Speaking of Weezer...

Nothing warms my heart quite like watching someone mock Coldplay. And so Rivers Cuomo again has earned my good graces by ironically covering "Viva la Vida," complete with tracksuit, bells, and a cheat sheet with the lyrics. But, as Stereogum put it, he "clearly has Chris Martin's dramatic arm movements memorized."

Enjoy!

Who is Julian Plenti?

When a front man goes solo, it's no surprise when he sounds just like the band he fronts.

But luckily for Paul Banks, he fronts a really good band. All together, sounding like Interpol isn't a bad thing.

So with Paul's alter ego Julian Plenti, and the album, Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper, we get the same affected vocals, the same opaque and sexual lyrics, the same driving rhythm section. The lead single "Games for Days" is dark, but with a straight-forward pop/rock construction and a shout-along chorus. This track definitely feels less sharp-dressed and drilled than Interpol. I mean, I can imagine actually dancing to it (which is saying something!). It sounds like what Our Love to Admire was trying to be. "Fun that We Have" sounds like it could be straight off Antics, but with some electronic flair. It's repetitive and building in a good way.

I am... fan. I think. I should really hear the rest of the album before I judge.

Check out the hot video for "Games for Days."



I love his hats. And his general high level of attractiveness. You may also recognize Metric's Emily Haines as the leading lady? No? It's ok, neither did I.


You can snag the Mp3 of "Games for Days" over at Stereogum.

Even More Hutchtastic!

Remember when I wrote about The Thermals' new single "Now We Can See" off the their album of the same name (out today!)?

Well that catchy tune of theirs now has a video!

Not entirely unexpected, they tend to like rocking out in a room for their videos. But Hutch is in fine form (love the adorable dancing), and the song is fun. So rock on.



You can snag an mp3 of the song over on Stereogum.

You too can be a member of Vampire Weekend

... if you agree to wear ugly stoner-wear.

Last night the J. Crew's poster boys visited Jimmy Fallon and gave him "White Sky." And they brought a lot of friends with them.



I think they're trying to join Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire in the who-can-fit-the-most-musicians-on-a-stage contest.

but about the song....

It's light, it's fun, it's summery. It's everything you'd expect from VW. But boring. I haven't totally given up on the song however. According to Stereogum's commenters, the song is much more upbeat live. Fingers-crossed for the studio version.

But the funniest thing about this video is the performance. Ezra looks totally awkward without his guitar and trying to dance around. And then mr. too-cool-for-school drummer chose to play only two of his drums. I can imagine how the band conversation went....



SCENE:
A post-rehearsal Vampire Weekend is chilling in Jimmy Fallon's green room. Keyboardist/guitarist ROSTAM is periodically picking at his guitar and jotting down notes, presumably writing a song. Drummer CHRISTOPHER is flipping through Harper's. Bassist CHRIS is asleep on the couch. Vocalist/guitarist EZRA enters.

EZRA: I don't feel like playing the guitar tonight.

ROSTAM: Ezra, come on, we've talked about this...

EZRA: No seriously, there's going to be a string section. It'll be fine.

CHRISTOPHER: If he's not playing, I'm not playing.

ROSTAM: What? NO! You have to play.

CHRISTOPHER: But that's what the back-up drummer is for.

ROSTAM: This is for tv! You don't want to be on tv?

CHRISTOPHER: Fine, but i'm only playing 1 drum. And I wanna stand in the front.

EZRA: As long as he doesn't get in my dance space.

CHRISTOPHER: Oh, you lose the guitar and suddenly you're Rick Astley, huh?

EZRA: I will slap those wayfarers right off your face!

CHRISTOPHER: Bring it on, madras boy! Be sure to push up your sleeves first!

ROSTAM: Stop! Just stop! Ezra, I will play the guitar for you, as long as you let Christopher stand up front with the rest of us. And Christopher, you have to play at least 2 drums. ok?

EZRA: Fiiiine.

CHRISTOPHER: I'm leaving the wayfarers on.

ROSTAM: fine.

EZRA: fine!

CHRISTOPHER: FINE!

CHRIS: Would you guys shut up? I'm trying to nap.

CHRISTOPHER: Oh hey Chris. I thought you'd gone to get us that mini-fridge.

CHRIS: uh....

EZRA: yeah, any update on the mini-fridge thing. We could really use one in here.

ROSTAM: Chris, go back to sleep. We'll wake you before we go on.

CHRIS: whatever...

End Scene.



They should really work on that whole inter-band-tension thing. Also, bonus points to anyone who gets the Guitar Hero 2 reference!

A Note on the Grammy Awards

I don't actually give a shit. And I don't think they're really taken all that seriously by anyone. They seem to be celebrating excellence, but it's really just a facade as the industry implodes. The gaudier and more "star-studded" the ceremony is, the bigger the cry for help.

Also, I really hate Coldplay.

Nevertheless, I suppose there may have been some sort of value in watching the ceremony, if only to better understand Stereogum's liveblogging of the event. Here are some choice moments:

8:41: Song Of The Year goes to "Viva La Vida," written by Joe Satriani (Feat. Creaky Boards).

ZING!

11:18: OK you guys. Alison and Robert totally did it. Right?

Of course they did. We have to believe it is so.


But honestly, the perfect example of everything that is wrong with the Grammys and the recording industry in general: Coldplay wins Best Rock Album over Radiohead*. Then Radiohead performs and fucking rocks it. with a marching band.


The obvious win of marketing over music is made all the more embarrassing by a stiff and smarmy introduction by none other than Mrs. Chris Martin herself.

Awards shows blow. But seriously, what did I expect?



* I swear I don't say this with bias. Even though I hate Coldplay, I'm not a huge Radiohead fan. But I think we can all can agree that Radiohead is more musically complex and progressive than Coldplay, who have openly admitted to stealing from their influences. Assholes. Ok, maybe I'm a little biased.