Happy New Year! The New Year - Death Cab For Cutie

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Bjork - Now and Then

Bjork's new album, Volta was a disappointment for the most part, but it certainly included some of her best work since Vespertine. Her new video for one of the better songs on Volta, "Declare Independence" is once again directed by Michel Gondry. So here is the most recent time they worked together followed by the first.


Bjork - "Declare Independence"

"

Bjork - "Human Behavior"

More Radiohead News

OK, OK, maybe your sick of all the Radiohead posts this month, but this post by Thom Yorke on Dead Air Space seemed well worth it.

we did not ask for a load of cash from our old record label EMI to re- sign. that is a L I E.

The Times in the UK should check its facts before it prints such dirt.

whAT we WANTED WAS some control over OUR WOrK and how it was used in the future by them-that seemed REASONAblE to us, as we cared about it a great deal.

Mr Hands was not interested.

So neither were we.

We made the sign of the cross and walked away. Sadly.

We are extremely upset that this crap is being spread about.

To bedigging up such bullshit, or more politely airing yer dirty laundry in public, seems a very strange way for the head of an international record label to be proceeding.

On a happier note we took no 'BRead-HEAd' advances at all from both independent labels XL and TBD for our new record.

So judge for yourself.

AND we are really excited to be working with them. SHock!

AT least they do not behave like confused bulls in a china shop.

much love

thom
x

I wasn't even aware of the article that he mentioned. But here it is.

Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place

Also if you haven't read the interview that David Byrne (of the Talking Heads - who's website you should check out for his great blog) did with Mr. Yorke for Wired Magazine take a look now. Byrne also chimes in with a very interesting article about the music industry. And check out the remix of "And It Rained All Night" from the Eraser by the very talented Burial.

A Name to Remember For '08 - Nicole Reynolds

Nicole Reynolds is a singer/songwriter born in Pittsburgh, PA but now stationed in Philadelphia. Her second album This Arduous Alchemy is available via CD Baby. She is, as of this posting, an unsigned act. Justice should fix that very soon. Her songs are quirky yet sexy. Her vocal style is oddly unique. A listen is an experience more than it's a listen. I don't have the album yet, so I can't cash in with a full review, but I can tell you, I like what I hear. In the meantime, check out some songs at her myspace.

Update: Got a hold of the album. It's quite beautiful. Here are a couple of my favorite tracks.

Nicole Reynolds - In The Morning (MP3)

Nicole Reynolds - Juliana (MP3)


Here are some tour dates:

Jan 5 2008 7:00P	tin angel cd release show w/ curtis eller	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jan 11 2008 8:00P	coffeeworks	voorhees, New Jersey
Jan 19 2008 8:30P	puck w/ ellis paul	doylestown, Pennsylvania
Jan 25 2008 8:00P	Coffee East w/ Erin McKeown	Easton, Maryland
Jan 27 2008 8:00P	phase one w/ mara levi	dc, Washington DC
Feb 1 2008 8:00P	indy hostel w/ antje duvekot	indianapolis, Indiana
Feb 22 2008 8:30P	towne crier cafe w/ ellis paul	pawling, New York
Feb 23 2008 7:00P	iron horse w/ ellis paul	northampton, Massachusetts
Feb 24 2008 8:00P	one longfellow square w/ ellis paul	portland, Maine
Jun 30 2008 8:00P	for complete listings visit nicolereynoldsmusic.com	Pittsburgh

Radiohead - NYE Webcast

Although I'd like to think my New Years Eve will be filled with excitement, I most likely will be thinking about the fact that I'll be missing the Radiohead webcast that the band announced on it's website yesterday. I mean, NYE never lives up to expectations.

Dear Reader

Hope you are having a peaceful christmas.

As you may now have heard we will be broadcasting a pre-recording of some songs and other bits on New Years Eve..
you will be able to view it online from here at midnight new years eve, uk time that is...

radiohead.tv


as well as other places that i am not sure about.

this is a wee celebration of the release of the physical manifestation of 'in rainbows'.

yours hopefully

Thom

Below is the teaser for the webcast

Radiohead - Bisch Bosch
Uploaded by wiredset

Radiohead - Unravel (Bjork cover from first webcast)

The Silent Years

I always like to pass on free downloads. I found the Silent Years with some help from I Rock I Roll. The band was offering a free download that was supposed to expire yesterday, but I just got it with no problem. So give it a shot. Listening now, so far so good. If not check out their myspace.

Merry Christmas

A few of my favorite Christmas songs. The John Lennon video is not easy to watch, but should be seen.

