NEW Jack White "Love Interruption"

Looks like the mastermind behind so many great bands like The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, & The Dead Weather (which are just the ones that he's in) has found the time to put out a solo album. Finally, what we here at MSD have been waiting for! Jack White's debut album Blunderbuss comes out April 24. This single goes on sale later tonight at 11 PM (central time) and you can pre-order the vinyl for the single which will be released February 7th. The B side will feature an unreleased track "Machine Gun Silhouette" which isn't going to make the cut for the album.

Whipped Cream of the Day

• M.I.A. announced that "Bad Girls" from the mixtape "Vicky Leekx" (which came out new year's eve) will be her next single. It'll officially be released on 1/31 with the video out the week after. 

• Swedish artists colliding & making awesome music: check out Miike Snow's "Black Tin Box" which features the deeply haunting vocals of Lykke Li. The track will be on Snow's second album Happy to You, out 3/26.

• The Weeknd & Drake are currently in production for the video of "The Zone" from Abel's second mixtape Thursday. The video's director, Lamar Taylor already has credits for Drake's "Headlines" & "The Motto" videos. Here's The Weeknd's first official video for "The Knowing".  

• A couple videos for your eyes to rest upon: Porcelain Raft "Unless You Speak From Your Heart" and The War On Drugs "Brothers".

• Shit Samuel L. Jackson Says. Worth it. 

The Kills at Stubb's (1/25/2012)

For those of you that don't live in Austin, the weather on Tuesday night was horrifyingly bad. Insane lightning. Flash flooding. Tornado watches and the like... So, I was worried that this show wouldn't happen because Stubb's venue is outdoors. But everything cleared for Wednesday, and my oh my were we treated to an excellent show.

I've said it before. I'll say it again. Alison Mosshart is the sex. Alison Mosshart is captivating. Her stage presence, her charisma...You just can't take your eyes off of her. She owned the stage like it was her playground. For this performance, the raven-haired beauty with the intoxicating voice sported auburn hair and a red, white and blue Texas shirt. It had stars on the shoulder. It was awesome. Her partner-in-crime, Jaime Hince was (as always) the quieter cool. He wielded his ax with a James Bondian swagger.

Alison and Jaime have amazing chemistry. It got me thinking... Whereas Jack White and Alison (in The Dead Weather) have this insane, sexual tension that drives and fuels the music, Alison and Jaime are more like an old married couple who still have this amazing, familial loving spark. It's fun to watch. Really fun to watch.

As for the show itself... it was electric. For the most part it was the same show that they did in April with a little variation, but that didn't make it less awesome. The Kills put on a hell of a show featuring past and present hits. My own personal favorite song from the set (which they didn't do last time 'round) was a fantastic cover of Willie Nelson/Patsy Cline's "Crazy".

Two bands opened for them. I only caught Jeff the Brotherhood. Unfortunately... meh. I was interested as they had recently worked at Third Man Records for a couple releases but I didn't listen to said releases. As a result, I was totally green. I was expecting something like a poor man's Black Keys but they weren't even that. It was almost like the duo played late 90s/early 2000s generic rock and roll. It wasn't terrible. To be sure, they are technically proficient but I heard no song that made me take interest. They're the kind of band that'll be on the radio that is neither going to make me change the channel nor take note who the artist is. It felt like white noise. That was disappointing.

Set List

No Wow

Future Starts Slow

Heart is a Beating Drum

Kissy Kissy

U.R.A Fever

DNA

Satellite

Last Day of Magic

Crazy (a fucking awesome Patsy Cline cover)

Baby Says

Getting Down (slowed down)

Black Balloon

Tape Song

Cheap and Cheerful

Pots and Pans

Encore:

The Last Goodbye

Sour Cherry

Fuck the People

Monkey 23

VIDEO: Sleigh Bells "Comeback Kid"

Get More: Sleigh Bells, Comeback Kid, Music, More Music Videos

Whipped Cream of the Day

• I'm hard pressed to ever enjoy anything of Miley Cyrus' unless it's 2 AM, and I'm knee deep in gin and tonics with a loud speaker behind me. But Miley Cyrus' cover of Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" is actually pretty good and just shows how much better she could be if she'd lose the whole 'I'm young & free & wild' act. 

• If you're already sick of Lana Del Rey, wait just six more minutes until you hear this remix of "Born To Die" by Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn that totally transforms the song into something I like better than the original. And if you thought she was bad on SNL, here's Steven Tyler really mauling the National Anthem (but hey, who ever gets it right these days?).

