We're Moving: Welcome to Rawkblog.net

Destroyer - just 'cause. Photo by David Greenwald

Hi folks -- as you may have noticed from the spotty posting over the last few weeks, we've been busy working behind the scenes. Well, welcome to the new Rawkblog -- from now on, we'll be posting from http://www.rawkblog.net and hopefully not having our posts deleted by Google. See you there!

Start Buying Your Tickets At The Door

Ticketmaster and LiveNation are merging, which basically means that as the record industry continues to crater, dudes in suits will be milking you and your little sister for every last surcharge imaginable. Considering ticket prices are Ticketmaster are already basically a 2-for-3 deal every time out, I can't imagine this encouraging anyone to go to more concerts, much less be able to afford a t-shirt and a beer while there. Support your local venues, folks.

Video: Radiohead - "15 Step" (live at the Grammys)

The world's best band turned in the Grammys' best performance, giving "15 Step" a pretty amazing "Tusk" treatment with the USC Marching Band. Unfortunately, were Fleetwood Mac nominated for anything, they probably would've beaten Radiohead too because the Recording Academy's median age is 102. Also worthwhile if you plan on digging through YouTube: Al Green and Justin Timberlake's improptu take on "Let's Stay Together," pregnant M.I.A.-led rap crew jam "Swagga Like Us," Kanye and Estelle on "American Boy" and... well, that was pretty much it. Remind me to never watch this thing ever again.

A Word On The Grammys

Radiohead, the best band in the world, are in the running for Album of the Year for a third time. They will likely lose to Coldplay, a slightly more financially successful but infinitely more populist act, who owe their entire careers to Radiohead and a couple of really good singles from like 2002. I don't care who's handing out the awards, this is a bummer. Good thing Robert "Too Old For Zep" Plant is going to win the category all Herbie Hancock style.

Also, I don't really like M.I.A. as a musician or a human being, frankly, but she gets two thumbs up for being mad pregs and showing up dressed in this shit.

A few more words later, maybe, depending on how awesome Radiohead's performance is.

Update: Al Green and Justin Timberlake just killed it, high-five, universe!
Update 2: The Jonas Brothers are taking this playing with Stevie Wonder business seriously. Almost as serious as Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift singing about the angst of small town 15-year-old girls. Um, holla @ u lata, Teen Choice Awards?

Video: Fleet Foxes - "Mykonos"

Mykonos from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

The Sun Giant jam sounds even better with a stop-motion video to back it; like Fleet Foxes' previous videos, it's directed by frontman Robin's brother Sean. It gets hot around the 2:51 mark.

Previously: Fleet Foxes Do "Mykonos" on "SNL"

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Ryan Adams Releasing Valentine's Day EP

In a last-ditch (update: not a cash grab -- it's only $3.99) move from label Lost Highway, Ryan Adams is releasing an iTunes-only EP of his "best love songs" on February 10, according to his MySpace, which is interesting because it claims to include "unreleased bonus track 'Hey There Mrs. Lovely,'" a lost gem from Ryan's Heartbreaker-era Destroyer Sessions that was later reworked somewhat unsuccessfully for 2007's Easy Tiger. And secondly because it gives us the chance to talk about ol' Ryan's best love songs, which are probably not included on this new material-heavy collection. Tracklist and my picks after the jump. [Continue reading...]

Extra Cheese EP:
Two
Blossom
Answering Bell
Evergreen
My Love For You is Real
Desire
Hey There, Mrs. Lovely

As you can see, the set ignores Heartbreaker and Love Is Hell -- too depressive for V-Day? Here would be my picks for his seven best love songs:

Come Pick Me Up (from Heartbreaker)
Amy (from Heartbreaker)
Hey There Mrs. Lovely (from Destroyer)
La Cienega Smiled (from Gold)
Dear Chicago (from Suicide Handbook/Demolition)
Please Do Not Let Me Go (from Love Is Hell)
When Will You Come Back Home (from Cold Roses)

Post yours in the comments.

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Video: Jack Black and Michael Cera's "Year One"

2009 is going to be a glorious year if this clip from Year One is any indication -- Michael Cera and Jack Black meet Paul Rudd and David Cross (as Cain and Abel!) and do their thing in a scene from the Harold Ramis-directed, Judd Apatow-produced Biblical comedy.

Coachella 2009 Revealed: Moz, Macca and MBV

Okkervil River / photo by David Greenwald

Morrissey's not headlining (though that honor is going to his old pals, the Cure) but he's the guy I'm most excited to see at Coachella 2009, which, absurdly, will also feature Paul McCartney, My Bloody Valentine (finally) and '80s sound-a-likes the Killers, who should seriously play Smiths and Cure covers all night. Other highlights include the Hold Steady, Okkervil River, Fleet Foxes, TV on the Radio, Gang Gang Dance, Amy Winehouse (if she lives), Calexico, Junior Boys, Liars and Jenny Lewis -- not bad at all. I still think spreading them all over three days instead of two is a mistake, but, well, Macca! Peep the full list on Coachella's site.

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7th Graders Complain About Animal Collective Selling Out

I'm going to keep posting these videos until they stop being ridiculous: "Today, in my pre-algebra class, Kyle, who wears a Hollister shirt, was singing 'My Girls.'" 14-year-old hipster, welcome to the rest of your life. (Best part: "'Daily Routine?' It's a legit song, Panda Bear made it." [insert Joke/Despair re: Kids Today].) (Via Hipster Runoff, obv.)

"Watchmen" Has a Flickr

Or more precisely, The New Frontiersman, Rorschach's favorite paper, has a Flickr with sick shots of Dr. Manhattan. Guys, I know it's cheesy, but I fucking love viral marketing.