Music News

Well it's true, Gorillaz are coming back. When I first heard about demos for new songs a couple months ago I was skeptical about it all. I didn't have high hopes for the quality of songs with titles such as "Stylo" off of an album called "Plastic Beach". How can it ever hold up to Demon Days?

At first listen, "Stylo" (which is the first single from the album), sounds like it might've belonged on D-Sides. Though it sounds like just another electronic track, a dark re-hash of 80's club music, it eventually proves it has some soul. I just hope the rest of the album can back it up

Regardless of how the new album will sound, it's clear that the band has more star power now with guest stars such as Mos Def and Bobby Womack (upgrades from MF Doom and Ike Turner?) on "Stylo".

At any rate, the website is back and completely remodeled. The old Gorillaz clock is ticking down again, with 25 days to go. It seems that the band has moved out of Kong Studios in England to a groovy beach lair on Point Nemo, which appears to be an island somewhere.

Bassist Murdoc Niccals is currently broadcasting pirate radio broadcasts from the island, spinning yarns over about his journey to Point Nemo over a spooky orchestral track and spinning his favorite tunes. The Scooby-Doo sound effects fit in with the spooky aesthetic and the 70's cartoon vibe of the Plastic Beach preview and the vintage tunes. But of course it's all a big tease for the fans and all we can do is wait.

Also, Gorillaz is headlining the final day of Coachella.

Music News

Apparently, Owen Pallett has dropped his stage name and will no longer be known as Final Fantasy. Personally, I am relieved to learn this since, I've always felt really nerdy saying I like Final Fantasy's music.

"What, the video game?"

"No, the little Canadian guy who plays violin and RPGs."

Well, I think it's good he's going by his own name anyway. I thought it was a bad move to name himself after popular video game from the beginning (and by beginning I mean the first time I heard of him).

Anyway, if you want to read about Pallett's decision, here's an article for you.

Pallett has said that at some point his previous albums will be repackaged and released under his own name.

Owen Pallett's new album, Heartland drops on January 12th.

Music News

So some things seem to be happening to two faded bands by which I mean Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine. The Chili Peppers seem to be disintegrating while Rage may see a revitalization.

Today, NME ran an article that revealed that guitarist John Frusciante has left the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which is a shame for me because Frusciante's playing was the principal reason

I listen to the Peppers. RHCP's best albums were marked by Frusciante's involvement, starting with their breakout Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Frusciante left the band after that and was replaced by Dave Navarro for the mediocre One Hot Minute. Frusciante rejoined the band in 1999 for Californication, the album that would solidify the Chili Pepper's popularity.

It seems to me that Frusciante's departure is a nail in the Chili Pepper's coffin. In 2006, RHCP released their last album, Stadium Arcadium (the band's most critically successful album), and then went on tour. Following the tour the band went on hiatus, starting in 2007. Drummer Chad Smith went to play with Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani in the band Chickenfoot and bassist Flea did live shows with Thom Yorke. However, according to Chad Smith, the Chili Peppers have been in the studio since October so we'll see what becomes of the band. Frusciante is reportedly going to be replaced by friend and multi-instrumentalist Josh Klinghoffer.

So while the Red Hot Chili Peppers are seeing some potentially devastating changes, Rage Against the Machine is seeing a bit of a comeback, according to another article by NME. Today, Rage appeared live on Radio 5 in the UK, playing their song "Killing in the Name". The reason for their appearance is that a campaign has been started (via Facebook) to get "Killing in the Name" to the Christmas Number One slot on the UK Singles Chart in order to beat out the main contender, X Factor winner Joe McElderry's cover of Miley Cyrus' "The Climb".

The campaign started as a grassroots protest against the commercialization of the UK music industry, specifically in response to the fact that the Christmas Number One slot has been dominated for the last four years by the winners of the popular singing show, X Factor. The campaign has been getting results as the "Killing in the Name" leads "The Climb" by 36,681 copies.

While Simon Cowell has come out against the movement, defending Joe McElderry, it seems to me that Cowell is only protecting his interests. It seems laughable that he could truly care about a product of his pop singer fabrication machine. It also seems absolutely ludicrous that the single is a cover of a Miley Cyrus song that was released earlier this year. I mean, really? Is that the best the pop industry can do? Give us a rehash of a song we just heard? It's almost as if they're spitting in the public's face, as though Simon Cowell is sneering and daring the audience to refuse to buy his crap.

Though they did not have any part in organizing the movement, the members of Rage say they support the significance behind the campaign and are "honored" that their song was chosen. They have announced that the proceeds from the sales of their single will be donated to a charity called Shelter that aids the homeless.

Their appearance on the Radio 5 was made in support of the campaign and, in classic Rage style, caused controversy when, despite being asked to play an edited version of their song, decided to keep to the original. Yes, Zach de la Rocha screamed "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" on live radio. I would expect no less.

Following a series of reunion performances in 2007 and 2008, it seems that Rage is still relevant and active in one form or another. However, despite the possibility of future performances together, the band still says they have no intention of producing another album.

Music: Street Sweeper Social Club

Since the break-up of Audioslave in 2007, Tom Morello has kept himself busy with his solo career as the Nightwatchman. However, Tom is now working on another collaboration called Street Sweeper Social Club, a rap/rock group formed with Boots Riley from the politcal hip-hop group, The Coup. While I enjoyed Morello's work as the Nightwatchman, it is nice to hear his guitar god skills back at work. Still, it's hard to adjust to hearing Tom's hard rap/rock riffs without Zack de la Rocha's shrill voice. Also it's still hard to imagine Morello rocking out without the rhythm section of Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk. However, one listen to Street Sweeper Social Club and you can tell they're on to something hot. Imagine elements of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and the Nightwatchman being thrown into a blender and mixed with a secret ingredient, and you'll get Street Sweeper Social Club.

http://streetsweepersocialclub.com/

http://www.myspace.com/streetsweepersocialclub