• Cloud Nothings' second album Attack on Memory drops tomorrow (1/24). Here's the video for the first single "No Future/No Past". The song (and album) sounds like pure punk-rock while the video just creeps me out. 

• New Andrew Bird is like my soul finally relaxing after a roller-coaster ride at Six Flags; I'm at peace. "Eyeoneye" is the first single released from the upcoming Break It Yourself (3/6). It's got all the necessary whistles and strings that we expect. 

• I can't remember when or where I first heard of Porcelain Raft but now I can remember why I liked it in the first place. The Hype Machine is streaming their debut album right now, and it's worth the listen. Strange Weekend is out tomorrow (1/24). 

• I miss D.A.N.C.E & Genesis.

LIVE: The Weeknd performing Echoes of Silence Tracks

Take a peak at what to expect from now on. The Weeknd performed several tracks from his latest mixtape Echoes of Silence for a sold out crowd (three nights) in Waterloo & Ottawa. Watch below or here (the quality sucks due to the heavy bass but I'll take what I can get).

Cults "Abducted" LIVE on Fallon

 

Sandwiches: Feist, a Pinata and Guns N Roses

I love sandwiches.  I love the idea of sandwiches: take a bunch of shit you like, put it between bread... Boom.  Sandwich.  (And it doesn't require an oven like those self-righteous, stuck-up pizzas... and yet you can bake or toast sandwiches!)  

I love sandwiches in the non-sandwich world.  Super groups.  Dream teams.  Really f*cked up dreams.  Just anything with a bunch of cool but random shit that, when mixed together, turns out pretty awesome.

Which brings us to our new segment: Sandwiches.  This is where we post something made up of a bizarre mix of things we like to share it with you.  Because the second best thing to eating a sandwich is sharing it.

Ingredients: 

1. Feist

2. Feist hitting a pinata (I was gonna say "banging a pinata," but that'd be a different blog all together)

3. While Feist's backing band plays Guns N Roses' "November Rain" in the background.

4. And then a fake Slash comes for the epic guitar solo which is slightly funnier and more surreal than if it were real Slash.

Another sandwich from a past post: Jim Carey singing "I Am The Walrus."

VIDEO: Active Child "Hanging On"

Shearwater "You As You Were"

Austin's own Shearwater will release their eight album (their first album under Sub Pop Records) Animal Joy on February 14th, just in time to get your sweetie a gift! The record was produced by Danny Reisch who already has bands like The Bright Light Social Hour, White Denim, & Okkervil River under his belt. Listen here or below to one of the tracks.

Shearwater - You As You Were by subpop

Marry, Boff, Kill: The Curious Case of Lana Del Rey

I found a picture that captures all three elements of the game!

Lauren and I are confused and divided over Lana Del Rey. Lauren used to be a fan. I hadn't really heard of her. After her trainwreck performance on SNL, Lauren reevaluated her fan-liness while I became interested in how someone who bombed THAT BAD (and let's face it, it was really bad) could be a phenomenon. So, I listened to how "Video Games" was supposed to sound, and lordy, I liked it. I liked it a lot. I read why she wrote it and where it came from, and I connected with it. And I liked her.

I continued watching different clips of hers and different clips of her performing that song... and curiously and hilariously each one brought on a different reaction. Sometimes she was this sex bomb with big pouty lips, introverted hotness and a flirty, husky voice. Sometimes, she just seemed like that cool, approachable chick. Sometimes she came off as this pretentious lady who bored the life out of me.

Which brings us to today's game:

Marry Boff Kill- The Lana Del Rey Edition

It's been awhile since we've played this, so let me refresh.  Given three different people (the premise of this being she can be three different people), who would you marry, boff, and kill.  (Our awesome thought experiment begins after the break)

Whipped Cream of the Day

• Santigold released a download and video for the first single "Big Mouth" off her second album Master Of My Make Believe, due out sometime this Spring. I see a few pop culture references in here like a mermaid swimming Gaga, a possible blonde haired, cig smoking girl that could be Lohan (be careful, she has her lawyer on speed dial & isn't afraid to use it), and an almost most definitely Katy Perry impersonation that is a naked girl with blue hair that appears to be floating on a cloud with T.G.I.F. and a cat nearby. 

• Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear & Department of Eagles has undoubtedly one of my favorite voices in music. On March 19/20th, he's releasing a five-song EP entitled Silent Hour/Golden Mile. Here's a preview of what it should sound like, take a listen to "Saint Nothing".

