Division’s […]

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Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl has signed a deal with Universal Republic Records, and her debut solo album will be released this fall. This is the first leaked track, entitled “Birthday”, which is a collaboration with Awesome New Republic. Meester’s voice certainly works in this sugary pop context, but the song is slightly edgier than […]

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