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Wednesday, January 7th

Michael Jackson To Give Paul McCartney His Songs Back

Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney used to be friends. They collaborated on that awesome song Say Say Say and the other one, The Girl is Mine, which isn’t as good as Say Say Say. But Jackson had to go and ruin things by buying the rights to 200 of The Beatles’ hit songs, whoring them out in commercials while McCartney ended up having to pay every time he sang one of the songs he helped write.

However, Jackson is having a change of heart and wants to leave the songs to McCartney or his children when he dies. Nevermind the fact that McCartney is 16 years his elder, rumors are circulating that Jackson is suffering from a deadly lung condition. Not sure of the truth behind that, but it’s good to see the two begin to bridge the gap.

In honor of this peace offering, I present to you Say Say Say. Did I mention this song is awesome?

[link, Starpulse]

Two Tongues, Featuring Conley and Bemis, Releasing Record

What do you get when you add one half of Saves The Day to one third of Say Anything? The answer: Two Tongues. Math test is over.

Chris Conley and Dave Soloway (Saves The Day) joined up with Max Bemis and Coby Linder (Say Anything) to form this posi-emo super group. Two Tongue’s self-titled album is hitting the streets Feb. 3 from Vagrant. The record is pretty much what you would expect if Conley and Bemis got together. And they did. On this album.

Two Tongues - Wowee Zowee

Featured Band: Justin Kline

Justin Kline is a songwriter from Murfreesboro, Tenn., specializing in sugary, pop gems. You may be familiar with his former band In Clover, which released Omniocea on Theory 8 Records back in 2004.

Think Bright Eyes meets The Beach Boys, or The Elected, or Elliott Smith, but a little happier. Kline just released a six-song EP aptly titled Six Songs. But don’t let the title fool you, his music is much more original than that.

Justin Kline - Heart Attack

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The Guy From Jack’s Mannequin Is Some Kind Of Author Or Something

Listen, I make fun of a lot of celebrity bloggers all the time on Buzzgrinder. Either they’re pretentious, condescending or borderline retarded and nowhere in between. But this guy in Jack’s Mannequin is some kind of Kerouac/Mailer/Hemingway mash-up.

As I made my way down the hill this morning for my regular cup of tea, I couldn’t help but be curious. You see, while the New Year began days ago, it is today, the 5th of January that I have chosen as my official start. The scheduled event was a blur of drink and smoke, a celebration of a year gone, not one just beginning. So I indulged it; let it drag on in a sort of hazy last stand, to find myself here on a Monday apropos, the just-barely-cold of Los Angeles stirring my penchant for all things new. Curiosity, I should think is a good thing, both in a new year and on a Monday morning. It is from this place where I wonder if everything I have been doing has already been done. How often does anyone really stand up and ask the hard questions?

Read the rest of the blog post.

Morning Buzz: Fall Out Boy, Blender, Willie Nelson, Young Widows

:: Blender did a much-deserved character assassination piece on Fall Out Boy, with Pete Wentz at its heart. Shocking, right? Then the band’s drummer, Andy, called the article “complete bullshit,” among other things, on his Twitter. Perfect way to defend yourself against accusations of being an ass.

:: Willie Nelson is touring between January and March. Commence jokes about any combination of pot, ponytails, old people and American flags.

:: Young Widows is also on the road during February, but over in Europe. You can make some old people and ponytail jokes about them, too, if you want. Also, the band recently did a video shoot that I missed. Waking up at 4:00 p.m. on Sundays will do that to you. Oops. Did anyone else attend???

:: A little copyright snafu for Cobra Starship.

:: If you’re lame (or, more likely, have a life) and didn’t follow all of the Macworld keynote live-tweeting, you’d better catch up. DRM-free music is involved.

Tuesday, January 6th

A Grand Design: Frodus

Frodus - Conglomerate International (vinyl re-issue)
Release date: Jan 27, 2009
[Gilead Media]

This is one of my favorite Tooth & Nail releases from the 90s (I mean, I can’t hate a band that uses this photo for a live album cover), and it’s a nice addition to the ‘Design’s skyscraper series (part 1, part 2). I once knew the name of this building, but have since forgotten it. I do remember that it’s probably in Japan, because anything that looks like it should be in an episode of Ultraman is Japanese.

Levon Helm ‘Tours’ — Inside New York State

When I saw “Levon Helm - 2009 Tour Dates,” I almost soiled myself with anticipation. Would Levon Helm be playing Cincinnati? Lexington? Indy? Nashville, even. Maybe, dare I say it, he’d be coming to Lou-uh-vull. Be still, my beating heart.

I examined the list of concerts. Then my smile quickly turned upside-down. I’m not sure you can call a half-dozen New York dates at two locations (and one in New Jersey — who cares about New Jersey anyway?!?!?) a tour. Deceptive headlines ruined my day, and it’s your fault Brooklynvegan.

Levon Helm - The Mountain (Steve Earle cover)

Interview: Matt Daniels of Thinklab

In addition to the beautiful video for Damien Jurado above (which shared best cinematography award for 2008 on Antville), Matt Daniels has done great videos for Throw Me The Statue and Birdmonster, among others. You might know Daniels better as the dude behind Thinklab. Then again, you might not. If that’s the case, you should. Which is why we’ve taken the chance to chat with him.

Read more from Thinklab’s Matt Daniels.

New Releases: Animal Collective, Burial, Glasvegas

The holidays are over, which is a big YAY for anyone looking for signs of life from the music industry via new releases. It’s still a relatively small week, but things are finally revving back up.

I’m excited about what appears to be a stateside release of Burial’s contribution to the DJ-Kicks series. Lots of people are talking about Glasvegas, so I’ll probably check that out, too. And any of you Apples In Stereo fans should check out Thee American Revolution, Robert Schneider’s new band. Also, Animal Collective is releasing their new album on vinyl before the CD release? Someone please tell me I’m reading that wrong.

That’s it for me. I’ll admit that I’m not up on any of the metal showings this week (High on Fire, Woe of Tyrants, etc.), so feel free to make fun of me for that.

:: Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion vinyl (Domino)

:: Beausoleil, Alligator Purse (Yep Roc)

:: Brighton Port Authority, I Think We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat (Southern Fried)

:: Burial, DJ-Kicks (K7)

:: Deadlock, Manifesto (Lifeforce)

:: Destroy Destroy Destroy, Battle Sluts (Metal Blade)

:: The Ecclesia, Birdsong Over the Interior Castle (Arena Rock)

:: Erin McCarley, Love, Save the Empty (Universal Republic)

:: Glasvegas, Glasvegas (Columbia)

:: The Gourds, Haymaker! (Yep Roc)
(more…)

Watson Twins Sharing Stage with Ben Kweller for February Tour

The Watson Twins are hitting the road in mid-February for a tour with the ever-adorable Ben Kweller. And they recently started to blog.

I randomly met one of the twins at a bar not that long ago (they’re originally from Louisville), and we chatted a bit. She was really nice. But I can’t recall which one of them it was. It was late, and they are twins, after all.

If you’re reading this, Miss Watson Twin, I’m sorry I can’t remember which twin you are. Especially since I imagine that you still remember me, and pine for my company nightly. We can talk more when you play Headliners in March, then maybe I’ll remember who is who. Just don’t play any Hayley Mills jokes on me.

Watson Twins - Sky Open Up
Ben Kweller - Sawdust Man

See the Watson Twins/Ben Kweller tour dates.

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