Posted 4/17/08 5:03 pm EST by MTV News in Music, New Music Update
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Yeah, we know what you're thinking: Shut up! No way. One of the most anticipated albums of '08 is just being given away like Scientology stress tests? Yes way. This is totally true. Except there's a catch...
I can't tell 100% as I sit at this computer, but it looks 98% true that the boys are giving away their new album, The Odd Couple, BACKWARDS.
One love, Cee-Lo & Danger Mouse! You kids is craaaaaazy!
Can anyone out there seriously REVERSE THIS THING?
Posted 4/15/08 3:52 pm EST by Kim Stolz in Behind The Scenes, Music, New Music Update
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Well, the rumor mill has been running again for Ashlee Simpson and fiance Pete Wentz. And once again, the couple's being assaulted with the question "Is she pregnant??" I sat down with Ashlee just a few minutes ago -- mainly to talk about her album, but also, of course, to try and get a clear answer. (Hey, some of you want to know!)
"I just think it's an inappropriate question to ask any woman," Ashlee said -- after (ahem) already answering the question several times today. She did tell us a little bit about her engagement and even seemed receptive to the idea of a green wedding, in honor of the environment. And if she and Pete do have a green wedding, I’m taking full credit. No? Okay.
Ashlee and I talked about everything from dirty song lyrics to bad boyfriends and working with Timbaland. Oh, and Salvador Dali. No, seriously: she just bought a painting of his that depicts two girls chained to each other. Hmmm.
Others she worked with on Bittersweet World (due April 22nd) include Santogold's Santi White, Kenna, Chad Hugo from the Neptunes/N.E.R.D., and Tom Higgenson of Plain White T's.
More on Ashlee and her album coming soon at MTVNews.com.
Posted 4/15/08 1:25 pm EST by MTV News in Music, New Music Update
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So it seems the wily boys of Green Day/The Foxboro Bla Bla have released six new tunes on the Interwebs for your consumption. It’s the entire Side B of what’s set to be their vinyl release. And don’t forget the boys have promised to tour in support of this album. Not that anyone would show up for some tiny garage band.
This raises the question: How many Green Day fans are willing to drop some cash on their fave band’s alter-ego outfit? I mean, American Idiot was only one of the biggest-selling rock albums in recent memory. Would you pay for the Hot Tubs record?
Posted 4/3/08 11:13 am EST by MTV News in New Music Update
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MTV News Super-producer Matt Elias was on the set of a video yesterday being shot by the group Anti-Flag. Oh, and Tom Morello showed up. He reports from Los Angeles:
We're in Glendale, CA at Moonlight Rollerway, where Anti-Flag is shooting a video for their single, "Bright Lights of America." Tom Morello's a guest in the video, sporting a fake mustache that is AWESOME. He's the middle one in the picture. He's playing coach of Team USA for a troop of very badass roller derby girls (Shout to the Derby Dolls, Angel City Derby Girls and Prison City Derby Dames).
In between takes, we got a chance to sit down with Anti-Flag's Justin and "#2" (that is the bassist's name, though his mother calls him Chris), along with Tom Morello. A lot of the conversation focused on politics, with Morello saying, "As the other half-Kenyan from Illinois, who went to Harvard, I will not be running for president."
He later added, "The only time I've been impressed by a politician during my adult life was Barack Obama's speech on race." He's still not endorsing anyone in the race. It was hard to take him seriously with that goofy mustache on.
So Anti-Flag opened up for Rage Against The Machine on their Battle of Los Angeles tour in 1999, which is how this whole thing came about. And while Morello was very mum on confirming rumors that RATM are back in the studio recording a new album, the Anti-Flag guys let it slip afterwards that they're most likely going to be opening up for Rage on a tour happening this summer.
How's that for news?!
Posted 4/1/08 12:36 pm EST by MTV News in New Music Update
What's that? You say Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie (um, and The Postal Service) has a new side project? Oh, it's called Just Jazzin' and you're just now announcing it? Wait, what? We can have the exclusive? That's awesome. I see they even have a MySpace page already. Those guys certainly move fast!
