Karen O is to make an appearance on a new single.
The singer will appear with her fellow Yeah Yeah Yeahs member Nick Zinner on the single Hologram World by Tiny Masters Of Today, which is released on February 25th. Tiny Masters Of Today are 13 year old Ivan and 11 year old Ada, who released their debut album Bang Bang Boom Cake last year.
A record that has been making some waves in the underground over the last few months has been the debut album from 22 year old Blu who has teamed up with Exile on the beats. Exile was known to some for his part in the duo Emanon with Aloe Blacc and with his vintage beats lacing the path for the newcomer’s rhymes, it seems like a perfect match.
Whilst many have said this is going to be known as a classic in the future, it is probably far too early to tell if this has lasting value, but one thing is for sure – it is a great record. It’s one of those albums that you can stick on when you’re moping about and instantly feel good about the world and with the long, cold nights at the moment, this is an instant remedy.
The track you can hear above is My World Is… which showcases the soulful Exile’s talent as well as giving a platform for Blu to show just why he is being touted as one of the hottest rhymesayers in the underground. He tells us “I’ma ride til I crash” but with tracks like this, he won’t be doing that any time soon.
Abjekt.
Back in the 16th of July last year, the remaining members of classic UK punk band The Ruts regrouped with ex-Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins for a now legendary show at the Islington Academy in London.
The reason for this was guitarist Paul Fox was dying of inoperable lung cancer and the Ruts and their friends and peers in bands like The Damned, Misty In Roots and UK Subs came together for what was an incredible night as The Ruts played for the last time in their lives for their friend Paul. You can read all about it here.
Paul sadly died in October of last year but later this month sees another celebration of his life and a DVD of that classic night last year. This month also sees the releases of an exclusive download of ‘Babylons Burning’ from the gig featuring Rollins on vocals. Check it out:
A NIGHT OF LIVE MUSIC & FILM
Presented by HENRY ROLLINS
At The Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Friday 25th January
7pm
James Sherry
CD burning may become legal, so long as it’s at home.
The Government are looking to change the law on burning CDs, which breaches copyright rukes, making it no longer a criminal offence.
Technically, it is also illegal to transfer files from a CD to MP3 players like iPods too. But the new propsals are looking to make it legal for personal use, whilst keeping it illegal to sell or give away burnt CDs.
Less Than Jake will be setting up their own label.
The band left Warner Bros who were “cool enough” to let the band go and they will be starting their new label with reissues of Goodbye Blue & White, Pezcore, The People’s History of Less Than Jake and Losers and Kings & Things We Don’t Understand on March 18th.
The first new release will be their ninth studio album which they will begin recording in March and Vinnie Fiorello of the band said of it:
“All I do know is that we’re writing songs now and they seem to have the spirit of a tempo in mind, all very speedy but once we hit the record button they may be slower. [We’re] looking to combine third wave ska and pop punk in each song.”
Finch are to record some new material this year.
The band, who split up and then got back together, recently wrote an update online saying they had had a meeting and decided to record their new song to get up on their MySpace. They went on to say it’s their first ever indie release, and might stop at just the one track, finishing by saying:
“We’re so DIY now a days it rules. We’re doing this next tour with out any of our trusty friends, so its just the 5 of us in a van like most bands do.”
Dr. Dre has unveiled some headphones he designed.
The rapper and producer teamed up with Jimmy Iovine, who is chairman of Interscope, to designe the “Beats By Dre” headphones which are bass-intensive and will set you back a cool $400. Dre mapped out his plans to continue with a line of home and car electronics saying:
“In 10 years, I want to look back and remember this moment when it was just headphones, because it’s going to include speakers and surround-sound systems, car systems, everything.”
Dre will release his new album, the first since 2001, this year.
Marty Crandall has had his case dismissed.
The Shins keyboard player was arrested after a domestic incident involving himself and girlfriend Elyse Sewell but the charges have been dropped due to a lack of evidence. Sewell has blogged online about the incident saying:
“The D.A. has rejected the case against me. I am free. I wish the same outcome for Marty and have no intention of pursuing any further legal action. I would not wish entanglement in the widening gyre of the American legal system upon my worst enemy.”
2007, what a vintage year for underground music. The charts are finally dead alongside TV and the music scene across many genres once again delivered some incredible albums to fill the void.
What you read below was no 5 minute write up, there are so many releases that are sent to Crossfire for review every week and here are the ones that really got our staff writers’ blood running!
El-P
I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
(Definitive Jux)
Doomtree
False Hopes
(Doomtree Records)
Justice
†
(Ed Banger)
Aesop Rock
None Shall Pass
(Definitive Jux)
Atmosphere
Sad Clown Bad Dub 9, 10, 11
(Rhymesayers Entertainment)
Jimmy Eat World
Chase This Light
(Interscope)
Ryan Adams
Easy Tiger
(Lost Highway)
Forever Like Red
Distance
(Echo)
Bloc Party
A Weekend in The City
(Wichita)
The Pigeon Detectives
Wait For Me
(Dancetotheradio)
Manchester Orchestra
I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child
(Sony/BMG)
www.themanchesterorchestra.com
Beirut
The Flying Club Cup
(Ba Da Bing)
Modest Mouse
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
(Columbia)
Band Of Horses
Cease To Begin
(Sub Pop)
Caribou
Andorra
(Merge Records)
Les Favy Fav
Let’s Be Friends
(Wichita Records)
El-P
I’ll Sleep When You Are Dead
(Definitive Jux Records)
Imani Coppola
The Black and White Album
(Ipecac Records)
RJD2
The Third Hand
(XL Recordings)
Career Suicide
Attempted Suicide
(Deranged)
Les Savy Fav
Let’s Stay Friends
(Wichita)
Jeffrey Lewis
13 Crass Songs
(Rough Trade)
Red Dons
Death To Idealism
(Deranged)
Big Business
Here Comes The Waterworks
(Hydra Head)
Career Suicide
Attempted Suicide
(Deranged)
Justice
†
(Ed Banger)
www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous
Biffy Clyro
Puzzle
(14th Floor Records)
Daft Punk
Alive 2007
(Virgin)
Radiohead
In Rainbows
(Self-Released)
Arcade Fire
Neon Bible
(Rough Trade)
Comeback Kid
Broadcasting…
(Victory)
Dinosaur Jr
Beyond
(PIAS)
The Flesh
Firetower
(Gern Blandsten)
The Hold Steady
Boys And Girls In America
(Full Time Hobby)
Poison The Well
Versions
(Ferret)
Down
Down III: Over The Under
(Roadrunner)
Biffy Clyro
Puzzle
(14th Floor)
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
(Warner Bros)
Coheed & Cambria
No World For Tomorrow
(Columbia)
Dream Theater
Systematic Chaos
(Roadrunner)
Vice have teamed up with Topshop for a free tour.
The Vice Live tour will bring 3 buzz bands together for 4 dates across the country for absolutely nothing. In order to get free tickets, hit the website at the bottom and register and you’ll be able to see The Black Kids, Friendly Fires and Ipso Facto at one of these dates:
January 30th – Glasgow ABC2
January 31st – Manchester Mint Lounge
February 1st – London 93 Feet East
February 2nd – Bristol The Fleece