• I have to say so far, I'm not too impressed with the material Band of Skulls has released for their second album, Sweet Sour (2/21). Make up your own mind by taking a listen to the most recently released "Bruises" and the previously released "Sweet Sour" and "The Devil Takes Care of His Own".

• And for the daily bit of random songs, here ya go: MNDR "#1 In Heaven", Matthew Dear "In The Middle I Met You There", Light Asylum "Skull Fact", Foster The People "Don't Stop (TheFatRat Remix)" and a full album stream of Porcelain Raft's upcoming album, Strange Weekend (1/24). 

Cloud Nothings Attack On Memory

Attack On Memory drops January 24th. Listen below or over at Soundcloud.

Cloud Nothings - Attack On Memory by Carpark Records

Whipped Cream of the Day

All about the hip hop.

• A$AP Rocky released the new track "Celebration" in which his life basically is now after finding success with the triumphant mixtape "LiveLoveA$AP". In other Rocky news, here he is featured on the Schoolboy Q track "Hands On The Wheel" which samples the Lissie cover of Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness". 

• Not much here, just Yeezy rapping in '96. He's sexy, and he knows it. 

• Take a listen at the newest single "NEEDSUMLUV (SXLND)" from Harlem native Azealia Banks. The song samples a tune from the late singer Aaliyah. Banks is quickly rising to the top after the single "212" , getting into a Twitter squabble with Kreayshawn, and hooking up with Lady Gaga's stylist for her next video.

• Happy MLK Day and also, RIP to creator of the best biscuits around (Cracker Barrel DUH), Dan Evins. 

Sleigh Bells - "Comeback Kid"

"Comeback Kid" isn't as hard hitting as anything from the last album (but I'm listening on my laptop so my ears my be deceiving me) but still jams. Either way, more inspirational words from Alexis and also the same kind of musical comedown that's displayed in the first track released,  "Born To Lose".

Reign of Terror has been pushed back from the originally scheduled Valentine's Day release to February 21st instead.

The Horribly Last-Second Live Blogging of The 69th (Heh-Heh) Golden Globes

Hey everyone, Jack here.  The show starts in... 13 minutes, and Lauren and I decided to live-blog the event.  You can follow me and my insane, "just woke up" ramblings here or follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/motorcycdrama.  If you're watching with us, refresh often!

6:51- Carson Daly's arrival special.  Oh good, I didn't miss anything.  (More after the jump)

The Rapture Sail Away remix by Cut Copy

Check out this pretty awesome remix of The Rapture's "Sail Away" remixed wonderfully by Cut Copy.

Also, new tunes from School of Seven Bells "Lafaye" & Bear In Heaven "The Reflection of You".

P.S.S-Lil Wayne is writing a memoir to commemorate (is that the right word?) his time spent in jail in 2010. "Gone Till November" hits books shelves this, you guessed it, November.

Austra - Spellwork

Moonrise Kingdom Trailer - Wes Anderson

Animal Collective time lapse video for Strawberry Jam

Watch the time lapsed video for the band's recording of Strawberry Jam & Water Curses. There's nothing pretty or mind-bending to it; it's literally just the guys playing their instruments in bad lighting.


Strawberry Time Lapse from animal collective on Vimeo.

The Kills "The Last Goodbye" VIDEO

The Kills: The Last Goodbye on Nowness.com.

Whipped Cream of the Day

Tiniest frog discovered!!

• Real Estate, one of my favorite indie bands, is one from punky ole Brooklyn but sounds like they're a reincarnated version of the Beach Boys but with modern flair (just the beachy vibe really). Here's their hilarious FunnyorDie video for the single "Easy" which captures the crazy antics of the band's street team. 

• LCD Soundsystem's documentary Shut Up and Play the Hits follows them around during their final days as a band leading up to their shows in NYC. Unless you plan on hitching a ride to Sundance, watch the trailer and hopefully the whole thing will hit DVD shelves one day. 

• Representing the 512, here's Arcade Fire performing "We Used to Wait" at Austin City Limits. Watch the whole shebang on PBS this Saturday (1/14). 

• And in random news, Santigold announced Master of My Make-Believe to be the title of her second album, Sleigh Bells is touring more but not anywhere near ATX (boo), and Bon Iver will be the guest performer on SNL on 2/4.

• Singles to listen and absorb: The War on Drugs "Don't Fear the Ghost", Ital "Doesn't Matter (If You Love Him)", and Tycho (not really a single as it is an entire radio session of feel goodness). 

