The Current Music Blog: August 21, 2007 Archive

Worst Album Cover Ever?

Posted at 3:13 AM on August 21, 2007 by Mac Wilson (27 Comments)

The forthcoming Hard-Fi album, Once Upon a Time in the West, has a great title, but its cover art? Let's call it....basic? utilitarian? rebellious? smug? I won't ruin the surprise, but it really is worth checking out.

The Guardian has already hailed it as one of the worst album covers in history. In fact, they recently had a feature highlighting the most unfortunate album covers of all time. It's an entertaining article, but they're missing dozens of stinkers. I'll start us out with one that immediately jumps to mind.

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The Stream 08/21/07

Posted at 8:56 AM on August 21, 2007 by Barb Abney

Spoon cancel two shows to play with the Shins.

Check out the t-shirts for the Joy Division based film, Control.

Flooding threatens Reading Festival campsites and parking.

Today In Music History:
1904 - Count Basie was born.
1938 - Kenny Rogers was born.
1952 - Joe Strummer was born.
1954 - Nick Kane (The Mavericks) was born.
1957 - Budgie (Siouxsie and the Banshees) was born.
1966 - The Beatles appeared at the Busch Memorial Stadium during a heavy rainstorm. It was reportedly this gig that convinced them that they should stop performing live.
1971 - Liam Howlett (Prodigy) was born.
1997 - Alan Wren (Stone Roses drummer) was in court due to having no car insurance. He lost his temper after being asked about his earnings and he was jailed for a week.
2005 - Robert Moog (inventor of the synthesiser) died.

Live On Air Blogging 08/21/07

Posted at 9:12 AM on August 21, 2007 by Barb Abney (1 Comments)

Noonish - Tunes On The Telly Tonight:
Joss Stone on Carson Daly
A Fine Frenzy on Leno

11:40 a.m. Joe Henry
Civilians will be in stores on September 11th.
He will be playing a few select shows in the near future.
More dates/info.

11:30 Caribou
The new full length Andorra hit the shelves today.
Caribou will be playing Triple Rock in November.
Learn more here and/or here.

11:20 a.m. Interpol
The band are playing The State Theater on October 12th along with Liars.

11:10 a.m. The Hold Steady
They recently announced a huge tour with Art Brut.
They'll be playing State Theatre on November 1st.

10:30 a.m. The Sea And Cake
They'll be playing The Varsity on September 14th.
More Sea And Cake info.

10:20 a.m. Jose Gonzalez
In Our Nature will be released on September 24th.
"Down The Line", his latest single is available on iTunes today.
He'll be playing at The Fine Line on October 13th.
He did an in-studio with us last summer.
Get dates and info here.

10:10 a.m. Song Of The Day Info - The New Pornographers
Today on our Song Of The Day Podcast we're featuring The New Pornographers with the tune "My Rights Versus Yours" from Challengers which is in stored today. Challengers is The Current's CD Of The Week.
Get your own copy when you support The Current online.
They'll be appearing at First Avenue along with Emma Pollack and Benjy Ferree on October 16th.
You can pre-order your tickets here.

9:50 a.m. GalacticFrom the Corner To The Block is in stores now. They've got upcoming shows with Lifesavas, Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5), Boots Riley (of The Coup) and more.
Get those tour dates and more info here.

9:40 a.m. Welcome To The Cinema
Learn more about them here.

9:20 a.m. M.I.A.
Her new album, Kala is officially in stores today.
She's playing The Vegoose Festival in October.
She visited the station back in 2005 for an in-studio performance.
All things M.I.A. here.

9:15 a.m.Tori Amos
She's playing Northrop Auditorium on November 7th.
More tour dates

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"My 3 Songs" for Tuesday 8/21/07

Posted at 12:04 PM on August 21, 2007 by Danny Sigelman (150 Comments)

Patty from Shakopee has a nice simple theme for today..

The Faces "Ooh La La"
The Ditty Bops "Ooh La La"
Goldfrapp "Ooh La La"

Ooh La La, indeed!

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Bumper Day for New Releases 8/21

Posted at 7:34 PM on August 21, 2007 by Mark Wheat (1 Comments)

M.I.A."Kala"
- I'm impressed with the wide variety of beats she has gathered for this cd, not by going to big name producers but by travelling the world and working with real musicians. But I really don't like the new 'image' with wigs and costumes that I have seen so far, can't have everything.

Minus the Bear "Planet of Ice"
- based in Seattle but they feature Erin Tate who started here in a band called Kill Sadie, judging by the title and cover art they are still inspired by this region.

Animal Collective "Peacebone EP"
- the full cd is called 'Strawberry Jam' and will 'drop' 9/10 and they play First Avenue the next day, should be a party, remember to wear your best cuddly costume!

Josh Ritter "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter"
- playing the Cedar Cultural Center 10/17, now selling out venues all over the UK.

Galactic "From the Corner to the Block"
- maybe you didn't know that they also did the theme music for our 'Weekend America' show?

Stevie Wonder "Number 1's"
- a perfect way to start your Stevie collection, and possibly worth a road trip; Chicago's Charter Pavilion 9/10

Mekons "Natural"
- Jon and Sally of the band now live in Chicago but they started while they were in college at Leeds University in 1979...where I was studying too, I knew someone who knew them, I swear!

The New Pornographers "Challengers"
- Mac Wilson pre-ordered one of the cool packages from Matador Records,3 blank cds that he has to download audio for, a 'yet to be completed box-set' what will they think of next!

Sorry I can't write something for everyone, this is the longest list...EVER!
Must be the 'back-to-school' shopping season special?!?!

Architecture in Helsinki "Places Like This"
Foreign Born "On the Wing Now"
Over the Rhine "The Trumpet Child"
Kinski "Down Below It's Chaos"
Imperial Teen "The Hair, The TV, The Baby & The Band"
Rilo Kiley "Under The Blacklight"
Talib Kweli "Eardrum"
Caribou "Andorra"
Stereo Total "Paris-Berlin"

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The Stream 08/22/07

Posted at 10:12 PM on August 21, 2007 by Barb Abney (2 Comments)

The Current's pre-sale for The Hold Steady's November show at State Theater begins at 10:00 a.m. Check our homepage at that time for more details.

Amy Winehouse postpones her US tour.

Live CD/DVD release on the way from R.E.M.

Babyshambles are giving it away (a new single, that is).

Today In Music History:
1917 - John Lee Hooker was born.
1961 - Jay Ashton (Gene Loves Jezebel) was born.
1961 - Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears) was born.
1964 - Tori Amos was born.
1967 - Layne Staley was born.
1968 - Cynthia Lennon sued John Lennon for divorce, citing his relationship with Yoko Ono.
1978 - Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols) made his last live stage appearance.

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