?uestlove Twitters?

I’ve recently gotten into this whole Twitter thing (though I’m not quite sold on it yet, neither is Jon Stewart). But it has produced some entertaining results.  For example, I recently found a legit Twitter feed for ?uestlove from The Roots.

Obviously this is not the only big news for the funk hop band The Roots.  They have taken over as Jimmy Fallon’s backing band on his new late-night spot, and have a(n almost) weekly gig at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.  ADDITIONALLY, ?uesto also has a weekly DJ gig starting in late March at the überhip (Le) Poisson Rouge, also in the big apple.  So, congrats to the bunch: Captain Kirk, Owen Biddle, Black Thought, F. Knuckles, ?uesto, and the rest.

MP3: The Roots-Rising Down (featuring Mos Def and Styles P)

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The Roots on The Colbert Report

Faux-conservative commentator and former correspondent of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, is spending a week in Philadelphia leading up to next Tuesday’s Democratic primary event between Bruce Springsteen-endorsed Barack Obama and Mayor Nutter-endorsed Hillary Clinton.  Last night he hosted Philly natives The Roots, as they performed a uniquely dark version of The Star Spangled Banner.  It is obviously reminiscent of Sir Jimi Hendrix’s performance of the song at Woodstock nearly 40 years ago; watch it below (mp3s below the video):

MP3: Bruce Springsteen-Born to Run

MP3: The Roots-Masters of War

MP3: Jimi Hendrix-Star Spangled Banner

MP3: Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart-America the Book, Chapter 11

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Album Updates

With the recent Raconteurs news and yesterday’s surprise Gnarls album(!), I thought I’d throw out a few other quick updates of those bands getting ready to release albums (likely in preparation for the summer touring season.

Coldplay-The new album is getting a Spanish title: Viva La Vida, from a painting by Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Mates of State-With a tour announcement likely coming soon, Rearrange Us should be out on May 20.

The Roots-Though political, Roots drummer ?uestlove says the album is not a downer.  Cover art and details here.

Ryan Adams-The young gentleman is working on what he calls a “second draft” of his new album, expected later this year.  Check out a blog written by Adams charting his experiences.

Kylie Minogue-With iTunes, amazon.com, and other internet-based music-purchasing sites, it is strange that there are different continental releases these days.  Nevertheless, Kylie will be releasing her latest album, X, in the US this spring.

MP3: Coldplay-Politik

So now I try to score at the grocery store…

Though we’ve been busy carousing in NYC, the world of music still somehow manages to drive forward, producing some of the most exciting news in some time! A quick update of what we’ve missed while seeing Avenue Q, watching Arsenal play AC Milan at a sweet English pub in the East Village, watching a free taping of John Oliver’s Comedy Central stand-up premiere (check it out-very very funny!), and generally having a ball.

Atmos, follow with the phere tour: How can you not love these guys? First, a free album that resurrects James Brown and his soul brothers and challenges all of their previous work. Second, Slug gives us a little Valentine’s Day kiss by providing some loyal Onion readers to some sex advice. Finally, the dynasty duo have announced a North American tour, comprised mostly of two-night stands (these guys wouldn’t love you and leave you right away). And on the opening night: Chuck D and Brother Ali! I say to you, these guys are cruising along “like they don’t give a damn about the outcome.”

Tour Dates (c/o Pitchfork):

04-19 St. Paul, MN – Fitzgerald Theatre (Slug only) *
04-22 Chicago, IL – Metro
04-23 Chicago, IL – Metro
04-24 Toronto, Ontario – Opera House
04-26 Boston, MA – The Roxy
04-27 New York, NY – Webster Hall
04-29 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
05-02 Austin, TX – Emo’s
05-03 Austin, TX – Emo’s
05-05 Phoenix, AZ – Marquis Theater
05-06 Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda Theatre
05-07 Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda Theatre
05-08 San Francisco, CA – The Regency
05-09 San Francisco, CA – The Regency
05-12 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
05-13 Seattle, WA – Showbox
05-14 Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore Ballroom
05-16 Salt Lake City, UT – In the Venue
05-17 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
05-18 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre

MP3: Domestic Dog

ANOTHER TOUR: Silver-throated songstress Kate Nash has announced a HUGE North American tour. Check out her myspace page for dates. (BTW: Cat Power has also added some more dates to her tour.)

MP3: Seven Nation Army (White Stripes cover)

Last Action Hero: LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy is penning a new song for an action(?) movie, 21, about six kids from MIT who go to Vegas, with professor Kevin Spacey in tow, and attempt to count cards and make millions. I saw the preview a month or two ago, and the movie looked possibly worthwhile. The director of the film, whose previous works include Legally Blonde and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! is pretty young. Hopefully he uses Mr. Murphy’s music well.

MP3: Too Much Love

And finally, from our Is this really necessary? file: There are some older songs that seem really fun to remix: The Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive was fun. Elvis’ Viva Las Vegas and A Little Less Conversation are pretty fun to do this to. Or Mark Ronson’s remix of Dylan’s Most Likely You’ll Go Your Way was a perfect example of taking a great old song and spicing it up just a little bit to fit today’s radio playlist. But some songs just seem like they don’t need remixing, and for some reason, the Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want seems to fit into this category. I haven’t listened, and refuse to, unless told by friends and colleagues that it is worthwhile. If you feel so inclined, listen. Then let me know.

MP3: She’s a Rainbow

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(Oh yeah, almost forgot! Stop back on Sunday or Monday to check out our review of THE ROOTS AT THE APOLLO THEATER, 11:00 pm show!)

M@M: The Roots-Masters of War

In honor of our upcoming trip to the Apollo Theater, here is a M@M dedicated to a single song that has changed live music for the both of us: The Roots playing Bob Dylan’s Masters of War.

The Roots at the Apollo Theater, Preview

Posting has and will continue to be light as your two loyal and trustworthy bloggers are taking the town of New York City by storm.  More on that later.  While searching music events to attend last night, this dynamic duo stumbled upon an event, hidden amongst the blogs, ticketmasters, and event calendars: The Roots performing at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater. (I guess I wasn’t looking closely enough at BrooklynVegan earlier in the week.) But our tickets are purchased, and expect a review, performed double-style.

The Roots have put on performances that both of us have ranked in our top 5 live shows ever, and I’m guessing a double-feature at the Apollo will surpass both.  As a rule of thumb, I try not to build up live show expectations.  Anything can happen to mar a show: a sick drummer, bassist breaks his hand trying to rip a phone book in half, bad acoustics, etc.  But I will not hold back when I predict this will be the performance of a lifetime.

Buy The Roots/MP3:  Mellow My Man