Jack White on American Pickers

I relish the day that I'll be able to walk in Third Man Studios and barter with Jack White over some deer head of mine for the gun used in The Dead Weather music video for "Treat Me Like Your Mother" (or A. Moss's leather jacket. Hell, I'll take a piece of the sand if it means they touched it). Well that's basically what the dudes from American Pickers got to do. They received a priceless piece of Dead Weather video memorabilia for some ole stuffed animal (an elephant to be exact). The MSD episode coming soon. But for now, watch Jack's segment which starts around the 36 minute mark.

2012 Coachella Lineup

New Shins "Simple Song"

The Shins new album Port of Morrow arrives in stores and digital boxes everywhere March 20th. Take a listen to "Simple Song" below or head to their site.

Whipped Cream of the Day

Hope everyone's holidays were splendid! Mine ran a little long but here am I, back and ready to work. 

• Just ran across this adorable video, via Pitchfork, made by Jeff Tweedy's (of Wilco) son, Spencer. The video for "Whole Love" features the kids enjoying life as, well kids. 

• Finally, a Scissor Sisters track that I can enjoy with every being in my body. "Shady Love" which features vocals from Azealia Banks incorporates a wide variety of genres that mostly just make you wanna shake it like a polaroid picture.  

• Slim K, famous for his chops and screws, has taken it upon himself to work his magic on all three of The Weeknd's mixtapes. Download House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. The Weeknd was also just confirmed to play Coachella, which may be his U.S. debut. 

• Congrats to the happy couple, Jay-Z & Beyonce. The new dad wasted no time in recording a dedication song. "Glory" feat. The Naptunes is a heartfelt tune of tragic heartbreaks that finally turned into a happy ending. 

• A couple new tracks released by Thom Yorke & Johnny Greenwood, my favorite two people out of one of my favorite bands (Radiohead obvs). Take a listen to "Twist" & "Stuck Together".

Jack's Thoughts on Taylor Swift as Eponine

True story... When I was in 4th grade, my sister got the Les Miserables soundtrack (Original Broadway cast recording).  It became a near-permanent fixture in our 1996 Dell desktop computer.  We would listen to that nonstop while playing computer solitaire (when I wasn't smacking b*tches, lifting weights, straight ballin', something about cars, and other manly things).  I finally saw it on Broadway in 2001, and I intend to be front and center for when it comes to Austin later this year.

In 2002, the movie adaptation of Chicago opened, and it was brilliant.  It re-energized movie musical adaptations, and we had an onslaught of mostly forgettable adaptions like Mama Mia, Rent, Hairspray, The Producers, Phantom, and a bunch more I've forgotten.  But Les Miz was forever stuck in developmental limbo.  In some ways, it seems impossible to make a movie about this show because it's so... epic.  It spans, what, 20-something years and countless subplots.  And nothing is said.  They're sung.  I still can't fathom how they'll cram this into a movie.  Hell, the non-singing film with Liam Neeson didn't even finish the story.

Now, it seems everything is coming together quickly and coming together well.  For the most part, I've been happy with all the casting choices.  But recently, we had some controversy as Taylor Swift was offered the part of Eponine.  (More after the break)

Film Review - THE DARK KNIGHT RISES prologue... oh, and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL (2011)

My movie partner in crime and I agreed that we were going to see the IMAX screening of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL (or MIGP as I will call it for the rest of the review) mostly for one thing: The Dark Knight Rises prologue.  I can't (and won't... and don't want to) really give anything away because I had no idea what was going on... but it was awesome.  In it, we were given a very, VERY innovative introduction to the film's antagonist, Bane.  And his villainous deed in the prologue... Well, I've never seen anything like that in a movie.  Blew my mind.  I had the same problem that a lot of people had with understanding Bane, but it kind of made him all the more compelling to watch.  I was told that if you watched bootlegged version on youtube, with subtitles, it makes more sense.  After the prologue, we were treated to a bunch of quick-cut clips of the happenings of Gotham City, and it all just looked so fantastic.  Can't wait until this movie is released.

After a deep breath that followed that nerdgasm, on came MIGP.

I walked into MIGP with high expectations, and they were met.  Won't say exceeded, but they were met. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, and he does his thing.  He plays the part with the right mix of intensity and coolness.  He's the experienced one on the team made up of Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, and Paula Patton.  Though they aren't green, they defer to the wise, experienced super agent.  Renner is especially fun as the mysterious new guy, and his secret is pretty dark.  More after the break.