Tag Archive for Flaming Lips

The Good

New MGMT song, gratis!

MGMT

For those who got MGMT fever listening to their vocals on Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness,” the wait is (almost) over. Today MGMT released the first track off their upcoming surfer pop album, Congratulations. This one is called “Flash Delirium” and it is available FREE FOR DOWNLOAD on the band’s Web site. Dance, little children, dance.

The Bad

Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous takes own life

Mark Linkous

The music industry lost another world-weary hero this week. First Vic Chesnutt, and now Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse— a frequent Chesnutt collaborator. Linkous reportedly died from a self-inflicted stab wound outside a friend’s home in Tennessee. As Sparklehorse, Linkous released 4 studio albums (with a 5th on the way), toured with Radiohead and collaborated with the likes of Tom Waits, PJ Harvey and, most recently, Danger Mouse. The duo was entrenched in a legal dispute with Danger Mouse’s record label, EMI, for the rights to release their album Dark Night of the Soul but recently reached an agreement.

On a personal note, I interviewed Linkous after the release of his stunning 2001 album, It’s a Wonderful Life, at his farm in Virginia, and found the man behind the musical genius to be a quiet, gentle soul who entertained all my fumbling questions with grace and kindness. R.I.P., Mark.

The Ugly

Bieber rips off Raaaaaaaandy?

Justin Bieber

Could it be true? Through his alter ego, Raaaaaaaandy (yeah, that’s 8 a’s), Comedian Aziz Ansari has accused Justin Bieber of ripping off his song “Baby, Baby” in the teen idol’s current hit, “Baby.” According to the re-enactment footage, Bieber stole the music and lyrics after pistol whipping poor Raaaaaaaandy in the studio. That’s so Bieber! Check out the Funny Or Die clip here.

Miscellany

• Wayne Coyne wants Justin Timberlake for new Flaming Lips movie
• D’Angelo goes to the clink for soliciting sex
• T.I. back with new track, “I’m Back”
• Lil Wayne gets sentenced (finally) to a year in jail
• Eminem & Lil Wayne video for “Drop the World”
• Jay Z documentary in the works
• Mary J. Blige gets the led out with more Zeppelin covers

I’ve seen a lot of good shows this year. But I’m not sure if anything compares to the performance of the Young @ Heart Chorus at the Newport Folk Festival this morning. And it wasn’t just the novelty of watching a group of elderly people singing Sonic Youth’s Schizophrenia (though that was pretty incredible).

The fact is, the chorus displayed more musical range and emotional depth than any of the other performers at Newport. From a tear-jerking rendition of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” to the uproarious take on James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” Y@H left no melodic or emotional stone unturned.

Other standout performances included a bittersweet version of “All We Have is Now” (Flaming Lips), a stunning medley based around “Walk on the Wild Side” (Lou Reed) and a mischeviously fun interpretation of “Heaven” (Talking Heads).

Stay tuned later this week for a video interview featuring members of the chorus and their fearless leader, Bob Cilman.