New Chao!

There's a new Manu Chao song called "Rainin' in Paradize" available for download at www.manuchao.net. Best part (besides the fact that it's cool)? It's free!

- Russ

Louisville thoughts...

So, Rita and I made another trek down to Louisville for the NonCommvention this past week. This is a very cool music conference where like-minded noncommercial radio stations gather to talk shop and hear some great music.

Some cool live acts I got to see...

Jesca Hoop is a very intriguing new songwriter who will release her record in September. Apparently, she was nanny to Tom Waits' child(ren)!

Augie March from Australia have a little Waterboys-vibe to them.

A new Irish songwriter named Fionn Regan.

Sea Wolf. Great new indie band from Cali.

Hoots & Hellmouth. Young guys from Philly doing some oldtimey, gospelly thing. They were busking on the street and pulled in a decent haul from what I hear.

And Sarah Borges is a honky-tonk punk princess.

Lots of new stuff to look forward to...

Spoon and Rilo Kiley. Two new songs with handclaps! Good stuff. Crowded House on the way. And the surprise of them all. The forthcoming release from Alison Krauss and Robert Plant! Yep, produced by T Bone and due in the fall. Really cool.

That's all for now. Louisville's a nice town and all, but it's a bit smoky for my taste. Good to be back in NYC...

- Russ

Anything but icky

The new White Stripes song "Icky Thump" is available on iTunes. It's insane. Go buy it.

- Russ

Bubbie Kweller can cut a rug

You are about to watch the video of the year thus far. Ben Kweller's 82-year-old grandmother dancing to his latest song "Penny on the Train Track."





It's gold, Jerry. Gold.

New Arcade Fire

Tons of buzz on Arcade Fire right now, coming off last week's shows in NYC and the new album Neon Bible due March 6th. I've heard a bunch of it online over the past couple of weeks, but finally got a chance to hear the full record the other day.

I expected to be solid, but it is really a great album. Even better than Funeral, I think. It somehow manages to be both dark and uplifting, no easy task.

If you haven't gotten into this band yet, check them out on SNL this Saturday. Another big reason to watch: Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute on The Office) hosts.

Call The Police

In an effort to move past Corny's Mariah Carey obsession, I thought we could talk about some music. A reunion, in fact. As you may know, word came down that The Police are finally set to reunite at the Grammys on 2/11, with a tour planned for the summer.

Are you excited? Personally I've always dug The Police much more than Sting's solo stuff, but let's hear what YOU think...

Zevon

Standing here in the studio on Warren Zevon Day, I'm reminded of just how good a songwriter he was. And quite simply, it sucks that he's gone.

Enjoy every sandwich, people. And go to the doctor every now and again, too.

Hey Beckheads! (Or Information about The Information)

Beck will release a deluxe edition of 2006's The Information on February 27. The expanded version will add three bonus songs, six remixes, a lyrics book, all four sticker sheets and even more videos than were included with the original release.

Now, if you haven't gotten this album yet, you might wanna hold off for the deluxe edition. I mean, you get all four sticker sheets! Seriously, you'll entertain yourself for HOURS with that.

If you don't know what the stickers are all about, here's the deal. The album cover is a blank canvas. A sticker booklet is provided with each CD so one could create their own album art, back cover, CD insert, disc design, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Don't believe me? Here in the office we spent half an hour just trying to find just the right sticker for the disc itself. No kidding.

Have fun! And post your work. Here's one we did. Creative design by Ben Jones, engineer NuJo Grimaldi and Russ Borris...

Nothing shines like a Diamond

Last year's Rick Rubin-produced 12 Songs from Neil Diamond was everything I had hoped it to be. The stripped down setting allowed the songs to connect on a personal level, not to mention that these were some of the best lyrics Neil had written in some time.

Next Tuesday, a special edition of the album will be released with a bonus disc of demo versions of all of the songs called Artist's Cut- 12 Sketches.

As if that wasn't enough to get excited about, word has come down that Rubin and the mighty Neil have agreed to work again on another album. It could be covers, all new songs, some kind of mix, but it's gonna happen, baby!

You know, some days the bastards get ya down, but one thing remains true. Neil Diamond will be there to pick you up. Every time.

Bless his sideburns.

- Russ

Tom Waits

Today is Tom Waits Day on WFUV in honor of the new Orphans collection. I just wanted to take a second and encourage ANY Waits fan to go get this three disc set. Go. I mean, stop what you're doing, get out of your chair and go get it. Now. And I don't want to hear, "oh, but I'm at work." Please. If your boss doesn't understand your need for a Waits fix, then it may be time for you to find a cooler boss.

I hate to say this is a MUST HAVE for any Waits fan, simply because I don't like that phrase, but you should have this. You NEED to have this. You MUST HAVE this! Damn, I said it anyway...