John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War is Over)

Band Aid - Feed the World

The Little Drummer Boy is my favorite classic Christmas song. Here it is done by the Dandy Warhols.
the Dandy Warhols - Little Drummer Boy

Coachella Rumors

What would it take to get you out to Indio, CA the weekend of April 25-27, 2008? The rumors have been that both Portishead and My Bloody Valentine will be at the shows. Those two excite me a lot, but I was at a bar on the LES and I spoke with someone who seemed certain that the Led Zeppelin reunion will continue! Add Radiohead to this and my ticket is as good as bought.



I have also heard the Verve and David Bowie mentioned. Yikes.

Happy Holidays!

Well, I was going to make a list of holidays songs to pass the time until Santa shows at my mom's house here in my hometown, but Brooklyn Vegan has a nice mix here that will do just fine. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday no matter what you celebrate. I am excited for tomorrow, and although I hate the commercialization of it all, I still deep down am hoping for an Iphone, but doubt it will be in my stocking.

Anyway, I have been listening a lot to the new Cat Power and Vampire Weekend. Yeah, I know "Bah Humbug" right? Well since I got here my mothers been playing nothing but Christmas songs, and I can't take much more. What are you listening to?

Bear Hands - Golden EP

Bear Hands are a Brooklyn based quartet that formed about a year and a half ago. They have a pleasant sound. Melodic guitar driven indie rock with a hint of punk. Though I have been listening to the EP streaming at AOL, I think it has been taken down. Check out their myspace instead.

Tori Amos Tells Fans to "Get the Fuck Out" of Her Concert

Check out the video of Tori Amos telling a couple of girls to "Get the fuck out" of her show. It happens around 2:27, so if your not a big fan you can move forward to that mark. Apparently the girls were sitting in the front row and were snapping pictures of each other and laughing and just not paying attention as they bothered her and other fans. I dig Tori and her music, and I was rather obsessed with her in my teen years, but was she fair to these fans?

Radiohead - In Rainbows (Disc Box arrival)

I got the Disc Box yesterday. And although I behaved like a kid on Christmas Day (or Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate) my first thought was...Damn this thing's big. Living in NYC means space is limited and being that I am an organization freak, I panicked, thinking I have nowhere to put it. And I suppose I don't, organization wise, this doesn't work...See above photo for my temporary placement.

I paid $80 for it, ultimately for the 8 new songs (which I have avoided hearing until my [others received theirs as early as a few weeks ago] Disc Box arrived). And the songs are OK. Not their best. "4-minute Warning" is way cool though. And although I'm thinking I should have saved some cash and taken the initial free DL and just waited for the normal release at the end of the year, I can't help but think, oh well, it's Radiohead.

Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea

Tyler Ramsey is a Folk Singer-Songwriter from Ashville, North Carolina. His new album might take some time to grow on you, but it is quite gorgeous. You can read a review at Kevchino. A lot of people are talking about the title track, "A Long Dream" and it is a good song, however, my favorite is "Ships".

Tyler Ramsey - "Ships" (live at Echo Mountain Studio)

My other favorite track is "No One Goes Out Anymore". Live performance here.

Lez Zeppelin Reunited!

I pretended like this didn't excite me, but man, come on! The critic in me wants to say that it's not really Zep, but I can't imagine actually seeing these dudes play together. Now we must admit that the possibility exists that we will once again get to see Led Zeppelin perform!

Here's the set list via NME:

'Good Times Bad Times'
'Ramble On'
'Black Dog'
'In My Time Of Dying'
'For Your Life'
'Trampled Under Foot'
'Nobody's Fault But Mine'
'No Quarter'
'Since I've Been Loving You'
'Dazed And Confused'
'Stairway To Heaven'
'The Song Remains The Same'
'Misty Mountain Hop'
'Kashmir'
'Whole Lotta Love'
'Rock And Roll'

Portishead - ATP 12/08/07

Our first taste of new Portishead!

Essie Jain/Bon Iver/Elvis Perkins - Bowery Ballroom 12/07/07

Essie Jaine/Bon Iver/Elvis Perkins - Bowery Ballroom 12/07/07
Originally uploaded by nickgreto

Friday Nights show at the Bowery was amazing. We caught most of Essie Jain. Her voice is absolutely gorgeous. Elvis Perkins in Dearland was not quite as melancholic as I had anticipated and the band was full of stage antics. But the highlight of the evening was by far the buzz-worthy blog superstar Bon Iver (AKA Justin Vernon). Though he only played six songs, he won over the crowd quickly. The man simply pours his heart out. I overheard someone say, "someone broke that dude's heart". Yeah, ya think? At one point Vernon sat down at the piano and played a new song that no one had heard "except my mom". Which was supposed to earn him "cute points". Talent aside, he seems like that kind hearted fella that everyone knows. Someone yelled "You are a real human being!" He chuckled and replied that he had never heard that before. Funny, you kinda understand what the dude meant. What a great show. Check out more photos at my flickr.