You know when Ben Gibbard and Chris Walla put their minds together, it certainly is interesting. And we can totally feel their need to break the chains of corporate hegemony when it comes to music. We particularly like the description in the bio:
Born out of an interest in exploring music free from rules and convention, Just Jazzin’ offers the world a chance to see another side of Ben.
"....there’s this side of me and my music that desires a lack of structure and Just Jazzin’ does that for me because I am allowed to just play whatever note comes into my head", says Ben.
Oh and there's a video EPK online, too? This thing looks even cooler. We so can't wait for this thing to come out.
No, we haven't looked at the calendar today. Why? Is it Earth Day or something?
Posted 3/31/08 1:20 pm EST by MTV News in For The Record, New Music Update
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It's cool if you want to get Weezy, Snoop, Akon, T.I., Fergie or Bun B to guest on your album. But for his upcoming album, Brass Knuckles, Nelly was holding out for The Boss (um, and not Rick Ross). Nelly ">was seeking out Bruce Springsteen to collaborate on a song for his new album but the two artists couldn't make their schedules work (we hate it when that happens). Nelly, apparently, thinks the plan could still take flight at some point in the future, telling the AP, "We might repackage (the collaboration) for the holidays."
Posted 3/28/08 6:24 pm EST by MTV News in Interviews, New Music Update
On Wednesday, MTV News super-producer Matt Elias interviewed one of our favorite bands, The Breeders, in anticipation of their new album, Mountain Battles (due out April 8). They were out in Los Angeles to shoot a video for the song, which is a performance video based on old clips Kim Deal has been watching on "the You Tube." Also, if you're a DJ, she hates you.
Posted 3/28/08 11:46 am EST by MTV News in New Music Update
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We love Timbaland. Absolute genius. True innovator. Changed the landscape of pop music forever. But man, does he have some suspect taste in rock music.
Anyway, Timbaland told Ryan Seacrest yesterday that he’s producing the upcoming solo album from former Soundgarden/Audioslave howler, Chris Cornell, the singer's third.
Timbaland said it’s the “best work” he’s done in his career (of course it is). Meanwhile, Cornell – who gave props to “American Idol” cover coverer David Cook on Seacrest’s show earlier in the week -- also said this upcoming solo album, which could be released as soon as next month, is the highlight of his career (of course it is).
Yeah.
We don't mean to sound that cynical but really, what do you think - interesting or ridiculous?
Posted 3/27/08 11:50 am EST by MTV News in New Music Update
We are big fans of The Breeders, who are releasing a new album, Mountain Battles, on April 8. We talked with Kim and Kelley Deal yesterday in Los Angeles, where they were in town to perform for a local radio station and shoot a music video. We'll have more from that interview later, but for now, check out this cute little album preview video they shot at a local VFW hall. We think it's helplessly cute, sort of birthday party meets...rehab?
Posted 3/26/08 1:50 pm EST by MTV News in New Music Update
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Eccentric Venezuelan/Los Angelino merry folkster, Devendra Banhart, shot a new music video last weekend that stars one of our favorite people ever, Natalie Portman (seriously, she's like the nicest person in the world). Oh but here's the funny part. While both Portman's folks and Devendra's folks confirm this shoot took place over the weekend, at Banhart's crazy canyon home in LA, neither camp WILL SAY WHAT SONG THE VIDEO IS FOR. They're keeping it very secret and stuff.
We think that's just silly.
Is it a song off of his recently released Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, or perhaps it's that exclusive Devendra song that appeared on the compilation Portman put out to benefit FINCA, the microfinance charity she's a big supporter of.
Anyone know? We're working on pictures in the meantime.
[UPDATE: It's for the song, "Carmensita," off of Smokey - confirmed by the label. Awesome, we love that song!]
Also, for those who only read this for Idol and Fall Out Boy coverage, here's a primer on Devendra - TOTALLY WORTH CHECKING OUT.