Uncanny

PERMANENT DAYLIGHT According to guitarist John Frusciante, “I think the [Red Hot Chili Pepers] got a bit tense that I was Brian Wilson recording Smile.”

BRIAN & LINDSEY

PIONEER PRESS Buzz band Tapes 'n' Tapes, who got tons of love for their self-released debut album "The Loon," have signed to hip indie label XL. Cool.

AUDAUD David Wilczewski, who recently toured with Brian Wilson and played saxes, clarinet and alto flute on the SMiLE DVD, has released a disc of his own compositions titled "Room In The Clouds".

“In the real world, Sid n Susie are Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs – two navigators in the pop musical current, current tense vocally and as tunesmiths with prime craft of their own write.

They’ve bagged the best of the ‘60s, with uncanny insight. I know. I was there but can remember. The decade known as the ‘60s didn’t last ten years. It’s alive and well in this audio embrace.

Here’s a sampling of what made the love vibe that fanned The Revolution.

HoffsisSweetwithHoffsandSweet” – Van Dyke Parks

“It’s All Over Now Baby Blue” – Van Dyke Parks on organ
“Different Drum” – Van Dyke Pars on harpsichord, piano

HOMERCAT provides some interesting thoughts on the album.

ELLEN ALLIEN & APPARAT - “Orchestra Of Bubbles” (BPitch Control)
UUSITALO - “Tulenkantaja” (Huume)
SPARKS - “Hello Young Lovers” (In The Red/US, Gut/UK)
ENVELOPES - "Demon” (Brille)
SLOW SUICIDE STIMULUS - “Slow Suicie Stimulus” (FloSpot)
ARTHUR RUSSEL - “First Thought Best Thought” (Audika)
TAPES N TAPES - “The Loon” (ibid)
BRIAN ENO + DAVID BYRNE - “My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts” (Nonesuch)
BORIS - "Pink" (Southern Lord)
KUDU - “Death Of The Party” (NuBlu)

Scott Walker – “The Drift” out on 4AD May 8

"The Drift" is the first album from Scott Walker in approx. 11 years; his last album, “Tilt”, came out on indie label Drag City. Walker is an enigmatic figure who has been stalking the music business since the early ‘60s. He got his start in the hot bed of the LA studio scene of the early ‘60s, working and interacting w/ figures like Jack Nitzsche and Phil Spector; formed the Walker Brothers with two other musicians, not his real brothers; moved to the UK and had a string of off kilter hits; recorded several cult solo albums; then fell outta sight through the ‘70s. He’s recorded a few more albums sporadically ever since.

I just got a promo recently, so these are only preliminary thoughts. The music on “The Drift” shows Walkers bleak, dark, brooding world-view in full force. “The Drift” is not rock, folk or any other easily categorized popular music form. It’s much closer to art-song, or German radio theater, or what the French call cinema for the ear. Walker’s vocal delivery is not singing in the traditional, popular sense- it’s much closer to sprechtstimme - literally "speech-voice" in German, meaning speak-singing. Think of the US’s Laurie Anderson. The musical accompaniment is stark, mostly minimal and atmospheric, but has dynamic bursts of noise. In many ways, this will appeal to the fans of bands like Black Dice and the Animal Collective.

“The Drift” is an important album by an influential, albeit “cult,” artist. It’s not an album that will elicit mediocre reactions – critics will either love it, or hate it. I’m falling on the love it side. I expect it will be getting some serious press by top outlets.
PULSE OF THE TWIN CITIES
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IMOMUS

WONKETTE “…whatever shitty band they bring in, like the washed up Beach Boys playing without Brian Wilson.”

Despite last week's leak of an unfinished version, LUPE FIASCO plans to deliver his debut album, "Food & Liquor," as originally scheduled on June 27. This is one of the most hotly anticipated hip hop albums of '06. The first single from the album, "Kick, Push," has been garnering rave reviews. The leaked album, which we've had a chance to listen to, is great. Check the following links for more on the story:
SOHH
ALL HIP HOP 1
XXL MAG
BYRON CRAWFORD
VILLAGE VOICE
NAH RIGHT
ALL HIP HOP 2
THE PHINK
NOBODY SMILING

Brian Wilson is among the artists announced to perform at Australia's winter music festival, Splendour in the Grass. The outdoor festival, held at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, will also feature performances by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sonic Youth, Death Cab for Cutie, DJ Shadow and the Scissor Sisters. The festival will be held on July 22 and 23.
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
THIS IS FAKE DIY
UNDERCOVER

LAW OF SYMPATHY Peter Ames Carlin read from his book "The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Brian Wilson" at WORDSTOCK, Portland’s annual festival of the book.

Supposedly, "The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Brian Wilson" won't be released until June due to hold-ups in acquiring legal permission for publishing lyrics. For more information, check out PAC's BLOG.

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THE STANDARD Despite technological advances, some Chinese music fans still love vinyl.

"The Beach Boys," record shop owner Simon Tang Ming-kit said, smiling. "I like them very much, too. But they should be the `Beach Fathers' or `Beach Grandfathers' by now."