Marissa Nadler - La Blogotheque

Stick with this video until you see Marissa sitting on a hotel bed. It is somehow eerie and angelic. I found this on Stereogum. It is a performance from La Blogotheque.

TAS marissa nadler 75.3 def
Uploaded by lablogotheque

Richard Hawley - Bowery Ballroom 12.01.07

Richard Hawley formerly of Pulp played a gorgeous set at the Bowery on Saturday. It was a mellow show, but it was about as sincere as a show can be. If your not familiar with his stuff, it sounds very un-Pulp. His entire new album Lady's Bridge is streaming below via Philebrity.

Top Albums '07 - Per Nick G

I suppose I should like this time of the year. Looking back...picking favorites. Actually I always end up aggravated and changing my year end album list 749 times. Anyway, I'm not doing that this year. Here is my opinion - the 21 best LP's of '07, preceded by my video of the year.

Serj Tankian - "Empty Walls"


21) Fionn Regan - The End of History
20) Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
19) MIA - Kala
18) Liars - Liars
17) Bat For Lashes - Fur and Gold
16) The Veils - Nux Vomica
15) Loney Dear - Loney, Noir
14) The Field - From Here We Go Sublime
13) Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
12) Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

11) Cloudcult - The Meaning of 8: I have a top 11 because my number 2 may or may not be a legitimate pick. Plus I really didn't want to leave this one off the top ten - so it kinda is and it kinda isn't. I'm happy about that. An uplifting album about death. How is that pulled off?

10) Arcade Fire - Neon Bible: Coming off the amazing album Funeral and the hype that surrounded this one, I never thought this would be in my top 10. But I listened the other day and thought, very nice. "Ocean of Noise" is a fave, plus those last 2 tracks may just end the album better than any album on this list (besides my number one).

9) Feist - The Reminder: Just a gorgeous record. It's one of those albums you put on and immediately everything feels familiar - you can almost sing along during listen one.

8) LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver: Has an 80's vibe that doesn't feel cheezy or forced. And so much shorter and better than the debut.

7) Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights: Go ahead give it a listen. Tracks from this album should be played on R&B radio stations around the world, to remind people what the genre should sound like. Damn they are some sweet vocals.

6) Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga: I keep wondering when Spoon is going to make a crap record. Doesn't seem to EVER happen.

5) Grinderman - Grinderman: A straight rock record from Nick Cave and friends. Somehow the sound is fresh. It's even humorous at times.

4) Battles - Mirrored: The thing with this record is...you don't quite get it...is it supposed to sound like that?....are those drums in time? It's damn confusing and even after you decide it's close to genius, in order to listen, you still must be in the mood for it. If someone walks in on it unprepared and unfamiliar they might either punch you in the face or ask you to turn it off. Or they may name it to their album of the year list. Quick question: Am I hearing those lyrics correctly? "Eat a sandwich"?

3) The National - Boxer: This album was number one for the majority of the year. I still listen to it a lot even though it's pretty old at this point. Passionate.

2) Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago: Not sure if this is even a legal pick. It was released independently earlier in the year, but now it's unavailable until early '08. I guess I'll just have to put it on both years top 10. Brilliant record that Justin Vernon recorded after he spent some time in his fathers hunting lodge in deep despair.

1) Radiohead - In Rainbows: I know what your thinking, "Oh come on, you always pick Radiohead!" Not true, neither Hail to the Thief or Amnesiac were my number ones the year of their release. It flows seamlessly, making the Radiohead fact - that the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts - stand true once again. Bodysnatchers is the best RH song since In Limbo. Nude, though it's been in the RH catalog for years, feels new, yet it's an instant classic. Or something like that. And the last 2 tracks - A perfect ending to a great year.

Some honorable mentions: Okkervil River, Burial, Patty Griffin, Jens Lekman.

Short on Hip Hop? I know. I spent a lot of my Hip Hop listening this year on old stuff, but I did like: Brother Ali, JayZ, Common, Joel Ortiz and Pharaoh Monch among others.